the work more commendable, although (in very deed) precious things have their proper price, and therefore consequently will have their deserved praise. And first to touch his blessed beginning, blessed. ( say) even from above with the dew of God's grace, his education in Oxford, his prosperous proce ding in the knowledge of divinity, his forsaking not only of the university, but also his common country, his Aight into Germany, his return into England, his painfulness in preaching, his fame and credit among the people, his obtained favour with the King's Majesty, his advancement to more than a bishoplike dignity, his dispensation for his ceremonious conse→ cration, his secret enemies the supporters of pa. pistry, his supplantation by their privy conspiracies, his faithful continuance notwithstanding in sowing sincere doctrine, his painfulness in hearing public controversies, his visiting of schools and fountains of learning, his maintaining of godly discipline, his want of partiality in judgment betwixt person and person, his bishoplike behaviour abroad in his diocese, his fatherly affection at home towards his house and family, &c. do warrant him the name of a saint upon earth; and surely God hath registered him in the kalendar of his chosen servants in heaven. Again, the falling away of his favourers when religion languished, the malicious practices of his adversaries threatening his destruction, the bloodthirsty broaching of his persecution, his appearing before the Queen and her council, the tyrannical contumelies of his arch enemy, his spiteful accusation, his mild purgation, his undeserved deprivation, his cruel imprisonment, his hard entertainment, his lamentable lodging, his succourless sickness, his pitiful complaints, his restless tribulations, his strait examinations, his apologetical avouchments, the

committing of him to the Fleet, the tossing of him from the Fleet to the Compter in Southwark, from the Compter in Southwark to the Clink, from the Clink to Newgate, his unjust degradation, his cruel condemnation, and his lamentable execution, &c. all these pageants considered, as they were done, would make a flinty heart to melt, and stony eyes to sweat, not only water, but also blood; and, to be short, the whole body, though all the limbs thereof were as strong as steel, even for pity's sake to tremble. This coming within the compass of my poor consideration, I remembered that Christ Jesus, the only begotten Son of the almighty and eternal God, had passed the like, yea and worse perils, as by the history of his death and passion may appear: that the proto-martyr, St. Stephen, had his tormenters, St. Paul the apostle his persecutors, and other of Christ's disciples their afflicters: then thought I that these sanctified vessels made their vocation honourable, even by their deaths, which were opprobrious, and therefore how can it be, but that this our martyr, worthy Bishop Hooper, offering up his body a burnt sacrifice, lively, reasonable, and acceptable unto God, should give good credit to his doctrine, assure his profession, affirm his. vocation, and live in everlasting memory, by the dispersion of his books, though his favour be forgotten, and his body consumed? Of such a soldier, so valiantly fighting under the ensign of his Captain, I cannot say sufficient. Of this I am resolved, that although his earthly tabernacle be destroyed, yet hath he a building given him of God, even a house not made with hands, but eternal in the heavens, where God grant us all to reign, as joint heirs with Christ his anointed. To proceed and approach nearer to our purpose (for the premises are effectual enough to breed be

lief and to kindle reverence in the heart of any true Christian towards this our excellent martyr, replenished with the abundance of God's holy Spirit), I commend unto thy mind (good reader) a good work of this so good a man, namely, Certain Expositions upon the 23d, 62d, 72d, and 77th Psalms of the Prophet David, of the which the three last (being gathered together by a godly professor of the truth, Mr. Henry Bull) were never before printed. Their beginnings were usually read in this manner: 23. The Lord feedeth me, and I shall lack nothing. 62. My soul truly waiteth upon God. 72. Truly God is loving unto Israel, even unto such as are of a clean heart. 77. I will cry unto God with my voice, even to God will I cry with my voice, and he shall hearken unto me. The Expositions of which Psalms to be pithy and profitable, this may be a substantial proof, because they were written in the time of his trouble, when (no doubt) he was talking in spirit with God; and being so occupied, his exercises could not but be heavenly, and therefore effectual, fruitful, and comfortable. Come therefore, you sorrowing soul, which groanest for relief, to this spring: come hither, and hear what a good man wrote, ex carcere et vinculis, out of bonds and imprisonment, for thy consolation. Hear him once, hear him twice, hear him often, for thou canst not hear him enough. He giveth thee a pleasant pomander, vouchsafe it the smelling he soundeth sweet music, it deserveth good dancing: he bids thee to a sumptuous banquet, be not dainty in feeding: he presenteth unto thee a precious diamond, it is worth the taking. O give God thanks for all, and glorify the Lord's name, whom it hath pleased to plant in his vineyard so fruitful a vine, which beareth grapes, God's plenty, of whose juice, O Christ, vouchsafe us to taste,

that our vessels, being seasoned with true sanctification, they may be made sweet to receive and preserve the water of the river of life, flowing from the lively rock of Christ Jesus: to whom, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one Trinity in unity, be all daud and praise everlasting. Amen.

Thine in Christ,

A. F.