mation; to the great rejoicing of both papist and presbyter. So pathetic was his discourse, that it drew many tears from the auditory."

Destitution and wretchedness seemed to be advancing upon the clergy with the fatal first of January. The archbishop pronounced this proceeding to be "such a transcendent barbarism, impiety, and highway to extirpate religion, as the Pope and Jesuits themselves could not have invented the like; and exceeded all foreign persecutions against protestant ministers in Piedmont, Bohemia, and Silesia, by popish princes." And Prynne, who heard him so express himself, although no friend to the clergy, afterwards quoted his words with approbation.

The extremities to which they were now reduced compelled the distressed clergy to entreat some of their brethren to venture to intercede with Cromwell in their behalf; and, as he had professed some respect for the archbishop, they besought him to plead their cause, and obtain for them permission still to serve God in their private congregations, according to the liturgy of the church of England.

The venerable old man undertook their cause. He availed himself of many opportunities of mediating for them, for the space of more than a month; and, in company with Dr. Gauden and others, presented a petitionary remonstrance on the 4th of February.

At one of these interviews the archbishop obtained from Cromwell a promise that the clergy should not be molested, provided they meddled not with any matters relating to his government.

A second interview took place, in order that the promise might be ratified and put into writing. The archbishop found Cromwell in the hands of hissurgeon, who

was dressing a great boil which he had on his breast; so the protector begged the lord primate to sit down awhile, adding, that when he was dressed he would speak with him.-"Whilst this was doing, Cromwell said to my lord primate, If this core (pointing to the boil) were once out, I should quickly be well.' To whom the good bishop replied;—'I doubt the core lies deeper; there is a core at the heart that must be taken out, or else it will not be well;'-' Ah !' replied he (seeming unconcerned), so there is indeed!'- and sighed. When they proceeded to speak of the business in hand, Cromwell stated, that he had further considered the matter, and that since the last interview he had advised with his council about it; and that they thought it not safe for him to grant liberty of conscience to those men whom he deemed restless implacable enemies to him and his government; and so he ended the conference."

The aged prelate, troubled and heartsick, returned sorrowfully to his home, and retired to his chamber. When his friends presented themselves to him, he complained of the defeat of his charitable mission, with tears in his eyes. He also declared his belief that God would not long prosper so unrighteous a cause. "This false man," he said, "hath broken his word with me, and refuses to perform what he promised;' well, he will have little cause to glory in his wickedness, for he will not continue long. The King will return; though I shall not live to see it, you may. The government both in church and state is in confusion; the papists are advancing their projects, and making such advantages as will not long be prevented."

Having thus failed of success, to his deep disappoint

ment and sorrow, he went down once more to his country retirement at Reigate.* It was his last journey, and he made it about the middle of February.

There he pursued his literary occupations as usual for a few weeks, being desirous of completing his work on Sacred Chronology, to which he devoted the greater part of his time each day. Though far advanced in years, he was yet still blessed with as much health and vigour as commonly fall to the lot of his period of life. His sight, however, had been so greatly impaired by severe study, that he could only see to write in strong sunshine, and therefore was obliged to follow the rays from one window to another.

But he was fully satisfied that the days of his pilgrimage were nearly accomplished. And as he was wont on his birthday in January, every year, to set down his age in his almanack; so, on its recent return he had entered the following remark with his own hand:-" Now aged 75 years. My days are full!" and just below, in capital letters,-RESIGNATION !

"I

So also, not long before his death, Dr. Parr, his chaplain, went down to see him at Reigate, and preached a sermon on the text, Colossians iii. 12. at which he was present. After service he conversed with his chaplain, as his custom was, on the subject of the discourse. thank you,' ," he said, " for your sermon. I am going out of this world, and I now desire, according to your text, To seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God, and to be with Him in heaven; of which we ought not to doubt, if we can evidence to ourselves our conversion, true faith, and charity, and live in the exercise of those Christian graces and virtues with

* Walker represents this occurrence as having so affected the archbishop's spirits as to hasten his death.

perseverance; mortifying daily our inbred corruptions, and renouncing all ungodliness and worldly lusts. And he that is arrived at this habitual frame and holy course of life is the blessed and happy man, and may rejoice in hope of a glorious eternity in the kingdom of heaven, to receive that inheritance given by God to those that are sanctified."

Dr. Parr afterwards went away, considering that these were the frequent topics of his aged friend's conversation, and not expecting that those anticipations were so soon to have their fulfilment.

The archbishop, however, was acting wisely in thus girding himself for his departure. On the 20th of March, having passed all the earlier part of the day as usual in study, he went to visit a sick lady, then in the house, and spoke to her in so heavenly a manner of holiness, death, and future glory, that it seemed as if, like Moses upon Mount Pisgah, he had then a prospect of the celestial Canaan.

That night he complained of a little pain. Next morning it increased greatly, and the attempts to remove it were ineffectual. These sufferings he bore with Christian patience; but his strength was rapidly sinking, and he felt that the time of his departure was at hand. During a little interval of ease, he availed himself of the help of the chaplain of the house in prayer; and then, addressing himself to those who stood around his bed, spoke to them of life and death, and particularly besought them to prepare for their end while they were yet in health, that at the last they might have nothing else to do but to resign their souls to God in his good time.

He next took leave of the countess of Peterborough, thanking her for the kindness and friendship which she had exercised so largely towards him for several years,

and giving her, as his last return, some counsel respecting the interests of her soul.

He then desired to be left alone, that he might think more calmly of his approaching change, and disengage his heart and mind still more from earthly things; and thus, amidst holy meditation and communion with God, he fell asleep, in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The last, and they are memorable words, which this holy man was heard to utter, were, "O Lord forgive me, especially my sins of omission!"

So terminated the mortal life of this man of God. And although the chamber of death is a dark chamber, and the house of mourning a gloomy house, yet, where the sun of righteousness has shone upon the departing spirit, the survivors may well be taught not to sorrow like others who have no hope, for surely the bitterness of death has passed away.

The countess of Peterborough, desirous of showing every mark of regard to her departed friend, proposed to deposit his mortal remains in her family vault at Reigate. But while the necessary arrangements were being made, an order was issued by Cromwell, forbidding the burial at Reigate and appointing a public funeral. The protector was probably induced to take this step both by his respect for so pious, learned, and moderate a prelate, and by a hope of promoting his own popularity by doing honour to one who was so highly esteemed by persons of all ranks. However this might be, his contribution towards the expense of this pompous ceremonial was not sufficient to save the family of the archbishop from very heavy expenses, which they were very little able to bear.

So distant a day as the 17th of April was appointed for the funeral. On that morning the body was removed