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have reason to believe, that you have been careful in the time of your health to prepare for the evil day, and have been conversant in those books which give the best directions to this purpose; and have not, as too many do, put off the great work of your life to the end of it. And then you have nothing to do but, as well as you can under your present weakness and pains, to renew your repentance for all the errors and miscarriages of your life, and earnestly to beg God's pardon and forgiveness of them for his sake, who is the propitiation for our sins: to comfort yourself in the goodness and promises of God, and the hope of that happiness you are ready to enter into; and, in the meantime, to exercise faith and patience for a little while. And be of good courage, since you see land. The storm which you are in will soon be over; and then it will be as if it had never been, or rather the remembrance of it will be pleasant.

I do not use to write such long letters; but I do heartily compassionate your case, and I should be glad if I could suggest any thing that might help to mitigate your trouble, and make that sharp and rugged way, through which you are to pass into a better world, a little more smooth and easy. I pray God to fit us both for that great change, which we must once undergo; and, if we be but in any good measure fit for it, sooner or later makes no great difference. I commend you to the "Father of all mercies, and the God of all consolation," beseeching him to increase your faith and patience, and to stand by you in your last and great conflict: that, "when you walk

through the valley of the shadow of death, you may fear no evil;" and when your heart fails, and your strength fails, you may find him "the strength of your heart and your portion for ever.'

Farewell, my good friend; and whilst we are here let us pray for one another, that we may have a joyful meeting in another world. I rest, sir, your truly affectionate friend and servant,

J. TILLOTSON.

ARCHBISHOP TILLOTSON TO BISHOP BURNET. Lambeth House, Oct. 23, 1694.

MY LORD, I HAVE with great pleasure and satisfaction read over the great volume* you sent me, and am astonished to see so vast a work begun and finished in so short a time. In the article of the Trinity you have said all that, I think, can be said upon so obscure and difficult an argument. The Socinians have just now published an answer to us all; but I have not had a sight of it. The negative articles against the church of Rome you have very fully explained, and with great learning and judgment. Concerning these you will meet with no opposition among ourselves. The greatest danger was to be apprehended from the points in difference between the Calvinists and Remonstrants, in which you have shown not only great skill and moderation, but great prudence in contenting yourself to represent both sides impartially, without any positive declaration of your

The Exposition of the Thirty-nine Articles of the Church of England.

own judgment. The account given of Athanasius's creed seems to me nowise satisfactory. I wish we were well rid of it. I pray God long to preserve your lordship to do more such services to the church. I am, my lord, yours most affectionate,

JO. CANT.

JOHN DRYDEN TO HIS COUSIN.

To the fair hands of Madam Honor Dryden these crave admittance.

Camb. May 23, 1655.

MADAM, If you have received the lines I sent by the reverend Levite, I doubt not but they have exceedingly wrought upon you; for being so long in a clergyman's pocket, assuredly they have acquired more sanctity than their author meant them. Alas, madam! for aught I know, they may become a sermon ere they could arrive at you; and believe it, having you for the text, it could scarcely prove bad, if it light upon one that could handle it indifferently. But I am so miserable a preacher, that though I have so sweet and copious a subject, I still fall short in my expressions; and instead of an use of thanksgiving, I am always making one of comfort, that I may one day again have the happiness to kiss your fair hand; but that is a message I would not so willingly do by letter, as by word of mouth.

This is a point, I must confess, I could willingly dwell longer on; and in this case whatever I say you may confidently take for gospel. But I must hasten. And indeed, madam (beloved I

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For, since 'twas mine, the white hath lost its hue,
To show 'twas ne'er itself, but whilst in you:
The virgin wax hath blusht itself to red,
Since it with me hath lost its maidenhead.
You, fairest nymph, are wax: oh! may you be
As well in softness, as in purity!

Till fate and your own happy choice reveal,
Whom you so far shall bless, to make your seal.

Fairest Valentine, the unfeigned wish of your humble votary,

JO. DRYDEN.

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JOHN DRYDEN TO JOHN WILMOT, EARL OF
ROCHESTER.

MY LORD, Tuesday [July, 1673]. I HAVE accused myself this month together for not writing to you. I have called myself by the names I deserved, of unmannerly and ungrateful: I have been uneasy and taken up the resolutions of a man who is betwixt sin and repentance, convinced of what he ought to do, and yet unable to do better. At the last I deferred it so long, that I almost grew hardened in the neglect; and thought I had suffered so much in your good opinion, that it was in vain to hope I could redeem it. So dangerous a thing it is to be inclined to sloth, that I must confess once for all, I was ready to quit all manner of obligations, and to receive, as if it were my due, the most handsome compliment, couched in the best language I have read, and this too from my lord of Rochester, without showing myself sensible of the favour.

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