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mysteries with that strength and clearness, that was his peculiar talent. He thought the less men's consciences were entangled, and the less the communion of the church was clogged with disputable opinions or practices, the world would be the happier, consciences the freer, and the church the quieter. He made the Scriptures the measure of his faith, and the chief subject of all his meditations.

"He indeed judged that the great design of Christianity was the reforming mens' natures, and governing their actions, the restraining their appetites and passions, the softening their tempers, and sweetening their humours, the composing their affections, and the raising their minds above the interests and follies of this present world, to the hope and pursuit of endless blessedness: and he considered the whole Christian doctrine as a system of principles, all tending to this. He looked on mens' contending about lesser matters, or about subtleties relating to those that are greater, as one of the chief practices of the powers of darkness, to defeat the true ends for which the Son of God came into the world; and that they did lead men into much dry and angry work, who while they were hot in the making parties, and settling opinions, became so much the slacker in those great duties, which were chiefly designed by the Christian doctrine.

"I have now viewed him in this light, in which St. Paul does here view himself, and have considered how much of that character belonged to him. I have reason to believe that he went over these things often in his own thoughts, with the same prospect that St. Paul had: for though he seemed not to apprehend that death was so near him, as it proved to be, yet he thought it was not far from him. He spoke often of it as that which he was longing for, and which he would welcome with joy."

We

*

We see that this is but a summary view of this great man, and such a one as carries with it all the marks of truth, candour, and sincerity. If we should add the character which others, less suspected by some of partiality than the foregoing author, give, we shall find that they exceed what his friend had said. Dean Sherlock, speaking of the great and noble designs queen Mary had formed to promote true religion, and the service of the Church of England, could not help upon this occasion giving a just encomium upon the archbishop in the following manner: "I have" (says he) "reason to say this from those frequent intimations I have had from our late adinirable primate, who had great designs himself to serve the Christian religion, and the Church of England, in its truest interests; and had inspired their majesties, and particularly the queen, who had more leisure for such thoughts, with the same great and pious designs. It may be no churchman ever had, and I am sure, not more deservedly, a greater interest in his prince's favour; and the great use he made of it was to do public service to religion, and whatever some men might suspect, to the Church of England, though it may be not perfectly in their way; and the greatest fault, I knew he had, was, that some envious and ambitious men could not bear his greatness, which he himself never courted, nay, which he industriously avoided. Before this, all England knew, and owned his worth; and had 'it been put to the poll, there had been vast odds on his side, that he would have been voted into the see of Canterbury; for no man had ever a clearer and brighter reason, a truer judgment, or more

* See his Sermon preached at the Temple on the Queen's Death.

easy

easy and happy expression, nor a more inflexible fearless honesty. He was a true and hearty friend wherever he professed to be so; though he had many enemies at last, he took care to make none; he was obliging to all men; and though he could not easily part with a friend, he could easily forgive an enemy. But I cannot give you the character of this great man now; what I have already said, I confess, is an excursion, which I hope you will pardon, to the passion of an old friend; and learn from two great examples, that neither the greatest innocence, virtue, or merit, can defend defend either crowned or mitred heads from the lash of spiteful and envenomed tongues." Thus far dean Sherlock. -Another friend says of him; "When he was importuned to use his interest with great men for his friends, upon any vacancies of preferment in their gift, he would sometimes desire to be excused from it, telling them that he had often paid dear for such favours, since he had been forced in return, and upon their request, to give livings to others, which were of double or treble value to those he had obtained from them, and yet this could not be avoided; and therefore he intreated those who had expectations from him, patiently to wait till preferments fell, which were in his own gift, and disposal."

Not to add the many panegyrics upon him from printed books, I cannot pass by one from a manuscript diary of a late learned and pious divine, because there is a particular in it which must arise from a personal knowledge of bishop Tillotson."He taught," says he, "by his sermons, more

He taught.] See Life of the Rev. Mr. William Burkit, M.A. Vicar and Lecturer of Dedham, by Nath. Parkhurst, M.A. London. 1704. 8vo. p. 32.

VOL. VI.

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ministers

ministers to preach well, and more people to live well, than any other man since the Apostles' days; he was the ornament of the last century, and the glory of his function; in the pulpit another Chrysostom, and in the episcopal chair a second Cranmer. He was so exceeding charitable, that while in a private station, he always laid aside two-tenths of his income for charitable uses."

Of his grace's writings, one volume in folio, consisting of fifty-two sermons, and the Rule of Faith, were published in his life-time, and corrected by his own hand. Those which came abroad after his death from his chaplain Dr. Barker, make two volumes in folio, the value, of which, if we may judge from the price of the copy, being two thousand five hundred guineas, is not inferior to the former. This, indeed, was the only legacy he left to his family, his extensive charity consuming his yearly revenues as constantly as they came to his hands. If charity be the characteristic of a true disciple, surely he who exhausted all he had in the noblest manner, and trusted in Providence for the future support of his own family, deserves that name more truly, than any in these late corrupted ages can pretend to. But the God, whom he served in the strictest of the letter of the Commandment, suffered not them to want; the Royal Bounty exerting itself to his widow, as I find in the two following grants, taken from the original records in the Office of the Rolls in Chancerylane; viz.

Anno 7 Guliel. Tertio.

"The King (May 2) granteth unto Elizabeth Tillotson, widow, and relict of John, late archbishop of Canterbury, an annuity of 400l. during the term of her natural life."

Anno

Anno 10 Guliel. Tertio.

"The King (August 18th) granteth unto Elizabeth Tillotson, relict of archbishop Tillotson, 2007. per annum, as an addition to her annuity of 4007. per annum, granted to her by letters patent, dated May 2, 1695."

As to the family of the Archbishop, all that we can learn of them is, that his lady was the daughter of Dr. French, whose widow bishop Wilkins married: that he himself mentions the loss of his only daughter, in his letter to Mr. Hunt; and that she was married to James Chadwick, esq. to whom bishop Williams dedicates his Vindication of his Grace's Sermons from the Charge of Socinianism.

Thus much could we collect of this great man, which though but imperfect, the bishop of Salisbury, who supplied us with some Memoirs, and promising us many more, dying while this work was in hand; but if any one can give us any farther notices of any thing that relates to him, we shall hereafter insert them with all due acknowledgment and gratitude.

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