[Sidenote:  His “dove-like temper”]

And it is not unworthy the noting, that, in the manage of so great a controversy, a sharper reproof than this, and one like it, did never fall from the happy pen of this humble man.  That like it was upon a like occasion of exceptions, to which his answer was, “your next argument consists of railing and of reasons:  to your railing I say nothing; to your reasons I say what follows.”  And I am glad of this fair occasion to testify the dove-like temper of this meek, this matchless man.  And doubtless, if Almighty God had blest the Dissenters from the ceremonies and discipline of this Church, with a like measure of wisdom and humility, instead of their pertinacious zeal, then obedience and truth had kissed each other; then peace and piety had flourished in our nation, and this Church and State had been blessed like Jerusalem, that is at unity with itself:  but this can never be expected, till God shall bless the common people of this nation with a belief, that Schism is a sin, and they not fit to judge what is Schism:  and bless them also with a belief, that there may be offences taken which are not given, and, that laws are not made for private men to dispute, but to obey.

[Sidenote:  His writings]

And this also may be worthy of noting, that these exceptions of Mr. Travers against Mr. Hooker proved to be felix error, for they were the cause of his transcribing those few of his Sermons, which we now see printed with his books; and of his “Answer to Mr. Travers his Supplication;” and of his most learned and useful “Discourse of Justification, of Faith, and Works:”  and by their transcription they fell into such hands as have preserved them from being lost, as too many of his other matchless writings were:  and from these I have gathered many observations in this discourse of his life.

[Sidenote:  “Ecclesiastical Polity”]

After the publication of his “Answer to the Petition of Mr. Travers,” Mr. Hooker grew daily into greater repute with the most learned and wise of the nation; but it had a contrary effect in very many of the Temple, that were zealous for Mr. Travers, and for his Church-discipline; insomuch, that though Mr. Travers left the place, yet the seeds of discontent could not be rooted out of that Society, by the great reason, and as great meekness, of this humble man:  for though the chief Benchers gave him much reverence and encouragement, yet he there met with many neglects and oppositions by those of Master Travers’ judgment; insomuch that it turned to his extreme grief:  and, that he might unbeguile and win them, he designed to write a deliberate, sober treatise of the Church’s power to make Canons for the use of ceremonies, and by law to impose an obedience to them, as upon her children; and this he proposed to do in “Eight Books of the Law of Ecclesiastical Polity;” intending therein to shew such arguments as should force an assent from all men, if reason, delivered