[Sidenote:  His charity]

Thus did the joy and gratitude of this good man’s heart break forth; and it is observable, that as the invitation to this slander was his meek behaviour and dove-like simplicity, for which he was remarkable; so his Christian charity ought to be imitated.  For though the spirit of revenge is so pleasing to mankind, that it is never conquered but by a supernatural grace, revenge being indeed so deeply rooted in human nature, that, to prevent the excesses of it,—­for men would not know moderation,—­Almighty God allows not any degree of it to any man, but says “vengeance is mine:”  and though this be said positively by God himself, yet this revenge is so pleasing, that man is hardly persuaded to submit the manage of it to the time, and justice, and wisdom of his Creator, but would hasten to be his own executioner of it.  And yet nevertheless, if any man ever did wholly decline, and leave this pleasing passion to the time and measure of God alone, it was this Richard Hooker, of whom I write:  for when his slanderers were to suffer, he laboured to procure their pardon; and when that was denied him, his reply was, “That however he would fast and pray that God would give them repentance, and patience to undergo their punishment.”  And his prayers were so far returned into his own bosom, that the first was granted, if we may believe a penitent behaviour, and an open confession.  And ’tis observable, that after this time he would often say to Dr. Saravia, “Oh! with what quietness did I enjoy my soul, after I was free from the fears of my slander!  And how much more after a conflict and victory over my desires of revenge!”

[Sidenote:  A long sickness]

About the year 1600, and of his age forty-six, he fell into a long and sharp sickness, occasioned by a cold taken in his passage by water betwixt London and Gravesend, from the malignity of which he was never recovered; for after that time, till his death, he was not free from thoughtful days and restless nights:  but a submission to His will that makes the sick man’s bed easy, by giving rest to his soul, made his very languishment comfortable:  and yet all this time he was solicitous in his study, and said often to Dr. Saravia,—­who saw him daily, and was the chief comfort of his life,—­“That he did not beg a long life of God for any other reason, but to live to finish his three remaining books of Polity; and then, ‘Lord, let thy servant depart in peace;’” which was his usual expression.  And God heard his prayers, though he denied the Church the benefit of them, as completed by himself; and ’tis thought he hastened his own death, by hastening to give life to his books.  But this is certain, that the nearer he was to his death, more he grew in humility, in holy thoughts, and resolutions.

[Sidenote:  Approaching end]

About a month before his death, this good man, that never knew, or at least never considered, the pleasures of the palate, became first to lose his appetite, and then to have an averseness to all food, insomuch that he seemed to live some intermitted weeks by the smell of meat only, and yet still studied and writ.  And now his guardian angel seemed to foretel him that the day of his dissolution drew near; for which his vigorous soul appeared to thirst.