Soon after this, George Herbert was offered the living of Bemerton near Salisbury.  But although he had already made up his mind to become a priest he was as yet only a deacon.  This sudden offer made him fearful.  He began again to question himself and wonder if he was good enough for such a high calling.  For a month he fasted and prayed over it.  But in the end Laud, Bishop of London, assured him “that the refusal of it was a sin.”  So Herbert put off his sword and gay silken clothes, and putting on the long dark robe of a priest turned his back for ever to thoughts of a court life.  “I now look back upon my aspiring thoughts,” he said, “and think myself more happy than if I had attained what I so ambitiously thirsted for.  I can now behold the court with an impartial eye, and see plainly that it is made up of fraud and titles and flattery, and many other such empty, imaginary, painted pleasures.”  And having turned his back on all gayety, he began the life which earned for him the name of “saintly George Herbert.”  He taught his people, preached to them, and prayed with them so lovingly that they loved him in return.  “Some of the meaner sort of his parish did so love and reverence Mr. Herbert that they would let their plough rest when Mr. Herbert’s saint’s bell rang to prayers, that they might also offer their devotions to God with him; and would then return back to their plough.  And his most holy life was such, that it begot such reverence to God and to him, that they thought themselves the happier when they carried Mr. Herbert’s blessing back with them to their labour."*

Walton.

But he did not only preach, he practised too.  I must tell you just one story to show you how he practiced.  Herbert was very fond of music; he sang, and played too, upon the lute and viol.  One day as he was walking into Salisbury to play with some friends “he saw a poor man with a poorer horse, which was fallen under his load.  They were both in distress and needed present help.  This Mr. Herbert perceiving put off his canonical coat, and helped the poor man to unload, and after to load his horse.  The poor man blest him for it, and he blest the poor man, and was so like the Good Samaritan that he gave him money to refresh both himself and his horse, and told him, that if he loved himself, he should be merciful to his beast.  Thus he left the poor man.

“And at his coming to his musical friends at Salisbury, they began to wonder that Mr. George Herbert, which used to be so trim and clean, came into that company so soiled and discomposed.  But he told them the occasion.  And when one of the company told him, he had disparaged himself by so dirty an employment, his answer was:  that the thought of what he had done would prove music to him at midnight, and the omission of it would have upbraided and made discord in his conscience whensoever he should pass by that place.  ’For if I be bound to pray for all that be in distress, I am sure that I am bound, so far as it is in my power, to practice what I pray for.  And though I do not wish for the like occasion every day, yet let me tell you, I would not willingly pass one day of my life without comforting a sad soul or shewing mercy.  And I praise God for this occasion.