and when his voice could no longer be heard, it might be seen from his eyes and hands being almost constantly lifted up, that his soul was still in earnest communion with that blessed Spirit, who soon after called it out of darkness into his marvellous light. For more than a year, he had suffered such pain that he was unable to lie down in bed, but he never complained. His end was peaceful: he had no struggling, nor seemed to be in any pangs in his last moments.

Such was the life and death of Sir Matthew Hale. His character speaks for itself, and needs no comment: it is seen in all his actions; and is further pourtrayed in the Letters which compose this little volume. They were written at different periods, while he was on the circuit as a judge. They prove how much the happiness of his children was the object of his constant solicitude. Loving them so sincerely, he could not but address to them the best of his understanding. Whatever conduct would

carry them most comfortably through this world into a blessed eternity, we may be sure he would recommend; and such precepts only would he give them, as he had found by experience were conducive to so desirable an end. Many books on such topics have been composed for the sole purpose of being published, and what they contain is therefore sometimes the result of ingenious speculation; but these Letters were designed purely for private use, and every word of them is practical wisdom. Let them be read then with that confidence and prepossession in their favour, with which, as his own children, we should have received them; and, by the blessing of Heaven, they will not fail of producing a good effect.

LETTER I.

ON RELIGION.

DEAR CHILDREN,

I INTENDED to have been at Alderley this Whitsuntide, desirous to renew those Counsels and Advices which I have often given you, in order to your greatest concernment; namely, the everlasting good and welfare of your Souls hereafter, and the due ordering of your Lives and conversations here.

And although young people are apt, through their own indiscretion, or the ill advice of others, to think these kind of entertainments but dry and empty matters, and the morose and needless interpositions of old men; yet give him leave to tell you, that very well knows what he says, these things are of more

importance and concernment to you, than external gifts and bounties, (wherein) nevertheless I have not been wanting to you, according to my ability.

This was my intention in this journey; and though I have been disappointed therein, yet I thought good, by letters and messages, to do something that might be done that way for your benefit, that I had otherwise intended to have done in person.

Assure yourselves, therefore, and believe it from one that knows what he says, from one that can neither have any reason or end to deceive you; that the best gift I can give you is good Counsel; and the best counsel I can give you is that which relates to your greatest import and concernment; namely, Religion.

And therefore since I cannot at this time deliver it to you in person, I shall do it by this letter, wherein I shall not be very large, but keep myself within the bounds proper for a letter, and to those things only, at this time, which may be most of present use and moment to you; and by your due observance of these directions, I shall have a good character, both of your dutifulness to God, your obedience to

your Father, and also of your discretion and prudence; for it is most certain, that as Religion is the best means to advance and certify human nature, so no man shall be either truly wise or truly happy without it, and the love of it; no, not in this life, much less in that which is to come.

First. Therefore every morning and every evening, upon your knees, humbly commend yourselves to the Almighty God in Prayer, begging his mercy to pardon your sins, his grace to direct you, his providence to protect you; returning him humble thanks for all his dispensations towards you, yea, even for his very corrections and afflictions; intreating him to give you wisdom and grace, to make a sober, patient, humble, profitable use of them, and in his due time to deliver you from them; concluding your prayers with the Lord's Prayer. This will be a certain means to bring your mind into a right frame, to procure you comfort and blessing, and to prevent thousands of inconveniences and mischiefs, to which you will be otherwise subjected.