"alms and prayer; every one that needs re"lief is equally the object of our charity; but though to all mankind in equal needs we ought to be alike in charity; yet we sig

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nify this severally and by limits, and dis"tinct measures: the poor man that is near "me, he whom I meet, he whom I love, he "whom I fancy, he who did me benefit, he "who relates to my family, he rather than "another, because my expressions being "finite and narrow, and cannot extend to all "in equal significations, must be appropriate "to those whose circumstances best fit me: "and yet even to all I give my alms: to all "the world that needs them; I pray for all "mankind, I am grieved at every sad story I "hear; I am troubled when I hear of a pretty "bride murdered in her bride-chamber by an "ambitious and enraged rival; I shed a tear "when I am told that a brave king was mis"understood, then slandered, then impri“soned, and then put to death by evil men : "and I can never read the story of the Pa"risian massacre, or the Sicilian vespers, but

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my blood curdles, and I am disordered by "two or three affections. A good man is a "friend to all the world; and he is not truly "charitable that does not wish well, and do

good to all mankind in what he can; but "though we must pray for all men, yet we

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say special litanies for brave kings and holy

prelates, and the wise guides of souls; for 66 our brethren and relations, our wives and "children. The effect of this consideration is, that the universal friendship of which I "speak, must be limited, because we are SO." y

Having shewn how friendship is consistent with the Gospel; he proceeds to point out how it can be appropriate, that is, who are to be chosen for it, how far it may extend, and how conducted. And having considered these, as he himself anticipated, "with great "utility and pleasantness,"he concludes, with a postscript from which it appears that this treatise was not written with the view of publication; but rather for the perusal of his friends; amongst whom was Dr. Wedderburne, his Physician. "If you shall think

* Σύμβολον Ηθικο-πολεμικον, p. 642, &c. The Discourse on Friendship, and the two Letters to Persons newly changed in their Religion, were republished in Nov. 1660, with the initials J.T. D.D. the same as were attached to the Disc. on Artificial Beauty, which, being done in the life-time of the author, adds something to substantiate the report of his being the writer of the latter treatise..

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"fit that these papers pass further than your "own eye and closet, I desire they may be consigned into the hands of my worthy "friend Dr. Wedderburne: for I do not only 86 expose all my sickness to his cure, but I "submit my weaknesses to his censure, being "as confident to find of him charity for what "is pardonable, as remedy for what is curable: "but indeed madam, I look upon that

worthy man as an idea of friendship, and if "I had no other notices of friendship or con"versation to instruct me than his, it were "sufficient: for whatsoever I can say of

friendship, I can say of his, and as all that "know him reckon him amongst the best physicians, so I know him worthy to be "reckoned amongst the best friends."

"The Two Letters to Persons changed in "their Religion;" the one "to a Gentle"woman newly seduced to the church of

* The third edition of the Σύμβολον Ηθικο πολεμικον, which was published in the year 1674, seven years after Taylor's death, varies from that which has been described. The Golden Grove and Sermon on the Anniversary of Gunpowder Treason are omitted, and the following works inserted in their room. "The Dissuasive from Popery, in two 46 parts." "The Unum Necessarium." "A Discourse of "Confirmation." "Three Letters to a Gentleman that

"Rome," the other "to a person newly con"verted to the church of England," appear to have been written after he had retired into Ireland; an event that must have taken place before the close of the year 1657.

During Taylor's residence in London he became acquainted with Lord Conway, a Nobleman of an open and generous disposi tion, who had been active in the service of the late king, and was probably one of those royalists who formed Taylor's congregation.

Informed of his late affliction, and conscious of the hazard he incurred by officiating

was tempted to the communion of the Church of Rome." And "The answer to the Bishop of Rochester's first "Letter, the Bishop of Rochester's second Letter, and "Taylor's reply to it." In this edition the title was altered to 6 Συμβολον Θεολογικον, or a collection of Polemical "Discourses, wherein the Church of England, in its "worst as well as more flourishing condition, is defended ❝ in many material points, against the attempts of the Papists on the one hand, and the Fanatics on the other. "Together with some additional pieces, addressed to the "promotion of practical religion and daily devotion. By "Jer. Taylor, Chaplain in ordinary to King Charles the "First, and late Lord Bishop of Down and Connor.

"The third edition. London, printed by R. Norton "for R. Royston, 1674."

so near the seat of the ruling opinions, he made him a friendly proposal, the exact nature of which is not recorded: but of such a kind as induced Taylor and his family to go over into Ireland and reside at Portmore, the mansion of that nobleman, in the parish of Ballinderry, and county of Antrim, at the distance of nine miles from Lisburn. This situation, being adapted to study and contemplation, was to him a delightful retreat. Here he employed his time in arranging the treasures with which his mind was stored, and in correspondence with men of literature.

In the year 1659, the Ephesian Matron was published in London, in duodecimo. The story is told by Petronius, and introduced into "the "Rule and Exercises of Holy Dying," And the publication now mentioned was probably a mere extract of that part of the latter work made by the bookseller; a practice very usual in the time of Taylor. All that is requisite to be observed respecting it is, that caution

* The magnificent stables in the deer park at Portmore were built by Taylor's friend, Lord Conway. The estate is now the property of his descendant the Marquis of Hertford.