ditional value on its acquirements: it had introduced a new logic, which had led to the effect that Bacon himself expressly intended, teaching to invent and judge by induction,

as finding syllogism incompetent for sciences: "of nature; and by so doing had made philosophy and sciences both more true and "more active." f

Greek and Roman literature was so assi duously cultivated, that it not only found its way into the writings of almost all the authors of the day, but into the common conversation of the higher orders of society.

At the same time, the result which Bacon had anticipated from his labours was actually produced. "The foundation of a better mode "of reasoning having been laid by him, and "the wheel begun to move, men were now "searching more truth from Christian writers, "than hitherto they had done from heathen."

Such appears to have been the state of education in the university when Taylor entered upon it, possessing the advantages which

* See his letter to King James I. dated 12th Oct. 1625.

Bacon had afforded, but having still to receive the further improvement of the Newtonian philosophy and to this source may be traced many of the most brilliant ornaments and radical defects that are conspicuous in his writings.

In the society of Caius College he continued until he was admitted master of arts, having taken his degree of bachelor in the years 1630-1, being then in his eighteenth year. Bishop Rust asserts, "that as soon as he was graduate, "he was chosen fellow"." The improvement which he made in his infancy was followed up with increased assiduity during his residence in this college and to such an extent had he carried his theological studies, as to be thought worthy of admission into holy orders before he had attained the age of twenty-one.

i

& Jer. Taylor, Coll. Caii. A. B. Cant. 1630-1. Reg. B. No evidence of the fact appears upon the books; but the testimony of Bishop Rust is much too weighty to be omitted. See Rust's Funeral Sermon on Taylor.

i Comber, who wrote at the latter end of the seventeenth century, in his "Discourse on the Offices of Ordi. nation," Lond. 1699, says, "I could instance in divers of "those who entered very young into the ministry, and "have proved very eminent; but I need name no more "than the most famously learned Bishop Usher, ordained

About the same time he took his degree of master of arts, and removed to London, where being requested by his chamber-fellow, Mr. Risden, to supply his turn, for a short time, at the lecture in St. Paul's Cathedral, he filled the pulpit with ability so far beyond his standing, as to attract the attention of Archbishop Laud: who “ observing the tartness "of his discourses, the quickness of his parts, "the modesty and sweetness of his temper, " and the becomingness of his personage and "carriage, preferred him to a fellowship at "All-Souls College, in the university of Ox"ford; where he might have time, books, "and company, to complete himself in those "several parts of learning into which he had "made so fair an entrance." 991

To this situation he was nominated on the 21st of November" in the year 1635, and

"before he was twenty-one; and the pious and eloquent "bishop, Jer. Taylor, who entered into orders younger "than he."

* See Lloyd's Memoirs, p. 702.

1 See the same.

"Nominatus ad locum Socii a Will'o Archiep'o Cant. "in Coll. Omnium Anim. Oxon. Nov. 21. a° 1635.” Cole MSS. 5882. art. 4. p. 90. in the Brit. Mus.

admitted on the 14th of January following. The opportunity thus afforded him, of increasing his knowledge, he did not misapply:

In the Baker's MSS. vol. 34. p. 157. University Library, Cambridge, the nomination of Taylor to a fellowship at All Souls, Oxon. is preserved, and is as follows:

“Nominatio Jer. Taylor ad locum Socii in Coll. Omn. Anim. Oxon.

"Guilielmus Providentia Divina Cant: Archiep'us totiuș Angliæ Primas et Metropol. nec non Universitatis Oxon. Cancellar. Collegiiq; Animarum Omnium fidelium defunctorum de Oxon. Visitator, Patronus, et Ordinarius. Dilectis nobis in Christo Custodi, Vicecustodi, omnibusq; et singulis dicti Collegii Sociis et Scholaribus salutem et gratiam. Cum locus Socii Artista Collegii vestri dudum vacaverit, et vacuus est in presenti, cumq; potestas supplendi deficientem numerum Sociorum vestrorum, nobis per statuta Collegii vestri sit reservata, ratione negligentiæ vestræ, eo quod dictus locus Socii vacantis, infra dies in statutis Collegii vestri limitatos, per vos non fuerit perimpletus. Nos numerum Sociorum vestrorum, secundum potestatem a fundatore vestro nobis commissam, implere volentes Jeremiam Taylor Artium M um ad supplendum dictum locum Artistæ vacantem, designamus vobis mandantes ut præfatum Jeremiam Taylor, ad dictum locum vacantem secundum formam statutorum Collegii vestri recipiatis et admittatis. In cujus rei testimonium, sigillum nostrum, Archi-ep'ale presentibus apponi fecimus. Dat. in Manerio nostro de Lambehith, vicessimo primo die Mensis Novembris, Anno D'ni. 1635. et nostræ Trans. anno tertio.

See the admission Book of Fellows, MS. in All Soul's, lib. Oxon. "Jeremias Taylor Dio. Elie, Artium Magister, "1635 January 14, perpetual fellow."

and whilst in this new seat of learning he accomplished the object of his patron's munificence, and gratified his own attachment to literature, "love and admiration still waited upon him.".

At this time the Papists circulated a report, that he was strongly inclined to enter into communion with the church of Rome. But the authority upon which this rests must be considered very doubtful: for the fact is well established, that the popish faction at that time omitted no opportunity of promoting its interest; and doubtless, anticipated a splendid triumph in the conversion of such a disciple.

It seems, that the that the eagerness of the party for so eminent a convert had carried its hopes to an unreasonable degree: grounded, it might be, upon the intimacy of Taylor with Francis a Sancta Clara, a member of the Romish church; upon his knowledge of popish writings, which was extensive; and upon the fervour of his piety, which glowed with seraphic warmth. The best answer to this report is an appeal to his works, which contain nothing that savours

Bp. Rust's funeral sermon.