THE INTRODUCTION

IF that great master of language and art, Sir Henry Wotton, the late Provost of Eton College, had lived to see the publication of these sermons, he had presented the world with the Author's life exactly written; and it was pity he did not; for it was a work worthy his undertaking, and he fit to undertake it: betwixt whom, and the Author, there was so mutual a knowledge, and such a friendship contracted in their youth, as nothing but death could force a separation. And though their bodies were divided, their affections were not for that learned knight's love followed his friend's fame beyond death and the forgetful grave; which he testified by entreating me,

It must be remembered that the life of Dr. Donne was urally prefixed to the first volume of his sermons, printed in ..

The grave which causes forgetfulness. In this sense the ep-thet is used in Milton

“If the sleepy drench

" Of that forgetful lake benumb not still.”

PAR. LOST, B. II. ver. 73.

he that wants skill to deceive, may safely be

trusted.

And if the Author's glorious spirit, which now is in heaven, can have the leisure to look down and see me, the poorest, the meanest of all his friends, in the midst of his officious duty, confident I am, that he will not disdain this wellmeant sacrifice to his memory: for, whilst his conversation made me and many others happy below, I know his humility and gentleness were then eminent; and I have heard divines say, those virtues that were but sparks upon earth, become great and glorious flames in heaven.

Before I proceed further, I am to entreat the reader to take notice, that when Dr. Donne's Sermons were first printed, this was then my excuse for daring to write his life; and I dare not now appear without it.