HEPHÆSTION. He is dogged but discreet' (discriminative); I cannot tell how sharp, with a kind of sweetness; full of wit (intelligence), vet too wayward.

ALEX-Diogenes, when I come this way again, I will both see thee and confer (converse) with thee. DIOG.-DO.

RICHARD HOOKER.:

1. DEFENCE OF ESTABLISHED THINGS

UNPOPULAR.

(FROM "THE LAWS OF ECCLESIASTICALL POLITIE," PUBLISHED IN 1594.)

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HE that goeth about to persuade a multitude that they are not so well governed as they ought to be, shall never want (be without) attentive and favourable hearers; because they know the manifold defects whereunto every kind of regiment (government) is subject; but the secret lets (hindrances) and difficulties, which, in public proceedings, are innumerable and inevitable, they have not ordinarily the judgment to consider. And because such as openly reprove supposed disorders of state

(1) Discreet, fr. Lat. discernere, to perceive separately and distinctly, p.p. discretus. This word was first used in reference to things or actions, not, as now, almost altogether to persons. In Piers Ploughman we have " penaunce discrit," and in Spenser, "advice discrete," both meaning, judicious. Chaucer has "A wife, discrete in all here (her) wordes and here dedes," which is the modern sense. (2) "The finest, as well as the most philosophical, writer of the Elizabethan age is Hooker. The first book of the Ecclesiastical Polity is, at this day, one of the masterpieces of English eloquence. His periods, indeed, are generally much too long and too intricate; but portions of them are often beautifully rhythmical. His language is rich in English idiom, without vulgarity, and in words from Latin sources, without pedantry."-Hallam," Introd. to Literature of Europe," ii. 198. "Hooker's style is almost without a rival for its sustained dignity of march; but that which makes it most remarkable is its union of all this learned gravity and earnestness, with a flow of genuine, racy English, almost as little tinctured with pedantry as the most familiar popular writing."--Craik, "History of the English Language and Literature," i. 612.

(3) Regiment, fr. Lat. regimentum, government. It is used by Gower, who speaks of "good rule and good regiment." Tyndale also speaks of Christ's intending "not to disanull the temporal regiment." Knox denounced the reign of Mary Queen of Scots in a treatise on "The monstrous regiment of women."

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are taken for principal (especial) friends to the common benefit of all, and for men that carry singular freedom of mind; under this fair and plausible colour, whatsoever they utter passeth for good and current. That which wanteth (is wanting) in the weight of their speech, is supplied, by the aptness of mens minds to accept and believe it. Whereas, on the other side, if we maintain things that are established, we have not only to strive with (contend against) a number of heavy prejudices deeply rooted in the hearts of men, who think that herein we serve the time' (serve our own interests), and speak in favour of the present state, because thereby we either hold or seek preferment; but also to bear (we have to bear) such exceptions as minds so averted beforehand (so prejudiced) usually take against that which they are loth should be poured into them.

Albeit (although), therefore, much of that (what) we are to speak in this present cause may seem to a number perhaps tedious, perhaps obscure, dark,2 and intricate (for many talk of the truth, which never sounded the depth from whence it springeth; and, therefore, when they are led thereunto, they are soon weary,3 as men drawn from those beaten paths wherewith they have been "inured ") (to which they have been accustomed); yet this may not so far prevail as to cut off (hinder our discussing) that which the matter itself requireth, howsoever the nice humour1 (critical caprice) of some be therewith pleased or no. They unto whom we shall seem tedious are in no wise injured by us, because it is in their own hands to spare (withhold) that labour which they are not willing to "indure."

(1) We serve the time, i.e. we obey the fluctuating interests of time, rather than the dictates of inflexible principle; we consult interest rather than duty. The noun time-server exactly represents this idea.

(2) Obscure; dark. These words are thus distinguished:-That is obscure which is not clear; that is dark which is without light. What is obscure we can see, but not well; what is dark we cannot see at all. We remove the darkness by letting in the light; we clear up the obscurity by dissipating the cloudy medium.

(3) Weary, &c. The second metaphor introduced in this parenthesis is unconnected with the first, and seems to halt somewhat. Men do not necessarily get weary because they are drawn from the beaten paths to which they are accustomed. (4) Nice humour. Humour, as used at this time, seems to mean an accidental or casual mood of the mind, caprice, whim. Shakspere has

"An effect of humour,

Which sometime hath his (its) hour with every man." ("Julius Cæsar.")

The word had not yet acquired its modern sense. Sir W. Temple subsequently speaks of it as a "word peculiar to our language, and hard to be expressed in any other."

And if any complain of obscurity, they must consider, that in these matters it cometh no otherwise to pass "then" in sundry the works (various works) both of art and also of nature, where that which hath greatest force (influence) in the very things we see, is, notwithstanding, itself oftentimes not seen. The stateliness of houses, the goodliness of trees, when we behold them, delighteth the eye; but that foundation, which beareth up the one, that root which "ministreth " unto the other nourishment and life, is in the bosom of the earth concealed; and if there be at any time occasion to search into it, such labour is then more necessary "then" pleasant, both to them which undertake it, and for the lookers-on. In like "maner "the use and benefit of good laws, all that live under them may enjoy with delight and comfort, albeit (although) the grounds and first original causes from whence they have "sprong" be unknown, as to the greatest part of men they are. But when they who withdraw their obedience pretend that the laws which they should obey are corrupt and vicious; for better examination of their quality, it behoveth (it is right or proper for) the very foundation and root, the highest well spring and fountain of them, to be discovered (laid open). Which, because we are not oftentimes accustomed to do, when we do it, the pains we take are more needful a great deal "then" acceptable, and the matters which we handle seem, by reason of newness (till the mind grow better acquainted with them), dark, intricate, and unfamiliar.

2. THE LAW OF NATURE.3

(FROM THE SAME WORK.)

THIS "worlds" first creation, and the preservation since of things created, what is it but only so far forth a manifestation by execution [of] what the eternal law of God is concerning things natural? And as it cometh to pass in a kingdom rightly ordered, that after a law is once published, it presently (imme

(1) That root, &c. Observe the aptness and beauty of the word ministreth. (2) Behoveth, fr. A.S. behofan, to be fit, to have need of. Used impersonally, behoveth means, it concerns, it is necessary, as Lat. oportet. The word is now obsolete.

(3) The argument of this beautiful passage is. that the phenomena of nature are the outward expressions of an unseen and executive will; the things that Nature is said to do being performed by Divine art, using Nature as an instrument.

diately) takes effect far and wide, all states framing themselves thereunto; even so let us think it fareth in the natural course of the world. Since the time that God did first proclaim the edicts of his law upon it, heaven and earth have "hearkned" unto his voice, and their labour hath "bene" to do his will: He "made a law for the rain;" He gave his "decree unto the sea, that the waters should not pass his commandment." Now, if nature should intermit her course and leave altogether, though it were but for a while, the observation' (observance) of her own laws; if those principal and mother elements of the world, whereof all things in this lower world are made, should "loose" the qualities which now they have; if the frame of that heavenly arch erected over our heads should loosen and dissolve itself; if celestial spheres should forget their wonted motions, and by irregular volubilitie" turn themselves any way as it might happen; if the prince of the lights of heaven, which now, as a giant, doth run his unwearied course, should, as it were, through a languishing faintness begin to stand and to rest himself; if the moon should wander from her beaten way, the times and seasons of the year blend themselves by disordered and confused mixture, the winds "breath" out their last gasp, the clouds "yeeld" no "rayne," the earth be defeated2 (deprived) of heavenly influence, the fruits of the earth pine away as children at the

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(1) "Observation, observance, are both of the same origin, but have somewhat diverged in sense. We talk of the observations of astronomers, or of casual observations; but of the observance of a special custom, of a special day, &c." "Actions which result from observing a rule, are called observances, recollections which result from observing a fact, are called observations." - Taylor's “ English Synonyms." Tried by this test, Hooker's use of the word is incorrect; some even now speak erroneously of "the observation of the Sabbath."

(2) Defeated, fr. Fr. défaire, to undo, to overturn, overthrow; hence to do out of, to deprive. Joye ("Exposicion of Daniel") speaks of one "defeated of his kingdom."

(3) Heavenly influence-i.e. of influence or virtue derived from the skies. The word influence meant originally, and even here, in a modified sense, "the virtue of the planets, infused into, or their course working on, inferior creatures" (Cotgrave, sub voce) Waller ("To Chloris ") and Milton (" Allegro") both employ the word in this delicate allusive sense. The former has

and the latter

"Our stars do show their excellence,

Not by their light, but influence;"

"With store of ladies, whose bright eyes

Rain influence."

"Shedding," says Dr. Trench, "by their (the ladies') propitious presence, strength and valour into the hearts of their knights."

withered breasts of their mother, no longer able to yield them relief; what would become of man himself, whom these things now do all serve ? See we not plainly that obedience of creatures unto the law of nature is the stay of the whole world?

Notwithstanding, with nature it cometh sometimes to pass as with art. Let Phidias have rude and obstinate stuff to carve, though his art do that (what) it should, his work will lack that "bewtie" which otherwise in fitter matter it might have had. He that striketh an instrument with skill may cause notwithstanding, a very unpleasant sound, if the string whereon he striketh chance to be ". uncapable" of harmony. In the matter whereof things natural consist, that [saying] of Theophrastus takes place (is true), "Much of it is oftentimes such as will by no means "veeld" to receive that impression which were best and most perfect." Which defect in the matter of things natural, they who gave themselves unto the contemplation of nature amongst the heathen observed often: but the true original cause thereof, divine malediction, laid for the sin of man upon these creatures which God had made for the use of man, this being an article of that saving truth which God hath revealed unto his church, was above the reach of their "meerely naturall capacitie" and understanding. But howsoever these "swarvings" are now and then incident into1 (to) the course of nature, nevertheless, so constantly the laws of nature are by natural agents observed, that no man denieth, but (that) those things which nature worketh are wrought, either always or for the most part, after one and the same

manner.

If here it be demanded what that is which keepeth nature in obedience to her own law, we must have recourse to that higher law whereof we have already spoken; and because all other laws do thereon depend, from thence we must borrow so much as shall need for brief resolution in (explanation of) this point. Although we are not of opinion therefore, as some are, that nature in working hath before "hir" certain exemplary draughts or patterns, which subsisting in the bosom of the

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(1) Incident into. More literally correct than incident to, but the latter form has displaced the other.

(2) Exemplary draughts or patterns, sketches or patterns by way of example. The drift of this long sentence seems to be, Nature does not work by a pattern previously devised and set down before her for imitation, but under the neversuspended influence of the Divine will.