of Pembroke, (who was the undoubted patron of it,) but to the king, by reason of Dr. Curle's advancement: but Philip, then Earl of Pembroke, (for William was lately dead,) requested the king to bestow it upon his kinsman George Herbert; and the king said, "Most willingly to Mr. Herbert, if it be worth his acceptance:" and the earl as willingly and suddenly sent it to him, without seeking. But though Mr. Herbert had put on a resolution for the clergy, yet, at receiving this presentation, the apprehension of the last great account that he was to make for the cure of so many souls made him fast and pray often, and consider for not less than a month; in which time he had some resolutions to decline both the priesthood and that living. And in this time of considering, "He endured" (as he would often say) such spiritual conflicts as none can think but only those that have endured them."

In the midst of these conflicts, his old and dear friend Mr. Arthur Woodnot, took a journey to salute him at Bainton (where he then was with his wife's friends and relations) and was joyful to be an eye witness of his health, and happy marriage. And after they had rejoiced together some few days, they took journey to Wilton, the famous seat of the Earls of Pembroke; at which time, the king, the earl, and the whole court were there, or at Salisbury, which is near to it. And at this time Mr. Herbert presented his thanks to the earl, for his presentation to Bemerton, but had not yet resolved to accept it, and told him the reason why; but that night, the earl acquainted Dr. Laud, then Bishop of London, and afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury, with his kinsman's irresolution. And the bishop did the next day so convince Mr. Herbert, that the refusal of it was a sin; that a tailor was sent for to come speedily from Salisbury to Wilton, to take measure, and make his

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canonical clothes, against next day: which the tailor did; and Mr. Herbert being so habited, went with his presentation to the learned Dr. Davenant, who was then Bishop of Salisbury, and he gave him institution immediately (for Mr. Herbert had been made deacon some years before) and he was also the same day (which was April 26th, 1630,) inducted into the good and more pleasant, than healthful parsonage of Bemerton: which is a mile from Salisbury.

Here he passed the remainder of his days, discharging the duties of a parish priest in a manner so exemplary, that the history of his life here, as given by Walton, or perhaps as delineated by himself in his Country Parson, may justly be recommended as a model.

"He was accustomed to appear constantly with his wife, and three nieces (the daughters of a deceased sister) and his whole family, twice every day at the Church prayers, in the chapel which does almost join to his parsonagehouse. And for the time of his appearing, it was strictly at the canonical hours of ten and four; and then, and there he lifted up pure and charitable hands to God in the midst of the congregation. And he would joy to have spent that time in that place, where the honour of his Master Jesus dwelleth; and there, by that inward devotion which he testified constantly by an humble behaviour, and visible adoration, he like Joshua brought not only his own household thus to serve the Lord; but brought most of his parishioners, and many gentlemen in the neighbourhood, constantly to make a part of his congregation twice a day; and some of the meaner sort of his parish, did so love and reverence Mr. Herbert, that they would let their plough rest when Mr. Herbert's saint-bell rung to prayers, that they might also offer their devotions to God with him; and would return back to their plough. And his most holy life was such, that it begot such reverence to God, and to him, that they

thought themselves the happier, when they carried Mr. Herbert's blessing back with them to their labour.Thus powerful was his reason, and example, to persuade others to a practical piety and devotion.

"And his constant public prayers did never make him to neglect his own private devotions, nor those prayers that he thought himself bound to perform with his family, which always were a set form, and not long; and he did always conclude them with that collect which the Church hath appointed for the day or week.-Thus he made every day's sanctity a step towards that kingdom where impurity cannot enter.

"His chiefest recreation was music, in which heavenly art he was a most excellent master, and, did himself compose many divine hymns and anthems, which he set and sung to his lute or viol; and, though he was a lover of retiredness, yet his love to music was such, that he went usually twice every week on certain appointed days, to the cathedral church in Salisbury; and at his return would say, 'That his time spent in prayer, and cathedral music, elevated his soul, and was his heaven upon earth.' But before his return thence to Bemerton, he would usually sing and play his part, at an appointed private music meeting; and, to justify this practice, he would often say, Religion does not banish mirth, but only moderates, and sets rules to it.'"

Unhappily, however, for his flock, his life was shortened by a return of the consumptive symptons which had formerly appeared, and he died in February 1632. He published, Oratio qua auspicatissimum sereniss. Princ. Caroli reditum ex Hispaniis celebravit G. H. Acad. Cantab. Orator; a translation of Cornaro On Temperance; Herbert's Remains-in this volume is his Priest to the Temple, or the Country Parson's Character and Rule of Holy Life; The Temple, Sacred Poems and Private Ejaculations. This has been often reprinted.Walton.

HERMAS.

HERMAS, sometimes called The Pastor, or Shepherd, from the title of a book which bears his name, is by some ranked among the Apostolical Fathers. Many are of opinion that he was the disciple of St. Paul, of whom mention is made in Romans xvi. 14; and in that opinion they are supported by Irenæus, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Origen, Eusebius, and Jerome. Others have maintained that he was the same person with one Hermes, brother of Pius, Bishop of Rome, who flourished about the year 141. The Pastor, or Shepherd, of Hermas, is a book concerning the antiquity and genuineness of which there is abundant evidence. It was received in many ancient churches as canonical, and Irenæus, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and even Tertullian, before he became a Montanist, quoted it, as a part of the inspired writings; but it was rejected by other churches, and placed among the apocryphal books; and Eusebius, Athanasius, Jerome, and Ruffinus, concurred in that judgment, while they allowed that it was, notwithstanding, a work of great merit, which might be useful for the instruction of Christians. It is divided into three books: the first contains four visions, in which a female, representing the Church, gives directions concerning the Church and the conduct of Christians. The second, twelve precepts, inculcating various moral virtues, and these Hermas feigns to be delivered to him by his guardian angel. The third, ten similitudes, recommending a christian spirit and practice. The Pastor was originally written in Greek; but we have now only an ancient Latin version of it, excepting some fragments preserved in the ancient Greek authors who have quoted it. The best edition of it is that which appears in Cotelerius's SS. Pat. Opera, with the Notes of Le Clerc, published in 1698. Archbishop Wake published an English translation of it in his version of The Genuine Epistles of the Apostolic Fathers, 1710.-Wake. Lardner.

HERMOGENES.

HERMOGENES, a heretic of the second century, was a native of Africa, a painter, and Stoic philosopher. He held that matter was the first principle, and made Idea the mother of all the elements; for which reason his followers were called Materiarians. By his assertion of the self-existence of matter, he endeavoured to give an account (as the Stoic philosophers had done before him) of the origin of evil. His followers denied the resurrection, rejected water baptism, asserted that angels were composed of fire and spirit, and were the creators of the soul of man; and that Christ, as He ascended, divested Himself of human nature, and left His body in the sun. Tertullian has written against him. He never set up a separate communion. No writings of Hermogenes are extant. Cave. Lardner.

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HERRING, THOMAS.

THOMAS HERRING, was born in 1691, at Walsoken, in Norfolk, of which parish his father was rector. He was educated in the school at Wisbeach, and removed from thence to Jesus College, Cambridge; but, in 1716, he became fellow of Corpus Christi College. On entering into orders, he obtained successively the livings of great Shelford, Stow cum Qui, and Trinity in Cambridge. In 1722 Bishop Fleetwood made him his chaplain, and gave him the rectory of Rettenden, in Essex, and that of Barclay, in Hertfordshire, After this he was chosen preacher to the society of Lincoln's Inn, and appointed chaplain in ordinary to the king; on which he took his degree of doctor in divinity. In 1731 he was presented to the rectory of Blechingley, in Surrey, and the same year was advanced to the deanery of Rochester. In