went on as briskly as ever, nor would he be persuaded to lessen his accustomed labours.-The papists, foreseeing how extremely detrimental his history of their errors and cruelties would prove to their cause, exerted their whole art and strength to lessen the reputation of his work. This malice of theirs was of signal service, both to Mr. Fox himself, and to the church of God at large; as it eventually made his book more intrinsically valuable, by inducing him to weigh with the most exact and scrupulous attention, the certainty of the facts he recorded, and the validity of the authorities from whence he drew his informations.

Having long served both the church and the world, by his ministry, by his pen, and by the unsullied lustre of a beneficent, useful, and holy life; he comfortably resigned his soul to Christ, on the 18th of April, 1587. The Lord had given him a foresight of his departure: and so fully persuaded was he, that the time was just at hand, when he should quit the body, that (probably to enjoy unmolested communion with God, and to have no worldly interruptions in his last hours), he purposely sent his two sons from home, though he loved them with great tenderness; and, before they returned, his spirit, as he had foreseen would be the case, was flown to heaven. He was interred in the chancel of St. Giles', Cripplegate; of which parish he had been in the beginning of Elizabeth's reign, for some time vicar.

Mr. Strype* says, that a very fair marble stone, fixed in the south wall of that chancel, was presently after erected to his memory, with the following inscription:

* See his edition of Stow's Survey of London, part iii. p. 83.

CHRISTO S. S.

JOHANNI Foxo,

Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ Martyrologo fidelissimo,
Antiquitatis historicæ indagatori sagacissimo,
Evangelicæ veritatis propugnatori acerrimo,
Thaumaturgo admirabili:

Qui Martyres Marianos, tanquam phoenices, ex cineribus redivivos præstitit.

Patri suo, omni pietatis officio imprimis colendo,
Samuel Foxus,
Illius primogenitus

Hoc monumentum posuit,
Non sine lacrymis.

Obiit die 18 mens. April. An. Dom. 1587.
Jam septuagenarius.

VITAVITE MORTALIS EST, SPES VITE IMMORTALIS. Fuller acquaints us, that Mr. Fox foretold the destruction of, what was madly styled by the pope and Spaniards, the Invincible Armada. "The story,' says that historian, "is true, though Mr. Fox survived not to see the performance of his own prediction. His dear friend, Dr. Laurence Humfrey, may be said to have died with him (though his languishing life lasted a year longer); so great was his grief to be parted from his fellow colleague, bred together in Oxford, and banished together into Germany

Among the graces for which our matchless martyrologist was eminent, shone his extensive (some would almost term it profuse) liberality to the poor. He was so bountiful to them while he lived, that he had no ready money to leave to them at his death. His love to his Saviour was such, that he could never refuse giving to any, who asked him for relief in the name of Jesus; or, for Christ's sake. A friend once enquiring of him, "whether

he recollected a certain poor man, whom he used to relieve?" He answered, Yes, I remember him well: and I willingly forget lords and ladies, to remember such as he.

His ability in comforting afflicted consciences, was very peculiar. No wonder, therefore, that his house was frequented by persons of all ranks, from noblemen, down to the poorest of the flock; who were labouring under soul distresses.

His time was divided between study, preaching, praying, spiritual conference, and visiting the sick and afflicted. His principal hours for intercourse with God in secret prayer, were during the night season at which times of holy retirement, he has been heard to agonize with God, and to mingle his supplications with groanings which could not be uttered.

He was distinguished by a deep and settled contempt of earthly things: more especially, of pleasures, amusements, wealth, and honours. Hence, he abstracted himself as much as he possibly could, from all friendship, society, and connection with The money the great and noble of this world. which was sometimes offered him by rich men, he accepted; but the poor were as sure to have it, as ever he received it.

On various occasions, he more than seemed to speak by a spirit of prophecy. Many things did he foretel when comforting the distressed, and when terrifying the obstinate and obdurate.

Lady Anne Henage lying sick of a violent fever, and the physicians deeming it mortal, Mr. Fox was sent for to be her spiritual assistant in her last moments. After prayer and religious conversation, he told her, that she had done right in preparing for eternity; but that, nevertheless, she was not to die of that sickness. A knight, her son-in-law, taking him aside soon after, said to him, "Mr. Fox, you acted wrongly, in disconcerting my mother's mind

with hopes of life, when the physicians have pronounced her past recovery."-I have said no more, answered the good man, than God commanded me: for it is his pleasure that she shall not die but live. And the event was, as he foretold.

Going one day to see the earl of Arundel, son to the duke of Norfolk, at his lordship's house in the Strand, London; on his coming away, the earl walked with him down his garden to the Thames side, where he was to take boat. The weather being very stormy, and the water extremely rough, the earl advised him not to venture himself on the river. Mr. Fox's answer was very remarkable; and makes us feel a wish to know the particular subject of their preceding conversation: My lord, let these waters so deal with me, as I have in truth and sincerity delivered to you all that I have spoken. On saying these words, he entered the boat; and, very shortly afterwards, the wind ceased, and the river ran with a smooth and gentle current.

There have been macaronies in all ages. One of Mr. Fox's sons had a great desire to travel beyond sea, from which his father could by no means dissuade him. After a tour of several years, he returned home; and presented himself to the good old man, in a fantastical, outlandish habit. Who are you? said Mr. Fox.-" Sir, I am your son Samuel."-To which his reply was: O my son, who has taught thee to make thyself so ridiculous? This reproof seems to have been attended with good effect for the giddy youth proved afterwards, a serious, devout, learned, and respectable man. In 1610, he wrote the life of his father, prefixed to his Martyrology; and at length died, full of years and of good works*.

* See more of him in Strype's Annals, vol. iii. p. 505.-As also of Simeon his youngest brother, ibid. p. 506. Mr. Strype terms both these surviving sons of Mr. John Fox, "well deserving men, bred up to learning, and of note in their times."

A very singular incident, of which Mr. John Fox himself was eye-witness, shall conclude this summary of his life and character. He it was, who had that memorable interview with Mrs. Honeywood, mentioned by so many authors of that age. The concern of this pious lady for the salvation of her soul was so great; her doubts and fears so very distressing; and her sorrow of mind so grievous; that she sunk into utter despair: which had such an effect on her bodily health, as brought her to death's door, and kept her in a gradual consumption for almost twenty years. In vain did physicians administer their medical assistances; for her disease, which originated from a spiritual cause, required a supernatural remedy. There was but one physician, whose power and skill could reach her case: even he who healeth those that are broken in heart, and giveth medicine to heal their sickness.-In vain did the ablest and most evangelical ministers preach to her the comforts of the gospel; and labour to persuade her of the willingness and certainty, wherewith Christ receives every coming sinner. The holy Spirit alone could preach to her heart with efficacy; and he had not yet vouchsafed, in all those years, to rise upon her soul. At length, Mr. Fox was sent for; who, on his arrival, found a most mournful family, and the mistress of it the deepest mourner among them all. The holy man prayed with her; and then reminded her of what the faithful God had promised, and of what Christ had done and suffered for her soul. But even this was to no purpose: for still she could not believe, that the gospel promises and the merits of Jesus belonged to her.Mr. Fox, not in the least discouraged, went on; and to the wonder of those about her, expressed himself to the following effect: You will not only recover of your bodily disease, but also live to an exceeding great age; and, which is yet better, you are interested in Christ, and will go to heaven when you