54 THOMAS KEN AND IZAAK WALTON 



determine. God grant such reproaches as 

 these may not revert to their authors." 



It would be quite foreign to my purpose to 

 attempt to enter into the politics of the period, or 

 to discuss the question as to whether Ken was right 

 or wrong in his views. I only wish to show by a 

 few examples what those views were and how firmly 

 and conscientiously Ken adhered to them. When 

 a man in a great position of wealth, and influence 

 in which he is wholly absorbed in the endeavour 

 to benefit his fellow creatures, voluntarily throws 

 all away, and chooses dependency and absolute 

 poverty for conscience' sake, he surely is entitled to 

 the respect and honour of all. Such was Ken's 

 position when in 1691 he bade farewell to the 

 diocese and the flock so dear to him. 



" Some natural tears he dropp'd, but wiped them soon ; 

 The world was all before him where to seek 

 His place of rest, and Providence his guide." 



He retired to the hospitable home of his most 

 benevolent friend, the possessor of Longleat 



" His friend," says Mr. Bowles, " from Ox- 

 ford days, bearing with him an uncorrupted 

 heart, the mournful lute of his Sion to console 



