^Appendix 



Walton on His Own Times 



Of the Religious Dissensions of the Period. From the 

 "Life of Hooker" 



And to heighten all these discontents and dangers, there was also sprung 

 up a generation of godless men ; men that had so long given way to their 

 own lusts and delusions, and so highly opposed the blessed motions of His 

 Spirit, and the inward light of their own consciences, that they became the 

 very slaves of vice, and had thereby sinned themselves into a belief of that 

 which they would, but could not believe, into a belief, which is repugnant 

 even to human nature ; for the Heathens believe that there are many Gods ; 

 but these had sinned themselves into a belief that there was no God ! and so, 

 rinding nothing in themselves but what was worse than nothing, began to 

 wish what they were not able to hope for, namely, " That they might be 

 like the beasts that perish ! " and in wicked company which is the Atheist's 

 sanctuary were so bold as to say so : though the worst of mankind, when 

 he is left alone at midnight, may wish, but is not then able to think it : even 

 into a belief that there is no God. Into this wretched, this reprobate condition, 

 many had then sinned themselves. 



And now, when the Church was pestered with them, and with all those 

 other fore-named irregularities ; when her lands were in danger of alienation, 

 her power at least neglected, and her peace torn to pieces by several schisms, 

 and such heresies as do usually attend that sin : for heresies do usually out- 

 live their first authors ; when the common people seemed ambitious of doing 

 those very things that were forbidden and attended with most dangers, that 

 thereby they might be punished, and then applauded and pitied : when they 

 called the spirit of opposition a tender conscience, and complained of persecu- 

 tion, because they wanted power to persecute others : when the giddy multi- 

 tude raged, and became restless to find out misery for themselves and others ; 

 and the rabble would herd themselves together, and endeavour to govern and 

 act in spite of authority : in this extremity of fear, and danger of the Church 

 and State, when, to suppress the growing evils of both, they needed a man of 

 prudence and piety, and of an high and fearless fortitude, they were blest in 

 all by John Whitgift, his being made Archbishop of Canterbury ; of whom 

 Sir Henry Wotton that knew him well in his youth, and had studied him in 

 his age, gives this true character ; fc That he was a man of reverend and 

 sacred memory, and of the primitive temper ; such a temper, as when the 

 Church by lowliness of spirit did flourish in highest examples of virtue." 



391 



