XLIII. IN THE MIDDLE.

GOD in his providence fixed my nativity in a remarkable place.

I was born at Aldwinkle, in Northamptonshire, where my father was the painful preacher of St. Peter’s. This village was distanced one good mile west from Achurch, where Mr. Brown, founder of the Brownists, did dwell, whom, out of curiosity, when a youth, I often visited.

It was likewise a mile and a half distant east from Lavenden, where Francis Tresham, Esquire, so active in the Gunpowder Treason, had a large demesne and ancient habitation.

My nativity may mind me of moderation, whose cradle was rocked betwixt two rocks. Now, seeing I was never such a churl as to desire to eat my morsel alone, let such who like my prayer join with me therein.

God grant we may hit the golden mean, and endeavour to avoid all extremes; the fanatic Anabaptist on the one side, and the fiery zeal of the Jesuit on the other, that so we may be true Protestants, or, which is a far better name, real Christians indeed.