XXII. ALL FOR THE PRESENT.

THERE is a pernicious humour, of a catching nature, wherewith the mouths of many, and hearts of more, are infected. Some there are that are so covetous to see the settlement of church and state according to their own desires, that if it be not done in our days, say they, we care not whether it be done at all or no.

Such men’s souls live in a lane, having weak heads and narrow hearts, their faith being little, and charity less, being all for themselves and nothing for posterity. These men, living in India, would prove ill commonwealth’s-men, and would lay no foundation for porcelain or china dishes, because despairing to reap benefit thereby, as not ripened to perfection in a hundred years.

Oh! give me that good man’s gracious temper, who earnestly desired the prosperity of the Church, whatsoever became of himself, whose verses I will offer to translate:

And if we ourselves, with aged Barzillai, [2 Sam. xix. 32.] be superannuated to behold the happy establishment of church and state, may we, dying in faith, [Heb. xi. 13.] though not having received the promises, bequeath the certain reversions of our Chimhams, I mean the next generation which shall rise up after us.