6. O Jesus, amiable King, the Friend at all times, and the desirable One, remember the mindfulness thou hadst when naked and wonderful thou didst hang upon the cross; and all friends and acquaintance stood adverse to thee, and thou didst find no one to console thee but only thy beloved mother, whom, whilst standing most faithfully by thee in the bitterness of her soul, thou didst commend to the disciple, saying, "Woman, behold thy son;" I ask thee, O pious Jesus, by the sword of grief which then penetrated her soul, that thou wouldest compassionate me in all my tribulations and afflictions, corporal and spiritual, and give me consolation in all time of distress. Amen. Pater noster. Ave Maria.

7. O Jesus, inexhaustible fountain of piety, who, from thy deepest affection of delight in the cross, saidst, "I thirst," as if for the safety of the human race, kindle, we pray thee, our desire for every perfect work, and the thirst of carnal concupiscence, and the love of worldly delight, altogether cool and extinguish. Amen. Pater noster.

8. O Jesus, mighty sweetness of fearful hearts, whom thou hast soothed by the bitterness of the vinegar and gall which thou didst sustain and taste for us in the hour of death, grant unto us that we may worthily receive thy body and thy blood for the remedy and consolation of our souls. Amen. Pater noster.

9. O Jesus, kingly virtue and the soul's joy, remember the anguish and grief which thou didst suffer, when, by reason of the bitterness of death endured in the salvation of the Jews, thou criedst with a loud voice to that Father who had forsaken thee, saying, "My Lord and my God, why hast thou forsaken me!" By this anguish, I beseech thee that in our last extremity of suffering thou wilt not leave us, O Lord our God. Amen. Pater noster.

10. O Jesus, Alpha and Omega, the life and virtue that dwelleth in all things, remember that from the crown of the head even to the sole of the foot thou wert immersed in the flood of suffering. Because of the extent and greatness of thy wounds, when I am overwhelmed in the depth of my sins, teach me by true charity the extent of thy commandment. Amen. Pater noster. Ave Maria.

11. O Jesus, abyss of the profoundest mercy, I ask thee for the sake of the depth of thy wounds, which pierced through thy flesh, the marrow of thy bones, and thy bowels, that overwhelmed as I am in sin, thou wouldest raise me from the flood, and hide me in the openings of thy wounds, from the face of thine anger, until thy fury be passed away. Amen. Pater noster. Ave Maria.

12. O Jesus, mirror of truth, seal of unity, bond of charity, remember the multitude of thy innumerable wounds, by which, from the crown of the head even to the lowest part of the foot, thou wert afflicted, and by impious Jews wert lacerated and reddened in thy own most sacred blood; which magnitude of pain thou didst suffer in thy virgin flesh for us. O pious Jesu, what more couldest thou have done for us, which thou hast not done! Write, I pray thee, all thy wounds in my heart with thy precious blood, so that in these I may read thy grief and love, and may thus continually persevere in giving thanks, even to my life's end. Amen. Pater noster.

13. O Jesus, most brave and invincible lion, remember the sorrow thou didst endure when all the forces of thy heart and of thy body failed thee, and inclining thy head, thou saidst, "It is finished." By this anguish and woe, have mercy on me in the final period of my existence, when my soul and my spirit are in trouble. Amen. Pater noster. Ave Maria.

14. O Jesus, only-begotten Son of the Highest, the brightness of the Father, and the express image of his substance, remember earnestly the sentence of commendation with which thou gavest up the ghost, saying, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit;" and when, thy lacerated body being burst with that strong cry, thou didst expire, laying open the bowels of thy mercy in order to redeem us. By this precious death I beseech thee, O King of saints, strengthen me to resist the devil and the world, flesh and blood; and being dead unto the world, may I live unto thee; and in the last hour of my departure mayest thou receive me to thyself, when I render up my exiled and wandering spirit. Amen. Pater noster.

15. O Jesus, the true and fruitful Vine, remember the overflowings and abundant effusion of thy blood which thou didst pour forth copiously like a cluster of bruised grapes, when in the prison house of thy flesh thou troddest the wine-press alone, and when thy side being pierced with the soldier's spear, thou didst shed blood and water for us, so that scarcely a drop remained within thee; and then, as though thou hadst been a demon, thou wert suspended on high like a bundle of myrrh,* and thy flesh lost its delicacy, and the moisture of thy bowels dried up, and the marrow of thy bones was withered away. By this thy most bitter passion, the pouring forth of most precious blood, O sweet Jesu, wound my heart with penitence; and since thou lovest the bread of tears, by day and by night, convert me wholly to thyself, so that my heart may become thy perpetual abode, and my conversation be pleasing and acceptable to thee, and the end of my days so laudable that after the term of this life I may be worthy to praise thee with all thy saints for ever and ever. Amen.

P.S.-Since the above translation was made, the writer has discovered that these prayers are to be found in English, in a folio volume of Horæ, printed by Regnault, of the date of 1536, of which a copy is to be found in the collection of Earl Spencer, see Bibliographical Decameron, vol. i. pp. 47, 112, where specimens are given in the English of that period, from which, however, I should judge that the Latin is but indifferently rendered; and I can hardly wonder, therefore, that Dr. Dibdin should have the following remark, "The 15,00s in Englysshe contain the most delectable specimens of English devotional composition. It is well for modern piety that the Latimers and Ridleys of former days did not select those as models for their own incomparable compositions." From this language I con

• The allusion is here probably to Canticles, i. 13; and the word demon was perhaps suggested by verse 5 of the same, and refers to colour, as the myrrh does, I imagine, to the dry and withered state of a bundle of herbs hung up in the sun and wind.

clude that Dr. Dibdin had only seen these prayers in the quaint vernacular and grotesque translation to which he refers. But from the place in which he found them, I have little doubt that the MS. from which I have translated formed a part of some volume of Hours, of the foregoing century; and I have only to regret that I cannot trace them to their original source. E. B.

ANTIQUITIES, ETC.

DISPOSAL OF HIGHER CHURCH PREFERMENT.

(Continued from vol. xiv. p. 629.)

THE following extracts from the history of the disposal of higher church preferment, in Archbishop Sheldon's primacy, carry us to the end of Clarendon's administration. The appointment which comes next in order * in Le Neve's list of consecrations, after those which are given in the present Number, unhappily marks the rise of other principles and politics. Of the period of Clarendon's administration, it may be said generally, that Sheldon's influence was paramount. There was at one time, as we have seen, to a certain degree, a tampering with the presbyterian party; and afterwards, when the minister now saw clearly that nonconformity must have a check, an appointment was made, which seems to have had in it more of the politician than would have been recommended by the general feeling of the bishops at that time. It was "Lord Clarendon," according to Burnet's account, who "brought Ward in to govern the church." The appointment, however, had probably the full approbation of Sheldon, who felt strongly that the laws which were made must be enforced,+ if there were to be any order in the church. Bishop Ward's execution of his office commended itself entirely to his judgment, as well as that of the nation at large. "Our bishop's probity, wisdom, and ability to manage the great and arduous affairs of state," says his biographer, "was in so great esteem for a considerable while that he was spoke of both at court and in the city as the fittest person to supply the place of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Keeper, or Lord Treasurer, if any of these should become vacant.” "He was very much in favour with the king and the Duke of York, before he declared himself of

The only intermediate appointment is, that of "Francis Davies, D.D." consecrated Bishop of Landaff, August 24, 1667. There is very little remarkable mentioned of him, except that he was "a Glamorganshire man."-Wood's Athenæ, vol. ii. p. 1160. The only other name that occurs in the list of consecrations of this period, not noticed in the following extracts, is that of "Robert Morgan, D. D.” consecrated Bishop of Bangor, July 1, 1666. The two names, however, deserve a passing notice, as shewing the preference, in past times, of natives of Wales in the appointment to Welsh bishoprics.

+ Burnet's Own Time, [anno 1662.] vol. i. p. 212, ed. 1818.

the Romish persuasion......and also with the Archbishop of Canterbury, who used to entertain him with the greatest kindness and familiarity imaginable...... And I have heard the archbishop speak of him," continues his biographer, "more than once as the person who he wished might succeed him."* The extent, however, of Sheldon's influence is still more strongly attested by the account which the same writer gives of Bishop Ward's great friend, Dr. Wilkins; for whom, on his own elevation to the see of Exeter, Ward procured the living of St. Laurence Jewry, which he had held, and which was now consequently in the king's gift. He was "at that time," says Dr. Pope, "wholly destitute of all employment and preferment"......" He was out of favour," he goes on to explain, "both at Whitehall and Lambeth, for his marriage [with Oliver Cromwell's sister] mentioned before......upon that account, Archbishop Sheldon, who had the keys of the church for a great time in his power, and could admit into it, and keep out of it, whom he pleased-I mean, disposed of all ecclesiastical preferments-entertained a strong prejudice against him, so that he was now not only without any place, but also without probability of obtaining one; so that his fortune was as low as it could be. But he did not stay there long." "I remember me Bishop Ward told me at that time, I am much concerned for your brother, and write to him oftener than I otherwise should, to keep up his spirits, and assure him of my utmost assistance for the bettering of his condition.'" The history of his appointment to the see of Chester, "not only without, but against the consent of the Archbishop of Canterbury," an event so remarkable, as Dr. Pope's language implies, in the annals of that time-will be seen, when we come to the history of the administration that compassed and came in on Clarendon's fall. And a melancholy history it is.

[K. CHARLES II. ARCHBISHOP SHELDON.] 1663. "On Archbishop Juxon's death, Dr. Gilbert Sheldon, Lord Bishop of London, who (by reason of the good archbishop's age and infirmities) had managed the affairs of the whole province ever since the king's happy restoration, was now translated to the see of Canterbury, with great solemnity and general satisfaction.t

Sept. 15, following, Humphrey Henchman, Bishop of Salisbury, was translated to London.... [a man of popular gravity and temper, and of a judgment and wisdom so agreeable to his aspect that he was sworn of his Majesty's most honourable privy council on Dec. 9.‡] And on the 16th of December the archbishop granted a commission to Accepted York [Frewen, Archbishop of York], &c. . . . . .. to consecrate William Paul, D.D., Bishop of Oxford."§

He was "a person of good parts, and well versed in ecclesiastical and civil laws . . . . In 1632, being then rector of Brightwell, alias Baldwin Brightwell, near Watlington, in Oxfordshire, he proceeded in divinity; answered the divinity act with general satisfaction; was about that time made one of the chaplains to his Majesty King Charles I., and afterwards residentiary of Chichester . . . . In the time of the rebellion, he did

* Life by Dr. Walter Pope, pp. 89-91.

+ Le Neve's Archbishops of Canterbury, sup. cit. Brit. Mag. vol. xiv.

Kennett's Complete History.

V. p. 629,

Le Neve, sup. cit.

suffer in some part for his loyalty; and therefore, upon his majesty's restoration, anno 1660, he was made one of his chaplains, and Dean of Lichfield. . . . Afterwards, being esteemed wealthy, and knowing in secular affairs, he was, by the endeavours of Dr. Sheldon, Archbishop of Canterbury, (some time his fellow-collegiate,) promoted to the see of Oxford, upon the translation of Skinner to Worcester, in hopes that he would rebuild the bishop's palace at Cudesden; and having in part promised so to do, he had liberty allowed him to keep the rectory of Brightwell, before mentioned, and the rich rectory of Chinnor, in Oxfordshire, (which he some years before had obtained,) in commendam with his bishopric. Soon after being consecrated, but the day when I know not, and installed or enthronized on the 7th of January, 1663, he brought and laid in at Cudesden a considerable quantity of timber; but before anything else could be done in the matter, he died; which happening at Chinnor on the 24th of May, 1665, his body was conveyed to Brightwell, before mentioned, and buried in the chancel of the church there. .... In the see of Oxon succeeded Walter Blandford."*

“An. 1664. Richard Sterne, Bishop of Carlisle, was made Archbishop of York...."t

"He left behind him the character of a man of eminent worth and abilities; a person of unshaken loyalty; his behaviour worthy of his high station; he distinguished himself by his accurate book of Logic, and had particularly the honour to assist in the noble undertaking of the Polyglott Bible."+

"An. 1665, Dec. 3. Walter Blandford, D.D., was consecrated Bishop of Oxford."§

He" became a servitor, or poor scholar, of Christ Church, anno 1635, aged nineteen years, admitted scholar of Wadham College on the 1st of Oct. 1638 .... and in 1644, July 2, he was admitted fellow of the said college. In 1648, when the visitors were appointed by parliament to eject all such from the university that would not take the covenant or submit to their power, they did not eject him, which shews that he did either take the covenant or submit to them; and about the same time, obtaining leave to be absent, he became chaplain to John, Lord Lovelace, of Hurley, and tutor to his son John, to whom also afterwards he was tutor in Wadham College. In 1659, he was elected and admitted warden of that college, and in the year after, in August, he was, among many, actually created doctor of divinity, being about that time chaplain to Sir Edward Hyde, Lord Chancellor of England, who obtained for him the same year a prebendship in the church of Glocester, and a chaplainship in ordinary to his majesty. In 1662 and 1663, he did undergo the office of vicechancellor of this university, not without some pedantry; and in 1665, being nominated Bishop of Oxford, on the death of Dr. William Paul, was elected thereunto by the dean and chapter of Christ Church, on the 7th of November, confirmed in St. Mary's church, in Oxon, on the 28th of the said month, and on the 3rd of December following, in the same year of 1665, (the king and the queen with their courts being then in Oxon,) he was consecrated in New College chapel, by the Bishops of London, Gloucester, and Exeter. Soon after he was made Dean of the Royal chapel. . . ."||

"On the 31st of the same month the archbishop ... consecrated Alexander Hyde, LL.D, Bishop of Salisbury...."¶

"What were his sufferings in the time of the Rebellion, if any, or his merits afterwards to be advanced to a bishopric, let others speak, whilst I tell you that after his majesty's restoration he was, by the endeavours of his kinsman, Sir

* Wood's Athenæ Oxonienses, vol. ii. pp. 1149, 1150. (fol. ed.)

+ Le Neve's Archbishops of Canterbury, anno 1664.

Id. Archbishops of York, p. 257.

Id. Archbishops of Canterbury, anno 1665.

Wood, vol. ii. p. 1161.

VOL. XV.-Jan. 1839.

Le Neve, loc. sup. cit.

E