Writers.
GEORGE HERBERT was born at Montgomery-Castle, younger Brother to Edward Lord Herbert (of whom immediately) bred Fellow of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge, and Orator of the university, where he made a speech no less learned than the occasion was welcome, of the return of Prince Charles out of Spain.
He was none of the Nobles of T•…•…koa, who at the building of Jerusalem* 1.1 put not their necks to the work of the Lord; but waving worldly preferment, chose serving at Gods Altar before State-employment. So pious his life, that as he was a copy of pri∣mitive, he might be a pattern of Sanctity to posterity, to testifie his independency on all others, he never mentioned the name of Jesus Christ, but with this addition, My Master. Next God the Word, he loved the Word of God, being heard often to pro∣test, That he would not part with one leaf thereof for the whole world.
Remarkable his conformity to Church-Discipline, whereby he drew the greater part of his Parishioners to accompany him daily in the publick celebration of Divine Service. Yet had he (because not desiring) no higher preferment than the Benefice of Bemmerton nigh Salisbury (where he built a fair house for his Successor) and the Pre∣bend of Leighton (founded in the Cathedral of Lincoln) where he built a fair Church, with the assistance of some few Friends free Offerings. When a Friend on his death bed went about to comfort him with the remembrance thereof, as an especial good work, he returned, It is a good work if sprinkled with the Blood of Christ. But his Church (that unimitable piece of Poetry) may out-last this in structure. His death hapned Anno Dom. 163—
EDWARD HERBERT, Son of Richard Herbert, Esquire, and Susan Newport his Wife, was born at Montgomery * Castle in this County, Knighted by King James,* 1.2 who sent him over Embassador into France. Afrerwards King Charls the first created him Baron of Castle Island in Ireland, and some years after Baron of Cheirbury in this Coun•…•…y; he was a most excellent Artist and rare Linguist, studied both in Books and Men, and himself the Author of two Works most remarkable, viz. A Treatise of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, written in French, so highly prized beyond the Seas, that (as I am told) it is extant at this day with great Honour in the Popes Vatican.
He married the Daughter and sole Heir of Sir VVilliam Herbert of Saint Julians in Monmouth-shire, with whom he had a large Inheritance both in England and Ireland. He died in August, Anno Domini 1648. and was buried in Saint Giles in the fields, London, having designed a fair Monument of his own Invention to be set up for him in the Church of Montgomery, according to the* 1.3 Model following;
upon the ground a Hath pace of fourteen foot square, on the midst of which is placed a Dorrick Columne, with its rights of Pedestal Basis, and Capital fifteen foot in height; on the Capital of the Columne is mounted an urn with an Heart Flamboul sup∣ported by two Angels. The foot of this Columne is attended with four Angels placed on Pedestals at each corner of the said Hath pace, two having Torches reverst, extin∣guishing the Motto of Mortality; the other two holding up Palmes, the Emblems of Victory.
This Monument hath not hitherto, (by what obstruction I list not to enquire) and I fear will not be finished, which hath invited me the rather to this Description, that it might be erected in Paper when it was intended in Marble.