The lives of Dr. John Donne, Sir Henry Wotton, Mr. Richard Hooker, Mr. George Herbert written by Izaak Walton ; to which are added some letters written by Mr. George Herbert, at his being in Cambridge : with others to his mother, the Lady Magdalen Herbert ; written by John Donne, afterwards dean of St. Pauls.

THE Introduction.

IN a late retreat from the business of this World, and those many little cares with which I have too often incumbred my self, I fell into a Contemplation of some of those Historical passages that are recorded in Sacred Story; and, more particularly, of what had past betwixt our Blessed Saviour, and that wonder of Women, and Sinners, and Mourners, Saint Mary Magdalen. I call her Saint, because I did not then, nor do now consider her, as when she was possest with seven Devils; not as when her wanton Eyes, and dissheveld Hair, were designed and manag'd, to charm and insnare amorous Be∣holders: But, I did then, and do now consider her as after she had exprest a visible and sacred sor∣row for her sensualities; as, after those Eyes had

wept such a flood of penitential tears as did wash, and that hair had wip't, and she most passionately kist the feet of hers, and our blessed Jesus. And, I do now consider, that because she lov'd much, not only much was forgiven her: but that, beside that blessed blessing of having her sins pardoned, she al∣so had from him a testimony, that her alablaster box of precious oyntment poured on his head and feet, and that Spikenard, and those Spices that were by her dedicated to embalm and preserve his sacred body from putrefaction, should so far preserve her own memory, that these demonstrations of her san∣ctified love, and of her officious, and generous gra∣titude should be recorded and mentioned whereso∣ever his Gospel should be read; intending thereby, that as his, so her name should also live to succeed∣ing generations, even till time shall be no more.

Upon occasion of which fair example, I did lately look back, and not without some content (at least to my self) that I have endeavour'd to de∣serve the love, and preserve the memory of my two deceased friends, Dr. Donne, and Sir Henry Wotton, by declaring the various employments and accidents of their Lives: And, though Mr. George Herbert (whose Life I now intend to write) were to me a stranger as to his person: yet, since he was, and was worthy, to be their friend; and, very many of his have been mine, I judge it may not be unacceptable to those•• that knew any of

them in their lives, or do now know their Wri∣tings, to see this Conjunction of them after their deaths; without which many things that concern'd them, and some things that concern'd the Age in which they liv••d, would be less perfect, and lost to posterity.

For these Reasons I have undertaken it, and if I have prevented any abler person, I beg par∣don of him, and my Reader.