Herbert III : Death Is Not Terrible To Me
That Night, after which Sentence was pronounc’d in Westminster-Hall, Colonel Hacker ( who then commanded the Guards about the King ) would have plac’d two Musqueteers in the King’s Bed-Chamber, which his Majesty being acquainted with, he made no Reply, only gave a Sigh ; howbeit the good Bishop and Mr. Herbert, apprehending the Horrour of it, and Disturbance it would give the King in his Meditations and Preparation for his Departure out of this uncomfortable World ; also representing the Barbarousness of such an Act, they never left the Colonel till he reversed his Order by withdrawing these Men.
After the Bishop was gone to his Lodging, the King continu’d reading and praying more than two Hours after. The King commanded Mr. Herbert to lie by his Bed-side upon a Pallat, where he took small rest, that being the last Night his Gracious Sovereign and Master enjoy’d ; but nevertheless the King for Four Hours or thereabouts, slept soundly,and awaking about Two Hours afore day, he open’d his Curtain to call Mr. Herbert; there being a great Cake of Wax set in a Silver Bason, that then as at all other times burned all Night; so that he perceiv’d him somewhat disturb’d in sleep; but calling him, bad him rise ; For, ( said his Majesty ) I will get up having a great Work to do this Day ; however he would know why he was so troubled in his sleep ? He reply’d May it please your Majesty I was dreaming. I would know your Dream, said the King; which being told his Majesty said, It was remarkable. Herbert, this is my Second Marriage-Day ; I would be as trim to day as may be ; for before Night I hope to be espoused to my blessed Jesus. He then appointed what Cloaths he would wear; Let me have a Shirt on more than ordinary, said the King, by reason the season is so sharp as probably may make me shake, which some Observers will imagine proceeds from fear. I would have no such Imputation. I fear not Death ! Death is not terrible to me. I bless my God I am prepar’d.
These, or Words to this effect, his Majesty spoke to Mr. Herbert, as he was making ready. Soon after came Dr. Juxon Bishop of London precisely at the time his Majesty the Night before had appointed him. Mr. Herbert then falling upon his Knees, humbly beg’d his Majesty’s Pardon, if he had at any time been negligent in his Duty, whilst he had the Honour to serve him. The King thereupon gave him his Hand to kiss, having the day before been graciously pleased, under his Royal Hand, to give him a Certificate, expressing, That the said Mr. Herbert, was not impos’d upon him, but by his Majesty made choice of to attend him in his Bed-Chamber, and had serv’d him with Faithfulness and Loyal Affection. At the same time his Majesty also deliver’d him his Bible, in the Margin whereof he had with his own hand writ many Annotations and Quotations, and charged him to give it the Prince so soon as he returned ; repeating what he had enjoyned the Princess Elizabeth, his Daughter, That he would be dutiful and indulgent to the Queen his Mother ( to whom his Majesty writ two days before by Mr. Seymour ) affectionate to his Brothers and Sisters, who also were to be observant and dutiful to him their Sovereign; and for as much as from his Heart he had forgiven his Enemies, and in perfect Charity with all Men would leave the World, he had advised the Prince his Son to exceed in Mercy, not in rigour; and, as to Episcopacy, it was still his Opinion, That it is of Apostolique Institution, and in this Kingdom exercised from the Primitive Times, and therein, as in all other his Affairs pray’d God to vouchsafe him, both in reference to Church and State, a pious and a discerning Spirit; and that it was his last and earnest Request, that he would frequently read the Bible, which in all the time of his Affliction had been his best lnstructor and Delight; and to meditate upon what he read ; as also such other Books as might improve his Knowledge. He likewise commanded Mr. Herbert to give his Son,the Duke of York, his large Ring Sun-Dial of Silver, a Jewel his Majesty much valu’d; it was invented and made by Mr. Delamaine, an able Mathematician, who projected it, and in a little printed Book shew’d its excellent Use, in resolving many Questions in Arithmetick, and other rare Operations to be wrought by it in the Mathematicks. To the Princess Elizabeth Doctor Andrews’s Sermons ( he was Prelate of the most noble Order of the Garter, as he was Bishop of Winchester ), Archbishop Laud against Fisher the Jesuit, which Book ( the King said ) would ground her against Popery, and Mr. Hooker’s Ecclesiastical Polity. To the Duke of Gloucester, King James’s Works, and Dr. Hammond’s Practical Catechism, Cassandra to the Earl of Lindsey, the Lord High Chamberlain. And his Gold Watch to the Dutchess of Richmond. All which, as opportunity serv’d, Mr. Herbert deliver’d.
His Majesty then bade him withdraw ; for he was about an hour in private with the Bishop ; and being call’d in, the Bishop went to Prayer ; and reading also the 27th Chapter of the Gospel of St. Matthew, which relateth the Passion of our Blessed Saviour. The King, after the Service was done, ask’d the Bishop, If he had made choice of that Chapter, being so applicable to his present Condition ? The Bishop reply’d, May it please your Gracious Majesty, it is the proper Lesson for the Day, as appears by the Kalender; which the King was much affected with, so aptly serving as a seasonable Preparation for his Death that Day.
Sir Thomas Herbert : Memoirs of the Two Last Years of the Reign of KING CHARLES I — 1839 4th edition.
