That in his school, as in every thing elfe which he undertook, he laboured with great diligence, there is no reafon for doubting. One part of his method deferves general imitation. He was careful to inftruct his fcholars in religion. Every Sunday was fpent upon theology; in which he dictated a short system, gathered from the writers that were then fafhionable in the Dutch univerfities.

His fet his pupils an example of hard study and fpare diet; only now and then he allowed himfelf to pafs a day of feftivity and indulgence with fome gay gentlemen of Gray's Inn.

He now began to engage in the controverfies of the times, and lent his breath

breath to blow the flames of contention. In 1641 he publifhed a treatife of Reformation in two books, against the eftablished Church; being willing to help the Puritans, who were, he fays, inferior to the Prelates in learning.

Hall bishop of Norwich had publifhed an Humble Remonftrance, in defence of Epifcopacy; to which, in 1641, fix minifters, of whofe names the first letters made the celebrated word Smectymnus, gave their Answer. Of this Anfwer a Confutation was attempted by the learned Usher; and to the Confutation Milton publifhed a Reply, intituled, Of Prelatical Epifcopacy, and whether it may be deduced from the Apoftolical Times, by virtue of thofe teftimonies which

are alleged to that purpose in some late treatifes, one whereof goes under the name of James lord bishop of Armagh, ster·

I have tranfcribed this title to fhew, by his contemptuous, mention of Ufher, that he had now adopted the puritani cal favagenefs of manners. His next work was, The Reafon of Church Govern

ment urged against Prelacy, by Mr. John Milton, 1642. In this book he difcovers, not with oftentatious exultation, but with calm confidence, his high opinion of his own powers; and promifes to undertake fomething, he yet knows not what, that may be of ufe and honour to his country. This," fays he, "is 66 not to be obtained but by devout. prayer to that Eternal Spirit that can

enrich with all utterance and, know"ledge, and fends out his Seraphim "with the hallowed fire of his altar, to "touch and purify the lips of whom

he pleases. To this must be added, "induftrious and felect reading, steady

obfervation, and infight into all feem

"ly and generous arts and affairs; till "which in fome measure be compaft, I "refufe not to fuftain this expectation." From a promife like this, at once fervid, pious, and rational, might be expected the Paradife Loft.

He published the fame year two more pamphlets, upon the fame queftion. To one of his antagonists, who affirms that he was vomited out of the univer fity, he anfwers, in general terms d 2: << The

"The Fellows of the College wherein ?

fpent fome years, at my parting, after "I had taken two degrees, as the man

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ner is, fignified many times how much better it would content them that I fhould ftay.-As for the common ap

probation or diflike of that place, as

now it is, that I fhould efteem or dif"cfteem myself the more for that, too

66

fimple is the anfwerer, if he think to "obtain with me. Of fmall practice "were the phyfician who could not

66

judge, by what the and her fifter have

"of long time vomited, that the worfer "ftuff the strongly keeps in her ftomach, "but the better fhe is ever kecking at,

and is queafy: fhe vomits now out of ficknefs; but before it be well with " her,

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