France, even desiring him to make his own terms; and Christina, queen of Sweden, showed him extraordinary marks of esteem and regard.

When this celebrated man arrived at the evening of life, and found leisure to reflect seriously on the great end of his being, he acknowledged that he had too much, and too earnestly, engaged in literary pursuits; and had greatly overlooked those objects in which true and solid happiness consists. "Oh !" said he, "I have lost an immense portion of time; time, that most precious thing in the world! Had I but one year more, it should be spent in studying David's psalms, and Paul's epistles.” "Oh! sirs," said he to those about him, "mind the world less, and God more. The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to that is understanding.”

depart from evil,

CARDINAL MAZARINE-BULSTRODE WHITELOCKE-ANNA MARIA SCHURMAN-SIR MATTHEW HALE-DU RENTI-PRINCESS ELIZABETH-WILLIAM MOMPESSON-ADMIRAL PENN.

SECTION I.

CARDINAL

MAZARINE.

JULIUS MAZARINE, a famous cardinal and prime minister of France, was born in the kingdom of Naples, in the year 1602. The greatness of his abilities was conspicuous, even in his early years; and he had the advantage of being instructed by a very able tutor. He studied the interests of the various states in Italy, and of the kingdoms of France and Spain; and became profoundly skilled in politics. It was through the interest of Cardinal Richelieu, that he was introduced into the French cabinet. That cardinal made him one of the executors of his will; and during the minority of Louis XIV. he had the charge of public affairs.

His high station and great abilities, excited the envy of the nobility of France; and this occasioned

a civil war that continued several years. Mazarine was, at last, forced to retire; a price was set on his head; and even his fine library was sold. But this disgrace did not long continue. Mazarine returned to the court with more honor than he had ever enjoyed; and conducted the affairs of the kingdom with so much ability and success, that he obtained the French king's most unreserved confidence. He possessed, in an eminent degree, the power of discovering the dispositions and views of men; and of assuming a character adapted to circumstances.

He was a man of great ambition, and pursued with ardor the chase of worldly honors. But, a short time before his death, he perceived the vanity of his pursuit, and lamented the misapplication of his time and talents. He was greatly affected with the prospect of his dissolution, and the uncertainty of his future condition. This made him cry out: Oh, my poor soul! what will become of thee? Whither wilt thou go?"

To the queen dowager of France, who came to visit him in his illness, and who had been his friend at court, he expressed himself in these terms: "Madam, your favors have undone me. Were I to live again, I would be a capuchin, rather than a courtier."

BULSTRODE WHITELOCKE.

BULSTRODE WHITELOCKE was descended from a good family in Berkshire, and born in the year 1605. He possessed strong mental powers, which were highly improved by education, study, and business. He was advanced to several stations of the greatest trust and importance, both at home and abroad, and acquitted himself in them all to the satisfaction of his employers. Whilst he was ambassador at the court of Sweden, he was particularly honored by Queen Christina.

In the latter part of his life, he withdrew from public affairs, and resided in the country till his death. In his retirement, he was visited by a friend, to whom, after making many serious observations, he expressed himself in the following manner: "I have ever thought there has been one true religion in the world; and that is the work of the Spirit of God in the hearts and souls of men. There have been, indeed, many dispensations of God, suited to his own wise ends, and adapted to the low and uncertain state of man in the world. But the old world had the Spirit of God, for it

strove with them; and the new world has had the Spirit of God, both Jew and Gentile; and it strives with all: and they who have been led by it, have been the good people in every dispensation of God to mankind. I myself must say, that I have felt it from a child convincing me of my evil and vanity. It has often given me a true measure of this poor world, and some taste of Divine things; and it is my grief that I did not earlier apply my soul to it. I can say, that, since my retirement from the greatness and hurries of the world, I have felt something of the work and comfort of it; and I am persuaded that it is both ready and able to instruct, and lead, and preserve, those who will humbly and sincerely regard it. So that my religion is, the good Spirit of God in my heart; I mean, what that has wrought in me, and for me."