THE long Acquaintance, and intimate Friendship, I had with Mr. Firmin, are (I confess) warrantable Cau­ses, that so many do expect from me, an account of his (memorable) Life. If some other man would answer the publick expectation, with more Ad­dress; as to Expression, Method, num­ber and value of Observations and Reflec­tions; in a word, more Ambitiously: yet I will not be wanting in Sincerity, or Truth.

Thomas Firmin was born at Ipswich in Suffolk; in the month of June, Anno 1632. being the Son of Henry Firmin, and of [Page 6] Prudence his Wife. Henry and Prudence, as they did not overflow with wealth of the World; so neither was their conditi­on Low, or Strait. God gave them, the wish of Solomon, neither Poverty nor Riches; but that middle Estate and Rank, which containeth all that is valuable and desirable in Wealth, without the Gaude­ry, Vanity and Temptations, that (ge­nerally) adhere to Riches. But these two were very considerable in their degree, or place, both as to esteem, and plenty; by means of their Sobriety, Diligence, and good Conduct, the effects of their Piety. They were of the number of those, who were then called Puritans, by the looser sort of people: who were wont to impute Precisianism, or affected Purita­nism, to such as were more Devout; and withal, more Conscientious, and Ex­emplary, than is ordinary; tho in the way of the Church of England.

When he was of capable years for it, they put their Son (Thomas Firmin) to an Apprentiship in London; under a Master who was (by Sect or Opinion) an Arminian, a Hearer of Mr. John Good­wyn. Our young man, accompanying his Master to the elegant and learned Sermons of Mr. Goodwyn, soon exchanged the [Page 7](harsh) Opinions of Calvin, in which he had been educated; for those (more Ho­nourable to God, and more accountable to the Human Reason) of Arminius and the Remonstrants. And now it was, that he learned, as was the commendable Custom of those times, to write Short­hand; at which he was so dextrous, that he would take into a Book, any Sermon that he heard, word for word as it was spoke by the Preacher; if the Sermon were not delivered, with too much pre­cipitance. Of this he made a double use; both then, and in the very busiest part of his Life. For, if the Sermon was consi­derable, for (judicious) Morality, or weighty Arguments; he often read it, in his Short-hand Notes, for his own further Improvement: and then took the pains, to write it out (in words at length) for the benefit of his Acquaintance. He left behind him a great many little Books of that kind; Sermons, copied fair from his Short-hand notes: which, not seldom, are multum in parvo.

As to his demeanor, in his Apprenti­ship; he was so nimble in his motions, in taking down, opening Goods to Chap­men, &c. that some gave him, the name of Spirit. And in making his Bargain, his [Page 8]Words and Address were so pleasing, and respectful; that after some time, the Customers rather chose to deal with Tho­mas, than with the Master of the Shop: or if a Bargain stuck between a Customer and his Master, he would decide the difference to the liking of both.

He met however with one rub, in the course of his Service; for the elder Ap­prentice interverted five pounds of his Masters money, and laid it to the charge of Tom Firmin. I know not whether the Imputation was believed, probably it was not; but it pleased God himself to judg in the case. For the elder Ser­vant was, shortly after, taken with a mortal Sickness; and before he died made confession, that he took and spent his Masters mony, Tho. Firmin not being in the least privy to it. Thus he that made all things, the very least, does not disdain or neglect to judg all things, even little things, in the properest time. Many Crimes are suffered to rest, or are not presently called to judgment; because the delay of Justice ordinarily hurts no body: but when the Innocent and Virtuous lie under imputations, by occasion of the guilt of others; the detection of Offenders, and the execution of wrath is but seldom (if ever) respited.

So soon as he was made free, he began to trade for himself, tho his first Stock was but about 100 l. By the opinion he had raised of himself among the Mer­chants and others, and the love he had gained among his Master's Customers, the Neighbourhood, and a great number of incidental Acquaintance, he overcame the difficulties of so weak and incompetent a beginning; so that in the year 1660 he married a Citizens Daughter with 500 l. Portion.

From his first setting up (as they speak) for himself, he would be acquaint­ed with all persons that seemed to be wor­thy, Foreigners as well as English, more especially Ministers: he seldom dined without some such at his Table; which, tho somewhat chargeable to his (then) slender abilities, was of great use to him afterwards, both in relation to the Poor, and the Publick. For out of his large Ac­quanitance and multitude of Friends, he engaged the (powerful) Interest of some, and the (weighty) Purses of others; in some of those great designs of Charity, or other Services to the Publick, for which I shall hereafter account.

Now also it was, that he hapned on Mr. Bidle, who much confirmed him in [Page 10]his Arminian Tenents, and carried him a great deal further. Mr. Bidle perswaded him, that the Unity of God is a Unity of Person as well as of Nature; that the Holy Spirit is indeed a Person, but not God. He had a great and just esteem of Mr. Bidle's Piety, Exemplariness and Learning; and is that Friend (mention­ed in Mr. Bidle's Life) who gave Mr. Bidle his Bed and Board till he was sent Prisoner by Protector Oliv. Cromwel to the Isle of Scilly; and when there, Mr. Firmin with another Friend, procured for him a yearly Pension of 100 Crowns from the Protector, besides what he obtained from other Friends, or gave himself.

Mr. Firmin's Diversion, in this part of his Life, was Gardening; for which pur­pose he cultivated a piece of ground at Hoxton, not a mile from London; where he raised Flowers, and (in time) at­tained no small skill in the art of Gar­dening, in the culture of Flowers, Herbs, Greens, and Fruit-trees of all sorts. I have often born him company to his Gar­den; but either going or coming back he used often to visit the Poor and Sick: this was one of Mr. Bidle's Lessons, that 'tis a duty not only to relieve, but to visit the Sick and Poor; because they are hereby [Page 11]encouraged and comforted, and we come to know of what nature and degree their straits are; and that some are more wor­thy of assistance than others: and their condition being known, sometimes we are able to assist them by our Counsel, or our Interest, much more effectually than by the Charity we do or can bestow upon them.

Before I pass to the next Scene of Mr. Firmin's Life, I am obliged to take notice, that by his first Wife he had a Son and a Daughter; the former lived to man's estate, but died (a Batchelor) about se­ven years before his Father. The Mother of these two Children died while Mr. Firmin was (occasionally) at Cambridg, managing there some affairs of his Trade: her death was accompanied with this re­markable Circumstance. Mr. Firmin dreamt at Cambridg, that he saw his Wife breathing her last: whereupon early in the morning he took Horse for London; but on the way thither he met the Mes­senger who was sent to give him notice of her decease.

Another (necessary) Remark belong­ing to this part of his Life is, that tho hitherto his wealth was no more than a competence, considering his liberal humour, [Page 12]and the multitude of his Acquaintance; yet he was even then a most kind Brother, Uncle and Kinsman: Of which the Rea­der may take account in this following Transcript, being the Copy of a Paper written by one of his nearest Relations, and who hath lived with him above thirty years, and was (a great part of that time) his Partner; being a Person of great Sobriety, Diligence, Integrity and Prudence. ‘He had many Relations, of several degrees, who stood in need of his care and help; to whom he was a very kind Brother, Uncle and Kinsman: be­sides the great pains he took to promote them, as it lay in his way or power: his loss by some of them, for whom he advanced money, and his disbursments for others of them, amounted to very considerable sums; a good part of which was not long after his first beginning in the World; which was the greater prejudice to him, because then his own circumstances required mony to carry on his Trade with ease and advantage. Be sure he had then more occasion for his mony, than when he was arrived to a very considerable Estate, which he did not till about seventeen years before his death. His Estate at (about) seven­teen [Page 13]years before his decease, was three times greater than when he died, tho then considerable. He might easily have in­creased it as much as he diminished it, had he set his heart on Riches; but those he never valued in comparison of doing good: and I have often heard him say, he would not die worth more than Five Thousand Pound.’

Of his Liberalities to the Poor, and the Deserving, and the motives to them, I may say enough hereafter. But for his beneficence to his Kindred, it proceeded not merely from the benignity of his Na­ture, or natural Affection; which (how­ever) to cherish and improve is a great virtue; but from his reverence to the Christian Religion. For as he would fre­quently say, that Passage of St. Paul to Timothy is to be read as it stands in the Margin of our Bibles, ‘He that provides not for his own KINDRED, is worse than an Infidel:’ so he was wont to give that Text as the reason of his Bounties to his Relations. So far was he from that Deism, of which some have been so over­forward to suspect him.

During the Imprisonment of Mr. Bidle at Scilly, Mr. Firmin was setled in Lom­bardstreet, where first Mr. Jacomb, then [Page 14]Dr. Outram, was Minister: With these two, being excellent Preachers, and learn­ed men, he maintained a respectful and kind Friendship; which was answered as affectionately and cordially on their parts. Now also he grew into intimacy with Dr. Whichcot, Dr. Worthington, Dr. Wil­kins, Mr. Tillotson: Dr. Wilkins was af­terwards Bishop of Chester, Mr. Tillotson (for he was not yet made Doctor) Arch­bishop of Canterbury; but in their Dig­nity, and to the very last, Mr. Firmin had the same place and degree in their esteem and friendship, that at any time formerly he had. While Dr. Tillotson preached the Tuesdays Lecture at St. Law­rence, so much frequented by all the Divines of the Town, and by a great many Per­sons of Quality and Distinction: when the Doctor was obliged to be at Canterbury, where he was Dean, or was out of Town, either for diversion or health; he generally left it to Mr. Firmin to provide Preachers for his Lecture, and Mr. Firmin never fail­ed to supply his place with some very eminent Preacher; so that there never was any complaint on the account of Dr. Til­lotson's absence. And this Mr. Firmin could easily do, for now there was hardly a Divine of Note, (whether in London, or in [Page 15]the Country that frequented London) but Mr. Firmin was come acquainted with him. Which thing helped him much to serve the Interests of many (hopeful) young Preachers and Scholars; Candidates for Lectures, Schools, Cures, or Recto­ries; for whom he would solicit with as much affection and diligence as other men do for their Sons, or near Relations.

See here a Trader, who knew no Latin or Greek, no Logick or Philosophy; com­past about by an incredible number of learned Friends, who differed so widely in opinion from him, and were continu­ally attacking him for his (supposed) Errors; yet could they never remove him from the belief of the Ʋnity of God, nor did their Importunities, or his Resistance, break off (or so much as lessen) the friend­ship between 'em; certain arguments of the extraordinary wit and good address of our Friend.

Her late Majesty (Queen Mary) of most happy memory, having heard much of Mr. Firmin's usefulness in all publick Designs, especially those of Charity; and that he was heterodox in the Articles of the Tri­nity, the Divinity of our Saviour, and the Satisfaction; She spoke to Archbishop Tillotson, and earnestly recommended it [Page 16]to him, to set Mr. Firmin right in those weighty and necessary points. The Arch­bishop answered, that he had often en­deavour'd it; but Mr. Firmin having so early and long imbibed the Socinian Doctrine, was not now capable of a con­trary impression. However his Grace published his Sermons (formerly preached at St. Lawrence's) concerning those Questi­ons, and sent Mr. Firmin one of the first Copies from the Press. Mr. Firmin not convinced by his Grace's Reasonings, or his Arguments from Holy Scripture, cau­sed a respectful Answer (altho some have stretched one Expression too far) entitu­led, Considerations on the Explications and Defences of the Doctrine of the Trinity, to be drawn up and publisht, himself giving to his Grace a Copy of it. I must not omit to do the Archbishop right against those who pretend, that the Archbishop, not­withstanding those Sermons, was in his heart a Ʋnitarian. For Mr. Firmin him­self told me, shortly after the Archbishop had publisht those Sermons, that going to Lambeth, and the Archbishop hapning to dine in private, he sent for Mr. Firmin to him, and said to this effect, That the Calumnies of people had obliged him to publish his Sermons, some time since [Page 17]preached at St. Laurence's against the Te­nents of Socinus; that he had sincerely preached, as he then thought, and continued still to think of those Points; that however no bodies false imputations should provoke him to give ill Language to persons who dissented conscientiously, and for weighty reasons. That he knew well this was the case of the Socinians, for whose learn­ing and dexterity he should always have a respect, as well as for their sincerity and exemplariness. Afterwards, when Mr. Firmin gave him a Copy of the Conside­rations; after he had read it, he only said, My Lord of Sarum shall humble your Wri­ters. Nor did he afterwards at any time express the least coldness on the account of the Answer made to him, but used Mr. Firmin as formerly, enquiring as he was wonted, How does my Son Giles? so he called Mr. Firmins Son by his second Wife.

About the time the (Great and Good) Archbishop died, the Controversie con­cerning the Trinity and the depending Questions, received an unexpected Turn. The Ʋnitarians took notice from D. Peta­vius, Dr. R. Cudworth, S. Curcellaeus, the Oxford Heads, Dr. S—th and others, that their Opposers agreed indeed in con­tending for a Trinity of Divine Persons, [Page 18]but differed from one another, even as much as from the Unitarians, concerning what is to be meant by the term Persons. Some of'em say, three Divine Persons are three (Eternal Infinite) Minds, Spirits, Sub­stances and Beings; but others reject this as Heresie, Blasphemy, and Tritheism. These latter affirm, that GOD is one (Infinite, Eternal, All-perfect) Mind and Spirit; and the Trinity of Persons is the Godhead, Divine Essence, or Divine Substance, considered as Ʋnbegotten, Be­gotten, and Proceeding: which Modes or Properties they (further) explain by Ori­ginal Wisdom, Unbegotten, and therefore named the Father; the reflex Wisdom, Logos, or WORD, which being gene­rated or begotten, is called the Son; and the eternal Spiration of Divine Love, that has therefore the name of Holy Spirit. The Ʋnitarians never intended to oppose any other Trinity, but a Trinity of (in­finite) Minds or Spirits; grant to 'em, that GOD is one Infinite Spirit or Mind, not two or three, they demand no more. They applied themselves therefore to en­quire, which of these Trinities, a Trinity of Spirits or of Properties, is the Doctrine of the Catholic Church: they could not miss of a ready satisfaction; all Systems, [Page 19]Catechisms, Books of Controversie, Coun­cils, Writers that have been esteemed Ca­tholic, more especially since the (Gene­ral) Lateran Council, Anno 1215. and the Reformation, have defined GOD to be one Infinite All-perfect Spirit; and the Divine Persons to be nothing else but the Divine Essence or Godhead, with the three relative Properties, Unbegotten, and Be­gotten, and Proceeding. They saw there­fore plainly, that the difference between the Church and the Ʋnitarians had arose from a meer mistake of one anothers meaning: a mistake occasioned (chiefly) by the unscriptural terms Trinity, Persons, and such like. They resolved, that it became them, as good Christians, to seek the Peace of the Catholic Church, and not to litigate about Terms, (tho never so unproper, or implying only Trifles) when the things intended by those Terms, are not unsound or heterodox. These (Honest, Pacific) Inclinations of men, who drove no design in their dissent from the Church, gave birth to the Agreement between the Unitarians and the Catholic Church; a Book written at the instance (chiefly) of Mr. Firmin, in Answer to Mr. Edwards, the Bishops of Worcester, Sarum and Chichester, and Monsieur de [Page 20]Luzanzy. I need not to say, what will be owned by every (Ingenuous) Learn­ed Person, without hesitance, that the Agreement is as well the Doctrine of the Catholic Church, as of the Ʋnitarians; and that in all the points, so long and fiercely debated and controverted by the Writers of this and of former Ages. It must be confest, the hands of a great many excellent Persons did concur to this Re-union of Parties that seemed so wide­ly and unreconcilably divided, and did encourage the Author of the Agreement in his (disinteressed laborious) searches in­to Antiquity, and other parts of Learning; and several learned men, some of them Authors in the Socinian (or Ʋnitarian) way, examined the Work with the Can­dor and Ingenuity, that is as necessary in such cases, as Learning or Judgment are. Mr. Firmin publisht it when examined and corrected, with more satisfaction than he had before given forth so many Eristic Writings. I did not wonder how­ever, that our Friend was so ready to em­brace a reconciliation with the Church: for he was ever a lover of Peace, and always conformed as far as he could, ac­cording to that direction of the Apostle, Whereunto we have already attained, let us [Page 21]walk by the same Rule. Which with the best Interpreters he understood thus, ‘Con­form to the Doctrines, Terms and Usa­ges that are commonly received, as far as you can; if in some things you dif­fer from the Church, yet agree with her, and walk by her Rule to the utmost that in Conscience you may; or as the Apostle himself words it, so far as (or whereunto) you have attained.’ From this Principle it was, that our Friend ne­ver approved of those who separate from the communion of the Church on the ac­count of Ceremonies, Habits, form of Government, or other mere Circumstanti­als of Religion. He was wont to tell such, that seeing 'twas undeniable, they might communicate with the Church without either sin or scandal, and did com­municate on some occasions; it is there­fore both scandal and sin to separate and divide. With this he silenced many, and reclaimed divers.

In the Year 1658. the Ʋnitarians were banisht out of Poland, the occasion this; Poland had been long harass'd with most dangerous Civil, and Foreign Wars, inso­much that at one time there were in Arms in Poland, Lithuania and the Ʋkrain, One hundred and fourscore thousand Poles, [Page 22]as many Tartars, and two hundred thou­sand Cossacks, besides powerful Bodies of Austrians, and Transilvanians, which at­tacked Poland on the West and South. The ravages and desolations committed, and caused so by many great Armies in a Country that has but few fortified Places, were unexpressible: Poland therefore was reduced to such a feeble and desperate con­dition, that their King himself withdrew; and the King of Swedes took the advan­tage of their confusion and low estate, to invade them with Forty thousand men, regular Troops. He took the Cities of War­saw and Cracow, and with them almost all Poland: he constrained the Polanders to take an Oath of Subjection and Allegi­ance to him; which Oath was first sub­mitted unto, and taken by the Roman-Catholies, then by the Protestants, and not till last of all by the Ʋnitarians. But the Swedish King engaging himself in other Wars, particularly with Denmark, and in Germany, John Casimire, King of Poland, appeared again; and the Poles generally joining their King, at length drove the Swedes out of Poland: the Swedish King found himself obliged to condescend to a (reasonable) Peace with King Casimire. As the Ʋnitarians were the last that sub­mitted [Page 23]to the obedience of Swedeland, so be­ing bound thereto by an Oath, they did not concur with the other Polanders in rebel­ling against him: they consiered the Swe­dish King as a fair Conqueror, and a Prote­stant Prince, and themselves as tied to him by Oath; therefore they even opposed in some places, the revolt from him. This was interpreted a desertion of their natural Prince, and native Country; and (tho all the Part-takers with the Swedish King were included in the Peace made with him) was avenged in the very next Diet after the Peace, by a Decree and Edict, the sum of which was as fol­lows. ‘The Toleration granted by the Laws, and Coronation-Oaths of the Kings to Dissenters from the Church, does not legally extend to the Ʋnitari­ans, (whom they called Arians, or Anabaptists) this being a new Heresie, since the granting that Indulgence or Toleration; therefore all Ʋnitarians, who within such a limited time, will not embrace the Roman-Catholic Re­ligion, shall be banisht out of Poland, allowing however two years (in effect but one) to sell their Estates, whether real or personal.’ Hereupon the Ʋni­tarians left Poland, and setled some in [Page 24] Transilvania, where divers Provinces and Cities are Ʋnitarian; some in Ducal Prus­sia, and Brandenburg, where they enjoy like Privileges with his Electoral High­nesses other Subjects; some (few) in Holland. These Ʋnitarians were (in my opinion) unhappy, that they had not a man among them, who could discern it, and shew 'em, that neither in the Article of the Trinity, nor of the Divinity of our Savi­our, they had any real difference with the Catholic Church: and that the Terms used by the Church, imply nothing that is contrary to the Unity of God, as 'tis held by the learned men. Their Confessi­on, which they publisht upon their Ba­nishment, ascribes as much to our Savi­our, as is intended by the Catholic-terms Incarnation, God-man, God the Son, Hy­postatical (or personal) Union, and the rest: therefore seeing the Church will not dismiss those (unscriptural) Terms, but (for certain reasons) contents her self to interpret them to a sound sense, it had been well if the Polish Ʋnitarians had been so dextrous, as to distinguish between an unsound Sense, and improper Terms; dis­claiming only the former, and submitting to the latter. The Ʋnitarian Congregati­ons in Poland had many poor persons, [Page 25]therefore the Nobility and Gentry prayed a Contribution for them, from all Ʋnita­rian Churches of foreign parts: and tho they knew there were but few Ʋnitarian Families in England, they sent a Letter to us to entreat our help. Mr. Firmin pro­cured for 'em some assistances from private persons: and tho without a Brief, some collections in Churches; both these in the Year 1662. But I mention this for the sake of what hapned Anno 1681. for then King Charles granted a Brief for ano­ther sort of Polonian Sufferers, Protestants also: these were they who had suffered the Ʋnitarians to be banisht about twenty years before, when it was in their power to have prevented it, if so much as one of their Deputies had protested against it in the Diet. They willingly permitted, nay they promoted the Violation of the Li­berty of Dissenters not twenty years be­fore; and now weakned by the loss of the whole Ʋnitarian Interest, it came to their own turns to be the Sufferers: they had never lost either Country, or Li­berty, if they had not voted themselves out of both, by their (former) Votes against the Ʋnitarians. A Toleration or Liberty of Religion, once tapped, will soon run all out; for break it but in one In­stance, [Page 26]or Party, and you have disannulled the whole Reason of it, and all the Pleas for it. The malice of any whomsoever against the English Ʋnitarians, comes now too late; they less dissent from the Church (if they are at all Dissenters) than any other denomination of Dissenters: there­fore let those Dissenters look to it, who have promoted a Bill, in name and pre­text, against Immorality, and Blasphemy; in truth and real design against the Ʋni­tarians. I said King Charles granted a Brief for the Polonian Protestants, who had assisted in banishing the Polonian Ʋni­tarians; this Brief Mr. Firmin promoted as much as in him lay: I find he re­ceived of Nine Dissenting Congregations, 110 l. 16 s. 10 d. And in another Book I find the sum of 568 l. 16 s. o ¾. col­lected on the same account.

We are now come to another part of Mr. Firmin's Life, his second Marriage: in the Year 1664. he married to a Daugh­ter of a Justice of Peace in the County of Essex, and had with her, besides all the qualifications of a good Wife, a considera­ble Portion. God was pleased to lend to 'em several Children; but one Son, Giles Firmin, lived to man's estate. He was [Page 27]like to be an eminent Merchant, his Fa­ther giving him the whole Portion he had received with his Mother: and the young Gentleman going into Portugal, to manage there his own business; he was called by the Heavenly Father to Eternal Mer­cies.

In the Year 1665. was a great Plague, of which there died in that one year, in London only, near One hundred thousand persons: most of the wealthier Citizens removed themselves and Children into the Country; so did Mr. Firmin, but left a Kinsman in his House, with order to re­lieve some Poor weekly, and to give out Stuff to employ them in making such Commodities as they were wont. He foresaw that he should be hard put to it, to dispose of such an abundance of Com­modities as these poor people would work off, in so long time, for him only: but when he returned to London, a wealthy Chapman (who was greatly pleased with his adventurous Charity) bought an extraordinary quantity of those Goods; so that he incurred no loss, at that time, by employing the Poor.

The year after the Sickness came the Fire, by which the City of London sustain­ed the damage of Ten millions of Pounds [Page 28]sterling. Mr. Firmin, with his Neigh­bours, suffered the loss of his House in Lombard-street, and took (thereupon) a House and Warehouse in Leaden-hall-street. But now his fine Spirit, and generous way of Trading were so well known, that in a few years he so improved his Stock, that he rebuilt his House, and built also the whole Court (excepting two or three Houses) in which he lived. And having now provided sufficiently for himself and Family, he began to consider the Poor.

His first service to them, or rather to God in their persons, was the building a Warehouse by the Water-side, for the lay­ing up Corn and Coals, to be sold to the Poor in scarce and dear times at moderate and reasonable rates, at the rates they had been purchased, allowing only for loss (if any should happen) by damage of the Goods while kept.

He went on with his Trade in Lombard­street till the Year 1676. at which time I estimate he was worth about Nine thou­sand Pounds. If we consider, that this Estate was raised from a beginning of about One hundred Pounds, in an ordinary way of Trade, and in about twenty years time; to what a mighty wealth would it [Page 29]have grown, in the hands of such a Ma­nager, in his remaining twenty or one and twenty years? Had not his ingenit Liberality, great Mind and Zeal of serv­ing the Divine Majesty, turned his endea­vours a contrary way; to support, and to raise others, while he lessened and im­paired himself. For this year he erected his Warehouse in Little Britain for the imployment of the Poor in the Linen Ma­nufacture. Let us hear what Archbishop Tillotson (then but Dean Tillotson) says of this Design of Mr. Firmin, in his Fu­neral Sermon on Mr. Gouge, Anno 1681. ‘He (Mr. Gouge) set the Poor of St. Sepulchres Parish (where he was Mi­nister) to work, at his own charge. He bought Flax and Hemp for them to spin; when spun, he paid them for their Work, and caused it to be wrought into Cloth, which he sold as he could, himself bearing the whole loss. This was a very wise and well­chosen way of Charity; and in the good effect of it a much greater Charity, than if he had given to those very per­sons (freely and for nothing) so much as he made them to earn by their work: because by this means he rescued 'em from two most dangerous Temptati­ons, [Page 30]Idleness and Poverty. This course so happily devised, and begun by Mr. Gouge, gave, it may be, the first hint to that useful and worthy Citizen, Mr. Tho. Firmin, of a much larger Design; which has been managed by him, some years in this City, with that vigour and good success, that many hundreds of poor Children, and others who lived idle before, unprofitable both to them­selves and the Public, now maintain themselves, and are also some advan­tage to the Community. By the As­sistance and Charity of many excellent and well-disposed persons, Mr. Firmin is en­abled to bear the unavoidable loss and charge of so vast an Undertaking; and by his own forward inclination to Cha­rity, and unwearied diligence and acti­vity, is fitted to sustain, and go through the incredible pains of it. Serm. on Mr. Gouge, p. 62, 63, 64.’

'Tis of this Project and Warehouse, that Mr. Firmin himself speaks in a Book of his, entituled, Proposals for the employment of the Poor, in these words: ‘'Tis now above four years since I set up my Workhouse in Little Britain, for the imployment of the Poor, in the Linen Manufacture; which hath afforded so [Page 31]great help and Relief to many hundreds of poor Families; that I never did, and I fear never shall do an Action more to my own satisfaction, or to the good and benefit of the Poor.’ He employed in this Manufacture, some times 1600, some times 1700 Spinners, besides Dressers of Flax, Weavers and others.

Because he found that his Poor must work sixteen hours in the day to earn six­pence, and thought that their necessities and labour were not sufficiently supplied or recompensed by those earnings; there­fore he was wont to distribute Charity among them, as he saw their need, espe­cially at Christmas, and in hard weather. Without which Charity, some of them had perished for want, when either they or their Children fell ill. He used also to lay in vast quantities of Coals, which he gave out by a Peck at a time: who­ever of the Spinners brought in two pound of Yarn, might take away with 'em a Peck of Coals, besides what Coals were given to such as were antient, had many Children, or any sick in their Fa­mily. But because they soiled themselves by carrying away Coals in their Aprons or Skirts; to obviate that inconvenience, and damage to 'em, he gave 'em Canvass [Page 32]Bags. Cleanliness contributing much to health, he distributed among 'em Shifting made of the coarser and stronger sort of Cloth, that had been spun by themselves, and of the same among their Children. Much of this Shifting he begged for them; for he found among his Acquaintance and Friends, divers charitable persons, who would rather buy the Cloth that had been wrought by our Home-Poor, than purchase it, tho at somewhat cheaper rates, from Merchants or Shops, that sell scarce any but foreign Cloth. By the assistance and order of his Friends, he gave to Men, Women and Children, sometime 3000 Shirts and Shifts in two years. But still further to encourage and help his Poor, he would invite persons of Ability to come to his Workhouse, on days the Spinners brought their Yarn; that seeing their Po­verty and Diligence, he might the more easily persuade 'em to give, or subscribe something for their relief. Some would work, but knew not the art of Spinning, or were not able to purchase Wheels and Reels; for these he hired Teachers, and freely gave 'em their Reels and Wheels: He often took up poor Children as they were begging in the Streets, whom he caused to be taught at his own charge, [Page 33]and provided for 'em their Reels and Wheels, which were never deducted out of their Work.

In his Book of Proposals he takes no­tice, that ‘In above 4000 l. laid out the last Year, reckning House-rent, Servants wages, Loss by Learners, with the Interest of the Mony, there was not above 200 l. lost. One chief reason of which, was the Kindness of several Persons; who took off good Quantities of Commodities, at the Price they cost me to spin and weave: And in particular, the East-India and Guinea Companies gave me Encouragement, to make their Allabas Cloths, and coarse Canvas for Pepper Bags; which before they bought from foreign Countries.’

He published that Book of Proposals, to engage others, to set the Poor on work, at a Publick Charge; or at least to assist him, and two or three Friends, in what he had now carried on, for above Five Years, at the loss of above One Thousand Pounds. But finding that my Lord Mayor, and the Aldermen, were not persuaded by what he had offered in his Book, and by Discourse with them, and other Wealthy Citizens; he began to lessen the Spin­ning Trade: For I find that in the Year [Page 34]1682, the whole Disbursment was only 2337 l. 3 s. and yet the Loss thereby that Year, was 214 l.

It should seem he met not so many Cha­ritable Persons, who would buy his Ma­nufacture at the Price it cost him, as in some former Years: Nay from this time, the Loss increased yearly upon him: For seven or eight Years together he lost two Pence in the Shilling, by all the Work of his Poor; but he was content, for he would say, Two Pence given them by Loss in their Work, was twice so much saved to the Publick, in that it took them off from Beggary, or Theft. But his Loss some Years was extraordinary. In the Year 83. the Trade encreasing again, his own Disbursments, beside his Friends, were not less than 2000 l. the Loss for that Year was 400 l. Continuing thus, in the Year 84. the Balance of Loss not then received, amounted to 763 l. And in the Year 85. it encreased to 900:11:3. toward which Loss, an eminent Citizen, who had 500 l. in that Stock, quitted the whole Princi­pal, and required no Interest. In the Years 86, 87, 88, and 89, the Trade de­clined for want of more such Benefactors. The Loss now remaining being 413:11:3. the value of the Goods then in hand, and [Page 35]Debts standing out, computed at 372 l. 3. s. 1. d. I find of the whole no more re­ceiv'd than 279:0:1. which falling short 93:3:0. added to the former Loss of 413:11:3. makes 506:14:3. This whole Sum I find not any way made good, but stands still as due to Mr. Firmin, tho' never reckon'd by him as any part of his Estate.

Anno 1690. The Design was taken up by the Patentees of the Linen Manufacture; who made the Poor and others, whom they employed, to work cheaper; yet, that was not sufficient, to encourage them to continue the Manufacture. The Pa­tentees agreed with Mr. Firmin, to give him 100 l. a Year, to Oversee and Go­vern their Manufacture: But seeing their Undertaking had not answer'd their, or his Expectations, he never received the promised Salary, nor discounted it to 'em; and if he had, he would certainly have gi­ven it (in Mony, Linen, and Coals) a­mong the Spinners. Which I the rather adventure to say, because when he drew some Prizes in one of Mr. Neal's Lotteries, to the Value of 180 l. he reserved to him­self, only the Mony he had adventured: The Mony gained he gave, partly to some Relations, and partly to the Poor.

But the poor Spinners, being thus de­serted, Mr. Firmin returned to 'em a­gain; and managed that Trade as he was wont: But so, that he made it bear al­most its own Charges. But that their smaller Wages might be comfortable to them, he was more Charitable to 'em in his distributions, than in any former Years; and begged for 'em, of almost all Persons of Rank, with whom he had in­timacy, or so much as Friendship. He would also carry his Cloth to divers, with whom he scarce had any Acquaintance; telling 'em, it was the Poor's Cloth, which in conscience they ought to buy at the Price it could be afforded: If the Buyers were ve­ry Wealthy, they must also give some of the Cloth they had bought, in Shirting; and he would quickly send for the Mony, that was due for the Cloth. But without these Ways, it had been impossible for him, to imploy such a multitude of Peo­ple; who could not stay a minute for their Mony. This continued to be his chief business, and care, to the day of his Death: Saving that about Two Years since, when the calling in the Clipped Mony, occasioned such a Scarcity of Cur­rent Coin, that it was hard with many Rich to get Mony enough to go to Mar­ket; [Page 37]he was forced to dismiss some of his Spinners, for mere want of Mony to pay 'em. I heard his Partner and Kinsman Mr. James, tell him; He had taken a­bout 700 l. out of their Cash already, for the Spinners: And that he should take out no more, as yet. Not that Mr. James was not always an Encourager and Pro­moter of the Work-House Charity; for he never took any Interest-mony, for his Share in that Stock: but their whole com­mon Trade going thro' the hands of Mr. James, and being managed by him; he was more sensible than Mr. Firmin, that more ready Mony could not be spared to that use, without great Disadvantage to their Trade.

Flax and Tow being Goods very com­bustible, Mr. Firmin was always a little uneasy, lest by some Accident the Work­house, being in the keeping only of Ser­vants, should take fire: And I remember, the Boys in one of their licentious times of throwing Squibs, flung one into the Work-house Cellar, where the Tow and Flax was stowed; but Providence did not permit, it should do any hurt.

Before I dismiss this Work-house, I must take notice, that at his death our Friend told Dr. L. that he did not regret his Dy­ing, [Page 38]only he could have been willing (had God so pleased) to have continued two Months longer, to put his Work-house and Spinners into another Method. That Method is now settled, by Mr. James; and the poor Spinners imploy'd as former­ly.

Concerning this Work-house, and the Spinners, Mr. Firmin would often say, that, To pay the Spinners, to relieve 'em with Mony begged for 'em, with Coals, and Shirting, was to him such a Pleasure; as magnificent Buildings, pleasant Walks, well cultivated Orchards and Gardens, the Jol­lity of Musick and Wine, or the Charms of Love or Study, are to others. I am persua­ded, he said no more than the Truth; for Mr. James, who was his Apprentice, Journey-man and Partner upwards of thirty Years, gives this Account of his Uncle's Expence on this, and other Cha­rities; [Comparing and balancing his Ex­pences and Losses with his Gains, he might have left an Estate behind him of at least 20000 l. if he had not given and spent it in publick and private Charities, Buildings, and other good Works; whereas now his Estate amounts to no more than a sixth part of that Sum.] But it was his settled Resolution not to be Richer: He [Page 39]told me, but little before he died, that were he now worth Forty Thousand Pounds, he would die but very little richer, than he then was. I incline to think, he would have died much Poorer: For such a Sum would have engaged him in such vast De­signs for his Province, the Poor; that (probably) he would have gone beyond the Expence he intended at first for them. I have heard his Physician blame him sometimes, that he did not allow himself competent time for his Dinner; but ha­sten'd to Garraway's Coffee-House, about his Affairs. But those Affairs were sel­dom, if ever, his own; he was to sollicit for the Poor, or in the business of some Friend who wanted Mr. Firmin's Interest: Or he was to meet on some design relating to the Publick Good. In these matters his Friends, that were not quick in their Dispatches, had reason oftentimes to com­plain of him, as not giving them sufficient time, to dispatch Business with him: For he was nimble above most Men, in Ap­prehension, in Speech, Judgment, Reso­lution, and Action.

He was persuaded by some, to make trial of the Woolen Manufacture; because at this, the Poor might make better Wa­ges, than at Linen-Work. For this, he [Page 40]took a House in Artillery-Lane: But the Price of Wool advancing very much, and the London-Spinsters being almost wholly unskilful at Drawing a Woolen-Thread, after a considerable Loss by 'em, and 29 Months trial, he gave off the Project.

He labour'd with a particular Zeal and Activity, in redeeming poor Debtors out of Prison; not only as it was Charity to the Persons, but out of regard to their (in the mean time) distressed and starved Families: He would say, The Release of one Man out of Prison, is a Relief bestow­ed on his whole Family. I have sure grounds to believe, that it was himself of whom he spake, in his Book of Proposals, p. 83. I know one Man, who, in a few Years last past, with the Charity of some Worthy Persons, has delivered some Hun­dreds of poor People out of Prison; who lay there, either only for Jailors Fees, or for very small Debts: I have reason to be­lieve that, many more have been delivered by others; and yet one shall find the Prisons very full of Prisoners at this time.

As he discharged great Numbers of Prisoners, he took care for the better and easier Subsistence of others, while in Prison: For he would examine the Pri­soners, concerning their Usage by their [Page 41]Keepers; and sometimes prosecuted Jai­lors, before the Judges, for extorting un­lawful Fees, and other exorbitant Practi­ces. I remember, one of the Jailors pro­secuted by Mr. Firmin, made a Rope, and hanged himself before the matter was de­termined: A strong Presumption, that he was conscious to himself, of great Faul­tiness; and a demonstrative Proof, of the great need of such Prosecutions, and of the Virtue of him that undertook 'em.

He continued these Endeavours for poor Debtors, from before the Year 1681. to his last Breath: but being grieved, that he could do nothing for Debtors, laid up for great Sums; therefore, on behalf of such he always vigorously promoted Acts of Grace by Parlament, whereby Insolvent Debtors were discharged. Tho' he never was a Parlament man, he had a mighty Interest in both Houses; and was the Cause that many Bills were quashed, and others passed: insomuch that once, when an Act of Grace for poor Prisoners, that was lia­ble to have, and had an ill use made of it by unconscionable or knavish People, pas­sed the Houses and Royal Assent; he was upbraided with it by some of the Credi­tors, and told, that it was his Act.

Mr. Firmin was not insensible, that sometimes people come into Prisons, or o­therwise become poor, more by their own Negligence, Idleness, Riot, and Pride, than by Mishap and Misadventure; yet he could not join with those, who say hereupon, they hate, the Poor; and that such well deserve the Straits, and Miseries, that they bring on themselves. He was wont to answer, to such Reasonings, that; It would be a miserable World indeed, if the Divine Providence should act by that Rule: if God should show no Favour, grant no Help, or Deliverance, to us, in those Straits or Calamities, that are the effects of our Sins. If the universal Lord seeks to reclame, and to better us, by Favours, and Graces; do we dare to argue against the Example set by Him; and against a Method, without which, no Man living may ask any thing of God?

There is no place whatsoever, but of necessity it must have divers Poor, more especially London: where every House having one or more Servants, who are obliged to spend their whole Wages in Clothes; when these Servants marry, every little Mishap in the World reduces 'em to Beggary; their small, or rather no Beginnings are crushed, by every Acci­dent. Mr. Firmin had so full a Sense of [Page 43]this, that (in some Years of his Life) he begged about 500 l. a Year; which he distributed to the Poor, at their Houses, or at his own, by the Sums of 2 s. 6 d. or 5 s. or 10 s. or 15 s. as he saw (or was well inform'd of) the Necessities of the Persons. The way he took, for the bet­ter effecting this Charitable Distribution, was; he would enquire of the most noted Persons for Honesty and Charity, in the several Parishes, who were the most Ne­cessitous and best Deserving Poor in that Neighbourhood: He went then to their Houses, that he might judg farther by their meagre Looks, number of Children, sorry Furniture, and other Circumstances, in what proportion it might be fit to assist 'em. He always took their Names and Numbers into a Book; and sent a Copy of so much of his Book, to the Persons who had intrusted him with Charity, as an­swered to the Mony trusted to him by eve­ry such Person: That if he so minded, he might make enquiry, by himself, or any other, concerning the Truth of the Ac­count given in. But Mr. Firmin's Fidelity grew to be so well known, that after a few years, divers of his Contributors would not receive his Accounts. I know a cer­tain Person, whose hand was with [Page 44]Mr. Firmin in all his Charities; I should not exceed (I believe) if I said, that in Twenty One Years time he hath given by Mr. Firmin's hand, or at his Recommen­dation, Five or Six Thousand Pounds: this Person hath himself told me, that Mr. Firmin was wont to bring him the Accounts of his Disbursments, till he was even weary of 'em, and (because he was so well assured of him) he desired him, not to bring him any more. Sometimes the Sums brought, or sent in, to Mr. Fir­min, for the Poor, were such, as did ena­ble him to spare some part to some whom he knew to be charitably dispos'd like himself: In that case, he would send small Sums, such as 40 s. or 3 l. sometimes more, to those his Acquaintance, which Sums they were to divide, among the Poor of their Vicinage; whose Names and Case those Friends were to return to him. He hath sent to me, and divers o­thers that I know of, many such Sums; in Christmas Time, in Hard Weather, and Times of Scarcity.

In these Distributions, Mr. Firmin some­time considered others, besides the mere Poor; particularly the poorer sort of Mi­nisters: I doubt not he hath made use of many hands besides mine; but by me he [Page 45]hath sent (of his own proper motion) di­vers times the Sum of 40 s. sometimes two Guineas, to Ministers that were good Prea­chers, and Exemplary, but their Vicarige, Curacy, or Lecture small. I have known that he has sent no less than 10 l. to a Cler­gyman in Debt, or opprest with many Children; when he hath been well assu­red, that the Person was a Man of Probity and Merit. He asked me once, concern­ing Mr. P. of Gr. Ch. what sort of Man he was? I answer'd; his Mind was much above his Purse; He was Charitable, Cu­rious, Learned; a Father among young Scholars, who were promising Men; but his Living not above 80 l. or 90 l. a Year. Mr. Firmin said; I have done considerable for that man: I answer'd, as I thought my self obliged; You may take it on my Word, that your Liberality was never better placed. Afterwards I met the Wi­dow of Mr. P. in London; I desired her to accept half a Pint of Wine, at the next Tavern: While we were together, I asked her, Whether there had not been some Acquaintance between her Hus­band and Mr. Firmin. She said, The Ac­quaintance was not much; but the Friend­ship great. She said, Her Husband was acquainted with many Persons of Quality, [Page 46]that he had experienced their Liberality thro' the whole course of his Life: because his Address, as well as his Merit, was so remarkable. She said; that of so many Benefactors to Mr. P. Mr. Firmin had done most for him, both in Life and Death. When her Husband died, his Estate would not pay his Debts; she was advised here­upon, by a Clergyman, to propose a Com­position with the Creditors: that seeing every one could not be fully pay'd, yet all of 'em might receive part of their Debt. She consulted Mr. Firmin, by Letter, a­bout this; he approved the Advice, and was one of the first that subscribed the Composition: but withal, sent her a Letter, wherein he remitted his whole Debt; and desired to see her, when her Affair was cleared, and she at quiet. When she came to him, he said, He had missed in his aim, in what he design'd to pro­cure for her, but he would do something him­self: Shortly after, he sent her a good Norwich Stuff, that very well clothed her, and her Four Children. She told me this, with many Tears; to which I had the more regard, because I had long known her to be a Virtuous, and very Pru­dent Woman.

As Mr. Firmin's Pains, and Care in gi­ving forth these Charities, were not small; so neither were they little, in pro­curing them: Not only because many Per­sons are hardly perswaded, to give the Bread of themselves and Families to others; but because 'tis much more difficult to beg for others, than to give ones self. He that begs for others, must be Master of a great deal of Prudence, as well as Wit, and Address: He must know, how to choose the Mollia tempora fandi, the fittest opportunity of speaking; and when he speaks, he must apply himself to those passions of the Person, by which only he can be wrought on. I remember Mr. Fir­min told me, of his applying to a Citizen of the highest rank, for his Charity in rebuilding St. Thomas's Hospital: Of whom he demanded no less than 100 l. The Person had been some way disobliged by the Governours of that Hospital; so he refused to subscribe any thing: But our Friend seeing him one day among some Friends whom he respected, and by whom he was willing to be respected; and that also he was in a very good Hu­mour; he push'd on his Request for the Hospital, and prevailed with him so far, as to subscribe the whole 100 l. But to [Page 48]his personal Solicitations, he was forced sometimes to add Letters; and sometimes succeeded by the Arguments in his Let­ters, better than by the Authority of his personal Mediation. I find in one of his Books, in the Year 1679. the Sum of 520 l. 6 s. received of seventy two Per­sons; in a Book of the Year 1681. the Sum of 531 l. 19 s. 6 d. received of forty three Persons. All these were to be treated with, privately, and opportunely; which required much Time, Caution, Industry, and Discretion: which laid out on his own Business, what great Effects would it have produced? Mr. Firmin might, much more easily, have been one of the great Men of the World, than Almoner General for the Poor, and the Hospitals. I observe in the same Book of 1681. that the Disburs­ments against the Sum 531 l. 19 s. 6 d. do amount to 594:15:11. the Balance over paid is 62:15:5. which over-paid Balance is to be found in many of his Ac­counts, and I believe it came out of his own Purse. I must note also, that the Sums were not given for the Poor alone, or for the Spinners alone; but of 50 l. given, 30 of it is for the Spinners, and 20 for the Poor, sometimes 20 for the Spinners and 30 for the Poor: Elsewhere 100 l. is given, [Page 49]50 for the Poor, and 50 for Spinners; A­nother gives 50 l. for Cloth, to be divided to the Poor; Another 100 l. for the same use.

Mr. Firmin having set his heart so much on Charity, could not but esteem and love Mr. Gouge; a Man of the same Spi­rit: whom, while he was in London, he got to table with him. 'Tis not to be doubted, that 'twas the intimate Friend­ship of these two Persons, that gave occa­sion to that (remarkable) passage, in Dr. Tillotson's Funeral Sermon on Mr. Gouge, p. 82. ‘Mr. Gouge was of a disposition, ready to imbrace and oblige all Men; allowing others to differ from him, even in Opinions that were very Dear to him. Provided, Men did but fear God, and work Righteousness; he loved them heartily, how distant soever from him in Judgment about less Necessary things: in which he is worthy to be propounded as an Example, to Men of all Persuasions.’ And till the Example is followed, the World will never have Peace.

That great Preacher has given us an ac­count, of Mr. Gouges Religious Charity in printing divers good Books, in the Welch and English Tongues; to be given [Page 50]to those that were Poor, and sold to such as could buy them: the Chief of those Prints, and the most Expensive, was an Edition of the Bible and Liturgie in the Welch Tongue; no fewer than Eight Thousand Copies, of this Work, were printed together. One cannot question, that Mr. Firmin contributed to, and pro­cured divers Sums for this excellent Un­dertaking of his Friend; tho' all is attri­buted to Mr. Gouge, who was Chief in that great and good Work. After Mr. Gouge's Death, I find the Sum of 419 l. 9 s. given to buy a Number of those Bi­bles; whereof Dr. Tillotson (then Dean of St. Paul's) gave 50 l. Mr. Morrice 67 l. other Persons the rest: but there wants in the Receipts 26 l. 13 s. to balance the Disbursment; and that, I judg, was Mr. Firmin's mony.

Now that we are speaking of Books, I ought not to forget, that Mr. Firmin of­ten printed Ten thousand Copies of the Scripture-Catechism; which some think was written by Dr. Worthington: But I have cause to believe, that the Author was Dr. Fowler, now Bishop of Glocester; who in compiling it, followed the Me­thod of Dr. Worthington. These Mr. Fir­min gave to his Spinners, and their Chil­dren; [Page 51]and to the Children of the Hospi­tal: engaging them to get it by heart; and giving something to those that did. He lodged also great Numbers of them with Booksellers, at cheaper rates than they were printed, that they might be sold also cheaper; and thereby, be dispersed all over England. His Acquaintance might, at all times, have of them what Numbers they would, gratis. He valued this Ca­techism, because 'tis wholly in the Words of Scripture; favours no particular Party or Persuasion, and therefore is of general Use: the Aim of the Judicious Author be­ing to instruct the Youth, and the Igno­rant, in what all Parties agree is necessary to be believ'd, and done; leaving it to o­thers, to engage 'em in Controversies and Debates.

In the Year 1680. and 1681. came over the French Protestants; new work for Mr. Firmin's Charity and Zeal: for of all the Objects of Charity, he thought those the most Deserving, who were undone for Conscience toward God; whether such Conscience be a well-inform'd Conscience, or an erroneous and mistaken. 'Tis not the truth or falshood of the Opinion, but the Zeal for God, and the sincerity to the dictates of Conscience, that makes the [Page 52]Martyr. Therefore now our Elemosinary General had to beg, not only for the Spin­ners, the Poor of the out-Parishes of Lon­don, the Redemption of Debtors from Pri­son, for Coals, and Shirting; but for a vast number of Religious Refugees, whose Wants required not only a great, but an im­mediate Succour. The first, and one of the most difficult Cares for them, was, how to provide Lodgings for such multitudes, in a City where Lodgings are as costly as Diet? But Mr. Firmin bethought him of the Pest-House, then empty of Patients: the Motion was approv'd by the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen; and some Hundreds of these Strangers were accom­modated in that spatious and convenient Place. As for Relief in Mony, they made their first application to the French Church: therefore I find in Mr. Firmin's Books, Delivered to the Deacons of the French Church 50 l. to J. S. 10 l. to an old Man at Ipswich 20 l. This was immediately up­on their coming over. In 1681 and 1682, I find the Sum of 2363 l. 10 s. 1 d. issued forth for the use of the French thro' his hands; and in 1683, for the French Children at Ware 443 l. 18 s. 9 d. For their Meet­ing-House at Rye 20 l. I find upon his Books these following Sums, before a [Page 53] Brief was granted to them, 100 l. then 155 l. in the next page 70 l. 15 s. To answer these Receipts, the Books say, Sept. 15. Delivered to Mr. Carbonel, &c. in 16 pieces of Cloth, 50 l. Sept. 24. To the Deacons at the Savoy, in Cloth, 20 l. Oct. 7. To Carbon, &c. in 32 pieces of Cloth, 100 l. 14 s. The balance is 27 l. 8 s. which ('tis likely) was his own mo­ny.

In the Year 1682. he set up a Linen Manufacture for the French at Ipswich, to which himself gave 100 l. which was all sunk in their Service, saving that at last he received 8 l. 2 s. 6 d. He paid also for their Meeting-House at Ipswich 13 l. In the same Year also he disbursed for them for Coals 60 l. 10 s. whereof he received only 20 l. 10 s. There have been Four Briefs granted to the French, one by K. Charles in 1681. a second by K. James in 1686. another by K. James in 1687. the fourth by K. William in 1693. Besides which, K. William gave to 'em 1000 l. per Month for 39 Months. It was Mr. Firmin that was chiefly concerned in the distribution of all this Mony; especially of the Thirty Nine Thousand Pounds, which was committed to two Bishops, two Knights, and a Gentleman; but al­most [Page 54]the whole Distribution was left to Mr. Firmin, sometimes with, but more commonly without their Inspection. I see I have omitted, before I was aware, the following Sums, paid to the French Pro­testants at Ipswich, before their Brief was collected; 45 l. 10 s. and 42 l. and 45 l. 9 s. another 42 l. to 21 Families at Ips­wich.

He had a principal hand in the special Collections, that are now made every Winter, about Christmas time, in Chur­ches, for the Poor in and about London. He was the man that solicited the King's Letter for making those Collections; he took care of printing and distributing the King's and Bishop of London's Letters to the several Rectors, and other Ministers, of Churches in London, to be by them read in their respective Churches. He waited on the Lords of the Treasury for the King's part of that Charity: And when the Mony, as well of the King as the Parishes, was collected, and paid into the Chamber of London, and was then to be divided, among the Poor of the several Pa­rishes, by my Lords the Bishop and May­or of London; no man could so well pro­portion their Dividends as Mr. Firmin. This was well known to their Lordships, [Page 55]who, therefore, seldom made any altera­tion in his Distributions. In these matters, all the Church-Wardens made their appli­cations to Mr. Firmin; and when the Di­vidend was settled, received their War­rants from him: For which purpose, the Bishop of London would many times en­trust him with Blanks, and my Lord Mayor was always ready to give his Hand. The whole of this Charity was so constantly, and so many years, managed by Mr. Firmin, that, he dying some days before Christmas last, the King's Letter, for the Collection, was not given till the 12th of January: And when the Collecti­on was brought in from the several Pa­rishes, they were at a loss for the Distribu­tion, and were glad to take direction from Mr. Firmin's Pattern.

There hath been occasion in my last Se­ction, to mention the Bishop of London, (Dr. Henry Compton) I ought not to omit, that Mr. Firmin could never speak of this Bishop, without a particular respect and deference: He admired the Candor, Mo­deration, Wisdom, and Dexterity, ac­companied and tempered by Caution and Vigor; which (said he often) are so emi­nent in his Lordship, and so constantly appear upon all occasions, proper to any [Page 56]of those Virtues, that I wish it were as easy to be like, as 'tis impossible not to e­steem him. I return to Mr. Firmin.

During the last 23 or 24 years of his Life, he was one of the Governours of Christ-Church Hospital in London. 'Tis known to every body almost in London, that Mr. Firmin procured a great number, and very considerable Donations to this Hospital; but I cannot specifie many par­ticulars, because he kept not exact ac­counts of 'em; but those that have come to my knowledg, are remarkable; of one of which give me leave to give the Reader this account. The Honourable Sir Robert Clayton, having had it in his thoughts to make a provision for a Mathematical Ma­ster in that Hospital, became the hapy Pro­poser, and (by his interest in the then Lord Treasurer Clifford, and Sir Robert Howard) the successful Procurer of the establishment of a Mathematical School in that Hospital, for the constant breeding of the number of 40 Boys, skill'd in the Latin Tongue, to a perfect knowledg in the Art of Navigation. The occasion thus. There was 7000 l. given to this Hospital, by a Citizen, (payable out of Weavers-Hall) for the maintenance of 40 Boys: Upon the Restoration, the Fund, [Page 57]out of which this issued, reverting to the Crown, King Charles the 2d. upon the said Proposal and Petition to that purpose, was graciously pleased to grant to the Ho­spital the said 7000 l. to be paid them by 1000 l. per Annum for 7 years; upon which the Hospital was obliged to main­tain the said 40 Boys, successively to be so educated for ever. Sir Robert Clayton be­ing greatly pleas'd that he had been an In­strument in so charitable and beneficial a Constitution, did afterwards meditate a Donation from himself to this Hospital, and so to take it into his special Care and Beneficence. And that which instigated him to these thoughts, was, he had la­boured under a very grievous sickness, even to despair of recovery; but it pleased the Almighty Governour that he did re­cover, and Mr. Firmin was very instru­mental in it, both by his personal ministry, and giving quick notices to Physicians of several symptoms. Hereupon, Sir Robert adviseth with Mr. Firmin about the build­ing and adding a Ward for Girls to this Hospital, as a testimony of his gratitude to God; and determined that Mr. Firmin should have the management of that Af­fair. Accordingly he went about it, you may be sure with great Alacrity and Dili­gence; [Page 58]but at whose charge he erected this large Building was a secret, not known to any of the Family but John Morris Esq Sir Robert's Partner in this Work also; and perhaps to my Lady: In this was laid out near 4000 l. but it was not yet finisht, when upon occasion of the unhappy Difference between the Passive-Obedience Men and the Law-Obedience Men, the former having the power on their side, turn'd out the latter both out of the Go­vernment of the City and of that Hospi­tal, among whom Sir Robert (tho' emi­nent) was ejected, together with his faith­ful Agent and Friend Mr. Firmin, ano­ther Governour as I have said. Then it was that Mr. Firmin broke silence, and upbraided those excluding Governours with depriving the Hospital of such a Be­nefactor as the Builder of that Ward. For Sir Robert was now alone, Mr. Morris be­ing deceased, and having left him the resi­due of his Estate. Mr. Firmin also built a Ward for the Sick, to prevent infecting the Healthy and Sound; if the small Pox, or other contagious distemper, should hap­pen among the Children, as it often doth. This Ward cost 426 l. 4 s. besides 6 l. 5 s. for a Press; but the Gentleman that gave the mony for both, would not then be [Page 59]known; and continues still of the same mind. I find, however, an account in Mr. Firmin's Books of 1537 l. (the Sick Ward included) received, and laid out by Mr. Firmin: And another account of 704 l. 10 d. received, with the names of the Persons who gave it, and the uses for which it was given. In the Year of our Lord 1675, our Friend built two Houses for the two Beadles, or other Officers of the Hospital, at his own charge; of which I have a Certificate, under the Clerk's hand, in these words. ‘At his own pro­per cost and charges, Mr. Firmin set up a Clock and Dial, for the use of the Hospital, at the top of the North-end of the great Hall. The said Mr. Fir­min built two new brick Houses in the Town-ditch, one at the South-West end, the other at the North-East, to be di­sposed to such Officers, as the Govern­ment of the Hospital should think fit. Farther, at his own cost and charge, a Shed, or little Room, at the East-end of the late Bowling-Ally; and a new brick Wall: he repaired all the Walls, and levelled the Ground.’

At the charge of a Friend of his, a Ci­tizen, he laid Leaden Pipes to convey the Water to the several Offices of the Hospi­tal; [Page 60]and bought them a large Cistern; which in all cost about 200 l. these were great Conveniences to the House, and the Orphans, who before fetched up the water they used on their backs; which agreed not well with their strength, kept the House foul, and prejudiced their Clothes. Out of Town he built a School, with all conveniences to it, for the Hospital Chil­dren; this he set up at Hartford, where many of the Hospital Children are Boar­ded: the School cost 544 l. 13 s. of which he received, by the Charity of ten per­sons, the sum of 488 l. the balance is 56 l. 13 s. which lies upon himself for any thing that appears. He was wont every Lord's-day, at five in the evening, to see the Orphans of the Hospital at their Even­ing service; at what time they prayed, and sung an Anthem by select Voices, the Chorus by all the Boys. After this, they sate down to Supper at the several Tables, under the care of their Matrons: here Mr. Firmin viewed them in their Provisi­ons, and in the Behaviour both of them and their Officers and Attendents, com­mending, or admonishing, as there was occasion. To this Sight he invited, one time or other, all his Friends, whether of the Town or Country; and at last led [Page 61]'em to the Orphans Box, into which they would put somewhat, more or less, as they were charitably disposed. A Coun­try-man was very remarkable: for having seen the Order, and Methods of the Hospi­tal; when he came home, he made his Will, and gave very considerably to the place. I was once with our Friend at the Hospital, when looking over the Childrens Supper, which was Pudding-pies, he took notice of a Pye that seemed not of due big­ness; he took it immediately into the Kitchin, and weighed it himself; but it proved down-weight.

These Cares did not so wholly imploy this active man, but that he was also a great and good Common-wealths-man. He was always mindful of those who suf­fered for Conscience, or for Asserting the Rights and Liberties of the Nation: And he printed a great many Sheets, and some Books, of that tendency and nature; great numbers of which he himself disper­sed. When King James commanded the reading his Declaration (for Toleration and Indulgence in Religion) in the Chur­ches; a great number of well-wrote Pam­phlets were printed and dispersed, to con­vince people of the bad design of that spe­cious Declaration; Mr. Firmin was a [Page 62]principal encourager and promoter of those Prints, which cost him considerable sums, as well for their publication as otherways. He furthered, as much as in him lay, the Heroical Attempt of the Prince of Orange, to rescue this Nation from Slavery and Po­pery: And since His Majesty has been sea­ted on the Throne, our Friend has been particularly diligent in promoting the Ma­nufacture of the Lustring Company; because it is highly Beneficial to this Nation, and as Prejudicial to our (then) Enemy. He had the greatest hand, and used the most effectual endeavours, for procuring Acts of Parliament, and Rules of Court, in that behalf.

He and Mr. Renew took great pains, and were at much expence, to prevent Cor­respondence with France, and the Impor­tation of Silks, and other Commodities from thence: For this, they ran the hazard of their lives, from the revenge of Mer­chants and others, whom they prosecuted to Execution. A Merchant was so despe­rately angry at his Detection, and the great Damage he should unavoidably su­stain thereby, that he went into a room alone, in a Tavern, and ended his Life by shooting himself into the head. The A­gents of Mr. Renew and Mr. Firmin gave [Page 63]either the first, or very early intelligence of the French Invasion; which was to have followed the Assassination of the King.

But he was not more a Friend to the Liberties of the Nation, and to the pre­sent Establishment, than he was an Ene­my to Licentiousness. He was from the first a Member of the Society for the Refor­mation of Manners; he contributed to it by his Advice, Assistance, Solicitations, as much as his leisure from the cares and en­deavours (before mentioned and exempli­fied) would permit him: but his Purse was always with them. He had such a zeal against needless Swearing, whereby the Religion of an Oath grows vile and contemptible, and False-swearing becomes almost as common as idle and unnecessary Swearing, to the indelible scandal of the Christian name, and the great danger (even as far as Life and Estate) of parti­cular persons: I say his Zeal against com­mon needless Swearing, in what form soe­ver, was so great, that in Coffee-Houses, or other places, where he over-heard such Swearing, he would immediately challenge the Forfeiture (appointed by Law) for the use of the Poor; so that in Companies, where he was frequent, an Oath was sel­dom [Page 64]heard. But he raised the forfeiture according to the quality of the person; if a Noble-Man, or other person of distincti­on, or a Clergyman swore, they came not off at the ordinary forfeiture, appoint­ed in the Law, it was doubled or trebled upon them; especially, if any such were very common Swearers, or their Oaths of a profane or impious sort. If any person refused to pay the forfeiture required; our Friend would tell 'em, the forfeiture was to the Poor, whose Collector and Steward he was: if still they refused to pay, their punishment (he told them) was, to be set down, by him, in the list of his Incorri­gible Swearers; and that, for the future, he would not own them as his Acquain­tance, or speak to 'em as such. Divers Noble Persons would not endure this last; but would immediately condescend to pay the forfeiture, or promise payment, the which he seldom remitted; chiefly if they were often in that fault. As for himself, I never heard an Oath from him in 44 years (almost daily) Conversation with him; tho' his temper was naturally quick and warm; and he had often great pro­vocations to Anger, one of the principal causes of rash and intemperate Swearing.

But let us return to Mr. Firmin's Cha­rities. No body can have forgot the great number of Irish Nobility, Clergy, Gen­try, and others of all qualities, and both Sexes, who fled into England from the Persecution, and Proscriptions of K. James. A Brief was granted to 'em, of which Mr. Firmin was one of the Commissioners; but besides that, the Ministers, Church-Wardens, and Collectors of every Parish in England, were to give account by Let­ter to Mr. Firmin, what Sums they had col­lected, and paid to the Arch-Deacons. Therefore, on many Post-days, several hundred Letters came to his hand, for a long time: and many of the collected Sums were sent to him, and by him paid into the Chamber of London; the Mony given by the King and Queen was wholly, in a manner, Solicited and Received by him. The Numbers and Necessities of these Re­fugees required a second Brief; the Sum Total (paid to these two Briefs) that went through Mr. Firmin's hands, was Fifty six thousand five hundred sixty six Pounds, Seven Shillings and Six Pence. The distribution of the Mony, gathered on these Briefs, was by such a number of the Commissioners; but Mr. Firmin was the most constant Man at their meetings: [Page 66]sometimes he attended the Distribution from Morning to Night, without inter­mission for food. But besides the Sums paid into the Chamber, and distributed as aforesaid, I am assur'd our Friend solicited, and gave many private Sums to particular Persons, whose Quality made 'em asham'd to take of the common Stock, or whose Necessities required more than (without giving offence) could be allowed out of it. When by the Mercy of GOD, and the Magnanimity of the King, Ireland was reduced, and the Protestants might now return to their Houses, Employs, and E­states; Mr. Firmin doubled his Industry and Diligence to furnish them for their Journey; because thereby he not only served them, but eased the Nation, espe­cially the better (that is, the Charitable) part of it. He obtained great Sums for this purpose; Sir Tho. Cook (to whom I think it a debt to name him) gave 1500 l. to this Service, apprehending it a Charity to England, as well as to the poor Sufferers. See here a Letter from the most Reverend the Arch-Bishop of Tuam, and Seven o­thers; all of them, I think, Bishops of that Kingdom; I am sure most of them are.

Certainly, a Letter very worthy of their Episcopal Character; and which I have inserted into these Memoirs, as much out of Regard and Reverence to them, as for the sake of Mr. Firmin.

I shall not, I believe, displease the Rea­der, if I add a Poem, addressed to Mr. Firmin by a Clergyman of that Kingdom, and (unless I much mistake) a Dean there.

In April 1693. Mr. Firmin enter'd upon part of the care of another Hospital, that of St. Thomas, in Southwark: a Foundation in­tended for the Relief of all sorts of Lame, or wounded, or Sick Persons, till they are recovered by the application of proper Medicines, and other means, and by the service of the Physicians and Chyrurge­ons [Page 73]of the Hospital. Sir Rob. Clayton, (now Father of the City of London) being, upon the Decease of Sir John Lawrence, chosen President of this Hospital, thought fit to accept of that Province: but upon view of it, he took notice that it was greatly gone to Ruin, the Ground about the Lodgings in a long tract of time rais'd so high, that the Patients lay as it were in a Cellar, without the benefit of Air or good Scent, but close and noisom: And the Roof and Walls so out of Repair, that the poor Pa­tients oft-times could not lie dry in their Beds. He saw the greater part of it must be Rebuilt, it could not be Repair'd; and that the Rebuilding could not be delay'd without great Danger and Damage to the place, whereof some part prevented the Workmens pulling it down, by falling of it self: Therefore, knowing well his Friend Mr. Firmin's Activity, and good Address in Works of that nature, he cau­sed him to be chosen one of the Governours of that Hospital. He was chose in April; and finding that the Revenues of the Ho­spital would go but a little way in the Re­buildings or Repairs, and besides could not be well spared from the Supply of the Wounded and Sick; in July he got him three round Boxes, in each of them a [Page 74]Parchment, one for Subscriptions of 100 l. the second for Subscriptions of 50 l. the third for 25 or 20 Pound Subscriptions. The President was pleased to subscribe 300 l. and other Governours were liberal; so were divers Merchants, and other rich Traders; that the whole Subscription was not much short of Four thousand Pounds. Without doubt, the most of this Mony would have been subscribed, tho' Mr. Fir­min had not been the Solicitor for it: yet I reckon, and am supported in my compu­tation by knowing and equal Judges, that the Subscription was greater by a Thou­sand Pounds, than it would have been if Mr. Firmin had not been concerned in procuring and improving the Subscripti­ons. A prospect of the Charge being ta­ken, and some Mony (near 4000 l.) to­ward it procured; Materials must also be provided; and Workmen consulted and agreed with. Mr. Firmin was constant in the Committee appointed for that matter: I took notice, that the Master-Builders made their most frequent application to him; and he was as careful to oversee their Proceedings. Several of the Wards for the Patients are now finisht; besides a spacious Hall, supported by Pillars, which make a very handsom Piazza. It trou­bled [Page 75]the Governours very much, that they were obliged to rebuild the Church of that Parish, which would cost some Thou­sands of Pounds, that could not be taken out of the revenue of the Hospital, with­out great prejudice to the House and Pati­ents. It happen'd that the Parliament were then about settling a Tax for finish­ing St. Paul's Church in London; so the Governours of St. Thomas Hospital petiti­oned the House of Commons to have some share in that Tax toward the Rebuilding their Church: but because many other Pa­rishes prayed the like assistance at the same time, the House, upon a debate in a Grand Committee, resolved, that only St. Paul's and Westminster-Abby Churches should have any such provision allowed to them. Mr. Firmin hereupon came home, not a little heavy: but he, and another of the Governours, put into Writing (that very night) some reasons, why St. Thomas his Church might better claim some favour of the Honourable House, than other ordina­ry Churches. They used such diligence as to get their Paper printed against the next morning: Mr. Firmin and his Asso­ciate gave copies of it to the Members as they entered the House; telling them, they must not expect to have any sick or [Page 76]wounded Seamen cur'd, if they did not grant something towards the Rebuilding of that Church: The effect was, that the House took the matter again into conside­ration, and allowed 3000 l. to the Hospi­tal for the use desired: On which our Friend came home with more pleasure and satisfaction, than if an Estate of that value had fallen to himself.

Among his other Charities, he was not unmindful of those that suffered by Fire, but would immediately apply himself to 'em for their present Relief: afterwards he assisted 'em in soliciting their Briefs, and to manage their Briefs (when obtain­ed) to the best advantage. He often lent mony to honest persons, to answer sudden emergences or distresses; but he lost so much this way, that he was forced at last, resolutely to forbear lending: but, instead of lending, he would many times give some part of what they desired to bor­row.

He put very many Boys to Apprenti­ships, and contributed to setting them up, if they had served their Apprentiships faithfully and diligently. He has told me that the Clergy of London, and other dig­nified Persons in the Church, often ena­bled him in this kind of Charity: He [Page 77]said, he had put many Boys out with the mony of some of the richer Clergy; who considered this (he thought) as a sort of Charity that extends to the person's whole life, and might be the ground of many Charities in time to come.

It deserves, in my opinion, to be reckon­ed among his Charities, that when (some two or three years since) there was a great Scarcity of current Coin, all the mony in England being either clipp'd, or debas'd by mixture of coarse metals; he lessened his expence by laying down his Coach, that he might be the more able to continue his former Charities, at a time when they were more needful than ever.

I have now accounted for the general Endeavours and Performances of Mr. Fir­min's Life: the particulars, to each gene­ral Head, were too numerous to be reckon­ed up, without tiring the Reader, if not also the Writer. But we have taken, tho' but a short, view of a Person, of middle Extraction and slender Beginnings, who raised himself to the honor of a very great number of Illustrious Friendships, and to an affluence of Worldly Wealth. To which when he had attained, by Industry, Inte­grity, and Worth, like our Saviour, He [Page 78]went about doing good. Nay, like the same our Saviour, He became Poor, that through his Poverty others might be Rich. A Per­son, who in respect of his endeavours in all kinds of Charity, may deservedly be called the Father of the Poor; in respect of the Irish and French Resugees, the Almoner of England. The Divine Hand had qua­lified him to do much Good; himself sought out the Objects and Occasions for it, and delighted in the doing. He did it with so much diligence and application, that he might even have said, with our Saviour, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me; and to finish his Works, i. e. the Works that he hath commanded. John 4.34.

The Jesuit that assisted the late famous Marshal Luxemburgh, in his last hours, thought he might put this question to him: Well, Sir, tell me, had you not ra­ther now to have given one Alms to a poor Man, in his distress, for God's sake, than to have won so many Victories in the Field of Battel? The Marshal confess'd he should now choose the former; seeing nothing will avail any man, in the Eternal World, but only the Actions of Charity; or of Justice and Piety. The Confessor doth not seem to have been impertinent in [Page 79]the question; for in our serious last hours, we shall all be sensible, and forward to confess, that we were Wise only in that part of our life, that was laid out in the duties either of Humanity to Men, or Pi­ety to God. The Crassi and Craesi, the Hannibals and Luxemburghs, the most con­spicuous for Wealth, or Military Glory, how gladly would they now give all that Tinsel, for some part of our Firmin's Sweat and Drudgeries for the Poor, and for the Deserving? Is it for want of FAITH, or of CONSIDERATI­ON, that we so much more delight to read the Acts of the Alexanders, the Char­lemains, and other false Heroes, than of Persons that have been exemplary for Ju­stice, Beneficence, or Devotion; and are now Triumphant in Heaven, on the ac­count of those Services to God, and to Men? But so it is, either because we are not Christians, or because we are Fools; we are (commonly speaking) better plea­sed with the Sons of Earth, than of Hea­ven.

I have read somewhere, but so long since, that I forget the Author's Name, and the Subject of his Book; that the Pu­nishment of Judas, who betray'd our Sa­viour, is, that he stands on the surface of [Page 80]a swelling dreadful Sea, with his Feet somewhat below the water, as if he were about to sink. The Writer saith, besides his continual horror and fear of going to the bottom, a most terrible Tempest of Hail and Wind always beats on the Trai­tors naked body and head: he suffers as much by Cold, and the smart of the impe­tuous Hail, as 'tis possible to imagine, that he could suffer by the Fire of Purgatory, or of Hell. But, saith my Author further, in this so great distress, Judas has one very great Comfort and Relief; for whereas the Tempest would be importable, if it beat always upon him from all sides; at a little distance from him, and somewhat a­bove him, there is stretched out a sheet of strong coarse Linen-cloth; which sheet in­tercepts a great part of the Tempest. Ju­das regales himself by turning sometimes one side, sometimes another side of his head and body, to the shelter of this sheet. In short, the sheet is such a Protection to him, that it defends him from the one half of his Punishment. But by what merito­rious Action, or Actions, did Judas de­serve so great a Favour? Our Author an­swers, He gave just the same quantity of Linen-cloth to a certain poor Family, for Shirting. It had been impossible that this [Page 81]Gentleman should hit on such a conceit as this; but from our Natural Opinion of the value and merit of Charity; it seems to us a Virtue so Excellent, that it may ex­cuse even Judas from some part of his Pu­nishment. I can hardly afford to ask the Reader's pardon for this Tale; I incline to think, that divers others may be as well pleased with the Wit of it, and the Moral implyed in it, as I have been, who re­member it after above 40 years reading, without remembring either the Author, or Argument of the Book.

I return once more to our dear Firmin, to take leave of him forever. He had ve­ry much weakned his (otherwise) strong and firm Constitution, by his manifold Charitable Imployments, &c. having been sometimes liable to Jaundies, often affli­cted with Colicks, and scarce ever with­out a Cough; his Lungs had long been Pty­sical. He would often return home so tired and depressed in his Spirits, that his Pulse was scarce to be felt, or very lan­guid: he would then take a little rest in his Chair, and start up out of it, and ap­pear very vigorous in Company, especially where any good was to be done. The more immediate cause of his death was a Fever which seiz'd his Spirits, beginning [Page 82]with a chilness and shivering, and then a heat ensued. He was at the same time af­flicted both in his Lungs with a great shortness of breath, not having strength to expectorate, and also with such terrible pains in his Bowels, that for many hours nothing could be made to pass him. He had for many years been troubled with a large Rupture. All which made his Sick­ness very short. He had wisht in his life-time, that he might not lie above two days on his last Sick-bed; God granted to him his desire; he lay not so long by eight hours: And Decemb. 20. about two of the Clock in the morning, Anno 1697. he died.

During his decumbiture, he was visited by his most dear Friend the Bishop of Glo­cester: What passed between em his Lord­ship hath made me to know, under his own hand, in these words. Mr. Firmin told me he was now going: and I trust, said he, God will not condemn me to worse Com­pany than I have loved, and used, in the pre­sent Life. I replied, That he had been an extraordinary Example of Charity; the Poor had a wonderful Blessing in you: I doubt not, these works will follow you; if you have no ex­pectation from the merit of them; but rely on the infinite Goodness of God, and the Me­rits [Page 83]of our Saviour. Here he answered, I do so: and I say, in the words of my Savi­our, When I have done all, I am but an unprofitable Servant. He was in such an Agony of body, for want of breath, that I did not think fit to speak more to him, but only give him assurance of my earnest Prayers for him, while he remained in this World. Then I took solemn and affectionate farewel of him; and he of me.

It is usual to conclude Lives with a cha­racter of the Persons, both as to their Bo­dies, and the qualities of their Minds: Therefore I must further add. Mr. Fir­min was of a lower Stature, well proporti­oned; his Complexion fair and bright; his Eye and Countenance lively; his A­spect manly, and promising somewhat ex­traordinary; you would readily take him for a Man of good Sense, Worth, and Dig­nity. Walking or Sitting he appeared more comely than standing still; for his Mein and Action gave a gracefulness to his Person.

The endowments, inclinations, and qualities of his Mind, may be best judged by the account we have given of his Life. It appears, he was quick of apprehension, and dispatch, and yet almost indefatiga­bly [Page 84]Industrious; properties that very rare­ly meet in the same Man. He was, be­sides, Inquisitive and very Ingenious; that is, he had a thirst of knowing much; and his fine and mercurial Wit enabled him to acquire a large Knowledg, with little la­bour, but he was utterly against subtilties in Religion. He could not dissemble; on the contrary, you might easily perceive his love or anger, his liking or dislike: methoughts, in both these respects he was rather too open; but both are the effects of sincerity, and arguments of an honest mind. He never affected proudly the re­spects of others, whether above or below him: with which I was the better satisfi­ed, because it follows, that his Charities proceeded not from any affectation of Ho­nour, or Glory among Men; but from the love of God and his afflicted Brother. He was Facetious enough, but without af­fecting it; for he valued (what indeed himself excelled in) Judgment, rather than Wit. He was neither presuming or over­bold, nor yet timorous; a little prone to Anger, but never excessive in it, either as to measure or time: which Acrasies, whe­ther you say of the Body or Mind, occasion great Uneasiness, and sometimes great Ca­lamities and Mischiefs, to Persons who [Page 85]are ridden by those Passions. If the mind is turbulent by strong Passions of any sort, the life is seldom serene and calm; but vexed with great Griefs and Misadven­ture. His manner of Conversing was a­greeable; so that seldom any broke friend­ship with him. Being well assured in him­self of his own Integrity, he could even unconcernedly hear that this or that Man spoke ill of him. When I told him of that infamous Story of the impudent Coffee-Man, which had been broached 6 or 7 years before, had he not been over persua­ded, he would not have taken any notice of him: Yet was more concern'd at Mr. B's printing it, than at the other fellow's inventing it; not from the least conscious­ness of guilt, but that he should be so un­christianly us'd by a Minister of the Go­spel, who too rashly took up the Story a­gainst him. Which shews what strange things may be done under pretence of a Zeal for Religion.

My Lady Clayton has so great a Respect for his Memory, that she has (with the concurrence of Sir Robert) since his death, erected a handsom Monument in their Garden at Marden in Surry, in a Walk there, called Mr. Firmin's Walk, by reason of his Contrivance and Activity in it. This [Page 86]Monument is a Marble-pillar, about eight foot high, with an Urn, and Flowers growing out of the top of it, with this Motto, Florescit funere virtus, an Emblem you may conceive of Death and Resurre­ction. There is also a Marble-table fix'd to one side of this Pillar, with the Inscripti­on following.

I have now answer'd the Demand of divers, as well Strangers as Friends, of writing and publishing some account of Mr. Firmin's Life and Death: I hope the well-minded Reader will find much in it, that may both confirm and strengthen him in the best Ways, especially in Hu­manity and Charity. He may see here, how much beneficence a good Man, of but indifferent Estate, is capable of exercising, by means of Acquaintance and Conversa­tion with well-chose Friends; whom he may excite, by his Example and Solicita­tions, [Page 88]to be highly useful in their Genera­tion; and thereby, be himself incompara­bly more useful, than otherwise he could be. But if I am less succesful in that part of my Design, than I wish to be; yet I have much eased my own mind, by pay­ing some part of the debt that I owe to the Memory of our Friend. The rest I shall be always paying, by a Grateful and Mournful Sense of the Public and my own Loss and Benefit by him, when pre­sent, and as now deceased.

I cannot better end than in the words of a Letter, written to the Author of the en­suing Sermon, by a Person of great Worth; and who, from the time that they came acquainted, enabled Mr. Firmin to do ma­ny of those great Services to the Public, the Deserving, and the Poor, for which he was so highly commendable.

He had often signified his desire to be buried in Christ-Church Hospital, when dead, the Care of which had been so much upon his heart while living. In compli­ance with which desire, his Relatives have interr'd him in the Cloysters there; and placed in the Wall adjoining a Marble to his memory, with this Inscription, viz.