Additional notes on the life and death of Sir Matthew Hale, the late universally…

When he was gone to Gloucestershire, and his Contemplations were published by you, I sent him the confession of my censures of him, how I had feared that he had allowed ⟨p. 35⟩too great a share o• his time and thoughts to Speculation, and too little to Practicals; but rejoiced to see the conviction of my error: and he returned me a very kind Letter, which was the last.

When he was gone to Gloucestershire, and his Contemplations were published by you, I sent him the confession of my censures of him, how I had feared that he had allowed ⟨p. 35⟩too great a share o• his time and thoughts to Speculation, and too little to Practicals; but rejoyced to see the conviction of my error: and he returned me a very kind Letter, which was the last.

Some censured him for living under such a Curate at Act on, thinking it was in his power to have got Dr. Reeves, the Parson, to provide a better. Of which I can say, that I once took the liberty to tell him, that I feared too much tepidity in him, by reason of that thing; not that he needed himself a better teacher, who knew more, and could over-look scandals; but for the sake of the poor ignorant people, who greatly needed better help. He answered me, That if money would do it, he would willingly have done it; but the Dr. was a man, not to be dealt with; which was the hardest word that I remember I have ⟨p. 36⟩heard him use of any. For I never knew any man more free from speaking evil of others behind their backs. Whenever the discourse came up to the faultiness of any individuals, he would be silent: but the sorts of faulty persons he would blame with cautelous freedom, especially idle, proud, scandalous, contentious, and factious Clergymen.