e the Emperor appoints privately a day for him and
Valdesso to meet again; and, after a pious and free discourse,
they both agreed on a certain day to receive the blessed Sacrament
publicly; and appointed an eloquent and devout Friar to preach a
Sermon of contempt of the world, and of the happiness and benefit of a
quiet and contemplative life; which the Friar did most affectionately.
After which Sermon, the Emperor took occasion to declare openly, "That
the Preacher had begot in him a resolution to lay down his dignities,
and to forsake the world, and betake himself to a monastical life."
And he pretended, he had persuaded John Valdesso to do the like: but
this is most certain, that after the Emperor had called his son Philip
out of England, and resigned to him all his kingdoms, that then the
Emperor and John Valdesso did perform their resolutions.

This account of John Valdesso I received from a friend, that had it
from the mouth of Mr. Farrer. And the Reader may note, that in this
retirement John Valdesso writ his Hundred and Ten Considerations,
and many other treatises of worth, which want a second Mr. Farrer to
procure and translate them.[25]

[Sidenote: Failing strength]

[Sidenote: "The Temple"]

After this account of Mr. Farrer and John Valdesso, I proceed to my
account of Mr. Herbert and Mr. Duncon, who according to his promise
returned from Bath the fifth day, and then found Mr. Herbert much
weaker than he left him; and therefore their discourse could not be
long: but at Mr. Duncon's parting with him, Mr. Herbert spoke to this
purpose: "Sir, I pray you give my brother Farrer an account of the
decaying condition of my body, and tell him I beg him to continue his
daily prayers for me; and let him know that I have considered, that
God only is what he would be; and that I am, by his grace, become now
so like him, as to be pleased with what pleaseth him; and tell him,
that I do not repine, but am pleased with my want of health: and tell
him, my heart is fixed on that place where true joy is only to be
found; and that I long to be there, and do wait for my appointed
change with hope and patience." Having said this, he did, with so
sweet a humility as seemed to exalt him, bow down to Mr. Duncon, and
with a thoughtful and contented look, say to him, "Sir, I pray deliver
this little book to my dear brother Farrer, and tell him, he shall
find in it a picture of the many spiritual conflicts that have passed
betwixt