Sir William being one of the few who pay a greater regard to the
man than the dress, can discern and support merit under rags, and despise
poverty of soul and worthlessness in embroidery; but, notwithstanding the
success of this stratagem, our hero always looked upon it as one of the
most unfortunate in his whole life; for, after he had been at Sir
William's, as above-mentioned, coming to Stoke Gabriel, near Totness, on
a Sunday, and having done that which discovered the nakedness of Noah, he
went to the Reverend Mr. Osburn, the minister of the parish, and
requested the thanksgivings of the church for the wonderful preservation
of himself, and the whole ship's crew, in the imminent danger of a
violent tempest of thunder and lightning, which destroyed the vessel they
were aboard of. Though Mr. Osburn knew him very well, yet he had no
suspicion of its being him in disguise, therefore readily granted his
request; and not only so, but recommending him to his parishioners, a
handsome collection was made for him by the congregation, which he had
generosity enough to distribute among the poor of the parish, reserving
but a small part to himself. Though this was bringing good out of evil,
he still speaks of it (after above thirty years lapse since the
commission) with the greatest regret and compunction of mind; for he is
sensible, that though he can deceive man, he cannot deceive God, whose
eyes penetrate into every place, and mark all our actions, and who is a
Being too awful to be jested with.

It was about this time the good old king of the mendicants, named Clause
Patch, well known in the city of London, and most parts of England,
finished a life of true glory, being spent in promoting the welfare of
his people. A little before his death, finding the decays of nature
increase every day, and his final dissolution approach, he called
together all his children, to the number of eighteen, and summoned as
many of his subjects as were within a convenient distance, being willing
that the last spark of his life should go out in the service of his
people; this summons was obeyed with heavy hearts by his loving subjects,
and, at the day and place appointed, a great number assembled together.

The venerable old king was brought in a high chair, and placed in the
midst of them, his children standing next to him, and his subjects behind
them. Reader, if thou hast ever seen that famous picture of Seneca
bleeding to death in the bat