Page:The Works of John Locke - 1823 - vol 01.djvu/39

Rh though our excellent philosopher obtained so great a victory over the bishop, and had reason to complain of his unjust charges against him, and of his writing on subjects of which he had not a sufficient knowledge, yet he did not triumph over his ignorance, but detected and confuted his errors with civility and respect." And an Irish prelate, in a letter to Mr. Molyneux, an intimate friend of Mr. Locke, thus expresses himself upon the subject: "I have read Mr. Locke's letter to the bishop of Worcester with great satisfaction, and am wholly of your opinion, that he has fairly laid the great bishop on his back; but it is with so much gentleness, as if he were afraid not only of hurting him, but even of spoiling or tumbling his clothes. Indeed, I cannot tell which I most admire, the great civility and good manners in his book, or the forcibleness and clearness of his reasonings."

Mr. Locke's publications in the controversy above-mentioned were the last which were committed by himself to the press. The asthmatic complaint, to which he had been long subject, increasing with his years, began now to subdue his constitution, and rendered him very infirm. He, therefore, determined to resign his post of commissioner of trade and plantations; but he acquainted none of his friends with his design, till he had given up his commission into the king's own hand. His majesty was very unwilling to receive it, and told our author, that he would be well pleased with his continuance in that office, though he should give little or no attendance; for that he did not desire him to stay in town one day to the injury of his health. But Mr. Locke told the king, that he could not in conscience hold a place, to which a considerable salary was annexed, without discharging the duties of it; upon which the king reluctantly accepted his resignation. Mr. Locke's behaviour in this instance discovered such a degree of integrity and virtue, as reflects more honour on his character than his extraordinary intellectual endowments. His majesty entertained a great esteem for him, and would sometimes desire his attendance, in order to consult with him on public affairs, and to know his sentiments of things. From this time Mr. Locke continued altogether at Oates, in which agreeable retirement he applied himself wholly to the study of the sacred Scriptures. In this employment he found so much pleasure, that he regretted his not having devoted more of his time to it in the former part of his life. And his great regard for the sacred writings appears from his answer to a relation who had inquired of him, what was the shortest and surest way for a young gentleman to attain a true knowledge of the Christian religion? "Let him