372 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. and was exceedingly revered and beloved by numerous per sons highly distinguished for learning and piety ; among whom, it would be a great omission not to mention the famous Sir Robert Boyle, who was his kind friend.. In the great design of promoting concord among christians, he discovered a most excellent spirit, and was indefatigably laborious. Though he was not so successful as the best of christians desired, his endeavOurs were certainly useful, Through the whole, he acted upon the most generous and worthy principles. This will appear from his letter, dated July, 1660, addressed to the Lord ChancellorHide; which was as follows: " My Lord, " In the application which I made to your ho- nour when you were at the Hague, I offered the fruit of my thirty years labours towards healing the breaches of Protest- ants; and this I did as one who never had served the turn of any party, or have been biassed by particular interests for any advantage to myself; but walking in the light by rules and principles, have stood free from all in matters of strife, to be able to serve through love. My way bath been, and is, to solicit the means of peace and truth amongst the dissenting parties, to do gocd offices, and to quiet their dis- contents, and I must still continue in this way if I should be useful. But not being rightly understood in my aims and, principles, I have been constrained to give this brief account thereof, as well to rectify the misconstruction of former actings, as to prevent furthermistakes concerning my way that such as love not to foment prejudices may be clear in their thoughts concerningme; and may know where to find me, if they would discern me or any of the talents which God hath bestowed upon me for the public welfare of his churches, which is my whole aim; and wherein I hope to persevere unto the end, as the Lord shall enable me, to be without offence unto all, with a sincere purpose to approve myself to his majesty in all faithfulness. " Your lordship's most humble servant in Christ, JOHN DITItY." During the same month he sent another letter, giving an account of certain proceedings relative to the universal pacification among christians. It was addressed to the Earl of Manchester, lord chamberlain of his majesty's Biog. Britan. vol. ii. p. 497. Edit. 1778.
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