Sir Matthew Hale (November 1, 1609-December 25, 1676) was Lord Chief-Justice of the King's Bench, a position of high influence in England. He testified:
<There is no book like the Bible for excellent wisdom and use.> 1609MH001
<Every morning read seriously and reverently a portion of the Holy Scriptures, and acquaint yourselves with the history and doctrine thereof; it is a Book full of light and wisdom, and will make you wise unto eternal life.
Who was it that thus suffered? It was Christ Jesus, the eternal Son of God, clothed in our flesh; God and Man united in one person; His manhood giving Him capacity for suffering, and His Godhead giving a value to suffering; and each nature united in one person to make a complete Redeemer; the Heir of all things; the Prince of Life; the Light that lighteneth every man that cometh into the world. As touching His Divine nature, God over all, blessed forever; and as touching His human nature, full of grace and truth; and in both, the beloved Son of the eternal God, in whom He proclaimed Himself well pleased.> 1609MH002
Mary Washington, George Washington's mother, had in her possession Sir Matthew Hale's Meditations Moral and Divine, published in London, 1679. The chapter which she had especially marked and studied, was titled, "The Great Audit With the Account of the Good Steward":
<The Great Lord of the World hath placed the Children of Men in this Earth as his Stewards; and according to the Parable in Matthew 25, He delivers to every person his Talents, a Stock of Advantages or opportunities: to some he commits more, to some less, to all some....
That in that due and regular employment, each man might be in some measure serviceable and advantageous to another. That although the great Lord of this Family, can receive no Advantage by the Service of His Creature, because he is Perfect and All-sufficient in himself; yet he receives Glory and Praise by it, and a Complacency in the beholding a Conformity in the Creature, to his own most Perfect Will....
Lord, before I enter into Account with thy Majesty, I must confess, that if thou shouldst enter into Judgment with me, and demand that Account which in Justice thou mayst require of me, I should be found thy Debtor: I confess I have not improved my Talents according to that measure of ability that thou has lent me: I therefore most humbly offer unto thee the redundant Merit of thy own Son to supply my defects, and to make good what is wanting in my account: yet according to thy command, I do humbly render my Discharge of the Trust thou has committed to me, as followeth.> 1609MH003
--
American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.
Endnotes:
1609MH003. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Sir Matthew Hale, 1679, Meditations Moral and Divine, published in London. The chapter titled "The Great Audit With the Account of the Good Steward" was marked and studied by Mary Washington, mother of George Washington. Rosalie J. Slater, "Reflective Education: The Principle Approach" (San Francisco, CA: Principally Speaking, The Foundation for American Christian Education, November 1992), Vol. 2, No. 3, p. 1.