Jeremy Collier on Edward the Confessor

“That this Prince cur'd the King's Evil, is beyond Dispute: And since the Credit of this Miracle is unquestionable, I see no reason why we should Scruple believing the rest... King Edward the Confessor was the first that cur'd this Distemper, and from him it has descended as an Hereditary Miracle upon all his Successors. To dispute the Matter of Fact, is to go to the Excesses of Scepticism, to deny our Senses, and be incredulous even to Ridiculousness.”

“He was a compassionate Prince, and very tender in taxing his Subjects: He had nothing of Luxury or Excess in his Palate, but was remarkably Temperate at Table. And though he did not decline appearing like a Prince in his Habit, especially upon Collar-Days, yet he was always Bigger than his Equipage, and far from being Proud of the Pomp and Grandeur of his Station. From the Prosperity of his Reign, the Prophetick Spirit, with which he is said to be endow'd, and the Miracles he wrought, we may make this Remark, That God prefers the Heart to the Head; Piety to Parts, and Capacity; and is much better pleas'd with the right use of the Will, than the Advantage of the Understanding.”