was as much taken with his witty discourses when a School-boy as with his grave Oracles when her Counsel learned He was a Courtier from his Cradle to his Grave sucking in experience with his milk being inured to policy as early as to his Grammar Royal Maximes were his Sententia Puerilis and he never saw any thing that was not noble and becoming The Queen called him her young Lord Keeper for his grave ingenuity at seven years of age and he could tell her Majesty he was two years younger than her happy Reign At twelve his industry was above the capacity and his mind above the reach of his Contemporaries A prodigy of parts he must be who was begot by wise Sir Nicholas Bacon born of the accomplished Mrs. Anne Cook daughter to Sir Anthony Cook King Edward the 6â—hs Tutor a good Grecian and Latinist and bred at Trinity-Colledge under the wise learned and pious Doctor Whitgift His strong observations at Court his steady course of study in the University must be improved for State-business by a well-contrived Travel abroad where his conversation was so obliging his way so inquisitive his prudence so eminent that he was Sir Amie Paulet's Agent between the Juncto of France and the Queen of England He allayed the solidity of England with the Ayre of France until his own Affairs and the Kingdoms service called him home at his Fathers death to enjoy a younger Brothers estate and act his part Policy was his business the Law was onely his livelyhood yet he was so great a States-man that you would think he only studied men so great a Scholar that you would say he only studied Books Such insight he had in the Law that he was at thirty her Majesties Advocate and extraordinary Counsel such his judgement that he was the Student of Grayes-Inn's Oracle being well seen in the grounds and mysteries of the Law though not experienced in the Cases of the Common Law while he made that profession his accessary and not his principal so generous and affable his disposition that he was aâ—l mens love and wonder He instilled wholsome precepts of Prudence and Honour to Noblemen particularly the Earl of Essex to whom he was more faithful than he to himself Great principles of Arts and Sciences to the learned noble Maximes of government to Princes excellent rules of Life to the Populacy When his great Patron Essex sunk he was buoyed up by his own steadiness and native worth that admitted him to the Qu. own presence not only to deliver matter of Law which was his profession but to debate matters of State which was his element his judgement was so eminent that he could satisfie the greatest his condescenâ—ion so humble that he instructed the meanest his extraordinary parts above the model of the age were feared in Queen Elizabeths time but employed in King Iames's Favour he had in her Reign but Trust only in his It 's dangerous in a factious Age to have my Lord Bacon's parts or my Lord of Essex his favour Exact was his correspondence abroad and at home constant his Letters frequent his Visits great his Obligations moderate and temperate his Inclination peaceable humble and submissive his mind complying and yielding his temper In Queen Elizabeths time when he could not rise by the publick way of service he did it by that more private of Marriage with one Alice Barneham an Alderman's Heiress and other commendable Improvements whereby he shewed a great soul could be rich in spight of Fortune for his Father dying while he was in France before he had purchased an estate he designed for him his youngest Son and Darling he had but a Portion of the money divided among five Brethren whereby he was in streights till Gorambum fell to him by his dearest Brother Mr. Anthony Bacon's death a Gentleman of his parts though not his learning having nothing either of honour or profit from that Queen but a reversion of the Register of the Star-Chambers place worth 1500. a year which he stay'd for 20 years saying that it was like another mans ground buttalling upon his house which might mend his prospect but it did not fill his Barn though it scorned it in point of Honour In the House of Commons none more popular where he was allowed to sit as Member when Atturney which is allowed none in that place none more zealous none so knowing a Patriot In the house of Lords none more sâ—ccessfully serviceable to the Crown the easie way of Subsidies was his design in Queen Elizabeths time the union with Scotland was his contrivance in King Iames's His make and port was stately his speech flowing and grave each word of his falling in its place the issue of great reason when conceived and of great prudence when expressed so great skill he had in observing and contriving of occasions and opportunities in suiting of Humours and hitting of Junctures and Flexures of Affairs that he was in his time the Master of speech and action carrying all before him The Earl of Salisbury saith Sir Walter Rawleigh was a good Orator but a bad Writer the Earl of Northampton was a good Writer but a bad Orator Sir Francis Bacon excelled in both Much he said he owed to his Books more to his innate Principles and Notions When he thought he said he aimed more at Connexion than Variety When he spake he designed rather the life and vigour of expression and perspicuity of words asking often if the meaning were expressed plainly enough than the elegancy or order of phrase His axiome was Words should wait on things rather than things on words and his resolution was That all affected elegance was below the gravity and majesty of a publick discourse He rather judged Books and Men than either read or talked with them His Exercises were man-like and healthful walking and riding his Meditations cohaerent every minute of his time improved his Table temperate and learned where his great Discourses were the entertainment and he himself the treat resolving Cases most satisfactorily it was observed that he would express another manâ— words with great advantage speaking with liberty and respect to all hearers amend much the phrase of it though retaining the substance stating Questions most exactly relating Histories most prudently opening great Secrets most clearly answering Arguments and replying most familiarly and speaking what he had thorowly weighed and considered most effectually All matters and speeches came from him with advantage so acute and ready his wit so faithful his memory so penetrating his judgment so searching his head so large and rational his soul. He drew out of every man he spake with what he was best for My Lord of Salisbury said he had the clearest prospect of things of any man in his age and King Iames by whom he was never reproved in eighteen years said That he knew the method of handling Matters after a mild and gentle manner Not ingaging his Master in any rash
State-Worthies OR THE STATES-MEN And FAVOURITES OF ENGLAND Since the Reformation Their PRUDENCE and POLICIES SUCCESSES and MISCARRIAGES ADVANCEMENTS and FALLS During the Reigns of King HENRY VIII King EDWARD VI Queen MARY Queen ELIZABETH King â—AMES King CHARLES â— The Second Edition with Additions LONDON Printed by Thomas Mâ—lbourâ— for Sâ—â— Speed in Thread-needle-street neer the Royal-Exchange 1670. TO The HOPE of ENGLAND It s Young Gentry Is most humbly Dedicated The HONONUR of it It s ANCIENT STATESMEN A Renowned Ancestry TO An Honourable Posterity Whitehall BY permission and License of the Right Honourable Mr. Secretary Morice This Book may be Printed and Published Jo Cook TO THE READER Courteous Reader FOr bestowing some vacant hours by that excellent Personages direction to whom I am equally obliged for my Employment and my Leasure in an attempt so agreeable to the Lord Verulam's judgment which may be seen in the next page and so pursuant of Sir Robert Naunton's designe which may be traced in the following Book Another person's abilities might have gained applause and my weakness may deserve an excuse notwithstanding my years if yet any man be too young to read and observe or my profession if yet a Divine should not as times go be as well read in Men as Books Especially since I gratifie no man's fondness writing not a Panegyrick but an History Nor pleasure any persons malice designing Observations rather than Invectives Nor tyre any man's patience setting down rather the remarkes of mens publick capacities than the minute passages of their private lives but innocently discourse the most choice instances our ENGLISH Histories afford for the three great Qualifications of men 1. Noblenesse in behaviour 2. Dexterity in business and 3. Wisdome in Government among which are twenty eight Secretaries of State eight Chancellours eighteen Lord Treasurers sixteen Chamberlains who entertain Gentlemen with Observations becoming their Extraction and their hopes touching 1. The rise of States-men 2. The beginning of Families 3. The method of Greatness 4. The conduct of Courtiers 5. The miscarriages of Favourites and what-ever may make them either wise or wary The Chancellour of France had a Picture that to a coâ—mon eye shewed many little heads and they were his Ancestorsâ— but to the more curious represented onely one great one and that was his own It 's inâ—ended that this Book should to the vulgar Reader express several particulars i. e. all this last Ages Heroes but to every Gentleman it should intimate onely one and that is himself It 's easily imaginable how unconcerned I am in the fate of this Book either in the History or the Observation since I have been so faithful in the â—irst that is not my own but the Historians and so careful in the second that they are not mine but the Histories DAVID LLOYD The Lord Bacon's Iudgment of a Work of this nature HIstory which may be called just and perfect History is of three kinds according to the object it propoundeth or pretendeth to represent for it either representeth a Time a Person or an Action The first we call Chronicles the second Lives and the third Narrations or Relations Of these although the first be the most compleat and absolute kind of History and hath most estimation and glory yet the second excelleth it in profit and use and the third in verity and sincerity For history of Times representeth the magnitude of Actions and the publick faces or deportments of persons and passeth over in silence the smaller passages and motions of Men and Matters But such being the workmanship of God as he doth hang the greatest weight upon the smallest wyars Maxima è minimis suspendens it comes therefore to pass that such Histories do rather set forth the pomp of business than the true and inward resorts thereof But Lives if they be well written propounding to themselves a person to represent in whom actions both greater and smaller publick and private have a commixture must of necessity contain a more true native and lively representation I do much admire that these times have so little esteemed the vertues of the Times as that the writing of Lives should be no more frequent For although there be not many Soveraign Princes or absolute Commanders and that States are most collected into Monarchies yet are there many worthy personages that deserve better than dispersed Report or barren Elogies For herein the invention of one of the late Poets is proper and doth well inrich the ancient fiction For he feigneth that at the end of the thread or web of every mans Life there was a little Medal containing the person's name and that Time waiteth upon the Sheers and as soon as the Thread was cut caught the Medials and carried them to the River Lethe and about the bank there were many Birds flying up and down that would get the Medials and carry them in their beak a little while and then let them fall into the River Onely there were a few Swans which if they got a Name would carry it to a Temple where it was consecrate THE TABLE A Pag. SIr Thomas Audly 72 Fiz-Allan Earl of Arundel 415 Master Roger Ashcam 613 Arch-Bishop Abbot 746 Sir Edmund Anderson 803 Bishop Andrews 1024 Sir Walter Aston 932 Sir Robert Armstroder 951 Philip Earl of Arundel 953. B. CHarles Brandon Duke of Suffolk 27 Sir Thomas Bollen 137 Edw. Stafford D. of Bucks 159 Sir Anthony Brown 164 Sir David Brook 386 Sir John Russel 1 E. of B. 442 Sir John Baker 460 Sir Will. Cecil L. Burleigh 473 Arch-Bishop Bancroft 704 Sir Nich. Bacon 470 Thomas Lord Burge 591 Sir Thomas Bromley 609 Sir Richard Bingham 612 Tho. Sackvil L. Buckhurst 677. Sir Fulke Grevil L. Brook 727 Sir Thomas Bodley 805 John L. Digby E. of Bristol 838 G. V. Duke of Buckingh 843 Sir Francis Bacon 828 Sir John Bramston 926 Lord Chief-Iustice Banks 960 C. ARch-Bishop Cranmer 35 T. Cromwel Earl of Esâ—ex 57 Sir William Compton 145 Sir Thomas Cheyney 466 Sir John Cheek 191 Sir William Cordel 369 Sir Anthony Cook 373 Sir W. Cecil L. Burleigh 473 Sir Thomas Challoner 534 Sir James Crofts 569 Cliffords Earls of Cumberland 721 Sir R. Cecil E. of Salisbury 730 Sir George Calvert 750 Sir Arthur Chichester 753 L. Cranfield E. of Mid. 778 Sir Robert Cary 794 Doctor Richard Cosin 817 Lord Chief Justice Cook 820 Lord Cottington 906 Sir Dudly Carleton 910 Lord Conway 919 Sir Julius Caesar 934 Earl of Carnarvan 1014 The Cary's Lords Viscounâ—s Faulklands 938 Lord Capel 1021 Sir John Culpepper 1042 Sir Georgâ— Crook 949 James Hay E. of Carlisle 774 Sir Thomas Coventry 978 Sir John Cook 944 L. Herbert of Cherbury 1017 D. SIr Thomas Darcy 130 T. Grey Marquess of Dorset 152 Dudly D. of Northumberland 420 W. Devereux E. of Essex 486 Edward Earl of Derby 547 Sir William Drury 558 Doctor Dale 564 Sir James Dier 595 Secretary Davison 624 Sir G. Hume E. of Dunb 740 Sir
way of weakening of them as who when the most sober and wise part of them draweth off are but a rude multitude and a rope of sand When a Commoner none so stiff for the subjects priviledg when a Judge none so firm to the Princes Prerogative two things however they fatally clashed of late that are solid felicities together and but empty notions asunder for what is Prerogative but a great Name when not exercised over a free people and what is priviledg but a fond imagination when not secured under a powerful King that may keep us from being slaves one to another by Anarchy while we strive to be free from his Tyranny That people is beyond president free and beyond comparison happy who restrain not their Sovereigns power to do them harm so far as that he hath none left him to do them good Careful he was of the Law for he was a Judge and as careful of his Sovereigns Right for he was a Subject No ominous clashing between Courts in his time nor setting the Kings Conscience in Chancery against his Will in the Kings Bench. A man tells Aristides to make him party in his cause that his Adversary had abused him I sit not here saith that Impartial Judge to right my self but you When a notorious enemy of Judge Fineux had a cause depending before him It might have gone against you my friend said he had you not been my Enemy His Motto was nemo prudem punit quia peccatum est sed ne peccetur Ten things which are indeed ten of the most remarkable particulars of his life raised him 1. An indefatigable industry 1. In his reading leaving behind him 23 Folio's of Notes 2. In his practice bequeathing 3502 Cases he managed himself to his Executor 2. A freedome of converse as about his business none more close so in company none more open having so compleat a command of himself that he knew to a minute when to indulge and to a minute too when to restrain himself A gay and cheerful humour a spriteful conversation and cleanâ—y manners are an exceeding useful accomplishment for every one that intends not to wind himself into a solitary retirement or be mewed in a Cloyster 3. A rich and a well-contrived marriage that at once brought him a large Estate and a larger Interest the same tie that allied him to his Wives Family engaged him to many 4. A great acquaintance with Noble Families with whose dependants he got in first devoting an hour a day for their company and at last with themselves laying aside his vacation-leisure for their service He was Steward of 129 Mannors at once and of Councel to 16 Noble-men 5. His Hospitality and Entertainments None more close than he abroad none more noble at home where many were tied to his Table more obliged by his company and discourse 6. His care and integrity in managing his Repute in promoting his Reason and Eloquence in pleading and his Success in carrying his causes 7. His eminence and activity in the two profitable Parliaments of Henry the seventh where he had the hearts and purses of the people at his command and the eye of his Sovereign upon his person It was thought a reward adequaâ—e to the greatest merit and adventure in the Grecian Wars to have leave to play the Prizes at Olympus before Kings It was judged the most ambition could aime at in King Henry the seventh's time to â—hew a mans parts before his judicious and discerning Majesty than whom none undeâ—sâ—ood Worth better none valued it higher 8. His Opposition to Empson and Dudley's tâ—o severe Prosecution of Poeâ—al Laws while Henry the seventh was living and his laying of it befoâ—e him so faithfully that he repented of it when he was a dying He is high a while that serves a Princes private interest he is always so that is careful of the publick good 9. Hiâ— entire Devotion to that sacred thing called Friendship that Bliss on this side Heaven made up of Peace and Love None a worse Enemy none a â—etter Fâ—iend Choice he was in commencing but constant in continuing Friends Mâ—ny Acquaintance but few Friends was his Oâ—servation â—â—ying He had been undâ—ne by his Acquaintance had he not been raised by his Friends 10. His care of time To day I have not reigned said the Emperour when he had done no good To day I have not lived said the Judge when he had done nothing So much he prayed Morning Evening and at Noon according to the way of those times as if he never studied so much he studied as if he never practised so great his practice as if he never conversed and so free his converse with others as if he lived not at all to himself Time of which others are so prodigally expensive was the only thing he could be honestly covetous of full whereof he died leaving this instruction to posterity That we should not complain we have little time but that we spend much either in doing nothing or in doing evil or in doing nothing to the purpose Observations of the Life of Dr. Edward Fox Secretary and Almoner to King Henry the Eighth EDward Fox born in Dursly in Gloucestershire brought up a Scholar in Eaton after fellow of Kings Colledg in Cambridge where he died Provost He was Almoner to King Henry the eighth the first that brought Doctor Cranmer to the knowledg of the King as he brought the King to the knowledge of himself Being afterwards Bishop of Hereford he was a great Instigator of the Politick and Prudential part of the Reformation and was not less able but more active than Cranmer himself yea so famous was he that Martin Bucer dedicaâ—ed unto him his Comment upon the Gospel so painâ—ul that he wrote many Books whereof that de Differentia utriusque potestatis was the chief so worthy he was that the King employed him on several Embassies into France and Germany He died May 8. 1538. In his first years none more wild in his last none more stayed The untoward Youth makes the able Man He that hath mâ—ttle to be extravagent when he cannot govern himself hath a spirit to be eminent when he can His friends devotion to the Church and relation to the Bishop of Winchester made him a Scholar his own Inclinâ—â—ion a Politician an Inclination that brake through all the ignoble restraints of pedantique studies and coercions wherewith many a great Soul in England enjoying not the fâ—eedome of forein parts but tied to such employments though never so unsuitable as their fâ—iends put them to are debased and lost to an eminency more by observation and travel than by reading and study that made him the Wonder of the Univeâ—sity and the Daâ—ling of the Court. When he was called to the Pulpit or Chair he came off not ill so prudential were his parts of Divinity when advanced to any Office of Trust in the University he came off very well so incomparable were his parts for
Augustine saying Tolle lege a strong fancy inclined him to fix â—n the first words he beheld v. 16. And they answered Joshua saying All that thou commandest us we will do and whithersoever thou sendest we will go A text he so wisely and warily handled that his Enemies got not so full advantage against him as they expected The next day the Duke advanced to Bury with his Army whose feet marched forward while their minds moved backward Upon the News brought him he returned to Cambridge with more sad thoughts within him than valiant Souldiers about him Then went he with the Mayor of the Town and proclaimed the Queen the Beholders whereof more believing the grief in his eyes when they let down tears than the joy professed by his hands when he threw up his Cap. Slegge Sergeant at Arms arrests him in Kingsâ— Colledge and when the Proclamation of Pardon set him at liberty the Earl of Arundel re-arrests him at whose feet he craves mercy a low posture in so high a person But what more poor and prostrate than Pride it self when reduced to extremity Behold we this Duke as the Mirrour of Humane Unhappiness As Nevil Earl of Warwick was the make-King so this Dudley Earl of Warwick was the make-Queen He was Chancellour of the Vniversity and Steward of the Town of Cambridge two Offices which never before or since met in the same person Thus as Cambridgâ— was his Vertical Poynt wherein he was in the heighth of Honour so it was his Vertical where he met with a suddain turn and a sad Catastrophe And it is remarkeable that though this Duke who by all means endeavoured to aggrand his Posterity had six sons all men all married none of them left any issue behind them Thus far better it is to found our hopâ—s of even earâ—hly happiness on Goodnâ—ss than Greatness Thus far the Historian Iâ— was Lewiâ— the elevâ—nth's Motto Pride and Presumption go before Shame and Loss follow after In three sorts of men Ambition is good 1. In a Souldier to quicken him 2. In Favourites to balance oâ—hers 3. In great States-men to undertake invidious Employments For no man will take that part except he be like a seeled Dove that mounts and mounts because he cannot see about him And in these men it 's safe if they are mean in their original harsh in their nature stirring in many little rather than in any great business Greater in his own interest than in his Followers Humility sojourneth with safety and honour Pride with Danger and unworthiness No man below an Anointed One is capable of an unlimited Power a temptation too great for Mortality whose highest Interest if indulged is Self and if checked Malice Dangerous is the Power of an aspiring Person near a Prince more dangerous his Disguise as who acts all things against his Master by his Authority Let no man upon this example ever repose so much upon any mans single Counsel Fidelity or Discretion as to create in himself or others a diffidence of his own judgement which is likely to be most faithfull and true to a mans own Interest Let every mâ—n have some things that no man shall obtain and some things that no man must dare ask because you see here if we let all go without reserve our Reputation is lost in the world by the Reputation our Favourite gains with us There was in Rome a certain man named Enatius somewhat entred in Age and of natural condition muâ—inous ambitious and troublesome Adrian being advertised that he was dead fell into a great laughter and sware That he could not but wonder he could intend to die considering what great business he had night and day Conâ—idering how many Affairs he had to manage how many cross accidents to accommodate I wonder what time he had to die And considering his many pretences for the Protestant Religion especially that for King Edward's I wonder with what face he could die a Papist But I have forgot my self for there are two sorts of persons in Machiavel â—hat must either not believe or not profess any Religion The first the States-man that acts in publick Affairs the second the Historian that writes them Observations on the Life of Sir William Peter HE was born in that great Nursery of Parts Devonshire and bred in a greater Exeter-Colledge That Colledge made him a Scholar and All-Souls a Man Hâ—s capacity was contemplative and his Genius active observing rather than reading with his eye more on men than Books studying behaviour rather than notion to be accomplished rather than knowing and not to erre in the main rather than to be excellent in circumstance His Body set off his Parts with a grave dignity of presence rather than a soft beauty of aspect His favour was more taking than his colour and his motion more than favour and all such as made his early Vices blush and his riper Vertues shine The Earl of Wilâ—shire first pitched upon him for his Sons Tutor and then for his own Companion Noble Families set off hopeful Parts and improve them Cromwel's quick eye one day at my Lord spyeth his Personage and observes his Carriage He was a man himself and understood one Nothing would satisfie him but that the young Gentlemen should come to Court and go to Travel King Henry loved any All-souls man but was enamoured with him in whom concurred the three Perquisites of that Society 1. A Gentle Extraction 2. A graceful Behaviour 3. Competent Learning The young man designed for businesse was to travel for Education and the Scholar for Experience 1. His Pension is allowed him 125 l. a year 2. His Tutor is assigned who had been there before and could instruct him what he should see where he should go what acquaintance to entertain what exercise or discipline to undergo 3. His Instructions were drawn up as 1. That he should keep a Diary of what the chiefest places and the eminent persons either apart or in Conventions yielded worthy of Remarque and Observation 2. To have before him a Map or Card of every place he goeth to 3. Not to stay long in any one place 4. To converse with no Englishmen but Agents Embassadors or such grave persons as his Majesty would direct him to 5. To endeavour after Recommendations from persons of quality in one place to those in another keeping still his correspondence with the most publick and eminent persons of every respective place Within five years he returned a compleat Gentleman correcting the Vices of one Country with the Vertues of another and being one happy Composition of every Region Sir Iohn Philpot was not so much the worse as Sir William was the better for travel He returning to the shame of all Nations of his own by his weakness abroad of others by their follies at home This coming home the honour of his own by his abilities abroad of others by his perfections at home Two things improved his travel 1. An
or grievous courses insulting over no offender but carrying it decently and compassionately to the person of the offender when most severe against the offence His Religion was rational and sober his spirit publick his love to Relations tender to Friends faithful to the hopeful liberal to men univerfal to his very Enemies civil He lest the best pattern of Government in his actions under one King and the best principles of it in the Life of the other His Essays and History made him the admiration of polite Italy his Accomplishments the wonder of France Monsieur Fiat the French Ambassador who called him Father saying to him after an earnest desire to see him That he was an Angel to him of whom he had heard much but never saw him Solid less dissipable and juicy Meat was his Diet and Rhubarb infused in Wine before meat his Physick four hours in the morning he made his own not by any means to be interrupted business was his fate retyrement his inclination Socrates brought Morality from Discourse to Practice and my Lord Bacon brought Philosophy from Speculation to Experience Aristotâ—e whom he disliked at 16 years of age not for his person for he valued him highly but his way which bred disputations but not useful things for the benefit of the life of man continuing in that judgment to his dying day he said taught many to dispute more to wrangle few to find out Truth none to manage it according to his principles My Lord Bacon was a man singular in every faculty and eminent in all His Judgment was solid yet his memory was a wonder his Wit was quick yet his Reason slaid His Invention was happy yet methodical and one fault he had that he was above the age he lived in above it in his bounties to such as brought him Presents so remembring that he had been Lord-Chancellor that he forgot he was but Lord Verulam Great his understanding his knowledge was not from Books though he read much but from grounds and notions in himself which he vented with great caution Dr. Rawley attesting that he saw twelve Copies of the Instauratio Magna revised and amended year by year till it was published and great his mind too above it in his kindness to servants to whom he had been a better Master if he had been a worse and more kind if he had been less indulgent to them Persons of Quality courted his Service For the first of his Excesses K. Iames jeered him in his progress to New-market saying when he heard he gave ten pounds to one that brought him some Fruit My Lord my Lord this is the way to Beggars-bush For the second he reflected upon himself when he said to his servants as they rose to him in his Hall Your rise hath been my fall Though indeed he rather trusted to their honesty than connived at their falshood for he did impartial Justice commonly to both parties when one servant was in fee with the Plaintiff and the other with the Defendant How well he understood his own time his Letters and complyances evidence than whom none higher in spirit yet none humbler in his Addresses The proudest man is most servile How little he valued wealth appeareth in that when his servants would take money from his Closet even while he was by he would laugh and say I poor men that is their portion How well he kenned the art of Converse his Essayes discover a piece as he observed himself that of all his Works was most current for that they come home to mens business and bosomes How far skilled in the Art of Government the Felicities of Queen Elizabeth written by him in Latine ordered by his last Will to be Printed so but published in English in his resuscitatio by his Amanuensis Dr. Rawley his H. 7. War with Spain Holy War Elements of the Law irrefragably demonstrate and how well seen in all Learning his Natural History and Advancement of Learning answerably argue In a word how sufficient he was may be conjectured from this instance that he had the contrivance of all King Iames his Designs until the Match with Spain and that he gave those Directions to a great Statesman which may be his Character and our conclusion Only be it observed that though this peerless Lord is much admired by English-men yet is he more valued by Strangers distance as the Historian hath it diminishing his faults to Forreigners while we behold his perfections abated with his failings which set him as much below pity as his Place did once above it Sir Iulius Caesar they say looking upon him as a burden in his Family and the Lord Brook denying him a bottle of small beer Though in a Letter to King Iames he thanks him for being that Master to him that had raised and advanced him sâ—x times in Office i.e. Councel learned extraordinary Solicitor and Attorney General Lord Keeper and Chancellor Knight-Lord Verulam Viscount St. Aâ—ban's with 1800 l. a yâ—ar out of the broad Zeal and Alienation Offâ—ce to his dying day most of which he allowed to his Wife towards whom he was very bountiful in gifts bestowing on her a Robe of honour which she wore while she lived which was above twenty years after his death His Religion was like a Philosophers rational and well grounded as appears by his confession of faith composed many years before his death an instance of the truth of his own observation that a little Philosophy maketh men apâ— to forget God as attributing too much to second causes but depth of Philosophy bringeth a man back again to God he being constant at the publick Prayers frequent at the Sermons and Sacraments of the Church of England in whose Communion he dyed of a gentle Feaver accompanied with a choaking defluxion and cold April 9. being Easter-day 1626. 66th year of his age in the Earl of Arundel's house at High-gate near London being Buried according to his Will at St. Michael's Church in St. Alban's the onely Church in old Verulam near his Mother â—nder a white Marble â—et up by Sir Tho. Meauty Secretary to his Lordship and Clerk of the Councel to King Iames and King Charles whereon he is drawn in his full Stature studying with an Inscription by Sir Henry Wotton He had one peculiar temper of body that he fainted alwayes at an Eclipse of the Moon though he knew not of it and considered it not His Receipt for the Gout which eased him in two hours is at the end of his Natural History His Rhubarb-draught before meat he liked because it carryed away the gross humours not lessâ—ning the spirits as sweating doth It was the great effect of his Religion that as he said notwithstanding the opportunities he had to be revenged he neither bred nor fed maliceâ— saying no worse to the King who enquired of him what he thought of a great man newly dead that had not been his friend than that he would never have made
Captain in the Military Wars of France and there Knighted for his good service under Henry the fourth the then French King He was employed as Lieutenant of the Horse and Serjeant-Major of his whole Army in Ireland under Robert Earl of Essex and Charles Baron of Mountjoy in the Reign of Qâ—een Eliz. By King Iames the firstâ— he was made Baron of Dantsey and Peer of this Realm as also Lord President of Munster and Governour of Guernsey By King Charles the first he was created Earl of Danby made one of his Privy-Councel and Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter In his later time by reason oâ— impâ—â—fect health â—oâ—siderately declining more â—â—ive Employments full of honours wounds and days he died Anno Domini 1643. LAVS DEO For many years before St. George had not been more magnificently mounted I mean the solemnity of his Feast more sumptuously observed than when this Earl with the Earl of Morton were installed Knights of the Garter One might have there beheld the abridgment of England and Scotland in their Attendance The Scotish Earl like Xeuxes his picture adorned with all Art and costliness whilst our English Earl like the plain sheet of Apelles by the gravity of his Habit got the advantage of the gallantry of his Cortival with judicious beholders He died without Issue in the beginning of our Civil Wars and by his Will made 1639. seâ—led his large Estate on his hopeful Nephew Henry D' Anvers snatch'd away beâ—ore fully of age to the great grief of all good men Observations on the Life of Sir George Crook SIr George Crook son of Sir Iohn Crook and Elizabeth Unton his Wife was born at Chilton in Buckingham-shire in the second year of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth bred first in Oxford then a double Reader in the Inner Temple Sergeant at Law and the King's Sergeant Justice first of the Common Bench 22. Iac. and then of the Upper Bench 4 Caroli His ability in his Profession is sufficiently attested by his own printed Reports Eight eminent Judges of the Law out of their knowledge of his great Wisdom Learning and Integrity approving and allowing them to be published for the common benefit His only defect was that he was against the ancient Naval-aid called Ship-money both publickly in Westminster-Hall and privately in his judgement demanded by the King even at that time when our Neighbours not only incroached upon our Trade but disputed our right in the Narrow-seas though concluded to subscribe according to the course of the Court by plurality of Voices The Country-mans wit levelled to his brain will not for many years be forgotten That Ship-money may be gotten by Hook and not by Crook though since they have paid Taxes Loyns to the little finger and Scorpions to the rod of Ship-money but whether by Hook or Crook let others enquire Hampden's share for which he went to Law being but eighteen shillings though it cost the Nation since eighteen millions Considering his declining and decaying age and desiring to examine his life and prepare an account to the supream Judge he petitioned King Charlâ—s for a Writ of Eâ—se which though in some sort denyed what wise Master would willingly part with a good Servant was in effect granted unto him For the good King exacting from his Subjects no services beyond their years and abilities and taking it better at his hands that he confessed his infirmities than if he had concealed them discharged him for the pains though he allowed him the fees and honour of Chief-Justice while he lived Wherefore in gratitude as well as conscience however he was misled in â—he foresaid matter of Syhip money he abhorâ—ed the Faction heartily for he would say of Hampden He is a dangerous person take heed of him and loved the Church as heartily for we are told by a person of great worth and credit Thâ—t having read over the Book of Canons 1640 when it first came out and was so much spoken against he lifted up his hands and gave hearty thanks to Almighty God that he had lived to see sâ—ch good effects of a Convocation In a word he was no less in his Life than he is in his Epitaph now dead which runs thus Georgius Crook Eques Auratus unus justiciariorum de Banco Regis Iudicio Linceato animo presenti insignis vâ—ritatis haeres quem nec mina nec bonos allexit Regis au horitatem populi libertatem aequâ lance Libravit Religione cordatus vitâ innocuus manu expansâ— Corde humili pauperes irrogavit mundum vicit deseruit Anno AErat Lxxxii Annoque R. C. I. xvii Anno Domini MDCXLI Observations on the Life of Sir Rob. Armstroder HE was a great Soldier a skilful Antiquary and a good Fellow In the first capacity I finde him bringing off five hundred English for three miles together without the loss of a man from six thousand Spaniards along a plain Champion where the Enemy might have surrounded them at pleasure Well he could handle bright armour in the Field better he understood that more rusty in the Tower therefore in his second capacity we have him picking up old Coyn valuing more a Dollar which he might study than a pound he might spend Yet though his mind was taken with the Curiosities of former Times his inclination was very compliant with the mode of his own for he was excellent company in which capacity none more prevalent than he in Germany where they talk much none more acceptable in Denmark where they drink hard none more taking in Sweden where they droll smartly His humble propâ—sition and submission in behalf of the Elector was accepted by the Emperour 1630. He went to Denmark and the first night he arrived he pleased the King so well in drinking healths that his Majesty ordered that his business should be dispatch'd that very night and he shipped when asleep as he was to his own amazement when awaked and the amazement of all England when returned he being here before some thought he had been there Humour is the Misterss of the world Neither was he more intenâ— upon the pleasing oâ— Foreign Princes than careful in the honour of his own especially in his faith word and impregnable honesty for he knew a faithless Prince is beloved of none but suspected by his friends not trusted of his enemies and forsaken of all men in his greaâ—est necessities Yet he was not so taken with antique Medals abroad but he promoted a new invention at home for to him Sir H. Wotton we owe it that F. Klein the German a very eminent Artist in working Tapestry came over to serve K. Charls the first a Virtuoso judicious in all Liberal mechanical Arts and for 100 pounds per ann pension so improved that Manufacture at this time very compleat at Mortlack in a house built by Sir Franciâ— Crane upon King Iames his motion who gave two thousand pounds towards it in that place General
out his soul in words to this purpose viz. If I had served the God of Heaven as faithfully as I did my Master on earth he had not forsaken me in my old age as the other hath done He died swelling in his body as he had done in his mind the pain being really in his heaâ—t which seemed to be in his guts for when Northumberland whom he had bâ—ed and a Privy Chamber-man whom he had preferred were sent to him he could still hope that â—he King intended him Honour but when Sir William Kingston Lieutenant of tâ—e Tower who carried a restraint in his looks came to him he could not believe but he intended him Punishment keeping him only between the tickling hopes of pâ—eâ—erment pinching fear of disgrace to found his boâ—tome and to discover his Estaâ—e so well he took the first Arrest that he diâ—ected the Messengeâ—s to execute their Commission legally saying that he ought to yield himself to a Privy-Chambâ—rman on his word though not to the Earle withouâ— his Commission So ill the second that he could not govern himself tolerably Very observant he was of old Prophesies applying that When the Cow rides the Bull Then Priest beware thy skull to Hen. 8. whose armes as Earle of Richmond was a Cow and Anne Bullein whose devise was a Bull whose Love to each other was the occasion of their hatred to him And that that he should have his end at Kingston to Kingâ—ton upon Thames a Town he would not look on willingly while he lived and to Sr William Kingston a man he would not with his good will hear of when he died And fearful of new Omens Interpreting the falling of his Crosse to break Bonners head the fâ—ll of the Church to the danger of his own A serene and peaceable soul acts by solid â—eason a frighted and troubled one by fansie imagination and superstition a mind in the dark of mâ—lancholy and trouble feareth every thing The Kâ—ng not knowing his own changeble mind would have given 20000 l. he had lived and his Enemies knowing it too well gave 10000 l. that they might be sure he should dye The one aiming at a booty from his Estate as appeared afterward by his â—eward to those Servants that discovered it the oâ—her at their own security â—rom his power both to his dying day so great that indifferent men thought them enough his foes too much and he himself too litâ—le Plenty without pomp is penury to pride which Kings may make humbled God only humble He being able to take away the fire the Luâ—t within the other only to withdraw the Fuel the staâ—e without Remarkeable were his words of himself This is the just reward that I must receive for my diligent pains and study not regarding my service to God but only my respect to the King Flattery is the Common Moath of great Palaces where Alexanders friends are more than the Kings Observable his caution to the Councellors whom he advised to take heed what they should put into the Kings head for said he you can never put it out again Heinous is the crime of poysoning Fountains and such is a Kings mind in a Common-wealth Notable was the Jealousie of his Enemies who could not but believe he was alive until the Mayor and Corporation of Liecester who were called therefore to view his Corps testified under their publick Seal that he was dead But most notorious his burial that He who from his own store late might have A Palaâ—e or a Colledge for his Grave Should lye interr'd so obscurely as if all Of him to be remember'd were his fall Nothing but earth to earth no Pompous weight Vpon him but a pibble or a quait Yet though his Fortune was not great as his merit or his merit as his mind he planted things that are like to last as long as men are either to do things woâ—thy to be written in books or books are to record things worthy to be done by men His Enemies made mock defences for him on puâ—pose to overthrow him So before a serious Warr Cities use to personate their adverse party and feign mock combats and skirmishes to encourage their friends wherein you may be sure that their own side shall conquer Which puts me in mind of the Lyons answer in the Fable when the picture of a man beating a Lyon was produced to him he said If a Lyon had made this picture he would have made the Lyon aboveâ— and the man beneath Nihil est quin male narrando possit depravarier One thing he advised young men to take care of in their publick deliveries viz that they should rather proceed though more inaccurately than stop sensibly few being able to discerne the failuâ—e of a continued speech when all understand the mischance of a gross silence A Fellow having made a long Oration to his hearers of the virtues of a Feather which he affirmed to have dropped from the wing of Michael the Aâ—ch-Angel and the Feather being stolen from under his sleeve out of drollery and a Cinder put in the place of it to trye hiâ— humour he went on câ—â—fidently with his discourse telling them that though it was not the feather which he had mentioned yet it wâ—s one of the coles which St. Laurence was broyled with and had all those virtues which he had formerly ascribed to the feather When good men die suddenly it is said they are poysoned and when the bad fall unexpectedly as he did it is said they poyson themselves He died unpitied because he had lived feared being the great Bias of the Christian World Too suddain prosperity in the beginning undoeth us in the end while we expect all things flowing upon us at first we remit our care and perish by neglecting Every head cannot bear wine nor every spirit â— fortune Success eats up Circumspection How many a man had ended better if he had not begun so well It 's the Emphasis of misery to be too soon happy Prosperity growing up with experience makes a man in a firm settlement inured to all events I will ever suspect the smooth waters for deepness in my worst estate I will hope in the best I will fear in all I will be circumspect and stil. Râ—ffling Ambition reacheth great Honour a Sedate Humility supports it the Lower the Basis the higher stronger the Pyramide Love the Issue of Humility guardeth the weakest Hatâ—ed the Daughter of Pride ruines the strongest Ego Rex meus was good Grammar for Wolsey a School-Master but not for the Cardinal a States-man To be humble to Superiors is duty to Equals is courtesie to Inferiours is nobleness and to all safety it being a virtue that for all her lowliness commandeth those souls it stoops to In a word as I love Virtue so I hate Vice for her inside and her end Cardinal Wolsey is famous for two things that he never spoke a word too much and but one too little The Lord Herbert's
Government His Policy was observed equally in the Subject and in the contrivance of his Sermons and discâ—urse where though all knew he read but litâ—le yet all saw that by a Scheme and method his strong head had drawn up oâ— all Books and Discourses â—e commanded all Leaâ—ning his Explications of the Text were so genuine so exact as if he had spent his time in nothing else but Criticks and Câ—mmentators His Divisions â—o Analytical as if he had seen nothing but Logick His Enlargements so copious and genuine as if he had seen nothing but Fathers and Schoolmen The curious and pertinent mixture of Moral Sentences so various as if he had been but a Humanist â—he drift and design of all so close that it argued him but what indeed he was a pure Pate-Politician His parts commended him to Cardinal Wolsey as his support the Cardinal brings him to his Master as his second and he thrusts out Wolsey as his Rival but yet pretended to advance that ambitious Man more highly that he might fall moâ—e irrecoverably He sets him upon his designes of being Pope in Rome and tâ—ose make him none in England He caught the Cardinal by his submission as he would have done Sir Thomas More by his Interrogations at which he was so good that he would run up any man either to a Confession or a Praemunire Fox was his name and Cunning â—is nature He said His Fathers money helped him to his Parsonage meaning his small Preferments and his Mothers wit to his Bishoprick meaning his greater Diâ—coursing one day when Ambassador of terms of Peace he said Honourable ones last long but the dishonourable no longer than till Kings have power to break them the suresâ— way therefore said he to Peace is a constant preparedness for War Two things he would say must support a Government Gold and Iron Gold to reward its Friends and Iron to keep under its Enemies Themistocles after a Battel fought with the Persians espying a Prize lying on the ground Take up these things saith he to his Companion for thou art not Themistocles Take the Emperours Money said Fox to his followers that were afraid to accept what he had refused for you are not all the King of England's Ambassadors Often was this saying in our Bishops mouth before ever iâ— was in Philip the second 's Time and I will challenge any two in the world Portugal being revolted the Conde d' Olivares câ—me â—â—iling to King Philip the fourth saying Sir I pray give me las Alâ—ricius to hansel the good news for now yâ—u are more absolute King of Portugal than ever for the people have forfeited all their priviledges by the Rebellion and the Nobility their Eâ—tates and now you may confirm your old Friends with their money and make you new ones with their Estates When the Clergy began to ruffle with the King I tell you News said this Bishop we are all run into a Pâ—aemunire you shall have Money enough to make your own Courtiers and Places enough to advance your own Clergy Observations on the Life of Sir Anthony St. Lieger WE may say of him he was born in Kent and bred in Christendome for when twelve years of Age he was sent for his Grammar-Learning with his Tutor into France for his Carriage into Italy for his Philosophy to Cambridg for his Law to Grays-Inne and for that which compleated all the Goveâ—nment of himself to Court where his Dâ—bonnâ—irness and Fâ—eedome took with the King as his Solidity and Wisdome with the Cardinal His Master-piece was his Agency between King Henry the eighth and Queen Anne during the agitation of that great business of the Divorce between the said King and his Queen Katherine His Policy was seen in catching the Cardinal in that fatal word The Kin may ruine me if he please but that ruined him His service was to be Cromwel's Instrument in demolishing Abbeys as he was the Kings Caesar was the first that came to undo the Commonwealth sober Sir Anthony St. Lieger was the first that saved this Kingdome drunk for in being abroad one night very late and much distempered he must needs fancy an extraordinary light in the Cardinaâ—'s Closet with which Fancy he ran to the King and although much in drink prevailed with him so far that he sends to the Cardinal and there finds that Juncto that threatned his Kingdome He esteemed it the bane of a good judgment to look upon things through the outside of some Customary formality neglecting the steady consideration of their inward nature the first depending on the fancies of men which are volatile the other on the being of things which is fixed and he was rather for dressing his addresses in the smart way of a jest than in the dull way of a narrative Ridiculum acri Fortiùs et meliùs magnas plerumque secat res The undigested fancies which please the Common people for a while during the distemper and green-sickness fit a troubled age as Maids infected with that Malady peferr ashes or Coles in a corner before healthful food in their Fathers House but when time hath cured their malady and expeâ—ience opened their eyes he would say that they should abhor their former errors and the misleaders that taught them He was the first Vice-Roy because Henry the eighth was the first King of Ireland King Henry's affection would promote him any where but his own resolution and spirit commended him to Ireland He was a man whom all Ireland could not rule therefore as the Jest goes he should rule all England Three times had the Irish Rebels made their solemn submission to other Deputies the fourth â—ime now they make it to him throwing down their Girdles Skeans and Caps So great a man was the Lieutenant so great his Master No sooner was he possessed of the Government but he thought of Laws those Ligaments of it The most rational and equitable Laws were those of England but too rational to be imposed on the Brutish â—â—ish therefore our Knight considering as he saith in the Preface of his Constitution that they poor souls could not relish those exact Laws to live or be ruled by them immediately enacted such as agreed with their capacity rather than such were dictated by his ability his Wisdome as all mens must doing what was most fit and convenient rather than what was most exact what they could bear more than what he could do as remembring he had to do with Faeces Romuli rather than Respublica Platonis a rude rather than a reduced people What he could he ordained according to the incomparâ—ble Rule of the English Laws what he could not he established according to his present judgment of the Irish capacity He saw the Kingdome could never be subject to his Masters power while the Church was obedient to the Popes therefore as he perswaded the Nobility to surrender their Estates to his Majesty at London so he compelled the Clergy to make over theirs at Dublin
3. Constant correspondence and observation 4. A happy medley of Debonairness and Complacency Reservedness and Gravity with the first he had taken Princes and with the last Statesmen the one discovers others while the other conceals you 5. Resolution I made often said hâ— as if I would fight when they knew my calling allowed me onely to speak 6. Civility That man said the Prince of Orange is a great bargain who is bought with a bare salvation Fourthly To Privy-Counsellours That excellent caution Always to speak last and be Masters of other strength before they displayed their own This was that rare man that was made for all business so dexterous This was he that was made for all times so complying This was he who lived Doctor of both Laws and died Doctor of both Gospels the Protestant which had the States-mans part of this man and the Popish who had the Christian. Noah had two faces because he was a son of the old world before the flood and a father of the new one after Wotton sure had four faiths who was a Favourite in King Henry's days of the Counsel in King Edward's of the Juncto in Queen Mary's and the second Statesman in Queen Elizabeth's With these two things of this person I shall conclude 1. His refusal of the Archbishoprick of Canterbury which argued his extraordinary humility or wariness His admission of Doctor Parker as Dean of Canterbury to that See which argueth the legality of his calling there being no circumstance with any likelihood omitted by so exquisite a Civilian as Doctor Wotton or forgotten by so great an Anâ—iquary as Doctor Parker Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Wriothesly the first Earl of Southampton THomas Wriothesly Knight of the Garter was born in Barbican Son to William Wriothesly descended from an Heir general of the antient Family of the Dunsteâ—viles King of Arms. He was bred in the University of Cambridge as it appears by Mr. Ascam's Letter unto him writing in the behalf of the University when he was Lord Chancellour Quamobrem Academia cum omni literarum ratione ad te unum conversa cui uni quam universis aliis se chariorâ—m intelligit partim tibi ut alumno suo cum authoritate imperat partim ut patrono summo demisse humiliter supplicat c. His University-Learning prepared him for the Law â—is indefaâ—igable study of the Law promoted him to the Court where for his Honour he was created Baron of Tichbourn Jan. 1. 1543. and â—or his Profit the next year May 3. Lord Chancellour a place he discharged with more Applause than any before him and with as much Integrity as any since him Force he said awed but Iustice governed the World It is given to that Family to be Generous and Resolute This incomparable Person was under a cloud in King Edward's time for being a rigidly-conscientious Papist and his great Grandchild suffered in King Charles his time for being a sincerely honest Protestant Yeâ— so reverenced was the first of this Family by his Adversaries that he was made Earl of Southampton and so honoured was the other by his Enemies that they courted him to their party Integrity hath a Majesty in its full and a Glory in its lowest Estate that is always feared though not always loved No Nobleman understood the Roman Religion better than the first Earl of Southampton and none the Protestant better then the last the Right Honourable and truly Excellent Thomas Earl of Southampton and Treasurer of England His Court he said gave Law to the Kingdom His constant and exact Rules to the Court and his Conscience guided by the Law of the Kingdom to his Rules Affable and acceptable he was as More quick and ready as Wolsey incorrupt as Egerton apprehensive and knowing as Bacon Twice were all Cases depending in Chancery dispatched in Sir Thomas Wriothesly's time 1538. and in Sir Thomas More 's 1532. Truly did he judge intra Cancellos deciding Cases with that Uprightness that he wished a Window to his Actions yea and his Heart too King Philip was not at leasure to hear a poor Womans Cause Then said she cease to be King My Lord over-hearing a servant putting off a Petitioner because his Master was not at leasure takes him up roundly and repliâ—s You had as good say I am not at leasure to be Lord Chancellour Two things he would not have his servants gain by his Livings and his Decrees The first he said weâ—e Gods the second the Kings whom every man he said sold that sold Justice To honest men your places said he are enough to Knaves too much Every Week he had a Schedule of his own Accounts and every Month of his Servants Cato's greatest Treasure was his account-Account-Book of Sicily and my Lord of Southampton's was his Table of the Chancellours place A great Estate was conferred upon him which he took not in his own name to avoid the odium of Sacriledge as great an Inheritance he bought but in others names to escape the malice of Envy He loved a bishop he said to satisfie his Conscience a Lawyer to guide his Judgment a good Family to keep up his Interest and an University to preserve his name Full of Years and Worth he died 1550. at Lincoln-place and was buried at St. Andrews Church in Holborn where his Posterity have a Diocess for their Parish and a Court for their Habitation Observations on the Life of Sir John Fitz-James JOhn Fiâ—z-Iames Knight was born at Redlinch in Somersetshire of Right Antient and Worthy Parentage bâ—ed in the study of our Municipal Laws wherein he proved so great a Proficient that by King Henry the Eighth he was advanced to be Chief Justice of the Kings Bench. There needs no more to be said of his Merit save that King Henry the Eighth preferred him who never used either Dunce or Drone in Church or State but Men of Ability and Activity He sat thirteen years in his place demeaning himself so that he lived and died in the Kings Favour He sat one of the Assistants when Sir Thomas More was arraigned for â—efusing the Oath of Supremacy and was shrewdly put to it to save his own Conscience and not incur the Kings Displeasure For Chancellour Audley supreme Judg in that plaâ—e being loath that the whole burthen of More 's condemnation should lie on his shoulders alone openly in the Court asked the Advice of the Lord Chief Justice Fitz Iames Whether the Indictment were sufficient or no To whom our Judge warily returned My Lords all by St. Gillian which was ever his Oath I must needs confess That if the Act of Parliament be not unlawful then the Indictment is not in my conscience sufficient He died in the Thirteeth Year of King Henry the Eighth and although now there be none left at Redlinch of his Name and Family they flourish still at Lewson in Dorsetshire descended from Alured Fitz-Iames brother to this Judge and
character and commendation of my Lord Bacon the Settling and the Peaceable such as Edward the VI in whose Reign he was advaâ—ced and Queen Elizabeth in whose Reign he was restored It was in pursuance of King Henry's Statute that he cloâ—ed with King Edward's Will For this Clause he pâ—oduced for himself Provided That if the Lady Mary do not keep nor perform such Conditions which shall be limited and appointed as aforesaid that then and from thenceforth for lack of Heirs of the Kings Body and the said Lord Prince lawfully begotten the said Imperiâ—l Crown and other the Premisses shall be come and remain to sucâ— Person and Persons and of such Estate and Estates as the Kings Highness by his Letters Patents sealed under His Great Seal or by His last Will in Writing signed with His Hand shall limiâ— and appoint Isocrates was a man of an excellent Wit but finding himself destitute of countenance gesture and confidence he never durst speak in publick contenting himself to teach even to his decrepit days and commonly saying He taught Rhetorique for a thousand Ryals but would give more tâ—an ten thousand to him that would teach him confidence Tâ—is Marqâ—eâ—s brought up many a Courtier yet had not the face to be One himself until Queen Elizabeth who balanced her Council in point of Religion in the beginning of her Reign aâ— she did her Court in point of Interest throughout threatned him to the Câ—uncil-Board first and then to her Cabinet where none more secret to keep counsel none more faithful to gâ—ve it and more modest to submit A sincere plain direct man noâ— crafty nor involved Observations on the Life of Sir John Cheek SIr Iohn Cheek born over against the Market-Cross in Cambridge became Tuâ—or to King Edward the Sixth and Secretary of State Not â—o meanâ—y descended as Sir Iohn Heyward pretends who writes him The Son of his own Deserts being a Bâ—anch of the Cheeks of Moston in the Isle of Wight where their Estate was â—hree hundred pound a year three hundred years ago and no more within this thiâ—ty years happy in his Father Mr. Peter Cheek whose first tuiâ—ion seasoned him happier in his good Mother that grave Matron whose good counsel Christian charge when he was going to Court setâ—led him and happiest of all in the place of his birth where he fell from his Mothers VVomb to the Muses Lap and learned as soon as he lived being a Scholar sooner than he was a man A German had the care of his younger studies and a Frenchman of his carriage his parâ—s being too large to be confined to the narrowness of English Rules and too sprightly to attend the â—edioâ—sness and creep by the compass of an English method The same day was he and Mr. Ascham admitted to St. Iohns and the same week to Court the one to the Tuition oâ— Edward the sixth the other of Queen Elizabeth there they were both happy in their Master Doctor Metcalf who though he could not as Themistocles said fiddle yet he could make a liâ—tle Colâ—edge a great one and breed Scholars thâ—ugh he was none His advice deterred them from the rough Learning of the Modern Schoolmen and their own Genius led them to the more polite studies of the antient Orators and Historians wherein they profiâ—ed so well that the one was the copious Orator the other the Greek Professor of that University A contest began now between the Introducers of the New and the Defenders of the Old Pronunciation of the Greek the former endeavoured to give each Leâ—ter Vowel and Diphthong its full sound whilst Doctor Caius and others of the Old stamp cried out against his Project and the Promoters of it taxing It â—or novelty and Them for want of experience and affirming Greek it self to be barbarous so clownishly utâ—ered and that neither France Germany nor Italy owned any such Pronunciation Iohn Cheek and Thomas Smith maintained that this was no Innovation but the antient utterance of Greek most clear and most full Chancellour Gardiner then interposed against the Pronunciation and the Authors of it But custom hath since prevailed for the use of the one and the due commendation of the other Sir Iohn Cheek's Authors were Isocrates and Thucydides his Auditors the youngest that came thither for Language and the oldest that heard him for his Discourse and Policy The one preferred him to the ample Provostship of Kings the other to the great tâ—ust of Secretary of State Prince Edward studied not his Book more sedulously than he studied him that his Rules might comply with his Inclination his Lectures with his temper Lectures that were rather Discourses instilled to him Majestically as a Prince than Lessons beaten into him pedantiquely as a School-boy The wise Man would not be debasing his Royal Pupils mind with the nauseated and low crumbs of a Pedant but ennobling it with the free and high Maximes of a States-man sugaring the more austere parts of Learning with the pleasures of Poetry Discourse Apologues and so deceiving the Royal Youth to an improvement before his own years and others comprehension His very Recreations were useful and his Series of lighter exercises for he observed a method in them too a constant study his Table his School his Meat his Discipline the industrious Tutor filling up each space of his time with its suitable instruction it being his Maxime That Time and Observation were the best Masters and Exercise the bâ—st Tutor While others doated over their Rules his Pupils practised them no day passing without his Letters to the King as that Literae meae unum semper habet Argumentum Rex Nobilissime Pater Illustrissime hoc est in omnibus Epistolis ago tâ—bi graâ—ias c. or to the Queen as that Quod non ad te jamdiu scriberoni in causa fuit non negligentia sed studium non â—nim hoc feci ut nunquam omnino scriberem sed accuratius scriberem c. I have two Tutors said King Edward to Cardan Diligence and Moderation Sir Jo. Cheeke and Doctor Coxe So exact an account he gave Prince Edward of his Fathers Kingdome and its Interest that King Henry designed him for Secretary and King Edward made him one Three years he had that place and in that three years did England more service so great his Parts Learning and Religion more kindness such his eminency in both and gave the People more satisfaction such his Integrity and Dexterity than all that went before him and most that came after him He was the first that brought in the use of a Diary and his Pupil the next that practised it His Aphorism it was That a dark and imperfect reflexion upon Affairs floating in the memory was like words dispersed and insignificant whereas a compleat view of them in a Book was like the same words pointed in a period and made significant Much did the Kingdome value him but more the King for being once
Artificial and careless freedome that opened others 2. A natural gravity that shut him up and was more capable of observing their Vertues and escaping their Vices Peter Earl of Savoy came to do his homage to Otho the fourth in a double attire on the one side Cloth of Gold on the other shining Armour the Emperour asked him what meant that Lindsey-Woolsey he answered Sir the attire on the right side is to honoâ—r your Majesty that on the left is to serve you Sir William Peter returns with those Gayeties of carriages on the one hand that might adorn a Court and with those abilities on the other that might support it His first employment was the Charts the Lattin Letters and the Forreign Nâ—gotiation the next was Principal Secretary In which Office Wriothesly was rough and stubborn Paget easie Cecil close Mason plain Smith noble Peter was smooth reserved resolved and yet obliging Both the Laws he was Doctor of and both the Laws he made use of the Civil Law to direct Forreign Negotiations and the other to give light to Domestick Occasions In the Kings absence in France 1554. Craumer and Thorleby are to assist the Queen in matters of Religion the Earl of Hertford in Affairs of War the Lord Parr of Horton and Doctor Peter in the Civil Government whose Maxime it was It is the interest of the Kings of England to be the Arbiters of Christendome Thus much he was to the Queen by Henry the eighth's Deputation and no less to King Edward by his Will A man would wonder how this man made a shift to serve four Princes of such distant Interests as King Henry King Edward Queen Mary Queen Elizabeth untill he recollects the French King who enquired of a wise man how he might govern himself 〈◊〉 his Kingdome the wise man took a fair large sheet of Paper and instead of an infinite number of Precepts which others use to offer upon that subject he onely writ this word Modus A Mean In King Henry's time he observed his Humour in King Edward's he kept to the Law in Queen Mary's he intended wholly Sâ—ate-affairs and in Queen Elizabeth's he was religious his years minding him of death and his death of his faith He moved with the first Movers in most transactions to his apparent danger yet he had motions of his own for his real security Able he was at home and very dexterous abroad particularly at Bulloin The Philosophers exercising their Gifts before an Ambassador he asked one that was silent what he should say of him Report to your King saith he that you found one among the Graecians that know how to hold his tongue Ah said Mounsieur Chatillon we had gained the last 200000 Crowns without Hostages had it not been for the man that said nothing meaning Secretary Peter Neither was he better at keeping his own counsel than at discovering other mensâ— as appeared by the intelligence he had that the Emperour had â—ent ships to transport the Lady Mary into Germany in case the King would not allow her the practice of her Religion though three men knew not that Designe in the German Court whereupon he fetched her two Leez and thence under the notion of preparing for Sea-matters he sent over five thousand pounds to relieve the Protestants Active he was about the Will in compliance with his duty to King Edward but as nimble in his intelligence suitable to his Allegiance to Queen Mary whom he assisted in two Particulars 〈◊〉 In making the Maâ—ch 2. In searching the bottom of Wiat's Insurrection therefore 1. When the Church-lands went against her conscience Sir William Peter must be sent for 2. When the Pope sent another Legate to turn out Pool he must be sent for who advised her to forbid him this Land as she very resolutely did As serviceable was he to Queen Elizabeth till his Age not being able to go through the difficulties and his Conscience being impatient of the severities of those â—â—â—ie and harsh times he retired to Essex where his Estate was great and his Charity greater both which he bequeathed his Son Iohn who was by King Iames made Baron of Writtle in that County Observations on the Life of Cardinal Pool HIs Extraction was so high that it awakened King Henry the Eighth's Jealousies and his Spirit so low that it allayed it When he reflected on his Royal Relation he was enjealousied to hard thoughts of restraint and security when he observed his modest Hopefulness he was obliged to those more mild of Education and Care as more honourable than the other and as safe Religion and Study would enfeeble that spirit to quiet contemplation which more manlike exercises might ennoble for Business and Action It was but mewing him up in a study with hopes of a Mitre and there would be no danger of his ambition to the Crown The Privacies of the School and Colledge made him a stranger to the transactions of Court and he was two follow his Book that he might not understand himself His preferments were competent to content him and yet but mean to expose him Three things concurred to his escape from King Henry's Toyl 1. His Relation's ambition that could not endure he should be wrapped in Black that was born to be clothed in Purple 2. His own Inclination to adde Experience to his Learning 3. The Kings Policy to maintain him abroad who could not safely keep at home No sooner arriveth he at Paris than the Pope caresseth him as a person â—it to promote his Interest The House of York supports him as one that kept up their Claim and the general Discontent crieth him up as one that was now the hope of England and might be its Relief That he might not come short of their Expectation or his own Right his large capacity takes in the Learning of most Univeâ—sities observeth the way of most Nations and keeps correspendence with all eminent men The first of these improved his Learning the second his Experience the third his Converse The Marquess of Exeter the Lord Mountacute Sir Nicholas Carew Sir Edward Nevil Sir Geoffery Poole would have made him a King but to gain him a Crown they loft their own Heads and Pope Iulius made him a Kings Fellow but he was never Head of this Church since he put the Red Hat on this Cardinal The King had him declared for a Traytor in England and he him excommunicated for an Heretiâ—k at Rome His Friends are cut off by the King at home and the Kings Enemies cheâ—ished by â—im abroaâ— But Princes are mortal though their hatred not so For before the Kings deatâ— he would needs be reconciled to Pool and as some thought by him to Rome wherefore he sends to him now in great esteem in Italy desiring his opinion of his late Actions clearly and in few words Glad was Pool of this occasion to dispaâ—ch to him his Book de Vnione Ecâ—lesiarum inveighing against his Supremacy and concluding with an advice
Commons by their Interest who should carry along an indifferent House of Lords by their Resolution When he had served the Queen in Parliament for the settlement of her Kingdom at home he served the Kingdome in an Embassie to Scotland to set up its correspondence abroad The Earl of Leicester aimed at the Queen of England and the Earl of Bedford to divert him and secure Scotland design'd him for the Queen of Scots whom he watched for two things 1. That she should either match with an English Subject or 2. With a soft and weak Forreigner that either the Scots might be in league with us or have no peace at home His last service I finde is a complement when he was sent by the Queen as her Deputy with a font of massie Gold worth 1043 l. to hold King Iames at his Baptism with express command not to acknowledge my Lord Darley as King This his service was as lasting as his life which ended in old Age and Renown He conveyed his Vertue and Honour to the Excellent Francis as he did to the Right Honourable William Earl of Bedford now living Observations on the Life of Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester THe tuition of the Earl of Dorset's Children raised Wolsey travelling with the Duke of Norfolk's raised Gardiner Fox his service in the quality of Secretary made the fiâ—st and his in the same quality made Gardiner There are three kindes of Understanding The one that is advised by its self the second that understandeth when it is informed by another the third that neither is advised by its self nor by the assistance of another If this Doctor failed in the fiâ—st and his own invention he exceeded in the second of making use of others for he was one of them that never heard or read what was not his own His Profession was the Civil Law that guideth forreign Negoâ—iâ—tions His Inclination was that general Policy that manageth them His Eminencies were three 1. His Reservedness Whereby he never did what he aimed at never aimed at what he intended never intended what he said and never said what he thought whereby he carried it so that others should do his business when they opposed it and he should undermine theirs when he seemed to promote it A man that was to be traced like the Fox and read like Hebrew backward if you would know what he did you must observe what he did not 2. His Boldness Authority sometimes meets with those impediments which neither power can overcome nor good fortune divert if Courage and Fortitude break not through and furmount them and the motions of the irascible faculties such as Hope Boldness and Choler being well ordered and conducted by Reason engage those difficulties she encountereth in the execution of her designs Reason discovered him his enterprizes his Will enclined him to them and the noble transports of his regular passions â—et out both with that ardour and vehemencie as bear down obstacles and compass the design A hope he had that never rashly engaged him in desperate underâ—akings an audaciâ—y that precipitated him not weakly into impossibilities and a choler that led him not blindly to inevitable ruines Consideration managing â—he first Discretion and Forefight the second and Reason the third What doth is avail a man to be wise in knowing what is fit to be done prudent to invent means just to appropriate affairs to publick good authorized and happy to cause them to succeed if a Courage guided by Reason accompanied with Prudence â—uled by Discretion animated by a generous Boldness be not diligent quick and pâ—ompt for Execution His nature was generous and constant His Education like that of the Roman Youth among Statesmen manifold and solid His Soul was free and dis-engaged from any particular Design 3. Elâ—quence That added to his Parts what colours do to a Pictureâ— sâ—ate gâ—ace and light Reason is the Oâ—nament of a Man Speech the Interpreter of Reason and Eloquence the grace of Speech wherein the Orator excelleth other men as much as they do other creatures His Wisdom advised his Prudence contrived his Courage resolved and his Eloquence perswaded adding at once gracefulness to his Designs and vigour to his Enterprizes as that wherewith he could satisfie mens Reasons and master their Passions by which he carried them whither he pleased His lively Expreâ—sâ—on animates his Reason his Eloquâ—nce his Expression and his Gesture hiâ— Eloquence whereby he charmed the Senses mollified Hearts incited Affections framed Desires checkâ—d Hopes and exercised a sacred Empire over every man he dealt with These qualities improved with Travel raised the Dâ—ctor to be the Chancellouâ—'s Secretary and the Legantine Courts chief Scribe at home a â—ly Agent in Italy a successful Orator in Germany and Leiger Embassador in France In Italy he with Dâ—ctor Fox havâ—ng the King of France his Agent to second them gained the Popes Commission for hearing of the Cause between King Henry the VIII and Queen Kâ—therine In Germany he undermined the French King and in France the Emperour Upon the poor Pope whom he found not worth 20 l. perplexed between the King of England who had set him at liberty and the King of Spain who had maintained him he wrought so far as to gain a dubious Letter in Cypher to the King and a clear promise to the Cardinal both about the suppression of some Monasteries and the Divorce which the crafâ—y Agent extorted from the fearful man with his Necesse est c. although all this while he palliated this his main business with some impertinent ovâ—rtures abouâ— King Henry the seventh's Canonization None better understanding the just degrees seasons and methods of Affairs than this Doctor Where he spoke one word for his Majesties Divorce he spoke two for the Cardinals Advancement having the French Kings Letter with him to that effeâ—t in omnem eventum In order whereunto he threatned the Pope from Germany and Germany from Rome so that their mutual jealousies forced them to a compliance with his Royal and Sacred Master A great Agent he was in this business while Woolsey's Secretary a greater when the Kingâ— in which capacity he writ they say one Book for the Popâ—'s Supremacie in his Masters Name and another for the Kings in his own He draweth the Kingdom 's Remonstrance against the Pope wherein he hath one shrew'd argument to this purpose those sacra or wayes of Religion that have any thing in them in any nation against the light of nature and the being of humane society were severely animadverted on by the Romans upon this principle that it was to be supposed that Gods Religion should interfere with government which is Gods institution â—nd that way of Religion which hath in woven in it principles that make the Ecclesiasticall power a Competitor with the Civil and the Pope's against the Kingdom He and Doctor Fox are employed to gain the Vote of Cambridge for the Divorce where he brought it from the
by him his Map and his Guide the first whereof discovered to him his more obvious advantages and the second his more close dangers His great Conduct won hâ—m much esteem with those that heard of him and his greater presence more with those that â—aw him Oâ—servable his Civility to Strangers eminent his Bounty to his Followers obliging his Carriage in the Countries he marched through and expeâ—t his Skill in Wars whose end he said was Victory and the end of Victory Nobleness made up of pity and munificence It lost him his estate to redeem himself in France and his life to bear up hiâ— Râ—putation in Berwick Hâ—ving lived to all the great purposes of life but Self-interest he died 1563 that fatal year no less to the publick sorâ—ow of England which he secured than the common joy of Scotland which he awed Then it was said That the same day died the greatest Scholar and the greatest Souldier of the Nobility the right honourable Henry Mannors Eâ—rl of Rutland in his Gown and the honourable Lord Grey in his Armour both as the Qâ—een said of them Worthies that had deserved well of the Commonwealth by their Wisdome Councel Integrity and Courage Two things my Lord always avoided the first To give many Reasons for one thing the heaping of Arguments arguing a neediness in every of the Arguments by its selâ— as if one did not trust any â—f them buâ— fled from one to aâ—oâ—her helping himself still wiâ—h the last The second To breâ—k a nâ—goâ—iation to too many distinct particulâ—rs or to couch it in too compact generals by the first whereof we give the parties we dâ—al with an opportunity to look down to the bottom of our business and by the second to look round to the compass of it Happy are those Souls that command themselves so far that they are equally free to full and half discoveries of themselves always ready and pliable to the present occasion Not much regarded was this gallant spirit when alive but much mâ—ssed when dead we understand what we want better than what we enjoy and the beauty of worthy things is not in the face but the back-side endearing more by their departure than their address Observations on the Life of Edmund Plowden EDmund Plowden was born at Plowden in Shropshire one who â—xcellently deseâ—ved of our Municipal Law in hâ—s learned Writings thereon A plodding and a studious man and no wonder if knowing and able Beams in reflexion are hottest and the Soul becomes wise by looking into its self But see the man in his Epitaph â— Conditur in hoc Tumulo corpus Edmundi Plowden Armigeri Claris ortus Parentibus apud Plowden in Comitatu Salop natus est à pueritia in literarum Studio liberaliter â—st educatus in Provectiore vero aetate Legibus Iurisprudentiae operam dedit Senex jam factus annum aetatis suae agens 67. Mundo Valedicens in Christo Iesu Sancte obdormivit die Sexto Mensis Februar Anno Domini 1585. I have the rather inserted this Epitaph inscribed on his Monument on the North-side of the East-end of the Quire of semple-Church in London because it â—ath â—â—capeâ— but by what câ—sualty I cannot conjecture Masteâ— Stow in his Survey of London We must adde a few words out of the Character Mr. Cambden gives of him Vitae integritate inter homines suae professionis nulli secundum As he was singularly well learned in the Common laws of England whereof he deserved well by wriâ—ing so for integrity of life he was second to none oâ— his profession And how excellent a mâ—dley is made when Honesty and Ability meet in a man of his profession Nor must we forget how he was Tâ—easurer for the honourable Society of the middle-Temple Anno 1572 when their magnificâ—nt Hall was builded he being a great advancer thereof Finding the Coyn embased by Henry the eighth so many ways prejudicial to this State as that which first dishonoured us abroad secondly gave way to the frauds of Coyners at home who exchanged the best Commodities of the land for base moneys and exported the current moneys into Forreign parts and thirdly enhansed the prizes of all things vendible to the great loss of all Stipendiaries He offered 1â— That no man should melt any Metal or export it 2. That the Brass money should be reduced to its just value 3. That it should be bought for good by which silent and just methods that defect of our Government for many years was remedied in few moneths without any noise or what is proper to alterations of this nature discontent The middle Region of the Air is coolest as most distant from the direct beams that warm the highest and the reflexed that heat the lowest the mean man that is as much below the favour of the Court as above the business of the Country was in our Judges opinion the most happy and composed man this being the utmost of a knowing mans wish in England That he were as much out of the reach of contempt as to be above a Constable and as much out of the compass of trouble as to be below a Justice A Mean is the utâ—ost that can be prescribed either of Vertue or Bliss as in ouâ— Actions so in our State Great was the Capacity and good the Inclination of this manâ— large the Furniture and happy the Culture of his Soul grave his meen and stately his Behaviour well-regulated his Affections and allayed his passions well-principled his Mind and well-set his Spirit solâ—d his Observation working and practical his Judgement and as that Roman Heroe was more eminent whose image was missing than all the rest whose Portraictures were set up so this accomplished Gentleman is more observable because he was not a States-man than some of those that were so There is a glory in the obscurity of worthy men who as that Sun which they equal as well in common influence as lustre are most looked on when eclipsed Observations on the Life of Sir Rogeâ— Manwood SIr Roger Manwood born at Sandwich in Kent aâ—tained to such eminency in the Common Law that he was prefeâ—red second Justice of the Common Pleas by Qâ—een Elizabeth which place he dischaâ—ged with so much Ability and Integrity that not long after he was made chief Baron of the Exchequer which Office he most wisely managed to his great commendation full fourteen years to the â—ay of his death Much was he employed in matters of State and was one of the Commissioneâ—s who sate on the tryal of the Quâ—en of Scots He wrote a Book on the Forest-Laws which is highly prized by men of his proâ—ession In vacaâ—ion-time he constantly inhabited at St. Stephens in Canterbury and was bounteously liberal to the poor Inhabitants thereof and so charitable was he that he erected and endowed a fair Freâ—-school at Sandwich dying in the 35 of Queen Elizabeth anno Dom. 1593. Cloaths for necessity warm Cloaths for health cleanly for
Lord of Worcester as no mean Favourite was of the ancient and noble blood of the Beauforts and of the Queens Grandfathers line by the Mother which she could never forget especially where there was a concurrency of old Blood with Fidelity a mixture which ever sorted with the Queens Nature He was first made Master of the horse and then admitted of her Council of State In his Youth part whereof he spent before he came to reside at Court he was a very fine Gentleman and the best Horse-man and Tilter of the Times which were then the manlike and noble recreations of the Court and when years had abated these exercises of honour he grew then to be a faithful and profound Counsellour He was the last Liver of all the Servants of her favour and had the honour to see his renowned Mistress and all of them laid in the places of their rest and for himself after a life of a very noble and remarkable reputation he died in a peaceable Old Age full of Riches and Honour His Fathers temperance reached to 97â— yeâ—râ— of Age because he never eat but one Meal a day and his sparingness attained to 84 because he never eat but of one dish He came to the Queens favour because as her Father so she loved a man he kept in because as her Father too so she loved an able man His manlike Recreations commended him to the Ladies his prudent Atchievements to the Lords He was made master of the horse because active and privy Councellour because wise His mistress excused his Faith which was popisâ— but honoured his Faithfulness which was Roman it being her usual speech that my Lord of Worcester had reconciled what she thought inconsistent a stiff Papist to a good subject His Religion was not pompous but solidâ— not the shew of his life but the comfort of his soul. A great master he was of others affections and greater of his own passions many things displeased nothing angered my Lord of Worcester whose maxime was That he would not be disordered within himself onely because things were out of order without him He had this maxime whence he had his Nature from his prudent Father Sir Charles Somerset the first Earl of Worcester of that name whose temper was so pliable and nature so peaceable that being aâ—ked as it is usually reported of him How he passed so troublesome a Reign as King Henry's so uncertain as King Edward's so fierce as Queen Mary's and so unexpected as Queen Elizabeth's with so quiet so fixed so smooth so resolved and ready a mind and frame answered It was because he understood the Interest of the Kingdome while others observed its Humours His first publick service was to represent the Grandeur of his mistress at this Christening of the Daulphine of France and his last the like at the marrâ—age of the King of Scots whom he honoured with the Garter from his Mistress and advised to beware of Papists from the Council The frame of this noble mans body as it is delineated by Sir W. P. seems suited to the noble use it was designed for The entertaining of a mosâ— pure and active soul but eqâ—ally to the advantage of strength and comeliness befriended with all proportionate Dimensions and a most grave yet obliging Carriage There was a clear sprightfulness in his Complexion but a sâ—d reservedness in his nature both making up that blessed composiâ—ion of a wise and winning man of as great hardship of body as nobleness of spirit Of a quick sight and an accurate Ear a steady observation and ready expression with the Torrent whereof he at once pleased King Iames and amazed King Henry being the most natural Orator in the world Among all which Endowments I had almost forgot his memory that was very faithful to him in things and business though not punctilio's and formalities Great parts he had the range and compass whereof filled the whole circle of generous Learning in that person as it hath done in the following Heroes of that Family to this day Observations on the Life of Sir Henry Killigrew TRavellours report That the place wherein the body of Absalom was buried is still extant at Ierusalem and that it is a solemn custome of Pilgrims passing by it to cast a stone on the place but a well-disposed man can hardly go by the memory of this worthy person without doing grateful homage thereunto in bestowing upon him one or two of our Observations It 's a question sometimes whether Diamond gives more lustre to the Ring it 's set in or the Ring to the Diamond This Gentleman received honour from his Family and gave renown to it Writing is the character of the speech as that is of the mind From Tully whose Orations he could repeat to his dying day he gained an even and apt stile flowing at one and the self-same heighth Tully's Offices a Book which Boys read and men understand was so esteemed of my Lord Burleigh that to his dying day he always carried it about him either in his bosome or his pocket as a compleat peice that like Aristotle's Rhetorick would make both a Scholar and an Honest man Cicero's magnificent Orations against Anthony Catiline and Verres Caesar's great Commentaries that he wrote with the same spirit that he fought flowing Livy grave judicious and stately Tacitus elquent but faithful Curtius brief and rich Salust prudent and brave Xenophon whose person was Themistocles his Companion as his Book was Scipio Affricanus his Pattern in all his Wars ancient and sweet Herodotus sententious and observing Thucidides various and useful Polybius Siculus Halicarnâ—sseus Trogus Orosius Iustine made up our young mans Retinue in all his Travels where as Diodorus the Sicilian writes he sate on the stage of Humane Life observing the great circumstances of places persons times manners occasions c. and was made wise by their example who have trod the path of errour and danger before him To which he added that grave weighty and sweet Plutarch whose Books said Gaza would furnish the world were all others lost Neither was he amazed in the Labyrinth of History but guided by the Clue of Cosmography hanging his Study with Maps and his mind with exact Notices of each place He made in one View a Judgement of the Situation Intâ—rest and Commodities for want whereof many States-men and Souldiers have failed of Nations but to understand the nature of places is but a poor knowledge unless we know how to improve them by Art therefore under the Figures of Triangles Squares Circles and Magnitudes with their terms and bounds he could contrive most tools and instruments most Engines and judge of Fortifications Architecture Ships Wind and Water-works and whatever might make this lower frame of things useful and serviceable to mankinde which severer Studies he relieved with noble and free Poetry-aid once the pleasure and advancement of the Soul made by those higher motions of the minde more active and more laâ—ge
cunning and hated all concealments and pretensions which he had sagicity enough to discover and look through but a spirit too generous to practise it none being more able for yet none more averse to that ciâ—cuâ—locution and contrivance wherewith some men shadow their mâ—in drift and purpose Speech was made to open man to man and not to hide him to promote Commerce and not betray it HOw happy is he born and taught That serveth not anothers will Whose Armour is his honest thought And simple truth his utmost skill Whose passions not his Masters are Whose soul is still prepar'd for death Vntide unto the world by care Of Publick fame or private breath Who envies none that chance doth raise Nor vice hath ever understood How deepest wounds are given by praise Nor Rules of State but Rules of Good Who hath his life from rumours freed Whose conscience is his strong retreatâ— Whose state can neither flatterers feed Nor râ—ine make Oppressors great Who God doth late and early pray More of his grace than gifts to lend And entertains the harmles day With a religious book or friend This man is freed from servile bands Of hope to rise or fear to fall Lord of himself though not of lands And having nothing yet hath all Observations on the Life of Sir John Packington SIr Iohn Packington was a person of no mean Family and of form and feature no way despiseable for he was a brave Gentleman and a very fine courtier and for the time which he stayed there was very high in the Queens grace but he came in and went out and through disassiduity lost the advantage of her favour and death drawing a vail over him utterly deprived him of recovery Had he broughtless to the Court than he did he might have carried away more than he brought for he had a time for it but he was an ill husband of opportunity His handsome features took the most and his neat parts the wisest at Court He could smile Ladies to his service and argue States-men to his designe with equal ease His reason was powerful his beauty more Never was a brave soul more bravely seated Nature bestowed great parts on him education polished him to an admirable frame of prudence and vertue Queen Eliâ—abeth called him Her Tâ—mperance and Leicester His Modesty It is a question to this day whether his resolution took the Souldiers his prudence the Politicians his complyance the Favourites his complaisance the Courtiers his piety the Clergy his integrity and condescention the People or his knowledge the learned most This new Court-star was a nine-days wonder engaging all eyes until it set satisfied with its own glory He came to Court he said as Sâ—lomon did to see its vanity and retired as he did to repent it It was he who said first what Bishop Sanderson urged afterwards That a sound Faith was the best Divinity a good Conscience the best Law and Temperance the best Physick Sir Iohn Packington in Queen Elizabeths time was vertuous and modest and Sir Iohn Packington in King Charles his time loyal and valiant the one did well the other suffered so Greenham was his Favourite Hammon his the one had a competant estate and was contented the other hath a large one and is noble this suppresseth Factions in the kingdome the other composed them in the Court and was called by Courtiers Moderation Westmerland tempted his fidelity and Norfolk his stedfastness but he died in his bed an honest and an happy man wâ—ile one of them goes off tainted on the Sâ—rffold and the other dies a beggâ—r in Flanders Observations on the Lives of the Norrises and Knowles MY Lord Norris had by his Lady an ample Issue which the Queen highly respected for he had six sons all martial brave men of haughty courage and of great experience in the conduct of military affairs Greater was not the Faction between Leicester and Sussex at court than that between the Knowles and the Norrises in the Country both Families of Oxfordshire the one resolute at Greys the other valiant at Rycote the former got great estates at home the latter attained to great honour abroad The Knowles were beloved by the Queen for their own sakes the Norrises for theirs and her own sake the Knowles were of the same blood with her Majesty the Norrises spent theirs for her 1. My Lord Norris died at Court an honest man 2. Sir Francis at Bulloign a good Souldier 3. Sir William at Berwick a brave Governour 4. Sir Thomas at Munster a wise President 5. Sir Maximilian at Bretaign an expert Engineer 6. Maximilian at Groen a renowned Heroe 7. Sir Iohn was a most accomplished General no less eminent for his safe retreats than for his resolute onsets France hath recorded this testimony of him That he brought on his men so warily as one that could bring them off and England this That he brought them off so resolutely as one that durst bring them on His fortune often overthrew his enemy and his wisdome oftner saved his friends His conduct was famous and his Discipline exact His Actions are Presidents and his Orders Laws of War to this day He was bred under Castilion and out-did him Ireland was always possessed but never conquered till Norris came who could lie on the coldest earth swim the deepest Rivers force the straightest Passes find out the most secret corners and tread the softest Bog who could endure any thing but an affront and a Superiour the first whereof upon a repulse at Court saddened his heart as the second upon another Deputies being sent over him broke it Unsuccessful he was with Don Antonio in Spain because he understood not the Country In the Low-Countries he gained experience first and then victory in Ireland he had Connaught for his Grave Mount Norris his Monument and the Letter of Queen Elizabeth to his Mother his Epitapâ— As the first eminent Norris suffered for Anne Bullen the Qu. Mother so the first eminent Knowles suffered with Protestantism her Religion Norris could not rise though he deserved his honour because of Leicester that favoured his Brother Knowles and Essex that envyed him neither could Knowles advance because of Sussex that feared and Cecil that suspected him The Knowles were deserving but modest favoured but humble powerful but quiet rather firm at Court than high allied to the Queen and faithful to the Crown Queen Elizabeth advanced Sir Francis to the Vicechamberlainship treasurership of the houshold Captainship of the Guard and the order of the Garter because she said He was an honest man and King Iames and King Charles raised his Son Sir William to the Earldome of Bambury because he was a serviceable man Honestly faithful was that family to their Mistress that was and providently so were they to their Master that should be Handsome men they were when attending at Court and valiant when called to the Camp Norrises 1. The Norrises are employed in Embassies of War wherein they were
for the shortest way of knowing and teaching things in every profession There was not an expert Souldier or Sea-man but he consulted not a printed or manuscript discourse of Navigation or War but he perused nor were there exacter rules or principles for both services than he drew so contemplative he was that you would think he was not active so active that you would say he was not prudent A great Souldier and yet an excellent Courtier an accomplished Gallant and yet a bookish man a man that seemed born for any thing he undertook his wit brought him to Court and kept him there for there happening a dâ—fference between him and my Lord Grey under whom he served in Ireland which was heard before the Council-Table Rawleigh stated his case with that clearness urged his arguments with that â—vidence and reason offered his Apologies with those pertinent and taking allegations and his Replies with that smartness expressed himself with that flueney and eloquence and managed his carriage and câ—untenance with that discretion that he was first the States-mens observation next her Majesties Favourite and at last her Oracle as who was equally happy in his comprehensive discourses to her of her private interest in every part of her government and in his effectuall Speeches â—o her Subjects in Parliament touching theirs in every part of their duty Two things he observed in his Mistriss 1. That she was penurious in her largesses 2. That she was choice in her Favourites Whence he concluded that there was no good to be done unless he got an estate first and then a reputation To the first we owe his Sea-voyages when his whole fortune was often put up in one shipâ— And to the last his Land-services when all his expectation depended on one action Two Rivals he observed Essex for action Cecil for counsel The one he went under abroad to outvy him the other he complyed with at home to undermine him but wanting strength though not parts to be both their Corrivals he perished because not thought to own humility enough to be their servants Cecill indeed was his friend because Essex was his enemy but he taught him That it was more safe at Court to have many enemies of equall power than one false and ambitious friend that hath attained to the absoluteness of command But this he was often heard to say he did not apprehend before his Genius had dictated it to him as he came in a Boat from the execution of the Earl of Essex which was done at the Tower Yet two wayes I finde him getting up 1. By uncouth projects in Parliament beyond expectation which though they might oblige his Mistriss together with an opinion of his irreligion lost him with the People 2. By extraordinary undertakings in Warre beyond his Commission which though performed to out-do his Generals had forfeited his head to their severity and justice had not his wit complyed with their easiness and goodness It 's a question among the Curiosoes whether his often absence from Court was his prudence or his weakness it being a quodlibet whether that distance was a greater allay to his enemies malice or his Sovereigns love while his forreign actions were not so close at her ear to his advantage as his Adversaries applications to his disparagemtnt Two things I must needs say are wonderful in him 1. The dispatch and industry of the former part of his life 2. The weakness of the latter Touching the first he that shall consider his laborious way of study immers'd in almost infinite reading and observation to which the running over of innumerable books and a vast multitude of men was necessary His Obligations to read not onely common Authors but all Records Schemes and Paper that he could come by His correspondence with Fâ—iends and Strangers his review of his own Papers which he sate close to by Sea and Land that never passed him without three transcriptions his reception of visits whether of civility or business or discourse which were numerous and great devourers of his time his agency for all sortâ— of personâ— his interest with his thrifty Mistriss being most part of his pension in which capacity he set up a kinde of Office of Address his Letters which cost him one day in the week The time lost upon his misfortunes which made it necessary for him often to break his great series and method of undertaking He I say that shall compute and sum up this the particulars whereof are nakedly told without any straining of the truth or flourish of expression must be much to seek how a man of so many actions should write any thing and one of so many writings should do any thing and more how one of so many fatall diversions could keep up a steady minde for those great but exact argumenâ—s that it hath left in the world especially when there was one very difficult particular in all his compâ—sures viz. that none of his Discourses with which his Hâ—story or other Books are embellished passed hiâ—â—xact hand before the most knowing and most learned men in that faculty to which those discouâ—â—â—s belonged had debated them before himâ— who after their departure sâ—mmed up all into those excellent pieces now abroad under his name which I blame not King Iames for envying being the nearest his own though I think not that learned Prince of so low a spirit as out of an impertinent emulation to affect Sir Walter Rawleigh the less for the great repute that followed him because of his pen which being more dangerous than his Sword I wonder that wise Prince indulged him especially since that Master Hâ—mpden a little before the Wars was at the charge of transcribing 3452 sheets of his Manuscripts as the Amanuensis himself told me who had his clâ—se chamber his fire and candle with an Attendant to deliver him the Originals and take his Copies as fast as he could wâ—ite them 2. To the second viz. the weakness of the last part of his life 1. Tâ—ere was noâ— a greater reach in that advice of his to the Queen when some were for attacqâ—ing Spain one way and some another to cut off its commerce with the Indies than there was shoâ—tness of spirit in truâ—â—ing the most hopeful part of that expedition to Sir Iâ—hn Burroughs when he suâ—k undâ—r the mâ—st disastrous himself Yet 2. That he when Capâ—â—in of the Guard Warden of the Cinqâ—e-ports Govâ—rnour of Virginia a place of his own discovery prefeâ—ments enough to satisfie a regular spirit should stand on termâ—s with King Iames against the Law of the Land the Genius of the Nation the resolution of the Nobility and Reason iâ—â—elf that knoweth there is no cautions that hold Princes but their interest and nature was a greater infirmity But 3. That he upon the Kings frown for his foâ—mer indiscretion upon him and Cobham should engage upon so shallow a Treason so improbable to hurt others or benefit themselves that if ever folly was
pleasure to those that looked on it than the other did service to those that employed it His meen deserving preferment from the favour of a Soveraign and his parts gaining it from his justice Fortune did him not so much wrong in his mean Birth as he did himself right by great merit so worthy a Prince's service and a Courts favour He read and saw what others did but not with others apprehensions his judgment of things being not common nor his observations low flat or vulgar but such as became a breast now furnishing it self for business and for government There was an ancient custom to celebrate the Anniversary of the King's Coronation with all the Shews of Magnificence and joy which the Art or Affections of the People could invent and because we are esteemed the Warlik'st Nation in the whole world to continue that just regulation we declined all those effeminacies which are so predominant in other Courts and absolutely addicted our selves to such Martial exercises as are nothing less pleasing and delightful than the other and yet fit and prepare men more for the real use of Arms and acquisition of glory Here our Knights praise came to my Lord of Carlisle's notice who first designed him a Commander but finding his Genius more courtly than Martial more learned than active recommended him to his Majesties softer services where none more obliging to the People by his industry and interest at Court none more serviceable to his Majesty by the good name he gained in the Countrey So careful was he of publick content that from five to nine his Chamber was open to all Comers where you would find him with the one hand making himself ready with the other receiving Letters and in all this hurry of Business giving the most orderly clear and satisfactory dispatches of any Statesman at that time From nine to one he attended his Master to whom he had as easie access as he gave to his People Two things set him up 1. A fair respect from his Master upon all occasions and as fair a treatment of the People He had his distinct Classis of Affairs and his distinct Officers for those Classis The order and method whereof incredibly advanced his dispatch and eased his burden which took up his day so that there remained but some hours he stole from night and sleep for his beloved and dear Studies and King Iames said he was the hardest Student in White-Hall and therefore he did not alwayes trouble his Master with business but sometimes please him with discourse If Fortune had been as kind to him as Nature greater Employments had been at once his honour and his business But from all his services and performances he derived no other advantage than the acting of them and at his death he left no other wealth behind him but that of a high reputation never arriving at those enjoyments that enhance our Cares not having time to withdraw himself from those cares that take away the relish of our enjoyments Observations on the Life of Sir Fulke Grevil SIr Fulk Grevil Son to Sir Fulke Grevil the elder of Becham Court in Warwick-shire descended from VVilloughby Lord Brook and Admiral to Hen. 7. was bred first in the University of Cambridge He came to the Court back'd with a full and fair Estate and Queen Elizabeth loved such substantial Courtiers as could plentifully subsist of themselves He was a good Scholar loving much to employ and sometimes to advance learned men to whom worthy Bishop Ovâ—ral chiefly owed his Preferment and Mr. Camâ—den by his own confession feasted largely of his Liberality His studies were most in Poetry and History as his Works do witness His stile conceived by some to be swelling is allowed lofty and full by others King Iames created him Baron Brook of Beauchamp-Court as descended from the sole Daughter and Heir of Edward Willoughby last Lord Brook in the Reign of King Henry the 7th His sad death or murther rather happened on this occasion His discontented servant conceiving his deserts not soon or well enough rewarded wounded him mortally and then to save the Law the labour killed himself verifyâ—ng the observation that he may when he pleaseth be master of another mans life who contemneth his own He lyeth buried in Warwick Church under a Monument of black and white Marble whereon he is stiled Servant to Queen Elizabeth Counsellour to King Iames and Friend to Sir Philip Sidney Though a Favourite he courts Ladies rather than Honour and pursued his study rather than his ambition being more contemplative than active Others ministred to Queen Elizabeths government this Gentleman to her Recreation and Pleasures He came to Court when all men should young and stayed there until he was old his fortune being as smooth as his spirit and the Queens favour as lasting as his merit He bred up Statesmen but was none Sir William Pickering was like to have gained the Queens Bed by studying Sir Philip Sidney had her Heart for writing and Sir Fulke Grevil had her favour for both one great argument for his worth was his respect of the worth of others desiring to be known to posterity under no other notions than of Shakespear's and Ben Iohnson's Master Chancellor Egerton's Patron Bishop Overal's Lord and Sir Philip Sidney's Friend His soul had the peace of a great fortune joyned to a greater mind His worth commended him to Majesty his affableness indeared him to the popularity his mornings were devoted to his Books his afternoons to his knowing Friends his nights to his debonair Acquaintance He was the Queens Counsellor for persons as others were for matters and things Sweet was his disposition winning his converse fluent his discourse obliging his looks gestures and expressions publick his spirit and large his soul his Genius prompted him to prepare himself for Domestick services by Forreign employments but the great Mistriss of her Subjects affections and duties forbad it and his own prudence checked it So dear was he to the Queen that when his horses were shipped at Dover for the Netherlands her Mandate by Sir Edward Dier stopped him When he went over with Walsingham he was remanded and when with Leicester he was checked He was the exact image of action and quiet happily united in him seldom well divided in any He would have acted his great principles of Government yet he could be confined only to write them He could sit down with some Poetick and polite Characters of Vertue when he was debarred the real â—â—ercises of it He had kept Essex his head on had not that unhappy man's Parasites made the Earl deaf to his â—â—â—nsels and his Enemies removed him from his pâ—â—â—â—nce under a pretence of guarding the Seas against his Enemies while his Kinsman was betrayed by his Friends Observations on the Life of Sir Robert Cecil SIr Robert Cecil since Earl of Salisbury was the Heir of the Lord Burleigh's prudence the inheritour of his favour and by
his Majesties estate better but he was sure he would have kept it from being worse And it was the consequence of his great worth all men applauded him Fulk Lord Brook after the perusal of his H. 7 th returned it him with these words Commend me to my Lord and bid him take care to get good Paper and Ink for the work is Incomparable Dr. Collins the Kings Professor of Divinity at Cambridge said when he had read his advancement of Learning that he found himself in a case to begin his Studies again as having lost all his former time Forreigners crossing the Seas to see him here and carrying his Picture at length that he might be seen abroad An Italian writes to the Lord Cavendish since Earl of Devonshire thus concerning the Lord Bacon I will expect the new Essays of my Lord Chancellor Bacon as also his History with a great deal of desire and whatsoever else he shall compose but in particular of his History I promise my self a thing perfect and singular especially King Henry the 7 th where he may exercise the talent of his Divine understanding This Lord is more and more known and his Books here more and more delighted in and those men that have more than ordinary knowledge in humane affairs esteem him one of the most capable spirits of this age Observations on the Life of the Lord John Digby JOhn Lord Digby of Sherborn and Earl of Bristol was a younger Son of an ancient Family long flourishing at Koleshull To pass by his younger years all Children being alike in their Coats when he had only an Annuity of fifty pounds per annum only his youth gave pregnant hopes of that Eminency which his mature age did produce He did ken the Embassador's craft as well as any in his age employed by King Iames in several Services to Foreign Princes recited in his Patent as the main motives of the Honours conferred upon him But his managing the matchless Match with Spain was his Master-piece wherein a good I mean a great number of State-Traverses were used on both sides Where if he dealt in Generalities and did not press Particulars we may ghess the reason of it from that expression oâ— his I will take care to have my Instructions persâ—â—â— and will pursue them punctually If he held Affairs in suspence that it might not come to a War on our part it may be he did so with more regard to his Mr. King Iames his inclination than his own apprehension If he said That howsoever the business went he would make his fortune thereby it rather argued his weakness that he said so his sufficiency that he could do so than his unfaithfulness that he did so This is certain that he chose rather to come home and suffer the utmost displeasure of the King of England than stay in Spain and enjoy the highest favour of the King of Spain He did indeed intercede for some indulgence to the Papists but it was because otherwise he could do no good for the Protestants But whatever was at the bottom of his Actions there was resolution and nobleness a top especially in these actions 1 Being carried from Village to Village after the King of Spain without that regard due to his person or place he expressed himself so generously that the Spanish Courtiers trembled and the King declared That he would not interrupt his Pleasures with business at Lerma for any Embassador in the world but the English nor for any English Embassador but Don Iuan. 2. When impure Scioppius upon his Libel against K. Iames and Sir Humphrey Bennet's complaint to the Arch-Duke against him fled to Madrid my Lord observing that it was impossible to have Justice done against him from the Catholique King because of the Jesuites puts his Cousin George Digby upon cutting him which he did over his Nose and Mouth wherewith he offended so that he carried the mark of his Blasphemy to his Grave 3. When he was extraordinary Embassador in Germany upon his return by Heidelbergh observing that Count Mansfield's Army upon whom depended the fortune of the Palsgrave was like to disband for want of money he pawned all his Plate and Jewels to buoy up that sinking Cause for that time That his spirit was thus great abroad was his honour but that it was too great at home was his unhappiness for he engaged in a fatal Contrast with the Duke of Buckingham that hazarded both their safeties had not this Lord feared the Duke's power as the Duke this Lord's policy and so at last it became a drawn Battel betwixt them yet so that this Earl lost the love of King Charles living many years in his disfavour But such as are in a Court-cloud have commonly the Countreys Sun-shine and this Peer during his Eclipse was very popular with most of the Nation It is seldom seen if a Favourite once broken at Court sets up again for himself the hap rather than happiness of this Lord the King graciously reflecting on him at the beginning of the Long Parliament as one best able to give him the safest Councel in those dangerous times But how he incensed the Parliament so far as to be excepted pardon I neither do know nor dare enquire Sure I am that after the surrender of Exeter he went over into France where he met with that due respect in Foreign which he missed in his Native Countrey The worst I wish such who causelesly suspect him of Popish inclinations saith my Author is that I may hear from them but half so many strong Arguments for the Protestant Religion as I heard from him who was to his commendation a cordial Champion for the Church of England This Family hath been much talked of this last forty years though all that I can say of it is this that great spirits large parts high honours penned with narrow Estates seldom bless their owners within moderation or the places they live in with peace Observations on the Life of the Lord Spencer HEe was the fifth Knight of his Family in an immediate succession well allied and extracted being descended from the Spencers Earls of Gloucester and Winchester In the first year of the Reign of King Iames being a moneyed man he was created Baron of Wormeleiton in the County of Warwick He had such a ready and quick Wit that once speaking in Parliament of the valour of their English Ancestors in defending the Liberty of the Nation returned this Answer to the Earl of Arundel who said unto him Your Ancestors were then keeping of Sheep If they kept Sheep yours were then plotting of Treason But both of them were at present confined but to the Lord Spencer the Upper-House ordered Reparations who was first and causelesly provoked This Lord was also he who in the first of King Iames was sent with Sir William Dithick principal King of Arms to Frederick Duke of Wirtenbergh elected into the Order of the Garter to present and invest him with the
bold as sure either by carrying the Cause to oblige the people to themselves or by suffering for it to enrage them against the Government that Sir R. Weston made it his business to take off the one and my Lord of Canterbury the other which they did with such success that as my Lord Wentworth became a great Favourite so the Lord Savile was an eminent Counsellor only finding that his young Neighbour had got the start of him he kept to one of his popular Principles always viz. a restless impetuosity towards Papists against whom he made himself famous 1. For a Disputation procured by him in Drury-Lane whither he brought Bishop Vsher under the notion of a Countrey-Parson when the Jesuites cryed There was more Learning in that Parson than in all the men in England 2. For a project offered by him in Parliament For when they taking advantage of King Charls his wants profeâ—ed to maintain five thousand men to serve his Majesty in Ireland and a proportion of Ships to secure him in England on condition of the free exercise of their Religion Sir Iohn interposed That if the King were pleased but to call on the Recusants to pay Thirds legally due to the Crown it would prove a way more effectual and less offensive to raise a mass of money It being but just that they who were so rich and free to purchase new Priviledges should first pay their old Penalties When I read of a Lord Savile going privately to Scotland 1639. subscribing to a Petition with oâ—her moderate Lords as they called them containing the very sense of the saction insomuch that it is observed the City-Petition and theirs were couched in the same words yet going to Oxford and after all being so turbulent there that his Majesty was fain to send him beyond Sea where his Majesty writes with his own hand He doubts he will rather exchange his villany than end it I am almost of that wise mans mind that there were no less than 17 particular Designs set on foot by the promotion of the late Troubles whereof though most yet not all were carried on in Westminster or to enforce something more solid that a King should say as the Italian doth If my Subject deceives me once God forgive him If a second time God forgive me and the rather because it 's fatal for Majesty to err twice Observations on the Life of Bishop Williams A Strong constitution made his pâ—rts a strict education improved them unwearied was his industry unexpressible his capacity He never saw the book of worth he read not he never forgot what he read he never loâ—â— the use of what he remembred Every thing he heard or saw was his own and what was his own he knew how to use to the utmost His extraction being Gentile his Soul large and noble his presence and carriage comely and stately his learning copious his judgement stayed his apprehension clear and searching his expression lively and effectual his elocution flowing and majestick his Proctorship when he gave the Lord Chancellor Egerton so much satisfaction in treating the Spanish Ambassador at an Act in Cambridge that thenceforward he resolved on his preferment 1612. discovered him a person above his place and his Lectures to his Pupils above his preferment Bishop Vaughan first admitteth him to his Family and then to his bosom there his strong Sermons his exact government under my Lord his plentiful observation his numerous acquaintance made him my Lord Chancellor Egerton's friend rather than his servant his familiar rather than his Chaplain Never was there a more communicative Master to instruct than my Lord Elsemâ—re never a more capable Scholar to learn than Dr. Williams who had instilled to him all necessary State-maxims while his old Master lived and had bequeathed to him four excellent Books when his Master was dead These four books he presented to K. Iames the very same time that he offered himself to the Duke of Buckingham The excellent Prince observed him as much for the first gift as the noble Duke did for the second the King and Duke made him their own who they saw had made that excellent Book his Willing was King Iames to advance Clergy-men and glad to meet with men capable of Advancemeâ—t His two Sermons at Court made him Dean of Westminster his exact state of the Earl of Somerset's Case made him capable of and the KING'S inclination to â—rust his Conscience in a Divines hand setled him in the Lord Keepers place actually only for three years to please the people who were offended with his years now but 34. and his calling a Divine but designedly for ever to serve his Majesty The Lawyers despised him at first but the Judges admired him at last and one of them said That never any man apprehended a Case so clearly took in all the Law Reason and other Circumstances more punctually recollected the various Debates more faithfully summed it up more compendiously and concluded more judiciously and discreetly For many of them might have read more than he but none digested what they had read more solidly none disposed of their reading more methodically none therefore commanded it more readily He demurred several Orders as that of my Lord Chancellor's pardon the Earl Marshal's Patent c. to let his Majesty see his judgement yet passed them to let him see his obedience He would question the Dukes Order sometimes discreetly to let him know he understood himself yet he would yield handsomly to let him see he understood him and indeed he had the admirable faculty of making every one of his actions carry prudence in the performance Necessary it was for one of his years and place to keep his distance and avoid contempt yet fatal was it to him to do so and incur envy Well understood he the interest of all his places resolutely he maintained them What saith he shall the Liberties of Westminster be infringed when the chief Favourite is Steward and the Lord Keeper Dean and I the contemptible man that must be trampled on When he was in trouble what passion what insinuation what condescention hath he at command when petitioned to how quickly he looked through men and business how exactly would he judge and how resolutely conclude without an immediate intimation from his Majesty or the Duke Many eyes were upon him and as many eyes were kept by him upon others being very watchful on all occasions to accommodate all Emergencies and meet with all humors alwayes keeping men in dependance on the Duke according to this intimation of his Cabal 287. Let him hold it but by your Lordships favour not his own power A good way had he been constant to it the neglect whereof undid him for designing the promotion of Doctor Price to the Arch-Bishoprick of Armagh he moved it to the Duke who told him it was disposed of to Doctor Vsher Whereupon he went his own way to advance that man and overthrew himself For
and the Duke of Buckingham employed Embassadour to Venice where he negleâ—ted his own interest to attend his Majesties employment the reason that he dyed rich onely in the just conscience of his worth and the repute of his merk Coming from Venice he was appointed Lieger of France and designed Secretary of State had not Death prevented him at Paris being accomplished with all qualifications requisite for publick Employment Learning Languages Experience Abilities and what not King CHARLES hearing of his death commanded his Corps to be decently brought from Paris into England allowing the expences of his Funeral and enjoyning his neerest Relations to attend the performance thereof These accordingly met his body at Bulloign in France and saw it solemnly conveyed into England where it was interred in the Chappel of the Castle of Dover His REX PLATONICUS or his Latiâ—e account of King Iames his six dayes stay at Oxford speaks his Learning and his Instructions for Travel his experience He observing his Predecessors failings retrenching his expences satisfying himself with a repute of nobleness while in his way to preferment and others with the expectation of his bounty When preferred he seemed liberal that he might not be despised abroad but he was neer that he might not be odious at home His prodigality it may be might have satisfied the curiosity of a few Strangers while he incurred the displeasure of all his friends Besides a close wary man may be bountiful at his pleasure but the munificent cannot be so easily sparing for if his occasions or fortunes check his profuseness all his gallantry is in his first action of good husbandry Caution in expences if it be a vice is one of those saith the Italian that never disinherited a man Nay of the two saith Machiavel It 's more discretion to hold the style of miserable which begets an infamy without hatred than to desire that of Liberal which being maintained by necessitous courses procures an infamy with hatred As never did Statesman a brave action that seemed illiberal so never did he any such that was not so Yet four things our Knight spared no cost in I. Intelligence He could afford he said a golden key for the Pope's Cabinet 2. Books his Study was his Estate 3. In watching the Spaniards saying The Indies will pay for this And 4. Entertaining knowing men often applauding the Emperour's maxim That had rather go fifty miles to hear a wise man than five to see a fair City And this he was eminent for that he saw nothing remarkable in Foreign parts that he applyed not to his own Countrey Sir Henry Wotton being not more curious in picking up small Rarities to pleasure particular persons than Sir Isaac Wake was industrious to observe any useful invention that might improve the publick good Observations on the Life of the Lord Cottington SIr Francis Coâ—tington being bred when a youth under Sir Stafford lived so long in Spain till he made the garb and gravity of that Nation become his and become him too He raised himself by his natural strength without any artificial advantage having his parts above his learning his Experience above his Parts his Industry above his Experience and some will say his Success above all So that at last he became Chancellor of the Exchequer Baron of Hanworth in Middlesex Constable of the Tower 1640. and upon the resignation of Doctor Inxon Lord Treasurer of England gaining also a very great Estate Very reserved he was in his temper and very slow in his proceedings sticking to some private Principles in both and aiming at certain rules in all things a temper that indeared him as much to his Master Prince Charls his person as his integrity did to his service Nor to his service only but to that of the whole Nation in the Merchandize whereof he was well versed to the trade whereof he was very serviceable many ways but eminently in that he negotiated that the Spanish Treasure which was used to be sent to Flanders by the way of Genoa might be sent in English Bottoms which exceedingly enriched England for the time and had it continued had made her the greatest Bank and Mart for Gold and Silver of any Common-wealth in Europe Indeed the advantage of his Education the different Nations and Factions that he had to deal with the direct opposition of Enemies the treachery of Friends the contracts of Statesmen the variety and force of Experience from the distinct knowledge of the natures of the people of several Countreys of their chief Ministers of State with their Intrigues of government made him so expert that the Earl of Bristol and Sir Walter Aston could do nothing without him and he only could finish that Treaty which they had for many years spun out Men take several ways to the ends they propose themselves Some that of confidence others that of respect and cauâ—ion c. when indeed the main business is to suit our selves with our own times which this Lord did and no man better until looking into the depths of the late Faction he declared at the Council-Table 1639. that they aimed at the ruine of Church and State And viewing the state of the Kingdom he advised That Leagues might be made abroad and that in this inevitable necessity all ways to raise money should be used that were lawful Wherefore he was one of those few excluded the Indempnity by the Faction and had the honour to dye banished for the best Cause and Master in those foreign Countries where he suffered as nobly for the Crown of England in his later dayes as he had acted honourably for it in his former When he never came off better than in satisfying the Spaniards about toleration reducing the whole of that affair to these two Maximes 1. That Consciences were not to be forced but to be won and reduced by the evidence of Truth with the aid of Reason and in the use of all good means of Instruction and perswasion 2. That the causes of Consciences wherein they excâ—ed their bounds and grow to matter of faction lose their nature and that Soveraign Princes ought distinctly to punish those foul practices though overlaid with the fairer preâ—ences of Conscience and Religion One of his Maxims for Treaty I think remarkable viz. That Kingdoms are more subject to fear than hope And that it 's safer working upom them by a power that may awe the one than by advaâ—tages that may excite the other Since it 's aâ—other rule that States have no affections but interest and that all kindness and civility in those cases are but oversight and weakness Another of his rules for Life I judge useful viz. That since no man is absolute in all points and since men are more naturally enclined out of envy to observe mens infirmities than out of ingenuity to acknowledge their merit He discovereth his abilities most that least discovereth himself To which I may add another viz. That it is not onely
only discovered many false Writings which were past but also deterred dishonest Chearers from attempting the like for the future He made good use of Bishop Usher's Interest while he was there as appears by the excellent Speech that the Bishop made for the King's supply Being recalled into England he lived honourably in the County aforesaid until by a sad casualty he broke his Leg on a Stand in Theobald's Park and soon after dyed thereof He married the sole Daughter and Heir of Sir Lawrence Tanfield Chief Baron of the Exchequer by whom he had a fair Estate in Oxfordshire His death happened Anno Dom. 1620. being Father to the most accomplish-Statesman 2. Lucius Lord Falkland the wildness of whose youth was an argument of the quickness of his riper years He that hath a spirit to be unruly before the use of his reason hath mettle to be active afterwards Quick-silver if fixed is incomparable besides that the adventures contrivances secrets confidence trust compliance with opportunity and the other sallies of young Gallants prepare them more serious undertakings as they did this noble Lord great in his Gown greater in his Buffe able with his Sword abler with his Pen a knowing Statesman a learned Scholar and a stout man One instance of that excess in learning and other great perfections which portended ruine to this Nation in their opinion who write that all Extreams whether of Vertue or Vice are ominous especially that unquiet thing call'd Learning whose 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth its own period and that of the Empire it flourisheth in a too universally dilated Learning being not faithful to the settlements either of Policy or Religion it being no less ready to discover blemishes in the one than Incongruities in the other Sophisters saith my smart Author like the Countrey of the Switz being as able upon the least advantage proposed to engage on the wrong side as on the right As to go no further this excellent Personage being among the Demagogues that had been for twelve years silenced and were now to play the prize in Parliament and shew their little twit-twat but tedious faculties of speaking makes the bitterest Invective against the Governours and government of the Church that ever was penned in English â— which though designed by him it 's thought only to allay the fury of the Faction by some compliance with it carried things beyond the moderation and decency of that Assembly which he made too hot for himself retyring in cooler thoughts as many more that like Brutus could not lay the stormâ— they had raised to Oxford where his Pen was more honourably imployed in deâ—ecting the fundamental Error of Rome their infallibility and countermining the main props of Westminster their Hypocrisie this as Secretary the other as a Student in both laying open the little preâ—ensions whereby poor people were insnared in their Civil and Religious Liberty Much was the gall always in his Ink and very sharp his Pen but even flowing and full his Style such as became him whose Learning was not an unsetled mass of reading that whirled up and down in his head but fixed Observations that tempered with solid prudence and experience were the steady Maxims of his Soul fitted for all times and occasions he having sate as some Noble-mens sons used to do formerly in the House of Lords behind the Chair of State from his very child-hood and owning a large heart capable of making that universal inspection into things that much becomes a Gentleman being a Master in any thing he discoursed of Insomuch that his general knowledge husbanded by his wit and set off by his Meine and Carriage attracted many to come as far to see him as he professed he would go to see Mr. Daillee which rendred him no less necessary than admirable at Court until his Curiosity engaging him at Newbery he was strangely slain there dying as he lived till then between his Friends and Enemies to the King 's great grief who valued him because he understood his parts and services in the Treaty at Oxford where he was eminent for two things the timing of Propositions and concealing of Inclinations though no man so passionate for his dedesign as never enduring that hope that holds resolution so long in suspence but ever allaying it with that fear that most commonly adviseth the best by supposing the worst His usual saying was I pity unlearned Gentlemen in a rainy day 3. He was Father first to Henry Lord Falkland whose quick and extraordinary parts and notable spirit performed much and promised more having a great command in the Countrey where he was Lord-Lieutenant a general respect in the house where he was Member a great esteem at Court with his Majesty and his Royal Highness the Duke of York where he was both wit and wisdom When there was the first opportunity offered to honest men to act he laid hold of it and got in spight of all opposition to a thing called a Parliament By same token that when some urged he had not sowed his wilde Oats he is said to reply If I have not I may sow them in the House where there are Geese enough to pick them up And when Sir F. N. should tell him he was a little too wilde for so grave a service he is reported to reply Alas I am wilde and my Father was so before me and I am no Bastard as c. In which Contention he out-did the most active Demagogues at their own weapon speaking When Major Huntington and his followers were for the long Parliament Sir F. N. L. S. c. were for the secluded Members My Lord carried all the County for an absolute free Parliament which he lived to see and act in so successfully that he was voted generally higher in trusts and services had he not been cut off in the prime of his years as much missed when dead as beloved when living A great instance of what a strict Education for no man was harder bred a general Converse and a noble Temper can arrive to and what an Orator can do in a Democracy where the Affections of many is to be wrought upon rather than the judgment of few to be convinced A golden tongue falling under a subtle head under such a constitution hath great influence upon the whole Nation Observations on the Life of Sir James Ley Earl of Marlborough SIr Iames Ley son of Henry Ley Esquire one of great Ancestry who saith my Author on his own cost with his men valiantly served King Henry the Eighth at the siege of Boloin being his Fathers sixth son and so in probability barred of his inheritance endeavoured to make himself an Heir by his Education applying his Book in Brazeâ—-Nose-Colledge and afterwards studying the Laws of the Land in Lincolus-Inne wherein such his proficiency King Iames made him Lord Chief-Justice in Ireland Here he practised the charge King Iames gave him at his going over yea what his own tender Conscience gave
the Churches publick peace required or its indulgence to promote Christians permitted The Uniformity he pressed was not more advantageous to Religion which must of necessity have been propagated when Controversies had been turned to devotion than it was necessary for the State which cannot be secure as long as there is a mark of distinction under which all Male contents may shrowd themselves a note of separation whereby the Factions may reckon their parties and estimate their strength and a way open to popularity to the ambition of any whose interest or desperateness shall adventure to make himself head of so great a pâ—rty He was a person of so great abilities which are the designations of nature to dignity and command that they raised him from low beginnings to the highest Office the Protestant profession acknowledgeth in the Church and he was equal to it His learning appeared eminent in his Book against Fisher and his piety illustrious in his Diary He was of so publick a spirit that both the Church and Sâ—ate have lasting Monuments of the virtuous use he made of his Princes favour at his admittance into wâ—ich he dedicated all the future Emoluments of it to the glory of God and the good of men by a projection of many noble Works most of which he accomplished and had finished the rest had not the fate of the Nation checked the current of his Design and cut off the course of his Life He was not contented by himself only to serve his Generation for so he might appear more greedy of fame than desirous of the universal benefit but he endeavoured to render all others as heroick if they aimed at a capacity for his friendship For I have heard it from his Eâ—emies no great man was admitted to a confidence and respect with him unless â—he made Address by some act that was for the common good or for the ornament and gloâ—y of the Protestant faith Learned men had not a better Friend nor Learning itself a greater Advancer He searched all the Libraries of Asia and â—rom several parts of the world purchased all the Ornaments and helps of Literature â—e could that the English Church might have if possible by his care as many advantages for knowledge as almost all Europe did contribute to the grandeur of that of Rome The outward splendour of the Clergy was not more his care than their honour by a grave and pious conversation He would put them into a power of doing more good but was sore against their Vices and Vanities He scorned a private Treasure and his friends were rather relieved than raised to any greatness by him In his election of friends he was determined to the good and wise and such as had both parts and desires to profit The Church had his closest embraces if otherwise it happened their frauds not his choice deserved the blame Both Papists and Sectâ—ries were equally his Enemies one party feared and the other hated his Vertues Some censured his zeal for Discipline above the patience of the Times but his greatest unhappiness was that he lived in a factious Age and corrupt State and under such a Prince whose Verâ—ues not admitting an immediate approach for Accusations was to be wounded with those iâ— did caress But when Faction and Malice are worn out by time Posterity shall engrave him in the Albâ— of the most excellent Prelacy the most indulgent Fathers of the Churchâ— and the most injured Martyrs His blood was accompanyed with some tears that fell from those Eyes that expected a pleasure at his death and it had been followed with Miseries and the present Fears of Ruine exacted all the stock of Grief for other objects His very enemy Sir Edward Deering would confess That let him dye when he would St. Pauls would be his Monument and his Book against Fishes his Epitaph Observations on the Life of the Lord Keeper Littleton SIr Edward Littleton the eldest son of Sir Edward Littleton of Mounslow in Shropshire one of the Justices of the Marches and Chief-Justice of North-Wales was bred in Christ-Church in Oxford where he proceeded Batchellor of Arts and afterwards was one of the Justices of North-Wales Recorder of London and Sollicitor to King Charles From these places he was preferred to be Chief-Justice of the Common-Pleas and made Privy-Councellor thence advanced to be Lord-Keeper and Baron of Mounslow the place of his Nativity He died in Oxford and was buried in Christs-Church where he was bred Being a Member of the Parliament 1628. he had the management of the high presumption charged on the Duke of Buckingham about King Iames his death wherein he behaved himself so discreetly between the jealousiâ— of the People and the honour of the Court that Sir Iohn Finch would say He was the only man for taking things by a Right handle And Sir Edward Cook that He was a well-poized and weighed man His very name carried an Hereditary credit with it much plaineth out the way to all great Actions his virtue being authorizing by his nobility and his undertakings ennobled by his birth gained that esteem which meaner men attain not without a large compass of time and experience worthless Nobility and ignoble worth lye under equal disadvantage Neither was his extract so great as his parts his judgement being clear and piercing his Learning various and useful his skill in the Maxims of our Government the fundamental Laws of his Monarchy with its Statutes and Customs singular his experience long and observing his integrity unblemished and unbyassed his Eloquence powerful and majestick and all befitting a Statesman and a Lord-Keeper set off with a resolved Loyalty that would perform the harshest service his Master could enjoyn him while he stayed at London and follow the hardest fortune he could be in when at York whither he went with the great Seal he knew made to stamp Royal Commissions rather than authorize Rebellious Ordinances At Oxford he did good service during the Session of Parliament by Accommodations there and as good during their recess by his interest in the Country Observations on the Life of the Marquess Hamilton A Preacher being at a loss what to say of a party deceased concluâ—â—d his Sermon with these words There is one good quality in this man viz. That he was born and that God made him And another viz. That he is dead and we must speak noâ—hing but good of the dead I may say of this Noble-man that I have two reasons to speak well of himâ— 1. That good King Charles honoured him 3 and 2. That his wicked Subjects beheaded him otherwise I must leave these Queries as I finde them Quaere 1. Why should Duke Hamilton post without leave into Scotland when the Parliament was discontented and the Duke of Buckingham murthered in England Qu. 2. Why should Ramsey the Dukes Messenger to the King of Sweden play the Embassadour in Germany and take place of all other persons there Qu. 3. What design was that