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
and by these to live our selves and exaâ—ine all other pretensions whatever there being no part of Religion but what hath Virtue and Grace as its Foundation and Design A way that would keep men from Atheism under a sense oâ— Religion from endless controversies in the solid pâ—actice of Virtue from fatal Divisions in peace and concord Let us said he establish and fix these Catholique and Vniversal Notions and they will settle our Souls and not hinder us to believe whatsoever is faithfully taught by the Church or submit to what is authoritatively enjoyned by the State So that whether tâ—e Eastern Western Northern or Southern Teachers c. and particularly whether my Lord of Rochester or Luther c. be in the Right we Laicks may so build upon those Catholicks and infallible Guards of Religion as whatsoever superstructures of Faith be raised these Foundations may support them This Discourse opened a Door to the Reformation intended and shut out all those prejudices it might lie under from the State and Religion oâ— Fore-Fathers c. Hereupon Sir William is invited to Court and when the air and softness of that place suited noâ— his more severe and stirring Temper he is promoted to Authority first by Land and then by Sea where none was more watchful in the Warâ— between Us and France none so active in those between Us and Scotland With thirty six Ships he gave Law to the narrow Seas as Poynz with forty more did to the Main There was not a serviceable man belonging to him but he knew by name It being his Rule That none fought well but those thet did it for a fortune While he watched the Coast of France he discovered twelve French Ships in which the Archbishop of Glasco and divers others of Quality were whom the Duke of Albany had sent before him into Scotland these he chased to a ship-wrack and leaving a Squadron to shut up the French Havens went along the French Coasts landing in divers places wasting the Country till at last he came to Treport a Town strongly situated and garisoned with three thousand men which yet he took and finding it not his Interest to dwell there pillaged and burned it going off with Success and Glory Insomuch that King Henry joyned him with the Bishop of Bath in the Commission for the Treaty at Paris where such Articles were agreed on touching a Marriage with the Princess Mary and the joynt Embassie to the Emperour as spake Sir William as well seen in the state of Europe as any particular Person in the seven Kingdoms of it whereof one was That they should unite by all the Ties of Alliance Friendship and Interest against the growing Power of Austria so far as that there should be no League Correspondence War or Peace wherin they both should not be concerned From his Forein Negotiations he returns to his home-services and the next view we have of him is in the Parliament bringing up with Sir Anthony Fitz-Herbert a Bill against the Cardinal who wiâ—hed then as Philip Duke of Burgundy did that with Alexander he had Died young 1. For encroaching upon his Sovereigns power by his Legantine Authority 2. For treating between the Pope and the King of France without his Master's privity and consent as likewise between Himself and the Duke of Ferâ—ara 3. For joyning Himself with his Majesty saying The King and I. 4. For swearing his Houshold-servants only to himself 5. For speaking with the King when infected with the Pox pretending it was only an Imposthume 6. For giving by prevention divers Benefices away as Legate 7. For receiving Embassadors before they came to the King As also for opening all the Kings Letters and taking an account of all Espials concealing what he pleased 8. For carrying things with an high hand in the Privy Council 9. For transporting Grain and sending advertisements of the Kings Affairs abroad 10. For taxing or alienating Religious mens lands to the great decay of hospitality and charity 11. For controuling the Nobility and engrossing all Causes in his Iurisdiction 12. For taking all ordinary Iurisdiction from them by prevention and seizing their Estates as be did all other Ecclesiastical persons upon their death 13. For perswading the Pope by indirect practices to suppress Monasteries 14. For passing Iudgments without hearing and reversing such Iudgments as had duly passed 15 For suspending the Popes pardons untill he was â—ee'd 16. For turning out his old Tenants 17. For his general encroachments upon the Rights of Religious Houses and the encroachments of Courts of Iustice. 18. For saying to the Pope in order to the obtaining of a Legantine power to the indelible shame of the Church of England That the Clergy of England were given in reprobum sensum 19. For embezling the Goods of the most wealthy Prelates that died in his time 20. For bringing off his Servants from the Law against extortion at York 21. For dividing the Nobility 22. For keeping as great state at Court and exercising as great authority in the Country for purveyance c. as the King 23. For forbidding petitions and purveyances within his Iurisdictions 24. For engrossing all Copy holds within his power to his Lemans Procurers c. 25. For altering the Market-prices set under â—His Majesties Hand and Seal 26. For impressing his Hat under the King's Crown in the Coyn at York 27. For hindering the due course intended by visiting the Vniversities to suppress heresies 28. For disposing of mens Estates and Proprieties at his pleasure This Bill was aggravated most effectually by three most pinching considerations Viz. That the King's Honour was by him diminished That the state of the Realm was by him decayed and discontented That the course of Justice was by him obstructed A great Undertaking this To bring down this lofty Prelate whom his Master created the * King 's Fellow and his own pride made his Superiour But as Wise as Great if we regard the five Politick circumstances 1. The Queen was engaged 2. The People were oppressed 3. The King was needy and covetous 4. The Nobility were kept under 5. The Clergy were harrassed And all by this proud man And at that juncture is he convened before the Parliament and charged home by this excellent Knight who never left him till he was humbled as Justice Fitz-Herbert did not his servants until they were reformed Neither did the Pope escape him abroad better than the Cardinal at home For his next action we find is a Declaration drawn by him Io. Fits-Warren Tho Audley and Others to Pope Clement the Seventh expostulating his Delays and conjuring his Dispatch in the Business of the King's Marriage Very serviceable he was to his Master in time of Peace more in time of War where he said as the great General did that he never saw fear but upon the back of his enemies and particularly â—t the Insurrection 1536. where he cut off the Rebels Passes distressed their Arms and when they
their feet again His familiarity and the easie access to him made him popular his pliant temper kept him a Favourite until he died in the full favour of his Prince though as Cardinal Pool observed Theâ— who were highest in the Kings favour had their heads nearest danger He had a becoming Bluntness not unlike his Masters which we call Free-heartedness in Courtiers Conscience and Christian simplicity in Clergy-men Valour in Souldiers He died anno 1544. and was buried at Windsor much beloved and lamented of all for his Bounty Humility Valour and all Noble Vertues since the heat of his Youth was tamed by his reduced Age whose two Sons Henry and Charles died within twelve hours one of the other of the sweating sickness at Cambridge 1550. He knowing that learning hath no enemy but ignorance did suspect always the want of it in those men who derided the habit of it in others like the Fox in the Fable who having lost his tayle by mischance perswaded others to cut theirs as a burthen But he liked well the Phylosophers division of men into three Ranks some who knew good and were willing to teach others these he said were like Gods among men others who though they knew not much yet were willing to learn these he said were like men among Beasts and some who knew not good and yet dispised such as should teach them these he esteemed as Beasts among men The most miserable men he esteemed them who running their head into a bush of confident ignorance suppose that none see their weakness because they are not willing to take notâ—ce it of themselves 1. A Calm Greatness is next the happiness of Heaven Give me the man that by a fair and calm course is rising to an higher state yet content with his pâ—esent fortune 2. Integrity out-lasts Power and Plainness survives Policy An honest heart keeps the head on the shoulders a Noble and clear Vertue is lasting 3. It 's likeness that makes the True-love-knot of friendship When a Prince finds another of his own disposition what is it but the same soul in a divided body what finds he but himself inter-mutually transposed And Nature that makes us love our selves makes us with the same reason love those that are like us for this is a Friend a more sacred Name than a Brother 4. He that hath a mind contentedly good enjoyeth in it boundless possessions He is great indeed that is great in a brave soul. Vitam quae faciunt beatiorem Iucundissime Martialis haec sunt Resâ— non parta Labore â—sed relicta Non ingratus Ager focus perennis Lis nunquam toga rara mens quieta Vires Ingenuae salubre Corpus Prudens simplicitas pares amici Convictus facilis sine arte Mensa Nox non ebria sed soluta curis Non tristis torus attamen pudicus Somnus qui faciat breves tenebras Quod sis esse velis nihilque malis Summum ne metuas diem nec optes Observations on Thomas Cranmer Lord Archbishop of Canterbury CRanmer had a Noble Blood quickning and raising his spirits as he had an indefatigable industry to improve it He was a Gentleman born in Arselecton in Nottinghamshire and a Noble-man brâ—d in Iesus-Colledg in Cambridg His Ancestors were no less eminent at Cranmers-hall in Lincolnshire than he was at Lambeth in Surrey They came in with the Conquest as one Cranmer a French Ambassadour in Henry the eighths time at the Archbishops Table made it evident and he with the Reformation His Education was as Gentile as his Birth only his mild spirit meeting with a severe Master his memory was weakened and his spiritfulness allayed but the austerity of the School was sweetned with the exercises of the Country which his Father indulged him when he was young and he indulged himself when aged handling his great Horse as nimbly his Bow and Net as dexterously as any man in his family His Marriage withdrew him from the Colledge and consequent Church-preferment as the Kings did him from the Church it self He whose marriage forbid him a Fellowship in Iesus-Colledge had a Lecture in Buckingham-House for his Parts and Reputation where at once he prepared others for publick Employments and himself also He lived as soberly at the Dolphine-Tavern with his Wife whatever the Papists have surmized as he did studiously at Buckingham-house with his Scholars His Name was so famous that Wolsey was not more solicitous to transplant him as an Ornament to Oxford then Fisher was to retain him in Cambridg where he was eminent for the Arts moâ—e for Divinity which when as one of the three Censors he examined Candidates he said he expected not in the difficult trifles of Lumbard but in the sacred sense of Scriptures the ancient Doctrine of Fathers the grave Canons of Councils the solid Politeness of the Greek and Hebrew Learning and which he lived as well as he taught in his sober temperance his mild meekness so placable so courteous that to offend him was the way to ingratiate with him his discreet moderation his grave resolution equally above the frowns and smiles of fortune Thus qualified he was by a Pâ—ovidence commended to his Majesty for there being a Plague in Cambridge as there was all over England Dr. Cranmer retired to Waltham with two of his Pupils the sons of one Mr. Cressy where upon the Kings Progress thither he met with his Chaplain and Almoner Dr. Fox afterwards Bishop of Hereford who lodging with him at Mr. Cressy's discoursed the Kings Divorce Cranmer conceived that the speediest course were to prove the unlawfulness of the Maâ—ch by Scripture whence it would follow that the Pope at first had no power to dispense therewith and that thâ— Universities of Chriâ—tendâ—m would sooner and truer decide the case than the Courâ— oâ— Rome This passage Fox reports to the King who well pleased thereat professeth that this man had the Sow by the right Ear Glad was the King to see him indeed he had a comely Person and a pleasing Countenance more to hear him inlarge himself on the former Subject That it was above the Popes pâ—wer to dispense with Gods Word in the Kings Case What he said to the King he was sent to make it good to the Pope whither invested with the Aâ—ch-Deaconry of Taunton â— he went with Thomas Bullein Earl of Wiltshire whose fiâ—st Address to the Pope was to present a Book of Cranmers proving Gods Law indispensible with by the Pope â— the Author is preferred to the great Title of Supreme Poenitentiary and the Treatise is promised a Consideration and Debate But the Pope delaying according to Cranmer's Advice ten Universities declaring against him the Embassador returns to England and the Dispuâ—ant goes to Vienna where in Osâ—anders House whose Kinswoman he had married he confirmed those that wavered satisfied those that doubted and won those that contradicted in King Henry's Cause But he served not King Henry more faithfully in Germany than he provided
our welfare it self Opinion governs the World Princes with their Majesty may be oâ—t envied and haâ—ed without it they are always scorned and contemned Circumstances are often more than the main and shadows are not always shadows Outward Esteem to a great Person is as skin to Fruit which though a thin cover preserveth it King Henry's Person and State did England more Right in a Year than his Predecessors Arms in an Age while they onely impressed a resolution in the Neighbours he a reverence As the Reason of man corrâ—cting of his sense about the mâ—gnitude and distance oâ— heavenly bodies is an argument that he hath an Inorganical Immaterial Impassible and Immortal soul so this Gentlemans Conscience often reflecting upon his policy about the Circumstances of many of his actions was an argument that he was â—uled by holy serious and heavenly Principles One effect whereof was that he desired rather the admonishing paines of a lingring death than the favourable ease of a quick one he reckoning it not an effect of cruelty but a design of mercy that he should dye so ut sentiat se mori and he looked on nothing as so great a snare to his thoughts as the opinion of Origen and some otheâ—s called merciful Doctors who did indeavour to possess the Church with their opinion of an universal restitution of all Creatures to their pristine Estate after sufficient purgation or any thing more a temptation to other mens souls than the Blasphemy of some making God the Author of good and evil so much worse than the Manichees or Marcionites as they held it not of their good God whom they called Light but of their bad God whom they called Darkness As Princes govern the People so Reason of State the Princes Spain at that time would command the Sea to keep us from the Indies and our Religion to keep us from a Settlement France suspected our Neighbourhood and engaged Scotland the Pope undermined our Designs and obliged the French Sir Anthony at Rome in respectful terms and under Protestation that his Majesty intended no contempt of the See Apostolick or Holy Church intimated his Masters Appeal to the next General Council lawfully assembled exhibiting also the Authentick Instruments of the same and the Archbishop of Canterbury's at the Consistory where though the Pope made forty French Cardinals yet our Agent and his money made twelve English and taught Francis to assume the power of disposing Monasteries and Benefices as King Henry had done advising him to inform his Subjects clearly of his proceedings and unite with the Princes of the Reformation taking his Parliament and People along with him and by their advice cutting off the Appeals to and Revenues of Rome by visitations c. with a Praemunire together with the Oath of Supremacy and the publication of the prohibited Degrees of Marriages He added in his Expresses That his Majesty should by disguised Envoys divide between the Princes and the Empire The next sight we have of him is in Scotland the French Kings passage to England as he calls it Where in joynt Commission with the Earl of Southampton and the Bishop of Durham he with his variety of Instructions gained time until the French King was embroyled at home the season of Action was over there and the Duke of Norfolk ready to force that with a War which could not be gained by Treaty Fortune is like the Market where many times if you can stay a little the Price will fall The ripeness and unripeness of the Occasion must be well weighed Watch the â—eginning of an Action and then speed Two â—hings make a compleat Polititian Secresie in Councel and Celerity in Execution But our Knights Prudence was not a heavy Wariness or a dull caution as appears by his preferment at Court where he is Master of the Horse and his service in the North where he and the Comptroller Sir Anthony Gage are in the head of 10000 men In both these places his excellence was more in chusing his Officers and Followers than in acting himself His servants were modest and sober troubling him with nothing but his business and expecting no higher conditions than countenance protection and recommendation and his Retainers peaceable reserved close plain and hopeful the deserving Souldier and the promising were seen often at his gate not in throngs to avoid popularity Equal was his favour that none might be insolent and none discontented yet so diâ—creetly dispensed as made the Preferred faithful and the Expectants officious To be ruled by one is soft and obnoxious by many troublesome to be advised by few as he was is safe because as he said in some things out of his element the Vale best discovereth the Hill Although he understood not the main matter of War yet he knew many of its falls and incidents his prudence being as able to lay a stratagem as others experience was to embattail an Army Sir Thomas Wharton Warden of the Marches he commands with 300 men behind an Ambush whither he draws the rash Scots and overthroweth them more with the surprize than his power taking the Lord Admiral Maxwel c. who was committed to his custody and putting that King to so deep a melancholy that he died upon it His death suggests new counsels and Sir Anthony watcheth in Scotland to gain hiâ— Daughter for our Pâ—ince or at least to prevent the French whom Sir Wilâ—iam Paget watcheth there as Sir Ralph Sadler did in Rome and Sir Iohn Wallâ—p at Calais and when that Kings design was discovered we find our Knight with Charles Duke of Suffolk Lieutenant-General Henry Fitz-Alan Earl of Arundel Lord General Will. Paulet Lord St. Iohn Stephen Bishop of Winchester with a rich and strong Army expecting the King before Montrevil whâ—ch they took with Boulogn and forcing the French to a Peace and Submission that secured England and setled Europe Three things facilitate all things 1. Knowledg 2. Temper 3. Time Knowledge our Knight had either of his own or others whom he commanded in what ever he went about laying the ground of matters always down in writing and debating them with his friends before he declared himself in Council A temperance he had that kept him out of the reach of others and brought others within his Time he took always driving never being driven by his business which is rather a huddle than a performance when in haste there was something that all admired and which was more something that all were pleased with in this mans action The times were dark his carriage so too the Waves were boysterous but he the solid Rock or the well-guided Ship that could go with the Tide He mastered his own passion and others too and both by Time and Opportunity therefore he died with that peace the State wanted and with that universal repute the States-men of those troublesome times enjoyed not By King Henry's Will he got a Legacy of 300 l. for his former Service and the
open to the spleen and advantage of his Enemies He was yet a wise man and a brave Coâ—rtier but rougâ— and participaâ—ing more of active than sedentary motions as being in his Constellation destinated for Arms. He was sent Lord-Deputy into Ireland where he did the Queen very great and many Seâ—vices Being out of envy accused of High Treason and against the â—ueens will and consent condemned he died suddenly in the Tower He was Englands professed Friend and Sir Christopher Hattons professed Enemy He fell because he would stand alone In the English Court at that time he that held not by Leicesters and Burleighs favour must yield to their frowns What gâ—ound he gained in Forreign merits as the Sea he lost in Domestick Interests The most deserving Râ—cessâ—s and serviceable absence from Courts is incompatible with the way of interest and favour Hiâ— boysterous carriage rather removed than preferred him to Ireland where he was to his cost what he would have been to his advantage chief in Command and first in Counciâ— His spirit was too great to be ruled and his Interest too little to sway He was so like a Son of Henry the eighth that he would not be Qâ—ueen Elizabeths suâ—jâ—ct but Hattons sly smoothness undermined his opâ—n roughness the one dancing at Court with more success than the other fought in Ireland He was born to enjoy rather thâ—n make a Fortune and to command rather then stoop for respect Boldness indeed is as necessary for a Souldier as the Action for an Orator and is a prevailing quality over weak men at all times and wise men at their weak times yet it begins well but continueth not closing always with the wiser sorts scorns and the vulgars â—aughter Sir Iohn Perrot was better at Counsel than Complement and better at Execution than Counsel None woâ—se to command first on his own head none better to be second and under the direction of others He could not advise because he looked not round on his dangers he could not execute because he saw them not His alliance to his Soveraign commended him at first to her favour and gave him up at last to her jâ—alousie being too near to be modest and too bold to be trusted and the more service he performed he was thereby onely the more dangerous and withal unhappy his Successes onely puffing up his humor and his Victories ripening his ambition to those fatal Sallies against the Qâ—eens honour and Government that had cost him his life had he not saved it with those very Rants he lost himself by for when he had out of an innocent confidence of his cause and a haughty conceit of hiâ— Extraction exasperated his Noble Jâ—ry to his Condemnation he had no more to say for himself than Gods death will the Queen suâ—ser her Brother to be offered up as a sacrifice to the envy of my frisking Adversaries On which words the Queen refused to sign the Warrant for his Eâ—ecution though pressed to it from Reason and Interest saying They were all Knaves that condemned him It 's observed of him that the Surplusage of his services in Ireland abaâ—ed the merit of â—hem and that it was his oversight to have done too much there His morâ—al words were those in the grear Chamber of Dublin when the Qâ—een sent him some respectful Letters after her Expostulatory ones with an intimation of the Spaniards Design Lo now saith he she is ready to piss her self for fear of the Spaniard I am again one of her white Boys A great Birth and a great Minde aâ—e câ—ushed in Commonwealths and waâ—ched in Kâ—ngâ—omes They who are to tall too stand too stubâ—orn to bow are but too fit to break Râ—ssling Spirits â—aise â—hemselves at the settlement of Governmâ—nts but fall after iâ— being but unruly Wavâ—s to a stâ—ady Rock breaking themsâ—lves on that solid Constitution they would break Few aimed at Favourites as Sir Iohn did at the Lord Chancâ—llor but their Arrows fell on their own heads Soveraignty being alwayes struck through prime Councellours and Majesty through its chief Ministeâ—s Sir Iohn Perrot no sooner claâ—hed with Hatton â—han he lost the Queenâ— and ever since he reflected on his Dancing he lost his own footing and never stood on his legs Observations on the life of Sir Francis Walsingham HE was a Gentleman at first of a good houseâ— but of a better Education and from the University travelled for the rest of his Learning He was the bâ—st Linguist of the times but knew best how to use his own tongue whereby he came to be employed in the chiefâ—st Affairs of State He was sent Ambassadour into France and stayed there a Leiger long in the heat of the Civil Wars At his return he was taken Principal Secretary and was one of the great â—nginâ—s of State and of the times high in the Queens favour and a watchful servant over the â—afety of his Mistress He â—cted the same part in the Courts of France aboâ—â— that Match that Gundamor if I be not mistaken saith Sir Robert Naunton did in the Court of England about the Spanish His apprehension waâ— quick and his Judgement solid his â—ead was so strong that he could look into the depth of men and business and dive into the Whirlpools of State Dexterous he was in finding a secret close in keeping it Much he had got by Study more by Travelâ— which enlarged and actuated his thoughts Ceciâ— bred him his Agent as he bred hundreds Hiâ— Converse was insinuating and reseâ—ved He saw every man and none saw him His spirit was aâ— publick as his parts and it was his fiâ—st Maxime Knowledge is never too dear yet as Debonnair as he was prudent and as obliging to the soâ—ter but prâ—â—dominant parâ—s of the woâ—lâ— as he was serviceable to the moâ—e severe and no less Dexterous to work on humouâ—s than to convince Reason He would say he must obseâ—ve the joynts and flexures of Affairs and so could do more with a Story than others could with a Harangue He always surprized business and preferred motions in the heaâ— of other diversions and if he must debate it he would hear all and with the advantage of aforegoing speeches that either cautioned or confirmed his resolutions he carried all before him in conclusion beyond reply He oâ—t-did the Jesuites in their own bowe and over-reached them in their own equivocation and mental reservationâ— never setling a Lye but warily drawing out and discovering truth As the close Room sucketh in most Air â—o this wary man got most intelligence being most of our Papists Confessour before their death as they had been their Brethrens before their Treason He said what another writ That an habit of secrecy is policy and vertue To him mens faces spake as much as their tongues and their countenances were Indexes of their hearts He would so beset men with Questions and draw them on and pick it out of them by piece-meals that they discovered themselves whether
of Shrewsbury where saith my Author at the same time a man may smile at the simplicity and sigh at the barbarousness thereof Sum Talboti pro occidere inimicos meâ—s the beâ—t Latine that Lord and perchance his Chaplain too in that Age could afford The case was much altered here where this Lords Grandchild was at once the chiefest * Councellour and the most eminent Scholar of his Age. It 's a reverend thing to see any ancient piece standing against time much more to see an ancient Family standing against Fortune Certainly Princes that have able men of their Nobility shall finde ease in employing them and a better â—lide into their business For people naturally bend to them as born in some sort to command Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Challâ—ner THis Gentlemans birth in London made him quick his Education in Cambridge knowing and his travail abroaâ—â—expert In Henry the eighth's time he reserved Charles the fifth in the expedition of Algier where being ship-wracked after he had swum till his strength and arms faâ—led â—im at the length catching hold of a Cable with his teeth he escaped not without the loss of some of his teeth We are consecrated by dangers to services and we know not what we can do until we have seen all we can fear In Edward the sixth's Reign he behaved himself so manly at Muscleborough that the Protector honoured him with a Knighthood and his Lady with a Jewel the delicate and valiant man at once pleasing Mars and his Venus too The first week of Queen Elizabeths Reign he is designed an Embassadour of honour to the Emperour such his port and carriage and the second year her Leiger for business in Spain such his trust and abilities The first he performed not with more Gallantry than he did the second with policy bearing up King Philips expectation of the match with England for three years effectually until he had done the Queens business abroad and she had done her own at home In Spain he equally divided his time between the Scholar and the States-man his recreation and his business for he refreshed his more careful time with a pure and learned Verse de rep Anglorum instauranda in five Books whilst as he writes in the preface to that Book he lived Hieme infurno aestate in Horreo i. e. Wintered in a Stove and Summered in a Barn He understood the Concerns of this estate well and those of his own better it being an usual saying engraven on all his Plates and Actions Frugality is the left hand of Fortune and Diligence the right Anthony Brown Viscount Mountacute urged with much Zeal and many Arguments the Danger and Dishonour of revolting off from the Catholick and Mother-Church Sir Thomas Challener with more Eloquence enlarged on the just Cause for which we deceded from the Errours of Rome the true Authority by which we deceded from the Usurpation of Rome and the Moderation in what we deceded from the Superstition of Rome When the Spanish Embassadour urged that some Catholicks might with the Queens leave remain in Sâ—ain he answered him in a large Declaration That though the instance seemed a matter of no great moment yet seeing the Parties concerned would not receive so much advantage by the licenâ—e as the Commonwealth would damage by the President it was neither fit for the King of Spain to urge or for the Queen of England to grant He was very impatient of Injuries pressing his return home when his Coffers were searched but admonished by his Mistress That an Embassadour must take all things in good part that hath not a direct tendency to the Princes dishonour or his Countries danger His death was as honourable as his life Sir William Cecil being chief Mourner at his Funeral St. Pauls containing his Grave and he leaving a hopeful Son that should bring up future Princes as he had served the present being as worthy a Tutor to the hopeful Prince Henry as his Father had been a faithful Servant to the renowned Queen Elizabeth Observations on the Life of Sir Edward Waterhouse SIr Edward Waterhousâ— was born at Helmstodbury Hartfordshire of an ancient and worshipful Family deriving their descent lineally from Sir Gilbert Waterhouse of Kyrton in Low-Lindsey in the County oâ— Lincolâ— â— in the time of King Henry the third As for our Sir Edward his Parents were Iohn Waterhouse Esquire a man of much fidelity and sageness Auditor many years to King Henry the eighth of whom he obtained after a great Entertainment for him in his house the grant of a weekly Market for the Town of Helmsted Margaret Turner of the ancient House of Blunts-Hall in Suffolk and Cannons in Hertfordshire The King at his departure honoured the children of the said Iohn Waterhouse being brought before him with his praise and encouragement gave a Benjamins portion of Dignation to this Edward foretelling by his Royal Augury that he would be the Crown of them all and a man of great honour and wisdome fit for the service of Princes It pleased God afterwards to second the word of the King so that the sprouts of his hopeful youth onâ—ly pointed at the growth and greatness of his honourable Age. For being but twelve years old he went to Oxford where for some years he glistered in the Oratorick and Poetick sphere until he addicted himself to conversation and observance of State-â—ffairs wherein his great proficiency commended him to the favour of three principal Patrons One was Walter Devereux Eâ—rl of Essex who made him his bosome-friend and the said Earl lying on his death-bed took his leave of him with many kisses Oh my Ned Oh my Ned said he Farewel thou art the faithfullest and friendliest Gentleman that ever I kâ—ow In testimony of his true affection to the dead Father in his living Son this Gentleman is thought to have penned that most judicious and elegant Epistle recorded in Holinshed's History pag. 1266. and presented it to the young Earl conjuring him by the Cogent Arguments of Example and Rule to patrizare His other Patron was â—ir Henry Sidney so often Lord Deputy of Ireland whereby he became incorporated into the familiarity of his Son Sir Philip Sidney between whom and Sir Edward there was so great friendliness that they were never better pleased than when in one anothers companies or when they corresponded each with other And we finde after the death of that worthy Knight that he was a close-concerned Mourner at his Obsequies as appeareth at large in the printed representation of his funeral Solemnity His third Patron was â—â—r Iohn Perrot Deputy â—lso of Ireland who so valued his council that in State affairs he would do nothing without him So great his Employment betwixt State and State that he crossed the Seas thirty seven times until deservedly at last he came into a port of honour wherein he sundry years anchored and found safe Harbour For he receiving the honour of Knighthood was
so impetuous as to transcend the bounds of Obedience but upon the overflowing of a general Oppression Observations on the Life of Sir Nicholas Throgmorton SIr Nicholas Throgmorton fourth son of Sir George Throgmorton of Coughton in Warwickshire was bread beyond the Seas where he attained to great experience Under Queen Mary he was in Guild-hall arraigned for Treason in coâ—pliance with Wiat and by his own wary pleading and the Juries upright Verdict hardly escaped Queen Elizabeth employed him her Leiger a long time first in France then in Scotland finding him a most able minister of state yet got he no great wealth and no wonder being ever of the opposite party to Burleigh Lord Treasurer Chamberlain of the Exchequer and Chief Butler of England were his highest Preferments I say Chief Butler which Office like an empty-covered Cup pretended to some State but afforded no considerable profit He died at supper with eating of sallats not without suspicion of poyson the rather because it happâ—ned in the house of one no mean Arâ—ist in that faculty R Earl of Leicester His deaâ—h as it was sudden was seasonable for him and his whose active others will call it turâ—ulent spiâ—it had brought him unto such trouble as might have cost hâ—m at least the loss of his personal Estate He died in the 57 year of his Age Febr. 12. 15â—0 and lieth buried in the South-side of the Chanceâ— of St. Martin Cree-church London A stons and a wise man that saw through pretences and could look beyond dangers His skill in Heraldâ—y appears in his grim Arguments against the Kiâ—g of France in â—ight of his Qâ—een of Scots Usurping of the Arms of England and his experâ—ence in History in his pâ—â—emptory Dâ—clarations of thâ— Queen of Englands Title in the right of her â—welve Predecessors to tâ—ose of France But his policy much moâ—e bâ— putting Moâ—tmorency the great Enemy of the Guizes upon perswading his Master out of the humour of wearing those Arms with this Argument That it was below the Arms of Fâ—ance to be quartered with those of England those being comprehensive of these and all other of his Majesties Dominions An Argument more suitable to that Pâ—ince his ambition than convincing to his Râ—ason Wise men speak rather what is most fit than what is most rational not what demonstrates but what perswades his and takes But being endangâ—red in his person affronted in his Retinue and served with nothing at his Table but what had the Arms of England quartered with those of France he dealt underhand witâ— the Eâ—rl of Northumberland to understand the scope the Reformed propounded to themselves their means to compass what they aimed at and if at any time they were assisted upon what terms a League might be concluded between the two Kingdomes The Advices collected from all his Observations he sent to the Queen were these 1. That she should not rest in dull Counsels of what is lawful but proceed to quick Resolutions of what is safe 2. That to prevent is the policy of all Nations and to be powerful of ours England is never peaceable but in Arâ—â— 3. That how close soever they managed their Affairs it was a Maxime That France can neither be poor nor abstain from War three years together Francis Earl of Bedford bore the state of the French Embassy and Sir Nicholas the burden who gave dayly Directions to Sir Thomas Challoneâ— in Spain Sir Henry Killigrew in Germany and Sir Thomas Randolph and Siâ— Peter Mewtas in Scotland to the two first to enjealous the Princes of those Countries and to the last to unite the Nobility of Scotland he in the mean time suffering himself to be taken prisoner by the Protestants at the battle of Dreux that he might with less suspition impart secret Counsels to them and receive as secret Advices from them until discovering their lightness and unconstancy they secured him as a person too cunning for the whole Faction and too skilful in raising Hurley-burleys and Commotions When the young Queen of Scots would needs marry the young Lord Darley he told her that was long to be deliberated on which was to be done but once And when that would not do he advised 1. That an Army should appear upon the borders 2. That the Ecclâ—siastâ—cal Laws should be in force against Papists 3. That Hereford should be secured and 4. That the Lord Dudley should be advanced But the Queen being married to the Lord Darley an easie and good-natured man whom Quâ—en Elizabeth wished to her bed next Leicester and affronted by her subjects Throgmorton disputes the Queâ—nâ— Authority and non-accountableness to any against Buchanans damned Dialogue of the Peoples power over Kings until â—melling their designe of revolt to the French and cruelty upon the Queen he perswaded her to resigne her Government saying That her Resignation extorted in Prison which is a just fear was utterly void The next news we hear of this busie man was in his two Advisoes to the Queen of Scots friends 1. To clap up Cecil whom they might then he said deal with 2. To proclaim the Qâ—een of Sexs succession and in the Train he laid to serve Leicester in the Duke of Norfolks ruine But he was too familiar with that Politicians privacy to live long anno 1570 he died A man saith Mr. Cambden of great experience passing sharp wit and singular diliâ—gence an over-curious fancy and a too nimble activity like your too fine Silks or Linen and more for shew than service never blâ—ssing their Owners but when allayed with something of the heavy and the wary nor rising but when stayed Observations on the Life of Edward Earl of Derby HIs Greatness supported his Goodness and his Goodness endeared his Greatness his Heighth being looked upon with a double aspect 1. By himself as an advantage of Beneficence 2. By others as a ground of Râ—verence His great birth put him above private respects but his great Soul never above publick service Indeed he repaired by ways thrifty yet Noble what his Ancestors had impaired by neglect Good Husbandry may as well stand with great Honour as Breadth may consist with Heigth His Travel when young at once gained experience and saved expences and his marriage was as much to his profit as his honour And now he sheweth himself in his full Grandeur when the intireness of his minde complyed with the largeness of his soul. 1. In a spreading Charity Other Lords mâ—de many poor by Oppression he and my Lord of Bedford as Queen Eliabeth would jest made all the Beggers by his liberality 2. In a famous Hospitality wherein 1. His House was orderly a Colledge of Discipline rather than a palace for Entertainment his Servants being so many young Gentlemen trained up to govern themselves by observing him who knew their master and understood themselves 2. His provision Native all the Necessaries of England are bred in it rather plentiful than various solid than
place and very observant of the Court happy in his potent friends happy in his able followers men of great faithfulness towards him and of great integrity and respectfulness towards any that made Addresses to him He never decided the â—quity of any Case before he had discoursed with the Judge that heard it of the Law of it He never disposed of a Living without the Bishop of the Diocess his consent where it layâ— nor ever engaged he in any State-business without dirâ—ction from my Lord Burleigh the Earl of Leicester my Lord Delaware Sir Ralph Sadler was to observe the policy Dr. Wilson the Civil law and Sir Thomas Bromley the English law in the Qâ—een of Scots answer to Queen Elizabeths last expostulation The Spanish Souldier never takes wages agâ—inst his King and Sir Thomas Bromley never took feâ—s against the Crown He would have the cause opened clearly by his Client in the Chamber befoâ—e ever he would declare it at the Bar He lost money for not admitting all causes promiscuously at first but he gained it at last when never fâ—iling in any cause saith my Author for five years during which space what he wanted in the retayl of advantage he made up in the gross of esteem being by that time the onely person that the people would employ and one of the three the Court would favour being excellent because industrious in a leading and an untrodden cafe Physitians they say are best like Beer when stale and Lawyers like Bread when young This person was eminent in all the periods of his Age each whereof he filled with its just and becoming accomplishment In that Lord of Nâ—rthumberland's case that pistolled himself none more subtle to argue his guilt in the Queen of Scots none more strict to keep to the law for when the Qâ—een of Scots would explain something in the Queens commission he answered We are subjects and not come hither to explain the Queens words but to perform them None more discreet and grave prefacing that great business with these wordsâ— The high and mighty Queen our Soveraign that she might not be wanting to her God her self her people or your honour sent us hither not so much to try as to clear you not so much to urge her Accusations as to hear your Defence And none more stedfast to his Soveraign for when that unfortunate Lady protested her unaccountableness to the English laws he replyed This protestation is vain for whosoever of what place soever offendeth against the Laws of England in England was subject to the same Laws and might be examined and tryed The sentence against her he declared had three things in it 1. Justice 2. Security 3. Nâ—cessity but added presently And that wisely too it should no ways prejudice King James his Title or Honour Observations on the Life of Sir Richard Bingham SIr Richard Bingham born in Binghamsâ—Melcolm in Dorsetshire of a very ancient Family in his youth travelled most parts of the world he was at the Siege of St. Quintin in France the sacking of Leith in Scotland served in Caâ—dia under the Venetians against the Turk then returned into the Netherlands being strong and fortunate in all his undertakings After all this he went into Ireland and was there President of Coâ—naught and conqueâ—ed the great and dangerous Rebel O-Rork A Gentleman this rather skilful in many mysteries than thriving in any of a fancy too high and wild too defultoâ—y and over-voluble yet Imagination hath often produced Realities and phancy done the work of Judgement as in this Gentleman whose daringness went for conduct whose spirit passed for resolution whose activity had the honour of skill and whose success the glory of prudence It 's a wonder of parts that Caesar could write read dictate and discourse at the same time it 's a miracle of fancy that this man should command a Regiment in the Netherlands preside in a province of Ireland manage a Trade in Russia carry on a plantation in America and husband a mannor in England But as the King of Spain is painted with a handful of sand running out between his fingers in reference to his many but unprofitable Dominions so might this grand Projector be described who attempted so many things that he did nothing Yet one thing his Quick-silver soul was good for and that is Stratagems Now you should have him surprize a Town by Butter-women another time by Workmen anon he would face the enemy and draw them with success upon a train of Gunpowder he would lay for them and Iron Pricksteds he would sow for them He would steal their hands and seales buy the very keys of their closets and so amuse them with letters and distract them with Jealousies while in the mean time the vigilant man alarmed them every hour of the day and each watch of the night so that he tamed those wild Irish as we do some wild beasts by watching Observations on the Life of Roger Ashcam FRom his cradle a Royal servant and to his grave a favourite a good man saith Cambden and if his ambition had been but as great as the occasion was fair a great one too Born he was honestly in Yorkshire and bred handsomely at Cambridge and both born and bred for that age which was to refine Greek and Latin to a politeness and raise them to an Eloquence He was the University-Orator at Cambridge and at Court there using his eloquence here his interest against that sacriledge that having Dined on the church as he writ came to Sup on the Universities Thence he was rather removed than advanced more suitably to his meâ—it than his expectation to be Queen Elizabeths Schoolmaster for the Latin tongue in her Sisters time and her Secretary for the same in her own What he got by his ingenuity he lost by his gaming viz. at Dice and Cock-fighting dying rich onely in those two books his estate and monument whereof the one is intituled Tâ—xophilus and the other Scholarcha He and his dear Smith were the happiest men in the nation their large and ingenious souls clasping together in an entire friendship made up of kindness and integrity apart from the little fears the jealousies the suspitions that vex mankinde What learned letters what loving expostulations what discreet intimations what faithful advertisements what indifferent community what common cares and pities how they loved how they child and how they loved again how plain how malleable how sweet What little observations upon one anothers inadvertencies neglects or miscarriages how they improved their Mollia tempora to the great end of friendship information and advice How secretly they vented their thoughts into each others breasts and there looked upon them by reflexion and the advantage of a second consideration And it 's a happiness to have another self to shew our selves to before we appear to the world that all men wish and the good men onely enjoy An honest man this that abhorred all artifice and
which Elphyston Borthrick Meldrum Uchiltry c. discovered one to another Qu. 4. What did Ramsey with the Pedigree of Hamilton derived from Iames I. King of Scots in Foreign parts Qu. 5. Why private Instructions had Meldrum to Scottish Officers in the Swedish Army Qu. 6. What was Meldrum Alexander Hamilton and other his Dependants so preferred in the Scots Army Qu. 7. Why were there such Fears and Jealousies whispered in Germany of the English Government Qu. 8. Why was not Ramsey able to give a positive Answer at the Tryal by combate And why did the Marquess take him off before the Controversie was decided Qu. 9. Why is Huntley put by and Hamilton made high Commâ—ssioner Why is discontented Balcanquel employed to pen Declarations And why are the King's Papers Letters c. taken out of his pocket and betrayed to the Scots And why did the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury writing to the King wish him not to trust his own pockets with the Letter Qu. 10. Why doth his Mother ride with pistols at her Saddle-bow leading all her Kindred and Vassals for the Covenant Qu. 11. Why is that time spent in posting to and fro to patch up a base Pacification with the Rebels that might have been employed in suppressing them Q. 12. Why did the Bishops of Rosse and Breâ—en Sir Robert Spotswood Sir Iohn Hay the Earl of Sterling ride post to England to intreat the King not to trust the Marquess Qu. 13. Why was there so much granted to the Covenanters in Scotland yea and time given them to do their business Q. 14. Why did he forbear the Common-prayer at Dalkieth and neglect to protest the Kings gracious Declaration the justice and clemency whereof had without doubt allayed the commotions Q. 15. Why did he not set out the King 's last Declaration before the Covenanters Protestation was our against it Qu. 16. Why was there nothing done with the Ships sent upon the coasts of Scotland Qu. 17. Why did he so caress his covenanting Mother that the Scots could say The son of so geâ—d a Mother could do them no harm Qu. 18. Why had he a hand in most of the Monopolies and Projects of England Q. 19. Why did he refuse to contribute as others had done to the Scots Wars Q. 20. Why did he intercede for Lowndon's â—elease notwithstanding the traitâ—rous Letter to the French King was his hand Qu. 21. How comes Montross to be flighted by the gracious King at first And when he offered his service again how came his Letters into the Covenanters hands at Newcastle Qu. 22. Why did he and Argyle raise such Fears and Jealouâ—ies in Scotland and England by withdrawing suddenly from the Court under preâ—ence forsooth of danger to their persons Qu. 23. Why could not the King hear of the Scots design to invade England 1643. before Montross posted first to Oxford and then to Gloâ—cester to tell him of it though the Marquess was all the while in Scotland Qu. 24. And yet why was that noble person mistrusted till the Kings interest was lost in that Country Qu. 25. Why was he and his brother imprisoned at Oxford And why did the King say Nay if Hamilton leads them there is no good to be done for me Qu. 26. Why did the King say That he must dispose of the Master of the Horse place to the Earl of N. That my Lord Cottington was the fittest man for the Treasury and that Sir Edward Hyde was the onely man he could trust with the Secretaries affairs Being loth that D. H. should return to an oppoâ—tuâ—ity of recozening them Questions these that shew After-ages can scan great mens lives with the same liberty that they live them Observations on the Life of Sir Ralph Hopton GEntile was this excellent person's extraction in the West of England and man-like his Education in the Low-Countreys that School of War where Sir William Waller and he learned in one Camp what they practised in two The one being no less eminent for his service under his late Majesty of blessed memory than the other was for his against him The one was the best Soldier the King had the other the most experienced that the pretended Parliament boasted of None fitter to balance Sir Ralph Hopton's success none likelier to understand his stratagems none abler to undermine his designs than his Fellow-soldier Sir William who understood his method as well as he was acquainted with his person Both were equally active both equally vigilant But what better character of this Heroe than that which his Master gave him in his Patent for Baron which is his history as well as his honour Carolus Dei Gratià Angliae c. Cum Nominis nostri Posteritatis interest ad clara Exempla propaganda utilissimè compertum palam fieri omnibus praemia apud nos virtuti sita nec perire fidelium subditorum officia sed memori benevolo pectore fixissimè insi dere His praesertim temporibus cum plurimâ—m quibus antehac nimium indulsimus temerata aâ—t suspecta fides pretium aliorum constantiae addidit Cumque nobis certo const at Radulphum Hopton Militem de Balneo splendidis Antiquis Natalibus tum in câ—tera sua vita integritatis moriâ— eximium tum in hac novissima tempestate fatalique Regni rebelâ—i motu rari animi fideique exemplum edidisse Regiae dignitatis in eaque publicae contra utriusque adversarios assertorem vindicâ—m acerrimum Quippe quia non solum nascenti huic Furori nec dum omnibus manifesto optimis consiliis fortis in câ—ria Senator restiterit sed insinuante se latius veneno crescente ferocia domum ad suos reversus fortior Miles in Agro suo Somersetensi vicinis partibus omni ope manu iniquissimam causam oppugnaverit in Arce praesertim Sherborniana sub Auspiciis Marchionis Hertfordiae egregiam operam navaverit Mox ulterius progreâ—â—us pollenti in Devonia factionis Tyrannide munitissima civitate in foedus illecta jam undique bonis subditis perniciem minante ipse penè in illa Regione Hospes contracto è Cornubia Militeâ— primoribus statim impetum â—aruâ— repressit jacentesque afflictas nostras partees mirifica virtute recreavit Et licet summis necessitatibus conflictanti exigua pars Negotii hostes erant tantum abâ—uit ut vel illis vel istis succumberet ut contra copiis auctiores bellico apparatu instructissimas saepius signis Collatis in acie dimicans semper superior excesserit Testis Launcestonia Saltash Bradock aliaque obscura olim nomina â—oca nunc victoriis illius perduellium cladibus Nobilitatâ— Vix etiam ab his respiraverit cum novus belli furor Lassas jam fere continuis praeliis laxatas vires Numerocissimo exècitu adortus uberiorem triumphandi dedit materiam Cum ille in campis Strattoâ—iae in difficillimas licet Augustias redactus inops militaris instrumenti
when cast off by the Rebels Observations on the Life of Arch-Bishop Juxon WIlliam â—Iuxon born at Chichester in Sussex was bred Fellow in St. Iohn's Colledge in Oxford where he proceeded Batchelor of Law very young but very able for that Degree afterwards becoming Doctor in the same Faculty and President of the Colledge was one in whom Nature had not omitted but Grace had ordered the Teâ—rarch of humours being admirably Maâ—ter of his Pen and Passion For his Abilities he was successively preferred by King Charles the first Bishop of Hâ—reford and London and for some years Lord Treasurer of England wherein he had Religion to be honest and no self-interest to be corrupt A troublesom place in thoâ—e times being expected he should make much Brick though not altogether without yet with very little straw allowed unto him Large then the Expences low the Revenues of the Exchequer Yet those Coffers he found empty he left filling and had left full had Peace been preserved in the Land and he continued in his Place Such the mildness of his temper that Petitioners for money when it was not to be had departed well pleased with his Denials they were so civilly languaged It may justly seem a wonder that whereas few spake well of Bishops at that time and Lord Tâ—â—asuâ—ers at all Times are liable to the complaints of discontented people though both Offices met in this man yet with Demetrius he was well reported of all men and of the truth it self He lived to see much shame and contempt undeservedly poured on his Function and all the while possessed his own soul in patience Nor was it the least part of this Prelate's honour that amongst the many worthy Bishops of our Land King Charles the first selected him for his Confessor at his Martyrdom when he honoured him with this testimony That good man He formerly had had experience in the case of the Earl of Strafford that this Bishop's Conscience was bottom'd on piety not policy â—he reason that from him â—e received the Sacrament good comfort and counsel just before he was muâ—dered I say just before the Royal Martyr was murdered a Fact so foul that it alone may confuâ—e the Error of the Pelagians maintaining that all sin cometh by imitation the Universe not formerly affording such a Precedent as if those Regicides had purposely designed to disprove the observation of Solâ—mon that there is no new thing under the Sun King Charles the second preferred him Arch-Bishop of Canterbury 1660. He died in the year of our Lord 1663. and with great solemnity was buried in St. Iohn's Colledge in Oxford to which he was a great Benefactor though a greater to Pauls and Lambeth and greatest of all to the Church which his eminence adorned and his temper secured in those times wherein roughness enraged that humour which delay and moderation broke a discreet yielding to the multitude is the securest way of Conquest They that hold together by opposition languish and moulder away by indulgence In his duty this good man went along with Conscience in Government with Time and Law He had the happiness that K. Iames admired in a Statesman of his time to do all things suavibus modis He referred his Master in the Earl of Strafford's case as he did himselâ— in all cases to his own Conscience for matter of fact and to the Judges for matter of Law who according to their Oath ought to carry themselvâ—s indifferently between the King and his Subjects The King was not more happy in this faiâ—hful servant than he was in his followers among whom there was no uncivil Austerity to disoblige the Subjects nor base Corruption to incense them They need not keep state they had so much real power nor extort they had so much allowed advantage His care was his servants and their care his business His preferments were his burthen rather than his honour advanced by him rather than advancing him and therefore he was more ready to lay them down than others to take them up Witness his Treasurers Place which when he parted with like those that scatter their Jewels in the way that they may debar the violence of greedy pursuers no less than four durst undertake when his single self sufficed for the two greatest troubles of this Nation the Treasureship of England and the Bishoprick of London Religion was the inclination and composure as well as care of his soul which he used not as the artifice of pretence or power but as the ornament and comfort of a private breast never affecting a pompous piety nor a magnificent vertue but approving himself in secret to that God who would reward him openly His devotion was as much obove other mens as his Calling his meditations equal with his cares and his thoughts even and free between his Affairs and his Contemplations which were his pleasures as well as his duty the uniform temper and pulse of his Christian soul. Neither was his Religion that of a man only but that of a Bishop too that made his Piety as universal as his Province by such assistances of power as brought carnel men if not to an obedience yet to such a degree of reverence that if they did not honour they might not despise it His justice was as his Religion clear and uniform First the ornament of his heart then the honour of his action Neither was Justice leavened with rigour or severity but sweetned with clemency and goodness that was never angry but for the pubâ—ick and not then so much at the person as the offence So ambitious of that great glory of Moderation that he kept it up in spight of the times malignity wherein he saw all change without himself while he remained the self-same still within the Idea of sobriety and temperance vertues that he put off only with his life Neither was this a defect of spirit but the temper of it that though it never provoked troubles yet it never feared them His minde was always great though his fortune not so Great to suffer though not always able to act so good his temper and so admirable his humility that none ever went discontented from him Never courting but always winning people having a passage to their hearts through their brain and making them first admire and then love him He was slow not of speech as a defect but to speak out of discretion because when speaking he plentifully paid the Principal and Interest of his Auditors expectation In a word his government as a Bishop was gentle benigne and paternal His management of the Treasury was such that he served his Prince faithfully satisfied all his friends and silenced all his enemies of which he had enough as a Bishop Greatness is so invidious and suspected though none as a man goodness is so meek and inoffensive The most thought the worse of Dr. Iuxon for the Bishops sake the best thought the better of the Bishop for Dr. Iuxon's sake Observations on the
Life of John Lord Culpeper I Find nothing promoting him to his first preferment of Chancellor of the Exchequer but his pure merit nor any thing advancing him to his after-honours but his steady Loyalty which when others stuck to London in compliance with that Maxim In all Divisions keep your self to the Metropolis the chief City being for the most part preserved who-ever prevaileth in a Civil Commotion abounding in Money and Friends the readiest Commodities to purchase Quiet carryed him after a persecuted Soveraign for twenty years together by the strong obligation of a well-principled Conscience and the well-weighed observation of the natural Affection of all Englishmen to their lawful Soveraign from whom though the Arts and Impulses of seditious Demagogues may a while estrange and divorce their minds yet their Genius will irresistibly at last force them to their first love It was the resolution of a great States-man That if the Crown of England were placed but on an Hedge-stake he would be on that side the Crown was His first service was to discover his Soveraign to his deluded People worthy not only of their obedience but their lives and fortunes His next was to lay open his Enemies in all their Intrigues and Reserves being most happy in all the Treaties he was engaged in in discerning the bottom of his own Parties Interest and their Adversaries pretensions discoveries that prevailed on all that was either noble or but ingenuous in the Nation especially whithâ—r my Lord came with his indefatigable Industry his obliging Converse and potent Eloquence excepting London its self whither he was sent from Nottingham with the Earls of Southampton and Dorset and Sir William Wedale Knight the very day the King set up his Standard there The Principle he went upon was That the Faction at Westminster was no Parliament A Principle most safe on all hands For which and the rest of his judicious Sentiments he hath the honour to be enrolled among those that Traitors durst not pardon which he could not choose but smile at knowing as he used to say That Treason is alwayes within five years weary of its self the People being more impatient of their own Libertinism than of the strictest and most heavy government His way of Intelligence from London by Mistress E. P. friend to I. M. puts me in minde of a passage in Queen Elizabeths Reign who being presented with an Overture out of Spain so recretly managed by the Councel there as the first news of its approach came with its self the Messengers out of fear of a surprizal dispensing the Ceremonies commonly used in the behalf of Embassadors something strange considering the haughtiness of that Nation did much inslâ—me the Lord Treasurer's desire to know the farthest extent of the Negotiation as conducing to a present advantage that such an Answer might be made as should in some proportion quadrate with the demand of the Catholique King at that time standing upon Terms little different from those of an Enemy And being informed from the ordinary Espials he kept about his Person that the attempt was something difficult if not impossible the Don out of distrust still carrying his Instructions in his bosom Burleigh caused such a Jesuite to be apprehended as by reason of former miscarriages could not expect mercy and imparts his desires to him under as large promises if he brought them about as threats to be revenged on him and his Associates if he â—ound himself abused All which though with some reluctancy he undertook and performed through the meditation oâ— a fair Lady that first took away his Commission and then again laid it under his Pillow whilst he slept His early endeavours for Peace by Addresses to London Scotlâ—ndâ— Cornwal speak his integrity and his prudence Every inconsiderable person may be powerful at disturbances but to form Peace requires much wisdom and great vertues and his observations upon the division of the greatâ— Faction to two parties Independent and Presbyterian His care and watchfulness none of their clashes escaping his reach which was ready to accommodate as occasion served their respective Interests in their New-models and alterations making as good use of Fears and Jealousies between them as they had done between the King and his People being one of those brave spirits that made much of good Soldiers and Subjects notwithstanding their ill success if they continued their good affections â—areat successibus opto quisquis ab eventus exitus acta probat as the Romans gave thanks to Terentius Varro after he had lost the great battel of Caâ—nae by his own default because he did not despair of the Commonwealth always valuing his estate in England during the usurpation as much as he did during the King's just possession As the Romans would not sell the ground that Hannibal encamped upon cheaper than if it had been in time of peace which was one thing that discouraged that great Captain from continuing the siege of Rome These and other his services recommended him to the atâ—endance of his most excellent Majesty when Prince in the perfecting of the Western Association when it was thought fit to put the happiness and hope of the Kingdom in two bottoms with whom he continued with a constant fidelity in all difficulties performing several Embassies during their banishment with honour particularly one to the Emperour who had great respects for his Master and an awful regard of his Cause till it pleased God to bring his Majesty by his and others counsel to his Father's Throne which he just saw and dyed Master of the Rolls Iune 1660. From one of whose Relations I have these Notes and Postils containing some of the policy of the late Times from 1642. to 1659. which I set down nakedly as I finde them not supposing they are his but that they were among his Papers 1. It is against the experience of the wisest Princes of France and England â—o leave their chief Ciâ—y in times of tumult yet it was necessary for the King to do â—o as well to break the fury of the worst people there by distance and time as to dis-abuse the best abroad by his presence and time and indeed it had been a shame for him to have perished in a tumult 2. It was urged that the King should not delâ—y any longer the War but besides that nothing could perswade his gracious Majesty to a War but pure necessity It 's usually observed that if Bâ—uâ—efeu's make not the feud irreconcileable by a desperate action Rebels cool consider break suspect fear and fall off to nothing 3. The repulse of Hotham did the King excellent service by alarming all the Loyal in the Kingdom with their designed plot 4. Especially when the Country saw the King so unwilling to engage that he discharged their guards several times 5. It was thought unfit to send to the Faction from Nottingham until it was rejoyned that men of understanding and fidelity are usually employed to those persons
Robert Dudley 761 John L. Digby E. of Bristol 838 The Digges 921 Earl of Danby 9â—8 E. THomas Cromwel Earl of Essex 57 W. Howard L. Effingh Sir Ralph Ewers 458 W. D. Earl of Essex 486 D. Devereux E. of Essex 634 Sir Thomas Edmonds 962 L. Chancellour Egerton 755 Sir Clement Edmonds 772 Sir T. Ereskin E. of Kelly 782 F. SIr Jeffery Fenton 626 661 Sir John Fineux 81 Doctor E. Fox Secretary 86 Sir Edward Fines 408 Sir John Fortescue 556 Doctor Giles Fletcher 662 The Carys Lords Viscounts Faulkland 938 Sir John Finch 971 G. THo Grey Marquess of Dorset 152 Ste. Gardiner Bish. of Winch. 451 John Grey of Pyrgo 569 Lord Grey of Wilton 571 Sir Henry Gates 569 Arthur Gray Baron of Wilton 588 Sir Humphrey Gilbert 626 Sir Fulk Grevil L. Brook 727 Oliver Saint-John Grandison 767 H. SIr William Herbert 457 D. Walter Haddon 627 Sir Tho. Howard 131 of Surrey Norfolk Sir Ed. Howard 141 of Surrey Norfolk Sir Th. Howard 142 of Surrey Norfolk Wil. Howard L. Effingh 401 Sir G. Hume E. of Dunb 740 James Hay E. of Carlisâ—le 774 Henry Howard Earl of Northampton 780 Sir John Ramsey Earl of Holderness 782 Sir Nicholas Hyde 931 Christopher Lord Hatton 521 Lord Hunsdon 526 Sir Richard Hutton 967 W. Marquess Hertford 969 Lord Howard Earls of Nottingham 735 Henry E. of Holland 987 Marquess Hamilton 1005 Sir Ralph Lord Hopton 1008 L. Herbert of Cherbury 1017 Arch-Bishop Heath 526 I. Sir John Fitz-James 114 Sir William Fitz-James 123 Sir John Jefferies â—21 Sir Arthur Ingram 798 Arch-Bishop Juxon 1038 K. SIr William Kingston 462 Sir Henry Killigrew 584 The Knowls 617 Sir T. Ereskin E. of Kelley 782 L. SIr Anthony St. Lieger 89 Earl of Liecester 518 Sir Thomas Lake 777 788 Sir Ja. Ley E. of Marlb 943 Earl of Lindsey 975 Arch-Bishop Laud 991 Lord-Keeper Littleton 1003 M. SIr Thomas Moor 42 Sir Rich. Morison 102 Sir William Molineux 118 Sir Henry Marney 147 Sir John Mason 208 Sir Edward Mountague 404 Sir Thomas Mannors 458 Sir Walter Mildmay 554 â—ir Roger Manwood 576 Lord Mountjoy 664 L. Cranfield E. of M. 778 Bishop Mountague 800 Sir Henry Martin 925 Sir Ja. Ley E. of Marlb 943. M. Earl of Manchester 1027 N. DUdley D. of Northumberland 420 Duke of Norfolk 540 Lord North 564 The Norrices 617 H. Howard E. of Northampton 780 Lord Howard Earl of Nottingham 735 Sir Robert Naunton 795 Sir Francis Nethersole 795 W. Noy Atturney-General 892 Sir Augustine Nichols 929 O. SIr Thomas Overbury 796 H. Vere Earl of Oxford 810 P. EEmund Plowden 573 Sir William Paget 99 Sir Ed. Poynings 248 The Parrs 187 Sir Clement Paston 202 Sir John Portman 397 Sir Amias Pawlet 568 Sir William Pelham 599 Sir Barn Fitz-Patrick 412 Sir William Peter 430 Cardinal Pool 435 Sir John Perrot 510 Sir William Pickering 530 G. Earl of Pembrook 552 William Lord Pawlet 593 Sir John Puckering 607 Sir John Packington 616 L. Chief-Iustice Popham 759 Westons Earls of Portland 914 Will. E. of Pembrook 917 Sir Paul Pinder 964 R. LOrd Rich 204 Sir Tho. Randolph 564 Sir John Russel 1. E. of B. 442 Tho. Ratcliffe E. of Sussex 490 Sir William Russel 629 Sir â—homas Roper 630 Sir Walter Rawleigh 670 Sir Joh. Ramsey E. of Hold 782 Sir Thomas Ridley 923 Esme Duke of Richmond 957 Edw. E. of Rutland 667 Sir Thomas Roe 1035 Iudg Richardson 97â— S. CH. Brandon D. of Suffolk 27 Sir Richard Cecil E. of Salisbury 730 Sir Ralp Sadler 95 Sir Tho. Wriothesly 1. E. of Southampton 111 Sir Edw. Stanly 136 Sir Ch. Somerset 150 Sir Thomas Smith 560 R. Earl of Somerset 742 Ed. Stafford D. of Bucks 159 The Seymours 172 Sir Will. Stamford 216 T. Ratcliff E. of Sussex 490 Sir Philip Sidney 501 Sir Henry Sidney 602 Sir Th. Howard 131 of Surrey Norfolk Sir Ed. Howard 141 of Surrey Norfolk Sir Th. Howard 142 of Surrey Norfolk Fr. Talbot E. of Shrewsb 533 Sir John Smith 668 Th. Sackvil L. Buckhurst 677 E. of Suffolk 792 Sir Thomas Smith 724 Lord Spencer 841 Oliver Saint-John L. Grandison 767 Sir John Savil 895 Lord Say 972 Sir T. W. E. of Strafford 980 T. BIshop Tonstal 531 Fr. Talbot E. of Shrewsbury 533 Sir Nich. Throgmorton 543 V. SIr Henry Umpton 632 H. Vere E. of Oxford 810 The Veres 812 Sir H. Vane Senior 965 G. V. D. of Buckingham 843 W. CArdinal Wolsey 1 Sir Thomas Wyat 76 Doctor Nich. Wottâ—n 107 Sir Tho. Wriothâ—â— 1. E. of Southampton 111 Sir Robert Wingfield 157 Sir Thomas Wentworth 197 Doctor Tho. Wilson 390 Ste. Gardiner Bishop of Winton 451 Lord Willoughby 497 Sir Francis Walsingham 513 Sir Edward Waterhouse 536 Sir Will. Fitz Williams 549 L. Gray of Wilton 571 Sir Christopher Wray 578 E. of Worcester 581 Arth. Gray Baron of Wilton 588 Sir William Wâ—ad 601 Sir Ralph Winwood 826 Bishop Williams 897 Sir Isaac Wake 904 Westons Eaâ—ls of Portland 914 Sir Henry Wotton 1029 Lord Wilmot 1035 Sir T. Wentworth Earl of Strafford 980 Robert Earl of Warwick 987 Y. SIr Henry Yelverton 799 STATE-WORTHIES OR THE STATES-MEN and FAVOURITES OF ENGLAND IN The Reign of King Henry the VIII Observations on the Life of Cardinal WOLSEY CArdinal Wolsey was not so great in his Fortune as he was mean in his Original his honest and industrious Parents helped him to a good Constitution and a large Spirit two hopeful steps to greatness though one hath said of him Brave Priest whoever was thy Sire by kind Wolsey of Ipswich nere begat thy mind His Ambition gave him the opportunity to encrease his parts he was as pregnant at Ipswich-School as he was promising in Magdalen Colledg where he was Batchelour of Arts at 15 years of Age and therefore called the Boy-Batchelour His Industry and parts advanced him to a command over Noble men of the Marquess of Dorset's Family as School-master as his Policy promoted him to an Imperiousness over Kings in the quality of Statesmen The first step to Greatness in a Scholar is Relation to a Nobleman The best Education for the Court is in the Palace Nature made him capable the School and University made him a Scholar but his Noble Employment made him a Man At Oxford he read Books at my Lord 's he read Men and observed Things His Patrons two Parsonages bestowed upon him was not so great a Favour as the excellent principles instilled into him he being not more careful to Instruct and Educate the young Men then their Father was to Tutor him his Bounty makes him Rich and his Recommendation Potent His Interest went far his Money farther Bishop Fox was Secretary to K. Henry the seventh and he to Bishop Fox the one was not a greater Favourite of the King 's than the other was his as one that brought him a Head capable of all Observations and a Spirit above all Difficulties Others Managed the Affairs of England Wolsey understood its Interest His Correspondence
else his clear Head and smooth Tongue engrossed all the Kings Favour and most persons addresses which advanced his Estate much and hiâ— Reputation more in so much that the management of and Provision for the great Voyage to France 5. H. 8. by Sea and Land was trusted to his sole Care and ordered to very good effect by his sole Discretion not neglecting his own affairs while he provided for the King 's being the most dextrous by his correspondents at discovering Preferments the closest at attaining of them the quickest at Posâ—essing them and the most skilfull for Improveing them of any man living Punctual in keeping up the honour of his Place witness his advanceing of his Crâ—sses as Primate of England above those of Canterbury as Primaâ—e of all England pitty sâ—ith one that they who should conteâ—d de pascendis ovibus should fall out de lanâ caprinâ and what Jurisdiction he wanted as Aâ—ch-Bâ—shop he made up as Cardinal Legate de latere and Chancellour In which capacity he kept 500 Servantâ— among whom 9 or 10 Lords 15 Knights and 40 Esquires in which respect he was sent upon two Embassies of State to the Emperour Charles the 5th in Flanders to the great honour of the English Nation He entertained all Ambassadors to the great satisfaction of all Forein Princes and the King often to his great content administring to his Majesties Pleasure that he might enjoy his power discovering as great skill in his Treats as in his Government especially careful oâ— three things 1. His Pomp to keep his place from contempt it being not enough for a man in Authority to have a power that may awe the Judgment of the wise to subjection unless he have a pomp too that may dazzle the eyes of the vulgar into Veneration though Envy is the most dangerous thing that can happen to a private man yet contempt is the worst thing that can befall a publick person this weakning the being of the later which consiâ—ts in his power as the other doth the comfort of the first which consisteth in his Peace 2. His Devotion neglecting not one Collect of his Prayers for all the cumbrances of his place wherein he deceived many of the people thinking he had no time for his Devotion from his business and his Servanâ—s wondering how he could gain time for his business from his Devotion he made Conscience of Religion because in his experience of affaires he met with many providences of God that made him really believe it he made no shew of it because the world believed such men as he did but pretend it 3. His Health never going out without a perfumed Orange into the great Croud that always awaited him to whom al persons came fiâ—st before they went to the King that he wanted such things was to sober men argument of the Frailty of the greatest man that he used them was to envious men an argument of the pride oâ— a poor man Which puteth me in mind of Plinyes description of a man than whom he saith there is not a living Creature more wretched or more Proud For the last of which qualities it was that our Icarus though a man of great capacity large expeâ—ience and comparative moderation moultred his wing so soon in the beams of Royal Majesty Buâ— aâ— our Laureate hath it God help the man so wrapped in Errours endless train one Anticyra hath noâ— Hellebore enough to cure him Two Corrivals he had Edward Stafford Duke of Buckingham Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk Brandon he despised as rather besides saith my Author than againâ—t him hâ— being the Kings Companion in pleasure Wolsey his Councellour in Policy the Duke great with young Henry the Bishop with the King Buckingham he feared as popular and undermined as proud that Tower must fall whoâ—e Foundation is hollow Buckingham was high in Birth Honour and Estate Wolsey higher in Prudence whose Malice did the brave Duke much mischief and his own folly more Vain-glory writes my Friend ever lieth at open guard and gives much advantage of play to her Enemies A deboyst King is jealous and a weak Nobleman ambitious In fine he is attainted of High Treason though rather Corrival to the King in his Cloaths than his Crown in his Vanities than his Authority but a cunning Upstart quickly blows off a young Noblemans Cap and Feaâ—her and his Head too when it stands in his way Tarquin instructed more than his own Son by striking off the heads of the Poppies His power agâ—inst Buckingham was his Shield against all others One defense well managed one Adversary throughly suppressed is a Security at Court where two men sâ—ldom fall the same way Many envied the Archbishop the Cardinal the Legate de latere the Lord Chancellour but all feared the Favourite most were discontented but none durst shake their Heads leâ—t they fell off with Buckingham's the Bishops displeasure was more fatal than the Kings whose wrath was violent but noâ— lasting as the Others anger was of less fury but more malice real and more secret he having set up as indiscernible way of Intelligence as Angels do of Communication he and his correspondents understanding one another not by discourse but by the present state of things as those Intelligences understand one another not by speech but by Ideas His Power was great and his Justice equal for he was too proud to be bribed and too powerful to be overborn But England was too narrow a Theatre for this great Spirit and he aspires to Rome and having been these many years Pope of this other world would have been of that beyond the waters his leap was great from York to Rome and his rise as good Charles the Fifth was his Client and his Masters Servant the Cardinals were his Pensioners and when they failed as he is no Fox whose Den hath but one hole and he no Statesman who when one way is stopped cuts not out another he falls off from the German Emperour to the Fâ—ench King where if he could not carry his own Design he would hinder the Emperours and Revenge is an Advancement so great was he that his Friendship balanced Europe over-awed Emperours threatned Kings and was fatal to Queens if he cannot be Pope of Rome he will shew he is as good as King of England for finding that the King wanted a meet Yoak-Fellow for his Bed and a lawful Heir-Male to his Crown and observing Queen Katharines Age above her Husbands and her Gravity above her Age being more Pious than pleasant a better Woman than Wife and a better Wife for any Prince than King Henry he promotes a Divorce upon some Scruples intimated by the Spaniard some years before in a Treaty about the Princesse Mary's Marriage which others had forgot but the Cardinal laid up between the King and Qâ—een but that was not all but knowing that King Henry could not have a Wife to his minde until he had a Pope of his own choosing he would
help him to a young Wife but he must raise him to a new Power Wolsey must be Pope or King Henry could not be divorced and to make all sure he was no sooner to be parted from a Daughter of Spain than he was to be joyned to a Princess of France whose Nuptial Ring should wed King Henry to Her and King Francis to Himself Two ways did he disoblige Queen Anne Bullein that was his deadly enemy 1. by dissolving the Contract between her and the Lord Piercy the Earle of Northumberlands Eldest Son to please the King 2. by endeavouring to hinder or at least delay the Marriage between her and the King to gratifie himself whom in vain afterwards by Inventions unheard of he endeavoured to please as well as the King when he saw the Contrivances of a great Wit the Allurements of a Famous Beauty and the malice of a disappointed Woman joyned to the envy of the greatest Lord whom he had ordered as irrespectively as the meanest subject When it is once past Noon with a Court-Favourite it is presently Night with him for knowing that the Cardinal was cunning and the King not yet cruel they longed to have him at York while at Londen and again they contrive to bring him to London while at York the first upon pretense that he might do good the last with design that he might do no harme Sed nullae sunt occultiores insidiae quà m hae quae latent in simulatione officij as he observed the method of some old cunning Parliament-men who when they had a mind to cross a Bill were always highest for it in the House as the Eagle carried the shell up in the skye to break it and would insert so many and so great inconveniences into the Act that they were sure it could never pass Tuta frequensque via est per amici fallere nomen Missing of Power he meditates Honour and instead of lavishing his infinite Treasure upon airy Expectations he bestoweth it on real Monuments witness the great work at Callice c. which makes his Memory a Renowned as his Life That Statesman lives to small purpose whose Actions are as short as his Life and his Exploits of no longer duration than his Age. At this time though King Henry bore the Sword yet Cardinal Wolsey as I am told bore the stroâ—e all over the Land being Legate a latere by verâ—us whereof he visited all Churches and Religion Houses even the Friers Observants themselves notwithstanding the stoutness and stubbornness that first opposed him Papal and Royal Power met in him being the Chancellour of the Land and keeping so many Bishopricks in Commendam that his yearly Income is said to equal if not exceed the Revenues of the Crown He gave the first blow to Religious Houses by making one great Cardinal Colledge now Christ-Câ—urch of which one comparing his project with his performance said Instituit Collegium absolvit Popinam And another being asked what he thought of the ampleness of the Foundation answered Fundatione nihil amplius to which I may add his Colledge at Ipswich of forty small Monasteries to make way as some thought upon the Popes consent procured by him to the overthrow of all He called all Captains and Officers to an accounâ— who bought off their own small corruption with his great one and paid him the penalties of their Cheats with the Gains of it the Richest of them escaping and the poorest only made exemplary Several Courts of pretended Equity he erected to redress the poor that was the Colour to inrich himself that was the Reality at whose constitution the Law-Courts were unfrequented so specious was their seeming Integrity at the lsâ—t they are deserted so manifest was their real Grievances the people not flocking so fast aâ—ter the Novelty as they ran away from the Cheat though his pretense was fair that the Kingdome should not be a Common-Wealth of Fish where the greater devoured the Less What he did to reform the Courtiers as a Fâ—vourite he did to reform the Clergy as Legate erecting a Court Legantine not without danger of a Praemunire wherein all Clergy were visited the Rich in their Purses that excused them the Poor in their Reputation that compounded for them Neither did his profits arise from the Living onely but the Dead he engrossing the Probation of all Wills and Testaments within his own Court he had petty projects viz. that Children should foâ—low their Fathers Profession saying that he observed that the Fathers Eminency in any act begat in the Child a propension to the same and wheâ—e two or three successiâ—e Generations happily insist in the steps one of another they raise an art to great peâ—fection and liked well the prudence of our Parliaments in permitting the Eldest Son of Barons to be pâ—esent at their Câ—nsultations to fit them by degrees for the person they are to sustain And not long after he hath a Paâ—eâ—t under the Great Seal of England to do what he pleased in the French Couâ—t in order to the Kingâ— Progresse thither as he hath likewise afâ—er with his Masters leave under the great seal of France After which honour he was with the Kings Order by English Subjects the Lord Mayor and Aldermen c. honoured at no lesse rate than that of a Prince and by the Clergy who kept close to the publick temper with Processions c. at the same rate with a Pope Great he was in England greater in Germany where all the Nobiliâ—y attended him the Great Seal of England was carried before him and the Emperour oâ—serving his Commission and Honour met him with his whole Train and harangued it with him no less than two days He that over-ruled Empires might well presume on Subjects and no sooner therefore doth he return than by his own Authority he levieth four shillings in the pound of every man that was worth fifty pound per annum and when that would not do pretending to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen that he had been upon his Knees to revoke those Commissiâ—ns other Letters for a Benevolence which lost him as much in the Countrey as his Reformation of the Houshold did him at Court But the King employeth him to France as his Second and takes his leave of him as hiâ— intimate Friend 1200 Horse attended him Calliceâ— Bullein Amiens honour him with the name of The Peaceable Cardinal and the Statue of a Cardinal Rescuing a Church and a Pope from danger whom yet underhand he brought into danger making the Duke of Bourbon General against the King of France to Revenge himself and yet making an underhand Peace with France which the Duke knew not of till he took the Instrument of Peace Sealed at the Castle of Pavia to please others for which last exploit carried on privately by receiving the French Ambassadour as an Italian Jester the Duke of Bourbon resolved to goe and Sack Rome and punish all the Cardinals he could come at for the fault
affecting as one said well free-will in thinking as well as in acting and at the new discoursing wits that were as unsettled though not so rational as the old Scepticks until he considered the difficulty of discerning truth the hardship of confining the Quick-silver thoughts within the limits it prescribeth or submitting them to the burden it imposeth One of the latter Schools of the Grecians examineth the matter it is the Lord Verulams observation and is at a stand to think what should be in it that men should love lies where neither they make for pleasure as with Poets nor for advantage as with the Merchant but for the lies sake But I cannot tell why this same truth is a naked and open day-light that doeth not shew the Masques and Mummeries and triumphs of the present world halfe so stately and daintily as Candlelights Truth may perhaps come to the price of a pearl that sheweth best by day but it will not rise to the pâ—ice of a Diamond or Carbuncle that sheweth best in varied lights a mixture of lies doth ever add pleasure Doth any man doubt thâ—t if there were taken out of mens minds vain opinions flattering hopes false valuations imaginations as one would and the like vinum daemonum as a Father calls Poetry but it would leave the minds of a number of men poor shrunken things full of melancholy and indisposition and unpleasing to themselves Clear and round dealing this Noble mans temper is the honour of mans nature and that mixture of falsehood is like allay in coyn of gold and silver which may make the metal work the better but embaseth it For there winding and crooked Courts are the goings of the Serpent which goeth basely upon the belly and not upon the foot There is nothing of so ill consequence to the publick a falsehood or speech being the currant coyn oâ— converse the putting false money upon the world or of so much prejudice to a mans own interest as perfidiousness which weakeneth his great security which stands by him when his estate and friendâ— cannot or so dark a blot as dissembling which as Mountaign saith prettily is only to be Brave towards God and a Coward towards man For a Lye faceth God and shrinketh from man His hearr was too stout and his head too clear to use those Arts of closeness and dissimulation which those need who have not judgment and wit enough to discern all the circumstances of an affair so as to know when to tell a truth nor courage and valour enough to look in the face of all the consâ—quences of a business so as to own it A man better made for the open Arts and generous policy of H. 8. than the suspicious closeness and the wary reservedness of H. 7. His Father lost his life in completing the union of Roses I mean York and Lancaster and he in beginning the union of Kingdoms viz. England and Scotland by treaty and England and France by War he being the first that durst fasten the Royal Standard in the sides of Bulleign and the last that advanced the St. George in the middle of it both taking and governing it The greatest thing that ever that age saw was if we believe Sleidan the delivery of the Keys of Bulleign by â— French Governour to the Duke of Suffolks hand and the greatest thing King H. 8. saw he saith was the delivery of those keys by the Duke into his hand insomuch that despairing of greater the one died that year the other the next Queen Elizabeth being to employ a famous Ambassage into France made choice of two of the Noblest Peers of her Realm equal in Rank equal in Virtue but the one excused it by a defect in his hearing and the other by an ignorance and want of the French Language To which the Queen smilingly replied that it was a miserable estate when her speaking Peers were deaf and her hearing Peers were dumb Our Duke used to complain â—hat two of the most eminent mâ—n in the Council in his time had two different but unhappy qualities the one a well-spoken man had such a humour that he pretended he understood hardly any body the other a person of an excellent judgment but speaking so darkly that hardly any body understood him He avoided two things first Catching too soon at an offence Secondly Yeilding too easie a way to anger the one shewing a weak judgment the other a perverse nature which rendereth great men as ridiculous as it did the Ambassadors of Spain and Venice who drew blood from one another in the most August Assembly at the Coronation of R. H. 4th Queen in France because one of them used the word excellency instead of the word Seigniory But in these cases he observed the Roman Discipline nec sequi nec fugere to be more prudent than to catch at such trifling Cavils and more courageous than to shun if they were offered to him being very cautious also in mentioning the name of God in small matters Nec deus Intersit nisi dignus vindice nodus Inciderit and more willing to build his resolution on the experience of former ages than his own thought being very unwilling to be of the number of those people who like the Chinois think they have two eyes their friends as those think of the Europaeans one and other men as they think of the rest blind Being vexed with the delays at Rome and the delusions at Bridewel where the Cardinals proceeded according to their instructions at Rome one day he knocks on the Table in the presence of the two Cardinals and binds it with an Oath That it was never well in England since Cardinals had any thing to do therein and from that time forward as an active Instrument he endeavoured the abolishing of the Popes power in England against whom he was not more active in the Parliament 1534 than he was vigilant in the Committee 1535 in the one cutting off the head in the other weakening the members of that Church He mâ—de provident yet moderate use of his Masters favours thereby obliging others and securing himself being above Mercenary inclinations as much in his thoughts as in his â—ortune he was neither too near the King lest he were weary of him nor too far off lest he forgot him or thought himself neglected by him His intermissions of attendance gave others no advantage but rendred him more gracious he neither engrossed nor confined his Masters affection It was easie for him to rise being descended of Noble Blood which is never envied for its advancement and as easie to keep high being well studied in his Princes disposition whose inclination when found is half fitted ever pleasing his Masters Natural humour never his Vicious Having attained a competent height he chose rather to grow stronger by relation than higher by advancement Some Favourites whose heels have been tripped up by their adversaries have with their hands held on their Allies till they could recover
mean but well proportioned his complexion phlegmatique his countenance amiable and cheerâ—ul his voice plain and distinct and his temper sound and healthful I can add nothing to the honour of this good man yet will I pay this further devotion to his virtue whereof honour was a testimony as long as it was its self wortâ—less men having made the honour bestowed on them as despicable as themselves that wore it that royal favour receiving more contempt from them than it gave reputation to them A good name the great instrument of doing good while we live and our other life when dead could he said if any thing justify the barbarous way of duels since he is the most bloody man to himself that is careless of reputation So as to be indifferent what he doth or what others say is to bury himself alive His Credit which he said was his Royalty there being but two Empires in the World the one a general love and esteem the other common dread and fear put him upon being watchful for occasions constant in his actions moderate in prosperity resolute in encounters calme in troubles above fortune and able to make and piece up the broken miscarriages of chance that he might be settled in that state which is the work of greatness and the inheritance of goodness the prospect whereof is pleasant though the ascent be sharp and slippery â—he top shaking the footing uncertain and the downfall fearful and the reflections of it when moderated with humility like those oâ— the Sun when allayed in his declension pleasing and cheerful Towards the attainment whereof the Lives of former Worthies were such incitements to this as Hercules was to Theseus Miltiades to Themistocles and Achilles to Alexander And nothing the good Man would discourse should men be more render of than of Mens hoâ—our since tâ—eâ—e were but two effectual restraints from Vice shame and fear and but two motives to Virtue Honour and Interest the fiâ—st of which is so much the darling peculiarly of the English Nation that this is called by a French Author the Land of Honour His Fall was attended with a greater fame than his height as the Sun in the Evening hath a greater â—hadow than at Noon WHo is the honest man He that doth still and strongly good pursue To God his Neighbour and Himself most true Whom neither force nor fawning can Vnpin or wrench from giving all their due Whose honesty is not So loose and easie that a ruffling winde Can blow away or glitt'ring look it blinde Who â—ides his sure and even trot While the World now rides by now lags behinde Who when great trials come Nor seeksâ— nor â—huns them but doth calmly stay Till he the Thing and the Example weigh All being brought into a sum What Place or Person calls for he doth pay Whom none can work or wooe To use in any thing a trick or sleight For above all things he abhors deceit His words and works and fashion too All of a piece and all are clear and streight Who never melts or thaws At close tentations when the day is done His goodness sets not but in dark can run The Sun to others writeth Laws And is their virtue Virtue is his Sun Who when he is to treat With sick Folks Women those whom passions sway Allows for that and keeps his constant way Whom others faults do not defeat But though men fail him yet his part doth play Whom nothing can procure When the wide World runs Bias from his will To writhe his limbs and share not mend the ill T is is the Mark-man safe and sure Who still is right and prays to be so still Observations on the Life of Thomas Cromwel Earl of Essex Most of them from the Notes of Thomas Cromwel Esquire one of his Posterity who made a Collection of Observations upon him 1633. from the Ancestors of Baronet Worseley and Sir Ralph Hopton who had been his Servant PVtney saw his Cradle in a Cottage and England saw his Coffin in a Ditch His Original was mean his End meaner A suddain height in an unsettled time ruined him A moderate and leasurely Greaâ—ness is safe His Blood ran low but pure ennobling the veins it flowed in with a Spirit that was to raise a Family and Deserve that Honour that others Inherit His honest Parents conveyed him a strong Constitution that could support stronger parts The poor mans good Temper is an Inheritance and the Rich his Effeminacy his Disease A private School civilized his parts Travel and Employment improved them His Necessity when at home made him a Soldier abroad and his Observations abroad made him a Man at Home The Experience of Travel enlarged his Soul and the Hardship of War knitted and consolidated it His hard Fortune at Cambray was the occasion of his good One in England and had he not been undone he had been undone For his promising looks commended him to Frescobald the Merchant for Relief and to Cardinal Wolsey for service in whose private Service of Secretary for his Embassie in France he prepared himself for that more publick of Secretary of State in England Great Scholar he was none the Latine Testament gotten by heart being his Master-piece nor studied Lawyer never admitted to the Innes of Court nor experienced Souldier though Necessity cast Him upon it when the Duke of Burbon beâ—ieged Rome noâ— Courtier till bred up in Cardinal Wolsey's Court yet that of the Lawyer in him so helped the Scholar that of the Souldier the Lawyer that of the Courtier the Souldier and that of the Traveller all the rest being no Stranger to Germany well acquainted with France most familiar with Italy so that the result of all together made him for Endowments eminent not to say admirable His Apprehension was quick and clear his Judgment methodical and solid his Memory strong and rational his Tongue fluent and pertinent his Presence stately and obliging his Heart large and noble his Temper patient and cautioâ—s his way industrious and indefatigable his Correspondence well laid and constant his Converse insinuating and close None more dexterous to finde out by his Setting-Dogges and Coy-Ducks none more reserved to keep a secret He was equal â—aith my Author to the French Politicians when under his Master he over-reached them when alone doing more in one month with his subtle Head than the other in twelve months with his stately Train The King of France would have pensioned up his parts but the Vice-Roy of England advanced them His Master brought him first to serve his Country in Parliament that great School of Experience and then his King at Court where defending his Masters great actions he made it evident he could perform greater His saying in defence of his Master that new States-men like fresh Flies bite deeper than those which were chased away before them stuck much with the House that was then sensible that many of the Country-Gentlemen discoursed of the Court-States-men but
with the same success that the Gown-man Harangued it before Alexander of Military Affairs who laughed at the Scholar for talking of War to a Souldier his defence of his Master being the more observable for his civilities to his adversaries he being very cautious of reflecting upon his Patrons Enemies while he excused him the bespattering of others being not the best method of purging him and Memnon gave a railing Souldier a good blow with his Launce saying I hired thee to fight and not to raile Neither delighted he in being the Davus the troubler of the Parliament which he observed play'd the part of fond Musicians which spend so much time in tuning their Instruments that there is none left to spare for their Musick He wished that our reformation might be in one respect like the reformation of the Turkes who thought that the best way to understand the Alâ—oran was to burn all the Interpreters it being true of the Bible what one observeth of one Text of it that was clear before it was commented upon A truth become seasonable as there is no new thing under the Sun and what â—ath been will be in a less revolution of time than Plato's great Yeâ—r even in our times when passion guides Religion that should be governed by it as being without iâ— but a short madness turning man into a wild Beast that is goared which runneth upon every thing that cometh in its way without consideration or like a violent torrent descending down impeâ—uously from a steep Hill which beareth down all respects before it divine and humane For whilst passion is in the heighth there is no room for reason nor any use of the dictates of the understanding the mind for the time being like the Cyclopian Cave where no Man heard what another said only what they want in them singly in reason may joyntly be made up in noise and their respective defects in Arguments be supplied by their communion in suffrage And it is the wisdom of those who are concerned in what they oppose to stand out of their way at least till the storm be over Omnis campis duffugit Arator Omnis Agricola Dum pluit in terris ut possint sole reductâ— Exercere diem Their reason with time and due consideration will be better attended to when this earnestness hath a little spent its self into a calmness and allay Such was his Wit such his Eloquence that they who hated the Client admired the Advocate And though he could not keep his Patron from falling yet he raised himself that being the first time his Eminent Parts were observed An advantageous starting is more than half way in the Race of Preferment For hereupon he is first Master of the Kings Jewels and then of what was more precious his Secrets His Conscience inclined him to the Churches Reformation his Interest complied with the Kings he unlocked the secreâ—s of Monasteries by his Spies and put the King upon destroying them by his Power The University of Cambridge made him Chancellor to save it self where though he did no great good yet hiâ— Greatness kept others from doing harm in an Age wâ—erein Covetousness could quarrel a Colledge as well as an Abbey into superstition He was trusted by the King with the Rollâ— and Records of England and by the Scholars with the Charters and Satutes of their Universities He reforms the University in order to the Reformation of the Church enjoyning the study of the Scripture and the Tongues instead of School-Divinity and Barbarism recommending Aristotle Agricola Melancthon to their reading and the Doctrine which is in Spirit and in Truth to their Faith and razing the Popes Bulls to make way for the Kings Favour and that Architectonical Power to see that all subjects within his Dominion do their duties in their several Callings for the safety and tranquillity of the Common-wealth He was an eminent Minister of State and Chief Governour of the Church proceeding in Convocation very discreetly modelling the Church-Laws very prudently and moderately looking into Monastical Abuses very narrowly and industrioâ—sly mawling Religious Houses violently pulling down those Nests that the Rooks might not return His Master had disobliged the Pope and he weakeneth him It was not safe to disown his Supremacy and entertain thousands of his Creatures If a Kingdom be divided against it self it cannot stand and if one part of the English pay their devoâ—ion to a supream Head at Rome and another to a supream Governour in England they must both fall If the Persons might disturb the Government it is fit their Estates should secure it and if the Papists should foment a War their Lands should maintain it But Cromwel contrives that the Pope should confirm Alienations in Wolsey before he shâ—uld practise it for the King As the King knew whom he employed when he trusted him so he knew whom he trusted when he employed Doctoâ— Lee an able servant to an abler Master He fiâ—st decâ—yed Religious Men out of their Covents by the allurement of Liberty and then forced them out by Power and Authority As the Abbeys improved his Estate so his Master advanced his Honour He had one Privy Seal always to act by and was Keeper of another He had no sooner attained an Earldom for himself but foreseeing the alteration of Affairs he secured a Barony for his Son nor forfeitable by the Attainder of the Father Within five years he was Master of the Jewel-house Chancellor of the Exchequer Secretary of State Baron and Viscount Wimbledon in Middlesex Vicar General Master of the Rolls Knight of the Garter Keeper of the Privy Seal Lord High Chamberlain and Earl of Essex Justice in Eyre of Forrests Chases and Parks c. N. Trent â— Within five Months he quitted most of these places and in five minutes lost all He must needs be envied whose Birth was so much beneath all others and his Preferment above them especially when the King in preferring him injured others as the Citizens in managing the Jewels the Courtiers in undertaking State-affairs the Lawyers in the Rolls the Nobly descended at Winsor the Clergy in the Convocation the Earl oâ— Oxford and the Family of the Bourchiers in the great Chamberlainship and Earldom of Essex But he cares not whom he displeaseth if he can oblige his Master whose power he advanceth in the Paâ—liament and Synod as he improveth his Reâ—enue in the Office of first-Fâ—uits and the Court of Augmentation His Greatness waâ— allayed with his Goodness and the Envy of the One mitigated by â—he Liberality of the other He had not more Suiters at his Door than Almes-men two hundred at a time As he was good abroad so he was at home calling upon his Servants yearly to give him an account what they had got under him and what they desired of him warning them to improve their opportunities because he said he was too great to stand long providing for them as carefully as for his Son
by his Purse and Credit that they might live as handsomely when he was dead as they did when he was alive Sir Thomas was a Name of Awe and Reverence to the Rico and blessed by the Poor That Name when his Fortune and Power tempted him â—o an insolency leâ—elled the proudest Ciâ—izens House for â—is convenieâ—cy and bowed the pooâ—est Man's Knee to his Honour his mind being equal to his â—uccess He câ—uld at pleasure work upon the Loâ—ds bâ— the Commons and on the Commons by the Lords as Cardinal Wolsâ—y perswaded the Commons to four Sâ—illings in the Pâ—und upon the Lords president and the Lords to as much upon the Commons and he kept up the Cardinals way of Aâ—ticipation that the People should be always one Subsidy before-hand He set up the old Taxation of Knight-hood at Qâ—een Anne's Coronation and levied it making amends to â—he People â—or all his hard Impositions because aâ— Vespâ—sian to the Romans so He to the English was Antiquo cultu victu â—ue praecipuus aâ—tricti moris Author â— by his observing of â—he ancient Diet of the Countrey and the old fashion of Apparel he wâ—s to them a principal Author of their frugality He confiâ—ms the Kings Sâ—â—remacy by a Law and estabâ—isheâ—h his Daughter Elizabeth'â— Succession by an Oath fiâ—st takâ—n by â—he Paâ—liamentâ— and then by the Kingdâ—m for whose support he contrives the lesser Monasteries should be fiâ—st escheated and then the greater He was so honest that he acquits Queen Anne in his Letter to the Queen yet so much a Statesman that he condemn'd her upon the Bench. But to secure the Interest of England he by countenancing the translation and reading of the English Bible improved its Religion that as some few late Acts had disobliged the Pope a new frame of Christianity might exclude him The differences between Us and Rome were to be widened lest they should close and he judged it prudence to engage the conscience and the estate in one bottom that he might hold the One out of the tenderness of the Other He used to answer those that applauded his service in the Reformation that if he should arrogate to himself any part in that revolution of providence he should be like the Flie on the Cart-wheel that said what a Dust do I raise The Kings Supremacy cut off the Papists and the Six Articles the Protestants Reâ—ormation must be managed leasurely and alteration of Religion by just degrees Instruction preceding execution and the Peoples capacity growing up with their Governours Regulation The mountainous expectation of a reâ—ormation some told him merrily ended in â— Mouse but he answered sadly that it had been well it had not ended in a Mouse-trap that is a snare to many good People as well as a disappointment to all The times are troublesome but Cromwel calm and quiet and watchful over Occurrences Insurrection giving him an advantage of a new Settlement He takes down the Occasions and Ornaments of Idolatry Images Shrines Pilgrimages c. and then the Thing it self Take off the paint of Rome and you undo her As the Laws and Injunctions so the Alliance of England must secure its Inteâ—est A Protestant Qâ—een mâ—st be married to the Reformed King the Duke of Cleve's Sister must woo the King that Essex might have that whispeâ—ed in the Kings Bosom â—bed where he was best disposed which he insinuated into his Ear at the Council-Table where he was worst But the King was not so well pleased with her Beauty as Cromwel was with her Religion which Stephen Gardiner who hated her for her Religion â—nd Cromwel for his Greatness observing shewed the Kings loose Affections at once how to be rid of his Match and which he was as weary of his Match-Maker The Queen is divorced being never known by Henry who disliked her at first view and kept heâ— rather in Poliâ—y to oblige the German Princes than of pleasure to fill his own Bed Cromwel is arrested for presuming to act in some matters of State without the Kings privity or Commission and attainted by a procedure he had invented dying as cunningly as he had lived for some ambiguous words which Power interpreted to his Ruine His last words were so wary that they might become Bellarmine and Luther at once that the Protestants call them his Confession of Fâ—ith and the Papists his old Religion And neither is he to be blamed unless his troublesome Adversaries will accuse him as the quarrel some Roman did his Antagonist Because he would not receive his Weapon fairly with his whole Body for confessing his Offenses against God and the King in his many Employments he said he died in the Catholique Faith Some will say the Protestants think no great gain to have him and the Papists no loss to part with him yet we must needs confess that he was a Wise Man because he always consulted the Learned in the Laws about all his proceedings He was a Good Man witness Frescobald whose mean Person he took notice of whose small Kindness he acknowledged whose Services he condescended to whose Wants he relieved and whose Debts he recovered He was a Noble-man because he refused another Mans Coat of Arms who was of his Name saying What shall I do with it for he may pull it off my back at pleasure In a word He was so Mean before he rose so Worthy afterwards that no Times had Raised but those more troublesome none Ruined him but those most loose of Henry the viii Some reserved Mens parts he compared to meat in a great Colchester Oyster which would hardly requite the pains of opening But infinitely was he taken with those who were as he called them like the Statues of Apollo had a Launce in one Hand and an Harp in another that is resolution to awe on the one side and sweetness to oblige on the other Being much pleased likewise with the reflecting Man who needs not the dull way of Persia to keep a Boy behind him to bid him remember what he is and what he ought to do and with the devout Courtier For as the Ennamel which adorneth the Doves Neck never shines so clear and glorious as when the Sun looks upon it so great Men are never so full of Majesty themselves as when they own the Majesty of God never more Gods among Men as when humble Men before God who as St. Lewis of France once affirmed boweth the hearts of Men to a subjection to them who kneel in adoration to him He loved not the Men that pedantically boasted their reading but that rationally made use of it not ridiculously upon all occasions vaunting the shreds of it but skilfully to good purposes couching the result and substance of it So the admirable old Man Epictetus as Lucian calls him that famed Stoick whose Lamp was preserved as a Relique and sold for 3000. Drachmas would say Encheir c. 16. that Sheep bring not their grass to their Shepherd to shew him
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
that Princes honour them most that have most and the People them onely that employ most A Prince hath more reason to fear money that is spent than that which is hoorded because it is easier for Subjects to oppose a Prince by Applause than by Armies Reward said Sir Ralph when he was offered a sum of money should not empty the Kings Coffers neither should Riches be the Pay of Worth which are meerly the Wages of Labour He that gives it emâ—aseth a Man he that takes it vilifieth himself who is so most Rewarded is least Since Honour hath lost the Value of a Reward Men have lost the Merit of Virtâ—e and both become mercenary Men lusting rather after the Wealth that buyeth than after the Qualities that deserve it Two things he observed broke Treaties Iealousie when Princes are successful and Fear when they are unfortunate Power that hath need of none makes all confederacies either when it is felt or when it is feared or when it is envied Three things Cato repented of 1. That he went by water when he might go by land 2. That he trusted a Woman with a secret 3. That he lost Time Two things Sir Ralph relented for 1. That he had communicated a secret to two 2. That he had lost any hour of the morning between four a clock and ten He learned in King Henry the Eighth's time as Cromwel's Instrument what he must advise in point of Religion in Queen Elizabeth's time as an eminent Counsellour His Maxime being this That Zeal was the Duty of a private Brest and Moderation the Interest of a publick State The Protestants Sir Ralph's Conscience would have in the commencement of Queen Elizabeth kept in hope the Papists his Prudence would not have cast into Despair It was a Maxime at that time in b another case That France should not presume nor Spain be desperate He saw the Interest of this State altered six times and died an honest Man The Crown put upon four Heads yet he continued a Faithful Subject Religion changed as to the publick constitution of it five times yet he kept the Faith A Spartan one day boasted that his Country-men had been often buried in Athens The Athenian repliedâ— But we are most of us buried at home So gâ—eat was Sir Ralph's success in the Northern Wars that many a Scotch man found his Grave in England so exact his conduct and wariness that few English men had theirs in Scotland the same ground giving them their Coffin that did their Cradle and their Birth that did their Death Our Knights two incomparable Qualities were Discipline and Intelligence the last discovered him all the Enemies advantages and the first gave them none His two main designs were 1. An Interest in his Prince by service 2 An Alliance with the Nobility by Marriage upon which two Bottoms he raised himself to that pitch of Honour and Estate that time could not wear out nor any alterations embezle he bequeathing to his Woâ—shipful Posterity the blessing of Heaven upon his Integrity the love of Mâ—nkinde for his Worth and as Mr. Fuller saith a Paâ—don granted him when he attended my Lord Cromwel at Rome for the sins of his Family for three immediate Generations expiring in R. Sadler Esquire lately dead His last Negotiation was that in Scotland during the troubles there about Queen Mary So searching and piercing he was that no Letter or Adviso passed whereof he had not a Copy so civil and obliging that there was no Party that had not a Kindness for him so grave and solid that he was present at all counsels so close and industrious that his hand though unseen was in every motion of that State and so successful that he left the Nobility so divided that they could not design any thing upon the King and the King so weak that he could not cast off the Queen and all so tottering that they must depend on Queen Elizabeth Three things he bequeathed such as may have the honour to succed him 1. All Letters that concerned him since of years filed 2. All Occurrences since he was capable of Observation registred 3. All expenses since he lived of himself booked Epaminondas was the first Graecian and Sir Ralph Sadler was one of the last English-men Observations on the Life of Sir William Paget SIr William Paget was born in the City of London of honest Parents He was so able and trusty a Minister of State that he was privy Counsellour to four successive Princes He was Secretary to King Henry the Eighth who employed him Embassador to Charles the Emperour and Francis King of France King Edward the Sixth made him Chancellour of the Durchy Comptroller of his Houshole and created him Baron of Beaudefert Queen Mary made him Keeper of the Privy-Seal Queen Elizabeth highly respected him dispensing with his Attendance at Court in favour to his great Age. Duke Dudley in the days of King Edward ignominiously took from him the Garter of the Order saying He was not Originally qualified for the same But this was restored unto him by Queen Mary He died very old Anno 1563. and was buried in Lichfield His Education was better than his Biâ—th his Knowledg higher than his Education His Parts above his Knowledg and his Experience beyond his Parts A general Learning furnished him for Tâ—avel and Travel seasoned that Learning for Employment His Master-piece was an inward Observation of other Men and an exact knowledge of Himself His Address was with state yet insinuating His Discourse free but weighed his apprehension quick but staid His ready and present mind keeping its pauses of thoughts and expressions even with the occasion and the emergency neither was his carriage more stiff and uncompliant than his Soul Gundamore could not fit King Iames so well as Sir William did Charles the Fifth who in a rapture once cried He deserved to BE a King as well as to REPRESENT One and one day as he came to Court Yonder is the Man I can deny nothing to Apollonius coming to Vespatian's Gate betimes in the morning and finding him up said Surely this man will be Emperour he is up so early This Statesman must needs be eminent who was up the earliest of all the English Agents in discovering Affairs and latest in following those Discoveries Three sorts of Embassadors the Emperour Charles observed were sent him from England the first was Wolsey whose great Train promised much as his great Design did nothing The second was Morisin who promised and did much The third Paget who promiâ—ed nothing and did all What Scholars observed then of three Divines that a Statesman hath set down of our three Agents the first was words without matter the second was matter without words the third was words and matter Quick and regular were his Dispatches when Secretary pleasing all with his proceedings even when he could not but displease many with his Decision It was much none went away ever sad from Augustus
an Emperour it was more none was dismissed ever in discontent from Sir William Paget a Secretary of State The King was not happier in his abilities to serve him than he was in their dexterity who waited upon him These are my eyes saith the discreet man these are my right hands For his service he would chuse a Man before a Scholar a Traveller before a Home-bred Parts he preferred in his Office a Presence in his Chamber Parts and Presence in the Closet Beecher was King Henry the Eighth his Map of England so well skilled he was in our English Customs Trade Improvements Situation Interest and Inclination Paget was his Table of Germany France and Rome so exact an account could he give of their Situation Havens Forts Passages Provision Policies Revenue and Strength secured he was in King Henry's changeable times by his forein Travels and Employments Escape he did King Edward's Reformation by his Moderation and peaceableness He complied with Queen Mary's Zeal out of conscience and submitted to Queen Elizabeth's Authority out of Duty and Allegiance being one of those moderate men that looked upon the Protestants primitive Foundations of Faith Duty and Devotion as safe and on the Papists superstructures as not damnable Whose life was Grotius and Cassander's Wish An Accommodation to the Christian World Privacy is the Favourites Inâ—erest and concealment his â—are Sir William wished for success for his Masters sake but dissembled it for his own He is the man that loseth neither his Privacy nor his Reputation Quiet was his temper though noble his resolution Troublesome is a witty man on a stage as a Monkey in a cup-board of glass Placed sweet and composed is the prudent Man like an Intelligence in the Heavens or a god in the World Up he went but by just degrees that if down he must he might do so with the same leasure and safety When he had managed the Secrets and Negotiations of Henry the Eighth with Dexterity and Faithfulness the Lands of King Edward the Sixth with Skill and Improvement the Purses of Queen Mary Qâ—een Elizabeth with good Husbandry and Caâ—e When he had lived enough to his Countries to his Sovereigns to his Friends and the Publique Good he retired to live to Himself first and then to his GOD. Observations on the Life of Sir Richard Morisin SIr Richard Morisin born in Essex or in Oxfordshire was brought up at Eaton Cambridge and Inns of Court He was so skilful in Latine and Greek and in the Common and Civil Law that he was often employed Embassador by King Henry the VIII and Edward the VI unto Charles the Fifth Emperour and other Princes of Germany which he dischargeâ— with all honesty and ability After the death of King Edward the VI he was forced to fly beyond the Seas and returning out of Italy died at Strasburgh on the 17. of March 1556. Three things made a compleat man in those days 1. A publick School where their School-fellows Genius's instruct much more tâ—an their School-masters pains where a man attains at once to Learning Prudence and a Spirit 2. A comprehensive insight into Tongues and Sciences by the first whereof they unlocked Men and by the second Things â— 3 Travel where they saw what they read and made that a solid apprehension and observation which was before but a fluid notion and a floating imagination Our Knight was happy in all Three but so compleat in the last that he had the Virtues and Port of a German as if he had been a Native of that place and loathed the Vices as if he had never seen it Thereby he could get so far within that people that he saw all their Intrigues and be yet so reserved that they could see nothing The ablest German Divines guided his conscience and the greatest Statesmen his Negotiation He kept under the Emperour by the Princes the French by the Emperour and the Pope by them all So much service did the good Knight to King Henry the Eighth in his Wise Katharine's Case and so much the whole Kingdom in that of Religion that he equally fled Qâ—een Mary's wrath and her Religious Persecutions His strong paâ—ts set off his comprehensive knowledge his resolute spirit his parts and his presence and mode all King Henry always chusing an Embassador that might represent his Person as well as his power And Sir Richard had his Hegh in Germany as well as Henry in England His knack was his foresight which made that an Adviso in England which was hardly a known design there saying usually His Master maintained not Embassadors so much to write Histories as Prophecies The Trejans sent to condole with Caesar for his Son that was dead two years ago he thanked them and condoled with them for Hector that was slain as many hundred years Our Embassador in France adviseth Sir Richard of a Battel fought a Week before and he in answer makes a large discourse of the Battel of Spurs fought many years before and adds I and You are not here to tell old stories Two things he said he was troubled with Envy and Malice and two Remedies he had against them Patience and Resolution Always he wheeled with the first Mover yet he had private motions of his own Singular but modest So faithful he was that he would dâ—clare his Opinion yet so wary that he would not stand in it against his Prince knowing that if he did it out of prudence he rendered the Princes Ability suspected if out of his own sagacity it blemished his Integrity Both equal inconveniencies to intimate the Master Unable or the Servant Corrupt When others pressed for an over-strict Reformatiâ—n this Gentleman urged That Distempers in the Body and State are reduced by Physicians and Politicians not to what they should be but to what they can be Freedom Moderation and Impartiality are the best tempers of Reforming Counsels and Endeavours What is acted singularly must offend more than it pleaseth a study to gratify some men being a likely way to injure all The novelty of excessive and immoderate undertakings giving not so much content to the vulgar of a present Age as the mischiefs of them give offense to the Generations of future times And Melancthon's discourse to him was to this purpose That the Reformation of hearts should go before that of Churches and men should try that on their own hearts which they design upon the Church For Deformities within will soon betray the Pretenders of publique Reformation to such private designs as must needs hinder the publique Good It would be an easie matter for Favouâ—iâ—es to reform Kings Palaces saith Malvezzi if it were not a hard thing to reform their own houses One asked him Why his Embassie tended so much more to preserve his Masters Dominions than to augment them And he replyed what is fathered on Henry the Fourth That getting is a Chance but Keeping is a Wit After a long reâ—idence abroad he thought of
had no time to transcribe Intelligence but what he borrowed from his sleep nor money to buy it but what he saved out of his allowance yet he understood more than any one Prince of Europe and was more consulted than any one Statesman His Judgment was much valued his Integrity more ever offering what was solidly safe rather than what was superficially plausible as one who was a stranger to the wisdome of the latter Age as Sir Francis Bacon describes it which is rather fine Deliveries and shifts from Inconveniences than solid and grounded courses for advantage His foresight was large and his spirit larger he considered all Circumstances that occurred to him judged what he considered and spoke what he judged with that resolution as to his opinion that argued he understood the matter in question with that modesty as to his Superiours that shewed he understood himself He would say that he that could not with the Cameleon change colour with the Aire he liveâ— in must with the Cameleon live only upon Aire Observations on the Life of Sir Edward Poynings SIr Edward Poynings was the third of eighteen Counsellours bequeathed by Henry the VII to his Son with his Kingdom a Privy Council wherein there was not one Lawyer and a Cabal that never condescended for advice to any below themselves or for performance of any of their Degrees to any beâ—ides themselves being a compleat Body of active and knowing men in their own Orb. Who more prudent than Surrey who more resolved than Poynings whose Vigilancy made him Master of the Cinque Ports as his Valour advanced him General of the Low-Country Forces whom he led on to several services with such success and brought off with the loss of not above an hundred men with Honour from the Lady Margaret and Applause from the whole Country No less happy was he in his Government of Tournay until the Council at home now 〈◊〉 thin by the secession of Warham Fox 〈◊〉 Norfolk had more need of him than Garisons aâ—road Vainly is that spirit penned within a City that was equal to a Kingdom It is the unhappiness of other Monarchies that they have not Men answerable to their Employments it was the unhappiness of this that it had not Employment suitable to its Men. He liv'd and di'd in Arms Bulloign saw him fiâ—st a Souldier and Bulloign saw him last the best Camp-Master in all Christendom always observing three things 1. The Situation of his Camp to secure his Army 2. The Accommodation of it to supply it 3. His Retreat to draw off the Avenues to be guarded with Souldiers and strengthened with Re-doubts which he made Triangular that more men might engage the Enemy at once during erection wheâ—eof the Army was pallisado'd in the Front with stakes headed with iron on both ends five foot long stuck slope-wise into the ground to keep off both Horse and Foot the Foot-Sentinels were without the Redoubts the Horse-Guards beyond them at distance enough to descry the Enemy and not too much to retire to their works A serious and plodding brow bespoke this Noble Knights deep Prudence and a smart look his resolved Valour who was a man vastly different in his publick capacity from what he was in his privâ—te employment Quemquam posse putas mores narrare futuros Dic mihi si fias tu leo qualis eris Observations on the Life of Sir Charles Somerset SIr Charles Somerset afterward Lord Herbert of Gower c. endeared himself to King H. as much for his Maxime That Reason of State was Reason of Law as for his Advice That the King should never suck at Law in case of Publique Good and yet that all â—is Acts for publique Good should come as near as possible to the Law So Popular was this Gentleman that he received all the Petitions against Empson and Dudley yet so loyal that he advised his Master neither to spare those Leeches lest any should pâ—esume to alienate his Peoples affections from him by Extortions for the future nor yet too severely to punish them lest any should be discouraged to serve the Crown for the present for indeed Empson and Dudley suffered for that which others were advanced for the Parliament punished them for putting their Laws in execution and the King deserted them for improving his Exchequer to a Treasury Two things this Lord advised his Master to before he put the Crown upon his head 1. To redress the Peoples Grievances under his Father 2. To marry not in France where he had a Title A Kingdom so near us that by reason of mutual jelousies we may have peace with it sometimes but Friendships never In the Houshold he was Lord Chamberlain so discreet his Carriage In the French Expedition Anno 1513. he was General so Noble his conduct His Assiâ—stants were the Earls of Northumberland Shrewsbury Kent and Wiltshire his Followers the Lord Audley De la Ware Carew and Curson c. Therovene he besiegeth in good Order and with Wolsey's advice who had lived long in that Town understands all the Avenues of it aâ—d with Sir Oughtred Sir Henry Guilford Sir Edward Poynings Sir Charles Brandon and Sir Alexander Baynam's assistance sprung several Mines repulsed the French Relief and the City-Assailants so that the Town was yielded August 22. 1513. and upon Mazimilian's Intreaty razed as he did Tournay September 22. Herbert was for razing this place as farther from us than Therovene but Wolsey for the Bishopricks sake is for the garisoning of it as a Trophy The King recollecting his former occasions Febr. 3. 1514. thought he could not do a more just or a more prudent Act than recompence his Noble Servants but the cheapest way I mean that of Honour as he did old Somerset with the Earldome of Worcester With this Honour at home is joyned another abroad viz. That of Embassie to Maximilian where he reached that Germans depthâ— and clearly demonstrated that those fond and impossible Offers of the Empire were but Artifices rather than Kindnesses to drain the Kings Treasure rather than enlarg his Dominions Advising him or raise a Citadel at Tournay and an Army in Normandy He finished the Espousals between the Princess Mary and the Dolphin and delivered Tournay by the â—ame token that he would not let the Mareschal de Castilion to enter with Banner displayed but rolled up it being as he said who when Lord Herbert was at the taking of it voluntarily yielded up and not gotten by Conquest and then bestowed himself with Sir Richard Wingfield for the great enterview between King Francis and King Henry an interview I know not whether more solemn or more dangerous Kings cannot meet without great state and they seldom part without much envy who never are further asunder than when they meet His most eminent Action here was the Device of that Motto Cui adhareo praeeâ—t a Motto that speaks the Honour of England and the Interest of Europe The Arbitrators commanding both
whom his arguments and his own Interest drew off from France Sir Robert helping him to some Observations touching the breach of the Article of Cambray as his pretense to this alteration and offering him what men and money he pleased as his encouragement to this undertaking Sending in the mean time one Nicolas West D. L. and Dean of Windsor to feel the Pulse of all the Princes in Christendome and advising upon an entire reflection on their several Interests the repair of our frontier Towns and Forts an Army ready in the North and a constant Parliament He is Deputy of Calice and Viceroy of France What the French lost in the Fieâ—d they got by Treaty until Sir Richard's time whose Policy went as far as his Masters Power in that Accord Which tyed up they said the French Kings hands behind his back and the Scotch between his legs Yea he almost perswaded Maximilian out of his Empire 1615. though he wished the King not to accept of until the French were out of Italy Some do bettâ— by Friends or Letters Sir Robert best by himselâ— observing that he never failed but when he iâ—â—trusted others with what he could do himself hâ—â— person breeding regard and his eye seeing morâ— than any he could employ and his present minâ— being more ready in his own affairs upon any aâ—â—teration to come on draw back or otherwise acâ—comodate matters than any Substitute who seeâ—â— not the bottom of things nor turn to occasionsâ— He had about him his Blades and Gallants to exâ—postulate his Orators and fair-spoken-men tâ— perswade his close and subtile ones to enquiâ—â— and observe his froward men to perplex anâ— his plain Agents to report Attendants for alâ— services whose experience made them knowing and confident Doctor West Pace Lee and Gardener's way was the Circuit afar off Sir Robert's was the Surprize quick and nicked No man observing time more closely no man watching Natures tempers interests advantages and ends more indeâ—atigably It was the observation of those dayes That Sir Robert Wingfield was the best to prepare and ripen Designs and Sir Thomas Bolen to execute them But that Age was two boysterous and he too wary to advance beyond the reputation of a knowing Agent in which câ—pacity he lived or of a resolved Patriot with which honour he dieth Observations on the Life of Edward Stafford Duke of Buckingham HIs Blood was high his Revenue large and he was born to adorn the Court rather than to serve it He vied with the King in Gallantry and with the Cardinal in Pride of the one he speaks irreverently That Women governed him more than he did the Kingdome of the other indiscreetly That Francis governed France and Harry England and Wolsey both adding That the Commonalty might well complain when we had two Kings to maintain That which ruineth the world ruineth him his Tongue Fate never undid a man without his own indiscretion and her first stroke is at the Head Abroad none more Gorgeous at Home none more Noble at Court splendid among his Tenants Prince-like to his Relations impartial A Servant always pulled down the house of the Staffords and now one Knevet his Steward whom he had discharged for oppressing his Tenants undoeth him for his Father in-law the Earl of Northumbeâ—land is set under a Cloud and his Son-in-law the Earl of Surrey is removed on pretense of honourable employment out of the way and Wolsey's malice at the Duke hath its full scope who now deals with Knevets discontent to discover his Masters life and suggest that the Duke by way of discourse was wont to say how he meant to use the matter that if King Henry died without issue he would attain the Crown and punish the Cardinal George Nevil Lord Abergavenny his Son-in-law impeached him to save himâ—elf His Title to the Crown was his Descent from Anne Plantagenet Daughter of Thomas of Woodâ—tock Son to Edward the third His Accusation was 1. That he had conferred with a Cunning Man Hopkins Monk of Henton concerning the future state of this Realm who advised him to Popularity for he should have all if he had but the love of the People the Wizard confirming this by Revolutions and the Duke rewarding it with great encouragment 2. That he disparaged the present Government and used Arts to secure the succession 3. That he had threatned King Henry with the same Dâ—gger that should have murthered Richard the third He denied the Charge very eloquently and disclaimed his Life very rashly his foolish words rather than any designed malice deserving rather pity then judgement Much lamented was he by the People and as much was the Cardinal maliced being now called by the whole multitude The Butchers Son When Buckingham fell three things fell with him 1. The Splendour of the Court. 2. Hospitality and good Landlords in the Country And 3. The High-Constableship of England All Greatness is subject to Envy but none more than that which is insolent and affected being never its self without its pomp and shew Plain and modest Greatness is only safe A Witch then blasts a man when most prosperous and the Envious the onely Wizard in the world when most glorious Wise men therefore have eclipsed themselves that they might not be gazed on and great Ones have shrunk and suffered themselves to be oveâ—-born to be secure Vain-glorious men are the scorn of the Wise the admiration oâ— Fools the Idols of Parasites and the envy of the Unworthy the Busie the Unfortunate the Ambitious and the Rivals He lives well that lives in peace and he is safely gâ—eat that is great in his Conscience Anger sure is but a weakness in any man it belongeth so much to the Aged and the Childish and an indecency in a Nobleâ—man yet it might have been a Gallantry in this Duke had it noâ— 1. Revealed secrets and so betrayed him And 2. Spoke bitterly and dangerously and so abused him So far will Discontent carry Nature that it easily believes what it wisheth So much doth a Prophetick Vanity sway English-men that have the most of men of any in the world in Divinations and an itch to know things to come that the wittiest Sir Thomas More the most devout Bishop Fisher the wisest Cardinal Wolsey and the most Noble the Duke of Buckingham have been undone by hearkening after Pâ—edictions the two first of Elizabeth Barton the third of Iohn Sacheveril and the fouâ—th Monk Hopkins Always are these Divinations like the Astâ—ologers in Rome by seveâ—e Laws forbidden yet alwâ—ys aâ—e they by vain persons obtruded Many Wives wo England hardned many a Male-content to his ruine in King Henry the eighth's time When HEMPE is spun England is done encouraged many a Papiâ—t to his undoing in Queen Elizabeths time Leo Nullus confirmed many a deluded soul to hiâ— downfal in our days It was as fatal to this great man to trust his Steward as his Wizard the one deluded the other betrayed him It undoeth a man to
Honour to be of Prince EDWARD's special Council for the future By his Order he had as his share of Abbey-Lands Battle-Abbey in Sussex enjoyed by his Heirs Males in a direct Line to this day And by his Authority he had the Honourable Garter He was the fiâ—st man that durst bring his Master the sad news That He must die And no wonder he durst do it for the next news is That he is dead himself How darest thou to be so plain said Heliogabalus to the Courtier Because I dare die said he I can but die if I am Faithful and I must die though I Flatter Tâ—is Gentlemans humour of crossing present proceedings was prettily reproved by King Hen. the Eighth's little story of a poor Woman drowned by mischance whose dead body whilst her Neighbours sought for down the River her Husband who knew her condition better than they advised them to seek up the River for all her life long she loved to be contrary to all others and he presumed she would swim against the stream being dead The End of the Obseâ—vations upon the Lives of the Statesmen and Favourites of England in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth THE STATES-MEN and FAVOURITES OF ENGLAND IN The Reign of King Edward the VI. Observations on the Lives of the Seymours EDward Seymour and Thomas Seymour both Sons of Sir John Seymour of Wolful in Wiltshire I joyn them together because whilst they were united in affection they were invincible but when divided easily overthrown by their Enemies EDward Duke of Somerset Lord Protector and Treasurer of England being the elder Brother succeeded to a fair Paternal inheritance He was a valiant Souldier for Land-service fortunate and generally beloved by Martial Men. He was of an open nature free from jealousie and dissembling affable to all people He married Anne Daughter to Sir Edward Stanhop a Lady of a high mind and haughty undaunted spirit THOMAS SEYMOUR the Younger brother was made BARON of Sudley and by Offices and the favours of his Nephew King Edward the sixth obtained a great Estate He was well experienced in Sea-Affairs and made Lord Admiral of England He lay at a close postuâ—e being of a reserved nature and more cunning in his carriage He married Queen Katherine Pâ—rr the Widow of King Henry 8. Very great the Animosities betwixt their Wives the Dutchess refusing to bear the Queens Trainâ— and in effect justled with her for precedence se that what betwixt the Train of the Queen and lonâ— Gown of the Dutchess they raised so much dust at the Court as at last put out the eyes of both their Husbands and occasioned their Executionâ— Their Sisters Beauty commended them to the Kingâ— favours but a frail support that which is as lasting only as a Phancy and only as certain as Passion therefore their Parts recommended them to his service Affection shall lead me to Court but I 'le take care that Inâ—erest keeps me there Sir Edward Seymours temper suited with the Kings Inclinations and his spirit with his times both high both stirring In the throng of Courtiers there aâ—e but three steps to raise a man to observations 1. Some pecuâ—iar sufficiency 2. Some particular exploit and 3. An especial Friend This Noble Person shewed the first with advantage in that draught of Military Discipline presented to Henry the eighth wherein the embattling is most remarkable viz. Twenty two compleat Companies make up four Squadrons eveâ—y Squadron of Pikes and Musquets being drawn up apart the Pikes and Colours on the left hâ—nd and the Musqueteers on the right These Squadrons make up a Brigade to be drawn up as followeth viz. Ten Corporalships of Musqueteers being 34 Rots divided into five Plattons every Platton being nine or so in front led by a Major and every division by a sufficient Commander Next after these Thirty six Rots of Pikes are to follow being twelve Corporalships with their Colours following them till they are drawn up even in front with the 32 Rots of Musqueteers This makes the Right Wing of the Brigade 2. The Battel of Pikes moveth forward in division doing in all respects as the former till they range even in front with the Pikes of the Right Wing Then the oâ—her 32 Rots of Musqueteers belonging to the middle Squadron who are appointed to make the Battel of the Brigade are led up as the first Musqueteers in all points but at a reasonable distance behind the Pikes of their own Squadrons Then the last Squadron of Pikes marcheth up in all respects observing the same order until they have attained to range in front even with oâ—her â—ikes This being done the Battel or middle Squadron oâ— Pikes and Musquets advanceth in one body until it 's clear of the Wings Lastly the Surplus of the three Squadrons being 48 Rots of Muâ—quetâ—eâ—s are drawn up behind the Brigadâ—e where they are to attend the Commands of their Officers to guard the Baggage or Cannon to be Convoâ—es for Ammunition or Victuals to the rest or continue a reserve to wait upon all occasions 2. Eminent was his ability for this Draught more eminent for his performance agreeable to it in Britain where he sate before a Town six weeks to no purpose while it expected relief from Italy But at last he inâ—inuates a jealousie between the Pope and the French King touching that City that obstructed all relief He with aâ— much speed and policy sets upon the two main Scâ—â—res for defense of the Town and took them bâ—th battering the Town and Castle with that violence and noise that they say it was heard 100 miles off A Train of Powder is laid to blow them up when they should enter but this succeeded not For the French in passing the Ditch had so weted their cloaths that dropping upon the Train the Powder would not take fire and so all things conspiring to crown his valour with success he takes the Castle first and then dividing the Town and weakning it by several assaults at once brought it to his own terms Here his Valour had been eminent but that his conduct was more and his Conduct renowned but that his nobleness towards the Conquered his civility and obligingness towards the Souldiery and his integrity towards all persons had out-done that There are but two things that a subject can honestly oblige his Prince in 1. Keeping his subjects in peace at home 2. Keeping his enemies under abroad 1. Those soft but prudent Acts of Peace 2. Those resolved but well-managed wayes of War Sir Thomas wanted neither a resolution for the one nor a temper for the other But sufficiency and merits are neglected things when not befriended Princes are too reserved to be taken with the first appearances of worth unless recommended by tryed judgments It 's fit as well as common that they have their Counsellours for persons as well as things His Sister therefore was married on Whit sunday and he is on the Tuesday following created Viscount Beauchamp But
had his Eye upon the turns flexures and points of things and business and his state and interest ready to correspond He knew when to proceed when to make a stand and when to retire It 's said of Grandees That they are the first that find their own Griefs and the last that find their Faults Our Lord was quick in both and hath taught us this That certainly Men of great fortunes are strangers to themselves and while they are in the puzzle of business have no time to tend the welfare either of Body or Soul and that they must with-draw from this World before they retire into another For Illi mors gravis incubat qui not us nimis omnibus ignotus moritur sibi There are no more Remarques of this Personage than that he was the Father of this Apophthegme Well done if warily and Great-Grandfather to the present Earl of Warwick Observations on the Life of Sir John Mason HE had his Birth at Abingdon and his Education at Oxford His Birth commended him to All-Souls and his Breeding to the Court His Study was like his Inclination rather active than contemplative his present thoughts foreseeing and providing for his future Employments But Industry and Parts may prepare a Man it is opportunity and occasion that must advance him and never had a Man fairer opportunity never made a Man better use of it None but Mr. Mason would the University pitch upon to complement Henry the Eighth none but Mr. Mason could please him although he was as great a Scholar as he was a King and as much an Humorist as both as he was inclined so he studied as he studied so he writ not with a Pedants impertinence but a States-man's prudence so elegant was his Latine that a Critick would have advanced him Professor so various his Learning that Cranmer would have preferred him Prebend and yet so grave and wise the matter and composure of his speech that the King designed him a States-man When King Henry the Eighth came to Oxford Sir Iohn is deputed to congratulate his coming who considering that a Man cannot every Day speak to Kings contrived saith my Author the matter of his speech most Man-like politick and pertinent the phrase of it polite and majestick so that what with his comely presence his becoming carriage his flowing expression his graceful elocution he gained that applause from the Court and University that the one was as eager to have him as the other was loth to part with him the University was proud of him but King Henry commanded him and disposeth of him in Forein parts to add practical experience to his speculative studies It was the excellent way of that time to pick out the choice youths of both Universities and maintain them some years abroad to make such Observations as might render them serviceable at homeâ— Dwelt with Books he had long enough now he must converse with Men and open his recluse and retired soul to a practicable and social temper by debonairness and freedom too long mewed up with study and melancholy Think and speak he could very well already now he must learn to act and live Books furnished Travel must enlarge and settle his soul. Four things made a States-man in those Days 1. The University and good Letters 2. The City and Converse 3. The Court and Freedom of spirit 4. Travel and Observation It was the politick Discipline of those days to selecâ— saith mine Author the pregnancies of either Vniversity ana breed them iâ— Forein parts for publicâ— Employments Agreeable whereunto Mr. Mason iâ— sent beyond sea with Instructions to guid him and a pension to support himâ— With Order 1. To keep exact correspondence with the Secretary at home 2. To entertain 1. The most eminent Scholar who might represent the Church 2. The ripest Undersecretary who might decipher to him the State 3. The ablest Souldier and Sea-man that might open to him the Interest of both Nations 3. To take an exact account of the Havens Forts Cities Avenues Passages Ways Treasure and Interest of the place he lives in 4. To follow the respective Embassadors Directions in every Court 5. To appear in each place upon any solemnity Civil or Military suitable to the occasion all charges to be defrayed from the English Exchequer His Pension was two hundred and twenty pounds a year his Circuit was France the Netherlands and Italy his Commission was to engage any knowing person of those respective Courts that could transcribe their Edicts or Orders give exact Intelligence make any Interest or had any influence upon their respective Governments His Rules were 1. To correspond with his Majesties Agents 2. To have few and choice Acquaintance 3. To make Collections of and Observations upon the Histories the Laws Customs and the most considerable States-men Governours and Great Men with their Relations and Dependencies in those Courts 4. To give a monethly account of such Remarques as occurred at large to the Secretary and in brief to the King and Cardinal His first undertaking was in France where his Gravity was too severe beyond the dalliances of that place His next was to Italy where he shewed as great a reach in countermining as the Inhabitants of that place do in managing their plots None designs saith the Character further off than the Italian None seeth said Sir Tho. Audley further off than Sir John Mason His last Voyage was to Spain where he out grav'd the Don Himself and then returned with the Italians quickness the Spaniards staidness the Frenchmans Ayr the Germaâ—s Resolution and the Dutchmans Industry Qâ—alities that demonstrated he understood other Countreys and could serve his own Thâ—re thâ—s pregnant Gentleman being at some distance could look more inwardly into the Constitution Situation Interest State and Complexion of his own Countrey and being near could discern those of other parts wiâ—h the mutual aspect of England upon them and theirs upon it They that livâ—d in those times say that none understood the affairs of England and France together with their mutual advantages or disadvanâ—â—ges better than Sir Iohn Mason He that had seen the mysteries of four Courts might be trusted with those of one as he was in King Henry the Eighth's time in the capacity of a Privy Counsellour and in Edward the Sixth's in the Trust of chief Secretary At the Board none clearer in his Proposals in his Office none quicker for Dispatch Let me hear Sir Iohn Mason said the King Let us to Sir Iohn Mason said the Subjects so much the reputation of his prudent integrity with the one and of his familiar access with the other Four things he said kept him in under all the Revolutions during the four Princes Reigns whom he served 1. That he thought few Things would save a Man 2. That he was always intimate with the exactest Lawyer and ablest Favourite 3. That he spake little and writ less 4. That he had attained to something which each party esteemed
Property and protect their People in the enjoyment of the fruits of their industry and the benefit of those Laws to which themselves have consented He sets himself good Rules as well to create good presidents as to â—ollow them reducing things to their first institution and observing wherein and how they have degenerated yet still taking counsel of both times of the ancienter time what is best and of the latter what is fittest He made his course regular that Men might know what to expect but not peremptory that Knaves might not know how to impose upon him always expressing himself well when he digressed from his Rule Preserve the right of his place he would but not stir Questions of Jurisdictions rather assuming his right in silence and de facto then voice it with claims and challenges He directed in most Affairs but was busie in none none readier to give none readier to take helps and advices His speech was more discreet than eloquent rather particularly suitable to the present things and persons than generally orderly and artificial He could speak quick and deep too never using many circumstances lest he were tedious ever some lest he were blunt so warily did he deliver what he knew that he was sometimes thought to know what he did not He knew what might be said so good his fancy and he knew what shoâ—ld be thought so great his judgment commanding the discourse where-ever he was by that prudence that could bring it on and off and that variety that happily intermingled Arguments with Tales Reasons with Opinions and earnest with jest His Decrees were the Hedges of Propriety his Dispatches cool his Cases rightly stated his Reports favour of Integrâ—ty and Prudence of Books and Men. How discreeâ—ly would he moderate the rigorous circumstances of petty and poenal Laws how exactly observe the design and drift of the more fundamental and reasonable Here no Intrigues to perplex no Attendance to tire no Hazards to discourage no Checks or Delays to vex no surreptitious advantages to surprize no defeats of hopes or falseness of friends to disappoint no negligence of Agents or interest of parties to betray no Oratory or Sophism to varnish or hide a matter all things clear as Justice and smooth as Integrity By diligence and moderation with their gentle degrees and augmentations and his own watchful observance he climbed to Excellency A man is neither good nor rich nor wise at once it being a double work to be great 1. To remove Obstruction and accommodate Adversaries 2. To watch and assume the advantage What is longest in proving is longest declining the Rose that buds one day withereth the neâ—â— The Oak that is an Age a growing is five stancâ—â—â—â— He had those lower Virtues that drew praise from the Vulgar which he neglected knowing that they were more taken with appearances than realities he had middle that they admired and good Men observed he had his highest Virtues which they perceived and great Men honoured In a word a fragrant fume he had that filled all round about and would not easily away Although he despised the Flatterers praise as base and avoided the Cunnings as dangerous yet he would say of a deserved Fame That being nothing or but ayr at best it doth all for it 's sufficient to breed Opinion and Opinion brings on substance He observed of himself that he came very hardly to little Riches and very easily to great Riches For when a Man's stock is come to that as my Lord Verulam observes that he can expect the prime of the Markets and overcome those Bargains which for their greatness are few Mens Money and be Partners in the Industries of younger men he cannot but mainly increase with those two Advancers of Gain 1. Diligence and 2. A good Name He hath left these two Principles behind him for those of his own professionâ— 1. That they should reduce every Statute to the Common Law and Custome whereon it is grounded 2. That they should as well look into the History of former times â—or the Reasons and Circumstances of our Laws as into their Law-books for the matter of them Some Lawyers assert the Subjects Liberty and retrench the Prerogative as too much power to be trusted for a mortal Man within the known Limits of Law that so Subjects may be at a certainty How to square their Loyalty and Obedience He always upheld that Prerogative saying That the discretion of the Scepter as Guardian for the general good of the Common-wealâ—h must be trusted against all Emergencies with the management of its own might Concluding always thus Submission is our Duty and Confidence our Prudence Bishop Bancroft of Oxford said in King Charles the first his time Eo tempore occubui quo mallem Episcopatus rationem coram Deo dare quam Episcopatum coram hominibus exercere Judge Stamford said in Q. Mary's time In quae reservamur tempora dct Deus nt Magistratus rationem coram eo reddam potius quam Magistratum coram hominibus exerceam His Book containeth two parts One of The Pleas of the Crown the other of The Kings Prerogative In him saith Mr. Fulbeck there is force and weight and no common kind of stile in matter very few have gone beyond him in method none have overtaken him in the order of his writing he is smooth yet sharp pleasant yet grave and surely his method may be a Law to the Writers that succeed him Heavy saith he is the weight of innocent blood consider we either the inward fears attending the guilt of it or the outward providence of God watching for the discovery of it one that was before him having apprehended a Fishes head in the Platter for the head of him whom he had murthered and another after a horrid murther being observed to have his Hand continually upon his Dagger Observations on the Life of Sir John Jeffrey SIr Iohn Ieffrey was born in Sussex where he left behind him a fair Estate to his Daughter He so profited in the Study of our Municipal Law that he was preferred secondary Judge of the Common Pleas and thence advanced by Queen Elizabeth in Michaelmas-Term the Nineteenth of her Reign to be Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer which place he discharged for the Term of two years to his great commendation He left one Daughter and Heir married to Sir Edward Montague since Baron of Boughton by whom he had but one Daughter Elizabeth married to Robert Barty Earl of Lindsey Mother to the truly honourable Montague Earl of Lindsey and Lord great Chamberlain of England This worthy Judge died in the 21. of Queen Elizabeth This was he who was called the Plodding Student whose industry perfected Nature and was perfected by experience He read not to argue only for that is vanity nor to believe and trust for that is easiness nor to discourse for that is idle but to weigh and consider for that is prudence He had his Studies for pleasure and privacy for
Soul raised him to this was one That he durst not entertain a Gift which as he said conquers both the foolish and the wise which in publick places iâ— is a Vice to accept and not a Vertue to offer It being a snare rather than a favour His next was Diligence Neglect wastes a man as insensibly as Industry improves him We need no more but sit still and Diseases will arise onely for want of exercise Man 's a Watch that must be looked to and wound up every day the least incuriousness steals to improficiency or offence which degreeingly weighs us down to exâ—remity Diligence alone is a fair Fortune and Industry a good Estate There are five mens Activities that raise to Estates 1. The Divine to a small but an honest one 2. The Physitâ—an to a competency but uncertain 3. The Courtier to a great one and an honorable 4. The Citizen to a large one but not lasting And 5. The Lawyer to one large and firm too Seldom doth his Family faâ—l who is sure to tye his Estate to his Child by an Entail and his Child to his Estate by an Education and an Employment When we observe the several alterations in Gentry we find four principal Actors on the Theatres of great Families the Beginner the Advancer the Continuer and the Ruiner 1. The Beginner who by his vertues refineth himself from the dross of the vulgar and layeth the foundation of his house 2. The Advancer who improveth it 3. The Continuer who conveyeth it to his Posterity as he received it from hâ—s Ancestors 4. The Ruineâ— that degenerates from his Fathers Our Judge began not but advanced that excellent Family whose original I cannot find so ancient it is and whose end I hope none will see it is so noble Observations on the Life of William Howard WIlliam Howard son to Thomas Howard second of that Surname Duke of Norfolk was by Queen Mary created Baron of Essiâ—gham in Surrey and by her made Lord Admiral of England which place he dischargâ—d with credit He was one of the first Favourers and Furtherers with his Purse and Countenance of the strange and wonderful discovery of Ruâ—â—a He died anno Dom. 1554. This Noble Person had his plainness from his Father his ingenuity from his Mother his experience by Travel and Navigation his Blood endeared him to his Soveraign and his Abilities advanced him to her service Hâ— promised no less to his Mistress tâ—an his Fâ—ther and Vncle had performed to her Father The Ancestors merit is security for Posterieâ—ies who will hardly forfeit that favour with one act of their own unworthiness that was ganed by so many of their Predecessors service Like a well-drawn picture this Lord had his eye on all round on his Queen to be faithfull on his Country to be publick-spirited on his Family to be honourable on the present Age to be activâ— and on the future to be renowned The Old Lord Burleigh sometime Treasurer of England coming to Cambridge with Queen Elizabeth when he was led into the publick Schools and had much commended their convenience beauty and greatness together with their Founder Humphrey the good Duke of Glocester Yea marry said he but I find one School wanting in our Universities and that is the School of Discreâ—ion When private Tutors had initiated publick Schools had seasoned and the University had improved this Gentlemans sprightly and noble parts vet did his Father observe one great defect in his Education and that is Discretion Discretion in Carriage for which he sent him to Couâ—t Discretion in Business for which he sent him to travel and fight Not long had he been abroad to furnish himself with experience but he is called home to ennoble himself with action The Alveâ— of Spain were for four Generations together Commanders by Land and the Howards of England for as many Admirals at Sea None ever had more power none used less than he The more Authority he had allowed him over others the more Command he obtained over himself Twice did he mortgage his Estate for his followers pay many times did he venture his life for their encouâ—agement None directed more â—kilfully and yet none acted more resolutely Equally did he divide the profit equally share the honor with his followerâ— who under him never dared and never feared a danger Manners make a man saith the Courtierâ— Money makes a man saith the Citizen Learning makes a man saith the Scholar but Conduct makes a man saith the Souldier This Lords spirit never put hiâ— on so forwardly but his wariness toâ—k care how to come off as safely He that fights should despair but he that commands should hope The Souldier among the Persians is drawn with his eyes before him and the General with his behind him Young men in the manage of Affairs embrace more than they can hold stir more than they can qâ—iet flee to the end without consideration of the means and degrees pursue some few principles and extreme remedies they have chanced upon rashly which they will neither confess nor reform Old men object too much consult too long adventure too little repent too soon and seldome pursue things home to their full period My Lord was an happy composition of both himself and had of either about him that the coldness and wariness of Age might correct the heat of Youth and the activity of younger might be directed by the experience of riper ones The one gave Authority and the other Life to his Actions He himself was better to invent than to judge fitter for Action than Counsel and readier for new Projects than for settled business The Lord Clinton's prudence served him in old and usual matters but in new things abused him My Lord Howard's was quick for present Emergencies but not comprehensive of ordinary transactions Of the three Admirals of those times we may say as they did of the three Kingdoms Lisle was wise before the Action my Lord Howard in itâ— my Lord Clinton after it England without a freedom of commerce was but a larger Prison others opened the Trade to the Indies to Asia and other parts of the world but we wanted the Hemp the Flax the Pitch the Firr and the other usual Commodities of Russia serviceable to our selves and more to our Ships His purse in this case did much his direction more his servant Ieâ—kinson most of all who made curious observations of Russia set forth a Geograâ—hâ—cal description of it and was the first of the English that sailed through the Caspian Sea With his assistance the Muscovia Company was set up in Queen Maries days and with his servants it obtained the Priviledge of sole Traffick into the Northern Parts of Russia in Elizabeth's Nihil habet fortuna magna majus nec natura bona melius quam ut velit bene-facere quam plurimis Observations on the Life of Sir Edward Mountague EDward Mountague Son of Thomas Mountague born at Brigstock in Northampton-shire was bred
to Henry to reconcile himself to the Catholick Church and the Pope as Heads thereof Our King having perused this and knowing it could not lie hid in Italy though Pool had promised not to publish it sends for him by Post to come into England to explain some Passages therâ—of but Pool knowing thaâ— it was declared Treason there to deny the Kings Supremacie râ—fused desiring the King nevertheless in Letters to him and Tonstal to take hold of the present time and redintegrate himself with the Pope whereby he might secure his Authority and advance it with the honour of being the cause of a Reformation of the Church in Doctrine and Manners King Edward is King of England and the Cardinal like to be Pope of Rome keeping pace with the Royal Family He Head of the Church Catholick They of that in England but King Edward's weakness of Body susâ—ered him not long to enjoy his Throne and the Cardinals Narrowness and easiness of spirit suffered him not at all to sit in his chair For upon Paul the Third's death the Cardinals being divided about the Election the Imperial part which was the greatest gave their voice for Cardinal Pool which being told him he disabled himself and wished them to chuse one that might be most for the glory of God and good of the Church Upon this stop some that were now friends to Pool and perhaps looked for the place themselves if he were put ofâ— layed many things â—o his câ—aâ—ge â—mong other things That he was not without suspâ—tion of Lutheranism nor without bleâ—ish of Incontinence â—ut he clâ—aâ—ed himself so handsomely that he was now more impoâ—â—â—â—â—d to take the place then before and therefore one night they say the Cardinal came to him being in bed and sent word they came to adore him a circumstance of the new Popes Honour but he being waked but of his sleep and acquainted with it made answer That this waâ— not a work of darkeness and therefore requirâ—d them to forbear until next day and then do as God should put in their minds But the Italian Cardinals attributing this put-off to a kind of stupidity and sloth in Pool looked no more after him but the next day those Cardinal Montanus Pope who was afterwards named Iulius the Third I have heard of many that would have been Popes but could not I write this man one that could have been one but would not But though he would not be Pope of Rome yet when Mary was Qâ—een he was one of England â— where he was Legate and if it had not been for the Emperour had been King For as soon as she was in the Throne of England he was sent for out of Italy into the Chair of Canterbury but Charles the Emperour by the Popes power secretly retarded his return fearing it might obâ—truct the propounded marriage between his Son and the Queen Indeed the Queen bare the Cardinal and unfeigned affection for six reasons 1. For his grave and becoming presence that endeared him no less to those that saw him than his parts and prudence did to those that conversed with him The Diamond is then orient when set in Gold 2. For his disposition as calm as her Majestiesâ— and as â—eek aâ— his Profession 3. For his Age being about ten years older the proportion allowed by the Philosopher between Husband and Wife 4. For Alliance she being daughter to Henry the Eighth and he Grandchild to Edward the Fourth 5. For his Education with her under his Mother 6. For his Religion for which he was an Exile as she was a Prisoner and both Confessors But now when the marriage with Prince Philip was consummated Pool at last got leave for England and to wipe away all suspition of Lutheranism wherewiâ—h he was formerly taxed he became a cruel that he might be believed a cordial Papist For meeting in Brabant wiâ—h Emanuel Tremelius requesting â—ome favour from him he not onely denied him relief but returned him rayling terms though formerly he was not onely his very familiar Friend but his God-father too when of a Iew he turned Christian. Arrived in England as the Historian goeth on he was first ordained Priest being but Deacon before and then consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury the Queen being present at Bow where rich in costly Râ—bes and sitting on a guilded Throne his Pall was presented to him Adorned he presently mounts the Pulpit and makes a dry Sermon of the use and honour of the Pall without either Languâ—ge or matter all admiring the jejuness of his Discourse as if putting off his Parts when putting on his Pall. He made the breach formerly between England and Rome by exasperating both sides he now reconciles it obliging many by his carriage awing as many by his presence dazling all by his pomp and splendour Now he confirmeth the Inâ—titution of Clergy-mâ—n into their Benefices he legitimateth the Câ—ildren of forbidden marriages he ratifieth the Processes and Sentences in matters Ecclesiastical and his Dispensations were confirmed by Act of Parliament Two things he was intent upon 1. The Church-Pâ—iviledges whereof one he procured was That the Clergy should not shew their Horses with the Layty but under Captains of their own chusing 2. The Spanish Interest and therefore Pâ—â—l the fourth who was as intent upon the French and looked upon the Legate as the principal Promoter of the last War in France sends Cardinal Peito to ease him of his Legantine Power in England But the Queen so ordered the matter that by her Prerogative she prohibited Peito entrance into England and got the foresaid Power established and confirmed on Cardinal Pool as she did likewise 1000 l. a year for his better support out of the Bishoprick of Winchester The more he lived in England the more he was Italianized conversing with their Merchants and practising their thrift his Pomp being â—aith my Author rather gâ—udy than costly and his attendance more ceremonious than expensive Feaâ—full he was of a Bank here if Queen Mary died careful of one beyond Sea if he lived therefoâ—e as he sends all his Estate to Italy by his Will when he died so he did most of it by Bills of Exchange while he lâ—vâ—d the first was jâ—dged his â—olicy q the heart whereof is prevention the second his Gratitude bestowing his Superfluities on them who had relieved his Necessities Of all his Estate Aloisius Priol took but the Breviary he had alwayes in his Pocket so devouâ— he was and the Diary he had alwayes in his Closer so exact he was to observe what was done by others and recollect what had escaped himselfâ— Die he did not of Italian Physick wilfully taken by himself as Mr Fox suggests nor of English Poison given him by the Protestants as Osorius affirms but of a Quartain Ague then Epidemical in England and malignant above the ordinary nature of that Disease This man was a Catholick in his Interest and Charity and a Protestant in his Conscience We cannot was
Aâ—vancement of Lord Treasurer and the degree of Baron of Burleigh for as he followed the Marquess of Winchester in his Employment so he did in his Compliance When he was out of place he was not out of service in Queen Mary's days his Abilities being as necessary in those times as his Inclination and that Queens Council being as ready to advance him at last as they were to use him all her Reign In Queen Elizabeth's time he setled the Crown by setling Religion and by an utter separation from Rome strengthened England He made equal use of those that were then Protestants by Interest and they who were so in Conscience Those that had affections for Church-lands and those that had affections for the Church The Pope would by a Bull confirm the sale of Abby-Lands But who said Burleigh can confirm the Popes Bull The King of Spain secured the Queen in hope of her Bed the Pope winked at her in hope of her Heart Burleigh over-reached the one by a fair complaysance and the other by insensible alterations During the Qâ—eens ten years calm Cecil provided for a tempest and improved her Shipping and Ammunition to a dreadfulness at Sea as he did her Army to a great skill and experience by Land He made Holland our Stage of War and our School of Discipline where England gained the security and experience of War without its calamity and desolations always Offensive and once onely Defensive His Intelligence abroad was no less than his Prudence at home and he could write to a friend in Ireland what the King of Spain could do for two years together and what he could not do His Advicâ—s from his Pensioners abroad were presented Queen Elizabeth once a fortnight 1. clearly and plainly 2. methodically and distinctly 3. speedily and seasonably 4. truly and fully He exchanged his Interest for Walsinghams Intelligence who commanded what he could do as he did what the other knew The Bull clapped at London-house was first in our Sâ—ates-mans study where they might learn what they were to do and Protestants what to expect many years before any thing was visible When Leicester would have no Equal and â—â—ssex no Superiour then Ceeil as Neuter served himself of them both He would wrestle with neither of them yet he would trip them both they having many rubs in their way yet never saw who laid them He never quarrelled with any neither saith Cambden did he ever sue or was he ever sued Prudâ—ns qui Patiens was his saying before it was Sir Edward Cookes Motto and he had rather tire our Opposition by his moderation than improve it by his Impatience Others wâ—re raised to balance Factions he to support the Kingdome Fickle Favour tossed them constant Interest secured him No fewer than the Marquess of Winchester the Dâ—ke of Norfolk the Earls of Northumberland Arundel Pembroke Leicester and Westmorland contrived his fall but reason of State and his Mistress kept up his â—tanding Sir Nicholas Throgmorton advised them to clap him up saying That then men would open their mouths to speak freely against him but the Queen understanding hereof and standing as I may say saiâ—h my Authoâ— in the very prison-door quashed all their Designes and freed him from the mischief projected against him Great was the value the Queen set upon him as her ablest Minister of State for coming once to visit him being sick of the Gout at Burleigh-house in the Strand and being much heightned with her Head-attire then in fashion the Lords servant who conducted her through the door said May your highness be pleased to stoop The Queen returned For your Masters sake I will stoop but not for the King of Spain She would make him always sit down in her presence saying My Lord we make use of you not for your bad Lâ—ggs but your good Head He was a good friend to the Church as then established by Law advising his son Thomas never to build a great house or bestow any great charge upon an Inpropriation as fearing the foundation might fail hereafter yet conniving at sober Non-conformists to strengthen the foundation at present he checked the forwardness of private men and advanced the honour of the publick Establishment on all hands Good my Lord saith he in his Letter to Archbishop whitgift in the behalf of some squeamish Ministers bear with my scribling I write with the testimony of a good Conscience I desire the peace of the Church I desire concord and unity in the exercise of our Religion I fear no sensual or wilful Recusant I would not make Offenders neither would I protect them And I pray your Grace bear this and perchance a fault and yet I have sharply admonished them that if they will be Disturbers in their Churches they must be corrected and yet upon your Graces answer to me Ne sutor ultra Crepidam neither will I put Falcem in alterius Messem Was his Chaplain Traverse his hand in all this And then again If I had known his fault saith he of Brown I might be blamed for writing for him Thus he carried matters without passion and prejudice prudently as became so great a States-man He was not rigid yet he was careful He would help the good-natured yet punish the stubborn He would rather be where nothing is lawful than where all things are so He would never skrue up the Law to the pitch of cruelty nor unloose it to the remissness of Libertinism He was no less honourable a Patron of the Vniversity than he was a faithful son of the Church the Church strengtheneth the State and the Vniversities furnish both particularly in the case of Rent-corn which saith my Author first grew in Sir Thomas Smiths head yet was ripened by Burleighs assistance whereby though the Rents of the Colledges stand still their Revenues increase He was not surer of all Church-men and Scholars by his Obligations upon them than he was of all by his complaisance and pleasantness None more grave than he in Publick none more free in private especially at his Table where he drew something out of his heaviest guests having an admirable Dexterity in reading and observing men their own occasional openings in common discourse there being more hold to be taken of a few words casually uttered than of set solemn Speeches which rather shew mens Arts than their Natures as indited rather of their brains than hearts His power awed many his conversation obliged more He had his hour to put on his Gown and his hour to put it â—ff When he would say Lie thou there Lord Treasurer and bidding Adieu to all State-affairs he dispoâ—ed himself to his quiet and rest He laid the Designes of War by his own Theory and his friends Intelligence yet he advised peace and died before the Quâ—stion was determined whether a War with Spain Others understood the Nature of War but he onely the Expediency and Conveniency If War was necessary none more forward to promote it none more
he should engage the Souldiers with large possessions 4. That the Irish Nobility should hold their Estates in Fee 5. That he should improve the Queens Revenues moderately and reduce her exchequer there to the form of that in England At what time Maximilian the Emperour courted Queen Elizabeth whom all English-men wished marryed all Protestants married to a Protestant and the Earl of Leicester had designed for himself there arose a deady feud in the English Court between the Earl of Sussex that favoured the match upon common principles of government and the Earl of Leicester who opposed it upon a private design of his own certainly very great and shameful hopes do they foster who have already attained things beyond hopes The open hearted Earl would call his Antagonist an upstart that had but two Ancestors his Father a Traytor and his Grand-Father a Publican Thus the Court is divided the Earls are alwayes attended with their armed guards untill the Queen who took pleasure in the innocent Emuâ—ation of her women became feaâ—ful of the dangerous contests of her Favourites and rather skinned over than healed the rupture At the Emperours Court whither he is sent with the order of St. George he presseth the marriage closely as much out of love to his Countrey as hatred to Leicester having nothing more ordinary in his discourse than that a Forreign Prince was to be preferred before the noblest English-man for the three grand things of Honour Power and Wealth But what he promoted publickly the Lord North who was joyned with him rather â—as his guardian than his colleague opposed privately untill a few fond scruples broke the most solemn negotiations wherein yet this Earl behaved himself with a gallantry that gained him a familiarity from the Emperour a reverence from the Arch-duke a respect from the people and his Mâ—stress a kindness in that Court that stood her in great stead against the attempts of Spain and Româ— From Germany he returned with much Honour to command in the North with more wherâ— he and his old setters at Court discovered the grand plot in the Nâ—rth as Hunsdon and his old Souldierâ— at Berwick defeated it and both harassed the Scottish borders all things yielding to those two grand disposers of the World now predominant in England Wisdome and Cecil at home Armes and Hunsdon abroad and both with Sussex at home now for his approved wisdome and fidelity made privy Councellourâ— and abroad alway Lord General Of many I pitch on this one argument of the greatness of his mind that he scorned to trample the prostrate that he had a just passion but not an unworthy malice for an enemy whom he had a generous goodness to pity when unhappy as well as a brave spirit to contest with when injurious The lesser fry of adversaries railed against this great one pleaded foâ— Leicester when his practices against Aâ—jou's marriage with the Queen confined him to the Castle of Windsor And his menaces had cast him to the Tower of London had not my Lord minding more the common interest than his pâ—ivate resentments first moderated the Qâ—eens passion with Reason and thâ—n overcame it with this Jest you must allow Lovers their Iealousie Hâ— succeded his Father in his Fortune and in his Favour his Pâ—udence and Resolution promoting him to the Government of Ireland and the North his good husbandry and skill in Surveying making him justice in Eyre of all the Paâ—ks beyond Trent and is comely pâ—esence advancing him Lord Chamberlaiâ— Queen Elizabeth poyzed her State by Factions aâ—road and Parties at home her chiefest wisdâ—me lying in her general correspondence and complyance with each Party as hâ—r Interest lay in their complyance and distance from one another My Lord of Susâ—ex left his memâ—rial behind him That for Rising men to stick to a side is necessary For Great men to be indifferent is wise and this That he and my Lord of Leicester cleared and purged the Court their cross Observations refining each person that was admitted to Court none daring any injustice while Leicester observed him on the one hand and Sussex punished him on the other Then no deserving Person could be excluded by the one that could serve his Princâ— not any undeserving one admitted that might disparage him one Interest being sure to receive the one as the other was to exclude the other Divers persons saith one of equal Authority though both wicked do in experience produce more Justice than a greater Probity in a single individual hath been heard to pronounce in a divided Court the Creatures of one Party being the Enemies of another no less powerful and so they both become liable to accusation or capable of defence and from the sparkles of this clashing not onely Persons and Actions but the Publick Councils came to be refined from the Rusts and Cankers that grow by an Unanimity Faction can be as little spared in a monarchy as an Eye or an Ear as through which the Prince hath a clearer apprehension of his own and others Affairs than he can have when his followers are all agreed through the peâ—cussion of equal Factions as through that of Flint and Steeâ— all things coming to light by Debates that might either advance or eclipse a Princes glory When my Lord of Sussex could not overbear Leicester with Power he did it with Policy and by yielding to him conquered him for as he observed when â—e and his friends retired Leicester and his subdivided and he was checked more by the Ambition he taught his own Followers than by the competition of his Adversaries When Factions are carried too high and too violently it is a signe of weakness in Princes and much to the prejudice of their Authority and Business The motions of Factions under Kings ought to be like the motions as the Astronomeâ—s speak of the Inferiour Orbs which may have their proper Inclination but yet are still quietly carried by the higher motion of the Primum Mobile Queen Elizabeth had an happy time of it if it were but for this That her Favourites Divisions were her support for thereby she attained the knowledge of all things that happened so as no Suit or Dâ—signe passed the Royal Assent before she understood as much of Reason as Enemies or Friends could bring for or against it The Character this third great Lord of his Family left behind him was This year died a man of a great spirit and faithfulness to his Country and therefore none freer than he of his thoughts none sounder than he in his councels Nor did this freedome of Communication betray his future Resolutions to the discovery of his Enemies as they opened his heart to the observation of his Prince for through a seeming unconstancy not of words but of action not his weakness but his nimbleness the Bird on the wing is safe he could so often vary as it was noâ— easie to discover where or when he would be buzzing and give the blow
Secretary of State a Lady destinated to the Bâ—d of honour who after his deplorable death â—t Zutphen in the Netherlands where he was Governour of Flushing at the time of his Uncles being there was marriâ—d to my Lord of Essex and since his death to my Lord of Sâ— Albans all persons of the Sword and otherwise of great Honour and Vertue He had an equal temperament of Mars and Mercury Valour and Learning to as high a pitch as Nature and Art could frame and Fortune improve him so Dexterous that he seemed born for every thing he went about His â—â—presentations of Vertue and Vice were not more lively in his Bâ—oks than in his Life his Fancy was not above his Vertue his Humours Counsels and Actions were renowned in the Romancer Heroiâ—k in the States-man His Soul was as large as his Parents and his Complexion as Noble an equal Line of both the modesty of the Mother allaying the activity of the Father A man so sweetly grave so familiarly staid so prettily serious he was above his years Wiâ—dome gained by travel Experience raised from Observations solid and useful Learning drawn from knowing Languet his three years Companion and choâ—câ—st Books accomplâ—shed him for the love of all and the reverence of most His Converse was not more close at home than his Correspondence abroad equally mixed with Policy Pleasure Wisdome and Love his Worth being penned up and smothered within the narrowness of his fortune sallied not out to discontent buâ— pleasure sweetning the Affairs of State with the Debonnareness of the Stage his Romance being but policy played with Machiavil in jest and State maximes sweetned to a Courtiers palate He writ men as exactly as he studied them and discerned humours in the Court with the same deep insight he described them in his Book His Infant-diâ—courses teach men O what had his riper years done He put Life into dead Notions of Ancestors made Philosophy practicable joyned the Aâ—t as closely in him as they are in themselves His Book is below his spiritâ— a spiâ—it to be confined with Kingdomes rather than Stâ—dies to do what was to be written than onely to write what was to be done All eyes were upon him but his own at first in all Affairs he was the last at last he was the first obliging all men that ever he saw and seeing all that were worth obliging All were pleased with his Arcadia but himself whose years advanced him so much beyond himself as his parts did beyond others He condemned his Arcadia in his more retired judgement to the fire which wise men think will continue to the last Conâ—lagration His private Corrâ—spondence with William of Nassan about the highest Affairs of Europe was so exact and prudent that he assured Sir Fulke Grevil he deâ—erved a Kingdome in Forreign Parts though he had not an Office in England The Earl of Leicester held his Authority in the Low-Countries by his Councel when alive and gave it over when he was dead Sir Francis Walsingham was so much overshot by him in his own Bow that those with whom Sir Philip were acquainted with for his sake were his friends for Sir Philips King Iames was honoured when King of Scotland with his friendship Henry the fourth with his correspondence Don Iuan highly obliged with his Visits the King of Spain himself concerned in his death whom England he said lost in a moment but could not breed in an Age The Universities were proud of his Pâ—tronage the Field of his presence the Studioâ—s in all Parts communicated with him the Hâ—â—eful were encouraged by him all excellent Persons thronged to him all serviceable men were entertained by him and he among them a Prince whose minde was great but his spirit greater He taught England the Majesty of honest dealâ—ng the Interest of being Religious He looked deep into men and Councels and found no Wisdom without Courage no Courage without Religion and Honesty with which solid and active reaches of his I am perswaded saith my Lord Brooks he would have found or made a way through all the Traveâ—sers â—ven of the most weak and irregular â—imes Although a private Gentleman he was a publick Good of a large yet uniform disposition so good that the great Monarch might trust so great that a little one must fear him something he did for Fame most for Conscience His publick spirit which might have enjealoused the cautious wisdome of other Princes promoted the concerns of his own He was sent to complement Rodolph but he dealt really with the Protestant Princes and raised a Ceremony to a piece of Interest He shewed that long-breathed and cautious people that imminent danger from Romes Superstition joyned with Spains Power their private confederacies and practices their cruelty and designe which awaked their drowzy wariness into an association for Conscience and Religion more solid as he demonstrated than a Combination out of Policâ— He went against the stream and current about the Frâ—nch match which he disswaded from the consequent inconveniences of Engagements and charge to England and the little advantage from France backing his Argument with a laâ—e experience and so staying Queen Elizabeths match by some reflections on Queen Mary's which was A five years Designe or Tax rather than a Marriage adding withal That in a forreign match besides the inequalness and danger of it when a strange Prince hath such an influence on our Constitution the different Religion would make the Queen either quit the reputation of a good Protestant or the honour of an obedient Wife Teâ— ways he laid down a Forreign Prince might endaâ—ger our Religion by 1. Opposing and weakning the reverend Fathers of our Church 2. By disgracing her most zealous Ministers 3. By Latitude and Connivance 4. â—y a loose and too free a behaviour steering mens Consciences which way he pleased and setting uâ—indifferency 5. â—y decrying Customes and Statutes and enhansinâ— Proclamations to the Authority of Laws 6. â—y provoking the English with French Oppressios 7. â—y entrenching on the British Liberties with Gallicâ—â—e Prerogatives 8. â—â— breaking our League and Correspondence with oâ—er Protestant States 9. â—ightning our Queen to a Complyance 10. Aâ—d at last attempting the Protestant cause He vould say to his Friend the Lord Brooks That if the Netherlands joyn with France they are terrible to Spain if with Spain they are dreadful to France if with us they sâ—pport the Reformation if they stand on tâ—eir own legs they are too strong to be forced to Pyracy He though a private person opposed her Majesty Qâ—een Elizabeth in that Affair with that sincerity with thaâ— ingenuiâ—y that freedome that duty and peaceableness that angered and pâ—eaâ—ed her His Opinion was not more against hir humour than his manage of it was to her mindâ— in which Affair when most were hood-winkeâ— with ignorance and many captived with fear he â—njoyed the freedome of his own thoughts with dayly access to her Majesty hourly converse wiâ—h the
French and constant respect from the people None more dutiful to his Soveraign than Sir Philip none more resolute against Encroachers upon Gentemen and Freemen nonâ— more dear to the whole State which when he had designed Sir Francis â—rake's second Voyage and stollen to him at Windsoâ— commanded his stay by an Eâ—rl and for his ske the whole Fleets although his stay disturbed â—nd his death destroyed his most exact Model for tâ—e Conquest of America the exactest Europe everâ—aw a Conquest not to be enterprized but by Sir Philips reaching spirit that grasped all circumstanes and commanded all interests on this side the Liâ—â— When his great Soul could not improve â—urope he considered it and made that the Fâ—eld o his meditation that could not be the stage of his â—ctions England he saw so humoursome and populâ—s that it was to be refined with War and corruâ—ed with Peace Her interest was he said to balance â—eighboâ—-Princes France he observed weak and efemâ—nate the Empire enslaved and secure the Hanses toâ— big Rome subtle and undermining Spain creâ—t to the Power and Councils of Europe the Protetant Princes enjealoused and distâ—ustful Poland divâ—â—ed Denmark strong Sweden invironed or impriâ—oned the Muscovite distressed and ignorant the Switz enemies yet servants to Monarchs a dangerous body for the soul of any aspiring Monarch to infuse designes into the Princes of Italy awed by their Sâ—periours â—nd cautious against their equals Turkie asleep in the Seraglio but Spain all this while Master of Rome and the wisest Council or Conclave in the World Lord of the Mines of America and the Sword of Europe Concluding that while the Spaniaâ—d had Peace Pope Money or Credit and the World Men Necessity or Humours the War could hardly be determined upon this Low-Country-stage And that there were but two ways to conquer Spain the one That which diverted Hannibal â—nd by setting fire on his own House made him draw his spirit to comfort his heart The other thâ—t of Iason bâ— fetching away his Golden Fleece and not suffering any one quietly to enjoy that whiâ—h every man so much affected The assistance of Portugal the surprizâ— of Cales her key and Sevil her treasure the drawing in of other Well-willers â—he command of the Sâ—a an exact Intelligence the Protection of Rochel Brest Bourdeaux or some other distressed Protestant to balance the over-mytrâ—d Countries the Encouragement of religious or ambitious Roytolets to advance and secure themseâ—ves the engaging of the French and Spaniards a League with Venice and the Maritime States some temptations to Italy to remove their French and Spanish Garrisonâ— an opportunity to recover Sicilly some insinuations to the Pope of the Austrian Greatness the setting up of the World in an AEquilibrium the invasion of America removing the disfidence oveâ—poyzing the Neutrality and working upon the Complexions of Kings and Kingdomes was this young but great mans designe An Expedition to the Indies he would perswade with these motives 1. That Honour was cheaper abroad than at home at Sea than at Land 2. That the Spanish Conquests like the Jesuites Miracles made more noise at distance than nearer hand 3. That the Indians would joyn with tâ—e first Undertaker against their cruel Masters 4. That Spain was too far for supply 5. That the Spaniard was Undisciplined and trusted more to the Greatness of his Name than to Order Policy or Strength 6. That England was poâ—ulous 7. That it was an action compliant with the present Humour and not subject to Emulaâ—ions 8. That it would either cut off the Spaâ—ish treasure or make it chargeable 9. And at last set up a free Trade by Sea open a great Door to Valour or Ambition for new Conquests and to Zeal for new Converts He said the Inquisition would overthâ—ow Spain being a designe upon Humane Nature and freedome to govern men at the rate of â—easts His great Abilities recommend him to Leicester's Cabinet whose Horse he commanded in the Field whose Council he guided at home Prudent and valiant he was in contriving and excuting the suâ—prize of Axil Liberal and Noble to his Souâ—diers at Flushing wary and deâ—pâ— sighted in his Council about Graveline wise and stayed in the jealousies between Leicester and Hollock His Patience and Resolution before Zutphen his quiet and composed spirit at Arneim his Christian and religious comportment in his sickness and death made his Fame as lasting as his Life was wished And why died he lamented by the Qâ—een mourned for by the Court bemoaned by Europe wept over by Religion and Learning the Protestant Churches celebrated by Kings and eâ—ernized by Famâ— because he was one whoâ—e Parts were improved by early Education whose Education was raised by Experience whose Experience was enlarged by Travel whose Travel was laid up in Observations whose Observations were knit up to a sâ—lid Wisdome whosâ— Wisdome was graced with his Pâ—esence and the one was as much admired by Kings as the other was by Qâ—eens One whose Learning guided Univeâ—sities whose alliance engaged Favourites whose Presence filled Courts whose Soul grasped Europe whose merit could fill a Thâ—one whose Spirit was above it It was he who was deserving and quiet neglected and patient great and familiar ingenious and devout learned and valiant sweet and solid contemplative and active It was he whom Queen Elizabeth called her Philip the Prince Orange his Master and whose friendship my Lord Brooke was so proud of that he would have no other Epitaph on his Grave than this Here lieth Sir Philip Sidneys Friend It was he whose last words were Love my memory cherish my Friends their faith to me may assure you they are honest but above all govern your will and affections by the Will and Word of your Creator In me behold the end of this world and all its vanities THey that have known thee well search thy parts Through all the chain of Arts Thy apprehension quiâ—k as active light Clear Iudgememt without Night Thy fansie free yet never wild or mâ—d with wings to fly but none to gâ—d Thy language still enrich yet comely dress Not to expose thy minde but to express They that have known thee thus sigh and confess They wish they 'd nown thee still or known the less To these the wealth and Beauties of thy minde Be other Vertues joyn'd Thy modest Soul strongly confirm'd and hardâ— Ne'er beckned from iâ—s Guard Observations on the Life of Sir Jâ—hn Perrot SIr Iohn Perrot was a goodly Genâ—â—eman and of the Sword and as he was of a vâ—ry ancient descent as an Hâ—ir to many Exstâ—acts of Gentry especially from Guy de Bâ—yâ—n oâ— Lawhern so he was of a vast Estate and came not to the Court for want And to these Adjuncts he had the Endowments of Courage and heighth of Spirit had it lighted on the allay of temper and discrâ—tion the defect whereof with a native freedome and boldness of speech drew him into a Clouded setting and laid him
they answered or were silent This Spanish Proverb was familiar with him Tell a Lye and find a Truth and this Speak no more than you may safely retreat from without danger or fairly go through with without opposition Some are good onely at some affairs in their own acquaintance Walsingham was ready every where and could make a party in Rome as well as England He waited on mens souls with his eye discerning their secret hearts through their transparent faces He served himâ—elf of the Factions as his Mistress did neither advancing the one nor depressing the other Familiar with Cecil allied to Leicester and an Oracle to Sussex He could overthrow any matter by undertaking it and move it so as it must fall He never broke any business yet carried many He could discourse any matter wiâ—h them that most opposed so that they in opposing it promoted it His fetches and compass to his designed speech were things of great patience and use Twice did he deceive the French as Agent once did he settle the Netherlands as Commissioner and twice did he alter the Government of Scotland as Embassadour Once did France desire he might be recalled because he was too hard for the Counsel for the Hugonots and once did Scotland request his remand because he would have overturned their Constitution 53 Agents did he maintain in Forreign Courts and 18 Spies for two Pistols an Order he had all the private Papers of Europe few Letters escaped his hands whose Contents he could read and not touch the Sealâ— Bellarmine read his Lectures at Rome one moneth and Reynolds hadâ— them confute that next So patient was this wise man Chiselhurst never saw him angry Cambridge nâ—ver passionate and the Court never discomposed Religion was the interest of his Countrey in his judgement and of his Soul therefore he maintained it as sincerely as he lived it it had his head his purse and his heart He laid the great foundaâ—ion of the Protestant Constitution as to its policyâ— and the main plot against the Polish as to its ruine â—e would cherish a plot some years together admitting the Conspirators to his own and the Queens â—â—eâ—ence familiarly but dogging them out watchâ—â—â—â—y his Spiâ—s waited on some men every hour for â—â—â—ee yeaâ—s and leâ—t they could not keep counsel 〈◊〉 dispatched them to forraign parts taking in new Sâ—â—vantsâ— Hâ—s trainâ—ng Parry of who dâ—signed 〈…〉 of Queen Elizabeth the admitting of hiâ— under the pâ—etence of discovering a Plot to the Qâ—eens presence and then letting him go where he would onely on the security of a Dark Sentinel set over him was â— piece of reach and haâ—ard beyond common apprehension But Kingdomes were acted by him as well as private persons It is a likely report saith one that they father on him at his return â—â—om France when the Queen expressed her 〈◊〉 of the â—panish designe on that Kingdome with 〈◊〉 â—â—cernment Madam saith he be content not 〈…〉 the Spaniard hath a great appetite and an 〈…〉 digestion but I have fitted him with a bone for this twenty years that your Majesty shall have no cause to doubt him Prâ—vided that if the fire chance to slack which I have kindled you will be ruled by me and now and then cast in some English fuel which may revive the flame Hâ—â—irst observed the gâ—eat Bishop of Winchester fit to serve the Church upon the unlikely Youths first Sermon at Sâ—â— Alhallows Barking He brought my Lord Cooke first to the Church upon some private discourse with him at his Table The Queen of Scots Letters were all carried to him by her own Servant whom she trusted and decyphered to him by one Philips as they were sealed again by one Gregory so that neither that Queen or her correspondents ever perceived either the Seal defaced or the Letters delayed to her dying day Video Taceo was his saying before it was his Mistresses Motto Hâ— could as well â—it King Iames his humour with sayings out of Xenophon Thucydides Plutarch Tacitus as he could King Henry's with Rablais's conceits and the Hollander with mechanick Discourses In a word Sir Francis Walsingham was a studious and temperate man so publick-spirited that he spent his Estate to serve the Kingdome so faithful that â—e bestowed his years on his Queen so learned that he provided a Library for Kings Colledge of his own Books which was the best for Policy as Cecil's was for History Arundels for Heraldry Cottons for Antiquity and Vshers for Divinity finally he â—qualled all the Statesmen former ages discourse of and hardly hath been equalled by any in following Ageâ— Observations on the Life of the Earl of Leicester THe Lord Leicester was the youngest son then living of Dudley Duke of Northumberland he was also one of the first to whom Queen Elizabeth gave that honour to be master of the horse He was a very goodly person and singular well featured and all his youth well favoured and of a sweet aspect but high foreheaded which was taken to be of no discommendation but towards his latter end grew high-coloured and red-faced The Queen made him Earl of Leicester for the sufferings of his Ancestors sake both in her Fathers and Sisters Reigns The Earl of Essex his death in Ireland and the marriage of his Lady yet living deeply stains his commendation But in the Observations of his Letters and Writings there was not known a Stile or Phrase more religious and fuller of the streams of Devotion He was sent Governour by the Queen to the United States of Holland where we read not of his wonders for they say Mercury not Mars in him had the predominancy To the Policy he had from Northumberland his Father and the Publican Dudley his Grandfather he added it is said Magick and Astrology and to his converse with Wise men his familiarity with Wizards Indeed he would say A States-man should be ignorant of nothing but should have all notices either within his own or his Confidents command His Brother Ambrose was the heir to the Estate and he to the Wisdome of that Family He was the most reserved man of that Age that saw all and was invisible carrying a depth not to be faâ—homed but by the Searcher of Hearts Many fell in his time who saw not the hand that pulled them down and as many died that knew not their own Disease He trusted not his Familiars above a twelve-month together but either transported them for Forreign services or wafted them to another world His Ambition was of a large extent and his head-piece of a larger Great was his Influence on England greater on Scotland and greatest of all on Ireland and the Netherlands where this close Genius acted invisibly beyond the reach of friends or the apprehension of enemies Declining an immediate opposition in Court-factions the wary Sir raised always young Favourites to outshine the old ones so balancing all others that he might be Paramount himself The modern policy and practices were
daintyâ— that cost him less and contented his guests more His Table constant and even where all were welcome and none invited 3. His Hall was full most commonly his Gates always the one with the honest Gentry and Yeomen who were his Retainers in love and observance bringing good stomacks to his Table and resolved hearts for his service the holding up of his hand in the Northern business being as affectual as the displaying of a Banner The other with the 1. Aged 2. Maimed 3. Industrious Poor whose craving was prevented with doles and expectation with bounty the first being provided with meat the second with money and the third with employment In a word Mr. Cambden observes That Hospitality lieth buried since 1572 in this Earls Grave whence may that Divine Power raise it that shall raise him but before the last Resurrâ—ction when there will be plenty to bestow in one part of the world and no poor to be relieved poverty in the other and no bounty to relieve Neither was he munificent upon other mens charge for once a moneth he looked into his Incomeâ— and once a weak to his Disbursements that none should wrong him or be wronged by him The Earl of Derby he would say shall keep his own House wherefore it 's an Observation of him and the second Duke of Norfolk That when they were buried not a Trades-man could demand the payment of a Groat that they owed him nor a Neighbour the restitution of a peny they had wronged him They say The Grass groweth not where the Grand Seigniors Horse treads nor doth the People thrive where the Noble-men inhabitâ— But here every Tenant was a Gentleman and every Gentleman my Lords Companion such his Civility cowards the one and great penny worths to the other Noblemen in those days esteemed the love of their Neighbours more than their fear and the service and fealty of their Tenants more than their money Now the Landlord hath the sweat of the Tenants brow in his Coffers then he had the best blood in his Veins at his command That grand word On mine Honour was security enough for a Kingdome and the onely Asseveration he used It was his priviledge that he need not swear for a testimony and his renown that he would not for his honour Great was this Families esteem with the people and eminent their favour with their Soveraigns as which ever bestowed it self in obliging their Liege-people improving their interest and supporting their Throne for though they were a long time great Kings of Man and Hearts yet were they as long faithfull subjects to England Observations on the Life of Sir William Fiâ—z-Williams A Childe of Fortune from his Cradle made uâ— of confidence and reputation never unwarily shewing his Vertue or Worth to the world with any disadvantage When Britain had as little sleepiness and sloath as night when it was all day and all activity He as all young Sparks of that Age trailed a Pike in the Netherlands the Seminary of the English Soldiery and the School of Europes Discipline as a Souldier and travelled as a Gentleman until that place graced him civilly with a Command which he had honoured eminently with his service His friends checked him for undertaking an Employment so boysterous and he replyed upon them That it was as necessary as it seemed irregular for if some were not Souldiers all must be so He said He never durst venture on War with men till he had made his Peace with God A good Conscience breeds great Resolutions and the innocent Soul is impregnable None more fearful of doing evil none more resolved to suffer there being no hardship that he would avoid no undecency that he would allow Strict he was to his Commission and yet observant of his advantage never tempting a danger never flying it careful of his first life and himself but more of his other and his name When the methods of Obedience advanced him to the honour of commanding six things he was Chronicled for 1. Never making the Aged the Young or the Weak the Objects of his Rage which could not be so of his Fear 2. That he never basely killed in cold blood them that had nobly escaped his Sword in hot 3. That he never led the Souldiers without pâ—y or quartered in the Country without money 4. That though he was second to none that acted in War such his Valour yet he was the first that spake for Peace such his sweet Disposition 5. That he would never suffer that a Clergy-man should be abused a Church violated or the Dead be unburied 6. That he would never force an Enemy to a necessity always saying Let us disarm them of their best Weapons Despair nor fight an Enemy before he had skirmished him nor undertake a designe before he consulted his God his Council his Friends his Map and his History His own Abilities commended and his alliance with Sir Henry Sidney Lord Deputy whose Sister he married promoted him to the government of Ireland Once did the Queen send him thither for his Brothers sake four times more for his own sake a sufficient evidence saith my Friend of his Ability and Integrity since Princes never trust twice where they are once deceived in a Minister of State He kept up his Mistressâ—s Interest and she his Authority enjoying the Earl of Essex so much above him in honour to truckle under him in Commission when Governour of vlster and he Lord Deputy of Ireland Defend me said Luther to the Duke of Saxony with your Sword and I will defend you with my Pen. Maintain my Power saith the Minister of State to his Soveraign and I will support your Majesty Two things he did for the settlement of that Kingdome 1. He raised a Composition in Munster 2. He established the Possessions of the Lords and Tenants in Monahan Severe he was always against the Spanish Faction but very vigilant in 88 when the dispersed Armado did look but durst not land in Ireland except driven by Tempest and then finding the shore worse than the Sea But Leicester dieth and he fails when his Sun was set it was presently night with him Yra la soga con el Calderon where goeth the Bucket there goeth the Rope where the Principal miscarrieth all the Dependants fall with him as our râ—nowned Knight who died where he was born there is a Circulation of all things to their Original at Milton in Northamptonshire 1594. Observations on the Life of the Earl of Pembroke AN excellent man and one that fashioned his own Fortune His Disposition got favour and his Prudence wealth the first to grace the second and the second to support the first under King Henry the eighth whose Brother-in-law he was by his wife and Chamberlain by his place When others were distracted with Factions in King Edwards Reign he was intent upon his Interest leaning as he said on both sides the stairs to get up for his service being promoted to the master
of the Horses place for his relation to the Queen-mother to the Order of St. George and in his own Right to the Barony of Caerdiffe and the Earldome of Pembroke Under Queen Mary his Popularity was very serviceable when General against Wiat his Authority useful when President of Wales and his Vigilancy remarkable when Governour of Calice And under Qâ—een Elizabeth for his Fidelity and ancient Honesty he was made great master of the Houshold But herein he failed That being more intent upon the future state of the Kingdome under the succession than his own under the present Soveraign he was cajoled by Leicester to promote the Queen of Scots match with Norfolk so far neither with an ill will saith the Annalist nor a bad intent as to lose his own favour with the Queen of England who discovered those things after his death that made him weary of his lifeâ— which was an Instance of my Lord Bacons Rule That ancient Nobility is more innocent though not so active as the young one this more vertuous but not so plain as that there being rarely any rising but by a commixture of good and evil Arts. He was richer in his Tenants hearts than their Rents Alas what hath not that Nobleman that hath an universal love from his Tenants who were observed to live better with their encouraged industry upon his Copyhold than others by their secure sloath on their own Free-land 2. His Chaplains whose Merits were preferred freely and nobly to his excellent Livings without any unworthy Gratuities to his Gehazi's or Servants or any unbecoming Obligations to himself 3. His Servants whose youth had its Education in his Family and Age its maintenance upon his Estate which was favourably Let out to Tenants and freely Leased to his Servants of whom he had a Train upon any occasion in his Family and an Army in his Neighbourhood an Army I say in his Neighbourhood not to enjealous his Prince but to secure him as in Wiats case when this King of Hearts would be by no means a Knave of Clubs Observations on the Life of Sir Walter Mildmay WAlter Mildmay that upright and most advised man was born at Chelmsford in Essex where he was a younger-son to Thomas Mildmay Esquire He was bred in Christs-Colledge in Cambridge where he did not as many young Gentlemen study onely in Complement but seriously applyed himself to his Book Under King Henry the eighth and King Edward the sixth he had a gainful Office in the Court of Augmentations during the Reign of Queen Mary he practised the Politick Precept Bene vixit qui bene latuit No sooner came Queen Elizabeth to the Crown but he was called to State-employment and it was not long before he was made Chancellour of the exchequer It is observed That the exchequer never fareth ill but under a good Prince such who out of Conscience will not oppress their People whilst Tyrants pass not for that they squeeze out of their Subjects Indeed Queen Elizabeth was very careful not to have her Coffers swelled with the Consumption of her Kingdome and had conscientious Officers under her amongst whom Sir Walter was a principal one This Knight sensible of Gods blessing on his estate and knowing that Omne beneficium requirit Officium cast about to make his return to God He began with his Benefactions to Christs-Colledge in Cambridge onely to put his hand into practice then his Bounty embraced the Generous Resolution which the painful piety of St. Paul propounds to himself viz. Not to build on another mans foundation but on his own cost he erected a new Colledge in Cambridge by the name of Immanuel A right godly Gentleman he was a good man and a good Citizen though some of his back friends suggested to the Queen that he was a better Patriot than Subject and he was over-popular in Parliaments insomuch that his Life set sub nubecula under a Cloud of a Royal Displeasure yet was not the Cloud so great but that the beams of his Innocence meeting those of the Queens Candour had easily dispelled it had he survived longer as appeared by the great grief of the Queen professed for the loss of so grave a Councellour who leaving two Sons and three Daughters died anno Domini 1589. This Gentleman being employed by vertue of his place to advance the Queens Treasure did it industriously faithfully and conscionably without wronging the Subject being very tender of their Pâ—iviledges insomuch that he complained in Parliament That many Subsidies were granted and no Grievances redressed which words being represented to his disadvantage to the Queen made her to disaffect him setting in a Court-Cloud but as he goeth on in the Sun-shine of his Country and a clear Conscience though a mans Conscience can be said no otherwise clear by his opposition to the Court than a man is said to have a good heart when it is but a bold one But coming to Court after he had founded his Colledge the Queen told him Sir Walter I hear you have erected a Puritan foundation No Madam said he far be it from me to countenance any thing contrary to your established Laws But I have set an Aâ—orn which when it comes to be an Oak God alone knows what will be the fruit of it Observations on the Life of Sir John Fortescue AN upright and a knowing man a great master of Greek and Latine and Overseer of the Qu Studies in both the Languages master of the Wardrobe one whom she trusted with the Ornaments of her soul and body succeeding Sir Walter Mildmay in his prudence and piety and in his place of Chancellor and Under-treasurer of the exchequer Two men Qu Eliz would say out-did her expectation Fortescue for Integrity and Walsingham for Subtlety as Cambden writes and Officious services His and Rawleigh's failure was their design of Articling with K. Iames at his first coming not so much say some in their behalf for himself as for his followers in regard of the known feud between the Nations However conditions unworthy of English Subjects to ofâ—er and below the K. of Great Britain to receive who is to make no more terms for his Kingdome than for his Birth The very solemn asking of the Peoples consent which the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury in all the corners of the stage at a Coronation makes importing no more than this Do you the people of England acknowledge that this is the Person who is the Heir of the crown They being absolutely obliged to submit to the Government upon supposition that they absolutely believe that he is the King He thought it not convenient to alter frames of Government in complyance with the humours of people which are to be managed by Government not pleased for he said God changed not the order of the Government of the world to comply with mans defects when he can by his Almighty power draw good out of their evils and great Glory to himself out of the fall of
in times of peace seven times to Iames the sixth of Scotland for a good understanding and thrice to Basilides Emperour of Russia for Trade Once to Charles the ninth King of France to discover his designe upon Scotland and once to Henry the third to open a Conspiracy of his suâ—jâ—cts against him Great services these but meanly rewarded the serviceable but moderate and modest man though he had as many children at home as he had performed Embassies abroad being contented with the Chamberlainship of the Exchâ—quer and the Postermasters place the first but a name and the second then but a noise to which were added some small Farms wherein he enjoyed the peace and innocence of a quiet and retired Life a Life which upon the reflexions of a tender Conscience he wished a great while as appears by his Letters to his dear Walsingham wherein he writes How worthy yea how necessary a thing it was that they should at length bid Farewel to the snares he of a Sâ—cretary and himself of an Embassadour and should both of them set their mindes upon their Heavenly Country and by Repenting ask Mercy of GOD. Oâ—servations on the Life of Sir Amias Poulet SIr Amiâ—s Poulet born at Hinton St. George in Summerseâ—shire Son to Sir Hugh and Grandchild to Sâ—r Amias Powlet was Chancellour of the Garter Governour of the Isles of Iersey and Gernsey and Privy-Councellour to Queen Elizabeth He was so faithful and trusty that the Queen committed the keeping of Mary Queen of Scots to his custody which he discharged with great fidelity As Caesar would have his Wife so he his spirit above the very suspicion of unworthiness equally consulting his Fame and his Conscience When he performed his last Embassie with no less satisfaction to the King of France than honour to the Queen of England at once with a good humour and a great state he would not accept a Chain and all Gifts are Chains from that King by any means until he was a League from Paris then he took it because he would oblige that Prince and not till then because he would not be obliged by any but his Soveraign saying I will wear no chains but my Mistresses It is the interest of Princes that their Servants Fortune should be above the temptation it is their happiness that their Spirits are above the respects of a private concern Observations on the Lives of Sir James Croftsâ— John Grey of Pyrgo Sir Henry Gates EMblems of honour derived from Ancestors are but rotten Rags where ignoble posterity degenerates from their Progenitors but they are both glorious and precious where the children both answer and exceed the Vertues of their extraction as in these three Gentlemen whose Ancestors fill both Pages of former Kings Chronicles as they do the Annals of Queen Elizabeth Three Gentlemen whom it's pity to part in their Memoires since they were always together in their Employments All three were like to die in Qâ—een Mary's days for the prosession of the Protestanâ— Religion all three spending their Lives in Queen Elizabeth's for the propagation of it 1. Sir Henry Gates lying in Rome as a Spy under the Notion of Cardinal Florido's Secretary six years Iohn Grey drawing up the whole Proceedings and Methods of the Reformation for ten years and Sir Iames Crofts being either the vigilant and active Governour of Berwick or the prudent and successful Commissioner in Scotland for seven years When the French threatned us by the way of Scotland the Earl of Northumberland was sent Northward for his interest as Warden of the middle March Sir Ralph Sadler for his wisdome as his Assiâ—tant and Councellour and Sir Iames Crofts for his Conduct as both their Guide and Director-general An estate in the Purse credits the Court wisdome in the Head adorneth it but both in the Hand serve it Nobly did he and Cuthbert Vaughan beat the French that sallied out of Edinburgh into their Trenches but unhappily stood he an idle Spectator in his quarter the next Scalado while the Eâ—glish are overthrown and the Duke writes of his infidelity to the Queen who discharged him from his place though not from her favour for in stead of the more troublesome place the Government of Berwick she conferred on him that more honourable the Controllership of hâ—r Houshold Great service did his Valour at Hadington in Scotland against the French greater his prudence in Vlster against the Spaniards Alâ—hough his merit made his honour due to him and his Blood becoming though his Cares Travels and Dangers deâ—erved pity his quiet and meek Nature love though he rise by wary degrees and so was unobserved and stood not insolently when up and so was not obnoxious yet â—nvy reflected as hot upon him as the Sun upon the rising ground which stands firm though it doth not flourish as this Gentleman 's resolved honesty did overcoming Court-envy with a solid worth waxing old at once in years and reverence and dying as the Chronicle wherein he dieth not but with Time reports it in good favour with his Prince and sound reputation with all men for three infallible sources of Honour 1. That he aimed at Merit more than Fame 2. That he was not a Follower but an Example in great Actions and 3. That he assisted in the three great concerns of Government 1. in Laws 2. in Arms and 3. in Councils In AEsop there is a slight Fable of a deep moral it is this Two Frogs consulted together in the time of Drowth when many plashes that they had repaired to were dry what was to be done and the one propounded to go down into a deep well because it was like the water would not fail there but the other answered Yea but if it do fail how shall we get up again Mr. Grey would Nod and say Humain affairs are so uncertain that he seemeth the wisest man not who hath a spirit to go on but who hath a wariness to come off and that seems the best course that hath most passages out of it Sir Iames Crofts on the other hand hated that irresolution that would do nothing because it may be at liberty to do any thing Indeed saith one Necessity hath many times an advantage because it awaketh the powers of the minde and strengtheneth Endeavour Sir Iames Crofts was an equal Composition of both as one that had one fixed eye on his Action and another indifferent one on his retreat Observations on the Life of William Lord Grey of Wilton THat great Souldier and good Christian in whom Religion was not a softness as Machiavil discoursed but a resolution Hannibal was sworn an Enemy to Rome at nine years of Age and my Lord bred one to France at fourteen Scipio's first service was the rescue of his Father in Italy and my Lord Grey's was the safety of his Father in Germany He had Fabius his slow way and long reach with Herennius his fine polices and neat Ambuscadoes having his two Companions always
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
To which I adde her Sister musick wherewith he revived his tired spirits lengthened as he said his sickly days opened his oppressed breast eased his melancholy thoughâ— graced his happy pronunciation ordered and refined his irregular and gross inclination fixed and quickned his floating and dead notions and by a secret sweet and heavenly Vertue raised his spirit as he confessed sometime to a little less than Angelical Exaltation Curious he was to please his ear and as exact to please his eye there being no Statues Inscriptions or Coyns that the Vertâ—osi of Italy could shew the Antiquaries of France could boast off or the great Hoarder of Rarities the great Duke of Tuscany whose antick Coyns are worth 100000 l. could pretend to that he had not the view of No man could draw any place or work better none fancy and paint a Portraicture more lively being a Durer for proportion a Goltzius for a bold touch variety of posture a curious and true shadow an Angelo for his happy fancy and an Holben for Oyl works Neither was it a bare Ornament of Discourse or naked Diversion of leisure time but a most weighty piece of knowledge that he could blazon most noble and ancient Coats and thereby discern the relation interest and correspondence of great Families and thereby the meaning and bottom of all transactions and the most successful way of dealing with any one Family His Exercises were such as his Employments were like to be gentle and manlike whereof the two most eminent were Riding and Shooting that at once wholesomely stirred and nobly knitted and strengthened his body Two Eyes he saiâ— he travelled with the one of wariness upon himself the other of observation upon others This compleat Gentleman was Guardian to the young Brandon in his younger yearsâ— Agent for Sir Iohn Mason in King Edward the sixth's time and the first Embassador for the State in Queen Elizabeths time My Lord Cobham is to amuse the Spaniard my Lord Effingham to undermine the French and Sir Henry Killigrew is privately sent to engage â—he German Princes against Austria in point of Interest and for her Majesty in point of Religion he had a humour that bewitched the Elector of Bavaria a Carriage that awed him of Mentz a Reputation that obliged them of Colen and Hydelbergh and that reach and fluency in Discourse that won them all He assisted the Lords Hunsdon and Howard at the Treaty with France in London and my Lord of Essex in the War for France in Britain Neither was he less observable for his own Conduct than for that of others whose severe thoughts words and carriage so awed his inferiour faculties as to restrain him through all the heats of youth made more than usually importunate by the full vigour of a high and sanguine Constitution insomuch that they say he looked upon all the approaches to that sin then so familiar to his calling as a Souldier his quality as a Gentleman and his Station as a Courtier not onely with an utter disallowance in his judgement but with a natural abhorrency and antipathy in his very lower inclinations To which happiness it conduced not a little that though he had a good yet he had a restrained appetite a Knife upon his Throat as well as upon his Trencher that indulged it self neither frequent nor delicate entertainment its meals though but once a day being its pressures and it s fast its only sensualitieâ— to which temperance in diet adde but that in sleep together with his disposal of himself throughout his life to industry and diligenceâ— you will say he was a spotless man whose life taught us this Lesson which if observed would accomplish mankinde and which King Charles the fiâ—st would inculcate to noble Travellers and Dr. Hammond to all men To be furnished always with something to do A Lesson they proposed as the best expedient for Innocence and pleasure the foresaid blessed man assuring his happy heaâ—ers That no burthen is more heavy or temptation more dangerous than to have time lie on ones hand the idle man being not onely as he worded it the Devils shop but his kingdome too a model of and an appendage unto Hell a place given up to torment and to mischief Observations on the Life of Arthur Gray Baron of Wilton ARthur Gray Baron of Wilton is justly râ—ckoned amongst the Natives of Buckinghamshire whosâ— Father had his habitation not at Wilton a decayed Castle in Hertfordshire whence he took his Title but at Waddon a fair house of his Family not far from Buckingham He succeeded to a small estate much diminished on this sad occasion His Father William Lord Gray being taken Prisoner in France after long ineffectual solliciting to be because captivated in the publick service redeemed on the publick charge at last was forced to ransome himself with the sale of the best part of his Patrimony Our Arthur endeavoured to advance his estate by his Valour being entred into Feats of War under his martial Father at the siege of Leith 1560 where he was shot in the shoulder which inspirited him with a constant antipathy against the Scots He was afterwards sent over Lord Deputy into Ireland anno 1580 where before he had received the Sword or any emblems of command ut acrioribus initiis terrorem incuteret to fright his foes with fierce beginnings he unfortunately fought the Rebels at Grandilough to the great loss of English Blood This made many commend his Courage above his Conduct till he recovered his credit and finally suppressed the Rebellion of Desmond Returning into England the Qâ—een chiefly relied on his counsel for ordering our Land-forces against the Spaniards in 88 and fortifying places of advantage The mention of that year critical in Churcâ—-differences about discipline at homâ— as well as with forreign force abroad mindeth me that this Lord was but a back-friend to Bishops and in all divisions of Votes in Paâ—liament or Council-table sided with the Anti-prelatical party When Sâ—cretaâ—y Davison that State-pageant raised up on purpose to be put down was censured in the Star-chamber about the business of the Queen of Scots this Lord Gray onely defended him as doing nothing therein but what became an able and honest Minister of State An Ear-witness saith Haec fusè oratorie animose Greium disserentem audivimus So that besides bluntness the common and becoming Eloquence of Souldiers he had a real Rhetorick and could very emphatically express himself Indeed this Warlike Lord would not wear two heads under one Helmet and may be said always to have born his Beaver open not dissembling in the least degree but owning his own Judgement at all times what he was He deceased anno Domini 1593. Three things he was observed eminent for 1. Dâ—spatch San Ioseph having not been a week in Ireland before he had environed him by Sea and Land 2. For his resolution that he would not parley with him till he was brought to his mercy hanging out a
difference ended was Is not this easier than going to London or Ludlow When a man fretted against himself or other My Friend he would say take it from me a weakman complains of others an unfortunate man of himself but a wise man neither of others nor of himself It was his Motto I 'll never threaten To threaten an Enemy is to instruct him a Superiour is to endanger my person an Inferiour is to disparage my conduct Old servants were the Ornament and stay of his Family for whom he reserved a Copyhold when aged a service when hopeful an Education when pregnant Twice was he sent underhand to France and once to Scotland to feel the pulse of the one and to embroyl the other It 's for setled Kingdomes and for Wealthy men to play above-board while the young State as the young Fortune should be least in sight He and Sir Thomas Randolph amuse the Queen of Scots with the hope of the Crown of England and the King of France by a League with his protestant subjects to whose aâ—sistance Sir Adrian Poynings arrives as Field-marshal and the Earl of Warwick as General Sir Nicholas Arnold had disposed Ireland to a settlement when Justicer and Sir Henry Sidney formerly Justicer and Treasurer was now to compleat it as Dâ—puty being assisted in Munster by Sir Warham St. Leiger and elsewhere by the brave Earl of Ormond having procured his Antagonist the Earl of Desmond to be called to England in order of a peace and tranquility Great was his Authority over far greater his love to and esteem of the Soldiers with whom he did wonders against Shane Oneals Front while Randolph charged his Rear until the wild Rebels submits and is executed When he resigned his Authority and Honour to Sir William Drury he took his farewel of Ireland in these words VVhen Israel departed out of Egypt and the house of Jacob from a barbarous people A singular man he was saith the Historian and one of the most commendable Deputies of Ireland to whose Wisdome and Fortitude that Kingdome cannot but acknowledge much though it is as impatient of Deputies as Sicily was of old of Procurators Observations on the Life of Sir John Puckering HE was born at Flamboroughead in Yorkshire second Son to a Gentleman that left him an Estate neither plenteous nor penurious his breeding was more beneficial to him than his portion gaining thereby such skill in the common Law that he became the Queens Sergeant speaker in the house of Commons and at last Lord Chancellour of England How he stood in his Iudgement in the point of Church-discipline plainly appeareth by his following speech delivered in the house of Lords 1588. You are especially commanded by her Majesty to take heed that no Ear be given nor time afforded to the wearisome sollicitations of those that commonly be called Puritans where with all the late Parliaments have been exceedingly importuned which â—ort of men whilst that in the giddiness of their Spirits they labour and strive to advance a new eldership they do nothing else but disturb the good repose of the Church and Commonwealth which is as well grounded for the body of Religion it self and as well guided for the discipline as any Realm that confesseth the truth And the same thing is already made good to the world by many of the Writings of godly and learned men neither answered nor answerable by any of these new fangled Refiners And as the present case standeth it may be doubted whether they or the Iesuits do offer more danger or be more speedily to be repressed For albeit the Iesuites do empoyson the hearts of Her Majesties Subjects under a pretext of Conscience to withdraw them from their Obedience due to Her Majesty yet do they the same but closely and in privy-corners But these men do both teach and publish in their printed Books and teach in all their Conventicles sundry Opinions not onely dangerous to a Well-setled Estate and the Policy of the Realm by putting a Piâ—e between the Clergy and the Layty but also much derogatory to her sacred Majesty and her Crown as well by the diminution of her ancient and lawful Revenues and by denying Her Highness Prerogative and Supremacy as by offering peril to her Majesties safety in her own Kingdome In all which things however in other Points they pretend to be at war with the Popish Iesuites yet by this separation of themselves from the unity of their fellow subjects and by abasing the Sacred Authority and Majesty of their Prince they do both joyn and concur with the Iesuites in opening the Door and preparing the way to the Spanish Invasion that iâ— threatned against the Realm And thus having according to the weakness of my best understanding delivered Her Majesties Royal pleasure and wise direction I rest there with humble Suit of her Majesties most gracious Pardon in supplying of my defects and recommend you to the Author of all good councel He died anno Domini 1596 charactered by Mr. Cambden Vir Integer Hiâ— Estate is since descended according to the solemn settlement thereof the Male Issue failing on Sir Henry Newton who according to the Condition hath assumed the surname of Puckering Sir Thomas Egerton urged against the Earl of Arundel methodically what he had done before in and since the Spanish Invasion Sir Iohn Puckering pressed things closely both from Letters and Correspondence with Allen and Parsons that few men had seen and from the saying of my Lord himself which fewer had observed who when Valongers Cause about a Libel was handled in the Star-chamber had said openly He that is throughly Popish the same man cannot but be a Traytor A man this was of himself of good repute for his own Carriage but unhappy for that of his servants who for disposing of his Livings corruptly left themselves an â—ill name in the Church and him but a dubious one in the State David is not the onely person whom the iniquity of his heels that is of his followers layeth hold on Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Bromley SIr Thomas Bromley was born at Bromley in Shropshire of a right ancient Family He was bred in the Inner Temple and made before he was forty years of age General sollicitor to Queen Elizabeth and afterwards before he was fifty succeeded Sir Nicholas Bacon in the Dignity of Lord Chancellour yet Bacon was not missed while Bromley succeded him and that loss which otherwise could not have been repaired now could not be perceived Which Office he wisely and learnedly executed with much discretion possessing it nine years and died anno 1587 not being sixty years old My Lord Hunsdon first employed this Gentlâ—man and my Lord Burleigh took first notice of him He had a deep head to dive to the bottome of the abstruse Cases of those times and a happy mean to manage them with no less security to the Estate than satisfaction to the people A man very industrious in his
capable of the title or pity due to innocence theirs might claim so large a share as not possible to be too severely condemned or flightly enough punished and that with such week and inconsiderable men as were rather against the government than for one another Grey being a Puritan and Cobham a Protestant were the gâ—eatest but there is one particular more behind That he could employ his restraint so well should â—ye under the justice as well as jealousie of K. James And knowing that Princes must not pardon any able man that either they have wronged or that hath wronged them be so intent upon a foolish liberâ—y wherein he lost himself and his in that unhappy voyage of Guiana a voyage that considering King Iames his inclination to the Mâ—tch his own obnoxiousness to thaâ— King abroad and Cecil here for oâ—structing the Peace with Spain and Gondamor's vigilance must needs be as unsuccessful as it was disguâ—â—â—ul Methinks he that was of so incomparable a dexâ—eriâ—y in his judgement as the Treasurer grew jealous of his excellent parts lest he should supplant him of so quick and ready apprehension and conduct that he puzzled the Iudges at Winchesteâ— of so good a Head-piece that it was wished then on the Secretary of State 's shoulders of so considerable an interest that notwithstanâ—ng his fourteen years imprâ—sonmeâ—t Princes interceded â—or him the whole Naâ—ion pitied him and King Iames would not execute him without an Apology And to say no more of so much magnanimity that he managed his death with so high and so religious a resolution as if a Christian had acted a Roman or rather a Roman a Christian might have gone off the world at a higher rate but that there is an higher power governs wisdome as invisibly yet as really as wisdome doth the world which when I look back upon my Lord of Essex I call fate but when from him I look forward to Sir â—alter Rawleigh I believe a providence He had a good presence in a handsome and well-compacted person a strong natural wit a better judgement with a bold and plaâ—sible tongue which set off his parts to the best advantage to these he had the adjuncts of a general Learning which by diligence and experience those two great Tutors was augmented to a great perfectionâ— being an indefatigable Reader and having a very retentive memory before his Iudges at Winchester humble but not prostrate dutiful yet not deject to the Iury affâ—ble but not fawning hoping but not trusting in them carefully perswading them with reason not distemperatâ—ly importuning them with conjurations rather shewing love of life tâ—â—n fear of deâ—th patient but not careless civil but not stupid Observations on the Life of Thomas Sackvil Lord Buckhurst HE was bred in the Vniversity of Oxford where he became an excellent Poet leaving both Latine and English Poems of his to posterity Then studied he Law in the Temple and took the degree of Barrister afterwards he travelled into Forreign parts was detained for a time a Prisoner in Rome which he revenged afterwards in the Liberty of his speech at the Powder-Traytoâ—s Tryal When his liberty was procured for his return into England he possessed the vast inheritance left him by his Father whereof in short time by his magnificent prodigality he spent the greatest part till he seasonably began to spare growing neer to the bottome of his Estate The story goes that this young Gentleman coming to an Alderman of London who had gâ—ined great penny worths by his former Purchases of him was made being now in the wane of his weâ—lâ—h to wait the coming down of the Alderman so long that his generous humour being sensible of the incivility of such Attendance resolved to be no more beholding to VVealthy Pride and presently turned a thrifty improver of the remainder of his Estate But others make him as abovesaid the Convert of Queen Elizabeth his Coâ—sinâ—German once removed who by her frequent Admonitions diverted the torâ—ent of his profusion Indeed she would not know him till he began to know himself and then heaped places of Hâ—nour and Trust upon him creating him 1â— Bâ—ron of Bâ—ckâ—urst in Sussâ—x Anno Dom. 1566. 2. Sending him Amabssador into France Anno 1571. Into the Law-Countries Anno Dom. 1576. 3. Making him Knight of the Order of the Garter Anno 1589. 4. Appointing him Treasurer of England 1599. He was Chancellour of the University of Oxford where he entertained Queen Elizabeth with a most sumptuous Feast He was called the Star-Chamber-â—â—ll so very flowing his invention and therefore no wonder if his Secretaries could not please him being a person of so quick dispaâ—ch faculties which yet run in the blood He took â— Roll of the names of all Sutors with the Date of their first Addresses and these in order had their hearing so that a Fresh-man could not leap over the head of his Senior except in urgent Affairs of State Thus having made 〈◊〉 â—nds to his house for his mispent time both in iâ—â—â—ease of Estate and Honour being created Earl of Dorset by King James he died on the 19 th of April 1608. The Lord Buckhurst was of the noble house of the Sackvils and of the Queens consanguinity his Father was that provident and wise man Sir Richard Sackvil or as the people then called him Fill-sack by reason of his great wealth and the vasâ— Patrimony which he left to this his son whereof he spent in his youth the best part untill the Queen by her frequent admonitions diverted the torrent of his profusion he was a very fine Gentleman of person and endowments both of Art and Nature His elocution is much commended but the excellency of his Pen more for he was a Scholar and a person of quick faculties very facete and choice in his phrase and style He was wise and stout nor was he any ways insnared in 〈◊〉 factions of the Court which were all his time very strong He stood still in grace and was wholly intentive to the Queens service and such were his abilities that she received assiduous proofs of his sâ—fficiency As 1. In his Embassie to Fâ—ance whereas the Queen-Mother complemented him he behaved himself very worthy of his Mistresses Majesty and his own Peerage there he had an experienced Tuscan Calacanâ—i by â—â—me to deal wiâ—h that Florentine Queen â— Montmorancy's brother to undermins the Guises and his own great parts to grapple with old Hospital He began that subtile piece the French Match under pretence whereof we â—alanced and understood Europeâ— nd Walsingham finished it 2. In his Negotiations in the Low-Countries where he watched Leicester and the Commanders he obsâ—â—â—â—d the States and their changeable and various Interests accommodating the present emergencies and suiting their occasions They that censure this Nobleman's death consider not besides the black worm and the white day and night as the Ridddle is that are gnawing constantly at the root of the Tree of Life There aâ—e many
infensible diseases as Apoplexies whose vapors suddainly extinguish the animal spirits and Aposthumes both in the upper and middle Region of man that often drown and suffocate both the animal and vital who are like embodied Twins the one cannot subsist without the other If the animal wits fail the vital cannot subsist if the vitals perish the animals give over their operation and he that judgeth ill of such an act of Providence may have the same hand at the same time writing within the Palace-walls of his own body the same period to his lives Earthly â—â—pire His posterity refused an Apology offered in his behalf upon this ground that the things objected to him were of the number of those little Cavils which come with that rule not holding in great accusations Spreta exolescunt sâ— irascare agnita videntur The End of the Observations upon the Lives of the Statesmen and Favourites of England in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth THE STATES-MEN and FAVOURITES OF ENGLAND IN The Reign of King Iames. Observations on the Lives of the Cliffords Earls of Cumberland THE name hath been for three Ages ancient and Noble and in this last Age Warlike and serviceable They had the government of the Nâ—rth in their own right for an hundred years and the Hereditary Sheriff-dom of Westmoâ—land in right of the Vipâ—nts their Relations for two Henry the first Earl of Cumberland was raised by Henry the Eighth to that Honour 1525 for his service at Teurnay and Berwick Henry his son was by Queen Mary honoured with the Garteâ— for his conduct against Wyat and by Queen Eâ—iz graced with peculiar favours for his Industry Integrity and Vigilance in the North. As Natuâ—e â—o Nobility subsists and growes by the same thing that it is made of Vertue that creates supports it Observations on the Life of the Lord George Clifford GEorge Cliffâ—rd Lord Clifford Vescye c. Earl of Cumberland was son to Henry second Earl of that Family by his second Lady a person wholly composed of true honour and valour whereof he gave the world a large and clear demonstration It was resolved by the judicious in that Age The way to humble the Spanish greatness was not in pinching and pricking of him in the Low-Countries which only emptied his veins of such blood as was quickly re-filled But the way to make it a Cripple for ever was by cutting off the Spanish sinews of War his Monies from the West-Indies the back-door robs the house In order whereunto this Earl set forth a small Fleet on his own cost and adventured his own person therein being the best born Englishman that ever hazarded himself in that kinde His Fleet may be said to be bound for no other Harbour but the Port of Honour though touching at the Port of Profit in passage thereunto I say touching whose design was not to enrich himself but impoverish the Enemy He was as merciful as valiant the best metal bends best and left impressions of both in all places where he came Queen Eliz. Anno 1592. honoured him with the dignity of the Garter When King Iames came first out of Scotland to York he attended him with such an equipage of Followers for number and habit that he seemed rather a King than Earl of Cumberland Here happened a Contest between the Earl and the Lord President of the North about carrying the Sword before the King in York which Office upon due search and enquiry was adjudged to the Earl as belonging unto him and whilest Clifford's Tower is standing in York that Family will never be therein forgotten His Anagram was as really as literally true Georgius Cliffordius Cumberlandius Davidis regno clarus cum vi fulgebis He died Anno 1605. leaving one Daughter and Heir the Lady Anne married to the Earl of Dorset This noble person taught the world however others speak at pleasure jussit quod splendida bilis That the Art of making War hath not a positive form and that it ought to be diversified according to the state of Occurrences They that will commit nothing to Fortune nor undertake any Enterprize whose event appeareth not infallible escape many dangers by their wary conduct but fail of as many successes by their unactive fearfulness It 's useless to be too wise and spend that time in a grave gaze on business that might serve the speedy dispatch of it Neither was our Peer great onely in the atchievements of the Field to please higher spirits but gaudy at Court to astonish and ravish the lowest making noble expences when necessary and appearing splendid on the important occasions whose principal quality resided in Magnificence Yet was he not transported with these appearances or to make them the greatest ornament of his conduct the choicest expressions of his life fixing neither his greatness upon a transitory Pageant nor his glory upon a fading Pomp. No sullen opposer of the unavoidable occurrences of life but a dexterous complier with present exigencies comparing those that swelled doggedly against Providence or the present state of affairs to King Canutus who forbad the unobservant waves of the Sea to flow no higher and they that repined at and spoke against it to Xerxes who whipped the Hellespont Observations on the Life of Sir Tho-Smith SIr Thomas Smith was born at Abington in Bark-shire bred in the University of Oxford God and himself raised him to the Eminency he attained unto unbefriended with any extraction He may seem to have had an ingenious emulation of Sir Thomas Smith Senior Secretary of State whom he imitated in many good qualities and had no doubt equalledâ—in preferment if not prevented by death He attained onely to be Master of the Requests and Secretary to King Iames for his Latine Letters higher places expecting him when a period was put at once to his life and to his hopes Novemb. 28. 1609. The generous piety of the honourable Countess of Exeter having erected him one Monument at Fulham his own worth another in History His Father died when he was yet so young that he knew not what a Father meant but his Mothers affection for her Husband dyed not with him whereupon she multiplyed her cares on this Gentleman and her other Children so abundantly that a long while he little found the want of that dear name her transcendent love so well supplying the place of both relations For no sooner was he fit to learn than she did by friends procure the best Mâ—sters those Times afforded to render his education perfeâ—t in those exercises as well of the mind as of the body wherein they that flattered him not would say he was no ill Proficient such majesty such modesty in his carriage that men would admire how two such distant things could meet in one subject His eye was quick and piercing his shape and motion charming the air and lineaments of his countenance lively arguments that his soul was not inferiour to his body but that the one promised no more
And satisfie the world leisurely by his Vertues and not awe it rashly by his power which got him even in that time St. Gregories Encomium That he was the first bad and the last good Treasurer since Queen Elizabeth's Reign I shall never forget his or his Fathers discourse with Claud Grollart primier President of Roan about the troubles in France wherein he advisâ—d him to stick fast to the King though he saw difficulties For it was his Maxime That Kings are like the Sun and Vsurpers like falling-Stars For the Sun though it be â—ffuscated and eclipsed with Mists and clouds at length they are dispersed where the others are but the figures of Stars in the eyes of view and prove no more but Exhalations which suddainly dissolve and fall to the earth where they are consumed A discourse which events there and elsewhere made an Oracle Observations on the Life of the Lord Howard of Effingham Earl of Nottingham THe Lord Howard of Effingham a man of most approved fidelity and invincible courage and Governour of Callice though a Courtier betimes yet seemed not to be in favour before the Queen made him high Admiral of England For his extract it may suffice that he was the son of a Howard and of a Duke of Norfolk As for his person he was as goodly a Gentleman as the times could afford he was one whom the Queen desired to honour who at his return from Cadiz accounts was created Earl of Nâ—ttingham He was a good honest and a brave man and a faithful servant to his Mistress and such a one as the Queen out of her own Princely judgement knew to be a fit Instrument for the Admiral 's service having a great opinion of his fidelity and â—onduct And though his death was not honoured with much wealth yet was it grac'd with the reputation of honesty Hs was raâ—sed to check Essex his ambition and Leicesterâ—s undermining being equally popular and honest yet having those at his heels that could lay a snare and bring in the prize Nature was a better friend to him than Fortune and his Integrity than both which commended him to a Mistress that understood Men as well as Books and knew it was no less the interest of Princes to take counsel concerning Persons than concerning matters He had that goodness without which man is a busie mischievous and wretched thing yet that wisdom whereby he was not so good as the Italian saith as to be good for nothing He was gentle but not easie mild but not soft obliging not the fancies of men but their Interest None more civil to Strangers his heart being not a narrow Island as my Lord Bacon observes but a large Continent None more tender of Inferiours none more humble to Superiours none more compassionate to the afflicted none more loving to or more beloved of all The Queen said she trusted her Kingdom to his faithfulness in 88. and her self to his conduct His alliance to the Queen brought him to Court but his honesty kept him there when jealousie had overcast that great house of the Howards ancient Nobility was a good recommendation to the Qâ— first Favours but modesty submission and integrity were the Vertues that continued them He had onely so much Ambition as rendred him active and serviceable and not busie or dangerous He knew a Nobleman cannot be safely aspiring nor smooth man securely popular and a man of his Retinue must not be busie He lived in an age when all honour was perillous that was not designed for service when the State chose Ministers that were more sensible of duty than of rising that loved business rather upon conscience than upon bravery and when the Prince discerned a busie nature from a willing mind as the stone had need be rich that is set without foyl so this noble person that was only real had need of great parts of vertue So valiant he was that he made the Spanish Fleet veil to him though it carried the Empress of Germany so active that he tugged at the Cablâ— himself in 88. and did much by his own pains and more by his example so skilful that he contrived the Fire-ships that frighted and scattered the Spanish Navy Two eminent services he did the Protestant Religion when but twenty one years of age The first is that he was so observant a witness of Arch-Bishop Parker's consecration that with his bare word the tale of the Nags head came to nothing 2. That he was so close an Agent in the Court of France that no Design was brewed in Scotland none seconded in France but he with the Emperour and the King of Spain's Embassadors assistance whom he had engaged with the hope of a Match between the King of the Romans and his Mistriss discovered and defeated with that success that the King of France courted his Mistriss to a Peace and himself to Favour None more careful in matter of Business none more splendid in business of Complement condoling King Francis his death with a Majesty no less becoming the Personage he represented than the Prince he addressed himself to 1. His providence in contriving the English Ships nimble and such as could tack about at pleasure 2. His prudence in not hazarding his weak Navy against the Spanish Army and Armado in an Engagement wherein a victory would be but a little glory and a defeat a ruine 3. His activity in alarming the Spanish Navy day and night 4. His wisdome in honouring the most serviceable under him as Hawkins Forbisher Sheffield c. 5. His popularity that drew so many Voluntiers to his service as the Earls of Oxford Northumberland Cumberland the Cecils c. 6. His wariness in dividing his fourteen Sail into four squadrons round about the Spanish Navy 7. His excelleâ—t contrivance of eight Ships filled with pitch wild-fire rosin c. which sent down the wind in the dead of night so much to the terrour of the Spaniards that fearing the Fire together with some more deadly Engines they raised a pitiful cry weighed Anchor cut their Cables and in a terrible pannick Fear with great hast and confusion put to Sea 8. His admirable dexterity in disposing of the Navy so as they met the Spanish Navy upon their dispersion with suâ—h success that the invincible Fleet never saw again its own formidableness ever since grown the most contemptible thing that ever sailed upon these Seas 9. His seasonable order to the Dutch Fleet to watch the Duke of Parma in the Ports of Dunkirk and Newport 10. His exact intelligence whereby he understood what a Controversie there was in the Spanish Navy about this point whether they should stick to their Commission in staying for Parma which was their duty or follow the emergent advantages which had been their discretion and dealt with them accordingly These grand particulars of this Noble-man's service were so eminent and signal that Queen Elizabeth who was over-lavish neither of her honour nor her preferments would
say commonly of him and those brave Heroes under him That they were born to save their Countrey This noble person was of greater experience than knowledg and more beholding to his years than to his Education whence K. Iames took great pleasure in his discourse that was not morose obstinate narrow unactive or formal like a Students harangues but free active and ingenuous like a States-man's Maximes Whereof one was this That never did Commander a noble Act that was Commission-bound it being a question whether the Venetians and Spaniards lost more at Sea and in the Netherlands before they discovered that Error or gained more since For whilest we address our selves to the State occasions are lost things take another countenance and so many unexpected accidents happen for which suddain provision must be made that opportunities escape before we dare lay hold of them and sometimes we perish for want of a Commission to save our selves Great content did he give by his presence in the French Court 1605. and greater in his carriage at the Prince Elector's marriage 1612. A prudent care did he discover in providing for posterity by the seasonable resignation of his Admiralty a faithful friend he shewed himself in confirming Sir Robert Mansel's place when he parted with his own a great argument of his own worth and service that he was so careful to reward others Observations on the Life of Sir Geo. Hume Earl of Dunbar NO wonder he is so great a Favourite of King Iames in his riper years who was so faithful a servant of his in his youth trusted with his Royal secrets in Scotland and therefore in his Royal bosome in England The natural reservedness of all Scots-men and the vast depth of this are not more necessary to all Princes then they were pleasing to King Iames who had no secrecies that endangered his Privadoes though many that tried them and particularly our Statesman who had no hidden weakness to be over-reached nor private Interest to be corrupted but was a great Master of himself owning a reach not to be comprehended and thoughts not to be fathomed but by him whose heart was as the sand of the Sea Exact was his correspondence with Sir Robert Cecil while in Scotland and intimate was their friendship in England both extorting from each other those observations touching their respective Countreys which they might both communicate to His Majesty at their respective opportunities His Enterprizes were well laid but unsuccessful rational but unhappy an argument that Designs are only in our power and Events in a higher There was not a man more noble and renowned more comâ—ly aâ—d graceful of more years and experience Versatus Versutus of a greater estate or revenue more liberal and munificent more accostable and courteous more resolved and reserved all the qualities of a compleat Ambassador than the Earl of Dunbar when sent to Germany yet none more ineffectual having gained no more by a tedious and chargeable Negotiation than as the Earl of Nottingham with his gallant Retinue in Spain that the Papists who were formerly perswaded by their Jesuites that we were Monsters do now believe we are Men so useless was soft Courtship in rough tumults and so little heed was given to smooth complements in Arms anâ— Uproars More happy was he in Scotland where his prudence as Lord Treasurer and his Chaplain Doctor Abbots gravity as Preacher reduced that Nation to so much sobriety as to admit a regular Religion and Government for which service he had the Exchequer and the Wardrobe for himself and the Arch-Bishoprick of Canterbury for the Doctor when the King was in a great streight between the known merit of the incomparable Bishop Andrews and the last request of dying Sir George Hume a great instance of King Iames his abilities in what Machiavel calleth a Princes Master-piece viz. the choice of Servants Observations on the Life of the Earl of Somerset HIs extraction from Scotland put him in the way his Education in England set him in a capacity of Advancement He was born seasonably when his Father served him that should be a King of England and brought up happily when he might please him that was so His beauty and comliness took his Majesty his parts and prudence obliged him who loved the Cabinet but valued the Jewel He was admitted Page of honour to King Iames when of Scotland and his Favourite when of England His Majesties first observation of him was at a solemn Tilting where his delight in his person meeting with his pity of his mischance I mean the breaking of his leg there first took him to his tuition and then to his Council All King Iames his Favourites were of his own education and so imbued with his principles and engaged to his interest It was his Majesties policy to râ—tain Scots States-men to balance the English It was Somerset's prudence to entertain English Favouries to endear the Scots therefore Sir Tho. Overbury was as much of his Councel as he was of his Majesties too haughty a carriage was the miscarriage of other Minions too good a nature was â—is His great defect being that goodness and humanity that that knoweth no excess but errour which was rather a softness than a kindness his heart was as large to others as his Masters was to him and knew as little how to mistrust as how to do any thing for which he should be mistrusted This is the Lesson he was short in That civilities should be common but favours choice The Whale is steered at Sea by a far smaller Fish and this States-man at Court by far meaner men than himself I my self saith an ingenious man have known many so far strangers to what was convenient as they would scarce concede or deny any thing out of the presence of their Secretary and this proceeded not seldom from a distrust there was no cause for manifest in the Earl of Somerset who though himself owner of a competent sufficiency was so enchanted with an opinion of Sir Thomas Overbury's parts that he preferred him from a Servant to such an intimate friendship as he could think nothing well educated for employment in his Office that had not passed his correction nor secret laid up but in his bosome which swelled him saith he to such a monstrosity in pride that I have heard not being my self then near the English Court how he offered to rant at his servants and did once beat his Coachman for putting his commands under an inferiour expostulation to his Master and through this intollerable arrogance in him and remisness in the Earl the sparks first flew that kindled the ruine of them both Friendship being no more able to maintain its interest against a feminine affection than so great a pride was to confine it self within the tedder of moderation The greatest are not free but led in triumph by the affections of others through the mediation of their own Sir Thomas Overbury would do what was most
force of Circumstances the errors of Comparison or the cautions of Application I like his Apology for his severity to the Clergy that he was austere to prevent others being cruel as well as his zeal for the Protestant Religion onely his Principles betrayed his profession which he rendered too obnoxious while he supported it by those novel grounds which our Adversaries could make us confess were Heterodox and by those streight-laced foundations which we saw our selves too narrow As for instance King Iames his vast capacity took him up once for making the Scripture the onely rule of Civil Affairs owning the piety but observing to his face the imprudence of that assertion Imprudence I say as for many reasons so for this because to assert a truth upon a weak principle is to tempt the world to doubt of the strength of the first when they see the weakness of the other Whether he went off in discontent and said He would not attend at the Councel-Table because he should not wait at the Altar Whether he had such malignant followers as called themselves Nicodemites or Night-Disciples Whether he turned noon-day into mid-night and mid-night into noon-day having a candle always burning in his Chamber or if so for what reason I would not have one of my years determine but rather refer the present age to his Contemporaries pen which describes him thus A very learned man he was his Erudition all of the old stamp fitly principled in the Doctrine of S. Augustine pious grave and exemplary in his Conversation But some think him a better man than Arch-Bishop and that he was better qualified with merit for the Dignity than with a spirit answering the Function in the exercise whereof he was conceived too facile and yielding his extraordinary remisness in not exacting strict Conformity to the prescribed Orders of the Church in point of Ceremony seemed to resolve those legal Determinations to their first Principle of Indifference and led in such an habit of Inconformity as the future reduction of those tender-conscienced men to long discontinued obedience was interpreted an innovation as if he thought it might fall out in Politicks as it doth sometimes in Physick bina venena juvant that the two contrary poysons of Superstition and Innovation might prove a Cordial to the Church Observations on the Life of Sir George Calvert SIr George Calvert was bred first in Trinity-Colledge in Oxford and then beyond the Seas His Abilities commended him first to be Secretory to Robert Cecil Earl of Salisbury Lord Treasurer of England Afterwards he was made Clerk of the Council and at last principal Secretary of State to King Iames succeeding Sir Tâ—o Lake in that Office Anno 1619. Conceiving the Duke of Buckingham highly instrumental in his preferment he presented him with a Jewel of great value which the Duke returned him again not owning any Activity in his Advancement whom King Iames ex mero motu reflecting on his Abilities designed for the Place This Place he discharged five years until he willingly resigned the same 1624. on this occasion He freely confessed himself to the King that he was then become a Roman Catholick so that he must either be wanting to his Trust or violate his conscience in discharging his Office This his Ingenuity so highly affected King Iames that he continued him Privy-Councellor all his Reign and soon after created him Lord Baltemore of Baltemore in Ireland During his being Secretary he had a Patent to him and his Heirs to be Absolutus Dominus Proprietarius with the Royalties of a Count Palatine of the Province of Avalon in the New-found land a place so named by him in imitation of old Avalon in Somersetshire wherein Glassenbury stands the first-fruits of Christianity in Britain as the other was in that part of America Here he built a fair house in Ferry-land and spent twenty five thousand pounds in advancing the Plantation thereof Indeed his publick spirit consulted not his private profit but the enlargement of Christianity and the Kings Dominions in that his ancient primitive and heroick work of planting the world After the death of King Iames he went twice in person to New-found land Here when Mounsieur de l' Arade with three men of War sent from the King of France had reduced our English Fishermen to great extreamity this Lord with two Ships manned at his own charge chased away the Frenchmen relieved the English and took sixty of the French Prisoners He removed afterwards to Virginia to view those parts and thence camâ— into England and obtained of King Charles the first who had as great an esteem of and affection for him as King Iames a Patent to him and his Heirs for Mary-Land on the North of Virginia with the same Title and Royalties conferred on him as in Avalon aforesaid now a hopeful Plantation peopled with eight thousand English Souls which in process of time may prove more advantageous to our Nation Judg Popham and Sir George Calvert agreed not more unanimously in the publick design of Planting than they differed in the private way of it the first was for extirpating Heathens the second for converting them He sent away the lewdest this the soberest people the one was for present profit the other for a reasonable expectation it being in the case of planting Countreys as in that of planting Woods you must account to lose almost twenty years profit and expect your recompence in the end it being necessary the Province should first find her self and then enrich you The Judge was for many Governors the Secretary for few and those not concerned Merchants but unconcerned Gentlemen The one granted Liberties without any restraint the other with great caution The first set up a common Stock out of which the Island should be provided for by proportions the second left every one to provide for himself Two things are eminent in this man 1. That though he was a Catholick yet kept he himself sincere and disingaged from all Interests and though a man of great judgment yet not obstinate in his sentiments but taking as great pleasure in hearing others opinions as in delivering his own which he heard moderated and censured with more patience than applauded 2. That he carried a digested and exact account of Affairs to his Master every night and took to himself the pains to examine the Letters which related to any Interest that might be any ways considerable He was the onely States-man that being engaged to a decryed party yet managed his business with that huge respect for all sides that all who knew him applauded him and none that had any thing to do with him complained of him Observations on the Life of Sir Arthur Chichester SIr Arthur Chichester spent his youth first in the University then in the French and Irish Wars where by his valour he was effectually assistantâ— First to plough and break up that barbarous Nation by Conquest and then to sow it with seeds
advice to my Lord of Essex was 1. Not to trust himself because they that stand by see more than they that play the game 2. To yield to Time and Fortune and not do that for his Enemies which they could never do for themselves 3. To have a careful eye upon those actions on which he knew there were many envious ones And for himself his supplication to King Iames was That since his conceit and sense was grown so heavy his Memory decay'd his Judgement weak his Hearing imperfect and his Voice faltering he might desinere potiùs quam deficere and retire from his Business to his Meditation as he did while living imparting many mysteries of the Chancery and when dying bequeathing as many choice Books and Directions to his then Chaplain and his after-Successor Doctor Williams Secretary Winwood having received the Seal and left this gracious Message with this good man that his Majesty would be his Under-keeper and not dispose of it while he lived to bear the name of Chancellor nor did any receive the Seal out of the Kings sight while he lived to bear the name of Chancellor A company of Citizens got a Cause passed by keeping a Witness away in this manner one of them gets him to the Tavern and there leaves him with a quart of Sack before him and the glass at his mouth and swears in open Court that he left him in a condition wherein if he continueth but two hours he is a dead man The other Party find out the cheat and have their remedy in Chancery Sir Edward Cook brings the matter to the Star-Chamber and threatneth the Chancellor with a Pâ—emuâ—nire The business is debated and sentence passed for my Lord Chancellor with the comfort whereof and the Kings and Princes Letter to him upon his Death-bed he went to his Grave Observations on the Life of the Lord Chief-Iustice Popham SIr Iohn Popham in his youthful days was a stout and skilful man at Sword and Buckler as any in that Age and wild enough in his Recreations But oh saith my Author if Quicksilver could be really fixed to what a treasure would it amount Such is wild youth seriously reduced to gravity as by this youngâ— man did appear who applyed himself to a more profitable Fencing the study of the Laws therein attaining to such eminency that he became the Queenâ— Attorney afterwards Lord Chief-Justice of Eâ—gland Being sent Anno 1600. by the Queen with some others to the Earl of Essex to know the cause of the confluence of so many Military men unto his house the Soldiers therein detained him for a time which some made tantamount to an Imprisonment This his violent detention Sir Iâ—hn deposed upon his Oath at the Earl's Tryal which I note the rather for the rarity thereof that a Lord Chief-Justice should be produced as Witness in open Court In the beginning of the Reign of King Iameâ— his justice was exemplary on Thieves and Robbers The Land then swarmed with people which had been Soldiers who had never gotten or eâ—se quite forgotten any other Vocation Hard it was for Peace to feed all the idle mouths which a former War did breed being too proud to beg too lazy to labour Those infested the High-wayes with their Fellonies some presuming on their multitudes as the Robber on the Northern Rode whose knot otherwise not to be untied Sir Iohn cut asunder with the Sword of Justice He possessed King Iames how the frequent granting of Pardons was prejudicial to Justice rendring the Judges to the contempt of insolent Malefactors which made his Majesty more sparing afterwards in that kind In a word the deserved death of some scores preserved the lives and livelihoods of some thousands Travellers owing their safety to this Judges severity many years after his death Neither did he onely punish Malefactors but provide for them for observing that so many suffered and died for none other reason but because they could not live in England now grown too populous for it's self and breeding more Inhabitants than it could keep he first set up the discovery of New-England to maintain and employ those that cou'd not live honestly in the old being of opinion that banishment thither would be as well a more lawful as a more effectual remedy against those extravagancies the Authors whereof judge it more eligible to hang than to work to end their dayes in a moment than to continue them in pains onely a great Judgment observes it is a shameful and an unblessed thing to take the scum of people and wicked condemned men to be the people with whom to plant And not onely so but it spoyleth the Plantation for they will ever live like Rogues and not fall to work and do mischief and spend Victuals and be quickly weary and then certifie over to the Countrey to the disgrace of the Common-wealth Observations on the Life of Sir Robert Dudley SIr Robert Dudley son to Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester by Douglas Shefield whether his Mistriss or his Wife God knows was born at Shene in Surrey and bred by his Mother out of his Fathers reach at Offington in Sussex where he became a most compleat Gentleman in all suitable Accomplishments endeavouring in the Reign of King Iames to prove his Legitimacy and meeting with much opposition from the Court in distaste he left his Land and went over into Italy But worth is ever at home and carrieth its own welcome along with it Therefore he became a Favourite to the Duke of Florence who highly reflected on his Abilities and used his Directions in all his Buildings At this time Legorn from a Child started to a Man without ever being a youth and of a small Town grew a great City on a sudden and is much-beholding to this Sir Robert for its Fairness and Firmness as chief contriver of both But by this time his Adversaries in England had procur'd him to be call'd home by a special Privy-Seal which he refused to obey and thereupon all his Lands in England were seised upon by the King by the Statute of Fugitives These losses doubled the love of the Duke of Florence unto him And indeed Sir Robert was a much-meriting person on many Accounts being an Excellent 1 Mathematician especially for the Practical part thereof in Architecture 2 Physician his Catholicâ—n at this day finding good Esteem amongst those of that Faculty 3 Navigator especially in the Western Seas Indeed long before his leaving of England whilest as yet he was Rectus in Curiâ— well esteemed in Queen Elizabeths Court he sailed with three small Ships to the Isle of Trinidad in which voyage he sunk and took nine Spanish Ships whereoâ— one an Armada of 600 Tun. He was so acceptable to Ferdinand the second Emperour of Germany that by his Letters Patents bearing date at Vienna March 9â— 1620. he conferred on him and his Heirs the Title of a Duke of the Sacred Empire Understand it a Title at large as that
him in a retreat he would have collected him a Conqueror by the cheerfulness of his spirit He was the first Baron of K. Charles his Creation Some years after coming to Court he fell suddenly sick and speechless so that he died afore night Anno Dom. 163 ... No doubt he was well prepared for death seeing such his vigilancy that never any enemy surprised him in his Quarters Now to compare them together such their Eminency that they would hardly be parallel'd by any but themselves Sir Francis was the elder Brother Sir Horace lived to be the elder man Sir Francis was more feared Sir Horace more loved by the Soldiery The former in Martial Discipline was oftentimes Rigidus ad ruinam the latter seldome exceeded ad terrorem Sir Francis left none Sir Horace no Male-Issue whose four Co-Heirs are since Matched into honourable Families Both lived in War much honoured dyed in peace much lamented What is a great question among all Martial men was so between these Brethren whether to repair a reputation ruined by some infamous disgrace and the honour abused by some notorious loss the General ought to oppose the fortune that oppresseth him and hazard what remains to recover what is lost Sir Francis was of opinion That though it 's not the interest of a supream Prince yet it is the concern of a subordinate Commander to support his credit at the rate of his Army But Sir Horace was never for sacrificing the whole for the advancing of any part or of many for the humouring of one but chose rather to break the impetuosity of his misfortunes by yielding to them and rather recover both himself and his success by a prudent retreat than lose both in an obstinate misadventure It being far more eligible to suffer in the imaginary interest of reputeâ— than that real one of strength though appearances are yet so useful that dexterously to manage the reputation of Affairs is to imprint in men a great opinion of vertue and fortune to enhance successes and raise that respect and confidence that seldom fall to the share of reservation and fear But apart from that too much caution that betrayeth and overmuch rashness that hazardeth our fortunes both these Heroes were very choice in the places of their Engagements for when all the Generals before the Battel of Newport were for quitting the upper Downs Sir Francis Vere well knowing how much it imported the business of the day to hold a place of such advantage perswaded Count Maurice rather to expect the Enemy in that ground than attaque him in a worse wherein as his opinion prevailed so all that were present were Eye-witnesses both of the truth of his conjecture and the soundness of his judgement For the Enemy as he said did not long gaze upon them but charging up the hills were beaten back so effectually that our men had the excution of them for half a mile which was no small advantage to the fortune of that day Neither were they less observant of their time that Mother of Action than their place neither hasty nor slow to manage an opportunity that is neither often or long the same or of the order of their Army than both whereof each part assisted the other at Newport and elsewhere so readâ—ly that their shouts and charges equally amazed their Friends and Enemies The Reliefs of Rhingbergh were actions of great resolution ready dispatch a watchful circumspection and good pursuit The succour of Lithenhooven was a performance of great and mature deliberation the surprize of Zutphen by young Soldiers in womens apparel was a piece of service of many particular stratagems and the Siege of Daventer of as much sage advice All instances of the wonders that courage can do when wise valour when sober a passion when rational and a great spirit when advised Observations on the Life of Richard Cosin LL. D. RIchard Cosin LL. D. one of the greatest Civilians our Nation bred the grand Champion of Episcopacy was amongst all the Countreys of England born in the Bishopriâ—k of Durham His Father was a person of Quality a Captain of a Company at Muscleborough-Field whence his valour returned with victory and wealth when crossing the River Tweed O the uncertainty of all earthly happiness he was drowned therein to the great loss of his son Richard and greater because he was not sensible thereof as left an Infant in the Cradle His Mother afterwards married one Mr. Medow a York-shire Gentleman who bred this his Son-in-law at a School at Skipton upon Crâ—ven wherein such was his proficiency that before he was twelve years old little less then a wonder to me in that age from so far a Countrey he was admitted into Trinity-Colledge in Cambridge Some of his friends in Queens-Colledge in that University had a design to fetch him thence had not Doctor Beaumont prevented the plot in making him Scholar and Fellow as soon as by his Age Degree and the Statutes he was capable thereof He was a general Scholar Geometrician Musitian Physitian Divine but chiefly Civil and Canon Lawyer By Arch-Bishop Whitgift he was preferred to be first Chancellor of Worcesteâ— in that age a place non tam gratiosus quam negotiosuâ— and afterwards Dean of the Arches wherein he carried himself without giving though many took offence at him Of these one wrote a Book against him called the Abstract abstracted saith my Author from all Wit Learning and Charity to whom he returned such an answer in defence of the High-Commâ—ssion and Oath Ex Officio that he put his Adversary to silence Others lay to his charge that he gave many blanck Licences the common occasion of unlawful Marâ—iages and the procurer is as bad as the thief robbing many a Parent of his dear Child thereby But alwayes malice looks through a multiplying-glasse Euclio complained Intromisisâ—i sexcentos Coquos Thou hast let in six hundred Cooks when there was but two truely told Antrax and Congrio so here was but one which a Fugitive servant stole from a Register to make his private profit thereby GOD in his sickness granted him his desire which he made in his health that he might be freed from Torture which his corpulency did much suspect bestowing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 upon him a sweet and quiet departure Pious his dying expressions I deâ—â—re to be dissolved and to be with Christ Phil. 1. The wages of sin is death Rom. 6. Come Lord Iesus come quickly Revel 12. And his last words were these Fâ—reâ—el my surviving friends remember your Mortality and Eternal life He gave forty pounds to the building of a Chamber in Trinity-Colledge and fifteen pounds per annum for the maintenance of two Scholarships therein a good gift out of his estate who left not above fifty pounds a year clear to his Heir a great argument of his integrity that he got no more in so gainful a place Dying at Doctors Commons he was buried by his own appointment in
Robes and Ornaments thereof which were accordingly with great solemnity performed in the Cathedral of Studgard And this was the Lord that when the Earl of Bristol charged the Duke of Buckingham started up and demanded Is this all you have to say against the Duke The Earl replyed Yes my Lord and I am sorry it is so much Then quoth the Lord Spencer If this be all Ridiculus mus and so sate down again The End of the Observations upon the Lives of the Statesmen and Favourites of England in the Reign of King Iames. THE STATES-MEN and FAVOURITES OF ENGLAND IN The Reign of King Charles I. Observations on the Life of the Duke of Buckingham NAture bestowed on him an exact comliness his Mother a noble education not so much to study as converse His Travels to France carriage and experience About which times he falls into intrinsecal society with Sir Ioh. Greham then one of the Gentlemen of his Majesties Privy-Chamber who I know not upon what Luminaries he espyed in his face disswaded him from Marriage and gave him rather encouragement to woe Fortune at Court than court it in the City Which advice sank well into his fancy for within some while the King had taken by certain glances whereof the first was at Apthorpe in a Progress such liking of his Person that he was resolved to make him a Master-piece and to mould him as it were Platonically to his own Idea Neither was his Majesty content onely to be the Architect of his Fortune without putting his gracious hand likewise to some part of the work it self insomuch that it pleased him to descend and to avale his goodness even to the giving of his foresaid friend Sir Iohn Greham secret directions how by what degrees he should bring him into favour His own parts and observation gained him prudence and discretion His Family and Ancestors in Leicester-shire gentility and repute so that there wanted nothing but Interest to set him up a Courtier Sir Thomas Compton who had married his Mother supplyed him with the one and the Earls of Bedford Pembrook and Hertford who would eclipse Somerset helped him to the other For those three Lords meeting one night at Baynards-Castle and commanding Somerset's picture should be abused in their way next day Sir Thomas Lake leads him into Court buying him the Cup-bearers place A while after the Countess of Bedford ushereth him to the Presence-Chamber entering him a Bed-chamber-man and the Earl of Pembrook supports him until he was a Favourite The Courtiers wished him well because he was an English-man the Nobility favoured him because a Gentleman the Ladies have a kindness for him because the exactest Courtier in Christendom the King observes him much for his compleat body more for his pregnant parts and the States-men now consulting Somerset's removal and finding King Iames his good nature loth to leave the bosom of one Minion until he had reposed himself in another made it their plot to advance him His carriage was free and debonair his passions even and smooth and one saith carried in his pocket his nature noble and open his temper industrious and inquisitive his intellectuals clear and capable his mind tractable and docible his spirit resolute and undaunted The first month he comes to Court he takes place above all his fellows and being removed with some affront by a creature of Somerset's gives him a box on the ear an action that gave him and his friends a seasonable occasion of a Contest with Somerset and him a clear conquest over him Somerset as Chamberlain would have cut off his hand and he as Favourite was like to have cut off his head This new Favourite riseth all are weary of Somerset the first Minion all welcom the second The King is first his Tutor and then his Patron instructing him before he employed him Three sorts of studies he engaged him in the first was for delights in private Retyrements the second for ornament in Discourse the third for ability in Business He had Princely apprehensions of the principles and Maximes of Government a distinct notion of all his Affairs an excellent way to make use of other mens Abilities and these incomparable Rules from my Lord Bacon which were transcribed in his Life Sir In the first place I shall be bold to put you in mind of the present condition you are in You are not onely a Courtier but a Bed-chamber-man and so are in the eye and ear of your Master but you are also a Favourite The Favourite of the time and so are in his bosom also The world hath so voted you and doth so esteem of you for Kings and great Princes even the wisest of them have had their Friends their Favourites their Privadoes in all ages for they have their affections as well as other men of these they make several uses sometimes to communicate and debate their thoughts with them and to ripen their judgments thereby sometimes to ease their cares by imparting them and sometimes to interpose them between themselves and the envy or malice of their People for Kings cannot erre that must be discharged upon the shoulders of their Ministers and they who are nearest unto them must be content to bear the greatest load Truly Sir I do not believe or suspect that you are chosen to this eminency out of the last of these considerations for you serve such a Master who by his wisdom and goodness is as free from the malice or envy of his Subjects as I think I may say truly ever any King was who hath sate upon his Throne before him But I am confident his Majesty hath cast his eyes upon you as finding you to be such as you should be or hoping to make you to be such as he would have you to be for this I may say without flattery your outside promiseth as much as can be expected from a Gentleman But be it in the one respect or other it belongeth to you to take care of your self and to know well what the name of a Favourite signifies If you be chosen upon the former respects you have reason to take care of your actions and deportment out of your gratitude for the King's sake but if out of the later you ought to take the greater care for your own sake You are as a new risen Star and the eyes of all men are upon you let not your own negligence make you fall like a Meteor The contemplation then of your present condition must necessarily prepare you for action what time can be well spar'd from your attendance on your Master will be taken up by suitors whom you cannot avoid nor decline without reproach for if you do not already you will soon find the throng of suitors attend you for no man almost who hath to do with the King will think himself safe unless you be his good Angel and guide him or or least that you be not a Malus Genius against him so that
not be over-secure that 's the way to invite it 6. But if we be always prepared to receive an Enemy if the ambition or malice of any should incite him 〈◊〉 may be very confident we shall long live in peace and quietness without any attempt upon us 7. To make the preparations hereunto the more assured In the first place I will recommend unto you the care of our out-work the Navy Royal and Shipping of our Kingdom which are the walls thereof and every great Ship is as an impregnable for t and our many safe and commodious Ports and Havens in every of these Kingdoms are as the redoubts to secure them 8. For the body of the Ships no Nation of the world doth equal England for the Oaken Timber wherewith to build them and we need not borrow of any other iron for Spikes or Nâ—â—ls to fasten them together but there must be a great deal of providence used that our Ship-Timber be not unnecessarily wasted 9. But for Tackling as Sails and Cordage we are beholden to our neighbours for them and do buy them for our money that must be foreseen and layd up in store against a time of need and not sought for when we are to use them But we are much too blame that we make them not at home onely Pâ—tch and Tar we have not of our own 10. For the true Art of building of Ships for burthen and service both no Nation in the world exceeds us Ship-wrights and all other Artizans belonging to that Trade must be cherished and encouraged 11. Powder and Ammunition of all sorts we can have at home and in exchange for other homeâ— commodities we may be plentifully supplied from our Neighbours which must not be neglected 12. With Mariners and Seamen this Kingdom is plentifully â—urnished the constant Trade of Merchandizing will furnish us at a need and navigable Rivers will repair the store both to the Navy Royal and to the Merchants if they be set on work and well payed for their labour 13. Sea-Captains and Commanders and other Officers must be encouraged and rise by degrees as their fidelity and industry deserve it 14. Our strict League of amiâ—y and alliance with our near Neighbours the Hollanders is a mutual strength to both the shipping of both in conjuncture being so powerful by Gods blessing as no Foreigners will venture upon This League and Friendship must inviolably be observed 15. From Scotland we have had in former times some Alarms and Inrodes into the Northern parts of this Kingdom but that happy union of both Kingdoms under one Soveraign our gracious King I hope hath taken away all occasions of breach between the two Nations let not the cause arise from England and I hope the Scâ—ts will not adventure it or if they do I hope they will find that although to our King they were hâ—s first-â—orn Subjects yet to England belongs the birth-right Bâ—t this shâ—uld not be any cause to offer any injury to thâ—m nor to suffer any from them 16. There remains â—hen no danger by the blessing oâ— God but a Câ—vil War from whâ—ch God of his mercy defend us as that which is most desperate of all others The King's wisdom and justice must prevent it if it may be or if it should happen quod absit he must quench that wild-fire with all the diligence that possible can be 17. Competition to the Crown there is none nor can be thereâ—ore it must be a fire within the bowels or nothing the cures whereof are these Remedium praevenieus which is the best physick either to a natural body or to a State by just and equal Government to take away the occasion and Remedium puniens if the other prevail not The service and vigilance of the Deputy-Lieutenants in every County and of the high-Sheriff will contribute much herein to our security 18. But if that should not prevail by a wise and timous inquisition the peccant humours and humorists must be discovered and purged or cut off mercy in such a case in a King is truly cruelty 19. Yet if the Heads of the Tribes can be taken off and the mis-led multitude will see their errour and return to their obedience such an extent of mercy is both honourable and profitable 20. A King against a storm must fore-see to have a convenient stock of treasure and neither be without money which is the sinews of War nor to depend upon the courtesie of others which may fail at a pinch 21. He must also have a Magazine of all sorts which must be had from Foreign parts or provided at home and to commit them to several places under the custody of trusty and faithful Ministers and Officers if it be possible 22. He must make choice of expert and able Commanders to conduct and manage the War either against a foreign invasion or a home-rebellion which must not be young and giddy which dare not onely to fight but to swear and drink and curse neither fit to govern others nor able to govern themselves 23. Let not such be discouraged if they deserve well by mis-information or for the satisfying the â—umouâ—s or ambition of others perhaps out of envy perhaps out of treachery or other sinister ends A stâ—â—dy hand in governing of Military Affairs is more requisite then in times of peace because an erroâ—r committed in war may perhaps prove irremediable 24. If God shall bless these endeavours and the King return to his own house in peace when a Civil War shall be at an end those who have been found faithful in the Land must be regarded yea and rewarded also the traiterous or treacherous who have misled others severely punish'd and the neutrals and false-hearted friends and followers who have started aside like a broken bow be noted Câ—rlone nigro and so I shall leave them and this part of the work VI. I come now to the sixâ—h part which is Trade and that is either at home or abroad And I begin with that which is at home which enableth the Subjects of the Kingdom to live and layeth a foundation to a foreign Trade by traffiqâ—e with others which enableth them to live plentifully and â—â—pâ—â—â— 1. For the Home-trade I fiâ—st commend unto your consideration the encouragement of Tillage which will enable the Kingdom for Corn for the Natives and to spare for exportation And I my self have known more than once when in times of dearth in Qâ—een Elizabeth's days it drained much coin of the Kingdom to furnish us with Corn from foreign parts 2. Good Husbands will find the means by good Husbandry to improve their lands by Lime Chalk Marl or Sea-sand where it can be had But it will nâ—t be amiss that they be put in mind thereof and encouraged in their industries 3. Planting of Orchards in a soil and air fit for them is very profitable as well as pleasureable Sâ—der and Perry are notable Beverage in Sea-voyages 4. Gardens are also very profitable if
then his Lord let him feel what he had threatned my Lord Bacon when he advanced him That if he did not owe his preferment alwayes to his favour he should owe his fall to his frown The peremptoriness of his judgement â—endred him â—dious his compliance with Bristol suspected and his Sermon at King Iames his Funeral his tryal rather than his preferment obnoxiâ—us His spirit was great to act and too great to suffer It was prudence to execute his decrees against all opposition while in power it was not so to bear up his miscarriages against all Authority while in disgrace A sanguine complexion with its resolutions do well in pursuit of success Phlegm and its patience do better in a reâ—reat from miscarriages This he wanted when it may be thinking â—ear was the passion of King Charls his Governâ—ent as well as King Iames he seconded his easie â—all with loud and open discontents and those discontents with a chargeable defence of his servants that were to justifie them and all with that unsafe popularity invidious pomp and close irregularity that laid him open to too many active persons that watched him Whether his standing out against Authority to the perplexing of the Government in the Star-Chamber in those troublesom times his entertainment and favour for the Discontented and Non-Conformists his motions for Reformation and alteration in twelve things his hasty and unlucky Protestation in behalf of the Bishops and following actions in England and Wâ—les where it 's all mens wonder to hear of his meruit sub Parliamento had those private grounds and reasons that if the Bishop could have spoke with the King but half an hour he said would have satisfied him the King of Kings only knoweth to whom he hath given I hope a better account than any Historian of his time hath given for him But I understaâ—d better his private inclinationâ— than his publick actions the motions of his naâ—â—â—â—â— than those of his power the conduct of the oâ—â— being not more reserved and suspitious tha◠〈◊〉 effects of the other manifest and noble for nâ—◠〈◊〉 mention his Libraries erected at Sr. Iohn's 〈◊〉 Westminster his Chappel in Lincoln-Colledge 〈◊〉 repairs of his Collegiate Church his pensions 〈◊〉 Scholars more numerous than all the Bishops and Noble-mens besides his Rent-charges on all the Benefices in his Gift as Lord Keeper or Bishop of Lincoln to maintain hopeful youth according to the Statute in that â—ase provided Take this remarkable instance of his munificence that when Du Moulin came over he calleth his Chaplain now the R. R. Father in God Iohn Lord Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield and telleth him he doubted the good man was low wishing him to repair to him with some money and his respects with assurance that he would wait upon him himself at his first liesure The excellent Doctor rejoyneth that he could carry him no less than twenty pounds the noble Bishop replyeth he named not the sum to sound his Chaplains mind adding that twenty pounds was neither fit for him to give nor for the reverend Forreigner to receive Carry him said he an hundred pounds He is libelled by common fame for unchaste though those that understood the privacies and casualties of his Infancy report him but one degree removed from a Misogonist though to palliate his infirmities he was most compleat in Courtly addresses the conversableness of this Bishop with Women consisted chiefly if not only in his treatments of great Ladies and Persons of honour wherein he did personate the compleatness of courtesie to that Sex otherwise a woman was seldom seen in his house which therefore had always more of Magnificence than Nearness sometimes defective in the Punctilio's and Niceties of Daintiness lying lower than masculine Cognizance and as level for a womans eye to espy as easie for her hands to amend He suffereth for conniving at Puritans out of hatred to Bishop Laud and for favouring Papists oâ—t of love to them Yet whatever he offered King Iames when the Match went on in Spain as a Couâ—cellour or whatever he did himself as a States-man sâ—ch kindness he had for our Liturgy that he translated it at his own cost into Spanish and used it in the visitation of Melvin when sick to his own peril in the Tower and such resolution for Episcopacy that his late Majesty of blessed memory said once to him My Lord I commend you that you are no whit daunted with all disasters but are zealous in defending your Order Please it your Majesty replyed the Arch-Bishop I am a true Welsh-man and they are observed never to run away till their General first forsakes them No fear of my flinching while your Majesty doth countenance our Cause His extraction was gentile and ancient as appeared from his Ancestors Estate which was more than he could purchase without borrowing when at once Lord Keeper Bishop of Lincoln and Deau of Westminster His mind great and resolute insomuch that he controuled all other advices to his last to his loss in Wales and daunted Sir Iohn Cook as you may see in his character to his honour in England His wariness hath these arguments 1. That he would not send the Seal to the King but under lock and key 2. That being to depute one to attend in his place at the Coronation he would not name his Adversary Bishop Laud to gratifie him nor yet any other to displease the King but took a middle way and presented his Majesty a List of the Prebendaries to avoid any exception referring the Election to his Majesty himself 3. That he proposed a partial Reformation of our Church to the Parliament to prevent an utter extirpation by it 4. That he exposed others to the censure of the Parliament 1625. to save himself 5. That he answered to several Examinations without any the least advantage taken by his Antagonist This character of his I think very exact That his head was a well-fitted treasury and his tongue the fair key to unlâ—ck it That he had as great a memory â—s could be reconciled with so good a judgement That so quick his parts that others study went not beyond his nature and their designed and forelaid performances went not beyond his sudden and ready accommodations Only he was very open and too free in discourse disdaining to lye at a close guard as confident of the length and strength of his weapon Observations on the Life of Sir Isaac Wake THis honourable person whom I look upon at Oxford in the same capacity and fortune that Sir Robert Naunâ—on and Sir Francis Nethâ—rsole were in at Cambridge He was born in Northampton-shire his Father Arthur Wake being Parson of Billing Master of the Hospital of St. Iohns in Northampton and Canon of Christs-Church bred Fellow of Mâ—rton-Colledge in Oxford Protector and Orator of that University whence he was admitted Secretary to Sir Dudly Carleton Secretary of State and afterward advanced into the King's service and by his Master
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
though Issuless by the Judge the Honour descended to his Grand-child He died an enemy to Bishop Williams over-ruling all his Pleas in his Chamber in a quarter of an hour and yet which was strange at that time no friend to Arch-Bishop Laud for he said The Lawn-sleeves had choaked him Observations on the Life of Sir Tho. Coventry A Competent Estate he had for his education and excellent Abilities for advancement his â—ortune was not wanting to his parts nor his parts to his fortune the one being as ready to support as the other was to raise him His staid soul was well prepared for general learning in the Schools University for his parâ—icular leaâ—ning at the Iâ—â—s of Court his skill in the study of Law called him no sooner to the Bar than his prudence to Court Take we his character from his Honour Why was he creaâ—ed Lord Coventry of Alisbury and Keeper of the great Sâ—al Why saith the Paâ—ent for his eminent fidelity for his most worthy service for his exact circumspection for his deep prudence for his constant resolution for his skill and dexterity for his integrity and industry for his immoveableness and fidelity No man more appâ—ehensive of the interest of England none more faithful to it His kindness to the Church and Clergy argued his piety his safe Counsels to his Majesty argued his moderation his dignity rather enjoyed him than he it A man he was that filled up his great capacities having digested a body of the most honest Law and a scheme of the most innocent policy that ever filled the head of an able Statesman or the heart of an upright Judge What belonged to him he knew and what he knew he practised He was as constant to his rule as he knew his rule was to him Reserved he was as the King's Councellor honest as his conscience We measure Pyramides by their shadows and this great Lord by his followers every one whereof was eminent in his way and all advanced Each Action of his though never so little yet great as himself so gravely did he manage it so solemnly did he perform it His orders were seldom reversed because mostly including the consent of Parties Few Attorney-Generals came off with less câ—nsure and few Lord Keepers with less guilt his Predecessors miscarriages being foils to set off his exactness Eminent as in most other Cafes so particularly in that of Pryn Bastwick and Burton against whom when after six weeks time given them to put in an effectual Answer they urged that their Adversaries the Bishops should not be their Judges He replyed smartly That by that Plea had they Libelled all the Magâ—strates in the Lâ—nd none should pass Censure upon them because all were made parties He had fifteen years enjoyed his Place not more proper to say that Dignity had enjoyed him so long this latter age â—ffording not one every way of more apt Qualifications for the place His front and presence bespake a venerable regard not inâ—eriour to any of his Antecessors His train and suit of Followers was disposed agreeable to shun both Envy and Contempt Vain and ambitious he was not his port was state though others ostentation Of what concerned his place he knew enough and which is the main acted conformable to his knowledge For in the Administration of Justice he was so erect so incorrupt as captious malice stands mute in the blemish of his Fame A miracle the greater when we consider he was also a Privy-Councellor A trust wherein he served his Master the King most faithfully and the more faithfully because of allâ— those Councels which did disserve his Majesty he was an earnest disswader and did much disaffect those sticklers who laboured to make the Prerogative rather tall than great as knowing that such men loved the King better than Charles Stuart So that although he was a Courtier and had had for his Master a Passion most intense yet had he always a passion reserved for the publick welfare an argument of a free noble and right-principled mind For what both Court and Country have always held as inconsistent is in truth erroneous And no man can be truly loyal who is not also a good Patriot nor any a good Patriot which is not truly loyal Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Wentworth Earl of Strafford SIr Thomas Wentworth Earl of Strafford oweth his birth to the best governed City London his breeding to the best modelled School York and a most exact Colledge St. Iohns in Cambridge his accomplishments to the best Tutors Travel and Experience and his prudence to the best School a Parliament whither he came in the most active and knowing times with a strong brain and a large heart his activity was eminent in his Country and his interest strong in Parliament where he observed much and pertinently spake little but home contrived effectually but closely carried his Designs successfully but reservedly He apprehended the publick temper as clearly and managed it to his purposes as orderly as any man He spoke least but last of all with the advantage of a clear view of others reasons the addition of his own He and his leading Confidâ—nts moulded that in a private Conference which was to be managed in a publick Assembly He made himself so considerable a Patriot that he was bought over to be a Courtier So great his Abilities that he awed a Monarchy when dis-obliged and supported it when engaged the balance turning thither where this Lord stood The North was reduced by his prudence and Ireland by his interest He did more there in two years than was done in two hundred before 1. Extinguishing the very reliques of the War 2. Setting up a standing Army 3. Modelling the Revenue 4. Removing the very roots and occasions of new troubles 5. Planting and building 6. Setling Ecclesiastical and Civil Courts 7. Recovering the hearts of the people by able Pastors and Bishops by prudent and sober Magistrates by justice and protection by obligations and rewards 8. Recovering the Churches patrimony and discipline 9. Employing most able and faithful Ministers and Instruments 10. Taking an exact view of all former Precedents Rules and Proceedings 11. An exact correspondence with his Majesty and the Favourites of England None was more conversant in the Factions Intrigues and Designs than he when a Common-wealths-man none abler to meet with them than he when a Statesman he understood their methods kenned their wiles observed their designs looked into their combinations comprehenâ—â—d their interest And as King Charls understood best of any Monarch under heaven what he could do in point of Conscience so his Strafford apprehended best of any Counsellor under the Sun what he could do in point of power He and my Lord of Canterbury having the most particular account of the state of Great Britain and Ireland of any persons living Nature is often hidden sometimes overcome seldom extinguished yet Doctrine and Discourse had much allayed the severity
suspected to act contrary to so clear convictions so deliberate and declared determinations of his Conscience and Judgement in Religion as the Arch-Bishop expresses in his very excellent Book I am indeed prone to think that pâ—ssibly he wished there could have been any fair close or accâ—mmodation between all Christian Churches the same which many grave and learned men have much desired And it may be his Lordship thought himself no unfit Instrument to make way to so great and good a work considering the eminencies of his Parts Power and Favour which he had Haply he judged as many learned and moderate men have that in some things between Papists and Protestants differences are made wider and kept more open raw and sore than need beâ— by the private pens and passions of some men and the Interests of some little parties whose partial policies really neglect the publick and true Interest of the Cathâ—lick Church and Christian Religion which consists much in peace as wâ—ll as in purity in charity as in verity He found that where Papists were silenced and convinced in the more grand and pregnant Disputes that they are Novel partial and unconform to Catholick Churches in ancient times than he found they recovered spirits and contested afresh against the unreasonable transports violences and immoderations of some professing to be Protestants who to avoid Idolâ—try and Superstition run to Sacriledge and rudeness in Religion denying many things that are just honest safe true and reasonable meerly out of an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 excessive Antipathy to Papists Possibly the Arch-Bishop and some other Bishops of his mind did rightly judge That the giving of an enemy fair play by just safe honourable concessions was not to yield the conquest to him but the most ready way to convince him of his weakness when no honest yieldings could help him any more then they did endanger the true cause or courage of his Antagonist For my part I think the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury was neither Calvinist nor Lutheran nor Papist as to any side or party but all so far as he saw they agreed with the Reformed Church of England either in Fundamentals or innocent and decent Superstructures Yet I believe he was so far a Protestant and of the Reformed Religion as he saw the Church of England did protest against the Errors Corruptions Usurpations and Superstitions of the Church of Rome or against the novel opinions and pâ—actices of any party whatsoever And certainly he did with as much honour as justice so far own the Authenâ—ick Authority Liberty and Majesty of the Church of England in its reforming and setling of its Religion that he did not think fit any private new Master whatsoever should obtrude any Foreign or Domestick Dictates to her or force her to take her copy of Religion from so petty a place as Geneva was or Frankfort or Amsterdam or Wittenbergh or Edenborough â—o nor from Augsburg or Arnheim nor any foreign City or Town any more than from Trent or Rome none of which had any Dicâ—atorian Authority over this great and famous Nation or Church of England further than they offered sober Counsels or suggested good Reasons or cleared true Religion by Scripture and confirmed it by good Antiquity as the best interpreter and decider of obscure places and dubious cases Which high value it is probable as to his Mother the Church of England and her Constitutions was so potent in the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury that as he thought it not fit to subject her to the insolency of the Church of Rome so not to the impertinencies of any other Church or Doctor of far less repuâ—e in the Christian world No doubt his Lordship thought it not handsome in Mr. Calvin to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rather than 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so censorious of the Church of England as to brand its Dâ—votion or Liturgy with his tolerabiles ineptiae who knew not the temper of the Nation requiring then not what was absolutely best but most conveniently good and such not only the Liturgy was but those things which he calls tollerable toys I having occasion to speak with him he upon a time was pleased to grant me access some freedom of speech with him and withal asked me the opinion of the people of him I told him they reported his Lordship endeavoured to betray the Church of England to the Roman correspondency and communion He at length very calmly and gravely thus replyed protesting with a serious attestation of his integrity before God's Omnisâ—ience that however he might mistake in the mean and method yet he never had other design than the glory of God the service of his Majesty the good order peace and decency of the Church of England that â—e was so far from complying with Papists in order to confirm them in their Errors that he rather choâ—e such Methods to advance the honour of the reformed Religion in England as he believed might soon silence the cavils of fiercer Papists induce the more moderate Reâ—usants to come in to us as having less visible occasion given them by needless Dâ—stances and Disputes to separate from us which he thought arose much from that popular Variety Inconstancy Easiness Irreverence and Uncomliness which might easily grow among us in the outward professiâ—n of Religion for want of observing such uniformity and decency in Religion as were required by the Laws and Canons of this Church and State He added that he had further a desire as much as he could to relieve the poor and depressed condition of many Ministers which he had to his grief observed in Wales and England where their Discouragements were very great by reason of the tenuity and incompetency of their Livings that in his Visitations he had sometime seen it with grief among twenty Ministers not one man had so much as a decent Garment to put on nor did he believe their other treatment of Life was betterâ— that he found the sordid and shameful Aspect of Religion and the Clergy gave great Advantages to those that were Popishly inclined who would hardly ever think it best for them to joyn with that Church which did not maintain either its own Honour or its Clergy to some competency and comeliness Much more discourses his Lordship was pleased to use at several times to this purpose which commands my charity to clear him as far as I can judge of any tincture of Popery truly so called or of any superstition which placeth a Religion in the nature and use of that thing which God hath not either particularly commanded or in general permitted I suppose he thought that where God hath allowed to his Church and to every private Christian so far as may consist with the Churches Order and Peace a liberty of ceremonious and circumstantial decency as to God's worship there neither himself was to be blamed nor did he blame other men if they kept within those discreet and inoffensive bounds which either
and assuring him that his Majesty would be wiâ—ling to gratifie him to the utmost of his power To whom the Earl replyed I will not dye with a Suit in my mouth to any King save to the King of Heaven By Anne daâ—ghter to Philip Earl of Pembrook Montgomâ—ry he had Charles now Earl of Carnarvan From hâ—â— noble Extract he received not more honour than he gave it For the blood that was conveyed to him through so many illustrious veins he derived to his Children more matured for renown and by a constant practice of goodness more habituated to vertue His youth was prepared for action by study without which even the most eminent parts of Noble-men seem rough and unpleâ—sant in despight of the splendor of their fortune But his ripâ—r years endured not those retirements and therefore brake out into manlike exercises at home and travel abroad None more noble yet none more modest none more valiant yet none more patient A Physician at his Father-in-Law's Table gave him the Lye which put the company to admire on the one hand the man's impudence and on the other my Lord's mildness until he said I 'll take the Lye from him but I 'll never take Physick of him He may speak what doth not become him I 'll not do what is unworthy of me A vertue this not usual in Noble-men to whom the limits of Equity seem a restraint and therefore are more restless in Injuries In the miâ—dest of horror and tumults his soul was serene and calm As humble he was as patient Honour and nobility to which nothing can be added hath no better way to increase than when secured of its own greatness it humbleth it self and so at once obligeth loveâ— and avoideth envy His carriage was as condescending as heroick and his speech as weighty as free He was too great to envy any mans parts and vertues and too good not to encourâ—ge them Many a time would he stoop with his own spirit to raise other mens He neglected the minute and little circumstances of compliance with vulgar humors aiming at what was more solid and more weighty Moderate men are applâ—uded but the Heroick are never understood Constant he was in all that was good this was his heroick expression when soliciâ—ed by his Wives Father to desist from his engagement with the King Leave me to my Honour and Allegiance No security to him worth a breach of Trust no interest worth being unworthy His conduct was as eminent in War as his carriage in Peace many did he oblige by the generosity of his mind more did he awe with the hardness of his body which was no more softned to sloath by the dalliances of a Court than the other was debauched to a carelesness by the greatness of his Fortune His prudence was equal to his valour and he could entertain dangers as well as despise them for he not only undeceived his enemies surmises but exceeded his own friends opinion in the conduct of his soldiers of whom he had two cares the one to discipline the other to preserve them Therefore they were as compleatly armed without as they were well appointed within that surviving their first dangers they might attain that experience resolution w ch is in vain expected from young and raw soldiers To this conduct of a General he added the industry of a Soldier doing much by his performances more by his example â—hat went as an active soul to enliven each part the whole of his brave Squadron But there is no doubt but personal and private sins may oft-times over-balance the justice of publick engâ—gements Nor doth God account every Gallant a fit instrument to assert in the way of war a righteous cause the event can never state the justice of any cause nor the peace of mens consciences nor the eâ—ernal fate of their souls They were no doubt Martyrs who neglected their lives and all that was dear to them in this world having no advantageous design by any innovation but were religiously sensible of those tyes to God the Church their King their Countrey which lay upon their souls both for obedience and just assistâ—nce God could and I doubt not but he did through his mercy crown many of them with eternal life whose lives were lost in so good a cause the destruction of their bodies being sanctified as a means to save their souls Observations on the Life of the Lord Herbert of Cherbury EDward Herbert son of Richard Herbert Esq and Susan Newport his Wife was born at Montgomery-Castle and brought to Court by the Earl of Pembrook where he was Knighted by K. Iames who sent him over Embassador into â—rance Afterwards K. Charles the first created him Baron of Castle-Island in Ireland and some years after Baron of Cherbury in Montgomeryshire He was a most excellent Artist and rare Linguist studied both in Books and Men and himself the Author of two Works most remarkable viz. A Treatise of Truth written in French so highly prized beyond the Seas and they say it is extâ—nt at this day with great Honour in the Popes Vatican and an History of King Henry the Eighth wherein his Collections are full and authentick his observation judicious his connexion strong and cohaerent and the whole exact He married the Daughter sole Heir of Sir William Herbert of St. Iulians in Moâ—mouth-shire with whom he had a large Inheritance in England and Ireland and died in August Anno Dom. 1648. having designed a fair Monument of his own invention to be set up for him in the Church of Montgomery according to the model following Upon the ground a Hath pace of fourteen foot square on the middest of which is placed a Dorick Column with its right of Pedestal Basis and Capitols fifteen foot in height on the Capitol of the Column is mounted an Uâ—â— with a Heart Flamboul supported by two Angels The foot of this Column is attended with four Angels placed on Pedestals at each corner of the said Hath-pace two having Torches reverst extinguishing the Motto of Mortality the other two holding up Palms the Emblems of Victory When this noble person was in France he had private Instructions from England to mediate a Peace for them of the Religion and in case of refusal to use certain menaces Accordingly being referred to Luynes the Constable and Favourite of France he delivereth him the Message reserving his threatnings till he saw how the matter was relished Luynes had hid behind the Curtain a Gentleman of the Religion who being an Ear-witness of what passed might relate to his friends what little expectations they ought to entertain from the King of England's intercession Luynes was very haughty and would needs know what our KING had to do with their affairs Sir Edward replyed It 's not you to whom the King my Master oweth an account of his actions and for me it 's enough that I obey him In the mean time I must maintain That my Master
Privy-Seal he brought the Court of Requests into such repute that what formerly was called the Alms-Basket of the Chancery had in his time well-nigh as much meat in and guests about it I mean Suits and Clients as the Chancery it self His Meditations of Life and Death called Manchester Almondo written in the time of his health may be presumed to have left good impressions on his own soul preparatory for his dissolution which happened 164 Tâ—e Office of Lord Treasurer was ever beheld as a place of great charge and profit My Lord being demanded what it might be worth per ann made this answer That it might be some thousands of pounds to him who after death would go instantly to heaven twice as much to him who would go to Purgatory and a Nemo scit to him who would adventure to a worse place But indeed he that will be a bad husband for himself in so advantagious a place will never bâ— a good one for his Soveraign Observations on the Life of Sir Henry VVotton with some Account of his Relations SIr Henry Wotton first having reâ—â— of his Ancestor Sir Robert Wotton the noble Lieutenant of Guisnes and Comptroller of Callais in King Edward the fourth's days His Grand-father Sir Edward Wotton that refused to be Chancellor of England in King Henry the Eighth's time 2. Having known his Father Sir Thomas Wotton one of the most Ingenuous modesty the most Ancient freedom plainness single-heartedness and integrity in Queen Elizabeths Reign His Brothers Sir Edward Wotton the famous Comptroller of Queen Eliz. and K. Iames his Court since Lord Wotton Baron Morley in Kent Sir Iames Wotton with R. Earl of Essex Count Lodowick of Nassaw Don Christophoro son of Antonio King of Portugal c. Knighted as an excellent Soldier at Cadiz Sir Iohn Wotton the â—ccomplished Traveller and Scholar for whom Qâ—een Eliz. designed a special favour His Uncle Nicholas Wotton Dean of Canterbury and York nine times Embassador â—or the Crown of England â—e that was one of King Henry's Execuâ—ors King Edward's Secretary of State Queen Mary's right handâ— aâ—d that refused the Arch-Bishoprick of Caâ—tâ—rbury in Queen Eliz. days 3. Being bred 1. In Winchester that eminent School for Discipline and Order 2. In New-Colledge and Queens those famous Colledges for the method of Living by rule could promise no less than he did in his solidlâ— seâ—tenticâ—â— and discreetly humoured Play at Queens called Tancredo in his elegaâ—t Lecture of the nobleness manner and use of Seeing at the Schools for which the learned Albericus Gentilis called him Henrice Mi Ocelle and communicated to him his Mathematiâ—â— his Law and his Italian learning in his more particular converse with Doctor Donne and Sir Richard Baker in the University and his more general conversation with Man-kind in travels for one year to France and Geneva where he was acquainted with Theodore Beza and Isaac Casaâ—bon at whose Fathers he lodged for eight years in Germany for five in Italy whence returning balanced with Learning and Experience with the Arts of Rome Venice and Florence Picture Sculpture Chimistry Architecture the Sâ—crets Langâ—ages Dispositions Customs and Laws of most Nations set off with his choice shape obliging behaviour sweet discourse and shaâ—p wit he could perform no less â—han he did 1. In the unhappy relation he had to the Earl of Essex first of Friend and afterward of Secretary 2. In his more happy Interest by his Secâ—etary Vietta upon his flight out of England after the Earl's apprehension with the Duke of Tuscany then the greatest paâ—ron of Learning and Arts in the world who having discovered a design to poyson King Iames as the known successor of Queen Elizabeth sent Sir Henry Wotton with notice of the ploâ— and preservatives against the poyson by the way of Norway into Scotland under the borrowed name of Octavio Baldi where after some suspicion of the Italian message discovering himself to the King by David Lindsey's means he was treated with much honour complacency and secrecy for three months Afteâ—â—hich time he returned to Florence staying theâ—e till King Iames enquiring concerning him of my Loâ—d Wotton the Comptroller the great Duke advised his return to congratulate his Majesty as he did the King embracing him in his arms calling him the best because the honest est Dissembler that he met with and Knighting him by his own name Adding withal That since he knewâ—he wanted neither Learning nor Experience neither Abâ—lities nor Faithfulness he would employ him to others as he was employed to him which accordingly he did to Venice the place he chose as most suitable to his retired Genius and narrow Estate where 1. Studying the dispositions of the several Dukes and Senators 2. Sorâ—ing of fit Presents curious and not costly Entertainments sweetned with various and pleasant discourse particularly his elegant application of Stories He had such interest that he was never denyed any request whereby he did many services to the Protestant interest with his Chaplain Bishop Biddle and Padre Pauloe's assistance during the Controversie between the Pope and the Venetians especially in transmitting the History of the Councel of Trent sheet by sheet to the King and the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury as it was written And in his three Embassies thither gained many Priviledges for the English along all those Coasts In the second of which Embassies calling upon the Emperour he had brought Affairs to a Treaty had not the Emperours success interposed whereupon he took his leave wishing that Prince to use his Victory soberly an advice his carriage indeared to his Majesty together with his person so far that he gave him a Diamond worth above a thousand pounds which he bestowed on his Hostess saying He would not be the better by a man that was an open Enemy to his Mistress so the Queen of Bohemia waâ— pleased he â—should call her Onely while abroad and writing in the Album that friends have this sentence Legat usest vir bonus peregre missus ad mentiendum reipublicae causa whereof Scioppius made a malicious use in his Books against King Iames. He loâ—t himself a while for using more freedom abroad than became his Employment until his ingenuous clear and choicely eloquent Apologies recovered him to more respect and cautiousness until he writ Invidiae Remedium over his Lodgings at Eaton-Colledge the Provostship whereof he obtained in exchange for the reversion of the Mastership of the Rolls and other places promised him Where looking upon himself in his Surplice as Charles 5. or Philip 2. in Cloysters his Study was divine Meditations History and Characters His recreation Philosophical conclusions and Angling which he called his idle time not idly spent saying he would rather live five May moneths than forty Decembers His Table was exquisite where two youths attended upon whom he made the observations that were to furnish his designed discourse of Education His Histories and Observations remarkable his Apophthegms sage and quick 1.
ornament and converse and for judgment and business To spend too much time on his Book was sloth to talk by Book was affected and to act by it was humoursome and Scholar-like Four things he would say helped him 1. His Inclination It 's a great happiness to a Man saith Aristotle when his Calling is one of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of those things that agree with his nâ—ture 2. Method 3. Religion with that just and composed mind that attends it 4 A great happiness in all the four faculties that make a Lawyer 1. A sharp invention and clear apprehension to search all the circumstances of a case propounded 2. Judgment to examine and weigh the particulars invented and apprehended â—or truth lieth in things as Gold in Mines 3. Memory to retain what is judged and examined 4. A prompt and ready delivery of what is conceived and retained set out with ingenuity and gravity Oratio prompa non audax What he said was close and pinching and not confident and earnest allowing passion not to disturb either the method or delivery of his discourse but to quicken it To speak well and much he said was not the work of one man yet if a Philosopher be eloquent said Cicero we must not despise him if he be not he must not affect it so that he can comprehend in words what he conceiveth and speak them plainly that he may be understood His Latine and French were Grammatical his Rhetorick Natural his Logick Reason The first opened the terms the second pressed the Vigour the last collected and disposed of the Axiomes Grounds and Rules of the Law and all prepared him for that comprehensive Profession in the ashes whereof the sparks of all other Sciences were raked up His gesture and habit was grave but not affected speaking as much to the eye as his tongue did to the ear the gesture being a great discoverer of the constitution and a great direction to business what a man misseth in the speech he may sometimes â—ind in the looks His temper was moderate and sober a Virtue and a seasoning of all others attended with the Lawyers gift and that is Patience Modest he was but not fondly bashful his prudence and not his softness His humility begat affableness his affableness society that conference conference parts and they acquaintance and that practice and practice experience experience renown and that preferment Sir Iohn's inclination was studious his mind constant solid and setled and able to dive into the Whirl-pools of that intricate and perplexed faculty his thoughts being orderly and his conceptions methodical his search comprehensive avoiding Epitomes as the banes of Learning Nullu illi per otium dies exit partem noctium studiis vindicat non vacat somno sed succumbit oculos vigilia fatigatos cadentesque in opere detinet Considerable were the parts he had but more so the making up of those he had not his coverâ—ng of his defects being of no less importance than the valuing of good parts which he did three ways 1. By caution ingeniously and discreetly waving and putting off things improper 2. By colour making his Defects his Virtues and his Faults his Endowments And 3. By that freedom of Spirit that daunts the weakest and prevaileth with the wisest He proposed to himself five things to enquire into in order to that compleatness he arrived unto 1. The ancient Maximes and Principles or the more ancient Customs that make up the Common Law of England 2. The Acts and Constitutions that make up its Statute-Law 3. The particular Priviledges Liberties Immunities and Usages of Counties Burroughs Cities c. that do swerve from this Law 4. The ancient Grounds and Reasons as far as History can direct of all these our Law being an exact Reason 5. The most satisfactory explanations of the Law 1. From Commentaries as Bractons 2. Abridgments as Stathams 3. History as the years and terms of the Common Law And 4. From more particular Tracts that handled their peculiar subjects as Fortescue Glanvil Britton Fleta Littleton which he thought not unprofitable to read though dangerous to rely upon with the Lord Cooke not liking those that stuff their mindes with wandering and masterless reports For as he said they shall find them too soon to lead them to error Beginning with the terms of Art and then to the matter perusing what is antiquated and observing what is suitable to the present constitution and complexion It 's my Lord Cook 's Rule That for the most part the latter Judgments and Resolutions are the surest and therefore fittest to season a man withal in the beginning both for settling of his Judgment and retaining them in memory yet as he goeth on out of the old fields must spring and grow the new Corn. Our Lawyers course was slow and leisurely his reading digested and deliberate His considerations wary and distrust his way to knowledge He that begins with certainties ends in doubts and he that begins with doubts ends in certainties and looketh into tâ—e boâ—â—â—m of things Upon serious and solid Books he bestowed a double reading the one cursorily by way of pâ—eparation and the other exact by way of digestion Three things made him a Pleader 1. Reading 2. Observation 3. Exercise And indeed in ancient times the Sergeants and Apprentices of Law did draw their own pleadings which made them good Pleaders He observed the affections the intent the analogy the validity of the Law putting all his reading to writing having the places he was most to handle in all the variety that could be with his Rules and Maximes as far as reading hearing meditation conference and memory could help him Thus his fiâ—st thoughts were upon his Profession until that advanced him to the highest Eminence and his last upon his Interest until that was improved to as much fortune as lieth in a well-laid Estate and Alliance The End of the Observations upon the Lives of the Statesmen and Favourites of England in the Reign of King Edward the Sixth Books Printed for Samuel Speed Book-seller near the Royal Exchange PHaramond the famed Romance in Folio written by the Author of those other two eminent Romances Cassandra and Cleopatra Palmerin of England in three parts in Quarto The Destruction of Troy in three parts in Quarto Quintus Curtius his Life of Alexander the Great in English in Quarto Montelion Knight of the Oracle in Quarto Primaleon of Greece in Quarto The Jewel-house of Art and Nature by Sir Hugh Plat in Quarto The Womans Lawyer by Sir Iohn Dodridge in Quarto Divine Law or the Patrons Purchaser by Alexander Huckston in Quarto The Compleat Parson by Sir Iohn Doddridge in Qu. Star-Chamber Cases in Quarto Actions of the Case for Deeds by William Shepheard Esquire in Folio The Life of Henry the Great in English written by the Bishop of Rhodez in Octav. The Villain a Tragedy by Tho. Porter Esquire in Quarto Observations on the Statesmen and Favourites of
England since the Reformation their Rise and Growths Prudence and Policies Miscarriages and Falls during the Reigns of Henry the eighth King Edward the sixth Queen Mary Queen Elizabeth King Iames and King Charles the first in Octav. by D. Lloyd A. M. The Precedency of Kings in Folio by Iames Howel Esquire The Description of Tangier with an account of the Life of Gayland Usurper of the Kingdom of Fez in Quarto The Golden Coast or a Description of Guiney in Quarto An Abridgement of the three Volumns of Sir George Crookes Reports in Octavo An Abridgement of the Reports of Sir Francis More in Octavo The Compleat Lawyer by William Noy of Lincolns-Inne in Octavo The Tenants Law a Treatise of great use for Tenants and Farmers of all kinds and all other persons whatsoever Wherein the several Natures Differences and kinds of Tenures and Tenants are discussed and several Cases in Law touching Leases Rents Distresses Replevins and other accidents between Landlord and Tenants and Tenant and Tenant between themselves and others especially such who have suffered by the late conflagration in the City of London by R. T. Gent. in Twelves Memories of the Lives Actions Sufferings and Deaths of those Noble Reverend and excellent Personages that suffered by Death Sequestration Decimation or otherwise for the Protestant Religion and the great Principle thereof Allegiance to their Sovereign in our late intestine Wars in Folio by D. Lloyd A. M. Arithmetical Recreations by W. Leybourne in Twelves The Reports of Sir Henry Hobart in F. The Compleat Copy-holder by the Lord Cooke in Octavo Machiavels Discourses and Prince in Twelves The Roman History of Lucius Florus in English in Octavo The City and Country Purchaser and Builder with directions for purchasing building and improving of Lands and Houses in any part of England in Octavo by Stephen Primate Gent. A brief Chronicle of the late intestine War in the three Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland from the years of our Lord 1637. to the year 1663. in Fol. by Iames Heath Gent. The new Academy of Complements erected for Ladies and Gentlemen containing variety of Complements and Letters fitted to the occasions of all persons of both Sexes with an exact Collection of the newest and choicest Songs a la mode both Amorous and Jovial in Twelves Systema Agriculturae being the whole Mystery of Husbandry made known by I. W. Gent. in Folio The Kings Primmer containing easie and pleasant directions for the reading of English in Thirty two Kings Psalter stored with observable varieties fit either for the School or for the Closet all which are profitable plain and pleasant in Octavo The Life and Death of that matchless Mirrour of Heroick Vertues Henrietta Maria de Bourbon late Queen to King Charles the first and Mother to the most Magnificent Prince King Charles the second in Twelves An Advertisement To all Gentlemen Booksellers or others WHereas Samuel Speed Bookseller hath lately disposed himself to a whole-Sale trade for Books not making any appearance of that imployment as â—ormerly he did These are to Certifie That those persons that please to apply themselves to him for Books shall be as well used as by any person whatsoever and whosoever hath any Study or Library of Books or Copies either in Manuscript or such as have been already Printed to dispose of shall receive from him the full value thereof to the said Parties ample satisfaction FINIS THE States-Men Favourites OF ENGLAND IN The Reign of Q. MARY Observations on the Life of Sir William Cordel SIR William Cordel where ever he was born had a fair Estate at Long-Melford in Suffalâ— and lieth buried in that fair Church under a decent Monument We will tranâ—late his Epitaph which will perfectly acquaint us with the great Offices he had and good Offices he did to Posterity Hic Gulielmus habet requiem Cordelliae avito Stemmate qâ—i elanus claâ—iâ—r ingeâ—io Hiâ— Studiis primos consumpsit foâ—titer dunos Mox causarum strenâ—â—â— actor eratâ— Tanta illi doctrina inerat facundia tanta Vâ— Parlamento publica linguaforet Postea factus Eques Reginae arcana Maria Conâ—ilia Patriae grande subibat opus Factus est Custos Rotulorum urgente senecta In Christo moriens cepit ad astra viam Pauperibus largus victum vestemque ministrans Insuper Hospitii condidit ille domum Here William Cordel doth in rest remain Great by his Birth but greater by his Brain Plying his studies hard his youth throughout Of Causes he became a Pleader stout His Learning deep such Eloquence did vent He was chose Speaker to the Parliament Afterwards Knight Queen Mary did him make And Counsellour State-Work to undertake And Master of the Rolls Well-worn with Age Dying in Christ Heaven was his utmost Stage Diet and Clothes to poor he gave at large And a fair Alms-House founded on his charge He was made Master of the Rolls November the fifth in the fifth of Queen Mary continuing therein till the day of his death the 23 of Queen Elizabeth Eight weeks and upwards passed between the Proclaiming of Queen Mary and the first Parliament by her assembled duâ—ing which time two Religions were together set on foot Protestantism and Popery the former hoping to be continued the latter labouring to be restored And as the Jews Children after the Captivity spake a middle Language betwixt Hebrew and Ashdâ—d so during the foresaid Interim the Churches and Chappels in England had a mixt celebration of their Divine Service between Reformation and Superstition The â—ame day there was a Mass sung for Edward the Sixth's soul in the Tower and the English Service for his Burial in Westminster No small justling was there between the zealous Promoters of these contrary Perswasions The Protestants had the Law on their side and the Papists the Prerogative These the Queens Opinion the other her Promise Besides seeing by the Fidelity of the Suffolk and Norfolk Protestant Gentry the Queen was much advantaged for the Recovery of her Right they conceived it but reason that as she by them regained the Crown so they under her should enjoy their Consciences Thus it is in the Evening Twilight wherein Light and Darkness at first may seem very equally marched but the later in a little time doth wholly prevaiâ— The Catholick canvass for the next Parliament upon the Queens credit and authorityâ— the Reformed upon the Nations Inclination The Body of the Kingdom meets and chuseth our Knight for Speaker whose temper was a Representative of the Parliament as that is of the Kingdom A temper made up of an equal mixture of Loyalty and Piety that could at once stand to their Religion and submit to their Soveraign Render to Caesar what was Caesars and to God what was Gods Long did he expect that the Queen would comply with the Parliament and as long did she stay for their compliance with her Unite they could not unanimously among themselves dissolved they are therefore peaceably