John had a moving beauty that waited on his whole Body as that standing one doth upon the Face and Complexion Such a grace and comeliness waited on his Noble Meen as exacted a liking if not a love from all that beheld him A midling Clarity and quickness is best in Wine that is neither too thick upon the Lees nor yet too quick our Knights comportment and carriage was neither dull nor vapouring neither gross nor affected but of a becoming temper at equal distance with the Clown and the Pedant what 's contemptible and what 's invidious 3. But both these were set off with his Person of a middle stature neither tall to a formidableness nor short to a contempt straight and proportioned vigorous and active with that pure blood and spirits that flowed and flowred within his swelling Veins and disposed him to those natural and innocent those manly and noble Exercises of Dancing c. Dancing I say which he was not exquisite in for that is vanity nor ignorant of for that 's meanness but a graceful exercise wherein he was carelesly easie as if it were rather natural motion then curious and artificial practising which endeared his severer Vertues to that place where the worth that riseth must be complaisant and pleasing as well as serviceable and useful But the favour which proceeds from personal grace and comeliness although it seem to be doubly united yet it is that which is soonest dissolved and dissipated there being nothing so inconstant as mens humours which not onely change through Ages but also by some small occasion or accident which may arise Sir John therefore brought himself into Court by what humoured but kept himself in there by those things that did oblige him and stood not upon his Majesties pleasure but his Interest adding to his more aiery Courtships more solid Employments From the softer Court therefore we must follow him to the Camp and that before Terwyn where we finde him daring and active 1. In skirmishing the French every day 2. In recovering the red Gun overthrown in a Lane from 10000 French under the Earl St. Paul as General with 250 resolute Reformades under himself but Captain although he was once taken Prisoner as before Calice where he redeemed himself from the Officer that had taken him for 250 Crowns on condition he would conduct him safe from the French Quarter as the man did until they were gone so far that Sir John takes him Prisoner compelling him to the Reimbursement of his money with 200 Crowns more to be bestowed on the Common Souldiers As severely active was he at the siege of Tournay as the oldest Souldier and yet as innocently pleasant at the Mask there as the youngest Courtier One of the sixty he was that went with the King to cut off the Passage between that City and the Army and one of the eleven that went with his Majesty to entertain the Ladies at Lisle From serving one King in France he had the honour as it was thought to kill another in England I mean James of Scotland and challenge a third in Paris The same thing raised him that advanced Wolsey for he being sent to Maximilian after Treasurer Napbant had brought him to Court dispatched his business so soon that the King chid him for not being gone when he was returned and withal asked him Whether he had seen the Post that he had sent after him about a circumstance that had escaped him He answered He met him in his return but he had presumed to adde that particular of his his own head for which he asked his Majesties pardon and had his favour too for the Deanery of Lincoln and the Almonership Sir John was commanded with 1500 men to cut off the Convoy to Terwyn which he performed with that speed and success that when the King saw him he said I I Sir John while we are fooling the Town is relieved So it is indeed said he for I have sent them 2000 Carcases and they have spared me 1200 Wagons of Provision I but said the King I sent after you to cut off the Bridge Dreban That replyed the Knight was the first thing I did wherefore I am upon my knees for your Majesties grace and pardon Nay then said the King by Lady thou hast not my pardon but my favour too He is the man for a Princes service whose minde is present and prudence is ready to meet with suddain occasions and accommodate unexpected emergencies The first effect of that favour was his Nomination for one of the sixteen that answered the French Challenge at the Lady Mary's Marriage at Paris November 7 1513. which shewed his man-hood and how valiant he was The second was that he was one of the Forty five that were to be about his Majesty at the instant of his Interview with the King of France at Guisnes which was an Argument of his presence and how goodly a man he was The third was that he was one of the Twenty two that with the Earl of Surrey Lord Admiral and Sir William Fitz-Williams Vice-Admiral proposed that secret and therefore successful Designe upon Britain under pretence of Scowring the Narrow Seas for now he is as good in the Sea as he had been in the Field for which he and eight more of his fellow-Captains Sir Joh. Cornwallis c. are Knighted by the aforesaid Lord Admiral which speaks him a Sea-man and indeed one of a general capacity The fourth was the great Trust his Majesty reposed in him when he was sent in disguise to widen the difference that was newly broken out between the Duke of Bourbon the High Constable of France and the French King which he managed so well that the discontented Duke declares for the Emperour and the King of England to the great encouragement of the English the satisfaction of his Majesty and the success of his Designe upon Anchor Boungard Bray and other places where Sir John shewed himself as active now as he was before cunning as much surpassing the French Spirit in action as he had over-reached their Prudence in Negotiation But in vain was it to serve that King unless a man obliged the Cardinal he that courts the Virgin Mary must not neglect her little Saints him he attended in his second Journey to France first to honour and then to serve him And now after his decease when King Henry had done the work of mercy which was most proper for himself as being most popular upon the Lincolnshire Rebels he deputed the Duke of Suffolk Sir Francis Briâ—ns and Sir John Russel to perform that of Justice which is most distastful wherein yet he behaves himself with that exactness that the Country was very well pleased and the King as well satisfied insomuch that we finde our Knight now called from a Commander in the Field to be Controller at Court where he managed his Masters Expences thriftily reduced his Family discreetly reformed his followers effectually and filled up his
place with the awe of his presence and the influence of his Authority that he was at once its support and its glory Indeed Courts being those Epitomes wherethrough strangers look into Kingdomes should be Royally set off as with Utensils so with attendance that might possess all Comers with reverence there and fear elsewhere His Person graced his Imployment and therefore his Majesty honoured his Person with the Order of the Garter and the Title of Lord Russel and that his Preferment might keep pace with his Honour he is made Lord Privy Seal and his Nephew Sir John Gage Controller His Honour slacked not his Activity but improved it neither was his Vertue onely violent in Ambition and dull in Authority Power to do good is the true and lawful end of aspiring therefore my Lord to his Staff added his Sword and to his Court-honour his Field-service as Lieutenant-General before Muttrel and Marshal before Buâ—oign to the relief of the first whereof he drew Mounsieur Bies that his Majejesty might take the second In the Camp he drew up the Designes in the Field he managed the Treasure and in Action to him was intrusted the Conduct and manage In the Kings last Will and Testament he was the fifth person and in his Sons Council the fifth to whom he discovered a French Plot the first year of his Raign and for whom he broke the Devonshire Rebels what with delays what with stratagems to divide them according to their several Inclinations the second for which service he was made Earl of Bedford The third in the Faction at home between the Seymours and the Dudleys he was Neuter in the Treaties abroad between the French King and his Majesty of England he was Principal where he observed three Rules 1. That there should be a general Muster at home while this Treaty went on abroad 2. That there should be a blow given the Scots before there was a Peace made with the French 3. That we should first know the French Overtures before we made our own But while he was here he discovered a Plot that the Emperour had to transport the Lady Mary over to his Dominions and thereby bring her Brother to his terms whereupon he with 200 men watcheth one Port the Duke of Somerset with 200 more a second and Master St. Leiger with 400 men a third while the Lady was fetched by my Lord Chancellor to the King But while he was serving his Master the King abroad his Friend the Protector wanted his advice and assistance at home 〈…〉 he being of purpose sent out of the way while thaâ— unfortunate Duke is first betrayed by his own folly and then ruined by his Enemies Power I finde his hand among the rest of the Counsellors in a Letter to Queen Mary but not in Arms against her He was concluded by the major Vote to a Commission for Peace but not to Action for conscience sake Faithful he is therefore to her in Council and serviceable in Spain and France from the first of which places he brought her a Husband and from the second a Treasure He understood her Right and disputed not her Religion regarding not so much her Opinion as his own Duty not what she was but what he should be And thus he behaved himself until his dear Mistress Elizabeth took him for one of her Protestant Counsellours to balance her Popish ones and not onely of her Council but of her Cabinet for as every man must have his Friend to ease his heart so Princes have their Favourites to partake of their cares and the Marquess of Northampton the Earl of Bedford and Sir William Cecil were the onely Persons to whom the Queen communicated her designe of Reformation and correcting the Common-prayer and they ordered affairs so that the Protestants should be in hope and yet the Papists should not be out of hope King Philip had a quarrel with the Queen for rejecting his suit the King of Sweden for slighting his Son the King of France in his Wives Right the Queen of Scots in her Own and the Pope for excluding his Supremacie her Subjects were as unsettled in their Loyalty as in their Religion What remained but that my Lord of Bedford and Sir William Cecil should make up a well-tempered House of Commons by their Interest who should carry along an indifferent House of Lords by their Resolution When he had served the Queen in Parliament for the settlement of her Kingdom at home he served the Kingdom in an Embassie to Scotland to set up its correspondence abroad The Earl of Leicester aimed at the Queen of England and the Earl of Bedford to divert him and secure Scotland design'd him for the Queen of Scots whom he watched for two things 1. That she should either match with an English Subject or 2. With a soft and weak Forreigner that either the Scots might be in league with us or have no peace at home His last service I finde is a complement when he was sent by the Queen as her Deputy with a font of massie Gold worth 1043 l. to hold King James at his Baptism with express command not to acknowledge my Lord Darley as King This his service was as lasting as his life which ended in old Age and Renown He conveyed his Vertue and Honour to the Excellent Francis as he did to the Right Honourable William Earl of Bedford now living Observations on the Life of Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester THe tuition of the Earl of Dorset's Children raised Wolsey travelling with the Duke of Norfolk's raised Gardiner Fox his service in the quality of Secretary made the first and his in the same quality made Gardiner There are three kindes of Understanding The one that is advised by its self the second that understandeth when it is informed by another the third that neither is advised by its self nor by the assistance of another If this Doctor failed in the first and his own invention he exceeded in the second of making use of others for he was one of them that never heard or read what was not his own His Profession was the Civil Law that guideth forreign Negotiations His Inclination was that general Policy that manageth them His Eminencies were three 1. His Reservedness Whereby he never did what he aimed at never aimed at what he intended never intended what he said and never said what he thought whereby he carried it so that others should do his business when they opposed it and he should undermine theirs when he seemed to promote it A man that was to be traced like the Fox and read like Hebrew backward If you would know what he did you must observe what he did not 2. His Boldness Authority sometimes meets with those impediments which neither power can overcome nor good fortune divert if Courage and Fortitude break not through and surmount them and the motions of the irascible faculties such as Hope Boldness and Choler being well ordered and
necessities of his own being the most successful Commissioner for the Benevolence in the Countrey and the most active Agent for the loan in London Wherefore I finde him Chancellour of the Exchequer An. 1545 and one of the assistants to the Trustees for King Edward 1547. Judge Mountague was the onely person that durst dispute King Edward's Will Judge Hales and Sir John Baker were the onely Counsellours that durst refuse it the first whereof stood to the Law against Power the second to his Allegiance against Interest and both to the Rights of the Crown which are lasting rather then the Designes of some Favourites that are as momentary as their Greatness and as uncertain as their Grandeur This constant and firm resolution to stick to his Duty and Loyalty brought him to his Grave in peace and honour having been a faithful Counselfour and Servant to King Henry the eighth King Edward the sixth Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth Observations on the Life of Sir William Kingston HE was one of the greatest Courtiers at Masks and Revels one of the best Captains at Sea and one of the most valiant and skilful Commanders by Land None more pleasing to the English Ladies none more terrible to the French King Cunningly did he discover the King of Spains Designe upon Navarre to his Majesty by pretending a Revolt to that King of Spain and as cunningly did he draw the French Troops into a snare by counterfeiting a retreat towards Britany His Advice had saved the Admiral at Breast and his Foresight did rescue Sir Edward Belknap near Guisnes He was Knighted for his Service at Tournay and made Marshal for his Success at Flodden He was one of them that perswaded the City to its duty at Shoreditch and if that would not do he was to command it from the Tower being Commissioner in the first place Aug. 2. and Lieutenant of the second September 6. The Multitude is rather to be awed then reasoned with Some Princes have disarmed their Subjects others have divided them a third sort have obliged them others yet have kept up Plots amongst them but all have built and commanded Fortresses to secure themselves It were well if Love did it 's necessary that Fear should guide this World The King condescended one day to Just with him and he though invincible to fall by his Majesty You must let a Prince be a Prince in every thing So complaisant he was that he was one of the six Maskers at Court at 50 and yet so grave that when divers young men that were familiar with the King after the French mode were banished he kept his Station as one of the stayed men at 30. He was one of the 16 that attended the King in his first Interview with the Emperour and one of the 40 that waited on him in the two last with the King of France narrowly escaping at the last that poyson as some thought or ill vapours as others conclude whereof the open-hearted Lord Brooks the valiant Sir Edward Poynings reserved Sir John Pechy and active Sir Edward Belknap died whereupon with his advice all French-men were put to their Fines and all Scotch to their ransome Neither was he onely for shew but service too leading the Right Wing of the Army at Guisnes when Sir Everard Digby commanded the Left the Lord Sands the Vanguard Sir Edward Guilford then Marshal of Callis the Horse Sir Richard Wink field the Rear and the Duke of Suffolk the main Battle Where his Assaults on Cappe and Roy spake him a Souldier as his underhand correspondence with the Lord Isilstein argued him a States-man Sir Thomas Mannors the first Earl of Rutland of that Name discovered and Sir William Kingston told his Majesty the Cardinals Plots against the Kings Marriage with Queen Anne and his Designe to marry him to the Dutchess of Alanzon A Designe that because it seemed to over-reach his Majesty in cunning and really did cross his Inclination in malice that incensed his Majesty to a passion which could be appeased with no less a sacrifice then the Cardinals fall in order to which the next service of this Knight is as Lieutenant of the Tower to take him to custody which he did at Leicester with a Noble resolution considering that mans greatness with a due reverence regarding his calling and with a tender compassion respecting his condition perswading him gently of the Kings Favour at that very time when he was come to be an Instrument of his Justice And what he did to a Cardinal now he did to Queens afterwards never Prince commanding higher services then King Henry nor subjects discharging them more undauntedly then Sir William because therefore he was so severe a Lieutenant in the Tower he is made a Provost-Marshal in the Field in which capacity after the Devonshire-Rebels defeat we have these two remarkable stories of him 1. One Bowyer Mayor of Bodmin in Cornwal had been amongst the Rebels not willingly but enforced to him the Provost sent word he would come and dine with him for whom the Mayor made great Provision A little before Dinner the Provost took the Mayor aside and whispered him in the Ear that an Execution must that day be done in the Town and therefore he must set up two Gallows The Mayor did so After Dinner Sir William Kingston thanks him for his Entertainment and then desires him to bring him to the Gallows where when they were come Sir William asked him Whether they were strong enough I I 'll warrant thee saith the Mayor Then saith Sir William get you up upon them I hope saith the Mayor you do not mean as you speak Nay Sir saith he you must die for you have been a busie Rebel And so without any more ado hanged him 2. A Miller that had been very active in the late Rebellion fled and left another to take his Name upon him Sir William Kingston calls for the Miller His Servant tells him that he was the Man Then saith he you must be hanged Oh Sir saith he I am not the Miller If you are not the Miller you are a lying Knâ—ve if you are the Miller you are a trayterous one and however you must die And so he did Punish the Multitude severely once and you oblige them ever for they love that man onely for his Good Nature whom they fear for his Resolution Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Cheyney THree things advanced men in King Henry the Eighth's days 1. Their Extraction 2. Their Wit 3. Their Comeliness and Strength For the First his Name was up since Battle-Abbey-Roll as to the second it was enough that he travelled with Wolsey and touching the third there need be no other instance then that at Paris where upon the Daulphin's Proclamation of solemn Justs the Duke of Suffolke the Marquess of Dorset Sir Edward Nevil and He answered the Challenge as not long after he encountered King Henry himself at Greenwich where he had the great Honour
and her own sake the Knowles were of the same blood with her Majesty the Norrises spent theirs for her 1. My Lord Norris died at Court an honest man 2. Sir Francis at Bulloign a good Souldier 3. Sir William at Berwick a brave Governour As the first eminent Norris suffered for Anne Bullen the Queens Mother so the first eminent Knowles suffered with Protestantism her Religion 4. Sir Thomas at Munster a wise President 5. Sir Maximilian at Bretaign an expert Engineer 6. Maximilian at Groen a renowned Heroe 7. Sir John was a most accomplished General no less eminent for his safe retreats then for his resolute onsets France hath recorded this testimony of him That he brought on his men so warily as one that could bring them off and England this That he brought them off so resolutely as one that durst bring them on His fortune often overthrew his enemy and his wisdome oftner saved his friends His Conduct was famous and his Discipline exact His Actions are Presidents and his Orders Laws of War to this day He was bred under Castilion and out-did him Ireland was always possessed but never conquered till Norris came who could lie on the coldest earth swim the deepest Rivers Norris could not rise though he deserved his Honour because of Leicester that favoured his Brother Knowles and Essex that envyed him neither could Knowls advance because of Sussex that feared and Cecil that suspected him The Knowles were deserving but modest favoured but humble powerful but quiet rather firm at Court then high allied to the Queen and faithful to the Crown Queen Elizabeth advanced Sir Francis to the Vicechamberlainship Treasurership of the Houshold Captainship of the Guard and the Order of the Garter because she said He was an honest man and King James and King Charles raised his Son Sir William to the Earldome of Banbury because he was a serviceable man force the straightest Passes find out the most secret corners tread the softest Bog who could endure any thing but an affront and a Superiour the first whereof upon a repulse at Court saddened his heart as the second upon another Deputies being sent over him broke it Unsuccessful he was with Don Antonio in Spain because he understood not the Country In the Low-Countries he gained experience first and then victory in Ireland he had Connaught for his Grave Mount Norris his Monument and the Letter of Queen Elizabeth to his Mother his Epitaph Honestly faithful was that family to their Mistress that was and providently so were they to their Master that should be Handsom men they were when attending at Court and valiant when called to the Camp Norrises Knowles 1. The Norrises are employed in Embassies of War wherein they were active 1. The Knowles are abroad in religious Negotiations for which they had been Confessors Sir Francis in France and Sir Henry in Germany 2. My Lord Norris his resolution was very becoming in the demand of Calice 2. Francis Knowles his meekness was suitable to his perswasions for Religion 3. The Irish Conspirator Thoumond opened a Plot against the Government in Ireland to the Agent Norris 3. And the Scots Schismatick Humes discovered a designe against the Church in England to the Embassadour Knowles In 88 My Lord Hunsdon guarded the Queens person with 34000 foot and 2000 horse the Earl of Leicester commanded the Midland Army of 22000 foot and 1000 horse Sir Roger Williams and Sir Richard Bingham were in the head of 20000 in the Thames mouth and Sir John Norris and Sir Francis Knowles with other Assistants sate in the Council of War to overlook all Sir John advised three things 1. The Guarding of the Havens 2. The Training of the Militia and the preparing of them to be at an hours warning upon a signal given which was then the firing of a Beacon 3. That if the Enemy did land the Country should be laid waste before him the Train-bands alarming him day and night Sir Francis added 1. What Shires and what numbers should assist each Coast how the men should be armed how commanded and in what order they should fight 2. That the Papists should not be massacred as some would have it but secured 3. That the Deputy of Ireland should be instructed 4. That the King of Scots should be engaged 5. That Agents should be sent to the Netherlands and to France And 6. That the Queen should encourage the people with her own presence Sir John Norris died when he saw beyond others expectation and his own merit the Lord Burghe made Lord-Deputy and himself but President of Munster his great minde sinking under one affront from his Soveraign which had born up against all the assaults of her enemies leaving this honour behinde him That he laid the best grounds of Military practice in England But who can stand before Envy A further Character of Sir John Norris from Queen Elizabeths Letter to his Mother My own Crow HArm not your self for bootless help but shew a good example to comfort your dolorous yoak-fellow Although we have deferred long to represent to you our grieved thoughts because we liked full ill to yeild you the first reflexion of misfortune whom we have always rather sought to cherish and comfort yet knowing now that Nec'ssity must bring it to your ear and Nature consequently must move both grief and passion in your heart We resolved no longer to smother neither our care for your sorrow or the sympathy of our grief for your loss Wherein if it be true That Society in sorrow works diminution We do assure you by this true Messenger of our minde that Nature can have stirred no more dolorous affection in you as a Mother for a dear Son then Gratefulness and memory of his Service past hath wrought in Us his Soveraign apprehension of our miss for so worthy a Servant But now that Natures common work is done and he that was born to die hath paid his Tribute let that Christian discretion stay the flux of your immoderate grieving which hath instructed you both for example and knowledge that nothing in this kinde hath happened but by Gods Divine Providence And let these Lines from your loving gracious Soveraign serve to assure you that there shall ever appear the lively Character of our Estimation of him that was in our gracious care of you and yours that are left in valuing rightly all their faithful and honest Endeavours More at this time we will not write of this unpleasant subject but have dispatched this Gentleman to visit both your Lord and you and to condole with you in the true sense of your love and to pray that the world may see what time cureth in a weak minde that Discretion and Moderation helpeth in you in this accident where there is so just cause to demonstrate true Patience and Moderation Your Gracious and Loving Soveraign E. R. Observations on the Life of Secretary Davison THat Meteor of the Court raised onely in an
THE STATES-MEN And FAVOURITES OF ENGLAND Since the Reformation Their PRUDENCE and POLICIES SUCCESSES and MISCARRIAGES ADVANCEMENTS and FALLS During the Reigns of King HENRY VIII King EDWARD VI. Queen MARY Queen ELIZABETH King JAMES King CHARLES I. LONDON Printed by J. C. for SAMUEL SPEED at the Rainbow neer the Inner Temple-gate in Fleet-street 1665. TO The HOPE of ENGLAND It s Young Gentry Is most humbly dedicated The HONOUR of it It s Ancient States-men A Renowned Auncestry TO An Honourable Posterity Whitehall BY permission and License of the Right Honourable Mr Secretary Morice this book may be printed and published Jo Cook TO THE READER Courteous Reader FOr bestowing some vacant hour by that excellent Personages direction to whom I am equally obliged for my Employment and my Leasure in an attempt so agreeable to the Lord Verulam's judgement which may be seen in the next page and so pursuant of Sir Naunton's designe which may be traced in the following Book Another person's abilities might have gained applause and my weaknesse may deserve an excuse notwithstanding my years if yet any man be too young to read and observe or my profession if yet a Divine should not as times go be as well read in Men as Books Especially since I gratifie no man's ' fondness writing not a Panegyrick but an History Nor pleasure any persons malice designing Observations rather than Invectives Nor tyre any man's patience setting downe rather the remarkes of mens publick capacities than the minute passages of their private lives but innocently discourse the most choice instances our ENGLISH Histories afford for the three great Qualifications of men 1. Noblenesse in behaviour 2. Dexterity in business and 3. Wisdome in Government among which are twenty eight Secretaries of State eight Chancellours eighteen Lord-Treasurers sixteen Chamberlains who entertain Gentlemen with Observations becoming their Extraction and their hopes touching 1. The rise of States-men 2. The beginning of Families 3. The method of Greatnesse 4. The conduct of Courtiers 5. The miscarriages of Favourites and what-ever may make them either wise or wary The Chancellour of France had a Picture that to a common eye shewed many little heads and they were his Ancestors but to the more curious represented onely one great one and that was his own It 's intended that this Book should to the vulgar Reader expresse several particulars i. e. all this last Ages Heroes but to every Gentleman it should intimate onely one and that is himself It 's easily imaginable how unconcerned I am in the fate of this Book either in the History or the Observation since I have been so faithful in the first that is not my own but the Historians and so careful in the second that they are not mine but the Histories DAVID LlOYD The Lord Bacon's Judgement of a Work of this nature HIstory which may be called just and perfect History is of three kings according to the object it propoundeth or pretendeth to represent for it either representeth a Time a Person or an Action The first we call Chronicles the second Lives and the third Narrations or Relations Of these although the first be the most compleat and absolute kind of History and hath most estimation and glory yet the second excelleth it in profit use the third in verity and sincerity For history of Times representeth the magnitude of Actions and the publick faces or deportments of persons and passeth over in silence the smaller passages and motions of Men and Matters But such being the work manship of God as he doth hang the greatest weight upon the smallest wyars Maxima è minimis suspendens it comes therefore to pass that such Histories do rather set forth the pomp of business than the true and inward resorts thereof But Lives if they be well written propounding to themselves a person to 〈…〉 present in whom actions both greater a 〈…〉 smaller publick and private have a commixture must of necessity contain a mo 〈…〉 true native and lively representation I do much admire that these times have so little esteemed the vertues of the Times a 〈…〉 that the writing of Lives should be no mo 〈…〉 frequent For although there be not man 〈…〉 Soveraign Princes or absolute Commanders and that States are most collected into Monarchies yet are there many worthy personages that deserve better then dispersed Report or barren Elogies For herein the invention of one of the late Poets is proper and doth well inrich the ancient fiction For he feigneth that at the end of the thread or web of every mans Life there was a little Medal containing the person's name and that Time waiteth upon the Sheers and as soon as the Thread was cut caught the Medals and carried them to the River Lethe and about the bank there were many Birds flying up and down that would get the Medals and carry them in their beak a little while and then let them fall into the River Onely there were a few Swans which if they got a Name would carry it to a Temple where it was consecrate THE TABLE A SIr Thomas Audly Pag. 39 Fitz-Allan Earl of Arundel 232 Master Ascham 429 Arch-Rishop Abbot 522 Sir Edward Anderson 577 Bishop Andrews 796 Sir Walter Aston 702 Sir R Armstroder 723 Philip Earl of Arundel 725 B CHarles Brandon 11 Sir Thomas Bollen 102 Sir Anthony Brown 128 Sir David Brook 205 Sir John Baker 277 Arch-Bishop Bancrost 539 Sir Nieh Bacon 287 Sir Francis Bacon 600 Thomas Lord Burgh 401 Sir Thomas Bromley 425 Sir Richard Bingham 426 Thomas Lord Buckhurst 493 Sir Thomas Bodly 578 G. V. Duke of Buckingh 613 Sir John Bramston 696 Lord Chief-Justice Banks 732 C ARch-Bishop Cranmer 15 Cromwel 32-138 Sir William Compton 110 Sir Thomas Cheyney 283 Sir John Cheek 160 Sir William Cordel 195 Sir Anthony Cook 199 Sir W Cecil L. Burleigh 290 Sir Thomas Challoner 343 Sir James Crofts 379 The Cliffords Earls of Cumberland 497 Sir R Cecil Ea of Salisb. 56 Sir Giles Calvert 526 Sir Arthur Chichester 529 Sir Lionel Cranfield E. M. 553 Sir R Cary 568 Doctor Cosin 589 The Lord Cook 592 The Lord Cottington 676 Sir Dudly Carleton 680 The Lord Conway 689 Sir Julius Caesar 704 The Earl of Carnarvan 786 The Lord Capel 793 Sir John Culpeper 814 Sir George Crook 721 〈◊〉 Thomas Coventry 750 Secretary Cook 716 D SIr Thomas Darcy 95 Dudly Duke of Northumberland 237 Edward Earl of Derby 358 Sir William Drury 368 Doctor Dale 374 Sir James Dier 404 Secretary Davison 437 Sir R. Dudley 537 John Lord Digby E. B 607 The Digges 691 The Earl of Danby 719 E SIr Ralph Ewers 275 W Earl of Essex 303 Robert Earl of Essex 449 Sir Thomas Edmonds 734 The L. Chancellor Egerton 531 Sir Clement Edmonds 547 Sir John Ereskin E. K. 557 F SIr Jeffery Fenton 441 476 Sir John Fineux 48 Bishop Fox 53 Sir Edward Fines 225 Sir John Fortescue 367 Doctor Fletcher 477 Sir H. Sir Lucius
Sir Henry Lords Vise Falkland 708 Sir John Finch 742 G SIr Thomas Grey Marquess of Dorset 116 Gardiner Bish of Winch. 268 John Grey of Pyrgo 379 L. Grey of Wilton 381 398 Sir Henry Gates 379 Sir Humphrey Gilbert 441 Sir Fulk Grevil L. Brook 503 Oliver Lord Grandison 542 H SIr Will Herbert 274 Sir Walter Haddon 442 Sir Th. Howard 96 Sir Ed Howard 105 Sir Th. Howard 107 of Surry Norfolk Wil Howard L. Effingh 218 Sir G. Hume E of Dunb 516 James Hay E of Carlisle 549 Henry Howard Earl of Northampton 555 Judge Hyde 701 Christopher Lord Hatton 333 419 The Lord Hunsdon 335 Sir Richard Hutton 739 Wil M Hertford 741 The Earl of Holland 759 The Marquess Hamilton 776 The Lord Hopton 780 The Lord Herbert 789 Arch-Bishop Heath 337 I SIr John Fitz-James 80 Sir John Jefferies 189 Arthur Ingram 572 Arch-Bishop Juxon 810 K SIr William Kingstone 279 Sir Henry Killegrew 395 〈…〉 Knowls 433 L SIr Anthony St. Lieger 56 The Earl of Liecester 330 〈…〉 Thomas Lake 552 562 〈…〉 Ja Ley E of Marlb 713 〈…〉 Earl of Lindsey 747 Arch-Bishop Laud 763 〈…〉 Lord-Keeper Littleton 775 M 〈…〉 Thomas Moor 21 Sir Rich Morison 68 〈…〉 Will Molineux 84 〈…〉 Henry Marney 111 〈…〉 John Mason 177 〈…〉 Edward Mountague 221 〈…〉 Thomas Mannors 275 〈…〉 Walter Mildmay 365 〈…〉 Roger Manwood 386 〈…〉 Lord Mountjoy 479 〈…〉 op Mountague 575 〈…〉 Henry Martin 695 〈…〉 Earl of Manchester 799 N 〈…〉 He Duke of Norfolk 351 The Lord North 374 〈…〉 rls Ea of Nottingh 511 〈…〉 Norrices 433 〈…〉 Rob Naunton 569 Sir Francis Nethersole 569 Sir William Noy 662 Judge Nichols 699 O SIr Thomas Overbury 544 P ED Plowden 383 Sir William Paget 65 Sir Ed Poynings 112 The Parrs 156 Sir Clement Paston 171 Sir John Portman 214 Sir Amias Pawlet 378 William Lord Pawlet 403 Sir William Pelham 408 Sir Barnab Fitz-Patrick 229 Sir William Peter 247 Cardinal Pool 252 Sir John Perrot 322 Sir William Pickering 339 G Earl of Pembrook 363 Sir John Puckering 422 The Lord Chief-Justice Popham 535 Will Earl of Pembrook 687 Sir Paul Pindar 735 R THe Lord Rich 1 E. W. 173 Sir Tho Randolph 347 Sir John Russel 1 E. B. 259 Sir William Russel 444 Sir Thomas Roper 445 Sir Walter Rawleigh 485 Sir John Ramsey E H 557 Doctor Ridley 693 Esme Duke of Richmond 728 Edw Earl of Rutland 482 Sir Thomas Roe 807 S SIr Ralph Sadler 61 Sir Ed Stanly 101 Sir Charles Somerset 1 E. W. 114 Sir Thomas Smith 370 R Earl of Somerset 518 Stafford Duke of Bucks 122 The Seymours 142 Sir Will Stamford 185 The Earl of Sussex 307-416 Sir Philip Sidney 313 Sir Henry Sidney 412 Sir Thomas Smith 483 The Earl of Suffolk 567 The Lord Spencer 610 Sir John Savil 665 The Lord Say 744 The Earl of Strafford 752 T BIshop Tonstal 340 Francis Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury 342 Sir Nicholas Throgmorton 354 V SIr H Umpton 447 H Vere Earl of Oxford 583-714 The Veres 5 〈…〉 Sir Henry Vane Senor 7 〈…〉 W CArdinal Wolsey 1 1 〈…〉 Sir Thomas Wyat 〈◊〉 Sir Tho Wriothsly 1 Ear 〈…〉 Southampton Sir Will Fitz-Williams 〈◊〉 Sir Robert Wingfield 1 〈…〉 Sir Thom Wentworth 1 〈…〉 Doctor Wilson 2 〈…〉 Lord Willoughby 311-3 〈…〉 Sir Francis Walsingham 3 〈…〉 Sir Edw Waterhouse 3 〈…〉 Sir Will Fitz-Williams 3 〈…〉 Sir Christopher Wray 3 〈…〉 The Earl of Worcester 3 〈…〉 Sir William Waad 4 〈…〉 Sir Ralph Winwood 5 〈…〉 Bishop Williams 6 〈…〉 Sir Isaac Wake 6 〈…〉 Sir R Sir J Weston E 〈…〉 of Portland 6 〈…〉 Sir Henry Wotton 8 〈…〉 The Lord Wilmot 8 〈…〉 Y SIr Henry Yelverton 5â—â— 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 great Spirit two hopeful steps to Greatnesse and his Ambition gave the opportunity to encrease it he was as pregnant at Ipswich-School as he was promising in Canterbury-Colledge where his Industry parts advanced him to a command over Noble-men in the Earl of Dorset's Family as a School-master as his Policy had promoted him to an Imperiousnesse over Kings in the quality of States-man The first step to Greatnesse 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 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 then the other was his as one that brought him a Head capacious of all Observations and a Spirit above all Difficulties Others managed the Affairs of England Wolsey understood its Interest His Correspondence was good abroad his Observations close deep and continued at home He improved what he knew and bought what he knew not He could make any thing he read or heard his own and could improve any thing that was his own to the uttermost No sooner was he in with the Bishop of Winchester but the Bishop was out with the Earl of Surrey to whom he must have stooped as he did unto Nature and Age had not he raised his Servant equal to himself in the Kings Favour and above Howard He was forbid by the Canon Heirs of his Body he was enjoyned by his Prudence to make an Heir of his Favour equally to support and comfort his old Age and maintain his Interest Children in point of Policy as in point of Nature are a Blessing and as Arrows in the hand of a mighty man and happy is that old Courtier that hath his Quiver full of them he shall not be ashamed when he speaks with his enemies in the gate The old man commends Wolsey to Henry the Seventh for one fit to serve a King and command Others Forreign Employment is the Statesmans first School to France therefore he is sent to poise his English Gravity with French Debonairness A well-poised Quickness is the excellent temper From Forreign Employment under an Old King he is called home to some Domestick Services under the Young One He as quickly found the length of His Foot as he fitted him with an easie Shoo the King followed his Pleasures and the Cardinal enjoyeth His Power The One pursued his Sports while Youth the other his Business while Time served him Give me to Day and take thou to
a popular Orator is a good Courtier and leading Parts in Parliament or Convocation are great Merits In the black Parliament he was a Member by his own Interest and a Speaker by his Majesties Choice Sir Tho. More was to serve the Crown in the Lords House and Sir Tho. Audley was to succeed him in the House of Commons When Abbey-Lands were bestowed on the King in grofs and returned by him to the leading Lords and Commons in the Retayl most of that Parliament looked for shares Sir Thomas for the first cut to secure himself with the King He was always in favour with the Queens who had no less Interest in the Kings Heart then the Kingdom had in his Head The. Age was uncertain Interest nor so Sir Thomas was fixed on the One above the alterations of the Other understanding what was most convenient at a time when there was nothing lawful He was well seen in the flexures and windings of Affairs at the depth whereof other Heads not so steady turned giddy He had the Arts of a Statesman and the closeness of a Politicion Reserved he was but no Dissembler For if a man have that penetration of judgment as he can discern what things are to be laid open and what to be kept secret and what to be shewed with half sights and to whom and when which indeed are Arts of States and Arts of Life to him an Habit of Dissimulation is a hinderance and a poorness He as an able man was always frank and open but wary knowing how to stop and turn within the compass of Equity and Honesty He understood business well and men better and knew King Henry's Temper better then Himself whom he surprized always to his own bent never moving any of his suits to him but when in haste and most commonly amusing him with other matter until he passed his Request His Actions were managed for applause as well as service for when made Sergeant he was the first of eleven his Entertaining-Day was the last of six The King who paid for his Dinner was invited to it He watched the Circumstances of his Actions that they might be Taking as well as their Issue that they might be Useful and contrived that the least of his publick Actions should come off with Reputation He followed the most passable rather then the most able men living in a time when active men were more useful then the vertuous Sir Thomas at once gratified the present Humour of the King and the constant Temper of the People in six Bills against the Clergy 1. Against the Extortions of their Courts 2. The Exaction of their Corps and Morturies 3. Their worldly Occupations as Grazing Tanning c. 4 Merchandize 5. Their Non-Residencies 6. The Pluralities of the Ignorant and the mean Salaries of the Learned When in some Debates between the Lords and Commons Custome was urged Sir Thomas replied The usage hath ever been for Thieves to rob at Shooters Hill is it therefore lawful He brought the Clergy within a Praemunire to awe them and afterwards in their pardon he and other Members included their own which the knowing King would not pass when it was demanded as of Right yet afterwards granted it of his own accord when it was received as of Grace When Sir Thomas More could not act with the times Sir Thomas Audley could the One being weary of the Seal the other takes it being made Lord Keeper in Sir Thomas his life-time and Lord Chancellour after his death owning no Opinion against the Government of England nor any Design against its Interest The King might well trust him with his Conscience when he trusted the King with his owning no Doctrine but what was established ever judging the Church and State wiser then himself He was forced to take Q. Anne but he would not condemn her rather escaping then refusing unwelcome Employments wherein he must either displease his Master or himself He was tender but not wilful waving such services dexterously wherein he must oppose his Master dangerously Those Insurrections which others Rigor had raised his Moderation allayed breaking the Factions with Indulgence which might be strengthened with Opposition Cromwel pulled down Popery with his Power Audley kept it down with his Policy enjoyning the Preachers to detect the follies of that way which is reckoned the wisdom of this World He had a moderate way to secure the Priviledges of Parliament by freedom from Arrests and the good will of the Citizens by an Order about debts By these courses he died as much in the Kings Favour as he lived Patience can weather out the most turbulent Age and a solid Judgement the most intricate times The reserved and quiet man is the most secure Activity may raise a man Wariness keep him up If he had done nothing he had noâ— been seen if he had done much he had not been suffered Between two extreams Audley could do well Treasure of Arms and Arts in whom were set The Mace and Books the Court and Colledge met Yet both so wove that in that mingled throng They both comply and neither neither wrong But pois'd and temper'd each reserv'd its seat Nor did the Learning quench but guide the Heat The Courtier was not of the furious strain The hand that acts doth first consult the brain Hence grew commerce betwixt Advice and Might The Scholar did direct the Courtier right And as our Perfumes mixt do all conspire And twist their Curles above the hallowed fire Till in that Harmony of Sweets combin'd We can nor Musk nor single Amber finde But Gums meet Gums and their delights so crowd That they create one undistinguish'd cloud So to thy minde these rich Ingredients prest And were the Mould and Fabrick of thy brest Learning and Courage mixt and temper'd so The Stream could not decay nor overflow And in that equal Tide thou didst not bear From Courage Rashness nor from Learning Fear Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Wiat. SIr Thomas Wiat was born at Allington-castle in the County of Kent which afterwards he repaired with beautiful Buildings He fell out of his Master King Henry the eighth his favour about the business of Queen Anna Bullen till his industry care discretion and innocence freed him Very ingenious he was or as his Anagram tells us he was A Wit in the abstract Cambden saith he was Eques auratus splendide doctus Holy he was and heavenly minded and that appears by his translation of David's Psalms into English Metre and Leland gives him this great Commendation Bella suum merito jactet Florentia Dantem Regia Petrarchae Carmina Roma probat His non inferior Patria Sermone Viatus Eloquii secum qui decui omne tulit This Knight being sent Ambassador by King Henry the eighth to Charles the fifth Emperour then residing in Spain before he took Shipping died of the Pestilence in the West-Country Anno 1541. Queen Anne's favour towards him raised this man and
his Memory his Standard was born in the Fore-ward all this Expedition A Person in whom Prudence was even with Activity Resolution with Prudence 〈◊〉 Success with Resolution Moderation with Success Honour and Favour with All. Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Darcy SIr Thomas Darcy was one of King Henry the Eighth's first Counsellours so advanced as most of his Fellows not for Affection but Interest owing his Promotion to his own sufficiency rather then his Masters favour His Counsel was weighty at Home his Assistance necessary Abroad where in behalf of Pope Julius the second and the Emperour he did more with 1500 Archers in a year for the ballancing of Europe then had been done before in an Age. No Employment so dangerous at that time as that of the Warden of the West Marches of Scotland none so able for that Employment as my Lord who was equally knowing and stout and at once most feared and most loved The Earl of Shrewsbury made some Inroads into Scotland the Lord Darcy seconds him But being surprized by the Duke of Albany's preparations he had as much Wit to make Peace as he had Resolution to carry on the War None knew better when to yeild none better when to conquer so great a command had he over himself so great over the Enemy that he brought them to request his Wish and offer what was his Interest With the Duke of Surrey's assistance by Land and Fitz-Williams his by Sea he reduced that Nation to a good Inteligence with Us that year and a Peace the next a Peace as he observed that would be no longer kept then we had a Sword in our Hands and an Army on their Borders For Conscience guided other parts of the World he said and Fear Scotland Whence he invaded them duely once a year Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Howard SIr Edward's Brother in Worth as well as Blood His Fathers Interest set him up and his own Industry kept him so All the Children were brought up for Sea-Services this Gentleman for Sea-Commands He immediately succeeds his younger Brother in the Admiralty and wisely considering the advantage of the French Gallies in a calm the number of their ships the danger of their windes for us if they blew Southwest desired of the King so many Souldiers a◠might man the ships and make good the landing wherewith he scoured the seas and secured the Kings passage with so much Honour that he was able to assist his Father at Court as much as Wel 〈…〉 did Fox his Gallantry being no less pleasing to his Master then the other young Favourites Compliance and both these young men had no less Art to govern this Prince then he had to govern his Kingdom These Arts which all other Favourites use being Hopes and Fears which as Doors and Passages to the heart are so guarded by their vigilancy that they can both let themselves in and keep all others out the two Ends upon which the Thread of Government depends His Father is made Duke of Norfolk and he Earl of Surrey both are an eye-sore to the Cardinal whose Fortune had no Superior in the Kings Favour whose Ambition would endure no Equal The Old Mans years and cares are fitted with a Retirement in the Country the Young Mans ambition and activity with a Government in Ireland which he reduced as speedily to obedience notwithstanding Desmond's Rebellion as he had to civility had it not been for Wolsey's Underminings who endured no publick service but what he did himself and would chuse rather that the Kingdom should perish by a Traytor then be saved by a Nobleman Beloved he was by that Countrey where he left a Peace and a Parliament Anno 1521. so that they were loth to part with him Wanted he was by the King to scour the narrow seas for the French War so that he must have him The King had made him formerly His Admiral the Emperour upon his return from England makes him his and with both their Commissions he lands in Normandy wastes the adjacent Countries sparing onely Religious Houses takes and sacks Morlais in Bretaign which he entered under the smoak burns their ships commands the sea and sets the Emperour safe in Spain advising his Majesty from thence to make a general Muster of his Subjects for his own satisfaction and others terrour March 27 1522. The troubles in Scotland required an able Head and a stout Heart two Endowments that no man was more Master of then the Earl of Surrey now Duke of Norfolk upon his beloved Fathers decease whose Prudence toyled the Scots to deliver up their King as his Prowess frighted them to yeild up themselves as they did in that most exquisite Treaty where the Earl of Worcester beat the Bush saith my noble Author and our Duke catched the Hare A while after he is Earl Marshal and Embassador to King Francis about those two grand points 1. That the French King should set up a Patriarch 2. That he should stop up all the payments made to Rome with fair promises of that supply of men and money he then most wanted When the Pope stuck to Queen Katharine three things he advised the King to 1. To teach the people that a general Council was above the Pope and proclaim that he did appeal to it 2. To fix upon every Church-Door the Dowagers Appeal to Rome and the late Statute against it 3. To consederate with the Kings of Hungary and Poland the Estates of the Empire and the Hanse Towns Three things that would settle his People at home and strengthen his Interest abroad To which he added the Statute of Succession the Oath of Supremacy sir Howard's Embassy to the Scotch King the suppression of Religious Houses the War in Ireland under sir William Sheffington and a thorow search into the bottom of the Rebellion in the North by a connivance and delay But all his services could not quit him from suspicion nor his popularity from envy The Lord Darcy accuseth him to excuse himself and Cromwel seconds him to secure himself and as unhappinesses follow one another in the same order as one wave floweth after another his Nieces miscarriages threatned his fall but that the honest man as appears from a Letter the whole Council sent to sir William Paget then resident in France was the first that declared against her and put the King upon the most safe and honourable ways of trying her which satisfied his Majesty so far that he employed him as chief in the Treaty upon the Borders and General in the War when that Treaty failed Sir Anthony Brown upon his Recommendation being added to the Commissioners in Scotland and to the Privy-Council in England as Master of the Kings Horse as Sir John Gages was Comptroller of his House Several Persons came to London for a Reward of their Scotch services this Duke gave the King a wary and grave counsel to bestow upon them as much Land as they could win in
calling the City and the Kingdome to their assistance by a Proclamation The Protector fleeth with the King and a Guard to Hampton-Court the City sometimes resolved to assist the Lords out of malice to the Protector sometimes to forbear out of such consideration of its many misfortunes in opposing Kings set forth not with more Integrity by George Stadlow then Eloquence and Life by John Ayliffe They delay Sir Anthony Wingfield Captain of the Guard perswardes the King of the Lords moderation and and Loyalty the Duke is to answer for himself the Laywers charge him with removing Westminster-hall to Somerset-house where he kept a Court of Requests and determined Title of Lands the Souldiers with the detaining of their pay and betraying our-French Garisons the States-men with the engrossing of all Authority The Earl of Warwick vigilantly but closely manageth all discontents to his designe with this great advantage that he was subtle close and implacable while the other was free-spirited open-hearted humble hard to distrust easie to forgive His friend the Lord Russel is absent he is first tryed and acquitted but with the loss of his Protectorship Treasurership Marshalship and 2000 l. of Land more But Warwick's designe for the Crown ripening and Somerset being the most eminent obstruction in his way having weakned before he ruines him now he chargeth him with Treason to make a noise and with Felony to do execution the Council is packed he looseth his life for a small crime and that on a nice point subtilly devised and packed by his enemies forgetting to ask the benefit of the Clergy that had saved it This Person as Mr. Fuller charactereth him was religious himself a lover of all such as were so and a great promoter of the Reformation Valiant and successful generally beloved by Souldiers envied by States-men though the most conscientious of them all doing nothing irregularly but in complyance with the necessities of Government open to dangers as one that could not be jealous better to act then designe to perform then plot When he was discharged of Treason there was so loud a shout in Westminster-hall as was heard to Long-acre when condemned of Felony there was a silence and amazement for three hours Beheaded he was on Tower-hill with no less praise for his piety and patience then pity and grief of the spectators His Death was attended with many signes and wonders and his Name with an indelible character his house being called Somerset-house to this day though solemnly proclaimed by King James Denmark-house because inhabited by the King of Denmark and his Sister Surely saith my Author this Duke was well beloved since his Name made such indelible impression on 〈…〉 house whereof he was not five years in possession Death hath this also That it openeth the Gate 〈◊〉 good Fame and extinguisheth Envy Philip asked Demetrius if he did not fear to lose his head He answered No for if he did the Athenians would give him one immortal He should be statued in the Temple of Eternal Fame Nil non Mortale tenemus Pectoris exceptis ingeniique bonis En ego cum Patria caream vobisque domoque Raptaque sint adimi quae potuere mibi Virtute attamen ipse mea comitorque fruorque Caesar in hoc potuit juris habere nibil Quilibet hanc saevo vitam mihi finiat ense Mâ— tamen extincto fama perennis erit All that we hold will die But our brave Thoughts and Ingenuity Even I that want my Country House and Friend From whom is ravished all that Fate can rend Possess yet my own Genius and enjoy That which is more then Caesar can destroy Each Groom may kill me but whensoe'er I die My Fame shall live to mate eternity Brave men never die Worth begets in weak and â—ase minds Envy in the Magnanimous Emulation in Posterity Renown A Renown that is as the beams about the Sun or the glory about an holy picture that shews it to be a Saint though it be no essential part it riseth from the body of that Vertue which cannot chuse but shine and give a light through all the clouds of errour and destruction And though sometimes the mists and vapours of the lower earth impede the light it gives yet there will be apparent Rays that shew there is Desert unseen which yeilds those â—leams of brightness to the whole Horizon that it moves and shines in which survive to a glorious kind of immortality when the Good Man is dead and gone a Good Name being the embalming of the Vertuous to an eternity of love and gratitude among posterity For my own Honour saith the Royal Martyr I am well assured that as mine Innocence is clear before God in point of any calumnies they object so my Reputation shall like the Sun after Owls and Bats have had their freedome in the night rise and recover its self to such a degree of splendour as those feral birds shall be grieved to behold nd unable to bear Observations on the Lives of the Pars. SIr William Par Uncle and Lord Chamberlain to Queen Katharine Par was by King Henry the Eighth created Baron Par of Horton he left two Daughters onely married into the Families of Tressam and Lane His Relation called him to Court but his Age forbid him the pleasures and his own Reservedness the freedom of that place before which he preferred the pious peaceable and hospitable way of the Countrey where Popularity affected him more then he affected it No man being more beloved by the vulgar no man less in love with them It being his Observation 〈…〉 ther then his Countrey-man Sir gue's saying That if you do the common sort of people nineteen courtesies together yet you may lose th 〈…〉 love if you go but over the stile before them His Cousin Sir William was brought by his Sister to Court and advanced by his Brother to Honour being for his Majesties sake as well as his own made Lord Far of Kendal Earl of Essex by King Henry the Eighth and Marquess of Northampton by King Edward Queen Mary deprived him of his Estate and Honour for siding with the Lady Jane and Queen Elizabeth restored him to both for favouring the Protestant Religion His Delight was Musick and Poetry and his Exercise War being a happy composure of the hardest and softest Discipline equally made for Court and Camp for Delight or Horrour But his skill in the Field answered not his industry nor his success his skill Yet King Edward called him His Honest Uncle and King Henry His Integrity The whole Family was made by a Marriage but died Issueless The common Rule of Favourites is to bring in all their Relations about them to adorn and support them but this Marquess would say A wall that hath a firm Bottom had need of no Buttress and that which wants it is often rather thrust down then upheld by it The Antiquaries crouch as though they upheld the Church when they are
The slie shifters that as that Chancellour observed pervert the plain and direst courses of Courts and bring Justice into oblique Lines and Labyrinths 3. Those that engaged Courts in quarrels of Jurisdiction 4. Those that made suits 5. Those that hunted men upon Poenal Statutes 6. Those that appeared in most Testimonies and Juries His Darling was The honest Clerk who was experienced in his place obliging in his carriage knowing in Presidents cautious in Proceedings and skilful in the affairs of the Court. Two things he promoted in King Henry's days 1. The Law against Gaming And 2. The Order against Stews And two in King Edward's 1. That Act against spreading of Prophecies 2. That Statute against embasing of Coyn. But King Edward's Testament and the Duke 〈◊〉 Northumberland's Will is to be made The piou 〈…〉 Intentions of that King wishing well to the Reformation the Religion of Queen Mary obnoxious to exception the ambition of Northumberland who would do what he lifted the weakness of Suffol 〈…〉 who would be done with as the other pleased the flattery of the Courtiers most willing to comply designed the Crown for the Lady Jane Grey Mr. Cecil is sent for to London to furnish that Will with Reason of State and Sir Edward to Sergeants In◠to make it up with Law He according to the Letter sent him went with Sir Jo. Baker Justice Bromley the Attorney and Solicitor-General to Greenwich where his Majesty before the Marquess of Northampton declaring himself for the settlement of Religion and against the succession of Queen Mary offered them a Bill of Articles to make a Book of which they notwithstanding the Kings Charge and the reiteration of it by Sir William Peter declared upon mature consideration they could not do without involving themselves and the Lords of the Council in High I reason because of the Statutes of Succession The Duke of Northumberland hearing of their Declaration by the Lord Admiral comes to the Council-Chamber all in a rage trembling for anger calling Sir Edward Traytor and saying He would fight in his shirt with any man in that Quarrel The old man is charged by the King upon his Allegiance and the Council upon his Life to make the Book which he did when they promised it should be ratified in Parliament Here was his obedience not his invention not to devise but draw things up according to the Articles tendred unto him Since shame is that which ambitious Nature abhorreth and danger is that which timorous Nature declineth the honest man must be resolute Sir Nathaniel Brent would say A Coward cannot be an honest man and it seems by this Action that modesty and fear are great temptations Give me those four great Vertues that make a man 1. A clear Innocence 2. A comprehensive Knowledge 3. A well-weighed experience And 4. The product of all these A steady Resolution What a Skein of Ruffled Silk saith the ingenious Resolver is the incomposed man Observations on the Life of Sir Edward Fines EDward Fines Lord Clinton Knight of the Garter was Lord Admiral of England for more then thirty years He was wise valiant and very fortunate as appears by his Master-piece in Museleborough-field in the reign of King Edward the sixth and the Battle against the Scots He was afterwards created Earl of Lincoln where he was born May 4. 1474. and where he had a proportionable Estate to support his Dignity which he much increased beside his Paternal Inheritance He died January 16. 1558. and lieth buried at Windsor in a private Chappel under a stately Monument which Elizabeth his third Wise Daughter to the Earl of Kildare erected in his remembrance His Fortune made him a younger Brother and his Industry an Heir coming to Court where they that have Estates spend them and they that have none gain them His recreation was at Court but his business in the Country where notwithstanding the Statute in Henry the sevenths time against Pasturage for Tillage he Grazed 11000 Acres of Ground then a noble and gaining Employment that advanced many a Family in one Generation and now a saving one that hath kept up as many ten The best tempered Swords will bend any way and the best metalled men will comply with any occasion At White-hall none more affable and courteous then our Lord at Sea none more skilful in the field none more resolute in the Country none more thristy and hospitable His Entertainments were orderly and suitable made up of solid particulars all growing upon his own Estate King Charles would say Every man hath his vanity and mine speaking of the Soveraign is Building Every man hath his humour and mine said he speaking of the Fens is Drayning Adding withal He that would be merry for a day let him be trimmed he that would be merry for a week let him marry he that would be merry for a year let him build he that would be merry for Ages let him improve Now you would have him among his Workmen and Stewards in Lincoln anon among the Commissioners either in France or Scotland by and by before Bulloign or Calice and a while after at Spieres or Muscleborough and on a suddain at a Mask in Court. Neither was his Soul less pliable to persons then things as boysterously active as King Henry could expect as piously meek as King Edward could wish as warily zealous as Queen Mary's times required and as piercingly observant as Queen Elizabeths perplexed occasions demanded It was by him and my Lord Bacon said of business That it was in business as it is in ways that the next and the nearest way is commonly the foulest and that if a man will go the fairest way he must go somewhat about Sitting in a Committee about invading Scotland whereof Sir Anthony Brown then Viscount Mountacute presented a Draught there arose as great a debate between him and my Lord in Council as afterwards in the Field about the point of Entrance Nay said my Lord in the heat of the Discourse with as much power on others passions as command over his own We stand quarrelling here how we shall get in but here is no discourse how we shall get out It 's a Rule Whosoever hath any thing fixed in his person that doth induce contempt hath also a perpetual spur in himself to rescue and deliver himself from scorn either by vertue or malice And my Lord having some disadvantage from Nature made it up by Art None more bold none more industrious and more successful because that disadvantage took off envy on the one hand and jealousie on the other so that upon the matter in a great Wit Contempt is a great advantage to rising Judge Brooke had a Project against Usury which came up to the Lords House this rich Peer upon the first motion of it stands up and saith Shew me a State without Usury and I 'll shew you a State without Men and Trade Rich he was for expence and expend he did upon
one another 1. That in our Considerations and Debates we should not dwell in deceitful Generals but look into clear Particulars 2. That in our Resolutions and Conclusions we should not rest on various Particulars but rise to uniform Generals A Man he was that reverenced himself that could be vertuous when alone and good when onely his own Theatre his own applause though excellent before the world his vertue improving by fame and glory as an heat which is doubled by reflexion Observations on the Life of Sir James Dier JAmes Dier Knight younger Son to Richard Dier Esquire was born at Round-hill in Somersetshire as may appear to any by the Heralds Visitation thereof He was bred in the study of our Municipal Law and was made Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas primo Eliz. continuing therein twenty four years When Thomas Duke of Norfolk was anno 1572 arraigned for Treason this Judge was present thereat on the same token that when the Duke desired Counsel to be assigned him pleading that it was granted to Humphrey Stafford in the Reign of King Henry the seventh our Judge returned unto him That Stafford had it allowed him only as to point of Law then in dispute viz. Whether he was legally taken out of the Sanctuary but as for matter of Fact neither he nor any ever had or could have Counsel allowed him But let his own works praise him in the Gates known for the place of publick Justice amongst the Jews let his learned Writings called The Commentaries or Reports evidence his Abilities in his Profession He died in 25 Eliz. though married without any issue and there is a House of a Baronet of his Name descended from an elder Son of Richard Father to our Judge at great Stoughton in Hunting tonshire well improved I believe with the addition of the Judges Estate There is a Manuscript of this worthy Judge wherein are six and forty Rules for the preservation of the Commonwealth as worthy our Observation as they were his Collection 1. That the true Religion be established 2. To keep the parts of the Commonwealth equal 3. That the middle sort of people exceed both the extreams 4. That the Nobility be called to serve or at least to appear at the Court by themselves or by the hopes of their Families their Children 5. That the Court pay well 6. That Trade be free and Manufactures with all other Ingenuities encouraged 7. Thgt there be no co-equal Powers nor any other Vsurpations against the Foundation 8. That there be notice taken of wise and well-affected Persons to employ them 9. That Corruption be restrained 10. That the Prince shew himself absolute in his Authority first and then indulgent in his Nature 11. That the first ferment of sedition want c. be considered 12. That Preferments be bestowed on merit and not faction 13. That troublesome persons be employed abroad 14. That Emulations be over-ruled 15. That the ancient and most easie way of Contributions when necessary be followed 16. That the Youth be disciplined 17. That Discourses and Writings of Government and its mysteries be restrained 18. That the active and busie be taken to Employment 19. That the King shew himself often in Majesty tempered with familiarity easie access tenderness c. 20. That the Prince perform some unexpected actions at Court himself 21. That no one man be gratified with the grievance of many 22. That Acts of Grace pass in the chief Magistrates Name and Acts of Severity in the Ministers 23. That the Prince borrow when he hath no need 24. That he be so well furnished with Warlike Provisions Citadels Ships as to be renowned for it 25. That the Neighbour-States be balanced 26. That the Prince maintain very knowing Agents Spies and Intelligencers 27. That none be suffered to raise a Quarrel between the Prerogative and the Law 28. That the People be awaked by Masters 29. That in cases of Faction Colonies and Plantations be found out to receive ill humours 30. That the Seas the Sea-coasts and Borders be secured 31. That the Prince be either resident himself or by a good natured and popular Favourite 32. To act things by degrees and check all the hasty importunate rash and turbulent though well-affected 33. That the Inhabitants have Honour promisouously but that Power be kept in the Well-affected's hands 34. That there be as far as can be plain dealing and the people never think they are deceived 35. That there be a strict eye kept upon Learning Arms and Mechanical Arts. 36. That there be frequent Wars 37. To observe the Divisions among Favourites though not to encourage them 38. That an account be given of the Publick Expences 39. That Inventions be encouraged 40. That the Country be kept in its due dependance on the Crown against the times of War Elections c. and to that purpose that the Courtiers keep good houses c. 41. That no disobliged person be trusted 42. That Executions be few suddain and severe 43. To improve the benefit of a Kingdomes Situation 44. That the Liberties and Priviledges of the Subject be so clearly stated that there may be no pretences for worse purposes 45. That the Coyn be neither transported nor embased 46. That Luxury be suppressed Maximes these that spake our Judge so conversant with Books and Men that that may be applyed to him which is attributed to as great a Divine as he was a Lawyer viz. That he never talked with himself Observations on the Life of Sir William Pelham SIr William Pelham was a Native of Sussex whose ancient and wealthy Family hath long flourished in Laughton therein His Prudence in Peace and Valour in War caused Queen Elizabeth to employ him in Ireland where he was by the Privy-Council appointed Lord Chief Justice to govern that Land in the interim betwixt the death of Sir William Drury and the coming in of Arthur Gray Lord Lieutenant of Ireland Say not that he did but stop a gap for a twelve-month at the most seeing it was such a gap Destruction had entred in thereat to the final ruine of that Kingdome had not his Providence prevented it For in this juncture of time Desmond began his Rebellion 1579 inviting Sir William to side with him who wisely gave him the hearing with a smile in to the Bargain And although our Knight for want of Force could not cure the wounds yet he may be said to have washed and kept it clean resigning it in a recovering condition to the Lord Gray who succeeded him Afterwards he was sent over into the Low-Countries 1586 being Commander of the English Horse therein It is said of him Brabantiam persultabat He leapt through Brabant importing celerity and success yea as much Conquest as so suddain an expedition was capable of He had a strong memory whereon he built his experience and a large experience whereon he grounded his actions There was no Town Fort Passage Hill or Dale either in Ireland or Holland
lost the love of King Charles living many years in his disfavour But such as are in a Court-cloud have commonly the Countreys Sun-shine and this Peer during his Eclipse was very popular with most of the Nation It is seldome seen if a Favourite once broken at Court sets up again for himself the hap rather than happiness of this Lord the King graciously reflecting on him at the beginning of the Long Parliament as one best able to give him the safest Counsel in those dangerous times But how he incensed the Parliament so far as to be exceped pardon I neither do know nor dare enquire Sure I am that after the surrender of Exeter he went over into France where he met with that due respect in Foreign which he missed in his Native Countrey The worst I wish such who causelesly suspect him of Popish inclinations saith my Author is that I may hear from them but half so many strong Arguments for the Protestant Religion as I heard from him who was to his commendation a cordial Champion for the Church of England This Family hath been much talked of this last forty years though all that I can say of it is this that great spirits large parts high honours penned within narrow Estates seldome blesse their owners with moderation or the places they live in with peace Oservations on the Life of the Lord Spencer HEe was the fifth Knight of his Family in an immediate succession well allied and extracted being descended from the Spencers Earls of Gloucester and Winchester In the first year of the Reign of King James being a moneyed man he was created Baron of Wormeleiton in the County of Warwick He had such a ready and quick Wit that once speaking in Parliament of the valour of their English Ancestors in defending the Liberty of the Nation returned this Answer to the Earl of Arundel who said unto him Your Ancestors were then keeping of Sheep If they kept Sheep yours were then plotting of Treason But both of them were at present confined but to the Lord Spencer the Upper-House ordered Reparations who was first and causelesly provoked This Lord was also he who in the first of King James was sent with Sir William Dethick principal King of Arms to Frederick Duke of Wirtenbergh elected into the Order of the Garter to present and invest him with the Robes and Ornaments thereof which were accordingly with geat 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 James 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 Job 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 wooe 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 Progresse 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 goodnesse even to the giving of his foresaid friend Sir John 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-shirt 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 untill 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 kindnesse for him because the exactest Courtier in Christendome 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 James his good nature loth to leave the bosome 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 minde 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 car 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 welcome 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 Businesse 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 minde 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 eare of your Master but you are also a Favourite The Fourite of the time and so are in his bosome also The world hath so voted you
Nothing else have I to observe of his name save that hereditary Learning may seem to run in the veins of his Family witnesse Sir Dudly Digs of Chilham-Castle made Master of the Rolls in the yaer 1636. whose abilities will not be forgotten whilest our age hath any remembrance This Knight had a younger son of a most excellent wit and a great judgement Fellow of All-Souls in Oxford who in the beginning of our Civil Wars wrote so subtile solid a Treatise of the difference betwixt King and Parliament that such Royallists who have since handled that Controversie have written plura non plus yea aliter rather than alia of that Subject The Son writes down those Rebellions that the Father countenanced The Father I say who by a bold impeachment against his Majesties chief Minister of State to his face taught a discontented People to draw a bolder against his Majesty himself Wherefore it was that after his undutiful Prologue against his Majesties Prerogative in favouring his Servants the Preface to more disloyal methods against his right in governing his People he and Sir John Eliiot were whispered out of the Lords House when they were hottest against the Duke to speak with a Gentleman and thence sent immediately by two Pursevants that attended to the Tower where and in the Country this Gentleman lay under just displeasure until it was thought fit to take off so dangerous a piece of boldnesse and eloquence upon the growing distempers of the age by favour and preferment to a Neutrality at least if not to the just measures of his duty But our observation here is this That faction is one of those sins whereof the Authors repent most commonly themselves and their posterities are always ashamed Observations on the Life of Sir Tho. Ridly Dr. LL. THis Knight and Dr. was born at Ely in Cambridge-shire bred first a Scholar at Eaton in Buckingham-shire then Fellow of Kings-Colledge in Cambridge He was a generall Scholar in all kinde of Learning especially in that which we call Melior Literatura He afterwards was Chancellor of Winchester and Vicar-general to the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury His memory will never dye whilest his Book called The view of the Ecclesiastical Laws is living a book of so much merit that the Common Lawyers notwithstanding the difference betwixt the professions will ingenuously allow a due commendation to his learned performance in that subject Although it startled them to hear King James was so affected with it insomuch that Sir Edward Coke undertook from thence to prophecy the decay of the Common-Law though in that prophecy of his others foresaw nothing but his fall Never book came out more seasonably for the Church than this never Comment came out more suitably than Mr. Gregories Notes upon it He writ well and advised better being good to give better to manage Counsel which he never offered till called and never urged longer then it pleased answering no question of consequence unlesse upon emergent occasion without deliberation observing the design of people that aske most commonly to try his sufficiency as well as improve their own However being sure that time is likelier to increase than abate the weight of a result discovering as well what may be returned suitably to the general temper as what may be answered fitly to the particular instance What alterations he designed for the Churches benefit were not sodain but leisurely To force men out of one extreamity into another is an attempt as dangerous as it is invidious as awakening most opposition and obnoxious to most hazard Wise Tacitus observeth that men have reformed inveterate habits more by yielding to them than engaging against them though a man must so yield as not to encourage while he doth so countermine as not to exasperate Although he was always able yet was he never willing to mend the Copy his Superiors had set him unlesse owned as from former instruction lest they grew jealous he valued his own experience before theirs who measure mens sufficiency from their caution and not from their parts from what they can forbear rather than from what they can do To conclude he was one of those able men that cannot be eminent unlesse they be great men of great merit behave themselves so negligently in small affairs as that you shall never understand their abilities unlesse you advance their persons Mens capacities sufficiencies have certain bound◠prescribed them within the limits of which they are able to acquit themselves with credit and applause But if you advance them above or depre 〈…〉 them below their spheres they shew nothing but debilities and miscarriages Onely this he was alway◠commended for That having the management of Affairs intrusted to him he under went all the miscarriages himself ascribing all the honour and sufficency to his Patron carrying his hand in all actions so that his Master had the applause of what ever was either conceded or denyed in publick without any other interruption from Mr. Ridley than what became the bare instrument of his commands however he ordered the mater in private Observations on the Life of Sir Henry Martin HE would merrily say That if his Father had left him fourscore pounds a year where he left him but forty he would never have been a Scholar but have lived on his Lands whereas his Inheritance being a large encouragement but a small maintenance he made up in study what he wanted in Estate first at Winchester and then at New-Colledge where his inclination led him to Divinity but Bishop Andrews his advice perswaded him to the Civil Law wherein he attained that great proficiency he was eminent for thus He had weekly transmitted to him from some Proctors at Lambeth the brief heads of the most important Causes which were to be tryed in the High-Commission Then with some of his familiar friends in that faculty he privately pleaded those Causes acting in their Chamber what was done in the Court But Mr. Martin making it his work exceeded the rest in amplifying and aggravating any fault to move anger and indignation against the guilt thereof or else in extenuating or excusing it to procure pity obtain pardon or at least prevail for a lighter punishment Whence no Cause came amisse to him in the High Commission For saith my Author he was not to make new Armour but onely to put it on and buckle it not to invent but apply arguments to his Clients As in decision of Controversies in his Courts he had a moderate and middle way so in managing of affairs in Parliament he had a healing Method Whence in most Debates with the Lords where Mr. Noy's Law and Reason could not convince Sir Martin's Expedients could accommodate For which services and his other merits he was made Judge of the Prerogative-Court for probate of Wills and of the Admiralty for Foreign Trade Whence King JAMES would say merrily He was a mighty Monarch by Sea and Land over the Dead
that seeing by the Commission the Lord Mobun brought from Oxford four persons viz. the said Lord Mohun Sir Ralph Hopton Sir John Berkley and Colonel Ashhurnham were equally impowered in the managing of all Military matters And seeing such equality might prove inconvenient which hitherto had been prevented with the extraordinary moderation of all parties in ordering a Battel it was fittest to fix the power in one chief and general consent setled it in Sir Ralph Hopton He first gave order that publick Prayers should be read in the head of every Squadron and it was done accordingly and the Enemy observing â—t did stile it saying of Masse as some of their Prisoners afterwards did confesse Then he caused the Foot to be drawn up in the best order they could and placed a Forlorn of Musquetiers in the â—â—ttle Inclosures winging them with the few Horse and Dragoons he had This done two small My 〈…〉 ion Drakes speedily and secretly fetched from the Lord Mohun's house were planted on a little â—urrough within random-shot of the Enemy yet 〈◊〉 that they were covered out of their sight with small parties of Horse about them These concealed Mynions were twice discharged with such successee that the Enemy quickly quitted their ground And all their Army being put into a rout the King's Forces had the execution of them which they performed very sparingly taking 1250 prisoners all their Cannon and Ammunition and most of their Colours and Arms and after publick Thanks taking their repose at Liscard Stratton Fight succeeds on Tuesday the 16th of May 1643. The King's Army wants Am munition and hath a steep hill to gain with all disadvantage and danger the Horse and Dragoons being not above five hundred and the Foot two thousand four hundred The Parl. Forces were well furnished and barticadoed upon the top of the hill their Foot 3400. and their Horse not many indeed having dispatched 1200 to surprize the Sheriffâ— and Commissioners at Bedmin On the King's side order was given to force the passage to the top of the Hill by four several Avenues the ascent was steep and difficult resolutely did his Majesties Forces get up and obstinately did the Enemy keep them down The Fight continued doubtful with many countenances of various events from five in the Morning till three in the Afternoon amongst which most remarkable the smart charge made by M. G. Chudleigh with a stand of Pikes on Sir Bevil Greenvil who fell nobly himself and had lost his squadron had not Sir John now Lord Berkley who led up thâ— Musquetiers on each side of Sir Bevil seasonably relieved it so resolutely reinforcing the Charge that Major-General Chudleigh was taken Prisoner Betwixt three and four of the Clock the Commanders of the King's Forces who embraced those four several wayes of ascent met to their mutual joy almost at the top of the hill which the routed enemy confusedly forsook In this service though they were Assailants they lost very few men and no considerable Officer killing of the Enemy about three hundred and taking seventeen hundred prisoners all their Cannon being thirteen pieces of brasse Ordnance and Ammunition seventy barrels of powder with a Magazine of Bisket and other provision proportionable For this victory publick Prayer and Thanksgiving was made on the hill then the Army was disposed of to improve their successe to the best advantage Nothing had sunk this great spirit but the fate of Kingdomes with whose ruine onely he was contented to fall and disband his brave Soldiers upon honourable terms Five things made my Lord Hopton so eminently serviceable 1. His great insight into the designes and prudent foresight of the events of present Councels which when most doubted and wavered gave him that resolution that undertook great difficulties and bore up against greater 2. His experience of War in general and his acquaintance with that seat of it committed to him in particular 3. His renown all over the Kingdome for piety and moderation and within his own association for hospitality civility and charity 4. His name among the Enemies as confiderable for his generousnesse and justice as for his valour and conduct 5. His Estate that set him above mercenarinesse and his care for money that set his Soldiers above need the occasion of mutinying among themselves or of incivilities towards others Observations on the Life of the Earl of Carnarvan RObert Dormer Ar. was on the tenth of June 1615. made Baronet by K. James on the 30 day of the same month was by him created Baron Dormer of Wing in Buckinghamshire His Grand-childe Robert Dormer was by K. Charles in the 4th of his Reign created Viscount Ascot Earl of Carnarvan He lost his life fighting for him who gave him his honour at the first Battel of Newbury Being sore wounded he was defired by a Lord to know of him what suit he would have to his Majesty in his behalf the said Lord promising to discharge his trust in presenting his request and assuring him that his Majesty would be willing 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 daughter to Philip Earl of Pembrook and Montgomery he had Charles now Earl of Carnarvan From his 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 maturated for renowâ— and by a constant practice of goodnesse 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 unpleasant sant in despight of the splendor of their fortune But his riper 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 mildenesse 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 restlesse in Injuries In the middest of horrour 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 greatnesse it humbleth it self and so at once obligeth love 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 encourage them Many a time would he stoop with his own spirit
of England he that was one of King Henry's Executors King Edward's Secretary of State Queen Mary's right hand and that refused the Arch-Bishoprick of Canterbury in 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 lesse than he did in his solidly sententious and discreetly humoured Play at Queens called Tancredo in his elegant 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 Mathematicks 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-kinde in travells for one year to France and Geneva where he was acquainted with Theodore Beza and Isaac Casaubon 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 Secrets Languages Dispositions Customes and Laws of most Nations set off with his choice shape obliging behaviour sweet discourse and sharp wit he could perform no lesse than 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 Secretary Vietta upon his flight out of England after the Earl's apprehension with the Duke of Tuscany then the greatest patron of Learning and Arts in the world who having discovered a design to poyson King James as the known successor of Queen Elizabeth sent Sir Henry Wotton with notice of the plot 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 Lindsey's means he was treated with much honour complacency and secrecy for three months After which time he returned to Florence staying there till King James enquiring concerning him of my Lord 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 honestest Dissembler that he met with and Knighting him by his own name Adding withal That since he knew he wanted neither Learning nor Experience neither Abilities nor Faithfulnesse 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 retyred Genius and narrow Estate where 1. Studying the dispositions of the several Dukes and Senators 2. Sorting 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 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 Emperour's successe 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 was pleased he should call her Onely while abroad and writing in the Album that friends have this sentence Legatus est vir bonus peregre missus ad mentiendum reipublicae causâ whereof Scioppius made a malicious use in his Books against King James He lost himself a while for using more freedome abroad than became his Employment until his ingenuous clear and choicely eloquent Apologies recovered him to more respect and cautiousnesse 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-months than sorty 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. Being in a Popish Chappel a merry Priest that knew him sent a Paper to him with this question Where was your Religion before Luther Under which he writ Where yours is not in the written word of God 2. Being asked whether a Papist could be saved He replyed You may be saved without knowing that look to your self 3. Hearing one rayl against Arminius Popery he answered Sâ—â— he that understands amisse concludeth worse If you had studied Popery so much as I have and knew Arminius so well as I did how learned how strict and how rare a man he was you would not fall so foul on his person nor thinke that the further you go from the Church of Rome the nearer you are to God 4. One pitched upon for Embassador came to Eaton and requested from his some Experimental rule for his prudent and sase carriage in his Negotiation to whom he smilingly gave this for an in 〈…〉 ble Aphorism That to be in safety himself serviceable to his Country be should alwayes and upon all occasions speak the truth For said he you shall never be believed and by this meanes your truth will secure your self if you shall ever be called to any account and it will also put your Adversaries who will still hunt counter to a losse in all their disquisitions and undertakings 5. And when he made his Will two years before he died out of policy to let the King understand his Debts and Arrears to which end he bestowed in that Will on his Majesty Sir Throgmorton's Papers of Negotiation in Queen Elizabeths dayes on the Queen Dioscorides in Tuscany with the Herbs naturally coloured on the Prince the Queen of Bohemia's picture on my Lord of Canterbury the picture of Divine love to my Lord of London high Treasurer Heraclitus and Democritus and to Secretary Windebanke old Bastano's four Seasons he directed that this onely should be written on his plain Marble Hie jacet hujus sententiae primus auctor Disputandi Pruritus
from him he received the Sacrament good comfort and counsell just before he was murthered I say just before the Royal Martyr was murthered a Fact so foul that it alone may confute the Errour of the Pelagians maintaining that all sin cometh by imitation the Universe not formerly affording such a Precedent as if chose Regicides had purposely designed to disprove the observation of Solomon 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. John'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 roughnesse 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 happinesse that K. James admired in a States-man of his time to do all things suavibus modis He referred his Master in the Earl of Strafford's case as he did himself 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 themselves indifferently between the King and his Subjects The King was not more happy in this faithful 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 businesse 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 Witnesse 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 lesse than four durst undertake when his single self sufficed for the two greatest troubles of this Nation the Treasurer-ship 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 above other mens as his Calling his meditations equall 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 onely but that of a Bishop too that made his Piety as universal as his Province by such assistances of power as brought carnal 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 goodnesse that was never angry but for the publick 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 onely 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 â—ourting 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 oâ— of discretion because when speaking he plentifully paid the Principal and Interest of his Auditoâ—â— 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 Greatnesse is so invidious and suspected though none as a man goodnesse is so meek and inoffensive The most thought the worse of Dr. Juxon for the Bishops sake the best thought the better of the Bishop for Dr. Juxon's sake Observations on the Life of John Lord Culpeper I Finde 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 Maxime 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 mindes 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 onely 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 bottome 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 whither my Lord came with his indefatigable Industry his obliging Converse and potent Eloquence excepting London it's 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 Traytors durst not pardon
Study and a very great Experience qualities separated in others but united in him Nature will out Education is rude Education without Resolution is loose Resolution without Experience is heady Experience grounded upon particular Events is uncertain without the study of General and Immoveable Principles Knowledge of things in their sources and original causes without Nature is a Burden All these without Exercise are a Notion This Nobleman thus furnished derived much Honor from his Ancestors more to them ennobling that Blood to a Glory which some had debased to a Blush That great Name after four hundred years shining in that Honour with various lustre setting in him as the Sun he bore with a full splendour The last effort of Nature is a Master-piece the last blaze of the Candle a shine Other Noblemen were made King Edward's Overseers for their Integrity he one of his Assistants for his Ability When an Enemy was to be awed to a submission he was General such his Fame When the Countrey was to be obliged to a loan he was Agent such his Popularity The first advanced him to the Comptrollership under Henry the Eighth the second to the Chamberlainship under Edward the Sixth Nature hath provided that ravenous Beasts should not associate leâ—t they should be too hard for it and Government that prime Counsellours should not agree leâ—t they overthrow it Warwick envied the Protectors Greatness and Arundel would limit his Power both with the rest of the Council declare against him But leâ—t he should urge the same things against Warwick that he did against Somerset they who love the Treason bu 〈…〉 hate the Traytor turn him first out of Favour and then out of Council until Queen Maries time when he as an antient Nobleman of England tha 〈…〉 owned no upstart-designs against the old way of succession stood for her Right and as a stiff Catholique promoted her Religion So that July 21 1553. he came from the Queen to Cambridge where the Duke of Northumberland was and entering his Chamber the Duke fell at his feet desiring him for Gods sake to consider his case who had done nothing but by Warrant from the Council My Lord said the Earl I am sent hither by the Queen to arrest you And I said the Duke obey your Arrest beseeching your mercy for what I did by Commission You should have thought of that sooner said the Earl Here you might have seen at once the vicissitude of Fortune the frailty of Man the dejectedness of Guilt the bravery of Innocence who would neither be trampled on by Greatness nor trample on Misery of an equal temper between pity and resolution As long as his Youth bore it we finde him for Action but when years came upon him we finde him in Council as with Wotton 〈◊〉 the great Treaty at Cambray Yet not so unactive but that as Sir William Pickering for his sweet Demeaner so he for his Estate was voiced an Husband to Queen Elizabeth When the rest of the Council were for dealing with the Queen of Scots underhand and at distance he was for treating with her plainly and said in the Queens presence The wisdom of the former Age was so provident that it needed not and so plain that it endured not shifts Leicester would perswade the Duke of Norfolk to court the Queen of Scots but Arundel would not hear of it without the Queen of England's consent Experience is always wary yet hath its weaknesses wherein it may be surprized For this Noblemans Kindness to his Friend balancing his Duty to his Mistriss brought him the Earl of Southampton the Lords Lumley Coâ—ham Piercy c. to a Praemunire whereupon he said He is never wise that is not distrustful Fear that betrayeth the succours of Reason when predominant guardeth them when moderate and is more safe though not so Noble as that valiant confidence that bequeaths a dilated Freedom to all faculties and senses But of all his Actions this is most remarkable Treating with the Scots he writ to his Majesty King Henry the Eighth what he had gained already requiring to know his further pleasure The King takes advice with his Council who all agree that the Peace should be concluded Whereupon the King caused his Secretary the Lord Paget to write to him to that purpose but withal he called Mr. Cecil secretly to him bidding him tell my Lord That whatsoever he had written in his Letter yet with all speed possible he should break the Treaty Mr. Cecil replying That a message by word of mouth being contrary to his Letter would never be believed Well said the King do you tell him as I bid you and leave the doing of it to his choice Upon Mr. Cecil's arrival the Earl of Arundel shewed the other Commissioners as well the Message as the Letter they are all for the Letter he said nothing but ordered that the Message should be written before and signed by his fellow-Commissioners and thereupon immediately broke up the Treaty sending Cecil with the advertisement of it to the King Who as soon as he saw him asked aloud What will he do it or no Cecil replied That his Majesty might understand that by the inclosed But then the King half angry urged Nay tell me Will be do it or no Being then told it was done he turned to the Lords and said Now You will hear news The fine Treatie is broken Whereto one presently answered That he who had broke it deserved to lose his Head to which the King straightly replied That He would lose a dozen such heads as his was that so judged rather than one such Servant as had done it and therewith commanded the Earl of Arundel's Pardon should be presently drawn up the which he sent with Letters of Thanks and assurance of Favour Five things must a Statesman comprehend 1. The Law 2. The Government 3. The Time 4. The People And 5. The Prince Under an active Prince you must regard the Prerogative under an easie one the Law under a compleat one made up of a just measure of Greatness and Goodness those two things are distinguished onely in the nice discourses of some Speculative being but one great Rule in the solid actions of that Prince Observations on the Life of Sir John Dudley Duke of Northumberland HIs favour was first purchased by his Fathers blood and improved by his own cunning King Henry sacrificed Sir Edmund Dudly to allay the Peoples rage and raised his Son to appease his Ghost He that disobligeth a multitude must fall himself but he that in so doing serveth his King may advance his Posterity Something high he was in the Kings favour because standing on his fathers Grave but higher as he stood on his own Merit He knew his Fathers service made his way to favour his own Education therefore must prepare him for employment Favour without Parts is a reproach Parts without favour are a burden The King restored him to his Fathers blood and his own
of a strong and valiant Knight and a greater of being overthrown by his Majesty Having engaged his Majesties Person at home he had the Honour to represent it abroad where his Commission was to complement the French King about his Liberty but his Business to observe the state of that place Where he saw that a Kingdom governed by a Prince who hath under him other independent Lords as that of France is no longer safe than those Lords are either in Humour or in Purse being always in danger either from their discontent or corruption 2. That Faction is always eager while Duty is modest and temperate This Occasion ennobled his Vertue and his Vertue improved the Occasion so well that I finde him so eminent a Parliament-man the 22th of King Henry that as Sir Brian Tuke had the Honour to open the several Boxes sent from the respective Universities with their opinions about the Kings Divorce so Sir Thomas had the happiness in a set Speech to insist upon them all in general and every one in particular And at Queen Anne's Coronation my Lord Vaux Sir John Mordant Sir Thomas and ten more are made Knights of the Bath Having acquitted himself Nobly in Court and Council he attends the Earl of Hertford against the Scots as Commissary and Sir John Wallop with Sir John Rainsford as Marshal for his Services in both which capacities he is made Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports in England and with the Comptroller Sir John Gage made Field-Marshal and Treasurer of the Army before Bulloign And not long after Treasurer of the Houshold and one of the Assistants for the Over-seeing of King Henry's Will When some were joyning Others with the Protector others for limiting him Sir Thomas would say That as Machiavel saith No Laws so No good could be done by a Governour that was not absolute without either a Restraint or a Competitor Upon the Reformation he would say That the disestcem of Religious Ceremonies argued the decay of the Civil Government good Princes have first kept their People Religious and thereby Vertuous and united both old and new Rome stand by this In a word what makes all men made him A generous industry of Minde and a well-set hardiness of Body which were attended while he lived with Honour and Success and since he is dead with Repute and Renown Where eminent and well-born Persons out of a habit of sloath and laziness neglect at once the Noblest way of employing their times and the fairest occasions of advancing their fortunes that State though never so flourishing and glorious wants something of being compleatly happy As soon as ever therefore the Kingdom is settled sedate times are the best to improve a Commonwealth as his quiet hours are the best to improve a man he and Sir William Howard addressed themselves as vigorously to the opening of Commerce and Traffick for the enriching of this Nation as they had before to the exercise of Arms to secure it Pursuing the Designe with Resolution and keeping the frame of it in order with Industry their constant Spirit surmounting all Difficulties that stood in the way of their own Glory or their Countrey 's Happiness working so well upon the Russians that they not onely obtained their Desire but gained so far upon the Affections of that People that they obtained the greatest Priviledges any Tradesmen ever enjoyed in Muscovy which the Russians were not easier in the promise of then just in the execution of that promise So that that Trade is advanced not onely beyond our hopes but our very pretences too by those three Particulars that never fail of success 1. Union 2. Conduct 3. Courage in enterprizes vigorously begun and watchfully pursued Until Queen ELIZABETH concerned her self so far in the Undertaking as to influence it with a Character peculiar to the Dignity of such a Constitution which carried that Commerce higher then Others could raise their Imaginations as we see whose profit by it is as remarqueable in this Age as their zeal for it was in the last When Fear and Distrust those ignoble Passions that disparage all great Undertakings which judged that Design a Piece of extravagant Folly seeth it now an Act of profound Wisdom especially when it may be improved under CHARLES the Second and the Great a Prince who by admirable order of his conduct the just administration of his Revenue and by his fatherly goodness towards his people hath put himself into a condition to undertake without fear whatsoever may be put in execution with Honour or Justice The End of the Observations upon the Lives of the Statesmen and Favourites of England in the Reign of Queen Mary THE STATES-MEN and FAVOURITES OF ENGLAND IN The Reign of Queen Elizabeth Observations on the Life of Sir Nicholas Bacon SIr Nicholas Bacon a man full of wit and wisdome was a Gentleman and a man of Law and of great knowledge therein whereby together with his other parts of Learning and Dexterity he was prompted to be Keeper of the Great Seal and being kin to the Treasurer Burleigh was brought by his help into the Queens favour This Gentleman understood his Mistress well and the times better He could raise Factions to serve the one and allay them to suit the others He had the deepest reach into Affairs of any man that was at the Council-table the knottiest Head to pierce into difficulties the most comprehensive Judgement to surround the Merit of a Cause the strongest memory to recollect all circumstances of a Business to one View the greatest patience to debate and consider for it was he that first said Let us stay a little and we will have done the sooner and the clearest reason to urge any thing that came in his way in Court or Chancery His favour was eminent with his Mistress and his Alliance strong with her States-men No man served his Soveraign more faithfully none secured himself more wisely Leicester seemed wiser then he was Bacon was wiser then he seemed to be Hunsdon neither was nor seemed wise Much Learning my Lord Bacon gained in Bennets Colledge in Cambridge more Experience in Paris of France His Dexterity and Dispatch advanced him to the Court of Wards his deep Experience made him Lord Keeper Alliance was the Policy of that time Bacon and Cecil married two Sisters Walsingham and Mildmay two more Knowles Essex and Leicester were linked the prudent Queen having all her Favourites Relations and Dependencies in her eye and disposing of them according to their several Interests Great was this States-mans Wit greater the Fame of it which as he would say being nothing made all things For Report though but Fancy begets Opinion and Opinion begets Substance He was the exactest man to draw up a Law in Council and the most discreet to execute it in Court When others urged the repeal of that Act whereby Queen Elizabeth was declared Illegitimate he rather suppressed it chusing the closure of a festered Wound more
prudent then the opening of it and judging it more wisdome to satisfie the world with the old Law That the Crown takes away all defects then to perplex it with new disputes Whether Queen Elizabeth were Legitimate State-miscarriages are rather to be privately connived at then publickly redressed the remedy it may be doing no more service then putting the people in minde of the mishap He neither affected nor attained to Greatness Mediocria firma was his Principle and his Practice When Queen Elizabeth asked him Why his House was so little he answered Madam my House is not too little for me but you have made me too big for my House Give me said he a good Estate rather then a great one He had a very Quaint saying saith Robert Naunton and he used it often to very good purpose That he loved the Jest well but not the loss of his Friend He would say That though unusqnisque suae fortunae faber was a true and good Principle yet the most in number were those that marred themselves but I will never forgive that man that looseth himself to be rid of his Jest The Excellency of his Parts was set off with the Gravity of his Person and the Queen would say My Lord Bacon ' s Soul lodgeth well His Account of England and all its Affairs was punctual his use of learned Artists was continual his correspondence with his fellow-States-men exact his apprehension of our Laws and Government clear his Model of both methodical his faithfulness to the Church eminent his industrious invention for the State indesatigable He was in a word a Father of his Country and of Sir Francis Bacon Sir Nicholas Bacon was that moderate man that was appointed to preside at the Disputation between the Protestant and Popish Doctors in the first of Queen Elizabeth He was that Judicious States-man to whom was trusted the management of that Parliament and Convocation The satisfaction of the People and Kingdome and those Delatory Proceedings with France Spain and Rome that were at the bottom of the great work of Reformation and settlement at that time Observations on the Life of William Cecil Lord Burleigh WIlliam Cecil was born with the advantage of being Cecil's Son who was of the Robes to King Henry and a Legatee in his Will and bred with that of being Commoner of St. Johns in Cambridge and Student at the Innes of Court in London whence he was advanced by his Pregnancy to serve the Duke of Somerset in quality of Master of Requests as he was afterwards by his Master to attend King Edward the sixth in the capacity of Secretary of State where he furnished all Acts and Orders with Reasons of State as he had them fitted by able Lawyers with Arguments of Law He loved always they say to wrap the Prerogative in the Laws of the Land He was constant but not obstinate in his Advice As the Planets are whirled about dayly from East to West by the motion of the Primum Mobile yet have a contrary motion of their own from West to East which they slowly yet surely move at their leisures so our States-man though yeilding in some things to Greatness of some Persons in an Age wherein it was present drowning not to swim against the stream Yet had he his counter-endeavours against the prevailing strain and privately advanced his rightful Intentions against others wrongful Ambitions If dissenting from his Superiours he did it with all humility and moderation yet chusing always rather to displease then betray He was in much favour with King Edward in some with Queen Mary in most with Queen Elizabeth who though sparing of her Honours yet heaped on him the trust of Secretary of State the Profits of the Master of the Wards the Advancement 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 Complyance 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 Queens 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 then 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 Advices 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 States-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 Sussex no Superiour then Cecil as Neuâ—er 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 Prudens qui Patiens was his saying before it was Sir Edward Cookes Motto and he had rather tire out Opposition by his Moderation then improve it by his Impatience Others were raised to balance Factions he to support the Kingdome Fickle Favour tossed them constant Interest secured him No fewer then the Marquess of Winchester the Duke of Norfolk the Earls of Northumberland Arundel Pembroke Leicester and Westmorland contrived his fall but reason of State and his Mistress kept up his standing 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 saith my Author in the very prison-door quashed
but his spirit greater He taught England the Majesty of Honest Dealing the Interest of being Religious He looked deep into men and Counsels 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 Traverses even of the most weak and irregular times 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 Rodalph 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 drowzie wariness into an association for Conscience and Religion more solid as he demonstrated then a Combination out of Policy He went against the stream and current about the French Match which he disswaded from the consequent inconveniencies of Engagements and charge to England and the little advantage from France backing his Argument with a late experience and so staying Queen Elizabeths Match by some reflexions on Queen Mary's which was A five years Designe or Tax rather then a Mrriage adding withal That in a Forreign Match besides the unequalness 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 Ten ways he laid down a Forreign Prince might endanger 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. By a loose and too free a behaviour steering mens Consciences which way he pleased and setting up indifferency 5. By decrying Customes and Statutes and enhansing Proclamations to the Authority of Laws 6. By provoking the English with French Oppressions 7. By entrenching on the British Liberties with Gallicane Prerogatives 8. By breaking our League and Correspondence with other Protestant States 9. Frighting our Queen to a Complyance 10. And at last attempting the Protestant cause He would say to his â—â—end the Lord Brooke That if the Netherlands joyn with France they are terrible to Spain if with Spain they are dreadful to France if with us they support the Reformation if they stand on their own legs they are too strong to be forced to Pyracy He though a private person opposed her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in that Affair with that sincerity with that ingenuity that freedome that duty and peaceableness that angered and pleased her His Opinion was not more against her humour then his Manage of it was to her minde in which Affair when most were hood-winked with ignorance and many captived with fear he enjoyed the freedome of his own thoughts with dayly access to her Majesty hourly converse with the French and constant respect from the people None more dutiful to his Soveraign then Sir Philip none more resolute against Eucroachers upon Gentlemen and Freemen none more dear to the whole State which when he had designed Sir Francis Drake's second Voyage and stollen to him at Windsor commanded his stay by an Earl and for his sake the whole Fleets although his stay disturbed and his death destroyed his most exact Model for the Conquest of America the exactest Europe ever saw A Conquest not to be enterprized but by Sir Philips reaching spirit that grasped all circumstances and commanded all interests on this side the Line When his great Soul could not improve Europe he considered it and made that the Field of his mediation that could not be the stage of his Actions England he saw so humoursome and populous that it was to be refined with War and corrupted with Peace Her interest was he said to balance Neighbor-Princes France he observed weak and effeminate the Empire enslaved and secure the Hanses too big Rome subtle and undermining Spain crept to the Power and Councils of Europe the Protestant Princes enjealoused and distrustful Poland divided Denmark strong Sweden invironed or imprisoned the Muscovite distressed and ignorant the Switz enemies yet servants to Monarchs a dangerous body for the soul of any aspiring Monarch to infuse defignes into the Princes of Italy awed by their Superiours and 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 Word Lord of the Mines of America and the Sword of Europe Concluding that while the Spaniard 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 and by setting fire on his own House made him draw his spirits to comfort his heart The other that of Jason by fetching away his Golden Fleece and not suffering any one quietly to enjoy that which every man so much affected The assistance of Portugal the surprize of Cales her key and Seviâ— her treasure the drawing in of other Well-willers the command of the Sea an exact Intelligence the Protection of Rochel Brest Bourdeaux or some other distressed Protestant to balance the over-mytred Countries the encouragement of religious or ambitious Roytolets to advance and secure themselves 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 Garisons an opportunity to recover Sicily some insinuations to the Pope of the Austrian Greatness the setting up of the World in an Aequilibrium the invasion of America removing the diffidence overpoyzing 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 then at home at Sea then at Land 2. That the Spanish Conquests like the Jesuites Miracles made more noise at distance then nearer hand 3. That the Indians would joyn with the 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 then to Order Policy or Strength 6. That England was populous 7. That it was an Action complyant with the present Humour and not subject to Emulations 8. That it would either cut off the Spanish 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
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 Mistresses Interest and she his Authority enjoyning 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 then 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 renowned 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 eigth 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 Queen 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 then 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 loose his own favour with the Queen of England who discovered those things after his death that made him weary of his life 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 then 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 then 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 Gebazi'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 mâ—n 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 then 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 Priviledges 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 then 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
the Labyrinth of History but guided by the Clue of Cosmography hanging his Study with Maps and his Mind with exact Notices of each place He made in one View a Judgement of the Situation Interest and Commodities for want whereof many States-men and Souldiers have failed of Nations but to understand the nature of places is but a poor knowledge unless we know how to improve them by Art therefore under the Figures of Triangles Squares Circles and Magnitudes with their terms and bounds he could contrive most tools and instruments most Engines and judge of Fortifications Architecture Ships Wind and Water-works and whatever might make this lower frame of things useful and serviceable to mankinde which severer Studies he relieved with noble and free Poetry-aid once the pleasure and advancement of the Soul made by those higher motions of the minde more active and more large 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 thoughts graced his happy pronunciation ordered and refined his irregular and gross inclination fixed and quickened his floating and dead notions and by a secret sweet and heavenly Vertue raised his spirit as he confessed sometime to a little less then Angelical Exaltations Curious he was to please his ear and as exact to please his eye there being no Statues Inscriptions or Coyns that the Vertuosi of Italy could shew the Antiquaries of France could boast of 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 Dureâ— 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 gentile and man-like whereof the two most eminent were Riding and Shooting that at once wholsomely stirred and nobly knitted and strengthened his Body Two Eyes he said 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 years Agent for Sir John 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 the German Princes against Austria in point of Interest and for her Majesty in point of Religion he had an 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 then 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 then 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 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 abhorency 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 its fasts its only sensualities to which temperance in diet adde but that in sleep together with his disposal of himself throughout his life to industry and diligence 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 first 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 Hearers That no burthen is more heavy or temptation more dangerous then 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 reckoned amongst the Natives of Buckingham-shire whose Father had his habitation not at Wilton a decayed Castle in Herefordshire 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 acricribus initiis terrorem incuteret to fright his foes with fierce beginnings he unfortunately fought the Rebels at Glandilough 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 Queen 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 Church-differences about discipline at home 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 Parliament or Council-table sided with the Anti-prelatical Party When Secretary 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 oratoriè animosè 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. Dispatch San Joseph 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 white flag with Misericordia Misericordia 3. For his Prudence 1. That he saved the Commanders to oblige the Spaniard 2. That he plundered the Country to enrich his Souldiers 3. That he decimated the Souldiery to terrifie Invaders and hanged all the Irish to amaze the Traytors Henry Fitz-alan Earl of Arundel when Steward at King Edward's Coronation or Constable at Queen Mary's was the first that rid in a Coach in England my Lord Gray was the first that brought a Coach hither one of a working Brain and a great Mechanist himself and no less a Patron to the Ingenious that were so That there was an emulation between him and Sussex was no wonder but that the instance wherein he thought to disgrace him should be his severity to the English Traytor and the Forreign Invadors would seem strange to any but those that consider 1. That Princes of late would seem as they look on the end and not the means so they hug a cruelty and frown on the instrument of it who while he honestly sacrificeth some irregular particulars to the interest of Soveraignty may be made himself a sacrifice to the passion of populacy And 2. which is the case here That aspiring Princes may employ severer Natures but setled ones use the more moderate Love keeps up the Empire which Power hath set up Observations on the Life of Thomas Lord Burge THomas Lord Burge or Borough was born in his Fathers noble House at Gainsborough in the County of Lincoln He was sent Embassadour into Scotland in 1593 to excuse Bothwel his lurking in England to advise the speedy suppression of the Spanish Faction to advance the Protestants in that Kingdome for their Kings defence and to instruct that King about his Council which was done accordingly He was made Lord-Deputy of Ireland anno 1597 in the room of Sir William Russel Mr. Cambden saith thus of him Vir acer animi plenus sed nullis fer◠Castrorum rudimentis As soon as the Truce with Tyrone was expired he straightly besieged the Fort of Black-water the onely receptacle of the Rebels in those parts besides their Woods and Bogs Having taken this Fort by force presently followed a bloody Battle wherein the English lost many worthy men He was struck with untimely death before he had continued a whole year in his Place it being wittily observed of the short Lives of many worthy men Fatuos à morte defendit ipsa insulsitas si cui plus caeteris aliquantulum salis insit quod miremini statim putrescit Things rare destroy themselves those two things being incompatible in our nature Perfection and Lastingness His Education was not to any particular Profession yet his Parts able to manage all A large Soul and a great Spirit apart from all advantages can do wonders His Master-piece was Embassie where his brave Estate set him above respects and compliance and his comely Person above contempt His Geography and History led to the Interest of other Princes and his Experience to that of his own His skill in most Languages helped him to understand others and his resolution to use onely his own to be reserved himself In two things he was very scrupulous 1. In his Commission 2. In his Servants whom he always he said found honest enough but seldome quick and reserved And in two things very careful viz. 1. The time and humour of his Addresses 2. The Interest Inclinations and Dependencies of Favourites A grave and steady man observing every thing but affected with nothing keeping as great distance between his looks and his heart as between his words and his thoughts Very exact for his priviledges very cold and indifferent in his motions which were always guided by the emergencies in that Country and by his intelligence from home Good he was in pursuing his limited instruction excellent where he was free and his Business was not his obedience onely but his discretion too that never failed but in his last enterprize which he undertook without any apparent advantage and attempted without intelligence An Enterprize well worthy his invincible Courage but not his accustomed Prudence which should never expose the person of a General to the danger of a common Souldier Observations on the Life of William Lord Pawlet WIlliam Pawlet where-ever born had his largest Estate and highest Honour Baron of Basing and Marquess of Winchester in Hantshire He was descended from a younger house of the Pawlets in Hinton St. George in Somersetshire as by the Crescent in his Arms is acknowledged One telleth us That he being a younger Brother and having wasted all that was left him came to Court on trust where upon the stock of his Wit he trafficked so wisely and prospered so well that he got spent and left more then any Subject since the Conquest Indeed he lived at the time of the dissolution of Abbeys which was the Harvest of Estates and it argued idleness if any Courtier had his Barns empty He was Servant to King Henry the seventh and for thirty years together Treasurer to King Henry the eighth Edward the sixth Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth the later in some sort owed their Crowns to his Counsel his Policy being the principal Defeater of Duke Dudley's Designe to dis-inherit them I behold this Lord Pawlet like to aged Adoram so often mentioned in Scriptures being over the Tribute in the days of King David all the Reign of King Solomon until the first year of Rehoboam And though our Lord Pawlet enjoyed his Place not so many years yet did he serve more Soveraigns in more mutable times being as he said of himself No Oak but an Osier Herein the Parallel holds not the hoary hairs of Adoram were sent to the Grave by a violent death slain by the People in a Tumult this Lord had the rare happiness of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 setting in his full splendour having lived 97 years and seen 103 out of his body He died anno Domini 1572. Thus far Mr. Fuller This Gentleman had two Rules as useful for Mankinde as they seem opposite to
below or besides his care going not besides his observation He anticipated his age with his worth and died at fourscore in merit when not fifty in yeares filling his time not with dayes but with vertues so early as seemed rather innate than acquired For which he was so popular in the Countrey as well as favoured at Court that a corpulent Officer of Bath-Church being appointed on the day of his Burial to keep the doors entred on his employment in the morning but was buried himself before night and before the Bishop's body was put in the ground because being bruised to death by the pressing in of people his Corps requsred speedy interment In those days the Plebs concurred with with the King in their affections to because they submitted to him in their choice of persons for then wisdome was thought to dwell in the Head and good Folks thought their Soveraign wiser than themselves Observations on the Life of Sir Edm. Anderson SIr Edmund Anderson was born a younger brother of a Gentile Extract at Flixborough in Lincolnshire and bred in the inner Temple I have been informed that his Father left him a thousand pounds for his portion which this our Sir Edmund multiplyed into many by his great proficiency in the Common-Law being made the â—4th of Queen Elizabeth Chief-Justice of the Common-Pleas When Secretary Davison was sentenced in the Star-Chamber for the businesse of the Queen of Scots Judge Anderson said of him that therein he had done justum non juste and so acquitting him of all malice censured him with the rest of his indiscretion When H. Cuffe was arraigned about the rising of the Earl of Essex and when Sir Edward Coke the Queens Solicitor opposed him and the other answered Syllogistically our Anderson sitting there as a Judge of Law not Logick checked both Pleader and Prisoner ob stolidos syllogismos for their foolish Syllogismes appointing the former to presse the Statute of Edward the third He died in the third of King James leaving great Estates to several sons He was a pure Legist that had little skill in the affairs of the world always alledging a decisive Case or Statute on any matter or question without any regard to the decency or respect to be had towards a State or Government and without that account of a moderate interpretation some circumstances of things require being so much the lesse useful as he was incompliant and one whom none addressed to because as one observes of Cardinal Corrado Such think they do in some manner sacrifice themselves when they do but in the least act against their own opinions to do a man a little pleasure There are a kinde of honest men of good conscience whose capacities being narrow entertain private resolutions inconsistent with publick interest who may for me passe for good men but shall never be censed or registred for good Citizens because when streight â—aced and short apprehensions are resolved into conscience and maximes those men are obliged to be so obstinate as to change or remit nothing of their first resolutions how unreasonable soever in themselves or dangerous in the consequence Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Bodley by himself 1. I Was born at Exeter in Devonshire March 2. 1544. descended both by Father and Mother of worshipful Parents My Father in the time of Queen Mary being noted and known to be an enemy to Popery was so cruelly threatned and so narrowly observed by those that maliced his Religion that for the safeguard of himself and my Mother who was wholly affected as my Father he knew no way so secure as to flye into Germany 2. My Father fixed his abode in the City of Geneva where as far as I remember the English Church consisted of some hundred persons I was at that time of twelve years of age but through my Fathers cost and care sufficiently instructed to become an Auditor of Chevallerius in Hebrew of Beroaldus in Greek of Calvin and Beza in Divinity and of some other Professors in that University which was newly then erected besides my domestick Teachers in the house of Philibertus Saracenus a famous Physitian in that City with whom I was boarded where Robertus Constantinus that made the Greek Lexicon read Homer to me 3. In the first of Queen Elizabeth my Father returned and setled his dwelling in the City of London It was not long after that I was sent away from thence to the University of Oxford recommended to the teaching and tuition of Doctor Humphrey In the year 1563 I took the degree of Batchellor of Arts within which year I was chosen Probationer of Merton Colledge and the next year ensuing admitted Fellow Afterwards in the year 1565 by special perswasion of some of my Fellows and for my private exercise I undertook the publick reading of a Greek Lecture in the same Colledge-Hall without requiring or expecting any stipend for it Neverthelesse it pleased the Fellowship of their own accord to allow me soon after four marks by the year and ever since to continue the Lecture to that Colledge 4. In the year 1566 I proceeded Master of Arts and read for that year in the School-streets natural Philosophy After which time within lesse than three years space I was won by intreaty of my best affected friends to stand for the Proctorship to which I and my Colleague were quietly elected in the year 1569 without any competition or counter-suit of any other After this for a long time I supplied the Office of University-Oratour and bestowed my time in the study of sundry faculties without any inclination to professe any one above the rest insomuch as at last I waxed desirous to travel beyond the Seas for attaining to the knowledg of some special modern Tongues and for the encrease of my experience in the managing of affairs being wholly then addicted to employ my self and all my cares in the publick service of the State 5. After my return in the year 1585 I was employed by the Queen to the King of Denmark and to the German Princes Next to Henry the third King of France After this in 88 for the better conduct of her Highnesse Affairs in the Provinces United I was thought a fit person to reside in those parts and was sent thereupon to the Hague in Holland where according to the Contract that had formerly pass'd between her Highnesse and the States I was admitted for one of their Council of Estate taking place in their Assemblies next to Count Maurice and yielding my suffâ—age in all that was proposed During all that time what approbation was given of my painful endeavours by the Queen by the Lords in England by the States of the Countrey there and by all the English Soldiery I refer it to be notified by some others Relation 6. I received from her Majesty many comfortable Letters of her gracious acceptance of my diligence and care and among the Lords of the Council had no man more
to friend then was the Lord Treasurer Burleigh For when occasion had been offered of declaring his conceit as touching my service he would always tell the Queen which I received from her self and some other Ear-witnesses that there was not any man in England so meet as my self to undergo the Office of the Secretary And sithence his son the present Lord Treasurer hath signified unto me in private conference that when his Father first intended to advance him to that place his purpose was withal to make me his Colleague But that the daily provocations of the Earl of Essex were so bitter and sharp against him and his comparisons so odious when he put us in a balance as he thought thereupon he had very great reason to use his best means to put any man out of hope of raising his fortune whom the Earl with such violence to his extream prejudice had endeavoured to dignifie 7. When I had well considered how ill it did concur with my natural disposition to become or to be counted either a stickler or partaker in any publick faction how well I was able by Gods good blessing to live of my self if I could be contented with a competent livelihood I resolved thereupon to possess my soul in peace all the residue of my days to take my farewel of State-employments and so to retire me from the Court. 8. Now although after this by her Majesties direction I was often called to the Court by the now Lord Treasurer then Secretary and required by him and also divers times since by order from the King to serve as Ambassador in France and to negotiate in other very honourable employments yet I would not be removed from my former final resolution but have continued at home my retired course of life which is now methinks to me as the greatest preferment the State can afford 9. This I must confesse of my self that though I did never repent me yet of my often refusals of honourable offers in respect of enriching my private Estate yet somewhat more of late I have blamed my self and my nicety that way for the love that I bear to my Reverend Mother the University of Oxford and to the advancement of her good by such kinde of means as I have since undertaken 10. Having examined what course I might take I concluded at the last to set up my staffe at the Library door being throughly perswaded that in my solitude and surcease from the Common-wealth affairs I could not busie my self to better purpose then by reducing that place which then in every part lay ruined and waste to the publick use of Students 11. For the effecting whereof I found my self furnished in a competent proportion of such four kinds of aids as unlesse I had them all there was no hope of good successe For without some kinde of knowledge as well in the learned modern Tongues as in sundry other sorts of Scholastical literature without some purse-ability to go through with the charge without very great store of honourable friends to further the design and without special good leisure to follow such a work it could but have proved a vain attempt and inconsiderate 12. But how well I have sped in all my endeavours and how full provision I have made for the benefit and ease of all frequenters of the Library that which I have already performed in fight That besides which I have given for the maintenance of it and that which hereafter I purpose to add by way of enlargement to that place for the project is cast and whether I live or die it shall be God willing put in full execution will testifie so truly and abundantly for me as I need not to be the publisher of the dignity and worth of mine own institution Writtten with mine own hand Anno 1609. Decemb. 15. Observations on the Life of Henry Vere Earl of Oxford HEnry Vere was son of Edward Vere the seventeenth Earl of Oxford and Anne Trentham his Lady whose principal habitation the rest of his patrimony being then wasted was at Heningham-Castle in Essex A vigorous Gentleman full of courage and resolution and the last Lord Chamberlain of England of this Family His sturdy naâ—ure would not bow to Court-compliants who would maintain what he spake speak what he thought think what he apprehended true and just though sometimes dangerous and distastful Once he came into Court with a great milk-white Feather about his hat which then was somewhat unusual save that a person of his merit might make a fashion The Reader may ghess the Lord who said to him in some jeer My Lord you wear a very fair Feather It 's true said the Earl and if you mark it there is ne're a Taint in it Indeed his Family was ever loyal unto the Crown deserving their Motto Vero nil Verius Going over one of the four English Colonels into the Low-Countries and endeavouring to raise the fiege of Breda he so over-heated himself with Marching Fighting and vexing the Designe not succeeding that he dyed after Anno Dom. 16 ...... He married Diana one of the Co-heirs of William Earl of Exeter afterwards to Edward Earl of Elgin by whom he left no Issue Observations on the Life of Sir Francis Vere SIr Francis Vere Governour of Bril and Portsmouth was of the ancient and of the most noble extract of the Earls of Oxford and it may be a question whether the Nobility of his house or the honour of his Achievements might most commend him who brought as much glory to his name as he received honour from it He was amongst his Queens Sword-men inferiour to none but superiour to many He lived oftner in the Camp than Court but when his pleasure drew him thither no man had more of the Queens favour and none lesse envied He was a Soldier of great worth and commanded thirty years in the service of the States and twenty years over the English in Chief as the Queens Generall and he that had seen the Battel of Newport might there best have taken him and his noble Brother the Lord of Tilbury to the life They report that the Qu as she loved Martial men would court this Gentleman as soon as he appeared in her presence for he seldome troubled it with the noyse and alarms of supplication his way was another sort of undermining as resolved in the Court as in the Camp as well to justifie his Patron as to serve her Majesty telling her the plain truth more sincerely than any man choosing as he said rather to fall by the malice of his enemies than be guilty of Ingratitude to his friends Yea and when he sued for the government of Portsmouth and some Grandees a objected that that place was always bestowed on Noblemen he answered There were none ennobled but by their Princes favour and the same way be took The Veres compared Veri scipiadae Duo fulmina belli SIr Francis and Sir Horace Vere sons
should be weighed in those Scales with whom all men concur that know themselves And this was the first evidence of his parts and the occasion of his reputation Three Grasiers at a Faiâ— had left their money with their Hostess while they went to Market one of them calls for the money and runsaway the other two come upon the woman and sue her for delivering that which she had received from the three before the three came and demanded it The Cause went against the Woman and Judgement was ready to be pronounced when Mr. Noy being a stranger wisheth her to give him a Fee because he could not plead else and then moves in Arrest of Judgement that he was retained by the Defendant aâ—d that the case was this The Defendant had received the money of the three together and confesâ—eth was not to deliver it untill the same three demanded it and therefore the money is ready Let the three men come and it shall be paid a motion which altered the whole proceeding Of which when I hear some say it was obvious I remember that when Columbus had discovered America every one said it was easie And he one day told a company at Table where he was that he could do a stranger thing than that discovery he would make an Egge stand an end on a plain Table the speculatives were at a losse how it should be done he knocks the Egg upon the end and it stands Oh! was that all they cryed Yes saith he this is all and you see how hard a thing it is to conceive a thing in the Idea which it 's nothing to apprehend in the performance I need say no more of this Gentleman but that Sergeant Maynard will say to this hour he rose mainly at first by being looked upon as Mr. Noy's Favourite Observations on the Life of Sir John Savil. THe methods of this Gentleman's advancement exactly parallel those of his Countrey-man Sir Thomas Wentworth Both had the same foundation of wealth and honour to build on both had solid and strong parts to act by both began with Popularity in the Countrey proceeded with activity in Parliaments accomplished themselves with correspondence all over the Nation both eminent upon the Bench both hospitable at home both bountiful to Lecturers both well skilled in and stedfast to the great poynts of Prerogative and Liberty For the last whereof they were so bold as sure either by carrying the Cause to oblige the People to themselves or by suffering for it to enrage them against the Government that Sir R. Weston made it his business to take off the one and my Lord of Canterbury the other which they did with such successe that as my Lord Wentworth became a great Favourite so the Lord Savile was an eminent Counsellor onely finding that his young Neighbor had got the start of him he kept to one of his popular Principles always viz. a restless impetuosity towards Papists against whom he made himself famous 1. For a Disputation procured by him in Drury-Lane whither he brought Bishop Vsher under the notion of a Countrey-Parson when the Jesuites cryed There was more Learning in that Parson than in all the men in England 2. For a project offered by him in Parliament For when they taking advantage of King Charles his wants proffered to maintain five thousand men to serve his Majesty in Ireland and a proportion of Ships to secure him in England on condition of the free exercise of their Religion Sir John interposed That if the King were pleased but to call on the Recusants to pay Thirds legally due to the Crown it would prove a way more effectual and lesse offensive to raise a masse of money It being but just that they who were so rich and free to purchase new Priviledges should first pay their old Penalties When I read of a Lord Savile going privately to Scotland 16â—9 subscribing to a Petition with other moderate Lords as they called them containing the very sense of the faction insomuch that it is observed the City-Petition and theirs were couched in the same words yet going to Oxford and after all being so turbulent there that his Majesty was feign to send him beyond Sea where his Majesty writes with his own hand He doubts be will rather exchange his villany than end it I am almost of that wise mans minde that there were no lesse then 17 particular Designs set on foot by the promotion of the late Troubles whereof though most yet not all were carried on in Westminster or to enforce something more solid that a King should say as the Italian doth If my Subject deceives me once God forgive him If a second time God forgive me and the rather because it 's fatal for Majestie to erre twice Oservations on the Life of the Lord Bishop Williams A Strong constitution made his parts a strict education improved them unwearied was his industry unexpressible his capacity He never saw the book of worth he read not he never forgot what he read he never lost the use of what he remembred Every thing he heard or saw was his own and what was his own he knew how to use to the utmost His extraction being Gentile his Soul large and noble his presence and carriage comely and stately his learning copious his judgement stayed his apprehension clear and searching his expression lively and effectual his elocution flowing and majestick his Proctorship 1612. discovered him a person above his place and his Lectures to his Pupils above his preferment Bishop Vaughan first admitteth him to his Family and then to his bosome there his strong Sermons his exact government under my Lord his plentiful observation his numerous acquaintance made him my Lord Chancellor Egerton's friend rather than his servant his familiar rather then his Chaplain Never was there a more communicative Master to instruct than my Lord Elsemere never a more capable Scholar to learn than Doctor Williams who had instilled to him all necessary State-maximes while his old Master lived and had bequeathed to him four excellent Books when his Master was dead These four books he presented to King James the very same time that he offered himself to the Duke of Buckingham The Excellent Prince observed him as much for the first gift as the noble Duke did for the second the King and Duke made him their own who they saw had made that excellent Book his Willing was King James to advance Clergy-men and glad to meet with men capable of Advancement His two Sermons at Court made him Dean of Westminster his exact state of the Earl of Somerset's Case made him capable of and the KING'S inclination to trust his Conscience in a Divines hand fetled him in the Lord Keepers place actually onely for three yeares to please the people who were offended with his years now but 34. and his calling a Divine but designedly for ever to serve his Majesty The Lawyers despised him at first but the
Judges admired him at last and one of them said That never any man apprehended a Case so clearly took in all the Law Reason and other Circumstances more punctually recollected the various Debates more faithfully summed it up more compendiously and concluded more judiciously and discreetly For many of them might have read more than he but none digested what they had read more solidly none disposed of their reading more methodically none therefore commanded it more readily He demurred several Orders as that of my Lord Chancellor's pardon the Earl Marshal's Patent c. to let his Majesty see his judgement yet passed them to let him see his obedience He would question the Dukes Order sometimes discreetly to let him know he understood himself yet he would yield handsomely to let him see he understood him and indeed he had the admirable faculty of making every one of his actions carry prudence in the performance Necessary it was for one of his years and place to keep his distance and avoid contempt yet fatal was it to him to do so and incur envy Well understood he the interest of all his places and resolutely he maintained them What saith he shall the Liberties of Westminster be infringed when the chief Favourite is Steward and the Lord Keeper Dean and I the contemptible man that must be trampled on When he was in trouble what passion what insinuation what condescention hath he at command when petitioned to how quickly he looked through men and business how exactly would he judge and how resolutely conclude without an immediate intimation from his Majesty or the Duke Many eyes were upon him and as many eyes were kept by him upon others being very watchful on all occasions to accommodate all Emergencies and meet with all humors-alwayes keeping men in dependance on the Duke according to this intimation of his Cabal 287. Let him hold it but by your Lordships favour not his own power A good way had he been constant to it the neglect whereof undid him for designing the promotion of Doctor Price to the Arch-Bishoprick of Armagh he moved it to the Duke who told him it was disposed of to Doctor Vsher Whereupon he went his own way to advance that man and overthrew himself For 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 peremptorinesse of his judgement rendered him odious his compliance with Bristol suspected and his Sermon at King James his Funeral his tryal rather than his preferment obnoxious 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 Phlegme and its patience do better in a retreat from miscarriages This he wanted when it may be thinking fear was the passion of King Charles his Government as well as King James he seconded his easie fall 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 layd 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 troublesome 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 Wales where it 's all mens wonder to hear of his meruit sub Parliamento had those private grounds and reasons that if he Bishop could have spoke with the King but half an hour he said would have satisfied him the King of Kings onely knoweth to whom he hath given I hope a better account than any Historian of his time hath given for him But I understand better his private inclinations than his publick actions the motions of his nature than those of his power the conduct of the one being not more reserved and suspicious than the effects of the other manifest and noble for not to mention his Libraries erected at St. John's and Westminster his Chappel in Lincoln-Colledge the repairs of his Collegiate Church his pensions to 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 case provided Take this remarkable instance of his muniâ—icence that when Du Moulin came over he calleth his Chaplain now the R. R. Father in God John 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 aâ— his fiâ—st liesure The excellent Doctor rejoyneth that he could carry him no lesse than twenty pounds the noble Bishop replyeth he named not the sumâ— to sound his Chaplains mind adding that twenty pounds was neither fit for him to give nor fo 〈…〉 the reverend Foreigner to receive Carry him said he an hundred pounds He is libelled by common same 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 〈◊〉 infirmities he was most compleat in Courtly addresses the conversablenesse of this Bishop wiâ—â— Women confisted chiefly if not onely in his treatments of great Ladies and Persons of honour wherein he did personate the compleatness of coâ—tesie to that Sex otherwise a woman was seldome seen in his house which therefore had always mo 〈…〉 of Magnificence than Neatnesse sometimes defective in the Punctilio's and Niceties of Daintinesse lying lower than masculine Cognizance and as level for a womans eye to espy as easie for her handâ— to amend He suffereth for conniving at Puritans out of hatred to Bishop Laud and for favouring Papists o 〈…〉 of love to them Yet what-ever he offered Ki 〈…〉 James when the Match went on in Spain as 〈◊〉 Councellour or what-ever he did himself as 〈◊〉 States-man such kindnesse he had for our Lituâ—gy 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 Majestie doth
the Hugonots depended and put a re 〈…〉 resolution in King Lewis to advance against the Valtoline and Spain by the advantage of the Leaguâ— with England proceeding upon this Maxime wiâ—â— that King They that have respect to few things 〈◊〉 easily misled I had almost forgot how this Lord finding thaâ— want of Treasure at home was the ground of ouâ— unsuccessful and despicableness abroad and thaâ— Principe senza quatrius è come un muro senza crâ—l 〈…〉 da tulls scompisliato That a Prince without money is like a wall without a Crosse for every one to draw upon did mention the Excize in the Parliament-House and in no ill meaning neither and was violently cryed to the Bar and though a person of that eminence as being then a Privy-Councellor and principal Secretary of State he hardly escaped â—eing committed to the Tower So odious was â—â—at Dutch-Devil as they called it in the excelâ—â—t King Charles which was raysed by the beloâ—ed Parliament with many more that were conjuâ—ed up in three or four years but not likely to be â—aid in three or fourscore Living in those times when weak men imagined â—o themselves some unknown bliss from untried goâ—ernments and considering that alterations counâ—ervail not their own dangers and as they bring â—ittle good to any so they bring least of all to those â—hat first promoted them This Lord refused to be â—he mouth of the Zealous multitude whose rage â—ould neither be well opposed nor joyned with whom a pardon or compliance might bring off leaving their Demagogues to compound for their folâ—â—y with their ruine choosing rather to be patient than active and appear weak than be troublesome and once resolved upon an exact survey of circumstances for power against the faults of it on the one â—â—and and the affronts of it on the other he gained the esteem of all parties by his fidelity to his own I am much taken with his plain saying which I finde of late printed There will be mistakes in Divinity while men preach and errours in Government while such govern And more with his method of proceeding in his affairs whereof he laid first an Idea in his own minde and then improved it by debate the result whereof was usually so compleat as shewed the vast difference between the shallow conceptions of one man and the deep judgement of many Observations on the Lives of Sir Richard and Sir Jerome Weston Earls of Portland SIr Richard Weston in his youth impaired his estate to improve himself with publick accomplishment but came off both a saver and a gainer at the last when made Chancellor of the Exchequer and afterwards upon the remove of the Earl of Marlborough July 15. in the fourth of King Charles Lord Treasurer of England His activity in Parliament made him considerable at Court none fitter to serve a Prince than he who commands the humor of the people Indeed where ever he was he discovered himself able and faithful 1. In his Foreign Employments his judgement was searching and reach admirable he being the first that smelt out the intentions against the Palatinate which were then in brewing and mashed with much art In his Domestick charge his Artifice was singular both in a faithful improvement of the Inâ—â—mes and a discreet moderation of the expences in his Masters Revenues In his Aspect there was a mixture of authority and modesty in his apprehensions quickness and solidity in his port and train a suitable dignity and correspondence with little noyse and outward form An enemy to Complements yet very courteous no flatterer yet of great power irreconcileable to frothy formality yet maintaining a due regard to his person and place A great Scholar he was and yet a great States-man of various erudition and as large observation He secured himself much by Alliances with the best Nobility more by the love and what is more the esteem of a constant King it being one of the wonders of that time that my Lord of Canterbury and he who were at so much distance from one another should be so inward with their Soveraign but that that excellent Prince measured not his affections to his Dependants so much by a particular interest as by a publick serviceableness The necessity of the Exchequer put him upon some ways of supply that displeased the rabble though his three particular cares viz. The paying of the Navy the satisfying of the City and the Queen of Bohemia's supply three things he was very much intent upon while Treasurer obliged the wiser sort of men I know nothing he was defective in being careful to use his own words to perform all duties with obedience to his Majestie respect to the Duke and justice to the particular parties concerned But that he had so much of his Master's love and so little of his patience being grated as all States-men are that have to do with various interests and humors between a strong inclination of satisfying every man and the impossibility of pleasing all Considering the importunities of persons and affairs a little impatience must needs fall upon your Lord-ship writes Sir Henry Wottoâ— to him unlesse you had been cut out of a Rock of Diamonds especially having been before so conversant with liberal Studies and with the freedom of your own minde In his time was the great Question agitated Whether a Prince should aime at the fear or the lovâ— of his People Although no Prince did more to oblige his People than the Excellent King Charles the I Yet was there no Prince ever more advised to awe them For this Lord and many more who looked upon over-much indulgence as the greatest cruelty considering that men love at their own pleasure and to serve their own turn and that their fear depends upon the Princes pleasure were of opinion That every wise Prince ought to ground upon that which is of himself and not upon that which is of another government being set up in the world rather to trust its own power than stand upon others courtesie Besides two things the vulgar are taken with 1. Appearance 2. The event of things which if successful gains both their love and reverence Neither was the Father more exact in his Maximes than the Son in his of whose many infallible principles this was one That it was the safest way for the King's Majestie to proceed upon a Declaration that the Faction at Westminster was no Parliament upon his own and his most loyal Lords and Commons removal to Oxford And this another That provided the Gentry and Clergy were well principled and His Majestie that now is had a constant correspondence with the most eminent of them it was our Interest to promote his Majesties grandeur abroad and sit still at home untill the Faction might be so secure as to divide and his Majesties Interest became so conspicuous by the Principles that were kept up at home and the State that was born abroad as to command all And really his
at Law the first of February 1626. 〈◊〉 on the eighth day following was sworn Lord Chief-Justice of the Kings-Bench succeeding in that Office next save one unto his Country-man Sir James Ley than alive and preferred Lord Treasurer born within two miles one of another and next of all under Sir Francis Crew lately displaced Now though he entred on his Place with some disadvantage Sir Randal being generally popular and though in those dayes it was â—ard for the same Person to please Court and Countrey yet he discharged his Office with laudable integrity until 1631. Prudence obligeth Princes to refer the management of affairs to persons who have the reputation of extraordinary hoâ—esty especially to the transacting of such things which notwithstanding their innate justice may provoke any evill spirits The most part of man-kinde guessing onely by their own senses and apprehensions judge of the affairs by the persons wh 〈…〉 conduct them Opinion guideth the world and the reputation of him that negotiateth sets a value and price upon his words and actions and the opinion which is conceived of him is so absolute 〈◊〉 Umpire that there is no appeal from his judgement Opinion is the strongest thing in the world Truth the next Observations on the Life of Sir Walter Aston HE was a Gentleman of so much diligence in the Spanish Negotiations that there were no Orders Cabals Consultations in th 〈…〉 intricate time c. he was not acquainted with 〈◊〉 so much resolution that there was not a dangerous Message in that great businesse he would nâ— deliver Of that excellent converse that therâ— was not that Minister of State in that jealous Co 〈…〉 he was not familiar with Very observant he waâ— by Don Juan Taxardoes means of the Spanish prâ—ceedings and as well skilled with the Duke 〈◊〉 Buckingham's direction in the English though yâ— he confessed himself almost lost in those Intrigue had not the Duke stood between him and the King displeasure that suspected him and the Prince 〈◊〉 jealousie that feared him He had need have steady head that looks into such depths But as 〈…〉 had an excellent faculty of excusing others mis 〈…〉 iages so he had a peculiar way of salving his 〈◊〉 being advantaged with a great foresight a 〈◊〉 reservedness and a ready spirit Few understood better the Importance of the 〈…〉 glish Trade with Spain None pursued more diâ—gently its priviledges and freedom tracing most the secret Counsels and resolutions so closely at he was able with his industry and money to 〈◊〉 an account of most proceedings In the ma 〈…〉 gement whereof he resigned himself to the 〈…〉 ke's disposal professing to own no judgement 〈…〉 affection but what was guided by his direction 〈◊〉 own words are these Vntil I know by your Gra 〈…〉 favour by what compasse to guide my course I can 〈◊〉 follow his Majesties revealed will And the 〈…〉 ke's answer this You desire me to give you my opinion My ancient acquaintance long custome of lo 〈…〉 you with constancy of friendship invites me to 〈…〉 you this office of good will My Lord of Bristol shuffled the Cards well but 〈◊〉 Walter Aston playd them best The first set a 〈…〉 ign but the second pursued it being happy an humble and respectâ—uâ— carriage which open 〈…〉 the breast and unlocked the hearts of all men 〈…〉 him He that looked downward saw the Stars in 〈…〉 water but he who looked onely upward could 〈…〉 see the waters in the Stars Indeed there was in his countenance such a 〈…〉 one of sweetnesse and his words had so power 〈…〉 a charm set off with so agreeable and taking â—â—avity that the respect due to him was not lost in 〈◊〉 love he had deserved nor the love he attained to abated by the respect he commanded being one that had and gave infinite satisfaction in the Negotiations he engaged in Wherein among other things he would urge how unpolitick and unsuccessful it is for the Spanyard to meditate a conqueâ— of Europe where all his Neighbours oppose him rather than Asia where they would all joyn with him out of Interest and Conscience both to securâ— him from France and carry him towards Turkey at whose doors his friend the Emperour was ready to attaque them upon any Mutiny or Rebellion then frequent among them whose strength sai 〈…〉 Machiavel lyeth more in Tradition than in any real Truth Considering the contrary complexions of the people in point of Interest and Religion that can admit of no considerable coalition upon the approach of a Foreign impression Observations on the Life of Sir Julius Caesar SIr Caesar's Father being Physitian to Q 〈…〉 Elizabeth and descended of the ancient Family of the Dalmarii in Italy then living a Tottenham neer London This his Son was bred 〈◊〉 Oxford and after other intermediate preferments was advanced Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancâ—ster and sworn a Privy-Councellor on Sunday th 〈…〉 sixth of July 1607. and afterwards was preferreâ— Master of the Rolls A Person of prodigious bouâ—ty to all of worth or want so that he might seeâ— to be Almoner-general of the Nation The story is well known of a Gentleman who once borrowing his Coach which was as well known to poor people as any Hospital in England was so rendevouz'd about with Beggars in London that it cost him all the money in his purse to satiâ—fie their importunity so that he might have hired twenty Coaches on the same terms Sir Francis Bacon Lord Verulam was judicious in his Election when perceiving his Dissolution to approach he made his last Bed in effect in the house of Sir Julius He continued more then twenty years Mr. of the Rolls and though heaved at by some Expectants sate still in his Place well poysed therein with his gravity and integrity Vir tantarum Elâ—emosynarum non movebitur a man of so great Alms and Prayers made by him and for him shall not be removed Nor was it without a prosperous Omen that his chief House in Hartfordshire was called Benington that is Villa benigna the bountiful Village as one Author will have it or as another Villa beneficii the Town of good turns from the River so named running by it His Arms were these viz. Gules three Roses Argent on a Chief of the first so many Roses of the second embleming the fragrancy of the Memory he hath left behinde him His Monument in great St. Hellens London being out of the road of ordinary Fancies was thus designed by himself in form of a Deed in ruffled Parchment in allusion to his Office as Master of the Rolls OMnibus Christi fidelibus ad quos hoc praesens Scriptum pervenerit Sciatis me Julium Dalmare alias Caesarem Militem utriusque legis Doctorem Elizabethae Reginae Supremae Curia Admiralitatis judicem unum 〈◊〉 Magistris libellorum Jacobo Regi ae Privatis Conciliis Cancellarium Scaccarii Scriniorum Magistrum hac praesenti Charta mea Confirmasse me
Hampden and Lawrence 1639. to settle the League with their dear Brethren in Scotland while he formed the grand Design in England with so much successe that when there were some Overtures made for saving the Earl of Strafford and securing the Kingdome by the Party upon condition of preferment as that Master Hampden should be Tutor to the Prince the Earl of Essex his Governour Mr. Pym Chancellor of the Exchequer the Earl of Warwick Vice-Admiral he was to be Master of the Court of Wards which he compassed when the rest mist of their expectation No more of him but that the King going to Scotland he refusing a Protestation against the Scots had these questions proposed to him 1. Whether he would go with the King at his own charge 2. Whether Rebellion was a just cause of War 3. Whether the taking of Castles Crowns Magazines c. was not Rebellion To the first he answered That though as a Peeâ— and Subject he could not be forced out of his Countrey but upon extraordinary occasion yet out of affection to his Majesty he would attend him referring the matter of charge to himself To the two last he said he understood not the Law of Scotland but that those proceedings were Treason in England Observations on the Life of the Earl of Lindsey HE and that whole Family I know not whether more pious or more valiant whether more renowned abroad as Confessors for their Religion or as Champions for their Country have been in this last Age an ornament and a defence to this Crown equally reverenced by the Subjects of it and honoured by the Soveraigns This Noble-man and the Earl of Essex did as Jugurtha and Manus learn in one School what they practised in two The one as a faithful Subject for that government that had obliged his Family the other as a discontented Rebel against that that had disobliged his Both Commanders for the Palatinate against the Emperor and for Rochel against the French When the Duke of Buckingham returned from the Isle of Rhee his Majestie told him The neglect of his relief must lodge on his Friend and Confident Holland To which he acknowledged That indeed he had very affectionately intrusted him in ordinary Affairs but never in such an esteem as to second him in Arms that place being more proper for my Lord of Lindsey whose judgement of that Expedition was That it was friendship in earnest and War in jest He it was that pursued twelve French Vessels in his own single one to their Haven heated at once with anger and shame He it was who when all men were amazed at the Duke's fall was assigned his successor Certainly saith one them present He was a person of no likely presence but of considerable experience by his former Expeditions and one that to the last of his life made good his Faith with Gallantry and Courage notwithstanding his ill successe the times fate rather than his fault 1. In scouring the narrow Sea 〈…〉 where he was Admiral and the Earl of Essex Vice-Admiral 2. In presiding in several great Cou 〈…〉 on many solemn occasions the Earl of Strafford's unparallel'd Tryal c. And 3. In leading the King's Army at Edge-Hill with a Pike in his hand Where what is observed of Cataline and his followers was true of this noble Earl and his Country-men the Loyal Gentry of Lincoln-shire that they covered the same place with their Corps when dead where they stood in the fight whilest living Observations on the Life of Judge Richardson JUdge Richardson was born at Mulbarton in Norfâ— his Father being Minister thereof and he a friend to Ministers though a foe of the Church He was bred in the study of our Municipal Law and became the King's Sergeant therein Afterwards on the 28 of November 1626. he was sworn Chief-Justice of the Common-Pleas that Place having been void ten months before wherein he was humorsome but honest onely unhappy in that he raised the Sabbatarian Controversie by his orders against Wakes in Somerset-shire His Brasse Monument on the South-side of Westminsterâ—bby thus entertaineth the Reader Deo om Thomae Richardsoni Icaeni Equitis Aurati Humanum Depositum Ille Juris Municip omnes gradus exantlavit â—enventus tertii ordinis ann Jacobi Regis 21 22. Prolocutor extitit Fori civilis communium Placitorum vocant Supremum Magistratum quinquennium gessit Ad summum tandem primarii per Angliam Judicis Tribunal A Rege Carolo evectus expiravit Anno Aetatis 66. Salutis MDCXXXIIII Tho. Richardson fil unicus Eques Aâ—â— Baro Scotiae designatus Patri incomparabili posuit As one reason of his advancement you must know this Judge married for his second Wife the Lady Eliz. Beaumont the Sister as I take it of Mary Countess of Buckingham and the Relict of ..... Ashburnham Knight She was by K. Charles 〈…〉 eated Baronesse of Croumont in Scotland and though Issuless by the Judge the Honour discented to his Grand-child He died an enemy to Bishop Williams over-ruling all his Pleas in his Cham 〈…〉 r 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 fortune 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 and University for his particular learning at the Innes 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 created Lord Coventry of Alisbury and Keeper of the great Seal Why saith the Patent for his eminent fidelity for his 〈◊〉 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 immoveablenesse and fidelity No man morâ— apprehensive 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 uâ— his great capacities having digested a body 〈◊〉 the most honest Law and a scheme of the most innocent policy that ever fillled the head of an ablâ— States-man or the heart of an upright Judge Whaâ— belonged to him he knew and what he knew hâ— 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 seldome reversed because mostly including the consent of Parties Few Attorney-Generals came off with lesse censure and few Lord Keepers with lesse guilt his Predecessors miscarriages being foils to set off his exactnesse Eminent as in most other Ca 〈…〉 s so particularly in that of Pryn Bastwicke 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 Magistrates in the Land none should passe 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 affording not one every way of more apt Qualifications for the place His front and presence bespake a venerable regard not interiour 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 â—ot 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 all 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 〈◊〉 knowing that such men loved the King better the Charles Stuart So that although he was a Courtier and had had for his Master a Passion most in tense yet had he always a passion reserved for the publick welfare an argument of a free noble and right-principled minde For what both Court and Country have always held as inconsistent is 〈◊〉 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 the Earl of Strafford SIr Thomas Wentworth Earl of Strafford owned his birth to the best-govern'd City London his breeding to the best-modelled School York and a most exact Colledge St. John in Cambridge his accomplishments to the best Tutors Travail and Experience and his prudence to the best School a Parliament whither he cam in the most active and knowing times with 〈◊〉 strong brain and a large heart his activity waâ— 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 Defigns 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 and the addition of his own He and his leading Confidents 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 States-man he understood their methods kenned their wiles observed their designs looked into their combinations comprehended their interest And as King Charles 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 seldome extinguished yet Doctrine and Discourse had much allayed the severity of this Earl's nature and Custome more None more austere to see to none more obliging to speak with He observed pauses in his discourse to attend the motion and draw out the humour of other men at once commanding his own thoughts and watching others His passion was rather the vigour than the disorder of his well-weighed soul which could dispense its anger with as much prudence as it managed any act of State He gave his Majesty safe counsel in the prosperity of his Affairs and resolute advice in Extreamity as a true servant of his interest rather than of his power So eminent was he and my Lord of Canterbury that Rebellion despaired of successe as long as the first lived and Schisme of licentiousnesse as long as the second stood Take my Lord of Strafford as accused and you will finde his Integrity and Ability that he managed his whole Government either by the Law or the Interest of his Countrey Take him as dying and you will see his parts and piety his resolution for himself his self-resignation for the Kingdoms good his devotion for the Church whose patrimony he forbade his son upon his blessing Take him as dead you will finde him glorious and renowned in these three characters The first of the best King I looked upon my Lord of Strafford as a Gentleman whose great Abilities might make a Prince rather afraid than ashamed to employ him in the greatest Affairs of State for those were prone to create in him great confidence of undertakings and this was like enough to hetray him to great Errors and many Enemies whereof he could not but contract great store while moving in so high a sphere and with so vigorous a lustre he must needs as the Sun raise many envious exbalations which condensed by a popular Odium were capable to cast a cloud upon the brightest merit and integrity though I cannot in my judgement approve all he did driven it may be by the necessities of Times and the temper of that People more than led by his own disposition to any beighth
fit Ecclesiarum Scabies Nomen alià s quâ—re 7. Going yearly to Bocton for the connaturalness of that Ayr and to Winchester or Oxford for Recreation he would say to his friends How useful was that advice of a holy Monk who perswaded his friend to perform his customary devotion in a constant place where his former thoughts might meet him for said he at my being at that School seeing the place where I sate when I was a boy occasioned me to remember my youthful thoughts sweet thoughts indeed that promised my growing years numerous pleasures without mixture of cares and those to be enjoyed when time which I thought slow-paced changed my youth to man-hood and now there are a succession of Boys using the same recreation and questionless possessed with the same thoughts Thus one generation succeeds another both in their Lives Recreations Hopes Fears and Deaths 8. There are four things that recommend Sir Henry Wotton to posterity 1. That King Charles took great pleasure in corresponding with him in Letters 2. That my Lord Racon took great pains in collecting his Apophthegmeâ— 3. That Sir Richard Baker who submitted most of his Writings to his Censure said of him That the Kingdome yielded not a fitter man to match the Capriciousnesse of the Italian wits And 4. That his work of Architecture is translated into Latine printed with Vitruvius and this Elogy prefixed Henricns Wottonus Anglo-Cantianus Tho optimi viri Filius Natu minimus a serenissimo Jacobo I. Magnae Britanniae c. Rege in Equestrem titulum ascitus ejusdemque ter ad Remp Venetam Legatus Ordinarius semel ad Confaederatarum Provinciarum Ordines in Juliensi Negotio bis ad Carolum Emanuelem Subaudiae ducem Semel ad unitos superioris Germaniae Principes in Conventu Heilbronnensi Postremo ad Archducem Leopoldum Ducem Wirtenbergensem Civitates Imperiales Argentinam Ulmamque ipsum Romanorum Imperatorem Ferdinandum II. Legatus Extraordinarius Tandem hoc Dedicit Animas sapientiores fieri quiescendo Observations on the Lives of the Lord Wilmot and Sir Tho. Roe THese honourable persons are united not so much in their own relation or character as in my unhappinesse who was promised Observations on the life of the first but never had them and had some on the life of the second but lost them 1. My Lord Wilmot I finde acting like a States-man when Commissary in the expedition against the Scots and speaking like a Soldier when a Member of the Parliament that was for them in the first capacity speaking with my Lord Conway he saw the King would be overcome by the English at home if he overcame not the Scots abroad In the second whispering with some Army-Officers he said If the Scots Army were paid in the North the King's Army would be paid in the South A wise and brave speech that had almost rallied all the Army against the Parliament as soon as that Parliament had rallied their multitude against the King but that treachery got easily into the bosome of that brave Prince that had nothing but honesty in his heart Yet since he could not awe the counsels of the faction in the City he went to suppresse their Rebellion in the Field being voted a Traytor by the Rebels because he endeavoured they should not be so What he performed in the Wars all the Kingdome knows what he did at Oxford the King's Letters intimate what he negotiated in Germany acted in Scotland endeavoured at Wâ—rcester and other places for the King's Majesties escape and restauration posterity shall celebrate while he lives as renownedly in History as he doth nobly in his son the most hopeful Earl of Rochester 2. Sir Thomas Roe understood the dispositions of men so exactly could suit their humours so fitly observe opportunities and seasons of actions so punctually keep correspondence so warily wade through difficulties so handsomely wave the pinch of a businesse so dexterously contrive Interests so suitably that he was advised with concerning the most important Affairs of the Kingdoms he resided in abroad and admitted of the Privy-Councel while he lived at home Where his speech against the debasing of the Coyn at the Council-Table will last as long as there is reason of State in the world His settlement of Trade as long as this is an Island and his Eastern MSS. as long as there are Books to furnish Libraries or Libraries to preserve Books Three of the noblest English actions beyond Sea are these 1. That Sir Thomas Roe pardoned the Dutch Merchants thrice in Persia and Turkey at his mercy 2. That my Lord Wilmot when Embassador in Germany refused the assistance of the Popes Nuncio or Turkish Aga judging his great Master when at lowest above those suspected Auxiliaries 3. That my Lord Culpeper having offered him in Muscovy all the English goods there refused them declaring his Royal Master a Father of his Country though kept out of it by Traytors and a merciful Prince to his People when cast off by the Rebels Observations on the Life of Arch-Bishop Juxon WIlliam Juxon born at Chichester in Sussex was bred Fellow in St. John'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 Tetrarch of humours being admirably Master of his Pen and Passion For his Abilities he was successively preferred by King Charles the first Bishop of Hereford 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 troublesome place in those 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 mildenesse 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 Treasurers 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 Prelat's honour that amongst the many worthy Bishops of our Land King Charles the first selected him for his Confessor at his Martyrdome 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 the reason that
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 Dean of Westminster His minde great and resolute insomuch that he controuled all other advices to his last to his losse in Wales and daunted Sir John Cook as you may see in his character to his honour in England His warinesse 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 unlock it That he had as great a memory as 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 forelayd performances went not beyond his sudden and ready accommodations Onely 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 Naunton and Sir Francis Nethersole were in at Cambridge He was born in Northampton-shire his Father Arthur Wake being Parson of Billing Master of the Hospital of St. Johns in Northampton and Canon of Christs-Church bred Fellow of Merton-Colledge in Oxford Proctor and Orator of that University whence he was admitted Secretary to Sir Dudley 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 neglected 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 merit 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 Latine account of King James his six dayes stay at Oxford speaks his Learning and his Instructions for Travel his experience He observing his Predecessors failings retrenched his expences satisfying himself with a repute of noblenesse 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 States-man 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 1. 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 Spanyards saying The Indies will pay for this And 4. Entertaining knowing men often applauding that Emperour's maxime That bad 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 Fran. Cottington 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 Successe 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 juxon 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 Charles his person as his integrity did to his service Nor to his service onely 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 States-men 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