tender to any one Minister of my Diocess by the inâ—itation of some buâ—â—e interlopers of the neighbour County some of them began to enter into an unkind contestation with me about the election of Clerks for the Convocation whom they secreâ—ly without ever acquainting me with their desire or purpose as driving to that end â—hich we see now accomplished would needs nominate and set up in competition to those whom I had after the usual form recommended to them That they had a right to free voices in that choice I deny not only I had reason to take it unkindly that they would work underhand without me and against me It came to the poll those of my nomination carried it the Parliament begun after some hard tugging there returning hoâ—e upon a recesse I was met by the way and chearfully welcomed by some hundreds 19. In no worse terms I left that my once dear Diocese when returning to Westminster I was soon called by his Majestie who was then in the North to a remove to Norwich But how I took the Tower in my way and how I have been dealt with since my repair hither I could be lavish in the sad report ever desiring my good God to enlarge my heart in thankfulnesse to him for the sensible experience I have had of his Fatherly Hand over me in the deepest of all my Afflctions and to strengthen me for whatsoever other tryals he shall be pleased to call me unto That being found faithful unto the death I may obtain that Crown of life which he hath ordained for all those that overcome See Bishop Hall's Hard Measure VI. Sr THOMAS MORE Out of his Life Written by J. H. D. Timotheo Norwood eâ— Int. Temp. UERA EFFIGIES THOMAE MORI QVONDAM TOTIUS ANGLIAE CANCELLARII DIGNISSIMI ETc 2. The Arch-bishop for his advance in learning sent him to Cant Coll. now Christ-Church in Oxford Thence he removed to New Inn an Inne of Chancery to study the Law then to Lincolns Inn where he was made Barrister And then he for some time read upon S. Austins de Civ Dei in S. Laurence Church where his Lectures were frequented by Grocin and other learned men then for three years was he eader in Furnivals Inn after which for about four years he gave himself to study and devotion in the Charter-house 3. He was first maried to Mr Coles daughter of New-hall in Essex and lived with her in Bucklers-burie in London where he had by her one Son and three Daughters whom he brought up in virtue and learning often exhorting them to take that for their meat and play but for their sauce 4. In the later end of K. Henry 7. he fell into the Kings displeasure for opposing the imposition proposed in Parliament toward the matching of the Lady Margaret into Scotland Which he argued against strongly that one of the Privy Chamber told the King A beardlesse Boy had frustrated all his expectations To avoid danger he determined to have gone over Sea but the Kings death happening soon after acquitted him of his fear 4. Noâ— is he made under-Sheriff of London by which office and his learning together he gained as himself said without grudge of conscience 400l per an for he was of Counsel in most causes chooâ—ing ever the justest side and for the most part victorious Twice was he employed abroad by the Kings conâ—â—nt in some great Causes of the Merchants Being called by Cardinal Wooâ—sie to the Kings service he excused himself at first but at last his fame and merit encreasing the King would take no denial Thus is he made Master of the requests within a month Knighted and one of the Privy Council continuing in his Majesties favour and trusty service twenty years and above In good part of which time the King was so pleased with his converse and taken with the variety of his learned and pleasant discourse that Sr Thomas scarce â—â—â—ained time till he abated of his former mirth once in a month to go home to his wife and children The King upon the death of Weston without asking freely advanced him to be Treasurer of the Exchequer and in the 14 year of his Majesties raign was he chosen Speaker of the House of Commons 5. At this Parliament he crossed the Cardinal and incurred his displeasure so that in revenge he counselled the King to send Sr Thomas Embassadour into Spain commending his wisdom learning and fitnesse for that employment But Sr Thomas having declared to his Majestie how unfit a journy it was for him to undertake the nature of the Country and his complexion so disagreeing that if he were sent thither he should be sent to his grave neverthelesse being ready with the peril of his life to fulfil his Majesties pleasure the King graciously said It is not our meaning Mr More to do you hurt but to do you good we would be glad we therefore will think of some other and employ your service otherwise And such entire favour did the King bear him that upon the death of Wingfield he preferred him to be Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster 6. K. Henrie took so great pleasure in Sr Thomas's company that he would suddenly come to his house at Clelsey to be merry with him and once after dinner walking in the Garden about an hour embraced his neck After when his son Roper rejoiced at it I have no cause to be proud of it quoth Sr Thomas for if my head would win him a Castle in France it would not fail to go off 7. Sr Thomas More though in great honour and favour with his Prince was not therefore puft up with pride disdain or arrogancy but was of such a mild behaviour and excellent temper that his Son in Law witnesseth For sixteen years time and more that he dwelt in his house and was conversant with him he could never perceive him so much as once in a passion If he child any for a fault it was with exceeding love and compassion if he fortuned to argue with any learned man as he was visited by many when he perceived his adversarie to be in a streit he would by some witty invention break off and fall into some other matter 8. When Sr Thomas was employed by the King in Flanders an arrogant fellow had set up a Thesis that he would answer any question could be propounded to him in what Art soever Sr Thomas made this question to be put up for him to answer An Averia capta in Withernamia sint irreplegebilia adding that there was one of the English â—mbassadors retinue that would dispute with him thereof This Thraso not so much as understanding those terms of our Common Law became ridiculous to all the town for his bragging 9. As he walked by the Thames side near Chelsey in discourse he said Now would to our Lord upon condition that three things were well established in Christendom I were put into a sack and here presently cast into
accept of his good will and such poor fare as he had Master Lieutenant quoth Sir Thomas I believe you are my frind I thank you for your good will and I assure you I dâ— not mislike my cheer but whensoever I do then thrusâ— me out of your doors 20. In the â—ower he had begun a Divine Treatise of the Passion of Christ and when he came to these words of the Gospel And the laid hands on him and held him they â—ook from him all his Books Ink and Paper so that he could go on no further Afterwards he applyed himself holly to Meditation keeping his Chamber windows fast shut and very dark the occasion whereof the Lieutenant asking It is time said he when all the wares are gone to shut up shop 21. After he had received the sentence of death he said to the Judges My Lords as wâ— read that Paul consented to the death of Stephen and yet be they now both Saints in Heaven and shall continue there friends for ever so I verily trust and shall therefore right heartily pray that though your Lâ—â—dships have been now Judges on earth to my condemnation we may yet hereafter all meet together in Heaven merrily to our everlasting salvation And so I pray God preserve my Soveraign Lord the King and send him faithful Councellors * See the rest if you please in this English Writer or in Stapleton's Latin book Detribus Thomis Sr. Henry Wotton Kt. VII Sr HENRY WOTTON Out of his Life written by Mr Iz Walton D. Roberto Jones Rect. de Leckhampton 1. SIR Henry Wotton was born An. 1568. in Bocton-Hall in the Paâ—ish of Boctoâ— Malherb in the fruitful Country of Kent both House and Church seated within a fair Park of the Wottons on the brow of such a hill as gives the advantage of a large prospect and of equal pleasure to all beholâ—ers But they are not remâ—rkâ—ble for any thing so much as for that the memorable Familie of the Wottons hâ—ve so long inhâ—bited the one and now lie buâ—ied in the other as appears by their mâ—ny Monuments in that Church the Wottons being a Family thâ—t bâ—th broughâ— foâ—th divers Persons eminent for Wisdom and Valour whose Heroick Acts and Noble Employments both in England and in Forein parts have adorned themselves and this Nation 2. Thomas Wotton the Father of our Henrie was a Gent. excellently educated and studious in all the liberal Arts who although he had many invitations from Queen Elizabeth to change his Countrâ—e recreations and retirement for a Court life offering him a Knighthood she was then with him at his Bocton-hall and to be but as an earnest of some more honorable and more profitable imployment under her yet he humbly refuseth both being a man of great modestie of a most plain and single heart of an antient freedom and integritie of mind A commendation which Sir Henrie took occasion often to remember with great gladness and thankfully to boast himself the Son of such a Father from whom indeed he derived that noble Ingenuitie that was alwaies practised by himself and which he ever commended and cherished in others 3. Of this Family was Nicholas Wotton Doctor of Law and sometime Dean of Canterburie a man whom God did not only blesse with a long life but with great abilitiès of mind and an inclination to employ them in the service of his Country as is restified by his several imployments having been sent nine times Embassador unto forein Princes a Privy Councellor to â— Henrie 8 Edward 6. Q. Marie and Q. Elizabeth who imployed him three several times for setling of peace between England Scotland and France who also offered him the Archbishoprick of Cant. but he refused it and dyed not rich though he had lived in the time of dissolution of Abbies He dyed saith learned Camden full of commendation for Wisdom and Pietie 4. The Father of Sir Henrie after the death of his first wife resolved if he should marry again to avoid three sorts of persons namely those that had children or had law suits or were of his kinred And yet following his own Law-suits he met in Westminster-hall with one Mrs Morton widow daughter to Sir William Finch of Kent who was also ingaged in several suits in Law and observing her Comportment at the time of hearing one of her Causes before the Judges he could not but at the same time both compassionate her condition and so affect her person that although there was in her a concurrence of all those accidents against which he had resolved yet he sollicited her for a wife and obtained her By her he had our Henrie his youngest son 5. His Mother was Tutoresse to him during his childhood for hich care and pains he paid her every day with such visible signs of future perfection in learning as turned her imployment into a pleasing trouble After his Father took him into his particular care and disposed of him to a Tutor in his own house and when time and diligent instruction had fitted him which was very early he was sent to Winchâ—ster School a place of stâ—ict Disâ—ipline and Order that so he might in his youth be moâ—ded into a method of living by rule And that he might be confirmed in this Regularitie he was at a fit age removed from that School to New Coll in Oxford 6. There he continued till about the 18th year of his age and was then transplanted into Queens Coll. where within that year he wrote a Play for their private use the Tragedie of Tancredo so ell that the gravest of that Society declared he had in a slight exercise given an early and a solid teâ—imony of future abilities About the 19th year of his age he proceeded Master of Arts and at that time read in Latin three Lectures De oculo wherein having described the form motion curious composure of the eye c. in the conclusion he took a fair occasion to beautifie his discourse with a commendation of the blessing and benefit of seeing so exactly and Rhetorically as among other admirers caused that learned Italian Albericus Gentilis then professor of the Civil Law in Oxford to call him Henrice mi ocelle which dear expression of his was used by many other persons of note during his stay in the Vniversitie 7. After his Optick Lecture he was taken into such a bosom friendship with Gentilis that if it had been possible he would have breathed all his excellent knowledge both of the Mathematicks and Law into the breast of his dear Henrie for so he used to call him and though he was not able to do that yet there was in Sir Harrie such a propensity and connaturalnesse to the Italian language and those studies whereof Gentilis was a great Master that this friendship between them did dayly increase and proved dayly advantageous to Sir Henrie for the improvement of him in several Sciences Among his other friends in Oxford I must not omit the
when the Twelve Bishops whereof this was one remonstrated the just fears they were in and Protested their dissent from all Laws which should be enacted till they might attend service of the House with freedom and saftey They were all charged with high Treason by the House of Commons and committed to Prison c. 27. Our Bishop being after four months discharged from this his first imprisonment returned to his lodgings in Duresm House and there attended his devotions and study till suchtime as his Adversaries thought fit to give him another occasion to exercise his patience under a second Captivity upon occasion of baptising a Child of the Earl of Rutland's according to the Order of the Church And in custody he remained six months before he could obtain his enlargement After this he remained in Duresm house till he was thrown out thence by the soldiers that came to Garrison it a little before that horrid fact was committed upon the person of our late Gracious King and after that being importuned by his honorable friends the Earl and Countess Rutland he became a part of their care and family at Exeâ—er-house for some short time But being loth to live at the charge of others while he was able to subsist of himself and thinking the air of the Country might better suit with his declining years he betook himself to sojourn first with Captain Saunders in Hartfordshire and after with Mr Tho. Rotheram in Bedfordshire till by the great civility and earnest importunity of that Noble young Baronet Sr Henry Yelverton he went with him to his house at Easton-Manduit in Northampton-shire where he found all the tender respect and care from the whole family which a Father could exspect from his children till after some four months he rendred up his happy soul into the hands of his Heavenly Father 28. When the House of Commons had voted for the dissolving of Bishopricks and selling the lands that belonged to them some prevailed for another Vote of Yearly Allowance to present Bishops during their lives Our Bishop had 8001 per an voted to him but while he was able to subsist without it never troubled himself to look after it And at last pressed by necessities having procured a Copy of the Vote found it to contain no more than only that such a sum should be paid but no mention either by whom or whence And by that time he could procure and explanation of the Order to make the Pension payable out of the Revenues of his own Bishoprick all the Lands and Revenues of it were sold or divided among themselves Only by the importunity of his friends he obtained an Order to have 1000l out of their Treasury at Gold-smiths Hall with which he paid his debts and purchased to himself an Annuity of 200l per an during his life upon which he subsisted ever since 29. No man can expect any considerable Legacies in the Will of a person deceased who made his own hands his Executors while he lived like his great kinsman Arch-bishop Morton who chose rather to inrich his kindred and servants in his life time then at his death or rather like Arch-bishop Warham successor to Morton who lying on his death bed called for his Steward to let him know what money he had and understanding from him it was but thirty pound thanked God for it and said He never desired to dye richer Our Bishop had so much left him at his death that he gave 40l to one of his servants who then attenâ—ed him having provided for the other formerly and 10l to the poor of the Parish and his Chalice with a Patin double guilt to the Noble Baronet for the use of his Chapel The rest deducing some small remembrances he ordered for his burial whiâ—h was also sufficient for a Monument though far below his worth yet sutable to his great Modesty 30. I cannot omit the chief Legacy of his Will for the common good of souls in the Church of England particularly in his own Diocess See it in the Funeral Sermon where he concludes thus My earnest exhortation to them is that they would still continue their former Affections notwithstanding all temptations to the contrary both to the Doctrine Discipline Government and Form of Worship in this poor afflicted Church Which if I did not believe to be the securest way for the salvation of souls I had not ventured my own upon the same bottom 31. His high esteem of the sacred Liturgie of the Church of England attended him as I may say to his Grave For he gave expresse command to his Chaplain not to omit nor so much as transpose as he had observed too frequently to be done by others the reading of the Lesson 1 Cor 15. which the Church hath prescribed to be read at the Grave and which being read there while such a spectacle of mortality is before their eyes could not said he but have a greater influence upon their souls than any Funeral Sermon he had ever heard preached Great fervor and devotion he shewed in the Church-prayers whereunto he seldom answered with a single Amen and at which duty he never kneeled upon a Cushion I think in all his life nor ever prayed but upon his knees till he was confined to his death bed and even would neverly with his Cap on his head if he either prayed himself or any other prayed by him while he had strength to pull it off with his own hands Great consolation he took in the Church-preparations for his long home viz. in the profession of his faith and Charitie and Repentance in receiving the benefit of Absolution and the Viaticum of the Holy Eucharist 32. He lived a great number of years and very few ever husbanded theit time better for he was never idle with his good will He was often up at his devotion and study before four a clock even after he had lived above fourscore years and yet very seldom went to bed till after ten and then had alwaies a servant to read some book to him till such time as sleep did surprize him and so had he alwaies when he travelled in his Coach that his journy might not be too great a hinderance to his study He used to lye on a straw bed till he was above fourscore 33. He led his life in a holy and chast celibate The issue of his brain was numerous beside M. SS above twenty several Volumes in print some of which are these that follow Apologia Cath. p. 1. pars 2. The Catholick Appeal Causa Regia The Grand Imposture and proofs Sermons Confessions out of forein Divines for Bishops Gods Providence the last book he lived to publish a fit Meditation for his declining years in those sad Times 34. To add somewhat of his Character 1. His patience In the greatest tryal of his temper that ever he had the news of the Vote that the Revenues of the Church were to be sold he only said The Lord gave
and the Lord hath taken away Blessed be the name of the Lord Which he repeated three times over before the company he was in and presently retired himself to his prayers 2. His Hospitality He entertained the King and his Court and at least the Officers of his Army all at one time in the first expedition toward Scotland which cost him in that place of great cheapnesse above 1500l in one day There seldome came any Scholar to him whether Forein or English whom he did not liberally entertain and dismisse with a considerable sum of mony 3. His Beneficence He built a Free School at Bishop Aukland and endowed it with 24l per au which is more by so much than ever he purchased to himself for that was just nothing He gave many excellent books to the Colledge where he had his Education to the value of 4 or 500l with an intention at last to bestow 100l per an during his life had not the times disabled him to buy books of special worth and not for superfluity 4. His Almsgiving While he was sufferd to enjoy his estate he had his Beadsmen in Livery at a constant Table besides what he gave away at his Gate and upon other occasions Nay so constant was he in this duty even then when he had hardly so much left as to afford bread for his own mouth that he had alwaies a certain number of poor impotent persons in a constant pension that came weekly to him for their allowance when he was not able himself to go among them to give it and this will be abundantly testified by the poor in all places where of late he hath lived 5. His Devotion He would often forgo ot at least much moderate his one meal a day often deny himself some part of that pittance of time allowed for sleep to rise out of his bed and to spend in prayer as the Attendants in his Chamber witnesse See the rest in the reverend Author of his Life and of his Funeral Sermon Ex Epitaphio Nullo non dignus Elogio Eo vero dignior quod nullo se dignum aestimaverit Ob. Crastino S. Mat. Sepult Festo S. Mich. Anno Salut 1659. Aetat 95. Episc 44. The Effigies of Mr George Herbert Author of those Sacred Poems called The Temple IV. M. GEORGE HEREBRT Vide Vol. 1. Out of his Life before his REMAINS D. Richardo Cooper Rect. de Weston 1. MR George Herbert was extracted out of a Generous Noble and Antient Family His Father was Richard Herbert of Blachehall in Montgomery Esq descended from the great Sr Richard Herbert in Edward the IV's time and so his Relation to the Noble Family of that Name well knoâ—n His Mother was daughter of Sr Richard Newport of Arcoll who doubtlesse was a pious daughter she was so good and godly a Mother She had ten children Job's number and Job's distinction seven sons For whose Education she went and dwelt in the Vniversitie to recompence the losse of their Father in giving them two Mothers And this great care of hers this good Son of hers studyed to improve and requite as is seen in those many Latin and Greek Verses the Obsequious Parentalia he made and printed in her Memorie Which though they be good very good yet to speak freely of this man I so much honour they be dull or dead in comparison of his Tempâ—e Poems And no marvel To write those he made his Ink with water of Helicon but these Inspirations Prophetical were distilled from above In those are weak Notions of Nature in these raptures of Grace In those he writ flesh and blood a frail earthly woman though a Mother but in these he praised his Heavenly Father 2. He did thrive so well in Cambridge in Trinitie Coll that he was first chosen Fellow there and afterwards Orator of the University The Memorials of him left in the Orators book shew how he discharged the place and himself intimates Church p. 39. That whereas his Birth and Spirit prompted him to Martial Atchievements The way that takes the Town and not to sit simpering over a Book God did often melt his spirit and entice him with Academick honour to be content to wear and wrap up himself in a Gown so long till he durst not put it off nor retire to any other Calling However probably he might I have heard as other Orators have had a Secretary of States place being one of the most prudent and accomplisht men of his time I have heard sober men censure him as a man that did not manage his brave parts to his best advantage and preferment but lost himself in an humble way That was the phrase I well remember it 3. This good man like a good genuine son of Levi I had like to have said Melchizedek balked all secular waies saw neither Father nor Mother Child nor Brother birth nor friends save in Christ Iesus chose the Lord for his Portion and his service for imployment And he knew full well what he did when he received holy Orders as appears by every page of his Country Parson and by the Poems called Priesthood and Aaron and by his unparallel'd Vigilancy which he used ever in his Parish which made him a Peer to the Primitive Saints and more than a Pattern to his own age 4. Besides his Parsonage of Bemmerton in Wiltshire he had also a Prebend in the Church of Lincoln Which I think because he lived far from and so could not attend the duty of that place he would fain have resigned to Mr Ferrer and often earnestly sued to him to discharge him of it But Mr Ferrer wholly refused and diverted or directed his charity as I take it to the reedefying of the ruin'd Church of Leighton where the Corps of the Prebend lay So that the Church of England owes to him besides what good may come by his book of the Country Parson towards the repair of us Churchmen in point of Morals the Reparation of a Church material and erection of that costly peece of Mosaic or Solomonic work The Temple which florishes and stands inviolate when our other Magnificences are desolate and despised 5. He was of a singular sincerity in embracing and transcendent dexterity in defending the Protestant Religion established in the Church of England He that reads Mr Herbert's Poems attendingly shall find not only the excellencies of Scripture-Divinity and choice Passages of the Fathers bound up in Meeter but the Doctrine of Rome also finely and strongly confuted as in the Poems To Saints and Angels p. 69. The British Church 102. Church militant c. 6. As for our Brethren that erred on the right hand his chief aim was to win those that disliked our Liturgie Catechism c by the constant reverent and holy use of them Which surely had we all imitated having first imprinted the virtue of these prayers in our own hearts and then studied with passionate and affectionate celebration for voice gesture c. as