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A48794 State-worthies, or, The states-men and favourites of England since the reformation their prudence and policies, successes and miscarriages, advancements and falls, during the reigns of King Henry VIII, King Edward VI, Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, King James, King Charles I. Lloyd, David, 1635-1692. 1670 (1670) Wing L2646; ESTC R21786 462,324 909

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our welfare it self Opinion governs the World Princes with their Majesty may be o●t envied and ha●ed without it they are always scorned and contemned Circumstances are often more than the main and shadows are not always shadows Outward Esteem to a great Person is as skin to Fruit which though a thin cover preserveth it King Henry's Person and State did England more Right in a Year than his Predecessors Arms in an Age while they onely impressed a resolution in the Neighbours he a reverence As the Reason of man corr●cting of his sense about the m●gnitude and distance o● heavenly bodies is an argument that he hath an Inorganical Immaterial Impassible and Immortal soul so this Gentlemans Conscience often reflecting upon his policy about the Circumstances of many of his actions was an argument that he was ●uled by holy serious and heavenly Principles One effect whereof was that he desired rather the admonishing paines of a lingring death than the favourable ease of a quick one he reckoning it not an effect of cruelty but a design of mercy that he should dye so ut sentiat se mori and he looked on nothing as so great a snare to his thoughts as the opinion of Origen and some othe●s called merciful Doctors who did indeavour to possess the Church with their opinion of an universal restitution of all Creatures to their pristine Estate after sufficient purgation or any thing more a temptation to other mens souls than the Blasphemy of some making God the Author of good and evil so much worse than the Manichees or Marcionites as they held it not of their good God whom they called Light but of their bad God whom they called Darkness As Princes govern the People so Reason of State the Princes Spain at that time would command the Sea to keep us from the Indies and our Religion to keep us from a Settlement France suspected our Neighbourhood and engaged Scotland the Pope undermined our Designs and obliged the French Sir Anthony at Rome in respectful terms and under Protestation that his Majesty intended no contempt of the See Apostolick or Holy Church intimated his Masters Appeal to the next General Council lawfully assembled exhibiting also the Authentick Instruments of the same and the Archbishop of Canterbury's at the Consistory where though the Pope made forty French Cardinals yet our Agent and his money made twelve English and taught Francis to assume the power of disposing Monasteries and Benefices as King Henry had done advising him to inform his Subjects clearly of his proceedings and unite with the Princes of the Reformation taking his Parliament and People along with him and by their advice cutting off the Appeals to and Revenues of Rome by visitations c. with a Praemunire together with the Oath of Supremacy and the publication of the prohibited Degrees of Marriages He added in his Expresses That his Majesty should by disguised Envoys divide between the Princes and the Empire The next sight we have of him is in Scotland the French Kings passage to England as he calls it Where in joynt Commission with the Earl of Southampton and the Bishop of Durham he with his variety of Instructions gained time until the French King was embroyled at home the season of Action was over there and the Duke of Norfolk ready to force that with a War which could not be gained by Treaty Fortune is like the Market where many times if you can stay a little the Price will fall The ripeness and unripeness of the Occasion must be well weighed Watch the ●eginning of an Action and then speed Two ●hings make a compleat Polititian Secresie in Councel and Celerity in Execution But our Knights Prudence was not a heavy Wariness or a dull caution as appears by his preferment at Court where he is Master of the Horse and his service in the North where he and the Comptroller Sir Anthony Gage are in the head of 10000 men In both these places his excellence was more in chusing his Officers and Followers than in acting himself His servants were modest and sober troubling him with nothing but his business and expecting no higher conditions than countenance protection and recommendation and his Retainers peaceable reserved close plain and hopeful the deserving Souldier and the promising were seen often at his gate not in throngs to avoid popularity Equal was his favour that none might be insolent and none discontented yet so di●creetly dispensed as made the Preferred faithful and the Expectants officious To be ruled by one is soft and obnoxious by many troublesome to be advised by few as he was is safe because as he said in some things out of his element the Vale best discovereth the Hill Although he understood not the main matter of War yet he knew many of its falls and incidents his prudence being as able to lay a stratagem as others experience was to embattail an Army Sir Thomas Wharton Warden of the Marches he commands with 300 men behind an Ambush whither he draws the rash Scots and overthroweth them more with the surprize than his power taking the Lord Admiral Maxwel c. who was committed to his custody and putting that King to so deep a melancholy that he died upon it His death suggests new counsels and Sir Anthony watcheth in Scotland to gain hi● Daughter for our P●ince or at least to prevent the French whom Sir Wil●iam Paget watcheth there as Sir Ralph Sadler did in Rome and Sir Iohn Wall●p at Calais and when that Kings design was discovered we find our Knight with Charles Duke of Suffolk Lieutenant-General Henry Fitz-Alan Earl of Arundel Lord General Will. Paulet Lord St. Iohn Stephen Bishop of Winchester with a rich and strong Army expecting the King before Montrevil wh●ch they took with Boulogn and forcing the French to a Peace and Submission that secured England and setled Europe Three things facilitate all things 1. Knowledg 2. Temper 3. Time Knowledge our Knight had either of his own or others whom he commanded in what ever he went about laying the ground of matters always down in writing and debating them with his friends before he declared himself in Council A temperance he had that kept him out of the reach of others and brought others within his Time he took always driving never being driven by his business which is rather a huddle than a performance when in haste there was something that all admired and which was more something that all were pleased with in this mans action The times were dark his carriage so too the Waves were boysterous but he the solid Rock or the well-guided Ship that could go with the Tide He mastered his own passion and others too and both by Time and Opportunity therefore he died with that peace the State wanted and with that universal repute the States-men of those troublesome times enjoyed not By King Henry's Will he got a Legacy of 300 l. for his former Service and the
Soul raised him to this was one That he durst not entertain a Gift which as he said conquers both the foolish and the wise which in publick places i● is a Vice to accept and not a Vertue to offer It being a snare rather than a favour His next was Diligence Neglect wastes a man as insensibly as Industry improves him We need no more but sit still and Diseases will arise onely for want of exercise Man 's a Watch that must be looked to and wound up every day the least incuriousness steals to improficiency or offence which degreeingly weighs us down to ex●remity Diligence alone is a fair Fortune and Industry a good Estate There are five mens Activities that raise to Estates 1. The Divine to a small but an honest one 2. The Physit●an to a competency but uncertain 3. The Courtier to a great one and an honorable 4. The Citizen to a large one but not lasting And 5. The Lawyer to one large and firm too Seldom doth his Family fa●l who is sure to tye his Estate to his Child by an Entail and his Child to his Estate by an Education and an Employment When we observe the several alterations in Gentry we find four principal Actors on the Theatres of great Families the Beginner the Advancer the Continuer and the Ruiner 1. The Beginner who by his vertues refineth himself from the dross of the vulgar and layeth the foundation of his house 2. The Advancer who improveth it 3. The Continuer who conveyeth it to his Posterity as he received it from h●s Ancestors 4. The Ruine● that degenerates from his Fathers Our Judge began not but advanced that excellent Family whose original I cannot find so ancient it is and whose end I hope none will see it is so noble Observations on the Life of William Howard WIlliam Howard son to Thomas Howard second of that Surname Duke of Norfolk was by Queen Mary created Baron of Essi●gham in Surrey and by her made Lord Admiral of England which place he discharg●d with credit He was one of the first Favourers and Furtherers with his Purse and Countenance of the strange and wonderful discovery of Ru●●a He died anno Dom. 1554. This Noble Person had his plainness from his Father his ingenuity from his Mother his experience by Travel and Navigation his Blood endeared him to his Soveraign and his Abilities advanced him to her service H● promised no less to his Mistress t●an his F●ther and Vncle had performed to her Father The Ancestors merit is security for Posterie●ies who will hardly forfeit that favour with one act of their own unworthiness that was ganed by so many of their Predecessors service Like a well-drawn picture this Lord had his eye on all round on his Queen to be faithfull on his Country to be publick-spirited on his Family to be honourable on the present Age to be activ● and on the future to be renowned The Old Lord Burleigh sometime Treasurer of England coming to Cambridge with Queen Elizabeth when he was led into the publick Schools and had much commended their convenience beauty and greatness together with their Founder Humphrey the good Duke of Glocester Yea marry said he but I find one School wanting in our Universities and that is the School of Discre●ion When private Tutors had initiated publick Schools had seasoned and the University had improved this Gentlemans sprightly and noble parts vet did his Father observe one great defect in his Education and that is Discretion Discretion in Carriage for which he sent him to Cou●t Discretion in Business for which he sent him to travel and fight Not long had he been abroad to furnish himself with experience but he is called home to ennoble himself with action The Alve● of Spain were for four Generations together Commanders by Land and the Howards of England for as many Admirals at Sea None ever had more power none used less than he The more Authority he had allowed him over others the more Command he obtained over himself Twice did he mortgage his Estate for his followers pay many times did he venture his life for their encou●agement None directed more ●kilfully and yet none acted more resolutely Equally did he divide the profit equally share the honor with his follower● who under him never dared and never feared a danger Manners make a man saith the Courtier● Money makes a man saith the Citizen Learning makes a man saith the Scholar but Conduct makes a man saith the Souldier This Lords spirit never put hi● on so forwardly but his wariness to●k care how to come off as safely He that fights should despair but he that commands should hope The Souldier among the Persians is drawn with his eyes before him and the General with his behind him Young men in the manage of Affairs embrace more than they can hold stir more than they can q●iet flee to the end without consideration of the means and degrees pursue some few principles and extreme remedies they have chanced upon rashly which they will neither confess nor reform Old men object too much consult too long adventure too little repent too soon and seldome pursue things home to their full period My Lord was an happy composition of both himself and had of either about him that the coldness and wariness of Age might correct the heat of Youth and the activity of younger might be directed by the experience of riper ones The one gave Authority and the other Life to his Actions He himself was better to invent than to judge fitter for Action than Counsel and readier for new Projects than for settled business The Lord Clinton's prudence served him in old and usual matters but in new things abused him My Lord Howard's was quick for present Emergencies but not comprehensive of ordinary transactions Of the three Admirals of those times we may say as they did of the three Kingdoms Lisle was wise before the Action my Lord Howard in it● my Lord Clinton after it England without a freedom of commerce was but a larger Prison others opened the Trade to the Indies to Asia and other parts of the world but we wanted the Hemp the Flax the Pitch the Firr and the other usual Commodities of Russia serviceable to our selves and more to our Ships His purse in this case did much his direction more his servant Ie●kinson most of all who made curious observations of Russia set forth a Geogra●h●cal description of it and was the first of the English that sailed through the Caspian Sea With his assistance the Muscovia Company was set up in Queen Maries days and with his servants it obtained the Priviledge of sole Traffick into the Northern Parts of Russia in Elizabeth's Nihil habet fortuna magna majus nec natura bona melius quam ut velit bene-facere quam plurimis Observations on the Life of Sir Edward Mountague EDward Mountague Son of Thomas Mountague born at Brigstock in Northampton-shire was bred
Honour to be of Prince EDWARD's special Council for the future By his Order he had as his share of Abbey-Lands Battle-Abbey in Sussex enjoyed by his Heirs Males in a direct Line to this day And by his Authority he had the Honourable Garter He was the fi●st man that durst bring his Master the sad news That He must die And no wonder he durst do it for the next news is That he is dead himself How darest thou to be so plain said Heliogabalus to the Courtier Because I dare die said he I can but die if I am Faithful and I must die though I Flatter T●is Gentlemans humour of crossing present proceedings was prettily reproved by King Hen. the Eighth's little story of a poor Woman drowned by mischance whose dead body whilst her Neighbours sought for down the River her Husband who knew her condition better than they advised them to seek up the River for all her life long she loved to be contrary to all others and he presumed she would swim against the stream being dead The End of the Obse●vations upon the Lives of the Statesmen and Favourites of England in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth THE STATES-MEN and FAVOURITES OF ENGLAND IN The Reign of King Edward the VI. Observations on the Lives of the Seymours EDward Seymour and Thomas Seymour both Sons of Sir John Seymour of Wolful in Wiltshire I joyn them together because whilst they were united in affection they were invincible but when divided easily overthrown by their Enemies EDward Duke of Somerset Lord Protector and Treasurer of England being the elder Brother succeeded to a fair Paternal inheritance He was a valiant Souldier for Land-service fortunate and generally beloved by Martial Men. He was of an open nature free from jealousie and dissembling affable to all people He married Anne Daughter to Sir Edward Stanhop a Lady of a high mind and haughty undaunted spirit THOMAS SEYMOUR the Younger brother was made BARON of Sudley and by Offices and the favours of his Nephew King Edward the sixth obtained a great Estate He was well experienced in Sea-Affairs and made Lord Admiral of England He lay at a close postu●e being of a reserved nature and more cunning in his carriage He married Queen Katherine P●rr the Widow of King Henry 8. Very great the Animosities betwixt their Wives the Dutchess refusing to bear the Queens Train● and in effect justled with her for precedence se that what betwixt the Train of the Queen and lon● Gown of the Dutchess they raised so much dust at the Court as at last put out the eyes of both their Husbands and occasioned their Execution● Their Sisters Beauty commended them to the King● favours but a frail support that which is as lasting only as a Phancy and only as certain as Passion therefore their Parts recommended them to his service Affection shall lead me to Court but I 'le take care that In●erest keeps me there Sir Edward Seymours temper suited with the Kings Inclinations and his spirit with his times both high both stirring In the throng of Courtiers there a●e but three steps to raise a man to observations 1. Some pecu●iar sufficiency 2. Some particular exploit and 3. An especial Friend This Noble Person shewed the first with advantage in that draught of Military Discipline presented to Henry the eighth wherein the embattling is most remarkable viz. Twenty two compleat Companies make up four Squadrons eve●y Squadron of Pikes and Musquets being drawn up apart the Pikes and Colours on the left h●nd and the Musqueteers on the right These Squadrons make up a Brigade to be drawn up as followeth viz. Ten Corporalships of Musqueteers being 34 Rots divided into five Plattons every Platton being nine or so in front led by a Major and every division by a sufficient Commander Next after these Thirty six Rots of Pikes are to follow being twelve Corporalships with their Colours following them till they are drawn up even in front with the 32 Rots of Musqueteers This makes the Right Wing of the Brigade 2. The Battel of Pikes moveth forward in division doing in all respects as the former till they range even in front with the Pikes of the Right Wing Then the o●her 32 Rots of Musqueteers belonging to the middle Squadron who are appointed to make the Battel of the Brigade are led up as the first Musqueteers in all points but at a reasonable distance behind the Pikes of their own Squadrons Then the last Squadron of Pikes marcheth up in all respects observing the same order until they have attained to range in front even with o●her ●ikes This being done the Battel or middle Squadron o● Pikes and Musquets advanceth in one body until it 's clear of the Wings Lastly the Surplus of the three Squadrons being 48 Rots of Mu●quet●e●s are drawn up behind the Brigad●e where they are to attend the Commands of their Officers to guard the Baggage or Cannon to be Convo●es for Ammunition or Victuals to the rest or continue a reserve to wait upon all occasions 2. Eminent was his ability for this Draught more eminent for his performance agreeable to it in Britain where he sate before a Town six weeks to no purpose while it expected relief from Italy But at last he in●inuates a jealousie between the Pope and the French King touching that City that obstructed all relief He with a● much speed and policy sets upon the two main Sc●●res for defense of the Town and took them b●th battering the Town and Castle with that violence and noise that they say it was heard 100 miles off A Train of Powder is laid to blow them up when they should enter but this succeeded not For the French in passing the Ditch had so weted their cloaths that dropping upon the Train the Powder would not take fire and so all things conspiring to crown his valour with success he takes the Castle first and then dividing the Town and weakning it by several assaults at once brought it to his own terms Here his Valour had been eminent but that his conduct was more and his Conduct renowned but that his nobleness towards the Conquered his civility and obligingness towards the Souldiery and his integrity towards all persons had out-done that There are but two things that a subject can honestly oblige his Prince in 1. Keeping his subjects in peace at home 2. Keeping his enemies under abroad 1. Those soft but prudent Acts of Peace 2. Those resolved but well-managed wayes of War Sir Thomas wanted neither a resolution for the one nor a temper for the other But sufficiency and merits are neglected things when not befriended Princes are too reserved to be taken with the first appearances of worth unless recommended by tryed judgments It 's fit as well as common that they have their Counsellours for persons as well as things His Sister therefore was married on Whit sunday and he is on the Tuesday following created Viscount Beauchamp But
Robes and Ornaments thereof which were accordingly with great solemnity performed in the Cathedral of Studgard And this was the Lord that when the Earl of Bristol charged the Duke of Buckingham started up and demanded Is this all you have to say against the Duke The Earl replyed Yes my Lord and I am sorry it is so much Then quoth the Lord Spencer If this be all Ridiculus mus and so sate down again The End of the Observations upon the Lives of the Statesmen and Favourites of England in the Reign of King Iames. THE STATES-MEN and FAVOURITES OF ENGLAND IN The Reign of King Charles I. Observations on the Life of the Duke of Buckingham NAture bestowed on him an exact comliness his Mother a noble education not so much to study as converse His Travels to France carriage and experience About which times he falls into intrinsecal society with Sir Ioh. Greham then one of the Gentlemen of his Majesties Privy-Chamber who I know not upon what Luminaries he espyed in his face disswaded him from Marriage and gave him rather encouragement to woe Fortune at Court than court it in the City Which advice sank well into his fancy for within some while the King had taken by certain glances whereof the first was at Apthorpe in a Progress such liking of his Person that he was resolved to make him a Master-piece and to mould him as it were Platonically to his own Idea Neither was his Majesty content onely to be the Architect of his Fortune without putting his gracious hand likewise to some part of the work it self insomuch that it pleased him to descend and to avale his goodness even to the giving of his foresaid friend Sir Iohn Greham secret directions how by what degrees he should bring him into favour His own parts and observation gained him prudence and discretion His Family and Ancestors in Leicester-shire gentility and repute so that there wanted nothing but Interest to set him up a Courtier Sir Thomas Compton who had married his Mother supplyed him with the one and the Earls of Bedford Pembrook and Hertford who would eclipse Somerset helped him to the other For those three Lords meeting one night at Baynards-Castle and commanding Somerset's picture should be abused in their way next day Sir Thomas Lake leads him into Court buying him the Cup-bearers place A while after the Countess of Bedford ushereth him to the Presence-Chamber entering him a Bed-chamber-man and the Earl of Pembrook supports him until he was a Favourite The Courtiers wished him well because he was an English-man the Nobility favoured him because a Gentleman the Ladies have a kindness for him because the exactest Courtier in Christendom the King observes him much for his compleat body more for his pregnant parts and the States-men now consulting Somerset's removal and finding King Iames his good nature loth to leave the bosom of one Minion until he had reposed himself in another made it their plot to advance him His carriage was free and debonair his passions even and smooth and one saith carried in his pocket his nature noble and open his temper industrious and inquisitive his intellectuals clear and capable his mind tractable and docible his spirit resolute and undaunted The first month he comes to Court he takes place above all his fellows and being removed with some affront by a creature of Somerset's gives him a box on the ear an action that gave him and his friends a seasonable occasion of a Contest with Somerset and him a clear conquest over him Somerset as Chamberlain would have cut off his hand and he as Favourite was like to have cut off his head This new Favourite riseth all are weary of Somerset the first Minion all welcom the second The King is first his Tutor and then his Patron instructing him before he employed him Three sorts of studies he engaged him in the first was for delights in private Retyrements the second for ornament in Discourse the third for ability in Business He had Princely apprehensions of the principles and Maximes of Government a distinct notion of all his Affairs an excellent way to make use of other mens Abilities and these incomparable Rules from my Lord Bacon which were transcribed in his Life Sir In the first place I shall be bold to put you in mind of the present condition you are in You are not onely a Courtier but a Bed-chamber-man and so are in the eye and ear of your Master but you are also a Favourite The Favourite of the time and so are in his bosom also The world hath so voted you and doth so esteem of you for Kings and great Princes even the wisest of them have had their Friends their Favourites their Privadoes in all ages for they have their affections as well as other men of these they make several uses sometimes to communicate and debate their thoughts with them and to ripen their judgments thereby sometimes to ease their cares by imparting them and sometimes to interpose them between themselves and the envy or malice of their People for Kings cannot erre that must be discharged upon the shoulders of their Ministers and they who are nearest unto them must be content to bear the greatest load Truly Sir I do not believe or suspect that you are chosen to this eminency out of the last of these considerations for you serve such a Master who by his wisdom and goodness is as free from the malice or envy of his Subjects as I think I may say truly ever any King was who hath sate upon his Throne before him But I am confident his Majesty hath cast his eyes upon you as finding you to be such as you should be or hoping to make you to be such as he would have you to be for this I may say without flattery your outside promiseth as much as can be expected from a Gentleman But be it in the one respect or other it belongeth to you to take care of your self and to know well what the name of a Favourite signifies If you be chosen upon the former respects you have reason to take care of your actions and deportment out of your gratitude for the King's sake but if out of the later you ought to take the greater care for your own sake You are as a new risen Star and the eyes of all men are upon you let not your own negligence make you fall like a Meteor The contemplation then of your present condition must necessarily prepare you for action what time can be well spar'd from your attendance on your Master will be taken up by suitors whom you cannot avoid nor decline without reproach for if you do not already you will soon find the throng of suitors attend you for no man almost who hath to do with the King will think himself safe unless you be his good Angel and guide him or or least that you be not a Malus Genius against him so that
for him honourably in England where the Kings Cause waited for his Assistance and the See of Cante●bury for his Acceptance He was willing to promote Religion he was unwilling for some Formalities he scrupled to advance himself but after seven Weeks delay it being as fatal to re●use King Henry's Favours as to offer him Inju●ies he is Archbishop in his own De●ence in which capacity to serve the King and salve his own Conscience he used the Expedient of a Protestation to this purpose In nomine c. Non est nec erit meae voluntatis aut intentionis per hujusmodi Iuramentum Iuramenta qualiter verba in ipsis posita sonare videbuntur me obligare ad aliquid ratione eorundem post hac dicendum faciendum aut attestandum quod erit aut esse videbitur contra legem Dei vel contra Regem aut Rempublicam legesve aut Praerogativa ejus quod non intendo per hujusmodi juramentum quovis modo me obligare quò minùs liberè loqui consulere consentire valeam in omnibus singulis Reformationem Ecclesiae prorogativam Coronae concernentibus ea exequi reformare quae in Ecclesia Anglicana reformanda videbuntur This Protestation he made three times once at the Charter-House another time at the Altar and a third time at the receiving of his Pall. In his place he was moderate between the Superstition of Rome and the Phrensies of Munster As he was cheif Instrument in beginning the Reformation so he was in continuing it He withstood the Six Articles and though the King sent five prime Ministers of State to comfort him would not be satisfied until he saw them mitigated in King Henry's time and repealed in King Edward's Gardiner would have questioned him for entertaining forein Hereticks and promoting Domestick Schisms the Northern Rebels accused him for subverting the Church but the King upheld him against both suppressing the One and checking the Other and advising the good Man whom he called Fool for his meek disposition to appeal to him Whereupon Russel cried The King will never suffer him to be imprisoned until you find Him guilty of High T●eason He is to be pitied for his intermediate failings but renowned for his final constancy The King having declared before all his Servants that Cranmer was his best Servant he employeth him in his best service the Reformation of Religion wherein all others failed but the King Cromwel and Brandon backed him so far that he had the Bible the necessary Offices of the Church translated into English He had both Universities at his command He brought the Lords House and Convocation to his Lure and was invested with a Power 1. To Grant Dispensations in all things not repugnant to Gods Law nor the Kings safety 2. To determine Ecclesiastical Causes He as charitably as politickly advised the King to accept of Bishop Fisher's partial Subscription considering his Learning and Reputation As he is King Henry's Instrument at Dunstable to divorce him from Queen Katharine so he is at Lambeth to divorce him from Anna Bullein He promoted in the Convocation all Primitive Doctrines and condemned all new-fangled Opinions He was so charitable that he interceded with the King for his Enemies so munificent that he made the Church and his own House a Refuge for Strangers particularly for P. Fagius P. Martyr Martin Bucer c. The King loved him for his Integrity the People for his Moderation He was called the Kings Father and was Queen Elizabeth's Godfather His Piety reduced the C●urch and his Policy the State He spake little to others he conferred much with himself Three words of His could do more than three hours discourse of others He would say as Victorinus There is a time to say nothing there is a time to say something but there is never a time to say all things That King who awed all Others feared Him A Second to the Eternal Power is the Wise Man uncorrupt in his Life He was the Executor of God's Will in King Henry's Life-time and the first of His after his Death As He spurred King Henry to a Reformation so King Edward did Him whose Prudence was not so forward as the Others Zeal who looked at what was Lawful as He did at what was Convenient He maintained the Churches Power as resolutely against Bishop Hooper's Scruples notwithstanding potent Intercession as he reformed its Corruptions against the Popes Interest notwithstanding a general Opposition He allowed not the least Errour in nor the least contempt of the Church He restored its primitive Doctrine and Discipline lest it should be an impure Church he upheld them lest it should be none He was one of fourteen that compiled the Common-Prayer He was One of Two that set out the Homilies and the only man that published the Institution of a Christian man and other good Books With his Advice King Edward did much and designed more He was the chief Author of King Edward's Injunctions and the first Commissioner in them He was President of the Assembly at Windsor for Reformation and of the Council at London His A●ticles were strict and seve●e as much grounded on the Canon of Scripture as on the Canons of the Church He convinced more Papists with his Reason and Moderation than others by their Power His Heart never failed him in his Life and it was not burned at his Dea●h He did so much for the Protestant Religion in King Henrys Days that he foresaw he should suffer for it in Q●een Mary's He was unwilling to wrong Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth therefore he refused at first to sign King Edwards's Testament but Duke Dudley's Will He was willing to continue the Protestant Religion therefore he signed it at last It was a Bishop that was one of the first that abolished Popery in England and one of the last that died for Protestantisme It was a Bishop that maintained the Protestant Cause with Arguments while he lived with his Blood when he died This prelates endeavor for Reformation is shadowed by this Mystical Relation The Castle of Truth being by the King of Ierusalem left to the guard and keeping of his best Servant Zeal the King of Arabia with an infinite host came against it begirt it round with an unreasonable Seige cuts of● all passages all reliefs all hopes of friends meat or munition which Zeal perceiving and seeing how extremity had brought her to shake hands with despair he calleth his Council of War about him and discovered the ●ffliction of his state the puissance of his Enemies the violence of the siege and the impossibility of conveying either messages or Letters to the great King his Master from whom they might receive new strength and incouragement Whereupon the necessity of the occasion being so great they concluded that there was no way but to deliver up the Castle though upon some unwholsome conditions into the hand of the Enemy but Zeal staggereth at the resolution and
an Habitation at home which he no sooner began at Cashobery in Hertfordshire but King Edward going out of the World the good Knight was forced out of his house and the Kingdom He was the first that said Policy is not the learning of some Rules but the Observation of Circumstances with a present minde in all junctures of affairs which he would say was their happiness only that had good memories For when one ●aid he had seen much heard more and read most You were said he a more compleat man could you say I remembered as much Secretary Walsingham would say My Lord stay a little and we shall have done the sooner Secretary Cecil said It shall never be said of me That I will defer till to morrow what I can do to day And Sir Richard Morisin Give me this day and take the next your self Noble was his Resolution when he said He scorned to take pensions from an Emperour of Germany since an Emperour of Germany took pay of the King of England His stature was something tall and procured him reverence his temper reserved and commanding security to his person and his business He that knoweth to speak well knoweth also where he must hold his peace said the old Graecian Think an hour before you speak and a day before you promise said this English-Roman With Ferdinand the Emperour he prevailed for the Popes assistance and with Maximilian for his Masters against the French Never was his Master Henry so high as to set him above treating nor his Sovereign Edward so low as to make him afraid of War although he looked upon the way of Treaties as a retiring from fighting like Beasts to arguing like men whose strength should be more in their understandings than in their Limbs I have said a great Prince greater confidence in my Reason than in my Sword and am so resolved to yield to the first that I thought neither my self nor others should use the second if once we rightly understood one another It 's humane to use Reason rather than Force and Christian to seek peace and ensue it Christian was his Temper and Religious his carriage so charitable that he relieved the Con●essors as though he had been none himself and so constant that he continued his sufferings as if there were no other Much good did his Countenance do the Exiles in the Courts of Forein Princes and more his Authority at the Troubles of Frankford where his Motive to love was the hatred of the Enemy Observations on the Life of Doctor Nicholas Wotton NIcholas VVotton Son to Sir Robert born at Bockton-malherb in the County of Kent a place so named from some noxious and malignant Herbs growing therein was bred in Oxon Doctor of the Civil Laws and was the first Dean of the two Metropolitan Churches of Canterbury and York He was Privy-Counsellour to ●our successive Sovereigns viz. King Henry the VIII King Edward the VI. Queen Mary Queen Elizabeth He was employed thirteen several times in Embassies to Forein Princes Five times to Charles the Fifth Emperour Once to Philip his Son King of Spain Once to Francis the First King o● France Once to Mary Queen of Hungary Governess o● the Netherlands Twice to William Duke of Cleve Once to renew the peace between England France and Scotland Anno 1540. Again to the same purpose at Cambray Anno 1549. Once sent Commissioner with others to Edenburgh in Scotland 1560. He refused the A●chbishoprick of Canterbury proferred him in the first o● Queen Elizabeth He died Ianuary 26. in 1566. being about seventy years of Age and was buried in Canterbury Ius●inian reduced the Law of Nations to one Body and Doctor Wotton comprehended them in one Soul Publick was his spirit and such his thoughts That profession that was designed for the settlement of the Wo●lds commerce was now confined to a Bishops Court a Churchwardens Oath or a rich man's will when this excellent Person first enlarged it as far as the Sea in the Cases of the Admiralty and as wide as the world in the Negotiations of Embassie Others were trusted with the Interest of Princes He with that of Nations He that saw him would think he could deny nothing so modest Scholar-like his looks He that heard him would judge he would grant nothing so undeniable his Reason so irrefragable his Arguments His speech was as ready as his resolution was present His apprehension quick and clear his method exact his reading vast and indefatigable his memory strong as to things though not to words tenacious his clocution copio●s and flowing What si● Henry Wotton said of sir Philip Sidney I may say o● Nicholas Wotton That he was the very measure of congruity What that Counsellour writ to the French King in a great sheet when he required his advice that our Doctor advised our Princes in several Discourses viz. Modus a mean● Sir said King Henry to him now not forty years old I have sent a Head by Cromwel a Purse by Wolsey a Sword by Brandon and I must now send the Law by You to treat with my Enemies Augustus lamented for Varus his death because he said Now I have none in my Countrey to tell me the truth With Wotton went off that faithfulness that Peasants have and Princes want None more resolute abroad none more bold and down-right at home His plain dealing saved King Henry some Treasure King Edward the North Q●een Mary Calice for a while and Q●een Elizabeth her Faith and Crown A Virtue that made him the Overseer of most Forein Ministers Actions abroad and one of the sixteen Executors of King Henry's Will and Testament at home Gardiner was sly and close but Wotton prudent and wise In the Treaty at Calice there are two things remarkable of our Doctor 1. That he first insisted on the peace with France before that of Scotland● 2. He would say Rather give away Calice than reserve a Right in it fifteen years hence for never was the Interest of any Nation so constant as to keep a promise half so many ●ears Indeed Sir William Cecil's reach went no further for a Layman than Doctor Wotton for a Church-man Therefore they two were pitched upon for the management of the Intrigues and Affairs o● Scotland Many envied this happy man but none could be without him who was ●he Oracle of both Laws at Councils who could sum up the merit of any Cause recollect the circumstances of any Affair and shew Tables of Trade Commerce Situations Counsels Revenue Interest c. the readi●st and exactest of any in England But all these Qualifications must die and he with them leaving it as his Advice First To Church-men To understand well the Common and Canon-Law as well as the Divine by the first whereof they might understand their right as by the second they info●med themselves and othe●s of their duty Secondly To Statesmen Travel and History Thirdly To Embassadors 1. A good Pu●se 2. A noble and sober Train ●
to Richard Bishop of London The two main Principles that guide humane Nature saith Judge Dodderidge are Conscience and Law By the former we are obliged in reference to another world by the latter in relation to this P●iests and Judges are the Dispensers of ●hese Principles No Prince more unhappy in his Priests than King Henry whose unhappiness it was that all the juggle prevarication and imposture of his time was in the Pulpit none more happy in his Judges to whose Reason his People were more willing to submit than they were to hearken to his Clergy's Instruction among whom none more renowned than Sir Iohn Fitz-Iames who was so fearful of the very shadow and appearance of corruption that it cost his chief Clerk his place but for taking a Tankard after a signal Cause of 1500 l. a year wherein he had been serviceable though not as a Bribe but as a Civility Caesar would have his Wife without suspicion of lewdness and Fitz-Iames his servants without the appearance of corruption What was Law alwayes was then a Resolution Neither to deny nor defer nor sell justice When our Judge came upon the Bench he knew no more then Melchisedech or Levi Father or Mother neither Friend nor Interest for when his Cousin urged for a kindness Come to my House saith the Judge I will deny you nothing come to the Kings Court and I must do you justice And when the Attorney-General bespake his favour in a publick Cause Trouble not your self said he I 'le do the King right The King is cast the Attorney expostulates the Judge satisfieth him That he could not do his Majesty Right if he had not done justice His P●udence so tempe●ed his zeal for his Sovereign that he over-strained not the Prerogative to bring in fears and jealousies of Tyranny on the one hand and his Integ●ity so balanced his Popularity that he never depressed it to broach bold opinions and attempts of Liberty on the other complying with none of those humours that an Imaginary dread of oppression or a dangerous pres●mption of freedom may transport to irregular excesses either for the one or against the other As his Majesty was secured by his Loyalty so his Subjects were by his Patience a Virtue he carried with him to the Bench to attend each circumstance of an Evidence each allegation of a Plea each plea in a Cause hearing what was impertinent and observing what was proper His usual saying as Sergeant Mandevil reports it being We must have two souls as two sieves one for the Bran the other for the flour the one for the Gross of a Discourse the other for the Quintessence The same day that there was no Cause to be tried in the Chancery in Sir Tho. More 's time there were but three in the Kings Bench in Sir Iohn Fitz-Iames his time the reason whereof some imagine was Cardinal Wolsey's extraordinary power that engrossed all Causes to his Legantine Court others know it was the Judges Integrity who was too honest to allow as that Age was too plain to contrive delays and obstructions Lewis the Eleventh of France would say when he was advised to take Revenge of those that had affronted him before he came to the Crown That it became not the King of France to revenge the Injuries done to the Duke of Orleans A Person that had no●oriously wronged Sir Iohn when a Templer in the case of his Chamber was to be tried before him for his whole E●tate when a Judge the Adversaries among other shifts made use of this old Q●arrel whereupon Sir Iohn said It doth not become a Iudge upon the Bench to revenge a wrong done in his Chamber Two things upheld him in those boysterous times 1. Silence 2. Patience both wary Virtues that seldom endanger their Owner or displease their Superiours The Pe●ple of those times would live and die with the Pope and Council and this Judge with the King and Parliament The grand Article of his Faith was I believe as the Church beleives and the great Rule of his Practice was I will live as the Law directs He was a tried Man whose Faith and Honour was above his Life and Fortune whose Generosity was above that first temptation of Money as his Spirit was above the second of Danger No fear here of delivering up Priviledges to day for fear of the King or Prerogative to morrow for fear of the Subject No an unbiass'd Temper between both make up this honest man who came on to preferment with great Expectations and went off with great Applause being one of the three men of whom it is said That because they never pleased their Master in doing any thing unworthy they never displeased him in doing any thing that is just When base compliance goeth off with the contempt of those it hath humoured a Noble Resolution comes off with the Reverence of those it hath discontented Observations on the Life of Sir William Molineux SIr William Molineux Junior Descendent from Sir William Molineux Knight of Sefton in Lancashire flourished under King Henry the Eighth being a man of great command in Lancashire bringing the considerable strength thereof to the seasonable succour of the Duke of Norfolk with whom he performed signal service ●a Flodden-Field The Image of whose mind he was as well as the Portrait of his body Peculiar was our Knight for nobly forgiving his Enemies if reconcilable and refusing ignobly to be revenged of them though obstinate for honestly would he betray the Villanies of them that dishonestly offered to betray them to him as Fabricius delivered up to Pyrrhus though a sworn Enemy the Physician that would have Poysoned him Lewis the 11th discovered to the Duke of Burgundy though his mortal Foe the conspiracy that would have ruined him And Queen Elizabeth of England with King Philip of Spain gave Henry the great of France when Friends with neither of them notice of two Plots upon his person that would have ruined him It is confessed on all sides that the Scots lost the day by not keeping their Ranks but not agreed on the cause thereof Buchanan who commonly makes the too much Cou●age of his Country-men the cause of their being conquered imputes it to their indiscrete pursuing of the English routed at the first Others say They did not break their Ranks but were broken unable to endure the Lancashire Archers and so forced to sunder themselves In this Battel the Scottish King and chiefest Gentry were slain the English losing scarce any the Scots scarce any but of prime note The King a●terward wrote his Gratulatory Letter to Sir William Molineux in form following TRusty and Well-Beloved We greet you well And understand as well by the Report of Our Right Trusty Cousin and Counsellour the Duke of Norfolk as otherwise what acceptable service You amongst Others lately did Vs by your valiant Towardness in the assi●ting of Our said Cousin against Our Enemy late King of Scots and how couragiously you as a
whom his arguments and his own Interest drew off from France Sir Robert helping him to some Observations touching the breach of the Article of Cambray as his pretense to this alteration and offering him what men and money he pleased as his encouragement to this undertaking Sending in the mean time one Nicolas West D. L. and Dean of Windsor to feel the Pulse of all the Princes in Christendome and advising upon an entire reflection on their several Interests the repair of our frontier Towns and Forts an Army ready in the North and a constant Parliament He is Deputy of Calice and Viceroy of France What the French lost in the Fie●d they got by Treaty until Sir Richard's time whose Policy went as far as his Masters Power in that Accord Which tyed up they said the French Kings hands behind his back and the Scotch between his legs Yea he almost perswaded Maximilian out of his Empire 1615. though he wished the King not to accept of until the French were out of Italy Some do bett● by Friends or Letters Sir Robert best by himsel● observing that he never failed but when he i●●trusted others with what he could do himself h●● person breeding regard and his eye seeing mor● than any he could employ and his present min● being more ready in his own affairs upon any a●●teration to come on draw back or otherwise ac●comodate matters than any Substitute who see●● not the bottom of things nor turn to occasions● He had about him his Blades and Gallants to ex●postulate his Orators and fair-spoken-men t● perswade his close and subtile ones to enqui●● and observe his froward men to perplex an● his plain Agents to report Attendants for al● services whose experience made them knowing and confident Doctor West Pace Lee and Gardener's way was the Circuit afar off Sir Robert's was the Surprize quick and nicked No man observing time more closely no man watching Natures tempers interests advantages and ends more inde●atigably It was the observation of those dayes That Sir Robert Wingfield was the best to prepare and ripen Designs and Sir Thomas Bolen to execute them But that Age was two boysterous and he too wary to advance beyond the reputation of a knowing Agent in which c●pacity he lived or of a resolved Patriot with which honour he dieth Observations on the Life of Edward Stafford Duke of Buckingham HIs Blood was high his Revenue large and he was born to adorn the Court rather than to serve it He vied with the King in Gallantry and with the Cardinal in Pride of the one he speaks irreverently That Women governed him more than he did the Kingdome of the other indiscreetly That Francis governed France and Harry England and Wolsey both adding That the Commonalty might well complain when we had two Kings to maintain That which ruineth the world ruineth him his Tongue Fate never undid a man without his own indiscretion and her first stroke is at the Head Abroad none more Gorgeous at Home none more Noble at Court splendid among his Tenants Prince-like to his Relations impartial A Servant always pulled down the house of the Staffords and now one Knevet his Steward whom he had discharged for oppressing his Tenants undoeth him for his Father in-law the Earl of Northumbe●land is set under a Cloud and his Son-in-law the Earl of Surrey is removed on pretense of honourable employment out of the way and Wolsey's malice at the Duke hath its full scope who now deals with Knevets discontent to discover his Masters life and suggest that the Duke by way of discourse was wont to say how he meant to use the matter that if King Henry died without issue he would attain the Crown and punish the Cardinal George Nevil Lord Abergavenny his Son-in-law impeached him to save him●elf His Title to the Crown was his Descent from Anne Plantagenet Daughter of Thomas of Wood●tock Son to Edward the third His Accusation was 1. That he had conferred with a Cunning Man Hopkins Monk of Henton concerning the future state of this Realm who advised him to Popularity for he should have all if he had but the love of the People the Wizard confirming this by Revolutions and the Duke rewarding it with great encouragment 2. That he disparaged the present Government and used Arts to secure the succession 3. That he had threatned King Henry with the same D●gger that should have murthered Richard the third He denied the Charge very eloquently and disclaimed his Life very rashly his foolish words rather than any designed malice deserving rather pity then judgement Much lamented was he by the People and as much was the Cardinal maliced being now called by the whole multitude The Butchers Son When Buckingham fell three things fell with him 1. The Splendour of the Court. 2. Hospitality and good Landlords in the Country And 3. The High-Constableship of England All Greatness is subject to Envy but none more than that which is insolent and affected being never its self without its pomp and shew Plain and modest Greatness is only safe A Witch then blasts a man when most prosperous and the Envious the onely Wizard in the world when most glorious Wise men therefore have eclipsed themselves that they might not be gazed on and great Ones have shrunk and suffered themselves to be ove●-born to be secure Vain-glorious men are the scorn of the Wise the admiration o● Fools the Idols of Parasites and the envy of the Unworthy the Busie the Unfortunate the Ambitious and the Rivals He lives well that lives in peace and he is safely g●eat that is great in his Conscience Anger sure is but a weakness in any man it belongeth so much to the Aged and the Childish and an indecency in a Noble●man yet it might have been a Gallantry in this Duke had it no● 1. Revealed secrets and so betrayed him And 2. Spoke bitterly and dangerously and so abused him So far will Discontent carry Nature that it easily believes what it wisheth So much doth a Prophetick Vanity sway English-men that have the most of men of any in the world in Divinations and an itch to know things to come that the wittiest Sir Thomas More the most devout Bishop Fisher the wisest Cardinal Wolsey and the most Noble the Duke of Buckingham have been undone by hearkening after P●edictions the two first of Elizabeth Barton the third of Iohn Sacheveril and the fou●th Monk Hopkins Always are these Divinations like the Ast●ologers in Rome by seve●e Laws forbidden yet alw●ys a●e they by vain persons obtruded Many Wives wo England hardned many a Male-content to his ruine in King Henry the eighth's time When HEMPE is spun England is done encouraged many a Papi●t to his undoing in Queen Elizabeths time Leo Nullus confirmed many a deluded soul to hi● downfal in our days It was as fatal to this great man to trust his Steward as his Wizard the one deluded the other betrayed him It undoeth a man to
absent in France which was not only against Christian Charity but Roman Justice Festus confessing it was not fashionable amongst them to deliver any Man to die before he which is accused have the accusers face to face and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him It was well for this Lord that he was detained in France till his ransome was paid and Queen Mary dead who otherwise probably had lost his life if he had had his liberty But Queen Elizabeth coming to the Crown he found the favour or rather had the justice to be tryed again and was acquitted by his Peers finding it no treachery cowardise or carelessness in him but in Sir Iohn Harlston and Sir Ralph Chamberlain the one Governour of Risebank the other of Calis-Castle for which they were both condemned to die though their Judgment was remitted This Lord was the only Person I have read of who thus in a manner played Rubbers when his Head lay at stake and having lost the fore recovered the after-game He died a very aged Man 1594. Thus far Mr. Fuller Two ways a Courtier advanceth himself the first that more leisurely slow though sure of watching Offices Preferments and Dignities that may by steps bring them to the Kings Presence The second that more quick and short but most practised of following the Court for such extraordinary Commissions and particular services to the Empire as may without the danger of delays that must be fatal amidst so many Competitors recommend him to his favour It was below Sir Thomas his Estate to stoop to that first method it suited more with his activity to embrace the second Two usually-inconsistent qualities he had The closeness of an Agent and The Valour of a Souldier To Rome he was sent in disguise and to Treport with an Army so graceful his carriage so insinuating his affability so clear and well-weighed his discourse so searching and comprehensive his Judgment so gravely Aiery so Majestically pleasant his countenance so becoming his gate and apparel so watchful his Negotiations so winning his Addresses so discr●etly smart his Reparties darting a suddain lustre and vigour to the darkness and heaviness of his graver D●scourses neither common nor unsavoury neither affected nor far-fetched neither abusive of others nor mis-becoming himself so discreet and well-managed his complaisance with re●erence to circumstances Person Place Time matter and cause that he had Cardinal Senhault's Secretary to bring him to the Pope's Closet the Emperour's Agent Randolphus to introduce him to Court that he won Fryar Paul to shew him the mysteries of the Church Engineer Palvino to represent the Pop●'s Cities Towns Fortification● Havens Harbours A●tiquities Seminaries Exercises Ships Treasure Armories Arsenals Magazines having always by him a Card of the Territories and the Pope's Bed-chamber-man to shew him all the Papers and Transactions that concerned Henry the eighth So well experienced his Conduct so well disciplined his Army so watchful and industrious his Nature so good his pay though he pawned at once in Normandy his own Estate to satisfie his Souldiers so noble his rewards of v●lour and service it being his rule That every man should enjoy as much as he could conquer so prevalent his example that he did more with 2000 Men in three Moneths than the Duke of Suffolk had done with 8000 in three years The Duncery and idleness of the Monks in his time as he writes himself made Erasmus a Student the sloth and carelesness of Commanders in Sir Thomas his time made him a Souldier Edward the third of England having sent to France to demand the Crown by Maternal Right the Council there sent him word That the Crown of France was not tied to a Distaff To which he replyed That then he would tie it to his Sword Sir Thomas Wentworth demanding Normandy in right of the Dukes thereof Kings of England was told That Dukedomes were never given away in France by the Wills of the Dead Nay then replyed he we will have them against the Wills of the Living It 's written of our Henry the fifth that he had something of Caesar in him which Alexander the Great had not That he would not be Drunk and something of Alexander the Great which Caesar had not That he would not be Flattered Sir Thomas had both their Virtues none of their Vices Non tam extra Vitia quam cum summis Virtutibus Though he could not avoid misfortune and prosper yet he could yield to it and retire that experienced File that could not withstand the enemies ●hot could fall down and escape it Privacy at once secured and supported this unfortunate Gentleman It is much to know how to lead and bring on successfully it 's more to retreat and come off handsomely and give over a bad game Since he heard ill I hear no more of him but this One being designed an Agent waited upon this knowing and experienced Lord for some Directions for his conduct and carriage he delivereth himself saith my Author thus To secure your self and serve your Country you must at all times● and upon all occasions speak truth for as he added you will never be believed and by this means your truth will secure your self if you be questioned and pu● those you deal with who will still hunt counter to a loss in all their disquisitions and undertakings Observations on the Life of Sir Clement Paston SIr Clement Paston was a Souldier and a Souldiers Son Valour running in the Blood for three Generations and maturated by Noble and Heroick Actions for Glory and Success Designed he was by his Friends for the Gown but by his own Nature for Armour Born for Action rather than Contemplation VVhen his Father asked him what he would desire of him he desired a Horse and a Sword He was tried in the King of France his service in Henry the Seventh's time for his overthrow in Henry the Eighths He was the first that made the English Navy terrible and the last that made our Army so He took the Admiral of France and saved him of England 30000 Crowns he received by way of Ransome from the first a●d 1000 l. by way of Gratitude from the other A Cup he would shew that the first gave him every Holy-day and a Ring of the seconds every Christmas Two Kings made use of his Person and two Queens of his Counsel which he gave even on his Death-bed His advice was short but resolute his words few but pertinent his discourse commanding and Souldier-like his word the Decree of the Medes King Henry the Eighth called him His Champion the Protector in Edward the sixth's time His Souldier Queen Mary Her Sea-man and Queen Elizabeth Her Father VVhen Wyat was overthrown he would deliver himself up to a Gentleman and therefore only to Sir Clement Paston The two great Interests of Souldiers is Pay and Honour He mortgaged his Estate twice to satisfie them for the one and pawn'd his credit
where you shall perceive most business to be and that for two causes One is because you may have more experience in the Wars and see things as might stand you in stead another day The other is because you might be more profitable in the Language For our Embassador who may not wear Harness cannot well come to those places of danger nor seem so to serve the French King as you may whom we sent thither for that purpose It shall be best for you therefore hereafter as much as you may to be with the French King● and so you shall be more acceptable to him and do your self much good This I write not doubting but you would have done it though I had not written but to spur you on Adding withal To learn the Tongue to see the manner of the Court and advertise His Master of Occurrences keeping close to the King of France to whom he shall offer his service in the Wars where he is to observe the fortifications of the Cities the Conduct of the Armies the advantages and disadvantages of both Parties their Skirmishes Battels Assaults and the Plots of the chief Towns where any enterprizes of weight have been done His Exercises were to be Hunting and Riding his Company few but choice c. This Gentleman after his return out of France was created by the King Baron of Upper Ossory in Ireland where he dyed a good Protestant a Publick-spirited Patriot and an honest man Observations on the Life of Sir Henry fitz-Asane Earl of Arundel HIs first appearance in the World was to adorn the Court his next was to serve it First his Estate and Train attends King Henry to the Interview with France and a while afte● his valour and Conduct is commanded by him to the War Equally prepared is he to please and awe tha● Countrey The Duke of Suffolk is made General for his Popularity and the E●rl of Arundel Lord Marshal for his Spirit and Prudence and both being before Bulloign this Noble Lord run up his Squadron under a running shelter about eleven at night to the very Walls of the City which being battered down by the Canon which was mounted some forty yards higher opened to the close B●siegers a passage that gained the whole Town by composition Neither was he less active in Peace than War A piercing apprehension a strong memory a large and capacious judgement a dexterous prudence a discerning wisdom was the least of his happiness● For to his sufficiency and capacity he added a good disposition and ●ntegrity and to that vigour and gracefulness He was the excellent Personage that 1. Discerned 2. Embraced and performed what was Noble and Publick To know to will and effect what is good make up a God To these were added a strong nature a deep study and a very great Experienc● qualities separated in others but united in him Nature will out Education is rude Education without Resolution is loose Resolution without ●xperience is heady Experience grounded upon particul●r Events is uncertain without the study of General and Immoveable Principles Knowledge of things in their sourc●s 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 ●nnobling 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 Maste●-piece the last blaz● of the Candle a shine Other ●oblemen were made ●●ing Edward's Overs●●rs for th●ir Integrity he one of his Assistants for his Abili●y When an Enemy was to be awed to a submission he was General such his F●me When the Countrey was to be obliged to a loan he was Agent such his Popularity● T●e first advanced him to the Comptrollership under Henry the ●ighth the second to the Chamberlainship under Edward the Sixth Nature hath provided that ravenous Beasts should not associate lest they should be too hard for it and Government that prime Counsellours should not agree lest they overthrow it Warwick envied the Prot●ctors Greatness and Arundel would limit his Power both with the rest of the Council declare against him But lest he should urge the same things against Warwick that he did against Somerset they who love the Treason but hate the Traytor turn him fi●st out of Favour and then out of Council untill Queen Maries time when h● as an antient Nobleman of England that owned no upstart-designs against the old way of succession stood for her Right and as a stiff Catholique promoted her Religion So that Iuly 21. 1553. he came from the Queen to Cambridge whe●e the Duke of Northumberland was and entering his Chamber the Duke fell at his fee● desiring him for Gods sake to consider his case who had done nothing but ●y Warrant from the Council My Lord said the E●rl I am sent hither by the Queen to arrest you And I said the Duke obey your Arrest ●eseeching your mercy for what I did by Commission You should have thought of that sooner ●aid the Earl Here you might have seen at once the vicissitude of Fortune the frailty of Man the dejectedness of Guilt the brave●y 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 find him for Action but when years came upon him we find him in Council as with Wott●n at the great Treaty at Cambray Yet not so unactive but that as Sir William Pickering for hi● sweet Demeaner so he for his Estate was voiced an Husband to Queen Elizabeth W●en the rest of the Council were for deali●g with the ●ueen of Scots underhand and at distance he was for treating wi●h 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 no● 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 Mistress brought him the Earl of South-hampton the Lords Lumley Cobham Piercy c. to a Praemu●ire● 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 ●h●ugh not so Noble as that valiant confid●nce that bequeath● a dilated Freedom to all faculties and senses But of all his Actions this is most remarkeable Treating with the Scots he writ to his Majesty King Henry the Eighth what he had gained already requiring to know his farther pleasure The King takes advice with his Council who all agree that the Peace
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 Pa●●s November 7 1513. which shewed his manhood 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 D●signe 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 Ioh. 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 o●her places where Sir Iohn 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 Brians and Sir Iohn 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 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 Epitoms wher●through strangers look into Kingdomes should be Royally set of as with Utensils so with attendance● that might possess all Comers with reverence there and fear elsewhere Hir Person graced his Imployment and therefore his Majesty honoured his Person with the Order of the Garter and the Title of Lord R●ssel and that his Preferment might keep pace with his Honour he is made Lord Privy Seal and his Nephew Sir Iohn Cage Controller His Honour flacked 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 Bulloign to the relief of the first whereof he drew Mounsieur Bies that his Majesty 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 intr●sted 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 that 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 Councellors 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 Councellours 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 Subiects 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
but shallow to his who by promoting the Queens match could hinder it who could decoy Hunsdon to Berwick Pembroke to Wales Sidney to Ireland while what with his great Train what with his growing Popularity he was called the Heart of the Court. To make his Basis equal to his heighth he enlarged and strengthened his Interest by Alliance with the chief Nobility to whom he was related By his Patronage of Learning over which he was Chancellour● by kindness to the Clergy whose head he seemed to be by his command over all men whom either his favours had won or his frowns awed every body being either within the Obligation of his Cour●esies or the reach of his Injuries He advised some complyance with Philip of Spain for the match he proposed while by degrees he altered Religion so as it must be impossible designing Queen Elizabeth for his own Bed while she made his way to the Queen of Scots whose re●usal of him he made as fatal to her as his marriage would have been advantageous The Queen of England promising to declare her next heir to the Crown of England in case she failed of Issue upon that match Leicester trepans Norfolk to treat a match with the Scotch Queen and her to accept it to both their ruine both being engag●d in such foolish Enterprizes by their enemies practices as made Leicester able in the head of a new Association in the Queens defence to take off Norfolk and his Ladies head He was always beforehand with his Designes being a declared enemy to After-games His Interest was Popery until my Lord North put him upon Puritanism but his Religion neither he promoted the French and Polish match at Court and disparaged them in the Country When Cardinal Chati●●ian advertized her Majesty how Leicester drave Royal Suiters from her Court he was sent to another World He that would not hold by his favour must fall by his frown Archbishop Grindal not excepted His hand bestowed all favours and his brows all frowns the whose Court was at his Devotion and half the Council at his beck Her Majesty suspected but durst not remove him His Intelligence was good in Scotland better in Ireland best in Spain The Country was governed by his Allies and the Court by himself The Tower was in his servants hands London under his Creatures Government and the Law managed by his Confidents His treasure was vast his gains unaccountable all passages to preferment being in his hand at home and abroad He was never reconciled to her Majesty under 5000 l. nor to any Subject under 500 l. and was ever and ●non out with both All Monopolies are his who commanded most mens Purses and all mens Parts A man was oppressed if he complyed with him and undone if he opposed him In a word his designe was thought a Crown his Parts too large for a Subject his Interest too great for a Servant his depth not fathomable in those days and his Policy not reached in these Observations on the Life of Christopher Lord Hatton SIr Christopher Hatton was a Gentleman who for his activity and Person was taken into the Qu●ens favour He was first made Vice-Chamberlain and shortly after advanced to the place of Lord Chancellour● A Gentleman that besides the Graces of his Person and Dancing had also the Adjectments of a strong and subtile c●pacity one that could soon learn the Discipline and Garb both of Times and Court The truth is he had a large proportion of Gifts and Endowments but too much of the season of Envy As he came so he continued in the Court in a mask An honest man he was but reserved Sir Iohn Perr●t talked and Sir Christopher Ha●ton thought His features set off his body his gate his features his carriage his gate his parts his carriage his prudence his parts and his close patience his prudence The Queen loved him well for his activity better for his parts best of all for his abilities which were as much above his experience as that was above his learning and that above his education The little the wary man did was so exactly just and discreet and the little he said was so prudent and weighty that he was chosen to keep the Queens Conscience as her Chancellour and to express her sense as her Speaker the Courtiers that envied the last capacity were by his power forced to confess their errours and the Sergeants that would not plead before him in the first by his prudence to confess his abilities The Chancellourship was above his Law but not his Parts so pregnant and comprehensive that he could command other mens knowledge to as good purpose as his own Such his humility that he did nothing without two Lawyers such his ability that the Queen did nothing without him Two things he said he w●s jealous of his Mistresses the Queens Prerogatives and his Mother the Churches Discipline the one that Majesty might be at liberty to do as much good and the other that Iniquity might not be free to as much evil as it pleased His enemies advanced him that they might weaken him at Court by his absence and kill him at home by a sedentariness This even and clear man observed and improved their practices closing with Malice it self to his own advancement and tempering the most perverse enmity to the greatest kindness His ●irst Preferment at Court was to be one of the fifty Pensioners whence his modest sweetness of Manners advanced him to the Privy Chamber where he had not been long but his face and tongue which most eloquent which most powerful was in those days a question made him Captain of the Guard● his presence and service Vice-Chamberlain and his great improvement under my my Lord Burleigh placed him in that grave Assembly the wisest Convention in Europe at that time the Privy-Council where he had not sate long when his enemies as well as his friends made him Chancellour and Knight of the Garter the one to raise him and the other by that rise to ruine him The Eagle-eyed men of those times carried up on high the Cockleshel they had a mind to crack A man of a pious Nature very charitable to the Poor very tender of dissenting Judgements saying That neither searing nor cutting was to be used in the cause of Religion very bountiful to Scholars who chose him Chancellour at Oxford very exact in his Place whence he went off though not with the applause of a great Lawyer to split Causes yet with the Conscience and comfort of a just man to do equity Take his Character from his own words those words that prevailed with the Queen of Scots to appear before the Commissioners at Fotheringaz when neither Queen Elizabeths Commission nor the Lord Chancellours Reason nor the Power of the Kingdome could perswade that good Lady to it The words are these You are accused but not condemned You say you are a Queen be it so if you are innocent you wrong your Reputation
in the Voyage to Portugal behaved himself valiantly and honourably as also at Bergen in the Netherlands when it was besieged by the Spaniards approved himself a young man of invincible Valour in the defence thereof Who also in the day wherein Kinsale was assaulted was placed in the first Rank nearest of all unto the Town and with no less Success than Valour to the great safety of the whole Army beat back and put to flight the Spaniards who in the same day made several Sallies out of the Town Know therefore that we in intuition of the Premises have appointed the aforesaid Thomas Rope● Knight c. Then followeth his patent wherein King Charles the first in the third of his Reign created him Baron of Bauntree and Viscount Baltinglass in Ireland He was a principal means to break the hearts of the Irish Rebels for wh●re●s for●erly the E●glish were loa●ed with their own Cloaths s● that their ●●ipping into Bogs did make them and the clopping of their breeches did keep them prisoners therein he first being then a Commander put himself into Irish Trouzes and was imitated first by all his Officers then Souldiers so that thus habited they made the more effectual execution on their enemies He died at Ropers Rest anno Dom. 164. and was buried with Anne his Wife Daughter to Sir Henry Harrington in St. Johns Church in Dublin Observations on the Life of Sir Henry Umpton SIr Henry Umpton was born at Wadley in Barkshire He was son to Sir Edward Umpton by Anne the Relict of John Dudley Earl of Warwick and the eldest Daughter of Edward Seymour Duke of Somerset He was employed by Queen Elizabeth Embassador into France where he so behaved himself right stoutly in her behalf as may appear by this particular In the moneth of March anno 1592 being sensible of some injury offered by the Duke of Guise to the Queen of England he sent him this ensuing Challenge For as much as lately in the Lodging of my Lo●d Du Mayne and in publick elsewhere impudently indiscreetly and over-boldly you spoke badly of my Soveraign whose sacred person here in this Country I represent To maintain both by word and weapon her honour which never was called in question among people of honestly and vertue I say you have wickedly lyed in speaking so basely of my Soveraign and you shall do nothing else but lye whensoever you shall dare to tax her honour Moreover then her sacred person being one of the most compleet and vertuous Princess that lives in this world ought not to be evil spoken of the tongue of such a per●idious Traytor to her law and Country as you are And hereupon I do defie you and challenge your person to mine with such manner of Arms as you shall like or chuse be it either on horse-back or on foot Nor would I have you to think any inequality of person between us I being issued of as great a Race and Noble house every way as your self So a●signing me an indifferent place I will there maintain my words and the lye which I gave you and which you should not endure if you have any courage at all in you If you consent not to meet me hereupon I will hold you and cause you to be generally held one of the arrantest Cowards and most slanderous Slave that lives in all France I expect your answer I find not what Answer was returned This Sir Henry dying in the French Kings Camp before Lofear had his Corpse brought over to London and carried in a Coach to Wadley thence to Farington where he was buried in the Church on Tuesday the eighth of July 1596. He had allowed him a Barons Hearse because he died Ambassadour Leiger Observations on the Life of the Earl of Essex IT is observed that the Earl of Essex had his In●roduction to favour by the Lord of Leicester who had married his Mother a tye of Affinity This young Lord was a most goodly person in whom was a kind of Urbanity or innate Cou●tesie which both won the Queen and too much took upon the people to gaze upon the new-adopted son of her favour He was noted even of those that truly loved and honoured him for too bold an Ingrosser both of Fame and Favour Having upon occasion left the Court for a while he gave a fair opportunity for his foes to undermine him so that he lived a mixture between Prosperity and Adversity once very great in her favour which was afterwards lost for want of consideration and cunningness He was raised by Leicester to poize Rawley as Rawley was by Sussex to check Leicester Indeed pity first opened the door to him for his Fathers sake that died in Ireland Alliance led him in for his Father-in-laws sake that reigned at Court His own Royal blood welcomed him for his Mother Knowles that was kin to her Majesty his good parts his tall and comely personage his sweet disposition and incomparable nature his noble Ancestors his fair though impaired fortune brought him first to favour and then to dalliance He was a Maste●-piece of Court and Camp his Beauty ennamelling his Valour and his Valour being a foile to his Beauty both drawing those noble respects of love and honour both awing both endearing It was his Nobleness that ●e distrusted none it was his Weakness that he trusted all whereby he suffered more from those that should hav● been his friends than from them who were his enemies Good Man his ruine was that he measured other breasts by his own and that he thought mankinde was as innocent as his own person His merit gained applause and his Parasites swelled it to Popularity and the last enjealousied that majesty which the first had obliged His youthful and rash Sallies abroad gave too much opportunity to his enemies whispers and too visible occasions for her Majesties suspicion that he was either weak and so not to be favoured● or dangerous and so to be suppressed Absence makes Princes forget those they love and mistrust those they fear Exact Correspondence is the sinew of private and of publick friendship So great a master he thought himself of his Soveraigns affection that he must needs be master of himself and steal to France without leave where said the Queen he might have been knocked on the head as Sidney was His Journey to France was not more rash than his Voyage to Cales was renowned yet the one gave the Envious arguments of his disobedience and the other of his Disloyalty his enemies suggesting that in the first he contemned his mistress and that in the second he had a designe upon her His Action at Cales was applauded but his Triump●s were too solemn his Panegyric●s too high his Train t●o Princ●ly his H●n●u●s a●d Knigh●hoods too cheap his Popularity too much affected and his ear more open to● hear what he had done ● t●an what he was If his Manhood had been as slow as his Youth he had been
And satisfie the world leisurely by his Vertues and not awe it rashly by his power which got him even in that time St. Gregories Encomium That he was the first bad and the last good Treasurer since Queen Elizabeth's Reign I shall never forget his or his Fathers discourse with Claud Grollart primier President of Roan about the troubles in France wherein he advis●d him to stick fast to the King though he saw difficulties For it was his Maxime That Kings are like the Sun and Vsurpers like falling-Stars For the Sun though it be ●ffuscated and eclipsed with Mists and clouds at length they are dispersed where the others are but the figures of Stars in the eyes of view and prove no more but Exhalations which suddainly dissolve and fall to the earth where they are consumed A discourse which events there and elsewhere made an Oracle Observations on the Life of the Lord Howard of Effingham Earl of Nottingham THe Lord Howard of Effingham a man of most approved fidelity and invincible courage and Governour of Callice though a Courtier betimes yet seemed not to be in favour before the Queen made him high Admiral of England For his extract it may suffice that he was the son of a Howard and of a Duke of Norfolk As for his person he was as goodly a Gentleman as the times could afford he was one whom the Queen desired to honour who at his return from Cadiz accounts was created Earl of N●ttingham He was a good honest and a brave man and a faithful servant to his Mistress and such a one as the Queen out of her own Princely judgement knew to be a fit Instrument for the Admiral 's service having a great opinion of his fidelity and ●onduct And though his death was not honoured with much wealth yet was it grac'd with the reputation of honesty Hs was ra●sed to check Essex his ambition and Leicester●s undermining being equally popular and honest yet having those at his heels that could lay a snare and bring in the prize Nature was a better friend to him than Fortune and his Integrity than both which commended him to a Mistress that understood Men as well as Books and knew it was no less the interest of Princes to take counsel concerning Persons than concerning matters He had that goodness without which man is a busie mischievous and wretched thing yet that wisdom whereby he was not so good as the Italian saith as to be good for nothing He was gentle but not easie mild but not soft obliging not the fancies of men but their Interest None more civil to Strangers his heart being not a narrow Island as my Lord Bacon observes but a large Continent None more tender of Inferiours none more humble to Superiours none more compassionate to the afflicted none more loving to or more beloved of all The Queen said she trusted her Kingdom to his faithfulness in 88. and her self to his conduct His alliance to the Queen brought him to Court but his honesty kept him there when jealousie had overcast that great house of the Howards ancient Nobility was a good recommendation to the Q● first Favours but modesty submission and integrity were the Vertues that continued them He had onely so much Ambition as rendred him active and serviceable and not busie or dangerous He knew a Nobleman cannot be safely aspiring nor smooth man securely popular and a man of his Retinue must not be busie He lived in an age when all honour was perillous that was not designed for service when the State chose Ministers that were more sensible of duty than of rising that loved business rather upon conscience than upon bravery and when the Prince discerned a busie nature from a willing mind as the stone had need be rich that is set without foyl so this noble person that was only real had need of great parts of vertue So valiant he was that he made the Spanish Fleet veil to him though it carried the Empress of Germany so active that he tugged at the Cabl● himself in 88. and did much by his own pains and more by his example so skilful that he contrived the Fire-ships that frighted and scattered the Spanish Navy Two eminent services he did the Protestant Religion when but twenty one years of age The first is that he was so observant a witness of Arch-Bishop Parker's consecration that with his bare word the tale of the Nags head came to nothing 2. That he was so close an Agent in the Court of France that no Design was brewed in Scotland none seconded in France but he with the Emperour and the King of Spain's Embassadors assistance whom he had engaged with the hope of a Match between the King of the Romans and his Mistriss discovered and defeated with that success that the King of France courted his Mistriss to a Peace and himself to Favour None more careful in matter of Business none more splendid in business of Complement condoling King Francis his death with a Majesty no less becoming the Personage he represented than the Prince he addressed himself to 1. His providence in contriving the English Ships nimble and such as could tack about at pleasure 2. His prudence in not hazarding his weak Navy against the Spanish Army and Armado in an Engagement wherein a victory would be but a little glory and a defeat a ruine 3. His activity in alarming the Spanish Navy day and night 4. His wisdome in honouring the most serviceable under him as Hawkins Forbisher Sheffield c. 5. His popularity that drew so many Voluntiers to his service as the Earls of Oxford Northumberland Cumberland the Cecils c. 6. His wariness in dividing his fourteen Sail into four squadrons round about the Spanish Navy 7. His excelle●t contrivance of eight Ships filled with pitch wild-fire rosin c. which sent down the wind in the dead of night so much to the terrour of the Spaniards that fearing the Fire together with some more deadly Engines they raised a pitiful cry weighed Anchor cut their Cables and in a terrible pannick Fear with great hast and confusion put to Sea 8. His admirable dexterity in disposing of the Navy so as they met the Spanish Navy upon their dispersion with su●h success that the invincible Fleet never saw again its own formidableness ever since grown the most contemptible thing that ever sailed upon these Seas 9. His seasonable order to the Dutch Fleet to watch the Duke of Parma in the Ports of Dunkirk and Newport 10. His exact intelligence whereby he understood what a Controversie there was in the Spanish Navy about this point whether they should stick to their Commission in staying for Parma which was their duty or follow the emergent advantages which had been their discretion and dealt with them accordingly These grand particulars of this Noble-man's service were so eminent and signal that Queen Elizabeth who was over-lavish neither of her honour nor her preferments would
Earl of Holland and Robert Earl of Warwick both brothers had the same Education at home and the same admittance to Court only the elder having an Estate brought not thither that compliance and observance that the younger did that wanted it The one therefore is serious in his carriage harsh and rough in his spirit stubborn in his constitution steady in his course stern in his comportments sly and close in his conduct choosing rather to improve himself in America by Trade than in England by Courtship something inclined to the faction by the principles of his Education more by those of his Interest The other owned not a greater smoothness in his face than in his soul being very taking in his countenance more in his converse The first being not more lovely than the last was obliging While a Courtier so much was he in favour with King Iames that one morning as he and Mr. Ramsey waited on his Majesty and two Porters c●me by with some money he did but smile on Ramsey and tell his Majesty who asked why he smiled that it was to think what good that money would do him and he had it his Royal Mr. whose heart was as large as his Kingdom adding I 'll warrant you you are glad of this Let me tell you I have more pleasure in bestowing this money than you in possessing it so much a more blessed thing it is to give than to receive While Embassador in France where he represented a King in his State and port as well as in his place so great was he with the Queen-Mother that he was admitted to all treatments that he had the honour of all Entertainments that he commanded the Kings ears understood the Spanish policies dived into the French humour and inclination All the while he was in Paris his observations were minute and particular his Addresses wary and reserved never opening the Marriage-treaty until he was sure of a good reception his working upon Madams affection close artificial his counter-plots to the Spanish insinuations nimble and effectual his correspondence with the Duke of Bucks weekly constant his contracts with Count Soisons and Madam Blanvile in behalf of her Husband here in England resolute and honourable urging very nobly and successfully that the clamours of a turbulent Agent was not to o●t-weigh the favour of a mighty Monarch The discovery he made of the Duke of Buckingham's enemies their Cabals and Oaths from the said Blanviles Letters was seasonable and compleat but his Master-piece was his command over all affections and tempers but his own so soft and smooth that it endured not the roughness of the following times wherein he was very unsetled when Commissioner in Scot-land while he lived and very fearful when he died The fate of all delicate and too fine Constitutions It hath been the method of Grandees to endear themselves to power for a present interest and to learning for their future fame to add the renown of the one to the greatness of the other Neither was this Lord more careful to succeed his great friend the Duke of Buckingham in his favour at Court as Captain of the Guard and Groom of the Stool than in his Place at the University as Chancellor of which he expresseth himself thus to his Cambridge That his Master had raised his fortune beyond wishing in this world that he could desire no more than a fair name when he was gone out of it which the University contributed to whom he devoted his Interest Though they answered not his expectation in their Contributions for St. Pauls and other particulars wherein he was defeated and over-bor● by the busie faction who thought it a vain thing to repair any Church when they intended to pull down all After all this great man is a great instance of that obse●vation viz. That when able and prudent men are brought on the Stage to manage their own parts they are then mostly not of the clearest sight and commonly commit such errors as are both discernable and avoidable even by men of mean abilities Although I find him subject to no great error before the War save that when Dr. Preston was by his party judged of so great parts as to make a fit Patron for them and thereupon directed to appear aloof the way of Court-observers in his Addresses to the Duke of Buckingham by his Confident the Earl of Holland whose Family favoured that side though the Duke said he knew him and so would use him accordingly Yet this Earl was so far over-reach'd by him that in the Apology the Doctor writ under-hand to his Partiz●ns touching his Court-compliance he sheweth he over-reached the Court-wits as indeed he was a great Politician and used Lap-wing-like to flutter most on that place which was farthe●● from his Eggs a copy of which Letter with some satyrical stanzaes was found unsealed in the streets and carried to the Duke a noble friend discovering to the Doctor how witty he was in Rhime to the breaking of his heart he confessing then he was undone especially when the Dukes Barber could finger the Letter out of his Lords pocket as he was directed And now I cannot but remember how this Earl at his death said He had been a friend to godly Ministers as had his friends before him by whom he had been instructed when young Whence I collect that the members of those great Families into which the godly Ministers i.e. peevish factious and discontented persons which usurp that precious name insinuate them●elves and their principles seldom come to their Grave in peace they usually instilling into them such imaginations as make their lives unquiet and their deaths dis●onourable Whence the good old Lord Willoughby would say Carry the peevish man this speaking of one Chambers a Separatist but tell him he must not come under my Roof for I will not meddle with them that are given to change whose calamity ariseth suddenly and who knoweth the ruine of them both To conclude it is observed as the reason why he fell off from the Parliament that the wary Sirs would not trust two Brothers him and the Earl of Warwick with supream commands therefore when they voted the one Admiral they denyed the other General of the Horse Both are charactered by their Contemporaries for natural Endowments excellent for temper sweet and loving for behaviour affable and courteous for spirit meek and lowly of the same inclinations before and after their advancement In honore si●● tumore lifted up with honour but not p●ffed● up with pride Observations on the Life of Arch-Bishop Laud. THe pregnancy of his childhood promised the wisdom of his riper years and obliged his friends beyond their abilities to his support and strangers beyond expectation to his enencouragement Some persons offering him great sums of money for his maintenance in his younger years upon the bare security of his parts which paid them well in his more reduced age None more observant of favour none
the Churches publick peace required or its indulgence to promote Christians permitted The Uniformity he pressed was not more advantageous to Religion which must of necessity have been propagated when Controversies had been turned to devotion than it was necessary for the State which cannot be secure as long as there is a mark of distinction under which all Male contents may shrowd themselves a note of separation whereby the Factions may reckon their parties and estimate their strength and a way open to popularity to the ambition of any whose interest or desperateness shall adventure to make himself head of so great a p●rty He was a person of so great abilities which are the designations of nature to dignity and command that they raised him from low beginnings to the highest Office the Protestant profession acknowledgeth in the Church and he was equal to it His learning appeared eminent in his Book against Fisher and his piety illustrious in his Diary He was of so publick a spirit that both the Church and S●ate have lasting Monuments of the virtuous use he made of his Princes favour at his admittance into w●ich he dedicated all the future Emoluments of it to the glory of God and the good of men by a projection of many noble Works most of which he accomplished and had finished the rest had not the fate of the Nation checked the current of his Design and cut off the course of his Life He was not contented by himself only to serve his Generation for so he might appear more greedy of fame than desirous of the universal benefit but he endeavoured to render all others as heroick if they aimed at a capacity for his friendship For I have heard it from his E●emies no great man was admitted to a confidence and respect with him unless ●he made Address by some act that was for the common good or for the ornament and glo●y of the Protestant faith Learned men had not a better Friend nor Learning itself a greater Advancer He searched all the Libraries of Asia and ●rom several parts of the world purchased all the Ornaments and helps of Literature ●e could that the English Church might have if possible by his care as many advantages for knowledge as almost all Europe did contribute to the grandeur of that of Rome The outward splendour of the Clergy was not more his care than their honour by a grave and pious conversation He would put them into a power of doing more good but was sore against their Vices and Vanities He scorned a private Treasure and his friends were rather relieved than raised to any greatness by him In his election of friends he was determined to the good and wise and such as had both parts and desires to profit The Church had his closest embraces if otherwise it happened their frauds not his choice deserved the blame Both Papists and Sect●ries were equally his Enemies one party feared and the other hated his Vertues Some censured his zeal for Discipline above the patience of the Times but his greatest unhappiness was that he lived in a factious Age and corrupt State and under such a Prince whose Ver●ues not admitting an immediate approach for Accusations was to be wounded with those i● did caress But when Faction and Malice are worn out by time Posterity shall engrave him in the Alb● of the most excellent Prelacy the most indulgent Fathers of the Church● and the most injured Martyrs His blood was accompanyed with some tears that fell from those Eyes that expected a pleasure at his death and it had been followed with Miseries and the present Fears of Ruine exacted all the stock of Grief for other objects His very enemy Sir Edward Deering would confess That let him dye when he would St. Pauls would be his Monument and his Book against Fishes his Epitaph Observations on the Life of the Lord Keeper Littleton SIr Edward Littleton the eldest son of Sir Edward Littleton of Mounslow in Shropshire one of the Justices of the Marches and Chief-Justice of North-Wales was bred in Christ-Church in Oxford where he proceeded Batchellor of Arts and afterwards was one of the Justices of North-Wales Recorder of London and Sollicitor to King Charles From these places he was preferred to be Chief-Justice of the Common-Pleas and made Privy-Councellor thence advanced to be Lord-Keeper and Baron of Mounslow the place of his Nativity He died in Oxford and was buried in Christs-Church where he was bred Being a Member of the Parliament 1628. he had the management of the high presumption charged on the Duke of Buckingham about King Iames his death wherein he behaved himself so discreetly between the jealousi● of the People and the honour of the Court that Sir Iohn Finch would say He was the only man for taking things by a Right handle And Sir Edward Cook that He was a well-poized and weighed man His very name carried an Hereditary credit with it much plaineth out the way to all great Actions his virtue being authorizing by his nobility and his undertakings ennobled by his birth gained that esteem which meaner men attain not without a large compass of time and experience worthless Nobility and ignoble worth lye under equal disadvantage Neither was his extract so great as his parts his judgement being clear and piercing his Learning various and useful his skill in the Maxims of our Government the fundamental Laws of his Monarchy with its Statutes and Customs singular his experience long and observing his integrity unblemished and unbyassed his Eloquence powerful and majestick and all befitting a Statesman and a Lord-Keeper set off with a resolved Loyalty that would perform the harshest service his Master could enjoyn him while he stayed at London and follow the hardest fortune he could be in when at York whither he went with the great Seal he knew made to stamp Royal Commissions rather than authorize Rebellious Ordinances At Oxford he did good service during the Session of Parliament by Accommodations there and as good during their recess by his interest in the Country Observations on the Life of the Marquess Hamilton A Preacher being at a loss what to say of a party deceased conclu●●d his Sermon with these words There is one good quality in this man viz. That he was born and that God made him And another viz. That he is dead and we must speak no●hing but good of the dead I may say of this Noble-man that I have two reasons to speak well of him● 1. That good King Charles honoured him 3 and 2. That his wicked Subjects beheaded him otherwise I must leave these Queries as I finde them Quaere 1. Why should Duke Hamilton post without leave into Scotland when the Parliament was discontented and the Duke of Buckingham murthered in England Qu. 2. Why should Ramsey the Dukes Messenger to the King of Sweden play the Embassadour in Germany and take place of all other persons there Qu. 3. What design was that