doubted and won those that contradicted in King Henry's Cause But he served not King Henry more faithfully in Germany then he provided for him honourably in England where the Kings Cause waited for his Assistance and the See of Canterbury 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 refuse King Henry's Favours as to offer him Injuries he is Archbishop in his own Defence 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 Juramentum juramenta 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 liberò loqui consulere consentire valeam in omnibus singulis Reformationem Ecclesiae prerogativam 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 chief 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prime Ministers of State to comfort him would not be satisfied until he saw them mitigated in King Henry's time and repealed in King Edward's Gardiner would have questioned him for entertaining forreign Hereticks and promoting Domestick Schisms the Northern Rebells accused him for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 finde Him guilty of High Treason 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 and 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 Bullen 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 Church and his Policy the State He spake little to others he conferred much with himself Three words of His could do more then three hours discourse of Others He wousd 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 not 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 onely 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 Articles were strict and severe as much grounded on the Canon of Scripture as on the Canons of the Church He convinced more Papists with his Reason and Moderation then others by their Power His Heart never failed him in his Life and it was not burned at his Death He did so much for the Protestant Religion in King Henry's Days that he foresaw he should suffer for it in Queen Mary's He was unwilling to wrong Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth therefore he refused at first to sign King Edward'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 and with his Blood when he died Observations on Sir Thomas More Lord Chancellour of England HE rise up high because he stept out well Sir Thomas More was half way Chancellour when born to Sir John More Chief Justice The Father's Prudence Wit and Noblenesse flowed with his Blood to the Sons Veins Much Honour he received from his Family more he gave to it His Mother saw his Face shining in Dream on her Wedding Night and his Father saw his Life so really A quick City-Spirit made him capable of great State-Employments He was saved by a Miracle and was One For his Nurse riding with him over a Water and being in some danger threw him over a Hedge where she found him not hurt but sweetly smiling upon her A Free-school seasoned his forward Childhood and the grave wise and excellent Cardinal Mortons House his Youth The One
its Men. He liv'd and di'd in Arms Bulioign saw him first a Souldier and Bulloign saw him last the best Camp-Master in all Christendom always observing three things 1. The Situation of his Camp to secure his Army 2. The Accommodation of it to supply it 3. His Retreat to draw off the Avenues to be guarded with Souldiers and strengthened with Redoubts which he made Triangular that more men might engage the Enemy at once during erection whereof the Army was pallisado'd in the Front with stakes headed with iron on both Ends five foot long and stuck slope-wise into the ground to keep off both Horse and Foot the Foot-Sentinels were without the Redoubts the Horse-Guards beyond them at distance enough to descry the Enemy and not too much to retire to their works A serious and plodding brow bespoke this Noble Knights deep Prudence and a smart look his resolved Valour Observations on the Life of Sir Charles Somerset SIr Charles Somerset afterward Lord Herbert of Gower c. endeared himself to King Henry as much for his Maxime That Reason of State was Reason of Law as for his Advice That the King should never stick at Law in case of Publique God and yet that all his Acts for publique Good should come as near as possible to the Law So Popular was this Gentleman that he received all the Petitions against Empson and Dudley yet so loyal that he advised his Master neither to spare those Leeches lest any should presume to alienat◠his Peoples affections from him by Extortions for the future nor yet too severely to punish them left any should be discouraged to serve the Crow◠for the present for indeed Empson and Dud 〈…〉 suffered for that which others were advanced for◠the Parliament punished them for putting their Laws in execution and the King deserted them for improving his Exchequer to a Treasury Two things this Lord advised his Master to before he put the Crown upon his head 1. To redress the Peoples Grievances under his Father 2. To marry not in France where he had a Title A Kingdom so near us that by reason of mutual jealousies we may have peace with it sometimes but Friendship never In the Houshold he was Lord Chamberlain so discreet his Carriage In the French Expedition Anno 1513. he was General so noble his Conduct His Assistants were the Earls of Northumberland Shrewsbury Kent and Wiltshire his Followers the Lord Audley De la Ware Carew and Curson c. Therouene he besiegeth in good Order and with Welsey's advice who had lived long in that Town understands all the Avenues of it and with Sir Oughtred Sir Henry Guilford Sir Edward Poynings Sir Charles Branden and Sir Baynam's assistance sprung several Mines repulsed the French Relief and the City-Assailants so that the Town was yeilded August 22. 1513. and upon Maximilian's Intreaty razed as he did Tournay September 22. Herbert was for razing this place as farther from us than Therouene but Wolsey for the Bishopricks sake is for the garisoning of it as a Trophy The King recollecting his former occasions Febr. 3. 1514. thought he could not do a more just or a more prudent Act then recompence his Noble Servants but the cheapest way I mean that of Honour as he did old Somerset with the Earldom of Worcester With this Honour at home is joyned another abroad viz. That of Embassie to Maximilian where he reached that Germans depths and clearly demonstrated that those fond and impossible Offers of the Empire were but Artifices rather then Kindnesses to drain the Kings Treasure rather than enlarge his Dominions Advising him to raise a Citadel at Tournay and an Army in Normandy He finished the Espousals between the Princess Mary and the Dolphin and delivered Tournay by the same token that he would not let the Mareschal de Chastilion to enter with Banner displayed but rolled up it being as he said who when Lord Herbert was at the taking of it voluntarily yeilded up and not gotten by Conquest and then bestowed himself with Sir Richard Wingfield for the great enterview between King Francis and King Henry an interview I know not whether more solemn or more dangerous Kings cannot meet without great state and they seldom part without much envy who never are further asunder then when they meet His most eminent Action here was the Device of that Motto Cui adhaereo praeest a Motto that speaks the Honour of England and the Interest of Europe Observations on the Life of Thomas Grey Marquess of Dorset THe Kings Wars called for Souldiers and his Peace for Statesmen and here is a Person ex utroque magnus When the whole design for the Invasion of France was ripened this Marquess is made General and attended by the Lord Thomas Howard the Lords Brook Willoughby and Ferrers with divers Knights Gentlemen and others to the number of ten thousand men armed not onely with Bows but Halberts He distresseth Navar to a submission to his Master forceth his way to Bayon and with Sir John Styles assistance kept up the English Honour above that of France and the Empire keeping close to his Commission and not stirring a foot without express Orders from Ireland although his presence countenanced some actions his hands could not perform Three things he was very careful of 1. Of Good pay lest his Souldiers mutined 2. Of Good Diet and Quarters lest they failed 3. Of Order Discipline and Temperance especially in strange Climates lest they should be distempered Two things he was unsuccessful for 1. The narrowness of his Commission 2. The reach of Ferdinand who designed the conquest of Navar rather than of France Yet what reputation he lost by Land Sir Edward Howard gained by Sea commanding the French ships to their Harbours over-running Britaign and with Sir Tho. Knevet the Master of the Horse Sir Jo. Carew and Sir Guilford's assistance gave Law in the Mediterranean until he awed the Neighbour-Princes to terms as honourable for his Master as dishonourable for themselves now we finde him valiant in earnest at Sea anon so in jest at Court at the solemn Justs proclaimed by Francis de Valois Duke of Angoulesm in France his Nature being not stinted but equally free to debonair and serious Enterprizes of Pleasure or of Honour where six Germans were at his mercy and four Frenchmen at his feet His spirit equalled those active times and his temper his spirit Three things set him up 1. His large expences for shew at Court 2. His strength and manhood at Justs 3. His skill and experience in the Field He was the best for embatteling an Army in those times observing 1. The number strength and experience of his Camp 2. The nature and extent of the place whether champaign or inclosed hilly or plain wooddy or moorish straight or large that he might accordingly dispose of distances and stands 3. Inclosures he aimed at for his Foot and Champaign for his Horse together with the advantages of
place with the awe of his presence and the influence of his Authority that he was at once its support and its glory Indeed Courts being those Epitomes wherethrough strangers look into Kingdomes should be Royally set off as with Utensils so with attendance that might possess all Comers with reverence there and fear elsewhere His Person graced his Imployment and therefore his Majesty honoured his Person with the Order of the Garter and the Title of Lord Russel and that his Preferment might keep pace with his Honour he is made Lord Privy Seal and his Nephew Sir John Gage Controller His Honour slacked not his Activity but improved it neither was his Vertue onely violent in Ambition and dull in Authority Power to do good is the true and lawful end of aspiring therefore my Lord to his Staff added his Sword and to his court-Court-honour his Field-service as Lieutenant-General before Muttrel and Marshal before Buâ—oign to the relief of the first whereof he drew Mounsieur Bies that his Majejesty might take the second In the Camp he drew up the Designes in the Field he managed the Treasure and in Action to him was intrusted the Conduct and manage In the Kings last Will and Testament he was the fifth person and in his Sons Council the fifth to whom he discovered a French Plot the first year of his Raign and for whom he broke the Devonshire Rebels what with delays what with stratagems to divide them according to their several Inclinations the second for which service he was made Earl of Bedford The third in the Faction at home between the Seymours and the Dudleys he was Neuter in the Treaties abroad between the French King and his Majesty of England he was Principal where he observed three Rules 1. That there should be a general Muster at home while this Treaty went on abroad 2. That there should be a blow given the Scots before there was a Peace made with the French 3. That we should first know the French Overtures before we made our own But while he was here he discovered a Plot that the Emperour had to transport the Lady Mary over to his Dominions and thereby bring her Brother to his terms whereupon he with 200 men watcheth one Port the Duke of Somerset with 200 more a second and Master St. Leiger with 400 men a third while the Lady was fetched by my Lord Chancellor to the King But while he was serving his Master the King abroad his Friend the Protector wanted his advice and assistance at home 〈…〉 he being of purpose sent out of the way while thaâ— unfortunate Duke is first betrayed by his own folly and then ruined by his Enemies Power I finde his hand among the rest of the Counsellors in a Letter to Queen Mary but not in Arms against her He was concluded by the major Vote to a Commission for Peace but not to Action for conscience sake Faithful he is therefore to her in Council and serviceable in Spain and France from the first of which places he brought her a Husband and from the second a Treasure He understood her Right and disputed not her Religion regarding not so much her Opinion as his own Duty not what she was but what he should be And thus he behaved himself until his dear Mistress Elizabeth took him for one of her Protestant Counsellours to balance her Popish ones and not onely of her Council but of her Cabinet for as every man must have his Friend to ease his heart so Princes have their Favourites to partake of their cares and the Marquess of Northampton the Earl of Bedford and Sir William Cecil were the onely Persons to whom the Queen communicated her designe of Reformation and correcting the Common-prayer and they ordered affairs so that the Protestants should be in hope and yet the Papists should not be out of hope King Philip had a quarrel with the Queen for rejecting his suit the King of Sweden for slighting his Son the King of France in his Wives Right the Queen of Scots in her Own and the Pope for excluding his Supremacie her Subjects were as unsettled in their Loyalty as in their Religion What remained but that my Lord of Bedford and Sir William Cecil should make up a well-tempered House of Commons by their Interest who should carry along an indifferent House of Lords by their Resolution When he had served the Queen in Parliament for the settlement of her Kingdom at home he served the Kingdom in an Embassie to Scotland to set up its correspondence abroad The Earl of Leicester aimed at the Queen of England and the Earl of Bedford to divert him and secure Scotland design'd him for the Queen of Scots whom he watched for two things 1. That she should either match with an English Subject or 2. With a soft and weak Forreigner that either the Scots might be in league with us or have no peace at home His last service I finde is a complement when he was sent by the Queen as her Deputy with a font of massie Gold worth 1043 l. to hold King James at his Baptism with express command not to acknowledge my Lord Darley as King This his service was as lasting as his life which ended in old Age and Renown He conveyed his Vertue and Honour to the Excellent Francis as he did to the Right Honourable William Earl of Bedford now living Observations on the Life of Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester THe tuition of the Earl of Dorset's Children raised Wolsey travelling with the Duke of Norfolk's raised Gardiner Fox his service in the quality of Secretary made the first and his in the same quality made Gardiner There are three kindes of Understanding The one that is advised by its self the second that understandeth when it is informed by another the third that neither is advised by its self nor by the assistance of another If this Doctor failed in the first and his own invention he exceeded in the second of making use of others for he was one of them that never heard or read what was not his own His Profession was the Civil Law that guideth forreign Negotiations His Inclination was that general Policy that manageth them His Eminencies were three 1. His Reservedness Whereby he never did what he aimed at never aimed at what he intended never intended what he said and never said what he thought whereby he carried it so that others should do his business when they opposed it and he should undermine theirs when he seemed to promote it A man that was to be traced like the Fox and read like Hebrew backward If you would know what he did you must observe what he did not 2. His Boldness Authority sometimes meets with those impediments which neither power can overcome nor good fortune divert if Courage and Fortitude break not through and surmount them and the motions of the irascible faculties such as Hope Boldness and Choler being well ordered and
and could not brook the obsequiousness and assiduity of the Court at that time He had more favour then he courted and he courted more rather to comply with the Queens humour then his own inclination then he desired He would say and that saying did him no good saith Sir Robert Naunton That he was none of the Reptilia being made rather to march as a Souldier then to creep as a Courtier But Civility must allay Nature in a Courtier Prudence regulate it in a States-man and modest submission check and soften it in a Subject It 's as dangerous to be stubbornly above the Kindnesses as it is to be factiously against the Power of Princes Willoughby got nothing Stanley lost all by his haughtiness which when it cannot be obliged is suspected But his service in France Holland and on the Borders compounded for his roughness so that to he who could not endure he should be high at Court were pleased he should be so in the Field Stiffness which displeased when looked on as Pride at home took when heard to be Resolution abroad Each Nature is advanced in its own Element Leicester among the Ladies my Lord Willoughby among the Souldiers It 's a step to Greatness to know our own way to it to exercise and shew our proper Vertues as he did his Magnanimity in these two instances among many others 1. When one challenged him then sick of the Gout he said That though he were lame in his feet and hands yet he would carry a Rapier in his teeth to fight his Adversary 2. Having taken a Spanish Gennet designed a present to that King and being offered either 1000l or 100 l. a year in exchange for it he nobly answered If it had been a Commander he would have freely released him but being onely a Horse he saw no reason be could not keep a good Horse as well as the King of Spain himself Sir Christopher Hatton was to an excess a Courtier and my Lord Willoughby so a Souldier Observations on the Life of Sir Philip Sidney HE was Son to Sir Henry Sidney Lord Deputy of Ireland and President of Wales A Person of great Parts and in no mean grace with the Queen His Mother was Sister to my Lord of Leicester from whence we may conjecture how the Father stood up in the place of Honor and Employment so that his Descent was apparently Noble on both sides For his Education it was such as Travel and the University could afford for after an incredible proficiency in all the Species of Learning he left the Academical life for that of the Court whither he came by his Uncles invitation famed aforehand by a Noble report of his Accomplishments which together with the state of his Person framed by a natural propension to Arms he soon attracted the good opinion of all men and was so highly prized in the good opinion of the Queen that she thought the Court deficient without him and whereas through the fame of his deserts he was in the election for the Kingdome of Poland she refused to further his advancement not out of Emulation but out of fear to loose the Jewel of her times He married the Daughter and sole Heir of Sir Francis Walsingham then Secretary of State a Lady destinated to the Bed of Honour who after his deplorable death at Zutphen in the Netherlands where he was Governour of Flushing at the time of his Uncles being there was married to my Lord of Essex and since his death to my Lord of St. Albans all persons of the Sword and otherwise of great Honour and Vertue He had an equal temperament of Mars and Mercury Valour and Learning to as high a pitch as Nature and Art could frame and Fortune improve him so Dexterous that he seemed born for every thing he went about His representations of Vertue and Vice were not more lively in his Books then in his Life his â—ancy was not above his Vertue his Humours Counsels and Actions were renowned in the Romancer Heroick in the States man His Soul was as large as his Parents and his Complexion as Noble an equal Line of both the modesty of the Mother allaying the activity of the Father A man so sweetly grave so familiarly staid so prettily serious he was above his years Wisdome gained by travel Experience raised from Observations solid and useful Learning drawn from knowing Languet his three years Companion and choicest Books accomplished him for the love of all and the reverence of most His Converse was not more close at home then his Correspondence abroad equally mixed with Policy Pleasure Wisdome and Love his Worth being penned up and smothered within the narrowness of his fortune sallied not out to discontent but pleasure sweetning the Affairs of State with the Debonnairness of the Stage his Romance being but Policy played with Machiavil in jest and State-Maximes sweetened to a Courtiers Palate He writ men as exactly as he studied them and discerned humours in the Court with the same deep insight he described them in his Book His Infant-discourses teach men O what had his riper years done He put Life into the dead Notions of Ancestors made Philosophy practicable joyned the Arts as closely in him as they are in themselves His Book is below his Spirit a Spirit to be confined with Kingdomes rather then Studies to do what was to be written then onely to write what was to be done All eyes were upon him but his own at first in all Affairs he was the last at last he was the first obliging all men that ever he saw and seeing all that were worth obliging All were pleased with his Arcadia but himself whose years advanced him so much beyond himself as his Parts did beyond others He condemned his Arcadia in his more retired judgement to the fire which wise men think will continue to the last Conflagration His private Correspondence with William of Nassau about the highest Affairs of Europe was so exact and prudent that he assured Sir Fulke Grevil he deserved a Kingdom in Forreign Parts though he had not an Office in England The Earl of Leicester held his Authority in the Low-Countries by his Counsel when alive and gave it over when he was dead Sir Francis Walsingham was so much overshot by him in his own Bow that those with whom Sir Philip were acquainted with for his sake were his friends for Sir Philips King James was honoured when King of Scotland with his friendship Henry the fourth with his correspondence Don Juan highly obliged with his Visits the King of Spain himself concerned in his death whom England he said lost in a moment but could not breed in an Age. The Universities were proud of his Patronage the Field of his Presence the Studious in all Parts communicated with him the Hopeful were encouraged by him all excellent Persons thronged to him all serviceable men were entertained by him and he among them a Prince whose minde was great
and her own sake the Knowles were of the same blood with her Majesty the Norrises spent theirs for her 1. My Lord Norris died at Court an honest man 2. Sir Francis at Bulloign a good Souldier 3. Sir William at Berwick a brave Governour As the first eminent Norris suffered for Anne Bullen the Queens Mother so the first eminent Knowles suffered with Protestantism her Religion 4. Sir Thomas at Munster a wise President 5. Sir Maximilian at Bretaign an expert Engineer 6. Maximilian at Groen a renowned Heroe 7. Sir John was a most accomplished General no less eminent for his safe retreats then for his resolute onsets France hath recorded this testimony of him That he brought on his men so warily as one that could bring them off and England this That he brought them off so resolutely as one that durst bring them on His fortune often overthrew his enemy and his wisdome oftner saved his friends His Conduct was famous and his Discipline exact His Actions are Presidents and his Orders Laws of War to this day He was bred under Castilion and out-did him Ireland was always possessed but never conquered till Norris came who could lie on the coldest earth swim the deepest Rivers Norris could not rise though he deserved his Honour because of Leicester that favoured his Brother Knowles and Essex that envyed him neither could Knowls advance because of Sussex that feared and Cecil that suspected him The Knowles were deserving but modest favoured but humble powerful but quiet rather firm at Court then high allied to the Queen and faithful to the Crown Queen Elizabeth advanced Sir Francis to the Vicechamberlainship Treasurership of the Houshold Captainship of the Guard and the Order of the Garter because she said He was an honest man and King James and King Charles raised his Son Sir William to the Earldome of Banbury because he was a serviceable man force the straightest Passes find out the most secret corners tread the softest Bog who could endure any thing but an affront and a Superiour the first whereof upon a repulse at Court saddened his heart as the second upon another Deputies being sent over him broke it Unsuccessful he was with Don Antonio in Spain because he understood not the Country In the Low-Countries he gained experience first and then victory in Ireland he had Connaught for his Grave Mount Norris his Monument and the Letter of Queen Elizabeth to his Mother his Epitaph Honestly faithful was that family to their Mistress that was and providently so were they to their Master that should be Handsom men they were when attending at Court and valiant when called to the Camp Norrises Knowles 1. The Norrises are employed in Embassies of War wherein they were active 1. The Knowles are abroad in religious Negotiations for which they had been Confessors Sir Francis in France and Sir Henry in Germany 2. My Lord Norris his resolution was very becoming in the demand of Calice 2. Francis Knowles his meekness was suitable to his perswasions for Religion 3. The Irish Conspirator Thoumond opened a Plot against the Government in Ireland to the Agent Norris 3. And the Scots Schismatick Humes discovered a designe against the Church in England to the Embassadour Knowles In 88 My Lord Hunsdon guarded the Queens person with 34000 foot and 2000 horse the Earl of Leicester commanded the Midland Army of 22000 foot and 1000 horse Sir Roger Williams and Sir Richard Bingham were in the head of 20000 in the Thames mouth and Sir John Norris and Sir Francis Knowles with other Assistants sate in the Council of War to overlook all Sir John advised three things 1. The Guarding of the Havens 2. The Training of the Militia and the preparing of them to be at an hours warning upon a signal given which was then the firing of a Beacon 3. That if the Enemy did land the Country should be laid waste before him the Train-bands alarming him day and night Sir Francis added 1. What Shires and what numbers should assist each Coast how the men should be armed how commanded and in what order they should fight 2. That the Papists should not be massacred as some would have it but secured 3. That the Deputy of Ireland should be instructed 4. That the King of Scots should be engaged 5. That Agents should be sent to the Netherlands and to France And 6. That the Queen should encourage the people with her own presence Sir John Norris died when he saw beyond others expectation and his own merit the Lord Burghe made Lord-Deputy and himself but President of Munster his great minde sinking under one affront from his Soveraign which had born up against all the assaults of her enemies leaving this honour behinde him That he laid the best grounds of Military practice in England But who can stand before Envy A further Character of Sir John Norris from Queen Elizabeths Letter to his Mother My own Crow HArm not your self for bootless help but shew a good example to comfort your dolorous yoak-fellow Although we have deferred long to represent to you our grieved thoughts because we liked full ill to yeild you the first reflexion of misfortune whom we have always rather sought to cherish and comfort yet knowing now that Nec'ssity must bring it to your ear and Nature consequently must move both grief and passion in your heart We resolved no longer to smother neither our care for your sorrow or the sympathy of our grief for your loss Wherein if it be true That Society in sorrow works diminution We do assure you by this true Messenger of our minde that Nature can have stirred no more dolorous affection in you as a Mother for a dear Son then Gratefulness and memory of his Service past hath wrought in Us his Soveraign apprehension of our miss for so worthy a Servant But now that Natures common work is done and he that was born to die hath paid his Tribute let that Christian discretion stay the flux of your immoderate grieving which hath instructed you both for example and knowledge that nothing in this kinde hath happened but by Gods Divine Providence And let these Lines from your loving gracious Soveraign serve to assure you that there shall ever appear the lively Character of our Estimation of him that was in our gracious care of you and yours that are left in valuing rightly all their faithful and honest Endeavours More at this time we will not write of this unpleasant subject but have dispatched this Gentleman to visit both your Lord and you and to condole with you in the true sense of your love and to pray that the world may see what time cureth in a weak minde that Discretion and Moderation helpeth in you in this accident where there is so just cause to demonstrate true Patience and Moderation Your Gracious and Loving Soveraign E. R. Observations on the Life of Secretary Davison THat Meteor of the Court raised onely in an
countenance our Cause His extraction was Gentile and Ancient as appeared from his Ancestors Estate which was more than he could purchase without borrowing when at once Lord Keeper Bishop of Lincoln and Dean of Westminster His minde great and resolute insomuch that he controuled all other advices to his last to his losse in Wales and daunted Sir John Cook as you may see in his character to his honour in England His warinesse hath these arguments 1. That he would not send the Seal to the King but under lock and key 2. That being to depute one to attend in his place at the Coronation he would not name his Adversary Bishop Laud to gratifie him nor yet any other to displease the King but took a middle way and presented his Majesty a List of the Prebendaries to avoid any exception referring the Election to his Majesty himself 3. That he proposed a partial Reformation of our Church to the Parliament to prevent an utter extirpation by it 4. That he exposed others to the censure of the Parliament 1625. to save himself 5. That he answered to several Examinations without any the least advantage taken by his Antagonist This character of his I think very exact That his head was a well-fitted treasury and his tongue the fair key to unlock it That he had as great a memory as could be reconciled with so good a judgement That so quick his parts that others study went not beyond his nature and their designed and forelayd performances went not beyond his sudden and ready accommodations Onely he was very open and too free in discourse disdaining to lye at a close guard as confident of the length and strength of his weapon Observations on the Life of Sir Isaac Wake THis honourable person whom I look upon at Oxford in the same capacity and fortune that Sir Robert Naunton and Sir Francis Nethersole were in at Cambridge He was born in Northampton-shire his Father Arthur Wake being Parson of Billing Master of the Hospital of St. Johns in Northampton and Canon of Christs-Church bred Fellow of Merton-Colledge in Oxford Proctor and Orator of that University whence he was admitted Secretary to Sir Dudley Carleton Secretary of State and afterward advanced into the King's service and by his Master and the Duke of Buckingham employed Embassadour to Venice where he neglected his own interest to attend his Majesties employment the reason that he dyed rich onely in the just conscience of his worth and the repute of his merit Coming from Venice he was appointed Lieger of France and designed Secretary of State had not Death prevented him at Paris being accomplished with all qualifications requisite for publick Employment Learning Languages Experience Abilities and what not King CHARLES hearing of his death commanded his Corps to be decently brought from Paris into England allowing the expences of his Funeral and enjoyning his neerest Relations to attend the performance thereof These accordingly met his body at Bulloign in France and saw it solemnly conveyed into England where it was interred in the Chappel of the Castle of Dover His REX PLATONICUS or his Latine account of King James his six dayes stay at Oxford speaks his Learning and his Instructions for Travel his experience He observing his Predecessors failings retrenched his expences satisfying himself with a repute of noblenesse while in his way to preferment and others with the expectation of his bounty When preferred he seemed liberal that he might not be despised abroad but he was neer that he might not be odious at home His prodigality it may be might have satisfied the curiosity of a few Strangers while he incurred the displeasure of all his friends Besides a close wary man may be bountiful at his pleasure but the munificent cannot be so easily sparing for if his occasions or fortunes check his profuseness all his gallantry is in his first action of good husbandry Caution in expences if it be a vice is one of those saith the Italian that never disinherited a man Nay of the two saith Machiavel It 's more discretion to hold the style of miserable which begets an infamy without hatred than to desire that of Liberal which being maintained by necessitous courses procures an infamy with hatred As never did States-man a brave action that seemed illiberal so never did he any such that was not so Yet four things our Knight spared no cost in 1. Intelligence He could afford he said a golden key for the Pope's Cabinet 2. Books his Study was his Estate 3. In watching the Spanyards saying The Indies will pay for this And 4. Entertaining knowing men often applauding that Emperour's maxime That bad rather go fifty miles to hear a wise man than five to see a fair City And this he was eminent for that he saw nothing remarkable in Foreign parts that he applyed not to his own Countrey Sir Henry Wotton being not more curious in picking up small Rarities to pleasure particular persons than Sir Isaac Wake was industrious to observe any useful invention that might improve the publick good Observations on the Life of the Lord Cottington SIr Fran. Cottington being bred when a youth under Sir .......... Stafford lived so long in Spain till he made the garb and gravity of that Nation become his and become him too He raised himself by his natural strength without any artificial advantage having his parts above his learning his Experience above his Parts his Industry above his Experience and some will say his Successe above all So that at last he became Chancellor of the Exchequer Baron of Hanworth in Middlesex Constable of the Tower 1640. and upon the resignation of Doctor juxon Lord Treasurer of England gaining also a very great Estate Very reserved he was in his temper and very slow in his proceedings sticking to some private Principles in both and aiming at certain rules in all things a temper that indeared him as much to his Master Prince Charles his person as his integrity did to his service Nor to his service onely but to that of the whole Nation in the Merchandize whereof he was well versed to the trade whereof he was very serviceable many ways but eminently in that he negotiated that the Spanish Treasure which was used to be sent to Flanders by the way of Genoa might be sent in English Bottoms which exceedingly enriched England for the time and had it continued had made her the greatest Bank and Mart for Gold and Silver of any Common-wealth in Europe Indeed the advantage of his Education the different Nations and Factions that he had to deal with the direct opposition of Enemies the treachery of Friends the contracts of States-men the variety and force of Experience from the distinct knowledge of the natures of the people of several Countreys of their chief Ministers of State with their Intrigues of government made him so expert that the Earl of Bristol and Sir Walter Aston could do nothing without him and he
wise as a Woman valiant the most serious Endeavours of both being to take onely the Eyes Observations on the Life of the Marquess of Hertford HE was none of those Male-contents who make the sins of their riper years make good the follies of their youth and maintain oversights with Treasons as he was patient under his Imprisonment for the one so he was active in his services against the other not more dutifully submitting to the severity of K. James for his Marriage then loyally assisting the necessities of King Charles in his Wars It 's natural to return an Injury it 's heroical to overcome it and be above it when we are below our selves It is true he was drawn in to subscribe the untoward Proposals at Yorke but it is as true he did of his own accord declare against the unnatural War in London where the King advanced him to the tuition of the Prince and he went himself to the defence of the King at what time such his popularity that he raysed an Army himself such his humility that he yielded the command of it to another as if he knew nothing but others merit and his own wants being one of those choice men that admire every thing in others and see nothing in themselves His face his carriage his habit savoured of Lowlinesse without affectation and yet he was much under what he seemed His words were few and soft never either peremptory or censorious because he thought both each man more wise and none more obnoxious than himself being yet neither ignorant nor carelesse but naturally meek lying ever close within himself armed with those two Master-pieces Resolution and Duty wherewith he mated the blackest Events that did rather exercise than dismay that spirit that was above them and that minde that looked beyond them He was the easiest enemy and the truest friend whom extremities obliged while as the Reverend Bishop speaks he as a well-wrought Vault lay at home the stronger by how much the more weight he did bear He offered his life for his Prince's service in the Field and his person for his ransom at the Court and when many wished they might dye for that excellent King he the Earls of Lindsey and Southampton offered That since his Majesty was presumed by the Law to do no harm himself and since he did all by them his Ministers as they had the honour to act under they might have the happinesse to suffer for him Observations on the Life of Sir John Finch THis Family hath had an hereditary eminence in the study of the Law Sir Henry Finch the Author of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 learned Sergeant at Law in King James his time 〈◊〉 Heneage Finch Recorder of London in K. Charles time and this noble person at the same time the Queen's Attorney and Speaker of that curious knowing and rich Parliament wherein some have observed though wide I suppose that the House of Commons modestly aestimated consisting of 500 could buy the House of Peers consisting of 118 thrice over Norimbergh in Germany and Florence in Italy would not of old admit of any learned men into their Councel because great learned men saith the Historian of those places are perplexed to resolve upon Affairs making many doubts full of Respects and Imaginations Semblably this Parliament was too rich and curious to do any good though this noble personage even when the House-doors were shut and he violently detained in his Chair refused to countenance their proceedings always abhorring Eliot's doctrine That men should not be questioned for offences in Parliament As if that reverend Assembly were called for no other end than that turbulent spirits might be at liberty to speak Treason once every three years When he was questioned for his opinion about Ship-money his judgement was That if the whole were in danger the whole should contribute When he was urged to read the Remonstrance against Sir R. W. 4 Car. in Parliament his opinion was That at any rate though at the highest that can be Authority must be vindicated and redeemed from contempt since the Life of Government is reputation Observations on the Life of the Lord Say WHether the first impressions of his Tutor Schoolmasters though the most neglected are not the most inconsiderable parts of a Common-wealth the narrownesse of his fortune unequal to his honour younger brothers of noble houses had need in every State to be observed the repulse 1613. other men must look to whom they are kinde but Princes to whom they are unkind inclined this personage to popularity This is certain no man was better tempered for that humour than himself being in his nature severe and rigid in his carriage close and reserved in his resolutions firm and immoveable in his apprehension provident and foreseeing in his Sentiments nice and curious in his Discourse full of Fears and Jealousies dissatisfied and bold in his followers irregular and pretending in the Law well seen in the Scripture very ready in the occurrences of his age very exact at Lectures most constant to the liberty of the Subject then the Diana of the age most faithful insomuch that he made a motion 1628 That they who stood for the Liberties forsooth then called the Lower-House Lords of the Upper-House not fifty might make their Protestation upon record and that the other party should with subscription of their names enter their reason upon Record that posterity might not be to seek good lack who they were that so ignobly betrayed the Liberty of our Nation And this being done they should resolve themselves to a Committee and proceed to vote Yet so well acquainted with the King's temper that he would â—ake any occasion of his being pleased by the Parliament to 〈…〉 sinuate himself into favour with all his Male-contents as Bishop Williams Earl of Lincoln Earl of Essex the Earl of Warwick c. As he wrought upon the peoples humour in that point of Liberty so he did upon the Nobilities temper in another of Ambition For in a Petition to King James against Foreign titles of Honour we finde him first in design though last in subscription teaching Essex Warwick St. John for they joyned with him to tilt against their Soveraign's Prerogative with their Pens as they did after with their Swords And when this failed the wise King a wing the young Lords to renounce that asunder which they had subscribed together none so bold as the factious in company none so fearfull apart the Champion of English honour and priviledge becomes the Patron of Propriety too for we read Ter. Hill Anno 14. Car. 1. in Banco Regis the Lord Say's Case Action for Trover and Conversion of thrée Oxen taken a great matter for three pounds five shillings by the Sheriff of Lincoln upon the Plaintiff towards the finding of a Ship A goodly reason for going to Law first and then to war with his Soveraign as he did afterwards when he had sent his son Nathaniel with
from him he received the Sacrament good comfort and counsell just before he was murthered I say just before the Royal Martyr was murthered a Fact so foul that it alone may confute the Errour of the Pelagians maintaining that all sin cometh by imitation the Universe not formerly affording such a Precedent as if chose Regicides had purposely designed to disprove the observation of Solomon that there is no new thing under the Sun King Charles the second preferred him Arch-Bishop of Canterbury 1660. He died in the year of our Lord 1663. and with great solemnity was buried in St. John's Colledge in Oxford to which he was a great Benefactor though a greater to Pauls and Lambeth and greatest of all to the Church which his eminence adorned and his temper secured in those times wherein roughnesse enraged that humour which delay and moderation broke a discreet yielding to the multitude is the securest way of Conquest They that hold together by opposition languish and moulder away by indulgence In his duty this good man went along with Conscience in Government with Time and Law He had the happinesse that K. James admired in a States-man of his time to do all things suavibus modis He referred his Master in the Earl of Strafford's case as he did himself in all cases to his own Conscience for matter of fact and to the Judges for matter of Law who according to their Oath ought to carry themselves indifferently between the King and his Subjects The King was not more happy in this faithful servant than he was in his followers among whom there was no uncivil Austerity to disoblige the Subjects nor base Corruption to incense them They need not keep state they had so much real power nor extort they had so much allowed advantage His care was his servants and their care his businesse His preferments were his burthen rather than his honour advanced by him rather than advancing him and therefore he was more ready to lay them down than others to take them up Witnesse his Treasurers Place which when he parted with like those that scatter their Jewels in the way that they may debar the violence of greedy pursuers no lesse than four durst undertake when his single self sufficed for the two greatest troubles of this Nation the Treasurer-ship of England and the Bishoprick of London Religion was the inclination and composure as well as care of his soul which he used not as the artifice of pretence or power but as the ornament and comfort of a private breast never affecting a pompous piety nor a magnificent vertue but approving himself in secret to that God who would reward him openly His devotion was as much above other mens as his Calling his meditations equall with his cares and his thoughts even and free between his Affairs and his Contemplations which were his pleasures as well as his duty the uniform temper and pulse of his Christian soul Neither was his Religion that of a man onely but that of a Bishop too that made his Piety as universal as his Province by such assistances of power as brought carnal men if not to an obedience yet to such a degree of reverence that if they did not honour they might not despise it His justice was as his Religion clear and uniform First the ornament of his heart then the honour of his action Neither was Justice leavened with rigour or severity but sweetned with clemency and goodnesse that was never angry but for the publick and not then so much at the person as the offence So ambitious of that great glory of Moderation that he kept it up in spight of the times malignity wherein he saw all change without himself while he remained the self-same still within the Idea of sobriety and temperance vertues that he put off onely with his life Neither was this a defect of spirit but the temper of it that though it never provoked troubles yet it never feared them His minde was always great though his fortune not so Great to suffer though not always able to act so good his temper and so admirable his humility that none ever went discontented from him Never â—ourting but always winning people having a passage to their hearts through their brain and making them first admire and then love him He was slow not of speech as a defect but to speak oâ— of discretion because when speaking he plentifully paid the Principal and Interest of his Auditoâ—â— expectation In a word his government as a Bishop was gentle benigne and paternal His management of the Treasury was such that he served his Prince faithfully satisfied all his friends and silenced all his enemies of which he had enough as a Bishop Greatnesse is so invidious and suspected though none as a man goodnesse is so meek and inoffensive The most thought the worse of Dr. Juxon for the Bishops sake the best thought the better of the Bishop for Dr. Juxon's sake Observations on the Life of John Lord Culpeper I Finde nothing promoting him to his first preferment of Chancellor of the Exchequer but his pure merit nor any thing advancing him to his after-after-honours but his steady Loyalty which when others stuck to London in compliance with that Maxime In all Divisions keep your self to the Metropolis the chief City being for the most part preserved who-ever prevaileth in a Civil Commotion abounding in Money and Friends the readiest Commodities to purchase Quiet carryed him after a persecuted Soveraign for twenty years together by the strong obligation of a well-principled Conscience and the well-weighed observation of the natural Affection of all Englishmen to their lawful Soveraign from whom though the Arts and Impulses of seditious Demagogues may a while estrange and divorce their mindes yet their Genius will irresistibly at last force them to their first love It was the resolution of a great States-man That if the Crown of England were placed but on an Hedge-stake he would be on that side the Crown was His first service was to discover his Soveraign to his deluded People worthy not onely of their obedience but their lives and fortunes His next was to lay open his Enemies in all their Intrigues and Reserves being most happy in all the Treaties he was engaged in in discerning the bottome of his own Parties Interest and their Adversaries pretensions discoveries that prevailed on all that was either noble or but ingenuous in the Nation especially whither my Lord came with his indefatigable Industry his obliging Converse and potent Eloquence excepting London it's self whither he was sent from Nottingham with the Earls of Southampton and Dorset and Sir William Wedale Knight the very day the King set up his Standard there The Principle he went upon was That the Faction at Westminster was no Parliament A Principle most safe on all hands For which and the rest of his judicious Sentiments he hath the honour to be enrolled among those that Traytors durst not pardon
industry recovered his Abilities There are those that under the notion of wisdome commit the greatest folly either in too much conversing with the world without or in too much reflecting on themselves within Sir John was made up of both some time he allowed for Action more for Consideration There is not any thing so prejudicial to Action as to be bent upon Action without intermission for as the eye seeth not the Objects touching it but those onely more remote so the understanding continually plunged in Affairs is not so quick-sighted in occurrents as his who sometime retireth himself from publick Action beholding it aloof off by consideration In the heat and tumult of Affairs Reason hath not that power as may give conduct and motion to active life besides experience teacheth us that the eye having lost its quickness with too much looking upon the light recovereth it again in the dark the spirit in like manner dazled weakened transported and distracted among the multitude and variety of Affairs ought to recollect and recover its force in the privacy of some small retreat which Sir John made to Italy the seat of policy and experience whence I pray God he brought no more saith my Author then his closeness and reach His Soveraign saw he deserved Honour but saw not without offence to the Populacy how to confer it until the subtle Youngster shewed him a middle way upon the strange death of the Viscount Lisle who lost his life for joy that it was saved by petitioning for that honour as a favour which upon his Mothers account was his right The crafty Youth entered himself of the Cardinals Retinue first and then of the Kings Much was he employed by him at Sea as an Overseer of the Navy more in the Field as Director-General most of all in the Romish and French Court as a Spy He was too good a Proficient in his School to fall with him therefore we immediately observe him rising with Cromwel until the King made him Admiral and he with his 200 sayl upon the Coast of Scotland made himself renowned insomuch that the King left him the next year Viceroy of France and Deputy of Calice and Bulloign where to revenge the French attempts upon the Isle of Wight he drew his Fleet up to the Coasts of Normandy landed 6000 men at Treport burned the Suburbs of that Town with the Abby destroyed 30 Ships there in the Haven and then returned not having lost above fourteen persons in the whole Voyage insomuch that in a Treaty between Ard and Guisnes wherein he was Commissioner with the Earl of Hertford Secretary Paget and Dr. Wotton the French were contented that we held Bulloign till they paid us 800000 Crowns within the term of eight years For the further Establishment whereof he and the Bishop of Duresm are employed to take Oath of the French King and the Daulphine His Master Henry dieth but not his designe with him Norfolk is out of his way Seymour will be so he is now Executor of King Henry's Will he will be of his own But as Nature so Policy works by degrees first the graft then the tree after that the blossome next that the fruit first meaner Essays and then higher Actions There was nothing to be attempted at home until we were secured and feared from abroad he therefore leads the Vantguard against the Scots so successfully that he is made Earl of Warwick Here his spirit had ensnared him had not his conduct brought him off When the Protector refused a Combat as not becoming him Warwick offereth one Bring me word said he to the Herald that brought the Protector a Challenge from the Lord Huntley that thy Master will perform the Combat with me and thou shalt have an hundred Crowns for thy pains But a publick Conduct becomes a General better then personal Valour and he must so far onely remember he is a Souldier as not to forget he is a Commander and so a whole Army too Against the Rebels in Devonshire so happy he was that upon his discreet Overture of Pardon Mercie is a Vertue with Valour and but a Weakness with Cowardize and coming in person to assur 〈…〉 them of it they saying They knew him so honourable that if he came himself they would embrace it threw down their Arms and submitted to Mercie Against the French that took the opportunity of those Turmoyls he was so prosperous that he sent them home from Jersey and Guernsey with the loss of two thousand men Honour he had enough and Power too yet not what he aimed at our Souls are infinite as in their duration so in their capacity Ambition is like choler which is an humour that maketh men active earnest full of alacrity and stirring if it be not stopped but if it be stopped and cannot have its way it becometh adust and thereby malign and venomous So aspiring men if progressive and successful their passage to advancement being clear are rather active then perilous but if curbed with some obstructions their secret discontent casts an evil aspect upon all persons and actions and becomes rather dangerous than serviceable This great Earl's greater minde was useful when prosperous abroad but at home troublesome when finding a plain man in his way to height great in his power greater in his Soveraigns affections and greatest of all in his knowing Brother whose Spirit bare up his Authority as his Authority supported His Courage In that mans Brest there was a Prudence that could reach and a stoutness that could balance this at once close and fierce man Interest and Blood united these Brothers so strongly that there was no dividing of them but by practising on their Wives whose Humours were above their Interest and Fancy above their Relation Their precedence is made a question at Court where it bred first a distance and upon an Interview contrived in this Lords house a difference that difference is improved to an animosity he can do little that cannot blow up a spark in a Womans Brest to a flame that animosity to malice and malice cannot dwell long in those weaker brests without a mischief mischief they cannot do themselves The Ivy cleaves to the Oak and these Women to their Husbands though both ruine the things they cling to What suggestions What insinuations What pretty fears and jealousies What little tales and passions Yet continual droppings wear a Stone The Womens discords derive themselves into the Husbands hearts until the Admiral falls and leaves the Protector to his own Integrity Whose large Trust and infinite Business could not but bewray him to some Errour as his great Power did to much Envy that first devested him of that Power and then of his Life There is not a more admirable Wisdom directing the contrarieties of Nature to an Harmony than there is a close reach in some men to reconcile variety of Humours Affections Oppositions Rancounters Events and Changes to one Design The Protectors easiness is
Prince more dangerous his Disguise as who acts all things against his Master by his Authority Let no man upon this example ever repose so much upon any mans single Counsel Fidelity or Discretion as to create in himself or others a diffidence of his own Judgement which is likely to be most faithful and true to a mans own Interest Let every man have some things that no man shall obtain and some things that no man must dare ask because you see here if we let all go without reserve our Reputation is lost in the world by the Reputation our Favourite gains with us There was in Rome a certain man named Enatius somewhat entred in Age and of natural condition mutinous ambitious and troublesome Adrian being advertised that he was dead fell into a great laughter and sware That he could not but wonder he could intend to die considering what great business he had night and day Considering how many Affairs he had to manage how many cross accidents to accommodate I wonder what time he had to die And considering his many pretences for the Protestant Religion especially that for King Edward's I wonder with what face he could die a Papist But I have forgot my self for there are two sorts of persons in Machiavel that must either not believe or not profess any Religion The first the States-man that acts in publick Affairs the second the Historian that writes them Observations on the Life of Sir William Peter HE was born in that great Nursery of Parts Devonshire and bred in a greater Exeter-Colledge That Colledge made him a Scholar and All-Souls a Man His capacity was contemplative and his Genius active observing rather then reading with his eye more on men then Books studying behaviour rather then notion to be accomplished rather then knowing and not to erre in the main rather then to be excellent in circumstance His Body set off his Parts with a grave dignity of presence rather then a soft beauty of aspect His favour was more taking then his colour and his motion more then his favour and all such as made his early Vices blush and his riper Vertues shine The Earl of Wiltshire first pitched upon him for his Sons Tutor and then for his own Companion Noble Families set off hopeful Parts and improve them Cromwel's quick eye one day at my Lord spyeth his Personage and observes his Carriage He was a man himself and understood one Nothing would satisfie him but that the young Gentleman should come to Court and go to Travel King Henry loved any All-Souls man but was enamoured with him in whom concurred the three Perquisites of that Society 1. A Gentile Extraction 2. A graceful Behaviour 3. Competent Learning The young man designed for business was to travel for Education and the Scholar for Experience 1. His Pension is allowed him 125 l. a year 2. His Tutor is assigned who had been there before and could instruct him what he should see where he should go what acquaintance to entertain what exercise or discipline to undergo 3. His Instructions were drawn up as 1. That he should keep a Diary of what the chiefest places and the eminent persons either apart or in Conventions yielded worthy of Remarque and Observation 2. To have before him a Map or Card of every place he goeth to 3. Not to stay long in any one place 4. To converse with no Englishmen but Agents Embassadors or such grave persons as his Majesty would direct him to 5. To endeavour after Recommendations from persons of quality in one place to those in another keeping still his correspondence with the most publick and eminent persons of every respective place Within five years he returned a compleat Gentleman correcting the Vices of one Country with the Vertues of another and being one happy Composition of every Region Sir John Philpot was not so much the worse as Sir William was the better for travel He returning the shame of all Nations of his own by his weakness abroad of others by their follies at home This coming home the honour of his own by his abilities abroad of others by his perfections at home Two things improved his travel 1. An Artificial and careless freedome that opened others 2. A natural gravity that shut him up and was more capable of observing their Vertues and escaping their Vices Peter Earl of Savoy came to do his homage to Otho the fourth in a double attire on the one side Cloth of Gold on the other shining Armour the Emperour asked him what meant that Lindsey-Woolsey he answered Sir the attire on the right side is to honour your Majesty that on the left is to serve you Sir William Peter returns with those Gayeties of carriages on the one hand that might adorn a Court and with those abilities on the other that might support it His first employment was the Charts the Latine Letters and the Forreign Negotiation the next was Principal Secretary In which Office Wriothesley was rough and stubborn Paget easie Cecil close Mason plain Smith noble Peter was smooth reserved resolved and yet obliging Both the Laws he was Doctor of and both the Laws he made use of the Civil Law to direct Forreign Negotiations and the other t 〈…〉 give light to Domestick Occasions In the Kings absence in France 1544. Cranm 〈…〉 and Thorleby are to assist the Queen in matters o 〈…〉 Religion the Earl of Hertford in Affairs of War the Lord Parr of Horton and Doctor Peter in th 〈…〉 Civil Government whose Maxime it was It i 〈…〉 the interest of the Kings of England to be the Arbit 〈…〉 of Christendome Thus much he was to the Que 〈…〉 by Henry the eighth's Deputation and no less to King Edward by his Will A man would wonder how this man made a shift to serve four Princes of such distant Interests as King Henry King Edward Queen Mary Queen Elizabeth until he recollects the French King who enquired of a wise man how he might govern himself and his Kingdome the wise man took a fair large sheet of Paper and in stead of an infinite number of Precepts which others use to offer upon that subject he onely writ this word Modus A Mean In King Henry's time he observed his Humour in King Edward's he kept to the Law in Queen Mary's he intended wholly State-affairs and in Queen Elizabeth's he was religious his years minding him of death and his death of his faith He moved with the first Movers in most transactions to his apparent danger yet he had motions of his own for his real security Able he was at home and very dexterous abroad particularly at Bulloign The Philosophers exercising their Gifts before an Ambassador he asked one that was silent what he should say of him Repart to your King saith he that you found one among the Graecians that knew how to hold his tongue Ab said Mounsieur Chaâ—illon we had gained the last 200000 Crowns without Hostages had 〈…〉
of Italy into the Chair of Canterbury but Charles the Emperour by the Popes power secretly retarded his return fearing it might obstruct the propounded marriage between his Son and the Queen Indeed the Queen bare the Cardinal an unfeigned affection for six reasons 1. For his grave and becoming presence that endeared him no less to those that saw him then his parts and prudence did to those that conversed with him The Diamond is then orient when set in Gold 2. For his disposition as calm as her Majesties and as meek as his Profession 3. For his Age being about ten years older the proportion allowed by the Philosopher between Husband and Wife 4. For Alliance she being daughter to Henry the Eighth and he Grandchild to Edward the Fourth 5. For his Education with Her under his Mother 6. For his Religion for which he was an Exile as she was a Prisoner and both Confessors But now when the marriage with Prince Philip was consummated Pool at last got leave for England and to wipe away all suspition of Lutheranism wherewith he was formerly taxed he became a cruel that he might be believed a cordial Papist For meeting in Brabant with Emanuel Tremelius requesting some favour from him he not onely denied him relief but returned him rayling terms though formerly he was not onely his very familiar Friend but his God-father too when of a Jew he turned Christian Arrived in England as the Historian goeth on he was first ordained Priest being but Deacon before and then consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury the Queen being present at Bow where rich in costly Robes and sitting on a guilded Throne his Pall was presented to him Adorned he presently mounts the Pulpit and makes a dry Sermon of the use and honour of the Pall without either Language or matter all admiring the jejuness of his Discourse as if putting off his Parts when putting on his Pall. He made the breach formerly between England and Rome by exasperating both sides he now reconciles it obliging many by his carriage awing as many by his presence dazling all by his pomp and splendour Now he confirmeth the Institution of Clergy-men into their Benefices he legitimateth the Children of forbidden marriages he ratifieth the Processes and Sentences in matters Ecclesiastical and his Dispensations were confirmed by Act of Parliament Two things he was intent upon 1. The Church-Priviledges whereof one he procured was That the Clergy should not shew their Horses with the Layty but under Captains of their own chusing 2. The Spanish Interest and therefore Paul the fourth who was as intent upon the French and looked upon the Legate as the principal Promoter of the last War in France sends Cardinal Peito to ease him of his Legantine Power in England But the Queen so ordered the matter that by her Prerogative she prohibited Peito entrance into England and got the foresaid Power established and confirmed on Cardinal Pool as she did likewise 1000 l. 2 year for his better support out of the Bishoprick of Winchester The more he lived in England the more he was Italianized conversing with their Merchants and practising their thrift his Pomp being saith my Author rather gaudy then costly and his attendance more ceremonious then expensive Fearful he was of a Bank here if Queen Mary died careful of one beyond Sea if he lived therefore as he sends all his Estate to Italy by his Will when he died so he did most of it by Bills of Exchange while he lived the first was judged his Policy the heart whereof is prevention the second his Gratitude bestowing his Superfluities on them who had relieved his Necessities Of all his Estate Aloisius Priol took but the Breviary he had always in his Pocket so devout he was and the Diary he had always in his Closet so exact he was to observe what was done by others and recollect what had escaped himself Die he did not of Italian Physick wilfully taken by himself as Mr. Fox suggests nor of English Poyson given him by the Protestants as Osorius affirms but of a Quartain Ague then Epidemical in England and malignant above the ordinary nature of that Disease This man was a Catholick in his Interest and Charity and a Protestant in his Conscience We cannot was his saying give too much to Gods grace nor too little to our own merits He said when he came to England I came hither not to condemn but reconcile not to compel but desire He would burn the Ashes of one or two Protestants when dead to avoid the suspition of Heresie but the Bodies of none when alive to contract the real guilt of Cruelty In Council sound were his Debates for the main circumspect his Suggestions of Circumstances reaching his foresight of Consequences wary his Precautions of Impediments moderate and soft his Advices prompt and steady his Expeditions happy his Memory many his Observations large his Reading strong his Spirit solid his Judgement sharp his Apprehension fluent but weighed full but pertinent grave but quick his Discourse what he pronounced was a Decree with Queen Mary what he said was Law with King Philip 〈…〉 His naked Proposition was Demonstration his Word Reason fetched from the Principles of things and grounded on their Causes His Modesty never sued for Greatness though that sued for him for great men he said were lave to six things 1. To mens humours 2. To business 3. To Fortune 4. To their own Followers 5. To Fame and 6. To the Publick I will say no more of him but that Modesty undoeth a Maid and is the fool onely that puts Vertue out of Countenance Bashfulness is at best but a weak and treacherous Vertue Observations on the Life of Sir John Russel HIs Name and his Valour is as ancient as the Conquest Vertue flowing in every Age of that Family with its Honour and Worth keeping pace with their Advancements In every man that we meet with there are three things that immediately offer themselves to our Consideration 1. The Mind 2. The Behaviour And 3. The Person His Mind was befriended by Nature with a quickness and a capaciousness helped by publick Education to a solidity and stayedness improved in Travel with Observation and raised by the slow but happy degrees of his Preferments to Skill and Experience They had need be slow and wary in that place where there is no failing the second time the first errour being irremediable therefore well-ordered Policy imitateth Nature which worketh slowly and step by step causing the Blade to come from the Grain the Tree from the Graft the Blossom from the Tree and Fruit from the Blossom so saith my Author ought Policy to raise great persons from one degree to another to the end that having made their Essays in meaner matters they may finish their Master-pieces in more eminent Affairs 2. He that demeans himself well is ever ushered in by a friend that recommends him to the company that knew him not Sir
much altered here where this Lords Granchilde was at once the chiefest Councellour and the most eminent Scholar of his Age. It 's a reverend thing to see any ancient piece standing against Time much more to see an ancient Family standing against Fortune Certainly Princes that have able men of their Nobility shall finde ease in employing them and a better slide into their business for people naturally bend to them as born in some sort to command Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Challoner THis Gentlemans birth in London made him quick his Education in Cambridge knowing and his travail abroad expert In Henry the eighth's time he served Charles the fifth in the expedition of Algier where being ship-wracked after he had swum till his strength and arms failed him at the length catching hold of a Cable with his teeth he escaped not without the loss of some of his teeth We are consecrated by dangers to services and we know not what we can do until we have seen all we can fear In Edward the sixth's Reign he behaved himself so manly at Muscleborough that the Protector honoured him with a Knighthood and his Lady with a Jewel the delicate and valiant man at once pleasing Mars and his Venus too The first week of Queen Elizabeths Reign he is designed an Embassadour of Honour to the Emperour such his port and carriage and the second year her Leiger for business in Spain such his trust and abilities The first he performed not with more Gallantry then he did the second with Policy bearing up King Philips expectation of the Match with England for three years effectually until he had done the Queens business abroad and she had done her own at home In Spain he equally divided his time between the Scholar and the States-man his recreation and his business for he refreshed his more careful time with a pure and learned Verse de rep Anglorum instauranda in five Books whilst as he writes in the Preface to that Book he lived Hieme in furno aestate in Horreo i. e. Wintered in a Stove and Summered in a Barn He understood the Concerns of this estate well and those of his own better it being an usual saying engraven on all his Plates and Actions Frugality is the left hand of Fortune and Diligence the right Anthony Brown Viscount Mountacute urged with much Zeal and many Arguments the Danger and Dishonour of revolting off from the Catholick and Mother-Church Sir Thomas Challoner with more Eloquence enlarged on the just Cause for which we deceded from the Errours of Rome the true Authority by which we deceded from the Usurpation of Rome and the Moderation in what we deceded from the Superstition of Rome When the Spanish Embassadour urged that some Catholicks might with the Queens leave remain in Spain he answered him in a large Declaration That though the instance seemed a matter of no great moment yet seeing the Parties concerned would not receive so much advantage by the license as the Commonwealth would damage by the President it was neither fit for the King of Spain to urge or for the Queen of England to grant He was very impatient of Injuries pressing his return home when his Coâ—â—ers were searched but admonished by his Mistress That an Embassadour must take all things in good part that hath not a direct tendency to the Princes dishonour or his Countries danger His death was as honourable as his life Sir William Cecil being chief Mourner at his Funeral St. Pauls containing his Grave and he leaving a hopeful Son that should bring up future Princes as he had served the present being as worthy a Tutor to the hopeful Prince Henry as his Father had been a faithful Servant to the renowned Queen Elizabeth Observations in the Life of Sir Edward Waterhouse SIr Edward Waterhouse was born at Helmstedbury Hartfordshire of an ancient and worshipful Family deriving their descent lineally from Sir Gilbert Waterhouse of Kyrton in Low-Lindsey in the County of Lincoln in the time of King Henry the third As for our Sir Edward his Parents were John Waterhouse Esquire a man of much fidelity and sageness Auditor many years to King Henry the eighth of whom he obtained after a great Entertainment for him in his house the grant of a weekly Market for the Town of Helmsted Margaret Turner of the ancient House of Blunts-Hall in Suffolk and Cannons in Hertfordshire The King at his departure honoured the children of the said John Waterhouse being brought before him with his praise and encouragement gave a Benjamins portion of Dignation to this Edward foretelling by his Royal Augury that he would be the Crown of them all and a man of great honour and wisdome fit for the service of Princes It pleased God afterwards to second the word of the King so that the sprouts of his hopeful youth onely pointed at the growth and greatness of his honourable Age. For being but twelve years old he went to Oxford where for some years he glistered in the Oratorick and Poetick sphere until he addicted himself to conversation and observance of State-affairs wherein his great proficiency commended him to the favour of three principal Patrons One was Walter Devereux Earl of Essex who made him his bosome-friend and the said Earl lying on his death-bed took his leave of him with many kisses Oh my Ned Oh my Ned said he Farewel thou art the faithfullest and friendliest Gentleman that ever I knew In testimony of his true affection to the dead Father in his living Son this Gentleman is thought to have penned that most judicious and elegant Epistle recorded in Holinshed's History pag. 1266. and presented it to the young Earl conjuring him by the Cogent Arguments of Example and Rule to patrizare His other Patron was Sir Henry Sidney so often Lord Deputy of Ireland whereby he 〈…〉 ame incorporated into the familiarity of his Son Sir Philip Sidney between whom and Sir Edward there was so great friendliness that they were never better pleased then when in one anothers companies or when they corresponded each with other And we finde after the death of that worthy Knight that he was a close-concerned Mourner at his Obsequies as appeareth at large in the printed Representation of his funeral Solemnity His third Patron was Sir John Perrot Deputy also of Ireland who so valued his counsel that in State-affairs he would do nothing without him So great his Employment betwixt State and State that he crossed the Seas thirty seven times until deservedly at last he came into a port of honour wherein he sundry years anchored and found safe Harbour For he receiving the honour of Knighthood was sworn of her Majesties Privy-Council for Ireland and Chancellour of the Exchequer therein Now his grateful soul coursing about how to answer the Queens favour laid it self wholly out in her service wherein two of his Actions were most remarkable First he was highly instrumental
to Brussels to make it with no less commendation for the prudent Articles he proposed then censure for the hazard he incurred in the Proposal So equal and even did old Dale carry himself that the Duke of Parma saw in his Answers the English spirit and therefore saith my Author durst not try that Valour in a Nation which he was so afraid of in a single person That he had no more to say to the old Gentleman then onely this These things are in the hand of the Almighty None more inward with other men then Sir Francis Walsingham none more inward with him then Sir Thomas Randolph well studied he was in Justinians Code better in Machiavils Discourses both when a learned Student of Christ-church and a worthy Principal of Broadgates thrice therefore was he an Embassadour to the Lords of Scotland in a Commotion thrice to Queen Mary in times of Peace seven times to James the sixth of Scotland for a good understanding and thrice to Basilides Emperour of Russia for Trade Once to Charles the ninth King of France to discover his designe upon Scotland and once to Henry the third to open a Conspiracy of his Subjects against him Great Services these but meanly rewarded the serviceable but moderate and modest man though he had as many children at home as he had performed Embassies abroad being contented with the Chamberlainship of the Exchequer and the Postermasters place the first but a name and the second then but a noyse to which were added some small Farms wherein he enjoyed the peace and innocence of a quiet and retired Life a Life which upon the reflexions of a tender Conscience he wished a great while as appears by his Letters to his dear Walsingham wherein he writes How worthy yea how necessary a thing it was that they should at length bid Farewel to the snares be of a Secretary and himself of an Embassadour and should both of them set their mindes upon their Heavenly Country and by Repenting ask Mercy of GOD. Observations on the Life of Sir Amias Poulet SIr Amias Poulet born at Hinton St. George in Somersetshire Son to Sir Hugh and Grand-childe to Sir Amias Poulet was Chancellour of the Garter Governour of the Isles of Jersey and Gernsey and Privy-Councellour to Queen Elizabeth He was so faithful and trusty that the Queen committed the keeping of Mary Queen of Scots to his custody which he discharged with great fidelity As Caesar would have his Wife so he his Spirit above the very suspicion of unworthiness equally consulting his Fame and his Conscience When he performed his last Embassie with no less satisfaction to the King of France then honour to the Queen of England at once with a good humor and a great state he would not accept a Chain and all Gifts are Chains from that King by any means until he was a League from Paris then he took it because he would oblige that Prince and not till then because he would not be obliged by any but his Soveraign saying I will wear no Chains but my Mistresses It is the Interest of Princes that their Servants Fortune should be above the temptation it is their happiness that their Spirits are above the respects of a private concern Observations on the Lives of Sir James Crofts John Grey of Pyrgo Sir Henry Gates EMblems of Honour derived from Ancestors are but rotten Rags where ignoble Posterity degenerates from their Progenitors but they are both glorious and precious where the children both answer and exceed the Vertues of their extraction as in these three Gentlemen whose Ancestors fill both Pages of former Kings Chronicles as they do the Annals of Queen Elizabeth Three Gentlemen whom it's pity to part in their Memoires since they were always together in their Employments All three were like to die in Queen Mary's days for the profession of the Protestant Religion all three spending their Lives in Queen Elizabeth's for the propagation of it 1. Sir Henry Gates lying in Rome as a Spy under the Notion of Cardinal Florido's Secretary six years John Grey drawing up the whole Proceedings and Methods of the Reformation for ten years and Sir James Crofts being either the vigilant and active Governour of Berwick or the prudent and successful Commissioner in Scotland for seven years When the French threatned us by the way of Scotland the Earl of Northumberland was sent Northward for his interest as Warden of the middle March Sir Ralph Sadler for his wisdome as his Assistant and Councellour and Sir James Crofts for his Conduct as both their Guide and Director-general An Estate in the Purse credits the Court Wisdome in the Head adorneth it but both in the Hand serve it Nobly did he and Cutbbert Vaughan beat the French that sallied out of Edinburgh into their Trenches but unhappily stood he an idle Spectator in his quarter the next Scalado while the English are overthrown and the Duke writes of his infidelity to the Queen who discharged him from his Place though not from her favour for in stead of the more troublesome Place the Government of Berwick she conferred on him that more honourable the Controllership of her Houshold Great Service did his Valour at Hadington in Scotland against the French greater his Prudence in Vlster against the Spaniards Although his Merit made his Honour due to him and his Blood becoming though his Cares Travels and Dangers deserved pity his quiet and meek Nature love though he rise by wary degrees and so was unobserved and stood not insolently when up and so was not obnoxious yet Envy reflected as hot upon him as the Sun upon the rising ground which stands firm though it doth not flourish as this Gentleman 's resolved Honesty did overcoming Court-envy with a solid worth waxing old at once in years and reverence and dying as the Chronicle wherein he dieth not but with Time reports it in good favour with his Prince and sound reputation with all men for three infallible sources of Honour 1. That he aimed at Merit more then Fame 2. That he was not a Follower but an Example in great Actions and 3. That he assisted in the three great Concerns of Government 1. in Laws 2. in Arms and 3. in Councils In Aesop there is a slight Fable of a deep Moral it is this Two Frogs consulted together in the time of Drowth when many plashes that they had repaired to were dry what was to be done and the one propounded to go down into a deep Well because it was like the water would not fail there but the other answered Yea but if it do fail bow shall we get up again Mr. Grey would Nod and say Humane affairs are so uncertain that he seemeth the wisest man not who hath a spirit to go on but who hath a wariness to come off and that seems the best course that hath most passages out of it Sir James Crofts on the other hand hated that irresolution that would do
Astrologer who told him that this his Infant-son should taste of much trouble in the middest of his life even to the want of a meals meat but his old age should make amends for all with a plentiful estate which came to passe accordingly For his Father dying in his infancy no plentiful provision was made for him and when his eldest Brother Thomas Duke of Norfolke was executed his condition was much impaired insomuch that being once in London not overstocked with money when his noble Nephews the Earl of Arundel and the Lord Thomas Howard were out of Town and loath to pin himself on any Table uninvited he was fain to dine with the Chair of Duke Humphrey but other not to say better company viz. reading of books in Stationers Shops in St. Paul's Church-yard though afterwards he attained to great wealth honour and command However that Lord gave little credit to and placed lesse confidence in such Predictions as appeared by a learned Work he hath written on that subject Observations on the Life of Sir John Ramsey Earl of Holderness and Sir Tho. Ereskin Earl of Kelly BOth their preferments began on the same occasion both their natures were eminent for the same innocence and goodnesse both their services tend to the same issâ—e and therefore both their Characters come under one observation which it's more proper to take in the word of their Countrey-man and Contemporary that knew them than in the expression of a stranger that onely heard of them The whole story runs thus The name of Ruthen in Scotland was not notorious until Anno 1568. when Ruthen amongst others Confederates in those divided times of trouble laboured much for the imprisoning Queen Mary Mother to King James In 1582. his son William was created Earl Gowry in the time of that King's minority though the Father bore deadly hatred to the King's prosperity And in 1584. himself was in actual Rebellion in which he suffered at Dondee His eldest son John then in Travel in Italy returns home to inherit his lands and honours but not one jot changed in disposition from the traiterous wayes of his Predecessors For not long after he falls into this Conspiracy which is not so ancient but that many then and now living can and my self have heard the repetition The house of Gowry were all of them much addicted to study Chymistry and these more to practise it often publishing as such Professors usually do more rare experiments then ever could be performed wherein the King a general Scholar had little faith But to infuse more credit to the practice Alexander Ruthen the second brother takes this occasion and withal conspires with Gowry to assassinate the King and taking opportunity in his hunting not far from his house St. Johnstone invites the King to be an eye-witnesse of his productions In their way Sir Thomas Erskin after Lord Kelly overtakes them and others Demanding of the Duke of Lenox then present why Alexander had ingrossed the King's eare to carry him from his Sports Peace man said the Duke Wee's all be turn'd into gold Not far they rid but that the Earl Gowry made good by protestation his Brother's story And thus was the King brought to be a Guest Neer the end of Dinner at his Fruit and the Lords and Waiters gone to eat Alexander begs of the King at this opportunity to withdraw and to be partaker of his Production to the view of that which yet he could not believe And up he leads the King into by-lodgings locking each door behind them till they came into a Back Room where no sooner entered but that Alexander claps on his Bonnet and with stern countenance faces the King and says Now Sir you must know I had a Father whose blood calls for revenge shed for your sake The King amazed deales gently with his fury excuses the guilt of his death by his then Infancy Advising him not to lay violent hands on the sacred Person of his Anointed Soveraign Especially in a cause of his Innocency Pleading the Laws of God Man which so much wrought upon him that he said Well I will speak with my Brother and so put the King into a Lobby Room next the Chamber where no sooner entered but that there appeared a fellow weaponed ready for execution to whose custody the King is committed till his return Alexander gone down the fellow trembles with Reverence puts down his Sword and craves pardon which gave the King occasion to work upon that passion and to ask him whether he resolved to murther him Being assured to the contrary the King gets leave to open a window that looked into a back Court When presently Alexander returns and tells the King that he must dye But much affrighted at the Fellow's 〈◊〉 with his sword offers violence to the King Which the fellow seemingly opposes and between them began a 〈◊〉 which gave advantage to the King to cry Treâ—son at the Window which looked into a back-Court where Sir Thomas Erskin and oâ—â— Herries were come in pursuit of the King who was rumoured to be gone out the back-way to his â—â—nting At the cry of Treason and known to be the King's voice they both hastened up a back-stair called the Turn-pike being directed by a servant of the house who saw Alexander ascend that way And so forcing some doors they found them above panting with the fray and up comes also at heels of them John Ramsey after Earl of Holdernesse by them Alexander was soon dispatched Not long after came the Earl Gowry by his double key the first way with a case of Rapiers his usual weapons and ready drawn To whom Erskin said as to divert his purpose What do you mean my Lord the King is kill'd for the King was shadowed having cast himself upon a Bed from his sight and his Cloak was thrown upon the Body of Alexander bleeding upon the ground At which Gowry stops sinking the points of his weapons when suddenly Herries strikes at him with a hunting Falchion And Ramsey having his Hawk on his â—ist casts her off and steps in to Gowry and stabs him to the heart and forthwith more Company came up Not long after this Conspiracy Herries dies well rewarded John Ramsey hath the Honour of Knighthood with an additional bearing to his Coat of Arms A Hand holding forth a Dagger reversed proper piercing a bloody Heart The point crowned Emperial with this Distick Haec Dextra Vindex Principis Pâ—triae Afterwards he was created Lord Haddington and Earl of Holdernesse Sir Thomas Erskin was afterwards created Earl of Kelly Knight of the Garter Captain of the King's Guard and Groom of the Stool and the Fellow designed for the Murtherer had a large Pension confirmed by Act of their Parliament And all these men but Herries were living with other witnesses at King James his journey when he went from hence to visit Scotland and met together by direction at the same house with Ceremony and
should be weighed in those Scales with whom all men concur that know themselves And this was the first evidence of his parts and the occasion of his reputation Three Grasiers at a Faiâ— had left their money with their Hostess while they went to Market one of them calls for the money and runsaway the other two come upon the woman and sue her for delivering that which she had received from the three before the three came and demanded it The Cause went against the Woman and Judgement was ready to be pronounced when Mr. Noy being a stranger wisheth her to give him a Fee because he could not plead else and then moves in Arrest of Judgement that he was retained by the Defendant aâ—d that the case was this The Defendant had received the money of the three together and confesâ—eth was not to deliver it untill the same three demanded it and therefore the money is ready Let the three men come and it shall be paid a motion which altered the whole proceeding Of which when I hear some say it was obvious I remember that when Columbus had discovered America every one said it was easie And he one day told a company at Table where he was that he could do a stranger thing than that discovery he would make an Egge stand an end on a plain Table the speculatives were at a losse how it should be done he knocks the Egg upon the end and it stands Oh! was that all they cryed Yes saith he this is all and you see how hard a thing it is to conceive a thing in the Idea which it 's nothing to apprehend in the performance I need say no more of this Gentleman but that Sergeant Maynard will say to this hour he rose mainly at first by being looked upon as Mr. Noy's Favourite Observations on the Life of Sir John Savil. THe methods of this Gentleman's advancement exactly parallel those of his Countrey-man Sir Thomas Wentworth Both had the same foundation of wealth and honour to build on both had solid and strong parts to act by both began with Popularity in the Countrey proceeded with activity in Parliaments accomplished themselves with correspondence all over the Nation both eminent upon the Bench both hospitable at home both bountiful to Lecturers both well skilled in and stedfast to the great poynts of Prerogative and Liberty For the last whereof they were so bold as sure either by carrying the Cause to oblige the People to themselves or by suffering for it to enrage them against the Government that Sir R. Weston made it his business to take off the one and my Lord of Canterbury the other which they did with such successe that as my Lord Wentworth became a great Favourite so the Lord Savile was an eminent Counsellor onely finding that his young Neighbor had got the start of him he kept to one of his popular Principles always viz. a restless impetuosity towards Papists against whom he made himself famous 1. For a Disputation procured by him in Drury-Lane whither he brought Bishop Vsher under the notion of a Countrey-Parson when the Jesuites cryed There was more Learning in that Parson than in all the men in England 2. For a project offered by him in Parliament For when they taking advantage of King Charles his wants proffered to maintain five thousand men to serve his Majesty in Ireland and a proportion of Ships to secure him in England on condition of the free exercise of their Religion Sir John interposed That if the King were pleased but to call on the Recusants to pay Thirds legally due to the Crown it would prove a way more effectual and lesse offensive to raise a masse of money It being but just that they who were so rich and free to purchase new Priviledges should first pay their old Penalties When I read of a Lord Savile going privately to Scotland 16â—9 subscribing to a Petition with other moderate Lords as they called them containing the very sense of the faction insomuch that it is observed the City-Petition and theirs were couched in the same words yet going to Oxford and after all being so turbulent there that his Majesty was feign to send him beyond Sea where his Majesty writes with his own hand He doubts be will rather exchange his villany than end it I am almost of that wise mans minde that there were no lesse then 17 particular Designs set on foot by the promotion of the late Troubles whereof though most yet not all were carried on in Westminster or to enforce something more solid that a King should say as the Italian doth If my Subject deceives me once God forgive him If a second time God forgive me and the rather because it 's fatal for Majestie to erre twice Oservations on the Life of the Lord Bishop Williams A Strong constitution made his parts a strict education improved them unwearied was his industry unexpressible his capacity He never saw the book of worth he read not he never forgot what he read he never lost the use of what he remembred Every thing he heard or saw was his own and what was his own he knew how to use to the utmost His extraction being Gentile his Soul large and noble his presence and carriage comely and stately his learning copious his judgement stayed his apprehension clear and searching his expression lively and effectual his elocution flowing and majestick his Proctorship 1612. discovered him a person above his place and his Lectures to his Pupils above his preferment Bishop Vaughan first admitteth him to his Family and then to his bosome there his strong Sermons his exact government under my Lord his plentiful observation his numerous acquaintance made him my Lord Chancellor Egerton's friend rather than his servant his familiar rather then his Chaplain Never was there a more communicative Master to instruct than my Lord Elsemere never a more capable Scholar to learn than Doctor Williams who had instilled to him all necessary State-maximes while his old Master lived and had bequeathed to him four excellent Books when his Master was dead These four books he presented to King James the very same time that he offered himself to the Duke of Buckingham The Excellent Prince observed him as much for the first gift as the noble Duke did for the second the King and Duke made him their own who they saw had made that excellent Book his Willing was King James to advance Clergy-men and glad to meet with men capable of Advancement His two Sermons at Court made him Dean of Westminster his exact state of the Earl of Somerset's Case made him capable of and the KING'S inclination to trust his Conscience in a Divines hand fetled him in the Lord Keepers place actually onely for three yeares to please the people who were offended with his years now but 34. and his calling a Divine but designedly for ever to serve his Majesty The Lawyers despised him at first but the
to raise other mens He neglected the minute and little circumstances of compliance with vulgar humors aiming at what was more solid and more weighty Moderate men are applauded but the Heroick are never understood Constant he was in all that was good this was his heroick expression when solicited by his Wives Father to desist from his engagement with the King Leave me to my Honour and Allegiance No security to him worth a breach of Trust no interest worth being unworthy His conduct was as eminent in War as his carriage in Peace many did he oblige by the generosity of his minde more did he awe with the hardinesse of his body which was no more softned to sloath by the dalliances of a Court than the other was debauched to a carelesnesse by the greatnesse of his Fortune His prudence was equal to his valour and he could entertain dangers as well as despise them for he not onely undeceived his enemies surmises but exceeded his own friends opinion in the conduct of his soldiers of whom he had two cares the one to discipline the other to preserve them Therefore they were as compleatly armed without as they were well appointed within that surviving their first dangers they might attain that experience resolution which is in vain expected from young and raw soldiers To this conduct of a General he added the industry of a Soldier doing much by his performances more by his example that went as an active soul to enliven each part and the whole of his brave Squadron But there is no doubt but personal and private sins may oft-times over-balance the justice of publick engagements Nor doth God account every Gallant a fit instrument to assert in the way of war a righteous cause the event can never state the justice of any cause nor the peace of mens consciences nor the eternal fate of their souls They were no doubt Martyrs who neglected their lives and all that was dear to them in this world having no advantageous designe by any innovation but were religiously sensible of those ties to God the Church their King their Countrey which lay upon their souls both for obedience and just assistance God could and I doubt not but he did through his mercy crown many of them with eterlife whose lives were lost in so good a cause the destruction of their bodies being sanctified as a means to save their souls Observations on the Life of the Lord Herbert of Cherbury Edward Herbert son of Richard Herbert Esq and Susan Newport his Wife was born at Montgomery-Castle and brought to Court by the Earl of Pembrook where he was Knighted by K. James who sent him over Embassador into France Afterwards K. Charles the first created him Baron of Castle-Island in Ireland and some years after Baron of Cherbury in Montgomery-shire He was a most excellent Artist and rare Linguist studied both in Books and Men and himself the Author of two Works most remarkable viz. A Treatise of Truth written in French so highly prized beyond the Seas and they say it is extant at this day with great Honour in the Popes Vatican and an History of King Henry the Eighth wherein his Collections are full and authentick his observation judicious his connexion strong and â—ohaerent and the whole exact He married the Daughter and sole Heir of Sir William Herbert of St. Julians in Monmouth-shire with whom he had a large Inheritance in England and Ireland and died in August Anno Dom. 1648. having designed a fair Monument of his own invention to be set up for him in the Church of Montgomery according to the model following Upon the ground a Hath-pace of fourteen foot square on the middest of which is placed a Dorick Column with its right of Pedestal Basis and Capitols fifteen foot in height on the Capitol of the Column is mounted an Urn with a Heart Flamboul supported by two Angels The foot of this Column is attended with four Angels placed on Pedestals at each corner of the said Hath-pace two having Torches reverst extinguishing the Motto of Mortality the other two holding up Palms the Emblemes of Victory When this noble person was in France he had private Instructions from England to mediate a Peace for them of the Religion and in case of refusal to use certain menaces Accordingly being referred to Luynes the Constable and Favourite of France he delivereth him the Message reserving his threatnings till he saw how the matter was relished Luynes had hid behind the Curtain a Gentleman of the Religion who being an Ear-witnesse of what passed might relate to his friends what little expectations they ought to entertain from the King of England's intercession Luynes was very haughty and would needs know what our KING had to do with their affairs Sir Edward replyed It 's not you to whom the King my Master oweth an account of his actions and for me it 's enough that I obey him In the mean time I must maintain That my Master hath more reason to do what he doth than you to aske why he doth it Nevertheless If you desire me in a gentle fashion I shall acquaint you further Whereupon Luynes bowing a little said Very well The Embassador answered ' That it was not on this occasion onely that the King of Great Britain had desired the Peace and prosperity of France but upon all other occasions when ever any War was raised in that Countrey and this he said was his first reason The second was That when a Peace was setled there his Majesty of France might be better disposed to assist the Palatinate in the affairs of Germany Luynes said We will have none of your advices The Ambassador replyed That he took that for an Answer and was sorry onely that the affection and the good will of the King his Master was not sufficiently understood and that since it was rejected in that manner he could do no lesse then say That the King his Master knew well enough what he had to do Luynes answered We are not afraid of you The Embassador smiling a little replyed If you had said you had not loved us I should have believed you and made another answer In the mean time all that I will tell you more is That we know very well what we have to do Luynes hereupon rising from his Chair with a fashion and countenance a little discomposed said By God if you were not Monsieur the Embassador I know very well how I would use you Sir Edw Herbert rising also from his Chair said That as he was his Majesty of Great-Britain ' s Embassador so he was also a Gentleman and that his Sword whereon be laid his band should do him reason if he had taken any offence After which Luynes replying nothing the Embassador went on his way toward the door and Luynes seeming to accompany him he told him there was no occasion to use such Ceremony after such Language and so departed expecting to hear