his private Devotions Sir Hardress Waller Collonel Harrison Collonel Dean Comissary General Ireton are to consider of the time and place of his Execution and in the Painted Chamber Munday January 29. the President and Judges met and within the Committee resolve that in the open street before White Hall his own House is the fittest place that the King be there executed to morrow Tuesday between ten and two of the Clock upon a Scaffold covered with black next to the Banquetting House where he was wont to ascend his Throne It was supposed the King would not submit his neck to the Enemies Axe and therefore it was so provided with staples and cords that he should not resist January 27. the King lodged at White Hall the next day Sunday the Bishop of London preached before him Afterwards his children had leave to visit him his children being come to him he first gave his blessing to the Lady Elizabeth and bad her to tell her Brother James when soever she should see him that it was his Fathers last command that he should no more look upon Charles as his eldest Brother onely but be obedient to him as his Sovereign that they should love one another and forgive their Fathers Enemies Then said the King to her Sweet Heart you 'l forget this no said she I shall never forget it whilest I live and pouring down abundance of tears promised him to write the Particulars Then the King taking the Duke of Glocester upon his knee said Now they will cut off thy Fathers head upon which the childe lookt very stedfastly on him Mark Childe what I say they will cut off my head and perhaps make thee a King But mark what I say You must not be King so long as your Brother Charles and James do live for they will cut off your Brothers heads when they can catch them and cut off thy head too at last therefore I charge thee do not be made a King by them at which the Childe sighing said I will be torn in pieces first at which the King smiled The fatal day appeared Tuesday 30. January when he prayes and receives the Sacrament just at ten of the Clock in the forenoon he is called to come forth from St. James's Palace then his Prison to go on foot over the Park to White Hall guarded with a Regiment of Foot Souldiers part before and the rest behinde him with Collours flying and Drums beating his private Guard of Partisans about him and Doctor Juxon Bishop of London next to him on one side and Collonel Thomlinson on the other Ascending the stairs up to the Park Gallery into his Cabinet Chamber he continued there at his devotion and refused to dine onely about twelve of the Clock he eat a bit of bread and drank a Glass of Clarret-wine from thence he was conveyed into the Banquetting House and the great Window enlarged out of which he ascends the Scaffold the Rails being hung round and the floor covered with Black the Executioners disguised with vizards encountring him he not affrighted shews more care of the people living then fear of his own dying for looking round about upon the people whom the thick set Guards and Troops of Horse kept a great distance off and seeing he could not be heard by them omitting probably what he purposed to have spoken to them turning to the Officers and Actors but rather to Collonel Thomlinson he said I would now speak nothing unto you in this place were it not that some men would interpret my silence as an argument of guilt and think that I took on me the crimes objected with the same conscience as I submit to the punishment with patience I call God to witness of my innocency before whose Tribunal I must shortly appear it never entred into my thoughts to intrench on the just priviledges of Parliament and that I raised not any Army before such time as they had raised hostile forces against me which from the order of proceedings on both sides and dates of Commissions and Proclamations will be clearly manifested to the inquirer Mean while I acknowledge and submisly own Gods Justice which this day by an unjust sentence of mine he hath inflicted a just judgement on me for as much as heretofore I would not quit an innocent man meaning the Deputy of Ireland when opprest by a most unjust decree With what Charity I embrace my enraged enemies this good man is my witness pointing to the Bishop of London I pardon them all from my very heart and I earnestly beseech the God of all mercies that he would vouchsafe to grant them serious repentance and remit this great sin Yet I cannot to my last gasp but be solicitous of the peace of my kingdom which I am not able at the present better co consult for then by chalking out the way from which you of the souldiery have exceedingly deviated and by which we must return to sobriety and peace Herein I perceive you are most miserably out of the way in that by the rule of the Sword without all even a shadow of right you think good to wrest the government to your selves and endeavour to establish the Kingdom not by the authority of the Laws but upon the score of Conquest which can never have any accruit of right unless adhered in by a just Cause and Triumph of War namely either by the repulsing of wrongs of recovering of rights unjustly detained But if more prosperous success shall advance the victor beyond the modest bounds of just and lawful nought hinders but that the Kingdoms that are erected both be and be accounted great robberies which we read heretofore a Pirat objected to Alexander But being out of the way as you are can you by no other expedient return into the the right wayes of peace by no other counsel believe me can you hope to divert Gods wrath then by restoring to God the King the people respectively such things as are their dues You shall give God his due by restoring his pure worship and Church rightly regulated according to the prescript of his holy word which hath long since been miserably convulst and disjoynted And this a national Synod duly called will best effectuate to the King namely my successour you will render full right if you restore those things which by the clear Letter of the Law stands exprest Lastly you will put the people in their rights and due liberties not by lifting them in the consort of the Throne and sway of the Scepter but by recovering unto the Laws there Authority and the peoples observance to the abrogating of which by the enormious power of the Sword when as by no means I could be induced I was brought hither to undergo Martyrdom for my people So his last breath gently dissolving into a most meek prayer the Bishop of London said to him thus If his most excellent Majesty pleased he would openly profess what he thought touching his Religion not
whom he was very intimate walking with him in his Summer-Parlour thought to please him with a motion of putting out a summe of his money to interest on good security Master Sutton shewing a dislike told him that he had other purposes and for the lawfulness of Usury he was not so fully convinced of it but that he did believe that the most confident Usurer that ever lived would give the best bag he had on his death-bed to be cleared of that case of conscience He being asked by his friend what he would then do with his money he answered that he was onely as treasurer and disposer for poor and wanting persons which words of his agreed with his mind as the end of his Life declared For as he determined with himself so he afterwards built an Hospital having first got a Grant from K. James confirmed by Act of Parliament To this purpose having bargained with Tho. Earl of Suffolk for a House then called the Seat of the Carthusians now the Charter-House which was much out of repair this with many thousands of pounds he bought of the Earl though some asperse him and report that he got it into his hands first by fraud the Deeds being intrusted to him that he kept them by which subtilty he had the advantage to make his own market I cannot believe this but if it were true he had great need if it could stand him in any stead to fly to that Scripture which the Romanists make so much use of Charity covers a maltitude of sins But to passe by this diversion this House questionlesse he bought lawfully of the Earl which he turned into an Hospital When he was very old and considering how soon his crazinesse and weaknesse might set a period to his life and not knowing what injuries the present or future Ages might act against his Charity he took such care to confirm his will by the Royal power and the Laws of the Land that except it hath been abused by the corruption of some particular covetous persons it hath not been otherwise violated The particulars of his Testament are too large to be inserted here I refer the Reader to the printed Copy I shall onely out of it instance a few particulars He bestowed upon his Kindred Friends and Servants vaste summes of money besides six thousand pounds a year to the Hospital For the performance whereof he chose honest wise and experienced Executours His Will being thus perfected he fell deadly sick at his House at Hackney near London in the year of our Lord 1611. he died Not long after his death the House began to be turned into an Hospital though after his decease this good work with several quirks and pretences of Law was oposed as to the very foundation of it the Kings ears being abused At last such was the faithful zeal of those that were intrusted God assisting them in so honourable actions that the Institution came to perfection by a quiet possession to the use appointed with a Library as a gift worthy of such an Hospital In this House fourscore old men are maintained which should be decayed Gentlemen and Souldiers according to the Doners intent who are to have an allowance both for their bodies and souls There is also a School for thirty children of poor parents though I am credibly informed rich persons of late years that make the greatest friends soonest get their children in an abuse of the Will of the deceased and a crying oppression of the poor These Children have their constant diet and clothing There are several other stipends for the Governour Overseers Physicians nad Chyrurgeons of the Hospital together with an annual allowance and an ample stipend assigned to a learned Minister who in the Chappel on the Lords Day is to preach to the Hospitallers with prayers twice every day in the week An honourable gift to the end of the world bestowed on the distressed members of our Saviours body Master Sutton was first buried in Christs-Church in London but afterwards removed and interred in the Chappel of his Hospital the Charter-House where a costly Monument was erected for him by his Executours The Papists that glory so much of their good works cannot shew a nobler foundation for a particular person of his quality To conclude though our actions of Charity are never so great foolishly thought by them meritorious yet if not the effects of a true saving faith they are lost and a man may for all his Charity go to the Devil And though the Catholiques would plead from the form of the last judgement Matthew 25. that God accepts men to Life for their deeds of Charity feeding clothing relieving c. yet the Scripture fully testifies that God neither accepts these nor our selves for them no further then they are the effects of a true faith our persons being first justified by faith in Christ then God will crown our works This according to the holy Writ we acknowledge that Charity for the perpetuity of it excells all other Graces when we have possession of those pleasures that we believed and hoped what longer use is there of faith and hope but our Love shall not end with our lives we shall everlastingly love our Maker Saviour Sanctifier Angels and Saints where no discontent shall breed any jar in our Halelujahs To conclude as the use of Mr. Suttons Love and Charity was a comfort and delight to him on earth what can we think it will be to him in heaven The Life of the most Noble Sir FRANCIS BACON Viscount of Saint ALBANES AFter I had bestowed much pains and strictly enquired the transactions of the life of this incomparable Knight having finisht it with all the ingenuity care and impartiality of a studious minde I at last had the happiness to meet with it in Latine exactly and admirably done by Doctour Raleigh his Chaplain who as he discharged his faithful trust in publishing of some of his Works I thought my self obliged to do him the right of the alone setting forth of his Life more especially as no person better knew him then this Reverend Doctour I have onely translated what he did word for word neither adding nor detracting Sir Francis Bacon the Honour of his age and Countrey the credit and ornament of Learning was born at York-House in the Strand a noted Street adjoyning to the City of London on the 22. day of January in the year of mans salvation MDLX His Father was that famous Councellour to Queen Elizabeth and while he liv'd one of the chief Props and Pillars of her Kingdom Sir Nicholas Bacon Knight Keeper of the great Seal of England a Heroe of approved wisdom judgement moderation and integrity His Mother was Anne a Daughter of Sir Edward Cook who had the education of Edward the Sixth King of England a Lady both of singular Piety and Vertue and eminently learned having no mean skill especially considering her Sex in the Greek and Latine Tongues sprung from such
have heard it often discoursed that he writ on the window with the point of his Diamond reflecting on the then present affliction of his Marriage these words John Donne done and undone But long were they not there but Mr. Donne got himself enlarged and soon after his two Friends and long it was not ere the edge of his Father-in-laws passion was taken off by the advice of some Friends who approved his Daughters choice and although at present he refused to contribute any means that might conduce to their livelihood yet did he bestow upon them his Paternal Blessing and secretly laboured his sons restauration into that place of which his own rashness had bereft him although it found no success The Lord Chancellour replying That though he was sorry for what he had done yet it stood not with his credit to discharge and re-admit Servants at the request of passionate Petitioners And now Mr. Donne by means of his Father-in-law being brought out of employment the greatest part of his portion by many and chargeable travels wasted the rest disburst in some few Books and dear bought experience was surrounded with many and sad thoughts And indeed no apprehension of discourtesie strikes so deep into a man as to receive it from those where we expect the greatest courtesies certainly he who hurts his Son-in-law cannot chuse but harm his own Daughter Neither is it enough for him to say he repenteth him of what he hath done unless withal he endeavor for him a new employment and allow him maintenace so long as he is out of it As did this good Knight Sir George More who repenting of his errour gave Master Donne a Bond to pay him eight hundred pound at a certain day as a portion with his Wife and to pay him for their maintenance twenty pound quarterly as the Interest of it until the said portion were paid Master Donne during the time of his Father-in-laws displeasure was curteously entertained by their noble Kinsman Sir Francis Wally of Pirford where he remained many years who as their charge encreased for she had yearly a childe so did he encrease his love and bounty Sir Francis dying he for a while kept house at Micham near Croyden in Surrey but being importuned by his friends he left Micham and had a convenient house assigned him by that honourable Gentleman Sir Robert Drury next his own in Drury-Lane who not onely gave him his dwelling rent free but was also a daily cherisher of his studies And now was he frequently visited by men of greatest learning and judgement in this kingdom his company desired by the Nobility and extreamly affected by the Gentry his friendship was sought for of most forreign Ambassadours and his acquaintance entreated by many other strangers whose learning or employment occasioned their stay in this kingdom Divers of the Nobility interceeded for his preferment at Court and great hopes was given him of some State employment his Majesty having formerly known and much valued him was much pleased to hear his learned disputes frequently used as they sat at meals About this time was that great dispute in England concerning the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance in which the King had ingaged himself who talking occasionly with Mr. Donne concerning some arguments urged by the Romanists received such satisfactory answers that he commanded him to state the points and bring his reasons to him in writing which within six weeks he performed with such contentment to the King that he perswaded him to enter into the Ministery to which Mr. Donne seemed to be modestly unwilling his modesty apprehending it too weighty for his abilities his friends also knowing how his education had apted him mediated with his Majesty to prefer him to some civil employment but the King having a descerning spirit replyed I know Mr. Donne is a learned man will prove an excellent Divine and a powerful Preacher Which caused this learned King again to sollicit him to enter into Sacred Orders which yet he deferred for the space of three years applying himself in the mean time to an incessant study of Textual Divinity and attained to an admirable perfection in the Greek and Hebrew Tongues Soon after his entring into this holy profession the King made him his Chaplain in ordinary he attending his Majesty in his progress to Cambridge the University knowing his worth with a universal consent made him Doctor in Divinity Immediately after his return home his Wife dyed leaving him the careful Father of seven Children living having buried five to her he promised never to bring them under the subjection of a step-mother and although his age being but forty two years might promise the contrary yet kept he his word faithfully burying with his most dear and deserving Wife all his sublunary joyes in this world and living a retired life applyed himself wholly to the exercise of Divinity And now his preaching and godly conversation was grown so eminent that fourteen Advowsions of several Benefices were offered unto him in the Countrey but he having a natural inclination to London his Birth-place refused them and accepted of a Lecture at Lincolns-Inne being glad to renew his intermitted friendship with them where he continued for the space of three years constantly and faithfully dispensing the word of God and they as freely requiting him with a liberal maintenance About which time the Palsgrave usurping the Crown of Bohemia much trouble arose in those kingdoms for the composing whereof the King sent the Earl of Carlile then Viscount Doncaster his Ambassador to those unsettled Princes and by a special command from his Majesty Doctor Donne was appointed to go along with him which accordingly he did to the great comfort of that vertuous Lady the Queen of Bohemia who very gladly received him as the Ambassadour of Christ and during his abode there being a constant hearer of his most excellent and powerful preaching Within fourteen moneths he returned home and about a year after his return the Deanry of Saint Pauls being vacant by the removal of Doctor Cary to the Bishoprick of Exeter the King bestowed the same upon him at his entrance into the Deanry he repaired the Chappel belonging to his house Suffering as the Psalmist hath it his eyes and temples to take no rest untill he had first beautified the house of God Soon after the Vicarage of Saint Dunstans in London fell to him by the death of Doctor White with another Ecclesiastical endowment about the same time Thus God blessed him that he was enabled to be Charitable to the Poor His Father-in-law Sir George More coming to pay him the conditioned sum of twenty pound he refused it saying as good Jacob said when he heard his Son Joseph lived It is enough you have been kinde to me and careful of my Children and I thank my God I am provided for therefore I will receive it no longer and not long after freely gave up his Bond of eight hundred pounds But