exposed himself again and again and would presse the Queen with the pretences of visiting his Company so often that at length he had a flat denyal and yet he stole over with Sir John Norris into the action of Britain but at last the Queen began to take his Decessions for contempts and confined his residence to the Court and her own presence She was so confident in her own Princely judgement and opinion that she had conceived of his worth and conduct that she would have this noble Gentleman and none other to finish and bring the Irish War to a propitious end which not deceiving her good conceit of him he nobly atchieved though with much pains and carefulnesse Among the greatest things laid to Queen Elizabeth her charge saith the Censurer as cast behind the door of neglect was the conduct of the Affairs of Ireland a place lying all her Halcyon dayes under so great a contempt that wise Walsingham thought it no Treason to wish it buried in the Sea considering the charge it brought yet she kept the Pale in good order not suffering the Spanish party to grow more potent in the North than was convenient to consume his forces and divert him from neerer and more dangerous attempts It being impossible for her without being grievous to her people a Rock she chiefly studied to avoid at one time to maintain so dreadful a Navy at Sea and soment the Dutch and French to whose assistance she was called by a louder necessity than to render a Nation quite desolate none being willing during her life to exchange the present government of a natural Princess for the lesse happy tyranny of a Vice-Roy of which the most did study more their respective Grandeur by extending the War than the ease of the Inhabitants and lessening the Queens expence till the noble Lord Mountjoy was employed who had no other design than the conclusion of the Work which he had not yet brought about but that the Spaniards found themselves betrayed through the covetousnesse and cowardize of the Natives that for small sums would sell not onely such Forreigners as came to help them but their nearest Relations Nor was it possible to reduce them to civility but by curing the Bogs and Fastnesses and building Castles and Garisons which he did nor easie to subdue them without that severity to the Priests which he used whom he found exercising such an implicite power over the Peoples consciences that they could not resolve themselves of their Soveraigns right or Religion This for his Irish government touching his Domestick relation When Queen Elizabeths favour to Essex like a bone by breaches made more firm swelled him to such a degree of confidence as frowned on them as enemies that acknowledged not his friendship or depended not on his favour to balance him and my Lord Cecil this gallant Gentleman and of honourable extraction was placed in her eye many hoping by his application to draw from her heart the affection they thought mortal to them and their design the whole result concluding in a Duel that raised both in their Mistriss affections as Champions for her beauty now and like to be so for her Government There are some Letters of this noble person 's to be seen I am told of a plain and equal style becoming a States-man and businesse not seldome yet admitting of several constructions if of any interpretation at all where the businesse related to a thing whose consequence could not easily be seen into Observations on the Life of Edward Earl of Rutland A Noble-man eminent for those several Endowments which single do exact an entire man For a person of his quality to be an accurate Critick in the learned Tongues then as a Rhetorician to make all their Graces serve his Eloquence to have traversed Ancient and yet be no Stranger in Modern Writers to be well versed in the more crabbed Philosophy and accurate in Politer classick Authors to be learned in History and Policy and a Master in the Law of the Land and of Nations For such a man to have devoured so much and yet digested it is a rarity in nature and in diligence which hath but few examples yet his speculative knowledge that gave light to the most dark and difficult proposals became eclipsed by the more dazling lustre of his more practick and experimental prudence which together with his alliance to my Lord Burleigh had voted him to Bromley's place but that they both sickned in one day and died in one week he leaving these four Advisoes behind him 1. Be alwayes employed 2. Look to the Issue 3. Be furnished with a friend And 4. Reflect upon thy self Vita est in se Reflexio Observations on the Life of Sir John Smith HIS Relation to Edward the sixth his Cousin German was enough to countenance his parts and his parts ripe and large enough to advance his person His gravity could be no where better employed than in Spain nor his reservednesse any where more suitable than in Italy In Spain his carriage had a great impression upon the King and his spirit upon the whole Court. For Gasper Quiroga Arch-Bishop of Toledo inveighing bitterly against the Queen's person and more against her Title Defender of the Faith was answered by him with that Wisdome and Prudence that his Majesty of Spain checked the Arch-Bishop as an Impertinado as he called him and hugged Sir John Smith as a man who had made himself dreadful and his Mistriss therefore much more to that Court They who least consider hazard in the doing of their duty fare best still The surest way to safety is to have one interest espoused so firmly as never to be changed Nor did he this out of a vainer bottome than an observation he made of his Mistrisses resolution already in despair of procuring good from any milder endeavours than those of power A signal testimony of the commanding worth this Gentleman had which extorted a reverence to his person in that very place where his business contracted an Odium An excellent person he was in whom honesty of manners strived with Nobility of Birth and merit with honour of a composed and stayed temper that would say under all temptations to disquiet Either the thing before us is in our power or it is not If it be why do we not manage it to our content If not why are we discontented especially since every thing hath two handles If the one prove hot and not to be touched we may take the other that is more temperate Upon which consideration all private concernments he passed over with a perfect indifference the world and its Appendages hanging so loose about him that he never took notice when any part dropt off or sate uneasily Observations on the Life of Sir Walter Rawleigh SIr Walter Rawleigh was well descended and of good Alliance but poor in his beginning He was one so tossed by fortune to and fro that he was sometimes high sometimes low
the oldest that heard him for his Discourse and Policy The one preferred him to the ample Provo 〈…〉 ship of Kings the other to the great Trust of Secretary of State Prince Edward studied not his Book more sedulouslously then he studied him that his Rules might comply with his Inclination and his Lectures with his temper Lectures that were rather Discourses instilled to him Majestically as a Prince then Lessons beaten into him pedantiquely as a School-boy The wise man would not be debasing his Royal Pupils minde with the nauseated and low crumbs of a Pedant but ennobling it with the free and high Maximes of a States-man sugaring the more austere parts of Learning with the pleasures of Poetry Discourse Apologues and so deceiving the Royal Youth to an improvement before his own years and others comprehension His very Recreations were useful and his Series of lighter exercises for he observed a method in them too a constant study his Table his School his Meat his Discipline the industrious Tutour filling up each space of his time with its suitable instruction it being his Maxime That time and Observation were the best Masters and Exercise the best Tutor While others doated over their Rules his Pupils practised them no day passing without his Letters to the King as that Literae meae unum semper babet Argumentum Rex Nobilissime Pater Illustrissime hoc est in omnibus Epistolis ago tibi gratias c. or to the Queen as that Quod non ad se jamdiu scriberem in causa fuit non negligentia sed studium non enim hoc feci ut nunquam omnino scriberem sed accuratius scriberem c. I have two Tutors said King Edward to Cardan Diligence and Moderation Sir Jo. Cheeke and Doctor Coxe So exact an account he gave Prince Edward of his Fathers Kingdome and its Interest that King Henry designed him for Secretary and King Edward made him one Three years he had that place and in that three years did England more service so great his Parts Learning and Religion more kindness such his eminency in both and gave the people more satisfaction such his Integrity and Dexterity then all that went before him and most that came after him He was the first that brought in the use of a Diary and his Pupil the next that practised it His Aphorism it was That a dark and imperfect reflexion upon Affairs floating in the memory was like words dispersed and insignificant whereas a compleat view of them in a Book was like the same words pointed in a period and made significant Much did the Kingdome value him but more the King for being once desperately sick the King carefully enquired of him every day at last his Physitian told him there was no hope for his life being given over by him for a dead man No said the King he will not die at this time for this morning I begged his life from God in my Prayers and obtained it Which accordingly came to pass and he soon after against all expectation wonderfully recovered This saith Doctor Fuller was attested by the old Earl of Huntington bred up in his child-hood with King Edward to Sir Tho. Cheeke who anno 1654. was alive and 80 years of Age. But though his Prayers saved his Tutors life none could save his who died with the Protestant Religion in his heart and arms and Sir John had died with him but that being outed of all his preserments he outed himself from the Kingdome loving to all the English Exiles at Strasburgh and well beloved all over Germany until trusting to the Stars too much would he had either not gone so high or gone a little higher for advice and his friends too little he went to meet his dear Wife in Brabant where neither my Lord Paget's promise nor Sir Mason's pledges nor Abbot Fecknam's intercession could excuse him from being unhorsed and carted imprisoned and tortured vexed with all the arts of power and perplexed until his hard usage meeting with some fair promises brought him to a Recantation that broke his heart and after much melancholick sighing and silence brought him to his Grave The great example of Parts and Ingenuity of frailty and infirmity of repentance and piety Forced he was to sit with Bonner in his Courts but forced he would not be to joyn with him in his Judgement look on he did but weep and groan too A good Christian he was witness his pious Epistles an excellent States-man as appears by his True Subject to the Rebel a Book as seasonably republished by Doctor Langbaine of Queens Colledge in Oxford in the excellent King Charles his troubles as it was at first written in the good King Edward's commotions Vespasian said of Apollonius That his gate was open to all Philosophers but his Heart to Him And Sir John Cheeke would say to Father Latimer I haâ—e an Ear for other Divines but I have an Heart for You. A Country-man in Spain coming to an Image enshrined the extruction and first making whereof he could well remember and not finding from the same that respectful usage which he expected You need not quoth he be so proud for we have knâ—wn you from a Plum-tree Sir John Cheeke one day discoursing of the Popes Threats said He need not be so high for we have known him a Chaplain He took much delight in that saying of Herod the Sophist when he was pained with the Gout in his hands and feet When I would eat said he I have no hands when I would go I have no feet but when I must be pained I have both hands and feet Applying it thus When we would serve God we have no soul when we would serve our Neighbours we have no body but when we suffer for neglecting both we shall finde we have both a body and a soul Gustavus Adolphus some three days before his death said Our affairs answer our desires but I doubt God will punish me for the folly of my people who attribute too much to me and esteem me as it were their God and therefore he will make them shortly know and see I am but a man I submit to his will and I know he will not leave this great Enterprise of mine imperfect Three things Sir John Cheeke observed of Edward the sixth 1. That the peoples esteem of him would loose him 2. That his Reformation should be overthrown 3. That yet it should recover and be finished As to Publick Counsels 1. Sir John was against the War with Scotland which he said was rather to be united to England then separated from it 2. He was against King Edwards Will saying He would never distrust God so far in the preservation of his true Religion as to disinherit Orphans to keep up Protestantism 3. He laid a Platform of a War with Spain 4. He kept Neuter in the Court-factions 5. Bishop Ridley Doctor Coxe seconded and Sir John Cheeke contrived all King Edward's Acts of
fittest to season a man withal in the beginning both for settling of his Judgement and retaining them in memory yet as he goeth on out of the old fieldâ— must spring and grow the new Corn. Our Lawyers course was slow and leisurely his reading digested and deliberate His considerations wary and distrust his way to knowledge He that begins with certainties ends in doubts and he that begins with doubts ends in certainties and looketh into the bottom of things Upon serious and solid Books he bestowed a double reading the one cursorily by way of preparation and the other exact by way of digestion Three things made him a Pleader 1. Reading 2. Observation 3. Exercise And indeed in ancient times the Sergeants and Apprentices of Law did draw their own pleadings which made them good Pleaders He observed the affections the intent the analogy the validity of the Law putting all his reading to writing having the places he was most to handle in all the variety that could be with his Rules and Maximes as far as reading hearing meditation conference and memory could help him Thus his first thoughts were upon his Profession until that advanced him to the highest Eminence and his last upon his Interest until that was improved to as much fortune as lieth in a well-laid Estate and Alliance The End of the Observations upon the Lives of the Statesmen and Favourites of England in the Reign of King Edward the Sixth THE STATES-MEN and FAVOURITES OF ENGLAND IN The Reign of Queen MARY Observations on the Life of Sir William Cordel SIr William Cordel where-ever he was born had a fair Estate at Long-Melford in Suffolk and lieth buried in that fair Church under a decent Monument We will translate his Epitaph which will perfectly acquaint us with the great Offices he had and good Offices he did to Posterity Hic Gulielmus babet requiem Cordelliae avito Stemmate qui clarius clarior ingenio Hic Studiis primos consumpsit fortiter annos Mox causarum strenuus actor erat Tanta illi doctrina inerat facundia tanta Vt Parlamenta publica lingua foret Postea factus Eques Reginae arcana Mariae Consilia Fatriae grande subibat opus Factus est Custos Rotulorum urgente senecta In Christo moriens caepit ad astra viam Pauperibus largus victum vestemque ministrans In super Hospitii condidit ille domum He was made Master of the Rolls November the fifth in the fifth of Queen Mary continuing therein till the day of his death the 23 of Queen Elizabeth Eight weeks and upwards passed between the Proclaiming of Queen Mary and the first Parliament by her assembled during which time two Religions were together set on foot Protestantism and Popery the former hoping to be continued the latter labouring to be restored And as the Jews Children after the Captivity spake a middle Language betwixt Hebrew and Ashdod so during the foresaid Interim the Churches and Chappels in England had a mixt celebration of their Divine Service between Reformation and Superstition The same day there was a Mass sung for Edward the Sixth's soul in the Tower and the English Service for his Burial in Westminster No small justling was there between the zealous Promoters of these contrary Perswasions The Protestants had the Law on their side and the Papists the Prerogative These the Queens Opinion the other her Promise Besides seeing by the Fidelity of the Suffolk and Norfolk Protestant Gentry the Queen was much advantaged for the Recovery of her Right they conceived it but reason that as she by them regained the Crown so they under her should enjoy their Consciences Thus it is in the Evening Twilight wherein Light and Darkness at first may seem very equally matched but the later in a little time doth wholly prevail The Catholick canvass for the next Parliament upon the Queens credit and authority the Reformed upon the Nations Inclination The Body of the Kingdom meets and chuseth our Knight for Speaker whose temper was a Representative of the Parliament as that is of the Kingdom A temper made up of an equal mixture of Loyalty and Piety that could at once stand to their Religion and submit to their Soveraign Render to Caesar what was Caesars and to God what was Gods Long did he expect that the Queen would comply with the Parliament and as long did she stay for their compliance with her Unite they could not unanimously among themselves dissolved they are therefore peaceably by her But Cordel was too Popular to be neglected and too honest to be corrupted Useful Parts will finde Preferment even when the Dissenting Judgement findes not Favour The Speaker of the unhappily healing Parliament was made Master of the Rolls in Queen Maries days and of a more happily healing one was made so in Charles the Second's Reign The one was of that Primitive Faith that was before the Modern names of Papists and Protestants the other of a Moderation that was elder then the new Heatâ— of Disciplinarians and Anti-Disciplinarians The miscarriages of Authority are chiefly six 1. Delâ—y 2. Faction 3. Roughness 4. Corruption 5. Ambition And 6. Private Designs No delay hindered where set times of hearing were observed access was easie the order and method of business uninterrupted No corruption where there durst be no suspition of it insomuch as that it was as 〈…〉 einous to offer a Bribe to him as to 〈◊〉 it in another Here was severity that awed men to a discontent but no austerity that sowred them to discontent all was smooth and grave pleasing and becoming yet nothing easie or soft it being worse to yeild to importunities that are dayly then to be bought with money which comes but seldom Vertue in Ambition is violent but in Authority is here it was calm and settled He sided with no Faction in his rise but balanced himself by all He had no design when he lived but to be spent in the â—ublique Service and none when he died but to spend himself in publick charity a charity that is at once the continued blessing and grace of that worshipful Family Cato Major would say That wise men learn more of fâ—â—ls then fools do of wise men And King Charles the first would say That it was wisdome in fools to jest with wise men but madness for wise men to jest with fools â—nd Sir William Cordel bequeathed us this Observation There is no man that talks but I may gain by him and none that holds his tongue but I may loose by him Observations on the Life of Sir Anthony Cooke SIr Anthony Cooke great Grandchilde to Sir Thomas Cooke Lord Mayor of London was born at Giddy-Hall in Essex where he finished a fair House begun by his great Grandfather as appeareth by this Inscription on the Frontispice thereof Aedibus his frontem Proavus Thomas dedit olim Addidit Antoni caetera sera manus He was one of the Governours to King
to the buildding of Audley-End as might displace his Father An Apothecaries boy giveâ— the first and a servant that carried the money the second both whom he surprized with the Spanish proverb Di mentura y sacaras verdad Tell a lye and finde a truth Indeed the natures and dispositions the conditions and necessities the factions and combinations the animosities and discontents the ends and designs of most people were clear and transparent to this watchful man's intelligence and observation who could do more with King James by working on his fear than others by gratifying his pleasure When I observe how close and silent he was at the Council-Table it puts me in minde of the man that gave this reason why he was silent in a Treaty and Conference Because said he the Enemy might know that as there are many here that can speak so here is one that can hold his peace Observations on the Life of Sir Francis Bacon SIr Francis was born where we are made men bred where we are made States-men being equally happy in the quicknesse of the City and politeness of the Court He had a large minde from his Father and great abilities from his Mother his parts improved more than his years his great fixed and methodical memory his solid judgement his quick fancy his ready expression gave high assurance of that profound and universal knowledge and comprehension of things which then rendered him the observation of great and wise men and afterwards the wonder of all The great Queen was as much taken with his witty discourses when a School boy as with his grave Oracles when her Counsel learned He was a Courtier from his Cradle to his Grave sucking in experience with his milke being inured to policy as early as to his Grammar Royal Maximes were his Sententia Puerilis and he never saw any thing that was not noble and becoming The Queen called him her young Lord Keeper for his grave ingenuity at seven years of age and he could tell her Majesty be was two years younger for her happy Reigne At twelve his industry was above the capacity and his minde above the reach of his Contemporaries A prodigy of parts he must be who was begot by wise Sir Nicholas Bacon born of the accomplished Mrs. Anne Cook and bred under the wise learned and pious Doctor Whitgift His strong observations at Court his steady course of study in the University must be improved by a well contrived Travell abroad where his conversation was so obliging his way so inquisitive his prudence so eminent that he was Sir Paulet's Agent between the Juncto of France and the Queen of England He allayed the solidity of England with the Ayre of France untill his own Affairs and the Kingdomes service called him home at his Fathers death to enjoy a younger Brothers estate and act his part Policy was his business the Law was onely his livelyhood yet he was so great a States-man that you would think he only studied men so great a Scholar that you would say he onely studied Books Such insight he had in the Law that he was at thirty her Majesties Advocate such his judgement that he was the Student of Grayes-Inn's Oracle so generous and affable his disposition that he was all mens love and wonder He instilled wholsome precepts of Prudence and Honour to Noble-men particularly the Earl of Essex to whom he was more faithful than he to himself Great principles of Arts and Sciences to the learned noble Maximes of Government to Princes excellent rules of Life to the Populacy When his great Patron Essex sunk he was buoyed up by his own fleadiness and native worth that admitted him to the Qu own presence not onely to deliver matter of Law which was his profession but to debate matters of State which was his element his judgement was so eminent that he could satisfie the greatest his condescention so humble that he instructed the meanest his extraordinary parts above the modell of the age were feared in Queen Elizabeths time but employed in King James his Favour he had in her Reign but Trust onely in his It 's dangerous in a factious Age to have my Lord Bacon's parts or my Lord of Essex his favour Exact was his correspondence abroad and at home constant his Letters frequent his Visits great his Obligations moderate and temperate his Inclination peaceable humble and submissive his minde complying and yielding his temper In Queen Elizabeths time when he could not rise by the publick way of service he did it by that more private of Marriage and other commendable Improvements whereby he shewed a great soul could be rich in spight of Fortune though it scorned it in point of Honour In the House of Commons none more popular none more zealous none so knowing a Patriot In the house of Lords none more successfully serviceable to the Crown the easie way of Subsidies was his design in Queen Elizabeths time the union with Scotland was his contrivance in King James's His make and port was stately his speech flowing and grave each word of his falling in its place the issue of great reason when conceived and of great prudence when expressed so great skill he had in observing and contriving of occasions and opportunities in suiting of Humours and hitting of Junctures and Flexures of Affairs that he was in his time the Master of speech and action carrying all before him The Earl of Salisbury saith Sir Walter Rawleigh was a good Orator but a bad Writer the Earl of Northampeon was a good Writer but a bad Orator Sir Francis Bacon excelled in both Much he said he owed to his Books more to his innate Principles and Notions When he thought he said he aimed more at Connexion than Variety When he spake he designed rather the life and vigour of expression and perspicuity of words than the elegancy or order of phrase His axiome was Words should wait on things rather than things on words and his resolution was That all affected elegance was below the gravity and majesty of a publick discourse He rather judged Books and Men than either read or talked with them His Exercises were man-like and healthful his Meditations cohaerent his Table temperate and learned where his great Discourses were the entertainment and he himself the treat resolving Cases most satisfactorily stating Questions most exactly relating Histories most prudently opening great Secrets most clearly answering Arguments and replying most familiarly and speaking what he had thorowly weighed and considered most effectually All matters and speeches came from him with advantage so acute and ready his wit so faithful his memory so penetrating his judgement so searching his head so large and rational his soul My Lord of Salisbury said he had the clearest prospect of things of any man in his age and K. James said That he knew the method of handling Matters after a milde and gentle manner His Religion was rational and sober his spirit publick
sake they may be termed there must be also an eye unto them and upon them they have usually risen in the Houshold by degrees and it is a noble way to encourage faithful service But the King must not binde himself to a necessity herein for then it will be held ex debito neither must he alter it without an apparent cause for it but to displace any who are in upon displeasure which for the most part happeneth upon the information of some great man is by all means to be avoided unlesse there be a manifest cause for it 5. In these things you may sometimes interpose to do just and good offices but for the general I should rather advise meddle little but leave the ordering of those Houshold-affairs to the White-staff which are those honourable persons to whom it properly belongeth to be answerable to the King for it and to those other Officers of the Green-cloth who are subordinate to them as a kinde of Councel and a Court of Justice also 6. Yet for the Green-cloath Law take it in the largest sense I have no opinion of it farther then it is regulated by the just Rules of the Common-Laws of England 7. Towards the support of his Majesties own Table and of the Princes and of his necessary Officers his Majesty hath a good help by Purveyance which justly is due unto him and if justly used is no great burthen to the Subject but by the Purveyors and other under-Officers is many times abused In many parts of the Kingdome I think it is already reduced to a certainty in money and if it be indifferently and discreetly managed it would be no hard matter to settle it so throughout the whole Kingdom yet to be renewed from time to time for that will be the best and safest both for the King and People 8. The King must be put in minde to preserve the Revenues of his Crown both certain and casual without diminution and to lay up treasure in store against a time of extreamity empty Coffers give an ill found and make the people many time forget their Duty thinking that the King must be beholden to them for his supplies 9. I shall by no means think it fit that he reward any of his servants with the benefit of forfeitures either by Fines in the Court of Star-Chamber or High-Commission Courts or other Courts of Justice or that they should be farmed out or bestowed upon any so much as by promise before judgement given it would neither be profitable nor honourable 10. Besides matters of serious consideration in the Courts of Princes there must be times for pastimes and disports When there is a Queen and Ladies of Honour attending her there must sometimes be Masques and Revels and Enterludes and when there is no Queen or Princess as now yet at Festivals and for entertainment of Strangers or upon such occasions they may be fit also Yet care would be taken that in such cases they be set off more with wit and activity then with costly and wasteful expences 11. But for the King and Prince and the Lords and Chivalry of the Court I rather commend in their turns and seasons the riding of the great Horse the Tilts Barriers Tennis and Hunting which are more for the health and strength of those who exercise them than in an effeminate way to lease themselves and others And now the Prince groweth up fast to be a man and is of a sweet and excellent disposition it would he an irreparable stain and dishonour upon you having that accesse unto him if you should mis-led him or suffer him to be mis-lead by any flattering Parasites The whole Kingdom hath a deep interest in his virtuous education and if you keeping that distance which is most fit do humbly interpose your self in such a case he will one day give you thanks for it 12. Yet Dice and Cards may sometimes be used for recreation when field-sports cannot be had but not to use it as a mean to spend the time much less to mis-pend the thrift of the Gamesters SIR I shall trouble you no longer I have run â—over these things as I first propounded them please you to make use of them or any of them as you shall see occasion or to lay them by as you think best and to add to them as you daily may out of your experience I must be bold again to put you in minde of your present condition you are in the quality of a Senâ—â—el if you sleep and neglect your charge you are an undone man and you may fall faster than you have risen I have but one thing more to minde you of which neerly concerns your self you serve a great and gracious Master and there is a most hopeful young Prince whom you must not desert it behoves you to carry your self wisely and evenly between them both adore not so the rising Son that you forget the Father who raised you to thâ— height nor be you so obsequious to the Father that you give just cause to the Son to suspect that you neglect him But carry your self with that judgement as if it be possible may please and content them both which truly I believe will-be no hard matter for you to do so may you live long beloved of both which is the hearty prayer of Your most obliged and devoted servant THese were his Rules and this his practice My Lord of Nottingham he bought nobly from the Admiralty his Assistant Vice-Admiral Maunsel he entertained civilly and procured that place for life which he had onely during pleasure The Warden of the Cinque-ports resigned his place seasonably the Master of the Horse gave up his preferment and his life opportunely He advanced his Relations prudently gratifying them and fortifying himself He made an excellent choice of Servants and Confederates entertained the ablest and most faithful Assistants Doctor Williams and Dr. Laud were of his Council for the Church Sir Francis Bacon for the State From the first he received frequent Schedules of Persons and Doctrines from the other constant Transcripts of Rules and Intelligence Never any man more constant to his approved friend never any more fatal to his known Enemies He was the instrument of all the Subjects services to his Soveraign and of his Sovereign's favours to his Subjects no place was bestowed without his knowledge no action passed without his approbation not an eminent man but depended on him and was subordinate to him His dispatches were many and pregnant testimonies that he was a great Master of his Time and a greater of his Method and Affairs Great he was indeed and humble too not raised by his present fortune above the sense of his former envied he was not haud applauded in the same Parliament for his services declaimed against for his preferments ever studious of the Peoples Interest which is the care if few Favourites never happy in their love which is the fate of all He approved himself
〈…〉 was had both their Vertues none of their Vices Non tam extra Vitia quam cum summis Virtutibu 〈…〉 Though he could not avoid misfortune and p 〈…〉 sper yet he could yeild to it and retire that 〈◊〉 perienced File that could not withstand the enemi 〈…〉 shot could fall down and escape it Privacy at once secured and supported this unfortunate Gentleman It is much to know how to lead and bring on successfully it 's more to retreat and come off handsomely and give over a bad game Since he heard ill I hear no more of him but this One being designed an Agent waited upon this knowing and experienced Lord for some Directions for his conduct and carriage he delivereth himself saith my Author thus To secure your self and serve your Country you must at all times and upon all occasions speak truth for as he added you will never be believed and by this means your truth will secure your self if you be questioned and put those you deal with who will still hunt counter to a loss in all their disquisitions and undertakings Observations on the Life of Sir Clement Paston SIr Clement Paston was a Souldier and a Souldiers Son Valour running in the Blood for three Generations and maturated by Noble and Heroick Actions for Glory and Success Designed he was by his Friends for the Gown but by his own Nature for Armour Born for Action rather then Contemplation When his Father asked him what he would desire of him he desired a Horse and a Sword He was tried in the King of France his service in Henry the Seventh's time for his overthrow in Henry the Eighths He was the first that made the English Navy terrible and the last that made our Army so He took the Admiral of France and saved him of England 30000 Crowns he received by way of Ransome from the first and 1000 l. by way of Gratitude from the other A Cup he would shew that the first gave him every Holy-day and a Ring of the seconds every Christmas Two Kings made use of his Person and two Queens of his counsel which he gave even on his death-Bed His advice was short but resolute his words few but pertinent his discourse commanding and Souldier-like his word the Decr 〈…〉 of the Medes King Henry the Eighth called him His Champion the Protector in Edward the Sixth time His Souldier Queen Mary Her Seamanâ— and Queen Elizabeth Her Father When W 〈…〉 was overthrown he would deliver himself up to Gentleman and therefore onely to Sir Clement P 〈…〉 ston The two great Interests of Souldiers is Pay and Honour He mortgaged his Estate twice to satisfie them for the one and pawn'd his Credit 〈◊〉 Court often to encourage them for the other getting his Commanders always power and authority enough to do their Masters business but never enough to do their own There being always a contest between the Po 〈…〉 lacy and the Souldiers whom nothing reco 〈…〉 ciles but downright force and necessity it Waâ— death to his Followers to be irregular because one of their miscarriages exasperates a million and d 〈…〉 stastes a Kingdom so necessary is a strict Discip 〈…〉 in the Camp and an impartial Justice in the Countrey Outward occasions help fortune a mans own temper makes it when there be as my Lord Ba 〈…〉 writes no stops or restiveness in a mans minde but that the wheels of that keeps even with those of fortune Sir Clement and Cato Major were both of 〈◊〉 make both having tantum robur corporis ani 〈…〉 ut quocunque loco nati esset fortunam sibi facturi videbantur Observations on the Life of the Lord Rich. HE must needs be preferred who was so richly descended and nobly allied as to shew at Court upon his first appearance sixty Noblemen and Knights of his Relation and a hundred and fifty thousand pound a year revenue among his Friends He was more beholding to the Temple for his Law then to the Universities for his Learning His severe and active Nature aspiring above the pedantiqueness of a Scholar to the usefulness of a Statesman I could never endure saith he those studies that furnish me onely with unactive thoughts and useless discourse that teach me onely to think and speak His staid and solid parts commended him to Cromwel and Cromwel recommended him to King Henry the Eighth He was Solicitor-General to His Majesty and Steward to his Master Cromwel was the Mawl and Rich the Hammer of Abbeys He laid open to the Monks their faults and his Master made use of it to force them to a surrendry For as he said when those religious Societies saw they had faults enough discovered to take away their Lands they had wit enough to give them up His Counsels overthrew Popery and his Deposition cut off Sir Thomas More for being sent to Sir Thomas after much discourse with him he asked him this subtle Question Whether be would acknowledge the King supreme Head if it were enjoyned by an Act of Parliament Sir Thomas asked him 〈◊〉 again If the Parliament enacted that God should 〈◊〉 be Lord whether he should consent to it And those words undid him He saw that the Protestant Religion was the interest of England as well as the Doctrine of Scripture and therefore he carried it on in point of policy as Archbishop Cranmer diâ— in point of conscience King Henry the eighth admired his distinct reasoning and stayed judgement and Queen Anne Bullen was taken with his grace 〈…〉 cloquence and ingenious discourses In the morning his plyant soul that could answer all the turnings and windings of business was as reserved and solid as that of a demure States-man in the evening as cheerful and merry as that of a Debona 〈…〉 Courtier He was the wisdome of the Court in the Presence and its wit in the Closet its Oracle there and its pleasure here King Henry the eighth made him one of his Lâ—gators and King Edward the sixth one of his Council Under him he carried on the Protestant Religion in point of conscience which others managed in point of interest He designed the degrees of the Reformation and he set out its method then whom none more zealous in things necessary none more moderate in things indifferent Active he was but wary stirring but cautious To him the Reformers resorted in point of Law as to Cranmer and Ridley in point of Religion Such his Prudence that the Protector made him his Friend such his Integrity that the King made him Chancellour where his Decrees were just his Dispatches quick his Judgements speedy his Sums of Debates full and satisfactory his Sentences irreversible his Assistants in the Rolls and other Courts able and honest None more complyant to Reason none more stiff in things against Reason He would do any thing for King Edward the sixth's interest nothing for Duke Dudley's ambition therefore he observing the course of Affairs would rather resigne his Place then his
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
at the settlement of Governments but fall after it being but unruly Waves to a steady Rock breaking themselves on that solid Constitution they would break Few aimed at Favourites as Sir John did at the Lord Chancellor but their Arrows fell on their own heads Soveraignty being always struck through prime Counsellours and Majesty through its chief Ministers Sir John Perrot no sooner clashed with Hatton then he lost the Queen and ever since he reflected on his Dancing he lost his own footing and never stood on his legs Observations on the Life of Sir Francis Walsingham HE was a Gentleman at first of a good house but of a better Education and from the University travelled for the rest of his Learning He was the best Linguist of the times but knew best how to use his own tongue whereby he came to be employed in the chiefest Affairs of State He was sent Ambassadour into France and stayed there a Leiger long in the heat of the Civil Wars At his return he was taken Principal Secretary and was one of the great Engines of State and of the times high in the Queens favour and a watchful servant over the safety of his Mistress He acted the same part in the Courts of France about that Match that Gundamor if I be not mistaken saith Sir Robert Naunton did in the Court of England about the Spanish His apprehension was quick and his Judgement solid his Head was so strong that he could look into the depth of men and business and dive into the Whirlpools of State Dexterous he was in finding a secret close in keeping it Much he had got by Study more by Travel which enlarged and actuated his thoughts Cecil bred him his Agent as he bred hundreds His Converse was infinuating and reserved He saw every man and none saw him His Spirit was as publick as his Parts and it was his first Maxime Knowledge is never too dear yet as Debonnair as he was prudent and as obliging to the softer but predominant parts of the world as he was serviceable to the more severe and no less Dexterous to work on humours then to convince Reason He would say he must observe the joynts and flexures of Affairs and so could do more with a Story then others could with a Harangue He always surprized business and preferred motions in the heat of other diversions and if he must debate it he would hear all and with the advantage of aforegoing speeches that either cautioned or confirmed his resolutions he carried all before him in conclusion beyond reply He out-did the Jesuites in their own bowe and over-reached them in their own equivocation and mental reservation never telling a Lye but warily drawing out and discovering truth As the close Room sucketh in most Air so this wary man got most intelligence being most of our Papists Confessour before their death as they had been their Brethrens before their treason He said what another writ That an habit of secrecy is policy and vertue To him mens faces spake as much as their tongues and their countenances were Indexes of their hearts He would so beset men with Questions and draw them on pick it out of them by piece-meals that they discovered themselves whether they answered or were silent This Spanish Proverb was familiar with him Tell a Lye and finde a Truth and this Speak no more then you may safely retreat from without danger or fairly go through with without opposition Some are good onely at some affairs in their own acquaintance Walsingham was ready every where and could make a party in Rome as well as England He waited on mens souls with his eye discerning their secret hearts through their transparent faces He served himself of the Factions as his Mistress did neither advancing the one nor depressing the other Familiar with Cecil allied to Leicester and an Oracle to Sussex He could overthrow any matter by undertaking it and move it so as it must fall He never broke any business yet carried many He could discourse any matter with them that most opposed so that they in oppofing it promoted it His fetches and compass to his designed speech were things of great patience and use Twice did he deceive the French as Agent once did he settle the Netherlands as Commissioner and twice did he alter the Government of Scotland as Embassadour Once did France desire he might be recalled because he was too hard for the Counsel for the Hugonots and once did Scotland request his remand because he would have overturned their Constitution 53 Agents did he maintain in Forreign Courts and 18 Spies for two Pistols an Order he had all the private Papers of Europe few Letters escaped his hands whose Contents he could read and not touch the Seals Bellarmine read his Lectures at Rome one moneth and Reynolds had them confuted the next So patient was this wise man Chiselhurst never saw him angry Cambridge never passionate and the Court never discomposed Religion was the interest of his Country in his judgement and of his Soul therefore he maintained it as sincerely as he lived it it had his head his purse and his heart He laid the great foundation of the Protestant Constitution as to its policy and the main plot against the Popish as to its ruine He would cherish a plot some years together admitting the Conspirators to his own and the Queens presence familiarly but dogging them out watchfully his Spies waited on some men every hour for three years and lest they could not keep counsel he dispatched them to forraign parts taking in new Servants His training of Parry who designed the murder of Queen Elizabeth the admitting of him under the pretence of discovering a Plot to the Queens presence and then letting him go where he would onely on the security of a Dark Sentinel set over him was a piece of reach and hazard beyond common apprehension But Kingdomes were acted by him as well as private persons It is a likely report saith one that they father on him at his return from France when the Queen expressed her fear of the Spanish designe on that Kingdome with some concernment Madam said he be content not to fear the Spaniard hath a great appetite and an excellent digestion but I have fitted him with a bone for this twenty years that your Majesty shall have no cause to doubt him Provided that if the fire chance to slack which I have kindled you will be ruled by me and now and then cast in some English â—uel which may revive the flame He first observed the great Bishop of Winchester fit to serve the Church upon the unlikely Youths first Sermon at St. Alâ—allows Barking He brought my Lord Cooke first to the Church upon some private discourse with him at his Table The Queen of Scots Letters were all carried to him by her own Servant whom she trusted and decyphered to him by one Philips as they were sealed again by one Gregory so
the Common Law that he was preferred second Justice of the Common Pleas by Queen Elizabeth which Place he discharged with so much Ability and Integrity that not long after he was made chief Baron of the Exchequer which Office he most wisely managed to his great commendation full fourteen years to the day of his death Much was he employed in matters of State and was one of the Commissioners who sate on the tryal of the Queen of Scots He wrote a Book on the Forest-Laws which is highly prized by men of his Profession In vacation-time he constantly inhabited at St. Stephens in Canterbury and was bounteously liberal to the poor Inhabitants thereof and so charitable was he that he erected and endowed a fair Free-school at Sandwich dying in the 35 of Queen Elizabeth anno Dom. 1593. Cloaths for necessity warm Cloaths for health cleanly for decency lasting for strength was his Maxime and Practice who kept a State in decent plainness insomuch that Queen Elizabeth called him her Good-man-Judge In Davison's Case Mildmay cleared the man of malice but taxed him with unskilfulness and rashness Lumley said he was an ingenuous and an honest man but presumptuous I will ever esteem him an honest and good man said Grey The Archbishop of Canterbury approved the fact commended the man but disallowed of the manner and form of his proceedings Manwood made a narrative of the Queen of Scots proceedings confirmed the sentence against her extolled the Queens clemency pitied Davison and fined him 10000 l. A man he was of a pale constitution but a clear even and smooth temper of a pretty solid consistence equally sanguine and flegmatique of a quiet soul and serene affections of a discreet sweetness and moderate manners slow in passion and quick enough in apprehension wary in new points and very fixed and judicious in the old A plausible insinuating and fortunate man the Idea of a wise man having what that elegant Educator wisheth that great habit which is nothing else but a promptness and plentifulness in the flore-house of the mind of clear imaginations well fixed which was promised in his erect and forward stature his large breast his round and capacious forehead his curious and observing eye the clear and smart argument of his clearer and quicker soul which owned a liveliness equally far from volatileness and stupidity his steady attention and his solid memory together with what is most considerable a grand Inclination to imitate and excel What Plutarch saith of Timoleon with reference to Epaminond that we may say of this Gentleman That his Life and Actions are like Homer's Verses smooth and flowing equal and happy especially in the two grand Embelishments of our Nature Friendship and Charity 〈◊〉 Friendship that sacred thing whereof he was a passionate Lover and an exact Observer promoting it among all men he conversed with Surely there is not that Content on Earth like the Union of Minds and Interests whereby we enjoy our selves by reflexion in our Friend it being the most dreadful Solitude and Wildness of Nature to be friendless But his Friendship was a contracted beam to that Sun of Charity that blessed all about him His Salary was not more fixed then his Charity He and the Poor had one Revenue one Quarter-day In stead of hiding his face from the Poor it was his practice to seek for them laying out by Trustees for Pensioners either hopeful or indigent whereof he had a Catalogue that made the best Comment upon that Text The liberal man deviseth liberal things This is the best Conveyance that ever Lawyer made To have and to hold to him and his Heirs for ever Observations on the Life of Sir Christopher Wray SIr Christopher Wray was born in the spacious Parish of Bedal the main motive which made his Daughter Francis Countess of Warwick scatter her Benefactions the thicker in that place He was bred in the study of our Municipal Law and such his Proficiency therein that in the sixteenth of Queen Elizabeth in Michaelmas-Term he was made Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench. He was not like that Judge who feared neither God nor man but onely one Widow lest her importunity should weary him but he heartily feared God in his religious Conversation Each man he respected with his due distance off of the Bench and no man on it to byass his Judgement He was pro tempore Lord Privy Seal and sat Chief in the Court when Secretary Davison was sentenced in the Star-Chamber Sir Christopher collecting the censures of all the Commissioners concurred to Fine him but with this comfortable conclusion That as it was in the Queens Power to have him punished so Her Highness might be prevailed with for mitigating or remitting of the Fine and this our Judge may be presumed no ill Instrument in the procuring thereof He bountifully reflected on Magdalen-Colledge in Cambridge which Infant-foundation had otherwise been starved at Nurse for want of Maintenance We know who saith The righteous man leaveth an inheritance to his childrens children and the well-thriving of his third Generation may be an evidence of his well-gotten Goods This worthy Judge died May the eighth in the thirty fourth of Queen Elizabeth When Judge Mounson and Mr. Dalton urged in Stubs his Case that Writ against Queen Elizabeth's marriage with the Duke of Anjou That the Act of Philip and Mary against the Authors and sowers of seditious Writings was mis-timed and that it died with Queen Mary my Lord Chief Justice Wray upon whom the Queen relied in that case shewed there was no mistaking in the noting of the time and proved by the words of the Act that the Act was made against those which should violate the King by seditious writing and that the King of England never dieth yea that that Act was renewed anno primo Eliz. during the life of her and the heirs of her body Five Particulars I have heard old men say he was choice in 1. His Friend which was always wise and equal 2. His Wife 3. His Book 4. His Secret 5. His Expression and Garb. By four things he would say an Estate was kept 1. By understanding it 2. By spending not until it comes 3. By keeping old Servants 4. By a Quarterly Audit The properties of Infancy is Innocence of Child-hood Reverence of Manhood Maturity and of Old Age Wisdome Wisdome that in this grave Person acted all its brave parts i. e. was mindful of what is past observant of things present and provident for things to come No better instance whereof need be alledged then his pathetick Discourses in the behalf of those two great Stays of this Kingdome Husbandry and Merchandize for he had a clear discerning Judgement and that not onely in points of Law which yet his Arguments and Decisions in that Profession manifest without dispute but in matters of Policy and Government wherein his Guess was usually as near Prophecy as any mans as also in the little mysteries of private
entertainment and above all in his darling piece of love and self-love his Stile was an elegant perspicuity rich of phrase but seldome any bold Metaphors and so far from Tumor that it rather wanted a little Elevation The Dukes delivery of his mind I conceive not to be so sharpe as solid and grave not so solid and deep as pertinent and apposite to the times and occasions The Earl I account the more liberal and the Duke the more magnificent for I do not remember that my Lord of Essex in all his life-time did build or adorne any house the Queene perchance spending his time and himself his meanes or otherwise inclining to popular ways for we know the people are apter to applaud hous-keepers then hous-raisers They were both great cherishers of Scholars and Divines but it seems the Earl had obtained of himself one singular point that he could depart his affection between two extremes for though he bare always a kinde of filial reverence towards Dr Whitgift both before and after he was Archbishop yet on the other side he did not a little love and tender Master Cartwright though I think truly with large distinction between the persons and the Causes howsoever he was taxed with other ends in respecting that party They were both fair-spoken Gentlemem not prone and eager to detract openly from any man in this the Earl hath been most falsly blemished in our vulgar Story only against one man he had forsworn all patience namely Henry Lord Cobham and would call him per Excellentiam the Sycophant as if it had been an Emblem of his name even to the Queen her self though of no small insinuation with her and one Lady likewise that I may civilly spare to no â—inate for her sex sake whom he used to terme the Spyder of the Court yet generally in the sensitive part of their Natures the Earl was the worse Philosopher being a great Resenter and a weak Dissembler of the least disgrace And herein likewise as in the rest no Good Pupill to my Lord of Leicester who was wont to put all his passions in his pocket In the growth of their Fortunes the Duke was a little the swifter and much the greater for from a younger brothers meane estate he rose to the highest degree whereof a Subject was capable either in Title or Trust Therein I must confesse much more consortable to Charles Brandon under Henry the Eight who was equall to him in both For matter of Donative and addition of substance I do not believe that the Duke did much exceed him all considered under both Kings For that which the Earl of Essex had received from her Majesty besides the Fees of his Offices and the disposition of great Summes of money in her Armies was about the time of his Arraignment when faults use to be aggravated with precedent benefits valued at three hundred thousand pounds sterling in pure gift for his onely use to the Earl of Dorset then Lord Treasurer who was a wise man and a strict Computist and not ill affected towards him And yet it is worthy of note in the Margent of both Times that the one was prosecuted with silence and the other with murmur so undoing a measure is popular judgment I cannot here omit between them a great difference in establishing of both their Fortunes and Fames For the first the Duke had a care to introduce into neer place at the Court divers of his confident Servants and into high places very sound and grave Personages Whereas except a Pensioner or two we can scant name any one man advanced of the Earls breeding but Sir Thomas Smith having been his Secretary who yet came never further though married into a noble House then to the Clerk of the Councell and Register of the Parliament not that the Earl meant to stand alone like a Substantive for he was not so ill a Grammarian in Court but the Truth is in this point the Cecilians kept him back as very well knowing that upon every little absence or disassiduity he should be subject to take cold at his back For the Other in managing of their Fames I note between them a direct contrary wisdome For the Earl proceeded by way of Apology which he wrote and dispersed with his own hands at large though till his going to Ireland they were but aiery objections But of the Duke this I know that one having offered for his ease to do him that kinde of Service He refused it with a pretty kinde of thankfull scorn saying that he would trust his own good intentions which God knew and leave to him the pardoning of his Errours and that he saw no fruit of Apologies but the multiplying of discourse which surely was a well-setled Maxime And for my own particular though I am not obnoxious to his memory in the expression of Tacitus Neque injuria neque beneficia saving that he shewed me an ordinary good Countenance And if I were yet I would distinguish between Gratitude and Truth I must bear him this Testimony that in a Commission laid upon me by Soveraign Command to examine a Lady about a certain filthy accusation grounded upon nothing but a few single names taken up by a Footman in a kennel and straight baptized A list of such as the Duke had appointed to be poysoned at home himself being then in Spain I found it to be the most malicious and frantick surmise and the most contrary to his nature that I think had ever been brewed from the beginning of the World howsoever countenanced by a Libellous Pamphlet of a fugitive Physician even in Print and yet of this would not the Duke suffer any answer to be made on his behalf so constant he was to his own principles In their Military Services the Characters of the Earls imployments were these viz. His forwardest was that of Portugal before mentioned The saddest that of Roan where he lost his brave Brother His fortunatest peece I esteem the taking of Cadiz Malez and no less modest for there he wrote with his own hands a censure of his Omissions His jealousest imployment was to the relief of Calais besieged by the Cardinall Arch-duke about which there passed then between the Queen and the French King much Art His Voiage to the Azores was the best for the discovery of the Spanish weakness and otherwise almost a saving Voiage His blackest was that to Ireland ordained to be the Sepulchre of his Father and the Gulph of his own Fortunes But the first in 88 at Tilbury-camp was in my judgement the very poyson of all that followed for there whilest the Queen stood in some doubt of a Spanish Invasion though it proved but a Morrice-dance upon our Waves she made him in Field Commander of the Cavalry as he was before in Court and much graced him openly in view of the Souldiers and people even above my Lord of Leicester the truth is from thenceforth he fed too fast The Dukes employment abroad
occasions whose principal quality refided in Magnificence Yet was he not transported with these appearances or to make them the greatest ornament of his conduct the choicest expressions of his life fixing neither his greatnesse upon a transitory Pageant nor his glory upon a fading Pomp. Observations on the Life of Sir Tho. Smith SIr Thomas Smith was born at Abington in Bark-shire bred in the University of Oxford God and himself raised him to the Eminency he attained unto unbefriended with any extraction He may seem to have had an ingenuous emulation of Sir Thomas Smith Senior Secretary of State whom he imitated in many good qualities and had no doubt equalled in preferment if not prevented by death He attained onely to be Master of the Requests and Secretary to King James for his Latine Letters higher places expecting him when a period was put at once to his life and to his hopes Novemb. 28. 1609. The generous piety of the honourable Countess of Exeter having erected him one Monument at Fulham and his own worth another in History His Father died when he was yet so young that he knew not what a Father meant but his Mothers affection for her Husband died not with him whereupon she multiplyed her cares on this Gentleman and her other children so abundantly that a long while he little found the want of that dear name her transcendent love so well supplying the place of both relations For no sooner was he fit to learn than she did by friends procure the best Masters those Times afforded to render his education perfect in those exercises as well of the minde as of the body wherein they that flattered him not would say he was no ill Proficient such majesty such modesty in his carriage that men would admire how two such distant things could meet in one subject His eye was quick and piercing his shape and motion charming the ayre and lineaments of his countenance lively arguments that his soul was not inferiour to his body but that the one promised no more pleasure to those that looked on it than the other did service to those that employed it His meen deserving preferment from the favour of a Soveraign and his parts gaining it from his justice Fortune did him not so much wrong in his mean Birth as he did himself right by great merit so worthy a Prince's service and a Courts favour He read and saw what others did but not with others apprehensions his judgement of things being not common nor his observations low flat or vulgar but such as became a breast now furnishing it self for businesse and for government There was an ancient custome to celebrate the Anniversary of the King's Coronation with all the Shews of Magnificence and joy which the Art or Affections of the People could invent and because we are esteemed the Warlik'st Nation in the whole world to continue that just regulation we declined all those effeminacies which are so predominant in other Courts and absolutely addicted our selves to such Martial exercises as are nothing lesse pleasing and delightful than the other and yet fit and prepare men more for the real use of Arms and acquisition of glory Here our Knight's praise came to my Lord of Carlisle's notice who first designed him a Commander but finding his Genius more courtly than Martial more learned than active recommended him to his Majesties softer services where none more obliging to the People by his industry and interest Court none more serviceable to his Majesty by the good name he gained in the Countrey So careful was he of publick content that from five to nine his Chamber was open to all Comers where you would finde him with the one hand making himself ready with the other receiving Letters and in all this hurry of Businesse giving the most orderly clear and satisfactory dispatches of any Statesman at that time From nine to one he attended his Master to whom he had as easie access as he gave to his People Two things set him up 1. A fair respect from his Master upon all occasions and as fair a treatment of the People He had his distinct Classis of Affairs and his distinct Officers for those Classis The order and method whereof incredibly advanced his dispatch and eased his burden which took up his day so that there remained but some hours he stole from night and sleep for his beloved and dear Studies and King James said he was the hardest Student in White-Hall and therefore he did not always trouble his Master with businesse but sometimes please him with discourse If Fortune had been as kinde to him as Nature greater Employments had been at once his honour and his business But from all his services and performances he derived no other advantage than the acting of them and at his death he lest no other wealth behind him but that of a high reputation never arriving at those enjoyments that enhance our Cares nor having time to withdraw himself from those cares that take away the relish of our enjoyments Observations on the Life of Sir Fulke Grevil SIr Fulke Grevil son to Sir Fulke Grevil the elder of Becham-Court in Warwick-shire descended from Willoughby Lord Brook and Admiral to Hen. 7. was bred first in the University of Cambridge He came to the Court back'd with a full and fair Estate and Queen Elizabeth loved such substantial Courtiers as could plentifully subsist of themselves He was a good Scholar loving much to employ and sometimes to advance learned men to whom worthy Bishop Overal chiefly owed his Preferment and Mr. Cambden by his own confession feasted largely of his Liberality His studies were most in Poetry and History as his Works do witnesse His stile conceived by some to be swelling is allowed lofty and full by others King James created him Baron Brook of Beauchamp-Court as descended from the sole Daughter and Heir of Edward Willoughby last Lord Brook in the Reign of King Henry the 7th His sad death or murther rather happened on this occasion His discontented servant conceiving his deserts not soon or well enough rewarded wounded him mortally and then to save the Law the labour killed himself verifying the observation that he may when he pleaseth be master of another mans life who contemneth his own Helyeth buried in Warwick Church under a Monument of black and white Marble whereon he is stiled Servant to Queen Elizabeth Counsellour to King James and Friend to Sir Philip Sidney Though a Favourite he courts Ladies rather than Honour and pursued his study rather than his ambition being more contemplative than active Others ministered to Queen Elizabeths government this Gentleman to her Recreation and Pleasures He came to Court when all men should young and stayed there until he was old his fortune being as smooth as his spirit and the Queens favour as lasting as his merit He bred up States-men but was none Sir William Pickering was like to have gained the Queens
the Hugonots depended and put a re 〈…〉 resolution in King Lewis to advance against the Valtoline and Spain by the advantage of the Leaguâ— with England proceeding upon this Maxime wiâ—â— that King They that have respect to few things 〈◊〉 easily misled I had almost forgot how this Lord finding thaâ— want of Treasure at home was the ground of ouâ— unsuccessful and despicableness abroad and thaâ— Principe senza quatrius è come un muro senza crâ—l 〈…〉 da tulls scompisliato That a Prince without money is like a wall without a Crosse for every one to draw upon did mention the Excize in the Parliament-House and in no ill meaning neither and was violently cryed to the Bar and though a person of that eminence as being then a Privy-Councellor and principal Secretary of State he hardly escaped â—eing committed to the Tower So odious was â—â—at Dutch-Devil as they called it in the excelâ—â—t King Charles which was raysed by the beloâ—ed Parliament with many more that were conjuâ—ed up in three or four years but not likely to be â—aid in three or fourscore Living in those times when weak men imagined â—o themselves some unknown bliss from untried goâ—ernments and considering that alterations counâ—ervail not their own dangers and as they bring â—ittle good to any so they bring least of all to those â—hat first promoted them This Lord refused to be â—he mouth of the Zealous multitude whose rage â—ould neither be well opposed nor joyned with whom a pardon or compliance might bring off leaving their Demagogues to compound for their folâ—â—y with their ruine choosing rather to be patient than active and appear weak than be troublesome and once resolved upon an exact survey of circumstances for power against the faults of it on the one â—â—and and the affronts of it on the other he gained the esteem of all parties by his fidelity to his own I am much taken with his plain saying which I finde of late printed There will be mistakes in Divinity while men preach and errours in Government while such govern And more with his method of proceeding in his affairs whereof he laid first an Idea in his own minde and then improved it by debate the result whereof was usually so compleat as shewed the vast difference between the shallow conceptions of one man and the deep judgement of many Observations on the Lives of Sir Richard and Sir Jerome Weston Earls of Portland SIr Richard Weston in his youth impaired his estate to improve himself with publick accomplishment but came off both a saver and a gainer at the last when made Chancellor of the Exchequer and afterwards upon the remove of the Earl of Marlborough July 15. in the fourth of King Charles Lord Treasurer of England His activity in Parliament made him considerable at Court none fitter to serve a Prince than he who commands the humor of the people Indeed where ever he was he discovered himself able and faithful 1. In his Foreign Employments his judgement was searching and reach admirable he being the first that smelt out the intentions against the Palatinate which were then in brewing and mashed with much art In his Domestick charge his Artifice was singular both in a faithful improvement of the Inâ—â—mes and a discreet moderation of the expences in his Masters Revenues In his Aspect there was a mixture of authority and modesty in his apprehensions quickness and solidity in his port and train a suitable dignity and correspondence with little noyse and outward form An enemy to Complements yet very courteous no flatterer yet of great power irreconcileable to frothy formality yet maintaining a due regard to his person and place A great Scholar he was and yet a great States-man of various erudition and as large observation He secured himself much by Alliances with the best Nobility more by the love and what is more the esteem of a constant King it being one of the wonders of that time that my Lord of Canterbury and he who were at so much distance from one another should be so inward with their Soveraign but that that excellent Prince measured not his affections to his Dependants so much by a particular interest as by a publick serviceableness The necessity of the Exchequer put him upon some ways of supply that displeased the rabble though his three particular cares viz. The paying of the Navy the satisfying of the City and the Queen of Bohemia's supply three things he was very much intent upon while Treasurer obliged the wiser sort of men I know nothing he was defective in being careful to use his own words to perform all duties with obedience to his Majestie respect to the Duke and justice to the particular parties concerned But that he had so much of his Master's love and so little of his patience being grated as all States-men are that have to do with various interests and humors between a strong inclination of satisfying every man and the impossibility of pleasing all Considering the importunities of persons and affairs a little impatience must needs fall upon your Lord-ship writes Sir Henry Wottoâ— to him unlesse you had been cut out of a Rock of Diamonds especially having been before so conversant with liberal Studies and with the freedom of your own minde In his time was the great Question agitated Whether a Prince should aime at the fear or the lovâ— of his People Although no Prince did more to oblige his People than the Excellent King Charles the I Yet was there no Prince ever more advised to awe them For this Lord and many more who looked upon over-much indulgence as the greatest cruelty considering that men love at their own pleasure and to serve their own turn and that their fear depends upon the Princes pleasure were of opinion That every wise Prince ought to ground upon that which is of himself and not upon that which is of another government being set up in the world rather to trust its own power than stand upon others courtesie Besides two things the vulgar are taken with 1. Appearance 2. The event of things which if successful gains both their love and reverence Neither was the Father more exact in his Maximes than the Son in his of whose many infallible principles this was one That it was the safest way for the King's Majestie to proceed upon a Declaration that the Faction at Westminster was no Parliament upon his own and his most loyal Lords and Commons removal to Oxford And this another That provided the Gentry and Clergy were well principled and His Majestie that now is had a constant correspondence with the most eminent of them it was our Interest to promote his Majesties grandeur abroad and sit still at home untill the Faction might be so secure as to divide and his Majesties Interest became so conspicuous by the Principles that were kept up at home and the State that was born abroad as to command all And really his
correspondence with the Duke of Bucks weekly constant his contrasts with Count Soisons and Madam Blanvile in behalf of her Husband here in England resolute and honourable urging very nobly and successfully that the clamours of a turbulent Agent was not to out-weigh the favour of a mighty Monarch The discovery he made of the Duke of Buckingham's enemies their Cabals and Oaths from the said Blanviles Letters was seasonable and compleat but his Master-piece was his command over all affections and tempers but his own so soft and smooth that it endured not the roughnesse of the following times wherein he was very unsetled when Commissioner in Scotland while he lived and very fearful when he died The fate of all delicate and too fine Constitutions It hath been the method of Grandees to endear themselves to power for a present interest and to learning for their future fame to add the renown of the one to the greatnesse of the other Neither was this Lord more careful to succeed his great friend the Duke of Buckingham in his favour at Court as Captain of the Guard and Groom of the Stool than in his Place at the Vniversity as Chancellor of which he expresseth himself thus â—o his Cambridge That his Master had raised his fortune beyond wishing in this world that he could desire no more than a fair name when he was gone out of it which the University contributed to whom he devoted his Iuterest Though they answered not his expectation in their Contributions for St. Pauls and other particulars wherein he was defeated and over-born by the busie faction who thought it a vain thing â—o repair any Church when they intended to pull down all After all this great man is a great instance of â—hat observation viz. That when able and prudent men are brought on the Stage to manage their â—wn parts they are then mostly not of the clearâ—st sight and commonly commit such errours as â—re both discernable and avoidable even by men of â—ean abilities Although I finde him subject â—o no great errour before the War save that when Dr. Preston was by his party judged of so great parts 〈◊〉 to make a fit Patron for them and thereupon â—irected to appear aloof the way of Court-obâ—ervers in his Addresses to the Duke of Buckingâ—m by his Confident the Earl of Holland whose â—amily favoured that side though the Duke said he â—new him and so would use him accordingly â—et this Earl was so far over-reach'd by him that in the Apology the Doctor writ under-hand to 〈◊〉 Partizans touching his Court-compliance he sheâ—eth he over-reached the Court-wits as indeâ— he was a great Politician and used Lap-wiâ—â— like to flutter most on that place which was fa 〈…〉 thest from his Egges a copy of which Letteâ— with some satyrical stanzaes was found unsealed 〈◊〉 the streets and carried to the Duke a noble frienâ— discovering to the Doctor how witty he was 〈◊〉 Rhime to the breaking of his heart he confessâ—â—â— then he was undone especially when the Duke Barber could finger the Letter out of his Lord pocket as he was directed And now I cannoâ— but remember how this Earl at his death said 〈◊〉 had been a friend to godly Ministers as had 〈◊〉 friends before him by whom he bad been instructâ—â— when young Whence I collect that the membeâ— of those great Families into which the godly Ministers i. e. peevish factious and discontented persoâ— which usurp that precious name insinuate theâ— selves and their principles seldome come to theâ—â— Grave in peace they usually instilling into theâ—â— such imaginations as make their lives unquiet aâ—â— their deaths dishonourable Whence the gooâ— old Lord Willoughby would say Carry the peeviâ—â— man this speaking of one Chambers a Separatist but tell him he must not come under my Roof for will not meddle with them that are given to changâ— whose calamity ariseth suddenly and who knoweth tâ—â— ruine of them both To conclude it is observed as the reason whâ— he fell off from the Parliament that the warâ— Sirs would not trust two Brothers him and thâ— Earl of Warwick with supream commands therefore when they voted the one Admiral they deâ—yed the other General of the Horse Both are charactered by their Contemporaries for natural Endowments excellent for temper sweet and loving for behaviour affable and courteous for spirit meek and lowly of the same inclinations before and after their advancement In honore sine â—â—more lifted up with honour but not puffed up with pride Observations on the Life of Arch-Bishop LAUD THe pregnancy of his childhood promised the wisdome of his riper years and obliged his friends beyond their abilities to his support and strangers beyond expectation to his encouragement Some persons offering him great sums of money for his maintenance in his younger years upon the bare security of his parts which payd them well in his more reduced age None more observant of favour none more mindful of kindnesses and none more grateful for civilities He was so wise as seldome to forget an injury in the consequence of it and so noble as ever to remember love in the return of it His honest Parents conveyed him an excellent temper and that temper a brave spirit which had the advantage of his birth some say at Reading some at Henley at an equal distance from the University where he was to be a Scholar and the Court where he was to be a Man In the first of these his indefatigablâ— industry his methodical study his quick apprehension his faithful memory his solid judgement his active fancy his grave and quick countenance his sharp and piercing eye raised him bâ— discreet and wary steps to all the perferments anâ— commended him to all the employments of thâ— University when Proctor whereof he was admitted for his prudence to the Earl of Devonshire's service which hazarded and when Divinity-Reader observed by the Lords of Rochester and Lincoln for his judgement which advanced him As his design was above the level of modern Sciolists sâ— were his Studies not prepossessed with the partiâ—â— Systemes of Geneva but freely conversant with the impartial volumes of the Church Catholick 〈◊〉 had an infallible apprehension of the Doctrine and Discipline and a deep insight into the interest 〈◊〉 Christianity This capacious soul conversed with the most knowing of all Judgements to finde the bottome of all Errors and with the most Judicious of his own to discern the grounds of all truth He had his eye on the University to reduce it when Head of St. John's on the lower Functions oâ— the Church in his Pastoral charges to reform them and upon the higher when Dean of Gloucester Prebend of Westminster and Bishop of St. Davids to settle them He was a man of that search and judgement that he found out the principles of government that were true to the Church of that faithfulnesse and resolution that amidst all discouragements he was true to them The Church-government he found by many