himself namely not to build his Estate upon the ruines of a miserable Nation but aiming by the unpartial execution of Justice not to enrich himself but civilize the People But the wise King would no longer loose him out of his own Land and therefore recalled him home about the time when his Fathers Inheritance by the death of his five elder brethren descended upon him It was not long before Offices and Honours flowed in fast upon him being made by King Iames 1. Attorney of the Court of Wards 2. chief-Chief-Justice of the Upper Bench the 18 of his Reign Ian. 29. 3. Lord Treasurer of England in the 22 of his Reign Dec. 22. 4. Baron Ley of Ley in Devonshire the last of the same month King Charls 1. Earl of Marlborough in Wiltshire immediately after the King's Coronation 2. Lord President of the Council in which place he diedâ— Anno Dom. 1629. He was a person of great Gravity Ability and Integrity And as the Caspian Sea is observed neither to ebbe nor flow so his mind did not rise or fall but continued the same constancy in all conditions a good temper enough for a Judge but not for a Statesman and foâ— any Statesman but a Lord Treasurer and for any Lord Treasurer but in King CHARLES his active time who was put to it to find out such stirring men as might recover him from the hazard and defection he was fallen into in Purse and Power Observations on the Life of Sir John Cook SIr Iohn Cook younger Brother to Sir Francis Cook born at Trusley in the Hundred of Apple-tree in Derbyâ—shire of ancient and worshipful Parentage and allied to the best Family in that Countrey was bred Fellow of Trinity-Colledge in Cambridge where his wit being designed his Estate he was chosen Rhetorick-Lecturer in the University where he grew eminent for his ingenious and critical reading in that School where Rhetorick seemed to be not so much an Art as his Nature being not only the subject but the very frame of his Discourse Then travelled he beyond the Seas â—or some years when his judgment was fitted for foreign Observations by domestick experience in the company of a Person of quality â— returning thence rich in Languages Remarks and Experience waving all the dangers incident to him for his Religion by a wary Profesâ—ion that he came to learn and not to search being first related to Sir Fulke Grevil Lord Brook who did â—ll mens business but his own â—he was thenceâ— preferred to be Secretary to the Navy their Master of the Requests â—â—od at last Secretary of Stateâ— for twenty years together Being a very zealous Protestant he did all good offices for the advancement of true Religion His Contemporaries character him a grave and a prudent man in gaâ—eâ— apparel and speech one that hâ—d his Intellectâ—â—â—s very perfect in the dispatch of business till he was eighty years old when foreseeing those Intrigues that might be too hard for his years he with his Majesties good leave retired as Moses did â—o â—ie when his eyes were not dim c. having kept himself strictly to the Law of the Land Insomuch that being sent to command Biâ—hop Williams from Westminsterâ— and being asked by the stout Bishop by what authority he commanded a man out of his house and his free-hold he was so tender of the point that he never rested till he had his pardon for it Muâ—iâ—â—â—â—â—o he had to keep the King's favour for his compliance with the Faction witness his third submission and as much ado to retain â—he Factions good opinion for his service to the King wâ—tness his several Apologies in Parliament to this purpose That it was a hard thing that they who should have thanks for the good offices they did the People with the KING had now nothing but censures for the same offices they did the King with his people Never was any man more put to it to reconcilâ— the two readings of that Text 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which he could never have done but that his old rule safe-guarded him viz. That no man should let what is unjustifiable or dangerous appear under his hand to give Envy a steady aim at his place or person nor mingle Interests with great men made desperate by debts or Court-injuries whose falls hath been ruinous to their wisest followers nor pry any further into secrecy than rather to secure than shew himself nor impart that to a friend that may impower him to be an enemy Besides that his years excused in him that caution some obâ—tinate men want that are broken with vicissâ—udes because they consider not that the forwardest in turmoyls are least regarded when things return to a calm He served the time out of Christian discretion in finding out the seasons of things commendably He complyed out of some infirmity in particular accommodaâ—ions pardonably but neither of ignorance or design iâ— pursuance of his own or any other mans plot unfaithfully Indeed he must have wrenched and sprained his grave soul with the short turningâ— in those dayes if it had been tâ—ue that he should shuffle a Scots Paper instead of the genuine Articles of Pacificatâ—on at York which the Earls of Holland Pembrook c. disavowed to the Northern Commissioners faces my Lord of Pembrook saying That indeed as he took Horse and his Friends being busie about him such a Paper was put into his hand but he opened it not untill he came to his Majesty and his Majesty burned in the face of both Kingdoms whereby they say he was dismissed which I am not willing to believe only I find him hereafter bring Propositions from the Parliament as they called it to the King as actively as formerly he had carried Messages from the King to the Parliament Indeed he had an happy mixture of Disâ—retion and Charity whereby he could allow to things persons more than men of streighter apprehensions or narrower affections were able to do Indeed though as I told you otherwise wary he broke an Affair to a Partizan that kept him under all his days he that entertains a dangerous design puts his head into an halter and the halter into his hand to whom he first imparts it Sir Francis Winâ—ebank and he fell into extreams which balanced might have fupported the Government if they had directed their particular inclinations and indulgences by the measures of the general interest and temper Observations on the Life of the Earl of Danby ALl that I find of this plain Noble-maâ— is wâ—itten on his Tomb-stone at Dantsey in Wilâ—shire Here lyeth the Body of Henry Danvers second son to Sir Iohn Danvers Knight and Dame Eâ—izabeth Daughter and Co-Heir to Nevil Lord Latimâ—â— He was born at Dantsey in the County of Wilts Anno Dom. 1573. being bred up partly in the Low-Countrey Wats under Maurice Eâ—rl of Nassaw afterwards Prince of Orange and in many other Military actions of those â—imes both by Sea and by Land He was made a
breath was spent in proclaiming K. Charles the II. in the very face of his Enemies as known to him to be a vertuous noble gentle just and great Prince a Perfect Englishman in his inclination 2. His great merits and modesty whereof K. Charles I. writes thus to his excellent Queen There is one that doth not yet pretend that doth deserve as well as any I mean Capel Therefore I desire thy assistance to find out something for him before he ask 3. The blessing of God upon his noble but suffering Family who was a Husband to his excellent Widow and a Father to his hopeful Children whom not so much their birth beauty and portion though they were eminent for these as their Vertues married to the best Bloods and Estates in the Land even when they and the Cause they suffered for were at the lowest It 's the happiness of good men though themselves miserable that their seed shall be mighty and their Generation blessed Observations on the Life of Bishop Andrews I Have much a-do to prevail with my own hand to write this excellent Prelate a Statesman of England though he was Privy-Councellor in both Kingdoms For I remember that he would say when he came to the Council-Table Is there any thing to be done to day for the Church If they answered Yea then he said I will stay If No he said I will be gone Though yet this be an instance of as much prudence as any within the compass of our Observation So safe is every man within the circle of his own place and so great an argument of abilities hath it been always confessed to know as well what we ought as what we can especially in Clergy-men whose over-doing doth abate their reverence and increase their envy by laying open those defects and miscarriages which are otherwise hallowed or at least concealed in the mystick sacredness of their own function Not but that men of that gravity and exactness of that knowledge and experience of that stayedness and moderation of that sobriety and temperance of that observation and diligence as Bishops are presumed to be were in all Governments judged as fit to manage publick affairs as men of any other professions whatever without any prejudice to the Church which must be governed as well as taught and managed as well as a society dwelling in the world as under the notion of a peculiar people taken out of it His successful skill in deaâ—ing with the Papists under my Lord of Huntington President of the North and with the Puritans under Doctor Cosin an Ecclesiastical Officer in the South recommended him to Sir Francis Walsingham's notice as a person too useful to be buried in a Country-Living who thereupon intended to set up his Learning in a Lecture at Cambridge to confute the Doctrine of Rome untiâ— Queen Eliz. resolved to set up his prudence in other Employments at Court to countermine its policy where I know not whether the acuteness of his Sermons took most with the most Learned the devotion of them with the most pious or the prudence of them with the most Wise it hath been one thinâ— always to Preach learnedly and another thing to preach wisely for to the Immensity of his Learning he added excellent Principles of politick prudence as a governour of the Church and a Councellor of State wherein he was conspicuous not for the crafty projects and practices of policy or for those finister ways of Artifice and subtlery or the admired depths of Hypocrisie called reason of State noâ— the measures and rules of his Politicks and Prudentials were taken from the great experience he had gotten and many excellent observations he had made out of all Histories as well Humane as Divine though he always laid the greatest weight upon the grounds and instances of holy Scripture which gives the truest judgement of wisdom or folly considering the mixture of State-affairs with thoâ—e of the Church in Christian Common-wealths and the fitness of sober and discreet Clergy-men for those of the State in all It 's a wonder how Clergy-men come to be excluded publick Councils at any time but observing Bishop Andrews his insight into the Fundamental constitution of our State as appears from his Speech in the Countess of Shrewsbury's Case His distinct foresight oâ— the consequences of Affairs evident in his speech against Thraske His circumspect care of the Publick visible in his Petition to King Iames then sick at New-Market that the Pâ—ince then under Scotch Tutors be educated by well-principled men the occasion that King Iames took to bring him up himself so exactly in the Doctrine and Discipline of oâ—r Church that it 's a question whether he was more by his Pen or Sword his Scepter or his Style The Defender of the Faith His wondâ—rful skill in the government of this Church discerned by â—he excellent King Charles in that he sent so many Bishops to consult with him 1625. what was to be done for the Church in that Parliament His caution and moderation in â—hat he never unless upon greâ—t considerations innovated in his Church bâ—t left things in the same decency and order he â—ound them knowing that all alterations have â—heir dangers I am astonished to think that Bâ—shops should be forbidden secular employment in our time Who hath more ampleness and compleatness saith Bishop Gauden for a good man a good Bishop a good Christian a good Scholar a good Preacher and a good Counsellor than Bishop Andrews a man of an astonishing excellency both at home and abroad Observations on the Life of Henry Mountague Earl of Manchester HEnry Earl of Manchester third son to Sir Edward Mountague Grand-childe to Sir Edward Mountague Lord Chief-Justice of the King's Bench in King Edward the sixth's time was born at Boughton in Northampton-shire One skilful in mysterious Arts beholding him when a School-boy foretold that by the pregnancy of his parts he would raise himself above the rest of his Family which came to pass accordingly He being bred first in Christs-Colledge in Cambridge then in the Middle Temple where he attained to great Learning in the Laws passed through many preferments as they are reckoned up viz. 1. Sergeant at Lâ—w. 2. Knighted by K. Iames Iuly 22. 1603. 3. Recorder of London 4. Lord chief-Chief-Justice of the King's Bench Novemb. 18. 1616. 5. Lord Treasurer of England Decemb. 16. 1620. 6. Bâ—ron of Kimbolton 7. Viscount Mandevile 8. President of the Council Sept. 29. 1631. 9. Eâ—rl of Manchester 10. Lord Privy-Seal He wisely perceiving that Courtiers were but as Counters in the hands of Princes raised and depressed in valuation at pleasure was contented rather to be set for a smaller sum than to be quite put up into the box Thus in point of place and preferment being pleased to be what the King would have him according to his Motto Movendo non mutando me he became almost what he would be himself finally advanced to an Office of great Honour When Lord
3. Constant correspondence and observation 4. A happy medley of Debonairness and Complacency Reservedness and Gravity with the first he had taken Princes and with the last Statesmen the one discovers others while the other conceals you 5. Resolution I made often said hâ— as if I would fight when they knew my calling allowed me onely to speak 6. Civility That man said the Prince of Orange is a great bargain who is bought with a bare salvation Fourthly To Privy-Counsellours That excellent caution Always to speak last and be Masters of other strength before they displayed their own This was that rare man that was made for all business so dexterous This was he that was made for all times so complying This was he who lived Doctor of both Laws and died Doctor of both Gospels the Protestant which had the States-mans part of this man and the Popish who had the Christian. Noah had two faces because he was a son of the old world before the flood and a father of the new one after Wotton sure had four faiths who was a Favourite in King Henry's days of the Counsel in King Edward's of the Juncto in Queen Mary's and the second Statesman in Queen Elizabeth's With these two things of this person I shall conclude 1. His refusal of the Archbishoprick of Canterbury which argued his extraordinary humility or wariness His admission of Doctor Parker as Dean of Canterbury to that See which argueth the legality of his calling there being no circumstance with any likelihood omitted by so exquisite a Civilian as Doctor Wotton or forgotten by so great an Anâ—iquary as Doctor Parker Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Wriothesly the first Earl of Southampton THomas Wriothesly Knight of the Garter was born in Barbican Son to William Wriothesly descended from an Heir general of the antient Family of the Dunsteâ—viles King of Arms. He was bred in the University of Cambridge as it appears by Mr. Ascam's Letter unto him writing in the behalf of the University when he was Lord Chancellour Quamobrem Academia cum omni literarum ratione ad te unum conversa cui uni quam universis aliis se chariorâ—m intelligit partim tibi ut alumno suo cum authoritate imperat partim ut patrono summo demisse humiliter supplicat c. His University-Learning prepared him for the Law â—is indefaâ—igable study of the Law promoted him to the Court where for his Honour he was created Baron of Tichbourn Jan. 1. 1543. and â—or his Profit the next year May 3. Lord Chancellour a place he discharged with more Applause than any before him and with as much Integrity as any since him Force he said awed but Iustice governed the World It is given to that Family to be Generous and Resolute This incomparable Person was under a cloud in King Edward's time for being a rigidly-conscientious Papist and his great Grandchild suffered in King Charles his time for being a sincerely honest Protestant Yeâ— so reverenced was the first of this Family by his Adversaries that he was made Earl of Southampton and so honoured was the other by his Enemies that they courted him to their party Integrity hath a Majesty in its full and a Glory in its lowest Estate that is always feared though not always loved No Nobleman understood the Roman Religion better than the first Earl of Southampton and none the Protestant better then the last the Right Honourable and truly Excellent Thomas Earl of Southampton and Treasurer of England His Court he said gave Law to the Kingdom His constant and exact Rules to the Court and his Conscience guided by the Law of the Kingdom to his Rules Affable and acceptable he was as More quick and ready as Wolsey incorrupt as Egerton apprehensive and knowing as Bacon Twice were all Cases depending in Chancery dispatched in Sir Thomas Wriothesly's time 1538. and in Sir Thomas More 's 1532. Truly did he judge intra Cancellos deciding Cases with that Uprightness that he wished a Window to his Actions yea and his Heart too King Philip was not at leasure to hear a poor Womans Cause Then said she cease to be King My Lord over-hearing a servant putting off a Petitioner because his Master was not at leasure takes him up roundly and repliâ—s You had as good say I am not at leasure to be Lord Chancellour Two things he would not have his servants gain by his Livings and his Decrees The first he said weâ—e Gods the second the Kings whom every man he said sold that sold Justice To honest men your places said he are enough to Knaves too much Every Week he had a Schedule of his own Accounts and every Month of his Servants Cato's greatest Treasure was his Account-Book of Sicily and my Lord of Southampton's was his Table of the Chancellours place A great Estate was conferred upon him which he took not in his own name to avoid the odium of Sacriledge as great an Inheritance he bought but in others names to escape the malice of Envy He loved a bishop he said to satisfie his Conscience a Lawyer to guide his Judgment a good Family to keep up his Interest and an University to preserve his name Full of Years and Worth he died 1550. at Lincoln-place and was buried at St. Andrews Church in Holborn where his Posterity have a Diocess for their Parish and a Court for their Habitation Observations on the Life of Sir John Fitz-James JOhn Fiâ—z-Iames Knight was born at Redlinch in Somersetshire of Right Antient and Worthy Parentage bâ—ed in the study of our Municipal Laws wherein he proved so great a Proficient that by King Henry the Eighth he was advanced to be Chief Justice of the Kings Bench. There needs no more to be said of his Merit save that King Henry the Eighth preferred him who never used either Dunce or Drone in Church or State but Men of Ability and Activity He sat thirteen years in his place demeaning himself so that he lived and died in the Kings Favour He sat one of the Assistants when Sir Thomas More was arraigned for â—efusing the Oath of Supremacy and was shrewdly put to it to save his own Conscience and not incur the Kings Displeasure For Chancellour Audley supreme Judg in that plaâ—e being loath that the whole burthen of More 's condemnation should lie on his shoulders alone openly in the Court asked the Advice of the Lord Chief Justice Fitz Iames Whether the Indictment were sufficient or no To whom our Judge warily returned My Lords all by St. Gillian which was ever his Oath I must needs confess That if the Act of Parliament be not unlawful then the Indictment is not in my conscience sufficient He died in the Thirteeth Year of King Henry the Eighth and although now there be none left at Redlinch of his Name and Family they flourish still at Lewson in Dorsetshire descended from Alured Fitz-Iames brother to this Judge and
in the Inner Temple in the study of the Laws untill his ability and integrity advanced him Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench in the Thirtieth of Henry the Eighth He gave for his Motto AEquitas Iustitia Norma And although Equity seemeth rather to resent of the Chancery than the Kings Bench yet the best Justice will be Wormwood without a mixture thereof In his times though the golden showers of Abbey-Lands rained amongst great men it was long before he would open his lap scrupling the acception of such Gifts and at last received but little in proportion to Others of that Age. In the thirty seventh of King Henry the Eighth he was made Chief Justice of the Common Pleas a descent in Honour but ascent in Profit it being given to old Age rather to be thrifty than ambitious Whereupon he said I am now an old man and love the Kitchin before the Hall the warmest place best suiting with my Age. In drawing up the Will of King Edward the Sixth and setling the Crown on the Lady Iane for a time he swam against the tide and torrent of Duke Dudley till at last he was carried away with the stream Outed of his Judges Office in the first of Queen Mary he returned into Northampton-shire and what contentment he could not finde in Westminster-hall his Hospital-hall at Bougâ—ton afforded him He died Anno 1556. and lieth buâ—ied in the Parish Church of Weekly His well-managed Argument in Dodderige his Case brought him to Cromwel's knowledge who was vexed with his reason but well pleased with his Parts Crowmel's recommendaâ—ion and his own modest nature set him up with Henry the Eighth who could not endure two things 1. A Lawyer that would not be guided 2. A Divine that would not be taught Yet as modest as he was he was honest and though he would submit to the Kings Power yet would he act by his Law For his Apophthegm was Mèum est Ius dicere potius quam Ius dare Iâ—'s my duty to interpret rather than give Law He never denied or delayed Jâ—stice alwayes discouraging those cunning Lâ—ws that perplexed a Cause those contentious Clients that delayed a suit and those nice Cummin-seed men that strained iâ—ferences and wâ—ested câ—nstructions Patient stayed and equal he was in hearing grave in speaking pertinent in interrogating wary in observing happy in remembring seasonable and civil in interposing The Council durst not chop with him neither would he chop with the Council unless he defended his cause over-boldly urged indiscreetly informed slightly neglected grosly renewed the debate unseasonably or ensnared his Adversaries cunningly in those and other the like cases he would do the Publick Right by a check and the person by an admonition Six sorts of persons he discountenanced in his Courts 1. The scandalous Exactors 2. The slie shifters that as that Chancellour observed pervert the plain and direct courses of Courts and bring Justice into oblique lines and labyrinths 3. Those that engaged Courts in quarrels of Jurisdiction 4. Those that made suits 5. Those that hunted men upon Poenal Statutes 6. Those that appeared in most Testimonies and Juries His Darling was The hâ—nâ—st Clerk who was experienced in his place obliging in his carriage knowing in Presidents cautious in Proceedings and skilful in the affairs of the Court. Two things he promoted in King Henry's days 1. The Law against Gaming And 2. The Order against Stews And two in King Edward's 1. That Act against sâ—reading of Prophecies 2. That Statute against embasing of Coyn. But King Edward's Testament and the Duke of Northumberland's Will is to be made The pious Intentions of that King wishing well to the Reformation the Religion of Qâ—een Mary obnoxious to exception the ambition of Northumberland who would do what he listed the weakness of Suffolk who would be done with as the other pleased the flattery of the Courtiers most willing to comply designed the Crown for the Lady Iane Grey Mr. Cecil is sent for to London to furnish that Will with Reason of State and Sir Edward to Serjeants Inn to make it up with Law He according to the letter sent him went with Sir Io. Baker Justice Bromley the Attorney and Solicitor-General to Greenwâ—ch where His Majestie before the Marquess of Northampton declaring himself for the settlement of Religion and against the succession of Qâ—een Mary offered them a Bill of Articks to make a Book of which they notwithstanding the Kings Charge and the reâ—teration of it by Sir William Peter declared upon mature consideration they could not do without involving themselves and the Lords of the Council in High Treason because of the Statutes of Succession The Duke of Northumberland hearing of their Declaration by the Lord Admiral comes to the Council-Chamber all in a rage trembling for anger calling Sir Edward Traytor and saying He would fight in his shirt with any man in that Quarrel The old man is charged by the King upon his Allegiance and the Council upon his Life to make the Book which he did when they promised it should be ratified in Parliament Here was his obedience not his invention not to devise but draw things up according to the Articles tendred unto him Since shame is that which ambitious Nature abhorreth and danger is that which timorous Nature declineth the honest man must be resolute Sir Nathaniel Brent would say A Coward cannot be an honest man and it seems by this Action that modesty and fear are great temptations Give me those four great Vertues that makes a man 1. A clear Innocence 2. A comprensive Knowledge 3. A well-weighed experience And 4. The product of all these A steady Resolution What a Skein of Ruffled Silk saith the ingenious Resolver is the incomposed man Observations on the Life of Sir Edward Fines EDward Fines Lord Clinton Knight of the Garter was Lord Admiral of England for more than thirty years He was wise valiant and very fortunate as appears by his Master-piece in Museleborough field in the reign of King Edward the sixth and the Battle against the Scots He was afterwards created Earl of Lincoln where he was born May 4. 1474. and where he had a proportionable Estate to support his Dignity which he much increased beside his Paternal Inheritance He died Ianuary 16. 1558. and lieth buried at Windsor in a private Chappel under a stately Mâ—nument which Elizabeth his third Wife Daughter to the Earl of Kildare erected in his remembrance His Fortune made him a younger Bâ—other and his Industry an Heir coming to Court where they that have Estates spend them and they that have none gain them His recreation was at Court but his business in the Country where notwithstanding the Statute in â—enry the sevenths time against Pasturage for Tillage he Grazed 11000 Acres of Ground then a noble and gaining Employment that advanced many a Family in one Generation and now a saving one that hath kept up as many ten The best tempered Swords will bend
others as in nature he doth not fit the frame of things to the ugly nature of Monsters but the irregular shape of Monsters to the beauty of things being of opinion thaâ— we should thank our Governour as the AEthiopian flaves do their Emperour when they are slashed and we should God when we are corrected for thinking of us and having a care of us universal as that God hath of the world whom they represent Rulers within their dominions having much of the Character that God hath in the universe viz. That he is a Circle whose center is every where and Circumference no where Observations on the Life of Sir William Drury SIr William Drury was born in Suffolk where his Worshipful Family had long flourished at Haulsted His name in Saxon soundeth a Pearl to which he answered in the pretiousness of his disposition clear and heard innocent and valiant and therefore valued deservedly by his Queen and Country His youth was spent in the French Wars his middleâ— Age in Scotland and his old Age in Ireland He was Knight-Marshal of Barwick at what time the French had pâ—ssâ—ssed themselves of the Castle of Edenburgh in the minority of King James Queen Elizabeâ—h employed this Sir William with 1500 men to besiege the Castle which service he right worthily performed reducing it within few days to the owner thereof Anno 1575. he was appointed Lord President of Munster whither he went with competent Forces and executed impartial Iustice in despight of the opposers thereof For as the Signe of Leo immediately precedeth Virgo and Libra in the Zodiack so I hope not that Innocency will 〈◊〉 protected or Iustice administred in a barbarous Country where power and strength do not first secure a passage unto them But the Earl of Desmond opposed this good President forbidding him to enter the County of Kerry as a Palatinate peculiarly appropriated unto himself Know by the way as there were but four Palatinates in England Chester Lancaster Durham and Ely whereof the two former many years since were in effect invested in the Crown there were no fewer than eight Palatinates in Ireland possâ—ssed by their respective Dynasts claiming Regal Rights therein to the great retarding of the absolute Conquest of that Kingdome Amongst these saith my Author Kerry became the Sanctuary of Sin and Refuge of Rebels as outlawed from any Iurisdiction Sir William no whit terrified with the Earls threatning and declaring that no place should be a priviledge to mischief entred Kerry with a competent Train and there dispenced Iustice to all persons as occasion did require Thus with seven-score men he safely forced his return through seven hundred of the Earls who sought to surprize him In the last year of his Life he was made Lord Deputy of Ireland and no doubt had performed much in his place if not afflicted with constant sickness the forerunner of his death at Waterford 1598. He was one of that Military Valour which the Lord Verulam wisheth about a Prince in troublesome times that held a good esteem with the Populacy and an exact correspondence with the noble whereby he united himself to each side by endearments and divided them by distrust watching the slow motions of the people that they should not be excited and spirited by the nobility and the ambition of the Great Ones that it should not be befriended with the turbulency or strengthened with the assistance of the Commonalty One great Act well followed did his business with the natives whom he sometimes indulged giving their Discontents liberty to evaporate and with the strangers whom he always awed In those that were commended to his service he observed two things 1. That they were not advanced for their dependence because they promote a Party which he noted to be the first ground of Recommendaâ—ion 2. Nor for their weakness because they cannot hinder it which he remarked to be the second Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Smith SIr Thomas Smith was born at Saffroâ—-Walden in Essex and bâ—ed in Queens Colledge in Cambridge where such his proficiency in Learning that he was chosen out by Henry the eighth to be sent over and to be brought up beyond the Seas It was fashionable in that Age that pregnant Students were maintained on the cost of the State to be Merchants for experience in Forreign Parts whence returning home with their gainful Adventurers they were preferred according to the improvement of their time to Offices in their own Country Well it were if this good old Custome were resumed for if where God hath given five talents men would give but pounds I mean encourage hopeful Abilities with hopeful maintenance able persons would never be wanting and poor men with great Parts would not be excluded the Line of Prefermenâ— This Sir Thomas was first Servant and Favourite to the Duke of Somerset and afterwards Secretary of State to Qâ—een Elizabeth and a grand Benefactor to both Universities Anno 1577 when that excellent Act passedâ— whereby it was provided That a third part of the Rent upon Leases made by Colledges should be reserved in Corn paying it either in kâ—nd or in money after the rate of the best prices in Oxford or Cambridge markets the next Market-days before Michaelmas or our Lady-dayâ— For the passing of this Act Sir Thomas Sâ—ith â—urprized the House and whereas many conceived not the difference between the payment of Rents in Corn or money the knowing Patriot took the advantage of the presenâ— cheap year knowing that hereaftâ—r Grain would grow dearer Mankinde dayly multiplying and License being lately given for Transportation so that now when the Universities have least Corn they have most Bread What his foresight did now for the Universiâ—y his reach did the first year of Q. Eliz. for the Kingdome for the first sitting of her Councel he advised twelve most important things for the publick safety 1. That the Ports should be shuâ— 2. That the Tower of London should be secured good hands 3. That the Deputy of Ireland's Commiâ—â—â—on should be renewed and enlarged 4. That all Officers should act 5. That no new Office should be bestowed in a moneth 6. Thâ—t Ministers should meddle with no Controversies 7. That Embassadors should be sent to Forreign Princes 8. That no Coyn should be transported beyond Sea 9. That no person of quality should travel for six weeks 10. That the Traiâ—-bands should be mustered 11. That Ireland the Borders and the Seas should be provided for 12. And that the dissenting Nobility and Clergy should be waâ—ched and secured Adding withal a Paper for the Reading of the Epistle the Gospel and the Commandments in the English tongue to encouragâ— the Protestants expectation and allay the Papists fear In the same Proclamation that he drew up the Sacrament of the Altar was to be reverencâ—d and yet the Communion to be administred in both kinds He advised a Disputation with the Papists one day knowing that they could not dispute without
advice to my Lord of Essex was 1. Not to trust himself because they that stand by see more than they that play the game 2. To yield to Time and Fortune and not do that for his Enemies which they could never do for themselves 3. To have a careful eye upon those actions on which he knew there were many envious ones And for himself his supplication to King Iames was That since his conceit and sense was grown so heavy his Memory decay'd his Judgement weak his Hearing imperfect and his Voice faltering he might desinere potiùs quam deficere and retire from his Business to his Meditation as he did while living imparting many mysteries of the Chancery and when dying bequeathing as many choice Books and Directions to his then Chaplain and his after-Successor Doctor Williams Secretary Winwood having received the Seal and left this gracious Message with this good man that his Majesty would be his Under-keeper and not dispose of it while he lived to bear the name of Chancellor nor did any receive the Seal out of the Kings sight while he lived to bear the name of Chancellor A company of Citizens got a Cause passed by keeping a Witness away in this manner one of them gets him to the Tavern and there leaves him with a quart of Sack before him and the glass at his mouth and swears in open Court that he left him in a condition wherein if he continueth but two hours he is a dead man The other Party find out the cheat and have their remedy in Chancery Sir Edward Cook brings the matter to the Star-Chamber and threatneth the Chancellor with a Pâ—emuâ—nire The business is debated and sentence passed for my Lord Chancellor with the comfort whereof and the Kings and Princes Letter to him upon his Death-bed he went to his Grave Observations on the Life of the Lord Chief-Iustice Popham SIr Iohn Popham in his youthful days was a stout and skilful man at Sword and Buckler as any in that Age and wild enough in his Recreations But oh saith my Author if Quicksilver could be really fixed to what a treasure would it amount Such is wild youth seriously reduced to gravity as by this youngâ— man did appear who applyed himself to a more profitable Fencing the study of the Laws therein attaining to such eminency that he became the Queenâ— Attorney afterwards Lord Chief-Justice of Eâ—gland Being sent Anno 1600. by the Queen with some others to the Earl of Essex to know the cause of the confluence of so many Military men unto his house the Soldiers therein detained him for a time which some made tantamount to an Imprisonment This his violent detention Sir Iâ—hn deposed upon his Oath at the Earl's Tryal which I note the rather for the rarity thereof that a Lord chief-Chief-Justice should be produced as Witness in open Court In the beginning of the Reign of King Iameâ— his justice was exemplary on Thieves and Robbers The Land then swarmed with people which had been Soldiers who had never gotten or eâ—se quite forgotten any other Vocation Hard it was for Peace to feed all the idle mouths which a former War did breed being too proud to beg too lazy to labour Those infested the High-wayes with their Fellonies some presuming on their multitudes as the Robber on the Northern Rode whose knot otherwise not to be untied Sir Iohn cut asunder with the Sword of Justice He possessed King Iames how the frequent granting of Pardons was prejudicial to Justice rendring the Judges to the contempt of insolent Malefactors which made his Majesty more sparing afterwards in that kind In a word the deserved death of some scores preserved the lives and livelihoods of some thousands Travellers owing their safety to this Judges severity many years after his death Neither did he onely punish Malefactors but provide for them for observing that so many suffered and died for none other reason but because they could not live in England now grown too populous for it's self and breeding more Inhabitants than it could keep he first set up the discovery of New-England to maintain and employ those that cou'd not live honestly in the old being of opinion that banishment thither would be as well a more lawful as a more effectual remedy against those extravagancies the Authors whereof judge it more eligible to hang than to work to end their dayes in a moment than to continue them in pains onely a great Judgment observes it is a shameful and an unblessed thing to take the scum of people and wicked condemned men to be the people with whom to plant And not onely so but it spoyleth the Plantation for they will ever live like Rogues and not fall to work and do mischief and spend Victuals and be quickly weary and then certifie over to the Countrey to the disgrace of the Common-wealth Observations on the Life of Sir Robert Dudley SIr Robert Dudley son to Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester by Douglas Shefield whether his Mistriss or his Wife God knows was born at Shene in Surrey and bred by his Mother out of his Fathers reach at Offington in Sussex where he became a most compleat Gentleman in all suitable Accomplishments endeavouring in the Reign of King Iames to prove his Legitimacy and meeting with much opposition from the Court in distaste he left his Land and went over into Italy But worth is ever at home and carrieth its own welcome along with it Therefore he became a Favourite to the Duke of Florence who highly reflected on his Abilities and used his Directions in all his Buildings At this time Legorn from a Child started to a Man without ever being a youth and of a small Town grew a great City on a sudden and is much-beholding to this Sir Robert for its Fairness and Firmness as chief contriver of both But by this time his Adversaries in England had procur'd him to be call'd home by a special Privy-Seal which he refused to obey and thereupon all his Lands in England were seised upon by the King by the Statute of Fugitives These losses doubled the love of the Duke of Florence unto him And indeed Sir Robert was a much-meriting person on many Accounts being an Excellent 1 Mathematician especially for the Practical part thereof in Architecture 2 Physician his Catholicâ—n at this day finding good Esteem amongst those of that Faculty 3 Navigator especially in the Western Seas Indeed long before his leaving of England whilest as yet he was Rectus in Curiâ— well esteemed in Queen Elizabeths Court he sailed with three small Ships to the Isle of Trinidad in which voyage he sunk and took nine Spanish Ships whereoâ— one an Armada of 600 Tun. He was so acceptable to Ferdinand the second Emperour of Germany that by his Letters Patents bearing date at Vienna March 9â— 1620. he conferred on him and his Heirs the Title of a Duke of the Sacred Empire Understand it a Title at large as that
allow a due commendation to his learned performance in that subject Although it startled them to hear King Iames was so affected with it insomuch that Sir Edward Coke undertook from thence to prophecy the decay of the Common-Law though in that prophecy of his others foresaw nothing but his fall Never book came out more seasonably for the Church than this never Comment came out more suitably than Mr. Gregories Notes upon it Hâ— writ well and advised better being good to give better to manage Counsel which he never offered till called and never urged longer than it pleased answering no question of consequence unless upon emergent occasion without deliberation observing the design of people that ask most commonly to try his sufficiency as well as improve their own However being sure that time is likelier to increase than abate the weight of a result discovering as well what may be returned suitably to the general temper as what may be answered fitly to the particular instance What alterations he designed for the Churches benefit were not sodain but leisurely To force men out of one extreamity into another is an attempt as dangerous as it is invidious as awakening most opposition and obnoxious to most hazard Wise Tacitus observeth that men have reformed inveterate habits more by yielding to them than engaging against them though a man must so yield as not to encourage while he doth so countermine as not to exasperate Although he was always able yet was he never willing to mend the Copy his Superiors had set him unless owned as from former instruction lest they grew jealous he valued his own experience before theirs who measure mens sufficiency from their caution and not from their parts from what they can forbear rather than from what they can do To conclude he was one of those able men that cannot be eminent unless they be great men of great merit behave themselves so negligently in small affairs as that you shall never understand their abilities unless you advance their persons Mens capacities sufficiencies have certain bounds prescribed them within the limits of which they are able to acquit themselves with credit and applause But if you advance them above or depress them below their spheres they shew nothing but debilities and miscarriages Onely this he was always commended for That having the management of Affairs intrusted to him he underwent all the miscarriages himself ascribing all the honour and sufficiency to his Patron carrying his hand in all actions so that his Master had the applause of whatever was either conceded or denyed in publick without any other interruption from Mr. Ridly than what became the bare instrument of his commands however he ordered the matter in private Observations on the Life of Sir Henry Martin HE would merrily say That if his Father had left him fourscore pounds a year where he left him but forty he would never have been a Scholar but have lived on his Lands whereas his Inheritance being a large encouragement but a small maintenance he made up in study what he wanted in Estate first at Winchester and then at New-Colledge where his inclination led him to Divinity but Bishop Andrews his advice perswaded him to the Civil Law wherein he attained that great proficiency he was eminent for thus He had weekly transmitted to him from some Proctors at Lambeth the brief heads of the most important Causes which were to be tryed in the High-Commission Then with some of his familiar friends in that faculty he privately pleaded those Causes acting in their Chamber what was done in the Court But Mr. Martin making it his work exceeded the rest in amplifying and aggravaâ—ing any fault to move anger and indignation against the guilt thereof or else in extenuating or excusing it to procure pity obtain pardon or at least prevail for a lighter punishment Whence no Cause came amiss to him in the High-Commission For saith my Author he was not to make new Armour but only to put it on and buckle it not to invent but apply arguments to his Clients As in decision of Controversies in his Courts he had a moderate and middle way so in managing of affairs in Parliament he had a healing Method Whence in most Debates with the Lords where Mr. Noy's Law and Reason could not convince Sir Henry Martin's Expedients could accommodate For which services and his other meriâ—s he was made Judge of the Prerogative-Court for probate of Wills and of the Admiralty for Foreign Trade Whence King IAMES would say merrily He was a mighty Monarch by Sea and Land over the Dead and the Living Observations on the Life of Sir John Bramstone SIr Iohn Bramstone Knight was born at Maldon in Essex bred up in the Middle-Temple in the study of the Common-Law wherein he attained to such eminency that he was by King Charls made Lord chief-Chief-Justice of the King 's Bench. One of deep Learning solid Judgement integrity of Life gravity of behaviour above the envy of his own age and the scandal of posterity One instance of his I must not forget writes the Historian effectually relating to the foundation wherein I was bred Sergeant Bruerton by Will bequeathed to Sidney-Colledge well-nigh three thousand pounds but for haâ—te or some other accident it was so imperfectly done that as Dr. Sam. Ward informed me the gift was invalid in the rigour of the Law Now Judge Bramstone who married the Sergeants Widow gave himself much trouble gave himâ—elf indeed doing all things gratis for the speedy payment of the money to a farthing and the legal setling thereof on the Colledge according to the true intention of the dead He deserved to live in better times The delivering his judgement on the King's side in the case of Ship-money cost him much trouble and brought him much honour as who understood the consequence of that Maxâ—me Salus populi suprema lex and that Ship-money was thought legal by the best Lawyers voted down arbitrarily by the worst Parliament they hearing no Counsel for it though the King heard all men willingly against it Yea that Parliament thought themselves not secure from it unless the King renounced his right to it by a new Act of his own Men have a touch-stone to try Gold and Gold is the touch-stone to try Men. Sir William Noy's gratuity shewed that this Judges Inclination was as much above corruption as his Fortune and that he would not as well as needed not be base Equally intent was he upon the Interest of the State and the Maximes of Law as which mutually supported each other He would never have a Witness interrupted or helped but have the patience to hear a naked though a tedious truth the best Gold lyeth in the most Ore and the clearest truth in the most simple discourse When he put on his Robes he put off Respects his private affections being swallowed up in the publick service This was the Judge whom Popularity could never
flatter to any thing unsafe nor favour oblige to any thing unjust Therefore he died in peace 1645. when all others were engaged in a War and shall have the reward of his integrity of the Judge of Judges at the great Aâ—â—ize of the world Having lived as well as read Iustinian's maxime to the Praetor of Laconia All things which appertain to the well-government of a State are ordered by the constitutions of Kings that give life and vigoâ—r to the Law Whereupon who so would walk wisely shall never fail if he propose them both for the rule of his actions For a King is the living Law of his Countrey Nothing troubled him so much as shall I call it the shame or the fear of the consequence of the unhappy contest between his Excellent Majesty and his meaner Subjects in the foresaid case of Ship-money no enemy being contemptible enough to be despised since the most despicable command greater strength wisdom and interest than their own to the designs of Malice or Mischief A great man mâ—naged a quarrel with Archee the King's Fool but by endeavouring to explode him the Court rendred him at last so considerable by calling the enemies of that person who were not a few to his rescue as the fellow was not onely able to continue the dispute for divers years but received such encouragement from standers by the instrument of whose malice he was as he oft broke out in such reproaches as neither the dignity of that excellent person's calling nor the greatness of his parts could in reason or manners admit But that the wise man discerned that all the fool did was but a symptom of the strong and inveterate distemper raised long since in the hearts of his Countreymen against the great mans Person and Function Observations on the Life of Sir Augustine Nicols SIr August Nicols son to Tho. Nicols Sergeant at Law was born at Ecton in Northampton-shire Now though according to the rigour of our Fundamental Premises he be not within our cognisance under this Tiâ—le yet his merit will justifie us in presenting his Character He was bred in the study of the Common Law wherein he attained to such knowledge that Qu. Eliz. made him and K. Iames continued him his own Serjeant whence he was freely preferred one of the Judges of the Common-Pleas I say freely King Iames commonly calling him the Judge that would give no money Not to speak of his moral qualifications and subordinate abilities he was renowned for his special judiciary Endowments of very calm affections and moderate passions of a grave and affable deportment of a great patience to hear both Parties all they could say a happy memory a singular sagâ—city to search into the material circumstances Exemplary integrity even to the rejection of Gratuities after Judgement given and a charge to his Followers that they came to their Places clear-handed and that they should not meddle with any Motions to him that he might be secured from all appearance of corruption His forbearing to travel on the Lords day wrought a Reformation on some of his own Order Very pitiful and tender he was in case of life yet very exact in case of blood He loved plain and profitable Preaching being wont to say I know not what you call Preaching but I like them that come neerest to my Conscience The speech of Caesar is commonly known Oportet Imperatorem stantem mori which Bishop Iewel altered and applyed to himself Decet Episcopum concionantâ—m mori of this man it may be said Iudex mortuus est jura dans dying in his Calling as he went the Northern Circuit and hath a fair Monument in Kendal-Church in Westmerland This I observe of this good man that he was so good a man that in the ruffling times he could be but a bad Magistrate Cum vel â—xeunda â—it natura vel minuenda dignitas when he must either go out of his easie â—ature or forego his just authority Observations on the Life of Sir Nich. Hyde SIr Nicholas Hyde was born at Warder in WilTshire where his Father in right of his Wife had a long Lease of that Castle from the Family of the Arundels His Father I say descended from an antient Family in Cheshire a fortunate Gentleman in all his children and more in his Grand-children some of his under-boughs outgrowing the top-branch and younger children amongâ—t whom Sir Nicholas in wealth and honour exceeding the rest of his Family Hâ— was bred in the Middle-Temple and was made Sergeant at Law the first of February 1626. and on the eighth day following was sworn Lord chief-Chief-Justice of the Kings-Bench succeeding in that Office next save one unto his Country-man Sir Iames Ley than alive and preferred Lord Treasurer born within two miles one of another and next of all under Sir Francis Crew lately displaced Now though he entred on his Place with some disadvantage Sir Randal being generally popular and though in those dayes it was hard for the same Person to please Court and Countrey yet he discharged his Office with laudable integrity until 1631. Prudence obligeth Princes to refer the management of affairs to persons who have the reputation of extraordinary honesty especially to the transacting of such things which notwithstanding their innate justice may provoke any evil spirits The most part of mankind guessing only by their own senses and apprehensions judge of the affairs by the persons who conduct them Opinion guideth the world and the reputation of him that negotiateth sets a value and price upon his words and actions and the opiâ—ion which is conceived of him is so absolute an Umpire that there is no appeal from his judgement Opinion is the strongest thing in the world Truth the next Observations on the Life of Sir Walter Aston HE was a Gentleman of so much diligence in the Spanish Negotiations that there were no Orders Cabals Consultations in that intricate time c. he was not acquainted with Of so much resolution that there was not a dangerous Message in that great business he would not deliver Of that excellent converse that there was not that Minister of State in that jealous Court he was not familiar with Very observant he was by Don Iuan Taxardoes means of the Spanish proceedings and as well skilled with the Duke of Buckingham's direction in the English though yet he confessed himself almost lost in those Intrigues had not the Duke stood between him and the Kings displeasure that suspected him and the Prince his jâ—alousie that feared him He had need have a steady head that looks into such depths But as he had an excellent faculty of excusing others miscarriages so he had a peculiar way of salving his own being advantaged with a great foresight a deep reservedness and a ready spirit Few understood better the Importance of the English Trade with Spain None pursued more diligeâ—tly its priviledges and freedom tracing most of the secret Coâ—nsels and resolutions so closely
only discovered many false Writings which were past but also deterred dishonest Chearers from attempting the like for the future He made good use of Bishop Usher's Interest while he was there as appears by the excellent Speech that the Bishop made for the King's supply Being recalled into England he lived honourably in the County aforesaid until by a sad casualty he broke his Leg on a Stand in Theobald's Park and soon after dyed thereof He married the sole Daughter and Heir of Sir Lawrence Tanfield Chief Baron of the Exchequer by whom he had a fair Estate in Oxfordshire His death happened Anno Dom. 1620. being Father to the most accomplish-Statesman 2. Lucius Lord Falkland the wildness of whose youth was an argument of the quickness of his riper years He that hath a spirit to be unruly before the use of his reason hath mettle to be active afterwards Quick-silver if fixed is incomparable besides that the adventures contrivances secrets confidence trust compliance with opportunity and the other sallies of young Gallants prepare them more serious undertakings as they did this noble Lord great in his Gown greater in his Buffe able with his Sword abler with his Pen a knowing Statesman a learned Scholar and a stout man One instance of that excess in learning and other great perfections which portended ruine to this Nation in their opinion who write that all Extreams whether of Vertue or Vice are ominous especially that unquiet thing call'd Learning whose 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth its own period and that of the Empire it flourisheth in a too universally dilated Learning being not faithful to the settlements either of Policy or Religion it being no less ready to discover blemishes in the one than Incongruities in the other Sophisters saith my smart Author like the Countrey of the Switz being as able upon the least advantage proposed to engage on the wrong side as on the right As to go no further this excellent Personage being among the Demagogues that had been for twelve years silenced and were now to play the prize in Parliament and shew their little twit-twat but tedious faculties of speaking makes the bitterest Invective against the Governours and government of the Church that ever was penned in English â— which though designed by him it 's thought only to allay the fury of the Faction by some compliance with it carried things beyond the moderation and decency of that Assembly which he made too hot for himself retyring in cooler thoughts as many more that like Brutus could not lay the stormâ— they had raised to Oxford where his Pen was more honourably imployed in deâ—ecting the fundamental Error of Rome their infallibility and countermining the main props of Westminster their Hypocrisie this as Secretary the other as a Student in both laying open the little preâ—ensions whereby poor people were insnared in their Civil and Religious Liberty Much was the gall always in his Ink and very sharp his Pen but even flowing and full his Style such as became him whose Learning was not an unsetled mass of reading that whirled up and down in his head but fixed Observations that tempered with solid prudence and experience were the steady Maxims of his Soul fitted for all times and occasions he having sate as some Noble-mens sons used to do formerly in the House of Lords behind the Chair of State from his very child-hood and owning a large heart capable of making that universal inspection into things that much becomes a Gentleman being a Master in any thing he discoursed of Insomuch that his general knowledge husbanded by his wit and set off by his Meine and Carriage attracted many to come as far to see him as he professed he would go to see Mr. Daillee which rendred him no less necessary than admirable at Court until his Curiosity engaging him at Newbery he was strangely slain there dying as he lived till then between his Friends and Enemies to the King 's great grief who valued him because he understood his parts and services in the Treaty at Oxford where he was eminent for two things the timing of Propositions and concealing of Inclinations though no man so passionate for his dedesign as never enduring that hope that holds resolution so long in suspence but ever allaying it with that fear that most commonly adviseth the best by supposing the worst His usual saying was I pity unlearned Gentlemen in a rainy day 3. He was Father first to Henry Lord Falkland whose quick and extraordinary parts and notable spirit performed much and promised more having a great command in the Countrey where he was Lord-Lieutenant a general respect in the house where he was Member a great esteem at Court with his Majesty and his Royal Highness the Duke of York where he was both wit and wisdom When there was the first opportunity offered to honest men to act he laid hold of it and got in spight of all opposition to a thing called a Parliament By same token that when some urged he had not sowed his wilde Oats he is said to reply If I have not I may sow them in the House where there are Geese enough to pick them up And when Sir F. N. should tell him he was a little too wilde for so grave a service he is reported to reply Alas I am wilde and my Father was so before me and I am no Bastard as c. In which Contention he out-did the most active Demagogues at their own weapon speaking When Major Huntington and his followers were for the long Parliament Sir F. N. L. S. c. were for the secluded Members My Lord carried all the County for an absolute free Parliament which he lived to see and act in so successfully that he was voted generally higher in trusts and services had he not been cut off in the prime of his years as much missed when dead as beloved when living A great instance of what a strict Education for no man was harder bred a general Converse and a noble Temper can arrive to and what an Orator can do in a Democracy where the Affections of many is to be wrought upon rather than the judgment of few to be convinced A golden tongue falling under a subtle head under such a constitution hath great influence upon the whole Nation Observations on the Life of Sir James Ley Earl of Marlborough SIr Iames Ley son of Henry Ley Esquire one of great Ancestry who saith my Author on his own cost with his men valiantly served King Henry the Eighth at the siege of Boloin being his Fathers sixth son and so in probability barred of his inheritance endeavoured to make himself an Heir by his Education applying his Book in Brazeâ—-Nose-Colledge and afterwards studying the Laws of the Land in Lincolus-Inne wherein such his proficiency King Iames made him Lord chief-Chief-Justice in Ireland Here he practised the charge King Iames gave him at his going over yea what his own tender Conscience gave
of one he could not But though his Armes reached him not the Court Wits did perswading his Ambition to goe upon a splendid Embassy to Reconcile all the Christian Princes abroad that they might have the better advantage to withdraw from him the Favour of his own Prince at home contriving likewise that all the Friends he had at Court â—hould be of his Retinue in the Ambassie both to increase the envy of his train and to weaken the strength of his Interest It was observed that he gave three Rules to his Company the morning he went from Callis 1. That they should take care of the Soveraigns Honour that Imployed him 2. That they should observe the natural Civility and Sobriety of the Nation they came from 3. That they should retain as much reservedness as became the Affair he went aboâ—â— giving them a Caution of the French in tâ—ese words viz. that at their first meeting they wouâ—d be as familiar as if they had known them by long acquaintance and of tâ—emselves in these that they â—â—ould not speak of any matter of Importance but in their own Language lest they should â—â—scover that for want of words which they shoâ—ld hide with them Very exact he was in the honouâ—able circumstances of address abateing the French King not 〈◊〉 in their approaches one to anothâ—r but most exact in the particulars of the Tâ—eaty yeiâ—ding not a point to the whole Council oâ— France for knowing that their own conveniency not their Love brought the Treaty about he would often fling away and make the King and Queen Regenâ— Court him to renew the Consultation which otherwise he mâ—st have caressed them to Fear nâ—t Love is the pasâ—ion of Common-Wealths But his entertainment from the King his Master at home was not answerable to his Service abroad nor the applause from the Noble-men Judges and Justices of the Peace of each shire in England cited from the Countrey to hear an account of his great League that they might report it to the Countrey suitable either to his Eloquence or Action at Star-Chamber or his great expectation The first Court design upon him after his return was an entertainment to the French Ambassador injoyned by the King to beggar him the next was a discovery made to him of the Kings Love to Q. A. Bullein its dangerous to know Kings Secrets from which he disswaded his Majesty by Intreaties on his Knees and by Arguments from the most Learned men in the Kingdome which he Consulted with and in both Universities which he sent to It s not safe standing in the way of a Kings Lust though indeed the Cardinals Enemies had possessed themselves both of the King and the peoples apprehensions so farr that his Majesty was wrought upon to be angry with him because he was perswaded that he was against his Divorce and the people were incensed against him as he declared to the King at the Court in Bridewell because they were made believe that he was for it Many chafing discourses as he called them had he with the King whom yet he would coole with the gentleness of his behaviour many affronts from Noble men Especially one whose head he had kept on threatned his off Often would he disswade the King from persuing his design often upon the Kings solicitations did he and Cardinal Campein perswade the Queen to Retiâ—e At Grafton in Northamptonshire was the first step of his Fall when the King went to Dine with Queen Anne Bullein and left him to shift among the Servants Queen Anne pressed the King with the poor Condition he had brought the Subjects to others into what great Estate he had raised himself First he returns from Court to Westminster and the broad Seal with his rich furnished house being taken from him afterwards to Putney or Ashur when he that could have furnished Kings with accomodations was furnished himself by the Bishop of Carlisle Afraid they were he should have a summe of money to live upon at Rome therefore they searched Cardinal Campeius Train at Callis more afraid he should have an habitation near the King therefore â—hey demanded his House as Bishop of Yorke called White-Hall which the Cardinal intreating the Judges that came to take his Recognizance to teach the King not onely what he might do but what he ought to do and to put him in mind of the gâ—eatness of the Eternal habitations as Hell and Heaven as well as the conveniency of earthly dwellings chose rather to give upon terms for Yorke-House than to lose by force The Aâ—ticles against him in the House were bravely waved by his Servant Mr. Cromwel the grief of his heart much allayed by a Ring sent him from the King and a Tablet from the Queen his Majesties Physicians had a special Charge about hiâ— Health and his Wardrobe about his House but this was only a Lightning before Death to exâ—sperate his Enemies rather than gratifie him Cardinal Wolsey going over to France upon an extraordinary Embassy had for his Attendance Tonstal Bishop of London the Lord Sands late Chamberlain the Earl of Derby Sir Tho. More Sir H. Guilford and 200 Horse and was met two days journey from Paris by King Francis and his Mother carrâ—ing with him 140000. l. though silâ—er was but 20 d. an ounce to assist that King in the War against Charles the fifth and furnished with such a Plenipotentiary Commission that he gave Law to France and the Popedome and he â—â—mported himself with such dexterity and high wisdome that all the Princes of Christendome who had their eyes fixed upon him admired him The King gave him many places he besâ—owed on him his magnificent Palaces White-Hall that Good Hypocrite moâ—e convenient within than comely without Hampton Court Windsor the two first to be resident in and â—he last â—o be buried in Arma tenenti omnia dat qui justa negat â— fiâ—ting his humour with pleasant habitations as he suited his ambition with power and authority But the King broke with him at last about the divorce being vexed with so many delays defeâ—s retardings and prorogations between two Popes Clement that was and Wolsey that would be yet rather eased him of his buâ—dens than deprived him of his preferments continuing him Bishop of York and Durham when he turned him out of his Chancellourship of England where being sent by that Lord who would not endure him nearer the King and could not get him further he lived rather like a Prince than a Priest providing as magnificently for his Installation as a King should for his Coronation which unseasonable ambition was improved by his enemies malice and the King's jealousie to his ruine for in the midst of his solemnities he is arrested by the Kings order signified by the Earle of Northumberland whose wrath was the Messenger of Death and in his way to London being distracted between hope and fear died at Leicester where he was buried as obscurely as he was borne and breathing
Let any man think as he pleaseth I like this room well 15. It 's easier to prevent than redress Indeed throughout his Works he argueth sharply he reasoneth profoundly he urgeth aptly stateeth exactly expresseth himself elegantly and diâ—courseth learnedly He would rather convince than punish yet he would rather punish than indulge them his Epitaph be speaking him grievous to Hereticks Thieves and Murtherers When King Henry scrupled his fiâ—st marriage Sir Thomas told him That neither he nor my Lord of Durham were so fit to advise him in that case as St. Augustine St. Jerome and the other Fathers His advice was so unseasonable that it opposed the King yetâ— so grave and honest that it pleased him His Experience and Prudence had a fore-fight next door to Prophecy and from the unquiet times oâ— King Henry did he guess the ruine of King Charles He would say that it would never be well in England until the same course obtained there that did in Syria where Zeleucus was so severe against Innovators that he enacted that if any Man made a proposition for a change in their policy he should make it with an Halter about his Neck that if he failed to justify it by reason he should justify his attempt by suffering because as some Philosophers hold that there is not so much as an Aspin Leaf stirreth in one part of the World but it maketh some alteration in the whole the efficacy of it like Drake and Cavendish compassing the Globe of the Earth and making the eighth Sphere of Heaven tremble so wise men know that every change in a State altereth the constitution and the effects of an Innovation in the body politick circleth as do those of a new Imprâ—ssion according to Harvey's method upon a body natural though I must confess that many new proposals are opposed not for the distant effects of them feared in the Common-wealth but for some neer influence they may have upon some Mens private Interest It hath been given out that the burning of our Heaâ—hs in England did hurt their Vines in France bâ—t wise Men looked upon this pretense â—s a meer scare-crow or made-dragon the hurt it did was neerer home to destroy the young moore-fowles and spoyl some young burgesses game He converted many with his Arguments more with his Prayers which workt wonders of reformation on the erroneous as they did of recovery on the weak He wished three things to Chriâ—tendome 1. An Universal Peace 2. An Uniform Religion 3. A Reformation rather of Lives than Religion He never aâ—ked any thing of his Majesty but Employment and nevâ—r took any thing more acceptable than Service His Alms were liberal to his Neighbours and good works numerous towards God He would take no Fees from the poor and but moderate ones from the Rich. All London was obliged to him for his Counsel at home and all England for his Peace at Cambray where he out-did expectation The King raised him to the Chancellorship but not to his own opinion he professed he would serve his Majesty but he must obey his God he would keep the Kings conscience and his own His Wisdome and Parts advanced him his Innocence and Integrity ruined him his Wit pleased the King but his Resolution crossed him Wolsey was not so proud and reserved as Sir Thomas was open and free to the meanest his mind was not so dazled with honour but he could fore-â—ee his â—all When his â—onâ— complained how little they gained under him I will do juâ—â—ice said he for your sakes to any man and I will leave you a blessing decâ—eeing one day against his own son that would not hear reason Fiâ—st he offered the Judges the Reformation of Grievances and when they refused he did it himself No Subpoena was granted but what he saw no Order but what he pâ—rused nothing passed from â—im towards the suâ—ject but what became a good Magistrate nothing towards his Master but what became a faithful servant Neither King nor Qâ—een could corrupt neither could the whole Church in Convocation fast â—n any thing upon him To one who told him of hiâ— Detractâ—rs he said Would you have me punish those by whom I reap more benefitâ— than by all you my friends Peâ—fect Patience is the Companion of tâ—ue Peâ—fection But he managed not his trust with more integrity and dexterity than he left it with honour leaving not one cause undecided in the Chancery foreseeing that he could not at once conâ—ent his Majesty and his own heart His Servanâ—s upon his fall he disposed oâ— as well as his Children and his Children he taught to live soberly in a great estate and nobly in a mean one He never put an Heretick to death when Châ—ncellour neither would he suffer Heresies to live when a private man When my Lord Cromwel came to him in his retirement he advised him to tell â—he King what he ought not what he can do so shall you shew your self a true and faithful servant and a right worthy Councellour for if a Lyon knew his own strength hard were it for any man to rule him The King feared him when he could not gain him therefore he was â—iâ—ted in his â—ormer carriage and present temper whicâ— continued constant to his duty and even under his changes He was open-hearted to all that came yet so wary in his discourse with the Maid of Kent â—hat his enemies confessed he deserved rather hâ—nor tâ—an a check for that matter When the Duke oâ— Norfolk told him that the wrath of a Prince is death he said Nay if that be all you must die to morrow and I to day He behaved himself at all Examinations at once wisely and honestly When Archbishop Cranmer told him he must obey the King which was certain rather than follow his conscience that Lesbian rule which was uncertain he replyed It 's as certain that I must not obey the King in evil as that I must follow my conscience in good When the Abbot of Westminster told him his conscience should yield to the wisdom of the Kingdom he said He would not conform his conscience to one Kingdom but to the whole Church He underwent his sufferings with as much cheerfulness as his preferment pleasing himself with his misfortunes and enjoying his misery resolving to obey God rather than man to leave others to their own consciences to close with the Catholick Church rather than the Church of England and to submit to general Councils rather than â—o Parliaments Mr. Rich put to him this Question Whether if the Parliament made a Law that he were Pope would he not submit to it and he replyed If the Parliament made another that God should not be God would you obey it Though he could not own the Kings Supremacy yet he would not meddle with it either in his Writings or discourse shewing himself at once a civil man a good Christian and a noble Confessour His soul was well setled his stature was
to Richard Bishop of London The two main Principles that guide humane Nature saith Judge Dodderidge are Conscience and Law By the former we are obliged in reference to another world by the latter in relation to this Pâ—iests and Judges are the Dispensers of â—hese Principles No Prince more unhappy in his Priests than King Henry whose unhappiness it was that all the juggle prevarication and imposture of his time was in the Pulpit none more happy in his Judges to whose Reason his People were more willing to submit than they were to hearken to his Clergy's Instruction among whom none more renowned than Sir Iohn Fitz-Iames who was so fearful of the very shadow and appearance of corruption that it cost his chief Clerk his place but for taking a Tankard after a signal Cause of 1500 l. a year wherein he had been serviceable though not as a Bribe but as a Civility Caesar would have his Wife without suspicion of lewdness and Fitz-Iames his servants without the appearance of corruption What was Law alwayes was then a Resolution Neither to deny nor defer nor sell justice When our Judge came upon the Bench he knew no more then Melchisedech or Levi Father or Mother neither Friend nor Interest for when his Cousin urged for a kindness Come to my House saith the Judge I will deny you nothing come to the Kings Court and I must do you justice And when the Attorney-General bespake his favour in a publick Cause Trouble not your self said he I 'le do the King right The King is cast the Attorney expostulates the Judge satisfieth him That he could not do his Majesty Right if he had not done justice His Pâ—udence so tempeâ—ed his zeal for his Sovereign that he over-strained not the Prerogative to bring in fears and jealousies of Tyranny on the one hand and his Integâ—ity so balanced his Popularity that he never depressed it to broach bold opinions and attempts of Liberty on the other complying with none of those humours that an Imaginary dread of oppression or a dangerous presâ—mption of freedom may transport to irregular excesses either for the one or against the other As his Majesty was secured by his Loyalty so his Subjects were by his Patience a Virtue he carried with him to the Bench to attend each circumstance of an Evidence each allegation of a Plea each plea in a Cause hearing what was impertinent and observing what was proper His usual saying as Sergeant Mandevil reports it being We must have two souls as two sieves one for the Bran the other for the flour the one for the Gross of a Discourse the other for the Quintessence The same day that there was no Cause to be tried in the Chancery in Sir Tho. More 's time there were but three in the Kings Bench in Sir Iohn Fitz-Iames his time the reason whereof some imagine was Cardinal Wolsey's extraordinary power that engrossed all Causes to his Legantine Court others know it was the Judges Integrity who was too honest to allow as that Age was too plain to contrive delays and obstructions Lewis the Eleventh of France would say when he was advised to take Revenge of those that had affronted him before he came to the Crown That it became not the King of France to revenge the Injuries done to the Duke of Orleans A Person that had noâ—oriously wronged Sir Iohn when a Templer in the case of his Chamber was to be tried before him for his whole Eâ—tate when a Judge the Adversaries among other shifts made use of this old Qâ—arrel whereupon Sir Iohn said It doth not become a Iudge upon the Bench to revenge a wrong done in his Chamber Two things upheld him in those boysterous times 1. Silence 2. Patience both wary Virtues that seldom endanger their Owner or displease their Superiours The Peâ—ple of those times would live and die with the Pope and Council and this Judge with the King and Parliament The grand Article of his Faith was I believe as the Church beleives and the great Rule of his Practice was I will live as the Law directs He was a tried Man whose Faith and Honour was above his Life and Fortune whose Generosity was above that first temptation of Money as his Spirit was above the second of Danger No fear here of delivering up Priviledges to day for fear of the King or Prerogative to morrow for fear of the Subject No an unbiass'd Temper between both make up this honest man who came on to preferment with great Expectations and went off with great Applause being one of the three men of whom it is said That because they never pleased their Master in doing any thing unworthy they never displeased him in doing any thing that is just When base compliance goeth off with the contempt of those it hath humoured a Noble Resolution comes off with the Reverence of those it hath discontented Observations on the Life of Sir William Molineux SIr William Molineux Junior Descendent from Sir William Molineux Knight of Sefton in Lancashire flourished under King Henry the Eighth being a man of great command in Lancashire bringing the considerable strength thereof to the seasonable succour of the Duke of Norfolk with whom he performed signal service â—a Flodden-Field The Image of whose mind he was as well as the Portrait of his body Peculiar was our Knight for nobly forgiving his Enemies if reconcilable and refusing ignobly to be revenged of them though obstinate for honestly would he betray the Villanies of them that dishonestly offered to betray them to him as Fabricius delivered up to Pyrrhus though a sworn Enemy the Physician that would have Poysoned him Lewis the 11th discovered to the Duke of Burgundy though his mortal Foe the conspiracy that would have ruined him And Queen Elizabeth of England with King Philip of Spain gave Henry the great of France when Friends with neither of them notice of two Plots upon his person that would have ruined him It is confessed on all sides that the Scots lost the day by not keeping their Ranks but not agreed on the cause thereof Buchanan who commonly makes the too much Couâ—age of his Country-men the cause of their being conquered imputes it to their indiscrete pursuing of the English routed at the first Others say They did not break their Ranks but were broken unable to endure the Lancashire Archers and so forced to sunder themselves In this Battel the Scottish King and chiefest Gentry were slain the English losing scarce any the Scots scarce any but of prime note The King aâ—terward wrote his Gratulatory Letter to Sir William Molineux in form following TRusty and Well-Beloved We greet you well And understand as well by the Report of Our Right Trusty Cousin and Counsellour the Duke of Norfolk as otherwise what acceptable service You amongst Others lately did Vs by your valiant Towardness in the assiâ—ting of Our said Cousin against Our Enemy late King of Scots and how couragiously you as a
very hearty loving Servant acquitted your self for the overthrow of the said late King and distressing of his Malice and Power to Our great Honour and the advancing of your no little Fame and Praise for which We have good cause to favour and thank you and so We full heartily do and assured may you be that We shall in such effectual wise remember your said Service in any your reasonable pursuits as you shall have cause to think the same right well imployed to Our comfort and weal hereafter Given under Our Signet at Our Castle at Windsor the seven and twentieth of November It appears by our Author that the like Letters mutatis mutandis were sent unto Sir Edward Stanley and some other men of principâ—l note in Lancashire and Cheshire There is more in the Education than the Birth though that be Noble too of this Gentleman much Generous Blood sparkled in his Veins more Arts and Sciences thronged in his Sâ—ul A learned Prince brought up a learned Gentry the most hopeâ—ul of whom think themselves as much obliged to imitate his Virtues as the most degenerate were inclined to practiâ—e his Vices Four excellent Artists were at once entertained in his Fathers House 1. A compleat Grammarian and Linguist Parker 2. An exact Mathematician and Historian Calvius 3. A skilful Musitian Palleviceno 4. An active Dancing-master and Souldier The Latine Tongue then wearing out its Barbarism he spake and writ elegantly Cicero's Works he kenned particularly Plutarch's Lives and Morals that Book which as Gaza said would furnish the World if Learniâ—g were lost he epitomized punctually The active and practical part of Geometry he studied intently And as the complaisance of his Nature and sweetness of his Temper he added to these severer studies those more airy of Musick Poetry and Heraldry Si ad naturam eximiam eruditio accesserit tum demum singulare quoddam existere solet This Noble Nature advanced by this Heroick Education must needs do Wonders as it did first In the University where his Company was choice his Carriage even and staid his time exactly observed and prudently spent secondly abroad where his Converse was wary his Conduct Noble and Plausible his observations and exercises manlike and knowing Thirdly at Court where his presence was graceful his discourse solid digested distinct and clear much improved by reading more by travelling most by conâ—erence with those that speak well Fourthly in the Country where his Hospitality was renowned his Equity and Prudence beloved and his Interest large and commanding None pleased the King at Court more such his Learning to satisfie him such his Debonairness to delight him for as Cardinal Wolsey so Sir William Molineux got in with King Henry the Eighth by a Discourse out of Aquinas in the morning and a Dance at night None served him better in the Country Such his obligations upon Tenants and Neighbours that he had six thousand men at command such his prudence and justice that there were more differences ended in his Parlour than in Westminster-Hall such his caâ—e and watchfulness that no Treason stirred but his Agents discovered and his Militia was at an hours warning to suppress it The Idea of the English Gentleman In Favour at Court In Repute in the Country At once Loved and Feared Four things he took special care of 1. That the Poor might have their stated Alms. 2. That the Priests might enjoy their known Dues And 3. That his Tenant might be so well used that he might thrive and but so well that he should not be idle 4. That every Body should be employed saying He had rather they should be busie though doing nothing to the purpose at the charge of his Purse than that they should be idle doing nothing at all at the charge of their own pretious time In a word he lived in all Capacities a publick Good and died a common Lâ—ss Leaving in his Family that best Legacy A good Example and his Country that lasting Moâ—ument A good Name for two things that he hated 1. Depopulating inclosures 2. Unworthy Inhancements of Rents For he died with this Advice to his Son Let the Vnderwoods grow The Tenants are the supports of a Family and the Commonalty are the strength of the Kingdom Improve thriftily but force not violently either your Bâ—unds or Rents above your fore-Fathers His Populaâ—ity never failed of being called to the Parliament nor his Activity of being useful there None understood better how to move to press to quit to divert to escape to watch and mould a business None knew better the confederacy of Contrivers Speakers Sticklers Dividers Moderators and the â— No-Men their Method Correspondence None more patient and industrious when a lower Faction was firmer in conjunction and a few that were stiff tired out many more moderate He had no easiness to be imposed upon no weakness to be deluded no low Interest to be corrupted by fond hopes or fair promises of Preferment to wave the very pinch of a dispute no pleasure or vanity to be debauched while the vigilant Faction steals a Vote worth a Kingdom no sloath nor neglect to be surprized no vanity of discourse to lose his Master no partiality to be biassed no discontent to satisfie no passion to misguide As one that hated nothing but what was Dishonest feared nothing but what was â—gnoble and loved nothing but was Just and Honourable having a care of his Virtue as lying in his power but not of Fortune as lying in the power of Superiours from whom he could only by deserving command a favour he being of Plato's opinion that a mans mind is the Chariot Reason the Coach-man Affections the Horses desire of Honour the Whips both exciting to goe forward and awing to be exact Honour always keeping up curiously the honoured person in an heighth of action that keeps an even pace with admiration evenness and constancy being the Crown of Virtue Observations on the Life of Sir William Fitz-James HIs Judgement in Parliament brought him to the notice and his Activity prowesse in the Wars recommended him to the service of King Henry The Bishops pleaded for the Catholiqâ—e Religion the People for a Reformation Sir William offered his Opinion for a mean between both That since it was unreasonable to tie up Mankind in blind obedience one toward another and impossible to run through all Difficulties and Controversies our own selves so much Time and Money must be spent in such an Vndertaking so many Languages learned so many Authors read so many Ages looked into so many Faith 's examined so many Expositors conferred so many Contradictions reconciled so many Countries travelled for any considerable satisfaction to believe all is inconsistent to neglect all is impious There remains no other way for the Laicks but to recollect and â—ick to the most Common Authentick and Vniversal Truths tending to Virtue and Godliness apart from what is doubtful and controverted and tending only to strife and perplexity
and by these to live our selves and exaâ—ine all other pretensions whatever there being no part of Religion but what hath Virtue and Grace as its Foundation and Design A way that would keep men from Atheism under a sense oâ— Religion from endless controversies in the solid pâ—actice of Virtue from fatal Divisions in peace and concord Let us said he establish and fix these Catholique and Vniversal Notions and they will settle our Souls and not hinder us to believe whatsoever is faithfully taught by the Church or submit to what is authoritatively enjoyned by the State So that whether tâ—e Eastern Western Northern or Southern Teachers c. and particularly whether my Lord of Rochester or Luther c. be in the Right we Laicks may so build upon those Catholicks and infallible Guards of Religion as whatsoever superstructures of Faith be raised these Foundations may support them This Discourse opened a Door to the Reformation intended and shut out all those prejudices it might lie under from the State and Religion oâ— Fore-Fathers c. Hereupon Sir William is invited to Court and when the air and softness of that place suited noâ— his more severe and stirring Temper he is promoted to Authority first by Land and then by Sea where none was more watchful in the Warâ— between Us and France none so active in those between Us and Scotland With thirty six Ships he gave Law to the narrow Seas as Poynz with forty more did to the Main There was not a serviceable man belonging to him but he knew by name It being his Rule That none fought well but those thet did it for a fortune While he watched the Coast of France he discovered twelve French Ships in which the Archbishop of Glasco and divers others of Quality were whom the Duke of Albany had sent before him into Scotland these he chased to a ship-wrack and leaving a Squadron to shut up the French Havens went along the French Coasts landing in divers places wasting the Country till at last he came to Treport a Town strongly situated and garisoned with three thousand men which yet he took and finding it not his Interest to dwell there pillaged and burned it going off with Success and Glory Insomuch that King Henry joyned him with the Bishop of Bath in the Commission for the Treaty at Paris where such Articles were agreed on touching a Marriage with the Princess Mary and the joynt Embassie to the Emperour as spake Sir William as well seen in the state of Europe as any particular Person in the seven Kingdoms of it whereof one was That they should unite by all the Ties of Alliance Friendship and Interest against the growing Power of Austria so far as that there should be no League Correspondence War or Peace wherin they both should not be concerned From his Forein Negotiations he returns to his home-services and the next view we have of him is in the Parliament bringing up with Sir Anthony Fitz-Herbert a Bill against the Cardinal who wiâ—hed then as Philip Duke of Burgundy did that with Alexander he had Died young 1. For encroaching upon his Sovereigns power by his Legantine Authority 2. For treating between the Pope and the King of France without his Master's privity and consent as likewise between Himself and the Duke of Ferâ—ara 3. For joyning Himself with his Majesty saying The King and I. 4. For swearing his Houshold-servants only to himself 5. For speaking with the King when infected with the Pox pretending it was only an Imposthume 6. For giving by prevention divers Benefices away as Legate 7. For receiving Embassadors before they came to the King As also for opening all the Kings Letters and taking an account of all Espials concealing what he pleased 8. For carrying things with an high hand in the Privy Council 9. For transporting Grain and sending advertisements of the Kings Affairs abroad 10. For taxing or alienating Religious mens lands to the great decay of hospitality and charity 11. For controuling the Nobility and engrossing all Causes in his Iurisdiction 12. For taking all ordinary Iurisdiction from them by prevention and seizing their Estates as be did all other Ecclesiastical persons upon their death 13. For perswading the Pope by indirect practices to suppress Monasteries 14. For passing Iudgments without hearing and reversing such Iudgments as had duly passed 15 For suspending the Popes pardons untill he was â—ee'd 16. For turning out his old Tenants 17. For his general encroachments upon the Rights of Religious Houses and the encroachments of Courts of Iustice. 18. For saying to the Pope in order to the obtaining of a Legantine power to the indelible shame of the Church of England That the Clergy of England were given in reprobum sensum 19. For embezling the Goods of the most wealthy Prelates that died in his time 20. For bringing off his Servants from the Law against extortion at York 21. For dividing the Nobility 22. For keeping as great state at Court and exercising as great authority in the Country for purveyance c. as the King 23. For forbidding petitions and purveyances within his Iurisdictions 24. For engrossing all Copy holds within his power to his Lemans Procurers c. 25. For altering the Market-prices set under â—His Majesties Hand and Seal 26. For impressing his Hat under the King's Crown in the Coyn at York 27. For hindering the due course intended by visiting the Vniversities to suppress heresies 28. For disposing of mens Estates and Proprieties at his pleasure This Bill was aggravated most effectually by three most pinching considerations Viz. That the King's Honour was by him diminished That the state of the Realm was by him decayed and discontented That the course of Justice was by him obstructed A great Undertaking this To bring down this lofty Prelate whom his Master created the * King 's Fellow and his own pride made his Superiour But as Wise as Great if we regard the five Politick circumstances 1. The Queen was engaged 2. The People were oppressed 3. The King was needy and covetous 4. The Nobility were kept under 5. The Clergy were harrassed And all by this proud man And at that juncture is he convened before the Parliament and charged home by this excellent Knight who never left him till he was humbled as Justice Fitz-Herbert did not his servants until they were reformed Neither did the Pope escape him abroad better than the Cardinal at home For his next action we find is a Declaration drawn by him Io. Fits-Warren Tho Audley and Others to Pope Clement the Seventh expostulating his Delays and conjuring his Dispatch in the Business of the King's Marriage Very serviceable he was to his Master in time of Peace more in time of War where he said as the great General did that he never saw fear but upon the back of his enemies and particularly â—t the Insurrection 1536. where he cut off the Rebels Passes distressed their Arms and when they
not my pardon but my favour too He is the man for a Princes service whose minde is present and prudence is ready to meet with suddain occasions and accommodate unexpected emergencies The first effect of that favour was his Nomination for one of the sixteen that answered the French challenge at the Lady Mary's Marriage at Paâ—â—s November 7 1513. which shewed his manhood and how valiant he was The second was that he was one of the Forty five that were to be about his Majesty at the instant of his Interview with the King of France at Guisnes â— which was an Argument of his presenceâ— and how goodly a man he was The third was that he was one of the Twenty two that with the Earl of Surrey Lord Admiral and Sir William Fitz-Williams Vice-Admiral proposed that secret and therefore successful Dâ—signe upon Britain under pretence of Scowring the Narrow Seas for now he is as good in the Sea as he had been in the Field for which he and eight more of his fellow-Captains Sir Ioh. Cornwallis c. are Knighted by the aforesaid Lord Admiral which speaks him a Sea-man and indeed one of a general capacity The fourth was the great Trust his Majesty reposed in him when he was sent in disguise to widen the difference that was newly broken out between the Duke of Bourbon the high Constable of France and the French King which he managed so well that the discontented Duke declares for the Emperour and the King of England to the great encouragement of the English the satisfaction of his Majesty and the success of his Designe upon Anchor Boungard Bray and oâ—her places where Sir Iohn shewed himself as active now as he was before cunning as much surpassing the French Spirit in action as he had over-reached their Prudence in Negotiation But in vain was it to serve that King unless a man obliged the Cardinal he that Courts the Virgin Mary must not neglect her little Saints him he attended in his second Journey to France first to honour and then to serve him And now after his decease when King Henry had done the work of mercy which was most proper for himself as being most popular upon the Lincolnshire Rebels he deputed the Duke of Suffolk Sir Francis Brians and Sir Iohn Russel to perform that of Justice which is most distastful wherein yet he behaves himself with that exactness that the Country was very well pleased and the King as well satisfied insomuch that we finde our Knight now called from a Commander in in the Field to be Controller at Court where he managed his Masters Expences thriftily reduced his Family discreetly reformed his followers effectually and filled up his place with the awe of his presence and the influence of his Authority that he was at once its support and its glory Indeed Courts being those Epitoms wherâ—through strangers look into Kingdomes should be Royally set of as with Utensils so with attendanceâ— that might possess all Comers with reverence there and fear elsewhere Hir Person graced his Imployment and therefore his Majesty honoured his Person with the Order of the Garter and the Title of Lord Râ—ssel and that his Preferment might keep pace with his Honour he is made Lord Privy Seal and his Nephew Sir Iohn Cage Controller His Honour flacked not his Activity but improved it neither was his Vertue onely violent in Ambition and dull in Authority Power to do good is the true and lawful end of aspiring therefore my Lord to his Staff added his Sword and to his Court-honour his Field service as Lieutenant-General before Muttrel and Marshal before Bulloign to the relief of the first whereof he drew Mounsieur Bies that his Majesty might take the second In the Camp he drew up the Designes in the Field he managed the Treasure and in Action to him was intrâ—sted the Conduct and manage In the Kings last Will and Testament he was the fifth person and in his Sons Council the fifth to whom he discovered a French Plot the first year of his Raign and for whom he broke the Devonshire Rebels what with delays what with stratagems to divide them according to their several Inclinations the second for which service he was made Earl of Bedford The third in the Faction at home between the Seymours and the Dudleys he was Neuter in the Treaties abroad between the French King and his Majesty of England he was Principal where he observed three Rules 1. That there should be a general Muster at home while this Treaty went on abroad 2. That there should be a blow given the Scots before there was a Peace made with the French 3. That we should first know the French Overtures before we made our own But while he was here he discovered a Plot that the Emperour had to transport the Lady Mary over to his Dominions and thereby bring her Brother to his terms whereupon he with 200 men watcheth one Port the Duke of Somerset with 200 more a second and Master St. Leiger with 400 men a third while the Lady was fetched by my Lord Chancellor to the King But while he was serving his Master the King abroad his Friend the Protector wanted his advice and assistance at home he being of purpose sent out of the way while that unfortunate Duke is first betrayed by his own folly and then ruined by his Enemies power I finde his hand among the rest of the Councellors in a Letter to Queen Mary but not in Arms against herâ— He was concluded by the major Vote to a Commission for Peace but not to Action for conscience sake Faithful he is therefore to her in Council and serviceable in Spain and France from the first of which places he brought her a Husband and from the second a Treasure He understood her Right and disputed not her Religion regarding not so much her Opinion as his own Duty not what she was but what he should be And thus he behaved himself until his dear Mistress Elizabeth took him for one of her Protestant Councellours to balance her Popish ones and not onely of her Council but of her Cabinet for as every man must have his Friend to ease his heart so Princes have their Favourites to partake of their cares and the Marquess of Northampton the Earl of Bedford and Sir William Cecil were the onely Persons to whom the Queen communicated her designe of Reformation and correcting the Common-prayer and they ordered affairs so that the Protestants should be in hope and yet the Papists should not be out of hope King Philip had a quarrel with the Queen for rejecting his suit the King of Sweden for slighting his Son the King of France in his Wives Right the Queen of Scots in her Own and the Pope for excluding his Supremacie her Subiects were as unsettled in their Loyalty as in their Religion What remained but that my Lord of Bedford and Sir William Cecil should make up a well-tempered House of
Lambeth Church and Doctor Andrews preached his Funeral-Sermon Amongst the many Verses made by the University of Cambridge this with the allowance of Poetical Licence came from no bad Fancy Magna Deos inter lis est exorta creatas Horum qui lites dirimit ille deest Coâ—inum potiere dii componere tantas Lites quod vero jure peritus erat A most moderate man he was in his own nature but more earnest in the business of the Church in the behalf of which he writ many Books of validity c. It must not be forgotten that Doctor Barlow afterwards Bishop of Lincoln was bred by Doctor Cosin at his charge in his own Family who in expression of his Thankfulness wrote this Dr. Cosin's Life out of which most of the aforesaid Character hath been taken Observations on the Life of the Lord Chief-Iustice Cook THis accomplished person was well born at Mileham in Norfolk of Robert Cook Esquire and Winiâ—red Knighâ—ly his Wife and as well bred 1. When ten years of age at Norwich School 2. At Trinity-Colledge in Cambridge 3. After four years University-study first in Cliffords Inn and then in the Inner Temple The first occasion of his Rice was his stating of the Cooks Case of the Temple so exactly that all the House who were puzzled with it admired him and his pleading it so that the whole Bench took notice of him Such his proficiency that at the end of six years exceeding early in that strict age he was call'd to the Bar and soon after for three years chosen Reader in Lyons Inn. Here his learned Lecture so spread forth his fame that crouds of Clients sued to him for his Counsel and his own suit was the sooner granted when tendering his Affections in order to Marriage unto Bridget daughter and Coheir of Iohn Paston Esquire whose portion moderately estimated Viis medis amounted unto thirty thousand pounds her vertues not falling under valuation and she enriched her Husband with ten Children Then began preferment to presse upon him the City of Norwich choosing him Recorder the County of Norfolk their Knight for Parliament the Qâ—een her Speaker therein as also her Solicitor and Attorney King Iames honoured him with Knighthood and made him chief-Chief-Justice first of the Common-Pleas then of the Kings-Bench Thus beginning on a good bottom left him by his Father marrying a Wife of extraordinary wealth having at the first great and gainful practice afterwards many and profitable Offices being provident to choose â—yâ—â—d penny worths in Purchases leading a thrifty eâ—dâ— living to a great age during flourishing and peacâ—â—ble times born as much after the persecution under Q. Mary as dying before our Civil Wars no wonder if he advanced to a fair estate so that all his sons might seem elder brethren by the large possessions left unto them Some falsely character him a back-friend to the Church and Clergy being a grand Benefactor to the Church of Norwich who gratefully under their publick Seal honoured him with this ensuing Testimony Edwardus Coke Armiger saepius in multis difficillimis Negotiis Ecclesiae nostrae auxiliatus est Nuper eandem contra Templorum Helluones qui Dominia Manerìa Haereditamenta nostra devorare sub Titulo obscuro Concelatum dicunt sponte suâ nobis insciis sine mercede ullâ legitimè tutatus est atque eandem suam nostri Defensionem in perpetuam tantae rei memoriam posterorum gratiâ si opus fuerit magna cum industria scriptis redegit Nostrae Ecclesiae donavit As for the many Benefices in his own Patronage he freely gave them to worthy men being wont to say in his Law-language That he would have Church-Livings pass by Livery and Seisin not Bargain and Sale He was our English Trebonianus very famous for his Comments on Littleton and our Common-Law 1638. A Parliament was call'â—â—â—â—nd the Court party was jealous of Sir Edwarâ— â—eâ—ctivity against them as who had not digested 〈◊〉 discontentments as he had done the Law Hereupon to prevent his Election as a Member he was confined to Buckinghamshire as a Sheriff He scrupled to take the Oath pretending many things against it and particularly that the Sheriff is bound thereby to prosecute Lollards wherein the best Christians may be included It was answered That he had often seen the Oath given to others without any regret and knew full well that Lollard in the modern sense imported the opposers of the present Religion as established by Law in the Land No excuses would serve his turn but he must undertake that Oâ—fâ—ce However his friends beheld it as an injurious degradation of him who had been Lord Chief-Justice to attend on the Judges at the Assizes Five sorts of people he used to foreâ—design to misery and poverty Chymists Monopolizers Concealers Promoters and Rhyming Poets For three things he would give God solemn thanks That he never gave his body to Physick nor his heart to cruelty â—or his hand to corruption In three things he did much applaud his own success In his fair fortune with his Wife in his happy study of the Laws and in his free coming by all his Offices nec prece nec pretio neither begging nor bribing for Preferment His parts were admirable he had a deep Judgment faithful Memory active Fancy and the Jewel of his mind was put into a fair Case a beautiful body with a comely countenance A case which he did wipe and keep clean delighting in good Cloaths well worn and being wont to say That the outward neatness of our bodies might be a Monitor of purity to our souls In his Pleadings Discourse and Judgements he declined all Circumlocutions usually saying The matter lyes in a little Room In all Places Callings and Jurisdictions he commended Modesty and Sobriety within their boundaries saying If a River swelleth beyond the banks it loseth its own Channel If any adverse party crossed him he would patiently reply If another punisheth me I will not punish my self In the highest Term of Business he made Vacation to himself at his Table and would never be perswaded privately to retract what he had publickly adjudged professing He was â— Iudge in a Court not in a Chamber He was wont to say No wise man would do that in prosperity whereof he should repent in adversity His Motto was Prudens qui Patiens and his practice was accordingly especially after he fell into the disfavour of King Iames when he did Frui suo Infortunio and improved his loss to his advantage He triumphed in his own Innocency that he had done nothing illegally calling to mind the Motto which he gave in his Rings when made Sergeant Lex est tutissima Classis The Law is the safest Helmet And now he had leisure to peruse what formerly he had written even thirty Books with his own hand most pleasing himself with a Manual which he called VADE MECUM from whence at one view he took a
instruments of their preferment 8. Besides the Romish Catholicks there is a generation of Sectaries the Anabaptists Brownists and others of their kinds they have been several times very busie in this Kingdom under the colour of zeal for reformation of Religion The King your Mr. knows their disposition very well a small touch will put him in mind of them he had experience of them in Scotland I hope he will beware of them in England a little countenance or connivance sets them on fire 9. Order and decent ceremonies in the Church are not only comely but commendable but there must be great care not to introduce Innovations they will quickly prove scandalous men are naturally over-prone to suspition the true Protestant Religion is seated in the golden mean the enemies unto her are the extreams on either hand 10. The persons of Church-men are to be had in due respect for their words sake and protected from scorn but if a Clergy-man be loose and scandalous he must not be patroniz'd nor wink 't at the example of a few such corrupt many 11. Great care must be taken that the patrimony of the Church be not sacrilegiously diverted to lay-uses His Majesty in his time hath religiously stopped a leak that did much harm and would else have done more Be sure as much as in you lyes stop the like upon all occasions 12. Colledges and Schools of Learning are to be cherished and encouraged there to breed up a new stock to furnish the Church and Common-wealth when the old store are transplanted This Kingdom hath in later ages beâ—n famous for good literature and if preferment shall attend the deservers there will not want supplies Next to Religion let your care be to promote Justice By justice and mercy is the Kings throne established 1. Let the rule of Justice be the Laws of the Land an impartial arbiter between the King and hiâ— people and between one Subject and another I shall not speak superlatively of them lest I be suspected of pâ—â—tâ—aâ—ity in regard of my own proâ—â—ssion but this I may truly say they are second to none in the Christian world 2. And as far as it may lye in you let no Arbitrary power be intruded the people of this Kingdom love the Laws thereof and nothing will oblige them more than a confidence of the free enjoying of them What the Nobles upon an occasion once said in Parliament Nolumus leges Angliae mutari is imprinted in the hearts of all the people 3. But because the life of the Laws lies in the due execution and administration of them let your eye be in the first place upon the choice of good Judges These properties had they need to be furnished with To be learned in their profession patient in hearing prudent in governing powerful in their elocution to perswade and satisfie both the parties and hearers just in their judgment and to sum up all they must have these three Attributes They must be men of courage fearing God and hating covetâ—â—sness An ignorant man cannot a Coward dares not be a good Judge 4. By no means be you perswaded to interpose your self either by word or letter in any cause depending or like to be depending in any Court of Justice nor suffer any other great man to do it where you can hinder it and by all means disswade the King himself from it upon the importunity of any for themselves or their friends If it should prevail it perverts Justice but if the Judge be so just and of so good courage as he ought to be as not to be enclined thereby yet it always leaves a taint of suspition behind it Judges must be as chaste as Caesar's Wife neither to be nor to be suspected to be unjust and Sir the honour of the Judges in their judicature is the Kings honour whom they represent 5. There is great use of the service of the Judges in their Circuits which are twice in the year held throughout the Kiâ—gdom the tryal of a few causes between party and party or delivering of the Gaols in several Counties are of great use for the expedition of justice yet they are of much more use for the government of the Counties through which they pass if that were well thought upon 6. For if they had instrâ—ctions to that purpose they might be the best intelligencers to the King of the true state of his whole Kingdom of the disposition of the people of their inclinations of their intentions and moâ—â—â—nâ— which are necessary to be truly understood 7. To this end I could wish that against every Circuit all the Judges should sometimes by the K. himself and sometimes by the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper in the King's name receive a charge of those things which the present times did much require and at their return should deliver a faithful account thereof and how they found and left the Counties through which they passed and in which they kept their Assizes 8. And that shey might the better perform thâ—s work which might be of great importance it will not be amâ—ss that sometimes this charge be publick as it useth to be in the Star-Chamber at the end of the Terms next before the Circuit begins where the Kâ—ng's care of jâ—stice and the good of his people may be published and that sometimes also â—t may be private to communicate to the Judges some thiâ—gs not so fit to be publickly delivered 9. I could wish also that the Judges were directed to make a little longer stay in a place than usually they do a day more in a County would be a very good addition although their wages for their Circuits were increased in proportion it would stand better with the gravity of their employment whereas now they are sometimes enforced to rise over-early and to sit over-late for the dispatch of their business to the extraordinary trouble of themselves and of the people their times indeed not being horae juridicae And which is the main they would have the more leisure to inform themselves quasi aliud agentes of the true estate of the Country 10. The attendance of the Sheriffs of the Counties accompanied with the principal Gentlemen in a comely not a costly equipage upon the Judges of Assize at their coming to the place of their sitting and at their going out is not onely a civility but of use also It raiseth a reverence to the persons and places of the Judges who coming from the King himself on so great an errand should not be neglected 11. If any sue to be made a Judge for my own part I should suspect him but if either directly or indirectly he should bargain for a place of judicature let him be rejected with shame vendere jure potest emerat ille prius 12. When the place of a chief Judge of a Court becomes vacant a puisne Judge of that Court or of another Court who hath approved himself fit and deserving would be sometimes preferred
it would be a good encouragement for him and for others by his example 13. Next to the Judge there would be care used in the choice of such as are called to the degree of Serjeants at Law for such they must be first before they be made Judges none should be made Serjeants but such as probably might be held fit to be Judges afterwardâ— when the experience at the Barr hath fitted them for the Bench Therefore by all means cry down that unworthy course of late times used that they should pay moneys for it It may satisfie some Courtiers but it is no honour to the person so preferred nor to the King who thus preâ—eâ—s â—im 14. For the Kings Counsel at the Law especially his Attoâ—ney and Solicitoâ— General I need say â—othâ—ngâ— their continual use for the Kings service not only for his Revenue but for all the parts of his Government will put the King and all those who love his service in mind to make choice of men every way fit and able for that employment they had need to be learned in their profession and not ignorant in other things and to be dexterous in those affairs whereof the dispatch is committed to them 15. The Kings Attorney of the Court of Wards is in the true quality of the Judges therefore what hath been observed already of Judges which are intended principally of the three great Courts of Law at Westminster may be applied to the choice of the Attorney of this Court 16. The like for the Attorney of the Dutchy of Lanâ—â—ster who partakes of both qualities partly of a Judge of that Coâ—rt and partly of an Attorney General for so much as concerns the proper Revenue of the Dâ—tchy 17. I must not forget the Judges of the four Circuits in the twelve Shires of Wales who although they are not of the first magnitude nor need be of the degree of the Coyf onely the chief Justice of Chester who is one of the number is so yet are they considerable in the choice of them by the same rules as the other Judges are and they sometimes are and fitly may be transplanted into the higher Courts 18. There are many Courts as you see some superiour some provincial and some of a lower orb It were to be wished and is fit to be so ordered that every of them keep themselves within their proper spheres The harmony of justice is thâ—n the sweetest when thâ—re is no jarring about the jurisdiction of the Courts which me-thinks wisdom cannot much differ upon their true bounds being for the most part so clearly known 19. Having said thus much of the Judges somewhat will be fit to put you in mind concerning the principal Ministers of Justice and in the first of the High sheriffs of the Counties which have been very ancient in this Kingdom I am sure before the Conquest The choice of them I commend to your care and that at fit times you put the King in mind thereof that as near as may be they be such as are fit for those places for they are of great trust and power The Pâ—sse Comitatus the power of the whole County being legally committed unto them 20. Therefore it is agreeable with the intention of the Law that the choice of them should be by the commendation of the great Officers of the Kingdom and by the advice of the Judges who are presumed to be well read in the condition of the Gentry of the whole Kingdom And although the King may do it of himself yet the old way is the good way 21. But I utterly condemn the practice of the latter times which hath lately crept into the Court at the back-stairs That some who are prick'd for Sheriffs and were fit should get out of the Bill and others who were neither thought upon nor worthy to be should be nominated and both for money 22. I must not omit to put you in mind of the Lords Lieutenants and Deputy-Lieutenants of the Counties their proper use is for ordering the Military affairs in order to an invasion from abroad or a rebellion or sedition at home good choice should be made of them and prudent instructions given to them and as little of the Arbitrary power as may be left unto them and that the Muster-Masters and their Officers under them incroach not upon the Subject that will detract much from the King's service 23. The Justices of Peace are of great use Antiently there were Conservators of the Peace these are the same saving that several Acts of Parliament have altered their denomination and enlarged their jurisdiction in many particulars The fitter they are for the peace of the Kingdom the more heed ought to be taken in the choice of them 24. But negatively this I shall be bold to say that none should be put into either of those Commissions with an eye of favour to their persons to give them countenance of reputation in the places where they live but for the King's service sake nor any put out for the disfavour of any great manâ— It hath been too often used and hath been no good service to the King 25. A word more if you please to give me leave for the true rules of the moderation of Justice on the King's part The execution of justice is committed to his Judges which seemeth to be the severer part but the milder part which is mercy is wholly left in the King 's immediate hand And Justice and Mercy are the true supporters of his Royal Throne 26. If the King shall be wholly intent upon Justice it may appear with an over-rigid aspect but if he shall be over-remiss and easie it draweth upon him contempt Examples of Justice must be made sometimes for terrour to some Examples of Mercy sometimes for comfort to others the one procures fear and the other love A King must be both feared and loved else he is lost 27. The ordinary Courts of Justice I have spoken of and of their Judges and judicature I shall put you in mind of some things touching the High Court of Parliament in England which is superlative and therefore it will behove me to speak the more warily thereof 28. For the institution of it it is very antient in this Kingdom It consisteth of the two Houses of Peers and Commons as the Members and of the King's Majesty as the head of that great body By the King's authority alone and by his Writs they are assembled and by him alone they are prorâ—gued and dissolved but each House may adjourn it self 29. They being thus Assembled are more properly a Council to the King the Councel of the Kingdom to advise his Majesty in those things of weight and difficulty which concern both the King and People then a Court. 30. No new Laws can be made nor old Laws abrogated or altered but by common consent in Parliament where Bills are prepared and presented to the two Houses and then delivered but nothing is concluded but by
and to bind it with a solemn Order if it be not already so done that no copies of the orders of that Table be delivered out by the Clerks of the Councel but by the order of the Board nor any not being a Councellor or a Clerk of the Councel or his Clerk to have access to the Councel-Books and to that purpose that the servants attending the Clerks of the Councel be bound to secrecy as well as their Masters 13. For the great Offices and Officers of the Kingdom I shall say little for the most of them are such as cannot well be severed from the Councellorship and therefore the same rule is to be observed for both in the choice of them In the general onely I advise this let them be set in those places for which they are probably the most fit 14. But in the quality of the persons I conceive it will be most convenient to have some of every sort as in the time of Qâ—een Eâ—izabeth it was one Bishop at the least in respect of questions touching Religion or Church-Government one or more skilled in the Laws some for Martial affairs and some for Foreign affairs By this mixture one will help another in all things that shall there happen to be moved But if that would fail it will be a safe way to consult with some other able persons well versed in that point which is the subject of their Consultation which yet may be done so warily as may not discover the main end therein IV. In the next place I shall put you in mind of the Foreign Negotiations and Emâ—assies to or with Foreign Princes or States wherein I shall be little able to serve you 1. Onely I will tell you what was the course in the happy dayes of Qâ—een Elizabeth whom it will be no dis-repâ—tation to follow She did vary according to the nature of the employment the quality of the persons she employed which â—s a good rule to go by 2. If it were an Embassy of Gâ—â—tulaâ—ion or Ceremony which must not be neglected choice was made of some noble person eminent in place and able in purse and he would take â—t as a mark of favour and discharge it without any great burthen to the Queen's Coffers for his own honours sake 3. But if it were an Embassie of weight concerning affairs of State choice was made of some sad person of known judgment wisdom and experience and not of a young man not wayed in State-matters nor of a meer formal man whatsoever his title or outside were 4. Yet in company of such some young towardly Noblemen or Gentlemen were usually sent also as Assistants or Attendants according to the qâ—ality of the persons who might be thereby prepaâ—ed and fitâ—ed for the like employment by this means at another turn 5. In their company were alwayes sent some grave and sad men skilful in the Civil Laws and some in the Languages and some who had been formerly conversant in the Courts of those Princes and knew their wayes these were Assistants in private but not trusted to manage the Affairs in publick that would detract from the honour of the principal Embassador 6. If the Negotiation were about Merchants affairs then were the persons employed for the most part Doctors of the Civil Law assisted with some other discreet men and in such the charge was ordinarily defrayed by the Company or Society of Merchants whom the Negotiation concerned 7. If Legier Embassadors or Agents were sent to reâ—ain in or near the Courts of those Princes or States as it was ever held fit to observe the motions and to hold correspondency with them upon all occasions such were made choice of as were preâ—â—med to be vigilant industrious and discreet mâ—n and had the language of the place whither â—heâ— wâ—râ— sent and with these were sent such as were hopeâ—ul to be worthy of the like employment at another time 8. Their care was to give true and tiâ—ely Intelligence of all Occurrences either to the Qâ—een her self or the Secretaries of State unto whom they had their immediate relation 9. Their charge was always born by the Qâ—een duly paid out of the Exchequer in such proportion as according to their qualities and places might give them an honourable subsistence there But for the reward of their service they were to expect it upon their return by some such preferment as might be worthy of them and yet be little burthen to the Qâ—eens Coffers or Revenues 10. At their going forth they had their general Instructions in writing which might be communicated to the Ministers of that State whither they were sent and they had also private Instructions upon particular occasions and at their return they did always render an account of some things to the Queen her self of some things to the body of the Council and of some others to the Secretaries of State who made use of them or communicated them as there was cause 11. In those days there was a constant course held that by the advice of the Secretaries or some principal Councellors there were alwayes sent forth into several parts beyond the Seas some young men of whom good hopes were conceived of their towardliness to be trained up and made fit for such publick Employments and to learn the Languages This was at the charge of the Queen which was not much for they travelled but as private Gentlemen and as by their industry their deserts did appear so far were they fâ—rther employed or rewarded This course I shall recommend unto you to breed up a Nursery of such publick Plants V. For Peace and War and those things which appertain to either I in my own disposition and profession am wholly for peace if please God to â—less the Kingdom therewith as for many years past he hath done and 1. I presume I shall not need to perswade you to the advancing of it nor shall you need to perswade the King your Master therein â—or that he hath hitherto been another Solomon in this our Israel and the Motto which he hath chosen Beati Pacifici shews his own judgement But he must use the means to preserve it else such a jewel may be lost 2. God is the God of Peace it is one of his Attributes therefore by him alone we must pray and hope to continue it there is the foundation 3. And the King must not neglect the just ways for it Justice is the best Protector of it at home and providence for War is the best prevention of it from abroad 4. Wars are either Foreign or Civil for the Foreign War by the King upon some neighbour Nation I â—ope we are secure the King in his just and pious disposition is not inclinable thereunto his Empire is long enough bounded with the Ocean as if the very situation thereof had taught the King and People to set up their rests and say Ne plus ultra 5. And for a war of invasion from abroad onely we must
not be over-secure that 's the way to invite it 6. But if we be always prepared to receive an Enemy if the ambition or malice of any should incite him 〈◊〉 may be very confident we shall long live in peace and quietness without any attempt upon us 7. To make the preparations hereunto the more assured In the first place I will recommend unto you the care of our out-work the Navy Royal and Shipping of our Kingdom which are the walls thereof and every great Ship is as an impregnable for t and our many safe and commodious Ports and Havens in every of these Kingdoms are as the redoubts to secure them 8. For the body of the Ships no Nation of the world doth equal England for the Oaken Timber wherewith to build them and we need not borrow of any other iron for Spikes or Nâ—â—ls to fasten them together but there must be a great deal of providence used that our Ship-Timber be not unnecessarily wasted 9. But for Tackling as Sails and Cordage we are beholden to our neighbours for them and do buy them for our money that must be foreseen and layd up in store against a time of need and not sought for when we are to use them But we are much too blame that we make them not at home onely Pâ—tch and Tar we have not of our own 10. For the true Art of building of Ships for burthen and service both no Nation in the world exceeds us Ship-wrights and all other Artizans belonging to that Trade must be cherished and encouraged 11. Powder and Ammunition of all sorts we can have at home and in exchange for other homeâ— commodities we may be plentifully supplied from our Neighbours which must not be neglected 12. With Mariners and Seamen this Kingdom is plentifully â—urnished the constant Trade of Merchandizing will furnish us at a need and navigable Rivers will repair the store both to the Navy Royal and to the Merchants if they be set on work and well payed for their labour 13. Sea-Captains and Commanders and other Officers must be encouraged and rise by degrees as their fidelity and industry deserve it 14. Our strict League of amiâ—y and alliance with our near Neighbours the Hollanders is a mutual strength to both the shipping of both in conjuncture being so powerful by Gods blessing as no Foreigners will venture upon This League and Friendship must inviolably be observed 15. From Scotland we have had in former times some Alarms and Inrodes into the Northern parts of this Kingdom but that happy union of both Kingdoms under one Soveraign our gracious King I hope hath taken away all occasions of breach between the two Nations let not the cause arise from England and I hope the Scâ—ts will not adventure it or if they do I hope they will find that although to our King they were hâ—s first-â—orn Subjects yet to England belongs the birth-right Bâ—t this shâ—uld not be any cause to offer any injury to thâ—m nor to suffer any from them 16. There remains â—hen no danger by the blessing oâ— God but a Câ—vil War from whâ—ch God of his mercy defend us as that which is most desperate of all others The King's wisdom and justice must prevent it if it may be or if it should happen quod absit he must quench that wild-fire with all the diligence that possible can be 17. Competition to the Crown there is none nor can be thereâ—ore it must be a fire within the bowels or nothing the cures whereof are these Remedium praevenieus which is the best physick either to a natural body or to a State by just and equal Government to take away the occasion and Remedium puniens if the other prevail not The service and vigilance of the Deputy-Lieutenants in every County and of the high-Sheriff will contribute much herein to our security 18. But if that should not prevail by a wise and timous inquisition the peccant humours and humorists must be discovered and purged or cut off mercy in such a case in a King is truly cruelty 19. Yet if the Heads of the Tribes can be taken off and the mis-led multitude will see their errour and return to their obedience such an extent of mercy is both honourable and profitable 20. A King against a storm must fore-see to have a convenient stock of treasure and neither be without money which is the sinews of War nor to depend upon the courtesie of others which may fail at a pinch 21. He must also have a Magazine of all sorts which must be had from Foreign parts or provided at home and to commit them to several places under the custody of trusty and faithful Ministers and Officers if it be possible 22. He must make choice of expert and able Commanders to conduct and manage the War either against a foreign invasion or a home-rebellion which must not be young and giddy which dare not onely to fight but to swear and drink and curse neither fit to govern others nor able to govern themselves 23. Let not such be discouraged if they deserve well by mis-information or for the satisfying the â—umouâ—s or ambition of others perhaps out of envy perhaps out of treachery or other sinister ends A stâ—â—dy hand in governing of Military Affairs is more requisite then in times of peace because an erroâ—r committed in war may perhaps prove irremediable 24. If God shall bless these endeavours and the King return to his own house in peace when a Civil War shall be at an end those who have been found faithful in the Land must be regarded yea and rewarded also the traiterous or treacherous who have misled others severely punish'd and the neutrals and false-hearted friends and followers who have started aside like a broken bow be noted Câ—rlone nigro and so I shall leave them and this part of the work VI. I come now to the sixâ—h part which is Trade and that is either at home or abroad And I begin with that which is at home which enableth the Subjects of the Kingdom to live and layeth a foundation to a foreign Trade by traffiqâ—e with others which enableth them to live plentifully and â—â—pâ—â—â— 1. For the Home-trade I fiâ—st commend unto your consideration the encouragement of Tillage which will enable the Kingdom for Corn for the Natives and to spare for exportation And I my self have known more than once when in times of dearth in Qâ—een Elizabeth's days it drained much coin of the Kingdom to furnish us with Corn from foreign parts 2. Good Husbands will find the means by good Husbandry to improve their lands by Lime Chalk Marl or Sea-sand where it can be had But it will nâ—t be amiss that they be put in mind thereof and encouraged in their industries 3. Planting of Orchards in a soil and air fit for them is very profitable as well as pleasureable Sâ—der and Perry are notable Beverage in Sea-voyages 4. Gardens are also very profitable if
Coat which must be seamless and to that purpose it will be fiâ— that by the King 's supream power in Causes Ecclesiastical within all his Dominions they be subordinate under some Bishop and Bishoprick of this Realm 8. For the better defence against a common Enemy I think it would be best that Foreign Plantations should be placed in one Continent and neer together whereas if they be too remote the one from the other they will be disunited and so the weaker 9. They must provide themselves of houses such as for the present they can and at more leisure such as may be better and they first must plant for Corn and Cattel c. for food and necessary sustenance and after they may enlarge themselves for those things which may be for profit and pleasure and to traffique withal also 10. Woods for shipping in the first place may doubtless be there had and Minerals there found perhaps of the richest howsoever the Mines out of the fruits of the earth and seas and waters adjoyning may be found in abundance 11. In a short time they may build Vessels and Ships also for Traffique witâ— the parts near adjoyning and with England also from whence they may be furnished with such things as they may want and in exchange or barter send from thence other things with which quickly either by Nature or Art they may abound 12. Bâ—t these things would by all means be prevented That no known Bankrupt for shelter nor known Murderer or other wicked person to avoid the Law nor known Heretick or Schismatick be sussered to go into those Countreys or if they do creep in there not to be harboured or continued else the place would receive them naught and return them into England upon all occasions worse 13. That no Merchant under colour of driving a Trade thither or from thence be suffered to work upon their necessities 14. And that to regulate all these inconveniences which will insensibly grow upon them that the King be pleased to erect a subordinate Council in England whose care and charge shall be to advise and put in execution all things which shall be found fit for the good of those new Plantations who upon all occasions shall give an account of their proceedings to the King or to the Councel-board and from them receive such directions as may best agree with the Government of that place 15. That the King 's reasonable profit be not neglected partly upon reservation of moderate rents and services and partly upon Customs and partly upon importation and exportation of Merchandize which for a convenient time after the Plantation begin would be very easie to encourage the work but after it is well setled may be raised to a considerable proportion worthy the acceptation VIII I come to the last of those things which I propounded which is the Court and Câ—riality The other did properly coâ—cern â—he King in his Royal capacity as Pater patriae this more properly as Pâ—terfamilias And herein 1. I shall in a word and but in a word onely put you in mind That the King in his own person both in respect of his Houshold or Court and in respect of his whole Kingdom for a little Kingdom is but as a great Houshold and a great Houshold as a little Kingdom must be exemplary Regis ad exemplum c. But for this God be praised our charge is easie for your Gracious Master for his Learning and Piety Justice and Bounty may be and is not onely a president to his own Subjects but to foreign Princes also yet he is still but a man and seasonable Memento's may be useful and being discreetly used cannot but take well with him 2. But your greatest care must be that the great men of his Court for you must give me leave to be plain with you for so is your injunction laid upon me your self in the first place who is first in the eye of all men give no just cause of scandal either by light or vain or by oppressive carriage 3. The great Officers of the King's Houshold had need be both discreet and provident persons both for his Honour and for his Thrift they must look botâ— ways else they are but half-sighted Yet in the choice of them there is more latitude left to affection than in the choice of Councellors and of the great Officers of State before touched which must always be made choice of meerly out of judgement for in them the Publick hath a great interest 4. For the other Ministerial Officers in Court as for distinction sake they may be termed there must be also an eye unto them and upon them they have usually risen in the Hâ—ushold bâ— degrees and it is a noble way to encourage faithâ—ul service But the King must not bind himself to â— 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 hâ—ppeneth upon the information of some great man is by all meanâ— to be avoided unless 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-staffs 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 kind of Councel and a Court of Justice also 6. Yet for the Green-cloth Law take it in the lâ—rgest sense I have no opinion of it farther than 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 Ofâ—icers 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 Kingdom 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 â—afest both for the King and people 8. The King must be put in mind to preserve the Revenues of his Crown both certain and casual without diminution and to lay up treasure in store against a time of extremity empty Coffers give an ill sound and make the people many times â—orget 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 servâ—nts with the benefit of forfeitures eiâ—her by Fines in the Court of Sâ—ar-Chamber or High-Commission Courts or other Courts of Jâ—stice or that they
Captain in the Military Wars of France and there Knighted for his good service under Henry the fourth the then French King He was employed as Lieutenant of the Horse and Serjeant-Major of his whole Army in Ireland under Robert Earl of Essex and Charles Baron of Mountjoy in the Reign of Qâ—een Eliz. By King Iames the firstâ— he was made Baron of Dantsey and Peer of this Realm as also Lord President of Munster and Governour of Guernsey By King Charles the first he was created Earl of Danby made one of his Privy-Councel and Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter In his later time by reason oâ— impâ—â—fect health â—oâ—siderately declining more â—â—ive Employments full of honours wounds and days he died Anno Domini 1643. LAVS DEO For many years before St. George had not been more magnificently mounted I mean the solemnity of his Feast more sumptuously observed than when this Earl with the Earl of Morton were installed Knights of the Garter One might have there beheld the abridgment of England and Scotland in their Attendance The Scotish Earl like Xeuxes his picture adorned with all Art and costliness whilst our English Earl like the plain sheet of Apelles by the gravity of his Habit got the advantage of the gallantry of his Cortival with judicious beholders He died without Issue in the beginning of our Civil Wars and by his Will made 1639. seâ—led his large Estate on his hopeful Nephew Henry D' Anvers snatch'd away beâ—ore fully of age to the great grief of all good men Observations on the Life of Sir George Crook SIr George Crook son of Sir Iohn Crook and Elizabeth Unton his Wife was born at Chilton in Buckingham-shire in the second year of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth bred first in Oxford then a double Reader in the Inner Temple Sergeant at Law and the King's Sergeant Justice first of the Common Bench 22. Iac. and then of the Upper Bench 4 Caroli His ability in his Profession is sufficiently attested by his own printed Reports Eight eminent Judges of the Law out of their knowledge of his great Wisdom Learning and Integrity approving and allowing them to be published for the common benefit His only defect was that he was against the ancient Naval-aid called Ship-money both publickly in Westminster-Hall and privately in his judgement demanded by the King even at that time when our Neighbours not only incroached upon our Trade but disputed our right in the Narrow-seas though concluded to subscribe according to the course of the Court by plurality of Voices The Country-mans wit levelled to his brain will not for many years be forgotten That Ship-money may be gotten by Hook and not by Crook though since they have paid Taxes Loyns to the little finger and Scorpions to the rod of Ship-money but whether by Hook or Crook let others enquire Hampden's share for which he went to Law being but eighteen shillings though it cost the Nation since eighteen millions Considering his declining and decaying age and desiring to examine his life and prepare an account to the supream Judge he petitioned King Charlâ—s for a Writ of Eâ—se which though in some sort denyed what wise Master would willingly part with a good Servant was in effect granted unto him For the good King exacting from his Subjects no services beyond their years and abilities and taking it better at his hands that he confessed his infirmities than if he had concealed them discharged him for the pains though he allowed him the fees and honour of chief-Chief-Justice while he lived Wherefore in gratitude as well as conscience however he was misled in â—he foresaid matter of Syhip money he abhorâ—ed the Faction heartily for he would say of Hampden He is a dangerous person take heed of him and loved the Church as heartily for we are told by a person of great worth and credit Thâ—t having read over the Book of Canons 1640 when it first came out and was so much spoken against he lifted up his hands and gave hearty thanks to Almighty God that he had lived to see sâ—ch good effects of a Convocation In a word he was no less in his Life than he is in his Epitaph now dead which runs thus Georgius Crook Eques Auratus unus justiciariorum de Banco Regis Iudicio Linceato animo presenti insignis vâ—ritatis haeres quem nec mina nec bonos allexit Regis au horitatem populi libertatem aequâ lance Libravit Religione cordatus vitâ innocuus manu expansâ— Corde humili pauperes irrogavit mundum vicit deseruit Anno AErat Lxxxii Annoque R. C. I. xvii Anno Domini MDCXLI Observations on the Life of Sir Rob. Armstroder HE was a great Soldier a skilful Antiquary and a good Fellow In the first capacity I finde him bringing off five hundred English for three miles together without the loss of a man from six thousand Spaniards along a plain Champion where the Enemy might have surrounded them at pleasure Well he could handle bright armour in the Field better he understood that more rusty in the Tower therefore in his second capacity we have him picking up old Coyn valuing more a Dollar which he might study than a pound he might spend Yet though his mind was taken with the Curiosities of former Times his inclination was very compliant with the mode of his own for he was excellent company in which capacity none more prevalent than he in Germany where they talk much none more acceptable in Denmark where they drink hard none more taking in Sweden where they droll smartly His humble propâ—sition and submission in behalf of the Elector was accepted by the Emperour 1630. He went to Denmark and the first night he arrived he pleased the King so well in drinking healths that his Majesty ordered that his business should be dispatch'd that very night and he shipped when asleep as he was to his own amazement when awaked and the amazement of all England when returned he being here before some thought he had been there Humour is the Misterss of the world Neither was he more intenâ— upon the pleasing oâ— Foreign Princes than careful in the honour of his own especially in his faith word and impregnable honesty for he knew a faithless Prince is beloved of none but suspected by his friends not trusted of his enemies and forsaken of all men in his greaâ—est necessities Yet he was not so taken with antique Medals abroad but he promoted a new invention at home for to him Sir H. Wotton we owe it that F. Klein the German a very eminent Artist in working Tapestry came over to serve K. Charls the first a Virtuoso judicious in all Liberal mechanical Arts and for 100 pounds per ann pension so improved that Manufacture at this time very compleat at Mortlack in a house built by Sir Franciâ— Crane upon King Iames his motion who gave two thousand pounds towards it in that place General
Tilly would say before Gustavus Adolphus came into Germany that he was happy for three things That he heard Mass daily that he had never touched a woman and that he had never lost a battel What ever Sir Robert could say to the first he was very prosperous for the last that he never failed of success either in fighting or treating in the Field or in the Chamber Observations on the Life of Philip Earl of Arundel HAd his Faith been as Orthodox as his Fathers Faithfulness was eminent K. Iames his gratitude and his Uncle Northampton's policy had raised him as high as his Father hath been and his son is But since his opinion made him a Separatist from the Church and his temper a recluse from the Court we have him in a place of Honour only as Earl Marshal while we finde his Brother in a place of Profit as Lord Treasurer though both in a place of Trust as Privy-Counsellors where this Earl approved himself a confutation of his Uncles maxim That a through-paced Papist could not be a true-hearted Subject being as good an English-man in his heart as he was a Catholick in his conscience only the greatness of his spirit would not suffer any affronts in Parliament whence he endured some discountenance from the Court insomuch that the House of Lords finding him a Prisoner when they sate 1626. would not act until after several of their Petitions he was released when his temper yielding with years he was very complying only he presumed to marry his Son to an Heiress the King had disposed of elsewhere which yet he laid upon the women that made the Mâ—â—ch Indeed the politick Observator saith That women of all creatures are the most dextrous in contriving their designs their natural sprightfulness of imagination attended with their leisure furnishing them with a thousand Expedients and proposing all kinds of Overtures with such probability of happy success that they easily desire and as eagerly pursue their design When he was sometimes barred the service of hâ—s own time he studied those before him being a fond Patron of Antiquaries and Antiquity of whose old pieces he was the greatest Hoarder in Europâ— setting aside Ferdinandâ— de Medicis grand Duke of Tâ—scaâ—y from whom by the mediation of Sir Henry Wotton he borrowed many an Antique Sculpture which furnished his Archives so well as we may guess by Mr. Selden's Marmora Arundeliana that as my Lord Burleigh's Library was the most compleat one for a Politician my Lord Bacon's for a Philosopher Mr. Selden's for an Historian Bishop Usher's for a Divine my Lord of Northampton's for a Poet Mr. Oughtred's for a Mathematician Dr. Hammond's for a Grammarian or an universal Critick so the Earl of Arundel's was the best for an Herald and an Antiquary a Library not for shew but use Neither was he more in his study where hâ— bestowed his melancholy hours than in Councel where he advised three things in reference to the Foreign troubles 1. Correspondence abroad 2 Frequent Parliaments 3. Oftner progresses into the Countries Neither was he less in the Field than in Council when General against the Scoâ—s the more shame thâ—t Protestants should at a time rebel against their King when Papists ventured their lives for him After which Expedition he was ordered beyond Sea with the Queenâ—Mother of France 1639. when they say he looked back on England with this wish May it never have need of me It 's true some observe that the Scots who cried upon him as a Papist yet writ under-hand to him their Noble Lord as they did to Essex and Holland so effectually that they had no heart to that War afterward and it is as true that thereupon a schedule was now the second time given of the parties that combined against the Government viz. 1. The busie medlers that had got the plausible trick of Haranguing since King Iames's time not used in Parliament from H. 6. time to his 2. The covetous Landlords Inclosers Justices of thâ— Peace that ruled in the Country and would do so in Parliament 3. Needy men in debt that durst not shew their heads in time of Peace 4. Puritans that were so troublesom against Hatton c. in Queen Eliz. dayes and under pretence of Religion overthrew all Government 5. Such Male-contents as either lost the preferment they had or had not what they were ambitious of with their Kindred and Dependants 6. Lawyers that second any attempt upon the Prerogative with their Cases Records and Antiquities 7. London Merchants that had been discovered by Cranfield and Ingram as to their cheats put upon the King in his Customs and Plantations 8. Common-wealths-men that had learned from Holland in Queen Eliz. days to pray for the Queen and the State And 9. Because there cannot be a Treason without a P such Recusants as were Hispanioliz'd whereof this Earl was none but though as a Church-Papist he had most of the Catholick Peers votes devolved on him he never bestowed them undutifully albeit sometimes stoutly and resolutely A great friend he was to all new Inventions save those that tended to do that by few hands which had been usually done by many because said he While private men busie their heads to take off the Poors employment the publick Magistrate must trouble his to find them maintenance Either be or the Earl of Northampton used to say when asked what made a compleat man To know how to cast Accompts an accomplishment though ordinary yet might save many an Estate in England Observations on the Life of Esme Duke of Richmond GReat in his Ancestors honour greater in his own vertue and greatest of all in that â—ike the Star he wore the higher he was the â—ess he desired to seem affecting rather the worth than the pomp of nobleness therefore his courtesie was his nature not his craft and his affableness not a base servile popularity or an amâ—itious insiâ—uation but the native gentleness of his disposition and his true value of himself He was not â— stranger to any thing worth knowing but best acquainted wiâ—h himself and in himself rather with â—is weaknesses for Caution than his abilities for Aâ—tion Hence he is not so forward in the traverses of War as in Treaties of Peace where his honour â—nnobled his cause and his moderation advanced â—t He and my Lord of Southampton managing the â—everal Overtures of Peace at London Oxford and â—xbridge with such honourable freedom and pruâ—ence that they were not more deservedly regardâ—d by their Friends than importunately courted â—y their Enemies who seeing they were such could â—ot be patient till they were theirs though in â—ain their honours being impregnable as well against the Factions kindness as against their power At Conferences his conjectures were as solid as oâ—hers judgements his strict observation of what was passed furnishing him for an happy guess of what was to come Yet his opinion was neither vâ—riably unconstant nor obstinately immoveableâ— but
framed to present occasions wherein his mâ—thod was to begin a second advice from the failuâ—â— of his first though he hated doubtful suspenceâ— when he might be resolute This one great defecâ— was his good nature that he could never distrust tilâ— it was dangerous to suspect and he gave his Enemâ— so much advantage that he durst but own him foâ— his friend One thing he repented of that he advised his Majesty to trust Duke Hamilton his Adversary with the affairs of Scotland in compliancâ— with the general opinion rather than the Marquesâ— Huntly his friend in compliance with his own reaâ— interest an advice wherein his publick-spiritednesâ— superseded his particular concerns and his gooâ— nature his prudence So true is it that the honest mans single uprightness works in him that confidence which oft-times wrongs him and givâ—â— advantage to the subtle while he rather pities â—hâ—iâ— faithlessness than repents of his credulity so greaâ— advantage have they that look only what they maâ— do over them that consider what they should doâ— and they that observe only what is expedient oveâ— them that judge only what is lawful Therefore when those that thought themselves wise leâ—â— their sinking Soveraign he stuck to his Persoâ— while he lived to his body when dead and to hiâ— cause as long as he lived himself attending thâ— first resolutely burying the second honourablyâ— and managing the third discreetly undertaking without rashness and performing without fearâ— never seeking dangers never avoiding them Although when his Friends were conquered by thâ— Rebels he was conquered by himself retiring to that privacy where he was gâ—essed at not known where he saw the world unseen where he made yielding a conquest where cheerful unconcerned in expectation he provided for the worst and hoped the best in the constant exercise of that Religion w ch he his maintained more effectually with their Examples than with their Swords doing as much good in encouraging the Orthodox by his presence as in relieving them by his bounty In a word I may say of him as Macariuâ— doth of Iustine There was no Vice but he thought below him and no Vertue which he esteemed not either his duty or ornamenâ— Neither was his prudence narrower than his vertue nor his vertue streighter than his fortune His main service was his inspection into the Intrigues and Reserves of the Parliamentiers at Vxbridge and his cajoling of the Independants and Scots at London where the issue of his Observations was That the King should as far as his conscience could allow comply with the unreasonable desires of an illimited ambition to make iâ— sensible of the evils that would flow from its own Counsels being confident as events have assured us that the people would see the inconvenience of their own wishes and that they would return that power which they sought for but could not mâ—nage to its proper place before it became their ruine for unbounded Liberty overthroweth its self But alas it was too late to grant them any thing who by having so much were only encouraged more eagerly to desire what they knew the King in honour could not give For when a Prince is once rendred odious or contemptible his Indulgences do him no less hurt than injuries As his services were great so were his Recreations useful Hunting that manly Exercise being both his pleasure his accomplishment his accomplishment I say since it is in the list of Machiavel's rules to his Prince as not only the wholsomest and cheapest diversion both in relation to himself and his People but the best Tutor to Horse-manship Stratagems and Situations by which he may afterwards place an Army whatever Sir Philip Sidney's apprehension was who used to say Next hunting he liked hawking worst Observations on the Life of the Lord Chief-Iustice Banks SIr Iohn Banks his Parents perceiving him judicious and industrious bestowed good breeding on him in Grayes-Inne in hope he should attain to preferment wherein they were not deceived For after he was called to the Bar for some years he solicited Suits for others thereby attaining great practical experience He afterwards might laugh at them who then did smile at him leaving many behind him in Learning whom he found before him in time until at last he was Knighted by King Charles made first his Attorney then chief-Chief-Justice of the Common-Pleas dying in the middest and heat of our Civil Dissentions He ordered by his Will that his Body should be buried under some plain Monument at the discretion of his Executors and after an Epitaph mentioning the several Places he had held this Motto to be added Non nobis Domine non nobis sed Nomini tuo da Gloriam By his said Will he gave to the value of thirty pound per ann with other Emoluments to be bestowed in pious Uses and chiefly to set up a Manufacture of course Cottons in the Town of Keswick He was one whom the Collar of S.S.S. worn by Judges and other Mâ—gistrates became very well if it had its name from Sanctus Simon Simplicius no man being more seriously pious none more singly honest When Sir Henry Savile came to Sir Edward Cook then at bowls in Arch-Bishop Abbot's behalf and told him he had a Case to propose to him Sir Edward answered If it be a Case in Common-Law I am unworthy to be a Iudge if I cannot presently satisfie you but if it be a point of Statute-Law I am unworthy to be a Iudge if I should undertake to satisfie you without consulting my Books Sir Iohn Banks though ready without his Books on the Bench yet always resolved Cases out of them in his Chamber answerable to his saying to Dr. Sibs A good textuary is a good Lawyer as well as a good Divine His invention was prompt and ready his apprehension sure and solid his memory capacious and retentive his knowledge in the Law and the inword reasons of it profound his experience in affairs of State universal and well laid patient he was in hearing sparing but pertinent in speaking very glad always to have things represented truly and clearly and when it was otherwise able to discern through all pretences the real merit of a Câ—use He was a man of singular modesty of the ancient freedom plain-heartedness and integrity of mind Very grave and severe in his deportment yet very affable in such sort that as Tacitus saith of Agrippa Illâ— quod est rarissimum nec facilitas authoritatem nec severitas amorem diminuit And in a word so even and circumspect he was in the several turnings and occasions of his life that though he went himself and brought over as many as he had any interest in to the King I find him under no extraordinary displeasure from the Rebels and I observe but one unhappiness in his whole life and that is that all men speak well of him Observations on the Life of Sir Tho. Edmonds THe Trophees of Miltiades would not let Themistocles sleep
dissatisfied and bold in his followers irregular and pretending in the Law well seen in the Scripture very ready in the occurrences of his age very exact at Lectures most constant to the liberty of the Subject then the Diana of the age most faithful insomuch that he made a motion 1628. That they who stood for the Liberties forsooth then called the Lower-House Lords of the Upper-House not fifty might make their Protestation upon record and that the other party should with subscription of their names enter their reason upon Record that posterity might not be to seek good lack who they were that so ignobly betrayed the Liberty of our Nation And this being done they should resolve themselves to a Committee and proceed to vote Yet so well acquainted with the King's temper that he would take any occasion of his being pleased by the Parliament to insinuate himself into favour with all his Male-contents as Bishop Williams Earl of Lincoln Earl of Essex the Earl of Warwick c. As he wrought upon the peoples humour in that point of Liberty so he did upon the Nobilities temper in another of Ambition For in a Petition to King Iames against Foreign titles of Honour we finde him first in design though last in subscription teaching Essex Warwick St. Iohn for they joyned with him to tilt against their Soveraign's Prerogative with their Peâ—s as they did after with their Swords And when this failed the wise King awing the young Lords to renounce that asunder which they had subscribed together none so bold as the factions in company none so fearful apart the Champion of English honour and priviledge becomes the Patron of Propriety too for we read Ter. Hill Anno 14. Car. 1. in Banco Regis the Lord Say's Case Action for Crover and Conversion of thrée Oxen taken a great matter for thrée pounds five shillings by the Sheriff of Lincoln upon the Plaintiff towards the finding of a Ship A good reason for going to Law first and then to war with his Soveraign as he did afterwards when he had sent his son Nathaniel with Hampden and Lawrence 1639. to settle the League with their dear Brethren in Scotland while he formed the grand Design in England with so much success that when there were some Overtures made for saving the Earl of Strafford and securing the Kingdom by the Party upon condition of preferment as that Master Hampden should be Tutor to the Prince the Earl of Essex his Governour Mr. Pym Chancellor of the Exchequer the Earl of Warwick Vice-Admiral he was to be Master of the Court of Wards which he compassed when the rest mist of their expectation No more of him but that the King going to Scotland he refusing a Protestation against the Scots had these questions proposed to him 1. Whether he would go with the King at his own charge 2. Whether Rebellion was a just cause of War 3. Whether the taking of Castles Towns Magazines c. was not Rebellion To the first he answered That though as a Peer and Subject he could not be forced out of his Countrey but upon extraordinary occasion yet out of affection to his Majesty he would attend him referring the matter of charge to himself To the two last he said he understood not the Law of Scotland but that those proceedings were Treason in England Observations on the Life of the Earl of Lindsey HE and that whole Family I know not whether more pious or more valiant whether more renowned abroad as Confessors for their Religion or as Champions for their Country have been in this last Age an ornament and a defence to this Crown equally reverenced by the Subjects of it and honoured by the Soveraigns This Noble-man and the Earl of Essex did as Iugurtha and Manus learn in one School what they practised in two The one as a faithful Subject for that government that had obliged his Family the other as a discontented Rebel against that that had disobliged his Both Commanders for the Palatinate against the Emperor and for Rochel against the French When the Duke of Buckingham returned from the Isle of Rhee his Majesty told him The neglect of his relief must lâ—dge on his Friend and Confident Holland To which he acknowledged That indeed he had very affectionately intrusted him in ordinary Affairs but never in such an esteem as to second him in arms that place being more proper for my Lord of Lindsey whose judgement of that Expedition was That it was friendship in earnest and War in jest He it was that pursued twelve French Vessels in his own single one to their Haven heaâ—ed at once with anger and shame he it was who when all men were amazed at the Duke's fall was assigned his successor Certainly saith one there present He was a person of no likely presence but of considerable experience by his former Expeditions and one that to the last of his life made good his faith with Gallantry and Courage notwithstanding his ill success the times fate rather than his fault 1. In scouring the narrow Seaâ— where he was Admiral and the Earl of Essex Vice-Admiral 2. In presiding in several great Courts on many solemn occasions the Earl of Strafford's unparellel'd Tryal c. And 3. In leading the King's Army at Edge-Hill with a Pike in his hand Where what is observed of Cataline and his followers was true of this noble Earl and his Country-men the Loyal Gentry of Lincolnshire that they covered the same place with their Corps when dead where they stood in the fight whilst living Observations on the Life of Iudge Richardson IUdge Richardson was born at Mulbarton in Norfolk his Father being Minister thereof and he a friend to Ministers though a foe of the Church He was bred in the study of our Municipal Law and became the King's Sergeant therein Afterwards on the 28 of November 1926. he was sworn chief-Chief-Justice of the Common-Pleas that Place having been void ten months before wherein he was humoursom but honest only unhappy in that he raised the Sabbatarian Controversie by his orders aginst Wakes in Somersetshire His Brass Monument on the South-side of Westminster-Abby thus entertaineth the Reader Deo om Thomâ—â— Richardsoni Icaeni Equitis Aurati Humduum Dâ—positum Ille Iuris Municip omnes gradus exantlavit Conventus tertii ordinis ann Jacobi Regis 21 22. Prolocutor exâ—itit Fori civilis communium Placitorum vocant Supremum Magistratum quinquennium gessit Ad summum tandem primarii per Angliam Iudicis Tribunal A Rege Carolo evectus expiravit Anno AEtatis 66. Salutis MDCXXXIV Tho. Richardson fil unicus Eques Aur. Baro Scotiae designatus Patri incomparabili posuit As one reason of his advancement you must know this Judge married for his second Wife the Lady Eliz. Beaumont the Sister as I take it of Mary Countess of Buckingham and the Relict of Ashburnham Knight She was by K. Charles created Baroness of Croumont in Scotland and
the Churches publick peace required or its indulgence to promote Christians permitted The Uniformity he pressed was not more advantageous to Religion which must of necessity have been propagated when Controversies had been turned to devotion than it was necessary for the State which cannot be secure as long as there is a mark of distinction under which all Male contents may shrowd themselves a note of separation whereby the Factions may reckon their parties and estimate their strength and a way open to popularity to the ambition of any whose interest or desperateness shall adventure to make himself head of so great a pâ—rty He was a person of so great abilities which are the designations of nature to dignity and command that they raised him from low beginnings to the highest Office the Protestant profession acknowledgeth in the Church and he was equal to it His learning appeared eminent in his Book against Fisher and his piety illustrious in his Diary He was of so publick a spirit that both the Church and Sâ—ate have lasting Monuments of the virtuous use he made of his Princes favour at his admittance into wâ—ich he dedicated all the future Emoluments of it to the glory of God and the good of men by a projection of many noble Works most of which he accomplished and had finished the rest had not the fate of the Nation checked the current of his Design and cut off the course of his Life He was not contented by himself only to serve his Generation for so he might appear more greedy of fame than desirous of the universal benefit but he endeavoured to render all others as heroick if they aimed at a capacity for his friendship For I have heard it from his Eâ—emies no great man was admitted to a confidence and respect with him unless â—he made Address by some act that was for the common good or for the ornament and gloâ—y of the Protestant faith Learned men had not a better Friend nor Learning itself a greater Advancer He searched all the Libraries of Asia and â—rom several parts of the world purchased all the Ornaments and helps of Literature â—e could that the English Church might have if possible by his care as many advantages for knowledge as almost all Europe did contribute to the grandeur of that of Rome The outward splendour of the Clergy was not more his care than their honour by a grave and pious conversation He would put them into a power of doing more good but was sore against their Vices and Vanities He scorned a private Treasure and his friends were rather relieved than raised to any greatness by him In his election of friends he was determined to the good and wise and such as had both parts and desires to profit The Church had his closest embraces if otherwise it happened their frauds not his choice deserved the blame Both Papists and Sectâ—ries were equally his Enemies one party feared and the other hated his Vertues Some censured his zeal for Discipline above the patience of the Times but his greatest unhappiness was that he lived in a factious Age and corrupt State and under such a Prince whose Verâ—ues not admitting an immediate approach for Accusations was to be wounded with those iâ— did caress But when Faction and Malice are worn out by time Posterity shall engrave him in the Albâ— of the most excellent Prelacy the most indulgent Fathers of the Churchâ— and the most injured Martyrs His blood was accompanyed with some tears that fell from those Eyes that expected a pleasure at his death and it had been followed with Miseries and the present Fears of Ruine exacted all the stock of Grief for other objects His very enemy Sir Edward Deering would confess That let him dye when he would St. Pauls would be his Monument and his Book against Fishes his Epitaph Observations on the Life of the Lord Keeper Littleton SIr Edward Littleton the eldest son of Sir Edward Littleton of Mounslow in Shropshire one of the Justices of the Marches and Chief-Justice of North-Wales was bred in Christ-Church in Oxford where he proceeded Batchellor of Arts and afterwards was one of the Justices of North-Wales Recorder of London and Sollicitor to King Charles From these places he was preferred to be chief-Chief-Justice of the Common-Pleas and made Privy-Councellor thence advanced to be Lord-Keeper and Baron of Mounslow the place of his Nativity He died in Oxford and was buried in Christs-Church where he was bred Being a Member of the Parliament 1628. he had the management of the high presumption charged on the Duke of Buckingham about King Iames his death wherein he behaved himself so discreetly between the jealousiâ— of the People and the honour of the Court that Sir Iohn Finch would say He was the only man for taking things by a Right handle And Sir Edward Cook that He was a well-poized and weighed man His very name carried an Hereditary credit with it much plaineth out the way to all great Actions his virtue being authorizing by his nobility and his undertakings ennobled by his birth gained that esteem which meaner men attain not without a large compass of time and experience worthless Nobility and ignoble worth lye under equal disadvantage Neither was his extract so great as his parts his judgement being clear and piercing his Learning various and useful his skill in the Maxims of our Government the fundamental Laws of his Monarchy with its Statutes and Customs singular his experience long and observing his integrity unblemished and unbyassed his Eloquence powerful and majestick and all befitting a Statesman and a Lord-Keeper set off with a resolved Loyalty that would perform the harshest service his Master could enjoyn him while he stayed at London and follow the hardest fortune he could be in when at York whither he went with the great Seal he knew made to stamp Royal Commissions rather than authorize Rebellious Ordinances At Oxford he did good service during the Session of Parliament by Accommodations there and as good during their recess by his interest in the Country Observations on the Life of the Marquess Hamilton A Preacher being at a loss what to say of a party deceased concluâ—â—d his Sermon with these words There is one good quality in this man viz. That he was born and that God made him And another viz. That he is dead and we must speak noâ—hing but good of the dead I may say of this Noble-man that I have two reasons to speak well of himâ— 1. That good King Charles honoured him 3 and 2. That his wicked Subjects beheaded him otherwise I must leave these Queries as I finde them Quaere 1. Why should Duke Hamilton post without leave into Scotland when the Parliament was discontented and the Duke of Buckingham murthered in England Qu. 2. Why should Ramsey the Dukes Messenger to the King of Sweden play the Embassadour in Germany and take place of all other persons there Qu. 3. What design was that
which Elphyston Borthrick Meldrum Uchiltry c. discovered one to another Qu. 4. What did Ramsey with the Pedigree of Hamilton derived from Iames I. King of Scots in Foreign parts Qu. 5. Why private Instructions had Meldrum to Scottish Officers in the Swedish Army Qu. 6. What was Meldrum Alexander Hamilton and other his Dependants so preferred in the Scots Army Qu. 7. Why were there such Fears and Jealousies whispered in Germany of the English Government Qu. 8. Why was not Ramsey able to give a positive Answer at the Tryal by combate And why did the Marquess take him off before the Controversie was decided Qu. 9. Why is Huntley put by and Hamilton made high Commâ—ssioner Why is discontented Balcanquel employed to pen Declarations And why are the King's Papers Letters c. taken out of his pocket and betrayed to the Scots And why did the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury writing to the King wish him not to trust his own pockets with the Letter Qu. 10. Why doth his Mother ride with pistols at her Saddle-bow leading all her Kindred and Vassals for the Covenant Qu. 11. Why is that time spent in posting to and fro to patch up a base Pacification with the Rebels that might have been employed in suppressing them Q. 12. Why did the Bishops of Rosse and Breâ—en Sir Robert Spotswood Sir Iohn Hay the Earl of Sterling ride post to England to intreat the King not to trust the Marquess Qu. 13. Why was there so much granted to the Covenanters in Scotland yea and time given them to do their business Q. 14. Why did he forbear the Common-prayer at Dalkieth and neglect to protest the Kings gracious Declaration the justice and clemency whereof had without doubt allayed the commotions Q. 15. Why did he not set out the King 's last Declaration before the Covenanters Protestation was our against it Qu. 16. Why was there nothing done with the Ships sent upon the coasts of Scotland Qu. 17. Why did he so caress his covenanting Mother that the Scots could say The son of so geâ—d a Mother could do them no harm Qu. 18. Why had he a hand in most of the Monopolies and Projects of England Q. 19. Why did he refuse to contribute as others had done to the Scots Wars Q. 20. Why did he intercede for Lowndon's â—elease notwithstanding the traitâ—rous Letter to the French King was his hand Qu. 21. How comes Montross to be flighted by the gracious King at first And when he offered his service again how came his Letters into the Covenanters hands at Newcastle Qu. 22. Why did he and Argyle raise such Fears and Jealouâ—ies in Scotland and England by withdrawing suddenly from the Court under preâ—ence forsooth of danger to their persons Qu. 23. Why could not the King hear of the Scots design to invade England 1643. before Montross posted first to Oxford and then to Gloâ—cester to tell him of it though the Marquess was all the while in Scotland Qu. 24. And yet why was that noble person mistrusted till the Kings interest was lost in that Country Qu. 25. Why was he and his brother imprisoned at Oxford And why did the King say Nay if Hamilton leads them there is no good to be done for me Qu. 26. Why did the King say That he must dispose of the Master of the Horse place to the Earl of N. That my Lord Cottington was the fittest man for the Treasury and that Sir Edward Hyde was the onely man he could trust with the Secretaries affairs Being loth that D. H. should return to an oppoâ—tuâ—ity of recozening them Questions these that shew After-ages can scan great mens lives with the same liberty that they live them Observations on the Life of Sir Ralph Hopton GEntile was this excellent person's extraction in the West of England and man-like his Education in the Low-Countreys that School of War where Sir William Waller and he learned in one Camp what they practised in two The one being no less eminent for his service under his late Majesty of blessed memory than the other was for his against him The one was the best Soldier the King had the other the most experienced that the pretended Parliament boasted of None fitter to balance Sir Ralph Hopton's success none likelier to understand his stratagems none abler to undermine his designs than his Fellow-soldier Sir William who understood his method as well as he was acquainted with his person Both were equally active both equally vigilant But what better character of this Heroe than that which his Master gave him in his Patent for Baron which is his history as well as his honour Carolus Dei Gratià Angliae c. Cum Nominis nostri Posteritatis interest ad clara Exempla propaganda utilissimè compertum palam fieri omnibus praemia apud nos virtuti sita nec perire fidelium subditorum officia sed memori benevolo pectore fixissimè insi dere His praesertim temporibus cum plurimâ—m quibus antehac nimium indulsimus temerata aâ—t suspecta fides pretium aliorum constantiae addidit Cumque nobis certo const at Radulphum Hopton Militem de Balneo splendidis Antiquis Natalibus tum in câ—tera sua vita integritatis moriâ— eximium tum in hac novissima tempestate fatalique Regni rebelâ—i motu rari animi fideique exemplum edidisse Regiae dignitatis in eaque publicae contra utriusque adversarios assertorem vindicâ—m acerrimum Quippe quia non solum nascenti huic Furori nec dum omnibus manifesto optimis consiliis fortis in câ—ria Senator restiterit sed insinuante se latius veneno crescente ferocia domum ad suos reversus fortior Miles in Agro suo Somersetensi vicinis partibus omni ope manu iniquissimam causam oppugnaverit in Arce praesertim Sherborniana sub Auspiciis Marchionis Hertfordiae egregiam operam navaverit Mox ulterius progreâ—â—us pollenti in Devonia factionis Tyrannide munitissima civitate in foedus illecta jam undique bonis subditis perniciem minante ipse penè in illa Regione Hospes contracto è Cornubia Militeâ— primoribus statim impetum â—aruâ— repressit jacentesque afflictas nostras partees mirifica virtute recreavit Et licet summis necessitatibus conflictanti exigua pars Negotii hostes erant tantum abâ—uit ut vel illis vel istis succumberet ut contra copiis auctiores bellico apparatu instructissimas saepius signis Collatis in acie dimicans semper superior excesserit Testis Launcestonia Saltash Bradock aliaque obscura olim nomina â—oca nunc victoriis illius perduellium cladibus Nobilitatâ— Vix etiam ab his respiraverit cum novus belli furor Lassas jam fere continuis praeliis laxatas vires Numerocissimo exècitu adortus uberiorem triumphandi dedit materiam Cum ille in campis Strattoâ—iae in difficillimas licet Augustias redactus inops militaris instrumenti