white flag with Misericordia Misericordia 3. For his prudence 1. Tâ—at he saved the Commanders to oblige the Spaniard 2. That he plundered the Country to enrich his Souldiers 3. That he decimated the Souldiery to terrifie Invaders and hanged all the Irish to amaze the Traytors Henry Fitz-alaâ— Earl of Arundel when Steward at King Edward's Coronation or Constable at Queen Mary's was the first that rid in a Coach in England my Lord Gray was the first that brought a Coach hither one of a working Brain and a great Mechanist himself and no less a Patron to the Ingenious that were so That there was an emulation between him and Sussex was no wonder but that the instance wherein he thought to disgrace him should be his severity to the English Traytor and the Forreign Invadors would seem strange to any but those that conâ—ider 1. That Princes of late would seem as they look on the end and not the means so they hug a cruelty and frown on the Instrument of it who while he honestly sacrificeth some irrâ—gular particulars to the interest of Soveraignty may be made himself a sacrifice to the passion of populacy And â—â— which is the case here that aâ—piring Princes may employ severer Natures but setled ones use the more moderate Love keeps up the Empire which Power hath set up Observations on the Life of Thomas Lord Burge THomas Lord Burge or Borough was born in his Fathers noble house at Gainsborough in the County of Lincoln He was sent Embassadour into Scotland in 1593 to excuse Bothwel his lurking in England to advise the speedy suppression of the Spanish Faction to advance the Prâ—testants in that Kingdome for their Kings defence and to instruct that King about his Council which was done accordingly He was made Lord-Deputy of Ireland anno 1597 in the room of Sir William Russel Mr Cambden saith thus of him Vir acer animi plenus sed nullis ferè Castrorum rudimentis As soon as the Truce with Tyrone was expired he stâ—aightly beâ—ieged the Fort of Black-water the onely receptacle of the Rebels in those parts besides their Woods and Bogs Having taken this Fort by force presently followed a bloody Battle wherein the English lost many woâ—thy men He was struck with untimely death before he had continued a whole year in his place it being wittily observed of the short Lives of many worthy men Fatuos â— morte defendit ipsa insâ—lsitas si cui pluâ— caeteris aliquantulum salis insit quod miremini statim putrescit Things rare destroy themselves tâ—ose two things being incompaâ—ible in our nature Perfection and Lasliâ—â—ness His Educaâ—ion was not to any particular Profession yet his parts able to manage all A large soul and a great spirit apart from all advantages can do wonders His Master-piece was Embassi where his brave Estate set him above respectâ— and compliance and his comely person above contempt His Geography and history led to the Interest of other princes and his Experience to that of his own His skill in most Languages helped him to understand others and his resoluâ—ion to use onely his own to be reserved himself In two things he was very scrupulous 1. In his Commission 2. In his servants whom he always he said found honest enough but seldome quick and reserved And in two things very careful viz. 1. The time and humour of his Addresses 2. The Interest Inclinations and Dependencies of Favourites A grave and steady man observing every thing but affected with nothing keeping as great distance between his looks and his heart as between his words and his thoughts Very exact for his priviledges very cold and indifferent in his motions which were always guided by the emergencies in that Country and by his intelligence from home Good he was in pursuing his limited instruction excellent where he was free and his business was not his obedience onely but his discretion too that never failed but in his last enterprize which he undertook without any apparent advantage and attempted without intelligence An Enterprize well worthy his invincible Courage but not his accustomed prudence which should never expose the person of a General to the danger of a common Souldier Observations on the Life of William Lord Pawlet WIlliam Pawlet where-ever born had his laâ—gest estate and highest Honour Baron of Basing and Marquess of Winchâ—ster in Hantshire â— He was descended from a younger house of the Pawlets in Hinton St. George in Somersetshire as by the Crescent in his Arms is acknowledged One telleth us That he being a younger Brother and having wasted all that was left him came to court on trust where upon the stock of his Wit he trafficked so wisely and prospered so well that he got spent and left more than any subject since the Conquest Indeed he lived at the time of the dissolution of Abbeys which was the Harvest of Estates and it argued idleneâ—s if any Courtier had his Barns empty He was servant to King Henry the seventh and for thirty years together Treasuâ—er to King Henry the eightâ— Edward the sixth Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth the latter in some sort owed their Crowns to his Counsel his policy being the principal Defeater of Dâ—ke Dudley's Designe to dis-inherit them I behold this Lord Pawlet like to aged Adoram so often mentioned in Scriptures being over the Tribute in the days of King David all the Reign of King Solomon until the first year of Rehoboam And though our Lord Pawlet enjoyed his place not so many years yet did he serve more Soveraigns in more mutable times being as he said of himself No Oak but an Osier Herein the parallel holds not the hoary hairs of Adoram were sent to the Grave by a violent death slain by the people in a Tumult this Lord had the rare happiness of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 setting in his full splendour having lived 97 years and seen 103 out of his body He died anno Domini 1572. Thus far Mr. Fuller This Gentleman had two Rules as useful for mankind as they seem opposite to one another 1. That in our Considerations and Debates we should not dwell in deceitful Generals but look into clear Particulars 2. That in our Resolutions and Conclusions we should not rest on various Particulars but rise to uniform Generals A Man he was that reverenced himself that could be vertuous when alone and good when onely his own Theatre his own applause though excellent before the world his vertue improving by fame and glory as an heat which is doubled by reâ—lexion Observations on the Life of Sir James Dier JAmes Dier Knight younger Son to Richard Dier Esquire was born at Round-hill in Somersetshire as may appear to any by the Heralds Visitation thereof He was bred in the study of our Municipal Law and waâ— made Lord Chief Iustice of the Common Pleas primo Eliz. continuing therein twenty four years When Thomas Duke of Norfolk was
State-Worthies OR THE STATES-MEN And FAVOURITES OF ENGLAND Since the Reformation Their PRUDENCE and POLICIES SUCCESSES and MISCARRIAGES ADVANCEMENTS and FALLS During the Reigns of King HENRY VIII King EDWARD VI Queen MARY Queen ELIZABETH King â—AMES King CHARLES â— The Second Edition with Additions LONDON Printed by Thomas Mâ—lbourâ— for Sâ—â— Speed in Thread-needle-street neer the Royal-Exchange 1670. TO The HOPE of ENGLAND It s Young Gentry Is most humbly Dedicated The HONONUR of it It s ANCIENT STATESMEN A Renowned Ancestry TO An Honourable Posterity Whitehall BY permission and License of the Right Honourable Mr. Secretary Morice This Book may be Printed and Published Jo Cook TO THE READER Courteous Reader FOr bestowing some vacant hours by that excellent Personages direction to whom I am equally obliged for my Employment and my Leasure in an attempt so agreeable to the Lord Verulam's judgment which may be seen in the next page and so pursuant of Sir Robert Naunton's designe which may be traced in the following Book Another person's abilities might have gained applause and my weakness may deserve an excuse notwithstanding my years if yet any man be too young to read and observe or my profession if yet a Divine should not as times go be as well read in Men as Books Especially since I gratifie no man's fondness writing not a Panegyrick but an History Nor pleasure any persons malice designing Observations rather than Invectives Nor tyre any man's patience setting down rather the remarkes of mens publick capacities than the minute passages of their private lives but innocently discourse the most choice instances our ENGLISH Histories afford for the three great Qualifications of men 1. Noblenesse in behaviour 2. Dexterity in business and 3. Wisdome in Government among which are twenty eight Secretaries of State eight Chancellours eighteen Lord Treasurers sixteen Chamberlains who entertain Gentlemen with Observations becoming their Extraction and their hopes touching 1. The rise of States-men 2. The beginning of Families 3. The method of Greatness 4. The conduct of Courtiers 5. The miscarriages of Favourites and what-ever may make them either wise or wary The Chancellour of France had a Picture that to a coâ—mon eye shewed many little heads and they were his Ancestorsâ— but to the more curious represented onely one great one and that was his own It 's inâ—ended that this Book should to the vulgar Reader express several particulars i. e. all this last Ages Heroes but to every Gentleman it should intimate onely one and that is himself It 's easily imaginable how unconcerned I am in the fate of this Book either in the History or the Observation since I have been so faithful in the â—irst that is not my own but the Historians and so careful in the second that they are not mine but the Histories DAVID LLOYD The Lord Bacon's Iudgment of a Work of this nature HIstory which may be called just and perfect History is of three kinds according to the object it propoundeth or pretendeth to represent for it either representeth a Time a Person or an Action The first we call Chronicles the second Lives and the third Narrations or Relations Of these although the first be the most compleat and absolute kind of History and hath most estimation and glory yet the second excelleth it in profit and use and the third in verity and sincerity For history of Times representeth the magnitude of Actions and the publick faces or deportments of persons and passeth over in silence the smaller passages and motions of Men and Matters But such being the workmanship of God as he doth hang the greatest weight upon the smallest wyars Maxima è minimis suspendens it comes therefore to pass that such Histories do rather set forth the pomp of business than the true and inward resorts thereof But Lives if they be well written propounding to themselves a person to represent in whom actions both greater and smaller publick and private have a commixture must of necessity contain a more true native and lively representation I do much admire that these times have so little esteemed the vertues of the Times as that the writing of Lives should be no more frequent For although there be not many Soveraign Princes or absolute Commanders and that States are most collected into Monarchies yet are there many worthy personages that deserve better than dispersed Report or barren Elogies For herein the invention of one of the late Poets is proper and doth well inrich the ancient fiction For he feigneth that at the end of the thread or web of every mans Life there was a little Medal containing the person's name and that Time waiteth upon the Sheers and as soon as the Thread was cut caught the Medials and carried them to the River Lethe and about the bank there were many Birds flying up and down that would get the Medials and carry them in their beak a little while and then let them fall into the River Onely there were a few Swans which if they got a Name would carry it to a Temple where it was consecrate THE TABLE A Pag. SIr Thomas Audly 72 Fiz-Allan Earl of Arundel 415 Master Roger Ashcam 613 Arch-Bishop Abbot 746 Sir Edmund Anderson 803 Bishop Andrews 1024 Sir Walter Aston 932 Sir Robert Armstroder 951 Philip Earl of Arundel 953. B. CHarles Brandon Duke of Suffolk 27 Sir Thomas Bollen 137 Edw. Stafford D. of Bucks 159 Sir Anthony Brown 164 Sir David Brook 386 Sir John Russel 1 E. of B. 442 Sir John Baker 460 Sir Will. Cecil L. Burleigh 473 Arch-Bishop Bancroft 704 Sir Nich. Bacon 470 Thomas Lord Burge 591 Sir Thomas Bromley 609 Sir Richard Bingham 612 Tho. Sackvil L. Buckhurst 677. Sir Fulke Grevil L. Brook 727 Sir Thomas Bodley 805 John L. Digby E. of Bristol 838 G. V. Duke of Buckingh 843 Sir Francis Bacon 828 Sir John Bramston 926 Lord Chief-Iustice Banks 960 C. ARch-Bishop Cranmer 35 T. Cromwel Earl of Esâ—ex 57 Sir William Compton 145 Sir Thomas Cheyney 466 Sir John Cheek 191 Sir William Cordel 369 Sir Anthony Cook 373 Sir W. Cecil L. Burleigh 473 Sir Thomas Challoner 534 Sir James Crofts 569 Cliffords Earls of Cumberland 721 Sir R. Cecil E. of Salisbury 730 Sir George Calvert 750 Sir Arthur Chichester 753 L. Cranfield E. of Mid. 778 Sir Robert Cary 794 Doctor Richard Cosin 817 Lord Chief Justice Cook 820 Lord Cottington 906 Sir Dudly Carleton 910 Lord Conway 919 Sir Julius Caesar 934 Earl of Carnarvan 1014 The Cary's Lords Viscounâ—s Faulklands 938 Lord Capel 1021 Sir John Culpepper 1042 Sir Georgâ— Crook 949 James Hay E. of Carlisle 774 Sir Thomas Coventry 978 Sir John Cook 944 L. Herbert of Cherbury 1017 D. SIr Thomas Darcy 130 T. Grey Marquess of Dorset 152 Dudly D. of Northumberland 420 W. Devereux E. of Essex 486 Edward Earl of Derby 547 Sir William Drury 558 Doctor Dale 564 Sir James Dier 595 Secretary Davison 624 Sir G. Hume E. of Dunb 740 Sir
soapy bubbles quickly dissolved Cicero could say that Rome ought more of its grandeur to Religion than either to strength or stratagems we have not exceeded the Spaniards in number nor the Gaules in strength nor the Carthaginians in craft nor the Graecians in Art c. but we have overcome all Nations by our Piety and Religion He esteemed all Common-wealths happy but those wherein Preachers like the Graecian Sophisters described in Plato all whatsoever pleased the great Beast the multitude holy just and good and whatsoever the great Beast disliked evil unjust prophane He married himself to Vertue and not to an Estate he likes a younger sister yet out of civility he embraceth the elder Happy he was in his modest Wives happier in his hopeful Children His Government of his Family was exact enjoyning all his Children to take Vertue for their meat and Play for their sawce His proficiency in the Law was admirable his Practice successeful his Judgment solid his Integrity eminent his Determinations in the Sheriffs Court his Activity for the Stilyard his Practice in the Courts of Justice raised him to a Place in Parliament where he was so good a Patriot that he displeased King Henry the seventh and so wise a man that he awed King Henry the eighth the one by Fox demands one Subsidie and three Fifteens and the beardless boy as the Courtiers called Sir Thomas disappointed him the other made a motion by Wolsey which he overthrew so that the Cardinal wished him at Rome He retires to his studies to avoid Henry the seventh's displeasure and improves them to gain his sons favour who by his Cardinal invited him to Court and employed him abroad to France to recover his debts to Flanders to confirm the peace Employments he avoided a while to keep his City-interest and in case of controversie with the King to prevent their jealousie his business was so urgent that you would think he had no leasure and his writings so exact that you would think he had no business Not a minute of his time escaped employment His History of Richard the third is faithful his Vtopia is judicious and elegant his Lectures at St. Laurence were learned and pious His Popularity in Parliament commended him to his Majesty his strong Arguments for the Popeship in Star-chamber brought him to him against his modest inclination as much as against Wolsey's interest His ability set him on the Council-table his integrity placed him in the Exchequer His Services promoted him to the Dutchy of Lancaster his Dexterity and Prudence made him the Kings bosome friend and his familiar all his spare hours whose Questions in every Art and Science were not more useful than Sir Thomas his Answers were satisfactory His advice was his Majesties and his Queens Oracles in Counsel his discourse was their recreation at Table He was not more delightful to the King at Court than he was serviceable to him in appeasing tumults c. in the Cityâ— He was the Kings Favourite at White-hall and the Peoples Darling at Westminster where he was Speaker as well with the unanimous consent of the one as with the approbation of the other and between both impartial equally careful of Prerogative and Priviledges neither awed from right by power nor flattered with popularity He declined Forein services with as much Dexterity as he managed Domestick ones He served the King faithfully but trusted him not as one that enjoyed and suspected Fortune saying If his Head could win King Henry a Castle in Wales it would off The King and Kingdome trusted him who was that one sound Councellour the King had The Cardinal told him he was the veriest Fool in the Council he replied God be thanked my Master hath but one fool here His Honour was set off by a grave condescention and a grave humility Did he argue he was very moderate civil and modest Did he reprove he was pitiful grave and prudent Was he with the King at the University he was ready and eloquent Was he abroad he heard thâ— Lectures attentively and disputed accurately To his Friend as Dr. Tunstal none more faithful to learned men as Erasmus none more civil to devout men such as Bishop Fisher none more fiâ—m to hopeful men such as Powle there was none more encouraging to painful men such as Grocinus Linacer Crocus Lupsel Lilly Cocklee Budlera Dorpin Bewald Luscar Grannould Vines Groclenius Buslidian AEgidius Rhenanus none more familiar constant or liberal in his conscience none more satisfied and sedate in his discourse none more innocent and pleasant in his heart none more devout and sincere His meditations were frequent his retirements to a Chappel built of purpose daily his Prayers constant and zealous his conversation with his Wives loving and debonnair taking them off their cares to reading and musick His Servants were always employed either in his or Gods service suffering them not by idleness to be at leisure for sin nor by wanton converse to be tempted to it His Table-talk after the Chapter was pleasing and useful his counsels useful his converse exemplary his family-instructions to hear afflictions patiently to withstand temptations resolvedly to mind heavenly matters devoutly to go plainly and soberly to recreate themselves moderately and vertuously were effectual There went a blessing along with all his Servants and happiness with his whole Family His Apophthegms were grounded on experience and judgement He would say 1. He was not always merryâ— that laughed 2. The World is undone â—y looking on things at distance 3. To aim at Honour here is to set up a Court of Arms over a Prison-gate 4. If I would employ my Goods well I may be contented to loose them if ill I should be glad 5. He that is covetous when he is old iâ— as a Thief that steals when he is going to the Gallows 6. Bags of Gold to us when Saints will be but as a Bag of Pebble-stones when men 7. The greatest punishment in the World were to have our wishes 8. Pusillanimity is a great temptation 9. Affliction undoes many Pleasure most 10. We go to Hell with more pain than we might go to Heaven with Of Heresie he said Like as before a great storm the Sea swelleth and hath unwonted motions without any Wind stirring so may we see here many of our English-men which a few years ago could not endure to hear the name of an Heretick or Schismatick now to be contented both to suffer them and to praise them somewhat yea to learn by little and little as much as they can be suffered to finde fault and to tax willingly the Church the Clergy and the Ceremonies 11. The more of any thing else we have but Riches the more good we are 12. Who would not send his Alms to Heavenâ— Who would not send his Estate whither he is to be banished 13. Some Men hate Hypocrisie and love Impudence 14. When any detracted others at his Table he said
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
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
with the same success that the Gown-man Harangued it before Alexander of Military Affairs who laughed at the Scholar for talking of War to a Souldier his defence of his Master being the more observable for his civilities to his adversaries he being very cautious of reflecting upon his Patrons Enemies while he excused him the bespattering of others being not the best method of purging him and Memnon gave a railing Souldier a good blow with his Launce saying I hired thee to fight and not to raile Neither delighted he in being the Davus the troubler of the Parliament which he observed play'd the part of fond Musicians which spend so much time in tuning their Instruments that there is none left to spare for their Musick He wished that our reformation might be in one respect like the reformation of the Turkes who thought that the best way to understand the Alâ—oran was to burn all the Interpreters it being true of the Bible what one observeth of one Text of it that was clear before it was commented upon A truth become seasonable as there is no new thing under the Sun and what â—ath been will be in a less revolution of time than Plato's great Yeâ—r even in our times when passion guides Religion that should be governed by it as being without iâ— but a short madness turning man into a wild Beast that is goared which runneth upon every thing that cometh in its way without consideration or like a violent torrent descending down impeâ—uously from a steep Hill which beareth down all respects before it divine and humane For whilst passion is in the heighth there is no room for reason nor any use of the dictates of the understanding the mind for the time being like the Cyclopian Cave where no Man heard what another said only what they want in them singly in reason may joyntly be made up in noise and their respective defects in Arguments be supplied by their communion in suffrage And it is the wisdom of those who are concerned in what they oppose to stand out of their way at least till the storm be over Omnis campis duffugit Arator Omnis Agricola Dum pluit in terris ut possint sole reductâ— Exercere diem Their reason with time and due consideration will be better attended to when this earnestness hath a little spent its self into a calmness and allay Such was his Wit such his Eloquence that they who hated the Client admired the Advocate And though he could not keep his Patron from falling yet he raised himself that being the first time his Eminent Parts were observed An advantageous starting is more than half way in the Race of Preferment For hereupon he is first Master of the Kings Jewels and then of what was more precious his Secrets His Conscience inclined him to the Churches Reformation his Interest complied with the Kings he unlocked the secreâ—s of Monasteries by his Spies and put the King upon destroying them by his Power The University of Cambridge made him Chancellor to save it self where though he did no great good yet hiâ— Greatness kept others from doing harm in an Age wâ—erein Covetousness could quarrel a Colledge as well as an Abbey into superstition He was trusted by the King with the Rollâ— and Records of England and by the Scholars with the Charters and Satutes of their Universities He reforms the University in order to the Reformation of the Church enjoyning the study of the Scripture and the Tongues instead of School-Divinity and Barbarism recommending Aristotle Agricola Melancthon to their reading and the Doctrine which is in Spirit and in Truth to their Faith and razing the Popes Bulls to make way for the Kings Favour and that Architectonical Power to see that all subjects within his Dominion do their duties in their several Callings for the safety and tranquillity of the Common-wealth He was an eminent Minister of State and Chief Governour of the Church proceeding in Convocation very discreetly modelling the Church-Laws very prudently and moderately looking into Monastical Abuses very narrowly and industrioâ—sly mawling Religious Houses violently pulling down those Nests that the Rooks might not return His Master had disobliged the Pope and he weakeneth him It was not safe to disown his Supremacy and entertain thousands of his Creatures If a Kingdom be divided against it self it cannot stand and if one part of the English pay their devoâ—ion to a supream Head at Rome and another to a supream Governour in England they must both fall If the Persons might disturb the Government it is fit their Estates should secure it and if the Papists should foment a War their Lands should maintain it But Cromwel contrives that the Pope should confirm Alienations in Wolsey before he shâ—uld practise it for the King As the King knew whom he employed when he trusted him so he knew whom he trusted when he employed Doctoâ— Lee an able servant to an abler Master He fiâ—st decâ—yed Religious Men out of their Covents by the allurement of Liberty and then forced them out by Power and Authority As the Abbeys improved his Estate so his Master advanced his Honour He had one Privy Seal always to act by and was Keeper of another He had no sooner attained an Earldom for himself but foreseeing the alteration of Affairs he secured a Barony for his Son nor forfeitable by the Attainder of the Father Within five years he was Master of the Jewel-house Chancellor of the Exchequer Secretary of State Baron and Viscount Wimbledon in Middlesex Vicar General Master of the Rolls Knight of the Garter Keeper of the Privy Seal Lord High Chamberlain and Earl of Essex Justice in Eyre of Forrests Chases and Parks c. N. Trent â— Within five Months he quitted most of these places and in five minutes lost all He must needs be envied whose Birth was so much beneath all others and his Preferment above them especially when the King in preferring him injured others as the Citizens in managing the Jewels the Courtiers in undertaking State-affairs the Lawyers in the Rolls the Nobly descended at Winsor the Clergy in the Convocation the Earl oâ— Oxford and the Family of the Bourchiers in the great Chamberlainship and Earldom of Essex But he cares not whom he displeaseth if he can oblige his Master whose power he advanceth in the Paâ—liament and Synod as he improveth his Reâ—enue in the Office of first-Fâ—uits and the Court of Augmentation His Greatness waâ— allayed with his Goodness and the Envy of the One mitigated by â—he Liberality of the other He had not more Suiters at his Door than Almes-men two hundred at a time As he was good abroad so he was at home calling upon his Servants yearly to give him an account what they had got under him and what they desired of him warning them to improve their opportunities because he said he was too great to stand long providing for them as carefully as for his Son
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
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