an Emperour it was more none was dismissed ever in discontent from Sir William Paget a Secretary of State The King was not happier in his abilities to serve him than he was in their dexterity who waited upon him These are my eyes saith the discreet man these are my right hands For his service he would chuse a Man before a Scholar a Traveller before a Home-bred Parts he preferred in his Office a Presence in his Chamber Parts and Presence in the Closet Beecher was King Henry the Eighth his Map of England so well skilled he was in our English Customs Trade Improvements Situation Interest and Inclination Paget was his Table of Germany France and Rome so exact an account could he give of their Situation Havens Forts Passages Provision Policies Revenue and Strength secured he was in King Henry's changeable times by his forein Travels and Employments Escape he did King Edward's Reformation by his Moderation and peaceableness He complied with Queen Mary's Zeal out of conscience and submitted to Queen Elizabeth's Authority out of Duty and Allegiance being one of those moderate men that looked upon the Protestants primitive Foundations of Faith Duty and Devotion as safe and on the Papists superstructures as not damnable Whose life was Grotius and Cassander's Wish An Accommodation to the Christian World Privacy is the Favourites Inâ—erest and concealment his â—are Sir William wished for success for his Masters sake but dissembled it for his own He is the man that loseth neither his Privacy nor his Reputation Quiet was his temper though noble his resolution Troublesome is a witty man on a stage as a Monkey in a cup-board of glass Placed sweet and composed is the prudent Man like an Intelligence in the Heavens or a god in the World Up he went but by just degrees that if down he must he might do so with the same leasure and safety When he had managed the Secrets and Negotiations of Henry the Eighth with Dexterity and Faithfulness the Lands of King Edward the Sixth with Skill and Improvement the Purses of Queen Mary Qâ—een Elizabeth with good Husbandry and Caâ—e When he had lived enough to his Countries to his Sovereigns to his Friends and the Publique Good he retired to live to Himself first and then to his GOD. Observations on the Life of Sir Richard Morisin SIr Richard Morisin born in Essex or in Oxfordshire was brought up at Eaton Cambridge and Inns of Court He was so skilful in Latine and Greek and in the Common and Civil Law that he was often employed Embassador by King Henry the VIII and Edward the VI unto Charles the Fifth Emperour and other Princes of Germany which he dischargeâ— with all honesty and ability After the death of King Edward the VI he was forced to fly beyond the Seas and returning out of Italy died at Strasburgh on the 17. of March 1556. Three things made a compleat man in those days 1. A publick School where their School-fellows Genius's instruct much more tâ—an their School-masters pains where a man attains at once to Learning Prudence and a Spirit 2. A comprehensive insight into Tongues and Sciences by the first whereof they unlocked Men and by the second Things â— 3 Travel where they saw what they read and made that a solid apprehension and observation which was before but a fluid notion and a floating imagination Our Knight was happy in all Three but so compleat in the last that he had the Virtues and Port of a German as if he had been a Native of that place and loathed the Vices as if he had never seen it Thereby he could get so far within that people that he saw all their Intrigues and be yet so reserved that they could see nothing The ablest German Divines guided his conscience and the greatest Statesmen his Negotiation He kept under the Emperour by the Princes the French by the Emperour and the Pope by them all So much service did the good Knight to King Henry the Eighth in his Wise Katharine's Case and so much the whole Kingdom in that of Religion that he equally fled Qâ—een Mary's wrath and her Religious Persecutions His strong paâ—ts set off his comprehensive knowledge his resolute spirit his parts and his presence and mode all King Henry always chusing an Embassador that might represent his Person as well as his power And Sir Richard had his Hegh in Germany as well as Henry in England His knack was his foresight which made that an Adviso in England which was hardly a known design there saying usually His Master maintained not Embassadors so much to write Histories as Prophecies The Trejans sent to condole with Caesar for his Son that was dead two years ago he thanked them and condoled with them for Hector that was slain as many hundred years Our Embassador in France adviseth Sir Richard of a Battel fought a Week before and he in answer makes a large discourse of the Battel of Spurs fought many years before and adds I and You are not here to tell old stories Two things he said he was troubled with Envy and Malice and two Remedies he had against them Patience and Resolution Always he wheeled with the first Mover yet he had private motions of his own Singular but modest So faithful he was that he would dâ—clare his Opinion yet so wary that he would not stand in it against his Prince knowing that if he did it out of prudence he rendered the Princes Ability suspected if out of his own sagacity it blemished his Integrity Both equal inconveniencies to intimate the Master Unable or the Servant Corrupt When others pressed for an over-strict Reformatiâ—n this Gentleman urged That Distempers in the Body and State are reduced by Physicians and Politicians not to what they should be but to what they can be Freedom Moderation and Impartiality are the best tempers of Reforming Counsels and Endeavours What is acted singularly must offend more than it pleaseth a study to gratify some men being a likely way to injure all The novelty of excessive and immoderate undertakings giving not so much content to the vulgar of a present Age as the mischiefs of them give offense to the Generations of future times And Melancthon's discourse to him was to this purpose That the Reformation of hearts should go before that of Churches and men should try that on their own hearts which they design upon the Church For Deformities within will soon betray the Pretenders of publique Reformation to such private designs as must needs hinder the publique Good It would be an easie matter for Favouâ—iâ—es to reform Kings Palaces saith Malvezzi if it were not a hard thing to reform their own houses One asked him Why his Embassie tended so much more to preserve his Masters Dominions than to augment them And he replyed what is fathered on Henry the Fourth That getting is a Chance but Keeping is a Wit After a long reâ—idence abroad he thought of
character and commendation of my Lord Bacon the Settling and the Peaceable such as Edward the VI in whose Reign he was advaâ—ced and Queen Elizabeth in whose Reign he was restored It was in pursuance of King Henry's Statute that he cloâ—ed with King Edward's Will For this Clause he pâ—oduced for himself Provided That if the Lady Mary do not keep nor perform such Conditions which shall be limited and appointed as aforesaid that then and from thenceforth for lack of Heirs of the Kings Body and the said Lord Prince lawfully begotten the said Imperiâ—l Crown and other the Premisses shall be come and remain to sucâ— Person and Persons and of such Estate and Estates as the Kings Highness by his Letters Patents sealed under His Great Seal or by His last Will in Writing signed with His Hand shall limiâ— and appoint Isocrates was a man of an excellent Wit but finding himself destitute of countenance gesture and confidence he never durst speak in publick contenting himself to teach even to his decrepit days and commonly saying He taught Rhetorique for a thousand Ryals but would give more tâ—an ten thousand to him that would teach him confidence Tâ—is Marqâ—eâ—s brought up many a Courtier yet had not the face to be One himself until Queen Elizabeth who balanced her Council in point of Religion in the beginning of her Reign aâ— she did her Court in point of Interest throughout threatned him to the Câ—uncil-Board first and then to her Cabinet where none more secret to keep counsel none more faithful to gâ—ve it and more modest to submit A sincere plain direct man noâ— crafty nor involved Observations on the Life of Sir John Cheek SIr Iohn Cheek born over against the Market-Cross in Cambridge became Tuâ—or to King Edward the Sixth and Secretary of State Not â—o meanâ—y descended as Sir Iohn Heyward pretends who writes him The Son of his own Deserts being a Bâ—anch of the Cheeks of Moston in the Isle of Wight where their Estate was â—hree hundred pound a year three hundred years ago and no more within this thiâ—ty years happy in his Father Mr. Peter Cheek whose first tuiâ—ion seasoned him happier in his good Mother that grave Matron whose good counsel Christian charge when he was going to Court setâ—led him and happiest of all in the place of his birth where he fell from his Mothers VVomb to the Muses Lap and learned as soon as he lived being a Scholar sooner than he was a man A German had the care of his younger studies and a Frenchman of his carriage his parâ—s being too large to be confined to the narrowness of English Rules and too sprightly to attend the â—edioâ—sness and creep by the compass of an English method The same day was he and Mr. Ascham admitted to St. Iohns and the same week to Court the one to the Tuition oâ— Edward the sixth the other of Queen Elizabeth there they were both happy in their Master Doctor Metcalf who though he could not as Themistocles said fiddle yet he could make a liâ—tle Colâ—edge a great one and breed Scholars thâ—ugh he was none His advice deterred them from the rough Learning of the Modern Schoolmen and their own Genius led them to the more polite studies of the antient Orators and Historians wherein they profiâ—ed so well that the one was the copious Orator the other the Greek Professor of that University A contest began now between the Introducers of the New and the Defenders of the Old Pronunciation of the Greek the former endeavoured to give each Leâ—ter Vowel and Diphthong its full sound whilst Doctor Caius and others of the Old stamp cried out against his Project and the Promoters of it taxing It â—or novelty and Them for want of experience and affirming Greek it self to be barbarous so clownishly utâ—ered and that neither France Germany nor Italy owned any such Pronunciation Iohn Cheek and Thomas Smith maintained that this was no Innovation but the antient utterance of Greek most clear and most full Chancellour Gardiner then interposed against the Pronunciation and the Authors of it But custom hath since prevailed for the use of the one and the due commendation of the other Sir Iohn Cheek's Authors were Isocrates and Thucydides his Auditors the youngest that came thither for Language and the oldest that heard him for his Discourse and Policy The one preferred him to the ample Provostship of Kings the other to the great tâ—ust of Secretary of State Prince Edward studied not his Book more sedulously than he studied him that his Rules might comply with his Inclination his Lectures with his temper Lectures that were rather Discourses instilled to him Majestically as a Prince than Lessons beaten into him pedantiquely as a School-boy The wise Man would not be debasing his Royal Pupils mind with the nauseated and low crumbs of a Pedant but ennobling it with the free and high Maximes of a States-man sugaring the more austere parts of Learning with the pleasures of Poetry Discourse Apologues and so deceiving the Royal Youth to an improvement before his own years and others comprehension His very Recreations were useful and his Series of lighter exercises for he observed a method in them too a constant study his Table his School his Meat his Discipline the industrious Tutor filling up each space of his time with its suitable instruction it being his Maxime That Time and Observation were the best Masters and Exercise the bâ—st Tutor While others doated over their Rules his Pupils practised them no day passing without his Letters to the King as that Literae meae unum semper habet Argumentum Rex Nobilissime Pater Illustrissime hoc est in omnibus Epistolis ago tâ—bi graâ—ias c. or to the Queen as that Quod non ad te jamdiu scriberoni in causa fuit non negligentia sed studium non â—nim hoc feci ut nunquam omnino scriberem sed accuratius scriberem c. I have two Tutors said King Edward to Cardan Diligence and Moderation Sir Jo. Cheeke and Doctor Coxe So exact an account he gave Prince Edward of his Fathers Kingdome and its Interest that King Henry designed him for Secretary and King Edward made him one Three years he had that place and in that three years did England more service so great his Parts Learning and Religion more kindness such his eminency in both and gave the People more satisfaction such his Integrity and Dexterity than all that went before him and most that came after him He was the first that brought in the use of a Diary and his Pupil the next that practised it His Aphorism it was That a dark and imperfect reflexion upon Affairs floating in the memory was like words dispersed and insignificant whereas a compleat view of them in a Book was like the same words pointed in a period and made significant Much did the Kingdome value him but more the King for being once
else his clear Head and smooth Tongue engrossed all the Kings Favour and most persons addresses which advanced his Estate much and hiâ— Reputation more in so much that the management of and Provision for the great Voyage to France 5. H. 8. by Sea and Land was trusted to his sole Care and ordered to very good effect by his sole Discretion not neglecting his own affairs while he provided for the King 's being the most dextrous by his correspondents at discovering Preferments the closest at attaining of them the quickest at Posâ—essing them and the most skilfull for Improveing them of any man living Punctual in keeping up the honour of his Place witness his advanceing of his Crâ—sses as Primate of England above those of Canterbury as Primaâ—e of all England pitty sâ—ith one that they who should conteâ—d de pascendis ovibus should fall out de lanâ caprinâ and what Jurisdiction he wanted as Aâ—ch-Bâ—shop he made up as Cardinal Legate de latere and Chancellour In which capacity he kept 500 Servantâ— among whom 9 or 10 Lords 15 Knights and 40 Esquires in which respect he was sent upon two Embassies of State to the Emperour Charles the 5th in Flanders to the great honour of the English Nation He entertained all Ambassadors to the great satisfaction of all Forein Princes and the King often to his great content administring to his Majesties Pleasure that he might enjoy his power discovering as great skill in his Treats as in his Government especially careful oâ— three things 1. His Pomp to keep his place from contempt it being not enough for a man in Authority to have a power that may awe the Judgment of the wise to subjection unless he have a pomp too that may dazzle the eyes of the vulgar into Veneration though Envy is the most dangerous thing that can happen to a private man yet contempt is the worst thing that can befall a publick person this weakning the being of the later which consiâ—ts in his power as the other doth the comfort of the first which consisteth in his Peace 2. His Devotion neglecting not one Collect of his Prayers for all the cumbrances of his place wherein he deceived many of the people thinking he had no time for his Devotion from his business and his Servanâ—s wondering how he could gain time for his business from his Devotion he made Conscience of Religion because in his experience of affaires he met with many providences of God that made him really believe it he made no shew of it because the world believed such men as he did but pretend it 3. His Health never going out without a perfumed Orange into the great Croud that always awaited him to whom al persons came fiâ—st before they went to the King that he wanted such things was to sober men argument of the Frailty of the greatest man that he used them was to envious men an argument of the pride oâ— a poor man Which puteth me in mind of Plinyes description of a man than whom he saith there is not a living Creature more wretched or more Proud For the last of which qualities it was that our Icarus though a man of great capacity large expeâ—ience and comparative moderation moultred his wing so soon in the beams of Royal Majesty Buâ— aâ— our Laureate hath it God help the man so wrapped in Errours endless train one Anticyra hath noâ— Hellebore enough to cure him Two Corrivals he had Edward Stafford Duke of Buckingham Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk Brandon he despised as rather besides saith my Author than againâ—t him hâ— being the Kings Companion in pleasure Wolsey his Councellour in Policy the Duke great with young Henry the Bishop with the King Buckingham he feared as popular and undermined as proud that Tower must fall whoâ—e Foundation is hollow Buckingham was high in Birth Honour and Estate Wolsey higher in Prudence whose Malice did the brave Duke much mischief and his own folly more Vain-glory writes my Friend ever lieth at open guard and gives much advantage of play to her Enemies A deboyst King is jealous and a weak Nobleman ambitious In fine he is attainted of High Treason though rather Corrival to the King in his Cloaths than his Crown in his Vanities than his Authority but a cunning Upstart quickly blows off a young Noblemans Cap and Feaâ—her and his Head too when it stands in his way Tarquin instructed more than his own Son by striking off the heads of the Poppies His power agâ—inst Buckingham was his Shield against all others One defense well managed one Adversary throughly suppressed is a Security at Court where two men sâ—ldom fall the same way Many envied the Archbishop the Cardinal the Legate de latere the Lord Chancellour but all feared the Favourite most were discontented but none durst shake their Heads leâ—t they fell off with Buckingham's the Bishops displeasure was more fatal than the Kings whose wrath was violent but noâ— lasting as the Others anger was of less fury but more malice real and more secret he having set up as indiscernible way of Intelligence as Angels do of Communication he and his correspondents understanding one another not by discourse but by the present state of things as those Intelligences understand one another not by speech but by Ideas His Power was great and his Justice equal for he was too proud to be bribed and too powerful to be overborn But England was too narrow a Theatre for this great Spirit and he aspires to Rome and having been these many years Pope of this other world would have been of that beyond the waters his leap was great from York to Rome and his rise as good Charles the Fifth was his Client and his Masters Servant the Cardinals were his Pensioners and when they failed as he is no Fox whose Den hath but one hole and he no Statesman who when one way is stopped cuts not out another he falls off from the German Emperour to the Fâ—ench King where if he could not carry his own Design he would hinder the Emperours and Revenge is an Advancement so great was he that his Friendship balanced Europe over-awed Emperours threatned Kings and was fatal to Queens if he cannot be Pope of Rome he will shew he is as good as King of England for finding that the King wanted a meet Yoak-Fellow for his Bed and a lawful Heir-Male to his Crown and observing Queen Katharines Age above her Husbands and her Gravity above her Age being more Pious than pleasant a better Woman than Wife and a better Wife for any Prince than King Henry he promotes a Divorce upon some Scruples intimated by the Spaniard some years before in a Treaty about the Princesse Mary's Marriage which others had forgot but the Cardinal laid up between the King and Qâ—een but that was not all but knowing that King Henry could not have a Wife to his minde until he had a Pope of his own choosing he would
affecting as one said well free-will in thinking as well as in acting and at the new discoursing wits that were as unsettled though not so rational as the old Scepticks until he considered the difficulty of discerning truth the hardship of confining the Quick-silver thoughts within the limits it prescribeth or submitting them to the burden it imposeth One of the latter Schools of the Grecians examineth the matter it is the Lord Verulams observation and is at a stand to think what should be in it that men should love lies where neither they make for pleasure as with Poets nor for advantage as with the Merchant but for the lies sake But I cannot tell why this same truth is a naked and open day-light that doeth not shew the Masques and Mummeries and triumphs of the present world halfe so stately and daintily as Candlelights Truth may perhaps come to the price of a pearl that sheweth best by day but it will not rise to the pâ—ice of a Diamond or Carbuncle that sheweth best in varied lights a mixture of lies doth ever add pleasure Doth any man doubt thâ—t if there were taken out of mens minds vain opinions flattering hopes false valuations imaginations as one would and the like vinum daemonum as a Father calls Poetry but it would leave the minds of a number of men poor shrunken things full of melancholy and indisposition and unpleasing to themselves Clear and round dealing this Noble mans temper is the honour of mans nature and that mixture of falsehood is like allay in coyn of gold and silver which may make the metal work the better but embaseth it For there winding and crooked Courts are the goings of the Serpent which goeth basely upon the belly and not upon the foot There is nothing of so ill consequence to the publick a falsehood or speech being the currant coyn oâ— converse the putting false money upon the world or of so much prejudice to a mans own interest as perfidiousness which weakeneth his great security which stands by him when his estate and friendâ— cannot or so dark a blot as dissembling which as Mountaign saith prettily is only to be Brave towards God and a Coward towards man For a Lye faceth God and shrinketh from man His hearr was too stout and his head too clear to use those Arts of closeness and dissimulation which those need who have not judgment and wit enough to discern all the circumstances of an affair so as to know when to tell a truth nor courage and valour enough to look in the face of all the consâ—quences of a business so as to own it A man better made for the open Arts and generous policy of H. 8. than the suspicious closeness and the wary reservedness of H. 7. His Father lost his life in completing the union of Roses I mean York and Lancaster and he in beginning the union of Kingdoms viz. England and Scotland by treaty and England and France by War he being the first that durst fasten the Royal Standard in the sides of Bulleign and the last that advanced the St. George in the middle of it both taking and governing it The greatest thing that ever that age saw was if we believe Sleidan the delivery of the Keys of Bulleign by â— French Governour to the Duke of Suffolks hand and the greatest thing King H. 8. saw he saith was the delivery of those keys by the Duke into his hand insomuch that despairing of greater the one died that year the other the next Queen Elizabeth being to employ a famous Ambassage into France made choice of two of the Noblest Peers of her Realm equal in Rank equal in Virtue but the one excused it by a defect in his hearing and the other by an ignorance and want of the French Language To which the Queen smilingly replied that it was a miserable estate when her speaking Peers were deaf and her hearing Peers were dumb Our Duke used to complain â—hat two of the most eminent mâ—n in the Council in his time had two different but unhappy qualities the one a well-spoken man had such a humour that he pretended he understood hardly any body the other a person of an excellent judgment but speaking so darkly that hardly any body understood him He avoided two things first Catching too soon at an offence Secondly Yeilding too easie a way to anger the one shewing a weak judgment the other a perverse nature which rendereth great men as ridiculous as it did the Ambassadors of Spain and Venice who drew blood from one another in the most August Assembly at the Coronation of R. H. 4th Queen in France because one of them used the word excellency instead of the word Seigniory But in these cases he observed the Roman Discipline nec sequi nec fugere to be more prudent than to catch at such trifling Cavils and more courageous than to shun if they were offered to him being very cautious also in mentioning the name of God in small matters Nec deus Intersit nisi dignus vindice nodus Inciderit and more willing to build his resolution on the experience of former ages than his own thought being very unwilling to be of the number of those people who like the Chinois think they have two eyes their friends as those think of the Europaeans one and other men as they think of the rest blind Being vexed with the delays at Rome and the delusions at Bridewel where the Cardinals proceeded according to their instructions at Rome one day he knocks on the Table in the presence of the two Cardinals and binds it with an Oath That it was never well in England since Cardinals had any thing to do therein and from that time forward as an active Instrument he endeavoured the abolishing of the Popes power in England against whom he was not more active in the Parliament 1534 than he was vigilant in the Committee 1535 in the one cutting off the head in the other weakening the members of that Church He mâ—de provident yet moderate use of his Masters favours thereby obliging others and securing himself being above Mercenary inclinations as much in his thoughts as in his â—ortune he was neither too near the King lest he were weary of him nor too far off lest he forgot him or thought himself neglected by him His intermissions of attendance gave others no advantage but rendred him more gracious he neither engrossed nor confined his Masters affection It was easie for him to rise being descended of Noble Blood which is never envied for its advancement and as easie to keep high being well studied in his Princes disposition whose inclination when found is half fitted ever pleasing his Masters Natural humour never his Vicious Having attained a competent height he chose rather to grow stronger by relation than higher by advancement Some Favourites whose heels have been tripped up by their adversaries have with their hands held on their Allies till they could recover
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
him one night to dancing this being his grave resolution That he who thought himself a wise man in the day-time would not be a fool at night otherwise none carryed himself more handsomely none conversed more ingeniously and freely none discoursed more facetiously or solidly In a word it was his peculiar happiness that his deportment was neither too severe for King Henry the eighth's time nor too loose for Henry the seventh's neither all honey nor all gall but a sweet mixture and temperament of affability and gravity carrying an equal measure of Sir Thomas More 's ingenuity in his head and Sir Thomas Cromwel's wisdome in his heart equally fashioned for discourse and business in the last whereof he was active but not troublesome in the first merry but innocent A Jest if it hit right may do more good then sober Counsels Archee made King Iames sensible of the danger the Prince was in in Spain by telling him that he came to change Caps with himâ— Why said the King Because thou hast sent the Prince into Spain from whence he is never like to return But said the King what wilt thou say when thou seest him come back again Marry saith he I will take off the Fools Cap which I now put upon thy head for sending him thither and put it on the King of Spains for letting him return A Jest of Sir Thomas Wiat's began that Reformation which the seriousness of all Christendome could not commence King Henry was at a loss concerning the Divorce which he no less passionately desired than the Pope warily delayed Lord saith he that a man cannot repent him of his sin but by the Popes leave Sir Thomas hinted Doctor Cranmer opened and the Universities of Europe made the way to Reformation His Majesty was another time displeased with Wolsey and Sir Thomas ups with a story of the Curs baiting of the Butchers Dog which contained the whole method of that great mans ruine The Pope was incensed Christian Princes were enraged and the numeroâ—s Clergy discontented and King Henry afraid of a Revolution Butter the Rooks Nests that is sell and bestow the Papal Clergies Habitations and Land among the Nobility and Gentry said Sir Thomas and they will never trouble you One Day he told his Master he had found out a Living of an hundred pounds in the year more than enough and prayed him to bestow it on him Why said the King we have no such in England Yes Sir said Sir Thomas the Provostship of Eaton where a man hath his Diet his Lodging his Horse-meat his Servants wages his Riding-charge and an 100 l. per annum besides What Lewis the eleventh said of one Kingdome i. e. France may be true of all That they want one thing i. e. Truth Few Kings have such discreet Courtiers as Cardinal Wolsey to look into things deeply fewer so faithful Servants as Sir Thomas Wiat to report things as they see them honestly His Jests were always confined to these Rules 1. He never played upon a mans unhappiness or deformity it being inhumane 2. Not on Superiours for that is sawcy and undutiful 3. Nor on serious or holy matters for that 's irreligious applying to this occasion that of the Athenians who would not suffer Pathus to play his Comedies where Euripides repeated his Tragedies 4. He had much Salt but no Gall often jesting but never jearing 5. He observed times persons and circumstances knowing when to speak and knowing too when to hold his peace 6. His apt and handsome Reparties were rather natural than affected subtle and acute prompt and easie yet not careless never rendring himself contemptible to please others 7. Not an insipid changing of words was his gift buâ— a smart reâ—ort of matters which every body was better pleased with than himself 8. He always told a story well and was as good at a neat continued discourse as at a quick sentence contriving it in an handsome method cloathing it with suitable expressions without any Parenthesis or impertinencies and representing persons and actions so to the life that you would â—hink you saw what you but hear A noâ—able way that argued the man of a ready apprehension an ingenious fine fancy a tenacious memory a graceful Elocution an exact judgment and discâ—eâ—ion and perfect acquâ—intance with things and circumstances His phrase was clean and clear the pictuâ—e oâ— his thoughts and language even in an argument not harsh or severe but gentle and obliging never contradicting but with an Vnder favour Sir always subjoyning to his adversaries discouâ—se what the Dutch do to all Ambassadors Proposals It may be so Observations on the Life of Sir John Fineux SIr Iohn Fineux born at Swinkfield in the County of Kent a place bestowed on his Ancestors by a great Lord in Kent called T. Criol about the reign of King Edward the second He followed the Law twenty eight years before he was made a Judge in which Office he continued twenty eight years and was twenty eight years of Age before he â—etook himself to this study whence it necessarily â—ollows that he was four-score and four when he died He was a great Benefactor to St. Augustines in Canterbury the Pâ—ior whereof William Mallaham thus highly commendeâ—h him good deeds deserve good words Vir prudentissimus Genere insignis Iustitia praeclarus Pictate refertus Humanitate splendidus charitate foecundus He died in 1526. and lies buried in Christ-Church in Canterbury having had a fair habitation in this City and another in Herne in this County where his Motto still remaineth in each Window Misericordias Domini cantabo in AEternum Nile's original is hidden but his stream is famous This Judge's Ancestors were not so obscure as he was illustrious His Device upon his Seâ—geants Ring was Suae quisque fortunae faber and his discourse was always to this purpose That no man thrived but he that lived as if he were the first man in the world and his father were not born before him Forty years he said he lived by his industry Twenty by his reputation and Ten by favour King Henry the seventh knew not how well this Gentleman could serve him until he saw how effectually he did oppose him about the Tenth Peny raised for the War in Britain which raised another in York where though the Rabble that murthered Henry Earl of Northumberland who was to levy the Tax had not his Countenance for their Practice yet had they his Principle for their Rule which was this Before we pay any thing let us see whether we have any thing we can call our own to pay So able though reserved a Patriot thought the wise King would be an useful Courtier and he that could do so well at the Bar might do more at the Bench. Cardinal Morton was against his advancement as an incouragement to the Factious whose Hydra-heads grow the faster by being taken off by Preferment and not by an Ax the King was for it as the most probable
way of weakening of them as who when the most sober and wise part of them draweth off are but a rude multitude and a rope of sand When a Commoner none so stiff for the subjects priviledg when a Judge none so firm to the Princes Prerogative two things however they fatally clashed of late that are solid felicities together and but empty notions asunder for what is Prerogative but a great Name when not exercised over a free people and what is priviledg but a fond imagination when not secured under a powerful King that may keep us from being slaves one to another by Anarchy while we strive to be free from his Tyranny That people is beyond president free and beyond comparison happy who restrain not their Sovereigns power to do them harm so far as that he hath none left him to do them good Careful he was of the Law for he was a Judge and as careful of his Sovereigns Right for he was a Subject No ominous clashing between Courts in his time nor setting the Kings Conscience in Chancery against his Will in the Kings Bench. A man tells Aristides to make him party in his cause that his Adversary had abused him I sit not here saith that Impartial Judge to right my self but you When a notorious enemy of Judge Fineux had a cause depending before him It might have gone against you my friend said he had you not been my Enemy His Motto was nemo prudem punit quia peccatum est sed ne peccetur Ten things which are indeed ten of the most remarkable particulars of his life raised him 1. An indefatigable industry 1. In his reading leaving behind him 23 Folio's of Notes 2. In his practice bequeathing 3502 Cases he managed himself to his Executor 2. A freedome of converse as about his business none more close so in company none more open having so compleat a command of himself that he knew to a minute when to indulge and to a minute too when to restrain himself A gay and cheerful humour a spriteful conversation and cleanâ—y manners are an exceeding useful accomplishment for every one that intends not to wind himself into a solitary retirement or be mewed in a Cloyster 3. A rich and a well-contrived marriage that at once brought him a large Estate and a larger Interest the same tie that allied him to his Wives Family engaged him to many 4. A great acquaintance with Noble Families with whose dependants he got in first devoting an hour a day for their company and at last with themselves laying aside his vacation-leisure for their service He was Steward of 129 Mannors at once and of Councel to 16 Noble-men 5. His Hospitality and Entertainments None more close than he abroad none more noble at home where many were tied to his Table more obliged by his company and discourse 6. His care and integrity in managing his Repute in promoting his Reason and Eloquence in pleading and his Success in carrying his causes 7. His eminence and activity in the two profitable Parliaments of Henry the seventh where he had the hearts and purses of the people at his command and the eye of his Sovereign upon his person It was thought a reward adequaâ—e to the greatest merit and adventure in the Grecian Wars to have leave to play the Prizes at Olympus before Kings It was judged the most ambition could aime at in King Henry the seventh's time to â—hew a mans parts before his judicious and discerning Majesty than whom none undeâ—sâ—ood Worth better none valued it higher 8. His Opposition to Empson and Dudley's tâ—o severe Prosecution of Poeâ—al Laws while Henry the seventh was living and his laying of it befoâ—e him so faithfully that he repented of it when he was a dying He is high a while that serves a Princes private interest he is always so that is careful of the publick good 9. Hiâ— entire Devotion to that sacred thing called Friendship that Bliss on this side Heaven made up of Peace and Love None a worse Enemy none a â—etter Fâ—iend Choice he was in commencing but constant in continuing Friends Mâ—ny Acquaintance but few Friends was his Oâ—servation â—â—ying He had been undâ—ne by his Acquaintance had he not been raised by his Friends 10. His care of time To day I have not reigned said the Emperour when he had done no good To day I have not lived said the Judge when he had done nothing So much he prayed Morning Evening and at Noon according to the way of those times as if he never studied so much he studied as if he never practised so great his practice as if he never conversed and so free his converse with others as if he lived not at all to himself Time of which others are so prodigally expensive was the only thing he could be honestly covetous of full whereof he died leaving this instruction to posterity That we should not complain we have little time but that we spend much either in doing nothing or in doing evil or in doing nothing to the purpose Observations of the Life of Dr. Edward Fox Secretary and Almoner to King Henry the Eighth EDward Fox born in Dursly in Gloucestershire brought up a Scholar in Eaton after fellow of Kings Colledg in Cambridge where he died Provost He was Almoner to King Henry the eighth the first that brought Doctor Cranmer to the knowledg of the King as he brought the King to the knowledge of himself Being afterwards Bishop of Hereford he was a great Instigator of the Politick and Prudential part of the Reformation and was not less able but more active than Cranmer himself yea so famous was he that Martin Bucer dedicaâ—ed unto him his Comment upon the Gospel so painâ—ul that he wrote many Books whereof that de Differentia utriusque potestatis was the chief so worthy he was that the King employed him on several Embassies into France and Germany He died May 8. 1538. In his first years none more wild in his last none more stayed The untoward Youth makes the able Man He that hath mâ—ttle to be extravagent when he cannot govern himself hath a spirit to be eminent when he can His friends devotion to the Church and relation to the Bishop of Winchester made him a Scholar his own Inclinâ—â—ion a Politician an Inclination that brake through all the ignoble restraints of pedantique studies and coercions wherewith many a great Soul in England enjoying not the fâ—eedome of forein parts but tied to such employments though never so unsuitable as their fâ—iends put them to are debased and lost to an eminency more by observation and travel than by reading and study that made him the Wonder of the Univeâ—sity and the Daâ—ling of the Court. When he was called to the Pulpit or Chair he came off not ill so prudential were his parts of Divinity when advanced to any Office of Trust in the University he came off very well so incomparable were his parts for
that Princes honour them most that have most and the People them onely that employ most A Prince hath more reason to fear money that is spent than that which is hoorded because it is easier for Subjects to oppose a Prince by Applause than by Armies Reward said Sir Ralph when he was offered a sum of money should not empty the Kings Coffers neither should Riches be the Pay of Worth which are meerly the Wages of Labour He that gives it emâ—aseth a Man he that takes it vilifieth himself who is so most Rewarded is least Since Honour hath lost the Value of a Reward Men have lost the Merit of Virtâ—e and both become mercenary Men lusting rather after the Wealth that buyeth than after the Qualities that deserve it Two things he observed broke Treaties Iealousie when Princes are successful and Fear when they are unfortunate Power that hath need of none makes all confederacies either when it is felt or when it is feared or when it is envied Three things Cato repented of 1. That he went by water when he might go by land 2. That he trusted a Woman with a secret 3. That he lost Time Two things Sir Ralph relented for 1. That he had communicated a secret to two 2. That he had lost any hour of the morning between four a clock and ten He learned in King Henry the Eighth's time as Cromwel's Instrument what he must advise in point of Religion in Queen Elizabeth's time as an eminent Counsellour His Maxime being this That Zeal was the Duty of a private Brest and Moderation the Interest of a publick State The Protestants Sir Ralph's Conscience would have in the commencement of Queen Elizabeth kept in hope the Papists his Prudence would not have cast into Despair It was a Maxime at that time in b another case That France should not presume nor Spain be desperate He saw the Interest of this State altered six times and died an honest Man The Crown put upon four Heads yet he continued a Faithful Subject Religion changed as to the publick constitution of it five times yet he kept the Faith A Spartan one day boasted that his Country-men had been often buried in Athens The Athenian repliedâ— But we are most of us buried at home So gâ—eat was Sir Ralph's success in the Northern Wars that many a Scotch man found his Grave in England so exact his conduct and wariness that few English men had theirs in Scotland the same ground giving them their Coffin that did their Cradle and their Birth that did their Death Our Knights two incomparable Qualities were Discipline and Intelligence the last discovered him all the Enemies advantages and the first gave them none His two main designs were 1. An Interest in his Prince by service 2 An Alliance with the Nobility by Marriage upon which two Bottoms he raised himself to that pitch of Honour and Estate that time could not wear out nor any alterations embezle he bequeathing to his Woâ—shipful Posterity the blessing of Heaven upon his Integrity the love of Mâ—nkinde for his Worth and as Mr. Fuller saith a Paâ—don granted him when he attended my Lord Cromwel at Rome for the sins of his Family for three immediate Generations expiring in R. Sadler Esquire lately dead His last Negotiation was that in Scotland during the troubles there about Queen Mary So searching and piercing he was that no Letter or Adviso passed whereof he had not a Copy so civil and obliging that there was no Party that had not a Kindness for him so grave and solid that he was present at all counsels so close and industrious that his hand though unseen was in every motion of that State and so successful that he left the Nobility so divided that they could not design any thing upon the King and the King so weak that he could not cast off the Queen and all so tottering that they must depend on Queen Elizabeth Three things he bequeathed such as may have the honour to succed him 1. All Letters that concerned him since of years filed 2. All Occurrences since he was capable of Observation registred 3. All expenses since he lived of himself booked Epaminondas was the first Graecian and Sir Ralph Sadler was one of the last English-men Observations on the Life of Sir William Paget SIr William Paget was born in the City of London of honest Parents He was so able and trusty a Minister of State that he was privy Counsellour to four successive Princes He was Secretary to King Henry the Eighth who employed him Embassador to Charles the Emperour and Francis King of France King Edward the Sixth made him Chancellour of the Durchy Comptroller of his Houshole and created him Baron of Beaudefert Queen Mary made him Keeper of the Privy-Seal Queen Elizabeth highly respected him dispensing with his Attendance at Court in favour to his great Age. Duke Dudley in the days of King Edward ignominiously took from him the Garter of the Order saying He was not Originally qualified for the same But this was restored unto him by Queen Mary He died very old Anno 1563. and was buried in Lichfield His Education was better than his Biâ—th his Knowledg higher than his Education His Parts above his Knowledg and his Experience beyond his Parts A general Learning furnished him for Tâ—avel and Travel seasoned that Learning for Employment His Master-piece was an inward Observation of other Men and an exact knowledge of Himself His Address was with state yet insinuating His Discourse free but weighed his apprehension quick but staid His ready and present mind keeping its pauses of thoughts and expressions even with the occasion and the emergency neither was his carriage more stiff and uncompliant than his Soul Gundamore could not fit King Iames so well as Sir William did Charles the Fifth who in a rapture once cried He deserved to BE a King as well as to REPRESENT One and one day as he came to Court Yonder is the Man I can deny nothing to Apollonius coming to Vespatian's Gate betimes in the morning and finding him up said Surely this man will be Emperour he is up so early This Statesman must needs be eminent who was up the earliest of all the English Agents in discovering Affairs and latest in following those Discoveries Three sorts of Embassadors the Emperour Charles observed were sent him from England the first was Wolsey whose great Train promised much as his great Design did nothing The second was Morisin who promised and did much The third Paget who promiâ—ed nothing and did all What Scholars observed then of three Divines that a Statesman hath set down of our three Agents the first was words without matter the second was matter without words the third was words and matter Quick and regular were his Dispatches when Secretary pleasing all with his proceedings even when he could not but displease many with his Decision It was much none went away ever sad from Augustus
an Habitation at home which he no sooner began at Cashobery in Hertfordshire but King Edward going out of the World the good Knight was forced out of his house and the Kingdom He was the first that said Policy is not the learning of some Rules but the Observation of Circumstances with a present minde in all junctures of affairs which he would say was their happiness only that had good memories For when one â—aid he had seen much heard more and read most You were said he a more compleat man could you say I remembered as much Secretary Walsingham would say My Lord stay a little and we shall have done the sooner Secretary Cecil said It shall never be said of me That I will defer till to morrow what I can do to day And Sir Richard Morisin Give me this day and take the next your self Noble was his Resolution when he said He scorned to take pensions from an Emperour of Germany since an Emperour of Germany took pay of the King of England His stature was something tall and procured him reverence his temper reserved and commanding security to his person and his business He that knoweth to speak well knoweth also where he must hold his peace said the old Graecian Think an hour before you speak and a day before you promise said this English-Roman With Ferdinand the Emperour he prevailed for the Popes assistance and with Maximilian for his Masters against the French Never was his Master Henry so high as to set him above treating nor his Sovereign Edward so low as to make him afraid of War although he looked upon the way of Treaties as a retiring from fighting like Beasts to arguing like men whose strength should be more in their understandings than in their Limbs I have said a great Prince greater confidence in my Reason than in my Sword and am so resolved to yield to the first that I thought neither my self nor others should use the second if once we rightly understood one another It 's humane to use Reason rather than Force and Christian to seek peace and ensue it Christian was his Temper and Religious his carriage so charitable that he relieved the Conâ—essors as though he had been none himself and so constant that he continued his sufferings as if there were no other Much good did his Countenance do the Exiles in the Courts of Forein Princes and more his Authority at the Troubles of Frankford where his Motive to love was the hatred of the Enemy Observations on the Life of Doctor Nicholas Wotton NIcholas VVotton Son to Sir Robert born at Bockton-malherb in the County of Kent a place so named from some noxious and malignant Herbs growing therein was bred in Oxon Doctor of the Civil Laws and was the first Dean of the two Metropolitan Churches of Canterbury and York He was Privy-Counsellour to â—our successive Sovereigns viz. King Henry the VIII King Edward the VI. Queen Mary Queen Elizabeth He was employed thirteen several times in Embassies to Forein Princes Five times to Charles the Fifth Emperour Once to Philip his Son King of Spain Once to Francis the First King oâ— France Once to Mary Queen of Hungary Governess oâ— the Netherlands Twice to William Duke of Cleve Once to renew the peace between England France and Scotland Anno 1540. Again to the same purpose at Cambray Anno 1549. Once sent Commissioner with others to Edenburgh in Scotland 1560. He refused the Aâ—chbishoprick of Canterbury proferred him in the first oâ— Queen Elizabeth He died Ianuary 26. in 1566. being about seventy years of Age and was buried in Canterbury Iusâ—inian reduced the Law of Nations to one Body and Doctor Wotton comprehended them in one Soul Publick was his spirit and such his thoughts That profession that was designed for the settlement of the Woâ—lds commerce was now confined to a Bishops Court a Churchwardens Oath or a rich man's will when this excellent Person first enlarged it as far as the Sea in the Cases of the Admiralty and as wide as the world in the Negotiations of Embassie Others were trusted with the Interest of Princes He with that of Nations He that saw him would think he could deny nothing so modest Scholar-like his looks He that heard him would judge he would grant nothing so undeniable his Reason so irrefragable his Arguments His speech was as ready as his resolution was present His apprehension quick and clear his method exact his reading vast and indefatigable his memory strong as to things though not to words tenacious his clocution copioâ—s and flowing What siâ— Henry Wotton said of sir Philip Sidney I may say oâ— Nicholas Wotton That he was the very measure of congruity What that Counsellour writ to the French King in a great sheet when he required his advice that our Doctor advised our Princes in several Discourses viz. Modus a meanâ— Sir said King Henry to him now not forty years old I have sent a Head by Cromwel a Purse by Wolsey a Sword by Brandon and I must now send the Law by You to treat with my Enemies Augustus lamented for Varus his death because he said Now I have none in my Countrey to tell me the truth With Wotton went off that faithfulness that Peasants have and Princes want None more resolute abroad none more bold and down-right at home His plain dealing saved King Henry some Treasure King Edward the North Qâ—een Mary Calice for a while and Qâ—een Elizabeth her Faith and Crown A Virtue that made him the Overseer of most Forein Ministers Actions abroad and one of the sixteen Executors of King Henry's Will and Testament at home Gardiner was sly and close but Wotton prudent and wise In the Treaty at Calice there are two things remarkable of our Doctor 1. That he first insisted on the peace with France before that of Scotlandâ— 2. He would say Rather give away Calice than reserve a Right in it fifteen years hence for never was the Interest of any Nation so constant as to keep a promise half so many â—ears Indeed Sir William Cecil's reach went no further for a Layman than Doctor Wotton for a Church-man Therefore they two were pitched upon for the management of the Intrigues and Affairs oâ— Scotland Many envied this happy man but none could be without him who was â—he Oracle of both Laws at Councils who could sum up the merit of any Cause recollect the circumstances of any Affair and shew Tables of Trade Commerce Situations Counsels Revenue Interest c. the readiâ—st and exactest of any in England But all these Qualifications must die and he with them leaving it as his Advice First To Church-men To understand well the Common and Canon-Law as well as the Divine by the first whereof they might understand their right as by the second they infoâ—med themselves and otheâ—s of their duty Secondly To Statesmen Travel and History Thirdly To Embassadors 1. A good Puâ—se 2. A noble and sober Train â—
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
refused a Treaty but upon condition that Ashe their Leader was pledged advised an engagement with them out of hand saying No English-man should be undervalued so far as to be an Hostage for a Villain and adding further so good was his Intelligence That if they were not defeated speedily the Scots and Germans would discover that they had but too much hand in this plot For which his services his Master raised him to the Admiralship of England and the Earldom of Southampton in which Quâ—lity he was one of the three Noblemen that managed the Business of Divorce between the King and Anne of Cleve with that applause that made him Lord Privy-Seal Nov. 14. Anno 1541. and the grand Examinant of the particulars in the Lady Katharin Howard's Case a matter of great trust and secrecy wâ—ich he performed with a searching and deep Judgment beyond that Ladies fear and the King's expectation as appears from the exact Account given under Sir Tho. Audley and his own hands touching that matter Having provided for the Kings Safety at Home he is One of Four that treat for his Intrest abroad I mean upon the Borders of Scotland where our excellent Persons dexterity was observed in gaining that time by various Proposals â—or Peace that served his Master to provide against the War in the beginning whereof the brave Lord died at York so much esteemed that for the Honour of his Memory his Standard was born in the Fore-ward all this Expedition A Person in whom prudence was even with activity resolution with prudence Success with Resolution Moderation with Success Honour and Favour with All. Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Darcy SIr Thomas Darcy was one of King Henry the Eighth'â— first Counsellours so advanced aâ— most of his Fellows not for Affection but Interest owing his Promotion to his own sufficiency rather than his Masters favour His Counsel was weighty at Home his Assistance necessary Abroad where in behalf of Pope Iulius the second and the Emperour he did more with 1500 Archers in â— year for the balancing of Europe than had been done before in an Age. No Employment so dangerous at that time as that of the Warden of the West Marches of Scotland none so noble for that Employment as my Lord who was equally knowing and stout and at once most feared and most loved The Earl of Shrewsbury made some Inroads into Scotland the Lord Darcy seconds him But being surprized by the Duke of Albany's preparations he had as much Wit to make Peace as he had Resolution to carry on the War None knew better when to yield none better when to conquer so great â— command had he over himself so great over thâ— Enemy that he brought them to request his Wish aud offer what was his Interest With the Duke of Surrey's assistance by Land and Fitz-Williamâ— his by Sea he reduced that Nation to a good Intelligence with Us that year and a Peace the next a Peace as he observed that would â—e no longer kept than we had a Sword in our Hands and an Army on their Borders For Conâ—cience guided other parts of the World he said and Fear Scotland Whence he invaded them duely once a year Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Howard SIr Edward's Brother in Worth as well as Blood His Fathers Interest set him up and his own Industry kept him so All the Children were brought up for Sea-Services this Gentleman for Sea Commands He immediatly succeeds his younger Brother in the Admiralty and wisely considering the advantage of the French Gallies in a calm the number of their ships the danger of their winds for us if they blew South-west desired of the King so many Souldiers as might man the ships and make good the landing wherewith he scoured the seas and secured the Kings passage with so much Honour that he was able to assist his Father at Court as much as Wolsey did Fox his Gallantry being no less pleasing to his Master than the other young Favouâ—ites Compliance and both these young men had no less Art to govern his Prince than he had to govern his Kingdom These Arts which all other Favourites use being Hopes and Fears which as Doors Passages to the heart aâ—e so guarded by their vigilancy that they câ—n both let themselves in and keep all others out the two Ends upon which the Thread of Government depends His Father is made Duke of Norfolk and he Earl of Surrey both are an eye-sore to the Cardinal whoâ—e Fortune hâ—d no Superior in the Kiâ—gs Favour whose Ambition would endure no Equal The Old Mans years and cares are fitted with a Retirement in the Country the Young Mans ambition and activity with a Government in Iâ—eland which he reduced as speedily to obedience notwithstanding Desmond's Rebellion as he had to civility had it not been for Wolsey's Underminings who endured no publick service but what he did himself and would chuse rather that the Kingdom should perish by a Traytor then be saved by a Nobleman Beloved he was by that Country where he left a Peace and a Parliament Anno 1521. so that they were loth to part with him Wanted he was by the King to scour the narrow seas for the French War so that he must have him The King hath made him formerly His Admiral the Emperour upon his return from England makes him his and with both their Commissions he lands in Normandy wastes the adjacent Countries sparing only Religious Houses takes and sacks Morlais in Bretaign which he entered under the smoak burns their ships commands the sea and sets the Emperour safe in Spain advising his Majesty from thence to make a general Muster of his Subjects for his own satisfaction and others terrour March 27 1522. The troubles in Scotland required an able Head and a stout Heart two Endowments that no man was more Master of than the Earl of Surrey now Duke of Norfolk upon his beloved Fathers decease whose Prudence toyled the Scots to deliver up their King as his Prowess frighted them to yeild up themselves as they did in that most exquisiâ—e Treaty where the Earl of Worcester beat the Bush saith my noble Author and our Duke catched the Hare A while after he is Earl Marshal and Embassador to King â—rancis about tâ—ose two grand poinâ—s 1. That the French King should set up a Patriarch 2. That he should stop up all the payments made to Rome wiâ—h fair promises of that supply of men and money he then most wanted When the Pope stuck to Queen Katherine three things he advised the King to 1. To teach the people that a general Council was above the Pope and proclaim that he did appeal to it 2. To fix upon every Church-Door the Dowagers Appeal to Rome and the late Statute against it 3. To confederate with the Kings of Hungaâ—y and Poland the Estates of the Empire and the Hanse Towns Three things that would settle his People at home and
consideration of that vast sum of Money that must be exported if she goeth away And 4. The great Obligation laid on the Pope by that Dispensation which would secure to him the King aud his Posterity not otherwise Legitimate but by his Authority His Estate was much wasted in the service of Henry the seventh and as much improved by the treasures of Henry the eighth which amounted in the beginning of his Reign to 1800000 l. i. e. at the rate of money now adays six millions and an half which he dispensed so thriftily that old Winchester could not trapan him and yet so nobly that young Henry was pleased with him Sir William Compton set up the King's Rich Life-guards under Bourchier Earl of Essex as Captain and the valiant Sir Io. Peachy who kept Calais in so good order with 300 men as Lieutenant but this wary Earl put them down again When News was brought that Empson and Dudley were slain it was the Earls opinion that his Majesty had done more like a good King than a good Master When the narrow Seas whereof the Kings of England have been very tender were infested this old Treasurer and Earl-Marshal cleared it by his two sons Edward and Thomas saying The King of England should not be imprisoned in his Kingdome while either he had an Estate to set up a Ship or a son to command it In three weeks did he settle thâ— North against the Invasions of Iames the fourth now inclining in to the Feench and in a fortnight did he raise 40000 l. to pay the Army now ready to mutiny insomuch that when King Iames denounced War against King Henry he said He had an Earl in the North that would secure his Kingdome as he did with much resolution prudence and success at Flodden-Field where he saw a King at his feet and a whole Kingdome at his mercy where he was forced to fight so barren the Country una salus victis nullam sperare salutem where yet he pitched upon the most advantageous place and time so great his Command of himself and so noble his Conduct He sends Rouge Croix to the Scotch King to tell him That though he saw no Enemy at Sea he hoped to find some upon the Land That he came to justifie Bretons death which it was as much below a King to revenge as it was below a Privy Counsellour to have deserved That he expected as little mercy as he intended his sword being commissioned to spare none but the King whom no hand must touch To this Defiance he added a Caution to the Herauld That he should bring no messenger from the Enemy nearer than two miles of the Camp So well were the Scots encamped that when neither Arguments nor Stratagems would draw them out the Earl cuts off their provision there and under the covert of a smoak got the Earl under the hill and under another of mist got they atop The Scots played the men until Stanley and Darcy did more than men and the old mans Reserve concluded the doubtful day in so câ—mpleat a Conquest as brought 12000 Arms 16 Cannons 4000 Prisoners and a Peace to the English Borders Upon which the General retires to those more necessary exerciseâ— of Justice and Government until his Masters return When all his Services advanced him at that time when it was â— Maxime of State That Honours are the Lustre and Security of Crowns to his Fathâ—rs Dukedom of Norfolk as his Sons Merits promoted him to his of the Earldom of Surrey The Kings Coffers decay and his Occasions grow The old man retires to his Country-house having enjoyed his Honour Thirty years to enjoy Himself Three One of his last Undertakings being the appeasing of the London Tumults May 1. 1517. when he left this behind him A potent and wanton City is a shrewd Enemy Observations on the Life of Sir William Compton HE was chief Gentleman of the Bedchamber to Henry the Eighth and next to the chief in the affections of the same Prince If his spirit had been as even with his favour as his favour was with his Merits he had been the most useful as well as the most eminent man in England but he was too narrow for his Fortune and more attentive to his private advantage than to the publick affairs This Saying is at once his History and Monument Kings must hear all but believe only one for none can give a solid advice but he that knoweth all and he must not be every body As to the affairs of Europe â— Sâ— William was clearly for the League against France as an opportunity to regain our Right in France and strenghthen our Interest in the Church thâ— Empire My Lord Darcy was against it becauâ—â— France was too hard for us before it swallowed uâ— our Confederates and much more since advising some moâ—e noble attempts for our just Empirâ— upon the Indies The young King is for a Waâ— with France aâ— an Engagement upon the Pope tâ— advance England above all other Kingdoms anâ— declares himself as much Sir William's in opinioâ— as he was his in affection This Gentleman had a deep insight in any thinâ— he undertook because he had a great patience tâ— consider an advantageous slowness to recollect â— strong memory to grasp and an indifferent tempeâ— to judge but when a matter exceeded his capaciâ—ty or out-reached his sphere and orb he had eiâ—ther a peremptory and great word to urge it or â— sleight to wave it or a subtlety to perplex it thaâ— his amazed fellow-Commissioners should as littlâ— undeâ—stand it or a countenance and geâ—ture too verbear it However in general he was close anâ— reserved he had need go softly that cannot weâ— see leaving himself without observation or holâ— to be taken what he was He studied the King nature rather than his buâ—iness and humoureâ— rather than advised him The referring of all tâ— a man becomes a Prince whose self is not himâ—self but the community their good and evil beâ—ing as my Lord Bacon writes at the peril of â— publick fortune but not a subject whose privatâ— advantage may be a publick ruine not a Favouâ—rite whose benefit by that selfishness may be narrow as his own Fortune but the hurt done by it is as large as his Masters who must needs be undone when his servants study to please Him and to profit Themselves Observations on the Life of Sir Henry Marney SIr Henry Marney was one of young Henry's first Council who loved his Peson well and his Prospericy better and impartially advised him for his good and modestly contested with him against his harm that Council that was hand as well as head and could perform as well as advise This was the searching Judgement that discovered Buonviso the Lucchess his Letters to the French King betraying our designs as soon as thought on and instructing him for prevention before our King was ready for the attempt Industry and Thrift over-rules Princes This Personage
our welfare it self Opinion governs the World Princes with their Majesty may be oâ—t envied and haâ—ed without it they are always scorned and contemned Circumstances are often more than the main and shadows are not always shadows Outward Esteem to a great Person is as skin to Fruit which though a thin cover preserveth it King Henry's Person and State did England more Right in a Year than his Predecessors Arms in an Age while they onely impressed a resolution in the Neighbours he a reverence As the Reason of man corrâ—cting of his sense about the mâ—gnitude and distance oâ— heavenly bodies is an argument that he hath an Inorganical Immaterial Impassible and Immortal soul so this Gentlemans Conscience often reflecting upon his policy about the Circumstances of many of his actions was an argument that he was â—uled by holy serious and heavenly Principles One effect whereof was that he desired rather the admonishing paines of a lingring death than the favourable ease of a quick one he reckoning it not an effect of cruelty but a design of mercy that he should dye so ut sentiat se mori and he looked on nothing as so great a snare to his thoughts as the opinion of Origen and some otheâ—s called merciful Doctors who did indeavour to possess the Church with their opinion of an universal restitution of all Creatures to their pristine Estate after sufficient purgation or any thing more a temptation to other mens souls than the Blasphemy of some making God the Author of good and evil so much worse than the Manichees or Marcionites as they held it not of their good God whom they called Light but of their bad God whom they called Darkness As Princes govern the People so Reason of State the Princes Spain at that time would command the Sea to keep us from the Indies and our Religion to keep us from a Settlement France suspected our Neighbourhood and engaged Scotland the Pope undermined our Designs and obliged the French Sir Anthony at Rome in respectful terms and under Protestation that his Majesty intended no contempt of the See Apostolick or Holy Church intimated his Masters Appeal to the next General Council lawfully assembled exhibiting also the Authentick Instruments of the same and the Archbishop of Canterbury's at the Consistory where though the Pope made forty French Cardinals yet our Agent and his money made twelve English and taught Francis to assume the power of disposing Monasteries and Benefices as King Henry had done advising him to inform his Subjects clearly of his proceedings and unite with the Princes of the Reformation taking his Parliament and People along with him and by their advice cutting off the Appeals to and Revenues of Rome by visitations c. with a Praemunire together with the Oath of Supremacy and the publication of the prohibited Degrees of Marriages He added in his Expresses That his Majesty should by disguised Envoys divide between the Princes and the Empire The next sight we have of him is in Scotland the French Kings passage to England as he calls it Where in joynt Commission with the Earl of Southampton and the Bishop of Durham he with his variety of Instructions gained time until the French King was embroyled at home the season of Action was over there and the Duke of Norfolk ready to force that with a War which could not be gained by Treaty Fortune is like the Market where many times if you can stay a little the Price will fall The ripeness and unripeness of the Occasion must be well weighed Watch the â—eginning of an Action and then speed Two â—hings make a compleat Polititian Secresie in Councel and Celerity in Execution But our Knights Prudence was not a heavy Wariness or a dull caution as appears by his preferment at Court where he is Master of the Horse and his service in the North where he and the Comptroller Sir Anthony Gage are in the head of 10000 men In both these places his excellence was more in chusing his Officers and Followers than in acting himself His servants were modest and sober troubling him with nothing but his business and expecting no higher conditions than countenance protection and recommendation and his Retainers peaceable reserved close plain and hopeful the deserving Souldier and the promising were seen often at his gate not in throngs to avoid popularity Equal was his favour that none might be insolent and none discontented yet so diâ—creetly dispensed as made the Preferred faithful and the Expectants officious To be ruled by one is soft and obnoxious by many troublesome to be advised by few as he was is safe because as he said in some things out of his element the Vale best discovereth the Hill Although he understood not the main matter of War yet he knew many of its falls and incidents his prudence being as able to lay a stratagem as others experience was to embattail an Army Sir Thomas Wharton Warden of the Marches he commands with 300 men behind an Ambush whither he draws the rash Scots and overthroweth them more with the surprize than his power taking the Lord Admiral Maxwel c. who was committed to his custody and putting that King to so deep a melancholy that he died upon it His death suggests new counsels and Sir Anthony watcheth in Scotland to gain hiâ— Daughter for our Pâ—ince or at least to prevent the French whom Sir Wilâ—iam Paget watcheth there as Sir Ralph Sadler did in Rome and Sir Iohn Wallâ—p at Calais and when that Kings design was discovered we find our Knight with Charles Duke of Suffolk Lieutenant-General Henry Fitz-Alan Earl of Arundel Lord General Will. Paulet Lord St. Iohn Stephen Bishop of Winchester with a rich and strong Army expecting the King before Montrevil whâ—ch they took with Boulogn and forcing the French to a Peace and Submission that secured England and setled Europe Three things facilitate all things 1. Knowledg 2. Temper 3. Time Knowledge our Knight had either of his own or others whom he commanded in what ever he went about laying the ground of matters always down in writing and debating them with his friends before he declared himself in Council A temperance he had that kept him out of the reach of others and brought others within his Time he took always driving never being driven by his business which is rather a huddle than a performance when in haste there was something that all admired and which was more something that all were pleased with in this mans action The times were dark his carriage so too the Waves were boysterous but he the solid Rock or the well-guided Ship that could go with the Tide He mastered his own passion and others too and both by Time and Opportunity therefore he died with that peace the State wanted and with that universal repute the States-men of those troublesome times enjoyed not By King Henry's Will he got a Legacy of 300 l. for his former Service and the
since his Name made such indelible impression on his house whereof he was not five years in possession Death hath this also That it openeth the Gate to good Fame and extinguisheth Envy Philip asked Demetrius if he did not fear to lose his head He answered No for if he did the Athenians would give him one immortal He should be statued in the Temple of Eternal Fame Nil non Mortale tenemus Pectoris exceptis ingeniique bonis En ego cum Patria caream vobisque demâ—que Raptaque sint adimi quae potuere mihi Virtute attamen ipse mea comitorque fruorque Caesar in hoc potuit juris habere nihil Quilibet hanc saevo vitam mihi finiat ense Me tamen extinâ—o fama perennis erit All that we hold will die But our brave Thoughts and Ingenuity Even I that want my Country House and Friend From whom is ravished all that Fate can rend Possess yet my own Genius and enjoy That which is more than Caesar can destroy Each Groom may kill me but whensoe'er I die My Fame shall live to mate eternity Braâ—e mâ—n never die Worth begets in weaâ—â—nd base minâ—s Envy in the Magnanimous Eâ—â—lationâ— in Pâ—sterity Renown A Renown that is as the beams about the Sun or the glory abouâ— an holy picture that shews it to be a Saint though it be no essential part it risetâ— from the body of that Virtue which cannot chuse but shine and give a light through all the clouds of errour and distraction And â—hough someâ—imes 〈◊〉 mists and vapours of â—he lower earth impede the light it gives yet there will be apparent Rays that shew there is Deseâ—t unseen which yeilds those gleams of brightness to the whole Horizon that it moves and shines in which surâ—ive to a glorious kind of immortality when the Good Man is dead and gone a Good Name being the embalming of the Virtuous to an eâ—ernity of â—â—ve and gratitude among posterity For my own Honour saith the Royal Martyr I am well assured that as mine Innocence is clear before God in point of any calumnies they object so my Reputation shall like the Sun after Owls and Bats have had their freedome in the night rise and recover â—ts self to such a degree of splendour as those feral birds shall be grieved to behold and unable to bear Observations on the Lives of the Pars. SIr William Par Uncle and Lord Chamberlain to Queen Katharine Par was by King Henry the Eigâ—th created Baron Par of Horton he left two Daughters onely married into the Famiâ—ies of Tressam and Lane His Relation calâ—ed him to Court but his Age forbid him the pleasureâ— and his own Reservedness the freedom of that place before which he preferred the pious peaceable â—nd hospitable way of the Countrey wheâ—e Popularity affected him more than he affected it No man being more beloved by the vulgâ—r no man less in love with them It being his Observation rather than his Countrey-man Sir Edward Mountague's saying That if you do the common sort of people nineteen courtesies together yet you may lose their love if you go but oveâ— the sâ—ile before them Hâ—s Cousin Sir Willâ—am was brought by his Sister to Court and advanced by his Brother to Honour bâ—ing for his Majesties sake as well as his own made Lord Par of Kendal Eaâ—l of Essex by King Henry â—he Eighth and Maâ—ques of Noâ—thampton by King â—dward Qâ—een Mary deprived him of his Estate and Honour for siding with the Lady Iane and Qâ—een Elizabeâ—h restored him to both for favouring the Protestant Religion His Delight was Musick and Poetry and his Exeâ—cise War being a happy composure of the hardest and softest Discipline equally made for Court and Camp for Delight or Honour But his skill in the Field answered not his industry nor his success his skill Yeâ— King Edward called him His Honest Vncle and King Henry His Integrity The whole Family was made by a Marriage but died Issueless The common Rule of Favourites is to bring in all their Relations about them to adorn and suppoâ—t them buâ— this Marqâ—ess would say A wall that hath a firm Bottom had need of no Buttress and that which wants it is often rather thrust down than upheld by it The Antiquaries crouch as though tâ—ey upheld the Church when they are upheld by it Clients aâ—e more a burden than a strength and when the chief Favourite dares not displease his Soâ—eâ—eign because he is so near him they dare because he is between them and Majesty His Followeâ—s were not gaudy to render him suspicious nor discontented to bâ—eed ill blood and a misunderstanding nor too open to discover him but deserving to honour him aud hopeful to be advanced by him Active men were recommended by him to King Henry's busie Occasions and Virtuous to King Edward's pious Inclinations In his last years he found that there was little love in the World and least oâ— all among Equals and that that which war is between Superiour and Inferiour whose fortune may comprehend the one the other To ease his minde therefore to satisfie his Judgement to observe his oversight he adopted Sir William Cholmley bringing him first to his House and then to his Heart to shew him that impartially which he could not discern in himselâ— There is no such Flaâ—terer as a mans self and there is no such Remedy against Flattery of a mans self as the liberty of a Friend Counsel is of two sorts to go on in my Auâ—hors words the one concerning manners the other concerning business for the fiâ—st the best preservative to keep the mind in health is the faithful admonition of a â—riend The calling oâ— a mans self to a strict account is a medicine sometime â—oo piercing and corroding reading good Books of Morality is a little flat and dead observing our â—aults in oâ—hers is sometimes improper for our case but the best receipt best I say to work and beâ—t to take is the Admonition of a Friend So much solid Worth he had that he had no use of Ambition so much Modesty that he made little use of his Worth Mean thoughts he entertained of himself and as mean thoughts did he by his down-cast though grave look his sparing though pertinent discourse and his submissâ—vâ— though regardful carriageâ— suggest of himself Bâ—t a well-manag'd boldness is the Virtue of Monâ—rchick Courts and a discreet submission that of a Republican no advantageous admission into the one without the first nor â—aâ—ety in the other without the second Here if you are bold you must look for an Ostracism there if you are modest for Neglect Yet a sober and moderate man mâ—y be iâ— fashion once in an Age. The Souldier and the Gentleman are the Warlike Princes Darlingâ— Church-men the Religious Physicians the Sickly and Old Scholars the Learned Exchequerers the Poor Covetous or Prodigal Lawyers the Just and They of a Healing Sofâ— and Pliable Temper King Iames his
desperately sick the King carefully enquired of him every day at last his Physician told him there was no hope for his life being given over by him for a dead man No said the King he will not die at this time for this morning I begged his life from God in my Prayers and obtained it Which accordingly came to pass and he soon after against all expectation wonderfully recovered This saith Doctor Fuller was attested by the old Earl of Huntington bred up in his childhood with King Edward to Sir Tho. Cheeke who anno 1654. was alive and â—0 years of Age. But though his Prayers saved his Tutors Life none could save his who died with the Protestant Religion in his heart and arms and Sir Iohn had died with him but that being outed of all his preferments he outed himself from the Kingdome loving to all the English Exiles at Strasburgh and well beloved all over Germany until trusting to the Stars too much would he had either not gone so high or gone a little higher for advice and his friends too little he went to meet his dear Wife in Brabant where neither my Lord Paget's promise nor Sir Iohn Mason's pledges nor Abbot Fecknam's intercession could excuse him â—rom being unhorsed and carted imprisoned and tortured vexed with all the arts of power and perplexed until his hard usage meeting with some fair promises brought him to a Recantation that broke his heart and after much melancholick sighing and silence brought him to his Grave The great example of Parts and Ingenuity of frailty and infirmity of repentance and piety Forced he was to sit with Bonner in his Courts but forced he would not be to joyn with him in his judgment look on he did but weep and groan too A good Christian he was witness his pious Epistles an excellent States-man as appears by his True Subject to the Rebel a Book as seasonably republished by Doctor Langbaine of Queens Colledge in Oxford in the excellent King Charlâ—s his troubles as it was at first written in the good King Edward's commotions Vespasian said of Apollonius That his Gate was open to all Philosophers but his Heart to Him And Sir Iohn Cheeke would say to Father Latimer I have an Ear for other Divines but I have an Heart for You. A Country-man in Spain coming to an Image enshrined â—he extruction and first making whereof he could well remember and not finding from the same that respectful usage which he expected You need not quoth he be so proud for we have known you from a Plum-Tree â— Sir Iohn Cheeke one day discoursing of the Pope's Threats said He need not be so high for we have known him a Chaplain He took much delight in that saying of Herod the Sophist when he was pained with the Gout in his hands and feet When I would eat said he I have no hands when I would go I have no feet but when I must be pained I have both hands and feet Applying it thus When we would serve God we have no soul when we would serve our Neighbours we have no body but when we suffer â—or neglecting both we shall find we have both a body and a soul. Gustavus Adolphus some three days before his death said Our affairs answer our desires but I doubt God will punish me for the folly of my Pâ—ople who attribute too much to me and esteem me as it were their God and therefore he will make them shortly know and see I am but a man I submit to his will and I know he will not leave this great Enterprise of mine imperfect Three things Sir Iohn Cheeke observed of Edward the sixth 1. That the Peoples esteem of him would loose him 2. That his Reformation should be overthrown 3. That yet it should recover and be finished As to publick Councels 1. Sir Iohn was against the War with Scotland which he said was rather to be united to England than separated from it 2. He was against King Edward's will saying He would never distrust God so far in the preservation of his true Religion as to disinherit Orphans to keep up Protestantism 3. He laid a Platform of a VVar with Spain 4. He kept Neuter in the Court-factions 5. Bishop Ridley Doctor Coxe seconded and Sir Iohn Cheeke contrived all King Edward's Acts of Charity Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Wentworth SIr Tho. Wentworth of Nettlesâ—ed in Suffolk of a younger Family confessed by the Crescent in his Coat descended from the Wentworths of Wentworth-wood-house in York-shire and was created Baron Wentworth by King Henry the viii He was a stout and valiant Gentleman a cordial Protestant and his Family a Sanctuary of such Professors Iohn Bale comparing him to the good Centurion in the Gospel and gratefully acknowledging him the cause of his conversion from a Carmelite The memory of this good Lord is much but unjustly blemished because Calis was lost the last of Queen Mary under his Government The manner was huddled up in our Chronicles least is best of bad business whereof this is the effect The English being secure by reason of the last Conquest at St. Quintin and the Duke of Guise having notice thereof he sate down before the Town at the time not when Kings go forth to but return from battle of mid-winter even upon New-years-day Next day he took the two Forts of Risebank and Newman-bridge wherein the strength of the City consisted but whether they were undermined or overmoneyed it is not decided and the last left most suspicious VVithin three Days the Castle of Calis which commanded the City and was under the command of Sir Ralph Chamberlain was taken the French wading through the Ditches made shallower by their artificial cut and then entring the Town were repulsed back by Sir Anthony Ager Marshal of Calis the only Man saith Stow who was â—illed in the Fight understand him of note others for the credit of the business accounting four-score lost in that service The French re-entring the City the next Day being Twelfth-day the Lord Wentworth Deputy thereof made but vain resistance which alas was like the wrigling of a Worms tayl after the head thereof is cut off so that he was forced to take what terms he could get viz. That the Towns-men should depart though plundered to a Groat with their Lives and himself with 49 more such as the Duke of Guise should chuse should remain Prisoners to be put to ransome This was the best news brought to Paris and worst to London â—or many years before It not only abated the Queens chear the remnant of Christmas but her mirth all the days of her life Yet might she thank her self for loosing this Key of France because she hung it by her side with so slender a string there being but Five Hundred Souldiers effectually in the Garrison too few to manage such a piece of importance The Lord Wentworth the second of Iune following was solemnly condemned for Treason though unheard as
had his Eye upon the turns flexures and points of things and business and his state and interest ready to correspond He knew when to proceed when to make a stand and when to retire It 's said of Grandees That they are the first that find their own Griefs and the last that find their Faults Our Lord was quick in both and hath taught us this That certainly Men of great fortunes are strangers to themselves and while they are in the puzzle of business have no time to tend the welfare either of Body or Soul and that they must with-draw from this World before they retire into another For Illi mors gravis incubat qui not us nimis omnibus ignotus moritur sibi There are no more Remarques of this Personage than that he was the Father of this Apophthegme Well done if warily and Great-Grandfather to the present Earl of Warwick Observations on the Life of Sir John Mason HE had his Birth at Abingdon and his Education at Oxford His Birth commended him to All-Souls and his Breeding to the Court His Study was like his Inclination rather active than contemplative his present thoughts foreseeing and providing for his future Employments But Industry and Parts may prepare a Man it is opportunity and occasion that must advance him and never had a Man fairer opportunity never made a Man better use of it None but Mr. Mason would the University pitch upon to complement Henry the Eighth none but Mr. Mason could please him although he was as great a Scholar as he was a King and as much an Humorist as both as he was inclined so he studied as he studied so he writ not with a Pedants impertinence but a States-man's prudence so elegant was his Latine that a Critick would have advanced him Professor so various his Learning that Cranmer would have preferred him Prebend and yet so grave and wise the matter and composure of his speech that the King designed him a States-man When King Henry the Eighth came to Oxford Sir Iohn is deputed to congratulate his coming who considering that a Man cannot every Day speak to Kings contrived saith my Author the matter of his speech most Man-like politick and pertinent the phrase of it polite and majestick so that what with his comely presence his becoming carriage his flowing expression his graceful elocution he gained that applause from the Court and University that the one was as eager to have him as the other was loth to part with him the University was proud of him but King Henry commanded him and disposeth of him in Forein parts to add practical experience to his speculative studies It was the excellent way of that time to pick out the choice youths of both Universities and maintain them some years abroad to make such Observations as might render them serviceable at homeâ— Dwelt with Books he had long enough now he must converse with Men and open his recluse and retired soul to a practicable and social temper by debonairness and freedom too long mewed up with study and melancholy Think and speak he could very well already now he must learn to act and live Books furnished Travel must enlarge and settle his soul. Four things made a States-man in those Days 1. The University and good Letters 2. The City and Converse 3. The Court and Freedom of spirit 4. Travel and Observation It was the politick Discipline of those days to selecâ— saith mine Author the pregnancies of either Vniversity ana breed them iâ— Forein parts for publicâ— Employments Agreeable whereunto Mr. Mason iâ— sent beyond sea with Instructions to guid him and a pension to support himâ— With Order 1. To keep exact correspondence with the Secretary at home 2. To entertain 1. The most eminent Scholar who might represent the Church 2. The ripest Undersecretary who might decipher to him the State 3. The ablest Souldier and Sea-man that might open to him the Interest of both Nations 3. To take an exact account of the Havens Forts Cities Avenues Passages Ways Treasure and Interest of the place he lives in 4. To follow the respective Embassadors Directions in every Court 5. To appear in each place upon any solemnity Civil or Military suitable to the occasion all charges to be defrayed from the English Exchequer His Pension was two hundred and twenty pounds a year his Circuit was France the Netherlands and Italy his Commission was to engage any knowing person of those respective Courts that could transcribe their Edicts or Orders give exact Intelligence make any Interest or had any influence upon their respective Governments His Rules were 1. To correspond with his Majesties Agents 2. To have few and choice Acquaintance 3. To make Collections of and Observations upon the Histories the Laws Customs and the most considerable States-men Governours and Great Men with their Relations and Dependencies in those Courts 4. To give a monethly account of such Remarques as occurred at large to the Secretary and in brief to the King and Cardinal His first undertaking was in France where his Gravity was too severe beyond the dalliances of that place His next was to Italy where he shewed as great a reach in countermining as the Inhabitants of that place do in managing their plots None designs saith the Character further off than the Italian None seeth said Sir Tho. Audley further off than Sir John Mason His last Voyage was to Spain where he out grav'd the Don Himself and then returned with the Italians quickness the Spaniards staidness the Frenchmans Ayr the Germaâ—s Resolution and the Dutchmans Industry Qâ—alities that demonstrated he understood other Countreys and could serve his own Thâ—re thâ—s pregnant Gentleman being at some distance could look more inwardly into the Constitution Situation Interest State and Complexion of his own Countrey and being near could discern those of other parts wiâ—h the mutual aspect of England upon them and theirs upon it They that livâ—d in those times say that none understood the affairs of England and France together with their mutual advantages or disadvanâ—â—ges better than Sir Iohn Mason He that had seen the mysteries of four Courts might be trusted with those of one as he was in King Henry the Eighth's time in the capacity of a Privy Counsellour and in Edward the Sixth's in the Trust of chief Secretary At the Board none clearer in his Proposals in his Office none quicker for Dispatch Let me hear Sir Iohn Mason said the King Let us to Sir Iohn Mason said the Subjects so much the reputation of his prudent integrity with the one and of his familiar access with the other Four things he said kept him in under all the Revolutions during the four Princes Reigns whom he served 1. That he thought few Things would save a Man 2. That he was always intimate with the exactest Lawyer and ablest Favourite 3. That he spake little and writ less 4. That he had attained to something which each party esteemed
's Fear that makes Gods and rules the world an easie man is useless a facile-natured man may be a good Companion for a private person but no Servant to a Prince Remisness and Connivance are the ruines of unsettled Governments The Game of Authority will not admit of too open a play In a word he was one that knew the resorts and falls oâ— business though he could not sink into the main of a matter being one that packed the Cards better than he played them Three things compleated this Secretary 1. Quick dispatch and industry 2. Constant intelligence and correspondence 3. A large and strong memory Queen Elizabeth would needs at first favour my Lord of Leicester against the Eâ—rl of Sussex which this Doctor and my Lord Burleigh disswaded upon this account Because if she who should be the common Mother of all inclined to one party and leaned to a side the Ship of the Commonweaâ—th would be as a Boat overturned by too much weight on the one â—ide and too little on the otherâ— Take heed said the Royal Martâ—r to his Son our Sovâ—raign of abetting any Faction or applying to any publick Discriminaetion your partial adhering as head to any one side gains you not so great advantages in some mens hearts who are prone to go on in the Kings way as it loseth you in others who think themselves fiâ—st despised and then persecuted by you Take such a course as may either with calmness and charity quite remove the seeming differences and offences by impartiality or so order affairs in point of power that you shall not need to fear or flatter any faction for if ever you stand in need of them or stand to their courtesie you are undone His Place called upon him to suppress with severity such seditious reflexions upon the State as came to his knowledge but his inclination was to dissipate them with connivance and contempt To be opposed renders a Faction considerable to be despised and wretched ridiculous To go about to stop the first appearances of sedition is saith my Lord Bacon but to make wonder long-lived His knack was a politick and artificial nourishing and â—ntertaining of hopes and keeping men in suspence is one of the best Antidotes against the poyson of discontent it being observed by the foresaid States-men to be a certain sign of a wise Government and Proceedings to hold mens hearts by hopes when it cannot by satisfaction and when it can handle things in such manner as no evil shall appear so peremptory but that it hath some ouâ—-let of hope which is the easier done because both particular persons and factions are apt enough to flatter themselves or at least to boast what they believe not In a word although he made not so much noise as other men yet he as effectually promoted the three main Supporters of this Nation 1. It s Native Commodities 2. It s Artificial Manufactures 3. It s Vâ—cture and Corâ—iage and so dyed with that conâ—ent and râ—solution that they do who are overtaâ—en by Fate in the pursuit of great Actions and publick Designs Observations on the life of Sir John Portman John Portman Knight was born of wealthy and woâ—shâ—pful Extraction at Portman's Orchard in Somersetshire a fair Mannor which dâ—scended to him by inheritance the Heir of the Orchard being match'd into his Family He was bred in the study of the Common Law attaining to such eminency therein that Iune 11. 2d of Queen Mary he was made Chief Justice of the Kings Bench continuing two years in the place and dying therein for ought I find to the contrary and a Baronet of his Name and Linage flourisheth at this day with a great and plentiful Estate No doubt but he dyed in his place there being none of those things that carry disgrace and downfal with them incident to him For the first thing that ruines a Courtier is a boasting of his own service and than our Knight none more modest The second is an undutiful observation of our Princes actions and none more faithful and meek The third is the revealing or abusing os secrets and none more reserved and civil The fourth thing is either provoking the Nobility against himself or dividing them among themselves he was too wise for the one his design being rather alliance than quarrel to add interâ—st to his Estate and honor to his Riches and too quiet for the other Many have an Opinion not wise saith that Oracle that for a Prince to govern his Estate or for a great Person to guide his Proceedings according to the respect of factions is a principal part of policy whereas contrariwise the chiefest wisdom is eâ—â—her in ordering those things that are general and wherein men of several factions do nevertheless agree or in dealing with or correspondence to particular persons one by one Mean men in their rising must adhere but Great men that have strength in themselves were better to maintain themselves indifferent and neutral The fifth particular that pulleth down a man is a misunderstanding of his own interest or the Princes Our Judge undeâ—stood both being equally made up of Craterus and Haephestion faithfulness and compliance The sixth is the hatred of the many whom this persons integrity always obliged there being no herd more feral than an enâ—aged multitude or the envy of the great whom his wariness disobliged not it being more fatal to incense a Favorite who would be above all affronts by his greatness than a Prince who is so by Law The seventh misfortune is to be too much concerned in the secrets of Princes wherewith Sir William never meddled without assistants never acted without a Warrant The eighth is unsuccessful Counsel and our Knight went the safe and middle way neither to be feared nor envied which he was always present to second prosecute or correct as he saw most cause His sharp and sound judgement to distinguish Persons Affairs and other Circumstances and accordingly how to order the manner of his Proceeddings was much his well-weighed and wary though quick apprehension and experience from Men and Books more his particular memory and its minute observation for his conduct and business most of all His care of vain and idle Preposessions balanced his soul his temper managed it his love was choice and cautious his hope moderate and knowing his confidence slow but certain his desires and joys allayed and checked or quickened by the edge of his anger or the caution of his fear and all sedate with his foresight Nature did this person some wrong in his Body but made him amends in his Soul the fails of the one are fâ—ils to set off the other the first comes off with more Glory by the pully and defect of the secondâ— Besides that the unkindness of Nature puts men often upon being eminent in Art that the happiness of this may divert men from observing the unhappiness of that But of all the Vertues his constant and growing
should be concluded Whereupon the King caused his Sâ—cretary the Lord Paget to â—rite to him to that purpose but withal he called Mr. Ceâ—il secretly to him bidding him tell my Lord That wâ—atsoever he had written in his Letter yet with all speed possible he should break the Treaty Mr. Cecil replying That a message by word of mouth being contrary to his Letter would never be believed well said the King do you tell him as I bid you and leave the doing of it to his choice Upon Mr. Cecil's arrival the Earl of Arundel shewed the other Commissioners as well the Message as the Letter they are all for the Letter he said nothing but ordered that the Message should be written before and signed by his fellow-Commissioners and thereupon immediately broke up the Treaty sending Cecil wiâ—h the adverâ—isemâ—nt of iâ— to the King Who as soon as he saw him aâ—ked aloud What will he do it or no Cecil replied that his Majesâ—y might understand that by the inclosed But then the King half angry urged Nay tell me will he do it or no Being then told it was done he turned to the Lords and said Now Yoâ— will hear news The fine Treatie is broken Whereto one presently answered That he who had broke it deserved to lose his Fead to which the King straitly replied That He would lose a dozen such heads as his was that so judged rather than one such Servant as had done it â— and therewith commanded the Earl of Arundel's Pardon should be presently drawn up the which he sent with Letters of Thanks and assurance of Favour Five things must a Statesman comprehend 1. The Lâ—w. 2. The Government 3. The Time 4. The Peoplâ— And 5. The Prince Under an active Prince you must regard the Pâ—erogative under an easie one the Law under a compleat one made up of a just measure of Greatness and Goodness those two things are distinguished onely in the nice discourses of some Speculativâ— being but one great Rule in the solid actions of that Prince Observations on the Life of Sir John Dudley Duke of Northumberland HI favour was first purchased by hisâ— Fathers blood and improved by his own cunning King Henry sacrificed Sir Edmund Dudley to allay tâ—e Peoples rage and raised his Son to appease his Ghost He that disobligeth a multitude must fall himsâ—lf but he that in so doing serveth his King may advance his Posterity Something high he was in the Kings favour because standing on his fathers Grave but higâ—er as he stood on his own Merit He knew his Fathers service made his way to favour hâ—s own education therefore must prepare him for employment Favour without Parts is a reproach Parts without Favour are a burden The King restored him to his Fathers blood and his own industry recovered his Abilities There are those that under the notion of wisdome commâ—t the gâ—eatâ—st folly eiâ—her in too much conversing with the world without or in too much reâ—â—ecting on themselves within Sir Iohn was made up of both some time he allowed for Action more for Consideration There is not any thing so prejudicial to Action as to be bent upon Action without intermissionâ— for as the eye seeth noâ— the Objects touching it but those onely more remote so the understanding continually plunged in Affairs is not so quick-sighted in occurrents as his who sometime retireth himself from publiâ—k Aâ—tion beholding it aloof off by consideration In the heat and tumult of Affairs Reason hath not that power as may give conduct and motion to active life besides experience teacheth us that the eyâ— having lost its quickness wâ—th too much looking upon the light recovereth it again in the dark the spirit in like manner dazled weakned transported and distracted among the multitude and variety of Affairs ought to recollect and recover its force in the privacy of some small retreat which Sir Iohn made to Italy the seat of policy and experience whence I pray God he brought no more saith my Author than his closeness and reach His Sâ—veraign saw he deserved Honour but saw not without offence to the Populacy how to confet it until the subtle Youngster shewed him a middle way upon the strange death of the Viscount Lisle who lost his life for joy that it was saved by petitioning for that honour as a favour which upon his Mothers account was his right The crafty Youth entered himself of the Cardinals Retinue first and then of the Kings Much was he employed by him at Sea as an Overseer of the Navâ— more in the Field as Director-General most of all in the Romish and French Court as a Spy He was too good a Proficient in his School to fall wiâ—h him therefore we immediately observe him rising with Cromwel until the King made him Admiral and he with his 200â— sail upon the Coast of Scotland â—ale himself renowned insomuch that the Kinâ— left him the next year Vicâ—roy of France and Deputy of Calice and Bulloign where to revenge the French attempts upon the Isle of Wight he drew his Fleet up to the Coasts of Normandy landed 6000 men at Treport burned the Suburbs of that Town with the Abby destroyed 30 Ships there in the Haven and then returned not having lost above fourteen persons in the whole Voyage insomuch that in a Treaty between Ard and Guisnes wherein he was Commissioner with the Earl of Hertford Secretary Paget and Dr. Wâ—tton the French were contented that we held Bulloign till they paid us 800000 Crowns within the term of eight years For the further Establishment whereof he and the Bishop of Duresm are employed to take Oath of the Fâ—ench King and the Daulphine His Master Henry dieth but not his designe with him Norfolk is out of his way Seymour will be so he is now Executor of King Henry's Will he will be of his own Bâ—t as Nature so Policy works by degrees first the graft then the tree after that the blossome next that the fruit first meaner Essays and then higher Actions There was nothing to be attempted at home until we were secured and feared from abroad he therefore leads the Vanâ—guard agâ—iâ—st the Scots so successfully that he is made Earl of Warwick Hâ—re his spirit had ensnarâ—d him had not his conduct brought him off When the Protector refused a Combat as not becoming him Warwick offereth onâ— Bring me word said he to the Hâ—rald that brought the Protector a Challenge from the Lord Huntley that thy Master will perform the Combat with me and thou shalt have an hundred Crowns for thy pains But a publick Conduct becomes a General better than peâ—sonal Valour and he must so far onely remember he is a Souldier as not to forget he is a commander and so a whole Army too Against the Rebels in Devonshire so happy he was that upon his discreet Overture of Pardon Mercie is a Vertue with Valour and but a Weakness with Cowardize and coming in person to assure them
Artificial and careless freedome that opened others 2. A natural gravity that shut him up and was more capable of observing their Vertues and escaping their Vices Peter Earl of Savoy came to do his homage to Otho the fourth in a double attire on the one side Cloth of Gold on the other shining Armour the Emperour asked him what meant that Lindsey-Woolsey he answered Sir the attire on the right side is to honoâ—r your Majesty that on the left is to serve you Sir William Peter returns with those Gayeties of carriages on the one hand that might adorn a Court and with those abilities on the other that might support it His first employment was the Charts the Lattin Letters and the Forreign Nâ—gotiation the next was Principal Secretary In which Office Wriothesly was rough and stubborn Paget easie Cecil close Mason plain Smith noble Peter was smooth reserved resolved and yet obliging Both the Laws he was Doctor of and both the Laws he made use of the Civil Law to direct Forreign Negotiations and the other to give light to Domestick Occasions In the Kings absence in France 1554. Craumer and Thorleby are to assist the Queen in matters of Religion the Earl of Hertford in Affairs of War the Lord Parr of Horton and Doctor Peter in the Civil Government whose Maxime it was It is the interest of the Kings of England to be the Arbiters of Christendome Thus much he was to the Queen by Henry the eighth's Deputation and no less to King Edward by his Will A man would wonder how this man made a shift to serve four Princes of such distant Interests as King Henry King Edward Queen Mary Queen Elizabeth untill he recollects the French King who enquired of a wise man how he might govern himself 〈◊〉 his Kingdome the wise man took a fair large sheet of Paper and instead of an infinite number of Precepts which others use to offer upon that subject he onely writ this word Modus A Mean In King Henry's time he observed his Humour in King Edward's he kept to the Law in Queen Mary's he intended wholly Sâ—ate-affairs and in Queen Elizabeth's he was religious his years minding him of death and his death of his faith He moved with the first Movers in most transactions to his apparent danger yet he had motions of his own for his real security Able he was at home and very dexterous abroad particularly at Bulloin The Philosophers exercising their Gifts before an Ambassador he asked one that was silent what he should say of him Report to your King saith he that you found one among the Graecians that know how to hold his tongue Ah said Mounsieur Chatillon we had gained the last 200000 Crowns without Hostages had it not been for the man that said nothing meaning Secretary Peter Neither was he better at keeping his own counsel than at discovering other mensâ— as appeared by the intelligence he had that the Emperour had â—ent ships to transport the Lady Mary into Germany in case the King would not allow her the practice of her Religion though three men knew not that Designe in the German Court whereupon he fetched her two Leez and thence under the notion of preparing for Sea-matters he sent over five thousand pounds to relieve the Protestants Active he was about the Will in compliance with his duty to King Edward but as nimble in his intelligence suitable to his Allegiance to Queen Mary whom he assisted in two Particulars 〈◊〉 In making the Maâ—ch 2. In searching the bottom of Wiat's Insurrection therefore 1. When the Church-lands went against her conscience Sir William Peter must be sent for 2. When the Pope sent another Legate to turn out Pool he must be sent for who advised her to forbid him this Land as she very resolutely did As serviceable was he to Queen Elizabeth till his Age not being able to go through the difficulties and his Conscience being impatient of the severities of those â—â—â—ie and harsh times he retired to Essex where his Estate was great and his Charity greater both which he bequeathed his Son Iohn who was by King Iames made Baron of Writtle in that County Observations on the Life of Cardinal Pool HIs Extraction was so high that it awakened King Henry the Eighth's Jealousies and his Spirit so low that it allayed it When he reflected on his Royal Relation he was enjealousied to hard thoughts of restraint and security when he observed his modest Hopefulness he was obliged to those more mild of Education and Care as more honourable than the other and as safe Religion and Study would enfeeble that spirit to quiet contemplation which more manlike exercises might ennoble for Business and Action It was but mewing him up in a study with hopes of a Mitre and there would be no danger of his ambition to the Crown The Privacies of the School and Colledge made him a stranger to the transactions of Court and he was two follow his Book that he might not understand himself His preferments were competent to content him and yet but mean to expose him Three things concurred to his escape from King Henry's Toyl 1. His Relation's ambition that could not endure he should be wrapped in Black that was born to be clothed in Purple 2. His own Inclination to adde Experience to his Learning 3. The Kings Policy to maintain him abroad who could not safely keep at home No sooner arriveth he at Paris than the Pope caresseth him as a person â—it to promote his Interest The House of York supports him as one that kept up their Claim and the general Discontent crieth him up as one that was now the hope of England and might be its Relief That he might not come short of their Expectation or his own Right his large capacity takes in the Learning of most Univeâ—sities observeth the way of most Nations and keeps correspendence with all eminent men The first of these improved his Learning the second his Experience the third his Converse The Marquess of Exeter the Lord Mountacute Sir Nicholas Carew Sir Edward Nevil Sir Geoffery Poole would have made him a King but to gain him a Crown they loft their own Heads and Pope Iulius made him a Kings Fellow but he was never Head of this Church since he put the Red Hat on this Cardinal The King had him declared for a Traytor in England and he him excommunicated for an Heretiâ—k at Rome His Friends are cut off by the King at home and the Kings Enemies cheâ—ished by â—im abroaâ— But Princes are mortal though their hatred not so For before the Kings deatâ— he would needs be reconciled to Pool and as some thought by him to Rome wherefore he sends to him now in great esteem in Italy desiring his opinion of his late Actions clearly and in few words Glad was Pool of this occasion to dispaâ—ch to him his Book de Vnione Ecâ—lesiarum inveighing against his Supremacy and concluding with an advice
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
than they were Vertue though obscure may satisfie me it must be renowned or it câ—nnot serve otheâ—s But action is the life of things and good dispoâ—itions are rather a mans Inclinations than his Vertue Both therefore are in their Courage regular in their Conduct observant in their Addresâ—es obliging in their Passions even in their Enjoyments severe and in their Services equal Sir Thomas Mannors first weakned the Northern Rebels by such discreeâ— Propositions as met with many of their Humours and Interests and then resolved to engage them but that the little Brook Dua swelled miraculously to a River bâ—tween both Armies And at the same time Sir Ralph Evers held Scarborough â— Castle where he had no Souldiers but his own Servants nor any sustenance for twenty days but bread and water For this service he is made Lord Warden of the Marches as Sir Thomas is Lord Governour of the North. Both did his Majesty as much service in Peace for his Revenue as in War for his Security Both against the Cardinal's way of raising Money which was but the relieving of a present need by laying the foundation of a lasting inconvenience being veâ—y careful that their Master did not lose in the president what he gained in the money Observations on the Life of Sir John Baker THere is one of this Name remarqueable in every Kings Reign since the Conquest here is one now renowned in this 1. For Integrity to be neither awed nor corrupted 2. For a Spirit publick as Nature neither moved with particular respects nor terminated in a private Design The French were so insolent in London the eighth year of Henry the Eighth that when one Williamson a Carpenter was about to pay for two Pigeons he bought a Frenchman takes them out of his handâ— saying They were no meat for Carpenters but for my Lord Embassadour who concerned himselâ— so muâ—h in the case that he had Williamson imprisoned Sir Iohn sued to the Embassadour for the man who answered That the English Knave deserved to be hanged for denying any thing to a French man Whereupon Sir Iohn replied You know not that you are in London A noâ—able reply considering that the City was up next day against Strangers in so dâ—sâ—erate a tumult that none could suppress but Sir Thomas More and none settle but Sir William Kingston and Sir Iohn Baker No sooner had he allayed the disorder at home but he with the Bishop of St. Asaph are sent to appease a Rebellion abroad I mean in Denmark though in vain when the Kings cruelty exceeded their apology and ruine was more elegiable with that people than duty or obedience Where he observed these six Maximes in order to a newly conquer'd Kingdome 1. That the Royal Line should be extinguished 2. That the old Customs in Lawes and Taxes should be observed 3. The Prince must be there to observe their humours in person 4. That the Officers be moderate and honest 5. That there be Colonies planted in one or two places that are the Keys of the Sâ—ate 6. That the Neighbours should be weakned and divided and the In-land Forts demolished As he would have composed the troubles of forreign Princes so he served the necessities of his own being the most successfull Commissioner for the Benevolence in the Countrey and the most active Agent for the loan in London Wherefore I finde him Chancellour of the Exchequer An. 1545 and one of the assistants to the Trustees for King Edward 1547. Judge Mountague was the onely person that durst dispute King Edward's Will Judge Hales and Sir Iohn Baker were the onely Councellours that durst refuse it the first whereof stood to the Law against â—ower the second to his Allegiance against Interest and both to the rights of the Crown which are lasting rather than the Designes of some Favourites that are as momentary as their Greatness and as uncertain as their Grandeur This constant and firm resolution to stick to his Duty and Lâ—yalty brought him to his Grave in peace and honour having been a faithful Councellour and Servant to King Henry the eighth King Edward the sixth Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth Observations on the Life of Sir William Kingstons HE was one of the greatest Courriers at Masks and Revels one of the best Captains at Sea and one of the most valiant and Skilful Commanders by Land None more pleasing to the English Ladies none more terrible to the Fâ—ench King Cunningly did he discover the King of Spains Designe upon Navarre to his Majâ—sty by preâ—ending a Revolt to that King of Spain and as cunningly did he draw the French Troops into a snare by counterfeiting a retreat towards Britany His Advice had saved the Admiral at Brest and his Foresight did rescue Sir Edward Belknap near Guisâ—es He was Knighted for his Service at Tournay and made Marshal for his Success at Flodden He was one of them that perswaded the City to its duty at Shoreditch and if that would not do he was to command it from the Tower being Commissiâ—ner in the fiâ—st place Aug. 2. and Lieutenant of the second September 6. The Multitude is rather to be awed than reasoned with Some Princes have disarmed their Subjects others have divided them a third sort have obliged them others yet have kept up Plots amongst them but all have built and commanded Fortresses to secure themselves It were well if Love did it 's necessary that Fear should guide this World The King condescended one day to Just with him and he though invincible to fall by his Majesty You must let a Prince be a Prince in every thing So complaisant he was that he was one of the six Maskers at Court at 50 and yet so grave that when divers young men that were familiar with the King after the French mode were banished he kept his Station as one of the stayed men at 30. He was one of the 16 that attended the King in his first Interview with the Emperour and one of the 40 that waited on him in the two last with the King of France narrowly escaping at the last that poyson as some thought or ill vapours as others conclude whereof the open-hearted Lord Brooks the valiant Sir Edward Poynings reserved Sir Iohn Pechy and active Sir Edward Belknap died whereupon with his advice all French-men were put to their Fines and all Scotch to their ransome Neither was he onely for shew but service too leading the Right Wing of the Army at Guisnes when Sir Everard Digby commandeth the Left the Lord Sands the Vanguard Sir Edward Guilford then Marshal of Callis the Horse Sir Richard Wink-field the Rear and the Duke of Suffolk the main Battle Where his Assaults on Cappe and Roy spake him a Souldier as his underhand correspondence with the Lord Iâ—â—lstein argued him a States-man Sir Thomas Maunors the first Earl of Rutland of that Name discovered and Sir William Kingston told His Majesty the Cardinals Plots against the Kings
Aâ—vancement of Lord Treasurer and the degree of Baron of Burleigh for as he followed the Marquess of Winchester in his Employment so he did in his Compliance When he was out of place he was not out of service in Queen Mary's days his Abilities being as necessary in those times as his Inclination and that Queens Council being as ready to advance him at last as they were to use him all her Reign In Queen Elizabeth's time he setled the Crown by setling Religion and by an utter separation from Rome strengthened England He made equal use of those that were then Protestants by Interest and they who were so in Conscience Those that had affections for Church-lands and those that had affections for the Church The Pope would by a Bull confirm the sale of Abby-Lands But who said Burleigh can confirm the Popes Bull The King of Spain secured the Queen in hope of her Bed the Pope winked at her in hope of her Heart Burleigh over-reached the one by a fair complaysance and the other by insensible alterations During the Qâ—eens ten years calm Cecil provided for a tempest and improved her Shipping and Ammunition to a dreadfulness at Sea as he did her Army to a great skill and experience by Land He made Holland our Stage of War and our School of Discipline where England gained the security and experience of War without its calamity and desolations always Offensive and once onely Defensive His Intelligence abroad was no less than his Prudence at home and he could write to a friend in Ireland what the King of Spain could do for two years together and what he could not do His Advicâ—s from his Pensioners abroad were presented Queen Elizabeth once a fortnight 1. clearly and plainly 2. methodically and distinctly 3. speedily and seasonably 4. truly and fully He exchanged his Interest for Walsinghams Intelligence who commanded what he could do as he did what the other knew The Bull clapped at London-house was first in our Sâ—ates-mans study where they might learn what they were to do and Protestants what to expect many years before any thing was visible When Leicester would have no Equal and â—â—ssex no Superiour then Ceeil as Neuter served himself of them both He would wrestle with neither of them yet he would trip them both they having many rubs in their way yet never saw who laid them He never quarrelled with any neither saith Cambden did he ever sue or was he ever sued Prudâ—ns qui Patiens was his saying before it was Sir Edward Cookes Motto and he had rather tire our Opposition by his moderation than improve it by his Impatience Others wâ—re raised to balance Factions he to support the Kingdome Fickle Favour tossed them constant Interest secured him No fewer than the Marquess of Winchester the Dâ—ke of Norfolk the Earls of Northumberland Arundel Pembroke Leicester and Westmorland contrived his fall but reason of State and his Mistress kept up his â—tanding Sir Nicholas Throgmorton advised them to clap him up saying That then men would open their mouths to speak freely against him but the Queen understanding hereof and standing as I may say saiâ—h my Authoâ— in the very prison-door quashed all their Designes and freed him from the mischief projected against him Great was the value the Queen set upon him as her ablest Minister of State for coming once to visit him being sick of the Gout at Burleigh-house in the Strand and being much heightned with her Head-attire then in fashion the Lords servant who conducted her through the door said May your highness be pleased to stoop The Queen returned For your Masters sake I will stoop but not for the King of Spain She would make him always sit down in her presence saying My Lord we make use of you not for your bad Lâ—ggs but your good Head He was a good friend to the Church as then established by Law advising his son Thomas never to build a great house or bestow any great charge upon an Inpropriation as fearing the foundation might fail hereafter yet conniving at sober Non-conformists to strengthen the foundation at present he checked the forwardness of private men and advanced the honour of the publick Establishment on all hands Good my Lord saith he in his Letter to Archbishop whitgift in the behalf of some squeamish Ministers bear with my scribling I write with the testimony of a good Conscience I desire the peace of the Church I desire concord and unity in the exercise of our Religion I fear no sensual or wilful Recusant I would not make Offenders neither would I protect them And I pray your Grace bear this and perchance a fault and yet I have sharply admonished them that if they will be Disturbers in their Churches they must be corrected and yet upon your Graces answer to me Ne sutor ultra Crepidam neither will I put Falcem in alterius Messem Was his Chaplain Traverse his hand in all this And then again If I had known his fault saith he of Brown I might be blamed for writing for him Thus he carried matters without passion and prejudice prudently as became so great a States-man He was not rigid yet he was careful He would help the good-natured yet punish the stubborn He would rather be where nothing is lawful than where all things are so He would never skrue up the Law to the pitch of cruelty nor unloose it to the remissness of Libertinism He was no less honourable a Patron of the Vniversity than he was a faithful son of the Church the Church strengtheneth the State and the Vniversities furnish both particularly in the case of Rent-corn which saith my Author first grew in Sir Thomas Smiths head yet was ripened by Burleighs assistance whereby though the Rents of the Colledges stand still their Revenues increase He was not surer of all Church-men and Scholars by his Obligations upon them than he was of all by his complaisance and pleasantness None more grave than he in Publick none more free in private especially at his Table where he drew something out of his heaviest guests having an admirable Dexterity in reading and observing men their own occasional openings in common discourse there being more hold to be taken of a few words casually uttered than of set solemn Speeches which rather shew mens Arts than their Natures as indited rather of their brains than hearts His power awed many his conversation obliged more He had his hour to put on his Gown and his hour to put it â—ff When he would say Lie thou there Lord Treasurer and bidding Adieu to all State-affairs he dispoâ—ed himself to his quiet and rest He laid the Designes of War by his own Theory and his friends Intelligence yet he advised peace and died before the Quâ—stion was determined whether a War with Spain Others understood the Nature of War but he onely the Expediency and Conveniency If War was necessary none more forward to promote it none more
by which unsteady carriage He so befooled his Adversarie with their Spies and Pensioners as they were at a loâ—s what to inform their Patrons of or themselves how to resolve Fortune and Conduct set up this Favourite it falling in his Character as at Primero and otheâ— Plays wherein Fortune is directed and conducted by Art The best and subtilest Gamester may lose if it cross him but if it smiles and favours he knoweth best how to manage and govern it Five things raised this person to a respect as great as his fortune to be as high in the Queens favour as he was in his Descenâ— 1. A Civility set off with State 2. A pleasing Modesty of Countenance and Afâ—fability of Speech ennameled with Gravity 3. A Boldness attended with Patience 4. A great Capacity enlivened with as great Dexterity And 5. An Integrity secured with wariness in the darke of which quality both in his Expression and in his Actions he wrapped himself as this sepia to preserve her self undiscovered doth shed forth about her a quantity of blushes in his blood to hide her self from the Fisherman Observations on the Life of the Lord Willoughby THe Lord Willoughby was one of the Queens first Sword-men he was of the antient extract of the Bartâ—es but more ennobled by his Mother who was Dutchess of Suffolk He was a great Master of the Art Military and was sent General into France and commanded the second of five Armies that the Queen sent thither in aid of the French As he was a great Souldier so was he of a sutable Magnanimity and could not brook the obsequiousness and assiduity of the Court at that timâ— He had more favour than he courted and he courted more rather to comply with the Queens humour than his own inclination than he desired He would say and that saying did him no good saith Sir Robert Naunton That he was none of the Reptilia being made Brother to march as a Souldier than to creep as a Courtier But Civility must allay Nature in a Courtier Prudence regulate it in a States-man and modest submission check and soften it in a Subject It s as dangerous to be stubbornly abave the kindness as it is to be factiously against the power of Princes Willoughby got nothing Stanlâ—y lost all his haughtiness which when it cannot be obliged is suspected But his service in France Holland and on the Borders compounded for his roughness so that they who could not endure he should be high at Court were pleased he should be so in the Field Stiffness which displeased when looked on as Pride at home took when heard to be Resolution abroad Each Nature is advanced in its own Element Leicester among the Ladies my Lord Willoughby among the Souldiers Itâ—s a step to Greatness to know our own way to it to exercise shew our proper Vertues as he did â—iâ— Magnanimity in these two instances among many others 1. When one challenged him then sick of the Gout he said That though he were lame in his feet and hands yet he would carry a Rapier in his teeth to fight his Adversary 2. Having taken a Spanish Gennet designed a present to that King and being offered either 1000 l. or 100 l. a year in exchange for it he nobly answered If it had been a Commander he would have freely released him but being onely a Horse he saw no reason he could not keep a good Horse as well as the King of Spain himself Sir Christopher Hatton was to an excess a courtier and my Lord Willoughby so a Souldier Queen Elizabeth on the Lord Willoughby Good Peregrine WE are not a little glad that by your Journey you have received such good fruit of amendment specially when we consider what great vexations it is to a mind devoted to actions of honor to be restrained by any indisposition of body from following those courses which to your own reputation and our great satisfaction you have â—ormerly performed And therefore as we must now out of our desire of your vvell-doing chiefly enjoyn you to an eâ—pecial care to encrease and continue your health vvhich must give life to all your best endeavours so we must next as seriously recommend to you this consideration That in these times when there is such appearance that we shall have the â—ryal of our best noble Subjectâ—â— you fâ—â—m not to affect the satisfaction of your own private contentation beyond the attending of that vvhich Nature and Duty challengeth from all persons of your quality and Profession For if necessarily your health of body being recovered you should Eloign your self by residence there from those Employmentâ— vvhereof we shall have too good store you shall not so much amend the state of your body as happily you shall call in question the reputation of your mind and judgement even in the opinion of those that love you and are best acquainted vvith your Disposition and Discretion Interpret this our plainness vve pray you to our extraordinary estimation of you for it is not common vvith us to deal so freely with many and believe that you shall ever find us both ready and vvilling in all occasions â—o yield you the fruits of that interest vvhich your Endeavours have purchased for you in our Opinion and Estimation Not doubting but when you have vvith moderation made tryal of the success of these your sundry Peregrinations you vvill find as great comfort to spend your days at home as heretofore you have done of which we do wish you full measure howsoever you shall have cause of abode or return Given under our Signet at our Mannor of Nonsuch the seventh of October 1594. in the 37 year of our Reign Your most loving Soveraign E R. Observations on the Life of Sir Philip Sidney HE was son to Sir Henry Sidney Lord Deputy of Ireland and President of Wales A Person of great parts and in no mean grace with the Queen His Mother was Sister to my Lord of Leicester from whence we may conjecture how the Father stood up in the place of Honour and Employment so that his Descent was apparently Noble on both sides For his Education it was such as Travel and the University could afford for after an incredible proficiency in all the species of Learning he left the Academical life for that of the Court whither he came by his Uncles invitation famed aforehand by a Noble report of his Accomplishments which together with the state of his Person framed by a natural propension to Arms he soon attracted the good opinion of all men and was so highly prized in the good opinion of the Queen that she thought the Court deficient without him and whereas through the fame of his deserts he was in the election for the Kingdome of Poland she refused to further his advancement not out of Emulation but out of fear to lose the Jewel of her times He married the daughter and sole Heir of Sir Francis Walsingham then
they answered or were silent This Spanish Proverb was familiar with him Tell a Lye and find a Truth and this Speak no more than you may safely retreat from without danger or fairly go through with without opposition Some are good onely at some affairs in their own acquaintance Walsingham was ready every where and could make a party in Rome as well as England He waited on mens souls with his eye discerning their secret hearts through their transparent faces He served himâ—elf of the Factions as his Mistress did neither advancing the one nor depressing the other Familiar with Cecil allied to Leicester and an Oracle to Sussex He could overthrow any matter by undertaking it and move it so as it must fall He never broke any business yet carried many He could discourse any matter wiâ—h them that most opposed so that they in opposing it promoted it His fetches and compass to his designed speech were things of great patience and use Twice did he deceive the French as Agent once did he settle the Netherlands as Commissioner and twice did he alter the Government of Scotland as Embassadour Once did France desire he might be recalled because he was too hard for the Counsel for the Hugonots and once did Scotland request his remand because he would have overturned their Constitution 53 Agents did he maintain in Forreign Courts and 18 Spies for two Pistols an Order he had all the private Papers of Europe few Letters escaped his hands whose Contents he could read and not touch the Sealâ— Bellarmine read his Lectures at Rome one moneth and Reynolds hadâ— them confute that next So patient was this wise man Chiselhurst never saw him angry Cambridge nâ—ver passionate and the Court never discomposed Religion was the interest of his Countrey in his judgement and of his Soul therefore he maintained it as sincerely as he lived it it had his head his purse and his heart He laid the great foundaâ—ion of the Protestant Constitution as to its policyâ— and the main plot against the Polish as to its ruine â—e would cherish a plot some years together admitting the Conspirators to his own and the Queens â—â—eâ—ence familiarly but dogging them out watchâ—â—â—â—y his Spiâ—s waited on some men every hour for â—â—â—ee yeaâ—s and leâ—t they could not keep counsel 〈◊〉 dispatched them to forraign parts taking in new Sâ—â—vantsâ— Hâ—s trainâ—ng Parry of who dâ—signed 〈…〉 of Queen Elizabeth the admitting of hiâ— under the pâ—etence of discovering a Plot to the Qâ—eens presence and then letting him go where he would onely on the security of a Dark Sentinel set over him was â— piece of reach and haâ—ard beyond common apprehension But Kingdomes were acted by him as well as private persons It is a likely report saith one that they father on him at his return â—â—om France when the Queen expressed her 〈◊〉 of the â—panish designe on that Kingdome with 〈◊〉 â—â—cernment Madam saith he be content not 〈…〉 the Spaniard hath a great appetite and an 〈…〉 digestion but I have fitted him with a bone for this twenty years that your Majesty shall have no cause to doubt him Prâ—vided that if the fire chance to slack which I have kindled you will be ruled by me and now and then cast in some English fuel which may revive the flame Hâ—â—irst observed the gâ—eat Bishop of Winchester fit to serve the Church upon the unlikely Youths first Sermon at Sâ—â— Alhallows Barking He brought my Lord Cooke first to the Church upon some private discourse with him at his Table The Queen of Scots Letters were all carried to him by her own Servant whom she trusted and decyphered to him by one Philips as they were sealed again by one Gregory so that neither that Queen or her correspondents ever perceived either the Seal defaced or the Letters delayed to her dying day Video Taceo was his saying before it was his Mistresses Motto Hâ— could as well â—it King Iames his humour with sayings out of Xenophon Thucydides Plutarch Tacitus as he could King Henry's with Rablais's conceits and the Hollander with mechanick Discourses In a word Sir Francis Walsingham was a studious and temperate man so publick-spirited that he spent his Estate to serve the Kingdome so faithful that â—e bestowed his years on his Queen so learned that he provided a Library for Kings Colledge of his own Books which was the best for Policy as Cecil's was for History Arundels for Heraldry Cottons for Antiquity and Vshers for Divinity finally he â—qualled all the Statesmen former ages discourse of and hardly hath been equalled by any in following Ageâ— Observations on the Life of the Earl of Leicester THe Lord Leicester was the youngest son then living of Dudley Duke of Northumberland he was also one of the first to whom Queen Elizabeth gave that honour to be master of the horse He was a very goodly person and singular well featured and all his youth well favoured and of a sweet aspect but high foreheaded which was taken to be of no discommendation but towards his latter end grew high-coloured and red-faced The Queen made him Earl of Leicester for the sufferings of his Ancestors sake both in her Fathers and Sisters Reigns The Earl of Essex his death in Ireland and the marriage of his Lady yet living deeply stains his commendation But in the Observations of his Letters and Writings there was not known a Stile or Phrase more religious and fuller of the streams of Devotion He was sent Governour by the Queen to the United States of Holland where we read not of his wonders for they say Mercury not Mars in him had the predominancy To the Policy he had from Northumberland his Father and the Publican Dudley his Grandfather he added it is said Magick and Astrology and to his converse with Wise men his familiarity with Wizards Indeed he would say A States-man should be ignorant of nothing but should have all notices either within his own or his Confidents command His Brother Ambrose was the heir to the Estate and he to the Wisdome of that Family He was the most reserved man of that Age that saw all and was invisible carrying a depth not to be faâ—homed but by the Searcher of Hearts Many fell in his time who saw not the hand that pulled them down and as many died that knew not their own Disease He trusted not his Familiars above a twelve-month together but either transported them for Forreign services or wafted them to another world His Ambition was of a large extent and his head-piece of a larger Great was his Influence on England greater on Scotland and greatest of all on Ireland and the Netherlands where this close Genius acted invisibly beyond the reach of friends or the apprehension of enemies Declining an immediate opposition in Court-factions the wary Sir raised always young Favourites to outshine the old ones so balancing all others that he might be Paramount himself The modern policy and practices were
of Shrewsbury where saith my Author at the same time a man may smile at the simplicity and sigh at the barbarousness thereof Sum Talboti pro occidere inimicos meâ—s the beâ—t Latine that Lord and perchance his Chaplain too in that Age could afford The case was much altered here where this Lords Grandchild was at once the chiefest * Councellour and the most eminent Scholar of his Age. It 's a reverend thing to see any ancient piece standing against time much more to see an ancient Family standing against Fortune Certainly Princes that have able men of their Nobility shall finde ease in employing them and a better â—lide into their business For people naturally bend to them as born in some sort to command Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Challâ—ner THis Gentlemans birth in London made him quick his Education in Cambridge knowing and his travail abroaâ—â—expert In Henry the eighth's time he reserved Charles the fifth in the expedition of Algier where being ship-wracked after he had swum till his strength and arms faâ—led â—im at the length catching hold of a Cable with his teeth he escaped not without the loss of some of his teeth We are consecrated by dangers to services and we know not what we can do until we have seen all we can fear In Edward the sixth's Reign he behaved himself so manly at Muscleborough that the Protector honoured him with a Knighthood and his Lady with a Jewel the delicate and valiant man at once pleasing Mars and his Venus too The first week of Queen Elizabeths Reign he is designed an Embassadour of honour to the Emperour such his port and carriage and the second year her Leiger for business in Spain such his trust and abilities The first he performed not with more Gallantry than he did the second with policy bearing up King Philips expectation of the match with England for three years effectually until he had done the Queens business abroad and she had done her own at home In Spain he equally divided his time between the Scholar and the States-man his recreation and his business for he refreshed his more careful time with a pure and learned Verse de rep Anglorum instauranda in five Books whilst as he writes in the preface to that Book he lived Hieme infurno aestate in Horreo i. e. Wintered in a Stove and Summered in a Barn He understood the Concerns of this estate well and those of his own better it being an usual saying engraven on all his Plates and Actions Frugality is the left hand of Fortune and Diligence the right Anthony Brown Viscount Mountacute urged with much Zeal and many Arguments the Danger and Dishonour of revolting off from the Catholick and Mother-Church Sir Thomas Challener with more Eloquence enlarged on the just Cause for which we deceded from the Errours of Rome the true Authority by which we deceded from the Usurpation of Rome and the Moderation in what we deceded from the Superstition of Rome When the Spanish Embassadour urged that some Catholicks might with the Queens leave remain in Sâ—ain he answered him in a large Declaration That though the instance seemed a matter of no great moment yet seeing the Parties concerned would not receive so much advantage by the licenâ—e as the Commonwealth would damage by the President it was neither fit for the King of Spain to urge or for the Queen of England to grant He was very impatient of Injuries pressing his return home when his Coffers were searched but admonished by his Mistress That an Embassadour must take all things in good part that hath not a direct tendency to the Princes dishonour or his Countries danger His death was as honourable as his life Sir William Cecil being chief Mourner at his Funeral St. Pauls containing his Grave and he leaving a hopeful Son that should bring up future Princes as he had served the present being as worthy a Tutor to the hopeful Prince Henry as his Father had been a faithful Servant to the renowned Queen Elizabeth Observations on the Life of Sir Edward Waterhouse SIr Edward Waterhousâ— was born at Helmstodbury Hartfordshire of an ancient and worshipful Family deriving their descent lineally from Sir Gilbert Waterhouse of Kyrton in Low-Lindsey in the County oâ— Lincolâ— â— in the time of King Henry the third As for our Sir Edward his Parents were Iohn Waterhouse Esquire a man of much fidelity and sageness Auditor many years to King Henry the eighth of whom he obtained after a great Entertainment for him in his house the grant of a weekly Market for the Town of Helmsted Margaret Turner of the ancient House of Blunts-Hall in Suffolk and Cannons in Hertfordshire The King at his departure honoured the children of the said Iohn Waterhouse being brought before him with his praise and encouragement gave a Benjamins portion of Dignation to this Edward foretelling by his Royal Augury that he would be the Crown of them all and a man of great honour and wisdome fit for the service of Princes It pleased God afterwards to second the word of the King so that the sprouts of his hopeful youth onâ—ly pointed at the growth and greatness of his honourable Age. For being but twelve years old he went to Oxford where for some years he glistered in the Oratorick and Poetick sphere until he addicted himself to conversation and observance of State-â—ffairs wherein his great proficiency commended him to the favour of three principal Patrons One was Walter Devereux Eâ—rl of Essex who made him his bosome-friend and the said Earl lying on his death-bed took his leave of him with many kisses Oh my Ned Oh my Ned said he Farewel thou art the faithfullest and friendliest Gentleman that ever I kâ—ow In testimony of his true affection to the dead Father in his living Son this Gentleman is thought to have penned that most judicious and elegant Epistle recorded in Holinshed's History pag. 1266. and presented it to the young Earl conjuring him by the Cogent Arguments of Example and Rule to patrizare His other Patron was â—ir Henry Sidney so often Lord Deputy of Ireland whereby he became incorporated into the familiarity of his Son Sir Philip Sidney between whom and Sir Edward there was so great friendliness that they were never better pleased than when in one anothers companies or when they corresponded each with other And we finde after the death of that worthy Knight that he was a close-concerned Mourner at his Obsequies as appeareth at large in the printed representation of his funeral Solemnity His third Patron was â—â—r Iohn Perrot Deputy â—lso of Ireland who so valued his council that in State affairs he would do nothing without him So great his Employment betwixt State and State that he crossed the Seas thirty seven times until deservedly at last he came into a port of honour wherein he sundry years anchored and found safe Harbour For he receiving the honour of Knighthood was
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
infensible diseases as Apoplexies whose vapors suddainly extinguish the animal spirits and Aposthumes both in the upper and middle Region of man that often drown and suffocate both the animal and vital who are like embodied Twins the one cannot subsist without the other If the animal wits fail the vital cannot subsist if the vitals perish the animals give over their operation and he that judgeth ill of such an act of Providence may have the same hand at the same time writing within the Palace-walls of his own body the same period to his lives Earthly â—â—pire His posterity refused an Apology offered in his behalf upon this ground that the things objected to him were of the number of those little Cavils which come with that rule not holding in great accusations Spreta exolescunt sâ— irascare agnita videntur The End of the Observations upon the Lives of the Statesmen and Favourites of England in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth THE STATES-MEN and FAVOURITES OF ENGLAND IN The Reign of King Iames. Observations on the Lives of the Cliffords Earls of Cumberland THE name hath been for three Ages ancient and Noble and in this last Age Warlike and serviceable They had the government of the Nâ—rth in their own right for an hundred years and the Hereditary Sheriff-dom of Westmoâ—land in right of the Vipâ—nts their Relations for two Henry the first Earl of Cumberland was raised by Henry the Eighth to that Honour 1525 for his service at Teurnay and Berwick Henry his son was by Queen Mary honoured with the Garteâ— for his conduct against Wyat and by Queen Eâ—iz graced with peculiar favours for his Industry Integrity and Vigilance in the North. As Natuâ—e â—o Nobility subsists and growes by the same thing that it is made of Vertue that creates supports it Observations on the Life of the Lord George Clifford GEorge Cliffâ—rd Lord Clifford Vescye c. Earl of Cumberland was son to Henry second Earl of that Family by his second Lady a person wholly composed of true honour and valour whereof he gave the world a large and clear demonstration It was resolved by the judicious in that Age The way to humble the Spanish greatness was not in pinching and pricking of him in the Low-Countries which only emptied his veins of such blood as was quickly re-filled But the way to make it a Cripple for ever was by cutting off the Spanish sinews of War his Monies from the West-Indies the back-door robs the house In order whereunto this Earl set forth a small Fleet on his own cost and adventured his own person therein being the best born Englishman that ever hazarded himself in that kinde His Fleet may be said to be bound for no other Harbour but the Port of Honour though touching at the Port of Profit in passage thereunto I say touching whose design was not to enrich himself but impoverish the Enemy He was as merciful as valiant the best metal bends best and left impressions of both in all places where he came Queen Eliz. Anno 1592. honoured him with the dignity of the Garter When King Iames came first out of Scotland to York he attended him with such an equipage of Followers for number and habit that he seemed rather a King than Earl of Cumberland Here happened a Contest between the Earl and the Lord President of the North about carrying the Sword before the King in York which Office upon due search and enquiry was adjudged to the Earl as belonging unto him and whilest Clifford's Tower is standing in York that Family will never be therein forgotten His Anagram was as really as literally true Georgius Cliffordius Cumberlandius Davidis regno clarus cum vi fulgebis He died Anno 1605. leaving one Daughter and Heir the Lady Anne married to the Earl of Dorset This noble person taught the world however others speak at pleasure jussit quod splendida bilis That the Art of making War hath not a positive form and that it ought to be diversified according to the state of Occurrences They that will commit nothing to Fortune nor undertake any Enterprize whose event appeareth not infallible escape many dangers by their wary conduct but fail of as many successes by their unactive fearfulness It 's useless to be too wise and spend that time in a grave gaze on business that might serve the speedy dispatch of it Neither was our Peer great onely in the atchievements of the Field to please higher spirits but gaudy at Court to astonish and ravish the lowest making noble expences when necessary and appearing splendid on the important occasions whose principal quality resided in Magnificence Yet was he not transported with these appearances or to make them the greatest ornament of his conduct the choicest expressions of his life fixing neither his greatness upon a transitory Pageant nor his glory upon a fading Pomp. No sullen opposer of the unavoidable occurrences of life but a dexterous complier with present exigencies comparing those that swelled doggedly against Providence or the present state of affairs to King Canutus who forbad the unobservant waves of the Sea to flow no higher and they that repined at and spoke against it to Xerxes who whipped the Hellespont Observations on the Life of Sir Tho-Smith SIr Thomas Smith was born at Abington in Bark-shire bred in the University of Oxford God and himself raised him to the Eminency he attained unto unbefriended with any extraction He may seem to have had an ingenious emulation of Sir Thomas Smith Senior Secretary of State whom he imitated in many good qualities and had no doubt equalledâ—in preferment if not prevented by death He attained onely to be Master of the Requests and Secretary to King Iames for his Latine Letters higher places expecting him when a period was put at once to his life and to his hopes Novemb. 28. 1609. The generous piety of the honourable Countess of Exeter having erected him one Monument at Fulham his own worth another in History His Father died when he was yet so young that he knew not what a Father meant but his Mothers affection for her Husband dyed not with him whereupon she multiplyed her cares on this Gentleman and her other Children so abundantly that a long while he little found the want of that dear name her transcendent love so well supplying the place of both relations For no sooner was he fit to learn than she did by friends procure the best Mâ—sters those Times afforded to render his education perfeâ—t in those exercises as well of the mind as of the body wherein they that flattered him not would say he was no ill Proficient such majesty such modesty in his carriage that men would admire how two such distant things could meet in one subject His eye was quick and piercing his shape and motion charming the air and lineaments of his countenance lively arguments that his soul was not inferiour to his body but that the one promised no more
say commonly of him and those brave Heroes under him That they were born to save their Countrey This noble person was of greater experience than knowledg and more beholding to his years than to his Education whence K. Iames took great pleasure in his discourse that was not morose obstinate narrow unactive or formal like a Students harangues but free active and ingenuous like a States-man's Maximes Whereof one was this That never did Commander a noble Act that was Commission-bound it being a question whether the Venetians and Spaniards lost more at Sea and in the Netherlands before they discovered that Error or gained more since For whilest we address our selves to the State occasions are lost things take another countenance and so many unexpected accidents happen for which suddain provision must be made that opportunities escape before we dare lay hold of them and sometimes we perish for want of a Commission to save our selves Great content did he give by his presence in the French Court 1605. and greater in his carriage at the Prince Elector's marriage 1612. A prudent care did he discover in providing for posterity by the seasonable resignation of his Admiralty a faithful friend he shewed himself in confirming Sir Robert Mansel's place when he parted with his own a great argument of his own worth and service that he was so careful to reward others Observations on the Life of Sir Geo. Hume Earl of Dunbar NO wonder he is so great a Favourite of King Iames in his riper years who was so faithful a servant of his in his youth trusted with his Royal secrets in Scotland and therefore in his Royal bosome in England The natural reservedness of all Scots-men and the vast depth of this are not more necessary to all Princes then they were pleasing to King Iames who had no secrecies that endangered his Privadoes though many that tried them and particularly our Statesman who had no hidden weakness to be over-reached nor private Interest to be corrupted but was a great Master of himself owning a reach not to be comprehended and thoughts not to be fathomed but by him whose heart was as the sand of the Sea Exact was his correspondence with Sir Robert Cecil while in Scotland and intimate was their friendship in England both extorting from each other those observations touching their respective Countreys which they might both communicate to His Majesty at their respective opportunities His Enterprizes were well laid but unsuccessful rational but unhappy an argument that Designs are only in our power and Events in a higher There was not a man more noble and renowned more comâ—ly aâ—d graceful of more years and experience Versatus Versutus of a greater estate or revenue more liberal and munificent more accostable and courteous more resolved and reserved all the qualities of a compleat Ambassador than the Earl of Dunbar when sent to Germany yet none more ineffectual having gained no more by a tedious and chargeable Negotiation than as the Earl of Nottingham with his gallant Retinue in Spain that the Papists who were formerly perswaded by their Jesuites that we were Monsters do now believe we are Men so useless was soft Courtship in rough tumults and so little heed was given to smooth complements in Arms anâ— Uproars More happy was he in Scotland where his prudence as Lord Treasurer and his Chaplain Doctor Abbots gravity as Preacher reduced that Nation to so much sobriety as to admit a regular Religion and Government for which service he had the Exchequer and the Wardrobe for himself and the Arch-Bishoprick of Canterbury for the Doctor when the King was in a great streight between the known merit of the incomparable Bishop Andrews and the last request of dying Sir George Hume a great instance of King Iames his abilities in what Machiavel calleth a Princes Master-piece viz. the choice of Servants Observations on the Life of the Earl of Somerset HIs extraction from Scotland put him in the way his Education in England set him in a capacity of Advancement He was born seasonably when his Father served him that should be a King of England and brought up happily when he might please him that was so His beauty and comliness took his Majesty his parts and prudence obliged him who loved the Cabinet but valued the Jewel He was admitted Page of honour to King Iames when of Scotland and his Favourite when of England His Majesties first observation of him was at a solemn Tilting where his delight in his person meeting with his pity of his mischance I mean the breaking of his leg there first took him to his tuition and then to his Council All King Iames his Favourites were of his own education and so imbued with his principles and engaged to his interest It was his Majesties policy to râ—tain Scots States-men to balance the English It was Somerset's prudence to entertain English Favouries to endear the Scots therefore Sir Tho. Overbury was as much of his Councel as he was of his Majesties too haughty a carriage was the miscarriage of other Minions too good a nature was â—is His great defect being that goodness and humanity that that knoweth no excess but errour which was rather a softness than a kindness his heart was as large to others as his Masters was to him and knew as little how to mistrust as how to do any thing for which he should be mistrusted This is the Lesson he was short in That civilities should be common but favours choice The Whale is steered at Sea by a far smaller Fish and this States-man at Court by far meaner men than himself I my self saith an ingenious man have known many so far strangers to what was convenient as they would scarce concede or deny any thing out of the presence of their Secretary and this proceeded not seldom from a distrust there was no cause for manifest in the Earl of Somerset who though himself owner of a competent sufficiency was so enchanted with an opinion of Sir Thomas Overbury's parts that he preferred him from a Servant to such an intimate friendship as he could think nothing well educated for employment in his Office that had not passed his correction nor secret laid up but in his bosome which swelled him saith he to such a monstrosity in pride that I have heard not being my self then near the English Court how he offered to rant at his servants and did once beat his Coachman for putting his commands under an inferiour expostulation to his Master and through this intollerable arrogance in him and remisness in the Earl the sparks first flew that kindled the ruine of them both Friendship being no more able to maintain its interest against a feminine affection than so great a pride was to confine it self within the tedder of moderation The greatest are not free but led in triumph by the affections of others through the mediation of their own Sir Thomas Overbury would do what was most
force of Circumstances the errors of Comparison or the cautions of Application I like his Apology for his severity to the Clergy that he was austere to prevent others being cruel as well as his zeal for the Protestant Religion onely his Principles betrayed his profession which he rendered too obnoxious while he supported it by those novel grounds which our Adversaries could make us confess were Heterodox and by those streight-laced foundations which we saw our selves too narrow As for instance King Iames his vast capacity took him up once for making the Scripture the onely rule of Civil Affairs owning the piety but observing to his face the imprudence of that assertion Imprudence I say as for many reasons so for this because to assert a truth upon a weak principle is to tempt the world to doubt of the strength of the first when they see the weakness of the other Whether he went off in discontent and said He would not attend at the Councel-Table because he should not wait at the Altar Whether he had such malignant followers as called themselves Nicodemites or Night-Disciples Whether he turned noon-day into mid-night and mid-night into noon-day having a candle always burning in his Chamber or if so for what reason I would not have one of my years determine but rather refer the present age to his Contemporaries pen which describes him thus A very learned man he was his Erudition all of the old stamp fitly principled in the Doctrine of S. Augustine pious grave and exemplary in his Conversation But some think him a better man than Arch-Bishop and that he was better qualified with merit for the Dignity than with a spirit answering the Function in the exercise whereof he was conceived too facile and yielding his extraordinary remisness in not exacting strict Conformity to the prescribed Orders of the Church in point of Ceremony seemed to resolve those legal Determinations to their first Principle of Indifference and led in such an habit of Inconformity as the future reduction of those tender-conscienced men to long discontinued obedience was interpreted an innovation as if he thought it might fall out in Politicks as it doth sometimes in Physick bina venena juvant that the two contrary poysons of Superstition and Innovation might prove a Cordial to the Church Observations on the Life of Sir George Calvert SIr George Calvert was bred first in Trinity-Colledge in Oxford and then beyond the Seas His Abilities commended him first to be Secretory to Robert Cecil Earl of Salisbury Lord Treasurer of England Afterwards he was made Clerk of the Council and at last principal Secretary of State to King Iames succeeding Sir Tâ—o Lake in that Office Anno 1619. Conceiving the Duke of Buckingham highly instrumental in his preferment he presented him with a Jewel of great value which the Duke returned him again not owning any Activity in his Advancement whom King Iames ex mero motu reflecting on his Abilities designed for the Place This Place he discharged five years until he willingly resigned the same 1624. on this occasion He freely confessed himself to the King that he was then become a Roman Catholick so that he must either be wanting to his Trust or violate his conscience in discharging his Office This his Ingenuity so highly affected King Iames that he continued him Privy-Councellor all his Reign and soon after created him Lord Baltemore of Baltemore in Ireland During his being Secretary he had a Patent to him and his Heirs to be Absolutus Dominus Proprietarius with the Royalties of a Count Palatine of the Province of Avalon in the New-found land a place so named by him in imitation of old Avalon in Somersetshire wherein Glassenbury stands the first-fruits of Christianity in Britain as the other was in that part of America Here he built a fair house in Ferry-land and spent twenty five thousand pounds in advancing the Plantation thereof Indeed his publick spirit consulted not his private profit but the enlargement of Christianity and the Kings Dominions in that his ancient primitive and heroick work of planting the world After the death of King Iames he went twice in person to New-found land Here when Mounsieur de l' Arade with three men of War sent from the King of France had reduced our English Fishermen to great extreamity this Lord with two Ships manned at his own charge chased away the Frenchmen relieved the English and took sixty of the French Prisoners He removed afterwards to Virginia to view those parts and thence camâ— into England and obtained of King Charles the first who had as great an esteem of and affection for him as King Iames a Patent to him and his Heirs for Mary-Land on the North of Virginia with the same Title and Royalties conferred on him as in Avalon aforesaid now a hopeful Plantation peopled with eight thousand English Souls which in process of time may prove more advantageous to our Nation Judg Popham and Sir George Calvert agreed not more unanimously in the publick design of Planting than they differed in the private way of it the first was for extirpating Heathens the second for converting them He sent away the lewdest this the soberest people the one was for present profit the other for a reasonable expectation it being in the case of planting Countreys as in that of planting Woods you must account to lose almost twenty years profit and expect your recompence in the end it being necessary the Province should first find her self and then enrich you The Judge was for many Governors the Secretary for few and those not concerned Merchants but unconcerned Gentlemen The one granted Liberties without any restraint the other with great caution The first set up a common Stock out of which the Island should be provided for by proportions the second left every one to provide for himself Two things are eminent in this man 1. That though he was a Catholick yet kept he himself sincere and disingaged from all Interests and though a man of great judgment yet not obstinate in his sentiments but taking as great pleasure in hearing others opinions as in delivering his own which he heard moderated and censured with more patience than applauded 2. That he carried a digested and exact account of Affairs to his Master every night and took to himself the pains to examine the Letters which related to any Interest that might be any ways considerable He was the onely States-man that being engaged to a decryed party yet managed his business with that huge respect for all sides that all who knew him applauded him and none that had any thing to do with him complained of him Observations on the Life of Sir Arthur Chichester SIr Arthur Chichester spent his youth first in the University then in the French and Irish Wars where by his valour he was effectually assistantâ— First to plough and break up that barbarous Nation by Conquest and then to sow it with seeds
Author thereof may pass for an eminent instance to what perfection of Theory they may attain to in matter of War who were not acquainted with the Practick part thereof being once employed by Queen Elizabeth with a dispatch to Sir Francis Vere which occasioned his presence at the Battel at Newport For he doth so smartly discuss pro and con and seriously decide many Martial Controversies that his judgment therein is praised by the best Military Masters King Iames taking notice of his Abilities made him Clerk of the Council and Knighted him and he was at last preferred Secretary of State in the vacancy of that place but prevented by death he acted not therein At this day his goodness in his general carriage out-did his prudence and his prudence in particular his goodness but his industry loth in all things and in nothing more than in his Scotch Negâ—tiation where he over-reached the slye French composed and setled the unsatisfied King and sent those weekly Advertisements to his Mistriss that Sir Robert Cecil confessed the Master-wheel of those years revolutions When Charles the fifth presented Secretary Eraso to his Son Philip the second he said He gave him somewhat greater than his Estate and more royal than his Empire When Sir William Waad introduced Sir Clement Edmonds to Court he brought thither in that person more than he coulâ— carry away in his own A person much accomplished in the great precepts and rules he observed more in his experience and application of those he practised wherein he was wise but not presumptuous exact but not pedantick allowing much to old Observations more to new Circumstances He was not more beholding to his Nature than his Nature to his Study and Meditation and that to time and experience which offered at once occasions of ininstruction and matter of exercises to his great understanding so well acquainted with the aâ—â—airs of former Ages that he could not be surprized with those of his own knowing how to command before he was called to obey as who trusted not to his own short and perplexed life that scarce holds out five or six important Negotiations and ordinarily ceaseth to be before it beginneth to know but his policy may be guessed from his morality and his publick carriage in the tumults of Affairs from his private conduct and command in the disorders of nature these being as well managed by his reason as the former by his prudence His lesser skill in governing the little world being an earnest of that more large in ruling the greater The Government of others saith Philosophy is not fit for him who is a Slave to himself Observations on the Life of James Hay Earl of Carlisle ONe Hay his Ancestor saved Scoâ—land from an Army of Danes at Longcarty with a Yâ—ak in his hand Iames Hay 6â—0 years after saved the King of that Countrey from the Gowries at their house with a Câ—lter in his the first had as much ground assigned him by King Kenith as a Falcon could flye over at one flight and the other as much Land as he could ride round in two dayes The whole Family fell before Dubâ—in-Castle in former dayes fave a child left in his Mothers womb and had decayed in ours but that the heir of it was cut out from his He served his Master in Scotland by his Generosity and in England with his Hâ—spitality the decay whereof King Iames observed the defect of the English Nobility and the restauration of it he designed the honour of the Scots Gentry Royal was his Masters munificence towards him noble his towards others His Majesty being not more intent upon his advancement for publick service than he was upon the advancement of others to hâ—s private assistanceâ— His Majesties gracious inclination being for a Reign of Peace this servants estate was spent upon the Arts of it I mean upon Feasts Masques gay Cloathes and such other Delicacies as might soften our harâ—her natures to quietness that Princes interest who was first to understand and then to manage the â—trength of this Nation Although he failed in most of his Negotiations because he carried his money on his back rather than in his purâ—â—â— rather to spend than to bestow and amaze Foreigners rather than oblige them Yet was his Embassie more suitable to the French vanity than either the Dutch thrift or the German plainness and his carriage more answerable to a gawdy Treaty of Marriage than to a close Agency for Interest or the intricate consultations of War So great the report of his Hospitality that an Host of Delph demanded sixty pounds for providing him a Supper though he never came that way yet so displeasing to the Prince of Orange that when his Steward asked what he should provide extraordinarily for the great Embassador's entertainment the Prince looks on his Bill of Fare and whereas there was but one Pig he bid them write two tartly reflecting as well on my Lords Nation as his magnificence One of his Entertainments I understand not the reason of I mean his Ante-Suppers the manner of which was to have the Board covered at the first entrance of Guests with dishes as high as a tall man could well reach filled with the choicest and dearest Viands Sea or Land could afford and all this once seen and having feasted the eyes of the invited was removed and fresh set on to the same height having onely this advantage of the other that it was hot at one whereof an Attendant eat to his single share a whole Pye reckoned to my Lord at twenty pounds being composed of Amber-greece Magisterial of Pearl Musk c. yet was so far from being sweet in the morning that he almost poysoned his whole Family flying himself like the Satyr from his own stink and another went away with forty pound of Sweet-meats in his Cloak-bag Yet must I needs judgâ—â—â—m uncharitable that writ of this noble person that when the most able Physicians and his own weakness had passed a judgement he could not live maâ—y dayes he did not forbear his Entertainments buâ— made divers brave Cloaths as he said to outâ—ace â—aked and despicable Death adding withal That nature wantted wisdom power or love in making man mâ—rtal and subject to diseases Forgetting as that censorioâ—s Pen goeth on that if every Individual his own lust had been able to have produced should have prosecuted an equal excess with his they would in a far less time than an age have brâ—â—ght themselves or the world into the same disease he died of which was a Consumption For my part I adhere to their Civility that represent his nature modest his demeanor fair and Court-like his obligations general his interest as great with the Favourite as with the King and so much the greater with the King as he studied him more and understood him better than any man though one observeth he was rather in his favour than in his bosome and therefore he took care That as his
sufficient credit To which they assure him That one Sarah Swarton their Chamberesse stood behind the Hanging at the entrance of the Room and heard the Countess read over what she had writ and her also they procure to swear unto this before the King To make further tryal the King in a hunting journey at New-park near Wimbleton gallops thither views the Rooâ—â— observing the great distance of the Window from the lower end of the Room and placing himself behind the Hanging and so other Lords in turn they could not hear one speak loud from the window Then the Housekeeper was call'd who protested those Hangings had constantly furnisht that Room for thirty years which the King observed to be two foot short of the ground and might discover the woman if hidden behind them I may present also the King saying Oaths cannot confound my sight Besides all this the Mother and Daughter connterfeit another Writing a Confession of one Luke Hutton acknowledging for 40 pound annuity the Countess hired him to poison them which Man with wonderful providence was found out privately and denies it to the King And thus prepared the King sends for Sir Thomas Lake whom indeed he very much valued tells him the danger to imbarque himself in this Quarrel advising him to leave them to the Law being now ready for the Star-Chamber He humbly thanked his Majesty but could not refuse to be a Father and a Husband and so puts his Name with theirs in a cross Bill which at the hearing took up five several days the King sitting in Iudgment But the former testimonies and some private confessions of the Lady Rosse and Sarah Wharton which the King kept in private from publick proceedings made the Cause for some of the days of Tryal appear doubtful to the Court until the Kings discovery which concluded the Sentence and was pronounced in several Censures Sir Thomas Lake and his Lady fined ten thousand pounds to the King five thousand pounds to the Countess fifty pounds to Hutton Sarah Wharton to be whipt at a Carts tail about the streets and to do penance at St. Martin's Church The Lady Râ—sse for confessing the truth and plot in the midst of the Tryal was pardoned by the Major Voices from penal Sentence The King I remember compared their Crimes to the first plot of the first sin in Paradise the Lady Lake to the Serpent her Daughter unto Eve and Sir Thomas to poor Adam whom he thought in his conscience that his love to his Wife had beguiled him I am sure he paid for all which as he told me cost him thirty thousand pounds and the loss of his Masters favour and Offices of gain and honour but truely with much pity and compassion of the Court. Obsâ—rvations on the Life of the Earl of Suffolk HIs Uncle Northampton negotiated his preferment and his Father Noâ—folke deserved i◠〈◊〉 whose sake the eldest Son Philip Earl of Arâ—â—â—â—l was â—â—de Lord Marsâ—al and this second first Câ—â—mberlain and then Treasurer wherein as the Earl of Middlesex understood well the priviledges of the City so my Lord kenned well the Revenues of the Crown But his fair Daughter that gained him most favour did him most harm he falling with his Son Somerset's miscarriages when he might have stood without his Relation being as plain as his brother Henry was subtle as obliging as he was insinuating as knowing as he was cunning the one conversing with Books the other with Men. A Gentleman from whom I requested his Character returns me no more but this He was a man never endued with much patience and one that much retarded the progress of his fortune by often speaking publickly with too much liberty Otherwise very true to the Maximes of his Age. 1. Linking himself to the Scots 2. Buying Fee-Farm Rents to avoid envy as my Lord of Salisbury before him in the Scots Debenturers names 3. Promoting Northern Suits And 4. projecting for money He was also Chancellor of Cambridge loving and beloved of the University When at his first coming to Cambridge Mr. Francis Nethersole Oratour of the University made a Latine Speech unto him the Lord returned Though I understand not Latine I know the sense of your Oration is to tell me that I am welcome to you which I believe verily I thank you for it heartily and will serve you faithfully in any thing within my power Dr. Harsenet the Vice Chancellor laying hold on the handle of so fair a Proffer requested him to be pleased to entertain the King at Cambridge a favour which the University could never compass from their former great and wealthy Chancellours I will do it saith the Lord in the best manner I may and with the speediest conveniency Nor was he worse than his word giving his Majesty such a Treatment in the University as cost him five thousand pounds and upwards Hence it was that after his death Thomas his second son Earl of Bark-shire not suing for it nor knowing of it was chosen to succeed him losing the place as some suspected not for lack of Voices but fair counting them Observations on the Life of Sir Robâ— Cary. HE was born an ingenious man of good parts and breeding but of so uncourtly a temper that in all likelihood we had not heard of him had he not had the luck to have been the first Messenger let out of the Court by the favour of his Father the Lord Chamberlain to bring King Iames news that Queen Elizabeth was dead when the Scots expectation was so tyred that they thought Queen Eliz. would never dye as long as there was an old woman that could either wear good cloaths or eat good meat in England Upon which good account he is a Bed-chamber-man to King Iames and a Tutor to Prince Charles though he had made better use of his Talent as a Soldier than as a Courtier having too much of the Candor of that Family that as the Historian observed spake of things alwayes as they deserved And though he had wit enough yet he had not the judgment or way to make those stand in awe of him who were mâ—st obliged to him Observations on the Lives of Sir Robert Naunton and Sir Francis Nethersole SIr Robert Naunton is the Author of one Book of Observations upon the States-men of Queen Eliz. times and must be the subject of another of King Iames's He noted then in his youth what he was to practice afterwards in his more reduced years His University-Studies at Trinity-Colledge whereof he was Commoner and at Trinity-Hall whereof he was Fellow His Speeches both while Proctor and Orator of Cambridge discovered him more inclined to publick Accomplishments than private Studies He improved the opportunity of the speech he was to make before K. Iames at Hiâ—chinbrook so well that as His Majesty was highly affected with his Latine and Learning so he exactly observed his prudence and serviceableness whereupon he came to Court as Sir Thomas Overburies Assistant first and
made for the benefit and ease of all frequenters of the Library that which I have already performed in sight that besides which I have given for the maintenance of it and that which hereafter I purpose to add by way of enlargement to that place for the project is cast and whether I live or dye it shall be God â—illing put in full execution will testifie so truly and abundantly for me as I need not to be the publisher of the dignity and worth of mine own institution Written with mine own band Anno 1609. Decemb. 15. Observations on the Life of Henry Vere Earl of Oxford HEnry Vere was son of Edward Vere the seventeenth Earl of Oxford and Anne Trentham his Lady whose principal habitation the rest of his patrimony being then wasted was at Heningham-Castle in Essex A vigorous Gentleman full of courage and resolution and the last Lord Chamberlain of England of this Family His sturdy nature would not bow to Court-compliants who would maintain what he spake speak what he thought think what he apprehended true and just though sometimes dangerous and distastful Once he came into Court with a great milk white feather about his hat which then was somewhat unusual save that a person of his merit might make a fashion The Reader may guess the Lord who said to him in some jeer My Lord you wear a very fair Feather It 's true said the Earl and if you mark it there is ne're a Taint in it Indeed his Family was ever loyal unto the crown deserving their Motto Vero nil Verius His predecessors had not been more implacable enemies to Spain in the Low-Countries than he was at Whiâ—e-Hall backing those arguments against the Match stoutly in the Presence-Chamber that Doctor Hackwel had urged zealously in the Pulpit and as resolutely suffering imprisonment for the one as the Doctor did suspension for the otâ—er declaring himself as freely against the Agent Gondomar as against his business the Marriage For chancing to meet Gonâ—omar at an Entertainment the Don accosted him with high Complements vowing That amongst all the Nobility of England there was none he had tendered his service to with more sincerity than to his Lordship though hitherto such his unhappiness that his affections were not accepted according to his integrity that tendered them It seems replyed the Earl of Oxford that your Lordship hath good leisure when stooping in your thoughts to one so inconsiderable as my self whose whole life hath afforded but two things memorable therein It is your Lordships modesty returned the Spaniard to undervalue your self whilest we the spectators of your Honours deserts make a true and impartial estimate thereof hundreds of memorables have met in your Lordships life But good my Lord what are those two signal things more conspicuâ—us than all the rest They are these two said the Earl I was born in the year 88 and christened on the fifth of November Neither was he a more inveterate enemy to the Church of Rome than a cordial friend to that of England for presenting one Mr. Copinger to Laneham he added to try him He would pay no tâ—thes of his Park Mr. Copinger desired again to resign it to his Lordship rather than by such sinful gratitude to betray the rights of the Church Well if you be of that mind said the Earl than take the tythes I scorn that my Estate should swell with Church-goods Going over one of the four English Colonels into the Low-Countries and endeavouring to raise the siege of Breda he so over-heated himselâ— with Marching Fighting and vexing the Design not succeeding that â—e dyed after Anno Dom. 16 He married Diana one of the Co-heirs of William Earl of Exeter afterwards to Edward Earl of Elgin by whom he left no Issue Observations on the Life of Sir Francis Vere SIr Francis Vere Governour of Bâ—il and Portsmouth was of the ancient and of the mâ—st noble extract of the Earls of Oxford and it may be a question wâ—ether the Nobility of his house or the honour of his Achievements might most commend him who brought as much glory to his name as he received honour from it He was amongst his Queens Sword-men inferiour to none but superiour to many He lived oftner in the Camp than Court but when his pleasure drew him thither no man had mâ—re of the Queens favour and none less envied He was a Solâ—ier of great wâ—rth and commanded thirty years in the service of the States and twenty years over the English in Chief as the Queens General and he that had seen the Batâ—el of Newport might there best have tâ—ken him and his nobâ—e Brother the Lord of Tilbâ—ry to the life They report that the Queen as she loved Martial men would court this Gentleman as soon as he appeared in her presence for he seldom troubled it with the noise and alarms of supplication his way was another sort of undermining as resolved in the Court as in the Camp as well to justifie his Patron as to serve her Majesty telling her the plain truth more sincerely than any man choosing as he said rather to fall by the malice of his enemies than be guilty of Ingratitude to his friends Yea and when he sued for the government of Portsmouth and some Grandees objected that that place was always bestowed on Noblemen he answered There were none ennobled but by their Princes favour and the same way he took The Veres compared Veri scipiadae Duo fulmina belli SIr Francis and Sir Horace Verâ— sons of Ieffery Vere Esquire who was son of Iohn Vere the fifteenth Earl of Oxford We will first consider severally and then compare joyntly to see how their Actions and Arms performed what their birth and bloud promised SIr Fran. was of a fiery spirit rigid nature undaunted in all danger not overvaluing the price of mens lives to purchase a victory therewith He served on the Scene of all Christendom where War was acted One Master-piece of his valour was at the Battel of Newport when his ragged Regiment so were the English-men called from their ragged Cloathes helped to make all whole or else all had been lost Another was when for three years he defended Ostend against a strong and numerous Army surrendring it at last a bare Skeleton to the King of Spain who paid more years purchase for it than probably the World would endure He dyed in the beginning of the Reign of K. Iames about the year of our Lord 16 SIr Horace had more meekness as much valour as his brother so pious that he first made peace with God before he went to war with man One of an excellent temper it being true of him what is said of the Caspian Sea that it doth never ebb nor flow observing a constant tenor neither elated nor depressed with sucess Had one seen him returning from a victory he would by his silence have suspected that he had lost the day and had he beheld
was as much taken with his witty discourses when a School-boy as with his grave Oracles when her Counsel learned He was a Courtier from his Cradle to his Grave sucking in experience with his milk being inured to policy as early as to his Grammar Royal Maximes were his Sententia Puerilis and he never saw any thing that was not noble and becoming The Queen called him her young Lord Keeper for his grave ingenuity at seven years of age and he could tell her Majesty he was two years younger than her happy Reign At twelve his industry was above the capacity and his mind above the reach of his Contemporaries A prodigy of parts he must be who was begot by wise Sir Nicholas Bacon born of the accomplished Mrs. Anne Cook daughter to Sir Anthony Cook King Edward the 6â—hs Tutor a good Grecian and Latinist and bred at Trinity-Colledge under the wise learned and pious Doctor Whitgift His strong observations at Court his steady course of study in the University must be improved for State-business by a well-contrived Travel abroad where his conversation was so obliging his way so inquisitive his prudence so eminent that he was Sir Amie Paulet's Agent between the Juncto of France and the Queen of England He allayed the solidity of England with the Ayre of France until his own Affairs and the Kingdoms service called him home at his Fathers death to enjoy a younger Brothers estate and act his part Policy was his business the Law was onely his livelyhood yet he was so great a States-man that you would think he only studied men so great a Scholar that you would say he only studied Books Such insight he had in the Law that he was at thirty her Majesties Advocate and extraordinary Counsel such his judgement that he was the Student of Grayes-Inn's Oracle being well seen in the grounds and mysteries of the Law though not experienced in the Cases of the Common Law while he made that profession his accessary and not his principal so generous and affable his disposition that he was aâ—l mens love and wonder He instilled wholsome precepts of Prudence and Honour to Noblemen particularly the Earl of Essex to whom he was more faithful than he to himself Great principles of Arts and Sciences to the learned noble Maximes of government to Princes excellent rules of Life to the Populacy When his great Patron Essex sunk he was buoyed up by his own steadiness and native worth that admitted him to the Qu. own presence not only to deliver matter of Law which was his profession but to debate matters of State which was his element his judgement was so eminent that he could satisfie the greatest his condescenâ—ion so humble that he instructed the meanest his extraordinary parts above the model of the age were feared in Queen Elizabeths time but employed in King Iames's Favour he had in her Reign but Trust only in his It 's dangerous in a factious Age to have my Lord Bacon's parts or my Lord of Essex his favour Exact was his correspondence abroad and at home constant his Letters frequent his Visits great his Obligations moderate and temperate his Inclination peaceable humble and submissive his mind complying and yielding his temper In Queen Elizabeths time when he could not rise by the publick way of service he did it by that more private of Marriage with one Alice Barneham an Alderman's Heiress and other commendable Improvements whereby he shewed a great soul could be rich in spight of Fortune for his Father dying while he was in France before he had purchased an estate he designed for him his youngest Son and Darling he had but a Portion of the money divided among five Brethren whereby he was in streights till Gorambum fell to him by his dearest Brother Mr. Anthony Bacon's death a Gentleman of his parts though not his learning having nothing either of honour or profit from that Queen but a reversion of the Register of the Star-Chambers place worth 1500. a year which he stay'd for 20 years saying that it was like another mans ground buttalling upon his house which might mend his prospect but it did not fill his Barn though it scorned it in point of Honour In the House of Commons none more popular where he was allowed to sit as Member when Atturney which is allowed none in that place none more zealous none so knowing a Patriot In the house of Lords none more sâ—ccessfully serviceable to the Crown the easie way of Subsidies was his design in Queen Elizabeths time the union with Scotland was his contrivance in King Iames's His make and port was stately his speech flowing and grave each word of his falling in its place the issue of great reason when conceived and of great prudence when expressed so great skill he had in observing and contriving of occasions and opportunities in suiting of Humours and hitting of Junctures and Flexures of Affairs that he was in his time the Master of speech and action carrying all before him The Earl of Salisbury saith Sir Walter Rawleigh was a good Orator but a bad Writer the Earl of Northampton was a good Writer but a bad Orator Sir Francis Bacon excelled in both Much he said he owed to his Books more to his innate Principles and Notions When he thought he said he aimed more at Connexion than Variety When he spake he designed rather the life and vigour of expression and perspicuity of words asking often if the meaning were expressed plainly enough than the elegancy or order of phrase His axiome was Words should wait on things rather than things on words and his resolution was That all affected elegance was below the gravity and majesty of a publick discourse He rather judged Books and Men than either read or talked with them His Exercises were man-like and healthful walking and riding his Meditations cohaerent every minute of his time improved his Table temperate and learned where his great Discourses were the entertainment and he himself the treat resolving Cases most satisfactorily it was observed that he would express another manâ— words with great advantage speaking with liberty and respect to all hearers amend much the phrase of it though retaining the substance stating Questions most exactly relating Histories most prudently opening great Secrets most clearly answering Arguments and replying most familiarly and speaking what he had thorowly weighed and considered most effectually All matters and speeches came from him with advantage so acute and ready his wit so faithful his memory so penetrating his judgment so searching his head so large and rational his soul. He drew out of every man he spake with what he was best for My Lord of Salisbury said he had the clearest prospect of things of any man in his age and King Iames by whom he was never reproved in eighteen years said That he knew the method of handling Matters after a mild and gentle manner Not ingaging his Master in any rash
his Majesties estate better but he was sure he would have kept it from being worse And it was the consequence of his great worth all men applauded him Fulk Lord Brook after the perusal of his H. 7 th returned it him with these words Commend me to my Lord and bid him take care to get good Paper and Ink for the work is Incomparable Dr. Collins the Kings Professor of Divinity at Cambridge said when he had read his advancement of Learning that he found himself in a case to begin his Studies again as having lost all his former time Forreigners crossing the Seas to see him here and carrying his Picture at length that he might be seen abroad An Italian writes to the Lord Cavendish since Earl of Devonshire thus concerning the Lord Bacon I will expect the new Essays of my Lord Chancellor Bacon as also his History with a great deal of desire and whatsoever else he shall compose but in particular of his History I promise my self a thing perfect and singular especially King Henry the 7 th where he may exercise the talent of his Divine understanding This Lord is more and more known and his Books here more and more delighted in and those men that have more than ordinary knowledge in humane affairs esteem him one of the most capable spirits of this age Observations on the Life of the Lord John Digby JOhn Lord Digby of Sherborn and Earl of Bristol was a younger Son of an ancient Family long flourishing at Koleshull To pass by his younger years all Children being alike in their Coats when he had only an Annuity of fifty pounds per annum only his youth gave pregnant hopes of that Eminency which his mature age did produce He did ken the Embassador's craft as well as any in his age employed by King Iames in several Services to Foreign Princes recited in his Patent as the main motives of the Honours conferred upon him But his managing the matchless Match with Spain was his Master-piece wherein a good I mean a great number of State-Traverses were used on both sides Where if he dealt in Generalities and did not press Particulars we may ghess the reason of it from that expression oâ— his I will take care to have my Instructions persâ—â—â— and will pursue them punctually If he held Affairs in suspence that it might not come to a War on our part it may be he did so with more regard to his Mr. King Iames his inclination than his own apprehension If he said That howsoever the business went he would make his fortune thereby it rather argued his weakness that he said so his sufficiency that he could do so than his unfaithfulness that he did so This is certain that he chose rather to come home and suffer the utmost displeasure of the King of England than stay in Spain and enjoy the highest favour of the King of Spain He did indeed intercede for some indulgence to the Papists but it was because otherwise he could do no good for the Protestants But whatever was at the bottom of his Actions there was resolution and nobleness a top especially in these actions 1 Being carried from Village to Village after the King of Spain without that regard due to his person or place he expressed himself so generously that the Spanish Courtiers trembled and the King declared That he would not interrupt his Pleasures with business at Lerma for any Embassador in the world but the English nor for any English Embassador but Don Iuan. 2. When impure Scioppius upon his Libel against K. Iames and Sir Humphrey Bennet's complaint to the Arch-Duke against him fled to Madrid my Lord observing that it was impossible to have Justice done against him from the Catholique King because of the Jesuites puts his Cousin George Digby upon cutting him which he did over his Nose and Mouth wherewith he offended so that he carried the mark of his Blasphemy to his Grave 3. When he was extraordinary Embassador in Germany upon his return by Heidelbergh observing that Count Mansfield's Army upon whom depended the fortune of the Palsgrave was like to disband for want of money he pawned all his Plate and Jewels to buoy up that sinking Cause for that time That his spirit was thus great abroad was his honour but that it was too great at home was his unhappiness for he engaged in a fatal Contrast with the Duke of Buckingham that hazarded both their safeties had not this Lord feared the Duke's power as the Duke this Lord's policy and so at last it became a drawn Battel betwixt them yet so that this Earl lost the love of King Charles living many years in his disfavour But such as are in a Court-cloud have commonly the Countreys Sun-shine and this Peer during his Eclipse was very popular with most of the Nation It is seldom seen if a Favourite once broken at Court sets up again for himself the hap rather than happiness of this Lord the King graciously reflecting on him at the beginning of the Long Parliament as one best able to give him the safest Councel in those dangerous times But how he incensed the Parliament so far as to be excepted pardon I neither do know nor dare enquire Sure I am that after the surrender of Exeter he went over into France where he met with that due respect in Foreign which he missed in his Native Countrey The worst I wish such who causelesly suspect him of Popish inclinations saith my Author is that I may hear from them but half so many strong Arguments for the Protestant Religion as I heard from him who was to his commendation a cordial Champion for the Church of England This Family hath been much talked of this last forty years though all that I can say of it is this that great spirits large parts high honours penned with narrow Estates seldom bless their owners within moderation or the places they live in with peace Observations on the Life of the Lord Spencer HEe was the fifth Knight of his Family in an immediate succession well allied and extracted being descended from the Spencers Earls of Gloucester and Winchester In the first year of the Reign of King Iames being a moneyed man he was created Baron of Wormeleiton in the County of Warwick He had such a ready and quick Wit that once speaking in Parliament of the valour of their English Ancestors in defending the Liberty of the Nation returned this Answer to the Earl of Arundel who said unto him Your Ancestors were then keeping of Sheep If they kept Sheep yours were then plotting of Treason But both of them were at present confined but to the Lord Spencer the Upper-House ordered Reparations who was first and causelesly provoked This Lord was also he who in the first of King Iames was sent with Sir William Dithick principal King of Arms to Frederick Duke of Wirtenbergh elected into the Order of the Garter to present and invest him with the
in respect of the King your Master you must be very wary that you give him true information and if the matter concern him in his Government that you do not flatter him if you do you are as great a Traytor to him in the Court of Heaven as he that draws his sword against him and in respect of the Suitors which shall attend you there is nothing will bring you more honour and more ease then to do them what right in justice you may and with as much speed as you may for believe it Sir next to the obtaining of the suit a speedy and a gentle denyal when the case will not bear it is the most acceptable to suitors they will gain by their dispatch whereas else they shall spend their time and money in attending and you will gain in the ease you will find in being rid of their importunity But if they obtain what they reasonably desired they will be doubly bound to you for your favour Bis dat qui cito dat it multiplies the courtesie to do it with good words and speedily That you may be able to do this with the best advantage my humble advice is this when suitors come unto you set apart a certain hour in a day to give them audience If the business be light and easie it may by word only be delivered and in a word be answered but if it be either of weight or of difficulty direct the suitor to commit it to writing if it be not so already and then direct him to attend for his answer at a set time to be appointed which would constantly be observed unless some matter of great moment do interrupt it when you have received the Petitions and it will please the Petitioners well to have access unto you to deliver them into your own hand let your Secretary first read them and draw lines under the material parts thereof for the matter for the most part lies in a narrow room The Petitions being thus prepared do you constantly set apart an hour in a day to peruse those Petitâ—ons and after you have ranked them into several files according to the subject matter make choice of two or three friends whose judgments and fidelities you believe you may trust in a business of that nature and recommend it to one or more of them to inform you of their opinions and of their reasons for or against the granting of it and if the matter be of great weight indeed then it would not be amiss to send several Copies of the same Petition to several of your friends the one not knowing what the other doth and desire them to return their answers to you by a certain time to be prefixxed in writing so shall you receive an impartial answer and by comparing the one with the other you shall both discern the abilities and faithfulness of your friends and be able to give a judgement thereupon as an Oracle But by no means trust not to your own judgement alone for no man is omniscient nor trust onely to your servants who may mislead you or mis-inform you by which they may perhaps gain a few crowns but the reproach will lye upon your self if it be not rightly carried For the facilitating of your dispatches my advice is further that you divide all the Petitions and the matters therein contained under several heads which I conceive may be fitly ranked into these eight sorts 1. Matters that concern Religion and the Church and Church-men 2. Matters concerning Justice and the Laws and the Professors thereof 3. Councellors and the Council-Table and the great Offices and Officers of the Kingdom 4. Foreign Negotiations and Embassies 5. Peace and War both foreign and civil and in that the Navy and Forts and what belongs to them 6. Trade at home and abroad 7. Colonies or foreign Plantations 8. The Court and Curiality And whatsoever will not fall naturally under one of these heads believe me Sir will not be worthy of your thoughts in this capacity we now speak of And of these sorts I warrant you you will find enough to keep you in bâ—siness I begin with the first which concerns Religion 1. In the first place be you your self rightly perswaded and setled in the true Protestant Religion professed by the Church of England which doubtless is as sound and orthodox in the doctrine thereof as any Christian Church in the world 2. In this you need not be a Monitor to your gracious Master the King the chiefest of his Imperial Titles is to be The Defender of the Faith and his learning is eminent not only above other Princes but above other men be but his scholar and you are safe in that 3. For the Discipline of the Church of England by Bishops c. I will not positively say as some do that it 's Iure Divino but this I say and think ex animo that it is the nearest to Apostolical truth and confidently I shall say it is fittest for Monarchy of all others I will use no other authority to you than that excellent Proclamation set out by the King himself in the first year of his Reign and annexed before the Book of Common Prayer which I desire you to read and if at any time there shall be the least motion made for Innovation to put the King in mind to read it himself It is most dangerous in a State to give ear to the least alterations â—n Government 4. Take heed I beseech you that you be not an instrument to countenance the Romish Catholicks I cannot flatter the world believes that some near in blood to you are too much of that perswasion you must use them with fit respects according to the bonds of â—atuâ—e but you are of kin and so a friâ—nd to their persons not to their errors 5. The Arch-Bishops and Bishops next under the King have the government of the Church and Ecclesiastical affairs be not you the mean to prâ—fer any to those places for any by-respects but only for their learning gravity and worth their lives and Doctrine ought to be exemplary 6. For Deans and Canons or Prebends of Cathedral Churches In their first institution they were of great use in the Church they were not only to be of Council with the Bishop for his revenue but chiefly for his Government in causes Ecclesiastical use your best means to prefer such to those places who are fit for that purpose men eminent for their learning piety and discretion and put the King often in mind thereof and let them be reduced again to their first institution 7. You will be often sollicited and perhaps importuned to prefer Scholars to Church-Livings you may further your friends in that way caeteris paribus otherwise remember I pray that these are not places meerly of favour the charge of souls lies upon them the greatest account whereof will be required at their own hands but they will share deeply in their faults who are the
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
the King 's Royal assent They are but Embroys 't is he giveth life unto them 31. Yet the House of Peers hath a power of Judicature in some cases properly to examine and then to affirm or if there be cause to reverse the judgments which have been given in the Court of King's Bench which is the Court of highest jurisdiction in the Kingdom for ordinary Judicature but in these cases it must be done by Writ of Error in Parliamento And thus the rule of their proceedings is not absoluta potestas as in making new Laws in that conjuncture as before but limitata potestas according to the known Laws of the Land 32. But the House of Commons have only power to censure the Members of their own House in point of election or misdemeanors in or towards that House and have not nor ever had power so much as to administer an Oath to prepare a judgment 33. The true use of Parliaments in this Kingdom is very excellent and they would be often called as the affairs of the Kingdom shall require and continued so long as is necessary and no longer for then they be but burthens to the people by reason of the priviledges justly due to the Members of the two Houses and their Attendants which their just rights and priviledges are religiously to be observed and maintained but if they should be unjustly enlarged beyond their true bounds they might lessen the just power of the Crown it borders so near upon popularity 34. All this while I have spoken concerning the Common Laws of England generally and properly so called because it is most general and common to almost all cases and causes both civil and criminal But there is also another Law which is called the Civil or Ecclesiastical Law which is confined to some few heads and that is not to be neglected and although I am a professor of the Common-Law yet am I so much a lover of Truth and of Learning and of my native Countrey that I do heartily perswade that the Professors of that Law called Civilians because the Civil Law is their guide should not be discountenanced nor discouraged else whensoever we shall have ought to do with any foreign King or State we shall be at a miserable loss for want of Learned men in that profession III. I come now to the consideration of those things which concern Councellors of State The Council-Table and the great Offices and Officers of the Kingdom which are those who for the most part furnish out that honourable Board 1. Of Councellors there are two sorts The first Consiliarii nati as I may term them such are the Prince of Wales and others of the King's Sons when he hath moreâ— of these I speak not for they are naturally born to be Councellors to the KING to learn the art of Governing betimes 2. But the ordinary sort of Councellors are such as the King out of a due consideration of their worth and abilities and withal of their fidelities to his Person and to his Crown calleth to be of Councel with him in his ordinary Government And the Council-Table is so called from the place where they ordinarily assemble and sit together and their Oath is the onely ceremony used to make them such which is solemnly given unto them at their first admission These honourable persons are from thenceforth of that Board and Body They cannot come until they be thus called and the King at his pleasure may spare their attendance and he may dispense with their presence there which at their own pleasure they may not do 3. This being the quality of their service you will easily judge what care the King should use in his choice of them It behoveth that they be persons of great trust and fidelity and also of wisdom and judgment who shall thus assist in bearing up the King's Throne and of known experience in publick affairs 4. Yet it may not be unfit to call some of young years to train them up in that Trade and so fit them for those weighty affairs against the time of greater maturity and some also for the honour of their persons But these two sorts not to be tyed to so strict attendance as the others from whom the present dispatch of business is expected 5. I could wish that their number might not be so over-great the persons of the Councellors would be the more venerable And I know that Queen Elizabeth in whose time I had the happiness to be born and to live many years was not so much observed for having a numeroâ—s as a wise Councel 6. The duty of a Privy-Councellor to a King I conceive is not onely to attend the Councel-board at the times appointed and there to consult of what shall be propounded But also to study those things which may advance the King's honour and safety and the good of the Kingdom and to communicate the same to the King or to his fellow Councellors as there shall be occasion And this Sir will concern you more then others by how much you have a larger share in his affections 7. And one thing I â—hall be bold to desire you to recommend to his Majesty That when any new thing shall be propounded to be taken into consideration that no Counsellor should suddenly deliver any positive opinion thereof it is not so easie with all men to retract their opinions although there shall be cause for it But only to hear it and at the most but to break it at first that it may be the better understood against the next meeting 8. When any matter of weight hâ—th been debated and seemeth to be ready for a resolution I wish it may not be at that sitting concluded unless the necessity of the time press it lest upon second cogitations there should be cause to alter which is not for the gravity and honour of that Board 9. I wish also that the King would be pleased sometimes to be present at that Board it adds a Majesty to it And yet not to be too frequently there that would render it less esteemed when it is become common Besides it may sometimes make the Councellors not to be so free in their debates in his presence as they would be in his absence 10. Besides the giving of Counsel the Councellors are bound by their Duties ex vi termini as well as by their Oaths to keep counsel therefore are they called de Privato Consilio Regis a secretioribus consiliis Regis 11. One thing I add in the negative which is not fit for that Board the entertaining of private causes of meum tuum those should be left to the ordinary course and Courts of Justice 12. As there is great care to be used for the Councellors themselves to be chosen so there is of the Clerks of the Council also for the secreting of their Consultations and methinks it were fit that his Majesty be speedily moved to give a strict charge
bold as sure either by carrying the Cause to oblige the people to themselves or by suffering for it to enrage them against the Government that Sir R. Weston made it his business to take off the one and my Lord of Canterbury the other which they did with such success that as my Lord Wentworth became a great Favourite so the Lord Savile was an eminent Counsellor only finding that his young Neighbour had got the start of him he kept to one of his popular Principles always viz. a restless impetuosity towards Papists against whom he made himself famous 1. For a Disputation procured by him in Drury-Lane whither he brought Bishop Vsher under the notion of a Countrey-Parson when the Jesuites cryed There was more Learning in that Parson than in all the men in England 2. For a project offered by him in Parliament For when they taking advantage of King Charls his wants profeâ—ed to maintain five thousand men to serve his Majesty in Ireland and a proportion of Ships to secure him in England on condition of the free exercise of their Religion Sir Iohn interposed That if the King were pleased but to call on the Recusants to pay Thirds legally due to the Crown it would prove a way more effectual and less offensive to raise a mass of money It being but just that they who were so rich and free to purchase new Priviledges should first pay their old Penalties When I read of a Lord Savile going privately to Scotland 1639. subscribing to a Petition with oâ—her moderate Lords as they called them containing the very sense of the saction insomuch that it is observed the City-Petition and theirs were couched in the same words yet going to Oxford and after all being so turbulent there that his Majesty was fain to send him beyond Sea where his Majesty writes with his own hand He doubts he will rather exchange his villany than end it I am almost of that wise mans mind that there were no less than 17 particular Designs set on foot by the promotion of the late Troubles whereof though most yet not all were carried on in Westminster or to enforce something more solid that a King should say as the Italian doth If my Subject deceives me once God forgive him If a second time God forgive me and the rather because it 's fatal for Majesty to err twice Observations on the Life of Bishop Williams A Strong constitution made his pâ—rts a strict education improved them unwearied was his industry unexpressible his capacity He never saw the book of worth he read not he never forgot what he read he never loâ—â— the use of what he remembred Every thing he heard or saw was his own and what was his own he knew how to use to the utmost His extraction being Gentile his Soul large and noble his presence and carriage comely and stately his learning copious his judgement stayed his apprehension clear and searching his expression lively and effectual his elocution flowing and majestick his Proctorship when he gave the Lord Chancellor Egerton so much satisfaction in treating the Spanish Ambassador at an Act in Cambridge that thenceforward he resolved on his preferment 1612. discovered him a person above his place and his Lectures to his Pupils above his preferment Bishop Vaughan first admitteth him to his Family and then to his bosom there his strong Sermons his exact government under my Lord his plentiful observation his numerous acquaintance made him my Lord Chancellor Egerton's friend rather than his servant his familiar rather than his Chaplain Never was there a more communicative Master to instruct than my Lord Elsemâ—re never a more capable Scholar to learn than Dr. Williams who had instilled to him all necessary State-maxims while his old Master lived and had bequeathed to him four excellent Books when his Master was dead These four books he presented to K. Iames the very same time that he offered himself to the Duke of Buckingham The excellent Prince observed him as much for the first gift as the noble Duke did for the second the King and Duke made him their own who they saw had made that excellent Book his Willing was King Iames to advance Clergy-men and glad to meet with men capable of Advancemeâ—t His two Sermons at Court made him Dean of Westminster his exact state of the Earl of Somerset's Case made him capable of and the KING'S inclination to â—rust his Conscience in a Divines hand setled him in the Lord Keepers place actually only for three years to please the people who were offended with his years now but 34. and his calling a Divine but designedly for ever to serve his Majesty The Lawyers despised him at first but the Judges admired him at last and one of them said That never any man apprehended a Case so clearly took in all the Law Reason and other Circumstances more punctually recollected the various Debates more faithfully summed it up more compendiously and concluded more judiciously and discreetly For many of them might have read more than he but none digested what they had read more solidly none disposed of their reading more methodically none therefore commanded it more readily He demurred several Orders as that of my Lord Chancellor's pardon the Earl Marshal's Patent c. to let his Majesty see his judgement yet passed them to let him see his obedience He would question the Dukes Order sometimes discreetly to let him know he understood himself yet he would yield handsomly to let him see he understood him and indeed he had the admirable faculty of making every one of his actions carry prudence in the performance Necessary it was for one of his years and place to keep his distance and avoid contempt yet fatal was it to him to do so and incur envy Well understood he the interest of all his places resolutely he maintained them What saith he shall the Liberties of Westminster be infringed when the chief Favourite is Steward and the Lord Keeper Dean and I the contemptible man that must be trampled on When he was in trouble what passion what insinuation what condescention hath he at command when petitioned to how quickly he looked through men and business how exactly would he judge and how resolutely conclude without an immediate intimation from his Majesty or the Duke Many eyes were upon him and as many eyes were kept by him upon others being very watchful on all occasions to accommodate all Emergencies and meet with all humors alwayes keeping men in dependance on the Duke according to this intimation of his Cabal 287. Let him hold it but by your Lordships favour not his own power A good way had he been constant to it the neglect whereof undid him for designing the promotion of Doctor Price to the Arch-Bishoprick of Armagh he moved it to the Duke who told him it was disposed of to Doctor Vsher Whereupon he went his own way to advance that man and overthrew himself For
our known duty but our visible advantage to ascribe our most eminent performances to providence since it not only takes off the edge of envy but improves the reason of admiration None being less maliced or more applauded than he who is thought rather happy than able blessed than active and fortunate than cunning Though yet all the caution of his life could not avoid the envy of â—is advancement from so mean a beginning to so great honours notwithstanding that it is no disparagement to any to give place to fresh Nobility who ascend the same stâ—ps with those before them New being only a term saith one only respecting us not the world for what is was before us and will be when we are no more And indeed â—his Personage considering the vanity and inconstancy of common applause or affronts imprâ—ved the one and checked the other by a constant neglect of bothâ— Observations on the Life of Sir Dudly Careleton SIr Dudly Careleton was born in Oxford-shire bred in Christs-Church in Oxford under Dr. King and afterwards in relation of Secretary to Sir Ralph Winwood in the Low-Countreys where he was very active when King Iames resigned the cautionary Towns to the States Here he added so great experience to his former Learning that afterwards our King employed him for twenty years together Ambassador in Venice Savoy and the Vnited Provinces Anne Gerard his Lady Co-heir to George Gerard Esquire accompanying him in all his Travels as is expressed in her Epitaph in Westminster-Abby He was by K. Charls the first to balance the Duke of Buckingham's enemies in the House of Peers with the Lord Mandevil now Earl of Manchester and the Lord Grandison created Baron of Imbercourt in Surrey and afterwards Viscount Dorchester marrying for his second Wife the Daughter of Sir Henry Glenham the Relict of Paul Viscount Banning who survived him He succeeded the Lord Conway when preferred President to the Council in the Secretary-ship of State being sworn at White-Hall December 14. 1628. and dying without Issue Anno Dom. 163 Much ado he had to remove a State-jealousie that was upon him That he insisted on â—he restitution of some Towns in Cleves and Iuliers to gratifie the Spaniards at that time in Treaty with us more to remove a Church-jealousie that in negotiating an accommodation in Religion he designed the undermining of the Remonstrants then in so much power there In which matter he was at a loss whether his Majesty should interpose by Letter or Message The former he said was most effectual but the later less subject to misconstruction considering Barnevel's interest in the State But he had a Chaplain one Mr. Hales that kept this Controversie even on the one hand while he balanced the State-interest on the other equally careful that the United Provinces should not be over-run by the Armies of Spain and that they should not be swallowed up by the protectiâ—n of France Watchful was his eye there over the West-India Company Diligent his carriage upon any accommodations from Spain which he apprehended always as a design to distract that people then in regard of their unsetledness but too apt upon any dispute to fall into faction Great his industry in reconciling Sir Horace Vere and Sir Edward Cecil for the honour of the English Nation and the advancement of the common service Sincere his services â—o the Prince Elector and his Lady Exaâ—t his rules of Traffique and Commerce and dexterous his arts of keeping the States from new alliances notwithstanding our likely Marriage-treaty with Spain especially since the Prince of Orange bluntly after his manner asked Qui at ' il vostre Marriage And indeed he behaved himself in all Employments so well becoming a man that understood so many Languages that was so well versed in Ancient and Modern History that had composed so many choice pieces of Politicks that was so well seen in the most practical Mathematicks and added to these a graceful and charming look a gentle and a sweet elocution that notwithstanding his and his Brother Bishop Carleton's rigidness in some points kept him to his dying-day in great favour and most eminent service and failing in nothing but his French Embassy because there he had to do with Women Leaving behinde him this observation That new Common-wealthâ— are hardly drawn to a certain resolution as who knowing not how to determine and remaining onely in suspence take ordinarily that course rather which they are forced â—o than what they might choose for themselves And this eminent service when he assisted the Earl of Holland in France viz. That he pacified the high difference there upon which the revolt of the Hugonots depended and put a real resolution in Kâ—ng Lewis to advance against the Valtoline and Spain by the advantage of the League with England proceeding upon this Maxim with that King They that have respect to few things are easily misled I had almost forgot how this Lord finding that want of Treasure at home was the ground of our unsuccessful and despicableness abroad and that Principe senza quatrius e come un muro senza crole da tulls scompisâ—iato That a Prince without money is like a wall without a Cross for every one to draw upon did mention the Excise in the Parliament-House and in no ill meaning neither and was violently cryed to the Bar and though a person of that eminence as being then a Privy-Councellor and principal Secretary of State he hardly escaped being committed to the Tower So odious was that Dutch-Devil as they called it in the excellent King Charles which was raised by the beloved Parliament with many more that were conjured up in three or four years but not likely to be laid in three or fourscore Living in those times when weak men imagined to themselves some unknown bliss from untried governments and considering that alterations countervail not their own dangers and as they bring little good to any so they bring least of all to those that first promoted them This Lord refused to be the mouth of the Zealous multitude whose rage could neither be well opposed nor joyned with whom a pardon or compliance might bring off leaving their Demagogues to compound for their folly with their ruine choosing rather to be patient than active and appear weak than be troublesom and once resolved upon an exact survey of circumstances for power against the faults of it on the one hand and the affronts of it on the other he gained the esteem of all parties by his fidelity to his own I am much taken with his plain saying which I find of late printed There will be mistakes in Divinity while men preach and errors in Government while such govern And more with his method of proceeding in his affairs whereof he laid first an Idea in his own mind and then improved it by debate the result whereof was usually so compleat as shewed the vast difference between the shallow conceptions of one man and the
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-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
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-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
when cast off by the Rebels Observations on the Life of Arch-Bishop Juxon WIlliam â—Iuxon born at Chichester in Sussex was bred Fellow in St. Iohn's Colledge in Oxford where he proceeded Batchelor of Law very young but very able for that Degree afterwards becoming Doctor in the same Faculty and President of the Colledge was one in whom Nature had not omitted but Grace had ordered the Teâ—rarch of humours being admirably Maâ—ter of his Pen and Passion For his Abilities he was successively preferred by King Charles the first Bishop of Hâ—reford and London and for some years Lord Treasurer of England wherein he had Religion to be honest and no self-interest to be corrupt A troublesom place in thoâ—e times being expected he should make much Brick though not altogether without yet with very little straw allowed unto him Large then the Expences low the Revenues of the Exchequer Yet those Coffers he found empty he left filling and had left full had Peace been preserved in the Land and he continued in his Place Such the mildness of his temper that Petitioners for money when it was not to be had departed well pleased with his Denials they were so civilly languaged It may justly seem a wonder that whereas few spake well of Bishops at that time and Lord Tâ—â—asuâ—ers at all Times are liable to the complaints of discontented people though both Offices met in this man yet with Demetrius he was well reported of all men and of the truth it self He lived to see much shame and contempt undeservedly poured on his Function and all the while possessed his own soul in patience Nor was it the least part of this Prelate's honour that amongst the many worthy Bishops of our Land King Charles the first selected him for his Confessor at his Martyrdom when he honoured him with this testimony That good man He formerly had had experience in the case of the Earl of Strafford that this Bishop's Conscience was bottom'd on piety not policy â—he reason that from him â—e received the Sacrament good comfort and counsel just before he was muâ—dered I say just before the Royal Martyr was murdered a Fact so foul that it alone may confuâ—e the Error of the Pelagians maintaining that all sin cometh by imitation the Universe not formerly affording such a Precedent as if those Regicides had purposely designed to disprove the observation of Solâ—mon that there is no new thing under the Sun King Charles the second preferred him Arch-Bishop of Canterbury 1660. He died in the year of our Lord 1663. and with great solemnity was buried in St. Iohn's Colledge in Oxford to which he was a great Benefactor though a greater to Pauls and Lambeth and greatest of all to the Church which his eminence adorned and his temper secured in those times wherein roughness enraged that humour which delay and moderation broke a discreet yielding to the multitude is the securest way of Conquest They that hold together by opposition languish and moulder away by indulgence In his duty this good man went along with Conscience in Government with Time and Law He had the happiness that K. Iames admired in a Statesman of his time to do all things suavibus modis He referred his Master in the Earl of Strafford's case as he did himselâ— in all cases to his own Conscience for matter of fact and to the Judges for matter of Law who according to their Oath ought to carry themselvâ—s indifferently between the King and his Subjects The King was not more happy in this faiâ—hful servant than he was in his followers among whom there was no uncivil Austerity to disoblige the Subjects nor base Corruption to incense them They need not keep state they had so much real power nor extort they had so much allowed advantage His care was his servants and their care his business His preferments were his burthen rather than his honour advanced by him rather than advancing him and therefore he was more ready to lay them down than others to take them up Witness his Treasurers Place which when he parted with like those that scatter their Jewels in the way that they may debar the violence of greedy pursuers no less than four durst undertake when his single self sufficed for the two greatest troubles of this Nation the Treasureship of England and the Bishoprick of London Religion was the inclination and composure as well as care of his soul which he used not as the artifice of pretence or power but as the ornament and comfort of a private breast never affecting a pompous piety nor a magnificent vertue but approving himself in secret to that God who would reward him openly His devotion was as much obove other mens as his Calling his meditations equal with his cares and his thoughts even and free between his Affairs and his Contemplations which were his pleasures as well as his duty the uniform temper and pulse of his Christian soul. Neither was his Religion that of a man only but that of a Bishop too that made his Piety as universal as his Province by such assistances of power as brought carnel men if not to an obedience yet to such a degree of reverence that if they did not honour they might not despise it His justice was as his Religion clear and uniform First the ornament of his heart then the honour of his action Neither was Justice leavened with rigour or severity but sweetned with clemency and goodness that was never angry but for the pubâ—ick and not then so much at the person as the offence So ambitious of that great glory of Moderation that he kept it up in spight of the times malignity wherein he saw all change without himself while he remained the self-same still within the Idea of sobriety and temperance vertues that he put off only with his life Neither was this a defect of spirit but the temper of it that though it never provoked troubles yet it never feared them His minde was always great though his fortune not so Great to suffer though not always able to act so good his temper and so admirable his humility that none ever went discontented from him Never courting but always winning people having a passage to their hearts through their brain and making them first admire and then love him He was slow not of speech as a defect but to speak out of discretion because when speaking he plentifully paid the Principal and Interest of his Auditors expectation In a word his government as a Bishop was gentle benigne and paternal His management of the Treasury was such that he served his Prince faithfully satisfied all his friends and silenced all his enemies of which he had enough as a Bishop Greatness is so invidious and suspected though none as a man goodness is so meek and inoffensive The most thought the worse of Dr. Iuxon for the Bishops sake the best thought the better of the Bishop for Dr. Iuxon's sake Observations on the
the main Battle of 6000 foot and 600 men at Arms and 1000 light-horse led by the Protector and the Rear of half so many led by the Lord Dacres the Artillery of 16 Pieces of Ordnance making one Wing the men at Arms and Demilances the other For the Avant-guard and half of the Battel â—iding about two flight-shot from their side the other half of the Battel and the whole Flank of the Rear was closed by the Carriages being 12000 Carts and Waggons the rest of the men at Aâ—ms and Dâ—miâ—ances marching behind A fâ—w skiâ— mishes and stratagems passed when a Trumpeter is sent by Huntley to challenge the Protector to whom the Protector replying like a wiâ—e man That it was not for a person of his trust to duel it with a private man The Earl of Warwick said Trumpeter bring me word that thy Master will perform the Combat with me and I 'll give thee 100 Crowns Nay rather said our Duke bring me word that he will give us Battle and I will give thee 1000 l. But in 25 days he gains a greater Battle over-runs the Country with the loss of no more then 65 men to that of 25000 Scots 3. His third Exploit was Dispensing Honours so nobly that they were due encouragements to Virtue though yet so warily that they should not be either a burden or a danger to the Crown 4. He gave the Commonalty great content in pulling down Enclosures by Proclamations and the Nobility no less by setting up Land-improvements by Rule 5. He engaged both by a good bargain of Church-lands confirmed by this Parliament 6. He weakneth the Papists 1. By conniving at them until they broke out to such outrages as made them lyable 2. By dividing them when engaged with hope of mercy on the one hand and fear of his Army on the other 7 The French taking the advantage of our seditious to break off their Treaty and proclaim a War he conâ—iâ—caâ—es their Estates and secures the persons of aâ— many of them as lived in England But Greatness is fatal and his Brother that should have suppoâ—ted this great man ruines himself and him He had married a Lady high in spirit his Brother the Queen-Dowager higher in place the Ladies quarâ—el first and then as it must needs follow the Lords Thomas the Admiral is questioned for aiming at the Crown 1. By marrying the Lady Elizabeth and then by seizing the King-person and the Government so honest this Protector a plain man and of no over-deep insight into practices that he gave way to his Tryal saying though somewhat ominous as it happened I 'll do and suffer Iustice so Uxorious that he sealed his death And now he stands alone wanting his Brothers cunning to reach Warwick or his resolution to check Norfolk The people are troubled at that one weak and unjustifiable Act of his The pulling down of so many of Gods â—huâ—cheâ— in the City to build one Somerset-house in the Strand The Earl takes notice of their discontent and asseâ—bleth eighteen discontented Counsellours who arm themselves and their followers calling the City and the Kingdome to their assistance by a Proclamation The Protector fleeth with the King and a Guard to Hampton-Court the City sometimes resolved to assist the Lords out of malice to the Protector sometimes to forbear out of such consideration of its many misfortunes in opposing Kings set forth not with more Integrity by George Stadlow then Eloquence and Life by Iohn Ayliffe They delay Sir Anthony Wingfield Captain of the Guard perswades the King of the Lords moderation and Loyalty the Duke is to answer for himself the Lawyers charge him with removing Westminster-Hall to Somerset-House where he kept a Court of Request and determined Title of Lands the Souldiers with the detaining of their pay and betraying our French Garisons the States-men with the engrossing of all Authority The Earl of Warwick vigilantly but closely manageth all disconâ—eâ—â—s of his designe with this great advantage that we was subtle close and implacable while the other was free-spirited open-hearted humble hard to distrust easie to forgive His friend the Lord Russel is absent he is first tryed and acquitted but with the loss of his Protectorship Treasureâ—sâ—ip Marshalship and 2000 l. of Land more But Warwick's designe for the Crown ripening and Somerset being the most eminent obstruction in his way having weakned before he ruines him now he chargeth him with Treason to make a noise and with Felony to do execution the Council is packed he looseth his life for a small crime and that on a nice point subtilly devised and packed by his Enemies forgetting to ask the benefit of the Clergy that had saved it This person as one charactereth him was religious himself a lover of all such as were so and a great promoter of the Reformation Valiant and successful generally beloved by Souldiers envied by Statesmen though the most conscientious of them all doing nothing irregularly but in complyance with the necessities of Government open to dangers as one that could not be jealous better to act than designe to perform than plot When he was discharged of Treason there was so loud a shout in Westminster-Hall as was heard to Long-Acre when condemned of Felony there was a â—ilence and amazement for three hours It is observed of some that they have despised the benefit of their Clergy while they lived and by a just proâ—idence of God could not make use of it when â—hey were to dye It was pitty that this Noble person should forget to crave that benefit of the Clergy which might have saved him when he was so unwiâ—â—ing to enjoy any â—enefit of the Clergy which might Incommode them The controversie between him and the Earl of Warwick is like that between Demades and Phocion Demades threatned Phocion that the Athenians would destroy him when they fell into their mad fits and thee Demades saith Phocion when they return to their right minds it appearing afterwards that what he was charged to have design'd against others he did only in his own defence cum moderamine Inculpatae cautelae in whose behalf Cicero had pleaded thus Si vita nosâ—ra in aliquas Insidias si in vim in tela aut latronumâ— aut in imicorum incidisset omnis honesta ratio esset expediendae salutis hoc ratio doctis necessitas barbaris mos gentibus feris natura ipsa praescripsâ—t ut omnem semper vim quâcunque ope possint a corpore a capite a vitâ suâ propulsare-nitantur Beheaded he was on Tower-Hill with no less pâ—aise for his piety and patience than pitâ—y and grief of the spectators His Death was atâ—ended with many signes and wonders and his Name with an indelible character his house being calâ—ed Somerset-house to this day though solemnly proclaimed by King of Iames Denmark-house because inhabited by the King oâ— Denmark and his Sister Surely saith my Author this Duke was well beloâ—ed
well enough how to set up for himself he now meant to allie him with this young Earl who had yet taken no strong impressions For though the said Sir Walter Rawleigh was a little before this whereof I now speak by occasion much fallen fâ—om his former splendour in Court yet he still continued in some lustre of a favoured man like billows that sink by degrees even when the wind is down that first stirred them Thus runs the discourse of that time at pleasure yet I am not ignorant that there was some good while a very stiff aversation in my Lord of Essex from applying himself to the Earl of Leicester for what secret conceit I know not but howsoever that humour was mollified by time and by his mother and to the Court he came under his Lord. The Duke of Buckingham had another kinde of Germination and surely had he been a plant he would have been recâ—oned amongst the Sponte Nascentes for he sprung without any help by a kind of congenial composure â—s we mâ—y term it to the likeness of oâ—r late Soveraign and master of ever blessed memory who taking him into his regard taught him more and more to please himself and moulded him as it were Platonically to his own Idea delighting first in the choice of the Materials because he found him susceptible of good form and afterward by degrees as great Architects use to do in the workmanship of his Regal hand nor staying here after he had hardned and polished him about ten years in the School of observance for so a Court is and in the furnace of tryal about himself for he was a King could peruse men as well as Books he made him the associate of his Heir apparent together with the new Lord Cottingtoâ— as an adjunct of singular experience and trust in forraign travels and in a business of love and of no equal hazard if the tendernâ—ss of our zeal did not then deceive us enough the world must confess to kindle affection even betwixt the distantest conditions so as by the various and inward conversation abroad besides that before and after at â—ome with the most constant and best-natured Prince Bona si sua norint as ever England enjoyed â—his Duke becomes now secondly seized of favour as it were by descent though tâ—e condition of that estate be no more than a Tenancy at Will or at most â—or the life of the first Lord and rarely transmitâ—ed which I have briefly set down without looking â—eyond the vail of the Temple I mean into the secret of high inclinations since even Satyrical Poets â—who are otherwise of so licentious fancy are in this â—oint modest enough to confess their ignorance Nescio quid certe est quod me tibi temperet Astrum And these were both their Springings and Imprimings as I may call them In the profluence or proceedings of their fortunes I observe likewise not onely much difference between them but in the Eaâ—l not a little from himself First all his hopes of advancement had like to be stâ—anglâ—d almost in the very Cradle by throwing himself into the Portugal Voyage without the Queens consent or so much as her knowledge whereby he lâ—ft his Friends and Dependents near six months in desperate suspense what would become of him And to speak truth not without good reason For first they might well consiâ—er That he was himself not well plumed in favour for such a â—light besides that now he wanted a Lord of Leicester at home for he was dead the year before to smooth his absence and to quench the practices at Court But above all it lay open to every mans discourse that though the bare offence to his Soveraign and Mistress was too great an adventure yet much more when she might as in this case have fairly discharged her displeasure upon her Laws Notwithstanding a noble report coming home before him at his return all was clear and this excursion was esteemed but a Sally of youth Nay he grew every day more and more in her gracious conceit whether such intermissions as these do sometimes foment affection or that having committed a fault he became the more obsequious and plyant to redeem it or that she had not received into her Royal Breast any shadows of his popularity Theâ—e was another time long after when Sir Fulke Grevil late Lord Brooke a man in appearance intrinsecal with him or at the least admitted to his Melancholy hours either belike espying-some weariness in the Queen or perhaps with little change of the word though more in the danger-some marks towards him and working upon the present matter as she was dexterous and close had almost super-induced into favour the Earl of Southampton which yet being timely discovered my Lord of Essex chose to evaporate his thoughts in a Sonnet being his common way to be sung before the Queen as it was by one Hales in whose voyce she took some pleasure whereof the complot me thinks had as much of the Hermit as of the Poet And if thou should'st by Her be now forsaken She made thy Heart too strong for to be shaken As if he had been casting one eye back at the least to his former retiredness But all this likewise quickly vanished and there was a good while afer fair weather over-head Yet still I know not how like a gathering of Clouds till towards his latter time when his humours grew tart as being now in the Lees of favour it brake forth into certain suddain recesses sometimes from the Court to Wansteed otherwhiles unto Greenwich often to his own Chamber Doors shut Visits forbidden and which was worse divers contestations between with the Qâ—een her self all preambles of ruine wherewith though now and then he did wring out of her Majesty some petty contentments as a man would press sowre Grapes yet in the mean time was forgotten the counsel of a wise and then a Prophetical Friend who told him that such courses as those were like hot Waters which help at a pang but if they be too often used will spoil the stomack On the Dukes part we have no such abrupt strains and precipees as these but a fair fluent and uniform course under both Kings And surely as there was in his natural Constitution a marvellous equality whereof I shall speak more afterwards so there was an image of it in his Fortune râ—nning if I may borrow an ancient comparison as smoothly as a numerous Verse till it meet with certain Rubs in Parliament whereof I am induced by the very subject which I hanâ—le to say somewhat so far as shal concern the difference between their times WHen my Lord of Essex stood in favour the Parliaments were calm nay I find it a true observation that there was no impeachment of any Nobleman by the Commons from the Reign of King Henry the sixth until the eighteenth of King Iames nor any intervenient precedâ—nt of that nature not that something or other could be
wanting to be said while men are men For not to go higher we are taught easily so much by the very Ballads and Libels of Leicestrian time But above the aforesaid year many young ones being chosen into the House of Commons more than had been usual in great Councils who though of the weakest wings are the highest Flyers there arose a certain unfortunate and unfruitful Spirit in some places not sowing but picking at every stone in the field rather than tending to the geneâ—al harvest And thus far the consideration of the Nature of the Time hath transported me and the occasion of the subject Now on the other side I must with the like liberty observe two weighty and watchful Sollicitudes as I may call them which kept the Earl in extream and continual Cauâ—ion like a bow still bent whereof the Dukes thoughts were absolutely free First he was to wrestle with a Queens declining or rather with her very setting Age as we may term it which bâ—sides other respects is commonly even of it self the more umbratious and apprehensive as for the most part all Horizons are charged with certain vapours towards their evening The other was a matter of more Circumstance standing thus viz. All Princes especially those whom God hath not blessed with natural issue are by wisdome of State somewhat shie of their Successors and to speak with due Reverence there may be reasonably supposed in Queens Regnant a little proportion of tenderness that way more than in Kings Now there were in Couâ—t two names of Power and almost of Affection the Essexian and the Cecilian with their adherents both well enough enjoying the present and yet both looking to the future and therefore both holding correspondency with some of the principals in Sâ—otland and had râ—câ—ived advertisements and instructions either from them or immediately from the King as induciat Heir of thiâ— Iâ—perial Crown But lest they mighâ— detect one another this was mysteriously carried by several instruments and conducts and on the Essexian side in truth with infinite hazard For Sir Robert Cecil who as Secretary of State did dispose the publick Addresses had prompter and safer conveyance whereupon I cannot but relate a memorable passage on either part as the stâ—ry following shall declare The Eâ—rl of Essex had accommodated Master Anthony Bacon in parâ—ition of his house and had assigned him a noble entertainment This was a Gentleman of impotâ—nt feet but a nimble head and through his hand run all the intelligences with Scotland who being of a provident nature contrary to his brother the Lord Viscount Saint Albans and well knowing the advantage of a dangerous secret would many times cunningly let fall some words as if he could amend his Fortunes under the Cecilians to whom he was near of alliance and in blood also and who had made as he was not unwilling should be believed some great proffers to win him away which once or twice he pressed so far and with such tokens and signes of apparent discontent to my Lord Henry Howard afterwards Earl of Northampton who was of the party and stood himself in much Umbrage with the Queen that he flees presently to my Lord of Essex with whom he was commonly primae admissionis by his bed-side in the morning and tells him that unless that Gentleman were presently satisfied with some round sum all would be vented This took the Earl at that â—ime ill provided as indeed oftentimes his Coffers were low whereupon he was fain suddenly to give him Essex-house which the good old Lady Walsingham did afterwards dis-engage out of her own stoâ—e with 2500 pound and before he haâ— distilled 1500 pound at another time by the sâ—me skill So as we rate this one secrâ—t as it was finely carâ—ied at 4000 pounds in present money besides at the least 1000 pound of annual pâ—nsion to a private and bed-rid Gentleman What would he have gotten if he could have gone about his own business There was another accident of the same nature on the Cecilian side much more pleasant but less chargeable for it cost nothing but wit The Queen having for a good while not heard any thing from Scotland and being thiâ—sty of news it fell out that her Majesty going to take the air towards the heath â—he Couâ—t being then at Greenwich and Master Secretary Cecil then attending her a Post came crossing by and blew his Horn The Queen out of curiosity asked him from whence the Dispatch came and being answered from Scotland she stops her Coach and calleth for the Packet The Secretary though he knew there were some Letters in it from his Correspondents which to discover were as so many Serpents yet made more shew of diligence than of doubt to obey and asks some that stood by forsooth in great haste for a Knife to cut up the Packet for otherwise he might perhaps awakâ—d a little apprehension but in the mean time approaching with the Packet in his hand at a pretty distance from the Queen he telleth her it lookâ—d and smelt ill-favouredly coming out of a filâ—â—y Budget and that it should be fit first to open and air it because he knew she was averse from ill Scents And so being dismissed home he got leisure by thiâ— seasonable shift to sever what he would not have seen These two accidents precisely true and known to few I have reported as not altogether extravagant from my purpose to shew how the Earl stood in certain perplexities wherewith the Dukes days were not distracted And this hath been the Historical part as it were touching the difference between thâ—m in the rising and flowing of their fortunes I will now consider their several Endowments both of Person and Mind and then a little of their Actions and Ends. The Earl was a pretty deal the taller and much the stronger and of the abler body but the Duke had the neater limbs and free delivery he was also the uprighter and of the more comely motions for the Eâ—rl did bend a little in the neckâ— though rather forwards than downwards and he was so far from being a good Dancer that he was no graceful Goer If we touch particulars the Duke exceeded in the daintiness of his leg and foot and the Earl in the incomparable fairness and fine shape of his hands which though it be but feminine praise he took from his Father for the general Air the Earl had the closer and more reserved Countenance being by nature somewhat more cogitative and which was strange never more than at meals when others are least Insomuch as he was wont to make his observation of himsâ—lf that to solve any knotty â—usiness which cumbred his mind his ablest hours were when he had checked his first appetite with two or three morsels after which he sate usually for a good while silent yet he would play well and willingly at some games of greatest aâ—tentionâ— which shewed that when he listed he could license his thoughts The Duke on