onely could finish that Treaty which they had for many years spun out Men take several ways to the ends they propose themselves Some that of confidence others that of respect and caution c. when indeed the main businesse is to suit our selves with our own times which this Lord did and no man better untill looking into the depths of the late Faction he declared at the Council-Table 1639. that they aimed at the ruine of Church and State And viewing the state of the Kingdome he advised That Leagues might be made abroad and that in this inevitable necessity all wayes to raise money should be used that were lawful Wherefore he was one of those few excluded the Indempnity by the Faction and had the honour to dye banished for the best Cause and Master in those foreign Countries where he suffered as nobly for the Crown of England in his later dayes as he had acted honourably for it in his former When he never came off better than in satisfying the Spanyards about toleration reducing the whole of that affair to these two Maximes 1. That Consciences were not to be forced but to be won and reduced by the evidence of Truth with the aid of Reason and in the use of all good means of Instruction and perswasion 2. That the causes of Conscience wherein they exceed their bounds and grow to matter of faction lose their nature and that Soveraign Princes ought distinctly to punish those foul practices though overlaid with the fairer pretences of Conscience and Religion One of his Maximes for Treaty I think remarkable viz. That Kingdomes are more subject to fear than hope And that it 's safer working upon them by a power that may awe the one than by advantages that may excite the other Since it 's another rule that States have no affections but interest and that all kindnesse and civility in those cases are but oversights and weaknesse Another of his rules for Life I judge useful viz. That since no man is absolute in all points and since men are more naturally enclined out of envy to observe mens infirmities than out of ingenuity to acknowledge their merit He discovereth his abilities most that least discovereth himself To which I may add another viz. That it is not onely our known duty but our visible advantage to ascribe our most eminent performances to providence since it not onely takes off the edge of envy but improves the reason of admiration None being lesse 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 his 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 steps with those before them New being onely a terme saith one onely respecting us not the world for what is was before us and will be when we are no more And indeed this Personage considering the vanity and inconstancy of common applause or affronts improved the one and checked the other by a constant neglect of both Observations on the Life of Sir Dudly Carleton SIr Dudley Carleton 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 James 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 United 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. Charles the first to balance the Duke of Buckingbam'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 of the Council in the Secretary-ship of State being sworn at White-Hall December 14. 1628. and dying without Issue Anno Dâ—m 163 ... Much ado he had to remove a State-jealousie that was upon him That he insisted on the restitution of some Towns in Cleves and â—uliers to gratifie the Spanyards at that time in â—reaty with us more to remove a Church-jealouâ—e that in negotiating an accommodation in Reâ—gion he designed the undermining of the Reâ—onstrants then in so much power there In which â—atter he was at a losse whether his Majesty should â—terpose by Letter or Message The former he said was most effectual but the later lesse subject to 〈◊〉 constrâ—â—â—on considering Barnevel's interest in â—he 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 carefull that the United Provinces should not be over-run by the Armies of Spain and that they should not be swallowed up by the protection 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 unsetlednesse 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 to the Prince Elector and his Lady Exact 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 vestre 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 t 〈…〉 had composed so many choice pieces of Politi 〈…〉 that was so well seen in the most practical Mathe 〈…〉 ticks and added to these a graceful and charm 〈…〉 look a gentle and a sweet elocution that noâ— withstanding his and his brother Bishop Carle 〈…〉 rigidnesse in some points kept him to his dyinâ— day in great favour and most eminent service aâ—â— sailing in nothing but his French Embâ—â—â—â— becauâ—â— there he had to do with Women L 〈…〉 g behind him this observation That new Common-wealâ—â— are hardly drawn to a certain resolution as 〈◊〉 knowing not how to determine and remaining 〈◊〉 in suspence take ordinarily that course rather whiâ—â— they are forced to than what they might choose fâ—â— themselves And this eminent service when 〈◊〉 assisted the Earl of Holland in France viz. That 〈◊〉 paâ—ified the high difference there upon which 〈◊〉 revolt of
that seeing by the Commission the Lord Mobun brought from Oxford four persons viz. the said Lord Mohun Sir Ralph Hopton Sir John Berkley and Colonel Ashhurnham were equally impowered in the managing of all Military matters And seeing such equality might prove inconvenient which hitherto had been prevented with the extraordinary moderation of all parties in ordering a Battel it was fittest to fix the power in one chief and general consent setled it in Sir Ralph Hopton He first gave order that publick Prayers should be read in the head of every Squadron and it was done accordingly and the Enemy observing â—t did stile it saying of Masse as some of their Prisoners afterwards did confesse Then he caused the Foot to be drawn up in the best order they could and placed a Forlorn of Musquetiers in the â—â—ttle Inclosures winging them with the few Horse and Dragoons he had This done two small My 〈…〉 ion Drakes speedily and secretly fetched from the Lord Mohun's house were planted on a little â—urrough within random-shot of the Enemy yet 〈◊〉 that they were covered out of their sight with small parties of Horse about them These concealed Mynions were twice discharged with such successee that the Enemy quickly quitted their ground And all their Army being put into a rout the King's Forces had the execution of them which they performed very sparingly taking 1250 prisoners all their Cannon and Ammunition and most of their Colours and Arms and after publick Thanks taking their repose at Liscard Stratton Fight succeeds on Tuesday the 16th of May 1643. The King's Army wants Am munition and hath a steep hill to gain with all disadvantage and danger the Horse and Dragoons being not above five hundred and the Foot two thousand four hundred The Parl. Forces were well furnished and barticadoed upon the top of the hill their Foot 3400. and their Horse not many indeed having dispatched 1200 to surprize the Sheriffâ— and Commissioners at Bedmin On the King's side order was given to force the passage to the top of the Hill by four several Avenues the ascent was steep and difficult resolutely did his Majesties Forces get up and obstinately did the Enemy keep them down The Fight continued doubtful with many countenances of various events from five in the Morning till three in the Afternoon amongst which most remarkable the smart charge made by M. G. Chudleigh with a stand of Pikes on Sir Bevil Greenvil who fell nobly himself and had lost his squadron had not Sir John now Lord Berkley who led up thâ— Musquetiers on each side of Sir Bevil seasonably relieved it so resolutely reinforcing the Charge that Major-General Chudleigh was taken Prisoner Betwixt three and four of the Clock the Commanders of the King's Forces who embraced those four several wayes of ascent met to their mutual joy almost at the top of the hill which the routed enemy confusedly forsook In this service though they were Assailants they lost very few men and no considerable Officer killing of the Enemy about three hundred and taking seventeen hundred prisoners all their Cannon being thirteen pieces of brasse Ordnance and Ammunition seventy barrels of powder with a Magazine of Bisket and other provision proportionable For this victory publick Prayer and Thanksgiving was made on the hill then the Army was disposed of to improve their successe to the best advantage Nothing had sunk this great spirit but the fate of Kingdomes with whose ruine onely he was contented to fall and disband his brave Soldiers upon honourable terms Five things made my Lord Hopton so eminently serviceable 1. His great insight into the designes and prudent foresight of the events of present Councels which when most doubted and wavered gave him that resolution that undertook great difficulties and bore up against greater 2. His experience of War in general and his acquaintance with that seat of it committed to him in particular 3. His renown all over the Kingdome for piety and moderation and within his own association for hospitality civility and charity 4. His name among the Enemies as confiderable for his generousnesse and justice as for his valour and conduct 5. His Estate that set him above mercenarinesse and his care for money that set his Soldiers above need the occasion of mutinying among themselves or of incivilities towards others Observations on the Life of the Earl of Carnarvan RObert Dormer Ar. was on the tenth of June 1615. made Baronet by K. James on the 30 day of the same month was by him created Baron Dormer of Wing in Buckinghamshire His Grand-childe Robert Dormer was by K. Charles in the 4th of his Reign created Viscount Ascot Earl of Carnarvan He lost his life fighting for him who gave him his honour at the first Battel of Newbury Being sore wounded he was defired by a Lord to know of him what suit he would have to his Majesty in his behalf the said Lord promising to discharge his trust in presenting his request and assuring him that his Majesty would be willing to gratifie him to the utmost of his power To whom the Earl replyed I will not dye with a Suit in my mouth to any King save to the King of Heaven By Anne daughter to Philip Earl of Pembrook and Montgomery he had Charles now Earl of Carnarvan From his noble Extract he received not more honour than he gave it For the blood that was conveyed to him through so many illustrious veins he derived to his Children more maturated for renowâ— and by a constant practice of goodnesse more habituated to vertue His youth was prepared for action by study without which even the most eminent parts of Noble-men seem rough and unpleasant sant in despight of the splendor of their fortune But his riper years endured not those retirements and therefore brake out into manlike exercises at home and travel abroad None more noble yet none more modest none more valiant yet none more patient A Physician at his Father-in-Law's Table gave him the Lye which put the company to admire on the one hand the man's impudence and on the other my Lord's mildenesse until he said I 'll take the Lye from him but I 'll never take Physick of him He may speak what doth not become him I 'll not do what is unworthy of me A vertue this not usual in Noble-men to whom the limits of Equity seem a restraint and therefore are more restlesse in Injuries In the middest of horrour and tumults his soul was serene and calm As humble he was as patient Honour and nobility to which nothing can be added hath no better way to increase than when secured of its own greatnesse it humbleth it self and so at once obligeth love and avoideth envy His carriage was as condescending as heroick and his speech as weighty as free He was too great to envy any mans parts and vertues and too good not to encourage them Many a time would he stoop with his own spirit
THE STATES-MEN And FAVOURITES OF ENGLAND Since the Reformation Their PRUDENCE and POLICIES SUCCESSES and MISCARRIAGES ADVANCEMENTS and FALLS During the Reigns of King HENRY VIII King EDWARD VI. Queen MARY Queen ELIZABETH King JAMES King CHARLES I. LONDON Printed by J. C. for SAMUEL SPEED at the Rainbow neer the Inner Temple-gate in Fleet-street 1665. TO The HOPE of ENGLAND It s Young Gentry Is most humbly dedicated The HONOUR of it It s Ancient States-men A Renowned Auncestry TO An Honourable Posterity Whitehall BY permission and License of the Right Honourable Mr Secretary Morice this book may be printed and published Jo Cook TO THE READER Courteous Reader FOr bestowing some vacant hour by that excellent Personages direction to whom I am equally obliged for my Employment and my Leasure in an attempt so agreeable to the Lord Verulam's judgement which may be seen in the next page and so pursuant of Sir Naunton's designe which may be traced in the following Book Another person's abilities might have gained applause and my weaknesse may deserve an excuse notwithstanding my years if yet any man be too young to read and observe or my profession if yet a Divine should not as times go be as well read in Men as Books Especially since I gratifie no man's ' fondness writing not a Panegyrick but an History Nor pleasure any persons malice designing Observations rather than Invectives Nor tyre any man's patience setting downe rather the remarkes of mens publick capacities than the minute passages of their private lives but innocently discourse the most choice instances our ENGLISH Histories afford for the three great Qualifications of men 1. Noblenesse in behaviour 2. Dexterity in business and 3. Wisdome in Government among which are twenty eight Secretaries of State eight Chancellours eighteen Lord-Treasurers sixteen Chamberlains who entertain Gentlemen with Observations becoming their Extraction and their hopes touching 1. The rise of States-men 2. The beginning of Families 3. The method of Greatnesse 4. The conduct of Courtiers 5. The miscarriages of Favourites and what-ever may make them either wise or wary The Chancellour of France had a Picture that to a common eye shewed many little heads and they were his Ancestors but to the more curious represented onely one great one and that was his own It 's intended that this Book should to the vulgar Reader expresse several particulars i. e. all this last Ages Heroes but to every Gentleman it should intimate onely one and that is himself It 's easily imaginable how unconcerned I am in the fate of this Book either in the History or the Observation since I have been so faithful in the first that is not my own but the Historians and so careful in the second that they are not mine but the Histories DAVID LlOYD The Lord Bacon's Judgement of a Work of this nature HIstory which may be called just and perfect History is of three kings according to the object it propoundeth or pretendeth to represent for it either representeth a Time a Person or an Action The first we call Chronicles the second Lives and the third Narrations or Relations Of these although the first be the most compleat and absolute kind of History and hath most estimation and glory yet the second excelleth it in profit use the third in verity and sincerity For history of Times representeth the magnitude of Actions and the publick faces or deportments of persons and passeth over in silence the smaller passages and motions of Men and Matters But such being the work manship of God as he doth hang the greatest weight upon the smallest wyars Maxima è minimis suspendens it comes therefore to pass that such Histories do rather set forth the pomp of business than the true and inward resorts thereof But Lives if they be well written propounding to themselves a person to 〈…〉 present in whom actions both greater a 〈…〉 smaller publick and private have a commixture must of necessity contain a mo 〈…〉 true native and lively representation I do much admire that these times have so little esteemed the vertues of the Times a 〈…〉 that the writing of Lives should be no mo 〈…〉 frequent For although there be not man 〈…〉 Soveraign Princes or absolute Commanders and that States are most collected into Monarchies yet are there many worthy personages that deserve better then dispersed Report or barren Elogies For herein the invention of one of the late Poets is proper and doth well inrich the ancient fiction For he feigneth that at the end of the thread or web of every mans Life there was a little Medal containing the person's name and that Time waiteth upon the Sheers and as soon as the Thread was cut caught the Medals and carried them to the River Lethe and about the bank there were many Birds flying up and down that would get the Medals and carry them in their beak a little while and then let them fall into the River Onely there were a few Swans which if they got a Name would carry it to a Temple where it was consecrate THE TABLE A SIr Thomas Audly Pag. 39 Fitz-Allan Earl of Arundel 232 Master Ascham 429 Arch-Rishop Abbot 522 Sir Edward Anderson 577 Bishop Andrews 796 Sir Walter Aston 702 Sir R Armstroder 723 Philip Earl of Arundel 725 B CHarles Brandon 11 Sir Thomas Bollen 102 Sir Anthony Brown 128 Sir David Brook 205 Sir John Baker 277 Arch-Bishop Bancrost 539 Sir Nieh Bacon 287 Sir Francis Bacon 600 Thomas Lord Burgh 401 Sir Thomas Bromley 425 Sir Richard Bingham 426 Thomas Lord Buckhurst 493 Sir Thomas Bodly 578 G. V. Duke of Buckingh 613 Sir John Bramston 696 Lord Chief-Justice Banks 732 C ARch-Bishop Cranmer 15 Cromwel 32-138 Sir William Compton 110 Sir Thomas Cheyney 283 Sir John Cheek 160 Sir William Cordel 195 Sir Anthony Cook 199 Sir W Cecil L. Burleigh 290 Sir Thomas Challoner 343 Sir James Crofts 379 The Cliffords Earls of Cumberland 497 Sir R Cecil Ea of Salisb. 56 Sir Giles Calvert 526 Sir Arthur Chichester 529 Sir Lionel Cranfield E. M. 553 Sir R Cary 568 Doctor Cosin 589 The Lord Cook 592 The Lord Cottington 676 Sir Dudly Carleton 680 The Lord Conway 689 Sir Julius Caesar 704 The Earl of Carnarvan 786 The Lord Capel 793 Sir John Culpeper 814 Sir George Crook 721 〈◊〉 Thomas Coventry 750 Secretary Cook 716 D SIr Thomas Darcy 95 Dudly Duke of Northumberland 237 Edward Earl of Derby 358 Sir William Drury 368 Doctor Dale 374 Sir James Dier 404 Secretary Davison 437 Sir R. Dudley 537 John Lord Digby E. B 607 The Digges 691 The Earl of Danby 719 E SIr Ralph Ewers 275 W Earl of Essex 303 Robert Earl of Essex 449 Sir Thomas Edmonds 734 The L. Chancellor Egerton 531 Sir Clement Edmonds 547 Sir John Ereskin E. K. 557 F SIr Jeffery Fenton 441 476 Sir John Fineux 48 Bishop Fox 53 Sir Edward Fines 225 Sir John Fortescue 367 Doctor Fletcher 477 Sir H. Sir Lucius
Sir Henry Lords Vise Falkland 708 Sir John Finch 742 G SIr Thomas Grey Marquess of Dorset 116 Gardiner Bish of Winch. 268 John Grey of Pyrgo 379 L. Grey of Wilton 381 398 Sir Henry Gates 379 Sir Humphrey Gilbert 441 Sir Fulk Grevil L. Brook 503 Oliver Lord Grandison 542 H SIr Will Herbert 274 Sir Walter Haddon 442 Sir Th. Howard 96 Sir Ed Howard 105 Sir Th. Howard 107 of Surry Norfolk Wil Howard L. Effingh 218 Sir G. Hume E of Dunb 516 James Hay E of Carlisle 549 Henry Howard Earl of Northampton 555 Judge Hyde 701 Christopher Lord Hatton 333 419 The Lord Hunsdon 335 Sir Richard Hutton 739 Wil M Hertford 741 The Earl of Holland 759 The Marquess Hamilton 776 The Lord Hopton 780 The Lord Herbert 789 Arch-Bishop Heath 337 I SIr John Fitz-James 80 Sir John Jefferies 189 Arthur Ingram 572 Arch-Bishop Juxon 810 K SIr William Kingstone 279 Sir Henry Killegrew 395 〈…〉 Knowls 433 L SIr Anthony St. Lieger 56 The Earl of Liecester 330 〈…〉 Thomas Lake 552 562 〈…〉 Ja Ley E of Marlb 713 〈…〉 Earl of Lindsey 747 Arch-Bishop Laud 763 〈…〉 Lord-Keeper Littleton 775 M 〈…〉 Thomas Moor 21 Sir Rich Morison 68 〈…〉 Will Molineux 84 〈…〉 Henry Marney 111 〈…〉 John Mason 177 〈…〉 Edward Mountague 221 〈…〉 Thomas Mannors 275 〈…〉 Walter Mildmay 365 〈…〉 Roger Manwood 386 〈…〉 Lord Mountjoy 479 〈…〉 op Mountague 575 〈…〉 Henry Martin 695 〈…〉 Earl of Manchester 799 N 〈…〉 He Duke of Norfolk 351 The Lord North 374 〈…〉 rls Ea of Nottingh 511 〈…〉 Norrices 433 〈…〉 Rob Naunton 569 Sir Francis Nethersole 569 Sir William Noy 662 Judge Nichols 699 O SIr Thomas Overbury 544 P ED Plowden 383 Sir William Paget 65 Sir Ed Poynings 112 The Parrs 156 Sir Clement Paston 171 Sir John Portman 214 Sir Amias Pawlet 378 William Lord Pawlet 403 Sir William Pelham 408 Sir Barnab Fitz-Patrick 229 Sir William Peter 247 Cardinal Pool 252 Sir John Perrot 322 Sir William Pickering 339 G Earl of Pembrook 363 Sir John Puckering 422 The Lord Chief-Justice Popham 535 Will Earl of Pembrook 687 Sir Paul Pindar 735 R THe Lord Rich 1 E. W. 173 Sir Tho Randolph 347 Sir John Russel 1 E. B. 259 Sir William Russel 444 Sir Thomas Roper 445 Sir Walter Rawleigh 485 Sir John Ramsey E H 557 Doctor Ridley 693 Esme Duke of Richmond 728 Edw Earl of Rutland 482 Sir Thomas Roe 807 S SIr Ralph Sadler 61 Sir Ed Stanly 101 Sir Charles Somerset 1 E. W. 114 Sir Thomas Smith 370 R Earl of Somerset 518 Stafford Duke of Bucks 122 The Seymours 142 Sir Will Stamford 185 The Earl of Sussex 307-416 Sir Philip Sidney 313 Sir Henry Sidney 412 Sir Thomas Smith 483 The Earl of Suffolk 567 The Lord Spencer 610 Sir John Savil 665 The Lord Say 744 The Earl of Strafford 752 T BIshop Tonstal 340 Francis Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury 342 Sir Nicholas Throgmorton 354 V SIr H Umpton 447 H Vere Earl of Oxford 583-714 The Veres 5 〈…〉 Sir Henry Vane Senor 7 〈…〉 W CArdinal Wolsey 1 1 〈…〉 Sir Thomas Wyat 〈◊〉 Sir Tho Wriothsly 1 Ear 〈…〉 Southampton Sir Will Fitz-Williams 〈◊〉 Sir Robert Wingfield 1 〈…〉 Sir Thom Wentworth 1 〈…〉 Doctor Wilson 2 〈…〉 Lord Willoughby 311-3 〈…〉 Sir Francis Walsingham 3 〈…〉 Sir Edw Waterhouse 3 〈…〉 Sir Will Fitz-Williams 3 〈…〉 Sir Christopher Wray 3 〈…〉 The Earl of Worcester 3 〈…〉 Sir William Waad 4 〈…〉 Sir Ralph Winwood 5 〈…〉 Bishop Williams 6 〈…〉 Sir Isaac Wake 6 〈…〉 Sir R Sir J Weston E 〈…〉 of Portland 6 〈…〉 Sir Henry Wotton 8 〈…〉 The Lord Wilmot 8 〈…〉 Y SIr Henry Yelverton 5â—â— THE STATES-MEN and FAVOURITES OF ENGLAND IN The Reign of King Henry the VIII Observations on the Life of Cardinal WOLSEY CArdinal Wolsey was not so great in his Fortune as he was mean in his Original his honest and industrious Parents helped him to a good Constitution and a great Spirit two hopeful steps to Greatnesse and his Ambition gave the opportunity to encrease it he was as pregnant at Ipswich-School as he was promising in Canterbury-Colledge where his Industry parts advanced him to a command over Noble-men in the Earl of Dorset's Family as a School-master as his Policy had promoted him to an Imperiousnesse over Kings in the quality of States-man The first step to Greatnesse in a Scholar is Relation to a Nobleman The best Education for the Court is in the Palace Nature made him capable the School and University made him a Scholar but his Noble Employment made him a Man At Oxford he read Books at my Lord 's he read Men and observed Things His Patrons two Parsonages bestowed upon him was not so great a Favour as the excellent Principles instilled into him he being not more careful to instruct the young Men then their Father was to tutor him his Bounty makes him rich and his Recommendation potent His Interest went far his Money farther Bishop Fox was Secretary to K. Henry the seventh and he to Bishop Fox the One was not a greater Favourite of the King 's then the other was his as one that brought him a Head capacious of all Observations and a Spirit above all Difficulties Others managed the Affairs of England Wolsey understood its Interest His Correspondence was good abroad his Observations close deep and continued at home He improved what he knew and bought what he knew not He could make any thing he read or heard his own and could improve any thing that was his own to the uttermost No sooner was he in with the Bishop of Winchester but the Bishop was out with the Earl of Surrey to whom he must have stooped as he did unto Nature and Age had not he raised his Servant equal to himself in the Kings Favour and above Howard He was forbid by the Canon Heirs of his Body he was enjoyned by his Prudence to make an Heir of his Favour equally to support and comfort his old Age and maintain his Interest Children in point of Policy as in point of Nature are a Blessing and as Arrows in the hand of a mighty man and happy is that old Courtier that hath his Quiver full of them he shall not be ashamed when he speaks with his enemies in the gate The old man commends Wolsey to Henry the Seventh for one fit to serve a King and command Others Forreign Employment is the Statesmans first School to France therefore he is sent to poise his English Gravity with French Debonairness A well-poised Quickness is the excellent temper From Forreign Employment under an Old King he is called home to some Domestick Services under the Young One He as quickly found the length of His Foot as he fitted him with an easie Shoo the King followed his Pleasures and the Cardinal enjoyeth His Power The One pursued his Sports while Youth the other his Business while Time served him Give me to Day and take thou to
and sober troubling him with nothing but his business and expecting no higher conditions then countenance protection and recommendation and his Retayners 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 discreetly dispenced 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 Wâ—arton 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 then 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 his Daughter for our Prince or at least to prevent the French whom Sir William Paget watcheth there as Sir Ralph Sadler did in Rome and Sir John Wallop at Calais and when that Kings designe was discovered we finde our Knight with Charles Duke of Suffolk Lieutenant-General Henry Fitz-Alan Earl of Arundel Lord General Will. Pawlet Lord St. John Stephen Bishop of Winchester with a rich and strong Army expecting the King before Montrevil which they took with Boâ—logn and forcing the French to a Peace and Submission that secured England and setled Europe Three things facilitate all things 1. Knowledge 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 then a performance when in haste there was something that all admired and which was more something that all were pleased with in this mans actions 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 Honour to be of Prince EDWARD's special Council for the future By his Order he had as his share of Abbey-Lands Battle-Abbey in Sussex enjoyed by his Heirs Males in a direct Line to this day And by his Authority he had the Honourable Garter He was the first man that durst bring his Master the sad news That He must die And no wonder he durst it for the next news is That he is dead himself How darest thou to be so plain said Heliogabalus to the Courtier Because I dare die said he I can but die if I am Faithful and I must die though I Flatter The Lord Herbert's Character of Cardinal Wolsey in his Life of Henry the Eighth pag. 314. ANd thus concluded that great Cardinal A man in whom ability of parts and Industry were equally eminent though for being employed wholly in ambitious ways they became dangerous Instruments of power in active and mutable times By these arts yet he found means to govern not onely the chief affairs of this Kingdom but of Europe there being no Potentate which in his turn did not seek to him and as this procured him divers Pensions so when he acquainted the King therewith his manner was so cunningly to disoblige that Prince who did fee him last as he made way thereby oftentimes to receive as much on the other side But not of secular Princes alone but even of the Pope and Clergy of Rome he was no little courted of which therefore he made especial use while he drew them to second him on most occasions His birth being otherwise so obscure and mean as no man had ever stood so single for which reason also his chief indeavour was not to displease any great Person which yet could not secure him against the divers Pretenders of that time For as all things passed through his hands so they who failed in their suits generally hated him All which though it did but exasperate his ill nature yet this good resultance followed that it made him take the more care to be Just whereof also he obtained the reputation in his publick hearing of Causes For as he loved no body so his Reason carried him And thus he was an useful Minister of his King in all points where there was no question of deserving the Roman Church of which at what price soever I finde he was a zealous Servant as hoping thereby to aspire to the Papacy whereof as the factious times then were he seemed more capable then any had he not so immoderately affected it Whereby also it was not hard to judge of his Inclination that Prince who was ablest to help him to this Dignity being ever preferred by him which therefore was the ordinary Bait by which the Emperour and the French King one after the other did catch him And upon these terms he doubted not to convey vast treasures out of this Kingdom especially unto Rome where he had not a few Cardinals at his devotion by whose help though he could not attain that Supreme Dignity he so passionately desired yet he prevailed himself so much of their favour as he got a kinde of absolute power in Spiritual Matters at Home Wherewith again be so served the Kings turn as it made him think the less of using his own Authority One error seemed common to both which was That such a multiplicity of Offices and Places were invested in him For as it drew much envy upon the Cardinal in particular so it derogated no little from the Regal Authority while one man alone seemed to exhaust all Since it becometh Princes to do like good Husband-men when they sow their Grounds which is to scatter and not to throw all in one place He was no great Dissembler for so qualified a Person as ordering his businesses for the most part so cautiously as he got more by keeping his word then by breaking it As for his Learning which was far from exact it consisted chiefly in the subtilties of the Thomists wherewith the King and himself did more often weary then satisfie each other His stile in Missives was
by his Advancement 2. That he never mistrusted an Oath 3. That he never considered that as Princes so Favourites have many eyes and long hands He that is so open as to reserve nothing from friends is renowned for Charity but he that is so to lie at the mercy of all is marked for ruine No sooner understood my Lord of Leicester Essex his Disposition but the bitter Fool Pace could tell his Fortune begging of my Lord at his departure the making of his Mourning and adding You and I have done for this world Walter Earl of Essex had been happy if he had not lived in my Lord of Leicester's time his son Robert renowned had he not been Sir Robert Cecil's Contemporary and his Grandchilde an Heroe had he not known my Lord Say and Mr. Hampden Observations on the Life of the Earl of Sussex THomas Radcliff Earl of Sussex was of a very Noble and Ancient Lineage honoured through many Descents by the Title of Viscounts Fitz-Walters He was a goodly Gentleman and of a brave noble Nature true and constant to his friends and servants noted for honesty a very excellent Souldier being one of the Queens Martialists who did very good service in Ireland at her first accession till she recalled him to the Court where she made him Lord Chamberlain and though he was not endowed with the cunningness and dexterity as others were yet upon his Death-bed he gave his friends a caveat whom they should beware His words saith Sir Robert Naunton are these I am now passing into another World and must leave you to your Fortunes and to the Queens Graces but beware of the Gypsie for he will be too hard for you all you know not the beast so well as I do His Prowess and Integrity drew the Souldiers after him Leicester's Courtship and Cunning the Courtiers Cecil's Prudence and Service the States-men He succeeded his Father in his Fortune and in his Favour his Prudence and Resolution promoting him to the Government of Ireland and the North his good husbandry and skill in Surveying making him Justice in Eyre of all the Parks beyond Trent and his comely Presence advancing him Lord Chamberlain Queen Elizabeth poyzed her State by Factions abroad and Parties at home her chiefest wisdome lying in her general correspondence and complyance with each Party as her Interest lay in their incomplyance and distance from one another My Lord of Sussex left this Memorial behind him That for Rising Men to stick to a side is necessary For Great Men to be indifferent is wise and this That he and my Lord of Leicester cleared and purged the Court their cross Observations refining each person that was admitted to Court none daring any injustice while Leicester observed him on the one hand and Sussex punished him on the other Then no deserving Person could be excluded by the one that could serve his Prince nor any undeserving one admitted that might disparage him one Interest being sure to receive the one as the other was to exclude the other Divers persons saith one of equal Authority though both wicked do in experience produce more Justice then a greater Probity in a single individuaâ— hath been heard to pronounce in a divided Court the Creatures of one Party being the Enemies of another no less powerful and so they both become liable to accusation or capable of defence and from the sparkles of this clashing not onely Persons and Actions but the Publick Councils came to be refined from the Rust and Cankers that grow by an Unanimity Faction can be as little spared in a Monarchy as an Eye or an Ear as through which the Prince hath a clearer apprehension of his own and others Affairs then he can have when his followers are all agreed through the percussion of equal Factions as through that of Flint and Steel all things coming to light by Debates that might either advance or eclipse a Princes glory When my Lord of Sussex could not overbear Leicester with Power he did it with Policy and by yeilding to him conquered him for as he observed when he and his friends retired Leicester and his subdivided and he was checked more by the Ambition he taught his own Followers then by the competition of his Adversaries When Factions are carried too high and too violently it is a signe of weakness in Princes and much to the prejudice of their Authority and Business The motions of Factions under Kings ought to be like the motions as the Astronomers speak of the Inferiour Orbs which may have their proper Inclination but yet are still quietly carried by the higher motion of the Primum Mobile Queen Elizabeth had an happy time of it if it were but for this That her Favourites Divisions were her support for thereby she attained the knowledge of all things that happened so as no Suit or Designe passed the Royal Assent before she understood as much of Reason as Enemies or Friends could bring for or against it The Character this third great Lord of his Family left behind him was This year died a man of a great spirit and faithfulness to his Country and therefore none freer then he of his thoughts none sounder then he in his counsels Nor did this freedome of Communication betray his future Resolutions to the discovery of his Enemies as they opened his heart to the observation of his Prince for through a seeming unconstancy not of words but of action not his weakness but his nimbleness the Bird on the wing is safe he could so often vary as it was not easie to discover where or when he would be buzzing and give the blow by which unsteady carriage He so befooled his Adversaries with their Spies and Pensioners as they were at a loss 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 other Plays wherein Fortune is directed and conducted by Art The best and subtilest Gamester may loose 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 Descent 1. A Civility set off with State 2. A pleasing Modesty of Countenance and Aâ—â—ability 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 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 Bartues but more eâ—â—obled 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 suitable Magnanimity
the Hugonots depended and put a re 〈…〉 resolution in King Lewis to advance against the Valtoline and Spain by the advantage of the Leaguâ— with England proceeding upon this Maxime wiâ—â— that King They that have respect to few things 〈◊〉 easily misled I had almost forgot how this Lord finding thaâ— want of Treasure at home was the ground of ouâ— unsuccessful and despicableness abroad and thaâ— Principe senza quatrius è come un muro senza crâ—l 〈…〉 da tulls scompisliato That a Prince without money is like a wall without a Crosse for every one to draw upon did mention the Excize in the Parliament-House and in no ill meaning neither and was violently cryed to the Bar and though a person of that eminence as being then a Privy-Councellor and principal Secretary of State he hardly escaped â—eing committed to the Tower So odious was â—â—at Dutch-Devil as they called it in the excelâ—â—t King Charles which was raysed by the beloâ—ed Parliament with many more that were conjuâ—ed up in three or four years but not likely to be â—aid in three or fourscore Living in those times when weak men imagined â—o themselves some unknown bliss from untried goâ—ernments and considering that alterations counâ—ervail not their own dangers and as they bring â—ittle good to any so they bring least of all to those â—hat first promoted them This Lord refused to be â—he mouth of the Zealous multitude whose rage â—ould neither be well opposed nor joyned with whom a pardon or compliance might bring off leaving their Demagogues to compound for their folâ—â—y with their ruine choosing rather to be patient than active and appear weak than be troublesome and once resolved upon an exact survey of circumstances for power against the faults of it on the one â—â—and and the affronts of it on the other he gained the esteem of all parties by his fidelity to his own I am much taken with his plain saying which I finde of late printed There will be mistakes in Divinity while men preach and errours in Government while such govern And more with his method of proceeding in his affairs whereof he laid first an Idea in his own minde and then improved it by debate the result whereof was usually so compleat as shewed the vast difference between the shallow conceptions of one man and the deep judgement of many Observations on the Lives of Sir Richard and Sir Jerome Weston Earls of Portland SIr Richard Weston in his youth impaired his estate to improve himself with publick accomplishment but came off both a saver and a gainer at the last when made Chancellor of the Exchequer and afterwards upon the remove of the Earl of Marlborough July 15. in the fourth of King Charles Lord Treasurer of England His activity in Parliament made him considerable at Court none fitter to serve a Prince than he who commands the humor of the people Indeed where ever he was he discovered himself able and faithful 1. In his Foreign Employments his judgement was searching and reach admirable he being the first that smelt out the intentions against the Palatinate which were then in brewing and mashed with much art In his Domestick charge his Artifice was singular both in a faithful improvement of the Inâ—â—mes and a discreet moderation of the expences in his Masters Revenues In his Aspect there was a mixture of authority and modesty in his apprehensions quickness and solidity in his port and train a suitable dignity and correspondence with little noyse and outward form An enemy to Complements yet very courteous no flatterer yet of great power irreconcileable to frothy formality yet maintaining a due regard to his person and place A great Scholar he was and yet a great States-man of various erudition and as large observation He secured himself much by Alliances with the best Nobility more by the love and what is more the esteem of a constant King it being one of the wonders of that time that my Lord of Canterbury and he who were at so much distance from one another should be so inward with their Soveraign but that that excellent Prince measured not his affections to his Dependants so much by a particular interest as by a publick serviceableness The necessity of the Exchequer put him upon some ways of supply that displeased the rabble though his three particular cares viz. The paying of the Navy the satisfying of the City and the Queen of Bohemia's supply three things he was very much intent upon while Treasurer obliged the wiser sort of men I know nothing he was defective in being careful to use his own words to perform all duties with obedience to his Majestie respect to the Duke and justice to the particular parties concerned But that he had so much of his Master's love and so little of his patience being grated as all States-men are that have to do with various interests and humors between a strong inclination of satisfying every man and the impossibility of pleasing all Considering the importunities of persons and affairs a little impatience must needs fall upon your Lord-ship writes Sir Henry Wottoâ— to him unlesse you had been cut out of a Rock of Diamonds especially having been before so conversant with liberal Studies and with the freedom of your own minde In his time was the great Question agitated Whether a Prince should aime at the fear or the lovâ— of his People Although no Prince did more to oblige his People than the Excellent King Charles the I Yet was there no Prince ever more advised to awe them For this Lord and many more who looked upon over-much indulgence as the greatest cruelty considering that men love at their own pleasure and to serve their own turn and that their fear depends upon the Princes pleasure were of opinion That every wise Prince ought to ground upon that which is of himself and not upon that which is of another government being set up in the world rather to trust its own power than stand upon others courtesie Besides two things the vulgar are taken with 1. Appearance 2. The event of things which if successful gains both their love and reverence Neither was the Father more exact in his Maximes than the Son in his of whose many infallible principles this was one That it was the safest way for the King's Majestie to proceed upon a Declaration that the Faction at Westminster was no Parliament upon his own and his most loyal Lords and Commons removal to Oxford And this another That provided the Gentry and Clergy were well principled and His Majestie that now is had a constant correspondence with the most eminent of them it was our Interest to promote his Majesties grandeur abroad and sit still at home untill the Faction might be so secure as to divide and his Majesties Interest became so conspicuous by the Principles that were kept up at home and the State that was born abroad as to command all And really his
to Henry Lord Falkland whose quick and extraordinary parts and notable spirit performed much and promised more having a great command in the Countrey where he was Lord-Lieutenant a general respect in the house where he was Member a great esteem at Court with his Majesty and his Royal Highness the Duke of Yorke where he was both wit and wisdome When there was the first opportunity offered to honest men to act he laid hold of it and got in spight of all opposition to a thing called a Parliament By same token that when some urged he had not sowed his wilde Oats he is said to reply If I have not I may sowe them in the House where there are Geese enough to pick them up And when Sir F. N. should tell him he was a little too wilde for so grave a service he is reported to reply Alas I am wilde and my Father was so before me and I am no Bastard as c. In which Contention he out-did the most active Demagogues at their own weapon speaking When Major Huntington and his followers were for the long Parliament Sir F. N. L. S c. were for the secluded Members My Lord carried all the County for an absolute free Parliament which he lived to see and act in so successfully that he was voted generally higher in trusts and services had he not been cut off in the prime of his years as much missed when dead as beloved when living A great instance of what a strict Education for no man was harder bred a general Converse and a noble Temper can arrive to and what an Orator can do in a Democracy where the Affections of many is to be wrought upon rather than the judgement of few to be convinced A golden tongue falling under a subtle head under such a constitution hath great influence upon the whole Nation Observations on the Life of Sir James Ley Earl of Marlborough SIr James Ley son of Henry Ley Esquire one of great Ancestry who saith my Author on his own cost with his men valiantly served King Henry the Eighth at the siege of Boloin being his Fathers sixth son and so in probability barred of his inheritance endeavoured to make himself an Heir by his Education applying his book in Nose-Colledge and afterwards studying the Laws of the Land in Lincolns-Inne wherein such his proficiency King James made him Lord Chief-Justice in Ireland Here he practised the charge King James gave him at his going over yea what his own tender Conscience gave himself namely not to build his Estate upon the ruines of a miserable Nation but aiming by the unpartial execution of Justice not to enrich himself but civilize the People But the wise King would no longer loose him out of his own Land and therefore recalled him home about the time when his Fathers Inheritance by the death of his five elder brethren descended upon him It was not long before Offices and Honours flowed in fast upon him being made by King James King Charls 1. Attorney of the Court of Wards 1. Earl of Marlborough in Wiltshire 2. Chief-Justice of the Upper Bench the 18 of his Reign Jan. 29. immediately after the King's Coronation 3. Lord Treasurer of England in the 22 of his Reign Dec. 22. 2. Lord President of the Council in which place he died Anno. Dom. 1629. 4. Baron Ley of Ley in Devonshire the last of the same month  He was a Person of great Gravity Ability and Integrity And as the Caspian Sea is observed neither to ebbe nor flow so his minde did not rise or fall but continued the same constancy in all conditions a good temper enough for a Judge but not for a States-man and for any States-man but a Lord Treasurer and for any Lord Treasurer but in King CHARLES his active time who was put to it to finde out such stirring men as might recover him from the hazard and defection he was fallen into in Purse and Power Observations on the Life of Henry Vere Earl of Oxford THis noble person had more of the Camp in h 〈…〉 temper than the Court whence his rougâ— Armour-constitution grated often against the our tiers Silks for when one of them laughed at h 〈…〉 milk-white Feather he returned smartly upon him with reflections on his Ancestors That it had no 〈…〉 in t in it His Predecessors had not been more 〈…〉 placable enemies to Spain in the Low-Countries 〈…〉 an he was at White-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 other declaring himself as freely against the Agent Gondomar as against his business â—he Marriage For chancing to meet Gondomar at â—n Entertainment the Don accosted him with high Complements vowing That amongst all the 〈…〉 obility of England there was none he had tendered his service to with more sincerity than to his Lordship though hitherto such his unhappinesse 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 〈…〉 ping 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 Lordshipe life But 〈…〉 od my Lord what are those two signal things more 〈…〉 spicuous than all the rest They are these two said the Earl I was born in the year 88 and chri 〈…〉 ned 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 〈…〉 neham he added to try him He would pay no tythes of his Parke 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 minde said the Earl then take the tythes I scorn that my Estate should swell with Church-goods Observations on the Life of Sir John Cook SIr John Cook younger brother to Sir Francis Cook born at Trusley in the Hundred of Apple-tree in Derby-shire of ancient and worshipful Parentage and allied to the best Family in that County was bred Fellow of Trinity-Colledge in Cambridg where his wit being designed his Estate he was chosen Rhetorick-Lecturer in the University where he grew eminent for his ingenious and critical reading in that School where Rhetorick seemed to be not so much an art as his nature being not onely the subject but the very frame of his discourse then travelled he beyond the Seas for some years when his judgement was fitted for Foreign observations by Domestick experience in the company of a person of quality
returning thence rich in Languages Remarks and Experience waving all the dangers incident to him for his Religion by a wary profession that he came to learn and not to search Being first related to Sir Fulke Grevil Lord Brook who did all menâ— business but his own He was thence preferred to be Secretary of the Navy then Master of the Requests and at last Secretary of State for twenty years together Being a very zealous Protestant he did all good offices for the advancement of true Religion His Contemporaries character him a grave and a prudent man in gate apparel and speech one that had his Intellectuals very perfect in the dispatch of businesse till he was eighty years old when foreseeing those Intrigues that might be too hard for his years he with his Majesties good leave retyred as Moses did to dye when his eyes were not dim c. having kept himself strictly to the Law of the Land Insomuch that being sent to command Bishop Williams from Westminster and being asked by the stout Bishop by what authority he commanded a man out of his house and his free-hold he was so tender of the point that he never rested till he had his pardon for it Much ado he had to keep the King's favour for his compliance with the Faction witness his third submission and as much ado to retain the Factions good opinion for his service to the King witnesse his several Apologies in Parliament to this purpose That it was a hard thing that they who should have thanks for the good offices they did the People with the KING had now nothing but censures for the same offices they did the King with his People Never was any man more put to it to reconcile the two readings of that Text 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which he could never have done but that his old rule safe-guarded him viz. That no man should let what is unjustifiable or dangerous appear under his hand to give Envy a steady aime at his place or person no mingle Interests with great men made desperate by debts or Court-injuries whose falls hath been ruinons to their wisest followers nor pry any further into secrecy than rather to secure than sheâ— himself nor impart that to a friend that may Impower him to be an enemy Besides that his yeaâ— excused in him that caution some obstinate meâ— want that are broken with vicissitudes because they consider not that the forwardest in turmoyls aâ—least regarded when things return to a calm He served the time out of Christian discretion in finding out the seasons of things commendably He complyed out of some infirmity in particular accommodations pardonably but neither of ignorance or design in pursuance of his own or any other mans plot unfaithfully Indeed he must have wrenched and sprained his grave soul with the short turnings in those dayes if it had been true that he should shuffle a Scots Paper instead of the genuine Articles of Pacification at York which the Earls of Holland Pembrook c. disavowed 〈◊〉 the Northern Commissioners faces my Lord 〈◊〉 Pembrook saying That indeed as he took Horse and his Friends being busie about him such a Paper was put into his hand but he opened it not untill he came to his Majestie and his Majestie burned in the face of both Kingdoms whereupon they say he was dismissed which I am not willing to believe onely I finde him hereafter bringing Propositions from the Parliament as they called it to the King as actively as formerly he had carried Messages from the King to the Parliament Indeed he had anâ— happy mixture of Discretion and Charity whereby he could allow to things and persons more than men of streighter apprehensions or narrower affections were able to do Indeed though as I told you otherwise wary he broke an Affair to a Partizan that kept him under all his days he that entertains a dangerous design puts his head into an â—â—alter and the halter into his hand to whom he first imparts it Sir Francis Windebanke and he fell into extreams which balanced might have supported the Government if they had directed their particular inclinations and indulgences by the measures of the general interest and temper Observations on the Life of the Earl of Danby ALl that I finde of this plain Noble-man is written on his Tomb-stone at Dantsey in Wiltshire Here lyeth the Body of Henry Danvers second son to Sir John Danvers Knight and Dame Elizabeth Daughter and Co-Heir to â—evil Lord Latimer He was born at Dantsey in the County of Wilts Anno Dom. 1573. being 〈…〉 ed up partly in the Low-Countrey Wars under Maurice Earl of Nassaw afterwards Prince of Orange and in many other Military actions of â—hose times both by Sea and by Land He was â—ade a 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 Mou 〈…〉 joy in the Reign of Queen Eliz. By King Jamâ—â— the first he was made Baron of Dantsey and Peeâ— 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 of imperfect health confiderately declining more active Employments full of honours wounds and days he died Anno Dom. 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 theâ— 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 costlinesse whilest our English Earl like the plain sheeâ— of Apelles by the gravity of his Habit got the advantage of the gallantry of his Corrival with judicious beholders He died without Issue in the beginning of our Civil Wars and by his Will made 1639. setled his large Estate on his hopeful Nephew Henry D'Anvers snatch'd away before fully oâ— age to the great grief of all good men Observations on the Life of Sir Geo. Crook SIr George Crook son of Sir John Crook and Elizabeth Vnton his Wife was born at Chilton in Buckinghamshire 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 Jac. 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
knowledge and experience of that stayedness and moderation of that sobriety and temperance of that observation and diligence as Bishops are presumed to be were in all Governments judged as fit to manage publique affairs as men of any other professions whatever without any prejudice to the Church which must be governed as well as taught and managed as well as a society dwelling in the world as under the notion of a peculiar people taken out of it His successful skill in dealing with the Papists under my Lord of Huntington President of the North and with the Puritans under Doctor Cosin an Ecclesiastical Officer in the South recommended him to Sir Walsingham's notice as a person too useful to be buried in a Country-Living who thereupon intended to set up his Learning in a Lecture at Cambridge to confute the Doctrine of Rome untill Queen Eliz. resolved to set up his prudence in other Employments at Court to countermine its policy where I know not whether the acuteness of his Sermons took most with the most Learned the devotion of them with the most pious or the prudence of them with the most Wise it hath been one thing always to Preach learnedly and another thing to preach wisely for to the Immensity of his Learning he added excellent Principles of politick prudence as a governour of the Church and a Councellor of State wherein he was conspicuous not for the crafty projects and practices of policy or for those sinister ways of Artifice and subtlety or the admired depths of Hypocrisie called reason of State nor the measures and rules of his Politicks and Prudentials were taken from the great experience he had gotten and many excellent observations he had made out of all Histories as well Humane as Divine though he always laid the greatest weight upon the grounds and instances of holyScripture which gives the truest judgement of wisdom or folly considering the mixture of State-affairs with those of the Church in Christian Common-wealths and the fitnesse of sober and discreet Clergy-men for those of the State in all It 's a wonder how Clergy-men come to be excluded publick Councils at any time but observing Bishop Andrews his insight into the Fundamental constitution of our State as appears from his Speech in the Countess of Shrewsbury's Case His distinct foresight of the consequences of Affairs evident in his speech against Thraske His circumspect care of the Publick visible in his Petition to King James then sick at New-Market that the Prince then under Scotch Tutors be educated by well-principled men the occasion that King James took to bring him up himself so exactly in the Doctrine and Discipline of our Church that it 's a question whether he was more by his Pen or Sword his Scepter or his Style The Defender of the Faith His wonderfull skill in the government of this Church discerned by the excellent King Charles in that he sent so many Bishops to consult with him 1625. what was to be done for the Church in that Parliament His caution and moderation in that he never unlesse upon great considerations innovated in his Church but left things in the same decency and order he found them knowing that all alterations have their dangers I am astonished to think that Bishops should be forbidden secular employment in our time Who hath more ampleness and compleatness saith Bishop Gauden for a good man a good Bishop a good Christan a good Scholar a good Preacher and a good Counsellor than Bishop Andrews a man of an astonishing excellency both at home and abroad Observations on the Life of Henry Earl of Manchester HEnry Earl of Manchester third son to Sir Edward Mountague Grand-childe to Sir Edward Mountague Lord Chief-Justice of the King's Bench in King Edward the sixth's time was born at Boughton in Northampton-shire One skilful in mysterious Arts beholding him when a School-boy foretold that by the pregnancy of his parts he would raise himself above the rest of his Family which came to passe accordingly He being bred first in Christs-Colledge in Cambridge then in the Middle-Temple where he attained to great Learning in the Laws passed through many preferments as they are reckoned up viz. 1. Sergeant at Law 2. Knighted by K. James July 22. 1603. 3. Recorder of London 4. Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench Novemb. 18. 1616. 5. Lord Treasurer of England Decemb. 16. 1620. 6. Baron of Kimbolton 7. Viscount Mandevile 8. President of the Council Sept. 29. 1621. 9. Earl of Manchester 10. Lord Privy-Seal He wisely perceiving that Courtiers were but as Counters in the hands of Princes raised and depressed in valuation at pleasure was contented rather to be set for a smaller sum than to be quite put up into the box Thus in point of place and preferment being pleased to be what the King would have him according to his Motto Movendo non mutando me he became almost what he would be himself finally advanced to an Office of great Honour When Lord Privy-Seal he brought the Court of Requests into such repute that what formerly was called the Alms-Basket of the Chancery had in his time well-nigh as much meat in and guests about it I mean Suits and Clients as the Chancery it self His Meditations of Life and Death called Manchester Al mondo written in the time of his health may be presumed to have left good impressions on his own soul preparatory for his dissolution which happened 164 ... The Office of Lord Treasurer was ever beheld as 〈◊〉 place of great charge and profit My Lord being demanded what it might be worth per ann made this answer That it might be some thousands of pounds to him who after death would go instantly to heaven twice as much to him who would go to Purgatory and a Nemo scit to him who would adventure to a worse place But indeed he that will be a bad husband for himself in so advantageous a place will never be a good one for his Soveraign Observations on the Life of Sir Henry Wotton and his Relations SIr Henry Wotton first having read of his Ancestor Sir Robert Wotton the noble Lieutenant of Guisnes and Comptroller of Callais in King Edward the fourth's days His Grand-father Sir Edward Wotton that refused to be Chancellour of England in King Henry the Eighth's time 2. Having known his Father Sir Thomas Wotton one of the most Ingenuous modesty the most Ancient freedome plainnesse single-heartednesse and integrity in Queen Elizabeths Reign His Brothers Sir Edward Wotton the famous Comptroller of Queen Eliz. and K. James his Court since Lord Wotton Baron Morley in Kent Sir James Wotton with R. Earl of Essex Count Lodowick of Nassaw Don Christophoro son of Antonio King of Portugal c. Knighted as an excellent Soldier at Cadiz Sir John Wotton the accomplished Traveller and Scholar for whom Queen Eliz. designed a special favour His Uncle Nicholas Wotton Dean of Canterbury and Yorke nine times Embassador for the Crown
its Men. He liv'd and di'd in Arms Bulioign saw him first a Souldier and Bulloign saw him last the best Camp-Master in all Christendom always observing three things 1. The Situation of his Camp to secure his Army 2. The Accommodation of it to supply it 3. His Retreat to draw off the Avenues to be guarded with Souldiers and strengthened with Redoubts which he made Triangular that more men might engage the Enemy at once during erection whereof the Army was pallisado'd in the Front with stakes headed with iron on both Ends five foot long and stuck slope-wise into the ground to keep off both Horse and Foot the Foot-Sentinels were without the Redoubts the Horse-Guards beyond them at distance enough to descry the Enemy and not too much to retire to their works A serious and plodding brow bespoke this Noble Knights deep Prudence and a smart look his resolved Valour Observations on the Life of Sir Charles Somerset SIr Charles Somerset afterward Lord Herbert of Gower c. endeared himself to King Henry as much for his Maxime That Reason of State was Reason of Law as for his Advice That the King should never stick at Law in case of Publique God and yet that all his Acts for publique Good should come as near as possible to the Law So Popular was this Gentleman that he received all the Petitions against Empson and Dudley yet so loyal that he advised his Master neither to spare those Leeches lest any should presume to alienat◠his Peoples affections from him by Extortions for the future nor yet too severely to punish them left any should be discouraged to serve the Crow◠for the present for indeed Empson and Dud 〈…〉 suffered for that which others were advanced for◠the Parliament punished them for putting their Laws in execution and the King deserted them for improving his Exchequer to a Treasury Two things this Lord advised his Master to before he put the Crown upon his head 1. To redress the Peoples Grievances under his Father 2. To marry not in France where he had a Title A Kingdom so near us that by reason of mutual jealousies we may have peace with it sometimes but Friendship never In the Houshold he was Lord Chamberlain so discreet his Carriage In the French Expedition Anno 1513. he was General so noble his Conduct His Assistants were the Earls of Northumberland Shrewsbury Kent and Wiltshire his Followers the Lord Audley De la Ware Carew and Curson c. Therouene he besiegeth in good Order and with Welsey's advice who had lived long in that Town understands all the Avenues of it and with Sir Oughtred Sir Henry Guilford Sir Edward Poynings Sir Charles Branden and Sir Baynam's assistance sprung several Mines repulsed the French Relief and the City-Assailants so that the Town was yeilded August 22. 1513. and upon Maximilian's Intreaty razed as he did Tournay September 22. Herbert was for razing this place as farther from us than Therouene but Wolsey for the Bishopricks sake is for the garisoning of it as a Trophy The King recollecting his former occasions Febr. 3. 1514. thought he could not do a more just or a more prudent Act then recompence his Noble Servants but the cheapest way I mean that of Honour as he did old Somerset with the Earldom of Worcester With this Honour at home is joyned another abroad viz. That of Embassie to Maximilian where he reached that Germans depths and clearly demonstrated that those fond and impossible Offers of the Empire were but Artifices rather then Kindnesses to drain the Kings Treasure rather than enlarge his Dominions Advising him to raise a Citadel at Tournay and an Army in Normandy He finished the Espousals between the Princess Mary and the Dolphin and delivered Tournay by the same token that he would not let the Mareschal de Chastilion to enter with Banner displayed but rolled up it being as he said who when Lord Herbert was at the taking of it voluntarily yeilded up and not gotten by Conquest and then bestowed himself with Sir Richard Wingfield for the great enterview between King Francis and King Henry an interview I know not whether more solemn or more dangerous Kings cannot meet without great state and they seldom part without much envy who never are further asunder then when they meet His most eminent Action here was the Device of that Motto Cui adhaereo praeest a Motto that speaks the Honour of England and the Interest of Europe Observations on the Life of Thomas Grey Marquess of Dorset THe Kings Wars called for Souldiers and his Peace for Statesmen and here is a Person ex utroque magnus When the whole design for the Invasion of France was ripened this Marquess is made General and attended by the Lord Thomas Howard the Lords Brook Willoughby and Ferrers with divers Knights Gentlemen and others to the number of ten thousand men armed not onely with Bows but Halberts He distresseth Navar to a submission to his Master forceth his way to Bayon and with Sir John Styles assistance kept up the English Honour above that of France and the Empire keeping close to his Commission and not stirring a foot without express Orders from Ireland although his presence countenanced some actions his hands could not perform Three things he was very careful of 1. Of Good pay lest his Souldiers mutined 2. Of Good Diet and Quarters lest they failed 3. Of Order Discipline and Temperance especially in strange Climates lest they should be distempered Two things he was unsuccessful for 1. The narrowness of his Commission 2. The reach of Ferdinand who designed the conquest of Navar rather than of France Yet what reputation he lost by Land Sir Edward Howard gained by Sea commanding the French ships to their Harbours over-running Britaign and with Sir Tho. Knevet the Master of the Horse Sir Jo. Carew and Sir Guilford's assistance gave Law in the Mediterranean until he awed the Neighbour-Princes to terms as honourable for his Master as dishonourable for themselves now we finde him valiant in earnest at Sea anon so in jest at Court at the solemn Justs proclaimed by Francis de Valois Duke of Angoulesm in France his Nature being not stinted but equally free to debonair and serious Enterprizes of Pleasure or of Honour where six Germans were at his mercy and four Frenchmen at his feet His spirit equalled those active times and his temper his spirit Three things set him up 1. His large expences for shew at Court 2. His strength and manhood at Justs 3. His skill and experience in the Field He was the best for embatteling an Army in those times observing 1. The number strength and experience of his Camp 2. The nature and extent of the place whether champaign or inclosed hilly or plain wooddy or moorish straight or large that he might accordingly dispose of distances and stands 3. Inclosures he aimed at for his Foot and Champaign for his Horse together with the advantages of
of his popularity There 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 after 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 Queen 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 running if I may borrow an ancient comparison as smoothly as a numerous Verse till it met with certain Rubs in Parliament whereof I am induced by the very subject which I handle to say somewhat so far as shall 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 James nor any intervenient precedent 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 about the aforesaid year many young ones being chosen into the House of Commons more then 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 then tending to the general 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 ollicitudes as I may call them which kept the Earl in extream and continual Caution 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 besides other respects is commonly even of it self the more umbratious and apprehensive as for the most part all Horizons are charged with certain Vapour 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 then in Kings Now there were in Court 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 principal in Scotland and had received advertisements and instructions either from them or immediately from the King as induciat Heir of this Imperial Crown But lest they might 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 story following shall declare The Earl of Essex had accommodated Master Anthony Bacon in partition of his House and had assigned him a noble entertainment This was a Gentleman of impotent 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 profers 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 prima admissiones 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 time 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 store with 2500 pound and before he had distilled 1500 pound at another time by the same skill So as we rate this one secret as it was finely carried at 4000 pounds in present money besides at the least 1000 pound of annual pension 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 thirsty of news it fell out that her Majesty going to take the air towards the
turned his expectation to performance In the first of King James of Lord Keeper he was made Lord Chancellor which is also another name for the same Office and on Thursday the seventh of November 1616. of Lord Elismer he was created Viscount Brackley It is given to Courts whose Jurisdictions do border to fall out about their bounds and the contest betwixt them is the hotter the higher the spirits and parts of the respective Judges Great was the contention for many years together betwixt this Lord of Equity and Sir Edward Cooke the Oracle of Justice at Westminster-Hall I know not which of them got the better sure I am such another Contest would if this did not have undone the Conqueror He was attended on with servants of most able parts and was the sole Chancellor since the Reformation who had a Chaplain which though not immediately succeeded him in his place He gave over his Office which he held ful twenty years some few dayes before his death and by his own appointment his body was brought down and buried at Duddleston in Cheshire leaving a fair estate to his Son who was afterwards created Earl of Bridgewater as he did to his excellent Son now living When he saw King James his munificence to some Courtiers with the grave Fidelity of a States-man he sticked not often to tell him That as he held it necessary for his Majesty amply to remunerate all those his Countrey-men so he desired him carefully to prese ve his Crown-lands for his own support seeing he or his Successors might meet with Parliaments which would not supply his occasions but on such conditions as would not be very acceptable unto him It was an ordinary speech in his mouth to say Frost and Fraud both end in Foul. His plain but honest advice to my Lord of Essex was 1. Not to trust himself because they that stand by see more than they that play the game 2. To yield to Time and Fortune and not do that for his Enemies which they could never do for themselves 3. To have a careful eye upon those actions on which he knew there were many envious ones And for himself his supplication to King James was That since his conceit and sense was grown so heavy his Memory decay'd his Judgement weak his Hearing imperfect and his Voice faltering he might desinere potius quam deficere and retire from his Businesse to his Meditation as he did while living imparting many mysteries of the Chancery and when dying bequeathing as many choice Books and Directions to his then Chaplain and his after-Successor Doctor Williams Secretary Winwood having received the Seal and left this gracious Message with this good man that his Majesty would be his Under-keeper and not dispose of it while he lived to bear the name of Chancellor nor did any receive the Seal out of the Kings fight while he lived to bear the name of Chancellor A company of Citizens got a Cause passed by keeping a Witnesse away in this manner one of them gets him to the Tavern and there leaves him with a quart of Sack before him and the glass at his mouth and swears in open Court that he left him in a condition wherein if he continueth but two hours he is a dead man The other Party finde out the cheat and have their remedy in Chancery Sir Edward Cook brings the matter to the Star-Chamber and threatneth the Chancellor with a Premunire The business is debated and sentence passed for my Lord Chancellor with the comfort whereof and the Kings and Princes Letter to him upon his Death-bed he went to his Grave Observations on the Life of the Lord Chief-Justice Popham SIr John Popham in his youthful dayes was a stout and skilful man at Sword and Buckler as any in that Age and wilde enough in his Recreations But oh saith my Author if Quick-silver could be really fixed to what a treasure would it amount Such is wilde youth seriously reduced to gravity as by this young man did appear who applyed himself to a more profitable Fencing the study of the Lawes therein attaining to such eminency that he became the Queens Attorney afterwards Lord Chief-Justice of England Being sent Anno 1600. by the Queen with some others to the Earl of Essex to know the cause of the confluence of so many Military men unto his house the Soldiers therein detained him for a time which some made tantamount to an Imprisonment This his violent detention Sir John deposed upon his Oath at the Earl's Tryal which I note the rather for the rarity thereof that a Lord Chief-Justice should be produced as Witness in open Court In the beginning of the Reign of King James his justice was exemplary on Theeves and Robbers The Land then swarmed with people which had been Soldiers who had never gotten or else quite forgotten any other Vocation Hard it was for Peace to feed all the idle mouths which a former War did breed being too proud to beg too lazy to labour Those infested the High-wayes with their Fellonies some presuming on their multitudes as the Robber on the Northern Rode whose knot otherwise not to be untied Sir John cut asunder with the Sword of Justice He possessed King James how the frequent granting of Pardons was prejudicial to Justice rendring the Judges to the contempt of insolent Malefactors which made his Majesty more sparing afterwards in that kinde In a word the deserved death of some scores preserved the lives and livelihoocs of some thousands Travellers owing their safety to this Judges severity many years after his death Neither did he onely punish Malefactors but provide for them for observing that so many suffered and died for none other reason but because they could not live in England now grown too populous for it's self and breeding more Inhabitants toan it could keep he first set up the discovery of New-England to maintain and employ those that could not live honestly in the old being of opinion that banishment thither would be as well a more lawful as a more effectual remedy against those extravagancies the Authors whereof judge it more eligible to hang than to work to end their days in a moment than to continue them in pains onely a great Judgement observes it is a shameful and an unblessed thing to take the scum of people and wicked condemned men to be the people with whom to plant And not onely so but it spoyleth the Plantation for they will ever live like Rogues and not fall to work and do mischief and spend Victuals and be quickly weary and then certifie over to the Countrey to the disgrace of the Common-wealth Observations on the Life of Sir Robert Dudley SIr Robert Dudley son to Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester by Dougles Shefield whether his Mistriss or his Wife God knows was born at Sbene in Surrey and bred by his Mother out of his Fathers reach at Offington in Sussex where he became a most compleat Gentleman
both to the declining Monarch and the rising as having won himself not so much to their affections which were alterable as to their judgements which were lasting and made his preferment rather a matter of Interest which is real than of favour which is personal Looking on Somerset laid at his feet Bristol and Williams brought on their knees Carlisle and Pembrook beneath him and Holland behinde him and every man that would not owe his preferment to his favour must owe his ruine to his frown He was intrusted with the greatest service and secret in Spain when he dived to the bottome of that Countreys policy and the Intrigues of Europes Counsels and could come off in the Match with Spain to the King and Kingdoms minde dexterously when Sir Walter Aston and my Lord of Bristol were at a losse about it to both their displeasures weakely amidst the open entertainment and secret working of that place In his attendance on the King in Scotland as Counsellor of that Kingdome he carried himself with singular sweetnesse and temper as it behoved him being now in 〈◊〉 your and succeeding one of their own They that censure his sudden advancements and great prefements consider not that Certainly the hearts of great Princes if they be considered as it were in Abstract without the necessity of States and circumstances of time being besides their natural Extent moreover once opened and dilated with Affection can take no full and proportionable pleasure in the exercise of any narrow bounty And albeit at first they give onely upon choice and love of the Person yet within a while themselves likewise begin to love their givings and to foment their deeds no lesse than Parents do their children Besides that by so long and so private and so various consociation with a Prince of such excellent nature he had now gotten as it were two lives in his own Fortune and Greatnesse whereas otherwise the Estate of a Favourite is at the best but a Tenant at will and rarely transmitted And the more notable because it had been without any visible Eclipse or Wane in himself amidst divers variations in others How general his care appears in that amidst his more important Negotiations he condescended to this noble act of charity to a Scholar and to Learning which I must for my part celebrate above all his Expences There was a collection of certain rare Manuscripts exquistely written in Arabick and sought in the most remote parts by the diligence of Erpenius the most excellent Linguist These had been left to the Widow of the said Erpenius and were upon sale to the Jesuites of Antwerp liquorish Chapmen of such Ware Whereof the Duke getting knowledge by his worthy and learned Secretary Doctor Mason interverted the bargain and gave the poor Widow for them five hundred pounds a sum above their weight in silver and a mixed act both of bounty and charity the more laudable being much out of his natural Element These were they which after his death were as nobly presented as they had been bought to Cambridge by his Dutchess as soon as she understood by the foresaid Doctor her Lords intention to furnish the said University with other choice Collections from all parts at his own charge The Duke's Answers to his Appeachments in number thirteen I finde very diligently and civilly couched and though his heart was big yet they all savour of an humble spirit one way and an equitable consideration another which could not but possesse every vulgar conceit and somewhat allay the whole matter that in the bolting and fifting of near fourteen years of such power and favour all that came out could not be expected to be pure and white and fine Meal but must needs have withal among it a certain mixture of Padar and Bran in this lower age of humane fragility Howsoever this tempest did onely shake and not rent his Sails His defence against danger was noble but his contempt of it nobler for when Sir George Goring advised him onely to turn out of the ordinary road He resolved not to wave his way upon this reason perhaps more generous then provident That if as he said he should but once by such a diversion make his enemy believe he were afraid of danger he should never live without And when his young Nephew the Lord Viscount Fielding offered him another time to put on his Coat and blew Ribbon while they passed through a Town where they apprehended some design against the Duke He would not as he said accept of such an offer in that case from a Nephew whose life be tendered as much as himself But after some short direction to his company he rode on without perturbation of minde though a drunken fellow laid hold of his Bridle under pretence of begging to begin a tumult Neither for ought I can hear was there any further enquiry into that practice the Duke peradventure thinking it wisdome not to reserve discontentments too deep But in the middest of these little dangers his Grace was not unmindful of his civil course to cast an eye upon the ways to win unto him such as have been of principal credit in the lower house of Parliament applying lenitives or subducting from that part where he knew the Humours were sharpest amidst which thoughts he was surprized by a fatal stroke written in the black book of Necessity Whereof he was forewarned as well by his own as others apprehensions as appears by his last Addresses to the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury the Earl of Holland and his sacred Majesty And certain it is that some good while before Sir Clement Throckmorton a Gentleman then living of grave judgement had in a private conference advised him to wear a privy Coat whose counsel the Duke received very kindly but gave him this answer That against any popular fury a shirt of male would be but a silly defence and as for any single mans assault he took himself to be in no danger So dark is Destiny Since he is dead he is charged 1. For advancing his Relations which yet was humanity in him and not a fault 2. For enriching himself though as it is said of that French Peer he was rich onely in Obligations his Estate being at the mercy of Suitors To his familiar Servants so open-handed he was though many of them so ungrateful as to deny relation unto him either about his person in ordinary attendance or about his affairs of State as his Secretaries or of Office as his Steward or of Law as that worthy Knight whom he long used to solicite his Causes He lest all both in good Fortune and which is more in good Fame Things very seldom consociated in the instruments of great Personages 3. He had many Offices but committed himself a most willing Pupil to the directions of such as were generally thought fit to manage affairs of that nature condescending to the meanest Arts to aâ—apt himself to his employments 4. He was not bookish
little saying hath much in it He that will see what shall be let him consider what hath been For there are the same desires humours and interest in every age that were before it So that as Machiavel observeth it is very easie for him that with diligence examineth past Occurrences to serve himself of those remedies which were in use among the Ancients Or if they fail to devise what is most like them Observations on the Life of William Earl of Pembrook HE was an ancient Gentleman of good repute and therefore well esteemed a proper person well set and of graceful depâ—rtment and therefore well beloved of King â—ames and Queen Anne His inclination was as geâ—erous as his extraction and manners ancient as â—is Family One of his Ancestors is renowned for that he would condescend to deliver his Embassies 〈◊〉 no Language but Welch and he is commended for that he would comply with no customes in his conâ—â—â—se but the old English though his Contemâ—oraries make that his defect rather than his ornaâ—ent proceeding from his want of Travel rather â—â—an his observance of Antiquity He having had â—â—ely saith the Historian the breeding of Engâ—and which gave him a conceited dislike of Foreign men their manners and mode or of such English as professed much advantage thereby so that the Scots and he were ever separate and therefore he was the onely old Courtier that kept close to the Commonalty and they to him though never suspected by either of his Soveraigns not because he was not over-furnished with Abilities as that pen insinuates to be more than Loyal but because he had too much integrity to be lesse Being munificent and Childlesse the University oâ— Oxford hoped to be his Executor and Pembrook-Colledge his Heir Pembrook-Colledge I say calleâ— so not onely in respect to but also in expectatioâ— from him then Chancellor of the University and probably had not our noble Lord died suddenly soon after according as a Fortune-teller had informed him whom he laughed at that very nighâ— he departed being his Birth-night this Colledge might have received more than a bare name from him He was saith one of his own time the very picture and Vive Effigies of Nobility his person rather Majestick than Elegant his presence whether quiet or in motion full of stately gravity his minde generous and purely heroick often stout but never disloyal so vehemen an opponent of the Spanyard as when thaâ— Match fell under consideration he would sometimes rouze to the trepidation of King James yet kept in favour still for that King knew plaiâ— dealing as a Jewel in all men so was in a Privyâ— Councellor an ornamental duty An instance oâ— his familiar converse with King James was thaâ— the King observing that he naturally hated Frog threw one into his neck and he in requiâ—tal caused a Pig of an equal disgust with the samâ— Prince to be put under his Close-stool where though it produced no extraordinary ill effect for the present yet after the prank had been descanted upon and worst of Interpretations made by some the title of Jewes being at that time bestowed on the Scots the King was much affected with it and the more because it was done at Wilton the Earls own house Though Kings when free and sociable break out to sprightful and facetious extravagancies with Courtiers yet must they not presume lest their words are interpreted not by their meaning but others jealousie free spirits cannot be too circumspect And the same true-heartednesse commended him to King Charles with whom he kept a most admirable correspondence and yet stood the firm Confident of the Commonalty and that not by a sneaking cunning but by an erect and generous prudence such as rendred him as unsuspected of ambition on the one side as of faction on the other being generally beloved and regarded Observations on the Life of the Lord Conway EDward Lord Conway succeeded to his Father's Martial skill and valour who was under the Earl of Leicester Governour of Ostend and twisted therewith peaceable Policy in State-affairs so that the Gown and the Sword met in him in most eminent proportion and thereupon King James advanced him one of the principal Secretaries of State For these his good services he was by him created Lord Conway of Ragleigh in this County and afterwards by King Charles Viscount Killultagh in the County of Antrim And lastly in the third of King Charles Viscount Conway of Conway in Carnarvan-shire England Ireland and Wales mutually embracing themselves in his Honours and not long after President of the Councel Upon the breach with Spain King James and the Duke of Buckingham both judged it very convenient to have a Martial Secretary neither was there any man fitter for their turn then this Gentleman who was as able to direct them in the Affairs of War abroad as he was ready to be directed by them in those of Peace at home Being one of those three remarkable Servants that King James used to jest upon viz. a Lord Treasurer meaning the Earl of Suffolk that could not cast Account a Chaplain meaning Doctor Preston that could not read Prayers and a Secretary meaning this Lord that could not write his name Sir Richard Weston beat the Bush in the Affair of the Palatinate but Sir Edward catched the Hare his rough humour being more suitable to that business Or inded it having been always more successful to be bold than wary to be free for all occasions than to be obstinate to some rules Fortune saith Machiavel is a Mistriss that is sooner won by those that ruffle and force her than by others that proceed coldly Indeed he was charged with treachery and cowardize in the action against the Scots 1640. but he came off with his honest animosity saying If he might but fight their whole Army he would settle Scotland in six moneths or lose his head being in that of my Lord of Canterbury's opinion who assured his Majesty they would not hold out four a motion that if as easily entertained by that gracious King as it was effectually pursued by the bloody Usurpers a sad experience hath taught us and them would have prevented much mischief there more here especially since it was that wise Prince his judicious observation That they and their Confederates were a people lost by favour and won by punishment Observations on the Lives of the Digges MAster Leonard Digges was one of excellent Learning and deep judgement His minde most inclined him to the Mathematicks and he was the best Architect in that age for all manner of Buildings for conveniency pleasure state strength being excellent at Fortifications Lest his Learning should dye with him for the publick profit he printed his Tectonicon Prognostick General Stratiotick about the ordering of an Army and other Works He flourished Anno Dom. 1556. and dyed I believe about the Reign of Queen Elizabeth when as in most growing times Arts were drowned in action
and the Living Observations on the Life of Sir John Bramstone SIr John Bramstone Knight was born at Maldon in Essex bred up in the Middle-Temple in the study of the Common-law wherein he attained to such eminency that he was by King Charles made Lord Chief-Justice of the King's â—ench One of deep Learning solid Judgement integrity of Life gravity of behaviour above the envy of his own age and the scandal of posterity One 〈…〉 stance of his I must not forget writes the Historian effectually relating to the foundation wherein I was 〈…〉 ed Sergeant Bruerton by Will bequeathed to 〈…〉 idney-Colledge well-nigh three thousand pounds â—ut for haste or some other accident it was so imâ—erfectly done that as Dr. Sam. Ward informed 〈◊〉 the gift was invalid in the rigour of the Law â—ow Judge Bramstone who married the Sergeants Widow gave himself much trouble gave himself 〈…〉 deed doing all things gratis for the speedy payâ—ent of the money to a farthing and the legal 〈…〉 tling thereof on the Colledge according to the 〈◊〉 intention of the dead He deserved to live in â—etter times The delivering his judgement on the â—ing's side in the case of Ship-money cost him â—uch trouble and brought him much honour 〈◊〉 who understood the consequence of that Ma 〈…〉 me Salus populi suprema lex and that Ship-moâ—ey was thought legal by the best Lawyers voted â—own arbitrarily by the worst Parliament they â—earing no Counsel for it though the King heard 〈…〉 men willingly against it Yea that Parliament 〈…〉 ought themselves not secure from it unlesse the â—ing renounced his right to it by a new Act of his 〈◊〉 Men have a touch-stone to try Gold and â—old is the touch-stone to try Men. Sir William 〈◊〉 's gratuity shewed that this Judges Inclination 〈◊〉 as much above corruption as his Fortune and 〈◊〉 he would not as well as needed not be base Equally intent was he upon the Interest of the 〈◊〉 and the Maximes of Law as which mutually suported each other He would never have a W 〈…〉 nesse interrupted or helped but have the patie 〈…〉 to hear a naked though a tedious truth the 〈◊〉 Gold lyeth in the most Ore and the clearest 〈◊〉 in the most simple discourse When he put on 〈◊〉 Robes he put off Respects his private affectioâ— being swallowed up in the publick service 〈◊〉 was the Judge whom Popularity could never flatt 〈…〉 to any thing unsafe nor favour oblige to any thi 〈…〉 unjust Therefore he died in peace 1645. wh 〈…〉 all others were engaged in a War and shall 〈◊〉 the reward of his integrity of the Judge of Judg 〈…〉 at the great Assize of the world Having lived as well as read Justinian's maxi 〈…〉 to the Praetor of Laconia All things which 〈◊〉 pertain to the well-government of a State are orderâ—â— by 〈◊〉 constitutions of Kings that give life and 〈◊〉 to the Law Whereupon who so would walke wis 〈…〉 shall never fail if he propose them both for the rule his actions For a King is the living Law of 〈◊〉 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 〈◊〉 his meaner Subjects in the foresaid case of Ship-mâ—ney no enemy being contemptible enough to 〈◊〉 despised since the most despicable command gr 〈…〉 ter strength wisdome and interest than their owâ— to the designs of Malice or Mischief A gr 〈…〉 man managed a quarrel with Archee the King Fool but by endeavouring to explode him 〈◊〉 Court rendred him at last so considerable 〈◊〉 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 〈…〉 oke out in such reproaches as neither the dignity of that excellent person's calling nor the greatnesse of his parts could in reason or manners admit But that the wise man discerned that all the fool did was but a symptome of the strong and inveterate distemper raised long since in the hearts of his Countrymen 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 Title yet his merit will justifie us in presenting his Chracter He was bred in the study of the Common-Law wherein he attained to such knowledge that Qu Eliz. made him and K. James continued him his own Serjeant whence he was freely preferred one of the Judges of the Common-Pleas I say freely King James 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 affible deportment of a great patience to hear both Parties all they could say a happy memory 〈◊〉 singular sagacity 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 travail 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 Jewel altered and applyed to himself Decet Episcopum concionantem mori of this man it may be said Judex 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 exeunda sit natura vel minuenda dignitas when he must either go out of his easie nature or forgo 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 amongst whom Sir Nicholas in wealth and honour exceeding the rest of his Family He was bred in the Middle-Temple and was made Sergeant
so gravely did he manage it so solemnly did he perform it His orders were seldome reversed because mostly including the consent of Parties Few Attorney-Generals came off with lesse censure and few Lord Keepers with lesse guilt his Predecessors miscarriages being foils to set off his exactnesse Eminent as in most other Ca 〈…〉 s so particularly in that of Pryn Bastwicke and Burton against whom when after six weeks time given them to put in an effectual Answer they urged that their Adversaries the Bishops should not be their Judges He replyed smartly That by that Plea had they Libelled all the Magistrates in the Land none should passe Censure upon them because all were made parties He had fifteen years enjoyed his Place not more proper to say that Dignity had enjoyed him so long this latter age affording not one every way of more apt Qualifications for the place His front and presence bespake a venerable regard not interiour to any of his Antecessors His train and suit of Followers was disposed agreeable to shun both Envy and Contempt Vain and ambitious he was â—ot his port was state though others ostentation Of what concerned his place he knew enough and which is the main acted conformable to his knowledge For in the Administration of Justice he was so erect so incorrupt as captious malice stands mute in the blemish of his Fame A miracle the greater when we consider he was also a Privy-Councellor A trust wherein he served his Master the King most faithfully and the more faithfully because of all those Councels which did disserve his Majesty he was an earnest disswader and did much disaffect those sticklers who laboured to make the Prerogative rather tall than great 〈◊〉 knowing that such men loved the King better the Charles Stuart So that although he was a Courtier and had had for his Master a Passion most in tense yet had he always a passion reserved for the publick welfare an argument of a free noble and right-principled minde For what both Court and Country have always held as inconsistent is 〈◊〉 truth erroneous And no man can be truly loyal who is not also a good Patriot nor any a good Patriot which is not truly loyal Observations on the Life of the Earl of Strafford SIr Thomas Wentworth Earl of Strafford owned his birth to the best-govern'd City London his breeding to the best-modelled School York and a most exact Colledge St. John in Cambridge his accomplishments to the best Tutors Travail and Experience and his prudence to the best School a Parliament whither he cam in the most active and knowing times with 〈◊〉 strong brain and a large heart his activity waâ— eminent in his Country and his interest strong in Parliament where he observed much and pertinently spake little but home contrived effectually but closely carried his Defigns successfully but reservedly He apprehended the publick temper as clearly and managed it to his purposes as orderly as any man He spoke least but last of all with the advantage of a clear view of others reasons and the addition of his own He and his leading Confidents moulded that in a private Conference which was to be managed in a publick Assembly He made himself so considerable a Patriot that he was bought over to be a Courtier So great his Abilities that he awed a Monarchy when dis-obliged and supported it when engaged the balance turning thither where this Lord stood The North was reduced by his prudence and Ireland by his interest He did more there in two years than was done in two hundred before 1. Extinguishing the very reliques of the War 2. Setting up a standing Army 3. Modelling the Revenue 4. Removing the very roots and occasions of new troubles 5. Planting and building 6. Setling Ecclesiastical and Civil Courts 7. Recovering the hearts of the people by able Pastors and Bishops by prudent and sober Magistrates by justice and protection by obligations and rewards 8. Recovering the Churches patrimony and discipline 9. Employing most able and faithful Ministers and Instruments 10. Taking an exact view of all former Precedents Rules and Proceedings 11. An exact correspondence with his Majesty and the Favourites of England None was more conversant in the Factions Intrigues and Designs than he when a Common-wealths-man none abler to meet with them than he when a States-man he understood their methods kenned their wiles observed their designs looked into their combinations comprehended their interest And as King Charles understood best of any Monarch under heaven what he could do in point of Conscience so his Strafford apprehended best of any Counsellor under the Sun what he could do in point of power He and my Lord of Canterbury having the most particular account of the state of Great-Britain and Ireland of any persons living Nature is often hidden sometimes overcome seldome extinguished yet Doctrine and Discourse had much allayed the severity of this Earl's nature and Custome more None more austere to see to none more obliging to speak with He observed pauses in his discourse to attend the motion and draw out the humour of other men at once commanding his own thoughts and watching others His passion was rather the vigour than the disorder of his well-weighed soul which could dispense its anger with as much prudence as it managed any act of State He gave his Majesty safe counsel in the prosperity of his Affairs and resolute advice in Extreamity as a true servant of his interest rather than of his power So eminent was he and my Lord of Canterbury that Rebellion despaired of successe as long as the first lived and Schisme of licentiousnesse as long as the second stood Take my Lord of Strafford as accused and you will finde his Integrity and Ability that he managed his whole Government either by the Law or the Interest of his Countrey Take him as dying and you will see his parts and piety his resolution for himself his self-resignation for the Kingdoms good his devotion for the Church whose patrimony he forbade his son upon his blessing Take him as dead you will finde him glorious and renowned in these three characters The first of the best King I looked upon my Lord of Strafford as a Gentleman whose great Abilities might make a Prince rather afraid than ashamed to employ him in the greatest Affairs of State for those were prone to create in him great confidence of undertakings and this was like enough to hetray him to great Errors and many Enemies whereof he could not but contract great store while moving in so high a sphere and with so vigorous a lustre he must needs as the Sun raise many envious exbalations which condensed by a popular Odium were capable to cast a cloud upon the brightest merit and integrity though I cannot in my judgement approve all he did driven it may be by the necessities of Times and the temper of that People more than led by his own disposition to any beighth
fit Ecclesiarum Scabies Nomen alià s quâ—re 7. Going yearly to Bocton for the connaturalness of that Ayr and to Winchester or Oxford for Recreation he would say to his friends How useful was that advice of a holy Monk who perswaded his friend to perform his customary devotion in a constant place where his former thoughts might meet him for said he at my being at that School seeing the place where I sate when I was a boy occasioned me to remember my youthful thoughts sweet thoughts indeed that promised my growing years numerous pleasures without mixture of cares and those to be enjoyed when time which I thought slow-paced changed my youth to man-hood and now there are a succession of Boys using the same recreation and questionless possessed with the same thoughts Thus one generation succeeds another both in their Lives Recreations Hopes Fears and Deaths 8. There are four things that recommend Sir Henry Wotton to posterity 1. That King Charles took great pleasure in corresponding with him in Letters 2. That my Lord Racon took great pains in collecting his Apophthegmeâ— 3. That Sir Richard Baker who submitted most of his Writings to his Censure said of him That the Kingdome yielded not a fitter man to match the Capriciousnesse of the Italian wits And 4. That his work of Architecture is translated into Latine printed with Vitruvius and this Elogy prefixed Henricns Wottonus Anglo-Cantianus Tho optimi viri Filius Natu minimus a serenissimo Jacobo I. Magnae Britanniae c. Rege in Equestrem titulum ascitus ejusdemque ter ad Remp Venetam Legatus Ordinarius semel ad Confaederatarum Provinciarum Ordines in Juliensi Negotio bis ad Carolum Emanuelem Subaudiae ducem Semel ad unitos superioris Germaniae Principes in Conventu Heilbronnensi Postremo ad Archducem Leopoldum Ducem Wirtenbergensem Civitates Imperiales Argentinam Ulmamque ipsum Romanorum Imperatorem Ferdinandum II. Legatus Extraordinarius Tandem hoc Dedicit Animas sapientiores fieri quiescendo Observations on the Lives of the Lord Wilmot and Sir Tho. Roe THese honourable persons are united not so much in their own relation or character as in my unhappinesse who was promised Observations on the life of the first but never had them and had some on the life of the second but lost them 1. My Lord Wilmot I finde acting like a States-man when Commissary in the expedition against the Scots and speaking like a Soldier when a Member of the Parliament that was for them in the first capacity speaking with my Lord Conway he saw the King would be overcome by the English at home if he overcame not the Scots abroad In the second whispering with some Army-Officers he said If the Scots Army were paid in the North the King's Army would be paid in the South A wise and brave speech that had almost rallied all the Army against the Parliament as soon as that Parliament had rallied their multitude against the King but that treachery got easily into the bosome of that brave Prince that had nothing but honesty in his heart Yet since he could not awe the counsels of the faction in the City he went to suppresse their Rebellion in the Field being voted a Traytor by the Rebels because he endeavoured they should not be so What he performed in the Wars all the Kingdome knows what he did at Oxford the King's Letters intimate what he negotiated in Germany acted in Scotland endeavoured at Wâ—rcester and other places for the King's Majesties escape and restauration posterity shall celebrate while he lives as renownedly in History as he doth nobly in his son the most hopeful Earl of Rochester 2. Sir Thomas Roe understood the dispositions of men so exactly could suit their humours so fitly observe opportunities and seasons of actions so punctually keep correspondence so warily wade through difficulties so handsomely wave the pinch of a businesse so dexterously contrive Interests so suitably that he was advised with concerning the most important Affairs of the Kingdoms he resided in abroad and admitted of the Privy-Councel while he lived at home Where his speech against the debasing of the Coyn at the Council-Table will last as long as there is reason of State in the world His settlement of Trade as long as this is an Island and his Eastern MSS. as long as there are Books to furnish Libraries or Libraries to preserve Books Three of the noblest English actions beyond Sea are these 1. That Sir Thomas Roe pardoned the Dutch Merchants thrice in Persia and Turkey at his mercy 2. That my Lord Wilmot when Embassador in Germany refused the assistance of the Popes Nuncio or Turkish Aga judging his great Master when at lowest above those suspected Auxiliaries 3. That my Lord Culpeper having offered him in Muscovy all the English goods there refused them declaring his Royal Master a Father of his Country though kept out of it by Traytors and a merciful Prince to his People when cast off by the Rebels Observations on the Life of Arch-Bishop Juxon WIlliam Juxon born at Chichester in Sussex was bred Fellow in St. John'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 Tetrarch of humours being admirably Master of his Pen and Passion For his Abilities he was successively preferred by King Charles the first Bishop of Hereford 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 troublesome place in those 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 mildenesse 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 Treasurers 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 Prelat's honour that amongst the many worthy Bishops of our Land King Charles the first selected him for his Confessor at his Martyrdome 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 the reason that
from him he received the Sacrament good comfort and counsell just before he was murthered I say just before the Royal Martyr was murthered a Fact so foul that it alone may confute the Errour of the Pelagians maintaining that all sin cometh by imitation the Universe not formerly affording such a Precedent as if chose Regicides had purposely designed to disprove the observation of Solomon 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. John'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 roughnesse 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 happinesse that K. James admired in a States-man of his time to do all things suavibus modis He referred his Master in the Earl of Strafford's case as he did himself 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 themselves indifferently between the King and his Subjects The King was not more happy in this faithful 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 businesse 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 Witnesse 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 lesse than four durst undertake when his single self sufficed for the two greatest troubles of this Nation the Treasurer-ship 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 above other mens as his Calling his meditations equall 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 onely but that of a Bishop too that made his Piety as universal as his Province by such assistances of power as brought carnal 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 goodnesse that was never angry but for the publick 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 onely 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 â—ourting 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 oâ— of discretion because when speaking he plentifully paid the Principal and Interest of his Auditoâ—â— 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 Greatnesse is so invidious and suspected though none as a man goodnesse is so meek and inoffensive The most thought the worse of Dr. Juxon for the Bishops sake the best thought the better of the Bishop for Dr. Juxon's sake Observations on the Life of John Lord Culpeper I Finde nothing promoting him to his first preferment of Chancellor of the Exchequer but his pure merit nor any thing advancing him to his after-honours but his steady Loyalty which when others stuck to London in compliance with that Maxime In all Divisions keep your self to the Metropolis the chief City being for the most part preserved who-ever prevaileth in a Civil Commotion abounding in Money and Friends the readiest Commodities to purchase Quiet carryed him after a persecuted Soveraign for twenty years together by the strong obligation of a well-principled Conscience and the well-weighed observation of the natural Affection of all Englishmen to their lawful Soveraign from whom though the Arts and Impulses of seditious Demagogues may a while estrange and divorce their mindes yet their Genius will irresistibly at last force them to their first love It was the resolution of a great States-man That if the Crown of England were placed but on an Hedge-stake he would be on that side the Crown was His first service was to discover his Soveraign to his deluded People worthy not onely of their obedience but their lives and fortunes His next was to lay open his Enemies in all their Intrigues and Reserves being most happy in all the Treaties he was engaged in in discerning the bottome of his own Parties Interest and their Adversaries pretensions discoveries that prevailed on all that was either noble or but ingenuous in the Nation especially whither my Lord came with his indefatigable Industry his obliging Converse and potent Eloquence excepting London it's self whither he was sent from Nottingham with the Earls of Southampton and Dorset and Sir William Wedale Knight the very day the King set up his Standard there The Principle he went upon was That the Faction at Westminster was no Parliament A Principle most safe on all hands For which and the rest of his judicious Sentiments he hath the honour to be enrolled among those that Traytors durst not pardon
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 finde 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 judgement 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 assistant First to plough and break up that barbarous Nation by Conquest and then to sow it with seeds of civility when by King James mad Lord Deputy of Ireland Indeed good Laws Provisions had been made by his Predecessors to that purpose but alas they were like good Lessons set for a Lute out of tune uselesse until the Instrument was fitted for them Wherefore in order to the civilizing of the Irishry in the first year of his government he established two new Circuits for Justices of Assize the one in Connaught the other in Munster And whereas the Circuits in former times onely encompassed the English Pale as the Cynosura doth the Pole hence forwards like good Planets in their several Spheres they carried the influence of Justice round about the Kingdome Yea in short time Ireland was so cleared of Thieves and capital Offenders that so many Malefactors have not been found in the 32 Shires of Ireland as in six English Shires in the Western Circuits He reduced the Mountains and Glinnes on the South of Dublin formerly thorns in the side of the English Pale into the County of Wicklow and in conformity to the English custome many Irish began to cut their Mantles into Cloaks So observant was his eye over the actions of suspected persons that Tyrone was heard to complain That he could not drinke a full carouse of Sack but the State within few hours was advertised thereof After he had been continued many years in his Deputyship and deservedly made a Lord King James recalled him home and loth to leave his Abilities unemployed sent him Embassador to the Emperour and other German Princes Being besieged in the City of Mainchine a place much indebted to his prudence for seasonable victualling it by Count Tilley he sent him word that it was against the Law of Nations to besiege an Embassador Tilley returned that he took no notice that he was an Embassador The Lord Chichester replyed to the Messenger Had my Master sent me with as many hundred men as he hath sent me on fruitless Messages your Generall should have known that I had been a Soldier as well as an Embassador King James at his return entertained him with great commendations for so well discharging his Trust and he died in as great honour as any English-man of our Age. Thus farre the Historians Whence I observe him stout in his nature above any disorder upon Emergencies resolved in his temper above any impressions from other Princes and high in his Proposal beyond the expectation of his own Al vergonzoto el Diablo le traxo al Palacio The Devil brought the Bashful to Court where none succeeds but he who can aske enough to be granted and enough to be a abated There is a memorable observation of Philip the second King of Spain called El prudente That when he had designed one for Embassador the man came faintly and coldly to him to propose some things for the accommodation of his Embassie and he said How can I expect that this man can promote and effectuate my businesse when he is so faint and fearful in the solicitation of his own Yet was not my Lord Chichester more resolute in Germany than wary in Ireland where his opinion was that time must open and facilitate things for Reformation of Religion by the Protestant Plantations by the care of good Bishops and Divines the amplification of the Colledge the education of Wards an insensible seisure of Popish liberties c. and that the Council there was so numerous fifty or sixty at least that the authority of it was debated and its businesse divulged In a word this brave Gentleman had an equal minde that kept up it self between the discourses of Reason and the examples of Histories in the enjoyment of a good fortune and a conflict with a bad Observations on the Life of the Lord Chancellor Egerton THe Lord Chancellour Egerton extracted from the ancient Family of the Egerton's of Kidley in Cheshire was bred in the study of the Municipal Laws of our Land wherein he attained to such eminency that Queen Elizabeth made him her Solicitor then Master of the Rolls and at last Keeper of the Great Seal May 6. in the 38 year of her Reign 1596. Olaus Magnus reporteth that the Emperour of Moscovia at the Audience of Ambassadors sendeth for the gravest and seemliest men in Mosco and the Vicinage whom he apparelleth in rich Vests and placing them in his presence pretendeth to Forraigners that these are of his Privy-Council who cannot but be much affected with so many reverent Aspects But surely all Christendome afforded not a person which carried more gravity in his countenance and behaviour than Sir Thomas Egerton insomuch that many have gone to the Chancery on purpose onely to see his venerable Garb happy they who had no other businesse and were highly pleased at so acceptable a spectacle Yet was his outward Case nothing in comparison of his inward Abilities quick Wit solid Judgement ready Utterance I confess Master Cambden saith he entred his Office Magna expectatione integritatis opinione with a great expectation and opinion of Integrity But no doubt had he revised his work in a second Edition he would have afforded him a full-faced commendation when this Lord had