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
of a strong and valiant Knight and a greater of being overthrown by his Majesty Having engaged his Majesties Person at home he had the Honour to represent it abroad where his Commission was to complement the French King about his Liberty but his Business to observe the state of that place Where he saw that a Kingdom governed by a Prince who hath under him other independent Lords as that of France is no longer safe than those Lords are either in Humour or in Purse being always in danger either from their discontent or corruption 2. That Faction is always eager while Duty is modest and temperate This Occasion ennobled his Vertue and his Vertue improved the Occasion so well that I finde him so eminent a Parliament-man the 22th of King Henry that as Sir Brian Tuke had the Honour to open the several Boxes sent from the respective Universities with their opinions about the Kings Divorce so Sir Thomas had the happiness in a set Speech to insist upon them all in general and every one in particular And at Queen Anne's Coronation my Lord Vaux Sir John Mordant Sir Thomas and ten more are made Knights of the Bath Having acquitted himself Nobly in Court and Council he attends the Earl of Hertford against the Scots as Commissary and Sir John Wallop with Sir John Rainsford as Marshal for his Services in both which capacities he is made Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports in England and with the Comptroller Sir John Gage made Field-Marshal and Treasurer of the Army before Bulloign And not long after Treasurer of the Houshold and one of the Assistants for the Over-seeing of King Henry's Will When some were joyning Others with the Protector others for limiting him Sir Thomas would say That as Machiavel saith No Laws so No good could be done by a Governour that was not absolute without either a Restraint or a Competitor Upon the Reformation he would say That the disestcem of Religious Ceremonies argued the decay of the Civil Government good Princes have first kept their People Religious and thereby Vertuous and united both old and new Rome stand by this In a word what makes all men made him A generous industry of Minde and a well-set hardiness of Body which were attended while he lived with Honour and Success and since he is dead with Repute and Renown Where eminent and well-born Persons out of a habit of sloath and laziness neglect at once the Noblest way of employing their times and the fairest occasions of advancing their fortunes that State though never so flourishing and glorious wants something of being compleatly happy As soon as ever therefore the Kingdom is settled sedate times are the best to improve a Commonwealth as his quiet hours are the best to improve a man he and Sir William Howard addressed themselves as vigorously to the opening of Commerce and Traffick for the enriching of this Nation as they had before to the exercise of Arms to secure it Pursuing the Designe with Resolution and keeping the frame of it in order with Industry their constant Spirit surmounting all Difficulties that stood in the way of their own Glory or their Countrey 's Happiness working so well upon the Russians that they not onely obtained their Desire but gained so far upon the Affections of that People that they obtained the greatest Priviledges any Tradesmen ever enjoyed in Muscovy which the Russians were not easier in the promise of then just in the execution of that promise So that that Trade is advanced not onely beyond our hopes but our very pretences too by those three Particulars that never fail of success 1. Union 2. Conduct 3. Courage in enterprizes vigorously begun and watchfully pursued Until Queen ELIZABETH concerned her self so far in the Undertaking as to influence it with a Character peculiar to the Dignity of such a Constitution which carried that Commerce higher then Others could raise their Imaginations as we see whose profit by it is as remarqueable in this Age as their zeal for it was in the last When Fear and Distrust those ignoble Passions that disparage all great Undertakings which judged that Design a Piece of extravagant Folly seeth it now an Act of profound Wisdom especially when it may be improved under CHARLES the Second and the Great a Prince who by admirable order of his conduct the just administration of his Revenue and by his fatherly goodness towards his people hath put himself into a condition to undertake without fear whatsoever may be put in execution with Honour or Justice The End of the Observations upon the Lives of the Statesmen and Favourites of England in the Reign of Queen Mary THE STATES-MEN and FAVOURITES OF ENGLAND IN The Reign of Queen Elizabeth Observations on the Life of Sir Nicholas Bacon SIr Nicholas Bacon a man full of wit and wisdome was a Gentleman and a man of Law and of great knowledge therein whereby together with his other parts of Learning and Dexterity he was prompted to be Keeper of the Great Seal and being kin to the Treasurer Burleigh was brought by his help into the Queens favour This Gentleman understood his Mistress well and the times better He could raise Factions to serve the one and allay them to suit the others He had the deepest reach into Affairs of any man that was at the Council-table the knottiest Head to pierce into difficulties the most comprehensive Judgement to surround the Merit of a Cause the strongest memory to recollect all circumstances of a Business to one View the greatest patience to debate and consider for it was he that first said Let us stay a little and we will have done the sooner and the clearest reason to urge any thing that came in his way in Court or Chancery His favour was eminent with his Mistress and his Alliance strong with her States-men No man served his Soveraign more faithfully none secured himself more wisely Leicester seemed wiser then he was Bacon was wiser then he seemed to be Hunsdon neither was nor seemed wise Much Learning my Lord Bacon gained in Bennets Colledge in Cambridge more Experience in Paris of France His Dexterity and Dispatch advanced him to the Court of Wards his deep Experience made him Lord Keeper Alliance was the Policy of that time Bacon and Cecil married two Sisters Walsingham and Mildmay two more Knowles Essex and Leicester were linked the prudent Queen having all her Favourites Relations and Dependencies in her eye and disposing of them according to their several Interests Great was this States-mans Wit greater the Fame of it which as he would say being nothing made all things For Report though but Fancy begets Opinion and Opinion begets Substance He was the exactest man to draw up a Law in Council and the most discreet to execute it in Court When others urged the repeal of that Act whereby Queen Elizabeth was declared Illegitimate he rather suppressed it chusing the closure of a festered Wound more
honourable Family whose prime Seat was at Lediard-Tregoze in Wiltshire though their first settlement was in South-Wales He was bred in the Wars from his youth and at last by King James was appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland and vigorously pursued the Principles of his Predecessors for the civilizing thereof Indeed the Lord Mountjoy reduced that Countrey to obedience the Lord Chichester to some civility and this Lord Grandison first advanced it to considerable profit to his Master T. Walsingham writeth that Ireland afforded unto Edward the third thirty thousand pounds a year paid into his Exchequer but it appears by the Irish Records which are rather to be believed that it was rather a burthen and the constant Revenue thereof beneath the third part of that proportion But now the Kingdom being peaceably setled the income thereof turned to good Account so that Ireland called the Land of Ire for the constant broils therein for four hundred years was now become the Land of Concord This noble Person recalled into England lived many years in great repute leaving his Honours to his Sisters son by Sir Edward Villiers but the main of his Estate to his Brothers son Sir John St. John Knight and Baronet So sweet and charming his Conversation that he was beloved by all his Superiours and envied by no Inferiour being never advanced to any great Dignity but he was wished to a greater So exact his vigilancy so constant his industry so plausible his actions attended with no lesse civility to all men than duty to his Soveraign So frank and ingenious his Integrity that none feared him so discreet his management of Businesse and so strong his judgement that any might confide in him One he was that crossed the Italian Proverb Di Dunaridi senno e di fede In e Manco che non Crede having more money more faith yea and more wisdome too than was generally esteemed I mean wisdome of behaviour wisdome of busidesse and wisdome of State in the last whereof he aimed at a general settlement which he observed would bear particular errours provided that Care Labour Vigilancy and prudent Inquietude attended that forceth Difficulties constrains Fortune assures good Counsels corrects bad supports and overthroweth designs disposeth of accidents observeth time manageth hazards forgets nothing seldome trusts others and improveth all Occurrents and that first maxime of Policy he observed That who layeth out most layeth out least that petty frugalities undo the main Interest Observations on the Life of Sir Tho Overbury SIr Thomas Overbury son to Sir Nicholas Overbury one of the Judges of the Marches was born at Burton on the Hill in Gloucestershire bred in Oxford and attained to be a most accomplished Gentleman partly at Grayes-Innâ— and partly in France which the happinesse of his Pen both in Poetry and Prose doth declare In the later he is observed to be the first writer of Characters of our Nation But if the great parts of this Gentleman were guilty of Insolence and Petulancy which some since have charged on his memory reporting of him that he should say Somerset owed his advancement to him and that he should walk with his hat on before the Queen we may charitably presume that his reduced age would have corrected such Juvenile extravagancies It is questionable whether Robert Carr Earl of Somerset were more in the favour of King James or this Sir Thomas Overbury in the favour of the Earl of Somerset untill he lost it by disswading that Lord from keeping company with a Lady the Wiâ—e of another person of honour as neither for his credit here or comfort hereafter Soon after Sir Thomas was by King James designed Embassador for Russia His false friends perswaded him to decline the Employment as no better than an honourable Grave Better lye some days in the Tower than more months in a worse Prison A ship by Sea and a barbarous cold Countrey by Land Besides they possessed him that within a small time the K. should be wrought to a good opinion of him But he that willingly goes into a Prison out of hope to come easily out of it may stay therein so long till he be too late convinced of another Judgement Whilest Sir Thomas was in the Tower his Refusal was presented to the King as an Act of high Contempt as if he valued himself more than the King's service His strict restraint gave the greater liberty to his enemies to practice his death 1615. which was by poyson performed Yet was his blood legally revenged which cost some a violent and others a civill death as deprived of their Offices The Earl was soon abated in King James his affection Oh! the short distance betwixt the cooling and quenching of a Favourite being condemned and banished the Court. Exact are the remarks he drew up of Foreign Countreys therefore no lesse such his transactions for his own In this most esteemed with King James and his Master that he suited both their Geniuses in the easie and clear method wherein he expressed the most difficult and knotty Affairs for they both being perplexed with that variety of Affairs in general that they could not readily look into difficult Cases in particular loved those that made things out easie and clear to them as well fitted for their apprehensions as obvious to their judgement owning a Soul so quiet that abate its youthful extravagancies it knew not a motion but what was Duty and Interest felt no agitation but what was reason and what Philosophy conveyed into the souls of the wisest and observation insinuated into the spirit of the closest if he expected a recompence suitable to his services or an acknowledgement answerable to his merit he understood not the humour and nature of man-kinde the interest of Favourites or his own parts too guilty of reputation to be advanced and of power not to be suppressed It 's Machiâ—vel's rule That they who rise very high should descend timely and quit the envy lest they lose the honour of their greatnesse Although this Gentleman's skill in accommodating Factions in the Art of Negotiation in the charm of Language in the Interest of Princes in mastering his own Resentments as well as his Enemies that provoked him had preserved him if he had known as well how to hold his Tongue as how to speak if he had understood others humours as well as they did his and if he had skilled as well from whom to have refused kindnesse as from whom he deserved it In a word he that considered so many other Maximes was defective in complyance with his own viz. That vertue is there unprofitable where too great and that many had lost the favour of their Masters by over-much meriting it Observations on the Life of Sir Clem. Edmonds SIr Clement Edmonds that learned and judicious Remembrancer of the City of London was born at Shratvardine in Shropshire and bred Fellow of All-Souls Colledge in Oxford being generally skilled in all Arts
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
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
doubted and won those that contradicted in King Henry's Cause But he served not King Henry more faithfully in Germany then he provided for him honourably in England where the Kings Cause waited for his Assistance and the See of Canterbury for his Acceptance He was willing to promote Religion he was unwilling for some Formalities he scrupled to advance himself but after seven Weeks delay it being as fatal to refuse King Henry's Favours as to offer him Injuries he is Archbishop in his own Defence in which capacity to serve the King and salve his own Conscience he used the Expedient of a Protestation to this purpose In nomine c. Non est nec erit meae voluntatis aut intentionis per hujusmodi Juramentum juramenta qualiter verba in ipsis posita sonare videbuntur me obligare ad aliquid ratione eorundem post hac dicendum faciendum aut attestandum quod erit aut esse videbitur contra legem Dei vel contra Regem aut Rempublicam legesve aut Praerogativa ejus quod non intendo per hujusmodi juramentum quovis modo me obligare quò minùs liberò loqui consulere consentire valeam in omnibus singulis Reformationem Ecclesiae prerogativam Coronae concernentibus ea exequi reformare quae in Ecclesia Anglicana reformanda videbuntur This Protestation he made three times once at the Charter-House another time at the Altar and a third time at the receiving of his Pall. In his place he was moderate between the Superstition of Rome and the Phrensies of Munster As he was chief Instrument in beginning the Reformation so he was in continuing it He withstood the Six Articles and though the King sent five prime Ministers of State to comfort him would not be satisfied until he saw them mitigated in King Henry's time and repealed in King Edward's Gardiner would have questioned him for entertaining forreign Hereticks and promoting Domestick Schisms the Northern Rebells accused him for subverting the Church but the King upheld him against both suppressing the One and checking the Other and advising the good Man whom he called Fool for his meek disposition to appeal to him Whereupon Russel cried The King will never suffer him to be imprisoned until you finde Him guilty of High Treason He is to be pitied for his intermediate failings but renowned for his final constancy The King having declared before all his Servants that Cranmer was his best Servant he employeth him in his best service the Reformation of Religion wherein all others failed but the King Cromwel and Brandon backed him so far that he had the Bible and the necessary Offices of the Church translated into English He had both Universities at his command He brought the Lords House and Convocation to his Lure and was invested with a Power 1. To grant Dispensations in all things not repugnant to Gods Law nor the Kings safety 2. To determine Ecclesiastical Causes He as charitably as politickly advised the King to accept of Bishop Fisher's partial Subscription considering his Learning and Reputation As he is King Henry's Instrument at Dunstable to divorce him from Queen Katharine so he is at Lambeth to divorce him from Anna Bullen He promoted in the Convocation all Primitive Doctrines and condemned all new-fangled Opinions He was so charitable that he interceded with the King for his Enemies so munificent that he made the Church and his own House a Refuge for Strangers particularly for P. Fagius P. Martyr Martin Bucer c. The King loved him for his Integrity the People for his Moderation He was called the Kings Father and was Queen Elizabeth's Godfather His Piety reduced the Church and his Policy the State He spake little to others he conferred much with himself Three words of His could do more then three hours discourse of Others He wousd say as Victorinus There is a time to say nothing there is a time to say something but there is never a time to say all things That King who awed all Others feared Him A Second to the Eternal Power is the Wise Man uncorrupt in his Life He was the Executor of God's Will in King Henry's Life-time and the first of His after his Death As He spurred King Henry to a Reformation so King Edward did Him whose Prudence was not so forward as the Others Zeal who looked at what was Lawful as He did at what was Convenient He maintained the Churches Power as resolutely against Bishop Hooper's Scruples notwithstanding potent Intercession as he reformed its Corruptions against the Popes Interest notwithstanding a general Opposition He allowed not the least Errour in not the least contempt of the Church He restored its primitive Doctrine and Discipline lest it should be an impure Church he upheld them lest it should be none He was one of fourteen that compiled the Common-Prayer He was One of Two that set out the Homilies and the onely man that published the Institution of a Christian man and other good Books With his Advice King Edward did much and designed more He was the chief Author of King Edward's Injunctions and the first Commissioner in them He was President of the Assembly at Windsor for Reformation and of the Council at London His Articles were strict and severe as much grounded on the Canon of Scripture as on the Canons of the Church He convinced more Papists with his Reason and Moderation then others by their Power His Heart never failed him in his Life and it was not burned at his Death He did so much for the Protestant Religion in King Henry's Days that he foresaw he should suffer for it in Queen Mary's He was unwilling to wrong Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth therefore he refused at first to sign King Edward's Testament but Duke Dudley's Will He was willing to continue the Protestant Religion therefore he signed it at last It was a Bishop that was one of the first that abolished Popery in England and one of the last that died for Protestantisme It was a Bishop that maintained the Protestant Cause with Arguments while he lived and with his Blood when he died Observations on Sir Thomas More Lord Chancellour of England HE rise up high because he stept out well Sir Thomas More was half way Chancellour when born to Sir John More Chief Justice The Father's Prudence Wit and Noblenesse flowed with his Blood to the Sons Veins Much Honour he received from his Family more he gave to it His Mother saw his Face shining in Dream on her Wedding Night and his Father saw his Life so really A quick City-Spirit made him capable of great State-Employments He was saved by a Miracle and was One For his Nurse riding with him over a Water and being in some danger threw him over a Hedge where she found him not hurt but sweetly smiling upon her A Free-school seasoned his forward Childhood and the grave wise and excellent Cardinal Mortons House his Youth The One
always merry that laughed 2. The world is undone by looking on things at distance 3. To aim at Honour here is to set up a Court of Arms over a Prison-gate 4. If I would employ my Goods well I may be contented to loose them if ill I should be glad 5. He that is covetous when he is old is as a Thief that steals when he is going to the Gallows 6. Bags of Gold to us when Saints will be but as a bag of pebble-stones when men 7 The greatest punishment in the world were to have our wishes 8. Pusillanimity is a great temptation 9. Affliction undoes many Pleasure most 10. We go to Hell with more pain then we might go to Heaven with Of Heresie he said Like as before a great storm the Sea swelleth and hath unwonted motions without any wind stirring so may we see here many of our English-men which a few years ago could not endure to hear the name of an Heretick or Schismatick now to be contented both to suffer them and to praise them somewhat yea to learn by little and little as much as they can be suffered to finde fault and to tax willingly the Church the Clergy and the Ceremonies 11. The more of any thing else we have but Riches the more good we are 12. Who would not send his Alms to heaven who would not send his Estate whither he is to be banished 13. Some men hate Hypocrisie and love Impudence 14. When any detracted others at his Table he said Let any man think as he pleaseth I like this room well 15. It 's easier to to prevent then redress Indeed throughout his Works he argueth sharply he reasoneth profoundly he urgeth aptly stateeth exactly expresseth himself elegantly and discourseth learnedly He would rather convince then punish yet he would rather punish then indulge them his Epitaph bespeaking him grievous to Hereticks Thieves and Murtherers When King Henry scrupled his first marriage Sir Thomas told him That neither he nor my Lord of Durham were so fit to advise him in that case as St. Augustine St. Jerome and the other Fathers His advice was so unseasonable that it opposed the King yet so grave and honest that it pleased him His Experience and Prudence had a fore-sight next door to Prophecy and from the unquiet times of King Henry did he guess the ruine of King Charles He converted many with his Arguments more with his Prayers which workt wonders of reformation on the erroneous as they did of recovery on the weak He wished three things to Christendome 1. An Universal Peace 2. An Uniform Religion 3. A Reformation rather of Lives then Religion He never asked any thing of his Majesty but Employment and never took any thing more acceptable then Service His Alms were liberal to his Neighbours and good works numerous towards God He would take no Fees from the Poor and but moderate ones from the Rich. All London was obliged to him for his Counsel at home and all England for his Peace at Cambray where he out-did expectation The King raised him to the Chancellourship but not to his own opinion he professed he would serve his Majesty but he must obey his God he would keep the Kings conscience and his own His Wisdome and Parts advanced him his Innocence and Integrity ruined him his Wit pleased the King but his Resolution crossed him Wolsey was not so proud and reserved as Sir Thomas was open and free to the meanest his minde was not so dazled with honour but he could foresee his fall When his sons complained how little they gained under him I will do justice said he for your sakes to any man and I will leave you a blessing decreeing one day against his own son that would not hear reason First he offered the Judges the Reformation of Grievances and when they refused he did it himself No Subpoena was granted but what he saw no Order but what he perused nothing passed from him towards the subject but what became a good Magistrate nothing towards his Master but what became a faithful servant Neither King nor Queen could corrupt neither could the whole Church in Convocation fasten any thing upon him To one who told him of his Detractors he said Would you have me punish those by whom I reap more benefit then by all you my friends Perfect Patience is the Companion of true Perfection But he managed not his trust with more integrity and dexterity then he left it with honour leaving not one cause undecided in the Chancery foreseeing that he could not at once content his Majesty and his own heart His Servants upon his fall he disposed of as well as his children and his Children he taught to live soberly in a great Estate and nobly in a mean one He never put an Heretick to death when Chancellour neither would he suffer Heresies to live when a private man When my Lord Cromwel came to him in his retirement he advised him to tell the King what he ought not what he can do so shall you shew your self a true and faithful servant and a right worthy Councellour for if a Lyon knew his own strength hard were it for any man to rule him The King feared him when he could not gain him and therefore he was sifted in his former carriage and present temper which continued constant to his duty and even under his changes He was open-hearted to all that came yet so wary in his discourse with the Maid of Kent that his enemies confessed he deserved rather honour then a check for that matter When the Duke of Norfolk told him that the wrath of a Prince is death he said Nay if that be all you must die to morrow and I today He behaved himself at all Examinations at once wisely and honestly When Archbishop Cranmer told him he must obey the King which was certain rather then follow his conscience which was uncertain he replyed It 's as certain that I must not obey the King in evil as that I must follow my conscience in good When the Abbot of Westminster told him his conscience should yeild to the wisdome of the Kingdome he said He would not conform his conscience to one Kingdome but to the whole Church He underwent his sufferings with as much cheerfulness as his preferment pleasing himself with his misfortunes and enjoying his misery resolving to obey God rather then man to leave others to their own consciences to close with the Catholick Church rather then the Church of England and to submit to general Councils rather then to Parliaments Mr. Rich put to him this Question Whether if the Parliament made a Law that he were Pope would he not submit to it and he replyed If the Parliament made another that God should not be God would you obey it Though he could not own the Kings Supremacy yet he would not meddle with it either in his Writings or discourse shewing himself at once a civil
Covents by the allurement of Liberty and then forced them out by Power and Authority As the Abbeys improved his Estate so his Master advanced his Honour he had one Privy Seal always to act by and was Keeper of another He had no sooner attained an Earldom for himself but foreseeing the alteration of Affairs he secured a Barony for his Son not forfeitable by the Attainder of the Father Within five years he was Master of the Jewel-house Secretary of State Baron Vicar-General Master of the Rolls Knight of the Garter Keeper of the Privy-Seal Lord High Chamberlain and Earl of Essex within five months he quitted place and in five minutes lost all He must needs be envied whose Birth was so much beneath all others and his Preferment above them especially when the King in preferring him injured others as the Citizens in managing the Jewels the Courtiers in undertaking State-affairs the Lawyers in the Rolls the Nobly Descended at Windsor the Clergy in the Convocation the Earl of Oxford and the Family of the Bourchiers in the great Chamberlainship and Earldom of Essex But he cares not whom he displeaseth if he can oblige his Master whose power he advanceth in the Parliament and Synod as he improveth his Revenue in the Office of first-Fruits and the Court of Augmentation His Greatness was allayed with his Goodness and the Envy of the One mitigated by the Liberality of the Other He had not more Suiters at his door then Alms two hundred at a time Sir Thomas was a Name of Awe and Reverence to the Rich and blessed by the Poor That Name levelled the proudest Citizens House for his conveniency and bowed the poorest mans Knee to his Honour He could at pleasure work upon the Lords by the Commons and on the Commons by the Lords as Cardinal Wolsey perswaded the Commons to four shillings in the pound upon the Lords president and the Lords to as much upon the Commons and he kept up the Cardinals way of Anticipation that the people should be always one Subsidy before-hand He set up the old Taxation of Knighthood at Queen Anne's Coronation and levied it He confirms the Kings Supremacy by a Law and establisheth his Daughter Elizabeth's Succession by an Oath first taken by the Parliament and then by the Kingdom for whose support he contrives the lesser Monasteries should be first escheated and then the greater He was so honest that he acquits Queen Anne in his Letter to the Queen yet so much a Statesman that he condemn'd her upon the Bench. But to secure the Interest of England he improved its Religion that as some few late Acts had disobliged the Pope a new frame of Christianity might exclude him The differences between Us and Rome were to be widened lest they should close and he judged it prudence to engage the conscience and the estate in one bottom that he might hold the One out of the tenderness of the Other The Kings Supremacy cut off the Papists and the Six Articles the Protestants Reformation must be managed leasurely and alteration of Religion by just degrees Instruction preceding execution and the peoples capacity growing up with their Governours Regulation The times are troublesome but Cromwel calm and quiet and watchful over Occurrences Insurrection giving him an advantage of a new Settlement He takes down the Occasions and Ornaments of Idolatry Images Shrines Pilgrimages c. and then the Thing it self Take off the paint of Rome and you undo her As the Laws and Injunctions so the Alliance of England must secure its Interest A Protestant Queen must be married to the Reformed King the Duke of Cleve's Sister must woo the King that Essex might have that whispered in the Kings Bosom abed where he was best disposed which he insinuated into his Ear at the Council-Table where he was worst But the King was not so well pleased with her Beauty as Cromwel was with her Religion which Stephen Gardiner who hated her for her Religion and Cromwel for his Greatness observing shewed the Kings loose Affections at once how to be rid of his Match and which he was as weary of his Match-Maker The Queen is divorced being never known by Henry who disliked her at first view and kept her rather in Policy to oblige the German Princes then of pleasure to fill his own Bed Cromwel is arrested for presuming to act in some matters of State without the Kings privity or Commission and attainted by a procedure he had invented dying as cunningly as he had lived for some ambiguous words which Power interpreted to his Ruine His last words were so wary that they might become Bellarmine and Luther at once that the Protestants call them his Confession of Faith and the Papists his old Religion for confessing his Offences against God and the King in his many Employments he said he died in the Catholique Faith Some will say the Protestants think no great gain to have him and the Papists no loss to part with him yet we must needs confess that he was a Wise Man because he always consulted the Learned in the Laws a out all his proceedings He was a Good man witness Frescobald whose mean Person he took notice of whose small Kindeness he acknowledged whose Services he condescended to whose Wants he relieved and whose Debts he recovered He was a Noble man because he refused another mans Coat of Arms who was of his Name saying What shall I do with it for he may pull it off my back at pleasure In a word He was so Mean before he rise so Worthy afterwards that no Times had Raised but those more troublesome none Ruined him but those most loose of Henry the VIII Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Audley SIr Audley's Birth was Generous his Education more Essex bred him to that Honour which his Ancestors lost His Soul ennobled his Body and his Body graced his Soul The one quick solid apprehensive and judicious the other tall and majestick King Henry loved a Man and here was one whose Austerity was allayed with Debonairness whose Gravity was sweetened with Pleasantness whose Knowledge was as large as his Authority whose Wit was equal with his Wisdom whose Memory was strong and Judgment solid His fair Estate brought him to the Temple his proficiency in the Law to the Court His reading upon the Statute of Priviledges commended him to the Kings Service his speaking for the Prerogative in Parliament brought him to the Kings Favour Although the Liberties of the People can never be secured without the Prerogative of the Soveraign who cannot do the good they would if he wants a power to do the evil they fear yet his first Preferment was to withdraw him from Popularity and the second onely to confirm him to Soveraignty Noble Service is the way to a Royal One His Stewardship to the Dutchy of Suffolk raised him to the Attorneyship of that of Lancaster But in troublesome and designing times
a popular Orator is a good Courtier and leading Parts in Parliament or Convocation are great Merits In the black Parliament he was a Member by his own Interest and a Speaker by his Majesties Choice Sir Tho. More was to serve the Crown in the Lords House and Sir Tho. Audley was to succeed him in the House of Commons When Abbey-Lands were bestowed on the King in grofs and returned by him to the leading Lords and Commons in the Retayl most of that Parliament looked for shares Sir Thomas for the first cut to secure himself with the King He was always in favour with the Queens who had no less Interest in the Kings Heart then the Kingdom had in his Head The. Age was uncertain Interest nor so Sir Thomas was fixed on the One above the alterations of the Other understanding what was most convenient at a time when there was nothing lawful He was well seen in the flexures and windings of Affairs at the depth whereof other Heads not so steady turned giddy He had the Arts of a Statesman and the closeness of a Politicion Reserved he was but no Dissembler For if a man have that penetration of judgment as he can discern what things are to be laid open and what to be kept secret and what to be shewed with half sights and to whom and when which indeed are Arts of States and Arts of Life to him an Habit of Dissimulation is a hinderance and a poorness He as an able man was always frank and open but wary knowing how to stop and turn within the compass of Equity and Honesty He understood business well and men better and knew King Henry's Temper better then Himself whom he surprized always to his own bent never moving any of his suits to him but when in haste and most commonly amusing him with other matter until he passed his Request His Actions were managed for applause as well as service for when made Sergeant he was the first of eleven his Entertaining-Day was the last of six The King who paid for his Dinner was invited to it He watched the Circumstances of his Actions that they might be Taking as well as their Issue that they might be Useful and contrived that the least of his publick Actions should come off with Reputation He followed the most passable rather then the most able men living in a time when active men were more useful then the vertuous Sir Thomas at once gratified the present Humour of the King and the constant Temper of the People in six Bills against the Clergy 1. Against the Extortions of their Courts 2. The Exaction of their Corps and Morturies 3. Their worldly Occupations as Grazing Tanning c. 4 Merchandize 5. Their Non-Residencies 6. The Pluralities of the Ignorant and the mean Salaries of the Learned When in some Debates between the Lords and Commons Custome was urged Sir Thomas replied The usage hath ever been for Thieves to rob at Shooters Hill is it therefore lawful He brought the Clergy within a Praemunire to awe them and afterwards in their pardon he and other Members included their own which the knowing King would not pass when it was demanded as of Right yet afterwards granted it of his own accord when it was received as of Grace When Sir Thomas More could not act with the times Sir Thomas Audley could the One being weary of the Seal the other takes it being made Lord Keeper in Sir Thomas his life-time and Lord Chancellour after his death owning no Opinion against the Government of England nor any Design against its Interest The King might well trust him with his Conscience when he trusted the King with his owning no Doctrine but what was established ever judging the Church and State wiser then himself He was forced to take Q. Anne but he would not condemn her rather escaping then refusing unwelcome Employments wherein he must either displease his Master or himself He was tender but not wilful waving such services dexterously wherein he must oppose his Master dangerously Those Insurrections which others Rigor had raised his Moderation allayed breaking the Factions with Indulgence which might be strengthened with Opposition Cromwel pulled down Popery with his Power Audley kept it down with his Policy enjoyning the Preachers to detect the follies of that way which is reckoned the wisdom of this World He had a moderate way to secure the Priviledges of Parliament by freedom from Arrests and the good will of the Citizens by an Order about debts By these courses he died as much in the Kings Favour as he lived Patience can weather out the most turbulent Age and a solid Judgement the most intricate times The reserved and quiet man is the most secure Activity may raise a man Wariness keep him up If he had done nothing he had noâ— been seen if he had done much he had not been suffered Between two extreams Audley could do well Treasure of Arms and Arts in whom were set The Mace and Books the Court and Colledge met Yet both so wove that in that mingled throng They both comply and neither neither wrong But pois'd and temper'd each reserv'd its seat Nor did the Learning quench but guide the Heat The Courtier was not of the furious strain The hand that acts doth first consult the brain Hence grew commerce betwixt Advice and Might The Scholar did direct the Courtier right And as our Perfumes mixt do all conspire And twist their Curles above the hallowed fire Till in that Harmony of Sweets combin'd We can nor Musk nor single Amber finde But Gums meet Gums and their delights so crowd That they create one undistinguish'd cloud So to thy minde these rich Ingredients prest And were the Mould and Fabrick of thy brest Learning and Courage mixt and temper'd so The Stream could not decay nor overflow And in that equal Tide thou didst not bear From Courage Rashness nor from Learning Fear Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Wiat. SIr Thomas Wiat was born at Allington-castle in the County of Kent which afterwards he repaired with beautiful Buildings He fell out of his Master King Henry the eighth his favour about the business of Queen Anna Bullen till his industry care discretion and innocence freed him Very ingenious he was or as his Anagram tells us he was A Wit in the abstract Cambden saith he was Eques auratus splendide doctus Holy he was and heavenly minded and that appears by his translation of David's Psalms into English Metre and Leland gives him this great Commendation Bella suum merito jactet Florentia Dantem Regia Petrarchae Carmina Roma probat His non inferior Patria Sermone Viatus Eloquii secum qui decui omne tulit This Knight being sent Ambassador by King Henry the eighth to Charles the fifth Emperour then residing in Spain before he took Shipping died of the Pestilence in the West-Country Anno 1541. Queen Anne's favour towards him raised this man and
his faithfulness to her ruined him So fickle is that mans station that depends onely on humour or holds of love and hatred Let my friend saith Malvezzi bring me in but let my merit and service keep me there Four things a man went to Dine with Sir Thoms Wiat for 1. For his Generous Entertainment 2. For his free and knowing discourse of Spain and Germany an insight in whose interest was his Master-piece studied by him as well for the exigen 〈…〉 of that present juncture as for his own satisfaction 3. For his quickness in observing his civility in entertaining his dexterity in employing and his readiness in encouraging every mans peculiar party and inclinations 4. For the notice and favour the King had for him So ready was he to befriend worthy men and so ready was the King to entertain his friend that when a man was newly preferred they said He had been in Sir Thomas Wiat ' s Closet Happy is the Prince that hath a faithful Favourite to look him out serviceable men and happy those useful persons that have a familiar and hhonest Favourite by whom they may have access to the Prince a Favourite that serves not his Country so much by employing and pleasing its active members as he secures his King who hath â—o less need of Counsel in reference to men then things His Wit pleased the King and his Wisdome served him He could not be without his Advice at the Council-table nor without his Jests in his Presence-chamber where yet he observed his decorum to exactly that his Majesty could by no means win him one night to dancing this being his grave resolution That he who thought himself a wise man in the day-time would not be a fool at night otherwise one carryed himself more handsomely none conversed more ingeniously and freely none discoursed more facetiously or solidly in a word it was his peculiar happiness that his deportment was neither too severe for King Henry the eighth's time nor too loose for Henry the seventh's neither all honey nor all gall but a sweet mixture and temperament of affability and gravity carrying an equal measure of Sir Thomas More 's ingenuity in his head and Sir Thomas Cromwel's wisdome in his heart equally fashioned for discourse and business in the â—â—st whereof he was active but not troublesome 〈◊〉 the first merry but innocent A Jest if it hit right may do more good then so ber Counsels Archee made King James sensible of the danger the Prince was in in Spain by telling him that he came to change Caps with him Why said the King Because thou hast sent the Prince in Spain from whence he is never like to return B 〈…〉 said the King what wilt thou say when thou see him come back again Marry saith he I will ta 〈…〉 off the Fools Cap which I now put upon thy head f 〈…〉 sending him thither and put it on the King of Spain for letting him return A Jest of Sir Thomas Wiat's began that Reformation which the seriousness of all Christendome cou 〈…〉 not commence King Henry was at a loss concening the Divorce which he no less passionately dered then the Pope warily delayed Lord saith he that a man cannot repent him of his sin but by 〈◊〉 Popes leave Sir Thomus hinted Doctor Gran 〈…〉 opened and the Universities of Europe made to way to Reformation His Majesty was another time displeased with Wolsey and Sir Thomas ups with a story of the C 〈…〉 baiting of the Butchers Dog which contained 〈◊〉 whole method of that great mans ruine The Pope was incensed Christian Princes we 〈…〉 enraged and the numerous Clergy discontented and King Henry afraid of a Revolution Better 〈…〉 Rooks Nests that is sell and bestow the Pa 〈…〉 Clergies Habitations and Lands among the Nobils and Gentry said Sir Thomas and they will ne 〈…〉 trouble you One day he told his Master he his found out a Living of an hundred pounds the year more then enough and prayed him bestow it on him Why said the King we 〈◊〉 no such in England Yes Sir said Sir Thomas the Provostship of Eaton where a man hath his Diet his Lodging his Horse-meat his Servants wages his Riding-charge and an 100 l. per annum besides What Lewis the eleventh said of one Kingdome i. e. France may be true of all That they want one thing i. e. Truth Few Kings have such discreet Courtiers as Cardinal Wolsey to look into things deeply fewer so faithful Servants as Sir Thomas Wiat to report things as they see them honestly His Jests were always confined to these Rules 1. He never played upon a mans unhappiness or deformity it being inhumane 2. Not on Superiours for that is sawcie and undutiful 3. Nor on serious or holy matters for that 's irreligious 4. He had much Salt but no Gall often jesting but never jearing 5. He observed times persons and circumstances knowing when to speak and knowing too when to hold his peace 6. His apt and handsome Reparties were rather natural then affected subtle and acute prompt and easie yet not careless never rendring himself contemptible to please others 7. Not an insipid changing of words was his gift but a smart retort of matters which every body was better pleased with than himself 8. He always told a story well and was as good at a neat continued discourse as at a quick sentence contriving it in an handsome method cloathing it with suitable expressions without any Parenthesis or impertinencies and representing persons and actions so to the life that you would think you saw what you buchear A notable way that argued the man of a ready apprehension an ingenious sins fancy a tenacious memory a graceful Elocution a 〈…〉 exact judgment and discretion and perfect acquaintance with things and circumstances His phrasi was clean and clear the picture of his thoughts and language even in an argument not harsh or severe but gentle and obliging never contradicting but with an Vnder favour Sir always subjoyning to his adversaries discourse what the Dutch do the all Ambassadors Proposals It may be so Observations on the Life of Sir John Fineux SIr John Fineux born at Swink field in the County of Kent a place bestowed on h 〈…〉 Ancestors by a great Lord in Kent called 〈◊〉 Criol about the reign of King Edward the second He followed the Law twenty eight years before he was made a Judge in which Office he continued twenty eight years and was twenty eight years of Age before he betook himself to this study when 〈…〉 it necessarily follows that he was four-score and four when he died He was a great Benefactor tâ—â— St. Augustines in Canterbury the Prior whereof William Mallaham thus highly commendeth him 〈◊〉 good deeds deserve good words Vir prudentissimus Genere insignis Justitia praeclarus Pietate refertus Humanitate splenditus charitate foecundus He died in 1526. and lies buried in Christ-church in Canterbury having had a
do with Faeces Romuli rather then Respublica Platonis a rude rather then a reduced people What he could he ordained according to the incomparable Rule of the English Laws what he could not he established according to his present judgement of the Irish capacity He saw the Kingdome could never be subject to his Masters power while the Church was obedient to the Popes therefore as he perswaded the Nobility to surrender their Estates to his Majesty at London so he compelled the Clergy to make over theirs at Dublin There remains but little of the first in his Majesties hands so honourable was he in restoring it and as little in his Successors so religious and just were they in resigning it to the same use for substance to which it was at first designed But in vain it is to reform Laws unless we reform persons too therefore as he sent Orders to reduce the Irish Nobility in their several Countries so he sent for themselves to the respective Houses built for them by his Majesty near Dublin to be civilized in the Court Caesar came saw and overcame Sir Anthony came saw and setled A man had thought there had not been so much corruption in the Romish Church as to admit Children to Church-Livings for which Men are hardly sufficient but that Sir Anthony St. Leiger was forced to make this Law That no Children should be admitted to Benefices We had not known this sin had not the Law said You shall not invest any under sixteen years of age in Benefices The Clergy he found there too many and the Nobility too few he lessened the number of the one to weaken the Pope and improved the other to strengthen his Master of whom they held not onely their Estates but their Baronies too as obliged to duty in point of Honour as well as in point of Interest But in vain doth he civilize the present Generation and neglect the future as therefore he provided Cities for the Parents so he erected Schools for the Children that the one might forget their Barbarism and the other never know it Three things he said would settle a State 1. Good God-fathers and God-mothers performing their Vows 2. Good Housholders overlooking their Families 3. And good School-masters educating Youth this last the most useful though the most contemptible profession An Athenian being asked what God was said He was neither Bow-man nor Horse-man nor Pike-man nor Foot-man but one that knew how to command all these Sir Anthony St. Leiger was neither Souldier nor Scholar nor Statesman yet he understood the way how to dispose of all these to his Countries service and his Masters honour being all of them eminently though none of them pedantickly and formally in himself The Athenians as Anaximander said had good Laws but used them ill our Deputy had bad Laws but governed by good It was thought by many wise men that the preposterous rigour and unreasonable severity which some men carried there before him was not the least incentive that kindled and blew up into horrid flames the sparks of discontent which wanted not pre-disposed fuel in that place where despair being added to their former discontents and the fears of utter extirpation to their wonted oppressions It is too easie to provoke a people too prone to break out to all exorbitant violence both by some principles of their Religion and their natural desires of Liberty both to exempt themselves from their present restraints and prevent after-rigours wherefore he was inclined to that charitable connivence and Christian indulgence which often dissipates their strength whom rougher opposition fortifieth and puts the oppressed Parties into such Combinations as may most enable them to get a full revenge on those they count their Persecutors who are commonly assisted by that vulgar commiseration which attends all that are said to suffer for Religion or Liberty To conclude this Four things Sir Anthony St. Leiger was eminent for 1. That there was none more grave in Counse then he in the morning none more free at Table at noon none more active in the after-noon none more merry at night 2. That his Orders were made but slowly so wary he was but executed quickly so resolute he was too 3. That he contrived all his Designs so well beforehand that in the course of affairs they were done to his hand and he was the Deputy that made no noise 4. That as the Souldier finding his first admission to Alexander to be difficult danced about the Court in an Antique fashion until the strangeness of the shew made the King himself Spectator and then throwing off his disguise he said Sir thus I first arrive at the notice of your Majesty in the fashion of a fool but can do you service in the place of a wise man if you please to employ me So this Gentleman came to Court a Swaggerer but went off a Statesman All Prudence is not lodged under a demure look and an austere carriage There are those that can be merry and wise whose Spirit is as lively as their Judgement solid Observations on the Life of Sir Ralph Sadler Sir Ralph Sadler was born at Hackney in Middlesex where he was Heir to a fair Inheritance and servant to the Lord Cromwel and by him advanced into the service of King Henry the VIII who made him chief Secretary of State He was one that had much knowledge therefore much imployed in all but especially in the Intrigues of the Scots affairs In the Battel of Muscleborow he ordered brought up our scattered Troops inviting them to fight by his own Example and for his Valour was made Knight-Banneret Queen Elizabeth made him Chancellour of the Dutchy During his last Embassie in Scotland his house at Standon in Hertfordshire was built by his Steward in his absence far greater then himself desired so that he never joyed therein and died soon after Anno 1587 in the 80 year of his Age. King Henry understood two things 1. A Man 2. A Dish of Meat and was seldom deceived in either For a Man none more compleat then Sir Ralph who was at once a most exquisite Writer and a most valiant and experienced Souldier qualifications that seldom meet so great is the distance between the Sword and the Pen the Coat of Mail and the Gown yet divided this man and his time his nights being devoted to contemplation and his days to action Little was his Body but great his Soul the more vigorous the more contracted Quick and clear were his thoughts speedy and resolute his performances It was he that could not endure the spending of that time in designing one action which might perform two or that delay in performing two that might have designed twenty A great Estate he got honestly and spent nobly knowing that Princes honour them most that have most and the People them onely that employ most A Prince hath more reason to fear mony that is spent than that which is hoorded because it
Princes and with the l 〈…〉 Statesmen the one discovers others while the other conceals you 5. Resolution I made often said he as if I would fight when they knew my calling allowe me onely to speak 6. Civility That man said the Prince of Orange is a great bargain who is bought with a bare salutation Fourthly To Privy-Counsellours That excellent caution Always to speak last and be Masters 〈◊〉 others strength before they displayed their own This was that rare man that was made for all but siness so dexterous This was he that was made for all times so complying This was he who live Doctor of both Laws and died Doctor of both Gospels the Protestant which had the Statesmans parts of this man and the Popish who had the Christiat Noah had two faces because he was a son of the old world before the flood and a father of the ne 〈…〉 one after Wotton sure had four faiths who was Favourite in King Henry's days of the Counsel is King Edward's of the Juncto in Queen Mary's and the second Statesman in Queen Elizabeth's With these two things of this person I shall conclude 1. His refusal of the Archbishoprick of Canterbury which argued his extraordinary humility of wariness 2. His admission of Doctor Parker as Dean of Canterbury to that See which argueth the legality of his calling there being no circumstance with any likelihood omitted by so exquisite a Civilian as Doctor Wotton or forgotten by so great an Antiquary as Doctor Parker Observations on the Life of Thomas Wriothesly the first Earl of Southampton THomas Wriothesly Knight of the Garter was born in Barbican Son to William Wriothesly descended from an Heir general of the antient Family of the Dunsterviles King of Arms. He was bred in the University of Cambridge as it appears by Mr. Ascam's Letter unto him writing in the behalf of the University when he was Lord Chancellour Quamobrem Academia cum omni literarum ratione ad te unum conversa cui uni quam universis aliis â—se chariorem intelligit partim tibi ut alumno suo cum authoritate imperat partim ut patrono summo demisse bumiliter supplicat c. His University-Learning prepared him for the Law and his indefatigable study of the Law promoted him to the Court where for his Honour he was created Baron of Tichbourn Jan. 1. 1543. and for his Profit the next year May 3. Lord Chancellour a place he discharged with more Applause then any before him and with as much Integrity as any since him Force he said awed bâ— Justice governed the world It is given to that Family to be Generous are Resolute This incomparable Person was under cloud in King Edward's time for being a rigidly conscientious Papist and his great Granchild suffered in King Charles his time for being a sincere honest Protestant Yet so reverenced was the first of this Family by his Adversaries that he was made Earl of Southampton and so honoured was the other by his Enemies that they courted him to the party Integrity hath a Majesty in its full and Glory in its lowest Estate that is always feared though not always loved No Nobleman understood the Roman Religion better then the first Earl of Southampton and non the Protestant better then the last the Right Honourable and truly Excellent Thomas Earl of Southampton and Treasurer of England His Court he said gave Law to the Kingdom His constant and exact Rules to the Court and hâ— Conscience guided by the Law of the Kingdom 〈◊〉 his Rules Affable and acceptable he was as More quick and ready as Wolsey incorrupt as Egerton apprehensive and knowing as Bacon Twice were all Cases depending in Chancery dispatched in Sir Wriothesley's time 1538. and in Sir More 's 1532. Truly did he judge intra Cancellos deciding Cases with that Uprightness that he wished a Window to his Actions yea and his Heart too King Philip was not at leasure to hear a poor Womans Cause Then said she cease to be King My Lord over-hearing a servant putting off a Petitioner because his Master was not at leasure takes him up roundly and replies You had as good say I am not at leasure to be Lord Chancellour Two things he would not have his servants gain by his Livings and his Decrees The first he said were Gods the second the Kings whom every man he said sold that sold Justice To honest men your places said he are enough to Knaves too much Every Week he had a Schedule of his own Accounts and every Month of his Servants Cato's greatest Treasure was his Account-Book of Sicily and my Lord of Southampton's was his Table of the Chancellours place A great Estate was conferred upon him which he took not in his own name to avoid the odium of Sacriledge as great an Inheritance he bought but in others names to escape the malice of Envy He loved a Bishop he said to satisfie his conscience a Lawyer to guide his Judgement a good Family to keep up his Interest and an University to preserve his name Full of Years and Worth he died 1550. at Lincoln-place and was buried at St. Andrews Church in Holborn where his Posterity have a Diocess for their Parish and a Court for their Habitation Observations on the Life of Sir John Fitz-James JOhn Fitz-James Knight was born at Redlinch 〈◊〉 Somersetshire of Right Antient and Wort 〈…〉 Parentage bred in the study of our Municip 〈…〉 Laws wherein he proved so great a Proficie 〈…〉 that by King Henry the Eighth he was advanced 〈◊〉 be Chief Justice of the Kings Bench. There needs 〈◊〉 more to be said of his Merit save that King He 〈…〉 the Eighth preferred him who never used eith 〈…〉 Dunce or Drone in Church or State but Men 〈◊〉 Ability and Activity He sat thirteen years in 〈◊〉 place demeaning himself so that he lived and di 〈…〉 in the Kings Favour He sat one of the Assista 〈…〉 when Sir Thomas More was arraigned for refu 〈…〉 the Oath of Supremacy and was shrewdly put 〈◊〉 it to save his own Conscience and not incur 〈◊〉 Kings Displeasure For Chancellour Audley 〈◊〉 preme Judge in that place being loth that 〈◊〉 whole burthen of More 's condemnation sho 〈…〉 lie on his shoulders alone openly in the Court a 〈…〉 ed the Advice of the Lord Chief Justice Fi 〈…〉 James Whether the Indictment were sufficient 〈◊〉 no To whom our Judge warily returned 〈…〉 Lords all by St. Gillian which was ever his Oat 〈…〉 I must needs confess That if the Act of Parliam 〈…〉 be not unlawful then the Indictment is not in my co 〈…〉 science insufficient He died in the Thirtieth Year of King Henry the Eighth and although now there be none left 〈◊〉 Redlinch of his Name and Family they flourish still at Lewson in Dorsetshire descended from Allured Fitz-James brother to this Judge and to Richard Bishop of London The two main Principles that guide
his Memory his Standard was born in the Fore-ward all this Expedition A Person in whom Prudence was even with Activity Resolution with Prudence 〈◊〉 Success with Resolution Moderation with Success Honour and Favour with All. Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Darcy SIr Thomas Darcy was one of King Henry the Eighth's first Counsellours so advanced as most of his Fellows not for Affection but Interest owing his Promotion to his own sufficiency rather then his Masters favour His Counsel was weighty at Home his Assistance necessary Abroad where in behalf of Pope Julius the second and the Emperour he did more with 1500 Archers in a year for the ballancing of Europe then had been done before in an Age. No Employment so dangerous at that time as that of the Warden of the West Marches of Scotland none so able for that Employment as my Lord who was equally knowing and stout and at once most feared and most loved The Earl of Shrewsbury made some Inroads into Scotland the Lord Darcy seconds him But being surprized by the Duke of Albany's preparations he had as much Wit to make Peace as he had Resolution to carry on the War None knew better when to yeild none better when to conquer so great a command had he over himself so great over the Enemy that he brought them to request his Wish and offer what was his Interest With the Duke of Surrey's assistance by Land and Fitz-Williams his by Sea he reduced that Nation to a good Inteligence with Us that year and a Peace the next a Peace as he observed that would be no longer kept then we had a Sword in our Hands and an Army on their Borders For Conscience guided other parts of the World he said and Fear Scotland Whence he invaded them duely once a year Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Howard SIr Edward's Brother in Worth as well as Blood His Fathers Interest set him up and his own Industry kept him so All the Children were brought up for Sea-Services this Gentleman for Sea-Commands He immediately succeeds his younger Brother in the Admiralty and wisely considering the advantage of the French Gallies in a calm the number of their ships the danger of their windes for us if they blew Southwest desired of the King so many Souldiers a◠might man the ships and make good the landing wherewith he scoured the seas and secured the Kings passage with so much Honour that he was able to assist his Father at Court as much as Wel 〈…〉 did Fox his Gallantry being no less pleasing to his Master then the other young Favourites Compliance and both these young men had no less Art to govern this Prince then he had to govern his Kingdom These Arts which all other Favourites use being Hopes and Fears which as Doors and Passages to the heart are so guarded by their vigilancy that they can both let themselves in and keep all others out the two Ends upon which the Thread of Government depends His Father is made Duke of Norfolk and he Earl of Surrey both are an eye-sore to the Cardinal whose Fortune had no Superior in the Kings Favour whose Ambition would endure no Equal The Old Mans years and cares are fitted with a Retirement in the Country the Young Mans ambition and activity with a Government in Ireland which he reduced as speedily to obedience notwithstanding Desmond's Rebellion as he had to civility had it not been for Wolsey's Underminings who endured no publick service but what he did himself and would chuse rather that the Kingdom should perish by a Traytor then be saved by a Nobleman Beloved he was by that Countrey where he left a Peace and a Parliament Anno 1521. so that they were loth to part with him Wanted he was by the King to scour the narrow seas for the French War so that he must have him The King had made him formerly His Admiral the Emperour upon his return from England makes him his and with both their Commissions he lands in Normandy wastes the adjacent Countries sparing onely Religious Houses takes and sacks Morlais in Bretaign which he entered under the smoak burns their ships commands the sea and sets the Emperour safe in Spain advising his Majesty from thence to make a general Muster of his Subjects for his own satisfaction and others terrour March 27 1522. The troubles in Scotland required an able Head and a stout Heart two Endowments that no man was more Master of then the Earl of Surrey now Duke of Norfolk upon his beloved Fathers decease whose Prudence toyled the Scots to deliver up their King as his Prowess frighted them to yeild up themselves as they did in that most exquisite Treaty where the Earl of Worcester beat the Bush saith my noble Author and our Duke catched the Hare A while after he is Earl Marshal and Embassador to King Francis about those two grand points 1. That the French King should set up a Patriarch 2. That he should stop up all the payments made to Rome with fair promises of that supply of men and money he then most wanted When the Pope stuck to Queen Katharine three things he advised the King to 1. To teach the people that a general Council was above the Pope and proclaim that he did appeal to it 2. To fix upon every Church-Door the Dowagers Appeal to Rome and the late Statute against it 3. To consederate with the Kings of Hungary and Poland the Estates of the Empire and the Hanse Towns Three things that would settle his People at home and strengthen his Interest abroad To which he added the Statute of Succession the Oath of Supremacy sir Howard's Embassy to the Scotch King the suppression of Religious Houses the War in Ireland under sir William Sheffington and a thorow search into the bottom of the Rebellion in the North by a connivance and delay But all his services could not quit him from suspicion nor his popularity from envy The Lord Darcy accuseth him to excuse himself and Cromwel seconds him to secure himself and as unhappinesses follow one another in the same order as one wave floweth after another his Nieces miscarriages threatned his fall but that the honest man as appears from a Letter the whole Council sent to sir William Paget then resident in France was the first that declared against her and put the King upon the most safe and honourable ways of trying her which satisfied his Majesty so far that he employed him as chief in the Treaty upon the Borders and General in the War when that Treaty failed Sir Anthony Brown upon his Recommendation being added to the Commissioners in Scotland and to the Privy-Council in England as Master of the Kings Horse as Sir John Gages was Comptroller of his House Several Persons came to London for a Reward of their Scotch services this Duke gave the King a wary and grave counsel to bestow upon them as much Land as they could win in
Scotland But Greatness is fatal The King is old and testy the Government disordered and irregular the Duke too stifly honest to comply the Council envy him and in this Juncture his Wives passion discovereth his Minions and they to save themselves his privacies and secrets His son a man of a deep understanding of a sharp wit and great valour bred up with Henry-Fitzroy at Windsor and afterwards at Paris was beheaded before his face His Favourite Mrs. Holland deposed That he said many looked for the Protectorship when the King who lived and moved by Engines and Art rather then by Nature should die but he would carry it That the King did not love him because he was loved by his Country but he would follow his Fathers Lesson which was That the less others set by him the more he would set by himself That he had a Daughter for the King as well as others c. His Estate was great his power greater the Kings occasions had swallowed up the one and his Enemies ambition the other notwithstanding his humble submission before the Council and his many services to the King had not his Majesties death saved his Life As the deepest Hate is that which springs from violent Love so the greatest Discourtesies oft arise from the largest Favours It is indiscreet to oppress any dangerous a Prince with Kindenesses which being Fetters are Treason on that Person But Suspicion Ah sad Suspicion The Companion of the Weak or Guilty The Cloud of the Minde The Forfeiture of Friends The check of Business Thou that disposest Kings to Tyranny Husbands to Jealousie Wise men to Irresolution and Melancholy Trust and you need never suspect But Policy and Friendship are incompatible I see where Norfolk begs that Life from the Block at last which he had ventured two and thirty times for his Soveraign Who knows the Cares that go to Bed with Statesmen Enemies Abroad Treacheries at Home Emulations of Neighbours Dissatisfaction of Friends Jealousies of most Fear of all unwelcome Inventions to palliate unjust Courses fears of Miscarriage and Disgrace with Projects of Honour and Plausibility with restless thoughts how to discover prevent conceal accommodate the Adversaries or his own Affairs Let us live and love and say God help poor Kings Observations on the Life of Sir Edward Stanley THe Stanley's service to Henry the seventh was a sufficient pledge of their faithfulness to Henry the eighth Honour floated in Sir Edward's blood and Valour danced in his spirits His stirring childhood brought him to Henry the eighth's company and his active manhood to his service The Camp was his School and his Learning was a Pike and Sword therefore his Masters Greeting to him was when they met Hob my Souldier In many places did he shew himself but no where more then at Flodden where his Archers fetched down the Scots from their fastness and relieved the English from their distress the Earl of Surrey beginning the Conquest and Sir Edward crowning it for which the King immediately set him high in his favour and not long after as high in the world being made Baron Stanley and Lord Mounteagle Twice did he and Sir John Wallop land with onely 800 men in the heart of France and four times did he and Sir Tho. Lovell save Callis the first time by intelligence the second by a stratagem the third by valour and resolution and the fourth by hardship patience and industry In the dangerous insurrection by Ashe and Captain Cobler his Zeal for the States welfare was above scruples and his Army was with him before his Commission for which dangerous piece of Loyalty he asked pardon and received thanks Two things he did towards the discomfiture of the Rebels whose skill in Arms exceeded his Followers as much as his policy did their Leaders first he cut off their provisions and then secondly sowed sedition among them whilst his Majesty gained time by pretended Treaties to be even with them drawing off the most eminent of the factions every day and confounding the rest Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Bolen THe City enriched this Family their Parts raised them His Activity was as taking with King Henry as his Daughters Beauty He was the Picklock of Princes upon his word onely would the King model his Designes and upon his alter them He discovered Ferdinand's underhand-treaty with Lewis and his Designe upon Navarre and writ to his Master to press the ambiguous man to a conclusion and to send over some treasure for said he the whole World is now to be sold adding the necessity of a peace or at least a truce with Scotland Sir Tho. Bolen was against the Kings going to France in person before he had some more issue or Edmund de la Pool were dispatched out of the way Sir Tho. Howard was for it it being dangerous to entrust so Noble an Army or so renowned an Action with any subject especially when Maximilian the Emperour offered to serve under his Majesty as Lieutenant and the Pope to attend him as Chaplain There is nothing more remarkable of Sir Thomas Bolen then 1. The Education of his Children his eldest son being bred at the Emperours Court his youngest with the Pope at Rome and his Daughter with Q. Mary in France 2. His Negotiation with the Lord St. Johns in Germany where he over-reached the Emperour no less then the Earl of Worcester did the French King so cunningly binding him that he understood nothing of our Affairs and yet so narrowly sifting him that we knew all his Intrigues Visible was all the world to our State then and invisible our State to all the world From Germany he is sent with Richard Sampson D. H. to Spain to set Charles as forward against the French as he had done Maximilian His service advanced him to the honour of a Barony and a Viscountship and the profit of the Treasureship of the Houshold and his success upon the Malecontent Duke of Bourbon by Sir Jo. Russel who treated with him in Disguise set him as high in the Kings favour as his Wife was a vertuous Lady that was the Kings Friend but not his Mistress his delight and not his sin In Spain so earnestly did our Sir Thomas mediate for the delivering up of the French Hostages that as Sandoval saith Charles protested to him that for his sake onely he would relinquish his Demand for the restitution of Burgundy in which the difficulty of the peace consisted adding further That for the same reason he would accept as well for Francis his two sons ransome as his charge what was freely offered viz. 2000000 Crowns and he with Sir Robert Poyntz make up that treaty the great Arbitrators of Europe at whose disposal Kings set their Crowns and Kingdomes their Peace in whose breast fate the fate of Christendome by their voices to stand or fall As faithful is he to the King at home though to his own prejudice as he is serviceable abroad
to his honour for when the people talked oddly out of envy to his Daughter now visibly in favour and pity to Queen Katharine Sir Thomas adviseth his Majesty to forbid his Daughter the Court and declare that those proceedings were more to satisfie his Conscience and secure Succession then to gratifie any other more private respect so far to his Daughters discontent that she would not come near the King until her Father was commanded not without threats to bring her thither who by representing the common danger to them both obtained at length saith my Lord Herbert though not without much difficulty the consent of his unwilling Daughter to return where yet she kept that distance that the King might easily perceive how sensible she was of her late dismission Sir Thomas would have married her to the Lord Percy but the King and Cardinal forbad it deterring old Northumberland from it and he his son Many Love-Letters between King Henry and Anne Bolen are sent to Rome one Letter between the Cardinal and his Confederates is fetched thence by Sir Thomas his Dexterity who advised Sir Francis Bryan then Resident to get in with the Popes Closet-keepers Courtezan and shew her the Cardinals hand by which she might finde out and copy his Expresses as she did to his ruine and our Kings great satisfaction To which Letter is annexed a Declaration under his hand and the Lords Darcy Mountjoy Dorset and Norfolk of 44 Articles against the great Cardinal His hand being now in he must through He adviseth the King to consult the Universities of Christendome He goeth in person when made Earl of Wiltshire to the Pope and contrives that a Declaration of the whole Kingdome in Parliament should follow him which so amused his Holiness with our Earls stratagems that he was asleep as it were until the state of England was quite altered To this he addes the peace with France and the interview with King Francis where his Daughter is married privately and her Brother made Viscount Rochford Convening a Parliament to his mind at Black-fryers and advancing an Arch-bishop to his purpose in Canterbury he is secure of the Church and of the Kingdom whereof the first hallowed the action and the second confirmed it Observations on the Life of Sir Edward Howard HE set out with his Fathers Reputation and came home with his own Britain feels his Arm to this day and the French his success Desperate were his Undertakings yet happy rash his Engagements yet honourable it being his Maxime That never did Sea-man good that was not resolute to a degree of madness The French Fleet he pursueth to the Haven under their own Forts closely Sir Edward considering the order wherein the French lay thought fit to advertise his King and Master thereof advising him withal saith my Author to come in person and have the glory of this Action but the Kings Council taking this Message into consideration and conceiving that it was not altogether fear as was thought but stratagem and cunning that made the French thus attend their advantage thought the King was not invited so much to the honour as to the danger of this Action therefore they write sharply to him again commanding him to do his duty whereof that brave person was so sensible that he landed 1500 men in the sight of 10000 and wasted the Country until being too confident he fell a while after into his enemies hands the Lord Ferrers Sir Thomas Cheyney Sir Richard Cornwal and Sir John Wallop looking on but not able to relieve him Four Reasons he would usually give against a War with the Low-Countries 1. The decay of Trade 2. The diminution of Customes 3. The strengthening of France 4. The loss of their industry and inventions and so of the improvement of our Commodities and Manufactures In the youth of this State as of all others Arms did flourish 〈…〉 in the Middle-age of it Learning and in the Declining as Covetousness and Thrift attend Old Age Mechanick Arts and Merchandize and this Gentleman was made for each part being not so much a Souldier as a Scholar not so much a Scholar as a Merchant But a private spirit is most unfortunate and as my Oracle assures me whereof men of that temper all their time sacrifice to themselves they become in the end themselves sacrifices unfortune whose wings they thought by their wisdome to have pinioned Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Howard Earl of Surrey SIr Thomas Howard was this Kings prime Counsellour a brave and an understanding man who was obliged to be faithful to his Master because an Enemy to Winchester emulation among Favourites is the security of Princes Four motives he offered for a Marriage with the Princess Katharine 1. A League with Spain against the growing power of our dangerous Neighbour France 2. The saving of much time and expence in Marriage by her being here 3. The consideration of that vast sum of Money that must be exported if she goeth away And 4. The great Obligation laid on the Pope by that Dispensation which would secure to him the King and his Posterity not otherwise Legitimate but by his Authority His Estate was much wasted in the service of Henry the seventh and as much improved by the treasures of Henry the eighth which amounted in the beginning of his Reign to 11800000 l. i. e. at the rate of money now adays six millions and an half which he dispensed so thriftily that old Winchester could not trapan him and yet so nobly that young Henry was pleased with him Sir William Compton set up the Kings Rich Life-guards under Bourchier Earl of Essex as Captain and the valiant Sir Jo. Peachy who kept Calais in so good order with 300 men as Lieutenant but this wary Earl put them down again When News was brought that Empson and Dudley were slain it was this Earls opinion that his Majesty had done more like a good King then a good Master When the narrow Seas whereof the Kings of England have been very tender were infested this old Treasurer and Earl-Marshal cleared it by his two sons Edward and Thomas saying The King of England should not be imprisoned in his Kingdome while either he had an Estate to set up a Ship or a son to command it In three weeks did he settle the North against the Invasions of James the fourth now inclining to the French and in a fortnight did he raise 40000 l. to pay the Army now ready to mutiny insomuch that when King James denounced War against King Henry he said He had an Earl in the North that would secure his Kingdome as he did with much resolution prudence and success at Flodden-Field where he saw a King at his feet and a whole Kingdome at his mercy where he was forced to fight so barren the Country where yet he pitched upon the most advantagious place and time so great his Command of himself and so noble his Conduct He sends Rouge
Croix to the Scotch King to tell him That though he saw no Enemy at Sea he hoped to finde some upon the Land That he came to justifie Bretons death which it was as much below a King to revenge as it was below a Privy Counsellour to have deserved That he expected as little mercy as he intended his sword being commissioned to spare none but the King whom no hand must touch To this Defiance he added a Caution to the Herauld That he should bring no messenger from the Enemy nearer then two miles of the Camp So well were the Scots incamped that when neither Arguments nor Stratagems would draw them out the Earl cuts off their provision there and under the covert of a smoak got the Earl under the hill and under another of mist got they atop The Scots played the men until Stanley and Darcy did more then men and the old mans Reserve concluded the doubtful day in so compleat a Conquest as brought 12000 Arms 16 Cannons 4000 Prisoners and a Peace to the English Borders Upon which the General retires to those more necessary exercises of Justice and Government until his Masters return When all his Services advanced him at that time when it was a Maxime of State That Honours are the Lustre and Security of Crowns to his Fathers Dukedom of Norfolk as his Sons Merits promoted him to his of the Earldom of Surrey The Kings Coffers decay and his Occasions grow The old man retires to his Country-house having enjoyed his Honour Thirty years to enjoy Himself Three One of his last Undertakings being the appeasing of the London-Tumult May 1. 1517. when he left this behind him A potent and wanton City is a shrewd Enemy Observations on the Life of Sir William Compton HE was chief Gentleman of the Bedchamber to Henry the Eighth and next to the chief in the affections of the same Prince If his spirit had been as even with his favour as his favour was with his Merits he had been the most useful as well as the most eminent man in England but he was too narrow for his Fortune and more attentive to his private advantage then to the publick affairs This Saying is at once his History and Monument Kings must hear all but believe onely one for none can give a solid advice but he that knoweth all and he must not be every body As to the affairs of Europe Sir William was cleerly for the League against France as an opportunity to regain our Right in France and strengthen our Interest in the Church and the Empire My Lord Darcy was against it because France was too hard for us before it swallowed up our a Confederates and much more since advising some more noble attempts for our just Empire upon the Indies The young King is for a War with France as an Engagement upon the Pope to advance England above all other Kingdoms and declares himself as much Sir William's in opinion as he was his in affection This Gentleman had a deep insight in any thing he undertook because he had a great patience to consider an advantageous slowness to recollect a strong memory to grasp and an indifferent temper to judge but when a matter exceeded his capacity or out-reached his sphere and orb he had either a peremptory and great word to urge it or a sleight to wave it or a subtlety to perplex it that his amazed fellow-Commissioners should as little unstand it or a countenance and gesture to overbear it However in general he was close and reserved he had need go softly that cannot well see leaving himself without observation or hold to be taken what he was He studied the Kings nature rather then his business and humoured rather then advised him The referring of all to a man becomes a Prince whose self is not himself but the community their good and evil being as my Lord Bacon writes at the peril of a publick fortune but not a subject whose private advantage may be a publick ruine not a Favourite whose benefit by that selfishness may be narrow as his own Fortune but the hurt done by it is as large as his Master who must needs be undone when his servants study to please Him and to profit Themselves Observations on the Life of Sir Henry Marney SIr Henry Marney was one of young Henry's first Council who loved his Person well and his Prosperity better and impartially advised him for his good and modestly contested with him against his harm that Council that was hand as well as head and could perform as well as advise This was the searching Judgement that discovered Buonviso the Lucchess his Letters to the French King betraying our designs as soon as thought on and instructing him for prevention before our King was ready for the attempt Industry and Thrift over-rules Princes This Personage had no time to transcribe Intelligence but what he borrowed from his sleep nor money to buy it but what he saved out of his allowance yet he understood more then any one Prince in Europe and was more consulted then any one Statesman His Judgement was much valued his Integrity more ever offering what was solidly safe rather then what was superficially plausible as one who was a stranger to the wisdom of the latter Age as Sir Francis Bacon describes it which is rather fine Deliveries and shifts from Inconveniences then solid and grounded courses for advantage His foresight was large and his spirit larger he considered all Circumstances that occurre◠to him judged what he considered and spo 〈…〉 what he judged with that resolution as to his opinion that argued he understood the matter in question with that modesty as to his Superiours th 〈…〉 shewed he understood himself Observations on the Life of Sir Edward Poynings SIr Edward Poynings was the third of eighteen Counsellours bequeathed by Henry the V 〈…〉 to his Son with his Kingdom a Pri 〈…〉 Council wherein there was not one Lawyer an◠a Cabal that never condescended for advice to an◠below themselves or for performance of any of their Decrees to any besides themselves being a compleat Body of active and knowing men in their own Orb. Who more prudent then Surrey who more resolved then Poynings whose Vigilancy made him Master of the Cincue Ports as his Valour advanced him General of the Low-Countrey Forces whom he led on to several services with success and brought off with the loss of not above an hundred men with Honour from the Lady Margaret and Applause from the whole Countrey No less happy was he in his Government of Tournay until the Council at home now grown thin by the secession of Warbam Fox and Norfolk had more need of him then Garisons abroad Vainly is that spirit penned within a City that was equal to a Kingdom It is the unhappiness of other Monarchies that they have not Men answerable to their Employments it was the unhappiness of this that it had not Employment suitable to
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
us to treat with the World about either discreetly to our happiness or weakly to our ruine It hath repented men that they have spoken at all times it repented none to have been silent in King Henry's when there was no security but to the Reserved and the Pliable Observations on the Life of Sir Anthony Brown HE was always one of the Council to King Henry at home and of his Commissioners abroad no Treaty passing without his presence no Negotiation without his advice the first carrying as much Majesty with it as the second did Authority the Court having bred the one to a noble Mein as Experience had done the other to an Oracle Experience I say whereby he saw more as Alexander boasted with his eye then others comprehended in their thoughts that being knowledge in him that was but conjecture in others He was the best Compound in the World a learned an honest and a travelled man a good Nature a large Soul and a settled Minde made up of Notes and Observations upon the most material points of State he could learn at Courts of Religion among the Clergy of Discipline among Souldiers of Trade among Merchants or of the situation interest avenues and strong holds by his own eyes It 's a pleasure to stand upon the shore and to see ships tost upon the sea it 's pleasure to stand in the window of a Castle and to see a Battel with the adventures thereof below but no pleasure is comparable to the standing upon the Vantground of Truth An Hi 〈…〉 saith my Noble Author not to be commanded and where the air is always clear and serene and to see the Errors and Wandrings the Mists and Tempests in the Vale below That content is better felt then expressed that this Noble Person took in his own clear thoughts when it was Mist all round about him and King Henry cried What say Cromwel and Brown Vespasian asked Apollonius What was Nero's overthrow and he answered him Nero could tune the Hâ—rp well but in Government sometimes he wound the pins too high and sometimes he let them down too low Sir Anthony told Henry the Eighth That his Government had been more easie if he had either set it not so loose at first or not so strict at last as there was indeed no King so various as his Master no State so changeable as his Government An even temper begets aw and reverence whilst the wide extreams create either on the one hand contempt and insolence or on the other discontent and murmuring Haughty and violent Courts never bless the Owners with a settled Peace This deep man was Leiger in Rome six years and Agent in France ten A Person of great dispatch because of an orderly method and procedure which he observed to a superstition saying Time and Method are my Masters There are saith my Oracle three parts of business Preparation Debate and Perfection The middle King Henry communicated to the whole Council the first and last to few viz. to my Lord Cromwel and Sir Anthony Brown The highest matters were his care as the Interview in France 1533. the most eminent Statesmen his fellows as the Duke of Norfolke the Lord Rochfort and the Lord Paulet those Noble Persons bearing the state and he managing the business of the Embassies The wise man of Florence took care that Ferdinando of Naples Medices of Florence Sforza of Millain should gain nothing of one another to the great security of Italy Sir Anthony watched our Neighbours Conquests Trade Approaches c. so closely that none of those Potentates Charles the Fifth or King Francis could win a spot of Ground but his Master would balance it and so secure Europe The Interviews between Princes he disallowed yet to satisfie his Master he provided for that in France so sumptuously as one that understood the formality of a Pageant was a real advantage to a Government whose Interest is as much to gain a reputation by pomp and shew as support a welfare by prudence and strength others apprehension of our greatness contributing as much to our welfare as our welfare it self Opinion governs the World Princes with their Majesty may be oft envied and hated without it they are always scorned and contemned Circumstances are often more then the main and shadows are not always shadows Outward Esteem to a great Person is as skin to Fruit which though a thin cover preserveth it King Henry's Person and State did England more Right in a Year then his Predecessors Arms in an Age while they onely impressed a resolution in the Neighbours he a reverence As Princes govern the People so Reason of State the Princes Spain at that time would command the Sea to keep us from the Indies and our Religion to keep us from a Settlement France suspected our Neighbourhood and engaged Scotland the Pope undermined our Designs and obliged the French Sir Anthony at Rome in respectful terms and under Protestation that his Majesty intended no contempt of the See Apostolick or Holy Church intimated his Masters Appeal to the next General Council lawfully assembled exhibiting also the Authentick Instruments of the same and the Archbishop of Canterbury's at the Consistory where though the Pope made forty French Cardinals yet our Agent and his money made twelve English and taught Francis to assume the power of disposing Monasteries and Benefices as King Henry had done advising him to inform his Subjects clearly of his proceedings and unite with the Princes of the Reformation taking his Parliament and People along with him and by their advice cutting off the Appeals to and Revenues of Rome by visitations c. with a Praemunire together with the Oath of Supremacy and the publication of the prohibited Degrees of Marriage He added in his Expresses That his Majesty should by disguised Envoys divide between the Princes and the Empire The next sight we have of him is in Scotland the French Kings passage to England as he calls it Where in joynt Commission with the Earl of Southampton and the Bishop of Durham he with his variety of Instructions gained time until the French King was embroyled at home the season of Action was over there and the Duke of Norfolk ready to force that with a War which could not be gained by Treaty Fortune is like the Market where many times if you can stay a little the Price will fall The ripeness and unripeness of the Occasion must be well weighed Watch the beginning of an Action and then speed Two things make a compleat Polititian Secresie in Counsel and Celerity in Execution But our Knights Prudence was not a heavy Wariness or a dull caution as appears by his preferment at Court where he is Master of the Horse and his service in the North where he and the Comptroller Sir Anthony Gage are in the head of 10000 men In both these places his excellence was more in chusing his Officers and Followers then in acting himself His servants were modest
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
rather copious then eloquent yet ever tending to the point Briefly if it be true as Polydore observes that no man ever did rise with fewer vertues it is true that few that ever fell from so high a place had lesser crimes objected against him Though yet Polydore for being at his first coming into England committed to Prison by him as we have said may be suspected as a partial Author So that in all probability he might have subsisted longer when either his pride and immense wealth had not made him obnoxious and suspected to the King or that other than Women had opposed him Who as they are vigilant and close Enemies so for the most part they carry their businesses in that manner as they leave fewer advantages against themselves then men do In conclusion As 〈…〉 cannot assent to those who thought him happy for enjoying the untimely compassion of the People 〈…〉 little before his end so I cannot but account it 〈…〉 principal Felicity that during his favour with the King all things succeeded better then afterwards though yet it may be doubted whether the Impressions he gave did not occasion dives Irregularities which were observed to follow The Lord Herbert's Character of Cromwel in his Life of Henry the Eighth pag. 462. AND to this end came Cromwel whâ— from being but a Blacksmiths Son found means to travel into forraign Countries to learn their Languages and to see the Wars being a Souldier of Bourbon at the sacking of Rome whence returning he was received into Cardinal Wolsey ' s service To whom he so approued himself by his fidelity and diligence that the King after his fall voluntarily took him for his servant in which place he became a special Instrument for dissolving the Abbeys and other Religious Houses and keeping down the Clergy whom in regard of their Oath to the Pope he usually termed the Kings half Subjects And for expelling the Monks he said it was no more then a restoring them to the first Institution of being lay and labouring persons Neither did 〈…〉 t move him that so much strictness and austerity of Life was enjoyned them in their several Orders since he said they might keep it in any condition But as these Reasons again were not admitted by divers learned and able Persons so he got him many Enemies who at last procured his fall but not before he had obtained successively the Dignities of Master of the Rolls Baron Lord Privy Seal Vicegerent to the King in Spiritualiâ—ies Knight of the Garter Earl of Essex Great Chamberlane of England c. He was much noted in the exercises of his Places of Judicature â—o have used much Moderation and in his greatest pomp to have taken notice and been thankful to mean persons of his old acquaintance and wherein had a Vertue which his Master the Cardinal wanted As for his other descriptions I leave them to be taken out of Cranmers Letter formerly mentioned with some deduction For it seems written to the King in more then Ordinary Favour of his entient Service Archbishop Cranmer's Character of Cromwel in a Letter to King Henry the Eighth WHo cannot be sorrowful and amazed that he should be a Traytor against your Majesty He that was so advanced by your Majesty He whose Surety was onely by your Majesty He who loved your Majest as I ever thought no less then God He who stadied always to set forwards whatsoever was you Majesties will and pleasure He that cared for 〈…〉 mans á spleasure to serve your Majesty He the was such a Servant in my judgement in wisdom diligence faithfulness experience as no Prine in this Realm ever had He that was so vigilant 〈◊〉 preserve your Majesty from all Treasons that f 〈…〉 could be so secretly conceived but he detected the same in the beginning If the Noble Princes of memory King John Henry II. and Richard Ilâ— had had such a Counsellour about them I supposed they should never have been so Traiterously abandoned and overthrown as those good Princes were After which he says again I loved him as my Friend for so I took him to be but I chiefly loved him for the love which I thought I saw him bear ever towards your Grace singularly above all other But now if he be a Traitor I am sorry that ever I loved him or trusted him and I am very glad that his Treason is discovered in time But yet egain I am very sorrowful for who shall your Grace trust hereafter if you might not trust him Alas I bewail and lament your Graces chance herein I wot not whom your Grace may trust But I pray God continually night and day to send such a Counsellour in his place whom your Grace may trust and who for all his Qualities can and will serve your Grace like to him and that will have so much sollicitude and care to preserve your Grace from all dangers as I ever thought he had The End of the Observations upon the Lives of the Statesmen and Favourites of England in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth THE STATES-MEN and FAVOURITES OF ENGLAND IN The Reign of King Edward the VI. Observations on the Lives of the Seymours EDward Seymour and Thomas Seymour both sons of Sir John Seymour of Wolful in Wiltshire I joyn them together because whilst they were united in affection they were invincible but when divided easily overthrown by their enemies EDward Duke of Somerset Lord Protector and Treasurer of England being the elder THomas Seymour the younger brother was made Baron of Sudley brother succeeded to a fair Paternal inheritance He was a valiant Souldier for Land-service fortunate and generally beloved by Martial men He was of an open nature free from jealousie and dissembling affable to all people He married Anne Daughter to Sir Edward Stanhop a Lady of a high minde and haughty undaunted spirit and by Offices and the favours of his Nephew King Edward the sixth obtained a great Estate He was well experienced in Sea-affairs and made Lord Admiral of England He lay at a close posture being of a reserved nature and more cunning in his carriage He married Queen Katherine Parr the Widow of King Henry 8. Very great the Animosities betwixt their Wives the Dutchess refusing to bear the Queens Train and in effect justled with her for precedence so that what betwixt the Train of the Queen and long Gown of the Dutchess they raised so much dust at the Court as at last put out the eyes of both their Husbands and occasioned their Executions Their Sisters Beauty commended them to the Kings favours but a frail support that which is as lasting onely as a Phancy and onely as certain as Passion therefore their Parts recommended them to his service Affection shall lead me to Court but I 'll take care that Interest keeps me there Sir Edward Seymours temper suited with the Kings Inclinations and his spirit with his times both high both stirring In the throng of Courtiers
there are but three steps to raise a man to observation 1. Some peculiar sufficiency 2. Some particular exploit and 3. An especial Friend This Noble Person shewed the first with advantage in that draught of Military Discipline presented to Henry the eighth wherein the embattling is most remarkable viz. Twenty two compleat Companies make up four Squadrons every Squadron of Pikes and Musquets being drawn up apart the Pikes and Colours on the left hand and the Musqueteers on the right These Squadrons make-up a Brigade to be drawn up as followeth viz. Ten Corporalships of Musqueteers being 34 Rots divided into five Plattons every Platton being nine or so in front led by a Major and even division by a sufficient Commander Next after these 36 Rats of Pikes are to follow being twelve Corporalships with their Colours following them till they are drawn up even in from with the 32 Rots of Musqueteers This make the Right Wing of the Brigade 2. The Batter of Pikes moveth forwards in division doing in a◠respects as the former till they range even in front with the Pikes of the Right Wing Then the other 32 Rots of Musqueteers belonging to the middle Squadron who are appointed to make the Battel of the Brigade are led up as the first Musqueteers in all points but at a reasonable distance behind the Pikes of their own Squadrons Then the last Squadron of Pikes marcheth up in all respects observing the same order until they have attained to range in front even with other Pikes This being done the Battel or middle Squadron of Pikes and Musquets advanceth in one body until it 's clear of the Wings Lastly the Surplus of the three Squadrons being 48 Rots of Musqueteers are drawn up behind the Brigade where they are to attend the Commands of their Officers to guard the Baggage or Cannon to be Convoys for Ammunition or Victuals to the rest or continue a reserve to wait upon all occasions 2. Eminent was his ability for this Draught more eminent for his performance agreeable to it in Bretaign where he sate before a Town six weeks to no purpose while it expected relief from Italy but at last he insinuates a jealousie between the Pope and the French King touching that City that obstructed all relief He with as much speed as policy sets upon the two main Sconces for defence of the Town and took them both battering the Town and Castle with that violence and noise that they say it was heard 100 miles off A Train of Powder is laid to blow them up when they should enter but this succeeded not for the French in passing the Ditch had so wet their cloaths that dropping upon the Train the Powder would not take fire and so all things conspiring to crown his Valour with success he takes the Castle first and then dividing the Town and weakning it by several assaults at once brought it to his own terms Here his Valour had been eminent but that his Conduct was more and his Conduct renowned but that his nobleness towards the Conquerour his civility and obligingness towards the Souldiery and his integrity towards all persons had out-done that There are but two things that a subject can honestly oblige his Prince in 1. Keeping his subjects in peace at home 2. Keeping his enemies under abroad 1. Those soft but prudent Acts of Peace 2. Those resolved but well-managed ways of War Sir Thomas wanted neither a resolution for the one nor a temper for the other But sufficiency and merits are neglected things when not befriended Princes are too reserved to be taken with the first appearances of worth unless recommended by tryed judgements it 's fit as well as common that they have their Counsellours for persons as well as things his Sister therefore was married on Whitsunday and he is on the Tuesday following created Viscount Beauchamp But ne 〈…〉 year his Nephew is born the hope and stay of his Majesty and his Realms and he is made Earl 〈◊〉 Hertford King Henry understanding that the Pope upon his own and Cardinal Pool's account stirred up all the Princes of Europe against him as a provident Prince rode himself to the Sea-coasts to see then fortified Admiral Fitz-Williams is old Sir Thomas Seymour assists him to rig the Navy to be in rediness in six days time Sir Edward is to muster the Land-forces and particularly the City of London where were 15000 Armed men ready May 8. in St. Jameses at which place the City seemed 〈◊〉 Camp and the Citizens men not of the Gown but of the Armour Great this Lords interest in and respect with the people as great his brothers with the Sea-men the Multitude would leave all for their good Lord of Hertford and the Sea-men would die with their noble Lord Seymour When the King of Scots had deluded King Henry in his correspondencies with France beyond all patience and had been forborn beyond all safety or prudence Sir Edward Seymour is first sent to treat and then to sight which he did with that success that 300 of his men and a stratagem to possess the Scots with an apprehension that the whole English Army was upon them took and killed 30000 Scots had more prisoners then they could keep more booty then they could dispose of and adding this to their Victory That they broke the Kings heart There was no end to be expected of a War with Seotland but by marrying that Kings Daughter to our Soveraigns Son This Match was my Lord Seymour's interest as well as the Kings his prudence and experience is therefore employed first to perswade it and when that would not do so great and so cross the Papal power there by Cardinal Betons means his Valour and Resolution is sent with 10000 to compel it in order whereunto May 4. landing at Granther Gray he marcheth in order towards Leith which after a defeat given the Cardinal the Earls of Arran Huntley c. by his Harquebusiers they entred and thence proceeded to Edinburgh my Lord Dudley leading the Front our Earl the Battle and the Earl of Shrewsbury the Rereward there the Keys are offered them upon conditions which they refusing and so making the Enemy desperate who resolveth rather to perish nobly then be undone by submission the Town holds out and they are able to do no more with some considerable loss then burn the suburbs waste the Country to an utter desolation for seven miles compass demolish Leith Dunbar c. take all their Ships and Ammunition returning to Berwick with the loss onely of 14 men Two things he was eminent for 1. His Advice that not the least Punctilio of the Law should be neglected whereupon the Earl of Surrey and other Nobility were imprisoned for eating Flesh in Lent A secret and unobserved contempt of the Law is a close undermining of Authority which must be either its self in indulging nothing or be nothing in allowing all Liberty knows no restraint no limit when winked at
calling the City and the Kingdome to their assistance by a Proclamation The Protector fleeth with the King and a Guard to Hampton-Court the City sometimes resolved to assist the Lords out of malice to the Protector sometimes to forbear out of such consideration of its many misfortunes in opposing Kings set forth not with more Integrity by George Stadlow then Eloquence and Life by John Ayliffe They delay Sir Anthony Wingfield Captain of the Guard perswardes the King of the Lords moderation and and Loyalty the Duke is to answer for himself the Laywers charge him with removing Westminster-hall to Somerset-house where he kept a Court of Requests and determined Title of Lands the Souldiers with the detaining of their pay and betraying our-French Garisons the States-men with the engrossing of all Authority The Earl of Warwick vigilantly but closely manageth all discontents to his designe with this great advantage that he was subtle close and implacable while the other was free-spirited open-hearted humble hard to distrust easie to forgive His friend the Lord Russel is absent he is first tryed and acquitted but with the loss of his Protectorship Treasurership Marshalship and 2000 l. of Land more But Warwick's designe for the Crown ripening and Somerset being the most eminent obstruction in his way having weakned before he ruines him now he chargeth him with Treason to make a noise and with Felony to do execution the Council is packed he looseth his life for a small crime and that on a nice point subtilly devised and packed by his enemies forgetting to ask the benefit of the Clergy that had saved it This Person as Mr. Fuller charactereth him was religious himself a lover of all such as were so and a great promoter of the Reformation Valiant and successful generally beloved by Souldiers envied by States-men though the most conscientious of them all doing nothing irregularly but in complyance with the necessities of Government open to dangers as one that could not be jealous better to act then designe to perform then plot When he was discharged of Treason there was so loud a shout in Westminster-hall as was heard to Long-acre when condemned of Felony there was a silence and amazement for three hours Beheaded he was on Tower-hill with no less praise for his piety and patience then pity and grief of the spectators His Death was attended with many signes and wonders and his Name with an indelible character his house being called Somerset-house to this day though solemnly proclaimed by King James Denmark-house because inhabited by the King of Denmark and his Sister Surely saith my Author this Duke was well beloved since his Name made such indelible impression on 〈…〉 house whereof he was not five years in possession Death hath this also That it openeth the Gate 〈◊〉 good Fame and extinguisheth Envy Philip asked Demetrius if he did not fear to lose his head He answered No for if he did the Athenians would give him one immortal He should be statued in the Temple of Eternal Fame Nil non Mortale tenemus Pectoris exceptis ingeniique bonis En ego cum Patria caream vobisque domoque Raptaque sint adimi quae potuere mibi Virtute attamen ipse mea comitorque fruorque Caesar in hoc potuit juris habere nibil Quilibet hanc saevo vitam mihi finiat ense Mâ— tamen extincto fama perennis erit All that we hold will die But our brave Thoughts and Ingenuity Even I that want my Country House and Friend From whom is ravished all that Fate can rend Possess yet my own Genius and enjoy That which is more then Caesar can destroy Each Groom may kill me but whensoe'er I die My Fame shall live to mate eternity Brave men never die Worth begets in weak and â—ase minds Envy in the Magnanimous Emulation in Posterity Renown A Renown that is as the beams about the Sun or the glory about an holy picture that shews it to be a Saint though it be no essential part it riseth from the body of that Vertue which cannot chuse but shine and give a light through all the clouds of errour and destruction And though sometimes the mists and vapours of the lower earth impede the light it gives yet there will be apparent Rays that shew there is Desert unseen which yeilds those â—leams of brightness to the whole Horizon that it moves and shines in which survive to a glorious kind of immortality when the Good Man is dead and gone a Good Name being the embalming of the Vertuous to an eternity of love and gratitude among posterity For my own Honour saith the Royal Martyr I am well assured that as mine Innocence is clear before God in point of any calumnies they object so my Reputation shall like the Sun after Owls and Bats have had their freedome in the night rise and recover its self to such a degree of splendour as those feral birds shall be grieved to behold nd unable to bear Observations on the Lives of the Pars. SIr William Par Uncle and Lord Chamberlain to Queen Katharine Par was by King Henry the Eighth created Baron Par of Horton he left two Daughters onely married into the Families of Tressam and Lane His Relation called him to Court but his Age forbid him the pleasures and his own Reservedness the freedom of that place before which he preferred the pious peaceable and hospitable way of the Countrey where Popularity affected him more then he affected it No man being more beloved by the vulgar no man less in love with them It being his Observation 〈…〉 ther then his Countrey-man Sir gue's saying That if you do the common sort of people nineteen courtesies together yet you may lose th 〈…〉 love if you go but over the stile before them His Cousin Sir William was brought by his Sister to Court and advanced by his Brother to Honour being for his Majesties sake as well as his own made Lord Far of Kendal Earl of Essex by King Henry the Eighth and Marquess of Northampton by King Edward Queen Mary deprived him of his Estate and Honour for siding with the Lady Jane and Queen Elizabeth restored him to both for favouring the Protestant Religion His Delight was Musick and Poetry and his Exercise War being a happy composure of the hardest and softest Discipline equally made for Court and Camp for Delight or Horrour But his skill in the Field answered not his industry nor his success his skill Yet King Edward called him His Honest Uncle and King Henry His Integrity The whole Family was made by a Marriage but died Issueless The common Rule of Favourites is to bring in all their Relations about them to adorn and support them but this Marquess would say A wall that hath a firm Bottom had need of no Buttress and that which wants it is often rather thrust down then upheld by it The Antiquaries crouch as though they upheld the Church when they are
Charity Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Wentworth SIr Tho. Wentworth of Nettlested in Suffolk so a younger Family confessed by the Crescent in his Coat descended from the Wentworths of Wentworth-wood-house in York-shire and was created Baron Wentworth by King Henry 8. He was a stout and valiant Gentleman a cordial Protestant and his Family a Sanctuary of such Professors John Bale comparing him to the good Centurion in the Gospel and gratefully acknowledging him the cause of his conversion from a Carmelite The memory of this good Lord is much but unjustly blemished because Calis was lost the last of Queen Mary under his Government The manner was huddled up in our Chronicles least is best of bad business whereof this is the effect The English being secure by reason of the last Conquest at St. Quintin and the Duke of Guise having notice thereof he sate down before the Town at the time not when Kings go forth to but return from battle of mid-winter even upon New-years-day Next day he took the two Forts of Risebank and Newman-bridge wherein the strength of the City consisted but whether they were undermined or undermoneyed it is not decided and the last left most suspitious Within three days the Castle of Calis which commanded the City and was under the command of Sir Ralph Chamberlain was taken the French wading through the Ditches made shallower by their artificial cut and then entring the Town were repulsed back by Sir Anthony Ager Marshal of Calis the onely man saith Stow who was killed in the fight understand him of note others for the credit of the business accounting fourscore lost in that service The French re-entring the City the next day being Twelfth-day the Lord Wentworth Deputy thereof made but vain resistance which alas was like the wrigling of a Worms tayl after the head thereof is cut off so that he was forced to take what terms he could get viz. That the Towns-men should depart though plundered to a Groat with their lives and himself with 49 more such as the Duke of Guise should chuse should remain prisoners to be put to ransome This was the best news brought to Paris and worst to London for many years before It not onely abated the Queens chear the remnant of Christmas but her mirth all the days of her life Yet might she thank her self for loosing this Key of France because she hung it by her side with so slender a string there being but five hundred Souldiers effectually in the Garison too few to manage such a piece of importance The Lord Wentworth the second of June following was solemnly condemned for Treason though unheard as absent in France which was not onely against Christian charity but Roman justice Festus confessing it was not fashionable amongst them to deliver any man to die before he which is accused have the accusers face to face and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him It was well for this Lord that he was detained in France till his ransome was paid and Queen Mary dead who otherwise probably had lost his life if he had had his liberty But Queen Elizabeth coming to the Crown he found the favour or rather had the justice to be tryed again and was acquitted by his Peers finding it no treachery cowardise or carelessness in him but in Sir John Harlston and Sir Ralph Chamberlain the one Governour of Risebank the other of Calis-Castle for which they were both condemned to die though their judgement was remitted This Lord was the onely person I have read of who thus in a manner played Rubbers when his head lay at stake and having lost the fore recovered the after-game He died a very aged man 1594. Thus far Mr. Fuller Two ways a Courtier advanceth himself the first that more leisurely slow though sure of watching Offices Preferments and Dignities that may by steps bring them to the Kings presence The second that more quick and short but most practised of following the Court for such extraordinary Commissions and particular services to the Empire as may without the danger of delays that must be fatal amidst so many Competitors recommend him to his favour It was below Sir Thomas his Estate to stoop to that first method it suited more with his activity to embrace the second Two usually-inconsistent qualities he had The closeness of an Agent and The Valour of a Souldier To Rome he was sent in disguise and to Treport with an Army so graceful his carriage so insinuating his affability so clear and well-weighed his discourse so searching and comprehensive his judgement so gravely Aiery so Majestically pleasant his countenance so becoming his gate and apparel so watchful his Negotiations so winning his Addresses so discreetly smart his Reparties darting a suddain lustre and vigour to the darkness and heaviness of his graver Discourses neither common nor unsavoury neither affected nor far-fetched neither abusive of others nor mis-becoming himself so discreet and well-managed his complaisance with reference to circumstances person place time matter and cause that he had Cardinal Senhault's Secretary to bring him to the Popes Closet the Emperours Agent Randolphus to introduce him to Court that he won Fryar paul to shew him the mysteries of the Church Engineer Palvino to represent the Popes Cities Towns Fortifications Havens Harbours Antiquities Seminaries Exercises Ships Treasure Armories Arsenals Magaâ—ines having always by him a Card of the Territories and the Popes Bedchamber-man to shew him all the Papers and Transactions that concerned Henry the eighth So well experienced his Conduct so well disciplined his Army so watchful and industrious his Nature so good his pay though he pawned as once in Normandy his own Estate to satisfie his Souldiers so noble his rewards of valour and service it being his rule That every man should enjoy as much as he could conquer so prevalent his example that he did more with 2000 men in three moneths then the Duke of Suffolk had done with 8000 in three years The Duncery and idleness of the Monks in his time as he writes himself made Erasmus a Student the sloth and carelesness of Commanders in Sir Thomas his time made him a Souldier Edward the third of England having sent to France to demand the Crown by Maternal Right the Council there sent him word That the Crowe of France was not tied to a Distaff To which he replyed That then be would tie it to his Sword Sir Thomas Wentworth demanding Normandy in right of the Dukes thereof Kings of England was told That Dukedomes were never given away in France by the Wills of the Dead Nay then replyed he we will have them against the Wills of the Living It 's written of our Henry the fifth that he had something of Caesar in him which Alexander the Great had not That he would not be Drunk and something of Alexander the Great which Caes 〈…〉 had not That he would not be Flattered Sir Th
〈…〉 was had both their Vertues none of their Vices Non tam extra Vitia quam cum summis Virtutibu 〈…〉 Though he could not avoid misfortune and p 〈…〉 sper yet he could yeild to it and retire that 〈◊〉 perienced File that could not withstand the enemi 〈…〉 shot could fall down and escape it Privacy at once secured and supported this unfortunate Gentleman It is much to know how to lead and bring on successfully it 's more to retreat and come off handsomely and give over a bad game Since he heard ill I hear no more of him but this One being designed an Agent waited upon this knowing and experienced Lord for some Directions for his conduct and carriage he delivereth himself saith my Author thus To secure your self and serve your Country you must at all times and upon all occasions speak truth for as he added you will never be believed and by this means your truth will secure your self if you be questioned and put those you deal with who will still hunt counter to a loss in all their disquisitions and undertakings Observations on the Life of Sir Clement Paston SIr Clement Paston was a Souldier and a Souldiers Son Valour running in the Blood for three Generations and maturated by Noble and Heroick Actions for Glory and Success Designed he was by his Friends for the Gown but by his own Nature for Armour Born for Action rather then Contemplation When his Father asked him what he would desire of him he desired a Horse and a Sword He was tried in the King of France his service in Henry the Seventh's time for his overthrow in Henry the Eighths He was the first that made the English Navy terrible and the last that made our Army so He took the Admiral of France and saved him of England 30000 Crowns he received by way of Ransome from the first and 1000 l. by way of Gratitude from the other A Cup he would shew that the first gave him every Holy-day and a Ring of the seconds every Christmas Two Kings made use of his Person and two Queens of his counsel which he gave even on his death-Bed His advice was short but resolute his words few but pertinent his discourse commanding and Souldier-like his word the Decr 〈…〉 of the Medes King Henry the Eighth called him His Champion the Protector in Edward the Sixth time His Souldier Queen Mary Her Seamanâ— and Queen Elizabeth Her Father When W 〈…〉 was overthrown he would deliver himself up to Gentleman and therefore onely to Sir Clement P 〈…〉 ston The two great Interests of Souldiers is Pay and Honour He mortgaged his Estate twice to satisfie them for the one and pawn'd his Credit 〈◊〉 Court often to encourage them for the other getting his Commanders always power and authority enough to do their Masters business but never enough to do their own There being always a contest between the Po 〈…〉 lacy and the Souldiers whom nothing reco 〈…〉 ciles but downright force and necessity it Waâ— death to his Followers to be irregular because one of their miscarriages exasperates a million and d 〈…〉 stastes a Kingdom so necessary is a strict Discip 〈…〉 in the Camp and an impartial Justice in the Countrey Outward occasions help fortune a mans own temper makes it when there be as my Lord Ba 〈…〉 writes no stops or restiveness in a mans minde but that the wheels of that keeps even with those of fortune Sir Clement and Cato Major were both of 〈◊〉 make both having tantum robur corporis ani 〈…〉 ut quocunque loco nati esset fortunam sibi facturi videbantur Observations on the Life of the Lord Rich. HE must needs be preferred who was so richly descended and nobly allied as to shew at Court upon his first appearance sixty Noblemen and Knights of his Relation and a hundred and fifty thousand pound a year revenue among his Friends He was more beholding to the Temple for his Law then to the Universities for his Learning His severe and active Nature aspiring above the pedantiqueness of a Scholar to the usefulness of a Statesman I could never endure saith he those studies that furnish me onely with unactive thoughts and useless discourse that teach me onely to think and speak His staid and solid parts commended him to Cromwel and Cromwel recommended him to King Henry the Eighth He was Solicitor-General to His Majesty and Steward to his Master Cromwel was the Mawl and Rich the Hammer of Abbeys He laid open to the Monks their faults and his Master made use of it to force them to a surrendry For as he said when those religious Societies saw they had faults enough discovered to take away their Lands they had wit enough to give them up His Counsels overthrew Popery and his Deposition cut off Sir Thomas More for being sent to Sir Thomas after much discourse with him he asked him this subtle Question Whether be would acknowledge the King supreme Head if it were enjoyned by an Act of Parliament Sir Thomas asked him 〈◊〉 again If the Parliament enacted that God should 〈◊〉 be Lord whether he should consent to it And those words undid him He saw that the Protestant Religion was the interest of England as well as the Doctrine of Scripture and therefore he carried it on in point of policy as Archbishop Cranmer diâ— in point of conscience King Henry the eighth admired his distinct reasoning and stayed judgement and Queen Anne Bullen was taken with his grace 〈…〉 cloquence and ingenious discourses In the morning his plyant soul that could answer all the turnings and windings of business was as reserved and solid as that of a demure States-man in the evening as cheerful and merry as that of a Debona 〈…〉 Courtier He was the wisdome of the Court in the Presence and its wit in the Closet its Oracle there and its pleasure here King Henry the eighth made him one of his Lâ—gators and King Edward the sixth one of his Council Under him he carried on the Protestant Religion in point of conscience which others managed in point of interest He designed the degrees of the Reformation and he set out its method then whom none more zealous in things necessary none more moderate in things indifferent Active he was but wary stirring but cautious To him the Reformers resorted in point of Law as to Cranmer and Ridley in point of Religion Such his Prudence that the Protector made him his Friend such his Integrity that the King made him Chancellour where his Decrees were just his Dispatches quick his Judgements speedy his Sums of Debates full and satisfactory his Sentences irreversible his Assistants in the Rolls and other Courts able and honest None more complyant to Reason none more stiff in things against Reason He would do any thing for King Edward the sixth's interest nothing for Duke Dudley's ambition therefore he observing the course of Affairs would rather resigne his Place then his
as too much power to be trusted for a mortal man within the known Limits of Law that so Subjects may be at a certainty how to square their Loyalty and Obedience He always upheld that Prerogative saying That the discretion of the Scepter as Guardian for the general good of the Commonwealth must be trusted against all Emergencies with the management of its own might concluding always thus Submission is our Duty and Confidence our Prudence Bishop Bancroft of Oxford said in King Charles the first his time Eâ—â—empore occubui quo mallem Episcopatus rationem coram Deo dare quam Episcopatum coram bominibus exercere Judge Stamford said in Q. Mary's time In quae reservamur tempora det Deus ut Magistratus rationem coram eo reddam potius quam Magistratum coram hominibus exerceam His Book containeth two parts One of The Pleas of the Crown the other of The Kings Prerogative In him saith Mr. Fulbeck there is force and weight and no common kinde of stile in matter very few have gone beyond him in method none have overtaken him in the order of his writing he is smooth yet sharp pleasant yet grave and surely his method may be a Law to the Writers that succeed him Observations on the Life of Sir John Jeffrey SIr Iohn Ieffrey was born in Sussex where he left behind him a fair Estate to his Daughter He so profited in the Study of our Municipal Law that he was preferred secondary Judge of the Common Pleas and thence advanced by Queen Elizabeth in Michaelmas-Term the nineteenth of her Reign to be Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer which place he discharged for the Term of two years to his great commendation He le 〈…〉 one Daughter and Heir married to Sir Edward Montague since Baron of Boughton by whom he had but one Daughter Elizabeth married to Robert Barty Earl of Lindsey Mother to the truly honourable Montague Earl of Lindsey and Lord great Chamberlain of England This worthy Judge died in the 21 of Queen Elizabeth This was he who was called the Plodding Student whose industry perfected Nature and was perfected by experience He read not to argue onely for that is vanity nor to believe and trust for that is easiness nor to discourse for that is idle but to weigh and consider for that is prudence He had his Studies for pleasure and privacy for ornament and converse and for judgement and business To spend too much time on his Book was sloth to talk by Book was affected and to act by it was humoursome and Scholar-like Four things he would say helped him 1. His Inclination It 's a great happiness to a man saith Aristotle when his Calling is one of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of those things that agree with his nature 2. Method 3. Religion with that just and composed mind that attends it 4. A great happiness in all the four faculties that make a Lawyer 1. A sharp invention and clear apprehension to search all the circumstances of a case propounded 2. Judgement to examine and weigh the particulars invented and apprehended for truth lieth in things as Gold in Mines 3. Memory to retain what is judged and examined 4. A prompt and ready delivery of what is conceived and retained set out with ingenuity and gravity Oratio praesta non audax What he said was close and pinching and not confident and earnest allowing passion not to disturb either the method or delivery of his discourse but to quicken it To speak well and much he said was not the work of one man yet if a Philosopher be eloquent said Cicero we must not despise him if he be not he must not affect it so that he can comprehend in words what he conceiveth and speak them plainly that he may be understood His Latine and French were Grammatical his Rhetorick Natural his Logick Reason The first opened the terms the second pressed the vigour the last collected and disposed of the Axiomes Grounds and Rules of the Law and all prepared him for that comprehensive Profession in the ashes whereof the sparks of all other Sciences were raked up His gesture and habit was grave but not affected speaking as much to the eye as his tongue did to the ear the gesture being a great discoverer of the constitution and a great direction to business what a man misseth in the speech he may sometimes find in the looks His temper was moderate and sober a Vertue and a seasoning of all others attended with the Lawyers gift and that is Patience Modest he was but not fondly bashful his prudence and not his softness His humility begat affableness his affableness society that conference conference parts and they acquaintance and that practice and practice experience experience renown and that preferment Sir John's inclination was studious his minde constant solid and setled and able to dive into the whirl-pools of that intricate and perplexed Faculty his thoughts being orderly and his conceptions methodical his search comprehensive avoiding Epitomes as the banes of Learning Nullus illi per otiam dies exit partem noctium studiis vindicat non vacat semno sed succumbit oculos vigilia fatigatos cadenteque in opere detinet Considerable were the Parts he had but more so the making up of those he had not his covering of his defects being of no less importance then the valuing of good Parts which he did three ways 1. By caution ingeniously and discreetly waving and putting off things improper 2. By colour making his Defects his Vertues and his Faults his Endowments And 3. By that freedom of Spirit that daunts the weakest and prevaileth with the wisest He proposed to himself five things to enquire into in order to that compleatness he arrived unto 1. The ancient Maximes and Principles or the more ancient Customs that make up the Common Law of England 2. The Acts and Constitutions that make up its Statute-Law 3. The particular Priviledges Liberties Immunities and Usages of Counties Burroughs Cities c. that doe swerve from this Law 4. The ancient Grounds and Reasons as far as History can direct of all these our Law being an exact Reason 5. The most satisfactory explanations of the Law 1. From Commentaries as Bractons 2. Abridgements as Stathams 3. History as the years and terms of the Common Law And 4. From more particular Tracts that handled their peculiar subjects as Fortescue Glanvil Britton Fleta Littleton which he thought not unprofitable to read though dangerous to rely upon with the Lord Cooke not liking those that stuff their mindes with wandering and masterless reports For as he said they shall find them too soon to lead them to error Beginning with the terms of Art and then to the matter perusing what is antiquated and observing what is suitable to the present constitution and complexion It 's my Lord Cook 's Rule That for the most part the latter Judgements and Resolutions are the surest and therefore
fittest to season a man withal in the beginning both for settling of his Judgement and retaining them in memory yet as he goeth on out of the old fieldâ— must spring and grow the new Corn. Our Lawyers course was slow and leisurely his reading digested and deliberate His considerations wary and distrust his way to knowledge He that begins with certainties ends in doubts and he that begins with doubts ends in certainties and looketh into the bottom of things Upon serious and solid Books he bestowed a double reading the one cursorily by way of preparation and the other exact by way of digestion Three things made him a Pleader 1. Reading 2. Observation 3. Exercise And indeed in ancient times the Sergeants and Apprentices of Law did draw their own pleadings which made them good Pleaders He observed the affections the intent the analogy the validity of the Law putting all his reading to writing having the places he was most to handle in all the variety that could be with his Rules and Maximes as far as reading hearing meditation conference and memory could help him Thus his first thoughts were upon his Profession until that advanced him to the highest Eminence and his last upon his Interest until that was improved to as much fortune as lieth in a well-laid Estate and Alliance The End of the Observations upon the Lives of the Statesmen and Favourites of England in the Reign of King Edward the Sixth THE STATES-MEN and FAVOURITES OF ENGLAND IN The Reign of Queen MARY Observations on the Life of Sir William Cordel SIr William Cordel where-ever he was born had a fair Estate at Long-Melford in Suffolk and lieth buried in that fair Church under a decent Monument We will translate his Epitaph which will perfectly acquaint us with the great Offices he had and good Offices he did to Posterity Hic Gulielmus babet requiem Cordelliae avito Stemmate qui clarius clarior ingenio Hic Studiis primos consumpsit fortiter annos Mox causarum strenuus actor erat Tanta illi doctrina inerat facundia tanta Vt Parlamenta publica lingua foret Postea factus Eques Reginae arcana Mariae Consilia Fatriae grande subibat opus Factus est Custos Rotulorum urgente senecta In Christo moriens caepit ad astra viam Pauperibus largus victum vestemque ministrans In super Hospitii condidit ille domum He was made Master of the Rolls November the fifth in the fifth of Queen Mary continuing therein till the day of his death the 23 of Queen Elizabeth Eight weeks and upwards passed between the Proclaiming of Queen Mary and the first Parliament by her assembled during which time two Religions were together set on foot Protestantism and Popery the former hoping to be continued the latter labouring to be restored And as the Jews Children after the Captivity spake a middle Language betwixt Hebrew and Ashdod so during the foresaid Interim the Churches and Chappels in England had a mixt celebration of their Divine Service between Reformation and Superstition The same day there was a Mass sung for Edward the Sixth's soul in the Tower and the English Service for his Burial in Westminster No small justling was there between the zealous Promoters of these contrary Perswasions The Protestants had the Law on their side and the Papists the Prerogative These the Queens Opinion the other her Promise Besides seeing by the Fidelity of the Suffolk and Norfolk Protestant Gentry the Queen was much advantaged for the Recovery of her Right they conceived it but reason that as she by them regained the Crown so they under her should enjoy their Consciences Thus it is in the Evening Twilight wherein Light and Darkness at first may seem very equally matched but the later in a little time doth wholly prevail The Catholick canvass for the next Parliament upon the Queens credit and authority the Reformed upon the Nations Inclination The Body of the Kingdom meets and chuseth our Knight for Speaker whose temper was a Representative of the Parliament as that is of the Kingdom A temper made up of an equal mixture of Loyalty and Piety that could at once stand to their Religion and submit to their Soveraign Render to Caesar what was Caesars and to God what was Gods Long did he expect that the Queen would comply with the Parliament and as long did she stay for their compliance with her Unite they could not unanimously among themselves dissolved they are therefore peaceably by her But Cordel was too Popular to be neglected and too honest to be corrupted Useful Parts will finde Preferment even when the Dissenting Judgement findes not Favour The Speaker of the unhappily healing Parliament was made Master of the Rolls in Queen Maries days and of a more happily healing one was made so in Charles the Second's Reign The one was of that Primitive Faith that was before the Modern names of Papists and Protestants the other of a Moderation that was elder then the new Heatâ— of Disciplinarians and Anti-Disciplinarians The miscarriages of Authority are chiefly six 1. Delâ—y 2. Faction 3. Roughness 4. Corruption 5. Ambition And 6. Private Designs No delay hindered where set times of hearing were observed access was easie the order and method of business uninterrupted No corruption where there durst be no suspition of it insomuch as that it was as 〈…〉 einous to offer a Bribe to him as to 〈◊〉 it in another Here was severity that awed men to a discontent but no austerity that sowred them to discontent all was smooth and grave pleasing and becoming yet nothing easie or soft it being worse to yeild to importunities that are dayly then to be bought with money which comes but seldom Vertue in Ambition is violent but in Authority is here it was calm and settled He sided with no Faction in his rise but balanced himself by all He had no design when he lived but to be spent in the â—ublique Service and none when he died but to spend himself in publick charity a charity that is at once the continued blessing and grace of that worshipful Family Cato Major would say That wise men learn more of fâ—â—ls then fools do of wise men And King Charles the first would say That it was wisdome in fools to jest with wise men but madness for wise men to jest with fools â—nd Sir William Cordel bequeathed us this Observation There is no man that talks but I may gain by him and none that holds his tongue but I may loose by him Observations on the Life of Sir Anthony Cooke SIr Anthony Cooke great Grandchilde to Sir Thomas Cooke Lord Mayor of London was born at Giddy-Hall in Essex where he finished a fair House begun by his great Grandfather as appeareth by this Inscription on the Frontispice thereof Aedibus his frontem Proavus Thomas dedit olim Addidit Antoni caetera sera manus He was one of the Governours to King
Edward the sixth when Prince and is charactered by Mr. Cambden Vir antiqua serenitate He observeth him also to be happy in his Daughters learned above their Sex in Greek and Latine namely 1. Mildred 2. Anne 3. Kathering married unto William Cecill Lord Treasurer of England Nicholas Bacon Lord Chancellour of England Henry Killigrew Thomas Hobby Knights Ralph Rowlet 4. Elizabeth 5. Sir Anthony Cooke died in the year of our Lord 1576. leaving a fair Estate unto his Son in whose name it continued till our time Gravity was the Ballast of his Soul and General Learning its Leading In him met the three things that set up a Family 1. An Estate honestly gotten in the City 2. An Education well managed in the University And 3. Honour well bestowed at Court Yet he was some-body in every Art and eminent in all the whole circle of Arts lodging in his soul His Latine fluent and proper his Greek critical and exact his Philology and Observations upon each of these Languages deep curious various and pertinent His Logick rational his History and Experience general his Rhetorick and Poetry copious and genuine his Mathematiques practicable and useful Knowing that souls were equal and that Women are as capable of Learning as Men he instilled that to his Daughters at night which he had taught the Prince in the day being resolved to have Sons by Education 〈…〉 or fear he should have none by birth and lest he wanted an Heir of his body he made five of his minde for whom he had at once a Gavel-kind of 〈…〉 ffection and of Estate His Childrens maintenance was always according 〈…〉 o their quality and their employment according 〈…〉 o their disposition neither allowing them to live 〈…〉 bove their fortunes nor forcing them against their 〈…〉 atures It is the happiness of Forreigners that 〈…〉 heir Vocations are suited to their Natures and 〈…〉 hat their Education seconds their Inclination and 〈…〉 o th byass and ground do wonders It 's the un 〈…〉 appiness of English-men that they are bred ra 〈…〉 her according to their Estates then their temper 〈…〉 nd Great Parts have been lost while their Calling 〈…〉 rew one way and their Genius another and 〈…〉 hey sadly say Multum incolae fuere animae nostrae 〈…〉 e have dwelt from home Force makes Nature 〈…〉 ore violent in the return Doctrine and Discourse 〈…〉 ay make it less importune Custome may hide 〈…〉 r suppress it nothing can extinguish it Nature 〈…〉 en in the softer Sex runs either to Weeds or 〈…〉 erbs careful was this good Father therefore sea 〈…〉 onably to water the one and destroy the other 〈…〉 ch was done by his grave Rules more by his 〈…〉 raver life that Map of Precepts Precepts teach 〈…〉 ut Examples draw Maxima debetur pueris reve 〈…〉 ntia was Cato's Maxime Three things there 〈…〉 e before whom was Sir Anthony's saying I can 〈…〉 ot do amiss 1. My Prince 2. My Conscience 〈…〉 My Children Seneca told his Sister That 〈…〉 ough be could not leave her a great portion be would 〈…〉 ve her a good pattern Sir Anthony would write 〈…〉 o his Daughter Mildred My example is your inberitance and my life is your portion His first car 〈…〉 was to embue their tender souls with a knowing serious and sober Religion which went with the 〈…〉 to their graves His next business was to in 〈…〉 their younger years to submission modesty and obedience and to let their instructions grow wi 〈…〉 their years Their Book and Pen was their Recreation the Musick and Dancing School the Cou 〈…〉 and City their accomplishment the Needle i 〈…〉 the Closet and House-wifry in the Hall and Kitching their business They were reproved b 〈…〉 with reason that convinced and checked th 〈…〉 wrought as well an ingenious shame as an unfeigned sorrow and a dutiful fear Fondness never loved his Children and Passion never chastised the 〈…〉 but all was managed with that prudence and discrâ—â—tion that my Lord Seymour standing by one daâ— when this Gentleman chid his Son said Some 〈◊〉 govern Families with more skill then others do Kingdomes and thereupon commended him to the Government of his Nephew Edward the sixth Su 〈…〉 the Majesty of his looks and gate that Awe governed such the reason and sweetness that love obliged all his Family a Family equally afraid 〈…〉 displease so good a Head and to offend so great 〈…〉 their marriage they were guided by his Reas 〈…〉 more then his Will and rather directed by 〈…〉 Counsel then led by his Authority They we 〈…〉 their own portion Parts Beauty and Breedi 〈…〉 bestow themselves His care was that his Daughters might have compleat Men and that their Husbands might be happy in compleat Women nev 〈…〉 promising yet always paying a great Dowry Their spirit and business kept them from that weak pass 〈…〉 of love that embaseth Mankind their Noble con 〈…〉 se improved that friendly love that perfecteth 〈…〉 and their marriage compleated that Nuptial 〈…〉 ve that makes it He said first and his Grand-childe my Lord Bacon after him That the Joys of Parents are Secrets and so are their Griefs and Fears Children sweeten Labours but they embitter Misfortunes they encrease the care of Life and m 〈…〉 gate the remembrance of Death Very providently did he secure his Eternity by leaving the 〈…〉 age of his nature in his Children and of his 〈…〉 ind in his Pupil The Recreations he indulged were moderate lawful sober becoming useful â—nd seasonable the Expences he allowed not so ilâ—iberal as to acquaint them with shifts make them 〈…〉 ort with mean company nor surfeit when they came to plenty nor yet so prodigal but that they were taught how to live in the world The Books he advised were not many but choice the business â—e pressed was not reading but digesting The King of Sweden's men were but six deep and Sir Anthony's exercises were not thick but methodical and armed the Diet he prescribed moderate in Apparel he allowed for necessity for decency and in some cases for magnificence provided that it were neither too costly nor too vain neither above the Purse nor beyond the Calling nor besides the Estate Sir Anthony took more pleasure to breed up States-men then to be one Contemplation was his Soul Privacy his Life and Discourse his Element Business was his Purgatory and Publickness his torment yet so serviceable was he in Edward the sixth's time that he was an Exile in Queen Mary's An Exile whose exemplary resolution supported Religion whose obliging Authority maintained Peace and whose inexhaustible charity provided for the Poor at Zuricke and Frankford A Sussex and not a Kentish Knight having spent a great Estate at Court and brought himself to on 〈…〉 Park and a fine House in it was yet ambitious to entertain not the Queen but her Brother at it and to that purpose had new-painted his Gates with a Coat of Arms and a Motto
his Family to be honourable on the present Age to be active and on the future to be renowned The old Lord Burleigh sometime Treasurer of England coming to Cambridge with Queen Elizabeth when he was led into the publick Schools and had much commended their convenience beauty and greatness together with their Founder Humphrey the good Duke of Glocester Yea marry said he but I finde one School wanting in our Vniversities and that is the School of Discretion When Private Tutors had initiated Publick Schools had seasoned and the University had improved this Gentlemans sprightly and noble Parts yet did his Father observe one great defect in his Education and that iâ— Discretion Discretion in Carriage for which he sent him to Court Discretion in business for which he sent him to travel and fight Not long had he been abroad to furnish himself with experience but he is called home to eâ—noble himself with action The Alvaes of Spain were for four Generations together Commanders by Land and the Howards of England for as many Admirals at Sea None ever had more Power none used less then he The more Authority he had allowed him over others the more Command he obtained over himself Twice did he mortgage his Estate for his followers Pay many times did he venture his Life for their encouragement None directed more skilfully and yet none acted more resolutely Equally did he divide the profit equally share the honour with his followers who under him never dared and never feared a danger Manners make a man saith the Courtier Money makes a man saith the Citizen Learning makes a man saith the Scholar but Conduct makes a man saith the Souldier This Lords spirit never put him on so forwardly but his wariness took care how to come off as safely He that fights should despair but he that commands should hope The Souldier among the Persians is drawn with his eyes before him and the General with his behinde him Young men in the manage of Affairs embrace more then they can hold stir more then they can quiet flee to the end without consideration of the means and degrees pursue some few principles and extream remedies they have chanced upon rashly which they will neither confess nor reform Old men object too much consult too long adventure too little repent too soon and seldome pursue things home to their full period My Lord was an happy composition of both himself and had of either about him that the coldness and wariness of Age might correct the heat of Youth and the Activity of Younger might be directed by the Experience of Riper Ones The one gave Authority and the other Life to his Actions He himself was better to invent then to judge fitter for Action then Counsel and readier for new Projects then for setled business The Lord Clinton's Prudence served him in old and usual matters but in new things abused him My Lord Howard's was quick for present Emergencies but not comprehensive of ordinary transactions Of the three Admirals of those times we may say as they did of the three Kingdomes Lisle was wise before the Action my Lord Howard in it my Lord Clinton after it England without a freedome of commerce was but a larger Prison others opened the Trade to the Indies to Asia and other parts of the world but we wanted the Hemp the Flax the Pitch the Fur and the other useful Commodities of Russia serviceable to our selves and more to our Ships His Purse in this case did much his Direction more his servant Jenkinson most of all who made curious observaâ—ions of Russia set forth a Geographical description of it and was the first of the English that sailed through the Caspian Sea With his assistance the Muscovia Company was set up in Queen Maries days and with his servants it obtained the Priviledge of sole Traffick into the Northern Parts of Russia in Elizabeth's Nihil habet fortuna magna majus nec natura bona melius quam ut â—elit bene-facere quam plurimis Observations on the Life of Sir Edward Mountague EDward Mountague Son of Thomas Mountague born at Brigstock in Northampton-shire was bred in the Inner Temple in the study of the Laws until his ability and integrity advanced him Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench in the Thirtieth of Henry the Eighth He gave for his Motto Aequitas Justitiae Norma And although Equity seemeth rather to resent of the Chancery than the Kings Bench yet the best Justice will be Wormwood without a mixture thereof In his times though the golden showers of Abbey-Lands rained amongst greatmen it was long before he would open his lap scrupling the acception of such Gifts and at last received but little in proportion to Others of that Age. In the thirty seventh of King Henry the Eighth he was made Chief Justice of the Common Pleas a descent in Honour but ascent in Profit it being given to old Age rather to be thrifty then ambitious Whereupon he said I am now an old man and love the Kitchin before the Hall the warmest place best suiting with my Age. In drawing up the Will of King Edward the Sixth and settling the Crown on the Lady Jane for a time he swam against the tide and torrent of Duke Dudley till at last he was carried away with the stream Outed of his Judges Office in the first of Queen Mary he returned into Northampton-shire and what contentment he could not finde in Westminster-hall his Hospital-hall at Bough 〈…〉 afforded him He died Anno 1556. and lieth buried in the Parish Church of Weekely His well-managed Argument in Dodderidge his Case brought him to Cromwel's knowledge who was vexed with his Reason but well pleased with his Parts Cromwel's recommendation and his own modest nature set him up with Henry the Eighth who could not endure two things 1. A Lawyer that would not be guided 2. A Divine that would not be taught Yet as modest as he was he was honest and though he would submit to the Kings Power yet would he act by his Law For his Apophthegm was Meum est Jus dicere potius quam Jus dare It 's my duty to interpret rather then give Law He never denied or delayed Justice always discouraging those cunning Laws that perplexed a Cause those contentious Clients that delayed a suit and those nice Cummin-â—eed men that strained inferences and wrested constructions Patient stayed and equal he was in hearing grave in speaking pertinent in interrogating wary in observing happy in remembring seasonable and civil in interposing The Counsel durst not chop with him neither would he chop with the Counsel unless he defended his cause over-boldly urged indiscreetly informed slightly neglected groâ—ly renewed the debate unseasonably or ensnared his Adversaries cunningly in those and other the like cases he would do the Publique Right by a check and the Person by an admonition Six sorts of persons he discountenanced in his Courts 1. The scandalous Exactors 2.
The slie shifters that as that Chancellour observed pervert the plain and direst courses of Courts and bring Justice into oblique Lines and Labyrinths 3. Those that engaged Courts in quarrels of Jurisdiction 4. Those that made suits 5. Those that hunted men upon Poenal Statutes 6. Those that appeared in most Testimonies and Juries His Darling was The honest Clerk who was experienced in his place obliging in his carriage knowing in Presidents cautious in Proceedings and skilful in the affairs of the Court. Two things he promoted in King Henry's days 1. The Law against Gaming And 2. The Order against Stews And two in King Edward's 1. That Act against spreading of Prophecies 2. That Statute against embasing of Coyn. But King Edward's Testament and the Duke 〈◊〉 Northumberland's Will is to be made The piou 〈…〉 Intentions of that King wishing well to the Reformation the Religion of Queen Mary obnoxious to exception the ambition of Northumberland who would do what he lifted the weakness of Suffol 〈…〉 who would be done with as the other pleased the flattery of the Courtiers most willing to comply designed the Crown for the Lady Jane Grey Mr. Cecil is sent for to London to furnish that Will with Reason of State and Sir Edward to Sergeants In◠to make it up with Law He according to the Letter sent him went with Sir Jo. Baker Justice Bromley the Attorney and Solicitor-General to Greenwich where his Majesty before the Marquess of Northampton declaring himself for the settlement of Religion and against the succession of Queen Mary offered them a Bill of Articles to make a Book of which they notwithstanding the Kings Charge and the reiteration of it by Sir William Peter declared upon mature consideration they could not do without involving themselves and the Lords of the Council in High I reason because of the Statutes of Succession The Duke of Northumberland hearing of their Declaration by the Lord Admiral comes to the Council-Chamber all in a rage trembling for anger calling Sir Edward Traytor and saying He would fight in his shirt with any man in that Quarrel The old man is charged by the King upon his Allegiance and the Council upon his Life to make the Book which he did when they promised it should be ratified in Parliament Here was his obedience not his invention not to devise but draw things up according to the Articles tendred unto him Since shame is that which ambitious Nature abhorreth and danger is that which timorous Nature declineth the honest man must be resolute Sir Nathaniel Brent would say A Coward cannot be an honest man and it seems by this Action that modesty and fear are great temptations Give me those four great Vertues that make a man 1. A clear Innocence 2. A comprehensive Knowledge 3. A well-weighed experience And 4. The product of all these A steady Resolution What a Skein of Ruffled Silk saith the ingenious Resolver is the incomposed man Observations on the Life of Sir Edward Fines EDward Fines Lord Clinton Knight of the Garter was Lord Admiral of England for more then thirty years He was wise valiant and very fortunate as appears by his Master-piece in Museleborough-field in the reign of King Edward the sixth and the Battle against the Scots He was afterwards created Earl of Lincoln where he was born May 4. 1474. and where he had a proportionable Estate to support his Dignity which he much increased beside his Paternal Inheritance He died January 16. 1558. and lieth buried at Windsor in a private Chappel under a stately Monument which Elizabeth his third Wise Daughter to the Earl of Kildare erected in his remembrance His Fortune made him a younger Brother and his Industry an Heir coming to Court where they that have Estates spend them and they that have none gain them His recreation was at Court but his business in the Country where notwithstanding the Statute in Henry the sevenths time against Pasturage for Tillage he Grazed 11000 Acres of Ground then a noble and gaining Employment that advanced many a Family in one Generation and now a saving one that hath kept up as many ten The best tempered Swords will bend any way and the best metalled men will comply with any occasion At White-hall none more affable and courteous then our Lord at Sea none more skilful in the field none more resolute in the Country none more thristy and hospitable His Entertainments were orderly and suitable made up of solid particulars all growing upon his own Estate King Charles would say Every man hath his vanity and mine speaking of the Soveraign is Building Every man hath his humour and mine said he speaking of the Fens is Drayning Adding withal He that would be merry for a day let him be trimmed he that would be merry for a week let him marry he that would be merry for a year let him build he that would be merry for Ages let him improve Now you would have him among his Workmen and Stewards in Lincoln anon among the Commissioners either in France or Scotland by and by before Bulloign or Calice and a while after at Spieres or Muscleborough and on a suddain at a Mask in Court. Neither was his Soul less pliable to persons then things as boysterously active as King Henry could expect as piously meek as King Edward could wish as warily zealous as Queen Mary's times required and as piercingly observant as Queen Elizabeths perplexed occasions demanded It was by him and my Lord Bacon said of business That it was in business as it is in ways that the next and the nearest way is commonly the foulest and that if a man will go the fairest way he must go somewhat about Sitting in a Committee about invading Scotland whereof Sir Anthony Brown then Viscount Mountacute presented a Draught there arose as great a debate between him and my Lord in Council as afterwards in the Field about the point of Entrance Nay said my Lord in the heat of the Discourse with as much power on others passions as command over his own We stand quarrelling here how we shall get in but here is no discourse how we shall get out It 's a Rule Whosoever hath any thing fixed in his person that doth induce contempt hath also a perpetual spur in himself to rescue and deliver himself from scorn either by vertue or malice And my Lord having some disadvantage from Nature made it up by Art None more bold none more industrious and more successful because that disadvantage took off envy on the one hand and jealousie on the other so that upon the matter in a great Wit Contempt is a great advantage to rising Judge Brooke had a Project against Usury which came up to the Lords House this rich Peer upon the first motion of it stands up and saith Shew me a State without Usury and I 'll shew you a State without Men and Trade Rich he was for expence and expend he did upon
John had a moving beauty that waited on his whole Body as that standing one doth upon the Face and Complexion Such a grace and comeliness waited on his Noble Meen as exacted a liking if not a love from all that beheld him A midling Clarity and quickness is best in Wine that is neither too thick upon the Lees nor yet too quick our Knights comportment and carriage was neither dull nor vapouring neither gross nor affected but of a becoming temper at equal distance with the Clown and the Pedant what 's contemptible and what 's invidious 3. But both these were set off with his Person of a middle stature neither tall to a formidableness nor short to a contempt straight and proportioned vigorous and active with that pure blood and spirits that flowed and flowred within his swelling Veins and disposed him to those natural and innocent those manly and noble Exercises of Dancing c. Dancing I say which he was not exquisite in for that is vanity nor ignorant of for that 's meanness but a graceful exercise wherein he was carelesly easie as if it were rather natural motion then curious and artificial practising which endeared his severer Vertues to that place where the worth that riseth must be complaisant and pleasing as well as serviceable and useful But the favour which proceeds from personal grace and comeliness although it seem to be doubly united yet it is that which is soonest dissolved and dissipated there being nothing so inconstant as mens humours which not onely change through Ages but also by some small occasion or accident which may arise Sir John therefore brought himself into Court by what humoured but kept himself in there by those things that did oblige him and stood not upon his Majesties pleasure but his Interest adding to his more aiery Courtships more solid Employments From the softer Court therefore we must follow him to the Camp and that before Terwyn where we finde him daring and active 1. In skirmishing the French every day 2. In recovering the red Gun overthrown in a Lane from 10000 French under the Earl St. Paul as General with 250 resolute Reformades under himself but Captain although he was once taken Prisoner as before Calice where he redeemed himself from the Officer that had taken him for 250 Crowns on condition he would conduct him safe from the French Quarter as the man did until they were gone so far that Sir John takes him Prisoner compelling him to the Reimbursement of his money with 200 Crowns more to be bestowed on the Common Souldiers As severely active was he at the siege of Tournay as the oldest Souldier and yet as innocently pleasant at the Mask there as the youngest Courtier One of the sixty he was that went with the King to cut off the Passage between that City and the Army and one of the eleven that went with his Majesty to entertain the Ladies at Lisle From serving one King in France he had the honour as it was thought to kill another in England I mean James of Scotland and challenge a third in Paris The same thing raised him that advanced Wolsey for he being sent to Maximilian after Treasurer Napbant had brought him to Court dispatched his business so soon that the King chid him for not being gone when he was returned and withal asked him Whether he had seen the Post that he had sent after him about a circumstance that had escaped him He answered He met him in his return but he had presumed to adde that particular of his his own head for which he asked his Majesties pardon and had his favour too for the Deanery of Lincoln and the Almonership Sir John was commanded with 1500 men to cut off the Convoy to Terwyn which he performed with that speed and success that when the King saw him he said I I Sir John while we are fooling the Town is relieved So it is indeed said he for I have sent them 2000 Carcases and they have spared me 1200 Wagons of Provision I but said the King I sent after you to cut off the Bridge Dreban That replyed the Knight was the first thing I did wherefore I am upon my knees for your Majesties grace and pardon Nay then said the King by Lady thou hast not my pardon but my favour too He is the man for a Princes service whose minde is present and prudence is ready to meet with suddain occasions and accommodate unexpected emergencies The first effect of that favour was his Nomination for one of the sixteen that answered the French Challenge at the Lady Mary's Marriage at Paris November 7 1513. which shewed his man-hood and how valiant he was The second was that he was one of the Forty five that were to be about his Majesty at the instant of his Interview with the King of France at Guisnes which was an Argument of his presence and how goodly a man he was The third was that he was one of the Twenty two that with the Earl of Surrey Lord Admiral and Sir William Fitz-Williams Vice-Admiral proposed that secret and therefore successful Designe upon Britain under pretence of Scowring the Narrow Seas for now he is as good in the Sea as he had been in the Field for which he and eight more of his fellow-Captains Sir Joh. Cornwallis c. are Knighted by the aforesaid Lord Admiral which speaks him a Sea-man and indeed one of a general capacity The fourth was the great Trust his Majesty reposed in him when he was sent in disguise to widen the difference that was newly broken out between the Duke of Bourbon the High Constable of France and the French King which he managed so well that the discontented Duke declares for the Emperour and the King of England to the great encouragement of the English the satisfaction of his Majesty and the success of his Designe upon Anchor Boungard Bray and other places where Sir John shewed himself as active now as he was before cunning as much surpassing the French Spirit in action as he had over-reached their Prudence in Negotiation But in vain was it to serve that King unless a man obliged the Cardinal he that courts the Virgin Mary must not neglect her little Saints him he attended in his second Journey to France first to honour and then to serve him And now after his decease when King Henry had done the work of mercy which was most proper for himself as being most popular upon the Lincolnshire Rebels he deputed the Duke of Suffolk Sir Francis Briâ—ns and Sir John Russel to perform that of Justice which is most distastful wherein yet he behaves himself with that exactness that the Country was very well pleased and the King as well satisfied insomuch that we finde our Knight now called from a Commander in the Field to be Controller at Court where he managed his Masters Expences thriftily reduced his Family discreetly reformed his followers effectually and filled up his
place with the awe of his presence and the influence of his Authority that he was at once its support and its glory Indeed Courts being those Epitomes wherethrough strangers look into Kingdomes should be Royally set off as with Utensils so with attendance that might possess all Comers with reverence there and fear elsewhere His Person graced his Imployment and therefore his Majesty honoured his Person with the Order of the Garter and the Title of Lord Russel and that his Preferment might keep pace with his Honour he is made Lord Privy Seal and his Nephew Sir John Gage Controller His Honour slacked not his Activity but improved it neither was his Vertue onely violent in Ambition and dull in Authority Power to do good is the true and lawful end of aspiring therefore my Lord to his Staff added his Sword and to his Court-honour his Field-service as Lieutenant-General before Muttrel and Marshal before Buâ—oign to the relief of the first whereof he drew Mounsieur Bies that his Majejesty might take the second In the Camp he drew up the Designes in the Field he managed the Treasure and in Action to him was intrusted the Conduct and manage In the Kings last Will and Testament he was the fifth person and in his Sons Council the fifth to whom he discovered a French Plot the first year of his Raign and for whom he broke the Devonshire Rebels what with delays what with stratagems to divide them according to their several Inclinations the second for which service he was made Earl of Bedford The third in the Faction at home between the Seymours and the Dudleys he was Neuter in the Treaties abroad between the French King and his Majesty of England he was Principal where he observed three Rules 1. That there should be a general Muster at home while this Treaty went on abroad 2. That there should be a blow given the Scots before there was a Peace made with the French 3. That we should first know the French Overtures before we made our own But while he was here he discovered a Plot that the Emperour had to transport the Lady Mary over to his Dominions and thereby bring her Brother to his terms whereupon he with 200 men watcheth one Port the Duke of Somerset with 200 more a second and Master St. Leiger with 400 men a third while the Lady was fetched by my Lord Chancellor to the King But while he was serving his Master the King abroad his Friend the Protector wanted his advice and assistance at home 〈…〉 he being of purpose sent out of the way while thaâ— unfortunate Duke is first betrayed by his own folly and then ruined by his Enemies Power I finde his hand among the rest of the Counsellors in a Letter to Queen Mary but not in Arms against her He was concluded by the major Vote to a Commission for Peace but not to Action for conscience sake Faithful he is therefore to her in Council and serviceable in Spain and France from the first of which places he brought her a Husband and from the second a Treasure He understood her Right and disputed not her Religion regarding not so much her Opinion as his own Duty not what she was but what he should be And thus he behaved himself until his dear Mistress Elizabeth took him for one of her Protestant Counsellours to balance her Popish ones and not onely of her Council but of her Cabinet for as every man must have his Friend to ease his heart so Princes have their Favourites to partake of their cares and the Marquess of Northampton the Earl of Bedford and Sir William Cecil were the onely Persons to whom the Queen communicated her designe of Reformation and correcting the Common-prayer and they ordered affairs so that the Protestants should be in hope and yet the Papists should not be out of hope King Philip had a quarrel with the Queen for rejecting his suit the King of Sweden for slighting his Son the King of France in his Wives Right the Queen of Scots in her Own and the Pope for excluding his Supremacie her Subjects were as unsettled in their Loyalty as in their Religion What remained but that my Lord of Bedford and Sir William Cecil should make up a well-tempered House of Commons by their Interest who should carry along an indifferent House of Lords by their Resolution When he had served the Queen in Parliament for the settlement of her Kingdom at home he served the Kingdom in an Embassie to Scotland to set up its correspondence abroad The Earl of Leicester aimed at the Queen of England and the Earl of Bedford to divert him and secure Scotland design'd him for the Queen of Scots whom he watched for two things 1. That she should either match with an English Subject or 2. With a soft and weak Forreigner that either the Scots might be in league with us or have no peace at home His last service I finde is a complement when he was sent by the Queen as her Deputy with a font of massie Gold worth 1043 l. to hold King James at his Baptism with express command not to acknowledge my Lord Darley as King This his service was as lasting as his life which ended in old Age and Renown He conveyed his Vertue and Honour to the Excellent Francis as he did to the Right Honourable William Earl of Bedford now living Observations on the Life of Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester THe tuition of the Earl of Dorset's Children raised Wolsey travelling with the Duke of Norfolk's raised Gardiner Fox his service in the quality of Secretary made the first and his in the same quality made Gardiner There are three kindes of Understanding The one that is advised by its self the second that understandeth when it is informed by another the third that neither is advised by its self nor by the assistance of another If this Doctor failed in the first and his own invention he exceeded in the second of making use of others for he was one of them that never heard or read what was not his own His Profession was the Civil Law that guideth forreign Negotiations His Inclination was that general Policy that manageth them His Eminencies were three 1. His Reservedness Whereby he never did what he aimed at never aimed at what he intended never intended what he said and never said what he thought whereby he carried it so that others should do his business when they opposed it and he should undermine theirs when he seemed to promote it A man that was to be traced like the Fox and read like Hebrew backward If you would know what he did you must observe what he did not 2. His Boldness Authority sometimes meets with those impediments which neither power can overcome nor good fortune divert if Courage and Fortitude break not through and surmount them and the motions of the irascible faculties such as Hope Boldness and Choler being well ordered and
might surprize the Interval between the dissolution of the old and the erection of this new Foundation civilly declined the motion informing his Grace That the way to advance the study of the Law was by promoting the present Professors of that Faculty now so generally discouraged and not by founding a new Colledge for the future Students thereof seeing Trinity-Hall alone could breed more Civilians then all England did prefer according to their deserts Observations on the Life of Sir William Herbert HIs Family had not endeared its self to the antient Kings by its service nor his Grand-father himself to King Henry the Seventh by his Relation more then He did Himself to King Henry the Eighth by his Merit He was a great Pattern of antient Vertue that in the greatest Fortune enjoyed the least Liberty Vigilant and careful One whose Power was attended with Sollicitude there was an Eye in the ancient Scepters and his Sollicitude with Temperance he that commands himself commands the World too While some mens imprudent integrity can do no harm and others base cunning can do no good Sir William's Prudence and Integrity was equally able for both as there was occasion Very close and successful were his and my Lord Sheffield's Negotiations abroad Very resolute and manly his Conduct at home He was one of the twenty four Counsellours to Henry the Eighth while he lived and one of the sixteen Executors of his Will when he died All great Undertakers must avoid softness and effeminacie the bane of great Natures and Actions For where there is love and pleasure there is fear and where there is fear there is that which enchains Generosity and confines Courage He had his double Diary the first for Actions the second for Observations upon them And indeed his and Sir William Kingston's Manuscripts give a great light to the History of those times In which Diary we finde what actions he did against the Scots by constant alarms with three thousand Welch and what against Ket's Rebels by notable stratagems with two thousand The man is compleat that hath a Head and a Heart As to the Faction in King Edward's time he would not concern himself looking on accusations in a Commonwealth as great advantages to check ambition and vent discontent that the one may not aspire too dangerously nor the other break out too irregularly And as little concern'd was he in King Edward's Will his business being rather obeying the Soveraign that was then determining who should be He was a throughly advised man one that gazed not on the issues but enquired into the reasons and springs of Actions Very useful he was in Queen Mary's Council and no less in King philip's War where he got St. Quintin for him and a lasting Renown for himself who died in Queen Elizabeth's time and left this plain Character behinde That he was a noble Gentleman of a trusty a free and an open Nature Observations on the Lives of Sir Tho. Mannors and Sir Ralph Euers IJoyn them both in my Observations because they agreed both in their dispositions 1. Both Nobly Religious and so blessed themselves and being a blessing unto others Their Religion was attended with Magnanimity Constancy Wisdom Prudence Valour and Counsel as the Products of it and with Success as the Issue 2. Both famous and renowned having Honour as the shadow doth the Sun going before them in their younger years to make their way to action keeping even with them in their middle age to countenance and credit their proceedings and following them in old Age to eternize and embalm them Both making their way to Honour as Agesilaus in Plutarch or Epictetus in Strabo by saying what was well and doing what was better or with Socrates by being what they appeared and appearing no more then they were Vertue though obscure may satisfie me it must be renowned or it cannot serve others But action is the life of things and good dispositions are rather a mans Inclinations than his Vertue Both therefore were in their Courage regular in their Conduct observant in their Addresses obliging in their Passions even in their Enjoyments severe and in their Services equal Sir Thomas Mannors first weakened the Northern Rebels by such discreet Propositions as met with many of their Humours and Interests and then resolved to engage them but that the little Brook Dun swelled miraculously to a River between both Armies And at the same time Sir Ralph Euers held Scarborough-Castle where he had no Souldiers but his own Servants nor any sustenance for twenty days but bread and water For this service he is made Lord Warden of the Marches as Sir Thomas is Lord Governour of the North. Both did his Majesty as much service in Peace for his Revenue as in War for his Security Both against the Cardinal's way of raising Money which was but the relieving of a present need by laying the foundation of a lasting inconvenience being very careful that their Master did not lose in the president what he gained in the money Observations on the Life of Sir John Baker THere is one of this Name remarqueable in every Kings Reign since the Conquest here is one now renowned in this 1. For Integrity to be neither awed nor corrupted 2. For a Spirit publick as Nature neither moved with particular respects nor terminated in a private Design The French were so insolent in London the eighth year of Henry the Eighth that when one Williamson a Carpenter was about to pay for two Pigeons he bought a Frenchman takes them out of his hand saying They were no meat for Carpenters but for my Lord Embassadour who concerned himself so much in the case that he had Williamson imprisoned Sir John sued to the Embassador for the man who answered That the English Knave deserved to be banged for denying any thing to a Frenchman Whereupon Sir John replied You know not that you are in London A notable reply considering that the City was up next day against Strangers in so desperate a tumult that none could suppress but Sir Thomas More and none settle but Sir William Kingston and Sir John Baker No sooner had he allayed the disorder at home but he with the Bishop of St Asaph are sent to appease a Rebellion abroad I mean in Denmark though in vain when the Kings cruelty exceeded their apology and ruine was more elegible with that people then duty or obedience Where he observed these six Maximes in order to a newly-conquer'd-Kingdom 1. That the Royal Line should be extinguished 2. That the old Customs in Laws and Taxes should be observed 3. The Prince must be there to observe their humours in person 4. That the Officers be moderate and honest 5. That there be Colonies planted in one or two places that are the Keys of the State 6. That the Neighbours should be weakened and divided and the In-land Forts demolished As he would have composed the troubles of forreign Princes so he served the
necessities of his own being the most successful Commissioner for the Benevolence in the Countrey and the most active Agent for the loan in London Wherefore I finde him Chancellour of the Exchequer An. 1545 and one of the assistants to the Trustees for King Edward 1547. Judge Mountague was the onely person that durst dispute King Edward's Will Judge Hales and Sir John Baker were the onely Counsellours that durst refuse it the first whereof stood to the Law against Power the second to his Allegiance against Interest and both to the Rights of the Crown which are lasting rather then the Designes of some Favourites that are as momentary as their Greatness and as uncertain as their Grandeur This constant and firm resolution to stick to his Duty and Loyalty brought him to his Grave in peace and honour having been a faithful Counselfour and Servant to King Henry the eighth King Edward the sixth Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth Observations on the Life of Sir William Kingston HE was one of the greatest Courtiers at Masks and Revels one of the best Captains at Sea and one of the most valiant and skilful Commanders by Land None more pleasing to the English Ladies none more terrible to the French King Cunningly did he discover the King of Spains Designe upon Navarre to his Majesty by pretending a Revolt to that King of Spain and as cunningly did he draw the French Troops into a snare by counterfeiting a retreat towards Britany His Advice had saved the Admiral at Breast and his Foresight did rescue Sir Edward Belknap near Guisnes He was Knighted for his Service at Tournay and made Marshal for his Success at Flodden He was one of them that perswaded the City to its duty at Shoreditch and if that would not do he was to command it from the Tower being Commissioner in the first place Aug. 2. and Lieutenant of the second September 6. The Multitude is rather to be awed then reasoned with Some Princes have disarmed their Subjects others have divided them a third sort have obliged them others yet have kept up Plots amongst them but all have built and commanded Fortresses to secure themselves It were well if Love did it 's necessary that Fear should guide this World The King condescended one day to Just with him and he though invincible to fall by his Majesty You must let a Prince be a Prince in every thing So complaisant he was that he was one of the six Maskers at Court at 50 and yet so grave that when divers young men that were familiar with the King after the French mode were banished he kept his Station as one of the stayed men at 30. He was one of the 16 that attended the King in his first Interview with the Emperour and one of the 40 that waited on him in the two last with the King of France narrowly escaping at the last that poyson as some thought or ill vapours as others conclude whereof the open-hearted Lord Brooks the valiant Sir Edward Poynings reserved Sir John Pechy and active Sir Edward Belknap died whereupon with his advice all French-men were put to their Fines and all Scotch to their ransome Neither was he onely for shew but service too leading the Right Wing of the Army at Guisnes when Sir Everard Digby commanded the Left the Lord Sands the Vanguard Sir Edward Guilford then Marshal of Callis the Horse Sir Richard Wink field the Rear and the Duke of Suffolk the main Battle Where his Assaults on Cappe and Roy spake him a Souldier as his underhand correspondence with the Lord Isilstein argued him a States-man Sir Thomas Mannors the first Earl of Rutland of that Name discovered and Sir William Kingston told his Majesty the Cardinals Plots against the Kings Marriage with Queen Anne and his Designe to marry him to the Dutchess of Alanzon A Designe that because it seemed to over-reach his Majesty in cunning and really did cross his Inclination in malice that incensed his Majesty to a passion which could be appeased with no less a sacrifice then the Cardinals fall in order to which the next service of this Knight is as Lieutenant of the Tower to take him to custody which he did at Leicester with a Noble resolution considering that mans greatness with a due reverence regarding his calling and with a tender compassion respecting his condition perswading him gently of the Kings Favour at that very time when he was come to be an Instrument of his Justice And what he did to a Cardinal now he did to Queens afterwards never Prince commanding higher services then King Henry nor subjects discharging them more undauntedly then Sir William because therefore he was so severe a Lieutenant in the Tower he is made a Provost-Marshal in the Field in which capacity after the Devonshire-Rebels defeat we have these two remarkable stories of him 1. One Bowyer Mayor of Bodmin in Cornwal had been amongst the Rebels not willingly but enforced to him the Provost sent word he would come and dine with him for whom the Mayor made great Provision A little before Dinner the Provost took the Mayor aside and whispered him in the Ear that an Execution must that day be done in the Town and therefore he must set up two Gallows The Mayor did so After Dinner Sir William Kingston thanks him for his Entertainment and then desires him to bring him to the Gallows where when they were come Sir William asked him Whether they were strong enough I I 'll warrant thee saith the Mayor Then saith Sir William get you up upon them I hope saith the Mayor you do not mean as you speak Nay Sir saith he you must die for you have been a busie Rebel And so without any more ado hanged him 2. A Miller that had been very active in the late Rebellion fled and left another to take his Name upon him Sir William Kingston calls for the Miller His Servant tells him that he was the Man Then saith he you must be hanged Oh Sir saith he I am not the Miller If you are not the Miller you are a lying Knâ—ve if you are the Miller you are a trayterous one and however you must die And so he did Punish the Multitude severely once and you oblige them ever for they love that man onely for his Good Nature whom they fear for his Resolution Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Cheyney THree things advanced men in King Henry the Eighth's days 1. Their Extraction 2. Their Wit 3. Their Comeliness and Strength For the First his Name was up since Battle-Abbey-Roll as to the second it was enough that he travelled with Wolsey and touching the third there need be no other instance then that at Paris where upon the Daulphin's Proclamation of solemn Justs the Duke of Suffolke the Marquess of Dorset Sir Edward Nevil and He answered the Challenge as not long after he encountered King Henry himself at Greenwich where he had the great Honour
Moderation preserves in it Men come down by Domineering Haste undoeth that which a just Delay ripeneth Our Wise man would say Stay a little and we will have done the sooner An Estate evened with these thoughts endureth It 's an excellent Motto Nolo Minor me timeat despiciat ve Major 3. Humility shuns Honour and is the way to it The purest Gold is most Ductile It 's commonly a good Blade that bends well The Reed that bends and is whole is better then the strong Oak that not bending breaks 4. There is no such prevalent Work-man as Sedulity and Diligence A man would wonder at the mighty things which have been done by degrees and gentle augmentations Patience Diligence and Moderation are the common steps to Excellency It 's for Omnipotence to do mighty things in a moment but degreeingly to grow to Greatness is the course he hath left for Man Observations on the Life of Walter Devereux Earl of Essex WAlter Devereux was by his Mothers side born to and by his Soveraigns favour possessed of the Earldom of Essex His Spirit was as the time martial and active equally impatient of rust in his Soul and in his Sword Forreign Countreys bred then those Souldiers that England employed The University made a Scholar the Court a Man and Flanders the Souldier His Actions brought him to the presence and his Presence commended Him to the Heart of Queen Elizabeth But the shadow doth not more naturally attend the Sun then Envy doth Favour Since he must rise it s contrived he should rise so high that he must fall Yet he might have lived longer it was thought if his Wife had not there more favour then himself Abraham was afraid of and Sir Walter was undone by his Sarah's Beauty This is certain he was no sooner in his Grave than the same great man whom he declared his Enemy at his Death was his Successor in his Marriage-Bed Ambitious was he of the Irish Service and subtle were others to fill up his Sayls so wide as to be over-turned at once diving into and ruining him by his Humour Weary was he of the Court and weary as he observed was that of him In comes Leicester in this juncture and advanceth him to the Soveraign Honour of maintaining an Army at his own charge and the Royalty of Claudboy in Vlster the first he knew would as it fell out undo him the other was the Bears skin when he could catch kill and fley it and the whole plot was but the supplanting of him out of a real Estate in England and Wales to an imaginary one in Ireland Over he goeth with as splendid a Retinue of Kindered Friends supernumerarie Voluntiers as his Son to the same Service or his Grandson to one more unhappy Sir William Fitz-William's Jealousie heard of his Parade and his Industry out-reached him so far that all that preparation amounted to no more honour than to have been commissioned after much importunity and attendance by him nor to any more advantage than the bare Government of Vlster Little good did he in Vlster now under the discouraging and heartless impressions of discontent less in the South of Ireland whither he was remanded by the Deputy whose design was not to see how successfully he would conquer but how dutifully he would obey in six months time spending 4000 l. to ruine himself But alas in vain doth he conquer who was always forbid to pursue and improve his Victory no sooner did his Fortune favour him in one place but he was called to his Misfortune in another for no sooner doth he by experience and acquaintance with the situation of any Place the humour or interest of any People the weaknesses and strengths of any Enemy the advantages or disadvantages of any Undertaking ripen circumstances towards success but he is called off to a new and unacquainted scene of action where he shall lose his Army before he knoweth how to employ it His friends at Court grew few and cold his foes many and active his affronts continual to disorder him by passion or sink him in despair His Commission was but short before but is none now onely three hundred men stick to him his Money failing his Noble Followers withdrawing his Common Souldiers mutiny and he is recalled And happy had he been could he have been quiet but nothing would compleat some mens Designes but his Ruine and nothing could ruine him but Honour that at once pleased his humour and wasted his Estate Earl-Marshal of Ireland he is made and thither he goeth in great state to die anno 1576 and the 36 of his Age a year fatal to that Family which none of them exceeded but the last who had been 〈…〉 ppy if he had died sooner or lived longer then he did Although Sir Walter Devereux had not that success over others which his Valour deserved yet he had that conquest of himself that Vertue onely gives shewing himself as good at the Buckler as at the Sword at suffering as well as acting All his changes from without he bore with none within his even and solid minde that fashioned its own fate enjoying its constant calm amidst all the tempests of malice and ambition Those ignoble courses were not greater Arguments of his Enemies narrowness and degeneracy then his resolved Patience was of his largeness and generousness of spirit he being as much above those smaller tricks as they were below his Adversaries We make our selves more Injuries then are offered us and the apprehension of wrong doth more harm then the smartest part of the wrong it self It 's the Wise-mans glory and the States-mans prudence to pass by Offences A Fool struck Cato in the Bath and when he was sorry for it Cato had forgot it for saith Seneca Melius putavit non agnoscere quam ignoscere Light Injuries are made none by a not-regarding which with a pursuing Revenge grow both to heighth and burden and live to mischief us when they might die to secure us It 's Princely saith one to disdain a Wrong who when Embassadours have offered Undecencies use not to chide but deny them audience as if silence were the way Royal to revenge a Wrong The upper Region is most composed The wisest Rage the least knowing that Observation and Resentâ—ent do but provoke and encourage that Malice which neglect and silence deads and dissipates And it was Sir Walter 's Fathers Maximâ— That Discontent was the greatest weakness of a generous Soul which is always so intent upon its unhappiness that it forgets its remedies This Lord was a great instance of that Maxime That it 's an equal mischief to distrust all as to believe all although of the two the safest is to distrust for Fear had secured this Noble Person while Confidence ruined him it being a Vertue onely when men were innocent but ever since the bane of those that own it Three things undid this Earl 1. That he could not imagine he was to be ruined
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
and could not brook the obsequiousness and assiduity of the Court at that time He had more favour then he courted and he courted more rather to comply with the Queens humour then his own inclination then he desired He would say and that saying did him no good saith Sir Robert Naunton That he was none of the Reptilia being made rather to march as a Souldier then to creep as a Courtier But Civility must allay Nature in a Courtier Prudence regulate it in a States-man and modest submission check and soften it in a Subject It 's as dangerous to be stubbornly above the Kindnesses as it is to be factiously against the Power of Princes Willoughby got nothing Stanley lost all by his haughtiness which when it cannot be obliged is suspected But his service in France Holland and on the Borders compounded for his roughness so that to he who could not endure he should be high at Court were pleased he should be so in the Field Stiffness which displeased when looked on as Pride at home took when heard to be Resolution abroad Each Nature is advanced in its own Element Leicester among the Ladies my Lord Willoughby among the Souldiers It 's a step to Greatness to know our own way to it to exercise and shew our proper Vertues as he did his Magnanimity in these two instances among many others 1. When one challenged him then sick of the Gout he said That though he were lame in his feet and hands yet he would carry a Rapier in his teeth to fight his Adversary 2. Having taken a Spanish Gennet designed a present to that King and being offered either 1000l or 100 l. a year in exchange for it he nobly answered If it had been a Commander he would have freely released him but being onely a Horse he saw no reason be could not keep a good Horse as well as the King of Spain himself Sir Christopher Hatton was to an excess a Courtier and my Lord Willoughby so a Souldier Observations on the Life of Sir Philip Sidney HE was Son to Sir Henry Sidney Lord Deputy of Ireland and President of Wales A Person of great Parts and in no mean grace with the Queen His Mother was Sister to my Lord of Leicester from whence we may conjecture how the Father stood up in the place of Honor and Employment so that his Descent was apparently Noble on both sides For his Education it was such as Travel and the University could afford for after an incredible proficiency in all the Species of Learning he left the Academical life for that of the Court whither he came by his Uncles invitation famed aforehand by a Noble report of his Accomplishments which together with the state of his Person framed by a natural propension to Arms he soon attracted the good opinion of all men and was so highly prized in the good opinion of the Queen that she thought the Court deficient without him and whereas through the fame of his deserts he was in the election for the Kingdome of Poland she refused to further his advancement not out of Emulation but out of fear to loose the Jewel of her times He married the Daughter and sole Heir of Sir Francis Walsingham then Secretary of State a Lady destinated to the Bed of Honour who after his deplorable death at Zutphen in the Netherlands where he was Governour of Flushing at the time of his Uncles being there was married to my Lord of Essex and since his death to my Lord of St. Albans all persons of the Sword and otherwise of great Honour and Vertue He had an equal temperament of Mars and Mercury Valour and Learning to as high a pitch as Nature and Art could frame and Fortune improve him so Dexterous that he seemed born for every thing he went about His representations of Vertue and Vice were not more lively in his Books then in his Life his â—ancy was not above his Vertue his Humours Counsels and Actions were renowned in the Romancer Heroick in the States man His Soul was as large as his Parents and his Complexion as Noble an equal Line of both the modesty of the Mother allaying the activity of the Father A man so sweetly grave so familiarly staid so prettily serious he was above his years Wisdome gained by travel Experience raised from Observations solid and useful Learning drawn from knowing Languet his three years Companion and choicest Books accomplished him for the love of all and the reverence of most His Converse was not more close at home then his Correspondence abroad equally mixed with Policy Pleasure Wisdome and Love his Worth being penned up and smothered within the narrowness of his fortune sallied not out to discontent but pleasure sweetning the Affairs of State with the Debonnairness of the Stage his Romance being but Policy played with Machiavil in jest and State-Maximes sweetened to a Courtiers Palate He writ men as exactly as he studied them and discerned humours in the Court with the same deep insight he described them in his Book His Infant-discourses teach men O what had his riper years done He put Life into the dead Notions of Ancestors made Philosophy practicable joyned the Arts as closely in him as they are in themselves His Book is below his Spirit a Spirit to be confined with Kingdomes rather then Studies to do what was to be written then onely to write what was to be done All eyes were upon him but his own at first in all Affairs he was the last at last he was the first obliging all men that ever he saw and seeing all that were worth obliging All were pleased with his Arcadia but himself whose years advanced him so much beyond himself as his Parts did beyond others He condemned his Arcadia in his more retired judgement to the fire which wise men think will continue to the last Conflagration His private Correspondence with William of Nassau about the highest Affairs of Europe was so exact and prudent that he assured Sir Fulke Grevil he deserved a Kingdom in Forreign Parts though he had not an Office in England The Earl of Leicester held his Authority in the Low-Countries by his Counsel when alive and gave it over when he was dead Sir Francis Walsingham was so much overshot by him in his own Bow that those with whom Sir Philip were acquainted with for his sake were his friends for Sir Philips King James was honoured when King of Scotland with his friendship Henry the fourth with his correspondence Don Juan highly obliged with his Visits the King of Spain himself concerned in his death whom England he said lost in a moment but could not breed in an Age. The Universities were proud of his Patronage the Field of his Presence the Studious in all Parts communicated with him the Hopeful were encouraged by him all excellent Persons thronged to him all serviceable men were entertained by him and he among them a Prince whose minde was great
at the settlement of Governments but fall after it being but unruly Waves to a steady Rock breaking themselves on that solid Constitution they would break Few aimed at Favourites as Sir John did at the Lord Chancellor but their Arrows fell on their own heads Soveraignty being always struck through prime Counsellours and Majesty through its chief Ministers Sir John Perrot no sooner clashed with Hatton then he lost the Queen and ever since he reflected on his Dancing he lost his own footing and never stood on his legs Observations on the Life of Sir Francis Walsingham HE was a Gentleman at first of a good house but of a better Education and from the University travelled for the rest of his Learning He was the best Linguist of the times but knew best how to use his own tongue whereby he came to be employed in the chiefest Affairs of State He was sent Ambassadour into France and stayed there a Leiger long in the heat of the Civil Wars At his return he was taken Principal Secretary and was one of the great Engines of State and of the times high in the Queens favour and a watchful servant over the safety of his Mistress He acted the same part in the Courts of France about that Match that Gundamor if I be not mistaken saith Sir Robert Naunton did in the Court of England about the Spanish His apprehension was quick and his Judgement solid his Head was so strong that he could look into the depth of men and business and dive into the Whirlpools of State Dexterous he was in finding a secret close in keeping it Much he had got by Study more by Travel which enlarged and actuated his thoughts Cecil bred him his Agent as he bred hundreds His Converse was infinuating and reserved He saw every man and none saw him His Spirit was as publick as his Parts and it was his first Maxime Knowledge is never too dear yet as Debonnair as he was prudent and as obliging to the softer but predominant parts of the world as he was serviceable to the more severe and no less Dexterous to work on humours then to convince Reason He would say he must observe the joynts and flexures of Affairs and so could do more with a Story then others could with a Harangue He always surprized business and preferred motions in the heat of other diversions and if he must debate it he would hear all and with the advantage of aforegoing speeches that either cautioned or confirmed his resolutions he carried all before him in conclusion beyond reply He out-did the Jesuites in their own bowe and over-reached them in their own equivocation and mental reservation never telling a Lye but warily drawing out and discovering truth As the close Room sucketh in most Air so this wary man got most intelligence being most of our Papists Confessour before their death as they had been their Brethrens before their treason He said what another writ That an habit of secrecy is policy and vertue To him mens faces spake as much as their tongues and their countenances were Indexes of their hearts He would so beset men with Questions and draw them on pick it out of them by piece-meals that they discovered themselves whether they answered or were silent This Spanish Proverb was familiar with him Tell a Lye and finde a Truth and this Speak no more then you may safely retreat from without danger or fairly go through with without opposition Some are good onely at some affairs in their own acquaintance Walsingham was ready every where and could make a party in Rome as well as England He waited on mens souls with his eye discerning their secret hearts through their transparent faces He served himself of the Factions as his Mistress did neither advancing the one nor depressing the other Familiar with Cecil allied to Leicester and an Oracle to Sussex He could overthrow any matter by undertaking it and move it so as it must fall He never broke any business yet carried many He could discourse any matter with them that most opposed so that they in oppofing it promoted it His fetches and compass to his designed speech were things of great patience and use Twice did he deceive the French as Agent once did he settle the Netherlands as Commissioner and twice did he alter the Government of Scotland as Embassadour Once did France desire he might be recalled because he was too hard for the Counsel for the Hugonots and once did Scotland request his remand because he would have overturned their Constitution 53 Agents did he maintain in Forreign Courts and 18 Spies for two Pistols an Order he had all the private Papers of Europe few Letters escaped his hands whose Contents he could read and not touch the Seals Bellarmine read his Lectures at Rome one moneth and Reynolds had them confuted the next So patient was this wise man Chiselhurst never saw him angry Cambridge never passionate and the Court never discomposed Religion was the interest of his Country in his judgement and of his Soul therefore he maintained it as sincerely as he lived it it had his head his purse and his heart He laid the great foundation of the Protestant Constitution as to its policy and the main plot against the Popish as to its ruine He would cherish a plot some years together admitting the Conspirators to his own and the Queens presence familiarly but dogging them out watchfully his Spies waited on some men every hour for three years and lest they could not keep counsel he dispatched them to forraign parts taking in new Servants His training of Parry who designed the murder of Queen Elizabeth the admitting of him under the pretence of discovering a Plot to the Queens presence and then letting him go where he would onely on the security of a Dark Sentinel set over him was a piece of reach and hazard beyond common apprehension But Kingdomes were acted by him as well as private persons It is a likely report saith one that they father on him at his return from France when the Queen expressed her fear of the Spanish designe on that Kingdome with some concernment Madam said he be content not to fear the Spaniard hath a great appetite and an excellent digestion but I have fitted him with a bone for this twenty years that your Majesty shall have no cause to doubt him Provided that if the fire chance to slack which I have kindled you will be ruled by me and now and then cast in some English â—uel which may revive the flame He first observed the great Bishop of Winchester fit to serve the Church upon the unlikely Youths first Sermon at St. Alâ—allows Barking He brought my Lord Cooke first to the Church upon some private discourse with him at his Table The Queen of Scots Letters were all carried to him by her own Servant whom she trusted and decyphered to him by one Philips as they were sealed again by one Gregory so
that neither that Queen or her correspondents ever perceived either the Seal defaced or the Letters delayed to her dying day Video Taceo was his saying before it was his Mistresses Motto He could as well â—it King James his humour with sayings out of Xenophon Thucydides Plutarch Tacitus as he could King Henry's with Rablais's conceits the Hollander with Mechanick Discourses In a word Sir Francis Walsingham was a studious and temperate man so publick-spirited that he spent his Estate to serve the Kingdome so faithful that he bestowed his years on his Queen so learned that he provided a Library for Kings Colledge of â—is own Books which was the best for Policy as Cecil's was for History Arundels for Heraldry Cottons for Antiquity and Ushers for Divinity finally he equalled all the Statesmen former Ages discourse of and hardly hath been equalled by any in following Ages Observations on the Life of the Earl of Leicester THe Lord Leicester was the youngest son then living of Dudley Duke of Northumberland he was also one of the first to whom Queen Elizabeth gave that honour to be Master of the Horse He was a very goodly person and singular well featured and all his youth well favoured and of a sweet aspect but high foreheaded which was taken to be of no discommendation but towards his latter end grew high-coloured and red-faced The Queen made him Earl of Leicester for the sufferings of his Ancestors sake both in her Fathers and Sisters Reigns The Earl of Essex his death in Ireland and the marriage of his Lady yet living deeply stains his commendation But in the Observations of his Letters and Writings there was not known a Stile or Phrase more religious and fuller of the streams of Devotion He was sent Governour by the Queen to the United States of Holland where we read not of his wonders for they say Mercury not Mars in him had the predominancy To the Policy he had from Northumberland his Father and the Publican Dudley his Grandfather he added they say Magick and Astrology and to his converse with Wise men his familiarity with Wizards Indeed he would say A States-man should be ignorant of nothing but should have all notices either within his own or his Confidents command His Brother Ambrose was the Heir to the Estate and he to the Wisdome of that Family He was the most reserved man of that Age that saw all and was invisible carrying a depth not to be fathomed but by the Searcher of Hearts Many fell in his time who saw not the hand that pulled them down and as many died that knew not their own Disease He trusted not his Familiars above a twelve-month together but either transported them for Forreign services or wasted them to another world His Ambition was of a large extent and his Head-piece of a larger Great was his Influence on England greater on Scotland and greatest of all on Ireland and the Netherlands where this close Genius acted invisibly beyond the reach of friends or the apprehension of enemies Declining an immediate opposition in Court-factions the wary Sir raised always young Favourites to outshine the old ones so balancing all others that he might be Paramount himself The modern policy and practices were but shallow to his who by promoting the Queens Match could hinder it who could decoy Hunsdon to Berwick Pembroke to Wales Sidney to Ireland while what with his great Train what with his growing Popularity he was called the Heart of the Court. To make his Basis equal to his Heighth he enlarged and strengthened his Interest by Alliance with the chief Nobility to whom he was related By his Patronage of Learning over which he was Chancellour by kindness to the Clergy whose Head he seemed to be by his command over all men whom either his favours had won or his frowns awed everybody being either within the Obligation of his Courtesies or the reach of his Injuries He advised some complyance with Philip of Spain for the Match he proposed while by degrees he altered Religion so as it must be impossible designing Queen Elizabeth for his own Bed while she made his way to the Queen of Scots whose refusal of him he made as fatal to her as his Marriage would have been advantageous The Queen of England promising to declare her next Heir to the Crown of England in case she failed of Issue upon that Match Leicester trepans Norfolk to treat a Match with the Scotch Queen and her to accept it to both their ruine both being engaged in such foolish Enterprizes by their enemies practices as made Leicester able in the head of a new Association in the Queens defence to take off Norfolk and his Ladies head He was always before-hand with his Designes being a declared enemy to After-games His Interest was Popery until my Lord North put him upon Puritanism but his Religion neither He promoted the French and Polish Match at Court and disparaged them in the Country When Cardinal Chatillian advertized her Majesty how Leicester drave Royal Suiters from her Court he was sent to another World He that would not hold by his favour must fall by his frown Arch-bishop Grindal not excepted His hand bestowed all favours and his brows all frowns the whole Court was at his Devotion and half the Council at his beck Her Majesty suspected but durst not remove him His Intelligence was good in Scotland better in Ireland best in Spain The Country was governed by his Allies and the Court by himself The Tower was in his servants hands London under his Creatures Government and the Law managed by his Confidents His treasure was vast his gains unaccountable all passages to preferment being in his hand at home and abroad He was never reconciled to her Majesty under 5000 l. nor to any Subject under 500 l. and was ever and anon out with both All Monopolies are his who commanded most mens Purses and all mens Parts A man was oppressed if he complyed with him and undone if he opposed him In a word his designe was thought a Crown his Parts too large for a Subject his Interest too great for a Servant his depth not fathomable in those days and his Policy not reached in these Observations on the Life of the Lord Hatton SIr Christopher Hâ—tton was a Gentleman who for his activity and Person was taken into the Queens favour He was first made Vice-Chamberlain and shortly after advanced to the place of Lord Chancellour A Gentleman that besides the Graces of his Person and Dancing had also the Adjectments of a strong and subtile capacity one that could soon learn the Discipline and Garb both of Times and Court The truth is he had a large proportion of Gifts and Endowments but too much of the season of Envy As he came so he continued in the Court in a Mask An honest man he was but reserved Sir John Perrot talked and Sir Christopher Hatton thought His features set off his
body his gate his features his carriage his gate his parts his carriage his prudence his parts and his close patience his prudence The Queen loved him well for his activity better for his parts best of all for his abilities which were as much above his experience as that was above his learning and that above his education The little the wary man did was so exactly just and discreet and the little he said was so prudent and weighty that he was chosen to keep the Queens Conscience as her Chancellour and to express her sense as her Speaker the Courtiers that envyed the last capacity were by his power forced to confess their errours and the Sergeants that would not plead before him in the first by his prudence to confess his abilities The Chancellourship was above his Law but not his Parts so pregnant and comprehensive that he could command other mens knowledge to as good purpose as his own Such his humility that he did nothing without two Lawyers such his ability that the Queen did nothing without him Two things he said he was jealous of His Mistresses the Queens Prerogatives and his Mother the Churches Discipline the one that Majesty might be at liberty to do as much good and the other that Iniquity might not be free to as much evil as it pleased His enemies advanced him that they might weaken him at Court by his absence and kill him at home by a sedentariness This even and clear man observed and improved their practices closing with Malice it self to his own advancement and tempering the most perverse enmity to the greatest kindness None Nobler none less aspiring none more busie yet none more punctual in his hours and orders Corpulent he was but temperate a Batchelor and the onely one of the Queens Favourites yet chaste quick were his Dispatches but weighty many his Orders and consistent numerous were the Addresses to him and easie the access Seldome were his Orders reversed in Chancery and seldomer his Advice opposed in Council So just he was that his sentence was Law with the Subject so wise that his Opinion was Oracle with his Soveraign so exact was Queen Elizabeth that she called upon him for an old debt though it broke his heart so loving that she carried him a Cordial-broath with her own hand though it could not revive him Observations on the Life of the Lord Hunsdon THe Lord Hunsdon was of the Queens nearest Kindred and on the decease of Sussex both he and his Son took the place of Lord Chamberlain He was a fast man to his Prince and firm to his friends and servants downright honest and stout-hearted having the charge of the Queens Person both in the Court and in the Camp at Tilbury The integrity of his temper allayed the greatness of his birth which had rendred him dangerous if the other had not vouched him faithful He spoke big but honestly and was thought rather resolute then ambitious His words were as his thoughts and his actions as his words He had Valour enough to be an eminent Souldier in ruffling times and a renownedly honest man in Queen Elizabeths Reign His Latine faith Sir Robert Naunton and his dissimulation were both alike His custome of swearing and obscenity in speaking made him seem a worse Christian then he was and a better Knight of the Carpet then he should be The Polititians followed Cecil the Courtiers Leicester and the Souldiers Hunsdon whose hands were better then his head and his heart then both He led so brave a Train of young Gallants as after another threatned a Court but after him secured it whose Greatness was not his Mistresse jealousie but her safeguard One of his blunt Jests went further then others affected Harangues the one being Nature the other forced His faithfulness made him Governour of Berwick a place of great service and General of the English Army a place of great Trust He had something of Leicesters Choler but none of his Malice A right Noble Spirit not so stupid as not to resent not so unworthy as to retain a sense of Injuries To have the Courage to observe an Affront is to be even with an Adversary to have the patience to forgive it is to be above him There goeth a story of him that when his Retinue which in those times was large would have drawn on a Gentleman that had returned him a box on the ear he forbad them in these Souldier-like words You Rogues cannot my Neighbour and my self exchange a box on the ear but you must interpose He might have been what he would for relieving Queen Elizabeth in her distress he would be but what he was Other Interests were offered him to stand upon he was contented with his own He suppressed the Court-Factions and the Nothern Commotions the one by his Interest the other by his Valour for the one he had always the Queens Heart for the other he had once a most Gracious Letter His Court-favour was as lasting as his Integrity One hath left this remarque concerning him That he should have been twice Earl of Wilishire in right of his Mother Bollen And the Queen when he was on his Death-bed ordered his Patent and Robes to his bed-side where he who could dissemble neither well nor ill told the Queen That if he was not worthy of those Honours when living he was unworthy of them when dying In a word Sir William Cecil was a wise man Bacon was reaching Leicester cunning Walsingham was a Patriot and my Lord Hunsdâ—n was honest Observations on the Life of Nicholas Heath Archbishop of York and Lord Chancellour of England AT once a most wise and a most learned man of great Policy and of as great Integrity meek and resolute more devout to follow his own Conscience then cruel to persecute others It is enough to intimate his moderate temper equal and dis-engaged from violent extreams that the first of Queen Elizabeth in the Disputation between the Papists and Protestants he was chosen by the Privy-Council one of the Moderators when Sir Nicholas Bacon was the other The Civility he shewed in Prosperity he found in Adversity for in Queen Elizabeths time he was rather eased then deposed like another Abiathar sent home by Solomon to his own fields in Anathoth living cheerfully at Cobbam in Surry where he devoted his Old Age to Religion and Study being much comforted with the Queens Visits and kindness and more with his own good conscience that as he would often say he had been so intent upon the service as never to enjoy the greatness of any place he was advanced to Sir Henry Wotton being bound for Rome asked his Host at Siena a man well versed in men and bufiness What Rules he would give him for his Port Conduct and Carriage There is one short remembrance said he will carry you safe through the world nothing but this said he Gli Pensiere stretti el viso Sciolto i. e. Your Thoughts close and
much altered here where this Lords Granchilde was at once the chiefest Councellour and the most eminent Scholar of his Age. It 's a reverend thing to see any ancient piece standing against Time much more to see an ancient Family standing against Fortune Certainly Princes that have able men of their Nobility shall finde ease in employing them and a better slide into their business for people naturally bend to them as born in some sort to command Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Challoner THis Gentlemans birth in London made him quick his Education in Cambridge knowing and his travail abroad expert In Henry the eighth's time he served Charles the fifth in the expedition of Algier where being ship-wracked after he had swum till his strength and arms failed him at the length catching hold of a Cable with his teeth he escaped not without the loss of some of his teeth We are consecrated by dangers to services and we know not what we can do until we have seen all we can fear In Edward the sixth's Reign he behaved himself so manly at Muscleborough that the Protector honoured him with a Knighthood and his Lady with a Jewel the delicate and valiant man at once pleasing Mars and his Venus too The first week of Queen Elizabeths Reign he is designed an Embassadour of Honour to the Emperour such his port and carriage and the second year her Leiger for business in Spain such his trust and abilities The first he performed not with more Gallantry then he did the second with Policy bearing up King Philips expectation of the Match with England for three years effectually until he had done the Queens business abroad and she had done her own at home In Spain he equally divided his time between the Scholar and the States-man his recreation and his business for he refreshed his more careful time with a pure and learned Verse de rep Anglorum instauranda in five Books whilst as he writes in the Preface to that Book he lived Hieme in furno aestate in Horreo i. e. Wintered in a Stove and Summered in a Barn He understood the Concerns of this estate well and those of his own better it being an usual saying engraven on all his Plates and Actions Frugality is the left hand of Fortune and Diligence the right Anthony Brown Viscount Mountacute urged with much Zeal and many Arguments the Danger and Dishonour of revolting off from the Catholick and Mother-Church Sir Thomas Challoner with more Eloquence enlarged on the just Cause for which we deceded from the Errours of Rome the true Authority by which we deceded from the Usurpation of Rome and the Moderation in what we deceded from the Superstition of Rome When the Spanish Embassadour urged that some Catholicks might with the Queens leave remain in Spain he answered him in a large Declaration That though the instance seemed a matter of no great moment yet seeing the Parties concerned would not receive so much advantage by the license as the Commonwealth would damage by the President it was neither fit for the King of Spain to urge or for the Queen of England to grant He was very impatient of Injuries pressing his return home when his Coâ—â—ers were searched but admonished by his Mistress That an Embassadour must take all things in good part that hath not a direct tendency to the Princes dishonour or his Countries danger His death was as honourable as his life Sir William Cecil being chief Mourner at his Funeral St. Pauls containing his Grave and he leaving a hopeful Son that should bring up future Princes as he had served the present being as worthy a Tutor to the hopeful Prince Henry as his Father had been a faithful Servant to the renowned Queen Elizabeth Observations in the Life of Sir Edward Waterhouse SIr Edward Waterhouse was born at Helmstedbury Hartfordshire of an ancient and worshipful Family deriving their descent lineally from Sir Gilbert Waterhouse of Kyrton in Low-Lindsey in the County of Lincoln in the time of King Henry the third As for our Sir Edward his Parents were John Waterhouse Esquire a man of much fidelity and sageness Auditor many years to King Henry the eighth of whom he obtained after a great Entertainment for him in his house the grant of a weekly Market for the Town of Helmsted Margaret Turner of the ancient House of Blunts-Hall in Suffolk and Cannons in Hertfordshire The King at his departure honoured the children of the said John Waterhouse being brought before him with his praise and encouragement gave a Benjamins portion of Dignation to this Edward foretelling by his Royal Augury that he would be the Crown of them all and a man of great honour and wisdome fit for the service of Princes It pleased God afterwards to second the word of the King so that the sprouts of his hopeful youth onely pointed at the growth and greatness of his honourable Age. For being but twelve years old he went to Oxford where for some years he glistered in the Oratorick and Poetick sphere until he addicted himself to conversation and observance of State-affairs wherein his great proficiency commended him to the favour of three principal Patrons One was Walter Devereux Earl of Essex who made him his bosome-friend and the said Earl lying on his death-bed took his leave of him with many kisses Oh my Ned Oh my Ned said he Farewel thou art the faithfullest and friendliest Gentleman that ever I knew In testimony of his true affection to the dead Father in his living Son this Gentleman is thought to have penned that most judicious and elegant Epistle recorded in Holinshed's History pag. 1266. and presented it to the young Earl conjuring him by the Cogent Arguments of Example and Rule to patrizare His other Patron was Sir Henry Sidney so often Lord Deputy of Ireland whereby he 〈…〉 ame incorporated into the familiarity of his Son Sir Philip Sidney between whom and Sir Edward there was so great friendliness that they were never better pleased then when in one anothers companies or when they corresponded each with other And we finde after the death of that worthy Knight that he was a close-concerned Mourner at his Obsequies as appeareth at large in the printed Representation of his funeral Solemnity His third Patron was Sir John Perrot Deputy also of Ireland who so valued his counsel that in State-affairs he would do nothing without him So great his Employment betwixt State and State that he crossed the Seas thirty seven times until deservedly at last he came into a port of honour wherein he sundry years anchored and found safe Harbour For he receiving the honour of Knighthood was sworn of her Majesties Privy-Council for Ireland and Chancellour of the Exchequer therein Now his grateful soul coursing about how to answer the Queens favour laid it self wholly out in her service wherein two of his Actions were most remarkable First he was highly instrumental
with 2. To proclaim the Queen of Scots succession and in the Train he laid to serve Leicester in the Duke of Norfolks ruine But he was too familiar with that Politicians privacy to live long anno 1570 he died A Man saith Mr. Cambden of great experience passing sharp wit and singular diligence an over-curious fancy and a too nimble activity like your too fine Silks or Linen and more for shew then service never blessing their Owners but when allayed with something of the heavy and the wary nor rising but when stayed Observations on the Life of Edward Earl of Derby HIs Greatness supported his Goodness and his Goodness endeared his Greatness his Heighth being looked upon with a double aspect 1. By himself as an advantage of Beneficence 2. By others as a ground of Reverence His great Birth put him above private respects but his great Soul never above publick service Indeed he repaired by ways thrifty yet Noble what his Ancestors had impaired by neglect Good Husbandry may as well stand with great Honour as Breadth may consist with Heighth His Travel when young at once gained experience and saved expences and his marriage was as much to his profit as his honour And now he sheweth himself in his full Grandeur when the intireness of his Minde complyed with the largeness of his Soul 1. In a spreading Charity Other Lords made many poor by Oppression he and my Lord of Bedford as Queen Elizabeth would jest made all the Beggers by his liberality 2. In a famous Hospitality wherein 1. His House was orderly a Colledge of Discipline rather then a Palace for Entertainment his Servants being so many young Gentlemen trained up to govern themselves by observing him who knew their Master and understood themselves 2. His Provision Native all the Necessaries of England are bred in it rather plentiful then various solid then dainty that cost him less and contented his guests more His Table constant and even where all were welcome and none invited 3. His Hall was full most commonly his Gates always the one with the honest Gentry and Yeomen who were his Retainers in love and observance bringing good stomacks to his Table and resolved hearts for his service the holding up of his hand in the Northern business being as effectual as the displaying of a Banner The other with the 1. Aged 2. Maimed 3. Industrious Poor whose craving was prevented with doles and expectation with bounty the first being provided with meat the second with money and the third with employment In a word Mr. Cambden observes That Hospitality lieth buried since 1572 in this Earls Grave whence may that Divine Power raise it that shall raise him but before the last Resurrection when there will be plenty to bestow in one part of the world and no poor to be relieved poverty in the other and no bounty to relieve Neither was he Munificent upon other mens charge for once a moneth he looked into his Incomes and once a week to his Disbursements that none should wrong him or be wronged by him The Earl of Derby he would say shall keep his own House wherefore it 's an Observation of him and the second Duke of Norfolk That when they were buried not a Trades-man could demand the payment of a Groat that they owed him nor a Neighbour the restitution of a peny they had wronged him They say The Grass groweth not where the Grand Seigniors Horse treads nor doth the People thrive where the Noble-men inhabit But here every Tenant was a Gentleman and every Gentleman my Lords Companion such his Civility towards the one and great penyworths to the other Noblemen in those days esteemed the love of their Neighbours more then their fear and the service and â—ealty of their Tenants more then their Money Now the Landlord hath the sweat of the Tenants brow in his Coffers then he had the best blood in his Veins at his command That grand word On mine Honour was security enough for a Kingdome and the onely Asseveration he used It was his priviledge that he need not swear for a testimony and his renown that he would not for his honour Great was this Families esteem with the people and eminent their favour with their Soveraigns as which ever bestowed its self in obliging their Liege-people improving their interest and supporting their Throne for though they were a long time great Kings of Man and Hearts yet were they as long faithful subjects to England Oservations on the Life of Sir Williliam Fitz-Williams A Childe of Fortune from his Cradle made up of confidence and reputation never unwarily shewing his Vertue or Worth to the world with any disadvantage When Britain had as little sleepiness and sloath as night when it was all day and all activity He as all young Sparks of that Age trailed a Pike in the Netherlands the Seminary of the English Soldiery and the School of Europes Discipline as a Souldier and travelled as a Gentleman until that place graced him civilly with a Command which he had honoured eminently with his service His friends checked him for undertaking an Employment so boysterous and he replyed upon them That it was as necessary as it seemed irregular for if some were not Souldiers all must be so He said He never durst venture on War with men till he had made his Peace with God A good Conscience breeds great Resolutions and the innocent Soul is impregnable None more fearful of doing evil none more resolved to suffer there being no hardship that he would avoid no undecency that he would allow Strict he was to his Commission and yet observant of his advantage never tempting a danger never flying it careful of his first life and himself but more of his other and his name When the methods of Obedience advanced him to the honour of commanding six things he was Chronicled for 1. Never making the Aged the Young or the Weak the Objects of his Rage which could not be so of his Fear 2. That he never basely killed in cold blood them that had nobly escaped his Sword in hot 3. That he never led the Souldiers without pay or quartered in the Country without money 4. That though he was second to none that acted in War such his Valour yet he was the first that spake for Peace such his sweet Disposition 5. That he would never suffer that a Clergy-man should be abused a Church violated or the Dead be unburied 6. That he would never force an Enemy to a necessity always saying Let us disarm them of their best Weapon Despair nor fight an Enemy before he had skirmished him nor undertake a defigne before he consulted his God his Council his Friends his Map and his History His own Abilities commended and his alliance with Sir Henry Sidney Lord Deputy whose Sister he married promoted him to the Government of Ireland Once did the Queen send him thither for his Brothers sake four times more for his own
me to countenance any thing contrary to your established Laws But I have set an Acorn which when it comes to be an Oak God alone knows what will be the fruit of it Observations on the Life of Sir John Fortescue AN upright and a knowing man a great Master of Greek and Latine and Overseer of the Qu Studies in both the Languages Master of the Wardrobe one whom she trusted with the Ornaments of her soul and body succeeding Sir Walter Mâ—ldmay in his prudence and piety and in his place of Chancellor and Under-treasurer of the Exchequer Two men Qu Eliz. would say out did her expectation Fortescue for Integrity and Walsingham for Subtlety as Cambden writes and Officious services His and Rawleigh's failure was their design of Articling with K. James at his first coming not so much say some in their behalf for himself as for his followers in regard of the known seud between the Nations However conditions unworthy of English Subjects to offer and below the K. of Great Britain to receive who is to make no more terms for his Kingdome than for his Birth The very solemn asking of the Peoples consent which the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury in all the corners of the stage at a Coronation makes importing no more than this Do you the People of England acknowledge that this is the Person who is the Heir of the Crown They being absolutely obliged to submit to the Government upon supposition that they absolutely believe that he is the King Observations on the Life of Sir William Drury SIr William Drury was born in Suffolk where his Worshipful Family had long flourished at Haulsted His name in Saxon soundeth a Pearl to which he answered in the pretiousnesse of his disposition clear and heard innocent and valiant and therefore valued deservedly by his Queen and Country His youth was spent in the French Wars his middle-Age in Scotland and his old Age in Ireland He was Knight-Marshal of Barwick at what time the French had possessed themselves of the Castle of Edenburgh in the minority of King James Queen Elizabeth employed this Sir William with 1500 men to besiege the Castle which service he right worthily performed reducing it within few days to the Owner thereof Anno 1575. he was appointed Lord President of Munster whither he went with competent Forces and executed impartial Justice in despight of the Opposers thereof For as the Signe of Leo immediately precedeth Virgo and Libra in the Zodiack so I hope not that Innocency will be protected or Justice administred in a barbarous Country where power and strength do not first secure a passage unto them But the Earl of Desmond opposed this good President forbidding him to enter the County of Kerry as a Palatinate peculiarly appropriated unto himself Know by the way as there were but four Palatinates in England Chester Laneaster Durbam and Ely whereof the two former many years since were in effect invested in the Crown there were no fewer then eight Palatinates in Ireland possessed by their respective Dynasts claiming Regal Rights therein to the great retarding of the absolute Conquest of that Kingdome Amongst these saith my Author Kerry became the Sanctuary of Sin and Refuge of Rebels as outlawed from any Jurisdiction Sir William no whit terrified with the Earls threatning and declaring that no place should be a priviledge to mischief entred Kerry with a competent Train and there dispenced Justice to all persons as occasion did require Thus with sevenscore men he safely forced his return through seven hundred of the Earls who sought to surprize him In the last year of his Life he was made Lord Deputy of Ireland and no doubt had performed much in his place if not afflicted with constant sickness the forerunner of his death at Waterford 1598. He was one of that Military Valour which the Lord Verulam wisheth about a Prince in troublesome times that held a good esteem with the Populacy and an exact correspondence with the Nobless whereby he united himself to each side by endearments and divided them by distrust watching the slow motions of the people that they should not be excited and spirited by the Nobility and the ambition of the Great Ones that it should not be befriended with the turbulency or strengthened with the assistance of the Commonalty One great Act well followed did his business with the Natives whom he sometimes indulged giving their Discontents liberty to evaporate and with the strangers whom he always awed In those that were commended to his service he observed two things 1. That they were not advanced for their dependence because they promote a Party which he noted to be the first ground of Recommendation 2. Nor for their weakness because they cannot hinder it which he remarked to be the second Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Smith SIr Thomas Smith was born at Saffron-Walden in Essex and bred in Queens Colledge in Cambridge where such his proficiency in Learning that he was chosen out by Henry the eighth to be sent over and to be brought up beyond the Seas It was fashionable in that Age that pregnant Students were maintained on the cost of the State to be Merchants for experience in Forreign Parts whence returning home with their gainful Adventurers they were preferred according to the improvement of their time to Offices in their own Country Well it were if this good old Custome were resumed for if where God hath given five talents Men would give but pounds I mean encourage hopeful Abilities with hopeful Maintenance able persons would never be wanting and poor men with great Parts would not be excluded the Line of Preferment This Sir Thomas was first Servant and Favourite to the Duke of Somerset and afterwards Secretary of State to Queen Elizabeth and a grand Benefactor to both Universities Anno 1577 when that excellent Act passed whereby it was provided That a third part of the Rent upon Leases made by Colledges should be reserved in Corn paying it either in kind or in money after the rate of the best prices in Oxford or Cambridge markets the next Market-days before Michaelmas or our Lady-day For the passing of this Act Sir Thomas Smith surprized the House and whereas many conceived not the difference between the payment of Rents in Corn or Money the knowing Patriot took the advantage of the present cheap year knowing that hereafter Grain would grow dearer Man-kinde dayly multiplying and License being lately given for Transportation so that now when the Universities have least Corn they have most Bread What his foresight did now for the University his reach did the first year of Q. Eliz. for the Kingdome for the first sitting of her Council he advised twelve most important things for the publick safety 1. That the Ports should be shut 2. That the Tower of London should be secured in good hands 3. That the Deputy of Ireland's Commission should be renewed and enlarged 4. That all Officers should
act 5. That no new Office should be bestowed in a moneth 6. That Ministers should meddle with no Controversies 7. That Embassadors should be sent to Forreign Princes 8. That no Coyn should be transported beyond Sea 9. That no person of quality should travel for six weeks 10. That the Train-bands should be mustered 11. That Ireland the Borders and the Seas should be provided for 12. And that the dissenting Nobility and Clergy should be watched and secured Adding withal a Paper for the Reading of the Epistle the Gospel and the Commandments in the English Tongue to encourage the Protestants expectation and allay the Papists fear In the same Proclamation that he drew up the Sacrament of the Altar was to be reverenced and yet the Communion to be administred in both kinds He advised a Disputation with the Papists one day knowing that they could not dispute without leave from the Pope and so would disparage their Cause yet they could not say but they might dispute for the Queen and so satisfie the People and is one of the five Counsellours to whom the Designe of the Reformation is opened and one of the eight to whom the management of it was intrusted There you might see him a Leading man among the States-men here most eminent among Divines at once the most knowing and pious man of that Age. As his Industry was taken up with the establishment of our Affairs at home so his Watchfulness upon Sir Edward Carnes deposition of his Embassie was intent upon the plots of France and Rome abroad in the first of which places he made a Secretary his own and in the second a Cup-bearer At the Treaty of Cambray my Lord Howard of Effingham the Lord Chamberlain and he brought the King of Spain to the English side in the business of Calice 1. That France might be weakened 2. That his Netherlands might be secured 3. That the Queen his Sweet-heart might be obliged until he discovered Queen Elizabeths averseness to the marriage whereupon had it not been for the Viscount Mountacute who was not so much a Papist as to forget that he was an English-man and Sir Thomas the Spaniard had stoln over Catharine Grey Queen Elizabeths Neece for a pretence to the Crown as the French had the Queen of Scots her Cozen. After which he and Sir William Cecil advised her Majesty to that private Treaty apart without the Spaniard which was concluded 1559 as much to the bonour of England now no longer to truckle under Spain as its interest no longer in danger from France Sir Nicholas Throgmorton was the Metal in these Treaties and Sir Thomas Smith the Allay the ones mildness being to mitigate that animosity which the others harshness had begot and the others spirit to recover those advantages which this mans easiness had yeilded Yet he shewed himself as much a man in demanding as Sir William Cheyney in gaining Calice replying smartly upon Chancellour Hospitals Discourse of ancient Right the late Treaty and upon Montmorency's Harangue of Fears Conscience Pitying the neglected state of Ireland he obtained a Colony to be planted under his base Son in the East-Coast of Ulster called Ardes at once to civilize and secure that place So eminent was this Gentleman for his Learning that he was at once Steward of the Stannaries Dean of Carlisle and Provost of Eaton in King Edward's time and had a Pension on condition he went not beyond Sea so considerable he was in Queen Mary's Well he deserved of the Commonwealth of Learning by his Books 1. Of The Commonwealth of England 2. Of The Orthography of the English Tongue and of the Pronunciation of Greek and 3. an exact Commentary of matters saith Mr. Cambden worthy to be published Observations on the Lives of Dr. Dale the Lord North Sir Thomas Randolph I Put these Gentlemen together in my Observations because I finde them so in their Employments the one Agent the other Leiger and the third Extraordinary Embassador in France the first was to manage our Intelligence in those dark times the second to urge our Interest in those troublesome days and the third to represent our Grandeur No man understood the French correspondence with the Scots better then Sir Thomas Randolph who spent his active life between those Kingdomes none knew better our Concerns in France and Spain then Valentine Dale who had now seen six Treaties in the first three whereof he had been Secretary and in the last a Commissioner None fitter to represent out state then my Lord North who had been two years in Walsinghams house four in Leicesters service had seen six Courts twenty Battles nine Treaties and four solemn Justs whereof he was no mean part as a reserved man a valiant Souldier and a Courtly Person So sly was Dale that he had a servant always attending the Queen-mother of France the Queen of Scots and the King of Navarre so watchful Sir Thomas Randolph that the same day he sent our Agent in Scotland notice of a designe to carry over the young King and depose the Regent he advised our Queen of a Match between the King of Scot's Uncle and the Countess of Shrewsbury's Daughter and gave the Earl of Huntington then President of the North those secret instructions touching that matter that as my Lord Burleigh would often acknowledge secured that Coast My L. North watched the successes of France Dr. Dale their Leagues and both took care that the Prince of Orange did not throw himself upon the Protection of France always a dangerous Neighbour but with that accession a dreadful one Sir John Horsey in Holland proposed much but did nothing Sir Thomas Randolph in France performed much and said nothing yet both with Dr. Dales assistance made France and Spain the Scales in the balance of Europe and England the tongue or holder of the balance while they held the Spaniard in play in the Netherlands watched the French Borders and kept constant Agents with Orange and Don John Neither was Sir Thomas less in Scotland then in France where he betakes himself first to resolution in his Protestation and then to cunning in his Negotiation encouraging Morton on the one hand and amusing Lenox on the other keeping fair weather with the young King and yet practising with Marre and Anguse Nothing plausible indeed saith Cambden was he with the wise though youthful King James yet very dexterous in Scotish humours and very prudent in the Northern Affairs very well seen in those interests and as successful in those Negotiations witness the first and advantageous League 1586. Video rideo is Gods Motto upon Affronts Video Taceo was Queen Elizabeths Video nec vident was Sir Thomas Randolphs These three men treated with the Spaniard near Ostend for Peace while the Spaniard prepared himself on our Coast for War So much did Sir James Crofts his affection for Peace exceed his judgement of his Instruction that he would needs steal over
to Brussels to make it with no less commendation for the prudent Articles he proposed then censure for the hazard he incurred in the Proposal So equal and even did old Dale carry himself that the Duke of Parma saw in his Answers the English spirit and therefore saith my Author durst not try that Valour in a Nation which he was so afraid of in a single person That he had no more to say to the old Gentleman then onely this These things are in the hand of the Almighty None more inward with other men then Sir Francis Walsingham none more inward with him then Sir Thomas Randolph well studied he was in Justinians Code better in Machiavils Discourses both when a learned Student of Christ-church and a worthy Principal of Broadgates thrice therefore was he an Embassadour to the Lords of Scotland in a Commotion thrice to Queen Mary in times of Peace seven times to James the sixth of Scotland for a good understanding and thrice to Basilides Emperour of Russia for Trade Once to Charles the ninth King of France to discover his designe upon Scotland and once to Henry the third to open a Conspiracy of his Subjects against him Great Services these but meanly rewarded the serviceable but moderate and modest man though he had as many children at home as he had performed Embassies abroad being contented with the Chamberlainship of the Exchequer and the Postermasters place the first but a name and the second then but a noyse to which were added some small Farms wherein he enjoyed the peace and innocence of a quiet and retired Life a Life which upon the reflexions of a tender Conscience he wished a great while as appears by his Letters to his dear Walsingham wherein he writes How worthy yea how necessary a thing it was that they should at length bid Farewel to the snares be of a Secretary and himself of an Embassadour and should both of them set their mindes upon their Heavenly Country and by Repenting ask Mercy of GOD. Observations on the Life of Sir Amias Poulet SIr Amias Poulet born at Hinton St. George in Somersetshire Son to Sir Hugh and Grand-childe to Sir Amias Poulet was Chancellour of the Garter Governour of the Isles of Jersey and Gernsey and Privy-Councellour to Queen Elizabeth He was so faithful and trusty that the Queen committed the keeping of Mary Queen of Scots to his custody which he discharged with great fidelity As Caesar would have his Wife so he his Spirit above the very suspicion of unworthiness equally consulting his Fame and his Conscience When he performed his last Embassie with no less satisfaction to the King of France then honour to the Queen of England at once with a good humor and a great state he would not accept a Chain and all Gifts are Chains from that King by any means until he was a League from Paris then he took it because he would oblige that Prince and not till then because he would not be obliged by any but his Soveraign saying I will wear no Chains but my Mistresses It is the Interest of Princes that their Servants Fortune should be above the temptation it is their happiness that their Spirits are above the respects of a private concern Observations on the Lives of Sir James Crofts John Grey of Pyrgo Sir Henry Gates EMblems of Honour derived from Ancestors are but rotten Rags where ignoble Posterity degenerates from their Progenitors but they are both glorious and precious where the children both answer and exceed the Vertues of their extraction as in these three Gentlemen whose Ancestors fill both Pages of former Kings Chronicles as they do the Annals of Queen Elizabeth Three Gentlemen whom it's pity to part in their Memoires since they were always together in their Employments All three were like to die in Queen Mary's days for the profession of the Protestant Religion all three spending their Lives in Queen Elizabeth's for the propagation of it 1. Sir Henry Gates lying in Rome as a Spy under the Notion of Cardinal Florido's Secretary six years John Grey drawing up the whole Proceedings and Methods of the Reformation for ten years and Sir James Crofts being either the vigilant and active Governour of Berwick or the prudent and successful Commissioner in Scotland for seven years When the French threatned us by the way of Scotland the Earl of Northumberland was sent Northward for his interest as Warden of the middle March Sir Ralph Sadler for his wisdome as his Assistant and Councellour and Sir James Crofts for his Conduct as both their Guide and Director-general An Estate in the Purse credits the Court Wisdome in the Head adorneth it but both in the Hand serve it Nobly did he and Cutbbert Vaughan beat the French that sallied out of Edinburgh into their Trenches but unhappily stood he an idle Spectator in his quarter the next Scalado while the English are overthrown and the Duke writes of his infidelity to the Queen who discharged him from his Place though not from her favour for in stead of the more troublesome Place the Government of Berwick she conferred on him that more honourable the Controllership of her Houshold Great Service did his Valour at Hadington in Scotland against the French greater his Prudence in Vlster against the Spaniards Although his Merit made his Honour due to him and his Blood becoming though his Cares Travels and Dangers deserved pity his quiet and meek Nature love though he rise by wary degrees and so was unobserved and stood not insolently when up and so was not obnoxious yet Envy reflected as hot upon him as the Sun upon the rising ground which stands firm though it doth not flourish as this Gentleman 's resolved Honesty did overcoming Court-envy with a solid worth waxing old at once in years and reverence and dying as the Chronicle wherein he dieth not but with Time reports it in good favour with his Prince and sound reputation with all men for three infallible sources of Honour 1. That he aimed at Merit more then Fame 2. That he was not a Follower but an Example in great Actions and 3. That he assisted in the three great Concerns of Government 1. in Laws 2. in Arms and 3. in Councils In Aesop there is a slight Fable of a deep Moral it is this Two Frogs consulted together in the time of Drowth when many plashes that they had repaired to were dry what was to be done and the one propounded to go down into a deep Well because it was like the water would not fail there but the other answered Yea but if it do fail bow shall we get up again Mr. Grey would Nod and say Humane affairs are so uncertain that he seemeth the wisest man not who hath a spirit to go on but who hath a wariness to come off and that seems the best course that hath most passages out of it Sir James Crofts on the other hand hated that irresolution that would do
nothing because it may be at liberty to do any thing Indeed saith one Necessity hath many times an advantage because it awaketh the powers of the minde and strengtheneth Endeavour Sir James Crofts was an equal Composition of both as one that had one fixed eye on his Action and another indifferent one on his retreat Observations on the Life of William Lord Grey of Wilton THat great Souldier and good Christian in whom Religion was not a softness as Machiavil discourseth but a resolution Hannibal was sworn an Enemy to Rome at nine years of Age and my Lord bred one to France at fourteen Scipio's first service was the rescue of his Father in Italy and my Lord Grey's was the safety of his Father in Germany He had Fabius his slow way and long reach with Herennius his fine Polices and neat Ambuscadoes having his two Companions always by him his Map and his Guide the first whereof discovered to him his more obvious advantages and the second his more close dangers His great Conduct won him much esteem with those that heard of him and his greater presence more with those that saw him Observable his Civility to Strangers eminent his Bounty to his Followers obliging his Carriage in the Countries he marched through and expert his Skill in Wars whose end he said was Victory and the end of Victory Nobleness made up of pity and munificence It lost him his Estate to redeem himself in France and his Life to bear up his Reputation in Berwick Having lived to all the great purposes of life but Self-interest he died 1563 that fatal year no less to the publick sorrow of England which he secured then the common joy of Scotland which he awed Then it was said That the same day died the greatest Scholar and the greatest Souldier of the Nobility the right honourable Henry Manners Earl of Rutland in his Gown and the honourable Lord Grey in his Armour both as the Queen said of them Worthies that had deserved well of the Commonwealth by their Wisdome Counsel Integrity and Courage Two things my Lord always avoided the first To give many Reasons for one thing the heaping of Arguments arguing a neediness in every of the Arguments by its self as if one did not trust any of them but fled from one to another helping himself still with the last The second To break a Negotiation to too many distinct particulars or to couch it in too compact generals by the first whereof we give the parties we deal with an opportunity to look down to the bottom of our business and by the second to look round to the compass of it Happy are those Souls that command themselves so far that they are equally free to full and half discoveries of themselves always ready and pliable to the present occasion Not much regarded was this gallant Spirit when alive but much missed when dead we understand what we want better then what we enjoy and the beauty of worthy things is not in the face but the back-side endearing more by their departure then their address Observations on the Life of Edmund Plowden EDmund Plowden was born at Plowden in Shrop-shire one who excellently deserved of our Municipal Law in his learned Writings thereon A plodding and a studious man and no wonder if knowing and able Beams in reflexion are hottest and the Soul becomes wise by looking into its self But see the man in his Epitaph Conditur in hoc Tumulo corpus Edmundi Plowden Armigeri Claris ortus Parentibus apud Plowden in Comitatu Salop natus est à pueritia in literarum Studio liberaliter est educatus in Provectiore vero â—tate Legibus Jurisprudentiae operam dedit Senex jam factus annum aetatis suae agens 67. Mundo Valedicens in Christo Jesu Sancte obdormivit die Sexto Mensis Februar anno Domini 1584. I have the rather inserted this Epitaph inscribed on his Monument on the North-side of the East-end of the Quire of Temple-Church in London because it hath escaped but by what casualty I cannot conjecture Master Stow in his Survey of London We must adde a few words out of the Character Mr. Cambden gives of him Vitae integritate inter bomines suae professionis nu 〈…〉 secundum As he was singularly well learned in the Common Laws of England whereof he deserved well by writing so for integrity of life he was second to none of his profession And how excellent a Medley is made when Honesty and Ability mee in a man of his Profession Nor must we forget how he was Treasurer for the honourable Society of the Middle-Temple Anno 1572 when their magnificent Hall was builded he being a great Advancer thereof Finding the Coyn embased by Henry the eighth so many ways prejudicial to thier State as that which first dishonoured us abroad secondly gave way to the frauds of Coyners at home who exchanged the best Commodities of the Land for base Moneys and exported the current money into Forreign parts and thirdly enhansed the prizes of all things vendible to the great loss of all Stipendiaries He offered 1. That no man should melt any Metal or export it 2. That the Brass-money should be reduced to its just value 3. That it should be bought for good by which silent and just methods that defect of our Government for many years was remedied in few moneths without any noise or what is proper to alterations of this nature discontent The middle Region of the Air is coolest as most distant from the direct beams that warm the highest and the reflexed that heat the lowest the mean man that is as much below the favour of the Court as above the business of the Country was in our Judges opinion the most happy and composed man this being the utmost of a knowing mans wish in England That he were as much out of the reach of contempt as to be above a Constable and as much out of the compass of trouble as to be below a Justice A Mean is the utmost that can be prescribed either of Vertue or Bliss as in our Actions so in our State Great was the Capacity and good the Inclination of this Man large the Furniture and happy the Culture of his Soul grave his Meen and stately his Behaviour well-regulated his Affections and allayed his Passions well-principled his Mind and well-set his Spirit solid his Observation working and practical his Judgement and as that Romane Heroe was more eminent whose image was missing then all the rest whose Portraictures were set up so this accomplished Gentleman is more observable because he was not a States-man then some of those that were so There is a glory in the obscurity of worthy men who as that Sun which they equal as well in common influence as lustre are most looked on when eclipsed Observations on the Life of Sir Roger Manwood SIr Roger Manwood born at Sandwich in Kent attained to such eminency in
the Labyrinth of History but guided by the Clue of Cosmography hanging his Study with Maps and his Mind with exact Notices of each place He made in one View a Judgement of the Situation Interest and Commodities for want whereof many States-men and Souldiers have failed of Nations but to understand the nature of places is but a poor knowledge unless we know how to improve them by Art therefore under the Figures of Triangles Squares Circles and Magnitudes with their terms and bounds he could contrive most tools and instruments most Engines and judge of Fortifications Architecture Ships Wind and Water-works and whatever might make this lower frame of things useful and serviceable to mankinde which severer Studies he relieved with noble and free Poetry-aid once the pleasure and advancement of the Soul made by those higher motions of the minde more active and more large To which I adde her Sister Musick wherewith he revived his tired spirits lengthened as he said his sickly days opened his oppressed breast eased his melancholy thoughts graced his happy pronunciation ordered and refined his irregular and gross inclination fixed and quickened his floating and dead notions and by a secret sweet and heavenly Vertue raised his spirit as he confessed sometime to a little less then Angelical Exaltations Curious he was to please his ear and as exact to please his eye there being no Statues Inscriptions or Coyns that the Vertuosi of Italy could shew the Antiquaries of France could boast of or the great Hoarder of Rarities the great Duke of Tuscany whose antick Coyns are worth 100000 l. could pretend to that he had not the view of No man could draw any place or work better none fancy and paint a Portraicture more lively being a Dureâ— for proportion a Goltzius for a bold touch variety of posture a curious and true shadow an Angelo for his happy fancy and an Holben for Oyl-works Neither was it a bare Ornament of Discourse or naked Diversion of leisure time but a most weighty piece of Knowledge that he could blazon most noble and ancient Coats and thereby discern the relation interest and correspondence of great Families and thereby the meaning and bottom of all transactions and the most successful way of dealing with any one Family His Exercises were such as his Employments were like to be gentile and man-like whereof the two most eminent were Riding and Shooting that at once wholsomely stirred and nobly knitted and strengthened his Body Two Eyes he said he travelled with the one of wariness upon himself the other of observation upon others This compleat Gentleman was Guardian to the young Brandon in his younger years Agent for Sir John Mason in King Edward the sixth's time and the first Embassador for the State in Queen Elizabeths time My Lord Cobham is to amuse the Spaniard my Lord Effingham to undermine the French and Sir Henry Killigrew is privately sent to engage the German Princes against Austria in point of Interest and for her Majesty in point of Religion he had an humour that bewitched the Elector of Bavaria a Carriage that awed him of Mentz a Reputation that obliged them of Colen and Hydelbergh and that reach and fluency in Discourse that won them all He assisted the Lords Hunsdon and Howard at the Treaty with France in London and my Lord of Essex in the War for France in Britain Neither was he less observable for his own Conduct then for that of others whose severe thoughts words and carriage so awed his inferiour faculties as to restrain him through all the heats of youth made more then usually importunate by the full vigour of a high and sanguine Constitution insomuch that they say he looked upon all the approaches to that sin then so familiar to his Calling as a a Souldier his Quality as a Gentleman and his Station as a Courtier not onely with an utter disallowance in his Judgement but with a natural abhorency and antipathy in his very lower inclinations To which happiness it conduced not a little that though he had a good yet he had a restrained appetite a Knife upon his Throat as well as upon his Trencher that indulged it self neither frequent nor delicate entertainment its Meals though but once a day being its pressures and its fasts its only sensualities to which temperance in diet adde but that in sleep together with his disposal of himself throughout his life to industry and diligence you will say he was a spotless man whose life taught us this Lesson which if observed would accomplish Mankinde and which King Charles the first would inculcate to noble Travellers and Dr. Hammond to all men To be furnished always with something to do A Lesson they proposed as the best expedient for Innocence and Pleasure the foresaid blessed man assuring his happy Hearers That no burthen is more heavy or temptation more dangerous then to have time lie on ones hand the idle man being not onely as he worded it the Devils shop but his kingdome too a model of and an appendage unto Hell a place given up to torment and to mischief Observations on the Life of Arthur Gray Baron of Wilton ARthur Gray Baron of Wilton is justly reckoned amongst the Natives of Buckingham-shire whose Father had his habitation not at Wilton a decayed Castle in Herefordshire whence he took his Title but at Waddon a fair House of his Family not far from Buckingham He succeeded to a small Estate much diminished on this sad occasion His Father William Lord Gray being taken Prisoner in France after long ineffectual solliciting to be because captivated in the publick service redeemed on the publick charge at last was forced to ransome himself with the sale of the best part of his Patrimony Our Arthur endeavoured to advance his Estate by his Valour being entred into Feats of War under his Martial Father at the siege of Leith 1560 where he was shot in the shoulder which inspirited him with a constant antipathy against the Scots He was afterwards sent over Lord Deputy into Ireland anno 1580 where before he had received the Sword or any Emblems of Command ut acricribus initiis terrorem incuteret to fright his foes with fierce beginnings he unfortunately fought the Rebels at Glandilough to the great loss of English Blood This made many commend his Courage above his Conduct till he recovered his credit and finally suppressed the Rebellion of Desmond Returning into England the Queen chiefly relied on his counsel for ordering our Land-forces against the Spaniards in 88 and fortifying places of advantage The mention of that year critical in Church-differences about discipline at home as well as with forreign force abroad mindeth me that this Lord was but a back-friend to Bishops and in all divisions of Votes in Parliament or Council-table sided with the Anti-prelatical Party When Secretary Davison that State-Pageant raised up on purpose to be put down was censured in the Star-chamber about the business of
one another 1. That in our Considerations and Debates we should not dwell in deceitful Generals but look into clear Particulars 2. That in our Resolutions and Conclusions we should not rest on various Particulars but rise to uniform Generals A Man he was that reverenced himself that could be vertuous when alone and good when onely his own Theatre his own applause though excellent before the world his vertue improving by fame and glory as an heat which is doubled by reflexion Observations on the Life of Sir James Dier JAmes Dier Knight younger Son to Richard Dier Esquire was born at Round-hill in Somersetshire as may appear to any by the Heralds Visitation thereof He was bred in the study of our Municipal Law and was made Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas primo Eliz. continuing therein twenty four years When Thomas Duke of Norfolk was anno 1572 arraigned for Treason this Judge was present thereat on the same token that when the Duke desired Counsel to be assigned him pleading that it was granted to Humphrey Stafford in the Reign of King Henry the seventh our Judge returned unto him That Stafford had it allowed him only as to point of Law then in dispute viz. Whether he was legally taken out of the Sanctuary but as for matter of Fact neither he nor any ever had or could have Counsel allowed him But let his own works praise him in the Gates known for the place of publick Justice amongst the Jews let his learned Writings called The Commentaries or Reports evidence his Abilities in his Profession He died in 25 Eliz. though married without any issue and there is a House of a Baronet of his Name descended from an elder Son of Richard Father to our Judge at great Stoughton in Hunting tonshire well improved I believe with the addition of the Judges Estate There is a Manuscript of this worthy Judge wherein are six and forty Rules for the preservation of the Commonwealth as worthy our Observation as they were his Collection 1. That the true Religion be established 2. To keep the parts of the Commonwealth equal 3. That the middle sort of people exceed both the extreams 4. That the Nobility be called to serve or at least to appear at the Court by themselves or by the hopes of their Families their Children 5. That the Court pay well 6. That Trade be free and Manufactures with all other Ingenuities encouraged 7. Thgt there be no co-equal Powers nor any other Vsurpations against the Foundation 8. That there be notice taken of wise and well-affected Persons to employ them 9. That Corruption be restrained 10. That the Prince shew himself absolute in his Authority first and then indulgent in his Nature 11. That the first ferment of sedition want c. be considered 12. That Preferments be bestowed on merit and not faction 13. That troublesome persons be employed abroad 14. That Emulations be over-ruled 15. That the ancient and most easie way of Contributions when necessary be followed 16. That the Youth be disciplined 17. That Discourses and Writings of Government and its mysteries be restrained 18. That the active and busie be taken to Employment 19. That the King shew himself often in Majesty tempered with familiarity easie access tenderness c. 20. That the Prince perform some unexpected actions at Court himself 21. That no one man be gratified with the grievance of many 22. That Acts of Grace pass in the chief Magistrates Name and Acts of Severity in the Ministers 23. That the Prince borrow when he hath no need 24. That he be so well furnished with Warlike Provisions Citadels Ships as to be renowned for it 25. That the Neighbour-States be balanced 26. That the Prince maintain very knowing Agents Spies and Intelligencers 27. That none be suffered to raise a Quarrel between the Prerogative and the Law 28. That the People be awaked by Masters 29. That in cases of Faction Colonies and Plantations be found out to receive ill humours 30. That the Seas the Sea-coasts and Borders be secured 31. That the Prince be either resident himself or by a good natured and popular Favourite 32. To act things by degrees and check all the hasty importunate rash and turbulent though well-affected 33. That the Inhabitants have Honour promisouously but that Power be kept in the Well-affected's hands 34. That there be as far as can be plain dealing and the people never think they are deceived 35. That there be a strict eye kept upon Learning Arms and Mechanical Arts. 36. That there be frequent Wars 37. To observe the Divisions among Favourites though not to encourage them 38. That an account be given of the Publick Expences 39. That Inventions be encouraged 40. That the Country be kept in its due dependance on the Crown against the times of War Elections c. and to that purpose that the Courtiers keep good houses c. 41. That no disobliged person be trusted 42. That Executions be few suddain and severe 43. To improve the benefit of a Kingdomes Situation 44. That the Liberties and Priviledges of the Subject be so clearly stated that there may be no pretences for worse purposes 45. That the Coyn be neither transported nor embased 46. That Luxury be suppressed Maximes these that spake our Judge so conversant with Books and Men that that may be applyed to him which is attributed to as great a Divine as he was a Lawyer viz. That he never talked with himself Observations on the Life of Sir William Pelham SIr William Pelham was a Native of Sussex whose ancient and wealthy Family hath long flourished in Laughton therein His Prudence in Peace and Valour in War caused Queen Elizabeth to employ him in Ireland where he was by the Privy-Council appointed Lord Chief Justice to govern that Land in the interim betwixt the death of Sir William Drury and the coming in of Arthur Gray Lord Lieutenant of Ireland Say not that he did but stop a gap for a twelve-month at the most seeing it was such a gap Destruction had entred in thereat to the final ruine of that Kingdome had not his Providence prevented it For in this juncture of time Desmond began his Rebellion 1579 inviting Sir William to side with him who wisely gave him the hearing with a smile in to the Bargain And although our Knight for want of Force could not cure the wounds yet he may be said to have washed and kept it clean resigning it in a recovering condition to the Lord Gray who succeeded him Afterwards he was sent over into the Low-Countries 1586 being Commander of the English Horse therein It is said of him Brabantiam persultabat He leapt through Brabant importing celerity and success yea as much Conquest as so suddain an expedition was capable of He had a strong memory whereon he built his experience and a large experience whereon he grounded his actions There was no Town Fort Passage Hill or Dale either in Ireland or Holland
however in other Points they pretend to be at war with the Popish Jesuites yet by this separation of themselves from the unity of their fellow-subjests and by abasing the Sacred Authority and Majesty of their Prince they do both joyn and concur with the Jesuites in opening the Door and preparing the way to the Spanish Invasion that is threatened against the Realm And thus having according to the weakness of my best understanding delivered Her Majesties Royal Pleasure and wise Direction I rest there with humble Suit of Her Majesties most gracious Pardon in supplying of my defects and recommend you to the Author of all good counsel He died anno Domini 1596 charactered by Mr. Cambden Vir Integer His Estate is since descended according to the solemn settlement thereof the Male Issue failing on Sir Henry Newton who according to the Condition hath assumed the surname of Puckering Sir Thomas Egerton urged against the Earl of Arundel methodically what he had done before in and since the Spanish Invasion Sir John Puckering pressed things closely both from Letters and Correspondence with Allen and Parsons that few men had seen and from the saying of my Lord himself which fewer had observed who when Valongers Cause about a Libel was handled in the Star-chamber had said openly He that is throughly Popish the same man cannot but be a Traytor A man this was of himself of good repute for his own Carriage but unhappy for that of his Servants who for disposing of his Livings corruptly left themselves an ill name in the Church and him but a dubious one in the State David is not the onely person whom the iniquity of his heels that is of his followers layeth hold on Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Bromley SIr Thomas Bromley was born at Bromley in Shropshire of a right ancient Family He was bred in the Inner Temple and made before he was forty years of age General-Sollicitor to Queen Elizabeth and afterwards before he was fifty succeeded Sir Nicholas Bacon in the Dignity of Lord Chancellour yet Bacon was not missed while Bromley succeeded him and that loss which otherwise could not have been repaired now could not be perceived which Office he wisely and learnedly executed with much discretion possessing it nine years and died anno 1587 not being sixty years old My Lord Hunsdon first employed this Gentleman and my Lord Burleigh took first notice of him He had a deep head to dive to the bottome of the abstruse Cases of those times and a happy mean to manage them with no less security to the Estate then satisfaction to the People A man very indudustrious in his Place and very observant of the Court happy in his potent friends happy in his able followers men of great faithfulness towards him and of great integrity and respectfulness towards any that made Addresses to him He never decided the equity of any Case before he had discoursed with the Judge that heard it of the Law of it He never disposed of a Living without the Bishop of the Diocess his consent where it lay nor ever engaged he in any State-business without direction from my Lord Burleigh the Earl of Leicester my Lord Delaware Sir Ralph Sadler was to observe the Policy Dr. Wilson the Civil Law and Sir Thomas Bromley the English Law in the Queer of Scots Answer to Queen Elizabeths last Expostulation The Spanish Souldier never takes wages against his King and Sir Thomas Bromley never took fees against the Crown He would have the Caue opened clearly by his Client in the Chamber before ever he would declare it at the Bar He lo 〈…〉 money for not admitting all Causes promiscuously at first but he gained it at last when never failing in any Cause saith my Author for five years during which space what he wanted in the retayl of advantage he made up in the gross o 〈…〉 esteem being by that time the onely person that the People would employ and one of the three the Court would favour being excellent because industrious in a leading and an untrodden Case Physitians they say are best like Beer when stale and Lawyers like Bread when young This Person was eminent in all the periods of his Age each whereof he filled with its just and becoming accomplishment In that Lord of Northumberland's Case that Pistolled himself none more subtle to argue his guilt in the Queen of Scots none more strict to keep to the Law for when the Queen of Sco 〈…〉 would explain something in the Queens Commission he answered We are Subjects and not come hither to explain the Queens words but to perform them None more discreet and grave prefacing that great business with these words The High and Mighty Queen our Soveraign that she might not be wanting to her God her Self her People or your Honour sent us hither not so much to try as to elear you not so much to urge her Accusations as to hear your Defence And none more stedfast to his Soveraign for when that unfortunate Lady protested her unaccountableness to the English Laws he replyed This protestation is vain for whosoever of what place soever offendeth against the Laws of England in England was subject to the same Laws and might be examined and tryed The Sentence against her he declared had three things in it 1. Justice 2. Security 3. Necessity but added presently And that wisely too it should no ways prejudice King James his Title or Honour Observations on the Life of Sir Richard Bingham SIr Richard Bingham born in Binghams-Melcolm in Dorsetshire of a very ancient Family in his youth trayelled most parts of the world He was at the Siege of St. Quintin in France the Sacking of Leith in Scotland served in Candia under the Venetians against the Turk then returned into the Netherlands being strong and fortunate in all his Undertakings After all this he went into Ireland and was there President of Connaught and conquered the great and dangerous Rebel O Rorke A Gentleman this rather skilful in many mysteries then thriving in any of a fancy too high and wild too desultory and over-voluble yet Imagination hath often produced Realities and Phancy done the work of Judgement as in this Gentleman whose Daringness went for Conduct whose Spirit passed for Resolution whose Activity had the honour of skill and whose Success the glory of prudence It 's a wonder of parts that Casar could write read dictate and discourse at the same time it 's a miracle of fancy that thisman should Command a Regiment in the Netherlands preside in a Province of Ireland manage a Trade in Russia carry on a Plantation in America and husband a Mannor in England But as the King of Spain is painted with a handful of sand running out between his singers in reference to his many but unprofitable Dominions so might this grand Projector be described who attempted so many things that he did nothing Yet one thing his Quick-silver Soul was good
and her own sake the Knowles were of the same blood with her Majesty the Norrises spent theirs for her 1. My Lord Norris died at Court an honest man 2. Sir Francis at Bulloign a good Souldier 3. Sir William at Berwick a brave Governour As the first eminent Norris suffered for Anne Bullen the Queens Mother so the first eminent Knowles suffered with Protestantism her Religion 4. Sir Thomas at Munster a wise President 5. Sir Maximilian at Bretaign an expert Engineer 6. Maximilian at Groen a renowned Heroe 7. Sir John was a most accomplished General no less eminent for his safe retreats then for his resolute onsets France hath recorded this testimony of him That he brought on his men so warily as one that could bring them off and England this That he brought them off so resolutely as one that durst bring them on His fortune often overthrew his enemy and his wisdome oftner saved his friends His Conduct was famous and his Discipline exact His Actions are Presidents and his Orders Laws of War to this day He was bred under Castilion and out-did him Ireland was always possessed but never conquered till Norris came who could lie on the coldest earth swim the deepest Rivers Norris could not rise though he deserved his Honour because of Leicester that favoured his Brother Knowles and Essex that envyed him neither could Knowls advance because of Sussex that feared and Cecil that suspected him The Knowles were deserving but modest favoured but humble powerful but quiet rather firm at Court then high allied to the Queen and faithful to the Crown Queen Elizabeth advanced Sir Francis to the Vicechamberlainship Treasurership of the Houshold Captainship of the Guard and the Order of the Garter because she said He was an honest man and King James and King Charles raised his Son Sir William to the Earldome of Banbury because he was a serviceable man force the straightest Passes find out the most secret corners tread the softest Bog who could endure any thing but an affront and a Superiour the first whereof upon a repulse at Court saddened his heart as the second upon another Deputies being sent over him broke it Unsuccessful he was with Don Antonio in Spain because he understood not the Country In the Low-Countries he gained experience first and then victory in Ireland he had Connaught for his Grave Mount Norris his Monument and the Letter of Queen Elizabeth to his Mother his Epitaph Honestly faithful was that family to their Mistress that was and providently so were they to their Master that should be Handsom men they were when attending at Court and valiant when called to the Camp Norrises Knowles 1. The Norrises are employed in Embassies of War wherein they were active 1. The Knowles are abroad in religious Negotiations for which they had been Confessors Sir Francis in France and Sir Henry in Germany 2. My Lord Norris his resolution was very becoming in the demand of Calice 2. Francis Knowles his meekness was suitable to his perswasions for Religion 3. The Irish Conspirator Thoumond opened a Plot against the Government in Ireland to the Agent Norris 3. And the Scots Schismatick Humes discovered a designe against the Church in England to the Embassadour Knowles In 88 My Lord Hunsdon guarded the Queens person with 34000 foot and 2000 horse the Earl of Leicester commanded the Midland Army of 22000 foot and 1000 horse Sir Roger Williams and Sir Richard Bingham were in the head of 20000 in the Thames mouth and Sir John Norris and Sir Francis Knowles with other Assistants sate in the Council of War to overlook all Sir John advised three things 1. The Guarding of the Havens 2. The Training of the Militia and the preparing of them to be at an hours warning upon a signal given which was then the firing of a Beacon 3. That if the Enemy did land the Country should be laid waste before him the Train-bands alarming him day and night Sir Francis added 1. What Shires and what numbers should assist each Coast how the men should be armed how commanded and in what order they should fight 2. That the Papists should not be massacred as some would have it but secured 3. That the Deputy of Ireland should be instructed 4. That the King of Scots should be engaged 5. That Agents should be sent to the Netherlands and to France And 6. That the Queen should encourage the people with her own presence Sir John Norris died when he saw beyond others expectation and his own merit the Lord Burghe made Lord-Deputy and himself but President of Munster his great minde sinking under one affront from his Soveraign which had born up against all the assaults of her enemies leaving this honour behinde him That he laid the best grounds of Military practice in England But who can stand before Envy A further Character of Sir John Norris from Queen Elizabeths Letter to his Mother My own Crow HArm not your self for bootless help but shew a good example to comfort your dolorous yoak-fellow Although we have deferred long to represent to you our grieved thoughts because we liked full ill to yeild you the first reflexion of misfortune whom we have always rather sought to cherish and comfort yet knowing now that Nec'ssity must bring it to your ear and Nature consequently must move both grief and passion in your heart We resolved no longer to smother neither our care for your sorrow or the sympathy of our grief for your loss Wherein if it be true That Society in sorrow works diminution We do assure you by this true Messenger of our minde that Nature can have stirred no more dolorous affection in you as a Mother for a dear Son then Gratefulness and memory of his Service past hath wrought in Us his Soveraign apprehension of our miss for so worthy a Servant But now that Natures common work is done and he that was born to die hath paid his Tribute let that Christian discretion stay the flux of your immoderate grieving which hath instructed you both for example and knowledge that nothing in this kinde hath happened but by Gods Divine Providence And let these Lines from your loving gracious Soveraign serve to assure you that there shall ever appear the lively Character of our Estimation of him that was in our gracious care of you and yours that are left in valuing rightly all their faithful and honest Endeavours More at this time we will not write of this unpleasant subject but have dispatched this Gentleman to visit both your Lord and you and to condole with you in the true sense of your love and to pray that the world may see what time cureth in a weak minde that Discretion and Moderation helpeth in you in this accident where there is so just cause to demonstrate true Patience and Moderation Your Gracious and Loving Soveraign E. R. Observations on the Life of Secretary Davison THat Meteor of the Court raised onely in an
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
occasions whose principal quality refided in Magnificence Yet was he not transported with these appearances or to make them the greatest ornament of his conduct the choicest expressions of his life fixing neither his greatnesse upon a transitory Pageant nor his glory upon a fading Pomp. Observations on the Life of Sir Tho. Smith SIr Thomas Smith was born at Abington in Bark-shire bred in the University of Oxford God and himself raised him to the Eminency he attained unto unbefriended with any extraction He may seem to have had an ingenuous emulation of Sir Thomas Smith Senior Secretary of State whom he imitated in many good qualities and had no doubt equalled in preferment if not prevented by death He attained onely to be Master of the Requests and Secretary to King James for his Latine Letters higher places expecting him when a period was put at once to his life and to his hopes Novemb. 28. 1609. The generous piety of the honourable Countess of Exeter having erected him one Monument at Fulham and his own worth another in History His Father died when he was yet so young that he knew not what a Father meant but his Mothers affection for her Husband died not with him whereupon she multiplyed her cares on this Gentleman and her other children so abundantly that a long while he little found the want of that dear name her transcendent love so well supplying the place of both relations For no sooner was he fit to learn than she did by friends procure the best Masters those Times afforded to render his education perfect in those exercises as well of the minde as of the body wherein they that flattered him not would say he was no ill Proficient such majesty such modesty in his carriage that men would admire how two such distant things could meet in one subject His eye was quick and piercing his shape and motion charming the ayre and lineaments of his countenance lively arguments that his soul was not inferiour to his body but that the one promised no more pleasure to those that looked on it than the other did service to those that employed it His meen deserving preferment from the favour of a Soveraign and his parts gaining it from his justice Fortune did him not so much wrong in his mean Birth as he did himself right by great merit so worthy a Prince's service and a Courts favour He read and saw what others did but not with others apprehensions his judgement of things being not common nor his observations low flat or vulgar but such as became a breast now furnishing it self for businesse and for government There was an ancient custome to celebrate the Anniversary of the King's Coronation with all the Shews of Magnificence and joy which the Art or Affections of the People could invent and because we are esteemed the Warlik'st Nation in the whole world to continue that just regulation we declined all those effeminacies which are so predominant in other Courts and absolutely addicted our selves to such Martial exercises as are nothing lesse pleasing and delightful than the other and yet fit and prepare men more for the real use of Arms and acquisition of glory Here our Knight's praise came to my Lord of Carlisle's notice who first designed him a Commander but finding his Genius more courtly than Martial more learned than active recommended him to his Majesties softer services where none more obliging to the People by his industry and interest Court none more serviceable to his Majesty by the good name he gained in the Countrey So careful was he of publick content that from five to nine his Chamber was open to all Comers where you would finde him with the one hand making himself ready with the other receiving Letters and in all this hurry of Businesse giving the most orderly clear and satisfactory dispatches of any Statesman at that time From nine to one he attended his Master to whom he had as easie access as he gave to his People Two things set him up 1. A fair respect from his Master upon all occasions and as fair a treatment of the People He had his distinct Classis of Affairs and his distinct Officers for those Classis The order and method whereof incredibly advanced his dispatch and eased his burden which took up his day so that there remained but some hours he stole from night and sleep for his beloved and dear Studies and King James said he was the hardest Student in White-Hall and therefore he did not always trouble his Master with businesse but sometimes please him with discourse If Fortune had been as kinde to him as Nature greater Employments had been at once his honour and his business But from all his services and performances he derived no other advantage than the acting of them and at his death he lest no other wealth behind him but that of a high reputation never arriving at those enjoyments that enhance our Cares nor having time to withdraw himself from those cares that take away the relish of our enjoyments Observations on the Life of Sir Fulke Grevil SIr Fulke Grevil son to Sir Fulke Grevil the elder of Becham-Court in Warwick-shire descended from Willoughby Lord Brook and Admiral to Hen. 7. was bred first in the University of Cambridge He came to the Court back'd with a full and fair Estate and Queen Elizabeth loved such substantial Courtiers as could plentifully subsist of themselves He was a good Scholar loving much to employ and sometimes to advance learned men to whom worthy Bishop Overal chiefly owed his Preferment and Mr. Cambden by his own confession feasted largely of his Liberality His studies were most in Poetry and History as his Works do witnesse His stile conceived by some to be swelling is allowed lofty and full by others King James created him Baron Brook of Beauchamp-Court as descended from the sole Daughter and Heir of Edward Willoughby last Lord Brook in the Reign of King Henry the 7th His sad death or murther rather happened on this occasion His discontented servant conceiving his deserts not soon or well enough rewarded wounded him mortally and then to save the Law the labour killed himself verifying the observation that he may when he pleaseth be master of another mans life who contemneth his own Helyeth buried in Warwick Church under a Monument of black and white Marble whereon he is stiled Servant to Queen Elizabeth Counsellour to King James and Friend to Sir Philip Sidney Though a Favourite he courts Ladies rather than Honour and pursued his study rather than his ambition being more contemplative than active Others ministered to Queen Elizabeths government this Gentleman to her Recreation and Pleasures He came to Court when all men should young and stayed there until he was old his fortune being as smooth as his spirit and the Queens favour as lasting as his merit He bred up States-men but was none Sir William Pickering was like to have gained the Queens
Bed by studying Sir Philip Sidney had her Heart for writing and Sir Fulke Grevil had her favour for both one great argument for his worth was his respect of the worth of others desiring to be known to posterity under no other notions than of Shakespear's and Johnson's Master Chancellor Egerton's Patron Bishop Overal's Lord and Sir Sidney's friend His soul had the peace of a great fortune joyned to a greater minde His worth commended him to Majesty his affablenesse indeared him to the popularity his mornings were devoted to his Books his afternoons to his knowing Friends his nights to his debonair Acquaintance He was the Queens Counsellor for persons as others were for matters and things Sweet was his disposition winning his converse fluent his discourse obliging his looks gestures and expressions publick his spirit and large his soul his Genius prompted him to prepare himself for Domestick services by Foreign employments but the great Mistriss of her Subjects affections and duties forbad it and his own prudence checked it So dear was he to the Queen that when his horses were shipped at Dover for the Netherlands her Mandate by Sir Edward Dier stopped him When he went over with Walsingham he was remanded and when with Leicester he was checked He was the exact image of action and quiet happily united in him seldome well divided in any He would have acted his great principles of Government yet he could be confined only to write them He could sit down with some Poetick and polite Characters of Vertue when he was debarred the real exercises of it He had kept Essex his head on had not that unhappy man's Parasites made the Earl deaf to his Counsels and his Enemies removed him from his presence under a pretence of guarding the Seas against his Enemies while his Kinsman was betrayed by his Friends Observations on the Life of Sir Robert Cecil SIr Robert Cecil since Earl of Salisbury was the heir of the Lord Burleigh's prudence the inheritour of his favour and by degrees a successor to his places though not to his Lands for he was a younger Brother He was first Secretary of State then Master of the Wards and in the last of her Reign came to be Lord Treasurer all which were the steps of his Fathers greatnesse and of the honour he left to his house For his person he was not much beholding to Nature though somewhat for his face which was the best part of his outside but for his inside it may be said he was his Father's own son and a pregnant Proficient in all discipline of State He was a Courtier from his Cradle yet at the age of twenty and upwards he was much short of his after-proof but exposed and by change of climate he shewed what he was and what he would be He lived in those times wherein the Queen had most need and use of men of weight and amongst able ones this was a chief as having his sufficiency from his instructions that begat him the Tutorship of the Times and Court then the Academy of Art and Cunning when English prudence and Counsel was at the highest as most exercised with Foreign dangers and Domestick practices Vast was his apprehension because so large his prospect Sir Francis Walsingham having opened the Conclave of Rome and his Father the Cabals of Spain insomuch that he knew each design in both places every Port every Ship with the Burthens whither bound what impediments for diversion of Enterprizes Counsels and Resolutions as appears by his private dispatches as his manner was with those of the Councel one whereof to my Lord Mountjoy since Earl of Devonshire with whom he seasonably closed runs thus I must in private put you out of doubt for of fear I know you cannot be otherwise sensible than in a way of honour that the Spaniard will not come to you this year for I have it from my own what preparations are in all Parts and what he can do For be confident he beareth up a reputation by seeming to embrace more than he can gripe but the next year be assured he will cast over unto you some Forlorn-Hopes which how they may be re-inforced beyond his present ability and his first intention I cannot as yet make any certain judgement but I believe out of my Intelligence that you may expect their Landing at Munster and the more to distract you in several places as at Kingsale Beer-haven and Baltimore where you may be sure coming from Sea they will first fortifie and learn the strength of the Rebels before they dare take the Field This States-man's character is engraven upon his honour and his portraicture drawn in his Patent for Earl of Salisbury which to many formal words hath added these effectual expressions As also for his faithfulnesse circumspection stoutnesse wisdome dexterity providence and care not onely in the great and weighty Affairs of Counsell but generally also in all other Expeditions of the Realm And indeed not a man upon the Helme of this Common-wealth understood all points of the Compasse better than himself who in a stayed and calm setlednesse looked on the private designs that were promoted upon his Mistriss declining and privately overthrowed them and their Masters while in an uninterrupted course of integrity towards his Mistriss and faithfulness to his Countrey he kept clear the succession equally careful not to enjealous his present Mistress and not to obstruct his future Master with whom he kept an honest correspondence although there goeth this story of him that a Post from Scotland meeting her Majesty upon Greenwich-heath Sir Robert Cecil in all hast would needs cut open the Packet and pretending it stunk had time to perfume it her Majesty being very curious in her smelling and convey away his own Letters be this so or so it 's certain that when assistant to the Earl of Derby in his French Embassie he promoted the young King of Scots interest against his Mothers when Sir Walsingham's Colleague he defeated her Counsels against him and when principal Secretary he sounded crossed and undid the little plot that was shrowded under the great name of Essex turning and winding raising and ruining the Authors of it at his own pleasure No sooner was the Queen dead than his Messenger was with the King at Edenburgh and he himself with his Favourite Sir George Humes at Yorke with whose assistance and honest Sir Roger Aston's mediation King James makes him his bosome-friend his house Theobalds his residence and his account of the English Laws Government and temper his rule Finding him but Knight and Secretary he created him Baron of Essenden Viscount Cranbourn Knight of the Garter and Earl of Salisbury He promoted him Master of the Wards and Lord Treasurer in all which capacities how vigilant he was against the Papists and their Plots their Libels which he answered in English and Latine very elegantly and wisely demonstrate how careful of the publique Treasure this
Narrative shews King James had bestowed upon Sir Robert Carr twenty thousand pound my Lord apprehending the sum as more correspondent with his Master's goodnesse than his greatnesse with the royalty of his heart than the poverty of his Exchequer and observing his Majesty more careful of what money passed his own hands than what passed his servants contrives that the good King should goe through the place where this great sum lay in silver to a treatment where demanding whose money it was and being answered that it was his own before he parted with it He understanding the design protested he was cheated and intended not above five hundred pounds and the Favourite was glad to make use of the Lord Treasurer's mediation for the moyety of that great sum How industrious in the improvement of his Masters Revenue these particulars conclude viz. 1. A survey of the Crown-lands known before by report rather than by measure and let by chance rather then knowledge 2. A Revival of the Custody-lands Revenue by Commissioners of Asserts 3. A tarrier of Crown-wood-lands their growth and value where he numbered marked and valued all the Timber hitherto unknown 4. The Commissioners he procured to look into Copy-hold-Lands Wastes and Commons 5. The Rules to forfeited Estates and extended Lands 6. The improvement of the Customs from 86000 to 135000 pounds per annum 7. The bargain about the London River-water 8. The encouragement of all English Inventions Manufactures and Trade whereby the Subjects might be employed our Commodities enhanced and our Treasure kept among our selves 9. The Plantations and Transplantations in Ireland And 10. The Reformation of the Court of Wards in the poynt of disposing of Orphans These services advanced him to great honour and to as great envy the popular effects whereof no man could have escaped but one whose soul was immoveable temper calm thoughts deep apprehensions large and resolution great to engage vulgar Errors rather by the greatness of his Actions than the eminence of his Interest And satisfie the world leisurely by his Vertues and not awe it rashly by his power which got him even in that time St. Gregories Encomium That he was the first bad and the last good Treasurer since Queen Elizabeth's Reign I shall never forget his or his Fathers discourse with Claud Grollart primier President of Roan about the troubles in France wherein he advised him to stick fast to the King though be saw difficulties For it was his Maxime That Kings are like the Sun and Vsurpers like falling-Stars For the Sun though it be offuscated and eclipsed with Mists and Clouds at length they are dispersed where the others are but the figures of Stars in the eyes of view and prove no more but Exhalations which sodainly dissolve and fall to the earth where they are consumed A discourse which events there and elsewhere made an Oracle Observations on the Life of the Lord Howard of Effingham Earl of Nottingham THe Lord Howard of Effingham a man of most approved fidelity and invincible courage and Governour of Callice though a Courtier betimes yet seemed not to be in favour before the Queen made him high Admiral of England For his extract it may suffice that he was the son of a Howard and of a Duke of Norfolk As for his person he was as goodly a Gentleman as the times could afford he was one whom the Queen desired to honour who at his return from Cadiz accounts was created Earl of Nottingham He was a good honest and a brave man and a faithful servant to his Mistrss and such a one as the Queen out of her own Princely judgement knew to be a fit Instrument for the Admiral 's service having a great opinion of his fidelity and conduct And though his death was not honored with much wealth yet was it grac'd with the reputation of honesty He was raised to check Essex his ambition and Leicester's undermining being equally popular and honest yet having those at his heels that could lay a snare and bring in the prize Nature was a better friend to him than Fortune and his Integrity than both which commended him to a Mistress that understood Men as well as Books and knew it was no lesse the interest of Princes to take counsel concerning Persons than concerning matters He had that goodnesse without which man is a busie mischievous and wretched thing yet that wisdome whereby he was not so good as the Italian saith as to he good for nothing He was gentle but not easie milde but not soft obliging not the fancies of men but their Interest None more civil to Strangers his heart being not a narrow Island as my Lord Bacon observes but a large Continent None more tender of Inferiors none more humble to Superiours none more compassionate to the afflicted none more loving to or more beloved of all The Queen said she trusted her Kingdom to his faithfulnesse in 88. and her self to his conduct His alliance to the Queen brought him to Court but his honesty kept him there when jealousie had overcast that great house of the Howards ancient Nobility was a good recommendation to the Qu first Favours but modesty submission and integrity were the Vertues that continued them He had onely so much Ambition as rendred him active and serviceable and not busie or dangerous He knew a Nobleman cannot be safely aspiring nor smooth man securely popular and a man of his Retinue must not be busie He lived in an age when all honour was perillous that was not designed for service when the State chose Ministers that were more sensible of duty than of rising that loved businesse rather upon conscience than upon bravery and when the Prince discerned a busie nature from a willing minde as the stone had need be rich that is set without foyl so this noble person that was onely real had need of great parts of vertue So valiant he was that he made the Spanish Fleet veil to him though it carried the Empress of Germany so active that he tugged at the Cable himself in 88. and did much by his own pains and more by his example so skilful that he contrived the Fire-ships that frighted and scattered the Spanish Navy Two eminent services he did the Protestant Religion when but twenty one years of age The first is that he was so observant a witnesse of Arch-Bishop Parker's consecration that with his bare word the tale of the Nags head came to nothing 2. That he was so close an Agent in the Court of France that no Design was brewed in Scotland none seconded in France but he with the Emperour and the King of Spain's Embassadors assistance whom he had engaged with the hope of a Match between the King of the Romanes and his Mistriss discovered and defeated with that successe that the King of France courted his Mistriss to a Peace and himself to Favour None more careful in matter of Businesse none more splendid in businesse of Complement
King James he was unexpectedly preferred Arch-Bishop of Canterbury being of a more Fatherly presence than those who might almost have been his Fathers for age in the Church of England There are two things much charged upon his memory First That in his house he respected his Secretary above his Chaplains and out of it alwayes honoured Cloaks above Cassocks Lay above Clergy-men Secondly That he connived at the spreading of Nonconformity insomuch that a Modern Author said Had Bishop Laud succeeded Bancroft and the project of Conformity been followed without interruption there is little question to be made but that our Jerusalem by this time might have been a City at unity within it self This Arch-Bishop was much humbled with a casual Homicide of a Keeper of the Lord Zouch's in Bramel-Parke though soon after he was solemnly quitted from any irregularity thereby In the Reign of King Charles he was sequester'd from his Jurisdictions say some on the old account of that Homicide though others say for refusing to License a Sermon of Doctor Sirptborps Yet there is not an Expresse of either in the Instrument of Sequestration the Commission onely saying in the general That the Arch-Bishop could not at that present in his own Person attend those Services which were otherwise proper for his Cognizance and Jurisdiction To say the truth he was a man of good intentions and knew much but failed in what those ordinarily do that are devoted to our modern singularities being extreamly obstinate in his opinions which the King was more willing to understand than follow because most times he looked upon things according to the rigour of Ecclesiastick maximes and was either too curious and irresolute by variety of reading or too peremptory and positive from the strictnesse of his Rules or too zealous by reason of the seriousnesse of his Study or wide from the matter by reason of his inexperience and aptnesse to require in the times he lived the regularity of the times he read of heeding not the force of Circumstances the errours of Comparison or the cautions of Application I like his Apology for his severity to the Clergy that he was austere to prevent others being cruel as well as his zeal for the Protestant Religion onely his Principles betrayed his profession which he rendered too obnoxious while he supported it by those novel grounds which our Adversaries could make us confesse were Heterodox and by those streight-laced foundations which we saw our selves too narrow As for instance King James his vast capacity took him up once for making the Scripture the onely rule of Civil Affairs owning the piety but observing to his face the imprudence of that assertion Imprudence I say as for many reasons so for this because to assert a truth upon a weak principle is to tempt the world to doubt of the strength of the first when they see the weaknesse of the other Whether he went off in discontent and said He would not attend at the Councel-Table because he should not wait at the Altar Whether he had such malignant followers as called themselves Nicodemites or Night-Disciples Whether he turned noon-day into mid-night and mid-night into noon-day having a candle always burning in his Chamber or if so for what reason I would not have one of my years determine but rather refer the present age to his Contemporaries pen which describes him thus A very learned man he was his Erudition all of the old stamp fitly principled in the Doctrine of St. Augustine pious grave and exemplary in his Conversation But some think him a better man than Arch-Bishop and that he was better qualified with merit for the Dignity than with a spirit answering the Function in the exercise whereof he was conceived too facile and yielding his extraordinary remisness in not exacting strict Conformity to the prescribed Orders of the Church in point of Ceremony seemed to resolve those legal Determinations to their first Principle of Indifference and led in such an habit of Inconformity as the future reduction of those tender-conscienced men to long discontinued obedience was interpreted an innovation Observations on the Life of Sir George Calvert SIr George Calvert was bred first in Trinity-Colledge in Oxford and then beyond the Seas His Abilities commended him first to be Secretary to Bobert Cecil Earl of Salisbury Lord Treasurer of England Afterwards he was made Clerk of the Council and at last principal Secretary of State to King James succeeding Sir Tho. Lake in that Office Anno 1619. Conceiving the Duke of Buckingham highly instrumental in his preferment he presented him with a Jewel of great value which the Duke returned him again not owning any Activity in his Advancement whom King James ex mero motn reflecting on his Abilities designed for the Place This Place he discharged five years until he willingly resigned the same 1624. on this occasion He freely confessed himself to the King that he was then become a Roman Catholique so that he must either be wanting to his Trust or violate his conscience in discharging his Office This his Ingenuity so highly affected King James that he continued him Privy-Councellor all his Reign and soon after created him Lord Baltemore of Baltemore in Ireland During his being Secretary he had a Patent to him and his Heirs to be Absolutus Dominus Proprietarius with the Royalties of a Count Palatine of the Province of Avalon in the New-found land a place so named by him in imitation of old Avalon in Somersetshire wherein Glassenbury stands the first-fruits of Christianity in Britain as the other was in that part of America Here he built a fair house in Ferry-land and spent twenty five thousand pounds in advancing the Plantation thereof Indeed his publick spirit consulted not his private profit but the enlargement of Christianity and the Kings Dominions in that his ancient primitive and heroick work of planting the world After the death of King James he went twice in person to New-found Land Here when Monsieur de l'Arade with three men of War sent from the King of France had reduced our English Fishermen to great extreamity this Lord with two Ships manned at his own charge chased away the French-men relieved the English and took sixty of the French Prisoners He removed afterwards to Virginia to view those parts and thence came into England and obtained of King Charles the first who had as great an esteem of and affection for him as King James a Patent to him and his heirs for Mary-Land on the North of Virginia with the same Title and Royalties conferred on him as in Avalon aforesaid now a hopeful Plantation peopled with eight thousand English Souls which in process of time may prove more advantageous to our Nation Judge Popham and Sir George Calvert agreed not more unanimously in the publick design of Planting than they differed in the private way of it the first was for extirpating Heathens the second for converting them He sent
away the lewdest this the soberest people the one was for present profit the other for a reasonable expectation it being in the case of planting Countreys as in that of planting Woods you must account to lose almost twenty years profit and expect your recompence in the end it being necessary the Province should first 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
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
in all suitable Accomplishments endeavouring in the Reign of King James to prove his Legitimacy and meeting with much opposition from the Court in distaste he left his Land and went over into Italy But worth is ever at home and carrieth its own welcome along with it Therefore he became a Favourite to the Duke of Florence who highly reflected on his Abilities and used his Directions in all his Buildings At this time Legorn from a childe started to a Man without ever being a youth and of a small Town grew a great City on a sudden and is much beholding to this Sir Robert for its Fairnesse and Firmnesse as chief contriver of both But by this time his Adversaries in England had procured him to be call'd home by a special Privy-Seal which he refused to obey and thereupon all his Lands in England were seised upon by the King by the Statute of Fugitives These losses doubled the love of the Duke of Florence unto him And indeed Sir Robert was a much-meriting person on many Accounts being an Excellent 1 Mathematician especially for the Practical part thereof in Architecture 2 Physician his Catholicon at this day finding good Esteem amongst those of that Faculty 3 Navigator especially in the Western Seas Indeed long before his leaving of England whilest as yet he was Rectus in Curia well esteemed in Queen Elizabeths Court he sailed with three small Ships to the Isle of Trinidad in which voyage he sunk and took nine Spanish ships whereof one an Armada of 600 Tun. He was so acceptable to Ferdinand the second Emperour of Germany that by his Letters Patents bearing date at Vienna March 9. 1620. he conferred on him and his Heirs the Title of a Duke of the Sacred Empire Understand it a Title at large as that of Count Arundel's without the Assignation of any proper Place unto him King James had heard so much of the Father that he did not care for the Son who might have been neer his Person had not his Ancestors been so near his Predecessors no other Considerations being likely to keep so extraordinary parts at this distance from a King that valued them so highly or a Kingdom that needed them so much That Prince being as jealous an observer of Original sin in Policy as he was an Orthodox Assertor of it in Religion would trust no tainted blood Observations on the Life of Arch-Bishop Bancroft DOctor Richard Bancroft whom his Adversaries character a better States-man than Divine a better Divine than Preacher though upon good occasion he shewed he was all these was bred in Jesus Colledge in Cambridge where his parts in discovering the bottom of Presbytery and his sufficiency when his Patron Hatton's Examiner commended him to Queen Eliz. to be Bishop of London and to King James to be Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Indeed he was in effect Arch-Bishop while Bishop to whom Doctor Whitgift in his decrepit age remitted the managing of matters so that he was the soul of the High-Commission A great States-man he was and grand Champion of Church-discipline having well hardned the hands of his Soul which was no more than needed for him who was to meddle with Nettles and Bryars and met with much opposition No wonder if those who were silenced by him in the Church were loud against him in other places David speaketh of poyson under mens lips This Bishop tasted plentifully thereof from the mouths of his Enemies till at last as Mithridates he was so habited to poisons that they became food unto him Once a Gentleman coming to visit him presented him a Libel which he found pasted on his door who being nothing moved thereat said Cast it to an hundred more which lie here on a heap in my Chamber Many a Libel Lye because false Bell because loud was made upon him The aspersion of covetousness though cast doth not stick on his memory being confuted by the Estate which he left small in proportion to his great preferment being but 6000 l. after being above twelve years in London and Canterbury He cancelled his first Will wherein he had bequeathed much to the Church suspecting an impression of popular violence on Cathedrals and fearing an A ienation of what was bequeathed unto them he thought fit to cancel his own to prevent others cancelling his Testament This partly appears by his second Will wherein he gave the Library at Lambeth the result of his own and three Predecessors collections to the University of Cambridge which now they possess in case the Arch-Episcopal See should be extinct How came such a jealousie into his minde what fear of a storme when the Sun shined the Skye clear no appearance of Clouds Surely his skill was more than ordinary in the complexion of the Common wealth who did foresee what afterward for a time came to pass This clause providentially inserted secured this Library in Cambridge during the vacancy of the Archi-Episcopal See and so prevented the embezelling at the least the dismembring thereof in our late civil distempers They that accuse this excellent Prelate of cruelty never read this story A Minister privately protested to him that it went against his conscience to conform Which way said the good Arch-Bishop observing the mans ingenuity will you live if you be put out of your Benefice The other answered He bad no other way but to go a begging Not so said the Arch-Bishop that you shall not need to do but come to me and I will take order for your maintenance They that exclaimed against his unserviceablenesse never observed this passage A company of young Courtiers appeared extraordinary gallant at a Tilting far above their Fortunes and Estates giving for their Motto Solvat Ecclesia Bishop Bancroft then of London hearing of it finds on enquiry that the Queen was passing a considerable parcel of Church-lands to them and stops the businesse with his own and his friends Interest leaving these Gallants to pay the shot of their pride and prodigality out of their own purses And this that a prevalent Courtier had swallowed up the whole Bishoprick of Durham had not this Arch-Bishop seasonably interposed his power with King James ready enough to admit such Intercessions and dashed the design They that traduce him for a Papist forget that he fomented the difference between the Seculars and Regulars to the weakning and promoted the foundation of Chelsey-Colledge to the ruining of that cause But they that perform great actions reserving as it is fit the reason of them in their own bosomes may sufficiently satisfie their Consciences towards God though they can hardly avoid the censures of men I shall add no more concerning this excellent Prelate but that it was observed as the Historian writes That at Hampton-Court-Conference Arch-Bishop Whitgift spake most gravely Bishop Bilson most learnedly but Bishop Bancroft when out of passion most politickly Observations on the Life of the Lord Grandison SIr Oliver Saint-John Lord Grandison c. descended of an ancient and
Astrologer who told him that this his Infant-son should taste of much trouble in the middest of his life even to the want of a meals meat but his old age should make amends for all with a plentiful estate which came to passe accordingly For his Father dying in his infancy no plentiful provision was made for him and when his eldest Brother Thomas Duke of Norfolke was executed his condition was much impaired insomuch that being once in London not overstocked with money when his noble Nephews the Earl of Arundel and the Lord Thomas Howard were out of Town and loath to pin himself on any Table uninvited he was fain to dine with the Chair of Duke Humphrey but other not to say better company viz. reading of books in Stationers Shops in St. Paul's Church-yard though afterwards he attained to great wealth honour and command However that Lord gave little credit to and placed lesse confidence in such Predictions as appeared by a learned Work he hath written on that subject Observations on the Life of Sir John Ramsey Earl of Holderness and Sir Tho. Ereskin Earl of Kelly BOth their preferments began on the same occasion both their natures were eminent for the same innocence and goodnesse both their services tend to the same issâ—e and therefore both their Characters come under one observation which it's more proper to take in the word of their Countrey-man and Contemporary that knew them than in the expression of a stranger that onely heard of them The whole story runs thus The name of Ruthen in Scotland was not notorious until Anno 1568. when Ruthen amongst others Confederates in those divided times of trouble laboured much for the imprisoning Queen Mary Mother to King James In 1582. his son William was created Earl Gowry in the time of that King's minority though the Father bore deadly hatred to the King's prosperity And in 1584. himself was in actual Rebellion in which he suffered at Dondee His eldest son John then in Travel in Italy returns home to inherit his lands and honours but not one jot changed in disposition from the traiterous wayes of his Predecessors For not long after he falls into this Conspiracy which is not so ancient but that many then and now living can and my self have heard the repetition The house of Gowry were all of them much addicted to study Chymistry and these more to practise it often publishing as such Professors usually do more rare experiments then ever could be performed wherein the King a general Scholar had little faith But to infuse more credit to the practice Alexander Ruthen the second brother takes this occasion and withal conspires with Gowry to assassinate the King and taking opportunity in his hunting not far from his house St. Johnstone invites the King to be an eye-witnesse of his productions In their way Sir Thomas Erskin after Lord Kelly overtakes them and others Demanding of the Duke of Lenox then present why Alexander had ingrossed the King's eare to carry him from his Sports Peace man said the Duke Wee's all be turn'd into gold Not far they rid but that the Earl Gowry made good by protestation his Brother's story And thus was the King brought to be a Guest Neer the end of Dinner at his Fruit and the Lords and Waiters gone to eat Alexander begs of the King at this opportunity to withdraw and to be partaker of his Production to the view of that which yet he could not believe And up he leads the King into by-lodgings locking each door behind them till they came into a Back Room where no sooner entered but that Alexander claps on his Bonnet and with stern countenance faces the King and says Now Sir you must know I had a Father whose blood calls for revenge shed for your sake The King amazed deales gently with his fury excuses the guilt of his death by his then Infancy Advising him not to lay violent hands on the sacred Person of his Anointed Soveraign Especially in a cause of his Innocency Pleading the Laws of God Man which so much wrought upon him that he said Well I will speak with my Brother and so put the King into a Lobby Room next the Chamber where no sooner entered but that there appeared a fellow weaponed ready for execution to whose custody the King is committed till his return Alexander gone down the fellow trembles with Reverence puts down his Sword and craves pardon which gave the King occasion to work upon that passion and to ask him whether he resolved to murther him Being assured to the contrary the King gets leave to open a window that looked into a back Court When presently Alexander returns and tells the King that he must dye But much affrighted at the Fellow's 〈◊〉 with his sword offers violence to the King Which the fellow seemingly opposes and between them began a 〈◊〉 which gave advantage to the King to cry Treâ—son at the Window which looked into a back-Court where Sir Thomas Erskin and oâ—â— Herries were come in pursuit of the King who was rumoured to be gone out the back-way to his â—â—nting At the cry of Treason and known to be the King's voice they both hastened up a back-stair called the Turn-pike being directed by a servant of the house who saw Alexander ascend that way And so forcing some doors they found them above panting with the fray and up comes also at heels of them John Ramsey after Earl of Holdernesse by them Alexander was soon dispatched Not long after came the Earl Gowry by his double key the first way with a case of Rapiers his usual weapons and ready drawn To whom Erskin said as to divert his purpose What do you mean my Lord the King is kill'd for the King was shadowed having cast himself upon a Bed from his sight and his Cloak was thrown upon the Body of Alexander bleeding upon the ground At which Gowry stops sinking the points of his weapons when suddenly Herries strikes at him with a hunting Falchion And Ramsey having his Hawk on his â—ist casts her off and steps in to Gowry and stabs him to the heart and forthwith more Company came up Not long after this Conspiracy Herries dies well rewarded John Ramsey hath the Honour of Knighthood with an additional bearing to his Coat of Arms A Hand holding forth a Dagger reversed proper piercing a bloody Heart The point crowned Emperial with this Distick Haec Dextra Vindex Principis Pâ—triae Afterwards he was created Lord Haddington and Earl of Holdernesse Sir Thomas Erskin was afterwards created Earl of Kelly Knight of the Garter Captain of the King's Guard and Groom of the Stool and the Fellow designed for the Murtherer had a large Pension confirmed by Act of their Parliament And all these men but Herries were living with other witnesses at King James his journey when he went from hence to visit Scotland and met together by direction at the same house with Ceremony and
factions and dependencies and again their opposites envyers and Competitors their moods and times their principles rules observations c. their actions how conducted how favoured how opposed c. is the onely way of successe in businesse and of prevailing in fortune especially if attended with this Gentleman 's two master-Qualities 1. Reservedness the security 2. Slowness of belief the sinew of wisdome Finding his temper agreeable with the University he allowed himself more scope and liberty but observing his particular constitution not suitable to the general state of his times the whole course of his life was more close retyred and reserved opening it self but with an half-light and a full advantage and what he was to others he believed all others were to him as hardly trusting them as he was understood himself unlesse surprized in his countenance by the motions of it or in his actions by the suddennesse of them or in his temper by his passion but as far as can be guessed from the Letters that passed between them about the Palatinate He was of the same make in the State as Arch-Bishop Abbot was in the Church zealous and sullen if others had a better wit than he in abusing him he had a better memory than they to think of it for one Mr. Wiemark a wealthy man a great Novilant and constant Paul's walker hearing the news that day of the beheading of Sir Walter Rawleigh His head said he would do well upon the shoulders of Sir Robert Naunton Secretary of State These words were complained of and Wiemark summoned to the Privy-Council where he pleaded for himself that he intended no disrespect to Mr. Secretary whose known worth was above all detraction onely he spake in reference to an old proverb Two heads are better than one and for the present he was dismissed Not long after when rich men were called on for a contribution to St. Pauls Wiemark at Council-Table subscribed a hundred pounds but Mr. Secretary told him Two hundred were better than one which betwixt fear and charity Wiemark was fain to subscribe Neither was he sooner up than he gave his Colleague and Successor in the Orators place Sir Francis Nethersole his hand to advance him too whom after his elegant Speech on Prince Henry we finde a prudent Agent with the Princes of the Union and a faithful Secretary to the Queen of Bohemia for whom he did much and suffered more Yet was he lately alive and as charitable in his elder yeares as ever he was noble in his younger Observations on the Life of Sir Arthur Ingram SIr Arthur had wit in Italy where he was a Factor and wealth in London where he was a Merchant to be first a Customer and then a Cofferer to that King who had this happinesse that he understood so much of all his affairs as to make a judgement of what persons might be most serviceable to him in each of them So pragmatical a person as this Gentleman was necessary among the Custome-house-men who were about to engrosse all the wealth of the Kingdome and as useful among the Green-cloath-men who shared amongst themselves vast Concealments The activity of his head had undone him had not the odium of it been allayed by the discretion of his tongue whatever he spake being naturally accompanied with such a kinde of modesty and affability as gained the affection and attracted the respect of all that conversed with him onely some wary men were jealous of that watchful and serene habit he had attained to in every conference and action as well to observe as to act though it was more than they needed he having not that good stay and hold of himself his much observing tempting him to much medling though never more need of it than at that time when ninety and odd thousand pounds were spent upon the Palsgrave to reimburse which money he set up the improvement of Coyn the Farthings the borrowing of money of the Customers and as many other Projects to get money as others had to spend it Observations on the Life of Sir Henry Yelverton THis Gentleman's relation to Sir Thomas Overbury brought him to the Earl of Somerset's service and my Lord of Somerset's service recommended him to the Kings favour whereby he was at first his Counsel learned and afterwards his Attorney-General in which last place his duty enjoyned him the impeachment of that Earl but his gratitude forbad him Loth he was to refuse his Masters command more loth to have a hand in his Patrons ruine his civility outweighed his prudence his obligations his safety for refusing to implead his Mr. as a great Delinquent at the Bar he was sent by the Council as a greater to the Tower where he continued until as some say the Duke of Buckingham came to him at mid-night and hearing from him such mysteries of State as nearly concerned his own safety not onely relea Observations on the Life of Bishop Mountague JAmes Mountague son to Sir Edward Mountague was born at Boughton in Northamptonshire bred in Christs-Colledge in Cambridge He was afterwards Master or rather nursing Father to Sidney-Colledge For he found it in bonds to pay twenty Marks per annum to Trinity-Colledge for the ground whereon it is built and left it free assigning it a rent for the discharge thereof When the Kings Ditch in Cambridge made to defend it by its strength did in his time offend it with its stench he expended a hundred Marks to bring running-water into it to the great conveniency of the University He was afterwards Bishop first of Bath and Wells then of Winchester being highly in favour with King James who did ken a man of merit as well as any Prince in Christendome He translated the Works of King James into Latine and improved his greatnesse to do good Offices therewith He dyed Anno Dom. 1618. Aetat 49. and lyeth buried within his fair Monument within his fairer 〈◊〉 mean a goodly Tomb in the Church of Bath which oweth its well-being and beauty to his Munificence King James cast his eye upon him at Hinchingbrook where the University of Cambridge met him as he came from Scotland because he observed him one of those he knew he must oblige I mean a Gentleman He set his heart upon him at Court because he found him one he intended to employ I mean a Scholar He was the onely man of all the Doctors he conversed with there and the onely man of all the Bishops he consulted with at White-Hall His nature inclined him to magnificence and his vertue to Thrift sparing from lesser vanities what he might expend upon greater enterprizes never sparing when just designs called for great charge Grateful he was to his followers though not prodigal Good men choose rather to be loved for their benefits to the Community than those to private persons His understanding was as large as his heart was honest comprehensive both of men and things even those things that were either
his love to Relations tender to Friends faithful to the hopeful liberal to men universal to his very Enemies civil He left the best pattern of Government in his actions under one King and the best principles of it in the Life of the other His Essays and History made him the admiration of polite Italy his Accomplishments the wonder of France Monsieur Fiat saying to him after an earnest desire to see him That he was an Angel to him of whom he had heard much but never saw him Solid and juycy Meat was his Diet and Rubarb his Physick four hours in the morning he made his own not by any means to be interrupted businesse was his fate retyrement his inclination Socrates brought Morality from Discourse to Practice and my Lord Bacon brought Philosophy from Speculation to Experience Aristotle he said taught many to dispute more to wrangle few to finde out Truth none to manage it according to his principles My Lord Bacon was a man singular in every faculty and eminent in all His Judgement was solid yet his memory was a wonder his Wit was quick yet his Reason staid his Invention was happy yet methodical and one fault he had that he was above the age he lived in above it in his bounties to such as brought him Presents so remembring that he had been Lord-Chancellour that he forgot he was but Lord Verulam Great his understanding and great his minde too above it in his kindnesse to servants to whom he had been a better Master if he had been a worse and more kinde if he had been lesse indulgent to them For the first of his Excesses King James jeered him in his progress to New-market saying when he heard he gave ten pounds to one that brought him some Fruit My Lord my Lord this is the way to Beggars-bush For the second he reflected upon himself when he said to his servants as they rose to him in his Hall Your rise hath been my fall Though indeed he rather trusted to their honesty than connived at their falshood for he did impartial Justice commonly to both parties when one servant was in fee with the Plaintiff and the other with the Defendant How well he understood his own time his Letters and complyances evidence than whom none higher in spirit yet none humbler in his Addresses The proudest man is most servile How little he valued wealth appeareth in that when his servants would take money from his Closet even while he was by he would laugh and say I poor men that is their portion How well he kenned the art of Converse his Essayes discover a piece as he observed himself that of all his Works was most current for that they come home to mens businesse and bosomes How far skilled in the Art of Government his H. 7. War with Spain Holy War Elements of the Law irrefragably demonstrate and how well seen in all Learning his Natural History and Advancement of Learning answerably argue In a word how sufficient he was may be conjectured from this instance that he had the contrivance of all King James his Designs untill the Match with Spain and that he gave those Directions to a great States-man which may be his Character and our conclusion Onely be it observed that though this peerlesse Lord is much admired by English-men yet is he more valued by Strangers distance as the Historian hath it diminishing his faults to Foreigners while we behold his perfections abated with his failings which set him as much below pity as his Place did once above it Sir Julius Caesar they say looking upon him as a burden in his Family and the Lord Brooke denying him a bottle of small beer Observations on the Life of the Lord John Digby JOhn Lord Digby of Sherborn and Earl of Bristol was a younger Son of an ancient Family long flourishing at â—â—leshull To passe by his younger years all children being alike in their Coats when he had onely an Annuity of fifty pounds per annum onely his youth gave pregnant hopes of that Eminency which his mature age did produce He did ken the Embassador's craft as well as any in his age employed by King James in several Services to Foreign Princes recited in his Patent as the main motives of the Honours conferred upon him But his managing the matchlesse Match with Spain was his Master-piece wherein a good I mean a great number of State-Traverses were used on both sides Where if he dealt in Generalities and did not presse Particulars we may ghesse the reason of it from that expression of his I will take care to have my Instructions perfect and will pursue them punctually If he held Affairs in suspence that it might not come to a War on our part it may be he did so with more regard to his Mr. King James his inclination than his own apprehension If he said That howsoever the businesse went he would make his fortune thereby it rather argued his weaknesse that he said so his sufficiency that he could do so than his unfaithfulnesse that he did so This is certain that he chose rather to come home and suffer the utmost displeasure of the King of England than stay in Spain and enjoy the highest favour of the King of Spain He did indeed intercede for some indulgeuce to the Papists but it was because otherwise he could do no good for the Protestants But whatever was at the bottom of his Actions there was resolution and noblenesse atop especially in these actions 1. Being carried from Village to Village after the King of Spain without that regard due to his person or place he expressed himself so generously that the Spanish Courtiers trembled and the King declared That be would not interrupt his Pleasures with businesse at Lerma for any Embassador in the world but the English nor for any English Embassador but Don Juan 2. When impure Scioppius upon his Libel against K. James and Sir Bennet's complaint to the Arch-Duke against him fled to Madrid my Lord observing that it was impossible to have Justice done against him from the Catholique King because of the Jesuites puts his Cousin George Digby upon cutting him which he did over his Nose and Mouth wherewith he offended so that he carried the mark of his Blasphemy to his Grave 3. When he was extraordinary Embassador in Germany upon his return by Heydelbergh observing that Count Mansfield's Army upon whom depended the fortune of the Palsgrave was like to disband for want of money he pawned all his Plate and Jewels to buoy up that sinking Cause for that time That his spirit was thus great abroad was his honour but that it was too great at home was his unhappiness for he engagaged in a fatal Contrast with the Duke of Buckingham that hazarded both their safeties had not this Lord feared the Duke's power as the Duke this Lord's policy and so at last it became a drawn Battle betwixt them yet so that this Earl
lost the love of King Charles living many years in his disfavour But such as are in a Court-cloud have commonly the Countreys Sun-shine and this Peer during his Eclipse was very popular with most of the Nation It is seldome seen if a Favourite once broken at Court sets up again for himself the hap rather than happiness of this Lord the King graciously reflecting on him at the beginning of the Long Parliament as one best able to give him the safest Counsel in those dangerous times But how he incensed the Parliament so far as to be exceped pardon I neither do know nor dare enquire Sure I am that after the surrender of Exeter he went over into France where he met with that due respect in Foreign which he missed in his Native Countrey The worst I wish such who causelesly suspect him of Popish inclinations saith my Author is that I may hear from them but half so many strong Arguments for the Protestant Religion as I heard from him who was to his commendation a cordial Champion for the Church of England This Family hath been much talked of this last forty years though all that I can say of it is this that great spirits large parts high honours penned within narrow Estates seldome blesse their owners with moderation or the places they live in with peace Oservations on the Life of the Lord Spencer HEe was the fifth Knight of his Family in an immediate succession well allied and extracted being descended from the Spencers Earls of Gloucester and Winchester In the first year of the Reign of King James being a moneyed man he was created Baron of Wormeleiton in the County of Warwick He had such a ready and quick Wit that once speaking in Parliament of the valour of their English Ancestors in defending the Liberty of the Nation returned this Answer to the Earl of Arundel who said unto him Your Ancestors were then keeping of Sheep If they kept Sheep yours were then plotting of Treason But both of them were at present confined but to the Lord Spencer the Upper-House ordered Reparations who was first and causelesly provoked This Lord was also he who in the first of King James was sent with Sir William Dethick principal King of Arms to Frederick Duke of Wirtenbergh elected into the Order of the Garter to present and invest him with the Robes and Ornaments thereof which were accordingly with geat solemnity performed in the Cathedral of Studgard And this was the Lord that when the Earl of Bristol charged the Duke of Buckingham started up and demanded Is this all you have to say against the Duke The Earl replyed Yes my Lord and I am sorry it is so much Then quoth the Lord Spencer If this be all Ridiculus mus and so sate down again The End of the Observations upon the Lives of the Statesmen and Favourites of England in the Reign of King James THE STATES-MEN and FAVOURITES OF ENGLAND IN The Reign of King Charles I. Observations on the Life of the Duke of Buckingham NAture bestowed on him an exact comliness his Mother a noble education not so much to study as converse His Travels to France carriage and experience About which times he falls into intrinsecal society with Sir Job Greham then one of the Gentlemen of his Majesties Privy-Chamber who I know not upon what Luminaries he espyed in his Face disswaded him from Marriage and gave him rather encouragement to wooe Fortune at Court than court it in the City Which advice sank well into his fancy for within some while the King had taken by certain glances whereof the first was at Apthorpe in a Progresse such liking of his Person that he was resolved to make him a Master-piece and to mould him as it were Platonically to his own Idea Neither was his Majesty content onely to be the Architect of his Fortune without putting his gracious hand likewise to some part of the work it self Insomuch that it pleased him to descend and to avale his goodnesse even to the giving of his foresaid friend Sir John Greham secret directions how by what degrees he should bring him into favour His own parts and observation gained him prudence and discretion His Family and Ancestors in Leicester-shirt gentility and repute so that there wanted nothing but Interest to set him up a Courtier Sir Thomas Compton who had married his Mother supplyed him with the one and the Earls of Bedford Pembrook and Hertford who would eclipse Somerset helped him to the other For those three Lords meeting one night at Baynards-Castle and commanding Somerset's picture should be abused in their way next day Sir Thomas Lake leads him into Court buying him the Cup-bearers place A while after the Countess of Bedford ushereth him to the Presence-Chamber entering him a Bed-chamber-man and the Earl of Pembrook supports him untill he was a Favourite The Courtiers wished him well because he was an English-man the Nobility favoured him because a Gentleman the Ladies have a kindnesse for him because the exactest Courtier in Christendome the King observes him much for his compleat body more for his pregnant parts and the States-men now consulting Somerset's removal and finding King James his good nature loth to leave the bosome of one Minion until he had reposed himself in another made it their plot to advance him His carriage was free and debonair his passions even and smooth and one saith carried in his pocket his nature noble and open his temper industrious and inquisitive his intellectuals clear and capable his minde tractable and docible his spirit resolute and undaunted The first month he comes to Court he takes place above all his fellows and being removed with some affront by a creature of Somerset's gives him a box on the car an action that gave him and his friends a seasonable occasion of a Contest with Somerset and him a clear conquest over him Somerset as Chamberlain would have cut off his hand and he as Favourite was like to have cut off his head This new Favourite riseth all are weary of Somerset the first Minion all welcome the second The King is first his Tutor and then his Patron instructing him before he employed him Three sorts of studies he engaged him in the first was for delights in private Retyrements the second for ornament in Discourse the third for ability in Businesse He had Princely apprehensions of the principles and Maximes of Government a distinct notion of all his Affairs an excellent way to make use of other mens Abilities and these incomparable Rules from my Lord Bacon which were transcribed in his Life Sir In the first place I shall be bold to put you in minde of the present condition you are in You are not onely a Courtier but a Bed-chamber-man and so are in the eye and eare of your Master but you are also a Favourite The Fourite of the time and so are in his bosome also The world hath so voted you
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
should be weighed in those Scales with whom all men concur that know themselves And this was the first evidence of his parts and the occasion of his reputation Three Grasiers at a Faiâ— had left their money with their Hostess while they went to Market one of them calls for the money and runsaway the other two come upon the woman and sue her for delivering that which she had received from the three before the three came and demanded it The Cause went against the Woman and Judgement was ready to be pronounced when Mr. Noy being a stranger wisheth her to give him a Fee because he could not plead else and then moves in Arrest of Judgement that he was retained by the Defendant aâ—d that the case was this The Defendant had received the money of the three together and confesâ—eth was not to deliver it untill the same three demanded it and therefore the money is ready Let the three men come and it shall be paid a motion which altered the whole proceeding Of which when I hear some say it was obvious I remember that when Columbus had discovered America every one said it was easie And he one day told a company at Table where he was that he could do a stranger thing than that discovery he would make an Egge stand an end on a plain Table the speculatives were at a losse how it should be done he knocks the Egg upon the end and it stands Oh! was that all they cryed Yes saith he this is all and you see how hard a thing it is to conceive a thing in the Idea which it 's nothing to apprehend in the performance I need say no more of this Gentleman but that Sergeant Maynard will say to this hour he rose mainly at first by being looked upon as Mr. Noy's Favourite Observations on the Life of Sir John Savil. THe methods of this Gentleman's advancement exactly parallel those of his Countrey-man Sir Thomas Wentworth Both had the same foundation of wealth and honour to build on both had solid and strong parts to act by both began with Popularity in the Countrey proceeded with activity in Parliaments accomplished themselves with correspondence all over the Nation both eminent upon the Bench both hospitable at home both bountiful to Lecturers both well skilled in and stedfast to the great poynts of Prerogative and Liberty For the last whereof they were so bold as sure either by carrying the Cause to oblige the People to themselves or by suffering for it to enrage them against the Government that Sir R. Weston made it his business to take off the one and my Lord of Canterbury the other which they did with such successe that as my Lord Wentworth became a great Favourite so the Lord Savile was an eminent Counsellor onely finding that his young Neighbor had got the start of him he kept to one of his popular Principles always viz. a restless impetuosity towards Papists against whom he made himself famous 1. For a Disputation procured by him in Drury-Lane whither he brought Bishop Vsher under the notion of a Countrey-Parson when the Jesuites cryed There was more Learning in that Parson than in all the men in England 2. For a project offered by him in Parliament For when they taking advantage of King Charles his wants proffered to maintain five thousand men to serve his Majesty in Ireland and a proportion of Ships to secure him in England on condition of the free exercise of their Religion Sir John interposed That if the King were pleased but to call on the Recusants to pay Thirds legally due to the Crown it would prove a way more effectual and lesse offensive to raise a masse of money It being but just that they who were so rich and free to purchase new Priviledges should first pay their old Penalties When I read of a Lord Savile going privately to Scotland 16â—9 subscribing to a Petition with other moderate Lords as they called them containing the very sense of the faction insomuch that it is observed the City-Petition and theirs were couched in the same words yet going to Oxford and after all being so turbulent there that his Majesty was feign to send him beyond Sea where his Majesty writes with his own hand He doubts be will rather exchange his villany than end it I am almost of that wise mans minde that there were no lesse then 17 particular Designs set on foot by the promotion of the late Troubles whereof though most yet not all were carried on in Westminster or to enforce something more solid that a King should say as the Italian doth If my Subject deceives me once God forgive him If a second time God forgive me and the rather because it 's fatal for Majestie to erre twice Oservations on the Life of the Lord Bishop Williams A Strong constitution made his parts a strict education improved them unwearied was his industry unexpressible his capacity He never saw the book of worth he read not he never forgot what he read he never lost the use of what he remembred Every thing he heard or saw was his own and what was his own he knew how to use to the utmost His extraction being Gentile his Soul large and noble his presence and carriage comely and stately his learning copious his judgement stayed his apprehension clear and searching his expression lively and effectual his elocution flowing and majestick his Proctorship 1612. discovered him a person above his place and his Lectures to his Pupils above his preferment Bishop Vaughan first admitteth him to his Family and then to his bosome there his strong Sermons his exact government under my Lord his plentiful observation his numerous acquaintance made him my Lord Chancellor Egerton's friend rather than his servant his familiar rather then his Chaplain Never was there a more communicative Master to instruct than my Lord Elsemere never a more capable Scholar to learn than Doctor Williams who had instilled to him all necessary State-maximes while his old Master lived and had bequeathed to him four excellent Books when his Master was dead These four books he presented to King James the very same time that he offered himself to the Duke of Buckingham The Excellent Prince observed him as much for the first gift as the noble Duke did for the second the King and Duke made him their own who they saw had made that excellent Book his Willing was King James to advance Clergy-men and glad to meet with men capable of Advancement His two Sermons at Court made him Dean of Westminster his exact state of the Earl of Somerset's Case made him capable of and the KING'S inclination to trust his Conscience in a Divines hand fetled him in the Lord Keepers place actually onely for three yeares to please the people who were offended with his years now but 34. and his calling a Divine but designedly for ever to serve his Majesty The Lawyers despised him at first but the
countenance our Cause His extraction was Gentile and Ancient as appeared from his Ancestors Estate which was more than he could purchase without borrowing when at once Lord Keeper Bishop of Lincoln and Dean of Westminster His minde great and resolute insomuch that he controuled all other advices to his last to his losse in Wales and daunted Sir John Cook as you may see in his character to his honour in England His warinesse hath these arguments 1. That he would not send the Seal to the King but under lock and key 2. That being to depute one to attend in his place at the Coronation he would not name his Adversary Bishop Laud to gratifie him nor yet any other to displease the King but took a middle way and presented his Majesty a List of the Prebendaries to avoid any exception referring the Election to his Majesty himself 3. That he proposed a partial Reformation of our Church to the Parliament to prevent an utter extirpation by it 4. That he exposed others to the censure of the Parliament 1625. to save himself 5. That he answered to several Examinations without any the least advantage taken by his Antagonist This character of his I think very exact That his head was a well-fitted treasury and his tongue the fair key to unlock it That he had as great a memory as could be reconciled with so good a judgement That so quick his parts that others study went not beyond his nature and their designed and forelayd performances went not beyond his sudden and ready accommodations Onely he was very open and too free in discourse disdaining to lye at a close guard as confident of the length and strength of his weapon Observations on the Life of Sir Isaac Wake THis honourable person whom I look upon at Oxford in the same capacity and fortune that Sir Robert Naunton and Sir Francis Nethersole were in at Cambridge He was born in Northampton-shire his Father Arthur Wake being Parson of Billing Master of the Hospital of St. Johns in Northampton and Canon of Christs-Church bred Fellow of Merton-Colledge in Oxford Proctor and Orator of that University whence he was admitted Secretary to Sir Dudley Carleton Secretary of State and afterward advanced into the King's service and by his Master and the Duke of Buckingham employed Embassadour to Venice where he neglected his own interest to attend his Majesties employment the reason that he dyed rich onely in the just conscience of his worth and the repute of his merit Coming from Venice he was appointed Lieger of France and designed Secretary of State had not Death prevented him at Paris being accomplished with all qualifications requisite for publick Employment Learning Languages Experience Abilities and what not King CHARLES hearing of his death commanded his Corps to be decently brought from Paris into England allowing the expences of his Funeral and enjoyning his neerest Relations to attend the performance thereof These accordingly met his body at Bulloign in France and saw it solemnly conveyed into England where it was interred in the Chappel of the Castle of Dover His REX PLATONICUS or his Latine account of King James his six dayes stay at Oxford speaks his Learning and his Instructions for Travel his experience He observing his Predecessors failings retrenched his expences satisfying himself with a repute of noblenesse while in his way to preferment and others with the expectation of his bounty When preferred he seemed liberal that he might not be despised abroad but he was neer that he might not be odious at home His prodigality it may be might have satisfied the curiosity of a few Strangers while he incurred the displeasure of all his friends Besides a close wary man may be bountiful at his pleasure but the munificent cannot be so easily sparing for if his occasions or fortunes check his profuseness all his gallantry is in his first action of good husbandry Caution in expences if it be a vice is one of those saith the Italian that never disinherited a man Nay of the two saith Machiavel It 's more discretion to hold the style of miserable which begets an infamy without hatred than to desire that of Liberal which being maintained by necessitous courses procures an infamy with hatred As never did States-man a brave action that seemed illiberal so never did he any such that was not so Yet four things our Knight spared no cost in 1. Intelligence He could afford he said a golden key for the Pope's Cabinet 2. Books his Study was his Estate 3. In watching the Spanyards saying The Indies will pay for this And 4. Entertaining knowing men often applauding that Emperour's maxime That bad rather go fifty miles to hear a wise man than five to see a fair City And this he was eminent for that he saw nothing remarkable in Foreign parts that he applyed not to his own Countrey Sir Henry Wotton being not more curious in picking up small Rarities to pleasure particular persons than Sir Isaac Wake was industrious to observe any useful invention that might improve the publick good Observations on the Life of the Lord Cottington SIr Fran. Cottington being bred when a youth under Sir .......... Stafford lived so long in Spain till he made the garb and gravity of that Nation become his and become him too He raised himself by his natural strength without any artificial advantage having his parts above his learning his Experience above his Parts his Industry above his Experience and some will say his Successe above all So that at last he became Chancellor of the Exchequer Baron of Hanworth in Middlesex Constable of the Tower 1640. and upon the resignation of Doctor juxon Lord Treasurer of England gaining also a very great Estate Very reserved he was in his temper and very slow in his proceedings sticking to some private Principles in both and aiming at certain rules in all things a temper that indeared him as much to his Master Prince Charles his person as his integrity did to his service Nor to his service onely but to that of the whole Nation in the Merchandize whereof he was well versed to the trade whereof he was very serviceable many ways but eminently in that he negotiated that the Spanish Treasure which was used to be sent to Flanders by the way of Genoa might be sent in English Bottoms which exceedingly enriched England for the time and had it continued had made her the greatest Bank and Mart for Gold and Silver of any Common-wealth in Europe Indeed the advantage of his Education the different Nations and Factions that he had to deal with the direct opposition of Enemies the treachery of Friends the contracts of States-men the variety and force of Experience from the distinct knowledge of the natures of the people of several Countreys of their chief Ministers of State with their Intrigues of government made him so expert that the Earl of Bristol and Sir Walter Aston could do nothing without him and he
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
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
Nothing else have I to observe of his name save that hereditary Learning may seem to run in the veins of his Family witnesse Sir Dudly Digs of Chilham-Castle made Master of the Rolls in the yaer 1636. whose abilities will not be forgotten whilest our age hath any remembrance This Knight had a younger son of a most excellent wit and a great judgement Fellow of All-Souls in Oxford who in the beginning of our Civil Wars wrote so subtile solid a Treatise of the difference betwixt King and Parliament that such Royallists who have since handled that Controversie have written plura non plus yea aliter rather than alia of that Subject The Son writes down those Rebellions that the Father countenanced The Father I say who by a bold impeachment against his Majesties chief Minister of State to his face taught a discontented People to draw a bolder against his Majesty himself Wherefore it was that after his undutiful Prologue against his Majesties Prerogative in favouring his Servants the Preface to more disloyal methods against his right in governing his People he and Sir John Eliiot were whispered out of the Lords House when they were hottest against the Duke to speak with a Gentleman and thence sent immediately by two Pursevants that attended to the Tower where and in the Country this Gentleman lay under just displeasure until it was thought fit to take off so dangerous a piece of boldnesse and eloquence upon the growing distempers of the age by favour and preferment to a Neutrality at least if not to the just measures of his duty But our observation here is this That faction is one of those sins whereof the Authors repent most commonly themselves and their posterities are always ashamed Observations on the Life of Sir Tho. Ridly Dr. LL. THis Knight and Dr. was born at Ely in Cambridge-shire bred first a Scholar at Eaton in Buckingham-shire then Fellow of Kings-Colledge in Cambridge He was a generall Scholar in all kinde of Learning especially in that which we call Melior Literatura He afterwards was Chancellor of Winchester and Vicar-general to the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury His memory will never dye whilest his Book called The view of the Ecclesiastical Laws is living a book of so much merit that the Common Lawyers notwithstanding the difference betwixt the professions will ingenuously allow a due commendation to his learned performance in that subject Although it startled them to hear King James was so affected with it insomuch that Sir Edward Coke undertook from thence to prophecy the decay of the Common-Law though in that prophecy of his others foresaw nothing but his fall Never book came out more seasonably for the Church than this never Comment came out more suitably than Mr. Gregories Notes upon it He writ well and advised better being good to give better to manage Counsel which he never offered till called and never urged longer then it pleased answering no question of consequence unlesse upon emergent occasion without deliberation observing the design of people that aske most commonly to try his sufficiency as well as improve their own However being sure that time is likelier to increase than abate the weight of a result discovering as well what may be returned suitably to the general temper as what may be answered fitly to the particular instance What alterations he designed for the Churches benefit were not sodain but leisurely To force men out of one extreamity into another is an attempt as dangerous as it is invidious as awakening most opposition and obnoxious to most hazard Wise Tacitus observeth that men have reformed inveterate habits more by yielding to them than engaging against them though a man must so yield as not to encourage while he doth so countermine as not to exasperate Although he was always able yet was he never willing to mend the Copy his Superiors had set him unlesse owned as from former instruction lest they grew jealous he valued his own experience before theirs who measure mens sufficiency from their caution and not from their parts from what they can forbear rather than from what they can do To conclude he was one of those able men that cannot be eminent unlesse they be great men of great merit behave themselves so negligently in small affairs as that you shall never understand their abilities unlesse you advance their persons Mens capacities sufficiencies have certain bound◠prescribed them within the limits of which they are able to acquit themselves with credit and applause But if you advance them above or depre 〈…〉 them below their spheres they shew nothing but debilities and miscarriages Onely this he was alway◠commended for That having the management of Affairs intrusted to him he under went all the miscarriages himself ascribing all the honour and sufficency to his Patron carrying his hand in all actions so that his Master had the applause of what ever was either conceded or denyed in publick without any other interruption from Mr. Ridley than what became the bare instrument of his commands however he ordered the mater in private Observations on the Life of Sir Henry Martin HE would merrily say That if his Father had left him fourscore pounds a year where he left him but forty he would never have been a Scholar but have lived on his Lands whereas his Inheritance being a large encouragement but a small maintenance he made up in study what he wanted in Estate first at Winchester and then at New-Colledge where his inclination led him to Divinity but Bishop Andrews his advice perswaded him to the Civil Law wherein he attained that great proficiency he was eminent for thus He had weekly transmitted to him from some Proctors at Lambeth the brief heads of the most important Causes which were to be tryed in the High-Commission Then with some of his familiar friends in that faculty he privately pleaded those Causes acting in their Chamber what was done in the Court But Mr. Martin making it his work exceeded the rest in amplifying and aggravating any fault to move anger and indignation against the guilt thereof or else in extenuating or excusing it to procure pity obtain pardon or at least prevail for a lighter punishment Whence no Cause came amisse to him in the High Commission For saith my Author he was not to make new Armour but onely to put it on and buckle it not to invent but apply arguments to his Clients As in decision of Controversies in his Courts he had a moderate and middle way so in managing of affairs in Parliament he had a healing Method Whence in most Debates with the Lords where Mr. Noy's Law and Reason could not convince Sir Martin's Expedients could accommodate For which services and his other merits he was made Judge of the Prerogative-Court for probate of Wills and of the Admiralty for Foreign Trade Whence King JAMES would say merrily He was a mighty Monarch by Sea and Land over the Dead
and the Living Observations on the Life of Sir John Bramstone SIr 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
at Law the first of February 1626. 〈◊〉 on the eighth day following was sworn Lord Chief-Justice of the Kings-Bench succeeding in that Office next save one unto his Country-man Sir James Ley than alive and preferred Lord Treasurer born within two miles one of another and next of all under Sir Francis Crew lately displaced Now though he entred on his Place with some disadvantage Sir Randal being generally popular and though in those dayes it was â—ard for the same Person to please Court and Countrey yet he discharged his Office with laudable integrity until 1631. Prudence obligeth Princes to refer the management of affairs to persons who have the reputation of extraordinary hoâ—esty especially to the transacting of such things which notwithstanding their innate justice may provoke any evill spirits The most part of man-kinde guessing onely by their own senses and apprehensions judge of the affairs by the persons wh 〈…〉 conduct them Opinion guideth the world and the reputation of him that negotiateth sets a value and price upon his words and actions and the opinion which is conceived of him is so absolute 〈◊〉 Umpire that there is no appeal from his judgement Opinion is the strongest thing in the world Truth the next Observations on the Life of Sir Walter Aston HE was a Gentleman of so much diligence in the Spanish Negotiations that there were no Orders Cabals Consultations in th 〈…〉 intricate time c. he was not acquainted with 〈◊〉 so much resolution that there was not a dangerous Message in that great businesse he would nâ— deliver Of that excellent converse that therâ— was not that Minister of State in that jealous Co 〈…〉 he was not familiar with Very observant he waâ— by Don Juan Taxardoes means of the Spanish prâ—ceedings and as well skilled with the Duke 〈◊〉 Buckingham's direction in the English though yâ— he confessed himself almost lost in those Intrigue had not the Duke stood between him and the King displeasure that suspected him and the Prince 〈◊〉 jealousie that feared him He had need have steady head that looks into such depths But as 〈…〉 had an excellent faculty of excusing others mis 〈…〉 iages so he had a peculiar way of salving his 〈◊〉 being advantaged with a great foresight a 〈◊〉 reservedness and a ready spirit Few understood better the Importance of the 〈…〉 glish Trade with Spain None pursued more diâ—gently its priviledges and freedom tracing most the secret Counsels and resolutions so closely at he was able with his industry and money to 〈◊〉 an account of most proceedings In the ma 〈…〉 gement whereof he resigned himself to the 〈…〉 ke's disposal professing to own no judgement 〈…〉 affection but what was guided by his direction 〈◊〉 own words are these Vntil I know by your Gra 〈…〉 favour by what compasse to guide my course I can 〈◊〉 follow his Majesties revealed will And the 〈…〉 ke's answer this You desire me to give you my opinion My ancient acquaintance long custome of lo 〈…〉 you with constancy of friendship invites me to 〈…〉 you this office of good will My Lord of Bristol shuffled the Cards well but 〈◊〉 Walter Aston playd them best The first set a 〈…〉 ign but the second pursued it being happy an humble and respectâ—uâ— carriage which open 〈…〉 the breast and unlocked the hearts of all men 〈…〉 him He that looked downward saw the Stars in 〈…〉 water but he who looked onely upward could 〈…〉 see the waters in the Stars Indeed there was in his countenance such a 〈…〉 one of sweetnesse and his words had so power 〈…〉 a charm set off with so agreeable and taking â—â—avity that the respect due to him was not lost in 〈◊〉 love he had deserved nor the love he attained to abated by the respect he commanded being one that had and gave infinite satisfaction in the Negotiations he engaged in Wherein among other things he would urge how unpolitick and unsuccessful it is for the Spanyard to meditate a conqueâ— of Europe where all his Neighbours oppose him rather than Asia where they would all joyn with him out of Interest and Conscience both to securâ— him from France and carry him towards Turkey at whose doors his friend the Emperour was ready to attaque them upon any Mutiny or Rebellion then frequent among them whose strength sai 〈…〉 Machiavel lyeth more in Tradition than in any real Truth Considering the contrary complexions of the people in point of Interest and Religion that can admit of no considerable coalition upon the approach of a Foreign impression Observations on the Life of Sir Julius Caesar SIr Caesar's Father being Physitian to Q 〈…〉 Elizabeth and descended of the ancient Family of the Dalmarii in Italy then living a Tottenham neer London This his Son was bred 〈◊〉 Oxford and after other intermediate preferments was advanced Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancâ—ster and sworn a Privy-Councellor on Sunday th 〈…〉 sixth of July 1607. and afterwards was preferreâ— Master of the Rolls A Person of prodigious bouâ—ty to all of worth or want so that he might seeâ— to be Almoner-general of the Nation The story is well known of a Gentleman who once borrowing his Coach which was as well known to poor people as any Hospital in England was so rendevouz'd about with Beggars in London that it cost him all the money in his purse to satiâ—fie their importunity so that he might have hired twenty Coaches on the same terms Sir Francis Bacon Lord Verulam was judicious in his Election when perceiving his Dissolution to approach he made his last Bed in effect in the house of Sir Julius He continued more then twenty years Mr. of the Rolls and though heaved at by some Expectants sate still in his Place well poysed therein with his gravity and integrity Vir tantarum Elâ—emosynarum non movebitur a man of so great Alms and Prayers made by him and for him shall not be removed Nor was it without a prosperous Omen that his chief House in Hartfordshire was called Benington that is Villa benigna the bountiful Village as one Author will have it or as another Villa beneficii the Town of good turns from the River so named running by it His Arms were these viz. Gules three Roses Argent on a Chief of the first so many Roses of the second embleming the fragrancy of the Memory he hath left behinde him His Monument in great St. Hellens London being out of the road of ordinary Fancies was thus designed by himself in form of a Deed in ruffled Parchment in allusion to his Office as Master of the Rolls OMnibus Christi fidelibus ad quos hoc praesens Scriptum pervenerit Sciatis me Julium Dalmare alias Caesarem Militem utriusque legis Doctorem Elizabethae Reginae Supremae Curia Admiralitatis judicem unum 〈◊〉 Magistris libellorum Jacobo Regi ae Privatis Conciliis Cancellarium Scaccarii Scriniorum Magistrum hac praesenti Charta mea Confirmasse me
Annuentâ— Divino Numine naturae debitum libenter solviturum quam primum Deo placuerit In cujus rei memoriam Manum meam Sigillum apposui Datum 27 Februarii 1635. Julius Caesar Here his Seal or Coat of Arms is affixed and beneath them is written Irrotulatur Caelo He dyed the twenty eighth day of April Anno Domini 1636. in the seventy ninth year of his Age. They say of Witches that they are unable to hurt till they have received an Almes It 's certain none ever undermined this Gentleman's insufficiency but such as were advanced by his civility a civility that secured him as well as it impowered them making his Grants to all persons double kindnesses by Expedition and cloathing his very Denyals in such robes of Courtship as that it was not obviously discernable whether the Request or Deâ—yal were most decent having this peculiar to himself That he was very cautious of Promises lest falling to an Incapacity of performance he might forfeit his Reputation and multiply his certain Enemies by his design of creating uncertain Friends Besides he observed a sure principle of rising viz. That great persons esteem better of such they have done great Courtesies to than those they have received greater Civilities from looking upon this as their disparagement the other as their glory Observations on the Lives of Sir Henry Sir Lucius Sir Henry Cary Lords Viscounts Faulkland ARace of accomplished men the ornaments and supports of their Countrey which they served with no lesse faithfulnesse and prudence in their Negotiations abroad than honour and justice in their Places at home Of such a Stock of reputation as might kindle a generous emulation in Strangers and a noble ambition in those of their own Family Henry Cary Viscount Falkland in Scotland son to Sir Edward Cury was born at Aldnam in Hertfordshire being a most accomplished Gentleman and a compleat Courtier By King James he was appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland and well discharged his Trust therein But an unruly Colt will â—ume and chase though neither switch nor spur meerly because back'd The Rebellious Irish will complain onely because kept in subjection though with never so much lenity the occasion why some hard speeches were passed on his Government Some beginning to counterfeit his hand he used to incorporate thâ— year of his age in a knot flourished beneath h 〈…〉 name concealing the day of his birth to himsel 〈…〉 Thus by comparing the date of the month with his own Birth-day unknown to such Forgers 〈◊〉 not onely discovered many false Writings which were past but also deterred dishonest Cheated from attempting the like for the future He made good use of Bishop Vsher's Interest while he was there as appears by the excellent Speech that the Bishop made for the King's supply Being recalled into England he lived honourably in the County aforesaid until by a sad casualty he broke his Leg on a Stand in Theâ—bâ—ld's Parke and soon after dyed thereof He married the sole Daughter and Heir of Sir Lawrence Tanfield Chief Baron of the Exchequer by whom he had a fair Estate in Oxfordshire His death happened Annâ— Dâ—m 1620. being Father to the most accomplished States-man 2. Lucius Lord Falkland the wildness of whose youth was an argument of the quicknesse of his riper years He that hath a spirit to be unruly before the use of his reason hath mettle to be active afterwards Quick-silver if fixed is incomparable besides that the adventures contrivances secrets confidence trust compliance with opportunity and the other sallies of young Gallants prepare them more serious undertakings as they did this noble Lord great in his â—own greater in his Buffe able with his Sword abler with his Pen a knowing States-man a learned Scholar and a stout manâ— One instance of that excess in learning and other great perfections which portended ruine to this Nation in their opinion who write that all Extreams whether of Vertue or Vice are ominous especially that unquiet thing call'd Learning whose 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth its own period and that of the Empire it flourisheth in a too universally dilated Learning being not faithful to the settlements either of Policy or Religion it being no lesse reaâ—ly to discover blemishes in the one than Incongruities in the other Sophisters saith my smart Author like the Countrey of the Switz being as able upon the least advantage proposed to engage on the wrong side as on the sight As to go no further this excellent Personage being among the Demagogues that had been for twelve years silenced and were now to play the prize in Parliament and shew their little twit-twat but tedious faculties of speaking makes the bitterest Invective against the Governours and government of the Church that ever was penned in English which though designed by him it'â— thought onely to allay the fury of the Faction by some compliance with it carried things beyond the moderation and decency of that Assembly which he made too hot for himself retyring in cooler thoughts as many more that like Brutus could not lay the storms they had raised to Oxford where his Pen was more honourably employed in detecting the fundamental Errour of Rome their infallibility and countermining the main props of Westminster their Hypoerisie this as Secretary the other as a Student in both laying open the little pretensions whereby poor people were insnared in their Civil and Religious Liberty Much was the gall always in his Inke and very sharp his Pen but even flowing and full his Style such as became him whose Learning was not an unsetled masse of reading that whirled up and down in his head but fixed Observations that tempered with solid prudence and experience were the steady Maximes of his Soul fitted for all times and occasions he having sate as some Noble-mens sons used to do formerly in the House of Lords behind the Chair of State from his very child-hood and owning a large heart capable of making that universal inspection into things that much becomes a Gentleman being a Master in any thing he discoursed of Insomuch that his general knowledge husbanded by his wit and set off by his Meine and Carriage attracted many to come as far to see him as he prosessed he would go to see Mr. Daillee which rendred him no lesse necessary than admirable at Court until his Curiosity engaging him at Newbery he was strangely slain there dying as he lived till then between his Friends and Enemies to the King 's great grief who valued him because he understood his parts and services in the Treaty at Oxford where he was eminent for two things the timing of Propositions and concealing of Inclinations though no man so passionate for his design as never enduring that hope that holds resolution so long in suspence but ever allaying it with that fear that most commonly adviseth the best by supposing the worst His usual saying was I pity unlearned Gentlemen in a rainy day 3. He was Father first
to Henry Lord Falkland whose quick and extraordinary parts and notable spirit performed much and promised more having a great command in the Countrey where he was Lord-Lieutenant a general respect in the house where he was Member a great esteem at Court with his Majesty and his Royal Highness the Duke of 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
and Antiquity of whose old pieces he was the greatest Hoarder in Europe setting aside Ferdinando de Medicis grand Duke of Tuscany from whom by the mediation of Sir Henry Wotton he borrowed many an Antique Sculpture which furnished his Archives so well as we may guess by Mr. Selden's Marmora Arundeliana that as my Lord Burleigh's Library was the most compleat one for a Politician my Lord Bacon's for a Philosopher Mr. Selden's for an Historian Bishop Vsher's for a Divine my Lord of Northampton's for a Poet Mr. Oughtred's for a Mathematician Dr. Hammond's for a Grammarian or an universal Critick so the Earl of Arundel's was the best for aâ— Hearld and an Antiquary a Library not for shew but use Neither was he more in his study where he be stowed his melancholy hours than in Councel where he advised three things in reference to the Foreign troubles 1. Correspondence abroad 2. Frequent Parliaments 3. Oftner progresse into the Countries Neither was he lesse in the Field than in Council when General against the Scots the more shame that Protestants should 〈◊〉 time rebel against their King when Papists vent 〈…〉 red their lives for him After which Expedition he was ordered beyond Sea with the Queen-Mother of France 1639. when they say he looked back on England with this wish May it never have need of me It 's true some observe that the Scots who cried upon him as a Papist yet writ under hand to him their Noble Lord as they did to Essex and Holland so effectually that they had no heart to that War afterward and it is as true that thereupon a schedule was now the second time given of the parties that combined against the Government viz. 1. The busie medlers that had got the plausible trick of Haranguing since King James's time not used in Parliament from H 6. time to his 2. The covetous Landlords Inclosers Justices of the Peace that ruled in the Country and would do so in Parliament 3. Needy men in debt that durst not shew their heads in time of Peace 4. Puritans that were so troublesome against Hatton c. in Queen Eliz. dayes and under pretence of Religon overthrew all Government 5. Such Male-contents as either lost the preferment they had or had not what they were ambitious of with their Kindred and Dependants 6. Lawyers that second any attempt upon the Prerogative with their Cases Records and Antiquities 7. London Merchants that had been discovered by Cranfield and Ingram as to their cheats put upon the King in his Customes and Plantations 8. Common-wealths-men that had learned from Holland in Queen Eliz. days to pray for the Queen and the State And 9 Because there cannot be a Treason without a P such Recusants as were Hispanioliz'd whereof this Earl was none but though as a Church-Papist he had most of the Catholick Peers votes devolved on him he never bestowed them undutifully albeit sometimes stoutly and resolutely A great friend he was to all new Inventions save those that tended to do that by few hands which had been usually done by many because said he While private men busie their heads to take off the Poors employment the publick Magistrate must trouble his to finde them maintenance Either he or the Earl of Northampton used to say when asked what made a compleat man To know how to cast Accompts an accomplishment though ordinary yet might save many an Estate in England Observations on the Life of Esme Duke of Richmond GReat in his Ancestors honour greater in his own vertu and greatest of all in that like the Star he wore the higher he was the lesse he desired to seem affecting rather the 〈◊〉 than the pomp of noblenesse therefore his courtesie was his nature not his craft and his affableness not a base servile popularity or an ambitious insinuation but the native gentlenesse of his disposition and his true value of himself He was not a stranger to any thing worth knowing but best acquainted with himself and in himself rather with his weaknesses for Caution than his abilities for Action Hence he is not so forward in the traverses of War as in Treaties of Peace where his honour ennobled his cause and his moderation advanced it He and my Lord of Southampton managing the several Overtures of Peace at London Oxford and Oxbridge with such honourable freedome and prudence that they were not more deservedly regarded by their Friends than importunately courted they their Enemies who seeing they were such could not be patient till they were theirs though in â—ain their honours being impregnable as well against the Factions kindnesse as against their power At Conferences his conjectures were as solid as others judgements his strict observation of what was passed furnishing him for an happy guesse of what was to come Yet his opinion was neither variably unconstant nor obstinately immoveable but framed to present occasions wherein his method was to begin a second advice from the failure of his first though he hated doubtful suspense when he might be resolute This one great defect was his good nature that he could never distrust till it was dangerous to suspect and he gave his Enemy so much advantage that he durst but own him for his friend One thing he repented of that he advised his Majestie to trust Duke Hamilton his Adversary with the affairs of Scotland in compliance with the general opinion rather than the Marquess Huntly his friend in compliance with his own real interest an advice wherein his publick-spiritednesse superseded his particular concerns and his good nature his prudence So true is it that the honest mans single uprightnesse works in him that confidence which oft-times wrongs him and gives advantage to the subtle while he rather pities their faithlesness than repents of his credulity so great advantage have they that look onely what they may do over them that consider what they should do and they that observe onely what is expedient over them that judge onely what is lawful Therefore when those that thought themselves wise left their sinking Soveraign he stuck to his Person while he lived to his body when dead and to his cause as long as he lived himself attending the first resolutely burying the second honourably and managing the third discreetly undertaking without rashnesse and performing without fear never seeking dangers never avoiding them Although when his Friends were conquered by the Rebels he was conquered by himself retyring to that privacy where he was guessed at not known where he saw the world unseen where he made yielding a conquest where cheerful unconcerned in expectation he provided for the worst and hoped the best in the constant exercise of that Religion which he his maintained more effectually with their Examples than with their Swords doing as much good in encouraging the Orthodox by his presence as in relieving them by his bounty In a word I may say of him as Macarius doth of Justine There was no
Vice but he thought below him and no Vertue which he esteemed not either his duty on ornament Neither was his prudence narrower than his virtue nor his virtue streighter than his fortune His main service was his inspection into the Intrigues and Reserves of the Parliamentiers at Vxbridge and his cajoling of the Independants and Scots at London where the issue of his Observations was That the King should as far as his conscience could allow comply with the unreasoble desires of an illimited ambition to make it sensible of the evils that would flow from its own Counsels being confident as events have assured us that the people would see the inconvenience of their own wishes and that they would return that power which they sought for but could not manage to its proper place before it became their-ruine for unbounded Liberty overthroweth its self But alas it was too late to grant them any thing who by having so much were onely encouraged more eagerly to desire what they knew the King in honour could not give For when a Prince is once rendred odious or contemptible his Indulgences do him no lesse hurt than injuries As his services were great so were his Recreations useful Hunting that manly Exercise being both his pleasure his accomplishment his accomplishment I say since it is in the list of Machiavel's rules to his Prince as not onely the wholsomest and cheapest diversion both in relation to himself and his People but the best Tutor to Horse-manship Stratagems and Situations by which he may afterwards place an Army what-ever Sir Sidney's apprehension was who used to say Next hunting he liked hawking worst Observations on the Life of the Lord Chief-Justice Banks SIr John Banks his Parents perceiving him judicious and industrious bestowed good breeding on him in Grayes-Inne in hope he should attain to preferment wherein they were not deceived For after he was called to the Bar for some years he solicited Suits for others thereby attaining great practical experience He afterwards might laugh at them who then did smile at him leaving many behind him in Learning whom he found before him in time until at last he was Knighted by King Charles made first his Attorney then Chief-Justice of the Common-Pleas dying in the middest and heat of our Civil Dissentions He ordered by his Will that his Body should be buried under some plain Monument at the discretion of his Executors and after an Epitaph mentioning the severall Places he had held this Motto to be added Non nobis Domine non nobis sed Nomini tuo da Gloriam By his said Will he gave to the value of thirty pound per ann with other Emoluments to be bestowed in pious Uses and chiefly to set up a Manufacture of course Cottons in the Town of Keswick He was one whom the Collar of S S. S. worn by Judges and other Magistrates became very well if it had its name from Sanctus Simon Simplicius no man being more seriously pious none more singly honest When Sir Henry Savile came to Sir Edward Cook then at bowls in Arch-Bishop Abbot's behalf and told him he had a Case to propose to him Sir Edward answered If it be a Case in Common-Law I am unworthy to be a Judge if I cannot presently satisfie you but if it be a point of Statute-Law I am unworthy to be a Judge if I should undertake to satisfie you without consulting my Books Sir John Bankes though ready without his Books on the Bench yet always resolved Cases out of them in his Chamber answerable to his saying to Dr. Sibs A good textuary is a good Lawyer as well as a good Divine His invention was prompt and ready his apprehension sure and solid his memory capacious and retentive his knowledge in the Law and the inward reasons of it profound his experience in affairs of State universal and well laid patient he was in hearing sparing but pertinent in speaking very glad always to have things represented truly and clearly and when it was otherwise able to discern through all pretences the real merit of a Cause He was a man of singular modesty of the ancient freedome plain-heartednesse and integrity of minde Very grave and severe in his deportment yet very affable in such sort that as Tacitus saith of Agrippa Illi quod est rarissimum nec facilitas authoritatem nec severitas amorem diminuâ—â— And in a word so even and circumspect he was in the several turnings and occasions of his life that though he went himself and brought over as many as he had any interest in to the King I finde him under no extraordinary displeasure from the Rebels and I observe but one unhappinesse in his whole life and that is that all men speak well of him Observations on the Life of Sir Tho. Edmonds THe Trophees of Miltiades would not let Themistocles sleep nor the Courts-advancements of his Relations this Gentleman to sit still having both Livie's qualifications for an eminent man a great spirit and a gallant conduct for actions a sharp wit and a fluent tongue for advice Whence we meet with him Comptroller of the Kings Houshold at home and his Agent for Peace abroad equally fit for businesse of courage and resolution and for affairs of Councel and complement I think it was this Gentleman who foreseeing a Contest likely to ensue between the English and the Spanish Embassadors to the first whereof he belonged went to Rome privately and fetched a Certificate out of the book of Ceremonies which according to the Canon giveth the rule in such cases shewing that the King of England was to precede him of Castile a good argument because ad homines wise men having always thought fit to urge not what is most rational in its self but what all circumstances considered is most conrincing Sir Thomas Edmonds used to puzzle the Catholicks about six Records 1. The original of Constantine's grant of Rome to the Pope 2. St. Marke's grant of the Adriatique Guiph to Venice 3. The Salique Law in France 4. The Instrument whereby King John passed away England to the Pope 5. The Letter of King Lucius And 6. The Ordinal of the Consecration at the Nags-head Neither did he perplex them with these Quaeries more than he angered the Faction with his Principles Tertio Car. I. 1. That the King was to be trusted 2. That the Revenue was to be setled 3. That the Protestant cause was to be maintained 4. That Jealousies were to be removed and things past were to be forgotten Observations on the Life of Sir Paul Pindar HE was first a Factor then a Merchant next a Consul and at last an Embassador in Turkey Whence returning with a good purse and a wary Headpiece he cast about what he might do to gratifie K. James and the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury most and finding them much pleased with acts of Charity and Piety he repaired the Entry Front and Porches of St. Paul's Cathedral to
wise as a Woman valiant the most serious Endeavours of both being to take onely the Eyes Observations on the Life of the Marquess of Hertford HE was none of those Male-contents who make the sins of their riper years make good the follies of their youth and maintain oversights with Treasons as he was patient under his Imprisonment for the one so he was active in his services against the other not more dutifully submitting to the severity of K. James for his Marriage then loyally assisting the necessities of King Charles in his Wars It 's natural to return an Injury it 's heroical to overcome it and be above it when we are below our selves It is true he was drawn in to subscribe the untoward Proposals at Yorke but it is as true he did of his own accord declare against the unnatural War in London where the King advanced him to the tuition of the Prince and he went himself to the defence of the King at what time such his popularity that he raysed an Army himself such his humility that he yielded the command of it to another as if he knew nothing but others merit and his own wants being one of those choice men that admire every thing in others and see nothing in themselves His face his carriage his habit savoured of Lowlinesse without affectation and yet he was much under what he seemed His words were few and soft never either peremptory or censorious because he thought both each man more wise and none more obnoxious than himself being yet neither ignorant nor carelesse but naturally meek lying ever close within himself armed with those two Master-pieces Resolution and Duty wherewith he mated the blackest Events that did rather exercise than dismay that spirit that was above them and that minde that looked beyond them He was the easiest enemy and the truest friend whom extremities obliged while as the Reverend Bishop speaks he as a well-wrought Vault lay at home the stronger by how much the more weight he did bear He offered his life for his Prince's service in the Field and his person for his ransom at the Court and when many wished they might dye for that excellent King he the Earls of Lindsey and Southampton offered That since his Majesty was presumed by the Law to do no harm himself and since he did all by them his Ministers as they had the honour to act under they might have the happinesse to suffer for him Observations on the Life of Sir John Finch THis Family hath had an hereditary eminence in the study of the Law Sir Henry Finch the Author of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 learned Sergeant at Law in King James his time 〈◊〉 Heneage Finch Recorder of London in K. Charles time and this noble person at the same time the Queen's Attorney and Speaker of that curious knowing and rich Parliament wherein some have observed though wide I suppose that the House of Commons modestly aestimated consisting of 500 could buy the House of Peers consisting of 118 thrice over Norimbergh in Germany and Florence in Italy would not of old admit of any learned men into their Councel because great learned men saith the Historian of those places are perplexed to resolve upon Affairs making many doubts full of Respects and Imaginations Semblably this Parliament was too rich and curious to do any good though this noble personage even when the House-doors were shut and he violently detained in his Chair refused to countenance their proceedings always abhorring Eliot's doctrine That men should not be questioned for offences in Parliament As if that reverend Assembly were called for no other end than that turbulent spirits might be at liberty to speak Treason once every three years When he was questioned for his opinion about Ship-money his judgement was That if the whole were in danger the whole should contribute When he was urged to read the Remonstrance against Sir R. W. 4 Car. in Parliament his opinion was That at any rate though at the highest that can be Authority must be vindicated and redeemed from contempt since the Life of Government is reputation Observations on the Life of the Lord Say WHether the first impressions of his Tutor Schoolmasters though the most neglected are not the most inconsiderable parts of a Common-wealth the narrownesse of his fortune unequal to his honour younger brothers of noble houses had need in every State to be observed the repulse 1613. other men must look to whom they are kinde but Princes to whom they are unkind inclined this personage to popularity This is certain no man was better tempered for that humour than himself being in his nature severe and rigid in his carriage close and reserved in his resolutions firm and immoveable in his apprehension provident and foreseeing in his Sentiments nice and curious in his Discourse full of Fears and Jealousies dissatisfied and bold in his followers irregular and pretending in the Law well seen in the Scripture very ready in the occurrences of his age very exact at Lectures most constant to the liberty of the Subject then the Diana of the age most faithful insomuch that he made a motion 1628 That they who stood for the Liberties forsooth then called the Lower-House Lords of the Upper-House not fifty might make their Protestation upon record and that the other party should with subscription of their names enter their reason upon Record that posterity might not be to seek good lack who they were that so ignobly betrayed the Liberty of our Nation And this being done they should resolve themselves to a Committee and proceed to vote Yet so well acquainted with the King's temper that he would â—ake any occasion of his being pleased by the Parliament to 〈…〉 sinuate himself into favour with all his Male-contents as Bishop Williams Earl of Lincoln Earl of Essex the Earl of Warwick c. As he wrought upon the peoples humour in that point of Liberty so he did upon the Nobilities temper in another of Ambition For in a Petition to King James against Foreign titles of Honour we finde him first in design though last in subscription teaching Essex Warwick St. John for they joyned with him to tilt against their Soveraign's Prerogative with their Pens as they did after with their Swords And when this failed the wise King a wing the young Lords to renounce that asunder which they had subscribed together none so bold as the factious in company none so fearfull apart the Champion of English honour and priviledge becomes the Patron of Propriety too for we read Ter. Hill Anno 14. Car. 1. in Banco Regis the Lord Say's Case Action for Trover and Conversion of thrée Oxen taken a great matter for three pounds five shillings by the Sheriff of Lincoln upon the Plaintiff towards the finding of a Ship A goodly reason for going to Law first and then to war with his Soveraign as he did afterwards when he had sent his son Nathaniel with
Asia and from severall parts of the world purchased all the Ornaments and helps of Literature he could that the English Church might have if possible by his care as many advantages for knowledge as almost all Europe did contribute to the grandeur of that of Rome The outward splendour of the Clergy was not more his care than their honour by a grave and pious conversation He would put them into a power of doing more good but was sore against their Vices and Vanities He scorned a private Treasure and his friends were rather relieved than raised to any greatnesse by him In his election of friends he was determined to the good and wise and such as had both parts and desires to profit The Church had his closest embraces if otherwise it happened their frauds not his choice deserved the blame Both Papists and Sectaries were equally his Enemies one party feared and the other hated his Virtues Some censured his zeal for Discipline above the patience of the Times but his greatest unhappinesse was that he lived in a factious Age and corrupt State and under such a Prince whose Vertues not admitting an immediate approach for Accusations was to be wounded with those it did caresse But when Faction and Malice are worne out by time Posterity shall engrave him in the Albe of the most excellent Prelacy the most indulgent Fathers of the Church and the most injured Martyrs His blood was accompanyed with some tears that fell from those Eyes that expected a pleasure at his death and it had been followed with a general mourning had not the publick Miseries and the present Fears of Ruine exacted all the stock of Grief for other objects His very enemy Sir Edward Deering would confesse That let him dye when he would St. Pauls would be his Monument and his Book against Fisher his Epitaph Observations on the Life of the Lord Keeper Littleton SIr Edward Littleton the eldest son of Sir Edward Littleton of Mounslow in Shrop-shire one of the Justices of the Marches and Chief-Justice of North-Wales was bred in Christs-Church in Oxford where he proceeded Batchellor of Arts and afterwards was one of the Justices of North-Wales Recorder of London and Sollicitor to King Charles From these places he was preferred to be Chief-Justice of the Common-Pleas and made Privy-Councellor thence advanced to be Lord-Keeper and Baron of Mounslow the place of his Nativity He died in Oxford and was buried in Christs-Church where he was bred Being a Member of the Parliament 1628. he had the management of the high presumption charged on the Duke of Buckingham about King James his death wherein he behaved himself so discreetly between the jealousie of the People and the honour of the Court that Sir John Finch would say He was the onely man for taking things by a Right bandle And Sir Edward Cook that He was a well-poized and weighed man His very name carried an Hereditary credit with it which plaineth out the way to all great Actions his virtue being authorized by his nobility and his undertakings ennobled by his birth gained that esteem which meaner men attain not without a large compasse of time and experience worthlesse Nobility and ignoble worth lye under equal disadvantage Neither was his extract so great as his parts his judgement being clear and piercing his Learning various and useful his skill in the Maximes of our Government the fundamental Laws of this Monarchy with its Statutes and Customes singular his experience long and observing his integrity unblemished and unbyassed his Eloquence powerful and majestick and all befitting a States-man and a Lord-Keeper set off with a resolved Loyalty that would perform the harshest service his Master could enjoyn him while he stayed at London and follow the hardest fortune he could be in when at Yorke whither he went with the great Seal he knew made to stamp Royal Commissions rather than authorize Rebellious Ordinances At Oxford he did good service during the Session of Parliament by Accommodations there and as good during their recesse by his interest in the Country Observations on the Life of the Marquess Hamilton A Preacher being at a losse what to say of a party deceased concluded his Sermon with these words There is one good quality in this man viz. that he was born and that God made him And another viz. That he is dead and we must speak nothing but good of the dead I may say of this Noble-man that I have two reasons to speak well of him 1. That good King Charles honoured him and 2. That his wicked Subjects beheaded him otherwise I must leave these Queries as I finde them Quaere 1. Why should Duke Hamilton post without leave into Scotland when the Parliament was discontented and the Duke of Buckingham murthered in England Quaere 2. Why should Ramsey the Dukes Messenger to the King of Sweden play the Embassadour in Germany and take place of all other persons there Qu. 3. What design was that which Elphyston Borthricke Meldrum Vobiltry c. discovered one to another Qu. 4. What did Ramsey with the Pedigree of Hamilton derived from James I. King of Scots in Foreign parts Qu. 5. What private Instructions had Meldrum to Scotish Officers in the Swedish Army Qu. 6. Why was Meldrum Alexander Hamilton and other his Dependants so preferred in the Scots Army Qu. 7. Why were there such Fears and Jealousies whispered in Germany of the English Government Qu. 8. Why was not Ramsey able to give a positive Answer at the Tryal by combate And why did the Marquess take him off before the Controversie was decided Qu. 9. Why is Huntley put by and Hamilton made high Commissioner Why is discontented Balcanquel employed to pen Declarations And why are the King's Papers Letters c. taken out of his pocket and betrayed to the Scots And why did the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury writing to the King wish him not to trust his own pockets with the Letter Qu. 10. Why doth his Mother ride with pistols at her Saddle-bow leading all her Kindred and Vassals for the Covenant Qu. 11. Why is that time spent in posting to and fro to patch up a base Pacification with the Rebels that might have been employed in suppressing them Qu. 12. Why did the Bishops of Rosse and Breben Sir Robert Spotswood Sir John Hay the Earl of Sterling ride post to England to intreat the King not to trust the Marquess Qu. 13. Why was there so much granted to the Covenanters in Scotland yea and time given them to do their businesse Qu. 14. Why did he forbear the Common-prayer at Dalkeith and neglect to protest the King 's gracious Declaration the justice and clemeney whereof had without doubt allayed the commotions Qu. 15. Why did he not set out the King's la 〈…〉 Declaration before the Covenanters Protestation was out against it Qu. 16. Why was there nothing done with the Ships sent upon the coasts of Scotland Qu. 17. Why did he so caresse his covenanting
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
of England he that was one of King Henry's Executors King Edward's Secretary of State Queen Mary's right hand and that refused the Arch-Bishoprick of Canterbury in in Queen Eliz. days 3. Being bred 1. In Winchester that eminent School for Discipline and Order 2. In New-Colledge and Queens those famous Colledges for the method of Living by rule could promise no lesse than he did in his solidly sententious and discreetly humoured Play at Queens called Tancredo in his elegant Lecture of the nobleness manner and use of Seeing at the Schools for which the learned Albericus Gentilis called him Henrice Mi Ocelle and communicated to him his Mathematicks his Law and his Italian learning in his more particular converse with Doctor Donne and Sir Richard Baker in the University and his more general conversation with Man-kinde in travells for one year to France and Geneva where he was acquainted with Theodore Beza and Isaac Casaubon at whose Fathers he lodged for eight years in Germany for five in Italy whence returning balanced with Learning and Experience with the Arts of Rome Venice and Florence Picture Sculpture Chimistry Architecture the Secrets Languages Dispositions Customes and Laws of most Nations set off with his choice shape obliging behaviour sweet discourse and sharp wit he could perform no lesse than he did 1. In the unhappy relation he had to the Earl of Essex first of Friend and afterward of Secretary 2. In his more happy Interest by his Secretary Vietta upon his flight out of England after the Earl's apprehension with the Duke of Tuscany then the greatest patron of Learning and Arts in the world who having discovered a design to poyson King James as the known successor of Queen Elizabeth sent Sir Henry Wotton with notice of the plot and preservatives against the poyson by the way of Norway into Scotland under the borrowed name of Octavio Baldi where after some suspicion of the Italian message discovering himself to the King by Lindsey's means he was treated with much honour complacency and secrecy for three months After which time he returned to Florence staying there till King James enquiring concerning him of my Lord Wotton the Comptroller the great Duke advised his return to congratulate his Majesty as he did the King embracing him in his arms calling him the best because the honestest Dissembler that he met with and Knighting him by his own name Adding withal That since he knew he wanted neither Learning nor Experience neither Abilities nor Faithfulnesse he would employ him to others as he was employed to him which accordingly he did to Venice the place he chose as most suitable to his retyred Genius and narrow Estate where 1. Studying the dispositions of the several Dukes and Senators 2. Sorting of fit Presents curious and not costly Entertainments sweetned with various and pleasant discourse particularly his elegant application of Stories He had such interest that he was never denyed any request whereby he did many services to the Protestant interest with his Chaplain Bishop Biddle and Pauloe's assistance during the Controversie between the Pope and the Venetians especially in transmitting the History of the Councel of Trent sheet by sheet to the King and the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury as it was written And in his three Embassies thither gained many Priviledges for the English along all those Coasts In the second of which Embassies calling upon the Emperour he had brought Affairs to a Treaty had not the Emperour's successe interposed whereupon he took his leave wishing that Prince to use his Victory soberly an advice his carriage indeared to his Majesty together with his person so far that he gave him a Diamond worth above a thousand pounds which he bestowed on his Hostess saying He would not be the better by a man that was an open Enemy to his Mistress so the Queen of Bohemia was pleased he should call her Onely while abroad and writing in the Album that friends have this sentence Legatus est vir bonus peregre missus ad mentiendum reipublicae causâ whereof Scioppius made a malicious use in his Books against King James He lost himself a while for using more freedome abroad than became his Employment until his ingenuous clear and choicely eloquent Apologies recovered him to more respect and cautiousnesse until he writ Invidiae remedium over his Lodgings at Eaton-Colledge the Provostship whereof he obtained in exchange for the reversion of the Mastership of the Rolls and other places promised him Where looking upon himself in his Surplice as Charles 5 or Philip 2. in Cloysters his Study was divine Meditations History and Characters His recreation Philosophical conclusions and Angling which he called his idle time not idly spent saying he would rather live five May-months than sorty Decembers His Table was exquisite where two youths attended upon whom he made the observations that were to furnish his designed discourse of Education His Histories and Observations remarkable his Apophthegms sage and quick 1. Being in a Popish Chappel a merry Priest that knew him sent a Paper to him with this question Where was your Religion before Luther Under which he writ Where yours is not in the written word of God 2. Being asked whether a Papist could be saved He replyed You may be saved without knowing that look to your self 3. Hearing one rayl against Arminius Popery he answered Sâ—â— he that understands amisse concludeth worse If you had studied Popery so much as I have and knew Arminius so well as I did how learned how strict and how rare a man he was you would not fall so foul on his person nor thinke that the further you go from the Church of Rome the nearer you are to God 4. One pitched upon for Embassador came to Eaton and requested from his some Experimental rule for his prudent and sase carriage in his Negotiation to whom he smilingly gave this for an in 〈…〉 ble Aphorism That to be in safety himself serviceable to his Country be should alwayes and upon all occasions speak the truth For said he you shall never be believed and by this meanes your truth will secure your self if you shall ever be called to any account and it will also put your Adversaries who will still hunt counter to a losse in all their disquisitions and undertakings 5. And when he made his Will two years before he died out of policy to let the King understand his Debts and Arrears to which end he bestowed in that Will on his Majesty Sir Throgmorton's Papers of Negotiation in Queen Elizabeths dayes on the Queen Dioscorides in Tuscany with the Herbs naturally coloured on the Prince the Queen of Bohemia's picture on my Lord of Canterbury the picture of Divine love to my Lord of London high Treasurer Heraclitus and Democritus and to Secretary Windebanke old Bastano's four Seasons he directed that this onely should be written on his plain Marble Hie jacet hujus sententiae primus auctor Disputandi Pruritus
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
graceful Eloquence doth meet a There were two sorts of these Knights the first made by way of encouragement the second by way of Reward Sir Ralph was of the second sort and the last that survived of that sort b That of the Queens Marriage c Luther Melancthon Carolostadius b The Creed The Lords Prayer and the Commandments e Saith Sir Richard Baker f Per celebriora Anglorum Gymnasia artes excoluit * Being called Bifrons Janus g Cecil was the first * Mr. More in the printted Life of his Grand-father Sir Tho. More page 334. * That is from Will. Molineux Knight of Sefton in Lancashire Cic. pro Archiâ Poetâ * When Cardinal * One of the house of York * He is made Viscount Rochford * They were 50 with an Archer a Demilance and a Constillier apiece They and their horses being vested in Cloth of Gold * Of Bretany and Normandy a Master of the Ordnance who was killed the first night before Therouene Edw. 6. Bacons Ess 116. The Duke of Somerfet's march a The same day that 30 years ago they were beaten at Flodden b He made the first and last Bannerets The Lady Stanhope c Whom they put in new Liveries d For contriving the death of a Privy 〈…〉 Counsellour There was another of his name Sheriff Nephew to this Knight in 25 of H 8. Lord Bacon's Essayes a A Duffeild b Recommending to him the care of three thrings 1. His God 2. His Soul 3. His Company Full. Hist Cambr. p. 119 Vid. Full. Eccl. Hist Edw. 6. T. F. p. 9. This story is related from the mouth of his Grandchild the Earl of Warwick that last was See Ep. ad Lect. Lees Plees des Coron Eth. l. 10. c. 7. Vid. Waterhouse in Fortesc de laud. Leg. Angl. Vid. Cok. in Littl. Prefat Q. Mary Here William Cordel doth in rest remain Great by his Birth but greater by his Brain Plying his studies hard his Youth throughout Of Causes he became a Pleader stout His Learning deep such Eloquence did vent He was chose Speaker to the Parliament Afterwards Knight Queen Mary did him make And Counsellour State-Work to undertake And Master of the Rolls Well worn with Age Dying in Christ Heaven was his utmost Stage Diet and Clothes to poor he gave at large And a fair Alms-House founded on his charge Fuller Eccles Hist B. 8. Cent. 15. Cambd. Eliz. an 1576. The things that overthrow a Favourite * The first of these loved Alexanders interest the other his person * France Spain and England Cicero * He meant land Anno H. 8. 24. Mach Prince p. 56. 6 Viz. The Lord Tho. Seymour Hist Camb. p. 131. * His Mother was Daughter to the Duke of Clarence and Granchild to Edward the IV Full. Hist Cent. 16. p. 14. * Governor of Biâ—â— * Kept at Black Fryars Upon Record in Sir Rob. Cotton's Library * As Ecclesia poenitentia Episcopus Sacrificium Pontifex * Viz. Those of his Diocess * In King H. 8's time when they rise against the Resormation * When the rising was there Q. Eliz. a Descended of the Roman Cecilii say some b Grays Inne c Fuller Holy State ex Arist l. 2. de Coelo c. 4. 10. d Camb. Eliz. anno 15 79. 80. Take all there 's but one Jove above him He Is Rich Fair Noble King of Kings and free My Inferiour shall not fear my Superiour shall not despise me * Cicely Daughter of Thomas Bourchier late Earl of Essex Verulam's Essays Cambden Eliz. 13. K. H. 4. K. Jaâ—es * In Opposition to him of Spain In Ll. a They say his father married a Familiar of King Henry's See his Negotiation in France in his Letters to Cecil in The compleat Embassador See Fuller in his Worthies * Causa virtus à Deo vel ipse Deus Vol. 3. p. 95â— * Camb. Eliz. 1560. Bacon Ess 7. Oct. 15. 1565. * Sir Tho. By the learned industrious and ingenious Edward Waterhouse Esquire of Siâ—n Colledge a Which he made out from Dr. Wottons Discourse on that subject at Cambray b To which Queen Elizabeth addeth a saying of Valentinians Have the French for thy Friend not for thy Neighbor c De jure Reg. apud Scotos d About moneys transported beyond Sea Cambden Eliz. 1566 * Cambd. Eliz. anno 1577. * The Marquess of Northampton the Earl of Bedford John Grey of Pyrgo Sir William Cecil and Sir Tho. Smith * The Doctors Parker Bill May Cox Grindal Whitehead Pillington and Sir Tho. Smith * At Cambray * Who put Cardinal Wolsey then but a Schoolmaster in the Stocks His Eliz. 1584. * As Cyrus at Thermopylae Crassus in Parthia therefore Alexander had exact Maps always about him to observe Passages Streights Rocks Plains Rivers c. Nethersole Fun. Orat. Prince Hen. p. 15 16 17. * Sir Rob. Naunton in his Fragmenta Regalia a 2 Sam. 20 2â— b 1 King 4. 6. c 1 King 12 d Ibidem See Davies of Ireland and Ware and Powel of Wales H. W. Sir Robert Naunton F. B. a Leicester See Sir H. Wottons Observalions b He was one of them whose Natures disclose but slowly c Under Dr. Whitgift a His Eliz. to which Cambden gave but the language and the transcript a From the mouth of Mr. Ramsey Minister of Rougham in Norfolk who married the widow of Mr. Giles Fletcher sou to this Doctor * In his volume of English Navigations P. 473. †Camb. in his Eliz. Anno 1583. when he was Agent in Muscov as afterward Ambassador K. James In his Book called The Declination of Monarchs Sir Robert Naunton ' s Fragmenta a Adversus perduelles a Where he was Bridegroom a Witnesse his entertainment at London H. Holland p. 39. a Domanda assai che non Manchera poi calare Proverb Hisp apud Insig D. Howeilum de legatis Psal 104. 3 a In the life of Richard the second b Sir John Davies in Disc of Ireland pag. 39 c. * Vere's Commentaries a Therefore the Yoke is their supporter * Cambdeâ— Eliz. Anno 1587. Idem Anno 1600. * The Eâ— of Essex The Loâ— Nortis Plau. in Aularia * Though some observe that his digressions marred his repute and had broke his neck had he lived in any Kings reign but King James's * Vid. Duke of Buckingham's Life K. Charls Compleat Instructions for a States-man given by L. B. to D. B. a Sir Hen. Wotton's life of the Duke of Buckingh a 1. Of the Prerogative Royal. 2. Priviledges of Parliament 3. The proceedings in Chancery 4. The power of the Star-Chamber * Being not used to the Common-Prayer * In Tiberioâ— a As about the Petition of Right in reference to which he Sergeant Glanvile satâ—â—fiâ—d the Lords Admin Card. de Rich. p. 283. F. O. p. 12. 〈◊〉 O. 134. a See the Eaâ—â—â—f Northampton's Speech b See Lord Spencer c Nobly communicated to all ingenious persons by the honourable H Howard of Norfolk greater in his own worth than in any tiâ—â—es a See his late Majesties recomdation to him at his departure from Hamton-court * In France 1629. * At Perroâ—s Aleppo a So saith the Historian but I think as much against them as against the K. Not onely because the welfare of K. people are inseparable but also because there is not a more common saying among the people than defend me and spend J. H. * 〈◊〉 T. C. a The most pious learned wise and Reverend Father in God the Lord Arch-Bishop of Cant. was his Domestick E 〈…〉 E 〈…〉 Meditat. 2. Exemplified by his Chaplain Tho. Pritter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vid. crudit J. H. de legaâ—s p. 25. a Since published
Mother that the Scots could say The son of son of 〈◊〉 geud a Mother could do them no harm Qu. 18. Why had he a hand in most of the Monopolies and Projects of England Qu. 19. Why did he refuse to contribute as others had done to the Scots Wars Qu. 20. Why did he intercede for Lowdon's release notwithstanding the trayterous Letter to the French King was his hand Qu. 21. How comes Montrosse to be slighted by the gracious King at first And when he offered his service again how came his Letters into the Covenanters hands at Newcastle Qu. 22. Why did he and Argyle raise such Fears and Jealousies in Scotland and England by with-drawing suddenly from the Court under pretence forsooth of danger to their persons Qu. 23. Why could not the King hear of the Scots design to invade England 1643. before Montrosse posted first to Oxford and then to Gloucester to tell him of it though the Marquess was all the while in Scotland Qu. 24. And yet why was that noble person mistrusted till the Kings interest was lost in that Country Qu. 25. Why was he and his brother imprisoned at Oxford And why did the King say Nay if Hamilton leads them there is no good to be done for me Qu. 26. Why did the King say That he must dispose of the Master of the Horse place to the Earl of N. That my Lord Cottington was the fittest man for the Treasury and that Sir Edward Hyde was the onely man he could trust with the Secretaries affairs Being loth that D. H. should return to an opportunity of recozening them Questions these that shew After-ages can scan great mens lives with the same liberty that they live them Observations on the Life of Sir Ralph Hopton GEntile was this excellent person's extraction in the West of England and man-like his Education in the Low-Countries that School of War where Sir William Waller and he learned in one Camp what they practised in two The one being no lesse eminent for his service under his late Majesty of blessed memory than the other was for his against him The one was the best Soldier the King had the other the most experienced that the pretended Parliament boasted of None siceâ— to balance Sir Hopton's successe none likelier to understand his stratagems none abler to undermine his designes than his Fellow-soldier Sir William who understood his method as well as he was acquainted with his person Both were equally active both equally vigilant But what better character of this Heroe than that which his Master gave him in his Patent for Baron which is his history as well as his honour Carolus Dei Gratiâ Angliae c. Cum Nominis nostri Posteritatis interest ad clara Exempla propaganda utilissimè compertum palam fieri omnibus praemia apud nos virtuti sita nec periâ—â— fidelium subditorum officia sed memori benevoli pectore fixissimè insidere His praesertim temporibus cum plurimum quibus antehac nimium indulsimus temerata aut suspecta fides pretium aliorum constantiae addidit Cumque nobis certò constat Radulplium Hopton Militem de Balneo splendidis Antiquis Natalibus tum in eaetera sua vita integritatis moris eximium tum in hac novissimâ tempestate fatalique Regni rebelli motu rari animi fideique exemplum edidisse Regiae dignitatis in eaque publicae contra utriusque dversarios assertorem vindicem acerrimum Quippe quia non solum nascenti huie Furori nec dum omnibus manifesto optimis consiliis fortis in curia Senator restiterit sed insinuante se latius veneno crescente ferocia domum ad suos reversus fortior Miles in Agro suo Somersetensi vicinis partibus omni ope manu iniquissimam causam oppugnaverit in Arce praesertim Sherborniana sub Anspiciis Marchionis Hertfordiae egregiam operam navaverit Mox ulterius progressus pollenti in Devonia factionis Tyrannide munitissima civitate in foedus illecta jam undique bonis subditis perniciem minante ipse penè in illa Regione Hospes contracto è Cornubia Milite primoribus statim impetum earum repressit jacentesque affictas nostras partes mirifica virtute recreavit Et licet summis necessitatibus conflictanti exigua pars Negotii hostes erant tantum abfuit ut vel illis vel istis succumberet ut contra copiis auctiores bellico apparatu instructissimas saepius signis Collaris in acie dimicans semper superior excesserit Testis Launcestonia Saleash Bradock aliaque obscura olim nomina loca nunc victoriis illius perduellium cladibus Nobilitata Vix etiam ab his respiraverat cum novus belli furor Lassas jam ferâ— continuis praeliis laxatas vires Numerosissimo exercitu adortus uberiorem triumphandi dedit materiam Cum ille in campis Strattoniae in difficillimas licet Augustias redactus inops militaris instrumenti consumpto jam pulvere tormentario armatos inermis Vallo munito inter sola causa virtute animatus ita retudit cencidit castris exuit ut totum belli molem cum ipsis Authoribus profligavit Quic quid fugae illius residuum erat inter urbis unius Moenia eaque arcta obsidione astricte concluso Qua quidem pugna memorabili praeter quod miserum popellum jugo intolerabili levaverat sedes suas expulsis Ecclesias Pastoribus pacem omnibus Firmamentum pacis obsequium pristiaeter restituerit Et jam sequenti armorum nostrorum foelicitate qua partes Regni occidentales maturius aâ— officium verum Dominum redierunt viam apperuisse momentum ingons extitisse libentissimè profitemur In hac opera laudabili cum praefatus Radulphus perstiterit adhuc in victo animo industria indefessa nullo arduo quantumvis labore periculo excusatus cumque mille argumentis testatum fecerit Honorem salutemque nostram sibi omni fortuna capite potiorem nos virum fortissimum optimeque affectuâ— animum benigno studio prosequi amplius demereri volentes hunc praeconio merito ornandum propiori ad nos gradu extollendum censuimus Sciatis igitur nos de gratia nostra speciali ac ex certa scientia mero motu praefatum Radulphum Hopton ad statum gradum stylum Dignitatem Titulum Honorem Baronis Hopton de Stratton in Comitatu nostro Cornubiae c. In cujus rei Testimonium has Literas Nostras fieri fecimus Patentes Teste meipso apud Oxon. quarto die Septembris Anno Regni Nostri Decimo nono His two great Actions the one at Liscard the other at Stratton cannot be better described than by an Eye-witnesse whose are these as he saith out of a Manuscript corrected with Sir Ralph 's own hand communicated to him by his Secretary Mr. Tredus At Liscard a little before the Fight began the King's party took it into seasonable consideration