MEMORIALS EXAMPLES Of MEMORABLE MEN To awaken this Age to greater care of GOOD LEARNING And TRUE RELIGION Memoria Justorum Benedicta LONDON For John Barksdale Newstreet Five Bells 1675. TO Mr THOMAS SAVAGE Eldest Son of THOMAS SAVAGE of Elmeley Esq AND TO Mr THOMAS WILLIAMS Eldest Son of DAVID WILLIAMS of Corndon Esq GENTLEMEN HAving in the late evil Times never to be forgotten been comforted and relieved by the real Favours and pious Munificence of your Noble Parents I do gladly make this grateful Remembrance thereof in the Dedication of this part of my Memorials of Worthy Persons to your Worthy Names In these Papers though it were my principal design to honour the memory of the Lights of our own Church yet have I now and then taken in one of the Roman or Genevian Perswasion thinking They might not be unsociable here whose holy Souls I believe now that the Certamina are ended by death pulveris exigui jactu test in peace Some Hypâ—rcriticks who are pleas'd with nothing but what they do themselves if yet they do any thing at all will despise me and say I do actum agere and write what is written already Truly as a Historian does not make but frame and compose his matter so an Historical Collector performs his Undertaking when with diligence and judgment he selecteth and compileth dispersed pieces for the ease and benefit of his Readers If in this Collection I have done any service to Young Gentlemen and other ingenuous Persons to incline them more to love piety and learning to converse with good Men and good Books to become loving friends and Patrons or obedient servants and Ministers to the Church of England This is my Delight and Joy This is to me instead of Praise or any other Reward of my well-meant Endeavours That I have inscribed upon the particulars the names of other friends is upon the most friendly Plinies reason Ingenuum est fateri per quos profeceris Your obliged Servant CL. BARKSDALE The Persons I. Dr Colet II. Mr Langley III. Bishop Morton IV. Bishop Hall V. Mr G. Herbert VI. Sr Tho More VII Sr Henry Wotton VIII Bishop Bedel IX M. Ant. de Dom. X. Mr Wheelock MEMORIALS I. Dr JOHN COLET Dean of S. Pauls Out of his Life Collected by Mr Tho Smith of Ch Coll from Erasmus D. Anthonio Stratford LL. Bac. 1. JOhn * Coheleth in the Heb. signifies Ec clesiastes the Preacher Colet is that part of the ring wherein the precious stone or signet is set Thomas in voce pala Colet was born in London the Son of Henry Colet Knight and twice Lord Major of that City and Christian his Wife a Matron of very rare Piety and Christian Fortitude She had 11 Sons and as many Daughters of the same Husband all which she saw buried except John her first born Yet when she was fourscore and ten years of Age her countenance was so comely and entire her behaviour so cheerful and pleasant as if she had never had any sorrow or any childbearing in her life So much strength of mind was shewen in a woman caused not by Philosophy or human learning but by sincere piety to God and trust in Christ 2. Nature was as indulgent to him as fortune for he had a very proper tall handsom and comely body In his younger daies he much addicted himself to the study of Scholastical Philosophy exquisitely learned in the liberal Arts All Tullies works were as familiar to him as his Epistles so â—ell read in Plato and Plotinus that when I heard him speak methought I heard Plato himself not ignorant in any part of the Mathematicks 3. Being thus well principled at home Master of Arts he began to look abroad and improve his stock in forein parts In France he added to his Humanity what he thought necessary for the study of Divinity which then he effectually prosecuted in Italy He studied the Fathers and Schoolmen was well versed in both Laws singularly read in History both Civil and Ecclesiastical Modern Writers also he both read and diligently imitated accommodating thereby his stile to the Pulpit and preaching of the Gospel 4. After his return from Italy he staid not long in London where his Parents lived but chose to live in Oxford where he publickly yet freely and without stipend expounded S. Paul's Epistles being not full thirty years of age yonger than was by two or three months There and then I had the happiness to come first acquainted with him Though at that time he had neither took nor desired any degree in Divinity yet there was no Doctor whatsoever either of Theology or Law no Abbot nor dignified Person in the whole University that did not frequent and which is more take notes of his Lectures Which was to be imputed either to Colet's authority or their studiousness and modesty choose you whether 5. But before he left Oxford they honour'd him with the Degree of Doctor which he accepted rather to please the Givers than himself From that University and these sacred Employments he was called back to London by the favour of K. Henry VII who bestowed upon him the Deanry of S. Paul's that he might be President of his Colledge whose Epistles and learning he loved so well He was made both Doctor and Dean An. 1504. Of all the Deanries in England the highest in esteem but not of greatest value which Colet embraced rather as a burthensom charge than honour And therefore as soon as he had regulated his Colledge of Prebends and raised up the antient Discipline that was fallen down he resolved which was not usual in those times to preach every Holy day in his Cathedral over and above his Sermons at Court and many other Churches At S. Paul's he ran over sometimes a whole Epistle sometime a whole Gospel the Creed or the Lords prayer Wheresoever he preached he was exceedingly followed both by the chief Citizens and Courtiers particularly by Sr Thomas More afterwards Lord Chanc of England as appears by this following passage of his Letter What can be more troublesom to me than to be deprived of your sweet company having been so long used to enjoy your most prudent counsel to be refresht with your most pleasant societie to be rouzed with your most grave Sermons and bettered by your excellent example and life in a word in whose very countenance and gesture I was wont to be unspeakablie delighted 6. The Dean's Table which in former times had under pretence of good house keeping been too much prostitute to excesse he reduced to frugality For he kept himself to one meal a day many years together both before and after his preferment which at once cut off all his supper-guests late Dinners not a few and the more because his entertainment though neat was neither costly nor excessive his sitting short and his whole discourse such as pleased none but those that were either learned or pious For soon after he had said
Winniff of Bretenham that out of an opinion had of the fitnesse of that Match for me he had already treated with her Father about it whom he found very apt to entertain it advising me not to neglect the opper unitie and not concealing the just praises of modesty piety good disposition and other virtues that were lodged in that seemly presence I listned to the motion as sent from God and at last upon due prosecution happily prevailed enjoying the comfortable Society of that meet Help for the space of forty nine years 8. I had not passed two years in this estate when my noble Friend Sr Edmund Bacon with whom I had much entirenesse came to me and earnestly sollicited me for my company in a Jorny by him projected to the Spa in Ardenna laying before me the safety the easinesse the pleasure and the benefit of that small extravagance if oppertunity were taken of that time when the Earl of Hartford passed in Embassie to the Arch-Duke I soon yeelded as for the reasons by him urged so especially for the great desire I had to inform my self ocularly of the state and practice of the Ramish Church the knowledge whereof might be of no small use to me in my holy station Having therefore taken careful order for the supply of my Charge with the assent and good allowance of my nearest Friends I entred into this secret voyage c. Returning through Brussels we came down to Antwerp the Paragon of Cities where my curiositie to see a solemn Procession on S. John Baptist's day might have drawn me into danger through my willing unreverence had not the hulk of a tall Brabanter behind whom I stood in the corner of the street shaded me from notice 9. After some year and half it pleased God inexpectedly to contrive the change of my station My means were but short at Halsted yet such as I oft professed if my then Patron would have added but one ten pounds by year which I held to be the value of my detained due I should never have removed One morning as I lay in my bed a strong motion was suddenly glanced into my thoughts of going to London In Drurie lane I was found by a friend in whom I had formerly no great interest one Mr Gurrey Tutor to the Earl of Essex he told me how well my Meditations were accepted at the Prince's Court and earnestly advised me to step over to Richmond and preach to his Highnesse I strongly pleaded my indisposition of body and my impreparation for any such work together with my bashful fears and utter unfitnesse for such a presence my aversenesse doubled his importunity in fine he left me not till he had my engagement to preach the Sonday following at Richmond he made way for me to that awful Pulpit and encouraged me by the favour of his Noble Lord the Earl of Essex I preacht through the favour of my God That Sermon was not so well given as taken insomuch as that sweet Prince signified his desire to hear me again the Tuesday following which done that labour gave more contentment than the former so as that gracious Prince both gave me his hand and commanded me to his service 10. My Patron seeing me upon my return to London lookt after by some great Persons began to wish me at home and told me That some or other would be snatching me up I answered That it was in his power to prevent would he be pleased to make my maintenance but so competent as in right it should be I should never stir from him Inâ—â—ead of condescending it pleased him to fall into an expostulation of the rate of competences affirming the variablenesse thereof according to our own estimation and our either raising or moderating the causes of our expenses I shew'd him the insufficiency of means that I was forced to write books to buy books Shortly some harsh and unpleasing answer so disheartned me that I resolved to embrace the first opportunity of remove Now whiles I was taken up with these anxious thoughts a messenger it was Sir Robert Wingfield of Northampton's Son came to me from the Lord Denny noâ— Earl of Norwich my after-most Honourable Patron entreating me from his Lordship to speak with him No sooner came I thither then after a glad and Noble welcom I was entertained with the Noble earnest offer of Waltham The conditions were like the mover free and bountiful I received them as from the munificent hands of my God and returned full of the cheerful acknowledgments of a gratious Providence over me Too late now did my former Noble Patron relent and offer me those terms which had before fastned me for ever I returned home happy in a new master and in a new Patron betwixt whom I divided my self and my labours with much comfort and no lesse acceptation 11. In this while my worthy Kinsman Mr Samuel Burton Arch-Deacon of Gloc. knowing in how good terms I stood at Court and pitying the miserable condition of his native Church of Wolverhampton was very desirous to engage me in so difficult and noble Service as the Redemption of that captivated Church Which work having once firmly settled in a just pity of the mean provision if not the destitution of so many thousand souls and a desire and care to have them comfortably provided for in the future I resigned up my Prebend there to a worthy preacher Mr Lee who should constantly reside and painfully instruct that great and long neglected people which he hath performed with great mutual contentment and happy successe 12. Now during the 22 years which I spent at Waltham thrice was I commanded and employed abroad by his Majestie in publick service First in the attendance of the Lord Vicount Doncaster who was sent upon a Noble Embassie with a gallant retinue into France In this my absence it pleased his Majestie gratiously to confer upon me the Deanrie of Worcester which being promised me before my departure was deeply hazarded whiles I was out of sight by the importunity of some great ones Dr Field the learned and worthy Doan of Glocester was by his potent Friends put into such assurances of it that I heard where he took care for the furnishing that ample house But God fetcht it about for me in that absence and nescience of mine and that reverend and better deserving Divine was well satisfied with greater hopes and soon after exchanging this mortal estate for an immortal and glorious 13. Before I could go down through my continual weaknesse to take possession of that Dignitie his Majesty pleased to design me to his attendance into Scotland where the great love and respect that I found both from the Ministers and people wrought me no small envy from some of our own Suggestions were made to his Majesty of my plausible demeanour and doctrine to that already prejudicate people for which his Majesty after a gracions acknowledgment of my good service there done called me upon
This Thraso not so much as understanding those terms of our Common Law became ridiculous to all the town for his bragging 9. As he walked by the Thames side near Chelsey in discourse he said Now would to our Lord upon condition that three things were well established in Christendom I were put into a sack and here presently cast into the Thames Being asked what those three things were he answered 1. That where most part of Chriistian Princes be now at mortal war they were at an universal peace 2. That where the Church of Christ is at this time sore afflicted with many errors and heresies it were settled in a perfect uniformitie of Religion 3. That whereas the Kings marriage is now brought in question it were to the glorie of God and quietness of all parties well concluded 10. When he observed any of his to spend much time in dressing themselves to be fine in their Apparel he would tell them That if God gave them not hell he should do them much wrong for they took more pains to please the world and the Divel than many even virtuous men did to clense their souls and please God 11. To his wife and children when at any time they were troubled he would say We may not look at our pleasure to go to heaven in fether-beds that is not the way For our Lord himself went thither through pain and many tribulations and the servant may not look to be in better condition than the master 12. The King sent the Bishop of Durham and Sr Thomas More Embassadors to Cambray a place then neither Imperial nor French to treat of a peace between the Emperor and the French King and Him In the conclusion Sr Thomas so worthily behaved himself procuring in the league far more advantages unto this Kingdom than at that time by the King or his Council was thought possible that for his good service in that employment the King made him Lord Chancellor and caused the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk to bring him through Westminâ—â—er-hall to his place in the Chancery Where the Duke of Norfolk in audience of all the people there assembled shewed that he was from the King himself streitly charged by commission there openly in presence of them all to make Declaration how much all England was heholding to Sr Tho. More for his good service and how worthy he was of the highest preferment in the Kingdom and how dearly his Grace loved and trusted him 13. Now upon Sr Tho More 's entrance into this honorable Office every one might perceive a very strange alteration For whereas the precedent Chancellor Wolsey would scarce look or speak to any into whose only presence none could be admitted unlesse his fingers were tipt with gold on the contrary this Chancellor the poorer and meaner the Suppliant was the more affably he would speak unto him the more attentively he would hearken to his cause and with speedy tryal dispatch him For which purpose he used commonly every afternoon to sit in his Hall that if any Person watsoever had any sute unto him they might the more boldly come into his presence and open their complaints before him To shew his integrity he professed If the parties will at my hands call for justice though my Father whom I dearly love stood on the one side and the Divel whom I extremely hate stood on the other his cause being good the Devil should have right 14. The Bishops considering his learned works in defence of religion and knowing that for all his Princes favour he was no rich man nor advanced in yearly revenues as his worthinesse deserved agreed together in Convocation and concluded upon a sum of four or five thousand pounds to recompence him for his pains â—onstal and some other Bishops repaired to him and declared That albeit they could not according to his deserts so worthily requite him as they gladly would but must refer that only to the goodness of God yet for a small part of recompence in respect of his estate so unequal to his worthinesse in the name of their whole Convocation they presented to him that sum which they desired him to accept of To whom he answered That like as it was no small comfort to him that so wise and learned men so well accepted of his doings for which he never intended to receive reward but at the hands of God only to whom alone was the thanks thereof chiefly to be ascribed so also he most humbly thanked the Honors for their bountiful consideration But for all their importunity they could not fasten it upon him nor would he suffer them to bestow it upon his wife and children 15. He behaved himself in his office of the Chancellorship for the space of two years and a half so wisely that none could mend his doings so uprightly that none could take exception against him so dextrously that t is to be supposed never any man before or since did that which he did For he had taken such order for the dispatching of all mens causes that on a time sitting as Judge there and having finished one cause calling for the next to be heard answer was made That there was not one cause more depending This he caused to be set down upon Record 16. After he had obtained of the King a discharge from his office he fell into his Majesties displeasure about râ—â— Marriage And then was he accused for receiving a bribe from one Vaughans wife The matter being laid to his charge before the Council he confessed that a gâ—â— Cup being long after a certain Decree brought him for a neâ— years gift and pressed on him in courtesie he received it Whereupon his Adversary with much joy said Lo my Lords did I not tell you that you should find the matter true Sr Thomas desiring their Lordships â—o hear him out It is true said â—e I did being much urged receive that Cup but immediately caused my Butler to fill it with wine drank to the Gentle â—oman and freelie gave it to her again to be presented to her husband as a New years gift for him This being testified presently upon oath of the party her self and others the mountain was delivered of a Mouse 17. After the King's indignation against Sir Thomas More the Duke of Norfolk and He chanced to fall in discourse and amongst other talk the Duke said unto him By the Masse Mr More it is perillous strivâ—ng with Princes and therefore I would wish you somewhat to incline to the Kings pleasure For Indignatio Principis â—oâ—s est Is that all my Lord said Sir Thomas Then in good faith is there no more difference betwixt your Grace and me but that I shall dye to day and you to morrow 18. When he was sent unto the Tower for not swearing to the Oath of Supremacy and Succession at his entrance there the Porter demanded of him his upper garment Mr Porter said he here it is and took off his Cap and