his Majesties estate better but he was sure he would have kept it from being worse And it was the consequence of his great worth all men applauded him Fulk Lord Brook after the perusal of his H. 7 th returned it him with these words Commend me to my Lord and bid him take care to get good Paper and Ink for the work is Incomparable Dr. Collins the Kings Professor of Divinity at Cambridge said when he had read his advancement of Learning that he found himself in a case to begin his Studies again as having lost all his former time Forreigners crossing the Seas to see him here and carrying his Picture at length that he might be seen abroad An Italian writes to the Lord Cavendish since Earl of Devonshire thus concerning the Lord Bacon I will expect the new Essays of my Lord Chancellor Bacon as also his History with a great deal of desire and whatsoever else he shall compose but in particular of his History I promise my self a thing perfect and singular especially King Henry the 7 th where he may exercise the talent of his Divine understanding This Lord is more and more known and his Books here more and more delighted in and those men that have more than ordinary knowledge in humane affairs esteem him one of the most capable spirits of this age Observations on the Life of the Lord John Digby JOhn Lord Digby of Sherborn and Earl of Bristol was a younger Son of an ancient Family long flourishing at Koleshull To pass by his younger years all Children being alike in their Coats when he had only an Annuity of fifty pounds per annum only his youth gave pregnant hopes of that Eminency which his mature age did produce He did ken the Embassador's craft as well as any in his age employed by King Iames in several Services to Foreign Princes recited in his Patent as the main motives of the Honours conferred upon him But his managing the matchless Match with Spain was his Master-piece wherein a good I mean a great number of State-Traverses were used on both sides Where if he dealt in Generalities and did not press Particulars we may ghess the reason of it from that expression oâ— his I will take care to have my Instructions persâ—â—â— and will pursue them punctually If he held Affairs in suspence that it might not come to a War on our part it may be he did so with more regard to his Mr. King Iames his inclination than his own apprehension If he said That howsoever the business went he would make his fortune thereby it rather argued his weakness that he said so his sufficiency that he could do so than his unfaithfulness that he did so This is certain that he chose rather to come home and suffer the utmost displeasure of the King of England than stay in Spain and enjoy the highest favour of the King of Spain He did indeed intercede for some indulgence to the Papists but it was because otherwise he could do no good for the Protestants But whatever was at the bottom of his Actions there was resolution and nobleness a top especially in these actions 1 Being carried from Village to Village after the King of Spain without that regard due to his person or place he expressed himself so generously that the Spanish Courtiers trembled and the King declared That he would not interrupt his Pleasures with business at Lerma for any Embassador in the world but the English nor for any English Embassador but Don Iuan. 2. When impure Scioppius upon his Libel against K. Iames and Sir Humphrey Bennet's complaint to the Arch-Duke against him fled to Madrid my Lord observing that it was impossible to have Justice done against him from the Catholique King because of the Jesuites puts his Cousin George Digby upon cutting him which he did over his Nose and Mouth wherewith he offended so that he carried the mark of his Blasphemy to his Grave 3. When he was extraordinary Embassador in Germany upon his return by Heidelbergh observing that Count Mansfield's Army upon whom depended the fortune of the Palsgrave was like to disband for want of money he pawned all his Plate and Jewels to buoy up that sinking Cause for that time That his spirit was thus great abroad was his honour but that it was too great at home was his unhappiness for he engaged in a fatal Contrast with the Duke of Buckingham that hazarded both their safeties had not this Lord feared the Duke's power as the Duke this Lord's policy and so at last it became a drawn Battel betwixt them yet so that this Earl lost the love of King Charles living many years in his disfavour But such as are in a Court-cloud have commonly the Countreys Sun-shine and this Peer during his Eclipse was very popular with most of the Nation It is seldom seen if a Favourite once broken at Court sets up again for himself the hap rather than happiness of this Lord the King graciously reflecting on him at the beginning of the Long Parliament as one best able to give him the safest Councel in those dangerous times But how he incensed the Parliament so far as to be excepted pardon I neither do know nor dare enquire Sure I am that after the surrender of Exeter he went over into France where he met with that due respect in Foreign which he missed in his Native Countrey The worst I wish such who causelesly suspect him of Popish inclinations saith my Author is that I may hear from them but half so many strong Arguments for the Protestant Religion as I heard from him who was to his commendation a cordial Champion for the Church of England This Family hath been much talked of this last forty years though all that I can say of it is this that great spirits large parts high honours penned with narrow Estates seldom bless their owners within moderation or the places they live in with peace Observations on the Life of the Lord Spencer HEe was the fifth Knight of his Family in an immediate succession well allied and extracted being descended from the Spencers Earls of Gloucester and Winchester In the first year of the Reign of King Iames being a moneyed man he was created Baron of Wormeleiton in the County of Warwick He had such a ready and quick Wit that once speaking in Parliament of the valour of their English Ancestors in defending the Liberty of the Nation returned this Answer to the Earl of Arundel who said unto him Your Ancestors were then keeping of Sheep If they kept Sheep yours were then plotting of Treason But both of them were at present confined but to the Lord Spencer the Upper-House ordered Reparations who was first and causelesly provoked This Lord was also he who in the first of King Iames was sent with Sir William Dithick principal King of Arms to Frederick Duke of Wirtenbergh elected into the Order of the Garter to present and invest him with the
else his clear Head and smooth Tongue engrossed all the Kings Favour and most persons addresses which advanced his Estate much and hiâ— Reputation more in so much that the management of and Provision for the great Voyage to France 5. H. 8. by Sea and Land was trusted to his sole Care and ordered to very good effect by his sole Discretion not neglecting his own affairs while he provided for the King 's being the most dextrous by his correspondents at discovering Preferments the closest at attaining of them the quickest at Posâ—essing them and the most skilfull for Improveing them of any man living Punctual in keeping up the honour of his Place witness his advanceing of his Crâ—sses as Primate of England above those of Canterbury as Primaâ—e of all England pitty sâ—ith one that they who should conteâ—d de pascendis ovibus should fall out de lanâ caprinâ and what Jurisdiction he wanted as Aâ—ch-Bâ—shop he made up as Cardinal Legate de latere and Chancellour In which capacity he kept 500 Servantâ— among whom 9 or 10 Lords 15 Knights and 40 Esquires in which respect he was sent upon two Embassies of State to the Emperour Charles the 5th in Flanders to the great honour of the English Nation He entertained all Ambassadors to the great satisfaction of all Forein Princes and the King often to his great content administring to his Majesties Pleasure that he might enjoy his power discovering as great skill in his Treats as in his Government especially careful oâ— three things 1. His Pomp to keep his place from contempt it being not enough for a man in Authority to have a power that may awe the Judgment of the wise to subjection unless he have a pomp too that may dazzle the eyes of the vulgar into Veneration though Envy is the most dangerous thing that can happen to a private man yet contempt is the worst thing that can befall a publick person this weakning the being of the later which consiâ—ts in his power as the other doth the comfort of the first which consisteth in his Peace 2. His Devotion neglecting not one Collect of his Prayers for all the cumbrances of his place wherein he deceived many of the people thinking he had no time for his Devotion from his business and his Servanâ—s wondering how he could gain time for his business from his Devotion he made Conscience of Religion because in his experience of affaires he met with many providences of God that made him really believe it he made no shew of it because the world believed such men as he did but pretend it 3. His Health never going out without a perfumed Orange into the great Croud that always awaited him to whom al persons came fiâ—st before they went to the King that he wanted such things was to sober men argument of the Frailty of the greatest man that he used them was to envious men an argument of the pride oâ— a poor man Which puteth me in mind of Plinyes description of a man than whom he saith there is not a living Creature more wretched or more Proud For the last of which qualities it was that our Icarus though a man of great capacity large expeâ—ience and comparative moderation moultred his wing so soon in the beams of Royal Majesty Buâ— aâ— our Laureate hath it God help the man so wrapped in Errours endless train one Anticyra hath noâ— Hellebore enough to cure him Two Corrivals he had Edward Stafford Duke of Buckingham Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk Brandon he despised as rather besides saith my Author than againâ—t him hâ— being the Kings Companion in pleasure Wolsey his Councellour in Policy the Duke great with young Henry the Bishop with the King Buckingham he feared as popular and undermined as proud that Tower must fall whoâ—e Foundation is hollow Buckingham was high in Birth Honour and Estate Wolsey higher in Prudence whose Malice did the brave Duke much mischief and his own folly more Vain-glory writes my Friend ever lieth at open guard and gives much advantage of play to her Enemies A deboyst King is jealous and a weak Nobleman ambitious In fine he is attainted of High Treason though rather Corrival to the King in his Cloaths than his Crown in his Vanities than his Authority but a cunning Upstart quickly blows off a young Noblemans Cap and Feaâ—her and his Head too when it stands in his way Tarquin instructed more than his own Son by striking off the heads of the Poppies His power agâ—inst Buckingham was his Shield against all others One defense well managed one Adversary throughly suppressed is a Security at Court where two men sâ—ldom fall the same way Many envied the Archbishop the Cardinal the Legate de latere the Lord Chancellour but all feared the Favourite most were discontented but none durst shake their Heads leâ—t they fell off with Buckingham's the Bishops displeasure was more fatal than the Kings whose wrath was violent but noâ— lasting as the Others anger was of less fury but more malice real and more secret he having set up as indiscernible way of Intelligence as Angels do of Communication he and his correspondents understanding one another not by discourse but by the present state of things as those Intelligences understand one another not by speech but by Ideas His Power was great and his Justice equal for he was too proud to be bribed and too powerful to be overborn But England was too narrow a Theatre for this great Spirit and he aspires to Rome and having been these many years Pope of this other world would have been of that beyond the waters his leap was great from York to Rome and his rise as good Charles the Fifth was his Client and his Masters Servant the Cardinals were his Pensioners and when they failed as he is no Fox whose Den hath but one hole and he no Statesman who when one way is stopped cuts not out another he falls off from the German Emperour to the Fâ—ench King where if he could not carry his own Design he would hinder the Emperours and Revenge is an Advancement so great was he that his Friendship balanced Europe over-awed Emperours threatned Kings and was fatal to Queens if he cannot be Pope of Rome he will shew he is as good as King of England for finding that the King wanted a meet Yoak-Fellow for his Bed and a lawful Heir-Male to his Crown and observing Queen Katharines Age above her Husbands and her Gravity above her Age being more Pious than pleasant a better Woman than Wife and a better Wife for any Prince than King Henry he promotes a Divorce upon some Scruples intimated by the Spaniard some years before in a Treaty about the Princesse Mary's Marriage which others had forgot but the Cardinal laid up between the King and Qâ—een but that was not all but knowing that King Henry could not have a Wife to his minde until he had a Pope of his own choosing he would
soapy bubbles quickly dissolved Cicero could say that Rome ought more of its grandeur to Religion than either to strength or stratagems we have not exceeded the Spaniards in number nor the Gaules in strength nor the Carthaginians in craft nor the Graecians in Art c. but we have overcome all Nations by our Piety and Religion He esteemed all Common-wealths happy but those wherein Preachers like the Graecian Sophisters described in Plato all whatsoever pleased the great Beast the multitude holy just and good and whatsoever the great Beast disliked evil unjust prophane He married himself to Vertue and not to an Estate he likes a younger sister yet out of civility he embraceth the elder Happy he was in his modest Wives happier in his hopeful Children His Government of his Family was exact enjoyning all his Children to take Vertue for their meat and Play for their sawce His proficiency in the Law was admirable his Practice successeful his Judgment solid his Integrity eminent his Determinations in the Sheriffs Court his Activity for the Stilyard his Practice in the Courts of Justice raised him to a Place in Parliament where he was so good a Patriot that he displeased King Henry the seventh and so wise a man that he awed King Henry the eighth the one by Fox demands one Subsidie and three Fifteens and the beardless boy as the Courtiers called Sir Thomas disappointed him the other made a motion by Wolsey which he overthrew so that the Cardinal wished him at Rome He retires to his studies to avoid Henry the seventh's displeasure and improves them to gain his sons favour who by his Cardinal invited him to Court and employed him abroad to France to recover his debts to Flanders to confirm the peace Employments he avoided a while to keep his City-interest and in case of controversie with the King to prevent their jealousie his business was so urgent that you would think he had no leasure and his writings so exact that you would think he had no business Not a minute of his time escaped employment His History of Richard the third is faithful his Vtopia is judicious and elegant his Lectures at St. Laurence were learned and pious His Popularity in Parliament commended him to his Majesty his strong Arguments for the Popeship in Star-chamber brought him to him against his modest inclination as much as against Wolsey's interest His ability set him on the Council-table his integrity placed him in the Exchequer His Services promoted him to the Dutchy of Lancaster his Dexterity and Prudence made him the Kings bosome friend and his familiar all his spare hours whose Questions in every Art and Science were not more useful than Sir Thomas his Answers were satisfactory His advice was his Majesties and his Queens Oracles in Counsel his discourse was their recreation at Table He was not more delightful to the King at Court than he was serviceable to him in appeasing tumults c. in the Cityâ— He was the Kings Favourite at White-hall and the Peoples Darling at Westminster where he was Speaker as well with the unanimous consent of the one as with the approbation of the other and between both impartial equally careful of Prerogative and Priviledges neither awed from right by power nor flattered with popularity He declined Forein services with as much Dexterity as he managed Domestick ones He served the King faithfully but trusted him not as one that enjoyed and suspected Fortune saying If his Head could win King Henry a Castle in Wales it would off The King and Kingdome trusted him who was that one sound Councellour the King had The Cardinal told him he was the veriest Fool in the Council he replied God be thanked my Master hath but one fool here His Honour was set off by a grave condescention and a grave humility Did he argue he was very moderate civil and modest Did he reprove he was pitiful grave and prudent Was he with the King at the University he was ready and eloquent Was he abroad he heard thâ— Lectures attentively and disputed accurately To his Friend as Dr. Tunstal none more faithful to learned men as Erasmus none more civil to devout men such as Bishop Fisher none more fiâ—m to hopeful men such as Powle there was none more encouraging to painful men such as Grocinus Linacer Crocus Lupsel Lilly Cocklee Budlera Dorpin Bewald Luscar Grannould Vines Groclenius Buslidian AEgidius Rhenanus none more familiar constant or liberal in his conscience none more satisfied and sedate in his discourse none more innocent and pleasant in his heart none more devout and sincere His meditations were frequent his retirements to a Chappel built of purpose daily his Prayers constant and zealous his conversation with his Wives loving and debonnair taking them off their cares to reading and musick His Servants were always employed either in his or Gods service suffering them not by idleness to be at leisure for sin nor by wanton converse to be tempted to it His Table-talk after the Chapter was pleasing and useful his counsels useful his converse exemplary his family-instructions to hear afflictions patiently to withstand temptations resolvedly to mind heavenly matters devoutly to go plainly and soberly to recreate themselves moderately and vertuously were effectual There went a blessing along with all his Servants and happiness with his whole Family His Apophthegms were grounded on experience and judgement He would say 1. He was not always merryâ— that laughed 2. The World is undone â—y looking on things at distance 3. To aim at Honour here is to set up a Court of Arms over a Prison-gate 4. If I would employ my Goods well I may be contented to loose them if ill I should be glad 5. He that is covetous when he is old iâ— as a Thief that steals when he is going to the Gallows 6. Bags of Gold to us when Saints will be but as a Bag of Pebble-stones when men 7. The greatest punishment in the World were to have our wishes 8. Pusillanimity is a great temptation 9. Affliction undoes many Pleasure most 10. We go to Hell with more pain than we might go to Heaven with Of Heresie he said Like as before a great storm the Sea swelleth and hath unwonted motions without any Wind stirring so may we see here many of our English-men which a few years ago could not endure to hear the name of an Heretick or Schismatick now to be contented both to suffer them and to praise them somewhat yea to learn by little and little as much as they can be suffered to finde fault and to tax willingly the Church the Clergy and the Ceremonies 11. The more of any thing else we have but Riches the more good we are 12. Who would not send his Alms to Heavenâ— Who would not send his Estate whither he is to be banished 13. Some Men hate Hypocrisie and love Impudence 14. When any detracted others at his Table he said
Let any man think as he pleaseth I like this room well 15. It 's easier to prevent than redress Indeed throughout his Works he argueth sharply he reasoneth profoundly he urgeth aptly stateeth exactly expresseth himself elegantly and diâ—courseth learnedly He would rather convince than punish yet he would rather punish than indulge them his Epitaph be speaking him grievous to Hereticks Thieves and Murtherers When King Henry scrupled his fiâ—st marriage Sir Thomas told him That neither he nor my Lord of Durham were so fit to advise him in that case as St. Augustine St. Jerome and the other Fathers His advice was so unseasonable that it opposed the King yetâ— so grave and honest that it pleased him His Experience and Prudence had a fore-fight next door to Prophecy and from the unquiet times oâ— King Henry did he guess the ruine of King Charles He would say that it would never be well in England until the same course obtained there that did in Syria where Zeleucus was so severe against Innovators that he enacted that if any Man made a proposition for a change in their policy he should make it with an Halter about his Neck that if he failed to justify it by reason he should justify his attempt by suffering because as some Philosophers hold that there is not so much as an Aspin Leaf stirreth in one part of the World but it maketh some alteration in the whole the efficacy of it like Drake and Cavendish compassing the Globe of the Earth and making the eighth Sphere of Heaven tremble so wise men know that every change in a State altereth the constitution and the effects of an Innovation in the body politick circleth as do those of a new Imprâ—ssion according to Harvey's method upon a body natural though I must confess that many new proposals are opposed not for the distant effects of them feared in the Common-wealth but for some neer influence they may have upon some Mens private Interest It hath been given out that the burning of our Heaâ—hs in England did hurt their Vines in France bâ—t wise Men looked upon this pretense â—s a meer scare-crow or made-dragon the hurt it did was neerer home to destroy the young moore-fowles and spoyl some young burgesses game He converted many with his Arguments more with his Prayers which workt wonders of reformation on the erroneous as they did of recovery on the weak He wished three things to Chriâ—tendome 1. An Universal Peace 2. An Uniform Religion 3. A Reformation rather of Lives than Religion He never aâ—ked any thing of his Majesty but Employment and nevâ—r took any thing more acceptable than Service His Alms were liberal to his Neighbours and good works numerous towards God He would take no Fees from the poor and but moderate ones from the Rich. All London was obliged to him for his Counsel at home and all England for his Peace at Cambray where he out-did expectation The King raised him to the Chancellorship but not to his own opinion he professed he would serve his Majesty but he must obey his God he would keep the Kings conscience and his own His Wisdome and Parts advanced him his Innocence and Integrity ruined him his Wit pleased the King but his Resolution crossed him Wolsey was not so proud and reserved as Sir Thomas was open and free to the meanest his mind was not so dazled with honour but he could fore-â—ee his â—all When his â—onâ— complained how little they gained under him I will do juâ—â—ice said he for your sakes to any man and I will leave you a blessing decâ—eeing one day against his own son that would not hear reason Fiâ—st he offered the Judges the Reformation of Grievances and when they refused he did it himself No Subpoena was granted but what he saw no Order but what he pâ—rused nothing passed from â—im towards the suâ—ject but what became a good Magistrate nothing towards his Master but what became a faithful servant Neither King nor Qâ—een could corrupt neither could the whole Church in Convocation fast â—n any thing upon him To one who told him of hiâ— Detractâ—rs he said Would you have me punish those by whom I reap more benefitâ— than by all you my friends Peâ—fect Patience is the Companion of tâ—ue Peâ—fection But he managed not his trust with more integrity and dexterity than he left it with honour leaving not one cause undecided in the Chancery foreseeing that he could not at once conâ—ent his Majesty and his own heart His Servanâ—s upon his fall he disposed oâ— as well as his Children and his Children he taught to live soberly in a great estate and nobly in a mean one He never put an Heretick to death when Châ—ncellour neither would he suffer Heresies to live when a private man When my Lord Cromwel came to him in his retirement he advised him to tell â—he King what he ought not what he can do so shall you shew your self a true and faithful servant and a right worthy Councellour for if a Lyon knew his own strength hard were it for any man to rule him The King feared him when he could not gain him therefore he was â—iâ—ted in his â—ormer carriage and present temper whicâ— continued constant to his duty and even under his changes He was open-hearted to all that came yet so wary in his discourse with the Maid of Kent â—hat his enemies confessed he deserved rather hâ—nor tâ—an a check for that matter When the Duke oâ— Norfolk told him that the wrath of a Prince is death he said Nay if that be all you must die to morrow and I to day He behaved himself at all Examinations at once wisely and honestly When Archbishop Cranmer told him he must obey the King which was certain rather than follow his conscience that Lesbian rule which was uncertain he replyed It 's as certain that I must not obey the King in evil as that I must follow my conscience in good When the Abbot of Westminster told him his conscience should yield to the wisdom of the Kingdom he said He would not conform his conscience to one Kingdom but to the whole Church He underwent his sufferings with as much cheerfulness as his preferment pleasing himself with his misfortunes and enjoying his misery resolving to obey God rather than man to leave others to their own consciences to close with the Catholick Church rather than the Church of England and to submit to general Councils rather than â—o Parliaments Mr. Rich put to him this Question Whether if the Parliament made a Law that he were Pope would he not submit to it and he replyed If the Parliament made another that God should not be God would you obey it Though he could not own the Kings Supremacy yet he would not meddle with it either in his Writings or discourse shewing himself at once a civil man a good Christian and a noble Confessour His soul was well setled his stature was
that Princes honour them most that have most and the People them onely that employ most A Prince hath more reason to fear money that is spent than that which is hoorded because it is easier for Subjects to oppose a Prince by Applause than by Armies Reward said Sir Ralph when he was offered a sum of money should not empty the Kings Coffers neither should Riches be the Pay of Worth which are meerly the Wages of Labour He that gives it emâ—aseth a Man he that takes it vilifieth himself who is so most Rewarded is least Since Honour hath lost the Value of a Reward Men have lost the Merit of Virtâ—e and both become mercenary Men lusting rather after the Wealth that buyeth than after the Qualities that deserve it Two things he observed broke Treaties Iealousie when Princes are successful and Fear when they are unfortunate Power that hath need of none makes all confederacies either when it is felt or when it is feared or when it is envied Three things Cato repented of 1. That he went by water when he might go by land 2. That he trusted a Woman with a secret 3. That he lost Time Two things Sir Ralph relented for 1. That he had communicated a secret to two 2. That he had lost any hour of the morning between four a clock and ten He learned in King Henry the Eighth's time as Cromwel's Instrument what he must advise in point of Religion in Queen Elizabeth's time as an eminent Counsellour His Maxime being this That Zeal was the Duty of a private Brest and Moderation the Interest of a publick State The Protestants Sir Ralph's Conscience would have in the commencement of Queen Elizabeth kept in hope the Papists his Prudence would not have cast into Despair It was a Maxime at that time in b another case That France should not presume nor Spain be desperate He saw the Interest of this State altered six times and died an honest Man The Crown put upon four Heads yet he continued a Faithful Subject Religion changed as to the publick constitution of it five times yet he kept the Faith A Spartan one day boasted that his Country-men had been often buried in Athens The Athenian repliedâ— But we are most of us buried at home So gâ—eat was Sir Ralph's success in the Northern Wars that many a Scotch man found his Grave in England so exact his conduct and wariness that few English men had theirs in Scotland the same ground giving them their Coffin that did their Cradle and their Birth that did their Death Our Knights two incomparable Qualities were Discipline and Intelligence the last discovered him all the Enemies advantages and the first gave them none His two main designs were 1. An Interest in his Prince by service 2 An Alliance with the Nobility by Marriage upon which two Bottoms he raised himself to that pitch of Honour and Estate that time could not wear out nor any alterations embezle he bequeathing to his Woâ—shipful Posterity the blessing of Heaven upon his Integrity the love of Mâ—nkinde for his Worth and as Mr. Fuller saith a Paâ—don granted him when he attended my Lord Cromwel at Rome for the sins of his Family for three immediate Generations expiring in R. Sadler Esquire lately dead His last Negotiation was that in Scotland during the troubles there about Queen Mary So searching and piercing he was that no Letter or Adviso passed whereof he had not a Copy so civil and obliging that there was no Party that had not a Kindness for him so grave and solid that he was present at all counsels so close and industrious that his hand though unseen was in every motion of that State and so successful that he left the Nobility so divided that they could not design any thing upon the King and the King so weak that he could not cast off the Queen and all so tottering that they must depend on Queen Elizabeth Three things he bequeathed such as may have the honour to succed him 1. All Letters that concerned him since of years filed 2. All Occurrences since he was capable of Observation registred 3. All expenses since he lived of himself booked Epaminondas was the first Graecian and Sir Ralph Sadler was one of the last English-men Observations on the Life of Sir William Paget SIr William Paget was born in the City of London of honest Parents He was so able and trusty a Minister of State that he was privy Counsellour to four successive Princes He was Secretary to King Henry the Eighth who employed him Embassador to Charles the Emperour and Francis King of France King Edward the Sixth made him Chancellour of the Durchy Comptroller of his Houshole and created him Baron of Beaudefert Queen Mary made him Keeper of the Privy-Seal Queen Elizabeth highly respected him dispensing with his Attendance at Court in favour to his great Age. Duke Dudley in the days of King Edward ignominiously took from him the Garter of the Order saying He was not Originally qualified for the same But this was restored unto him by Queen Mary He died very old Anno 1563. and was buried in Lichfield His Education was better than his Biâ—th his Knowledg higher than his Education His Parts above his Knowledg and his Experience beyond his Parts A general Learning furnished him for Tâ—avel and Travel seasoned that Learning for Employment His Master-piece was an inward Observation of other Men and an exact knowledge of Himself His Address was with state yet insinuating His Discourse free but weighed his apprehension quick but staid His ready and present mind keeping its pauses of thoughts and expressions even with the occasion and the emergency neither was his carriage more stiff and uncompliant than his Soul Gundamore could not fit King Iames so well as Sir William did Charles the Fifth who in a rapture once cried He deserved to BE a King as well as to REPRESENT One and one day as he came to Court Yonder is the Man I can deny nothing to Apollonius coming to Vespatian's Gate betimes in the morning and finding him up said Surely this man will be Emperour he is up so early This Statesman must needs be eminent who was up the earliest of all the English Agents in discovering Affairs and latest in following those Discoveries Three sorts of Embassadors the Emperour Charles observed were sent him from England the first was Wolsey whose great Train promised much as his great Design did nothing The second was Morisin who promised and did much The third Paget who promiâ—ed nothing and did all What Scholars observed then of three Divines that a Statesman hath set down of our three Agents the first was words without matter the second was matter without words the third was words and matter Quick and regular were his Dispatches when Secretary pleasing all with his proceedings even when he could not but displease many with his Decision It was much none went away ever sad from Augustus
next year his Nephew is born the hope and stay of his Majesty and his Realmes and he is made Earl of Hertford King Henry understanding that the Pope upon his own and Cardinal Pool's account stirred up all the Princes against him as a provident Prince rode himself to the Sea-coasts to see them fortified Admiral Fitz-williams is old Sir Thomas Seymour assists him to rigg the Navy to be in readiness in six dayes 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. Iameses at which place the City seemed a Camp and the Ciâ—izens 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 Seymouâ— When the King of Scots had deluded King Henry in his correspondencies with France beyond all patience and had been forborn beyond all saâ—ety or prudence Sir Edward Seymour is fiâ—st sent to treat and then to fight which he did with much 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 than they could keep more booty than 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 Scotland but by marrying that Kings Daughter to our Sovereigns 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 Edinbuâ—gh My Lord Dudley leading the Front our Earl the Battle and the Earl of Shrewsbury the Reerward theâ—e the Keys are offered tâ—em upon conditions which they refusing and so making the Enemy desperate who resolveth rather to perish nobly than to be undone by submission the Town holds out and they are able to do no more with some considerable loss then burn the suburbs wast 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 only 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 2. For his Popularity in advancing the Benevolence 52000 l. beyond expectation The Scots must have War as long as there is Poverty in their Country and interest in France This Noble Earl cutteth off the Invaders layeth wast the Country and that the source of those troubles might be dammed up entreth France with 80000 men and afer some skirmishes brought the King thereof to a peace and submission In pursuance whereof while King Henry was in Bologn he made his Will wherein the Earl of Hertford Lord High Chamberlain is appointed Principal Counsellour to his Nephew and not long after he dyeth and leaves the Kingdome to his son and his Son to his Uncle whom the common Vote made Protector and interest a Moderator of the Council which the time required able but their humours made fâ—ctious The peace with King Francis and the Emperour was but uncertain the Scots weâ—e irreconciâ—eable the Pope implacable Religion unsettled the Clergy out of frame the People distâ—acted and the Nobility at variance A great Counsellour King Henry leaves his Son and a greater his Uncle makes him in Counsel is stability Things will have their first or second agitation If they be not tossed upon the Arguments of Counsel they will be tossed upon the Waves of Fortune But yet this Lord miscarried in that the Council understood him better than he did them And he advised with them rather in publick where men speak warily and in compliance with otheâ—s humour than in private where they deliver themselves more freely and agreeable to their own humours The Rule is Ask an inferiour mans advice in private that he may be â—ree and a superiours in publick that he may be respectful But he did well 1. In that the same matter if weighed was never propounded and resolved the same day 2. In that he hâ—d fixed dayes of petitions for the peoples and his own ease 3. In that he poyzed his Committees of contrary inclinations that watched and balanced each other to a moderation most safe for the Kingdome and himself 4. That he had of all Professions such at his command as opened the state of a business before any Commissioners debated it 5. That he seldome discovered his own inlination lest it byasâ—ed his Counsel 6. That to prevent a Combination in the Council he weakned their power and priâ—iledges â—heir credit their dependencies either by office or expectation their opportunities and correspondencies so that he could easily remove any when faulâ—y discover any when dangerous disgrace any when bold and not fit to be entrusted with the Counsels Resolves Deliberations and Necessities of the State In order to which he had two useful Resolutions 1. To suppress Calumnies 2. To encourage Accusations His first Acts were Shew and Pomp necessary for Greatnessâ— viz. The Knighting of the King and making himself Duke His next are Realities as 1. His modeâ—ling the Country for a Parliament considering the temper of the people and the pulse of the last Parliament redressing Grievances settling Elections by such Legal Rules as that the people should not be corrupted with money overborn by importunity transported by fear or favour to an unworthy or an unsuitable choice and taking a just time to prepare the people for the designed settlement by his grave and sober Injunctions by godly and good Books of Instructions by a wholsome form of Prayer composed at Windsor by a more exact translation of the Bible by several Proclamations for moderation and order on all hands by inhibiting all Preachers but such learned sober grave and discreet men as were Licensed thereunto under the Lord Protector 's and my Lord of Canterbury's hand 2. His promoting the Match with Scotland first by Ambassadours and then by an Army whose order was this viz. The Avant-guard of 3 or 4000 foot-men at Arms and 600 light-horse led by the Earl of Warwick
ornament and converse and for judgment 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 nâ—ture 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. Judgment to examine and weigh the particulars invented and apprehended â—or 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 prompa 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 â—ind in the looks His temper was moderate and sober a Virtue 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 Iohn's inclination was studious his mind 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 Nullu illi per otium dies exit partem noctium studiis vindicat non vacat somno sed succumbit oculos vigilia fatigatos cadentesque in opere detinet Considerable were the parts he had but more so the making up of those he had not his coverâ—ng of his defects being of no less importance than 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 Virtues 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 do 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. Abridgments 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 Judgments and Resolutions are the surest and therefore fittest to season a man withal in the beginning both for settling of his Judgment and retaining them in memory yet as he goeth on out of the old fields 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 tâ—e boâ—â—â—m of things Upon serious and solid Books he bestowed a double reading the one cursorily by way of pâ—eparation 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 fiâ—st 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 Books Printed for Samuel Speed Book-seller near the Royal Exchange PHaramond the famed Romance in Folio written by the Author of those other two eminent Romances Cassandra and Cleopatra Palmerin of England in three parts in Quarto The Destruction of Troy in three parts in Quarto Quintus Curtius his Life of Alexander the Great in English in Quarto Montelion Knight of the Oracle in Quarto Primaleon of Greece in Quarto The Jewel-house of Art and Nature by Sir Hugh Plat in Quarto The Womans Lawyer by Sir Iohn Dodridge in Quarto Divine Law or the Patrons Purchaser by Alexander Huckston in Quarto The Compleat Parson by Sir Iohn Doddridge in Qu. Star-Chamber Cases in Quarto Actions of the Case for Deeds by William Shepheard Esquire in Folio The Life of Henry the Great in English written by the Bishop of Rhodez in Octav. The Villain a Tragedy by Tho. Porter Esquire in Quarto Observations on the Statesmen and Favourites of
England since the Reformation their Rise and Growths Prudence and Policies Miscarriages and Falls during the Reigns of Henry the eighth King Edward the sixth Queen Mary Queen Elizabeth King Iames and King Charles the first in Octav. by D. Lloyd A. M. The Precedency of Kings in Folio by Iames Howel Esquire The Description of Tangier with an account of the Life of Gayland Usurper of the Kingdom of Fez in Quarto The Golden Coast or a Description of Guiney in Quarto An Abridgement of the three Volumns of Sir George Crookes Reports in Octavo An Abridgement of the Reports of Sir Francis More in Octavo The Compleat Lawyer by William Noy of Lincolns-Inne in Octavo The Tenants Law a Treatise of great use for Tenants and Farmers of all kinds and all other persons whatsoever Wherein the several Natures Differences and kinds of Tenures and Tenants are discussed and several Cases in Law touching Leases Rents Distresses Replevins and other accidents between Landlord and Tenants and Tenant and Tenant between themselves and others especially such who have suffered by the late conflagration in the City of London by R. T. Gent. in Twelves Memories of the Lives Actions Sufferings and Deaths of those Noble Reverend and excellent Personages that suffered by Death Sequestration Decimation or otherwise for the Protestant Religion and the great Principle thereof Allegiance to their Sovereign in our late intestine Wars in Folio by D. Lloyd A. M. Arithmetical Recreations by W. Leybourne in Twelves The Reports of Sir Henry Hobart in F. The Compleat Copy-holder by the Lord Cooke in Octavo Machiavels Discourses and Prince in Twelves The Roman History of Lucius Florus in English in Octavo The City and Country Purchaser and Builder with directions for purchasing building and improving of Lands and Houses in any part of England in Octavo by Stephen Primate Gent. A brief Chronicle of the late intestine War in the three Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland from the years of our Lord 1637. to the year 1663. in Fol. by Iames Heath Gent. The new Academy of Complements erected for Ladies and Gentlemen containing variety of Complements and Letters fitted to the occasions of all persons of both Sexes with an exact Collection of the newest and choicest Songs a la mode both Amorous and Jovial in Twelves Systema Agriculturae being the whole Mystery of Husbandry made known by I. W. Gent. in Folio The Kings Primmer containing easie and pleasant directions for the reading of English in Thirty two Kings Psalter stored with observable varieties fit either for the School or for the Closet all which are profitable plain and pleasant in Octavo The Life and Death of that matchless Mirrour of Heroick Vertues Henrietta Maria de Bourbon late Queen to King Charles the first and Mother to the most Magnificent Prince King Charles the second in Twelves An Advertisement To all Gentlemen Booksellers or others WHereas Samuel Speed Bookseller hath lately disposed himself to a whole-Sale trade for Books not making any appearance of that imployment as â—ormerly he did These are to Certifie That those persons that please to apply themselves to him for Books shall be as well used as by any person whatsoever and whosoever hath any Study or Library of Books or Copies either in Manuscript or such as have been already Printed to dispose of shall receive from him the full value thereof to the said Parties ample satisfaction FINIS THE States-Men Favourites OF ENGLAND IN The Reign of Q. 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 Suffalâ— and lieth buried in that fair Church under a decent Monument We will tranâ—late his Epitaph which will perfectly acquaint us with the great Offices he had and good Offices he did to Posterity Hic Gulielmus habet requiem Cordelliae avito Stemmate qâ—i elanus claâ—iâ—r ingeâ—io Hiâ— Studiis primos consumpsit foâ—titer dunos Mox causarum strenâ—â—â— actor eratâ— Tanta illi doctrina inerat facundia tanta Vâ— Parlamento publica linguaforet Postea factus Eques Reginae arcana Maria Conâ—ilia Patriae grande subibat opus Factus est Custos Rotulorum urgente senecta In Christo moriens cepit ad astra viam Pauperibus largus victum vestemque ministrans Insuper Hospitii condidit ille domum 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 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 duâ—ing 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 Ashdâ—d so during the foresaid Interim the Churches and Chappels in England had a mixt celebration of their Divine Service between Reformation and Superstition The â—ame 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 marched but the later in a little time doth wholly prevaiâ— The Catholick canvass for the next Parliament upon the Queens credit and authorityâ— 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
Mâ—n and that thier Husbands might be happy in compleat Women neveâ— promising yet always paying a great Dowry Their spirit and business kept them from that weak pâ—ssion of love that embaseth Mankindâ— their Noble converse improved that friendly love that perfecteth it and their marriage compleated that Nuptial love that makes it He said first and his Grand-childe my Lord Bacon after him That the Ioys of Parents are Secrets and so are their griefs and fears Children sweâ—ten Labours but they embitter Misfortunes they encrease the care of Life and mitigate the remembrance of Death Very providently did he secure his Eternity by leaving the image of his nature in his Children and of his mind in his Pupil The Recreations he indulged were moderate lawful sober becoming useful and seasonable the Expences he allowed not so illiberal as to acquaint them with shifts make them sort 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 he pressed was not reading but digesting The King of Sweeden's men were but six deep and Sir Anthony's exercises were not thick but methodical and armed the Die 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 vainâ— neither above the Purse nor beyond the Calling nor besides the Estate Sir Anthony took more pleasure to breed up States-men than 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 â—he sixth's time that he was an Exile in Queen Maries What though he and others were useful and peaceable in the Commonwealth What though they were sound in the Faith and cordially imbracing the Doctrine of the Catholick Church What though those in this condition were many and such as in whose peace and industry the welfare of the whole Nation was exceedingly concerned What if they offered to be instructed by any who would take that work upon them in the things about which their differences are What if they plead conscience towards God and that alone in their dissent it being evidently against their whole Temporal interest What if they have given evidence of their readiness in the ways of Christ and the Gospel to oppose even error that seemed pernicious to the souls of men or of an evil Aspect to Publick peace and tranquility all is one they are upon some odde jealousies of future events to be forborn neither joyntly nor severally no one nor all of them in a case that concerns the interest of a predominant party though the hands of a thousand be by those means taken off from labour their stocks from employment their minds from contrivances of industry in their own concerns the revenues of those under whom they live decay'd in all which the common good hath no small interest fulness and plenty in the mean time diverting the thoughts of such who might remedy these things before the stock of the Nation is wasted and the affairs of it intangled beyond remedy from taking notice of them or keeping off any impression on their minds and judgements from what is represented concerning them though men should look well to the ground of their actings in things wherein they proceed against the common consent of mankind expressed in all instances of the like occasion that have occurred in the world which is as great an evidence of the light and Law of nature as any can be obtained For what all men generally consent in is from the common nature of all who have by a common experience found that the inward power of Râ—ligion always prevailed upon the world and its greatest opposition more than any outward force And men do not consider aright what a secret influence into the enervating of Politick Societies such Intrenchments upon the principles of the light of nature will assuredly have for those things which spring up in the minds of men without arguing or consideration from without will insensibly prevail in them against all Law and Constitution to the contrary force from the prevalent iâ—fluence of a particular interest to the contrary Pâ—ssimus diuturnitatis Custos will not always prevail nor ever at any time without great regret and commotion in the minds of men who have no concern in that interest but act unavoidably according to that principle which sooner or later will perform iâ—s work which is to make a judgement of a mans self and his actions with reference to the future judgement of God which men must be suffered to do notwithstanding the abuse of that pretence of Conscience by brain-sick or Enthusiastick persons in their Paroxisms which is to take no place in consideration of what becomes a guidance of the actions of Mankind one towards another in things belonging properly to its cognizance unless which all that have exercised any râ—flect acts upon themselves and know that neither they nor others can and that God himself who procures the assent of men onely by conviction and evidence to what he revealeth will not forâ—e mens minds A wicked design it is of putting our Gods great Vice-gerent out of his place and Throne and to act not in a pious way of Imitating the holiness wisdom and clemency of God in an ambitious way of usurping his Soveraignty who yet enjoyneth not the belief of any thing he proposeth as an object of Faith nor obedience in any thing which he commandeth as matter of duty till he hath given what no man can sufficient evidence of reason for the one and warrantry of Authority for the other for Religion is a matter of choice and he that chooseth not his Religion hath none Alledge that any sort of men may act otherwise and impose upon men practices without refeâ—ence to the judgement of God is to suppose that he hath set up an authority against himself provided that the pretences of Conscience shrowd not any practices that may interfere with the common light of Nature or Reason of Mankind the Fundamental Articles of Christian Religion Moral honesty Civil Society and Publick Tranquility the Church and Commonwealth standing on the same bottom and their interest being of the same breadth and length and to be mutually narrowed or widened by each other like Hippocrates his Twins not onely being born and dying but laughing and crying together as equally affected with their mutual concerns I mean those most fixed and considerable otherwise to build the unchangeable interest of a Naâ—ion which should be obnoxious to nothing but the over-ruling Providence of the most High much less to the impressions of various opinions which will alway be in the world upon Laws mutable and changeable according to mens experience of their use or inconvenience And though various state of things is a thing
of so evil an aspect toward the solid foundation of the Polity of that Nation in shaking its settlement in the minds of men and as things may happen narrowing its interest unto a scanâ—ling unproportionate unto its Superstructure as undoubtedly those who are principally concerned that the Kingdom should not be a floating Delos are obliged not to admit an avowance of it being dangerous and scarce consistent with the prudence that should steer the peace of the world to bring any one of the numerous and disputable apprehensions that will be likely to the end of the world among men to be the Constitution of a Government as to its Civil interest to which otherwise all men of all persons profess they are born and indispensably engaged to an obedience to and observance of as exposing that an awful reverence whereof groweth up with all men their Temporal concerns being wrapped up in it so far as to free it to all the uncertain events of Religious Controversies especially when the principles owned by the Government and suited to the interest of a few men are so far from being diffused among a people that the greatest part of them must unavoidably and will resolvedly diâ—sent from them who otherwise acquiesce in the Civil Government and abating those opinions of not great concernment as to the substance of Religion or the peace of the Nation are willing to their utmost endeavours to the welfare thereof which is hoped consisteth not in the impossibility of a precise determination of the differences in the minds and Consciences of men who are generally confirmed in their own perswasions and into a further alienation from the things they are compelled to by compulsion and penalties and who if brought to an outward Conformity without inward perswasion without which rigour hath little influence on the minds of men will not be wanting to any opportunity offered to ease themselves of a condition which being contrary to their strong inclination they will cast off as we have known thousands do as their insupportable burthen Experience hath baffled the attempt of rigour and imposition without reason and inward satisfaction it never succeeding any where to extinguish the perswasions and opinions it was designed to extirpate which returned in a short space to make it manifest that violence hath onely laid in provisions for future troubles oppositions and animosities by ruining some provoking many obstructing trade by discouraging and hindring men to exercise their faculties or stocks inforcing few to an hypocritical compliance compassion stirr'd up in all who after the suâ—siding of the impetuous impressions of provocations abhor severity about small opinions so deeply rooted in the minds of men for a long time with great success and advantages against men come up to a resolution to suffer as appears every day by what they suffer and forget the utmost of their earthly concerns than live and dye in an open rebellion to the commanding light of God in their Consciences and think it strange that noble disposition thoughts counsel and care in uniting men by Indulgence to Loyalty and Gratitude which can be united to nothing else save an unanimous discontent under the impositions they may undergo should be all sacrified to the interest or prejudices of any one party of men whatsoever upon pretence of that tranquility and peace to which there is not a greater enemy than the fears and restlessness of oppressed multitudes nor a better friend than the satisfaction and contentedness of all men having no fears when indulged but of the disturbance of the Government which hath by its condescensions secured to them all their principal Interests in the world and made it unlikely that if they have any Conscience which their great sufferings give evidence of or reason they will joyn with any sort of men to trouble that State of things wherein they have that Liberty which they have been taught to value by their miserable condition under the want of it A way of obliging real sensible and effectual to many thousands without the least semblance of difadvantage to any one man Yea attended with assurance of peace to all â—upon the admission of counsels impartially tending to the good of all un-influenced by a mixture of fears and jealousies against which former settlement were establishedâ— Res durae regni novitas cum talia cogunt Contrary to that experience and those second thoughts which a new consideration of things may suggest unto them to alter their resolutions in compliance with the alteration of affairs always provided it be in subordination to the great Establishment which may be secured by the truth and order settled in it the abilities and worth of it the publick favour of Authority the persons maintaining it the legal priviledges and encouragements promoting it the supposed inconsiderableness of the persons opposing it and the things for which they do it the great inconveniency disadvantage and charge of carrying on the dissenting though indulged ways if it have any foundation in the Consciences or minds of men and stand not onely which is a secret not to be published on the props of Law and Power It being whatsoever some may imagine who have scarce a better argument of the truth of their own Religion than their inclination to suppress those of the contrary sâ— far from being an evidence of truth in any that they are ready to destroy those who are otherwise minded that it is a sign of error and superstition which being conscious of its own weakness is generally heightned to more or less cruelty and revenge according as men by them are steeped in folly and blindness Iâ—mâ—rtale odium nunquam sanabile bellum Ardet adhuc Ombos Tentyraâ— summus utrinque Indè furor vâ—lgo quod â—â—miâ—a vicinorum Odit uterque locus and what was the ground and occasion of the quarrel Croeodilon adorat Pars haec illa pavet saturam Serpentibus â—bin All other Nations as France Holland Poland the Palatinate Brandenburgh Hastia some parts of Denmark the Empire and most of the free Cities of it indulging their numerous and divided Dissenters upon â—heir sustaining all Offices and burthens in the Commonwealth equal with others with a freedom from Ecclesiastical Courts Censures Offices and all penalties for their dissent and an allowance for the Worship of God in their own Assembly provided by themselves and known to the Magistrates under whose Jurisdiction they are though considering the temper of the people of this Nation the impression of the principles of dissent in multitudes the resolution that their spirits are raised to the value they put â—pâ—n their Consciences and liberty of it there is no people under Heaven to whom forbearance would he more welcome useful acceptable or more sulservienâ— to Tranquility Trade Wealth and Peace An Exile whose exemplary resolution supported Religion whose obliging Authority maintained Peace and whose inexhaustible Charity provided for the poor at Zurick and Franâ—ford A Sussex and
Augustine saying Tolle lege a strong fancy inclined him to fix â—n the first words he beheld v. 16. And they answered Joshua saying All that thou commandest us we will do and whithersoever thou sendest we will go A text he so wisely and warily handled that his Enemies got not so full advantage against him as they expected The next day the Duke advanced to Bury with his Army whose feet marched forward while their minds moved backward Upon the News brought him he returned to Cambridge with more sad thoughts within him than valiant Souldiers about him Then went he with the Mayor of the Town and proclaimed the Queen the Beholders whereof more believing the grief in his eyes when they let down tears than the joy professed by his hands when he threw up his Cap. Slegge Sergeant at Arms arrests him in Kingsâ— Colledge and when the Proclamation of Pardon set him at liberty the Earl of Arundel re-arrests him at whose feet he craves mercy a low posture in so high a person But what more poor and prostrate than Pride it self when reduced to extremity Behold we this Duke as the Mirrour of Humane Unhappiness As Nevil Earl of Warwick was the make-King so this Dudley Earl of Warwick was the make-Queen He was Chancellour of the Vniversity and Steward of the Town of Cambridge two Offices which never before or since met in the same person Thus as Cambridgâ— was his Vertical Poynt wherein he was in the heighth of Honour so it was his Vertical where he met with a suddain turn and a sad Catastrophe And it is remarkeable that though this Duke who by all means endeavoured to aggrand his Posterity had six sons all men all married none of them left any issue behind them Thus far better it is to found our hopâ—s of even earâ—hly happiness on Goodnâ—ss than Greatness Thus far the Historian Iâ— was Lewiâ— the elevâ—nth's Motto Pride and Presumption go before Shame and Loss follow after In three sorts of men Ambition is good 1. In a Souldier to quicken him 2. In Favourites to balance oâ—hers 3. In great States-men to undertake invidious Employments For no man will take that part except he be like a seeled Dove that mounts and mounts because he cannot see about him And in these men it 's safe if they are mean in their original harsh in their nature stirring in many little rather than in any great business Greater in his own interest than in his Followers Humility sojourneth with safety and honour Pride with Danger and unworthiness No man below an Anointed One is capable of an unlimited Power a temptation too great for Mortality whose highest Interest if indulged is Self and if checked Malice Dangerous is the Power of an aspiring Person near a Prince more dangerous his Disguise as who acts all things against his Master by his Authority Let no man upon this example ever repose so much upon any mans single Counsel Fidelity or Discretion as to create in himself or others a diffidence of his own judgement which is likely to be most faithfull and true to a mans own Interest Let every mâ—n have some things that no man shall obtain and some things that no man must dare ask because you see here if we let all go without reserve our Reputation is lost in the world by the Reputation our Favourite gains with us There was in Rome a certain man named Enatius somewhat entred in Age and of natural condition muâ—inous ambitious and troublesome Adrian being advertised that he was dead fell into a great laughter and sware That he could not but wonder he could intend to die considering what great business he had night and day Conâ—idering how many Affairs he had to manage how many cross accidents to accommodate I wonder what time he had to die And considering his many pretences for the Protestant Religion especially that for King Edward's I wonder with what face he could die a Papist But I have forgot my self for there are two sorts of persons in Machiavel â—hat must either not believe or not profess any Religion The first the States-man that acts in publick Affairs the second the Historian that writes them Observations on the Life of Sir William Peter HE was born in that great Nursery of Parts Devonshire and bred in a greater Exeter-Colledge That Colledge made him a Scholar and All-Souls a Man Hâ—s capacity was contemplative and his Genius active observing rather than reading with his eye more on men than Books studying behaviour rather than notion to be accomplished rather than knowing and not to erre in the main rather than to be excellent in circumstance His Body set off his Parts with a grave dignity of presence rather than a soft beauty of aspect His favour was more taking than his colour and his motion more than favour and all such as made his early Vices blush and his riper Vertues shine The Earl of Wilâ—shire first pitched upon him for his Sons Tutor and then for his own Companion Noble Families set off hopeful Parts and improve them Cromwel's quick eye one day at my Lord spyeth his Personage and observes his Carriage He was a man himself and understood one Nothing would satisfie him but that the young Gentlemen should come to Court and go to Travel King Henry loved any All-souls man but was enamoured with him in whom concurred the three Perquisites of that Society 1. A Gentle Extraction 2. A graceful Behaviour 3. Competent Learning The young man designed for businesse was to travel for Education and the Scholar for Experience 1. His Pension is allowed him 125 l. a year 2. His Tutor is assigned who had been there before and could instruct him what he should see where he should go what acquaintance to entertain what exercise or discipline to undergo 3. His Instructions were drawn up as 1. That he should keep a Diary of what the chiefest places and the eminent persons either apart or in Conventions yielded worthy of Remarque and Observation 2. To have before him a Map or Card of every place he goeth to 3. Not to stay long in any one place 4. To converse with no Englishmen but Agents Embassadors or such grave persons as his Majesty would direct him to 5. To endeavour after Recommendations from persons of quality in one place to those in another keeping still his correspondence with the most publick and eminent persons of every respective place Within five years he returned a compleat Gentleman correcting the Vices of one Country with the Vertues of another and being one happy Composition of every Region Sir Iohn Philpot was not so much the worse as Sir William was the better for travel He returning to the shame of all Nations of his own by his weakness abroad of others by their follies at home This coming home the honour of his own by his abilities abroad of others by his perfections at home Two things improved his travel 1. An
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 Kingdome 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 Iames 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 fiâ—st 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 fiâ—st 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 Negoâ—iâ—tions 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 furmount them and the motions of the irascible faculties such as Hope Boldness and Choler being well ordered and conducted by Reason engage those difficulties she encountereth in the execution of her designs Reason discovered him his enterprizes his Will enclined him to them and the noble transports of his regular passions â—et out both with that ardour and vehemencie as bear down obstacles and compass the design A hope he had that never rashly engaged him in desperate underâ—akings an audaciâ—y that precipitated him not weakly into impossibilities and a choler that led him not blindly to inevitable ruines Consideration managing â—he first Discretion and Forefight the second and Reason the third What doth is avail a man to be wise in knowing what is fit to be done prudent to invent means just to appropriate affairs to publick good authorized and happy to cause them to succeed if a Courage guided by Reason accompanied with Prudence â—uled by Discretion animated by a generous Boldness be not diligent quick and pâ—ompt for Execution His nature was generous and constant His Education like that of the Roman Youth among Statesmen manifold and solid His Soul was free and dis-engaged from any particular Design 3. Elâ—quence That added to his Parts what colours do to a Pictureâ— sâ—ate gâ—ace and light Reason is the Oâ—nament of a Man Speech the Interpreter of Reason and Eloquence the grace of Speech wherein the Orator excelleth other men as much as they do other creatures His Wisdom advised his Prudence contrived his Courage resolved and his Eloquence perswaded adding at once gracefulness to his Designs and vigour to his Enterprizes as that wherewith he could satisfie mens Reasons and master their Passions by which he carried them whither he pleased His lively Expreâ—sâ—on animates his Reason his Eloquâ—nce his Expression and his Gesture hiâ— Eloquence whereby he charmed the Senses mollified Hearts incited Affections framed Desires checkâ—d Hopes and exercised a sacred Empire over every man he dealt with These qualities improved with Travel raised the Dâ—ctor to be the Chancellouâ—'s Secretary and the Legantine Courts chief Scribe at home a â—ly Agent in Italy a successful Orator in Germany and Leiger Embassador in France In Italy he with Dâ—ctor Fox havâ—ng the King of France his Agent to second them gained the Popes Commission for hearing of the Cause between King Henry the VIII and Queen Kâ—therine In Germany he undermined the French King and in France the Emperour Upon the poor Pope whom he found not worth 20 l. perplexed between the King of England who had set him at liberty and the King of Spain who had maintained him he wrought so far as to gain a dubious Letter in Cypher to the King and a clear promise to the Cardinal both about the suppression of some Monasteries and the Divorce which the crafâ—y Agent extorted from the fearful man with his Necesse est c. although all this while he palliated this his main business with some impertinent ovâ—rtures abouâ— King Henry the seventh's Canonization None better understanding the just degrees seasons and methods of Affairs than this Doctor Where he spoke one word for his Majesties Divorce he spoke two for the Cardinals Advancement having the French Kings Letter with him to that effeâ—t in omnem eventum In order whereunto he threatned the Pope from Germany and Germany from Rome so that their mutual jealousies forced them to a compliance with his Royal and Sacred Master A great Agent he was in this business while Woolsey's Secretary a greater when the Kingâ— in which capacity he writ they say one Book for the Popâ—'s Supremacie in his Masters Name and another for the Kings in his own He draweth the Kingdom 's Remonstrance against the Pope wherein he hath one shrew'd argument to this purpose those sacra or wayes of Religion that have any thing in them in any nation against the light of nature and the being of humane society were severely animadverted on by the Romans upon this principle that it was to be supposed that Gods Religion should interfere with government which is Gods institution â—nd that way of Religion which hath in woven in it principles that make the Ecclesiasticall power a Competitor with the Civil and the Pope's against the Kingdom He and Doctor Fox are employed to gain the Vote of Cambridge for the Divorce where he brought it from the
they answered or were silent This Spanish Proverb was familiar with him Tell a Lye and find a Truth and this Speak no more than you may safely retreat from without danger or fairly go through with without opposition Some are good onely at some affairs in their own acquaintance Walsingham was ready every where and could make a party in Rome as well as England He waited on mens souls with his eye discerning their secret hearts through their transparent faces He served himâ—elf of the Factions as his Mistress did neither advancing the one nor depressing the other Familiar with Cecil allied to Leicester and an Oracle to Sussex He could overthrow any matter by undertaking it and move it so as it must fall He never broke any business yet carried many He could discourse any matter wiâ—h them that most opposed so that they in opposing it promoted it His fetches and compass to his designed speech were things of great patience and use Twice did he deceive the French as Agent once did he settle the Netherlands as Commissioner and twice did he alter the Government of Scotland as Embassadour Once did France desire he might be recalled because he was too hard for the Counsel for the Hugonots and once did Scotland request his remand because he would have overturned their Constitution 53 Agents did he maintain in Forreign Courts and 18 Spies for two Pistols an Order he had all the private Papers of Europe few Letters escaped his hands whose Contents he could read and not touch the Sealâ— Bellarmine read his Lectures at Rome one moneth and Reynolds hadâ— them confute that next So patient was this wise man Chiselhurst never saw him angry Cambridge nâ—ver passionate and the Court never discomposed Religion was the interest of his Countrey in his judgement and of his Soul therefore he maintained it as sincerely as he lived it it had his head his purse and his heart He laid the great foundaâ—ion of the Protestant Constitution as to its policyâ— and the main plot against the Polish as to its ruine â—e would cherish a plot some years together admitting the Conspirators to his own and the Queens â—â—eâ—ence familiarly but dogging them out watchâ—â—â—â—y his Spiâ—s waited on some men every hour for â—â—â—ee yeaâ—s and leâ—t they could not keep counsel 〈◊〉 dispatched them to forraign parts taking in new Sâ—â—vantsâ— Hâ—s trainâ—ng Parry of who dâ—signed 〈…〉 of Queen Elizabeth the admitting of hiâ— under the pâ—etence of discovering a Plot to the Qâ—eens presence and then letting him go where he would onely on the security of a Dark Sentinel set over him was â— piece of reach and haâ—ard beyond common apprehension But Kingdomes were acted by him as well as private persons It is a likely report saith one that they father on him at his return â—â—om France when the Queen expressed her 〈◊〉 of the â—panish designe on that Kingdome with 〈◊〉 â—â—cernment Madam saith he be content not 〈…〉 the Spaniard hath a great appetite and an 〈…〉 digestion but I have fitted him with a bone for this twenty years that your Majesty shall have no cause to doubt him Prâ—vided that if the fire chance to slack which I have kindled you will be ruled by me and now and then cast in some English fuel which may revive the flame Hâ—â—irst observed the gâ—eat Bishop of Winchester fit to serve the Church upon the unlikely Youths first Sermon at Sâ—â— Alhallows Barking He brought my Lord Cooke first to the Church upon some private discourse with him at his Table The Queen of Scots Letters were all carried to him by her own Servant whom she trusted and decyphered to him by one Philips as they were sealed again by one Gregory so that neither that Queen or her correspondents ever perceived either the Seal defaced or the Letters delayed to her dying day Video Taceo was his saying before it was his Mistresses Motto Hâ— could as well â—it King Iames his humour with sayings out of Xenophon Thucydides Plutarch Tacitus as he could King Henry's with Rablais's conceits and the Hollander with mechanick Discourses In a word Sir Francis Walsingham was a studious and temperate man so publick-spirited that he spent his Estate to serve the Kingdome so faithful that â—e bestowed his years on his Queen so learned that he provided a Library for Kings Colledge of his own Books which was the best for Policy as Cecil's was for History Arundels for Heraldry Cottons for Antiquity and Vshers for Divinity finally he â—qualled all the Statesmen former ages discourse of and hardly hath been equalled by any in following Ageâ— Observations on the Life of the Earl of Leicester THe Lord Leicester was the youngest son then living of Dudley Duke of Northumberland he was also one of the first to whom Queen Elizabeth gave that honour to be master of the horse He was a very goodly person and singular well featured and all his youth well favoured and of a sweet aspect but high foreheaded which was taken to be of no discommendation but towards his latter end grew high-coloured and red-faced The Queen made him Earl of Leicester for the sufferings of his Ancestors sake both in her Fathers and Sisters Reigns The Earl of Essex his death in Ireland and the marriage of his Lady yet living deeply stains his commendation But in the Observations of his Letters and Writings there was not known a Stile or Phrase more religious and fuller of the streams of Devotion He was sent Governour by the Queen to the United States of Holland where we read not of his wonders for they say Mercury not Mars in him had the predominancy To the Policy he had from Northumberland his Father and the Publican Dudley his Grandfather he added it is said Magick and Astrology and to his converse with Wise men his familiarity with Wizards Indeed he would say A States-man should be ignorant of nothing but should have all notices either within his own or his Confidents command His Brother Ambrose was the heir to the Estate and he to the Wisdome of that Family He was the most reserved man of that Age that saw all and was invisible carrying a depth not to be faâ—homed but by the Searcher of Hearts Many fell in his time who saw not the hand that pulled them down and as many died that knew not their own Disease He trusted not his Familiars above a twelve-month together but either transported them for Forreign services or wafted them to another world His Ambition was of a large extent and his head-piece of a larger Great was his Influence on England greater on Scotland and greatest of all on Ireland and the Netherlands where this close Genius acted invisibly beyond the reach of friends or the apprehension of enemies Declining an immediate opposition in Court-factions the wary Sir raised always young Favourites to outshine the old ones so balancing all others that he might be Paramount himself The modern policy and practices were
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 Chancellourâ— 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 every body being either within the Obligation of his Courâ—esies 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 reâ—usal 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 engagâ—d 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 beforehand 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 Chatiâ—â—ian 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 Archbishop Grindal not excepted His hand bestowed all favours and his brows all frowns the whose 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 â—non 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 Christopher Lord Hatton SIr Christopher Hatton was a Gentleman who for his activity and Person was taken into the Quâ—ens favour He was first made Vice-Chamberlain and shortly after advanced to the place of Lord Chancellourâ— A Gentleman that besides the Graces of his Person and Dancing had also the Adjectments of a strong and subtile câ—pacity 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 Iohn Perrâ—t talked and Sir Christopher Haâ—ton 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 envied 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 wâ—s 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 His â—irst Preferment at Court was to be one of the fifty Pensioners whence his modest sweetness of Manners advanced him to the Privy Chamber where he had not been long but his face and tongue which most eloquent which most powerful was in those days a question made him Captain of the Guardâ— his presence and service Vice-Chamberlain and his great improvement under my my Lord Burleigh placed him in that grave Assembly the wisest Convention in Europe at that time the Privy-Council where he had not sate long when his enemies as well as his friends made him Chancellour and Knight of the Garter the one to raise him and the other by that rise to ruine him The Eagle-eyed men of those times carried up on high the Cockleshel they had a mind to crack A man of a pious Nature very charitable to the Poor very tender of dissenting Judgements saying That neither searing nor cutting was to be used in the cause of Religion very bountiful to Scholars who chose him Chancellour at Oxford very exact in his Place whence he went off though not with the applause of a great Lawyer to split Causes yet with the Conscience and comfort of a just man to do equity Take his Character from his own words those words that prevailed with the Queen of Scots to appear before the Commissioners at Fotheringaz when neither Queen Elizabeths Commission nor the Lord Chancellours Reason nor the Power of the Kingdome could perswade that good Lady to it The words are these You are accused but not condemned You say you are a Queen be it so if you are innocent you wrong your Reputation
Lord of Worcester as no mean Favourite was of the ancient and noble blood of the Beauforts and of the Queens Grandfathers line by the Mother which she could never forget especially where there was a concurrency of old Blood with Fidelity a mixture which ever sorted with the Queens Nature He was first made Master of the horse and then admitted of her Council of State In his Youth part whereof he spent before he came to reside at Court he was a very fine Gentleman and the best Horse-man and Tilter of the Times which were then the manlike and noble recreations of the Court and when years had abated these exercises of honour he grew then to be a faithful and profound Counsellour He was the last Liver of all the Servants of her favour and had the honour to see his renowned Mistress and all of them laid in the places of their rest and for himself after a life of a very noble and remarkable reputation he died in a peaceable Old Age full of Riches and Honour His Fathers temperance reached to 97â— yeâ—râ— of Age because he never eat but one Meal a day and his sparingness attained to 84 because he never eat but of one dish He came to the Queens favour because as her Father so she loved a man he kept in because as her Father too so she loved an able man His manlike Recreations commended him to the Ladies his prudent Atchievements to the Lords He was made master of the horse because active and privy Councellour because wise His mistress excused his Faith which was popisâ— but honoured his Faithfulness which was Roman it being her usual speech that my Lord of Worcester had reconciled what she thought inconsistent a stiff Papist to a good subject His Religion was not pompous but solidâ— not the shew of his life but the comfort of his soul. A great master he was of others affections and greater of his own passions many things displeased nothing angered my Lord of Worcester whose maxime was That he would not be disordered within himself onely because things were out of order without him He had this maxime whence he had his Nature from his prudent Father Sir Charles Somerset the first Earl of Worcester of that name whose temper was so pliable and nature so peaceable that being aâ—ked as it is usually reported of him How he passed so troublesome a Reign as King Henry's so uncertain as King Edward's so fierce as Queen Mary's and so unexpected as Queen Elizabeth's with so quiet so fixed so smooth so resolved and ready a mind and frame answered It was because he understood the Interest of the Kingdome while others observed its Humours His first publick service was to represent the Grandeur of his mistress at this Christening of the Daulphine of France and his last the like at the marrâ—age of the King of Scots whom he honoured with the Garter from his Mistress and advised to beware of Papists from the Council The frame of this noble mans body as it is delineated by Sir W. P. seems suited to the noble use it was designed for The entertaining of a mosâ— pure and active soul but eqâ—ally to the advantage of strength and comeliness befriended with all proportionate Dimensions and a most grave yet obliging Carriage There was a clear sprightfulness in his Complexion but a sâ—d reservedness in his nature both making up that blessed composiâ—ion of a wise and winning man of as great hardship of body as nobleness of spirit Of a quick sight and an accurate Ear a steady observation and ready expression with the Torrent whereof he at once pleased King Iames and amazed King Henry being the most natural Orator in the world Among all which Endowments I had almost forgot his memory that was very faithful to him in things and business though not punctilio's and formalities Great parts he had the range and compass whereof filled the whole circle of generous Learning in that person as it hath done in the following Heroes of that Family to this day Observations on the Life of Sir Henry Killigrew TRavellours report That the place wherein the body of Absalom was buried is still extant at Ierusalem and that it is a solemn custome of Pilgrims passing by it to cast a stone on the place but a well-disposed man can hardly go by the memory of this worthy person without doing grateful homage thereunto in bestowing upon him one or two of our Observations It 's a question sometimes whether Diamond gives more lustre to the Ring it 's set in or the Ring to the Diamond This Gentleman received honour from his Family and gave renown to it Writing is the character of the speech as that is of the mind From Tully whose Orations he could repeat to his dying day he gained an even and apt stile flowing at one and the self-same heighth Tully's Offices a Book which Boys read and men understand was so esteemed of my Lord Burleigh that to his dying day he always carried it about him either in his bosome or his pocket as a compleat peice that like Aristotle's Rhetorick would make both a Scholar and an Honest man Cicero's magnificent Orations against Anthony Catiline and Verres Caesar's great Commentaries that he wrote with the same spirit that he fought flowing Livy grave judicious and stately Tacitus elquent but faithful Curtius brief and rich Salust prudent and brave Xenophon whose person was Themistocles his Companion as his Book was Scipio Affricanus his Pattern in all his Wars ancient and sweet Herodotus sententious and observing Thucidides various and useful Polybius Siculus Halicarnâ—sseus Trogus Orosius Iustine made up our young mans Retinue in all his Travels where as Diodorus the Sicilian writes he sate on the stage of Humane Life observing the great circumstances of places persons times manners occasions c. and was made wise by their example who have trod the path of errour and danger before him To which he added that grave weighty and sweet Plutarch whose Books said Gaza would furnish the world were all others lost Neither was he amazed 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 Intâ—rest 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 laâ—ge
that in her arms do â—leep Learn to swim and not to wade For the hearts of Kings are deep But if Greatness be so blind As to trust in Towers of Air Let it be with Goodness lin'd That at least the fall be fair Then though darkned you shall say When friends fail and Princes frown Vertue is the roughest way But proves at night a Bed of Down Observations on the Lives of Sir Humphrey Gilbert and Sir Jeffrey Fenton SHarp and lively-spirited men skilful in War and prudent in Peace of a restless and a publick Spirit well skilled in the Trade of England better in the Wealth of America in the North-part whereof which we call New-found Land whither they had sayled a little before with five Ships having sold their Patrimony in hope to plant a Colony there they undid themselves for after they had by the voice of a common Cryer proclaimed that Country to belong to the English Jurisdiction and had assigned Land to each of their Company they were distressed by Shipwracks and want of necessary provision and constrained to give over their Enterprize learning too late and teaching others That it is matter of greater difficulty to trâ—nsport Colonies into far Countries upon private mens wealth than they and others in a credâ—lous and sanguine fit imagine and this Quod siâ—â—ssâ—velis nihilque malis Observations on the Life of Doâ—â—or Walter Haddon WAlter Haddon was born of a Knightly Family in Buckinghamshire bred at Eaton afterwards Fellow in Kings Colledge in Cambridge where he proceeded Doctor of Law and was the Kings Professor in that Faculty chosen Vice-Chancellour of the University 1550. soon after he was made President of Magâ—alen â—Colledge in Oxford which place he waved in the reign of Qâ—een Mary and sheltered himself in obscurity Queen Elizabeth made him one of the Masters of her Requests and employed â—â—m in several Embassies beyond the Seas Her Majesty being demanded whether she preferred him or Buchanan for learning wittily and warily returned Buchanum omnibus antepâ—no Haddonum nemini postpono S. Memoriae Gualtero Haddono Equestri loco nato juris Consulteâ— Oratori Poetae celeberrimo Graece Latinâ—que Eloquenâ—â—â— suâ— temporis facilè principi sapientia sanctitate vitae in iâ— erecto ut Reginae Elizabethae à supplicum libellis Magister esset destinareturque majoribus nisi facto immaturius cessisset Interim in omni gradu viro longe Eminentissimo Conjugi sui optimo meretissimoque Anna Suttona uxor ejus secunda slens mâ—rens desiderii sui signum posuit Obiit anno Salut hum 1572. AEtatis 56. This his fair Monument is extant in the Wall at the upper end of the Chancel of Christ-Church in London where so many ancient Inscriptions have been barbarously defaced He and Dr. Wotton setled Trade between us and the Netherlands and removed the mart to Embden and both were famous for their reservedness in the case of succession which they kept locked in their own breasts so always resolved to do notwithstanding Leicesters Sollicitations of them to a Declaration for the Queen of Scots now his mistress and hereafter in the Queen of Englands designe to be his Wife unless as they alledged their Mistress commanded their Opinion who certainly never heard any more unwillingly than the controversie about the Title of succession and both as famous for their disswasion against the making of the Netherlands a Free-state urging that of Machiavel That people accustomed to live under a Prince if by any accident they become free are like beasts let loose and have much ado to maintain either their Gâ—vernment or their Liberty Observations on the Life of Sir Wiâ—liam Russel HIs very Name brought Tyrone upon his knees to him and Iniskillyn to a surrendry He was for detaining Tyrone notwithstanding his letters of Protection the Council was for dismissing him either out of favour to him or out of their reverence to their former promise as much to the danger of Ireland as the displeasure of the Queen Pretending an Hunting-match he had almost taken Feagh Mac Hugh or shut him up and under the disguize of a progress he shut up all the Passages and Avenues of Tyrone Agiges the Cretan King would say That he that would govern many must fight with many Our Deputy found that great honour had its great difficulties yet was he so constant and resolute that with Marcellus he would say That as there are many things a good Governour ought not to attempt so ought he not to desist or give over an Enterprize once begun and taken in hand Therefore his Character is One daring in his person close to his purpose firm to his dependencies of a deep and large soul who looked upon the chargeable War in Ireland as an equal remedy against a worse in England to the letting of blood in one part against the effusion of it in anotherâ— and advised the bestowing of Church-lands among the Nobility of both Perswasions in Ireland as in England who would then hold their Religion with their Land in Capiâ—e and stick to the Queen as the great support of both against all pretenders whom then most would vâ—gorously oppose and all would fairly leave Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Roper SIr Thomas Roper servant to Queen Elizabeth was born in Friday-street in London whose Grandfather was a younger son of the house of Heanour in Derbyshire He going over into the Low Countries became Page to Sir John â—orrice and was Captain of a Foot-company at sixteen years of Age. What afterwards his Martial Performances were will appear by the following lines transcribed out of the Originall of his Patent Whereas Thomas Roper Knight one of our Privy-Councellours of the Kingdome of Ireland long since hath been known unto us famous with the splendour of his warlike Vertue as who by the many Atchievements valiantly performed by him in the late War of this Kingdome hath gained the eminent Repute both of a stout Souldier and a discreet Commander whose Valour chiefly appeared in his Retreat near le Boyle in our Province of Connaught where with very few horse he undauntedly charged great troops of the horse of the Enemy who in a hâ—â—tile manner forraged â—he very bowels of the Kingdome and by his wisdome made such a singular retreat that he not onely saved himself and his men but also delivered the whole Army from great danger and slew very many of his Enemies Who also when our Province of Vlster was all on fire with war being one out of many was for the tryed Resolution of his mind chosen by the Right honourable the Earl of Essex then General of the Army to undertake a Duel with Makal and declined not to expose himself to the appointed Duel And also when the aforesaid Thomas Roper in the late war in the Kingdome of France at Brest by exposing himself to the greatest perils and shedding of his own blood demonstrated his Courage to be unconquerable Who also
say commonly of him and those brave Heroes under him That they were born to save their Countrey This noble person was of greater experience than knowledg and more beholding to his years than to his Education whence K. Iames took great pleasure in his discourse that was not morose obstinate narrow unactive or formal like a Students harangues but free active and ingenuous like a States-man's Maximes Whereof one was this That never did Commander a noble Act that was Commission-bound it being a question whether the Venetians and Spaniards lost more at Sea and in the Netherlands before they discovered that Error or gained more since For whilest we address our selves to the State occasions are lost things take another countenance and so many unexpected accidents happen for which suddain provision must be made that opportunities escape before we dare lay hold of them and sometimes we perish for want of a Commission to save our selves Great content did he give by his presence in the French Court 1605. and greater in his carriage at the Prince Elector's marriage 1612. A prudent care did he discover in providing for posterity by the seasonable resignation of his Admiralty a faithful friend he shewed himself in confirming Sir Robert Mansel's place when he parted with his own a great argument of his own worth and service that he was so careful to reward others Observations on the Life of Sir Geo. Hume Earl of Dunbar NO wonder he is so great a Favourite of King Iames in his riper years who was so faithful a servant of his in his youth trusted with his Royal secrets in Scotland and therefore in his Royal bosome in England The natural reservedness of all Scots-men and the vast depth of this are not more necessary to all Princes then they were pleasing to King Iames who had no secrecies that endangered his Privadoes though many that tried them and particularly our Statesman who had no hidden weakness to be over-reached nor private Interest to be corrupted but was a great Master of himself owning a reach not to be comprehended and thoughts not to be fathomed but by him whose heart was as the sand of the Sea Exact was his correspondence with Sir Robert Cecil while in Scotland and intimate was their friendship in England both extorting from each other those observations touching their respective Countreys which they might both communicate to His Majesty at their respective opportunities His Enterprizes were well laid but unsuccessful rational but unhappy an argument that Designs are only in our power and Events in a higher There was not a man more noble and renowned more comâ—ly aâ—d graceful of more years and experience Versatus Versutus of a greater estate or revenue more liberal and munificent more accostable and courteous more resolved and reserved all the qualities of a compleat Ambassador than the Earl of Dunbar when sent to Germany yet none more ineffectual having gained no more by a tedious and chargeable Negotiation than as the Earl of Nottingham with his gallant Retinue in Spain that the Papists who were formerly perswaded by their Jesuites that we were Monsters do now believe we are Men so useless was soft Courtship in rough tumults and so little heed was given to smooth complements in Arms anâ— Uproars More happy was he in Scotland where his prudence as Lord Treasurer and his Chaplain Doctor Abbots gravity as Preacher reduced that Nation to so much sobriety as to admit a regular Religion and Government for which service he had the Exchequer and the Wardrobe for himself and the Arch-Bishoprick of Canterbury for the Doctor when the King was in a great streight between the known merit of the incomparable Bishop Andrews and the last request of dying Sir George Hume a great instance of King Iames his abilities in what Machiavel calleth a Princes Master-piece viz. the choice of Servants Observations on the Life of the Earl of Somerset HIs extraction from Scotland put him in the way his Education in England set him in a capacity of Advancement He was born seasonably when his Father served him that should be a King of England and brought up happily when he might please him that was so His beauty and comliness took his Majesty his parts and prudence obliged him who loved the Cabinet but valued the Jewel He was admitted Page of honour to King Iames when of Scotland and his Favourite when of England His Majesties first observation of him was at a solemn Tilting where his delight in his person meeting with his pity of his mischance I mean the breaking of his leg there first took him to his tuition and then to his Council All King Iames his Favourites were of his own education and so imbued with his principles and engaged to his interest It was his Majesties policy to râ—tain Scots States-men to balance the English It was Somerset's prudence to entertain English Favouries to endear the Scots therefore Sir Tho. Overbury was as much of his Councel as he was of his Majesties too haughty a carriage was the miscarriage of other Minions too good a nature was â—is His great defect being that goodness and humanity that that knoweth no excess but errour which was rather a softness than a kindness his heart was as large to others as his Masters was to him and knew as little how to mistrust as how to do any thing for which he should be mistrusted This is the Lesson he was short in That civilities should be common but favours choice The Whale is steered at Sea by a far smaller Fish and this States-man at Court by far meaner men than himself I my self saith an ingenious man have known many so far strangers to what was convenient as they would scarce concede or deny any thing out of the presence of their Secretary and this proceeded not seldom from a distrust there was no cause for manifest in the Earl of Somerset who though himself owner of a competent sufficiency was so enchanted with an opinion of Sir Thomas Overbury's parts that he preferred him from a Servant to such an intimate friendship as he could think nothing well educated for employment in his Office that had not passed his correction nor secret laid up but in his bosome which swelled him saith he to such a monstrosity in pride that I have heard not being my self then near the English Court how he offered to rant at his servants and did once beat his Coachman for putting his commands under an inferiour expostulation to his Master and through this intollerable arrogance in him and remisness in the Earl the sparks first flew that kindled the ruine of them both Friendship being no more able to maintain its interest against a feminine affection than so great a pride was to confine it self within the tedder of moderation The greatest are not free but led in triumph by the affections of others through the mediation of their own Sir Thomas Overbury would do what was most
tears of Contrition for his Sins to God and thankfulness for this Mercy using mary piâ—us Ejaculations embraced all these Actors in the former Tragedy when the poor fellow also kist the King's hand These circumstances gave occasion then that this whole story was freshly revived to the common Satisfaction of the whole Countrey and our English Courtiers And in especial unto the very reverend Bishop and nobly born Iames Mountague then present to whom the King addressed himself in this Relatiâ—n and from whose Mouth saith the Relator I received these particulars at his return into England And thus much we have by word of mouth somewhat I shall add out of writings for more satisfaction This Treason was attempted the fourth of Augâ—st 1600. And though there followed sundry Susâ—itions and Examinations of several other Persons supposed Abettors and Contrivers yet it lay undiscovered tanquam e post liminio until eight years after by the circumspection principally of the â—arl of Dunbar a man of as great wisdom as those tâ—mes and that Kingdom could boast of upon the â—eâ—son of onâ— Geoâ—ge Sâ—roâ— Notary-publick of Aâ—emouth in Scotland from some words which at first he sparingly or unawares expressed and also by some papers which were found in his house whereof being examin'd with a little ado he confessed and was condemned and executed at Edenburgh the 12th of Aâ—g 1608. A Relation I conceive not common but in my hands to be produced and written by that learned Gentleman William Hart then Lord Iustice of Scoâ—land and Principal in all the Acts of Judicature herein Neither of these Lords professed any skilâ— in Politicks yet neither wanted a strong judgment which they could make good use of in time and place convenient giving testimonies in those Employments they had of a strict secrecy a great moderation and a happy compliance with opportunity Qualities exceedingly well lodged in men of Interest and Command especially in these two who neither too easily closed with others resolutions nor too obstinately adhered to their own one of which was alwayes to suspect men of new words as much as men of new opinions because to flye from proper School terms to vulgar conceptions is a way seldome troden but by false Prophets and Seditious Orators who have done this onely good in the world that from their collition a considerable deal of light hath proceeded towards the clearing of several points in Philosophy and Religion in the speculations whereof the men whose lives are so practical and involved in business are not so distinct being not at leisure to quest at every Lark which men spring in either though otherwise the best qâ—alified for sâ—ch undertakings because men of most judgement and experience and of â—he least passion and prejudice and by so much the less impetuous and censorious by how much the more judicious and discreet and by so much the more value in the Eyes of others by how much the less they are in their own who have this aâ—vantâ—ge in controversies that their Religion is thougâ—t as much better than their Adversaries as their Charity and moderation is greater Observations on the Fall of Sir Tho. Lake A Great Estate this Gentleman had honestly got and a greater esteem being King Iames his right hand and the Scots both hands that with which they begged and that with which they bestowed the instrument of the meaner sorts relief and the greaters bounty until that Malice and Revenge two violent passions over-ruling the Weaker Sex concerning his Wife and daughter involved him in their quarrel the chief and onely cause of his ruine He had by his Wife sons and daughters His eldest married unto the Lord Baron Resse in right of a Grandmother the son of Thomas Earl of Exeter by a foâ—mer venter And upon the credit of Sir Thomas Lake he was sent Embassador Extraordinary into Spain in a very gallant Equipage with some hopes of â—is own to continue Lieger to save charges of transmitting any other In his absence there fell out an extream deadly fewd 't is no matter for what between the Lady Lake and the Countess of Exeter A youthful Widow she had been and vertuous and so became Bedfellow to this aged gowty diseased but noble Earl And that preferment had made her subject to Envy and Malice Home comes the Lord Rosse from his Embassie when being fallen into some neglect of his Wâ—fe and his kindred I conceive upon refusal of an increase of allowance to her settlement of Ioynture which was promised to be compleated at his return not long he stays in England but away he gets into Italy turns a professed Roman Catholick being cozened into that Religion by his publick Confident Gondamore In this his last absence never to return the Mother and Daughter accuse the Countess of former Incontinency with the Lord Râ—sse whilest he was here and that therefore upon his Wives discovery he was fled from hence and from her Marriage-Bed with other devised Calumnies by several designs and contrivements to have poysoned the Mother and Daughter This quarrel was soon blazon'd at Court to the King's ear who as privately as could be singly examines each party The Countess with tears and imprecations professeth her Innocency which to oppose the Mother Lake and her Daughter counterfeit her hand to a whole sheet of Paper wherein they make the Counâ—ess with much contrition to acknoâ—ledge her self guilty crave pardon for attempting to poyson them and desire friendship with them all The King gets sight of this as in favour to them and demands the time place and occasion when this should be writ They tell him that all the parties met in a visit at Wimbleton the house of the Lord of Exeter where in dispute of their differences she confesses her guilt of attempting their poyson And being desirous of absolution and friendship being required thereto consents to set down all Circumstances therein under her own hand which presently she writ at the Window in the upper end of the great Chamber at Wimbleton in presence of the Mother and Daughter the Lord Rosse and one Diego a Spaniard his confiding Servant But now they being gone and at Rome the King forthwith sends Mr. Dendy one of his Serjeants at Armes sometimes a Domestick of the Earl of Exeters an honest and worthy Gentleman post to Rome who speedily returns with Rosse and Diego's hand and other testimonials confirming That all the said Accusation and Confession Suspitions and Papers concerning the Countess were notorious false and scandalous and confirms it by receiving the Hoast in assurance of her Honour and his Innocency The King well satisfied sends to the Countesses Friends and Trustees for her Ioynture and Estate who comparing many of her letters with this Writing do confess it counterfeit Then he tells the Mother and Daughter That this writing being denied by her and their testimonies being parties would not prevail with any belief but any other Additional witness would give it
or grievous courses insulting over no offender but carrying it decently and compassionately to the person of the offender when most severe against the offence His Religion was rational and sober his spirit publick his love to Relations tender to Friends faithful to the hopeful liberal to men univerfal to his very Enemies civil He lest 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 the French Ambassador who called him Father 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 less dissipable and juicy Meat was his Diet and Rhubarb infused in Wine before meat his Physick four hours in the morning he made his own not by any means to be interrupted business was his fate retyrement his inclination Socrates brought Morality from Discourse to Practice and my Lord Bacon brought Philosophy from Speculation to Experience Aristotâ—e whom he disliked at 16 years of age not for his person for he valued him highly but his way which bred disputations but not useful things for the benefit of the life of man continuing in that judgment to his dying day he said taught many to dispute more to wrangle few to find 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 Judgment was solid yet his memory was a wonder his Wit was quick yet his Reason slaid 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-Chancellor that he forgot he was but Lord Verulam Great his understanding his knowledge was not from Books though he read much but from grounds and notions in himself which he vented with great caution Dr. Rawley attesting that he saw twelve Copies of the Instauratio Magna revised and amended year by year till it was published and great his mind too above it in his kindness to servants to whom he had been a better Master if he had been a worse and more kind if he had been less indulgent to them Persons of Quality courted his Service For the first of his Excesses K. Iames 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 business and bosomes How far skilled in the Art of Government the Felicities of Queen Elizabeth written by him in Latine ordered by his last Will to be Printed so but published in English in his resuscitatio by his Amanuensis Dr. Rawley 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 Iames his Designs until the Match with Spain and that he gave those Directions to a great Statesman which may be his Character and our conclusion Only be it observed that though this peerless Lord is much admired by English-men yet is he more valued by Strangers distance as the Historian hath it diminishing his faults to Forreigners while we behold his perfections abated with his failings which set him as much below pity as his Place did once above it Sir Iulius Caesar they say looking upon him as a burden in his Family and the Lord Brook denying him a bottle of small beer Though in a Letter to King Iames he thanks him for being that Master to him that had raised and advanced him sâ—x times in Office i.e. Councel learned extraordinary Solicitor and Attorney General Lord Keeper and Chancellor Knight-Lord Verulam Viscount St. Aâ—ban's with 1800 l. a yâ—ar out of the broad Zeal and Alienation Offâ—ce to his dying day most of which he allowed to his Wife towards whom he was very bountiful in gifts bestowing on her a Robe of honour which she wore while she lived which was above twenty years after his death His Religion was like a Philosophers rational and well grounded as appears by his confession of faith composed many years before his death an instance of the truth of his own observation that a little Philosophy maketh men apâ— to forget God as attributing too much to second causes but depth of Philosophy bringeth a man back again to God he being constant at the publick Prayers frequent at the Sermons and Sacraments of the Church of England in whose Communion he dyed of a gentle Feaver accompanied with a choaking defluxion and cold April 9. being Easter-day 1626. 66th year of his age in the Earl of Arundel's house at High-gate near London being Buried according to his Will at St. Michael's Church in St. Alban's the onely Church in old Verulam near his Mother â—nder a white Marble â—et up by Sir Tho. Meauty Secretary to his Lordship and Clerk of the Councel to King Iames and King Charles whereon he is drawn in his full Stature studying with an Inscription by Sir Henry Wotton He had one peculiar temper of body that he fainted alwayes at an Eclipse of the Moon though he knew not of it and considered it not His Receipt for the Gout which eased him in two hours is at the end of his Natural History His Rhubarb-draught before meat he liked because it carryed away the gross humours not lessâ—ning the spirits as sweating doth It was the great effect of his Religion that as he said notwithstanding the opportunities he had to be revenged he neither bred nor fed maliceâ— saying no worse to the King who enquired of him what he thought of a great man newly dead that had not been his friend than that he would never have made
in respect of the King your Master you must be very wary that you give him true information and if the matter concern him in his Government that you do not flatter him if you do you are as great a Traytor to him in the Court of Heaven as he that draws his sword against him and in respect of the Suitors which shall attend you there is nothing will bring you more honour and more ease then to do them what right in justice you may and with as much speed as you may for believe it Sir next to the obtaining of the suit a speedy and a gentle denyal when the case will not bear it is the most acceptable to suitors they will gain by their dispatch whereas else they shall spend their time and money in attending and you will gain in the ease you will find in being rid of their importunity But if they obtain what they reasonably desired they will be doubly bound to you for your favour Bis dat qui cito dat it multiplies the courtesie to do it with good words and speedily That you may be able to do this with the best advantage my humble advice is this when suitors come unto you set apart a certain hour in a day to give them audience If the business be light and easie it may by word only be delivered and in a word be answered but if it be either of weight or of difficulty direct the suitor to commit it to writing if it be not so already and then direct him to attend for his answer at a set time to be appointed which would constantly be observed unless some matter of great moment do interrupt it when you have received the Petitions and it will please the Petitioners well to have access unto you to deliver them into your own hand let your Secretary first read them and draw lines under the material parts thereof for the matter for the most part lies in a narrow room The Petitions being thus prepared do you constantly set apart an hour in a day to peruse those Petitâ—ons and after you have ranked them into several files according to the subject matter make choice of two or three friends whose judgments and fidelities you believe you may trust in a business of that nature and recommend it to one or more of them to inform you of their opinions and of their reasons for or against the granting of it and if the matter be of great weight indeed then it would not be amiss to send several Copies of the same Petition to several of your friends the one not knowing what the other doth and desire them to return their answers to you by a certain time to be prefixxed in writing so shall you receive an impartial answer and by comparing the one with the other you shall both discern the abilities and faithfulness of your friends and be able to give a judgement thereupon as an Oracle But by no means trust not to your own judgement alone for no man is omniscient nor trust onely to your servants who may mislead you or mis-inform you by which they may perhaps gain a few crowns but the reproach will lye upon your self if it be not rightly carried For the facilitating of your dispatches my advice is further that you divide all the Petitions and the matters therein contained under several heads which I conceive may be fitly ranked into these eight sorts 1. Matters that concern Religion and the Church and Church-men 2. Matters concerning Justice and the Laws and the Professors thereof 3. Councellors and the Council-Table and the great Offices and Officers of the Kingdom 4. Foreign Negotiations and Embassies 5. Peace and War both foreign and civil and in that the Navy and Forts and what belongs to them 6. Trade at home and abroad 7. Colonies or foreign Plantations 8. The Court and Curiality And whatsoever will not fall naturally under one of these heads believe me Sir will not be worthy of your thoughts in this capacity we now speak of And of these sorts I warrant you you will find enough to keep you in bâ—siness I begin with the first which concerns Religion 1. In the first place be you your self rightly perswaded and setled in the true Protestant Religion professed by the Church of England which doubtless is as sound and orthodox in the doctrine thereof as any Christian Church in the world 2. In this you need not be a Monitor to your gracious Master the King the chiefest of his Imperial Titles is to be The Defender of the Faith and his learning is eminent not only above other Princes but above other men be but his scholar and you are safe in that 3. For the Discipline of the Church of England by Bishops c. I will not positively say as some do that it 's Iure Divino but this I say and think ex animo that it is the nearest to Apostolical truth and confidently I shall say it is fittest for Monarchy of all others I will use no other authority to you than that excellent Proclamation set out by the King himself in the first year of his Reign and annexed before the Book of Common Prayer which I desire you to read and if at any time there shall be the least motion made for Innovation to put the King in mind to read it himself It is most dangerous in a State to give ear to the least alterations â—n Government 4. Take heed I beseech you that you be not an instrument to countenance the Romish Catholicks I cannot flatter the world believes that some near in blood to you are too much of that perswasion you must use them with fit respects according to the bonds of â—atuâ—e but you are of kin and so a friâ—nd to their persons not to their errors 5. The Arch-Bishops and Bishops next under the King have the government of the Church and Ecclesiastical affairs be not you the mean to prâ—fer any to those places for any by-respects but only for their learning gravity and worth their lives and Doctrine ought to be exemplary 6. For Deans and Canons or Prebends of Cathedral Churches In their first institution they were of great use in the Church they were not only to be of Council with the Bishop for his revenue but chiefly for his Government in causes Ecclesiastical use your best means to prefer such to those places who are fit for that purpose men eminent for their learning piety and discretion and put the King often in mind thereof and let them be reduced again to their first institution 7. You will be often sollicited and perhaps importuned to prefer Scholars to Church-Livings you may further your friends in that way caeteris paribus otherwise remember I pray that these are not places meerly of favour the charge of souls lies upon them the greatest account whereof will be required at their own hands but they will share deeply in their faults who are the
suspected to act contrary to so clear convictions so deliberate and declared determinations of his Conscience and Judgement in Religion as the Arch-Bishop expresses in his very excellent Book I am indeed prone to think that pâ—ssibly he wished there could have been any fair close or accâ—mmodation between all Christian Churches the same which many grave and learned men have much desired And it may be his Lordship thought himself no unfit Instrument to make way to so great and good a work considering the eminencies of his Parts Power and Favour which he had Haply he judged as many learned and moderate men have that in some things between Papists and Protestants differences are made wider and kept more open raw and sore than need beâ— by the private pens and passions of some men and the Interests of some little parties whose partial policies really neglect the publick and true Interest of the Cathâ—lick Church and Christian Religion which consists much in peace as wâ—ll as in purity in charity as in verity He found that where Papists were silenced and convinced in the more grand and pregnant Disputes that they are Novel partial and unconform to Catholick Churches in ancient times than he found they recovered spirits and contested afresh against the unreasonable transports violences and immoderations of some professing to be Protestants who to avoid Idolâ—try and Superstition run to Sacriledge and rudeness in Religion denying many things that are just honest safe true and reasonable meerly out of an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 excessive Antipathy to Papists Possibly the Arch-Bishop and some other Bishops of his mind did rightly judge That the giving of an enemy fair play by just safe honourable concessions was not to yield the conquest to him but the most ready way to convince him of his weakness when no honest yieldings could help him any more then they did endanger the true cause or courage of his Antagonist For my part I think the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury was neither Calvinist nor Lutheran nor Papist as to any side or party but all so far as he saw they agreed with the Reformed Church of England either in Fundamentals or innocent and decent Superstructures Yet I believe he was so far a Protestant and of the Reformed Religion as he saw the Church of England did protest against the Errors Corruptions Usurpations and Superstitions of the Church of Rome or against the novel opinions and pâ—actices of any party whatsoever And certainly he did with as much honour as justice so far own the Authenâ—ick Authority Liberty and Majesty of the Church of England in its reforming and setling of its Religion that he did not think fit any private new Master whatsoever should obtrude any Foreign or Domestick Dictates to her or force her to take her copy of Religion from so petty a place as Geneva was or Frankfort or Amsterdam or Wittenbergh or Edenborough â—o nor from Augsburg or Arnheim nor any foreign City or Town any more than from Trent or Rome none of which had any Dicâ—atorian Authority over this great and famous Nation or Church of England further than they offered sober Counsels or suggested good Reasons or cleared true Religion by Scripture and confirmed it by good Antiquity as the best interpreter and decider of obscure places and dubious cases Which high value it is probable as to his Mother the Church of England and her Constitutions was so potent in the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury that as he thought it not fit to subject her to the insolency of the Church of Rome so not to the impertinencies of any other Church or Doctor of far less repuâ—e in the Christian world No doubt his Lordship thought it not handsome in Mr. Calvin to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rather than 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so censorious of the Church of England as to brand its Dâ—votion or Liturgy with his tolerabiles ineptiae who knew not the temper of the Nation requiring then not what was absolutely best but most conveniently good and such not only the Liturgy was but those things which he calls tollerable toys I having occasion to speak with him he upon a time was pleased to grant me access some freedom of speech with him and withal asked me the opinion of the people of him I told him they reported his Lordship endeavoured to betray the Church of England to the Roman correspondency and communion He at length very calmly and gravely thus replyed protesting with a serious attestation of his integrity before God's Omnisâ—ience that however he might mistake in the mean and method yet he never had other design than the glory of God the service of his Majesty the good order peace and decency of the Church of England that â—e was so far from complying with Papists in order to confirm them in their Errors that he rather choâ—e such Methods to advance the honour of the reformed Religion in England as he believed might soon silence the cavils of fiercer Papists induce the more moderate Reâ—usants to come in to us as having less visible occasion given them by needless Dâ—stances and Disputes to separate from us which he thought arose much from that popular Variety Inconstancy Easiness Irreverence and Uncomliness which might easily grow among us in the outward professiâ—n of Religion for want of observing such uniformity and decency in Religion as were required by the Laws and Canons of this Church and State He added that he had further a desire as much as he could to relieve the poor and depressed condition of many Ministers which he had to his grief observed in Wales and England where their Discouragements were very great by reason of the tenuity and incompetency of their Livings that in his Visitations he had sometime seen it with grief among twenty Ministers not one man had so much as a decent Garment to put on nor did he believe their other treatment of Life was betterâ— that he found the sordid and shameful Aspect of Religion and the Clergy gave great Advantages to those that were Popishly inclined who would hardly ever think it best for them to joyn with that Church which did not maintain either its own Honour or its Clergy to some competency and comeliness Much more discourses his Lordship was pleased to use at several times to this purpose which commands my charity to clear him as far as I can judge of any tincture of Popery truly so called or of any superstition which placeth a Religion in the nature and use of that thing which God hath not either particularly commanded or in general permitted I suppose he thought that where God hath allowed to his Church and to every private Christian so far as may consist with the Churches Order and Peace a liberty of ceremonious and circumstantial decency as to God's worship there neither himself was to be blamed nor did he blame other men if they kept within those discreet and inoffensive bounds which either
not a Kentish Knight having spent a great Estate at Court and brought himself to one 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 overwritten thus OIA VANITAS in great Golden Letters Sir Anthony Cooke and not his Son Cecil offering to read it desired to know of the Gentleman what he meant by OIA who told him it stood for Omnia Sir Anthony replied Sir I wonder having made your Omnia so little as you have you notwithstanding make your Vanitas so large King Edward would say of his Tutors That Radolph the German spake honestly Sir Iohn Cheek talked merrily Dr. Coxe solidly and Sir Anthony Cooke wâ—ighingly A faculty that was derived wiâ—h his blood to his Grandchilde Bacon which informs the world of this great truth That Education doth much towards Parts Industry more Converse Encouragement and Exercise more yet but a sound temper and nature an wholesome blood and spirit derived from healthful and well-constitutioned Parents doth all Observations on the Life of Sir David Brooke DAvid Brooke Knight born at Glassenbury Son to Iohn Brooke Esq who was Serjeant at Lâ—w to King Henry the Eighth Our David was also bred in the Study of our Laws and in the first of Queen Mary was made Chief Baron of the Exchequer but whether dying in or quitting the place in the first of Qâ—een Elizabeth I am not informed He married Katherine Daughter of Iohn Lord Chandois but dyed without issue A Lawyer and a Lawyers son yet one whose zeal for the Religion of that time advanced rather â—han his Law to serve rather his Princes interest than his Court that being the happy shall I say or unhappy time when the Soveraign and the State did often consult with Judges and the Judges more often consult with the Sovereign and State Yet although a particular respect raised a general fair carriage kept him up He observed not onely things but times not onely times but persons therefore when old Poâ—nal Laws came before him he confined them in the execution that that which was made for terror should not be for rigour and the Instrument of Government should not be the snare of the People When Informers of that Court were too busie he checked them when violent prosecution cunning advantages combinations power or great counsel balanced an honest cause he set all things even His invention was good to improve his Mistresses Revenue his conscience was as tender to diminish it Q. Mary was ready of her own inclination but readier upon Sir David Brookes motion to part with the Church-Profits Patient and grave he was in hearing sparing and weighty in speaking None would direct an Evidence more orderly none moderated the length or impertinency of Pleaders more discreetly None would recapitulâ—â—â—e select collate the material points of what had been said more exactly none gave judgement more satisfactorily always commending a good Lawyer that miscarried a good way to uphold in the Client the reputation of his counsel and beat down in him the conceit of his cause He dyed with some projects in his breast for the Revenue and some for the Law whereof one was a composition for the Purveyances and another a regulation of the Wards both at that time thought till regulated as unprofitable for the Crown as they seemed to be burthensome to the subject He had a close way of discovering Concealments as he had a severe one of punishing frauds His word was One Law executed is worth twenty made None more austere in case of others wrong none more mild in that of his own and he would say What is done is done Weak men concern themselves in what is past while the wise take care of what is present and to come If a man wrongeth me once God forgive him saith the Italian if he wrongeth me the second time God forgive me Others may be even with their enemies in râ—venge he would be above them in forgiveness An enemy I say though otherwise to a perfidious and unworthy friend he was much of Cosmus Duke of Florence his temper who said You shall read that we are commanded to forgive our enemies but you never read that we are commanded to forgive our friends Many have in veighed against Usury none have done more against it than this Knight who if he had lived was resolved to reduce it to these Rules 1. That it should be declared unlawful 2. Being declared so if any practised it as men must do or Traffick will fall that there should be a penalty upon the Usurer which might amount to an Excise or Custom that would arise from that money if employed in merchandize 3. That yet if any exacted above five in the hundred they should lose the principal A rate that on the one hand would keep up the necessary Commerce of Lending and Borrowing among the Old and the Idle and yet direct men to that more neâ—essary of buying and improving Land and other Commodities that are more industrious and ingenious 4. That none yet presume this but in some principal places of merchandizing for then as my Lord Bacon hath projected it they will hardly be able to colour other mens money in the Country for no man will lend his money far off or put it into unknown hands Or Lastly That there be no money lent out upon terms but to the State which may make its advantage of it Indeed considering on the one hand that Usury decayeth the Kings Custom bringeth money to few hands damps Industry and Invention beats down the price of the land and by eating up private Estates breeds a publick poverty It were to be wished it were forbidden And on the other That Borrowers trade most that No usury no young Merchants that Without usuâ—y men must sell their Estates at under-rates more sad than usury that No borrowing no living no usury no borrowing It were wished it were regulated so that the inconveniences of it were avoided and the advantages retained and extortâ—on be checked as Traffick is encouraged Thus he that hath no private care advanceth the publick Good and the childless man is most thoughtful for Posterity Certainly the best Works and of greatest merit for the Publick have proceeded from the unmarried or the childless man who both in affection and means have married and endowed the Publick He that hath Wife and Children hath given Hostages to Fortune For they are Impediments either to Vertue or Mischief A fat man in Rome riding always upon a very lean Horse being asked the Reason thereof answered That he fed himself but he trusted others to feed his Horse Our Judge being asked what was the best way to thrive said Never do anything by another that you can do by your self Observations on the Life of Doctor Thomas Wilson THomas Wilson born in Lincolnshire was Doctor of Laws bred Fellow of