slept long in the arms of Fortune They were both of ancient blood and of Forraign extraction They were both of strait and goodly stature and of able and active bodies They were both industrious assiduous and attentive to their ends They were both early Privie Counsellours and employed at home in the secretest and weightiest affairs in Court and State They were both likewise Commanders abroad in Chief as well by Sen as by Land both Masters of the Horse at home both chosen Chancellours of the same University namely Cambridge They were both indubitable strong and high-minded men yet of sweet and accostable nature almost equally delighting in the press and affluence of Dependants and Suiters which are always the Burres and sometimes the Briers of Favourites They were both married to very vertuous Ladies and sole Heirs and left issue of either Sex and both their Wives converted to contrary Religions They were both in themselves rare and excellent examples of Temperance and Sobriety but neither of them of Continency Lastly after they had been both subject as all Greatnes and Splendor is to certain obloquies 〈◊〉 their actions They both concluded their earthly felicity in unnaturall ends and with no great distance of time in the space either of Life or Favour Observations on the Life of Sir Jeffery Fenton SIr Jeffery Fenton born in Nottinghamshire was for twenty seven years Privy-Counsellour in Ireland to Queen Elizabeth and King James He translated the History of Francis Guicciardine out of Italian into English and dedicated it to Queen Elizabeth He deceased at Dublin October 19. 1608 and lyeth buried in St. Patricks Church under the same Tomb with his Father-in-Law Doctor Robert Weston sometimes Chancellour of Ireland It is an happy age when great men do what wise men may write an happier when wise men write what great have done the happiest of all when the same men act and write being Histories and composing them too For these men having a neerer and more thorow-insight to the great subjects of Annals than men of more distant capacities and fortunes are the onely persons that have given the world the right notion of Transactions when men of lower and more pedantique spirits trouble it onely with more heavy Romances Give me the actions of a Prince transcribed by those Historians who could be instruments The best History in the world is Caesar's Commentaries written by him and translated by Edmonds with the same spirit that they were acted Xenophon and Thucydides whose pens copied their Narratives from their Swords Tacitus Malvezzi Machiavel Comines Moor Bacon Herbert and Burleigh who writ the affairs of former Ages with the same judgement that they managed those of their own In a word an History written by such a Courtier as Guicciardine and translated by such a Counsellor as Fenton Diamond onely can cut Diamond the great onely expresse the great a person that hath a sight of the Intelligence Negotiations Conferences and inward transactions of States is one from whom I expect a more exact Chronicle of this age than yet this Nation hath been happy in Observations on the Life of Doctor Fletcher GIles Fletcher brother to Richard Fletcher Bishop of London was born in Kent as I am credibly informed He was bred first in Eaton then in Kings Colledge in Cambridge where he became Doctor of Law A most excellent Poet a quality hereditary to his two sons Giles and Phineas was sent Commissioner into Scotland Germany and the Low-Countreys for Queen Elizabeth and her Embassador into Russia Secretary to the City of London and Master of the Court of Requests His Russian Embassie to settle the English Merchandize was his Master-piece to Theodor Juanowich Duke of Muscovia He came thither in a dangerous juncture of time viz. in the end of the year 1588. First some Forreiners I will not say they were the Hollanders envying the free Trade of the English had done them bad offices Secondly a false report was generally believed that the Spanish Armado had worsted the English Fleet and the Duke of Muscovy who measured his favour unto the English by the possibility he apprehended of their returning it grew very sparing of his smiles not to say free of his frowns on our Merchants residing there However our Doctor demeaned himself in his Embassie with such cauriousnesse that he not onely escaped the Dukes fury but also procured many priviledges for our English Merchants exemplified in Mr. Hackluit Returning home and being safely arrived at London he sent for his intimate friend Mr. Wayland Prebendary of St. Pauls and Senior fellow of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge Tutor to my Father from whose mouth I received this report with whom he heartily express'd his thankfulnesse to God for his safe return from so great a danger for the Poets cannot fancy Vlysses more glad to be come out of the Den Polyphemus than he was to be rid out of the power of such a barbarous Prince who counting himself by a proud and voluntary mistake Emperour of all Nations cared not for the Law of all Nations and who was so habited in blood that had he cut off this Embassador's head he and his friends might have sought their own amends but the question is where he would have found it He afterwards set forth a Book called The Russian Common-wealth expressing the Government or Tyranny rather thereof wherein saith my Author are many things most observable but Queen Eliz. indulging the reputation of the Duke of Muscovy as a confederate Prince permitted not the publick printing of that which such who have private Copies know to set the valuation thereon Observations on the Life of the Lord Mountjoy THe Lord Mountjoy was of the ancient Nobility as he came from Oxford he took the Inner-Temple in his way to Court whither no sooner come but without asking had a pretty strange kinde of admission He was then much about twenty years of age of a brown hair a sweet face a most neat composure and tall in his person so that he coming to see the fashion of the Court was spied out by the Queen and out of the affection she bare to the very sight of his face received him into favour upon the first observation whereof she professed that she knew there was in him some noble blood He was one that wanted not wit and courage for he had very fine attractions and being a good Scholar yet were they accompanied with the retractives of bashfulnesse and a natural modesty There was in him an inclination to Arms with an humour of Travelling and as he was grown by reading whereunto he was much addicted to the Theory of a Soldier so was he strongly invited by his Genius to the Acquaintance of the Practick of the War which were the causes of his excursions for he had a Company in the Low-Countreys from whence he came over with a noble acceptance of the Queen but somewhat restlesse in honourable thoughts he
Integrity when he could not with a safe conscience keep it he with a contented minde parted with it being honoured with the Barony of Leez and enriched with the Western Abbies it being the Prudence of that time to interest the Nobility in the Papal Revenues that so they might be engaged against the Authority R. Rich Lord Chancellour saith my Author then living in Great St. Bartholomews though outwardly concurring with the rest began now secretly to favour the Duke of Somerset and sent him a Letter therein acquainting him with all passages at the Council-board subscribing the same either out of haste or familiarity with no other Direction save To the Duke enjoyning his servant a new Attendant as newly entred into his Family safely to deliver it The man made more haste then good speed and his Lord wondring at his quick return demanded of him where the Duke was when he delivered him the Letter In the Charter-house said the servant on the same token that he read it at the Window and smiled thereat But the Lord Rich smiled not at the Relation as sadly sensible of the mistake and delivery of the Letter to the Duke of Norfolk no great friend of his and an utter enemy to the Duke of Somerset Wonder not if this Lord rose early up the next morning who may be presumed not to have slept all night He hieth to the Court and having gotten admittance into the Bedchamber before the King was up fell down on his knees and desired that his Old Age might be eased of this burthen some Office pleading that there ought to be some preparatory intervals in States-men between their temporal business and their death in order to which he desired to retire to Essex there to attend his own Devotions Nor would he rise from the ground till the King had granted his Request And thus he saved himself from being stripped by others by first pulling off his own cloaths who otherwise had lost his Chancellours place for revealing the secrets of the Council-board There are few places so impregnable but Nature hath left in them some place or other by which they may be taken none being armed at all points so well but there is some way left whereby he may be surprized He is the strongest that hath fewest accesses He was a wise man that said Delay hath undone many for the other world Haste hath undone more for this Time well managed saves all in both But there is a Wheel in things which undoeth all those that have not a Wheel that answereth it in their Souls I mean a great capacity to comply and close with those grand Vicissitudes that with small and unobserved circumstances turn round the World which this great Man was Master of who had his eye upon the turns flexures and poynts of things and business and his state and interest ready to correspond He knew when to proceed when to make a stand and when to retire It 's said of Grandees That they are the first that finde their own Griefs and the last that finde their faults Our Lord was quick in both and hath taught us this That certainly men of great fortunes are strangers to themselves and while they are in the puzzle of business have no time to tend the welfare either of Body or Soul and that they must withdraw from this world before they retire into another For Illi mors gravis incubat qui notus nimis omnibus ignotus moritur sibi There are no more Remarques of this Noble Personage than that he was the Father of this Apophthegme Well done if warily and Great Grand-father to the present Earl of Warwick Observations on the Life of Sir John Mason HE had his Birth at Abingdon and his Education at Oxford His Birth commended him to All-Souls and his Breeding to the Court His Study was like his Inclination rather active then contemplative his present thoughts foreseeing and providing for his future Employments But Industry and Parts may prepare a man it is opportunity and occasion that must advance him and never had a man fairer opportunity never made a man better use of it None but Mr. Mason would the University pitch upon to complement Henry the Eighth none but Mr. Mason could please him although he was as great a Scholar as he was a King and as much an Humorist as both as he was inclined so he studied as he studied so he writ not with a Pedants impertinence but a Statesmans prudence so elegant was his Latine that a Critick would have advanced him Professor so various his Learning that Cranmer would have preferred him Prebend and yet so grave and wise the matter and composure of his speech that the King designed him a Statesman When King Henry the Eighth came to Oxford Sir John is deputed to congratulate his coming who considering that a man cannot every day speak to Kings contrived saith my Author the matter of his speech most manlike politick and pertinent the phrase of it polite and majestick so that what with his comely presence his becoming carriage his flowing expression his graceful elocution he gained that applause from the Court and University that the one was as eager to have him as the other was loth to part with him the University was proud of him but King Henry commanded him and disposeth of him in forreign parts to adde practi 〈…〉 experience to his speculative studies It was the excellent way of that time to pick out the choice youths of both Universities and maintain then some years abroad to make such Observations as might render them serviceable at home Dwelt with Books he had long enough now he must converse with men and open his recluse and retired soul to a practicable and social temper by debonairness and freedom too long mewed up with study and melancholy Think and speak he could very well already now he must learn to act and live Books furnished Travel must enlarge and settle his soul Four things made a Statesman in those dayes 1. The University and good Letters 2. The City and Converse 3. The Court and Freedom of spirit 4. Travel and Observation It was the politick Discipline of those days to select saith mine Author the pregnancies of either Vniversity and breed them in forreign parts for publick Employments Agreeable whereunto Mr. Mason is sent beyond sea with Instructions to guide him and a Pension to support him With Order 1. To keep exact correspondence with the Secretary at home 2. To entertain 1. the most eminent Scholar who might represent the Church 2. the ripest Undersecretary who might decipher to him the â—tate 3. the ablest Souldier and Seaman that might open to him the Interest of both Nations 3. To take an exact account of the Havens Forts Cities Avenues Passages Ways Treasure and Interest of the place he lives in 4. To follow the respective Embassadors Directions in every Court 5. To appear in each place upon any solemnity Civil
t not been for the man that said nothing meaning Secretary Peter Neither was he better at keeping his own counsel then at discovering other mens as appeared by the intelligence he had that the Emperour had sent Ships to transport the Lady Mary into Germany in case the King would not allow her the practice of her Religion though three men knew not that Designe in the German Court whereupon he fetched her to Leez and thence under the notion of preparing for Sea-matters he sent over five thousand pounds to relieve the Protestants Active he was about the Will in compliance with his duty to King Edward but as nimble in his intelligence suitably to his Allegiance to Queen Mary whom he assisted in two Particulars 1. In making the Match 2. In searching the bottom of Wiat's Insurrection therefore 1. When the Church-lands went against her conscience Sir William peter must be sent for 2. When the Pope sent another Legate to turn out Pool he must be sent for who advised her to forbid him this Land as she very resolutely did As serviceable was he to Queen Elizabeth till his Age not being able to go through the difficulties and his Conscience being impatient of the severities of those busie and harsh times he retired to Essex where his Estate was great and his Charity greater both which he bequeathed his Son John who was by King James made Baron of Writtle in that County Observations on the Life of Cardin 〈…〉 Pool HIs Extraction was so high that it awakene 〈…〉 King Henry the Eighth's Jealousies and his Spirit so low that it allayed i 〈…〉 When he reflected on his Royal Relation he w 〈…〉 enjealousied to hard thoughts of restraint and security when he observed his modest Hopefulness he was obliged to those more mild of Education and Care as more honourable than the other and a safe Religion and Study would enfeeble that Spirit to quiet contemplation which more manlike exercises might ennoble for Business and Action It was but mewing him up in a study with hopes of a Mitre and there would be no danger of his ambition to the Crown The Privacies of the School and Colledge made him a stranger to the transactions of Court and he was to follow his Book that he might not understand himself His preferments were competent to content him and yet but mean to expose him Three things concurred to his escape from King Henry's Toyl 1. His Relations ambition that could not endure he should be wrapped in Black that was born to be clothed in Purple 2. His own Inclination to adde Experience to his Learning 3. The Kings Policy to maintain him abroad who could not safely keep at home No sooner arriveth he at Paris than the Pope ca 〈…〉 esseth him as a person fit to promote his Interest The House of York supports him as one that kept 〈…〉 p their Claim and the general Discontent crieth him up as one that was now the Hope of England and might be its Relief That he might not come short of their Expectation or his own Right his large capacity takes in the Learning of most Universities observeth the way of most Nations and keeps correspendence with all eminent men The first of these improved his Learning the second his Experience the third his Converse The Marquess of Exeter the Lord Mountacute Sir Nicholas Carew Sir Edward Nevil Sir Geoffery Poole would have made him a King but to gain him a Crown they lost their own Heads and Pope Julius made him a Kings Fellow but he was never Head of this Church since he put the Red Hat on this Cardinal The King had him declared for a Traytor in England and he him excommunicated for a Heretick at Rome His Friends are cut off by the King at home and the Kings Enemies cherished by him abroad But Princes are mortal though their hatred not so For before the Kings death he would needs be reconciled to Pool and as some thought by him to Rome wherefore he sends to him now in great esteem in Italy desiring his opinion of his late Actions clearly and in few words Glad was Pool of this occasion to dispatch to him his Book de Vnione Eeclesiarum inveighing against his Supremacy and concluding with an advice to Henry to reconcile himself to the Catholick Church and the Pope 〈…〉 Head thereof Our King having perused this a 〈…〉 knowing it could not lie hid in Italy though P 〈…〉 had promised not to publish it sends for him b◠Post to come into England to explain some Passag 〈…〉 thereof but Pool knowing that it was declar 〈…〉 Treason there to deny the Kings Supremacie refused desiring the King nevertheless in Letters to him and Tonstal to take hold of the present time and redintegrate himself with the Pope whereby he might secure his Authority and advance it with the honour of being the cause of a Reformation of the Church in Doctrine and Manners King Edward is King of England and the Cardinal like to be Pope of Rome keeping pace with the Royal Family He Head of the Church Catholick They of that in England But King Edward's weakness of Body suffered him not long to enjoy his Throne and the Cardinals narrowness and easiness of spirit suffered him not at all to sit in his chair For upon Paul the Third's death the Cardinals being divided about the Election the Imperial part which was the greatest gave their voice for Cardinal Pool which being told him he disabled himself and wished them to chuse one that might be most for the glory of God and good of the Church Upon this stop some that were no friends to Pool and perhaps looked for the place themselves if he were put off layed many things to his charge among other things That he was not without suspition of Lutheranism nor without blemish of Incontinence but he cleared himself so handsomely that he was now more importuned to take the place then before and therefore one night they say the Cardinal came to him being in bed and sent word they came to adore him a circumstance of the new Popes Honour but he being waked out of his sleep and acquainted with it made answer That this was not a work of darkness and therefore required them to forbear until next day and then do as God should put in their mindes But the Italian Cardinals attributing this put-off to a kinde of stupidity and sloth in Pool looked no more after him but the next day chose Cardinal Montanus Pope who was afterwards named Julius the Third I have heard of many that would have been Popes but could not I write this man one that could have been one but would not But though he would not be Pope of Rome yet when Mary was Queen he was one of England where he was Legate and if it had not been for the Emperour had been King For as soon as she was in the Throne of England he was sent for out
John had a moving beauty that waited on his whole Body as that standing one doth upon the Face and Complexion Such a grace and comeliness waited on his Noble Meen as exacted a liking if not a love from all that beheld him A midling Clarity and quickness is best in Wine that is neither too thick upon the Lees nor yet too quick our Knights comportment and carriage was neither dull nor vapouring neither gross nor affected but of a becoming temper at equal distance with the Clown and the Pedant what 's contemptible and what 's invidious 3. But both these were set off with his Person of a middle stature neither tall to a formidableness nor short to a contempt straight and proportioned vigorous and active with that pure blood and spirits that flowed and flowred within his swelling Veins and disposed him to those natural and innocent those manly and noble Exercises of Dancing c. Dancing I say which he was not exquisite in for that is vanity nor ignorant of for that 's meanness but a graceful exercise wherein he was carelesly easie as if it were rather natural motion then curious and artificial practising which endeared his severer Vertues to that place where the worth that riseth must be complaisant and pleasing as well as serviceable and useful But the favour which proceeds from personal grace and comeliness although it seem to be doubly united yet it is that which is soonest dissolved and dissipated there being nothing so inconstant as mens humours which not onely change through Ages but also by some small occasion or accident which may arise Sir John therefore brought himself into Court by what humoured but kept himself in there by those things that did oblige him and stood not upon his Majesties pleasure but his Interest adding to his more aiery Courtships more solid Employments From the softer Court therefore we must follow him to the Camp and that before Terwyn where we finde him daring and active 1. In skirmishing the French every day 2. In recovering the red Gun overthrown in a Lane from 10000 French under the Earl St. Paul as General with 250 resolute Reformades under himself but Captain although he was once taken Prisoner as before Calice where he redeemed himself from the Officer that had taken him for 250 Crowns on condition he would conduct him safe from the French Quarter as the man did until they were gone so far that Sir John takes him Prisoner compelling him to the Reimbursement of his money with 200 Crowns more to be bestowed on the Common Souldiers As severely active was he at the siege of Tournay as the oldest Souldier and yet as innocently pleasant at the Mask there as the youngest Courtier One of the sixty he was that went with the King to cut off the Passage between that City and the Army and one of the eleven that went with his Majesty to entertain the Ladies at Lisle From serving one King in France he had the honour as it was thought to kill another in England I mean James of Scotland and challenge a third in Paris The same thing raised him that advanced Wolsey for he being sent to Maximilian after Treasurer Napbant had brought him to Court dispatched his business so soon that the King chid him for not being gone when he was returned and withal asked him Whether he had seen the Post that he had sent after him about a circumstance that had escaped him He answered He met him in his return but he had presumed to adde that particular of his his own head for which he asked his Majesties pardon and had his favour too for the Deanery of Lincoln and the Almonership Sir John was commanded with 1500 men to cut off the Convoy to Terwyn which he performed with that speed and success that when the King saw him he said I I Sir John while we are fooling the Town is relieved So it is indeed said he for I have sent them 2000 Carcases and they have spared me 1200 Wagons of Provision I but said the King I sent after you to cut off the Bridge Dreban That replyed the Knight was the first thing I did wherefore I am upon my knees for your Majesties grace and pardon Nay then said the King by Lady thou hast not my pardon but my favour too He is the man for a Princes service whose minde is present and prudence is ready to meet with suddain occasions and accommodate unexpected emergencies The first effect of that favour was his Nomination for one of the sixteen that answered the French Challenge at the Lady Mary's Marriage at Paris November 7 1513. which shewed his man-hood and how valiant he was The second was that he was one of the Forty five that were to be about his Majesty at the instant of his Interview with the King of France at Guisnes which was an Argument of his presence and how goodly a man he was The third was that he was one of the Twenty two that with the Earl of Surrey Lord Admiral and Sir William Fitz-Williams Vice-Admiral proposed that secret and therefore successful Designe upon Britain under pretence of Scowring the Narrow Seas for now he is as good in the Sea as he had been in the Field for which he and eight more of his fellow-Captains Sir Joh. Cornwallis c. are Knighted by the aforesaid Lord Admiral which speaks him a Sea-man and indeed one of a general capacity The fourth was the great Trust his Majesty reposed in him when he was sent in disguise to widen the difference that was newly broken out between the Duke of Bourbon the High Constable of France and the French King which he managed so well that the discontented Duke declares for the Emperour and the King of England to the great encouragement of the English the satisfaction of his Majesty and the success of his Designe upon Anchor Boungard Bray and other places where Sir John shewed himself as active now as he was before cunning as much surpassing the French Spirit in action as he had over-reached their Prudence in Negotiation But in vain was it to serve that King unless a man obliged the Cardinal he that courts the Virgin Mary must not neglect her little Saints him he attended in his second Journey to France first to honour and then to serve him And now after his decease when King Henry had done the work of mercy which was most proper for himself as being most popular upon the Lincolnshire Rebels he deputed the Duke of Suffolk Sir Francis Briâ—ns and Sir John Russel to perform that of Justice which is most distastful wherein yet he behaves himself with that exactness that the Country was very well pleased and the King as well satisfied insomuch that we finde our Knight now called from a Commander in the Field to be Controller at Court where he managed his Masters Expences thriftily reduced his Family discreetly reformed his followers effectually and filled up his
Moderation preserves in it Men come down by Domineering Haste undoeth that which a just Delay ripeneth Our Wise man would say Stay a little and we will have done the sooner An Estate evened with these thoughts endureth It 's an excellent Motto Nolo Minor me timeat despiciat ve Major 3. Humility shuns Honour and is the way to it The purest Gold is most Ductile It 's commonly a good Blade that bends well The Reed that bends and is whole is better then the strong Oak that not bending breaks 4. There is no such prevalent Work-man as Sedulity and Diligence A man would wonder at the mighty things which have been done by degrees and gentle augmentations Patience Diligence and Moderation are the common steps to Excellency It 's for Omnipotence to do mighty things in a moment but degreeingly to grow to Greatness is the course he hath left for Man Observations on the Life of Walter Devereux Earl of Essex WAlter Devereux was by his Mothers side born to and by his Soveraigns favour possessed of the Earldom of Essex His Spirit was as the time martial and active equally impatient of rust in his Soul and in his Sword Forreign Countreys bred then those Souldiers that England employed The University made a Scholar the Court a Man and Flanders the Souldier His Actions brought him to the presence and his Presence commended Him to the Heart of Queen Elizabeth But the shadow doth not more naturally attend the Sun then Envy doth Favour Since he must rise it s contrived he should rise so high that he must fall Yet he might have lived longer it was thought if his Wife had not there more favour then himself Abraham was afraid of and Sir Walter was undone by his Sarah's Beauty This is certain he was no sooner in his Grave than the same great man whom he declared his Enemy at his Death was his Successor in his Marriage-Bed Ambitious was he of the Irish Service and subtle were others to fill up his Sayls so wide as to be over-turned at once diving into and ruining him by his Humour Weary was he of the Court and weary as he observed was that of him In comes Leicester in this juncture and advanceth him to the Soveraign Honour of maintaining an Army at his own charge and the Royalty of Claudboy in Vlster the first he knew would as it fell out undo him the other was the Bears skin when he could catch kill and fley it and the whole plot was but the supplanting of him out of a real Estate in England and Wales to an imaginary one in Ireland Over he goeth with as splendid a Retinue of Kindered Friends supernumerarie Voluntiers as his Son to the same Service or his Grandson to one more unhappy Sir William Fitz-William's Jealousie heard of his Parade and his Industry out-reached him so far that all that preparation amounted to no more honour than to have been commissioned after much importunity and attendance by him nor to any more advantage than the bare Government of Vlster Little good did he in Vlster now under the discouraging and heartless impressions of discontent less in the South of Ireland whither he was remanded by the Deputy whose design was not to see how successfully he would conquer but how dutifully he would obey in six months time spending 4000 l. to ruine himself But alas in vain doth he conquer who was always forbid to pursue and improve his Victory no sooner did his Fortune favour him in one place but he was called to his Misfortune in another for no sooner doth he by experience and acquaintance with the situation of any Place the humour or interest of any People the weaknesses and strengths of any Enemy the advantages or disadvantages of any Undertaking ripen circumstances towards success but he is called off to a new and unacquainted scene of action where he shall lose his Army before he knoweth how to employ it His friends at Court grew few and cold his foes many and active his affronts continual to disorder him by passion or sink him in despair His Commission was but short before but is none now onely three hundred men stick to him his Money failing his Noble Followers withdrawing his Common Souldiers mutiny and he is recalled And happy had he been could he have been quiet but nothing would compleat some mens Designes but his Ruine and nothing could ruine him but Honour that at once pleased his humour and wasted his Estate Earl-Marshal of Ireland he is made and thither he goeth in great state to die anno 1576 and the 36 of his Age a year fatal to that Family which none of them exceeded but the last who had been 〈…〉 ppy if he had died sooner or lived longer then he did Although Sir Walter Devereux had not that success over others which his Valour deserved yet he had that conquest of himself that Vertue onely gives shewing himself as good at the Buckler as at the Sword at suffering as well as acting All his changes from without he bore with none within his even and solid minde that fashioned its own fate enjoying its constant calm amidst all the tempests of malice and ambition Those ignoble courses were not greater Arguments of his Enemies narrowness and degeneracy then his resolved Patience was of his largeness and generousness of spirit he being as much above those smaller tricks as they were below his Adversaries We make our selves more Injuries then are offered us and the apprehension of wrong doth more harm then the smartest part of the wrong it self It 's the Wise-mans glory and the States-mans prudence to pass by Offences A Fool struck Cato in the Bath and when he was sorry for it Cato had forgot it for saith Seneca Melius putavit non agnoscere quam ignoscere Light Injuries are made none by a not-regarding which with a pursuing Revenge grow both to heighth and burden and live to mischief us when they might die to secure us It 's Princely saith one to disdain a Wrong who when Embassadours have offered Undecencies use not to chide but deny them audience as if silence were the way Royal to revenge a Wrong The upper Region is most composed The wisest Rage the least knowing that Observation and Resentâ—ent do but provoke and encourage that Malice which neglect and silence deads and dissipates And it was Sir Walter 's Fathers Maximâ— That Discontent was the greatest weakness of a generous Soul which is always so intent upon its unhappiness that it forgets its remedies This Lord was a great instance of that Maxime That it 's an equal mischief to distrust all as to believe all although of the two the safest is to distrust for Fear had secured this Noble Person while Confidence ruined him it being a Vertue onely when men were innocent but ever since the bane of those that own it Three things undid this Earl 1. That he could not imagine he was to be ruined
but his spirit greater He taught England the Majesty of Honest Dealing the Interest of being Religious He looked deep into men and Counsels and found no Wisdom without Courage no Courage without Religion and Honesty with which solid and active reaches of his I am perswaded saith my Lord Brooks he would have found or made a way through all the Traverses even of the most weak and irregular times Although a private Gentleman he was a publick Good of a large yet uniform disposition so good that the great Monarch might trust so great that a little one must fear him something he did for Fame most for Conscience His publick spirit which might have enjealoused the cautious wisdome of other Princes promoted the concerns of his own He was sent to complement Rodalph but he dealt really with the Protestant Princes and raised a Ceremony to a piece of Interest He shewed that long-breathed and cautious people that imminent danger from Romes Superstition joyned with Spains Power their private confederacies and practices their cruelty and designe which awaked their drowzie wariness into an association for Conscience and Religion more solid as he demonstrated then a Combination out of Policy He went against the stream and current about the French Match which he disswaded from the consequent inconveniencies of Engagements and charge to England and the little advantage from France backing his Argument with a late experience and so staying Queen Elizabeths Match by some reflexions on Queen Mary's which was A five years Designe or Tax rather then a Mrriage adding withal That in a Forreign Match besides the unequalness and danger of it when a strange Prince hath such an influence on our Constitution the different Religion would make the Queen either quit the reputation of a good Protestant or the honour of an obedient Wife Ten ways he laid down a Forreign Prince might endanger our Religion by 1. Opposing and weakning the reverend Fathers of our Church 2. By disgracing her most zealous Ministers 3. By Latitude and Connivance 4. By a loose and too free a behaviour steering mens Consciences which way he pleased and setting up indifferency 5. By decrying Customes and Statutes and enhansing Proclamations to the Authority of Laws 6. By provoking the English with French Oppressions 7. By entrenching on the British Liberties with Gallicane Prerogatives 8. By breaking our League and Correspondence with other Protestant States 9. Frighting our Queen to a Complyance 10. And at last attempting the Protestant cause He would say to his â—â—end the Lord Brooke That if the Netherlands joyn with France they are terrible to Spain if with Spain they are dreadful to France if with us they support the Reformation if they stand on their own legs they are too strong to be forced to Pyracy He though a private person opposed her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in that Affair with that sincerity with that ingenuity that freedome that duty and peaceableness that angered and pleased her His Opinion was not more against her humour then his Manage of it was to her minde in which Affair when most were hood-winked with ignorance and many captived with fear he enjoyed the freedome of his own thoughts with dayly access to her Majesty hourly converse with the French and constant respect from the people None more dutiful to his Soveraign then Sir Philip none more resolute against Eucroachers upon Gentlemen and Freemen none more dear to the whole State which when he had designed Sir Francis Drake's second Voyage and stollen to him at Windsor commanded his stay by an Earl and for his sake the whole Fleets although his stay disturbed and his death destroyed his most exact Model for the Conquest of America the exactest Europe ever saw A Conquest not to be enterprized but by Sir Philips reaching spirit that grasped all circumstances and commanded all interests on this side the Line When his great Soul could not improve Europe he considered it and made that the Field of his mediation that could not be the stage of his Actions England he saw so humoursome and populous that it was to be refined with War and corrupted with Peace Her interest was he said to balance Neighbor-Princes France he observed weak and effeminate the Empire enslaved and secure the Hanses too big Rome subtle and undermining Spain crept to the Power and Councils of Europe the Protestant Princes enjealoused and distrustful Poland divided Denmark strong Sweden invironed or imprisoned the Muscovite distressed and ignorant the Switz enemies yet servants to Monarchs a dangerous body for the soul of any aspiring Monarch to infuse defignes into the Princes of Italy awed by their Superiours and cautious against their equals Turkie asleep in the Seraglio but Spain all this while Master of Rome and the wisest Council or Conclave in the Word Lord of the Mines of America and the Sword of Europe Concluding that while the Spaniard had Peace Pope Money or Credit and the World Men Necessity or Humours the War could hardly be determined upon this Low-Country-stage And that there were but two ways to conquer Spain the one That which diverted Hannibal and by setting fire on his own House made him draw his spirits to comfort his heart The other that of Jason by fetching away his Golden Fleece and not suffering any one quietly to enjoy that which every man so much affected The assistance of Portugal the surprize of Cales her key and Seviâ— her treasure the drawing in of other Well-willers the command of the Sea an exact Intelligence the Protection of Rochel Brest Bourdeaux or some other distressed Protestant to balance the over-mytred Countries the encouragement of religious or ambitious Roytolets to advance and secure themselves the engaging of the French and Spaniards a League with Venice and the Maritime States some temptations to Italy to remove their French and Spanish Garisons an opportunity to recover Sicily some insinuations to the Pope of the Austrian Greatness the setting up of the World in an Aequilibrium the invasion of America removing the diffidence overpoyzing the Neutrality and working upon the Complexions of Kings and Kingdomes was this young but great mans designe An Expedition to the Indies he would perswade with these motives 1. That Honour was cheaper abroad then at home at Sea then at Land 2. That the Spanish Conquests like the Jesuites Miracles made more noise at distance then nearer hand 3. That the Indians would joyn with the first Undertaker against their cruel Masters 4. That Spain was too far for supply 5. That the Spaniard was Undisciplined and trusted more to the Greatness of his Name then to Order Policy or Strength 6. That England was populous 7. That it was an Action complyant with the present Humour and not subject to Emulations 8. That it would either cut off the Spanish treasure or make it chargeable 9. And at last set up a Free Trade by Sea open a great Door to Valour or Ambition for new Conquests and
lost the love of King Charles living many years in his disfavour But such as are in a Court-cloud have commonly the Countreys Sun-shine and this Peer during his Eclipse was very popular with most of the Nation It is seldome seen if a Favourite once broken at Court sets up again for himself the hap rather than happiness of this Lord the King graciously reflecting on him at the beginning of the Long Parliament as one best able to give him the safest Counsel in those dangerous times But how he incensed the Parliament so far as to be exceped pardon I neither do know nor dare enquire Sure I am that after the surrender of Exeter he went over into France where he met with that due respect in Foreign which he missed in his Native Countrey The worst I wish such who causelesly suspect him of Popish inclinations saith my Author is that I may hear from them but half so many strong Arguments for the Protestant Religion as I heard from him who was to his commendation a cordial Champion for the Church of England This Family hath been much talked of this last forty years though all that I can say of it is this that great spirits large parts high honours penned within narrow Estates seldome blesse their owners with moderation or the places they live in with peace Oservations on the Life of the Lord Spencer HEe was the fifth Knight of his Family in an immediate succession well allied and extracted being descended from the Spencers Earls of Gloucester and Winchester In the first year of the Reign of King James being a moneyed man he was created Baron of Wormeleiton in the County of Warwick He had such a ready and quick Wit that once speaking in Parliament of the valour of their English Ancestors in defending the Liberty of the Nation returned this Answer to the Earl of Arundel who said unto him Your Ancestors were then keeping of Sheep If they kept Sheep yours were then plotting of Treason But both of them were at present confined but to the Lord Spencer the Upper-House ordered Reparations who was first and causelesly provoked This Lord was also he who in the first of King James was sent with Sir William Dethick principal King of Arms to Frederick Duke of Wirtenbergh elected into the Order of the Garter to present and invest him with the Robes and Ornaments thereof which were accordingly with geat solemnity performed in the Cathedral of Studgard And this was the Lord that when the Earl of Bristol charged the Duke of Buckingham started up and demanded Is this all you have to say against the Duke The Earl replyed Yes my Lord and I am sorry it is so much Then quoth the Lord Spencer If this be all Ridiculus mus and so sate down again The End of the Observations upon the Lives of the Statesmen and Favourites of England in the Reign of King James THE STATES-MEN and FAVOURITES OF ENGLAND IN The Reign of King Charles I. Observations on the Life of the Duke of Buckingham NAture bestowed on him an exact comliness his Mother a noble education not so much to study as converse His Travels to France carriage and experience About which times he falls into intrinsecal society with Sir Job Greham then one of the Gentlemen of his Majesties Privy-Chamber who I know not upon what Luminaries he espyed in his Face disswaded him from Marriage and gave him rather encouragement to wooe Fortune at Court than court it in the City Which advice sank well into his fancy for within some while the King had taken by certain glances whereof the first was at Apthorpe in a Progresse such liking of his Person that he was resolved to make him a Master-piece and to mould him as it were Platonically to his own Idea Neither was his Majesty content onely to be the Architect of his Fortune without putting his gracious hand likewise to some part of the work it self Insomuch that it pleased him to descend and to avale his goodnesse even to the giving of his foresaid friend Sir John Greham secret directions how by what degrees he should bring him into favour His own parts and observation gained him prudence and discretion His Family and Ancestors in Leicester-shirt gentility and repute so that there wanted nothing but Interest to set him up a Courtier Sir Thomas Compton who had married his Mother supplyed him with the one and the Earls of Bedford Pembrook and Hertford who would eclipse Somerset helped him to the other For those three Lords meeting one night at Baynards-Castle and commanding Somerset's picture should be abused in their way next day Sir Thomas Lake leads him into Court buying him the Cup-bearers place A while after the Countess of Bedford ushereth him to the Presence-Chamber entering him a Bed-chamber-man and the Earl of Pembrook supports him untill he was a Favourite The Courtiers wished him well because he was an English-man the Nobility favoured him because a Gentleman the Ladies have a kindnesse for him because the exactest Courtier in Christendome the King observes him much for his compleat body more for his pregnant parts and the States-men now consulting Somerset's removal and finding King James his good nature loth to leave the bosome of one Minion until he had reposed himself in another made it their plot to advance him His carriage was free and debonair his passions even and smooth and one saith carried in his pocket his nature noble and open his temper industrious and inquisitive his intellectuals clear and capable his minde tractable and docible his spirit resolute and undaunted The first month he comes to Court he takes place above all his fellows and being removed with some affront by a creature of Somerset's gives him a box on the car an action that gave him and his friends a seasonable occasion of a Contest with Somerset and him a clear conquest over him Somerset as Chamberlain would have cut off his hand and he as Favourite was like to have cut off his head This new Favourite riseth all are weary of Somerset the first Minion all welcome the second The King is first his Tutor and then his Patron instructing him before he employed him Three sorts of studies he engaged him in the first was for delights in private Retyrements the second for ornament in Discourse the third for ability in Businesse He had Princely apprehensions of the principles and Maximes of Government a distinct notion of all his Affairs an excellent way to make use of other mens Abilities and these incomparable Rules from my Lord Bacon which were transcribed in his Life Sir In the first place I shall be bold to put you in minde of the present condition you are in You are not onely a Courtier but a Bed-chamber-man and so are in the eye and eare of your Master but you are also a Favourite The Fourite of the time and so are in his bosome also The world hath so voted you
at Law the first of February 1626. 〈◊〉 on the eighth day following was sworn Lord Chief-Justice of the Kings-Bench succeeding in that Office next save one unto his Country-man Sir James Ley than alive and preferred Lord Treasurer born within two miles one of another and next of all under Sir Francis Crew lately displaced Now though he entred on his Place with some disadvantage Sir Randal being generally popular and though in those dayes it was â—ard for the same Person to please Court and Countrey yet he discharged his Office with laudable integrity until 1631. Prudence obligeth Princes to refer the management of affairs to persons who have the reputation of extraordinary hoâ—esty especially to the transacting of such things which notwithstanding their innate justice may provoke any evill spirits The most part of man-kinde guessing onely by their own senses and apprehensions judge of the affairs by the persons wh 〈…〉 conduct them Opinion guideth the world and the reputation of him that negotiateth sets a value and price upon his words and actions and the opinion which is conceived of him is so absolute 〈◊〉 Umpire that there is no appeal from his judgement Opinion is the strongest thing in the world Truth the next Observations on the Life of Sir Walter Aston HE was a Gentleman of so much diligence in the Spanish Negotiations that there were no Orders Cabals Consultations in th 〈…〉 intricate time c. he was not acquainted with 〈◊〉 so much resolution that there was not a dangerous Message in that great businesse he would nâ— deliver Of that excellent converse that therâ— was not that Minister of State in that jealous Co 〈…〉 he was not familiar with Very observant he waâ— by Don Juan Taxardoes means of the Spanish prâ—ceedings and as well skilled with the Duke 〈◊〉 Buckingham's direction in the English though yâ— he confessed himself almost lost in those Intrigue had not the Duke stood between him and the King displeasure that suspected him and the Prince 〈◊〉 jealousie that feared him He had need have steady head that looks into such depths But as 〈…〉 had an excellent faculty of excusing others mis 〈…〉 iages so he had a peculiar way of salving his 〈◊〉 being advantaged with a great foresight a 〈◊〉 reservedness and a ready spirit Few understood better the Importance of the 〈…〉 glish Trade with Spain None pursued more diâ—gently its priviledges and freedom tracing most the secret Counsels and resolutions so closely at he was able with his industry and money to 〈◊〉 an account of most proceedings In the ma 〈…〉 gement whereof he resigned himself to the 〈…〉 ke's disposal professing to own no judgement 〈…〉 affection but what was guided by his direction 〈◊〉 own words are these Vntil I know by your Gra 〈…〉 favour by what compasse to guide my course I can 〈◊〉 follow his Majesties revealed will And the 〈…〉 ke's answer this You desire me to give you my opinion My ancient acquaintance long custome of lo 〈…〉 you with constancy of friendship invites me to 〈…〉 you this office of good will My Lord of Bristol shuffled the Cards well but 〈◊〉 Walter Aston playd them best The first set a 〈…〉 ign but the second pursued it being happy an humble and respectâ—uâ— carriage which open 〈…〉 the breast and unlocked the hearts of all men 〈…〉 him He that looked downward saw the Stars in 〈…〉 water but he who looked onely upward could 〈…〉 see the waters in the Stars Indeed there was in his countenance such a 〈…〉 one of sweetnesse and his words had so power 〈…〉 a charm set off with so agreeable and taking â—â—avity that the respect due to him was not lost in 〈◊〉 love he had deserved nor the love he attained to abated by the respect he commanded being one that had and gave infinite satisfaction in the Negotiations he engaged in Wherein among other things he would urge how unpolitick and unsuccessful it is for the Spanyard to meditate a conqueâ— of Europe where all his Neighbours oppose him rather than Asia where they would all joyn with him out of Interest and Conscience both to securâ— him from France and carry him towards Turkey at whose doors his friend the Emperour was ready to attaque them upon any Mutiny or Rebellion then frequent among them whose strength sai 〈…〉 Machiavel lyeth more in Tradition than in any real Truth Considering the contrary complexions of the people in point of Interest and Religion that can admit of no considerable coalition upon the approach of a Foreign impression Observations on the Life of Sir Julius Caesar SIr Caesar's Father being Physitian to Q 〈…〉 Elizabeth and descended of the ancient Family of the Dalmarii in Italy then living a Tottenham neer London This his Son was bred 〈◊〉 Oxford and after other intermediate preferments was advanced Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancâ—ster and sworn a Privy-Councellor on Sunday th 〈…〉 sixth of July 1607. and afterwards was preferreâ— Master of the Rolls A Person of prodigious bouâ—ty to all of worth or want so that he might seeâ— to be Almoner-general of the Nation The story is well known of a Gentleman who once borrowing his Coach which was as well known to poor people as any Hospital in England was so rendevouz'd about with Beggars in London that it cost him all the money in his purse to satiâ—fie their importunity so that he might have hired twenty Coaches on the same terms Sir Francis Bacon Lord Verulam was judicious in his Election when perceiving his Dissolution to approach he made his last Bed in effect in the house of Sir Julius He continued more then twenty years Mr. of the Rolls and though heaved at by some Expectants sate still in his Place well poysed therein with his gravity and integrity Vir tantarum Elâ—emosynarum non movebitur a man of so great Alms and Prayers made by him and for him shall not be removed Nor was it without a prosperous Omen that his chief House in Hartfordshire was called Benington that is Villa benigna the bountiful Village as one Author will have it or as another Villa beneficii the Town of good turns from the River so named running by it His Arms were these viz. Gules three Roses Argent on a Chief of the first so many Roses of the second embleming the fragrancy of the Memory he hath left behinde him His Monument in great St. Hellens London being out of the road of ordinary Fancies was thus designed by himself in form of a Deed in ruffled Parchment in allusion to his Office as Master of the Rolls OMnibus Christi fidelibus ad quos hoc praesens Scriptum pervenerit Sciatis me Julium Dalmare alias Caesarem Militem utriusque legis Doctorem Elizabethae Reginae Supremae Curia Admiralitatis judicem unum 〈◊〉 Magistris libellorum Jacobo Regi ae Privatis Conciliis Cancellarium Scaccarii Scriniorum Magistrum hac praesenti Charta mea Confirmasse me
Vice but he thought below him and no Vertue which he esteemed not either his duty on ornament Neither was his prudence narrower than his virtue nor his virtue streighter than his fortune His main service was his inspection into the Intrigues and Reserves of the Parliamentiers at Vxbridge and his cajoling of the Independants and Scots at London where the issue of his Observations was That the King should as far as his conscience could allow comply with the unreasoble desires of an illimited ambition to make it sensible of the evils that would flow from its own Counsels being confident as events have assured us that the people would see the inconvenience of their own wishes and that they would return that power which they sought for but could not manage to its proper place before it became their-ruine for unbounded Liberty overthroweth its self But alas it was too late to grant them any thing who by having so much were onely encouraged more eagerly to desire what they knew the King in honour could not give For when a Prince is once rendred odious or contemptible his Indulgences do him no lesse hurt than injuries As his services were great so were his Recreations useful Hunting that manly Exercise being both his pleasure his accomplishment his accomplishment I say since it is in the list of Machiavel's rules to his Prince as not onely the wholsomest and cheapest diversion both in relation to himself and his People but the best Tutor to Horse-manship Stratagems and Situations by which he may afterwards place an Army what-ever Sir Sidney's apprehension was who used to say Next hunting he liked hawking worst Observations on the Life of the Lord Chief-Justice Banks SIr John Banks his Parents perceiving him judicious and industrious bestowed good breeding on him in Grayes-Inne in hope he should attain to preferment wherein they were not deceived For after he was called to the Bar for some years he solicited Suits for others thereby attaining great practical experience He afterwards might laugh at them who then did smile at him leaving many behind him in Learning whom he found before him in time until at last he was Knighted by King Charles made first his Attorney then Chief-Justice of the Common-Pleas dying in the middest and heat of our Civil Dissentions He ordered by his Will that his Body should be buried under some plain Monument at the discretion of his Executors and after an Epitaph mentioning the severall Places he had held this Motto to be added Non nobis Domine non nobis sed Nomini tuo da Gloriam By his said Will he gave to the value of thirty pound per ann with other Emoluments to be bestowed in pious Uses and chiefly to set up a Manufacture of course Cottons in the Town of Keswick He was one whom the Collar of S S. S. worn by Judges and other Magistrates became very well if it had its name from Sanctus Simon Simplicius no man being more seriously pious none more singly honest When Sir Henry Savile came to Sir Edward Cook then at bowls in Arch-Bishop Abbot's behalf and told him he had a Case to propose to him Sir Edward answered If it be a Case in Common-Law I am unworthy to be a Judge if I cannot presently satisfie you but if it be a point of Statute-Law I am unworthy to be a Judge if I should undertake to satisfie you without consulting my Books Sir John Bankes though ready without his Books on the Bench yet always resolved Cases out of them in his Chamber answerable to his saying to Dr. Sibs A good textuary is a good Lawyer as well as a good Divine His invention was prompt and ready his apprehension sure and solid his memory capacious and retentive his knowledge in the Law and the inward reasons of it profound his experience in affairs of State universal and well laid patient he was in hearing sparing but pertinent in speaking very glad always to have things represented truly and clearly and when it was otherwise able to discern through all pretences the real merit of a Cause He was a man of singular modesty of the ancient freedome plain-heartednesse and integrity of minde Very grave and severe in his deportment yet very affable in such sort that as Tacitus saith of Agrippa Illi quod est rarissimum nec facilitas authoritatem nec severitas amorem diminuâ—â— And in a word so even and circumspect he was in the several turnings and occasions of his life that though he went himself and brought over as many as he had any interest in to the King I finde him under no extraordinary displeasure from the Rebels and I observe but one unhappinesse in his whole life and that is that all men speak well of him Observations on the Life of Sir Tho. Edmonds THe Trophees of Miltiades would not let Themistocles sleep nor the Courts-advancements of his Relations this Gentleman to sit still having both Livie's qualifications for an eminent man a great spirit and a gallant conduct for actions a sharp wit and a fluent tongue for advice Whence we meet with him Comptroller of the Kings Houshold at home and his Agent for Peace abroad equally fit for businesse of courage and resolution and for affairs of Councel and complement I think it was this Gentleman who foreseeing a Contest likely to ensue between the English and the Spanish Embassadors to the first whereof he belonged went to Rome privately and fetched a Certificate out of the book of Ceremonies which according to the Canon giveth the rule in such cases shewing that the King of England was to precede him of Castile a good argument because ad homines wise men having always thought fit to urge not what is most rational in its self but what all circumstances considered is most conrincing Sir Thomas Edmonds used to puzzle the Catholicks about six Records 1. The original of Constantine's grant of Rome to the Pope 2. St. Marke's grant of the Adriatique Guiph to Venice 3. The Salique Law in France 4. The Instrument whereby King John passed away England to the Pope 5. The Letter of King Lucius And 6. The Ordinal of the Consecration at the Nags-head Neither did he perplex them with these Quaeries more than he angered the Faction with his Principles Tertio Car. I. 1. That the King was to be trusted 2. That the Revenue was to be setled 3. That the Protestant cause was to be maintained 4. That Jealousies were to be removed and things past were to be forgotten Observations on the Life of Sir Paul Pindar HE was first a Factor then a Merchant next a Consul and at last an Embassador in Turkey Whence returning with a good purse and a wary Headpiece he cast about what he might do to gratifie K. James and the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury most and finding them much pleased with acts of Charity and Piety he repaired the Entry Front and Porches of St. Paul's Cathedral to
to the buildding of Audley-End as might displace his Father An Apothecaries boy giveâ— the first and a servant that carried the money the second both whom he surprized with the Spanish proverb Di mentura y sacaras verdad Tell a lye and finde a truth Indeed the natures and dispositions the conditions and necessities the factions and combinations the animosities and discontents the ends and designs of most people were clear and transparent to this watchful man's intelligence and observation who could do more with King James by working on his fear than others by gratifying his pleasure When I observe how close and silent he was at the Council-Table it puts me in minde of the man that gave this reason why he was silent in a Treaty and Conference Because said he the Enemy might know that as there are many here that can speak so here is one that can hold his peace Observations on the Life of Sir Francis Bacon SIr Francis was born where we are made men bred where we are made States-men being equally happy in the quicknesse of the City and politeness of the Court He had a large minde from his Father and great abilities from his Mother his parts improved more than his years his great fixed and methodical memory his solid judgement his quick fancy his ready expression gave high assurance of that profound and universal knowledge and comprehension of things which then rendered him the observation of great and wise men and afterwards the wonder of all The great Queen was as much taken with his witty discourses when a School boy as with his grave Oracles when her Counsel learned He was a Courtier from his Cradle to his Grave sucking in experience with his milke being inured to policy as early as to his Grammar Royal Maximes were his Sententia Puerilis and he never saw any thing that was not noble and becoming The Queen called him her young Lord Keeper for his grave ingenuity at seven years of age and he could tell her Majesty be was two years younger for her happy Reigne At twelve his industry was above the capacity and his minde above the reach of his Contemporaries A prodigy of parts he must be who was begot by wise Sir Nicholas Bacon born of the accomplished Mrs. Anne Cook and bred under the wise learned and pious Doctor Whitgift His strong observations at Court his steady course of study in the University must be improved by a well contrived Travell abroad where his conversation was so obliging his way so inquisitive his prudence so eminent that he was Sir Paulet's Agent between the Juncto of France and the Queen of England He allayed the solidity of England with the Ayre of France untill his own Affairs and the Kingdomes service called him home at his Fathers death to enjoy a younger Brothers estate and act his part Policy was his business the Law was onely his livelyhood yet he was so great a States-man that you would think he only studied men so great a Scholar that you would say he onely studied Books Such insight he had in the Law that he was at thirty her Majesties Advocate such his judgement that he was the Student of Grayes-Inn's Oracle so generous and affable his disposition that he was all mens love and wonder He instilled wholsome precepts of Prudence and Honour to Noble-men particularly the Earl of Essex to whom he was more faithful than he to himself Great principles of Arts and Sciences to the learned noble Maximes of Government to Princes excellent rules of Life to the Populacy When his great Patron Essex sunk he was buoyed up by his own fleadiness and native worth that admitted him to the Qu own presence not onely to deliver matter of Law which was his profession but to debate matters of State which was his element his judgement was so eminent that he could satisfie the greatest his condescention so humble that he instructed the meanest his extraordinary parts above the modell of the age were feared in Queen Elizabeths time but employed in King James his Favour he had in her Reign but Trust onely in his It 's dangerous in a factious Age to have my Lord Bacon's parts or my Lord of Essex his favour Exact was his correspondence abroad and at home constant his Letters frequent his Visits great his Obligations moderate and temperate his Inclination peaceable humble and submissive his minde complying and yielding his temper In Queen Elizabeths time when he could not rise by the publick way of service he did it by that more private of Marriage and other commendable Improvements whereby he shewed a great soul could be rich in spight of Fortune though it scorned it in point of Honour In the House of Commons none more popular none more zealous none so knowing a Patriot In the house of Lords none more successfully serviceable to the Crown the easie way of Subsidies was his design in Queen Elizabeths time the union with Scotland was his contrivance in King James's His make and port was stately his speech flowing and grave each word of his falling in its place the issue of great reason when conceived and of great prudence when expressed so great skill he had in observing and contriving of occasions and opportunities in suiting of Humours and hitting of Junctures and Flexures of Affairs that he was in his time the Master of speech and action carrying all before him The Earl of Salisbury saith Sir Walter Rawleigh was a good Orator but a bad Writer the Earl of Northampeon was a good Writer but a bad Orator Sir Francis Bacon excelled in both Much he said he owed to his Books more to his innate Principles and Notions When he thought he said he aimed more at Connexion than Variety When he spake he designed rather the life and vigour of expression and perspicuity of words than the elegancy or order of phrase His axiome was Words should wait on things rather than things on words and his resolution was That all affected elegance was below the gravity and majesty of a publick discourse He rather judged Books and Men than either read or talked with them His Exercises were man-like and healthful his Meditations cohaerent his Table temperate and learned where his great Discourses were the entertainment and he himself the treat resolving Cases most satisfactorily stating Questions most exactly relating Histories most prudently opening great Secrets most clearly answering Arguments and replying most familiarly and speaking what he had thorowly weighed and considered most effectually All matters and speeches came from him with advantage so acute and ready his wit so faithful his memory so penetrating his judgement so searching his head so large and rational his soul My Lord of Salisbury said he had the clearest prospect of things of any man in his age and K. James said That he knew the method of handling Matters after a milde and gentle manner His Religion was rational and sober his spirit publick
his love to Relations tender to Friends faithful to the hopeful liberal to men universal to his very Enemies civil He left the best pattern of Government in his actions under one King and the best principles of it in the Life of the other His Essays and History made him the admiration of polite Italy his Accomplishments the wonder of France Monsieur Fiat saying to him after an earnest desire to see him That he was an Angel to him of whom he had heard much but never saw him Solid and juycy Meat was his Diet and Rubarb his Physick four hours in the morning he made his own not by any means to be interrupted businesse was his fate retyrement his inclination Socrates brought Morality from Discourse to Practice and my Lord Bacon brought Philosophy from Speculation to Experience Aristotle he said taught many to dispute more to wrangle few to finde out Truth none to manage it according to his principles My Lord Bacon was a man singular in every faculty and eminent in all His Judgement was solid yet his memory was a wonder his Wit was quick yet his Reason staid his Invention was happy yet methodical and one fault he had that he was above the age he lived in above it in his bounties to such as brought him Presents so remembring that he had been Lord-Chancellour that he forgot he was but Lord Verulam Great his understanding and great his minde too above it in his kindnesse to servants to whom he had been a better Master if he had been a worse and more kinde if he had been lesse indulgent to them For the first of his Excesses King James jeered him in his progress to New-market saying when he heard he gave ten pounds to one that brought him some Fruit My Lord my Lord this is the way to Beggars-bush For the second he reflected upon himself when he said to his servants as they rose to him in his Hall Your rise hath been my fall Though indeed he rather trusted to their honesty than connived at their falshood for he did impartial Justice commonly to both parties when one servant was in fee with the Plaintiff and the other with the Defendant How well he understood his own time his Letters and complyances evidence than whom none higher in spirit yet none humbler in his Addresses The proudest man is most servile How little he valued wealth appeareth in that when his servants would take money from his Closet even while he was by he would laugh and say I poor men that is their portion How well he kenned the art of Converse his Essayes discover a piece as he observed himself that of all his Works was most current for that they come home to mens businesse and bosomes How far skilled in the Art of Government his H. 7. War with Spain Holy War Elements of the Law irrefragably demonstrate and how well seen in all Learning his Natural History and Advancement of Learning answerably argue In a word how sufficient he was may be conjectured from this instance that he had the contrivance of all King James his Designs untill the Match with Spain and that he gave those Directions to a great States-man which may be his Character and our conclusion Onely be it observed that though this peerlesse Lord is much admired by English-men yet is he more valued by Strangers distance as the Historian hath it diminishing his faults to Foreigners while we behold his perfections abated with his failings which set him as much below pity as his Place did once above it Sir Julius Caesar they say looking upon him as a burden in his Family and the Lord Brooke denying him a bottle of small beer Observations on the Life of the Lord John Digby JOhn Lord Digby of Sherborn and Earl of Bristol was a younger Son of an ancient Family long flourishing at â—â—leshull To passe by his younger years all children being alike in their Coats when he had onely an Annuity of fifty pounds per annum onely his youth gave pregnant hopes of that Eminency which his mature age did produce He did ken the Embassador's craft as well as any in his age employed by King James in several Services to Foreign Princes recited in his Patent as the main motives of the Honours conferred upon him But his managing the matchlesse Match with Spain was his Master-piece wherein a good I mean a great number of State-Traverses were used on both sides Where if he dealt in Generalities and did not presse Particulars we may ghesse the reason of it from that expression of his I will take care to have my Instructions perfect and will pursue them punctually If he held Affairs in suspence that it might not come to a War on our part it may be he did so with more regard to his Mr. King James his inclination than his own apprehension If he said That howsoever the businesse went he would make his fortune thereby it rather argued his weaknesse that he said so his sufficiency that he could do so than his unfaithfulnesse that he did so This is certain that he chose rather to come home and suffer the utmost displeasure of the King of England than stay in Spain and enjoy the highest favour of the King of Spain He did indeed intercede for some indulgeuce to the Papists but it was because otherwise he could do no good for the Protestants But whatever was at the bottom of his Actions there was resolution and noblenesse atop especially in these actions 1. Being carried from Village to Village after the King of Spain without that regard due to his person or place he expressed himself so generously that the Spanish Courtiers trembled and the King declared That be would not interrupt his Pleasures with businesse at Lerma for any Embassador in the world but the English nor for any English Embassador but Don Juan 2. When impure Scioppius upon his Libel against K. James and Sir Bennet's complaint to the Arch-Duke against him fled to Madrid my Lord observing that it was impossible to have Justice done against him from the Catholique King because of the Jesuites puts his Cousin George Digby upon cutting him which he did over his Nose and Mouth wherewith he offended so that he carried the mark of his Blasphemy to his Grave 3. When he was extraordinary Embassador in Germany upon his return by Heydelbergh observing that Count Mansfield's Army upon whom depended the fortune of the Palsgrave was like to disband for want of money he pawned all his Plate and Jewels to buoy up that sinking Cause for that time That his spirit was thus great abroad was his honour but that it was too great at home was his unhappiness for he engagaged in a fatal Contrast with the Duke of Buckingham that hazarded both their safeties had not this Lord feared the Duke's power as the Duke this Lord's policy and so at last it became a drawn Battle betwixt them yet so that this Earl