State-Worthies OR THE STATES-MEN And FAVOURITES OF ENGLAND Since the Reformation Their PRUDENCE and POLICIES SUCCESSES and MISCARRIAGES ADVANCEMENTS and FALLS During the Reigns of King HENRY VIII King EDWARD VI Queen MARY Queen ELIZABETH King â—AMES King CHARLES â— The Second Edition with Additions LONDON Printed by Thomas Mâ—lbourâ— for Sâ—â— Speed in Thread-needle-street neer the Royal-Exchange 1670. TO The HOPE of ENGLAND It s Young Gentry Is most humbly Dedicated The HONONUR of it It s ANCIENT STATESMEN A Renowned Ancestry TO An Honourable Posterity Whitehall BY permission and License of the Right Honourable Mr. Secretary Morice This Book may be Printed and Published Jo Cook TO THE READER Courteous Reader FOr bestowing some vacant hours by that excellent Personages direction to whom I am equally obliged for my Employment and my Leasure in an attempt so agreeable to the Lord Verulam's judgment which may be seen in the next page and so pursuant of Sir Robert Naunton's designe which may be traced in the following Book Another person's abilities might have gained applause and my weakness may deserve an excuse notwithstanding my years if yet any man be too young to read and observe or my profession if yet a Divine should not as times go be as well read in Men as Books Especially since I gratifie no man's fondness writing not a Panegyrick but an History Nor pleasure any persons malice designing Observations rather than Invectives Nor tyre any man's patience setting down rather the remarkes of mens publick capacities than the minute passages of their private lives but innocently discourse the most choice instances our ENGLISH Histories afford for the three great Qualifications of men 1. Noblenesse in behaviour 2. Dexterity in business and 3. Wisdome in Government among which are twenty eight Secretaries of State eight Chancellours eighteen Lord Treasurers sixteen Chamberlains who entertain Gentlemen with Observations becoming their Extraction and their hopes touching 1. The rise of States-men 2. The beginning of Families 3. The method of Greatness 4. The conduct of Courtiers 5. The miscarriages of Favourites and what-ever may make them either wise or wary The Chancellour of France had a Picture that to a coâ—mon eye shewed many little heads and they were his Ancestorsâ— but to the more curious represented onely one great one and that was his own It 's inâ—ended that this Book should to the vulgar Reader express several particulars i. e. all this last Ages Heroes but to every Gentleman it should intimate onely one and that is himself It 's easily imaginable how unconcerned I am in the fate of this Book either in the History or the Observation since I have been so faithful in the â—irst that is not my own but the Historians and so careful in the second that they are not mine but the Histories DAVID LLOYD The Lord Bacon's Iudgment of a Work of this nature HIstory which may be called just and perfect History is of three kinds according to the object it propoundeth or pretendeth to represent for it either representeth a Time a Person or an Action The first we call Chronicles the second Lives and the third Narrations or Relations Of these although the first be the most compleat and absolute kind of History and hath most estimation and glory yet the second excelleth it in profit and use and the third in verity and sincerity For history of Times representeth the magnitude of Actions and the publick faces or deportments of persons and passeth over in silence the smaller passages and motions of Men and Matters But such being the workmanship of God as he doth hang the greatest weight upon the smallest wyars Maxima è minimis suspendens it comes therefore to pass that such Histories do rather set forth the pomp of business than the true and inward resorts thereof But Lives if they be well written propounding to themselves a person to represent in whom actions both greater and smaller publick and private have a commixture must of necessity contain a more true native and lively representation I do much admire that these times have so little esteemed the vertues of the Times as that the writing of Lives should be no more frequent For although there be not many Soveraign Princes or absolute Commanders and that States are most collected into Monarchies yet are there many worthy personages that deserve better than dispersed Report or barren Elogies For herein the invention of one of the late Poets is proper and doth well inrich the ancient fiction For he feigneth that at the end of the thread or web of every mans Life there was a little Medal containing the person's name and that Time waiteth upon the Sheers and as soon as the Thread was cut caught the Medials and carried them to the River Lethe and about the bank there were many Birds flying up and down that would get the Medials and carry them in their beak a little while and then let them fall into the River Onely there were a few Swans which if they got a Name would carry it to a Temple where it was consecrate THE TABLE A Pag. SIr Thomas Audly 72 Fiz-Allan Earl of Arundel 415 Master Roger Ashcam 613 Arch-Bishop Abbot 746 Sir Edmund Anderson 803 Bishop Andrews 1024 Sir Walter Aston 932 Sir Robert Armstroder 951 Philip Earl of Arundel 953. B. CHarles Brandon Duke of Suffolk 27 Sir Thomas Bollen 137 Edw. Stafford D. of Bucks 159 Sir Anthony Brown 164 Sir David Brook 386 Sir John Russel 1 E. of B. 442 Sir John Baker 460 Sir Will. Cecil L. Burleigh 473 Arch-Bishop Bancroft 704 Sir Nich. Bacon 470 Thomas Lord Burge 591 Sir Thomas Bromley 609 Sir Richard Bingham 612 Tho. Sackvil L. Buckhurst 677. Sir Fulke Grevil L. Brook 727 Sir Thomas Bodley 805 John L. Digby E. of Bristol 838 G. V. Duke of Buckingh 843 Sir Francis Bacon 828 Sir John Bramston 926 Lord Chief-Iustice Banks 960 C. ARch-Bishop Cranmer 35 T. Cromwel Earl of Esâ—ex 57 Sir William Compton 145 Sir Thomas Cheyney 466 Sir John Cheek 191 Sir William Cordel 369 Sir Anthony Cook 373 Sir W. Cecil L. Burleigh 473 Sir Thomas Challoner 534 Sir James Crofts 569 Cliffords Earls of Cumberland 721 Sir R. Cecil E. of Salisbury 730 Sir George Calvert 750 Sir Arthur Chichester 753 L. Cranfield E. of Mid. 778 Sir Robert Cary 794 Doctor Richard Cosin 817 Lord Chief Justice Cook 820 Lord Cottington 906 Sir Dudly Carleton 910 Lord Conway 919 Sir Julius Caesar 934 Earl of Carnarvan 1014 The Cary's Lords Viscounâ—s Faulklands 938 Lord Capel 1021 Sir John Culpepper 1042 Sir Georgâ— Crook 949 James Hay E. of Carlisle 774 Sir Thomas Coventry 978 Sir John Cook 944 L. Herbert of Cherbury 1017 D. SIr Thomas Darcy 130 T. Grey Marquess of Dorset 152 Dudly D. of Northumberland 420 W. Devereux E. of Essex 486 Edward Earl of Derby 547 Sir William Drury 558 Doctor Dale 564 Sir James Dier 595 Secretary Davison 624 Sir G. Hume E. of Dunb 740 Sir
of his suits to him but when in hast and most commonly amusing him with other matter until he passed his Request His Actions were managed for applause as well as service for when made Sergeant he was the first of eleven his Entertaining-Day was the last oâ— six The King who paid for his Dinner was invited to it He watched the Circumstances of his Actions that they might be Taking as well as their â—ssue that they might be Useful and contrived that the least of his publick actions should come off with reputation He followed the most passable rather then the most able men living in a time when active men were more useful than the virtuous Sir Thomas at once gratified the present humour of the Kiâ—g and the constant temper of the people in six Bills against the Clergy 1. Against the Extortions of their Courts 2â— The Exaction of their Corps and Mortuaries 3. Their worldly Occupations as Grazing Tanning c. 4. Merchandize 5. Their Non-Residencies 6. The Pluralities of the â—gnorant and the mean Salaries of the Learned When in some Debates between the Lords and Commons Custome was urged Sir Thomas replied The usage hath ever been for Thieves to rob at Shooters â—ill is it therefore lawful He brought the Clergy within a Praemunire to awe them and aâ—terwards in their pardon he and other members included their own which the knowing King would not pass when it was demanded as of right yet afterwards granted it of his own accord when it was received as of Grace When Sir Thomas More could not act with the times Sir Thomas Audley could the One being weary of the Seal the other takes it being made Lord Keeper in Sir Thomas his life-time and Lord Chancellour after his deathâ— owning no Opinion against the Government of England nor any Design against its Interest The King might well trust him with his Conscience when he trusted the King with his owning no Doctrine but what was established ever judging the Church and State wiser than himself He was forced to take Q. Anne but he would not condemn her rather escaping than refusing unwelcome employments wherein he must either displease his Master or himself He was tender but not wilful waving such services dexterously wherein he must oppose his Master dangerously Those Insurrections which others rigor had raised his Moderation allayed breaking the Factions with Indulgence which might be strengthned with Opposition Câ—omwel pulled down Popery with his Power Audlâ—y kept it down with his Policy enjoining the Preachers to deâ—ect the follies of that way which is reckoned the wisdom of this World He had a moderate way to secure the priviledges of Parliament by freedom from Arrests and the good will of the Citizens by an Order about debts By these courses he died as much in the Kings favour as he lived Patience can weather out the most turbulent Age and a solid Judgement the most inâ—â—icate times The reserved and quiet man is the most secure Activity may raise a man Wariness keep him up If he had done nothing he had not been seen if he had done much he had nor been suffered Between two extreams Audley could do well Tâ—easure of Arms and Arts in whom were set The Mace and Books the Court and Colledge met Yet both so wove that in that mingled throng They both comply and neither neither wrong But pois'd and temper'd each reserv'd its seat Nor did the learning quench but guide the Heat The Courtier was not of the furious strain The hand that acts doth first consult the brain Hence grew commerce betwixt Advice and Might The Scholar did direct the Courtier right And as our Perfumes mixt do all conspire And twist their Curles above the hallowed fire Till in that Harmony of Sweets combin'd We can nor Musk nor single Amber finde But Gums meet Gums and their delights so crowd That they create one undistinguish'd Cloud So to thy minde these rich Ingredients prest And were the Mould and Fabrick of thy brest Learning and Courage mixt and temper'd so The Stream could not decay nor overflow And in that equal Tide thou didst not bear From Courage Rashness nor from Learning Fear â— Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Wiat. SIr Thomas Wiat was born at Allington-Castle in the County of Kent which afterwards he repaired with beautiful Buildings He fell out off his Master King Henry the Eighth his favour about the business of Queen Anna Bullein till his industry care discretion and innocence freed him Very ingenioâ—s he was or as his Anagram â—â—lls us he was A * Wit in the abstract Cambden saith he was Eques auratus splendide doctus Holy he was and heavenly minded and that appears by his translation of David's Psalms into English Metre and Leland gives him this great Commendation Bella suum merito jactet Florentia Dantem Regia Petrarchae Carmina Roma probat His non inferior Patrio Sermone Viatus Eloquii secum qui decus omne tulit Let Florence fair her Dante 's justly boast And Royal Rome her Petrarchs numbred feet In English Wiat both of them doth coast In whom all grateful Eloquence doth meet This Knight being sent Ambassador by K. Henry the eighth to Charles the fifth Emperour then residing in Spain before he took Shipping died of the Pestilence in the West-Country Anno 1541. Queen Anne's favour towardâ— him raised this man and his faithfulness to her ruined him So fickle is that mans station that depends only on humour or holds off love and hatred Let my friend saith Malvezzi bring me in but let my merit and service keep me there Four things a man went to Dine with Sir Thomas Wiat for 1. For his Generous Entertainment 2. For his free and knowing discourse of Spain and Germany an inâ—ight in whose interest was his Master-piece studied by him as well for the exigence of that present juncture as for his own satisfaction 3. For his quickness in observing his civility in entertaining his dexterity in employing and his readiness in encouraging every mans peculiar parts and inclinations 4. For the notice and favour the King had for him So ready was he to befriend worthy men and so ready was the King to entertain his friend that when a man was newly preferred they said He had been in Sir Thomas Wiat's Closet Happy is the Prince that hath a â—aithful Favourite to look him out serviceable men and happy those useful persons that have a familiar and honest Favourite by whom they may have access to the Prince a Favourite that serves not his Country so much by employing and pleasing its active members as he secures his King who hath no less need of Counsel in reference to men then things His Wit pleased the King and his Wisdome served him He could not be without his Advice at the Council-table nor without his Jests in his Presence-chamber where yet he observed his decorum so exactly that his Majesty could by no means win
There remains but little of the first in his Majesties hands so honourable was he in restoring it and as little in his Successors so religious and just were they in resigning it to the same use for substance to which it was at first designed But in vain it is to reform Laws unless we reform persons too therefore as he sent Orders to reduce the Irish Nobility in their several Countâ—ies so he sent for themselves to the respective Houses built for them by his Majesty near Dublin to be civilized in the Court Caesar came saw and overcame Sir Anthony came saw and setled A man had thought there had not been so much corâ—uption in the Romish Church as to admit Children to Church-Livings for which Men are hardly sâ—fficient but that Sir Anthony St. Leiger was forced to make this Law That no Children should be admitted to Benefices We had not known this sin had not the Law said You shall not invest any under sixteen years of age in Benefices The Clergy he found there too many and the Nobility too few he lâ—ssened the number of the one to weaken the Pope and improved the other to strengthen his Master of whom they held not only their Estates but their Baronies too as obliged to duty in point of Honour as well as in point of Interest But in vain doth he civilize the present Generation and neglect the future as therefore he provided Cities for the Parents so he erected Schools for the Children that the one might forget their Barbaâ—ism and the other never know it Three things he said would settle a State 1. Good God-fathers and God-mothers performing their Vows 2. Good Housholders overlooking their Families 3. And good School-masters educating Youth this last the most useful though the most contemptible profession All War was mischievous to learning Arts as well as Laws being suppressed by armes the Muses Lawrel is no security to them against Mars his Thunder except Sr. Anthonies no mans Library being embezled no mans study interrupted reserving learning for the Civilizing of that Nation which his armes had Conquered An Athenian being asked what God was said He was neither Bow-man nor Horse-man nor Pikeman nor Footman but one that knew how to command all these Sir Anthony St. Leiger was neither Souldier nor Scholar nor Statesman yet he understood the way how to dispose of all these to his Countries service and his Masters honour being all of them eminently though none of them pedantickly and formally in himself The Athenians as Anaximander said had good Laws but used them ill our Deputy had bad Laws but governed by good It was thought by many wise men that the preposterous rigour and unreasonable severity which some men carried there before him was not the least incentive that kindled and blew up into horrid flames the sparks of discontent which wanted not pre-disposed fuel in that place where despair was added to their former discontents and the fears of utter extirpation to their wonted oppressions It is too easie to provoke a people too prone to break out to all exorbitant violence both by some principles of their Religion and their natural desires of Liberty both to exempt themselveâ— from their present restraints and prevent after-rigours wherefore he was inclined to that charitable connivence and Christian indulgence which often dissipates their strength whom rougher opposition fortifieth and puts the oppressed Parties into such Combinations as may most enable them to get a full revenge on those they count their Persecutors who are commonly assisted by that vulgar commiseration which attends all that are said to suffer for Religion or Liberty To conclude this Four things Sir Anthony St. Leiger was eminent for 1. That there was none more grave in Council than he in the morning none more free at Table at noon none more active in the after-noon none more merry at night 2. That his Orders were made but slowly so wary he was but executed quickly so resolute he was too 3. That he contrived all his Designs so well beâ—orehand that in the course of affairs they were done to his hand and he was the Deputy that made no noise 4. That as the Souldier finding his fiâ—st admission to Alexander to be difficult danced about the Court in an Antique fashion until the strangenesâ— of the shew made the King himself Spectator and then throwing off his disguise he said Sir thus I first arrive at the notice of your Majesty in the fashion of a fool but can do you service in the place of a wise man if you please to employ me So this Gentleman came to Court a Swaggerer but went off a Statesman All Prudence is not lodged under a demure look and an austere carriage There are those that can be merry and wise whose Spirit is as lively as their Judgment solid And it s no better a Character of a wise man than it was a definition of a man which Plato made and Diogenes by shewing a deplumed Cock derided that he is a living Creature that hath two feet i. e. a grave staid carriage without feathers i. e. a nimble fancy His onely â—ault was that he was a particular instance of that general rule Qui pauca considerat facile pronunciat Observations on the Life of Sir Ralph Sadler SIr Ralph Sadler was born at Hackney in Middlesex where he was Heir to a fair Inheritance and servant to the Lord Cromwel and by him advanced into the service of King Henry the VIII who made him chief Secretary of State He was one that had much knowledg therefore much imployed in all but especially in the Intrigues of the Scots affâ—irs In the Battel of Muscleborow he ordered and brought up our scattered Troops inviting them to fight by his own Example and for his Valour was made Knight Banneret Qâ—een Elizabeth made him Chancellour of the Dutchy During his last Embassie in Scotland his house aâ— Standon in Hertfordshire was built by his Steward in his absence far greater than himself desired so that he never joyed therein and died soon after Anno 1587 in the 80 year of his Age. King Henry understood two things 1. A Man 2. A Dish of Meat and was seldom deceived in either For a Man none more compleat then Sir Ralph who was at once a most exquisite Writer and a most valiant and experienced Souldier qualifications that seldom meet so great is the distance between the Sword and the Pen the Coat of Mail and the Gown yet divided this man and his time his nights being devoted to contemplation and his days to action Little was his Body but great his Soul the more vigorous the more contracted Quick and clear were his thoughts speedy and resolute his performances It was he that could not endure the spending of that time in designing one action which might perform two or that delay in performing two that might have designed twenty A great Estate he got honestly and spent nobly knowing
had no time to transcribe Intelligence but what he borrowed from his sleep nor money to buy it but what he saved out of his allowance yet he understood more than any one Prince of Europe and was more consulted than any one Statesman His Judgment was much valued his Integrity more ever offering what was solidly safe rather than what was superficially plausible as one who was a stranger to the wisdome of the latter Age as Sir Francis Bacon describes it which is rather fine Deliveries and shifts from Inconveniences than solid and grounded courses for advantage His foresight was large and his spirit larger he considered all Circumstances that occurred to him judged what he considered and spoke what he judged with that resolution as to his opinion that argued he understood the matter in question with that modesty as to his Superiours that shewed he understood himself He would say that he that could not with the Cameleon change colour with the Aire he liveâ— in must with the Cameleon live only upon Aire Observations on the Life of Sir Edward Poynings SIr Edward Poynings was the third of eighteen Counsellours bequeathed by Henry the VII to his Son with his Kingdom a Privy Council wherein there was not one Lawyer and a Cabal that never condescended for advice to any below themselves or for performance of any of their Degrees to any beâ—ides themselves being a compleat Body of active and knowing men in their own Orb. Who more prudent than Surrey who more resolved than Poynings whose Vigilancy made him Master of the Cinque Ports as his Valour advanced him General of the Low-Country Forces whom he led on to several services with such success and brought off with the loss of not above an hundred men with Honour from the Lady Margaret and Applause from the whole Country No less happy was he in his Government of Tournay until the Council at home now 〈◊〉 thin by the secession of Warham Fox 〈◊〉 Norfolk had more need of him than Garisons aâ—road Vainly is that spirit penned within a City that was equal to a Kingdom It is the unhappiness of other Monarchies that they have not Men answerable to their Employments it was the unhappiness of this that it had not Employment suitable to its Men. He liv'd and di'd in Arms Bulloign saw him fiâ—st a Souldier and Bulloign saw him last the best Camp-Master in all Christendom always observing three things 1. The Situation of his Camp to secure his Army 2. The Accommodation of it to supply it 3. His Retreat to draw off the Avenues to be guarded with Souldiers and strengthened with Re-doubts which he made Triangular that more men might engage the Enemy at once during erection wheâ—eof the Army was pallisado'd in the Front with stakes headed with iron on both ends five foot long stuck slope-wise into the ground to keep off both Horse and Foot the Foot-Sentinels were without the Redoubts the Horse-Guards beyond them at distance enough to descry the Enemy and not too much to retire to their works A serious and plodding brow bespoke this Noble Knights deep Prudence and a smart look his resolved Valour who was a man vastly different in his publick capacity from what he was in his privâ—te employment Quemquam posse putas mores narrare futuros Dic mihi si fias tu leo qualis eris Observations on the Life of Sir Charles Somerset SIr Charles Somerset afterward Lord Herbert of Gower c. endeared himself to King H. as much for his Maxime That Reason of State was Reason of Law as for his Advice That the King should never suck at Law in case of Publique Good and yet that all â—is Acts for publique Good should come as near as possible to the Law So Popular was this Gentleman that he received all the Petitions against Empson and Dudley yet so loyal that he advised his Master neither to spare those Leeches lest any should pâ—esume to alienate his Peoples affections from him by Extortions for the future nor yet too severely to punish them lest any should be discouraged to serve the Crown for the present for indeed Empson and Dudley suffered for that which others were advanced for the Parliament punished them for putting their Laws in execution and the King deserted them for improving his Exchequer to a Treasury Two things this Lord advised his Master to before he put the Crown upon his head 1. To redress the Peoples Grievances under his Father 2. To marry not in France where he had a Title A Kingdom so near us that by reason of mutual jelousies we may have peace with it sometimes but Friendships never In the Houshold he was Lord Chamberlain so discreet his Carriage In the French Expedition Anno 1513. he was General so Noble his conduct His Assiâ—stants were the Earls of Northumberland Shrewsbury Kent and Wiltshire his Followers the Lord Audley De la Ware Carew and Curson c. Therovene he besiegeth in good Order and with Wolsey's advice who had lived long in that Town understands all the Avenues of it aâ—d with Sir Oughtred Sir Henry Guilford Sir Edward Poynings Sir Charles Brandon and Sir Alexander Baynam's assistance sprung several Mines repulsed the French Relief and the City-Assailants so that the Town was yielded August 22. 1513. and upon Mazimilian's Intreaty razed as he did Tournay September 22. Herbert was for razing this place as farther from us than Therovene but Wolsey for the Bishopricks sake is for the garisoning of it as a Trophy The King recollecting his former occasions Febr. 3. 1514. thought he could not do a more just or a more prudent Act than recompence his Noble Servants but the cheapest way I mean that of Honour as he did old Somerset with the Earldome of Worcester With this Honour at home is joyned another abroad viz. That of Embassie to Maximilian where he reached that Germans depthâ— and clearly demonstrated that those fond and impossible Offers of the Empire were but Artifices rather than Kindnesses to drain the Kings Treasure rather than enlarg his Dominions Advising him or raise a Citadel at Tournay and an Army in Normandy He finished the Espousals between the Princess Mary and the Dolphin and delivered Tournay by the â—ame token that he would not let the Mareschal de Castilion to enter with Banner displayed but rolled up it being as he said who when Lord Herbert was at the taking of it voluntarily yielded up and not gotten by Conquest and then bestowed himself with Sir Richard Wingfield for the great enterview between King Francis and King Henry an interview I know not whether more solemn or more dangerous Kings cannot meet without great state and they seldom part without much envy who never are further asunder than when they meet His most eminent Action here was the Device of that Motto Cui adhareo praeeâ—t a Motto that speaks the Honour of England and the Interest of Europe The Arbitrators commanding both
careful to maintain itâ— knowing that in vain do the brows beat the eyes sparkle the tongue threaten the fist bend and the arm strike if the belly be not fed and the back cloathed and indeed this was his Master-piece that the Queen vying Gold and Silverâ— with the King of Spain had Money or Credit when the other had neither Her Exchâ—quer saith my Author though but a Pond in comparison holding water when his River fed with a spring from the Indies was dreined dâ—y It was with his advice that that Queen paid her Obligations in Preferments rather than Money giving away not above two Largesses of that nature in her life In a word when others set in a Cloud he shined clear to his last He saw Essex dead Leicester slighted Mount-joy discountenanced and what with the Queens constant favour which lodged where it lighted and his own temper and moderation when more violent men failed he died as great a Favourite as he lived leaving his son Thomas so much Estate as advanced him to the Earldome of Exeter and his son Robert so much state-Discipline as raised him successive to be Secretary of state Master of the Court of Wards Lord Treasurer and Earl of Salisbury He was a very exact and a wary Observer of Forreign Transaction witness this passage to Sir Henry Norris Embassador in France The rare manner of your Entertainment hath moved the Queens Majesty to muse upon what score it should be being more than hath been used in like cases to her Embassadors and such as besides your own report hath been by others lately advertised And for that in such things Gueses be doubtful I pray you by your next advertise me what your self do think of it and in the mean time I know you are not untaught to judge of the difference between fair words and good deeds as the saying is Fortuna cum ad blaâ—ditur Capitum advenit His thoughts of a Rebel that submitted take in these words Of late Shane Oneal hath made means to the Lord Deputy of Ireland to be received into grace pretending that he hath meant no manner of unlawfulness towards the Queen by which is gathered that he groweth weary of his lewdness yet I think he is no otherwise to be reformed than by sharp prosecution which is intended to be followed no whit the less for any his fair Writings as reason is Of Intelligence he writes thus I doubt not but you shall have of his hand no lack of Intelligence which you must credit as you see cause by proof of the event About Embassadors Dispatches he saith He must write apart to the Secretary in matters containing trouble and business and to his Soveraign of Advice In a particular Negotiation about Pyrates he advised That the King of France and his Council might perceive that it is well known how the Pyrates are suffered to do what they will notwithstanding it be contrary to Proclamation And yet you shall so order the matter saith he to a French Ambassadour as not that you shall find fault with this manner of suffering for that ought properly to be to the Spanish or Portugal Embassador with whom you may sometime deal to understand how they do know what is done and how they do interpret it Touching the King of Scots murther he would say There are words spoken which I hold best to suppress Neither would I have you saith he to his friend utter any of these things not doubting but shortly God will cause the truth to be revealed Of an underhand Traytor he writes to his friend I pray write unto me somewhat more particularly for the proof of his trayterous speeches whereby there might be some ground made how to have him demanded Of the demanding of a Town promised in a Treaty Sir Thomas Smith went to demand Callis not that we think the Goveâ—nour will deliver it but to avoid all cavillation which they might invent for by Law it must be demanded upon the very place and being not delivered the sum of 500000 It is forfeited Mrâ— Winter shall pass secretly with him to take possession thereof if they deceive our expectation but not past three of the Council know of Winteâ—s going Concerning the unreasonable words of Princes he saith If hereof the Embassador meaning the French shall make any sinister report you may as you see cause well maintain the Queens answer to be very reasonable as having cause to mislike the manner of writing of the Queen thereon which neverthe less you may impute to the unadvisedness of the Secretary for so the Queens Majesty doth impute it Of the troubles in Scotland he observed the French made their present advantage to the damage of England and you know that Scotlaâ—d is the French King to it as Ireland is the Spanish Of Fâ—rraign News he writes to Sir Henry Norris That hâ— would be glad to have a Note of the Names of the chiefest Nobility of Frâ—nce and with whom they be married adding thereto any other thing that may belong to the knowledge of their lineage and degreeâ— as you shall think meet He writes That her Majesty being a Prince her self is doubtful to give countenance to subjects I wish saith he to have a Kalender of them who are with the Prince and also to see the Edicts that have lately passed from the King against them and that in these troublesome times wherein accidents are so diversly reported your advices were large and repeated aâ—d that we had such Articles as pass on both sides Of France he sâ—iâ—h You must think that seeing all the parts of Christendome are intentive to hear of the matters of France we cannot be careless to whom the same belongeth next of all whatsoever the end thereof shall be Of the Distractions of France thus to our Embassador in France If you told the Queen-mother so as of your own head as a thing you hear spread abroad in the world I think you mâ—ght do well and speak truly for as for the Popes Ministers their â— rofession is to prefer the Weal of their own Church before the good state of any Kingdome on earth and whatsoever come of any thing they look onely to the continuance of their own ambitious Ruling And as for other Ministers of Princes or for men of War it is a truth infallible The more they do impoverish that Monarchy of France the better they think their own Estates Of a plot discovered he writes We can truly hit no man wherefore it is necessary that you speak again with the Party that gave you this Intelligence and if the matter be of truth and not a disguising to some other purpose he can as weâ—l obtain you the knowledge of the party in certainty as thus to give a guise at him for as he hath his Intelligence of the matter which he uttered to you so may he attain to a more perfect knowledge For the Protestants he saith I pray you put them in comfort
so impetuous as to transcend the bounds of Obedience but upon the overflowing of a general Oppression Observations on the Life of Sir Nicholas Throgmorton SIr Nicholas Throgmorton fourth son of Sir George Throgmorton of Coughton in Warwickshire was bread beyond the Seas where he attained to great experience Under Queen Mary he was in Guild-hall arraigned for Treason in coâ—pliance with Wiat and by his own wary pleading and the Juries upright Verdict hardly escaped Queen Elizabeth employed him her Leiger a long time first in France then in Scotland finding him a most able minister of state yet got he no great wealth and no wonder being ever of the opposite party to Burleigh Lord Treasurer Chamberlain of the Exchequer and Chief Butler of England were his highest Preferments I say Chief Butler which Office like an empty-covered Cup pretended to some State but afforded no considerable profit He died at supper with eating of sallats not without suspicion of poyson the rather because it happâ—ned in the house of one no mean Arâ—ist in that faculty R Earl of Leicester His deaâ—h as it was sudden was seasonable for him and his whose active others will call it turâ—ulent spiâ—it had brought him unto such trouble as might have cost hâ—m at least the loss of his personal Estate He died in the 57 year of his Age Febr. 12. 15â—0 and lieth buried in the South-side of the Chanceâ— of St. Martin Cree-church London A stons and a wise man that saw through pretences and could look beyond dangers His skill in Heraldâ—y appears in his grim Arguments against the Kiâ—g of France in â—ight of his Qâ—een of Scots Usurping of the Arms of England and his experâ—ence in History in his pâ—â—emptory Dâ—clarations of thâ— Queen of Englands Title in the right of her â—welve Predecessors to tâ—ose of France But his policy much moâ—e bâ— putting Moâ—tmorency the great Enemy of the Guizes upon perswading his Master out of the humour of wearing those Arms with this Argument That it was below the Arms of Fâ—ance to be quartered with those of England those being comprehensive of these and all other of his Majesties Dominions An Argument more suitable to that Pâ—ince his ambition than convincing to his Râ—ason Wise men speak rather what is most fit than what is most rational not what demonstrates but what perswades his and takes But being endangâ—red in his person affronted in his Retinue and served with nothing at his Table but what had the Arms of England quartered with those of France he dealt underhand witâ— the Eâ—rl of Northumberland to understand the scope the Reformed propounded to themselves their means to compass what they aimed at and if at any time they were assisted upon what terms a League might be concluded between the two Kingdomes The Advices collected from all his Observations he sent to the Queen were these 1. That she should not rest in dull Counsels of what is lawful but proceed to quick Resolutions of what is safe 2. That to prevent is the policy of all Nations and to be powerful of ours England is never peaceable but in Arâ—â— 3. That how close soever they managed their Affairs it was a Maxime That France can neither be poor nor abstain from War three years together Francis Earl of Bedford bore the state of the French Embassy and Sir Nicholas the burden who gave dayly Directions to Sir Thomas Challoneâ— in Spain Sir Henry Killigrew in Germany and Sir Thomas Randolph and Siâ— Peter Mewtas in Scotland to the two first to enjealous the Princes of those Countries and to the last to unite the Nobility of Scotland he in the mean time suffering himself to be taken prisoner by the Protestants at the battle of Dreux that he might with less suspition impart secret Counsels to them and receive as secret Advices from them until discovering their lightness and unconstancy they secured him as a person too cunning for the whole Faction and too skilful in raising Hurley-burleys and Commotions When the young Queen of Scots would needs marry the young Lord Darley he told her that was long to be deliberated on which was to be done but once And when that would not do he advised 1. That an Army should appear upon the borders 2. That the Ecclâ—siastâ—cal Laws should be in force against Papists 3. That Hereford should be secured and 4. That the Lord Dudley should be advanced But the Queen being married to the Lord Darley an easie and good-natured man whom Quâ—en Elizabeth wished to her bed next Leicester and affronted by her subjects Throgmorton disputes the Queâ—nâ— Authority and non-accountableness to any against Buchanans damned Dialogue of the Peoples power over Kings until â—melling their designe of revolt to the French and cruelty upon the Queen he perswaded her to resigne her Government saying That her Resignation extorted in Prison which is a just fear was utterly void The next news we hear of this busie man was in his two Advisoes to the Queen of Scots friends 1. To clap up Cecil whom they might then he said deal with 2. To proclaim the Qâ—een of Sexs succession and in the Train he laid to serve Leicester in the Duke of Norfolks ruine But he was too familiar with that Politicians privacy to live long anno 1570 he died A man saith Mr. Cambden of great experience passing sharp wit and singular diliâ—gence an over-curious fancy and a too nimble activity like your too fine Silks or Linen and more for shew than service never blâ—ssing their Owners but when allayed with something of the heavy and the wary nor rising but when stayed Observations on the Life of Edward Earl of Derby HIs Greatness supported his Goodness and his Goodness endeared his Greatness his Heighth being looked upon with a double aspect 1. By himself as an advantage of Beneficence 2. By others as a ground of Râ—verence His great birth put him above private respects but his great Soul never above publick service Indeed he repaired by ways thrifty yet Noble what his Ancestors had impaired by neglect Good Husbandry may as well stand with great Honour as Breadth may consist with Heigth His Travel when young at once gained experience and saved expences and his marriage was as much to his profit as his honour And now he sheweth himself in his full Grandeur when the intireness of his minde complyed with the largeness of his soul. 1. In a spreading Charity Other Lords mâ—de many poor by Oppression he and my Lord of Bedford as Queen Eliabeth would jest made all the Beggers by his liberality 2. In a famous Hospitality wherein 1. His House was orderly a Colledge of Discipline rather than a palace for Entertainment his Servants being so many young Gentlemen trained up to govern themselves by observing him who knew their master and understood themselves 2. His provision Native all the Necessaries of England are bred in it rather plentiful than various solid than
degrees a Successor to his places though not to his Lands for he was a younger Brother He was first Secretary of State then Master of the Wards and in the last of her Reign came to be Lord Treasurer all which were the steps of his Fathers greatness and of the honour he left to his house For his person he was not much beholding to Nature though somewhat for his face which was the best part of his outside but for his inside it may be said he was his Father's own son and a pregnant Proficient in all discipline of State He was a Courtier from his Cradle yet at the age of twenty and upwards he was much short of his after-proof but exposed and by change of climate he shewed what he was and what he would be He lived in those times wherein the Queen had most need and use of men of weight â—nd amongst able ones this was a chief as having a sufficiency from his instructions that begat him the Tutorship of the Times and Court then the Academy of Art and Cunning â— English prudence and Counsel was at the highâ—â—â— as most exercised with Forreign dangers and Domestick practices Vast was his apprehension because so large his prospect Sir Francis Walsingham having opened the Conclave of Rome and his Father the Cabals of Spain insomuch that he knew each design in both places every Port every Ship with the Burthens whither bound what impediments for diversion of Enterprizes Counsels Resolutions as appears by his private dispatches as his manner was with those of the Councel one whereof to my Lord Mountjoy since Earl of Devonshire with whom he seasonably closed runs thus I must in private put you out of doubt for of fear I know you cannot be otherwise sensible than in a way of honour that the Spaniard will not come to you this year for I have it from my own what preparations are in all Parts and what he can do For be confident he beareth up a reputation by seeming to embrace more than he can gripe but the next year be assured he will cast over unto you some Forlorn-Hopes which how they may be re-inforced beyond his present ability and his first intention I cannot as yet make any certain judgment but I believe out of my Intelligence that you may expect their Landing at Munster and the more to distract you in several places as at Kingsale Beer-haven and Baltimore where you may be sure coming from Sea they will first fortifie and learn the strength of the Rebels before they dare take the Field This States man's character is engraven upon his honour and his portraicture drawn in his Patent for Earl of Salisbury which to many formal words hath added these effectual expressions As also for his faithfulness circumspection stoutness wisdom dexterity providence and care not onely in the great and weighty Affairs of Counsel but generally also in all other Expeditions of the Realm And indeed not a man upon the Helm of this Common-wealth understood all points of the Compass better than himself who in a stayed and calm setledness looked on the private designs that were promoted upon his Mistriss declining and privately overthrowed them and their Masters while in an uninterrupted course of integrity towards his Mistress and faithfulness to his Countrey he kept clear and succession equally careful not to enjealous his present Mistress and not to obstruct his future Master with whom he kept an honest correspondence although there goeth this story of him that a Post from Scotland meeting her Majesty upon Greenwich-heath Sir Robert Cecil in all hast would needs cut open the Packet and pretending it stunk had time to perfume it her Majesty being very curious in her smelling and convey away his own Letters be this so or so it 's certain that when assistant to the Earl of Derby in his French Embassie he promoted the young King of Scots interest against his Mothers when Sir Francis Walsingham's Colleague he defeated her Counsels against him and when principal Secretary he sounded crossed and undid the little plot that was shrowded under the great name of Essex turning and winding raising and ruining the Authors of it at his own pleasure No sooner was the Queen dead than his Messenger was with the King at Edenburgh and he himself with his Favourite Sir George Humes at York with whose assistance and honest Sir Roger Aston's mediation King Iames makes him his bosome-friend his house Theobalds his residence and his account of the English Laws Government and temper his rule Finding him but Knight and Secretary he created him Baron of Essenden Viscount Cranbourn Knight of the Garter and Earl of Salisbury He promoted him Master of the Wards and Lord Treasurer in all which capacities how vigilant he was against the Papists and their Plots their Libels which he answered in English and Latine very elegantly and wisely demonstrate how careful of the publique Treasure this Narrative shews King Iames had bestowed upon Sir Robert Carr twenty thousand pound my Lord apprehending the sum as more correspondent with his Master's goodness than his greatness with the royalty of his heart than the poverty of his Exchequer and observing his Majesty more careful of what money passed his own hands than what passed his servants contrives that the good King should go through the place where this great sum lay in silver to a treatment where demanding whose money it was and being answered that it was his own before he parted with it He understanding the design protested he was cheated and intended not above five hundred pounds and the Favourite was glad to make use of the Lord Treasurers mediation for the moyety of that great sum How industrious in the improvement of his Masters Revenue these particulars conel â—de viz. 1. A survey of the Crown-lands known before by report rather than by measure and let by chance rather than knowledge 2. A Revival of the Custody-lands Revenue by Commissioners of Asserts 3. A tarrier of Crown-wood-lands their growth and value where he numbered marked valued all the Timber hitherto unknown 4. The Commissioners he procured to look into Copy-hold-Lands Wastes and Commons 5. The Rules to forfeited Estates and extended Lands 6. The improvement of the Customs from 86000 to 135000 pounds per annum 7. The bargain about the London River-water 8. The encouragement of all English Inventions Manufactures and Trade whereby the Subjects might be employed our Commodities enhanced and our Treasure kept among our selves 9. The Plantations and Transplantations in Ireland And 10. The Reformation of the Court of Wards in the poynt of disposing of Orphans These services advanced him to great honour and to as great envy the popular effects whereof no man could have escaped but one whose soul was immoveable temper calm thoughts deep apprehensions large and resolution great to engage vulgar Errors rather by the greatness of his Actions than the eminence of his Interest
though Issuless by the Judge the Honour descended to his Grand-child He died an enemy to Bishop Williams over-ruling all his Pleas in his Chamber in a quarter of an hour and yet which was strange at that time no friend to Arch-Bishop Laud for he said The Lawn-sleeves had choaked him Observations on the Life of Sir Tho. Coventry A Competent Estate he had for his education and excellent Abilities for advancement his â—ortune was not wanting to his parts nor his parts to his fortune the one being as ready to support as the other was to raise him His staid soul was well prepared for general learning in the Schools University for his parâ—icular leaâ—ning at the Iâ—â—s of Court his skill in the study of Law called him no sooner to the Bar than his prudence to Court Take we his character from his Honour Why was he creaâ—ed Lord Coventry of Alisbury and Keeper of the great Sâ—al Why saith the Paâ—ent for his eminent fidelity for his most worthy service for his exact circumspection for his deep prudence for his constant resolution for his skill and dexterity for his integrity and industry for his immoveableness and fidelity No man more appâ—ehensive of the interest of England none more faithful to it His kindness to the Church and Clergy argued his piety his safe Counsels to his Majesty argued his moderation his dignity rather enjoyed him than he it A man he was that filled up his great capacities having digested a body of the most honest Law and a scheme of the most innocent policy that ever filled the head of an able Statesman or the heart of an upright Judge What belonged to him he knew and what he knew he practised He was as constant to his rule as he knew his rule was to him Reserved he was as the King's Councellor honest as his conscience We measure Pyramides by their shadows and this great Lord by his followers every one whereof was eminent in his way and all advanced Each Action of his though never so little yet great as himself so gravely did he manage it so solemnly did he perform it His orders were seldom reversed because mostly including the consent of Parties Few Attorney-Generals came off with less câ—nsure and few Lord Keepers with less guilt his Predecessors miscarriages being foils to set off his exactness Eminent as in most other Cafes so particularly in that of Pryn Bastwick and Burton against whom when after six weeks time given them to put in an effectual Answer they urged that their Adversaries the Bishops should not be their Judges He replyed smartly That by that Plea had they Libelled all the Magâ—strates in the Lâ—nd none should pass Censure upon them because all were made parties He had fifteen years enjoyed his Place not more proper to say that Dignity had enjoyed him so long this latter age â—ffording not one every way of more apt Qualifications for the place His front and presence bespake a venerable regard not inâ—eriour to any of his Antecessors His train and suit of Followers was disposed agreeable to shun both Envy and Contempt Vain and ambitious he was not his port was state though others ostentation Of what concerned his place he knew enough and which is the main acted conformable to his knowledge For in the Administration of Justice he was so erect so incorrupt as captious malice stands mute in the blemish of his Fame A miracle the greater when we consider he was also a Privy-Councellor A trust wherein he served his Master the King most faithfully and the more faithfully because of allâ— those Councels which did disserve his Majesty he was an earnest disswader and did much disaffect those sticklers who laboured to make the Prerogative rather tall than great as knowing that such men loved the King better than Charles Stuart So that although he was a Courtier and had had for his Master a Passion most intense yet had he always a passion reserved for the publick welfare an argument of a free noble and right-principled mind For what both Court and Country have always held as inconsistent is in truth erroneous And no man can be truly loyal who is not also a good Patriot nor any a good Patriot which is not truly loyal Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Wentworth Earl of Strafford SIr Thomas Wentworth Earl of Strafford oweth his birth to the best governed City London his breeding to the best modelled School York and a most exact Colledge St. Iohns in Cambridge his accomplishments to the best Tutors Travel and Experience and his prudence to the best School a Parliament whither he came in the most active and knowing times with a strong brain and a large heart his activity was eminent in his Country and his interest strong in Parliament where he observed much and pertinently spake little but home contrived effectually but closely carried his Designs successfully but reservedly He apprehended the publick temper as clearly and managed it to his purposes as orderly as any man He spoke least but last of all with the advantage of a clear view of others reasons the addition of his own He and his leading Confidâ—nts moulded that in a private Conference which was to be managed in a publick Assembly He made himself so considerable a Patriot that he was bought over to be a Courtier So great his Abilities that he awed a Monarchy when dis-obliged and supported it when engaged the balance turning thither where this Lord stood The North was reduced by his prudence and Ireland by his interest He did more there in two years than was done in two hundred before 1. Extinguishing the very reliques of the War 2. Setting up a standing Army 3. Modelling the Revenue 4. Removing the very roots and occasions of new troubles 5. Planting and building 6. Setling Ecclesiastical and Civil Courts 7. Recovering the hearts of the people by able Pastors and Bishops by prudent and sober Magistrates by justice and protection by obligations and rewards 8. Recovering the Churches patrimony and discipline 9. Employing most able and faithful Ministers and Instruments 10. Taking an exact view of all former Precedents Rules and Proceedings 11. An exact correspondence with his Majesty and the Favourites of England None was more conversant in the Factions Intrigues and Designs than he when a Common-wealths-man none abler to meet with them than he when a Statesman he understood their methods kenned their wiles observed their designs looked into their combinations comprehenâ—â—d their interest And as King Charls understood best of any Monarch under heaven what he could do in point of Conscience so his Strafford apprehended best of any Counsellor under the Sun what he could do in point of power He and my Lord of Canterbury having the most particular account of the state of Great Britain and Ireland of any persons living Nature is often hidden sometimes overcome seldom extinguished yet Doctrine and Discourse had much allayed the severity
of this Earl's nature and Custom more None more austere to see to none more obliging to speak with He observed pauses in his discourse to attend the motion and draw out the humour of other men at once commanding his own thoughts and watching others Hâ—s passion was rather the vigour than the disorder of his well-weighed soul which could dispense its â—nger with as much prudence as it managed any act of State He gave his Majesty safe counsel in the prosperity of his Affairs and resolute advice in Extreamity as a true servant of his interest rather â—han of his power So eminent was he and my Lord of Canterbury that Rebellion despaired of success as long as the fiâ—st lived and Schism of licentiousness as loâ—g as the second stood Take my Lord of Strafford as accused and you will find his Integrity and Ability that he managed his whole Government either by the Law or the Interest of his Countrey Take him as dying and you will see his parts and piety his resolution for himself his selâ—-resignation for the Kingdoms good his devotion for the Church whose patrimony he forbad his son upon his blessing Take him as dead you will find him glorious and renowned in these three characters The first of the best King I looked upon my Lord of Strafford as a Gentleman whose great abilities might make a Prince rather afraid than ashamed to employ him in the greatest Affairs of State for those were prone to create in him great confidence of undertakings and this was like enough to betray him to great Errors and many Enemies whereof he could not but contract great store while moving in so high a sphere and with so vâ—gorus a lustre he must needs as the Sun raise many envious exhalations which condensed by a popular Odium were capable to cast a cloud upon the brightest merit and integrity though I cannot in my judgment approve all he did driven it may be by the necessities of Times and the temper of that People more than led by his own disposition to any heighth and rigour of Action c. The second of the best Historian He was a person of a generous spirit fitted for the noblest Exercises and the most difficult parts of Empire His Counsels were bold yet just and he had a vigour proper for the execution of them Of an eloquence next that of his Masters masculine and excellent He was no less affectionate to the Church than to the State and not contented while living to defend the government and patrimony of it he commended it also to his Son when he was about to dye and charged his abhorrency of sacriledge His enemies called the Majesty of his mâ—ene in his Lieutenancy pride and the undaunted execution of his Office on the Contumacious the insolency of his fortune He was censured for that fatal error of following the King to London and to the Parliament after the Pacification at York And it was thought that if he had gone over to his Charge in Ireland he might have scoured both himself and that Kingdom for his Majesties service But some attribute this Counsel to a necessity of fate whose first stroke is at the Brain of those whom it designs to ruine and brought him to feel the effects of popular rage which himself in former Parliaments had used against Government and to finde the experience of his own devices upon the Duâ—e of Buckingham Providence teacheth us to abhor over fine Councels by the mischiefs they often bring upon their Authors The third of common fame A Gentleman he was of rare choice and singular Endowments I mean of such as modelled fashioned and accomplished him for State-conceraments of a searching and penetrating judgment nimble apprehension ready and fluent in all results of Councel Most happy in the vein of speech which was always round perspicuous and express much to the advantage of his sâ—nse and so full stocked with reason that he might be rather said to demonstrate than to argue As these abilities raised him to State-administration so his Addressing his applying those abilities so faithfully in promotion of the Royal Interest soon rendered him a Favourite of the first admission So that never King had a more intelligent and withal a firmer servant than he was to his Master But these qualities which rendred him so aimiable to his Majesty represented him formidable to the Scots so that some who were not well perswaded of the justness of his sentence thought he suffered not so much for what he had done already as for what he was like to have done had he lived to the disservice of that Nation And that he was not sacrificed so much to the Scots revenge as to their fear And certainly his fall was the first so the most fatal wound the King's Interest ever received Hâ—s three Kingdoms hardly affording another Strafford that is one man his peer in parts and fidelity to his Majesty He had a singular passion for the Government and Patrimony of the Church both which he was studious to preserve safe and sound either opening them to be of sacred extraction or at least prudent constitution relating to holy performances And had he wanted these positive graces yet in so great a Person it may be commendable that he was eminent for privative and negative Excellencies being not taxable with any Vice those petty pleasures being beneath the satisfaction of a soul so large as his In short saith the ingenious Gentleman he was a man who might have passed under a better notion had he lived in better times This last period is a question since this great Statesman and his good Masters goodness was so over-shadowed with their greatness and their vertues so lost in their power as the Sun the aptest parallel of their lustre and benificence is hid in his own light that they owe their great but glorious fame to their misfortunes and their renown to their ruine that levelled their worth otherwise as much out of their reach as their place to vulgar apprehensions Eclipsed lustre like a veiled beauty is most looked on when most covered The setting Sun is more glorious than its self in its Meridian because more low and the lowest Planet seems biggest to a common eye So faithâ—ul he was and the Arch-Bishop that in the Juncto consisting of them two and Duke Hamilton they voted a Parliament though they knew themselves the first sufferers by it and so confident of his integrity that when he had treason enough discovered at the late transactions in York touching the Scots conspiracy to charge his enemies with he waved the advantage and secure in his own innocence fell an instance of that Maxim That there is no danger small but what is thought so This was his great principle Vsurped Royalty was never laid down by perswasion from Royal clemency for in armis jus omne regni Observations on the Lives of Henry Earl of Holland and Robert Earl of Warwick HEnry
hath more reason to do what he doth than you to ask why he doth it Nevertheless If you desire me in a gentle fashion I shall acquaint you further Whereupon Luynes bowing a little said Very well The Embassador answered That it was not on this occasion only that the King of Great Britain had desired the Peace and prosperity of France but upon all other occasions when ever any War was raised in that Countrey and this he said was his first reason The second was That when a Peace was setled there his Majesty of France might be better disposed to assist the Palaâ—inate in the affairs of Germany Luynes said We will have none of your advices The Ambassador replyed That he took that for an Answer and was sorry only that the affection and the good will of the King his Master was not sufficiently understood and that since it was rejected in that manner he could do no less than say That the King his Master knew well enough what he had to do Luynes answered We are not afraid of you The Embassador smiling a little replyed If you had said you had noâ— loved us I should have believed you and made another answer In the mean time all that I will tell you more is That we know very well what we have to do Luynes hereupon rising from his Chair with a fashion and countenance a little discomposed said By God If you were not Monsieur the Embassador I know very well how I would use you Sir Edw. Herbert rising also from his Chair said That as he was his Majesty of Great-Britain's Embassador so he was also a Gentleman and that his Sword whereon he laid his hand should do him reason if he had taken any offence After which Luynes replying nothing the Embassador went on his way toward the door and Luynes seeming to accompany him he told him there was no occasion to uâ—e such Ceremony after such Language and so departed expecting to hear further from him But no Message being brought him from Luynes he had in pursuance of his Instructions a more civil Audience of the King at Coignaâ— where the Marshal of St. Geran told him he had offended the Constable and he was not in a place of security here whereunto he answered That he held himself to be in a place of security wheresoever he had his Sword by him Luynes resenting the affront got Cadenet his brother Du. of Chaun with a ruffling train of Officers whereof there was not one as he told K. Iames but had killed his man as an Embassador extraordinary to mis-report their Traverses so much to the disparagement of Sir Edw. that the Earl of Carlisle sent to accommodate Le Mal Entendu that might arise between the 2 Crowns got him called home until the Gentleman behind the Curtains out of his duty to truth and honour related all circumstances so as that it appeared that though Luynes gave the first affront yet Sir Edward kept himself within the bounds of his Instructions and Honour very discreetly and worthily Insomuch that he fell on his knees to King Iames before the Duke of Buckingham to have a Trumpeter if not an Hâ—rald sent to Monsieur Luynes to tell him that he had made a false Relation of the passages before-mentioned and that Sir Edward Herbert would demand reason of him with Sword in hand on that point The King answered he would take it into consideration But Luynes a little after died and Sir Edward was sent Embassador to France again and otherwise employed so that if it had not been for Fears and Jealousies the baâ—e of publick services he had been as great in his Actions as in his Writings and as great a Statesman as he is confessed a Scholar Observations on the Life of the Lord Capel HIs privacy before the War was passed with as much popularity in the Country as his more publick appearance in it was with valour and fidelity in the Field In our too happy time of Peace none more pious hospitable charitabâ—e and munificent In those more unhappy of our Differences none more reserved Loyal and active The people loved him so well that they chose him one of their Representatives and the King esteemed him so much that he sent for him as one of his Peers in that Parliament wherein the King and people agreed in no one thing save a just kindneâ—s for my Lord Capel who was one of those exceâ—lent Gentlemen whose gravity and discretion the King saith he hoped would allay and fix the Faction to a due temperament guiding some mens well-meaning Zeal by such rules of moderation as are best both to preserve and restore the health of all States and Kingdoms keeping to the dictates of his conscience rather than the importunities of the people to what was just that what was safe save only in the Earl of Strafford's case wherein he yielded to the publick Necessity with his Royal Master but repented with him too sealing his contrition for that miscarriage with his blood when he was more troubled for his forced consent to that brave person's death than for losing his own life which he ventured throughout the first War and lost by his Engagement in the second For after the surrender of Oxford he reâ—ired to his own house but could noâ— rest there until the King was brought home to his which all England endeavouring as one manâ— my Lord adventured himself at Colchester to extremity yielding himself upon condition of Quarter which he urged by the Law of Arms that Law that as he said on the Scaffold governeth the world and against the Laws of God and Man they are his own words for keeping the fifth Commandment dying on the Scaffold at Westâ—â—nster with a courage that became a clear conscience and a resolution befitting a good Christian expressing that judicious piety in the Chamber of Meditation at his death that he did in his a Book of Meditation in his life a piety that as it appeared by his dismission of his Chaplain and the formalities of that time 's devotion before he came to the Scaffold was rather his inward frame and habit than outward ostentation or pomp from the noble Sâ—ntiments whereof as the Poet not unhappily alluding to his Arms A Lyon rampant in a Field Gules between three crosses expresseth it Our Lyon-like Capel undaunted stood Beset with Crosses in a Field of blood as one that affrighted death rather than was afrighted by it It being very observable that a learned Doctor of Physick present at the opening and embalming of this noble Lord and Duke Hamilton delivering at a publick Lecture that the Lord Capel's was the least heart and the Duke 's the greatest that ever he saw agreeable to the observation in Philosophy that the spirits contracted within the least compass are the cause of the greater courage Three things are considerable in this incomparable person 1. His uninterrupted Loyalty keeping pace with his Life for his last
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
for him honourably in England where the Kings Cause waited for his Assistance and the See of Canteâ—bury for his Acceptance He was willing to promote Religion he was unwilling for some Formalities he scrupled to advance himself but after seven Weeks delay it being as fatal to reâ—use King Henry's Favours as to offer him Injuâ—ies he is Archbishop in his own Deâ—ence in which capacity to serve the King and salve his own Conscience he used the Expedient of a Protestation to this purpose In nomine c. Non est nec erit meae voluntatis aut intentionis per hujusmodi Iuramentum Iuramenta qualiter verba in ipsis posita sonare videbuntur me obligare ad aliquid ratione eorundem post hac dicendum faciendum aut attestandum quod erit aut esse videbitur contra legem Dei vel contra Regem aut Rempublicam legesve aut Praerogativa ejus quod non intendo per hujusmodi juramentum quovis modo me obligare quò minùs liberè loqui consulere consentire valeam in omnibus singulis Reformationem Ecclesiae prorogativam Coronae concernentibus ea exequi reformare quae in Ecclesia Anglicana reformanda videbuntur This Protestation he made three times once at the Charter-House another time at the Altar and a third time at the receiving of his Pall. In his place he was moderate between the Superstition of Rome and the Phrensies of Munster As he was cheif Instrument in beginning the Reformation so he was in continuing it He withstood the Six Articles and though the King sent five prime Ministers of State to comfort him would not be satisfied until he saw them mitigated in King Henry's time and repealed in King Edward's Gardiner would have questioned him for entertaining forein Hereticks and promoting Domestick Schisms the Northern Rebels accused him for subverting the Church but the King upheld him against both suppressing the One and checking the Other and advising the good Man whom he called Fool for his meek disposition to appeal to him Whereupon Russel cried The King will never suffer him to be imprisoned until you find Him guilty of High Tâ—eason He is to be pitied for his intermediate failings but renowned for his final constancy The King having declared before all his Servants that Cranmer was his best Servant he employeth him in his best service the Reformation of Religion wherein all others failed but the King Cromwel and Brandon backed him so far that he had the Bible the necessary Offices of the Church translated into English He had both Universities at his command He brought the Lords House and Convocation to his Lure and was invested with a Power 1. To Grant Dispensations in all things not repugnant to Gods Law nor the Kings safety 2. To determine Ecclesiastical Causes He as charitably as politickly advised the King to accept of Bishop Fisher's partial Subscription considering his Learning and Reputation As he is King Henry's Instrument at Dunstable to divorce him from Queen Katharine so he is at Lambeth to divorce him from Anna Bullein He promoted in the Convocation all Primitive Doctrines and condemned all new-fangled Opinions He was so charitable that he interceded with the King for his Enemies so munificent that he made the Church and his own House a Refuge for Strangers particularly for P. Fagius P. Martyr Martin Bucer c. The King loved him for his Integrity the People for his Moderation He was called the Kings Father and was Queen Elizabeth's Godfather His Piety reduced the Câ—urch and his Policy the State He spake little to others he conferred much with himself Three words of His could do more than three hours discourse of others He would say as Victorinus There is a time to say nothing there is a time to say something but there is never a time to say all things That King who awed all Others feared Him A Second to the Eternal Power is the Wise Man uncorrupt in his Life He was the Executor of God's Will in King Henry's Life-time and the first of His after his Death As He spurred King Henry to a Reformation so King Edward did Him whose Prudence was not so forward as the Others Zeal who looked at what was Lawful as He did at what was Convenient He maintained the Churches Power as resolutely against Bishop Hooper's Scruples notwithstanding potent Intercession as he reformed its Corruptions against the Popes Interest notwithstanding a general Opposition He allowed not the least Errour in nor the least contempt of the Church He restored its primitive Doctrine and Discipline lest it should be an impure Church he upheld them lest it should be none He was one of fourteen that compiled the Common-Prayer He was One of Two that set out the Homilies and the only man that published the Institution of a Christian man and other good Books With his Advice King Edward did much and designed more He was the chief Author of King Edward's Injunctions and the first Commissioner in them He was President of the Assembly at Windsor for Reformation and of the Council at London His Aâ—ticles were strict and seveâ—e as much grounded on the Canon of Scripture as on the Canons of the Church He convinced more Papists with his Reason and Moderation than others by their Power His Heart never failed him in his Life and it was not burned at his Deaâ—h He did so much for the Protestant Religion in King Henrys Days that he foresaw he should suffer for it in Qâ—een Mary's He was unwilling to wrong Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth therefore he refused at first to sign King Edwards's Testament but Duke Dudley's Will He was willing to continue the Protestant Religion therefore he signed it at last It was a Bishop that was one of the first that abolished Popery in England and one of the last that died for Protestantisme It was a Bishop that maintained the Protestant Cause with Arguments while he lived with his Blood when he died This prelates endeavor for Reformation is shadowed by this Mystical Relation The Castle of Truth being by the King of Ierusalem left to the guard and keeping of his best Servant Zeal the King of Arabia with an infinite host came against it begirt it round with an unreasonable Seige cuts ofâ— all passages all reliefs all hopes of friends meat or munition which Zeal perceiving and seeing how extremity had brought her to shake hands with despair he calleth his Council of War about him and discovered the â—ffliction of his state the puissance of his Enemies the violence of the siege and the impossibility of conveying either messages or Letters to the great King his Master from whom they might receive new strength and incouragement Whereupon the necessity of the occasion being so great they concluded that there was no way but to deliver up the Castle though upon some unwholsome conditions into the hand of the Enemy but Zeal staggereth at the resolution and
with the same success that the Gown-man Harangued it before Alexander of Military Affairs who laughed at the Scholar for talking of War to a Souldier his defence of his Master being the more observable for his civilities to his adversaries he being very cautious of reflecting upon his Patrons Enemies while he excused him the bespattering of others being not the best method of purging him and Memnon gave a railing Souldier a good blow with his Launce saying I hired thee to fight and not to raile Neither delighted he in being the Davus the troubler of the Parliament which he observed play'd the part of fond Musicians which spend so much time in tuning their Instruments that there is none left to spare for their Musick He wished that our reformation might be in one respect like the reformation of the Turkes who thought that the best way to understand the Alâ—oran was to burn all the Interpreters it being true of the Bible what one observeth of one Text of it that was clear before it was commented upon A truth become seasonable as there is no new thing under the Sun and what â—ath been will be in a less revolution of time than Plato's great Yeâ—r even in our times when passion guides Religion that should be governed by it as being without iâ— but a short madness turning man into a wild Beast that is goared which runneth upon every thing that cometh in its way without consideration or like a violent torrent descending down impeâ—uously from a steep Hill which beareth down all respects before it divine and humane For whilst passion is in the heighth there is no room for reason nor any use of the dictates of the understanding the mind for the time being like the Cyclopian Cave where no Man heard what another said only what they want in them singly in reason may joyntly be made up in noise and their respective defects in Arguments be supplied by their communion in suffrage And it is the wisdom of those who are concerned in what they oppose to stand out of their way at least till the storm be over Omnis campis duffugit Arator Omnis Agricola Dum pluit in terris ut possint sole reductâ— Exercere diem Their reason with time and due consideration will be better attended to when this earnestness hath a little spent its self into a calmness and allay Such was his Wit such his Eloquence that they who hated the Client admired the Advocate And though he could not keep his Patron from falling yet he raised himself that being the first time his Eminent Parts were observed An advantageous starting is more than half way in the Race of Preferment For hereupon he is first Master of the Kings Jewels and then of what was more precious his Secrets His Conscience inclined him to the Churches Reformation his Interest complied with the Kings he unlocked the secreâ—s of Monasteries by his Spies and put the King upon destroying them by his Power The University of Cambridge made him Chancellor to save it self where though he did no great good yet hiâ— Greatness kept others from doing harm in an Age wâ—erein Covetousness could quarrel a Colledge as well as an Abbey into superstition He was trusted by the King with the Rollâ— and Records of England and by the Scholars with the Charters and Satutes of their Universities He reforms the University in order to the Reformation of the Church enjoyning the study of the Scripture and the Tongues instead of School-Divinity and Barbarism recommending Aristotle Agricola Melancthon to their reading and the Doctrine which is in Spirit and in Truth to their Faith and razing the Popes Bulls to make way for the Kings Favour and that Architectonical Power to see that all subjects within his Dominion do their duties in their several Callings for the safety and tranquillity of the Common-wealth He was an eminent Minister of State and Chief Governour of the Church proceeding in Convocation very discreetly modelling the Church-Laws very prudently and moderately looking into Monastical Abuses very narrowly and industrioâ—sly mawling Religious Houses violently pulling down those Nests that the Rooks might not return His Master had disobliged the Pope and he weakeneth him It was not safe to disown his Supremacy and entertain thousands of his Creatures If a Kingdom be divided against it self it cannot stand and if one part of the English pay their devoâ—ion to a supream Head at Rome and another to a supream Governour in England they must both fall If the Persons might disturb the Government it is fit their Estates should secure it and if the Papists should foment a War their Lands should maintain it But Cromwel contrives that the Pope should confirm Alienations in Wolsey before he shâ—uld practise it for the King As the King knew whom he employed when he trusted him so he knew whom he trusted when he employed Doctoâ— Lee an able servant to an abler Master He fiâ—st decâ—yed Religious Men out of their Covents by the allurement of Liberty and then forced them out by Power and Authority As the Abbeys improved his Estate so his Master advanced his Honour He had one Privy Seal always to act by and was Keeper of another He had no sooner attained an Earldom for himself but foreseeing the alteration of Affairs he secured a Barony for his Son nor forfeitable by the Attainder of the Father Within five years he was Master of the Jewel-house Chancellor of the Exchequer Secretary of State Baron and Viscount Wimbledon in Middlesex Vicar General Master of the Rolls Knight of the Garter Keeper of the Privy Seal Lord High Chamberlain and Earl of Essex Justice in Eyre of Forrests Chases and Parks c. N. Trent â— Within five Months he quitted most of these places and in five minutes lost all He must needs be envied whose Birth was so much beneath all others and his Preferment above them especially when the King in preferring him injured others as the Citizens in managing the Jewels the Courtiers in undertaking State-affairs the Lawyers in the Rolls the Nobly descended at Winsor the Clergy in the Convocation the Earl oâ— Oxford and the Family of the Bourchiers in the great Chamberlainship and Earldom of Essex But he cares not whom he displeaseth if he can oblige his Master whose power he advanceth in the Paâ—liament and Synod as he improveth his Reâ—enue in the Office of first-Fâ—uits and the Court of Augmentation His Greatness waâ— allayed with his Goodness and the Envy of the One mitigated by â—he Liberality of the other He had not more Suiters at his Door than Almes-men two hundred at a time As he was good abroad so he was at home calling upon his Servants yearly to give him an account what they had got under him and what they desired of him warning them to improve their opportunities because he said he was too great to stand long providing for them as carefully as for his Son
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
3. Constant correspondence and observation 4. A happy medley of Debonairness and Complacency Reservedness and Gravity with the first he had taken Princes and with the last Statesmen the one discovers others while the other conceals you 5. Resolution I made often said hâ— as if I would fight when they knew my calling allowed me onely to speak 6. Civility That man said the Prince of Orange is a great bargain who is bought with a bare salvation Fourthly To Privy-Counsellours That excellent caution Always to speak last and be Masters of other strength before they displayed their own This was that rare man that was made for all business so dexterous This was he that was made for all times so complying This was he who lived Doctor of both Laws and died Doctor of both Gospels the Protestant which had the States-mans part of this man and the Popish who had the Christian. Noah had two faces because he was a son of the old world before the flood and a father of the new one after Wotton sure had four faiths who was a Favourite in King Henry's days of the Counsel in King Edward's of the Juncto in Queen Mary's and the second Statesman in Queen Elizabeth's With these two things of this person I shall conclude 1. His refusal of the Archbishoprick of Canterbury which argued his extraordinary humility or wariness His admission of Doctor Parker as Dean of Canterbury to that See which argueth the legality of his calling there being no circumstance with any likelihood omitted by so exquisite a Civilian as Doctor Wotton or forgotten by so great an Anâ—iquary as Doctor Parker Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Wriothesly the first Earl of Southampton THomas Wriothesly Knight of the Garter was born in Barbican Son to William Wriothesly descended from an Heir general of the antient Family of the Dunsteâ—viles King of Arms. He was bred in the University of Cambridge as it appears by Mr. Ascam's Letter unto him writing in the behalf of the University when he was Lord Chancellour Quamobrem Academia cum omni literarum ratione ad te unum conversa cui uni quam universis aliis se chariorâ—m intelligit partim tibi ut alumno suo cum authoritate imperat partim ut patrono summo demisse humiliter supplicat c. His University-Learning prepared him for the Law â—is indefaâ—igable study of the Law promoted him to the Court where for his Honour he was created Baron of Tichbourn Jan. 1. 1543. and â—or his Profit the next year May 3. Lord Chancellour a place he discharged with more Applause than any before him and with as much Integrity as any since him Force he said awed but Iustice governed the World It is given to that Family to be Generous and Resolute This incomparable Person was under a cloud in King Edward's time for being a rigidly-conscientious Papist and his great Grandchild suffered in King Charles his time for being a sincerely honest Protestant Yeâ— so reverenced was the first of this Family by his Adversaries that he was made Earl of Southampton and so honoured was the other by his Enemies that they courted him to their party Integrity hath a Majesty in its full and a Glory in its lowest Estate that is always feared though not always loved No Nobleman understood the Roman Religion better than the first Earl of Southampton and none the Protestant better then the last the Right Honourable and truly Excellent Thomas Earl of Southampton and Treasurer of England His Court he said gave Law to the Kingdom His constant and exact Rules to the Court and his Conscience guided by the Law of the Kingdom to his Rules Affable and acceptable he was as More quick and ready as Wolsey incorrupt as Egerton apprehensive and knowing as Bacon Twice were all Cases depending in Chancery dispatched in Sir Thomas Wriothesly's time 1538. and in Sir Thomas More 's 1532. Truly did he judge intra Cancellos deciding Cases with that Uprightness that he wished a Window to his Actions yea and his Heart too King Philip was not at leasure to hear a poor Womans Cause Then said she cease to be King My Lord over-hearing a servant putting off a Petitioner because his Master was not at leasure takes him up roundly and repliâ—s You had as good say I am not at leasure to be Lord Chancellour Two things he would not have his servants gain by his Livings and his Decrees The first he said weâ—e Gods the second the Kings whom every man he said sold that sold Justice To honest men your places said he are enough to Knaves too much Every Week he had a Schedule of his own Accounts and every Month of his Servants Cato's greatest Treasure was his Account-Book of Sicily and my Lord of Southampton's was his Table of the Chancellours place A great Estate was conferred upon him which he took not in his own name to avoid the odium of Sacriledge as great an Inheritance he bought but in others names to escape the malice of Envy He loved a bishop he said to satisfie his Conscience a Lawyer to guide his Judgment a good Family to keep up his Interest and an University to preserve his name Full of Years and Worth he died 1550. at Lincoln-place and was buried at St. Andrews Church in Holborn where his Posterity have a Diocess for their Parish and a Court for their Habitation Observations on the Life of Sir John Fitz-James JOhn Fiâ—z-Iames Knight was born at Redlinch in Somersetshire of Right Antient and Worthy Parentage bâ—ed in the study of our Municipal Laws wherein he proved so great a Proficient that by King Henry the Eighth he was advanced to be Chief Justice of the Kings Bench. There needs no more to be said of his Merit save that King Henry the Eighth preferred him who never used either Dunce or Drone in Church or State but Men of Ability and Activity He sat thirteen years in his place demeaning himself so that he lived and died in the Kings Favour He sat one of the Assistants when Sir Thomas More was arraigned for â—efusing the Oath of Supremacy and was shrewdly put to it to save his own Conscience and not incur the Kings Displeasure For Chancellour Audley supreme Judg in that plaâ—e being loath that the whole burthen of More 's condemnation should lie on his shoulders alone openly in the Court asked the Advice of the Lord Chief Justice Fitz Iames Whether the Indictment were sufficient or no To whom our Judge warily returned My Lords all by St. Gillian which was ever his Oath I must needs confess That if the Act of Parliament be not unlawful then the Indictment is not in my conscience sufficient He died in the Thirteeth Year of King Henry the Eighth and although now there be none left at Redlinch of his Name and Family they flourish still at Lewson in Dorsetshire descended from Alured Fitz-Iames brother to this Judge and
and by these to live our selves and exaâ—ine all other pretensions whatever there being no part of Religion but what hath Virtue and Grace as its Foundation and Design A way that would keep men from Atheism under a sense oâ— Religion from endless controversies in the solid pâ—actice of Virtue from fatal Divisions in peace and concord Let us said he establish and fix these Catholique and Vniversal Notions and they will settle our Souls and not hinder us to believe whatsoever is faithfully taught by the Church or submit to what is authoritatively enjoyned by the State So that whether tâ—e Eastern Western Northern or Southern Teachers c. and particularly whether my Lord of Rochester or Luther c. be in the Right we Laicks may so build upon those Catholicks and infallible Guards of Religion as whatsoever superstructures of Faith be raised these Foundations may support them This Discourse opened a Door to the Reformation intended and shut out all those prejudices it might lie under from the State and Religion oâ— Fore-Fathers c. Hereupon Sir William is invited to Court and when the air and softness of that place suited noâ— his more severe and stirring Temper he is promoted to Authority first by Land and then by Sea where none was more watchful in the Warâ— between Us and France none so active in those between Us and Scotland With thirty six Ships he gave Law to the narrow Seas as Poynz with forty more did to the Main There was not a serviceable man belonging to him but he knew by name It being his Rule That none fought well but those thet did it for a fortune While he watched the Coast of France he discovered twelve French Ships in which the Archbishop of Glasco and divers others of Quality were whom the Duke of Albany had sent before him into Scotland these he chased to a ship-wrack and leaving a Squadron to shut up the French Havens went along the French Coasts landing in divers places wasting the Country till at last he came to Treport a Town strongly situated and garisoned with three thousand men which yet he took and finding it not his Interest to dwell there pillaged and burned it going off with Success and Glory Insomuch that King Henry joyned him with the Bishop of Bath in the Commission for the Treaty at Paris where such Articles were agreed on touching a Marriage with the Princess Mary and the joynt Embassie to the Emperour as spake Sir William as well seen in the state of Europe as any particular Person in the seven Kingdoms of it whereof one was That they should unite by all the Ties of Alliance Friendship and Interest against the growing Power of Austria so far as that there should be no League Correspondence War or Peace wherin they both should not be concerned From his Forein Negotiations he returns to his home-services and the next view we have of him is in the Parliament bringing up with Sir Anthony Fitz-Herbert a Bill against the Cardinal who wiâ—hed then as Philip Duke of Burgundy did that with Alexander he had Died young 1. For encroaching upon his Sovereigns power by his Legantine Authority 2. For treating between the Pope and the King of France without his Master's privity and consent as likewise between Himself and the Duke of Ferâ—ara 3. For joyning Himself with his Majesty saying The King and I. 4. For swearing his Houshold-servants only to himself 5. For speaking with the King when infected with the Pox pretending it was only an Imposthume 6. For giving by prevention divers Benefices away as Legate 7. For receiving Embassadors before they came to the King As also for opening all the Kings Letters and taking an account of all Espials concealing what he pleased 8. For carrying things with an high hand in the Privy Council 9. For transporting Grain and sending advertisements of the Kings Affairs abroad 10. For taxing or alienating Religious mens lands to the great decay of hospitality and charity 11. For controuling the Nobility and engrossing all Causes in his Iurisdiction 12. For taking all ordinary Iurisdiction from them by prevention and seizing their Estates as be did all other Ecclesiastical persons upon their death 13. For perswading the Pope by indirect practices to suppress Monasteries 14. For passing Iudgments without hearing and reversing such Iudgments as had duly passed 15 For suspending the Popes pardons untill he was â—ee'd 16. For turning out his old Tenants 17. For his general encroachments upon the Rights of Religious Houses and the encroachments of Courts of Iustice. 18. For saying to the Pope in order to the obtaining of a Legantine power to the indelible shame of the Church of England That the Clergy of England were given in reprobum sensum 19. For embezling the Goods of the most wealthy Prelates that died in his time 20. For bringing off his Servants from the Law against extortion at York 21. For dividing the Nobility 22. For keeping as great state at Court and exercising as great authority in the Country for purveyance c. as the King 23. For forbidding petitions and purveyances within his Iurisdictions 24. For engrossing all Copy holds within his power to his Lemans Procurers c. 25. For altering the Market-prices set under â—His Majesties Hand and Seal 26. For impressing his Hat under the King's Crown in the Coyn at York 27. For hindering the due course intended by visiting the Vniversities to suppress heresies 28. For disposing of mens Estates and Proprieties at his pleasure This Bill was aggravated most effectually by three most pinching considerations Viz. That the King's Honour was by him diminished That the state of the Realm was by him decayed and discontented That the course of Justice was by him obstructed A great Undertaking this To bring down this lofty Prelate whom his Master created the * King 's Fellow and his own pride made his Superiour But as Wise as Great if we regard the five Politick circumstances 1. The Queen was engaged 2. The People were oppressed 3. The King was needy and covetous 4. The Nobility were kept under 5. The Clergy were harrassed And all by this proud man And at that juncture is he convened before the Parliament and charged home by this excellent Knight who never left him till he was humbled as Justice Fitz-Herbert did not his servants until they were reformed Neither did the Pope escape him abroad better than the Cardinal at home For his next action we find is a Declaration drawn by him Io. Fits-Warren Tho Audley and Others to Pope Clement the Seventh expostulating his Delays and conjuring his Dispatch in the Business of the King's Marriage Very serviceable he was to his Master in time of Peace more in time of War where he said as the great General did that he never saw fear but upon the back of his enemies and particularly â—t the Insurrection 1536. where he cut off the Rebels Passes distressed their Arms and when they
he over-reached the Emperour no less than the Earl oâ— Worcester did the French King so cunningly binding him that he understood nothing of our Affairs and yet so narrowly siâ—ting him that we knew all his Intrigues Visible was all the world to our State then and invisible our State to all the world From Germany he is sent with Richard Sampson D. H. to Spain to set Charles as forward against the French as he had done Maximilian His service advanced him to the honour of a Barony and a Viscountship and the profit of the Treasureship of the Houshold and his success upon the Malecontent Duke of Bourbon by Sir Io. Russel who treated with him in Disguise set him as high in the Kings favour as his Wife was a virtuous Lady that was the Kings Friend but not his Mistriss his delight and not his sin In Spain so earnestly did our Sir Thomas mediate â—or the delivering up of the French Hostages that as Sandoval saith Charles protested to him that for his sake onlâ— he would relinquish his Demand for the restitution of Burgundy in which the difficulty of the peace consisted adding further That for the same reason he would accept as well for Francis his two sons ransome as his charge what was freely offered viz. 2000000 Crowns and he with Sir Robert Poyntz make up that treaty the great Arbiâ—rators of Europe at whose disposal Kings set their Crowns and Kingdoms their Peace in whose breast fate the fate of Christendome by their voices to stand or fall As faithful is he to the King at home though to his own prejudice as he is serviceable abroad to his honour for when the people talked oddly out of envy to his Daughter now visibly in favour and piâ—y to Qâ—een Katherine Sir Thomas adviseth his Majesty to â—orbid his Daughter the Court and declare that those proceedings â—ere more to satisfie his Conscience and secure Succession than to gratifie any other more private respect so far to his Daughters discontent that she would not come near the King until her Father was commanded not without threats to bring her thither who by representing the common danger to them both obtained at length saith my Lord Herbert though not without much difficulty the consâ—â—t of his unwilling Daughter to return where yet she kept that distance that the King might easily perceive how sensible she was of her late dismission Sir Thomas would have married her to the Lord Percy but the King and Cardinal forbad it deterrin old Northumberland from it and he his Son Many Love-Letters between King Henry and Anne Bolen are sent to Rome one Letter beâ—wâ—en the Cardinal and his Confedeâ—ates is fetched thence by Sir Thomas his Dexterity who advised Sir Francis Bryan then Resident to get in with the Popes Closet-keepers Courtezan and shew her the Cardinals hand by which she might find out and copy his Expresses as she did to his ruine and our King 's great satisfaction To which Letter is annexed a Declaration under his hand and the Lords Darcy Mountjoy Dorset and Norâ—olk of 44 Articles against the great Cardinal His hand being now in he must through He adviseth the King to consult the Universities of Christendome He goeth in person when made Earl of Wiltshire to the Pope and contrives that a Declaration of the whole Kingdome in Parliament should follow him which so amused his Holiness with our Earls stratagems that he was asleep as it were until the state of England was quite altered To this he adds the peace with France and the interview with King Francis where his Daughter is married privately and her Brother made Yiscount Rochford Convening a Parliament to his mind at Black-Fryers and advancing an Arch-bishop to his purpose in Canterbury he is secure of the Church and of the Kingdom whereof the first hallowed the action the second confirmed it I say nothing of the bird the egge is bad and left by the hard hearted and Orstredg posterity in the Sand thinking it more engenuous to confess that the scandal of it is not to be answered than to bustle and keep a coil and twist new errors with old falling to Scylla for fear of Charybdis for fear of the absurditieâ— that dropped from that first one as thick as Sampsons Enemies heaps upon heaps Observations on the Life of Sir Edward Howard HE set out with his Fathers Reputation and came home with his own Britain feels his Arm to this day and the French his success Desperate were his Undertakings yet happy rash his Engagements yet honourable it being his Maxime That never did Sea-man good that was not resolute to a degree of madness The French Fleet he pursueth to the Haven under their own Forts closely Sir Edward considering the order wherein the French lay thought fit to advertise his King and Master thereof advising him withal saith my Author to come in person and have the glory of this Action but the Kings Council taking this Message into consideration and conceiving that it was not altogether fear as was thought but stratagem and cunning that made the French thus attend their advantage thought the King was not invited so much to the honour as to the danger of this Action therefore they write sharply to him again commanding him to do his duty whereof that brave person was so sensible that he landed 1500 men in the sight of 10000 and wasted the Country until being too confident he fell a while after into his Enemies hands the Lord Ferrers Sir Thomas Cheyney Sir Richard Cornwal and Sir Iohn Wallop looking on but not able to relieve him Four Reasons he would usually give against a War with the Low-Countries 1. The decay of Trade 2. The Diminution of Customs 3. The strengthening of France 4. The loss of their industry and inventions and so of the improvement of our Commodities Manufactures In the youth of this State as of all others Arms did flourish in the Middle-gate of it Learning and in the Declining as Covetousness and Thrift attend Old Age Mechanick Arts and Merchandize and this Gentleman was made for each part being not so much a Souldier as a Scholar nor so much a Scholar as a Merchant But a private spirit is most unfortunate and as my Oracle assures me whereas men of that temper all their time sacrifice to themselves they become in the end themselves sacrifices to fortune whose wings they thought by their wisdome to have pinioned Observations on the life of Sir Thomas Howard Earl of Surrey SIr Thomas Howard was this Kings prime Counsellour a brave and an understanding man who was obliged to be faithful to his Master because an Enemy to Winchester emulation among Favourites is the security of Princes Four motives he offered for a Marriage with the Princess Katharine 1. A League with Spain against the growing power of our dangerous Neighbour France 2. The saving of much time and expense in Marriage by her being here 3. The
be too close therefoâ—e we have fâ—iends to ease our selves it ruineth a man to be too open therefore there is a secret not to be communicated to a friend When the Duke of Buckingham made Knevet his Confessour he made him his Master He that is Master of my Heart is Master of my Life If my Shirt said Metellus knew my minde I would burn it If my Servant or Friend knows my intentions I must either undo him oâ— be undone by him unless he be so much above a man as not out of weakness to discover me or so much above a sinner as not out of corruption to betray me Wild Beasts dwell in Dens Fishes be in Muâ— and Birds in Nests and a Wise Man is wrapped up in security Gyges hiâ— Ring was his wiâ—dome whereby he undeâ—stood others and was reserved himself It 's pity he ever learned to speak that knoweth not how to be silent I would first be so wise sâ—ith a Wit and Wiâ—dome of our Agâ— as to be my own Counsellour and next so secret as to be my own Counsel-keeper Some of my Servants may be of my Bed-chamber but none shall be of my closet Before I told you of this saith Charles the Fifth of a Designe discovered upon the seventeen Provinceâ— to his Favourite Lunembergh I was Emperour but now you are so But the heighth of the Dukes â—pâ—â—it was equally unfortunate with the openness of it and he fell no less because he despiâ—ed Knevet than because he trusted him Contemned Dangers ruine surely while â—hey suâ—prize us at once naked and careleâ—s as ill prepared to offend the slighted Adversary as to defend our misunderstood Selves The least Beings have their â—pleen and command our caution No creature too mean to be mischievous none too inconsiderate to be feared As long as Weakness can cling to Power and Power to Malice what Knevet would but could not that Wolsey could and would If my Enemy be strong he shall awe if weak he shall guard my Life Two things are necessary in this Life Faithful Friends or Severe Enemies Tâ—e fewer of the former men of the Dukes fortune have the more use they should make of the latter The greatest Enemy when observed may do me a great kindness the least neglected can do no little mischief Security is the only misfortune and Carelessness the only fate that distresseth the World But the Duke threw away his life in a fatal word that could not be recalled I 'le not ask the King for my Life Great need have we to guard that Tongue whence flow the issues of Liâ—e and Death and weigh those words that go abroad for the measure of our Weal or Wo our words being given us to treat with the World about either discreetly to our happiness or weakly to our ruine It hath repented men that they have spoken at all times it repented none to have been silent in King Henry's when there was no security but to the Reserved and the Pliable Dionysius the Tyrant seeing one knocked down at one blow said to his fâ—iends what a folly is it to quit so fair a command for fear of dying which lasts no longer a space Observations on the Life of Sir Anthony Brown HE was always one of the Council to King Henâ—y at home and of his Commissioners abroad no Treaty passing without his presence no Negotiation without his advice the first carrying as much Majesty with it as the second did Authority the Court having bred the one to a noble Mein as Experience had done the other to an Oracle Experience I say whereby he saw more as Alexander boasted with his eye than others comprehended in their thoughts that being knowledge in him that was but conjecture in others He was the best Compound in the World a learned an honest and a travelled man a good Nature a large Soul and a settled Mind made up of Notes and Observations upon the most material points of State he could learn at Courts of Religion among the Clergy of Discipline among Souldiers of Trade among Merchants or of the situation interest avenues and strong holds by his own eyes It 's a pleasure to stand upon the shore and to see ships tost upon the Sea it 's pleasure to stand in the window of a Castle and to see a Battel with the adventures thereof below but no pleasure is comparable to the standing upon the Vantground of Truth an Hill saith my Noble Author not to be commanded and where the air is always clear and serene and to see the Errors and Wandrings the Mists and Tempests in the Vale below That content is better felt than expressed that this Noble Person took in his own clear thoughts when it was Mist all round about him and King Henry cried What say Cromwel and Brown Vespasian asked Apollonius What was Nero's overthrow and he answered him Nero could tune the Harp well but in Government sometimes he wound the pins too high and sometimes he let them down too low Sir Anthony told Henry the Eighth That his Government had been more easie if he had either set it not so lose at first or not so strict at last as there was indeed no King so various as his Master no State so changeable as his Government An even temper begets awe and reverence whilst the wide extreams create either on the one hand contempt and insolence or on the other discontent and murmuring Haughty and violent Courts never bless the Owners with a settled Peace This deep man was Leiger in Rome six years and Agent in France ten A person of great dispatch because of an orderly method and procedure which he observed to a superstition saying Time and Method are my Masters There are saith my Oracle three parts of business Preparation Debate and Perfection The middle King Henry comunicated to the whole Council the first and last to few viz. to my Lord Cromwel and Sir Anthony Brown The highest matters were his care as the Interview in France 1533. the most eminent Statesmen his fellows as the Duke of Norfolk the Lord Rochford and the Lord Paulet thoâ—e Noble Persons bearing the state and he managing the business of the Embassies The wise man of Florence took care that Ferdinando of Naples Medices of Florence Sforza of Millain shouâ—d gain nothing of one another to the gâ—eat secuâ—ity of Italy Sir Anthony watched our Neighbours Conquestâ— Trade Approaches c. so closely that none of those Potentates Charles the Fifth or King Francis could win a spot of Ground but his Master would balance it and so secure Europe The Interviews between Princes he disallowed yet to satisfie his Master he provided for that in France so sumptuously as one that understood the foâ—mality of a Pageant was a real advantage to a Government whose Interest is as much to gain a reputation by pomp and shew as support a welfare by prudence and strength others apprehension of our greatness contributing as much to our welfare as
our welfare it self Opinion governs the World Princes with their Majesty may be oâ—t envied and haâ—ed without it they are always scorned and contemned Circumstances are often more than the main and shadows are not always shadows Outward Esteem to a great Person is as skin to Fruit which though a thin cover preserveth it King Henry's Person and State did England more Right in a Year than his Predecessors Arms in an Age while they onely impressed a resolution in the Neighbours he a reverence As the Reason of man corrâ—cting of his sense about the mâ—gnitude and distance oâ— heavenly bodies is an argument that he hath an Inorganical Immaterial Impassible and Immortal soul so this Gentlemans Conscience often reflecting upon his policy about the Circumstances of many of his actions was an argument that he was â—uled by holy serious and heavenly Principles One effect whereof was that he desired rather the admonishing paines of a lingring death than the favourable ease of a quick one he reckoning it not an effect of cruelty but a design of mercy that he should dye so ut sentiat se mori and he looked on nothing as so great a snare to his thoughts as the opinion of Origen and some otheâ—s called merciful Doctors who did indeavour to possess the Church with their opinion of an universal restitution of all Creatures to their pristine Estate after sufficient purgation or any thing more a temptation to other mens souls than the Blasphemy of some making God the Author of good and evil so much worse than the Manichees or Marcionites as they held it not of their good God whom they called Light but of their bad God whom they called Darkness As Princes govern the People so Reason of State the Princes Spain at that time would command the Sea to keep us from the Indies and our Religion to keep us from a Settlement France suspected our Neighbourhood and engaged Scotland the Pope undermined our Designs and obliged the French Sir Anthony at Rome in respectful terms and under Protestation that his Majesty intended no contempt of the See Apostolick or Holy Church intimated his Masters Appeal to the next General Council lawfully assembled exhibiting also the Authentick Instruments of the same and the Archbishop of Canterbury's at the Consistory where though the Pope made forty French Cardinals yet our Agent and his money made twelve English and taught Francis to assume the power of disposing Monasteries and Benefices as King Henry had done advising him to inform his Subjects clearly of his proceedings and unite with the Princes of the Reformation taking his Parliament and People along with him and by their advice cutting off the Appeals to and Revenues of Rome by visitations c. with a Praemunire together with the Oath of Supremacy and the publication of the prohibited Degrees of Marriages He added in his Expresses That his Majesty should by disguised Envoys divide between the Princes and the Empire The next sight we have of him is in Scotland the French Kings passage to England as he calls it Where in joynt Commission with the Earl of Southampton and the Bishop of Durham he with his variety of Instructions gained time until the French King was embroyled at home the season of Action was over there and the Duke of Norfolk ready to force that with a War which could not be gained by Treaty Fortune is like the Market where many times if you can stay a little the Price will fall The ripeness and unripeness of the Occasion must be well weighed Watch the â—eginning of an Action and then speed Two â—hings make a compleat Polititian Secresie in Councel and Celerity in Execution But our Knights Prudence was not a heavy Wariness or a dull caution as appears by his preferment at Court where he is Master of the Horse and his service in the North where he and the Comptroller Sir Anthony Gage are in the head of 10000 men In both these places his excellence was more in chusing his Officers and Followers than in acting himself His servants were modest and sober troubling him with nothing but his business and expecting no higher conditions than countenance protection and recommendation and his Retainers peaceable reserved close plain and hopeful the deserving Souldier and the promising were seen often at his gate not in throngs to avoid popularity Equal was his favour that none might be insolent and none discontented yet so diâ—creetly dispensed as made the Preferred faithful and the Expectants officious To be ruled by one is soft and obnoxious by many troublesome to be advised by few as he was is safe because as he said in some things out of his element the Vale best discovereth the Hill Although he understood not the main matter of War yet he knew many of its falls and incidents his prudence being as able to lay a stratagem as others experience was to embattail an Army Sir Thomas Wharton Warden of the Marches he commands with 300 men behind an Ambush whither he draws the rash Scots and overthroweth them more with the surprize than his power taking the Lord Admiral Maxwel c. who was committed to his custody and putting that King to so deep a melancholy that he died upon it His death suggests new counsels and Sir Anthony watcheth in Scotland to gain hiâ— Daughter for our Pâ—ince or at least to prevent the French whom Sir Wilâ—iam Paget watcheth there as Sir Ralph Sadler did in Rome and Sir Iohn Wallâ—p at Calais and when that Kings design was discovered we find our Knight with Charles Duke of Suffolk Lieutenant-General Henry Fitz-Alan Earl of Arundel Lord General Will. Paulet Lord St. Iohn Stephen Bishop of Winchester with a rich and strong Army expecting the King before Montrevil whâ—ch they took with Boulogn and forcing the French to a Peace and Submission that secured England and setled Europe Three things facilitate all things 1. Knowledg 2. Temper 3. Time Knowledge our Knight had either of his own or others whom he commanded in what ever he went about laying the ground of matters always down in writing and debating them with his friends before he declared himself in Council A temperance he had that kept him out of the reach of others and brought others within his Time he took always driving never being driven by his business which is rather a huddle than a performance when in haste there was something that all admired and which was more something that all were pleased with in this mans action The times were dark his carriage so too the Waves were boysterous but he the solid Rock or the well-guided Ship that could go with the Tide He mastered his own passion and others too and both by Time and Opportunity therefore he died with that peace the State wanted and with that universal repute the States-men of those troublesome times enjoyed not By King Henry's Will he got a Legacy of 300 l. for his former Service and the
character and commendation of my Lord Bacon the Settling and the Peaceable such as Edward the VI in whose Reign he was advaâ—ced and Queen Elizabeth in whose Reign he was restored It was in pursuance of King Henry's Statute that he cloâ—ed with King Edward's Will For this Clause he pâ—oduced for himself Provided That if the Lady Mary do not keep nor perform such Conditions which shall be limited and appointed as aforesaid that then and from thenceforth for lack of Heirs of the Kings Body and the said Lord Prince lawfully begotten the said Imperiâ—l Crown and other the Premisses shall be come and remain to sucâ— Person and Persons and of such Estate and Estates as the Kings Highness by his Letters Patents sealed under His Great Seal or by His last Will in Writing signed with His Hand shall limiâ— and appoint Isocrates was a man of an excellent Wit but finding himself destitute of countenance gesture and confidence he never durst speak in publick contenting himself to teach even to his decrepit days and commonly saying He taught Rhetorique for a thousand Ryals but would give more tâ—an ten thousand to him that would teach him confidence Tâ—is Marqâ—eâ—s brought up many a Courtier yet had not the face to be One himself until Queen Elizabeth who balanced her Council in point of Religion in the beginning of her Reign aâ— she did her Court in point of Interest throughout threatned him to the Câ—uncil-Board first and then to her Cabinet where none more secret to keep counsel none more faithful to gâ—ve it and more modest to submit A sincere plain direct man noâ— crafty nor involved Observations on the Life of Sir John Cheek SIr Iohn Cheek born over against the Market-Cross in Cambridge became Tuâ—or to King Edward the Sixth and Secretary of State Not â—o meanâ—y descended as Sir Iohn Heyward pretends who writes him The Son of his own Deserts being a Bâ—anch of the Cheeks of Moston in the Isle of Wight where their Estate was â—hree hundred pound a year three hundred years ago and no more within this thiâ—ty years happy in his Father Mr. Peter Cheek whose first tuiâ—ion seasoned him happier in his good Mother that grave Matron whose good counsel Christian charge when he was going to Court setâ—led him and happiest of all in the place of his birth where he fell from his Mothers VVomb to the Muses Lap and learned as soon as he lived being a Scholar sooner than he was a man A German had the care of his younger studies and a Frenchman of his carriage his parâ—s being too large to be confined to the narrowness of English Rules and too sprightly to attend the â—edioâ—sness and creep by the compass of an English method The same day was he and Mr. Ascham admitted to St. Iohns and the same week to Court the one to the Tuition oâ— Edward the sixth the other of Queen Elizabeth there they were both happy in their Master Doctor Metcalf who though he could not as Themistocles said fiddle yet he could make a liâ—tle Colâ—edge a great one and breed Scholars thâ—ugh he was none His advice deterred them from the rough Learning of the Modern Schoolmen and their own Genius led them to the more polite studies of the antient Orators and Historians wherein they profiâ—ed so well that the one was the copious Orator the other the Greek Professor of that University A contest began now between the Introducers of the New and the Defenders of the Old Pronunciation of the Greek the former endeavoured to give each Leâ—ter Vowel and Diphthong its full sound whilst Doctor Caius and others of the Old stamp cried out against his Project and the Promoters of it taxing It â—or novelty and Them for want of experience and affirming Greek it self to be barbarous so clownishly utâ—ered and that neither France Germany nor Italy owned any such Pronunciation Iohn Cheek and Thomas Smith maintained that this was no Innovation but the antient utterance of Greek most clear and most full Chancellour Gardiner then interposed against the Pronunciation and the Authors of it But custom hath since prevailed for the use of the one and the due commendation of the other Sir Iohn Cheek's Authors were Isocrates and Thucydides his Auditors the youngest that came thither for Language and the oldest that heard him for his Discourse and Policy The one preferred him to the ample Provostship of Kings the other to the great tâ—ust of Secretary of State Prince Edward studied not his Book more sedulously than he studied him that his Rules might comply with his Inclination his Lectures with his temper Lectures that were rather Discourses instilled to him Majestically as a Prince than Lessons beaten into him pedantiquely as a School-boy The wise Man would not be debasing his Royal Pupils mind with the nauseated and low crumbs of a Pedant but ennobling it with the free and high Maximes of a States-man sugaring the more austere parts of Learning with the pleasures of Poetry Discourse Apologues and so deceiving the Royal Youth to an improvement before his own years and others comprehension His very Recreations were useful and his Series of lighter exercises for he observed a method in them too a constant study his Table his School his Meat his Discipline the industrious Tutor filling up each space of his time with its suitable instruction it being his Maxime That Time and Observation were the best Masters and Exercise the bâ—st Tutor While others doated over their Rules his Pupils practised them no day passing without his Letters to the King as that Literae meae unum semper habet Argumentum Rex Nobilissime Pater Illustrissime hoc est in omnibus Epistolis ago tâ—bi graâ—ias c. or to the Queen as that Quod non ad te jamdiu scriberoni in causa fuit non negligentia sed studium non â—nim hoc feci ut nunquam omnino scriberem sed accuratius scriberem c. I have two Tutors said King Edward to Cardan Diligence and Moderation Sir Jo. Cheeke and Doctor Coxe So exact an account he gave Prince Edward of his Fathers Kingdome and its Interest that King Henry designed him for Secretary and King Edward made him one Three years he had that place and in that three years did England more service so great his Parts Learning and Religion more kindness such his eminency in both and gave the People more satisfaction such his Integrity and Dexterity than all that went before him and most that came after him He was the first that brought in the use of a Diary and his Pupil the next that practised it His Aphorism it was That a dark and imperfect reflexion upon Affairs floating in the memory was like words dispersed and insignificant whereas a compleat view of them in a Book was like the same words pointed in a period and made significant Much did the Kingdome value him but more the King for being once
serviceable to them and was so moderate that all thought him their own When a compleat man he was called home to be first Clerk of the Council a place of great Trust secondly Secretary of State a place of great Employment thirdly Master of the Requests an Office of great Dispatch and Business and fourthly Treasurer of the Houshold an Employment of constant care No Age wanted an able man more no Age had one more willing to secure the Universities than that which chose him to be Chancellour of Oxford at the same time that his Prince made him Treasurer of the Houshold Sacriledge it self then gaping after the University-Lands durst not tempt so honest a Man nor perswade so great a Scholar nor fright so resolute a Statesman to betray or yield up those ancient Encouragements of Learning and Virtue Loth was Oxford to part with him when a Scholar glad to entertain him a States-man with a power to protect her well tempered with Obligations to love her he who is now the Father being lately the Son maintained by a part of it as he now maintained the whole That was a scrambling time when it was catch who catch can I find not any particular favour conferred or benefaction bestowed by him in person on the University but this great good he did That his Greatness kept others from doing any harm Many hungry Courtiers had hopes to catch Fish and Fish it would be whatever came into their Nets on this turning of the Tide and alteration of Religion How easie was it for covetousness in those times to quarrel the Colledge-Lands into superstition Sacriledge stood ready to knock at their Gates and alas ' â—was past their Porter's power to â—orbid it enterance had not Sir Iohn Mason vigorously opposed it and assisted the University on all occasions He inciteth them to the study of the Tongues because sensum alicujus rei non potest ille assequi qui râ—dis esâ— Idiomatis quo traditur and directed the reading of Aristole Agricola Melancthon c. instead of Scotus Burleus Bricot calling for all their Charters Donations Statutes Popes Bulls with an exact Rental of their Lands and Inventory of their Goods which were restored intire and safe The University that could not enjoy his presence craves his protection and foreseeing in the fall of Abbeys their danger especially when Foundations erected for superstition were given by statute to the King chose Sir Iohn Mason their Chancellour who was at once a favourite oâ— Power and of Learning the greatest Lay-Statesman that was a Scholar and the greatest Scholar that was a Lay-Statesman He was not contented to secure but he must improve Oxford gaining it New Priviledges when it feared the loss of its old ones A grave and reserved Man he was who understood the Intrigues and Motions of those dark and uncertain times and his nimble and present Prudence could accommodate them His Maxime was Do and say nothing Commending the active and close man whose performances were as private coherent continued and suddain as his counsels who would not spend that time in advising that woulâ— serve for executing Many were his pensions to Scholars at home more to Agents abroad that assisted either his studies or employments whom he designed an honour to his middle and a support to his old Age. He had a peculiar way of satisfying suiters by plain dealing and dispatch he would divide all suits either into matter of Equity or a suit of Controversie or into matter of Desert or a suit of Petition In the first he had his Referrendaries to see the matter compounded between both parties rather than carried by either In the second he preferred all suitably to their Abilities No Mâ—n understood better the nature of Court-places than he and none saw further into Court-persons Two things he said always promoted a matâ—er 1. Secresie Boasting which is the way of some Courtiers though it discourageth some Competitors yet it awakeneth Others 2. Timing of it with an Eye to those about us He would advise a Man to begin with a little and mean suit For though as my Lord Bacon observes iniquum petas aequum feras is a good Rule where a Man hath strength of favour yet otherwise a Man had better rise in his suit For he that would have ventured at fiâ—st to have lost his Suitor will not in the conclusion lose both the Suitor and his own former Favour It 's from him while he lived that we learned Celerity is the best Secresie Pruâ—ence and Resolution is the only Fortune Converse is the great Education Boldness a Man's surest Success Good Nature is the eminent Nobility and a well-weighed Honesty the only Favourite It 's by him when he died we are taught that Moderation out-lasts Violence Modesty Ambition a publick Spirit a private One That to act alone may be as profitable as Honourable but to joyn with others most safe That to study the nature of a Prince may for the present advance but to understand the Interest of his Kingdom is always secure The one way being as uncertain as the frail Person it depends upon the other as sure as the lasting State it serves Observations on the Life of Sir William Stamford SIr William Stamford was of Straffordian extraction Robert his Grand-father living at Rowley in that County but William his Fathâ—r was a Merchant in London and purchased Lands at Hadley in Middlesex where Sir William was born August 22. 1509. He was bred to the study of our Municipal Laws attaining so much eminence therein that he was preferred one of the Judges of the Common Pleas. His most learned Book of The Pleas of the Crown hath made him for ever famous amongst Men of his own Profession There is a spirit of retraction of one to his Native County which made him purchase Lands and his Son settle himself in Straffordshire This worthy Judge died Aug. 28. and was buried at Hadley in this Shire in the last year of the reign of Queen Mary 1558. King Iames had a Judge that would give no money and King Henry had one that would take none There have been those Lawyers that turned the point of Law upon the Law it self that wounded the Eagle with a feather from his own Wing and stabbed the person of Princes with their Authority that dethroned Kings with a moot-point and overthrowed a Government at a Reading This Judge understood that as the Law is the security of the people so Prerogative is the strength of the Law and that that is the best temper of Government where Kings have so much power to do evil that they may be able to do good Miserable experience hath taught us that since power hath been wrested from Princes that neither they nor their people can â—e â—â—fe if both be not in such a way as the Law hath intrusted the publick safety and welfare which consists in a full power belonging to the King to secure Liberties preserve
Kings Colledge in Cambridge and afterwards was Tutor in the same University to Henry and Charles Brandon successively Dukes of Suffolk Under Qâ—een Elizabeth he was made Masteâ— of the Hospital of S. Katherines nigh the Tower of London At last he became Secretary of State to the Queen for four years together He dyed Anno 15. To whose various and yet deep knowledge not of the surface of Arts and Sciences for shews but of inside and ground of them for use not onely apprehending the frame but perceiving the power and importance of them There is no character that ever I read so agreeable as that which the most Eloquent Cicero gave the most Learned Varro Tu aetatem patriae tu descriptiones temporum tu sacrorum jura tu sacerdotum tu bellicam disciplinam tu sedem regionum locorum tu omnium divinarum humanarumque rerum nomina genera officia causas aperuisti plurimumque Poâ—tis luminis attulisti elegans poema fecisti Philosophiamque multis locis inchoasti An argument of a great capacity in a man of his great place and greater Imploymenâ— whose candor was yet equal with his parts ingenuously passing by the particular infirmities of those who contributed any thing to the advancement of a General Learning judging it fitter that men of abilities should joyntly engage against ignorance and Barbarism than severally clash with one anotherâ— giving this advice to all men concerned in publick Writings that they might avoid both censâ—re â—rom others and trouble to themselves temperanter rem gero and this he recommended not only to Scholars in general but to some peculiarly discreet persons in particular knowing that that which toucheth all usually reacheth none admonishing lâ—kâ—wise his friends to use no words but such as had some correspondent things and to take care that their conceptions should answer their expressions there having been of late in the world a way of Learning that overthrew Knowledge consisting of opinions remote from mens cogitations which men spake but thought not thinking they had invented new things when they found out new words The reason why his Writings excelled so much in the worth and use of the subject in the exactness of the method in the ingenuity of the design and in the temper of the Writer who discoursed not but demonstrated framing first the disordered minds of men to an exact way of reasoning and afterwards digesting things to a strict form of argument which a man learneth not from Precepts but by use and reading such Books as are compiled not with a loose fancy but a severe reason especially suck Politick Books as are made up of experience which is our recollecting of things past and prudence which is our expectation of things to come according to our experience of things past especially such as have the happiness of perceiving things exactly as they are and expressing them clearly and orderly as they conceive them He had the breeding of Courtiers so long until he was one himself At once reading Machiavel for my Lord Burleigh's Instruction and observing it for his own use His Parents designed him for study his nature for business His presence assisted his inclination and his complisance his presence and his good nature both A good nature that would have spoiled a Politician in any other but Doctor Wilson whose wisdom was the largeness of his Soul not the narrowneâ—s of a shift He had that comprehensive and penetrating judgement that he could at once shew the greatest prudence in laying his design and the greatest Integrity in managing it as rather securely knowing than warily close But he that is onely real had need have exceeding great parts of Vertue as the Stone had need be rich that is seâ— without foil Therefore he was something a Courtier There are small matters that win great commendation because they are continually in use whereas the occasion of any great action cometh but on festivals and it is enough to attain so much ceremony and courtship not to despise it He had a way of conveying effectual and imprinting passions among complements suitable to persons and business He had his familiarity to Inferiors that made him not cheap his state among Equals that made him not envied and his observance to Superiors that made him no Flatterer His behaviour like a well-made suit not too strait or point-device but justly measured and free for exercise or motion He had a slow but a sure way to honor which was nothing else in him but a discovery of his Vertues and Worth upon any occasion without any disadvantage It was his interest as well as his gift to be more learned than witty more reverend than plausible more considerate than active His thoughts were as his inclination grave his discourse as his reading subtile his actions as his Education well weighed regular as his temper even and smooth as custom and resolved as a habit gotten in that advancement of vertue a well-disciplined Society where Example teacheth Company comforteth Emulation quickneth Glory raiseth None had a more skilful method to sway nature in others none more prudent minutâ—s and seasonable degrees to check it in himself his Rule being Never to practise any thing until perfect for so he might exercise his weâ—kness as well as his abilities and induce one habit of both Three things he aimed at 1. The search of Truth by Industry 2. The attainment of it by apprehension 3. The enjoyment of it by assent He is a happy man that is above the troubled and confused Regions of Opinions Fancies Prepossâ—ssâ—ons in that clear and undisturbed one of Truth and Reality Though yet my Lord Verul'am observeth That if there were taken out of mens minds vain opinion flattering hope false valuations and imaginations as one would and the like c. it would leave the minds of a number of poor men poor shrunken things full of melancholy and indisposition and unpleasing to themselves Neither took he greater pleasure in knowing than in relating and doing what is true sound and plain without those crooked courses that shew a creeping rather than a raised nature and as Mr. Mountaignâ— observes is a bravery and facing of God and a shrinking from and being coward before man He said what all great men know That he wax six times a Slave 1. To Himself and his Inclination till he had advanced Reason 2. To the World and its Insolence till he had imprâ—ved his Fortune 3. To his Pupils and their Tempers till he understood their Genius 4. To Fame and its Reports till he was known in the World 5. To his Soveraigns and their Humors till he found their Inâ—erest And 6. To his Business till he had attained Experience Thus it is with all Grandees who exchange their power over themselves for that over others and with great pains comâ— to greater Two things he wished when called to the world Power and Resolution A naked man is contemptible for it's Power that begets Fear it
Marriage with Queen Anne and his Designe to marry him to the Dutches of Alanzon A Designe that because it seemed to over-reach his Mâ—jesty in cunning and really did cross his Inclination in malice that incensed his Majesty to a passion which could be appeased with no less a sacrifice than the Cardinals fall in order to which the next service of this Knight is as Lieutenant of the Tower to take him to custody which he did at Leicester with a Noble resolution considering that mans greatness with a due reverence regarding his calling and with a tender compassion respecting his condition perswading him gently of the Kings Favour at that very time when he was come to be an Instrument of his Iustice. And what he did to a Cardinal now he did to Queens afterwaâ—ds never Prince commanded higher services than King Henry nor subjects discharging them more undauntedly than Sir William because therefore he was so severe a Lieutenant in â—he Tower he is made a Pâ—ovost-Marshal in the Field in which capacity after the Devonshire-Rebels defeat we have these two remarkable stories of him 1. One Bowyer Mayor of Bodmin in Cornwal had been amongst the Rebels not willingly but enforced to him the Provost sent word he would come and dine with him for whom the Mayor made great Provision A little before Dinner the Provost took the Mayor aside and whispered him in the Ear that an Execution must that day be done in the Town and therefore he must set up two Gallows The Mayor did so After Dinner Sir William Kingston thanks him for his Entertainment and then desires him to bring him to the Gallows where when they were come Sir William asked him Whether they were strong enough I I 'll warrant thee saith the Mayor Then saith Sir William get you up upon them I hope saith the Mayor you do not mean as you speak Nay Sir saith he you must die for you have been a busie Rebel And so without any more ado hanged him 2. A Miller that had been very active in the late Rebellion fled and left another to take his Name upon him Sir William Kingston calls for the Miller His Servant tells him that he was the Man Then saith he you must be hanged Oh Sir saith he I am not the Miller If you are not the Miller you are a lying Knave if you are the Miller you are a trayterous one and however you must dye And so he did Punish the Multitude severely once and you oblige them ever for they love that man onely for his Good Nature whom they fear for his Resolution Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Cheyney THree things advised men in King Henry the Eighth's days 1. Their Extraction 2. Their Wit 3. Their Comeliness and Strength For the first his Name was up since Battle-Abel-Roll as to the second it was enough that he traveiled with Wolsey and touching the third there need be no other instance than that at Paris where upon the Daulphin's Proclamation of solemn Justs the Duke of Suffâ—lke the Marquess of Dorset Sir Edward Nevil and He answered the Challenge as not long after he encountered King Henry himself at Greenwich where he had the great Honour of a strong and valiant Knight and a greater of being overthrown by his Majesty Having engaged his Majesties Person at home he had the Honour to represent it abroad where his Commission was to complement the French King about his Liberty but his Business to observe the state of that place Where he saw that a Kingdom governed by a Prince who hath under him other independent Lords as that of France is no longer safe than those Lords are either in Humour or in Purse being always in danger either from their discontent or corruption 2. That Faction is always eager while Duty is modest and temperate This Occasion ennobled his Vertue and his Vertue improved the Occasion so well that I finde him so eminent a Parliament-man the 22th of King Henry that as Sir Brian Tuge had the Honour to open the several Boxes sent from the respective Universities with their opinions about the Kings Divorceâ— so Sir Thomas had the happiness in a set Speech to insist upon them all in general and every one in particular And at Queen Anne's Coronation my Lord Vaux Sir Iohn Mordant Sir Thomas and ten more are made Knights of the Bath Having acquitted himself Nobly in Court and Council he attends the Earl of Hertford against the Scots as Commissary and Sir Iohn Wallop with Sir Iohn Rainsford as Marshal for his Services in both which capacities he is made Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports in England and with the Comptroller Sir Iohn Gage made Field-marshal and Treasurer of the Army before Bulloign And not long after Treasurer of the Houshold and one of the Assistants for the Over-seeing of King Henry's Will When some were joyning others with the Protector others for limiting him Sir Thomas would say That as Machiavel saith No Laws so No good could be done by a Governour that was not absolute without either a Restraint or a Competitor Upon the Reformation he would say That the disesteem of Religious Ceremonies argued the decay of the Civil Government good Princes have first kept their People Religious and thereby Vertuous and united both old and new Rome stand by this In a word what makes all men made him A generous industry of Minde and a well-set hardiness of Body which were attended while he lived with Honour and Success and since he is dead with Repuâ—e and Renowe Where eminent and well-born Persons out of a habit of sloath and lazâ—ness neglect at once the Noblest way of employing their times and the fairest occasions of advancing their fortunes that State though never so flourishing and glorious wants something of being compleatly happy As soon as ever therefore the Kingdom is settled sedate times are the best to improve a Common wealth as his quiet hours are the best to improve a man he and Sir William Howard addressed themselves as vigorously to the opening of Commerce and Traffick for the enriching of this Nation as they had before to the exercise of Arms to secure it Pursuing the Design with Resolution and keeping the frame of it in order with Industry their constant Spirit surmounting all Difficulties that stood in the way of their own Glory or their Countrey 's â—appiness working so well upon the Russians that they not onely obtained their Desire but gained so far upon the Affections of that people that they obtained the greatest priviledges any Tradesmen ever enjoyed in Muscovy which the Russians were not easiâ—r in the promise of than just in the execution of that promise So that the Trade is advanced not onely beyond our hopes but our very pretences too by those three particulars that never fail of success 1. Union 2. Conduct 3. Courage in enterprizes vigorously begun and watchfully pursued Until Queen ELIZABETH concerned her self so far in the
Undertaking as to influence it with a Character peculiar to the Dignity of such a Constitution which carried that Commerce higher than others could raise their Imaginations as we see whose profit by it is as remarqueable in this Age as their zeal for it was in the last When Fear and Distrust those ignoble passions that disparage all great Undertakings which judged that Design a piece of extravagant Folly seeth it now an Act of profound Wisdom especially when it may be improved under CHARLES the Second and the Great a Prince who by admirable order of his conduct the just administration of his Revenue and by his fatherly goodness towards his people hath put himself into a condition to uâ—dertakâ— without fear whatsoever may be put in execution with honour or Justice The End of the Observations upon the Lives of the Statesmen and Favourites of England in the Reign of Queen Mary THE STATES-MEN and FAVOURITES OF ENGLAND IN The Reign of Queen Elizabeth Observations on the Life of Sir Nicholas Bacon Sir Nicholas Bacon a man full of wit and wisdomâ— was a Gentleman and a man of Law and of great knowledge therein whereby together with his other parts of Learning and Dexterity he was prompted to be Keepeâ— of the Great Seal and being kin to the Treasurer Burleigh was brought by his help into the Queens favour This Gentleman understood his Mistress well and the times better He could raise Factions to serve the one and allay them to suit the others He had the deepest reach into Affairs of any man that was at the Council-â—able the knottiest Head to peirce into diâ—ficulties the most comprehensive Judgement to surround the merit of a Cause the strongest memory to recollect all circumstances of a Business to one View the greatest patience to debate and consider for it was he that first said Let us stay a little and we will have done the sooner and the clearest reason to urge any thing that came in his way in Court or Chancery His favour was eminent with his Mistress and his Alliance strong with her States-men No man served his Soveraign more faithfully none secured himself more wisely Leicester seemed wiser than he was Bacon was wiser than he seemed to be Hunsdon neither was nor seemed wise Much Learning my Lord Bacon gained in Bennets Colledge in Cambridge more Experience in Paris of France His Deâ—terity and Dispatch advanced him to the Court of Wards his deep Experience made him Lord Keeper Alliance was the policy of that time Bacon and Cecil married two Sisters Walsingham and Mildmay two more Knowles Essex and Leicester were linked the prudent Qâ—een having all her Favourites Relations and Dependencies in her eye and disposing of them according to their several Interests Great was this States-mans Wit greater the Fame of it which as he would say being nothing made all things For Report though but Fancy begets Opinion and Opinion begets Substance He was the exactest man to draw up a Law in Council and the most discreet to execute it in Court When others urged the repeal of that Act whereby Queen Elizabeth was declared Illegiâ—imate he rather suppressed it chusing the closure of a festered Wound more prudent than the opening of it and judging it more wisdome to satisfie the world with the old Law That the Crown takes away all defects than to perplex it with new disputes Whether Queen Elizabeth were Legitimate State-miscarriages are rather to be privately connived at than publickly redressed the remedy it may be doing no more service than putting the people in minde of the mishap He neither affected nor attained to Greatness Mediocra firma was his Principle and his Practice When Queen Elizabeth asked him Why his House was so little he answered Madam my House is not too little for me but you have made me too big for my House Give me said he a good Estate rather than a great one He had a very Quaint saying saith Robert Naunton and he used it often to very good purpose That he loved the Jest well but not the loss of his Friend He would say That though unusquisque suae fortunae faber was a true and good Principle yet the most in number were those that marred themselves but I will never forgive that man that loseth himself to be rid of his Iest. The Excellency of his Parts was set off with the Gravity of his Person and the Queen would say My Lord Bacon's Soul lodgeth well His Account of England and all its Affaires was punctual his use of learned Artist was continual his correspondence with his fellow-Statesmen exact his apprehension of our Laws and Government clear his model of both methodical his faithfulness to the Church eminent his industrious invention for the State indefaâ—igable He was in a word a Father of his Country and of Sir Francis Bacon Sir Nicholas â—acon was the moderate man that was appointed to preside at the Disputâ—tion between the Protestant and Popish Doctors in the first of Queen Elizabeth Hâ— was that Judicious States-man to whom was trusted the management of that Parliament and Convocation The satisfaction of the People and Kingdome and those Delatory proceedings with France Spain and Rome that were at the bottom of the great work of Reformation and settlement at that time Observations on the Life of William Cecil Lord Burleigh WIlliam a Cecil was born with the advantage of being Richard Cecil's Son who was of the Robes to King Henry and Legatee in his Will and bred with that of being Commoner of St. Iohns in Cambridge and Student at the Innes of Court in London whence he was advanced by his Pregnancy to serve the Duke of Somerset in quality of Master of Requests as he was afterwards by his Master to attend King Edward the sixth in the capacity of Secretary of Statâ— where he furnished all Acts and Orders with Reasons of State as he had them fitted by able Lawyers with Arguments of Law He loved always they say to wrap the Prerogatives in the Laws of the Land He was constant but not obstinate in his Advice As the Planets are whirled about dayly From East to West by the motion of the Primum Mobile yet have a contrary motion of their own from West to East which they slowly yet surely move at their leisures so our States-man though yielding in some things to Greatness of some Persons in an Age wherein it was present drowning not to swim against the stream Yet had he his counter-endeavours against the prevailing strain and privately advanced his rightful Intentions against otheâ—s wrongful Ambitions If dissenting from his Superiours he did it with all humility and mâ—deration yet chusing always rather to displease than betray He was in much favour with King Edward in some with Queen Mary in most with Qâ—een Elizabeth who though sparing of her honours yet heaped on him the trust of Secretary of State the Profits of the Master of the Wards the
Aâ—vancement of Lord Treasurer and the degree of Baron of Burleigh for as he followed the Marquess of Winchester in his Employment so he did in his Compliance When he was out of place he was not out of service in Queen Mary's days his Abilities being as necessary in those times as his Inclination and that Queens Council being as ready to advance him at last as they were to use him all her Reign In Queen Elizabeth's time he setled the Crown by setling Religion and by an utter separation from Rome strengthened England He made equal use of those that were then Protestants by Interest and they who were so in Conscience Those that had affections for Church-lands and those that had affections for the Church The Pope would by a Bull confirm the sale of Abby-Lands But who said Burleigh can confirm the Popes Bull The King of Spain secured the Queen in hope of her Bed the Pope winked at her in hope of her Heart Burleigh over-reached the one by a fair complaysance and the other by insensible alterations During the Qâ—eens ten years calm Cecil provided for a tempest and improved her Shipping and Ammunition to a dreadfulness at Sea as he did her Army to a great skill and experience by Land He made Holland our Stage of War and our School of Discipline where England gained the security and experience of War without its calamity and desolations always Offensive and once onely Defensive His Intelligence abroad was no less than his Prudence at home and he could write to a friend in Ireland what the King of Spain could do for two years together and what he could not do His Advicâ—s from his Pensioners abroad were presented Queen Elizabeth once a fortnight 1. clearly and plainly 2. methodically and distinctly 3. speedily and seasonably 4. truly and fully He exchanged his Interest for Walsinghams Intelligence who commanded what he could do as he did what the other knew The Bull clapped at London-house was first in our Sâ—ates-mans study where they might learn what they were to do and Protestants what to expect many years before any thing was visible When Leicester would have no Equal and â—â—ssex no Superiour then Ceeil as Neuter served himself of them both He would wrestle with neither of them yet he would trip them both they having many rubs in their way yet never saw who laid them He never quarrelled with any neither saith Cambden did he ever sue or was he ever sued Prudâ—ns qui Patiens was his saying before it was Sir Edward Cookes Motto and he had rather tire our Opposition by his moderation than improve it by his Impatience Others wâ—re raised to balance Factions he to support the Kingdome Fickle Favour tossed them constant Interest secured him No fewer than the Marquess of Winchester the Dâ—ke of Norfolk the Earls of Northumberland Arundel Pembroke Leicester and Westmorland contrived his fall but reason of State and his Mistress kept up his â—tanding Sir Nicholas Throgmorton advised them to clap him up saying That then men would open their mouths to speak freely against him but the Queen understanding hereof and standing as I may say saiâ—h my Authoâ— in the very prison-door quashed all their Designes and freed him from the mischief projected against him Great was the value the Queen set upon him as her ablest Minister of State for coming once to visit him being sick of the Gout at Burleigh-house in the Strand and being much heightned with her Head-attire then in fashion the Lords servant who conducted her through the door said May your highness be pleased to stoop The Queen returned For your Masters sake I will stoop but not for the King of Spain She would make him always sit down in her presence saying My Lord we make use of you not for your bad Lâ—ggs but your good Head He was a good friend to the Church as then established by Law advising his son Thomas never to build a great house or bestow any great charge upon an Inpropriation as fearing the foundation might fail hereafter yet conniving at sober Non-conformists to strengthen the foundation at present he checked the forwardness of private men and advanced the honour of the publick Establishment on all hands Good my Lord saith he in his Letter to Archbishop whitgift in the behalf of some squeamish Ministers bear with my scribling I write with the testimony of a good Conscience I desire the peace of the Church I desire concord and unity in the exercise of our Religion I fear no sensual or wilful Recusant I would not make Offenders neither would I protect them And I pray your Grace bear this and perchance a fault and yet I have sharply admonished them that if they will be Disturbers in their Churches they must be corrected and yet upon your Graces answer to me Ne sutor ultra Crepidam neither will I put Falcem in alterius Messem Was his Chaplain Traverse his hand in all this And then again If I had known his fault saith he of Brown I might be blamed for writing for him Thus he carried matters without passion and prejudice prudently as became so great a States-man He was not rigid yet he was careful He would help the good-natured yet punish the stubborn He would rather be where nothing is lawful than where all things are so He would never skrue up the Law to the pitch of cruelty nor unloose it to the remissness of Libertinism He was no less honourable a Patron of the Vniversity than he was a faithful son of the Church the Church strengtheneth the State and the Vniversities furnish both particularly in the case of Rent-corn which saith my Author first grew in Sir Thomas Smiths head yet was ripened by Burleighs assistance whereby though the Rents of the Colledges stand still their Revenues increase He was not surer of all Church-men and Scholars by his Obligations upon them than he was of all by his complaisance and pleasantness None more grave than he in Publick none more free in private especially at his Table where he drew something out of his heaviest guests having an admirable Dexterity in reading and observing men their own occasional openings in common discourse there being more hold to be taken of a few words casually uttered than of set solemn Speeches which rather shew mens Arts than their Natures as indited rather of their brains than hearts His power awed many his conversation obliged more He had his hour to put on his Gown and his hour to put it â—ff When he would say Lie thou there Lord Treasurer and bidding Adieu to all State-affairs he dispoâ—ed himself to his quiet and rest He laid the Designes of War by his own Theory and his friends Intelligence yet he advised peace and died before the Quâ—stion was determined whether a War with Spain Others understood the Nature of War but he onely the Expediency and Conveniency If War was necessary none more forward to promote it none more
in times of peace seven times to Iames the sixth of Scotland for a good understanding and thrice to Basilides Emperour of Russia for Trade Once to Charles the ninth King of France to discover his designe upon Scotland and once to Henry the third to open a Conspiracy of his suâ—jâ—cts against him Great services these but meanly rewarded the serviceable but moderate and modest man though he had as many children at home as he had performed Embassies abroad being contented with the Chamberlainship of the Exchâ—quer and the Postermasters place the first but a name and the second then but a noise to which were added some small Farms wherein he enjoyed the peace and innocence of a quiet and retired Life a Life which upon the reflexions of a tender Conscience he wished a great while as appears by his Letters to his dear Walsingham wherein he writes How worthy yea how necessary a thing it was that they should at length bid Farewel to the snares he of a Sâ—cretary and himself of an Embassadour and should both of them set their mindes upon their Heavenly Country and by Repenting ask Mercy of GOD. Oâ—servations on the Life of Sir Amias Poulet SIr Amiâ—s Poulet born at Hinton St. George in Summerseâ—shire Son to Sir Hugh and Grandchild to Sâ—r Amias Powlet was Chancellour of the Garter Governour of the Isles of Iersey and Gernsey and Privy-Councellour to Queen Elizabeth He was so faithful and trusty that the Queen committed the keeping of Mary Queen of Scots to his custody which he discharged with great fidelity As Caesar would have his Wife so he his spirit above the very suspicion of unworthiness equally consulting his Fame and his Conscience When he performed his last Embassie with no less satisfaction to the King of France than honour to the Queen of England at once with a good humour and a great state he would not accept a Chain and all Gifts are Chains from that King by any means until he was a League from Paris then he took it because he would oblige that Prince and not till then because he would not be obliged by any but his Soveraign saying I will wear no chains but my Mistresses It is the interest of Princes that their Servants Fortune should be above the temptation it is their happiness that their Spirits are above the respects of a private concern Observations on the Lives of Sir James Croftsâ— John Grey of Pyrgo Sir Henry Gates EMblems of honour derived from Ancestors are but rotten Rags where ignoble posterity degenerates from their Progenitors but they are both glorious and precious where the children both answer and exceed the Vertues of their extraction as in these three Gentlemen whose Ancestors fill both Pages of former Kings Chronicles as they do the Annals of Queen Elizabeth Three Gentlemen whom it's pity to part in their Memoires since they were always together in their Employments All three were like to die in Qâ—een Mary's days for the prosession of the Protestanâ— Religion all three spending their Lives in Queen Elizabeth's for the propagation of it 1. Sir Henry Gates lying in Rome as a Spy under the Notion of Cardinal Florido's Secretary six years Iohn Grey drawing up the whole Proceedings and Methods of the Reformation for ten years and Sir Iames Crofts being either the vigilant and active Governour of Berwick or the prudent and successful Commissioner in Scotland for seven years When the French threatned us by the way of Scotland the Earl of Northumberland was sent Northward for his interest as Warden of the middle March Sir Ralph Sadler for his wisdome as his Assiâ—tant and Councellour and Sir Iames Crofts for his Conduct as both their Guide and Director-general An estate in the Purse credits the Court wisdome in the Head adorneth it but both in the Hand serve it Nobly did he and Cuthbert Vaughan beat the French that sallied out of Edinburgh into their Trenches but unhappily stood he an idle Spectator in his quarter the next Scalado while the Eâ—glish are overthrown and the Duke writes of his infidelity to the Queen who discharged him from his place though not from her favour for in stead of the more troublesome place the Government of Berwick she conferred on him that more honourable the Controllership of hâ—r Houshold Great service did his Valour at Hadington in Scotland against the French greater his prudence in Vlster against the Spaniards Alâ—hough his merit made his honour due to him and his Blood becoming though his Cares Travels and Dangers deâ—erved pity his quiet and meek Nature love though he rise by wary degrees and so was unobserved and stood not insolently when up and so was not obnoxious yet â—nvy reflected as hot upon him as the Sun upon the rising ground which stands firm though it doth not flourish as this Gentleman 's resolved honesty did overcoming Court-envy with a solid worth waxing old at once in years and reverence and dying as the Chronicle wherein he dieth not but with Time reports it in good favour with his Prince and sound reputation with all men for three infallible sources of Honour 1. That he aimed at Merit more than Fame 2. That he was not a Follower but an Example in great Actions and 3. That he assisted in the three great concerns of Government 1. in Laws 2. in Arms and 3. in Councils In AEsop there is a slight Fable of a deep moral it is this Two Frogs consulted together in the time of Drowth when many plashes that they had repaired to were dry what was to be done and the one propounded to go down into a deep well because it was like the water would not fail there but the other answered Yea but if it do fail how shall we get up again Mr. Grey would Nod and say Humain affairs are so uncertain that he seemeth the wisest man not who hath a spirit to go on but who hath a wariness to come off and that seems the best course that hath most passages out of it Sir Iames Crofts on the other hand hated that irresolution that would do nothing because it may be at liberty to do any thing Indeed saith one Necessity hath many times an advantage because it awaketh the powers of the minde and strengtheneth Endeavour Sir Iames Crofts was an equal Composition of both as one that had one fixed eye on his Action and another indifferent one on his retreat Observations on the Life of William Lord Grey of Wilton THat great Souldier and good Christian in whom Religion was not a softness as Machiavil discoursed but a resolution Hannibal was sworn an Enemy to Rome at nine years of Age and my Lord bred one to France at fourteen Scipio's first service was the rescue of his Father in Italy and my Lord Grey's was the safety of his Father in Germany He had Fabius his slow way and long reach with Herennius his fine polices and neat Ambuscadoes having his two Companions always
To which I adde her Sister musick wherewith he revived his tired spirits lengthened as he said his sickly days opened his oppressed breast eased his melancholy thoughâ— graced his happy pronunciation ordered and refined his irregular and gross inclination fixed and quickned his floating and dead notions and by a secret sweet and heavenly Vertue raised his spirit as he confessed sometime to a little less than Angelical Exaltation Curious he was to please his ear and as exact to please his eye there being no Statues Inscriptions or Coyns that the Vertâ—osi of Italy could shew the Antiquaries of France could boast off or the great Hoarder of Rarities the great Duke of Tuscany whose antick Coyns are worth 100000 l. could pretend to that he had not the view of No man could draw any place or work better none fancy and paint a Portraicture more lively being a Durer for proportion a Goltzius for a bold touch variety of posture a curious and true shadow an Angelo for his happy fancy and an Holben for Oyl works Neither was it a bare Ornament of Discourse or naked Diversion of leisure time but a most weighty piece of knowledge that he could blazon most noble and ancient Coats and thereby discern the relation interest and correspondence of great Families and thereby the meaning and bottom of all transactions and the most successful way of dealing with any one Family His Exercises were such as his Employments were like to be gentle and manlike whereof the two most eminent were Riding and Shooting that at once wholesomely stirred and nobly knitted and strengthened his body Two Eyes he saiâ— he travelled with the one of wariness upon himself the other of observation upon others This compleat Gentleman was Guardian to the young Brandon in his younger yearsâ— Agent for Sir Iohn Mason in King Edward the sixth's time and the first Embassador for the State in Queen Elizabeths time My Lord Cobham is to amuse the Spaniard my Lord Effingham to undermine the French and Sir Henry Killigrew is privately sent to engage â—he German Princes against Austria in point of Interest and for her Majesty in point of Religion he had a humour that bewitched the Elector of Bavaria a Carriage that awed him of Mentz a Reputation that obliged them of Colen and Hydelbergh and that reach and fluency in Discourse that won them all He assisted the Lords Hunsdon and Howard at the Treaty with France in London and my Lord of Essex in the War for France in Britain Neither was he less observable for his own Conduct than for that of others whose severe thoughts words and carriage so awed his inferiour faculties as to restrain him through all the heats of youth made more than usually importunate by the full vigour of a high and sanguine Constitution insomuch that they say he looked upon all the approaches to that sin then so familiar to his calling as a Souldier his quality as a Gentleman and his Station as a Courtier not onely with an utter disallowance in his judgement but with a natural abhorrency and antipathy in his very lower inclinations To which happiness it conduced not a little that though he had a good yet he had a restrained appetite a Knife upon his Throat as well as upon his Trencher that indulged it self neither frequent nor delicate entertainment its meals though but once a day being its pressures and it s fast its only sensualitieâ— to which temperance in diet adde but that in sleep together with his disposal of himself throughout his life to industry and diligenceâ— you will say he was a spotless man whose life taught us this Lesson which if observed would accomplish mankinde and which King Charles the fiâ—st would inculcate to noble Travellers and Dr. Hammond to all men To be furnished always with something to do A Lesson they proposed as the best expedient for Innocence and pleasure the foresaid blessed man assuring his happy heaâ—ers That no burthen is more heavy or temptation more dangerous than to have time lie on ones hand the idle man being not onely as he worded it the Devils shop but his kingdome too a model of and an appendage unto Hell a place given up to torment and to mischief Observations on the Life of Arthur Gray Baron of Wilton ARthur Gray Baron of Wilton is justly râ—ckoned amongst the Natives of Buckinghamshire whosâ— Father had his habitation not at Wilton a decayed Castle in Hertfordshire whence he took his Title but at Waddon a fair house of his Family not far from Buckingham He succeeded to a small estate much diminished on this sad occasion His Father William Lord Gray being taken Prisoner in France after long ineffectual solliciting to be because captivated in the publick service redeemed on the publick charge at last was forced to ransome himself with the sale of the best part of his Patrimony Our Arthur endeavoured to advance his estate by his Valour being entred into Feats of War under his martial Father at the siege of Leith 1560 where he was shot in the shoulder which inspirited him with a constant antipathy against the Scots He was afterwards sent over Lord Deputy into Ireland anno 1580 where before he had received the Sword or any emblems of command ut acrioribus initiis terrorem incuteret to fright his foes with fierce beginnings he unfortunately fought the Rebels at Grandilough to the great loss of English Blood This made many commend his Courage above his Conduct till he recovered his credit and finally suppressed the Rebellion of Desmond Returning into England the Qâ—een chiefly relied on his counsel for ordering our Land-forces against the Spaniards in 88 and fortifying places of advantage The mention of that year critical in Churcâ—-differences about discipline at homâ— as well as with forreign force abroad mindeth me that this Lord was but a back-friend to Bishops and in all divisions of Votes in Paâ—liament or Council-table sided with the Anti-prelatical party When Sâ—cretaâ—y Davison that State-pageant raised up on purpose to be put down was censured in the Star-chamber about the business of the Queen of Scots this Lord Gray onely defended him as doing nothing therein but what became an able and honest Minister of State An Ear-witness saith Haec fusè oratorie animose Greium disserentem audivimus So that besides bluntness the common and becoming Eloquence of Souldiers he had a real Rhetorick and could very emphatically express himself Indeed this Warlike Lord would not wear two heads under one Helmet and may be said always to have born his Beaver open not dissembling in the least degree but owning his own Judgement at all times what he was He deceased anno Domini 1593. Three things he was observed eminent for 1. Dâ—spatch San Ioseph having not been a week in Ireland before he had environed him by Sea and Land 2. For his resolution that he would not parley with him till he was brought to his mercy hanging out a
him that anno 1580 that Kingdome was delivered to my Lord Gray after his one years Government in a better condition than it had been for threescore years before the Populacy being encouraged the Nobility trusted Fâ—â—ds laid down Revenue setled the Sea-towns secured the Sâ—ulâ—iery disciplined and the Magizines furnished Whence he returned to overlook others setling England against the Spaniards as he had done Ireland himself being an active Commiâ—â—oner in England in 88 and an eminent Agent in Scotland in 89. Observations on the Life of Sir William Waad A Scholar himself and a Patron to such that were so being never well but when employing the Industrious pensioning the Hopeful and preferring the Deserving To his Directions we owe Riders Dictionary to his Encouragement Hooker's Policy to his Charge Gruter's Inscriptions As none more knowing so none more civil No man more grave in his Life and Manners no man more pleasant in his Carriage and Complexion yet no man more resolved in his Business for being sent by Queen Elizabeth to Philip King of Spain he would not be turned over to the Spanish Privy-Council whose greatest Grandees are Dwarfs in honour to his Mistress but would either have audience of the King himself or return without it though none knew better how and when to make his close and underhand Addresses to such potent Favourites as strike the stroke in the State it often happening in a Commonwealth saith my Author that the Masters Mate steers the Ship better than the Master himself A man of a constant toyl and industry busie and quick equally an enemy to the idle and slow undertakings judging it a great weakness to stand staring in the face of business in that time which might serve to do it In his own practice he never considered longer than till he could discern whether the thing proposed was fit or not when that was seen he immediately set to work when he had finished one business he could not endure to have his thoughts lie fallow but was presently consulting what next to undertake Two things this Gentleman professed kept him up to that eminence 1. Fame that great inciâ—ement to Excellency 2. A Friend whom he had not onely to observe those grossnesses which Enemies might take notice of but to discover his prudential failings indecencies and even suspitious and barely doubtful passages Friendship saith my Lord Bacon easeth the heart and cleareth the understanding making clear day in both partly by giving the purest councel apart from our interest and prepossessions and partly by allowing opportunity to discourse and by that discourse to clear the mind to recollect the thoughts to see how they look in words whereby men attain that highest wisdome which Dionysius the Areopagite saith is the Daughter of Reflexion Observations on the Life of Sir Henry Sidney SIr Henry Sidney eminent for his son Sir Philip and famous for his own Actions was born well and bred better His Learning was equal to his Carriage his Carriage to his Good Nature his Good Nature to his Prudence his Prudence to his Resolution A little he learned at School more at the University most at Court His Reading was assiduous his Converse exact his Oâ—servations close His Reason was strong and his Discourse flowing Much he owed to his Studiousness at home more to his Experience abroad where Travel enlarged and consolidated his Soul His own Worth fitted him for Advancement and his Alliance to my Lord of Leicester raised him to it Merit must capacitate a man for Interest and Interest must set up merit His person and his Ancestry invested him Knight of the Garter his Moderation and Wisdome President of Wales His Resolution and Model of Government made him Lord Deputy of Ireland a people whom he first studied and then ruled being first master of their humour and then of their Government Four things he said would reduce that Country A Navy well furnished to cut off their correspondence with Spain An Army well paid to keep up Garrisons Laws well executed to alter their Constitutions and Tenures A Ministry well setled to civilize and instruct them and an unwearied Industry to go through all Nine things he did there to eternize his Memory 1. Connaught He divided to six Shires 2. Captainships something answering to Knighthood here He abolished 3. A Surrendry of all Irish Holdings He contrived and the Irish Estates He setled on English Tâ—nures and Services 4. That the ablest five of each Sept should undertake for all their Relations He ordered 5. One Free-School at least in every Diocess He maintained 6. Two Presidents Courts in Munster and Connaught He erected 7. Their Customes He reduced to the Civility and their Exchequer to the Exactness of England 8. Their Purveyance He turned to Composition 9. Their Statutes He printed and a constant correspondence He kept especially with the English Embassadour in Spain and King Iames in Scotland Fitzâ—Williams was mild Essex heady Perrot stout but this Lieutenant or Deputy was a stayed and resolved man that Royally heard ill and did well that bore up against the clamours of the people with the peace of his conscience His Interest he had devoted to his Soveraignâ— and his Estate to the publick saying as Cato That he had the least share of himself From the Irish he took nothing but a Liberty to undo themselves from Court he desired nothing but service from Wales he had nothing but a Good Name Iâ—'s observed of him that He had open Vertues for Honour and private ones for Success which he said was the daughter of reservedness there being not saith my Lord Vâ—rulam two more fortunate properties than to have a little of the fool and not too much of the honest man The Crown was obliged by his services the Nobility engaged to him by Alliances the People enamoured with his Integrity and himself satisfied with a good Conscience Much good counsel he gave at Court more at home in Shropshire where his Dexterity in composing the private Quarrels of the Country was as eminent as his Prudence in setling the Affairs of Ireland He had that Majesty in his Countenance that he awed and Affability in his Speech that he obliged the Country His Counsel would be smart and solid his Reproof grave and affectionate his Jests quick and taking doing more with a quick Droll towards the peace of the Country than others did with longer Harangues Secretary Bourns Son kept a Gentlemans Wife in Shropshire when he was weary of her he caused her Husband to be dealt with to take her home and offered him 500 l. for reparation The Gentleman went to Sir Henry Sidney to take his advice telling him That his Wife promised now a new life and to say the truth five hundred pounds would be very seasonable at that time By my troth said Sir Henry take her home and the Money then whereas other Cuckolds wear their Horns plain you may wear yours gilt His great word after a
wanting to be said while men are men For not to go higher we are taught easily so much by the very Ballads and Libels of Leicestrian time But above the aforesaid year many young ones being chosen into the House of Commons more than had been usual in great Councils who though of the weakest wings are the highest Flyers there arose a certain unfortunate and unfruitful Spirit in some places not sowing but picking at every stone in the field rather than tending to the geneâ—al harvest And thus far the consideration of the Nature of the Time hath transported me and the occasion of the subject Now on the other side I must with the like liberty observe two weighty and watchful Sollicitudes as I may call them which kept the Earl in extream and continual Cauâ—ion like a bow still bent whereof the Dukes thoughts were absolutely free First he was to wrestle with a Queens declining or rather with her very setting Age as we may term it which bâ—sides other respects is commonly even of it self the more umbratious and apprehensive as for the most part all Horizons are charged with certain vapours towards their evening The other was a matter of more Circumstance standing thus viz. All Princes especially those whom God hath not blessed with natural issue are by wisdome of State somewhat shie of their Successors and to speak with due Reverence there may be reasonably supposed in Queens Regnant a little proportion of tenderness that way more than in Kings Now there were in Couâ—t two names of Power and almost of Affection the Essexian and the Cecilian with their adherents both well enough enjoying the present and yet both looking to the future and therefore both holding correspondency with some of the principals in Sâ—otland and had râ—câ—ived advertisements and instructions either from them or immediately from the King as induciat Heir of thiâ— Iâ—perial Crown But lest they mighâ— detect one another this was mysteriously carried by several instruments and conducts and on the Essexian side in truth with infinite hazard For Sir Robert Cecil who as Secretary of State did dispose the publick Addresses had prompter and safer conveyance whereupon I cannot but relate a memorable passage on either part as the stâ—ry following shall declare The Eâ—rl of Essex had accommodated Master Anthony Bacon in parâ—ition of his house and had assigned him a noble entertainment This was a Gentleman of impotâ—nt feet but a nimble head and through his hand run all the intelligences with Scotland who being of a provident nature contrary to his brother the Lord Viscount Saint Albans and well knowing the advantage of a dangerous secret would many times cunningly let fall some words as if he could amend his Fortunes under the Cecilians to whom he was near of alliance and in blood also and who had made as he was not unwilling should be believed some great proffers to win him away which once or twice he pressed so far and with such tokens and signes of apparent discontent to my Lord Henry Howard afterwards Earl of Northampton who was of the party and stood himself in much Umbrage with the Queen that he flees presently to my Lord of Essex with whom he was commonly primae admissionis by his bed-side in the morning and tells him that unless that Gentleman were presently satisfied with some round sum all would be vented This took the Earl at that â—ime ill provided as indeed oftentimes his Coffers were low whereupon he was fain suddenly to give him Essex-house which the good old Lady Walsingham did afterwards dis-engage out of her own stoâ—e with 2500 pound and before he haâ— distilled 1500 pound at another time by the sâ—me skill So as we rate this one secrâ—t as it was finely carâ—ied at 4000 pounds in present money besides at the least 1000 pound of annual pâ—nsion to a private and bed-rid Gentleman What would he have gotten if he could have gone about his own business There was another accident of the same nature on the Cecilian side much more pleasant but less chargeable for it cost nothing but wit The Queen having for a good while not heard any thing from Scotland and being thiâ—sty of news it fell out that her Majesty going to take the air towards the heath â—he Couâ—t being then at Greenwich and Master Secretary Cecil then attending her a Post came crossing by and blew his Horn The Queen out of curiosity asked him from whence the Dispatch came and being answered from Scotland she stops her Coach and calleth for the Packet The Secretary though he knew there were some Letters in it from his Correspondents which to discover were as so many Serpents yet made more shew of diligence than of doubt to obey and asks some that stood by forsooth in great haste for a Knife to cut up the Packet for otherwise he might perhaps awakâ—d a little apprehension but in the mean time approaching with the Packet in his hand at a pretty distance from the Queen he telleth her it lookâ—d and smelt ill-favouredly coming out of a filâ—â—y Budget and that it should be fit first to open and air it because he knew she was averse from ill Scents And so being dismissed home he got leisure by thiâ— seasonable shift to sever what he would not have seen These two accidents precisely true and known to few I have reported as not altogether extravagant from my purpose to shew how the Earl stood in certain perplexities wherewith the Dukes days were not distracted And this hath been the Historical part as it were touching the difference between thâ—m in the rising and flowing of their fortunes I will now consider their several Endowments both of Person and Mind and then a little of their Actions and Ends. The Earl was a pretty deal the taller and much the stronger and of the abler body but the Duke had the neater limbs and free delivery he was also the uprighter and of the more comely motions for the Eâ—rl did bend a little in the neckâ— though rather forwards than downwards and he was so far from being a good Dancer that he was no graceful Goer If we touch particulars the Duke exceeded in the daintiness of his leg and foot and the Earl in the incomparable fairness and fine shape of his hands which though it be but feminine praise he took from his Father for the general Air the Earl had the closer and more reserved Countenance being by nature somewhat more cogitative and which was strange never more than at meals when others are least Insomuch as he was wont to make his observation of himsâ—lf that to solve any knotty â—usiness which cumbred his mind his ablest hours were when he had checked his first appetite with two or three morsels after which he sate usually for a good while silent yet he would play well and willingly at some games of greatest aâ—tentionâ— which shewed that when he listed he could license his thoughts The Duke on
Author thereof may pass for an eminent instance to what perfection of Theory they may attain to in matter of War who were not acquainted with the Practick part thereof being once employed by Queen Elizabeth with a dispatch to Sir Francis Vere which occasioned his presence at the Battel at Newport For he doth so smartly discuss pro and con and seriously decide many Martial Controversies that his judgment therein is praised by the best Military Masters King Iames taking notice of his Abilities made him Clerk of the Council and Knighted him and he was at last preferred Secretary of State in the vacancy of that place but prevented by death he acted not therein At this day his goodness in his general carriage out-did his prudence and his prudence in particular his goodness but his industry loth in all things and in nothing more than in his Scotch Negâ—tiation where he over-reached the slye French composed and setled the unsatisfied King and sent those weekly Advertisements to his Mistriss that Sir Robert Cecil confessed the Master-wheel of those years revolutions When Charles the fifth presented Secretary Eraso to his Son Philip the second he said He gave him somewhat greater than his Estate and more royal than his Empire When Sir William Waad introduced Sir Clement Edmonds to Court he brought thither in that person more than he coulâ— carry away in his own A person much accomplished in the great precepts and rules he observed more in his experience and application of those he practised wherein he was wise but not presumptuous exact but not pedantick allowing much to old Observations more to new Circumstances He was not more beholding to his Nature than his Nature to his Study and Meditation and that to time and experience which offered at once occasions of ininstruction and matter of exercises to his great understanding so well acquainted with the aâ—â—airs of former Ages that he could not be surprized with those of his own knowing how to command before he was called to obey as who trusted not to his own short and perplexed life that scarce holds out five or six important Negotiations and ordinarily ceaseth to be before it beginneth to know but his policy may be guessed from his morality and his publick carriage in the tumults of Affairs from his private conduct and command in the disorders of nature these being as well managed by his reason as the former by his prudence His lesser skill in governing the little world being an earnest of that more large in ruling the greater The Government of others saith Philosophy is not fit for him who is a Slave to himself Observations on the Life of James Hay Earl of Carlisle ONe Hay his Ancestor saved Scoâ—land from an Army of Danes at Longcarty with a Yâ—ak in his hand Iames Hay 6â—0 years after saved the King of that Countrey from the Gowries at their house with a Câ—lter in his the first had as much ground assigned him by King Kenith as a Falcon could flye over at one flight and the other as much Land as he could ride round in two dayes The whole Family fell before Dubâ—in-Castle in former dayes fave a child left in his Mothers womb and had decayed in ours but that the heir of it was cut out from his He served his Master in Scotland by his Generosity and in England with his Hâ—spitality the decay whereof King Iames observed the defect of the English Nobility and the restauration of it he designed the honour of the Scots Gentry Royal was his Masters munificence towards him noble his towards others His Majesty being not more intent upon his advancement for publick service than he was upon the advancement of others to hâ—s private assistanceâ— His Majesties gracious inclination being for a Reign of Peace this servants estate was spent upon the Arts of it I mean upon Feasts Masques gay Cloathes and such other Delicacies as might soften our harâ—her natures to quietness that Princes interest who was first to understand and then to manage the â—trength of this Nation Although he failed in most of his Negotiations because he carried his money on his back rather than in his purâ—â—â— rather to spend than to bestow and amaze Foreigners rather than oblige them Yet was his Embassie more suitable to the French vanity than either the Dutch thrift or the German plainness and his carriage more answerable to a gawdy Treaty of Marriage than to a close Agency for Interest or the intricate consultations of War So great the report of his Hospitality that an Host of Delph demanded sixty pounds for providing him a Supper though he never came that way yet so displeasing to the Prince of Orange that when his Steward asked what he should provide extraordinarily for the great Embassador's entertainment the Prince looks on his Bill of Fare and whereas there was but one Pig he bid them write two tartly reflecting as well on my Lords Nation as his magnificence One of his Entertainments I understand not the reason of I mean his Ante-Suppers the manner of which was to have the Board covered at the first entrance of Guests with dishes as high as a tall man could well reach filled with the choicest and dearest Viands Sea or Land could afford and all this once seen and having feasted the eyes of the invited was removed and fresh set on to the same height having onely this advantage of the other that it was hot at one whereof an Attendant eat to his single share a whole Pye reckoned to my Lord at twenty pounds being composed of Amber-greece Magisterial of Pearl Musk c. yet was so far from being sweet in the morning that he almost poysoned his whole Family flying himself like the Satyr from his own stink and another went away with forty pound of Sweet-meats in his Cloak-bag Yet must I needs judgâ—â—â—m uncharitable that writ of this noble person that when the most able Physicians and his own weakness had passed a judgement he could not live maâ—y dayes he did not forbear his Entertainments buâ— made divers brave Cloaths as he said to outâ—ace â—aked and despicable Death adding withal That nature wantted wisdom power or love in making man mâ—rtal and subject to diseases Forgetting as that censorioâ—s Pen goeth on that if every Individual his own lust had been able to have produced should have prosecuted an equal excess with his they would in a far less time than an age have brâ—â—ght themselves or the world into the same disease he died of which was a Consumption For my part I adhere to their Civility that represent his nature modest his demeanor fair and Court-like his obligations general his interest as great with the Favourite as with the King and so much the greater with the King as he studied him more and understood him better than any man though one observeth he was rather in his favour than in his bosome and therefore he took care That as his
Expedition and Civility made him the great Master of Requests at Court so his Marriage with the Heir-general of the Dennies should get him an Estate in the Countrey wherewith he compleated his kindness with bounty and adoâ—ned his bounty with courtesie Courtesie not affected but naturally made up of humility that secured him from Envy and a Civility that kept him in esteem he being happy in an expression that was high and not formal and a Language that was Courtly and yet real Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Lake SIr Thomas Lake was bred a Scholar under Saravia in Hampshire a States-man under Sir Francis Walsingham at Court where such his dexterity and dispatch that he would indite write and discourse at the same time more exactly than most men could severally perform them being then called the Swift-sure such his celerity and solidity in all Affairs From the Secretaries Amanuensis he was promoted the Queens Clerk of the Signet to whom he read French and Latine to her dying day for he was reading to her when the Countess of Warwick told him that the Queen was departed In which Tongues she often said he surpassed her Secretaries Such his sufficiency especially in keeping secrets that King Iames employed him in some French Affairs at his first arrival without Cecil and afterwards as Secretary of State above him For King Iames that loved what ever was facile and fluent being taken among other his Abilities with his Latine pen said that he was a Minister of State fit to serve the greatest Prince in Europe and that the Secretaries place needed him more than he it Of whom I have no more to add but that he was one of the three noble hands that first led Mr. George Villiers to King Iames his Favour Observations on the Life of Lyonel Cranfield Earl of Middlesex SIr Lyonel was born in Basinghal-street a Citizen bred in the Custome-house a Merchant-Adventurer his own Tutor and his own University though his Family was ancient in Gloucestershire and his Arms in the Heralds Office King Iames was taken with him for his brief clear strong and pertinent discourses The Duke of Buckingham was displeased because he would stand without him yea in some things against him many were as active as this stirring Lord none more exact his presence was comely his countenance cheerful and grave his soul witty and wise his apprehension quick and solid his thoughts setled and resolved When one asked him how a man might prevent death he said Get to be Lord-Treasurer for none died in that Office Though no Scholar yet was he bountiful to Scholars though a Courtier yet was he hospitable in the Countrey though he suffered much yet was he contented and though he lost much yet was he charitable Very serviceable he was to the State in the business of Trade in general but most in that of the Custom-house in particular His first preferment was the custody of the Wardrobe his second was the Mastership of the Couâ—t of Wards and Liveries and his third the Treasurer-ship of England In the last whereof his improvement of the Revenue gained him not more honour with the King than it dâ—d him envy from the Courtiers While to piece out the Treasure with the expence he husbanded the one so thriftily and retrenched the other so rigidly that malice it self after many attempts to that purpose could find no fault with his exact account in the boundless trust of the tempting Treasury When the Prince was in Spain he was the Staâ—esman of the Council-Table and the chief Minister of the Cabal managing all the Dispatches and overlooking all the Expences In the last of which services he ran counter to the Duke of Buckingham's inclination and his own Interest which was to keep himself up by that noble Person 's favour as he rose by his Alliance The occasion of his preferment might be some saving secrets of the Custome-house-men to improve the Revenue the reason of his decline was some thrifty suggestion touching the Courtiers to preserve it This is certain he was a man fit for government who quickly apprehended where any evil was and had capacity enough to apply the remedy onely he had a little too stiffe a nature that would not easily yield when he found on which side there was most reason and too much of the City in his maximes which pretended to attain to that in a short time which Politicians think not proper to arrive at but by a leasurely fuccession of Ages and Generations Observations on the Life of Henry Howard Earl of Northampton THis Family had endeared it self to many Kings by its services but to none more than King Iames by its obligations Thomas Duke of Norfolk being as it were his Mothers Martyr executed for a design to marry her and all his Relations his confessors kept under for their inclinations to advance him Reasonable therefore it was that my Lord that Dukes brother should be made Baron of Marnhill Earl of Northampton Knight of the Garter Privy-Councellor Lord Privy Seal and Lord Warden of the Cinque-Ports Learning in any man had King Iames his affection especially in a Noble-man as our States-man who was as serious a Student in Kings-Colledge and Trinity-Hall in Cambridge as a discerning observator in Rome and Florence in Italy His Dispensative against the suppased poyson of Prophesies dedicated to Sir Francis Walsingham bespeaks him a great and a general Scholar His Speeches at Cambridge and in Star-Chamber argue him both witty and wise His expences shewed him publick-spirited the unparallel'd port of his Family and dependants an Ancient Noble-man His designing of Audley-End and building of Suffolk-house an Architect His Hospital for twâ—lve poor women and a Governour at Rise in Norfolk for twelve poor men and a Goveâ—nour at Clin in Shropshire for twenty poor men and a Governour at Greenwich in Kent whereof eight to be chosen out of Shose-Sham where he was born a charitable man his using of all his interest to avoid the burthen and weight of the Treasurer's place and procure it for the Earl of Suffolk his Nephew his noble disposition not to advance himself by Court-flattery or his fortune by State employment being a Batchellour and a Student An instance of my Lord Bacon's observation He that hath Wife and Children hath given Hostages to Fortune for they are Impediments to great Enterprizes either to Vertue or Mischief Certainly the best works and of greatest merit for the Publick proceed from the unmarried and the Childeless which both in affection and means have married and endowed the Publick But to conclude this particular this Lord told his intimate Secretary Mr. George Penny who related it to my Author that his Nativity at his Fathers desire was calculated by a skilful Italian Astrologer who told him that this his Infant-son should taste of much trouble in the middest of his life even to the want of a meals meat but his old age should make amends
herein was not the worse friend for being the better Subject Observations on the Life of Bishop Mountague JAmes Mâ—untague son to Sir Edward Mountague was born at Bâ—ughton in Northamptonshire bred in Christâ—-Câ—lledge in Cambridge He was afterwards Master or rather nursing Father to Sidney-Colledge For he found it in bonds to pay twenty Marks per annum to Trinity-Colledge for the ground whereon it is built and left it free assigning it a rent for the discharge thereof When the Kings Ditch in Cambridge made to defend it by its strength did in his time offend it with its stench he expended a hundred Marks to bring running-water into it to the great conveniency of the University He was afterwards Bishop first of Bath and Wells thâ—n of Winchâ—ster being highly in favour with King Iames who did ken a man of merit as well as any Prince in Christendom He translated the Works of King Iames into Latine and improved his greatness to do good Offices therewith He dyed Anno Dom. 1618. AEtat 49. and lyeth buried within his fair Monument within his fairer I mean a goodly Tomb in the Church of Bath which oweth its well-being and beauty to his Munificence King Iames cast his eye upon him at Hinchingbrook where the University of Cambridge met him as he came from Scotland because he obseâ—ved him one of those he knew he must oblige I mean a Gentleman He set his heart upon him at Court because he found him one he intended to employ I mean a Scholar He was the onely man of all the Doctors he conversed with there and the onely man of all the Bishops he consulted with at White-Hall His nature inclined him to magnificence and his vertue to Thrift sparing from lesser vanities what he might expend upon greater enterprizes never sparing when just designs called for great charge Grateful he was to his followers though not prodigal Good men choose rather to be loved for their benefits to the Community than those to private persons His understanding was as large as his heart was honest comprehensive both of men and things even those things that were either below or besides his care going not besides his observation he held a freedom of the will not from an humbleâ— dependance upon the first cause but from a fatal compulsion by the second causes nec truncos nec Sacrilegos abhorring to make that noble creature Man created by God after his own Image to be the Governour of the Universe Lord and Master of the Creatures should be no more than the man in the beginning of Almanacks who is placed immoveable in the midst of the 12 Signs as so many second causes if he offer to stir Aries is over his head ready to push him and Taurus to goar him in the Neck c. He anticipated his age with his worth and died at fourscore in merit when not fifty in years filling his time not with dayes but with vertues so early as seemed rather innate than acquired For which he was so popular in the Countrey as well as favoured at Court that a corpulent Officer of Bath-Church being appointed on the day of his Burial to keep the doors entred on his employment in the morning but was buried himself before night and before the Bishop's body was put in the ground because being bruised to death by the pressing in of people his Corps required speedy interment In those days the Plebs concurred with the King in their affections to because they suâ—mitâ—ed to him in their choice of persons for then wisdom was thought to dwell in the Head and good Folks thought their Soveraign wiser 〈◊〉 â—hemselves Observations on the Life of Sir Edm. Anderson SIr Edmund Anderson was born a younger brother of a Gentile Extract at Flixborough in Lincolnshire and bred in the inner Temple I have been informed that his Father left him a thousand pounds for his portion which this our Sir Edmund multiplyed into many by his great proficiency in the Common-Law being made the 24th of Queen Elizabeth Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas When Secretary Davison was sentenced in the Star-Chamber for the business of the Queen of Scots Judge Anderson said of him that therein he had done justum non juste and so acquitting him of all malice censured him with the rest of his indiscretion When H. Cuffe was arraigned about the rising of the Earl of Essex and when Sir Edward Coke the Queens Solicitor opposed him and the other answered Syllogistically our Anderson sitting there as a Judge of Law not Logick checked both Pleader and Prisoner ob stolidoâ— syllogismos for their foolish Syllogismes appointing the former to press the Statute of Edward the third He died in the third of King Iames leaving great Estates to several sons He was a pure Legist that had little skil in the affairs of the world always alledging a decisive Case or Statute on any matter or question without any regard to the decency or respect to be had towards a State or Government and without that account of a moderate interpretation some circumstances of things require being so much the less useful as he was incompliant and one whom none addreâ—sed to because as one observes of Cardinal Corrado Such think they do in same manner sacrifice themselves when they do but in the â—e stâ—â—ct against their own opinions to do a man a little pâ—eâ—sure There are a kind of honest men of good conscience whose capacities being narrow uncertain private resolutions inconsistent with publick interest who may for me pass for good men but shall never be censed or registred for good Citâ—zeâ—s because when streight-laced and short apprehensions are resolved into conscience and mâ—ximes those men are obliged to be so obstinate as â—o change or remit nothing of their first resolutions how unreasonable soever in themselves or dangerous in the consequence State-policy is wholly involved in matter and circumstances of time place and persons not capable of such exact rules as Geometry Arithmetick and other Sciences whose subject is abstracted from matter he who â—â—ssâ—â—geth State-affairs by general rules will quickly ruine both himself and those who aâ—e committed to his government the quintessence of policy doth consist in the dexterous and skilful application of general rules to the subject matter coâ— of the great ends of policy and government is the creating a mutual confidence amongst men and to â—llay those distracting jealousies grounded â—n an universal suspicion of humane nature much like the good Womans fear that the Log would â—â—â—p out oâ— the fire and knock out the brains of her Child which have no other use than the begetâ—â—g 〈…〉 rpâ—tuâ—l vâ—xatioâ—s the discouragement of free Trade and Converse a teaching of them who are suspected often to do worse than they imagined and the creating of sedition and troubles Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Bodley by himself 1. I Was born at Exiter in Devonshire March 2. 1544. descended both by
Father and Mother of worshipful Parents My Father in the time of Qâ—een Mary being noted and known to be an enemy to Popery waâ— so cruelly threatned and so narrowly observed by those that maliced his Religion that for the safeguard of himself and my Mother who was wholly affected as my Father he knew no way so secure as so flye into Geâ—many 2. My Father fixed his abode in the City of Geneva where as far as I remember the English Church consisted of some hundred persons I was at that time of twelve years of age but through my Fathers cost and care sufficiently instructed to become an Auditor of Chevalâ—erius in Hebrew of Bernaldus in Greek of Calvin and Bezâ— in Divinity and of some other Professors in that Univâ—rsity which was newly then erected besides my domestick Teachers in the house of Philiâ—erius Sâ—raceaus a famousâ— Physitian in that City wiâ—h whom I was boarded wâ—ere Roberâ—us Constantinus that made the Greek Lexicon read Homer to me 3. In the first of Queen Elizabeth my Father returned and setled his dwelling in the City of London It was not long after that I was sent away from thence to the University of Oxford recommended to the teaching and tuition of Doctor Humphrey In the year 1563. I took the degree of Batchellor of Arts within which year I was chosen Probationer of Merton Colledge and the next year ensâ—ing admitted Fellow Afterwards in the year 1565 by special perswaâ—sion of some of my Fellowâ— and for my private exercise I undertook the publick reading of a Greek Lecture in the same Colledge-Hall without requiring or expecting any stipend for it Nevertheless it pleased the Fellowship of their own accord to allow me soon after four marks by the year and ever since to continue the Lecture to that Colledge 4. In the year 1566 I proceeded Master of Arts and read for that year in the School-streets natural Philosophy After which time within less than three years space I was won by intreaty of my best affected friends to stand for the Procâ—orship to which I and my Colleague were quietly elected in the year 1569 without any competition or counter-suit of any other After this for a long time I supplied the Office of University-Oratour and bestowed my time in the study of sundry faculties without any inclination to profess any one above the rest insomuch as at last I waxed desirous to travel beyond the Seas for attaining to the knowledge of some special modern Tongues and for the encrease of my experience in the managing of affairs being wholly then addicted to employ my self and all my cares in the publick service of the State 5. After my return in the year 1585 I was employed by the Queen to the King of Denmark and to the German Princes Next to Henry the third King of France After this in 88 for the better conduct of her Highness Affairs in the Provinces United I was thought a fit person to reside in those parts and was sent thereupon to the Hague in Holland where according to the Contract that had formerly pass'd between her Highness and the States I was admitted for one of their Council of Estate taking place in their Assemblies next to Count Maurice and yielding my suffrage in all that was proposed During all that time what approbation was given of my painful endeavours by the Queen by the Lords in England by the States of the Countrey there and by all the English Soldiery I refer it to be notified by some others Relation 6. I received from her Majesty many comfortable Letters of her gracious acceptance of my diligence and care and among the Lords of the Council had no man more to friend then was the Lord Treasurer Burleigh For when occasion had been offered of declaring his conceit as touching my service he would always tell the Queen which I received from her self and some other Ear-witnesses that there was not any man in England so meet as my self to undergo the Office of the Secretary And sithence his son the present Lord Treasurer hath signified unto me in private conference that when his Father first intended to advance him to that place his purpose was withal to make me his Colleague But that the daily provocations of the Earl of Essex were so bitter and sharp against him and his comparisons so odious when he put us in a balance as he thought thereupon he had very great reason to use his best means to put any man out of hope of raising his fortune whom the Earl with such violence to his extream prejudice had endeavoured to dignifie 7. When I had well considered how ill it did concur with my natural disposition to become or to be counted either a stickler or partaker in any publick faction how well I was able by Gods good blessing to live of my self if I could be contented with a competent livelihood I resolved thereupon to possess my soul in peace all the residue of my days to take my farewel of State-employments and so to retire me from the Court. 8. Now although after this by her Majesties direction I was often called to the Court by the now Lord Treasurer then Secretary and required by him and also divers times sâ—nce by order from the King to serve as Ambassador in France and to â—egotiate in other very honourable employments yet I would not be removed from my former final resolution but have continued at home my retired course of â—â—fe which is now methâ—nks to me as the greatest preferment the State can afford 9. This I must confess of my self that though I did never repent me yet of my often refusals of honourable offerâ— in respect of enâ—iching my private Estate yet somewhat more of late I have blamed my selâ— and my niceâ—y that way for the love that I bear to my Reverend Mother the University of Oxford and to the advancement of her good by such kind of means as I have since undertaken 10. Having examined what course I might take I concluded at the last to set up my staffe at the Library door being throughly perswaded that in my solitude and surcease from the Common-wealth affairs I could not busie my self to better purpose then by reducing that place which then in every part lay ruined and waste to the publick use of Students 11. For the effecting whereof I found my self furnished in a competent proportion of such four kinds of aids as unlesse I had them all there was no hope of good success For without some kind of knowledge as well in the learned modern Tongues as in sundry other sorts of Scholastical literature without some purse-ability to go through with the charge without very great store of honourable friends to further the design and without special good leisure to follow such a work it could but have proved a vain attempt and inconsiderate 12. But how well I have sped in all my endeavours and how full provision I have
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
instruments of their preferment 8. Besides the Romish Catholicks there is a generation of Sectaries the Anabaptists Brownists and others of their kinds they have been several times very busie in this Kingdom under the colour of zeal for reformation of Religion The King your Mr. knows their disposition very well a small touch will put him in mind of them he had experience of them in Scotland I hope he will beware of them in England a little countenance or connivance sets them on fire 9. Order and decent ceremonies in the Church are not only comely but commendable but there must be great care not to introduce Innovations they will quickly prove scandalous men are naturally over-prone to suspition the true Protestant Religion is seated in the golden mean the enemies unto her are the extreams on either hand 10. The persons of Church-men are to be had in due respect for their words sake and protected from scorn but if a Clergy-man be loose and scandalous he must not be patroniz'd nor wink 't at the example of a few such corrupt many 11. Great care must be taken that the patrimony of the Church be not sacrilegiously diverted to lay-uses His Majesty in his time hath religiously stopped a leak that did much harm and would else have done more Be sure as much as in you lyes stop the like upon all occasions 12. Colledges and Schools of Learning are to be cherished and encouraged there to breed up a new stock to furnish the Church and Common-wealth when the old store are transplanted This Kingdom hath in later ages beâ—n famous for good literature and if preferment shall attend the deservers there will not want supplies Next to Religion let your care be to promote Justice By justice and mercy is the Kings throne established 1. Let the rule of Justice be the Laws of the Land an impartial arbiter between the King and hiâ— people and between one Subject and another I shall not speak superlatively of them lest I be suspected of pâ—â—tâ—aâ—ity in regard of my own proâ—â—ssion but this I may truly say they are second to none in the Christian world 2. And as far as it may lye in you let no Arbitrary power be intruded the people of this Kingdom love the Laws thereof and nothing will oblige them more than a confidence of the free enjoying of them What the Nobles upon an occasion once said in Parliament Nolumus leges Angliae mutari is imprinted in the hearts of all the people 3. But because the life of the Laws lies in the due execution and administration of them let your eye be in the first place upon the choice of good Judges These properties had they need to be furnished with To be learned in their profession patient in hearing prudent in governing powerful in their elocution to perswade and satisfie both the parties and hearers just in their judgment and to sum up all they must have these three Attributes They must be men of courage fearing God and hating covetâ—â—sness An ignorant man cannot a Coward dares not be a good Judge 4. By no means be you perswaded to interpose your self either by word or letter in any cause depending or like to be depending in any Court of Justice nor suffer any other great man to do it where you can hinder it and by all means disswade the King himself from it upon the importunity of any for themselves or their friends If it should prevail it perverts Justice but if the Judge be so just and of so good courage as he ought to be as not to be enclined thereby yet it always leaves a taint of suspition behind it Judges must be as chaste as Caesar's Wife neither to be nor to be suspected to be unjust and Sir the honour of the Judges in their judicature is the Kings honour whom they represent 5. There is great use of the service of the Judges in their Circuits which are twice in the year held throughout the Kiâ—gdom the tryal of a few causes between party and party or delivering of the Gaols in several Counties are of great use for the expedition of justice yet they are of much more use for the government of the Counties through which they pass if that were well thought upon 6. For if they had instrâ—ctions to that purpose they might be the best intelligencers to the King of the true state of his whole Kingdom of the disposition of the people of their inclinations of their intentions and moâ—â—â—nâ— which are necessary to be truly understood 7. To this end I could wish that against every Circuit all the Judges should sometimes by the K. himself and sometimes by the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper in the King's name receive a charge of those things which the present times did much require and at their return should deliver a faithful account thereof and how they found and left the Counties through which they passed and in which they kept their Assizes 8. And that shey might the better perform thâ—s work which might be of great importance it will not be amâ—ss that sometimes this charge be publick as it useth to be in the Star-Chamber at the end of the Terms next before the Circuit begins where the Kâ—ng's care of jâ—stice and the good of his people may be published and that sometimes also â—t may be private to communicate to the Judges some thiâ—gs not so fit to be publickly delivered 9. I could wish also that the Judges were directed to make a little longer stay in a place than usually they do a day more in a County would be a very good addition although their wages for their Circuits were increased in proportion it would stand better with the gravity of their employment whereas now they are sometimes enforced to rise over-early and to sit over-late for the dispatch of their business to the extraordinary trouble of themselves and of the people their times indeed not being horae juridicae And which is the main they would have the more leisure to inform themselves quasi aliud agentes of the true estate of the Country 10. The attendance of the Sheriffs of the Counties accompanied with the principal Gentlemen in a comely not a costly equipage upon the Judges of Assize at their coming to the place of their sitting and at their going out is not onely a civility but of use also It raiseth a reverence to the persons and places of the Judges who coming from the King himself on so great an errand should not be neglected 11. If any sue to be made a Judge for my own part I should suspect him but if either directly or indirectly he should bargain for a place of judicature let him be rejected with shame vendere jure potest emerat ille prius 12. When the place of a chief Judge of a Court becomes vacant a puisne Judge of that Court or of another Court who hath approved himself fit and deserving would be sometimes preferred
the King 's Royal assent They are but Embroys 't is he giveth life unto them 31. Yet the House of Peers hath a power of Judicature in some cases properly to examine and then to affirm or if there be cause to reverse the judgments which have been given in the Court of King's Bench which is the Court of highest jurisdiction in the Kingdom for ordinary Judicature but in these cases it must be done by Writ of Error in Parliamento And thus the rule of their proceedings is not absoluta potestas as in making new Laws in that conjuncture as before but limitata potestas according to the known Laws of the Land 32. But the House of Commons have only power to censure the Members of their own House in point of election or misdemeanors in or towards that House and have not nor ever had power so much as to administer an Oath to prepare a judgment 33. The true use of Parliaments in this Kingdom is very excellent and they would be often called as the affairs of the Kingdom shall require and continued so long as is necessary and no longer for then they be but burthens to the people by reason of the priviledges justly due to the Members of the two Houses and their Attendants which their just rights and priviledges are religiously to be observed and maintained but if they should be unjustly enlarged beyond their true bounds they might lessen the just power of the Crown it borders so near upon popularity 34. All this while I have spoken concerning the Common Laws of England generally and properly so called because it is most general and common to almost all cases and causes both civil and criminal But there is also another Law which is called the Civil or Ecclesiastical Law which is confined to some few heads and that is not to be neglected and although I am a professor of the Common-Law yet am I so much a lover of Truth and of Learning and of my native Countrey that I do heartily perswade that the Professors of that Law called Civilians because the Civil Law is their guide should not be discountenanced nor discouraged else whensoever we shall have ought to do with any foreign King or State we shall be at a miserable loss for want of Learned men in that profession III. I come now to the consideration of those things which concern Councellors of State The Council-Table and the great Offices and Officers of the Kingdom which are those who for the most part furnish out that honourable Board 1. Of Councellors there are two sorts The first Consiliarii nati as I may term them such are the Prince of Wales and others of the King's Sons when he hath moreâ— of these I speak not for they are naturally born to be Councellors to the KING to learn the art of Governing betimes 2. But the ordinary sort of Councellors are such as the King out of a due consideration of their worth and abilities and withal of their fidelities to his Person and to his Crown calleth to be of Councel with him in his ordinary Government And the Council-Table is so called from the place where they ordinarily assemble and sit together and their Oath is the onely ceremony used to make them such which is solemnly given unto them at their first admission These honourable persons are from thenceforth of that Board and Body They cannot come until they be thus called and the King at his pleasure may spare their attendance and he may dispense with their presence there which at their own pleasure they may not do 3. This being the quality of their service you will easily judge what care the King should use in his choice of them It behoveth that they be persons of great trust and fidelity and also of wisdom and judgment who shall thus assist in bearing up the King's Throne and of known experience in publick affairs 4. Yet it may not be unfit to call some of young years to train them up in that Trade and so fit them for those weighty affairs against the time of greater maturity and some also for the honour of their persons But these two sorts not to be tyed to so strict attendance as the others from whom the present dispatch of business is expected 5. I could wish that their number might not be so over-great the persons of the Councellors would be the more venerable And I know that Queen Elizabeth in whose time I had the happiness to be born and to live many years was not so much observed for having a numeroâ—s as a wise Councel 6. The duty of a Privy-Councellor to a King I conceive is not onely to attend the Councel-board at the times appointed and there to consult of what shall be propounded But also to study those things which may advance the King's honour and safety and the good of the Kingdom and to communicate the same to the King or to his fellow Councellors as there shall be occasion And this Sir will concern you more then others by how much you have a larger share in his affections 7. And one thing I â—hall be bold to desire you to recommend to his Majesty That when any new thing shall be propounded to be taken into consideration that no Counsellor should suddenly deliver any positive opinion thereof it is not so easie with all men to retract their opinions although there shall be cause for it But only to hear it and at the most but to break it at first that it may be the better understood against the next meeting 8. When any matter of weight hâ—th been debated and seemeth to be ready for a resolution I wish it may not be at that sitting concluded unless the necessity of the time press it lest upon second cogitations there should be cause to alter which is not for the gravity and honour of that Board 9. I wish also that the King would be pleased sometimes to be present at that Board it adds a Majesty to it And yet not to be too frequently there that would render it less esteemed when it is become common Besides it may sometimes make the Councellors not to be so free in their debates in his presence as they would be in his absence 10. Besides the giving of Counsel the Councellors are bound by their Duties ex vi termini as well as by their Oaths to keep counsel therefore are they called de Privato Consilio Regis a secretioribus consiliis Regis 11. One thing I add in the negative which is not fit for that Board the entertaining of private causes of meum tuum those should be left to the ordinary course and Courts of Justice 12. As there is great care to be used for the Councellors themselves to be chosen so there is of the Clerks of the Council also for the secreting of their Consultations and methinks it were fit that his Majesty be speedily moved to give a strict charge
bold as sure either by carrying the Cause to oblige the people to themselves or by suffering for it to enrage them against the Government that Sir R. Weston made it his business to take off the one and my Lord of Canterbury the other which they did with such success that as my Lord Wentworth became a great Favourite so the Lord Savile was an eminent Counsellor only finding that his young Neighbour had got the start of him he kept to one of his popular Principles always viz. a restless impetuosity towards Papists against whom he made himself famous 1. For a Disputation procured by him in Drury-Lane whither he brought Bishop Vsher under the notion of a Countrey-Parson when the Jesuites cryed There was more Learning in that Parson than in all the men in England 2. For a project offered by him in Parliament For when they taking advantage of King Charls his wants profeâ—ed to maintain five thousand men to serve his Majesty in Ireland and a proportion of Ships to secure him in England on condition of the free exercise of their Religion Sir Iohn interposed That if the King were pleased but to call on the Recusants to pay Thirds legally due to the Crown it would prove a way more effectual and less offensive to raise a mass of money It being but just that they who were so rich and free to purchase new Priviledges should first pay their old Penalties When I read of a Lord Savile going privately to Scotland 1639. subscribing to a Petition with oâ—her moderate Lords as they called them containing the very sense of the saction insomuch that it is observed the City-Petition and theirs were couched in the same words yet going to Oxford and after all being so turbulent there that his Majesty was fain to send him beyond Sea where his Majesty writes with his own hand He doubts he will rather exchange his villany than end it I am almost of that wise mans mind that there were no less than 17 particular Designs set on foot by the promotion of the late Troubles whereof though most yet not all were carried on in Westminster or to enforce something more solid that a King should say as the Italian doth If my Subject deceives me once God forgive him If a second time God forgive me and the rather because it 's fatal for Majesty to err twice Observations on the Life of Bishop Williams A Strong constitution made his pâ—rts a strict education improved them unwearied was his industry unexpressible his capacity He never saw the book of worth he read not he never forgot what he read he never loâ—â— the use of what he remembred Every thing he heard or saw was his own and what was his own he knew how to use to the utmost His extraction being Gentile his Soul large and noble his presence and carriage comely and stately his learning copious his judgement stayed his apprehension clear and searching his expression lively and effectual his elocution flowing and majestick his Proctorship when he gave the Lord Chancellor Egerton so much satisfaction in treating the Spanish Ambassador at an Act in Cambridge that thenceforward he resolved on his preferment 1612. discovered him a person above his place and his Lectures to his Pupils above his preferment Bishop Vaughan first admitteth him to his Family and then to his bosom there his strong Sermons his exact government under my Lord his plentiful observation his numerous acquaintance made him my Lord Chancellor Egerton's friend rather than his servant his familiar rather than his Chaplain Never was there a more communicative Master to instruct than my Lord Elsemâ—re never a more capable Scholar to learn than Dr. Williams who had instilled to him all necessary State-maxims while his old Master lived and had bequeathed to him four excellent Books when his Master was dead These four books he presented to K. Iames the very same time that he offered himself to the Duke of Buckingham The excellent Prince observed him as much for the first gift as the noble Duke did for the second the King and Duke made him their own who they saw had made that excellent Book his Willing was King Iames to advance Clergy-men and glad to meet with men capable of Advancemeâ—t His two Sermons at Court made him Dean of Westminster his exact state of the Earl of Somerset's Case made him capable of and the KING'S inclination to â—rust his Conscience in a Divines hand setled him in the Lord Keepers place actually only for three years to please the people who were offended with his years now but 34. and his calling a Divine but designedly for ever to serve his Majesty The Lawyers despised him at first but the Judges admired him at last and one of them said That never any man apprehended a Case so clearly took in all the Law Reason and other Circumstances more punctually recollected the various Debates more faithfully summed it up more compendiously and concluded more judiciously and discreetly For many of them might have read more than he but none digested what they had read more solidly none disposed of their reading more methodically none therefore commanded it more readily He demurred several Orders as that of my Lord Chancellor's pardon the Earl Marshal's Patent c. to let his Majesty see his judgement yet passed them to let him see his obedience He would question the Dukes Order sometimes discreetly to let him know he understood himself yet he would yield handsomly to let him see he understood him and indeed he had the admirable faculty of making every one of his actions carry prudence in the performance Necessary it was for one of his years and place to keep his distance and avoid contempt yet fatal was it to him to do so and incur envy Well understood he the interest of all his places resolutely he maintained them What saith he shall the Liberties of Westminster be infringed when the chief Favourite is Steward and the Lord Keeper Dean and I the contemptible man that must be trampled on When he was in trouble what passion what insinuation what condescention hath he at command when petitioned to how quickly he looked through men and business how exactly would he judge and how resolutely conclude without an immediate intimation from his Majesty or the Duke Many eyes were upon him and as many eyes were kept by him upon others being very watchful on all occasions to accommodate all Emergencies and meet with all humors alwayes keeping men in dependance on the Duke according to this intimation of his Cabal 287. Let him hold it but by your Lordships favour not his own power A good way had he been constant to it the neglect whereof undid him for designing the promotion of Doctor Price to the Arch-Bishoprick of Armagh he moved it to the Duke who told him it was disposed of to Doctor Vsher Whereupon he went his own way to advance that man and overthrew himself For
our known duty but our visible advantage to ascribe our most eminent performances to providence since it not only takes off the edge of envy but improves the reason of admiration None being less maliced or more applauded than he who is thought rather happy than able blessed than active and fortunate than cunning Though yet all the caution of his life could not avoid the envy of â—is advancement from so mean a beginning to so great honours notwithstanding that it is no disparagement to any to give place to fresh Nobility who ascend the same stâ—ps with those before them New being only a term saith one only respecting us not the world for what is was before us and will be when we are no more And indeed â—his Personage considering the vanity and inconstancy of common applause or affronts imprâ—ved the one and checked the other by a constant neglect of bothâ— Observations on the Life of Sir Dudly Careleton SIr Dudly Careleton was born in Oxford-shire bred in Christs-Church in Oxford under Dr. King and afterwards in relation of Secretary to Sir Ralph Winwood in the Low-Countreys where he was very active when King Iames resigned the cautionary Towns to the States Here he added so great experience to his former Learning that afterwards our King employed him for twenty years together Ambassador in Venice Savoy and the Vnited Provinces Anne Gerard his Lady Co-heir to George Gerard Esquire accompanying him in all his Travels as is expressed in her Epitaph in Westminster-Abby He was by K. Charls the first to balance the Duke of Buckingham's enemies in the House of Peers with the Lord Mandevil now Earl of Manchester and the Lord Grandison created Baron of Imbercourt in Surrey and afterwards Viscount Dorchester marrying for his second Wife the Daughter of Sir Henry Glenham the Relict of Paul Viscount Banning who survived him He succeeded the Lord Conway when preferred President to the Council in the Secretary-ship of State being sworn at White-Hall December 14. 1628. and dying without Issue Anno Dom. 163 Much ado he had to remove a State-jealousie that was upon him That he insisted on â—he restitution of some Towns in Cleves and Iuliers to gratifie the Spaniards at that time in Treaty with us more to remove a Church-jealousie that in negotiating an accommodation in Religion he designed the undermining of the Remonstrants then in so much power there In which matter he was at a loss whether his Majesty should interpose by Letter or Message The former he said was most effectual but the later less subject to misconstruction considering Barnevel's interest in the State But he had a Chaplain one Mr. Hales that kept this Controversie even on the one hand while he balanced the State-interest on the other equally careful that the United Provinces should not be over-run by the Armies of Spain and that they should not be swallowed up by the protectiâ—n of France Watchful was his eye there over the West-India Company Diligent his carriage upon any accommodations from Spain which he apprehended always as a design to distract that people then in regard of their unsetledness but too apt upon any dispute to fall into faction Great his industry in reconciling Sir Horace Vere and Sir Edward Cecil for the honour of the English Nation and the advancement of the common service Sincere his services â—o the Prince Elector and his Lady Exaâ—t his rules of Traffique and Commerce and dexterous his arts of keeping the States from new alliances notwithstanding our likely Marriage-treaty with Spain especially since the Prince of Orange bluntly after his manner asked Qui at ' il vostre Marriage And indeed he behaved himself in all Employments so well becoming a man that understood so many Languages that was so well versed in Ancient and Modern History that had composed so many choice pieces of Politicks that was so well seen in the most practical Mathematicks and added to these a graceful and charming look a gentle and a sweet elocution that notwithstanding his and his Brother Bishop Carleton's rigidness in some points kept him to his dying-day in great favour and most eminent service and failing in nothing but his French Embassy because there he had to do with Women Leaving behinde him this observation That new Common-wealthâ— are hardly drawn to a certain resolution as who knowing not how to determine and remaining onely in suspence take ordinarily that course rather which they are forced â—o than what they might choose for themselves And this eminent service when he assisted the Earl of Holland in France viz. That he pacified the high difference there upon which the revolt of the Hugonots depended and put a real resolution in Kâ—ng Lewis to advance against the Valtoline and Spain by the advantage of the League with England proceeding upon this Maxim with that King They that have respect to few things are easily misled I had almost forgot how this Lord finding that want of Treasure at home was the ground of our unsuccessful and despicableness abroad and that Principe senza quatrius e come un muro senza crole da tulls scompisâ—iato That a Prince without money is like a wall without a Cross for every one to draw upon did mention the Excise in the Parliament-House and in no ill meaning neither and was violently cryed to the Bar and though a person of that eminence as being then a Privy-Councellor and principal Secretary of State he hardly escaped being committed to the Tower So odious was that Dutch-Devil as they called it in the excellent King Charles which was raised by the beloved Parliament with many more that were conjured up in three or four years but not likely to be laid in three or fourscore Living in those times when weak men imagined to themselves some unknown bliss from untried governments and considering that alterations countervail not their own dangers and as they bring little good to any so they bring least of all to those that first promoted them This Lord refused to be the mouth of the Zealous multitude whose rage could neither be well opposed nor joyned with whom a pardon or compliance might bring off leaving their Demagogues to compound for their folly with their ruine choosing rather to be patient than active and appear weak than be troublesom and once resolved upon an exact survey of circumstances for power against the faults of it on the one hand and the affronts of it on the other he gained the esteem of all parties by his fidelity to his own I am much taken with his plain saying which I find of late printed There will be mistakes in Divinity while men preach and errors in Government while such govern And more with his method of proceeding in his affairs whereof he laid first an Idea in his own mind and then improved it by debate the result whereof was usually so compleat as shewed the vast difference between the shallow conceptions of one man and the
purely heroick often stout but never dislâ—â—al so vehement an opponent of the Spaniard as when that Match fell under consideration he would sometimes rouze to the trepidation of King Iames yet kept in favour still for that King knew plain dealing as a Jewel in all men so was in a Privy-Councellor an ornamental duty An instance of his familiar converse with King Iames was that the King observing that he naturally hated a Frog threw one into his neck and he in requital caused a Pig of an equal disgust with the same Prince to be put under his Close-stool where though it produced no extraordinary ill effect for the present yet after the prank had been descanted upon and worst of Interpretations made by some the title of Iews being at that time bestowed on the Scots the King was much affected with it and the more because it was done at Wilton the Earls own house Though Kings when free and sociable break out to sprightful and facetious extravagancies with Courtiers yet must they not presume lest their words are interpreted not by their meaning but others jealousie free spirits cannot be too circumspect And the same true-heartedness commended him to King Charles with whom he kept a most admirable correspondence and yet stood the firm Confident of the Commonalty and that not by a sneaking cunning but by an erect and generous prudence such as rendred him as unsuspected of ambition on the one side as of faction on the other being generally beloved and regarded Observations on the Life of the Lord Conway EDward Lord Conway succeeded to his Father's Martial skill and valour who was under the Earl of Leicester Governour of Ostend and twisted therewith peaceable Policy in State-affairs so that the Gown and the Sword met in him in most eminent proportion and thereupon King Iames advanced him one of the principal Secretaries of State For these his good services he was by him created Lord Conway of Ragleigh in this County and afterwards by King Charls Viscount Killultagh in the County of Antrim And lastly in the third of King Charles Viscount Conway of Conway in Carnarvenshireâ— England Ireland and Wales mutually embracing themselves in his Honours and not long after President of the Councel Upon the breâ—â—â— with Spain King Iames and the Duke of Buckingham both judged it very convenient to have a Martial Secretary neither was there any man fitter â—or their turn than this Gentleman who was as able to direct them in the Affairs of War abroad as he was ready to be directed by them in those of Peace at home Being one of those three remarkable Servants that King Iames used to jest upon vizâ— a Lord Treasurer meaning the Earl of Suffolâ—â— that could not cast Account a Chaplain meaninâ— Doctor Preston that could not read Pâ—â—â—â—â—â— and a Secretary meaning this Lord that 〈◊〉 not write his name Sir Richâ—rd Weston beat the Bush in the Affair of the Palatinate but Sir Edward catched the Hare his rough humour being more suitâ—ble to that business Or indeed it having been always more successful to be bold than wary to be free for all occasions than to be obstinate to some ruleâ— Fortune saith Machiavel is a Miâ—triss that isâ— sooner won by those that ruffle and force her than by others that proceed coldly Indeed he was charged with treachery and cowardize in the action against the Scots 1640. but he came off with his honest animosity saying If he mighâ— but fight their whole Army he would settle Scotland in six months or lose his head being in that of my Lord of Canterbury's opinion who assured his Majesty they would not hold out four a motion that if as easily entertained by that gracious King as it was effectually pursued by the bloody Usurpers a sad experience hath taught us and them would have prevented much mischief there more here especially since it was that wise Prince his judicious observation That they and their Confederates were a people lost by favour and won by punishment Observations on the Lives of the Digges MAster Leonard Digges was one of excellent Learning and deep judgement His â—iâ—d most inclined him to the Mathematicks and he was the best Architect in that age for all manner of Buildings for conveniency pleasure state strength being excellent at Fortifications Lest his Learning should dye with him for the publick profit he printed his Tectonicon Prognostick General Stratiotick about the ordering of an Army and other Works He flourished Anno Dom. 1556. and dyed I believe about the Reign of Queen Elizabeth when as in most growing times Arts were drowned in action Nothing else have I to observe of his name save that hereditary Learning may seem to run in the velâ—s of his Family witness Sir Dudly Digs of Chilham-Castle made Master of the Rolls in the year 1636. whose abilities will not be forgotten whilest our age hath any remembrance This Knight had a younger son of a most excellent wit and a great judgment Fellow of All-Souls in Oxford who in the beginning of our Civil Wars wrote so subtile solid a Treatise of the difference between King and Parliament that such Royalists who have since handled that Controversie have written plura non plus yea aliter rather than alia of that Subject The Son writes down those Rebellions that the Father countenanced The Father I say who by a bold impeachment against his Majesties chief Minister of State to his face taught a discontented People to draw a bolder against his Mâ—jesty himself Wherefore it was that after his undutiful Prologue Against his Majesties Prerogative in favouring his Servants the Preface to more disloyal methods against his right in governing his people he and Sir Iohn Elliot were whispered out of the Lords House when they were hottest against the Duke to speak with a Gentleman and thence sent immediately by two Pursevants that attended to the Tower where and in the Country this Gentleman lay under just displeasure until it was thought fit to take off so dangerous a piece of boldness and eloquence upon the growing distempers of the age by favour and preferment to a Neutrality at least if not to the just measures of his duty But our observation here is this That faction is one of those sins whereof the Authors repent most commonly themselves and their posterities are always ashamed Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Ridly Dr. LL. THis Knight and Doctor was born at Ely in Cambridge-shire bred first a Scholar at Eaton in Buckingham-shire then Fellow of Kings-Colledge in Cambridge He was a general Scholar in all kind of Learning especially in that which we call Melior Literatura He afterwards was Chancellor of Winchester and Vicar-general to the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury His memory will never dye whilst his Book called The view of the Ecclesiastical Laws is living a book of so much merit that the Common Lawyers notwithstanding the difference betwixt the professions will ingenuously
Tilly would say before Gustavus Adolphus came into Germany that he was happy for three things That he heard Mass daily that he had never touched a woman and that he had never lost a battel What ever Sir Robert could say to the first he was very prosperous for the last that he never failed of success either in fighting or treating in the Field or in the Chamber Observations on the Life of Philip Earl of Arundel HAd his Faith been as Orthodox as his Fathers Faithfulness was eminent K. Iames his gratitude and his Uncle Northampton's policy had raised him as high as his Father hath been and his son is But since his opinion made him a Separatist from the Church and his temper a recluse from the Court we have him in a place of Honour only as Earl Marshal while we finde his Brother in a place of Profit as Lord Treasurer though both in a place of Trust as Privy-Counsellors where this Earl approved himself a confutation of his Uncles maxim That a through-paced Papist could not be a true-hearted Subject being as good an English-man in his heart as he was a Catholick in his conscience only the greatness of his spirit would not suffer any affronts in Parliament whence he endured some discountenance from the Court insomuch that the House of Lords finding him a Prisoner when they sate 1626. would not act until after several of their Petitions he was released when his temper yielding with years he was very complying only he presumed to marry his Son to an Heiress the King had disposed of elsewhere which yet he laid upon the women that made the Mâ—â—ch Indeed the politick Observator saith That women of all creatures are the most dextrous in contriving their designs their natural sprightfulness of imagination attended with their leisure furnishing them with a thousand Expedients and proposing all kinds of Overtures with such probability of happy success that they easily desire and as eagerly pursue their design When he was sometimes barred the service of hâ—s own time he studied those before him being a fond Patron of Antiquaries and Antiquity of whose old pieces he was the greatest Hoarder in Europâ— setting aside Ferdinandâ— de Medicis grand Duke of Tâ—scaâ—y from whom by the mediation of Sir Henry Wotton he borrowed many an Antique Sculpture which furnished his Archives so well as we may guess by Mr. Selden's Marmora Arundeliana that as my Lord Burleigh's Library was the most compleat one for a Politician my Lord Bacon's for a Philosopher Mr. Selden's for an Historian Bishop Usher's for a Divine my Lord of Northampton's for a Poet Mr. Oughtred's for a Mathematician Dr. Hammond's for a Grammarian or an universal Critick so the Earl of Arundel's was the best for an Herald and an Antiquary a Library not for shew but use Neither was he more in his study where hâ— bestowed his melancholy hours than in Councel where he advised three things in reference to the Foreign troubles 1. Correspondence abroad 2 Frequent Parliaments 3. Oftner progresses into the Countries Neither was he less in the Field than in Council when General against the Scoâ—s the more shame thâ—t Protestants should at a time rebel against their King when Papists ventured their lives for him After which Expedition he was ordered beyond Sea with the Queenâ—Mother of France 1639. when they say he looked back on England with this wish May it never have need of me It 's true some observe that the Scots who cried upon him as a Papist yet writ under-hand to him their Noble Lord as they did to Essex and Holland so effectually that they had no heart to that War afterward and it is as true that thereupon a schedule was now the second time given of the parties that combined against the Government viz. 1. The busie medlers that had got the plausible trick of Haranguing since King Iames's time not used in Parliament from H. 6. time to his 2. The covetous Landlords Inclosers Justices of thâ— Peace that ruled in the Country and would do so in Parliament 3. Needy men in debt that durst not shew their heads in time of Peace 4. Puritans that were so troublesom against Hatton c. in Queen Eliz. dayes and under pretence of Religion overthrew all Government 5. Such Male-contents as either lost the preferment they had or had not what they were ambitious of with their Kindred and Dependants 6. Lawyers that second any attempt upon the Prerogative with their Cases Records and Antiquities 7. London Merchants that had been discovered by Cranfield and Ingram as to their cheats put upon the King in his Customs and Plantations 8. Common-wealths-men that had learned from Holland in Queen Eliz. days to pray for the Queen and the State And 9. Because there cannot be a Treason without a P such Recusants as were Hispanioliz'd whereof this Earl was none but though as a Church-Papist he had most of the Catholick Peers votes devolved on him he never bestowed them undutifully albeit sometimes stoutly and resolutely A great friend he was to all new Inventions save those that tended to do that by few hands which had been usually done by many because said he While private men busie their heads to take off the Poors employment the publick Magistrate must trouble his to find them maintenance Either be or the Earl of Northampton used to say when asked what made a compleat man To know how to cast Accompts an accomplishment though ordinary yet might save many an Estate in England Observations on the Life of Esme Duke of Richmond GReat in his Ancestors honour greater in his own vertue and greatest of all in that â—ike the Star he wore the higher he was the â—ess he desired to seem affecting rather the worth than the pomp of nobleness therefore his courtesie was his nature not his craft and his affableness not a base servile popularity or an amâ—itious insiâ—uation but the native gentleness of his disposition and his true value of himself He was not â— stranger to any thing worth knowing but best acquainted wiâ—h himself and in himself rather with â—is weaknesses for Caution than his abilities for Aâ—tion Hence he is not so forward in the traverses of War as in Treaties of Peace where his honour â—nnobled his cause and his moderation advanced â—t He and my Lord of Southampton managing the â—everal Overtures of Peace at London Oxford and â—xbridge with such honourable freedom and pruâ—ence that they were not more deservedly regardâ—d by their Friends than importunately courted â—y their Enemies who seeing they were such could â—ot be patient till they were theirs though in â—ain their honours being impregnable as well against the Factions kindness as against their power At Conferences his conjectures were as solid as oâ—hers judgements his strict observation of what was passed furnishing him for an happy guess of what was to come Yet his opinion was neither vâ—riably unconstant nor obstinately immoveableâ— but
Earl of Holland and Robert Earl of Warwick both brothers had the same Education at home and the same admittance to Court only the elder having an Estate brought not thither that compliance and observance that the younger did that wanted it The one therefore is serious in his carriage harsh and rough in his spirit stubborn in his constitution steady in his course stern in his comportments sly and close in his conduct choosing rather to improve himself in America by Trade than in England by Courtship something inclined to the faction by the principles of his Education more by those of his Interest The other owned not a greater smoothness in his face than in his soul being very taking in his countenance more in his converse The first being not more lovely than the last was obliging While a Courtier so much was he in favour with King Iames that one morning as he and Mr. Ramsey waited on his Majesty and two Porters câ—me by with some money he did but smile on Ramsey and tell his Majesty who asked why he smiled that it was to think what good that money would do him and he had it his Royal Mr. whose heart was as large as his Kingdom adding I 'll warrant you you are glad of this Let me tell you I have more pleasure in bestowing this money than you in possessing it so much a more blessed thing it is to give than to receive While Embassador in France where he represented a King in his State and port as well as in his place so great was he with the Queen-Mother that he was admitted to all treatments that he had the honour of all Entertainments that he commanded the Kings ears understood the Spanish policies dived into the French humour and inclination All the while he was in Paris his observations were minute and particular his Addresses wary and reserved never opening the Marriage-treaty until he was sure of a good reception his working upon Madams affection close artificial his counter-plots to the Spanish insinuations nimble and effectual his correspondence with the Duke of Bucks weekly constant his contracts with Count Soisons and Madam Blanvile in behalf of her Husband here in England resolute and honourable urging very nobly and successfully that the clamours of a turbulent Agent was not to oâ—t-weigh the favour of a mighty Monarch The discovery he made of the Duke of Buckingham's enemies their Cabals and Oaths from the said Blanviles Letters was seasonable and compleat but his Master-piece was his command over all affections and tempers but his own so soft and smooth that it endured not the roughness of the following times wherein he was very unsetled when Commissioner in Scot-land while he lived and very fearful when he died The fate of all delicate and too fine Constitutions It hath been the method of Grandees to endear themselves to power for a present interest and to learning for their future fame to add the renown of the one to the greatness of the other Neither was this Lord more careful to succeed his great friend the Duke of Buckingham in his favour at Court as Captain of the Guard and Groom of the Stool than in his Place at the University as Chancellor of which he expresseth himself thus to his Cambridge That his Master had raised his fortune beyond wishing in this world that he could desire no more than a fair name when he was gone out of it which the University contributed to whom he devoted his Interest Though they answered not his expectation in their Contributions for St. Pauls and other particulars wherein he was defeated and over-borâ— by the busie faction who thought it a vain thing to repair any Church when they intended to pull down all After all this great man is a great instance of that obseâ—vation viz. That when able and prudent men are brought on the Stage to manage their own parts they are then mostly not of the clearest sight and commonly commit such errors as are both discernable and avoidable even by men of mean abilities Although I find him subject to no great error before the War save that when Dr. Preston was by his party judged of so great parts as to make a fit Patron for them and thereupon directed to appear aloof the way of Court-observers in his Addresses to the Duke of Buckingham by his Confident the Earl of Holland whose Family favoured that side though the Duke said he knew him and so would use him accordingly Yet this Earl was so far over-reach'd by him that in the Apology the Doctor writ under-hand to his Partizâ—ns touching his Court-compliance he sheweth he over-reached the Court-wits as indeed he was a great Politician and used Lap-wing-like to flutter most on that place which was fartheâ—â— from his Eggs a copy of which Letter with some satyrical stanzaes was found unsealed in the streets and carried to the Duke a noble friend discovering to the Doctor how witty he was in Rhime to the breaking of his heart he confessing then he was undone especially when the Dukes Barber could finger the Letter out of his Lords pocket as he was directed And now I cannot but remember how this Earl at his death said He had been a friend to godly Ministers as had his friends before him by whom he had been instructed when young Whence I collect that the members of those great Families into which the godly Ministers i.e. peevish factious and discontented persons which usurp that precious name insinuate themâ—elves and their principles seldom come to their Grave in peace they usually instilling into them such imaginations as make their lives unquiet and their deaths disâ—onourable Whence the good old Lord Willoughby would say Carry the peevish man this speaking of one Chambers a Separatist but tell him he must not come under my Roof for I will not meddle with them that are given to change whose calamity ariseth suddenly and who knoweth the ruine of them both To conclude it is observed as the reason why he fell off from the Parliament that the wary Sirs would not trust two Brothers him and the Earl of Warwick with supream commands therefore when they voted the one Admiral they denyed the other General of the Horse Both are charactered by their Contemporaries for natural Endowments excellent for temper sweet and loving for behaviour affable and courteous for spirit meek and lowly of the same inclinations before and after their advancement In honore siâ—â— tumore lifted up with honour but not pâ—ffedâ— up with pride Observations on the Life of Arch-Bishop Laud. THe pregnancy of his childhood promised the wisdom of his riper years and obliged his friends beyond their abilities to his support and strangers beyond expectation to his enencouragement Some persons offering him great sums of money for his maintenance in his younger years upon the bare security of his parts which paid them well in his more reduced age None more observant of favour none
Privy-Seal he brought the Court of Requests into such repute that what formerly was called the Alms-Basket of the Chancery had in his time well-nigh as much meat in and guests about it I mean Suits and Clients as the Chancery it self His Meditations of Life and Death called Manchester Almondo written in the time of his health may be presumed to have left good impressions on his own soul preparatory for his dissolution which happened 164 Tâ—e Office of Lord Treasurer was ever beheld as a place of great charge and profit My Lord being demanded what it might be worth per ann made this answer That it might be some thousands of pounds to him who after death would go instantly to heaven twice as much to him who would go to Purgatory and a Nemo scit to him who would adventure to a worse place But indeed he that will be a bad husband for himself in so advantagious a place will never bâ— a good one for his Soveraign Observations on the Life of Sir Henry VVotton with some Account of his Relations SIr Henry Wotton first having reâ—â— of his Ancestor Sir Robert Wotton the noble Lieutenant of Guisnes and Comptroller of Callais in King Edward the fourth's days His Grand-father Sir Edward Wotton that refused to be Chancellor of England in King Henry the Eighth's time 2. Having known his Father Sir Thomas Wotton one of the most Ingenuous modesty the most Ancient freedom plainness single-heartedness and integrity in Queen Elizabeths Reign His Brothers Sir Edward Wotton the famous Comptroller of Queen Eliz. and K. Iames his Court since Lord Wotton Baron Morley in Kent Sir Iames Wotton with R. Earl of Essex Count Lodowick of Nassaw Don Christophoro son of Antonio King of Portugal c. Knighted as an excellent Soldier at Cadiz Sir Iohn Wotton the â—ccomplished Traveller and Scholar for whom Qâ—een Eliz. designed a special favour His Uncle Nicholas Wotton Dean of Canterbury and York nine times Embassador â—or the Crown of England â—e that was one of King Henry's Execuâ—ors King Edward's Secretary of State Queen Mary's right handâ— aâ—d that refused the Arch-Bishoprick of Caâ—tâ—rbury in Queen Eliz. days 3. Being bred 1. In Winchester that eminent School for Discipline and Order 2. In New-Colledge and Queens those famous Colledges for the method of Living by rule could promise no less than he did in his solidlâ— seâ—tenticâ—â— and discreetly humoured Play at Queens called Tancredo in his elegaâ—t Lecture of the nobleness manner and use of Seeing at the Schools for which the learned Albericus Gentilis called him Henrice Mi Ocelle and communicated to him his Mathematiâ—â— his Law and his Italian learning in his more particular converse with Doctor Donne and Sir Richard Baker in the University and his more general conversation with Man-kind in travels for one year to France and Geneva where he was acquainted with Theodore Beza and Isaac Casaâ—bon at whose Fathers he lodged for eight years in Germany for five in Italy whence returning balanced with Learning and Experience with the Arts of Rome Venice and Florence Picture Sculpture Chimistry Architecture the Sâ—crets Langâ—ages Dispositions Customs and Laws of most Nations set off with his choice shape obliging behaviour sweet discourse and shaâ—p wit he could perform no less â—han he did 1. In the unhappy relation he had to the Earl of Essex first of Friend and afterward of Secretary 2. In his more happy Interest by his Secâ—etary Vietta upon his flight out of England after the Earl's apprehension with the Duke of Tuscany then the greatest paâ—ron of Learning and Arts in the world who having discovered a design to poyson King Iames as the known successor of Queen Elizabeth sent Sir Henry Wotton with notice of the ploâ— and preservatives against the poyson by the way of Norway into Scotland under the borrowed name of Octavio Baldi where after some suspicion of the Italian message discovering himself to the King by David Lindsey's means he was treated with much honour complacency and secrecy for three months Afteâ—â—hich time he returned to Florence staying theâ—e till King Iames enquiring concerning him of my Loâ—d Wotton the Comptroller the great Duke advised his return to congratulate his Majesty as he did the King embracing him in his arms calling him the best because the honest est Dissembler that he met with and Knighting him by his own name Adding withal That since he knewâ—he wanted neither Learning nor Experience neither Abâ—lities nor Faithfulness he would employ him to others as he was employed to him which accordingly he did to Venice the place he chose as most suitable to his retired Genius and narrow Estate where 1. Studying the dispositions of the several Dukes and Senators 2. Sorâ—ing of fit Presents curious and not costly Entertainments sweetned with various and pleasant discourse particularly his elegant application of Stories He had such interest that he was never denyed any request whereby he did many services to the Protestant interest with his Chaplain Bishop Biddle and Padre Pauloe's assistance during the Controversie between the Pope and the Venetians especially in transmitting the History of the Councel of Trent sheet by sheet to the King and the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury as it was written And in his three Embassies thither gained many Priviledges for the English along all those Coasts In the second of which Embassies calling upon the Emperour he had brought Affairs to a Treaty had not the Emperours success interposed whereupon he took his leave wishing that Prince to use his Victory soberly an advice his carriage indeared to his Majesty together with his person so far that he gave him a Diamond worth above a thousand pounds which he bestowed on his Hostess saying He would not be the better by a man that was an open Enemy to his Mistress so the Queen of Bohemia waâ— pleased he â—should call her Onely while abroad and writing in the Album that friends have this sentence Legat usest vir bonus peregre missus ad mentiendum reipublicae causa whereof Scioppius made a malicious use in his Books against King Iames. He loâ—t himself a while for using more freedom abroad than became his Employment until his ingenuous clear and choicely eloquent Apologies recovered him to more respect and cautiousness until he writ Invidiae Remedium over his Lodgings at Eaton-Colledge the Provostship whereof he obtained in exchange for the reversion of the Mastership of the Rolls and other places promised him Where looking upon himself in his Surplice as Charles 5. or Philip 2. in Cloysters his Study was divine Meditations History and Characters His recreation Philosophical conclusions and Angling which he called his idle time not idly spent saying he would rather live five May moneths than forty Decembers His Table was exquisite where two youths attended upon whom he made the observations that were to furnish his designed discourse of Education His Histories and Observations remarkable his Apophthegms sage and quick 1.
when cast off by the Rebels Observations on the Life of Arch-Bishop Juxon WIlliam â—Iuxon born at Chichester in Sussex was bred Fellow in St. Iohn's Colledge in Oxford where he proceeded Batchelor of Law very young but very able for that Degree afterwards becoming Doctor in the same Faculty and President of the Colledge was one in whom Nature had not omitted but Grace had ordered the Teâ—rarch of humours being admirably Maâ—ter of his Pen and Passion For his Abilities he was successively preferred by King Charles the first Bishop of Hâ—reford and London and for some years Lord Treasurer of England wherein he had Religion to be honest and no self-interest to be corrupt A troublesom place in thoâ—e times being expected he should make much Brick though not altogether without yet with very little straw allowed unto him Large then the Expences low the Revenues of the Exchequer Yet those Coffers he found empty he left filling and had left full had Peace been preserved in the Land and he continued in his Place Such the mildness of his temper that Petitioners for money when it was not to be had departed well pleased with his Denials they were so civilly languaged It may justly seem a wonder that whereas few spake well of Bishops at that time and Lord Tâ—â—asuâ—ers at all Times are liable to the complaints of discontented people though both Offices met in this man yet with Demetrius he was well reported of all men and of the truth it self He lived to see much shame and contempt undeservedly poured on his Function and all the while possessed his own soul in patience Nor was it the least part of this Prelate's honour that amongst the many worthy Bishops of our Land King Charles the first selected him for his Confessor at his Martyrdom when he honoured him with this testimony That good man He formerly had had experience in the case of the Earl of Strafford that this Bishop's Conscience was bottom'd on piety not policy â—he reason that from him â—e received the Sacrament good comfort and counsel just before he was muâ—dered I say just before the Royal Martyr was murdered a Fact so foul that it alone may confuâ—e the Error of the Pelagians maintaining that all sin cometh by imitation the Universe not formerly affording such a Precedent as if those Regicides had purposely designed to disprove the observation of Solâ—mon that there is no new thing under the Sun King Charles the second preferred him Arch-Bishop of Canterbury 1660. He died in the year of our Lord 1663. and with great solemnity was buried in St. Iohn's Colledge in Oxford to which he was a great Benefactor though a greater to Pauls and Lambeth and greatest of all to the Church which his eminence adorned and his temper secured in those times wherein roughness enraged that humour which delay and moderation broke a discreet yielding to the multitude is the securest way of Conquest They that hold together by opposition languish and moulder away by indulgence In his duty this good man went along with Conscience in Government with Time and Law He had the happiness that K. Iames admired in a Statesman of his time to do all things suavibus modis He referred his Master in the Earl of Strafford's case as he did himselâ— in all cases to his own Conscience for matter of fact and to the Judges for matter of Law who according to their Oath ought to carry themselvâ—s indifferently between the King and his Subjects The King was not more happy in this faiâ—hful servant than he was in his followers among whom there was no uncivil Austerity to disoblige the Subjects nor base Corruption to incense them They need not keep state they had so much real power nor extort they had so much allowed advantage His care was his servants and their care his business His preferments were his burthen rather than his honour advanced by him rather than advancing him and therefore he was more ready to lay them down than others to take them up Witness his Treasurers Place which when he parted with like those that scatter their Jewels in the way that they may debar the violence of greedy pursuers no less than four durst undertake when his single self sufficed for the two greatest troubles of this Nation the Treasureship of England and the Bishoprick of London Religion was the inclination and composure as well as care of his soul which he used not as the artifice of pretence or power but as the ornament and comfort of a private breast never affecting a pompous piety nor a magnificent vertue but approving himself in secret to that God who would reward him openly His devotion was as much obove other mens as his Calling his meditations equal with his cares and his thoughts even and free between his Affairs and his Contemplations which were his pleasures as well as his duty the uniform temper and pulse of his Christian soul. Neither was his Religion that of a man only but that of a Bishop too that made his Piety as universal as his Province by such assistances of power as brought carnel men if not to an obedience yet to such a degree of reverence that if they did not honour they might not despise it His justice was as his Religion clear and uniform First the ornament of his heart then the honour of his action Neither was Justice leavened with rigour or severity but sweetned with clemency and goodness that was never angry but for the pubâ—ick and not then so much at the person as the offence So ambitious of that great glory of Moderation that he kept it up in spight of the times malignity wherein he saw all change without himself while he remained the self-same still within the Idea of sobriety and temperance vertues that he put off only with his life Neither was this a defect of spirit but the temper of it that though it never provoked troubles yet it never feared them His minde was always great though his fortune not so Great to suffer though not always able to act so good his temper and so admirable his humility that none ever went discontented from him Never courting but always winning people having a passage to their hearts through their brain and making them first admire and then love him He was slow not of speech as a defect but to speak out of discretion because when speaking he plentifully paid the Principal and Interest of his Auditors expectation In a word his government as a Bishop was gentle benigne and paternal His management of the Treasury was such that he served his Prince faithfully satisfied all his friends and silenced all his enemies of which he had enough as a Bishop Greatness is so invidious and suspected though none as a man goodness is so meek and inoffensive The most thought the worse of Dr. Iuxon for the Bishops sake the best thought the better of the Bishop for Dr. Iuxon's sake Observations on the
â—he Sâ—â—â—e that they are so because they know nothing beyond their own time whereas if the most discontented peâ—son did but compare his own dayes with those before he must coâ—feâ—s that there wants nothing in the general frame of our Government particular persons miscarriages must be always allowed to make us most happy but thankfulness content and the continuance of these blessings under our dread Soveraign for whom it 's as much our interest as our duty to pray according to St. Chrysostoms Liturgy that God would give him strength victory health safety length and tranquillity of dayes or in Tertullian's form Long life a secure government safe Court valiant Army faithful Senate good People quiet world what-ever he can desire as a King or as a man Or once more in Lactantius his words That God will keep him who is the keeper of all things in his Dominions to his Felicity and our Tranquillity The End of the Observations upon the Lives of the Statesmen and Favourites of England in the Reign of K. Charls I. a Sâ— Anthonies under Nâ—w-Hall b Christ-Church a He Married Mr. Colts Daughter of New-Hall b Whereby he was double reader c On St. Aug. de civitate Dei d He was made Chancellour of that Dutchy e Queen Katherine said so f A fellow at Bruges would undertake to answer any question Sir Thomas put up this Whether Averia capta in Withernamia sint irreplegiabilia to that Thrasces great amazement g He built a Chappel at Chelsey and hired an Almes-House there h With the cause attested by the Attorney in tokâ—n wherof when one Tubb brought him a Snbpoena to subscribe finding it frivolous he writ under it a tale of a Tub. a When Master thereofâ— b When Knight of the Garter c When Vicar General d Sâ—ow Sur. London a As when one said he was accused for disloyalty to the King he said He would stab him with his Dagger if he were a There were two sorts of these Knights the first made by way of encouragement the second by way of Reward Sir Ralph was of the second soâ—t and the last that survived of that sâ—rt a Luther Melancthon Carolostadius b The Creed The Lords Prayer and the Commandments e Saith Siâ— Riâ—h Baker f Per celebriora Angloâ—um â—ynâ—nasia â—â—tes exâ—luit * Being called Bifrons g Cecil was the first * Mr. More in the printed Life of his Grandfather Sir Thomas More pag. 334. * One of the house of York * He is madeâ— Viscount Rochford * They were 50. with an Archer a Demilance and a Constillier apiece They and their horses being vested in Cloath of Gold a Of Bretany aâ—d Normandy a Master of the Ordinance who was killed the first Night before Therovene Bacons Esâ— 116. The Duke of Someâ—set's maâ—â—h a The same day that 30. yâ—ars ago they were beaten at Flodden b Hâ— made the fiâ—st and last Bannerets The Lady Sâ—anhope c Wâ—â—m tâ—â—y put in â—â—w Liâ—erâ—â—s d For contriving the death of a Privy Counsellour There was aâ—other of his name Sheriff Nephew to this Knight in 25 of H. 8. Lord Baâ—on's Essâ—yes a A Duffeild b Recommending to him the care of three things 1. His God 2. His Soul 3. His Company This story is related from the mouth of his Grandchild the Earl of Warwik that last was Vid. Coâ— in Littl. Presat Fuller Eâ—cles Hist. B. â— Cont. â—â— Cambd. Eliz. aâ—â— 1576. The things that overthrow a Favourite * The first of these loved Alexanders interest the other his person France Spain and England Cicero †He means Land Anno 〈◊〉 8.24 Mach Prince p. 56. b Viz. The Lord Tho. Seymour Hist. Camb. p. 131. * His Mother was Daughter to the Duke of Clarence and Grandchild to Edward the IV. Full. Hiâ—â—â— Cent. 19â— p. 14â— * Governor â—f Bies * Kept aâ— Black Fiâ—ars * As Ecclesia poeniteniia Episcopus Sacrificium Pontifex * Viz Those of his Diocess * In King H. 8's time when they rise againsâ— the Reformation * When the rising was there a Descended of the Roman Cecilii say some b Grayâ— Inne c Fulleâ— Holy State ex Aristâ— l. 2. de Coelo c. 4 â— â— d Camb. Eliz. anno 1579. 80. * Cicely Daughter of Thomas Bourchiâ—â— late Earl of Essex Verulam's Essays Camden K. H. â— K. Jamesâ— * In Opposition to him of Spain a They say his father married a Familiar of King Henry's see Fuller in his Worthies * Causa Virtus â— Deo vel ipse Deus Oct. 1 65. * Sir Tho. â—ythe learned industrious and ingenious Edward Waterhouse Esquire of Sion-Colledge a Which he made out from Dr. Wottons Discourse on that subject at Cambray b To which Queen Elizabeth addeth a saying of Valentinians Have the French for thy Friend not for thy Neighbor c De jure Reg. apud Scotos d About moneys transported beyond Sea Cambden Eliz. 1566 * Cambd. Eliz. anno 1577. * The Marquess of Northampton the Earl of Bedford John Grey of Pyrgo Sir William Cecil Tho. Smith * The Doctors â—arker Bill May Cox Grindal Whiâ—e-head Pillington and Sir Tho. Smith * Aâ— Cambray * Who put Cardinal Wolsey then but a Schoolmaster in the Stocks * As Cyrus aâ— Thermopylae Crastus in Parihia therefore Alexander had exact Maps always aboue him to observe Passages Streights Rocks Plains Rivers c. Nethersol Fâ—n Orat. Prince Hen. p 15 16 17. * Sir Rob. Naunton in his Fragmenta Regalia a 2 Sam. 2â— 24. b 1 King 4. 6. c King 12 d Ibidem See Daves of Ireland and Waâ—e and Powel of Wales a Leicester See Sir H. Wottons Observatiâ—ns b He was one of them whose Natures disclose bâ—t slowly c Vnder Dr. Whitgift a His Eliz. â—o which Cambden gave but the language and â—he transcript a From the mouth of Mr. Ramsey Minister of Rougham in Norfolk who married the widow of Mr. Giles Fletcher son to this Doctor * In his volume of English Navigationâ— p. 374. †Camb. in his Eliz. Anno 158â— when he was Agent in Muscov as afterward Ambassador â— In his book called The Declination of Monarchs Sir Robert Naunton's Fragmenta a Adversus perduelles a Where he was Bridâ— groom a Witness his entertainment at London H. Holland p. 39. a Domanda assai chenâ—n Mancherapoi calare Proverb â—ip apud Insiâ— D. 〈…〉 de legatâ—â— a Domanda assai chenâ—n Mancherapoi calare Proverb â—ip apud Insiâ— D. 〈…〉 de legatâ—â— Psa. 104.3 a In the life of Richard the second b Sir John Davies in Disc. of Iâ—eland p. 39 c. * Vâ—re's Commâ—ntaries a Tâ—erefoâ—e the Yoke is their supporter * Cambden Eliz. An. 1587. Idem Anno 1600. * The Earl of Essex a The Lord Norris Plau. in Aularia * Though some observe that his digressions marred his repute and had broke his neck had he lived in any Kings reign but K. James's a He was born Jan. 22. 1560. at York-house in the Strand * Vid. Duke of Buckingham's Life a Benedict â—â—â—unchâ—m an Alderman of London's Daughter and Coheir Compleat instructions for a states-man given by L. B. to D. B. * Sir Hen. Wotton's life of the Duke of Bucking * 1. Of the Prerogative Royal. 2. Priviledges of Parliament 3. The proceedings in Chancery 4. The pâ—wer of the Sâ—arâ—hamber * Being not used to the Common-Prayer * In Tiberio * As about the Petition of Right in reference to which he Sergeant Glanvile satisfied the Lords Admin Card. de Rich. p. 283. â— O. 134. a See the Ea of Northamptons Speech b See Lord Spencer * Nobly communicated to all inge nious persons by the honourable H. Howard of Norfolk greater in his own worth than in any titles * Sâ—e his late Majeâ—â—â—â—s reâ—ommâ—nâ—â—â—â—n to him at his departure from Hamton-Court * In 〈◊〉 1629. * At Peâ—ross and Aleppo * So saith the Historian but I think as much against them as against the K. not only because the welâ—are of K. and people are inseparable â— but also because there is not a more common saying among the people than defend me and spâ—nd me * The most pious learned wise and Reverend Father in God the Lord Arch-Bishop of Cant was his Domestick 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Meditar 2. Eâ—umplified by his Chaplain Tho. Fritter