Memoires of the lives, actions, sufferings & deaths of those noble, reverend and excellent personages that suffered by death, sequestration, decimation, or otherwise, for the Protestant religion and the great principle thereof, allegiance to their soveraigne, in our late intestine wars, from the year 1637 to the year 1660, and from thence continued to 1666 with the life and martyrdom of King Charles I / by Da. Lloyd ...

THE Life and Death OF S^r FRANCIS VVINDEBANK.

WHEN neither sincerity in Religion, which he observed severely in private, and practised ex∣emplarily in publick, nor good affections to the Liberties of the Subject; in whose behalf he would ever and anon take occasion to Ad∣dress himself to his Majesty to this purpose. Your poor Subjects in all humbleness assure your Majesty,* 1.1 that their greatest confidence is, and ever must be in your grace and goodness, without which they well know, nothing that they can frame or desire will be of safety or value to them: Therefore are all humble Suiters to your Majesty, that your Royal heart will graciously accept and believe the truth of theirs, which they hum∣bly pretend as full of truth, and confidence in your Royal Word and Promise, as ever People reposed in any of their best Kings.

Far from their intentions it is any way to incroach upon your Sove∣raignty or Prerogative; nor have they the least thought of stretching or enlarging the former Laws in any sort, by any new interpretations or ad∣ditions; The bounds of their desires extend no further than to some ne∣cessary explanation of that, which is truly comprehended within the just sence and meaning of those Laws, with some moderate provision for execution and performance, as in times past upon like occasion hath been used.

They humbly assure Your Majesty they will neither loose time, nor seek any thing of your Majesty, but that they hope may be fit for dutyful and Loyal Subjects to ask, and for a Gracious and Iust King to grant. When neither the Services he performed in publick, not the In∣tercessions he made in private in behalf of the People of England, could save so well-affected, religious, able, active, publick-spiri∣ted,* 1.2 charitable and munificent a Person as Sir Iohn Finch, Baron Finch of Foreditch.

Its no wonder Sir Francis Windebank was loath to hazzard his life in a scuffle with an undisciplined Rabble, which he freely of∣fered to be examined by any free and impartial Courts of Justice, where the multitude should receive Laws, and not give them, and reason should set bounds to passion, truth to pretences, Lawes duly executed to disorders, and charity to fears and jealousies, when the sacredness of some great Personages, and the honour of others,

when the best Protestants, and the best Subjects were equally ob∣noxious to the undistinguished Tumults, which cried out against Popery and Ill-counsel, but struck at all men in power and favour. Sir Francis rather ashamed than afraid, to see the lives and honours of the most eminent persons in the Nation exposed to those rude Assemblies, where not reason was used as to men, to perswade; but force and terror, as to beasts to drive and compel, to whatso∣ever tumultuary Patrons shall project, left the kingdom as un¦safe, where Factions were more powerful than Laws, and persons chose rather to hear than to see the miseries and reproaches of their Country, waiting for an Ebbe to follow that dreadful and swelling Tide upon this Maxime, That the first indignation of a mutinous multitude is most fierce, and a small delay breaks their consent, and innocence would have a more candid censure, if at all, at distance. Leave he did his place and preferment, like those that scatter their Treasure and Jewels in the way, that they might de∣lude the violence of their greedy pursuers, troubled for nothing more than that the King was the while left naked of the faithful ministry of his dearest Servants, and exposed to the infusions and informations of those, who were either complices or mercenaries to the Faction, to whom they discovered his most Private Coun∣sels.

Those aspersions laid upon him, by those that spoke rather what they wished, than what they believed or knew he would say, should like clouds vanish, while his reputation, like the Sun a little muffled at present, recovered by degrees its former and usual lu∣ster. Time [his common saying] sets all well again.

And time at last did make it evident to the world, that though he and others might be subject to some miscarriages, yet such as were far more repairable by second and better thoughts, than those enorminous extravagancies, wherewith some men have now even wildred, and almost quite lost both Church and State.

The event of things at last demonstrating, that had the King followed the worst counsels that could have been offered him, Church and State could not have been brought into that condition they were presently, in upon the pretended Reformation.

Among the many ill consequences, whereof this was not the least remarkable, viz. that those very slanderers reputation and credit [I mean, that little they had] with the people, were quite blasted by the breath of that same furnace of popular obloquy and detraction, which they have studied to heat and inflame to the highest degree of infamy, and wherein they thought to cast and consume other mens names and honour.

In the mean time, his paticence better served him to bear, and charity to forgive, than his leasure to answer the many false asper∣sions cast upon him, and give the malice of some men the pleasure to see him take notice of, or remember what they so rudely said, or barbarously objected against him.

Being conscious of his own good affections and inclinations for the publick, he could not suspect the affections of the publick to∣wards

him, never [in Forraign Parts, where the whole Nation lay under the imputation of the miscarriages of the worst part of it] gratifying the sprightfulness of a few, with any sinister thoughts of the civility of all, whereof many might be misled by others that were inclined of themselves: His pity towards the errors of all, being above his anger at the malice of any.

His greatest fault was;* 1.3 that he was promoted to that trust and honour he had by Arch-bishop Laud, as the Arch-bishop's great crime was, that he was advanced by the King. It was [saith the Historian] as fatal to be Sejanus friend at last, as it would have been to his foe at first. It was thought offence enough to make up a branch of that excellent person's Charge, as it should seem. p. 122. of the necessary Introduction to his Tryal. That it appeared out of his diary,* 1.4 that Iune 14. 1632. Master Windebank was made one of the Principal Secretaries of State, by his procurement of these heinous words, being then Printed in capital letters, Iune 15. Ma∣ster Francis Windebank my old friend, was sworn Secretary of State, which place I obtained of my Gracious Master King Charles for him. And it would have been Plea enough against that Charge, to have taken the reasons of this favour (a great piece of equity) as ap∣pears out of the Bishops own mouth.

1. His Integrity and Faithfulness so singular, that he would lay aside all obligations to please any one, to satisfie the great obliga∣tion that was upon him of doing Iustice. He himself having left behind him this Instance of his Impartiallity. In this business [mean∣ing the business between the new and old Corporation of Sope-boilers,* 1.5 Debated at the Council-board at Theobalds, July 12. 1635.] and some other of great concernment, during the Commission for the Treasury, my old friend Sir F. W. forsook me, and joyned with the Lord Cottington, which put me to the exercise of a great deal of patience. The Spaniard (while all other Nations are Mercenary, and for money will serve on any side) will never fight against his own King; nor would this Gentleman for any interest, engage against his two great Soveraigns, as he called them, Conscience and Honesty.

2. His Lenity and Moderation, which was a hapyy mixture of discretion and good nature, like the Silken-string, running through the Pearl-chain of all his transactions, Si virtutum finis ille sit maximus, qui plurimorum spectat profectum, moderatio omnium pulcherrima est, Ambrosius de Paenitent. contra Novat. l. 1. c. 1. It was the honour of the Romane State, as yet being Pagan: In hoc gloriari licet, nulli gentium mitiores placuisse paenas. Having this peculiar commendation, That he punished not only offenders that were discovered, but those that made it their business to lay snares to discover them. It being as dangerous (as he observed) to take no∣tice of all faults, as of none at all, that involving the State in end∣less troubles and jealousies, while this only made it obnoxious to some bold attempts, which all know it could punish, though some presume, because it doth connive.

Binding some of his own Pursevants (Grey and Harwood by name) to their Good Behaviour, as well as their Prisoners, being not able

to endure those Hell-hounds, Horse-leaches that only sucked the corrupted bloud of the Law. He was very much pleased in apply∣ing a French Story to this purpose; Of one so much delighted in troubling men, that when Lewis the French King offered to ease him of a number of Suits, he earnestly besought his Highness to leave him some 20, or 30 behind, whereby he might merrily pass away the time.

3. His Publick Spirit, his friend the Arch-bishop being not readier to propose publick designs to him, than he to close with them; by the same Token, that a* 1.6 Great Man, upon the Rumor spread of his being a Papist [for all sober men in their Wits were then Branded with the Nick-names of Papists, by those Prote∣stants, who King Iames said were frighed out of their wits] repli∣ed, That he knew nothing he had of a Papist, but a very great Charity.

4. His Plain Dealing, a great Jewel in the Court of Princes, [Quid omnia possidentibus deest? [they are the words of the great Courtier Seneca] Ille qui verum dicat.] And a resolution rather to dis∣please, than betray his Soveraign. Offering free, but humble Coun∣sels, gilding and sweetning his whosesome Pills.

5. His Reservedness not so close, but that he imparted as much as might invite others to open themselves, though so wary, as not to discover so much as might give others a hank over him: his pe∣culiar faculty was a vast gift of discerning others, himself all the while unseen, walking as in Gyges his Ring.

But his great Charge urged against him in the House, November 12. 1640. and December 1. was seventy four Letters of Grace to Recusants in four years, sixty four Priests discharged by his War∣rants, and twenty nine by his Verbal Order, and twenty three by his Authority, under Master Reads hands. Father Ioseph the Capu∣chine of Paris, thanks to him for his Favours and Civilities; to which, though he dyrst not himself, yet ot••ers durst for him, offer these satisfactory Answers.

1. That what he did, he did by his Majesties direction, the Kings Majesty declaring, that the favours vouchsafed the Roman Catholicks, had been performed by special Command and Order given to him in that behalf, without any advice or original motion of him, who hath on∣ly moved herein, as he hath been from time to time Commanded. [They are the King's own words.]

2. That that favour which he shewed Catholicks here, was to procure the Protestants favour abroad. Allegations so reasonable, that he desired but the favour to have his Charge set down in Writing, and liberty to answer thereunto, in a Letter sent from Callis, De∣cember 6. 1640.

Although yet all his Letters carried that respect to his Majesty, that he declared, He would not alleadge his Majesties authority any further than his Majesty would be pleased to give him leave, being will∣ing rather to perish [they are his own words] than discover any thing to the prejudice of his Majesties affairs.

And besides, none were by him discharged without Bonds & Securi∣ty for their behaving themselves according to Law. And this whole

affair was no new thing, but the practise of the wise and religious King Iames, who understood the interest of the Protestant Religi∣on, as well as any Prince in the world, and promoted the concerns of it, more ways than any man in England, in whose Reign Anno 1622. this Letter was sent to the Judges.

After my hearty Commendations to you.

HIs Majesty having resolved [out of deep reasons of State, and in expectation of the like correspondence from For∣raign Princes, to the Profession of our Religion] to grant some Grace and Connivance to the Imprisoned Papists in this king∣dom, hath Commanded me to Issue out some Writs under the Broad Seal to that purpose, &c. I am to give you to understand [from his Majesty] how his Majesties Royal Pleasure is, That up∣on receipt of these Writs, you shall make no niceness nor diffi∣culty, to extend that his Princely Favour to all such Papists, as are Prisoners upon the concerns of Religion only, and not mat∣ters of State.

Westminster Colledge. August 2. 1622.

Your loving friend, JO. LINCOLNE.

The clearness of this honest, but unfortunate Gentleman's Pro∣ceedings, gave so much reputation to him abroad, even in his low∣est condition [wherein great men, like Dyals, are not looked on, because the Sun is off of them] as that the Governour of Callice, Le Comte de Charra•• offered him his Coach to Paris, with many other unusual Civilities, Mounsieur de Chavigny not only commanded Li∣cence for his departure from Callice, but expressed great respect to his person, and gave order for his accommodation with any thing that that place could afford; Cardinal Richlieu invited him to his Ballet, with order to Mounsieur Chavigni, to bring him to his Emi∣nence, and assurance of welcome, and an exceeding good Recepti∣on, as he had March 12. 1640. The Cardinal, after extraordinary Civi∣lities, bringing him from his own Chamber into the next, giving him the upper hand, and holding him by the hands. Yea, the King and Queen of France admitted him to a very great motion of familiari∣ty with them respectively, and upon Mounsieur Senetens ordered a Priviledge to be drawn up, in as large and as ample manner as he could contrive it, to free him and the other English that were Exiles there, on the account of their Loyalty, from that Confisca∣tion of Estates after their deaths, to which other Aliens are ob∣noxious by the Laws of that Kingdom. Upon all which favours, he makes this reflection in a letter to his Son. So as though in mine own Country it be accounted a Crime to me, to be her Majesties Servant, yet here I shall have Reputation, and receive much Honour by it. As not only he did in France, but likewise his Son in Rome, where Cardinal Barharino treats him at a very high rate of kindness and civility. •• remember it was wondered at much by some, that a person ren∣dred

so odious, should escape so well, as to injoy his life and estate, and more by others, that so worthy a man, that with his Father, [these are his own words] had served the Crown near fourscore years, and had the honour to be employed by the late Queen Elizabeth, King Iames, and his now Majesty, in businesses of great trust, should be outed his Secretaries Place, and Banished his Country for obey∣ing his Master's Command, and that sometimes, much against his own mind and opinion, insomuch that Master Read protests he did many of them with a very ill will: His rule was to be constant, but not obstinate in his opinions he was of; and when he had proper and secret motions of his own, yet to yield [as the Orbs do for the order of the Universe] to the way of the first Mover. Espe∣cially since he desired that his Secretary Master Read should come over, and give an account of the grounds and reasons of all those transactions wherein he had been ministerial, so confident was he of his integrity. And after such a fair examination of his Services, he requested only the favour of a charitable construction, if his Services, wherein he said he had no ill intention, nor had offended willingly or maliciously; and permission to return in safety to England, to pass that little time which remained of his life privately in peace, and [mark these expressions] in the Church of England,* 2.1 whereof [these are the very syllables of his Petition] he will in Life and Death continue a true Member, and in which he desireth to bestow the rest of his time in de∣votion for the prosperity thereof. So modest were his expectations.

It was pity he was forced to live and dye among strangers, more kind to him than his own Nation, who while they perswaded the world he was a Papist, had without God's special grace made him so, by the unkindness of some Protestants, who dressed him and others with Nick-names of Popery, as the Heathens did the Mar∣tyrs in Beasts Skins, that they might first expose, and afterwards beat them. Only he was happy in this, that the Faction did not persecute him so rigidly, as all the Court loved him intirely, those very Lords that favoured the Conspiracy, being very careful of him, who lived to see them repent more of their Compliance, than he had occasion to do of his Loyalty, though his little state [the argument of his honesty and generosity] was broken, his Relati∣ons distressed, his Son Thomas of the Privy-chamber to the King displaced; and what was sadder then all this, one of his young Sons, commonly called Colonel Windebank, Shot to Death at Ox∣ford, for Delivering up Blechingdon-house to Cromwell's Horse (upon first Summons, there being no Foot near, whatever Cromwell threat∣ned) so much to the disadvantage of Oxford. A wonderful passage, had it happened in any other age, but that wherein men admired nothing, not so much from any knowledge they attained in the causes of things, as from the multitude of strange effect.

Some Venison there is not fit for food when first killed, till it's a while buried under-ground: Some Mens Memories do not rel∣lish so well till a while after their Interment. Of this unfortu∣nate States-men, I may say what a wise man said of another.

Nunc quia Paula domi non sunt bene gesta, foresque Paucula successus non habuere suos Creditur esse dolus fuerat quae culpa, Putatur ••t scelus infaelix qui modo lapsus erat Rumpatur livor [dicam quod sentio] certe Infaelix potius quam sceleratus erat.

Notes

• * 1.1

  In his Spee∣ches 4. Car. 1.
• * 1.2

  Created 〈◊〉〈◊〉 April 7. 1640
• * 1.3

  Ilis crim••s.
• * 1.4

  His good qua∣lities ••or the Secretaries place.
• * 1.5

  ☞
• * 1.6

  D. H.
• * 2.1

  ☜ His Petition to the Parlia∣ment.