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 James, King Charles I.

Observations on the Life of Sir James Dier.

JAmes Dier Knight, younger Son to Richard Dier Esquire, was born at Round-hill in So∣mersetshire, as may appear to any by the Heralds Visitation thereof. He was bred in the study of our Municipal Law, and wa•• made Lord Chief Iustice of the Common Pleas, primo Eliz. continuing therein twenty four years. When Thomas Duke of Norfolk was, anno 1572, arraigned for Treason, this Iudge was present thereat, on the same to••en, that when the Duke desired Council to be assigned him, pleading that it was granted to Humphrey Stafford in the Reign of King Henry the seventh, our Iudge returned unto him, That Stafford had it allowed him only as to point of Law, then in dispute, viz. Whether he was legally taken out of the Sanctuary? but as for matter of Fact, neither he, nor any ever had or could have Councel allowed him.

But let his own wo••ks praise him in the Gates•• (known for the place of publick Iustice amongst the Iews) let his learned Writings, called, The Commentaries or Reports, evidence his Abilities in his Profession. He died in 2••. Eliz. (thoug•• married) without any issue; and there is a House of a Baronet of his Name (descended from an elder Son of Richard, Father to our Iudge) at great Stoughton in Huntingtonshire, well impro∣ved I believe with the addition of the Judges E∣••t••te••

There is a Manuscript of this worthy Judge•• wherein are six and forty Rules for the pre••ervati∣on of the Commonwealth, as worthy our Observa∣tion as they were his Collection.

• 1. That the true Religion be established.
• 2. To keep the parts of the Commonwealth equal.
• 3. That the middle sort of people exceed both the extreams.
• 4. That the Nobility be called to serve, or at least to appear at the Court by themselves, or by the hopes of their Families their Children.
• 5. That the Court pay well.
• 6. That Trade be free; and Manufactures, with all other Ingenuities, encouraged.
• 7. That there be no co-equal Powers, nor any other vsurpations against the Foundation.
• 8. That their be notice taken of wise and well-af∣fected Persons to employ them.
• 9. That Corruption be restrained.
• 10. That the Prince shew himself absolute in his Authority first, and then indulgent in his Nature.
• 11. That the first ferment of sedition, w••nt, &c. be considered.
• 12. That Preferments be bestowed on merit, and not faction.
• 13. That troublesome persons be employed abroad••
• 14. That Emulations be over r••led.
• 15. That the ancient and most easie way of Contri∣butions when necessary, be followed.
• 16. That the Youth be discipled.
• 17. That Discourses and Writings of Government, and its mysteries, be restrained.
• 18. That the Active and busie be taken to Employ∣ment.
• ...

• 19. That the King shew himself often in Majesty, tempered with familiarity, easie access, tenderness, &c.
• 20. That the Prince perform some expected act••∣ons at Court himself.
• 21. That no one man be grat••fied with the grie∣vance of many.
• 22. That Acts of Grace pass in the chief Magi∣••trates Name, and Act•• of Severity in the Ministers.
• 23. That the Prince borrow when he hath no need.
• 24. That he be so well furnished with Warlike Provisions, Citadels, Ships, as to be renowned for it.
• 25. That the Neighbour-States be balanced.
• 26. That the Prince maintain very knowing A∣gents, Spies and Intelligencers.
• 27. That none be suffered to raise a Quarrel be∣tween the Prerogative and the Law.
• 28. That the People be awaked by Musters.
• 29. That in c••ses of Fa••tion, Colonies and Plan∣tations be found out to receive ill humours.
• 30. That the Seas, the Sea-coast, and Borders be secured.
• 31. That the Prince be either resident himself, or by a good natured and popular Favourite.
• 32. To act things by degrees, and check all the hasty, importunate, rash and turbulent, though well-affected.
• 33. That the Inhabitants have honour promiscuous∣ly, but that Power be kept in the Well-affected's hands.
• 34. That there be as far as can be plain dealing, and the people never think they are deceived.
• 35. That there be a strict eye kept upon Learning, Arms, and Mechanical Arts.
• 36. That there be frequent Wars.
• ...

• 37. To observe the Divisions among Favourites. though not to encourage them.
• 38. That an account be given of the Publick Ex∣pences.
• 39. That Inventions be encouraged.
• 40. That the Country be kept in its due dependanc•• on the Crown against the times of War, Elections, &c. and to that purpose that the Courtiers keep good hou∣ses, &c.
• 41. That no disobliging person be trusted.
• 42. That Executions be few, suddain and se∣vere.
• 43. To improve the benefit of a Kingdomes Situa∣tion.
• 44. That the L••berties and Priviledges of the sub∣ject b•• so clearly stated, that there may be no pr••ten∣ces for worse purposes.
• 45. That the Coyn be neither transported nor ••m∣based.
• 46. That luxury be suppr••ssed.

Maximes these! that spake our Judge so conver∣sant with Books and men, that that may be applyed to him, which is attributed to as great a Divine as he was a Lawyer, viz. That he never talked with him∣self.