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 Roger Ashcam.

FRom his cradle a Royal servant, and to his grave a favourite: a good man, (saith Cambden) and if his ambition had been but as great as the occasion was fair, a great one too. Born he was honestly in Yorkshire, and bred hand∣somely at Cambridge; and both born and bred for that age which was to refine Greek and Latin to a politeness, and raise them to an Eloquence. He was the University-Orator at Cambridge, and at Court; there using his eloquence, here his interest against that sacriledge, that having Dined on the church, as he writ, came to Sup on the Universities. Thence he was rather removed than advanced, more suita∣bly

to his me••it than his expectation, to be Queen Elizabeths Schoolmaster for the Latin tongue in her Sisters time, and her Secretary for the same in her own.

What he got by his ingenuity, he lost by his ga∣ming, viz. at Dice and Cock-fighting, dying rich onely in those two books, his estate and monument, whereof the one is intituled T••xophilus, and the o∣ther Scholarcha. He and his dear Smith were the happiest men in the nation; their large and inge∣nious souls clasping together in an entire friendship, made up of kindness and integrity, apart from the little fears, the jealousies, the suspitions that vex mankinde. What learned letters! what loving expostulations! what discreet intimations! what faithful advertisements! what indifferent com∣munity! what common cares and pities! how they loved! how they child! and how they loved again! how plain! how malleable! how sweet! What little observations upon one anothers inad∣vertencies, neglects or miscarriages! how they im∣proved their Mollia tempora to the great end of friendship, information and advice! How secretly they vented their thoughts into each others breasts, and there looked upon them by reflexion, and the advantage of a second consideration! And it's a happiness to have another self to shew our selves to before we appear to the world, that all men wish, and the good men onely enjoy. An honest man this, that abhorred all artifice and cunning, and ha∣ted all concealments and pretensions, which he had sagicity enough to discover and look through, but a spirit too generous to practise it; none being more able for, yet none more averse to that ci••cu••∣locution

and contrivance wherewith some men shadow their m••in drift and purpose. Speech was made to open man to man, and not to hide him; to promote Commerce, and not betray it.

HOw happy is he born and taught That serveth not anothers will, Whose Armour is his honest thought, And simple truth his utmost skill?

Whose passions not his Masters are, Whose soul is still prepar'd for death; Vntide unto the world by care Of Publick fame, or private breath.

Who envies none that chance doth raise. Nor vice hath ever understood; How deepest wounds are given by praise, Nor Rules of State, but Rules of Good.

Who hath his life from rumours freed, Whose conscience is his strong retreat•• Whose state can neither flatterers feed, Nor r••ine make Oppressors great.

Who God doth late and early pray, More of his grace, than gifts to lend; And entertains the harmles day With a religious book or friend.

This man is freed from servile bands Of hope to rise, or fear to fall: Lord of himself, though not of lands; And having nothing, yet hath all.