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 John Smith.

HIS Relation to Edward the sixth his Cou∣sin German, was enough to countenance his parts, and his parts ripe and large enough to advance his person.— His gravity could be no where better employed than in Spain, nor his reservedness any where more su••table than in Italy. In Spain his carriage had a great impression upon the King, and his spirit upon the whole Court. For Gasper Quiroga Arch-Bishop of Toledo, in∣veighing bitterly against the Queen's person, and more against her Title (Defender of the Faith) was answered by him with that Wisdom and Prudence, that his Majesty of Spain checked the Arch-Bishop as an Impertinado, as he called

him, and hugged Sir Iohn Smith, as a man who had made himself dread••ul, and his Mistriss there∣fore much more to that Court— (They who least consider hazard in the doing of their duty, fare best still.) The surest way to safety, is to have one interest espoused so firmly, as never to be changed. Nor did he this out of a vainer bottome than an observation he made of his Mistrisses resolution, already in despair of procuring good from any milder endeavours than those of power: A signal testimony of the commanding worth this Gentleman had, which ex∣torted a reverence to his person in that very place where his business contracted an Odium. An excel∣lent person he was, in whom honesty of manners stri∣ved with Nobi••ity of Birth, and merit with honour; of a composed and stayed temper, that would say under all temptations to disquiet, Either the thing before us is in our power, or it is not: If it be, why do we not manage it to our content? If not, why are we discontented, especially since every thing hath two bandles? If the one prove hot, and not to be touched, we may take the other that is more temperate. Upon which consideration, all pri∣vate concernments he passed over with a perfect indifference: the world and its Appendages hang∣ing so loose about him, that he never took no∣tice when any part dropt off, or sate uneasily.