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 Bramstone.

SIr Iohn Bramstone, Knight, was born at Mal∣don in Essex, bred up in the Middle-Tem∣ple in the study of the Common-Law, where∣in he attained to such eminency, that he was by

King Charls made Lord Chief-Justice of the King's Bench.

One of deep Learning, solid Judgement, inte∣grity of Life, gravity of behaviour, above the envy of his own age, and the scandal of posterity. One instance of his I must not forget, writes the Historian effectually, relating to the foundation wherein I was bred: Sergeant Bruerton by Will bequeathed to Sidney-Colledge well-nigh three thousand pounds, but (for ha••te, or some other accident) it was so im∣perfectly done, that (as Dr. Sam. Ward informed me) the gift was invalid in the rigour of the Law. Now Judge Bramstone, who married the Sergeants Widow, gave himself much trouble (gave him••elf indeed, doing all things gratis) for the speedy pay∣ment of the money to a farthing, and the legal setling thereof on the Colledge, according to the true intention of the dead. He deserved to live in better times. The delivering his judgement on the King's side in the case of Ship-money, cost him much trouble, and brought him much honour, as who understood the consequence of that Ma∣x••me, Salus populi suprema lex; and that Ship-mo∣ney was thought legal by the best Lawyers, voted down arbitrarily by the worst Parliament: they hearing no Counsel for it, though the King heard all men willingly against it. Yea, that Parliament thought themselves not secure from it, unless the King renounced his right to it by a new Act of his own. Men have a touch-stone to try Gold, and Gold is the touch-stone to try Men. Sir William Noy's gratuity shewed, that this Judges Inclination was as much above corruption as his Fortune; and that he would not, as well as needed not, be base.

Equally intent was he upon the Interest of the State and the Maximes of Law, as which mutually sup∣ported each other.—He would never have a Wit∣ness interrupted, or helped, but have the patience to hear a naked, though a tedious truth: the best Gold lyeth in the most Ore, and the clearest truth in the most simple discourse. When he put on his Robes, he put off Respects; his private affections being swallowed up in the publick service. This was the Judge whom Popularity could never flatter to any thing unsafe, nor favour oblige to any thing unjust. Therefore he died in peace, 1645. when all others were engaged in a War, and shall have the reward of his integrity of the Judge of Judges at the great A••••ize of the world.

* 1.1Having lived as well as read Iustinian's maxime to the Praetor of Laconia; All things which ap∣pertain to the well-government of a State, are ordered by the constitutions of Kings, that give life and vigo••r to the Law: Whereupon, who so would walk wisely, shall never fail, if he propose them both for the rule of his actions;—For a King is the living Law of his Countrey.

Nothing troubled him so much as (shall I call it?) the shame, or the fear of the consequence of the unhappy contest between his Excellent Majesty and his meaner Subjects in the foresaid case of Ship-mo∣ney; no enemy being contemptible enough to be despised, since the most despicable command grea∣ter strength, wisdom, and interest than their own, to the designs of Malice or Mischief.—A great man m••naged a quarrel with Archee the King's Fool; but by endeavouring to explode him the Court, rendred him at last so considerable, by

calling the enemies of that person (who were not a few) to his rescue, as the fellow was not onely able to continue the dispute for divers years, but received such encouragement from standers by (the instrument of whose malice he was) as he oft broke out in such reproaches, as neither the dig∣nity of that excellent person's calling, nor the greatness of his parts, could in reason or manners admit:—But that the wise man discerned, that all the fool did was but a symptom of the strong and inveterate distemper raised long since in the hearts of his Countreymen against the great mans Person and Function.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Admin. Card. de Rich. p. 283.