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 Savil.

THe methods of this Gentleman's advance∣ment exactly parallel those of his Coun∣trey-man Sir Thomas Wentworth: Both had the same foundation of wealth and honour to build on; both had solid and strong parts to act by; both began with Popularity in the Countrey, pro∣ceeded with activity in Parliaments;—accomplish∣ed themselves with correspondence all over the Na∣tion: both eminent upon the Bench; both hospita∣ble at home; both bountiful to Lecturers; both

well skilled in, and stedfast to the great points of Prerogative and Liberty.—For the last whereof; they were so bold (as sure either by carrying the Cause to oblige the people to themselves, or by suffering for it to enrage them against the Govern∣ment) that Sir R. Weston made it his business to take off the one, and my Lord of Canterbury the other; which they did with such success, that as my Lord Wentworth became a great Favourite, so the Lord Savile was an eminent Counsellor; only finding that his young Neighbour had got the start of him, he kept to one of his popular Principles always, viz. a restless impetuosity towards Pa∣pists, against whom he made himself famous; 1. For a Disputation procured by him in Drury-Lane (whither he brought Bishop Vsher under the notion of a Countrey-Parson; when the Jesuites cryed, There was more Learning in that Parson, than in all the men in England.) 2. For a project offer∣ed by him in Parliament.—For when they taking advantage of King Charls his wants, profe••ed to maintain five thousand men to serve his Majesty in Ireland, and a proportion of Ships to secure him in England, on condition of the free exercise of their Religion; Sir Iohn interposed, That if the King were pleased but to call on the Recusants to pay Thirds (legally due to the Crown) it would prove a way more effectual, and less offensive, to raise a mass of money: It being but just that they who were so rich and free to purchase new Priviledges, should first pay their old Penalties. When I read of a Lord Savile going privately to Scotland, 1639. subscribing to a Petition, with o••her moderate Lords, as they called them, containing the very sense of the sacti∣on

(insomuch that it is observed, the City-Petition and theirs were couched in the same words) yet going to Oxford, and after all, being so turbulent there, that his Majesty was fain to send him be∣yond Sea, where his Majesty writes with his own hand, He doubts he will rather exchange his villany, than end it; I am almost of that wise mans mind, that there were no less than 17 particular Designs set on foot by the promotion of the late Troubles; whereof though most, yet not all were carried on in Westminster:—or to enforce something more solid; that a King should say as the Italian doth, If my Subject deceives me once, God forgive him; If a second time, God forgive me; and the rather, be∣cause it's fatal for Majesty to err twice.