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 the Mar∣quess of Hertford.

HE was none of those Male-contents who make the sins of their ••iper years make good the follies of their youth, and maintain oversights with Treasons: as he was patient un∣der his Imprisonment for the one, so he was active in his services against the other; not more dutiful∣ly submitting to the severity of K. Iames for his Marriage, then loyally assisting the necessities of King Charles in his Wars. It's natural to return an Injury, it's heroical to overcome it; and be above it, when we are below our selves. It is true, he was drawn in to subscribe the untoward Proposals at York; but it is as true, he did of his own accord declare against the unnatural War in London, where the King advanced him to the tuition of the Prince, and he went himself to the defence of the King: at what time such his popularity, that he raised an Army himself; such his humility, that he yielded the command of it to another, as if he knew nothing but others merit, and his own wants; being one of those choice men that admire every thing in others, and see nothing in themselves.

His face, his carriage, his habit favoured of Lowliness without affectation, and yet he was much under what he seemed. His words were few and soft, never either peremptory or cen∣sorious, because he thought both each man more wise, and none more obnoxious than himself; being yet neither ignorant nor careless, but na∣turally me••k, lying ever close within himself, arm∣ed with those two Master-pieces, Resolution and Duty, wherewith he mated the blackest Events that did rather exercise than dismay that spirit that was above them, and that minde that looked be∣yond them: He was the easiest enemy, and the truest friend; whom extremities obliged, while (as the Reverend Bishop speaks) he as a well-wrought Vault lay at home the stronger, by how much the more weight he did bear. He offered his life for his Prince's service in the Field, and his per∣son for his ransom at the Court; and when many wished they might die for that excellent King, he, the Earls of Lindsey and Southampton offered, That since his Majesty was presumed by the Law to do no harm himself, and since he did all by them his Ministers, as they had the honour to act under, they might have the happiness to suffer for him.