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 Dud∣ly Careleton.

SIr Dudly Careleton was born in Oxford-shire, bred in Christs-Church in Oxford under Dr. King, and afterwards in relation of Secretary to Sir Ralph Winwood in the Low-Countreys, where he was very active, when King Iames re∣signed the cautionary Towns to the States. Here he added so great experience to his former Learn∣ing, that afterwards our King employed him for twenty years together Ambassador in Venice, Savoy, and the Vnited Provinces; Anne Gerard his Lady (Co-heir to George Gerard Esquire) accompany∣ing him in all his Travels, as is expressed in her Epitaph in Westminster-Abby. He was by K. Charls the first, to balance the Duke of Buckingham's ene∣mies in the House of Peers, with the Lord Man∣devil now Earl of Manchester, and the Lord Gran∣dison, created Baron of Imbercourt in Surrey, and afterwards Viscount Dorchester, marrying for his second Wife the Daughter of Sir Henry Glenham, the Relict of Paul, Viscount Banning, who survi∣ved him. He succeeded the Lord Conway, (when preferred President to the Council, in the Secre∣tary-ship of State, being sworn at White-Hall, December 14. 1628. and dying without Issue, An∣no Dom. 163—Much ado he had to remove a State-jealousie that was upon him; That he insisted on ••he restitution of some Towns in Cleves and

Iuliers, to gratifie the Spaniards at that time in Treaty with us: more to remove a Church-jealou∣sie, that in negotiating an accommodation in Re∣ligion, he designed the undermining of the Re∣monstrants then in so much power there: In which matter he was at a loss, whether his Majesty should interpose by Letter or Message: The former he said was most effectual, but the later less subject to misconstruction, considering Barnevel's interest in the State—But he had a Chaplain, one Mr. Hales, that kept this Controversie even on the one hand, while he balanced the State-interest on the other; equally careful that the United Provinces should not be over-run by the Armies of Spain, and that they should not be swallowed up by the protecti∣••n of France.

Watchful was his eye there over the West-India Company; Diligent his carriage upon any accom∣modations from Spain; which he apprehended al∣ways as a design to distract that people then in re∣gard of their unsetledness, but too apt upon any dispute to fall into faction: Great his industry in re∣conciling Sir Horace Vere and Sir Edward Cecil for the honour of the English Nation, and the advance∣ment of the common service: Sincere his services ••o the Prince Elector, and his Lady.

Exa••t his rules of Traffique and Commerce, and dexterous his arts of keeping the States from new alliances, notwithstanding our likely Marriage-treaty with Spain, especially since the Prince of Orange bluntly (after his manner) asked, Qui at' il vostre Marriage?—And indeed he behaved him∣self in all Employments so well becoming a man that understood so many Languages, that was so

well versed in Ancient and Modern History, that had composed so many choice pieces of Politicks, that was so well seen in the most practical Mathema∣ticks; and added to these a graceful and charming look, a gentle and a sweet elocution; that not∣withstanding his, and his Brother Bishop Carleton's rigidness in some points, kept him to his dying-day in great favour and most eminent service; and failing in nothing but his French Embassy, because there he had to do with Women. Leaving behinde him this observation; That new Common-wealth•• are hardly drawn to a certain resolution; as who knowing not how to determine, and remaining onely in suspence, take ordinarily that course rather which they are forced ••o, than what they might choose for themselves.—And this eminent service when he assisted the Earl of Holland in France, viz. That he pacified the high difference there, upon which the revolt of the Hugonots depended, and put a real resolution in K••ng Lewis to advance against the Valtoline and Spain by the advantage of the League with England: proceeding upon this Maxim with that King; They that have respect to few things, are easily misled.

I had almost forgot, how this Lord finding that want of Treasure at home, was the ground of our unsuccessful and despicableness abroad; and that Principe senza quatrius e come un muro senza crole da tulls scompis••iato; That a Prince without money is like a wall without a Cross, for every one to draw upon; did mention the Excise in the Parlia∣ment-House, and in no ill meaning neither, and was violently cryed to the Bar: and though a person of that eminence, as being then a Privy-Councellor,

and principal Secretary of State, he hardly escaped being committed to the Tower:—So odious was that Dutch-Devil (as they called it) in the excel∣lent King Charles, which was raised by the belo∣ved Parliament, with many more that were conju∣red up in three or four years, but not likely to be laid in three or fourscore.

Living in those times when weak men imagined to themselves some unknown bliss from untried go∣vernments, and considering that alterations coun∣tervail not their own dangers, and as they bring little good to any, so they bring least of all to those that first promoted them; This Lord refused to be the mouth of the Zealous multitude (whose rage could neither be well opposed, nor joyned with) whom a pardon or compliance might bring off, lea∣ving their Demagogues to compound for their fol∣ly with their ruine; choosing rather to be patient, than active, and appear weak, than be troublesom; and once resolved upon an exact survey of circum∣stances for power against the faults of it on the one hand, and the affronts of it on the other, he gained the esteem of all parties by his fidelity to his own. I am much taken with his plain saying, which I find of late printed; There will be mistakes in Divinity while men preach, and errors in Government while such govern: And more with his method of procee∣ding in his affairs, whereof he laid first an Idea in his own mind, and then improved it by debate; the result whereof was usually so compleat, as shew∣ed the vast difference between the shallow concep∣tions of one man, and the deep judgment of many••