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 Earl of Carnarvan.

RObert Dormer Ar. was on the tenth of Iune 1615. made Baronet by King Iames, and on the 30 day of the same month was by him crea∣ted Baron Dormer of Wing in Buckinghamshire. His Grand-child Robert Dormer was by K. Charles in the 4th of his Reign created Viscount Ascot, & Ea••l of Carnarvan. He lost his life fighting for him who gave him his honour, at the first Battel of Newbu∣ry. Being sore wounded, he was desired by a Lord, to know of him what suit he would have to his Ma∣jesty in his behalf, the said Lord promising to dis∣charge his trust in presenting his request, and assu∣ring him, that his Majesty would be wi••ling to gra∣tifie him to the utmost of his power. To whom the Earl replyed, I will not dye with a Suit in my mouth to any King, save to the King of Heaven. By Anne da••ghter to Philip Earl of Pembrook & Montgom••∣ry, he had Charles, now Earl of Carnarvan. From h•••• noble Extract, he received not more honour than he gave it: For the blood that was conveyed to him through so many illustrious veins, he deri∣ved to his Children more matured for renown, and by a constant practice of goodness more habi∣tuated to vertue. His youth was prepared for acti∣on by study, without which even the most emi∣nent

parts of Noble-men seem rough and unple••∣sant, in despight of the splendor of their fortune: But his rip••r years endured not those retire∣ments, and therefore brake out into manlike exercises at home, and travel abroad. None more noble, yet none more modest; none more valiant, yet none more patient.—A Physician at his Father-in-Law's Table gave him the Lye; which put the company to admire on the one hand the man's im∣pudence, and on the other my Lord's mildness, until he said, I'll take the Lye from him, but I'll never take Physick of him—He may speak what doth not become him, I'll not do what is unworthy of me— A vertue this! not usual in Noble-men, to whom the limits of Equity seem a restraint, and therefore are more restless in Injuries. In the mi••dest of horror and tumults his soul was serene and calm. As humble he was as patient.

Honour and nobility, to which nothing can be added, hath no better way to increase, than when secured of its own greatness, it humbleth it self, and so at once ob∣ligeth love•• and avoideth envy.

His carriage was as condescending as heroick, and his speech as weighty as free. He was too great to envy any mans parts and vertues, and too good not to encour••ge them. Many a time would he stoop with his own spirit, to raise other mens.—He neglected the minute and little circumstances of compliance with vulgar hu∣mors, aiming at what was more solid and more weighty: Moderate men are appl••uded, but the Heroick are never understood.

Constant he was in all that was good: this was his heroick expression when solici••ed by his Wives Father to desist from his engagement with the King,

Leave me to my Honour and Allegiance. No security to him worth a breach of Trust; no interest worth being unworthy. His conduct was as eminent in War, as his carriage in Peace; many did he oblige by the generosity of his mind, more did he awe with the hardness of his body; which was no more softned to sloath by the dalliances of a Court, than the other was debauched to a carelesness by the greatness of his Fortune. His prudence was equal to his valour, and he could entertain dangers as well as despise them; for he not only undeceived his enemies surmises, but exceeded his own friends opinion in the conduct of his soldiers, of whom he had two cares; the one to discipline, the other to preserve them. Therefore they were as compleatly armed without, as they were well appointed within; that surviving their first dangers; they might attain that experience & resolution w^ch is in vain expect∣ed from young and raw soldiers. To this conduct of a General, he added the industry of a Soldier, doing much by his performances, more by his example, ••hat went as an active soul to enliven each part, & the whole of his brave Squadron. But there is no doubt but personal and private sins may oft-times over-balance the justice of publick eng••gements. Nor doth God account every Gallant a fit instru∣ment to assert in the way of war a righteous cause; the event can never state the justice of any cause, nor the peace of mens consciences, nor the e••er∣nal fate of their souls.

They were no doubt Martyrs who neglected their lives, and all that was dear to them in this world, having no advantageous design by any innovation, but were religiously sensible of those tyes to God,

the Church, their King, their Countrey; which lay upon their souls, both for obedience and just assist••nce.

God could, and I doubt not but he did through his mercy crown many of them with eter∣nal life, whose lives were lost in so good a cause: the destruction of their bodies being sanctified as a means to save their souls.