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 Henry Mountague Earl of Manchester.

HEnry Earl of Manchester, third son to Sir Edward Mountague, Grand-childe to Sir Edward Mountague Lord Chief-Justice of the King's Bench in King Edward the sixth's time, was born at Boughton in Nor∣thampton-shire. One skilful in mysterious Arts, beholding him when a School-boy, foretold that by the pregnancy of his parts, he would raise himself above the rest of his Family; which came to pass accordingly: He being bred first in Christs-Colledge in Cambridge, then in the Mid∣dle Temple, where he attained to great Learning in the Laws; passed through many preferments, as they are reckoned up, viz.

• 1. Sergeant at L••w.
• 2. Knighted by K. Iames, Iuly 22. 1603.
• 3. Recorder of London.
• 4. Lord Chief-Justice of the King's Bench, Novemb. 18. 1616.
• 5. Lord Treasurer of England, Decemb. 16. 1620.
• 6. B••ron of Kimbolton.
• 7. Viscount Mandevile.
• 8. President of the Council, Sept. 29. 1631.
• 9. E••rl of Manchester.
• 10. Lord Privy-Seal.

He wisely perceiving that Courtiers were but

as Counters in the hands of Princes, raised and depressed in valuation at pleasure, was content∣ed rather to be set for a smaller sum, than to be quite put up into the box. Thus in point of place and preferment, being pleased to be what the King would have him (according to his Motto, Movendo non mutando me) he became almost what he would be himself, finally advan∣ced to an Office of great Honour. When Lord Privy-Seal, he brought the Court of Requests into such repute, that what formerly was called the Alms-Basket of the Chancery, had in his time well-nigh as much meat in, and guests about it (I mean Suits and Clients) as the Chancery it self. His Meditations of Life and Death, called Manchester Almondo, written in the time of his health, may be presumed to have left good im∣pressions on his own soul, preparatory for his dissolution, which happened 164—

T••e Office of Lord Treasurer was ever beheld as a place of great charge and profit. My Lord being demanded what it might be worth per ann. made this answer; That it might be some thousands of pounds to him (who after death would go instantly to heaven) twice as much to him who would go to Pur∣gatory, and a Nemo scit to him who would adventure to a worse place. But indeed, he that will be a bad husband for himself in so advantagious a place, will never b•• a good one for his Soveraign.