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 Thomas Audley.

SIr Thomas Audley's Birth was Generous, his E∣ducation more: Essex bred him to that Ho∣nour which his Ancestors lost: His Soul ennobled his Body, and his Body graced his Soul: The one quick, solid, apprehensive and judicious; the o∣ther tall and majestick: King Henry loved a Man; and here was one whose Austerity was allayed with Debonairness, whose Gravity was sweetened with Pleasantness; whose Knowledge was as large as his Authority, whose Wit was equal with his Wisdom; whose Memory was strong, and Judg∣ment solid. His fair Estate brought him to the Temple; his proficiency in the Law, to the Court: His reading upon the Statute of Priviledges com∣mended him to the Kings Service, his speaking for the Prerogative in Parliament brought him to the Kings Favour: Although the Liberties of the Peo∣ple can never be se••ured without the Prerogative of the Sovereign (who cannot do the good they would, if he wants a power to do the evil they fear;) yet his first Preferment was to withdraw him from Popularity, and the second only to confirm him to Sovereignty. Noble Service is the way to a Royal One•• His Stewardship to the Dutchy of Suf∣folk, raised him to the Attorneyship of that of Lan∣caster. But in troublesome and designing times a popular Orator is a good Courtier; and leading Parts in Parliament or Convocation are great Me∣rits.

In the black Parliament he was a Member by his own Interest, and a Speaker by his Majesties Choice: Sir Tho. More was to serve the Crown in the Lords House, and Sir Tho. Audley was to succeed him in the House of Commons. When Abbey-Lands were bestowed on the King in gross, and returned by him to the leading Lords and Commons in the Retayl, most of that Parliament looked for ••hares; Sir Thomas for the first cut, to secure himself with the King. He was always in favour with the Queens, who had no less interest in the Kings Heart, than the Kingdom had in his Head. The Age was un∣certain, Interest not so; Sir Thomas was fixed on the One, above the alterations of the Other: un∣derstanding what was most convenient at a time when there was nothing lawful. He was well seen in the flexures and windings of affairs, at the depth whereo•• other Heads not so steady turned giddy: He had the Arts of a Statesman, and the closeness of a Politician: Reserved he was, but no Dissem∣bler. For if a man have that penetration of judg∣ment, as he can discern what things are to be laid open, and what to be kept secret, and what to be shewed with half ••ights, and to whom and when, (which indeed are Arts of States and Arts of Life) to him an Habit of Dissimulation is a hin∣derance and a poorness. He (as an able man) was always frank and open, but wary; knowing how to stop and turn within the compass of equity and honesty. He understood business well, and men better; and knew King Henry's Temper bet∣ter than Himself, whom he surprized always to his own bent, never moving any of his suits to him, but when in hast, and most commonly amusing him

with other matter until he passed his Request. His Actions were managed for applause as well as ser∣vice: for when made Sergeant, he was the first of eleven; his Entertaining-Day was the last o•• six: The King, who paid for his Dinner, was invited to it. He watched the Circumstances of his Actions, that they might be Taking, as well as their ••ssue, that they might be Useful; and contrived that the least of his publick actions should come off with re∣putation. He followed the most passable rather then the most able men living, in a time when active men were more useful than the virtuous. Sir Thomas at once gratified the present humour of the Ki••g, and the constant temper of the people, in six Bills against the Clergy: 1. Against the Extortions of their Courts. 2•• The Exaction of their Corps and Mor∣tuaries. 3. Their worldly Occupations, as Gra∣zing, Tanning, &c. 4. Merchandize. 5. Their Non-Residencies. 6. The Pluralities of the ••gno∣rant, and the mean Salaries of the Learned. When in some Debates between the Lords and Commons, Custome was urged; Sir Thomas replied, The usage hath ever been for Thieves to rob at Shooters ••ill, is it therefore lawful? He brought the Clergy within a Praemunire, to awe them; and a••terwards in their pardon, he and other members included their own: which the knowing King would not pass, when it was demanded as of right; yet afterwards granted it of his own accord, when it was received as of Grace. When Sir Thomas More could not act with the times, Sir Thomas Audley could; the One being weary of the Seal, the other takes it; being made Lord Keeper in Sir Thomas his life-time, and Lord Chancellour after his death•• owning no Opinion

against the Government of England, nor any De∣sign against its Interest. The King might well trust him with his Conscience, when he trusted the King with his, owning no Doctrine but what was established, ever judging the Church and State wi∣ser than himself. He was forced to take Q. Anne, but he would not condemn her; rather escaping than refusing unwelcome employments, wherein he must either displease his Master or himself. He was ten∣der, but not wilful; waving such services dexterous∣ly, wherein he must oppose his Master dangerously. Those Insurrections which others rigor had raised, his Moderation allayed; breaking the Factions with Indulgence, which might be strengthned with Opposition: C••omwel pulled down Popery with his Power, Audl••y kept it down with his Policy, enjoining the Preachers to de••ect the follies of that way, which is reckoned the wisdom of this World. He had a moderate way to secure the priviledges of Parliament, by freedom from Arrests; and the good will of the Citizens, by an Order about debts.

By these courses he died as much in the Kings fa∣vour as he lived: Patience can weather out the most turbulent Age, and a solid Judgement the most in∣••••icate times; The reserved and quiet man is the most secure. Activity may raise a man, Wariness keep him up. If he had done nothing, he had not been seen; if he had done much, he had nor been suf∣fered. Between two extreams Audley could do well.

T••easure of Arms and Arts, in whom were set The Mace and Books, the Court and Colledge met; Yet both so wove, that in that mingled throng They both comply, and neither neither wrong.

But pois'd and temper'd, each reserv'd its seat; Nor did the learning quench, but guide the Heat. The Courtier was not of the furious strain, The hand that acts, doth first consult the brain. Hence grew commerce betwixt Advice and Might, The Scholar did direct the Courtier right. And as our Perfumes mixt, do all conspire, And twist their Curles above the hallowed fire, Till in that Harmony of Sweets combin'd, We can nor Musk nor single Amber finde; But Gums meet Gums, and their delights so crowd, That they create one undistinguish'd Cloud: So to thy minde these rich Ingredients prest, And were the Mould and Fabrick of thy brest. Learning and Courage mixt, and temper'd so, The Stream could not decay nor overflow. And in that equal Tide, thou didst not bear From Courage, Rashness; nor from Learning, Fear••