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 Edward Stanley.

THe Stanley's service to Henry the Seventh, was a sufficient pledge of their faithfulness to Henry the Eighth. Honour floated in Sir Edward's blood, and Valour danced in his spi∣rits: His stirring childhood brought him to Henry the eighth's company, and his active manhood to his service. The Camp was his School, and his Learning was a Pike and Sword; therefore his Ma∣sters Greeting to him was when they met, Hoh, my Souldier! In many places did he shew himself, but no where more than at Flodden, where his Ar∣chers fetched down the Scots from their fastness, and relieved the English from their distress; the Earl of Surrey beginning the Conquest, and Si•• Edward crowning it: for which the King immedi∣ately set him high in his favour, and not long a••ter, as high in the world, being made Baron Stanley, and Lord Mounteagle. Twice did he and Sir Iohn Wallop land with only 800. Men in the heart of France, and four times did he and Sir Tho. Lovell save Callis; the first time, by Intelligence; the se∣cond, by a stratagem; the third, by valour and re∣solution; and the fourth, by hardship, patience, and industry.

In the dangerous Insurrection by Ashe and Cap∣••••in Cobler, his Zeal for the States welfare was a∣••ove scruples, and his Army was with ••im before ••is Commission: for which dangerous piece of ••oyalty, he asked pardon, and received thanks. Two things he did towards the discomfiture of the Rebels, (whose skill in Arms exceeded ••is Follow∣••rs, as much as his policy did their Leaders) first, he cut off their provisions, and then secondly, sow∣••d sedition among them, whilst his Majesty gained ••ime by pretended Treaties to be even with them, drawing off the most eminent of the factions every day, and confounding the rest. He lived wi••h this strange opinion, that the soul of Man was like the winding up of a Watch, and when the String was run out, the Man died, and there the Soul deter∣mined, but he died not so.