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 Clement Paston.

SIr Clement Paston was a Souldier, and a Souldi∣ers Son; Valour running in the Blood for three Generations, and maturated by Noble and Heroick Actions for Glory and Success. Design∣ed he was by his Friends for the Gown, but by his own Nature for Armour: Born for Action rather than Contemplation. VVhen his Father asked him what he would desire of him, he desired a Horse and a Sword. He was tried in the King of France his service in Henry the Seventh's time, for his overthrow in Henry the Eighths. He was the first that made the English Navy terrible, and the last that made our Army so: He took the Admiral of France: and saved him of England: 30000 Crowns he received by way of Ransome from the first, a••d 1000 l. by way of Gratitude from the other: A Cup he would shew that the first gave him every Holy-day, and a Ring of the seconds e∣very Christmas.

Two Kings made use of his Person, and two Queens of his Counsel, which he gave even on his Death-bed. His advice was short, but resolute;

his words few, but pertinent: his discourse com∣manding, and Souldier-like: his word, the Decree of the Medes. King Henry the Eighth called him His Champion: the Protector, in Edward the sixth's time, His Souldier; Queen Mary, Her Sea-man; and Queen Elizabeth, Her Father. VVhen Wyat was overthrown, he would deliver himself up to a Gentleman, and therefore only to Sir Clement Pa∣ston.

The two great Interests of Souldiers is Pay and Honour: He mortgaged his Estate twice, to satis∣fie them for the one; and pawn'd his credit at Court often, to encourage them for the other; getting his Commanders always power and authority enough to do their Masters business, but never enough to do their own.

There being always a contest between the Popu∣lacy and the Souldiers, (

whom nothing recon∣ciles, but downright force and necessity

) it was death to his Followers to be irregular, because one of their miscarriages exasperates a million, and di∣stastes a Kingdom; so necessary is a strict Discipline in the Camp, and an impartial Justice in the Coun∣trey.

Outward occasions help Fortune, a Man's own temper makes it, when there be, as my Lord Bacon writes, no stops or restiveness in a Man's mind, but that the wheels of that keeps even with those of for∣tune. Sir Clement and Cato Major were both of a make, both having tantum robur corporis & animi; ut, quocunque loco nati essent, fortunam sibi facturi vi∣derentur.