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.

THE STATES-MEN and FAVOURITES OF ENGLAND, IN The Reign of King Edward the VI.

Observations on the Lives of the Seymours.

EDward Seymour and Thomas Sey∣mour, both Sons of Sir John Seymour of Wolful in Wiltshire. I joyn them together, because whilst they were united in affection, they were invincible; but when divided, easily overthrown by their Enemies.

EDward Duke of So∣merset, Lord Pro∣tector and Treasurer of England, being the elder Brother, succeeded to a fair Paternal inheri∣tance He was a valiant Souldier for Land-ser∣vice, fortunate, and ge∣nerally beloved by Marti∣al Men. He was of an open nature, free from jealousie and dissembling, affable to all people. He married Anne, Daugh∣ter to Sir Edward Stan∣hop, a Lady of a high mind, and haughty un∣daunted spirit.

THOMAS SEY∣MOUR the Youn∣ger brother, was made BARON of Sudley; and, by Offices and the fa∣vours of his Nephew, King Edward the sixth, obtain∣ed a great Estate. He was well experienced in Sea-Affairs, and made Lord Admiral of Eng∣land. He lay at a close postu••e, being of a reserved nature, and more cunning in his carriage. He mar∣ried Queen Katherine P••rr, the Widow of King Henry 8.

Very great the Animosities betwixt their Wives; the Dutchess refusing to bear the Queens Train•• and in effect justled with her for precedence: se that what betwixt the Train of the Queen. and lon•• Gown of the Dutchess, they raised so much dust at the Court, as at last put out the eyes of both their Hus∣bands, and occasioned their Execution••.

Their Sisters Beauty commended them to the King•• favours; (but a frail support that! which is as lasting only as a Phancy, and only as certain as Passion:) therefore their Parts recommended them to his service. Affection shall lead me to Court, but I'le take care that In••erest keeps me there.

Sir Edward Seymours temper suited with the Kings Inclinations, and his spirit with his times; both high, both stirring. In the throng of Cour∣tiers, there a••e but three steps to raise a man to observations: 1. Some pecu••iar sufficiency; 2. Some particular exploit; and, 3. An especi∣al Friend: This Noble Person shewed the first with advantage, in that draught of Military Discipline presented to Henry the eighth, wherein the em∣battling is most remarkable, viz. "Twenty two compleat Companies make up four Squadrons; eve••y Squadron of Pikes and Musquets being drawn up apart, the Pikes and Colours on the left h••nd, and the Musqueteers on the right. These Squa∣drons make up a Brigade, to be drawn up as followeth, viz. Ten Corporalships of Musqueteers being 34 Rots, divided into five Plattons, every Plat∣ton being nine or so in front, led by a Major, and every division by a sufficient Commander. Next af∣ter these, Thirty six Rots of Pikes are to follow, (being twelve Corporalships) with their Colours fol∣lowing them, till they are drawn up even in front with the 32 Rots of Musqueteers: This makes the Right Wing of the Brigade. 2. The Battel of Pikes mov∣eth forward in division, doing in all respects as the for∣mer, till they range even in front with the Pikes of the Right Wing: Then the o••her 32 Rots of Musqueteers belonging to the middle Squadron, (who are appoint∣ed to make the Battel of the Brigade) are led up as the first Musqueteers in all points, but at a reasona∣ble distance behind the Pikes of their own Squa∣drons. Then the last Squadron of Pikes march∣eth up, in all respects observing the same order.

until they have attained to range in front even with o••her ••ikes.

This being done, the Battel or middle Squa∣dron o•• Pikes and Musquets advanceth in one body, until it's clear of the Wings. Lastly, the Surplus of the three Squadrons being 48 Rots of Mu••quet••e••s, are drawn up behind the Brigad••e, where they are to attend the Commands of their Officers, to guard the Baggage or Cannon, to be Convo••es for Ammunition or Victuals to the rest, or continue a reserve to wait upon all occa∣sions.

2. Eminent was his ability for this Draught, more eminent for his performance agreeable to it in Britain; where he sate before a Town six weeks to no purpose, while it expected relief from Italy: But at last he in••inuates a jealousie between the Pope and the French King touching that Ci∣ty, that obstructed all relief: He with a•• much speed and policy sets upon the two main Sc••••res for defense of the Town, and took them b••th; battering the Town and Castle with that violence and noise, that they say it was heard 100 miles off. A Train of Powder is laid to blow them up when they should enter; but this succeeded not: For the French in passing the Ditch had so weted their cloaths, that dropping upon the Train, the Pow∣der would not take fire; and so all things conspi∣ring to crown his valour with success; he takes the Castle first, and then dividing the Town, and weakning it by several assaults at once, brought it to his own terms. Here his Valour had been e∣minent, but that his conduct was more; and his Conduct renowned, but that his nobleness towards

the Conquered: his civility and obligingness to∣wards the Souldiery, and his integrity towards all persons, had out-done that.

There are but two things that a subject can ho∣nestly oblige his Prince in: 1. Keeping his sub∣jects in peace at home, 2. Keeping his enemies under abroad: 1. Those soft, but prudent Acts of Peace; 2. Those resolved, but well-managed wayes of War: Sir Thomas wanted neither a re∣solution for the one, nor a temper for the other.

But sufficiency and merits are neglected things when not befriended: (Princes are too reserved to be taken with the first appearances of worth, unless recommended by tryed judgments: It's fit as well as common, that they have their Counsel∣lours for persons as well as things:) His Sister therefore was married on Whit sunday, and he is on the Tuesday following created Viscount Beau∣champ. But next year his Nephew is born; the hope and stay of his Majesty and his Realmes, and he is made Earl of Hertford.

King Henry understanding that the Pope upon his own and Cardinal Pool's account stirred up all the Princes against him, as a provident Prince, rode himself to the Sea-coasts to see them fortifi∣ed. Admiral Fitz-williams is old, Sir Thomas Seymour assists him to rigg the Navy to be in rea∣diness in six dayes time: Sir Edward is to muster the Land-Forces, and particularly the City of London, where were 15000 Armed men ready, May 8, in St. Iameses, at which place the City seemed a Camp, and the Ci••izens men not of the Gown, but of the Armour. Great this Lords in∣terest in, and respect with the people; as great his bro∣thers

with the Sea-men: The Multitude would leave all for their good Lord of Hertford, and the Sea-men would die with their noble Lord Seymou•• When the King of Scots had deluded King Henry in his correspondencies with France beyond all patience, and had been forborn beyond all sa••ety or prudence, Sir Edward Seymour is fi••st sent to treat, and then to fight; which he did with much success, that 300 of his men, and a Stratagem, (to possess the Scots with an apprehension that the whole English Army was upon them) took and killed 30000 Scots, had more prisoners than they could keep, more booty than they could dispose of; and adding this to their Victory, that they broke the Kings heart.

There was no end to be expected of a War with Scotland, but by marrying that Kings Daughter to our Sovereigns Son. This Match was my Lord Seymour's interest as well as the Kings: His pru∣dence and experience is therefore employed first to perswade it; and when that would not do, (so great and so cross the Papal power there by Car∣dinal Betons means) his Valour and Resolution, is sent with 10000 to compel it: in order where∣unto, May 4. landing at Granther-Gray, he march∣eth in order towards Leith, which (after a defeat given the Cardinal, the Earls of Arran, Huntley, &c. by his Harquebusiers) they entred, and thence proceeded to Edinbu••gh: My Lord Dudley leading the Front, our Earl the Battle, and the Earl of Shrewsbury the Reerward:) the••e the Keys are offered t••em upon conditions; which they refusing; (and so making the Enemy desperate, who resolveth rather to perish nobly, than to be

undone by submission) the Town holds out, and they are able to do no more, with some conside∣rable loss, then burn the suburbs, wast the Coun∣try to an utter desolation for seven miles compass, demolish Leith, Dunbar, &c. take all their Ships and Ammunition, returning to Berwick with the loss only of 14 men.

Two things he was eminent for:

• 1. His Advice, that not the least Punctilio of the Law should be neglected: Whereupon the Earl of Surrey and other Nobility were imprison∣ed for eating Flesh in Lent. A secret and unobser∣ved contempt of the Law, is a close undermining of Authority; which must be either its self in in∣dulging nothing, or be nothing in allowing all. Liberty knows no restraint, no limit, when winked at.
• 2. For his Popularity, in advancing the Be∣nevolence 52000 l. beyond expectation.

The Scots must have War as long as there is Po∣verty in their Country, and interest in France: This Noble Earl cutteth off the Invaders, layeth wast the Country, and (that the source of those troubles might be dammed up) entreth France with 80000 men; and afer some skirmish∣es, brought the King thereof to a peace and sub∣mission.

In pursuance whereof, while King Henry was in Bologn, he made his Will, wherein the Earl of Hert∣ford Lord High Chamberlain is appointed Princi∣pal Counsellour to his Nephew: and not long after he dyeth, and leaves the Kingdome to his son, and his Son to his Uncle, whom the common Vote made Protector, and interest a Moderator

of the Council, which the time required able, but their humours made f••ctious. The peace with King Francis and the Emperour was but uncertain; the Scots we••e irreconci••eable, the Pope implaca∣ble, Religion unsettled, the Clergy out of frame, the People dist••acted, and the Nobility at vari∣ance. A great Counsellour King Henry leaves his Son, and a greater his Uncle makes him:* 1.1

in Counsel is stability: Things will have their first or second agitation: If they be not tossed upon the Arguments of Counsel, they will be tossed upon the Waves of Fortune.

But yet this Lord miscarried, in that the Council understood him better than he did them: And he advised with them rather in publick, where men speak warily, and in compliance with othe••s humour; than in private, where they deliver themselves more free∣ly, and agreeable to their own humours. (The Rule is, Ask an inferiour mans advice in private that he may be ••ree; and a superiours in publick, that he may be respectful.) But he did well, 1. In that the same matter if weighed, was never propound∣ed and resolved the same day. 2. In that he h••d fixed dayes of petitions, for the peoples and his own ease. 3. In that he poyzed his Commit∣tees of contrary inclinations, that watched and balanced each other to a moderation most safe for the Kingdome and himself. 4. That he had of all Professions such at his command as opened the state of a business before any Commissioners deba∣ted it. 5. That he seldome discovered his own inlination, lest it byas••ed his Counsel. 6. That to prevent a Combination in the Council, he weak∣ned their power and pri••iledges, ••heir credit, their

dependencies, either by office or expectation, their opportunities and correspondencies, so that he could easily remove any when faul••y, discover any when dangerous, disgrace any when bold, and not fit to be entrusted with the Counsels, Resolves, Deliberations, and Necessities of the State. In order to which, he had two useful Resolutions. 1. To suppress Calumnies, 2. To encourage Accusati∣ons. His first Acts were Shew and Pomp, (necessa∣ry for Greatness•• viz. The Knighting of the King, and making himself Duke. His next are Realities: as, 1. His mode••ling the Country for a Parlia∣ment, considering the temper of the people, and the pulse of the last Parliament; redressing Grie∣vances, settling Elections by such Legal Rules, as that the people should not be corrupted with mo∣ney, overborn by importunity, transported by fear or favour to an unworthy or an unsuitable choice; and taking a just time to prepare the peo∣ple for the designed settlement, by his grave and sober Injunctions, by godly and good Books of Instructions, by a wholsome form of Prayer, (composed at Windsor) by a more exact translati∣on of the Bible, by several Proclamations for mo∣deration and order on all hands, by inhibiting all Preachers but such learned, sober, grave and discreet men as were Licensed thereunto under the Lord Protector's and my Lord of Canterbury's hand.

2. His promoting the Match with Scotland first by Ambassadours, and then by an Army, whose order was this:* 1.2 viz. The Avant-guard of 3 or 4000 foot-men at Arms, and 600 light-horse led by the Earl of Warwick; the main Battle of 6000 foot, and 600 men at Arms, and 1000 light-horse,

led by the Protector; and the Rear of half so ma∣ny, led by the Lord Dacres; the Artillery of 16 Pieces of Ordnance making one Wing, the men at Arms and Demilances the other. For the Avant-guard and half of the Battel ••iding about two flight-shot from their side, the other half of the Battel: and the whole Flank of the Rear was closed by the Carriages, being 12000 Carts and Wag∣gons; the rest of the men at A••ms and D••mi••an∣ces marching behind. A f••w ski•• mishes and stra∣tagems passed, when a Trumpeter is sent by Hunt∣ley to challenge the Protector; to whom the Pro∣tector replying like a wi••e man, That it was not for a person of his trust to duel it with a private man; The Earl of Warwick said, Trumpeter, bring me word that thy Master will perform the Combat with me, and I'll give thee 100 Crowns. Nay, rather, said our Duke, bring me word that he will give us Battle, and I will give thee 1000 l. But in 25 days he gains a greater a 1.3 Battle, over-runs the Country with the loss of no more then 65 men, to that of 25000 Scots.

3. His third Exploit was, Dispensing b 1.4 Honours so nobly, that they were due encouragements to Virtue; though yet so warily, that they should not be either a burden or a danger to the Crown.

4. He gave the Commonalty great content, in pulling down Enclosures by Proclamations; and the Nobility no less, by setting up Land-improve∣ments by Rule.

5. He engaged both, by a good bargain of Church-lands, confirmed by this Parliament.

6. He weakneth the Papists, 1. By conniving at them until they broke out to such outrages as

made them lyable. 2. By dividing them when en∣gaged, with hope of mercy on the one hand, and fear of his Army on the other.

7 The French taking the advantage of our se∣ditious to break off their Treaty, and proclaim a War, he con••i••ca••es their Estates, and secures the persons of a•• many of them as lived in England.

But Greatness is fatal; and his Brother that should have suppo••ted this great man, ruines him∣self and him.* 1.5 He had married a Lady high in spi∣rit; his Brother the Queen-Dowager, higher in place: the Ladies quar••el first, and then (as it must needs follow) the Lords. Thomas the Ad∣miral is questioned for aiming at the Crown, 1. By marrying the Lady Elizabeth, and then by seizing the King-person and the Government: so honest this Protector, (a plain man, and of no o∣ver-deep insight into practices) that he gave way to his Tryal, saying, (though somewhat ominous as it happened) I'll do and suffer Iustice: so Uxori∣ous, that he sealed his death. And now he stands alone, wanting his Brothers cunning to reach War∣wick, or his resolution to check Norfolk. The people are troubled at that one weak and unjustifi∣able Act of his, The pulling down of so many of Gods ••hu••che•• in the City, to build one Somerset-house in the Strand.

The Earl takes notice of their discontent, and asse••bleth eighteen discontented Counsellours, who arm themselves and their c 1.6 followers, calling the City and the Kingdome to their assistance by a Proclamation. The Protector fleeth with the King and a Guard to Hampton-Court: the City

sometimes resolved to assist the Lords, out of ma∣lice to the Protector; sometimes to forbear out of such consideration of its many misfortunes in opposing Kings, set forth not with more Integrity by George Stadlow, then Eloquence and Life by Iohn Ayliffe. They delay: Sir Anthony Wingfield Captain of the Guard perswades the King of the Lords moderation and Loyalty; the Duke is to an∣swer for himself: the Lawyers charge him with re∣moving Westminster-Hall to Somerset-House, where he kept a Court of Request, and determined Title of Lands; the Souldiers with the detaining of their pay, and betraying our French Garisons; the States-men with the engrossing of all Authority. The Earl of Warwick vigilantly but closely manag∣eth all discon••e••••s of his designe with this great advantage, that we was subtle, close, and impla∣cable; while the other was free-spirited, open-hearted, humble, hard to distrust, easie to forgive. His friend the Lord Russel is absent: he is first try∣ed and acquitted, but with the loss of his Pro∣tectorship, Treasure••s••ip, Marshalship, and 2000 l. of Land more.

But Warwick's designe for the Crown ripening, and Somerset being the most eminent obstruction in his way, having weakned, before he ruines him, now he chargeth him with Treason, to make a noise; and with Felony, to do execution: the Council is packed, he looseth his life (for a small crime, and that on a d 1.7 nice point, subtilly devised and packed by his Enemies) forgetting to ask the benefit of the Clergy, that had saved it. This person, as one charactereth him, was religious him∣self, a lover of all such as were so, and a great pro∣moter

of the Reformation: Valiant and successful, generally beloved by Souldiers, envied by States∣men, though the most conscientious of them all; doing nothing irregularly, but in complyance with the necessities of Government; open to dan∣gers, as one that could not be jealous; better to act, than designe; to perform, than plot. When he was discharged of Treason, there was so loud a shout in Westminster-Hall, as was heard to Long-Acre; when condemned of Felony, there was a ••ilence and amazement for three hours. It is ob∣served of some, that they have despised the bene∣fit of their Clergy while they lived; and by a just pro••idence of God, could not make use of it when ••hey were to dye: It was pitty that this Noble person should forget to crave that benefit of the Clergy, which might have saved him; when he was so unwi••••ing to enjoy any ••enefit of the Clergy, which might Incommode them. The controversie between him and the Earl of Warwick is like that between Demades and Phocion; Demades threatned Phocion, that the Athenians would destroy him when they fell into their mad fits; and thee Dema∣des [saith Phocion] when they return to their right minds: it appearing afterwards, that what he was charged to have design'd against others, he did only in his own defence, cum moderamine. Inculpa∣tae cautelae, in whose behalf Cicero had pleaded thus,

Si vita nos••ra in aliquas Insidias, si in vim, in tela aut latronum•• aut in imicorum incidisset; omnis honesta ratio esset expediendae salutis; hoc & ratio doctis, & necessitas barbaris, & mos gentibus, & feris natura ipsa praescrips••t, ut omnem semper vim quâcun{que} ope possint a corpore, a capite, a vitâ suâ propulsare-nitantur.

Beheaded he was on Tower-Hill, with no less p••aise for his piety and patience, than pit••y and grief of the spectators. His Death was at••ended with many signes and wonders, and his Name with an indelible character, his house being cal••ed So∣merset-house to this day, though solemnly pro∣claimed by King of Iames Denmark-house, because inhabited by the King o•• Denmark and his Sister. Surely (saith my Author) this Duke was well belo••ed, since his Name made such indelible impression on his house, whereof he was not five years in possession. Death hath this also, That it openeth the Gate to good Fame, and extinguisheth Envy. Philip asked De∣metrius if he did not fear to lose his head? He an∣swered, No: for if he did, the Athenians would give him one immortal; He should be statued in the Temple of Eternal Fame.

Nil non Mortale tenemus, Pectoris exceptis ingenii{que} bonis: En ego, cum Patria caream vobis{que} dem••{que} Rapta{que} sint, adimi quae potuere mihi, Virtute attamen ipse mea comitor{que} fruor{que} Caesar in hoc potuit juris habere nihil. Quilibet hanc saevo vitam mihi, finiat ense, Me tamen extin••o fama perennis erit.

" All that we hold will die, " But our brave Thoughts and Ingenuity: " Even I that want my Country, House and Friend, " From whom is ravished all that Fate can rend, " Possess yet my own Genius, and enjoy " That which is more than Caesar can destroy. " Each Groom may kill me: but whensoe'er I die, " My Fame shall live to mate eternity.

Bra••e m••n never die: Worth begets in wea•• ••nd base min••s, Envy; in the Magnanimous, E••••lation•• in P••sterity, Renown: A Renown, that is as the beams about the Sun, or the glory abou•• an holy picture that shews it to be a Saint, though it be no essential part: it riset•• from the body of that Virtue, which cannot chuse but shine, and give a light through all the clouds of errour and distraction. And ••hough some••imes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mists and vapours of ••he lower earth impede the light it gives, yet there will be apparent Rays, that shew there is Dese••t unseen, which yeilds those gleams of brightness to the whole Horizon, that it moves and shines in, which sur••ive to a glorious kind of immortality, when the Good Man is dead and gone; a Good Name being the embalming of the Virtuous to an e••ernity of ••••ve and gratitude among posterity. For my own Honour (saith the Royal Martyr) I am well assured, that as mine Innocence is clear before God in point of any calumnies they object; so my Re∣putation shall like the Sun (after Owls and Bats have had their freedome in the night) rise and recover ••ts self to such a degree of splendour, as those feral birds shall be grieved to behold, and unable to bear.

Observations on the Lives of the Pars.

SIr William Par Uncle and Lord Chamberlain to Queen Katharine Par,* 1.8 was by King Henry the Eig••th created Baron Par of Horton: he left two Daughters onely, married into the Fami••ies of Tressam and Lane. His Relation cal••ed him to Court, but his Age forbid him the pleasure••, and his own Reservedness the freedom of that place; before which he preferred the pious, peaceable, ••nd hospitable way of the Countrey, whe••e Popu∣larity affected him, more than he affected it; No man being more beloved by the vulg••r, no man less in love with them: It being his Observation rather than his Countrey-man Sir Edward Moun∣tague's saying, That if you do the common sort of peo∣ple nineteen courtesies together, yet you may lose their love, if you go but ove•• the s••ile before them.

H••s Cousin Sir Will••am was brought by his Sister to Court, and advanced by his Brother to Honour; b••ing for his Majesties sake as well as his own, made Lord Par of Kendal, Ea••l of Essex by King Henry ••he Eighth, and Ma••ques, of No••thampton by King ••dward: Q••een Mary deprived him of his Estate and Honour for siding with the Lady Iane, and Q••een Elizabe••h restored him to both, for favour∣ing the Protestant Religion.

His Delight was Musick and Poetry, and his Ex∣e••cise War; being a happy composure of the hard∣est

and softest Discipline, equally made for Court and Camp, for Delight or Honour: But his skill in the Field answered not his industry, nor his success his skill: Ye•• King Edward called him His Honest Vncle; and King Henry, His Integrity. The whole Family was made by a Marriage, but died Issueless.

The common Rule of Favourites is, to bring in all their Relations about them, to adorn and sup∣po••t them: bu•• this Marq••ess would say, A wall that hath a firm Bottom, had need of no Buttress; and that which wants it, is often rather thrust down than upheld by it. The Antiquaries crouch, as though t••ey upheld the Church, when they are upheld by it: Clients a••e more a burden than a strength: and when the chief Favourite dares not displease his So••e••eign because he is so near him, they dare, be∣cause he is between them and Majesty. His Follow∣e••s were not gaudy, to render him suspicious; nor discontented, to b••eed ill blood, and a misunder∣standing; nor too open, to discover him; but de∣serving, to honour him; aud hopeful, to be advan∣ced by him. Active men were recommended by him to King Henry's busie Occasions, and Virtuous to King Edward's pious Inclinations.

In his last years he found that there was little love in the World, and least o•• all among Equals; and that that which war, is between Superiour and Inferiour, whose fortune may comprehend the one the other. To ease his minde therefore, to satisfie his Judgement, to observe his oversight, he adopted Sir William Cholmley, bringing him first to his House, and then to his Heart, to shew him that impartially, which he could not discern in

himsel••. There is no such Fla••terer as a mans self: and there is no such Remedy against Flattery of a mans self as the liberty of a Friend: Counsel is of two sorts; (to go on in my Au••hors words) the one concerning manners, the other concerning business: for the fi••st, the best preservative to keep the mind in health, is the faithful admonition of a ••riend: The calling o•• a mans self to a strict account, is a medicine sometime ••oo piercing and corroding;* 1.9 reading good Books of Mo∣rality is a little flat and dead; observing our ••aults in o••hers is sometimes improper for our case: but the best receipt (best I say, to work, and be••t to take) is the Admonition of a Friend.

So much solid Worth he had, that he had no use of Ambition; so much Modesty, that he made little use of his Worth: Mean thoughts he enter∣tained of himself, and as mean thoughts did he by his down-cast though grave look, his sparing though pertinent discourse, and his submiss••v•• though regardful carriage•• suggest of himself. B••t a well-manag'd boldness is the Virtue of Mon••r∣chick Courts, and a discreet submission that of a Republican; no advantageous admission into the one, without the first, nor ••a••ety in the other, with∣out the second: Here, if you are bold, you must look for an Ostracism; there, if you are modest, for Neglect: Yet a sober and moderate man m••y be i•• fashion once in an Age. The Souldier and the Gentleman are the Warlike Princes Darling••: Church-men, the Religious; Physicians, the Sick∣ly and Old; Scholars, the Learned; Exchequerers, the Poor, Covetous, or Prodigal; Lawyers, the Just; and They of a Healing, Sof•• and Pliable Tem∣per, (King Iames his character and commendati∣on

of my Lord Bacon) the Settling and the Peace∣able, such as Edward the VI, in whose Reign he was adva••ced, and Queen Elizabeth, in whose Reign he was restored.

It was in pursuance of King Henry's Statute, that he clo••ed with King Edward's Will: For this Clause he p••oduced for himself:

Provided, That if the Lady Mary do not keep nor perform such Conditions, which shall be limited and appointed, as aforesaid, that then and from thence∣forth, for lack of Heirs of the Kings Body, and the said Lord Prince, lawfully begotten, the said Imperi••l Crown, and other the Premisses, shall be, come and re∣main to suc•• Person and Persons, and of such Estate and Estates as the Kings Highness by his Letters Patents sealed under His Great Seal, or by His last Will in Writing, signed with His Hand, shall limi•• and appoint.

Isocrates was a man of an excellent Wit, but finding himself destitute of countenance, gesture and confidence, he never durst speak in publick, contenting himself to teach, even to his decrepit days; and commonly saying, He taught Rheto∣rique for a thousand Ryals, but would give more t••an ten thousand to him that would teach him confidence:

T••is Marq••e••s brought up many a Courtier, yet had not the face to be One himself, until Queen Elizabeth, who balanced her Council in point of Religion in the beginning of her Reign, a•• she did her Court in point of Interest throughout, threat∣ned him to the C••uncil-Board first, and then to her Cabinet; where none more secret, to keep counsel;

none more faithful, to g••ve it; and more modest, to submit. A sincere, plain, direct man; no•• crafty nor involved.

Observations on the Life of Sir John Cheek.

SIr Iohn Cheek, born over against the Market-Cross in Cambridge, became Tu••or to King Ed∣ward the Sixth, and Secretary of State: Not ••o mean••y descended as Sir Iohn Heyward pretends, (who writes him, The Son of his own Deserts) being a B••anch of the Cheeks of Moston in the Isle of Wight, (where their Estate was ••hree hundred pound a year, three hundred years ago, and no more within this thi••ty years;) happy in his Fa∣ther, Mr. Peter Cheek, whose first tui••ion seasoned him; happier in his good a 1.10 Mother, (that grave Matron) whose good b 1.11 counsel & Christian charge when he was going to Court, set••led him; and happiest of all in the place of his birth, where he fell from his Mothers VVomb to the Muses Lap, and learned as soon as he lived, being a Scholar sooner than he was a man. A German had the care of his younger studies, and a Frenchman of his carriage; his par••s being too large to be con∣fined to the narrowness of English Rules, and too sprightly to attend the ••edio••sness, and creep by the compass of an English method. The same day was he and Mr. Ascham admitted to St. Iohns, and the same week to Court, the one to the Tuition

o•• Edward the sixth, the other of Queen Eliza∣beth: there they were both happy in their Master Doctor Metcalf, who though he could not (as Themistocles said) fiddle, yet he could make a li••tle Col••edge a great one, and breed Scholars, th••ugh he was none: His advice deterred them from the rough Learning of the Modern Schoolmen, and their own Genius led them to the more polite stu∣dies of the antient Orators and Historians; where∣in they profi••ed so well, that the one was the copi∣ous Orator, the other the Greek Professor of that University.

A contest began now, between the Introducers of the New, and the Defenders of the Old Pro∣nunciation of the Greek: the former endeavour∣ed to give each Le••ter, Vowel and Diphthong its full sound: whilst Doctor Caius and others of the Old stamp, cried out against his Project, and the Promoters of it; taxing It ••or novelty, and Them for want of experience, and affirming Greek it self to be barbarous, so clownishly ut••ered; and that neither France, Germany nor Italy owned any such Pronunciation. Iohn Cheek and Thomas Smith maintained that this was no Innovation, but the antient utterance of Greek, most clear, and most full. Chancellour Gardiner then interpo∣sed against the Pronunciation, and the Authors of it: But custom hath since prevailed for the use of the one, and the due commendation of the other.

Sir Iohn Cheek's Authors were Isocrates and Thucydides; his Auditors the youngest that came thither, for Language; and the oldest that heard him, for his Discourse and Policy: The one pre∣ferred

him to the ample Provostship of Kings, the other to the great t••ust of Secretary of State: Prince Edward studied not his Book more sedulously, than he studied him, that his Rules might comply with his Inclination, & his Lectures with his temper: Lectures, that were rather Discourses instilled to him Majesti∣cally, as a Prince; than Lessons beaten into him pe∣dantiquely, as a School-boy. The wise Man would not be debasing his Royal Pupils mind with the nau∣seated and low crumbs of a Pedant, but ennobling it with the free and high Maximes of a States-man; su∣garing the more austere parts of Learning with the pleasures of Poetry, Discourse, Apologues; and so deceiving the Royal Youth to an improvement be∣fore his own years, and others comprehension. His very Recreations were useful, and his Series of light∣er exercises (for he observed a method in them too) a constant study; his Table, his School; his Meat, his Discipline: the industrious Tutor filling up each space of his time with its suitable instruction; it be∣ing his Maxime, That Time and Observation were the best Masters, and Exercise the b••st Tutor. While others doated over their Rules, his Pupils practised them; no day passing without his Letters to the King, as that, Literae meae unum semper habet Argumen∣tum (Rex Nobilissime & Pater Illustrissime) hoc est, in omnibus Epistolis ago t••bi gra••ias, &c. or to the Queen, as that, Quod non ad te jamdiu scriberoni in causa fuit non negligentia, sed studium; non ••nim hoc feci ut nunquam omnino scriberem, sed accura∣tius scriberem, &c. I have two Tutors, (said King Edward to Cardan) Diligence and Moderation, Sir Jo. Cheeke and Doctor Coxe. So exact an account he gave Prince Edward of his Fathers Kingdome,

and its Interest, that King Henry designed him for Secretary, and King Edward made him one.

Three years he had that place; and in that three years did England more service, so great his Parts, Learning and Religion! more kindness, such his eminency in both! and gave the People more satis∣faction, such his Integrity and Dexterity! than all that went before him, and most that came after him. He was the first that brought in the use of a Diary, and his Pupil the next that practised it: His Apho∣rism it was, That a dark and imperfect reflexion up∣on Affairs floating in the memory, was like words dispersed and insignificant; whereas a compleat view of them in a Book, was like the same words pointed in a period, and made significant.

Much did the Kingdome value him, but more the King: for being once desperately sick, the King care∣fully enquired of him every day; at last his Physician told him there was no hope for his life, being given over by him for a dead man: No, said the King, he will not die at this time; for this morning I begged his life from God in my Prayers, and obtained it. Which accordingly came to pass; and he soon after, against all expectation, wonderfully recovered. This (saith Doctor Fuller) was attested by the old Earl of Hun∣tington, (bred up in his childhood with King Edward) to Sir Tho. Cheeke, who anno 1654. was alive, and ••0. years of Age.

But though his Prayers saved his Tutors Life, none could save his; who died with the Protestant Reli∣gion in his heart and arms: and Sir Iohn had died with him, but that being outed of all his preferments, he outed himself from the Kingdome: loving to all the English Exiles at Strasburgh, and well beloved

all over Germany; until trusting to the Stars too much, (would he had either not gone so high, or gone a little higher for advice) and his friends too little, he went to meet his dear Wife in Brabant; where neither my Lord Paget's promise, nor Sir Iohn Mason's pledges, nor Abbot Fecknam's inter∣cession, could excuse him ••rom being unhorsed and carted, imprisoned and tortured, vexed with all the arts of power, and perplexed, until his hard usage meeting with some fair promises, brought him to a Recantation that broke his heart; and after much melancholick sighing and silence, brought him to his Grave; The great example of Parts and Ingenuity, of frailty and infirmity, of repentance and piety. Forced he was to sit with Bonner in his Courts, but forced he would not be to joyn with him in his judg∣ment: look on he did, but weep and groan too.

A good Christian he was, witness his pious Epi∣stles; an excellent States-man, as appears by his True Subject to the Rebel; a Book as seasonably re∣published (by Doctor Langbaine of Queens Col∣ledge in Oxford) in the excellent King Charl••s his troubles, as it was at first written in the good King Edward's commotions.

Vespasian said of Apollonius, That his Gate was o∣pen to all Philosophers, but his Heart to Him: And Sir Iohn Cheeke would say to Father Latimer, I have an Ear for other Divines, but I have an Heart for You.

A Country-man in Spain coming to an Image en∣shrined, ••he extruction and first making whereof he could well remember, and not finding from the same that respectful usage which he expected, You need not (quoth he) be so proud; for we have known you from a Plum-Tree•• Sir Iohn Cheeke one day discoursing

of the Pope's Threats, said, He need not be so high; for we have known him a Chaplain. He took much de∣light in that saying of Herod the Sophist, when he was pained with the Gout in his hands and feet: When I would eat, (said he) I have no hands; when I would go, I have no feet: but when I must be pained, I have both hands and feet. Applying it thus: When we would serve God, we have no soul; when we would serve our Neighbours, we have no body: but when we suffer ••or neglecting both, we shall find we have both a body and a soul.

Gustavus Adolphus some three days before his death, said, Our affairs answer our desires: but I doubt God will punish me for the folly of my P••ople, who attribute too much to me, and esteem me as it were their God; and therefore he will make them shortly know and see I am but a man: I submit to his will, and I know he will not leave this great Enter∣prise of mine imperfect. Three things Sir Iohn Cheeke observed of Edward the sixth: 1. That the Peoples esteem of him would loose him. 2. That his Reformation should be overthrown. 3. That yet it should recover, and be finished.

As to publick Councels: 1. Sir Iohn was against the War with Scotland, which he said was rather to be united to England, than separated from it. 2. He was against King Edward's will, saying, He would ne∣ver distrust God so far in the preservation of his true Religion, as to disinherit Orphans, to keep up Protestan∣tism. 3. He laid a Platform of a VVar with Spain. 4. He kept Neuter in the Court-factions. 5. Bi∣shop Ridley, Doctor Coxe, seconded; and Sir Iohn Cheeke contrived all King Edward's Acts of Cha∣rity.

Observations on the Life of Sir Thomas Wentworth.

SIr Tho. Wentworth of Nettles••ed in Suffolk, of a younger Family, (confessed by the Cres∣cent in his Coat) descended from the Wentworths of Wentworth-wood-house in York-shire, and was created Baron Wentworth by King Henry the viii. He was a stout and valiant Gentleman, a cordial Protestant, and his Family a Sanctuary of such Professors; Iohn Bale comparing him to the good Centurion in the Gospel, and gratefully ac∣knowledging him the cause of his conversion from a Carmelite. The memory of this good Lord is much (but unjustly) blemished, because Calis was lost the last of Queen Mary under his Go∣vernment: The manner was huddled up in our Chronicles, (least is best of bad business) where∣of this is the effect: The English being secure by reason of the last Conquest at St. Quintin, and the Duke of Guise having notice thereof, he sate down before the Town at the time (not when Kings go forth to, but return from battle) of mid-winter, even upon New-years-day. Next day he took the two Forts of Risebank and New∣man-bridge, (wherein the strength of the City consisted) but whether they were undermined or overmoneyed, it is not decided, and the last left most suspicious. VVithin three Days the Castle of Calis, which commanded the City, and was under the command of Sir Ralph Chamberlain,

was taken, the French wading through the Dit∣ches, (made shallower by their artificial cut) and then entring the Town, were repulsed back by Sir Anthony Ager Marshal of Calis, the only Man, saith Stow, who was ••illed in the Fight, (understand him, of note) others, for the credit of the business, accounting four-score lost in that service. The French re-entring the City the next Day, being Twelfth-day, the Lord Went∣worth Deputy thereof made but vain resistance, which (alas) was like the wrigling of a Worms tayl after the head thereof is cut off; so that he was forced to take what terms he could get, viz. That the Towns-men should depart (though plundered to a Groat) with their Lives, and himself with 49 more, such as the Duke of Guise should chuse, should remain Prisoners to be put to ransome.

This was the best news brought to Paris, and worst to London ••or many years before: It not only abated the Queens chear the remnant of Christmas, but her mirth all the days of her life. Yet might she thank her self for loosing this Key of France, because she hung it by her side with so slender a string, there being but Five Hundred Souldiers effectually in the Garrison; too few to manage such a piece of importance. The Lord Wentworth the second of Iune following, was so∣lemnly condemned for Treason, though unheard, as absent in France: which was not only against Christian Charity, but Roman Justice; Festus confessing it was not fashionable amongst them to deliver any Man to die, before he which is accu∣sed have the accusers face to face, and have li∣cence

to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him. It was well for this Lord that he was detained in France till his ransome was paid, and Queen Mary dead, who otherwise probably had lost his life, if he had had his liber∣ty. But Queen Elizabeth coming to the Crown, he found the favour, or rather had the justice to be tryed again, and was acquitted by his Peers; finding it no treachery, cowardise, or carelessness in him, but in Sir Iohn Harlston, and Sir Ralph Chamberlain, the one Governour of Risebank, the other of Calis-Castle: for which they were both condemned to die, though their Judgment was remitted. This Lord was the only Person I have read of, who thus in a manner played Rubbers, when his Head lay at stake; and having lost the fore, recovered the after-game. He di∣ed a very aged Man, 1594. Thus far Mr. Fuller.

Two ways a Courtier advanceth himself: the first, that more leisurely, slow, though sure, of watching Offices, Preferments and Dignities that may by steps bring them to the Kings Presence; The second, that more quick and short, but most practised, of following the Court for such extraor∣dinary Commissions and particular services to the Empire, as may (without the danger of delays that must be fatal amidst so many Competitors) recom∣mend him to his favour. It was below Sir Thomas his Estate to stoop to that first method; it suited more with his activity to embrace the second. Two usually-inconsistent qualities he had, The closeness of an Agent, and The Valour of a Souldier. To Rome he was sent in disguise, and to Treport with an

Army: so graceful his carriage, so insinuating his affability, so clear and well-weighed his discourse, so searching and comprehensive his Judgment; so gravely Aiery, so Majestically pleasant his counte∣nance, so becoming his gate and apparel, so watch∣ful his Negotiations, so winning his Addresses, so discr••etly smart his Reparties, (darting a suddain lustre and vigour to the darkness and heaviness of his graver D••scourses, neither common nor unsa∣voury, neither affected nor far-fetched, neither a∣busive of others, nor mis-becoming himself) so discreet and well-managed his complaisance, (with re••erence to circumstances, Person, Place, Time, matter and cause) that he had Cardinal Senhault's Secretary, to bring him to the Pope's Closet; the Emperour's Agent Randolphus, to introduce him to Court; that he won Fryar Paul, to shew him the mysteries of the Church; Engineer Palvino, to re∣present the Pop••'s Cities, Towns, Fortification••, Havens, Harbours, A••tiquities, Seminaries, Exer∣cises, Ships, Treasure, Armories, Arsenals, Maga∣zines, (having always by him a Card of the Terri∣tories) and the Pope's Bed-chamber-man, to shew him all the Papers and Transactions that concerned Henry the eighth. So well experienced his Con∣duct, so well disciplined his Army, so watchful and industrious his Nature, so good his pay, (though he pawned, at once in Normandy, his own Estate to satisfie his Souldiers) so noble his rewards of v••lour and service, (it being his rule, That every man should enjoy as much as he could conquer) so prevalent his example, that he did more with 2000 Men in three Moneths, than the Duke of Suffolk had done with 8000 in three years. The Duncery and idle∣ness

of the Monks in his time, (as he writes himself) made Erasmus a Student: the sloth and carelesness of Commanders in Sir Thomas his time, made him a Souldier.

Edward the third of England having sent to France to demand the Crown by Maternal Right, the Council there sent him word, That the Crown of France was not tied to a Distaff. To which he replyed, That then he would tie it to his Sword. Sir Thomas Wentworth demanding Normandy in right of the Dukes thereof, Kings of England, was told, That Dukedomes were never given away in France by the Wills of the Dead: Nay then, replyed he, we will have them against the Wills of the Living.

It's written of our Henry the fifth, that he had something of Caesar in him, which Alexander the Great had not, That he would not be Drunk; and something of Alexander the Great, which Caesar had not, That he would not be Flattered: Sir Tho∣mas had both their Virtues, none of their Vices; Non tam extra Vitia, quam cum summis Virtutibus. Though he could not avoid misfortune, and pro∣sper; yet he could yield to it, and retire: (that ex∣perienced File that could not withstand the enemies ••hot, could fall down and escape it.) Privacy at once secured and supported this unfortunate Gentleman: It is much to know how to lead and bring on suc∣cessfully; it's more to retreat, and come off hand∣somely, and give over a bad game.

Since he heard ill, I hear no more of him but this: One being designed an Agent, waited upon this knowing and experienced Lord for some Dire∣ctions for his conduct and carriage; he delivereth himself (saith my Author) thus: To secure your

self, and serve your Country, you must at all times•• and upon all occasions, speak truth: for (as he added) you will never be believed; and by this means your truth will secure your self if you be questioned, and pu•• those you deal with (who will still hunt counter) to a loss in all their disquisitions and undertakings.

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.

Observations on the Life of the Lord Rich.

HE must needs be preferred, who was so rich∣ly descended and nobly allied, as to shew at Court upon his first appearance sixty Noblemen and Knights of his Relation, and a hundred and fifty thousand Pound a Year Revenue among his Friends. He was more beholding to the Temple for his Law, than to the Universities for his Learn∣ing. His severe and active Nature aspiring above the pedantiqueness of a Scholar, to the usefulness of a States-man: I could never endure (saith he) those Studies that furnish me only with unactive thoughts and useless discourse, that teach me only to think and speak.

His staid and solid parts commended Him to Cromwel, and Cromwel recommended him to King Henry the Eighth: He was Solicitor-General to His Majesty, and Steward to his Master: Cromwel was the M••wl, and Rich the Hammer of Abbeys: He laid open to the Monks their faults, and his Master made use of it to force them to a surrendry: For as he said, when those Religious Societies saw they had faults enough discovered to take away their Lands, they had wit enough to give them up. His Counsels overthrew Popery, and his Deposition cut off Sir Thomas More: for being sent to Sir Thomas, after much discourse with him, he ask∣ed him this subtle Question, Whether he would ac∣knowledge the King Supream Head, if it were enjoyned

by an Act of Parliament? Sir Thomas asked him a∣gain, If the Parliament enacted that God should not be Lord, whether he should consent to it? And those words undid him. He saw that the Protestant Re∣ligion was the Interest of England, as well as the Doctrine of Scripture; and therefore he carried it on in point of policy, as Archbishop Cranmer did in point of conscience. King Henry the eighth ad∣mired his distinct reasoning, and stayed judgment; and Queen Anne Bullen was taken with his graceful eloquence, and ingenious discourses: In the morn∣ing his plyant soul, that could answer all the turn∣ings and windings of business, was as reserved and solid as that of a demure States-man; in the even∣ing, as chearful and merry as that of a Debonair Courtier. He was the wisdome of the Court in the Presence, and its wit in the Closet; its Oracle there, and its pleasure here.

King Henry the eighth made him one of his Le∣gators, and King Edward the sixth one of his Council: Under him he carried on the Protestant Religion in point of conscience, which others ma∣naged in point of interest. He designed the de∣grees of the Reformation, and he set out its me∣thod, than whom none more zealous in things ne∣cessary, none more moderate in things indiffe∣rent. Active he was, but wary; stirring, but cautious. To him the Reformers resorted in point of Law, as to Cranmer and Ridley in point of Reli∣gion. Such his Prudence, that the Protector made him his Friend; such his Integrity, that the King made him Chancellour: where his Decrees were just, his Dispatches quick, his Judgments speedy, his Sums of Debates ••ull and satisfactory, his Sen∣tences

irreversible; his Assistants in the Rolls, an•• other Courts, able and honest. None more com∣plyant to Reason, none more stiff in things agains•• Reason: He would do any thing for King Edward the sixth's interest, nothing for Duke Dudley's am∣bition: therefore he observing the course of Af∣fairs, would rather resign his Place, than his Inte∣grity: when he could not with a safe conscience keep it, he with a contented mind parted with it; being honoured with the Barony of Leez, and en∣riched with the Western Abbies; it being the Pru∣dence of that time to interest the Nobility in the Papal Revenues, that so they might be engaged a∣gainst the Authority.

R. Rich Lord Chancellour, (saith my Author) then living in Great St. Bartholomews, though out∣wardly concurring with the rest, began now secret∣ly to favour the Duke of Somerset, and sent him a Letter, therein acquainting him with all passages at the Council-board, subscribing the same (either out of hast or familiarity) with no other Directi∣on save To the Duke; enjoyning his servant, a new Attendant, as newly entred into his Family, safely to deliver it. The Man made more hast than good speed; and his Lord wondring at his quick return, demanded of him where the Duke was when he de∣livered him the Letter? In the Charter-house, (said the servant) on the same token that he read it at the Window, and smiled thereat. But the Lord Rich smiled not at the Relation, as sadly sensible of the mistake, and delivery of the Letter to the Duke of Norfolk, no great friend of his, and an utter ene∣my to the Duke of Somerset.

Wonder not if this Lord rose early up the next

morning, who may be presumed not to have slept all Night: He hieth to the Court; and having gotten admittance into the Bed-chamber before the King was up,* 1.12 fell down on his Knees, and desired that his Old Age might be eased of this burthen∣some Office; pleading that there ought to be some preparatory intervals in States-men between their temporal business and their death: in order to which, he desired to retire to Essex, there to at∣tend his own Devotions. Nor would he rise from the ground till the King had granted his Request. And thus he saved himself from being stripped by o∣thers, by first pulling off his own Cloaths, who o∣therwise had lost his Chancellours place for reveal∣ing the secrets of the Council-board.

There are few places so impregnable, but Nature hath left in them some place or other by which they may be taken: none being armed at all points so well, but there is some way left whereby he may be surprized. He is the strongest that hath fewest ac∣cesses. He was a wise Man that said, Delay hath undone many for the other World, Hast hath un∣done more for this, Time well managed saves all in both.

But there is a Wheel in things, which undoeth all those that have not a Wheel that answereth it in their Souls; I mean a great capacity to comply and close with those grand Vicissitudes that with small and unobserved circumstances turn round the World, which this great Man was Master of, who had his Eye upon the turns, flexures and points of things and business, and his state and interest ready to correspond: He knew when to proceed, when to make a stand, and when to retire. It's said of

Grandees, That they are the first that find their own Griefs, and the last that find their Faults. Our Lord was quick in both, and hath taught us this, That certainly Men of great fortunes are strangers to themselves, and while they are in the puzzle of business have no time to tend the welfare either of Body or Soul; and that they must with-draw from this World, before they retire into another: For, Illi mors gravis incu∣bat, qui not us nimis omnibus, ignotus moritur sibi.

There are no more Remarques of this Per∣sonage, than that he was the Father of this Apo∣phthegme, Well done, if warily; and Great-Grand∣father to the present Earl of Warwick.

Observations on the Life of Sir John Mason.

HE had his Birth at Abingdon, and his Educa∣tion at Oxford: His Birth commended him to All-Souls, and his Breeding to the Court: His Study was like his Inclination, rather active than contemplative, his present thoughts foreseeing and providing for his future Employments. But Indu∣stry and Parts may prepare a Man, it is opportunity and occasion that must advance him; and never had a Man fairer opportunity, never made a Man better use of it.

None but Mr. Mason would the University pitch upon, to complement Henry the Eighth; none but Mr. Mason could please him, although he was as great a Scholar as he was a King, and as much an Humorist as both: as he was inclined, so he studied; as

he studied, so he writ; not with a Pedants imperti∣nence, but a States-man's prudence: so elegant was his Latine, that a Critick would have advanced him Professor; so various his Learning, that Cranmer would have preferred him Prebend; and yet so grave and wise the matter and composure of his speech, that the King designed him a States-man.

When King Henry the Eighth came to Oxford, Sir Iohn is deputed to congratulate his coming: who considering that a Man cannot every Day speak to Kings, contrived (saith my Author) the matter of his speech most Man-like, politick and pertinent, the phrase of it polite and majestick; so that what with his comely presence, his becoming carriage, his flowing expression, his graceful elocution, he gained that applause from the Court and University, that the one was as eager to have him, as the other was loth to part with him: the University was proud of him, but King Henry commanded him, and dis∣poseth of him in Forein parts, to add practical ex∣perience to his speculative studies: It was the excel∣lent way of that time, to pick out the choice youths of both Universities, and maintain them some years abroad, to make such Observations as might render them serviceable at home••

Dwelt with Books he had long enough, now he must converse with Men, and open his recluse and retired soul, to a practicable and social temper, by debonairness and freedom, too long mewed up with study and melancholy: Think and speak he could very well already, now he must learn to act and live: Books furnished, Travel must enlarge and settle his soul.

Four things made a States-man in those Days.

• 1. The University and good Letters.
• 2. The City and Converse.
• 3. The Court and Freedom of spirit.
• 4. Travel and Observation.

It was the politick Discipline of those days to selec•• (saith mine Author) the pregnancies of either Vni∣versity, ana breed them i•• Forein parts for public•• Employments. Agreeable whereunto, Mr. Mason i•• sent beyond sea with Instructions to guid him, and a pension to support him•• With Order,

• 1. To keep exact correspondence with the Secre∣tary at home.
• 2. To entertain, 1. The most eminent Scholar, who might represent the Church: 2. The ripest Under∣secretary, who might decipher to him the State: 3. The ablest Souldier and Sea-man, that might open to him the Interest of both Nations
• 3. To take an exact account of the Havens, Forts, Cities, Avenues, Passages, Ways, Treasure and In∣terest of the place he lives in.
• 4. To follow the respective Embassadors Dire∣ctions in every Court.
• 5. To appear in each place upon any solemnity, Civil or Military, suitable to the occasion, all charges to be defrayed from the English Exchequer.

His Pension was two hundred and twenty pounds a year; his Circuit was France, the Netherlands and Italy; his Commission was to engage any knowing person of those respective Courts, that could tran∣scribe their Edicts or Orders, give exact Intelli∣gence, make any Interest, or had any influence up∣on their respective Governments: His Rules were,

• 1. To correspond with his Majesties Agents.
• ...

• 2. To have few and choice Acquaintance.
• 3. To make Collections of, and Observations up∣on the Histories, the Laws, Customs, and the most considerable States-men, Governours, and Great Men, with their Relations and Dependencies in those Courts.
• 4. To give a monethly account of such Re∣marques as occurred, at large to the Secretary, and in brief to the King and Cardinal.

His first undertaking was in France, where his Gravity was too severe, beyond the dalliances of that place. His next was to Italy, where he shewed as great a reach in countermining, as the Inhabi∣tants of that place do in managing their plots: None designs (saith the Character) further off than the Ita∣lian: None seeth (said Sir Tho. Audley) further off than Sir John Mason. His last Voyage was to Spain, where he out-grav'd the Don Himself, and then re∣turned with the Italians quickness, the Spaniards staidness, the Frenchmans Ayr, the Germa••s Reso∣lution, and the Dutchmans Industry: Q••alities that demonstrated he understood other Countreys, and could serve his own.

Th••re th••s pregnant Gentleman being at some distance, could look more inwardly into the Con∣stitution, Situation, Interest, State and Complexi∣on of his own Countrey; and being near, could discern those of other parts wi••h the mutual aspect of England upon them, and theirs upon it. They that liv••d in those times say that none understood the affairs of England and France, together with their mutual advantages or disadvan••••ges, better than Sir Iohn Mason.

He that had seen the mysteries of four Courts,

might be trusted with those of one, as he was in King Henry the Eighth's time, in the capacity of a Privy Counsellour; and in Edward the Sixth's, in the Trust of chief Secretary. At the Board, none clearer in his Proposals; in his Office, none quicker for Dispatch: Let me hear Sir Iohn Mason, said the King; Let us to Sir Iohn Mason, said the Subjects: so much the reputation of his prudent integrity with the one, and of his familiar access with the other!

Four things he said kept him in, under all the Re∣volutions, during the four Princes Reigns whom he served:

• 1. That he thought few Things would save a Man.
• 2. That he was always intimate with the exactest Lawyer, and ablest Favourite.
• 3. That he spake little, and writ less.
• 4. That he had attained to something which each party esteemed serviceable to them, and was so mo∣derate, that all thought him their own.

When a compleat man, he was called home, to be first Clerk of the Council, a place of great Trust; secondly, Secretary of State, a place of great Em∣ployment; thirdly, Master of the Requests, an Of∣fice of great Dispatch and Business; and fourthly, Treasurer of the Houshold, an Employment of con∣stant care.

No Age wanted an able man more, no Age had one more willing to secure the Universities, than that which chose him to be Chancellour of Oxford, at the same time that his Prince made him Treasu∣rer of the Houshold. Sacriledge it self then gaping after the University-Lands, durst not tempt so ho∣nest

a Man, nor perswade so great a Scholar, nor fright so resolute a Statesman to betray or yield up those ancient Encouragements of Learning and Vir∣tue. Loth was Oxford to part with him when a Scholar, glad to entertain him a States-man, with a power to protect her, well tempered with Obliga∣tions to love her; he who is now the Father being lately the Son; maintained by a part of it, as he now maintained the whole. That was a scrambling time, when it was catch who catch can. I find not any particular favour conferred, or benefaction be∣stowed by him in person on the University; but this great good he did, That his Greatness kept others from doing any harm. Many hungry Cour∣tiers had hopes to catch Fish, (and Fish it would be, whatever came into their Nets) on this turning of the Tide, and alteration of Religion: How easie was it for covetousness in those times to quarrel the Colledge-Lands into superstition! Sacriledge stood ready to knock at their Gates; and alas! '••was past their Porter's power to ••orbid it enterance, had not Sir Iohn Mason vigorously opposed it, and assisted the University on all occasions.

He inciteth them to the study of the Tongues; because sensum alicujus rei non potest ille assequi, qui r••dis es•• Idiomatis quo traditur: and directed the reading of Aristole, Agricola, Melancthon, &c. in∣stead of Scotus, Burleus, Bricot: calling for all their Charters, Donations, Statutes, Popes Bulls, with an exact Rental of their Lands, and Inventory of their Goods, which were restored intire and safe.

The University, that could not enjoy his presence, craves his protection; and foreseeing in the fall of Abbeys, their danger, especially when Foundati∣ons

erected for superstition were given by statute to the King, chose Sir Iohn Mason their Chancellour, who was at once a favourite o•• Power and of Learn∣ing; the greatest Lay-Statesman that was a Scho∣lar, and the greatest Scholar that was a Lay-States∣man: He was not contented to secure, but he must improve Oxford, gaining it New Priviledges, when it feared the loss of its old ones.

A grave and reserved Man he was, who under∣stood the Intrigues and Motions of those dark and uncertain times, and his nimble and present Pru∣dence could accommodate them. His Maxime was, Do, and say nothing: Commending the active and close man, whose performances were as private, coherent, continued and suddain as his counsels; who would not spend that time in advising, that woul•• serve for executing: Many were his pensions to Scholars at home, more to Agents abroad that assisted either his studies or employments, whom he designed an honour to his middle, and a support to his old Age. He had a peculiar way of satisfying suiters by plain dealing and dispatch: he would di∣vide all suits either into matter of Equity, or a suit of Controversie; or into matter of Desert, or a suit of Petition: In the first he had his Referrendaries, to see the matter compounded between both par∣ties, rather than carried by either: In the second, he preferred all suitably to their Abilities. No M••n understood better the nature of Court-places than he, and none saw further into Court-persons.

Two things, he said, always promoted a mat∣••er:

• 1. Secresie: (Boasting, which is the way of some Courtiers, though it discourageth some

• Competitors, yet it awakeneth Others.)
• 2. Timing of it, with an Eye to those about us.

He would advise a Man to begin with a little and mean suit: For though (as my Lord Bacon observes) iniquum petas & aequum feras, is a good Rule, where a Man hath strength of favour; yet other∣wise a Man had better rise in his suit: For he that would have ventured at fi••st to have lost his Suitor, will not in the conclusion lose both the Suitor and his own former Favour.

It's from him, while he lived, that we learned Ce∣lerity is the best Secresie; Pru••ence and Resolution is the only Fortune; Converse is the great Educa∣tion; Boldness a Man's surest Success; Good Na∣ture is the eminent Nobility; and a well-weighed Honesty the only Favourite.

It's by him, when he died, we are taught that Moderation out-lasts Violence, Modesty Ambition, a publick Spirit a private One: That to act alone may be as profitable as Honourable, but to joyn with others most safe: That to study the nature of a Prince, may for the present advance; but to understand the Interest of his Kingdom, is always secure: The one way being as uncertain as the frail Person it depends upon, the other as sure as the lasting State it serves.

Observations on the Life of Sir William Stamford.

SIr William Stamford was of Straffordian ex∣traction; Robert his Grand-father living at Rowley in that County: but William his Fath••r was a Merchant in London, and purchased Lands at Hadley in Middlesex, where Sir William was born, August 22. 1509. He was bred to the study of our Municipal Laws; attaining so much e∣minence therein, that he was preferred one of the Judges of the Common Pleas. His most learned Book of The Pleas of the Crown, hath made him for ever famous amongst Men of his own Profession. There is a spirit of retraction of one to his Native County, which made him purchase Lands, and his Son settle himself in Straffordshire. This worthy Judge died Aug. 28. and was buried at Hadley in this Shire, in the last year of the reign of Queen Mary, 1558.

King Iames had a Judge that would give no mo∣ney, and King Henry had one that would take none.

There have been those Lawyers that turned the point of Law upon the Law it self; that wounded the Eagle with a feather from his own Wing, and stabbed the person of Princes with their Autho∣rity; that dethroned Kings with a moot-point, and overthrowed a Government at a Reading.

This Judge understood, that as the Law is the se∣curity of the people, so Prerogative is the strength of the Law; and that that is the best temper of

Government where Kings have so much power to do evil, that they may be able to do good.

Miserable experience hath taught us, that since power hath been wrested from Princes, that neither they nor their people can ••e ••••fe, if both be not in such a way as the Law hath intrusted the publick safety and welfare; which consists in a full power belonging to the King, to secure Liberties, pre∣serve Property, and protect their People in the en∣joyment of the fruits of their industry, and the be∣nefit of those Laws to which themselves have con∣sented. He sets himself good Rules, as well to create good presidents, as to ••ollow them; reducing things to their first institution, and observing wherein and how they have degenerated: yet still taking coun∣sel of both times: of the ancienter time, what is best; and of the latter, what is fittest. He made his course regular, that Men might know what to expect; but not peremptory, that Knaves might not know how to impose upon him: always ex∣pressing himself well, when he digressed from his Rule. Preserve the right of his place he would, but not stir Questions of Jurisdictions; rather as∣suming his right in silence, and de facto, then voice it with claims and challenges. He directed in most Affairs, but was busie in none: none readier to give, none readier to take helps and advices. His speech was more discreet than eloquent; rather particu∣larly suitable to the present things and persons, than generally orderly and artificial. He could speak quick and deep too, never using many circumstan∣ces, lest he were tedious; ever some, lest he were blunt: so warily did he deliver what he knew, that he was sometimes thought to know what he did

not. He knew what might be said, so good his fan∣cy; and he knew what sho••ld be thought, so great his judgment: commanding the discourse where-ever he was, by that prudence that could bring it on and off; and that variety that happily in∣termingled Arguments with Tales, Reasons with Opinions, and earnest with jest. His Decrees were the Hedges of Propriety, his Dispatches cool, his Cases rightly stated; his Reports favour of Inte∣gr••ty and Prudence, of Books and Men. How dis∣cree••ly would he moderate the rigorous circum∣stances of petty and poenal Laws! how exactly ob∣serve the design and drift of the more fundamental and reasonable! Here no Intrigues to perplex, no Attendance to tire, no Hazards to discourage, no Checks or Delays to vex, no surreptitious advan∣tages to surprize; no defeats of hopes, or falseness of friends to disappoint; no negligence of Agents, or interest of parties to betray; no Oratory or So∣phism to varnish or hide a matter: all things clear as Justice, and smooth as Integrity.

By diligence and moderation, with their gentle degrees and augmentations, and his own watchful observance, he climbed to Excellency. A man is neither good, nor rich, nor wise at once; it being a double work to be great: 1. To remove Obstru∣ction, and accommodate Adversaries: 2. To watch and assume the advantage. What is longest in pro∣ving, is longest declining: the Rose that buds one day, withereth the ne•••• The Oak that is an Age a growing, is five stanc•••••••• He had those lower Virtues that drew praise from the Vulgar, which he neglected, (knowing that they were more taken with appearances than realities) he had middle

that they admired, and good Men observed; he had his highest Virtues, which they perceived, and great Men honoured: In a word, a fragrant fume he had, that filled all round about, and would not easily away. Although he despised the Flatterers praise, as base; and avoided the Cunnings, as dan∣gerous; yet he would say of a deserved Fame, That being nothing, or but ayr at best, it doth all: for it's sufficient to breed Opinion, and Opinion brings on substance.

He observed of himself, that he came very hardly to little Riches, and very easily to great Riches: For when a Man's stock is come to that, as my Lord Verulam observes, that he can expect the prime of the Markets, and overcome those Bargains which for their greatness are few Mens Money, and be Partners in the Industries of younger men, he can∣not but mainly increase with those two Ad∣vancers of Gain, 1. Diligence; and, 2. A good Name.

He hath left these two Principles behind him for those of his own profession••

• 1. That they should reduce every Statute to the Common Law and Custome whereon it is grounded.
• 2. That they should as well look into the Histo∣ry of former times ••or the Reasons and Circum∣stances of our Laws, as into their Law-books for the matter of them.

Some Lawyers assert the Subjects Liberty, and retrench the Prerogative (as too much power to be trusted for a mortal Man) within the known Li∣mits of Law, that so Subjects may be at a certainty

How to square their Loyalty and Obedience. He always upheld that Prerogative, saying, That the discretion of the Scepter as Guardian for the general good of the Common-weal••h, must be trusted against all Emergencies, with the management of its own might: Concluding always thus; Submission is our Duty, and Confidence our Prudence. Bishop Bancroft of Oxford said in King Charles the first his time, Eo tempore occubui quo mallem Episcopatus rationem co∣ram Deo dare, quam Episcopatum coram hominibus exercere. Judge Stamford said in Q. Mary's time, In quae reservamur tempora! dct Deus nt Magistratus rationem coram eo reddam potius quam Magistratum coram hominibus exerceam.

His Book containeth two parts; One of The Pleas of the Crown, the other of The Kings Prero∣gative. In him (saith Mr. Fulbeck) there is force and weight, and no common kind of stile; in mat∣ter very few have gone beyond him, in method none have overtaken him: in the order of his writing he is smooth, yet sharp; pleasant, yet grave: and surely his method may be a Law to the Writers that succeed him. Heavy saith he is the weight of inno∣cent blood, consider we either the inward fears at∣tending the guilt of it; or the outward providence of God watching for the discovery of it; one that was before him, having apprehended a Fishes head in the Platter, for the head of him whom he had mur∣thered; and another, after a horrid murther, being observed to have his Hand continually upon his Dagger.—

Observations on the Life of Sir John Jeffrey.

SIr Iohn Ieffrey was born in Sussex, where he left behind him a fair Estate to his Daughter. He so profited in the Study of our Municipal Law, that he was preferred secondary Judge of the Common Pleas, and thence advanced by Queen Elizabeth, in Michaelmas-Term, the Nineteenth of her Reign, to be Lord Chief Baron of the Ex∣chequer: which place he discharged for the Term of two years, to his great commendation. He left one Daughter and Heir, married to Sir Edward Montague, (since Baron of Boughton) by whom he had but one Daughter, Elizabeth, married to Ro∣bert Barty Earl of Lindsey, Mother to the truly ho∣nourable Montague Earl of Lindsey, and Lord great Chamberlain of England. This worthy Judge di∣ed in the 21. of Queen Elizabeth.

This was he who was called the Plodding Stu∣dent, whose industry perfected Nature, and was perfected by experience. He read not to argue only; for that is vanity: nor to believe and trust; for that is easiness: nor to discourse; for that is idle: but to weigh and consider; for that is pru∣dence. He had his Studies for pleasure and pri∣vacy, for ornament and converse, and for judg∣ment and business. To spend too much time on his Book, was sloth; to talk by Book, was af∣fected; and to act by it, was humoursome and Scholar-like.

Four things he would say helped him.

• 1. His Inclination: (It's a great happiness to a Man (saith Aristotle) when his Calling is one of the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, of those things that agree with his n••ture.)
• 2. Method.
• 3. Religion, with that just and composed mind that attends it.
• 4, A great happiness in all the four faculties that make a Lawyer: 1. A sharp invention, and clear apprehension to search all the circumstances of a case propounded. 2. Judgment to examine and weigh the particulars invented and apprehended: ••or truth lieth in things, as Gold in Mines. 3. Me∣mory to retain what is judged and examined. 4. A prompt and ready delivery of what is conceived and retained, set out with ingenuity and gravity. Oratio prompa non audax. What he said, was close and pinching, and not confident and earnest; allowing passion not to disturb either the method or delivery of his discourse, but to quicken it. To speak well and much, he said, was not the work of one man: yet if a Philosopher be eloquent, said Cicero, we must not despise him; if he be not, he must not af∣fect it, so that he can comprehend in words what he conceiveth, and speak them plainly, that he may be understood. His Latine and French were Gram∣matical, his Rhetorick Natural, his Logick Rea∣son: The first, opened the terms; the second, pressed the Vigour; the last, collected and disposed of the Axiomes, Grounds, and Rules of the Law, and all prepared him for that comprehensive Pro∣fession: in the ashes whereof, the sparks of all o∣ther Sciences were raked up.

His gesture and habit was grave, but not affected: speaking as much to the eye, as his tongue did to the ear: (the gesture being a great discoverer of the constitution, and a great direction to business: what a man misseth in the speech, he may sometimes ••ind in the looks.) His temper was moderate and sober; a Virtue, and a seasoning of all others, atten∣ded with the Lawyers gift, and that is Patience. Modest he was, but not fondly bashful; his pru∣dence, and not his softness. His humility begat affableness; his affableness, society; that, confe∣rence; conference, parts, and they acquaintance; and that, practice; and practice, experience; ex∣perience, renown; and that, preferment.

Sir Iohn's inclination was studious; his mind, constant, solid, and setled, and able to dive into the Whirl-pools of that intricate and perplexed fa∣culty; his thoughts being orderly, and his conce∣ptions methodical: his search comprehensive, avoid∣ing Epitomes, as the banes of Learning. Nullu: illi per otium dies exit, partem noctium studiis vindicat; non vacat somno, sed succumbit, & oculos vigilia fati∣gatos cadentes{que} in opere detinet.

Considerable were the parts he had, but more so the making up of those he had not: his cover••ng of his defects being of no less importance than the valuing of good parts, which he did three ways:

• 1. By caution, ingeniously and discreetly waving and putting off things improper.
• 2. By colour, making his Defects his Virtues, and his Faults his Endowments. And,
• 3. By that freedom of Spirit that daunts the weak∣est, and prevaileth with the wisest.

He proposed to himself five things to enquire

into, in order to that compleatness he arrived unto:

• 1. The ancient Maximes and Principles, or the more ancient Customs that make up the Common Law of England.
• 2. The Acts and Constitutions that make up its Statute-Law.
• 3. The particular Priviledges, Liberties, Immu∣nities and Usages of Counties, Burroughs, Cities, &c. that do swerve from this Law.
• 4. The ancient Grounds and Reasons (as far as History can direct) of all these: our Law being an exact Reason.
• 5. The most satisfactory explanations of the Law: 1. From Commentaries, as Bractons: 2. Abridgments, as Stathams: 3. History, as the years and terms of the Common Law: And 4. From more particular Tracts, that handled their peculiar subjects, as Fortescue, Glanvil, Britton, Fleta, Lit∣tleton, which he thought not unprofitable to read, though dangerous to rely upon: (with the Lord Cooke, not liking those that stuff their mindes with wandering and masterless reports: For, as he said, they shall find them too soon to lead them to error:) Beginning with the terms of Art, and then to the matter; perusing what is antiquated, and obser∣ving what is suitable to the present constitution and complexion. It's my Lord Cook's Rule,

  That for the most part the latter Judgments and Re∣solutions are the surest, and therefore fittest to season a man withal in the beginning; both for settling of his Judgment, and retaining them in memory; yet as he goeth on, out of the old fields must spring and grow the new Corn.

Our Lawyers course was slow and leisurely, his reading digested and deliberate: His conside∣rations wary, and distrust his way to knowledge. He that begins with certainties, ends in doubts: and he that begins with doubts, ends in certain∣ties, and looketh into t••e bo••••••m of things.

Upon serious and solid Books he bestowed a double reading; the one cursorily, by way of p••e∣paration; and the other exact, by way of digesti∣on.

Three things made him a Pleader:

• 1. Reading.
• 2. Observation.
• 3. Exercise.

And indeed,* 1.13 in ancient times, the Sergeants and Apprentices of Law did draw their own pleadings, which made them good Pleaders.

He observed the affections, the intent, the ana∣logy, the validity of the Law, putting all his read∣ing to writing; having the places he was most to handle in all the variety that could be, with his Rules and Maximes, as far as reading, hearing, meditation, conference and memory could help him.

Thus his fi••st thoughts were upon his Profession, until that advanced him to the highest Eminence; and his last upon his Interest, until that was im∣proved to as much fortune as lieth in a well-laid Estate and Alliance.

The End of the Observations upon the Lives of the Statesmen and Favourites of England, in the Reign of King Edward the Sixth.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Bacons Es••. 116.
• * 1.2

  The Duke of So∣me••set's ma••••h.
• a 1.3

  The same day that 30. y••ars ago they were beaten at Flod∣den.
• b 1.4

  H•• made the fi••st and last Ban∣nerets.
• * 1.5

  The Lady S••an∣hope.
• c 1.6

  W••••m t••••y put in ••••w Li••er••••s.
• d 1.7

  For con∣triving the death of a Privy Counsel∣lour.
• * 1.8

  There was a••other of his name Sheriff, Nephew to this Knight, in 25 of H. 8.
• * 1.9

  Lord Ba∣••on's Es∣s••yes.
• a 1.10

  A Duf∣feild,
• b 1.11

  Recom∣mending to him the care of three things:

  • 1. His God.
  • 2. His Soul.
  • 3. His Company.
• * 1.12

  This story is related from the mouth of his Grand∣child the Earl of Warwik that last was.
• * 1.13

  Vid. Co••. in Littl. Presat.