The maze: contrived, digested, and couched in these distinct subjects: representatives for these present times to admire: presidents for future ages to decline. 1. The traitors tryall. 2. The plaintiffs appeal. 3. The state-monkey, or, The disloyall favourite. 4. Pembrokes plea. 5. A cordiall for Britannicus, &c. 6. The old father lasher to the moderate. The senates ansvver to the Scotch chancelor. A funerall oration delivered at Darby-House. Animadversions upon the fourth section. Orderly marshall'd with these poems: 1. Castles catastrophes; or, Garrisons gaol-delivery. 2. Three state-tarriers coupled up with three tart satires.

PEMBROOKS PLEA: OR, A just Vindication of his HONOUR, from all those injurious Aspersions, AND Abusive INVECTIVES of these TIMES.

Non facilis est venia, prava dixisse de rectis.

IT cannot be without wonder, that this Age so much distempered with Civill Factions; should be taken up with such prejudicacy, as to retaine no candid, nor clear thoughts for Personages of Ho∣nour. Such especially, whose actions, were they summ'd up from their first infancy and initiation in the Court; or Affaires of State: cannot merit any rigid or Cri∣tick Censure, as might justly lay either upon themselves, or those Families from whence they were Anciently derived, in reality the least dishonour.

This cannot in any one be more personally, nor presentially in∣stanced then in our Chancellour of Oxford, the Earle of Pembrook. Against whom, some virulent-traducing Pens, to disgorge their exuberance of wit or Surquedry rather, have used such abusive liberty; as their vindication of those expulsed Members of Col∣ledges within that Ʋniversity; cannot do lesse then bring along with it an errour of judgement in all those who made choice of

Him, for their Chancellour, whom his Speeches, Actions, or palpable Ignorance, as is pretended; have rendred so odious, or incapable of such Academick Honour. Why was not this foreseene, and timely prevented, before He came to be elected? Did He walk more in the Clouds then now? or did He discover more hopes of protecting, or improving the Priviledges of that famous Seminary then now appeares? No; it was neither his neglect of These; nor his dis-regard of Those, whom in point of Honour He was to protect: No; nor his pretended ignorance, but ready complyance with those late-domineering Visitants, that begot Him distaste. Admit all this; resolve me candidly what might probably be done in this Case to salve his honour: and re∣teine the affection of those Houses, who by Ordinance of Parlia∣ment were to become subject to the Sentence and Censure of those Visitants? Should He have opposed the proceedings of these Visitants? No; for so should He have opposed the two Houses of Parliament: and for his Opposition purchased to him∣selfe a Deposition.

But He should have allayed the fury and violence in their forme of Proceeding! No doubt he did; using by way of per∣swasion the best meanes He could to attemper and sweeten the tartnesse of their Censure: that Stoicall roughnesse of their be∣haviour. For had He done otherwise; as by publique reproof, or authorized Severity, admonished them to look to their Prin∣ciples: and not to transgresse those bounds which a Superiour Command had prescribed them; His honour had runne himselfe upon the same Rock. For those Ʋniversity Visitants were no such Moderate Men, nor Meeke Spirits, as to admit of reproof. They knew well their own strength: whom to appeal to; and from whom to receive speedy redresse; upon the very least com∣plaint exhibited: or affront pretended.

Yet all this cannot cleare Him (you will say;) It had been the Duty of an honest and integrious Chancellour, in discharge of the trust conferred on Him, and recommended to Him; to in∣counter all extreames rather then to suffer any pretensive or De∣putative Power to incroach upon the ancient Statutes, Lawes and Liberties of the Ʋniversity; whose Patriot, Patron and Protector He had profest himselfe to be. But what would all this have ad∣vantaged

the Cause! This might, indeed, have prepar'd way for an Other to Succeed him: but not to redresse those wrongs done to the Place committed to him. Yet, will Some alledge, his Ho∣nour was highly conscious of one Erour; which, no doubt, He might seasonably have diverted; by interposing himselfe by way of authoriy, for the indempnity of such Schollers, whose knowne abilities, sweet and Docile natures merited not onely approve∣ment, but advancement in the opinion of Honour: and whose rising hopes might have presented them Singular Ornaments to so absolute a Mother. It is answered; that his unquestioned desires applied them seriously though not so effectually that way, as He did wish. For such Severe Censors were those Visitours; as nei∣ther able parts nor affable natures could have any influence upon them. If they appear'd not pliable to their bent, sutable with their straine; They might necessarily incurre Censure. The walls of the Ʋniversity were of too strait a Circumference to confine them.

Thus you see how groundlesse aspersions have beene throwne upon his Honour without Cause; being desirous with his most studious endeavours to pursue, what His Countermanded Power could not effect.

Shall we now peruse Him as He was Courtier, or imployed in affaires of State? It was sometimes observ'd by a Wise and ex∣perienc'd Historian; that there were three Objects, of all Others, most fatally dangerous to a qualified Courtier. Ambition; Ava∣rice; and Recede from imployment. Let us examine these in Him.

Ambitious He was never; for his desires were ever impaled within the freedome of their owne just limits. His highest Am∣bition was how to preferre the just Suite of an injuried Petiti∣oner, and to expedite it without Charge to the Preferrer. To be eminent in the eye of a Prince; and make use of his royall favour in so pious an Office is a glorious Ambition. Besides, he was ne∣ver observ'd to carry a Supercilious Look: nor reteine a Diffi∣culty of accesse. Bearing a cheerfull pleasant aspect to all Com∣mers and Suiters, without an imperious Dis-relishing frowne; which was such a Stranger to his Countenance; as there was nothing He held at more distance.

For Avarice; there is none that truly knows Him, but will witnesse for Him, that it was never in request with Him; nor admitted to take acquaintance of Him.

He was never mercenary in the amplest favours He shew'd to any. So as, though there have been ever many both Justiciaries and Courtiers who might be aptly resembled to the Celidonie Stone, that loseth it's virtue and vigour, when it ceaseth to be touch't with Gold; His Honor was not of that humour. Wealth was one of his lowest and contemtiblest Objects. His Revenues, indeed, were great; which might have stored his coffers with an affluence of treasure: but his desires were never confined to those ends. His bounty every where returned Him this testimony.

For Recede from imployment; it was a thing, which of all other, He most hated. He was, you will say, a Man of pleasure. He was, indeed, much addicted to Exercise and Recreation; wherein He would usually be very Sociably merry. Some slight perfunctory Passion might, perchance, sometimes overtake Him; but it was quickly overcome by Him. In all these Recreations and Delights, a pleasing familiarity accompanied Him; which in all Places procured him loue: Being nothing like Some of our Surly Lords; who hold familiarity in such contempt; as they become contemptible to their familiars.

Some infirmities, I must confesse, He has; as every One has Some: and He the best who is Subject to the least. And of These He repents Him. Neither is He at any time incensed at Such as friendly admonish Him of them: but with all affability thank them. Habits, indeed, in Vice, are sooner got then forgone. But his desire to be reclaim'd from them, argues his hate to them: with his resolution wholy to decline them.

His small acquaintance and familiarity with Books, should not muster Such Invectives against his Person: though Learning be the exquisitest beauty, that can imbellish Honour; yet it directs not alwaies a line to that Centre. There be more Havens to arrive at then Corynth. To be a Protector of Learning, though no Professor, is praise-worthy in Honour.

Now, to conclude this Apology; whereas, much might be here Objected against Him touching his Compliance with these times; what that Great Favourite spake somtimes to ingenious Pibrack;

may be return'd in his behalfe: Honours and Revenues be strong pullies to frailty.

But I am confident, his Honour reteines in Him thoughts of Loyalty: and will be ready to manifest them to the world with all reality.

You then, who usually walk in Shades of Worm-wood, cease from dipping your Pens in the least tincture of Gall, that may any way tend to the impeachment of Honour. There be other Subjects fitter for Loyally-affected Subjects. Let your Pens be so employed, that Goodnesse may be rather incouraged; then the least hopes of proficiency in actions of Honour retarded.

For his Secretary Michael Olds worth, Esquire, (so nearly sym∣bolizing both in name and nature with that Eminent confined Divine) as His abilites are well known: so is his integrity no lesse approv'd.

He shoots shafts at the Moon, (as one no lesse worthily then Morally observeth) who out of a Malignant humour, makes it his labour to darken the splendour of Goodnesse and Honour.

FINIS.