The life of the renowned Sr Philip Sidney. with the true interest of England as it then stood in relation to all forrain princes: and particularly for suppressing the power of Spain stated by him. His principall actions, counsels, designes, and death. Together with a short account of the maximes and policies used by Queen Elizabeth in her government. Written by Sir Fulke Grevil Knight, Lord Brook, a servant to Queen Elizabeth, and his companion & friend.

CHAP. IV. (Book 4)

ANd although he never was Ma∣gistrate, nor possessed of any fit stage for eminence to act upon, wher∣by there is small latitude left for comparing him with those deceased Worthies, that to this day live un∣envied in story; Yet can I probably say, that if any supreme Magistra∣cie, or employment, might have shewed forth this Gentlemans Worth, the World should have found him neither a mixt Lysander, with unactive goodness to have cor∣rupted indifferent Citizens; nor yet like that gallant Libertine Sylla, with

a tyrannizing hand, and ill exam∣ple, to have ordered the dissolute people of Rome; much less with that unexperienced Themistocles, to have refused, in the seat of Justice, to deale equally between friends and strangers. So that as we say, the abstract name of goodness is great, and generally currant; her nature hard to imitate, and diversly wor∣shipped, according to Zones, com∣plexions, or education; admired by her enemies, yet ill followed by her friends: So I may well say, that this Gentlemans large, yet uniform dis∣position was every where praised; greater in himself than in the world; yet greater there in fame and honour than many of his superiors; reveren∣ced by forrain Nations in one form, of his own in another; easily censu∣red, hardly imitated; and therefore no received Standard at home, be∣cause his industry, judgement, and affections, perchance seemed too

great for the cautious wisdomes of little Monarchies to be safe in. Not∣withstanding, whosoever will be pleased indifferently to weigh his life, actions, intentions, and death, shall find he had so sweetly yoaked fame and conscience together in a large heart; as inequality of worth, or place in him, could not have been other than humble obedience, even to a petty Tyrant of Sicily. Besides, this ingenuitie of his nature did spread it self so freely abroad, as who lives that can say he ever did him harm; whereas there be many li∣ving, that may thankfully acknow∣ledge he did them good? Neither was this in him a private, but a pub∣lique affection; his chief ends being not Friends, Wife, Children, or him∣self; but above all things the honour of his Maker, and service of his Prince, or Country.

Now though his short life, and private fortune, were (as I sayd) no

proper stages to act any greatness of good, or evill upon; yet are there (even from these little centers of his) lines to be drawn, not Astrono∣micall, or imaginary, but reall linea∣ments, but such as infancy is of mans∣estate; out of which nature often sparkleth brighter rayes in some, than ordinarily appear in the ripe∣ness of many others. For proof wher∣of, I will pass from the testimonie of brave mens words, to his own deeds. What lights of sounder wis∣dome can we ascribe to our greatest men of affairs than he shewed in his youth, and first employment, when he was sent by the late Queen of fa∣mous memory, to condole the death of Maximilian, and congratulate the succession of Rodolph to the Empire? For under the shaddow of this com∣plement between Princes, which sorted better with his youth than his spirit, Did he not, to improve that journey, and make it a reall service

to the Empire? For under the sha∣dow of this complement between Princes, which sorted better with his youth than his spirit, did he not, to improve that journey, and make it a real service to his Soveraign, pro∣cure an Article to be added to his Instructions, which gave him scope (as he passed) to salute such German Princes, as were interested in the cause of our Religion, or their own native liberty?

And though to negotiate with that long-breathed Nation proves com∣monly a work in steel, where many stroaks hardly leave any print; yet did this Master Genius quickly stir up their cautious, and slow judge∣ments to be sensible of the danger which threatned them hourely, by this fatall conjunction of Rome's un∣dermining superstitions, with the commanding forces of Spain. And when he had once awaked that con∣fident Nation to look up, he as ea∣sily

made manifest unto them, that neither their inland seat, vast multi∣tude, confused strength, wealth, nor hollow-sounding Fame could secure their Dominions from the ambition of this brave aspiring Empire; how∣soever by the like helps they had formerly bounded the same Roman, and Austrian supremacies. The rea∣sons he alleged were, because the manner of their conjunction was not like the ancient undertakers, who made open war by Proclamation; but craftily (from the infusion of Rome) to enter first by invisible traf∣fique of souls; filling peoples minds with apparitions of holines, specious Rites, Saints, Miracles, institutions of new Orders, reformations of old, blessings of Catholiques, cursings of Heretiques, Thunder bolts of Ex∣communication under the authority of their Mother Church. And when by these shadows they had gotten possession of the weak, discouraged

the strong, divided the doubtful, and finely lulled inferior powers asleep; as the ancient Romans were wont to tame forrain nations with the name Socij; then to follow on with the Spanish, less spirituall, but more for∣cible Engines, viz. practice, confede∣racy, faction, money, treaties, leagues of trassique, alliance by marriages, charge of rebellion, war, and all other acts of advantagious power.

Lastly he recalled to their memo∣ries, how by this brotherhood in e∣vill (like Simeon, and Levi) Rome and Spain had spilt so much bloud, as they were justly become the terror of all Governments; and could now be withstood, or ballanced by no other means, than a general league in Religion: Constantly and truely affirming, that to associate by an u∣niform bond of conscience, for the protection (as I said) of Religion, and Liberty, would prove a more so∣lid union, and symbolize far better a∣gainst

their Tyrannies, than any Fa∣ctious combination in policy, league of state, or other traffique of Civill, or Martial humors possibly could do.

To this end did that undertaking spirit lay, or at least revive the foun∣dation of a league between us, and the German Princes, which continues firme to this day: The defensive part whereof hath hitherto helped to suport the ruines of our Church a∣broad, and diverted her enemies from the ancient ways of hostility, unto their Conclave, and modern un∣dermining Arts. So, that if the offen∣sive part thereof had been as well prosecuted in that true path, which this young Genius trod out to us; both the passage for other Princes o∣ver the Alps, would have been by this time more easie than Hanibal's was; and besides, the first sound of that Drum might happily have reconci∣led those petty dividing Schismes which reign amongst us; not as

sprung from any difference of religi∣ous Faith, but misty Opinion; and accordingly moulded first upon the Desks of busie idle Lecturers, then blown abroad to our disadvantage by a swarm of Popish Instruments, rather Jesuits than Christians; and to their ends most dangerously over∣spreading the world, for want of a confident Moderator. This (I say) was the first prize which did enfran∣chise this Master Spirit into the my∣steries, and affairs of State.