A MEMORIAL Offer'd to the Great Deservings OF JOHN WILLIAMS, D.D. Who sometimes Held the Places of the LORD-KEEPER of the GREAT-SEAL of England, &c.
PART I.

Paragraph 1. EDMOND WILLIAMS Esq of Aber. Conway in the County of Carnarvan, was the Son of William Williams Esq of Coghwillanne near adjoyning, and of Dorothy Daughter to Sir William Griffith Knight, of Penrhyn. This Edmond took to Wife Mary Daughter to Owen Wyn Esq and by her had five Sons and two Daughters. Of the Male Children, John was the youngest; the Womb of his Mother ceasing to bear, when it had done its best. This John, whose Memory deserves to be Dignified in a lasting Story, was born at Aber-Conway, a Sea-Town in Carnarvanshire, about, or upon the Feast-day of our Lady the Blessed Virgin, March 25. 1582. The Shire wherein he drew his first Breath, is notorious for the highest Hills of this Island, Snoden, Penmanmaur, Creig-Eriri, and others. It is not unlikely that it hath much Riches under the Earth, but it is Barren above Ground. As Pliny speaks of the Orobii, certain Mountainers in Italy, Lib. 3. c. 17. Etiam nomine prodentes se al. tius quàm fortunatiùs sitos: Their Situation was rather high than prosperous. But what the Region wants in Fatness of Soil, is requited by the Generous Spirits of the Inhabitants, a far greater Honour than much Clay and Dirt. I light upon it in the Invention of a Masque, Presented before King James at Whitehall, An. 1619. that our Laureat-Poet Ben. Johnson hath let some weighty Words drop from him, to the Honour of that Nation, and I take them as a serious Passage, and will own them, That the Country is a Seed-Plot of honest Minds and Men. What Lights of Learning hath Wales sent forth for our Schools? What Industrious Students of our Laws? What Able Ministers of Justice? Whence hath the Crown in all times better Servitors, more Liberal of their Lives and Fortunes? And I know I have their good Leave to say, That the Honour of Wales shin'd forth abroad in the Lustre of such a Native as this; and I add what Pliny writes to Sabinus of the Firmians, among whom he was born, Credibile est optimos esse inter quos tu talis ex­titeris, Lib. 6. Epist.

2. For Carnarvanshire in particular, says Reverend Mr. Cambden, the Ordovi­ces lived there of old, who held the Romans Play to preserve their Liberties the longest of all our Britains: and forced the Roman General Suetonius Paulinus to fix [Page 6]his Head-Quarter there, desiring to keep them his first and surest Friends, who were his last subdued Enemies. Afterward the Saxons had the longest and stoutest Repulses in North-Wales, that they felt in all their Battels; which made them bloody their Swords most barbarously in the Bodies of those resolute Defen­dants.

3. Among the Champions of greatest Note and Valour, that did the best Feats of Chivalry against the Saxons, was a gallant Commander, the Top of the House of Williams, which is preserv'd in Memory to this day, because the Family of that Name doth until this time bear in their Coat three Saxons Heads, ( De tree pen Saix, they call it in Welch, I think) a noble Testimony of the Valour of the Chief of that Stock, that sought manfully for his Country, and preserv'd it from the Invasion of the Saxons, when their Armies had march'd over the Ground of England (now so called) with Slaughter and Conquests. And since the best Men of the ancient Houses in Wales did manage War so valiantly in maintenance of Glory and Liberty, it is no marvel if the Inhabitants are noted in the current Ages ever since, to have almost a Religious Care in preserving the Pedigrees of their Gentry. Who could excuse them from Ingratitude, if they should not garnish Heraldry with the Genealogies of such Worthies?

4. Among their copious Stems, and far-fetch'd Descents, the Pedigree of the House of Williams of Coghwillanne hath as many brave Strings in the Root, and spreads as wide in the Branches, as I have seen produced from the Store-house of their Cambrian Antiquities. It grows up in the top Boughs to the Princes of North-Wales in King Stephen's days, as it is deducted by Authentick Records which I have seen, and are formalized into a comely shape by Evan Lloyd of Egloyvach in the County of Denbigh, and Jacob Chaloner of London, Gent. Men faithful and expert in such Monuments of elder Years. The same Authors demonstrate, that Williams of Coghwillanne hath continued his Coat of three Saxons Heads con­stantly, and without any the léast alteration, from Edneuet Vychan Lord-Steward of Wales, an. 1240. and of Hen. 3. his Reign, an. 25. to this day. It hit right in­deed for a Coat of Arms, says the neat Wit of Mr. Hugh Hotland, when one of that Lineage was advanced to be Lord-Keeper of the Great-Seal, as he couched it in an elegant Distic, engraven on his Lordship's Silver Standish, as I found it there:

Meaning, it was a sign he had the Abilities and Brains of three Heads, whose good Parts lifted him up to that Honour, to set Chief Judge in the highest Court of the Kingdom. But I need neither the light Air of Poetry, much less the empty Wind of Vain-boasting, to blow it about the World, that he was Anciently and Nobly descended, there are so many Proofs for it, as there are Offsprings of Gentry in North-Wales, being all of his Blood and Alliance, to whom a Catalogue might be added of Great and Honourable Persons in England. Which King James was aware of, when he was sworn his Counsellor; for He told him pleasantly, that He thought not the worse of him, nor suspected his Fidelity, though He knew well enough, that Sir William Stanley, (then living) a great Traitor to his Prince and Country, was his near Kinsman. I could insist more upon this; but it is the Rule of a wise Author, that whosoever will search into a Man prudently and Philosophically, ‘ —Nunquam cunabula quaerit:—Et qualis, non unde satus.’

I close it up therefore, that his Pedigree of Ancestors gave a good Lustre to his Birth, but he gave a greater to them. Howsoever I receive it for a Moral Truth, as well as a Mathematical, that the longest Line is the least of all quan­titive Dimensions.

5. Now to begin with my Subject, from the first time that he was able to go without the hand. His Education was like to be Prosperous, for not only his Parents, but his Grandmother the Lady Griffith; his Grandmother Lois, as well as his Mother Eunice, contributed her Care to give him Godly and Learned Breeding. It fell out well for their purpose, that their Pious Country-man Gabriel Goodman, Dean of Westminster, had about that time founded a Publick School at Reuthen, and had placed a good Grammarian in it, under whom he was taught his first Rudi­ments of the Latin and Greek Tongues. I have heard some of his Contemporaries [Page 7]say, that his Master knew not for a while how to manage him, he was of so strange a mixture; for at sometimes he was addicted to loiter and play, and to much exercise of Body: Again, by fits he would ply his Book so industriously, that his Praeceptor thought it a great deal too much for a Child to undergo it. But, like a prudent Man, he quickly consented to leave his Scholar to his own pace; wherein he got ground so fast of all his Fellows. He that raised himself up to that height of Knowledge in his adult Age, had need to lay some part of the Foundation so early: For as Comines observes it, Lib. 1. Hist. Indubitatum est ees qui in ullâ re unquam excelluerunt, maturi puerilibus annis ad cam accessisse.

6. All things fell out happily by Divine Disposition, to bring him up from a towardly Youth, to a worthy Man. For by that time this Bud began to blow, it fortun'd that Dr. Vaughan, afterward the Reverend Lord Bishop of London, came into Wales, and took the School of Reuthen in his way, where he found his young Kinsman John Williams to be the Bell-weather of the little Flock. Dr. Vaughan was exceeding glad to find him in that forwardness, and being not only as Learned as most Men to try a Scholar, but Judicious above most Men to conjecture at a rich Harvest by the green Blade in the Spring, took speedy care to remove his Kinsman to Cambridge, and commended him to the Tuition of Mr. Owen Gum of St. John's College, well qualified by his Country and Alliance for a Friend, and no indiligent Tutor. The young Youth was now entring into the 16th Year of his Age, an. 1598. much welcom'd to Cambridge by the Old Britains of North-Wales, who praised him mightily in all places of the University, [...]for they are good at that, to them of their own Lineage,) and made more Eyes be cast upon him, than are usual upon such a Punie. Which took the rather, because of his great Comeliness, I might say Beauty: And it is a great Attractive of common Favour, when virtue takes up a fair Lodging. One thing put him to the blush, and a little Shame, that such as had gigling Spleens would laugh at him for his Welsh Tone. For those who knew him at his Admission into St. John's Society, would often say, that he brought more Latin and Greek, than good English with him. This also pluck'd Advantage after it; for it made him a very retired Student, by shunning Company and Conference, as far as he could, till he had lost the Rude­ness of his Native Dialect. Which he labour'd and affected, because he gave his Mind to be an Orator; which requires, Decus linguae, regnumque loquendi, as Man­lius lays it out, Lib. 4. And all that heard him will subscribe, that when he was put to it to speak publickly, his Gesture and Pronunciation did add much Grace to his Matter, and Invention.

7. He was the Pattern of a most diligent Student to all that did emulate him then, or would imitate him hereafter. He had read over so many Authors in se­veral Sciences, so many Volumes, so many Historians and Poets, Greek and Latin, in four Years, (the Evidence of it was in his Note-Books) that I may say, Aeta­tem ultra putes; who would have thought it had been the dispatch of an Under-Graduate? He had ransack'd not only the bare Courts, and spacious Lodgings, but the very Closets and Corners of the best Arts and Authors. Nothing so great that exceeded him; nothing so little that escap'd him. I will make this Credible to all that are not utter Drones. He plied his Book, [...]; As much in the Night, as in the Day. Nature contributed to this a strange Assistance, that from his Youth to his old Age he ask'd but 3 hours Sleep in 24, to keep him in good plight of Health. This we all knew, who lived in his Family. It would not quickly be believed, but that a cloud of Witnesses will avouch it, that it was ordi­nary with him to begin his Studies at six of the clock, and continue them till three in the morning, and be ready again by seven to walk in the Circle of his indefatigable Labours. Aristo complains thus in Pliny, l. 7. c. 50. Vivendi breve tempus homini datum, quoniam somnus veluti publicanus dimidium aufert. That which makes the Life of Man short is, That Sleep, like an exacting Publican, takes half of it away for Toll and Tribute. But here was one that paid very little Custom to that common Publican of Nature, and kept so much Time continually going in his Stock, that he lived almost twice as much as any Man, that lived no longer. Who will not say now, but so much Toil was plain Drudgery? And I marvel it the more, that so great a Wit could endure to task him to such constant and vexatious Pains. No doubt he look'd far afore him, upon the hope of a great Recompence in Church or Commonwealth: that contented him, and confirmed him. Marius speaks gailantly in Salust, Nae illi falsi sunt qui res diversissimas pariter expectant, ignaviae voluptatem, & praemia virtutis. They are much mistaken, that think to piece together two Things so different, the Pleasure of Ease, and the [Page 8]Guerdon of Virtue. Therefore all these concurr'd together in him to make up the Master-piece of a Scholar, a rare Wit, a most tenacious and even stupendious Memory, a clear Judgment, a most distinguishing common Sense, called Natural Logick, which is the best, and most vital part of Judgment, and that which hatch'd all these, that they might not addle, uncessant Industry. Truly he that will build many Stories high, had need of all these Materials. And let those that are happy in great Natural Endowments take Example by him, to joyn the Felicity of Na­ture, with such a Mate as Diligence. Gardners give the most attendance to the best Stocks in their Nursery, and the Fruit will quit the Cost, after due time hath matur'd it. It was God above therefore that gave his young Servant so wise a Mind, to fill up the choice Vessels of Nature with Liquors distill'd from his own Studies. And herein I may compare him to Messala Corvinus in Tully, as he writes of him to Brutus, Ep. 15. Tanta industria est, tantúmque evigilat in studio, ut non maximo ingenio (quod in e [...] summum est) gratia habenda videatur. He was so labo­rious and vigilant about his Studies, that though his Wit were of the best kind, yet he was not most beholding to it.

8. I have not added a Grain to the just weight of Truth, that his Sails were filled with prosperous Winds, which blew from the Cape of Nature, yet that he plied the Oar with main might to make a gaining Voyage. Especially the good God was pleased to give a good Rudder to the Vessel to stear it right, both in the Channel of true Religion, and virtuous Practice. For in those Lubric and often failing years, he neither fell upon the Rocks of dangerous Errors in Opinion, nor stuck in the quick Sands of Vice. He was duly present at the Service of Com­mon-Prayer in the College-Chappel: And in his private Prayers, as he began, so he did ever continue to commend himself to God's Mercy and Protection mor­ning and evening, rather with a due Constancy, and, as it were, Canonical, ne­ver to be dispens'd with, then a long winded Prolixity; it grew up with him by a Catechetical Principle, rather to be, then after a contrivance and fashion, to pro­fess to be a good Christian. I expound him thus: A Face set smooth by the Glass of Hypocrisie, an affected shew of holy Simplicity, a dreaming simpering of Words to shuffle into the good Opinion of the World by mere Histrionical Devi­ces, he declined in himself, and dislik'd in others. Though he did not strive to cry up himself for a great-gifted Saint, yet no wholsom Morals, which are com­mendable in such green and sappy Years, were wanting in him. He was obedient to Superiors, strictly just in his Word, and in all Commerce and Dealing a Faith­ful Friend, and, as will appear more in the Sequel, no Vindicative Enemy. He was no Loiterer, no Companion for Ruffians and loose Persons, no Tippler, no Wine-bibber. And though the University Discipline began to be more remiss in those days, then in by-gone Ages, yet he consin'd himself most inculpably to Modesty and Sobriety, not so much as leaning towards Youthful Exorbitancies. So far he was a Stranger to wanton Lusts, that his Acquaintance marvelled, that the more the Sin came near to him, so comely a Feature wanting not Enticement, the further he ran from it. Arthur Wilson, in his History of King James, by some secret Whisper came nigh to the Discovery of the Reason. Not that he was an Eunuch ab utero, as he bluntly delivers it; but he had suffer'd an adven­titious Mischance, being about 7 Years old, which compell'd him to actual Cha­stity. He took a leap, being then in long Coats, from the Walls of Conway Town to the Sea-shore, looking that the Wind, which was then very strong, would fill his Coats like a Sail, and bear him up, as it did with his Play-fellows: But he found it otherwise, for he did light with his Belly upon a big ragged Stone, which caused a secret Infirmity, fitter to be understood, then further describ'd; and want of timely Remedy, the Skill of good Chirurgery being little known in that Cli­mate, continued it to his dying day. They that traduc'd him when he came to be Lord-Keeper, not only to be Amorous, but to be Incontinent with a great Lady, and taught common Fidlers to sing it, may blush at this Discovery, if they be alive; but if they died without Repentance, it may be they want the tip of his Finger dipp'd in Water to cool their Tongues.

9. Though I have not concealed that he was Chast perforce, yet I must wit­ness for him, that in the use of Meats and Drinks he was one of the most tempe­rate Men in the Kingdom of free Election. I think he suck'd it in with his Milk, it was so fix'd in him. To let pass how well he was satisfied with his short Aca­demical Fare, I will go further, and come to him, when he came to be a great House-keeper. He kept a full Table, elegantly set forth, none of his Rank be­yond him. Yet I scarce ever saw him eat a plentiful Meal. He supplied the [Page 9]convival time at his Board with Carving and Discourse, which made his Absti­nence less observ'd by his Guests; but it was most beneficial to him. He that eats sparingly, sacrificeth to Health, and is fit for Labour, and Watchfulness upon all Occasions. What Repugnancy there was in his Concoction to Flesh, I know not; but he fed the least upon it that ever I saw: His Diet upon his own Trencher consisting chiefly out of a Dairy, a Garden, and an Orchard. No Capuchin kept Lent, and Fish-days, as we term them, more strictly. As his Appetite was easily under his Will, so his Will was as much under the Laws of the Realm. It were a rash Censure to count him Superstitious in this Observa­tion of Abstinence, because he would not be a Libertine. Obedience is account­able to the smallest Commandments, and which are customarily broken. I can­not but call to mind upon what is rehearsed before, that what Pythagoras ask'd of his Disciple, was comprized in this Verse, [...]; to be unaddicted to Belly-pampering, Sleep, and Carnal Wantonness. Which threefold Rule, this might Moral Man made up into one Practise.

10. Many are happy that they have not Means to be Riotous, though they would; but he was happy that he had Means of large Supply for his Breeding, and would not. His Father was a Gentleman of a bountiful and kind Heart, and spent more upon himself, and upon his Neighbours, then upon his Children. But the numerous Stock of rich Gentry, to which he was Allied, his dear Grand­mother especially, made him a great Allowance. But to say the truth, all of them could never fill his Purse. From a Youth, and so upward, he had not a Fist to hold Money, for he did not only lay out, but scatter, spending all that he had, and somewhat for which he could be trusted. By one Instance, which I have heard much quoted in Cambridge, he did discover a most charitable and franc Affection. That unparallell'd worthy Man Mr. Edward Liveley, Publick-Professor of the Hebrew Tongue, was so unprovided to sustain himself and his Family, that he was put to a sad shift, to sell a part of his Library, which being made known to some by pitiful Rumour, and to young Williams, among others in Cambridge, he got the Sum of three Pounds together, and carried it home to Mr. Liveley, which the Learned Man's Necessity made him accept, and his Thank­fulness told it abroad, to bring his pretty benefactor into Estimation, which was much noised, that so little a Hand did open it self, when large ones were shut. Many things concur'd to make him talk'd of, and to be noted out for future Eminency; yet Envy, that loves to crop the Bud of Virtue, had two Things to object against him. First, That he gave Distast to some by his Vehemency of Anger, not seldom flying out. 'Tis true, he was obnoxious to Arles [...], a sudden eruption of Choler sometimes upon a little stirring; an Infirmity which only bred him Enemies, for his fair Candor could give no other Offence. But as Hippocrates, the chiefest of the Aesculapians, writes, Where Fire abounds in the Mixture, and exceeds the Moisture, such Flashes cannot always be suppress'd. And sublime Wits are seldom without the Frailty to bring them to Humility. So Pliny said of them in the Character of Julius Cesar; Acutissimi evadunt, & igneâ celeri­tate volucres. The second thing called Culpable in him, but was not, was pick'd at by the cross Humours of some in the end of Q. Elizabeth's Reign. They were of the old Stock of Non-conformitants, and among the Seniors of his College, who look'd four upon him, because he was an Adherent to, and a Stickler for the Discipline and Ceremonies of the Church of England; these laid their Heads to­gether to exclude him from Preferment, but their Plot would not hit. Others that were the most orderly Sons of the Church, were not pleased with him, be­cause he frequented Reverend Mr. Perkins his Congregation. It is true, he was his constant Auditor, while Mr. Perkins lived, so early his well-kneaded Judg­ment took delight in clear and solid Divinity. And he that is discreet, will make his Profit out of every side, or every Faction, if you like to call it so.

11. At the close of the most happy Reign of Q: Elizabeth, he Commenced Batchelor of Arts. And to make that Degree sit upon him with the better Cre­dit, within a Month he was made Fellow of his College, with the advantage of that Seniority which promised him the Proctorship of the University, if he lived to it, according to the constant Order of that Society. Filii prunae exultant vo­lare, Job 5.7. He was full of warmth, and tended upward. I find in a Letter, which he wrote to King James 22 years after, wherein he remembers the King, That His Majesties Gracious Letters confer'd that Blossom of the first Preferment [Page 10]upon him. He was no heavy Log to be lifted up to a Fellowship with a Court-Leaver. But the Place being extraordinary, (for it was pregnant with the Pretor­ship) there needed some Engine from above to settle him. Without disparage­ment to his Merit, it shall not be concealed, that some of the Seniors did make resistance against him, whose Suffrages are requisite by Statute for the Election of Fellows. One or two of them were observed to stop the Advancement of all the most sharp Wits, as far as they could, Men not to be compared with the sweet Philosopher Plato, but like him in this, That Plato would not admit Homer into his Commonwealth, for he was too great a Citizen for his City. This was a Grief apparent, that Mr. Aluy, though himself departed into Ireland, had left of his Spirit among them, a Spirit devious from the Quiet and Happy Way of obey­ing our Church Discipline. And this did season a few with a wrong Zeal to de­press such whose Learning and prudent Behaviour did promise, that they would be Champions for Conformity. But he that was then the Pinacle of the Codege, far higher then the low-roost Building of the rest, was Dr. Playsere, one of the Public Professors of Divinity, and of most celebrated Eloquence, (let me carve a good Figure for his Memory in this Structure,) it was he that opened the stiff Soil, and planted this young Sprig in his Fellowship, and led him in his hand out of the Throng of Contradiction. You may guess, that the young Batchelor did Glory in it, and had the sense of Juily in his mind, when he said, He had rather be Praised by Cato, then have a Triumph voted to him by the Senate.

12. Now our young Graduate began to run the Race of three years Course to the Degree of Master; a time of loitering with too many, but not with him. It was his common Theme, even when he was a Bishop, if young Students were at his Table, to inveigh gravely against Batchelors of Arts, because commonly they mis-spent that Triennial Probation, and left upon that place a Vacuum of doing little or nothing. He that least of all committed that Crime, might best set Judge upon the Guilty. For his own part, now his Clay was upon that Wheel, it turn d about, as Peripateties say of the highest Sphere, with a most rapid Mo­tion. He surrendred up his whole Time to dive into the Immense Well of Know­ledge, that hath no bottom. He Read the Best, he Heard the Best, he Conferr'd with the Best, Excrib'd, committed to Memory; Disputed, he had some Work continually upon the Loom. And though he never did so much in this unwearied Industry, as himself desired, he did far more then all that did highly value him could expect. Ingenium caeleste suis v [...]lecius amns surgit. Ovid. His Equals of the same time began to find his Discourse far above their pitch in weighty Judgment; and what was look'd for from him in his Public Exercises, might be perceived by the Throng that come to Hear him, and that none at the parting but Admired him. All perceived that a Fellowship was a Garland too little for his Head, and that he that went his pace, would quickly go further then St. John's Walks.

13. He that will dig diligently for Wisdom, God will provide a Mine for him to Recompence his Labour; my Proof lies thus: Here was a Student that would take any pains to know much; and God supplied him with as good Men in that Age, as ever Cambridge afforded before or since, that were able to teach him. A Scholar can have no taste of Natural Philosophy, without some conditement of the Mathematicks. See the good luck of it, that he had Mr. Edward Briggs within the Walls of the same College for his Master; by whom he was initiated into the Principles of Geometry, which never departed out of his tenacious Memory. Yet he did but kiss the Cup of those Sciences, and drank not deep: Fruit that is next the Sun, may change the colour; but unless it hang long on the Tree, it comes not to maturity. He frequented Mr. Lively and Mr. Downes, ( Duo Scipiadae) the Professors of the Hebrew and Greek Tongues in the Publick Schools, from whose full Breasts he suck'd most excellent Skill in those Learned Languages. He had also other choice Praeceptors to perfect him in the Sacred Tongue, Mr. Robert Spal­den, a modest and no less Learned Divine, Fellow of St. John's, and Rabbi Jacob a Jew born, whom I remember for a long time a Commorant in the University; with the Instruction of these two, he dived far into the Mystery of that Holy Language. But chiefly he did heartily acknowledge, that the Hand of God did go with him, that Dr. Overal was the King's Professor in the Chair of Divinity in his Years of soft Wax, from whom he took such a right Orthodox Impression of stating Theological Controversies. I ask'd him on a time, what it was that pleased him in Dr. Overal above all others whom he heard to handle Determina­tions of Divine Points in a Scholastical Form? He gave me this Answer; because, [Page 11]First, Dr. Overal was used to prove his Conclusion out of two or three Texts of Scripture at the most, and no more, being such Places upon whose right Inter­pretation the judgment of the Cause did chiefly depend. Secondly, That above all Men that ever he heard, he did most pertinently quote the Fathers, both to the right sense of their Phrase, which few did understand, and out of those their Treatises, wherein especially they handled the Cause, for which he Appealed un­to them. And, Thirdly, When he had fixed what was prime and principal Truth in any Debate, with great Meekness and Sweetness he gave copious Lati­tude to his Auditors, how far they might dissent, keeping the Foundation sure, without breach of Charity. These were the Constellations, whose fortunate Aspect did shine upon this Neophytus in the Orb of Cambridge, and being under the Influence of such Luminaries, a judicious Academian might Prognostic, how much he would prosper without a judicious Astrologer. But for all that he posted so speedily through the broad Way of the best Tracts of Knowledge, yet he found a little leisure to call in as he went, at the attaining of some Skill in Musick, In­strumental and Vocal, not as a Siren to catch him, but as a Delight to solace him. Nay, though he set his Face to the end of a great Journey, yet in transi [...] he took Acquaintance of the French Tongue, to make himself able to read the choice Pieces of that acute Nation, which flow'd in easily and apace into him, having the Pipes of the Latin Tongue ready cast to convey it. What shall we say to him that took in hand such a long Sorites of Sciences and Tongues together? But that such Blood and Spirits did boil in his Veins as Tully felt, when he spake so high; Mihi satis est si omnia consequi possim: Nothing was enough, till he got all.

14. The Gamester was the freer to throw at all, because he was like to draw a good Stake, Preferment already holding its Hand half open. For [...]f [...]c [...]bi 2 ^o his Patron, and tenderly-loving Kinsman, Dr. Vaughan was Removed from the Bishoprick of Chester to the See of London. The young Eaglets are quickly taken up upon the Wings of the old one. But the good Bishop, within three Years after he had ascended to that Dignity, ended his days, greatly lamented of all, and lived not till his young Cousin was adult for Promotion. This only was much to his Benefit, that every Year the Bishop sent for him to spend a few Weeks in his Palace of London, a great help to his Breeding, to let him see the course of Church-Government managed by the Piety and Wisdom of so grave a Prelate, who had much of a Gentleman, much of a Scholar, and most of a Christian. During his abode in the Reverend Bishop's Palace, he had the opportunity to tender his Duty to that noble-minded and ancient Baron John Lord Lumley, who received him with equal Courtesie and Bounty as his Kinsman. That Lord ha­ving given his Sister in Marriage to Mr. Humfry Llyd of Nor. h. Wales, a most indu­strious Antiquary, as appears in Ortelius, and Adjutant to Mr. Cambden in his great Work. This Lord Lumley did pursue Recondite Learning, as much as any of his Honourable Rank in those Times and was owner of a most precious Library, the Search and Collection of Mr. Humsry Llyd. Out of this Magazine, that great Peer bestowed many excellent Pieces printed, and Manuscript, upon Mr. Wil­liams for Alliance sake, a Treasure above all Presents most welcom to him. Yet the noble-hearted Lord, a free Mccaenas, gave with both hands, and never sent his young Kinsman away from him without a Donative of ten Pieces. The first Gift of Books he kept better then Gold; for the Gold went from him again as magnificently, as if he had been no less then the Lord Lumley himself But that he had received those noble Favours, I heard him remember with great and grate­ful Expressions in the Chancel of the Parish-Church of Cheam near to N [...]n [...]c [...] in Surrey, (whereof my self have been Rector now above 30 Years) coming on a day to view the Burial-place of the Lord Lumley, where his Body lies under a comely Monument.

15. It fell out luckily to Mr. Williams, to keep him from incurring great Debts, that he had such an Ophir or Golden Trade to drive with the Lord Lumley's Pu [...]se, who supplied him with a Bounty that grudg'd him nothing, till the Year 1 [...]9. (for then that aged Baron died.) Four Years before the loss of that dear Friend, An. 1605, he took his Degree of Master of Arts, and he Feasted his Friends at the Commencement as if it had been his Wedding, having more in Cash at com­mand by the full Presents of many Benefactors, then is usual with such young Graduates. His Merits being known, brought him in a great Revenue, long be­fore he had a certain Livelihood. A Master of Arts, is a Title of honest Provo­cation rightly considered: Nomina insignia onerosa sunt, says the Emperor Alexan­der [Page 12]Mammaens. But they are scarce so many as a few, that are warm'd with the remembrance of that Honour, which the Regent-House conferr'd upon them, worthy to be taxed, in parodie, with that Increpation, Heb. 5.12. Cum deberetis Magistri esse propter tempus, rursum indigetis ut vos doceamini. When for the time ye eught to be Masters, you have need one teach you again. Whose Reproach hath this, and no other use, that they are a pitiful Foil to their Betters. I am sure I explain a Man, who added as much Grace to the Name, as any his Ancestors; of those that came after, he that was the best, was but second in the Order. Every day (borrowing much of the Night) advanced his Knowledge. He hired himself to labour under all Arts, and sorts of Learning. The more he toil'd, the more he perceiv'd, that nothing in this Earth had such Amplitude, as the extent of Scien­ces: He saw it was a Prospect which had no Horizon, a Man can never say, he sees the utmost Bound of the Coast. Therefore he was continually drawing his Bow, because he was sure he could never shoot home. No Man fishes to get all the Fish in the Sea; yet since the Sea contains so much, he is slothful that labours but for a little. Our Student began now to fall close to the deep, and spacious Studies of Divinity. I deliver from his own mouth what he would relate some­times in his riper Years; That he began to read all the Scriptures with the choicest and most literal, and, as he found it fit, with the briefest Commentators, so that all his Superstructure might knit close to that Foundation. He compared the com­mon places of P. Martyr, Chemnitius and Musculus, Calvin and Zanchie, being in at all, with the Sacred Text, and found that Harmony in them all with the Ora­cles of God's Word, that he perceived he might with a good Conscience, as he would answer it to Christ Jesus, defend the Integrity of the Reformed Religion, taking it not upon Trust, but upon Judgment and Examination. But an Artist knoweth not what he hath got by all his Diligence till he useth it; neither can a Scholar understand what Tast is in the Waters of his own [...], till he draws some quantity out. Therefore he disclosed himself both in his own Terms, and for his Friends, in common Places and in Problems, sweet as Sampson's Honey in the one, strong as his Lion in the other. By both he received mighty Praise from his Elders, and great Thanks from the younger Fry, whose Benefit is to be intended in such Exercises. For it is a Duty that sits as close to them, as an Oath can fasten it, who live in such a social Life, to make ready, not wild Gourds, but of their best Preparation, to set before the Sons of the Prophets, that they may eat.

16. Having fetch'd such a great compass about Theology in less then two years, he began to climb up higher upon the Mountain of God. His Project was to take so much Work in hand, that no Temptation should make him idle. And that he might be to seek in nothing, which might exactly furnish him in the Mi­nistry of Christ, he adventur'd to read the School-men, Histories Ecclesiastical, and the Fathers all together. Conceive me that this course of Study begun so early, co-extended with all the space of his Life. But was it possible for one Hand, and yet but a tender one, to grasp all this together? Himself knew best how he could weave so many Webs at once. ‘My manner was,’ says he, ‘to allot one Month to each of these Employments. And Variety was almost as much Re­freshing, as Cessation from Labour. Then I was sure to return to none of those courses of Learning as a Stranger, making my spaces of Absence from none any longer then those Monthly Revolutions. Manilius. Howsoever, Viam sibi repperit usus, and I like my own method so well, that I was constant to it for 13 Years, until I was called off by my Secular Employments, and when I was discharged of them, I fell again to run round with my former Circle.’ He was an exact Phi­losopher, but chiefly in the Metaphysicks, whose Utility and Necessity he defended in the Schools, Pro more Academico, when he was Proctor of the University. Having taken such a Preparative of Metaphysical Quidities, the Potions of School-Divinity wrought easily with him, so that he was not lost a whit in their Intricoes, any further then they lose themselves, which is not seldom in more Subtilty then Solidity, being like those Artichokes that have much Core, and little Bottom. He was the first that made me look into them better when I was a No­vice, then all the Conference I had had with the greatest Doctors did Premonish me before. He said, The best Thing was, that those Disputative Men cross'd and opposed one another eagerly, which was the way to strike out Sparks of Truth between the Flint and the Steel. But the worst was, that such Maxims as passed for common Principles unquestionable on all sides among themselves, were hollow and unsatisfactory. Chiefly herein they do but beat the Air, they never scann [Page 13]the Interpretations of any Scriptures, but take them upon Traditional Trust, which are easily wrung from them by more curious Expositors: So that an hundred Quodlibets all of one Blood, I may say, being not maintainable, but from such sense of Scripture as they offer'd to derive them, are but so many Bastard-Slips begotten upon vulgar Errors. A young Clerk that reads them, and trusts them, may think they are good Men, and have paid him the whole Sum of Divinity; but let him weigh their Coin, and I am confident he will perceive, that they will owe him above half the Debt. This was a sound Caution from him, to take heed how we Trust: Yet he was not so easily provoked against those Scholastical Plod­ders as some are, who fault them above all, because they have mixed the Learn­ing of Arle, the Topics of Boethius, and the like, with Conclusions laid down out of the Word of God; for Prophets and Apostles themselves are not without Embellishments of Humane Sciences, as well in Argument, as for Ornament: For why may not Sheaves of Wheat be bound about with Wisps of Straw, that they may not shatter? This Brable is put into a true Sea [...]e by a late Author, and is thus poized; Accedens Philosophia ad Th [...]ol [...]gi [...]n [...], facit eam [...], s [...]d facit Sophisticam adversus eam debilior [...]m. Divinity borrows no Recruit from Philoso­phy to make it self stronger, but to make Sophistry, or Heresie, which impugns it, weaker.

17. Let it be no marvel if I stay long to take a right prospect of his Studies: To proceed then, you shall find him, as it follows, it the next Partition. The Jews divide the Months of the Year after their Calculation in plenos & cavos, some fill'd, of 30 Days, some unfill'd, of 29 Surely they were Menses pleni, solid Months of the longest Measure, wherein this Man p [...]ied Ecclesiastical History. This one eminent Merit alone, his diligence in reading History is worthy of an History: For I will deliver it confidently, that I took him to be the best Proficient in that spacious Knowledge, that this Age brought forth wherein he lived. His Memory was so trusty, that it made him presume to be very fleet in Reading. Therefore I know nothing which he had not Read, and I could observe nothing he had not remembred. [...], as the Greeks boast; Let no Man compare with Simonides for a Memory. So without boasting I may say, Who would compare with Mr. Williams but Simonides? He that would try his Cunning in History when he was old, might wager an Oath upon it, that he fell to it very young. He moiled a while in Chronology, especially after the Epocha of Times was meetly well set from the Olympiad of Greece, and Consul­ships of Rome, yet he stuck not long in the Briars of Chronologers, from which a Man can never pluck out his Feet, but referr'd his own Collections to such Com­putations of Years as himself liked best, by which he knew well enough in what Rank to find his own Notions. And because Cosmography is like Eyes unto the Blind, to lead a diligent Man in all the Journeys of the Earth, through which divers Authors carry him, he took such Light to walk by as Ortelius held before him; yet he would confess, that oft-times he was like an Errant-Knight, and knew not in what Desart he was, till he came to live in York-house a Chaplain to the Lord-Chancellor Egerton, and then became a Scholar to Mr. Richard Hacklun, a Prebendary of Westminster, and so his near Neighbour, indeed the most versed Man in that Skill that England bred, and from him his Preceptor, whom he forgat not to mention with much Praise, he got as much Thread from Ariadne's Quill, as serv'd him never to lose himself in any Region or Sea, whether near or re­mote.

18. Chronology and Chorography were his Bladders to swim with. Now suppose him lanch'd into the Main Ocean for Historical Traffick. The Writers are but few that afford any thing to illustrate the Contents of the Old Testament, till the Jews came back to their own Country again from the Babylonish Captivity. From that time whatsoever concern'd the Records of the Church under the Persian and Macedonjan Monarchies, together with the Seleuctan and Ptolemae [...]n Princes, he had it at his Fingers ends. But after that the Barren brought forth more Children then the Fruitful, since the propagation of the Christian Faith among the Nations, the Books are infinite which have compiled Occurrences of Evangelical Memo­rials; yet our indefatigable Undertaker was not disheartned to read over all that was preserv'd, but ransack'd Rolls and Libraries for all that was hid or lost. Of such as faithful Custody had brought to light, none escap'd him. They are not the Divines of Magdepurg, nor Baronius Annals, (though twice read over by him) which furnished him with the Title of his Skill. He knew more then they had observ'd, from the Originals out of which they had digged their Ore. Especially [Page 14]he was cunning in all Transactions done in the old Asian Churches, and no less in the Greek, even to the time of their Decay, or Ruine rather under the Turkish Tyranny. And because General and Provincial Councils, the most Pure of them having been Celebrated in the East, were the brightest Lanthorns of this kind of History, he had observ'd in them as much as his Wit could penetrate into. I say as much as he could; for none was more ingenuous then he to confess his De­fects And he did deplore, when discourse of that Learning was on foot, that the meaning of the Greek Canons (nay, nor of the Latin likewise) was not opened to the World by an Artifice that was able to try their Metal. That all Glossators hitherto had mistaken the Phraseologies, and Terms of Imperial Laws, and quaint Words, having allusion to popular Speech in those days, which are couched in them. And since he minded me of such abstruseness in the Con­texture of those Canons, I have accused mine own oversight to my self, that I thought I had known more of the true sense of those Canons, then now I per­ceive I do. There wants a Scholar like an Hound of a sure Nose, that would not miss a true Scent, nor run upon a false one, to trace those old Bishops in their fuse. A Divine, he ought to be of the first Magnitude; a Critic, that should be an Hercules in the Greek Tongue; a rare Canonist, a most Learned Civilian, migh­tily acquainted with all Pristine Ceremonies, of a strong and inquisitive Judg­ment. And since the matchless Salmasius is lately dead, the Man whom I would have trusted with such a Work before all others, who is sufficient for such a Task?

19. The Histories of the Occidental Churches of great Bulk, but little Credit, he knew were both Partial and Adulterated, many of them no better Authors then Luit prandus, though it was his ill hap more then his Fellows to confess his Kna­very; for he says in his third Book, that he set himself to write. Ut de inimicis sumat vindictam, & landibus extollat eos, qui se multis [...] aff [...]erant. Such as this plain-dealing Fellow, and all after him, that struggled to raise up the Gran­deur of the Rom [...]n Court, Mr. Williams had read them and had hanged them all upon the File of his Memory; and could vouch each or them to King James, when a Question was ask'd about any of their Contents, as if it had been the freshest thing in his Mind, which he had perused but an hour before. I think bonâ side, there was no Man born more like to Eum [...]es in our Divine Poet Mr. Spencer's Description, Recording all Things which this World doth weld, laying them up in his Immortal Scrine, where they for ever Incorrupted dwelt. Let the Rea­der, if he be not struck enough into Wonder already, be advertized further, that he could as readily and as dextrously recite Things which had been done in our British and English Churches, from the first Infancy of them to his own days, as if it had been written in the Palm of his Hand. He carried in his Mind an Uni­versal Idea of all Synods and Convocations that were ever held in our Land, of all our Cathedrals, their Foundations, Conditions of Alteration, Statutes, Reve­nues, &c. As he had spared for no Travel to purchase this Skill; so, to fill his Vessel brim full, he received all that Sir Harry Spelman, Sir Robert Cotton, and Mr. Selden, his dear Friends could pour into him. Some will say, his Mind was set upon this Church, and every particular of it might in some occasion concern him. I will satisfie him that so proposes it, that there was not a corner of an History, Sacred or Secular, in any Kingdom or State in Europe which he had not pried into, and wherein he could not suddenly enlarge himself, whether they were their Wars, or Leagues of Amity; whether their Laws, Inheritances of their Crowns and Dignities, their Lineages, Marriages, or what not? The Chronicles of the Empire and German Princes, the great Partidas of Spain, all the Pieces of Antiquity he could rake out of French Abbies, he was expert in them all, as if he had got them by heart. The issue of his Life bewrayed his End therein; for he made this Study pay him Wages for all his Labour: For he discerned his own Abuities to be fit for Publick Employment; therefore he search'd into the notable Particularities of all Kingdoms, Republicks, and their Churches, with all the Importances that hung upon them. And he guessed right, that King James would give all he could ask for such a Minister.

20. The Tertia of his Industry and happy Studies, and the Top-sail of them, was the reading of the Fathers Greek and Latin. Great was his Diligence in them; marvellous was his Devotion to their Volumes. These were the casting Counters, with whom he reckoned all the Items of Christian Truth. The least stood for a Pound, the best for an hundred. These were the Champions, that first took the Field to fight the Lord's Battel, all of them the Worthies of David, [Page 15]whereof the stoutest had lifted up his Spear against 800, 2 Sam. [...]. 23. and chased them. These were after the Apostles the first-born Sons of the New-Jerusalem, to whom, by the Blessing of Primogeniture, God had given the double Portion of Wisdom, and his Spirit. Mr. Williams remembred, and would remember others of it, when they needed such Advice, that a Disciple of the Church of England must be their Disciple, and would often cite out of the Canons concluded in Convoca­tion, an. 1571. ‘That Preachers should teach nothing in their Preaching, which they would have the People Religiously to observe, but that which is agreeable to the Doctrine of the Old Testament and the New, and that which the Catholic Fathers and ancient Bishops have gathered out of that Doctrine.’ This is our Directory. Let our Adversaries make the best of it to their advantage, as the Funambulatory Jesuit C [...]mpian presumes, Ad patres si [...] ­ctum est praeliuns. Let him crow over Capons; we have long laugh'd at his Arro­gancy.

21. I have here a Passage to insert, as well for the Good of others, as for the Praise of this Man of God. He was as free as Water that runs from a public Con­duit, to lay open his Knowledge to all that would listen to his Discourse. If I must give Precedency to this Charity to any before him, it shall be only to that Glorious Servant of God, the Marrow of Learned Communication, the Lord Primate of Armach. But to our present Matter, thus he would say, as my self and many others have heard it come often from him. That his Contemporaries in Cambridge delivered to him by Tradition, which was given to them in the name of Dr. Whitaker's Resolved Rule. By Proviso, first of all, sift the Chaff from the Wheat; mark whom Valla, Erasmus, and others, have bored in the Ear for Coun­terfeit Pieces; and for the rest, acquaint your selves with the choicest and least corrupted Editions. The Protestants, to their great Commendation, had given no cause to suspect them in either kind. They that had notoriously, more than all others, vented false Wares, were Italian Huckiters; for be [...]de those good Au­thors, Coins, Medals, Monumental Inseriptions in Stone and Brass, nay nothing of Archaique Value, had escaped their false Fingers. Having separated the Vi [...]e from the Precious. expect that all the Leaven of the Fathers is hid, as the Gospel speaks, in three Measures of Meal. They are very witty and exuberant in Alle­gories, which are the Windows of the House; they serve well for Light, but not a jot for Strength. Another share of their Works is taken up in maintaining Ec­clesiastical Decrees grounded upon Canons and prudent Orders for Decency and Discipline. And a good Moiety of their Writings presseth only such Matters, as are settled by no more then Canonical, or Humane Authority. No wonder if now adays we hold such Obligations but in a slip Knot. Variableness of Customs, alternation of Manners, sundry new Products in new Ages gives power to dispense, so we abuse not our Liberty to a scornful Licence. But it is approveable in Musick, to set new Tunes, if we keep the old Gammut. The 34th Article of the Church of England decides it gravely, ‘That every particular or National Church hath Authority to Ordain, Change and Abolish Ceremonies and Rites of the Church, Ordained only by Man's Authority, so that all Things be done to Edifying.’ Now these Canonical and Human Decretals are Butteresses to the House of God, they are raised up without the Walls, but all that is within is the stronger for their Supportance. The third Part of the Heavenly Extraction of the Fathers, the Pearl growing between the two Shells premised, is Dogmatical, their Doctrine of Faith, and Works necessary to Selvation In any of which, when many of them consent we may well presume, that the Spirit of Christ breathed in them. For the Martyrdom of soms, the Humility, Self-denial, and Sanctity of them all will attest, that they intended the Truth; and one Point of Success, that those who gainsaid them, never took Root, or prosper'd, will perswade you that they found the Truth. Neither is there any Reverence towards them diminish'd by this di­stinction, that what they sowed in the Field of God, saving here a little, and there a little, was sound Wheat; but all that they mowed down were Weeds, or Heresies without exception. Thus far He, or rather Dr. Whitaker; whose An­tagonist Duraeus would seem to ascribe more to the Fathers; indeed it is but a seeming. Says he, ‘We assent to all the Doctrine of the Holy Fathers, to all of it without exception.’ A mighty Concession, but his Hand slacks immediately; N [...]que patres censentur, cum suum aliquid, quod ab Ecclesiâ non accep [...], vel seribunt, vel docent: For if they write or teach any thing, which they have not received of the Church, they are not to be esteemed Fathers. As like to Plato's Sophister, as one drop of Water to another, who would prove that no Shoe-maker did [Page 16]ever make a bad Shoe; for he that made a bad Shoe, was not Master of his Crast, he was not a Shoe-maker.

22. I will invite the Reader but to the notice of one Thing more upon this Title. This Man was the least Distasted, so far as I have known Men, among all of his Profession, with a Scholar that was divers from him in a Theological De­bate. And this, he said, he learn'd from the moderation of the Fathers, who were zealous Upholders of the Glory of the Blessed Trinity, of Christ, and of his M [...]diatorship, and of the Covenant of Grace for the Redemption of Penitent [...]ners; but for differences of Questions which were not so prime and substan­tial, they caused no angry Contract about them, much less a Separation of Churches. St. Cyprian is praised for this Candor by St. Austin, De Bap. con. Donat. lib. 3. c. 3. in this wise: Cyprian was not to be removed from a darling Opinion of his own, too much his own, about Re-baptizing of those that had been Baptized by Heretics, yet so as, Nominem judicantes, nee à jure communio [...]s aliquem, si di­versum senser [...], amov [...]ntes. I like this Concordance, says Austin, with two Expla­nations: 1. In iis quaestionibus quae nondum eliquatissimâ perspectione discussae sunt. 2. Exceptis iis quae jam sunt d [...]sinita in totâ Ecclesiâ. First, Not to think the worse of any, much less to make a Rupture for maintaining Opinions, which were not discuss'd so far to be convincing and conspicuous. Secondly, To be the bolder with them, if they were the Tenets of some Men only, and not the Definitions of the Church Univeral. O that many living Stones, now scattered from one another, were cemented together with this Mortar! O that such as are rigidly ad­dicted to their own Fancies, would desine less, and leave more charitable Allow­ance to their weak, or at least dissenting Brethren! O that there were less Inclo­sure, and more common Pasturage in the Church for poor Cottagers! And I wish again, that it were wisely considered, that a good Conscience may continue in our Brother, though he be not so found in some lesser Truths. Then you would not deny him your Love, because he submits not his Wit and Reason to all your Perswasions. Many hot Opiniators of our Age are little better then the S [...]maritans, as describ'd by Epiphanius, Haeres. 61. [...]: They thought it piaculous to touch a Man, that did not Dogmatize as they did. Therefore how many Slanders must they put up quietly, who were of Mr. Williams his Equanimity, sociable with them that are at point blank contradiction in some Quarrels of Polemical Divinity, n [...]y as ready to prefer the one side as the other, how sure is this to be called by our F [...]ri [...]s [...]'s lukewarm and undigested Christianity? I have seen the Life [...] Renowned Frier Padre P [...]lo of Venice, written in Italian by his [...] and [...] tersely and faithfully into English by that Gentleman [...] great and elegant Parts Mr. [...] Secretary to this He [...]oical Prelate, of whom I write, when he was Lord-keepe [...]: Out of that Piece I shall observe many Things as I can overtake them in fitness of Time; this comes to me now under [...], that Fulg [...]io cannot deny, that Father Paul was Libel'd for a stupid [...] Man, [...] careless of Religion, because when two perhaps were divided which was the Truth, he made a good Construction of them both. To put this into the Trial of an Instance; it is as recent to me, as if it had been [...] done, what befel this prudent Man I write of, for looking upon [...] of two vehement Factions, and yet laying a Bet on neither [...]. He had a mighty Insight into the seventh Volume of St. Austin's Works, wherein that holy Bishop hath so divinely contended for the Efficacy of Grace against [...], and Semipclagians. For his own part, St. Austin had possess'd him, and he was over entirely his Adherent in those Controversies. Many others of exquisite Learning were not convinced with St. Austin's Judgment. The Schools had many that ven­tilated those impenetrable Conceptions, pro & con; at first, with sharpness of Learning; at last, with more sharpness of Enmity. The Netherlanders unluckily in­vented several Names for these Scholastical Skirmishes, Remonstrants, and Contra-Remonstrants. Ate, and the Furies of Contention, came among us out of Belgia with these Names. Reproaches, and all sorts of unkind Discriminations, succeeded. But he, whose Praise is under my Pen, held his Augustinian Conclusions, but ne­ver disparaged, [...], never condemned the Judgment of them that opponed, but commended both Tribes with this P [...]acidness, that himself, and those of his Mind went upon this Ground, to be circumspect to ascribe all Good unto God; and that the adverse part were very cautious to state their Cause so, as to ascribe no Evil to God. If the most Learned in the World could not de­cide how to joyn both these together, without some jarring Consequences, let us [Page 17]meet together in Peace, till God had decided it. Was not this sweet and can­did? Yet it was call'd in him, and in others of that Moderation, Sluggishness, Craftiness, Neutrality and the like; as if in points unfundamental and unresolv'd, every man must be a Guelph or a Gibelline. Whereas by deep inspection it will ap­pear, that many such Opinions are of as even choice as two Shillings, thogh not of the same Stamp, yet of the same weight; it is all one which you Receive in Pay.

23. Such a Scheme, as I have drawn forth at large of his profounder Studies, was expedient to be put whole together, to avoid the trouble of broken Inter­ruptions. With the weight of those Plummets, his Wheels began to turn a­bout at the 25 year of his Age: And with the same Plummets the Clock went even Hour from Hour, from Month to Month, to the expiration of his Life. He never chang'd his fashion. Now let me invite such as may peruse these Pa­pers to go back with me, and to look upon him again in the Spring of his Ma­stership of Arts. For who hath despised the day of small things? as the Prophet says, Zachar. 4.10. And because he made his first, and most advantagious Sallies into the World about this time, being employ'd for his College in Civil or Liti­gious Causes, call them as you will, I will bring him upon that Stage before I go further. Dr. Clayton, the Head of St. Johns College at that time, was a care­ful and prudent Governour at home, Thrifty for the publick Stock, Meek and quiet as any of that Dignity. Yet it is not possible that so numerous a Society should be so fortunate, to dispatch all their business among themselves, what by Suits of Law, which burst in upon them by bad Tenants; what by frivolous complaints often Raised by their own Members, but by these and other sudden Claps, against which there is no prevention, the Governour being very Aged, and wisely contented to dispatch others to struggle in such contestations, he sent forth divers that were Trusty and Judicious to be employ'd in such designs. But if it were a knot to be cleaved by a strong Wedg, he did always entreat Mr. Williams, either alone, or with collegues, to manage such an Enterprize. As the Greeks Adagy goes, Nil sine Theseo, Theseus made one in every Master-piece of Chivalry: Such was our Theseus to the Athens where he lived. And he was con­siderately lookt upon for such service, for he well understood any thing he went about, he had a fineness to be Gracious with them to whom he was sent, and no man could deliver a Tale more smoothly, or wrinkle it less with digressions, or Parentheses. To say much in brief, he had the Policy and Gravity of a States­man, before he had a Hair upon his Chin. The Messages of greatest Trust committed to him from the College were to these Eminent persons that follow; To the Earl of Salisbury Chancellour of the University. By the way I can Wit­ness that he much lamented, that he knew that most Wise Lord Cecil no longer, or upon no greater occasions; whom he extolled above all Wits, spying him through the Tryal of such petty matters as were brought before his Lordship in his Presence: For, as if the Chancellour had a Spirit of Divination, he would instantly discover, whether the Suit made to him were fit for his serious care, or whether it were but Faction and Envy, the Diseases of Scholars within their own Walls, that made a Clamour for Justice. Upon such like Errands for his Society, he was admitted sometimes to Speak and Argue before the true Pillar of the Church, Arch-Bishop Bancroft. And upon this Reverend Father he gained so far, by his neat Wit and decent behaviour, that the Arch-Bishop sent for him two years before he was Batchelour of Divinity, and ex mero motu gave him the Ad­vouzon of an Arch-Deaconry in Wales (Cordigan, if I forget not) which came to the Metropolitan by his customary Prerogative. I am not certain when it fell void, and came to Mr. Williams's possession. This I am sure of, that he sate in Convocation in the Title of this Arch-Deaconry the year 1613. expiring, when Dr. Lake, Holy and Learned Dr. Lake was Prolocutor. Sometimes also he Pe­titioned Lord Chancellour Egerton for the same Foundation. And in a Lucky hour. For the Lord Chancellour in those Addresses quickly found him out, that he was a Jewel fit for his own wearing; which broke forth in due time, as shall be comprized in the sequel. And to rise up one step more upon the degrees of God's Providence, the Master and Fellows aforesaid deputed him for their Agent to the Court to Petition the King for a Mort-main, thereby to bring some in­crement to their maintenance. It is no New thing to say he sped in the Suit [...] for when did he miscarry? You have him right in that Elogy, which Aurelius gives to Septimius Severus, acer erat ingenio, & ad omnia quae intenderat in finem perseverans: His Wit was sharp, and drew success after it, as the Needle doth [Page 18]the Thred, and his Industry was restless, till he had his End for which he La­bour'd. The marvel is that his Worth and Activity should make such impression in the King, that his Majesty upon some occasion told him of it long after, when he was then become His Highness's principal Officer.

24. These were the noted Adventures which our young Academian, by de­putation from his College, did make abroad; but his Staple was at his Study at home, where his Light did break out openly in great splendor upon this occasion. On Candlemass-Day Anno 1608. his Reverend Friend Dr. Playfere departed out of this World, in the 46 year of his Life, in his Flower and Prime; whose great­est well-wishers did not wish him alive again, because his rarely beautified Wits, with which he had even inchanted his hearers in so many estivat commence­ments, were now more and more distemper'd. Yet Mr. Williams wept over him, and exceeded in Grief, as if a Child had lost his Father. The University mak­ing preparation for the Solemn Funeral of so great an Ornament to it, the Vice-Chancellour that then was Dr. Jeggon possest the Pulpit to Preach, and Mr Wil­liams was required to be the Oratour, to give him a farewel of due praise in the Chappel of St. Johns College. He pleaded the Truth, that his sorrow would not grant him such a dispassionate mind, as was fit to compose a Panegyrick and that in the space of three days, and for such a man as Dr. Playfere. And with this Excuse he held off, till Dr. Clayton, set upon it to enforce the Tasque on him that could best discharge it, Threatned him with expulsion, if he refused that Service to which his Superiours had allotted him. An hard condition, and such as might have been disputed, as long after I heard him Argue upon it. But then he yielded, whether fair means or foul means overcame him I know not: But I think rather Love than Fear got the upper hand of Grief. And when [...]his Turn came to speak upon the day of the Obsequies, O what a tunable Musique he made between his Rhetorique and his Tears! for both flowed together. How curi­ous were his Apostrophes! How moving were his Passions? How winning his pro­nunciation? Many pauses he was compelled to make by the Applause and hum­ming of the Swarms about him in the close of his Periods. When he had done, and the Assembly brake up, it was in every Mouth, that Playferes Eloquence was not dead with him, while this Orator was alive. Let me trouble this Narration with a small interjection. I was my self in the throng among those that heard this Oration, newly admitted into Trinity-College, that being the second day wherein I wore my Purple Gown. This being the First Exercise that I heard in Cambrige in the Latin Tongue, I thought it was a City paved all with Eme­raldes, and that such Learning and such Silver Elocution was common to them all. But there is a saying in Macrobius, a great Orator being the Subject, which might have made me Wiser; it is thus, ad notam seculi sui non sufficit Hortensius. All men that lived in that Age were not like Hortensius; and among a bundle of Gods, the Poets have feigned but one Mercury; and although the success of this Funeral Encomium was much to the Authors praise, yet I have it from his own Testimony, that he never suspected himself so much as then in all his Life, least he should have shamed his own parts, and Trespast against the Honourable Memory of the Dead, because his Wits were bedarkened with a Cloud of Sad­ness. But I see that falls out otherwise, with many more than he imagin'd. The Noble Author of the History of the Council of Trent hath remembred, that the Letters of the Cardinal of Lorain, ween he was struck with horror of Grief for the untimely Loss of his Brother the Duke of Guise; I say, his Letters consolatory written in that plunge and amazement of Sorrow to his Sister the Dutchess, were the most full, the most sententious, the most flourishing in Phrases that ever he wrote. No instance can go higher that that of the Prophet Jeremy, whose Elo­quence and curious Figures in his Lamentations were never matcht: The mourn­ing of that Dove is sweeter than the warbling of any Nightingale.

25. Having bought this Credit so dear, with the loss of his dearest Friend, he grew more considerative to look above him, not about him, to the praise of God, and not of Men. He had labour'd four years strenuously in Theological Studies, and found himself in some Ripeness to do God Service in the Ministry. So sur­rendring himself in Prayer to him, that alone gives sufficiency, he received the Orders first of Deaconry, then of Priesthood in the 27 year of his Life. And being recommended to the Grace of God by imposition of hands, presently he began to labour in his Masters Harvest, and became a Preacher of more fre­quency and diligence, than it useth to be with Fellows of houses for the greater part. Who stay too much upon their preparation before they buckle to the [Page 19]work of their calling, like Mowers that are longer in whetting their Sithe, then in cutting down the Grass. And that the Lord when he came might find him careful in tending like a good Steward over the Houshold, immediately with the Office of his Ministry he took the charge of a Living, the scantling of it very mean, and it could be no better after the Letter of the Local Statutes where he Lived, that he might keep his Fellowship with it. It lay beyond St. Edmunds Bury in the confines of Norfolk, (perhaps Fakenham, or very near to it) it was the flitting Milk of a poor Vicarage, the Parsonage Tithes being scumm'd from it. I know not who presented him to it, but questionless the Benefice sought him, and not he the Benefice. He had a fair Champion Country to Ride over to it from Cambridg, which was Exercise with breathing in sweet Air: But the profits of the living would hardly defray the Costs of his Journeys. The exility of the small Revenue took not off his Edge: For it yielded all out as much as he did drive at, to teach the simple, to attain to a readiness in Preaching, by early and often practice; and to be acquainted with compassion (I use his own words) towards the hard condition, which his poor Brethren did undergo, that had scarce enough to feed them, and keep them Warm for all their Labour. It seems the people of the Parish were good people, or he thought them such; for in his highest Honour I heard him Treating with Sir Lionel Talomach of Faken­ham, that Sir Lionel would employ from him an 100 l. to buy Land of five or six pounds per annum Value, for the Relief of the Poor of that Village to the worlds End. I hearkned no more after it: For I reckon'd it was done: Because every place wherein he had a Title was the better for his Charity. If further for a deeper Gage to sound his Learning, some expect to know what he perform'd in St. Maries in Cambridg, rather than in a sorry Vicarage, I can tell them among others that were present, that he publisht himself a most rare Preacher in a Ser­mon made before the University anno 1610. upon this Text, Luc. 16.22. It came to pass, That the Beggar died, and was carried by the Angels into Abrahams Bo­som. He handled the points of the Souls Immortality, of the present Blessed [...]ss of them that dye in Gods Mercy, of their Reception into Heaven, of the Mini­stry of Angels, whether particularly Guardian, or rather in general to all Chri­stians, there he discours'd with that depth of Learning, yet liquidating that depth with such facility of opening it, beside with that Energy and Vigour of Voice and Sides, that his Auditory granted him to be a loud Cymbal, and a well-Tu­ned Cymbal. About Eight Mouths after, being Listed into the Combination of the choicest Preachers: He was call'd to do that Duty before K. James and Prince Henry at Royston, whereupon the King spake much good of him, but the Prince taking great notice of him as an Honour to Wales, was not satisfied to give him encouragement of praise, but gave him his Princely Word, that He would Re­ward him after the weight of his Worth. But the Father bestowed that prefer­ment on him, which the Prince, taken away by early Death for our Sins, in­tended. I heard of this Sermon Six Weeks after, and by a merry Token; for having occasion to come to that hunting Court at Royston, I received Hospitality at a Table full of good Company, where I was askt over and over, especially by the old Brittains, what Place and Dignity Mr. Williams had in Cambridge; eve­ry one of them could tell me he made a most Excellent Sermon before the King, but for their parts they had been such attentive Hearers, that among them all I could not Learn the Text.

The Fame of our accomplisht Preacher, who had taken the University and the Court so far with his Merits, as none more, spread far: And he wanted not Friends in the Lord Chancellour Egertons Family to acquaint his Lordship with it, who instantly preferr'd him before all Competitors, and said no more, but, Send for him, and let me have him. This was at Midsummer anno 16 [...]1. That Lord Chancellour was a great Patron to Divines, but then they must be of many degrees above Mediocrity; and those whom he pickt out for the Service of his House, were of the first, and as it were, Seraphical Order. And such in­deed were Dr. Richard Feild, Dr. King Bishop of London, Dr. Carew Bp. of Exon; and as one of that stamp, he was pleased to entertain Mr. Williams. But when he came to London to be Approved for that Service, after great and humble ac­knowledgment of his Thankfulness, he prayed the Lord Chancellour he might continue a year, or the greatest part of it at Cambridg, before he came to wait constantly in his Lordships Honourable Family, because at Michaelmass following he was to enter upon the Proctor-ship of his University, a place of Credit and some Emolument. And may you not fulfil that place by a Deputy? says the Chan­cellor, [Page 20] My Lord, says the Chaplain, I must take an Oath upon my admission into that Office, to oversee the Government entrusted to me, not in general Terms only of Faith and Diligence, but for the due Provision of many particular Branches of the Statutes; and I dare not trust my Oath with another mans Conscience. To so fair a Plea, he got a gentle concession, where I must shew him in his Honour of Proctorship, before he return again to my Lord Egerton.

I have more to say, than to tell the World he was Junior Proctor of Cambridge: So have many been, who did nothing, but that which deserves to be forgotten; like Consuls that acted nothing, and were useful for nothing but to have the Fasti known by their Names. His was [...], or a a procuration indeed (so it is Translated out of Xenophon) which he filled up with as much real Worth and Value, with as much Profit and Dignity to the University as could be dispatcht in the Orb of that Government. The first place wherein Epaminondas appear'd pub­lickly among the Citizens of Thebes, was the Surveyorship of the High-ways and no better, Et muneri Dignitatem addidit, says Valerius lib. 3. c. 4. He gave Lustre by his management to that petty Function. It holds as right, as possibly an Ex­ample can match a thing, in this instance. It is well known our Proctor came into this Magistracy burthened with great expectation, which measure he filled up, and exceeded it. He rose with great Light, and set with more Brightness than he rose. Happy were those times that heard his Plinian Orations (for his Style had that Savour) that heard his Aristotelian disputations, that enjoyed the Fruit to hear him moderate at the Morning Exercises between a Master and a Batchelor. Methinks yet I do hear him inveighing, as I did once, against the Sloth of the Batchelors, for degenerating from themselves and the Ancient Cu­stoms of the Schools, as of a fearful Metamorph [...]is with those Words, Nam vos mutastis & illas. He was an assiduous Overseer and Interlocutor at the After­noon Disputations of the Under Graduates. Some of the most hopeful he enfla­med with his Praise: Not a few Tasted of his Bounty, and in no meaner Met­tle than Gold. I know a man whom he took Notice of at those Acts, who is the better for his good liking to this day. It was greatly commendable in him that he disdain'd not to be President himself at these [...], but attend­ed at them, and acted in them vivâ voce, and did not put off the Work to Journey-men. The Night-watches indeed, he committed sometimes to Deputies, as the manner is, to compel the Looser sort from their Haunts of Inns and Ta­verns, and Houses of ill Fame. But when he held the Staff in his own hand, he perceiv'd he prevail'd most. And it was sensible to the Eye, That he reclaimed many from disorder; not that in all the year he damnified any one by censure, that I could hear of: Neither did he use to make a crackling Noise with con­tumelies and Threatnings. But won Regard to his Place by Sweetness, by Af­fableness, by Perswasions, as dealing with Scholars, not with Peasants; with Free­men, and not with Servants. This I am sure of, by his Prudence and Vigilancy Scandals of corrupted behaviour abated, but increased not. And what any of his Successors of the sowrest Rigor could do more, I know not.

27. In this Procuratorian year, it is as due as any thing to be Remembred, how he behaved himself in three weighty occurrencies. Soon after Christmass, the Kings Majesty Commanded the Heads of the University, to give entertain­ment, such as might be prepared of a sudden, to a German Prince, and his Train. It was the Duke of Wittenberg. I cannot err in that I suppose; for we of the younger fort were taught to know him by that Name; and his Stile at every Word was his Excellency. The Duke was singularly Learned for one of that Eminency and Illustrious Blood. Therefore it was thought meet to receive him in the Publick Schools with a disputation in Philosophy, performed by the most expert Professors of it, who were ready, we were sure, at the shortest warning. I must do him Right to him that was the first Opponent, that he charged the Repondent bravely with Arguments of the best Artillery. It was Mr. Wr [...]n of Pembrooke-Hall, now the Reverend and Afflicted Bishop of Ely whose Enemies God hath punisht with such hardness of Heart, that he being never yet brought to Answer to the Objections of his Persecutors after Ejection out of all his Estate, and after Twelve years of Imprisonment in the Tower, he continues still in that cruel Durance. But I look back to my own Matter. Mr. Prectour Williams was the President or Moderator at this Learned Act; who by discre­tion, as well as other sufficiency, outstript them all. For, as the Apostle of the Gentiles says, He was made all things to all Men, so the Proctor manag'd his part before this Prince alla Tudesea, to Dutch-men he became a Dutch Philospher, [Page 21]for all his Conceptions he confirm'd by Quotations out of Julius Pacius. G [...]l [...]ius, Keckerman, and others, that had been Professors within the Districts of the Gor­man Principalities, which was so unexpressibly acceptable to the Duke of Witten­berg and his Retinue, that they kept him in their Company so long as they stay'd in Cambridge, and would never part with him; and in fine, carried him in their Caroaches to Nowmarket, and acquainted the King what Credit he had done to their Country Philosophers.

28. The next Passage is of another frame; and tried his Judgment, not his Learning. The Earl of Salisbury, that famous Lord-Treasurer, had Govern'd our University as Chancellor from the Year 1600, with good liking to all. Uxit dum vixit bene. He lest this World May 24. 1612. In the Election of a Succes­sor, the Regent-House, in whom the Choice was, were improvidently divided. The greater Number gave their Voices for Henry Earl of Northampton, Lord Privy-Seal, sometimes a Gremial of our Body, superlatively Learned, a Writer of Books in Queen Elizabeth's days, that especially against Judicial Astrology is of as elegant Contexture, as any that are written in more Sunny Climates: Beside, he was very Rich, and a Batchelor; a Founder already of a charitable and handsom Pile of Building at Greenwich. Therefore such as devised all good ways to at­tract the Benevolence of Liberal and Wealthy Men unto us, hoped he would be very beneficial to Cambridge his Mother, which now cast her self into the Arms of his Governance and Patronage. So far the adverse Part could not dislike him. One and the only thing to them of ill digestion was, that Vox populi, not the Jea­lousie, but the Clamour of Court and Country was, that he was no better then a Church-Papist: That certainly his Heart was more with the Consistory of Rome, then of Cambridge. These, with whom this Objection stuck, were close Students, plain and honest Men, the least of all others acquainted with the World abroad. Therefore they run blindfold upon a desperate way; and to discountenance or discourage the Lord Privy-Seal, they put one, far better then himself, in balance against him, the King's second Son, Charles Duke of York his Highness, though then but in the 12th Year of his Age. The Lord Privy-Seal had far more Votes in the Scrutiny for his Election, and so it was in all Post-haste signified unto him. But he took on with all Impatience to be so Abus'd, to be made Competitor with the King's Son, and to prevail in the Election. And the King was more Wroth with the Simplicity, or rather Presumption of those silly Clerks, that durst Nomi­nate his Dear and Tender Son the Duke to any Place or Office, before they had beg'd Leave in all Humility for the Royal Assent. A few of these received a great Check for it at the Council-Table, and were a while under the Custody of Pursuivants. For their Error, the whole University was under as black a Cloud of Displeasure, as ever I knew it in all my time, and floated like a Ship in a great Storm, that knew not where to Anchor. The King exclaimed at them for Heady, Inconsiderate, swayed by Puritanical Factions. The Lord Privy-Seal, the Elect Chancellor, shrunk up his Shoulders, and made an Answer of fine Words, and well set together, 'That he was not worthy to have the Primacy or Pilotship 'over the Argonauts of such an Argosie: But in Rude English it was no better, then that He scorn'd their Proffer. The Lords of the Council told them plainly, They deserv'd no Chancellor among the Peerage, who had so spitefully confronted an Earl of that Eminency. The Vice-Chancellor Dr. Gouch, with the Sophies of the Con­sistory, Resolved, That this was not a Sore that would heal with delay, therefore they dispatch Proctor Williams with their Letters, to offer himself before the King, though the Storm blew stiff against him. So he came to the Court at Greenwich, and casting himself upon his Knees before the King with his Letters in his hand, the King, with no pleased Countenance, ask'd him what he would have. Sir, says he, my self, and they who sent me, crave Justice of Your Majesty in the behalf of Your Uni­versity of Cambridge, which suffers under Your Displeasure in that sort, as I believe never any of Your Subjects did before, that nineteen Parts of a great Incorporation should be Condomn'd, for the Frowardness, and that unpreventable by all the Power we had of the twentieth Part, and they the meanest of us all. We beseech You, Grati [...]us Sovereign, to Name a Chancellor to preside over us, or suffer us to come to Your Majesty upon all Occasions as unto our Chancellor, not made so by the suffrage of poor Scholars, You are far above that, but in the sublime Title of Your Kingly Office, by which You are obliged to Pro­tect all Your People, that are Unprotected. This confident Speech was enough to hint to so wise a King, that this was not the Style of Guiltiness; so Justice being even the Girdle of his Loins, and Mercy dropping easily from his Lips, like an Honey­comb, without streining, he gave the Petitioner his Hand to kiss, and bad him [Page 22]bid those that sent him, to take Courage in looking well to their Charge in the University. All Errors lately committed were struck off. They should have Power to choose their Chancellor; for he would not take their Right of Free Election from them. His further Pleasure should be declared in his Letters, which would be at Cambridge before him, if he made not haste home. And indeed the Proctor and the Letters came thither both in a day, which being opened, signi­fied to the Vice-Chancellor, and the Heads assisting, That they should forthwith call a Congregation, and resume an Election for a new Chancellor, and that His Majesty would constrain him to hold it, whosoever it were that the Congregation agreed upon. The Heads were yet in a Quandary, and knew not well what to do, because the King was not more Particular, and seemed to be ill pleased with the Proctor, that he had dived no further into His Majesties Meaning: For they feared to fall upon a new Rock, because His Majesty had pointed at no Person, nor disclosed His Meaning by any Decipher or Intimation. Nay, says the Proctor, I shall help this Mistake before you stir from hence. Certainly there is one Clause in the Royal Letters, which sets up the White at which all our Votes should aim: For none hath declared a flat Refusal of this vacant Place but the Earl of Northampton, therefore none else can be meant in this Passage, "That whomsoever we Choose, the King will constrain him to hold. It were not proper to think, that any Grandee in the Realm, beside that Lord, should need to be constrained by the High Power and Prerogative of our Sovereign to be our Pa­tron. The Riddle being so luckily Unfolded by this Oedipus, the Business was con­cordiously dispatch'd; and then the King confess'd, that they had hit upon the Interpretation of his secret Meaning. Which abounded to the Praise of Mr. Wil­liams's Solertiousness; and indeed in an hundred Instances more, he was as dextrous as in this, to hunt upon a Fault, and to recover upon a Loss: But as Cicero says, Orat. pro Cecinnâ, cujus prudentiam pop. Romanus in cavendo, nunquam in decipiendo perspexit. The Lord Privy-Seal soon after took his Oath with due Solemnity to be our Chancellor, and gave civil Entreaty when the Esquire-Beadles, or other Mini­sters of our Body came to him. And we can boast of no more that came from him; who went out of the World before his Sickness was suspected, Jun. 15.16 14. The Golden Mountains we hoped for, and promis'd to our selves from his Libera­lity came to nothing; and the University was not the better for him by the worth of a Barly-Corn.

29. There remains one Passage more justly devolved to be last and lowest; for it had more of Success, then of good Success in it in my judgment. Dr. Clayton the Master of St. John's College died, a good old Man, about the beginning of June. His Breath no sooner expired, but the Fellows, who have all Right of Election, first began to Confer, and then to Canvas for a Successor. It was soon discovered that the swaying Men, and that were fit for the bandy of such a Busi­ness, meant to set up Mr. Owen Gwin one of the Senior Fellows. Others look'd out for one that was Simplicitor optimus, and they hit him. It was the Darling of Divines, Dr. Morton, then Dean of Winton, now Lord Bishop of Durham, the Polycarpus of our Smyrna the Church of England, whose Piety and Humility are Incomparable, his Learning most Admirable, and his long Age most Venerable. Almost all the true Children of the Muses bless'd their Endeavours that acted for such a Man, saying with the Psalmist, We wish you good luck in the name of the Lord. But this Patriarch, as I may call him, was not like to carry the day by the Con­sent of the most. Too few stood up for him, too few by one especially, and that one was Proctor Williams. O how could one of his deep Reach, and passing great Love to his Society prefer an obscure one, scarce to be named before the Man that had all good Men's Applause, Dr. Morton? If there be any thing to be said to make it look fair on his part on one side, it is this, Mr. Gwin had been his Tutor. A high Spirit, of which he was guilty, will rather Trespass, then not repay the least Benefit it had receiv'd. Nay, a wise Man dare not incur such a Folly as to be Ingrateful. Says Comines, lib. 2. Mihi absurdum quiddam esse videtur hominem prudent em ingratum esse posse. For great Ones, before they will collate a Favour to make a Man, and raise him up, will desire to be satisfied, how he hath carried him­self to other Obligations? What Fidelity hath he shewn to former Benefactors? Ecclus. 3.34. He that requiteth good turns, is mindful of that which may come hereafter. The relation of Pupilship prick'd on Mr. Williams to do any thing that was in his power for him, that had so much Interest in his Breeding. But while he was struggling and wooing his Friends to advance that Choice, he solicited Mr. Sen. house, a very rare Preacher, as Floury as the Spring-Garden, afterward Bishop of Carlile, who bespake him fairly again. Sir, if you desire my Voice to confer the M [...] ­stership [Page 23]upon your self, I will not deny you. I know you, though a young Man, right wor­thy of it; but your Tutor shall never have my Suffrage, while I can say No. After he had prevailed to set Mr. Gwin over that great Society, his Fortunes carried him away, but he heard so much, that he quickly dislik'd his own Work. For there was ano­ther in that College, whose Name is best conceal'd, that was a robustious driver of Canvasses, who took the whole Rule from Mr. Gwin, (a soft Man, and given alto­gether to Ease,) into his own hand, and was like the Major Domo, by whom all Suits pass'd, and every Student stoop'd to him for his Preferment: To compare great Things with smaller, such another as Victor says Mutianus proved, after he had advanced Vespasian to the Empire by his Cohorts, Fiduciâ meruorum factus inso­lens, sawcy to meddle with all, because he had deserv'd so much, and nothing would content him, unless nothing were denied him. Mr. Williams heard of these Passages too late, when he could not help the harm he had done. But because he endured much compunction of Mind for it, I will only commit him for this Fault to the castigation of the wise Poet Horace;

30. It was time for him, after the Settlement of these great Places upon others, to look to his own Place in the ensuing Commencement, which was even ap­proaching. The Inceptor-Masters by Prescription have the Right to choose out of the two Proctors whom they please, to be the Father of the Act, as we Can­tabrigians call it. It is a strange Aenigma, that the Sons should beget their Fa­ther. It lights commonly, as if it were Postulatum Mathematicum, upon the Senior. But because he that now was the Elder, if ever he had Polite Learning fit for such a Performance, had out-grown it, therefore because he was no Elder that could Rule well, the Inceptors gave the Younger the double Honour. This Commencement was as Gay and full of Pomp, by the great Concourse of No­bles and Gentlemen, as ever I saw. The Acquaintance and Fame of the Pro­ctor drew the most. The Welch Gentry were enough to fill the Scaffolds. Beside such as repair'd thither at that Season from Lord Chancellor Elsmore's House, and the very brave Attendance of the Lord Privy-Seal, the lately confirm'd Chancel­lor of the University, divers others attended the Elder Brother of the Act. Sir Charles Stanhop Knight of the Bath, only Son and Heir to John Lord Stanhop of Harington, a comely Gentleman, that took his Degree of Master, and well de­serv'd it, as much by the Proficiency of his Learning, as by the Title of his Blood. These Gallants must be Feasted by the Proctor, and there was no Want, I would there had been no Superfluity. These Costly and Luxurious Meals are the Lard of our Commencements, thrust in among the better Banquets of Scholastical Exer­cises. The Proctors Table was more Sumptuous (I understand my Comparison) for the time, then useth to be at a Mayoralty in London. I do not reckon it among his clean and unblemish'd Praises. But if I may presume to sit Judge over his Thoughts, I believe He took Parsimony to be most uncivil Behaviour. The Prevaricator made me smile, when he gave him this Character to his Face, Titus Largius primus Dictator Romanorum. To express my self a little further: These Messes of good Chear ought to be frankly set out at the times of such Genial and Gaudy Days. It were a wise World, if they could be kept within Moderation. The wise and well-governing Heathen Romans had Leges Cibarias, as old thrifty Cato term'd them: Leges sumptum comprimentes, in the Style of Tertullian in his Apology. I take it from A. Gellius, lib. 2. c. 24. that the Sum of 300 Sestertii, and no more were permitted to be spent in feriis Solennibus, which comes to about 40 Shillings, or a little under, as I cast it up with my Counters. Yet Liberal Julius Caesar indulg'd on such Occasions the Expence of 1000; his Nephew Au­gustus bounded it up to 2000; which comes not altogether to 15 Pounds of our Money, Ut his saltem finibus Luxuriae effervescentis aestus coercerctur. And this was granted only to Senators, the Princes of the World, and not to Scholars, and that neither but, in Nuptiis & Repotiis, at the Feast of the Bride, and the Repotations of the Bridegroom. I want not Commission to spend this little Ink, and it is but very little, upon this Subject. For the Holy Scriptures speak of Salomon's Feasts, as well as of Salomon's Wisdom: Howsoever these Junquets, and the men­tion, are quickly taken away with a Voider. The Feasts of his Learning and Eloquence, demonstrated in the Theatre of the Commencement, (that was the open House-keeping) were far more delicious and sweet to the Ear, then Meats [Page 24]could be to the Belly. All his Speeches were damask'd quite over with most pleasant Allusions out of Greek and Latin Authors. This was the last Scene acted on the Stage of that one Year's Office, and it had the loudest Plaudite. Indeed this was the Vintage, when more then ever before he press'd out the ripe Grapes of his Elegancies: Virgil. Georg. Tumidisbumasta racemis. These were his Olympic Wrestlings, wherein he got the Mastery in all sorts of Exercises. As Laertius says of Democri­tus, lib. 9. [...]; So this Champion got the best at all the Weapons of Philosophy. Selected Questions were disputed, and fit for the greatest Celebrity of the Year, extracted out of the Politics, Natural Theorems, and the Metaphysics, he became Victor in every Duel. And so he shut up his Proctorship (as to the Learned Trial of it, here it ended) with that General Testimony of his Praise, Ut puderet virum altius extollere, as Pollio says of Valeria­nus, that neither we could give, nor he with modesty receive a greater Com­mendation.

31. These Performances being so well over, he left Cambridge, and made a happy Remove, as a Consul, well approved in the Year of his Magistracy, was transposed into a Proconsulat, or Charge of a Province, to testifie the good liking of the People to his precedent Office. By this Province, I mean his Chap­lain-Attendance in the House of Lord Chancellor Egerton; a Nest for an Eagle. From that Step in the House of Lord Chancellor Hatton, Dr. Bancroft began to rise higher, till he came to be Metropolitan of all England. By the like Service in the House of Lord Keeper Puckering, Dr. Vaughan first made his Abilities known, and afterward got his Prince's Favour to sit in the See of London. Now, the Disciple whom these two great Prelates loved so well, performing that Trust with Lord Egerton, which they had done with his Lordship's Predecessors, was their Match at least in Dispatch and Judgment; and, by God's Providence, their Equal in Prosperity. Yet before I settle him for good and all in this Honourable Family, which will best be done in an whole Piece without disjoyning it, I must bring him to Cambridge again by an Act of Revocation. A fond Mother that dotes upon her dear Son, whom she hath sent abroad to be Manner'd and Disci­plin'd, will pick many Occasions, after a little absence, to recal him. But the Expedient, and not the Fondness, which made the University borrow him of the Lord Chancellor his Master, after he had been 7 months away, was this: The King's only Daughter, the Glorious Princess Elizabeth, was married at Whitehall to Frederick Prince Palatine, and Chief Elector of the Empire at Shrovetide. No­thing could be devised to Honour a Royal Solemnity with Bravery, Tiltings, Barriers, Masques, and all sorts of Triumphs, which was not used and presented. The Gallantry of the Court having had deservedly the first Place in Celebrating these Nuptials, it was Resolved by the King's Majesty, That His Son-in-Law the Elector, with the Strangers of the Platz, should be received for a Conclusion with an Academical Entertainment at Cambridge. The Warning coming to Dr. Carew the Vice-Chancellor, a Prudent Courtly Man, and very fit for the Ser­vice, Matters were put in a short time into Order and Readiness. The Earl of Northampton, our Chancellor, was expected, for Tradition Immemorial required him at such a season; but the frugal old Man appeared not. The Charge of great Fare and Feasting was not more Costly then Welcom to the brave Mind of Dr. Nevile Master of Trinity College; who never had his like in that Orb, I be­lieve, for a splendid, courteous, and bountiful Gentleman. His Table was Graced with the Company of Prince Charles, Prince Elector Frederick the Bridegroom, Count Henry of Nassaw, Lodwick Duke of Lenox, with a most comely Con­course of Nobles and Gentlemen, both of the German and English Nations. In two distinct Nights a Comick and a Pastoral Fable, both in Latin, were Acted before their Highnesses, and other Spectators, by the Students of the same Col­lege. This was Play, the rest was Work. The Scholastical Dissertations were the Work of the Day, the Church of St. Mary being Scaffolded for that use.

32. The Vice-Chancellor, with the Sages of the Consistory, concluded there should be a kind of Commencement extraordinary to Congratulate these Poten­tates and their Followers. Dr. Richardson, the King's Professor in Divinity, to manage the chief Place in the Chair; Dr. Davenant to moderate in the Theologi­cal Disputation; and Mr. Collins to answer upon three Questions. The next Care was for Opponents. And Mr. Williams was so high in the Opinion of all the Learned Doctors, that he was thought upon in his absence as a most Select Antagonist for this Conflict, and Letters of Entreaty were directed to him, to [Page 25]come and fulfil that part, which, upon Assurance of his Sufficiency, was imposed on him. There was no leisure for a Demur; the straitness of Time said, either do it, or deny it. But he submitted; yet humbly protesting against himself from one point of Incapacity, that though he had compleat time from the Midsummer elapsed for the Degree of Batchelor of Divinity, yet he had not taken it. And without that Title, it was not usual or decent to shew himself in the luster of such an Auditory. Well, (says Dr. Richardson) you speak Reason, yet we will not want you at this needful time; for I will teach you how to fill up that empty Circumstance It will be a fortnight yet before our Royal Guests the Princes will come to us: Prefer your two Questions Pro Gradu this night or to morrow to me. I know your readiness, that you need take no more time. In five days after I will meet you in the Schools. Incontinently your Degree shall be confer'd upon you Pro More, or by special Grace. He obey'd. And the Theses, which upon allowance of such short time he maintain'd, were these: 1. Peccata semel remissa [...] redeunt. 2. Qui sacres ordines susecperunt sa­mulari possunt magnatious ut fructus Ecclestasticos percipiant. Dr. Richardion, who received from him these T [...]ses, as it were the Chartel of Challenge, met him in the Schools. He was a profound Divine, as famous in the Pulpit as in the Chair, (which is not usual) a great Linguist, noted for a kind of Omnisciency in Church Antiquities, of pure Language, yet used not his Pen to Compose his Lectures but brought his Memory with him, and dictated his Mind with great Authority. We that frequented at his Polemical Exercises observ'd, That if the Respondent that stood before him were not a lusty Game-Cock, but of a Craven kind, he would shake him a little, but never cast him on his back: But if he were one of the right Brood, that would strike Spur for Spur, he would be sure to make him feel the weight of a Professor's Learning before they parted. Therefore he did not dally with Mr. Williams at this time, but laid at him with all his Puissance. No­thing could be more delightful for two long hours and better to us that were the Lookers on. In ventilating the first Question, we judged that the Doctor of the Chair had twice duck'd the Respondent under Water, but he quickly appeared again at the top. Once was upon the Objection, That Original Sin is remuted in Baptism, and yet some Baptized become Reprobates, and are for ever Tormented. Even so (says the Answerer) for their Actual Rebellions, but not upon the score of Original, which was wiped out. The second Shock was upon that Scripture, Matth. 18.32. where the Lord tells the Unmerciful Servant, that He had forgiven to him the Debt which he desired, but since he had no compassion of his Fellow, he should be kept in Prison, till he had paid all which was due. Though I might decline the Instance (says the Re­spondent) because it is Parabolical, yet to encounter the Text more directly, I say, that the Debt was not cancell'd to that rigid and hard Servant, for if he had his Ap [...]cha or Quietance, to speak after the manner of Men, he were free from all insequent Demands. But, I forgave thee, in that Verse, is as much as, I forbear thee, I did not pross thee, or exact upon thee. Though the Tally was not struck, yet no Suit was commenc'd, and a Temporary Forbearance is a kind of Forgiveness. The Professor was satisfied, and drove his Wedge no further into that Knot. Upon the second Question, I re­member the grave Doctor gave the Onset somewhat frowningly. But the Pith of his Obligation was, That the Vocation to Sacred Orders, Ministerium est, non mercatura: Piscatores sumus hominum, non venatores munerum; that is, Our holy Pro­fession is a Ministry, not a Merchandise; that we are made Fishers of Men, and not of Livings. The Retorsion to this had Strength and Sweetness, like Iron that is gilded; Alius est finis artis, alius artificis: The end of Theology is to gain Souls; the end of the Theologue, subordinate to the first and Architectonical end, is for an honest Maintenance and Sustentation. As the end of Art Medicinal is to cure a Sick Man; but the end of the Physician is to live well upon his Profession. This agrees with the mind of Seneca, lib. 3. De Benef. That the end of Phidias his Art was to carve a Statue with likeness, concinnity, and due proportion: Finis arti­ficis fecisse cum sructu; The Artificer's end was to take Money for his Work. A Distinction that cuts by an even Thread; which, with all that was deliver'd be­side, received great Congratulation from the Professor and Auditors.

33. From henceforth he was a Licemiate, as the Transmarines call it, as we a Batchelor in Divinity: A Relation to beautifie his Profession, or rather a mere Scabbard to put in the sharp-edg'd Weapon of his Learning, out of which he drew it forth upon a fair Quarrel, which was decided before a glorious Auditory, Mar. 3. 1612. That was the day wherein the Princes, with the Attendance of mighty Peers, and one Bishop Dr. James Montagu Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells, vouchsafed to give a most Gracious Hearing to a public Disputation held between [Page 26]some of our chief Divines. The Place was filled with the most Judicious of this whole Island; and some of the Attendants of the Palsgrave so Learned, that One might stand for many, Plato alone for Ten Thousand: One Abraham Scultetus, a Worthy greatly look'd upon, was able to awake the Diligence of them that had been Drowsie. But they that were set forth for this Encounter had Metal enough, and needed no Provocation, but their own Virtue. Dr. Richardson ( Agmen agens Lausus, magnique ipse agminis instar,) began first with his grave Ne­storean Eloquence, and having saluted Prince Charles, the great expectation of our future Happiness, [...], as G. Nyssen calls Isaac, the Branch of Succession; and having blessed his Serenity the Prince Elector the Bridegroom with Solemn Votes and Wishes to be added to his Hymeneal Joys, then he called forth the Son of his right hand, Mr. Samuel Collins, (created Doctor at this Com­mencement) to stand in the gap, and to maintain the Truth in three Theses against all Assailants. He was a firm Bank of Earth, able to receive the Shot of the greatest Artillery. His Works in print against Eudaemon and Fitz-Herbert, Sons of Anak among the Jesuits, do noise him far and wide. But they that heard him speak, would most admire him. No Flood can be compared to the Spring-Tide of his Language and Eloquence, but the milky River of Nilus, with his seven Mouths all at one disemboguing into the Sea. O how voluble! how quick! how facetious he was! What a Vertumnus, when he pleas'd to Argue, on the right side, and on the contrary! These Things will be living in the memory of the longest Survivor that ever heard him. In this Trial, wherein he stood now to be judged by so many Attic and Exquisite Wits, he striv'd to exceed himself, and shew'd his Cunning marvelously, that he could invalidate every Argument brought against him with variety of Answers. It was well for all sides, that the best Di­vine in my Judgment, that ever was in that place, Dr. Davenant held the Rains of the Disputation; he kept him within the even Boundals of the Cause; he charm'd him with the Caducaean Wand of Dialectical Prudence; he order'd him to give just Weight and no more. Horat. l. 1. Od. 3. Quo non Arbiter Adriae major tollere, seu ponere vult freta. Such an Arbiter as he was now, such he was, and no less, year by year, in all Comitial Disputations; wherein whosoever did well, yet conslantly he had the greatest Acclamation. To the close of all this Exercise I come. The grave elder Opponents having had their courses, Mr. Williams, a new admitted Batchelor of Divinity, came to his Turn last of all. Presently there was a Smile in the Face of every one that knew them both, and a prejudg­ing that between these two there would be a Fray indeed. Both jealous of their Credit, both great Masters of Wit, and as much was expected from the one, as from the other. So they fell to it with all quickness and pertinency, yet (thank the Moderator) with all candor; like Fabius and Marcellus, the one was the Buck­ler, the other the Sword of that Learned Exercise. No Greyhound did ever give a Hare more Turns upon Newmarket Heath, then the Replier with his Subtleties gave to the Respondent. A Subject fit for the Verse of Mr. Abraham Hartwel in his Regina Literata, as he extols Dr. Pern's Arguments made before Queen Eliza­beth: Quis sulmine tanto tela jacet? tanto fulmine nemo jacet. But when they had both done their best with equal Prowess, the Marshal of the Field, Dr. Davenant, cast down his Warder between them, and parted them. A Fable comes into my Memory, That Vulcan, to despite Diana, made a Dog which should catch every thing he hunted, called [...], and Diana, to despite Vulcan, made a Fox which could never be catch'd in Hunting, called [...]: And all the Gods and Goddesses could never reconcile the Contradiction, till upon one Chase both the Dog and the Fox ran themselves to death; which Ovid compriseth in a little, Lib. 3. Metamor.

The Moral in a great part may suit well with these two unvanquish'd Dispu­tants. The Bishop of Bath and Wells, Dr. Montagu, gave great demonstration of Affection to Mr. Williams ever after his Negotiation in this Act. As Velleius says, Nulla festinatio hujus viri mentionem debet transgredi: That Bishop was a Reverend and Learned Father in the Church, a most loving Son to his Mother the Univer­sity; he was full of good Works, as Bath and Farnham, and Winchester-house in Southwark, could testifie, if these impious and overthrowing Times had let them stand, and many more recited by Bishop Godwin in his Catalogue of Bishops. [Page 27]This was the good Man, who from henceforth was the truest Friend to Mr. Wil­liams of all that did wear a Rochet to his Last Day; who, after these two sublime Performances of the Responsion for Batchelorship of Divinity, and Opponent's Place in the Great-Day before the most Illustrious Princes, retired to his Home, for so I must now call the Lord Chancellor's Family.

34. He was now in the House of Obed-Edom, where every thing prosper'd, and all that pertain'd to him. The Chaplain understood the Soil on which he had set his Foot, that it was rich and fertile, able with good Tendance to yield a Crop after the largest Dimensions of his Desires. To be well then, was but to be well now. His fore-casting Mind thought of the future, how to stock himself with Experience, with Wisdom, with Friends in greatest Grace, with other Viaticum for the longest Journey of his ensuing Life. Let me use the Phrase correctedly, He lived not for half a Time, but for a Time and Times. He never liv'd Ex tempore, but upon premeditation to day what to do long after. As a wise Man says, Non disponet singula, nisi cui jam vitae summa propesita est; Sen. Ep. 71. Par­ticular Actions will be kept in method, when Providence hath affected the Sum and End of them. As at Chess, the Idea of the Game must be in the Head of the Gamester, then the Remove of every Chess-man promotes it. The Chaplain be­gan his part, as any wise Man would, to demerit his Lord with all due Offices, and prudent bearing, and he got it faster then he fought it. He pleas'd him with his Sermons: He took him mainly with his sharp and solid Answers, to such Que­stions as were cast forth at Table to prove his Learning: His Fashion and Garb to the Ladies of the Family, who were of great Blood and many, was more Courtly a great deal then was expected from a Scholar: He receiv'd Strangers with courtesie, and labour'd for their satisfaction: He Interposed gravely, as be­came a Divine, against the Disorders of the lowest Servants: And unto all these plausible Practises, the Back-bone was continual diligence. Other Things that commended him no less, or perhaps more, were these: My Lord Elsmore was at that time Chancellor of the University of Oxford; whose References and Peti­tions, when they were brought before that great Judge, the Chaplain, newly come from the Sister-Corporation, understood them more suddenly then all that were about his Master; and was cunning at the first Opening to propound, how to bring them into the just Academical way to be determin'd. And the Opinion which he gave did so constantly Arbitrate all those Complaints, that the truly admired Bishop of London, Dr. King, would sometimes call him pleasantly, The Chancellor of Oxford. The second Part of his Industry, to make his Acceptance so gracious, was, That he was stored with Friends in the Courts of the King and Prince, from whence he gather'd Intelligence fit for the Hearing of his Master: Not blind Rumours, or the frothy Talk of the Lobbies; but weighty Passages carried in a Mist before they came to Light: Clouds that at the first rising were scarce so big as an hand, yet portending mighty Tempests when they fell. For he had a Palate to taste their Court-Wine, when it was working in the Must. Every day this Sufficiency grew with him more and more, till he became the only Jewel, which the Lord Chancellor hung in his Ear. Yet in four months after he fell to this Trade, his best Customer fail'd him; the Court of the Prince being Dissolv'd by the Death of Prince Henry, Nov. 6. 1612. with whom so much Light was extinguish'd, that a thick Darkness, next to that of Hell, is upon our Land at this day. O matchless Worthy! live in everlasting Fame with the Elogy given by that quaint Historian Velleius to Pub.Rutilius; Non seculi sui, sed omnis aevi optimus. The third Step of Felicity upon which he clim'd, Eis [...], as it is Athanasius his Metaphor, into the Bosom of his Master's Soul, was, That he had pick'd up in a short space some Gleanings, in his own modest words in the knowledge of the Common Laws of the Realm, but indeed full Sheaves, if his Acquaintance may be believ'd. He remitted not the Studies of his own Science and Profession; but having read the Tenures, the Doctor and Student, and somewhat else like unto them, at hours of Relaxation, he furnish'd himself with no little quantity of that Learning, by Discourse and Conference, and enquiring after some cases how they sped in the Courts of Justice. When he was at a non­plus, he respited that Difficulty till he met with Sir John Walker, (afterward Lord Chief Baron) whose Judgment was most agreeable to his Genius. This was his Practise, not now, but all along, to gather up more at the Interspaces of Leisure, then others do at their Study. Which was the Contrivance of Scipio Aemilianus, the Sir Philip Sidney of the Old Romans, Neque quisquam Scipione elegantius inter­valla negotiorum otio dispunxit, says the Character of the Author lately cited.

[Page 28] 35. Here I will provide a little to set my Shoulder against the Justle of an Objection. Perhaps some will say, What did the Study of our Laws belong to him? The Dainties of the Scriptures were his daily Diet prescrib'd him by his Calling. Why did he seed upon those coarse Coleworts? And who could spare any of the Time of this short Life, when the Work of a Divine is more then this Life can dispatch, so that the Remainder must be learnt in Life Eternal? Some­what to that purpose is pithily express'd by Seneca; Quae dementia est in tantâ tem­poris egestate supervacua discere? Ep. 48. And what say you to the Judgment of Pope Honorius the Third, who sat, an. 1216. who forbad all Clerks to study Phy­sick, or the Pandects of the Laws? Or to the Emperor Justin the elder, who lived 600 years before Honorius, c. leg. 41. Opprobrium est si Ecclesiastici peritos se ve­lint ostendere legum forensium? I say, those Laws must be weighed with Grains of Temper and Charity. Whom Nature hath made docile, it is injurious to prohi­bit him from learning any thing that is docible. Marie he that forsakes his holy Calling, and lists himself in another Warfare, that gives himself up wholly to scrape a Livelihood from curing Diseases, or fogging in Secular Causes, is a Rene­gado, and must be brought back again to his Colours with the Infamy of a Fugi­tive. But far is he from being guilty of this Fault, who serves Christ Jesus faith­fully in the Labour of the Gospel, and can do it the better by poizing Humane Laws, and trying how consonant they are to God's Justice; and by searching the Virtue of Plants and other Creatures, can find out how wonderful the Almighty is in all his Works. The Collation between Moses and the Imperial Laws, which Paulus Modestinus, and others of his Robe have made, why may not a Minister peruse it with as much profit as an Advocate? It were a Tyranny, more then barbarous, to confine a Wit, that hath a Plummet to found the depth of every Well that the Arts have digged; or to clip his Wings, that he may not fly into every Bush as freely as the Fowls of the Air. Padre Paulo the Frier, the brightest Star in the Hemisphere of Italy, was second to none in Divinity while he liv'd; equal with the best Doctors in Rome or Siena in explicating Canon or Civil Laws; and above all the Practisers of Padua, or in the World, in understanding the Aescula­pian Art, says Fulgentius. Albericus Gentilis spoke it, to do Honour to the Indu­stry of Dr. Reynolds of Corpus-Christi College, that he thought that great [...] had read as much in the Civil Law as himself. Wherein then consists the diffe­rence? Why might not Mr. Williams examine the Cases, Reports, and Maxims, of our Municipal Laws to be expert in them? Both being egg'd on into it by the Happiness of his Attendance in the Pretorian Court, where he might learn much, and labour little for it; and making it the Recreation, not the Intermission of his proper Studies. Therefore out of Charity give him leave to gather Stubble where he would, since he fulfil'd his Task of Brick, Exod. 5.18. The Lord Chancellor did highly countenance him in it, and was so taken with his Pregnancy, that at his leisure-times, both for his own solace, and his Chaplain's furtherance, he would impart to him the Narration of some famous Causes, that had been debated in Chan­cery, or Star-Chamber. What could not such a Master teach? What could not such a Scholar learn? Socrates says in Plato of Alcibiades, that he Gloried in nothing so much, as that he was Ward to Pericles, and brought up under him. Neither had this Chaplain a more graceful Ornament to shew in the Eyes of the World, then that he was Disciple to the Lord Egerton. That great Senator, the most judi­cious Judge and Counsellor of his Age, would not have disparaged himself to give a young Divine so great a Place in his Affections, but that he had founded him, and discover'd him to be a person of rare Abilities. By this favour to which he had attained, though he was not in the place of one of the Secretaries, yet he be­came to be like a Master of Requests; especially in weightier Petitions he could prevail more then any other Minister, which was not to be presisted by the other Officers. He had a Mind full of worth, and full of warmth, and no place became him so well as the foremost; as Pliny says of Cocks, lib. 10. c. 21. Imperitant suo generi, & regnum in quâcunque sunt domo exercent. None of his Fellows had cause to repent, that he rode upon the Fore-Horse. For he was courteous, and ready to mediate in any Cause, and as bountiful as might be wish'd; for he left all Fees and Veils of Profit to those to whom they did belong. By this, in a little while, they that would have kept him back at first, did their utmost to put him forward; which did not need. For the Lookers on did mark, that his Lord did not only use him in his most principal Employments, but delighted to confer with him; for it is a State-Rule: Raro eminentes viri non magnis adjutoribus ad gubernandam fortu­nam suam usi sunt. Yet this latter Favour, the Nature of the Lord Chancellor [Page 29]considered, was greater then the former. For though he was as good a Master to his Followers as ever was serv'd, yet he was of an austere Gravity, and rather Bountiful then Affable. Now though it be as clear as any Ocular Demonstration, that the Chaplains full and absolute Parts did introduct him to this Love and Like­ing; yet I will not say, but that which brought it to this Growth and Excess was a sympathy of Souls, which is a knitting of Souls by secret Ligaments that tran­scend Reason. Our Genetl [...]iacal Writers, perhaps, would call it Synastrta, which is a wrong Word for a right Meaning.

36. By this opportunity he interceded, that divers Benefices, which fell to the Lord Chancellor's Presentation, should be devolved upon deserving Scholars, and quickly became a great Patron before he was a Bishop. They were Godly Men whom he oblig'd, and such as had waited long in the Universities, and fit to be called forth to use their Talents. If he displeased any in the use of this Power, they wey were such as presumed upon ancient Acquaintance, more then upon their Merit. Pity and Power meeting equally in him, swarms of Scholars flock'd about him. Those whose Backs were bowed down with tedious and chargeable Suits, he was the Sanctuary to which they sled; and he refused none. This diffu­sed Humanity to so many that stood in need of help, is that which Marc. Anto­nius the Emperor calls Natural Duty: [...]. It suits with the Nature of a Man to take all Men into their Compassion and Care. I have heard some of those distressed ones, that were Strangers to him before, with whom he had never chang'd a word, when they re­turn'd back to Cambridge with Peace and quiet Possession of their own, speak of his Goodness to Admiration, that he would teach them either the validity or weakness of their Cause, commend them to faithful Attorneys and able Counsel, work the Officers and Clerks of the Courts to abatement of Fees, thrust Money into their hands that wanted it, the Nerves of Law as well as of War. Especially if the Cause concern'd the Title of their Living, or the Right of their Tithes, he would sweat and bestir him for his poor Brethren, and never forsake them, till Sacrilege and Oppression were charm'd with the golden Meet wand of Justice. The way that some use in the manner of their doing a thing, makes them to be rumour'd for their Courtesie above many others, though they do not affect it. So the Chaplain's readiness and Felicity in assisting the Clergy, was in a little while [...]lked among Church-men in all places; so that not a few of the Bishops, and Chapters of Cathedral Churches, who were encumbred about their Leases and Priviledges, In foro Litigioso, thought it their best way to send their Messengers, and to shew their Condition to him, who was easily entreated to be their Servant and Solicitor; and he was like one that lay Lieger at London for their Dispatches. But being of a most tender and dutiful Regard to such Reverend Persons, he did always acquaint his Lord and Master with a Breviate of their Grievances, and humbly besought his Judgment for Support and Remedy; and steering by that Oraculous Wisdom, he never put forth into the troubled Waters for those Digni­ties and Foundations, but they came merrily to the Haven with Bon-adven­ture.

37. His own Share follows: For by coming to that pitch of Interest with so great and good a Lord, as he befriended many, so in the space of about 5 years that he lived with him, he compass'd a plentiful Fortune to himself, from that Bounty which denied him nothing, and commonly prevented him before he ask'd. Methinks it was that sweet Patron's Speech, which Pliny makes the fruitful Earth to speak to us all, Lib. 23. in Prooem. Ex me parata omnia, sese porrigentia ultro, & si pigeat attingere, etiam cadentia. I have provided all things for us, I offer them to you voluntarily, if you will not gather them, they shall fall down at your Feet of their own accord. To be particular, he confer'd the Parsonage of Walgrave in Northamptonshire upon him, and no other Cure of Souls by direct Presentation. For the Lord Chancellor had declar'd in the Conference at Hampton-Court before King James, pag. 58. That he did not dislike the Liberty of our Church, in granting two Benefices to one Man; But out of his own private Purpose and Practise, he disposed such Livings as he gave, that some might have single Coats that wanted them, before others had Doublets. But by his furtherance, the Chaplain had like­wise the Rectory of Grafton-Underwood, in the same County, lying in a very small distance from Walgrave, gratifying the Patron with as good or better in some other Shire. Divers Cathedral Churches offered their Preferments to him, be­cause they needed such a Collegue, and some to make amends for his former Civi­lities. In the Church of Lincoln he was a Prebendary and Resident, with the [Page 30]Chantorship of the same. He had a Choral Place in the Minster of Peterborough, and in the Churches of Hereford and St. David's. Neither the Canons of our Church, nor the Statutes of our Realm, have provided an Incapacity for holding Plurality of Prebends. I find indeed among the Decretals of the Popes, a Con­stitution of Urban the Second, an. 1087. running thus: Licet Episcopi dispositione unus diversis praeesse possit Ecclesiis, Canonicus tamen Praebendarius nisi unius Ecclesiae in quà conscriptus est, esse non debet. An Order which they keep, till any Man, that hath occasion to transgress it, brings enough in his hand to pay for a Dispensa­tion. These Stalls therefore he possess'd in Cathedral Foundations, for which the Lord Chancellor was well pleased by exchange of some of his own Preferments, to make amends to those who had confer'd their Kindness upon his faithful Servant. Nay yet further, Mantissae loco, he gave him a Donative (called Sine curâ) in Wales, which was equal in Profit to any Endowment that he held. Here was a glut of Preferment indeed, will some say: Be it so; it was the Liberality of a large and a loving-hearted Master, that would let him do no less; and it is as true, that the Chaplain desired no less. Aristotle lived in the most flourishing times of Greece, and perceiving that the valiantest Heroes that attended Alexander grew very rich, he framed this Axiom, Lib. 3. ad Nicom. That great Spirits are willing to be wealthy, to reward and gratifie others. Doubtless such as are of an high-flown Animosity, affect Fortunas Laciniosas, as one calls it; a Fortune that sits not strait and close to the Body, but like a loose and a flowing Garment. They would spend to be be­lov'd, and to oblige as far as they can; and that cannot be done out of a narrow Revenue. Salmasius (O what a Miracle of Judgment and Learning!) wrote bountifully, and liv'd bountifully, as I have heard: These are his words, Lib. de Usur. p. 392. Quomodo liberalis esse potest, qui nihil plus acquireret, quàm quod sibi ad victum necessarium sufficere queat? They that talk of possessing no more then to content Nature, must live with such as know no other People but themselves, else it is impossible but they will depart from that Primitive Simplicity. And truly I have known but few, perhaps none, that would not be content to have had all the Chaplain's Portion, or more, if they had liv'd in as good a way of getting. I do not excuse him therefore, it need not, that he got sufficient Wealth, and bestow'd it Charitably, and Honourably, as will be manifested. Whither it be Tully or Panaetius that says it, or both, it is well said, as I learnt it in my Les­sons of Puerility, Lib. 1. de Off. Neque rei familiaris amplificatio vituperanda est, ne­mine nocens; sed fugienda semper injuria. Riches that are augmented out of Nig­gardice, or by Cheating, Extortion, or doing unworthy Offices, carry their Curse along with them; those that are well gotten, are the Blessing of God. The Adjection of Wealth then was not to be refus'd, by one that serv'd not such an Idol, but made it serve him for worthy Purposes. Neither did his franc and ge­nerous Nature esteem such Things to be the Recompence of five years Service, but this rather, to be brought up at the Feet of the most prudent Counsellor that lived in the King's Service, and that he got his Favour so early, and held it so strongly till Death, which came on apace. An. 1616. in October, this aged Pa­triarch began to languish and droop. Therefore to recreate him, and to put an after-spring into his decaying Spirits, the Prince with due Solemnity being crea­ted Prince of Wales, Nov 4. the Lord Chancellor was created Viscount Brackley on the 7th of the same. This Honour was a Token that the King held him Pre­cious, yet it work'd not inward. Who did ever see, that the Sand in an Hour-Glass did run the flower, because the Case in which it was put was guilded? For all this Viscountship his Feebleness was more and more sensible, the Eyes that look'd out of the Windows were darkned, and he grew thick of Hearing. From thence, that is about January, he delighted not in any Talk, unless his Chaplain spoke to him. All his Business with his Great and Royal Master the King, he sent by him to be deliver'd with Trust and Prudence. Upon which Messages the King took great notice, that the Chaplain was Principled by his Master to be a States­man, and a Pillar of the Kingdom. And even hard upon the day of his Death, which was Mart. 15. the Chancellor call'd him to him, and told him, If he wanted Money, he would leave him such a Legacy in his Will, as should furnish him to begin the World like a Gentleman. Sir, (says the Chaplain) I kiss your hands, you have fill'd my Cup full, I am far from Want, unless it be of your Lordships Directions how to live in the World, if I survive you. Well, (says the Chancellor) I know you are an expert Workman, take these Tools to work with, they are the best I have. And he gave him some Books and Papers written all with his own hand. These were as Valuable as the Sibylline Prophesies. They were that old Sage's Collections for the well [Page 31]ordering the High Court of Parliament, the Court of Chancery, the Star-Chamber, and the Council-Board. An inestimable Gift, being made over to the true Heir Apparent of his Wisdom. Let every one wear the Garland he deserves. For my part, I attribute so much to the Lord Egerton, that I believe the Master's Papers were the Marrow of Mr. Williams his Prudence, and subtle Judgment in all his Negotiations. These Notes I have seen, but are lost, as it is to be feared, in un­lucky and devouring Times. So died that Peerless Senator, the Mirror of a Lord Chancellor, having left that Blessing to his Chaplain and dear Servant, that be­wailed him long after with the mourning of a Dove, and attended his Body to Cheshire, and said the Office of Burial over him in a Chapel, where he was entomb'd with his Ancestors: Whose surviving Name a Grave cannot cover, and a Tomb is too little to preserve it. You may measure him in much by these two Spans: ‘Queen Elizabeth’ (says Mr. Cambden) ‘was a Lady that never Chose amiss in the Preferment of an Officer, when she was left to her own Judgment. She made him her Solicitor, Attorney-General, Master of the Rolls, and Lord-Keeper. She tried him in every Place of Trust, the former meriting the latter, till he pos­sess'd the highest. King James did more, not because he gave him the splendid Name of Lord-Chancellor, or enobled him with the Titles of a Baron and a Viscount, but because in the open Court of Star-Chamber he bless'd him with his Prayers, (and the Speech wherein he made the Prayer is Printed with his Works) That as he had long held that Place, so God would continue him longer in it.’ To know him altogether, I will borrow the Character of Aemilianus, and engrave it into the green Saphir of his Memory, which will ever keep green: Qui nihil in vitâ nisi laudandum aut fecit, aut dixit, aut sensit.

38. While the Obsequies for the Entertainment of this deceased Lord were prepa­ring at London, the Successor unto the Office of the great Seal was Sir Francis Bacon, very Learned in the judgment of all European Scholars, especially best known at home, that his Soul was a Cabinet replenish'd with the greatest Jewels of Wit, and in all our Kingdom none did ever set them forth with purer Language. He hearing that Mr. Williams had chested up his Books, and had furnish'd himself every way for an House-keeper to remove to his Cure of Walgrave, he made him an offer of great Civility, to continue with him in that place, wherein he had serv'd the Lord Egerton, which he declined; but with so graceful a compliment, that they parted great Friends; and Sir Francis, willing to mark him with some cognizance of his Love, of his own accord made him Justice of Peace, and of the Quorum in the County of Northampton, an Office fitter for none than a Scho­lar and a Gentleman. Yet he could hot leave London, so God had provided, without a calling into a new Service, but it was in Caesars houshold. His faith­ful and fast Friend Dr. James Montagu, now Bishop of Winton, sent for him, and brought him to the King, who received him with consolatory Words, and extraordinary Grace, and commanded he should be Sworn his Chaplain forthwith, (whereupon he Attended at the Court yearly in the Month of February) ap­pointed him also to wait on him in his great Northern progress into Scotland, now hard at hand to begin in April ensuing; and pleasantly bad him expect the Labourers peny as soon as they that had serv'd him longer. But the Bishop of Winchester made a proposition before his Majesty for another employment, and both could not consist together; that whereas the Arch-Bishop of Spalato, a Pro­selyte much welcom'd at that time, was design'd to be present at Cambridge commencement in the next July, that he might behold the University in the fairest Trim, and hear the disputation, the best being ever provided for that ap­pearance, that Mr. Williams might be reserv'd unto that time for a double Service, to answer publickly in Divinity for the Degree of Doctor, the fittest to be the Days-man before that Learned Prelate, and likewise give him Hospitality, such as a great Guest deserv'd; so it was order'd, and so it was perform'd. Some men are right Learned, yet with all that worth steal out of the World unknown, because it was their ill hap never to be brought upon a Theatre of manifestation. And some are as Valiant as the best, and yet are never praised for it, because they were never invited into the Field to shew it. So Velleius speaks for Seianus, that he never Triumph'd, nou merito, sed materiâ adipiscendi triumphalia defectus est, he deserv'd it, but the matter of a Triumph never fell in his way. There are others, whom not only deliberate Advice, but every casualty and contingence puts forward to be Aspectabiles, it conducts them likely where they may best be viewed, and their full Stature seen upon the advantage of a Rising. I fall into this contemplation, because an Object is before me, wherein I may aptly Exem­plify. [Page 32]Dr. Williams (his Title for which he stood in the Act, an. 1617.) cull'd not out gaudy Seasons for vain Glory; that cannot be suspected, because he took all his Academical degrees in their just year: But he above, that disposeth all things, provided those Co-incidencies of great Resort and Celebrity, such as Arch-Bishop Spalato's Presence at this Commencement, to make his Worthiness be known the further. The Theses which he defended in the Vespers, and were imposed upon him by the over-ruling Power of the Vice-Chancellor and Heads of the Consistory, (it is their Right and Custom) were these: 1. Supremus Ma­gistratus nou est Excommunicabilis. 2. Subductio calicis est mutilatio Sacramenti & Sacerdotii. It was well for the Doctor that he was a right Stag, well breath'd, and had a fair Head with all his Rights; for I never heard a Respondent better hunted in all my time that I was a Commorant in Cambridge. The Opponents were the Princes of their Tribes, Men of Renown in their Generation; Dr. Richardson the first, Dr. Branthwait, Dr. Ward, Dr. Collins, Dr. Alabaster, Dr. Goad, [...], who did Honour the University that day, to the admiration of Mr. An­tonie de Dominis, with the utmost of their Learning. Every Argument they pres­sed, was a Ramm to throw down the Bulwarks of the Cause, and yet it totter'd not, neither did the Answerer give ground. Such a Disputation was worthy to be heard, which was carried with equal Praise of the Assailants, and Defendants. As Plutarch, lib. [...], says of Moral Precepts, that they require a good Speaker and a good Hearer with mutual Diligence, as a Game at Tennis is well play'd, [...]; When the Stroke is serv'd well, and the Service taken well.

39. That I may mix some Profit to the Reader in this Relation, I will let him know upon what Rules and Reasons the Respondent proceeded in the first Cause for the Conviction of all Gainsayers, both of the Pontifician part, and of the heady Consistories of some Reformed Churches. The Pontifician Rubbish he removed away, as a Dunghil of unsavoury Filth fit to be cast out of the Lord's Vine-yard either because the Popes medled so far beyond their own Bounds, at­tempting to send out Effulminations against Christian Kings in all Countries, upon Arrogation of an Universal bishoprick, which hath the Plenitude of all Jurisdi­ction in it self alone, to which they have exalted themselves without Christ's War­rant and Seal; or, because by the Declaratory Sentence of their Excommunica­tions, they inflict the highest Temporal Indignities upon Kings that can be ima­gin'd: As inhibiting their Courts of Justice to proceed any further, till he that sits in the Throne shall receive Absolution from their Grace: Absolving their Sub­jects from obligation of all Service and Fidelity: Deposing them from their Go­vernment, and exposing their Lives to Assassinate. For though they do not say, that such Effects should necessarily go along with Excommunication, yet they maintain, That if the Pope see cause, such Tragical Punishments may be annex'd unto it. Far wide from the Truth. For it is evident, that an Excommunicated Person can be deprived of nothing by the Church, but that which is enjoyed through the Ministry of the Church, and its Priviledges; but how can he be dis­possess'd of that which he holds by Civil and Natural Right, which are not de­pendant upon Spiritual Relations? And as it is expedient to chip away these hard Crusts of Error, so neither is the Crum to be digested, which likes the Palates of some who are devoted to the Presbyterian Discipline. A King is not obnoxious to be interdicted, or deprived of the Sacraments by their Aldermen, who can shew no more for the Proof of such Officers, with whom they Organize a Church, then the Pope can for his unlimited Jurisdiction. Nor is it to be suffered, that they should deny a Christian King to be a Church-Officer properly, and by right of his Crown over Christian Subjects as Christians; whose Causes can never be separated by their Metaphysical Abstractions before distinct supreme Rulers that are co-ordinate; but that there will be endless Jarrs in their several Entrenchments, and God is not the God of Confusion. Should he that is next under God in all Causes be subject to the Courts of his Liege-People and Homagers? He is their common Parent; and the only Mandat how to bear our selves to our Father, is to Honour him: But what can make him more vile before the People, then to thrust him out of the Communion of Saints? Moreover the greater Excommunication includes in it the Horror of Anathematizing, or a Curse; but, Curse not the King, no not in thy thought, Eccles. 10.20. Neither would God give a constant Power to any which were in vain, and could not sting. Vanum est quod fine suo destuuitur. But it is vain to interdict a King, over whom there is no external Power appointed to bring him into order by Violence and Coercion, if he will not be Interdicted. [Page 33]In every Policy there must be a Supreme, that can be Judged of none, for else the Process between Party and Party would be Circular, or rather Infinite. These Aphorisms, and abundance more, flowed from the Doctor Respondent in the warmth of Disputation. Above all, his Answer was highly applauded, which he gave to Dr. Richardson's Argument, taken from the Excommunication or Ab­stension, which St. Ambrose exercised by his Episcopal Power over the Emperor Theodosius, for commanding a great Slaughter to be made upon the People of Thes­salonica in an hasty distemper of Anger, before their Cause was heard. To which Dr. Williams said, ‘That what St. Ambrose said, was neither Juridical Abstension, nor Excommunication: It was a private Act of St. Ambrose's, directed by the motion of his proper Piety, and not a Censure issuing from a Court or Autho­rity Ecclesiastical. And if at the same time another bishop, is of Rome, Aquileia, or Ravenna, had communicated with the Emperor, and received him to Prayers, and the Holy Sacrament, he might have done it, without the violation of any Canon. A particular Presbyter may do the like at this day, and with a good Conscience, withdraw himself from doing Sacred Offices, if a King, after often and humble Admonition continue Impenitent in great Sins, which the Day light hath detected. Therefore this was no Precedent for the Excommunication of the Supreme Magistrate, which was but a particular forbearance of St. Ambrose's in Sacred Duties, not to impact them for his share to so great an Offender, whom he left at liberty to all the World beside to partake with him. But he that is justly Excommunicated from one Congregation in [...]rict Discipline, is exclu­ded from all.’ This Answer was it which afforded most Matter of Discourse, and spread far, even to King James's Ear, who heard of it, and approved it. Much was not said to the Second Question, a Bush that had been often beaten. Yet there was some grappling about the new Clause, That the Subduction or De­nial of the Cup to the People, maimed the very Priesthood. But the Doctor maintain'd it thus: ‘That the Order of Priesthood is a Sacrament in the Roman Church; the Matter of which Sacrament, by a wretched shift, some of their Controversial Writers say, is the Bible laid upon the Neck of the Ordain'd, to furnish him to teach Christ's Mystical Body, together with the Paten and the Chalice put into his hand to authorize him to make Christ's Natural Body. If a Priest so Ordain'd were consin'd to Pray, and not to Preach to the People, it were a Mutilation of his Office. So if he be stinted to distribute the Consecra­ted Bread, and not the Cup, it is a cutting of one half of his Priesthood.’ This was the God-speed and the Good-speed of his Disputation. It were no Sin to forget the Feasts he made at this Solemnity. They were bounteous, nay exces­sive, after the usual Trespass of the superfluity of our Nation: Such as Plutarch says Lucullus made in his Dining-Room, which he calls Apollo. One thing de­serves a Smile, That the Doctor was at no little Cost to send to the Italian Ordi­naries at London, and to ransack the Merchants Stores for such Viands as might please Arch-Bishop Spalato out of his own Country. To which accates he was observ'd, that he never put his Hand towards them, but lik'd our Venison and English Dishes a great deal better, he Thank'd him. But enough of this; for many do not love the smell of a Kitchin.

40. Presently after he had shewn himself such a Man in this Field of Honour, Veianius armis Herculis ad postem fixis latet abditus agro: Horat. Ep. 1. He never went more chearful to any place then to his private Home, the Rectory of Wal­grave, as if then he had been call'd from the Custom-house of the World to fol­low Christ; or as if he had been one of David's Mariners landed at a quiet Shore: Psal. 107.30. Then they are glad because they be at rest, so he bringeth to the Haven of their desire. His Cost was over before he came thither; For there he had built, and garden'd, and planted, and made it a Dwelling sit for all the changeable Seasons of the Year, as much when Warmth, as when Pleasure was intended. Here he became his own Master for a while; here he could solace himself in pri­vate Retirements; here he was attended by Mutes like the Monarchs of the East, by so many Volumes of a well replenish'd Library. As Vatia said in Seneca, when he went out of Rome to live in his little Villa three Year before he died, Fuit Vatia multos annos, vixit tantùra tres; So this Doctor might have written, that in three Years, or not fully four, that he kept for the most part in this Bower of Tran­quility, he lived the Comforts of twenty. The harmless Country Cottages bred more Saints, who are only seen unto the Eyes of God, then would fill a thousand Calenders. Why may not the Speech of Christ to his Church look this way, Cant. 7.11. Come my Beloved, let us go forth into the Field, let us lodge in the Village [...] [Page 34]To track him a little in this shady Life; He hazarded to lose his Health by exces­sive Study at all the Hours of the Clock, but preserv'd it by Temperance. For though he were greatly Hospital, the Cloth that cover'd his Table being always cover'd with Dishes, yet with Carving and Discoursing he gave his own Appetite but a short Bait. Velleius says, that great Caesar discern'd, that none but a tem­perate Man could do mighty things, Qui somno & cibo in vitam, non in voluptatem uteretur: Through Temperance he had strength to be Industrious, and gave a good Example to the Divines his Neighbours, who had need to have such prick'd in here and there among them. For a Country Minister hath master'd a great Tentation, that hath overcome Sloth, a Mischief that will fear upon the Soul with too much craft and sweetness. Idleness is commonly the English Gentleman's Disease, and the Rural Curate's Scandal. Let the first learn from as good a Gentle­man, as the best of them, Marc. Antoninus the Emperor, lib. 9. who writes thus: ‘Rise early; leave the Bed of Sluggishness to them that are sick in Body or Mind. And being up, it were as good you were laid down again, as not to be guilty of so much Reason to know, you rose to do the Work of a Man, (which is, not to waste all the day in sporting with Beasts:) [...]:’ That is, ‘Why should I be loth to be put to the Employment of some Work, for I was made for that use; and I came for that end into the World.’ Let others learn from a greater then Antoni­nus, that Labour and Watching, Pureness and Knowledge, are the Gifts that commend them to be the Ministers of God, 2 Cor. 6.4. They are Master-Builders, and must not loiter, who should set all to work. Or, to pass a sharper Sentence, It is cer­tain, that the worst of Superstition is an Idol, and the worst of Idols is an Idle Shepheard, (that is, Who hath a Mouth, and speaks not?) Zech. 11.17. This Doctor, that walk'd as a burning Light before his Brethren, did the whole Office that belong'd unto him, as Reading the Liturgy of Divine Service Wednnesdays and Fridays before such as would attend Prayer, Expounding the Catechism to the simple Ones in Lent, and upon all Holy-Days, Preaching constantly twice every Lords-Day at Walgrave, or at Grafton, and performing his Turn at Kettering, a Market-Town not much remote, in a Lecture supplied by a Combination of the Learned'st Divines of the Vicinage. Who hath not heard him say that knew him, it was so often in his mouth, that the way to get the Credit from the Non-Confor­mitants was to out-preach them? Who in great part were Covetous, Cross-grain'd, Half-witted, and Distractious, and had nothing but much Preaching to make them plausible and popular. No marvel if such had crept into the good Opinion of weak Judges, who resided much, and taught their Charge themselves; and that others suffered hard Construction, who seldom spake to their Congregation, but through the hollow Trunk of their Curates and Hirelings. It was a witty Scorn which Dicaerchus put upon the Husband-men of Tanagra, a Town in Baeotia, [...]; That they all liv'd upon Farms, yet they Plowed not themselves, but their Drudges for them. If this were unthriftily done in Humane Tillage, how much worse is it in God's Husbandry, which is a Culture of Souls? No Man will be so gross to endite himself, that he loves to hide his Talent in a Napkin, and to do nothing. I will prae-occupate what he will rather say, That other Affairs of Weight do take him up. But Conscientious Gerson will not allow him that Excuse, as I find it in him, Lib. de Vit. Spirit. Sanctius est Ecclesiasticum per sese Deo servire, ac mundo per Vicarium, quàm ordine inverso, imò perverso. If an Ecclesiastic have other Irons in the Fire, beside his Pastoral Charge, let him serve the World by his Deputy, and God in his own Person.

41. But this Diligence of often Preaching were but sorrily commended in the Doctor, unless the Weight go along with the Measure. If any man speak, let him speak as the Oracles of God, says St. Peter, [...] Ep. c. 4. v. 11. This was the Canon by which he did adorn his Pulpit, he deliver'd that which was Oraculous, wel [...] Studied, premeditated with Care, able to draw the Consciences of his Hearers into his Drag-Net, yet not with the enticing words of Man's Wisdom, but in the demonstration of the Spirit, and of Power, 1 Cor. 2.4. [...] mean, that always he laid his Principles out of the Doctrine of Christ, yet he burnish'd them brighter with all sort of comely Literature, as well what the Doctors of the Church afforded, as those that are without. For Human Literature is made Sacred, when it is well inoculated into Divinity; which is willing to entertain the Assistance of every Art, not as a Corri­val, but as an Handmaid. It was his Judgment, That rude unordain'd Dunces would in the Licentiousness of some Tumults thrust into our Pulpits, (and is it not come to pass to the very pricking of our Hearts?) if the true Possessors did teach [Page 35]them by their Negligence, to fill up the Time with Babling and vacuity of Matter, like them that jangle the Bells to no Tune, and are never out, because they were never in. Therefore for his part he never set Husks or Orts, but his Dainties be­fore the People. Which Expectation likewise did promote, for his Church was throng'd every Sunday, with the Gentry especially, of all the Neighbouring Parishes. We have extant but one touch and no more of his Skill, according to the elevation of his Learning in those days, a Sermon preached before K. James at Theobalds, Febr. 22. 1619. upon this Text, Matth. 11.8. What went you out for to see? A man clothed in soft Raiment? Behold they that wear soft Clothing are in Kings houses. A Sermon like one of Ph [...]cion's Orations, which Plut [...]rch compares to the Cretick Wine, which was, [...], an Aromatick Liquor, which was sweet, and yet had a quick austerity upon the Palate. So this Piece of his is very sweet in the Composure, and yet very tart against the sinfulness of vain Attire; wherein wanton Quaedams in those days came to that excess, that they delighted altogether in the Garb, and Habit, and roisterly Fashions of Men: This Sermon the King did greatly approve, as a fit Antidote against such corrupt Manners, and commanded it to be Printed. For the Doctor himself never wrote any thing, with intention to let the World see it in the Press, unless necessity constrain'd him.

42. The next thing of Laudable Account in his Deportment at Walgrave, but in a long Interval after the former, was his liberal House-keeping: For he liv'd like a Magnifico at home. His Brethren the Clergy, both of the better and of the lower Fortune, visited him much; whose Love he repaid with Courtesie, Confe­rence, and Hospitality. He had mightily won the Friendship of all the Gentry in the whole District about him, and had such favour and countenance from the Nobility likewise, that they vouchsafed their Presence at his Feasts, but chiefly for his Musick-sake, which was the Banquet they came for; and he was furnish'd very well both for Voices and Instruments in his own Family. It was Sump­tuous, I confess, for one of his Level in those days. But allow him this for the Recreation of his Spirit, the rather because I never knew him so much as dip his Senses in any other Pleasure. I pass by these Grandees, the Flower of the Coun­ty, whose Hearts he stole with these Obligements. But they were the Poor and Needy, for whom he brake his Bread especially, and replenish'd their hungry Souls with Goodness. Give a Portion to seven, and also to eight, says Salomon, Eccles. 11.2. So he never murmur'd that their Number was too great that came to his Door for Charity. It follows in the same Scripture, If the Clouds be full of Rain, they empty themselves upon the Earth: So out of his fulness he drop'd fatness upon the Indigent without making distinction, because the same Earth is the Pa­rent unto all. The Town of Walgrave indeed, where he abode, had some right to share in his Beneficence above others: And so it did. The Labourer, that was so near a Neighbour, knew often where to fill his empty Stomach, and the Thirsty where to drink that which would cherish him. The Decrepit, the Widow, and the Fatherless, resorted when they pleased to the common Refectory of them all. The Sick, who of the Comfortless are most to be compassionated, he came to them to their [...] Bed to pray for them, and to bless them, gave them largely from his Purse to succour them, not seldom paid the Fees of their Physicians, and always cherish'd them from his own Kitchin with Broths and Cordial Decoctions. These were the Issues of a plentiful Estate, a single Life, and a merciful Heart. This was the Oyl of a wise Virgin's Lamp. I follow St. Chrysostom, who was my Leader in that Exposition of our Saviour's Parable, Mat. 25. on this wise: You that are unmarried, and live chastly, you have conquer'd the Love of the Flesh; but if you will be wise Virgins, you must conquer Covetousness, and the Love of the World. Will you know the way to it? Fill your Vessels with Oyl: That's your Wisdom. [...]. And what Vessels are so fit to receive your Oyl, as the Bellies of the Poor? Many of these dry Lamps he succour'd; and the Lord anointed him again with fresh Oyl, and made his Olive-yard encrease. He that hath pity on the Poor lendeth unto God, and what he hath given he will pay him again, Prov. 19.17. For at this time one rich Sheaf was added to his Store by a valuable Legacy bequeathed to him, a great Wind-fall (as we commonly say) from his Kinsman Mr. John Panton, Servant with him to the Lord Chancellor Egerton, who by his Last Will appointed him to be Guardian to his Children, and with due discharge of that great Trust he bred them virtuously, and bestow'd them happily. No sooner had he gather'd up this Income, but ano­ther Dole of Fortune fell into his Lap, and much more unlook'd for then the [Page 36]other. While the King was in his Summer-Progress in the West, the Deanery of Salisbury became void by the Death of Dr. Gordon; straightway many Eagles were about that Carcass, and the Marquess of Buckingham struck in for one of the Com­petitors, a deserving Scholar: But the King gave him a Denial, and sent for Dr. Williams, a Man that could not be heard of in a fortnight, as it fell out, till he was found at Lincoln, most remote from the Court, upon the Duty of his Residency. This was the first Step of his Dignity, to which no Hand help'd to raise him but the King's. He was bereft of his dear Friend Dr. James Mou­tagu Bishop of Winton, who died on the 19th of July in the same Summer, if my Notes do not err. Beside him, he had dependance on none about His Majesty. Yet God moved the King's Heart to confer this Favour upon him, when he did not so much as stand in His Gracious Sight: But it was better that he was in His Heart. The old Romans were churlish, or rather unjust, in bestowing their Ho­nours, because none in their Republic might be advanced to an Office, but such as courted the People, and fauned on them for their Suffrages. Their Decree runs thus: In honoribus conferendis nullius absentis habeatur ratio. Alex. ab Alexandro, lib. 8. c. 3. Whereas Baseness and Ambition are better prevented, when Places of Pre-eminence are cast upon them, that stir not in the Suit, neither aspire to Pro­motion. Being so suddenly admitted into this Deanery, which is as rich as any in the Land, except four, yet he lived not much in that Place. His Predecessor Dr. Gordon, a Stranger, and unacquainted with our Customs, remitted the Care of the Church wholly to the management of the Residentiaries, grave Men, but subtle and attentive to their own Emolument, who contended to keep up the Power they had long enjoyed, when one more knowing and active came into Dr. Gordon's room. Though their Claim were wrong, yet the new Dean, to step out of the way of Contention, appear'd but seldom in their Chapter, but reposed himself in the Tranquility of Northamptonshire, till a better Advancement within the space of two Years released him from those Wranglers.

43. As yet then he made his Abode most commonly at Walgrave: The place was healthful; for no Air is so wholsom to a Man, as where he is generally belo­ved. Of which Love, his share was the greater, by his Place which he held among them of a Justice of the Peace. He was as expert in weilding that Office as any that sate upon the Bench, not excepting those that wore the Coif. For vouching of Statutes, he needed no Man to prompt him, or to compare Old and New, or to interpret them to their fair meaning. He loved his Country, and was the forwardest of any Patriot to defend the public against private Engros­ments. He was stout, and never turn'd his back to opposition, chiefly when the Oppressions of the poor Clergy did modestly call upon him to maintain them in their just Rights. It is their hard hap in every place to be trampled upon, not only by such as Gallio, that care not for the Things of Christ, but by such whose Zeal is compounded of contrary Elements, they love the Harvest of the Gospel, if you will believe them, and hate the Labourers. But in that County, while Dean Williams was present, they did eluctate out of their Injuries with credit to themselves, and damage to their Adversaries: So much did his Countenance con­duce to their Profit, and their Peace. If private Wranglings were brought before him, he seldom granted to those Parties his Warrant to proceed, but counsel'd them, and preach'd them out of their Litigious Humours, saying, ‘That it was for Christ's Servant to Suffer twice, before he Complain'd once; that Religion was unspirited without Love; and that Love was a blank without Forgiveness; that Variances, when all Charges are cast up, make the Purse light, and the Soul heavy.’ With these, and such words, some did melt into meekness, and shook hands, the rather being Reconciled in his Buttry, or his Cellar. But if they did not Edifie with such Homilies, many times he took another, and a surer course, to pay the Damages all, or in part, which one Neighbour alledged for the matter of his Quarrel against the other; till after Experience dear bought, he perceived he was cheated, and that some would seem to be Foes, because he used to be at cost to make them friends.

44. I would he had done himself no greater wrong as a Justiciary: But there was a Miscarriage, which I cannot pass over; a great deal of it was Error, but somewhat in it hath the wilfulness of a Fault. I am not wanton, like the Ladies that lodge about the Piazza in Covent-Garden, to lay a black Patch upon a fair Cheek, where it need not. No; my scope is to make his Over-sight a caution to others. For I intend in all that I write, (I appeal to God; who knows it) ra­ther to Profit many, then to Praise him. Plainly thus it was: Mr. Lamb, whom [Page 37]succeeding times knew to be Dean of the Arches, came, by holding fast to For­tune's middle Finger, from a School-master that taught Petties, to a Proctor in Christian Courts, and so to an Official. An Official, as Petrus Blasensis says of such another, not from the Noun Ossicium, but from Officio the Verb. The Dean of Salisbury had occasion to employ him thrice, or oftner, in those Spiritual Courts, to untangle some distressed Ministers that sought unto him, who were catch'd by the Horns in those Thickets. The Official did his work trustily, and pleas'd the Dean with as great obsequiousness as could be express'd, knowing that he had many long Feathers in his Wing, and was like to fly high. I do not accuse the Dean, that this Instrument was not yet detected to him. For read him what he was indeed out of the Description, which Tacitus gives, lib. 16. Annal. circa finem, to P. Egnatius, Client to Soranus the famous Senator; Cliens hic Sorani autoritatem Stoicae sectae praeferebat, habitu & ore ad exprimendam imaginem honesti exercitus, cae­terùm animo perfidiosus, & subdolus. Yet this Stoical Gravity did not long con­ceal him, but that his needless Vexations of harmless People, his cutting Fees, his Briberies, and other Muck of the same Dunghil made an out-cry, and put the King's good People to seek a Remedy, by preferring Articles against him at the Assizes, where he was charg'd home with an Alphabet of Misdemeanors. He pleaded to the general, that he was so much despited, because he had look'd more nar­rowly into the Disobedience of the Paritans, then formerly had been used. My Opinion is, that such Physicians of no value, Job 13.4. may cast the Water of such sick Distempers, but will never heal them: Infamous Judges may correct them, they will never rectifie them. For he that is fallen into a Moral Turpitude, is soon convinc'd in his own Mind; but he that is misguided by darkness of Un­derstanding, thinks that he doth right to his own Conscience by going wrong, and is never so well reclaim'd, as when he is mildly rebuk'd by them, whose open In­tegrity and Pity justifie them, that they walk as Children of the Light. But for the Particulars, which laid down so many Oppressions at the Official's door, they were not Dust which would be brush'd away with the Fox Tail, but Dirt that stuck to him, till the Dean, his Mediator, obtain'd from the Judges a Reference to him­self, and some others, for further Examination. By which sly Diversion, some of his Charges were laid aside by Composition, all of them by delay, and delusion. After this, (what should be the End of it I know not, without it were to make him look big, and superciliously, upon his Prosecutors) the Dean engaged his Friends at Cambridge, my self was one that was solicited from him, to sublimate the Official with the Degree of a Doctor, wherein he had one Repulse in the Re­gent-House, such an ill relish his Name had; but he was carried out in a second day's Scrutiny. But for all his Doctorship he was not out of the Brakes, he was but Tapisht, as Hunters call it. The stirring Spirits of the the subtle Air of Nor­thamptonshire prefer'd their Articles afresh against him to the House of Commons assembled in Parliament, an. 1620. Wedges enough to cleave a bigger Log then Dr. Lamb, and yet he was no little one, but Saginati corporis bellua, as Curtius says of Dioxippus the Pugil. Well, (nay indeed ill) his Friend that was too sure to such a branded Man, now become the Dean of a College near to the Parliament, finds the Articles in the hand of the Chair-man of the Committee, appointed to sift the Complaints, (it was Sir Edward Sackvil, afterward the brave-spoken Earl of Dorset) with whom he wrought to abortive the Bill before it came to the Birth, and so he set Dagon upon his Feet again, who was fallen with his face upon the ground, 1 Sam. 5.4. but the palms of his Hands were never cut off, for so long as he lived he could take a Bribe. I blush to remember, that the Dean did not only set him up again as well as ever he stood before, but raised him higher: For he wrote to a great Lord in Court (the Letter is among my Papers) to procure him the Ho­nour of Knighthood, which was obtained: And when his Enemies laboured to cut his Comb, he got the Spurs. 'Twas pleasantly spoken by Sir Ed. Montagu, (since that Pious and Loyal Lord Montagu of Boughton) when a cluster came about him to ask Counsel and Assistance for a third Petition against Sir John Lamb, says Sir Edward, If we tamper the third time, his great Friend that hath already made him a Doctor and a Knight, I fear will make him a Baron. I have thus much to say for the Dean his friend, whose very Entrails I knew, that he was strongly espou­sed to love where he had loved, and 'twas hard to remove his Affections when good Pretences had gained them. Chiefly he was of a most compassionate Ten­derness, and could not endure to see any Man's Ruine, if he could help it. And though Offences were as legible as a Dominical Letter, he would excuse any thing that was capable of an Excuse, as far as Wit and Mercy could contrive it. But [Page 38]if a little Confession were wrung out, it cut down many Faults to make him see as it were a Glade of Repentance in a Grove of Sins; and did ever hope for better Fruits upon easie and formal Promises. Let Quintilian help me out a little more in his sixth Declam. Si angustus saltem detur accessus, per quem intrare huma­nit as possit, vera clementia occasione contenta est. Yet David's Rule is better then all this, Be not merciful to them that offend of malicious wickedness, Psal. 59.5. And our God is so merciful, that whosoever adds a dram beyond his Pattern, it must be reckoned for foolish and hurtful Lenity. Certainly God was not pleased, that the Dean would save a Man whom He meant to destroy, 1 King, 20.42. And though it slept Unpunished about 12 Years, yet in the end the Lord awaken'd it with a Mischief, through the treachery of that Man, whom himself had pro­tected.

45. That which I have hitherto pass'd over, was but his low and shrubbish For­tune, compared with that Access, which the Providence of God in short time after did cast upon him. Which Providence is Religiously appeal'd to in all things; yet without any check to Reason and Experience, to trace it in its Manifestations. The Omni-regency of Divine Providence is the Tree of Life in the midst of the Garden of the World; the Strings of whose Root are secretly interwoven with all Works and Motions. But the Sons of Adam are not content, unless they taste of the Tree of Knowledge, and have a Lust, as far as Curiosity can pry, to learn how God doth put the Issue of his Wisdom into outward, and Instrumental Causes. I am ready therefore to shew what Men will seek, the Occasions which were in the way, and who was Lord of the Ascendant, when God did raise up this his Servant, that he might set him with Princes, even with the Princes of his People, Psal. 113.8. His Abilities were worthy of a great Place; none so Emulous, or so Envious that denied it. Neither was there any Church-man in his time so likely to purchase a great Place with those Abilities. He that will will read Budaeus his Epistle to his Notations upon the Pandects, shall find this Character of Mons. Pe­ganay Chancellor of France, Cujus ea vis fuisse ingenii at que animi cernitur, ut quocun­que loco natus esset, in quodcunque tempus incidisset, fortunam ipse sibi facturus videretur. A Word as fit for him that kept the Seal of England, as for him that kept the Seal of France: In what Kingdom soever he had been born, in what Age soever he had lived, he would have shared with them, that had a considerable part of Honour and Dignity. Certainly he was embued with that Wit, and Spirit, that he need not lag after the Train of Preferment, unless he would. And I dare not say, he would. For they that are sanguine, and of a stirring temper, which was his Com­plexion, love to take the right hand. I must be thus far bold, because I write not of an Angel, or a Soul among the Beati, but of a Man, consisting of Humane Desires and Passions. And he that describes an ingenious active Man, without some addition to Honour and Greatness, makes him not Laudable, but Prodi­gious. And I will as soon believe it, as I will the Alcoran, that the Angel Gabriel took out all the black Core of Original Frailty from the Heart of Mahomet. Expe­rience teacheth us more then strict Rules, that Virtue, which is forward to thrust it self into practise, nay into danger, for the public Good, will never discharge it chearfully without a Ticket from hope of some Amplification. Salust, in the Oration De republicâ ordinandâ, spake pleasingly and truly to Caesar; Ubi gloriam dempseris, ipsa per se virtus amara atque aspera est.

46. Now he, whom I insist upon, being a Subject thus fit for Impression, his good Master King James was as ready to put the Stamp upon him. He never met with any before, no not the Lord Egerton, much less with any after, that loved him like King James at the full rate of his worth. That King's Table was a trial of Wits. The reading of some Books before him was very frequent, while he was at his Re­past. Otherwise he collected Knowledge by variety of Questions, which he car­ved out to the capacity of his understanding Writers. Methought his hunting Humour was not off so long as his Courtiers, I mean the Learned, stood about him at his Board. He was ever in chase after some disputable Doubts; which he would wind and turn about with the most stabbing Objections that ever I heard. And was as pleasant, and fellow-like in all those Discourses, as with his Huntsmen in the Field. They that in many such genial and convival Conferences were ripe and weighty in their Answers, were indubiously designed to some Place of Credit and Profit. Wherein he followed the Emperor Adrian, as Spartianus remembers it; Omnes professores & honoravit, & divites fecit, licet eos quaestionibus semper agita­verit. But among them all, with whom King James communed, was found none like Daniel, c. 1. v. 19. His Majesty gave his Ear more Graciously to this Chap­lain, [Page 39]and directed his Speech to him, when he was at hand, oftner then to any, that crowded near to harken to the Wisdom of that Salomon. He had all those Endowments mightily at command, which are behoved in a Scholar, [...], as Aristotle, 3 ^o Top. terms them, unto Extemporary Colloquies. Ingenium in numerato habuit, as Quintil. l. 6. said of a ready Man, he had all his Learning in ready Money, and could spend it at an hour, as well as at a day's warning. There was not a greater Master of Perspicuity, and elucidate Distinctions; which look'd the better in his English, that ran sweet upon his Tongue, especially being set out with a graceful Facetiousness, that hit the joint of the Matter: For his Wit, and his Judgment, never parted. If the King lead him quite out of the rode of Verbal Learning, and talk'd to him of real and gobernative Wisdom, he pleas'd his Majesty most of all, because his Answers discover'd, that he loved to see through the present to the future. Chiefly since he would be bold, not only to argue, but to quarrel against Innovations. For though he was never addicted to his own Opinions, no not among his Inferiors, with that pertinacious Obliga­tion, for better for worse; yet neither his best Friends, nor the higher Powers, could ever get him pleas'd with new Crotchets, either in Church or State. His constant Rule was, That old Imperfections were safer then new Experiments. To which purpose, a Saying of his was famous in Court. The manner how it came in, was thus: A great Servant to the King press'd for a change of that, which was well enough already, and commended his Design by this Note, That it would be an easier way for the People. Sir, (says Dr. Williams) a Bed is an easie Repose, but it is not wholsom to lie upon a new Tick, and new-driven Feathers. All these Passages the King consider'd from time to time; Multa viri virtus animo, &c. And was glad he had a Servant to be raised up, of whom He thought as Cicero did of De­metrius Valerius, lib. 3. de Leg. Et doctrinae studus & regendà civitate Princeps; That he was a full Scholar fit for the Sacred, and for the Civil Gown: In a word, one of the stronger Cattle, Gen. 30.41. and designed for a Bell-weather in Jacob's Flock.

47. The King was the Fountain of Honour indeed, but there was a pre-emi­nent Pipe, through which all Graces flowing from him were derived. I pray the Reader to consider the sweetness of this King's Nature, (for I ascribe it to that cause) that from the time he was 14 Years old and no more, that is, when the Lord Aubigny came into Scotland out of France to visit him, even then he began, and with that Noble Personage, to clasp some one Gratioso in the Embraces of his great Love, above all others, who was unto him as a Parelius; that is, when the Sun finds a Cloud so fit to be illustrated by his Beams, that it looks almost like ano­ther Sun. At this time, upon which my Pen drops, the Marquess of Buckingham was the Parelius. He could open the Sluce of Honour to whom, and shut it against whom he pleased. This Lord was our English Alcibtades for Beauty, Civi­lity, Bounty, and for Fortitude wanted nothing of Man enough, says Art. Wils. p. 223. who favours all Republicans, and never speaks well of Regians, (it is his own distinctions) if he can possibly avoid it. The Marquess by Sweetness as much as by Greatness, by Courtesie as well as by Power, pluck'd a world of Sui­tors to him, especially by his generous and franc Usage: For he did as many Fa­vours to the King's Servants and Subjects freely and nobly, that is, without the sordid Fee of Gifts and Presents, as ever any did that ruled the King's Affections. Some of the most honoured Ladies of his Blood have told me, That there was a Chopping-taker in his Family, that was least suspected; but his Lordship's Hands were clean, and his Eyes could not look into every dark corner. Dr. William, was aware, that this was the Man, by whom the King delighted to impart his Bounties. Aemilio dabitur quicquid petit: Juv. Sat. 7. The Doctor had crept far, as I may say, for Ground-Ivy, he had a plentiful Fortune. But he must clasp upon this Tree, or none, to trail and climb: Yet hitherto he had not come for­ward one step to gain him. One time he made a Repetition of his former Life unto me, being under a great Sickness at Buckden, when he taught me two Reasons, why he moved so slowly to the Protection of that great Lord, with this solid and ingenious Confession. First, To whom a Man is obliged for his Rai­sing, it is expected he should run the same hazard with him: Which is so far from Slavery or Weakness, that it may well be called, The height of Magnanimity; no Virtue being more truly Heroical then Thankfulness, by which the Spirit of a Man advances it self with confidence of Acceptation to the Love of God and Man. This Consideration seriously taken, he was afraid of that Lord's continuance, the Title of a Favourite being so Inauspicious in almost all Examples. For what is [Page 40]more likely, but that a Sail will break, when it is too much stretch'd with the sore Wind? And whosoever builds unto a lofty height upon a new Foundation, Envy will pull him down by insensible Demolishments. For new Men, when they become Plenipotentiaries, all Suits at Court passing by their Assistance, they please few, (who are the Gratified) in comparison of the Swarms that must be repulsed; so that if an Eddie and Mutation fall heavy, they are lost without much Pity; not because they were bad, but because they were great. And take all others into this Moral Compass, who were unconcerned; who is so upright in his Candor, that gapes not for the removal of the greatest Actors in Promo­tion, upon a Dream of better days to follow the Alteration? And commonly they that are born to waft over the Sea of this Life in a Cock-boat, are glad to see their Shipwreck that sail in the Argosie.

48. Though he that did run this Descant was sick, as I said, when he uttered it; yet certainly there was no Sickness in his judgment when he first conceived it. I will produce a pair of the best Scholars that revived Learning in our Grand­father's days, who foretel, that Court-Minions are like to have no Favour, but the King's. Thus Erasmus in his Epistle, Ante scriptores Angustae historiae, published by him. An parum est suam quamque regionem habere Dominum, nisi singulae rursus alium haberent Dominum conduplicatâ servitute? As if he thought it no better then a doubling of Servitude, to have a Privado, like a Lord-Lieutenant, under the se­preme Lord, to ride upon the Backs of the People. Budaeus is more churlish upon the Pandects, p. 61. Howsoever (says he) the King gives Honours, patient Spi­rits will accept it; but when they are confer'd by one, Qui majoribus fatis sub-princeps est, they will be ill look'd upon. And all, whom he prefers, are esteemed no better then Janizaries, to be his Guard to protect him in violent Courses, or rather suspected to de­base Virtue under the power of Fortune. He proceeds further, That whosoever over­sways in Favour with his Sovereign, in effect doth all, and yet is like to give no account of his Actions, which is the worst mortifying of Justice. [...], says Plato: Let no Man be a Judge, unless he may be judged for his Ju­dicature. Let no Man bear an Office, that grows too formidable to them that call his Behaviour to a Tryal. These Fleeces pluck'd from the Judgments of such great Clerks assure us, that not only Ahasuerus his Haman, Tiberius his Seianus, Edward the Second his Gaveston, and such corrupt ones, must needs decline faster then they got up, but the most circumspect that possess such a Room, as they did, will prove to be May-Lords in Fortune's Enterlude: For though their Honour be not swelled with Pride, yet their Balast will certainly be Envy. It would be a won­der therefore, if a great Favourite could act his part to come off the Stage with Applause, in whom this double Misery concurs, the Favour that he takes from his Chief is odious, the Favour that he gives to his Confidents is dangerous. Here­upon some that had the estimation of discreet Men, conceived of the Crimes and Clamours objected to the Lord of Buckingham, that his Place was more guilty of them, then his Person.

49. Now the second Reason said this wise Man, which kept him suspensive, whe­ther he should seek a Lift higher in the World by the courtesie of that Lord's Power, was, That he saw his Lordship was bred in a great Error, he was so ready to cast a Cloud suddenly upon his Creatures, and with much inconstancy to root up that which he had planted. A fault too patent against all Apology. He had chang'd the White Staves of the King's Houshold, the Secretaries, the Masters of the Court of Wards, the Chancellors of the Exchequer, and many others. Partly it happen'd, because fresh Undertakers came with Proffers and Forecasts, which had not been made before. Presently some must be discarded, to make room for those, who albeit in their Discharge they did less then their Pre­decessors, yet they outbid them in Promises. And partly, which goes together, his Lordship was of very desultorious Affections, quickly weary of those whom he had gratified, and apt to resume his Favours to make Trial upon others, if they would obey his Commands upon undiscoursed Obedience. A Prognosticator might have guess'd upon every Day of the Year, while he was glorified in his Greatness, somewhat variable Weather. From whence it came to pass, that his Lordship was often served by bad Instruments; for they made too much haste to Rich, because they knew their Turn was quickly coming to be shifted. And it is a weak part to blast the good Turns which a Man hath done, to lose his Thanks, and the Fidelity of his Clients. Mark what Sylla said to Bacchus, In Salust, amico­rum ne [...]ue nobis, neque cuiquam hominum satis fuit. Bel. Jugur. No Man can have too many Friends; but he that loses his Friends, will have too many Enemies. [Page 41]Such inconstant Revocations are prettily called, Praefloratae Liberalitates, Mildew'd Liberalities: Or like a Tree that hath a cankerous Malignity, to dry up, and cast its own Blossoms. And it is a weak part to think it a gawdy thing, to be cringed unto with new Acquaintance. Green Heads know not the Utility of old Friend­ships. But none are so unestimable, be they never so Potent, as those sickle-fancy'd Men, whose Friendships will hold no longer then Pliny's Peaches, after they are gathered, Longissima decerpto bidui mora est; After they have been pluck'd, and laid by two days, they are rotten.

50. These two, so related to me, were his intimate Consultations with himself; A great Fruit of Philosophy, says Antisthenes in Laertius, [...], to confer much with a Man's own Mind. From both those Reasons he concluded, to give way to others to seek the Lord Marquess, who were bolder then himself. For why should he render himself as an Hostage to Fortune, when he needed not? Or what could mend his present Condition but a contented Mind? Pol si est animus aequus tibi, satis habes qui vitam colas. Plaut. Aul. He that hath much, and wants nothing, hath yet as little as comes to nothing, if he wants Equani­mity. It was generously spoken of Esau, Gen. 33.9. I have enough my Brother. And they that lose a good Portion which they had before, because their Appetite did over-drive them, let them look upon Children playing at a petty Game, they will not stand, but ask for another Card, which puts them out. Though these things were so maturely considered, an Occasion came about, which did lead him quite aside; yet it was in the King's High-way. He was at Royston in Attendance on the King, and in the Marquess his Absence. The King abruptly, without de­pendance upon the Discourse on foot, asked him, When he was with Buckingham? Sir, (says the Doctor) I have had no business to resort to his Lordship. But where­soe'er he is, you must presently go to him upon my Message, says the King. So he did that Errand, and was welcom'd with the Countenance and Compliments of the Marquess, and invited with all sweetness to come freely to him upon his own Addresses. Who mark'd rather from whom he came, then to whom he was sent: And gather'd from the King's Dispatch, That His Majesty intended that he should seek the Marquess, and deserve him with Observance. From henceforth he re­solved it; yet not to contaminate his Lordship with Bribery, or base Obsequious­ness, but to shew himself in some Act of Trust and Moment, that he was as sufficient to bring his Lordship's good Ends to pass, as any whom he employed, both with readiness to do, and with judgment to do well. Which thus succeeded to his great Commendation. My Lord Marquess was a Batchelor, and ripe for a gallant Wedlock His Youth, his comely Person, his Fortunes plentiful and en­creasing, his Favour he held with the King, being as much, or more, then the Cardinal-Nephews in the Pope's Conclave: What Graces could be sweeter in the Girdle of Venus that the Poets speak of, Cestum de Veneris sinu calentem? Martial. He could not seek long to be entertained, who was so furnished for a Suitor. The Lady with whom he desired to match, was Lady Katherine Manners, Daugh­ter, and only Child surviving, to Francis Earl of Rutland. Hereby he should marry with a Person of Honour, her Family being very anciently Noble, and draw to his Line an access of Wealth and Revenue, as the like not to be expe­cted from the Daughter of any Subject in this Realm. The Motion was set on foot in the beginning of the Year 1520, which stuck at two Objections. The Earl of Rutland was slow, or rather fullen, in giving way to this lusty Woer; who came on the faster, directed it seems by Proverbial Wisdom, That faint Heart never won fair Lady. Certain it is, that he kept not such distance in his Visits, as was required. Which put the Earl into so strong a Passion, that he could not be mitigated, though great Ones had attempted the Pacification. In this distraction Dr. Williams took the opportunity to go between the great Men, and to Umpire the Controversie. He had often in former times made Journeys from Lincoln to visit the Earl at his Castle of Belvoir, who was Lord-Lieutenant of the County of Lincoln, and held some Leases of that Church, whereof the Doctor was a Resi­dentiary, and Precentor. The Earl had found him so true and fortunate in many Offices of Service, which he had manag'd for his Lordship's sake, that he prefer'd him before all his Neighbours for Wisdom and Fidelity. Therefore he gave him very patient Hearing to his Propositions about the Lord Marquess his Amours, and took down the heat of Inflammation with cool Advice. All youthful Dalliances were clear'd from sinister Jealousie, and had Allowance to be inoffensively conti­nued. To speak all together: The Doctor brought the Earl about so dextrously with his Art and pleasant Wit, that his Lordship put it into his hands to draw up [Page 42]all Contracts and Conditions for Portion and Joynture; which he did to the fair satisfaction of both sides, the noble Earl being so glad of a good Understanding between him and the Lord Marquess, that the Counsellor at his Elbow induced him to settle more upon the Marriage, then the Marquess and his Mother had demanded. The first Door that was shut against the young Lord in Cupid's Court was thus opened to him. Nothing is so good to soften that which is hard, as the Language of a discreet Man. Therefore the old Gauls did carve the God of Elo­quence, not after the shape of Mercury, but of Hercules, says Lucian, carrying his Club in one hand, his Bow and Shafts in the other: But innumerous small Rings were drawn through his Tongue, to which a multitude of Chains were fasten'd, that reach'd to the Ears of Men and Women, to which they were tied; meaning by this Picture, that he performed all his hard Labours by his Tongue, and not by his Club: [...]. And that which the Doctor brought to pass in the preceding Matter, is fit for the Application of the Apo­logue. Of whose Performance, the Mother-Countess, her Noble Son, with the Ladies of the Kindred, gave the best Account to the King that Thankfulness could make.

51. The King commended it; and was right glad that they were well out of the Mire, where they all stuck before. And now the Progress of the Suit seemed so easie, as if a pair of Doves might draw the Chariot of Love; when His Ma­jesty put a strong Spoke into the Wheel, which I may call The Second Obstruction. For the Lady Katherine, though she and her Family were not rigid forbearers of our Church, yet she was bred a Papist. This was no Straw at which the King stumbled: For he knew it would sad the Spirit of some good People, most ten­der of the Religion established, when they should hear, that the Noble-man in whom His Majesty did most delight, was wedded to a Lady of that disaffected Superstition. Therefore he liked not that the Marquess should proceed in that Marriage, till the Lady were tried with sweet Perswasions to serve God, together with her Husband, constantly, and without Hypocrisie, after the Confession of the Reformed Church of England. So His Majesty called for Dr. Williams, and laid his strict and highest Commands upon him, to use his best Skill upon the Con­science of that tender Lady, misled by Education, to make her a true Proselyte: Before that was done, He would be loth to give his Blessing to the Nuptials. This He required of him, before all his other Chaplains, as well because he had the Ear of the Family more then any Man of his Coat, whereof Proof was made in his late Actions; as because he knew he had the Gift of Wisdom, mixed with Learning, to cure a Corruption in Opinion. Sir, (says the Doctor) I obey Your Commands with all my heart, and with belief of some Success. But in case upon the first or second Conference I bring the young Madam to some Access towards the Church of Eng­land, without a total Recess from the Church of Rome, will Your Majeshy discomsit a good Beginning, and stay the Marriage, whose Consummation is every day desired, because the Party is not brought to the perfection of an absolute Convert? To which the King answered, I know that commonly Grace proceeds by degrees in conception, and building up its Features, as well as Nature; but though you walk slow, walk sure. I cannot abide to be cozen'd with a Church-Papist. So the Doctor received his Commission chear­fully from His Majesty; the rather, because though he cunningly concealed how far he had entred, yet he had assayed before, to bring the Lady Katherine into a good liking of our Church with many strong and plausible Arguments, and found her Tractable and Attentive. She easily perceived, that Conjugal Love would be firmest and sweetest, when Man and Wife served God with one Heart, and in one way, and were like the two Trumpets of Silver made of an whole Piece, Num. 10.12. And quickly she was confirmed by divers and solid Representations, to confess that our Cathechism was a plain Model of Saving Truth; and the Form of Ma­trimony in our Liturgy pleased her abundantly, being as pious and forcible as any Church could make, to bind up a sanctified and indissoluble Union. And after some Prayers made to God for his secret Breathings into her, such easie Demon­strations were spread before her, that she confess'd our Ministers were fit Dispen­sers of the Ordinances of God, and all Gospel-Blessings from Christ Jesus. So the second Obstruction was master'd by the good Spirit of God, and this Do­ctor's Industry. The Remotion of two such Impediments is not commonly ac­compass'd by one Head-piece. Sometimes it is seen, as Macrobius says, yet very seldom, Ut idem pectus & agendi, & disputandi facultate sublime sit. Lib. 2. de Som-Scrip. c. 17. Now all things being made smooth for Love and Concord, on the 16th day of May, 1620. the Nuptials were celebrated between the Lord Marquess [Page 43]and his Bride, the Lady Katherine Manners, at Lumly-House on Tower-Hill, where the Earl of Rutland lay, Dr. Williams joyned them together with the Office of our Liturgy; all Things being transacted more like to Privacy, then Solemnity, to avoid the Envy of Pomp and Magnificence. I have been no larger then there was cause in this Report; for the Negotiation in this Marriage, said the Negotia­tor often unto me, was the last Key-Stone that made the Arch in his Prefer­ment.

52. It behoved him therefore to spare no Pains, nor Study, to season the new Marchioness with such a measure of Knowledge, as might keep her found in the Integrity of Truth. He needed not a Remembrancer to keep his Diligence waking. Yet the King was so intent, that the Lady should become an upright and sincere Protestant, that he proposed to his Chaplain, now her Ghostly Fa­ther, to draw up a pretty Manual of the Elements of the Orthodox Religion, with which she might every day consult in her Closet-Retirements, for her better con­firmation. A Book was Compiled accordingly, but [...], put forth, and not put forth. Twenty Copies were printed and no more, and with­out the Author's Name, (in a Notion common to many) By an old Prebendary of the Church of Lincoln. The Copies were sent to the Lord Marquess, and being no more, are no more to be found; for I have searched for one, but with lost La­bour. I can truly say I have seen one, and read it about 30 Years since, which being in a negligent Custody, is miscarried. It contents me better, that I have a written Copy, out of which it was printed; by which the Author could set it in order for the Press, surer then I can now. If I should miss to digest the Expun­ctions, Interlinings, and Marginal References, as they were intended, I should make the Work differ from it self, though quite against my will. But because it is a Golden Medal, and sit to be worn like an Amulet against Seducers, when this Web is spun and woven, which I have in hand, I will try my best Skill, though a weak Aristarchus, to fashion it into Native Contexture. And if I can truly affirm it to be the very Mantle which fell from Elijah, it shall be forth-coming in a Wardrode in the end of the Book. If I fail in that, (I do not despair) let this Letter, sent with the 20 Copies to the Lord Marquess, discover what sappy Ker­nels were in that Pomegranate.

53. I perceive by the Date of this Letter, that the Book was printed six months after it was bespoken, which could not be help'd, because the Author was taken up almost all that Summer in making a progress to survey the Lands of the College of Westminster, whereof he was become Dean by the Lord Marquess's Favour, [Page 44]and Installed July 12. 1620. Dr. Tolson, who preceded, a man of singular Piety, Eloquence, and Humility, in the March before had the Approbation of the King, and the Congratulation of good Men for the Bishoprick of Salisbury. The Deanery to be vacated, had many that longed for it; a fortunate Seat, and near the Court: Like the Office over the King of Persia's Garden at Babylon, which was stored with his most delicious Fruits; Hortus ille nunquam nisi dominantis in Aulâ fuit, says Pliny, lib. 1 [...]. c. 4. He that was trusted with that Garden, was the Lord of the Palace. This Preferment had ever been confer'd by the nomination of him that was Steward of the College and City of Westminster. The Lord Treasurer Burleigh, the Earl of Salisbury his Son, the Earl of Somerset, and the Lord Mar­quess, bearing the Office at the present, had been the constant Patrons of it. Therefore it was requisite, it being now to be confer'd, to take it from his Lord­ship's hand. Whom the Doctor solicited with no more then this short Letter, Dated March 12. 1619.

I observe, out of these Lines, a Precedent for Suitors and Candidates of Eccle­siastical Promotions, that he neither extorted his Place by Importunity, nor inva­ded it by Impudency, nor lick'd it out of the Dust by Flattery, nor bargain'd for it by Simony, or the mollifying Term of Gratuity; in a word, he did not dishonest himself for it with any Indignity. He carried it as he wish'd, not being griple of Profit, as he confessed, but fond of Convenience. He was Vir palma­vius: And Pliny says of the Palm-Trees, Gaudent mutatione sedis, they take Liking to be removed from Soil to Soil. The Righteous carry branches of Palm before the Lamb, Rev. 7.9. And their good Works do follow them, Rev. 14.13. I trust, and do verily believe, that he is among those Palmers now in the Church Triumphant, who did so many worthy Things for that Religious Foundation precious in the Eyes of the Lord. For my own part, I take no little Joy to recount, that this College was so happy in such a Man, and the Liberty of that City in such a Go­vernor. It was the Soil of my Birth, and my Breeding. There I serv'd this good Master, when I came out of the University first into the World, there he paid me my Wages, my Livelihood, which, with God's Blessing, I owe to him alone. A lucky spot of Ground to me. I crave leave to set up this little Pillar in the place, where God appeared so Gracious to me, and to pour Oyl of Benedi­ction on the top of it, as Jacob did at Rethel, Gen. 28.18. I do not aim at all to crowd in a Legend of my self, as Phidias did insert his own Picture in the Shield which he made for the Statue of Minerva. But I will speak of him, whose Me­mory deserves to be refresh'd, for the imprints of his Goodness in all sorts, and for the Braveries of his Mind, which he left behind him in that Orb.

54. His Predecessors (whose Names and Actions are not forgotten) were Men of good Report. Two above all, because none were comparable to them, he cast in his Head to imitate, Abbat Islip, and Dr. Andrews Dr. Andrews for advancing Learning in the School, Abbat Islip for his Cost expended upon the Fabric of the Minster, and the Dean's place. I dispose it so, to mention first what a Foster-Father he was to the Scholars, because himself proceeded to greater Designments by that Order. He had heard much what Pains Dr. Andrews did take both day and night to train up the Youth bred in the public School, chiefly the Alumni of the College so called. For more certain Information, he called me from Cam­bridge in the May before he was Installed, to the House of his dear Cousin Mr. Elwis Winn in Chancery-Lane, a Clerk of the Petty-Bag, a Man of the most [Page 45]general and gracious Acquaintance with all the great Ones of the Land that ever I knew. There he moved his Questions to me about the Discipline of Dr. An­drews. I told him how strict that excellent Man was, to charge our Masters, that they should give us Lessons out of none but the most Classical Authors; that he did often supply the Place both of Head School-master and Usher for the space of an whole week together, and gave us not an hour of Loitering time from mor­ning to night. How he caused our Exercises in Prose and Verse to be brought to him, to examine our Style and Proficiency. That he never walk'd to Cheswick for his Recreation, without a brace of this young Fry; and in that way-faring Leisure, had a singular dexterity to fill those narrow Vessels with a Funnel. And, which was the greatest burden of his Toil, sometimes thrice in a week, some­times oftner, he sent for the uppermost Scholars to his Lodgings at night, and kept them with him from eight till eleven, unfolding to them the best Rudiments of the Greek Tongue, and the Elements of the Hebrew Grammar, and all this he did to Boys without any compulsion of Correction; nay, I never heard him utter so much as a word of Austerity among us. Alas! this is but an Ivy-Leaf crept into the Laurel of his Immortal Garland. This is that Andrews, the Ointment of whose Name is sweeter then all Spices, Cam. 4.10. This is that celebrated Bishop of Winton, whose Learning King James admired above all his Chaplains; and that King, being of most excellent Parts himself, could the better discover what was Eminent in another. Indeed he was the most Apostolical and Primitive-like Divine, in my Opinion, that wore a Rochet in his Age; of a most venerable Gravity, and yet most sweet in all Commerce; the most Devout that ever I saw, when he appeared before God; of such a Growth in all kind of Learning, that very able Clerks were of a low Stature to him: Colossus inter icunculas; full of Alms and Charity; of which none knew but his Father in secret: A certain Pa­tron to Scholars of Fame and Ability, and chiefly to those that never expected it. In the Pulpit an Homer among Preachers, and may fitly be set forth in Quin­tilian's Judgment of Homer; Nonne humani ingenii modum excessit? Ut magni sit viri virtutes ejus non aemulaticne (quod fieri non potest) sed intellectu sequi. I am transpor­ted even as in a Rapture to make this Digression: For who could come near the Shrine of such a Saint, and not offer up a few Grains of Glory upon it? Or how durst I omit it? For he was the first that planted me in my tender Studies, and water'd them continually with his Bounty. The Occasion that brings in this, was the new Dean's addition to his Pattern, that looking into such a Mirror, he might keep up the Learning of that happy Plantation, that it might never hear worse, then as Mr. Camden testifies for it, Felix eruditorum in Ecclesiam & Rempublicam pro­ventus. Eliz. p. 61. Fol. In his Zeal to this Work, as soon as he was possess'd of the Deanery, he was assiduous in the School, and miss'd not sometimes every week, if he were resident in the College, both to dictate Lectures to the several Classes, and to take account of them. The choicest Wits had never such Encou­ragement for Praise, and Reward. He was very Bountiful in both, and they went always together, scattering Money, as if it had been but Dung to manure their Industry. And seldom he did fail, no not when he kept the Great-Seal, to call forth some of them to stand before him at his Table, that in those intervals of best Opportunity he might have account of their Towardliness; which ripen'd them so fast, made them so Prompt and Ingenuous, that the number of the Promoted to the Universities, which swarm'd out of that Stock, was double for the most part to those that were Transplanted in the foregoing Elections.

55. These were the first Fruits of his Care. In tenut labor, at tenuts non glo­via: Virg. Georg. 4. The Buildings of Abbat Islip, Monuments of a great worth, were the next Object of his Emulation. That wife and holy Man was the Lord Abbat over the Benedictine Monks, who profess'd their Vows within those Cloy­sfers in the Glorious Reign of King Henry the Seventh. The Abbat was a Privy-Counsellor, and, for his Fidelity and Prudence, was one of the Executors to the King his Master by his Last Will and Testament. The Structure of the Abby was left imperfect from the Reign of King Henry the Third, who had been very Sumptuous in advancing the Workmanship from the Altar to the lower-end of the Quire: From his Death, that stately Pile of Building had look'd for some to help, and there was none that pitied it. This Abbat, a devout Servant of Christ, and of a wakeful Conscience, considered the Office he bore, how he was the Chief who had that House of God in possession. Therefore he enlarged the length of the Church at his own Cost, from the entring in of the Quire, or thereabout, to the West-Gate that looks towards Tuttle-street; and contrived the Lodgings with [Page 46]strength and handsomness at the South-end, which, after the Change made in King Henry the Eighth's Reign, received the Dean and his Retinue. But Eternal Fame doth best shine upon his Memory in the Rising-Sun, or upon the Eastern part. There this Abbat, and John Fisher Bishop of Rochester, (the Executor to King Henry the Seventh joyned with him) laid out such Sums of Money, as that King had appointed for the Noble Enterring of his own Body and his Queens, with the Stems of their Royal Line, and none other. These two, like men of faithful and large Minds, built the Chappel, next behind the Chappel of Edward the Confessor, called by King Henry the Seventh's Name, which nothing can surmount for Cost and Curiosity. There they set up his Monument in a Brazen Impalement, which looks like the Work, not of our Moderns, but of Bezaleel. Now, though not the Soul, yet the Piety and Liberality of the Abbat to this Domo, came into Dr. Williams by Transmigration; who, in his entrance to that place, found the Church in such decay, that all that passed by, and loved the Honour of God's House, shook their Heads at the Stones that drop'd down from the Pina­cles. Therefore that the Ruines of it might be no more a Reproach, this Godly Jehoiada took care for the Temple of the Lord to repair it, to set it in his state, and to strengthen it, a Chren. 4.3. He began at the South-east part, which looked the more deformed with decay, because it coupled with a latter Building. I mean the Chappel of King Henry the Seventh, which was tight and fresh. The North-west part also, which looks to the great Sanctuary, was far gone in Dila­pidations: The great Buttresses were almost crumbled to Dust with the Injuries of the Weather; which he re-edified with durable Materials, and beautified with elegant Statues, (among whom Abbat Islip had a place) so that 4500 Pounds were spent in a trice upon the Workmanship. All this was his own Cost. Neither would he Impatronize his Name to the Credit of that Work, which should be raised up by other men's collatitious Liberality, like Laonicus in Castilio his Cou­rier, Lib. 4. Vide quàm liberalis sit, qui non sua solùm sed etiam aliena largiatur. I do not expect that the Sacrilegious of our Times should commend him for disbursing so much upon a Building of Sacred Use; who either make no difference between Holy and Prophane, or Tender Prophane, and Common Things before the Holy. Never in the days of old was so much spent in private Buildings: Enough is Erected upon new Foundations in the Skirts of London, to make two large and beautiful Cities: Yet we suffer all our Cathedrals of egregious Piety, and stupen­dious Bravery, to run to a general Decay, which is all one as to put hands to their Demolishment. What Christians would not tremble to see their Rubbish rise up in Judgment against them? I appeal to found Judgment, whether in an Heathenish, but a Civil Republic, the Aedils of Rome would not have saved such Structures from Ruine at the public Charge? But I am indifferent to appeal to any man, sound or corrupt against Art. Will. in his History, p. 191. who nibbles at the good Name of the magnificent Dean upon his magnificent Church-works, because he could not bite it. For this is his Censure: These Works were Arguments of a great Mind, but how far from Ostentation in this frail body of Flesh, cannot be de­termined. Such suspicious and ungrounded Glances discover more Rancor then direct Contumelies; for which, Macrobius hath a pretty Simile, Lib. 7. c. 3. Hami angulosi, quam directi mucrones tenacius infiguntur. Ill-favoured Suspicion is like a crooked Hook, where it enters it will stick in the Flesh, though it make but a little wound. But thus he serves King James and all his Courtiers, of both Sexes, of all Professions, pelts them all along with rotten Surmises, or palpable Untruths. I will fit him with Spalatensis his Judgment upon Baronius the great Annalist, who was Squint-eyed, Omnia regum facta non rectis sed contortis oculis intuetur, Lib. 7. c. 9. In all his Volumes he squinted at the famous Actions of Kings and Princes.

56. For their further satisfaction, who will judge of good Works by Visions, and not by Dreams, I will cast up in a true Audite other Deeds of no small reckoning, conducing greatly to the Welfare of that College, Church, and Liberty, wherein Piety and Beneficence were Relucent in despight of Jealousies. First, that God might be praised with a chearful Noise in his Sanctuary, he procured the sweetest Music, both for the Organ, and for the Voices of all Parts, [...] was heard in an English Quire. In those days that Abby, and Jerusalem-Chamber where he gave Entertainment to his Friends, were the Volaries of the choicest Singers that the Land had bred. The greatest Masters of that delightful Faculty frequen­ted him above all others, and were never nice to serve him: And some of the most Famous yet living will confess, he was never nice to reward them; a Lover could not court his Mistress with more prodigal effusion of Gifts. With the same [Page 47]Generosity and strong propension of mind to enlarge the Boundaries of Learn­ing, he converted a wast Room, scituate in the East side of the Cloysters into Plato's Portico, into a goodly Librarary, model'd it into decent Shape, furnished it with Desks and Chains, accoutred it with all Utensils, and slored it with a vast Number of Learned Volumes: For which use he lighted most fortunately upon the Study of that Learned Gentleman Mr. Baker of Highgate, who in a long and industrious Life had Collected into his own possession the best Authors in all Sciences, in their best Editions, which being bought at 500 l. (a cheap Pe­ny worth for such precious War) were removed into this Store-House. When he received Thanks from all the professors of Learning in and about London far beyond his expectation, because they had free admirtance to such Hony from the Flowers of such a Garden, as they wanted before, it compell'd him to unlock his Cabinet of Jewels, and bring forth his choicest Manuscripts. A Right Noble Gift in all the Books he gave to this Serapaeum, but especially the Parchments. Some good Authors were confer'd by other Benefactors, but the richest Fruit was shaken from the Boughs of this one Tree, which will keep Green in an un­fading Memory in despite of the Tempest of Iniquity. As Pliny the younger wrote in an Epistle upon the Death of his Son, quatenus nobis denegatur diu vivere, relinquamus aliquid quo nos vixisse testemur; so this Work will bear Witness to Po­sterity, that he liv'd, and that he liv'd beneficently. I borrow that assurance from honour'd Mr. Selden in his Epistle before the History of Eadmerus Dedicated to the Founder of this Library, to whom he writes in these Words; Egregius peri­tissimus (que) literarum censor, & fautor indulgentissimus & audis, & verè es. Quippe qui Doctrinam suo merito indies cupientissimus honestas: Et sumptuosam in struendis publico usui Bibliothecis operam impendis. Praemium ita studiosis & armarium etiam sine ex­emplo solicitus parandi. Yet what an ill requital did these unthankful times make him, when they removed that worthy Scholar, the Bibliothecary whom he had placed, Mr. Richard Gouland? whom he pick'd out above all men for that Office, being inferiour to none in the knowledg of good Authors, Superiour to any for Fidelity and Diligence of so mortified a Life, that he could scandalize none but with Innocency and Piety; nor offend any but by Meekness, and Inoffensiveness. Such times, such Fruits; for as Antoninus the Emperor says, lib. 12. [...], He is mad that looks for Figgs upon the Tree in Winter. I cannot end with the Erection of this Library. I have but almost done. For this Dean gratified the College with many other Benefits. When he came to look into the State of the House, he found it in a Debt of 300 l. by the Hospitality of the Table. It had then a Brotherhood of most worthy Prebendaries, Moumford, Sutton, Laud, Cae­sar, Robinson, Dorrel, Fox, King, Newel and the rest; but ancient frugal Diet was laid aside in all places; and the prizes of Provisions in less than fifteen years were doubled in all Markets: By which enhancements the Debt was contracted, and by him discharg'd. Not long after, to the Number of the forty Scholars, the Alumni of Queen Elizabeth's Foundation anno 1560. he added four more, distin­guish'd from the rest in their Habit of Violet Colour'd Gowns, for whose main­tenance he purchased Lands. These were Adopted Children, and in this divers from the Natural Children, that the place to which they are removed, when they deserve it by their Learning, is St. John's College in Cambridge, of whom more hereafter. And in those days, when good Turns were received with the Right Hand, Cabal. pag. 69. it was Esteemed among the praises of a Stout and Vigilant Dean, that whereas a great Limb of the Liberties of the City was threatned to be cut off by the Encroachments of the higher Power of the Lord Steward of the Kings Houshold, and the Knight Marshal with his Tip-Staves, he stood up against them with a wife and a confident Spirit, and would take no composition to let them share in those Priviledges, which by right they never had, but preserv'd the Char­ter of his place in its entire Jurisdiction, and laudable Immunities.

57 As the place was most Fortunate in him, so it come now to be shewn that he was most Fortunate in that place. That which was the Lodging of a Dean, be­came in the current of one year, the House of the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, and the [...]lace of the Bishop of Lincoln. Ab eo Magistratu alium post alium sibi peperit; semper (que) in potestatibus eo modo agitabat, ut amplioris quàm gerebat dignns haberetur; Words as fit for this Man, as Salust made them for C. Marius. The Occasion of his sudden Rising was wondred at, because known to few. And they that were busie in the search did not find it; albeit it had done him Credit, that received the Honour. Works that deserve well, deserve the better, when they are wrapt up in Silence, till Prudence chooseth the best time to disclose [Page 48]them. When the Apostles had seen the Glory of our Lord Transfigur'd in the Mount. they were commanded Secrecy to Tell the Vision to no Man, till the Son of Man was Risen from the Dead, Math. 17.9. Let discretion then be my Warrant to give some State-Occurrencies liberty to go abroad, which were confined upon good Reason to the Kings Cabinet in their Minority; Nam [...] ille tempus est ipsum temporis. Jul. Seal. On Jan. 30. 1620. the King met with the Lords and Commons in the High Court of Parliament: The like Assembly convened anno 1613. had given unkindness to the King, so that Parliaments had been disused for seven years. The unkindness so deeply taken was chiefly from hence, that the greatest part of the House of Commons gave willing Audience to those Zealots, who would admit no business into Treaty, till they had made their passionate Complaints, That Popery was suffered to increase without Care and Controle­ment, His Majesty knowing it to be a scandalous Untruth, which blemished him in the good Opinion of his People, and the contrary so well known at home and abroad, that himself with his own Pen had cut the Head of that Supersti­tion, to the admiration of all the World. Yet the Clamour being more stoutly than wisely maintain'd by the Undertakers, it reached to this prejudice, or ra­ther mischief, that the King bethought him that all their Grievances (and they were many) were as groundless as this, and that the Proponents were not to be consulted with for the Publick Weal, and so Dissolv'd them. Generally the Grave and Moderate Gentry throughout the Realm dislike those hot Distempers, which wrought so high in the House of Commons: Yet were not satisfied with their abrupt Recess. Such Physick is too Violent for the Body, and naught for the Head. For the Unruly shall less offend in their House, than when they go home, and exaggerate Reports of Misgovernment among their Neighbours. And that Monarch sooths himself in Error, that thinks he will close up the Wound of such a Breach with a Lip-Salve of a Protestation; or by some Declaration that he will Redress Grievances by himself and by his Judges, without troubling his Lord and Commons. For it is ingrafted into the people, not to account any thing for Reformation, unless the Workmen, whom themselves have chosen, do mend the decays of the great Building.

58 It is much that a King of great Experience, and so full a Soul did discern this no sooner; at last he came to it: And after seven years Pause, he was desi­rous to try the good Temper of another Parliament. It was high time for ma­ny Respects. Let not two among many be forgotten. First he lacked Mony, and being so profuse in Gifts, he had lacked sooner, it the Custom-House had not supported the Exchequer. In ten years he had not he Received one Sub­sidy, a very long time to live like a Shell-Fish upon his own Moisture, with­out any publick Supply; which truly he deserv'd as much, or above his Prede­cessors. For the Kingdom, since his Reign began, was Luxuriant in Gold and Silver far above the scant of our Fathers that liv'd before us. Only the King wanted, who bred all the Plenty: It was dry upon the Fleece only, and there was Dew on all the ground; Jud. 6.40. Besides, those Princes should be chearfully supplied, whose Wisdom procures us safety and quiet by Treaties, rather than by Effusion of Blood. For as Or sins says well lib. 5. Hist. Tributum pretium pacis est, What is Tribute? but a Debt duly paid to Princes for enjoyment of Peace. Se­condly, and far above Mony, the King desired to close with his people in such a strein of mutual good liking, as might give him high Reputation in all Countries, wherein he did negotiate by his Ministers. A course that hath a long Span of forecast in it. For a good Correspondence with all the Heads of the people, is a Sign of the general Love of the Realm. And a King that is beloved at home, will be dreaded abroad. The House of Austria, to whom he had sent often for the Restitution of the Palatinat, which they had invaded, was so great in its own Opinion, that where they Treated, nothing came from them, but that which was fastidious and insolent. As at this time the King of Spain would deign to grant Peace to the States of the United Provinces, not unless upon conditions unsupportable; which were these four. First to acknowledge him for their Patron and Protector. Secondly, To recal their Fleets and Merchants out of the East and West Indies, surrendring what they had in either unto him, and to Trade in those Parts no more. Thirdly, To permit the Roman Catholics free use of Religion in all their Provinces, with Churches and maintenance. Fourthly, To open the Channel of free Navigation between Zealand and Antworp. They that would demand no less for their Friendship, where they had not one Foot of pos­session, were like to vex them with more lofty Bravadoes and Grandiloquence, [Page 49]in whose Territories their Armies had been most prosperous, through breach of Promises. Therefore our King was provident to fill himself with his just dimen­sions, like the Praepotent Monarch of Great Britain, fortified with the Concord and Affections of his Parliament, that by his Ambassadors employ'd to prevent the Fears, the Miseries and Oppressions of War, he might not beg but demand: He might not crave but postulate his Childrens Inheritance.

59. I could not spare these Premises for the Illustration of the sequel. The Parliament began to sit, whose bearing was dutiful to the King, but quick and minatory against some vile persons, who had spoil'd the people by illegal oppres­sions. These were Canker-worms, Harpies, Projectors, who between the easi­ness of the Lord Marquess to procure, and the readiness of the Lord Chancellor Bacon to comply, had obtain'd Patent Commissions for latent Knaveries; which Exorbitancies, being countenanc'd in the Court, were grown too strong for any Justice but the Parliaments to root them up. There the Appeals of the vexed Subject were heard, more like to Out-cries than Complaints; which fell thick up­on Sir Gyles Mompesson, and Sir Francis Michel, for Fines and Levies raised upon Inns and Ale-houses, Arbitrary impositions, and a President dangerous to spread even to Shops and Ware-houses. Others remonstrated against a pack of Chea­ters, who procured the Monopoly of Gold-thread, which with their spinning was palpably corrupted and embased. These Gilt Flies were the bolder, because Sir Edward Villers, half Brother to the Lord Marquess, was in their Indenture of As­sociation, though not Named in their Patent. A Gentleman both Religious and true hearted to good ways, who was ensnared by crafty Merchants; and so far excus'd, that after strict enquiry, when this Adulterate Ware came to the Test, it appear'd that he knew not of the Juggling of the Patentees, who drew on grie­vances with Threads of Vanity, and Scandal upon the Chief Government with Cords of Iniquity. Together with these Vermin (and much more than these) the Lord Chancellor was question'd, and without pity to his Excellent Parts) the Castle of Munera (as I borrow it from Mr. Spenser's Divine Wit) must be quite defaced. Monopolies and Briberies were beaten upon the Anvile every Day, almost every Hour. The obnoxious that were brought to the Bar of Ju­stice, with a multitude that feared to be in as ill condition, saw no way for safety, but to Poyson the King with an ill Opinion of the Parliament, that it might eva­porate into a Nullity. They terrifie the Lord Marquess, that the Grants of these things, which are now Bastardized by the Knights and Burgesses; nay, by the Lords that envy him, were begotten by his Favour and Credit. That the Ar­row of Vengeance is grazed near to himself, which is shot at his Brother. That it was time to look about him; for at the opening of that Session it was much Noted, that the King had said before all the Members, Spare none where you find just Cause to punish. And if the two Houses should sit a year, what good could be expected from them, but two or three Subsidies? That it were less danger for the King to gather such a Sum, or greater, by his Prerogative, though it be out of the way; than to wait for the exhibition of a little Mony, which will cost Dishonour, and the Ruin of his most Loyal and Faithful Servants.

60. O what a Tempting Fiend is self-preservation? These Mormo's, and ill shap'd Jealousies hatch'd in Hell, and prompted by the Father of mischief, dis­quieted the King, but Rob'd my Lord of Buckingham of all peace of Mind; till the Dean of Westminster his good Genius, conjur'd them down; whose Wis­dom luckily consulted gave him this Advice, as I find it in a Breviate of his own hand Writing. ‘That the Parliament in all that it had hitherto undertaken, had deserv'd praise, as well for their dutiful demeanor to the King, as for their Ju­stice to his people. His Majesties just and gracious Prerogative was untouch'd: The Grievances of all that were Wronged with indifferency were Received, which they must sift, or betray the Trust of their Country which sent them. The former Parliament was very Tart, if not undutiful; what then? Shall we be fearful to put our hands into cold Water, because we have been Scalded with hot? There's no Colour to quarrel at this general Assembly of the Kingdom for Tracing delinquents to their Form: For it is their proper Work. And the King hath very Nobly encourag'd them to it in his Speech that in the first day he made before them, nay even proffering to have the blemishes of his Government Re­formed by them; for his own Words must literally bear that meaning, as you well remember them; if I may know my Errors I will Reform them. But your Lordship is Jealous, if the Parliament continue Embodied in this Vigour of your own safety, or at least of your Reputation, least your Name should be used, and he brought to the Bandy, Follow this Parliament in their undertakings, and you [Page 50]may prevent it; Swim with the Tide, and you cannot be Drown'd. They will seek your favour, (if you do not start from them) to help them to settle the pub­lic Frame, as they are contriving it. Trust me and your other Servants, that have some Credit with the most Active Members, to keep you clear from the strife of Tongues. But if you assist to break up this Parliament, being now in pursuit of Justice, only to save some Cormorants, who have devoured that, which must be regorged, you will pluck up a Sluce which will over-whelm your self. The King will find it a great disservice before one year expire. The Storm will gather, and burst out into a greater Tempest, in all insequent Meetings. For succeeding Parliaments will never be Friends with those, with whom the former fell out. This is Negative Counsel. I will now spread Affirmative Proposals be­fore your Honour, which I have studied and consider'd. Delay not one day, before you give your Brother Sir Edward a Commission for an Embassage to some of the Princes of Germany, or the North-Lands, and dispatch him over the Seas before he be mist. Those empty Fellows, Sir G. Mompesson and Sir Fr. Michel, let them be made Victims to the publick Wrath. It strikes even with that Advice, which was given to Caesar in Salust, when the people expected that some should be Examples of impartial Justice, Lucius Posthumins, Marcus Fauonius mihi viden­tur qu [...]si magnae navis supervacua onera esse; Si quid adversi coort [...]m est, de illis pstis­sumon sactura sit, quia pretii minimi sunt. Let Lord Posthumius and M. Fauonius be thrown over board in the Storm; for there are no Wares in the Ship that may better be spared. Nay, my Sentence is, cast all Monopolies and Patents of gri­ping projections into the Dead Sea after them. I have search'd the Signet Office, and have Collected almost forty, which I have hung in one Bracelet, and are fit for Revocation; Damn all these by one Proclamation, that the World may see, that the King, who is the Pilot that sits at the Helm, is ready to play the pump, to eject such Filth as grew Noysom in the Nostrils of his people. And your Lordship must needs partake in the Applause; for though it is known that these Vermin haunted your Chamber, and is much Whisper'd, that they set up Trade with some little Licence from your Honour, yet when none shall appear more forward than your self to crush them, the Discourse will come about, that these Devices, which take ill, were stoln from you by Mis-representation, when you were but New blossom'd in Court, whose Deformities being Discover'd, you love not your own Mistakings, but are the most forward to re-call them.’

61. ‘Before I proceed, though Anger be an Enemy to Counsel, I confess I can­not refrain to be angry; O hearken not to Rhehoboams Ear-Wigs, drive them a­way to the Gibbet, which they deserve, that would incite the King to Collecti­ons of Aid, without concurrence of his Parliament. God bless us from those Scorpions, which certainly would beget a popular Rage. An English mans Tri­bute comes not from the King's Exaction, but by the peoples free Oblation, out of the Mouth of their Representatives. Indeed our Ancient Kings from the be­ginning did not receive, but impose Subsidies. When the Saxon Monarchs want­ed Relief for repairing Castles, Bridges, or Military Expeditions, they Levied it at their will upon the Shires, as we may learn by some Names, the only Remain­der of those Old times, Burg-boot, Brig-boot, Hen-fan, Here-geld, Horn-geld, Dane­geld, Terms that meet us every where in our Ancient Chronicles. The Normans, you may Swear, lost nothing that came in by wonted Signory, but exacted as they saw Cause, as William the Conqueror, de Unaquâ (que) hidâ sex solidos cepit, im­posed Six Shillings on every plowed Land, saith Mathew Paris. And William Ru­sus had his Auxilium non lege statutum, an Aid without an Act of Parliament, as Hoveden in the Life of Henry the Second. And in this manner the Norman Race supplied themselves, as they needed until King John's Reign; who in his great Charter bound himself, and his Successors to Collect no Aid, nisi per commune concilium regni, as it is in Matthew Paris. With this agrees the Old Sta­tute of 51 Henry the Third, de tallagio non concedendo, that Subsidies should not be Levied without the consent of Parliament. Which being confirmed also in the 25 of Edward the First, hath been inviolably observ'd by all the good and peace­able Kings of England to this very day. And God forbid that any other Course should be Attempted. For this Liberty was settled on the Subject, with such Imprecations upon the Infringers, that if they should remove these great Land-Marks, they must look for Vengeance, as if Entail'd by publick Vows on them and their Posterity.’ These were the Deans Instructions, which the Lord Mar­quess received with as much Thankfulness as he could express, and requited his Adviser with this Complement, that he would use no other Counsellor hereafter [Page 51]to pluck him out of his plunges, for he had delivered him from Fear and Folly; and had Restor'd him both to a light Heart, and a safe Conscience. To the King they go together forthwith with these Notes of honest Settlement, whom they found accompanied in his Chamber with the Prince, and in serious Discourse together upon the same perplexities. Buckingham craves leave, That the Dean might be heard upon those particulars, which he had brought in Writing; which the King Mark'd with Patience and Pleasure. And whatsoever seem'd contenti­ous or doubtful to the King's piercing Wit, the Dean improved it to the greater liking by the Solidity of his Answers. Whereupon the King resolv'd to keep close to every Syllable of those Directions. Sir Edward Villiars was sent abroad, and return'd not till September following. Michel and Mompesson received their censure, with a Salvo, that Mompesson's Lady, not guilty of his Crimes, should be preserv'd in her Honour. And, before the Month of March expir'd, Thirty seven Monopolies, with other sharking Prouleries, were decry'd in one Procla­mation, which return'd a Thousand praises, and Ten Thousand good prayers upon the Sovereign. Out of this Bud the Deans Advancement very shortly spread out into a blown Flower. For the King, upon this Tryal of his Wisdom, either call'd him to him, or call'd for his Judgment in Writing, in all that he delibera­ted to Act, or permit, in this Session of Parliament in his most private and clo­sest consultations. The more he founded his Judgment, the deeper it appear'd; so that his Worth was Valued at no less, than to be taken nearer to be a Coun­sellor upon all Occasions. The Parliament wearied with long sittings, and great pains, was content against the Feast of Easter to take Relaxation, and was Pro­rogued from the 27 of March, to the 18 of April. The Marquess had an Eye in it upon the Lord Chancellor, to try if time would mitigate the displeasure, which in both Houses was strong against him. But the leisure of three Weeks multi­plied a pile of New Suggestions against him, and nothing was presaged more certain than his downfal; which came to Ripeness on the third of May. On that day the Patent of his Office, with the Great Seal, was taken from him; which Seal was deliver'd to Four Commissioners, the Lord Treasurer Mountagu, Duke of Lenox Lord Steward of the King's Houshold, William Earl of Pembroke Lord Chamberlain to the King, and Thomas Earl of Arundel and Surry; with whom it rested till the 10th of July following. In the mean time Sir James Leigh, Lord Chief Justice of the King's-Bench was Commissioned to be Speaker in the Up­per House; and Sir Julius Caesar, Master of the Rolls, was Authorized, with certain Judges in equal power with him, to hear, dispatch, and decree all Cau­ses in the Court of Chancery.

62 The Competitors for the Office of the Great Seal were many; Sir James Leigh before mention'd, a Widower, and upon Marriage with a Lady of the Buckingham Family; Sir Henry Hobart Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, Chancellor to the Prince, a Step to the Higher Chancellorship, and as fit as any man for his Learning and Integrity; which of these it was uncertain, but one of these was expected. And verily a fitter Choice could not be made, than out of the pre-eminent Professors of the Common Laws, but that all Kings affect to do somewhat which is extraordinary, to shew the liberty of their power. The Earl of Arundel was thought upon, a Master of Reason, and of a great Fortune. For it was remembred upon the Death of Lord Chancellor Bromly anno 1587, That Queen Elizabeth designed a Peer of the Realm for his Successor; Edward Earl of Rutland, whose Merit for such a place is favour'd by Mr. Cambden, be­cause he was Juris scientiâ, & omni politiori literaturâ ornatissimus; and if his Death much bewailed, had not prevented, the Great Seal had been born before him. But the likeliest to get up (and I may say he had his Foot in the Stirrup) was Sir Lionel Cranfield, Married in the kindred that brought Dignity to their Husbands; a man of no vulgar head-piece, yet scarce sprinkled with the Latin Tongue. He was then Master of the Court of Wards, and did speak to the Causes that were brought before him quaintly and evenly. There seemed to be no Let to put him in Possession of the great vacant Office, but that the Lord Marquess, set on by the King, was upon enquiry, how profitable in a just way it might be to the Dignitary, and whether certain Branches of Emolument were natural to it, which by the endeavour of no small ones were near to Lopping: Sir Lionel besought the Marquess to be sudden, and to Advise upon those things with the Dean of Westminster, a found man and a ready, who did not wont to clap the Shackles of delay upon a business. He being spoken to, to draw up in Writing what he thought of those Cases, return'd an Answer speedily on the [Page 52]Tenth of May, with the best advantage he could foresee to the promotion of the Master of the Wards: Yet it fell out cross unto him, that the Dean woing for another, utterly beyond expectation sped for himself. The Paper which he sent to the Marquess hath his own Words, as they follow.

Now I am credibly inform'd, that the Lord Treasurer begins to Entitle the King to to the casual Fines, and the greater Writs; which is a full Moiety of the profits of the place; not so much to Enrich the King, as to draw Grist to his own Mill; and to wind from the Chancellor the donation of the Cursi­tors places. The preventing the Lord Treasurers in these Cases, made Queen E­lizabeth ever Resolve suddenly upon the disposing of the Great Seal. Likewise they are very busie in the House of Commons (and I saw a Bill which is put up to that Effect) to settle the Custodes Rotulorum, and the Clerks of the Peace for Term of Life upon the Persons, who now possess them; which as it is inconvenient, so it is very prejudicial, and derogating from the next Lord Chancellor. Finally the Under-Officers do also Petition unto the Lords, not without Encouragement, to have some Collops out of the Lord Chancellors Fees; and New Devices will daily spring up, if the disposing be delayed any longer. Now I hope when your Lord­ship shall use this Information, to let the King see it, that you will excuse me for the boldness that I am put upon by your great Commands. The Lord Marquess being not a little Ambitious to present the King with Works of the Brain strong­ly wrought, and well carded, offered this Paper to his Majesty from the Dean of Westminster, when the Ink was scarce dry, which caused this unlook'd for say­ing from the King, You Name divers to me to be my Chancellor. Queen Elizabeth after the Death of Sir Christopher Hatton was inclined in her own Judgment, that the good man Arch-Bishop Whitgift should take the place, who modestly refus'd it, because of his great Age, and the whole multitude of Ecclesiastical Affairs lying upon his Shoulders. Yet Whitgift knew not the half that this Man doth in Reference to this Office. The Lord Marquess the less he look'd for those Words, the more he lik'd them, and Replied extempore; Sir I am a Suitor for none, but for him that is so capable of the Place in your great judgment. Be you satisfied then, says the King, I think I shall seek no further. The Lord Marquess, impotent to contain his Gladness, sent a blind Message to the Dean immediately, That the King had a Preferment in the Deck for him. He nothing aware of what the King had spoken in design to the Dignity of keeping the Great-Seal, mistook the Message to be meant of the Bishopric of London, now wanting a sit Prelate, by the Death of him that was most fit while he lived, Dr. King, whose Soul Heaven received Mar. 30. In prospect whereof, the Dean was a Suitor before. But it hapned to him as Velleius said of Scipio AEmilianus, AEdilitatem petens, Consul creatus est; He sued for the Edileship, and because that was too little, he was made a Consul. This is the very manner, as faithfully digested as any History can be contexed, how this Pre­eminency dropt upon him, that never dreamt of it. It is not like to some mistaken Report that then went about, and may yet be believed by some. But thus much is copiously disclosed for their sakes, that had rather be Disciples of Truth, then Masters of Error.

63. Such a Reader is invited to a further Collation; engaging upon peril of offending God, not to clam his Taste with the smallest Collection of Flattery. The Chancellorship, or a Title equivalent to that Office, is a Supreme Dignity in the Empire of Germany, and in all Christian Kingdoms and States, and further then Christendom, executed by the Grand Visier of the Port at Constantinople. [Page 53]Only the Chief Pontiff of the See of Rome styles the Prelate of his Palace, who presides in that Employment, his Vice-Chancellor, and no more. And why? Because, says Gomesius in his Proem to the Rules of that Court, Vices agit Cancel­larii Dei, quia Papa est Dei Cancellarius: He can be but a Vice, for the Pope him­self is God's Chancellor. Let him be as Liberal as he will to himself by his own Assumption, I am certain he is not such by God's Nomination. Leaving the Pon­tifical Court to its own Platform, elsewhere the Chancellor is the Chief Magi­strate, under the Supreme Power of the King that sets him up. To which pur­pose, Budaeus in his Notes upon the Pandects, p. 325. Cancellariatus summum est hodie honorum fastigium, & quasi quoddam summa quaeque ambientis animi solstitium. This was it then which was marvel'd, and look'd upon as a Rarity, that the King should prefer the Dean of Westminster, though very richly qualified in a Church­man's condition, to the Estival Solstice of Honour, as Budaeus calls it, at one step, who had never pass'd through the lower Ascendant Signs of the Zodiac of the Law. But that great Master of Wisdom did never repent him, that He had trusted such a Servant so far; never gave the least sign of Displeasure to the day of his Death, that He would Remove him; never tax'd him, that he had gone awry in any thing either as a public or private Person. Which good Opinion he kept so constantly, that after two years Probation in his Office, I find these Lines in a Letter which he send to the Lord of Buckingham to Madrid, May 11. 1623. The King's Grace to me is such, that I profess before God I never re­ceived ill Word, or clouded Aspect from him, since the first day I served him in this great Place. His Majesty would many times speak of him, that He never met with a better States-man for a clear, and far-reaching Judgment. His Knowledge was a Political Circle, that comprehended all things in it. Bring any Matter unto him, his Reason was never shallow, nor at Low-Water. He studied Foreign Courts, as much as this at home; and cared not what he paid to expert Ministers, Stran­gers or Native, to be acquainted with the Secrets of their Masters. The best, to whom he may be similized herein, is Frier Paul the Servite, of whom it is written, When any News were bruited, he seldom was mistaken in his Opinion, whether they were true or false; and nothing could be propounded to him, to which he did not suddenly give an Answer, and with that Solidity, as if he had meditated much upon those Answers, which were conceived presently under the Question. Such an Eminency of Intellectual Parts opened the broad Gate for this Dean to enter into the Royal Favour. As among Plants, it is the property of the Palm-Tree, says Philo, lib. 1. de Vit. Mos. that the Vital Virtue thereof is not in the Root, which is under the Earth, but in the top of the Trunk, as in the Head which is next to Heaven: And Pliny, lib. 13. c. 4. accords well unto it, Dulci; me­dulla earum in cacumine, quod cerebrum vocant: The sweet and succulent Marrow in the top, is the Brain and Life of the Palm. So to them that enquire how Dean Williams shot up so soon to this Palm of Honour, I will point to the top of the Tree, even to the Marrow of his Brain; Dulcis medulla in cacumine, quod cerebrum vocant.

64. Withal he was most Industrious; and that not by fits, but every day did conclude its Work, as if he were not to live till to morrow. No Cammel did bear more burden then he did, when he first entred to sit in the Seat of Lord-Keeper, or travel'd further with so little Food, and less rest; which he suffer'd the better, because he was weary of Ease, and loved Labour. For confirmation of it I will anticipate, how he was breath'd (till he was almost out of breath with a violent, but short Sickness) upon the end of the first Term that he appeared in Chancery. It was the Term of Michaelmas, and in the November of it the Parlia­ment sate again, in which he attended in the Office of Speaker in the Lords House. With these, concur'd a spiny and difficult Treaty between our Mer­chants, and the Agents of the United-Provinces, for the most savage Insolencies committed at Amboyna, a Treaty wherein he was the Chief Commissioner, and the sharpest against those Thieves and Murderers: Which Treaty took up three Afternoons constantly in every week, while it continued to hear that Cause. In the Court of Chancery, beside the ordinary Work, several Causes, and of a reach­ing number, were referred in the preceding Session of Parliament to the succeed­ing Lord Keeper, to review the Orders of the Predecessor displaced. Into this vast Sea of Business he launch'd forth all at once. Hereupon my self, and half an hundred more, have seen his Industry, that he was compel'd to sit by Candle­light in the Court two hours before day, and there to remain till between eight and nine, that the Prince being come to the Lords House, sent for him to take [Page 54]his Place, there to Propound and Report the Questions of that Honourable House, till past twelve every day, not seldom till past one. After a short Repast at home, he returned to hear the Causes in Chancery, which he could not dispatch in the morning. Or if he did attend at Council in Whitehall, he came back to­ward evening, and followed his Employment in Chancery till eight at night, and later. Then, on the neck of this, when he came home, he perused such Papers as were brought to him by his Secretaries And after that, though far in the night, prepared himself for so much as concerned him to have in readiness for the Lords House in the morning. In this overwhelming hurry of Troubles, of such divers sorts and compositions, what time come could he borrow for necessary Refreshment, or the Repose of his wearied Body night or day? And as the good King pick'd him out for this Task, because He foresaw that none would outdo him in Diligence, so He prefer'd him to be Great in Place, because He knew he was great in Courage. The Supporters on the Steps of Salomon's Throne were not Sheep, but Lions. The way to be Just, is to be Inflexible; the way to be Inflexi­ble, is to be Stout; casting all thoughts of Fears and Favours under feet. No man by natural complexion could be better engrained for it. I will take it up from one that had no mind to say the best of him; Mr. Art. Wil. p. 196. He was of a comely and stately Presence, and that, animated with a great Mind, made him appear very proud to the vulgar Eye. Quaedam videntur, & non sunt: So far was his Heart from Pride, that he never thought himself the finer for the Trappings of Fortune. Yet so far from baseness, that he knew the Bench he sate upon, and would not be made despicable in the Eyes of the World, much less be brought about to serve great Men's turns, and stretch the Causes of the Court, according to the Contents of their Letters and Messages; which were no better, in a rude Phrase, then to be a Pandar to their Lust, to let them deflower Justice. There­fore in the same Leaf, says Ar. Wil. again, The height of his Spirit made him odi­ous to them that raised him, happily because they could not attain to those Ends by him, which they required of him. The height of his Spirit made him speak freely, and counsel faithfully, and decree justly, though that Lord, to whom he had espoused his greatest Devotion, were concerned in the Opposition. Which was rectitude and magnitude of Mind, as Tully in his Brutus makes Atticus decipher Caesar, Splendidam miniméque veteratoriam dicendi rationem tenet; voce, motu formâ etiam magnifieâ & generosâ quodammodò. His Person, his Gesture, his Eloquence, were magnificent and generous; whose wont it was to reduce his chief Friends to Reason, not craftily and timidly, but with a noble and sublime Sincerity.

65. Among the Qualities of a good Judge, there is one remaining, and fit to bring up the Rear, which the King look'd upon as verily to be presaged in his new Officer, an Hand clean from corruption and taking Gifts, which blind the Eyes of the Wise, and pervert the Words of the Righteous, Deut. 16.19. 'Twas loudly ex­claimed, (and the King was ashamed to have so far mistaken the Persons) that there were sucking Horse-Leeches in great places. Things not to be valued at Money were saleable; and what could not Gold procure? As Meander writes, [...]: That is, Friends, and Judges, and Witnesses, you may have them for a Price; nay, such as sit in the place of God, will serve you for such Wages. The wise King having little prevailed by Monitions and Menaces against this fordid Filthiness, cast his Liking upon a Man whom He might least suspect for Gripleness and Bribery. The likeliest indeed of all others to shake this Viper from his hand, and to be armed with a Breast-plate of Integrity against the Mammon of Iniquity; for he was far more ready to give, then to take; to oblige, then to be beholding: Magis illud laborare ut illi quamplurimi debeant, as Salust of Jugurtha. He was well descended, of a fortunate and ancient Lineage, and had made his progress to Advancements by Steps of Credit; a good Bridle against base Deviations. What then made an an unsavoury Historian call him Country Pedant? A Reproach with which H. L. doth flirt at him in his History of King Charles; a scornful Untruth. So I shake off this Bar, and return to the Reverend Dean, who was in a Function of Holy Calling next to God. Among them I know all have not been incorrupt; the Sons of Samuel turned aside after Lucre, and took Bribes, and perverted Judgment, 1 Sam. 8.3. But commonly I trust they do not forget what a Scandal it is, if God's Stewards turn the Devils Rent-Gatherers. He was also unmarried, and so unconcerned in the natural Impulsion of Avarice to provide for Wife and Children. Our old moral Men touched often upon this String, that Justice is a Virgin, [...], says Hesiod; and therefore fit to be committed to the trust of a Virgin Ma­gistrate. [Page 55]He was never fullied with Suspicion that he loved Presents, no not so much as Gratuidad di Guantes, as the Spaniards Phrase is; but to go higher, they are living that know, what Sums of Value have been brought to his Secretaries, such as might have swayed a man that was not Impregnable; and with how much Solicitousness they have been requested to throw them at his Feet for Favours al­ready received; which no man durst undertake, as knowing assuredly it would displace the Broker, and be his Ruine. And it was happy for him, when, five years after, Lime-Hounds were laid close to his foot-steps to hunt him, and every corner searched to find a little of that Dust behind his door: Eut it proved a dry scent to the Inquisitors; for, to his Glory and the Shame of his Enemies, it could never appear that the least Bird-lime of Corruption did stick to his Fingers. And now I have shewn what was the rich Portion, which he brought when he was wedded to the Office of the Great-Seal, these are convictive, and day-light Evi­dences. To one or two Writers of late, that have gone another way, I have no­thing to answer, because in those things wherein they calumniate, they address not themselves to prove any thing Enough to give them up to the censure of that Infamy which they merit, Qui notitiam viri non ex bonis gestis, dictisque, sed ex mi­nus probabilibus fieri volunt; quo quid nequius? says the Author called Zeno of Verona. When such candid Authors, as Sir T. Moore, Sir J. Hayward, S. Daniel, and Re­nowned Camden, wrote the Lives of Princes, they drew the Characters of Men by their Actions, and Speeches; not out of Obloquies and Suspicions, the Brats of rotten Fame, that have no Father. But in Sick, or rather Pestilentious Times, when no Wares are set forth so much as Untruths and Malice, too many are not more bold to Lie, then confident to be Believed. Never, with no People under the Sun, did Veracity suffer so much as by the Pen of Sir A. Wel. whose Pamphlet is Perpetuus Rhotacismus, one snarling Dogs-Letter all over; which I condemn therefore, as Philoxenus the Poet censured Dionysius the Syracusan's Tragedy, A fronte ad calcem unâ liturâ circumduxit, Correct it with one Scratch or Score from the beginning to the end.

66. Such as he are not in my way; why then should I loiter one Line to jostle them out? Yet since discreet Persons, and they that extol'd the Dean, and confess'd that his Soul carried a great freight of Worth, did think their Exceptions weighty against his undergoing that great Office, I will not dissemble as if I were a Stran­ger to them. The Words of the Wise are as Nails, fastned by the Masters of Assem­blies, Eccles. 12.11. Yet some Nails are not so fast in, but they may be wrench'd out. Many alledged, that he had Dedicated himself to the Church in an holy Calling: Why should he take his hand from his own Plow, to preside in Secular Affairs? Indeed when the Harvest was great, and the Labourers few, it was the Summum bonum of a Labourer to ply that Harvest; for nothing could be better, then to Plant the Gospel among those that had not believed. But where an whole Na­tion is gained so far as to believe in Christ, and the Message of Salvation known to all; that Church is preserved unto Christ by other means beside Preaching. They that attend their Charge in Prayer, Exhortation, and dispensing the Sacra­ments in all Quarters of the Land, had need to have some of their own Coat in Places of Power and Dignity, to preserve their Maintenance from Sacrilege, and their Persons from being trodden down with dirty Feet. Such as God hath bless'd to go in Rank with the Chiefest to help their Brethren, whether in public Office, or in Attendance on their Sovereign, in his Chappel, Closet, Eleemosy­nary Trust, or the like, they are as much in the Harvest, as they that labour in the Pulpit. St. Ambrose in his sundry Embassages for his Lord the Emperor; the Father of Gr. Nazianzen a Bishop, of whom his Son says in his Epitaph, that he was [...], employed in Pre-eminency, and Ho­nour, and Government. Euseb. de vit. Constanti. l. 4. c. 27. Sozom. l. 1. c. 9. mention the Rescript of Constantine to Ablavius the Praetorian Praefect, Ut pro Sanctis semper & venerabilibus habeatur, quicquid Episcoporum fuerit sententiâ terminatum: idque in cansis omnibus, quae vel Praetorio, vel civili jure tractantur. Which large Conces­sion of Constanstine was restrained indeed by Gratian and Valentiman, an. 376, Ad causas quae ad Religionis observantiam pertinebant. All the Prelates to whom the Emp. Constan­tine the Great referred the Hearing of Causes by Appeals, which they discharged to the gaining of great Love and Praise; these were not out of their Sphere, but served the Church, when they did that which ingratiated the Church, and made the Christian Name to be venerable. Some never speak of Secular Policy, but as of a Prophane thing; whereas a worthy Man may manage a Civil Tribunal with that maintenance of Virtue, with that galling of Vice and evil Manners, so [Page 56]as many good Pulpit-Orators put together might give God thanks, if their Success were equal. Councils, it is true, may be produced, as, to be brief, the Quin-Sext in Trullo, can. 11, which forbids Priests and Deacons, (it names not Bishops) [...], to handle worldly Principalities. I am struck with Re­verence to the Council, but not Convicted by its Reason, which is fetch'd out of one Scripture, that no Man can serve two Masters. Tell this to the Ecclesiastics of Rome, who are wholly buried in Things, not only different, but contrary to the Ministry Instituted by Christ. Opposite Masters cannot be served by one faithful Servant, subordinate may; for we may love both, and hate neither. The King's Service in a Righteous way is not opposite to Christ's Evangelical Administra­tions, but co-incident. And a Supreme Governor doth not lose his Right in a Subject, that is made a Priest or Bishop; but may employ him under him as he pleaseth, since the compacture of the whole Commonwealth together is but one Christian Oeconomy. ABP. Spots­wood, p. 299. In the Articles proponed to the Parliament at Sterling by Mr. Andrew Melvin, an. 1578. this is the 17th of the 11th Cap. ‘We deny not that Ministers may, and should assist their Princes, when they are required, in all things agreeable to the Word of God, whether it be in Council, or Parliament, or out of Council; providing always that they neither neglect their own Charges, nor through flattery of Princes hurt the public State of the Church.’ A Caution that their own Charges be not neglected, is most Pious; otherwise the Indulgence is very indefinite. Many Zealots are as kind to themselves in England to serve their own turn. I never saw any of our Ministry more abstracted from their Studies, continually progging at the Parliament-Door, and in Westminster-Hall for many years together, having no Calling, but that of an Evil Spirit to raise Sedi­tion, then those that were most offended at a Bishop, for bestowing some part of his Time in a Secular Place: And yet a considerate Judge will not say, that the Lord-Keepership is an Employment merely Secular. To mitigate the strict Cases of the Law with the Conscience of the King, in whose Place he sits, is it not as fully Ecclesiastical, as a Consistory of teaching and ruling Elders? Ulpian did not stick to say of all the grave Senators, that sate upon the Bench to decide Right from Wrong, Nos meritò juris sacerdotes à quòdam dicti sumus, siquidem sanctissima res est civilis sapientia. This Heathen was pleased to have them styled, Priests of the Law, because the Wisdom of Civil Judicature was an holy Thing. Much more it agrees in a Chancellor, who directs that part which is [...], as Ari­stotle says, Eth. 5. the mitigating of public Justice, when it breaths Intemperate Rigour. Happy are the People who are governed by full and exact Laws, which make them liable, as little as may be, to the Errors and Passions of Arbitrary Mo­deration: Yet because a Law is a General Rule, and that it is not possible that a General Rule should provide sufficiently to satisfie all particular Cases, therefore as the same Philosopher said again, Polit. 3. Let the Laws have the chief Power, yet sometimes let one or more Judges have the Power of the Laws; which in effect is the merciful Voice of God, to mollifie the Strictness and Inconveniencies of the Voice of Man. And we living in a Christian State, how can that be incongruous, nay any way unseemly in his Person, that is an Ambassador of Christ?

67. It was said also, that he was illiterate in the knowledge of the Laws, being bred up in other Studies, and very unprepared to discharge this Function. But it was quickly unsaid as soon as the Court had trial of his Abilities. There have been others besides Peter Gallaudes, that have been capacious of all Sciences and Learning, of whom Turnebus Advers. l. 2. c. 1. Omnium rerum capax natura, quam it a facile regebat, & versabat, ut quicquid ageret, unum illud curae habere, tractaréque putaretur. So this man had a mind of such a Glebe by the felicity of Nature, and so manured, that it could bring forth a plentiful Crop, whatsoever Seed or Grain was cast into it; and whatsoever he addicted himself to convey into the Store-house of his Brain, he was never long at suck, but had it with much more speed then other men. Though he was never a Practitioner in the course of the Law, yet he had been an hard Student in the Tenures, Reports, and other Compilements of that Profession. But no marvel if others were diffident of him, for he was very diffident of himself. Therefore he humbly besought the King, he might be a Tem­porary Lord-Keeper, nay a Probationer and no more, as it is divulged in the Cabal, p. 56. and of the rest of that in a sitter place. Nay, he besought that His Majesties free and unlook'd-for Election might bear the blame of his Infirmities; as Gregory the Great wrote to Mauritius the Emperor, when he did in a manner en­force Gregory to be Bishop of Rome, Lib. 1. Ep. 5. Necesse est ut omnes culpas meas & negligentias non mihi, sed tuae pietati populus deputet, qui virtutis Ministerium infirmo [Page 57]commisit. The Chancellorship of England is not a Chariot for every Scholar to get up and ride in it. Saving this one, perhaps it would take a long day to find another. Our Laws are the Wisdom of many Ages, consisting of a world of Customs, Maxims, intricate Decisions, which are Responsa prudentum. Tully could never have boasted, if he had lived among us; Si mihi vehementer occupato stoma­chum moverint, triduo me jurisconsultum profitebor. Orat. pro Mar. If the Advocates of Rome anger'd him, though he were full of business, he would pass for a Lawyer in 3 days. He is altogether deceived, that thinks he is fit for the Exercise of our Judicature, because he is a great Rabbi in some Academical Authors; for this hath little or no Copulation with our Encyclopaidy of Arts and Sciences. Quin­tilian might judge right upon the Branches of Oratory and Philosophy, Omnes Disciplinas inter se conjunctionem rerum, & communionem habere. But our Law is a Plant that grows alone, and is not entwined into the Hedge of other Professions; yet the small insight that some have into deep Matters, cause them to think, that it is no insuperable Task for an unexpert man, to be the chief Arbiter in a Court of Equity: Bring Reason and Conscience with you, the good stock of Nature, and the thing is done. Aequitas optimo cuique notissima est, is a trivial Saying, A very good man cannot be ignorant of Equity: And who knows not that extreme Right is extream Injury? But they that look no further then so, are short-sighted: For there is no strein of Wisdom more sublime, then upon all Complaints to measure the just distance between Law and Equity; because in this high Place, it is not Equity at Lust and Pleasure that is moved for, but Equity according to Decrees and Precedents foregoing, as the Dew-beaters have trod the way for those that come after them. What was more Absolute then the Power of the Pretorian Courts in Rome? Yet they were confined by the Cornelian Law to give Sentence Ex edictis perpetuis; to come as near as might be to the Perpetual Edicts of former Pretors: And wherefore? Of that Budaeus informs us: Ne juris dicendi ratio arburaria praetoribus esset, & pro eorum libidine subinde mutabilis. In Pandec. p. 205. To keep Justice to cert [...]in and stable Rules; for every man will more readily know how to find his own, when he trusts to that Light, which burns constantly in one Socket. This is to keep the Keeper from Extravagancies of his own Fancies and Affections, and to hold him really to Conscience; and Conscience, as it is in Queen Elizabeth's Motto, is Semper ead [...]m, It is ever the same. No all this doth adorn and am­plisie the great Wisdom of the Dean, that being made the Pilot in the chief Ship of the Political Navy, a Pilot that had never been a Mariner in any Service of that Vessel before; yet in all Causes that ever he heard, he never made an im­prosperous Voyage. For from his first setting forth to his last Expedition, the most Envious did never upbraid him with Weakness, or scantiness of Know­ledge. Neither King James, King Charles, nor any Parliament, which gave due Hearing to the frowardness of some Complaints, did ever appoint that any of his Orders should be retexed: Which is not a Pillar of Honour, but a Pyramid. Fulgentius hath Recorded the like upon the Wonder of his Age, Father Paul of Venice, that being Provincial of his Order, and hearing many Causes, none of the Judgments that he gave (which were innumerable) were ever Repealed upon Instance made to higher Judgment. Neither do I find that any of his Fraternity did maunder, that the Frier was a Strippling but 28 years old, and therefore but a Novice to make a Provincial, who is a Judge and a Ruler over his Fellows. He had better Luck in that then our Dean, who was 39 years old when he atchieved this great Honour, yet some (it is presumed they were nettled with Emulation) utterly disliked his Age, that it was not wrinkled with Gravity. They were but Yonkers themselves that made such Cavils; For he that is stepping into the For­tieth Year of his Life, if he have spent his Time as he ought, is come to adult ma­turity. Many, as soon as their Spring is over, are in their Autumn. So Nazian­zen calls Basil, then but a young man, [...]; One whose Mind was gray with Senility, before his Head was enrich'd with Silver Hairs. And how prevailing was Cato in the Senate at the time of the Catilinarian Con­spiracy? And yet, in my Collection, at that time he had scarce seen 30 years in the World. I will cite out of many Examples but one more, and that's Lasthenes in Aeschylus his Tragedy, [...]; He car­ried an aged Soul in a youthful Body. We learn out of the Typical Lessons of the Old Law, Levit. 2.14. That green Ears of Corn were accepted for an holy Oblation, if Oyl and Frankincense were put upon them. Which will bear this Note: That the Gifts of our young and flourishing Age are very sweet, when they are Balsam'd with Discretion.

[Page 58] 68. At last I come slowly to a Stone of Offence, that cannot quite be remo­ved; yet I come to it. It were not Ingenuous to deal like Fl. Josephus, that in all his History never mentioned the Trespass of his Fore-fathers in Worshiping the Golden Calf at Horeb. But why should that be covered which the Penitent him­self did not conceal? That Eruptions of Anger flash'd from him too often, which he confess'd in his Letter to the Lord of Buckingham, printed in the Cabal, p. 78. Heat and Earnestness, I know by looking into my self, are Symptoms of good Nature. It is in a manner a National Cognizance among his Country-men the Welsh, to be quickly stirred, and of an hot Blood; and when they have been very loud in Choler for a trice, after a short fray to be as good Friends as ever. I con­fess this was a Bird of that Feather. He that will trouble himself with me, to look upon the Disease, and the Sympton's in a moral Landchape, shall not altoge­ther be weary of it. The composition of Fire is great in some men; there is some of it in all men. So says he that wrote the Book of Wisdom, c. 2. v. 2. [...]; There is a little Spark in the m [...]ving of our Heart. Some are so still, so happy in Tranquility, that they are little provoked to Hasti­ness and Heat: The Spark glows not, but lies as if it were cover'd under the Ashes. Some have more Brimstone in their Complexion, and if they take disrelish, their Spirits are hurried to their Heart swifter then Lightning, which blow the Spark, and the Spark kindling in the Blood makes it boil over, before Reason can be con­sulted how to cool it. Now as there is no Good in us, but hath much Infirmity; so there is no Infirmity in us out of which God cannot bring much Good: For, in the memory of all Times, those that were of Cholerical Complexions have been the most active, and the most fortunate in bringing great Exploits about. No better Witness can be quoted, then the meekest Writer that the Greek Church enjoyed: Nazian. Orat. 26. [...]. (He writes it for the Defence of St. Peter, of an hasty Nature, and a prompt Speaker.) Do not utterly condemn all angry Heat, without which nothing that is Brave can be brought to pass towards Piety and Virtue. Again, though it be an unruly Passion, it wants not this Apology, That it chafes away Malice, as it were, by imperceptible Perspiration. Usually such as are quickly instigated to Displeasure, and seem to be Foes, of all that we converse with, soonest become Friends. When I instance in Theodosius the Elder, it is to let him stand for the Figure of Ten thousand; of whom says Aurelius Victor, Irasci rebus indignis, sed flecli cito, unde modicâ dilatione emolliebatur: He was quickly angry, and quickly entreated, mollified after his Fit in the turning of an hand. A Weakness that deserves much Indulgence, when it draws such a Virtue after it: Which in the knowledge of all men, that were willing to see the Truth, was the Dispraise and the Praise of our Prelate, who came to such sudden Greatness. He was quickly stirred and provoked, but the Sun never went down upon his Wrath. There did not live that Christian that would put up greater Wrongs, or pass them over with a more slight Contempt. He forgat Injuries as if they had been Dreams; neither could be endure to be told that he had been injured, when fawning Sycophants came to whisper such things in secret. He liked the Infor­mer far worse then the Offender: The first was sure to have no Reward; the other was certain to have no more then a mild Rebuke for his Punishment. Re­venge is a kind of Savage Justice, though Wolvish Natures affect it, which he ab­horred, first out of Evangelical Charity, next out of the greatness of his Spirit: Wherein, if he had his match, I think upon Earth he had not his Superior, being most exorable to Offenders, facile in taking Satisfaction, faithful after Reconciliation; using his Power too much to Protect some, but never to Ruine any; towards Male-contents that sometimes forgat good Manners, his Heat was so far abated, that he was too cord in Repressing them: As Theophylact said of Joseph his Pacifica­tory Thoughts toward the Blessed Virgin, That he was willing, [...], so he was ever inclined to overshadow a Fault with a gentle Interpretation. Take his Picture in his own words, as he wrote them to the L. Buckingham in be­half of the wise and valiant Earl of Southampton, Cabal, p. 59. Of all Actions, forget not those of Mercy and Goodness, wherein Men draw nighest to God himself; Nor of all Persons, Prisoners, and afflicted Josephs. Celerity doth redouble an Act of Mercy; therefore it is no Flattery to contest, that such a proneness to Ebullition of Anger, is much better then a sullen Saturnine Temper, which betrays not it self outwardly in flame, but burns inwardly with implacable Rancour; which Cato of Veica had learnt out of the School of the Stoics: He was not easily incensed, but if he were, [...], says Plutarch, being once warmed, he was never cool again. To [Page 59]whom this man was so contrary, that if he had been Transported to Transgress against Civility towards any Man, who in the distraction of much business had rush'd upon him unseasonably, and follow'd him with Insolency, able to discom­pose a most Resolved Patience, I would have undertaken, in less than two hours, to present that man's business to him with hope of good success, if the Justice of his Cause would bear it, when I durst not have moved him for another Man.

69. To stoop this Vinacre to the very Lees; some will say, that Eruptions of Anger in a Person of Honour, chiesly if they be fierce, will seem to be com­pounded with Pride and Haughtiness; the Answer without struggling shall be with yielding, and distinguishing. It is granted that Anger and Pride are seldom parted; Eccles. 7.10. The patient in Spirit, is better than the Proud in Spirit; which infers, that there is some Pride, where there is not patience, there is a Connexion between Evil Works; every Offence against God is a Lump of Spawn; a Row that will yield a Fry of Sins; especially by the incubation of Custom and Impenitency. In this knot and coherence of Sins a severe Casuist will tell you, that there is no Sin committed without Pride in the Stomach of the Disobedient. Questionless it putrifies somewhat in every Man's Heart by Origi­nal fomentation. But there are Mountains of Pride, and there are Hillocks; no Fragment of so great a Sin is so little as a Mole Hill. There is a proud Man who is a great Oppressor, who would cast down all that are in his way, and Trample upon them to ascend higher and higher upon their Subjection. Paca­tus says neatly in his Panegyric to Theod sius, that the people could find no worse Name for Tarquinius the Tyrant, than Tarquinius the Proud. And upon Davids prayer to God to deliver him from the Horns of the Unicorn, it is St. Austin's Note, In Unicornibus superbi intelliguntur, qui soli cupiunt eminere. He is the single Horn of the Unicorn, that in singularity of Pride would excell in Power, and push all others down; from whom, let us all say with David, Good Lord deliver us. Herein he that I write of, is nothing concern'd; that Crime hath no similitude with his Mercy and Modesty. There is a proud Man that Values his own Worth, or rather no Worth, in an high Estimation, and above the common Level of Men like Julian, the Renouncer of Christ, that put scorn upon all Worthies, Heathenish as well as Christian, and this Great Idolater Worship'd nothing but himself. This Arrow shoots wide from our present Mark, Gods Grace be Thanked; this Pride, which hath the true Taste of Lucifer, is ra­ther begotten by Melancholy, than by Anger. It was not possible that one should be more liberal than Dean Williams was, in Attributing due and down-Weight to every Man's Gifts, his Candor made him praise every one promiscuously, per­haps beside his Judgment; and I have heard him prefer divers, and very seri­ously, before himself, who came short a Mile and a way-bit. This, as it ought, let it stand for a Flower of Humility; for his erected Spirit, so free from base­ness, would never stoop to Hypocrisie. In fine, there is a Pride, when we Love our own Desires, our own Delight and Satisfaction; not only our Will, but our Starts and Fancies so much in every thing, that without open Offence taken we wil be cross'd in nothing. It spurns at every Rub in the way; it frets a­gainst Beasts, nay against things insensible: Now he that is disturb'd, if he be not humor'd at every Turn, must take this Rebuke with Patience, that he is a proud Man. This frailty was his blemish: This last kind of Pride and Anger compounded together: Yet I believe he might have been Tempted to be prou­der in another kind, if he had not been familiar with this infirmity. But his in­sight into this defect, begat in him a loathing of himself, and a lowly mind. Nei­ther was he ignorant that some went beyond him in the cunning of getting Af­fections with a formal patience, who were not his Paragons in Innocency and Cordial Humility. Now let an Upright Moralist be the Judge of this Great Judge; it is not for the satisfaction of a wrangling Mome; for what can be expe­cted from Crabs but Verjuice?

70. The Abilities of the designed Lord Keeper were such, and (be it deliver'd impartially) greater than are set forth, as in time he made it good. But when it came to be divulged, that this preferment hovered over him, it was much, and dividedly spoken of as a Paradox of Honour. Some could not believe it; some said it was no New way, but an Old one Renewed, and God give him Joy of it. Some did stomach it, I must not say Envy it; for Envy is so low and base a Sin, that every Man, though the most guilty of it, will scorn to confess it. The best Professors of our Laws took it sadly without doubt, that one who did never Run in their Race, had got their Garland. Many others there were, and ever will [Page 60]be, that, like Joseph's Brethren, hate the very Dream of a Sheaf, to which they must do Obeysance. Therefore it requir'd the Art of a Wise Man to set up the Frame with that skill, that it might be no Eye-sore to the Judicious beholder; which was thus Effected. Though the Grant of the Place was fixed upon this Man, without any likelihood of Revocation; yet he besought the King and ob­tain'd, that Ten Weeks should run out before the Seal should be remanded from the Commissioners, and put into his Custody. A Benefit of sundry Advantages. The least was, that popular Discourse, inclining much to descant upon this mat­ter, would spend it self away in two or three Months, and as it were boyl from a Pint to a Spoonful. It was further look'd into, that he might have respite to study the Weight and Trust of the Office, whereby to supply it with that skill, as might in Candor be expected from a Beginner; which he improved as far as could be done in so short a time; having the assistance of Sir Harry Finch, a most profound Lawyer, whom he kept in his Lodgings from May to October fol­lowing, for all sorts of Advice, The best Heifer he could have Plowed with, to find out Riddles, Jud. 14.18. What could not his quick capacity draw from such a Master? Or what could not Industry reach to with that Capacity? being of all Men, perhaps above all men, most Laborious; and far from the sheepishness of Sloth, the greatest blemish in our English Nation. He had day enough also to look about him, to enquire for able and honest Servants, to be prefer'd into the Chief places of Fidelity under him, which succeeded with that praise of Judg­ment, and Blessing of Success, that certainly God was at his Right hand in it; some of his Followers were as Learned Gentlemen as our Kingdom had. No man that knew them will deny that to be due to Sir William Boswel, and Mr. Edward Palmer. All of them were of Vertuous Conversation, Grave Deport­ment, greatly experienced in the World, Sober, Civil, Uncorrupt; in a Word it was a Ship of Argonautes; so that I have heard of our Honourable Peerage, and of the worthy Judges then Living not a sew affirm, that an Houshold so Ex­cellently model'd, was one of the most evident things that discover'd the great Wisdom of the Master. Other things likewise in the Interlunium, as I may call it, of that Great Office were spread abroad by Fame, and very justly, which serv'd exceedingly to sweeten the general Opinion. They that could dive fur­thest into Court secrets had found, that it was a preferment that came to hand of it self, neither lured to, nor whistled to; never sued for, never sought for; but as Mamertinus said of the Consulship which Julian bestowed upon him of his own Grace, and proper Motion, non modo nullum popularium deprecatus sum, sed ne te quidem Imperator, quem orare praeclarum, cui preces adbibere plenissimum dignita­tis est. 'Tis humane to wonder at such a Fortune, 'twere divellish to Envy it. It qualified also, that no detection could be made then, or thereafter, that he bought this Greatness, unless in Claudian's sense, Emitur solâ virtute potestas. But this Place was pointed out by the King, not for him that would give, but to him that would not take; to one that pretended to make no more requital, than to serve God in his Calling, to be True to the King, and no Exactor upon his people. If a Jearer shall cast in, that no marvel if he paid nothing down to his up-lifter, for he was low in Coffers and Credit, and not worth a Bribe; such a one says the same Truth that I do to the main, but he Collects it falsely. For the Dean was never Richer in present Coin in his Life, than he was at that time, which came to appear upon this Account, that as soon as he was warm in this New Honour, e'en within two Months after, William Earl of Pembroke his No­ble Friend, made the Bargain with him to purchase his Grand-Fathers Lands in Wales, which were slipt aside by ill Husbandry, for which he disbursedten Thousand pounds, not much more being to be added to the Seller, which he borrowed; wherein he Explained two things to the World by this one Act, that such Monies as lay by him he gave not for his Office; and those that he laid out, he got not by his Office. This was not his Forecast, but the Lords above; who takes care for every Sparrow. He little thought to live upon that pittance in his Old Age. But God provided it, that when the wide Throat of Sacrilege had swallowed down more than ever was devoured at one Gulp, when the pleasant Vine of the Church of England, with all the Fruitful Branches were cut down with the Pru­ning Hook of an Ordinance, than this little Gourd in Wales should shadow over the head of our Jonah. It was well said of Plato, That a Prudent Man would lay by somewhat in Store to supply him; neither was it superfluous though it did survive him; for, says he, I had rather leave somewhat, though to mine Enemy, when I Die; than stand in need of my Friends, who may prove no Friends, while I live.

[Page 61] 71. I am yet in the lingring Season of the Parasceve, or induction prepara­tive, before the Candidate carried the Palm in his hand, wherein he proceeded, as far as the Line of a good Wit would let him run, to gain public Equanimi­ty to the Kings intentions. For he besought His Majesty to clog the Grandeur of that place with such Terms and Conditions in his person, as might comprize it in a less Size, than it was ever before Received by any. All which were his own Invention, and his own seeking, as it is somewhat detected in the Cabal. pag. 56. but more largely drawn out in his own Papers, and offered only to be Engross'd in an Act of Council. First, That the King would continue no Chan­cellor in that place above three years thenceforth; which should first be put in practice in this Mans person. Secondly, That he should be admitted in the Na­ture of a Probationer for one year and half; and if it appear'd the Charge of the Office to be above his Abilities, yet doing Justice equally to his best power, he should be Rewarded with an Arch-Bishopric, or one of the best Bishoprics at the End of that Term. Thirdly, If upon the expiring of one year and half, it were found that he discharged the Trust to His Majesties contentment, the Royal Pleasure should be signified to continue him to the Triennial Period. Fourthly, When three years were finish'd, to have no further expectance to hold that Of­fice, but to give it over with a peremptory Resignation; so I may say, like Sala­dine the Great, He carried the Winding Sheet of his Honour before him as a Banner. Fifthly, He moved earnestly that the Court of Chancery might have a Master of the Rolls of exact knowledge and judgment to sit with him, Naming Sir Robert Heath the King's Solicitor; but it was hindred by some, that would try how he could Walk on such slippery Ground, without a Staff to lean upon. Sixthly, He Petitioned for some of the principal Judges of the several Benches, whom he Named, that two at least should always assist him, submitting himself humbly as a young Tree to be kept steady with such supporters A Prudent way, to have many Sage Heads concur to produce one Act of Wisdom. To say in the contrary, it is best to leave the entire matter to one, if he be of sound Intelligence, is as gross a Flattery as that of the Orator in the Panegyric to Maximianus, quid opus erat multitudine, cum ipse pugnares? What needed an Army in the Field, when Maxi­mian himself did Fight? Now so many of the Orders forecited as concern'd the Mortality of that Office, and set the period of his duration in it, were Mortal Laws, and utterly forgotten; for he continued as he began without interpellation above four years, till he was annihilated by his frown, whose favour had Created him. The Complication of those Restrictions served only for a Method of dis­cretion in a due Season, to keep that Dignity low shorn in appearance, that it might not be blasted with the Lightnings of Envy. Yet these things so dispread were more confirm'd in Vogue and Opinion, by a Speech which he made to the King in the Audience of all the Lords of the Council, when the Great Seal was actuall delivered to him at Whitehall, July 10. which followeth Verbatim.

72. ‘Most Dread and Mighty Sovereign, if I should think my self any way wor­thy or sufficient for this Great Place, wherein Your Majesty is pleas'd to make Probation of me, I were the most unworthy and insufficient Wretch in all the World. But in good Faith I do not: But as Conscious of mine own Weak­ness, as I am quite astonish'd at Your Favour and Goodness. I do not therefore trouble my Head to find out the Reasons of this Advancement, because I take it for no Ordinary Effect, but an extraordinary Miracle. Deus, & qui Deo proxi­mus, tacito munera dispertit aribtrario, & beneficiorum suorum indignatus per homines stare judicium, mavult de subditis dedisse Miraculum. I must only lift up mine Eyes unto Heaven, and beseech that God, who some Ten Years since brought me like Elisha to be Servant only unto that Elias, who under God and Your Ma­jesty was the Chariot and Horsemen of our Israel, that now he would be pleased to double the Spirit of Elias upon his Servant Elisha, whom Your Majesty hath thus invested with his Robe and Mantle. And for my especial direction, I will take up that Counsel which Pliny gave his Friend Maximus, Newly Elected Prae­tor for Achaia, Meminisse oportet Officii Titulum; I will never forget my Office and Title, I am design'd to be a Probationer in this Place, and as a Probatio­ner by God's Grace I will demeane my self; I will take up together with this Seal that Industry, Integrity and Modesty, Non ut me Consulem, sed ut consula­tus candidatum putem. That is, I will not Esteem my self a Keeper, but a Suitor only for the Great Seal. And if I feel the burden too heavy (which I mightily fear and suspect) I will choose rather desinere quàm deficere, to slip it off willing­ly to some stronger Shoulder, than to be crush'd in pieces with the poise of the [Page 62]same. And I humbly beseech your Majesty also to Remember, I am no more than a meer Probationer. If I prove Raw at the first, I must have my time to Learn. The best of them all have craved no less, and I will desire no more. For if after the full weighing of my Strength I shall still find my self unable for this Service, I will say unto Your Majesty, as Jacob said unto Pharaoh, Pastor ovium est servus tuus; whatsoever You are pleas'd Sir to make me, I am but a Keeper of Sheep; in that Calling Your Majesty found me, and to that Calling I shall ever be ready to appropriate my self again. In the mean time I beseech Your Majesty to protect this Court of Justice wherein You have plac'd me, that the Strength and Power of that body be nothing impaired through the weakness of the Head. Nemo Adolescentiam meam contemnat. Let not my Fel­lows of an other Profession cry out with him in the Psalm. There, there, so would we have it, neither let them say, We have Devoured him. And so I end with my Prayer unto God, That Your Majesty may Live long, and my self no longer, than I may be serviceable to Your Majesty.’

73. The King heard him very Graciously to the end, and used no more then these few Words in Answer, ‘That he was pleas'd in his Settlement, as in any whom he had prefer'd, and was perswaded he would not deceive his Judgment.’ Neither did the good liking of the most stick at any thing, but that the Worthies of the Lay, and chiefly of the Law were pretermitted. But his Majesty rather regarded the fitness of a Man, then the Custom of a Tribe: As he that takes a Lodging in the City, never Examines which are the best Rooms by Squares of Archite­cture, but likes that for the best Chamber, which hath [...]the best Furniture. At the same time the Lord Keeper, by super-impregnation of favour, was made a Bishop, and Reap'd no less than two Harvests in one Month. It was K. James his wont to give like a King; for the most part to keep one Act of Liberality warm with the covering of another. A meaner Man then a King could say (it is Pliny lib. 2. Epist.) beneficia mea tueri nullo modo melius possum, quam ut augeam. He that hath plac'd a benefit well, let him imitate himself, and do another; that's the sure way of obliging. The Bishopric of Lincoln was bestowed on him by the Royal Congè d'Elire, the Largest Diocess in the Land, because this New Elect had the Largest Wisdom to super-intend so great a Circuit. Yet in as much as the Revenue of it was not great, it was well piec'd out with a Grant to hold the Deanery of Westminster, into which he shut himself fast, with as strong Bars and Bolts, as the Law could make: Else when the Changes began to Ring in the Fifth year after, he had been sure to be thrust out of Doors in a storm, when he had most need of a Covering. Yet some Suitors were so importunate to compass this Deanery, upon his expected leaving, that he was put to it to plead hard for that Commenda, before he carried it. The King was in his Progress, and the Lord Marquess with him, to whom he writes to present his Reasons to the King, which were, that the Port of the Lord Keeper's Place, though he would strike Sail more than any that preceded him, must be maintain'd in some convenient manner. Here he was handsomly housed, which if he quitted, he must trust to the King to provide one for him, as His Majesty, and his Predecessors have ever done to their Chancellors. Here he had some Supplies to his House-keeping from the Colledge in Bread and Beer, Corn and Fuel; of which if he should be depriv'd, he must be forc'd to call for a Diet, which would cost the King 1600 l. per an­num, or crave for some addition in lieu thereof, out of the King's own means, as all his Foregoers in that Office had done. In that Colledge he needed to enter­tain no Under-Servants, or Petty-Officers, who were already provided to his Hand. Beside the Very Name and Countenance thereof would take away all expectation of extraordinary Entertainments. And it was but a step from thence into Westminsterhall, where his business lay; and 'twas a Lodging which afforded him marvelous quietness to turn over his Papers, and to serve the King. He might have added (for it was in the bottom of his Breast) he was loath to stir from that Seat, where he had the Command of such exquisite Music. A Re­quest laid out in such Remonstrance was not, nay could not be refus'd by so Gracious a Prince; who granted twenty Suits to one that he denied, Magnarum largitor opum, largitor honorum pronus, which singularly fits King James, though Claudian made it for Honorius. Likewise by the Indulgence of his Commenda he reserv'd the Rectory of Walgrave to himself, a Trifle not worthy to be Remem­bred, but his Reason is not unworthy to be detected. Take it as he Read this Lecture to me upon it. That in the instability of humane things, every man must look for a Dissolution of his Fortunes, as well as for the Dissolution of his [Page 63]Body; the latter, of sure Things is most sure; the former, of usual Things is most usual. Common Men are in doubtful Places; great Men in slippery Pla­ces; but Sacrilege, being a Raven that continually croaks over the Church-Patri­mony, Clergy-men were in most obnoxious Places. Many have paid dear for this Experience, That Fortune will fly quite away, when she is well fledge. Then let such as are upon the highest Stairs of those Preferments, have this Forecast, To keep a little Room behind their Back-door, to which they may retreat. When there was no place for Elijah in Jezreel, he took his Commons in an obscure Vil­lage, to which God sent him, with the Widow of Zarephath. Anselm Arch-Bishop of Canterbury kept his Right to a poor Cell which he had in a Monastery called Becc in Normandy, and that Hospitality kept him, when he fled out of England, and all the Revenues of his Mitre failed him. Stephen Gardner Bishop of Winton, and Lord-Chancellor, held the Mastership of Trinity-hall to his Dying-day; and though he gave forty better Preferments to others, he would never leave his Inte­rest in it; and did not conceal the Cause, but said often, If all his Palaces were blown down by Iniquity, he would creep honestly into that Shell. They that will not be wise by these Examples, Ia Te [...] I will send them to School to a Fable in Plautus, Cogitato mus pusillus quàm sit sapiens bestia, AEtatem qui uni cubili nunquam committit suam, Qui si unum ostium obsideatur aliud perfagium quaerit: So in the upshot he said, ‘ Walgrave was but a Mouse-hole, yet it would be a pretty Fortification to Entertain him, if he had no other Home to resort to.’ He was not the only Prophet of that which is fallen out in these dismal Days; many such Divinations flash'd from others, who saw the Hills of the Robbers afar off, who have now de­voured the Heritage of Jacob, and say, they are not Guilty; and they that have sold us, and bought us, say, Blessed be the Lord, for we are rich, Zech. 11.5.

74. Whom I leave to a Day of Account, having an Account to give my self, how Prosperous the Lord-Keeper was in the King's Affections at this time, to whom His Majesty measured out his accumulated Gifts, not by the Bushel, or by the Coome, but by the Barn-full. It was much he had compacted his own Por­tion to such advantage, but it was not all, for, being warm in Favour, he got the Royal Grant for the Advancement of four more, who are worthy to be named. He spake and sped for Dr. Davenant to be made Bishop of Salisbury, who had plowed (that I may allude to Elisha, 1 King. 19.19.) with twelve yoke of Oxen, and was now with the twelfth, when this Mantle was cast upon him. Twelve years he had been Public Reader in Divinity in Cambridge, and had adorn'd the Place with much Learning, as no Professor in Europe did better deserve to receive the Labourer's Peny at the twelfth Hour of the Day. Beside, what a Pillar he was in the Synod of Dort, is to be read in the Judgment of the Britain Divines, in­serted among the public Acts, his Part being the best in that Work, and that Work being far the best in the Compilements of that Synod. The Bishopric of Exon being also then void, it came into the Lord-Keeper's head to gratifie a brace of worthy Divines, if he could attain it, his old Friends, who had been both bred in the House of Wisdom, with the Lord-Chancellor Egerton, Dr. Carew who had been his Chaplain, a man of great Reason and polish'd Eloquence, and Dr. Dunn who had been his Secretary, a Laureat Wit; neither was it possible that a vulgar Soul should dwell in such promising Features. The Success was quickly decided, for these two prevailed by the Lord-Keeper's Commendation against all Preten­ders; the Bishopric of Exeter was conferred upon Dr. Carew, and Dr. Dunn suc­ceeded him in his Deanery of St. Paul's. The See of St. David's did then want a Bishop, but not Competitors: The Principal was Dr. Laud, a Learned Man, and a Lover of Learning. He had fasten'd on the Lord Marquess to be his Me­diator, whom he had made sure by great Observances. But the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury had so opposed him, and represented him with suspicion (in my judg­ment improbably grounded) of Unsoundness in Religion, that the Lord Marquess was at a stand, and could not get the Royal Assent to that Promotion. His Lordship, as his Intimates know, was not wont to let a Suit fall, which he had undertaken; in this he was the stiffer, because the Arch-Bishop's Contest in the King's Presence was sour and supercilious. Therefore he resolved to play his Game in another hand; and conjures the Lord-Keeper to commend Dr. Laud strenuously and importunately to the King's good Opinion, to fear no Offence, neither to desist for a little Storm. Accordingly he watch'd when the King's Assections were most still and pacisicous; and besought His Majesty to think considerately of his Chaplain the Doctor, who had deserved well when he was a young Man in his Zeal against the Millenary Petition: And for his incorruption [Page 64]in Religion, let his Sermons plead for him in the Royal Hearing, of which no Man could judge better then so great a Scholar as His Majesty.

75. Well, (says the King) I perceive whose Attorney you are, Stenny hath set you on. You have pleaded the Man a good Protestant, and I believe it: Neither did that stick in my Breast, when I stopt his Promotion. But was there not a certain Lady, that forsook her Husband and married a Lord, that was her Paramour? Who knit that Knot? Shall I make a man a Prelate, one of the Angels of my Church, who hath a flagrant Crime upon him. ‘Sir,’ ( says the Lord-Keeper very boldly) ‘you are a good Master, but who dare serve you, if you will not pardon one Fault, though of a scandalous Size, to him that is heartily Penitent for it? I pawn my Faith to you, that he is heartily Penitent; and there is no other Blot that hath fullied his good Name. Vellcius said enough to justifie Murena that had committed but one Fault, Sine hòc facinore potuit videri probus.’ You press well, (says the King) and I hear you with patience; neither will I revive a Trespass any more, which Repentance hath mortified and buried. And because I see I shall not be rid of you, unless I tell you my unpublish'd Cogitations; the plain Truth is, that I keep Laud back from all Place of Rule and Authority, because I find he hath a restless Spirit, and cannot see when Matters are well, but loves to toss and change, and to bring Things to a pitch of Reformation stoating in his own Brain, which may endanger the steadfastness of that which is in a good pass, God be praised. I speak not at random; he hath made himself known to me to be such a one: For when three years since I had obtained of the Assembly of Perth to consent to Five Articles of Order and Decency in correspondence with this Church of England, I gave them Promise by Attestation of Faith made, that I would try their Obedience no further anent Ecclesiastic Affairs, nor put them cut of their own way, which Custom had made pleasing unto them, with any new Encroachments. Spotswood, p. 543. ‘ Marquess Ha­milton the King's Commissioner, in the last Parliament that ever he kept in Scotland, having Ratified the Five Articles of Perth by A [...] of Parliament, assured the People, that His Majesty in his days should not press any more Change on Alterations in matters of that kind without their Consent.]’ Yet this man h [...]th pressed me to invite them to a nearer conjunction with the Liturgy and Canons of this [...]tion; but I sent him back again with the friv [...]lous Draught he had drawn. It seems I remembred St. Austin' s Rule bet­ter then he, Ipsa mutatio consuetudinis, ctiam quae adjuvat utilitate, novitate pertur­bat: Ep. 118. For all this he feared not mine Anger, but assaulted me again with another ill­fangled Platform, to make that slubborn Kirk stoop more to the English Pattern: But I durst not play fast and loose with my Word. He knows not the Stomach of that People, but I ken the Story of my Grandmother the Queen Regent, That after she was inveigled to break her Promise made to some Mutineers at a Perth Meeting, she never saw good day, but [...] thence, being much beloved before, was despised of all the People. And now your [...] hath compel'd me to shrive my self thus unto you, I think you are at your fur­thest, and have no more to say for your Client. ‘May it please you Sir,’ (says the Lord­Keeper) ‘I will speak but this once: You have indeed convicted your Chaplain of an Attempt very Audacious, and very Unbeseeming; my Judgment goes quite against his. C. Grac [...]hus mended nothing, but lost himself in his Tribuneship, Qui nihil [...], nihil tranquillum, nihil quietum, nihil denique in côdom staturelinquebat. I am assured, he that makes new work in a Church, begets new Quarrels for Scriblers, and new Jealousies in tender Consciences. Yet I submit this to Your Sacred Judgment, That Dr Laud is of a great and a tractable Wit. He did not well see how he came into this Error; but he will presently see the way how to come out of it.’ Some Diseases, which are very acute, are quickly cured. And is there no whee, but you musl carry it (says the King)? Then take him to you, but on my Soul you will repent it: And so went away in Anger, using other fierce and ominous Words, which were divulged in the Court, and are too tart to be repeated. So the Lord-Keeper procured to Dr. Laud his first Rochet, and retained him in his Prebend of [...]. a Kindness which then he mightily valued; and gave him about a year after a Living of about 120 l. per annum in the Diocese of St. David's, to help his Revenue: Which being unsought, and brought to him at Durham-House by Mr. William Winn, his Expression was, ‘Mr. Winn, my Life will be too short to require your Lord's Goodness.’ But how those Scores were paid, is known at home and abroad: Which he that will excuse, hath no way but to shift it upon an Adagie, Unum arbustum nen capit erithecos duos: He that would be Great alone, cares not whom he depresseth, that would be as Great as himself.

[Page 65] 76. More cannot be required, to shew how great the Lord-Keeper's Credit was with the King, then that four Bishopricks were bestowed at once to three others with himself, for which he interposed. All three did then observe him with Congratulation as their Raiser. Salisbury and Exeter were Men of faithful Ac­knowledgment in all their Life. Est tanti ut gratum invenias experiri vel ingratos, says Seneca: He that finds two faithful Men among three, is well requited. Our Saviour found but one among Ten, Luke 17.15. This Quaternion making ready for their Consecration, a Calamity fell out, which put them all to their Studies, that they knew not which way to turn. The Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, making a Summer Journey into Hampshire, was welcom'd by the Lord Ze [...]nch, and invited to some Hunting-Sports in Bramshill-Park about St. James-tide. The Arch-Bishop, pretending to be a Wood-man, took a Cross-bow to make a shot at a Buck. One of the Keepers did his Office to wind-less up the Deer to his stand, who too sud­denly shot at a fair-headed Buck in the Herd. But his Arrow meeting with a small Bought in the way, was cast a little from the mark, and by an unhappy Glance, wounded the Keeper in the Arm. It was but a Flesh-wound, and a slight one; yet being under the Cure of an heedless Surgeon, the Fellow died of it the next day. The like had never happen'd in our Church, nor in any other in the Person of a Bishop and a Metropolitan, which made work for Learned Men to turn over their Books. Councils, and Canon-Laws, and Proviso's of Casuists, were ransack'd, whose Resolutions were unfavourable, and greatly to the preju­dice of the Fact. It was clear in our Common-Law, that his Personal Estate was forfeited to the King, though it were Homicidium involuntarium. But he was quickly comforted, that he should not Suffer in that: For, upon the first Tidings, His Majesty, who had the Bowels of a Lamb, censured the Mischance with these words of melting Clemency, That an Angel might have miscarried in that sort. The Arch-Bishop was an happy man in this Unhappiness, that many Hearts con­doled with him; and many precious Stones were in the Breast-Plate which he wore, that Pleaded for him. He was Painful, Stout, Severe against bad Man­ners, of a Grave and a Voluble Eloquence, very Hospital, Fervent against the Roman Church, and no less against the Arminians, (which in those days was very Popular) he had built and endowed a beautiful Eleemosynary Mansion at Guilford, where he was born; he sent all the Succors he could spare to the Queen of Bohe­mia the King's only Daughter; was a most stirring Counsellor for the Defence of the Palatinate; was very acceptable to the Nobility, and to the People both of this Realm, and of Scotland, where he had preach'd often 14 years before, when he was in the Train of the Earl of Dunbar. All those Flowers in his Garland were considered severally and mixtly, when this gloomy day of Misfortune bedarken'd him. And you may be sure our Sovereign Lord thought it the more Pardonable, because it was an Hunting Casualty, and was very Humane to those Harms beyond prevention, which fell out in that Sport wherein he greatly delighted. There­fore His Majesty Resolved, and gave it him in a Consolatory Letter under his Hand, That He would not add Affliction to his Sorrow, nor take one Farthing from his Chattels and Moveables, which were Confiscated by our Civil Penalties.

77. But it cost more Labour to get out of the Ecclesiastical Brias; for many of our best advised Churchmen took it sore to heart, and lamented for it, not with­out bitter Tears, for the Scandal which was fallen upon our Church in his Person, who in the Eye of General Councils and Canon-Laws was wonderfully Tainted, and made Uncapable to all Sacred Functions performing. Therefore, to come home to the case, they said, God forbid those Hands should Consecrate Biships, and Ordain Priests, or Administer the Sacraments of Christ, which God, out of his secret Judgments, had thus permitted to be embrued in Human Blood. And some of the Prelacy profess'd, If they had fallen into the like mischance, they would never have de­spaired of God's Mercy for the other Life, but from this World they would have retired, and besoughts His Majesty for a Pension to support them in their sequestred Sadness, where they might spend their Days in Fasting and Prayer. It was vehemently considered, that our Hierarchy was much quarrel'd with and opposed by our own Fugitives to the Church of Rome, who would fasten upon this Scandal, and upon it pretend, against our constant Succession, (hitherto undemolish'd) with all the Malice that Wit could excogitate. And indeed they began already: For the Fact was much discoursed of in Foreign Universities, who were nothing concerned; especially our Neighbours the Sorbonists at Paris, ' [...], 1 Pet. 4.15. over-busie to have an Oar in our Boat, Disputing it three several times in their Schools, and con­cluded the Accident to amount to a full Irregularity, which is an Incapacity to [Page 66]exercise any Ecclesiastical Act of Order, or Jurisdiction. His Majesty, upon the eruption of these Scruples, was called up to think seriously, that his Sweetness and Compassion did not leave a Slur upon this Church, which himself, under Christ, had made so Glorious. It belonged to the four Bishops Elect to be most Circum­spect in this matter, expecting their Consecration shortly, and to be informed, whether they should acknowledge that the Power of an Arch-Bishop was Integral and Unblemish'd in a casual Homicide, and submit to have his Hands laid upon their Heads. Dr. Davenant shewed Reason, That it behoved him not to be seen in the Opposition, because the Arch-Bishop had Presented him to the rich Parsonage of Cotnam, not far from Cambridge. It was well taken, for among honest Pagans a Benesi­ciary would not contend against his Patron. Howsoever such as knew not the wherefore, were the more benevolous to the Arch-Bishop's misfortune, because so great a Clerk stood off, and meddled not. The Rhodian's Answer in Plutarch was not forgotten, who was baited by his Accusers all the while that the Judge said nothing: ‘I am not the worse for their Clamours,’ (says the Defendant) ‘but my Cause is the better that the Judge holds his peace; Non refert quid illi loquantur, sed quid ille taceat.’ The other three, without Davenant, stirred in it the most they could, to decline this Metropolitan's Consecreation; not out of Enmity, or Superstition, but to be wary, that they might not be attainted with the Contagion of his Scandal, and Uncanonical Condition. The Lord-Keeper appearing for the rest, writes thus to the Lord Marquess, as it is extant, Cabal, p. 55.

A gentler Hand could not touch a Sore; yet I think of his Judgment in this Point, as Sealiger did of the sine Poet Fracostorius, Ab suâ ipse magnitudine descen­disse credi potest aliquando; He flew lower at this Game, then the pitch of his wonted Wisdom. For the Question did hang yet upon this Pin, Whether there were a Sore to be cured? His Lordship had look'd attentively into the Canonists, whom he could cite by rote with his happy Memory. Their Decretals and Ex­travagants Un-bishop a Man that kill'd a Man, and meant a Beast; nay further, if the Bishop's Horse did cast the Groom that water'd him into a Pond, and drown'd him. But if we Appeal from them to higher and better Learning, their Rigour will prove Ridiculous. The Fact is here confess'd: But is Sin in the Fact, or in the Mind of the Facient? Omne peccatum in tantum est peccatum, in quantum est voluntarium. This is the Maxim of the Schools upon actual Sins, and a true one; A guilty Mind makes a guilty Action: An unfortunate Hand concurs often with an innocent Heart. Quis nomen unquam sccleris errori indidit? Put the Case that these Writers are very inclinable to have Absolution granted incontinently to such Contingencies; but to keep a bustle, whether Absolution is to be given or not, when there is no fault, is to abuse the Power of the Keys. Irregularities in that Superstitious Latin Church are above Number; what have we to do with them? That we did cut them off, we did not name it indeed in our Reformation under Edward the Sixth, &c. for they were thrown out with Scorn, as not to be mention'd, among ejected Rubbish. For we perceived they were never meant to bind, but to open, I mean the Purse. He that is Suspended, may entangle him­self from the Censure with a Bribe. The Canonists are good Bone-letters for a Bone that was never broken; their Rubrics are filled with Punctilio's, not for Con­sciences, but for Consciuncles; Haberdashers of small Faults, and palpable Bro­kers for Fees and Mercinary Dispensations. Therefore those plain-dealing, and blunt People among the Helvetians, otherwise Clients of the Roman Party, serv'd them very well, as Simler hath Page 64. of his History, Cum Papa Rom, acceptà pecuniâ Matrimonium contra canones concesserat, populus recognitâ statuit, Si divitious [Page 67]pecunià numeratâ hoc licitum sit, etiam pauperibus absque pecunid fas essc. And a little before, Pag. 135. when those poor Cantoners could not enjoy their own in quiet, for the Rent-gatherers of the Court of Rome, they bid them keep off at their own peril, with this popular Edict; Si pergant nundinatores bullarum jus urgere, in vincula conjici­ontur; & ni huic renuntient aquis submorgantur, scilicet ut ita bullae bullis eluantur. Such resolute Men as these were too rude to be cozen'd. So Irregularities should be used, which are invented for the Prosit of Dispensative Graces; having no­thing in them to Unsanctisie the Order of a Bishop by Divine Law, or the Law of Nature, because they can be wiped away with a Feather, if it be a Silver Wing, and the Feathers of Gold. But because these double Doctors of Canon and Ci­vil Laws, will pretend to some Reason in their greatest Folly, it is not amiss to repeat the best Objection, with which they stiffen their Opinion. Thus they di­vide the Hoof: That if one by chance-medly kills a Man, being then employed in nothing that is evil, or improper to him and his Calling, he is to be Acquitted by a formal Pardan as an Innocent; but if he were acting in Indebitâ materia, when he did it, then it is to be ga­thered, that God did give him up to that mischance, that he might be disciplined for his Extra­vagancy by the Censure of the Church. Now take the Illation, That the Arch-Bishop fell into this Misfortune being unduly employed, many Synods having prohobited Hun­ting to all Species of the Ministry. Maldonatus, lib. 2. de Sacr. p. 254. Quod nonnulli dicum irregularom esse Saccrdotom, qui d [...]ns operam [...]nationi, juod illi non licebat, homi­mm intersecit, putans se feram intersicere, falsum esi. Sir H. Martin answered, ‘That Employment in undue matter is to be understood of Evil simply in it self, Non de malo quia prohibitum;’ not in a thing clearly lawful, if it were not prohibited. Are Clerks restrained from Hunting? No wonder. So they are by some Synodi­cal Rules from playing at Tennis. What mean such austere Coercions? Nothing but to keep them from excess of Pleasure and Idieness, which turn to be Avoca­tions of their Studies, and Attendance on the Church of Christ. That in parti­cular Hunting is no Unpriestly Sport by the Laws of England, may thus be pro­ved: For every Peer in the higher House of Parliament, as well Lords Spiritual as Temporal, hath Permission by the Charta de Forcstà, when after Sunmons he is in his Journey to the Parliament, and not else, to cause an Horn to be sounded, when he travels through any of the King's Forests, and to kill a brace of Bucks, signification being given of his Intent to the Verdurers.

78. The King had persect knowledge how these Things were discuss'd. He saw that whether the Person of the Arch-Bishop were tainted by this Fact or not, yet his Metropolitical Function was unsettled in many men's Opinions; he heard, that the Acts of Spiritual Courts were unsped, and came to no end, till Sentence were pronounced one way or other by the Supreme Authority. Therefore a Commission was directed from His Majesty to ten Persons, to meet together for this purpose about the beginning of October. These were the Lord-Keeper; the Bishops of London, Winton, and Rochester; the Elects of Exeter, and St. Davids; Sir Harry H [...]bart, Lord-Chief-Justice of the Common-Pleas; Sir John Dodderidge, one of the Justices of the Kings-Bench; Sir H. Martin, Dean of the Arches; and Dr. Steward, esteemed the Papinian of Doctors-Commons. These began to lay their Heads together upon the Third of October, and then Conser'd upon the manner of their Proceeding: The Lord Hobart, and Sir H. Martin affecting, that his Grace should send Counsel to Plead before them; from which, the rest dissented: First, Because no such Privilege was allowed him in the King's Letters directed to the Commissioners. Secondly, Because the Honour of the King, and the Sean­dal of the Church, which as yet made the adverse Party have no Counsel on their side. Thirdly, Because His Majesty required Information from those ten upon the nature of this Fact, relying upon their Knowledge, Learning, and Judgments, but not referring the Matter to their final Decision and Determination. Indeed their Work, to prevent Excursions, was laid out in three Questions, which they were commanded to Resolve, and to Act no further. And those were Debated till the 27th of that Month, and in the end Decided with great Disagreement of Opinions. The first Question, Whether the Arch-Bishop were Irregular by the Fact of Involuntary Homicide? The two Judges, and the two Civilians did agree, That he was not Irregular; and the Bishop of Winton, who was a strong Upholder of In­contaminate Antiquity, coming to the same sense, said, He could not conclude him so: The other five held, He was Irregular. The second Question, Whether that Act might tend to a Scandal in a Church-man? The Bishop of Winton, the Lord Hobart, and Dr. Steward, doubted: All the rest Subscribed, That there might arise from such an Accident, Scandalum acceptum, non datum; a Scandal taken, but not [Page 68]given. The third Question, How my Lord's Grace should be restored, in case the King should follow the Decision of those Commissioners, who had found him Irregular? All agreed it could no otherwise be done, then by a Restitution from the King: In the manner they varied. The Bishop of Wi [...]ch [...]s [...]er, Lord Hobart, Dr. Steward, were of one mind to have it done immediately from the King, and from him alone in the same Patent with the Pardon. The Lord-Keeper, Bishops of Lon­don, Rochester, Exon, and St. Davids, to be directed to some Bishops by a Com­mission from the King, to be transacted in a fo [...]mal Absolution Church-wise, Manu Clericali. Judge Dodderidge, and Sir Harry Ma [...]in, were willing to have it done both ways for abundant Caution. The whole Business was submitted to His Ma­jesty to determine it, who took the shortest course to shew Mercy: Sprevit caele­stis animus humana consilia, as Velleius said of C. Cae [...]ar. So by his Broad-Seal He assoiled the Arch-Bishop from all Irregularity, Scandal, or Infamation, pronoun­cing him to be capable to use all Metropolitical Authority, as if that sinistrous Contigency in spilling Blood had never been done. A Princely Clemency, and the more to be Extoll'd, because that Arch-Bishop was wont to dissent from the King as often as any man at the Council-Board. It seems he loved him the bet­ter for his Courage and Sincerity: For it was he that said to Jo. Spotswood Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews, telling His Majesty, ‘That if he wrote an History of the Church of Scotland, to which Labour he was appointed, he could not approve of his Mother in all things that she did.’ Well, (says the King) speak the Truth, and spare not Words, after Salomon's Praise, which are Apples of Gold in Pictures of Silver.

79. But because when our Arch-Bishop's Unfortunateness was recent, it ap­peared far worse to some scrupulous Ecclesiastics, then it did in process of time; therefore the Lord-Keeper, with the two other Elects, cast themselves at His Ma­jesties Feet, and besought Him, ‘That since they had declared before God, and the World, what they thought in that dubious Case, they might not be com­pel'd, by wounding their Consciences, to be Consecrated by him, but be permit­ted to receive that Solemnity from some other Bishops, which was warrantable by His Majesties Laws.’ This was easily granted, and the Lord-Keeper was Consecrated in the Chappel of King Henry the Seventh at Westminster on the 11th day of November following, by the Bishops of London, Worcester, Ely, Ox­ford, Landaff: And the Elects of Sarum, Exeter, St. Davids, in the Chappel of the Bishop of London's Palace Nov. 18. by the same Reverend Fathers. From hencesorth the suspicion of the Irregularity was brought asleep, and never wa­ken'd more. Mr. H. L. is quite mistaken, pag. 71. of his History: 'It is true, the Arch-Bishop, an. 1627. was Commanded from his Palaces of Lambeth and Croy­don, and sent to a Moorish House in Kent called Foord, but not, as he conceives it, that the Impulsive of it was the supposed Irregularity, which was then reviv'd, but because he would not Licence a Sermon of Dr. Sibthorp's, which the King sent to him by Mr. W. Murry of the Bed-chamber, for his Hand to the Printing, which he denied, saying, There was some Doctrine in the Sermon which was contrary to his Judgment. I write (I confess) by hear-say; but I heard it from his own mouth, and have it in a Manuscript under his own Hand. It had been a wild thing to rake up the Irregularity again out of the Embers, since in the interim he had Consecrated many Prelates; nay since he had Consecrated the Elements of Christ's Supper at the King's Coronation, and set the Crown upon His Majesties Head. And not long after he returned from Foord to a Parliament Summon'd to begin March 17. 1627. he Consecrated that Learned Divine Mr. Richard Montagu, Promoted to the See of Chichester, at Croydon, Aug. 24. 1628. Yet that great Scho­lar had Presented his studied Papers for the Irregularity to the Lord-Keeper more then any man. But now he was satisfied to be Consecrated by the whilom Irre­gular supposed. And at the same time Dr. Laud, then Bishop of London, was Assistant with the Arch-Bishop to impose Hands. Such Changes there are in Hu­man Judgments.

80. Perhaps I may be thought Irregular my self, that I have knit the Election and Consecration of the Bishop of Lincoln to the long Series, and Discussion of this famous Case I crave Pardon, if I want one. Now I step back to the Lord-Keeper, who before the end of June was a Keeper of more then he desired, the Earl of Southampton, one of his dearest Friends on Earth, being committed a Prisoner to his Custody. A worthy Lord, and of a gallant Freedom, yet such as less then Kings do not like. In the Session of Parliament, which was then newly ended, he was interpreted to exceed in some words against the Royal Prerogative, [Page 69]a Stone of Offence that lay in many men's ways. Beside he had Rebuk'd the Lord Marquess of Buckingham with some Passion and Acrimony for speaking of­ten to the same thing in the House, and out of Order. Therefore he was Con­fined; but with as much Gentleness as could be devised, rather to a Nurse, then a Jaylor. But the Lord-Keeper, though he lik'd his Guest, yet he preferred his Liberty before that Liking, and never gave over till he had got his Enlargement, discharged him from the Attendance of Sir William Parkhust, (who, as a Spy, was sent to wait upon him at Tichfield) that he might be lest only to the Custody of his own good Angel, as he writes, Cabal, p. 59. Likewise, in Tenderness to the Earl's Wealth and Honour, he kept him from an Information in Star-chamber, which was threatned; and buoy'd him up at last to the King's Favour, so as he might rather expect new Additions, then suspect the least Diminution from his Gracious Majesty. Though all this came purely from his Love and Industry; yet of all that was obtained, he would take nothing to himself, but directed the Earl to cast his Eye upon my Lord of Buckingham, Of whose extraordinary Good­ness, (says he) your Lordship and my self are remarkabe Reflections, the one of his Sweet­ness in forgetting Wrongs, the other of his Forwardness in conserring Court sies. These Passages occur in the Printed Bundle. But there is a Letter, the Publisher of the former did not meet with it, dated two days before, Jul. 19. written to the Lord Marquess, in behalf of that Honourable Earl, and likewise of Mr. J. Selden, (my great Friend while he lived) who was clap'd up at the same time, because being a Member of the House of Commons in that Parliament, he had preferred the danger of telling Truth, before the safety of Silence. Thus for them both toge­ther he Solicites.

These soft words mollified Anger, and Mr. Selden was Released by the next Pacquet that came from the Court in progress. If the Stoics had been wise men, truly the Lord-Keeper had been none, for they pronounced with their Master Zeno in Laertius, [...], That wise Men are not Pitiful. But in­sooth there was never a greater Stickler then he to bring Afflicted Ones out of Durance and Misery, when he could effect it by Power and Favour; none that lent their hand more readily to raise up those that were cast down. But if a Gen­tleman of Mr. Selden's merit were under the peril of Vindicative Justice, he would stretch his whole Interest, and cast his own Robe, as it were, to save him. When he had brought him to Liberty, he stay'd not there. He perceived his Fortune in those days was not equal to his Learning; therefore he conferred the Register­ship of the College of Westminster upon him, not meaning to hinder his Growth with a Garment that was too little for him; but he procured a Chapman that gave him 400 l. for his Right in the Place: A Courtesie which Mr. Selden did ne­ver expect from the Giver, and was repaid with more Duty and Love, then the Giver could ever have expected from Mr. Selden. And although that singular good Scholar Mr. Montagu did never agree with Mr. Selden, as their Adverse and Polemical Writings about the Right of Tithes do evidence; yet the Lord-Keeper made them both agree in his Favour and Patronage: Which Mr. Montagu hath proclaimed abroad in his Treatise of Invocation of Saints, Licensed for the Press [Page 70]with his Lordship's own Hand, in Right as he was his Visitor in the Colleges of Windsor and Eaton. His Words may be found in the Epistle Dedicatory to that Treatise, as follow: Let the World take notice, if it may concern any, your Honour is be, unto whom, next unto His most Sacred Majesty, my most Gracious Sovereign and Ma­ster, I owe more then to all the World beside: Professing unseignedly in the word of a Priest, F [...]cisti ut vivam & moriar ingratus.

81. The Lord-Keeper being so great a Dealer in the Golden Trade of Mercy, and so successful, he followed his Fortune, and tried the King and the Lord Mar­quess further in the behalf of some, whom their dear Friends had given over in Despair to the Destiny of Restraint. And those were of the Nobles: For he car­ried a great regard to their Birth and Honour; and knew it was good for his own safety to deserve well of those high-born Families. The East of Nerthumberland had been a Prisoner in the Tewer above 15 years. His Confidents had not Consi­dence and a good Heart, I say not to Petition, but to dispute with the King, how ripe the Earl was for Clemency and Liberty. [...] Majesty was very merci­ful, but must be rubb'd with a Fomentation of hi [...] [...] Oyl, to make him more supple. This dextrous Statesman infuseth into [...] how to compass the Design, with what Insinuations and Argum [...] [...] were improved with the Earl's demulcing, and well-languag'd Phrases. And when it came to strong Debate, the Lord-Keeper got the better of the King in Reason. So the Physic wrought as well as could be wish'd, and on the 18th of July the Earl of Northum­berland came out of the Tower, the Great Ordnance going off to give him a joy­ful Valediction: Who turned his Thoughts to consider the Work of God, that a Stranger had wrought [...], Comfort for him in his old Age, whose Face he had ne­ [...] never purchased by any Benefit, nor courted so much as by the me [...]age of a Salutation: Which his Lordship compared to St. Peter's Deli­verance by the Angel of God, Acts 12. when Peter knew not who it was that came to help him. Though not in order of Time, yet in likeness of Condition the Earl of Oxford's Case is to be ranked in the same File. It was in April in the year following that he was sent to the Tower, betrayed by a false Brother for rash Words, which heat of Wine cast up at a merry meeting. His Lordship's Enemies were great and many, whom he had provoked; yet after he had acquainted the Lord-Keeper with the long Sadness of his Restraint in a large Letter, (which is preserved) he wrought the Earl's Peace and Releasment, conducted him to the King's Chamber to spend an hour in Conference with His Majesty, from whence a good Liking was begot on both sides. Whom thereupon that Earl took for his trusty, and wisest Friend, using his Counsel principally how to Husband his Estate, and how to employ his Person in some Honourable Service at Sea, that the Dissoluteness of his Hangers-on in the City might not sink him at Land. The Lord-Keeper did as much for the Earl of Somerset in Christmas-time before, bring­ing him by his mediation out of the House of Sorrow, wherein he had continued above five years, that he might take fresh Air, and enjoy the comfort of a free Life; which was affected by him to gratisie the splendid and spreading Family of the Howards. And they were all well pleased with him, as were the greatest part of the Grandees, except the Earl of Arundel, for a Distast taken, of which the Lord-Keeper need not be ashamed.

82. Within Six Weeks after he was settled in that Office, the Earls Secretary brought two Patents to be Sealed, the one to bestow a Pension of 2000 l. per an­num upon his Lord out of the Exchequer, which was low mow'n, and not sit to bear such a Crop; beside the Parliament, which was to meet again in the Winter, could not choose but take Notice, what over-bountiful Issues were made out of the Royal Revenue to a Lord, that was the best Landed of all his Peers. Yet the Seal was put to, with a dry assent, because there was no stopping of a Free River. With this Patent came another, to confer the Honour of the Great Mar­shal of England upon the same Noble Personage. The Contents of it had scarce any Limits of Power, much exceeding the streit Boundaries of Law and Custom. The Lord Keeper searching into the Precedents of former Patents, when the same Honour was conser'd, found a great inequality, and doubted for good Cause, that this was a device to lay his unfitness for his great place Naked to the World, if he swallowed this Pill. But nothing tended more to the praise of his great Judgment with His Majesty. He writes to my Lord of Buckingham to acquaint the King, that he thought His Majesty intended to give to greater Power, than the Lords Commissioners had, who dispatch'd Affairs belonging to that Office joyntly before him; and that all Patents refer to the Copy of the immediate [Page 71]Predecessors, who were the Earls of Essex, Shrewsbury, and Duke of Somerset; but my Lord leap'd them over, and claim'd as much as the Howards and Mow­bries, Dukes of Norfolk, did hold, which will enlarge his Authority beyond the former by many Dimensions. There is much more than this in the Cabal of Letters p. 63. And much more than I meet there in his own private Papers. The King was much satisfied with the Prudence and Courage of the Man, that he had ra­ther display these Errors, than commit them for fear of a mighty Frown; so the Earls Counsel were appointed to attend the Lord Keeper, who joyning their hands together examin'd the Obliquities of the Patent, and alter'd them. What would have follow'd if it had pass'd entire in the first Draught? For being so much corrected and Castrated, yet the proceedings of the Court of Honour were a Grievance to the People not to be supported: The Decrees of it were most uncertain, most Arbitrary, most Imperious: Nor was there any Seat of Judgment in the Land wherein Justice was brought a bed with such hard Labour: Now I invite the Reader, if he please to turn to the 139 pag. of Sir An. Wel. Pamphlet, and let him score a Mark for his Remembrance at these Lines, That Williams was brought in for this Design to clap the Great Seal, through his Ignorance in the Laws, to such things, that none that understood the danger, by knowing the Laws, would venter upon. This Knight when he is in a Course of Malice is never out of his Way; but like an egregious Bugiard here he is quite out of the Truth. For the New Lord Keeper walk'd so Circumspectly, that he seem'd to fear an Ambush from every Grant that was to pass for the use of encroaching Courtiers; if any thing were Ambiguous or Dangerous he was not asham'd to call for Counsel: If any thing were prest against Rule he was inexorable. [...]. Eth. He kept constant to Justice in its Flat Square. I could be Luxuriant in in­stances; nothing is easier then to observe two which are in Print already. But Twelve days after he was sworn Lord Keeper Mr. Secretary Calvert wrote to him, and used the King's Name, and to make all the stronger, the Spanish Am­bassadors Mediation was not wanting, to deliver one Rockweed a Papist out of the Fleet. Not a jot the sooner for all this; but he excuseth his Rigor to the Lord Marquess Cabal. p. 62. That he would not insame himself in the beginning to break his Rules so foully; which he was Resolv'd to keep straight against ah Men whatsoever. Another of the same Stamp, pag. 65. One Beeston had been com­mitted from the Power of the High Court of Chancery, loathing this Captivity he besought this New Officer to be Releas'd, and was denied; he Cries out for Mercy to the King, Roars out that the Parliament might hear him, follows the Lord Bucking. with his Clamors, who advised the Keeper to consider upon it. It is a Maxim indeed in Old Colwnella, lib. 6. c. 2. pervicax contumacia plerum (que) saevi­entem fatigat, &c. Boisterous Importunity thinks to fare better then modest Inno­cency; but he gave the Lord Marquess this Answer. My Noble Lord. Decrees once made must be put in Execution; Else I will confess this Court to be the greatest Imposture and Grievance in the Kingdom. The Damned in Hell do never cease repining at the Ju­stice of God; Nor the Prisoners in the Fleet at the Decrees in Chancery. In the which Hell of Prisoners this one for Amiquity and Obstinacy may pass for a Lucifer. I nei­ther know him, nor his Cause, but as long as he stands in Contempt, he is not like to have any more Liberty. A Lion may be judg'd by these two Claws of his Pounce.

83. And now I have past over these exordial Marks of his Demeanour and sufficiency before the Term began. Upon the first day of it, when he was to take his Place in Court, he declined the Attendance of his great Friends, who offered, as the manner was, to bring him to his first settling with the Pomp of an nauguration. But he set out Early in the Morning with the Company of the Judges, and some few more, and passing through the Cloysters into the Abby, he carried them with him into the Chappel of Henry the Seventh, where he Prayed on his Knees (silently, but very Devoutly, as might be seen by his Gesture) al­most a quarter of an hour, then Rising up chearfully, he was Conducted with no other Train, to a Mighty Confluence that expected him in the Hall, whom from the Bench of the Court of Chancery, he Greeted with this Speech.

84. For my Calling unto this Office, it was (as most here present cannot but know) not the Cause, but the Effect of a Resolution in the State, to Change or Reduce the Go­vernour of this Court from a Professor of our municipal Laws to some one of the Nobility, Gentry, or Clergy of this Kingdom. Of such a Conclusion of State (quae aliquando incognita, semper justa) as I dare not take upon me to discover the Cause, so I hope I shall not endure the Envy. Peradventure the managing of this Court of Equity doth Re­cipere magis, & minus, and is as soon diverted with too much, as too little Law. Sure­ly those Worthy Lords, which to their Eternal Fame, for the most part of an hundred years Govern'd and Honour'd this Noble Court, as they Equall'd many of their own Profession in the knowledge of the Laws; so did they excel the most of all other Professions in Learn­ing, Wisdom, Gravity, and mature Experience. In such a Case, it were but Poor Phi­losophy to restrain those Effects to the former, which were produced and brought forth by those latter Endowments. Examine them all, and you shall find them in their several A­ges to have the Commendation of the Compleatest Men, but not of the deepest Lawyers. I except only that mirror of our Age and Glory of his Profession my Reverend Master, who was as Eminent in the Universal, as any other one of them all in his choicest particular. Sparguntur in omnes, Uno hoc mista fluunt, & quae divisa beatos efficiunt, con­juncta tenet. Again, it may be the continual Practise of the strict Law, without a spe­cial mixture of other knowledge, makes a Man unapt, and undisposed for a Court of E­quity. Juris Consultus ipse per se nihil nisi leguleius quidam cautus & acutus, as M. Crassus was wont to define him. They are (and that cannot be otherwise) of the same Profession with the Rhetories at Rome, as much used to defend the Wrong, as to Protect and Maintain the most upright Cause. And if any of them should prove corrupt he carries about him, armatam nequitiam, that skill and Cunning to palliate the same, that that mis-sentence, which pronounced by a plain and understanding Man, would appear most Gross and Palpable; by their Colours, Quotations and Wrenches of the Law, would be made to pass for Current and Specious. Some will add hereunto the Boldness and Confi­dence, which their former Clients will take upon them, when, as St. Austin speaks in another Case, They find, That Man to be their Judg, who but the other day was their hired Ad­vocate. Marie that depraedandi Memoria, as St. Jerom calls it, That promness to take Mony, as accustom'd to Fees, is but a Base and Scandalous Aspersion, and as inci­dent to the Divine, if he want the Fear of God, as to the common Lawyer, or most Sor­did Artizan. But that that former Breeding and Education in the strictness of Law, might (without good Care and Integrity) somewhat indispose a Practiser thereof, for the Rule and Government of a Court of Equity; I Learned long ago from Plinius Secun­dus, a most Excellent Lawyer in his time, and a Man of singular Rank in the Roman Estate; for in his 2, 3, and 6 Epist. Making Comparison between the Scholastici, as he calls them, which were Gentlemen of the better sort, bred up privately in feigned plead­ings, and Schools of Eloquence, for the qualifying of themselves for Civil Employments; And another sort of Gentlemen termed Forenses, who were Pleaders at the Bar, and Trained up in real Causes, he makes the former more Innocent and Harmless a great deal then the latter, and yields hereof the principal Reason. Nos enim qui in foro veris (que) litibus terimur, multum malitiae, quamvis nolimus, addiscimus. For we, saith he, That are bred in Real Quirkes, and personal Contentions, cannot but Reserve some Tang thereof, whether we will, or no. These Reasons, though they please some Men, yet, God be Praised, if we do but Right to this Noble Profession, they are in our Common-Wealth no way concluding or Demonstrative. For I make no question, but there are many Scores, which profess our Laws, who, beside their Skill and Practice in this kind, are so Richly enabled in all Moral and Intellectual Endowments, Ut omnia tanquam singula persici­ant, that there is no Court of Equity in the World, but might be most safely committed unto them: I leave therefore the Reason of this Alteration as a Reason of State not to be Fathom'd by any Reason of mine, and will say no more of my Calling in the General.

85. Now when I reflect upon myself in particular, Quis sum ego? aut quis Filius Ishai? What am I, or what can there be in me in Regard of Knowledg, Gravity, or Experience, that should afford me the least Qualification in the world, for so weighty a Place? Surely if a Sincere, Upright, and well-meaning Heart doth not cover Thousands of other Imperfections, I am the unfittest Man in the Kingdom to supply the Place. And therefore must say of my Creation, as the Poet said of the Creation of the World, Mate­riam noli quaerere, nulla fuit. Trouble not your Heads to find out the Cause, I confess [Page 73]there was none at all. It was (without the least Inclination or thought of mine own) the immediate work of God and the King: And their A [...]ions are no ordinary Effects, but extraordinary Miracles. What then? Should I beyond the Limits and Duty of Obe­dience despond, and refuse to make some few years Tryal in this place? Nor, - Tu [...]s, O Jacobe, quod optas Explorare labor, mihi jussa capessere fas est. I will therefore conclude this Point with the Excuse of that Poet, whom the Emperor Gratian would needs enforce to set out his Poem, whether he would or no. Non habeo ingenium, Cae­far sed jussit, habebo. Cur me posse negem, posse quod ille putet? I am no way fit for this great Place, but because God and the King will have it so, I will endeavour, as much as I can, to make my self fit, and put my whole confidence in his Grace and Mercy, Qui neminem dignum Eligit, sed eligendo dignum facit, as St. Austin speaks. And so much of my Calling, now I come unto my Carriage in this Place.

86 It is an Observation which Tully makes, In causis dicendis effugere solebat Anto­nius, ne succederet Crasso, Antonius was ever afraid to come after Crassus, a most E­loquent and Powerful Orator. And the greatest discouragement I find in this Place is, that I am to come after (after indeed, nec passibus aequis) my two immediate Prede­cessors, the one of [...] Excellent in most things, the other in all things. But both of them so bred in this Course of Life, Ut illis plurimarum reruni agitatio frequens, nihil esse ignotum patiobatur; as Pliny speaks of the Pleaders of his time. It were too much to expect at my bands, a Man bred in other Studies, that readiness or quickness of dispatch, which was effected by them Lords, both of them brought up in the King's Courts, and not in the King's Chappel. My Comfort is this, That Arriving here as a Stranger, I may say as Archimedes did, when he found these Geometrical Lines and Angles, drawn every where in the Sands of AEgypt, Video vestigia humana, I see in this Court the Footsteps of Wise Men, many Excellent Rules and Orders for the managing the same, the which, though I might want Learning and Knowledg to invent, (if they were not thus offer'd to my hands) yet I hope I shall not want the Honesty to Act and put in Execution. These Rules I will precisely follow, without the least deslexion at all, until Experience shall Teach me better. Every thing by the Course of Nature hath a certain and regular mo­tion. The Air and Fire move still upward, the Earth and Water fall downward: The Celestial Bodies whirl about in one and the self same Course and Circularity, and so should every Court of Justice. Otherwise it grows presently to be had in Jealousie and Suspi­cion. For as Vel. Paterculus Observes very well, In iis homines extraordinaria refor­midant, qui modum in voluntate habent. Men ever suspect the worst of those Rules, which vary; with the Judges Will and Pleasure. I will descend to some few parti­culars.

87. First, I will never make any Decree, That shall Cross the Grounds of the Com­mon or Statute Laws, for I hold by my Place the Custody not of mine own, but of the King's Conscience; and it were most absurd to let the King's Conscience be at Enmity and Opposition with his Laws and Statutes. This Court (as I conceive it) may be often occa­sion'd to open and confirm, but never to thwart, and oppose the Grounds of the Laws. I will therefore omit no Pains of mine own, nor Conference with the Learned Judges, to furnish my self with competency of Knowledg, to keep my Resolution in this Point Firm and Inviolable. Secondly, I shall never give a willing Ear to any Motion made at this Bar, which shall not apparently tend to further and hasten the bearing of the Cause. The very word Motion, derived a movendo to move, doth teach us that the hearing is, Finis perfectio, & terminus ad quem, the End, Perfection, and proper Home as it were of the matter propounded. If a Counsellor therefore will needs endea­vour, as Velleius Writes of the Gracchi, Optimo ingenio pessime uti, to make that bad Use of a good Wit, as to justle a Cause out of the King's High-way, which I hold in this Court to be Bill, Answer, Replication, Rejoynder, Examination and Hearing, I will ever Regard it as a Wild Goose Chase, and not a Learned Motion. The further a Man Runs out of his Way, the further he is from home, the End of his Journy, as Sene­ca speaks; so the more a Man Tattles beside these Points, the further it is from the Na­ture of a Motion: Such a Motion is a Motion Per Antiphrasin, ut mons a non mo­vendo. It tends to nothing but certamen ingenii, a Combat of Wit, which is Infi­nite and Endless. For when it once comes to that pass, some will sooner a great deal, loose the Cause then the last Word. Thirdly, I would have no Man to conceive that I come to this Place to overthrow, without special Motives, the Orders and Decrees of my Predecessors. I would be loth to succeed any man, as Metellus did Caius Verres, Cuius omnia erant ejusmodi ut totam Verris Praeturam retexere videretur. Whose Carriage, saith Tully, was a meer Penclopes Web, and untwisting of all the Acts of Verres' s Pretorship. Upon New matter, I cannot avoid the re-viewing of a Cause, but I will ever expect the forbearing of Persons, so as the Ashes of the Dead may [Page 74]be hereafter spared, and the Dust of the Living no further Raked. Fourthly, I will be as cautelous as I can, in referring of Causes, which I hold of the same Nature of a By­way Motion. For one Reference that Spurs on a Cause, there are ten that bridle it in, and hold it from hearing. This is that which Bias calls the backward forwarding of a Cause; for as the Historian speaks, Quod procedere non potest recedit. Fifthly, I profess before hand, this Court shall be no Sanctuary for Undiscreet and Desperate Sureties. It is a Ground of the Common Law, That a man shall make no Advantage of his own Follies and Laches. When the Mony is to be borrowed, the Surety is the first in the Intention, and therefore, if it be not paid, let him a God's Name be the first in Execution. Lastly, I will follow the Rules of this Court in all Circumstances, as near as I can. And considering that, as Pliny speaks, Stultissimum est adimitandum non optima quae (que) proponere, It were a great Folly to make Choice of any other then the very best for Imitation, I will propound my Old Master for my Pattern, and Precedent in all things. Beseeching Almighty God so to direct me, That while I hold this place I may follow him by a True, and Constant imitation. And if I prove Unfit and Unable for the same, That I may not play the Mountebank so in this Place, as to Abuse the King and the State, but follow the same most Worthy Lord in his Chearful and Voluntary Re­signation: Sic mihi contingat vivere, sic (que) mori.

88. This he deliver'd, thus much; and I took Councel with my self not to Abbreviate it. For it is so Compact and Pithy, That he that likes a little must like it all. Plutarch gives a Rule for Sanity to him that Eats a Tortoise, [...], Eat it up all, or not a whit, for a Modicum will Gripe the Belly: He that fills himself with a great deal shall procure a Cleansing Evacuation. So the Speech of a Great Orator is Instructive, when it is entire: Pinch it in with an Epitome, you mangle the meaning, and avile the Eloquence. From Words he fell to Practise; Industry, I think was his Recreation; for certain he had not a drop of Lazy Blood in his Veins. He fill'd up every hour of the Day and a good part of the Night, with the dispatch of some public and necessary business. And though as a Counsellor of State, and both as a Peer and Speaker in Parlia­ment he had many diversions, yet none of the work in Chancery was diminish'd; which Attendance grew so light and familiar to him, that in a little while it seem'd to be no more a burthen to him, then the Water is to the Fishes, under which they Swim. He would not excuse himself a day, for any the most lawful pretence; he would not impart himself to the Star-Chamber or Parliament, when it sate, before he had spent two hours, or more, among the Pleaders. Two or three Afternoons he Allotted every Week to hear Peremptories. By which un­equall'd diligence, commonly he dispatch'd five or six Causes in a morning, ac­cording to the quality, or measure of the Points that came to be debated. He did not only labour Six Days, but as it follows in the Commandment, He did all that he had to do. For of all the Causes that were usually set down for hearing, he never left any of them unheard at the End of the Term; which was both an especial Ease and Comfort to the Subject; and a full Testimony of his labour and ability, to expedite so many Knotty and Spacious Causes, that came before him, in as little time as the Clients could expect. The Survey of an whole year will give better satisfaction, then every Term a part by it self. Whereupon he Writes thus to the Lord Marquess July 10. 1622. In this Place I have now serv'd His Majesty one whole Year diligently and honestly: But to my Hearts Grief, by Rea­son of my Rawness and Inexperience very unprofitably. Yet if his Majesty will Examine the Reg [...]ers, there will be found more Causes finally Ended this one Year, then in all the Seven Years preceding. How well ended I confess ingeniously I know not. His Majesty and your Lordship (who no doubt have Received some Complaints, though in your Love [...] from me) are in that the most competent Judges. A Testimony of Great Labour; and not more Copious then Clear: For the Registry could not I ye. Thus Joseph in his faithful Service under King Pharaoh, gather'd in as much in one Year, as was wont to be Reap'd in Seven. And truly it becomes him that he was not confident, but mistrustful of himself, least some Waspish and Vexatious men had attempted to lay open some Errors to his Superiors, which should es­cape him in fixing so many Planetary Causes. But there was I had almost said none. Yet then I had forgotten Sir John Bourcher, who complain'd to both Houses of Parliament; that his matters in debate were for ever shut up in a De­cree, before his Counsel was ready, having some Allegations which expected more time to be Ripen'd; still more time? The business of this Knight was Ar­bitrated with consent by the Chief Baron Jac. 7. That Arbitration he would not [Page 75]stand to. It was Decreed in full hearing by the Lord Elsmore, Jac. 10. This did not please him. Yet it was Order'd to the same Effect by the Lord Bacon, Jac. 17. And after this the same Decree was confirm'd by the Lord William's, Jac. 19. Having the consent of Justice Hutton, Justice Chamberlain, and the Master of the Rolls, with an hundred Pounds advantage more, then was given him before. And was not this Suit come to Adultage for Tryal after Seventeen Years Vexa­tion in it first and last? If a Suitor shall have Power to define when his Cause is sufficiently heard, a Fidler would not undertake the Office of a Judge; Sir John durst not have presum'd to this Boldness, but that he was encourag'd by his Fa­ther-in-Law the Lord Sheffeild, who was a Scholar, a Judicious Lord, and of great Experience, that knew well enough the Futility of this Appeal (for it was discharg'd with a general Rebuke.) But the Spirits usually beat with an un even Pulse, when they stirr too much in pity to our own Relations.

89. Some others there were; I yet remember it, of the coarsest Retainers to Court, who liv'd by picking up Crumbs that fell from Stale Bread, these Whisper'd their Discontents, that Causes were cut off too soon, that delay would bring them to a more considerate Ripeness. Sic vero dificiente crimine laidem ip­sam in vituperium vertit invidia, says Tully; but he is sufficiently prais'd, who is disprais'd for nothing but his Vertues. Dispatch was a Vertue in him. And all his Sails were fill'd with a good Wind, to make riddance in his Voyage. He was no Lingerer by Nature; and kindly warmth is quick in digestion: Our time is but a Span long, but he that doth much in a short Life products his Mortality. To this he had such a Velocity of mind, that out of a few Words discreetly spo­ken, he could apprehend the Strength and Sirrup of that which would follow. This is that Ingeny which is so much commended 4. Tuseul. Multarum rerum brevi tempore percussio; such a Wit is ever upon an Hill, and fees the Champain round about him. And it was most contrary to his incorruptness to prolong an hearing as Felix did, Act. 24.26. Till Mony purchas'd a convenient Season. He never was Accus'd of it. Quod nemo novit, poene non fit, as Apuleius says 10. Metam. 'Twas never known, therefore 'twas never done, is a Moral and a Cha­ritable inference. Guess his great Spirit from this Essay, and how he Coveted no Man's Silver or Gold, that when he was in his lowest Want and Misery in the Tower, Sequestred of all he had, yet he Refus'd the offers of his Friends with this Reason, that he knew not how to take from any but a King. There is an­other Rub in the way sometimes, Court Messages, and Potentates Letters; for, alass, in many Causes there are great Betters that are no Gamesters. But he had a Spell against that Inchantment; an invincible Courage against Enmity and Envy. I will truly Translate Mamertinus his Qualities upon him, of which he boasted in the Panegyric for his Consulship, Animi magm adversus pecuniam, li­beri adversus offensas, constantis adversus invidiam. Those Magnificoes, that were Undertakers for perdue Causes, gave him over quickly for a stubborn Man, that would go his own Pace, and make no Halt for their sakes, that sate in the Galle­ry of great ones above him. As Cicarella says of Sixtus Quintus, in his Addition to Platina, In ore omnium erat, nunc tempus Sixti est, it is not as it was, these are Pope Sixtus's days: No Man now can work a Reprieve for a Malefactor. So this Magistrate was passive to many Solicitations, but strenuously Resolv'd to be A­ctive for none; for whatsoever Cause was brought before him, he could instantly discern the true Face from the Vizard, and whether the Counsel did not endea­vour rather to shut it up, then to open it. It askt him a little time to Learn, as it were, the use of the Compass, how to Sail into the Vast Ocean ef Pleadings, and not to creep always by the Shore: To follow the Pleaders in their own method, and to speak to them in their own Dialect, nay to reduce them from starting out, and to Rectifie every Sprain and Dislocation. See what a Globe of Light there is in natural Reason, which is the same in every Man; but when it takes well, and riseth to perfection, it is call'd Wisdom in a few.

90. The Terms of the Common Law, as in all other Professions and Sciences, seem Barbarous to the Vulgar Ear, and had need to be familiariz'd with pre-ac­quaintance; which, being the Primar of that Rational Learning, he had inur'd himself to it long before, and was nothing to seek in it. Yet one of the Bar thought to put a Trick upon his Fresh-man-ship, and trouled out a Motion cram­med like a Granada with obsolete Words, Coins of far fetch'd Antiquity; which had been long disus'd, worse then Sir Thomas Mores Averia de Wethernham among the Masters of Paris. In these misty and recondit Phrases, he thought to leave the New Judge feeling after him in the Dark, and to make him blush, that he [Page 76]could not Answer to such mystical Terms, as he had Conjur'd up. But he dealt with a Wit that was never entangl'd in a Bramble Bush; for with a serious Face he Answer'd him in a cluster of most crabbed Notions, pick'd up out of Meta­physics and Logic, as Categorematical, and Syncategorematical, and a deal of such drumming stuff, that the Motioner being Foil'd at his own Weapon, and well Laugh'd at in the Court, went home with this New Lesson, That he that Tempts a Wise man in Jest, shall make himself a Fool in Earnest. Among many Gown-men at the Bar this was but one, and that one proved a solid Pleader; and sound at the hands of a more reconcileable man, more than common Favour, who procur'd him Knighthood, and did send him his help in another Capacity Ten Years after, to advance his Fortunes. To proceed; his Judgment could not be dazzled with Dark and Exotic Words; they were proper to the matters in Hand. The difficulty that he did most contend with, was against Intrigues, and immethodical Pleadings; so that he had much to do to force the Councel to ga­ther up their Discourses more closely, and to hold them to the Point in Hand, checking Excursions and impertinent Ramblings with the Rebuke of Authority, though it seem'd a little Brackish to some Palates. With a little Experience he gather'd up such Ripeness of Judgment, and so sharp-sighted a knowledg, that upon the opening of a Bill, he could readily direct the Pleaders, to that which was the Issue between the Plaintiff, and Defendant, and constrein them to speak to nothing, but the very Weight of the Cause, from the Resolution whereof the whole business did attend it's dispatch: So true it is which Nepos delivers in the Life of Atticus, Facile existimari potest Prudentiam esse quandam Divinati nem. Prudence is a kind of Divination; let it Tast a little, and it can guess at all. It needs not to have all the Windows opened, when it can see Light enough through a Chink. On the Judges part it is not Patience but Weakness, not to abridge Prolixity of Words, that he may come the sooner to the Truth. And on the Advocates part 'tis Affectation, to seem more careful of his cause then he is, when he speaks more then he needs. Thus the Lord Keeper behav'd himself constantly and in­differently towards every Bill and Answer, using the same method, the same di­ligence, the same Application of his great Gifts to all Causes, following the Coun­cil which Q. Cicero gave to his Brother, de Petiti. Consul. It a paratus ad dicendum venito, quasi in singulis caulis Judicium de omni ingenio futurum sit; so he carried him­self, as if he his whole sufficiency were to be Tried, upon every Decree he made. I shall say much, I think enough, to his Approbation, that in the Tryal of two Terms, the Councei at the Bar were greatly contented with him. The Primi­pili or Vantguard of them, were such as fil'd up their place with great Glory in their Generation. Sir J. Davies. Sir Ron. Cr [...]w. Sir T. Coventry. Sir R. H [...]ath. Sir J. Walter. Serjeant F [...]nch. Serjeant Richardson. Serjeant Astly. Sir H [...]n. Finch. Mr. T. Crew. Mr. W. N [...]. Mr. A. P [...]n [...]. Mr. J. Glanvil. Mr. J. Finch. Mr. E. Littleton. Mr. D. Jenkyn. Mr. J. Ba [...]kes. Mr. E. H [...]rb [...]rt. Mr. T. Gardner. Mr. T. H [...]dly. Mr. Egr. Thin. Mr. R. Mason. The Chief among them, that did deserve to Fight next the Standard my Memory perhaps is not Trusty enough after the space of 30 years to remember all those Worthies) are fill'd in the Mar­gent, like a Row of Cedars, and are set down in those Titles which they carried then, which most of them by their Deserts did far out-grow. But these contributed all they could to his Credit, with as much Obser­vance, with as great Reverence, with as full Applause and Praise, as could be required from ingenious Gentlemen, towards one that was a Stranger to their Studies; whose acceptance, no doubt, was a Whet­stone to his Industry.

In the first Term that he came abroad into Westminster-Hall, a Parlia­ment sate in it's second Session; wherein by Command from the King, he spake to both Houses. Of which Speech thus my Lord of Buckingham in a Letter to him dated Novemb. 24. ‘I know not how the Upper House of Parliament approve your Lordships Speech. But I am sure he that call d them together, and, as I think, can best judge of it, is so taken with it, that he saith it is the best that ever he heard in Parlia­ment and the nearest to his Majesties meaning; which beside the con­tentment it hath given to his Majesty, hath much comforted me in his choice of your Lordship; who in all things doth so well Answer his ex­pectation.’ This is laid aside by some negligence, the more is the pity, that it cannot he found. But here are two credible Witnesses, how well he could open the great Affairs of the Kingdom; for the best of Orators gave this Rule to Brutus, N [...]m disertus esse potest in eo quod nesciat, no man can speak well to that, which he doth not understand. At this time I find in safe Records, how advisedly he car­ried himself in the House of Peers, upon the starting of two particulars. The Pri­viledg of the Nobility was discuss'd, and ready to be determin'd finally by the [Page 77]more Active part, that they should take no Oath, save only by their Honour; which through his Intercession was laid aside for these Reasons. That the Word of God allows of no Swearing for the finding out of Truths and deciding of Controversies, but by an Invocation of the Name of God: Quod confirmatur, per cortius confirmatur; and it is God's Glory that his Name, and no other, should be accounted more certain then any thing in the World. In all Controversies, the last Appeal is to him, and to none beside, because there is none above him. The last Appeal is ever to the highest; therefore we make no further Inquisition for Truth; after our furthest provocation to the Lord in Heaven. In Assertory Oaths we Swear, That thereby we may put an End to contentious Causes: And it is not Man's, but God's Honour to end them, who is the God of Peace, and that maketh men to be of one mind. Moreover our best consulting Divines col­lect, that the Ground of an Oath builds upon his holy Name, because He is most True, and cannot Deceive; likewise because he is Omniscient, and cannot be ignorant; and therefore to be the only due Witness for all contentious matters, where there is no other Witness. The Honour of the Peerage is a very Estima­ble Prerogative; but a Creature to Swear, is to put our Soul upon a Religious A­ction: And shall a Creature be the Object of Religious Worship? God forbid: shall a Creature be brought in as the Witness of all Truth? Or shall it be Raised up as the Judge which avengeth all falsehood? There is none but God that is pri­vy to all Truth: And Vengeance belongs to none but him, that can cast both Body and Soul into Everlasting Fire. He added, that singularities are ever to be suspected; and challeng'd any man to shew the contrary, that no other Oath, but In the Name of God was used in Solemn Tryals, at that day, in any part of Christendom. And he bad them look to themselves at home, how prejudicial it would prove to all Courts of Justice; and how unwillingly the Gentry and lower condition'd people of the Land would be brought unto it: How loth they would be to refer their Free-hold, their Meum and Tuum to the protestation of Honour; [...]. If it be stood upon, that in the high­est Criminal Causes of Life and Death, their Lordships vouched their Honour only to Guilty or not Guilty, it might receive this Satisfaction. If a Peer be produced as a Witness against another Peer before the Lord High Steward, he lays his hand upon the Book, and takes his Oath. No man can be cast by the deposition of a Witness that is not Sworn. But when the Peers bring their Ver­dict into the same Court against a Peer, they lay not their Hand upon the Book, but upon their Breast; which is a Sign that their vouchment by their Honour in that Tryal is not an Oath. Indeed it is not. For their Lordships utter it not Via juramenti, but Via Comparationis That is, they do not Swear by their Ho­nour, but pronounce comparatively that as sure as they are Honourable, they find the Prisoner Guilty or not Guilty. Like to that frequent expression in Scripture, As thy Soul Liveth, it is thus and thus. The living Soul comes not in as an Oath, but as a Comparison. As who should say, As sure as your Soul lives, or as sure as Pharaoh lives, I affirm the Truth. Thus far he contended, and to general Satis­faction. It was much that in his Novitiatship in that house, he durst contradict such mighty ones in so tender a Cause. But a Wise man commends the Wisest of Heathen men, Socrates for that Gallant Freedom; 1 Tus [...]ul, adhibuit liberam contu­maciam à magnitudine animi inductam, non à Superbiâ 'Tis Pride that makes men obstinate in their Errors: But magnanimity makes them confident in the Truth.

91. In the same morning while this Debate continued very long, he had an­other Pass with a Master-Fencer. For the question being canvas'd throughly con­cerning Oaths, an Aged Bishop, very infirm in health excus'd himself, if he could not stay so long; whereupon some Lords, who bore a grudge to that Apostoli­cal Order, cried out, they might all go home if they would; and not contented with that Vilipendency, grew higher in their demand, and would have this con­tempt against the Prelates inserted in their Journal Book. The Earl of Essex press'd it more passionately then the rest; who wanted Theological Advice about the strict Obligation of Oaths, as much as any Christian, which appear'd by his At­tempts and Practice about twenty years after. But nothing would now quiet his eager Spirit, but to put it to the question, whether the Lordships were not con­tent to open their Doors wide, and to let all the Bishops out, if they would. The Lord Keeper Replied with a prudent Animosity, ‘That, if he were Com­manded, he would put it to the Question, but to the King, and not to the House of Peers. For their Lordships, as well Spiritual as Temporal, were call'd by the King's Writ to sit and abide there, till the same Power dissolv'd them, [Page 78]And for my Lords Temporal, they had no Power to License themselves, much less to Authorize others to depart from the Parliament.’ With which Words of irrefragable Wisdom, that Spirit was conjur'd down, as soon as it was rais'd. But when the House was swept, and made clean, it returned again in our dismal Days, with seven other Spirits worse than it self. The Motion was then in the Infancy, and we heard no more of it, till it was grown to be a Giant, and dispossessed our Reverend Fathers of their ancient Possession, and Primigenious Right by Club-Law. Let my Apostrophe plead with our Nobles in no Man's Words but Cicero's to Cataline, In vastitate omnium, tuas possessiones sacrosanctas futuras putas? Could your Lordships imagine to limit Gun-Powder and Wild-Fire to blow up one half of the Foundation, and to spair the other half? When the Pillars of the Church were pluckt down, could the Pillars of the State be strong enough to support the Roof of their own Dignity? They should have thought upon it, when they pill'd the Bark off the Tree, that the Tree would flourish no more; but quickly come to that Sentence, Cut it down: Why cumbereth it the Ground?

92. Our Forefathers, when they met in Parliament, were wont to auspicate their great Counsels with some remarkable Favour of Priviledge or Liberality conferr'd upon the Church. And because the Prelates and their Clergy were more concern'd than any in the Benefit of the Statutes made; before the Art of Prin­ting was found out, they were committed to the Custody of their Religious Man­sions. The Reward of those Patriots was like their Work; and God did shew he was in the midst of them: They began in Piety, they proceeded in Prudence, they acted marvelously to the Maintainance of the Publick Weal; and they Con­cluded in Joy and Concord. But since Parliaments, of latter Editions, have gone quite another way, to hearken to Tribunitial Orators that defamed the Ministry, to encourage Projectors, that would disseize them of their Patrimony, when the Nobles (from whom better was expected) wax'd weary of them, who were Twins born in the same Political Administration: Samnium in Samnio: We may look for England in England, and find nothing but New England. How are we fallen from our ancient Happiness? How Diseased are we grown with the Running Gout of Factions? How often have those great Assemblies been cut off (unkindly on both sides) before their Consultations were mellow, and fit for Digestion? We look for much, and it came to little: Was it not because the Lord did blow it away? Hag. 1.9. It is not good to be busie in the Search of Uncertainties that are not pleasing; yet they that will not trouble themselves to consider this Reason, may find divers Irritations to Jars in the Causes below; but I believe they will not re­duce them better to the Cause of Causes from above. From hence came Fierceness and Trouble upon this Session, and God sent evil Angels among them, Psal. 78.49. For the House of Commons seem'd to the King to step out of their Way, from the Bills they were preparing, into the Closet of his Majesty's Counsels: which put him to make Answer to them in a Stile that became his Soveraignty. The King's Son-in-Law taking upon him the Title of King of Bohemia, sore a­gainst the Father-in Law's Mind, the Emperor being in lawful Possession of that Kingdom, over-run the greatest part of the Palatinate with some Regiments of Old Soldiers, whereof the most were Spanish, under the Conduct of Marquess Spinola. Our King received the Injury no less than as a deep Wound gash'd into his own Body: And all true English Hearts, which did not smell of the Roman Wash, were greatly provoked with the Indignity. Prince and People were alike affected to maintain the Palsgrave in his Inheritance, but several Ways. They that are of one Mind, are not always of one Passion. The King assay'd to stop the Fury of the Imperialists by Treaty. The Votes of the bigger Number of the House of Commons propounds nothing but War with Spain; and this they could not do, but in Civility they must first break off the Treaty of Marriage, then in Proposition between the King's dearest Son, and the Infanta Maria. Neither of which pleased his Majesty in the Matter, and but little in the Form, that his Subjects should meddle in those high Points, which he esteemed no less than the Jewels of his Crown, before he had commended them to be malleated upon their Anvil. The Matter, that the Match with the Spanish Princess should be intend­ed no more, was dis-relishable, because he esteemed her Nation, above any o­ther, to be full of Honour in their Friendship, and their Friendship very profita­ble for the enriching of Trade. The Lady her self was highly famed for Virtue, Wisdom, and Beauty. The Noble House, of which she came, had ever afford­ed fortunate Wives to the Kings of this Land, and gracious with the People. Her [Page 79]Retinue of her own Natives should be small, and her Portion greater than ever was given with a Daughter of Spain. And in the League, that should run along with it, the Redintegration of the Prince Elector in the Emperors Favor, whom he had offended, should be included. Therefore his Majesty wrote thus to the Parliament: We are so far engaged in the Match, that we cannot, in Honour, go back, except the King of Spain perform not such things as we expect at his Hands. Some were not satisfied (of which more in a larger Process) that our Prince should mar­ry a Wise of the Pontifician Religion. For as Man's Soul contracts Sin, as soon as it toucheth the Body, so their severe and suspicious Thoughts were as consident, as if they had been the Lustre of Prophetick Light, that a Protestant could not but be corrupted with a Popish Wedlock. Therefore the King took in hand to cure that Melancholy Fit of Superstitious Fear, with this Passage that he sent in his Message at the same time: If the Match shall not prove a Furtherance to Religi­on, I am not worthy to be your King. A well-spirited Clause, and agreeable to Holy Assurance, that Truth is more like to win, than lose. Could the Light of such a Gospel as we profess, be eclips'd with the Interposition of a single Mar­riage? A faint hearted Soldier coming near in his March, to an Ambush una­wares, Plut vit. Pelop. Cry'd out to his Leader Pelopidas, Incidimus in hostes, We are fallen among the Enemy. No, Man, (says his Captain) Hostes inciderunt in n [...], the Enemy is fallen among us, and into our Power. So to such as talk timorously, We shall fall into the Mis-perswasions of a Catholick Lady, and her Houshold; It may well be answered, Be not distrustful of a good Cause, they are fallen among us, and, if God love them, they will joyn with us.

93. The other thing in debate seem'd very harsh and boisterous to his Maje­sty, that sundry Leaders in the House of Commons would provoke him to pro­claim open War with Spain. To which he replied, in a long Letter to the Speaker, That he had sent some Forces to keep the strong Towns of his Son-in-Law from the Imperialists. That he had sent 30000 l. to those Princes of Ger­many that promised to assist him, in Jealousie of their own Territories; and had they done their Part, that handful of Men which he sent, had sufficiently done theirs. He told them, that he treated sedulously, at that time, for Peace; but it would be a very Contradiction, at the same Instant, to be a Party in an open War. And he gravely minded them, that he rather expected Thanks for a long Peace, the great Blessing of God, than to stir him up to one of the greatest Plagues, which the Lord threatens to a sinful Kingdom. That many of his Sub­jects, wanton with Ease and Plenty, and pamper'd with Rest, desired a Change, though they knew not what they would have. But did these Words, so wise and melting, compose the Humors of the Passionate? No, The Stoicks said well, that from all Words and Actions, there were two Handles to be catch'd hold of, a Good and a Bad. The Virtuous interpret all to the best, and lay hold on the Good: The Quarrelsome apply all to the worst, and lay hold of the Bad. Some that were Christianly Principled, and were desirous to contrive every way how to spare the Effusion of so much Humane Blood, admir'd the Lenity and Moderati­on of the King, and look'd up to God, that he would bring this Work to pass by other Means, than unruly and unsatiate Armies. But some cry'd out in Ar. W. Language, That the King's Heart was not advanc'd to glorious Atchievements, P. 172. Or as another of the same Tribe, That howsoever the World did believe, that he was unwilling to fight it out, from a Religious Ground, yet it was no other but a cowardly Disposition, that durst not adventure. Others would find a Knot in a Rush, and laid the Blame upon his Learning, that did intenerate his Heart too much, and make him a Dastard. These, belike, were not acquainted with the Exploits of the Graecian Xenophon, the Roman Caesar, the English Sidney, Montjoy and Ra­leigh, Gentlemen that were renowned both in Arms and Letters. Yet such as were transported with Warmth to be a sighting, prevail'd in Number, before the Pacificous. Well hath Pliny noted, Epist. Lib. 2. In publico concilio nihil est tam in­aequale quàm aequali as ipsa: nam cum sit impar prudentia, par omnium jus est. 'Tis the Inequality of that equal Right which all have in publick Councils, that every Puny hath a decisive Voice as much as Nestor. But for all the Sword-men were so forward, the King's Head was in Travel with Hopes of Peace. He consider­ed that even just Wars could not be prosperous, unless they were begun with Un­willingness; for they are the first Felicity of bad Men, and the last Necessity of good Men. Macrobius observes in Bacchus, the great Invader of India, That he carried his Spear with a Trail of Ivy twin'd about it, Lib. 1 [...]. 17 Quod vinculo patientiae obli­gandi sunt impetui Belle: Because the Fierceness of Fighting should be rained in [Page 80]with the Bridle of Patience. Lofty Spirits, more Heathenish than Evangelical, account one Victory worth ten thousand Lives. But he that looks for the true Life above, is sure, that Mercy and Tenderness of Heart are better than a thou­sand Victories. E [...]saws indeed was not the Soldiers Friend; but thus far he may be heard in this Cause, Epist. Aute. August. Hist. Idem omnes pariter adnitantur ne Bellum sit, po [...]iùs quàm ut bello vincant: 'Tis glorious before Men to fight well: 'tis blessed before God not to sight at all. Warlike Motions are a Tryal of Gal­lantry for a time; but all the Pages of Horror, Calamity, and Desolation attend them upon the Place, where the Camp continues. And why may not that con­tinue till an Infant come to gray Hairs? 'Tis easie to set the Day when Wars shall begin, but none can tell the Year, nor the Age when they will end. Me­tellus had been brought up in such Service, none could tell Bacchus better than himself, Salush. Jug. Bellum sumi facilè, ceterum aegerimè dirimi, non in ejusdem potestate initium ejus & sinem esse. And if War last long, Who can feed that Cormorant with so much as it will devour? What Millions and Millions of Coin have been exhaust­ed to maintain this great Curse of God in our Land? 'tis thrice as chargeable to transport an Army. If great Contributions be exacted Year by Year, What Out­cries will the People make? And if we be not shorn to the Quick, nay, if we be not flay'd to advance Payments, What Out-cries will the Soldiers make? 'Tis re­markable, that the Commons in this Parliament voted to give one entire Subsidie to the King, to begin the War. They were not ignorant that five times that Money was not enough to Rig a Navy, and to receive a good Army in it at the Sea-Side. What a poor Stock was this to set up such a Trade? a Sign they were neither able nor willing to maintain a War, but at the Tongues end. Finally, The King having deliberated upon this Hurry to Battle, opened the very Oracle of his Heart in this manner to some that were near him: That a King of England had no reason, but to seek always to decline a War, though he carried his Forces abroad; for the Array, or Sword was in his Hand, and the Purse in the Peoples. His Sword could not fight without their Purse to maintain it. Suppose a Supply were levied to begin the Fray; What Certainty could He have, that He should not want enough to make an honorable End? If he call'd for Subsidies, and did not obtain, he must retreat ingloriously, to the Wounding of his own Honour, and the Nations. If he were instant to have Suc­cour, and were resolved never to give over till he had it, after he had craved it, as if he had beg'd an Alms, he must take it with such Conditions, as would break the Heart of Majesty, through Capitulations that some Members would make, who desire to improve the Reputation of their Wisdom, by retrenching the Dignity of the Crown in Popular Declamations. For 'twas likely they would ask the Change of the Church, of the Laws, of the Court Royal, the Displacing of his Officers, the Casheiring of his Servants. Either at this Rate he must buy the Soldiers Pay, or be Scandaliz'd in the Army, to the endan­gering of a Mutiny, that he would yield nothing to save them from Starving, who had jeoparded their Lives for him and his Children. All this praemised, I cannot dive in­to his Nature as some do, that knew no more than I, to say he was no Man of Courage; but out of the Pith of his Arguments, I can collect, he was a Com­mander of Reason. Happy those that liv'd under his Scepter, who could say, Claudian. land. Stil. Hujus pacificis debemus moribus omnes—Quod cuncti gens una sumus. Plutarch compares Romulus and Numa, that the former did all he could to train the People to Fight, Numa did his best to suppress Wars: Non ob ignavia sed innocentiae causa: not out of Timorousness, but of Harmlesness. (This is he that they say had the Goddess Aegeria to his Dry-Nurse, whereas Romulus had a Wolf to his Wet-Nurse.) So I will define it in the Peroration, that it was Harmlesness and In­nocency that taught King James not to leave his Kingdom naked to the Storms of War, and disrobed of the Mantle of Peace.

94. Now to go on. If the Matter debated about breaking of the Match, and Proclaiming War with Spain had not disgusted, the Modus Procedendi, or Form how the Commons took in hand, would have given less Displeasure. But to keep them from hunting after such Royal Game, his Majesty confines them into their own Purlues: Not to meddle (says he) with any thing concerning our Government, or deep Matters of State; and namely, not to deal with our dearest Son's Match with the Daughter of Spain; nor to touch the Honour of that King, or any other our Friends and Confederates. And also not to meddle with any man's Particulars, which have their due Motion in any Our Courts of Justice. To which they Answer, That they acknow­ledge it belonged to his Majesty alone to resolve of Peace and War, and of the Marriage of the most Noble Prince, his Son. Nor did they assume to themselves any Power to determine of any Part thereof, but to demonstrate those things to his Majesty, [Page 81] which they were not assured could otherwise come so fully and clearly to his Knowledge (which are mannerly, but plain Shifts.) In the L'enocoy they rise higher, That his Majesty did seem to abridge them of the ancient Liberty of Parliament, for Freedom of Speech, an Inheritance received from their Ancestors. The Apple of Contention at last grew only upon the Stalk of those Words. The King rejoyns unto it thus: Although We cannot allow of the Stile, calling it your ancient and undoubted Inheritance; but could rather have wished that ye had said, that your Priviledges were derived from the Grace and Permission of our Ancestors and Us (for most of them grew from Prece­dents, which shews rather a Toleration than inheritance:) Yet We are pleas'd to give you Our Royal Assurance, that as long as you shall continue your selves within the Limits of your Duty, We shall be as careful to maintain and preserve your Lawful Liberties and Priviledges, as ever any of Our Predecessors were; nay, as to preserve Our own Royal Prerogative. Had Queen Elizabeth sent such Lines to any of the Parliaments call­ed in her Blessed Reign, her Name had been advanc'd for a gracious and a re­nowned Lady. It was this, if not alone, yet chiefly, that made her Govern­ment more Popular at Home, and Glorious Abroad, than the Kings her Succes­sors (for they wanted nothing of Piety, Wisdom and Justice;) that she never encountred with Harsh, Gainsaying, Tumultuous Parliaments. But what Requi­tal had King James sot his gentle Words, perfum'd with sweet Gums? Why, they begat another Remonstrance, full of strong Contestation, That the Liberties, Franchizes, Priviledges and Jurisdictions of Parliament are the ancient and un­doubted Birth-right and Inheritance of the Subjects of England, and so forth a­long with every Note above Ela. Yet that no Diversion might be made, nor Ces­sation of weightier Business for this, the Lord Keeper writes to the Lord Marquess, Decemb. Cabal. p. 65. 16. in these Words. ‘His Majesty infers, that the Priviledges of Parlia­ment are but Graces and Favours of former Kings. Most true, for where were the Commons before Harry the First gave them Authority to meet in Parliament? They claim those things to be their Inheritance and natural Birth-Right. Both these Assertions, if men were peaceably disposed and affected, the Dispatch of the common Business might easily be reconciled. Those Priviledges were ori­ginally the Favors of Princes, and are now inherent in their Persons, in their Politick Body. His Majesty may be pleased to qualifie that Passage with some mild and noble Exposition.’ This wise Letter cuts the Controversie by a Thred. And this Office, to mitigate that Passage, Sir Humphry May performed singularly to his Praise, yet nothing to Success. Hereupon, on the 21st of December, this Session was Prorogued till February the 8th, but utterly Dissolved by Proclamation Jan. 7. Surely every good man wish'd that the King and they had embrac'd at Parting. Plutarch, in the Life of Dion, tells of a small Error in Nature, which hapned in Syracusa, That a Sow Farrow'd, and her Pigs had no Ears. That the Sooth-Sayers portended to Dionysius the Governor, a great Mischief upon it, that the People would be Disobedient, and hear nothing that was Commanded. There cannot be a more ominous Presage of Evil to come, than when the Ma­gistrate hath lost the Happiness of a persuasive Tongue, and the People of a list­ning and obedient Ear.

95. An Evill befall that Archimago, that Fiend of Mischief, that set Vari­ance between the Head and the Body: The Lord Keeper, who saw about him, and before him, understood who would have the worst of it in the End. For the next Parliament is not weakned in its Power or Priviledges by the Dissolution of the Former; but a King grows-less than himself, if he depart asunder, from that publick Assembly in a Paroxism, or sharp Fit, as Paul and Barnabas went one from another, Acts 15.39. Therefore he read nothing so much to his Majesty, as to study it, next to his Faith in Christ, how to close with the Desires of that High Court, when it assembled again, that it might be like a Mixture of Roses and Wood-binds in a sweet Entwinement. And for his Part, he was willing to serve him in it, rather than in any thing, to be unto him as the Black Palmer was to the Fairy Knight in Mr. Spencer's Moral Poem, to guide his Adventure from all distemperate Eruptions: Which was put home: And let it rest a while, till time brought it on, that he was the Days-man of Success. For now I remove him into his Place in Star-Chamber; a Court, though buried now, yet not to be forgotten. Cambden, who kept the Nobleness of his Country from Oblivion, says of it, Curia cam [...]rae s [...]llatae, si vetustatem spectemus, est antiquiss [...]ma: Si dignitatem, honoratissima. For the Antiquity, the Lord Cook, in his Jurisdiction of Courts, looks no higher than 28. of Edw. 3. This Lord Keeper cites a Precedent out of his own Search of Records, of a Baron Fin'd and Imprison'd by it, in the 16th [Page 82]of Edw. 2. as it is quoted, Cabal. P. 58. Of what standing it was before (for the Evidence doth not run as if then it were newly born) to me is uncertain. For the Dignity, that famous Judge I mentioned, lifts up his Style, that it is the most honourable Court (our Parliament excepted) that is in the Christian World. Ju­risdic. P. 65. The Citations of it are to cause to appear Coram Rege & Concilio; for the King, in Judgment of Law, is always in the Court when it fits, and King James did twice in Person give Sentence in it. The Lords, and others of the Privy Council, with the two Chief Justices, or two other Justices, or Barons of the Exchequer in their Absence, are standing Judges of that Court. For in Matters of Right and Law, some of the Judges are always presum'd to be of the King's Counsel. The other Lords of Parliament, who are properly De mag­no Concilio Regis, are only in Proximâ poteentiâ, of this Council, and are actually Assessors, when they are specially called. These Grandees of the Realm (who cannot fit to hear a Cause under the Number of Eight at the least) ennoble this Court with their Presence and Wisdom, to the Admiration of Foreign Nations, and to the great Satisfaction of our selves; for none can think himself too great to be Try'd for his Misdemeanors, before a Convention of such Illustrious Senators. And, as Livy says, Nihil tam aequandae libertati prodest, quàm potentissimum quemque posse causam dicere. As touching the Benefit that the Star-Chamber did bring, thus that Atlas of the Law, the Lord Cook (Et cujus pars magna fuit) says in the same Place, That the right Institution, and ancient Orders thereof being observed, it keepeth all England in Quiet. Which he maintains by two Reasons. First, Seeing the Proceeding according to the Laws and Customs of this Realm, cannot, by one Rule of Law, suffice to punish, in every Case, the Enormity of some great and horrible Crimes; this Court dealeth with them, to the end the Medicine may be according to the Disease, and the Punishment according to the Offence. Se­condly, To curb Oppression and Exorbitancies of great Men; whom inferior Judges and Jurors (though they should not) would, in respect of their Greatness, be afraid to offend. Indeed in every Society of Men, there will be some Ba­shawes, who presume that there are many Rules of Law, from which they should be exempted. Aristotle writes it as it were by Feeling, not by Guess; Polit. 4. c. 11. [...]. They that were at the Top among the Greeks, nor would be rul'd, nor would be taught to be rul'd. There­fore this Court profest the right Art of Justice, to teach the Greatest, as well as the Meanest, the due Construction of Good Behaviour. I may justly say, that it was a Sea most proper for Whale-Fishing; little Busses might cast out Nets for Smelts and Herring. So says the great Lawyer, Ordinary Offences, which may sufficiently be punished by the Proceeding of the Common Laws, this Court leaveth to the ordinary Courts of Justice; Ne dignitas hujus Curiae vilesceret.

96. Accordingly the Lord Keeper Williams having Ascended by his Office to be the first Star in the Constellation, to illuminate that Court, he was very Nice, I might say prudent, to measure the Size of Complaints that were preferred to it, whether they were knots, fit for such Axes. A number of contentious Squab­bles he made the Attorney's Pocket up again, which might better be compound­ed at home by Country Justices. It was not meet that the Flower of the Nobi­lity should be call'd together to determine upon Trifles. Such long Wing'd Hawks were not to be cast off, to fly after Field-Fares. The Causes which he designed to hear, were Grave and Weighty, wherein it concern'd some to be made Examples for Grievous Defamations, Perjuries, Riots, Extortions, and the like. Upon which Occasions his Speeches were much heeded, and taken by di­vers in Ciphers, which are extent to this day in their Paper Cabinets. To which I Appeal, that they were neither long nor Virulent. For though he had Scope on those Ocasions to give his Auditors more then a Tast of his Eloquence, which was clear, sententious, fraught with Sacred and Moral Allusions, yet he detested nothing more, then to insult upon the Offendor with girds of Wit. He fore­saw that Insolencies and Oppressions are publick provocations to bury a Court in it's own Shame. And what could exasperate more, then when an unfortunate man hath run into a Fault, to shew him no humane Respect? Nay, to make him pass through the two malignant Signs of the Zodiaque, Sagitary and Scorpio? That is, to wound him first with Arrows of sharp-pointed Words, and then to Sting him with a Scorpiack censure. Indeed, if there be an extreme in shewing too much mercy, I cannot Absolve the Lord Keeper. For many, I confess, censur'd him for want of deeper censures; said he was a Friend to Publicans and [Page 83]Sinners, to all delinquents, and rather their Patron then their Judge. [...] was so oftentimes, when he scented Malice in the Prosecution. It was so sometimes, when he laid his Finger upon the Pulse of humane Frailty. Brethren, if a Man be overtaken in a Fault, we which are Spiritual Restore such a one in the Spirit of meekness, considering thy self, least thou also be Tempted, Galat. 6.1. Pliny the young­er had been faulted, that he had excus'd some, more then they deserv'd: Where­upon he Writes to Septitius lib. 7. Ep. Quid mihi invident felicissimum Errorem? Ut enim non sint tales quales à me praedicantur, ego tamen Beatus, quod mihi videntur; Which is to this meaning; Why do you grudg me this Error? they are not so good as I accounted them; but I am happy in my Candor, that I account them better then they are. But first he never condemn'd an Offender to be Branded, to be Scourg'd, to have his Ears cut. Though that Court hath proceeded to such censure, in time old enough to make Prescription, yet my Lörd Cook advi­seth it should be done sparingly upon this Reason, Quod Arbitrio judicis relin­quitur, non facile trahit ad effusionem Sanguinis. They that judge by the light of Ar­bitrary Wisdom should seldom give their sentence to spill Blood. He would ne­ver do it; and declin'd it with this plausible avoidance, as the Arch-Bishop Whit­gift and Bancroft, and the Bishop of Winton, the Learned Andrews, had done before him, that the Canons of Councils had forbidden Bishops to Act any thing, to the drawing of blood in a judicial Form. Once, I call to mind, he dispens'd with himself; and the manner was pretty. One Floud a Railing Libelling Varlet, bred in the Seminaries beyond Seas, had vented Contumelies bitterer then Gall a­gainst many Excellent persons. Among other passages of his Reviling Throat, it was proved against him, that he had said, that our Bishops were no Bishops, but were Lay-men, and Usurpers of that Title. Floud, says the Lord Keeper, Since I am no Bishop in your Opinion, I will be no Bishop to you. I concur with my Lords (the like I never did before) in your Corporal punishment. Secondly in inflict­ing pecuniary Mulcts upon him that was found Guilty, he was almost never heard but to concur with the smallest Sum. I would this had been imitated, chiefly by them of the Hierarchy, who managed the judgments of that Court after he retir'd, I would that favour, which was wont never to be denied to any, had not been forgotten, to take away such a part of an Offenders Estate by Fine, that still he might have Honestum Continementum, an Honest Provision to live upon ac­cording to his Place and Dignity. It was never intended to prune away the Loppings, and to cut down the Trunk too. Nothing could be more harsh to tender Ears and Hearts, then such a Torrent of censure as came from Q. Furius against Dolabella 11. Philip. of Tully, he had loaded him with all the severity he could think of, Dixit tamen, si quis eorum qui post se rogati essent graviorem sententiam dix­isset, in eam se iturum. But he may get a fall himself, that in the undoing of a Man Gallops to Ride as fast as the Fore-Horse. Thirdly the Lord Keeper's In­dulgence was not satisfied to set the lowest Fine, but labour'd for as much miti­gation, as could be granted, at the end of the Term. The Officers that are yet alive will say as much, and make me a true Man, that the Fines of the Court were never shorn down so near before: And after the Period of his Presidency, it is too well known how far the Enhancements were stretch'd. But the wring­ing of the Nose hringeth forth Blood, Prov. 30.33. The Lord Treasurer Cranfeild, a good Husband for the Entrates of the Exchequer, complain'd against him to the King, how Delinquents by his Abatements were so slightly punish'd in their Purse, that the Fees, that came to His Majesties Enrichment, would not give the Lords a Dinner once a Week, as the Custom had been, nay, hardly once a Term. Behold now a Man that was Lenissimus sine dispendio Disciplinae, as Au­sonius says of Gratian, as full of Lenity as could be, saving the Correction of evil Manners. But it will be said, he was liberal to spare men out of the King's Stock. And no whit less, as I will shew it, out of his own. Sir Francis Inglefeild, a pri­soner in the Fleet, upon a contempt of a Decree in Chancery, was much overseen, not once nor twice, in bitter Words against the Lord Keeper, which he vented so rashly, that they were certified home. Well says the Lord Keeper, Let him Bark on, but he shall never bite his Chain asunder, till he submit to mine Order. But there came a Complaint, by the Information of Sir J. Bennet, that Sir Francis had not spared to say, before sufficient Witness That he could prove this Holy Bishop Judge had been Bribed by some that far'd well in their Causes. As the Old Adagy goes, he might as easily have proved that Hercules was a Coward. But this contumely could not be pass'd over: There was a necessity to purge it, or to fall under it in a public hearing. After time given to Sir Francis to make good his Words in [Page 84]Star-Chamber (the Lord Keeper withdrawing himself for that day) he could prove nothing of Corruption against him, no not to the Value of a Doit. So a Large Fine of many thousand pounds was inflicted on Sir Francis to be paid to the King, and to his Minister, whom he had Slander'd. The Lord Keeper in a few days following, sent for the woful Gentleman, and told him, he would refute his soul Aspersions, and prove upon him, that he scorn'd the Pelf of the World, or to exact, or make lucre of any man. For, for his own part he forgave him eve­ry peny of his Fine, and would crave the same Mercy towards him from the King. Sir Francis bless'd himself, to find such Mercy from one, whom he had so grievously provok'd, acknowledg'd the Crime of his Defamation; and was re­ceived afterward into some Degree of Acquaintance and Friendship. Many have been undone by those, whom they took to be their Friends: But it is a rare chance to be seen, as in this instance, for a man to be preserv'd by him, whom he had made his Enemy: Let this suffice to declare, that the Star-Chamber by this Lord's Prudence was the Court of Astraea.

97. Being to take his Picture from Head to Foot, it is pertinent to consider him in the Office of a Privy-Councellor. It was his first Honour, wherein the King call'd him to serve the Crown, being Sworn to sit at that Board, Three Weeks before he was entrusted with the Great Seal. Many things, and the best of his Abilities in that place, I believe, are un-publishable; for the most of that Work is secret, and done behind the Curtain. He that sits in that Employment, had need to have the whole Common-Wealth in his Head. So says an exact Se­nator, 2 De Orato: Ad Consilum de Repub. dandum caput est nosse Rempublicam. Many may spit Sentences upon such great matters, and speak little, as worthy Doctor Gauden says, like sealed Pigeons, The less they see, the higher they Fly. But blessed be his Name that gives all good Gifts, he was furnish'd with strong intel­lectuals to discern into the means, that concern the Honour, Safety, Defence and Profit of the Realm. Yet it is not enough to have a piercing Eye, unless there be an Heart to affect the public good. Tully began well, but Pontanus makes up the rest in Extolling the Venetian Government. Senatoribus mira in consentiendo integritas, at (que) erga patriam amor incredibilis. And his Lordship was as true an En­glishman, as ever gave Counsel in the Royal Palace. Therefore he was more employ'd by his Majesty then all the rest, to negotiate with Embassadors; be­ing most Circumspect and tender to yield to nothing, that was not advantagious to our own common Welfare. Neither did the Courts of France and Spain, and the States of Holland, with whom we Acted most, upon Tryal how he sisted their Leagues, expect any other from him, He had the most sudden Representation of Reason, to confirm that which he defended of any Man alive. None could abound above him in that Faculty, which made his great Master value him at that weight, that the thrice Noble Lodwick, Duke of Richmond, told him in my hearing, That the King listned to his Judgment, rather than to any Minister of State. Which took the oftner, because if his Majesty were moody, and not in­clin'd to his Propositions, he would fetch him out of that Sullen with a pleasant Je [...]t, and turn him about with a Trick of Facetiousness.

I find by his own Confession remaining in some Schedules, that he was be­holding to Lord Egerton's Directions, to fill up the Worth of that Place; which were these. First, To open his sincere and intimate Mind in all Advice; which is indeed to give Counsel, and not Words. For he that speaks against his Con­science, to please the King, gives him a dry Flower to smell to. Secondly, What­soever was propos'd, to examine primarily, if it were just: For he that dare make bold with God for Reasons of State, is not to be trusted by Man. There can be no Reason against Right: Velleius says, that Cato the Heathen was of that Opinion; Cui id solum visum est rationem habere, quod haberet justitiam. 2. If it were for the Honour of the King, for Crown-wisdom must not be soil'd with the Dust of Baseness, but aim at Glory. 3. If it were profitable, as well for the Ages to come, as for the present Use; for present Occasions are mortal, but a Kingdom is immortal. If it hit not every Joynt of Just, Honourable, and Profi­table, he voted to lay it aside. He kept other Rules at the Table, but more dis­pensable. As to mature great Matters, with slow Deliberation, at least to give them a second Hearing, after himself and his Colleagues had laid their Heads up­on their Pillows. Next he called upon the King, to follow the beaten Tract of former Precedents: For new ways are visibly the Reproach of ancient Wisdom, and run the Hazard of Repentance. New Stars have appeard and vanish'd; the ancient Asterisms remain, there's not an old Star missing. Likewise it was [Page 85]his modest, but frequent Motion, that Counsels should not be whispered by one or two in a Corner but delivered openly at the Board by the sworn Ministers. For what avails it, when a Globe of Senators have press'd sound Judgment, if some, for their own Ends, shall overthrow it, who have made Blastus their Friend in Agrippa's Chamber? Act. 12. The Lord Cooke's Jurisdiction of Courts, Pag. 57. gives it for a special Note of his own Observation, when he was a Privy Counsel­sellor, that when a thing upon Debate and Deliberation is well resolv'd at the Council-Table, the Change thereof, upon some private Information, is neither safe nor honourable. As Seneca says, Lib. 2. de Benif. Vota homines parciùs faccrent, si palam facienda essint. If all Prayers were made in the Hearing of a publick As­sembly, many that are mumbled in Private, wou'd be omitted for Shame. So if all Counsels, offer'd to Princes, were spread out before many Witnesses. Ear-Wiggs that buzz what they think fit in the retir'd Closet, durst not infect the Royal Audience with pernicious Glozing, for fear of Scandal or Punishment. Well did the Best of our Poets, of this Century, decipher a Corrupt Court, in his Under-woods, Pag. 227,

Lastly, He deprecated continually, and obtained that private Causes should be distinguished from Publick; that Actions of Meum and Tuum should be repulsed from the Council-Board, and kept within the Channel of the Common-Law. But to run along with the Complacemia of the Multitude, with that which was most cry'd up in the Town by our Gallants at Taverns and Ordinaries, he defy'd it utterly. Populo super [...]canea est calliditas, says Salust. The Peoples Heads are not lin'd with the Knowledge of the Kingdoms Government, 'tis above their Perime­ter. When they obey, they are in their Wits; when they prescribe, they are mad. Excellently, King James, in one of his Speeches, Who can have Wisdom to judge of things of that Nature (arcana imperii) but such as are daily acquainted with the Particulars of Treaties, and the variable and fixed Connexion of Affairs of State; together with the Knowledge of the secret Ways, Ends, and Intention of Princes in their several Negotiations? Otherwise small Mistakings, in Matters of this Nature, may pro­duce worse Effects than can be imagined. He gave this Warning very sagely to his People: what Warning he received from his faithful Servant, the Lord Keeper, shall be the Close of this Subject. His Majesty being careful to set his House within himself in good Order, against he came to the Holy Communion, on the Eve before, he sent for this Bishop as his Chaplain, to confer with him about Sa­cred Preparation for that Heavenly Feast; who took Opportunity, when the King's Conscience was most tender and humble, to shew him the way of a good King, as well as of a good Christian, in these Points. First, To call Parlia­ments often, to affect them, to accord with them. To which Proposal he fully won his Majesty's Heart. Secondly, To allow his Subjects the Liberty and Right of the Laws, without entrenching by his Prerogative; which he attended to with much Patience, and repented he had not lookt into that Counsel sooner. Thirdly, To contract his great Expences,, and to give with that Moderation, that the Prince his Son, and his succeeding Posterity, might give as well as He. In short, to contrive how to live upon his own Revenue, or very near it, that he might ask but little by way of Subsidy, and he should be sure to have the more given him. But of all the three Motions, there was the least Hope to make him hear of that Ear. For though he would talk of Parsimony as much as any, yet he was lavish, and could keep no Bounds in Spending. As Paterculus observes of an Emperor that wrote to the Senate, Triumphum appararent quàm minimo sumtu, sed quantus alias nunquam fuisset. To be a great Saver, and a great Spender, is hard to be reconciled, for it toucheth the Hem of a Contradiction. But since the Benefit of that Counsel would not rest upon the Head of the King, the Honesty of it returned again to him that gave it,

98. Who had the Abilities of two Men in one Breast, and filled up the In­dustry of two Persons in one Body. He satisfied the King's Affairs in the Civil Theatre, and performed the Bishops Part in the Church of Christ: As [...] and Jehojada were great Judges in the Land, and ministred before the Lord to their Linnen Ephods. The Custody of the Great Seal would not admit him, so long as he kept it, to visit his Diocess himself; but though he was not upon the Soil of the Vineyard, he was in the Tower of it, to over-look the Vine-Dressors. [Page 86]Though he was absent in his Body, he was present in the Care and Watchfulness of his Spirit, and as our Saviour said of the Woman that poured her precious Spikenard upon him, Quod potuit, fecit, Marc. 14.8. So I doubt not but God did accept it from him, that he did what he could. He heard often from those whom he had surrogated, and appointed in Office to give him Information; and was so assiduous to enquire after all Occurrences in those many Parochial Towns, that were under his Pastoral Power, that he would be very angry at the least Slackness of his Ministers, and was us'd to say, They might provoke him with Negligence, but never molest him with double Diligence; for he could read as much in an Hour, as they would write to him in a Week. Mr. W. Boswel his Se­cretary, and Custos of his Spirituality, and chief Servant under him in this Work, was all in all sufficient for it, eximious in Religion, Wisdom, Integrity, Learning, (as the Netherlands know, where he was long time Agent and Embassador for King Charles.) Through Mr. Boswell's Collection, and narrow Search, the Dio­cesan of so large a Precinct, together with the Names of every Parson and Vicar, was able to speak of their Abilities, and manner of Life, which I think no Memo­ry could carry away; but that it is credible he had some Notes affixed to every one of their Persons. For he could decipher the Learning of each Incumbent, his Attendance on his Cure, his Conformity, his Behaviour, as well as most men knew them in their respective Proximities. I do not say he had a passive Infalli­bility, but that he might be abused with untrue Relations. But for the most part a good Head-piece will discover a counterfeit Suggestion, and crush the Truth out of Circumstances. The Sum is, He did as much as a Bishop could do, while, for the space of four Years and a half, Necessity would not suffer him to reside with his Clergy: whom they knew not that they mist him, till he remov­ed from London to live among them, and made a large Amends for his Absence, when he setled at Bugden. In the mean time his Apocrisarii, they, to whom he had committed his Trust and Authority, were among them, to hear their Com­plaints, and to Judge Right. Now it is a good Rule in St. Cyprian, to a lauda­ble Purpose, though the Father applies it for once to a Bad, Epist. 61. Non po­test videri certasse qui vicarios substituit; & qui pro se uno plures succidaneos suggerit. He that fills his Office with a good Co-adjutor, his Absence may be dispenc'd with for a time upon reasonable Cause: For a good Substitute is not a Shadow, but a Substance. Howsoever, whether his Abode were within his Diocess, or without it, he knew that the Calling of a Bishop went along with him in every Place. And whatsoever the standing Weight of his Business was that lay upon him, he re­membred to stir up the Gift of God that was in him, by the Putting on of Hands. He Preached constantly in the Abby of Westminster, at the great Festivals of our Sa­viour's Nativity, Resurrection, and Whit-Sunday: On which high Days, he sung the Common Prayers, Consecrated and Administred the Sacrament, the Great Seal of the Righteousness of Faith; besides the Sermon which he Preach'd every Lent in the King's Royal Chappel: Which was Work indeed, being so learned­ly performed. For when he put his Hand to that Plough, no man cut up a deeper Furrow, that came into the Pulpit.

99. Such Examples of Preaching were necessary for this time; but very ill fol­low'd. For there were Divines more Satyrical than Gospel-spirited, chiefly some among the Lecturers in populous Auditories, that were much overseen. Banding their Discourses either under the Line, or above the Line, against the quiet Settle­ment of present Government. Some carried their Fire in Dark-Lanthorns, and deplor'd the Dangers that hung over us. Some rail'd out-right, and carried the Brands end openly in their Mouth to kindle Combustion. Both did marvellously precipitate slippery Dispositions into Discontents and Murmurings. The Treatise about the Spanish Match was the Breize that bit them, and made them wild. That was such a Bugbear, that at the Motion of it, some that were conscientious, and some that seem'd so, thought that the true Worship of God was a Ship-board, and Sailing out of the Realm. True Religion is the Soul of our Soul, and ought to be more tender to us than the Apple of our Eye. But we all know what will grow out of that Religion, when it is marked with Charity. It is not easily provok'd, thinketh no evil, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, 1 Cor. 13. It is not distrustful of it own fastness, as if so good a Fortress could be push'd down with a bruised Reed. It will not raise Tumults and Tragedies from Misapprehensions, that float upon the idle Lake of Suspicion. That the Orthodox Church of England should totter upon this Occasion, God be thanked it was not in proof, nor could be made evident. Sometimes Jealousie is too watchful; sometimes it is fast asleep. [Page 87]When the French Marriage was in Treaty, when it was concluded, when the Navy was under Sail to Land the Royal Bride, the Preachers were modest, and made no stir, not one Zealot complain'd of for jerking at it with unadvis'd pas­sion. And yet the Daughter of France was a Daughter of the Roman Chair, no less then Donna Maria. She never had Commerce, nor ever like to have, with the Hugonots. The Swarms of her own Train, all Papists by Profession, were ready to abound in our Land far more than from the Spanish Coast. Because of the short and easie passage from Calis to Dover, their Shavelings would fly over as thick as Wasps about a Honey-Pot. This was mightily dreaded, when the Mari­age was in some forwardness between Queen Elizabeth, and the Duke of Anjoy, and opposed strongly by some that were hot in the Mouth to their cost. But now no Leprosie was suspected, but from Spanish Popery. Which was aggrava­ted with such Insolencies by some Ecclesiastical Fencers against the King's Honor; and the Sincerity of his Oath which he had taken, to maintain true Religion, that they were at the height of Rage to profess, Come, and let us smite him with the Tongue, Jerem. 18. Vers. 18. So that his Majesty rouzed up like a Lyon silenc'd some of the Offenders, imprison'd some, threatned to arraign some for their Lives. Yet after he was come to more Serenity of Passion, the Lord Keeper, who thought as hardly of their Indiscretion as the King himself did, was Advocate for them all, undertook to settle their Brains, and procur'd them their Liberty and their Livings. Among the rest, he invented a merry Contrivance in the behalf of a very learned and misguided Scholar, a Prisoner upon that score. He told the King that he had heard, that some idle Gossips complain'd of him grievously, and did not stick to curse him. Why? What Evil have I done to them? says the King. Sir, says the Lord-Keeper, Such a Man's Wife, upon Tidings of her Husband's Imprisonment, fell presently in Labour, and the Midwifes can do her no good to deliver her, but say it will not be ef­fected till she be comforted to see her Husband again: For which the Women that assist her revile you, that her Pains should stick at such a Difficulty. Now Weal away, says the King, send a Warrant presently to release him, lest the Woman perish. There was none that was worse to be tamed than the Lecturer of St. Martins in the Fields, a great Opiniator, who was committed to the Gate-House; and having scarce kiss'd the Jayl, was restored to go abroad, and to Preach again at the Lord Keeper's humble Suit. Who gave him grave Advice, to take some other Theme to treat of before his Auditors, than the King's Counsels and Intentions. And what doth your Lordship prescribe me to Preach upon? says this Frampul Man. What else? (and that you know your self, says he,) But Jesus Christ, and him Crucified. The next Sunday the Lecturer restor'd to his Place, takes for his Text 1 Cor. 2. V. 2. I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him Crucified. And withal told the People, That a Bishop and a great Statesman, had restrain'd him to Preach of that only, and no other Scripture. Of which Indignity when Sir George Calvert, the Prin­cipal Secretary, had brought him News, he laugh'd heartily, and said no more, But let him alone, Sir George, he hath vented his Crotchet: His Notes will not let him continue long on that Subject. He delights in Quarrels, but he shall never be question'd for my sake, if he will not trouble the King. So he dealt with him as Leo says he us'd Anatasius, Ep. 57. Benigniores circa ipsum, quam justiores esse volumus. A Magistrate is in a great strait, that deals with such a Head-strong Piece. Whether he be sum­mon'd to answer before Authority, or pass'd over in Connivence, his Heart is as fat as Brawn, and hath no feeling of the Publick Peace: Dicere si tentes aliquid, tacitus ve recedas, Tantundem est, feriunt pariter, Juven. Sat. 3. Yet perhaps when they are left to themselves, they will be soonest weary of themselves. And every Dunghil smells ill, but worst when it is stirr'd.

100. A few things more, subjunctive to the former, were thought meet to be Castigated in Preachers at that time. It jarr'd in the Ears of the Discreet to hear some, that exercis'd in the Church, battle out they knew not what about Regal Authority, and limit which were the Enclosures of Subjection, and which were not. To Be subject to the Higher Powers, is a constant and a general Rule; and Reason can discern, that the Supreme Majesty, which unquestionably is in our King, is inviolable. For omnis motus est super quietem. That all Penalties against them that offend may move orderly, there must be a Power Quiescent, and ex­empted from that Motion, not subject to Penalty by Man. He that maintains not this Principle, leaps wilfully into Confusion, and will never get out of it. But for Active Obedience to Laws and Edicts, 'tis local, and therefore various. Every Nation know their own way best, to what they are tied, as we know ours. He is a Busie-body that trasheth this in a Pulpit. A Minister is pur-blind of that side; [Page 88]and cannot tell how far the Eagle may fly: For it comes not under the Divine's Cap, but under the Judges Coif. A Scholar of Broad-Gates in Oxford, Mr. Knight, that had newly taken Orders, broke a Sermon against this Rock, in April 1022. out of Paraeus his Aphorisms on the 13th Chap. ad Rom. (how far forth he under­stood him I contend not,) he deliver'd that which derogated much from the safety of Regal Majesty. Dr. Pierce the Vicechancellor, a Learned Governor, found the Crime too great for the Cognizance of his Consistory: But inform'd Bishop Laud of all Passages, and the Bishop the King. Presently the Floods lift up their Voice: Ruine is thundred against Knight, who had set such a Beacon on Fire in the Face of the University. To the Gate-House he was committed a close Prisoner, till a Charge were drawn up against him, to Impeach him of Treasonable Doctrine. All other Passages I pretermit: And how the Charge came not in, shall be told by and by. But this weak Predicant, that run blindfold into Error and Destru­ction, lay in Limbo a great while macerated with fear, and want, and hard Lodg­ing. Dr. White, he who purchas'd Sion-College for the Clergy of London, and con­ferr'd other Beneficence on the place, had like to have kept Knight Company. He Preach'd a Sermon at St. Paul's Church London, in his Residentiaries Course, though very Aged, and was better able to discharge it Forty Years before. There were among those that heard him some that wrested his Words to a bad meaning, as if he had prick'd the Court in the Basilick, or Liver-Vein. Though his Doctrine was harmless in good Construction, yet a Tale was told to the King to the con­trary, for he was very Rich. That was the Carrion after which the Crows caw­ed. Though he was Orthodox, his Money was Heterodox; and the Informers look'd to part it among them. To avoid this Peril, Dr. White fled to the Lord Keeper's Sweetness and Civility, who assured him he would do him the best Of­fice he could. He thought upon the Doctor, and forgot not Mr. Knight, but rubb'd his Fore-head to find a Stratagem how to hunt two Hares at one Course. The next time he came into the King's Presence he fell upon it, how to amaze his Majesty with a Paradox. Some Instructions were appointed to be drawn up by his Discretion and Stile for the Performance of useful and Orderly Preaching. Which being under his Hand to dispatch, he besought his Majesty that one Proviso might pass among the rest, that none of Holy Calling might Preach before the Age of thirty years compleat, nor after threescore. On my Soul, says the King, the Devil, or some Fit of Madness is in the Motion; For I have many great Wits, and of clear Distillation, that have Preach'd before me at Royston and New-Market to my great Liking, that are under Thirty. And my Prelates and Chap­lains, that are far stricken in Age, are the best Masters, in that Faculty that Europe af­fords. I agree to all this, says the Lord Keeper, and since Your Majesty will allow both Young and Old to go up into the Pulpit, it is but Justice that you shew Indulgence to the Young Ones, if they run into Errors before their Wits be settled (for every Apprentice is allow'd to mar some Work, before he be cunning in the Mystery of his Trade); and Pi­ty to the Old Ones, if some of them fall into Dotage, when their Brains grow dry. Will Your Majesty conceive Displeasure, and not lay it down; if the former set your Teeth on edge sometimes, before they are mellow-wise; and if the Doctrine of the latter be touch'd with a Blemish, when they begin to be rotten, and to drop from the Tree? This is not un­fit for Consideration, says the King, But what do you drive at? Sir, says he, First, to beg your Pardon for mine own Boldness: Then to remember you that Knight is a Beard­less Boy, from whom Exactness of Judgment could not be expected. And that White is a decrepit spent Man, who had not a Fee-Simple, but a Lease of Reason, and it is ex­pir'd. Both these, that have been foolish in their several Extreams of Years, I prostrate at the Feet of your Princely Clemency. Which was granted, as soon as the Paradox was unridled to pitch upon them. Another Gust, that blew from the same Cape, I mean from the Pulpit, began to be so boisterous, that it came very cross to his Majesty's Content. Our Unity among our selves was troubled in Point of Doctrine; which was not wont. The Synod of Dort in the Netherlands having lately determined some great Controversies, awakned the Opposition of divers Scholars in our Kingdom, who lay still before. Learned and Unlearned did be­gin to conflict every Sunday about God's Eternal Election, Efficacy of Grace in our Conversion, and Perseverance in it, with much Noise, and little Profit to the People. The King, who lov'd not to have these Dogmatizers at Variance, us'd all speed to take up the Quarrel early, that our Variances might not reproach us to them that were without. For there was that in him, which Pope Leo applaud­ed in Marcian the Emperor, Ep. 70. In Christianissimo Principe sacerdotalis affectus. He was a mixt Person indeed, a King in Civil Power, a Bishop in Ecclesiastical [Page 89]Affections. After he had struggled with the Contentious Parties a while, and in­terposed like Moses, Sirs, ye are Brethren, Acts 7.26. and that this re­bated not the keen Edge of Discord, he commanded Silence to both Sides, or such a Moderation as was next to Silence. First, Because of the Sublimity of the Points. The most of Men and Women are but Children in Knowledge; and strong Meat belongs to them only that are of full Age, Hebr. 5.14. St. Austin sub­scribed to that Prudence, Lib. 2. de porsev. c. 16. Unile est ut taceatur aliquod verum propter incapaces. Secondly, Because the ticklish Doctrine of Predestination is fre­quently marr'd in the handling; either by such as press the naked Decree of E­lection standing alone by it self, and do not couple the Means unto it, without which, Salvation can never be attained; or by those that hold out God's peremp­tory Decrees concerning those, whom especially he hath given to Christ, and do not as much, or more, enforce the Truth of Evangelical Promises made to all, and to every Man, that whosoever believeth in the Son of God, shall not be con­founded. Now let the Reader consider all the Premises, and he shall find how the Instructions that follow, depend upon them: Which in Form and Stile were the Lord Keepers, in the Matter his Majesty's Command, and were called Di­rections concerning Preachers

101. Forasmuch as the Abuses and Extravagancies of Preachers in the Pulpit have been in all Ages repressed in this Realm by some Act of Council or State, with the Advice and Resolution of Grave and Learned Prelates; insomuch as the very Licencing of Preachers had his Beginning by an Order of the Star-Chamber, [...] July [...] Hen. 8. And that at this present. young Students, by Reading of late Writers, and ungrounded Divines, do broach Doctrines many times unprofitable, unfound, Seditious and Dangerous, to the Scandal of this Church, and Disquieting of the State and present Government. His Majesty hath been humbly entreated to settle for the present, either by Proclamation. Act of Council, or Command, the several Diocesans of the Kingdom, these Limitations, and Cautions following, untill by a general Convocation, or otherwise, some more mature Injunctions might be prepared and enacted in that behalf. First, That no Preacher (under the Degree and Calling of a Bishop, or Dean of a Ca­thedral or Collegiate Church) do take occasion, by the Expounding of any Text of Scripture whatsoever, to fall into any Discourse or common Place (o­therwise than by opening the Coherence and Division of his Text) which shall not be comprehended and warranted in Essence, Substance, Effect, or natural Inference, within some one of the Articles of Religion set forth 1562; or in some one of the Homilies set forth by Authority in the Church of England, not only for a Help to the Non-preaching, but withal, for a Pattern, and a Bounda­ry (as it were) for the Preaching Ministers. And for their further Instruction for the Performance hereof, that they forthwith read over and peruse diligently the said Book of Articles, and the two Books of Homilies. Secondly, That no Par­son, Vicar, Curate or Lecturer, shall Preach any Sermon or Collation upon Sun­days and Holy Days hereafter in the Afternoon, in any Cathedral or Parish Church throughout the Kingdom, but upon some Part of the Catechism, or some Text taken out of the Ten Commandments, or the Lords Prayer (Funeral Ser­mons only excepted.) And that those Preachers be most encouraged and ap­proved of, who spend this Afternoon's Exercise in the Examining of the Children in their Catechisms, and in the Expounding the several Heads and Substance of the same, which is the most ancient, and laudable Custom of Teaching in the Church of England. Thirdly, That no Preacher, of what Title soever, under the Degree of a Batchelor of Divinity, at the least, do henceforth presume to Preach in any Popular Auditory, the deep Points of Predestination, Election, Re­probation, or of the Universality, Efficacy, Resistibility, or Irresistibility of Gods Grace, but leave those Themes to be handled by Learned Men, and that mode­rately and modestly, by way of Use and Application, rather than by way of po­sitive Docttine, as being Points fitter for the Schools and Universitles, than for simple Auditories. Fourthly, That no Preacher, of what Title or Denominati­on soever, under the Degree and Calling of a Bishop, shall presume from hence­forth, in any Auditory within this Kingdom, to Declare, Limit, or bound out, by way of positive Doctrine, in any Sermon or Lecture, the Power, Preroga­tive, Jurisdiction, Authority, or Duty of Sovereign Princes, or to meddle with Matters of State, and the References between Princes and the People, otherwise than as they are Instructed and Precedented in the Homily of Obedience, and in the rest of the Homilies and Articles of Religion, set forth (as before is mention­ed) [Page 90]by Publick Authority; but rather confine themselves wholly to those two Heads of Faith and good Life, which are all the Subject of the ancient Sermons and Homilies. Fifthly, That no Preacher, of what Title or Denomination soever, shall causelesly, and without any Invitation from the Text, fall into any bitter Invectives, and undecent raising Speeches or Scoslings against the Persons of either Papists or Puritans; but modestly, and gravely, when they are occasi­on'd thereunto by the Texts of Scripture, free both the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England from the Aspersions of either Adversary; especially where the Auditory is suspected to be tainted with the one or the other Infecti­on. Lastly, That the Arch-Bishops, and Bishops of the Kingdom (whom his Majesty hath just Cause to blame for former Remisness) be more wary and choice in Licensing of Preachers, and revoke all Grants made to any Chancel­lor, Official, or Commissary to pass Licenses in this kind. And that all the Lecturers throughout the Kingdom (a new Body severed from the ancient Cler­gy of England, as being neither Parsons, Vicars, nor Curates) be Licenced henceforward in the Court of Faculties only, with a Fiat from the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, and a Confirmation under the Great Seal of England. And that such as transgress any one of these Directions, be suspended by the Lord Bi­shop of the Diocess (or in his Default, by the Lord Arch-Bishop of the Province:) Ab officio, & beneficio; for a Year and a Day, untill his Majesty, by the Advice of the next Convocation, shall prescribe some further Punishment.

102. These Orders were well brought fourth, but Success was the Step-Mother. Destinata salubriter omni ratione potentior fortuna discussit. Curtius lib. 5 ^o. Crossness and Sturdiness took best with the Vulgar, and he was counted but a Cockney that stood in awe of his Rulers. No marvel if some were brought to no State of Health, or toward any Temper of Convalesence with these Mandates. ‘Nothing is so hardly bridled as the Tongue,’ saith St. James, ‘especially of a mis-guided Conscience; when their Bladder if full of Wind, the least Prick of a Thorn will give it eruption. A Fool traveleth with a Word, as a Woman in Labour of a Child. Ecclus. 19.11.’ Restraint is not a Medicine to cure epidemical Diseases; for Sin becomes more sinful by the Occasion of the Law. Diliguntur immodice sola quae non licent, says one of the Exteriors, Quintil. decl. 1 ^a. The less we should, the more we would. Curb Cholerical Humours, and you press out Bitterness; as it is incident to those that are strait-lac'd, to have sower Breaths. The Scottish Brethren were acquainted by common Intercourse with these Directions, that had netled the aggrieved Pulpitarians: And they, says Reverend Spotswood, P. 543. accuse them to be a Discharge of Preaching, at least a Confining of Preachers to cer­tain Points of Doctrine, which they call Limiting of the Spirit of God. But the Wiser Sort judged them both necessary and profitable, considering the Indiscretion of divers of that sort, who to make Ostentation of their Learning, or to gain the Applause of the Popular, would be medling with Controversies they scarce under­stood, and with Matters exceeding the Capacity of the People. But what a Pud­der does some make for not stinting the Spirit, or Liberty of Prophecying, as o­thers call it? They know not what they ask. Such an indefinite Licence is like the Philosopher's Materia Prima, a monstrous Passive Subject without Form: A Quid libet, which is next to nothing. Indeed it is a large Charter to pluck down, and never to build up. Every Man may sling a Stone where he will, and let it light as Luck carries it. But how can the House of God be built, unless the Builders be appointed to set up the Frame with Order and Agreement among themselves, according to the Pattern which was shewn in the Mount? Try it first in Humane Affairs, and see how it will sadge with them, before we pro­ceed to Heavenly. Dissolve the publick Mint, let every Man Coin what Money he will, and observe if ever we can make a Marchandable Payment. Their Confusion is as like to this, as a Cherry to a Cherry. Give their Spirit as much Scope as they ask: Let them Coin what Doctrine they will with the Minting-Irons of their own Brain. They may pay themselves with their own Money; but will it pass with others for Starling? Will it go for current Divinity? To meet them home. Suppose this Priviledge were allow'd; yet every good Spirit will limit it self to lawful Subjection. Yet these would not: Then what Reme­dy? in earnest none was try'd. It is the height of Infelicity to be incurable. As Pliny in his Natural History, said of Laws made against Luxury in Rome, which would not be kept down, therefore the Senators left to make Laws against it. Frustra interdicta quae vetucrant cernentes, nullas potiùs quam irritas esse Leges maluerunt.

103. Neither were uncharitable Suspicions like to mend. For the Unsatisfied, that sung so far out of Tune, had another Ditty for their Prick-Song. The King's Letters were directed to the Lord Keeper to be Copy'd out, and sent forth to the Judges and Justices to afford some Relaxation of our Penal Laws to some, but not all Popish Recusants. Which made sundry Ministers interpose very harshly, and in the Prophet Malachy's Stile, Chap. 2. Ver. 13. To cover the Altar of God with Tears, and Weeping, and Crying; but the Lord regarded not the Offering, neither re­ceived it with Good-will at their Hands. What could this mean, as they conjectur­ed, but the highest Umbrage to the Reformed Religion, and [...]at Toer [...]ion of Popery? Leave it at that cross way, that they knew not whither this Project will turn. Nay, Should they not hope for the best Event of the Meaning? A King is like to have an ill Audit, when every one that walks in the Streets will reck­on upon his Councels with their own casting Counters. It is fit in sundry Oc­currences, for a Prince to disguise his Actions, and not to discover the way in which he treads. But many times the Wisdom of our Rulers betrays them to more Hatred than their Follies, because Idiots presume that their own Follies are Wisdom. Plaurus displays these impertinent Inquisitors very well in Trinummo. Quod quisque habet in animo, aut habiturus est, sciunt. Quod in aurem Rex Reginae dix­erit, sciunt. Quae neque futura neque facta sunt, illi sciunt. Yet these Fault-sinders were not jear'd out of their Melancholly, though they deserv'd no better, but were gravely admonished by his Majesty Vivâ voce, in these Words. I understand that I am blamed for not executing the Laws made against the Papists: But ye should know, that a King and his Laws are not unfuly compared to a Rider and his Horse: The Spur is sometime to be used, but not always. The Bridle is sometime to be held in, at other times to be let loose, as the Rider finds Cause. Just so a King is not at all times to put in Execution the Rigor of his Laws; but he must for a time, and upon just Grounds, dis­pense with the same: As I protest to have done in the present Case, and to have conniv'd only for a time, upon just Cause, howbeit not known to [...]. If a Man, for the Favour shew'd to a Priest or Papist, will judge me to be inclining that way, he wrongs me ex­ceedingly. My Words, and Writings, and Actions have sufficiently [...] what my Resolution is in all Matters of Religion. That Cause not known to [...] in part unfolded by that grave Father, Spotswood, where I quoted him [...]. Says he, The Better and Wiser Sort (of his Country-men) who considered [...] Estate of things, gave a far other Judgment thereof (than the Discontented:) [...] then our King was treating with the French King for Peace to the Protestants of France; and with the King of Spain, for withdrawing his Forces from the Palatinate. At which time it was no way fitting that he should be Executing the Riger of his Laws against Papists at Home, while he did labour for Peace to them of the Religion Abroad. The most likely way to obtain what he did seek of those Princes, being a Moderation of the Severity of Laws against Priests and Papists, at least for a time. Thus far that wise man; but the Reason was stronger than he enforc'd it. For in sundry Places be­yond our Seas, the Churches of the most disconsolate Reformed were never so near, if not to an Extirpation, yet to an utter Dispersion. Those in Bohemia and Moravia were hunted from Hole to Hole by the Emperor's Men of War. The King of Spain was Victorious over the persecuted Servants of Christ in the Val-Teline. The King of France prepared to lay Siege to Rochel, and to all his fenced Cities that were in the Hands of the Protestants. The Duke of Savoy was sus­pected that he would watch this time to surround Geneva with an Army, while Cuspis Martis shin'd so sinistrously upon their Brethren every where. Now what Remedy was more ready to pacifie these destroying Angels, for their Sakes, with whom we walk'd in the House of God as Friends, then to begin in Clemency, to those among us, that carry their Mark? Can a Kingdom be governed with­out such Correspondencies? Salmasius in his Notes upon Simplicius, introduceth Aristides, Sirnamed the Just, that he was compell'd to unpeg his Rigor, and to make it go to a softer Tune in rugged Times, [...], as he translates it, Quod rationibus patrae se accommodaret, quae multâ injustitiâ opus habert. Necessity is so great a Part of Reason, that that is Ju­stice, which looks like Injustice, because of Necessity. Our good People, forsooth, would have the Protestants suffer no Ill Abroad, under the Dominions of the Pontificians, and yet mitigate no Severity to Pontisicians under the Dominion of Protestants. Hand stulte sapis, siquidem id est sapere, velle id quod non potest contin­gore, says the Comaedian. This is wisely laid, if a thing may be wisely laid, which can never be effected. I am not able to express this so well as the Lord Keeper hath done in his Sermon preached at King James's Funeral, P. 49. ‘This [Page 92] Blessed King, in all the time I serv'd him, did never, out of deep and just rea­son of State, and the bitter Necessity of Christendom, in these latter Times, give way to any the least Connivance in the World towards the Person of a Papist (for to his Doctrine he never did, he never would do, nor was there any Consideration under Heaven would have forc'd him thereunto;) but he strictly guided himself in the same by some notable Precedent of Queen Elizabeth (the Load-Star of all his greatest Actions) and that in the very Point; and bath'd his Favours in Showers of Tears (I speak it in the Presence of Almighty God) least those Intendments of his for the apparent Good of the State, might scandalize, for all that, in an oblique Line his weak, but well-meaning Subjects in their Reli­gion and Doctrine.’ This was a Testimony of the Integrity of these Proceed­ings almost three years after: But for present, and full Satisfaction, here follow­eth a long Letter, anticipated in the Cabal, but here inserted in its proper Place, which was written to the Lord Viscount Anan by the same Hand, Sept. 17. 1622; declaring the Nature and Reason of the Clemency, at that time, extended to the Lay-Recusants of England.

105. The Letter as it exceeds in length, so it excells in Judgment. Yet thru­sting into the midst of the Throng to part the Fray, he got a knock himself. For because he was principally employ'd by his Office to distribute the King's Favours to some of the adverse Sect, he was Traduc'd for a Well-willer to the Church of Rome, nay so far by a ranting fellow about the Town, that he was near to receive a chief promotion from that Court, no less than a Cardinals Hat. At [Page 94]the first Bruit of this Rumor the Scandal was told him, and one Sadler the Au­thor discover'd, which he despis'd to prosecute, and pass'd it by with this mode­ration, 'That the Reporters saw the Oar under Water, and thought it was 'Crooked; but he that had it in his hand knew that it was whole and streight. An admirable Similitude to reconcile contraries to a good meaning; for the Eye were not right if the Oar under Water did not seem broken to it: And the Judgment were not right, if it had not a contrary Opinion. So the people that are upon the Shore judge one way; for they look upon things beneath the Wa­ter: But States-men judge another, who work at the Oar, or guide the Bark. The Error of the former is tolerable; the Sense of the other is Magisterial, and unquestionable. So great were this Lord's disaffections to that corrupt and un­found Church, that he watch'd their Ministers more narrowly then any Coun­sellor, when they shot beyond the Mark of his Majesties late indulgences. It was ever the unlucky diligence of those, that were Proctors to agitate the Recusants Cause, to importune his Majesty for those things, which they did not hope to obtain, but the very offer of them with their Arts and Graceless Carriage, would make the Council Table odious, contribute much to embitter the Subjects, and to raise divisions. So they dealt now. For they put a Paper into my Lord of Buckingham's hands to assist them for the Erection of Titulary Popish Praelates in this Kingdom. A most Natural superfaetation; with the motion whereof the Lord Marquess being amuzed, he sent to the Lord Keeper for advice, who dam­ned the Project with these Reasons ensuing, ‘First it will set all the Kingdom on Fire, and make his Majesty unable to continue those Favours and Conni­vencies to peaceable Recusants, which he now most Graciously affords them. Secondly, It takes away from his Majesty an Hereditary Branch of the Crown, which the Kings of this Land have ever enjoy'd, even before the Conquest, and hath never, since the days of King John, been so much as Challeng'd by any Pope, to Wit, the Investitures of Bishops. Thirdly, It is a far greater mischief in a State (I mean in regard of the Temporal, but not of the Spiri­tual good thereof) then an absolute Toleration. For a Toleration, as we see in France, doth so divide and distinguish Towns and Parishes, that no place makes above one payment to their Church-men. But this invisible Consistory shall be confusedly diffused over all the Kingdom, that many of the Subjects shall to the intolerable exhausting of the Wealth of the Realm, pay double Tithes, double, Offerings, and double Fees, in regard of their double Consistory. And if Ireland be so poor, as it is suggested, I hold, under Correction, that this invisible Consistory is the principal cause of the exhausting thereof. Fourthly, If the Princes Match should go on, this New Erected Consistory will put the the ensuing Parliament into such a Jealousie and Suspition, that it is to be feared that they will shew themselves very untractable upon all propositions. Fifthly, For the Pope to place a Bishop in this Kingdom is against the Fundamental Law of the Land, and the King will be held unjust and injurious to his Succes­sors, if to his utmost power he should not resist and punish.’ This Draught was brought to the King, who was glad such Pills were prepared to purge away the redundancy of the Catholic Encroachments. And his Majesty gave Order to him, who had confected them so well, to Administer them with his best skill to the Spanish Embassador. That they might work gently with him, the Lord Keeper at his Visit made shew, that he was startled at a heady motion that came from Savoy, as he thought, taking no notice of any Spanish Agent that had his Finger in it: And besought his Excellency to send for the Savoyan, and to wish him to throw aside his Advice for Titulary Bishops, least it should hinder the King of Spain's desire, in accomodating the Catholics with those Courtesies, which had been granted; which took so well with the Spanish Embassador, his own indiscretion being not Taxt, but the Folly laid at another Door, that the motion sunk in the Mud, and was seen no more. I will add but one thing, how distastful it was to him, that the Papists should have so much as the shadow of a governing Church in this Realm taken out of a Letter ( Cabal. pag. 81.) Written to my Lord of Buckingham, being then at Madrid, dated Aug. 30. 1623. ‘Doctor Bishop, the New Bishop of Chalcedon, is come to London privately, and I am much troubled at it, not knowing what to Advise his Majesty, as things stand at this present. If you were Shipped with the Infanta, the only Counsel were to let the Judges pro­ceed with him presently; Hang him out of the way, and the King to blame my Lord of Caterbury, or my self for it.’ Surely this doth not favour of addicti­on to the Purple-Hat, or the Purple-Harlot. Ovid. Nunquid ei hoe fallax Creta [Page 95]negare potes? Nay, it was a Pang, rather then a Passion, to the welfare of this Church, which forc'd sentence of Blood out of his sweet and mi'ky Nature.

106. Yet well fare those good Fellows that did not defame him for a Papist: Much otherwise they charg'd him with a loud Slander, and a long Breach for it continued in his days of Sorrow) that he was a Puritan; of what Colour Si [...]s? Blew, or Black; Both these might he false (so they were) both could not be True. David says of God's Servants, whom he Tried as Silver is Tried in the Fire, that they went through Fire, and through Water, Mise [...]ies of Repugnant Natures. So Sometimes they pass through Defamations inconsistent, and as con­trary one to another as Fire and Water. The Old Non conformists were call'd by the Nick Name of Puritans in Queen Elizabeth's days. I know not who im­pos'd it first, whether Parsons the Jesuit, or some such Franion: I know it grew not up like Wild Oats without Sowing. But some Supercilious Divines, a few years before the End of K. James his Reign, began to Survey the Narrow way of the Church of England with no Eyes but their own, and measuring a Right Protestant with their streight line, discriminated, as they thought fit, sound from unsound, so that scarce ten among a Thousand, but were Noted to carry some Disguise of a Puritan. The very Prelates were not free from it, but, Tantum non ni [...]piscopatu Puritani became an Obloquy. At the Session which these Arislar­chusses held near to the Court in the Strand, the Lord Keeper, the most Cir­cumspect of any Man alive to provide for Uniformity, and to countenance it, was scratch'd with their Obeliske, that he favour'd Puritans, and that sund [...]y of them had Protection through his Connivency or Clemency. All the Quarrel in good Sooth was that their Eye was Evil, because his was Good. Such whom the Aemulous repin'd at, as he cast it out himself, were of two Ranks. Some were of a very strict Life, and a great deal more laborious in their Cure, then their Obtrectators. Far be it from him to love these the worse, because they were Stigmatiz'd, to the Offence of Religious and Just-men, with a by word of Con­tumely. Pacatus the Orator inveighed against it for a Rank impiety in his Pan [...]g. Quod Clarevati Matrorae objicicbatur, at (que) [...] exprobrabatur mulieri vi luae nimia Re­ligio, & diligentius culta Divinitas. I will lay it open in one particular. The Lord Bishop of Norwich Dr. Harsnet, a learned Prelate, and a Wise Governour (bate him perhaps a little roughness) began to proceed in his Consistory, against Mr. Samuel Ward a Famous Preacher in Ipswich; who Appealed from the Bishop to the King. And the King committed the Articles exhibited against him to be Examined by the Lord Keeper, and by him to be Reported to his Majesty. The Lord Keeper found Mr. Ward to be not altogether blameless, but a Man to be won easily with fair dealing. So he perswaded Bishop Harsnet to take his Sub­mission, and to continue him in his Lecture at Ipswich. The Truth is, he found so much Candor in Mr. Ward, so much readiness to serve the Church of England in its present Establishment, and made it so clearly appear that he had gained di­vers Beneficed Men to conform (who had stumbled at that Straw) that the Lord Keeper could do no less then compound the Troubles of so Learned and Indu­strious a Divine. And I aver it upon the Faith of a good Witness, that after this, Bishop Harsnet acknowledged, that he was as useful a man to assist him in his Go­vernment, as was in all his Diocese. Another Rank for whose sake the Lord Keeper suffer'd, were scarce an handful, not above three or four in all the wide Bishoprick of Lincoln, who did not oppose, but by ill Education seldom used the appointed Ceremonies. Of whom when he was certified by his Commissa­ries and Officials, he sent for them, and confer'd with them with much Meek­ness; sometime remitted them to argue with his Chaplain. If all this stirred them not, he commended them to his Old Collegiate Dr. Sibbs, or Dr. Gouch: Who knew the scruples of these mens Hearts, and how to bring them about, the best of any about the City of London. If all these labour'd in vain, he protracted the hearing of their Causes de die in diem, that time might mollisie their refractory Apprehensions But had it not been better said some [...]; to stop the mouth of the unruly, Tit. 1.11. I Answer, Their mouth was slept in St. Paul's meaning. Estius hath begun the distinction, and it is easily made up, Alind est silontium indicere, quod est imperamis: Alind ad metas saciturnitatis reduccre, quod est docte redarguentis. They were not imperiously commanded to be silent, but enough was spoken wifely to their Face, to put their Folly to silence. Men that are found in their Morals, and in Minutes imperfect in their Intellectuals, are best reclaimed when they are mignarized, and strok'd gently. Seldom any thing but severity will make them Anti-practise: For then they grow desperate Facundus [Page 96]Dominus quosdam a [...]fugam cogit, quosdam ad mortem, says Seneca. And they are like to convert more with their sufferings, then with their Doctrine. He that is openly punish'd, whatsoever he hath done, he shall find Condolement. But I will spend no more Words to wipe away this stur of Puritanism, it needs not a laborious Apology; [...], as the Proverb is in Athenaeus; ‘Let Lubbars Talk of it over a Winter Fire, when they Droll out Tales.’

107. Yet I want not matter how to wash out this spot of Jealousie by great Actions: In this year 1622, he began to expend a great Sum upon St. John's College, the Nurse of his hopeful breeding. A right stampt Puritan is not a Founder, but a Demolisher of good Works. He laid the platform of his Benefi­cence on this Wife. Four Scholars he Added to the 40 Alumni in the College of Westminster. For their Advancement he provided and endowed four Scho­larships in St. John's College, upon their Maturity and Vacancy of those places to be Translated to them. Two Fellowships he Newly Erected in that House, into which only out of those four the best were to be chosen. Withal he pur­chas'd the Patronage of four Rich Benefices to receive those Scholars and Fellows of his Foundation upon the Death, or other Cessation of the Incumbents. But the Chief Minerval which he bestowed upon that Society was the Structure of a most goodly Library, the best in that kind in all Cambridge. And as he had pick'd up the best Authors in all Learning, and in all plenty, for his own use, so he bequeathed them all to this fair Repository. This was Episcopal indeed, to issue out his Wealth, as the Lord brought it in, in such ways. This is the Purse that Mr. H. L. says he Ran away withal, after he had departed with the Great Seal; wherein we see how far the Portion of over-flowing wast, which [...] from Great Ones, and is spilt, if it were sav'd, and well bestow'd, would [...] the Land with all sort of Monumental Bravery. What a good Steward he was for his Master Christ Jesus's Houshold and how provident to put none into part of the Care, but such as were Obedient to Civil and Sacred Rulers, appears most in his happy choice of those, upon whom he confer'd the livings that fell into his Patronage. They were ever pick'd out of the best Learned, the best Qualified, the most Cordially affected to our most Godly Liturgy, and to the Government of the Prelates. Within these Apostatizing times, wherein so many have departed from them without Cause, I cannot remember any of his prefer­ring, but kept their Traces, and to their best Power, never run out of the Ring. I have a short Story to tell, and then I leave this Subject. Among the poor di­stressed Protestants in Bohemia, many of them were Braziers by their Occupati­on These sent sent some messengers from them with a Petition to his Majesty, that they might Transplant a Colony into England, ( London especially) Men, Wives, Children, and their full Families. Signifying that they would bring with them to the Value of two hundred Thousand Pounds in Coin, and Materials of their Trade. That their Substance and Labour should be subject to all Customs and Taxes for the King's profit. They desired to live in a Body of their own Nation, and to serve Christ Jesus in that Church Discipline which they brought with them from Bohemia. Though they had inclin'd his Majesty to admit them, being a great Swarm of People, and bringing Wax and Honey along; yet the Lord Keeper diverted it, from the Example of the Dutch and French that were setled among us. These brought commodious Manufacture into the Realm; but they brought a Discipline with it, according to the Allowance of their Patent, which was a Suffocation to the Temperate Crisis of our own Church Govern­ment. Which Peril of Distemper would be increased by the Access of the Bo­hemick Congregation. A great Forecast to keep our Hierarchy found from the Contagion of Foreigners; and he was more Religious to keep the Church of England in its Sabbath, and Holy Rest, than to help out the Neighbours Ox, that was fallen into the Pit. Yet I have somewhat to alledge in the Behalf of the Bo­hemians. I have in my little Library, a Book printed 1633 (eleven years after the Lord Keeper appear'd against their Petition) called Ratio Disciplinae, ordinis­que Ecclesiastici in unitate sratrum Bohemorum. Their Platform in that Piece comes so near to the old Protestant Church of England, above all the Reformed, that for my part, I wish we had had their Company. This is sufficient, I am sure, a­gainst those Opposite, and Self-overthrowing Aspersions. Let them do their worst, there is one Metal that will never be the worse for them, of whose Pro­perty, this Lord partak'd. It is Gold, of which Pliny writes, Lib. 33. N. H. c. 3. that nothing makes it more precious, Quam contra salis & aceti, succos domitores [Page 97]rerum, constantia. The Spirits of Salt and Vinegar (the most biting and sowrest Reproaches) cannot hurt it with their Tartness. That which corrodes all other Bodies, cannot dissolve the Constancy of Gold.

108. How faithfully, and with what Courage, like himself, he adventur'd to maintain Orthodox Religion against old Corruptions, and new Fanglements, will be a Labour to unfold hereafter. One thing remains that is purely of Episcopal Discharge, which I will salute, and so go by it, before I look again upon his Fo­rensive, or Political Transactions. When he was Dean of Westminster he had a Voice in the High Commission Court, and so forth when he was in higher De­grees. For as Nazianzen commends Athanasius, pag. 24. Encom. he was [...], skiiful in all the various Arts of Government. He appear'd but once at Lambeth, when that Court sat, while he was Dean. A sign that he had no Maw to it. For he would say, that the Institution of the Court was good without all Exception; That is, to Impower the Kings of England and their Successors by Statute to issue out that Authority under the Great Seal, which was annexed to the Imperial Crown of this Realm, to assign some, as often, and to so long time as the King should think fit, to be Judges for the Reformation of great Abuses and Enor­mities. But that this Power should be committed from the Kings and Queens of this Realm to any Person or Persons, being Natural born Subjects to their Maje­sties, to overlook all Ecclesiastical Causes, correct, punish, deprive, whether one or more, whether Lay or Clergy, whether of the vilest as well as the noblest, nay whether Papist as well as Protestant, as no harm was to be feared from good Prin­ces, albeit they have this Liberty by the Tenure of the Act 1 Eliz. Cap. 1. So if God should give us a King in his Anger, who would oppress us, till our cry went up like the Smoke out of a Furnace, this Statute would enable them to enact Wick­edness by a Law. This was a Flaw (to his seeming) in the Corps of the Statute, which gave Vigour to the High Commission. But in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, and her two blessed Successors, God be praised, we were never the worse for it. Better Commissioners than were appointed in their Days, need not be wish'd. What ail'd this wise Church-man then to be so reserv'd, and to give so little At­tendance in that Court? He was not satisfied in two things: Neither in the Multiplicity of Causes, that were pluck'd into it, nor in the Severity of Cen­sures. It is incident to Supream Courts, chiefly when Appeals fly unto them; to be sick of this Timpany, to swell with Causes. They defraud the lower Audi­ences of their Work and Profit, which comes home to them with Hatred. What a Clamor doth Spalat. make, Lib. 5. Eccl. Reip. c. 2. ar. 28. That the Judicatories at Rome lurch'd all the Bishops under that Supremacy, of all Complaints that were promoted to their Consistories. Eò lites omnes, cò dispensationes trahuntur. Flu­viorum omnium tractus ad suam derivat molam, nobis quod sugamus, nihil relinquitur. The Affairs of all Ecclesiastical Tribunes were little enough to drive that Mill: So the Consistories of all the Suffragans in the Province of Canterbury became in a manner Despicable, because the Matters belonging to every Diocess were fol­lowed before the High Commission. That it might be said to the neglected Prae­lates at Home, Are ye unworthy to Judge the smallest Matters, 1 Cor. c. 2. It seems ill Manners increas'd apace: For I heard it from one that liv'd by the Practice of that High Court, An. 1635: That whereas in the last Year of Arch-Bishop Whit­gift, eight Causes were left to be discuss'd in Easter-Term, there were no less than a Thousand depending at that time. This was one of his Exceptions, That the High Court drew too much into its Cognizance. The other Reason, which made him stand a loof from it, was, That it punish'd too much. Arch-Bishop Abbot was rigorously Just, which made him shew less Pity to Delinquents. Sentences of great Correction, or rather of Destruction, have their Epocha from his Pre­dominancy in that Court. (And after him it mended like sowre Ale in Summer.) It was not so in his Predecessor Bancroft's Days, who would Chide stoutly, but Censure mildly. He considered that he sate there rather as a Father, than a Judge. Et pro peccato magno paululum supplicii satis est patris. He knew that a Pastoral Staff was made to reduce a wandering Sheep, not to knock it down. He look'd upon St. Peter, in whom the Power of the Keys was given to the U­nity of all the Officers of the Church, who incurr'd a great Offence in the Hall of the High Priest (let the Place be somewhat consider'd, but his Action most.) Ut mitior esset delinquentibus grandis delinquens, Saith St. Austin. It being the most indubitate Course of that Commission, to deprive a Minister of his Spiritual En­dowments; that is, of all he had, if Drunkenness, or Incontinency were prov'd against him. I have heard the Lord Keeper (who was no Advocate for Sin, but [Page 98]for Grace and Compassion to Offenders) dis-relish that way, for this Reason. That a Rector, or Vicar, had not only an Office in the Church, but a Free-hold for Life by the Common Law, in his Benefice. If a Gentleman, or Citizen had been Convicted upon an Article of Scandal in his Life, was it ever heard that he did Confiscate a Mannor, or a Tenement? Nay, What Officer in the Rolls, in the Pipe, in the Custom-house, was ever displac'd for the like? Under St Cypri­an's Discipline, and the Rigor of the Eliberitan Canons, the Lay were obnoxious to Censures as much as the Clergy. But above all (said he) there is nothing of Brotherhood, nor of Humanity in this, when we have cast a Presbyter cut of Doors, and left him no Shelter to cover his Head; that we make no Provision for him out of his own for Term of Life, to keep him from the Extremities of Starving or Begging, those De­formed Miseries.

109. These Reasons prevailing with him, to be no ordinary Frequenter of that Court; yet an Occasion was offered, which required his Presence, Mart. 30. 1622, which will draw on a Story large and memorable. M. Amonius de Demi­nis, Arch Bishop of Spalato, made an Escape out of Dalmatia, an English Gen­tleman being his Conductor, he posted through Germany, and came safe into England in the end of the Year 1616. The King gave him Princely Welcome: Many of the Religious Peers, and Chief Bishops, furnished him with Gold, that he lack'd for nothing. He seem'd then, for all this Plenty brought in, to be co­vetous of none of these things; but was heard to say, That the Provision of an or­dinary Minister of our Church would suffice him. For in the end of June, as he was brought on his Way to the Commencement at Cambridge, a Worthy and a Bountiful Divine, Dr. John Mountfort receiv'd him for a Night in his Parsonage-House of Ansty. Where Spalat. noting that Dr. Mountfort had all things about him orderly and handsome, like a genteel Scholar; he protested to all that were in presence, that if he could obtain such a House to dwell in, and no more than the Profits of such a Parish to maintain him, he would go no further in the De­sire of the Things of this Life. But King James, no Niggard in Liberality, per­swaded him to take more than he ask'd; as Naaman urged Gehazi, who was as willing to receive, as Naaman to give, 2 King. 5.23. He was installed Dean of Windsor, and admitted Master of the Savoy-Hospital in the Strand. These toge­ther were worth to him 800 l. per Annum. They brought in no less, and he would not loose a Peny of his Due; but studied to exact more, than ever by Custom had been received by any of those Dignitaries. Of which Sharking, his Majesty once admonished him: Yet his Veins were not full, but he got himself presented by the Church of Windsor, to a good Benefice, says Mr. Ri. Montagu, West Ilsly in Barkshire, where he made a shift to read the Articles of 1562 in En­glish, pro more Clericali, and subscribed to them. But Jesurum waxed fat, and kicked, Deut. 28.15. For toward the end of January 1621, he came to Theo­balds to be brought to the King, and with as bold a Fore-head, as ever any Face was drest in, he became an humble Suppliant to his Majesty, that he might have his Leave to return for Italy. The Courtiers that stood by look'd up to Heaven in wonder: For no Man dreamt of this Inconstancy, and certainly no Man less than the King. He that is not ready to do Evil, is ever flow to suspect Evil of others. But his Majesty carried it with high Wisdom: For, as if this Recoiler had told him no News, he spake but this little, and dismist him. If you have a mind to be gone, I will not stay you; and at my first Leisure, I will appoint those that shall confer with you about your Dismission. A brave Contempt, and well bestow'd upon a Proud Man, that did not expect to be valued at a Trisle, which was not worth the keeping. Many have written before me the reason of this Arch-Bi­shop's retrograde Motion, and likewise what it was that bore him up so stifly, to be very confident, or to seem to be, to present himself before the Roman Con­clave. I shall not lose my Thanks, I hope, If I add my Observations, with a little more than hath already been discovered. First, About the middle of Autumn, Ann. 1621, Ant. de Dominis besought the King to confer the Arch-Bi­shoprick of York upon him. A hasty Suitor, for the Place was not void. The Error came about thus: The Arch-Bishop then in being (called familiarly Toby Matthew) was ever pleasant, and full of becoming Merriment; and knowing that his Death had been long expected, was wont every year, once, or oftner, to cause Rumours to be raised that he was deceased. And when he had put this Dodgery strongly upon those at London, that gap'd for the Vacancy to succeed him, it was a Feast of Laughter to him, to hear what Running and Riding there was to fill up his Room, who jear'd them behind the Lattuce. No wonder if [Page 101] Spalat. a Stranger, were catcht in this Trap; but he had worse Luck than to be derided for his Forwardness, for the King bade him sit quiet, and seek no further. It was not now as in Lanfranke and Anselm's Days, to make a Stranger a Metro­politan of England. The Man, impatient that his Request had so large a Denial, offers his Departure, as 'tis said before, not distrusting, but that the King would bid for such Ware, as much as the Man thought himself to be worth. But being over-shot, and laid aside with Scorn, he would have eat his Words, and east out Speeches in oblique before some of the Council, that whatsoever he had uttered, he was dispos'd more to please the King, than to please himself. But he found no Place for Repentance. And of all this the Lord Keeper is my Author.

110. But what can be so quick sighted as the Devil? that spies the first Spark of attentation, and blows it into a Flame. The vigilant Men at Rome knew better than we in England, that the Jade had a mind to slip his Halter, and to run a­way, because we did not fill his Rack, and plump him up with Provender. There­fore in the beginning of January, (Hui! tam cito?) a Packet came to his Hands from Cardinal Mellino, whose Contents were, That Paul the Fifth was dead, from whose Anger he had made haste to be gone, because he had provok'd him in defending the Venetian Quarrel against him; but Gregory the Fifteenth, of the Ludovisian Family, was then in the Papal Throne, as propense unto him of old as any Friend, and as true to him as his own Brother. That he had sent him an Apostolical Brief to Brussels ( for such Missives were not welcomed in England) to give him Assurance of good Speed at Rome, with a plenary Indulgence for all the Provocations of his Writings. And Mellino added (for that must not be left out) That a great Dignity lay in Lavender for him, Eaque valde opima. So Dr. Crakanthorp cites it from Spalato 's own Mouth, Pretium octuplicis stipendii, eight times more in value than his english Preferments, Defen. Eccl. Angl. c. 8. art. 5. But a Man not half so wise as Spalat. might discern, that if he did conside in this Ludovisian Pope alone, the Security was very rotten. Every Child presaged his Life was not long. Death was ready to arrest him every day upon two Suits, great Age, and great Infirmity. This Renego sailed from our Ports in the end of April, arrived at Rome in June, and this Pope, the Hope of his Life and Fortunes, expired July 8, Stilo Novo, 1623. Neither was he igno­rant of this Gregory's approaching Mortality, his own Physicians confest he was of short Continuunce. Be that very probable, said they that undermined him, and plied him with Packets from beyond Seas, all the better. For who is the Rising-Sun? Who is the Prelate upon whom all Eyes are cast for the certain Successor, but Cardinal Mellino, his other Self, the Undertaker for his Indemnity, and Ad­vancement? Certainly he was bewitch'd with that Imposture, yet an Imposture that had Truth in it, as well as Cunning. The Conclave how Urban the Eighth was chosen Pope, Aug. 6. 1623, was Printed at London by License, An. 1642. Therein is discoursed, how Cardinal Burgesi, the leading Prelate of the Conclave, labour'd so stifly for Mellino, that July 22, he had fifteen Voices in the Scrutiny, and eleven in the Access, Which filled his Friends with Hopes to get ten Voices more to consummate the Election. Again, July 27, he had most Voices both in the Scrutiny and Access: Whereupon Cardinal Sforza was so transported in his own Imagination to advance him, that if Mellino might have been created Pope by Adoration (as formerly the Custom would have done it, but was crost by a new Bull) it had been effected. Mellino had a good Course for it, though Car­dinal Barberino catcht the Hare, and was as near to the Papacy, and as publickly cry'd up, as Cardinal Sachetti in the late Contestation of the tedious Conclave, wherein the now inthroned Alexander the VII. had much ado to step before him. But Mellino lost the Day and thereupon Am. de Dominis his Cake was Dough; who set his Rest upon a Card before it was drawn. Yet that was the least part of his Folly; he remains for an Example of the most besotted Cast-away that e­ver I read. Ita se res habet, ut plerumque cui fortunam mutaturus est Deus, consilia corrumpat, says Paterculus. The Judgment of Blindness fell upon Sodom, before the Vengeance of Fire. How durst this bold Bayard look the Court of Rome in the Face upon any Terms, whose Writings were more copious against the Ampli­tude of the Papacy, than ever came out of the Press? An Italian never forgives an Injury. But Indignities written, and with the Pen of a Diamond, against the Sublimity Pontifical, are more unpardonable with them, than Blasphemies against Christ. Had Cardinal Mellino, his Confident, been elected Pope, the Pope would have forgotten all that the Cardinal had promised him. What had Fulgentio the Servite done, to be compared with his Scopuli, and such jerking Books? He had maintained the Venetian just Laws against Paul the Fifth's Abrogations; yet ever [Page 102]abode in the Bosom of the Roman Church. He had wrote the Life of Frier Paul, whom they hated, to the full pitch of his Praise. But what were these Toys to the Ecclesiastical Republick of Antonius de Dominis? Yet after twelve years that Fulgentio had provok'd them, he having obtained safe Conduct to go to Rome, un­der the Fisher's Ring, and Berlingerius Gessius, the Apostolical Nuntio at Venice, pawn'd his Faith to the poor Man for his Incolumity; yet he was cited before the Inquisition, Condemn'd, and Burnt in Campo di Flora: And his Ashes were scarce cold, when this daring Wretch came wittingly into the Den of the Lion.

111. I forbear a while to tell his Disaster, for a third Reason remains of the retrocession of this Crab, whose Brains were fallen into his Belly. He protested he came hither, and returned to the Place from whence he came for the same end, to finish the Work which G. Cassander began, to compose a Method of Con­cord for the Eastern and Western Churches, Greeks and Latins; for the Uniting of the Northern and Southern Distractions of the Reformed Evangelical Divines, and the Papalins. That this had been his Design within his own Breast for twen­ty years; and that his Studies were now come to that Maturity, that he saw no Unlikelihood to prevail. But what if the Arch-Bishopric of York had fallen into his Mouth, which he gap'd for? Certainly he would have forgot his Trade of Composing Churches, and cast Anchor upon this Shoar for ever; for his Religion was a Coat that had all Colours, but wanted Argent and Ore. Yet if a Moun­tain of some such Promotion had stopt his way, I do not dis-believe him, but that he was traversing in and out to attone the Differences of the most principal Christian Sects. So Mr. Camden understood him, under whose Hand I find this Note among his Diary Records. Accingit se aditer Romam Versus, nescio quâ spe convocandi generalis concilii, & rem religionis componendi. He was packing for Rome, in hopes to see a General Council call'd to cure the Distractions of Religion. I appeal also to the Writer of the best Appeal, Bishop Morton, our Holy Polycar­pus, who told me that he dehorted Spulat. from his Vagary into Italy, to accom­modate Truth and Peace, for the Italians would never be perswaded to retract an Error. Spalat. takes him up for it churlishly, An putas Papam & Cardinales diabo­los esse, quod non possunt converti? Says our Bishop again, Neque puto Spalatensem Deum esse, ut possit eos convertere. Further, When he was convented before the High Commissioners, Mart. 30, he requested their Lordships to think charitably of him, that his Departure hence was not that he took any Dislike at the Church of England, which he held to be sound and Orthodox, and that he would avouch before the Pope, Grackan. c. 85. to whom he was going: Etiamsi hoc fiat cum discrimine vitae meae, though it cost him his Life. And it will not cost you less, says the Lord Keeper, for you may propound to the Pope the Conciliation you drive at; but you will never be suffered to live to prosecute it. God's Will be done, says the other, I do not fear it; yet I suspect it the more, that so wise a Man presageth it. The same had dropt from his Pen, Lib. 7. Eccl. Reip. c. 7. ar. 133. Conciliation and Union to reduce Christ's Flock to feed together without Schism, is so brave a Work: Ut pro hôc negotio si contin­geret nobis vitam cum sanguine fundere, praeclari martyrii laudem apud Deum & Ecclesiam mereremur. For all this, sew believ'd him that he was in earnest. He that is untrue in many things, is justly presum'd to be bad in all. But I am brought over, by palpable Evidences, to suspect him of so much Honesty, that he followed that good Work, with all the Might of Wit and Labour, to bring the Churches of Christ together, which were withdrawn from one another in Hatred and Hostility. And it was an easie thing to him to surmise it feasible, be­cause he was of so loose a Religion. Nay, He thought it was so near to be ef­fected, that it was already as good as done, if both sides would take prudent no­tice that it was done. For he builds upon this Bottom, 7 de Rep. Eccl. c. 12. a. 13. Nihil sive in dogmatibus, sive in ritibus in alterutrd parte adeo intolerabile esse invenw, ut propterea separatio facienda sit, aut schisma fovendum. On all sides, all Opinions were so tolerable in his Presumption, that the White and the Black Church were both of a Colour. For Example, these Instances which follow, and many others, may be found in that 12 Chap. rashly slubber'd over. We may communicate with them that hold Transubstantiation, for it destroys Nature rather than Grace: it is an Error of a good Mind, not out of Dishonour to Christ, but out of Devo­tion. For Image-worship, it is the least thing of an hundred to be past over; for as when the Bible lyes before us, and we Pray out of the Psalms, we do not adore the Bible, no more do they the Crucifix that is plac'd before them. The Supremacy of the Pope is no necessary Cause of Divorcement; for John and [Page 103] Cyriacus of Constantinople took to themselves the Title of Universal Bishop; yet Gregory the Great, who highly inveighed against their Error, kept Unity with that Church: And so should we do upon like Provocation, Art. 117. Thus he patch­eth up the Rents, but it was beyond his Skill to draw up the Pieces. Another of his Reconciliatory Devices, is in Art. 119. That the most of Reformation consists in the right Direction of our mental Intention, which God only sees: Et Ecclesia non judicat de occultis. As a Protestant may be present at Mass, and do his Duty at it; kneel down with the rest, and pray to God, but not adore the visible Host. Chiefly, as Lib. 12. c. 6. He relies much upon this Distinction, Alia est ecclesia man­ca, alia monstrosa. That the Church of Rome is not mutilated for want of any inte­gral Part of Faith, but monstrous and luxuriant in too much which is superadded. Which Deformity, they that are strong may bear with, since they are enlivened with all the saving Faith that we profess, and we need not partake with their Re­dundancies. Therefore he perswades, Art. 21, that without any Offence to Conscience, you may abide in either Church, keeping a good Purpose of Mind and Heart. But he speaks with the wide Mouth of a compleat Libertine, Lib. 7. c. 17. Art. 120. Rideo illos ego, qui ingenti incommodo & periculo, ab unâ ad aliam par­tem, solus conscientiae causâ trasfugiunt What then? Make it his own Case. Was it not Conscience that remov'd him hither? Not a jot, for it follows in the same Sentence, Illi soli prudenter id faciunt, qui de abusibus alterutrius partis liberi dis­serere, & scribere ibi volunt, ubi nullum impedimentum inveniant. We thank him for his Company. It seems he took Refuge in England, not out of Conscience to leave the Roman Church, but out of Prudence to write safely against their Er­rors, and to draw up the great Schism to an Overture of Concord among mer­ciful Men, that would not persecute him for his Good Will. I will represent him in a Line or two, that he was as indifferent, or rather dissolute in Practice, as in Opinion. For in the same Cap. Ar. 35. this is his Nicolaitan Doctrine, A plura­litate uxorum natura humana non abhorret; imò fortasse neque ab earum communitate. Thus leaving all Differences of Religion indeterminat, & in vago, he thought it would be his great Honour to be the Conciliator of Christendom. All's made ready to shake Hands: For you need not lick any Point into the Shape of a di­stinct Conclusion, but involve all in the Lump of an indigested Concord. There­fore, though he was posted up for a Shittle-cock in all Universities, and even Bal­laded by Boys for his Inconstancy, they were mistaken: For both Churches to him were one, and when he was in one, he was in both. In his Passage hither and thither, he made no Salt from one Religion to another, but he was still walking in his long Gallery, sometimes with his Face to the East, sometimes to the West.

112. There is such a fag end, which remains to piece this out, after I have brought the unhappy Man to his Friends at Rome, that sent for him, that the Ju­dicious will find upon it, that he juggled with himself, rather than with us. He would have bless'd God if he had been us'd with that Lenity there, which he found in England. For our High Commissioners made this end with him, Mart. 30. 1622. That since he had ungratefully reproach'd his Majesties Liberality, prosessing that he was hired to depart for a better Stipend: Since he held Correspondence with some of the Popes great Council, by Name with Cardinal Mellino, who are presumed Ill­willers, if not Enemies to the King, and this State: Since he profess'd open Ad­herence to the Romish Church, and did not renounce the Missatical Corruption of their Priesthood, against whom our Laws have Decreed the utmost Punish­ment, therefore Sentence was given to Deprive him of all the Spiritual Preferments which he held in this Realm, with a strict Command to depart out of the said Realm within Twenty Days, and never to return again into any his Majesties Dominions, upon pain of undergoing the Penalty of the Statute against Priests and Jesuites. 'Twas too late for him to Reply. So on the 18th Day of April, Count Suartzenburg, Ambassador Extraordinary from the Emperor Ferdinand, af­ter he had been very splendidly entertain'd for the space of 16 Days, return'd homewards, and took Shipping at Gravesend, in whose Company, but in another Vessel, Spalat. cross'd the Seas, and coming to Brussels, after a little stay, the Eagle flew away with the Buzzard, and dropt him at Rome. After he was setled there, the first News we heard from him was his Book call'd Consilium reditus. How wonderfully doth he appear in that Book to be a chang'd Man? He defies the Church of England, backbites, picks new Quarrels; nothing in it that favour'd of Cassander, the Moderator of Contentious Disputes, but of Eudaemon, or some such Jesuite. His other Works being prohibited so strictly and minatorily, that Bishops [Page 104]might not read them; this last abortive piece, born out of due time, was thought to be his Doctrine by the Ultra-montans, and nothing else. I do not say it was not his Pen: to my Sense the Style bewrays him; but to be his Mind and Judgment, I oppose it to this hour. He wrote it in a noisom Prison, despairing of Liberty for ever, unless he could release himself by impudent Forgeries, and Contradictions. Ultimum malorum est ex vivorum numero antequam morier [...]s, exire, says Senec. de Tran. c. 3. 'Tis an unexpressible torment to be shut up close in a stinking Hole, and to be buried quick. He was kept in continual fear to be burnt, as if he were torn with an Harrow of Iron, and made to pass through the Brick-kiln, 2 Sam. 12.31. What would he not do to escape that Death, who was better prepar'd to spend an Ounce of Ink in the Devils Cause, than a Spoonful of Blood for Christ? There­fore I reckon that Book to be the Issue not of this Man, but of his carnal fear. A Subscription to Articles in time of Duress, and strict Custody, what is it worth in Law? I am sure one of the best Sconces in Europe, Sir Nic. Throgmorton, ascer­tein'd Mary Queen of Scotland, Cessionem in carcere extortam, qui justus est metus, planè irritam esse, Camd. Elizab. An. 1567. Take it likewise from the Judgment of the great Athanasius, Ep. ad solit. vit. agen. p. 839. The Pope Liberius stood to Athanasius, [...], when he was free to do what he would. But being thrown out into Banishment, and hunted to be destroy'd as a Partridge in the Mountain, he subscrib'd against his own Hand, which yet did not prejudice Athanasius his Innocency. [...]. Those things which Liberius acted against his first Judgment, were not his doing, that was awed with fear; but the results of those that compell'd them with Tyranny. And that our M. Antony was cudgel'd into a Recantation with the impendent fear of an hor­rid Death, will be made clear, because after he had dazled the World with that false Light, he never pleas'd his Judges, that had secretly tried the Constitution of his Conscience. Sir Edward Sackvile, (who shortly succeeded his Brother Richard in the Earldom of Dorset) was at Rome Ann. 1624. and had Welcom given him with much Civility in the English College, so far that he presum'd to ask, rather out of Curiosity than Love, to see this Prisoner de Dominis. Mr. T. Fitz-herbert the Rector did him the Observance to go with him to the Jayl. He found him shut up in a Ground-Chamber, narrow and dark; for it look'd upon a great Wall, which was as near unto it as the breadth of three spaces. Some slight forms being pass'd over, which use to be in all Visits, says Sir Edward, My Lord of Spalato, you have a dark Lodging: It was not so with you in England. There you had at Wind­sor as good a Prospect by Land, as was in all the Country: And at the Savoy you had the best Prospect upon the Water, that was in all the City. I have forgot those things, says the Bishop; here I can best Contemplate the Kingdom of Heav'n. Sir Edward ta­king Mr. Fitz-Herbert aside into the next Room; Sir, says he, tell me honestly, Do you think this Man is employ'd in the Contemplation of Heav'n? Says the Father Re­ctor, I think nothing less; for he was a Male-content Knave when he fled from us, a Railing Knave while he liv'd with you, and a Motley parti-colour'd Knave now he is come again. This is the Relation which that Honourable Person made Ann. 1625. which I heard him utter in the hearing of no mean Ones.

113. But by this time Spalat. was dead, either by his fair Death, or by private strangling. Gallo-Belgicus, that first sent the News abroad, knew not whither. But he knew what became of his Body, that it was burnt at the same place in Rome, where Hereticks do end their Pain. It is a Process of Justice which is usual with their Inquisition, to shew such abhorrence to Hereticks, (that were so in their sense) to call them to account, though they be dead and rotten. First, They are so Hi­strionical in their Ceremonies, as if they made a Sport of Barbarousness, that they cite the dead Men three several Days to appear, or any that will answer for them, (but happy they if they do not appear) then their Carkasses, or Bones, are brought forth, and burnt in the common Market with a Ban of Execration. The latest that were used so among us were Reverend Bucer and Fagius at Cambridge, Anno 1556. And Dr. Scot, Bishop of Chester, one of Cardinal Pole's Visitors, defended it before the University, Haud mirum videri debeat, si in mortem quoque ista inquisi­tis extendatur, Bucer, Scrip. Angl. p. 925. Sic postulare sacros Canones, p. 923. This is their Soverity, from which the Dead are not free. Now by the Blaze of that Bonfire in which De Dominis his Trunk was consum'd, we may read an Heretick in Fiery Characters: I mean, as he was entred into the black Book of the Roman Slaughter-House. He lived and died with General Councils in his Pate, with Wind-Mills of Union to concord Rome and England, England and Rome, Germany [Page 103]with them both, and all other Sister-Churches with the rest, without asking leave of the Tridentine Council. This was his Piaculary Heresie. For as A [...]orius writes Tom. 1. Moral. Lib. 8. Cap. 9. Not only he that denies an Article of the Roman Creed, but he that doubts of any such Article is an Heretick, and so to be pre­sented to Criminal Judgment. Si quem in foro exteriori l gitime allegata & pro [...]ata probaverint in rebus Fidci scienter & voluntarie dubitasse, arbitrer cum ut v re & propriè haereti [...]um puniendum. Therefore if Spalat. had return'd a Penitent in their Con­struction, and imbodied himself into that Church as only true and Apostolical, he could not have suffered in his Offals and Carkass as an Heretick. So the same Azo­rius confesseth, Lib. 8. Cap. 14. And Alphonsus à Castro is angry with Bernard of Lutzenburg for holding the contrary, Lib. 1. Cap. 9. Quis unquam docuit eum esse di­cendum haereticum, qui errorem sic tenuit, ut monitus & conviclus non crubuerit palinodiam cantare? This was the success of the variable Behaviour of M. Antonius de Dominis. De Domims in the plural, says Dr. Crakanthorp, for he could serve two Masters or twenty, if they would all pay him Wages. He had an Hearing, as it is mention'd before, in our High Commission: To countenance the Audience of so great a Cause, the Lord Keeper gave attendance at it. I began at that end of his Trou­bles, and, having footed all the Maze, am come out at the other.

114. Johosaphat distinguisheth between the Lord's Matters, and the King's Af­fairs, 2 Chron. 19.12. So do I in the Subject before me. I have given some Says of his Church-Wisdom in the former Paragraph: I go on to set the Sublimity of his State-Wisdom in the latter. I must look back to a small Service which he did perform in Michaelmas-Term 1621. for as much as the Conjunction of some things, which rais'd a Dust in the Year following, are sit to go together. Upon the so­lemn Day, when the Lord Cranfield (then Master of the Wards, and immediately created Earl of Middlesex) took his Place as Lord Treasurer in the Exchequer-Chamber, the Lord Keeper gave him his Oath, and saluted his Admission with a short Speech following:

The King was pleased much in his Ad­vancement: For his Majesty had proved him with Questions, and found that he was well studied in his Lands, Customs, in all the Profits of the Crown, in Sta­ting of Accompts And in the general Opinion the White-Staff was as fit for his Hand, as if it been made for it. The most that could be objected was, that he was true to the King, but gripple for himself: A good Steward for the Exchequer, but sower and unrelishing in Dispatch: A better Treasurer than a Courtier. There was nothing in appearance but Sun-shine and warm Affections between him and the Lord Keeper. The Lord Treasurer, I know well, had cross'd the other in one or two Suits which had been beneficial to him, and not drawn a Denier out of the Kings Purse. He dealt so with every Man; therefore the Sufferer gave lit­tle sign of Grievance: It was not his Case alone. Another Pick in which they agreed not, (I cannot say disagreed) was about a Brood of Pullein, which were never hatcht. The last Parliament being dissolv'd, it was well thought of by some of the Lords of the Council-Board, to sweeten the ill relish, which it had in some Palats, with a Pardon of Grace, that might extend to a fair Latitude, for the ease of those that were question'd for old Debts and Duties to the Crown, for concealed Wardships and not suing out Liveries, and such charges of the like kind, which put those that were secure in their Improvidence to a great deal of trouble, and disanimated their best Friends, for fear of such blind Claps, to be their Executors. When the Lord Keeper had brought this Pardon so near to his Birth, that the Atturney-General was sent for to draw it up, the Lord Treasurer mov'd, That such as took out this Pardon should pay their Fees, which are accustomed in that kind, to such Officers as he should appoint, that the Advantage might enrich the King, and that himself might have that share, which the Lord Chancellour us'd to have, who put the Seal to those Pardons This was heard with a dry laughter, and denied him. But from thenceforth he struggled to correct the lusty Wine of the Pardon with so much Water, that there was no comfort in it; and falling short of that Grace which was expected, was debated no more. The Lord Keeper ha­ving obtein'd a good Report for the Conception of the Pardon, and the Lord Treasurer a great deal of Envy for the Abortion, it curdled in his Stomach into Choler and Mischief. And wherefore was he angry with his Brother Abel? Look what St. John answers, 1 Epist. Chap. 3. Vers. 12. He endeavoured first to make a Faction in Court against the Lord Keeper, and it would not hit, because he had no Credit with the Great Ones. Then he falls to Pen and Paper, and spatters a little Foam, draws up Ten What-do-you-call-Um's, (some of them are neither Charges of Misdemeanour nor Objections) which were meant for Accusations, but are most pitiful failings, entramell'd with Fictions and Ignorance. They are ex­tant in the Cabal, Pag. 72. which the Lord Keeper puts away as quietly, as the Wind blows off the Thistle-Down: Pusheth his Adversary down with his little Finger, yet insults not upon his Weakness. As Pliny writes to Sabin, Lib. 9. Ep. Tunc praecipua mansuetudinis laus, cum irae causa justissima est. It was very laudable to be so mild, when there was just cause given to be more angry. Yet he com­plain'd by Letters to the Lord Marquiss, as if he were sensible of the despite, and unto him was very loud in his own Justification. From whom he got no more remedy, but that his Adversary was not believ'd: And was will'd to consider that he dealt with one, whose ill Manners would not pay him Satisfaction for an Inju­ry. Unto which the Lord Keeper rejoyn'd to the Lord Marquiss, His Majesties Justice and your Lordships Love are Anchors strong enough for a Mind more tost than mine is, to ride at. Yet pardon me, my Noble Lord, upon this Consideration, if I exceed a little in Passion, the Natural Effect of Honesty and Innocency. A Church-man and a Woman have no greater Idol under Heav'n than their Good Name: And they cannot Fight, nor with Credit Scold, and least of all Recriminate to Protect and Defend the same: The only Revenge left them is to grieve and complain. Then he concludes, Whom I will either Challenge before his Majesty to make good his Suggestions, or else (which I hold the greater Valour, and which I wanted I confess before this Check of your Lordships) go on in my course, and scorn all these base and unworthy Scandals, as your Lordship shall direct me. What need more be said? In the space of a Month they wrangled them­selves [Page 105]into very good Friends, and the Lord Keeper was Gossip to the next Child that was born to the Treasurer. As Nazianzen says of Athanasius, Encom. p. 21. [...], There was the Condition of two kinds of Stones in his Nature, that are much commended: He was an Adamant to them that smote him, found and firm, and would never break: But a Loadstone to draw them to him that discorded with him, though they were as hard as Iron.

115. Among the Exceptions with which the Lord Cranfeild did exagitate him, one may require a larger Answer, than he thought him worthy of in that Humour. He replies to him very briefly in the Laconcick Form, because such brittle Ware would break with a Touch. The Treasurer was misinform'd, or coin'd it out of his own Head, That the Keeper dispatch'd great Numbers of Causes by hearing Petitions in his Chamber, and that he did usually reverse Decrees upon Petitions That Forty Thousand Pounds had been taken in one Year among his Servants by such spurious and illegitimate Justice. Yet Sir An. IV. all whose Ink makes blots, could not imagine how such a Man should be raised out of that Practise, but that it was Calculated to be worth to him and his Servants Three Thousand Pounds per Annum. A great fall, and the less charge. I do not say that either of them did learn to suspect by their own practise: Let God judge it. But I knew this Man so well, that he would as soon have taken a share out of Courtesans Sins, as the Pope doth, as out of his Servants Purses. But state the Case thus, That he did much Work by Petitions, and trebble as much in the first Year, as in those that succeeded, 'tis confest. First, The Hindrances had been so great which the Court sustein'd, be­fore he began to rectifie them, that unless he had allow'd poor Men some Furthe­rance by Motions in Petitions, they had been undone for want of timely Favour. Even Absalom won the Hearts of those, whom he seem'd to pity, that were in that condition, 2 Sam. 13.3. A Plaintiff makes great moan for redress of Wrongs; but a delaying Judge is his greatest Oppressor. Secondly, All high Potentates, and Magistrates under them, have ever employ'd some at their Hand to give An­swers to Supplicants, that made Requests unto them. Papinian serv'd in that Of­fice under Severus Pertinax: So did Ulpian under Alexander Mammaeus. Many more may be produc'd, who were greatly honour'd for that Imployment. All the Praefecti Libellorum, and Magistri Scriniorum, who are mention'd of old, were of this Constitution. Every Proconful ca [...]ried such a Scribe with him into his Pro­vince, and heard the Oppressions of the People by Petition, and redress'd them. Not that main Causes were not pleaded in the open Face of the Praetorian Court, as it is in the Pandects, Ubi decretum necessarium est per Libellum, id expedire Proconsul non potest. But an Exception strengthens a Rule, as Cicero says pro Corn. Balbo. Quod si exceptio facit, ne liceat: Ibi necesse est licere ubi non est exceptum. And where De­crees were not necessary, a Subscription to a Supplication was a common way, to relieve those, who needed not the Ceremony to be undone with longer Ob­struction. Thirdly, What if I should grant, without Derogation to the Lord Keeper's admired Sufficiency, that when he took that litigious Work of Chancery first in hand, if some crabbed Difficulties were mine'd small into a Petition, he could the better swallow them. Every man may judge better of that which he reads, than that which he hears; chiefly, he that is initiated into a Profession. Allow him Cork that learns to Swim, to keep him from Sinking, he saves himself, and hurts no man. Therefore it was a most certain way to overcome some part of the Tediousness of Business by Petitions; and it was no less incorrupt, innocent, legal, expedite to do good to the People. Some that practis'd at the Bar, repin'd that they might not have a Glut of Motions: Of whose covetous Discontents, this Lord was aware; as Pliny says of Apelles, Lib. 31. Post tabulam latens vitia quae notarentur auscultabat. He was at the back of the Frame which he set forth, and heard what Errors the Passengers noted in his Picture. So this Man's Ears were open, and his Eyes waking, groundless Repining never took him winking. Therefore to straiten his Course against all Presumption of Er­rors, he directed two Remonstrances, the first to the Lord Marquess, September the 8th; the other to his Majesty, October the 5th, 1622, which follow as he penn'd them.

In a while after, Thus to the King.

117. Thus much perhaps is too much, but that as Alexander said in Curtius, Sa­tius est purgatos esse quàm suspectos. 'Tis better to clear an Error imputed, than to [Page 107]be suspected. The King stood to him, as he did always, and sent him a graci­ous Message. It was his Conscience he dispenced in that Court, and he had his Approbation in all he had heard of. Truly, I believe his Majesty's Love wrought that Ableness in him, to make him more than else he would have been. Neither did the Lord Marquess see any Reason, but to justifie his Integrity and Diligence, Yet before Michaelmas Term was spent, An. 1622, that great Lord dropt some Words, that he was not altogether pleas'd with the Lord Keeper's Observance, and look'd upon him with a stranger Countenance than before; so as from that time the Lord Keeper failed but with an half Wind in that mighty Lord's Favour; which he hid most prudently, and shew'd not the least appearance that he was faln into that dislike. As Macrobius commends Pisistratus, Lib. 7. c. 1. whose Chil­dren secretly made Head against him. Yet Pisistratus dissembled strangely that all was well between them, that the City of Athens might not practise upon their Enmity. So it was covered as artificially from Court and City, that these two Luminaries were near to Opposition. The first Man that was like to know it from the Lord Marquess, was the Bishop of St. Davids; for about this time he stiles himself Confessor to his Lordship, in Mr. Prinn's Publications. And within the compass of this Time, he says, he dreamt that the Lord Keeper was dead, that he went by, and saw his Grave a making. And how doth he expound this Visi­on, which he saw in his Sleep, but that he was dead in my Lord of Buckingham's Affections? Some are like to ask, what it was that did the ill Office to shake the Stedfastness of their Friendship? That will break out hereafter. But the Quar­rel began, that some Decrees had been made in Chancery, for whose better Speed, my Lord Marquess had undertaken. An Undertaker he was, without Confinement of Importunity, There was not a Cause of moment, but as soon as it came to Publication, one of the Parties brought Letters from this mighty Peer, and the Lord Keeper's Patron. For the Lord Marquess was of a kind Mature, in Courtesie more luxuriant, than was fit in his Place; not willing to deny a Suit, but prone to gratifie all Strangers, chiefly if any of his Kindred brought them in their Hand; and was far more apt to believe them that askt him a Favour, than those that would perswade him it was not to be granted. These that haunted him without shame, to have their Suits recommended to great Officers, made him quickly weary of his faithful Ministers, that could not justly satisfie him. I had mentioned none, but that I am beholding to the Cabal to fall upon one, the worst of twenty, Sir John Michel, P. 84. of whose Unreasonableness the Lord Keeper writes thus, God is my Wuness, I have never deny'd cither Justice or Favour (which was to be justified) to this man, or any other, that had the least Relation to your good, and most Noble Mother. And I hope your Lordship is perswaded thereof. Budaeus, P. 67. Upon the Pandects, writes offensively upon the medling of such Lady Advocates, Why may not Women be our Magistrates, and govern us, if they think to govern them, that are our Magistrates? But he complains with more Impatience against the Courtiers of Paris, P. 188. Quotusquisque est qui modo in aulâ interiore sit alicujus no­minis, qui non se dignum censeat, propter quem leges & constitutiones, quamvis gravi sanctione munitae, violari debeant? which makes the Place of a Judge a Burthen that cannot be supported. For as no Artist can make the Year run even by the Course of Sun and Moon, so no Justice can run even between the imperious Directions of a Favourite, and the Conscience of a just Man. The Lord Mar­quess had used his Power to assist the Lord Keeper in his Lifting up; but good Turns are not to be counted a Servile Bond, to impose as much as shall be ob­truded to be done, with a Blind-fold Readiness: For no man in Earth is all in all a Servant, but to God. Gratitude may exact much, but Innocency is free from paying a Tribute. And 'tis pity they should ever have the Ability to do Benefits, who over-lay their good Turns, and would not have those, to whom they have been gracious, persevere in Integrity. Yet many do so far value their own Kind­ness, that they think, for their good Works Sake, they have bought God's Part in us; which, if it be substracted, none are so ready to dismount a Man, as they that did promote him. It is observ'd before me, by Aurelius Victor, in the Lite of Nerva, Qui cum se merreri omnia praesumant, si quicquam non extorserint atrociores sunt ipsis hostibus. Therefore let a private Man be content, and take sweet Sleeps. He holds his Conscience in no Tenure but of God. He that is out of great Place, is out of great Tentation. Tuta me mediâ vehat vita decurrens viâ, Sence. in Ad.

118. I have touch'd upon the very Thread, where the Lord Marques [...]s Friend­ship began to unravel. I have shewn how blameless the Lord Keeper was, and that the Offence on his Part was undeclinable. Yet I will not smother with par­tiality, [Page 108]what I have heard the Countess Mother say upon it: That the Lord Keeper had great Cause sometimes to recede from those Courses which her Son propounded; that she never heard him different but that his Counsels were wise and well-grounded, ever tending to the Marquess's Honour, Safety and Prosperity; but that he stirr'd her Son to Offence with Reprehensions that were too bold and vehement. I heed this the more, because it was usual with the Lord Keeper to be very angry with his best Friends, when they would not hearken to their own Good. Pardon him that Fault, and it will be hard to find another in him; as Onuphrius says of P. Pius the Fifth, for his Cholerick Moods, Hoc uno excepto vitio, non erat in illo quod quisquam possit reprehendere. And if the Testimony of that Lady be true, (it is but one, and a most domestick Witness) I do not shuffle it over as if his Meanor to the Lord Marquess were not a little culpable. It was not enough to have Justice of his Side, without Discretion. Good Counsel is Friendly, but it must be mannerly. St. Ch [...]ysostom though a Free, and a very hot man himself, preach'd thus at Antioch, Hom. 27. That some Inflammation will not be touch'd, no, not with a soft Finger: [...]. Words as soft as Lint must be us'd to some Ears, who disdain to be dealt withal as Equals. Let me joyn Ric. Victor to him, enforcing the like from Da­vid's Playing on the Harp when Saul was moved: When stubborn Opposition will vex some great Men into Fury, Dignum est ut elocutionis nostrae tranquilitate, quasi citharae dulcedine, ad salutem revocentur. Use them tenderly, and play, as it were, a Lesson upon the Harp, to flatter them into Attention and Tranquility. This is enough to reprehend a few stout Words; but the Lord Keeper, for all the Frown of the Lord Marquess staid upon him, carry'd as true a Heart toward him, and all his Allies, as exuberant in Gratitude, as ever liv'd in F [...]esh. He ne­ver wrote to him, no not when he was quite forsaken; but he refresh'd the Be­nefits he had receiv'd from him in his Memory. He never commanded him, but he obeyed in all, which was to be justified. No Danger impending over his Lordship, but he was ready to run an honest Hazard with him, even to the lay­ing down of his Life. In his Absence, when a Friend is best tried, when his Lordship was in Spain, far from the King, and giving no little Distast there by his Bearing, then he smooth'd his Errors to his Majesty, and kept him from Preci­pitation, knowing that he had threatned to bring about his own Ruine. Yet in strict Justice, a Founder loseth his Right of Interest, that would destroy, or de­bauch his Foundation As Amber and Pearl are turned to mean Druggs and Dust, when the Chymists hath drawn their Elixir out of them. At this stop I can resolve one Question, which many have ask'd me, whence the Occasion sprung, which transformed Bishop Laud from a Person so much obliged Eighteen Months before to the Lord Keeper, to the sharpest Enemy. As soon as ever the Bishop saw his Advancer was under the Anger of the Lord Marquess, he would never acknowledge him more, but shunn'd him, as the old Romans in their Su­perstition walk'd a loof from that Soil, which was blasted with Thunder. It was an Opportunity snatch'd to pluck him back, that was got so far before him. Hold him down, that he might not rise, and then he promised himself the best Pre­eminence in the Church; for he saw no other Rival. As Velleius says of Pompey, That he was very quiet, till he suspected some Senator that thrust up to be his Equal. Civis in tagá, nisi ubi 'vereretur ne quem haberet parem modestissimus. But, will a good Christian say, did so much Hatred grow up from no other Seed? From no other that ever appear'd; and look upon the World, and marvel not at it, for it is frequently seen, that those Enemies which are most causless, are most implacable; which our Divines draw out of this, that no Reason is express'd by Moses, why the Devil tempted our first Parents, and sought their Fall. The like was noted by the gravest Counsellor of our Kingdom, the Lord Burleigh, who condoled when he heard the Condemnation of Sir John Perrot, with these Words, Odium quo injustius, eò acrius. Ill Will is most vehement, when it is most unjust, Cambden, Eliz. An. 1592. But when himself was not harm'd a jot, would he be so unkind to his Benefactor? Phoed. Act. 1. Se. 3. What says a long Tongu'd Fellow? In Plau­tus mortuus est qui suit, qui vivus, est. He that was, was lost. He dreamt his Benefactor was defunct, there was Life in my Lord of Buckingham; and it was good Cunning to jog along with his Motions. I am confident to give this Sa­tisfaction to the Question above. For the Lord Keeper did often pro­test upon his Hope in Christ, that he knew no other Reason of their Parting. Reader, say nothing to it, but hear what Solomon says, Proverbs 18. ver. [...]. according to the Septuagint, and the Vulgar Latin. [...] [Page 109] [...]. Occasiones querit, qui vult recedere ab amico; omni tempore erit exprobrabilis.

119. These Enmies were blowing at the Forge three years well nigh, be­fore the Ingeneers could frame a Bar to lift him off the Hinges of his Dignity; for he was fast lock'd and bolted into the Royal Favour. He bore up with that Authority, that he could not be check'd with Violence; and Occasions grew fast upon his Majesty to use his Sufficiency and Fidelity. For though he was a King of profound Art, yet he was not so fortunate in that Advice which he took, to send his dear Son the Prince with the Lord Marquess into Spain Feb. 17, 1022. So soon as those Travellers had left the King with his little Court at New-Market, the King found himself at more Leisure and Freedom, in the Absence of the Lord Mar­quess, to study the Calling of a Comfortable and Concordious Parliament, where­in the Subject might reap Justice, and the Crown Honour. And Occasion con­cluded for it, that since the Prince like a Resolute and Noble Wooer, had trust­ed himself to the King of Spain's Faith in the Court of Madrid, whether his Ad­venture sped or not sped, he must be welcomed Home with a Parliament. The King prepared for the Conception of that Publick Meeting, that it might fall to its proper Work without Diversions. He conceiv'd there was no Error more fatal to good Dispatch, than that some Members took up the greatest part of the Time, in speaking to the Redress of petty Grievances, like Spaniels that rett after Larks and Sparrows in the Field, and pass over the best Game. Therefore his Majesty, to loose no time, drew up a Proclamation with his own Pen, Feb. 20, to this end, that certain of the Lords of the Privy Council, should have Power and special Commission to receive the Complaints of all the good People of this Land, which should be brought before them concerning any Exorbitances, Vex­ations, Oppressions, and Illegalities, and either by their own Authority, if it would reach to it, to see them corrected, or to give Orders to cut them off by the keenest Edge of the Laws. That Complainants should be encouraged to present their Grievances, as well by the Invitement of the Proclamation, as by the Signification of the Judges to the Country and Grand Juries, in their respective Circuits. The Draught of this, the Features of his Majesty's own Brain, came by Post to pass the Great Seal. Yet for all that Hast, the Lord Keeper took time to scan it, and sent it back with Advice, that the Project would be sweeter, if it were double refined; presuming therefore, that his Majesty would not be un­willing to stop a little at the Bar of good Counsel, he wrote this ensuing Letter to the Court, Feb. 22.

But these Reasons were not overpass'd: Both the Proclamation, and private Orders to the Lords Commissioners were reformed by the Contents of that weighty Letter; His Majesty greatly inclining to the Lord-Keeper's Readiness and espying Judgment in all Consultations. For as Laertius in Zeno's Life said of a famous Musician, [...]: That Ismenias could play well upon all Instruments. So this was another Ismenias, who had the Felicity to make all Deliberations pleasing and tuneable; especially he had that way, above all that I knew, to make sweet Descant upon any plain Song that was prick'd before him. It will be to the Profit of the Reader, if I rub his memory with one Pas­sage of the Letter (for it is but one, though it come in twice,) which presseth the King to Sincerity and Reality; to fix his Word like the Center of Justice, that cannot be moved. Righteous Lips are the delight of Kings, Prov. 16.23. And a King of Righteous Lips is most delightful. Since the coercitive part of the Law doth not reach him, upon what Nail shall those Millions that stand before his Throne hang their Hopes, if his Word do not bind him? A People that cannot give Faith to their Sovereign, will never pay him Love. It seems that the ancient Latin Kings did profess to use Crookedness, and Windings of Dissimulation in their Polity; therefore their Scepter was called Lituus, because it bent in toward the upper end. But the Scepter of thy Kingdom (says David of GOD) is a right Scepter. A right one indeed: For Contracts and Promises bind God to Man, much more must they oblige the King to his People. An Author of our own, Dr. Duck, in his very Learned Treatise, De usu Juris Civilis, p. 44. hath well delivered this Morality; Princeps ad contractum tenetur uti privatus; nec po­test contractum suum rescindere ex plenitudine potestatis cum maximè in eo requiratur bena sides: Falshood is Shop-keepers Language, or worse; but 'tis beneath Ma­jesty.

121. A Parliament being not far of, either in the King's Purpose, or in Prospect of Likelihood, Serj Crooke. Cvew. Finch. Damport. Bramston. Bridgman. Crawly. Headly. Thin. [...]. Authurst. Blng. D [...]y. the Lord Keeper was provident, that the Wor­thies of the Law should be well entreated. Their Learning being most comprehensive of Civil Causes and Affairs, they had ever a great Stroke in that Honorable Council. Therefore he wrought with his Majesty, to sign a Writ for the Advancement of some of the Gravest and Greatest Pleaders, who were ripe for Dignity. And a Call of Serjeants was splendidly solem­nized, for Number Thirteen, for Quality of the best Reputation, May 6, 1623: Who on that Day made their Appearance before Lord Keeper, sit­ting in the High Court of Chancery, who congratulated their Adoption unto that Title of Serjeancy with this Oration.

‘AS upon many other Occasions, so likewise upon this present in hand, I could wish there sate in this Place, a man of more Gravity and Experience, than can be expected from me, to deliver unto you those Counsels and Directions, which all your Predecessors have successively received at this Bar. Yet among many Wants, I find one singular Comfort, that as I am of the least Ability to give, so you are of the least Need to receive Instructions, of all the Calls of Serjeants, that any Man now alive can bring to his Remembrance. You are ei­ther all, or the far greater Number of you, most Learned, most Honest, and well accomplish'd Gentlemen. Lest therefore my Modesty, or your Integrity might suffer therein, I will not be tedious in this kind of Exhortation; but like those Mercuries, or High-way-Statues in Greece, I will only point out those fair Ways, which my self, I confess, have never trodden. In the beginning, for my Preface, be assured, that your Thankfulness shall be recommended to his Majesty, who hath honoured you with this high Degree, making your Learning only, and your Integrity, His Praevenient, and all other Respects whatsoever; [Page 111]but subsequent and following Causes of his Gracious Pleasure towards you. Turn­ing my Speech next to your selves, I will observe mine own common Exordium, which hitherto I have used to all those, whom I have saluted with a few words, when they were Installed in their Dignities; and I have it from the manner of the old Romans, Meminisse oportet Ossicii T [...]lum, Remember the Title of your De­gree, and it will afford you sufficient Matter of Admonition. You are call'd Servientes ad Legem, Sergeants at the Law; Verba bractrata, Words very malleable and extensive, and such as contein more Lessons than they do Syllables.’

122. ‘The word Sergeant, no doubt, is Originally a Stranger born, though now for many Years denizon'd among us. It came over at the first from France, and is handled as a French word by Stephen Pasquier, in his Eighth Book of Re­cherches, and the Nineteenth Chapter. They that are too luxuriant in Etymolo­gies, are sometimes barren in Judgment, as I will shew upon the Conjectures of this Name. For they are not call'd Sergeants, quasi Caesariens, some of Caesars Officers, as the great Guiacius thinks. Nor Sergents, qu isi Serregens, because they laid hold on Men, as inferiour Ministers. But Sergiens in the old French is as much as Serviens, saith Pasquier, a Servant, or an Attendant: As Sergens de Dicu, the Ser­vants of God, in the old History of St. Dennis: Sergens & Disciples de la Sanchitè, Servants or Disciples of his Holiness the Pope, in the Life of St. Begue: And Ser­gens d'Amour, Servants of Love in the Romance of the Rose, a Book well known in our Country, because of the Translator thereof Geoffry Chaucer. And therefore as Pasquier thinks, that those inferiour Officers are called Sergeans, that is Servants, because at the first Bailiffs or Stewards employ'd their own Servants in such Sum­mons: So this more honourable Appellation of Sergeant at Law, hath received it; Denomination, because at the first, when the Laws were no more than a few plain Customs; When as the Year-Books had not yet swelled; When the Cases were not so diversified; When so many Distinctions were not Coined and Minted; When the Volumes of the Laws through our Misdeeds and Wiliness were not so multi­plied, Men employ'd their own Servants to tender their Complaints unto the Judges, and to bring them home again a plain and present Remedy. But after­ward Multitude of Shifts begetting Multitudes of Laws, and Multitudes of Laws Difficulties of Interpretations, especially where the Sword had engraven them in strange Languages, as those induced by the Saxons, Danes and Normans into this Island, the State was enforced to design and select some learned Men to prepare the Causes of the Client for the Sentence of the Judge, and the Sentence of the Judge for the Causes of the Client; who though never so Enobled by their Birth and Education, yet because they succeeded in those places of Servants, were also call'd Servientes, Sergeants, or Servants. Great Titles have grown up from small Ori­ginals, as Dux, Comes, Baro, and others, and so hath this, which is Enobled by the affix unto it, a Sergeant at Law.’

123. ‘Though you are not the Rulers of Causes, and Masters upon the Bench, yet it is your Pre-eminence that you are the chief Servants at the Bar: In the Houshold of our Dread Sovereign, the Chief in every Office, who Commands the lower Ministers, is advanced to be called the Sergeant of his Place, as Ser­geants of the Counting-House, Carriages, Wine-Cellar, Larder, with many others. In like manner your Name is a Name of Reverence, though you are styled Servants: For you are the Principal of all that practise in the Courts of Law; Servants, that is, Officers preferr'd above all Ranks of Pleaders. For every thing must be Ruled by a Gradual Subordination. You are next in the Train to my Lords the Judges: And some of your File not seldom employ'd to be Judges Itinerant. But you are all constantly promoted to be Contubernales & Commen­sales: You have your Lodgings in the same Houses, and keep your Table and Diet with those Pillars of the Law, who therefore call you, and love you as their Brethren. Fortescue in his sixth Book De laudibus Legum Angliae, Cap. 50. com­pares your Dignities with the chief Degrees of the Academies: And there is no Argument that proves the Nobleness of the one, but it is as strong and militant for the other. I will touch upon the Reasons, as they are set down in Junius his Book De Academiâ, and apply them in order to this purpose. First, This De­gree is as a Caveat to the whole State and Commonwealth, that by it they may know whom to employ, and whom not to employ in their weighty Causes and Consultations. And so doth Fortescue appropriate Omnia Realia Placiata, all the Real Actions and Pleadings of his time to the Sergeants only. Secondly, As St. Paul saith to the Corinthians, Epistola nostra vos estis; You are our Letter, or Epi­stle; So may we the Judges in our several Places say unto the Sergeants, Epistela [Page 112]nostra vos estis; You are, by reason of your Degrees, our Letters of Recommen­dation unto the Kings Majesty, for his Choice and Election for the Judges of the Kingdom. Because, as Fortescue also truly observes, no Man, though never so Learned, can be chosen into that eminent Place, Nisi statu & gradu Servientis ad Legem fuerit insignitus. Thirdly and lastly, This Degree of Honour is [...], a kind of Spur and Incentive to all the Students of the Law, that they might more easily concoct those otherwise insupportable Difficulties, and Harshness of their Studies, in hope one Day to attein unto those Honours, wherewith all of you by his Majesties Favour, and your own Merits, are now to be Invested. Those outward Decorums of Magnificence which set forth your Exaltation this Day, are very specious, and sparkle so much in the Eyes of the young Fry, that swim up after you, that they cannot but make very sensible Impression in their Minds, to follow your Industry, that they may attein to your Dignity. That Gold which you give away, secundum Consuetudinem regni in hoc casu, implies that by your faithful Labour and Gods Providence, you have attein'd to the Wealth of a fair Estate. And Wisdom is good with an Inheritance, Eccles. 7.11. Nay, I wish hear­tily that all wise Men had plentiful Inheritances; and that the Silly and Sottish were not so fortunate in gathering Treasure: For a Rich ignorant Man is but a Sheep with a Golden Fleece. Then your great and sumptuous Feast is like that at a Kings Coronation. At which you entertain the Ambassadors of Foreign Kings now Resident about the City, and the prime Officers and Nobility of this Realm. But to ascend higher, King Henry the Seventh in his own Person did Grace the Sergeants Feast held then at Ely-Palace in Holborn: So estimable was your Order in those Days to that Mighty Monarch. I should be too long if I should speak of the Ornament of your Head, your pure Linen Coif, which evi­dences that you are Candidates of higher Honour. So likewise your Librata Magna, your abundance of Cloth and Liveries, your Purple Habits, belonging antiently to great Senators, yea to Emperors; all these, and more, are but as so many Flags, and Ensigns to call up those young Students, that fight in the Valleys, to those Hills and Mountains of Honour, which you by your Merits have now atchieved.’

124. ‘ Gentlemen, I have told you from the Explanation of your Title, what you are by Denomination. You must be dutiful, and respect my Lords the Judges, because you are but Servientes, Servants. And you must be Reverenced by all of your Robe, but the Judges, because you are Servientes ad Legem, Journey-Men of the Law; whereas the rest, though call'd to the Bar, are no more than Dis­cipuli in Justinian's Phrase; or, as your own Books term, Apprenticii, mere Ap­prentices. You serve in that Law which is of excellent Composure for the Re­lief of them that seek Redress in this Nation through all Cases: And of rare Pri­vilege it is, above the Tryals of all other Kingdoms and States, for the Tryal of those that are under Criminal Attainder, by a Jury of their own Peers. Which I find as one to have used in antient Polities, but Cato major in his own Family. Supplicium de Servo non sumsit, nisi postquam damnatus est conservorum judicio. He punish'd none of his Bondmen, unless they were cast by the Verdict of their fel­low Bondmen. To be elected the prime Servants of our most wise, and most equal Laws, supposeth in you great Reading, great Reason, great Experience; which deservedly casts Honour upon your Persons. Emulous, I may say Envi­ous Censurers, speak scornfully of your Learning and Knowledge, that it is gain­ful to your at Home in your own Country; but of no use or value abroad. For what is a Sergeant or Counsellor of these Laws, if he get Dover Cliffs at his back? So I remember Tully in his Oration pro Murenâ, being more angry than he had cause with S [...]lpitius, who was Vir juris consultissimus, disdains his Skill with this Taunt, Sapiens existimari nemo potest in eâ prudentiâ, quae extra Romam nequicquam valet: That was a wise Art indeed, which was wise no further than the Praetors Courts in R [...]e. Let Sulpitius answer for himself. But in your behalf I have this to answer, That beside your Judicious Insight into the Responsa Prudintum, and the laudable Customs of this Kingdom, which are proper, with our Statute-Laws, to our own People; I say, beside these, the Marrow of the whole Wisdom of the Caesarcan Transmarine Law, is digested into our Common and Statute-Laws, as wi [...] easily appear to him that examines the Book of Entries, or Original Writs: [Page 113]Which makes you sufficient to know the Substance and Pith of the Civil Law in all Courts through Europe: So that you would be to seek in their Text, not in their Reason; and in their Traverses and Formalities of Pleadings, which are no pre­judice to the Worthiness of your Function. Now I have told you as a judge, that you are Servants, but Honourable Servants of the Law; before I con [...], let me admonish you as a Bishop, that you are in your highest Title the Servants of God. Therefore keep a good Conscience in all things. Serve that holy Law, which bids you Not to pervert the Right and Cause of the Innoc [...]. I know it is very hard to discern the Right from the Wrong in many Suits, till they come to be throughly sisted and examin'd. So truly did Quimilian say, Lib. 2. Cap. 8. Potest accidere ut ex utráque parte vir bonus dicat. An honest Man in many Plea [...] may be entertain'd on either side. Therefore it is no discredit to your Profession, that as the Aetolians in Greece of old, and the Suitzers in the Cant [...]ns at this Day are often Auxiliaries of both sides in a pitcht Battail; so you should be Feed to try your Skill either for Plaintiff or Defendant. But when you discern a Clients Cause is rotten, then to imploy your Cunning to give it Victory against Justice, is intolerable. The more vulgar that Iniquity is, the more it is odious. As Pliny said, Lib. 8. Episto. ad Russiuum, Decipere pro meribus temporum prudentia est; It was the great Blindness and Corruption of the Times, when Cheating past for Wisdom. He that labours by Witty Distortions to overthrow the Truth, he serves Lucre, and not God; he serves Mammon, and not the Law. You know you cannot serve those two Masters; for they are utterly opposite But, to conclude, three Masters you may, nay, you ought to serve, which are subordi­nate; Serve God; Serve the King; Serve the Law. Ite alacres, tantaeque precor confidite Causae. I have ended. The Fear of God go with you; and his Bles­sing be upon you.’

125. All things upon this Festival Day of the new Sergeants were answerable to this Eloquent Speech. Yet every Day look'd clowdy; and the People were ge­nerally indisposed to Gawdy Solemnities, because the Prince was in a far Country. Others may undertake to write a just History of that Journey into Spain, (and a just History gives Eternity to Knowledge) I fall upon no more, than came under the dispatch of one Person, upon whom I insist. Yet some Passages upon the whole Matter will require their mention; the parts of the Narration needing as it were Sinews and Tendons, without which they cannot grow together. Two Years and little more were run out after the Death of Prince H [...]nry, so much miss'd, so much bewailed, when the principal Statesman then in Spain under King Philip the Third, the Duke of Lerma, opened the Motion first to Sir J. Digby, our King's Embassador Resiant in the Court of Madrid, for a Match between our Prince, (who was by this time every where renown'd for the Diligence he shew'd to that brave Education which was given him) and the Infanta Maria, the much praised Daughter of his Master, the Mightiest Christian Potentate in Europe. Our King was passing well pleas'd, when his Servant Digby sent him word of it, and encou­raged him to bring it to as much ripeness as he could. The Treatise went on ve­ry chearfully with the great Ones on both sides, who were only, or chiefly con­cern'd in it. But no People meddle more, or more impertinently, with the dis­course of great things which are above them, than the paultriest of the English, I mean Shop-keepers, and Handycrafts-men. These had some vain Fears which made them deaf to Reason, and swift to murmur. But the King was too wise to put his Honour, and his greatest Actions under the Hazard of their Interpretation. That some of our Nobles sided with the common Mans Opinion, it weighed as little. For they were such as loved it like their Life to be commended by open Fame, and could not dissemble, that their coldness to the Match was not without a Fever of Popularity. No discreet Person thought that the Success would be the worse, because a few gay Coats forbid the Bands, with the Tryes and Dewces of Sedentary and Loitering Men. Pliny says of Miscellen Pulses, sowed together in Italy in his time, Nihil ocymo faecundius, quod maledictis & probris serendum praecipiunt, ut laetius proveniat, Lib. 19. N.H. C. 7. The Husbandmen had a Superstition to curse it, or to give it all ill words, when it was sown, and thought it would grow the better. With more Reason I may affirm it were Superstition to imagine, that a good Design would the sooner go back, because it was rashly malign'd by them that walk'd in Pauls, or throng'd together in the Markets. There was nothing like a halt in the Treaty of this Marriage between the two Kings, till the Prince Elector, our Kings Son-in-Law, made his Excursion into Bohemia, and left his [Page 114]own Country naked and undefensible behind him, and lost it. Though in fair dealing now the Nuptials should have hastned faster to a Conclusion, than before, because the young Parties were grown up to a mature Age for Marriage: Yet the Spaniard could be brought on to no dispatch, but took respite of time about three Years, to resolve how the Bridal-Joy should be doubled with the Settlement of the Palsgrave in his own Principality. For till that was done, Peace between the two Kingdoms was but in a doubtful, and a catching Condition.

126. The Castilian Court is ever slow; but, to make it worse, it was suspected, as I incline to think, uncharitably, that in this great Business it would not be sure. It is incident when one State offends another, to impute the fault not to that one Errour, but to a general and National Vice. So the Spaniards were set out to the Prince in some busie Pamphlets, and other Draughts put into his Hand, for such as the Parthians are describ'd in Justin. Lib. 41. Parthi Naturâ taciti, ad faci­endum quam ad dicendum promptiores, sides diclis promissisque nuila, nisi quatenus expedit. Such as were given to suppress and conceal their Counsels: Such as would sooner bite, than bark: Such as would keep no Faith, but when it serv'd their turn. The Prince both discountenanc'd and discarded those, that, in Zeal to his Affairs, presum'd to write contumeliously of that Prepotent, Wise and Grave Nation He had cast the Anchor of great Hopes and Joys upon that Shore. Every Tongue gave loud Commendation to the Infanta his Mistress. He loved the report of her Vertues and Beauty; and he that is sick of Love, will be more sick of Pro­crastination. Thereupon, as he did publickly before the ensuing Parliament take it upon himself, [...] Heroick Thought started out of his own Brain, to visit the Court of [...], as well to shew what Confidence he had in the Justice and Ho­nour of that King, committing the safety of his Person to him in a strange Land, as to bring his Comforts to a sudden Consummation, if his Catholick Majesty meant seriously [...] bellow his Sister upon him. But if he had plaid an ignoble part by counte [...]ing Pro [...]tions, then resolutely to give King Philip no leisure to abuse him any longer. And set the Discredi [...]e at his Door, that had done the wrong; for it is more honourable to suffer an injury, than to do it. The Lord Marquess of Buckingham, then a great Gra [...]o, was put on by the Prince to ask the Kings liking to this Amour [...] [...] [...]enure: Of whom he obtein'd both his Con­sent, and his Secresie, [...] [...]ere over the Seas. For this was the Pirithous, that went with [...] his Love. They left New Market on the 17th of [...] on the 18th; from thence posted to Dover, and were in France before they were miss'd. But then upon the Bruit of the Prince's sudden departure, so thinly Guarded for so long a Journey, even the Wisest were troubled. The Courtiers, chiefly those that wanted their Master, talk'd out their Discontents boldly. The Lords of the Counsel look'd dejectedly, that they were pretermitted in a Consultation of so great Importance; but prayed heartily, That since his Majesty was pleas'd to walk softly that he might not be heard, his chance were not to tread away. Among them all, the Lord Keeper was the only Counsellor suspected to be of the Plot. Yet he knew as little as the rest; and sa­tisfied their Lordships, that Ignorance was often a happy thing; as in this in­stance. For if the Prince had gone out of the Kingdom privily with their Lord­ships Knowledge and Counsel, and some misfortune (which God avert) should prevent his safe return, their Heads would be forfeited to Justice, and their Names expos'd to perpetual Infamy. Indeed this was but the second time that King James had baulk'd his whose Counsel upon a like Occasion: Not out of Confidence that he knew enough without them; but out of tenderness to their safety, that they might not undergo the Anger exacted upon ill Events, if God should cause them. In the Year 1589. he caused some Ships to be Rigg'd, that the Admiral of Scotland might fetch Queen Ann out of Denmark: But when the Fleet was ready, he went Aboard himself, hoisted Sails, and took his leave of no Man. For which sudden Voyage, not imparted to the Lords that fate close at Edinburgh, he gives this Sa­tisfaction to them in a Letter, (see it in worthy Spotswood, pag. 377.) I took this Resolution, none of [...] unsel being present, keeping my Intention from my Chancellor himself, from whom I never kept any of my weightiest Business: Because if I had made him of my Counsel in that purpose, he had been blamed for putting the same into my Head; which had not been his Duty. For it becometh no Subject to give his Prince Advice in such Matters. In this Story it appears, that the Father-King trod the way to his Son to undergo such an Audacious Journey in the pursuance of his Love. ‘ Quid non effraeno captus amore Audeat. Ovid.’ [Page 115]Then that he Persisted in his Principles of Secrecy for a generous End, that he might not draw his Chief and Best Servants, whom he loved most, into a Snare of Guiltiness.

127. Let Provision be made to the most that could be for the safety of all others, yet Sir Ant. W. in his Court and Character of K. James, hath one Exception. That the King set this Wheel on Running to destroy Buckingham, for the hatred which he had long bore him, and would not think it ill to loose his Son, so Buck­ingham might be lost also, Pag. 149. O Horrid! But the best is the Foundation is Rotten: For Buckingham as all Men about the King would Testifie, was in as high Favour at that time, as any Subject was ever with his Sovereign. But when Sir A. to make out the Proof, he lays it upon Sir H. Yelverton, displaced from the Office of Attorney General to the King, and committed to the Tower; 'twas he that assured the Marquess that the King hated him more than any man Living, pag. 159. Sir Harry was Unfortunate, but too honest a Man to sow Discord be­tween the King, and his principal Peer and Attendant. Now mark upon what Bottom the Contriver of this Tale doth wind his Forgery. Sir W. Balfore, at the time of his Lieutenancy of the Tower, brought the Marquess at Midnight to Sir H. Yelverton's Chamber, being then his close Prisoner: Where Sir William heard those Passages, and a great deal more between them. And by one or other, who came to the knowledge of it, but this Sir Anthony? O Wicked Servant to thy good Master! O fowl Bird that defilest the Nest, wherein th [...]u wert hatch'd, and well fledg'd! Thou art catch'd in thine own Lime; for thou never couldst have Conserence with Sir W. Balfore, or Sir H. Yelverton about such a matter. For Learned Yelverton was ne­ver Prisoner to Valiant Balfore, Sir Allen Apsley was Lieutenant all the time of that worthy man's restraint. And Sir W. Balfore was not preferr'd to that Office of great Trust, in more than four years after Sir Harry had obtain'd his Liberty; when Knaves will turn Fools, it is not amiss to be merry with them. And I will fit Sir Anthony with a Jest out of Illustrius the Pythagorean, p. 23. ‘One Daphidas came to the Pythian Deity, to beseech his Oracleship to tell him when he should find a Gelding of his that was gone astray. You shall find him very shortly, says Apollo's Minister. I thank you for your good News, says Daphidas, but I have neither lost a Horse, nor have a Horse to loose.’ So I turn Sir Anthony over to the Committee of Oracles and proceed. After the Princes Out Leap, the King lingred at New-market, till the time was nigh, that every day Tidings were expe­cted of his safe Arrival in Spain, that he might shew himself to the Lords at White-hall with better Confidence, which he did March 30. being the first day that the Lord Keeper spake with the King about his dear Sons Planetary Absence. No sooner had he made most humble sign of his Majesties Welcome by Kissing his Hand, but the King Laugh'd out this Question to him; ‘Whether he thought this Knight-Errant Pilgrimage would be lucky to win the Spanish Lady, and to convey her shortly into England.’ Sir says the Lord Keeper, If my Lord Marquess will give Honour to Conde Duke Olivares, and Remember he is the Favourite of Spain: Or if Olivares will shew Honourable Civility to my Lord Marquess, Remembring he is a Favourite of England, the Woing may be Prosperous. But if my Lord Marquess should forget where he is, and not stoop to Olivares, or if Olivares, forgetting what Guest he hath Received with the Prince, bear himself haughtily, and like a Castilian Grandee to my Lord Marquess, the Provocation may be Dangerous to Cross your Maje­sties good Intentions. And I pray God that either one or both of them do not run into that Errour. The King drew a Smile at the Answer, but bit his Lip at the pre­sage Discourse, being Enlarg'd between them, the King perceiv'd that his Coun­sellor had other Fears, and that his Brain teemed with Jealousies of very hard Encounters, which he knock'd upon softly, that his Majesty might discern them, and not seem to apprehend them. Only thus far the King proceeded, to ask him, If he had wrote to his Son and to the Lord Marquess clearly, and upon what Guard they should stand. Yes Sir, says he for that purpose I have dispatch'd some Packets. Then continue, says the King, to help me and themin those difficulties with your best Powers and Abilities, and serve me faithfully in this motion, which, like the highest Orbe, carries all my Raccolta's, my Counsels at the present, and my prospects upon the Future, with it, and I will never part with you. The Cause which made His Majesty so solicitous, made the Lord Keeper need no Provocation to diligence. He was before hand. And upon the 25 of February, by a Currier that was at Madrid almost as soon as the Prince, he wrote two Letters following to his Highness and to the Lord Marquess

130. These, in the Levitical Phrase, were but the Green Ears of the First Fruits. The Sheaves of his Wisdom will follow after. For more is to be look'd for how he proceeded, then how he began. All things went well, and unanimously on the part of our English Counsellors in those Foreign Juntoes, from hence, and so forth at least to the beginning of May. Thus far 'twas easie to please them all. But there is one skill requir'd in a Calm at Sea, another in a Tempest: Though the Pilots good Will and Fidelity be constantly the same. Trust to him for this, and he shall not fail. After he had parted from the King, so deeply Charm'd to bestir his Wits in this Negotiation, he was as Active as one could be that had little to work upon. The Prince and his Paranymphus the Marquess had wrote some Letters upon the way, how far they had proceeded in their Journey. But the Buen Message, that they were come to the Cape of Good-Hope in the City of Madrid, was not yet brought to the City of London; where the con­flux at this time was very populous; their Errand being to hearken after News. And the particulars they long'd to hear of were these; ‘Whether His Highness were Arrived at the Court in Spain? When he would return again? (their Honest Affections ran too fast to look for that so soon) Whether he were not Tamper'd withal to alter his Religion? And some were so reasonable, and well pleas'd, (some were not) to ask, Whether he were Married, and would bring his Bride with him for hope of Future Issue?’ As much Satisfaction was given to these Scruples from the Lord Marquess, by the First Post that Arrived here, as could be expected in so short a time, as he had spent abroad. Of which more in due time. But before his Lordship's came, the Lord Keeper wrote again, and again unto him to Assist the main business, and to pour in such Counsels into his Lordship's Breast, as keeping close unto them, he might promise himself more Grace with the King, and Commendation with the Subject. Philosophers, who wrote the Pra­ctices of a Good life, agree, That unfeigned Love doth Justifie it self in three Probations, or in either of them; when it is Faithful to a dead Friend, who shall never know it; or to a Friend undone in misery, who cannot requite it, or to an Absent Friend, who doth not perceive it. As none that have Faith and Can­dor will wish to declare their sincerity in the two former Experiments, so nei­ther will they fail in the opportunity of the latter. [...], says Antient Thales in Laertius. Remember your Friends as well far of, as near you. And in Rome, says Lil. Giraldus; These two Adverbs were Written under the Image of Friendship, Longe & Prope. Be as Officious (nay more) to [Page 118]your Friend remote from you, as when you are hand in hand together. I have drawn out the Lord Keeper's Observance to his Raiser, my Lord of Buckingham, with this Pensil of Morality. It would be tedious to fill up Leaves with those copious and punctual Relations which he wrote to his Lordship of all Agitations in the Court, of Suits preferred to the King, and how far he went about to stop them all, till his Pleasure was signified in the next Return. That which comes to the Institute I handle, was thus Endicted, bearing Date Marth 31.

131. This went by Sir J. Epsley: After whom, within three days, Sir George Go­ring followed, who was stay'd till April the 3d; the next day after, the joyful Packet came, that his Highness saw Madrid by the 7th of March in our Stile, and came thither in Health and good Plight, after so much Travel by Day and Night, so much hard Lodging, such slender Fare in base Village-Osteria's. Away went Sir George, I said, with Alacrity, the next Day, and carried these Lines to my Lord of Buckingham, from the Lord Keeper.

Now was the time, now, when my Lord of Buckingham was in this eminent Imployment, that he did most need a Wife, and a trusty Counsellor: For an Er­ror in so great a Eusiness, would be worse interpreted than the wilful Comission of a Fault in a smaller thing. As Tully says, Lib. 4. de fin. If a Ship be wreckt by Negligence, Majus est peccatum in auro quam in palcâ. Hereof the Lord Keeper was more sensible than any of his Lordship's Creatures; and quite contrary to those that had private Ends to make use of the Lord Marquess at Home, and called importunately for his Return, he alone was bold to give him his sage Opi­nion, not to stir from his Charge; withal, enheartning him with the Comfort of the King's constant Favour, that it was kept for him against his Return, in as great, or higher measure, as he enjoy'd it when he took his Leave. And to Count Gondamar, he gave a Character of his Lordship, which he desired the Count would make known to the greatest Counsellors of King Philip, that none did exceed him in Generosity and Sweetness of Nature; that he deserved extra­ordinary Civilities for his own Worth, and according to the Favour with which his Master tendered him, and that he would pawn his Life upon it, that no Man should go before him in Honorable Acknowledgments for Noble Usage. These good Offices were part of the Lord Keeper's Retribution to his Advancer, which he deposited as fast as he could lay them out: For perfect Thankfulness never leaves bearing, never thinks it hath paid its utmost Debt.

132. Now to follow the Chase: As Counsel and Forecast were very busie at the Loom here, so Tidings from Spain did promise that there was a good Thread spun there. All Expresses related, that the Entertainment was very pompous and Kingly. [...], says Alexander in Plutarch, I have said all, when I said it was done like a King, chiefly, like a King of Spain. But two Ne­gatives were better than this Affirmative. First, That his Highness should not be attempted to recede from the Religion, in which he was grounded. Secondly, That he should not be [...]ned with unwelcome Prorogations. Nay, That a short time should [...] the Nuptials. Truly. In defiance to Emulation or Detract [...] [...] be granted that the first Stone was well laid. His Highness's Welcome [...] full of Cost and Honour, which was Decorum; for no Tree will bear Fruit in Autumn, unless it blossom kindly in the Spring. The Entertainment was compleat in all Points of Ceremony, and Ceremony is a great part of Maje­sty. It will suffice to set down a little that is published herein, and never contra­dicted. Cabal. P. 14. The King of Spain and the State studied to do the Prince all the Honour that might be. The first Decree that the Council of State made, was, That at all Occasions of Meeting, he should have the Precedency of the King. That he should make Entry into the Palace with that Solemnity, which the Kings of Spain do on the first day of their Coronation. That he should have one of the chief Quarters of the King's House for his Lodgings. One hun­dred of the Guard to attend him. All the Council to obey him as the King's own Person. And upon all these Particulars, Mr. W. Sanderson is exactly copious in the Reign of King James, P. 545, in laying the Relation with other high Ci­vilities, which were very true. That a general Pardon was proclaimed of all Of­fences, and all prisoners within the Continent of Spain released; and all English Slaves in the Gallies for Piracy, or other Crimes, set at Liberty; and this mani­fested to be done in Contemplation of the Prince's Welcome. The Windows of the Streets were glorified with Torches three Nights together by Proclamation Most costly Presents, and of diverse Garnishing, brought to him, were Testi­monies of Heroick Hospitality, such as were wont to be bestowed in Homer's Age, yet far beyond them, and whose like none could give, but he that was Master of the West-Indies Abroad, and of the best Artificers at Home. That which weigh­ed most of all, was, That infinite Debt of Love and Honour, which the King profest to be due unto him, with this long-wing'd Complement, which flew high­est, That he had won his Sister with this brave Adventure, and deserved to have her thrown into his Arms. This was the Cork and Quill above, and I know of no Hook beneath the Water. Some imagine it; but, turning over all Dispatches that came to my Hand, I know of none; and that which outgoes my Know­ledge, shall never undergo my Censure. To speak out the Truth, where could the Spanish Monarch have done better for his Sister, or for himself; that is, for Love, or Policy? since it was a Business mixt of both. There was not a Deturdig­niori [Page 120]among the Sons of Kings in Europe, to whom he could give the Golden Aple. And, in Conjunction with the Prince, the next Planet under him, the Lord Marquess had a Lustre of much Grace and Observance darted upon him. At first he was much esteemed, says the Intelligencer, Cabal, P. 16. and remem­bred with Presents from the bravest of both Sexes. Says another, He was a Per­son, whose Like was not to be seen among the swarthy and low-growth'd Castilians. For, as Ammianus describes a well-shap'd Emperor, Ab ipso capite usque ad unguium sum­mitates reétâ erat lineamentorum compage. From the Nails of his Fingers, nay, from the Sole of his Foot to the Crown of his Head, there was no Blemish in him. And yet his Carriage, and every Stoop of his Deportment, more than his excel­lent Form, were the Beauty of his Beauty. Another Sisinnius, as Socrates the Ec­clesiastick shews him out, [...]. The Setting of his Looks, every Motion, every Bending of his Body was admirable. No marvel if such a Gallant drew Affections to him at Home and Abroad, espe­cially at Madrid, which was a Court of Princes. But can that Nation pass over such a Triumph as this Entertainment, without Pumpian Words, and ruffling Grandiloquence? 'tis impossible. Therefore one Andres de Mendoza wrote a Re­lation of all these Passages, which he dedicated to Don Juan de Castilià, wherein he pities us poor English, that we had seen nothing but Country Wakes, or Po­pit-Plays, compared with these Rarities, which were the seven Wonders of Bra­very. And that King Philip did vouchsafe to make King James happy with his Alliance; as C. Caesar honoured Amiclas the Water-man (called Pauper Amyclas, Lucan. Lib. 5.) to be wasted over into Italy in his Bark. Thus he went on with other flatuous Disparagements. One Copy of this, and no more, came to the Leiger Embassador of the Catholick King, of which the Lord Keeper had the Use, and would never deliver it again; but wrote to my Lord Marquess, April 20th, to bid the Earl of Bristow to take care, either to stifle it, if it were not di­vulg'd, or to cause it to be called in, if it were published. Such Scriblers should be informed against in the Ragguaglia's of Pernassus, and amerced to pay for the the Loss of our Time.

133. Aste the gaudy Days of the Royal Welcome were past over, my Lord of Buckingham obliged the Lord Keeper greatly unto him, with a Letter (Dated March 26, and came about the Declining of April) for the Comfort of the Con­tents, which were these.

The Pearl, which came in this Letter, is that Satisfaction, purchased of God with the Prayers of all devout Men, that the Prince should not be inveigled in Conferences, or unquieted with Disputes, to strip himself of the Wedding-Gar­ment of that incorrupt Faith in Christ, which he had professed from a Child, for that Wedding sake which he came to conclude. How impudently have some Trash-Writers out-faced this Truth, as if the Prince had been beset on all sides, to make Shipwrack of his Religion in the Gulph of Rome? Ar. Wilson, of all others, is the most forward Accuser, and therefore the Falfest. Tast him in these Parcels, P. 230, that the Earl of Bristow insinuated it with this crafty Essay to his Highness, That none of the King's of England could do great things, that were not of that Religion. Yet he interfears in that same Page, That Gondamar prest the Earl of Bristow not to hinder so pious a Work, assuring him that they had Bucking­ham's Assistance in it. Then belike Gondamar was jealous of Bristow, that he was contrary to that, which he called a pious Work, the Prince's Perversion. Cer­tainly he knew Bristow as far as a Friend could know a Friend: And as many [Page 121]Bow-shots wide is he from my Lord of Buckingham's Sincority in that Action as a Ly­ar is from Heaven. Is not his Lordship's Hand-writing, so solemn'y mention'd, an uncontroulable Testimony? The same Author slanders Conde d'Olivares, and makes him utter that which never came from him. That if the Prince would devote himself to their Church, it would make him [...]th way to the Infanta's Afflictions; and if he sear­ed the English would rebel, he should be assisted with an Army to reduce them. The Con [...]e Duke carried no such threatning Fire in one Hand, nor at that time, any of his Holy Water in the other: For he committed nothing to offend his Highness's Ears in that [...]ind, till his Passions made him forget himself about three Months af­ter. Not contented with this, he makes the Prince say that which he never thought, as that when the Conde Duke propounded, That if his Highness would not admit of a sudden Alteration, and that publickly, yet he would be so indul­gent to litten to the Infanta in Matters of Religion, when they both came into England: Which the Prince promised to do. But what says true hearted Spots­wood? P. 544. That the Prince was stedfast, and would not change his Religion for any worldly Respect, nor enter into Conference with any Divines for that purpose. Utri cre­detis? Is there any Choice which of these two should rather be believed? I am careful to praemonish conscientious Readers against Serpentine Pens, least their nib­ling should ranckle. A Serpent, you know, from the beginning was a Lodging for the Devil, Gen. 3. and so is a Slanderer. The Manual of Romish Exorcisms, says Instruct. 2. that it is presumed for a sign, that he is possest with a Devil, Qui linguam extorquet miris modis, & eandem exerit ingenti oris hiatu. I translate that to the Manners of the Mind, which is meant there of the Body. And let the Liv­ing learn (the dead Man, whom I speak of, can take no Warning) it is a divelish thing to loll out the Tongue of Contumely. These being fore Times to out-face the Truth, and willing to listen to Defamations, no marvel if some take the Liberty to Lye, and have the Confidence to be believed. But that Sectaries, that have quite overthrown the Church of England, a right and pleasant Vineyard of Jesus Christ, that these should be the Men, who, for the most part, have challenged the Prince, and the chief Ministers that laboured to effect the Spanish Match, for being luke-warm at the best, and unfastned from the Religion then profest, is very audacious. The Accused were Innocent, and never gave ground to any pernicious Alteration; but themselves, the Accusers, have trodden down that Religion, of which, in their deep Hypocrisy, they would seem to be Champions. The Prince and Buckingham were ever Protestants; those their Opposites, you know not what to term them, unless Detestants of the Romish Idolatry. As if all were well, so they be not Popified, though they have departed from the Church in which they were Baptized, and a Church, I will not say as sound as it was in its Cradle in the Apostles Times; but as pure and Orthodox in Do­ctrine and Government (as far as they were maintained to be of Divine Right and Constitution) as it was in its Childhood, in the time of their Disciples, even that next succeeded them. And are these the Declamers for Religion, and the Temple of the Lord? Ex isto ore Religionis verbum excidere, ant clabi potest? as Tully said of Clodius, Orat. pro domo suâ ad Pontif. and so I give them no better Respect at parting.

134. But what will be said, when one that is greatly affected to our poor de­molish'd Church, doth concur with those Snarling Sectaries of his own accord? That in the flagrant expectation of that Match, some for hope of Favour began to Favour the Catholick Cause. It is the Author of the Observations upon H. L. his History of the Reign of King Charles, pag. 137. He hath not bestowed his Name upon his Reader; but he hath a Name; ‘ [...],’ says Homer. Odyss. ‘ [...].’ I ought not to put him to the first Question of our Catechism, Quo nomine vocaris? For good Writers, nay Sacred Pen-Men, do not always Inscribe their Names upon their Books Scholars do invariably Father the Work (and some of them say they have it from the Printer) upon one that hath Wrote and Publish'd much, favoring of Indu­stry and Learning. And they give Reasons (which will come into the Sequel, though a great while deferr'd) why he blotts the good Name of King James; Why he grates so often upon the mild Nature and matchless Patience of King Charles. And if Fame have taken the right Sow by the Ear, it is one that had provok'd the then Bishop of Lincoln in Print with great Acrimony Twenty years ago, and that Anger flames out in him now as hot as ever. Panthera, domari nescia, non semper saeuit. [Page 122]Yet when that Bishop came out of the Tower, and this Adversary sought him for Peace and Love, because the Bishop was then able to do him a Displeasure, he found him easie to be Reconciled. What should move this Man to forget that Pacification so truly observ'd on the Bishops part, who was the greater, and the offended Party? Naturale est odisse quem laeseris. And Malice is like one of the Tour Things, Prov. 30.15. That never say it is enough. 'Tis Degenerous for the Living to Trample upon the Dead; but very Impious, that he that was once a Christian, nay a Christian Priest, should never cease to be an Enemy. The Words with which he wounds the Spanish Match through his side, (though otherwise he is one that witheth it had succeeded) are these: That that Bishop being in Power and Place at C [...] the time of King James, made himself the Head of the Popish Faction: because he thought the Match with Spain, which was then in Treaty, would bring not only a Connivance to that Religion, but a Toleration of it. And who more like to be in Favour if that Match went on, than such as were most zealous in doing Good Offices to the Catholick Cause? Here's a Knot of Catter-Pillars wrapt in a thin Cobweb, so easie it will be to sweep them of. The accused Person was always free of Conference; Let any now living say that heard him often Discourse of the adverse Church, if he did not constantly open himself, not for a Gainsayer only, but for a Stiff Defier of their Corrupt Doctrines; (although he was ever pitiful for Relaxation of their Penalties) And would that Party cleave unto him for their greatest Encourager? Encouragement was the least their Head could give them: Beside the Thing is a Chimaera. I never knew any Head of the Popish Faction in this Kingdom. Others, and Bishops in Rank above him, have been traduced in that Name; but who durst own that Office? especially in the end of King James his Reign; when every year almost was begirt with a Parliament; and every Parliament procreated an inquisitive Committee for Matters of Reli­gion. What Mist did he walk in, that neither Parliament. nor Committees, did detect him for Head, or Patron, or Undertaker, call it what you will of the Pseudo-Catholick Cause; could nothing but the goggle Eye of Malice discover him?

135. Perhaps the Contemplation of the Spanish Match might embolden him, so this Author would have us think. It could not, it did not, take a little in the highest Topicks to both. It could not: For as the Anteceding Parliament was much taken with King James's Words, That if the Match should not prove a farther­ance to our Religion, he were not Worthy to be our King; so this his Majesties near Counsellor knew his meaning, (of which he often discours'd) that when the Holy-Days of the Great Wedding were over, his Majesty would deceive the Jealousies of his Subjects, and be a more vigorous Defender of the Cause of the True Faith than ever. And Judge the Bishop by his own Words, in his Sermon Preach'd at the Funerals of that Good King, that his Majesty charg'd his Son, though he Mar­ried the Person of that Kings Sister, never to Marry her Religion. I said likewise he did not: Look back to the first Letters he dispatch'd into Spain; but much more, let every Reader enjoy the Feature of his own Piety and Wisdom, which he put into the Kings Hand, to have his liking, while his Majesties Dear Son was in Spain, to Cure popular Discontents, and sickly Suspicions, which had come forth with Authority in October following, if the long Treaty had not Set in a Cloud. The Original Draught of his Contrivances yet remaining, is thus Ver­bation.

That when the Marriage was Consummated, and the Royal Bride received in England, His Majesty should Publish his Gracious Declaration as followeth.

First, To assure his Subjects throughout his three Kingdoms, that there is not one word in all the Treaty of the Marriage in prejudice of our own Religion.

Secondly, To Engage himself upon his Kingly Word, to do no more for the Roman-Catholics upon the Marriage, than already he did sometime voluntarily Grant out of Mercy and Goodness, and uncontroulably may do in disposing of his own Mulcts and Pe­nalties.

Thirdly, That our Religion will be much Honoured in the Opinion of the World, that the Catholic King is content to match with us; nor can he Persecute with Fire and Sword such as profess no other Religion, than his Brother-in-Law doth.

Fourthly, That His Majesty shall forthwith advance strict Rules for the Confirmation of our Religion, both in Heart, and in the outward Profession.

1. Common-Prayer to be duly performed in all Churches and Chappels Wednesdays and Fridays, and two of every Family required to be present.

[Page 123] 2. Every Saturday, after Common-Prayer, Catechising of Children to be constantly observed.

3. Confirmation (called Bishopping) to be carefully executed by the Bishop, both in the General Visitations of his Diocese, and every Six months in his own House, or Pa­lace.

4. That Private Prayers shall no Day be omitted in the Family of him that is of the Degree of an Esquire; else not to be so named, or reputed.

5. All Ladies; and all Women in general, to be Exhorted to bestow two hours at the least every Day in Prayer and Devotion.

6. All our Churches to be Repaired, and outwardly well Adorned, and comely Plate to be bought for the Communion-Table.

7. Dispensations for Pluralities of Livings to be granted to none, upon any Qualifica­tion, but Doctors, and Batchelors in Divinity at the least, and of them to such as are very Learned Men.

8. Bishops to encourage Public Lectures in Market-Towns, of such Neighbouring Mi­nisters as be Learned and Conformable.

9. A Library of Divinity-Books to be Erected in every Shire-Town, for the help of the poorer Ministers; and Leave shall be Granted from His Majesty to make public Collections from such as are willing to set forward the same: Towards every one whereof, His Majesty will bestow Ten Pounds.

10. The Lord-Keeper to be required to provide for every Convert Priest, of good Parts, and honest Life, that shall Renounce the Romish Church, and Embrace our Religion, a Benefice of the first that shall fall in His Majesties Gift. And every Bishop, upon his coming to his See, shall lay aside two Benefices for that use, to be Nominated by the Metro­politan of the Province, or whom else His Majesty shall trust therewith.

Now 'tis an even Lay, whether the Observator will call him The Head of a Popish, or a Puritan Faction, for providing such Bride-Laces for the Marriage. He may call him what he will, (for his Tongue is his own) unless his Conscience be sub­ject to the Law of Charity. But these were the Directions provided for their ho­nest Satisfaction, who perhaps would be troubled to see some Connivance granted to Recusants, and could not spy into the necessity of State-Practice, while the Prince was in the Power of the most rigid Adherents to the Papacy. As for a Toleration, it will be shewn by me in its due Place, it never had an hour's Ap­probation with the King, with this Prelate, so much struck at by the Anonymus, or by any of the grave Council. Seditious Male-contents spread open such a Jealousie at first, and this Author brings it to Light again; not that he believes it, I presume, but to dishonour him whom he hath Persecuted, both Living and Dead, with a most unsanctified Disaffection. Or if he believed it, bitterness of Mind put his Judgment out of Taste: And as Nazianzen says, De Laud. Athan. [...]: He that is not ready to do Ill, will not be ready to suspect Ill. Perhaps I might have spared the labour of this Apology; for if the Accuser be no more believed than he is beloved, his Pen will do no hurt. Yet he hath wrote Things worthy of Praise; but is not the World wide enough for one man's Praise, unless he mount himself upon the Dispraise of a man, that incomparably surpassed him? Of such a strange mixture was C. Gracchus, a know­ing man, industrious, well meaning to his Country, as this is to our Church; but withal, Proud, Rough, and Turbulent. Ut dolerent boni omnes illa tanta orna­menta ad meliorem mentem voluntatemque non esse conversa: Says Cicero de Arusp. Respon.

136. This Quarrel hath not put me out of my way; my Lord of Buckingham's Letter is still in my Hand. His Lordship gave the Lord-Keeper further Joy in the close of his News, That the Dispensation from Rome was suddenly expected at Madrid, which would be the conclusion of the Business. A Dispensation came indeed, yet not very fast, but before April ended, for the Copy of it was exhi­bited to King James in the beginning of May. The Discourtesie was, That when it put forth a Hand out for the Womb, it drew it back again, like Zarah, Gen. 38.29. For the Dispensation would not suffice to conclude the Consent of the Conclave to the Nuptials, till upon submission to Articles interchangeable be­tween both Parties, a Ratification followed from the same Power. This Ratifica­tion, a frivolous Interloper to cross a Lover's Suit, that went roundly on before, though it came limping to Madrid at the end of June, it was by Accident the Extermination of the Match. Delay is a fretful thing in all Courts, especially in Cupid's. And two months Vacation to them, that thought two days too long, and [Page 124]looked homeward with many a long look, found them nothing to do, but to take Exceptions and Brabble. Morae dispendia tantae: Aen. 1.3. This is it which our King, full of Stomach, called the Spaniards dull Diligence, first to depend upon Dispensations, then upon returns of Queries and Objections. And the more the Papalins frequented the Vatican Oracle, to steer by that alone, the further His Ma­jesty recoiled from them; professing, He would hearken to his Brother the King of Spain, if he did balance his Offers with as good from thence; but He would do nothing upon dependance of the Pope's Authority, or Advice: Of whose Overtures and Postils, as he calls them, he was bid to beware by one of the Pope's Creatures. It was the Spaniards Error, of which they repented, That no impending Danger to overthrow the whole Body of the Transaction, would quicken their motion. It is a Policy that grows to their State, as the Bark to the Tree, That they will ever dress their Counsels at a slow Fire: For they are always gaping after those Bene­fits, which Alterations may produce to their Advantage. Therefore the English and they were not well matched in this business. [...]; says Plut. lib. cont. Stoic. Adrastus was got upon a speedy Horse, but was never the better, because he must keep pace with a Tortoise. And as a hun­gry Stomach grumbles, that the shadow of the Sun creeps slowly to the Meridian Line of high Noon: Odi illud tardigradum animal horologium. So the Lord Mar­quess chid sometimes with the great Dons, that he could pluck on the Treaty no faster, and plied Opportunity while it was green, suspecting wisely that else it would never be ripe. Therefore the Lord-Keeper wrote on the 20th of April, both in the King's, and in his own Name, thus unto him.

It is observable, that many times the comfort of Assurance is strangely sup­pressed in our Heart towards a matter which we greatly desire, when God hath ordained not to bring it to pass. Some such Instinct, that came from above, pos­sessed the Lord-Keeper's mind, that in all his Employments for this match, where­in he was most hearty and serious, he never raised his Style higher when he wrote, than with Ifs, and suppositive Unconfidence. The Lord Marquess was of a more sanguine and better coloured Hope, as in that which is related before out of his Letters, March 26. So in another to the Lord-Keeper from Madrid, Styl. Angl. April 17.

If one should say to this, That young Heads hope for the best upon all Expectations, be­cause Experience hath not taught them to Distrust. I take it up, and Answer, That there was nothing then in appearance to be distrusted; no, not the Remora of the Pontifi­cal Dispensation, when it should come, with all its Trinkets about it. The Prince had excellently prevented it: For, as it was Reported before the Lords and Commons in our ensuing Parliament, 1624. his Highness did utterly refuse to Treat with the King of Spain, or his Council, until he was assured he might go on with the Marriage, if he satisfied them, to his Power and Conscience, in all Particulars to be Debated, without respect to any orders that should come from Rome. This was granted to his Highness, before he would sit in Consultation, which caused the Lord Marquess unto that time to bear up with chearfulness.

137. The month of May coming in with its Verdue, his Lordship had a Gar­land sent him, the most eminent Title of a Duke; to shew, (says the Lord-Keeper, in his Dispatch May 2. That His Majesty is most constant, and in some degrees more en­slamed [Page 125]in his Affections to your Grace, than formerly, and (which is better than all) un­affectedly, to remunerate your Diligence in the great Negotiation; and that being the Princes right hand by the Trust you are in, your Honour might be no less than the Conde Duke Olivares the Great Privado of King Philip. It may be ('tis so small a Circum­stance, that I have not searched about it) that the Patent came with the Ships, that carried the Prince's Servants into Spain to attend his Highness, who went with the King's Order, and their own great Desire, a most specious Train of them, to visit their dear Master, and to serve him in all Offices of his Family. Among these two were his Highness's Chaplains, who were sent over to Officiate to him and his Court in the Worship of God. These were Dr. Maw, and Dr. Wrenn, both of prime Note for Learning and Discretion; very Learned to defend their own Religion; and very Discreet to give no wilful Offence to the opposite part in a Foreign Dominion. The Spanish liked not their company; yet they took it not so ill, (for they could not but expect them) as that there was not one Romish Catholic declared for such a one, among all his Highness's Attendants, Cabal, p. 15. Tully states the Proverb in the Feminine Sex, Lib. 5. ad Att. Ep. 11. [...]: As you would say, Such as Diana her self, such are her Nymphs about her. But it is better paralell'd in King David's Person, He that walketh with a perfect heart, he shall serve me, Psal. 101.6. These were the Cho­rus of the Scene, that sung in Tune with the chief Actor, and seconded his Part with their Symplasma, (as it is called by ancient Musicians) in their adherence to sincere Religion: Yet some of these brought Instructions with them to the Duke of Buckingham from his secret Intelligencers, which not only disturbed all poste­riour Treaties, but made the Prince return for England with the Willow Wreath: Because the King, and they that were faithful to his meaning, knew not of it till July next after; let it squat till then, and it that order be started up. In this place it sufficeth to glance at it, that the Duke was cunningly dealt with, and under­hand, by some whom he had lest behind, to be as it were the Life-Guard of his Safety, who were to send him notice of common Talk, or secret Whispers that might concern him. These perswaded him to set the Match back by degrees, and in the end to overturn it. That this was the desire of most Voices in England. And his Grace must look to stand by the love of the People, as well as of the King. Or if he could not prevail in that, let him be sure to joyn the Restitution of the Palatinate, with the Marriage in the Capitulations; or the Unsatisfaction, which all would take, that pitied the King's Daughter and her Children, would undo him. Upon these, and their subtile Arts, Sir W. Ashton Reflects in this Passage, Cabal. p. 32. I believe that your Grace hath represented to you many Reasons, shewing how much it concerns you to break the Match, with all the force you have. This was the Junto at London that had done his Grace this Office, and had guilded their Councils over with flourishing Reasons, That these would procure him a stable continuance in Power and Sublimity with everlasting Applause. Well, every thing that is sweet, is not wholsom. Cael. Rhodoginus says, lib. 23. c. 25. That at Trevisond in Pontus, the Honey that Bees make in Box-Trees breeds Madness, if it be eaten. So I mean, that the Urgencies of those Undertakes, who pretended so far to the Duke's Pro­sperity, were no better than Rhodoginus his Box-Tree Honey-Combs. Yet after they had given the Qu, now began the Duke to irritate the Spaniard, to shut out, or to slight the Earl of Bristow in all Councels, to pour Vinegar into every Point of Debate; to fling away abruptly, and to threaten the Prince's Depar­ture. These boistrous Moods were not the way to succour the Prince's Cause: for Favour cannot be forc'd from great Spirits by offering Indignities. And the Temper of the Business in hand was utterly mistaken. For they were not met at a Diet to make Articles of Peace and War; but to Woo a fair Lady, whose Consent is to be sought with no Language, but that which runs sweet upon the Tongue. As Q. Cicero wrote to his Brother de Peti. Consul. Opus est magnopere Blanditiâ. Quae etiamsi vitiosa, & turpis sit in caeterâ vitá, tam in Petitione est necessaria. All Suitors are ty'd to be fair spoken, but chiefly Lovers.

138. No doubt but at this time, in the Prime of May, the Duke, with such such others as the Prince did take into his Council, sate close, to consider upon the Overtures that came with the Dispensation: For all thought that was the Fur­nace to make or to mar the Wedding-Ring, and it asked Skill and Diligence to cast it well. It is a Gibe which an Heathen puts upon an Amorose, that wasts his whole time in Dalliance upon his Mistress, [...], that Love is an idle Man's Business. But there was Business enough, beside Courtship and Visits, which came thick, to keep this Love from being idle. The Dispatches [Page 126]that were sent from Spain to employ those, that were in Commission here to di­rect the great Negotiation, were many. First, The Dispensation came to the King from the Prince his Son, May 2. But it came to scanning a good while af­ter, as will appear by this Letter of the Lord Keepers to the Duke, dated May 9.

The Lord Keeper in this Letter miss'd the true Cause, why his Majesty did not yet impart a sight of the Dispensation to any of his Counsellors. The reason was, because it came to him in a private Packet. And he expected it to be deliver'd to him, as it ought, by Publick Ministers, the Ambassadors of the King of Spain, who kept it dormant about a Fortnight in their Hands, whether it proceeded from their Native Gravida, to retein that long in their Stomach, which needed no Concocti­on; or to listen what the many-headed Multitude would say in London; or out of some other State-juggling. As I have laid forth in this, what was mistaken by the L. Keeper, out of his own Memorials preserv'd: So in another Line he hazarded his Love to be ill taken, representing to the Duke the Truth, That the King did somewhat disgust his appropriating the whole Service to himself, that is, repulsing the Earl of Bristol, or restreining him to silence, where their Counsels were held I know not, whether the Duke did so soon regret at this; for it is the first time; and 'tis well plaister'd over with mild Counsel. So Statuaries, says Plutarch, do not only hew, and peck the Alabaster upon which they work, but smooth it likewise, which is the neatest part of their Cunning. By another Letter from the same Hand, dated near to the former, May 11. I perceive that the Duke, our Lord Admiral, demanded the Navy Royal to be made ready, and to be sent to the Coast of Spain to conduct the Prince and his Followers Home. Which the King gave order to be done. But the Lord Keeper wrote to his Grace, if it were not with the soon­est, the main Matter not grown yet to any colour of ripeness: That the Charge would be very heavy to the Exchequer: Such a Fleet must be costly to be set forth, but far more costly to be kept long abroad. As for Cost, it was the least thing that was thought upon: It was no time for Frugality. The Stratagem was to have the Navy lie ready at Anchor, in some safe distance from the Spanish Havens; That if the Prince could recover no Satisfaction to reasonable Demands from stiff Olivarez▪ and other Grandees: Or if they persisted to burden the Match with insupportable Conditions, his Highness after a short Complement might take his leave, and have all things prepar'd at a Days warning, if the Wind serv'd, for his Reduction into England. With this Fleet some precious Ware, never seen, no nor heard of in Spain before, at least among the Laicks, was transported thither; the Liturgy of our Church, translated into the Spanish Tongue, and fair­ly printed, by the Procurement and Cost of the Lord Keeper. The Translator was John Taxeda, the Author of the Treatise call'd Hispanus Conversus, a good Scholar, once a Dominican, whom his Patron that set him on work secured to our Church with a Benefice, and good Prebend. He studied this Translation Day [Page 127]and Night till it was ended. He that writes this was often at his Elbow to com­municate with him, when he put Questions how to proceed. But the Lord Keeper himself, with other Overseers, that had perfectly learn'd the Castilian Language, perus'd it faithfully, and, if there were not aptness in any phrase, corrected it. With his Majesties Privity, and great Approbation, two Copies of it were carried, Religious Tokens, the one to his Highness, the other to my Lord Duke, as the best and most undeniable Certificate that a particular Church can shew, to vindi­cate the right Profession of their Faith from all Scandals, and to declare their Pie­ty in all Christ's Ordinances squared, and practis'd by a publick Rule after the Beauty of Holiness. A Book of Common-Prayer (which all call a Liturgie) is suitable to the Form of good Churches in all Ages; reduceth us to good Notions from wandring Extravagancies; preserves Harmonious Conformity between all the Daughter-Churches, that are called from one Mother in one Realm, or State: It is our Witness to assoil us, when we are spitefully charg'd with Errours; so Cha­mieras, Gerardus, Camero, Spanhemius, Amyraldus, and divers more the best of Modern Writers in defence of the Reformed way, draw their second Rank of Arguments, next to the Sacred Scriptures, out of their Liturgies to justifie their Tenents. Finally, with this Office of Divine Worship, he that celebrates Gods Service, is ready at all times to offer up to God the Sacrifice of Prayer, when some perhaps at some times are affected with Languor of Health, and then not so sit to speak suddenly to God in the behalf of the People; and when the most have Infirmity of Judgment, and are unsit at all times. Beshrew the Tettar of Pride that runs over many Wits, and makes them care for nothing that's made ready to their Hand; and puts them in love with nothing but their own Conceptions. What have we lost? Nay, What hath God lost in the Honour due unto him? How is his Truth? How is his Name? How is his Glory dis-reverenced over all this Land, since our Liturgie hath been Mortgag'd to the Directory?

139. It would be remembred, that this comes in upon the mention of the Fleet, call'd for and hastned to weigh Anchor at Chattam, and to ride near to St. Anderos, to bring the Prince for England, if there were a rupture in the Treaty. But if they should suddenly strike Hands, and make a Bargain, my Lord Duke had his Thoughts upon a Question, which if it should be ask'd, he would not be surpriz'd as if he were ignorant what to answer, that is, What Dowry should be granted to the Princely Bride? Therefore he consulted the Lord Keeper, and required Satisfacti­on to be brought by a Courier, that must not spare Horse-Flesh; who was hied away as fast as he could be with this Answer.

By the same Messenger, at the same time, another Dispatch was posted to the Prince, in answer to his Highness, who had signified his Pleasure was, That the Recusants should be gratified for his sake warily, and not by broad Day-light, to [Page 128]shew that he was sensible of those Hospital Civilities, which he then received from some Cards of their Suit. Whereupon the Lord Keeper writes;

These are the Negotiations which the Lord Keeper for his Share, at this Season, brooded under the Wings of Fidelity and Prudence. How well let the Wise and Unbiassed be Judges: Such will not be Cajol'd into a wrong Belief by Corrup­tors of History, as Heraclides serv'd his Scholars: Quos duplo reddidu sluitiores quam acceperat: ubi nihil poterant discere nisi Ignorantiam. Cicer. Orat. pro Flacco.

140. It is enough declared how the great Matters about the Match went here. The Dispensation of Pope Gregory the XV. turn'd them round in Spain, till they were giddy with the Motion. It was expected it should come in the common Church Style, an absolute and Canonical Dispensation, and no more; only for her Sake that was in Submission to his Laws: But it was Compounded with so many Reservations, and ill-visag'd Provisoes, that it swell'd like a Tympany. The Pope knew with home he had to deal: For there are none in the Earth more Superstitious to do him Honour then the King of Spain and his People. That King would make the Pope too big for a Priest, that the Pope might make him too great for a King. Nor is there any other intent, to make that Patriarch of the West the sole capacious Fountain, from which all Pipes of Grace and Indul­gence Ecclesiastical should be fill'd, and run abroad, but principally to Water his own Garden. What between the Nuncio Resiant at Madrid, who was Comman­ded to stop all Proceedings, till safety were granted; nay, and put in Execution, both for English and Irish Catholicks as much as they ask'd: What with the Charge given to the Inquisitor General, to use all possible diligence to draw the Prince to his Holiness's Obedience; What with Olivarez's frowardness, of whom the Duke could not obtain to put a Postscript in his Letter to the Pope, that to add these new and un-relish'd Conditions, with which the Dispensation was Clogg'd, would be interpreted the worst of Unkindness; what with all these together, his High­ness might say, Fat Bulls of Basan have compassed me in on every side. A little Honey, (God wot, a little) was allowed to to the Lip of the Cup, if he would Taste of that Potion; that was, that from thenceforth his Highness might have access to his Dearly Affected Mistress; not as formerly, a bare Visitant, but now as a Lover; so some of their chief States were in presence to hear all their Conference, a Rule which they say is never Infring'd in the grave way of the Castilian Wooing. The old Man Gregory the XV. gave light himself to his Friends and Servants in Spain, what they should do by the Flame of his own Zeal. For he sent a Letter to the Prince, Signed with the Signet-Ring of St. Peter, to exhort his Highness with many words, to reduce himself, and the Kingdoms of which he was the Heir, to the Subjection of the Roman See. Hereupon, some of our Hot-Heads in England made it a Quarrel and a Calumny, that the Prince sent an Answer of Civility to the Popes Epistle. Civility, though it is a thing unknown among the Plebeians and Clowns, is a Virtue among Gentlemen; And will they make a Vir­tue Criminal? But where lies the Offence? Perhaps that his Highness shewed no disrelish in his Answer to the PopesMotion; Neither did he shew Encouragement, so far the Terms are even. Fair Language in that Case would cost the Prince nothing, it would save him much: For the more Hurt the Pope could do, the less he was to be displeas'd with Provocation. To go further, He that will Censure an Action, must not Judge upon it Naked, but with all its Copartments. Many Things that were well done, if you will peel away the Bark of their Circumstances, will seem Reproachfull. The Behaviours of Abraham and Isaac, Gen. 20.26. in the [Page 129]Courts of the Kings of the Philistins, with the excuse of Fear are fall of Prudence; without that Plea they are full of Frailty. No Deed was ever rigidly expended, into which a Man was thrust by Necessity, unless it wanted a Wise Historian to scan it. The Phocensians, when their Chief Men were in no better Condition in Asia, then if they had been Hostages, did appear for the Persian Monarch, when he led an Army to Invade Greece; but says Herodotus [...] [...], they did Medize, or Temporize with the Persians, not with a good will, but out of a Compulsion. And Tully, with me, one of the Wisest of the Heathen. Orat pro Quintio. Omnes qu [...]rum in alterius manu vita [...]sica est, sae­piùs cogitant, quid possit is, cujus in potestate ac ditione sum, quàm quid debont sacere. He that is fallen into the Power of others, and is demanded, not a wicked thing, which must not be yielded, but an inconvenient, considers not what is absolutely expedient, but what is expedient in that Case. And a sharp witted Christian, it is Grotius writes upon that Passage, Deut. 22.25. If a Man sind a Betrothed Damosel in the Field, and the Man force her, and lie with her, then the Man only that lay with her shall Die, but unto the Damosel that shalt do nothing; Thus he says, Docet hoc ex­emplo Lex parcendam iis, qui vi ad cli aliquid peceaverint. He means, they are not to be perisht who are compelled to suffer a Sin, and are forc'd into it. There­fore, if the Prince, (being at Madrid, not at London) wrote things honest to the Pope, but as Meekly and Pleasingly as Paul spake before Festus and Agrippa, when he was in Bonds, Who can accuse him? For by Law of Nature, no Man must deliver himself up to a danger, which he can innocently avoid: The harmles [...] Dove is not bound to forget the Wisdom of the Serpent. But the strongest hold, which his Highness's Justification will maintain for ever against all Assaults, is, That the whole Contents of his Letter were unblameable, and yet very unpleasing to the High Priest, to whom he wrote. Take the express Words, and only Con­troverted. ‘The Exploits of my Noble Predecessors have not been more, than the Care which I have, that the Peace of the Church might be bounded in true Concord, and as the Glory of God requires our Endeavours to unite it I do not Esteem it greater Honour to be Descended from such Princes, than to imi­tate them in true Zeal of Piety. In which it assures me much, to have known the Mind and Will of our thrice Honour'd Lord and Father, to give concurrence to so laudable a Design. For it doth not grieve him a little to see that great evil grows from Division of Christian Princes; whose peaceable Settlement, if this Marriage between the Infanta of Spain and my self may procure, I shall the rather conclude my Happiness therein: For, as I have been far from encouraging Novelties, or to be a Partisan in any Factions against the Catholick Religion, so shall I seek occasion to take away Suspicions, that I desire but one Religian, and one Faith, seeing we all believe in one Jesus Christ; having resolved in my self to spare nothing that I have in the World, my Estate and Life, for a thing so pleasing unto God, whom I implore to give your Holiness Health and Happiness.’ A Synod, or an Assembly of Divines, Togati vel Palliati, could not have handled the Pope with greater Wit and Dexterity. Who is pincht to the quick in the Letter, and yet could not justly complain of Uncivility, or Exasperation. The Prince promiseth to follow the Footsteps of his Father; as Spartianus said of Geta, Son to Emperor Severus, Paternarum sententiarum memor, he could not dress him­self better than by his Fathers Glass. And how doth he promise to follow him in that which he had begun? To accord the Variances of all Christian Churches, that their Peace might be bounded in true Concord: Which is as much as to bring the Pope to be Sub-Canonical; to Conform him to the Decrees of a free Council, called by Christian Monarchs. This was the Helena for which King James con­tended; And this was the Europia, or new sound Paradise, in the Phansie of Arch-Bishop Spalato, as is handled before, for which Revenge was taken by Fire upon his Dead Carkass. I believe this Letter fretted his Crazy Holiness, and did his Hectick no good, of which he died not long after. I am sure, after his Nuncio had gotten a Copy of it, he could never endure the Prince more. From hence the Embraces of Truth may see, how staringly false, and daringly impudent that Report is, That the Prince had not come out of Spain, but that he lest his Faith, as well as his Proxy behind him; and got thence with the very same Trick that Sir Francis Mitchel said he got out of the Inquisition at Rome; which is a Welde­nism, p. 162. a familiar Trope in the Rhetorick of the blatant Beast.

141. Proceeding now to the Proceedings of June, There were many suspiti­ons here, how the Capitulations went ill in Spain, because Letters Arrived not till after Five Weeks silence, as the Lord Keeper observes the exact time in the [Page 130]next he Wrote. The most furmised things were at a standing Water, and did neither Ebb, nor How; whereas indeed they were come to the High-Water Mark, but the Wind and Tide went as contrary as could be imagined.—Carina, Vim geminam sentit, paret (que) incerta d [...]obus. Nothing was dispatch'd; for every Oar-man struck unevenly to the rest, that sate in the Transomes of the Galley. All the Agents were Ruin'd together; for they complain'd both of the Resisting Council, and of the assisting Council by their own part. How far they are to be believed in Angry Reports they made of each other, and very unfriendly Re­lations, I cannot decide. Therefore I pre-monish, Though I am not in a Laby­rinth, yet it is not such a [...]n way, that all way-faring M [...]n, though no F [...]ols, shall not err in it, Isa. 35.8. The Humors which bred the Distemper, were the Popes Dispensation; Con. Olivarez Insolent and Inconstant struggling: The Duke of Buckingham disliking all things, and dislik'd of all: The Earl of Bristow favour'd too much by K. Philips Servants, and too little by the Servants of his own Ma­ster: Finally our English and Irish Papists, who fill'd the Courts of Rome and Spain with Narratives of their grievous Persecutions (which they did only fear) and Petitions to conditionate the Match with their mitigation. These were the main Sticklers to do a real mischief, only to satisfie a Fantastical Jealousie. The Tears of their Lamentation dropt upon the Popes tender heart, so that, to comply with them, many a bitter Kernel was in the Core of the dispensation. And I have Reason to suspect they were some Grains the worse, that the French, employ'd at Rome at that time, did the worst Offices they could, as the Lord Herbert, our Kings Embassador in France wrote hither, Cabal. pag. 301. ‘Those of the King of France's Councel at Rome will use all the means they can to the Pope (in whom they pretend to have very particular Interest) not only to in­terrupt, but to break Your Majesties Alliance with Spain.’ Many Rattle-Heads, as well as they, did bestir them to gain-stand this Match. But as Pliny said in his Age, Nat. Hist. l. 29. So may I in our time, Ingenicrum Italiae slata impellimur, the Italian Wits are they, that will take it in scorn, if they bear not all before them. For Example in this Dispensation, How acute they thought themselves in their Policy? and how Imperious, I am sure, they were in their Arrogancy? It came to the Nuncio Residing at Madrid in April, who was com­manded to observe this Form in the Delivery; That it should not be Open'd and Communicated, before the King of Spain did take an Oath to be a Surely; That the King of England should really perform all things required therein; or if he fail'd in such performance, or in any of them, then the King of Spain with all his might and Power to take Arms against him, What? Though the Italians are so Witty for their own part, do they suppose all people beside are fallen into a strong Delirium? Had they cast our Water so ill, to think us so Weak, that before one Article was Publish'd or known, we would be beholding to Sureties to undertake for us? Or that we would submit to all with indefinite and undiscoursed Obedience? It hapned fortunately, that the Lord Keeper had dealt before with Mr. George Gage, a full Romanist in Religion, but a Faithful Subject to his King, to be diligent in the Court of Rome, and to spare no Cost upon his Purse, to get a Copy of the Articles, as soon as the Dispensation was Bulled, and to send them under hand by the greatest speed to the Prince. In which Mr. Gage did not fail. [...] A Golden Key will open the strongest Lock in the Gates of Hell. By this Providence his Highness knew what it was the Nuncio held so close in his Fist, as soon as himself. Yet took no Notice, as if he had seen particulars; but as if at adventure bad him suspend the Delivery of the Powers, as long as he would, for he knew that his Father would fly from that Offer, That the King of Spain should Engage for him, because his Majesties Conscience, and his Writings (divulg'd as far as Learning reach'd) would not permit him to Sub­ject himself to the Popes Propositions, which he had no Authority to obtrude upon Free Princes, no nor upon any Man [...]ut of the Verge of his Suburbicary Jurisdiction. So much G [...]ndamar could have told them, one that fate in the Spanish Junto, out of the Lord Keepers Letter (for it is his, though his Name is omitted Cab. p, 236.) in these Remarkable Words. ‘His Majesty hopes that you are not Ignorant, that the Treaty is between Him and your Master. He hath no Treaty with Rome, neither lies it in his way to dispute with them upon this Question.’ It troubled the Nuncio that the Peremptory Clause, which the Dispensation brought with it, was thus slighted; and it would keep stale no longer, business was in such Haste. Therefore they come to those, who were our Princes employ'd Coun­cellors, to require of them to give their best help to rowl away this Stone, which [Page 131]was the main Obstruction. On our Part therefore we ask'd two Questions; First, Whether King Philip could take such an Oath for another King? Guardians may take Oaths in the behalf of Minors, whom they Govern'd; for it was in their Power, and it lay upon their Charge, to perform that which they swore for Minors, till they came to Age. We had heard of some, who were wont in some places, that procured the Causes of their Clients in Civil Courts, to take an Oath in A­nimam Domini sui, vel in Animam constituentis; but such as Weighed Religion more by Conscience, then by Custom, detested it. For who can Swear before God to oblige the Soul of another? Since an Oath must be taken in Judgment, as well as in Truth; Jerem. 4.2. The Spaniards were be-gruntled with these Scruples. And their Recourse was to a Convention of their soundest Divines, to deliver their sentence upon it; who walk'd as slowly and gingerly, as if they had been foun­der'd. They toss'd over Books; they search into the Code, the Casuists, and Ca­nonists; Read tedious Lectures, and cast up a Trench of a hundred Scruples to Besiege this little Question. The Prince, whose Humanity and Wisely-Govern'd Temper was admir'd of all, took the wast of time, that these Divines made, in great Offence. Now was the first time that he spake that unkind Word to Oli­vares, That he was Wrong'd, and wish'd himself in his own Court again. Olivares Chased as fast; that their Fatherhoods, with their Mountains of Learning, sate so long to bring forth a Mouse, and blamed himself (as it was reported in our Parl. Anno 1624.) That the Devil put it into his mind to call that Assembly. For all this the Divines would be known in their Place, and would not break up their meeting, till they had Resolv'd after twenty days, what they determined to Con­clude from the first hour, That King Philip might take the Oath; wherein yet we gained thus much on our part, that a Point, which was Resolved by the Pope and his Conclave, subscribed by them all, Committed to the Nuncio to be Ad­vanced with St. Peters Authority; might be disputed twenty days by a Chapter of private Divines. Let them sit twenty days more to satisfie us, whether it were good Theology, or good manners, to serve him so, whose decisions, they say, are inerrable. When the Grave Doctors of Salamanca had acquitted themselves so learnedly, his Highness's Ministers moved another Question, Whether King Philip would take the Oath as Procurator for our King, who nor requir'd it, nor was privy to any thing that was stuff'd into the Procuration. To which a pre­sent Answer was given, and no bad one; it could not be Resolved, before the Spanish Counsel saw, how far our Prince and his Counsel would yield in points of Religion. And how can we tell you that, said they of our part, before you bring forth the whole Plump of your Articles? No Fence could thrust by this Question, but that it would stick fast in the Cause. So we gained again, that King Philip was restreined from making Faith for King James. And although the Froathy Formality of promulging the Dispensation was kept back, yet the Arti­cles came into Play, that the Commissioners on both sides might fall to a Ses­sion.

142. But from Strife of Tongues, from Fundamental Contradictions, from Clashings every day, what Fruit could be look'd for? Do Men gather Grapes of Thorns? If you will believe the Parties, what this Lord objected against that Lord, there was none that did Good, no, not one. If you will believe their re­spective Defences to those Objections, there was none that did amiss. I cannot take up all the Blots they made with my Pen, lest I make them bigger. None of those Peers hath Justified himself so well in his Letters, Apologies and Reports, but that strong Inferences may be drawn from some Parts, to disprove the rest. What was spoken at the Conference of the Junto was within the Veil, and under Co­vert; but what is published out of it, is most uncertain. For the Lord Keeper, after he had consulted with the Prince, and searched all Papers to pass his Judg­ment what Countenance the Business should put on, when the Parliament looked upon it; but ten days before, Feb. 2. 1623, He writes thus to the Duke, Cabal, P. 90. That all the Reckoning must not be cast up before the Parliament, for fear they should fall to particular Dispatches, wherein they cannot but find many Contradictions. After whom, I glean up this Handful, He that writes upon this Subject, what is reserved in the Memorials of those Days, writes after the Canon of Integrity; but when he is monished that there are Contradictions in those Memorials, he can never be secure, that he hath compiled an uncorrupt History. Upon this Staff he may rest, That when the Chief Counsellors fell out among themselves, like the Midianites, every Man's Hand against his Brother; as worthy Actors as I count them to be, yet every one was out in his Part. Nay, He that will adjust [Page 132]the Course of any one in this high Transaction in all things, will burn Truth in the Hand, and spare the Guilty. He that aspired to be Dioscorus, the most pre­eminent in the Company, let him be first considered. That is, Conde Olivarez, the Abner in the Service of his Master Ishbosheth, whose Humor would brook to be crost by no Man; ingrained in Nature to be Aristotle's [...], a great O­piniator, a costive Counsellor, that would hold the Ground where he stood, and move for no Perswasion. By the fortunate Gale of Court-Favour, he had lived in continual Custom to carry all before him, without being stopt. As Vellei [...]s says of M. Agrippa, Parendi sed uni, scientissimus, aliis sanè imperandi cupidus; so he was very servile to please King Philip, and look'd that all beside should be as ser­vile to please him. Such a Spirit is intolerable in Counsel, and not to be coapt with, that thinks it an indignity, unless he speak for all, and Vote for all. Such a States-man is like to bring nothing to a good End, but himself to an ill one. Our Princes Reports may be held of all other to be most Authentical; from whom take it thus. His Highness representing the Treatise of Spain to the Lords of the Privy-Councel at St. James's Octob. 30. 1623. Begins, that the first man that did give him great Profession of welcom into Spain was this Olivares, and in the interview in the Garden assured him, that all business should be dispatch'd as fast as his Highness wish'd: That the Temporal Articles should straightway be Concluded; and the Spiritual Articles about Religion should cause no delays, but be remitted to the Wisdom of the King his Father, and his Gracious Promi­ses. But, says his Highness, The longer I staid, the less I found him my Friend, and the oftner I spoke with him, the less he kept his Word. But our Duke of Buckingham, after a little acquaintance, found the Conde Duke a great deal worse to him. They came in no place but with shews of disdain at one anothers Persons; and like two great Caraques in a foul Sea, they never met in Counsel, but they stem­med one another. In every Proposal, if one said so, the other said no; if one lik'd it, the other slighted it. Could it be expected that the Counsels of the whole Table should not be at a Fault, when the two Presidents appear'd in Ho­stility of Opinions? When the Malady of disaffection lay not hid in the Veins, but broke out in the Body? When they never brought their Offers within com­pass of Probability? One Observes for their parts that run Races, Alex. lib. 2. c. 21. Quanto minor in corpore splen foret, tanto perniciores homines esse. He that hath the least Spleen will make the best Footman. So in all Negotiations, he that is most Calm will dispatch most work; but put Wise-Heads together, yet where there is much Spleen, there will be little done. There was no likelihood but the Northern and Southern Favourites, as the Lord Keeper foretold, would look proudly one upon another, when they met in the same Cock-Pit. Cour­tesie was quite out of fashion with them, that he that receiv'd it might not seem the greater; Emulation was all in Fashion, to dim each others Light by casting Shadows of Opposition. Only these Animosities between two high Spirits, so ill Match'd were the Seed of the Quarrel; which I press against a vulgar, and a scandalous Error, made Table Talk in all England, that our Duke had Attempted the Chastity of the Condessa Olivares, and was Cheated with a diseased Strumpet laid in his Bed, &c. This is grosly contumelious. The Lady was never solicited by Buckingham to defile her Honour with him, as Sir Wal. Aston will Testifie in a Postscript of a Letter to the Duke, Cabal. p. 33. The Condessa of Olivares bids me tell you, that she Kisseth your Grace's Hands, and does every Day Recommend you particularly by Name in her Prayers to God; which Salutation she durst not have sent to his Lordship, no not for her Life, if the Duke had offer'd toward that Indignity to make her a Strumpet. And for the Rest of this Obscene Tale, the worthiest Gentlemen that waited upon his Person in that Journey have assur'd me, that as well in Spain, as when he came from thence into England, his Body was Untainted from that Loathsomness not to be Named, the just Recompence of Rotten Lust. Yet perhaps more will Read these Reasons, then believe them, though they cannot Answer them. Few have been so happy to be Redeemed from the Rumor of a common Slander. For as the most Eloquent of Men says, Orat. pro Plancio. Nihil est tam volucre quàm Maledictum; nihil facilius emittitur; nihil citius excipitur; nihil latius dissipatur. Especially a contumely cleaves the fa­ster, when he that is clean from the Defamation in one Person, hath deserv'd it in others; for as Octa. Minutius says, Oftentimes there is some likelihood in a Lye, and not unseldom some unlikelihood in a Truth.

143. Other Errors, and many were charg'd upon the Duke, and a broad back will not bear them all. Yet casting not an Eye upon the Earl of Bristol's Papers, [Page 133]which he produced in Parliament, a Lap full of them, and no less. Their chief purpose was to cast an Odium upon him, that he heightned the Spaniards at first to ask worse Conditions in Religion, then were formerly Treated on. These were Recriminations, wherein no man, no not the Wise Earl of Bristol is like to keep a Charitable Moderation. Because his Miscarriages had been ript up by the Duke before, what followed but that wawardness which St Austin confess'd to be sometime in himself; Si deprehensus Arguerer, saevire magis quàm caedere li­bebat. Cofess. lib. 1. c. ult. But such as were no parties in Contestation with my Lord of Buckingham, blame him that he was very rash in managing business, turn­ing about Councils in all haste upon the Wheel of Fancy, but keeping no Mo­tion of Order or Measure; which none could endure worse then that Nation, with whom he Treated, who are the most Superstitious under Heaven to keep that Politick Rule, Bona Consilia morâ valescere. Tacit. Hist. l. 4. They said also, That he was Offensive to the Crown of Spain in taunting Comparisons, and an open derider of their Magniloquent Phrases, and Garb of stateliness; which must be an intended provocation; for he was as well studied in blandishments, and the Art of Behaviour, as any Courtier in Europe. They repined that he thrust himself into such a Room at their Masks, and Interludes, as were proper to their King, our Prince, and the Train Royal; and was not contented with that Honour which was given to the Major Domo, or prime Subject of Spain; as if he were not satisfied to be Received as a less Star, but as a Parelius with his Highness. And whatsoever the grudge was they vented it craftily in that Quar­rel, that he did many things against the Honour and Reverence due to the Prince, as one hath pick'd up, and offered it to King James Cab. p. 221. That he was over Familiar in Talk, and in Terms with his Highness. Yet David, so near the Crown, call'd himself a dead Dog, or a Flea in respect of Saul. Nor is it omitted that he was sometime cover'd when the Prince was bare, sometime sitting when the Prince stood, capering a lost in sudden Fits, and Chirping the Ends of Sonnets; which was not Unmannerliness, he was better bred; but in­considerateness, which will creep upon him, who was too much dandled upon the Lap of Fortune. Or as Budaeus better Expresseth it Sap. Pand. p. 331. Mirablan­dimenta genuit Aulici victus ratio, quibus praestantissima virtus saepè consopita connive­re visa est. And truly his Breeding in Budaeus his own Country did him some prejudice in that kind. For the French Mode is bold, Light and Airy. That which we call rudeness, with them is freedom, good Metal, brave assurance. And that which we, and the Castilians call Gravity or Modesty, with them is repu­ted Sneaking, want of Spirit, Sheepishness. But between frets of Spight, and Fits of Levity, the Duke put the Treaty so far out of Tune, that the Lovers were disappointed of their expected Epithalamium. So that the Spaniards made it one of their Refranes or Proverbs: If the Prince had come alone (without the Duke) he had never return'd alone (without the brave Castilian Virgin) they might say so freely; for I heard himself say no less in the Banqueting House at a Confe­rence with the Lords and Commons anno 1624. When he endear'd himself to the Hearers, ‘That the Stout and Resolute way wherein he went had overturn'd the Marriage, and did Arrogate the Thanks of all things to himself, that were ac­ceptable and popular:’ So be it; yet that which Canoniz'd him with the peo­ple then, was afterward made an Evidence against him, Cab. p. 227. To lay a Dram of Excuse against a Pound of Error, this is to be Alledged, that Olivares and Count Montes-claros were ill Advis'd to spurn a young Lion, as if he had been a Puppy-Whelp. For as soon as they saw the Duke soare so high in his Opinions, and when Bristol spake to mitigate him, disaccount of him contemptibly, as if he had nothing to do, this Brace of Grandees call'd it in Question, what Creature could have more Power in that Action, then an Embassador, that laid the first Stone of it, that had ample Letters of Credence under the King's Broad-Seal, with the Confirmation of the Privy-Council of England, which was more then my Lord of Buckingham brought with him. The Headship of the Treaty was in the Prince, and they bended to it, Extolling his Wisdom as Capitolinus doth Gordianus the El­der, Moribus it a moderatus, ut nihil possis dicere quod nimiè fecit. The next place they deemed to the Earl of Bristol, upon the Reason premised, though he declin'd it. And should Buckingham be degraded to be the third in Place, who held the Highest Place in Honour, and the Supremacy both in the King's, and the Prin­ces Favour: Ausonius in Paneg. ad Gratian. tells a Story, That Alexander the Great Reading those Verses in Homer, that Agamemnon was Nam'd by the Com­mon Souldiers to Fight the Duel with Hector after Aiax and Diomedes, clapt out [Page 134]an Oath saying, Occiderem eum qui me tertium nominasset, I would have cut his Throat, that should have Named two before me. Truly Buckingham had so much Bravery in him, that he would take the third Place in as great Dudgeon as Alexander.

144. The grave Earl of Bristol was passive in this Quarrel, and sunk it in Si­lence with his best Dexterity. So he did allay all other Heats, which the Duke's Passion raised against him, if his Letter to the Lord Keeper be of Canonical Faith, Cab. P. 21. knowing how undecent and scandalous a thing it is, for the Ministers of Princes to run different ways in a strange Court. But the Envy of all Mis­carriages was cast upon his Lordship by that mighty Adversary, and by a greater than he. That he was wholly Spaniolized, which could not be, unless he were a Pensioner to that State. That he sided with Olivarez in all Consults. That he professed a Neutrality, and more, in all Propositions for the Advancement of the Popish Religion. That he never Pleaded for the Restitution of the Palatinate, but only pitied it with the Spanish Shrug. That he did not so timely unmask the Spanish Councils to the Kings Advantage, as he might, and ought to have done. That he entangled the Prince in Delays, to keep him from returning Home. For these, and other the like, which will follow in the great Report made in the next Parliament, a Noise was made, that his Lordship should be offered up to Justice, as a publick Sacrifice. But they that contest for his Innocency, observe, that he was let loose to depart in Quiet, when he should have been brought to the Horns of the Altar. And when the Bill drawn up against him, was put into Sir Robert Philip's Hand, an active, and a gracious Member of the House to ma­nage it to his Ruine, Sir Robert writes to the Duke, Cab. P. 265. If Bristol frame a probable satisfactory Answer to any Charge, will it not rather serve to declare his In­nocency, than to prepare his Condemnation? Your Grace may consult with your self, whither you may not desist with Honour, upon having him further questioned. After­ward, when his Master King James was dead, and when he was at the Stake, I may say, like to be worried in Parliament, by his Accusers, he writes thus confi­dently to the Lord Conway: Cab. P. 20. As for the Pardon, Jacob. 21. I should re­nounce it, but that I know the justest, and most cautious Man living, may, through Ig­norance or Omission, offend the Laws. So that as a Subject, I shall not disclaim any Benefit which cometh in general, as it doth usually to all other Subjects in the Kingdom. But as for any Crime in particular, that may entrench upon my Employments in point of Loyalty and Fidelity, I know my Innocency to be such, that I am confident I shall not need that Pardon. A. Gallius, li. 12. c. 7. Take the Earl's Case Pro and Con, it is very dubious; therefore I will deal with it, as the manner of the Areopagites was in such Perplexities, adjourn it to be heard an hundred Years hence. I say, not He, but They were the Pro­prophets of Baal, that troubled our Israel. Our Corner-miching Priests, with the Bloomesberry-Birds their Disciples, and other hot spirited Recusants cut out the Way with the Complaints of their (no-grievous) Sufferings, which involved us in Distractions. Rome and Madrid were full of them, and they conjured Pope Gre­gory, and the Catholick King, to wind in their Safety and Immunity in the Arti­cles of the Match, as behoved a Father and a Friend. If they had sate still, and let the Business go adrist with the Tide, it had been better for them. They that force their Fruits to be Ripe, do but hast them to be rotten. Qui spretis quae tarda cum securitate, prematura vel cum exitio properant, Tacit. Annal. lib. 3. The Word of the King and Prince would not serve them, that they would be gracious to all of their Sect, that lived modestly and inoffensively to deserve their Clemency. But they must have publick Instruments for it (and Acts of Parliament, if they could be gotten) to debauch his Majesty in the Love of his People. For as the Lord Keeper writes very prudently to the Duke, Cab. P. 105. The Bent of the English Ca­tholicks is, not to procure Ease and Quietness to themselves, but Scandals against their neighbouring Protestants, and Discontents against the King and State. Rhetorical Cam­pian avows it in an Oration made at Doway. Note this Apostrophe of his to our Kingdom. As far as it concerns our Society, we, all dispersed in great Numbers through the World, have made a League, and Holy Solemn Oath, that as long as any of us are alive, all our Care and Industry, all our Deliberations and Councils shall never cease to trou­ble your Calm and Safety. Yet when our pragmatical Bosom-Enemies had weari­ed themselves with Solicitations, the Earl of Nitsdale, a main Prop of their Cause, confest, It may be Assurance sufficient to all Catholicks, who have the Sense to consider, that it must be our Master's, and the Prince's gracious Disposition, that must be our Safety, more than either Word, or Writ: Thus he to the Duke, Cab. P. 250. But while the Recusant Petitioners had caused all Affairs with us, and [Page 135]Abroad, to be obnoxious to Inflammation, the Lord Keeper, like a right Lapida­ry, cuts a Diamond with a Diamond, and useth Sir Tob [...] M [...] (is it not a Pa­radox?) the busiest Agent in that Cause, to Manifest, both in the Palace at Rome, and in the Court at Madrid, that the Petitioners grasp at more Favours than they could hold, either with the Peace of this Kingdom, or with the Laws of it, which would endanger them to forfeit all that Connivance which they had gained be­fore. Give him his Due, he rode with great Celerity to those remote Places, and did his Work to the Proof, and to his great Praise. S [...]stus est, at mihi infi­delis non est. As Plautus in Trinummo. The Lord Keeper failed not to put Gold in his Pocket, but he paid him chiefly out of his Father's Purse. That most Re­verend Arch-Bishop of York, his Father, being highly distasted with Sir Toby's Revolt from the Protestant Religion, made a Vow to Dis-inherit him, and to leave him nothing. The Lord Keeper plied the Arch-Bishop with sweet and pleasant Letters, which he loved, and with some Mediators in Yorkshire, not to infringe his Vow, for he did not ask him so much as to name him in his last Wi [...]l and Testament; but to furnish him with Three thousand Pounds while he lived, and the Sum was paid to his Son to a Peny. How Sir Toby be [...] himself in the wisest Counsel, which, I think, was given to the King of Spain, may be read, Cab. P. 25 [...]. importuning his Majesty not to entangle the Prince with the Vo [...]o of the Theologos, to which he could not submit himself with Honour, but to accept of those large Conditions for Catholicks, which my Lord the King, and the Prince have condescended to, that so the Prince may have some foot of Ground, upon which he may stand without Breach of Honour, to comply with the incomparable Affection which he beareth to the Infanta. This is sure, that Sir Toby's Industry was well taken, because he did what he could. And he that employed him, held him ever after to be a Person of Trust, in any thing which he promised to do.

145. Very consonant to the grand Particulars of the Praemises, are the Contents of two Letters, both dispatcht in June from the Lord Keeper to the Duke's Grace. That which bears the former Date, June 15, and yet unpublished, lays out Errors advised­ly and mannerly, under the Heads of trivial Reports, and furnisheth the Duke with Counsel for all Exigencies of Advantage, especially diseloseth the King's Opini­on, if the Worst should come. It is long, but I could not pare it, and not mar it. Thus it is.

Truly no Proceeding could be more genteel, to win the Hearts of all the Great Ones to his Grace, and to keep them sure unto him, than to perswade him that he had no Enemy.

146. The Latter of the two Letters is come abroad in Cab. P. 78. whose Date should be June 28, whereof, because it is in many Hands, some Jaggs will suf­fice to be recited.

'Tis confest that these Advertisements, so dutifully presented, were sullenly taken. It offended, that the Lord Keeper look'd through his Grace's Infirmities with a quick Eye, though with a noble Sadness. He might have wrote some­what else, if he had been less Wise, or less Honest. Yet still he wrote, for the Valuation of the Duke's Goodness to him was so great, that the Sowerness of present Unkindness must be dipt in the sweet Sawce of former Benefits. It is intoninus the Emp. Similitude, cast Dirt into a pure Fountain, [...], it will purge it out, and supply clear and wholesome Water. Imme­miately before, that is, while the former of these Letters was upon the Way, the Duke entrusted the Prince's greatest Secret, and his own to the Lord Keeper, with a Charge to carry it with him to the King, being cautious that no Foot-step of it should remain under his own Hand, or any other. Therefore thus he sa­lutes the Lord Keeper, June 17.

[Page 137] That which was sit to be kept in tenebris for that time, may now come to light without Injury, by his Gloss upon it, who, the King excepted only knew it. Our Prince either was weary, or was perswaded to be so, with Articles upon Arti­cles, and Additions upon Additions in that Spanish Junto. Therefore he desired Leave from his Father, that he might assay to depart from Madrid, as secretly as he came thither.

The Lord Keeper indeed had emboldned the Prince in February before, to that Course; but the King thought the Motion was not so seasonable at that time. For his Highness was attended in Spain with a great Houshold of Followers, and God knows whither the Sheep would be scattered, or into what Pin-sold they should be thrust, if the shepherd were gone. And his Majesty still dreamt of of winning the Game, and profest he saw no such Difficulties, but that Patience. after a while, would overcome Perversness. Howsoever, it would be inglorious for the Prince of Wales to run away from the Frown of the Spaniards. But least the Safety of so dear a Person should seem to be slighted, or his Welcome Home retarded, the Lord Keeper besought the King upon his Knees, that his Majesty would write his Fatherly and Affectionate Letters, to require his Son's Return, giving them no Date, but leaving that to be inserted, when Business was crown'd with Opportunity. This Counsel hit the Pin right, and was followed; and by God's Will, who hath the Hearts of Kings and Princes in his Hand, it pleased on this side, and beyound the Seas.

147. Great was the Expectation what the Month of July would bring forth, as well in England as in Spain. My Lord Duke had thrust himself into the greatest Employ­ment that was in Europe, when at first he had no Ground, now no Mind to accomplish it. A sorry Apprehension, taken from Mr. Endi. Porter, carried him forth in all hast to make up the Match; but there were others, who desired his Grace to gratifie them with Concealment for their Good-will, that sent Instructions into Spain, to adjure him to do his utmost to prevent the Espousals. Their Reasons were the two principal Places of Divine and Humane Wisdom, God's Glory, and his own Safety. For God's Sake, to keep our Orthodox Religion from the Admixture of that Superstition, which threatned against the Soundness of it. And no Corro­sive so good to eat out the Corruption of Romish Rottenness creeping on, as to give the Spaniard the Dodg, and to leave the Daughter of Spain behind. To his own Safety this Counsel was contributed. These, who made it their Study, and were appointed to it, to maintain the Grandeur of his Lordship, met frequently at Wallingford-house, to promote the Work. Who had observed, that some Impressi­ons were gotten into the King's Mind, and they knew by whom, that his Maje­sty was resolved to be a Lover of Parliaments, that he would close very graciously with the next that was called; nor was there Likelihood that any private Man's Incolumity, though it were his Grace himself, should cause an unkind Breach between him and his People. Therefore the Cabinet-men at Wallingford-House, set upon it to consider, what Exploit this Lord should commence, to be the Darling of the Commons, and as it were to re-publicate his Lordship, and to be precious to those, who had the Vogue to be the chief Lovers of their Country. Between the Flint and the Steel, this Spark was struck out; that all other At­tempts would be in vain, unless the Treaty for the great Marriage were quasht, and that the Breach of it should fall notoriously upon the Lord Buckingham's Industry. For it was not to the Tast of the English (if you will number them, and not weigh them) fearing some Incommodation to the Protestant Religion These Jona­dabs, 2 Sam. 13.3. the Subtle Friends of beauteous Absalom, drew the Duke out of the King's High-way into the By-path of Popularity. The Spaniards also stir'd up his Fire to struggle and appear against them—For as the Earl of Bristol writes, Cab. P. 20. He was very little beholding to them for their good Opinion. Withal, he was so head-strong, that all the Ministers of our King, that were joyned with him, could not hold him in. He had too much Superiority, to think them his Fellow Servants, that were so indeed. And having nothing in his Tast but the Pickle of those new Counsels, which his Governing Friends in England insus'd into him, he pluckt down in a few Weeks, which the other Part had been rais­ing up in eight Years. Centum doctúm hominum concilia sola devincit Dea Fortuna, Plaut. Pseud. Act. 2. This unfortunate Accident did both contravene, and over­match the Counsels of a hundred wise Men. A fatal thing it hath been always to [Page 138]Monarchs, to be most deceived, where they have trusted most. Nay, If they had all the Eyes of Argos, their chiefest Confidents are able to abuse them on the blind Side. Therefore the Observator is most injurious, that puts a low Esteem upon King James's Wisdom. P. 14. That he was over-witted, and made use of to other Mens ends, by almost all that undertook him. So he may put the Fool upon Solomon, who was cousen'd in Jeroboam, whom he made Ruler over all the Charge of the House of Joseph, 1 King. 11.28. A Solomon may be mistaken in a Jeroboam, and like his seeming Faithfulness and Sufficiency to the Undoing of his Posterity. Little did the old King expect, that the Man of his Right-hand, whom he had made so strong for his own Service upon all Occasions, would forget the Trust of his Gracious Master, and listen to the Voice of Hirelings. Which of the Members of my Partition will make the Duke excusable in point of Honour and Conscience? Did he do it for the best to the King? Did he think the Spanish Alliance would be fruitful in nothing but Miseries, and that it would be a thank­ful Office to lurch the King in his Expectation of it? Evil befall such double Dili­gence. Perhaps it may be shifted off with the Name of a good Intent, when it tampers with a Branch, or Circumstance of an Injoyment; but when it raiseth up the very Body of Instructions, 'tis no more competent with Obedience, than Light with Darkness. The Heathen would not brook it, that had a grain of Philosophy in their Disposition, that a Minister should alter the Mandates of his Superior, upon Supposes to the better: Ne benè consulta, Religione mandati soluta, corrumperentur, Gell. lib. 1. c. 13. They thought that those Services, which want­ed the Religion of Obedience, let their Aim be never so honest, would prove improsperous. Or did this great Lord do it for the best to himself? I believe it. If the Hope of the Match died away, he lookt to get the Love of the most in England; but if it were made up, he lookt for many Enemies, for he had lost the Love of the best in Spain. Sir Wal. Aston foresaw wisely, that there was no fear, but that the Princely Lovers might joyn Hands in Sacred Wedlock, if that Fear of the Duke could be removed. So he writes, Cab. P. 32. Would your Grace would commit it to my Charge, to inform the Infanta what you have merited, and to accommo­date all other Mistakes here concerning that Proceeding. If your Grace would reconcile your Heart, I would not doubt, but, with the Conclusion of the Match, to compose all things to your good Satisfaction, and to bring them to a true Understanding of you, and of their Obligation unto you. But his Lordship knew what he had deserved, and that it was not possible to look for good Quarter from them: So he cut off the Thread of the Match with these Scissors. The Love of the English must not be lost; the Love of the Spaniard could not be gain'd. But it was passing ill done of him to deal so with his dear Master, to whom he owed more than ever he could pay; for whom he should not have been nice to hazard his Preservation. He knew the bottom of the King's Bosom, that his Majesty accounted this great Alliance to be the Pillar of his present Honour, and the Hope of his future Pro­sperity: That all his Counsels with foreign States turned upon that Hinge: That he looked for golden Days with it, which would fill our People with rich Traf­fick, and spread Peace over all the Borders of Europe. He knew his Lord the King desired to live but to see it finished, and car'd not to live after he saw it vanished. Crediderim tunc ipsam fidem humanam negotia speculantem, maestum vul­tum gessisse, Valer. lib. 6. Let the Duke have his deserved Praises in other things great and many; but let Fidelity, Loyalty and Thankfulness hide their Face, and not look upon this Action. Let his Friends that did drive him to it, and wrought upon his flexible Disposition, bear much of the Obloquy. For it is not [...], but [...], not Man, but God that made the Law: He that kindled the Fire, let him make Restitution, Ex. 22.6.

148. He that hateth the Light, loves not to come to the Light, lest his Deeds should be reproved, Joh. 3.20. The Politici, that carried the Duke athwart with their excentrick Motion, were very impatient to be discovered. They thought they had beat their Plot upon a quilted Anvil, and that their Hammer could not be heard. But time is a Blab, which will tell all Secrets, and spared not this. The Lord Keeper was much maligned, as the Author of the Detection: Yet he de­served not the Glory, for it was the King himself by this Occasion. The Em­bassadors of the Catholick King, pressed that the Articles, assented to by the Prince, and those about him, should be ratified. And Preparation was made to give them Satisfaction. So the Lord Keeper assures the Duke, Cab. P. 78. The King is resolved to take certain Oaths you have sent hither, and I pray God afterwards no further Difficulty be objected. These Oaths being brought to discussion at the Council-Table, [Page 139]there were among the Lords, that supprest their Consent, till better know­ledge did warrant them, and some Aspect of Necessity did make them resolute to Agreement. While these few of the Lords were suspensive in their Judgment, it was brought to the King, that some, profest Servants and Creatures of the Duke's, cavilled at certain Articles in the matter of the Oath, and were very busie to puzzle those, who had not yet compleatly deliberated upon them. The King laid this to other things he had heard (and he was able to put much together in a Glance of Imagi­nation) and called one of them, that was employed in this unacceptable Office, to a private Conference, whom his Majesty handled with such searching Questions, conjured with such Wisdom, wound into him with that Sweetness, that he fetcht out the Mystery; yet giving him his Royal Word to conceal his Person. Sic suo indicio periit sorex. So the Rat was catcht by his own Squeaking. This his Majesty imparted to the Lord Keeper and Marquiss Hamilton, and was not a lit­tle discomforted upon it; for here was a Danger found out, but not a Remedy. Yet he went on (chearfully to all seeming) to that which was come to a ripe Head, and gave Command to the Lord Keeper to prepare all things for the so­lemn Confirmation of the Covenants, that were brought from Spain. He went went about it, and had about him those three Qualities which run together in St. Paul, Rom. 12.11. Not slothful in Business, fervent in Spirit, serving the Lord: That is, Diligence, Courage, Conscience. Zealots, who are favourable to them­selves, that they think they have among them the Monopoly of Conscience, had been able to discourage another, who in common Discourse, laid no less Crime than Atheism, no Religion upon him that should give Furtherance to a Popish Marriage; much more, if for Reasons of State-Compliance, he should refresh the Party adherent to Rome with any Mercy or Favour. But this man regarded not Rumors before Reason; God had given him a Spirit above Fear, which, he would often say, had the greatest Influence in the Corruption of two brave things, Justice, and good Counsel. So he was resolved, as Illustrius says of Theod [...] the Philosopher, [...], to spend, or cast away some Wisdom, not only for the Intelligent, but for their Sakes that were ignorant, and knew not how to use it. The Precedent for this Work, he conceived would be to turn over the Paper Stories of Queen Elizabeth's Reign, when the first and second Dukes of Anjou were propounded for Husbands to that glorious Lady, of whom the latter came so near to speed, that wise Burleigh, with others that had gray Hairs, and grave Heads, drew up a Book for the Consummation of the Marri­age. Lay that Treaty with the French Monsieur, and this of Spain together, and there needs no striving to bring them to great Resemblance in the Comparison. There was as much Disparity in Religion between the one Pair, as the other. The Duke of Anjou came as unexpectedly to the Queen at Greenwich, as the Prince came unlooked for to Madrid. The Duke brought but two or three in Train, Camb. Eliz. Fol. P. Ann. 1579. no more did the Prince. The French Treaties continued eight years to obtain the Queen; the same Term of time had been spent in the Prince's Behalf, to enjoy the Infanta. Eight years past, and nothing past beside, for both the Lovers were non-suited in the end. The Duke of An­jou courted the Queen, when her People regretted, that he besieged the Prote­stants in Rochel at the same time, Gladio ejus eorum cruore intincto, qui eandem quam Angli profitentur Religionem, Camb. An. 1573. Our Prince solicited for his Mistress in Spain, when the Palatinate was wasted with Fire and Sword by Spinola, which was dearer to us by far than Rochel. Finally, Take three things more in a Twist together. Did some of our good People fear a Prejudice to Religion, by the Prince's intended Match? even so, Religionis mutationem ab Andino Angli nonnulli timuerunt. Did a Bride from Spain go against the vulgar Content? So did a Bridegroom from France: In Anglià optimi cujusque animum ab Andini nuptiis esse aversum. In the behalf of the Spanish Consulto, did some of our Counsellors be­come odious, as if they betray'd both Church and Kingdom; so all that wished the Queen to the French Gallant, Quasi ingrati in patriam & principem sugillantur, Camb. An. 1581. All as like as may be. Mercury is as like Sosia, as Sosia is like himself. And the People are like themselves in all Ages, who commonly suspect some Evil from their Governours, when they will be wiser than they: So that it is very rare to look to the Publick, as it ought, and to be in Possession of most Hearts; but as Tul. Orat. pro Flacco, said of a mutinous Concourse of the Trallians, Patiamini me delicta vulgi à publicâ causà separare: So I think not the worse of any Place, if the Herd of the People break further than good Manners and Obedi­ence. They know not how to Rule, nor is it fit they should know how they [Page 140]are Rul'd. For they have Noses and smell not. The Wisdom of a Kingdom is to be valued, after it is calcinated from the Opinion of the multitude.

149. Which presently is to be Tried, For the Articles gain-said by a great Out-cry came to the Touch-Stone, July 20. being Sunday, and were presented before to His Majesty to Swear unto, and to the Lords of the Council to subscribe their Approbation; which were of two sorts. Some belong'd to the Infanta, and her Train of Houshold, and no further: Some belong'd to all the English, that had taken the Mark of the Church of Rome in their Hand. Of the former, three, and no more, did seem to be Litigious.

First, That the Princessa and her Servants should enjoy the Use of their own Religion, without Trouble or Molestation, and a Chappel to be built, adjoyning to her Court, for the more full and decent Exercise of it; which held little dis­pute, for the provident Councel of Q. Eliz. made no scruple to consent to the like in express Words. Dux, & sui, modo non sint Nativi Angliae Subjecti, suam li­beri Religionem exerceant in constituto aliquo loco in suis aedibus, sine impedimento; so the Foundation was laid of the Chappel, adjoyning to St. James's place.

Secondly, That the Princessa should be trusted with the Education of the Children lawfully begotten between them, till they came to Ten Years of Age. A string that grated harshly; yet heard by Wise-men with more Laughter, then Fear. For Childhood is not apt to take any perilous impression in intellectual Points; and they would be often with the Father, and those about him, and unlearn corrupt Principles. Chiefly it was foreseen, that it was a Gratification, that would die out of it self, and expire in process of so long a time. And in all Councils much must be ascrib'd to the Foresight of Prudence; as Nepos says in the Life of Atti­cus, Facile intelligi potest prudentiam esse quandam Divinationom. Prudence sees so far before it, that it comes not short of a kind of Divination. Much more was al­low'd to the Duke of Anjoy in the page Appealed to before Camb. anno 1558. p. 320. Si Dux supervixeru Roginae, habebit tutelam liberorum, si masculi non excesserint decimum Octavum Annum, & feminae decimum quintum. I think those Counsellors ran too far into Temptation. I am sure we were far more Cautelous and Restri­ctive.

Thirdly, That the Clergy waiting upon the Princessa should be subject to no Laws, or Statutes of England already made, or that should be made hereafter.

Methinks no Honest man, that lives in Humane Society, should ask such an Immunity, though it were possible to be Granted. Yet their Clerks do not ask it, but Arrogate it. So Bellar. lib. 1. de Cler. c. 18. Clericks are not under the Laws of secular Princes by Obligation compulsory, but directory. That is, they do well to conform to the Establish'd Laws of any Nation, where they live, for the maintenance of Peace, and usual Commerce: But if it seems better to them to avoid those Laws, and not observe them, they cannot be punish'd by, no nor cited to the Courts of Secular Magistrates. This Article K. James eraced out, not only by his own, but by St. Paul's Authority, Rom. 13. Let every Soul be Subject to the Higher Powers; to those Higher Powers that Receive Tribute, and bear not the Sword in vain, if any do Evil. Herein I commend the States of the Ne­therlands, for that which I find in a Book, call'd, The Revolutions of the United Provinces p. 175. A Peace but few years since being brought to Conclusion be­tween them and the King of Spain, they agree that the Subjects of the King of Spain may Converse and Negotiate in all their Territories, but with an express Prohibition of all Ecclesiastical Persons; for the Plenipotentiary of the King of Spain maintain'd in a great Diet held at Munster, that they were none of the K. of Spains Subjects, or Subject to any Secular Power, but only to the Pope of Rome. A good work to thrust them out for Wranglers, as our King thrust out this Article. All Concessions that were thought Honourable and needful for the Infanta being pass'd over, a contract steps forth in the behalf of all those in these Dominions, that were of her Highness's Religion, meaning so much and no more, as was to be presently put in use. It is almost not credible what strange Rumors ignorant Fear, or perhaps malicious, had buzz'd abroad. That some of our fair­est Churches Parochical, nay Cathedral, must be devoted to Assemblies of Pa­pists for their Publick Use. That Cloysters for Votaries, Male and Female, should be Erected, &c.

[Page 141]The Demands were bad enough, yet much under that presumption. As they came from the Embassadors they were comprized under two Heads. The First, That a general Pardon should pass under the Great-Seal for the benefit of all Pa­pists in this Land, to acquit them from the Penalties of such Statutes, as might take hold of them for the time past, in case of Religion. To which good words were given, and after many Rubs and Reservations (as shall be shewn) the Seal was put to an Instrument for that purpose, but kept in Lavender. The other was the Gorgon's Head, which Frighted the Lookers on, that a Patent should be drawn up copiously with the same Seal to it, to save the Recusants Ecclesiastical and Lay, from the Penalties of all Statutes made against them, for the time to come. This is the Star call'd Wormwood that fell into the Waters of Debate, Revel. 8.11. Where­in the Spanish Agents were put off with many Delays and Wise Representations; till in the End the Lord Keeper reduced it to this Issue. That all Magistrates should be warned by Letters sent to them severally, not to molest the Roman Ca­tholicks upon any Statute, till His Majesty had signified his further pleasure, and that when the Princessa had been Six Months in England, this Favour should be confirmed to her further Content. The like was not yielded in the business Agi­tated with the Duke of Anjoy, but a strict Exception was put in, Ut nulla Occasio Anglis ad leges constitut as violandas praeberetur. It was an ill time for the Embassa­dors to ask such things; when not only seditious Spirits, but the best of Prote­stants, who had nothing in them of the peevish and refractory, were sick of an ill Digestion of Jealousies. It was a hard seeming work to overcome, for the Ra­vens Croak'd, and the Doves mourned at it. Yet it was a worse time to deny them, when the Pledge of our Future Happiness stuck fast in a Foreign King­dom, and nothing could Conduct him home with such Celerity and Safety, as some drops of Grace Distilling from the Prerogative Royal, to stay the longing of the Pontifician Faction. They are beguiled that think Marquess Inoihosa, or [...] Carlos de Colonna pluck'd us over our Line, to get a Wife for the Prince; it was to get him home.

Let his Highness look to it in Spain to come home with a Glorious Bride; but all Loyal Hearts look earnestly for him, whether single or double was not the Chief Point. And the Anxiety of his Majesty was, What shall I do for my Son! 1 Sam. 10.2. This was the Compass that guided the Lords of the Councel in their con­descension, to bring their young Master out of Peril, though it were with the Ransom of too much Mercy to them, who were not the best that deserv'd it. But who it was that set the Edge of the Razor upon the Hoane; who it was that surpass'd himself in this Negotiation; that cut off difficulties smoothly, leaving no Raggedness to be seen in the Clest of his distinctions, will appear in the ensuing dispatch of the Lord Keepers to the Prince; whose goodness will satisfie for the Prolixity.

152. So powerful and perspicuous was the Lord Keeper's Theology, that all the Worthies of David, his Majesties Secret Counsel, concurr'd in the Confirma­tion. Among whom was Bishop Andrews, the Torturer of the best Roman Cham­pion with his mighty Learning. Another was Archbishop Abbots, about whom Mr. Sanderson is most negligently mistaken, to write thus, Pag. 550. That he was then suspended from his Function, and from coming to the Council-Table. He sat that Day with the Lords, and was the first that subscribed in the Catalogue, as himself observes. It may be Mr. Sanderson could not reconcile, (nor I neither) how he should sign to the Ratification, and undertake a long Letter to King James to dis­prove it with many Flourishes, Cab. p. 13. The same Fountain cannot send forth salt Water and fresh, Jam. 3.12. Therefore I deny the Letter, (I believe justly) to have been written by him. Such Frauds are committed daily, to set Credit to spu­rious Writings under a borrowed Name. A. Gell. picks out a fit Merchant for such Ware, Sertorius, a brave Commander, but a great Impostor. Literas Compositas pro veris legebat, Lib. 15. Cap. 22. But I will prove my Conjecture strongly. First, So wise a Man would not shame himself with Inconstancy; Act one thing to Day with his Sovereign Lord, and pluck it down to Morrow. Secondly, The Letter crept out of Darkness Thirty Years after the Prince came out of Spain, and Twenty Years after the supposed Authors Death. A large time to hatch a Fable. Thirdly, The Lord Keeper, (vide supra) certified the Prince, that before the Lords came together to consult about the ease of the Oaths, two Speeches were in many Hands rise in London; The one for the Negative, under the Archbishop's Name; The other for the Affirmative, under the Lord Keepers Name, when no Colloquy had been begun about it. Was it not as easie for the same Author, or such another, to forge a Letter, as well as a Speech? Fourthly, The Archbishop was so stout in the Pulpit at Whitehal, as to deplore the Prince's absence, and his departure out of the Kingdom. The ill relish of that passage, (I know it by the Papers under my Hand) was sent abroad as far as Spain by Sir Edw. Villiers. And I dare say the Tydings of that Letter, had followed the News of the Sermon, if it had been a Chicken of the same Brood. Finally, There was nothing done that [Page 144]needed a Recantation. Yet Opinions were so various, that some spread it for a Fame, That the Prince himself gave the Lord Keeper no Thanks for his Labour. But that which follows will encounter it, to break the Chaw-bone of the Lye; as it is to be found in a Postscript of his to the Duke, Cab. p. 85.

That sweet Letter is preserved, written every Syllable with his Highness's own Hand, which will shew the sufficiency of his Pen at those young Years, but much more the Pleasure he took in those, that did him faithful Service.

This was sent away in 17 Days after the Agreement was struck up at Wansted. Happy are they, who, being put to drudge at the Plough of State-Affairs, do reap the Harvest of such Gracious Acceptance. And a Prince will find it true, that he gets as many Hearts, when he receives the Devoirs of his Subjects comfortably and smilingly, as when he rewards them bountifully. So Pliny in the Paneg. to Trajan, Non minùs regium summaeque humanitatis parva lubenti facilique suscipere ani­mo, quàm magna largiri: A King cannot always reward, but he may always com­mend the well-deserving of his Vassals. Which is good Interest, though it be not the Principal. For an Ingenuous Servant, that is not yet gratified, is solaced with Hope: But he that is not stroak'd with good Words, is discourag'd for ever.

153. Enough is contein'd in this little touch, that his Highness in his Letter of surpassing Love was just to himself, as well as gracious to his trusty Minister. One Man's Wit wrought Miracles here to soder up all the broken pieces of the business. Though the Prince had skilful Men about him, yet there wanted such another Head-piece at his Elbow in Spain. I cannot but think of him, when I remember what Cuiacius said of his great Master in the Caesarean Law, Nemo unus erit unquam Papinianus. Neither let his Praise fall lower, because he was not a Nestor in Years: For he was elder at this time, than Papinian was when he died. He followed the Cares of the Prince in Madrid, when his Imployment was call'd for, but being far off, not altogether with the like success. It was hot Weather now in that Tor­rid Climate, the Bocca Difurno, as they call it; and the Treaty of the Match was not a little scorch'd. The Duke wrote to the Lord Keeper, July 8. That he did not altogether distrust a good End: His Highness in his, July 30. seems to presage That he hop'd for a desired End. The Words are sufficiently chearful; but some Art was in them. For perusing the very Reports of those gallant Persons, when they came into England, I find all things about this time look very sickly, and with a Face of Consumption. The Earl of Bristol, an understanding Author in these Af­fairs, writes, That the Match was so really intended, that it was past all danger of miscarrying, if the fault were not on our side; yet together he confesseth, That the Spaniards have committed many Errours in their proceeding with the Prince, [Page 145] Cab. P. 23. Right: For 'tis easie to tumble forth an huddle of them at this time. The Ratification of the Articles was ready to be publish'd by the Nuncio after much ado: But the Pope dies July 8. Benè fecit Regulus quod mortuus est, melius si ante, says Pliny, Lib. 6. Ep. ad Arn. But well had it been, if old Gregory had lived lon­ger, or died sooner. The Life of his Dispensation and Confirmations expired with him. All the Ground we had trod must be trod over again; and we are carried back to the beginning of the Race, from whence we started: And no coming for­ward, no not a foot, till St. Peter's Chair was fill'd again. Whose Successor was not chosen till August the 6th. Nor he at leisure to mind this Matter in his new Pontificality till September. Nor a second Impression of a Dispensation to be got­ten, till November even spent. Who would not have consider'd the Disdain that a generous Love, and a more generous Mind, must conceive, to have the Cherry bob at his Lip, and to be snatcht from him? Quo propiùs accesseris ad spem fruendi, hòc impatientius careas, says the same Pliny, Lib. 6. Ep. 1. But let a free born Spirit see what it is to wait upon the Papal Pleasure, so lingring, so imperious, I know not which is worst. Christianity bids us submit to them which watch over our Souls, Heb. 13. but it doth not make us Religious Slaves. Therefore the Prince declar'd it for his resolute Mind, That he would not abide the delay of the next Missive from Rome, nor stay for the Birth of another Elephant: Neither should all the Syrens in Spain stop his departure. Which made them whisper, That his Highness would rob them of his Company, and take no leave; and set some, though not openly, to keep Centinel to prevent him. Which surmise he confronted with a Message, equal to the best of the ancient Apophthegms, That though he came thither pri­vily out of Love, he scorn'd to steal away privily out of Fear. But when he heard that some were set in ambush to interrupt his Return, he bore it Heroically, and without strife of Passion, because he knew no Remedy to help it, and wrote to the King his Father to be couragious in the sufferance with these Lines: ‘That if his Majesty should receive any Intelligence, that he was deteined in that State as a Prisoner, he would be pleased, for his sake, never to think of him more as a Son, but to reflect with all Royal Thoughts upon the good of his Sister, and the safety of his own Kingdoms.’ That Family, and those Children, with whom King Philip held less Amity than with the English, secur'd us afterwards from those fears. But for other things, the Grandees of the Consulto (till their heat had vapoured out) stood upon such Terms, as had no Equity or Moderation. For when Sir Fr. Cottington return'd with our Kings Oath, plighted to the annexed Conditions for the ease of the Roman Catholicks, the Spaniards made no Remon­strance of Joy, (says the Prince in his Report) or of an ordinary liking to it. Therefore the Lord Keeper observing that they had an insatiate and hydropical Malady, that the more they gulpt down the more they thirsted, he tried if they would take this Julip as he prepared it in his Letter to the Duke of Bucking­ham.

Here's a Remonstrance then which nothing could be more placid, or more so­lid; upon which I look, as upon Thaboren in Parthia, as Justin describes it lib. 41. Cuius loci ea conditio est, ut ne (que) munitius quicquam, ne (que) amoenius esse possit. [Page 146]Just at this time the Days of Trouble look'd darker and darker in Spain. The Prince, disgusted to Treat with a People that ask'd much and granted little; and Wire-drew Counsels into Vexatious length, resolv'd to take his leave: and shew'd the King of Spain his Fathers Royal and Indispensable Pleasure, that no Proffer should in­terpose, but that he should hasten him, for which his Navy did attend him upon the Coast of Biscay. That it was no fault of his that he must depart when the Treaty was so imperfect, but in them that made it a Justitium, or Intermission of all Proceedings, because upon the Death of the Pope, the Court of Rome was not open. Olivarez to divert his Highness, made Two Propositions; First, That the Prince would come in to the Conditions as they came formerly from Rome, or to stay till new ones might be agreed upon, and Ratified at Rome; Hoc illud cornu­copiae est, ubi in est quicquid volo, says Pseudolus in Plautus. Grant the Conde to make his Reference to Rome, and you grant him all. That's the Goats-Horn, or Jug­glers Box, out of which he can fetch any thing with a sleight. The Prince an­swer'd him very gravely for one so young, (as he made the Report at St. James's) The first motion he had declin'd before, neither had he chang'd his Judgment; nor should they find him a Shechem, to pass over into a New Religion for a Wife, Gen. 34. The other Motion he accepted this way, He would go for England to per­fect the Articles there, and let them do the like at Rome. Olivarez admired at his Reply, but took it up with this Answer, That to be gone so soon, and nothing Model'd to the Content of any side, would be a Breach; therefore he humbly besought his Highness to stay but Twenty Days, and he swore by all the Saints of Heaven, then he was sure it would be a Marriage. The Duke of Buckingham standing by, said, It is well, but it might have been as well Seven years ago: Which put the Conde to a great Anger, and in his Anger made him Fome out a Secret, That there was no Match intended Seven Months ago; and says he, I will fetch that out of my Desk that shall assure you of it. So he produced a Let­ter, written to one Don Baltasar, with King Philip III. his own Hand, as he Vowed. The Prince was allowed to Read it then as much as he would, but not to take a Copy, (all this was declared to the next Parliament in the Banquetting-House:) His Highness, with Sir Wal. Aston, better Skill'd in the Castilian Language, Tran­slated the Letter, as their Memories would bear it away, and kept it for a Monu­ment. This is the Letter which I think Mr. Prinn was the first that divulged, out of the Lord Cottington's Papers, which he had Ransack'd. Whether it were a true Letter of King Philip's lies upon Olivarez Credit, (it never came out of his Custody) or whether the Prince and Sir W. Aston mist nothing of the right Sense of it, through Frailty of Memory, when they came to Recollect the Sum of it in private, is not yet decided. Salomon alluding to the Contradictions that are in some Mens Para­bles, says, They are like the Legs of the Lame, that are not equal, Prov. 26.7. Let the best Bone-setter in the Hundred set these Legs even if he can. An Au­thentical Notary in Spain, Conde Olivarez shews it under Black and White, that Philip, the Father of the Infanta, who died Anno 1621, held our King in Hopes, but never intended to give his Daughter to the Prince of Wales. Hear the Evi­dence of the other side: His Highness Remembred the Parliament, That Sir Wal. Aston was struck Mute at the Reading of the Letter; for upon the Death of the late King of Spain, being sent from his Master our Soveraign to the King of Spain that now is, to understand his Mind upon the Treaty of Marriage; he receiv'd this Chearful Answer, That he was sorry he had not the Honour to begin it, but now he would pursue it with all Alacrity. The Earl of Bristol is another Witness, Cab. p. 27. I insisted that Two Millions for the Portion were by the last King settled, and agreed with me. That this King had undertaken to pursue the Business as it was left by his Father, and to make Good whatsoever he had promised; There­upon I desired that the Original Papers and Consultoes of the last King might be seen; which very honestly by the Secretary Cirica were produced; and appeared to be such, that I dare say there was not any Man that saw them, that doubteth of the last Kings real Intention of making the Match: So I leave these Contradi­ctions to blush at the sight of one another: But to me, Olivarez his Fidelity is the Leg that halts. For as Tully said of Roscius, the Comoedians Adversary, Quod sibi probare non possit, id persuadere alteri conatur, he could never persuade that vigorously to another which he disbelieved himself. It is a tedious thing to be tied to Treat with one that cares not for his own Honour, nor regards his Modesty with whom he Treats. I mean that same Person, that Bashaw of King Philip, the Conde Duke, who entramel'd as many Devices as his Pate could bring together, to raise a Dust; and made Demands meerly to satisfie his own Pride, that he might boast he had [Page 147]ask'd them, though his discretion taught him that he could never obtain them. When Sir Fr. Cottington return'd to Madrid with the great Article, procur'd to suspend the Penal Statutes of England in favour of Recusants, he presented it to the Conde, and expected, as the Casttlian Phrase is, Las Albricias, a reward for bringing of good News; the Conde stoop'd not so low as to give Thanks; but, having perused the Paper, told Sir Francis, it would be expected the Prince should Negotiate a plain Toleration; for the Protestants that endured that which was in his Hand, would patiently endure more. Sir Francis Answered him with the Old Simile, That his Lordship was no good Musician, for he would peg the Minikin so high, till it crack'd. Concerning his Attemptings upon the Prince, my supply is out of private Letters that came from Friend to Friend. The Conde had Oblig'd his Honour to his Highness, when he came First to the Court of Spain, never to meddle with him about his Religion. He kept not his promise; but solicited his Highness, that as he lov'd his Soul, he would return to England a Catholic in his Sense. Well my Lord, says the Prince, You have broken your Word with me, but I will not break my Faith with God. Another time he besought his Highness to af­ford his Company at a Solemn Mass; No Sir, says the Prince, I will do no ill, nor the suspicion of it. Once more this Idern told his Highness, that he would accom­plish all that he could desire from the Crown of Spain, if he would profess him­self a Son of the Roman Church; he should not only carry home the bravest Lady for Beauty, Birth, and Vertue that was; but be made as great a King in Riches and Power as was in Europe. But as the Prophet says, Isa. 63.5. Excan­discentia mea fulcivit me, my Fury it upheld me; so the Prince was heated at the Offer, and gave this provocation to him that had provok'd him, that it was such a another Rhadomontade, as the Devil made to Christ, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and Worship me. Next to matters of Religion, the stiff­est thing that was tugg'd for in this Month, was about the Restitution of the Pa­latinate. The Secretary of the Elector came to Madrid with Letters to the Duke about it, which were not first imparted to the King his Father-in-Law. But all that shall be drawn up into one Process in the Transactions of August.

155. But in all Disputes for Sacred or secular Matters, the Ministers of our King were the more Naked and Unarm'd, when they came to the push of the Spa­nish Subtleties, because they kept not the correspondence with themselves. If my Lord of Buckingham could have fashion'd his mind to draw the same yoke with the Earl of Bristol, who was most conversant upon the place, and best knew the Arts of that Nation, success had been more Fortunate. But those Civil Discords were the Cause of many disorders and incivilities. Therefore the King imposed on the Lord Keeper, to use his Pen once more to reconcile them, which he did not fail to do the very next day, which was his Majesties Remove to begin the Western Progress.

July 22.

May it please your Grace,

I would not be troublesom with this Second Letter, but chiefly to let your Grace know, that you never stood in your Life more uprightly in his Majesties Favour, then at this instant; and that I shall need to pour out no other Prayers unto God, but for the continua­tion of the same. For Gods sake Write to my Lord Hamilton, and acquaint his Lord­ship with some Passages of your Affairs. For my self I shall be content to Rove, and guess at them. And I hope your Grace will be pleased to pardon this Excursion, that is my running this second or third time into business, which I am told (but cannot by any means believe it) hath already drawn your Grace's Offence against me. It is a most Humble, Zealous, and earnest Petition to your Grace, to Seal up, and really confirm that agree­ment and reconciliation, which to the great Contentment of all your Friends (but the Re­gret of some among us) you have made with the Earl of Bristol. What I wrote for­merly might be ill placed, and offend your Grace; but all proceeded from as true and sin­cere a Heart unto your Grace, as you left behind you in all this Kingdom. But the renew­ing of it now again hath a Root from a higher Power, who hath observ'd your Grace his Favour so abounding towards me; and my acknowledgments, so far as my poor ability permitteth, so returned to your Grace, that he was pleased to say unto me this Morning, upon this Theme, That he knew you would regard any Representation that I should recom­mend unto you. In good Faith his Majesty is more then Zealous, not only of fair Terms of Friendship, but of a near Alliance, formerly spoken of, between your Grace, and that Earl. Of whose Sufficiencies and Abilities I perceive His Majesty to retein an extraor­dinary good Opinion; which in all Humility I thus leave to your Lordships Wisdom and Consideration.

[Page 148] The Earl of Bristol had heard how the Lord Keeper had ventur'd to make this Pacification, and writes to him, Cab. p. 20. That the Friendship of the Duke was a thing he did infinitely desire, that he did much Esteem the good Offices his Lordship bad done therein, but that he conceived that any motion he had made in that kind, had been despis'd, rather then received with Thankfulness.

156. He might have said more then despised; for they were received with that sad Interpretation, that upon it the Duke removed his Affections from the Lord Keeper for ever; quite contrary to Solon's Rule, neither to choose a Friend sud­denly, nor to loose him suddenly. But after all the Lord Keepers Faithfulness, and that he watch'd the good of the Dukes Affairs in his absence, with as much tenderness, as a Nurse doth a sucking Child at her Breast, his Grace resolv'd to pluck down the highest Roof of his Dignity, as soon as he could. Nor was he the surer to escape that Anger for fair Words. Tacitae magis & occultae inimicitiae timendae sunt, quàm indictae & apertae. Cic. 7. Verrin. Yet the threatning broke out by one man, who was glad to cherish it. For Sir John Michel did not hide it, that my Lord Mandevile, Lord President of the Councel, shew'd him a Let­ter from Spain, assuring that the first Action the Duke would Embark himself in when he came home, should be to remove him out of his Place, Cab. p. 89. With which the threatned party was not much daunted, knowing what a Master he ser­ved; that King, whose Speech utter'd at Sterling at fourteen years of Age, hath Wisdom becoming one of fourty, Spotwoods p. 288. ‘I will study to be indifferent and to bestow my Favours impartially, and never repose my self upon any one so much, as to deny others the regard that is due unto them.’ The Duke was a generous, and incorrupt Patron; an exactor of great Duty from those he pre­fer'd, or a great Enemy. Let him allow himself what he could ask for all his Fa­vours, this Man was ready to pay him. If he would be deceiv'd by crafty Un­derminers into the distrust of his truest Friend, when he could not serve him in unfit ways, the fault is in the want of his Grace's insight, or inconstancy. But as I find it in the Posthumous Meditation of the most Noble Lord Capel, p. 21. Fa­vour is a fine Thred, which will scarce hold one tug of a crafty Tale-bearer. The Observator on H. L. lights upon this Quarrel (I do not pursue the Lord Keepers Enemies: But if I meet them I will not shun them) Thus, He being Drunk with Wormwood; Lam. 3.15. That he had done many ill Offices to the Duke, when he was in Spain p. 36. Many? and yet Name none? If he will pick his Ears clean from the filth of Hatred, I will tell him what my Lord Duke took to be ill Offices. The First Displeasure (and never laid down) was, That the knowledge came to the King by his means, who those Gentlemen were, that importun'd his Grace by their Expresses sent into Spain, to rend the Treaty of the Match in sunder, or to Act against it with all Wit and Power. The accused Lord protested upon his Salvation he was not the Discoverer. The acclearment is fair, and the Proof nothing; who is able to make Answer to Jealousie, that grows out of the Mud of a man's Brain, like a Bull-rush? I will Relate what the Earl of Rutland, the Duke's Father-in-Law, return'd again, when he had gone between them often to dismount this Objection; that the Duke said, Whensoever I Disagree with him, he will prove himself to be in the Right; and though I could never detect him hitherto to be Dishonest, I am afraid of his Wit. The Second Offence taken was, That he would have perswaded the Duke into a good Opinion of the Earl of Bristol; and Rea­son for it; because he would have kept his Lordship in a good Opinion with the King. To which all his Allies, all that Studied him, all that Honour'd him, did not contribute so much, nor had the King's Ear so much as he had to effect it. To sit Heraclides his Adagy to him, Nemo benè merito bovem immolavit, praeter Phari­am. He was another Pharias, that offered the best Sacrifice to that Lord, that had deserved the best of him. When I find the King had his part in that which was so ill taken anent the Earl of Bristol, I can find no blame in it. But if it had been an Error, it was a sanctified one, to labour to convert Enmities unto Love unfeigned. And should a Talent of Anger be weighed against a Grain of Offence? There was no Error; there was no Offence, but that Infelicity which the Wise Man Bias observ'd to be in such Cases. ‘That it is better to be Judg in a Cause between two Enemies, then two Friends; for of two Friends I shall make one mine Enemy; but of two Enemies it is likely I shall make one my Friend; Laert in vità.’ The Third Scandal was, That he set forward the Trea­ty of the Marriage with Oars, and Sails of Ingeny and Industry. A new Crime Caius Caesar, and never heard before. He was a Servant in it. He was Con­jur'd [Page 149]unto the Care of it by the King; and he was as Trusty to it, as the Soul of his Majesty could wish. The best Head-piece of our Councel in Spain look'd upon him as the chief Adjutant, Cab. p. 23. Thus the Earl of Bristol: ‘If there should be any doubt, I am sure that your Lordship would put to a helping hand, to keep the business from being overthrown, since you have done so much for the overcoming of former difficulties, and the bringing it to the pass it is now in.’ The Duke was fallen, by the wyliness of others, and by his own wil­fulness, into a contrary Motion; when the Lord Keeper saw the Councils of his greatest Friend esloigned from those of his dread Sovereign, he had been a Beast if he had not given the Right Hand to Loyalty. Patrem primum, postea Patronum proximum nomen habere, says Cato in A. Gel. lib. 5. A King is a common Father; Observance is due to thy Father first, and afterward to thy Patron.

157. Yet why should things subordinate be at odds, as if they were contraries? The lesser Circle is not opposite, but within the greater. Moses, and his Mini­ster Josuah, the King and his Choicest Servants, are not Represented as two, but as one person to Allegiance. The Lord Keeper held fast to them both, that both might hold fast to themselves; nor would he leave the Duke to his own [...] ­king, as far as the King dislik'd him; but persisted to displease him into the good Opinion of his Majesty. Vera amicitia est idem velle, & idem nolle, says [...]elius. If this young unforeseeing Lord should persist to hate that which the King lov'd, his vigilant Counsellor knew, that the King would use him no longer a Friend, but would remove him from that privacy wherein he had bred him. This, and much more, was prosecuted in August.

In the Language of Old Latium, August, and Sacred signified the same. 'Twere good if it would prove so now. But it began with discontent on every side, and never mended. Our Wise King no longer smother'd his Passion, but confess'd at sundry times a great fault in himself, that he had been so improvident, to send the Duke on this Errand with the Prince, whose bearing in Spain was ill Report­ed by all that were not partial. He put the bafful so affectedly upon the Earl of Bristol at every turn, that those Propositions which his Majesty had long be­fore approved with deep Wisdom, and setled with the Word of Honour, were struck out by my Lord of Buckingham, only because Bristol had presented them. Nay, if the Prince began to qualifie the unreasonableness, he would take the Tale out of his Highness's Mouth, and over-rule it; and with such youthful and capri­cious Gestures, as became not the lowly Subjection due to so great a Person, but least of all before Strangers. It was an Eye-sore to the Spaniards above any peo­ple, who speak not to their King, and the Royal Stems of the Crown, without the Complement of Reverence; nor approach unto them without a kind of A­doration. The more the Prince endur'd it, the more was their judgment against it. For every Mouth was fill'd with his Highness's Praise, and nothing thought wanting in him to be absolutely good and Noble, but to know his own Birth and Majesty better, and to keep more distance from a Subject. So the Earl of Bristol Writes Cab. p. 20. ‘I protest as a Christian, I never heard in all the time of his being here, nor since, any one Exception against him, unless it were for being supposed to be too much guided by my Lord of Buckingham; which was no Ve­nial Sin in their censure.’ For how much their gall Super-abounded against that Lord, the same Earl could not hold to write it to the Lord Keeper, bearing Date August 20. ‘I know not how things may be Reconciled here before my Lord Duke's departure, but at present they are in all Extremity ill, betwixt this King, his Ministers, and the Duke. And they stick not to profess, that they will rather put the Infanta head-long into a Well, then into his Hands.’ One thing that fill'd up the Character of my Lord Duke before in this Work was, that he had much of the brave Alcibiades in him: In this they differ; that Plu­tarch's Alcibiades suited himself so well, to the Manners and Customs of all Courts, where he came, that he gave satisfaction to all Princes; and they were best plea­sed with him, that most enjoy'd him. The great Lord Villiers was not so Fortu­nate; for he thrived not in the Air of Madrid; and he brook'd the Air of Paris as ill, about two years after upon the like Occasion. And no marvel. For as Ca­tulus said of Pompey in Paterculus, Praeclarus vir Cn. Pompeius, sed reipub. liberae ni­mius. So this Lord was a worthy Gentleman, but too big to be one in a Free Treaty with other Ministers. The Lord Keeper, who was the Socrates to this [Page 150] Alcibiades, had Noted his Lordships Errors, and unbeseeming Pranks before. For which he look'd for no better, then he that rubs a Horse that is gaul'd. Yet he resolv'd to shoot another Arrow the same way, that the former went; though the Duke had threatned to break his Bow as soon as he came Home. But he was too prudent to be scared from doing Duty to so great a Friend. [...], says Aristotle. He is neither Wise nor Faithful, but a Flatterer, that denies his Spirit ingenious Freedom. And it is a Speech worthy of Sir Ph. Sid­ney, which the Lord Brooke ascribes to him, Pag. 42. of his Life: That he never found Wisdom, where he found not Courage. Therefore the Lord Keeper writes to the Duke, Aug. 3. of which this is the Moral, to him that reads it intelligently. That no Man living can keep Favour, who keeps not Conditions that merit to perpetuate Favour.

This was bold, but faithful and ingenious Dealing: The Duke's last Messenger, whom he sent into England, before he arrived, Sir J. Hipsley, gave him a touch of the same, Cab. P. 316. For God's-sake carry the Business with Patience betwixt my Lord of Bristol and you. And again in the same— For God's-sake make what hast you may Home, for fear of the worst: For the King's Face began to gather Clouds upon the Quarrel between his Ministers in Spain, which did so much disturb the Match. Sir John Hipsley, and such as he, the Duke could pass them over for rash Wri­ters, but he would never forgive it to the Lord Keeper, who invited him to see his Errors. But like old Galesus in Virgil, Aen. 7. who was knocked down while he went betwen the Latins and Trojans to reconcile them.

So it hapned to him that pleaded in this Mediation, to be offered upon the Sa­crifice, and Service of making Love.

159. Nevertheless, to draw out the Thread of Favour to more length, which the Duke had with the King, and that the Destinies might not cut it off, the Lord Keeper wrote to his Majesty upon Sir John Hipsley's Arrival in the midst of August, That he had heard more of the Duke's most laudable Diligence in Spain, [Page 151]from Sir John, than ever he could learn before; that Malice it self could not but commend his Zeal, and that Humanity could not but pity the Toil he had, to reduce that intricate and untoward Business of the Palatinate to some good Success. He might well call them intricate and untoward, for the Spanish Motions were circular Nothings, much about, and nothing to the Point. Most true it is, that the Articles anent the Marriage were drawn up, and restricted to some Heads and Numbers (though not perfected) three years before the Emperor had entred into the Palz with any Hostility. Therefore the Spaniards disputed thus; Bring not the motion of it into this Treaty, as a thing born out of due time. What were it else, but, as the Proverb says, Extra chorum saltare, to Dance well, but quite out of the measure of the Mascarata? We answered, if things had been, as they are now, at the beginning, this had then been a principal Capitulation. Nor had we honerated the Articles with a new Proposition, unless themselves, that is, the House of Austria, had cast us into the Gulph of a new Extremity. Reduce the King and his Posterity to the same Peace they were in, when we be­gan to treat, and we ask no more. But as Seneca says, Lib. 4. de ben. c. 35. Omnia esse debent eadem quae fuerant cum promitterem, ut promittentis fidem teneas. But up­on so great a Change, there is neither Inconstancy, nor Encroachment, to fall into new Consultations. For all this, though nothing but Pertinacy durst stand the Breath of so much Truth, the others came no nearer to us, but kept further off, affirming (as it is in the Report made at St. James's) that they conceived our King expected no Restitution at all for his Son and Daughter, and that they sup­posed his Majesty had already digested that bitter Potion. We told them, they must not dissemble before us, as if they knew not the Contrary. For his Majesty never intermitted to rouse up their Embassadors to give him a fair Answer about it; and had stopt the Treaty of the Match, if they had not opened the Way by Protestation made in the Faith of their King, that the Palatinate should be ren­dred up with Peaceable Possession. What Shape could Olivarez put on now? none but his own: a stately Impudency. For he told us in the broad Day-light, that all former Promises, spoken before the Prince's Coming, whether by Embas­sadors to our King, or by Count Gondamar, to my Lord of Bristol and others, were but Palabras de cumplimiento, Gratifications of fine Words, but no more to be taken hold of, than the Fables and Fictions of Greece before the Wars of These­us. The Prince came over him at this with a blunt Anger, that if there were no more Assurance in their Word, it was past the Wit of Man to know what they meant; but he would tell them really his Father's, and his own Meaning, That without his Sister's, and her Husband's Inheritance restored, they neither intend­ed Marriage nor Friendship. When King Philip had heard with what Courage and Determination his Highness had spoken, like Caesar in Velleius, Se virtute suâ, non magnitudine hostium metiens, it put that King and his Counsel to a middle-way, as they called it, To treat upon the old Articles, and no other, as falling perpen­dicularly on the Marriage, but to take into a concurrent Deliberation, the Resti­tution of the Prince Elector's Country. Let Metaphysical States-men scratch their Heads, and find a real Distinction, if they can, between these Formalities. Yet Sir Walter Aston followed them in that Way, and paid them in the same Coin with this Distinction, Cab. P. 38. That the King his Master prest for the Restitution of the Palatinate, and Electoral Dignity to the Prince, his Son-in-Law, not as a Condi­tion of the Marriage, but to be setled together with the Marriage—And again, Not as a Condition, but as a Fruit and Blessing of the Alliance—And to make the Coming of the Excellent Princess, the Infanta, of more Esteem to his Subjects, bringing with her (beside the Glory of her own Virtue and Worth) the Security of a perpetual Peace and A­mity. These were Punctilio's in Honour, but just Nothings in Wisdom; the Cause of the Palatinate must not be tempered at the same Forge, but apart, not a Rush was gotten by it, and time wasted; for our Ministers were resolved to conclude neither, unless they perfected both.

160. The Sennor Duca Olivarez made such Work upon this Theme, and turn'd it into so many Forms, that it makes him ridiculous in the History, ‘ Vertumnis, quotquot sunt, natus iniquis. Horat.’ And so disastrous a Counsellor, through his Variableness, that it was his Fault that caused a Distrust in the main, as wise Spotswood says, Pag. 544. The Prince con­ceived there was nothing really intended on the King of Spain's Part, but that the Treaty was entertained only till he (and the House of Austria) had reduced [Page 152] Germany into their Power, which might be suspected without Injury, by looking upon this Vertumnus in all his Changings. Seven Months before the Prince took his Journey, and came to cast the Die upon the whole Stake, to win or loose all, Mr. End. Porter was sent to Spain, and spake with the great Conde, who snapt him up, and gave him this unkind Welcome in a Chase, That they neither meant the Match, nor the Restitution of the Palatinate. Presently the Earl of Bristol gave him a Visit, and a Discourse about it: In a trice he winds himself out of his former Fury, and vows he would do his best to further both. The next Disco­very breaks out by Mr. Sanderson's Diligence, Pag. 540. in a Letter of the Conde's to King Philip, Novemb. 8. 1622. That the King of Great Brittain affected the Mar­riage of his Son with the Infanta, and was more engaged for the Palatinate— And as a Maxim, I hold these two Engagements in him to be inseparable—For us, though we make the Marriage, we must fail in the other—Then you will be forced to a War with England, with which, all Convenencies, that were formerly thought upon, will cease. The Remedy which he propounds, to fail without all these Shelves, I never did light upon out of this Letter. 'Tis thus— The Emperor, as your Majesty knows by his Embassador, desires to Marry his Daughter with the King of England' s Son; and I doubt not but he will be glad to Marry his Second Daughter to the Palatine's Son—So all the Conventencies of Alliance will be as full in this—For it accommodates the Mat­ter of the Palatinate, and the Succession of his Grand-Children without Blood or Trea­sure. Here is a new Bride appointed for his Highness, the eldest Daughter of the Emperor, which is unlikely to be intended, because it comes from none but such an Author as Olivarez, and in as much as when Count Suartzenburg came about eighteen Months before Embassador to our King from Caesar, this was not mov­ed at that Oportunity, and when the Prince came to Spain, no shadow of it re­mained, but it was vanished like a Morning-mist before the Sun. Now follow their Whimsies and their In and Outs at the Consulto, when the Prince was a­mong them. The first Onset that Olivarez gave, was, ‘That they were ready to follow all the Demands of the King of Great Brittain, concerning the Match for his Son; to the Demands for his Son-in-Law, he said, they were not in their Power to effect, his Country was extended upon by the Emperor, his Electoral Dignity invested in the Duke of Bavaria.’ And within this Charm they kept us long, till we were weary with their Obstinacy, and sate down a while, as when Boys Scourge a great Top till they make it sleep. At last, the Prince's Highness, offended that he could gain nothing by this Alliance for his dear Sister's Good, offered to give King Philip a Farewel, that he might look timely at Home for the Relief of her Misery. On this, no man courts his Highness to stay, so much as Olivarez; and to slacken his Return, revives the Consult of the Restitution, pro­miseth the strongest Mediation that the King his Master could make with the Im­perialists and Bavarians; which if it were rejected (but they hoped better) he would be forward, for his Part, to stir up his Catholick Majesty to give his Bro­ther, the King of England, Assistance by Arms, to procure him his Satisfaction. Yet, whatsoever he said, his Heart lay a thought farther, and he had a Trick to redeem himself out of this Promise; for he told his Highness, in a Weeks space after, that he found their Nation so linked to the Love of the House of Austria, that they would never march chearfully into the Field against it. For all this the Weather-cock turn'd, and he was affrighted in a moment into a good Mind a­gain. So did his Highness report at St. James's, that a false Alarum being brought to Madrid, that Count Tilly, with his whole Body of Foot and Horse, was routed in Germany, instantly the Conde Duke came, with as much Fear as Hast, unto the Prince, and with as much Lowliness as his Knee upon the Ground, vowed he would give him a Blank for the Restitution of the Palsgrave's Interest; but when the Second (that is, the worst) News came, that the Duke of Brunswick was quite defeated, the Mood was changed with the Man, and he spake as loftily from that Matter, as if the great Armada had been failing again upon our Brittish Ocean. In­to how many Paces did Hipocrisie put him? Sincerity would have got him Ho­nour, dispatch the Work, and saved him all this Trouble; for with the same Study, nay, with far less, men may attain to be such as they ought to be, which they mis-spend, in seeking to be such as they are not, Quibus id persuasum est, ut nihil mallent se esse quàm bonos viros, iis reliquam facilem esse doctrinam Cic. de orat. lib. 3. After that great Don Jasper had put himself to the Expence of all this Folly, he riveted in two Straws more like than Wedges, to cleave the Knot. First, Let the Marriage be Consummated, and then despair not but the Princess Infanta would beg the Palatinate with her earnest Prayers, that she might be re­ceived [Page 153]with Honour and Applause among her Husband's People. That is, Seal their Patent, and we shall have an empty Box to play with. Or else marry the Lady, and leave her behind, till the Business for the Palsgrave's Patrimony were accommodated, which is like Velez's Trick in Gusman of Alfarach, to [...] away both the Bride, and the Bride-Cake. The great Projector held close to one Proposition at the last, that since Prince Frederick the Elector, had highly offend­ed Caesar, in the Attempt, and Continuance of it, in the Matter of Boh [...]mia no Account should be had of his Person, but Restitution should be made to his El­dest Son, by Marrying the Second Daughter of the Emperor; in which Clause the Prince concurred. But the Sting in the Tail was, that he should be bred up in the Emperor's Court, to mold him into a Roman Catholick. Upon which his Highness broke off, the Earl of Bristol (as a sharp Letter chargeth him, writ­ten by the Prince, Cab. Pag. 17.) swallowing down that Difficulty at a Gulp, be­cause without some such great Action, neither Marriage nor Peace could be had. But Sir Wal. Aston flew back, saying, He durst not give his Consent for fear of his Head. Now we have the Duke Olivarez in all his Party-colours, who knew that the Breach of Alliance with England would be transcendently ill for Spain, yet he would hazard a Mischief, unless he might tear a Princely Limb from the Prote­stant Religion not unlike to the Paeotlans in Justin, lib. 8. Tanto edio Pho [...]sunn ardentes, ut obliti cladium [...], perire ipsi, q [...]àm non perdere eos praeaptarent. How the Duke Olivarez smoothed it, a Letter of his, which would make a Pamphlet for the length, will manifest, which to this day hath lain in Obscurity, but is worthy to come abroad. It follows—

163. This long, riddling, non-concluding Letter, (such another as Tiberius the Emperor wrote from Capree to the Senate for the Tryal of Sejanus) is not endor­sed. I conceive it was sent to Mr. Edward Clerke, who was sent from the Prince on Shipboard to the Earl of Bristol, to stop the Powers he had for the dispatch of the expected Desposories, this was put into his Hand against he return'd for Eng­land. But what is it worth if it were to be sold? Scarce two of their Maravedies; and we requited them with that which came to as little as one of our Farthings. We had look'd after the Re-possession of the Palatinate till our Eyes aked; and to feed them with a taste of their own Provender, a long-breath'd Delay, we made their Ambassadors in London tarry for the Indulgences, which their Clients in Re­ligion hoped for, till their Hearts aked. It is opened sufficiently before, that his Majesties End in subscribing to the Articles in favour of the Papists his Subjects was, to second his Son in that which he had begun in Spain, to bring him out of the Briars from thence. The Ambassadors plied the Concession of the Articles very diligently, that their Party might enjoy the sweetness of the Benefit. For better is the sight of the Eyes, than the wandring of the Desire, Eccles. 6.9. It fell out well that the King, never intermitting a Summers Progress, was out of the way. So the Management of the Business fell upon the Lord Keeper, not by Usurpation, but by Merit, and by Necessity too. For, whatsoever his Majesty pretended, he gave the Keeper a secret Rule, to go no faster than needs, and to do no more prejudice than was unavoidable. A Regiment of Plots would hardly be enough to be drawn up together to win that Enterprise; though a good Sconce overcame all. Propertius. Mens bona, si qua Dea es, tua me in sacraria dona, says a Heathen. As all costly Oyntments have Oyl mixed with them, so Wisdom persumes all Undertakings, as this under the File will demonstrate. The Ambassador used their Counsel Learned in our Laws to draw up the effect, of that they had obtained, as near as could be to his Majesties Mind. Which was brought to the Lord Keeper; who told them, The Papers were unsatisfactory; they had proceeded indeed by the Articles signed in the private Lodgings at Whitehal; but the private Articles shew only the extent of his Majesties Grace and Favour in the substance; not at all the Manner and Form how they shall be conveyed; which must be chalked out by a new and immediate Warrant from his Majesty. This held dispute till the 10th of August, his Majesty being at Salisbury; where Directions past to li­quidate the Doubts, how the Kings Grants should be applied, call'd from that place the Articles of Salisbury. For which the Agents of the Ambassadors were to resort to the Earl of Carlile, and Mr. Secretary Conway, attending in the Progress, and the Patents to be filled up with them by the Discretion of the Lord Keeper, Lord Treasurer, Mr. Secretary Calvert, Sir Richard Weston Chancellor of the Ex­chequer, Mr. Atturney-General, Sir Th. Coventry attending, who were to sit at Whitehal for the more easie Expedition. Time is given to draw up Copies of new Draughts. Interea aliquid fiet spero, says the Comick. In these Intervals who could tell, but somewhat might fall out to cross all? On the 18th of August the Lord Keeper sends the Form of the Pardon drawn up to the King at Beawlie, to save the Recusants from all Advantages the Laws might take for the time past; and a Dispensation to keep them indemnified from the same for the time to come. But an Item was given, to bring the Dispensation lame back, that his Majesty should signifie his Royal Will, That the Pardon should go under the Great Seal, the Dis­pensation under the Privy Seal: This from Beawlie, Aug. 21. And there was a Co­lour for it out of the Agreements of Salisbury subtilly drawn up. For the second [Page 156]Article says, That a Legal Authentical Pardon shall be past under the Great Seal: And in the seventh Article, There shall be a present Suspension of his Majesties Laws under his Seal. The word Great was wilfully omitted to puzzle the Transaction. But after the Spanish part had debated with the Lord Keeper in Reason, he writes to Secretary Conway at Tichburn, Aug. 25. That he confest a Dispensation from the Poenal Statutes could not be pleaded, but under the Great Seal. The Business got off in that Point, but it hung upon another Tentar. He writes again to Mr. Secretary then at Broad-lands, Aug. 27. That it troubled him much he was enforced to such often Re­plies, but the Weight of the Business would excuse it. He says, He was not instructed from the Articles of Salisbury, from what Day the Dispensation was to begin, and how far it was to be limited in time to come; from what time those are to be excluded that do not lay hold of it. To which answer was given; but always the Dial stood. Once again he demurr'd upon the Dispensation, which says, That the Papists Convict shall not pay their Forfeiture for not coming to Church, nor be Indicted for not taking the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance; whether it was not fit to divide these in several Styles and Expressions. It was return'd, and dictated from the Kings Lips; The first Breach of the Laws should be signified to be absolutely pardoned; The latter should go in another Form, that it should not be questioned, and Mr. Atturney to provide accordingly for Legal Notions. When the Lord Keeper had done with the Living, he began with the Dead; and scrupled how their Dead should be Interr'd, so as to give no offence, nor be obnoxious to be offended. The Resolution was brought to him that sent it, That their Burials should be in their private Houses, as secret as might be, and with­out any sign of Manifestation; but Notice to be given to the Parish-Clerk of their de­parture.

164. Never was Man so entangled in an Els-lock all this while, that could not be unravell'd, as Marquiss Inoiosa, till he publish'd his Choler in all sorts of Impa­tiency. The Reader may take in so small a matter by the way, that the Writer of these Passages said to the Lord Keeper, That the Marquiss was the most surly, un­pleasing Man that ever came to his House. His Lordship answer'd, They were his Manners by Nature: But he had been so vain to profess, That he came an Enemy to us into England; and for this Dowty Cause: His Father was a Page to King Philip the Second, while he lived here with Queen Mary, and was discourteously used in our Court, perhaps by the Pages. Which was a Quarrel of Seventy Years old, and bearing date before the Marquiss was born. Which will cause a Passage of Dio­nysius the Tyrant of Sicily to be remembred, who had robb'd and spoil'd some of the Islands under the Protection of Athens; and when the Injury was expostulated, he told them, Their Countryman Ulysses had used the Sicilians worse 700 Years before, as he believ'd it to be very true in Homer. This Ambassador was a restless Man, and held the Lord Keeper so close to turn and plow up the fallow of this Business, that he would not give him the Jubilee of a Day to rest. Yet the time, do what he could, had run at waste from the 20th of July, to the end of August. Then, and no sooner, the Frames of the Pardon and Dispensation were contriv'd and dispatch'd. Yet the Mill would not go with this Water. The Ambassadors call'd for more: That two general Commands should be issued forth under the Great Seal, the first to all the Judges and Justices of Peace; the other to all Bishops, Chancellors, and Commissaries not to execute any Statute made against the Papists. Hereupon the Spanish Faction was suspected, that they had no hopes to bring some secret Drifts to pass, but by raising a general hatred against our Government. The Lord Keeper repulsed the Motion, and wrote to the King being at Aldershot, That what­soever Instance the Ambassador makes to the contrary, there was no reason why his Majesties Wisdom should give place to them. He propounded, That a private Warrant might be directed to himself, to will him to write to the respective Magi­strates fore-nam'd, to acquaint them with the Graces which his Majesty had past for Recusants in that Exigence, and to suspend their Proceeding till they heard further. For as the Civilians say, Cessant extraordinaria, ubi ordinariis est locus. Thus he contriv'd it, that the King, as much as might be, should escape the Of­fence, and let the Rumour light upon his private Letters. For which he never put the King to stand between the People, and his Errour; nor besought him to excuse it to the next Parliament: But as Mamertinus in Paneg. said of his own Consulship, Non modò nullum popularium deprecatus sum, sed ne te quidem Imperator, quem orare praeclarum, cui preces adhibere plenissimum dignitatis est. Yet lest the Am­bassador should complain of him to the Prince in Spain, he writes to the Duke, Cab. P. 8. Aug. 30.

[Page 157] THat he had prevailed with the Lords to stop that vast, and general Prohibition, and gave in three Days Conference such Reasons to the two Ambassadors, (although it is no easie matter to satisfie the Capriciousness of the latter of them) that they were both content it should rest, till the Infanta had been six Months in England. For to forbid Judges against their Oath, and Justices of Peace (sworn likewise) not to execute the Law of the Land, is a thing unprecedented in this Kingdom. Durus sermo, a harsh and bitter Pill to be digested upon a suddain, and without some Preparation. But to grant a Pardon even for a thing that is malum in se; and a Dispensation with Poenal Statutes, (in the profit whereof the King only is interested) is usual, full of Precedents, and Exam­ples. And yet this latter only serves to the Safety, the former but to the Glory and Inso­lency of the Papists, and the magnifying the service of the Ambassadors, too dearly pur­chas'd with the endangering of a Tumult in three Kingdoms. His Majesty useth to speak to his Judges and Justices of Peace by his Chancellor, or Keeper, as your Grace well know­eth. And I can signifie his Majesties Pleasure unto them with less Noise and Danger, which I mean to do hereafter, if the Ambassador shall press it to that effect, unless your Grace shall from his Highness, or your own Judgment direct otherwise. That whereas his Majesty being at this time to Mediate for Favour to many Protestants in Foreign Parts, with the Princes of another Religion, and to sweeten the Entertainment of the Princess in­to this Kingdom, who is yet a Roman Catholick, doth hold the Mitigation of the Rigour of those Laws made against Recusants, to be a necessary Inducement to both those Purposes, and hath therefore issued forth some Pardons of Grace and Favour to such Roman Catho­licks, of whose Fidelity to the State he rests assur'd. That therefore you the Lord Bishops, Judges and Justices, (each of those to be written to by themselves) do take Notice of his Majesties Pardon, and Dispensation, with all such Poenal Laws, and demean your selves accordingly.

This is the lively Character of him that wrote it, Policy mixt with Innocency. [...], says Nazianzen, Cunning enough, yet not divided from Conscience: For Wit, when it is not sheathed, as it were, in the fear of God, will cut like a sharp Razor.

165. All his Art would be requir'd to reconcile two things: That the Ambassador should be put off no longer, (for so the King had now commanded by Dispatches from both the Secretaries;) And that he would finish nothing, till he had heard either his Highness, or the Duke's Opinion upon the Proceeding. The general Pardon, and the Dispensation were both sealed: So he began. But kept them by him, and would not open the least Window to let either Dove or Raven fly abroad. The King being return'd to Windsor, signification was given, that none of the Lords should come to him, till he sent for them, and was ready for Matters of moment. No Superstructure could go on very fast, when that Stone was laid. From Windsor, Sept. 5. Sir G. Calvert writes to him, My very good Lord, His Majesty being resolv'd to extend his Gracious Favour to the Roman Catholicks, signifies his Plea­sure, That your Lordship should direct your Letter to the Bishops, Judges, &c. to forbear any Moleslation of his said Subjects in respect of their Religion. To send them forth with as much speed, as conveniently may be, that his Majesty may be freed from the Com­plaints of the Ambassadors. Thrice again he was charg'd with the same Command. To all which he answer'd, He could do nothing without a private Warrant for it, and that it was not possible to be agreed upon, till he spake with his Majesty. On the 6th of September, the same Secretary writes again, That an Exemplification of the Pardon should be deliver'd to the Ambassadors under the Great Seal. That's not hard to be done: But upon what Limits and Conditions? So the Lord Keeper rejoyns. Sir G. Calvert is troubled again to satisfie that Scruple, That no Copy of it should go out to any of the Roman Catholicks, nor any of them be permitted to sue out their Pardons, until his Majesties Pleasure be further known. This came Sept. 8. The Lord Keeper held back yet, till he knew what Assurance he should have from the Ambassadors to keep those Conditions: Which held a Contest till Sept. 19. When Mr. Secretary Conway writes from Theobalds, His Majesties Pleasure is, That you deliver unto the Marquiss Inoiosa an Exemplification of the Pardon, and Dispensation. And his Majesty would not that you should press him for a Note of his Hand for Secresie and Stanchness, for giving of Copies of the Pardon, or Dispensation, but only by Word to refresh his Memory of the faithful Promises he hath made in that Point to the King, upon which his Majesty will relie. Indeed it was order'd at Windsor, Sept. 7. as appears in a Letter of Secretary Conways, that when Marquiss Iniosa had the Exemplication, (all the Crast was in Catching) that he should communicate them to none, nor [Page 158]give Copies of them, till we had knowledge from Spain of the Marriage, or De­sponsories. There was nothing about these days that mitigated the Embassador more, than a Trick, that, in sine, did him least good. Properly, and without Levity, it may be called a Flop with a Fox-Tail. The Lord Keeper closed in with him not to be so hasty for Exemplifications, which the Clerks of the Crown must write over soft and fairly. A Matter of more weight should presently be set on foot, not of Words, but of real Benefit and Performance to his Party, and to the Choice of them, a Pardon for the Romish Priests that were imprisoned; about which there had been struggling, and yet nothing effected. As the Lord Keeper seemed forward, so (to see the ill Luck) it was cramp'd by a Letter from Sir Edward Conway, Sept. 6. Dat. Windsor.

166. Of these three Caveats, entred to modifie the Liberty which was Petiti­oned for, and promised to the Priests, the middlemost was a brave one, wherein the Lord Keeper revenged himself on Inoiosa, for all his Forwardness. It aimed at one man, Mr. — Preston, a Secular Priest, Honest, and rarely Learned: The Author of the Works under the Name of Roger Widrington, for the Oath of Allegiance. The Author of that solid Piece, called The last Rejoynder to T. Fitz­herbert, Bellarmine's Sculckenius, and Lessius his Singleton upon that Subject, Prin­ted An. 1619. This Man, for his own Preservation, lay quiet in the Marshalsea, his Death being threatned by the rigid Papalins. This was he that was set forth as the only Evidence of his Majesty's Royal Mercy toward those that were in Holy Orders of that Religion, the present Pattern of his keeping Promise ac­cording to the Articles. But such a Priest as that, if Marq. Inoiosa had been con­sulted for his Release, perhaps he would have cried out, Not him, but Barabbas. Preston had Leave that Summer twice or thrice to come to the Lord Keeper at Nonsuch, where I saw them together discoursing as long as Leisure and Business would permit. That Interview procured the Warrant for his Pardon from the King, as followeth.

The Releasment of Preston was accordingly dispatched, the first Fruits of the Common Grace expected by others, sent as a Present to Don Inoiosa; nay, a Precedent for consequent Releasments. So Secretary Conway to the Lord Keeper, Sep. 17. His Majesty's Order to your Lordship was, That the Pardon for this one Man should be exemplified, as the Limitation and Rule to the Form of all the rest. So as with­out Dispute or Controversie, that was a present Poss [...]ssion, an Act performed by the King, to be executed alike to each one, to whom it appertains, at the Time, and upon the Con­ditions before specified; the Sight whereof might give the Embassador Contentment. But it was far from that, Don John the Marquiss durst not say he was mocked, but he [Page 159]fum'd like Lime that is slack'd with Water, to see, of all the Priesthood, that man only enlarged, whom, above all, he most hated. Therefore his Violence aug­mented, press'd the King so far, that his Majesty caused the same Secretary to write again very roundly the next day to the Lord Keeper.

Albeit this Letter is so strict and mandatory, the Lord Keeper presumed on the King's Goodness to write a Remonstrance to Mr. Secretary Conway, flat against the Mandate; with sundry Reasons to shew the high Expedience, that the In­struments demanded should not yet be delivered. To the which, on the 9th of September, Mr. Secretary sends back word.

Two Days after (see the Hand of God) September 21, a Post brought Intelli­gence, that the Prince was departed with fair Correspondencies from the Court of Spain, was certainly long before that time on Shipboard, and would weigh Anchor as soon as Wind and Weather served him. So in good Manners all So­licitations were hush'd, and attended his Highness's Pleasure, against he came into England. These are the Performances of the Lord Keeper upon the Immunities, which the Papists contended for to be derived to them, by the Prince's Marriage with the Daughter of Spain. Whither any States-man could have contrived them better, I leave it to be considered by the Senators of the Colledge of Wisdom, in my Lord Bacon's new Atlantis. If it be possible for any to disprove these excel­lent Excogitations of Prudence with his Censure, he will force me to say in this Lord's Behalf, what Tully did for the Pontiss of old Rome: Orat. pro resp. Aurus. Satis superque prudentes sunt, qui illorum prudentiam, non dicam ass [...]qui, sed quanta fuerit perspicere possint. The Collection of all the precedent Passages were gather­ed by that Lord himself, and stitched up into one Book, every Leaf being signed with the Hands of Sir George Calvert, and Sir Edward Conway, principal Secreta­ries to his Majesty. If it be asked to what end was that provided, it was to shew he had a Brest-Plate, as well as an Head-Piece. It was to defend his Integrity a­gainst any Storm, that dark Days might raise about the Spanish Matters. It was a gathering thick, when my Lord of Buckingham caused Mr. Packer his Secretary to write a Letter of Defiance to him, Cab. P. 87. wherein every Penful of Ink is stronger than a Drop of Vicriol: Take a Line of it, That in the Spanish Negotiati­on, he had been dangerous to his Country, prejudicious to the Cause of Religion, which he above all others, should have laboured to uphold. But rip up all his Actions, turn the Linings outward, shew any Stain-Spot in his Fidelity, in his Innocency, chiefly, in his Maintainance of the Reformed Religion. Therefore he met the Lord Duke couragiously, Pag. 89. I do not in the least beg or desire from your Grace, any Defence of me, if it shall appear I betray'd my King, or my Religion, in Favour of the Papist, or did them any real Respect at all, beside ordinary Complement. Therefore I ap­peal to all Posterity, who shall read this Memorial, how a Minister in his Office, and in­trusted [Page 160]with the whole weight of such a ticklish Negotiation, could come off better, with more Honour, with l [...]ss Prejudice? Photius, in his Biblioth. says of Saluslius the Cynick, that he was a worthy Man; but [...]. He had listed himself into that Sect of Philosophy, which was carved out, or exposed to Reproach and Contumi [...]y. So this noble Councellor was as Harmless as he was Wise, as Honest as he was Active. But the Business which he underwent for his great Master and the Prince, was Planet­struck with an ill Opinion of many, and could look for no Thanks, but from a few that were the Wisest.

167. Especially most circumspect and diligent Endeavours, if superior Provi­dence hath decreed to make them barren, shall not be pitied (as they deserve) but be insulted upon, because they cannot reach their End. The best Angler that is, we commonly think he fish'd ill, if he catch'd nothing. Inde plaerumque ead [...]m sacta modò diligentiae, modò vanitatis: modò libertatis, modò furor is nomen accipi­unt, Plin. lib. 6. Ep. Lucky Success makes a Fool seem wise; and a wise man that is unfortunate, shall be called a Fool. It is a hard Task to dig into the Mines of Po [...]icy, when Event shall be the Measure both of Reward and Praise. Yet all this must be endured, after his Highness took his Leave of Spain, the Donna H [...]rmesa left behind, the Stock of Love spent, and in a while the Credit of it pro­tested. Our King was not ill disposed to the News, that is Son made preparati­on to come Home. The People began to be churlish that he staid so long: And his Majesty look'd for no Good from that Part of the World, while our Duke was in it. He found, that so long as he was so remote from his Tutorship, he was heady, a Novice in carrying Business, and very offensive to the Crown of Spain. The Prince was desirous to make haste from them, that would make no better haste; and could no longer endure the Pace of a dull Spanish Mule. As a weary Traveiler's Inn seems still to go further from him, so his Highness had attended long for a sweet Repose in Wedlock, till it made him impatient, and think that every Consuito cast him further back from the Fruition of his Joys. The Junto of the Spanish States-men were very magisterial, and would not bate an Inch, but that every thing should be timed to a day, as they designed it. These were the Links of the Chain, by which they pluck all Power to themselves. First, A Disposorios, or Contract must go before the Marriage: For that's a Rule from which their Church doth never vary, unless good Order be broken by clan­destine Marriages. To the Contract they could not go on, in this Case, till the Dispensation from the new Pope gave Authority for it. That came to Madrid, Novemb. 12. says Sir Wal. Aston, whom I believe, though others say later. The tenth day, after the Dispensation made known in the Church, let the Betrothing be So­lemnized, and the tenth day after it the Marriage. Then the Prince may take his own Time to return when he will,; but the Lady could not make ready for the Seas, consider­ing her Train that must attend her, till March. The Prince did not like the Arith­metick of this Counting-Table. More time than the first Week of September he was resolved not to spend in that Land. The Coming of the Dispensation he would not await, which might be failing thither upon the idle Lake in the Fary Queen: [...]oth slow and swift alike did serve their turn. To stay and Consum­mate the Marriage in his own Person, he knew was unfit in two Respects. He must take a Blessing from one of their Bishops in the Face of their Church, and submit to their Trinckets and Ceremonies, which he had rather hear than see. Then if the Infanta had Conceived, they would keep her, it is likely, till she was delivered: The Child must stay till it was strong to endure the Seas, so it might come to pass to be bred up and Naturalized a Spaniard in Religion and Affection. When the Clock would not go right with those Plummets, the Junto cast the ime out ino another Figure, that his Highness would, out of Courtship, wherein he excelled, and out of great Love to his Mistress, which he professed, perfect the Desponsation in his own Person, and trust no other with it; the Marriage and the Lady should follow after, that is, upon the Certificate of their Embassador out of England, that Conditions were performed there, to which the King of Great Bri [...] ain had engaged. To this his Highness was short, That he would linger no longer, and play at Cards in King Philip's Palace till the Messenger with the Port-mantick came from Rome. Neither would he depend upon Embassadors and their Reports, when the Illustrious Damosel should begin her Journey towards England. Embassadors might certifie what they pleased, and inform no more than their great Master's Counsel inspired them. At last his Highness took upon him to deside the Wrangling, and cast out the sacred Anchor [Page 161]from the Stern, to keep their Counsels from further Floating, that he would be burdensom to the K. of Spain no longer; the magnetick Vertue of his own Country drew him to it. Yet to confirm that he lest his Heart behind with his Beauteous and high born Mistress, he would Sign a Proxy, and Assign it to K. Philip, or his Brother Don Carlo, or either of them, which should remain in the Custody of the Earl of Bristol, that the Espousals between him and the Infanta might be ratified, within ten days after the dispensation unstopt the way unto them; and he would leave it to the Princessa to shew her Cordial and Amorcuolous Affections how soon she would prepare to follow after him.

168. Which stood for a Decree; agreed, and obey'd. The King of Spain would have been glad, if the Prince might be perswaded to stay longer in his Court: But since after Six Months continuance there, his Highness de­fir'd to breath again in his Native Air, King Philip caused preparation to be made for it (for freedom is the Noblest part of Hospitality) and was dismiss'd with as much Honour, and Magnificence as he was Receiv'd. The Earl of Bri [...]ol, who certainly knew the day when he took his Leave, writes to the Lord Keeper Cab. p. 21. That he would begin his Journey for England the 9th of Sept. (others set it three days back) and adds, the day before, I Conceive the contract will be; which is false Printed; it should be, That the Day before, he would Sign and Seal his Procura­tion for the Contract; which Intelligence is Authentick being so Corrected. Now looking upon those that were the Magnificoes of Spain, when the Prince took his farewel of them, and how dear they held him, how they Voiced him beyond the Skies for the most express Image they had seen of Vertue and Generosity, me­thinks his Highness should have behold it with his Eyes open, and have inferred out of it, that he could not be more happy then to marry with that Blood, and to keep Friendship with that Nation. He was most Gracious in the Eyes of all, Great and under Great. Never Prince parted with such Universal Love of all, Cab. p. 16. and Bristol to the Lord Keeper, p. 21. ‘The Love which is here born generally to the Prince is such, as cannot be believ'd by those, that daily hear not what passeth from the King and his chief Ministers.’ The most con­cern'd was the rare Infanta, of whom says one out of the Spanish Reports Sander p 552. That she seem'd to deliver up her own Heart at parting, in as high Expressions as that Language, and her Learning could, with her Honour, set out. Let not this Es­say of her sweetness be forgotten, that when the Prince told her, His Heart would never be out of Anxiety, till she had pass'd the intended Voyage, and were safe on British Land, She Answered with a modest Blush, That if she were in danger upon the Ocean, or discompos'd in Health with the rowling brackish Waves, she would chear up herself, and remember all the way to whom she was going. For which, she deserves to be Honour'd with Theogena the Wife of Agathocles for that saying, Se nubendo ci non prosperae tantùm, sed omnis fortunae iniisse Societatem. Just. lib. 20. When it came to the King her Brothers turn to Act his part of Royal Civility, he carried the Prince with him to his most gorgeous and spacious Structure of the Escurial. There he began, ‘That his Highness had done him favour beyond all compass of requital, that he had Trusted the safe-guard of his Person with him, and given him such an occasion in it, to shew his Honour and Justice, to part with him with as much Fidelity, as his Highness desir'd or expected; that there he was ready to perfect the Alliance so long in Treaty, that he might call him Brother, whom, above all in the World, he loved as a Friend.’ The Prince Answe­red, ‘He had a better Heart to conceive, then a Tongue to signifie how much he owed to his Majesty. He hop'd the incomparable Infanta would thank him for the unparallel'd Courtesie shewn to him.’ And because a drop of true meaning was better then a River of Words, his Highness, being encircled with the Noblest Witnesses of that Kingdom, produced and Read his Proxy, inter­preted by the Earl of Bristol, and committed to his Charge, but first Attested to by the Hand of Secretary Cirica, as a Notary of the greatest Place. That this much pass'd it is certain. Much more is Reported; but it is contentious. This Obligation, intending to the Contract, was thus dispatch'd in the Escurial, of which let me say hereupon, as Valerius of the Senate House of Rome, lib. 6. Il­lam Curiam quis mortalium concilium, ac non fidei Templum dixerit? It was become, from the King's best Palace, the Temple of Faith. After this the Chase of a Stag, that was breath'd well, and fell luckily, brought his Highness on his way to the Sea-side. But he stopt a little while at a Magnificent Repast, provided in a Wood, where the Table was Canopied with green Boughs; when King Philip and the Prince had rose up from this Collation, and had walk'd a little further, [Page 162]a Marble Pillar was Erected, a Monument of Alliance and Friendship between the two Kingdoms. As when Laban said to Jacob, Come thou, let us make a Co­venant I and Thou, and let it be for a Witness between me and thee. And Jacob took a Stone, and set it up for a Pillar, Gen. 31.45. There the two Potentates laying their Hands first upon this Pillar, and then enfolding each other in Embraces, took Congee and Divided. Yet the Ceremony continued with the principal of the Nobles, and others of the Spanish Cavalry, who waited on his Highness to his Ship; and Don Mendoza de Alcarness was appointed to go aboard with him for England, to Congratulate before King James his Adventure to Spain, and his Happy Return to his Majesty. Upon the whole Carriage King Philip might say with his Honour, as Abimelech did to Isaac, We have done unto thee nothing but good, and have sent thee away in Peace: Thou art now the blessed of the Lord, Gen. 26.29.

169. Thus far the view of the Design was marvellously serene; not a Cloud to be seen about the Horizon. It smiled a little longer; for the Earl of Bristol Writes to the Lord Keeper, Cab. p. 21. ‘Since the departure of his Highness, there have every day passed Letters of extraordinary Affection between the King and the Prince, this is Sept. 24.’ The Grandees also, and others of the Castilian Bravery that conducted the Prince to the Seas, were Feasted in our Admiral, at a true English Table, Free, Pleasant, Luxuriously bountiful, with that Store which few Countries but this Fortunate Island could afford. A Health was Su­perstitiously began to the Glorious Princessa, and Proclaim'd to the Shore by the Thunder of the Great Ordnance; success fell short of the Premises. The fault may be laid upon the Spaniards, with some partiality, who suffered the Duke of Buckingham, to part with a sore grudge against the Conde Duke, and did not take the best Course to heal it. They doubted that Buckingham would do all he could to cross the Match, says Bristol in the same Letter; yet they were so Stately, that they would not seek to a suspected Enemy. Belike they thought they had made all fast, and that one man's Rash Defiance was inconsiderable. But it behoves Wise Men says Isocrat. Orat. de Pace. [...]; to Repose the hopes of well doing upon their own Strength and Judgment, not upon the Adversaries Weakness. The Duke Olivares was never the nearer, that Buckingham told him at their farewel, ‘That for his part, he had so disoblig'd him, that he would make no profession of Friendship to him at all; but he would be an everlasting Ser­vant to the King of Spain, the Queen, and the Infanta, and would do the best Offices he could, for the concluding the business, and strengthning Amity be­tween the two Kingdoms.’ Olivares was not certain of him upon these Words, since he was not certain at that time what himself would have. For when our Passi­ons are out of Order, it is a hard thing for a Man to speak Truth to himself. As soon as the Duke had the Prince at shrift, as it were, in his Cabinet, Mr. Edward Clerk under Colour to Attend the Spanish Nobles to Madrid, was sent with Let­ters to the Earl of Bristol to suspend the Procuration for the Contract, till further Order was given. One Scruple which must first be cleared was, ‘That a Mona­stery might not Rob the Prince of his Wife. For a Headless Fable (unless O­livares his Salt Tongue had given occasion to it) was in many Mouths, that af­ter the Desponsories, the Lady would enter into the strict Order of the Descalcas, or bare Foot Nuns.’ A Rumour that was Laugh'd out of countenance; for she was a spriteful Virgin, and had nothing of Monastical Austerity in her Complexi­on. Neither did she dissemble, but carried her Affections undisguised, that she was stricken in Love with the Prince. Yet, to prevent the worst, the Earl of Bristol was serious in Refuting that Folly, as it is extant in his to the Prince, Cab. p. 24. ‘I have set down to your Highness all sorts of security, that may be taken before the betrothing, for preventing a Woman Post vatum Matrimonium, non con­summatum, to betake her self into a Religious Life.’ The King of Spain, the In­fanta, all the Ministers, would refuse no kind of security that in Reason could be demanded in that behalf. This was a slight pretence, and soon over. There was another thing of greater Consequence Weaved into the mistrust I find it upon the Point wherein the Duke Expostulated with Sir W. Aston Cab. p. 35. You might have observed the Explanation the Prince made of himself to you by his Letters from St. Andreas, and have seen his Care and Resolution, not to engage himself into the Marriage, without good Conditions for the Palatinate, and Con­servation of his Honour every way. More light is opened to this in a Letter that an Ignote Wrote to K. James, Cab. p. 219.

says Mr. Clerk, Piden el Palatinato, Cab. p. 307. ‘All the hope of that Alliance, and the comfort from it, was drowned in the Rhine.’

170. God is Love, and delights in all the Bonds of Love. Marriage is the first of Humane, and the strictest. It is common with the Great ones that Rule the Earth, to Treat together to make such Links with their Children, Nay, with their Infants. They confirm them with Embassies, with Articles, it may be with their Oaths, and Holy Ceremonies. Yet when all this is done, if a greater Be­nesit to the State spring up by a New Offer, a Curtain is drawn before Consci­ence: The former Interest must give place to the later; and that shall be exclu­ded upon the like occasion for a fresh Emolument. One Reason, I believe, tho' I write it fearfully, ‘That often times they are but little blest in their Progenies. For can the most High forget it, Cui vincla jugalia curae. Virg.’ They that uncover Stories of Realms and Common Wealths, let them apply it. I go on to mine. At the Escurial of St. Lorenzo this was the last Speech and accord a­bout the Palatinate. The Prince making earnest obtestation for it, K. Philip En­gaged the Honour of a King upon it, ‘That he would intermit neither fair means, nor soul means with the Emperor, that it might be resigned into his Hand, and then should be bestowed as a Gift upon the Marriage.’ Hereupon his Highness seemed to depart well satisfied. Yet, having removed no further then from St. Lorenzo, to St. Andreas, Expostulates to have the Palatinate surendred to the Right owner, and the Espousals to be procrastinated till it was done; the King of Spain tells our Messenger, ‘He would do all he had promised upon the last Agreement, and for his Life he could do no more.’ So the Earl of Bristol remembers it to the Prince, Cab. p. 25. ‘They go on chearfully and confidently, and I conceive, will punctually perform all that they have Capitulated with you.’ The Prince knew well where he was now; when all their Capitulations were held to be Star-shootings, Flashes, and Meteors, without the Bird in the Hand. Plato hath a Crotchet lib. 8. de leg. to shew the Citizens of his imagin'd Common-Wealth, what they should do to escape all, or the most Suits in Law, that trouble men with Charge and Delays; Marry, says he, Trust no Man without ready Mony in Buying, and Bargaining, wherein, if you fail, you shall have no Action to recover your Debt. This Platonick dealing, with which the Spaniards Chal­leng'd us, was a New Erection of Justice, by which, the Marriage was consum'd into no Marriage, but into a Platonick Love. Whether the Prince were at Free­dom, having said and done so much at the Escurial, to break off upon his own Conditions, is such a Knot, as I cannot find the Ends of it. Therefore whether we came off clear, or were sullied with some Dishonour, is too intricate to be decided. In a Report made to the Parliament hereafter, the Lord Keeper, being called unto it, stretch'd his Learning to prove, That any Man might lawfully Revoke his Procuration; but he came not up to the Top of the Question, whe­ther it be Justifiable to Revoke the Obligation of Faith and Honour. Aliud est jura spectare, aliud justitiam. Cicer. pro Balbo. Conscience is a plain dealing Piece of Honesty, though the Laws have many quirks. Mr. Sander hath look'd commendably into this Treaty; in this matter he is brief, saying no more p. 552. ‘But e're our Prince departed from that King, Promises were made each to o­ther, to make Espousals ten days after the next Dispensation was brought.’ Pro­mises trasht in with Restrictions, are absolute Debts. Let your yea be yea, says our Saviour to his Disciples. And Learned Grotius says, That the most of the Dis­ciples Converted to him were of the Sect of the Essens, of whom Josephus Writes, [...], Negligent Men kept not their Oath so strict­ly, as they kept their Word. Ar. Wilson most spiteful against the Match, and as spiteful against the breaking it, flies high, p. 253. ‘That the Prince had not Power to re-call his Proxy, having tied up his Hands.—That he Sealed the Proxy at the Escurial, and Swore to perform the Marriage.’ The Earl of Bri­stol, who knew the most of any English man, goes far, Cab. P. 23. ‘That his Majesty and the Prince stand engaged for it, as far as Princes can be:’ But much [Page 164]more in his Letter dated Novem. 1. first Read by the Clerk of the Parliament at the Report which the Lord Keeper made to the House of Peers, ‘That the Prince had engaged his Faith and Power not to retract the Procuration.’ Yet after all these, hear one that was ever Honest, and understood himself. The Prince when he came to take his Fathers Blessing at Royston Octob. 6. protested (says the Lord Keeper in his Report) ‘That he came from Spain an absolute Free man; but with one Limitation, the Restitution of the Palatinate; then he was bound in Honour to go on with the Deposories.’ All which I believe to be most true: Yet the Scales still hanging upon the Beam of the Palatinate, this Question Re­solv'd will turn them, whether the Agreement between the other King and our Prince was, that K. Philip should precise restore the Palatinate, or to conditionate do his utmost to endeavour it?

171. Perhaps I am too Curious to hunt this Scent too far. Yet I find no re­morse in my self to have prest Conscience and Honour, the Urim and Thummim, with which the Noblest whom God hath made, should consult in all things. It was commonly said, That mis-understandings fomented by the Duke of Bucking­ham, which had a small Relation to the principal business, disturb'd all. Who was not skill'd in the Duty of a publick Minister; that is, to contemn all conside­rations concerning himself, that might hinder his Majesties Ends, as Sir W. Aston wrote to him. As Illustrius the Pythag. said of Stilpo, that he was [...] made up well for a private man, and no further. so the duke was a gal­lant lord to have the king's ear in private suits, but not to have the king's trust in foreign dispatches, being ever in custom to carry all with violence be­fore him. some may be great by chance, but never wise. it is admired to this day, that his lordship should have such a command over the princes affections, that he could so quickly make his highness forget such an incomparable beauty, with whom he was so passionately enamour'd, and she with him. so Bristol Cab. p. 26. ‘The World supposoth you infinitely Esteem her for her person; and que­stionless for her Vertue, and setled Affections to your Highness, deserves you bet­ter then all the Women in the World.’ Mr. Clarke likewise (a man whom the Duke had Raised up for his own Use) Writes to his Grace, cab. p. 307. ‘The Infanta's Preparation for the Disposoria was great, but greater her sorrow, good Lady, to see it deferr'd.’ She had Studied our Language, our Habit, our Beha­viour, every thing but our Religion, to make her self English. She talk'd conti­nually to her Attendants of the Prince, and of her Voyage in the Spring. What could the Duke say to blot the Image of such a person out of his Highness Heart? This is strange to those that knew not his Highness, who had a Quality to his Lives End (I will call it Humility, it is somewhat like it, but it is not it) to be easily perswaded out of his own Knowledg and Judgment, by some whom he permit­ted to have Power upon him, who had not the half of his intellectuals. But for this Trick the Wag was Merry with the Duke, who writes to K. James, Cab. p. 223. In this his Highness coming off from Spain, the Duke hath Advis'd him to no worse then he did himself. For how many hath he abus'd and cozen'd with Pro­mise of Marriage, by his Grace in Court, and Power with your Majesty? If af­terward things had been carried in a full Stream of Luck, perhaps this Breach would not have been call'd a Fault. Principally, because the Wedlock that came in place of it, was most Happy in a thrice Noble Progeny. All beside was Flat, and Unfortunate. Not an Inch of the Palatinate the better for us; and we the worse for our Wars in all Countries. I say no more, but as Q. Curtius doth, Op­time Miserias forunt qui abscondunt. They that hide their Miseries bear them best. The Observator upon H. L. I will abet him, writes no more, then many have Whisper'd, ‘That the Ruin of P. Charles by the Spanish Match might have been prevented; the Spaniard being for the most part a more steady Friend, then the wavering French.’ I am not skilful in them to make Comparisons; thus far I will adventure positively. The French are as brave a people as be under the Sun: Yet, for my part I think we might better want them, then the Spaniard. The Spanish Ladies Married to the Royal Seed among us, have been Vertuous, Mild, Thrifty, beloved of all. Not such a one as Harry the Sixth had from the other Nation, of whom Mr. Fuller says well in his Eccles. History, That the King's parts seemed the lower, being overtop'd by such a High Spirited Queen. The Spaniards are for the most generously bountiful, where Service hath deserv'd it; the best Neighbours in the World for Trades Increase: A Friend to his Friend with his Treasure, and with his Sword. But withal, Refractory in his own Religion, and a Hater of ours; and very False where he can take occasion to enlarge his Domi­nions, [Page 165]wherein we had no Cause to fear him. But if the Daughter of Spain had landed upon our Shore, I believe we should have had more Cause to love him.

172. Which was not to be look'd for, after the Prince put off from the Coast of Biscay: From whence he made such haste home as the Wind would suffer; and he had it in Poop till he came to the Islands of Silly, the remotest Ground of the British Dominion in the West: whether some Delinquents were deported of old by the Roman Emperors. Here the Navy was compelled to rest, because the Winds were contrary. From thence the Courtiers brought home a Discourse about an old Miller, who was, with long Experience, Weather-Wise to Admiration. For he told them exactly how long they should continue there, and named the Hour when, after one day and a half, the North-West would blow, and serve their turn. The Seamen, who had resorted thither before, knew him so well, and how his Prognosticks came to pass, that they prepared to Launch against that op­portunity, which fail'd not, and attain'd Portsmouth on the Fifth of October.

Though our Noble Traveller left the Lady behind that should have been his Pene­lope, yet he came well home to his own Ithaca, and to the Wise Laertes his Father. His Highness left Portsmouth, and came to York-House at Charing-Cross, an Hour after Midnight early in the Morning, Octob. 6. Praises were given to God for him in divers Churches at Morning Prayer. The Lord Keeper composed an excellent Prayer for that Occasion, which was used in the Chappel of Henry the VII. and in the Collegiate Church at the accustomed Hours in that Place: Bells and Bonfires began early, and continued till Night: Alms, and all kind of Comfort were dispensed bountifully to the Poor; and many poor Prisoners, their Debts being discharg'd, were Released. But too often, as St. Austin complain'd, Publi­cum gaudium celebratur per publicum dedecus: So Bacchanals of Drunken Riot were kept too much in London and Westminster, which offended many, that the Thanks due only to God, should be paid to the Devil. The Prince, after a little rest, took Coach with the Duke for Royston, to attend the King his Father, where the Joy at the enterview was such, as surpasseth the Relation. His Majesty in a short while retir'd, and shut all out but his Son and the Duke; with whom he held Conference till it was four Hours in the Night: They that attended at the Door sometime heard a still Voice, and then a loud; sometime they Laught, and some­time they Chased, and noted such variety, as they could not guess what the close might prove: But it broke out at Supper, that the King appear'd to take all well, that no more was effected in the Voyage, because the Profters for the Restitution of his Son-in-Law were no better stated by the Spanish; And then that Sentence fell from him, which is in Memory to this Hour, That He lik'd not to Marry His Son with a Portion of His Daughters Tears. His Majesty saw there was no Remedy in this Case but to go Hand in Hand with the Prince, and his now prepotent Favo­rite.

Presently it was obtain'd, that is Octob. 8. That his Majesty should send an Ex­press to the Earl of Bristol, with his High Command, to defer the Procuration entrusted with him, and to make no use of it till Christmas; whereas indeed the Power of it expired at Christmas; for so it was limited in the Instrument which his Highness Signed at St. Lorenzo. And by the next Post the Duke acquaints Sir W. Aston, That the King himself had dictated the Letter then wrote unto him, Cab. p. 36. which contain'd, ‘That His Majesty desir'd to be assur'd of the Resti­tution of the Palatinate, before the Deposorium was made, seeing he would be sorry to welcome home one Daughter with a Smiling Cheer, and have his own only Daughter at the same time Weeping and Disconsolate.’ My Lord of Buck­ingham had his Advisers about him (yet he need not now be set on) to prevent with all his Wit, that the Prince might never have a Wife out of Spain. ‘ [...]; As soon should a Wolf Wed a Lamb. Aristoph. Com. de pace.’ But the King had such Esteem of the Spanish Wisdom, that he did verily look that his Letters, I mean these last sent to his Ambassador Resident there, would quicken them to a short and real Satisfaction for the Prince Palatine's Distress, [Page 166]and that the Treaty would sprout again, which was wither'd with that ob­stacle.

173. Our Dispatches at Court went all together that way; so he that is diligent may Trace them to the end of January. Some of the Letters of Mr. Secretary Conway, at least somewhat out of them, are useful to be produced, which will al­so confirm the good course that the Lord Keeper took with the Spanish Ambas­sadors, that he reserv d the Pardon and Dispensation from them to the end, against all Contests of Importunity: Nor suffered the Letters to the Lord Bishops and Judges to go abroad for the Suspension of some Penal Statutes; whereupon the Fat of the Project of the Papists dript insensibly away at a slow Fire. After the Prince had rested at Roiston but one Night, his Majesty caused Directions to be sent to the Lord Keeper for the Enlargement of the Roman Priests, being Eleven of them in the Tower, Wisheech, Newgate, and no more. This Favour had ma­ny Reasons to speak for it: First, To let all those, who were inquisitive about the Event of his Highness Journey take notice, that there was yet life in the Treaty by the motion of this Pulse. Secondly, To gratifie the most obnoxious of that Religion, for requital of the Entertainment his Highness had among them. Thirdly, In Retaliation for the Prisoners that were set at Liberty in Spain to Congratulate the Princes welcom. Fourthly, That his Highness might keep his Word with those of that way, who had done him good Offices abroad, to whom he had said, Cab. p. 251. That though the Marriage were broken, his Catholick Subjects should not fare the worse for it. Therefore hear what Mr. Secretary Conway Writes to the Lord Keeper, October 7.

Now for the Letters which his Majesty was made to believe were dispersed to the Magistrates Spiritual and Temporal, about the Suspension of the Laws, because his Majesty was disobeyed in it, the Lord Keeper, after he had seen the Inclina­tion of the Court in three or four days, wrote to the Secretary, who knew all the Passages, to put the Duke upon it to acquaint the King with the Naked Truth, and fore-speak Displeasure. Upon which Mr. Secretary Conway returns this, Octob. 11. from Royston.

The King requir'd but one Thing more of the Lord Keeper, that as he had addulced all Things very well to his Mind, so the Ministers of the King of Spain might not Grudge, that their Teeth were set on Edge with sower Grapes; which he did effect most Artificially, albeit the Ambassadors by his means had lost many Suits, and more Labour; as the Secretary was willed to acknowledge from Hinchingbrooke, Octob. 25.

Neither did the Spaniards return the Jewels which the Prince had presented at the Shrine of Love, till the end of February; at which Surrendry, and not be­fore, the golden Cord was broken. Nothing is more sure, than that the Prince's Heart was removed from the Desire of that Marriage, after the Duke had brought him away from the Object of that Delightful and Ravishing Beauty. But all the while the King had his Head full of Thoughts, brooding upon two things (like the Twins that struggled in the Womb of Rebeckah) the Consummation of the Marriage, and the Patrimony of his Son-in-Law to be regained, with the Dignity Electoral. His Wisdom hovered between them both, like the Sun at his Noonday Height. Metâ distans aequalis utraque: He knew he should be dis­valued, to the wounding of all Good Opinion, if he did not engrast that Alliance into his Stem, which he had sought with so much Expence of Time and Cost, to strengthen and aggrandize his Posterity. And he knew he should loose Honour with all the Potentates of Europe, beside other Mischiefs, if nothing were done for re-possessing the Palatinate. Yet in sine, he sate down, and it cleast his Heart, that he affected neither. As a Canker eats quickly into soft and sappy Wood, so an Error was gotten into his gentle Nature, the same that Spartianus says had crept into Didius Julianus: Reprehensus in eo praecipue, quos regere authoritate sud debuit, regendae reipub. praesules sibi ipse fecit. He submitted himself to be ruled by some, whom he should have awed with Authority; but he wanted Courage to bow them to his own Bent. A Prince that preserves not the Rights of his Digni­ty, and the Majesty of his Throne, is a Servant to some, but therein a Friend to none, least of all to himself.

174. But he did so little bear up with an Imperatorian Resolution, against the Method of their Ways, who thrust his Counsels out of Doors, that the Flies suck'd him where he was gall'd, and he never rub'd them off. He continued at Newmarket as in an Infirmary, for he forgot his Recreations of Hunting and Hawking; yet could not be drawn to keep the Feasts of All-Saints, and the Fifth of November at White-Hall, being wont to shew his Presence at those Solemnities. Against Christmas he drew towards the City, and no sooner. Some better Of­fers were expected from Spain by that time, or more certain Discoveries be found out of Carriage on both sides, for hitherto all was received upon second hand Faith Therefore his Majesty was no sooner at White-Hall, but he commissioned a Se­lect Council to consider two things: Whither the King of Spain had not been real to the last, to satisfie the Desire of the Prince about the Marriage; and whi­ther in the Treaty for the Restitution of the Palatinate, he had violated the League between the two Kingdoms, as to deserve an open War to be proclaimed against him. The Lord Keeper was one of the Junto; but so far against his Mind, that he wished before a Friend or two in private, that a Fever in his Sick Bed might excuse him. The Duke of Buckingham was mortally Anti-Spanish, and his An­ger was headed with Steel. He assayed the Lord Keeper to hale him to his Judg­ment, as an Eddy doth a small Boat; and would have used him to the King, to incline his Majesty to renounce Amity with that Nation; but he found him as in­flexible as a dried Bough. He vowed to his Grace, as he should have God to be his Protector, that he would suffer all the Obliquy of the World, before he would be drawn to the least Ingratitude against his Lordship, Cab. P. 89. But when the King asked his Judgment, he must be true and faithful. Which was to say, to do [Page 168]the Duke a Pleasure, he cared not to deserve ill of himself, but he would not de­serve ill of the King: which gave no Satisfaction. Oh! How better is a poor Man's Liberty, than the golden Servitude of a great Officer? Must I lose my Patron, unless I lose my Judgment? Can there not be a true Heart, where there is not Sameness of Opinion? What a Structure is Advancement, which hangs in the Air, and consists upon no solid Foundation? That great Lord desied the Keeper to his Face, and in the hearing of many, threatned to sink him, because he could not board him. And as Fulbertus said of Queen Constantia, Cui satis cre­ditur, dum mala promittit; Baron. Annal. 12 28. com. 12. If he promised an ill turn, he would be sure to pay it, if he could. Once upon a time he could have done as much as that came to, with half a Word to the King. Now, as his Lordship conceived, his Strength lay among the Anakims, and the self-will'd man plotted to sacrifice his old Friend to the Parliament (the Intelligence came from the Ve­netian Embassador) to appease the Dislike of Immunities (which were none at all) exercised towards the Roman Catholicks. Yet there his Lordship faired, and found it as hard to suppress him, as to drown a Swan. There is an Electuary which Physicians give to comfort the Heart, called Pasta rogia; the Lord Keeper was fed Lusty with this Royal Paste. The King had wrought him so apt to his own Plight, that the Power of a mighty Favorite could not wrest him from the Sanctuary of his Love. Ye still his Danger was, that the Duke thought (out of Disdain more than Envy) that he wore too many Copies of his Majesty's Favour. He took nothing more Scornsully, than what the King spake to the Earl of Car­lisle in a Fit of Melancholly, That if he had sent Williams into Spain with his Son, he had kept Hearts-ease and Honour, both which he lack'd at that time. So it was thought to be next to an Affront, that the first time the Lord Keeper came into the King's Presence, after his Highness's Return into England (which was a little before Christmas) his Majesty looking intently upon him, said thus to the Prince: Charles, There's the Man that makes us keep a merry Christmas. His High­ness looking as if he understood not his Father; Why, 'tis he, says the King, that laboured more dextrously than all my Servants beside, to bring you safe hither to keep Christmas with me, and I hope you are sensible of it. Another Act of the King's Goodness drew a greater Frown upon him: That in those Holy-days, his Maje­sty, of his own Accord, no Solicitation preceding, caused an Act of Council to be entred into the Book of that Honorable Table, that an Arch-Bishoprick, and he named York, should be conserred upon him in the next Vacancy. For which, the Lord Keeper most humbly thanked his Majesty, that he was pleased to think of him, when his Majesty knew best, that he thought not of himself. Yet my Lord Duke resented it ill, as if he climbed without his Hand to lift him up. Arch-Bishop Mathew understanding how his Place was designed, took occasion to be pleasant upon it. It was a Felicity which Nature had given him, to make old Age comfortable with a light Heart.

But that much beloved Prelate sending his Proxy to the Lord Keeper, against the following Parliament, wrote to this Purpose, ‘That he was not a little troubled in former times, to hear that the Bishop of London, Doctor Mountain, a decay'd Man, and certainly near to the Grave, should look to be his Successor. For either himself must die before three years expired, or that Bishop's Hopes would be all amort, who must come suddenly to the See, or not at all. But it pleas­ed and revived him, that his Lordship was most likely to take his Place after him: for he was young and healthful, and might stay the Term of twenty Years, and take his Turn time enough at the end of that Stage. Then he shuts up his Let­ter—As the Psalmist begins, so I end, Dixi Custodiam—I love you Lord­ship well, but I will keep you out of this Seat as long as I can.’

175. Now let the Collections of the last Antecedency be observed, and there is not to be found in them, why the Lord Keeper should forfeit a Dram in the Be­nevolence of his great Friend. They are the Party-coloured Coat, with which Jacob appare [...]ed him, and which himself put not out to making. But in the Se­lect Council, which met to resolve the two foregoing Questions, he was active as any man. If he come not off well in that, let him be condemned. To the first matter in proposal the Lords agreed, that the Prince came Home with great and happy Renown, because he had resisted so many, and so strong Temptations [Page 169]to pervert him in Religion, and that the Lord of Buckingham's Assistance was praise worthy in excess, who held him steady, and counter-work'd all Under­miners. They conceived that the Proceeding of the Spaniards to the most were generous; in some things rather subtle than ingenuous; as there is no Pomegra­nate but hath some rotten Kernels, and that in all they were so tedious, that it was able to provoke the Meekness of Moses, though he had not a Drachm of Choler in his Complexion. Yet that it could not appear, but that the Marriage on King Philip's part was very sincerely meant in all the Treaty; most clearly when his Highness took his Farewell, most openly since his Departure. Wherein the Earl of Bristol had much wronged that great Monarch, giving him a Bastle insuppor­table. For when the Power of Revocation, or rather Repression of the Proxy, was peremptorily in his Lordship's hand, he did not acquaint the King of Spain, to stop him from erecting a Gallery (turned by the Earl's Negligence into a Gul­lery) in the open Streets, covered with the richest Tapestry, and set forth with all other Circumstances of Wealth and State, to conduct the Infanta in open View, and with most magnificent Solemnity, to the Deposorios; when by the Instru­ments and Commissions the Earl had lately received, he knew these augustious Preparations would be ridiculously disappointed; which was a Despight that a Gentleman, not to say an Embassador, should have prevented. For the Disgrace was so far blown abroad with Derision, that it was the News of Gazette's over all Europe. The Intention of that Nation to give the Infanta in Marriage to the Prince being not controverted: Yet his Highness protesting on his part that he was free, unless the Palatinate were surrendred, they were all satisfy'd with it, his Word was Justice to them, and that which was in his own Breast, must alone direct him how to use his Freedom. This Question dispatched, was upon a blown Rose, the next was upon a Bramble. The Lord Duke was so zealous (say it was for the Palsgrave's Sake) that he voted the King of Spain to be desied with open War, till amends were made to the illustrious Prince Elector, for the Wrongs he sus­tained. The Lords appointed for the Conference, that apprehended it other­wise, were the Keeper, Treasurer, Duke of Richmond, Marquess Hamilton, Earl of Arund [...]l, Lord Carow, Lord Belfast, who could not say that the King of Spain had done the part of a Friend, for the Recovery of the Palatinate, as he had pro­fess'd; nor yet could they find, that he had acted the Part of an Enemy declar­edly, as was objected. Their Judgment was, the Girts of Peace were slack, but not broken. This is couched in the Admonitions of an Ignote unto King James, Cab. p. 278. The Conference or Treaty about the Palatinate was taken from the Council of State, a Society of most prudent Men, only for this Cause, that al­most every one of them, had with one Consent approved the Propositions of the most Catholick King, and did not find in it any Cause of dissolving the Trea­ty—And a little beneath, The Duke fled from the Council of State, and dis­claimed it for a Parliament, by way of an Appeal. Most true, that scarce any in all the Consulto did vote to my Lord Duke's Satissaction; which made him rise up, and chase against them from Room to Room, as a Hen that hath lost her Brood, and clucks up and down, when she hath none to follow her. The next time he saw the Lord Belfast, he asked him, with Disdain, Are you turned too? and so flung from him, Cab. p. 243. To which the Lord Belfast answered ho­nestly, in a short Letter, That he would conform himself in all things to the Will and good Pleasure of the King his Master. The greatest Grudge was against the Lord Keeper, who seldom spake, but all Opinions ran into his one, as they did at this time; and the Duke presumed that his Sentence should never vary from his own Mind. An hard Injunction, and all the Favour on Earth is too dear to be bought at such a Price. But he declared, that he saw no Expediency for War upon the Grounds communicated. ‘For upon whom should we fall? says he, either upon the Emperor, or the King of Spain. The Emperor had in a fort offered our King his Son-in-Law's Country again for a great Sum, in Recompence of Dis­bursments; but where was the Money to be had? Yet it might be cheaper bought than conquered, before a War were ended. For the King of Spain, he saw no Cause to assault him with Arms: He had held us indeed in a long Treaty to our Loss; but he held nothing from us; and was more likely to con­tinue the State of things in a possibility of Accommodation, because he disliked the Duke of Bavaria's Ambition, and had rather stop the Enlargement of his Territories.’ The King was glad that some maintained his Judgment, and would not consent wantonly to raise him from the Down Bed of his long admired Peace. Neither did he refrain to speak very hardly of that Servant whom he loved best, [Page 170]that agitated to compel him to draw the Sword, one of the great Plagues of God. His Censure upon him was bitter, Cab. P. 92. but fit to be cast over-board in si­lence.

176. A King of Peace is not only sittest to build Temples, but is the Temple of God. Such a one doth foresee how long, how far, how dangerously the Fire of War will burn, before he put a Torch to kindle it. And as every Bishop ought to have a care of the Universal Church; so every King ought to have a care of all Humane Society. It is not such a thing to raise War in these Days, as it was in Abraham's; Muster his Servants in one Day, and rescue Lot from his Enemies the next. Nor such as it was with the old Romans, make a Summers (La [...]rt. in Vit.) before he laid down his Office. The Charge in our Age, which usually for many Years doth oppress the People, will hardly countervail, if GOD should send it the Gladness of a Victory. Nor is all fear over, when a War is ended: But, as Solon says, (Lacrt. in Vit.) Great Commanders when they have done their Work abroad, and are return'd with Honour, [...], do more Mischief by their Factions to their Country, than they did against their Enemies. And whosever scape well, the poor Church is like to suffer two ways. First, as Camden says, Eliz. Ann. 1583. Schismatica pravitas semper bello ar­dente maxime luxuriat: Schismatical Pravity will grow up under the Licentiousness of War: Some profane Buff-Coats will Authorize such Incendiaries. Secondly, For some Hundreds of Years by-past in Christendom, I cannot find, but where Wars have been protracted, the Churchman's Revenue hath been in danger to pay the Soldiers. If this affect not those, that will not think that there is such a Sin as Sacrilege, yet all acknowledge that there is such a Virtue as Humane Compassion: Then they that would awake drouzy Peace, as they call it, with the Noise of the Drum, and the prancing of Horses in the Street, let them, before they design their War, describe before their Consciences the heaps of slaughter'd Carkasses, which will come after: That the Land which is before t [...]en sha [...]I look like the Garden of the Lord, and that which is behind them like Burning and Brimstone. For all this will they tempt God, and be the Foes of Humanity? Grotius, who best could do it, hath sweetly translated such a Contemplation out of Euripides, Lib. 2. de Bel. & Pa. Cap. 24. Co. 4. Quod si in Comitiis funera ante oculos forent, Furiata bello non p [...]risset Graecia. Some will adventure to say more; that every Sheba that sounded the first Trumpet to Battail, hath been unlucky in his own Person. So Sir W. Aston to the Duke, Cab. P. 37. The most prosperous War hath misfortune enough in it, to make the Author of it unhappy. Else Isocrates was mistaken, who lived to be an old, and a Prophetical Orator among the Athenians, Orat. de Pace; says he, Your Humour, Athenians, is well known, [...], you like them best that incite you to War. Yet I wonder if old Men do not remember, and young Men have not heard, [...], that we never receiv'd hurt by listning to them that ex­horted us to preserve our Peace; but the Counsels of others have brought Disho­nour, and put us to Shifts and Calamities.

177. I would these Notions might be read considerately, when any rash Spirit shall attempt to open Janus's Temple, after it hath been long shut Yet wo be to the Vicar that should have read this Homily to my Lord Duke. The Lord Keeper's Name was in his black Book of Remembrance for it, till his Lordship did not on­ly cross him, but blot him out. Revenge is the effect of smother'd Anger, as Flame is but lighted Smoak. The Scene wherein an Argument of a kind of Tra­gedy is couch'd upon it, is in the Lord Duke's Secretaries Letter, Cab. Pag. 86. challenging the Lord Keeper, That at the select Council he had run a course op­posite to his Lordship, and (by consequent to sill up the Crime) dangerous to the Kingdom, prejudicious to the cause of Religion. That the two last times they met in Council, the Duke found that he took his Kue (from the Kings Mind) just as other Men did, and joyn'd with them in their Opinions, whose aim was to tax his Proceedings in the managing of the Prince's Business. How imperious is this? And how all that follows it like the roaring of a Lyon? And for no more offence, but because he would not condemn the King of Spain out of the proof of his Grace's Mouth, and ammerce him with an implacable War, wherein an Hun­dred Thousand Lives might be spilt, for a Quarrel begun between himself and Oli­varez, which was not worth a bloody Nose. Certainly the Lord Keeper could not be afraid of the Duke being so much alienated, for any hurt that could come of it at the present. I was not in his Heart to espy, whether he look'd forward upon another Age in the next Reign. One thing I am conscious of, that he courted [Page 171]no Man but him with supple Submission, being unwilling to nothing more, than that the World should observe him dissever'd from his Promoter, though he were innocent as to making a breach, or the least thought of Opposition. The best part he could act, was to protest how much, and how unseignedly he was that Lords in a most Pathetical Vow, as it is to be found Cab. P. 89. Let this Paper bear Record against me at the great Parliament of all, if I be not in my Heart and Soul your Graces most faithful and most constant poor Friend and Servant. Somewhat also may be pick'd out of that Letter by a sharp Censure, as if he had sought the Duke with Phrases too low, and too Petitionary. And I am my self within a little of that Opinion. But this was ever a venial Fault at Court; where it was usual for Men in Place to drink down such hot Affronts, as would scald their Throats, that could not endure the Vassallage which was tied to Ambition. The best Apology is, That a Thankful Man looks for leave, (chuse you whether you will grant it, for he will take it) to lay himself under the Feet of his Benefactor, to be reconciled to him. I learn it from Tully, pleading for himself against Lateranensis, Orat, pro Plancio. Nimis magnum beneficium Plancii exaggero. Quare verò me tuo arbitratu, & non meo, gratum esse oportet. La­teranensis says, I do too much extol the Favours which I have received from Plancius. As if it were not Reason that I should be Grateful by my own Acknowledgment, and not by his Opinion. In short, that the Duke might be the better aslur'd of the reading of so able a Minister in the Parliament at Hand, the Prince, with his never-failing Sweetness, made up this Gap between them; but with a loose Pale. Yet leave should have been given, where leave was look'd for. The Lord Keeper did not give the Duke content in this select Junto; no more did the Duke give con­tent to the King. In the same Measure that he did mete, it was measured unto him.

178. Look back about a Twelve-month, and a story will drop in, where the Duke did hearken to the Party with more content. That which was acted a Year ago is in season to be produced now, because it was publish'd upon Consideration against the Parliament that sate now. Those dangerous and busie Flies, which the Roman Seminaries send abroad, had buzzed about the Countess of Buckingham, had blown upon, and infected her. She was Mother to the great Favourite; but in Religion become a Stepmother. She doated upon him extreamly, as the Glory of her Womb: Yet by turning her Coat so wantonly, when the Eyes of all the Kingdom were upon her Family, she could not have wrought him a worse turn, if she had studied a mischief against him. Many marvelled what rumbled in her Conscience at that time: For from a Maid to an Old Madam she had not every ones good Word for practice of Piety. And she suffered Censure to the last, that she lest the Company of Sir Tho. Compton her Husband. It hath been so with ma­ny others. But why should a Libertine, that cares not to live after the way of the Gospel, pretend to seek Satisfaction more than ordinary about the true Doctrine of The Gospel? They that have Beams in their own Eyes, unsanctified Manners be­yond the most, why should they cavil at Moats in the Eye of the Reformed Re­ligion? Let them answer it to Him alone, who hath Power to judge them. But divers that had sense of a Godly Fear, as they pitied the Revolt of this Lady, so they dreaded the Consequents, that did hang upon her Power and Opportunity. Ar. Wilson complains, P. 275. That the Countess of Buckingham was the Cynosura that all the Papists steered by. I believe it was above her Ability to bear the weight of that Metaphor. The common Jealousie was, that the Duke would be ring­streaked with spots of Popery, by resorting to his Mothers Trough. Nay, there was a trivial Gradation in Vulgar Mouths, which reach'd higher, That the Mo­ther had a great Influence upon her Son, the Son upon the King, and the King upon the People. The Lord Keeper did not unforesee how far this Cord might be drawn: And that those Discontents which were but Vapours in common talk, might thicken into a Thunder-Clap in an ensuing Parliament. Which though it assembled not in 14 Months after, yet this Prometheus had learn'd his Lesson, That Safety is easiest purchas'd by Prevention. An Instrument that is strung, may be us'd upon a little warning. Having thus studied the Welfare of the Duke, he spake to him to this effect:

The Conferences went presently to work. His Majesty singularly versed in Po­lemical Theology, was Superintendent. The Champion, in whose Sufficiency the Lady most affied, was Fisher the Jesuit: With whom Dr. Francis White, then Dean of Carlile, first encountred, and gave him Foil after Foil; as the Colloquy did let the World know, most impartially publish'd. But Female Weakness was not evinced by Manly Performance. The Logick of the Serpent had strong force upon Eve; and that Infirmity is descended upon her Daughters. Another Meet­ing was prepared, wherein the Lord Keeper entred the Lists with Fisher; because he had advised to those Disputes, he was willing to be Active, as well as Consulta­tive. As the old Rule would have Precept and Example to go Hand in Hand: Cum dixit quid faciendum sit, probat faciendo. He had observ'd when he was an Auditor at the former Conflict, that if divers of the Jesuits Postulata were yielded to him, ( datis, non concessis) that the Church of England, repurging it self from the super-injected Errors of the Church of Rome, would stand inculpable: So he la­bour'd to evidence, if unnecessary Strifes were discreetly waved, what little was wanting to a Conclusive Unity. Ut, quae non licuit per omnia, ex necessariis partibus allegentur, as the Emperor Justin wrote to Pope Hormisda. The King did greatly commend his Charitable and Pacificatory handling of Controversies; which gentle usage, though it put the Jesuit out of his ordinary trot, yet he fell into a shuffling pace, and carried away the Lady behind him. The Lord Keeper exposed not his part in Print; as Fulgentius says of Frier Paul, That he writ nothing with Inten­tion to publish it, unless Necessity constrein'd him. The third, [...], that contended with the Jesuit both for the Palm of Victory, and to bring Eye-Salve to the dim-sighted Lady, was Dr. Laud, then Bishop of St. David's, who galled Fisher with great Acuteness. Which the false Loiolite traduced, and made slight in his Reports Whereupon the Bishop, for his just Vindication, Corroborated all that he had delivered with very strong Enlargement, paying his Adversary both with the Principal and Interest; and divers Years after finish'd it with an Aucta­rium, which hath rendred it a Master-Piece in Divinity. But all this labour was spent in vain as to the Countess's part, and she left to be numbred among those, of whom Christ foretold, that they loved Darkness more than Light.

[Page 173] Yet on my Lord her Sons part, that which was desir'd was Atchieved. He had appeared in the Field an Antagonist to her Revolt, whom he Honour'd, and Observ'd with the most of Filial Duty. So she was less Valued ever after, and sent from the Court, for her Obstinacy. But he was Blazed abroad for the Red-Cross-Knight that was Unàs Champion against Archimago. Yet it was not Printed to be Read, and Judg'd of, till the Parliament Sate, which was now call'd.

179. And lest the precedents of the King's Writs should be lost, as his Houses and Revenues are embezel'd, here follows the Copy of the Summons directed to the Lord Keeper under the Signet.

The Tenth of February was first appointed, being Tuesday; the day of the Week which K. James observ'd to auspicate his great Affairs; but proving to be Shrove-Tuesday, wherein the Younkers of the City us'd to exceed in horrid Liber­ty, that day was scratcht out of the Writ, and Thursday the Twelfth was chosen in the Room. But God scratcht out the Twelfth day, when the day was come, Nay, when the King and his Train were putting on their Robes, so far in readi­ness to begin their Solemnity. For the King look'd about him, and miss'd the L. Steward, Duke of Richmond and Lenox. He was absent indeed, absent from the Body, and present with God, 2 Cor. 5.8. He had Supp'd chearfully the Night before, complain'd of nothing when he went to Bed, slept soundly, Et iter con­fecit dormiendo, he finish'd this last Journey in his sleep. His Servant was com­manded to waken him, and hasten him to attend the King, but found that he had breathed out his Spirit; about an Hour before, said the Sons of Art, because his Corps was but inclining to be Cold. What a do was made to no purpose to sus­pect some foul means to rock him into this Everlasting Sleep? which would never have been question'd in a meaner Man. And cannot God prepare a Worm to smite the Gourd of our Body, that it shall wither in a moment? He was deplor'd generally. I am in with them; for he deserv'd it. French he was born and bred. You might have seen the Gallican Decency in his manners; of good Aspect, and well shap'd; Affable, Humble, Inoffensive, contented with so much Favour as was never Repin'd: One that never Wrestled with the King's Privado's, and was never near a fall: One whose Wit and Honesty kept him great, and much belov'd of all; which rarely meet: One that deserves the Elogy which Lampri­dias gives to Quintilius Marcellus Counsellor to Alexander Severus, ‘ Qs. Meliorem ne Historiae quidem continent.’ More was spoken to his never-dying Honour, by the Graceful Eloquence of the Lord Keeper upon a fit Text, taken out of the 1 King cap. 4. verse 5. Zabud the Son of Nathan was principal Officer, and the King's Friend, This was perform'd at his Funerals in Westminster Abby April 27. Which were the most costly, and set out with the most Princely Pomp for a Subject, that ever I saw: His Dutchess think­ing nothing too sumptuous in his Obsequies to do him the greatest Renown that could be. Which Love in her survived towards him to her last hour. But good Lady, what a penurious House-Wife, and scorn to the World, hath Ar. Wilson made her p. 259. ‘That her Tables in her Hall were spread, as if there had been Meat, and Men to furnish them; but before Eating time, the House being voided, the Linnen Return'd into their Folds again, and all her people Grased on some few Dishes.’ Out of what Rascal Fame he scrapt up this I know not. The Author liv'd not one day after he had Publish'd his Work to Answer it. But there are yet as many Living, that know this to be maliciously false, as there are Pages in his Book. For my own part I knew the Order, the Comli­ness, the Bounty of her House-keeping in Holborn, and at Exeter-House; whether I came often on Message from a Lady of a great understanding, and a great will, [Page 174]the Lady Elizabeth Hatton, to streiten an Account of 8000 l. between them. I have been kept upon my business until Meal-times very often, Noon and Night, and have staid with her Worthy Steward Mr. William Bolton at his Table, which I could not Civilly Refuse. I never saw but that every Board in the Hall was bountifully serv'd, the Stewards Table chiefly so costly in well Cook'd-Meats, so Rich in the Plate wherein it was serv'd, so well observ'd by the Attendants, as I preferr'd it before the like in any Noble Family that ever I was present at in the Kingdom. I am bound. I take it, to defend the Hospitality in Truth, where I have been a Guest. Neither doth it belong only to Knight Errands in Wild­witted, that is no Witted, Romances, to defend a Ladies Honour, but it is due from every man that professeth Justice, and Ingenuity. Principally, as Aristotle Writes Prob. 9. Sect. 30, Defunctis opitulari magis Justum est, quam vivis hominibus. The Exequies of the Dead are call'd Justa; and it is more Just to defend the Dead, then the Living. Let me Weave into the Fringe of this Paragraph a touch at as Wise, and Faithful a Letter, as ever the Lord Keeper wrote to the Duke of Buckingham. He that Reads it all, as it is Cab. p. 101. Shall find it no loss of time; mending the Fault of the Date (a mistake very common in that Rhapsody of Letters) it should bear the Style of Feb 13. 1623. instead of Mart. 2. 1624. ‘The Office of the Lord Steward of the King's House was become void by the Death of the Duke of Richmond. The next Morning he writes to my Lord of Buckingham, That it was a place sit to be accepted of by his Lordship.’ What, more Places? but peruse the Letter, and the Scope of it all along will appear, to instruct him upon the Assumption of this, to part with another place, the Ad­miralty, more beneficial to his Followers, then to himself, who therefore kept him from discarding. But how far had his Lordship been more Fortunate, if he had follow'd better Counsel? First he had made himself a less Object of their Malice, who look'd with Meager Countenance upon him, for holding so many Places of Publick Trust, Mastership of the Horse, Admiralty, Wardenship of the Cinque Ports: Justice in Eyer over all Chaces and Forrests on this side Trent. Whereas the Lord Steward serves the King only in his Houshold. Therefore the Lord Keeper omits not to remember him there, ‘Your Grace may leave any Office you please to avoid Envy.’ The plurality of the Dukes Offices were one and the first of the Grievances heard and Prosecuted in the Houses of the Lords and Commons throughout all his troubles, while his Life lasted. Secondly, but for the Name of Lord Admiral he had never withdrawn himself from Court, to head a Navy at the Sea, where never any Commander of the English Fleet made so improsperous a Voyage. As Renowned Camden, anno 1601. Eliz. says of Robert Earl of Essex, ‘That he was a Brave Warrier, but Fortune did much forsake him,’ and he would not say with Astrologers, ‘That Mars being Lord of his Nativity 'in the Eleventh Station, Afflictissimus nascenti affulserat:’ So this Lord Admiral was Valiant and feared not his Foes, but Mars was not a propitious Ascendant at his Nativity. He that feared it, and knew him to be both wilful and unskilful, ad­vis'd him to take a White Staff instead of an Anchor; but the Duke return'd him no Gra-mercy, being Resolute to out Face envy, and as secure as a former prosperous Life could make him, to suspect no Ignominy, or Infelicity.

180. The week that stayed the Parliament being over, it met as it were in the Temple of Concord. Common presagements seldom fail. It came so welcom to all Men, that they rejoyced for it according to the Joy of Harvest. The So­lemnity began with a Sermon in the Abby of Westminster, made by Dr. Carew Bishop of Exon. Even Idolaters did not omit to enter upon any great Work, without some Ceremony of Religion, ‘ Omnia levius casura rebus Divinis procuratis. Tull. l. 2. de divin.’ The Bishops Theme, upon which he raised his Exhortations very prudently, was out of the Words of dying Jacob to the Head of one of the Tribes, Gen. 49.13. Zabulon shall dwell at the Haven of the Sea, &c. From which he Preach'd and Pray'd earnestly it might be considered; Zabulon juxta mare positus aliorum videt. naufragia, sed ipse salvus est. How Zabulon might thank God that he saw Wars a­broad, and none at home; and that he saw many Shipwrack'd at Sea, while he was safe in his Haven. But the Stream of Opinion was then against his Doctrine. For we think every thing good, whose Evil we have not felt. Immediately from thence the Train removed to the Higher House, where the King being set under his State, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and other Assistants of the Court [Page 175]Attending his Royal person, and the Lower House being admitted to the Audi­ence of that which was to be said, his Majesty Feasted them with a Speech, then which nothing could be apter for the Subject, or more Eloquent for the matter. All the helps of that Faculty were extreamly perfect in him, abounding in Wit by Nature, in Art by Education, in Wisdom by Experience. Mr. George Herbert being Praelector in the Rhetorique School in Cambridg anno 1618. Pass'd by those fluent Orators, that Domineered in the Pulpits of Athens and Rome, and insisted to Read upon an Oration of King James, which he Analysed, shew'd the con­cinnity of the Parts, the propriety of the Phrase, the height and Power of it to move Affections, the Style utterly unknown to the Ancients, who could not con­ceive what Kingly Eloquence was, in respect of which, those noted Demagogi were but Hirelings, and Triobulary Rhetoricians. The Speech which was had at the opening of this Parliament; doth commend Mr. Herbet for his Censure: Which yet I Engross not here; for the Reader that is Conversant in Books will find it often Printed. The Sum of it was to ask Advice of the Lords and Com­mons, what was fittest to be done for Advancement of Religion, and the good of the Common Wealth, how the Treaty of the Princes Match would agree with these, and the good of the Children of the Palatine, for restoring them to that which they had lost. As the whole Contexture was a right Purple Robe that be­came Majesty, so there were three Golden Nails or Studs in it, which even daz­led the Eye with their Splendor. In the First he touchld modestly, that his Reign had not been unhappy to us, But, says he, You have found the Fruits of my Govern­ment, if you consider the Peace which my Kingdoms Enjoy, in the midst of the Miseries our Neighbours are afflicted with. And though I cannot say my Government hath been without Error, yet I can avouch before God and his Angels, never King Govern'd with a more pure sincerity, and Incorrupt Heart. In the Second, he Purgeth himself from the Detraction of a false Rumor. Jealousies, says He, Are of a strange Depth; but let them be far from you. It hath been Talked of my Remissness in maintenance of Re­ligion, and Suspicion of a Toleration. But, as God shall Judg me, I never thought or meant it, nor ever in Word Exprest any thing that Savour'd of it. It is true, That at times best known to my self, I did not so fully put those Laws in Execution, but did Wink and Connive at some things, which must have hindred more weighty Affairs. Yet I never in all my Treaties agreed to any thing, to the overthrow and disagreeing of these Laws—For as it is a good Horsman's Part, not always to use the Spur, ot keep strict the Reins, but sometimes to spare the Spur, and to hold the Reins more slackly, so it is the part of a wise King (and my Age and Experience have inform'd me) sometimes to quick­en the Laws with strict Execution, and at other times upon just occasion to be more Re­miss. Thirdly, The Shells of a Cockle could not lye closer and evener to one another, then these last last words clasp'd with the Parliament: God is my Judg, and I speak it as a Christian King, never any wayfaring men in the Burning, Dry, and Sandy De­serts more Thirsted for water to quench his Thirst, then I Thirst and Long for the Happy Success of this Parliament, that the good Issue of this may expiate and acquit the Fruitless Issue of the former. The King having spread this Banquet to the Tast of their Judgments, the Lord Keeper pro formâ set on the Grace Cup as followeth.

181. So the first Day shut up. And Saturday following, the 21st of that Month, was but a day of Formality to the Parliament; yet material to this History, be­cause the Lord Keeper had the greatest share about the Work of it, who is my Scope; and this Parliament; no further, then as he is concern'd in the Actions and Occurrencies of it. On that day the King Sitting under his State in the Lords House, incircled with the Senatorian Worthies of the higher and lower Order, the Commons Presented Sir Tho. Crew, Serjeant at Law, for their Speaker. As the Knights and Burgesses were Chosen for the publick Service out of the best of the Kingdom; so this Gentleman was Chosen for this Place out of the best of them: He was warm in the Care of Religion, and a Chief among them that were popular in the Defence of it; A great lover of the Laws of the Land, and the Liberties of the People; Of a stay'd Temper, sound in Judgment, ready in Language; And though every Man, it is suppos'd, hath some equals in his good Parts, he had few or no Superiors. This was the Character which the Lord Keeper gave of him to the King, whereupon he was pointed out to this Hono­rable Task. Yet with all this Furnishment, out of a Custom which Modesty had observ'd, Sir Thomas Deprecated the Burthen, as Moses did when the was to be sent to Pharoah, O my Lord, I am not Eloquent, send I pray thee by the hand of him whom thou wilt send, Exod. 4.13. And he humbly besought the Royal Favour to Command a new, and a better Choice for so weighty a Charge. Whereupon the Lord Keeper going from his Seat to His Majesty, and Conferring with Him upon his Knee, after a short time returned to his Place, and spake as followeth.

Then Sir Thomas Crew Bowing down to the Supream Pleasure, which could not be declin'd, offred up his first Fruits for about the time of half an Hour, in a way between Remonstrance and Petition, smoothly and submissively, yet with that Freedom and Fair-Dealing as became the Trust committed to him. He could not wish more Attention than he had from the King, who heard him favo­rably to the end. For the Dispatch of that Work, presently the Lord Keeper went to His Majesty, who Conferr'd together secretly that none else heard, and after a quarter of an hour or better, the L. Keeper return'd to his Place, and an­swer'd the Speakers Peroration in His Majesties Name: Which Answer will enough supply what was said by them both; for it contains all the solid parts of Mr. Speakers Harangues.

185. Hitherto the King spake to the People by the Lord Keeper's Mouth, and then the House rose: All rejoyced that such gracious Concessions were returned to Mr. Speaker's Motions, which were the Beam that held up the insequent Coun­sels, till the Roof was covered with Agreement. And it took the more, that it was inlaid with such Mosaick Work, not to the Eye, but to the Ear, by a per­fect Orator. It was the greatest, and the knowingest Auditory that this King­dom, or perhaps the World afforded; whose general Applause he carried away, to as much as Modesty could desire. Isocrates extolling the famous Acts of Eva­goras before the full Celebrity of the Athenians, exulted, that Evagoras was ap­proved by them, [...]: whose good Opinion was more honorable to him, than all the Earths beside. It was a hap­py sight at that time, to see the Patriots of both Houses depart, with Hands held up to God, and with Smiles in their Looks, that you might think they said one to another, as the Princes of the Congregation, and the Heads of the Thousands of Israel said to the Children of Reuben and Gad, &c. This day we perceive that the Lord is among us, Jos. 22.31. The Lord Keeper was summoned in three days af­ter to a fresh Business, and a larger Task than the former. So fine a Tongue was sure not to want Work. The Lords and Commons were brought into the Ban­queting-House at White-Hall, Feb. 24. where the Duke of Buckingham spake unto them, leading them into the Maeanders of the Spanish Treatise, and lead them out of them by the Clew of his own Diligence, as he spared not to give himself the Honour of it. For this time he was the Alcibiades that pleased the Common­wealth. His Zeal and unremovable Pertinacy, not to cope with the Spaniard in a­ny Proposition, unless the Prince Elector might be brought into his own Land a­gain [Page 180]with an honorable Post liminium, did enter inwardly, and into the Marrow of all pitiful Affections. But when he unfolded how strong the Prince was to the Principles of the right Faith, and how attendant and dutious himself was to see that no Emissaries should poyson his Highness's Heart, the general Suffrage was, that the Prince had march'd valiantly like a Captain of Holy Truth, and that the Duke deserved a great Name as a Lieutenant, that maintained the Cause of God under him. For it was ever easie to strike the good People of England half blind with the Dazling of Religion. So much did the Parliament thirst for the Report of this Narration, that it was imposed on the Lord Keeper to make it the next day. All that might be done, was, that he took him to his Memory, and to his Pen, and drew up three Sheets of Paper upon it in a fast, and scarce legible Hand. He must proceed by the Pattern. My Lord Duke's Oration was the on­ly part of Speech he must follow; and like a wise Man, whatsoever he thought, he must make good the time. So he spent four hours in Repetition without Halt, with such Assurance, such Gesture, such Carving and Gilding, that he might wonder at himself what Spirit was in him that day. All that took the height of his Report by a skilful Parallax concluded, that he had striven with his former Peices, and had outgone himself. Yet the fourth Part will suffice to be remem­bred, because the Flower of it is anticipated in the Spanish Transactions after a monthly Method. Beside, I cannot help the Reader to that which I never saw; the several Letters which were read to the stronger Confirmation of every Parti­cular Business; the Contents of them must be supplied by him that is Wise to make Conjecture, and not by my Pen. For though it be not according to Nature, yet it is agreeing to Honesty, Vacuum potius relinquere quàm verum; to leave a void Space, rather than to fill it up with a Fable: as Barrenness is incomparably to be less blamed than Adultery. So I go on to make such Room as is fit for the Heads of that long Report, which should not seem to be unsavory Coleworts, sod too often for their Tast, to whom they are well known already. Debet enim talibus in rebus excitare animos, non cognitio solum rerum, sed recordatio, as Tully speaks Philip 2.

186. The Lord Keeper plotted his Conceptions into that Order, wherein the Duke of Buckingham, the Discoverer, had gone before him, beginning from Mi­chaelmas 1622; when the King sitting close with his Council at Hampton-Court, the Dispatches of Sir Richard Weston, his Majesty's Ambassador at Brussels, were scanned before them. Sir Richard being a Man, in whose Election to that Place, the Spanish Ministers were greatly pleased, and commended the King's Wisdom, that he did light upon him. Yet Sir Richard sent Packet upon Packet, that he found nothing from the Arch-Dutchess, but inconstant and false Dealing. For though she acknowledged she had Power from the Emperor to cause Cessation of Arms in the Palatinate, and undertook to put that Power forth, yet with the same Breath she blew hot and cold. For at that Instant, when no Excuse could be made for the Cheat, Tilly fell to it spightfully, to besiege Heidelburg, when the War was now between the Emperor and our King, for they had no body to in­vade, but his Majesty's Subjects and Servants that kept it. And what spark of Pa­tience could be left us, when by every Post we received comfortable Words from Spain, and contrary Effects from Brussels? Hereupon Mr. Porter was sent to Ma­drid, and commanded to stay in that Court but ten Days for an Answer. The Letters that he carried with him, were to signifie, that this should be the last Sending, if no less would serve the Emperor's Revenge, but the utter Extermina­tion of his Majesty's Children, both in Honour and Inheritance. That the Neighbour Kings and States of Christendom did malign the Match between the Prince and the Insanta, and laboured to stop that Conjunction, which would make England and Spain formidable to them. But they should not need to con­trive a way to prevent it: This unsufferable Unkindness would bring it to pass to their hand. For what Comfort could the Prince have in such a Wife, the near­est of whose Blood had utterly ruined his Sister, and her Progeny? The Messen­ger carried this Arrand with him to the President of all Affairs in that Kingdom, Conde Olivarez, one that may justly be censured to have more of Will, than of Wit; one that play'd foul with us, and could not hide it. Sometimes he would run back from our Propositions, as if he would never come near us: sometimes he would run into our Arms, as if his Heart and all his Powers did grow unto us. Nec constans in side, nec constans in persidiâ. Mr. Porter came back from him with a half-sac'd Satisfaction; but withal, the King of Spain's Letters (which were there read) contained a Talent of Hope; but we found not a Grain of Reality. Up­on [Page 181]this Journey Porter did so well remember somewhat, that sell carelestly from the Conde Duke, wishing the Prince himself were there, to see how ready the King his Master was to fasten an indissoluble Knot of Amity, and embrace Alli­ance with him; that his Excellent Highness (I speak in his Presence what he knows) hearing it with more Attention than was imagined, put on that heroick and undauntable Boldness, craved Leave of his Father, that he might visit the great Ingeneers at their own Forge, to see what they were working, and how they would receive him, and as we use to say, Either win the Horse or loose the Saddle. Here again, says the Reporter, my Lord Duke acquainted us how acceptable, at the first, the Arrival of the Prince did seem to Olivarez, who in the Enterview in the Garden, assured with great Oaths, that all should be dispatched with sudden Re­solution, and that his Highness should be pressed to nothing that was not agreea­ble to Conscience and Honour, and stood not with the Love of the People of England. Then it was related, That King Philip seemed most sensible of the Courtesie, that such a Guest had visited him, and that he would permit all to his own Asking, as he did express it at their Meeting in the Prado. The Lord Duke was very copious upon all the Negotiations in Spain, from his Highness's Arrival, to his Parting, and the Lord Keeper mist not one Particular, but beautified all, and gave it Lustre; which may here be spared in Repetition, because nothing was added in Substance, to that which is methodized upon it in the Months of the former Summer. Much of the Day was spent to shew how deceitful Conde Olivarez was, who, like a crafty Marchant, he gave a Tast of one Wine, and upon the Bargain would sell of another. Swear us often into the Possession of the Palatinate, and yet embroiled us at the same Instant more and more with an Ar­my: Waved all Differences of Religion between us and them at the first, and presently turned the Wheel from the Top to the Bottom, and fell into insolent Propositions, that the Prince could not make a fit Husband for their Lady, unless he would become a Papist. Sometimes he would aggravate, how far we differed from the Catholick Confession of Faith, as if the Gulph reach'd from Heaven to Hell. Sometimes he colleagued as if we were near upon a Point, and but a little Stride between us.

Then the Articles for the Marriage were brought in play, and with what a num­ber of new ones his Highness's Commissioners were surcharged, and how irre­spectively they stuffed the Book with strange and undisputed Additions, and com­monly the last which they presented were the worst; Verres secum ipse certat, & id agit, ut semper superius suum facinus novo scelere vincat, Tul. Act. 7. in Verrem. But our Ministers rejected those bastard Slips, and all that Conscience, English Honour, and Safety could not approve.

187. After this, says the Reporter, my Lord Duke hath informed you of the Dispensation, the Whirly-Gig of the Dispensation, which run round from Pope to Pope, and never could be said to settle. And though an orbicular Motion is fittest for the Spheres of Heaven, yet a circular Motion, which is ever beginning, and never ending, is stark naught for dispatch of Affairs on Earth. Both the Dispensation, and the Labour of the Junto of Divines upon it, and their Fumbling Fingers were never fit to tye a Love-Knot. Nay, the Conde Duke brake out in­to such a Chase against their Theologues, that he said the Devil put it into his Head to commit the Matter to their Learning. So that it seems the Resolution of the Divines came quite contrary to the Inspiration of the Holy Ghost. The next thing (says he) reported out of his Grace's Digestions, was the Loathing that the Prince did take at the Length of the Treaty, as well as the Matter; but chiefly at that. In the Matter that he was offered the present Conducting of the Lady into England, so he would sell his Soul for the Favour, and be a Client to Saints and Images to beg a Blessing of them upon his Marriage. And whereas his High­ness had travelled into so far a Country, as well to relieve a Sister and her Poste­rity, as to fetch a Wife, he was at such a loss about the Loss of his Sister's Inheri­tance, that the Spanish Council would fasten upon nothing to content him. Here­upon his Highness declared himself plainly to the Conde in these Words, Look to it, Sir, for without this, you must not conclude of either Marriage or Friendship. For I must go to my Father, and acquaint him with your Resolution. Here the Lord Keeper grew warm, and besought their Lordships to observe, how constant his Highness remained to the principal Ground of all, the Restitution of the Palatinate, which [Page 182]was the Hinge upon which all his subsequent Actions did move: Look to it, for neither Marriage nor Friendship can be made without the Restitution of that Dominion. Which Protestation effecting little good, his Highness look'd homeward. But his Purposes and Preparations for his Return were often slackned. But because the King of Spain expected a Betrothing with his Sister before his going away, the Conde Duke revived the Treaty for the Restitution of the Paltz. And after Con­ference with the Emperors Ambassadors, there was projected a Restitution of the Country to the Son, upon a Condition of a Marriage with the Emperors second Daughter, which the Prince entertained: But then the stabbing Condition comes after, That for his Religion he must first be bred in the Emperors Court, at which his Highness stopt his Ears. But for the Electorate, it was a thing in Nubibus, out of their Power, and it seems out of their Affections, for they would not be drawn to meddle in it. And whereas they had once made a chearful Proffer, To assist us with the Arms, if the Emperor did not keep his Word to put the Prince Pala­tine into his own again: Now they slew back, and confest the Emperor had been inconstant, and did not deal well with them; but if he would beat and buffet them, they would not promise to employ a Leavy of Forces against the House of Austria.

188. Now, says the Voice of the Reporter, since his Highness could prevail for nothing to come on well, his wisest Project was to take care that himself might come off well. For which there is not one of your Lordships, I presume, but would have given much, and done much: And it cost you nothing, but the Per­turbation of some Suspicions and Fears. I say, Fear was the worst you susser'd. For Religion, God be thanked, suffer'd not at all, though it was greatly mistrust­ed. There the Lord Keeper delighted their Expectations in that which they list­ned after, how the Kings Ministers, and himself principally (for he shrunk not in his Head) did proceed from time to time in the last Summer, about the Pardon and Dispensation, about which the Spanish Ambassadors struggled for the Recu­sants sake: In Contemplation whereof the Prince had a free and friendly Dismis­sion, yet not a Joint of Religion sprained, nor a Law actually dislocated. But as a Wound that is cured by a Weapon Salve sine contactu, so the Law was never touch'd, only the Point and Edge of the Weapon a little anointed, and by the Operation of it our Noble Prince past the Pikes of Danger, and is come Home to his Fathers House from a far Land, without a Pater peccavi: GOD be thanked he neither sinned against Heaven, nor against his Father, nor against you, nor against the Laws or Religion, for which we have cause to offer up a great Thanks­giving to GOD, because there is not a spot in the Sacrifice. He goes on then, as the Tract of my Lord the Duke did lead him, and enters into a large Field to rip up that which had been told them before, how near the Prince and the Infanta were drawn together, where the Marriage staid, and upon what Conditions they parted. Which though it had been many Years in Destination, (as we were cre­dulous, and do not yet lay down our Faith) yet if Conde Olivarez may be trusted, until they had seen the Gallantry of the Prince and his Deservings, being daily now in their Eyes, they held us with fair Words before, but Performance till then was never meant. Which he made good, at least to his own Opinion, by two Letters; the first bears date, Nov. 5. 1622. it was the late King of Spain's, as the Conde said, read over six times by his Highness, and Sir Walter Aston, and present­ly out of their Memories, (for they were not permitted to excribe it) set down in Writing, and I hope, says the Lord Keeper, when you consider the Notary, you will hold it authentical. The second Letter is written with Olivarez his own Hand, Novemb. 8. 1623. Translated by the Prince himself very neatly and exactly. Let the Clerk read them both. These declare the Resolution of the Spanish Court, at least, in my Opinion, that the great Conde's Heart was not with us, till the Prince lodg'd in their Palace, and sate in Council with them himself the last Summer. But by that opportunity their Eyes were opened, and they perceiv'd that their Lady, whom they magnifie so much, could never make a more happy Wife, than with so brave a Husband. So that no doubt the Desposorios, and perhaps the Nuptials, had been past by this time with mutual liking, if the scandal of invading the Palatinate had been removed out of the way. This the Duke's Grace, says the Lord Reporter, hath impartially spread out, holding a just Balance in his Hand: And most prudently, knowing that he spake in the hearing of the wisest in the Kingdom; and most faithfully; for as Valerian said of Posthumius in the History of Pollio, if Posthumius deceive us, Sciatis nusquam gentium reperiri, qui possit penitus approbari.

[Page 183] 189. But the Unkindness of the Palatinate intervening, the Prince reserv'd him­self, till he were satisfied therein. And at his last Farewel engaged himself to leave a Proxy, and did deposite the same in my Lord of Bristol's Hand, who should keep it and use it as his Proctor, and by his Direction. His present Direction was, That if the Confirmation came from Rome clear and entire, (which it did not) then within so many Days he should deliver it to the King of Spain. A second Direction was sent unto him the 8th of October 1623. That for fear a Monastery should rob his Highness of his Wife, he should stay the delivery till that were clear'd, and that his Highness should send him further Direction. Your Lordships may hear the Letter if you please. Read it. Now because my Lord of Bristol in his Letter November 1. 1623. doth press so vehemently, that the Prince had engaged his Faith and Power not to retract the same: And that Cirica the Secretary had put it into an Instrument, sign'd and seal'd Authentically, I hold it most proper in this place to clear that Aspersion. First, His Highness told your Lordships plainly and directly, that he had never by Oath or Honour engaged himself, not to revoke the Powers, more than by that Clause, De non revocandá procuratione, included in the Instrument it self. Secondly, I must let your Lordships know, that it is law­ful by the Civil and Canon Law, (and I Appeal herein to those Learned of that Profession now Assistants to this Noble House) for any Man to revoke his Proxy, (and so likewise his Resignation) notwithstanding that it hath the Clause, De non revocandà Procuratione inserted within it. Further and thirdly, I affirm unto you, That though the Prince had sworn not to stay or revoke his Proxy, yet not­withstanding that Oath, the Revocation is good in Law. Jurans non rev [...]are pro­curatorem, si revocet, non obstante juramento valebit revocatio, Johan. de Seluá Tract. Doctri. Vol. 5. I have digressed thus far to let your Lordships see plainly, that my Lord of Bristol in this Charge upon the Prince hath forgotten himself very much; and that his Highness might justly, honourably, and legally, not only stay, as he did; but withal, if he had so pleas'd, absolutely revoke his own Proxy. And now by the Mercy of God, and his own wise and judicious Demeanor, his Highness is arrived at Royston, and hath made his Narration to the King how that he is re­turn'd an absolute Freeman, excepting only this one Condition and Limitation, That if his Majesty may receive sufficient assurance from the King of Spain, con­cerning the Restitution of the Palatinate, then indeed he is obliged in Honour to go on to the Esposorios. Otherwise free every way. Free, because of that which Olivarez had promised to his Highness before the return of Sir Francis Cottington. Free, because of what his Highness had said to Olivarez after the return of Sir Francis, being constant to the same Principle in his dear Sisters behalf. And free, because his Power was staid justly, legally, and honourably. His Majesty was glad (as he had just cause to be) of this wise and very circumspect Carriage in so great a Negotiation; and told his Highness that he had played his part very well. And now his Majesties part came upon the Stage: Which was to provide with all Fatherly Love, that his only Son should not be Married with a Portion of his on­ly Daughters Tears. And therefore his Majesty likewise presently requires the stay of the delivery of the Proxy, until he had sufficient assurance for the Restitu­tion of the Palatinate. Which your Lordships will remember to be no new or springing Condition, but the very same that is urged before, and offer'd once by Olivarez in a blank Paper to his Highness; which Paper was nobly returned by his Highness in his last answer to Olivarez. The Provision his Majesty took here­in, your Lordships shall hear out of the Dispatch from Royston, Octob. 8. 1623.

190. Your Lordships would conceive that upon this Dispatch the Earl of Bri­stol would take all Hints and Occasions to put off the Esposorios, unless the re­quired Assurance were first obteined. But the Truth is, (and I am heartily sorry to find it) he did not so.

First, The Confirmation came from Rome alter'd and mangled. And indeed of stopping the Power thereupon, he labours with all his strength of Wit to hide, and palliate the same.

Secondly, When they had alter'd the Portion from 600000 in ready Cash, to an Yearly Pension of 200000, and a few Jewels, in stead of staying for all upon this Impediment, he seems to approve, and applaud the same.

Thirdly, For the Assurance of the Restitution of the Palatinate, which is the Foundation of the Marriage and Friendship, he is so far from providing for it be­forehand, that he leaves it to be mediated by the Infanta after the Marriage.

[Page 184] Lastly, In stead of putting off the Contract; as any Man in the World would have done, he is come to prefix a precise Day for the Esposorios. These things your Lordships will soon observe out of the Letters that shall be read in the me­thod that I will direct.
E. of Bristol 's Letters, Octob. 24. 1623. and Novemb. 1. 1623.

Out of this rash fixing of the Day in Spain, which was controuled again by an Express from hence, issued an unnecessary Discourtesie put upon that King by the Earl of Bristol, and in a manner wantonly. From that Discourtesie thrown upon them, followed others cast upon us, which being omitted the last Day, his High­ness commands me to mention them in this place. As the taking away of the Title of La Princessa from the Lady; and the debarring of our Ambassadors from any further Access unto her Person. And with these the greatest Discourtesie of all, that when they return'd unto us a poor, meager, and carion Dispatch con­cerning the Palatinate, (not worthy the reading, and therefore wisely omitted the last Day) yet the Earl of Bristol sent it with this Item, That they were fain to an­tedate it for their Honour, or else it would have been ten times worse. Your Lord­ship may hear it, if you please. Madrid, Decemb. 6. 1623. Well, for all this big­blown nothing, they have taken their Pen in Hand again, and have sent unto his Majesty a Project of a Letter, that if his Majesty shall so desire it, shall be writ­ten unto him from the King of Spain; and this Letter is the Hercules Pillars, and the Nihil Ultra in the whole Negotiation of the Palatinate. Read it, Jan. 5. 1623. This Letter his Majesty hath scanned to a Syllable; and imagining there might be some hidden Virtue to be extracted out of that Phrase, Alzar la meno, that King Philip will not take his Hand off the Business, until our Master shall receive Satis­faction, his Majesty sent unto the Spanish Ambassador for a Comment on the same; and behold this all that they return to his Majesty. Not take off his Hand, id est, He will employ without intermission his best Offices to procure Satisfaction to his Majesty. And concerning Offices and Treatises, we have had too many of them already. Non tali auxilio, &c. But, together with this written Letter, I must acquaint your Lordships with an unwritten Tradition. Which was delivered to the Earl of Bristol, together with the Project of the Letter by Secretary Cirica, but ill conceal'd by his Lordship in that Dispatch, and sent afterward, probably by Mr. Cl [...]rke, to my Lord Duke's Grace. That whereas the King of Spain did find his Errour in going on with the Treaty of the Marriage, before he had cleared the Treaty of the Palatinate, he is now resolv'd to change his Method, and to per­fect this Treaty of the Restitution of the Palatinate, before he will proceed any further in the accomplishing of the Marriage. So that these Treatises, as they are carried in Spain, shall be quit one with another. As formerly the Treaty of the Marriage did justle out the Treaty of the Palatinate; so now the Treaty of the Palatinate hath quite excluded the Treaty of the Marriage. And indeed in stead of Wedding Garments, that King, as you heard, hath made a hasty Winter Jour­ney to Andaluzia to provide his Navy. But how they are to be employ'd, we shall hear shortly, (if we will still be credulous) by Padre Maestro, who is on his way for this Kingdom. My Lords, to conclude, As the Heathen say that the Golden Chain of Laws is tyed to the Chair of Jupiter; so the future Proceedings upon all this long Narration is tyed to your Consultation. Things past are exactly made known to you, that things to come may be more wisely considered. An Histo­rian says, Curtius. Male humanis ingeniis Natura consuluit, quod plaerumquè non futura, sed trans­acta perpendimus. Nature hath not well provided for Humane Wisdom, that com­monly we discuss upon things already done, rather than what may be done for the future. But my Lords, you are not put to that streit. But your Lordships speedy Advice is requir'd for that which is to follow, specially concerning this last Dispatch, that implieth the Education of the Prince Palatine's Son in the Empe­ror's Court, and that the King of Spain will promise no Assistance to draw off the Emperor's Army from his Country, much less Assistance by Arms to recover it. This is it which his Majesty expects from your Lordships mature Advice, Whe­ther this being the Product of all the Trouble, which I have opened to your Lord­ships, it be sufficient for his Majesty to rest upon, both for the Marriage of his only Son, and the relieving of his only Daughter.

[Page 185] This Report it was so grateful for the Theme, so gracefully handled for the manner, so Clear, so Elaborate, so Judiciously manag'd, that the Author had ne­ver more Praise in his Life for one days Work of that kind. So acceptable it was even to the Duke, though turn'd a Cold Friend, That he said, He knew not how to Thank him enough for it. Yet this was but as the White of an Egg, which gets some Tast with a little Salt of Eloquence, but nothing in Comparison of the Yolk of his Worth. But as Nazianzen said of St. Basil, Quae ab illo velm obiter si [...] ­bant, praestantiora crant quàm ea in quibus alii Elaborant. Such an Orator was sure to have the Custom of the Parliament upon all the like Occasions. Therefore when he had scarce taken Breath after the former Service, he was Commanded to add the Supplement as it follows in another Conference.

192. As Plutarch said of the Laconick Apothegms, [...], they were Clean and Sound Timber, with the Bark taken off: So the Reader may observe in these Reports, that the Matter is Heart of Oak, the Style clear from Obscurity, and disbark'd quite from superduity. But regarding the Auditors, and their Affections at that Season, nothing could be more proper: for he spake to their Content as if he had been within them, with Sweet and Piercing Ex­pressions, resembled in the Harp, and the Quiver of Arrows, with which the Heathen Trimm'd up Apollo, their Deity of Graceful Speech. They that de­tract from such Worth, would be glad it were their own, as says our compleat Poet upon the like,

But this beginning presaged good Luck to the ensuing Counsels debated in that Session. This is called to this day the Blessed Parliament, and so Posterity will take it from us. Says Tully, very well 3. Philip. Magna vis est, magnum numen u­num & idem consentient is senatus. A full Senate, Head and Members consenting in one, carries a Majestick and Oraculous Authority with it. This is the Confir­mation of it, when the people brought before the King the Fruits of their Wis­dom, which they had Studied: And the King did ratifie him chearfully with the Wisdom of his Power. They opened their Purse to him; and, which was more beneficial to them, then if they had spared a little Mony, he let fall some Flowers off his Crown, that they might gather them up, which indeed was no more then desluvium pennarum, the Molting of some Feathers, after which the Eagle would Fly the better. He opened his Ear to them in all their Petitions, and they listned as much to him; and gave their Ear-Rings to Jacob, Gen. 35.4. So the King and the Subject became perfect Unisons. And as God doth knit his own Glory, and the Salvation of mankind together; so the King did imitate God, and Married his Honour with the welfare of the Kingdom. Who is it that reads the Statutes 21 Jacobi, and doth not admire them? The Peers took it to be their greatest No­bility to look well to the Publick: And the other House did light upon the True Companion of Wisdom, S [...]data Tranquillitas, a Calm Tranquility, as Rivers are deepest where they Foam least. And all the Land had cause of rejoycing, that the House of Commons was never better Replenish'd in Man's Memory, with Knights and Burgesses of rare Parts and Tempers, especially the Gown-men of the Inns of Courts, who were extoli'd for Knowledge and political Prudence, as no Age had afforded a better Pack. And I give the Lord Keeper his Right and no more, knowing his Traces perfectly at that time, that he labour'd as for Life to keep an Harmony between the King and this Parliament, to suck out his Maje­sties assent to all their Proceedings, that he might shew himself as good as he was great. Which I think was the greatest, certainly the happiest part of Honour, that ever the Lord Keeper Merited. How he mitigated Discontents and softned re­fractoriness, how he obliged the leading Voices with benefits, how he kept the Prerogative of the Supreme Power, and the Extravagancies of pretended Liber­ty on the other side from Encroachments, the Wise only knew (but they that knew it not were the better for it) and that he was chiefly us'd in Consultation for compiling those wholesom Laws, which had their double Resining and Clarify­ing from Lords and Commons. In all likelihood prosperous success might be ex­pected from this Parliament, because it was Pious; and Pious because it was a [Page 187]strict preserver of the Holy Patrimony Allotted to God. Quae [...] erunt, quam quibus Deus praestitit auxilium; says Ansonius to the Emperor [...] What Counsels are more compleat, then those that are help'd by God? Nay, What Councels can be more compleat, then theirs that defend the Right of God? As worser times would let the Clergy keep nothing; so those times by their good Will would let them part with nothing. Let the Trial be observ'd, as the Case follows.

193. The Duke of Buckingham lack'd a dwelling according to the Port of his Title, and to receive a very populous Family. It must be near to Whitehal, and it must be spacious. None could be found so fit as the Arch-Bishop of York his House: It was nigh to Charing-Cross, and he came little to it. The Duke us'd the Lord Keeper to move Arch-Bishop Mathew for his Consent, and to make the Bargain between them; causing him to make prosser of such Lands in the County of York as should be equivalent, or better, then the House, Garden, and Tenements belonging to the Arch-Bishop's Place. For nothing was intended but Exchange with considerable Advantage to him and his Successors. And that was sure as touch, because the House was to be past by Act of Parliament to the Kings Ma­jesty. So the Duke had made it his humble Request, and drew on the King hard­ly to make a Chop with those Demeasnes, to which the Name of God and his Christ were made the Feoffees in the first Donation, for the use of that Tribe, which peculiarly serves him in Sacred Offices. Yet with instance and much Suit the King was wrought to it for the Duke's sake. As M. Antony said to his Confi­dent Septimius, ‘ Quod Concupiscas tu videris, quod concupieris certè habebis. Tul. 5. Philip.’ So this Beloved Minion should be Wise to see what he ask'd, for his Master had no Power to say him nay. His Majesty was most Nice and Cautious to make the Composition profitable to the Church, and that there should be no Violation of Justice in the Grant; for which he cast his Eye religiously upon that Warrantable Rule, Levit. 26.19. He that will Redeem that which is Sanctified, must add a fifth Part to the Estimation. So this Godly King was superabundant in his Care, that the See of York should be Richer by parting with this House, as is manifest by the Lord Keeper's Letter sent to that Worthy Patriarch of the North, whose Age would not suffer him to come to London.

[Page 188] 194. All things being agreed upon this Bargain on this side Trent, and beyond it, an Act is drawn up, and brought into the House of Commons. The Provisi­on for the Exchange is apparent without Fallacy, or Fear of Wrong, and better than the Redemption of a thing sanctify'd under the Levitical Prescriptions; yet it stuck in the House of Commons, and struggled with great Opposition. The King's Counsel pleaded well, that his Majesty's Lands were more profitable by a good Size, than that which the Arch-Bishop contributed in lieu; but it was answered by a worthy Knight, Let Caesar keep that which is Caesar's, and let God keep that which is God's. And that Scruple was held in dispute for many days (although the Duke did then appear to be a Person that deserved to be gratify'd) till evi­dent Reason, like a Condensation of Light, did shine more and more before them, that Love and Conscience, tender to preserve the Church her Rights, ought not to hinder her Augmentation. Or had it been no more than barely one for another, it would be no worse than with the Man in Famianus Strada, that sneezed once, and blew out his Candle, and sneezed a second time, and blew it in again. Therefore when the Commons had shewn their Good will not to vio­late Sacred things, as if the Spirit of thrice honoured Sir Harry Spelman had pos­sest them; when they had said much upon it, and received handsome Satisfacti­on; when they were at a wit-stand, and could reach no further, the Bill was carried by some Votes, and the Permutation concluded. A noble Affection to the Bishops, and to that Portion which our virtuous Progenitors had given them; and little followed within twenty years after, by such as the Prophet de­scribes, Isa. 50.11. That walk in the Light of their own Fire, and in the sparks which themselves have kindled. Those Prelates that not long ago had so many Friends to support their Demesns, are now like Abraham, when God sent him into a strange Land, where he had no Inheritance, no not so much as to set his Foot upon, Act. 7.5. Now those Mannors and Houses which were kept entirely for them, are sold to make Payment, 'tis well known to whom. But such Work, such Wages. Publick and Private, Civil and Sacred Lands, Civil Wars can gulp down all. And yet the Grecians, that knew not the true God, invited all to take Arms against the Pho­censes, in the Quarrel of Sacriledge, and called it the Sacred War. When the whole Estate of Pompey the Great was Confiscate, after Caesar had prevailed in the Pharsalian Battle, says Tully, Philip 2. Qui ad illud scelus sectionis auderet accedere, in­ventus est nomo praeter Antonium: None could be found so impudent to buy his Lands, but Antony. But enow are found in these Dominions that are ready to buy Gods Lands: Their Peny-worths are cheap, if there were no Account to be made to the Lord of the Vineyard hereafter. These Huxters cannot chuse but think of it; and if any of them should say he did not drive this Trade, at least with a doubting Conscience, in good Faith I would not believe him 'Tis the En­vy of the Devil, when he cannot hinder Reformation, to discredit it with Sacri­ledge. And he is cunning at that horrid Sin, ever since he mixt it in his first Temptation. For the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, which was not to be eaten, had a Sacramental Signification in it, and stood in Paradice for an Holy Purpose, and was an holy Possession; in regard whereof, to eat of the forbidden Fruit, was Theft in the Act, and Sacriledge in the Circumstance. But suppose a Church be unsound, surfeited, and fit to be purged of Offences; What Physician that undertook to cure a sick Man, did ever plunder him of all that he had for his Fee? Who will think else that his Heart was set upon the Good of his Patient, and not upon filthy Lucre? He that reaps down Errors, and fills his Barns with golden Sheaves, he works for Mammon, and not in God's Harvest. The antient Christians, that desaced Idols of Silver and Gold, would Purse none of the Me­tal, for fear of giving Scandal to the Heathen. Stilico demolished some such Ima­ges, and he and his Wife were found to wear the Ornaments that had belonged to them; for which they were cry'd out upon, says Baronius, An. 389. c. 57. Quia apud antiquae probitatis Christianos nefas erat in Idola grassari, ut in usum privatum aliquid verteretur, ut appareat pietate nos ista destruere, non avaritiâ: A very wise, and a pious Course; for an avaricious Zeal is a poysoned Cordial. And few will captivate their Understanding to edifie by a Sacrilegious Reformer. I hope Loosers may have Leave to breath out their Sorrows, especially for Sion's sake. However, I beseech God to preserve his Ark among us, though the Pot of Man­na be lost, to bless the pure Doctrine, and the Sacraments of the Gospel to all, to whom they belong, that the Infant be not rob'd of the one, nor such as are of grown Age of the other. Then as the Earth is the Lords in all its Fulness, so the true Church is Christ's in all its Penury and Emptiness. And this is enough to let [Page 189]the Reader see what was intended to be made good before, that a most Church­loving, was a most happy Parliament.

195. Yet no feast was ever so bountiful, but some went away unsatisfied; and no Court was ever so Righteous upon Earth, but some Appellants thought they were prejudiced. If any man had Cause to complain of the Justice of this Parlia­ment, it was the Lord Treasurer Cranfield. About whose Tryal, if I should ask, as the Pharises did about Divorces, Is it lawful to censure a principal Officer for eve-Cause? I must say as Christ answered them, From the Beginning it was not so. A Parliament is a Judge among Gods; a Terror to Magistrates, that are a Terror to any, but to them that deserve Evil; the only, or the best Inquisitor into the Ways of them that Rule in high Places, that he that stands may take heed least he fall. But if it grow common, if every Session make it their Work, or their Recreation to hunt such Game down, and root up Cedars, that might have stood without Offence; Moderation will be desired, and the Prudent will think it is not fit, many a Week should be lost anent the providing of good Laws, when a Month or two pass over in bringing a white Staff, or some such Grandee, to the Stake, to be baited by Informers. The Lord Treasurer had some Petitions pre­ferred against him in March, which at first he laugh'd at, and thought to scorn them down with Unguiltiness. For who regards the first Grudgings of a Sickness? Yet none perish sooner than they that are not provident against the first begin­ning of an Evil. The Petitioners were countenanced, because he, whose Harm they sought, was one that was not beloved. 'Tis true, he was surly, and of hard Access. But be it remembred, he sate in his great Places, not to be popular, and get Affections, but to be Just, and to Husband the Revenue of the Crown with Prudence. But subtle Knavery is like to be longer unquestioned, than rough-cast Innocency. He was charged with Corruption, and sordid Bribery; all the while many Sages contended that the Proofs came not home to a full Discovery. One press'd it close, that he gave him Five hundred Pound to break well through a long Suit in the Court of Wards. To which the Treasurer answered, That the Money was paid him for a Place in the Custom-House, for which the Complainant had often moved him, which his Secretaries, and other Witnesses, made good, and that upon the Payment of that Sum, one of the Six and thirty Portions in the Custom-House was re­served for him. Albeit, the weight of this suspected Bribe (not a Bur hanging up­on his Gown beside) press'd him down in the Conclusion. This was not to turn Foxes into Fleas a Bed, as H. Grotius doth in his Notes upon the Canticles; but it is to turn Fleas into Foxes, or rather Flea-bites into the mortal Spots of the Pesti­lence. Whether the Treasurer had great Faults, it is uncertain, and waits Re­port; but 'tis sure he had great Adversaries. The Duke of Buckingham and all his Party appeared against him. Whereupon Sir A. Wel. the most virulent Defa­mer of the Lord Treasurer, writes, That a small Accusation, as his was, would serve to turn him out of his Honor, whom the Duke did then oppose. But why did his Grace heave at his Cousin by Marriage? 'tis very dark. It seems the Courtiers had no Mind to let us know it. For as Lampridius Notes in Vit. Alex. Sev. Secreta omnia in aulâ esse cupiunt, ut soli aliquid scire videantur. It is perhaps, that the Treasurer would have brought a Darling, Mr. Arthur Bret, his Countess's Brother, into the King's Favour, in the great Lord's Absence. Or that he grudg'd that the Trea­sury was exhausted in vast Issues by the late Journey into Spain, and denied some Supplies: Or that he dealt too plainly at the Council-Table, in giving no kind Ear to his Cousin's Relations of his Doings at Madrid, having not the Art to catch his Affections in the Springes of Flattery. But down the Duke cast him, as me­seems, being not aware, how every man hath so many Relations, that he that destroys one Enemy, makes himself ten more. Or as I heard another say long ago much better upon it, that my Lord of Buckingham did never undo any of his Enemies, but he ruin'd many of his Friends. And in this Lord's Overthrown, the Prince abetted him▪ was Privy to the Undertakings of his Adversaries, and ac­compassed Suffrages to Condemn him. The bitter Welden, P. 168. could not re­s [...]ain to Comment upon it. That the Prince discerned so much Juggling in the Parliament, in Cranfield's Case, that it was not much to be wondred at, being come to be King, that he did not affect them. King James being all that time of this Storm, not at Newmarket, as our late Mistakers say, but at Greenwich, was so sad, that a trusty Servant, and an able, should be thus handled, forced from him and quipt every day with ignominious Taunts that the kind Correspon­dencies between him and the Parliament began to have a Cloud over them. He courted many to take side with his Treasurer, and prevailed little, because the [Page 190]most did love to warm themselves in the Light of the Rising Sun. He tutored his Son, the Prince, that he should not take part with a Faction in either House, but so reserve himself, that both Sides might seek him; and chiefly to take heed, how he bandied to pluck down a Peer of the Realm by the Arm of the Lower House, for the Lords were the Hedge between himself and the People; and a Breach made in that Hedge, might in time perhaps lay himself open. But the Duke had thrust on the Prince so far, that he could not retreat, else the Treasurer had been rescued by the Power and Justice of his Royal Master. His Majesty perceived that the Actions of this unfortunate Man, rack'd with the strictest Enquiries, were not Sins going over the Head, scarce reaching to the Ankles, and why should he suffer him to sink under the Waves of Envy? Therefore he sent for the Lord Keeper to Greenwich, and gave him his Sense: That he would not make his Trea­surer a publick Sacrifice. Sir, says the Lord Keeper, I have attempted, among my surest Friends, to bring him off fairly. All shrink, and refuse me; only the stout and pru­dent Lord Hollis adventured upon the Frowns of the Prince and Duke, and gave his Reasons why Middlesex to him appeared an Innocent. I were mad, if, for my part, I should not wish him to escape this Tempest, and be safe under the Harbor of Your Majesty's Clemency. Suam quisque fortunam in consilio habet, quando de alienâ deliberat. Curt. lib. 5. When I deliberate upon him, I think of my self. 'Tis his Fortune to day, 'tis mine to morrow. The Arrow that hits him, is within an Handful of me. Yet Sir, I must deal faithfully: Your Son, the Prince, is the main Champion that encounters the Treasurer; whom, if you save, you foil your Son. For though Matters are carried by the whole Vote of Parliament, and are driven on by the Duke, yet they that walk in Westminster-Hall, call this the Prince's Undertaking, whom you will blast in his Bud, to the Opinion of all your Subjects, if you suffer not your old, and perhaps innocent Servant to be pluck'd from the Sanctuary of Your Mercy. Necessity must excuse you from Incon­stancy, or Cruelty.

In the Close of this Speech, the Kings Reason was convinced, that he must use this Counsel. ‘ [...]. Iliad. [...].’ So the Treasurer suffered the Dishonour, or rather the Calamity of a Cen­sure. Himself was so comforted to his dying Hour; as the engraved Posie spake his Thoughts in his great Chamber at Copt-Hall in Essex. ‘ Quae venit immeritò paena dolenda venit.’ And I spake with few, when it was recent, that were contented with it, except the Members of the House, who would not dislike their own Action.

196. Popular Favor continued a while with the Duke, and now he was St. George on Horseback, let the Dragon take heed, that stood in his Way. The Earl of Middlesex was removed, and he that presided over the great Accounts, did now stand for a Cipher. The Lord Keeper perceived his turn was next; although he wanted not fair Words, and fair Semblance from the Contriver. But an Ambush is more dangerous than a pitch'd Battel, because it is hid, unless the Leader look about him in his March, and search every Hedge by Vant-curriers, as he did. A vigilant Man will not sleep with both Eyes, when he suspects Dan­ger. Cauto circumspectu vita quae variis casibus subjacet est munienda. Apul. instam. lib. 11. The Keeper knew he had deserved no ill; yet he trusted not to that, for he knew likewise how a Judge that hears many Causes, must condemn many, and offend many. And if Justice should shrink in, to decline Offences, what were it so like unto, as to one in the Fable, that would feed upon nothing but Spoon-meat, because he would not wear out his Teeth? He was not ignorant of the laudable, or at least the durable Custom of the Commons, to countenance all Prosecutors, and to file the Medly of all Complaints. Therefore this Prome­theus kept a careful Watch to repulse Embroilments as much as he could; for though he had a sound Bark, yet none but a phrantick Pilate would be willing to be toss'd in a Storm. And he had been an ill Keeper, if he had not been wary to keep himself; to which I may fitly apply the Orators Words, Philip 12. Qui mul [...]rum Custodem se profitetur, eum sapientes sui primum capitis aiunt Custodem esse oportere. He had made the Prince his fast Friend before; who was so ingenious, that when he had promised Fidelity, there was no fear that he would start; chief­ly because he sought to lay hold on his Highness upon no other Conditions, than [Page 191]to mortifie those spiteful accusations (if any such hapned) with his Frown, that durst not stand the Breath of Truth. Concerning the Duke, he was not so silly to look any longer upon himself, as growing on the former Root of his Favour; yet he was not so rude to expostulate with him, according to the Merit of his Unkindness, and provoke him further; but as it occurs, Cab. P. 80. He tells his Lordship, That Suspicions of his Displeasure, transported him not a Jot further, than to look about him, how to defend himself: that he begg'd Assurance of his Grace's former Love, yet not in the least desire to crave the Patronage of any corrupt, or unjust act of his, that should be objected against him in Parliament; nor to take Refuge to him in any Cause or Clamor, otherwise than according to Justice and fair Proceeding. A sufficient Number of other Friends were made al­ready to him by his Wisdom and Deservings, whom he never requested (as he had no need of it) to make a Side for him; but to be intentive to disclose such Wind­ing Insinuations, which are apt to twine about some weak Understandings. This Forecast made him stand unmoveable and unaffrighted, when Petitions and Re­monstrances of Perdue-Causes were entred against him. They came about him like Bees, and were extinct like Fire among the Thorns. And what were they that made a Noise with their Grievances? Itane nihil fortunam puduit, si minus ac­cusatae innocentiae, at accusantium wilitatis? Boeth. de consol. 'Tis a shame that Inno­cency should be accused; but what Remedy shall it have against base and beg­gerly Accusers? against the very Kennel of the Fleet, and other Goals? against such, whose Suits would admit of no good Order, and their Forwardness of no bad. I knew a Plaintif and Desendant, Morgan and Bouglar, that complained one as much as the other of the same Decree to the Parliament; and at the Hearing of the Cause, one of the Counsel protested, that Two hundred and twelve Com­missions, References, and Orders, had past upon it. After a while, a Bundle of those frivolous Objections being read and examined, were cast out of Doors, and the House, in the Afternoon, being put into a general Committee, Seven and thirty of those Paper-Kites slew away that same day, and were never heard of more. Some of the Members would have repaired the Lord Keeper, and asked him what he would have done to his Adversaries? Nothing, says he, for by this time they have all fretted themselves into Patience, and some of them, perhaps, into Re­pentance. Which proved even so: For many of them came privily to be admit­ted to his Favour, condemned their own scandalous Petitions, and laid it upon a great Name, that they were encouraged to bring them in, whom he cast off, as a Man would do a besmeered Dog, that desiles him with his Fawning. Some, I know, will say, Why did he not bring those Caitives to Submission, or to some open Disgrace? Because he had a stately Mind; and as Craterus said to A­lexander, Cito gloria obsolescit in sordidis hostibus, An Eagle will not stoop to such Quarry. The better Reason is, that he was un-revengeful, content to get the Better, and no longer displeased with those he overcame. Yes, but they would not have serv'd him so, very likely; but the Folly of brutish Men is not to be imitated, but contemned.

197. There are two that impleaded him for wand of Justice, who are more re­markable than others. There was one Morley, a Woodmonger, that kept a Warf in Fleet-Street, an Oppressor of the Court of Chancery, with Bills of all sorts, for many Years. If any ask how long he had been in Law, I answer, as the Fa­ther in the Gospel answered our Saviour, How long the evil Spirit had haunted his Son, [...], of a Child, Mark. 9.41. Morley observing that Seven and thirty Venturers had lost their Labour in the House of Commons, printed his Case, and preferred it to the Lords, wherein he did not spare to defame the Lord Keeper. The Grave and Learned Bishop of Oxon Doctor H. was busie in dispersing these Petitions. The Bishop had commenced a Suit against Sir H. Martin, for some De­mesus lying in Bray Parish, in the County of Berks, wherein he had not Satis­faction to his Desire, by this Man's Decree, which wrought upon his Anger to do this Office, not befitting one Bishop against another; but as Nazian. deplores it, Orat. ad 150 Episc. [...]. Prelates prove Anti-pre­lates one to another, sometimes upon small Occasions. But Morley was past Re­demption for his Impudency, and was Condemned by the upper House to an infamous Punishment. For whose Pardon the Lord Keeper sued, but with no Success; their Lordships telling him plainly, That they would not be entreated in such a Varlets Behalf. Crates, as Laertius relates it, was wounded in the Face by Nicodromus, a Fidler: To divulge the Injury, Crates clapt a Paper upon his own Forehead, like a Plaister, and wrote upon it in great Letters, haec fecit [Page 192] Nicodromus: Nicodromus had given him that Mark. A most hair-brain'd Revenge for a serious Philosopher to take. But the Keeper made slight of the scratch that Morley had given him, and interceded for the Delinquent, that his Forehead might not carry a White-Paper upon it in the Pillory. But he was one of a hard Desti­ny, and the Shame could not be shunned: Of which Grief Morley died within a Year after, and on his Death-bed protested to a Reverend Divine, by what mighty Authority he was set on. Which took with all Mens Belief that heard it; except this Lord, who was most concern'd.

198. All these Assays did more good than harm: For Innocency will stand its Ground the better when it hath wrestled with Antagonists. Linum Orchomenium semper injuriâ fit melius, says Pliny, l. 19. N. H. The Flax growing in some Fields of Baeotia, the worse you use it the better it thrives. So the Lord Keeper had as much Success in these Combats, as he could wish; for all gave him Honour by the Invalidity of their Opposition. There was one more that hunted him close, Sed tergo decut it hastas. Aen. li. 10. It was a Lady, but a Virago; And Abimelech would be loth to have it said, that he perisht by the Hand of a Woman, Jud. 9.54. It was the Lady Darcies Charge, which was the most dangerous that aemulous Power could raise against him. For it was upon the stopping of an Original Writ, which is every Mans Inheritance, and the only way by which the Subjects wrongs are to be redressed, and these of course are issued out of the Court of Chancery, which gives occasion to that Maxim in the Law, Nemo recedit à Cancellariâ sine remedio. The Case came to this Head. The Rectory of Sutton in the County of Surry was void by the Death of the Incumbent. The Right of Donation was in Mr. Ed. Darcy, but under Age, and the Kings Ward. The Lord Keeper presents to the Rectory in the Kings Title, Jure minoris Aetatis, and his Clerk had Institution and Induction before ever the Lady Darcy, Mother to Mr. Edward, and Mr. George Wilmore, Guardians for the Minor, brought their Claim. The Lady Mother, (for Mr. Wilmore stirr'd not) allegeth that she had compounded for the Wardship of her Son, and had procured in her Composition the Donation of that Living; which neither was so, nor ought to have been granted both to the prejudice of the Lord Keeper, and the Master of the Wards. She tries to enforce her Right by way of Quare impedit; which was the right way to Commence her Suit, and to try her Title. The Lord Keeper Commands the Officer not to issue forth the Writ, it being so appointed under the Kings Signet, as it followeth.

When these Proceedings were Canvass'd in the House of Commons, the Lord Keeper makes Answer;

To the former he declares, That the Lady Darcy, and G. Wilmore Ex. Com­mittees of the Kings Ward, took a Lease from the King of the Wards Lands, un­der the Seal of the Court of Wards. And by other Indentures of the same date Covenanted with the King as followeth. ‘That if any Spiritual Promotion be­longing to the said Heir happen to be Void, before he come and be of his full Age of Twenty one years, that then the said Committees, or their Assigns, shall, within one Month next after Knowledge by them had of any such Discent or Vacation, give knowledge thereof to the said Master and Council of the Court of Wards, so as the Kings most Gracious Pleasure may be known for the just Order and Disposition of the same.’ And there is another Proviso in the Lease to the like Effect, with some Alteration, that the Allowance of the Master and Council of the Court of Wards be had, for a sit, and apt Clerk to be preferred [Page 193]to the same. Hence it plainly appears by the said Covenant, and Proviso, that the said Committees, as to the Advouson of the Church of Sutton, belonging to the said Ward, are but Lessees in Trust, to present such a Clerk to the same, as the King, or the Master and Council of the Court of Wards for the King, shall Name or Appoint. Then it is Pregnant, That the Clerk being refused, whom the Lady offered to the Rectory without the Kings Consent, &c. no Injustice is offered.

199. He rejoyns to the Second, That the said Church being become Void, the Lord Keeper by Virtue of his Place, as time out of mind hath been used, present­ed Dr. Grant the Kings Chaplain in his Majesties Name. The Master of the Wards presented likewise. Dr. Wilson, in the Kings Name, to the same Church: But Dr. Grant was first presented, admitted, and Dr. Wilson gave way. After both these, the Committees present their Clerk in their own Name, and pray a Quare Impedu to remove the Kings Clerk, and to have their own Clerk admitted in his room. This Quare Impedit, by the Kings Commandment to the Lord Keeper, was denied them. For which much is alledged. Lands in Question in Chancery were Decreed by the Lord Ellsmore to Peacock, in Equity against Revell, who had a good Title in Law. Revell would have had an Original Writ of Assise against Peacock, to have recover'd the Lands from him by Law. The Writ was denied him by the Lord Ellsmore. If Revell would have made a Lease, or a Feoffment to any Friend in trust, which Friend would have sued for an Original Writ, to have recover'd the Land, the Writ might as well be denied to him, as to Revell himself. So the Master of the Wards presented a Clerk to the Church of Sutton in the Kings Name, before the Lord Darcy presented: If that Clerk would have sued for a Quare Impedit in the Kings Name, the Lord Keeper by the Kings Appointment might have denied the Writ. And by the same Reason may he in like manner deny the Writ to the Lady Darcy, who as to the Advouson is but a Lessee in trust, to present such a Clerk, as the Master of the Wards for the King shall name: As by the Covenant and Proviso in the Lease doth appear. If Lands in Question in the Chancery be, by Order of the Court by both Parties conveyed to one of the Six Clerks in trust, that he shall convey the same, as the Court shall Order upon the hearing of the Cause, who refuseth to convey the Land according to the trust, and prayeth a Writ of Assise to recover the Land from him, to whom the Court hath order'd the same, (for the trust appears as plainly to the Court, as in the Case of a De­cree;) This Writ may be denied. So the Lady Darcy being a Lessee of the Ad­vouson in trust to present such a Clerk as the King, or the Court of Wards shall name or allow of, if she will present a Clerk of her own, contrary to the trust reposed in her, and sue for a Quare Impedit to remove the Clerk presented by the King, and to put in her own choice, this Writ by the Kings Appointment may be denied her; for the trust appears of Record. So if Bonds be taken of a Defen­dant in Chancery in the Name of a Master of the Chancery, with Condition to per­form the Order or Decree of the Court: The Court Decrees Money to be paid by the Defendant to the Plaintiff at a Day, who pays the same the next Day after, which the Plaintiff accepts, and the Court allows of. If the Master of Chancery will pray an Original Writ of Debt upon this Bond, to recover the Money to his own use, this Writ may be denied him. The Lord Ellsmore presented a Clerk in the Kings Name Ratione Minoris AEtatis; The Lady Mordant pretended Title to present, and having four Feoffees in trust of the Mannor or Lands, to which the Advouson did belong, as she pretended, would have had four Writs of Quare Impedit against the Kings Clerk, in the Names of her four Feoffees severally. The Lord Ellsmore denied them all. There are many more Precedents to be shewed in like Cases, where Original Writs have been denied.

200. Yet since it is to be done with great Tenderness and Discretion, and sel­dom or never, but when it appears that one Injury must be prevented necessarily with another, he declares, Thirdly, That the Lady Darcy's Proceedings thrust in so dangerously between two great Courts, that ordinary Justice could not but be denied her, for fear an extraordinary Difference should be raised between the said Courts, being thus laid open. When the Lord Ellsmore was Lord Chancellor, and Robert Earl of Salisbury Master of the Wards, there fell out a Contestation be­tween these two Potent Lords, whose Right it was to present to the Wards Livings, which were under Value of 20 l. in the First-Fruit-Office: And the Contention grew so insoluble, that King James, with all his Pacificous Wisdom, could not readily light upon a way to reconcile it. Yet at the last it was compounded thus, That which soever of those two Officers should first present to such a Benefice, his [Page 194]Presentation should be Valid for the Possession of the Living. If both Presentati­ons should come together to the Bishop, (which perhaps would not happen in an Age) then there was Casus pro amico on the Bishop's behalf, as the Canonists speak. This Agreement had continued amicably to that very Day, and was then in danger to be infring'd. For if a Suit had commenced, as the Lady desired, the Lord Keeper could not avoid to charge the Court of Wards with Fraudulency, in passing away the Donations of Livings in the Compositions for Wards, which was a pre-occupating, or rather plain deluding of the Patronage, which was in the Lord Keeper by the Agreement. Wherefore he waves the strong and full defence he had made upon the stopping of an Original Writ, and deprecates all offence by that Maxim of the Law, which admits of a mischief rather than an inconve­nience. Which was as much as to say, That he thought it a far less Evil, to do the Lady the probability of an Injury, (in her own sense) than to suffer those two Courts to clash together again, and fall into a new Dispute about their Jurisdi­ction, which might have produc'd a publick inconvenience, which is most care­fully to be avoided. This Plea satisfied the House and cleared him in the general Opinion; or as some Interpreted, excus'd him rather for his other good Parts, then absolutely cleared in this intricate Point, as Livie li. 1. says, ‘ Horatius escaped Sentence by the Voice of the people, because they loved his Person, rather then lik'd the Fact upon which he was question'd, Absolveruntque admiratione magis virtutis, quam jure Causae.’ Yet it goes strongly to justifie the Lord Keeper in the Fact, that all the Lawyers in the House did unanimously concur to propugn him. And in fine this great complaint produc'd but small Effect, towards that for which it was so vigorously follow'd. The close of all is the best part of the Sto­ry. The Lady Darcy, ever impotent in her Passions, and the more in this Case, because she could not endure the Calling, and hated the Honour of a Bishop, was even distracted with Anger, that she was cross'd in her will; whom the L. Keeper mitigated with such Sweetness and Generosity, that she came out of her froward Mood, and confess'd she had had no cause to be his Enemy. In the in­stance whilst the Cause was hot in Agitation, he sent to her Ladyship to let her know, ‘That if she would accept of the Living from him, and in his Right he would dispose of Dr. Grant in some other Place, and present her Clerk Mr. Glo­ver.’ But her Ladyship would not hearken; her thoughts were too high; for the cause was depending, she hop'd to obtain it with Dr. Grant's Ejection, and his Patrons Ruin. After all was cleared against her, and she found her self at a loss of her expectation, the Lord Keeper sent to her upon the Old Terms, ‘That if she would submit to have right done her in the right way, and take the presen­tation from him; let her send the Man to him for whom she had contended in vain, and it should be effected;’ which she accepted of very gladly, when ne­cessity had taught her Wisdom, and a milder Temper. In all this his Lordship shew'd that he had no particular Spleen against the Lady, not the least aim to op­press her with his Power, but his Scope was to preserve the Jurisdiction of his Court (in which he was ever stiff and unvanquishable) and when that was ac­knowledg'd, it was an Heroick Spirit in him to pass by a most violent prosecu­tion, as if it had never concern'd it. It was an Object sit to prove all the dimen­sions of Christian forgiveness. For what more true then that of Pliny to Sabinia­nus; as I have cited it before, Ep. lib. 9. Tune praecipua mansuetudinis laus, cum [...]rae causa justissima est; What more Charitable, then not only not to return Of­fence for Offence, but to make a beneficent Requital? For he found that Yoke of Christ easie to him, which is so heavy to others, Do good to them that despite­fully entreat you. Matth. 5.45.

201. Let all now be drawn up into a Word; no Garland could look more fresh upon a Magistrates Head then this, that being narrowly look'd into by the Eyes of all the Kngdom, nothing was amiss, nothing out of Frame in all his Carriage; which Credit stuck so close to him in the next Parliament, in which he still kept the Great Seal, That not so much as a Dog did open his Mouth against him, Judith 11.19. Nor was awak'd out of security with the least Whisper of a Grie­vance. Yet I am as ready to say it as another, that to be acquit from having done no ill, is a Testimony of harmless, not of fruitful Honesty. I admire Coriolanus for that Elogy in Halicarn: Vix inter virtutes numeravit innocentiam. He scarce reckon'd Innocency for a Virtue. Innocency is none of the Artillery of Virtue, with which it tries and shews it's strength, but only a privy Coat, to keep a Man from being Wounded. I bring him forth therefore from this shade into the light of Action, in an instance wherein he did so well, that it will break forth, that [Page 195]he had a Wit which was such a sudden Architect of Devises, so apt in a pleasant cunning, so full of Pit-falls to catch the Bird he would snare, yet not to hurt it, as never a Head-piece in this Nation could overtake him in that ingenuity. And the success suited with the Stratagem, Fortune favouring it to the help of his best Friends, the continuation of a Happy Parliament, and the enlightning of his Ma­jesty who was stricken far into Melancholly by a persidious contrivance, and il­legitimate, born in an ill day in the Spanish Embassadors House; which Family was vext to the Gall, because their Nation was curried in Parliament, and most of all, that the Match, the Treaty, and Friendship with them, were handled there, as the Prince and Duke had set them on, with sharp and declamatory disdeigns. Therefore they cast about to infect the King with an ill opinion of the Proceed­ings and the persons; and like desperate men, they look'd for Redress from Ma­lice, and safety from Confusion. Nothing did put them by their Piots so long, as that they had not the freedom to speak with his Majesty, and could never get an Audience in the Absence of Buckingham: So that Sir W. Aston writes, ‘That it was complain'd in Spain, that Marq. Inoiosa hath lately advertis'd hither, that he hath several times desir'd to have private Audience with his Majesty, and hath not been able to procure any, but what your Grace assists at, Cab. p. [...].’ But after this Parliament had fate seven Weeks, and toused their matters sufficiently, that Marquess, with Don Carlo de Colonna, came adventurously to White-Hall, and out­reach'd the Spies that watch'd them. For while Don Carlo held the Prince and Duke with earnest Discourse, Inoiosa put a Paper into the King's Hand, and made a sign with a Wink of his Eye, that his Majesty would thrust it into his Pocket, which was done, and not discern'd. Nothing can be more broken and imperfect; or more corrupt in time and other circumstances, then what is Entred into the Cabal. p. [...]7. and p. 90. out of this Paper. There was a worse Pad in the Straw then is there discover'd, or else Inoiosa, that juggled the Paper into the Kings Hand, had not been so roundly check'd by the Lords of the Privy Counsel. And if for his part he put no more into the Paper, then to procure his Secretary pri­vate Access to the King to tell Tales, it would not have been disputed whether he should be devested of the Privileges of an Embassador; or whether the Speak­ers of both Houses then sitting should call him to an Account. But he that is con­fest in the Cabal to be the Pioneer that blew up the Mine, and found out the Plot, hath lest a Note of the particulars in the Paper so Tragical and Scandalous, that certainly the Spanish Don would never have stufft it with them, Si unquam jub le­gum ac judiciorum potestatem se casurum putasset, as Tully said of Verres, Act. 7. If he had ever dreamt to be Confronted for them, and brought Face to Face.

‘ First, He ter [...]isies the King, that he was not, nor could be acquainted with the Passages either of the Parliament, or of his own Court; for he was kept from all faithful Servants that would inform him, by the Ministers of the Prince and Duke; and that he was a Prisoner as much as King John of France in England, or King Francis and Madrid, and could not be spoken with, but before such as watch'd him.’

‘ Secondly, That there was a strong and violent Machination in hand, which had turn'd the Prince, a most Obedient Son before, to a quite contrary Course to his Majesties Intentions.’

‘ Thirdly, That the Counsel began last Summer at Madrid, but was lately ripen'd and resolv'd in England, to restrain his Majesty from the Exercise of the Go­vernment of his three Kingdoms; and that the Prince and the Duke had de­sign'd such Commissioners under themselves, as should intend great Affairs and the Publick Good.’

‘ Fourthly, That this should be effected by beginning of a War, and keeping some Troops and Companies on Foot in this Land, whereby to constrein His Majesty to yield to any thing; chiefly being brought into Streits for want of Monies to pay Souldiers.’

‘ Fifthly, That the Prince and Duke inclosing his Majesty from the said Embas­sador, and other of his own Loyal People, that they might not come near him in private, did Argue in them a fear and distrust of a good Conscience.’

‘ Sixthly, That the Emissaries of the Duke had brought his Majesty into Con­tempt with the Potent Men of the Realm, traducing him for slothful and una­ctive, for addiction to an inglorious Peace, while the inheritance of his Daugh­ter and her Children are in the Hands of his Foes; and that this appear'd by a Letter which the Duke had writ into Holland, and they had intercepted.’

[Page 196] ‘ Seventhly, That his Majesties Honour, Nay, his Crown and Safety did de­pend upon a sudden Dissolution of the Parliament.’

‘ Eighthly, They Loaded the Duke with sundry misdemeanors in Spain, and his violent Opposition of the Match.’

‘ Ninthly, That the Duke had divulged the King's Secrets, and the close Designs between his Majesty, and their Master K. Philip, about the States of Holland, and their Provinces; and labour'd to put his Majesty out of the good Opinion of the Hollanders.’

‘ Tenthly, That the Duke was guilty of most corrupt dealing with the Embas­sadors of divers Princes.’

‘ Eleventhly, That all things were carried on in the Parliament; with a head­long Violence, and that the Duke was the Cause of it, who courted them only that were of troubled Humours.’

‘ Twelfthly, That such Bitterness, and Ignominies were vented against the King of Spain in Parliament, as was utterly against all good Manners, and the Honour of the English Nation.’

‘ Thirteenthly, Is a flat Contradiction to the Precedents, wherein they made the Prince privy to dangerous things; yet in this they say, That the Puritans, (of whom the Duke was Head) did wish they could bring it about, that the Succession of the Kingdom might come to the Prince Palatine, and his Children in Right of the Lady Elizabeth.’

Thus lay the Notes of the Lord Keeper. This is the Dirt which the Swallows, or rather unclean Birds pickt up, and made their Nest of it. And this is not all. But that which remains shall be burnt in the Fire.

In a Postscript the Paper prayed the King, ‘That Don Francisco Carondelet, Se­cretary to Marquess Inoiosa, might be brought to the King, when the Prince and Duke were sitting in the Upper House, to satisfie such doubts as the King might Raise; which was perform'd by the Earl of Kelly, who watch'd a fit Season for Francisco at one time, and for Padre Maestro the Jesuit at another time; who told their Errand so spitefully, that the King was much troubled at their Relations.’

202. He that says ( U. Sanderson, P. 562.) that not a day past, but that he was present, and acquainted with all the Transaction (of these pernicious Delators) to the end, should have said, he knew it at the end, when the Monster was brought to light; then his History indeed will justifie it self, that it did not startle the King. But his Majesty's Sorrow increased, while it was smothered; and Fear set in apace, till a wise Remonstrance resisted it. And it was no Wonder that he was abused a while, and dim sighted with a Character of Jealousie: For the Parliament was about to land him in a new World, to begin and maintain a War, who thought that scarce any Mischief was so great, as was worth a War to mend it. Wherein the Prince did deviate from him, as likewise in Affection to the Spanish Alliance, but otherwise promised nothing but Sweetness and Obedience. He stuck at the Duke most of all, whom he defended in part to one of the Spanish Ministers; yet at the same time complained, that he had noted a turbulent Spirit in him of late, and knew not how to mitigate it. Thus casting up the Sum, he doubted it might come to his own Turn to pay the Reckoning. The Setters on expected that their Pill could not choose but have a most violent Operation. And it wrought so far, that his Majesty's Countenance fell suddenly, that he mused much in Silence, that he entertained the Prince and Duke with mystical and broken Speeches. From whence they gathered all was not right; and questing for Intelligence, they both heard that the Spanish Secretary, and the Jesuit Maestro had been with him, and understood that some in the Ambassador's House had vaunted, that they had net­led the Duke, and that a Train would take Fire shortly to blow up the Parlia­ment. While his Majesty was gnawn with this Perplexity, he prepared for Windsor, to shift Ground for some better Ease in this Unrest, and took Coach at St. James's-House-Gate in the end of April, being Saterday Afternoon. He re­ceived his Son into the Coach, and sound a slight Errand to leave Buckingham be­hind; as he was putting his Foot in the Boot, which brought Tears from him, and an humble Prayer, that his Majesty would let him know, what could be laid to his Charge, to offend so gracious a Master, and vowed it, by the Name of his Saviour, to purge it, or confess it. The King did not satisfie him in it; it seems [Page 197]the time of Detection in his deep Judgment was not come, and he had charged all that were privy to the Occasion to be very secret. Cab. P. 77. But he breath­ed out this Disgust, That he was the Unhappiest alive, to be forsaken of them that were dearest to him; which was uttered and received with Tears from his own Eyes, as well as the Prince's and Duke's, whom he left behind, and made hast with his Son for Windsor. The Lord Keeper spared not for Cost, to pur­chase the most certain Intelligence of those that were his feed Pensioners of every hours Occurrencies at Court; and was wont to say, That no man could be a States­man without a great deal of Money. Of this which had hapned, his Scout related presently what he could see, for he heard little. Which News were no sooner brought, but he sought out the Duke at Wallingford-House, and had much ado to be admitted to him in his sad Retirement: Whom he found laid upon a Couch, in that immoveable Posture, that he would neither rise up, nor speak, though he was in­vited to it twice or thrice by courteous Questions. The Lord Keeper gave his Grace the Faith of a deep Protestation, that he came purposely to prevent more Harm, and to bring him out of that Sorrow into the Light of the King's Favour. That he verily believed God's directing Hand was in it, to stir up his Grace to advance him to those Honours which he possess'd, to do him Service at this Pinch of Extremity. He besought his Grace to make haste for Windsor, and to shew himself to his Majesty before Supper was ended; to deport himself with all amia­ble Addresses, not to stir from his Person Night nor Day. For the Danger was, that some would thrust themselves in, to push on his Majesty to break utterly with the Parliament; and the next Degree of their Hope, was, upon that Dissolution, to see his Grace committed to the Tower, and then God knows what would follow. The Keeper adjured his Lordship to lock up this in his own Breast, which was imparted as charily to him, as under the Seal of Secrecy; but to be quick and Ju­dicious in the Prevention, more was not to be said, because loss of time might loose all. The Duke parted with many Thanks, and lingred not but came to Windsor, before he was look'd for. Though he suspected not so much Evil; yet he knew the Danger might be the worse for being contemned. Nihil tuto in hoste despicitur. Quem spreveris valentio rem negligent iâ facies. Curt. lib. 6.

903. No doubt but all this was disclos'd to the Prince. [...], says Eurip. in Oenomao; we conjecture at unevident things by that which is evident. The Duke stirr'd not from Windsor, but waited on his Majesty, and was inseparable as his shadow. The Prince was early at the Lords House, before their Lordships began to sit on Munday Morning. His business was with the Lord Keeper, whom he took aside into a Lobby, and protested how well it pleas'd him, that he had given Buckingham faithful warning for his safety; And you, says his Highness, that have gone thus far, may receive greater Thanks of us both, if you will spread open this black contrivance, which hath lost him the Good Opinion of my Fa­ther, and my self am in little better Condition. ‘Sir’ says the Lord Keeper, ‘Let my Soul suffer for falshood, if I know any more, than that some in the Spanish Em­bassador's House have been preparing mischief, and infused it about four days since into his Majesty. But the Curtain of Privacy is drawn before the Picture, that I cannot guess at the Colours.’ Well my Lord, says the Prince, I expected bet­ter Service from you; for if that be the Picture-Drawers shop, no Counselior in this King­dom is better acquainted then your self with the Works, and the Workmen. ‘I might have been,’ says the Keeper, ‘and I am pang'd like a Wom [...]n in Travail, till I know what mishapen Creature they are Drawing. But your Highness and my Lord Duke have made it a Crime to send unto that House, and they are afraid to do it, who are commanded from his Majesty. It is a Month since I have forbidden the Servants of that Family to come at me.’ But, says the Prince, I will make that Passage open to you again without Offence; and Enterprise any way to bring us out of this Wood, wherein we are lost. Only, before we part, keep not from me, how you came to know, or imagin that the Spanish Agents have Charged Bucking­ham to my Father, with High Misdemeanors, or perhaps Disloyalty. I would hear you to that Point, that I may compare it with other Parcels of my Intelligence. ‘Sir,’ says the Keeper, ‘I will go on directly with you. Another perhaps would Blush, when I tell you with what Heifer I Plow; but knowing mine Innocency, the worst that can happen is to expose my self to be Laugh'd at. Your Highness hath of­ten seen the Secretary Don Francisco Carondelet. He loves me, because he is a Scholar; for he is Arch-Deacon of Cambray. And sometimes we are pleasant together, for he is a Wallcon by Birth, and not a Castilian. I have discover'd him to be a Wanton, and a Servant to some of our English Beauties, but above all [Page 196] [...] [Page 197] [...] [Page 198]to one of that gentle Craft in Mark-Lane. A Wit she is, and one that must be Courted with News and Occurrences at home and abroad, as well as with Gifts. I have a Friend that hath brib'd her in my Name, to send me a faithful convey­ance of such Tidings as her Paramour Carondelet brings to her. All that I in­structed the Duke in, came out of her Chamber. And she hath well earn'd a piece of Plate or two from me, and shall not be unrecompenced for this Service, about which your Highness doth use me, if the Drab can help me in it. Truly, Sir, this is my Dark Lahthorn, and I am not asham'd to inquire of a Dalilah to Re­solve a Riddle; for in my Studies of Dlvinity I have glean'd up this Maxim, Licet uti alieno peccato; though the Devil make her a Sinner, I may make good use of her Sin. Yea, says the Prince Merrily, do you deal in such Ware? 'In good Faith Sir, says the Keeper, I never saw her Face. So this Conference Ended.’

204. The Lord Keeper took his Place in the Lords House to moderate Affairs as Speaker. But all the while his Fancy was Whistling to another Tune, how he might play his Game discreetly: He held the Prince his Cards, and would not for his Life that he should loose. He had well consider'd, and brought the Case to this Touch stone of Judgment, that he should never know how the whole Scene had been Acted but by Secretary Francisco He had requested him to refrain his house above the whole space of a Month. If he sent for him on even Terms, no­thing would run freely from him. Well fare a good Invention, or a good Geni­us that prompted him. For a knack came into his Head, to fetch Francisco to him without any invitation, as if a Conjurer had brought him in a Whirl-wind So he becken'd to a Servant, and bad him, that his Pursivant Captain Toothbie should wait him without fail, as soon as the House was up: The Pursivant at that hour took punctual Directions from him to seize upon an English Mass-Priest, lodg'd in Drury [...]me, Named and Describ'd exactly (for he had the Art to fetch such a Fowl or twain out of the Coope at an hours warning) to receive him without any Noise into his Custody; and upon Entreaty (as that, and proffer of Mony would not be wanting) to carry him to his own House, till further Order, and not to the common Goal. The Priest was apprehended and laid up: The Man that was dearer to Francisco (which the Lord Keeper know) then his own Confes­sor, or any of that Coat; which made him wild when he heard of the mischance; for he knew the Law, and how hard it would be to save his Life, if he came to be Tried at the Sessions, the Parliament then Sitting. He was in a fort banish'd from the Keepers House, and he a poor Stranger knew not to whom else to turn him, to implore Mercy in his Friends behalf. Howsoever he saw it was no time to observe the Niceness of Modesty, but sent his Request to the Lord Keeper to be admitted that day, though he should never see his Face again. With a seeming unwillingness it was allowed him, keeping a cautious limit, not to make his Visit till Eleven of the Clock that Night, and by the back door of the Gar­den, where a Servant should receive him. He came at his hour, and being brought into a Gallery, fell into an abrupt Exordium, ‘That nothing but a matter as dear unto him as his Life, should have forced him to break Rule to Offend his Lordship with his Presence. So he bewailed the disaster of his Confrere's At­tachment, and most passionately implor'd his Lordship to compass him Enlarg­ment.’ And would you have me, says the Keeper, run such a hazard, to set a Priest at Liberty, a Dead Man by our Statutes, when the Eye of the Parliament is so vigilant upon the breach of Justice, especially in this kind, to the sadding of our Godly Men, who detest them that creep hither out of Seminaries, above all Malefactors, because they come with an intent to pervert them, who have lived in the Bosom of our Church. ‘My Lord,’ says Francisco (and accented his Words with passionate Gesture) ‘let not the dread of this Parliament trouble you, I can tell you, if you have not heard it, that it is upon Expiration.’ By this hint the Keeper was got into the Out-Works of the Project, and play'd so Artificially with the Secretary, that he took the Main Fortress. Pick'd out of him at that time, the Heads of all the Articles in the Paper, with all Reasons, Circumstances, distorted Proofs, and Expositions to confirm them. The Copy of the main Paper, scratched in some places with Don Carlo Colonna's Hand (for the Keeper knew his Writing) was not brought him till four Nights after. He had enough of their Brewing at the first running; for he kept Don Carendelet till two of the Clock in the Morning, and let him not part, till he had squeez'd him dry. But to gratifie his Information, he call'd for the Pursivant, a Reserve at Hand, and bad him immediately Release the Priest, with Caution that he should cross the Seas that Day, or the next, that he might not [Page 199]be produced to Confront, if the matter should come to Light to be question'd. So the Lord Keeper and Don Francisco parted with much shew of Love, each ha­ving obtain'd that which they met for. Some that will make us believe, that they are very scrupulous and Conscientious, will snuff at somewhat related, as if it were not plain dealing; but it is as good; for it is harmless Policy; 'tis profitable and Pleasant. Et ista quidem sine noxâ decipiunt: Quo modo praestigiatorum acetabula & calculi; in quibus me fallacia ipsa delectat: They that do Feats with slight of hand, delude us, and please us with their cunning, says Seneca. So do men employ'd for the Publick; their Motions may be like the Suns, oblique but regular. Magi­stratus tentat, non decipit. A Magistrate may use by-ways and pretences, to prove others, not to deceive them. As Solomon did in the Case of the two Harlots and the Child, which both challeng'd to be their own.

205. The Story lacks yet the latter Part; the Lord Keeper after the Good Night given to Francisco, retired to his own Thoughts, and poured the whole Conse­rence out of his Memory into his Papers, as if Francisco had stood by to dictate every Line. He was so well gifted in a most happy Memory, that he forgat no­thing, but what he had a mind to forget. He digested the severals into a Me­thod, and confected an Antidote for every Poyson, Christal-clear Answers, well weighed in Judgment, to Gag the Spanish ill Framed Jealousies, and as demulcing as shortness of time would permit, to make all sweet with the Old King. He saw no Sleep that Night with his Eyes, nor stirr'd out of the Room till about seven in the Morning he had trimm'd up a fair Copy of all the Proceedings, which he presented to the Prince in St. James's, and told him he had the Viper and her Brood in a Box. His Highness Read the Charges, and admir'd at the virulency; with the Anti-scripts of the Keeper, which were much commended. So the Coach was called to be made ready for VVindsor. ‘Nay Sir,’ says the Lord Keeper, ‘let your Highness be pleas'd to take my Petition along with you; Where is it says the Prince? 'In my Mouth’ says He; ‘for I humbly beg, that you will conceal me in all that I have done in this Matter; and as you tender my Life, to keep the knowledge of my share in this from your Father. Vetus Disciplina re­gum silentium vitae periculo sanxerat, Curtius; is an Old Rule. I have committed two great Crimes in a Sworn Counsellor.’

‘ First, To search into the King's Counsels, which he would not should be o­pen'd.’

‘ Secondly, When I had found them out, to discover them, though to your Highness’

The Prince thought there could be no hurt in that, which was good for all per­ties, yet gave him assurance, he should not be drawn out of the Tiring House, to the open Stage. His Highness came very chearful to Windsor, and calling Buck­ingham aside, reach'd him the Papers, with the counterfeit Brats in one Column, and the Apology in the other Column which dasht them against the Wall. The Writing was a Servants, whose hand was not known at Court. But the Duke lik'd the whole Bulk extreamly, and most humbly thank'd the Prince, that his Case was enwoven with his Highness, and their double Vindication put into one Frame. And besought to know what Vitruvius had compacted a Piece of Ar­chitecture; of such concinnity, in so short a time; but could not obtein it. The Prince and Duke made no longer preparation, but forthwith desir'd a private hearing with the King, and with a modest and comfortable confidence gave up the Schedule to his Majesty's most Excellent Consideration. He Read all deli­berately, and at many stops said 'twas well, very well, and an enlivening Spirit Danced in his Eye. Then he drew his Son and Buckingham near to him, and Embraced them, protesting that it sorrowed him much, that he had aggrieved them with a Jealousie somented by no better then Traytors. Assur'd them the Ex­halations were dispers'd, and their Innocency shin'd as Bright as at Noon Day. And that you may know, says his Majesty, How little you shall pay me for Reconcilia­tion, I ask no more but to tell me, who is your Ingeneer, that struck these Sparks out of the Flint, and lighted the Candle to find the Groat that was lost. The Prince stood Mute: The Duke avowed he knew not the Author. Well says the King, I have a good Nostril, and will Answer mine own Question, my Keeper had the main Finger in it, I dare Swear it was he that bolted the Flower, and made it up into this Paist. ‘Sir’ says the Prince, ‘I was precluded by my Promise not to Reveal him, but I never promis'd to tell a Lye for him.’ Your Majesty hath hit the Man. And God do him good for it, says the King. I need not tell you both what you owe him for this Ser­vice; and he hath done himself this Right with me, that I discern his sufficiency more [Page 200]and more. All this the Prince Related at his next Meeting to the Lord Keeper. This passage so memorable hath pluck'd on a Prolix Narration for divers Reasons. It was a secret manag'd between few persons, (though the greatest) and likely to be buried for ever, unless it rise from the Dust, where it was smother'd, up­on this occasion. It will expound to inquisitive Men; why, after this time, the old King never retrieved the Spanish Match, as if suddenly it were sunk, and set beneath the Horizon of his Thoughts; it demonstrates, why in a year after, be­ing the First of King Charles, there was such Willingness in the young King, and such Readiness in the Duke, to Rigg a great Navy, and to send it with Defiance of Hostility to Cales; for though the Grandee Inoiosa received a sharp Rebuke here, to vex his Gorge, and suddenly pack'd up his portable Gods, and went to his own Country in a Fume, yet he received no Disfavour or Frown upon it from the Court of Spain. Nihil nefas est malitiae. It tells you what a Stone of Offence was laid before the King, able to make him to Dissolve the Parliament, just upon the Expectation of a happy Winding up, if the Lord Keeper had not removed the Jealousie away, which is one of the best Offices of a Christian; for it is God's own Attribute in the Prophets, to be a Repairer of Breaches. Lastly, His Wit was in Conjunction with the Safety of his great Friend the Duke, Et vincente Odenato, triumphavit Gallienus, says Pollio: The Keeper had Content enough, that the Duke triumphed over those Foes, whom he had vanquished for him.

206. Soon as those Hobgoblins, which haunted the King to fright him, were frighted away themselves, and the Magicians which conjured them up, were ren­dered odious, his Majesty was never in a better Mood to please his Subjects, and the Subjects in Parliament, never, from that day to this, in so dutiful a Frame to please their Soveraign. Fatebimur regem talibus ministris, & illos tanto rege fuisse dig­nissimos. Curt. l. 4. As Alexander deserved such brave Commanders under him; so they deserved to be commanded by so brave a Prince as Alexander. Their long Counsels, which had been weather bound, came to a quiet Road, and their Ves­sel was lighted of those Statutes, which are of immortal Memory. The wise Men of those times ask'd for good Laws with Moderation (for Moderation had not yet out-liv'd the Peoples Palate) and they were brought forth with Joy and Glad­ness. And that which was gotten with Peace and Joy, will out-last that, were it ten times more, which is extorted in a Hurly-burly. There were no Rents, no Divisions among the Members, much less did the Stronger Part spurn out the Weaker. The Voices went all one way, as a Field of Wheat is bended, that's blown with a gentle Gale, One and all. And God did not let a general Concur­rence pass without a general Blessing. Sic viritim laboraverunt, quasi summa res singulorum manibus teneretur. Nazar. Paneg. The Laws devised were confirmed in Clusters by the Royal Authority. And though one of them, about the strict Keep­ing of the Sabbath, was then stop'd, the Name of Sabbath being unsatisfactory to the King's Mind, yet Amends were made, that the Kingdom had a Sabbath granted it from many Suits and Unquietnesses. That which Crowned all, was the Pardon, the most general that ever was granted, which was the sooner got, because the Pillars of the Common-wealth had discharged their publick Trust without Offence. The next Session of this Parliament was appointed in April following; and this Session shut up with the End of June. The Lord Keeper was not a little joy'd with the sweet Close of it; for which he had gained a no­ble Report. ‘ —Praeter laudem nullius avarus, Horat. Ar. Poet.’ And after three years Experience, having now spent so much time in the High Court of Chancery, his Sufficiency was, not only competent, but as great as might be required in a compleat Judge. He was one of them, in whom Knowledge grew faster upon him, than his Years. As Tully praised Octavius Cesar, Ex quo judicari potest virtutis esse quàm aetatis cursum celeriorem, Philip 8. In eminent Per­sons, Virtue runs on swifter than Age. And it is a Slander (whereof late Writers are very rank in all Kinds) which one hath publish'd, that this Man's Successor, the Lord Coventry, reversed many of his Decrees, and corrected his Errors. I do not blame Lawyers, if they would have us believe, that none is fit for the Office of Chancellor, but one of their own Profession. But let them plead their own Learning, and able Parts, without traducing the Gifts of them, that are excel­lently seen in Theological Cases of Conscience, and singularly rare in natural So­lertiousness. Lord Coventry was a renowned Magistrate, and his Honour was the [Page 201]Honour of the Times, wherein he liv'd, the vast Compass of that Knowledge wherein he was always bred, and his strong Judgment in searching into those Causes, did transcend his Predecessor; yet not to obscure him, as if he were wanting in that, which was required to his Place. A good Carpenter knows how to frame a House, as well as the Geometer that surveyed the Escurial. Let me quote a couple of Witnesses, what they asserted herein, and they are rightly pro­duced, as God, the great Witness of all things, knows. The Duke of Bucking­ham, in the beginning of the next Term, at Michaelmas, perswaded the Lord Chief Justice Hobart, either to deliver it to the King with his own Mouth, or to set it under his Hand, that Lord Williams was not sit for the Keeper's Place, because of his Inabilities and Ignorance; and that he would undertake thereupon, to cast the Complained out, and himself should succeed him. My Lord, says Re­verend Hobart, somewhat might have been said at the first; but he should do the Lord Keeper great Wrong that said so now. After this Grave and Learned Lord, I bring forth Mr. G Evelin, one of the Six Clerks, and, in his time, the best Head-piece of the Office, who delighted to divulge it, as many yet living know, that Lord Keeper Williams had the most towring, sublime Wit that he ever heard speak; magnified his Decrees, as hitting the White in all Causes, and never missing. That Lord Coventry did seldom after any thing he had setled before him, but up­on new Presumptions, and spake of him always in Court with due Praise, and Justification of his Transactions. He that hath insinuated the contrary, aiming to do Honour to none, but to the Students of the Laws, hath run out of the Ring. And is it not honester to say nothing, than to go about to do good with a Mischief?

207. And that Man might see better to do Justice, who would never receive a Bribe to blind his Eyes, 1 Sam. 12.3. This was known, not only to me a Do­mestick, but to all that walked the Streets; who were informed, what Repulses they had, who tempted him with Gratifications. This I am sure of, as I know what is sweet by mine own Tast, and by the common Opinion. One thing I will remember, not because it is of great Moment, but because it is pleasant. His Lordship being retired to Nonsuch in the Summer, took the Air in the great Park; and viewing from one of the Hills, the little Village of Malden, he espied a Church new built, and asked at whose Charge it was done. Mr. George Mi­nors, that attended him, told him who was the greatest Benefactor. And hath he not a Suit now depending in Chancery? says the Keeper. The very same, says the other. And the very same, says the Keeper, shall not fare the worse for building of Churches. Which being related by Mr. Minors to his Neighbour, the Gentleman the next Morning sent a Tast of the Fruits of his Orchard, and of the Poultry in his Yard, to Nonsuch-House. Nay, carry them back George, says the Keeper, and tell your Friend, he shall not fare the better for sending of Presents. If any were so uncharitably suspitious, that this Lord sold Justice for Gold or Silver, though not for meaner things, and gathered where he should not, there could be no Ground to surmise it; but because he scattered much. For he was magnificent in great Works, profuse in Hospitality, very expensive in Liberality to poor Scholars, and decay'd Persons. To maintain all this, he had plenty coming in, which wanted not the Art of good Husbandry to lay it out. He was as Provident, as he was Bountiful. He never feasted the King, and very rarely exhausted himself upon Courtiers in lavish Entertainments. But according to the honest, and thrifty Rule of Cassiodor, Fundit potiùs qui mittit in plenum: & illud reconditur, quod vasis va­cuis congregatur. He spread not out his Compost upon rich Soil, but upon hungry Land. He gave so fast to Scholars, that it was not possible his Lest-hand should know what his Right-hand did. Quod momentum aut beneficio sterile? Aut vacuum laude? Plin. Paneg. If they were young, he did it to encourage them; if aged, to reward them. And Gentlemen that were brought low, not by their Vices, but by Misfortune, Poveri vergognesi, as the Tuscan calls them, Bashful, and could not Crave, though they perished, he prevented their Modesty, and would hearti­ly thank those that discovered their commiserable Condition to him. The Pri­soners of the Gate-House found the way to their Neighbour's Purse every Week. It were endless to take notice of his good Works, but in great Constellations. Fu­giunt sine nomine signa, Manil. lib. 1. Stars, that appear Small and dim, were ne­ver numbred. And though he was better at Liberality than Patience; yet when he had overgone three years in the Court of Chancery, he watched his Passions so well, that the Heat of his old Brittish Complexion was much abated, and carried all things with far more Lenity, than Choler: Would chide little, and bear [Page 202]much. Vehement he was often to recall Pleaders to the Point, and to press Or­der and Dispatch. Vehemency is mistaken, if it be called Anger: As Cicero de­fends himself to Fusius Calenus, Vehementer me agere fatcor, iracundè nego. Philip 8. But if his Passion break out too far beyond the Measure of Vehemency, he never rested till he had made some Amends to him, whom he had sadded or offended. which is the Apology that St. Ambrose makes for the good Emperor Theodosius the Elder in his Funeral Rites. Tunc proprior fuisset veniae, cum fuisset commotio major iracundiae—Optabatur in eo, quod in aliis timebatur, ut irasceretur. So the Cli­ents at the Bar had studied the good Nature of this Lord, and presaged, that after he had chased at their Mis-usance, they might promise to themselves a good Cast of his Office long before the Sun set, which never set before he was return­ed to Patience and loving Kindness.

208. Difficulties in Parliament, Labours in Chancery were well pass'd over; but to keep in long with the Duke of Buckingham was insuperable; unless the Lord Keeper would be stupid, and oppose him in nothing, though the Dukes, as well as his Ruine were upon Contrivance, and the notorious Hurt of them, that were better than them both. Since his Grace's Return from Spain, you shall find the Keeper in every of his Letters in the Cabal, few excepted, endeavouring to take off the Edge of some late started Quarrel. As P. 96. in a Date July 21, 1624, in this Submission. If ever I have offended your Grace, I take Almighty God to witness, it was for want of a perfect Understanding of those high Matters (let the Rea­der be informed it was about the Earl of Bristol's Recriminations) not out of any Corruption of Affections towards your Grace, or the least struggling in a continued Resolu­tion, to live and dye your Grace's most constant, and most faithful Servant. But whe­ther it would succeed to good Liking or no, he was resolved to divert him from some desperate Courses, into which his Grace was entring, to raise vast Summs of Money, the Nerves of a sudden War with Spain, which he meant to begin, as soon as he could be furnished with Coin. The Keeper was very sick of a Fevor and a Flux at this time; and, after Danger of Life, recovered by that great Se­cretary of Nature, Dr. William Harvey, being not able to go into the Air, he writes to my Lord Duke, what he conceived about his former Project, Octob. 21.

In this It may be seen, that it is common with Projectors to Angle for Wit, and catch Folly; to spread their Nets for a Draught, and to drag up nothing but Weeds and Mud. What Brokerly Bargain was here about to be made? How unsuiting to the King of Great Britain? fitter for a poor Merchant that was sunk, to sell all he had, and fly his Country. What! depart with all, to make two or three merry Years of it? Is it not like the Man that burnt his House in a cold Winter, which should shelter his Head for ever, to warm his Hands? Would [Page 203]those Vermine, that did eat up the Wealth of the Court, expose their Master to that Tyranny, to have him live wholly upon the Common Spoils, when he had made away his own Substance, and was driven to that Necessity? And were they not worthy to be thought upon, that should live in the next Generation? Our Fore-Fathers were good Stewards, and treasured up for their Children; and shall we undo Posterity before they are born, and spend their Part as well as our own, as if we wish'd the World might die with us? One good Heathen was worthy twenty such Christians, in Zeal, to the eternal flourishing of a Common-wealth. Says Tully in the Mouth of his Laelius, Non minori mihi curae est, qualis post mortem Respub. futura sit, quàm qualis est hodie. Those that were not publick Spirits, but contrary to the succeeding Glory of this Monarchy, the Lord Keeper could not brook; but as he had got Honour by being Wise and Faithful, so he was resolved to be Wise and Faithful, though he lost his Honour.

209. The next Design made this sick Man hasten to come out of his Cham­ber, a Letter would not suffice to oppose it. There is no Script of it remaining in the Cabal, nor in any other Pamphlet, that I have read. It was a Mischief not better prevented, than concealed from the World that it was prevented. But the Relation of the Lord Keeper to him that heard it of him, when it was fresh and in motion, hath been preserved in the Desk, and comes forth now to publick Knowledge. Rem tibi auctorem dabo, as Plautus says; whereby the Men of these times may see, how the Sale of Church-Lands was plotted, before they were swept away with an Ordinance, and that Earnest was offered for them long ago. Dr. Preston, the Master of Emanuel Colledge, entred far into such a Proposition, a shrewd wise Man, a very Learned, and of esteemed Piety; but zealous for a new Discipline, and given to Change. When I see good Parts not always well used; or a worthy Scholar not well affected to the Church, that be­gat him in Christ, and nursed him up, I cannot but remember a Tale in Baroni­us, Ann. 513. com. 27. thoug I care not for believing it. That Theodorus Bishop of Seleucia, was much in love with the strict Life and Piety of a Monk, a Syrian by Nation, that cared not for the Communion of the Church; at which Theodo­rus was scandalized, that so vertuous a Man should incline to be a Schismatick, till God satisfied him in a Vision, for, says he, Vidi columbam super caput ejus stan­tem fuliginosam & squalidam; he saw the Holy Ghost come upon him, but in the Shape of a rusty sooty coloured Dove. But before the Artifice of Dr. Preston be display'd, Judgment must pass how the great Duke was prepared to be wrought upon. When all men talkt jocundly upon the next Session of Parliament, appointed for April, they that were watchful for the Duke's Safety, saw Cause to fear, least the Predestination of that Session might turn to be his Grace's Re­probation. The King his Master was too Politick to seem weary of him, now become the most affected of his Son; but half an Eye might discern he was not fond of him. The Earl of Bristol, who had seen much Abroad, and knew much at Home, was charged, in his Absence, from his Mouth, with great Errors, that he had deluded the King with Hopes of a Marriage from Spain, never intended; and with Crimes, that he had, if not Counselled the Prince to alter his Religion, yet to temporize, as if he held it in a slip Knot, and could pass it easily from him, if his Highness might win the Garland he came for. The Earl, in his Replicati­on defied the Duke, and vowed to charge upon his Head, that in his Expedition to Spain, he had done the worst Service, and the highest Wrongs, that a Subject could do to a Soveraign. His Majesty umpir'd between both with that fatal In­differency, that he would hear Buckingham against Bristol, and Bristol against Buck­ingham before the two houses in due time. And his manner of Justice was not un­known, that he would shelter no man against the General, and Concluded Sen­tence of a Parliament. Antoninus was a wise Emperor, that never stood out against the Common Vote of the Senate, and never varied from that Saying, says Capito­linus, Aequum est ut ego tot ac talium amicorum consilium sequar, quàm ut tot & tales amici mei unius voluntatem sequantur. And if the King should shrink from him, the Peers and Commons were like to receive him unkindly. His Greatness, though it wained with the Father, it increased with the Son, and was like to flourish ever by this latter Spring; but the more it grew, the worse it was lik'd. He was the Top-sail of the Nobility, and in Power and Trust of Offices far above all the No­bility. Whither the Lords maligned this, because they did not share, or whither they conceived it dangerous to the State, their own Hearts knew best. One thing is sure, that many of them did not palliate their Dis-relish, but girded at it upon all Occasions. It was come to pass, that he only turned the Key to all that were [Page 204]let in to the King or Prince: And his multiformous Places compell'd such a swarm of Suitors to hum about him, that the Train, that continually jogged after him, look'd like the Stream of a Blazing Star, fatal and ominous. Therefore it was studied by the wisest of those, that were upheld by his Grace, and resorted most unto him, that either his Lordship must hope in a War, and that speedily, and be flush of Money, to be prodigal among the Commanders: Or if he came to be tried in the Furnace of the next Session of Parliament, he had need to make the Refiners to be his Friends.

210. Here steps in Dr. Preston, a good Crow to smell Carion; and brought Conditions with him, to make his Grace malleable upon the great Anvil, and ne­ver break. This Politick Man, that he might feel the Pulse of the Court, had preferr'd himself to be Chaplain to the Prince, and wanted not the Intelligence of all dark Mysteries, through the Scotch especially of his Highness's Bedchamber. These gave him countenance more than others, because he prosecuted the Endea­vours of their Countrymen Knox. To the Duke he repairs. And be assured he had more Skill, than boisterously to propound to him the Extirpation of the Bi­shops, remembring what King James had said in the Conference at Hampton-Court, Anno 1. No Bishop, No King. Therefore he began to dig further off, and to heave at the Dissolution of Cathedral Churches, with their Deans and Chapters, the Se­minary from whence the ablest Scholars were removed to Bishopricks. At his Au­dience with the Duke he told him, He was sorry his Grace's Actions were not so well interpreted abroad, as Godly Men thought they deserved. That such Mur­murings, as were but Vapours in common Talk, might prove to be Tempests when a Parliament met. That his safest way was to Anchor himself upon the Love of the People. And let him perswade himself, he should not sail to be Master of that Atchievement, if he would profess himself, not among those that are Prote­stants at large, and never look inward to the Center of Religion, but become a warm and zealous Christian, that would employ his best help strenuously to lop off from this half-reformed Church, the superfluous Branches of Romish Supersti­tion, that much disfigured it. Then he named the Quire-Service of Cathedral and Collegiate Churches, with the Appennages, which were maintained with vast Wealth, and Lands of excessive Commodity, to feed fat, lazy, and unprofitable Drones. And yet all that Chanting and Pomp hindred the Heavenly Power, and Simplicity of Prayer: And furthered not the Preaching of the Gospel. And now, says he, let your Grace observe all the ensuing Emoluments, if you will lean to this Counsel, God's Glory shall be better set forth, (that's ever the Quail-Pipe to bring Worldings into the Snares of Sacrilege:) The Lands of those Chapters es­cheating to the Crown, by the Dissolution of their Foundations, will pay the King's Debts. Your Grace hath many Alliances of Kindred, all sucking from you, and the Milk of those Breasts will serve them all, and nourish them up to great Growth with the best Seats in the Nation. Lastly, Your Grace shall not only surmount Envy, but turn the Darling of the Commonwealth, and be reverenced by the best Operators in Parliament, as a Father of a Family. And if a Crum stick in the Throat of any considerable Man, that attempts to make a contrary part, it will be easie to wash it down with Mannors, Woods, Royalties, Tythes, &c. the large Provent of those Superstitious Plantations.

Thus far the Doctor, and to these Heads, as the Duke in a good Mind reveal'd it. The most crafty, and clawing Piece of all was, That the Destruction of these Sacred Foundations would make a Booty for a Number of Gentlemen: And as the Greeks say proverbially, [...], When a great Oak falls, every Neighbour may scuffle for a Faggot. You may be sure the Duke sent this Doctor away with great Thanks, and bad him watch the best times of leisure, and come to him often, who did not lose the Privilege of that Liberty, but thrust in­to his Bedchamber at least thrice a Week with a sly Audacity. The Lord Keeper heard of it, and wondred what occasion'd their private, and frequent Meetings; Nor could he knock off the Bar of the Secret with his Golden Hammer, till it was revealed to him by some of the nearest about his Majesty. For the Duke had cast forth the Project in a dark imperfect Form before the King; and the King, muf­fling his true Face that it could not be seen, heard him with a dissembled Patience, because he was pleas'd to have him nibble upon this Bait, that he might divert the Yonker as long as he could from forcing him to undertake a War, which was a violent Caustick that seared up the Comfort of his Majesties Heart. All this was conveyed to the Lord Keeper, and being feeble, and scarce upon his Legs again, it wrought upon his sick Spirits with great Anxiety. He was sure his Majesty had [Page 205]no Stomach to devour such an unsanctified Morsel: Yet against that assurance he objected to himself, That the Duke was wont to overturn all Obstacles that stood in his way: And that the Imperial Eagle of Necessity would stoop to any Prey. Then he took Chear again, that he had never Noted in the Lord Duke a Displi­cency against the Prosperity of the Church: Again, his Comfort was rebated, that Self-Preservation will make a Saint a Libertine, and that Nice Points of Reli­gion are not usually admitted to give Law against it. Howsoever, he resolv'd to hazard all to crush this Cockatrice in the Egg. Causa jubet superes m [...]lior sperare se­cundos. He that stickles for Gods Cause sails by the Cape of Good Hope.

211. At the first Onset he had small Encouragement: For he came to Walling­ford-House to break with the Duke upon this matter, who was then shut up with Dr. Preston in close Consultation, where the Great Seal, and the Keeper of it, waited two Hours in the Anti-Camera, and was sent Home without the Civility of Admission. Next Day he got Speech with Dr. Preston, by Friends employ'd to bring him to Westminster: And after much Pro and Con in their Discourse, suppo­sing the want of Preserment had disgusted the Doctor, he offer'd to him, if he would busie himself no more in contriving the Ruine of the Church, that he would the next Day resign the Deanery of Westminster to him. But the wily Doctor did not believe him: For he came to cheat, and not to be cheated: So they parted unkindly. The Lord Keeper saw now that this Nail was driven in far: Yet he did not despair to pluck it out with his Wit: And thus he went into the Adven­ture. He obtain'd an Opportune Conference with the Duke, and in the Defence of the Church he could never be taken unprovided. He pray'd his Grace to be­lieve, That no Man wish'd his Safety more cordially than himself, by whose Hand he was lifted up to that Place of Pre-eminence wherein he sate. Therefore it was his Duty to admonish him timely, that he was building that Safety upon hollow Ground. He had spoken with Preston, who had offer'd his Grace flitten Milk, out of which he should churn nothing. There were other ways to level Envy, than by offending God: And if he meant to gather Moneys for War, let him Wage it with the Prayers of the Clergy, and not with their Curses. That Genera­tion of male-contents, to whose Love an Evil Counsellor woed him, was ever false and untrusty; not suspected, but known, ever since the Faction was first rock'd in the Cradle, to be tied by no Benefits: Importunate Suitors, and ever craving: And having sped, think their Cause, and their Deservings have paid Thanks suf­ficient to their Patron. And look what Colours the King our Master hath laid upon them, (and they are in Oyl, which will not be got out) in his Instructions to his Prince Henry, where, upon bitter Experience, he tells him, That he was more faithfully served by the Highlanders. Then what a Merchant have you got of this spiteful Minister, who would have you to commit your Stock to their Managing, who would bring you Hatred for Love, and Infamy for Honour? But if your Grace conceive that I am hitherto rather upon the Invective than the Proof, I will step into another Point, and clear it against all Contradiction, That if your Grace appear in distracting the Church-Lands from their holy and rightful use, your Endeavours shall be cried down in Parliament, not to terrifie you, that your Adversaries will increase, and batter you with this great Shot, that you attempted to dissolve the Settlement of Church and Laws. You lose your self, says the Duke, in Generalities: Make it out to me in particular if you can, with all your Cunning, what should lead you to say, That the Motion you pick at should find re­pulse and baffle in the House of Commons. I know not how you Bishops may struggle, but I am much deluded if a great part of the Knights and Burgesses would not be glad to see this Alteration. The Lord Keeper had a List of their Names in readiness, a Scrowle which he always carried about with him, which he pluck'd out, and pray'd his Grace he might give him a Cypher of the Inclinations, either of the most, or of the Bell-weathers. And having entred a little into that tedious Work, the Duke snatch'd the Scrowle out of his Hand, and running it over with his Eye, said no more but, I find abundance of Lawyers among them. Yes, Sir, says the Keeper, most of them Men of Learning, and Renown in their Profession. I think by my continual Ne­gotiating with them, I know their Addictions in Religion, whether they stand right, or which way they bend. I will not prejudge the Speaker, and one or two more, God knows their Hearts. But for the rest, I know they will be strong for the supportance of the Ca­thedral Chapters. Is it so, said his Grace? And what do you think of Sir Edward Coke? Marry, says the Keeper, no Friend to an old Friend. In the 39 of Queen Elizabeth, when he was Atturney-General, he Damm'd a Patent, surreptitiously gotten before his time by those Lime-Hounds employ'd for Concealments, by which they went far to swallow up the greatest part of the Demeasns of the Bishop of Norwich, revived the [Page 206]Right of those Religious Possessions by his own Industry and Prosecution, and for the most part at his own Charge; and rested not, till for more Security, after the Patent was over­thrown, he had confirm'd those Lands to the Bishop by an Act of Parliament. Therefore I would we had no worse Strings to our Bow than Sir Edward Coke. But whom doth your Grace name next. Nay, says the Duke, you are come to me, my Lord, in a lucky Hour. I was never further than in an Equipoise about this Project; Now I have done with it. 'Tis still-born, and let it be interr'd without Christian Burial. My Good Lord, says the Lord Keeper, I thank God for it: And I would all the Kingdom knew as well as I do, how soon your good Nature is brought to a right Understanding.

212. Both did well: The one prest his Doctrine home, the other caught it up quickly like a good Disciple. The best refuge to come out of an Errour is unde­laying Repentance. And as Curtius speaks for Alexander, Lib. 10. Bona ejus Na­turae sunt, vitia temporum: So I am sure the times put the Duke upon these Shifts, and not his own Inclination. If he had not been cleansed from those pernicious Infusions, what a Sin had he drawn upon himself? What Folly? Worse then Ahab's, that would cut down a poor Neighbors Vineyard to set Pot-Herbs: But this were to root up God's Vineyard to succour a War, that is, to set Thorns and Thistles in the Room. They that care not to be good, will think how to be wife. Yet did they ever think of that, that make away the Inheritance of God's Holy Tribe in an Out-sale? 'Tis an unthrifty Sin: And in Twenty Years, or in half the time, the Sacrilegious themselves will find, that the common Purse of the State is the poorer by the Bargain. [...], says an Heathen, and to the purpose, Athenae. Lib. 6. Cap. 20. Prudent Men will continue the Oblations of their Forefathers Piety. They were ever readier to sup­ply the publick need in the Custody of the Church, than in the Maws of Cor­morants. But where was he that taught the Duke so well? VVhere was he, you will say, in the hour of darkness, when the Thief came in, and the Troop of Rob­bers spoiled without? Hos. Chap. 7. Vers. 8. VVhen all that had been given to God in a Thousand Years, by them that had the Godliest, and the largest Hearts, melted like Wax before the Fire of Hell. To the Friends of Sion, and to them that lament her waste places, I return thus to them, and to their Question: Every one that wore a Mitre and a Linnen Ephod before the Lord, was driven out of that place, where Wickedness was Enacted as a Law. He that was Couragious among the the Mighty, did flee away naked in that Day, Amos 2.16. But what if he had been in the Throng? He might as well have commended a Beauty to a Blind Man, or the smell of Nard to him that hath no Nostril, as to have contested with them not to divide the Prey, whose Ears God had not opened.

Virtue is beholding to Good Times to act its part in, as well as Good Times are beholding to Virtue. Our most Laureat Poet Spenser, Lib. 1. Cant. 3. tells of a sturdy Thief Kirkrapine,

To meet with him, and give him his hire, Una had a fierce Servant for her Guard that attended her, a Lyon who tore the Church-robber to pieces. And what is meant by Una's Lyon? That's not hard to guess at. But rather what's be­come of Una's Lyon? The Poet says afterward that Sans-Loy, a Paynim-Knight had slain him. Belike none is left now to defie Kirkrapine.

213. Also some Care is to be taken against them that are unworthily promoted in the Church. Wherein the Lord Keeper interceded with the Duke to the in­curring a mighty Anger, as may be seen by the Letters of Decem. 24. and Jan. 4. Cab. p. 99. If Threatings had been mortal Shot, he had Perisht; for he never had such a Chiding before: but he kept his Ground, because he held the fairer side of the Quarrel. Dr. Meriton the Dean of York, was lately Dead, and much Deplor'd: For he was an Ornament to the Church. My Lord Duke, entreated by great ones, named a Successor, that had no Seasoning or Tast of Matter in him, one Dr. Scot: But a Doctor, Inter Doctores Bullatos, for he never stood in [Page 207]the Commencement to approve himself; beside too many Faults to be ript up. I have known a Scholar in Cambridge so bad a Rider, that no Man for Love or Price would furnish him with a Horse. I would have thought no Man would have furnisht such a Scholar as this with a Deanery, chiefly of York. It came about strangely. Scot was a Prodigal Gamster, and had lost upon the Ticket to a Noble Person far more then he was worth. Which Debt his Creditor knew not how to recover, but by Thrusting him, aided with my Lord Dukes Power, into this Rich Preferment. The Casuists among all the Species of Simony never Dream'd of this, which may be called, Simonia Aleatoria, when a Gamester is Installed in­to a goodly Dignity, to make him capable to pay the Scores of that which he had lost with a bad Hand: And yet the Man Died in the Kings-Bench, and was not Solvent. The Lord Keeper intending to put of Dr. Scot from this place, besought for the remove of those most worthy Divines, Dr. White, or Dr. Hall, or to Collate it upon Dr. Warner, the most Charitable, and very Prudent Bishop of Rochester. But he was so terrified for giving this good Counsel, that he writes, now he knew his Graces Resolution he would alter his Opinion, and would be careful in giving the least Cause of Jealousie in that kind again. Yet it is a received Maxime, Defuturos eos qui suaderent, si suasisse sit periculum, Curt. l. 3. Certainly with others this might work to his Esteem, but nothing to his Prejudice. And I dare confi­dently avouch, what I knowingly speak, (that I may use the Words of my indu­strious Friend, Mr. T. F. in his Church History) ‘That the Solicitation for Dr. Theodore Price, about Two Months after, was not the first motive of a Breach be­tween the Keeper and the Duke, (the day-light clears that without dusky con­jectures) no, nor any Process to more unkindness then was before, which was indeed grown too high.’ The Case is quickly Unfolded. Dr. Price was Country. Man, Kinsman, and great Acquaintance of the Lord Keepers. By whose pro­curement he was sent a Commissioner into Ireland two years before, with Mr. Justice Jones, Sir T. Crew, Sir James Perrot, and others, to rectifie Grievances in Church and Civil State that were complain'd. In Executing which Commission he came of with Praise, and with Encouragement from His Majesty, that he should not fail of Recompence for his Well-doing. Much about the time that the Prince re­turn'd out of Spain the Bishoprick of Asaph soll void; the County of Merioneth, where Dr. Price was Born, being in the Diocess. The Lord Keeper attempted to get that Bishoprick for Dr. Price. But the Prince, since the time that by his Patent he was styled Prince of Wales, had Claimed the Bishopricks of that Prin­cipality for his own Chaplains: So Dr. Melburn, and Dr. Carlton, were preferr'd to St. Davids and Landaff. And Asaph was now Conferr'd upon Dr. Hanmer his Highness's Chaplain, that well deserv'd it. A little before King James's Death, Dr. Hampton, Primate of Armach, as stout a Prelate, and as good a Governor as the See had ever enjoy'd, Died in a good old Age. Whereupon the Keeper in­terposed for Dr. Price to Succeed him. But the Eminent Learning of Dr. Usher, (for who could match him all in all in Europe?) carried it from his Rival. Dr. Price was very Rational, and a Divine among those of the first Note, according to the small skill of my Perceivance: And his Hearers did testifie as much, that were present at his Latin Sermon, and his Lectures pro gradu in Oxford. But because he had never Preach'd so much as one Sermon before the King, and had left to do his calling in the Pulpit for many years, it would not be admitted that he should Ascend to the Primacy of Armach, no, nor so much as succeed Dr. Usher in the Bishoprick of Meth. To which Objection, his Kinsman, that stickled for his Preferment, could give no good Answer; and drew of with so much ease upon it, that the Reverend Dr. Usher had no cause to Regret at the Lord Keeper for an Adversary; Neither did Dr. Price ever shew him Love after that day; and the Church of England, then, or sooner, lost the Doctors Heart.

214. It is certain that all Grants at the Court went with the Current of my Lord Dukes Favour. None had Power to oppose it, nor the King the Will. For he Rul'd all his Majesties Designs: I may not say his Affections: Yet the L. Keeper declin'd him sometimes in the Dispatches of his Office, upon great and just Cause. Whereupon the King would say in his pleasant Manners, That he was a stout Man that durst do more than himself. For since his Highness's return out of Spain, if any Offices were procur'd in State of Reversion, or any Advouzons of Church Dignities, he interpos'd, and stopt the Patents, as Injurious to the Prince, to whose Donation they ought to belong in just time, and preserv'd them for him, that all such Rewards might come entire and undefloured to his Patronage. Wherein his Highness maintain'd his Stiffness; for that foresight did procure, that [Page 208]his own Beneficence should be unprevented. And he carried that Respect to the Dukes Honour, nay to his Safety, (for notice was taken of it) that he would not admit his Messages in the Hearing of Causes, (no not when his chief Servants at­tended openly in Court to Countenance those Messages) to carry him a-wry, and to oppress the Poorest, and whose Faces he had never seen, with the least wrong. Judicii tenax suit, neque aliis potiùs quàm sibi credidit, as Capitolinus makes it a good Note of Maximus. He would believe his own Judgment, and his own Ears, what they heard out of Depositions, and not the Representation of his best Friends that came from partial Suggestions. Such Demands as are too heavy to ascend, let them fall down in pieces, or they will break him at the last, that gives them his Hand to lift them up. In this only he would not stoop to his Grace; but pleas'd himself that he did displease him. And being threatned, his best Mitigation was, That perhaps it was not safe for him to deny so great a Lord, yet it was safest for his Lordship to be Denied. It was well return'd. For no Arrand was so privily conveyed in that kind, to press an Injury against any Man, but might come about to be Scann'd. Little did a greater Man than the Duke, the Emperor Lu­dovicus, called the Holy, Dream, That he should be Persecuted so far by his Son Lotharius. and Edo Bishop of Rhemes, to set under his Hand an Acknowledgment of his Errors in forcing Judges to do unjustly: Yet it was so, as it is in Baron. An. 833. Com. 17.

Of two Evils the less was to be chosen by the Keeper, rather to provoke one Man, then all Men; nay, rather to provoke Man than GOD: That some will be provok'd it cannot be avoided. It is best to instance in a whole Nation, to give no Offence. Aristides in one of his Orations Censures the Old Romans, (and the Modern are no better.) They held all that were under them for Slaves, and all that would be Freemen, and not Slaves, for Enemies. The King heard the noise of these Crashes; and was so pleas'd, that he Thank'd God before many Wit­nesses, that he had put the Keeper into that Place: For, says he, He that will not wrest Justice for Buckingham 's Sake, whom I know he Loves, will never be corrupted with Money, which he never Lov'd. His Majesty would have a Judge to be such a one as Justinian aimed at, Novel. 17. Vir optimus, & purus, & his contentus quae à fisco dantur: A good Man, that took nothing of the People, but was contented with such Wages as the King gave him. He had found the Man. And because the Lord Keeper had Husbanded that Stock Three years and half, and lived fairly upon it, and was not the Richer by the Sale of one Cursitors Place in all that time, His Majesty Granted him a Suit, by the Name of a New-Years-Gift, after the size of the Liberality of that good Master, which was enough to keep a Bountiful Christmas twice over. The Giver did not repent him, but thought himself re­paid, with a Conceit, that this most useful Counsellor produc'd at that Season, about the Children of the Prince Elector. The Spanish Treaties were laid aside, and new Ones from France rose up in their Room; which being Examin'd, it could not appear that they did portend any Comfort to the Recuperation of the Palatinate. His Majesty bewailed that his Grand-Children, then Young and Ten­der, would be very Chargeable to England when they grew to be Men. It was their Sole Refuge. They might Seek their Fortune in another place, and come home by Spills-Bury. Sir, says the Lord Keeper, Will you be pleased to listen to me, taking in the Prince his Consent, of which I make no doubt, and I will shew, how you shall furnish the Second and Third Brothers with Preferments sufficient to maintain them, that shall cost you nothing. Breed them up for Scholars in Academial Discipline; keep them strictly to their Books, with such Tutors as will Teach them, not to abuse themselves with vain Hopes upon the Greatness of their Birth. For it is a Folly to gape after the Fruit hanging upon a high Tree, and not to know how to Climb it. If they fall to their Studies, design them to the Bishopricks of Durham and Winchester, when they become void. If that happen in their Nonnage, which is probable, appoint Commendatories to discharge the Duty for them for a laudable Allowance, but gathering the Fruits for the support of your Grand-Children, till they come to Virility to be Consecrated. George Duke of Anhault, having Ministerial Gifts, was Ordain'd into that Holy Calling at Magdeburg, and yet put to no Shifts; as Melancthon is my Author, and many more. The Priestly Office was esteem'd from the beginning fittest for the best Gentlemen; for the First-Born among them that serv'd the Truo God. And the Romans, who serv'd them [Page 209]that were no Gods, learn'd it at Athens from Theseus, (Plut. in vità.) [...] That Citizens of the Noblest Blood should be train'd up in knowledge of Sacred Things, and be made the Administrators of Divine Mysteries. And I am at another Benefit, wherein I praise God that I am assu­red Your Majesty will concur with me, That the Office of a Bishop, imprudently by many M [...]lign'd, (I might charge them with a worse Crime) will be the more Invi [...]lable, when the Branches of Your Royal Stock have so great an Interest in it. And such Provision is Needful against Schismatical Attempts, both for Religious Sake, and the Publick Weal. For if such great Superstructions should fall, all would come to Ruin that is round about them. I will yet go further: If Your Majesty think a Bishoprick, though of the best kind, too little for either of them; you may please to annex to each of them one of your principal Offices of State, as You find them Trusty and Discreet. When he had ended, As I Live, says the King, I will fellow this Direction: I thank you heartily for it; and I attend it, that it will save me more then the worth of a Subsidy. Thus far these Mat­ters were well Chewed: But because they were not followed, when others bore the sway, they never came to a second Conc [...]ction.

215. The Peaceable Period of King James's Reign drew on, when the times were active about a Marriage between our Prince, and a Daughter of France, the youngest of Henry the Great's Posterity, (for she was a Posthuma) a Princess eminently adorn'd with many Rays of Honour, celebrated far and wide for Beauty, Wit, and sweet Disclosures of Behaviour. The Lord Keeper was not us'd in Counsel about it, till after many sendings to and fro: Yet what fell out at last for his part, to the better Understanding of Conditions of Agreement, is worthy to hang upon the File of Honourable Registry. Viscount Kers [...]ng [...]. Created of Holland in the pursuance of that Service, was sent into France almost a Twelve-Month before, to discover what Approbation was like to follow, if this Match were offer'd. The Earl had an Amorous Tongue, and a Wise Head, could Court it Smoothly as any Man with the French Ladies, and made so Fortunate an account into England after Three Months of his Introductions, that he saw no fear of denial in the Suit, nor of Spinosity in the Articles. But because he was [...] put in Trust by the Lord Duke, and our King would scarce acknowledge that he had given him Authority for all that he had done, He sent the Earl of Carlile after him, His Majesty much affying in that Lords Fidelity, and put them both into the same Commission. They were Peers of the best Lustre in our Court, Elegant in their Persons, Habit, and Language; and by their nearness to King [...], apt Scholars to learn the Principles of Wisdom, and the sitter to improve their Instructions to Honour and Safety. While these Things went on, the [...] made it is Thought and Study, what to do befitting a Counsellor, and [...] upon the prospect of the hopeful Marriage. When the Eyes of all our [...] were set upon the Infanta of Spain, he took into his House, as it is formerly re­membred, a Spaniard by Birth, and a Scholar, John Taxeda, by whose Con­versation he grew expert in the Spanish Grammar, in the Castilian Pronunciation, and in the Knowledge of those Authors, that in Ten Weeks he could not only understand the most difficult Writers of that Nation, but was able to Entreat with the Ambassadors without an Interpreter. How much will Fruit upon in one Mans Intellectuals before anothers, who hath the advantage of so much Sun and Warmth in his Brains. Now, when the Glorious Nuptial Torch was in Election to be lighted from the Neighbour Kingdom of France, he endeavour'd to make himself expert in that quaint and voluble Language; and by parling often with a Servant, whom he had listed into the Check of his House for that purpose, a Frenchman, that was continually at his Elbow, in Three Months he was as ready at it to Read, Write, or Speak, as he that had lyen Liegier Three years for it at Paris. And to Evidence that he had a publick Soul in every thing, where he put his Finger, as he had caused a Translation of our Liturgy out of Latin into Spa­nish, to be finish'd by Taxeda, and Printed it at his own Costs; so to go no less in his Preparations for this French Association, he encourag'd a most able Divine. Mr. Delaun Minister of the French Church in Norwich, to turn that Excellent Li­turgy into his Country Language, which was effected, and the accurate Tran­slator greatly both Commended, and Rewarded. Hereupon how it hapned that our Liturgy, now made legible to the French, did clear the Church of England, even to the Conscience of its Enemies, especially from the gross Slanders of Fu­gitives, that had gone out from us, is a passage that may challenge Publication, with the Attendance of its Circumstances.

[Page 210] 216. His Majesty having in the behalf of his Son, begun the woing part to Madam Henrietta Maria, with due Ceremony of State: The Queen Mother, Mo­deratrix of this and all other Solemn Negotiations in France at that time, be­thought seriously to have this Happiness, and high Honour setled upon her Daugh­ter. And her First prudential forecast was, not to loiter out time with a Spanish Pause, nor to endanger the forfeiture of a Bond of such Royal Love, for want of payment of Courtesie at the due day. Therefore she dispatch'd Marquess Fi­atte, afterward the great Financer, and Monsieur Villoclare, one of the principal Secretaries, Embassadors extraordinary into England, to remove all Obstructions by their Commission, and wise management of it, and to entwine the Rose and Lilly upon one Matrimonial Stem. When they Landed, the King had removed himself from New-Market to Trinity College in Cambridge, where he gave Audience to those Embassadors, providing to their welcom this Grace more then ordinary, That he receiv'd them where his choicest Darlings, the liberal Arts were round about him. Now that the Conferences about this Marriage were gone so far, and seemed, as it were, to be over the last Fire, and sit for Projection, his Majesty would have the Lord Keeper taken into the Cabinet, and to make him known by a Mark of some good Address to the French Gallants, upon the return of the Embassadors to London, he sent a Message to him, to signifie that it was his plea­sure, that his Lordship should give an Entertainment to the Embassadors, and their Train, upon Wednesday following, it being Christmass-Day with them, accor­ding to the Gregorian Prae-occupation of ten days before our Account. The King's Will signified, the invitement at a Supper was given and taken. Which was pro­vided in the College of Westminster, in the Room Named Hierusalem Chamber; but for that Night it might have been call'd Lucullus his Apollo. But the Ante-past was kept in the Abby, as it it went before the Feast, so it was beyond it, being purely an Episcopal Collation. The Embassadors, with the Nobles and Gentle­tlemen in their Company, were brought in at the North-Gate of the Abby, which was stuck with Flambeaux every where, both within, and without the Quire, that strangers might cast their Eyes upon the slateliness of the Church. At the Door of the Quire the Lord Keeper besought their Lordships to go in, and to take their Seats there for a while, promising in the Word of a Bishop that nothing of ill Rellish should be offered before them; which they accepted; and at their Entrance the Organ was touch'd by the best Finger of that Age, Mr. Orlando Gibbons. While a Verse was plaid, the Lord Keeper presented the Embassadors, and the rest of the Noblest Quality of their Nation, with our Liturgy, as it spake to them in their own Language; and in the Delivery of it used those few Words, but pithy, That their Lordships at Leisure might Read in that Book, in what Form of Holiness our Prince Worshipp'd God, wherein he durst say nothing savour'd of any Cor­ruption of Doctrine, much less of Heresie, which he hoped would be so reported to the La­dy Princess Henrietta. The Lord Embassadors, and their Great Train took up all the Stalls, where they continued about half an Hour, while the Quire-men, Ve­sted in their Rich Copes, with their Choristers, sung three several Anthems with most exquisite Voices before them. The most honourable, and the meanest per­sons of the French Attended all that time uncover'd, with great Reverence, ex­cept that Secretary Villoclare alone kept on his Hat. And when all others carri­ed away the Looks of Common Prayer commended to them, he only lest his in the Stall of the Quire where he had sate; which was not brought after him ( Ne Margarita, &c.) as if had forgot it.

217. At the same time among those Persons of Gallantry that came into Eng­land, to make up the Splendor of the Embassage, and were present at this Feast d'Amours, as some of themselves call'd it, there was an Abbat, but a Gentleman that held his Abbacy [...]lla mode de France, in a lay Capacity. He had receiv'd the Gift of our Service Book, and to requite the Doner, having much of a Scholar, and of ingenuous Breeding, he laid aside all other business to read it over. Like a Vowed Person to another Profession he was not hasty to praise it, but suspend­ed his Sentence, till he might come in Place to see the practice of it. It was well thought of by him, that the Tryal of the soundness in Religion consists not all together in the Draught of a Book, but in the motion likewise, and Exercise of it. The Abbat made his mind known to the Lord Keeper by Sir George Goring (now Earl of Norwich) that he would gladly be present in the Abby of Westmin­ster upon our Christmass Day in the morning, to behold and hear how that great Feast was solemnized in our Congregations, which heard very ill beyond the Seas for Profaneness: Whereas the Book for Uniformity of Publick Prayer, which he [Page 211]had receiv'd, though it was not set off with much Ceremony to quicken Devoti­tion, yet it wanted neither a stamp of Reverence, nor the metal of Godliness; Yet he would be careful in Launching out so far in Curiosity, to give no Scandal to Catholicks, whose Jealousie might perhaps suspect him, as if he thought it lawful to use both ours and the Church of Rome's Communion. Therefore he made suit to be placed, where none could perceive him, and that an Interpreter of the Litur­gy might assist him, to turn the Book, and to make right Answers to such Que­stions, as fell by the way into his Animadversions. None more forward then the Lord Keper to meet the Abbat in this Request. Veritas oculatos testes non refermi­dat. The Abbat kept his hour to come to Church upon that High Feast, and a Place was well fancied aloft, with a Latice and Curtains to conceal him. Mr. William Beswell, like Philip Riding with the Treasurer of Queen Candace in the same Chariot, sate with him, directing him in the Process of all the Sacred Offi­ces perform'd, and made clear Explanation to all his scruples The Church Work of that ever Blessed day fell to the Lord Keeper to perform it; but in the place of the Dean of that Collegiate Church. He sung the Service, Preach'd the Sermon, Consecrated the Lords Table; and being assisted with some of the Pre­bendaries, distributed the Elements of the Holy Communion to a great multi­tude, meekly kneeling upon their knees. Four hours and better, were spent that morning before the Congregation was dismiss'd with the Episcopal Blessing. The Abbat was entreated to be a Guest at the Dinner, provided in the College-Hall, where all the Members of that Incorporation Feasted together, even to the Elee­mosynaries, call'd the Beads-men of the Foundation; no distinction being made, but high and low Eating their Meat with gladness together, upon the occasion of our Saviours Nativity, that it might not be forgotten, that the poor Shepherds were admitted to Worship the Babe in the Manger, as well as the Potentates of the East, who brought Rich Presents to offer up at the shrine of his Cradle. All having had their comfort both in Spiritual and Bodily Repast, the Master of the Feast, and the Abbat, with some few beside, retired into a Gallery. The good Abbat presently shew'd that he was Bred up in the Franco-Gallican Liberty of Speech, and without further Proem, defies the English that were Roasted in the Abbies of France for lying Varlets, above all others that ever he met. We have none of their good word, I am sure, says the Keeper; but what is it that doth empassion you for the present against them? ‘That I shall calmly tell your Lordship,’ says the Abbat, ‘I have been long inquisitive what outward Face of God's Worship was retein'd in your Church of England? What Decorums were kept in the external Commu­nion of your Assemblies. St. Paul did Rejoyce to behold good Order among the Co­lossians, as well as to hear of the stedfastness of their Faith, cap. 2.5. Therefore, waving Polemical Points of Doctrine, I demanded after those things that lay o­pen to the view, and pertain'd to the Exterior Visage of the House of God. And that my Intelligence might not return by broken Merchants, but through the best Hands, I consulted with none but English in the Affairs of their own home; and with none but such as had taken the Scapular, or Habit of some Sa­cred Order upon them, in Affairs of Religion. But Jesu how they have de­ceiv'd me! What an Idea of Deformity Limm'd in their own Brain, have they hung up before me? They told me of no composed Office of Prayer used in all these Churches by Authority, as I have found it this day, but of extempora­ry Bablings. They traduc'd your Pulpits, as if they were not possest by Men that be Ordein'd by imposition of Hands, but that Shop-keepers, and the Scum of the people Usurp that Place in course one after another, as they presum'd themselves to be Gifted. Above all they turn'd their Reproaches against your behaviour at the Sacrament, describing it as a prodigious Monster of Profane­ness: That your Tables being furnish'd with Meats and Drinks, you took the Scraps and Rellicks of your Bread and Cups, and call upon one another to re­member the Passion of our Lord Jesus. All this I perceive is infernally false. And though I deplore your Schism from the Catholick Church, yet I should bear false Witness, if I did not confess, that your Decency which I discern'd at that Holy Duty was very allowable in the Consecrator and Receivers.’

218. ‘ My Brother Abbat,’ (says the Lord Keeper with a Smile,) ‘ I hope you will think the better of the Religion, since on Christ's good Day your own Eyes have made this Observation among us. The better of the Religion’ says the Abbat ‘(taking the Words to relate to the Reformed of France) nay taking all together which I have seen among you (and he brought it out with Acrimony of Voice, and Gesture) I will lose my Head, if you and our Hugenots are of one Religion.’ I protest

[Page 212] ‘ Sir, says the Keeper, you divide us without Cause. For the Harmony of Protestant Confessions, divulg'd to all the World, do manifest our Consonancy in Faith, and Doctrine, And for diversity in outward Administrations, it is a Note as Old as Irenaeus, which will justifie us from a Rupture, that variety of Ceremonies in several Churches, the Foun­dation being preserv'd, doth commend the Unity of Faith. ‘I allow what Irenaeus writes,’ says the Abbat, ‘for we our selves use not the same Offices and Breviares in all Places. But why do not the Hugonots at Charenton, and in other Districts, follow your Example;’ Because, says the Lord Keeper, no part of your Kingdom but is under the Jurisdiction of a Diocesan Bishop, and I know you will not suffer them to set up another Bishop in the Precincts of that Territory, where one is establish'd before; that would savour of Schism in earnest. And where they have no means to maintain Gods Worship with costly Charge, and where they want the Authority of a Bishop among them, the people will arrogate the greatest share in Government; so that in many things you must excuse them, because the Hand of constraint is upon them.’ ‘But what con­streins them,’ says the Abbat, ‘that they do not Solemnize the Anniversary Feast of Christ's Nativity, as you do? Nay as we do? for it is for no better Reason, then because they would be unlike to us in every thing?’ Do you say this upon cer­tainty, says the Keeper, or call me Poultron, if I feign it, says the other. In good troth says the Keeper, you tell me News. I was ever as Tully writes of himself to Atticus, in Curiositate [...], apt to search narrowly into Foreign Churches; and I did never suspect, that our Brethren, that live with you were deficient in that Duty. For the Churches of the Low-Countries, of Heidelberg, Helvetia, Flassia, Breme, and others, do observe a yearly Day to the Memory of our Saviours Birth. I conceive the like for Geneva. For when Calvin had retir'd to Basil, some mutation about Holy Feasts was made in Geneva. Upon his Return thither again, Hallerius both in his own and in Musculus his Name, complains that the Celebration of that Memorable Feast was Neglected. Calvin Returns him Answer (the Epistle is extant dat anno 1551. Jan.) Sancte testari possum me inscio, ac ne optante quidem hanc rem [...]uisse transactam—Ex quo sum revocatus, hoc temperamentum quaesivi, ut Christi Na­talis celebraretur vestro more. But will you have the Judgment of Protest out Di­vines, when they were in a Globe, and Collection together from all Quarters: At the Sy­nod of Dort, convened about six years past, all the Divines, with the Assessors from the States, intermitted their Sessions against the Feast of Christ's Nativity with [...] Suffrages, and the Reason is given in plain Words Sessio. 36. Decem. 1 [...]. Quia to tempore Festum Natalis D. N. Jesu Christi instabat, propter cujus celebratio­nem, &c. It will be the harder for those of the Religion in France to Answer for this Omission. Yet Judg more Charitably, then to think they do it only out of Crossness to dis­conform to your Practise. He that runs backward further then he need from his Ad­versary, plays his Prize like a Coward And I use to say it often, that there ought to be no secret Antipathies in Divinity, or in Churches, for which no Reason can be given. But let every House sweep the Dust from their own Door. We have done our endeavour, God be Praised, in England, to Model a Churchway, which is not afraid to be search'd into by the sharpest Criticks for Purity, and Antiquity. But as Pacat. said in his Pa­neg. in another Case, Parum est quando caeperit, terminum non habebit. Yet I am confident it began when Christ taught upon Earth, and I hope it shall last till he comes again. ‘I will put my Attestation thus far to your Confidence,’ says the Abbat, ‘that I think you are not far from the Kingdom of Heaven.’ So with mutual Smiles and Embraces they parted.

219. Paulo Majora. The next was the greater grapple, upon Terms Political and Scholastical, between the Lord Keeper, and Mounsieur Villoclare, who is mention'd before. The King was now at White-Hall; and the French Agents plied it to concord Conditions for the Royal Marriage. And who so busie to trouble the Scene, with a new part not concern'd in the Plot of the Comedy, as our Nimble-headed Recusants? The Secretary Villoclare was accounted, and not mistaken to be a servent Zealot in his own Religion; which our English had learnt, by resorting daily to Mass in the Embassadors House. These found Access unto him and sighed out their Grievances before him, that their Priests, who adventur'd to come to them for their Souls Health, were Executed for Traytors; and them­selves were set such Fines for their Conscience, that they were utterly impoverish'd. How happy should that Honourable Person be, that would skreen them from the scorching of this Persecution? That his Lordship had Opportunity for his Pow­er, and his Piety could not want will, to enter into a Motion for a relaxation of their Miseries, among such Articles as were to be Granted for the Honour, and Happiness of the approaching Nuptials. The Secretary heard them, and condo­led [Page 213]with them; promis'd his Pains, and to be an earnest Proctor in their Cause, holding it most meritorious, to go or run on such an Errand. And he sell to his work in good earnest, and ask'd such large concessions for his Clients, (or rather challeng'd such Grace with horrid Liberty, then Petition'd for it) that the King was observ'd to begin to be cooler in the Treaty for the Marriage, then he had been. The Lords that plied it beyond the Seas at the L [...]r, had not discou­raged the Embassadors before they set forward; but rather pleased them with hopes of English Courtesies, and condescentions. And I fear they were perswa­ded into too much confidence; for I have heard it often from the Followers of the Earl of Carlile, that after Articles had been drawn, and Engross'd, some things were Erazed, some things Interlaced, which never had his Lordships Approbati­on Our Courtiers at White-Hall, through whose Counsels and Resolves the Grants of Monsieur Villoclare were to pass, though directly they did dot yield to him, yet, his driving was so furious, that they declin'd to deny him, and shift for themselves that the first Storm of his Passion might not fall upon them. There­fore they told him, they could not assure him he had prevail'd, till he had spoke with the Lord Keeper, whose Duty it was to Examine such things, upon his Pe­ril, what were sit, or not sit for the King's Conscience, Honour, and Safety, be­fore the Great Seal were put to. The Keeper heard of all this, and sent to the Duke, as he had wrote to him before, Cab. p. 95. ‘I shall be in a pitiful perplex­ity, if his Majesty shall turn the Embassadors upon me altogether unprovided, how to Answer.’ But he cast it up into this short Sum, that the disappointment of this Vexatious Solicitor, so far engag'd, must light upon himself, and the displea­sure of all the French, that wish'd it good speed. He was not to learn, that a Magistrate in his Place must have a strong back to bear the Burthen of Envy. So he Collected his thoughts into rational preparations, and was provided for a Bickering; which began on the Eighth of January, and held long. And it must be warned, that the Report of it which follows extends the length, above that which past between them on that occasion. The Secretary Vill [...]are after he had parted from the Lord Keeper, and brought his business to a justifiable Maturity, through the direction of some of our best Lawyers, as the way was chalked to to him, had Audience with the King, and Entreated with his Majesty upon Terms of greater moderation, then formerly he had done; which he confest was brought about from a Conference with the Lord Keeper. And told his Majesty, ‘That Counsellor had given him small content in a long Argument vext between them; for he had Preach'd to him till he was weary to hear his Divinity, tho' it was Learned, and of more Acuteness then he expected in that Cause, but unsatisfactory to Catholicks, as could be fram'd: Yet he made him amends with such Counsel in the end, that now he knew upon what Ground he stood; what Laws and Statutes were in force against that model of Mercy, which he had urg'd; and how the Clemency, and Power of his Majesty was retrench'd by them. Therefore as he hoped to find his Majesty Sweet and Gracious, so his Majesty should find him tractable, that the Thrice Noble and Primary design, about which he came, might not hover any longer in suspence.’ Blessed be the Re­duction of things to this good pass, said the King. And that Aequanimity might not slip the Knot, his Majesty Commanded the Keeper to draw up the Discourse lately past between the French Embassador and him, and to bring it with him; which he finish'd carefully, but with Enlargements in some Places, as he can re­member that turn'd his Books, and assisted the Expedition. In some things more, in some things less was spoken at first, but thus goes the Draught which the King received.

My Lord Embassador Villoclare gave me a Breviate of the Instrument of Grace, which he agitated to pass in the Behalf of the Romish Recusants. When he sup­posed I had read it almost to the End, he spake thus to the Matter, ‘That it would be a great Token of Assurance, that their Lady and Mistress should be received into this Realm with the Love of the King, the Prince, and all good En­glish People, if the distressed Catholicks, combined with her Highness's Obedi­ence to the same Church, might obtain, for her Sake, Indemnity from our grie­vous Laws, live in security of Conscience for hence forth from continual Persecu­tion, and call this Year the Jubilee of the long afflicted, and the end of their Op­pression. I told him to this, that I should reply to him in stanumering, and ill pronounced French, but with clear English Satisfaction.’ Our Laws, said I, against [...] whose Clientele you undertake, have been disputed both by Church-men and States. [...], the Books are well known: And by Debate of Arguments, we have justified the [Page 214]Wisdom and Moderation of our Parliament, to all that can correct prejudice by Reason. What Law is rigid which impendent Danger extorts for the Safety of the People? The Storms lookt black over our Heads in those times, when such Statutes past, so offensive to your Lordship, and were enacted not out of Revenge for Wrongs sustained, but out of Fore­cast against Harms to be prevented; not out of Spleen towards Adversaries, but out of Chari­ty to our selves. So much, and without Pause or Faultring, I am compelled to say for our Laws, because I am a principal Judge by the Favour of the King my Master, and sworn to the Maintainance of the Law. This Answer, though neither tart nor umbragi­ous, yet it set my Lord Ambassador's Teeth on edge, and he rose up to these high Words at one pitch, That he could not imagine how our Laws could have been sharpned with more Cruelty against the Catholicks: For it would look like Mercy to take away their Lives; or rather than to cut them so low with the Sickle of Penal Statutes, that they had scarce Stubble to maintain their Bodies, and their Souls were utterly starved for want of Priests to instruct them; none of them daring to adventure to hold out Breasts of A­postolick Doctrine, to feed them with sincere Milk; but that resolved to be ript up, and quartered for their Holy Duty. Yet (he goes on) I bewail not so much those Excellent Servants of God executed upon your Gibbets, they are recompensed with the Crown of Martyrdom: But you murder the Souls of the Lay-Catholicks; and if you pity them not to the Good of their Salvation, all other pretended Favours light upon them like Mil­dews, which are not a fruitful, but a fatal Moisture? You know my meaning Sir, you are Learned in Cases of Divinity, and need not to be told that the Use and Fruition of the Sacraments are the vital Part of Christian Religion in our Catholick Apprehension. Who shall celebrate them? Who shall impart them to this People robbed of Christ? Who shall satiate their Souls with those Comforts, if the Priests, the Dispensers of those Myste­ries, be utterly kept from them? You commonly say, you have done well for the Generality of Catholicks, that they have Liberty of Conscience. I say your Gift is useless, if you permit them not Teachers that are set over their Conscience. We are more clement to the Churches of Hugonots, and allow them their Ministers. Without that Favour, a Rush for all the rest. Should I send Cloth and Food enough to a Fraternity of Religious Men, What Good shall they reap from that Charity, if none shall be suffered to make them Gar­ments with that Cloth? None permitted to dress the Meat that is sent them? Or let me spread before you your Unmerciful Dealing in this Similitude; you have not made a Law to pull out their Eyes, but you have past a Law that they shall have no Light to see by. My Lord, Why should I make it a Labour to contest with you, to have no such Statutes in Force? Methinks it is enough to prompt you, that such Incongruities, of very bad Fame Abroad, should be supervised and corrected upon so demulcing an Occasion as this Marri­age? Thus far my Lord Secretary: To whom I said in this Manner.

221.

222. ‘Hitherto I have proved, that we have been just in our Duties towards Men, as Men, and as we are accountable to the second Table of the Law. Your Pontificians, though esloigned from us in the Way of God's Worship, yet their Persons are our Neighbours, therefore we do not forget them in the De­bentures of our Love. I grant it, before a Challenge be made, that I have per­formed little, unless I can justifie our Piety in the Survey of the first Table. And to make it perspicuous and intelligible, I will fall into your Lordship's Method, according to my best Remembrance. Consider, Sir, that the Comp [...]ainants, for whose Sakes this Ball of Contention is tost to and fro, are they that live among us, yet profess Obedience to another Church. This we reckon to be a Disease, and a sore one. The Care of their Souls belongs to the Supream Magistrate, who is to provide for all that are under his Allegiance, that they may lead God­ly, as well as quiet Lives. He would cure the Ill Affected by his own Physicians. The Patients, very confident that they can choose best for themselvs, will listen to none, but such as the Magistrate, no less strong in Confidence than they, fore­dooms, that by their Applications, both such as are unsound will be past Hope [Page 216]of Recovery, and some that are sound will fall away by Contagion Both of these being fixed upon the respective Perswasions of their Minds, Which of them should yield with least Offence, and most Reason? I speak as to external Com­pliance. Surely a publick Conscience ought to be more scrupulous than a pri­vate. The Supream Ruler is [...], if he permits that which his Heart con­dems, his Sin is compleatly voluntary. If the Inferior and the Subjected yearns for Instructions and Helps in Religion, which under great Forfeiture are prohi­bited to them, they cast their Burden upon Necessity, and he is very rigorous, that will not say they are excusable. The loudest Bell of the Petitioners Grie­vances, and that which is furthest hard, is, that they are Men in Danger of Ship­wrack for want of P [...]ots; their own Priests, to whose Oversight they commit the Care of their Souls, are kept from them, and cannot, with Comfort and Confidence, light their Knowledge from any other Lamps. Conscience re­claims it, and if they are blind, yet blind Men must not be i [...] entreated for their Blindness, but be led by the Hand. My Noble Lord Villoclare, This Complaint, above all that can be said beside, is apt to work upon Affections, to compas­sionate the Breathings of a Soul, which protests it languisheth for want of due Means to know God, and to worship him. But Affections, and the most ten­der of them, which is pi [...]y, have no Taste in them, till they be seasoned with the Salt of Prudence. The Simple believeth every Word, but the Prudent looketh well to his going, Prov. 14.15. Conscience is offered, and set out as it were for a Lan horn upon the Pharos of this Motion. But your Lordship, so excellent a States-man, knows none better, that the greatest Cheats that are put upon the World, are in the good Names of Love and Conscience. Who hath the Power to hurt, so soon as he, that would be believed that he loves, and doth not? And who so dangerous to overthrow Peace, as he that pleads that Conscience is the only Cause of his Discontents and Disobedience? He that baits his Hook with Nice­ness of Conscience, may catch—What my Lord? Gudgions, but not a Salmon, for the Delusion is stale.’

‘I must enter further into the Closet of this Objection. What Out-cries are these, that if their own Priests be restrained from them, their Souls shall perish for lack of Knowledge? They that refuse to serve God with the King, and his liege People, either already they know a better way, or they do not. If they do, Why do they complain, as if they were brought to the utmost Extremity of Perishing for want of Instructions? If they do not, Why do they choose a contrariant Religion blindfold? Christians commonly thirst for Knowledge, not perceiving that the chief thing they want is Obedience? This Itch hath de­scended from our Blood Royal, from the Top of our Kindred in Paradise. I amplifie my self further, that I may not give Scandal, as if I did not magnifie Knowledge; and how shall they know and hear without a Preacher? Rom. 10.14. I do subscribe it is the Powerful Ordinance to beget Children unto Christ, to enliven them that are dead in their Sins; and to keep them to the Motions of Sanctity, that are raised up to Newness of Life. Whosoever may enjoy that Blessing, and out of Pride contemns it, or out of Sloath difuseth it, it will beget in him an erroneous Understanding, a decaying Faith, and a corrupt Life. And where the holding out of that Light is withdrawn from a Church by Dark­ness of Persecution, it is God's Curse upon a Nation. And where it begins to clear up again, after the Interposition of a Total, or a partial Eclipse, God call it his great Mercy. Thy Teachers shall not be removed into a Corner any more, but thine Eyes shall see thy Teachers, Isa. 30.20. But where Christians know the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ, both for Faith and Holiness, yet are re­strained by Laws (whether Just or unjust, is all one to this Argument) from Church Officers to be among them, do they look to be believed when they say, they are quite starved, because none are among them, in their Sense, lawfully sent, to feed them with the Bread of the Gospel? Is there no way to preserve that which is committed to them by Meditation, by Conference, by Reading? We exact severely upon them, as they cry out, because we permit them not the Tongues of some Men to edifie them: But who are more hard-hearted? Who are they that in such a Case of Destitution, will not allow them the Reading of the Scriptures, that is, the Voice of God, to speak to them? As the Rock, of which the Israelites drank, is said to go along with them in the Wilderness, And the Rock was Christ, 1 Cor. 10.4. So the Essence of a Church goes every where with them, that nourish the Tradition of the true Faith in their Heart. I say, the Church (and Christ ruling in it) is with such, wheresoever they live, [Page 217]wheresoever they wander, though it be not Organized, as a complete Church should be, with Bishops and Teachers. Our English Merchants Trade many Years together at Sevile, Madrid, Alicant, and in other places, wanting the An­gels of those Churches, to whose Trumpets only they will hearken: Yet, whe­ther they live or die, many of the most Virtuous are well prepared for the Lord, because they carry his true Church with them. He may go along in the strength of the Spiritual Food, which he hath eaten, who was fed like Elijah by an Angel sent from Heaven. Let the Plant that is newly set be staked to prop it up, let it be water'd every Day: Doth a grown Tree require such Tendance and Labour? So a People that have lived always in Gentilism and Idolatry, but have given ad­mittance to Evangelists newly to enter in among them, let them be swift to hear: And those happy Messengers, that bring the Glad-tydings of Salvation into those Regions of Darkness, let them be as swift to speak. Who would not blow hard to make green Wood kindle? If I were in their Room, that came to lay the Foundation of Faith, where no Builder had been before, I should allow my self no intermission of Preaching, but for small Repast, and necessary Rest. If I were in such a City as Athens, that worshipp'd an unknown God, I hope I should do as St. Paul did at the same Athens, Acts 17.17. He Preach'd not only to the Jews and deveut Persons in their Synagogues, but in the Market daily with those that met with him. But to be instant with that Importunity, where a People is sufficiently en­rich'd already in all Knowledge, some perhaps would apply the old Proverb unto it, That it were to bring Owls to Athens. I thank your Lordship with all humbleness for your Patience and Attention: And I am sure your Lordship understands, that it is not to be expected, that a Nation should disorder the frame of their Laws, to heap Teachers for every Sect in Religion.’

223. ‘But the finest slight to make the restraint of Priests odious, is upon the necessary use of their Hand to confer the Sacraments. And they that are con­tented with no less than seven, will pretend sooner to miss their Administration, than we that give God thanks for two. My Lord, I will give no offence to your Lordship, upon any thing that is controverted Dogmatically between us and you, nor maintain a vexatious Problem in your hearing. I leave you to the ma­nagement of your Sacraments in France and Italy, as they are constituted in such Nations by the Laws of Holy Church. Sail in what Vessels you will in your own Seas. I consider now, I have done it often before, and with the joint ad­vice of most judicious Scholars, whether those Disciples of the Roman Church, that live upon our Soil, are so streitned in the use of their own Religion in this Land, that they should account themselves to be violently, and as it were sacri­legiously kept from the Kingdom of Heaven, (as in those words some of them have complain'd, and your Lordship seems to think no less) except that some of the Order of Priesthood be permitted to be Conveyors of the Sacraments of Grace unto them. Which I conceive is not suitable to the Provisions of Cases exempt, and milder Concessions of their own Doctrine. The Lord Ambassador had been offer'd a Chair before, and refused it: But the Point coming as it were to the Cuspis, or Horoscope of Fortune, he accepted it, and said, My Lord Keeper, your smooth Wit hath search'd far into many Scruples, but this Knot will not be unloosed with a gentle Hand, but with Violence, which is foul Play to be used to the strictest Bonds of Eternal Life. To which I return'd, I fear no prejudice, where so much Reason fits Judge, as your Lordship brings with you. So I went on. That Sa­crament which is the Introduction into Membership of the Church of Christ is Baptism. The Apostles and their Successors were appointed Stewards of it by Christ, to impart it to all Nations, which were call'd first to be his Disciples. This is the direct way. Yet it is agreed in your Schools, That if any Christian Man or Woman Baptize an Infant with the Element of Water in the right form, that is, in the Confession of the Holy Trinity, the Child is sufficiently Baptized, and is not excluded the Kingdom of Heaven, for want of that Ordinance. This shift is vulgarly approved among you in all places of the World. Then let that content Catholick Parents in England, which is so general a remedy among your own Devotees in case of necessity. And this Bush will stop the first Gap. Next, If the Baptized die without Confirmation, none ever made it a Salvation-hazard. Especially that Ceremony being not stubbornly rejected, but privatively inter­cepted, because the proper Instrument is not in the way to act it. For how ma­ny Biscainers have never heard of it? In whose Craggy Mountains, I am told, a Bishop appears as seldom as a black Swan. I presume your Lordship is a Main­teiner of the Canonical Privileges of Episcopacy; and you know without a Bi­shop's [Page 216] [...] [Page 217] [...] [Page 218]shop's Hand, the Blessing of Confirmation hand no Validity by the Canons, and perhaps no Entity in the Doctrine of the best Antiquity. Now if this Sacrament, which comes limping after Baptism, must have a Bishop's Crosier to stay it up, I know not whether our Romish Male contents demand that? Then here's a Tale of new Tidings comes to my Ears, that, to integrate Sacred Offices, they would have the Presence of a Bishop, as well as of a Priest; and then these Adonijahs fly so high to ask for Abishag, that they may ask the Kingdom also. The Mini­sters of the King of Spain, upon such an Occasion as your Lordship is employed in, offered at such a thing in their Propositions to my Royal Master's Commis­sioners. It pleaseth the Castilian Mouth to speak big, and ask high; but we checkt them with repulse and disdeign. And good Cause for it. A Bishop will think his Wings pinion'd if he have not a Consistory for Jurisdiction: Vexations of Ju­risdictive Power will provoke Appeals to the Court of Rome: And then my Masters People should crouch for Justice to a Foreign Potentate. But that Beast shall never get the Head to run a Wild-Goose-Chase where it lists, while he holds the Bridle in his Hand.’

‘My Lord Ambassador, There is nothing discoverable, though the wideness of the British Ocean flow still between us and your Bishops, that their absence should cross their Party that is among us from entering into Eternal Life. Which makes the Sacrament of Order not to belong to our Argument. But Marriage doth, it is Gods Ordinance, who joyned Man and Woman together in Paradise, and is fittest to be celebrated among Christians in the Paradise of the Church-Assembly: And to be blessed by those Servants of God his Priests, who are to bless his Peo­ple in all things, especially in so great a Mystery. The Question is, Whether a Man should scruple not to Wed a Woman, unless she were joyned to him by the Priests of his own Communion? My Lord, Let me set the shape of it be­fore you in another Glass. If a Roman born and bred made choice of a Greekish Woman for his Wife among Greeks, in Morea or Thessalonica, would the Wed­lock be esteemed ineffectual, if a Priest of the Ordination of the Greek Church did tie the Knot? The Ordination of our Clergy is nearer to you, than the Greeks. Indeed I never heard but a good Wife, and a rich Portion would be welcom to a Recusant, though a Minister made by Imposition of Hands in this Kingdom did joyn them. And I never heard that such Married Ones, as de­parted out of our Church to yours, were question'd among you upon the Truth of their Matrimony, which they brought with them from hence. And 'tis well done of you, lest we should require Exceptions, and make the Issue of the most of the Roman Catholiques in the Land Illegitimate. It is in our Power to do so, because they are not scrupulously Married by that Form, which our Laws have provided, and with an even Obedience to every tittle of our Prescriptions. But many things are lawful, which are not expedient.’

224. ‘The Annoiting of the Sick may come in next, or in what Order you will, my Lord. I know it is called Extreme Unction in some Writers sense, be­cause it is the Extreme Sacrament, when the Soul is about to take its leave of all Sacraments As soon as I have named it, I am ready to shake Hands, and part with it. What if some, in the infirmity of their Sickness, desire it, because the Tradition of the Church hath commended it? Yet none is so superstitious to think, that Comfort cannot be infused into them, that are at the point of Death, sufficiently without it. St. Stephen departed without Extreme Unction, and yet the Lord Jesus receiv'd his Spirit. Men condemn'd by the Law, and led to Exe­cution, but well prepar'd for a better Life by their Ghostly Fathers, neither have it, nor crave it. But they that are most impotent, most affected with Languor, are subject to a most disorder'd Appetite. Why, suppose then one that is sick, should have this Pica, and long to be Annoiled? Why might not a Lay-Friend Annoil, as well as Baptize? Eckius would have us believe that the blessed Vir­gin, and your peculiar Saint, St. Genouefa, have Anointed many that were sick, and they have recover'd. Yet lest it should be evaded, that these were Persons of miraculous Endowments, hear the Words of Pope Innocent the First, that are as large as can be, and allowed to be his, speaking of this sick Man's Salve: Omni­bus uti Christianis licet in suâ aut suorum necessitate inungendo. Which Papal Sen­tence our Countryman Bede quotes, and makes it full on this wise, not only Pres­byters, but any Christians may Anoint the Infirm in case of necessity. Will you have the Judgment of some that are latter than Innocent and Bede? Hear one, but a sound Card, Bonaventure upon the Sentences, Potest dispensari in casu neces­sitatis à non Sacerdotibus. For the Sacrament of the Altar, my Lord, as you speak [Page 219]in your Dialect, it is necessary Necessitate Praecepti, non Medii, say both your Di­vines, and ours. That is in a longer Paraphrase, the Commandment to Take, and Eat, I and to Drink too, must necessarily be obeyed by them that can keep it: But it hath not such a strict tie with the Covenant of Salvation, That all they shall fail of final Mercy, who are impeded to partake without any fault of theirs. In­fants lack the taste of that Heavenly Food, and are not prejudiced: For our Sa­viour requir'd it of none, but of such as could actually believe that he died for the Sins of the World. Is not the same Indulgence intended towards them, and far rather, who believe in Christ's Death, and would enjoy the Sacrament that An­nuntiates his Death, but cannot. Your Gravest Authors do please themselves in the Words of Rupertus, and they are grown to be the trivial Quotation upon this Case, Non judicatur apud Deum non manducare, nisi qui manducare noluit, qui non curavit, qui neglexit. The desire of the Heart supplies the defect of actual Man­ducation. Time was more than 1300 Years ago, when those that sate at the Helm of the most Dignified Churches, and steered the Conclusions of Divine Truth, were more rigid upon this Theme, than they that hold the same Sees in these Days. They were so literal in the sense of those words, Job. 6.53. Except ye eat the Flesh of the Son of Man, and drink his Blood, you have no Life in you; that an Infant Baptized was presently admitted to the Sumption of the Sacred Ele­ments: That believing People, in danger to be separated from their Pastors in time of Persecution, were suffered to reserve the Consecrated Bread, and to eat it reverently at Home. These Customs are utterly melted away into disuse, and the latter overthrown by a Curse in the first Council of Toledo. At this Day your Canons enjoyn no more, But that every faithful Man and Woman partake of Christs Body once a Year at Easter. And how gentle are your Casuists in their Copious Relaxations upon the Obligation to this Canon? You shall hear but one speak, Navarr Enchirid. Cap. 21. Every Notorious Cause excuseth those that receive not once a Year. And it is allowed to be a Notorious Cause if danger to lose Life, or Hmour, or Fortunes doth distein a Christian. Therefore a Woman that hath a Child at her Breast is dispens'd with for the Sucklings sake. And a Widow in some places, who keeps the fashion to mourn a twelve-month at Home, before she appears in publick. Nay, Caution is made to absolve them that are raggedly, or meanly apparell'd, and would be ashamed to have the Eyes of some cast upon them in their homely Garments. You cannot go lower, unless you could throw less than one Ace upon a Dye. Excuses you see are cheap, because that Sacrament is not rated so dear, as if it were taken, or not taken upon the price of Salvation.’

225. ‘And now, that your Lordship may undergo no longer Penance to hear me upon this Subject, I will dispatch with the Consideration of your Sacrament of Penance: For whose use and necessity the Priests contend more than the People. And if we of the Reformed Clergy had not set before our Eyes the Naked Simplicity of the Gospel, rather than our own Interests and Emolument, we would never have ridden that stiff-headed Beast the Multitude without this Bridle. The Power of the Keys, do you call it? And so ye may: For the Locks of all Secrets fly open before it; and every Mans Coffers are at the Command of the Confesson. Confession of all Sin, especially the most to be blush'd at, though lodged in the darkest Cellar of the Heart, is a heavy Burden: Yet any wise Man will resolve not to be shame-faced, but to endure that, which he must bear by a rigid, and peremptory Law. If there be no remedy, as the Confes­sors say, but either reveal your Sin, even to all their Minutes and Circumstan­ces, and obtein Sacerdotal Absolution, or never look Christ in the Face, I can­not then blame your Brethren to say, Give us Ghostly Fathers, or else we die. But hold there. I will spread your own Doctrine impartially before you. Your se­verest Writers say, That Confession of wasting and mortal Sins is to be made to a Priest upon the Commandment of Christ. Such a Law they have fixed, partly by Consequences, partly by their Exposition of the Text. Now it is fit to hear what may be said upon this Law, when the Case is removed into a Court of Equity. I move then in the behalf of a Sinner: Is he bound, as soon as he hath committed a mortal Sin, with all competent Celerity, to confess, that he may be absolv'd? Not so, says the Chancery of Divinity. Let him prostrate himself before the Knees of the Poenitentiary once a Year, and rehearse his Crimes. Is that re­solved Scripture? Is Confession once a Year of Divine Right? No, says old Navarr, there is no Divine express Word, that chargeth the Penitent when, and how often to come to that Sacrament; but by Human Authority all Offenders are obliged there­unto once a Year.’

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226. ‘What say you now, my Lord? Doth Salvation necessarily depend up­on your Septemfluous Sacraments? Or do they depend all upon the Administra­tion of the Priests? O Sir, King David was cosen'd, for believing his Son Am­non, who pretended he could eat nothing, unless his Sister Tamar dress'd it. But somewhat about Sacramental Confessions hangs yet in my Teeth; and I shall not speak it, but spit it out. It is so reasonable, that I bespeak you not to be offended. He that takes it ill, it is at his own adventure. Salus populi suprema Lex esto: We must first look to common safety. And they that think to build upon the Ruines of it, will find a false Foundation, I hope. Court us not suffer Confessors to creep into Corners among us. For they profess they will not discover Treason plotted against the King and Kingdom, if it be disclosed under that Privy Seal. Nay, it hath appeared by Examinations, by Witnesses, by Letter under their own Hands, by all sorts of Proofs, that they did not reveal it, when they knew the fatal Hour was at Hand, to blow up our Sovereign, the Prince his Heir, and the whole Flower of the Realm with that Infernal Powder-Plot. Not reveal it, said I? Yes more, it was hatch'd in their Brain, and confirm'd with their Bles­sing. If Clanculary Confession was cast out of the Church of Constantinople for one Mans Lust; What just cause have we to gagg it for forty Mens Treason? I would have him hang'd for his Wit, that should invent a way to discharge a Pi­stol, that might give no Report. Now let me forfeit my Credit, if wise Men will not say, That Conspiracies buzzed into the Ear, and imposed never to be detected, upon the deepest Obligations of Faith, Church-Love, Merit, &c. are far more dange­rous than Powder and Shot, that kill and crack not. Would you in good earnest have us Repeal our Laws of Correction against such dangerous Flambeaux? Were not that to break down our Walls, and to let in the fatal Horse with his Belly­full of Enemies? If they plead that there is no such danger in them now; Let them tell it to deaf Men. We know, and can demonstrate, that the most of Contrivances against our State have been whetted upon the Grind-stone of Con­fession. Our Sages that made the Laws to blow away the Locusts into their own Red-Sea, have given us a taste of their Malice in the Preface of the Statute Eliz. 27. That they came into the Land to work the Ruine, Desolation and Destruction of the whole Realm. Therefore marvel not if some have lost their Lives, that have tempted the Rigour of those Laws. Neither doth it move us, that our Fugitives thereupon have sprinkled their Calenders with new Martyrs. What if Jeroboam's Priests had pass'd their own Bounds, and come to Jerusalem, where it is likely they would have been cut off for Enemies and Rebels, should their Names have been crowded into the Catalogue of the good Prophets, that were stoned by Tyrants? Beshrew your Superiours beyond Seas, that Conjure up such Spirits, [Page 221]to come into our Circle.’ It grieves us, God knows our Hearts, to Execute our Laws upon one ot two in Seven Years for a Terror to others. But Prudence is a safer Virtue then Pity. And it is far better our Adversaries should be obnoxious to our Tribunal, then we to theirs, by the Thraldom of our Nation; which is the drift of those unnatural Emissaries. And if the Venetians, that are under the Obedience of your Church, have banish'd some of that Stamp, and irrevocably, out of their Territories: Nay, if your selves in France did sometimes Expel the same Faction, accept it favorably from us, who will never be under that Obedi­ence, if we Banish all.

227. ‘Hold out your Great Courtesie my Lord, to a few Words more. The Answering of an Objection or two will not stay you long. And before I con­clude I will deal you a good Game to make your Lordship a Saver, if you will follow Suit. You please your self, Sir, because you ask no more Liberty for your sacrifical Priests in our Land, then the Reformed Ministers enjoy with you in France. But the Comparison doth not consist of equal Terms. The Protestants receive a benefit of some Toleration in your Realm, to stop the mischief of Ci­vil Wars, and to settle a firm Peace among your selves. It is the Reason which your Wisest and most candid Historian Thuanus doth often give, and Mounsieur Bodin before him, p. 588. Reip. Ferenda ea Religio est, quam sine interitu reip. au­ferre non potest. If you did not so, you would pull up much of your own Wheat, with that which you call Tares. But such a Toleration in this Kingdom would not only disturb Peace, but with great Probability dissolve it. In the next place you urge that such a memorable Favour might be done to gratifie the sweet Madam, our intended Princess, upon the Marriage. O my Lord you are driven by Blind Mariners upon a Rock. If this could be Granted by the King, which you contend for, and wereeffected; Sweet Lady, she would be brought in the Curses of this Nation, and would Repent the day, that she drew the Of­fence of the whole Land upon her Head. Let me say on the Husbands Part, what your Country-man Ausonius says for the Wife, Saepe in conjugiis fit noxia, si nimia est dos. If the Prince should make a Joynter to his Wife out of the Tears and Sorrows of the People, it were the worst bargain that ever he made. His Majesties Consort of Happy Memory Queen Ann, did not altogether concord with our Church. Indeed the Diversity between us, and the Lutherans, among whom she was bred, is as little as between Scarlet and Crimson: The Colours are almost of the same Dip. But she carried it so prudently, that she gave no notice of any dissention: Neither ever did demand to have a Chaplain about her of the Lutheran Ordination. This were a Precedent for the most Illustrious Madam to follow, rather to procure the love of the generality, then of a few Male-contents; from whom you your self, my Lord, will have Cause to draw off, when I tell you all. They deal not with your Lordship sincerely. They thrust your whole hand into the Fire, and will not touch a Coal with one of their own Fingers. They that incite, and stir these Motions behind the Cur­tain, dare not upon pain of their Lives ask it in Parliament, where they know the Power Rests, and no where beside to ratifie the Grant. And when they Solicite your Lordship to obtain these indulgences for them in the Court, they know you beat the wrong Bush. Upon my Faith the Bird is not there.’

‘Perchance my Lord, you think I have pinch'd you all this while with a streit Boot, which you can neither get on, nor off. Your Lordship shall not depart from me with little Ease, if Truth and plain dealing will purchase me to be called your Friend. None can Repeal our Laws but his Majesty, with the Votes of the three Estates, as you term them, the Lords Spiritual, and Temporal, and the people. And to dispense with the Execution of a Law absolutely, and unrestreinedly, is as much as to Repeal it; which if the King should assay, it were null in Law, and in Revenge of it in the next Parliament, it would be fa­ster bound, and perchance the Rigour of it increased. But Favour and Mer­cy may be shewn, Praeter sententiam legis, in some exempted Cases, and to some particular persons. Clemency against the Capital Sentence of the Laws is the Kings Prerogative; the Life of his Subject when it is forfeit to him, he may choose whether he will take the forfeiture. Every Varlet, says Seneca, may kill a Citizen against the Law; but then he turns to the Emperor, Servare nemo praeter [Page 222]te, &c. None but the Supreme Majesty can save a Life against the Law. Work upon that my Lord; and it were a good days work to extract advantage out of it. But wherein lies the way? You shall have better Heads then mine to help you, if you please to be directed by me. None can furnish you with the right Art of it, but some of our sage Counsellors of our Common Laws. I wish you therefore my Lord to proceed with the special knowledg of the Roman Catho­licks that stir most in this Project. Let them cull out some of the Learnedest Practisers together. Let the King's Attorney General make one, for my sake: For the rest let your Clients pick out as they like. An hundred Crowns among them, that is, a Fee of five pounds a Man, will not be ill bestowed upon them. Let them lay their Heads together. And I will lose all I am worth, if you do not thank me for having referred you to those, who will fetch out by their Skill so much to be Granted, that you will never be put to Contestation hereafter, that you ob­tain'd much of the King, and are never the nearer. The Courtiers with whom alone you have had to do to this time, have Complemented with your Lord­ship. So could I do likewise; give you Large concessions in Words and in Wax; but in effect nothing. Like Galley Pots Entitled with the Name of Cordials, but have Cob-Webs in them, and no more. My Lord, all that I have to say is no more but this, will you be lead by me? or will you wander still?’ Sir, says the Embassador, Use me honestly. I am a Stranger, and while I am in England, I will surrender up self to your Directions. Nay, I will possess our Virtuous, and Illustri­ous Madam, that you are a clear dealing Man, and of good Faith, and most worthy of her Trust, when she comes into a strange Land. And after a very civil Farewel at the present, Mounsieur Villoclare made use of those Instructions; For though he Climbed not so High as he looked, yet he Climbed better; for he stood sure, where he could not fall.

228. Which Papers came to the King, with more satisfaction, as he was pleas'd to say, then he could have expected. Not any Line of Wisdom or Learning could be lost to him, who saw as far, and as soon as any Man, into the Intelle­ctuals of another. For, as the Lord Bacon wrote, his Majesty had a light of Na­ture, which had such readiness to take Flame, and blaze from the least occasion presented, on the least spark of anothers knowledg deliver'd, as was to be admir'd. And this was the last present in that kind, that the Lord Keeper sent to the King; who finding some indisposition of Health, retired for fresh Air and quietness to his Mannor of Theobalds, VVhere Jacob gather'd up his Feet into the Bed, and yielded up the Ghost, Gen. 49.33. The Lord Keeper on March 22. being Tuesday, receiv'd a Letter from the Court, that it was feared his Majesties Sickness was dangerous to Death; which Fear was the more confirm'd, for he, dispatching away in all haste, met with Dr. Harvey in the Road, who told him, That the King us'd to have a Beneficial Evacuation of Nature, a sweating in his left Arm, as helpful to him as any Fontinel could be; which of late had failed. And that argued, that the former Vigour of Nature was low, and spent. This Symptome of the Kings Weakness I never heard from any else. Yet I believe it upon so learned a Do­ctors Observation. And this might well cause a Tertian Ague, and a Mortal, when the Spring had Entred so far, able to make a commotion in the Humours of the Body, and not to expel them, with accustom'd vaporation. After the L. Keeper had presented himself before his Lord the King, he moved him unto chearful Discourse, but it would not be: He continued til Midnight at his Bed­side, and perceiv'd no Comfort; but was out of all Comfort upon the consulta­tion that the Physicians held together in the Morning. Presently he besought the Prince, that he might acquaint his Father with his Feeble Estate, and like a faith­ful Chaplain mind him both of his Mortality, and Immortality; which was al­lowed and committed to him, as the principal Instrument of that Holy and neces­sary Service. So he went into the Chamber of the King again upon that Com­mission, and Kneeling at his Palat, told his Majesty, ‘He knew he should nei­ther Displease him, nor discourage him, if he brought Isaiahs Message to Heze­kiah, to set his House in Order; for he thought his Days to come would be but few in this World, but the best remained for the next World.’ I am satisfied, says the Sick King; and I pray you assist me to make me ready to go away hence to Christ, whose Mercies I call for, and I hope to find them. After this the Keeper, now of his Majesties Soul, kept about him with as much Diligence, as a Body of Flesh could endure. He was ever at hand; helpful not only in Sacred, but in every kind of Duty; never from that time put off his Cloaths to go to Bed, till his Ma­ster had put off his Tabernacle, which appear'd in his Looks on Sunday Night, [Page 223]when he return'd to VVestminster; employed himself Night and Day, unless the Physicians did compose his Majesty to rest, in Praying, in Reading, most of all in Discoursing about Repentance, Faith, Remission of Sins, Resurrection, and Eternal Life. To which the King made Answer, sometimes in Latin, always with Patience, and full of Heavenly Seasoning; which Hallowed Works were performed between them on VVednesday, as a Preparation to the Passover on Thursday, the Fortifying of his Majesties Soul against the Terrors of Death, with the lively Remembrance of Christ's Death and Passion in the Holy Communion. At which the King made most humble Consession of his Sins, craved Absolution, rendred the Confession of his Faith before many Witnesses, Profess'd he Died in the Bosom of the Church of England, whose Doctrine he had defended with his Pen, being perswaded it was according to the mind of Christ, as he should shortly Answer it before him.

229. All this while God did lend him such Strength, to utter himself how well he Relish'd that Sacred Banquet of Christ's Body and Blood, and how comforta­bly the Joy of the Holy Ghost did flow into his Soul, as if he had been in a way of Recovery. And his mournful Servants that saw and heard it, rejoyced greatly, that unto that time Sickness did not compress his Understanding, nor slop his Speech, nor Debilitate his Senses, and submitted more willingly to God to have their Master taken from their Head, because they believed the Lord was ready to receive him into Glory. The next day his Soul began to Retreat more inward, and so by degrees to take less and less Notice of external things. His Custos An­gelus, as I may call him, his Devoted Chaplain stirr'd very little out of the Cham­ber of Sorrow, both to give an Far to every Word the King spake in that extream condition, and to give it him again with the Use of some Divine Meditation; as also to Repulse those who crept much about the Chamber Door (he was sure for no good) Nay, and into the Chamber. They were of the most addicted to the Church of Rome, whom he controuled for their Sawciness, and commanded them as a Privy Counsellor further off. Impostors, that are accustom'd to bestow Ru­brick Lies upon the best Saints of God, and whom they cannot pervert living, to challenge for theirs when they are Dead. So, being rid of these Locusts, he was continually in Prayer, while the King linger'd on, and at last shut his Eyes with his own Hand, when his Soul departed. Whatsoever belong'd to Church Offi­ces about the Royal Exequies fell to his part afterward. He perform'd the Or­der of Burial, when the Body was reposed in the Vault of King Henry the Se­venths Chappel, appointed only for that famous King's Posterity, and their Con­forts. He Preach'd the Sermon at the Magnificent Funeral, out of the 2 Chron. c. 9. v. 29.30. and part of the 31. Now the rest of the Acts of Solomon First and Last are they not written in the Rock of Nathan the Prophet, and in the Prophesie of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the Visions of Iddo the Seer against Jeroboam the Son of Nebat? And Solomon Reigned in Jerusalem over Israel Fourty Years. And Solo­mon slept with his Fathers and was Buried in the City of David his Father; and no further. Out of which Text he fetch'd two Solomons, and Match'd them well to­gether. And I conceive he never Studied any thing with more care, to deliver his mind apud honores, exactly to the Truth, and Honour of the King. He en­quired after the Sermon which Bishop Fisher made at the Funeral of King Henry the Seventh, and procur'd it; likewise for the Oration which Cardinal Peron made for King Henry the Fourth of France, and had it by the means of Dr. Peter Moulin the Father. These he laid before him to work by, and no common Pat­terns. 'Tis useless to Blazon this Sermon in the Quarters; take it altogether, and I know not who could mend it. It is in the Libraries of Scholars that are able to judg of it. And such as Read it shall wrong King Charles his Son, if they conceive any Passage Reflects upon him, because Eloquence in the Body of the Sermon, and in the Margent is commended in King James, and Extoll'd to be very useful in Government. Doth this derogate from the Honour of the Suc­ceslor. ‘ Chrisippus non dicet idem, nec mite Thaletis ingenium. Juvenal. Sat.’ For King Charles might be allowed for an Elegant Speaker, and choice in his matter, if he had not stood so near to his Fathers Example.

230. To whose Memory I stand so near, having been carried on to Record his Happy Departure, that I am prest in Conscience to do some right to his Worthi­ness. He was a King in his Cradle,

As he was born almost with a Scepter in his Hand, so he had studied long to use it; which made him much contest to keep Regal Majesty inte­merated; which was as good for us, as for him. Summum dominium est Spiri­tus vitalis, quem tot millia Civium trahunt, says Grotius out of Seneca. de Ju. B. & P. l. 2. c. 9. con. 3. Which will Expound that Phrase in the Book of Lamen­tations, That Josiah is call'd the Breath of the Jews Nostrils. Some thought that the good King studied to Enthral the people; far from his mind God wot. But his speculation was, that Northern Nations love not a Yoke upon their Necks, and are prone to Anarchy; that they will ruin themselves, if they be not held down to a good temper of Obedience; and that, by too much Liberty, Liberty it self will Perish. It is is an Excellent Speech which Artabanus makes to Themistocles in Plutarch. We hear of you Greeks [...], that you love Liberty and Parity; but among many good Laws, this is the Chief in Per­sia, [...], &c. To Honour our King, and to Worship him as the Image of God. And I trow the Persian Monarchs have last­ed longer then the Burgo-Masters of Greece? The Grast will have no Cause to Repent, that it is bound close to the Stock, it will grow the better. But as King James did rather talk much of free Monarchy, then execute it: So no people did ever live more prosperously then we did under him, and he made no ostentation of it. If all were not turn'd upside downward of late, I might declame out of the Paneg. to Constantine, Quis, non dico reminiscitur, sed quis non adhuc quodam mo­dò videt, quantis ille rebus auxerit, ornarit (que) rempub.? To what an immense Riches in his time did the Merchandize of England rise to above former Ages? What Buildings? What Sumptuousness? What Feastings? What gorgeous Attire? What Massy Plate, and Jewels? What Prodigal Marriage Portions were grown in fashion among the Nobility and Gentry, as if the Skies had Rained Plenty? The Courts of Laws Civil and Common never had such practise, nor the Offices belonging to them such Receipts upon their Books. The Schools in the Univer­sities, and the Pulpits, with Wits of all Arts and Faculties, never flourish'd so be­fore over all the Land. Let Zion and the Clergy be joyful in the Remembrance of their King. God bestowed with him upon the Land the Gift which Homer says Jupiter promised to Ulysses his Reign in I [...]haca, [...], Odyss. a. Enough of Wealth and Peace. And they that suck at those two Breasts, and are forward, they know not what is good for them, and are insensible of a Benefit. Let them keep silence with shame enough, that Ball aloud, we were corrupted by them; whose Fault was that? Therefore God hath taken them away from us, and will give them to a people that will use them better. Ne (que) jugi pace, aut lon­go otio absoluta ingenia corrumpis, says Capitol. of M. Antonius. A Soul of good Metal will never Rust in the Scabbard of Peace. O with what mony would we be content to buy so many years of Peace again, now Wars have trodden us under foot like Dirt? If there be a Milky Circle upon Earth, a Condensation of many comfortable and propitious stars, it is Peace; which this Peace-maker preserv'd at home, and pursued it for his contemporary Potentates abroad; till his Son-in-Law made an Attempt upon Bohemia, unfortunate to himself, and to all Christi­andom. But what says Ar. Wil. to this p. 160. ‘His maintaining of Peace, how­soever the World did believe it was out of a Religious Ground, yet it was no o­ther but a Cowardly disposition, that durst not adventure.’ Like as when L. Opi­mius had supprest C. Gracchus, with the rascal Rabble that follow'd him, and Opi­mius having pacified the uproar Dedicated a Temple to Concord. The Sediti­ous flouted it with this Verse,

‘ Opus vaecordiae Templum concordiae facit.’ So if such a Monument had been Raised by this King, the Temple of Peace and Unity had been with the Malicious the Temple of Sloth and Vanity. 'Tis a Buff Coat Objection, that his Majesty consum'd as much in Embassies to settle diffe­rences by accord, and did no good, as would have maintain'd a Noble War, and made him sure of his Demands. Nay, hold Sirs, assurance is only in the Power of God; And the Die of VVar, says the Proverb, casts an uncertain Chance. How­soever, [Page 225]was it not more Christian to buy a Childs Portion with Mony, then with Blood? Gallantry hath made Embassages very chargeable; but they devour not like War. I shall make some Smile to tell them, that Aeschines accus'd Demosthe­nes for putting the Common-Wealth to the Expence of two Servants to carry his Sumpter, when he went Embassador. And in the time of C. Gracchus, lately spoken of, the Romans says Plutarch, allowed Nine Obols, or Fifteen Pence a day to him that was sent Abroad upon a publick Treaty. A Parsimony as bad as our Prodigality. But attend to the Opinion of our King Harry the Eighth, as I take it from Lord Cherbury's History, Pag. 171. The Maintaining of a sure Peace at Home, was almost as costly as to make War Abroad. Yet he had rather spend his own Treasure that way, than to expose his People to Slaughter, and to Miseries, that are worse than Slaughter.

231. But our King James did not weigh which was cheapest or dearest, Peace or War; but which was more answerable to times of Grace, and the Aeconomy of the Gospel. For Thrist and Saving, he could never be brought to think of them. I have heard, that he never loved a Servant till he had given him enough for a Livelihood; and suspected those that were modest, and did not ask, as if they loved not him. It might rightly be said of his Exchequer, what Salmasius notes upon Lampridius Diadumenns, Praefectus aerarii comes largitionum vocatur; quasi ad nullam aliam rem princeps aerarium haberet, quàm ad largiendum. The chief Trea­surer was called the Count of Largess, as if the Prince's Revenue served only for Bounty and Largess. But as wise Spotswood says upon Malcolm the Second. Ne­cessity is the Companion of immoderate Largition, and forceth to unlawful Shifts. Therefore it is better for a Prince to proportion Gists to his own Revenews, than to the Expectation of publick Supplies. Thus far King James may be magnified, he spent to please his Mind in gratifying and obliging many, not to please his Body. His Cloaths were thristy, and of better Example than his Courtiers would follow. He was temperate in his Diet, says Sir An. W. and to be believed, because in every thing almost he is an affected Defamer; but this he knew well, for he was Clerk of the Kitchin, and waited at the Table. Where, as an eye Witness, he adds, that he was temperate also in his Drinking, drinking often, but very of­ten not above one or two Spoonfuls at once, which Strangers observing, and not knowing the small quantity he sip'd, carried away an Error with them, which grew into a false Fame: But I never spake with that Man that saw him overtaken. Take him for a Scholar, and he had gathered Knowledge to astonishment; and was so expert to use it, that had he been born in a private Fortune, he might have deserved to be a Bishop of the highest Promotion. Let the Learnedest of the Nobility, the Lord Bacon, speak for the Learnedest of Monarchs. There hath not been since Christ's Time, any King, which hath been so Learned in all Lite­rature and Erudition, Divine and Humane. And let him win and wear that in Auson, Paneg. which cannot be denied him, Quid aliud es quàm ex omni bonarum artium ingenio collecta perfectio? Piety is the Basis of all Vertue, and the Basis of Piety in corrupted Nature, is rather Repentance than Innocency. When this King called to mind in his Retiring-Chamber, or in his Bed, that he had been that Day overtaken with Passion, As he that offends not in Word, the same is a per-Man, Jam. 3.2. he used to send for Bishop Montague, the only Prelate that ever was sworn of his Bed-Chamber, or for Dr. Young, the Dean of Winton, whom he would exhort to Pray with him for the Forgiveness of his Sins. He was infinitely given to Prayer, says Sir Ant. W. but more out of Fear than Conscience. That's Satan's Gloss upon a good Text. What Fear should move him to Prayer, but that which is the beginning of Wisdom? Few dye Saints, that live Libertines. God would not have impowered him to express such good Effects of Religion, at his parting out of this Life, if he had not been his faithful Servant in his Life be­fore. To trumpet these, and many more Triumphs of Praise, Fame, will wake for him, now he is faln asleep. And the more Ages to come that will stu­dy him, the more they will renown him. I have read it quoted out of Galen, that the Surentine Wine is never mellow for the Taste till it be seventy years old; and because few will keep it so long, the Goodness is little known. So the lon­ger the World keeps this King's Memory, it will be the sweeter. Perhaps it is yet harsh to some malevolous and unthankful.

232. It is the Virulency of wrathful Writers, that the Dead, that should be spared, are most traduced by them. They cannot bite again, when they are bitten; as Budaeus said of Portius, Lib. 5. de Asse. Fol. 169. That Portius would not write against him while he was living: Placabiliùs homo peritus actum iri meis cum [Page 226]manibus a sese, quàm mecum intelligebar. And the miserable Condition of Kings deceased is above others, especially if their Posterity be not in a Condition to do them right, they are most like to be wounded in their Honour by all those (who must be many) that have been offended in their own Persons and Suits; or in the Injuries, as they interpret them, of their Friends and Relations. Especially it is to be deplored, and defied, that some are so touchy upon the nicest Points of Religion, that they will not spare the Good Name, no, not of the Lord's A­nointed, if he have distasted them with Opposition of Opinions, if he not dog­matize with them in all abstruse and intricate Problems of almost unsearchable Truths. For which, they that sue their Adversaries hotly, and, as it were, go to Law for every Quirk and knotty Point, are no better than common Barretters in Divinity. This was King James's hard Fortune, to be blotted with the Inks of Parsons, Schioppius, Scribanius, furious Papists, and as many more of them as would sill Justice-Hall in New-gate: by the Precise, that were alienated from the Ceremonies and Discipline of the well framed Protestant Church; as Wdden, Wilson, Payton, and a Sanhedrim of Scots, that contended against the Articles of Perth; and (which I did not look for) by one (and no more I hope) devoted to those Corollaries of Theology, which in this last Age are named from the Bel­gick Doctor Arminius. It is the Observator on H. L. If King James had not stopt the Current of those Opinions, especially, as he says, P. 23. in his Declara­tion against Vorstius: Or, if for Reasons of State, he had not joyned himself to his dear Confederate, Maurice Prince of Orange, to call the Synod of Dort, to suppress a Party under the Countenance and Command of Jo. Olden Barnev [...], by him used to undermine the Power of Maurice; I doubt not but he had scap'd free from the Observator's Censure. But since he was vigilant to attend the Af­fairs of the Protestant Churches in all their Harbors, and looked circumspectly to quell Commotions in the Netherlands, he must by no means pass for Great-Britain's Solomon; nay, it is no hard matter to prove, that he was over-witted, and made use of to other Mens ends, by almost all that undertook him. This is too large a Field to run over; but many wise Princes have been abused in some Treaties; as Queen Elizabeth at St. Quintins, about the Restoring of Calis in 88, by the dodges of the Prince of Parma; and over and over by King Henry the Fourth of France. So was this King foiled at Madrid, about the Marriage of his Son, upon which his Chief Plots did depend, by the Cro [...]ness of his own Ministers. I have heard some observe, like this Censurer, that his Wisdom wanted Pertinacy and Severi­ty, which proceeded from the Gentleness of his Nature, not apt to keep others in so hard, as he should. In this Kingdom, I am sure his greatest, and most dange­rous contriving Enemies found his Wisdom, that maugre all Devices to oppose his Title, he took the Crown of England so quietly, and enjoyed it so peaceably, that it was the Amazement of all Princes. Ireland found his Wisdom, so admirably civiliz'd, so enriched with Trade by the Plantation at London-Derry, so furnished with true Religion, and excellent Learning, and Means to nourish it; so quiet from Rebellion in all his Days, that whoso doth not praise it, must be stupid, or envy it. Scotland found his Wisdom, whose Borders he scoured from Thieves, whose Fewds he reconciled, whose Ecclesiastical Government he setled, whose Mouths (a small few excepted) he kept from Murmering, and whose Swords he kept sheathed, so ready to be drawn upon every Alarum; that those Days were Halcyonian Days from Tweed to the Orcades. But for England, says the Observator, he neglected the Affairs of State, and Care of Government, to hunt after Pleasures, deserting the Imperial City, to sport himself at Roiston and Now­market, and such obscure Places, which were to him as the Isle of Capreae was to Tibarius Caesar. What! the Isle of Capreae, where Tiberius practised his odious Lasts not to be named, which the well-moralized Romans did abhor? Hac v [...]rò ni P. Clodius dixit unquam. Cic. Phil. 2. The Devil and the Jesuits durst not say so, the most venemous Scorpion did never touch him with that Sting. And did ever any Christian in the first Ages of the Church, when their Blood was shed like Water on every side? did ever any of them stigmatize the most loathsome-liv'd Emperor and Tyrant with such Words? Never. And let the great Annalist be heard. Baron. an. 75. com. 4. Nunquam, in tot acerbissimis ab Imperatoribus illatis in Christianos persecutionibus, quem piam illorum ob diccitatem conventum esse judicio, quis poterit invenire. I will give this Complaint over, though it deserves a long In­vective; for I treat of a most merciful King, who was most remissive of Wrongs, no Spiller of Blood, but of Beasts in Hunting, that never shewed himself unsavo­ry with the Froward, 2 Sam. 22.27. Nec quicquam est gloriosius Principe impune Les [...], Senec. lib. 1. [...].

[Page 227] 233. It is said, but mistaken, that Government was neglected at those Hunting-Houses; and by the way, Why are they called obscure Places? Royston and Newmarket, petty if compared with London; but they are Market-Towns, and great Thorow-Fares; where the Court was so frequented, both for Business and Recreations, that many of the Followers could not find a Lodging in that Town, nor scarce in the Villages round about it. I held Acquaintance with some that at­tended the Principal Secretaries there, who protest they were held to it closer, and sate up later in those Retirements, to make Dispatches, than at London. The King went not out with his Hounds above three Days in the Week, and Hunting was soon over. Much of the time his Majesty spent in State Contrivances, and at his Book. I have stood by his Table often, when I was about the Age of Two and twenty Years, and from thence forward, and have heard learned Pieces read before him at his Dinners, which I thought strange; but a Chaplain of James Mantague, Bishop of Winton, told me, that the Bishop had read over unto him the four Tomes of Cardinal Bellarmine's Controversies at those Respites, when his Majesty took fresh Air, and weighed the Objections and Answers of that sub­tle Author, and sent often to the Libraries in Cambridge for Books, to examine his Quotations. Surely then, whatsoever any Caper witted Man may observe, neither was the King's Chastity stained, nor his Wisdom lull'd asleep, nor his Care of Government slackned, by Lodging in those Courts remote from London, where he was freer from Disturbances. But as I [...]ocrates said of Evagoras, [...], He had the Dexterity to purchase less Labour with much Ease, and to shift the Toil of a King sometimes into the Pleasure of a Scho­lars Studies. Neither would I have had the Observator tax him, that he ict loose the golden Reins of Discipline, held by his Predecessors with so strict a Hand, and opened the first Gap unto these Consusions, and what Discipline King James is charged to slacken, the Observator best knows his own Meaning. I am no Phormio, to teach Hannibal how to Govern. But to draw our fatal Confusions from the Prosperity enjoyed by his Mildness and Peace, must be stretch'd out of long spun Deductions; like that in Tully, Wo to the Mountain Ida, where the Trees grew, whose Timber made the Ships, that carried Paris to Rape Helen, which stir'd up the Greeks to revenge it, and to Sack Troy. Or thus: Wae be to Joseph, that sent for his Father and Brethren, and planted them in Aegypt, in a fat Soil, where their Stock increased, whose Increase was dreaded; which caused the Male Children to be drowned, and the Israelites to be oppressed by Pharaoh's Task-Masters. This was visible before our Eyes, the precious Things of Heaven, and the precious Things of the Earth, and the Fulness of the Earth abounded in his Reign, and many years after, by the Good-will of him that dwelt in the Bush. All that hath fallen out since, is from the Hand of the Lord, upon a People, the most Unthankful, and the most Guilty of their own Ruine, that ever was heard of in any History. And now let a Man of more Authority, Judgment and Experience than the Observator, speak upon the Wisdom of my Lord the King. It is the most Reverend Spots­wood in his last Page. ‘He was the Solomon of his Age, admired for his wise Go­vernment, and for his Knowledge of all manner of Learning, for his Wisdom, Moderation, Love of Justice, for his Patience and Piety (which shined above all his other Vertues, and is witnessed in his Learned Works he left to Posterity) his Name shall never be forgotten, but remain in Honour so long as the World indureth.’ We that have had the Honour and Happiness many times to hear him discourse of the most weighty Matters, as well of Policy as of Divinity; now that he is gone, must comfort our selves with the Remembrance of those Excellen­cies, and reckon it not the least Part of our Happiness, to have lived in his Days. It is well that King James passeth for a Solomon with that Holy Bishop, and wise Counsellor. Now that I may decline an over-weening Opinion of any mortal Man, Nazianzen minds me very well, Orat. in laud. Athenas. that among God's Worthies, he commends [...], Solomon in some things, not in all. No Man ruled the least Principality so well, much less three Kingdoms, with Isles adjacent, and remote; but the Modest and Impartial might have required some­what to be amended in the Administration, for it is true what Pliny says in his Paneg. Nemo extitit, cujus virtutes nullo vitiorum confinio laeder [...]mur. If small Motes be discerned by piercing Eyes, yet such Minutes are easily covered over with egregious and heroical Vertues. And the hard Heart of Sir An. W. softned into this Confession at last. Take him all together, and not in pieces, such a King, I wish this Kingdom have never any worse, on the Condition not any better.

[Page 228] 234. I have borrowed thus much Room to set up a little Obelisk for King James, out of that which is only intended to the Memorials of his Lord Keeper; which Servant of that King's ( [...]) if he had any Sense of it, would be willing to lend that, and more to his good Master: With whose Death, the Day of the Ser­vant's Prosperity shut up, and a Night of long and troublesome Adversity followed. Which if I can compass in my Old Age, and decay'd Health, to bring into a Frame, for the Reader to behold, he may say as Socrates did of Antisthenes in La­ertius, [...], that two Athenians would not make up one so Noble as Antisthenes. And two Men would never have discharg­ed those two Parts so well, as this one Man performed them. Which Represen­tation may meet with some, perchance, that will not be favourable to it; whom I wish to take heed of the Character which Theophrastus gives of an impure Man, [...]. I will lengthen it thus, he acts his own Part ill, that Hisseth at him that deserves to be applauded.

A MEMORIAL Offer'd to the Great Deservings OF JOHN WILLIAMS, D.D. Who sometimes Held the Places of the LORD-KEEPER of the GREAT-SEAL of England, &c.
PART II.

CAmerarius Writing the Life of Melanchthon, Paragraph 1. the Darling of the Champions of the Reformed Religion, divided his Work into two Parts, and gave no reason for it, but because he would make his Web of a new piece, after the Death of Luther. It is the Pattern which I set be­fore me, to make a new Exordium, as he did, upon the Subject which I handle, after the Death of King James. Especially since I must take his Shadow, whom my Pens draws forth, no more by a Noon-tide Light, but by an Evening de­clension. Manilias. His Prosperity, or shall I say his Honours, and Court-Favours, were now in their Tropick, Cum lucem vincere noctes incipiunt. But Vertue is not For­tune's Servant. He rose with great Light: and he set with as great Brightness as he rose. And as Paterculus writes of Mithridates I may refer it to him, Ali [...]uando fortunâ, semper animo maximus; He was once high in Fortune: but always strong in Courage, and great in Worth. 'Tis common to see a Stock ingrafted with two forts of Fruits. The Almighty Planter shews greater differences, when he pleaseth, in Moral, than in Natural Plantations. As he ordain'd the Noble Williams to become two contrary Parts, as well as any Man had perform'd them in five Ages before him, keeping the golden Mean in the Tryals of the Right­hand, and of the Lest, being neither corrupted with the Advancements, nor the Persecutions of the Times: As Paul and Barnabas were neither transported with the Honours which the Lycaonians did intend, nor deterr'd with the Stones which they cast at them, Acts 14. But the latter is most to be remarked. For if this Lord-keeper had not drest himself with Vertue, when he was clad in Honour: nor rendred a sweet Air in every Close, when the Diapason of Peace, Wealth, and the King's Love were all in tune, he had abus'd Fortune, which had given him his pay in hand. Nec tam meruit gloriam, quàm effugit flagitium; as Pliny hath it: But to stand upright, when he was dismounted: to cross his Crosses with Generosity and Patience: to pass through a hot Furnace of Afflicti­ons, which was heated with all kind of Malice, and no smell of Fire to remain upon him, Dan. 3. v. 27. this deserves to be Canonized, and will keep green [Page 4]in the Memory of more Ages than one. From the Forty third Year of his Life to the full term of his Sixty eighth Year, trouble upon trouble, mischief af­ter mischief had him in chase; and yet the Huntsmen, those Salvaggi could never blow the Death of this well-breath'd Hart. Fifteen Years the pursuit came from them, that made use of the Frown of the King. When they were a fault (But when were they otherwise?) One Woe was past, but there came two Woes (or rather a thousand) after it, Apoc. 9.12. [...], the Parliament of Destruction, or of absolute Reprobation, Sine praeviso peccato, which spared none, supprest him, opprest him, and he was under that Sufferance ten Years. Was not the Ship well built? Were not the Ribs of it heart of Oak, which en­dured a Storm of twenty five Years? and in that long time never enjoy'd a calm Sea? He was made for such a Tryal; which was sanctified by Gospel-Promises, giving unto just Men assurance of vigour to endure them. Every one pittieth him­self: everyone covets Ease, and Prosperity: which is more Childish than Manly. And a Design that is commonly mistaken. Adversity, out of doubt, is best for us all, because we would not carve it out to our selves, but God chooseth it for us: and he chooseth better for us, than we can for ourselves. By his Providence some Mens Sorrows are greater than others: and few had a deeper Cup to drink than this Prelate. But every Man's Calamity is fittest for himself: trust the Di­vine appointment for that. And if all Adversities of several Men were laid in seve­ral heaps, a wise Man would take up his own, and carry them home upon his Shoulders. H [...]rmolaus Barbarus in an Epistle to Maximilian, King of the Romans, Polit. Epis. p. 447. distinguisheth between Happiness and Greatness: Secundae res felicem, Magnum faciunt adversae. But if he, that is beset round with distresses, bear them to the Estimation of good Men to appear great in them, then is he happy, as well as great. Which is to be demonstrated in the Subject that I write of, as followeth.