87. But it was truly noted in him by a great Counsellor in the Star-chamber, when Pickering was there cenfured for libelling against him after his death, That there was nothing more to be feared in his government (efpecially toward his latter time) than his mildness and clemency. And he faid that which was moft true; for did he not, after that Udall and others were condemned unto death, draw upon him the diflike of his dear and honourable Friend *, in making earneft Suit, and never ceased until he had obtained pardon for them at her Majesty's hands? And, befides the difmiffion of Mafter Cartwright and his Conforts out of the Star chamber, did not divers Gentlemen of fpecial note, find the like favour there, by his Interceffion, and were eafed both of Fine and Punishment for entertaining the Preffes and Printers before-mentioned? The very truth is, I cannot fufficiently exprefs his fingular Wif dom, and Clemency, albeit fome Younger Spirits were of opinion, that he was much to blame in that kind, and imputed it unto his Years, and want of Courage, and fometimes would be bold to tell him, that he knew knew not his own ftrength with her Majesty. 88. But he knew the Court well her moderate and that Queen Elizabeth was the wifeft The wisdom of Governor of any Prince then living; the Queen in and that she had always entreated her Government. Subjects graciously, and ruled with all mildness, and moderation, and that she brought her Subjects oftentimes rather by gentle means to yield unto her just and profitable Demands, than enforce them thereunto by Rigour and Authority; which peradventure fhe would have used, confidering her abfolute Sovereignty, and great Occafions, had fhe not found out of her fingular Wif dom, and long Experience in Government, that he was the more observed and reverenced of her People, by intermingling and tempering her Authority and Sovereignty with Mildness and Lenity. And this her Highness's Example The Archbishop the Archbishop followed; agreeable to follows her Exthat which was faid of Pericles, That he ample. Plutarch, in would fteer and govern the Commonwealth wit. with two principal Rudders, Fear, and Hope; bridling with the one the fierce and infolent rafhness of the common People, when they were in profperity, and in their jollity; and reviving and comforting with the the other their difcontented Spirits, by giving way for the time, unto their Humour and Paffion. And happy furely was it for that crafy ftate of the Church (for so it was at this Archbishop's firft coming, and a long time after) not to meet with too rough and boisterous a Physician; for he preferved it with Conferves, and Ele&tuaries, and fome gentle Purges, which with ftrong Purgations in all likelihood might have been much more endangered; fo that it may be very well verified of him, which Ennius wrote of Fabius Maximus. Ennius To- Unus homo nobis cunctando reftituit rem; rent. Annal. Ergo poftq; magisq; viri nunc gloria claret. lib. I. 89. As you may perceive his Clemency towards the irregular fort, so, towards the Conformable he was carried with an exceeding tender respect and kindness. He loved a learned Minifter, vertuous and honeft, with all his heart; framing himself unto that Rule Ariftot. Polit. of Ariftotle, which directeth a good Magiftrate to be as careful in encouraging good men, according to their merits; as in pu nifbing the bad, according to the quality of their offences. If he found a Scholar of lib. 1. and encoura extraordinary Gifts, or Hopes, that out The Archbishop of wants, grew difcontented, and encli- a great lover ned to Popery, or Puritanifm (as most ger of Learned of their discontentments and wayward- and Virtuous nefs proceeded thence) him would he Clergy. gain both with fupplies of Money out of his Purfe, and Preferments of his own gift, or other wife, as opportunity ferved. 90. Now as our own Countrymen of all forts had daily tafte of the kind difpofition of this our Archbishop, fo was it not wanting unto fundry Men of Learn was bountiful ing, and Quality, of Foreign Countries, to Foreigners whom he entertained both with his of Learning and Quality, Love, and his Bounty. He fent fundry times much Mony to Mafter Beza out of his own Purse, befides the general Collections and Contributions to Geneva, which he alfo greatly furthered. Upon which occafion many Letters paffed betwixt them, efpecially towards his latter time. In fome of which Let March 8. ters Master Beza confeffeth, That in his Theod. Beza Writings, touching the Church-govern. his Letters to ment, be ever impugned the Romish Hie the Archbishop, rarchy, but never intended to touch or 1591. impugn the Ecclefiaftical Policy of this Approving the Church of England, nor to exact of us to English frame our felves, or cur Church, to the Churche Pattern Policy of the Pattern of their Presbyterial Difcipline ; and that as long as the fubftance of DoEtrine were uniform in the Church of Christ, they may lawfully vary in other matters, as the circumftance of Time, Place, and Perfons requireth, and as prefcription of Antiquity may warrant. And to that end, he wisbeth, and hopeth, that the facred and holy College of our Bishops (for fo he calleth them) will for ever continue and maintain fuch their right and title in the Church's government, with all equity and Chriftian moderation. Yea fo far was he from denying our Church to be a Church, that often, and in most piBeza his high thy manner he confeffeth, That as Queen commendation Elizabeth was the true nurfing Mother of of the Church the Church of Chrift, fo England and our of England. English Church was both the harbour of all the godly, and the preferver of all other reformed Churches. So far was he alfo from efteeming the Archbishop an Antichriftian Prelate, as he never omitted to term him, Amoft Reverend Father in Chrift, and his mast honoured good Lord. I wish that our Difciplinarians, who feem to direct themselves by the Rule of Geneva, would learn thus to difcipline their Tongues with him, and imitate his Modefty. His great re Spect to the 91. The |