THE Way to be Rich, According to the Practice OF THE GREAT AUDLEY, Who begun with two hundred Pound, in the Year 1605, and dyed worth four hundred thousand Pound this instant November, 1662.

Rem, quocunque modo, Rem.

PSAL. 49. 13.

Yet their Posterity approve their sayings.

LONDON, Printed for E. Davis, 1662.

[Page] [Page 1] THE WAY to be RICH, According to the Practice OF THE GREAT AUDLEY.

Sect. 1. His carriage as a Servant.

THere is no way usefull for Man for profit or pleasure, but hath been by prudence and experience reduced to rules and me­thod, which have been either published to the World for the benefit of mankind in general, or reserv'd in some Mens breasts for their own advantage in particular; the great way of ordering the several parts of our lives to such advantages as may arise to a competent estate, was peculiar to this Person, whose way and practice (as far as it conduced to the gaining of that vast estate) we shall set down for publick good.

In the Mone [...]h of September 1597. being admitted Clark (to a Person that for some reasons shall be namelesse) he allowed him, besides other accommodations, six shillings a week to­wards his dyet; of this six shillings, he for a twelve Moneth together saved three and six pence thus: He usually appointed his Masters Clients to meet him at the Golden Lyon in Bell-yard in the morning, where it cost him little or nothing, and thence to his Master till Dinner time, and then with the same Clients [Page 2] he went to an Ordinary, where he would never allow himself above a groat; he would usually say of himself that since he came from his Uncle, one Williams with whom he was inured to this closenesse and partimony, he never spent a penny idely upon any occasion, but either upon his own absolute necessities, or else in such Company where he was in actual pursuit of gain and advantage; for this seemed to be a maxime with him.

1 That whosoever gave himselfe to spend his money idely should find that thereby he disorder'd the method of his affaires, he weakned the strength of his mind, he lost those happy houres and opportunities of gaining more, he disappointed those that dealt with him, so that he had better give away six pence, then spend two pence; and this likewise he laid down for a rule, that that Man was open to ruine and destruction that was given to lay out money upon any Company or any other account upon hope without a cleer insight into that emolument he might have by it, and as much assurance as can be made within humane pro­bability; and therefore he used to say that Men of a sanguine complexion, much given to hope, could never be rich, there being (as he observed) so much uncertainty in affaires, and so much deceitfulnesse in Men, that he would say, distrust or beg.

In some time (the Person we mention got by his care and good Husbandry) great credit with his Host in Fetter-lane, a very rich and thriving old Man, who admitted him to so much familiarity with him, and put so much trust in him, that he committed to him his accounts, and allowed him his dyet, with other faire advantages for his paines and care while he lived, and made him one of his Executors when he dyed; In that Will there was passed to the Executors for uses therein expressed, a certain House in Mile end Green cum pertinentijs; now one Killigrew laid claime to two Acres of Land, which these Executors reckoned among the pertinentia, but in Law Land never pushed with these words cum pertinentijs, but such things which properly may be pertaining, otherwise it had if it had been cum terris pertinentibus, then that which was used to it would have passed, but by the ba [...]e words cum pertinentijs; [Page 3] without other circumstances to declare his intent, they could never passe, Plowd. Hill et Granges Case, 23 Hen. 8. 6.

But Mr. Audley (though a young, yet an able Person) finding that Mr. Killigrew claimed this estate as Brother to the Person to whom the foresaid Testator had devised his Land, defeated him of the said messuage, because there appeared no intent to make it an estate—tayl, but a fee-simple;— and besides Mr. Killigrew's evidence for other Lands depended so much upon the evidence that the Executors had in custody concerning the other House and Lands, that for fear of loosing the whole, he was forced to par [...] with this part.

In that [...] difficulty, the Testator had Lands of forty pounds a year mortgaged to him for seven yeares for four hundred pounds, to be paid him 24 April 1609 or he to re-enter, when he dyed, Audley at that time upon failure of the payment of the money, would have entred upon the Land, but the other pleaded that he had to do only with good Chattles, but Audley said by the Will he had all mortga­ges, yes said the other all the money upon the mortgage, yes replyed Audley and the Land it self, in case the money be not paid; for it was the opinion of the Judges, Trin. primus Car. Rol. 1932. that these words all my mortgages made a good de­vise of the Lands mortgaged.

Sect. 2.

BEsides his thrift in Dyet, he was very close in Apparel; for as the fashion of those times went, he wore a Trunk Hose with Drawyers upon all occasions, with a leather Doub­let, and plate Buttons; and his special care was to buy good Cloth, Linnen and Woolen, the best being best cheap, and to keep them neat and clean, for he observed that dist and dirt did cloaths more harm then wearing; and since when his cloaths were misplaced, he would say to his servants, I weare cloaths enough, you need not weare them too; he observed that the best husbandry was to have variety of all sorts of cloaths, whereby he might have his choice for weare, and all his cloaths might be kept neat and handsome.

[Page 4] Besides what he did for his Master for dispatch and conveni­ency; his Masters Cliants allowed him several small gratuities which he thriftily improved to a considerable summe, besides that he filled up his vacant houres with forreign employments especially from the Court of the Exchequer, that in four years time he gained five hundred pounds, besides he let his weekly al­lowance of six shillings a week for three score pounds until his time should be out, which six hundred pounds, which he every way made up, he let out to an indigent Person of Quali­ty, (who must not be mentioned) for an Annuity of fourscore and sixteen pounds for 19 yeares, which Annuity was charged upon eight hundred a year, to be paid at two payments, the one upon the Feast of St. Michael then next ensuing, and the other upon our Lady day, and so from time to time until the expi­ring of the 19 yeares; the Person of Quality dyeth, and his Heire failed in the payment of the money, he (I mean Audley) had execution upon the eight hundred a year, and so for 600 l. in 19 yeares in forfeitures, and one way or other he gained four thousand pounds; aiming at the study of the Law, he resolved with himselfe to lay aside some leasure time for that purpose, the time was from ten a clock at night, to one of the clock in the morning, which was his co [...]stant hour for nine yeares toge­ther, and then from six till eight when he gave himselfe to his usual affaires, he had an excellent way of contriving his study, without any expence, (as he learned, so he taught) he con­trived the notes he gathered as he read, so that they might be usefull for publick good, and so by writing several things then seasonable but now lost, he purchased a faire Library of Law, and got money to boot, for he seldome read a book for his own advantage, but he contrived a design for his own advantage.

His Master being one of the Clarks of the Counter, he had this way of improving himself, viz. when Persons were sued, he found Bayl ready upon all occasions, and withall usually compounded for desperate Debts, and so made an extraordi­nary advantage of his Place particularly.

One William Miller a Linnen-Draper owed one Jo. White [Page 5] Merchant two hundred pound, he sueth Miller, he breakes, Aud­ley buyes off Whites two hundred pound for forty pound, and agreeth with Miller for fifty pound to be paid upon a formal contract drawn betwixt them thus, That the said Miller (if ever he were able) should pay within twenty yeares after he set up, [...]pon twenty dayes, viz. the first day of 20 Moneths after he set up; a penny doubled, viz. a penny the first day, two pence the next, and so on until the twentyeth day, and then he was discharged; this Miller having compounded with all his Creditors, sets up again and thrives; Audley within two yeares comes upon him for the Debt; he payes him a penny the 1 of October, 1608. and two pence the 1 of November, and a groat the 1 of December, and so on doubling until the first of February; and the said Miller perceiving the trick forfeited his Bond, which was five hundred pound, rather then he would pay on; for the penny doubled (within twenty dayes) would come to two thousand pound.

Another time there was a Debt made over to him of this na­ture, a Bookseller in the Countrey owed another in the City fifty pound, he breakes, but had a good estate enough to satisfy his Debts, this estate he makes over to his Brother by suffering a judgment to passe upon it; the Citizen despairing of his Debt, comes to Audley, makes his Case known to him, he undertakes the debt, findes that the judgment was not passed bona fide, but to defraud Creditors; discovers the deceit, and got an hundred pound by it.

Sect. 3. How he ventured with a Merchant.

HAving furnished himself with a considerable summe of money, he resolved to venture 200. l. in four Ships, 50. l. in each; One whereof failed, the other three returned happily with his thrice fifty pounds, made thrice two hundred; and really there is not a nobler way of disposing money either for honour or advantage then in the publick way of Trade and commerce, where with a little observation a man may make [Page 6] such advantage of the contingency in several Nations as may quickly raise a man to an estate, which he may live on hansome­ly and comfortably, and at death bequeath honourably; what advantages this Gentleman (by the Bie out of his profession) made of the Wares with Spain and Holland in reference to the commodities that have relation to those Countries, was only known to himselfe, he being very reserved in that which he gained out of the reach of his profession, only this is well known that Ship of Currance ariving a little before Christmas, wherein he had a share; upon a sudden Embarge was raised by him and some Partners to an incredible summe of money by in­telligence held with some Factors they had abroad.

Sect. 4. How he came to buy Lands.

WHen by these and other meanes he had raised a consid­erable summe of money, he bethought himself of laying it out upon an Estate that might be both certain and im­proveable; the L. of B. had 9 [...]0. l. a year engaged upon mort­gages which he must needs sell, he imployes one Warner of Lawrence Lane to find him a Chapman, he meets with Audley, and offereth it him with the particulars, Audley finds that the Wood and Timber upon it was worth 4000. l. he bids 1200 [...] and hath it for thirtten thousand two hundred pounds, and two hundred pound to Warner, he buyeth it and felleth 3000. l. three hundred and thirty pounds worth of Wood and Timber; parcells the Estate into two and thirty parts, and gaines within the compass of a twelvemoneth by his 13000. l. 8000. l. for he sold the Estate for above 17000. l. besides the Wood that he felled from it: Another time he was acquain­ted with a Steward that belong to a needy Gentleman, which Gentleman was to let some 11. hundred a year for 7. yeares, Audley and the Steward foreseeing that he must sell that which he now let within an year or two joyne heads together, and let the Land below the value of it, so that when the Gentleman came to sell and deliver in particulars, he had but 900. l. a year [Page 7] in present rent, to shew whereby they gained 4000. l. pounds among them, but they made him amends againe when being to sell another part of his Estate, they had Tenants that paid 550. l. a year for that which was scarce worth 425. and accor­ding to that counterfeit rent sold the Estate, gaining for them­selves or their Lord 2000. l.

Sect. 5. How he managed his calling at the Counter when he was his own man.

WHen he set up for himselfe, the repute of his care, in­dustry, and ability drew him a world of Customers, his advice was so ready for their money, and his purse for their Estates; that there was none whose occasions were great, or care, perplexed, but they repaired to Audley, his advices were brief and weighty, his management of affaires was subtle and close, his own behaviour retyred and reserved, his privadoes and companions were rich, prudent, and industrious, his corre­spondence was general and usefull, there being very few with­in his acquaintance but such as were subservient to his thriving way, his friends were choice, his houres were certaine, his vigilance was observable, his condescention to the meanest was obliging, his garbe was grave and decent, his expences impro­ved and usefull, so that he laid out the very money he spent, and was as it were a Broker in his very Meat, Drink and necessaries, his actions and discourse were intricate and dark, a man had much a do to find out the sence of the one, or the designe of the other, his pleasure was private, and discreet wherein it might cost him least, and where he might be least discovered, passing through the street neer her corner, and going the blindest way to her house, in the twilight in the Evening in the black and dark night, ct behold there met him a Woman with the allayne of an Harlot, and subtle of heart, and she caught him and kissed him, and with an imputent face said unto him, Come let us take our fill of love untill the morning, let us solace our selves with love, for the good man is not at home, he is gone a long journey, he hath [Page 8] taken a Bag of Money with him, and will come home at the day ap­pointed, with much fair speech she, causeth him to yield with the flattering of her lips, she forceth him, he goeth after her straight way, as one goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, till a Dartstricke through his Liver, as a Bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life: But to return to his cal­ling, He made it his businesse to be acquainted with the Ste­wards and Dependants of Grandees, by whose meanes he might insinuate himself into great mens wants and occasions, and so get within their Estates, particularly he was acquainted with the great Tilseley Steward to the Dr. B. with whom he a­greed to go halfe in halfe for all the Estates that they should meet with, who dying about 1628. left some 1200. l. a year behind him, whereof our Audley had the evidences, which with a little money he secured to himself for ever; He made use of two Scriveners from one whereof to the other, he used to turn his money not without considerable advantages upon each al­teration, He made more use of his Clients in order to his de­signes then they made of him for their cause, for upon first ac­quaintance with them finding which way they dealt, he plyed them with questions and demands concerning persons and things which might conduce to his end,—and engaged them upon such particulars as he found them most likely to serve him in, so vigilant was he upon his advantages that there hardly passed any thing, or words out of which he could not pick out something of profit, so that what ever happened his Mill was still going, if there were any houses to be sold, any Commodi­ties to be vented, he was sure to be a Customer, but seldome approving himself, having others at his command for that ser­vice, whereof one serves him a trick thus, Audley having bought a Tenement of 45. l. 10. d. a year in one Mickle Thwaits name, this Mickle Thwait dyeth, and his Wife finding these Deedes claimes her thirds, and had it for her life, notwithstanding all Audleys care to the contrary—their cunning was outwited, and for pelfe meets with one subtler then himself, he employes one once to take a bond in his name for two hundred and fifty [Page 9] pounds, and it happened through the neglect of him that he employed that these words were left out, et ad eandem soluti­onem faciendam obligo me et harredes meos; the party bound dies, Audley sueth the Heir, he pleades he is not bound, Audley re­plyed that it was a meer default of the Clark, and so might be amended and so procured, an order whereby it was to be a­mended by consent, and then went on in his suit and recovered the money; there was an action upon the case brought against this Audley for receiving fourscore pounds twice, but he avoi­ded it with this quirk that they should have brought an action of acount, Trin. 4. Cor. rol. 305.—Hil. 3. Caroli Roll. 43. there was a case between our Audley and one Halsey thus, action sur­trover of goods, on the 25. day of Novem. Anno tertio Caroli, upon not guilty a special Verdict was found that one John Hill and Alice Squire was possessed of these goods, and used the Trade of Merchandize, and being so possessed were bound un­to the Defendant Ao 20.mo 1. Iac. In a Statute acknowledged ac­cording to Law for a true and just debt, & that being forfeited, he sued an extent upon that Statute 34. mo Octobrij 3. Cor. di­rected to the Sheriffes of London, and they by virtue of that extent tricesimo primo Oct. 3. Cor. extended those goods, the writ being returnable (incrastino animorum) and returned the writ and enquisition into the Chancery, that the 3. of Nov. 3. 3. Cor. the said John Hill and Alice Squire became Bankrups being indebted to our Audley, and to diverse others for true just debt, upon the 6. day of Nov. 3. Cor. the Defendant shewed a liberate upon that extent, and those goods the same day were delivered by the Sheriffes according to the apprisement in the extent; and afterwards upon the 8. day of Nov. Audley sued out a Commission of Bankrupts against the said Hill and Squire, and the Commissioners by virtue of their commission, sold those goods to the Plaintiffe, Audley upon the three and twentieth of Nov. aforesaid, and the Defendants afterwards converted them to other uses,—this was argued several dayes at the Barre, and the sole question was, whether John Hill and Alice Squire becoming Bankrupts, after the extent and before the [Page 10] Liberate the sale of the goods by the Commissioners to the Plaintiffe, viz. Audley were good enough, it was argued that this sale was good thus, viz. for not withstanding this extent the property of the goods remained in the conusor, and by the King are only seized into the Kings hands, but that shall not devest any property from the Conusors, for they be but as it were in protection of the King; and then when the Conusors became Bankrupt before the Liberate, those goods are in the power of the commissioners to sell and destribute among the Creditors; but all the Court resolved against Audley that these goods extended before they became Bankrupts▪ and de­livered by the Liberate after they became Bankrupts, could not be sold by the Commissioners, because they being extend were quali in custodia legis, so as the Conusors have not any power to give, sell, or dispose of them, and it was therefore with much a do adjudged for the Defendant.

These intricate Cases make up Audleys life, a life of intri­cacies and misteries, wherein he walked as in amaze; and went on as in a labyrinth with the clue of a resolved mind, which made plaine to him all the rough passages he met with; he with a round and solid mind fashioned his own fate, fixed and unmoveable in the great tumults and stir of business, the hard Rocke in the middest of Waves.

He took care to accompany himself with some Grave and reverend Divine to his dying day; from whom if he gained not piety, he gain'd the reputation of it, you should have in his Chamber upon the Table a large Bible, & Bishop Andrewes Sermons, and if you surprized him not you might find him busie with one of these Bookes; but if you come suddenly he was in his Closet,—he was a great frequenter of the Church in the time of Divine Service; but for Sermons he cared not for them, and he was something concerned to see Religion (as he used to say) made a meer Preach; he would usually say that we might very well content our selves to go to Heaven the old and good way which our forefathers went in; what (saith he) are we wiser then our forefathers?—seek wisdome among the [Page 11] Ancient and in length of dayes understanding, yea in all mat­ters as well Religious as Civill this was his rule; ‘that the judgements of men experienced, aged, and wise, yea though they speak without any proofe or demonstration, are no less to be hearkned unto, then as being demonstrations in them­selves, because such mens long observation is as an eye, where­with they presently and plainly behold those principles that sway over all actions;’ that which makes men wise is the ga­thering of principles out of their own particular experiments; and the framing of our particular experiments according to the rule of their principles will make us such as they are;— the times will never be well (he said) untill we had Queen E­lizabeths Protestants againe in fashion,—here's now one saith one thing, and another saith another, so that a man cannot tell what Religion to be of; he observed that the great scandall of our Religion is the great covetousness of our Clergy men; they must have their hundreds and thousands a year when as fome fifty or threescore might satisfie an honest man to buy him a few Books, and meat, and drink, and cloathing, wherewith he should be contented; for he allowed not marriage in a Clergy man, for said he their Children never thrived; and their Wives were usually left in a poor condition, when the Parson is alive, they lead a merry life; but when the Parson is dead and gone, where then is the Parsons Wife; truely he wondred what the Papist meant when he affirmed that the poor sinner should be saved by his workes; I rest said he often in this, that salvation is not of workes but of grace; for if of workes then we should have something to boast, but when we have done all, we are but unprofitable servants; he would much complaine of the un­comfortable preaching of the late times, when he could hear of nothing but of Hell and damnation, whereas they are prea­chers of the Gospel,—the glad tidings of Salvation; he loo­ked upon the Lords Prayer as an absolute forme of Prayer to which none can adde by any their new inventions, which he would constantly say morning and evening;—Virginity he looked upon as meritorious, and therefore he would say to an [Page 12] old Maid of his, I like thee the better because thou art unmar­ryed, to which she replyed, In troth master I like you the worse because you are unmarryed; he thought all Religion consisted in this, Do unto others as thou wouldest have others do unto thee; this is the Law and the Prophets.

SECT. VI. Of his obtaining that profitable place in the Court of Wards.

WHen he had setled himself in a very good Estate, he re­solved to quit his small gaines at Guild-Hall and to fly; at some greater ones at Court, he buyeth an excellent place at the Court of Wards for 3000. l. where he got this vast Estate, of which place being asked what was the value of it by the year, he answered (as another in the like case) that it might be worth some thousands of pounds to him, who after his death would go instantly to Heaven, twice as much to him who would go to Purgatory; and no body knowes what to him who would adventure to go to Hell; one asked our old man how he made a shift to live so long?—he answered I have a good place at Court, and seldome doth a man die in a good place there; in the Court of Wards he gained money by doing a good Office, viz. in hindring some great persons to make a prey of young Heires, for some fees allowed him by the Heires relations, and therefore he was the father of the fatherless: Although the three Honourable persons under whom he lived, looked upon the livings that fell into their hands by wordships as theirs to dispose of, and not to make profit by; in so much that one of them when two rich Parsons endeavoured to out­vie one another in offering great summes of money for a great place; asked a third Parson who stood by looking for a small [Page 13] living but of great worth, what will you Sir give for this great place? not a peny answered he, for it is against my con­science; then saith the Honourable person, you Sir deserve the place best, you shall have it, though I say they were so just that they were deafe to all importunity, besides that of a known worth, joyned with piety and industry, yet this Gentleman under them made great advantages of such things, that in vaine did those masters throw away the bribes when this servant might catch them up at the first rebound, yea before ever they come to the ground; as we know what Lord Keeper it was in the later dayes of Queen Elizabeth, who thought himself an up­right man, was spoken of for the business of his servants in the sale of Ecclesiasticall livings; he had the best way for the cleane conveyance of symoney of any man in England; so that old wayes of Symoney which were used in the Ancients times (as appeares by the Councells prohibiting them) were but bung­ling to the cunning contrivance of the Symony engineeres in our times; as if they cared not to go to Hell, so it were not the neerest way, bnt that they might fetch a far compasse round.

1 He would tye the Clarke to give him a Bond of so much money to resigne at within 8. or 10. moneths after institution and induction; the forfeiture of which Bond was his money for the living.

2 He would take a Lease of a Parsonage under value for three yeares, and so gaine his wished for summe, in so much that he was called the Parsons Tenant; being asked how he thought to be saved? he answered he hoped his Landlords would pray for him;—and being asked whether he was not afraid of a curse upon his Estate from Church livings so sacri­legiously obtained? he answered that he thought that Church goods blessed him; for said he a little that a man hath of a righ­teous mans, is better then if he had all the riches of the ungodly; and withall he added that if the Clergy could in conscience allow [Page 14] money for their benefices, he could in conscience receive it, &c.

He was observed very successefull, insinuating with the mast­er of the Court of Wards and Liveries, in so much as William of Nassan that popular Prince of Aurange, is said to wine a Subject from the King of Spain to his own party every time he put off his Hat; so it was said that as often as Audley put off his Hat to the master of the Court of Wards and Liveries; he gained a young Heir; It's discoursed of him (though I do not beleive it) that he joyned with another in all causes in the Court of Wards and Liveries, that one should be for the Plain­tiffe, whom charity presumed alwayes injured; the other for the Defendant who was to be pittyed as compelled to Law, with this condition to restore the money to the party against whom the cause went, to give him his due, he was a good ad­vocate, for he would not only hear, but examine his client, and pinch his cause where he found it was foundred, for he obser­ved that many clients in telling their case, rather plead then re­late it, so that the Advocate heareth not the true state of it, till opened by the adverse party; those men who understood more then all before the client hath told halfe runne without their errand, and will returne without their answer, if the matter were doubtfull, he would only warrant his own dili­gence, ‘yet some keep an assurance office in the Chamber, and will warrant any cause brought unto them, as knowing that if they fail, they loose nothing but what was lost long since their credit; when his name was up, his industry was not down:’ for he said he could not live by his credit but his la­bour;— there was an Heir belonged to the Court of Wards, about whose Lands this was a controversie where his Lands lay, saith Audley if you cannot find his Lands in the Country, how can we find them here.

A Lord borrowing money of our Audley when he was of the Court of Wards, finds him very exacting; [Page 15] So said he, What do not you intend to use a Conscience? Ye [...] said he, I intend hereafter to use it, why Sir, we Mo­nied-men must ballance Accounts, if you do not pay me, you Cheat me; but if you do, then I Cheat your Lordship.

In his place he kept Servants long: being asked the Rea­son, I keep them awhile, because I have need of them; and I will keep them awhile, because they have need of me. Bnt indeed he knew that there was nothing better than an old Servant, as who had made his Masters Interest his own, with whom he would live and dye; and as one who understood his Masters business by long acquaintance and experience. He had once fallen out with a Gentleman, who shewed him some B [...]gs he would spend against him; he asked, Whether they had any bottom? Yes, said the Gentleman: Nay, then I care not; for here I have a constant Spring, and I cannot spend in other Courts more than I gain in this Court.

During his continuance in his Office at the Wards, he would complain that there were so many Knights who were so poor; Nay (said a Gentleman of a free Speech and Be­haviour) I hope you Mr. Audley will build Almes-houses for all these poor Knights. He perswaded a Gentleman to enclose some Ground with Posts and Rails, and as he was casting up the Charge what it would come to, a Familiar standing by, said upon the sudden, Come Mr. Audley, me­thinks you do not go the cheapest way to work; Why, said he? In truth (Mr. Audley) said the Gentleman, Count you but [...] the Posts, and the poor People of the Countrey will find R [...]ing.

In the Court of Wards he watched the Incumbrances that lay upon the Estates that came thither, and he undertook them, complying with the Necessities of the Owners, inso­much that he had at one time an Hundred and Fourteen Mortgages, Statutes, and Judgments. An ingenious man saying of him, That his Papers would make a good Map of England; and he would say, The Gentlemen of England [Page 17] were great Vsurers; for they turned all their Estates into Obligations.

It was his usual Observation in his business, That the next and nearest way is commonly the foulest; and that if a man will go the fairest way, he must go somewhat about.

There was a common Talk that the King was poor and necessitous, and many Projects were thought on to supply: Nay (saith Audley) let us help this King to some good Of­fice▪ for all his Officers were very nigh. There was some Proposal to the old man to buy a more honourable, though a less profitable place than his own; Why, saith Audley? Saith his Friend, ‘That as all this while he had grown in Bredth, now you must needs grow in Heighth, or else you would be a Monster!’ Truly, said Audley, I am loth to rise higher, for I fore-see my Fall; which happened ac­cordingly, just before the late War, when the Court of Wards was put down; whereby, with other Accidents, he lost above an Hundred thousand Pounds. He would say, That his ordinary Losses, were as the shaving of his Beard, which would grow the faster thereby. The losing of this place, was like the losing of a Member, which was irre­coverable.

About that time he would needs be discoursing of the Vanity and Trouble of this World, and of his Intention to retire to a private Life; whereupon a merry Friend of his, told him a Story of an old Rat, ‘That would needs leave the World, and therewith acquainted the young Rats, that he would retire into his Hole, and spend his dayes solitarily, and would enjoy no more Comfort, Command­ing them upon his High Displeasure, not to come in unto him. In Obedience to his Command, they forbear two or three dayes; at last, one was more hardy than the rest, incited some of his Fellowes to go in with him, and he would venture to see how his Father did, for he might be dead. They accordingly went in, and found the old Rat sitting in the midst of a rich Parmezan Cheefe, gnaw­ing [Page 16] with all its Might.’ He encouraged them under­hand, and would solemnly say of them openly, That they were Horse-leeches, that only sucked the corrupted blood of the Law: He trades only in Quirks and Tricks, his High-way is in By-paths, and he loveth a Cavil, better than an Argument; an Evasion, than an Answer. He had this property of an honest man, That his Word was as good as his Bond; or he could pick the Lock of the strongest Con­veyance, or creep out at the Lattice of a word; therefore he counted, to enter common with other, as good as his own several; for he would so vex his Partners, That they had rather forego their Right, than undergo a Suit with him; he would fall in usually with those Persons that he saw fell out.

SECT. VII. How he entered himself of the Temple.

FInding House rent pretty smart in the City, and the incon­venience of Ingresse and Egresse and dependance upon o­ther people considerable, he contrives to have a Chamber in the Temple in a bargain he bought, where he might have Law at his command, which he had so much occasion to use: that in his old age, when a man undertook to follow his business▪ you may, said he, but let me, said he, have some six or seven Suits for my recreation: he would keep company with the Benchers and other Gentlemen at their fires, where when it was pro­posed that they should Club for Wine, or Ale and Tobacco, he would say (Gentlemen) I will go along with you as far as a penny goeth; when they reply'd, what can a penny do? he would say more then you imagine: for there is not a penny you spend but will buy a foot of Land: he would say to young men, fie, fie, why are you so Idle? there is not an hour in the day, but you [Page 18] might gain six pence in, and sure two pence: It's a sad thing he would say, to see Gentlemen, under pretence to learn Law, here learn to be lawless: not knowing by their study so much as what an Execution means, till they Learn it by their own dear experience: By his Scriveners means he grew acquainted with most of these young gallants; nor were the youngsters so needy, as the other was ready to feed them with money, sometimes with a courteous violence, forcing upon them more then they desired, provided the security were good, or the advantage great: sometimes he would adventure to trust, if his estate in hope were over measure, though he himself were under age; he adviseth them to be good husbands▪ and sell first the strag­ling part of their Estates, perswading them that they should not be sensible of such Sales, which would make their means more entire, as counting the gathering of such scattering rents, rather burdensom than profitable: this he would have at half the value, so that the feathers would buy the goose, and the wood pay for the ground: and when the poor Gentleman had with his money stopped one gap by prodigality, he would open another: O how the Principal, the Use, the Use upon Use swell the debt to an incredible summe, until half the Estate was sold, and then the old man knew, that when half the Estate was gone, the Gentleman would live as if he enjoyed the whole; and though he abated in Possessions, he abated not in Expences: how cunningly would he put his decoying Gentleman upon such projects as in hope of recovery would ruine them, or it may be, which is worst, he would engage two decaying Gentlemen together, until they both miscarried: how subtilly would he let his debts grow on until they became to a considerable summe: Gentlemen could not be more careless to pay then he was wil­ling to continue the debt, knowing his Bonds, like Infants, battle best with sleeping.

SECT. VIII. What a Master he was.

TO give him his due, he had a courage as a Master extraordi­nary that made him Overseer of all his business, either in person or providence, so that a thrifty Fellow that served him, gained not above 400 pound under him, in the space of thirty years: He was very careful in his Accounts: This being a Rule with him, If the Master makes no Account of his servant, the Servant will make small Account of the Master, and cares not what he spendeth or doeth, who is never brought to an Audit and Reckoning: He would say, That the dust that fell from the Masters shooes, was the best Compost to manure ground.

He allowed his Servant board-wages, whereby they might provide for themselves what was wholesome, sufficient and necessary: The Wages he contracted for, he duly and truly payed his Servants. If he finds a servant utterly unuseful, so that he cannot fairly prevail with him to do him any good or himself, he rid his hands of him, and fairly put him away; neither discomposing himself in fretting at him, nor troubling himself in correcting him: such things being neither fit for him, nor useful for his servant, which might torment him, but not reform him, and so make him keep his faults, and forsake his Master:—He loved dearly those servants that continued with their Masters: Therefore he allowed at his death ten pound apeece to forty Maids that had continued three years to­gether with their Masters. He said, he desired not a wise ser­vant who would not do, but dispute: and he observed, that simple servants (understand such, whose capacity is bare mea­sure without surplusage equal to the business he is used in) are [Page 20] more useful, because more managable then other men, especi­ally in matters wherein not thier brains, but hands are required▪ yet if a Master out of want of experience enjoyns him to do what is hurtful or prejudicial to his own State, Duty herein makes him undutiful, if not to deny, to demur in his perfor­mance, and choosing rather to displease then hurt his Master, he humbly represents his reasons to the contrary: he desired that a servant should make true, direct and dutiful Answers to his Master, and he liked the servant that industriously endea­voured to provide something for himself whereby he may be maintained in his old age.

SECT. IX. How he kept Company.

COmpany is the greatest pleasure of the nature of man: yet he reckoned solitariness better then a debauched compa­ny, for the wildness of the place is only uncheerful while the wildness of loose persons is dangerous: he would not avoid miscarriages onely, but the very occasions of them: among which bad company (the limetwigs of the Devil) is the chiefest especially to catch those natures, which like the good fellow Planet Mercury are most swayed by others: in all company he stood upon his guard, and though with them, yet he was not of them: the company he kept was the comment whereby he discovered the closest man: Let other men study Books, he for his part would study Men.

He liked that Proverb very well: He that eats Cherries with Noble men, shall have his eyes spirred out with the stones; for he observed that they who live constantly with men above their Estates, shall reap shame and losse thereby: if thou payest no­thing, saith he, thou art their scorn and contempt: if thou [Page 21] payest along with them, thou wilt be thine own ruine: al­though he was very welcome to his betters, as being such a one as though he paid not a penny of the shot, he spends enough in lending them his time and discourse; and he would say he might lose, but could not gain by inferiors company: he liked men of a communicative nature, remote discourses, were as full, as fluent, and their judgements were as right as their tongues rea­dy: —His friends were few, but choice: his great friends used to wait upon him in great state to gain credit and re­pute: one among the rest came always attended with a large retinue, who it seems were onely hired for the time, and so dismissed when the complement was over; this was observed by the old man: and one time the Grandee taking his leave of him with extraordinary Complements, spare your Com­plement, said he, for I believe I shall shortly see you again, but let me, I pray you, salute your servants whom I shall never see again: he loved serious men, and would say that a wan­ton jest make fools laugh, and wise men frown; Its good to make a jest that is harmless mirth, but it is naught to make a trade of jesting, that is weak folly: he could not endure to hear any abused who were dead; for to wrong their memories, is to wrong their ghost of their winding sheet: he could not en­dute any should scoff at their defects who are not able to amend them; nor to have any flouted for his profession if it were honest and painful: he would say, He that loseth his friend for a jest, deserves to die a beggar in the bargain: yet some think their conceit like mustard, not good except they bite: Friend, friend, such let thy jests be that they may not grind the credit of thy friend, and make not jest; so long, until thou becomest one: he desired to enjoy his company in his Chamber, without the charge or trouble of going abroad.

SECT. X. What a Landlord he was.

HE would say that a man had best let his Land on a rea­sonable rate, so that the tenant by imploying his stock, and using his industry, may make an honest livelihood, thereby to maintain himself and his children: he would not be too easie, because under an easie Landlord a Tenant seldome thrives, contenting himself to make the just measure of his rent, and not labouring for any surplusage of Estate, nor yet too hard, least the Tenant revenge himself upon his Land, and run away with the Rent; yet he would raise his Rents to the present price of all commodities: he would say, if we should let our Lands as other men have done before us: now other wares daily go on in price, we should fall backed in our Estates: he rejoyced to see his Tenants thrive, yea, looketh upon it as a great honour to himself, when he perceived that God blesseth their endeavours, and that they come forward in the world; as it was his honour, so it was his advantage too: he had one Tenant, that when he came made great provision for him still: and died worth five thousand pounds: and when it was told him that he died, and left but five thousand pounds behind him▪ I thought (said he) he would die no rich man who made such needless expences.

SECT. XI. His Discourse, and memorable Sayings.

I. OF men that would not thrive: 1. They would never thrive that observed not Time and Opportunity. 2. They cannot thrive that are not punctual; that by failing, looseth his friend, looseth his advantage of Thriving. 3. They cannot thrive, who are of too light, voluble and wandring minds. 4. They cannot thrive, who are of too narrow, fixed, peremptory and resolute, and slow, and not able to meet with the great variety of Occasions. 5. They cannot thrive, that are too credulous, easie and hasty. 6. They cannot thrive, that are too anxious, diffident and zealous. 7. They cannot thrive, that are not resolved and well weighd. 8. They can­not trive, who take no care of their little Expences. 9. They cannot thrive▪ who have not an exact Account of their Ex­pences and Incoms. 10. They cannot thrive, who meddle with more, then they are well able to manage, &c.

II. His Rules of Thriving, which I cannot better express, then in these words:

1.
Fly Idleness, which yet thou canst not fly,
By dressing, misdressing, and complement,
If those take up thy day, the Sun will cry
Against these, for his light only was lent.
God gave thy soul brave wings, put not those feathers
Into a bed to sleep out all ill-weathers.
2.
—fool not, for all may have,
If they dare try a glorious life or grave.
3.
When thou dost purpose ought within thy power,
Be sure to do it, though it be but small,
[Page 24] Constancy knits the bones, and makes us stowre,
When wanton pleasures beckon us to thrall:
Who breaks his own Bond, forfeiteth himself,
What nature made a ship, he makes a shelf.
4.
Do all things like a man, not sneakingly.
Think the King seeth thee still, for his king does:
Simpring is but a lay Hypocrisie:
Give it a corner, and the Chi undoes:
Who fears to do ill, sets himself to task:
Who fears to do well, sure should wear a mask.
5.
Slight those that say, amidst their sickly healths
Thou livest by rule, what doth not so, but man?
Houses are built by rule, and Common-wealths:
Entice the crusty Sun, if that you can
From his Ecliptick line: becken the skie:
Who lives by rule then, keeps good Company.
6.
Who keeps no guard upon himself, is slack,
And rots to any thing at the next great thow:
Man is shop of Rules, a well trusted back:
Whose every parcel under-writes a Law.
Loose not thy self, nor give thy humours way,
God gave them to thee under lock and key.
7.
Be thrifty, but not covetous, therefore give
Thy need, thine honour, and thy friend his due:
Never was Scraper brave man: get to live,
Then live and use it, else its not true
That thou hast gotten▪ surely Use alone
Makes money not a contemptible stone.
8.
Never exceed thy Income; Youth may make
Even with the year▪ but age if it well hit,
Shoots a bow short, and lessens still his state
As the day lessens, and his life with it.
[Page 25] Thy Children, Kindred, Friends upon thee call
Before thy jorney, fairly part with all.
9.
By no means run in debt, take thy own measure,
Who cannot live on twenty pound a year,
Cannot on forty, he is a man of pleasure:
A kind of thing thats for it self too dear.
The curious Untrift makes his cloth too wide,
And spans himself, but would the Taylor chide,
10.
Spend not on hopes, they that by pleading cloaths,
Do fortunes seek, when worth and service fail
Would have their tale believed for their oaths,
And are like empty vessels under sail:
Old Courtiert know this: therefore set out so,
As all the day thou mayest hold out to go.
11.
In Cloths, cheap handsomness doth bear the bell,
Wisdoms a Trimmer-thing then shop ere gave;
Say not then, this with that Lace will do well,
But this with my discretion will be brave:
Much curiousness is a peppetu [...]ll woing,
Nothing with labour: folly long a doing,
12.
Play not for gain, but sport; who plays for more
Then he can loose with pleasure, stakes his heart,
Perhaps his wives too, and whom she hath bore
Servants and Churches also play their part,
Only a Herauld who that way doth pass,
Finds his cracked name at length in the Church-glass.
13.
If yet thou love games at so dear a rate;
Learn this that hath old Gamesters dearly cost:
Dost loose, rise up, dost win, rise in that state,
Who strive to sit out looking hands are lost:
[Page 26] Game is a civil Gun-powder in peace,
Blowing up houses with their whole increase.
14.
Wholly abstain or wed: thy bounteous Lord
Allows thee choice of Paths, take no by-ways,
But gladly welcome that he doth afford:
Not gruding, that thy lust hath bounds and stays;
Continence hath its joy: weigh both, and so,
If Rottenness have more, lee heaven go.
15.
Drink not the third glass, which thou canst not tame:
When once it is within thee, hut before
Mayest rule as thou list, and pour the shame▪
Which it would pour on thee upon the floor.
He that is drunken, may his Mother kill,
Big with his sister: he hath lost the Reins,
Is out-lawed by himself: all kind of ill
Doth with his liquor slider into his veins.
The Drunkard forfeits men, and doth devest.
All worldly right, save what he hath by the beast.
If Reason move not gallantly, quit the Room,
Call in a Shipwrack shift there several way,
Let not a common ruine thee intomb.
Be not a beast in Courtesie, but slay
Stay at the third glass, or forego the place,
Wine above all things doth Gods stamp deface.
16.
Lye not: but let thy heart be true to God,
Thy mouth to it, thy actions to them both.
Cowards tell lies, and those that fear the rod,
The stormy working soul spits lies and froth:
Dare to be true; nothing can need a lye,
A fault which needs it most, grows two thereby.
17.
Be sweet to all, is thy complexion sowre,
Then keep such company, make them thy allay:
[Page 27] Command thy self in chief, he lifes war knows,
Whom all his passions follow as he goes.
18.
Think not thy fame at every twitch shall break
By great deeds shew that thou canst little do,
And do them not: that shall thy wisdom be,
And change thy temperance into bravery.
19.
Wisdom picks friends, Civility plays the rest,
A toy shunned clearly, passeth with the best.
20.
Towards great persons use respective boldness,
That temper gives them theirs, and yet doth take,
Nothing from them, in service, care or coldness,
Doth calably thy fortunes more, or make
21.
Envy, not greatness▪ for thou makest thereby
Thy self the worse, and so the distance greater
Be not thine own worm: yet such jealousie
As hurts not others, but may make thee better:
Is a good spur, correct thy passions spight,
Then may the beast draw thee to happy light.
22.
Thy friend put in thy bosome, wear his eyes
Still in thy heart, that he may see whats there.
23.
Yet be not hasty if thou be a father,
Love is a personal debt I cannot give.
My Childrens right; nor ought he take it,
Rather both Friends should dye, than hinder them to live;
Fathers first enter Bonds to Natures ends,
And are her Sureties, ere they are Friends.
24.
Calmness is great advantage; he that lets
Another Chafe, may warm him at his Fire;
[Page 28] Mark all his wandrings, and enjoy his Frets,
As cunning Fencers suffer hence to Tire.
25.
Mark what another sayes; for many are
Full of themselves, and answer their own Notion,
Take all unto thee; then with equal Care,
Ballance each dram of Reason like a Potion.
26.
Pitch thy Behaviour low, thy Progress high,
So shall thou Humble, and Magnanimous be.
Sink not in spirit; who aimeth at the Sky,
Shoots higher far than he that means a Tree.
27.
Let thy mind still be bent, still plotting where
And when, and how the business may be done,
Slackness breeds Worms; the sure Traveller
Though he alight sometimes, still goeth on.
Active and stirring Spirits live alone,
Write on the others, Here lives such a one.
28.
Who say I care not, those I give for lost,
And to instruct them, 'twill not quit the cost.
29.
Scorn no mans love, though of a mean degree,
Love is a present for a mighty King.
Much less make any one thine Enemy,
As Guns destroy, so may a little thing.
The cunning Workman never doth refuse
The meanest Tool that he may chance to use.
30.
All Forreign Wisdom doth account to this,
To take all that's given; whether Wealth
Or Love, or Language nothing comes amiss,
A good digestion turneth all to health.
And then as for our fair Behaviour may
Strike off all Scores, none are so clear as they.
31.
Affect in things about thee cleanliness,
That all may gladly board thee as a flower;
Slovens take up their stock of noysomness
Before-hand, and anticipate the last houre:
Let thy mind, sweetness have its operation,
Upon thy Body, Cloaths, and Habitation.
32.
In Almes regard thy means, and others merit,
Think Heaven a better bargain, than to give
Only the single Market-penny for it,
Join hands with God to make a man to live.
33.
Sum up at Night what thon hast done by day,
And in the morning, what thou hast to do,
Dress and undress thy soul: Mark the decay
And growth of it; if with thy Watch that too
Be down, then wind up both; since we shall be
Most surely judged, make thy Accounts agree.
34.
In brief, Acquit thee bravely, play the man,
Look not on pleasures as they come, but go,
De [...]er not the least virtue: Lifes poor span
Make not an [...] by trifling in thy Woe:
If thou do ill, the joy fades not the pains:
If well, the pain doth fade, the joy remains.

Bishop Saunderson of Ʋsury.

AND now methinks I see the Vsurer hugging himself, and clapping his sides, that he hath come off so fair­ly; surely his Calling is absolute good, whereon none of these Rules could fasten, But indeed it is with the Vsurer [Page 30] in this Case, as with the Drunkard. If the Drunkard should ask me against which of the ten Commandments he offended, I confess I could not readily give him a direct pun­ctual Answer: Not that he sinneth not against any, but be­cause he sinneth against so many of them, that it is hard to say against which most. He sinneth against the sixth Com­mandment, by distempering his Body; he sinneth against the seventh, by enflaming his lust; he sinneth against the eighth, by making waste of the good Creatures of God. Right so is it with our Vsurer in this Case: He would pose me, that should ask me the Question, Which of these three Rules fetcheth in the Vsurer, and his Calling. Verily I can­not tell which most, I think every one of the three may; howsoever, among the three, I am sure I have him▪ If Vsu­ry be simply unlawful (as most of the Learned have con­cluded) then the first Rule hath him. I should be very ten­der to condemn any thing as simply unlawful, which any even imaginary conjuncture of Citcumstances would render lawful; and would choose rather by an over-liberal Chari­ty to cover a multitmde of sins (if I may abuse the Apostles phrase to that sense) than by a too superstitious Restraint make one. Yet the Texts of Scripture are so express, and the grounds of Reason brought by learned Men, seem so strong against Ʋsury, That I have much ado to find so much Charity in my self, as to absolve any kind of Vsury (proper­ly so called) with what Cautions or Circumstances soever qualified, from being a sin. But I will suspect mine own, and the common Judgment herein, and admit for this once, (dato non concesso) That Vsury be in some Case lawful, and so our Vsurer escape the first Rule, which yet cannot be, till his Teeth be knocked out for biting: But you must knock out his Brains too, before he escape our second Rule. I dare say, the most learned Vsurer that liveth (and they say some learned Ones are Vsurers) will never be able to prove, That Vsury (if it be at all lawful) is so lawful, as to be made a Calling. Here all his Doctors, and his Pro­ctors, [Page 31] and his Advocates leave him. For can it possibly en­ter into any reasonable mans Head to think, That a man should be born for nothing else, bnt to tell out Money, and take in Paper? which if a man had many Millions of gold and silver, could take up but a small portion of that preci­ous time which God would have spent in some honest and fruitful Employment. But what do I speak of the Judg­ment of reasonable men in so plain a matter, wherein I dare appeal to the Conscience, even of the Vsurer himself; and it had need be a very plain matter, that a man would refer to the Conscience of an Vsurer. No honest man need be asha­med of an honest Calling; if then the Vsurers Calling be such, what need he care who knoweth, or why should he shame with it? If that be his Trade, why doth he not in his Bills and Bonds, and Noverints, make it known to all men by those Presents that he is an Vsurer, rather than write himself Gentleman or Yeoman, or by some other stile? But say yet our Vsurer should escape, at least in the Judgment of his own hardned Conscience, from both these Rules, as from the Sword of Jehu and Hazael: There is yet a third Rule, like the Sword of Elisha, to strike him stone-dead, and he shall never be able to escape that. Let him shew wherein his Calling is profitable to humane Society; he keepeth no Hospitality; if he have but a bar'd Chest, and a strong Lock to keep hi [...] God and his Scriptures (his Mammon and his Parchments in) he hath House-room enough. He fleeceth many, but cloatheth none. He biteth and devoureth; but eateth all his Morsels alone. He giveth not so much as a Crumb, no no [...] to his dearest Broker or Scrivener; only, where he biteth, he alloweth them to scratch what they can for themselves. The King, the Church, the Poor, are all wronged by him, and so are all that live near him; in eve [...]y common charge he slippeth the Collar, and leaveth the bur­den upon those that are less able. It were not possible Vsu­rers should be so bitterly inveighed against by sober Heathen Writers; so severely Censured by the Civil, and Canon Laws; [Page 32] so uniformly condemned by godly Fathers and Councils; so universally hated by men of all sorts, and in all Ages and Coun­tries, as Histories and Experience manifest they ever have been, and are: if their Practice and Calling had been any way profi­table, and not indeed every way hurtful, and incommodious both to private men and publick Societies. If any thing can make a Calling unlawful, certainly the Vsurers Calling cannot be lawful.

Sands Relat. 248. of Rich Antonio.

IN King Henry the 8th. dayes, there was one Mr. Gresham, a Merchant of London, setting Sail homewards from Palirno, where dwelt at that time one Antonio, called the Rich, who had at one time two Kingdoms mortgaged to him by the King of Spain; and being crossed by contrary Wind, Mr. Gresham was constrained to Anchor under the Lee of the Island off from Bu­lo, where was a burning Mountain. Now about the Mid-day, when for a certain space the Mountain forbore to send forth flames, Mr. Gresham, with eight of the Sailors, ascended the Mountain, approaching as near the vent as they durst, where, amongst other noise, they heard a voyce cry abroad, saying, Dis­patch, dispatch, the Rich Antonio is a coming. Terrified here­with, they hasted their return, and the Mountain presently broke out in a flame. But from so dismal a place they made all the haste they could, and desiring to know more of this matter, (the winds still thwarting their course) they returned to Pal­merino, and forthwith enquiring for Antonio, they found that he was dead about the very instant, so near as they could guess, when that voyce was heard by them. Mr. Gresham at his return to London, reported this to the King, and the Mariners (being called before him) confirmed the same. Upon Gresham this wrought so deep an impression, that he gave over all his Mer­chandizing, [Page 33] distributed his Estate, partly to his Kinsfolk, and partly to good Uses, retaining only a Competency for himself; and so spent the rest of his dayes in solitary Devotion.

Cromerus of a rich Polonian.

A Rich Polonian was very Covetous, much given to Ra­pine and Oppression, who falling sick, and being like to dye, was admonished by his Friends to sue to God for mer­cy, which he refused to do, saying, That there was no hope of Salvation for him; no place of pardon left. No sooner had he spoken this, but immediately there was heard of the standers by most vehement stripes and blows, which appeared manifestly upon the body of this dying Wretch, who presently gave up the ghost, to the great Terror and amazement of all who were present eye-witnesses of this sad and dismal Story.

Spotswood Hist. of Ch. of Scotland. of the Rich Bishop of Glascow.

JOhn Cameron Bishop of Glascow, was a very Covetous man, given to Violence and Oppression, especially towards his Poor Tenants and Vassals: but God suffered it not long to go unpunished: for the Night before Christmas day, as he lay a­sleep in his House at Lockwood seven Miles from the City of Glascow, he heard a voice summoning him to appear before the Tribunal of Christ, and give an account of his doings: where­upon he awaked, and being greatly terrified, he called to his Servants to bring light, and sit by him: he himself also took a [Page 34] Book in his hand and began to read: but the Voice calling the second time, struck all the Servants to an amazement: the same Voice calling the third time far Louder and more Fearfully, the Bishop, after a heavy groan, was found dead in his Bed: his Tongue hanging out of his Mouth: A fearful Example of Gods Judgment against the Sin of Covetousness and Oppression.

Strada of the rich Cardinal Granvell.

Cardinall Granvell (a great favorite of the King of Spain) being placed under the Dutchesse of Parma, as a chief director of all the affaires in the Low Countries, when he was discharged of his office, and saw all forsaking him: he said that he had long enough waited upon other mens occasions: that a man broken with Continuall toyl he could not but wish for rest; and that to one besieged with Petitioners Liberty was not to be refused: especially when he knew that petitioners and Letter-Carriers met like Pitcher-Carriers at a spring which they draine and trouble: That favour at Court had a better face then inside, and that all humane things are found to be far lesse in our possession then they are fancied in our hope: and that all was vanity and vexation of spirit:

Mr. Latimer of a Rich man.

A Rich man when he lay on his sick bed, was told by one that in all probabilitie he was not a man for this world: as he heard it (what, saith he, must I die? send for a Physician, wounds, side, heart, must I dye? wounds, side, heart, must I dye? and thus he continued, and nothing could be got from [Page 35] him: but wounds, side, heart must I die, and go from my Riches.

Mr. Burroughs speaks of a Rich man who lived neare him, who when he heard his sicknesse was mortal, sends for his Bags of money and hugged them in his armes saying: O must I leave you, O must I leave you.

He relates of another who when he lay upon his sick bed, cal­led for his Bagges, and laid a Bagge of Gold upon his heart: and after a while bid them take it away, saying it will not doe, it will not doe.

Mr. Rogers tells of one that being near unto Death, clapt a Twenty shilling Piece of Gold in his Mouth, saying: Some Wiser than some, I will take this along with me howsoever.

Sophronius Bishop of Jerusalem (Prat. spir. c. 195. referente Baronio ad an. 411.) deliver­eth this History following to posterity, as a most certain thing:

THat Leontius Apamiensis a most faithful religious man that had lived many years at Cyrene assured them, that Sy­nesius (who of a Philosopher became a Bp.) found at Syrene one Evagrius a Philosopher, who had bin his old acquaintance, fellow student and inti­mate friend, but an obstinate Heathen: and Synesius was earnest with him to become a Christian, but all in vain: yet did he still follow him with those Arguments that might satisfie him of the Christian verity; and at last the Phi­losopher told him, that to him it seemed but a meer fable and deceit that the Christian Religi­on teacheth men, that this world shall have an end, and that all men shall rise again in these bodies, and their flesh be made immortal and in­corruptible, and that they shall so live for ever, and receive the Reward of all that they have done in the body, and that he that hath pity on [Page 37] the poor, lendeth to the Lord, and he that gives to the poor and needy shall have Treasures in heaven, and shall receive an hundred-fold from Christ, together with eternal life. These things he derided. Synesius by many arguments assu­red him that all these things were certainly true: and at last the Philosopher and his children were Baptized. A while after he comes to Sy­nesius, and brings him three hundred pound of Gold for the poor, and bid him Take it, but give him a Bill under his hand that Christ should re­pay it him in another world. Synesius took the mony for the poor, and gave him under his hand such a Bill as he desired. Not long after the Philosopher being near to death, commanded his sons that when they buried him, they should put Synesius Bill in his hand in the Grave; which they did: And the third day after, the Philosopher seemed to appear to Synesius in the night, and said to him, (Come to my Sepul­chre where I lie, and take thy Bill, for I have received the Debt and am satisfied; which for thy assurance I have subscribed with my own hand.) The Bishop knew not that the Bill was buried with him, but sent to his sons who told [Page 38] him all; and taking them and the cheif men of the City, he went to the grave, and found the Pa­per in the hands of the Corpse, thus subscribed, (EGO EVAGRIƲS PHILOSOPHUS, TIBI SANCTISSIMO DOMINO SYNESIO E­PISCOPO SALUTEM: ACCEPI DEBI­TUM IN HIS LITERIS MANU TUA CONSCRIPTUM, SATISFAC­TUMQUE MIHI EST; ET NUL­LUM CONTRA TE HABEOJUS PROPTER AURUM QUOD DEDI TIBI ET PER TE CHRISTO DEO ET SAL­VATORI NOSTRO) that is, I Evagrius the Philosopher, to thee most Holy Sir, Bishop Sy­nesius greeting: I have received the Debt which in this Paper is written with thy hands, and I am satisfied, and I have no Law (or Action) against thee for the Gold which I gave to thee, and by thee to Christ our God and Saviour.) They that see the thing admired, and glorified God that gave such wonderful evi­dence of his promises to his servants: And saith, Leontius, this Bill subscribed thus by the Phi­losopher, is kept at Cyrene most carefully in the Church to this day, to be seen of such as do de­sire it.

FINIS.

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