IT hath been a rule com­mended unto us by an­tient and foregoing times, Non tutum est in illos scribere, qui possunt proscribere, and the reason may be supposed for that the great ones of the World were for the most part so vitious that it made the old Poet cry out, Difficile est satyram non scribere; but such and so different is our present conditi­on that we may venture to write, since neither our greatest eulogyes [Page 2]can be stiled hyperbolicall, nor our highest applauses flattery; especially where the subject of the discourse are of the most noble strain, as here issuing from the most royal Families of Europe, to the greatnesse of which blood they have added a new and extraordina­ry luster by the most eminent vir­tues wherewith they were adorned; for it may truly be said of our late deceased Princes, as Ʋlisses boast­ed of himselfe, Deus est in utroque Parente, there is scarce any Fami­ly of the World so highly and nobly allyed, for by birth they were the Son and Daughter of Charles the first, and Henrietta Maria, he by his Father sprang from the an­tient stock of Scottish Kings, and by his Mother allyed to the Danish blood. But she of the royal blood of France, Daughter of Henry the fourth surnamed great, and from him claiming a consanguinious re­lation [Page 3]both with the Germane, Ita­lian and Spanish Scepters; From this royal stock I say, issued the late illustrious Princesse Mary, Princesse of Orange, being born in­to this World on the fourth day of November, in the year 1631. The sixth of her Fathers reign,Lady Ma­ry born. and not long after with much state and solemnity baptized, being com­mitted to the ruition of a most ho­nourable and religious. Lady who was to take care of the tender in­fancy of the Princely babe.

In this unknown retirednesse must we let her passe her child­hood, although as then it was espe­cially in charge to every hand a­bout her, that nothing tending to the disadvantage of the Protestant religion should approach her eares a [...] well knowing the certainty of that rule, Quo semel est imbuta re­cens seruabit odorem Testa diu, and so indeed it proved; for the so early [Page 4]& even with her milk imbibed the same reformed religion, that nei­ther the subtilty of temptation nor the power of malice could ever divert her or make her to deviate therefrom; Nay so firmly was she fixed and grounded therein, that when the Saternall love of her Father began now to cast his eye abroad to find a fitting match for this his Peerlesse Daughter, she (though the small number of her yeares did exact from her a sub­mission to his will; yet) in a kind of womanly resolve did in a man­ner declare her dislike to a contra­ry religion, & humbly desired that her religion & affection might not countercharge each other; Here­upon after many ediligent guests, at length the Prince of Orange is propounded, and that for severall reasons, first as being of the same religion, secondly the next adjoyn­ing neighbour by whose conjoyn­ed [Page 5]supply of snipping the English, would be the most formidable Masters of the Sea, and thirdly because by that meanes both the Spanish and French were & would be in their designes countermined, hereupon and for divers other un­known reasons of state.

A treaty is had about the same, and it was concluded that William the onely Son and Heir of the most noble Prince of Orange, should entermarry with the Lady Mary, eldest Daughter to the King of Great Brittain, accord­ing to which agreement the young Prince the 20th. of February, Prince of Orange came to London. 1641. arrived at London waited on by a magnificent train of the chiefest Nobles of his own Coun­trey.

During this Intervall of time, and while these affaires were thus in managing, was born the Kings youngest Son, entituled the Duke of Gloucester at Oatlands in the month of July 1640. and in Sep­tember following was baptized and called Henry, Duke of Gl [...]cester born. a Prince who from his birth bore the expresse Image of his Father, and not onely as at first in his person, but as after ap­peared in his vertues, and for the more orderly proceeding towards his future education, he was com­mitted to the care of an honour­able Lady.

He [...]ven having showr'd down his blessings on the Kings hopefull and numerous Issue, from whome nothing might be expected but the future happinesse of our now long continued peace; behold on a sudden the Scots in a hot spur'd zeale, or rather in a fanatick fury envying so much prosperity to the [Page 7]King and State, begin to harbour dangerous thoughts; yea and pro­ceed to rebellious actions, trea­cherously possessing themselves of Edenhorough Castle, which was de­livered to the Generall of the Co­venanters without any shot or resi­stance made by the treacherous Go­vernor. What Bulworks,SCOTS troubles. Fortresses or other defensive fortifications can retain or keep the possession of a Kings right, when eminent Tru­stees, for hope, fear, or reward, betray their charge and forfeit their fidelity. Dunoritton Fort, once reported invincible, fell next into their hands, being in the custody of a person of worth well fortified and weaponed, but through the ill victualling thereof, lost with little noise and lesse re­sistance; puffed up with these suc­cesses the Covenanters march on to Dalkeyth a House of his Maje­sties, which they took into their [Page 8]possession without any opposition, wherein as they expected they found a plentifull store of Ammu­nition, and beyond their expecta­tion, the Crown, Scepter, and other Regalia of that ancient Kingdome, which they quickly removed to Edenborough Castle, and there with great reverence and much care disposed them to safe custody, pretending they were displaced before at Dalkeyth. The newes of these occurrences arri­ving fresh to the Kings eare (where affection before would not make him harbour an ill thought of his Countrey men) now made him change his opinion, and in the midst of all the pleasure and joy conceived for his young Son Duke Henry, to leave both him and his Mother the Queen to provide a remedy to prevent these threat­ning evills.

By this means was the infant [Page 9]Prince deprived of the right and knowledge of his Father both at once,KING towards Scotland. his rebellious Covenanting Subjects of Scotland calling him to their more northern parts, where he resolved (if possible) by fair means to perswade them, or else by repelling force with force to reduce them to their obedi­ence.

While the King is raising force to march towards them, the Scots go to, and against Aberdeen; restlesse natures are never out of action, and discontented persons ever desirous of innovation, if the designe be good they under­take, they still pursue it with all diligence; if ill, they prosecute it with no lesse industry, witnesse these men, who in their said march took 4000 armes that were going thither to have put the City into a posture of defence, so that now the Kings armes were carried a­gainst [Page 10]the Kings cause, there be­ing no party through the prevalen­cy of the averse faction that durst appear for the King, nay to such a height were these men grown, that they had an intention to have surprized Barwick, but their in­tended attempt was not so closely carried and resolved on amongst themselves, but that timely notice therof was attained by the English, and for prevention of the same, command was forthwith given for some raisements of Foot, and Troop [...] of Horse of the Bishop-prick; of Durham and the northern parts to move with speedy marches thither, and there so to dispose of their power as to be able to re­sist any offer from the Enemy, which was effectually perform­ed.

SCOTS manner of proceed­ings.The Scots perceiving they were prevented in that designe, fall to Councell, and knowing [Page 11]that there are two wayes which infallibly make rich men potent, and poor men rich, the first being great getting, and the latter, the keeping things gotten, and that if there be a failing in either of these two, there will be a sudden sense of the stand put to greatnesse, and of the estates declining fortune) do cowardly make it their study to retain the Towns and Forts they had gotten into their possession, and therefore with art and expe­dition Leith must be fortified, so that it may oppose any power that should present it selfe against in; and the like they also did in other place.

Notwithstanding all which prodigious acts of Treason, like the Adulterous Woman spoken of by the Wise Man, they will not believe they have done amisse, for as if they have been the truest Subjects in the world, on the fifth [Page 12]of June the Earl of Dumfermeling presented to his Majesty a Petiti­on at his Pavilion in the Camp, which he graciously accepted and read, wherein the Scots humbly sued for an accomodation, and his Majesty was thereupon pleased to enter into a Treaty with them, the issue whereof was that the Scots should disband their Forces, and surrender to the King all his castles, but the main matters to be conclu­ded by Parliament, which was to meet not long after at London, whither the Scots sent their Com­missioners, and made a full and finall agreement.

By this meanes the King at­tended with all his Nobility made up to London, where in November 1640. a black long Parliament (whose actions never had a paral­lel) met, during the time of whose first sitting all things began to grow out of order, yet they hearkned in [Page 13]some measure to the Kings desires for the marriage of the Lady Mary to the Prince of Orange, Lady Ma­ry marri­ed. was with great state and pomp celebrated at Whitehall in May 1641. to the great satisfaction both of Prince and people, as it then seemed,

During all these solemnities, at the Court the English Parliament [Page 14]are driving a contrary designe, in­citing tumults to cry down the Bishops, which was prosecuted with such violence that the King was necessitated for security of his Person to withdraw from London, Janua. 10. 1641. and with the Queen, Prince, and Duke of York to retire to Hamp­ton Court, from whence in Febru­ary following accompanyed with the Queen and the Princesse of Orange, he went to Canterbury, and so to Dover, where the Lady Mary Princesse of Orange took leave of her Father and Mother and imbarqued for Holland, Lady Ma­ry to Hol­land. the Prince her Husbands Countrey, where she safely landed and arrived but never after that day saw [...]he face of her beloved Father.

The Princesse being now in the Low-Countreys, was received, by her Father in Law the old Prince of Orange, as did become the Daughter of so great a King, into [Page 15]whose presence he would never ap­proach, but with a reverence more like a subject towards his Soveraign then the freedome of a Father to­wards his Sons Wife, by no meanes suffring either himselfe or his Son, much lesse his Servants to come neer the place of her residence but bareheaded, and to his dying day, yea even in his death-bed maintain­ing the same as due to the greatness of her birth, and excellent virtues.

And truly the Princes of Orange Father and Son did make it their study to deserve well at the King of Englands hands to whom they ever continued fast and true friends during all the time of his succeed­ing troubles, when by the treason and sedition of his rebellious sub­jects he was hunted from place to place like a Partridge upon the Mountaines, til at last having taken the Lords anointed in their pits, they destroyed the Father, expelled [Page 16]the Sons, and endeavoured to ex­tirpate the whole royal Family.

When his Majesty was by tu­mults driven from London, he left his children behind him, but after­wards sent for the Prince and Duke of York to come to him to Green­wich, which they did; but still there remained at Saint James's the Lady Elizabeth one of the Kings Daughters who since dyed, and Henry Duke of Glocester, both of so tender years that they were neither sensible of their Fathers sufferings nor capable to releive them; so that their innocent harm­lessnesse on any account not only protected them from the malice of their enemies, but proved to be a meanes to work on their evil mindes to provide for them not only an honorable sustenance, but a royall attendance.

He never knew his Father.In this manner did the young Duke lead his life, almost ignorant [Page 17]that he had a father, for he had ne­ver seen his face, so as to be able by knowledge to distinguish the same from that of a stranger, be­ing born in 1640. and his father, mother and brothers forced to fly in 1641. so that he was a stran­ger to his own kindred, and to them that kept him, in effect no better than a noble prisoner; in all which time such was the seriousnesse of his tender age, as wrought admira­tion in his attendants, for he pro­ceeded in so sweet a method, that he was able in point of Religion (wherein he was excellently well grounded) to render an account beyond many whose yeares should have manifested a surer and more certain judgement.

The heat of the warre between the King and Parliament now growing more slack by the weak­nesse of the Kings forces, who were so over powered by their Enemies [Page 18]that they utterly left the field, yea and upon sight of the other Ar­my, quit and surrendred their ga­risons without any blow; the King himself fled to the perfidious Scots Army then at Southwell, King to the Scots, and by them sold to the English. and short­ly after, Oxford the chief of all his garisons fell into the hand of General Fairfax by composition, and with it the Duke of York, Duke of York ta­ken priso­ner at Ox­ford, 1646 the Kings second son, whom the Ge­neral sent up to the then Parlia­ment, to dispose of as they should see convenient; they to shew him what he must expect for the future, as a special mark of their favour, on the 9th of July 1646. dischar­ged all his servants, and thrust them away from him,D. Yorks servants. whose fide­lity could never be either reduced or frighted to leave him in times of the greatest hazard and danger: By this meanes the young Duke hath gotten his brother for his co-partner, the same servants wait­ing [Page 19]on both, so that one might truly see between them the old proverb truly verified, Amicorum omnium communia.

This new society was exceeding­ly pleasing to the young innocent, who began now to hearken to his brothers discourses with a man­like attention, imbibing from his lips a new, though natural affecti­on, towards his unknown and di­stressed father, who about this time was sold by the Scots to the English, and by them strictly guar­ded, conveyed as a Prisoner to a house of his own in Northampton­shire called Holmby; King at Holmeby, and taken thence by Joyce. where he had not long continued, before one Joyce, a fellow of desperate prin­ciples, employed by a factious par­ty in the army, came and seized his person, and hurried it from place to place, till at last they brought him to Hampton-Court, At Hamp­ton-Court from whence he was by perswasi­ons [Page 20]deluded into the Isle of Wight, where he was immediately secured and kept a strait prisoner in Caris­brook Castle.

The Duke of York seeing af­faires to be managed in so rigorous a manner against his father, began to think of providing for his own safety,Du. Yorks escape from St. James's. to which end, finding some honest and private correspondents in whom he might put trust, he proposes his escape, whereunto by a mutual consent the engaged per­sons undertook to provide conve­niencies for him, which they brought effectually and with se­cresie to passe in Aprill 1648. so that on the 20th of that moneth he left St. James's, and was not missed for several houres after his his departure; by which meanes he clearly got away with safety, and retired into France, leaving his ene­mies and pretended keepers to la­ment their own misfortune, while [Page 21]himself rejoyced in his own secu­rity, and having stollen himself from them.

This losse added new affliction to the Duke of Gloucester, not ha­ving lost only a brother, but a comforter and instructer, so that he began to grow melancholy, especially receiving daily intima­tion from that mirror of her age his dear sister the Lady Elizabeth, of the hourely danger both them­selves and father stood in; and in­deed it began to appear more and more every day, for the Army un­der Cromwell had violated the trea­ty in the Isle of Wight, and once more laid traiterous hands on the sacred person of over clouded Ma­jesty, carrying him first to Hurst, and at length brought him to St. James's near London, where they most barbarously murdered him.

On the 29th of January, which was the day before he dyed, he de­sired [Page 22]he might see and take his last farewell of his children,D. Glou­cester comes to the King, and his answer to him. which with some regret was granted, and the Lady Elizabeth and the Duke of Gloucester brought to him. The King taking the Duke upon his knee, said, Sweet heart, now they will cut off thy fathers head, mark child what I say, they will cut off my head, and perhaps make thee a King, but you must not be a King so long as your brothers Charles and James be living, for they will cut off your brothers heads (when they can catch them) and cut off thy head too at the last, and there­fore I charge you not to be made a King by them. At which words the child smiling said, I will be torn in pieces first, which falling so unexpectedly from one so young, made the King rejoyce ex­ceedingly.

The same day the King urged it again to the little Duke, that he [Page 23]might not take the Kingdome if he regarded the good of his soul, and therefore commanded him up­on his blessing not to accept there­of, unlesse it lawfully redounded to him: to whom he answered to this effect, that he hoped God would give him grace to be more contented with the legal title of Gloucester, then the usurped autho­rity of that right which from God and nature belonged to another; and after that day he never saw his fathers face more.

Near upon two yeares after this he continued at London, although the Juncto had now ordered they should have no longer any honour used towards them, which a little startled our young Princes,D. Glou­cester and Lady Eliz. to Caris­brook in the Isle of Wight. but what a condition may we imagine them to be in when newes arrived to their eares that they were or­dered to be carried Prisoners to Carisbrook Castle, the same fatal [Page 24]place where their father had suffer­ed so many indignities. This I say did strike somewhat close to them, especially when on the 31 of July 1650. they were necessitated to go thither with untoward atten­dants, and lesse respect; which, to­gether with the other sorrowes that they had daily undergone, wrought so on the spirit of the dis­cerning, though disconsolate La­dy,Lady Eliz. dyed. that she soon fell into a Con­sumption, and on the 8th of Sep­tember in the same year, dyed at Carisbrook, and on the 24th of the same was privately interred at Newport in the Isle of Wight.

D. Glou­cester or­der'd to be sent be­yond Sea.Now is the little Duke totally left alone, to take comfort onely in his solitary meditations, when those monsters at Westminster fell into consideration what to do with him: after many various and un­mannerly debates, they resolve to ship him away beyond Sea, which [Page 25]coming to the Dukes hearing, (being now about eleven yeares of age) he gave God thanks that he should be so delivered, and that he had so restrained their malice, that though they had the will, they had not yet the power to hurt him. My father told me (said he to one about him) that God would pro­vide for me, which he hath abun­dantly done, in that he deliveteth me as a Lamb out of the pawes of the devouring Lyon.

According to the said foreta­ken resolution, they order his go­ing beyond Sea, and send a Tutor along with him, giving him in charge, First, that he should go and study at a Protestant School. Secondly, that he keep correspon­dence with the Parliament by let­ters, and that his tutor should ren­der them an account of his pro­gresse and proficiency in learning. Thirdly, that he should not go [Page 26]near his mother or brothers, or have any thing to do with them, but in all things utterly disown them: and fourthly, that he shall immediately return upon notice from the Parliament to him given to that purpose; and upon these and the like termes he goes away, with an allowance of 3000 l. a year: but see the gallantry of this young Princes spirit, he is no soon­er at liberty,H [...]s allow­ance he quits, and the reason why. but, slighting all these propositions, he goes to France, visits his mother and bro­thers, takes the blessing of the one, salutes the other, and after a short stay, for the future improvement of his learning, he goes to Leyden, and there settles to study.

While the Duke of Gloucester is thus preparing to fit himself to enter into the world,Prince of Orange [...]yes. the Prince of Orange husband to the Lady Mary passeth out of this world into ano­ther by death, on the 8th of Octo­ber [Page 27]in the year 1650. when he had brought the stiffe-necked Hol­lander to reason, who began to wince at his superiority, and was in hopes to have seen issue of his own loynes; for in November while his funeral was not yet past, the Lady Mary Princess Dowager of Orange, was delivered of a son,Princesse Dowager [...] brought to bed of a son. to the no small joy of his mother and all her relations, to whom this was looked on as a prosperous Omen of future happinesse, for that thereby was setled a continu­ance of amity between the Hol­lander and English, on behalf of the King of England, whose quar­rel they shortly after endeavoured to maintain, in several sharp bat­tels at Sea, though not with such successe as was hoped, and expect­ed from such a powerfull assi­stance.

When the Princesse was well recovered of her childbed, the [Page 28]States of the Country had taken order for the solemn funerall of their deceased Prince,Prince of Orange interred solemnly. which was with great state celebrated on the fifteenth day of March following, being attended with a gallant num­ber of Gentry, and followed with a noble equipage of valiant soul­diers, till he was interred among the rest of his famous ancestors, whose worthy deeds when living, are a more lasting and honourable tomb then ought can be inscribed on brasse or marble.

The English rebels having as aforesaid murdered their Sove­reign, and banished his sons to seek their fortunes in foreign lands, the Scots who had betrayed the father seek to make amends to the son, by restoring him to his paternal in­heritance;King C. 2. [...]th his [...]ister of Orange at Bredah. whereupon a treaty is had with the said Scots at Bredah, a town belonging to the Princesse of Orange, for there with most [Page 29]security he durst intrust his person, well knowing he might cast him­self into the armes of his dearest sister, who had neither spared time, labor, friends or money, to advance his interest, so trampled on by daring Treason.

We left the Duke of Glouce­ster at Leyden following his study,D. Glou­cester at Leyden. being grown a most compleat Gentleman, and rarely accom­plished, of complexion much like his father, his hair of a sad or dark brown, of a middle stature, strong judgement, a deep and reaching understanding, and a most pleasing affable delivery, so that it might truly be said of him ‘Mens formosa tegi formoso cor­pore gaudet.’ And indeed this made him be be­loved and honoured in the fight of all men;His ea­nestnesse to attain learning. for such was his for­wardnesse and zeal to learning, and to attain the Arts, that he [Page 30]would steal from his houres of rest to adde to them of his study,Iliad. 8. ta­king that of Homer as if spoken to himself

And Plautus saith,

Striving to imitate that famous conquerour of the world Alexan­ander the great, who being asked how in so short a time he had done such great things, which another could revolve in his mind in the same time, answered, [...], noting thereby a continu­ed industry with which he did al­wayes follow his occasions, and constantly persevere in the pursuit [Page 31]of his proposed end, letting no occasion of well managing his his businesse, rashly or negligently slip out of his hands. And indeed out Duke fell short in nothing of that Heathen, for he never would contract or let fall his spirit,His indu­stry. so as he might seem to be overpressed, but rather would chearfully and freely, not as of constraint, meet occasions, and by all meanes en­deavour to forward, never with a fine-spun complement to delay or procrastinate any design.

Imbue Puerum, Pro. 22.6. Instruct a child (saith Solomon) in the way where­in he should walk, and when he is old he will not depart therefrom, for as the teaching is, such will the manners, according to that ‘Morum quos fecit, praemia doctor habei.’ This rule being closely followed by him in his childhood, was ne­ver after forgotren; for he made [Page 32]it his chief work to satisfie his judgement in the controversies of Religion,His reli­gion. as knowing that ‘Principis est virtus maxima, no­sce Deum.’ And herein certainly he was so perfect, that all about him were admiting hearets of his profound discourses,His Elo­quence. his words dropping from him in a mellifluous manner both to delight and satisfaction. ‘Mente valet, juncta est facundis gratia didit.Homer de Iliss:’ His insight in humane learning was very great, so that he was courted by foreigners as a son of wisdome, by whose example, the excesse of his followers was aba­ted, for they did subire animos magno authori, tye their minds to his rule,His mode ration. to the perfect fulfilling that rule of the Poer,

And as he inherited his fathers pourtraiture,His fathers imitator. so likewise he owned his perfection, according to that of Isocrates, [...]; the roots of vertue were so deeply fixed, that they could not be pulled up by any strength, nor by any meanes be removed: of such force is educa­tion, that the sweet savour of Ver­tue first received, when the mind is yet tender, open, and easily sea­soned, is hardly ever to be extin­guished.

The antient Romans, when their voices were demanded at the Election of their Emperour, used to cry out with one consent Quis melior quam literatus? rest­ing assured that Vertue and Learn­ing were for the most part copart­ners, [Page 34]and insinuating that he that wanted learning could never merit honour.

This made Licinius that was Collegue in the Empire with Con­stantine the great, be recorded by all writers with Infamy, for that, (being uncapable of learning himself, by reason of the slowness and barrennesse of his understand­ing) was wont to call learning the very poyson, and publick plague that infected Realmes. The Roman Historians wholly apply­ing this vanity of his to want of judgement, and not being able to comprehend the benefit of Arts.

But our Royal Duke was of the Philosopher Aristippus his mind, being wont to affirm, that it was better to be a beggar then unlearn­ed, because the beggars penury was but want of money, but he that was unlearned was void of hu­manity: [Page 35]and therefore (saith one) if a good man,Joach. Vag. in Anatol. dedic. or a learned man would ever wish to live long, cer­tainly it would be for no other cause, but that they may do some­thing worthy of living. This made Scaliger cry out, Nothing is better than knowledge, nothing more noble than to reach, nothing comes so near to true felicity, as to learn. But we cannot learn but from others, we cannot teach unlesse we converse with others, and we can learn little or nothing truly but what we learn from others; not by a continual poring on the book, for that (saith Socrates) weakneth the memory, but by discourse, and publick conversing with men.

This made the Duke of Glou­cester, when he had thus truly laid the foundation and ground work of his learning in his private study at Leyden, to return again to the [Page 36]Court of France, there to study men, whereby to become more capable of assisting his brother, the most incomparable King of Great Britain. He had already seen the beauty of many cities, known the manners of the people of many countries, through whom he had passed, and learned the language of those Nations with whom he had been conversant, which served him not only for delight, but or­nament: nor rested he here, for observing that the greatest orna­ment is the beauty of the mind, he made it his endeavour to attain that which in moral Philosophy is called Cultus animi, consonant and agreeing with those of his bo­dy, namely beauty, health and strength.

The beauty of his mind he shew­in gratefull and acceptable formes and sweetness [...] of behaviour, which caused all men that had to do with [Page 37]him alwayes to go from him highly satisfied and contented. 2. The health of his mind con­sisted in an immoveable constan­cy and freedome from passions, which indeed are the sicknesse of the mind. 3. The strength of his mind he demonstrated in perform­ing good and great things, the even temper of his mind keeping him from evil and base things. Now the greatest part of men have none of these: some have one and lack the other two, some few attain to have two of them, but this most Illustrious Prince was the great Master of all three; which as it shewed a most deep understanding, so the meanes whereby be at­tained thereunto may well deserve a memorial to be recommended to posterity for great men to imi­tate.

The first thing he endeavoured was to attain experience of formes, [Page 38]which he did, by making his mind expers rerum, for behaviour is but a garment, and it is easie to make a comely garment for a body that is well proportioned; whereas a deformed body can never be helped by Taylors art, but the counter­feiting will appear. And in the form of the mind it is a true rule that a man may mend his faults with as little labour as co­ver them.

The second way he proposed to himself for the aforesaid end, was this, to wit, imitation; and to that end he affected the worthi­est, and did not think them most worthy whom he most af­fected.

To obtain the health of the mind he used the same meanes which we do for the health of our bodies, that is, to make observance what diseases we are aptest to fall into, and to provide against them, for [Page 39]Physick hath not more remedy against the diseases of the body, than Reason hath preservatives a­gainst the passions of the mind.

This made him all the while he did abide in the Court of France, where he saw infinite variety and behaviour of men and manners, that he alwayes followed and imi­tated the best, not being caught with novelties, nor infected with Customes, not given to affectati­on: three excellent vertues, that are seldome seen concurring in a person of his quality.

Nor did he think it enough to have been in the court, unlesse he visited the camp also, which made him go into the Army wherein his brother, the most Magnanimous Duke of York had then a command against the Spa­niard; with this advantage, as also for many other strong mo­tives, he laid aside the tender­nesse [Page 40]of his birth and breeding, and conformed his naturall cou­rage to be fit to true fortitude, thinking it better at the first to do a great deal too much, than any thing too little; for he knew it to be an observation in­fallibly true, that a young man, especially a strangers first actions, are looked upon, and Reputation once gotten is easily kept, but an ev [...]l impression conceived at the first is not easily removed; so that in short time his name and actions grew both famous and honoured.

But now, as if fortune had not already done her worst to these Royall Branches of Great Britains Monarthy, by a forcible expulsion of them from their Native Country by their unna­tural Subjects, and setting up an usurping. Impostor in the Kingly seat, she throwes one [Page 41]stone more, as hoping abroad to accomplish that villany which by any meanes at home they were out of hopes ever to bring to passe; for about November 1655. that devillish Rebell Cromwell having engrossed into his own hands the reines of go­vernment, and brought the Eng­lish Nation to a slavish submis­sion to his Tyrant [...]cal power, not onely within his own limits did what he listed, but quarrelled downright with forein Princes, especially the King of Spain, upon whom he had made a vi­olent breach in the Indies, by the assayling of Hispaniola, and surprizing and taking of the Island of Jamaica. And now finding the King of Spain inraged at the attempt, he attaches him likewise nearer home, that is to say in Flanders.

To which purpose, by the as­sistance [Page 42]of the Cardinall of France, Mazarine, and the help of mo­ney, in hopes to weaken the Spaniard, by strengthening the French, he enters into a Treaty with them, and on a sudden, concludes a league offensive and defensive; on the twenty eighth of November aforesaid, 1655. a peace was solemnly proclaimed with France.

At the time of these trans­actions was the Duke of Glou­cester in France, accompanying his brother of York in the warres there, yet both still having an eye to the King of Englands af­faires, when upon the conclusion and proclaming of the peace aforesaid, it was suddenly pro­pounded, (although before it was agreed) that they should all be gone from thence in a certain time; how great an affront and indignity this was to such persons [Page 43]who had so highly and eminent­ly deserved at the hands of that people, I leave to all discerning spirits to judge. The King there­fore upon good advice, having considered the nature of that rash and inconstant Nation, and minding how once they were like to have served Henry the seventh, by delivering him into the hands of Richard the third his messen­gers, was not minded either to run the hazard of his own sa­cred Person, or of either of his brothers, the Dukes of York and Gloucester, but by a timely re­tirement to make an absolute prevention, and so not only to take away their power, but their hopes of doing him any inconve­nience. Hereupon they remove, not over hastily, as in fear, but as befitted their Grandeur, scor­ning to be driven, they lei­surely go into Germany, and for [Page 44]some time abode at Colen.

Here the Duke of Gloucester again retired himself to a more melancholy life, by his present reading, fitting himself for fu­ture employment. To this end he was much conversant in Hi­stories, thereby setling his judge­ment in matters morall, politick and military, so improving that which they intended as a disho­nourable banishment, that it pro­ved an advantagious retirement. Adversity bendeth, but never breaketh a noble and undaunted courage, he abandons not him­self, though all the world forsake him, but hopes that when For­tune is come to the Brumal Sol­stice of her frowning, she will be Retrograde, and shine again with the beames of better successe: this made him therefore, though plunged to the lowest deep of disasters, not to sink into the ne­thermost [Page 45]hell of despair, whence is no redemption, but reserve him­self to better fortune, according to that of the Greek Historian and Philosopher, [...]. Decet utrum vere generosum ferre tum bona tum mala si lapsus fuerit.

During this time of abode at Colen, came thither the newes of an irreconcileable breach between England and Spain, as a certainty whereof, they heard that the Spa­niard at Dunkirk had proclaimed open warre against the English: this was taken as a fit and hope­full opportunity by our exiled Princes, who not long after were very ceremoniously invited into Flanders, where being come, and having received the first entertain­ment, as of strangers, the next seemed to carry with it a friend­ship, which so encouraged our [Page 46]two young Nobles of York and Gloucester, that intending a revenge upon France for her unhandsome sending them away, with some new raised forces which they had gotten together, they went into the Spanish Camp, and joyned themselves to the Prince of Conde, who was a Protestant Prince, of the blood Royall of France, but now upon discontent in armes against the French King. To him I say they joyned, as assu­red to do more then if they were all Spanish, in regard the secrets of the whole Kingdome were well known to him; and not onely Conde, but our English Princes by their long residence there, had observed both his friends and confederecies, and upon what re­spects they leagued with him; they knew his power and strength, both in regard of his Countrey and his forces, being well acquain­ted [Page 47](as having been trained up in Martial discipline) with many of his chief Commanders; and in cruth they nothing failed of their expectation, although the French by the conjoyned forces of Eng­land, did things beyond their ac­customed manner, besieging and taking Mardike, Dunkirk, and other forts from the Spaniard, al­though the Spanish forces did as much as could be expected from men, and the English in the quarter where the Dukes of York and Gloucester lay, acted wonders even against their own Country­men; neither would our Princes leave the Spaniard for the first losse, but continued helping them with an undaunted courage, even till the happy restauration of the King of England to his throne and Kingdomes.

In this military posture they made many intodes into the ene­mies [Page 48]countrey, and that with such successe, as made their valour ap­plauded, and their judgement ad­mired.

We left the Princesse of Orange newly out of chil [...]bed, and mother of a Posthumus son, the tender­nesse of whose yeares had hitherto kept him, as to the generality of the world, unknown, but now his yeares having made him seem ca­pable of a more discerning judge­ment, the States of the Country begin to complement him, and by a serious endeavour strive to train him up in the military art, that thereby he might in the future be able to do as his forefathers, and not only imitate their vertues, but their valour: and to this end there was a company of young Noble men and Gentlemen raised, of whom the Prince was to the Com­mander in chief, the Lord Brehe­rode Lieutenant, and the young [Page 49]Lord Wassenaer Ensign. A good rule sure, so by custome and use in youth, to enure to practise, that their most perfect age shall not scruple at the toyle, but rather count all difficult things pleasurable, as knowing that Ardua virtutis est via. But it is often seen that men are weary of well doing, and so were these Hollanders, quitting their widow Princesse and her Son, and closing with English factions against the King, which being seen by Prince William Governour of Friesland, he, together with the whole Country, declared their dissent against any such agreement, and stand highly on their punctilios for their young Princes, and his mothers honour and right.

This gallantry and noblenesse of the Frieslander, was highly commended by many forein Prin­ces, especially the Brandenburgher, [Page 50]whose Electoral Princesse with all her trayne, came to give a visit to the Princesse of Orange; whither also came the Dukes of York and Gloucester, for whom there was a stately, and Prince­like preparation made for their entertainment; which the whole States taking notice of, their sto­machs also came down, and by their meanes the City of Amster­dam invited the Princesse of Orange to a magnificent feast in remembrance of the great ser­vices performed by the house of Orange for them.

The Dukes in this interim were retired into Flanders, to their forces in the Spanish army, wherein the Duke of York still continued an eminent actor, but the Duke of Gloucester having as he supposed, seen sufficient of the warres, and hoping that God at length would restore his [Page 51]brother the King, he intended to apply himself to such a form of life, as that he might by his Counsell be able to help him, knowing that most great men,Tacit. An­nal. plu­ra Consilio quam [...]vi perfecerent, have ever done as much by Coun­sell as by force.1 Com. C [...]vill. Bel [...] ▪ This made Cae­sar say, Non minus est Imperatoris consilio superare quam gladio, A Princes conquests are gained as much by Councell as by the sword.

We may justly say, that this young Duke did truly prove such a one as Basilius the Empe­rour recommended to his son, [...], that is, Use such Counsel­lers who have counselled well in [Page 52]their own affaires, and managed the same well, not such whose im­prudence hath made all things go to confusion, for they who through too much carelesnesse neglect themselves and their own busi­nesse, will never be a good help or adviser to another: this I say, was so in him, for never was any man more atrent to what he under­took, nor more carefull either in his own, or the affaires of others, by which meanes he hoped to shut out all foreiners from coun­sell, lest they should attract envy to his Prince, because Consilia ex­terna sunt semper infausta.

That maxime in him was truly verified, Miseria Pruden­tiae bowa Mater, for certainly his afflictions did infinitely refine him, He might say with David, It is good for me that I have been afflicted, [...]sal. 119. for thereby I have learned not only they Law, but [Page 67]have gained an insight into worldly Wisdome, nor are Councellors onely bettered by troubles but even Prin­ces themselves are made excellent, whom a various fortune hath some­times exercised, Charles the fifth of France was endued with an admi­rable Wisdome, and gained the sir­name of Wise, but few men were ever so variously tossed up and down even from his very child­hood; his Father King Iohn being lead away Prisoner, and the King­dome harrassed over by another Nation, So Lewis the eleventh, a wise Prince, yet for divers years dri­ven both from his Father, Friends, and Countrey, and forced to live as an exile with Philip Duke of Bur­gundy, many others we might joyn in the same rank; but what need we go from home, since we have among us the most religiously wise King in the World, whose tryals have ex­ceeded all before going. Most true therefore is that saying of the [Page 50]Greeks— [...]. a quibus laesus ab jis doctus—In this condi­tion we will leave him at his serious studies, to see how the Princess of Orange his Sister speeds with her pleased friends of Holland: the Sta [...]es having upon their second and bet­ter thoughts reconciled themselves to the Prince & his Mother, as a testi­mony thereof gave them a magnifi­cent entertainment being welcomed by the chief of the Town accompa­nied with many horses richly ac­coutred, and many Coaches, the Burgomasters at their reception gi­ging high thanks to the Princess fo [...] dignifying them with her presence▪ As a recreation after the Feast, wa [...] presented in various shews, the me­morable Acts of the five last Prin­ces of Orange, the Emperour Adolp [...] of Nassaw and others of that fami­ly, & in the shew was placed a repre­sentation of the present young Princ [...] in the Arms of Religion; nothin [...] was wanting that might grace s [...] [Page 51]solemne an accasion, but onely the Prince of Orange himself, the Peo­ple longing with an unsatisfied ex­pectation to see his person, for now as he grew up apace, so he began to draw the eyes and observation of most men in those parts towards him, as the person ordained to re­duce things to the antient lustre as they were wont to be in the dayes of the Princes of Orange his predeces­sours. Which others of a more facti­ous and wicked nature murmured at, rather desiring that he might be layd aside. This made his Mother to looke about her and with care to keep correspondencies especially with those Provinces that refused a confaederacy with the English, like a good Prince minding Patriae benefi­cium the advantage of the Country more then her own private ends: and that the world might take no­tice thereof, she bore her Son com­pany to Leyden when he went thi­ther to be instructed in the Langu­ages [Page 66]and Sciences, and were by the Magistraces of that City honourably received.

The Princess Royal being returned to the Hague and intending to go thence to Bredah, her Son the Prince came thither for a few dayes from Leyden to take his leave of her, and as soon as she was gon he returned back again to his studyes.

The Duke of Glocester all this while remained private, only some­times visiting in publick his Illustri­ous brothers, being grown famous by his retirement; and his Councils looked on as Oracles, his knowledge being weighed not by the length of his life, but the observations he made upon all occurrents, proving thereby that he that liveth long and seeth much but observeth nothing, shall never prove any wise man.

There was not any the meanest action whereof he took not notice, weighing the coherence of causes, effects counsels and successes, with [Page 71]the proportion and likewise between nature and nature, fortune and for­tune, action and action, state and state, time past, and time present, thereby being able to render an ac­count both of the manners and customes both of the places and people wherein he had resided.

The Princess of Orange was now at Bredah, where she was carressed and courted by many forraign Prin­ces and States, onely the King of France, by what or whose instigati­on is not certainly known, began to play foul, for while the old Princess Dowager of Orange and she, were with some heat contesting about the Guardianship of the Principa­lity of Orange, the French King sur­prises the same, takes into his own possession the Ammunition and Arms with all other strengths there­of, and gives out that he will keep them all for the young Princes use during his minority, and as a faith­ful Steward deliver them all up [Page 54]again when he comes to full age. A fair pretence, but much to be feared that it will with great difficulty be performed, it being too generally found true that Great men many times do wrong, because they have a power in their hands, and so long as that power lasts they will and do maintain the same by doing greater. But although the Princess and all her friends did much both doubt and fear such an event from so un­handsome a beginning, yet they for the present smothered the same within their Breasts, doubting least by shewing their fear, they should cause a distrust, for as Seneca saith Qui timet a nicum amicum ut timeat do­cet. [...]en. Sent. Whereas noble and generous spirits strive as much not to be over­come in curtesy, as the valiant and couragious not to be overthrown in Battail. Hence it is that nothing more obligeth the promiser to an unfeigned and free performance, then the free and confident assu­rance, [Page 55]which the promitter profes­seth to have in the word and offer made him, whereas on the contra­ry many have taught others to de­ceive, while they have appeared too feareful and jealous of being de­ceived.

The face of affaires both in Eng­land and other parts began now to be altered, and that Royal family which had suffered so long and tedi­ous an Ecclipse began again to be worshipped as Sol oriens as the ri­sing Sun in our Hemisphears, in so much that on every side it is cour­ted and caressed, making good that saying of the poet.

and so indeed they did, for the Rebells of England being beaten at their own weapon, the imme­diate finger of God appeared and infused a new spirit of Loyalty into [Page 07]the hearts of the people which occa­sioned his Majesty accompanied with his brothers the Duke of Yorke and Glocester, to come from Brus­sells in the King of Spaines Country and under his command to Bredah under tuition of his beloved Sister the Princess of Orange where they were recived with that splendor as became such persons on all hands; she with joy to see the Sacred Ma­jesty of great Brittain in such hopes of restauration, and they with gra­titude to heaven for so great and happy a change.

Here they continued until the English Parliament sent Commis­sioners to invite the King and his brothers home into England, and as a particular testimony of their true obedience and Loyalty, they sent to each of them several great pre­sents, and particularly to the Duke of Glocester the sume of Ten thou­sands pounds which was acceptably received and shortly after the said [Page 75]Duke wayting on the King imbarked in the good ship called the Nazby, but at that time new Christened and named the Charles, in which by the good hands of God assisting, he arri­ved in England and Landed at Do­ver on the five and twenty day of May and from thence went to Can­terbury. On the twenty eight he riding on the left hand of the King came to Rochester and on the twenty ninth with a stately and magnifi­cent passage through the famous & antient City of London the Metro­polis of the Kingdom, did arrive at Whitehall in the evening, which Crowned the solemnity of the day with incredible demonstrations. After a day or two respite and rest [...]he Dukes of York and Glocester went [...]o the house of Peeres and their took [...]heir places, adding by their pre­ [...]ence two stars of the first magni­ [...]ude to that spheare, which had of [...]ate been wholly overclouded or at [...]est taken up by comets & meteors.

The King had not been above a fortnight in London but that he no­minated a privy Councel, whereof the Duke of Glocester was one of the cheif, the King having known by experience that Pa [...]vi sunt foris arma nisi sit consilium domi, & therefore up­on his former observa [...]ion of [...]is rich endowments of mind, and strength of judgement, which with happy success he had often made use of, he made that choyce, being well cau­tioned of the necessity of such coun­sellours. Salustius in his discourse to Caesar saith, ego comperi omnia regna avitates, nationes usque eo prosperum im­perium habuisse, dum vera consili [...] valuerunt; ubi gratia, timor, voluptas e [...] corrupêre, post paulo imminutae opes [...] deinde ademptum imperium, postremo ser [...] vitus imposita est, I have found (sait [...] he) all Kingdomes Cities & Nation [...] so long to have prospered as the [...] made use of sound and wise Counsels▪ but where favour fear or partialit [...] have prevayled, they have soon de­cayed [Page 56]and at last been made tribu­ [...]aryes to their Enemies Aristotle writing to Alexander useth these words [...].Arist. Rher. ad Alex. Consiliari eorum quae inter [...]omines, divinissinum est, that to give good counsel is a thing more then [...]umane. And in another place [...]. Quiddam sacrum [...]st consultatio. Good counsel hath [...]omething of god in it.

Heaven having thus propitiously [...]etled the affaires of Government in [...] good measure, lest so great excess [...]hould breed supinesse or neglect, gives affliction, to moderate turgen­cies, by casting that most excellent Prince and Counseller the Duke of Glocester on his sick bed; the disease under which he laboured was com­mon to this English Nation, and very [...]eldom if ever mortal; curble for the most part by the attendant care of some knowing Nurse, but be­come mortal to the Duke by the over-nice and too severe rules of the [Page 74]Learned Physitian, who contra [...] to the nature of the disease di [...] ­several times let him blood; fo [...] howsoever Rulandus Botallus, an [...] divers other good Phisitians, com­mand Phlebotomy as an excellen [...] means to cure many desperate di [...] ­ease, yet in this our Northern Isle, or bodies being for the most part mo [...] Phlegmatick and gross then theirs t [...] the Southward are by consequenc [...] the better holpen, by dejectory diureticke and diaphereticall mean then by any effusion of blood, but s [...] prevalent was the Physitians cred [...] that their art was submited unto i [...] all things. The Duke as I said twi [...] or thrice let blood and by tha [...] meanes unfortunately in the prim [...] of his years and beginning of hi [...] strength, on the thirteenth day o [...] September 1660. was brought to his death, a day for ever to be noted fatal and in the Calender to be nig [...] Carbone notatus that all the world may know it be unlucky.

We may justly lament his loss as [...]icero did the death of Sulpitius, Tul. Pist lib. 11. ep 9. & 6.12. ep. 5. [...]ervji Sulpitii morte magnum praesi­ [...]ium amisimus, amisso enim eo tan­ [...]um detrimenti respublica acceperit ut [...]unc autoritate & prudentia prospicere [...]ortet ne inimici nostri consule sublato [...]erent se convalescere posse. By this [...]eath of the Duke, we lost one great [...]iller of the Commonwealth, which [...]hereby hath suffered so great da­ [...]age that it will aske our whole [...]isedome and authority to keep our [...]nemies in a sure subjection.

While this sad face of affaires [...]egan to appear and cloud the En­ [...]ish; The Princess Royal desirous [...] give a visit to her brother in his [...]n Kingdome, to congratulate with [...]m in the happiness of his miracu­ [...]s restoration, acquainted the States [...] the Low Countryes with such [...]er intents, who being highly sa­ [...]fied therewith, she further then [...]mmended to their care & love, her [...]ung Son the present Prince of O­range [Page 63]during the time of her absen [...] in England, which she said would be for some time: the States gla [...] to be so highly entrusted, and wi [...] such a treasure, promised the utmo [...] of their care and endeavour in th [...] said young Princes behalfe, who [...] they then owned as their Prince a [...] promised to him all fidelity: a [...] as a testimony of their present affec­tion to her their Princes mothe [...] they bestowed on her several gre [...] and Princely gifts, together wi [...] an honourable splendid entertain­ment, waiting upon her also to t [...] Sea side, where in a solemne a [...] respectful manner they took the farwel of her while she imbark [...] on shipboard, and with a prospero [...] gale of wind arrived at the Engli [...] shore, where being landed on t [...] three and twentith day of Septem­ber she was met and received by th [...] King of great Brittain and the Duke of Yorke, and with a Royal traine a [...] tended to the Court at Whiteh [...] [Page 62]where afterwards she remained, be­ing entertained with Royal feastings and pleasures according to the laud­able custom of antient dayes, and contrary to the P [...]anatick humour of these times. Where we may see some that do avoid pleasure out of a pretence of danger, and dare not but abandon lawful delights for fear (forsooth) of sin, these seeme like jgnorant metallists which cast a­way the pretious Ore because they cannot separate the gold from the dross; or some simple Jew that con­demes the pure streames of Iordan because they fall into the dead Sea; why do not these men refuse to eat because meat hath made many gluttons; how dare they cover them­selves with clothes that know there is pride in raggs? These hard tutors if not tyrants to themselves while they pretend a mortified strictness are injurious not only to their own li­berty, but to the liberty of their ma­ker: wherefore hath he given the [Page 78]Commodityes of the earth if not for use? or why placed he man in Paradice not in a desert? How can we more displease a liberall friend then to depart from his delicate feast wilfully hungry: they are deceived that call this holiness: It is the dis­ease of a minde sullen, distrustful and impotent. There is nothing but evill which is not from heaven, and he is none of Gods freind that re­jects his gifts for his own abuse: if God have mixed us a sweet cup, let us drink it cheerfully commend the tast and be thankful, rejoycing in it as his. In this manner and no other were the festivous celebrations given to this Illustrious Princess; the same still continuing until the Queen Mother was coming out of France, as to receive the benefit of the long de­teined Dowry so to give a visit to her son now settled for whose hoped re­stauration, she had sent so many day­ly Orasons to heaven: whereof the King having notice on the twenty [Page 65]seventh of October went to meet [...]her at her landing at Dover, and from thence with a Princely equipage and royal attendance conducted her to whitehall after ninetten yeares ab­sence thence, with whome came the Illustrious Princess Heniretta, (her daughter) and Prince Edward brother to the Prince Elector Palatine; on the second day of November 1660.

Long had not this contexture of happiness lasted before a sad & sul­len cloud began to cast a dimnes over all these joyes by the sudain falling sick of the Princess Royal of Orange, into a like distemper with that which had so immaturely robbed us of her incomparable brother the Duke of Glocester; whereof she had not lain sick many dayes but by the same hand using the same meanes of blood-letting she was trans­lated into another world, exchang­ing this life for a more certain, and the transitory pleasures of earth for [Page 66]the never fading joyes of a more glorious Kingdome.

Her death was a new cause of sor­row to all faithful and Loyal hear [...]s which made them express their vari­ous sadness in several sorts according to the magnitude and excess of their greif, among whom give me leave (since the poore widowes mit [...] bringing what she could and all tha [...] she had was acceptable) to add on teare to the general deluge of sorrow which covers the face of our Eng­lish world in this ensuing Elegy