The Lives of Sundry Eminent Persons, Part 2 · Biography 1
CAVTERA … ….…
PHILIPPVS SIDNEIVS Equ. Aur. obiit Ao Dn̄i 1586.
F. H. van. Houe. Sculp:
The Life and Death of Sir Philip Sidney, who Died An. Ch. 1586.
SIR Philip Sidney, was the first born Son of Sir Henry Sidney, who was a Man of an excellent wit, large Heart and conversation; and such a Governour, as sought not to make an end of the State in himself, but to plant his own ends in the prosperity of his Country; witness his sound Establishments both in Wales and Ireland, where his memory is deservedly grateful unto this Day.
His Mother was Daughter to the Duke of Northumberland, and Sister to the Earls His Parentage.of Warwick and Licester: She was by nature of a large ingenious Spirit, whence, as it were, even racked with native strength, she chose rather to hide Her self from the curious eyes of a delicate time, than to come upon the stage of the World with any manner of disparagement: The mischance of sickness having cast such a kind of veile over her excellent Beauty, as the modesty of that Sex doth many times upon their native, and Heroical Spirits. By this it appears that his Descent was apparently Noble on both sides. Yea, and it may probably be gathered, that this clearness of his Fathers Judgment, and the ingeniousness of his Mothers, brought so happy a temper in this well mixt Off-spring of theirs; who as he was their first born, so was he not the contraction, but the extension of their strength, and the very aim, and perfect Type of it.
A Noble Man of Eminent Parts, that was brought up with him from his Childhood, gives this Testimony of him: I (saith he) tho I knew him from a Child, yet I never knew him other than a Man: With such a staidness of mind, lovely, and familiar gravity, as carried grace and reverence above greater years. His talk was profitable, and his very play tended to the enriching of his mind: So that even his Teachers found something in him to observe and learn, above that which they had usually read, or taught: Which Eminence, by Nature and Industry, made his worthy Father stile him, Lumen Familiae: The Light of his Family.
Instance that Reverend Languet, mentioned for honour sake in Sir Philip Sid…y's His Travails.Arcadia, learned usque ad-miraculum, Learned, even to a miracle; who wisely forseeing dangers at home from Rome and Spain, went abroad, and setled at Frankford, where he was intertained Agent for the Duke of Saxony, and an under-hand Minister for his own King. He lodged in Wechels house, the Printer of Frankford, where Sir Philip in his Travels, chanced also to become a Guest. This ingenious old mans fulness of knowledge, travelling as much to be delivered of abundance by teaching, as Sir Philips rich Nature and industry, thirsted to be taught, and manured by him. This Harmony of an humble Hearer, and an excellent Teacher, so equally pleased them both, as out of a natural descent both in Love and plenty, the Elder grew taken with a Net of his own thread, and the Younger was taught to lift up himself by a Thread of the same spinning: So as this Reverend Languet, became a Nurse of Knowledge to this Hopeful young Gentleman, and without any other hire or motive than this Sympathy of affections, accompanied him in the whole course of his three years Travels.
And when the diversity of years, and courses of Life enforced these dear Friends to part asunder, there yet passed such a continual course of intelligence by Letters from one of them to the other, as in their loss there be buried many delicate images, and differences, between the real and large complexions of those Active times, and the narrow Salves of this effeminate age: Because in this excellent mould of their friendship, the greatest businesses of Estate were so mixed with the sweet Remissions of ingenuous good Will, as men might easily discern in them (as in unflattering Glasses) that Wisdom and Love, in good Spirits have great affinity together. For a farther demonstration whereof, this same Reverend Languet (after he was sixty six years of age) framed to himself a journey into England, in the Company of Duke Casimire, only to see that excellent Plant of his own pruning, and polishing: By which loving, and unexpected meeting, neither of them became losers. At the Sea-side they parted, and made many mutual Tears ominous Prophecies of their never meeting again.
That worthy Prince, William of Nassau, had long kept intelligence with Sir Philip Fame had, &c.Sidney, both by word and Letters, and that in affairs of the highest nature which then passed currant upon the Stages of England, France, Germany, Italy, the Low-Countries, and Spain; And this young Gentleman had, by his mutual freedom, so imprinted the extraordinary merit of his young years, into the large wisdom, and experience of that excellent Prince, that, as Sir Fulk Grevil (Sir Philips intimate Friend) passed out of Germany into England, meeting with the Prince of Orange in the Town of Delph, among other discourse, he spake of the dangerous fate, which the Crown of England, States of Germany, and the Low-Countries did stand threatned with, under an ambitious, and Conquering Monarchs hand, meaning Philip the second, King of Spain.
And having instanced in other Countries, he became to speak of England, and among other passages, he protested, that if he could judge, her Majesty of England (Queen Elizabeth) had one of the ripest and greatest Counsellours of Estate in Sir Phillip Sidney, of all that then lived in Europe; to the tryal of which he would leave his own credit engaged, untill Her Majesty might be pleased to employ this Gentleman, either among Her Friends, or against her Enemies.
His Uncle, the Earl of Leicester (after Sir Philip's death, and not long before his own) told a great Courtier, that when he undertook the Government of the Low Countries, he carried his Nephew Sir Philip over with him, as one among the rest, not only despising his youth as a Counsellor; but withal bearing an hand over him as a forward young man: Yet notwithstanding, in a short time he saw this Sun so risen above his Horizon, that both he, and all his Stars were glad to fetch light from him; and in the end, acknowledged His Prudence and Conduct:that he held up the honour of his casual Government, and Authority by him, whilst he lived, and found reason to withdraw himself from it, after his death.
Also, Sir Francis Walsingham, his Father-in-law, that wise and active Secretary of State who (as the world knew) upheld Religion and Estate, by using a Policy, wisely mixed with reflections of either: For he had influence in all Countries, and an hand upon all Affairs; yet even this Man hath confessed to some great Personages, that his Philip did so far overshoot him in his own Bow, as those Persons, which at first were friends to Sir Philip for the Secretaries sake, within a while became so fully owned, and possesst by Sir Philip, as now he held them at the second hand, by his Son-in-law's native courtesie.
He wan great respect and honor among the most eminent Monarchs of the time. As first with his most excellent Majesty, King James, then King of Scotland, to whom his service was affectionately devoted, and from whom he received many pledges of love and favour.
As likewise with the Renowned King Henry the fourth of France, and then of Navar, who having measured, and mastered all the Spirits in his own Nation, found out this Master-spirit among us, and used him as an equal in Nature, and so fit for Friendship with a King.
Also the gallant Prince Don John de Austria, Vice-Roy in the Low Countries for the King of Spain, when this Gentleman, in his Ambassage to the Emperour of Germany, came to kiss his hand, tho at first, in his Spanish haughter, he gave him access, as by descent to a youth, of Grace, as to a stranger, and in particular competition (as he conceived) to an enemy; yet after a while, when he had taken his just altitude, he found himself so stricken with this extroardinary Planet, that the Beholders wondred to see what ingenious tribute, that Brave, and high-minded Prince paid to his worth; giving more honor and respect to this hopefull young Gentleman, than to the Ambassadors of might Princes.
Again, In what due estimation his extroardinary worth was, even among enemies, will appear by his death. For when Mendoza, a Secretary of many Treasons against us, heard of it, he said openly, That howsoever he was glad King Philip, his Master, had lost in a private Gentleman a dangerous enemy to his Estate; yet he could not but lament to see Christendom deprived of so rare a light, in those cloudy times, and bewail poor Widow England (so he tearmed it) that having been many years in breeding one eminent Spirit, was in a monument bereaved of him, by the hands of a Villain.
Indeed he was a true Model of worth: A man fit for great undertakings: For Conquests, His rare Abilities.Plantations, Reformation of things amiss, and what Action soever is greatest and hardest among men; and withal, such a lover of Mankind, and goodness, that whosoever had any real parts, found comfort in him; yea, participation, and protection to the uttermost of his power. The Universities abroad and at home, accounted him a general Maecenas of Learning, and learned Men: Dedicated their Books to him, and Communicated every Invention, or improvement of Knowledge with him. The Soldiers honoured him, and were so honored by him, as no man thought he marched under the true banner of Mars, that had not obtained Sir Philip Sydney's approbation.
Men of Affairs in most parts of Christendom, entertained correspondence with him. But what should these be spoken of and mentioned, with whom his own ways, and ends did concur? Since his heart, and capacity were so large, that there was not a cunning Painter, skilful Engenier, an excellent Musician, or any other Artificer of extroardinary Fame, that made not himself known to this famous Spirit, and found him his duplicate page duplicate page true Friend without hire. Indeed he was the common Rendevous of worth in his time.
Yea, it will be confessed by all that knew him, that this one …ans Example, and His Learning.personal respect, did not only encourage Learning and Honor in the Schools, but brought the affection and true use thereof, both into the Court and Camp; so that his very wayes in the World, did generally add Reputation to his Prince and Country, by restoring amongst us the ancient Majesty of Noble and true dealing. His Heart and Tongue went both one way, and so with every one that went with the Truth, as knowing no other Kindred, party, or end.
Above all, he made the Religion which he professed, the firm Basis of his Life: His Piety.For his Judgment was, that our true-heartedness to the Reformed Religion in the beginning, brought peace, safety, and freedom to us; concluding, That the wisest and best way, was that of the famous William, Prince of Orange, who never divided the consideration of Estate from the cause Religion, nor gave the sound party cause to be jealous or distracted, upon any apparance of safety whatsoever; Prudently resolving, that to temporize with the enemies of our Faith, was but (as among Seaguls) a strife not to keep upright, but aloft upon the top of every Billow: Which false-heartedness to God and Man, would in the end find it self forsaken of both, as Sir Philip conceived. For to this active Spirit, all depths proved but shallow Fords, he piercing into mens Counsels and Ends, not by their words, Complements, or Oaths, all barren in that Age, but by fathoming their hearts, and powers by their Deeds, and found no wisdom, where he found no courage, nor courage without wisdom, nor either of them without honesty and Truth. The Ingenuity of his nature did spread it self freely abroad: None that then lived when he dyed, could say, that he ever did them wrong, or harm, but many there were that thankfully acknowledged that he had done them good. Neither was this in him a private, but a publick affection; his chief ends being, not Friends, Wife, Children or himself: But above all things, the honour of his Maker, and Saviour, and the service of his Prince and Country.
Sir Philip Sidney shewed his rare wisdom and ripe parts, in his youth and first imment, His Policy.when he was sent by Queen Elizabeth of famous memory, to condole the Death, and to congratulate the succession of Rodolph to the Empire. For under the shadow of this Complement between Princes, which sorted better with his youth than his Spirit, did he not, to improve that Journey, and make it a real service to his Soveraign, porcure an Article to be added to his Instructions, which (as he passed) gave him scope, to salute the German Princes, who were interessed in the cause of our Religion, or their own native Liberty?
And tho, to Negotiate with that long-breathed Nation, proves commonly a work in steel, where many blows hardly leave any print: Yet did this Master-workman quickly stir up their cautions, and slow Judgments to be sensible of the danger which threatened them hourly, by this fattal conjunction of Romes undermining superstitions, with the Commanding forces of Spain. And when he had once awakened that confident Nation to open their eyes, and to look up, he as easily made manifest unto them, that neither their Inland seat, vast multitude, confused strength, wealth, nor hollow-sounding-fame, could secure their Dominions from the ambition of this brave aspiring Empire; Howsoever, by the like helps, there had formerly bounded the same Roman and Austrian Supremicies.
He recalled to their Memories, how by this Brother-hood in evil (like Simion and Levi) Rome and Spain had shed so much blood, as that they were justly become a terrour to all Governments, and could now be withstood, or ballanced by no other means than by a General League in Religion; constantly, and truly affirming, that to associate by a uniform bond of Conscience, for the protection of Religion and liberty, would prove a more solemn union, and Symbolize far better, against their Tyrannies, than any factious combination in policy, League of state, or other Traffick of Civil, or Martial humours, could possibly do.
The next doubtful Stage which he had to act upon, was grounded upon a publick, His Prudence.and specious Proposition of Marriage between our famous Queen, and the Duke of Anjou: About which match, altho he saw the great, and wise Men of those times, suddenly carried down, and every one fishing to catch the Queens humor in it; Yet when he considered their difference in years, Person, Education, State, and Religion between them; And then called to mind the success of our former Alliances with the French, he found many reasons to make question whether it would not prove Poetical on their part: And if real, whether the Ballance swaied not unequally, by adding much to them and little to his Soveraign? The Dukes greatness being only in Name and possibility, and both these would either wither, or must be maintained at her cost. Her Estate was also in hand, and tho Royally sufficient to satisfie that Queens Princely, and moderate desires, or expences, yet perchance, inferior to bear out those mixt designs, into which his Ambition, or necessities might entise, or draw her.
Again, Sir Philip considering the inconveniences, and mischiefs which came by Queen Maries matching with King Philip of Spain, tho he confessed that our Alliance with the French to be less unequal; yet even in that he foresaw, that diversity in Religion would first give scandal unto both, and in progress, prove of necessity, fatal to one side: Because the weaker party here, being fortified by strong parties abroad, and an Husbands name at home, must necessarily have brought the native Soveraign under a kind of Covert Baron, and thereby have forced her Majesty, either to lose the freedome and Conscience of a good Christian, the Honour of an excellent Princess, or the private reputation of an obedient Wife. Neither could that excellent Lady (as he conceived) with these, or any other cautions, have countermined the Mines of practice, whereby (it is probable) this Prince would have endeavoured, to steal the change of Religion into this her Kingdom.
1. As First, by cavelling at the Authors, and Fathers that upheld her Church.
2. Then by desgracing her most Zealous Ministers, through aspersions cast upon their Persons, and advanceing indifferent Spirits, whose God is this world, the Court their Heaven, and consequently their ends, to byass Gods immortal Truth to the fancies of mortal Princes.
3. By the subtile latitude of School-distinctions, publickly edging nearer the Holy Mother Church of Rome; and therein, first waving, the sounding the Peoples minds; If not with abrupt, and Spirit-fallen Toleration, yet with that invisible Web of Connivancy, which is a snare to intangle great, or lesser Flies at the Will of Power.
4. By a Princely licentiousness in behaviour and Conscience, fashioning Atheism among her Subjects: As knowing that in Confussion of thoughts, he might the more easily raise up Superstitious Idolatry.
5. By a publick decrying of our ancient Customes and Statutes; and from that ground, giving Proclamations a Royal vigor in moulding of Pleas, Pulpits, and Parliaments, after the French mode, which in our Government is a confusion almost as fatal as the Confusion of Tongues.
6. By imploying no instruments among the People, but such as devise to sheer them with Taxes, to ransome them with Fines, to draw in Bondage under colour of Obedience, so to bring the English People to the poverty of the French Peasants.
7. To lift up Monarchy above her ancient Legal Circles, by banishing all free Spirits, till the Ideas of native Freedom should be utterly forgotten.
8. Also in the practice of this Marriage, he foresaw and Prophesied, that the very first breach of Gods Ordinance in matching Her self with a Prince of a diverse Faith, would infallibly carry with it some piece of the rending distiny, which Solomon and some other of the Jewish Princes, justly felt, &c.
The course which he took in this great business, was not by murmur among equals, or His Wisdom.inferiours to detract from his Prince; but he made an humble Address of these reasons to the Queen her self, to whom the appeal was proper: So that altho he found a sweet stream of Soveraign humours in that well tempered Lady, to run against him, yet found he safety in Her self against that self-ness which appeared to threaten him in her. For this happily born and bred Princess, was not (Subject-like) apt to construe things, done reverently, in the worst sense: But rather, with the Spirit of anoynted Greatness (as Created to raign equally over frail and strong) more desirous to find wayes to fashion her People, than colours, or causes to punish them.
After this he designed a Voyage, with Sir Francis Drake to the West Indies, purposing (if God prospered them) to settle a Plantation upon the Continent of America; and when the Fleet was almost ready to set sail, he stole from the Court (unknown to the Queen) purposing to have gone along with it himself; but before he could get off, the Queen being informed of it Commanded himback, promising to him employment, under his Uncle, the Earl of Leicester, in the Low Countries; and upon Made Governour of Flushing.his return to the Court, was instantly made Governour of the Garrison of Flushing, and for Field employment, General of the Horse: In both which charges, his demeanour testified to the World both Wisdom and Valour, with the addition of honor to his Country by them.
For instance, How like a Soldier did he behave himself, first in contriving, then in executing the surprise of Axil? where he revived that Ancient, and secure discipline of order and silence in their march: And after their entrance into the Town, he placed a Band of choice Soldiers to make a stand in the Market place, for security to the rest that were forced to wander up and down by direction of their Commanders; and when the service was done, he rewarded that obedience of discipline in every one, liberally, out of his own Purse.
Again, how providently did he preserve the Lives and honour of our English Army at that enterprise of Gravelin? where tho he was guided by directions given him; yet whither out out of Arguments drawn from the person of La Motte, Governour of His foresight.that Town, who had a general reputation of too much worth; either to deceive, or easily to be deceived; or out of the strength and importance of that place, precious to the owner in many respects, the least of which would redouble loss to the growing Ambition of a Conquerour; or whether, upon caution given by intelligence; or whatsoever light of diversion else, he was resolute not to hazard so many principal Gentlemen, with such gallant Troops, and Commanders, which accompanied him in that flattering expedition. Yet because he kept this steady Counsel in his own bosome, there was great labouring on every side, to obtain the honour of that service: To all which gallant kind of competition, he made this answer; That his own coming hither was to the same end, wherein they were now become his Rivals: and also he assured them that he would not yield any thing to any man, which by right of his place, was both due to himself, and consequently a disgrace for him to execute by others. Again, that by the same Rule, he would never consent to hazard them that were his Friends, and in divers respects, his Equals, where he found reason to make many doubts, and so little reason to venture himself.
Yet as a Commander, concluding that something was fit to be done, equally for obience and tryal, he made the inferior Captains, try their chance by a Die upon a Drum head. The Lot fell upon Sir William Brown, his own Lieutenant, who with a choice Company presently departed, receiving this charge from Sir Philip, that if he found falshood, and not faith, he should presently throw down his Arms, and yield himself Prisoner; protesting that if they took him, he should be ransomed: If they broke Quarter, his Death should be severely revenged.
On go these forlorn Companies with this their Leader, and before they came into the Town, found all outward signs exactly performed, and when they were entred, every Street safe and quiet, according to promise, till they were past an easie recovery of the Gate; when instantly, out of the Cellars under-ground, they were charged both by Horse and Foot: The Leader, following his Generals command, discovering the the Treason, threw down his Arms, and was taken Prisoner: The rest of the Company retired, or rather fled towards their Ships, but were still wounded, and some cut off by their pursuing enemies, till at last a Serjeant of a Company, with fifteen more (all Sidney's men) that is, such as could die to get honour and to do service for their Country, made an Halt, and being happily mixed of Pikes, Halberds, and Muskets, resolved to die with their backs to their Friends, and their faces to their Enemies: They retired, or stayed as occasion offered it self, and were in both hotly charged both with Horse and Foot, till in the end eight of them were slain, and eight left alive. The Serjeant was wounded on the side by a square Bullet out of a Field peice, who made this brave retreat within view, at last, and under the Protection of their own Navy; Bringing home, even in his Wounds reputation of courage, and Martial Discipline into his Country.
In a quarrel between the Earl of Leicester, and Count Hollock (who was the Head of a Party against the Earl) how discreetly did Sir Philip ballance that brave Count? when putting himself between indignities, offered to his Soveraign, through the Earl of Leicester's person, His great prudence.he brought those passionate charges, which the Noble Count addressed upward to the Earl, by degrees down upon himself, where that brave Count Hollock found Sir Philip so fortified with wisdom, courage, and truth, beside the strong party of former friendship standing for him in the Counts noble Nature: Yea, though sense of Honour, and many things else, equal and unequal between them, were in appearance beyond possibility of peicing; yet this one inequality of Sir Philips right on his side, made the Count calm; and by coming to terms of expostulation, did only reconcile those two haughty Spirits, one to another, more firmly than before; But withal, through himself wrought, if not a kind of Unity between the Earl of Leicester and Count Hallock, yet at least a final surcease of all violent jealousies, or factious expostulation.
To be short, not in Complements, and Arts, but real proofs given of his sufficiency above others: In a very little time his Repututation, and Authority among the active people, grew so fast, that it had been no hard matter for him, with the disadvantage of his Uncle, and the distraction of our Affairs in those parts, to have raised himself a Fortune there. But in the whole course of his Life, he did so constantly ballance Ambition, with the safe Precepts of divine and moral Duty, as no pretence whatsoever could have enticed this worthy Gentleman, to break through the Circle of a good Patriot.
Now we are come to speak of his death; wherein he shewed in a short progress to a long home, passing fair and well-drawn Lines, by the guidance of which, all Pilgrims of this Life may be humbly conducted into the Haven of Everlasting rest.
When that unhappy stand was to be made before Zutphen, to stop the issuing out of the Spanish Arms from a Siege; with what alacrity soever he went to Actions of honour, yet remembring upon what just grounds the Ancient Sages describe the worthiest Persons to best Armed, he had compleatly put on his: But meeting the Marshal of the Camp, but lightly Armed, the unspotted emulation of his heart, to venture without any inequality, made him cast off his Caresses, and so by the secret influence of the Wise Gods Providence, he disarmed that part, where God (as it seems) had resolved to strike him.
Thus they went on, every man at the head of his own Troop; and, the Weather being Misty, they fell unawares upon the Enemy, who had made a strong stand to receive them, near unto the very Walls of Zutphen. By reason of which accident, their Troops fell, not only unexpectedly to be engaged within the level of the great shot that played from the Rampiers, but more fatally within the shot of their Musquets, which were laid in Ambush within their own Trenches.
By this stand an unhappy hand, out of those Trenches, brake the bone of Sir Philips Thigh, with a Musket shot, above the left knee, which so shivered the bone that the Bullet could not be got out. The horse whereon he rode, was rather furiously cholerick He is wounded.than bravely Proud, and so forced him to forsake the Field but not his back; which was the Noblest, and fittest Biere to carry a Martial Commander to his Grave: In which sad passage, going along by the rest of the Army, where his Uncle, the General was, and being thirsty with excess of bleeding, he called for some Drink, which was presently brought him. But as he was putting the Bottle to his mouth, he saw a poor Soldier carried along (who had eaten his last at the same Feast) gastly casting up his Eies at the said Bottle; which Sir Philip taking notice of, took it from his own head, before he drank, and gave it to the poor man, with these words: Thy necessity is yet greater than Compassion.mine. And when he had pledged this poor Soldier, he was presently carried to Arnheim in Gelderland.
In this place the principal Chyrurgions of the Camp attended his coming: Some mercenarily, seeking their own gain: Others out of a desire to honour their Art; but the most of them, with a true Zeal (compounded of love and reverence) to do him good, and (as they thought) many Nations in him.
When they went about to dress his Wound, he, both by way of charge, and advise, told them, that whilst his strength was yet entire, and his Body free from a Fever, and his mind able to endure it, they might freely use their Art; cut, and search the bottom: For, besides his hope of health, he would make this farther profit of his pains which he should suffer, that they might witness, they had indeed a sensible natured man under their hands, yet one to whom a stronger Spirit had given power above himself either to do or suffer. But if they should now neglect to use their Art, and renew his torments in the declination of nature, the ignorance, or over-tenderness, Prudence.would prove a kind of Tyranny to their Friend, and consequently a blemish to the reverend Science.
With love and care well mixt, the Chirurgeons began the Cure, and continued it sixteen Days, not only with hope, but rather with such confidence of his recovery, as the joy of their hearts overflowed their discretion, and made them spread the Intelligence of it to our Queen, and to all his noble Friends herein England, where it was received not as private, but as publick Good news.
Only there was one Owl among all the other Birds, who, though looking with no less zealous eyes than the rest, yet saw, and presaged reason for despair. He was an excellent Chirurgion of Count Hollocks, who, altho the Count himself lay at the same instant hurt in the Throat with a Musket Bullet, yet he neglected his own extremity, to save his Friend, and for that end, had sent him to Sir Philip. This Chyrurgion (out of love to his Master) had made bold one day to return to dress his Wound, and whilst he was doing it, the Count chearfully asked him, how Sir Philip did? and being answered, with a heavy countenance, that he was not well: At which words this worthy Prince (as having more sense of his Friends wounds than his own) cryed out: Away Villain; never see my face again, till thou bringest me better News of that mans recovery; for whose redemption, many such as I were happily lost.
Now after the sixteenth day was past, and the very Shoulder-bones of this delicate Patient were worn through his skin, with constant, and obedient posturing of his body Great affliction.to the Chyrurgions directions; He judicious…ly observing the pangs which his Wound stang him with by fits, together with many other Symptoms of decay, but few or none of recovery, he began rather to submit his body to these Artists, than any farther to believe, or trust to them. During which suspence, he one morning lifting up the Bed cloths for change and ease of his body, smelt some extroardinary noisom favour proceeding from him, differing from the smells of Oils and Salves; and either out of natural delicacy, or at least, his care not to offend others, grew a little troubled at it: which they that set by, perceiving, besought him to let them know, what suddain indisposition he felt? Sir Philip, as ingenuously told them what it was, and desired them, as ingenuously to confess whether they smelt any such noisom sents or no? They all protested against it, upon their credits: whereupon Sir Philip gave this severe doom upon himself, that it was some inward mortification, and a welcome messenger of Death.
Shortly after, when the Chyrurgions came to dress his wounds, he acquainted them with these peircing intelligences between him, and his Mortality: which though they opposed by the Authority of Books, parallelling of accidents, and other artificial probabilities; yet moved they no alteration in this worthy Person, who judged too truly of his own estate, and that from more certain grounds than the vanity of opinion of erring Artificers could possibly pierce into. So that afterwards, how freely soever he left his body subject to their practice upon it, and continued a Patient beyond exception; yet did he not change his mind: But as having cast off all hope, or desire of recovery, he made and divided that little span of Life which was left him, in this manner.
First, he called the Ministers unto him; who were all excellent men of divers Nations, Piety.and before them made such a Confession of his Christian Faith, as no Books, but the heart can truly and freely deliver. Then desired he them to accompany him in Prayer, wherein he craved leave to lead the Assembly, in respect (as he said) that the secret sins of his own heart were best known to himself, and out of a true sense of them, he was the more properly enabled to apply the Eternal sacrifice of his blessed Saviours Passion and Merits to himself. And his Religious desires, were easily assented to by this humbly devout and afflicted Company; and he, in the performance of the Duty, however they were all moved, and much affected, and those sweet motions were witnessed by their deep sighs, groans, and tears: Yet could no man easily judg of himself, much less of others, whether these heavenly Raptures proceeded from sorrow for him, or admiration of him: The Fire of this Phaenix hardly being able out of any Ashes to produce his equal as they conceived.
After a while he concluded his Zealous, and fervent Prayer; whether to give rest to that frail, wounded flesh of his, unable to bear the bent of Eternity so much affected, any longer: Or whether to abstract that Spirit more inwardly, and by chewing (as it were) the Cud of Meditation, to imprint those excellent Images in his Soul; who can tell but God?
Not long after he intreated these Divines, to recal to mind what was the opinion of the Heathen, touching the immortality of the Soul. First, to see what true knowledge she retains of her own Essence, out of the light of her self. Then to Parallel with it the most pregnant Authorities of the Old and New Testament, as supernatural Revelations, sealed up from our Flesh, for the Divine Light of Faith to reveal and work by. Not that he wanted Information or Assurance: But because this fixing of a Lovers thoughts, upon those external beauties, tended not only to the cheering up of his decaying Spirits; But, as it were, a taking possession of that immarcessible, and eternal Inheritance, which was due unto him, by vertue of his Brother-hood in Christ.
The next thing that he did, was the calling for his Will; which, tho at first sight Publishes his Will.it may seem a descent from Heaven to Earth again; yet he that observes the distinction of those offices, which he practised in bestowing his own, may discern, that as the Soul of Man is all in all, and all in every part; so was his goodness equally dispersed into the greatest, and least actions of his short Life; which Will of his, will ever remain for a witness to the world that those sweet and large, even dying Affections of his, could no more be contracted with the narrowness of pain, grief, or sickness, than any sparkle of our immortality can be privately buried in the shadow of Death.
The last Scene of this Tragedy, was the parting between the two Brethren; the His Death.weaker shewing wonderful strength in suppressing his sorrow, and the stronger great weakness in expressing of it. So far did invaluable worthiness, in the dying Brother, enforce the living to descend beneath his own worth, and by abundance of Childish Tears, bewail the publick in his particular loss. Yea, so far was his true remission of mind transformed into ejulation, that Sir Philip (in whom all earthly Passions, did even, as it were flash, like lights ready to burn out) recalled those Spirits together, with a strong virtue, but weak voice; mildly blamed him for relaxing the frail strengths left to support him in his final combate of separation at hand. And to stop this natural Torrent of perfection in both, he took his leave with these admonishing words.
Love my Memory, Cherish my Friends; Their faith to me may assure you that they are honest. But above all Govern your Will, and Affections, by the Will, and Word of your Creator; in me beholding the end of this world, with all her vanities.
The manner of his Death and the mourning for his loss, his Exequies and Epitaphs made upon him, see in a brief account given of his Life and Death in my first Volume of Lives, page 35 in the third Alphabet.
After his death the States of Zealand became Suitors to her Majesty and his Noble Friends, that they might have the Honour of burying his Body at the Publick charge of their Government. A memorable Example of Thankfulness, by honouring, and well handling the Dead, to encourage the living: Which Request, had it been granted, the Reader may please to consider what Trophics, it is likely, they would have erected over him for Posterity to admire, and what Inscriptions would have been devised for Eternizing his memory.