by Sir Philip Warwick of the King; in these days bad men having so smeared his fair name over that little but lies is known of him.

And first, being the chiefest thing, will I mention, his exercises of religion were most exemplary; for every morning early, and evening, though very late, singly and alone in his own closet he spent some time in private meditation, (for he dares reflect and be alone, which some men are feared at), and he never failed, even when he went a-hunting, before he sat down to dinner, to have part of the liturgy read unto him and his menial servants, come he never so hungry or late in. No man in his three kingdoms (though there were many more learned) better understood the foundations of his own Church, and the grounds of the Reformation, than he did; which made the Pope's Nuncio say after that he had conferred with the King and the Archbishop, 'that when he came first to court he hoped to have made great impressions there, but after conferring with Prince and Prelate (who never denied him anything frowardly or ignorantly, but admitted

97

C

all which primitive and uncorrupted Rome for the first five hundred years had exercised), he found they were resolved to deal with his master, the Pope, as wrestlers do with one anothertake him up to fling him down. Also, Sir Philip doth firmly believe the book about which there hath been much dispute was writ by the King; for when he fell into the sharpness of his afflictions (than which few men underwent sharper), though God dealt with him as He did with St. Paul, not removing the thorn, yet he did make His grace sufficient to take away the pungency of it, for he made as sanctified a use of his afflictions as most men ever did; and we cannot wonder that so royal a heart, sensible of such afflictions, should make such a description of them as he hath done in this book. The King's way of arguing was very civil and patient, for he seldom contradicted another by his authority, but by his reason; nor did he, in any petulant dislike, quash another's arguments; for he would say, 'By your favour, sir, I think otherwise on this or that ground,' yet he would discountenance any

bold or forward address unto him, for he would not let fall his dignity, no, not to the greatest foreigners that came to visit him and his court; for though he was far from pride, yet he was careful of majesty, and would be approached with respect and reverence. His appetite was to plain meats, and though he took a good quantity thereof, he seldom ate of above three dishes at most, nor drank above thrice; a glass of small beer, another of claret wine, and the last of water. He ate suppers as well as dinners heartily, but betwixt meals never meddled with anything. Fruit he would eat plentifully, and with this regularity he moved as steadily as a star follows its course.

In his own person he was a great example of virtue, that his greatest enemies cannot deny; and to sum up all, Sir Philip said, from the year 1628 unto the year 1638 he believed England was never master of a profounder peace, nor enjoyed more wealth, nor had the power and form of godliness more visibly in it; which was made very clear from 1648 to 1660, when parliaments themselves were as

badly treated as they before had treated their sovereign: and when the King of kings by heresies and schisms seemed in this land to be crucified afresh.

These be Sir Philip Warwick's own words, and no man was better fitted to judge and give opinion, being one that was with his Majesty almost unto the last, and a careful and observing man, as well as a right loyal

one.

CHAPTER II.

ARLY in November, a messenger arriving, brought me a short letter from

my dear lord, which I copy, so as

to make my diary more understandable for my little daughter and such as may hereafter peruse it.

'To my best Friend the Ladye Shakerley.

'DEAR HEART,-This is to let thee know, by George Nixon, that I am well and hearty to this date, though verily when he giveth it into thine hand I shall wish to have been mine own messenger. I, with my Hulme troop, am attached to Prince Rupert's own regiment, his Highness's fiery temper and reckless riding suiting well the spirits of Cheshire folks, who are always impatient of wrong, and ready to