it lessened much my reverence unto that great councill; for he was very much hearkened unto.  And yet I liv’d to see this very Gentleman, whom out of no ill will to him I thus describe, by multiplied good successes, and by reall (but usurpt) power:  (having had a better taylor, and more converse among good company) in my owne eye, when for six weeks together I was a prisoner in his serjeant’s hands, and dayly waited at Whitehall, appeare of a great and majestick deportment and comely presence.  Of him therefore I will say no more, but that verily I beleive, he was extraordinarily designed for those extraordinary things, which one while most wickedly and facinorously he acted, and at another as succesfully and greatly performed.

38.

By JOHN MAIDSTON.

His body was wel compact and strong, his stature under 6 foote (I beleeve about two inches) his head so shaped, as you might see it a storehouse and shop both of a vast treasury of natural parts.  His temper exceeding fyery, as I have known, but the flame of it kept downe, for the most part, or soon allayed with thos moral endowments he had.  He was naturally compassionate towards objects in distresse, even to an effeminate measure; though God had made him a heart, wherein was left little roume for any fear, but what was due to himselfe, of which there was a large proportion, yet did he exceed in tendernesse towards sufferers.  A larger soul, I thinke, hath seldome dwelt in a house of clay than his was.  I do believe, if his story were impartialy transmitted, and the unprejudiced world wel possest with it, she would adde him to her nine worthies, and make up that number a decemviri.  He lived and dyed in comfortable communion with God, as judicious persons neer him wel observed.  He was that Mordecai that sought the welfare of his people, and spake peace to his seed, yet were his temptations such, as it appeared frequently, that he, that hath grace enough for many men, may have too little for himselfe; the treasure he had being but in an earthen vessel, and that equally defiled with original sin, as any other man’s nature is.

39.

By RICHARD BAXTER

Never man was highlier extolled, and never man was baselier reported of, and vilified than this man.  No (meer) man was better and worse spoken of than he; according as mens Interests led their Judgments.  The Soldiers and Sectaries most highly magnified him, till he began to seek the Crown and the Establishment of his Family:  And then there were so many that would be Half-Kings themselves, that a King did seem intollerable to them.  The Royalists abhorred him as a most perfidious Hypocrite; and the Presbyterians thought him little better, in his management of publick matters.