THE LIFE OF

of Winchejier ; by him first planted in that fruitful Soil of Bifiops ; alwaysobserved by his Vigilancy and Circumspection, encourag’d with his Coun-tenance and Favour, and directed by his Advice; so that devoting himself tothe Study of the best Learning, he, in a short Time, grew famous for hisSkill in the Arts and Languages; perform'd the University Exercises with ge-neral Credit and Applause ; was a strict Observer of its Rights and Customs;a punctual Exacter of its Discipline; a zealous Asserter of its Privileges; andbecame so great a Lover of that Place, that neither the Length of his Days,nor the Injuries of the Times could obliterate, or diminish his Affection.

After he had enrich’d and adorn’d himself with the most useful Knowledge,and all the Accomplishments of Human Learning, he came with these fairAdvantages, besides a singular Desire, and most passionate Affection, into theService, and Ministry of the Church. Indeed, Divinity hath the best Title tothe smartest Wits, and happiest Dispositions, and may challenge a Right inwhatever Virtue and Excellence either the Felicity of Nature, or Success ofIndustry can bestow upon Men. For the Strength and Vigour of our Minds,the finest Parts, and most ready Faculties, all our choicest Acquisitions, andwhole Stock of Improvements can never be employ’d, or laid out better, thanin promoting the Interest of Piety, adorning the Beauty of Holiness, and bring-ing Credit to Religion.

While he was engaged in these noble Designs, (as being by a rare Conjunction,one of the most knowing, and withal devoutest Persons of his Age) and equallyendeavouring the Advancement both of University, and Clergy 5 tho’ he feem’dto conceal himself within the Walls of his College, for which he had so greata Respect ; or else did adhere with all Fidelity and Observance to Bishop An-drews, his very good Lord and Patron, (to whom he became Chaplain in the Year1615, and then, Rector of Peverfomn in Cambridgefire) yet even then, Men’sExpectations concerning him, were very high; and it was the general Opinion,that there was nothing so great or considerable which might not be atchieved,and compafs’d by one so eminently qualified, - .

Nor was it possible for him any longer to escape the quick and piercing Eyeof King fames, the Reputation of whose Wisdom could not now consist withhis private Condition, since our puhlick Schools had formerly given him Op-portunities to know and understand his Worth: Wherefore, in that Point ofTime, when the Family of his Royal Highness Charles , Prince of Wales,needed a true Son of the Church of England, and one of the most approv’dFidelity, this was the Man, whom above all others, his Majesty out of hisown Inclination, and guided by his own exquisite Judgment, was pleas’d (inthe Year 1621) to appoint Chaplain to his Son-, to which gracious Vouchfafe-ment it was no small Addition of Honour, that the Affair was carried on soprivately, as to render it doubtful, whether he was assign'd by the King him-self, or petitioned for by the Prince-, which Ambiguity was still happily im-prov’d, in that he was equally acceptable to them both : But this was the Pre-lude only to a greater, and deeper Mystery.

For it is most remarkable, that this prudent Monarch had entertained andfettled in his Mind a peremptory Intention to practice such a Riddle ofPolicy, which did not only amuse and puzzle the World, while it was trans-acting ; but will never cease being a Wonder, now ’tis become a History:Since those Men of the most curious, inquisitive Heads, whose Business andAmbition is to dive into the Depths of Princes-, to search and discuss theIntrigues of publick Negotiations, and examine all Reasons of State, afterthey have run through a Maze of Uncertainty, and tired their Thoughts inthis subtile Speculation, find themselves still as much in the dark, as whenthey set out in their very first Conjectures.

It