ILLUSTRISS: DN9. ROBERTUS CECILIUS COMES sarisburiae▪ ANGLIAE THESAURIUS. ETC. 
HONI SOIT x MAL Y PENSE  The right honourable ROBERT Cecil Earl of Salisbury Viscount Cranborne, Baron of E●…inden: late Lo: Treasurer of England Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter▪ and one of his Maties most honourable privy counsel. Are to besould by John Hind    

THE State and dignity OF A secretary OF ESTATES PLACE, With the care and peril thereof, Written by the Right Honourable ROBERT LATE Earl OF Salisbury. With His excellent Instructions to the late Earl of BEDFORD, for the Government of Barwick.  
A work worthy of memory.  
LONDON, Printed in the year 1642.   

The State AND dignity OF A Secretarie's Place, with the peril thereof, written by the RIGHT honourable ROBERT, LATE Earl of Salisbury, With his requested Instructions to the Earl of Bedford for the Government of Barwick, Worthy of memory.  
ALL Officers and councillors of Princes have a prescribed authority by Patent, by custom or by oath, the Secretary only excepted, but to the Secretary out of a Confidence and singular affection there is a liberty to negotiate at discretion at home and abroad with friends and enemies in all matters of speech and intelligence.  
All Servants of Princes deal upon strong and wary authority and warrant in disbursements as Treasurers, in conference with enemies as general, in Commissions in executing Offices by Patent & instructions, & so in whatsoever else, only a Secretary hath no warrant or Commission, Noah not in matters of his own greatest particulars, but the virtue and word of his sovereign.  
For such is the multiplicity of actions, and variable motions and intents of foreign Princes, and their daily practices, and in so many parts and places, as Secretarie's can never have any Commission, so long and universal as to secure them.  
So as a Secretary must either conceive the very thought of a King, which is only proper to GOD; or a King must exercise the painful Office of a Secretary, which is contrary to majesty, and liberty, or else a Prince must make choice of such a servant of such a Prince, as the Prince's assurance must be his confidence in the Secretary, and the Secretarie's life his trust in the Prince.  
To deal now with a Prince tanquam infirmum futurum, cannot be a rule for a Secretary, for all that he hath to trust to is quite contrary, which is that his Prince will be semper idem.  
All strange Princes hate Secretarie's, all Aspirers, and all Conspirers, because they either kill those monsters in their Cradles or else tracked them out where no man else can discern the print of their footing.  
Further more this is manifest that all men of war do malign them except they will be at their desires.  
Their fellow councillors envy them because they have most easy and free access to Princes, and wheresoever a Prince hath cause to delay or deny to search or punish, none so soon bear so much burden.  
King's are advised to observe these things in a Secretary.  
First that he be created by himself and of his own raising.  
Secondly that he match not in a factious family.  
And lastly that he have reasonable capacity, and convenient ability.  
On the other side the place of a Secretary is dreadful, if he serve not a constant Prince, for he that liveth by trust ought to serve truly, so he that lives at mercy ought to be careful in the choice of his Master that he be just & de bona Natura.  
If Princes be not confident on those, whom they have made choice of, they shall ill trust the work of a strange hand, and if the rule hath failed in some of those that have sinned in ingratitude to those Princes, it is in those of the highest order, Ero similis Altissimo.  
But for those of private quality who have no other consistence nor can ever look for equal blessedness, there the jealousy of a Prince hath never beheld suspect but mere contempt.  
As long as any matter of what weight soever is handled only between the Prince and the Secretary: Those counsels are compared to the mutual affections of two lovers, undiscovered to their friends.  
When it cometh to be disputed in council, it is like the conference of Parents and solemnization of Marriage, the first matter, the second Order, and indeed the one the act, the other the Publication.  
If there be then a Secretary whose State can witness that he covereth not for profit, and if his careful life, and death shall record it, that love is his Object, if he deal less with other men's suits, whereby Secretarie's gain, than ever any did, if he prefer his majesty, and despise his own.  
If such an one should find that his hope could not warrant him, no not against the Slanders of those wicked ones, whom he must use only, then surely that Secretary must resolve that the first day of his entry is the first day of his misery, for if he be not worthy of trust, he is less worthy of life; and a suspicion of a Secretary is both a trial and Condemnation and a judgement.   

Master SECRETARIE'S ANSWER, to the Earl of Bedford.  
Sir,  
I Am very sorry, that I find in myself, that I am neither able to satisfy your lordship's request, nor my own desires; and yet yourself perchance will better accept my doings, than I shall myself allow them. Your lordship, would have me (by your Letters) give you advice, for your affairs and service there. It cometh of your two much good opinion of me, that your Lordship thinks me able thereunto, which surely I am not: and though my desire be to do this, as you would; yet cannot I satisfy myself, as I would; and if I should spend any words to declare my own unability, your Lordship would not like them; and to enterprise to do that which I know not, I am not therein like myself. Yet, notwithstanding, I had rather please your Lordship with my folly; then altogether myself with silence; if I write foolishly, or unseasonably, the lack is mine, but the occasion of my fault is your Lordships. I heard so good report of your doings, the best is, I can give you, to go forward, and countenance your own example; and the next advice thereunto is, that when you see one day coming, to amend the day past; my meaning is, to have you in all your action do, as all other natural things do, and most plainly. Things growing which daily from time to time do Increase, whose example, if a man would follow; he should as his body groweth in age, so see his wit with knowledge, his conditions with virtues should amend; and, as we do live, we grow towards death, by moments of time, so should we grow towards heaven, by multiplying of virtues, and good gifts. You see, I am at the first step in Divinity; and so might I seem to many other of your Estate, to be of small discretion to fall in Preaching to him, that must be occupied in Musters, with looking to fortifications, and such like worldly affairs. But my Lord, I know to whom I write, to him, which considereth between things worldly, and heavenly, to him, that knoweth the fear of God, is the beginning of wisdom; and therewith I end.  
Now, to your external care; where certainly, God is served, and pleased with them, that accomplish the same to their powers; and, if wisdom lack, they may ask it of him, who hath the treasure of wisdom and goodness. Your Lordship hath there a great charge of Government, I know, you think yourself unmeet thereunto, especially, in knowledge; and surely to know that, amendeth your ability; for more hurt comes of men's securities, and presumption of wisdom, then in mistrust. It is a good thing, for you to be think yourself, of some Noble man, whom you have either read or heard, whose doings have been worthy of commendations, in such service as this.  
And to make a pattern, and example to yourself, daily in your doings, practising the imitation of him throughout all your life, and in this point, may you choose many noble properties of your own natural, good Father, to follow; whereunto, nature shall bend, and make you soonest inclinable. If you have heard of any Noble man famous in Justice; not being led by affection on the one side, or on the other; nor being strict, in severeness of Law; it were good, to follow him. If also you have heard the same to be merciful, to have had compassion of others in adversity, and willing to end all causes with quietness and charity; the example will be good. You may also propound to yourself the example, to follow such a one, as hath liberality in expenses without prodigality, remembering that the property of virtue is, to continue in well doing, and therefore to hold the mean is hard. As certainly in these or other like virtues, you shall see the fault on both sides so nigh standing to the virtues, that unless you keep yourself in your doings very upright, it is easy to err on the one side or the other; as for example; in your expenses if you keep not a measure in your giving, you shall fail on the one side; and shall lack to give▪ when most gladly you would give: on the other side, if you forbear to give, where you may, and when you ought, then do you as the Scripture saith, heap up stones for your Grave. The like is in the virtue of Justice; wherein, it shall suffice to remember of one bias, that when he had given judgement on one, wept himself; and being asked of the cause, he said, in weeping he satisfied nature: in my sentence the Law: his pity was natural and hindered not Justice, his Justice was lawful and not unnatural. Thus, I might spend your lordship's time, in reading a long, and weary Letter, if I would continue in that moral advertisement; I will therefore draw more to particulars of your charge, and as I guess thereby, more aptly to satisfy your lordship's request. The foundation of your services there is your commission, and under seal of discharge, the force thereof is the end of your charge. wherefore, you shall do well; by frequent reading and consideration thereof, to understand it well, and keep it in memory; for which purpose, it shall be expedient, to have some conference with some learned man in the Law for the behalf in Law; and of some other discreet men, for the execution of the same. In like case this know as you see time convenient, so may you perform the commandments.  
But me thinks you will say, I took upon me, the easiest parts of advertisement, that is, to do discreetly, but I show you not how, but remit you to others, and then will you think, that I do, as one that may bid a sick man be whole, be quit, shake of your sickness but how to do, he teacheth not.  
Forsooth my Lord, my excuse is too ways: first, I know not your Commission, and that you know is true; next, if I did know it, yet i have no such knowledge, (specially in Law) to inform you withal more particularly, than i do; but these i think contenteth you not, for you will (according to your old mirth) call this, a reason that cometh from Colliweston, and therefore to keep you occupied with scribbling, i will follow on with a hotchpotch of sentences.  
In your Commission, i think, many things be committed to your discretion, which maketh the burden greater, then if you had been expressly commanded what to do. Therefore, must you needs consider, what is meant, by discretion; which, as we term it in our language; seemeth to be a knowledge, to discern and judge one thing from another. And this part truly is properly pertaining to wisdom; for before a man can discern, he must know it, and he that will perform this part, must measure and judge of these things; and therefore before you shall conclude of any thing of weight, you must discern oft thereupon; and before you can do that, you must know the thing that is discerned; and then for the election of these it is very profitable, to imagine a pair of balances, and in the one to lay reasons on the one side, and in the other to lay the contrary, and then judge which is the heaviest, I mean which balance hath the best reasons, nor the most  
And touching your own person, see things pertaining thereto, be meet for the place which you keep; neither too negligent, neither too curious; to the one of these peradventure you are more subject than to the other, and therefore, you must regard yourself the more.  
Your household, must be Governed as it may be an example of virtue to others, and an ornament to your Office, let your Officers have good ancient Rules for order, and see they be not neglected; you must yourself so with the same, as your servants may know you acquainted with their doings; and yet not seem to strangers, to meddle therewith. If you have cause to blame your Officer, and have a mind to keep him, do it secretly, that he may know his fault, but not be known to the servant, underneath him: in any wise cause not idleness to remain among your people, let not your servants exceed in apparel their degree, for the charge at length will be to your purse or estimation: let them understand, that you love them best who live best in order; them next, who live nearest order, and them nothing at all; which live far from order; let them which do well in your house, feel both your love and reward.  
At your table, let no matter of Prince's affairs or Princes regiments, be disputed; nor of Religion: for meat and drink requireth meaner talk; to keep men occupied of the Common talk of the Country, or other honest merry talks. Lastly note, let Job serve in his degree, your Lordship can well enough, with a few questions, set men occupied in talk.  
For your fare, (your Lordship must give me leave to be bold) I can very well like, that in respect of your degree, that your service be both in order, and service honourable: and in substance plenreous, and in art curious, but considering the proneness of this age to excess; i can best allow the first without the last: and in any wise whatsoever you shall like, do in other places, let not your Orders belonging to your Estate (especially in Common assemblies) at your table be neglected: and if your table be also plenteous, it is also serviceable for the poor: but the last, to have many devices of counterfeit meats, and also spiced, maketh wast in the household, gaineth little, giveth ill example to be followed, and is not wholesome to your guests, and in the end, serveth small to hospitality.  
Now for the usage of men there in those parts, as you find them at your coming, so as little as you may, seek to alter their estate, (Unless you see some cause:) let it not appear, you use any man, with singular affection, above the rest; and yet you may use (indeed) as you see cause, men either for wisdom, credit with respect of others envies, not them whom you shall make choice of.  
In your Consultations give every man leave to speak and bear with their lacks, so that you make choice of the best; do what you can, to make every one live according to his own estate: the Gentlemen to live of their own without reproach, and if you see any young Gentlemen towards wasting, confer with his friends, for the stay thereof: especially, if his be of any continuance: likewise see, that poor men have their right, not for importunity of clamour, but for pity and truth.  
Touching the Lawyers of the country, esteem them of learning, see they lack not too much honesty, but in no wise seem to favour these Demy-Lawyers, except you see perfection of honesty, for in all Countries they have least kill, and do most harm.  
Do what you can, to make the Gentlemen accord amongst themselves; and to extinguish old factions, either by some device of marrying, or by redemption of titles of Lands, or such like encumbrances, which commonly be the seeds of discord. For termination of poor men's suits, remit them, (as much as you may) to indifferent Arbitrators to end: do not intermeddle therewith yourself: for so shall your labour be bottomless.  
Whilst you be in that country, (if you take any servants) let them be gentlemen's sons, and if you may their heirs, that by their education with you, they may know you and yours.  
Set up artillery, and neglect not the game of wrestling, let there be frequent games, as shooting, running on horse and foot, and wrestling: in my country have been used all ways for such purposes, and in this behalf I mean, not to have you induce new devices in that Country, if they have other of their own. But some might ask me this, is this the true use of Holy days forsooth? touching that part of the day, where the civil Magistrate hath power, I think it not much amiss, but for the time the ecclesiastical Minister doth appoint to pray, and teach a Sermon, I think it not meet, to be put to this use. But therein I will not much dispute, for it belongeth to divinity, whereunto your Commission extendeth not; for hereof the Bishops and others, have their charge.  
Surely my Lord, it would be time now to leave my scribbling lest I shall be like the s ingers, which are dainetie to begin, & know not when to leave: I think your Lordship shall be weary of reading, wherefore i will leave with a few lines, like to my beginning  
Your doings here have deserved praise, see you continue your distance: so far of your acception here i mean, as i know. You were wont, and have professed unto me that is to serve uprightly and truly, and to do therein as you can, and then may you be bold of praise: and if you miss of that, yet, of no dishonour: for nothing indeed is honourable, but well doing; the weal of your country (I mean the quietness of such, as you have authority to govern) is your mark, shoot thereat: guiding your purpose with the fear of God, and so shall you gain the love of God, and Man. If you do some time (as you see cause) advertise the Queen's majesty of the good Estate of that country, and of the Gentlemen there, (so it be by short Letters) referring (if you have any long Declaration of things to your Letters) to the Privy counsel: if any thing be to be misliked or tedious to be advertised, procure others also to write thereof, and in no wise write thereof alone: for you know fortunate things are welcome from any man but how the contrary may come from you, you may doubt.  
It is full time for me to end my folly, and your Lordship to end your labour, beseeching you, to make my will in satisfying your request, answer the other lack fault: and that i may be humbly remembered to my Lady, to whom i acknowledge much duty, and am ashamed of my small deserving of her great goodness to me wards.  
From my poor house at Wimbelton, WILL. Cecil.  
FINIS.