THE LIFE OF THE LEARNED SIR JOHN CHEKE, KT. FIRST INSTRUctor, AFTERWARDS SECRETARY OF STATE, ONE OF THE GREAT RESTORERS OF GOOD LEARNING AND A Work wherein many remarkable Points of History, relating to the State of THIS edition of Strype's Life of Sir John Cheke, as well as that lately published of Sir Thomas Smith, is printed verbatim from a copy corrected by the Author, which is the property of Mr. Watson Taylor, and with the use of which he was pleased to oblige the Delegates of the Clarendon Press. Feb. 1821. TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL EDWARD CHEEK OF PYRGO, ESQ. SIR, BE pleased to accept this book of the Life of the right worthy and ever memorable Sir John Cheke, your great great grandfather, who derives an honour upon you that are sprung in a direct line from him. To you therefore it most properly belongs. And further, it may be of this use to you, that by reading and knowing his extraordinary accomplishments, they may be your continual mementos, not to degenerate from, but to imitate, as much as may be, such a forefather. The cause that moved me to write this Life, was the notable figure Cheke made in this island in his time; having been a rare instrument of doing good to his country, (the effects whereof remain to this day,) not only in the wise and happy modelling of an excellent Prince to govern the State, but also in furthering most successfully solid and useful learning in the University, and the pure religion of the Gospel in Court and kingdom: though it raised him up implacable enemies of the Popish faction, brought him into extreme troubles, and shortened his life. And therefore it is highly becoming, nay, I may say, a public debt, to preserve his name and memory. |