66 - 16 Aug. To Viscount Wentworth

Summary

Salutem in Christo.

My very good Lorde.

I did never conceive since I understood any thing of the Church, but that the state and Condition of it in Ireland was deplorable. Two Mantles of the largest size will not be able to Cover it, and keepe it warme. But you have discharged your selfe upon Dr Brammall, and by him you shall receive my answer to those particulars.

And now my Lord at the nameing of Dr Brammall you are pleased to enlarge your selfe into a very full Character of his worth. I doubt not but he may merit it all. It makes me remember how nobly you exprest your selfe in your former letters Concerning Dr Hodgson Dr Stanhope and Mr Greenwell. By that tyme they have all made good your Lordships Expressions they shall be very absolute Clergymen. And I beleeve Dr Brammell will find worke enough before he will be able to mende what is amisse in Ireland.

Your Lordships next Passage troubles me more for my little Experience in Civill affaires I thinke his Majestyes Government in that Kingdome can hardly subsist with vigour without maintenance of the Army, or Maintenance be raysed without a Contribution. The more sorry I am there should be any mutinous Petition against it but much more that any such Petitions should be subscribed by Bishops. Of the three which you name Limmerick is alltogether unknown to me, Kilfanora I once saw here in England, a little before he was Bishop and then I took him to be a more prudent man. Kilmore I never knew but by what he hath written, and the very good testimony he left in England behind him both for life and Learning. And therfore I wonder at him the more, if he have had an undutyfull hand in any thing. But it may be the feare which they have conceived in those partes by the taking off 12d a sunday from the Recusant Party, and some other Compositions hath made them so forward wher they might have waighed the businesse better, but if the Petitions your Lordship mentions be Mutinous I am sorry for their errour, and soe I hope are they.