195 - 24 May To Sampson Johnson

Summary

Sir.

I have lately receaved from you two Letters. The one which beares date Aprill 21/11 telles mee, That some malicious persons had raysed upon you a Rumour, as if you were an Arminian: And that you were willing to signifie this to mee yourselfe, rather then to have the report reach mee from others. This Letter came to mee just as I was sending my former Letters to you. But I did not thinke fit, to take anie greate notice of it; because it came not home to that greater Busines of which you stood accused to mee. After these came your second, very large, which gave mee the whole relation of your Busines. And I must Confesse, I am glad if itt can soe dye, and end in a Mistaking of Dr Rivetts. But you must give mee leave to tell you Two Things. First that mistaking, or noe mistaking, ‘tis a very ill favour’d Accident both for yourselfe, and the Church of England, that such a Rumour should bee raysed and spredd. Secondly that the words which you are sayd to have spoken (as they are related to mee) are very desperately fowle in themselves, and cannot be salved by anie pretence of being mistaken. And therefore since I see the Queene and the Prince Electour and Sir William Boswell all satisfyed, That the whole Busines was a Mis-understanding, I will hope, you did not speake the words which are reported to mee, and rest satisfyed for the present as they doe. Provided that the Busines dye soe, and be quietted. But if it rise agen, and make anie Distemper in that Church att theire Synods, or otherwise, you must then give me leave to take more Care of the Church of England then of you. And I heartily pray you to make this a Sad Warning to yourselfe for your future Conversation there in all Kindes. So to Gods blessed protection etc

Lambeth. May 24^th. 1639.