106 - 3 Aug. To John Bramhall, bishop of Derry

Summary

Salutem in Christo

My very good Lord,

I am right glad to heare from my Lord Deputy, and your Lordship that all thinges passe soe well in the busynesse of Conna and if the other Countyes, doe as Rosse Common hath lead the way, my Lord will have a prosperous iourney of it, and the Kinge great service. As for the Church, I am sorry you are fallen under such a dangerous dilemma, but God be thanked wee have a gracious Kinge, and for ought I can yet see, you are upon the best resolution that may be, in a Case of such difficulty; namely to have them excepted in the Offices, for that I thinke will void the surreptious Patents gott from the Crowne: and yet after to passe them from the Kinge, in which way, I hope you may find Favour from his gracious Majestie that those abominable alienations, (as you iustly call them) which have been made heertofore by unworthy Churchmen, in all which worke God speed you.

I have heard complaints long since before my Lord Deputyes goeing into that Kingdome, that the Diocesse of Downe hath been more troubled with inconformity, then any other part of Ireland. And I remember the then Bishop made a great apologye about it, which I now perceive by you was but a flash of false fire to save his owne reputation with the Kinge, for it seemes by these Letters of yours that complaint was too true. And therfore if his Majestie meane to have a reformation there, a Bishop must not be made for private ends, but for the publicke. And for my part, I like very well of Deane Lesly, whome my Lord Deputy hath recommended, as well as your Lordship, and shall doe for him toward the obteyning of this Bishoprick, what I may.

My Lord I thanke him, hath given me a full relation of Croxton, and I am very sory he should soe notoriously play the ungratefull man towards my Lord as I am now assured he hath done. As for the playing the foole with himselfe, in exchanging a dignity, for a farre worse Living with Cure, I doubt not but he is, or wilbe punished enough with his owne Folly.