45 - 17 Nov. To Viscount Wentworth

Summary

Salutem in Christo

Mye verye good Lord.

I am glad heare of your Lordships health, and anye leter that brings me that Newes must be welcome. At thiss tyme I heare it double, from Mr. Wansford, and bye your Leters, which doubled upon me to. If I wear as able to effect your Commands as I am readye to receave them, I might be of some use to your Lordship, Nowe I am onlye a Nomminall, amonge your Lordships Manye real and able servants.

As I am mye Lord, and as the Cuntrye phrase is for want of a better, thess account I can give you. For Dr. Carrs busynes since I writt last I have spoken with mye Lord of Durham, and I hope somewhat to good purpose will be done. That is, if Mr. Smart be deprived, ether a prebend in Durham, or a verye good one in Yorke, maye be had. Yorke is Nearer you, it will be done bye Exchaunge without farther suit of yours, soe it be carryed privatelye. you maye easelye guess whye. If Mr. Smart reconcile himselfe to the church then your newe suite for the next prebend that shall become voyde is much stucke at; but I writt unto you in mye last that I had taken a rubb out your waye, which is true: But I have left it in mye Lord of Durhams waye still as not havinge bine solicited bye hime to take it out, and out he cannot take it but bye me I thinke: If anye thinge secure thiss busynes, that must be it. ‘Tis to longe to wright, but soe soone as you come you will see it verye cleare for ought I can discover.

Dr. Hooke, hangs bye the Hookes still in the Highe Commission. It pittyes me to see hime theare for his aige, degree, and profession sake. They have nowe thiss Tearme chardged hime with two or three severall Adulteryes more with severall women. And (which savours ill to the Court) the Doctor doth not make hast enoughe to putt in his answear, which breeds Jealousye of guilt. If he wear myne enemye I should praye he might come of well from such a taint: But if these things appeare he will be remediless.