120 - 18 Jan. To John Bridgeman, bishop of Chester

Summary

Salutem in Christo

My very good Lord

Your Letters of the 7^th of December were delivered safely to me by your Sonne. In them I understand you had received a Resignation of the Vicaredge of Rachedale, and that you were now able to make it good that there are divers Leases of the gleabe Land of the Rectory of Whaley unexpired, which I am very glad to heare from you; because if Sir Ralph should flye oft from the agreement, I am the readier for him, but as he hath noe reason, soe I presume he will not; and I gave these your Lordships Letters little or noe answere because much about the time that I received them, I sent you Letters by Kenyon, signifying to your Lordship my agreement.

Now I have received other Letters from your Lordship of which you shall heere receive the answere; and for which, I give you a great deale of thankes. It is true, that in my agreement with Sir Ralphe, I have augmented the poore Ministers stipend 64^li per annum, and if I live to another renewing, I am like to make another augmentation, (but of that, I pray say nothing.) And for the Fine, which I have agreed to take of Sir Ralph I am of the same opinion with your Lordship and some others there, namely that I have fallen farre short of that Benefitt, which I might have made: But the trueth is, Sir Ralph made such pittifull moane to me, with deepe protestations of his being in Debt, and the charge of 10 Children, beside that Sonne, upon whome the best of his Estate is settled; and almost nothing left him but this Lease, and was soe willing for the surrender, and reduceing it to 21 yeares, to the great advantage of my Sea, what ever it be to myselfe, that I was willing to deale by him, as I have done. Besides this way is without Clamour, which the strugling in Lawe, and the thrusting of him out, would have been full of.