52 - 22 Oct. To John Bridgeman, bishop of Chester

Summary

Salutem in Christo.

My very good Lord

Though your Lordship by the receyte of the Accquittance which the Gentleman that payd in your mony hath, cannot but knowe that it is receyved, yet I thought fitt to let you knowe soe much alsoe immediatly from my self; and withall to give you thankes for your Love and forwardnes to this Great and necessary Worke. And I must needs saye that lookinge upon nothinge but your Bishopricke the Guift is great. And though we say here that God hath blest your Lordship otherwise with a very fayre, and a plentifull Estate (which he make happye to you, and youres) yet I knowe you are both Judge and Master of that, and I shall not be uncivill to offer to prescribe to your Lordship what rule to followe in your charitable bounty, but doe thanke you hartily for that you have done, the rather because of your Expression, that your Lordship come's on the more willingly for my sake.

Onely my Lord one thinge is omitted in your Letter, which I must hartily praye you to express in your next, or to send me a particular Subscription by it self, that you will extend this your Guift of £40 to a yearly payment, to be payd in, every yeare at the beginning of Michaelmas Terme, as now it hath been. And soe my former Letters to your Lordship mentioned. And soe every Bishop gives yearly, whatever the Summe be that he impose's upon himself. Thus not doubtinge of your Lordships love and readynes to serve the Church every waye aswell as in this, and with thankes for your respectes to me, I leave you to the Grace of God, and shall ever rest

Your Lordships very lovinge poore Freind and Brother.

Guil: London:

London house October 22. 1631.

I pray my Lord because I knowe neyther Mr Dean's name, nor the place of his habitation, let me trouble your Lordship for the delivery of these Letters, if he reside in, or near Chester.