160 - 28 Mar. To John Bramhall, bishop of Derry

Summary

Salutem in Christo.

My very Good Lord.

I have receaved your Lordships Letters of February 23. And am very glad to reade in them, that you follow my Counsell, for making hay whilst the Sun shines. The truth is, I trust none of theire Devotions, but there is somewhat els in it, which cannot last alwayes. And therefore you doe marvellous well to take your tyme. My Lord Ronelah's Offer is very faire, and his present Restitution greate. I hope you will be able to perfit the One, as well as the other, while he is in that good mynde.

I am right glad to heare of the Resolution of the Commissioners for Defective Titles. And I am most Confident you will make passing Good use of it. And whereas you write, That this Secret is communicable only to mee, I shalbe so true to the Busines, as that I shall not Communicate it to any man els upon any termes whatsoever.

One Thing you have not yet performed to mee. Which is the Sending mee a perfit Note of all Particulars restored to the Church in Whole, or in Part, since my Lord Deputyes goeing thither, and theire severall Values. I pray heartily defer it noe longer, but let me have it as soone as possibly you can.

I am very sorry to heare what you write Concerning the Proposition made to His Majestye about London-Derry. For I see by that which you have written, and that which is written to me by my Lord Deputy, that there may bee a greate deale of Danger in the Busines, and that both of honour and profit to his Majesty, and of future Plantations, if the English be soe discouraged: and of the Church, if the King fill that Kingdome, with men so well set in Religion and so Conformable to Good Orders. My Lord I have spoken freely to his Majesty what I thinke of the whole Busines, and shall doe the best Service in it that possibly I can. And to that ende I purpose to keepe your Lordships Letter by mee that I may be the better able, to speake to anie Particular, as Occasion shall be farther offer’d mee.