192 - 7 Apr. To John Bridgeman, bishop of Chester

Summary

Salutem in Christo.

My very Good Lord.

I first receaved your Letters of March 30^th. And since that by your Sonne, the Information of Girtam against Ardern of Stockport. This Information I deliverd to the Lords of the Councell on friday last, who I thinke will presently take order to send for Arderne to Come up, and Answer itt; Especially Concerning that Libell, which is mention’d first in the Information. For as for the Answer to my Speech ‘ith Starre- Chamber, a Copie whereof you have sent, and I receaved, that was in print in August last, And so ‘tis noe Newes: yet this fellow shewes his good will to spread them.

I have now likewise receaved from your Sonne the Articles Concerning Case; And shall take the best Care I can, to free your Diocesse of him, and to make him more peaceable in that, where he ought to live.

For Dr Morton I Cleerly see hee is too pressing upon mee; But I make the best Interpretation of itt; for I verily thinke, ‘tis his Fathers Debts, and his Desire to preserve his Inheritance, that Causes itt. But howsoever, It will bee a great deale of wrong to him, if he thinke of anie preferment out of thos parts, where his Inheritance is so neere him. And for Standish, I pray God, he doe not doe himselfe wrong by being too Inquisitive after the Title; for if my memory faile mee not, your Sonne, I thank him, told me that of the Out Lawry a good while since.

Concerning the Patronage of Wigan, you write all the Reason that may bee. And be the Lord Anandell, what he will, neither yourselfe, nor any body els hath any reason to meddle with him in this particular, the Title being not in him. And so much I sayd to your sonne, as soone as ever that appear’d. As for your last weekes Letters concerning this Busines, I have look't upon them agen. And truly my Lord I will not deny, but that now by reading them agen, and by the Comment of your last Letters, I was a little mistaken in your meaning. And that which made me mistake are these words in your Letter: That halfe the money for the purchase might be raysed by the Lease of Ribchester.