156 - 8 Nov. To John Bridgeman, bishop of Chester

Summary

Salutem in Christo.

My very Good Lord.

I have beene so full of Busynes this Terme, that I cannot well tell whether I have answer’d your Letters of the 6 October or noe. If I have not, These may assure you, that Mr Griffith is to you, as he seemes, that is, a very loveing, and true-hearted friend. And for Sir Thomas Canon, though in your former troubles he was perhaps sower enough, yet since they were ended, he hath neyther done, nor sayd any thing to my knowledge, that may prejudice you. Besides, when this base Report was first whisper’d, Sir Thomas Canon was gone a good while before into Wales, and there is yet. And for my owne part, I cryed shame upon it from the beginning, and doe most heartily pray you to believe what I have formerly written unto you, concerning my good opinion of your selfe in all things, and of your faithfull endeavours in this Particular of Dr Morton’s.

Upon your Letters I tooke present order for Dr Morton's Dispensation; and caused my Secretary to send it to your sonne. So I hope ‘tis safe come to his hands. And for Croston, I doe, as I have ever done, leave it wholly to you; And am cleere of your Opinion, that an Exchange, after Dr Morton is possest of the other, is every way better then a Composition now in the voydance.

My Lord I have receaved a Letter from Mr Griffith, and know not how to send him Answer. But I thinke it will not be long before he returne, and I believe he will make it by you. When hee comes, I pray, let him know, that the Letter which I sent to Sir Robert Huddleston, is not come back to my hands. Wherein Dr Morton is too carelesse of himselfe. And I verily thought, he had lyved in those Parts. But I am now left to inquire where he lives, that I may send to him. And I pray tell Mr Griffith farther, that I was by the Kings Appoyntment busy with my Lord the Earle of Anandell just at the tyme, when Mr Bulkley brought me his Letters; And so saw not the Gentleman, which I am heartily sorry for.