46 - 9 Dec. To Samuel Brooke, master of Trinity College Cambridge

Summary

For your Pastorall I take little Care, yet wish it well. But for your other Tract I must needs say thus much. Fifteen year's Studye cannot but beat out somthing. And I lyke it well that you mean to have the Judgment of soe many and such men upon it. And if God give me leysure, and the Tract be not too longe I shall be glad to read it too. And the making even of the Old waye will to most Men seeme better then a new. Nevertheless I am yet where I was, that somwhat about those Controversyes is unmasterable in this lyfe neyther can I think any Expression can be soe happye as to settle all theyr difficultyes, neyther can I be of other Beleif till I am convinced. And howsoever I doe much doubt whether the King will take any mans Judgment soe farr as to have these Controversyes any further stirrd, which now God be thanked beginn to be at more peace. And the rather because should that which you call the Smoothing of the Old Waye cayse any new Doubt in opposite Judgments it would make more noyse then ever. And for the Severall Copyes which you mention to send to those Freinds you name, it shall be Wisdome for you to take heed that none be stoln’e out privatly to the Press before you are aware, which should it happen might breed a great deal of trouble to your self and to the Church. This is all I can say to you in this Particular, and sure I am the safest waye is, after your Freinds have seen it, and objected what they can to let it lye by you, and weigh it againe for that I think the Argument may very well bear, and the tymes too.

So in hast etc