210 - 9 Jan. To Sampson Johnson

Summary

Salutem in Christo

Sir.

I have receaved your Letters of December 26^th And I thanke you for them. You have done very discreetly to lett mee know what has beene desired of you there, in case the Prince of Oranges young Child (whom God preserve in health) should fall into any sicknes and Danger, before the tyme appointed for publicke, and solemne Baptisme. For God forbid but you should doe your Duty in that behalfe, being there unto desired by the Prince of Orange himselfe, and having the Liking and Approbation of the Queene of Bohemia, whom you serve, for the doing of itt, in case there bee Necessity. But in all other Cases, in which you are not soe call’d in, as in this (it seemes) you are, I would have you by all meanes avoyd all Occasions, which may but seeme to give Offence to the Clergie there. For you cannot but see by that which herefore befell you from Dr. Rivett, how full of Danger any kinde of such medling may bee. And for this particular, because I would be sure noe Clamour should hurt you (if malice should chance to rayse any) I have acquainted his Maiestie with the whole Busines. God send you a Happie New Yeare to whose blessed protection I leave you and rest

Your very Loving friend

W: Cant:

Lambeth January 9.^th 1639./40.

As I was going to seale this Letter, I heard that the young prince was dead. How true it is I know not. Yet I thought fit to send these Letters that you might know I have receav’d yours. And before I could seale, I receav’d your last Letters which give mee certayne notice of his Death. I am sory for itt; but glad that they have gayn’d a Precedent for Private Baptisme, and by Dr. Rivettes hands.

Neither of your Last Letters give mee any Accounte of the Manuscripts which you sent me word were att Leyden; And about which I writt to you.

To my very Loving frend Dr. Johnson Chaplen to the Queen's Majestie of Bohemia att the Hague these