58 THE LIFE OF 



CHAP, be hindered, where there was so much ability to main- 



v&amp;lt; tain it. 



His grave The see of Bath and Wells was now in November 1581 

 suppiyi? r v i d ky the death of Gilbert Barklay, aged eighty years ; 

 vacant sees, who by reason of his great age, and the affliction of a le 

 thargy, could not be so diligent as was requisite in so large 

 a diocese, and so inclined to superstition and the Papal reli 

 gion; which grew the more for want of episcopal inspection, 

 and frequent good instruction. At the same time the dio 

 cese of Norwich bent much towards innovation, and har 

 boured such as taught disobedience to the orders of the 

 Church ; which our Bishop, being a Norfolk man born, the 

 more laid to heart. For these causes at this time he se 

 riously bethought himself, how these things might be sea 

 sonably remedied by fit Bishops ; and that the Queen s and 

 the Treasurer s consciences might be well discharged in this 

 work of setting governors over the flock of Christ, he in a 

 very grave and bishop-like manner expressed his mind to 

 the said Treasurer in this affair, urging it closely upon him 

 not to neglect so necessary a matter, as he would give ac 

 count to God for it : advising therefore that Cooper, the 

 Bishop of Lincoln, a learned and active man, might be 

 translated to Bath and Wells ; Freke of Norwich, less fit 

 for that place, to go to Lincoln ; Young, a good governor, 

 Bishop of Rochester, to be removed to Norwich ; and the 

 Dean of Westminster, Dr. Goodman, a man excellently 

 qualified, to succeed to Rochester, to be held in commendam 

 with the deanery. And with what good reasons he backed 

 this his advice, and what deference and yet becoming gra 

 vity he joined with it, will appear to him that reads his 

 letter. Thus therefore he accosts that great counsellor : 



His letter &quot; Right Honourable and my singular good Lord. For- 



totheTrea-,, , T . . 



surer for asmuch as 1 am in conscience persuaded, that no man 

 &quot; next to * ler Majesty hath a greater care for the furnishing 

 &quot; of the Church of Christ with able men, especially to be 

 &quot; Bishops, than you have ; nor any man more able to dis 



pose. 



