LETTERS FROM THE CABALA. 45 



very great importance, wherein I think myself bound to 

 deliver to his majesty my advice, and opinion, if they should 

 now come in question. The first is touching the recusant 

 magistrates of the towns of Ireland, and the commonalties 

 themselves, and their electors, what shall be done ; which 

 consultation ariseth from the late advertisements from the 

 two lord justices, upon the instance of the two towns 

 Limerick and Kilkenny; in which advertisements, they re 

 present the danger only without giving any light for the 

 remedy, rather warily for themselves, than agreeable to 

 their duties and places. In this point, I humbly pray his 

 majesty to &quot;remember, that the refusal is not of the Oath of 

 Allegiance, (which is not exacted in Ireland,) but of the 

 Oath of Supremacy, which cutteth deeper into matter of 

 conscience. 



Also that his majesty, will out of the depth of his excel 

 lent wisdom and providence, think, and as it were calculate 

 with himself, whether time will make more for the cause of 

 religion in Ireland, and be still more and more propitious, 

 or whether differing remedies will not make the case more 

 difficult. For if time give his majesty the advantage, what 

 needeth precipitation of extreme remedies; but if the time 

 will make the case more desperate, then his majesty cannot 

 begin too soon. Now, in my opinion, time will open and 

 facilitate things for reformation of religion there, and not 

 shut up or lock out the same. For first, the plantations 

 going on, and being principally of protestants, cannot but 

 mate the other party in time. Also his majesty s care in 

 placing good bishops, and good divines ; in amplifying the 

 college there, and looking to the education of wards, and 

 such like ; as they are the most natural means, so are they 

 like to be the most effectual and happy, for the weeding 

 out of popery, without using the temporal sword ; so that 

 I think I may truly conclude, that the ripeness of time is 

 not yet come. 



