LETTERS FROM THE CABALA. 49 



tender arguments than I would have done, were not the 

 bearer hereof so assured. So I continue your, etc. 



FR. BACON. 



A Discourse touching Helps for the Intellectual 



Powers by Francis Bacon. 



[Inserted Vol. I. p. 339.] 



Sir Francis Bacon to the King. 



May it please your most excellent Majesty, 

 In the midst of my misery, which is rather assuaged by 

 remembrance, than by hope, my chiefest worldly comfort 

 is, to think, that since the time I had the first vote of the 

 lower house of parliament for commissioner of the union; 

 until the time that I was this parliament chosen by both 

 houses, for their messenger to your majesty in the petition 

 of religion, (which two, were my first and last services,) 

 I was evermore so happy, as to have my poor services 

 graciously accepted by your majesty, and likewise not to 

 have had any of them miscarry in my hands. Neither of 

 which points I can any ways take to myself, but ascribe the 

 former to your majesty s goodness, and the latter to your 

 prudent directions, which I was ever careful to have, and 

 keep. For, as I have often said to your majesty, I was 

 towards you but as a bucket, and a cistern to draw forth, 

 and conserve, and yourself was the fountain. Unto this 

 comfort of nineteen years prosperity, there succeeded ? 

 comfort even in my greatest adversity, somewhat of the 

 same nature, which is, that in those offences wherewith I 

 was charged, there was not any one that had special 

 relation to your majesty, or any your particular command 

 ments. For as towards Almighty God, there are offences 

 against the first and second table, and yet all against God ; 

 so with the servants of kings, there are offences more 



VOL. XI. E 



