52 LETTERS FROM THE CABALA. 



as unscratable, for secret motions of goodness, as for 

 depth of wisdom. You are creator-like, factive, and not 

 destructive ; you are a prince in whom I have ever noted 

 an aversion against any thing that savoured of a hard heart ; 

 as on the other side, your princely eye was wont to meet 

 with any motion that was made on the relieving part. 

 Therefore, as one that hath had happiness to know your 

 majesty near hand, I have (most gracious sovereign) faith 

 enough for a miracle, much more for a grace : that your 

 majesty will not suffer your poor creature to be utterly 

 defaced, nor blot that name quite out of your book, upon 

 which your sacred hand hath been so oft for new ornaments 

 and additions. Unto this degree of compassion, I hope 

 God above (of whose mercy towards me, both in my 

 prosperity, and adversity, I have had great testimonies and 

 pledges, though mine own manifold and wretched unthank- 

 fulness might have averted them) will dispose your princely 

 heart, already prepared to all piety. And why should I 

 not think, but that thrice noble prince, who would have 

 pulled me out of the fire of a sentence, will help to pull me 

 (if I may use that homely phrase) out of the mire of an 

 abject and sordid condition in my last days ? And that 

 excellent favourite of yours (the goodness of whose nature 

 contendeth with the greatness of his fortune, and who 

 counteth it a prize, a second prize to be a good friend, 

 after that prize which he carrieth to be a good servant) will 

 kiss your hands with joy, for any work of piety you shall do 

 for me 1 And as all commiserating persons (specially such 

 as find their hearts void of malice) are apt to think, 

 that all men pity them; I assure myself, that the lords of 

 the council (who out of their wisdom and nobleness cannot 

 but be sensible of human events) will, in this way which I 

 go for the relief of my estate, further and advance your 

 majesty s goodness towards me. For there is a kind of 

 fraternity between great men that are, and those that have 



