LETTERS FROM THE CABALA. 63 



first, which makes me exceedingly fear the issue of that 

 which seemeth not to stand at a stay. I myself am out of 

 doubt, that you have been miserably abused, when you 

 were first seduced; and that which I take in compassion, 

 others may take in severity. I pray God, that understands 

 us all better than we understand one another, continue you, 

 as I hope he will, at least, within the bounds of loyalty to 

 his majesty, and natural piety to your country. And I 

 intreat you much, to meditate sometimes upon the effect of 

 superstition in this last powder-treason, fit to be tabled and 

 pictured in the chambers of meditation, as another hell 

 above the ground ; and well justifying the censure of the 

 heathen, that &quot; Superstition is far worse than Atheism,&quot; 

 by how much it is less evil to have no good opinion of God 

 at all, than such as are impious towards his divine majesty 

 and goodness. Good Mr. Matthews, receive yourself back 

 from these courses of perdition. Willing to have written a 

 great deal more, I continue 



Your etc. 



FR. BACON. 



Sir Francis Bacon to the Earl of Salisbury. 



It may please your good Lordship, 

 I am not ignorant how mean a thing T stand for, in 

 desiring to come into the Solicitor s place : for I know well, 

 it is not the thing it hath been, time having wrought an 

 alteration, both in the profession, and in that special place. 

 Yet because I think it will increase my practice, and that it 

 may satisfy my friends, and because I have been voiced to 

 it, I would be glad it were done. Wherein I may say to 

 your lordship, in the confidence of your poor kinsman, and 

 a man by you advanced, &quot; in idem fer opem qui spem 

 dedisti:&quot; for I am sure, it was not possible for a man 

 living to have received from another more significant and 

 comfortable words of hope : your lordship being pleased to 



