LETTERS FROM STEPHENS, 



NOT PRINTED IN THE PREVIOUS PART OF THIS VOLUME. 



c . To Mr. Mathewe. 



oir, 



I was heartily glad to hear that you had passed so 

 great a part of your journey in so good health. My aim 

 was right in my address of letters to those persons in the 

 court of Scotland, who were likeliest to be used for the 

 affairs of England ; but the pace they held was too swift, 

 for the men were come away before my letters could reach 

 them. With the first, I have renewed acquaintance, and 

 it was like a bill of revivor, by way of cross-suits ; for he 

 was as ready to have begun with me. The second did this 

 day arrive, and took acquaintance with me instantly in the 

 council-chamber, and was willing to entertain me with 

 further demonstrations of confidence, than I was willing 

 at that time to admit. But I have had no serious speech 

 with him, nor do I yet know whether any of the doubles 

 of my letter have been delivered to the king. It may 

 perhaps have proved your luck to be the first. 



Things are here in good quiet. The king acts excel 

 lently well ; for he puts in clauses of reservation to every 

 proviso. He saith, he would be sorry to have just cause 

 to remove any. He saith, he will displace none who hath 

 served the queen and state sincerely, &c. The truth is, 

 here be two extremes, some few would have no change, no 

 not reformation. Some many would have much change, 

 even with perturbation. God, I hope, will direct this wise 

 king to hold a mean between reputation enough, and no 

 terrors. In my particular I have many comforts and 

 assurances ; but in my own opinion the chief is, that the 

 canvassing world is gone, and the deserving world is come. 

 And withal I find myself as one awaked out of sleep ; 

 which I have not been this long time, nor could I think 

 have been now without such a great noise as this, which 

 yet is in aura lent. I have written this to you in haste, 

 my end being no more than to write, and thereby to make 

 you know that I will ever continue the same, and still be 

 sure to wish you as heartily well as to myself. 



