244 LETTERS FROM STEPHENS. 



when deliberation shall be turned into resolution, no man, 

 howsoever he may retain the inwardness of his opinion, 

 may be active in contrarium. 



The letters of my lords of the council, with your majesty 

 touching the affairs of Ireland written largely and articu 

 lately, and by your majesty s direction, will much facilitate 

 our labours here, though there will not want matter of 

 consultation thereupon. God ever preserve your majesty 

 safe and happy. 



Your Majesty s most devoted 



and obliged Servant, 



London, April 19, 1617. FR. BACON, C. S. 



To the Earl of Buckingham. 

 My singular good Lord, 



I send your lordship, according to the direction of your 

 letter, a note of the presidents that I find in my Lord 

 Brackley s business ; which do rather come near the case 

 than match it. Your lordship knoweth already my opinion, 

 that I would rather have you constant in the matter, than 

 instant for the time. 



I send also inclosed an account of council business, by 

 way of remembrance to his majesty, which it may please 

 you to deliver to him. 



The queen returneth her thanks to your lordship, for the 

 dispatch of the warrant, touching her house ; I have not 

 yet acquainted the Lord Treasurer and Chancellor of the 

 Exchequer with it; but I purpose to-morrow to deliver 

 them the warrant, and to advise with them for the executing 

 the same. 



I have received the king s letter with another from your 

 lordship, touching the cause of the officers, and Sir Arthur 

 Ingram, whereof I will be very careful to do them justice. 



Yesterday I took my place in chancery, which I hold 

 only from the king s grace and favour, and your constant 

 friendship. There was much ado, and a great deal of world. 

 But this matter of pomp, which is heaven to some men, 

 is hell to me, or purgatory at least. It is true, I was glad 

 to see, that the king s choice was so generally approved ; 

 and that I had so much interest in men s good wills and 

 good opinions, because it maketh me the fitter instrument 

 to do my master service, and my friend also. 



After I was set in chancery I published his majesty s 

 charge which he gave me, when he gave me the seal ; and 

 what rules and resolutions I had taken for the fulfilling his 

 commandments. I send your lordship a copy of that Isaid. 



