246 LETTERS FROM STEPHENS. 



Next, He shall marry into a troubled house of man and 

 wife, which in religion and Christian discretion is disliked. 



Thirdly, Your lordship will go near to lose all such your 

 friends as are adverse to Sir Edward Coke, (myself only 

 except, who out of a pure love and thankfulness shall ever 

 be firm to you). 



And lastly, and chiefly, (believe it) It will greatly weaken 

 and distract the king s service ; for though in regard of the 

 king s great wisdom and depth, I am persuaded those things 

 will not follow which they imagine ; yet opinion will do a 

 great deal of harm, and cast the king back, and make him 

 relapse into those inconveniencies which are now well on to 

 be recovered. 



Therefore my advice is, and your lordship shall do your 

 self a great deal of honour, if, according to religion and 

 the law of God, your lordship will signify unto my lady 

 your mother, that your desire is, that the marriage be not 

 pressed or proceeded in without the consent of both parents, 

 and so either break it altogether, or defer any further 

 delay in it till your lordship s return : and this the rather, 

 for that (besides the inconvenience of the matter itself) it 

 hath been carried so harshly and inconsiderately by Secre 

 tary Winwood, as for doubt that the father should take 

 away the maiden by force; the mother to get the start 

 hath conveyed her away secretly ; which is ill of all sides. 

 Thus hoping your lordship will not only accept well, but 

 believe my faithful advice, who by my great experience in 

 the world must needs see further than your lordship can. 

 I ever rest, 



Your Lordship s true and most devoted 

 Friend and Servant, 



FR. BACON, C. S. 



I have not heard from your lordship since I sent the 

 king my last account of counsel business, but I assure 

 myself you received it, because I sent at the same time a 

 packet to Secretary Laque, who hath signified to me that 

 he hath received it. 



I pray your lordship deliver to his majesty this little 

 note of chancery business. 



July 12, 1617. 



To the King-. 



It may please your most Excellent Majesty, 

 I think it agreeable to my duty, and the great obligation 

 wherein I am tied to your majesty, to be freer than other 



