438 LETTERS FROM BIRCH. 



keeping Mr. Cotton * off from the violence of those cre 

 ditors : only himself is, as yet, wanting in some particular 

 directions. 



I heartily thank your lordship for your book ; and all 

 other symbols of your love and affection, which I will 

 endeavour, upon all opportunities, to deserve : and in the 

 mean time do rest 



Your Lordship s assured faithful 



Westminster College, P 0or Friend and Servant, 



this 7th of February, 1622. Jo. LINCOLN, C. S. 



To the Marquis of Buckingham. 

 Excellent Lord, 



Though your lordship s absence f fall out in an ill time 

 for myself; yet because I hope in God this noble adven 

 ture will make your lordship a rich return in honour, abroad 

 and at home, and chiefly in the inestimable treasure of the 

 love and trust of that thrice-excellent prince ; I confess I 

 am so glad of it, as I could not abstain from your lordship s 

 trouble in seeing it expressed by these few and hasty lines. 



I beseech your lordship, of your nobleness vouchsafe to 

 present my most humble duty to his highness, who, I hope, 

 ere long will make me leave King Henry the Eighth, and 

 set me on work in relation of his highness s adventures. 



I very humbly kiss your lordship s hands, resting ever 

 Your Lordship s most obliged Friend and Servant. 



February 21, 1622. 



To the Marquis of Buckingham. 

 Excellent Lord, 



Upon the repair of my Lord of Rochford unto your lord 

 ship, whom I have ever known so fast and true a friend and 

 servant unto you ; and who knows likewise so much of my 

 mind and affection towards your lordship, I could not but 

 kiss your lordship s hands, by the duty of these few lines. 



My lord, I hope in God, that this your noble adventure 

 will make you a rich return, especially in the inestimable 

 treasure of the love and trust of that thrice-excellent prince. 

 And although to a man, that loves your lordship so dearly 

 as I do, and knows somewhat of the world, it cannot be, 

 but that in my thoughts there should arise many fears, or 



* Probably the surety of Lord Bacon, for the debt to Harrys the goldsmith, 

 mentioned in his lordship s letter of May 30, 1622. 

 t In Spain. 



