LETTERS FROM BIRCH. 453 



occasions, it cannot be but a comfortable house. This point 

 your grace is principally to acknowledge and cherish. 



Next, that, which I should have placed first, save that 

 the laying open of God s benefits is a good preparation to 

 religion and godliness, your grace is to maintain yourself 

 firm and constant in the way you have began ; which is, 

 in being and shewing yourself to be a true and sound pro- 

 testant. This is your soul s health. This is that you owe 

 to God above, for his singular favours : and this is that, 

 which hath brought you into the good opinion and good 

 will of the realm in general. So that, as your case differeth 

 (as I said) from the case of other favourites, in that you 

 have both king and prince ; so in this, that you have also 

 now the hearts of the best subjects (for I do not love the 

 word people,) your case differeth from your own, as it stood 

 before. And because I would have your reputation in this 

 point complete, let me advise you, that the name of puri 

 tans in a papist s mouth do not make you to withdraw your 

 favour from such as are honest and religious men ; so that 

 they be not so turbulent and factious spirits, or adverse to 

 the government of the church, though they be traduced by 

 that name. For of this kind is the greatest part of the 

 body of the subjects; and besides, (which is not to be for 

 gotten) it is safest for the king and his service, that such 

 men have their dependance upon your grace, who are in- 

 tirely the king s, rather than upon any other subject. 



For the papists, it is not unknown to your grace, that 

 you are not, at this time, much in their books. But be you 

 like yourself; and far be it from you, under a king and 

 prince of that clemency, to be inclined to rigour or perse 

 cution. 



But three things must be looked unto: the first, that 

 they be suppressed in any insolency, which may tend 

 either to disquiet the civil estate, or scandalize our church 

 in fact ; for otherwise, all their dotrine doth it in opinion. 

 The second, that there be an end, or limit, of those graces 

 which shall be thought fit for them, and that there be not 

 every day new demands hearkened to. The third, that for 

 those cases and graces, which they have received, or shall 

 receive of the state, the thanks go the right way ; that is, 

 to the king and prince, and not to any foreigner. For this 

 is certain, that if they acknowledge them from the state, they 

 may perhaps sit down when they are well. But if they have 

 a dependance upon a foreigner, there will be no end of their 

 growing desires and hopes. And in this point also, your 

 lordship s wisdom and moderation may do much good. 



