14 LETTERS FROM STEPHENS. 



recusants his majesty is of the quite contrary opinion to 

 you ; for though he would not by any means have a more 

 severe course held than his laws appoint in that case, yet 

 since the many reasons why, there should be no mitigation 

 above that which his laws have enacted, and his own con 

 science telleth him to be fit. As first, the papists in his 

 kingdom have taken such heart upon the commission given 

 to Sir John Digby, touching the match with Spain, that 

 they have sent copies thereof privately up and down, and 

 are so lifted up in their hopes of what they desire, that his 

 majesty cannot but take a more severe course, as far as by 

 his laws he may, than hitherto he hath done. Besides, 

 when they shall see a harder hand carried toward them 

 than hath been accustomed, his majesty assureth himself 

 they will employ all their means to further the match, in 

 hope of mitigating of that severity when it shall be accom 

 plished. And though these reasons were not, his majesty 

 would account it a baseness in a prince to show such a 

 desire of the match, as to slack any thing in his course of 

 government, much more in propagation of the religion 

 he professeth, for fear of giving hindrance to the match 

 thereby. And so with many thanks for your favours to my 

 brother in his business, I rest 



Your Lordship s faithful Servant, 

 Newmarket, Feb. 8, 1617. G. BUCKINGHAM. 



To the Marquis of Buckingham. 

 My very good Lord, 



We have sat once upon the commission of treasure to 

 no ill purpose, as may appear by the account inclosed; 

 wherein his majesty will find no preposterous issue of trea 

 sure. Mr. Chancellor imagines well ; Coke seeks, and 

 beats over, as well where it is not, as where it is ; Secre 

 tary Naunton forgets nothing. I will look to bow things 

 to the true ends. God bless and prosper his majesty and 

 yourself. 



Your Lordship s most obliged Friend 

 and faithful Servant. 



July 25, 1618. T-&amp;gt; TT n 



FR. VERULAM, Cane. 



To the Marquis of Buckingham. 

 My very good Lord, 



What passed in your lordship s presence your lordship 

 can tell, touching the navy. The morrow following we 

 concluded in approbation of the books, save in one point, 



