TO SIR GEORGE VILLIERS. 199 



But there have been three propositions and coun 

 sels which have been stirred, which seem to me of 

 very great importance ; wherein I think myself bound 

 to deliver to his majesty my advice and opinion, if 

 they should now come in question. 



The first is, touching the recusant magistrates of 

 the towns of Ireland, and the commonalties them 

 selves their electors, what shall be done ? Which 

 consultation ariseth from the late advertisements of 

 the two lords justices, upon the instance of the 

 two towns, Limerick and Kilkenny ; in which ad 

 vertisements they represent the danger only, with 

 out giving any light for the remedy ; rather warily 

 for themselves, than agreeably to their duties and 

 places. 



In this point I humbly pray his majesty to re 

 member, that the refusal is not of the oath of 

 allegiance, which is not enacted in Ireland, but of 

 the oath of supremacy, which cutteth deeper into 

 matter of conscience. Also, that his majesty will, 

 out of the depth of his excellent wisdom and pro 

 vidence, think, and, as it were, calculate with himself, 

 whether time will make more for the cause of religion 

 in Ireland, and be still more and more propitious ; 

 or whether deferring remedies will not make the 

 case more difficult. For if time give his majesty 

 advantage, what needeth precipitation to extreme 

 remedies ? But if time will make the case more 

 desperate, then his majesty cannot begin too soon. 

 Now, in my opinion, time will open and facilitate 

 things for reformation of religion there, and not shut 



