SPEECH BEFORE THE SUMMER CIRCUITS. 201 



As for the other glass I told you of, of represent 

 ing to the King the griefs of his people, without 

 doubt it is properly your part ; for the King ought 

 to be informed of any thing amiss in the state of his 

 countries from the observations and relations of the 

 judges, that indeed know the pulse of the country, 

 rather than from discourse. But for this glass, 

 thanks be to God, I do hear from you all, that there 

 was never greater peace, obedience, and contentment 

 in the country ; though the best governments be 

 always like the fairest crystals, wherein every little 

 icicle or grain is seen, which in a fouler stone is never 

 perceived. 



Now to some particulars, and not many : of all 

 other things I must begin as the King begins ; that 

 is, with the cause of religion, and especially the hollow 

 church-papist. St. Augustin hath a good comparison 

 of such men, affirming, that they are like the roots of 

 nettles, which themselves sting not, but yet they 

 bear all the stinging leaves : let me know of such 

 roots, and I will root them out of the country. 



Next, for the matter of religion ; in the principal 

 place I recommended both to you and to the justices, 

 the countenancing of godly and zealous preachers. 

 I mean not sectaries or novellists, but those which 

 are sound and conform, and yet pious and reverend : 

 for there will be a perpetual defection, except you 

 keep men in by preaching, as well as law doth by 

 punishing ; and commonly spiritual diseases are not 

 cured but by spiritual remedies. 



Next, let me commend unto you the repressing, 



