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SIR, though I know the good deserts of—are not unknowne unto you, and that you neede no forreigne commendation to increase your respects towards him, yet I cannot hold from doing a thing superfluous; and assure you by these few lines that it will be no ble∣mish to your judgement to let him have your testimony of his pietie. Ever since the time
he renounced his errour, hee hath continued firme and stedfast in the doctrine you taught him: of an erronious Christian you made him an Orthodox, and your hand is too happy to plant any thing that doth not prosper. He is therefore your workemanship in Christ Iesus, and otherwise so perfect a friend of mine that I know not, if in the order of my affecti∣ons, I ought not to set him in equall ranke with my owne brother. This at least I know, that the least of his businesses is the greatest of mine, and I will not onely part your favour betweene him and me, but will become your debtour for the whole my selfe alone. I am now polishing those writings which I had condemned, but that you asked their pardon; and since it is your will they should not perish, I revoke my sentence, and I am resolved your selfe shall be the other person of my Dialogue; after the example of that Roman you love so well, whose bookes of Philosophie are com∣monly his conferences with Brutus, or other Sages, the true and naturall judges of such matters; yet Sir it is impossible for me to dis∣semble any longer a griefe I have at my heart, and to end my Letter without letting you see a little cut you have given me there; you made me a promise to come backe by Balzac, and now you have taken another way: Thus the wise men of the East dealt with Herod; yet I am neither tyrant nor enemy to the Sonne of God. This kind of proceeding is farre unlike the Belgicke sinceritie, and it is not fit for
Saints to mocke poore sinners. But how un∣kindly soever you deale with me, I can never turne Apostata, and should you proove more cruell, I should yet never be,
Sir,
But your, &c.
From Balzac. 15. Octob. 1633.