Nevv epistles of Mounsieur de Balzac. Translated out of French into English, by Sr. Richard Baker Knight. Being the second and third volumes

Another to him: LETTER XXVI.

SIR, this day being the six and twentieth of Aprill, I solemnly renounce all Comple∣ments, yet after I have told you first that I never used any with you, but such as were most true, and that whatsoever I have writ∣ten unto you heretofore untill now, is of as great force and vigour as if it had passed before a publicke Notarie. I have with a great deale of pleasure read the Latin which you did mee the favour to send me; the force of the reaso∣ning, and the Oeconomie of the discourse con∣tent me exceedingly; onely one little word distasts me, and your friend might well have forborne to couple us with Mahometans and Infidells. The libertie which the King gives his Subjects, not to bee of his opinion, ought not to reach to the scandalizing of that opi∣nion, and seeing he holds it a glory to bee the eldest sonne of the Church, to call this Church a whore, is in good French to call—He deserves Sir more respect, and your Do∣ctours should have more descretion: For in truth, if their Religion were the prime Reli∣gion of the kingdome, and that they were at libertie to preach it in the Lovure; they could

never speake in higher termes, nor handle Ca∣tholicks in a ruder manner then they doe. I assure my selfe you will bee in this of my opi∣nion: One must alwayes remember the con∣dition of the time, and the state of affaires; wise men will never provoke them that are ea∣sily able to undoe them; and in the antient triumphs it was lawfull for the Souldiers to scoffe at their Generall; but it was not law∣full for the vanquished to speake reproachful∣ly of the Conquerour; you may please to make some reflection hereupon, and I know you will conceive that innocencie it selfe be∣comes culpable if it draw on persecution. I bid you goodnight, and am,

Sir,

Your, &c.

At Balzac 26. Aprill, 1634.