Scrinia Ceciliana, mysteries of state & government in letters of the late famous Lord Burghley, and other grand ministers of state, in the reigns of Queen Elizabeth, and King James, being a further additional supplement of the Cabala.

A Copy of a Letter from His Majesty, to the Lords, read at Board, Novemb. 21. 1617. touching the abate∣ment of His Majesties Houshold Charge.

MY Lords, no worldly thing is so precious as Time: Ye know what task I gave you to work upon, during my absence; and what time was limited unto you, for the performance thereof. This same Chancellor of Scotland, was wont to tell me twenty four years ago, that my house could not be kept upon Epigrams; long discourses, and fair tales, will never repair my estate. Omnis vertus in Actione consistit. Re∣member that I told you, the shooe must be made for the foot, and let that he the Square of all your proceeding in this business. Abate super-fluities in all things, and, multitudes of unnecessary. Officers, where e∣ver they be placed. But for the houshold Wardrope, and Pensions, cut and carve as many as may agree with the possibility of my means. Ex∣ceed not your own rule of 50000 l. for the houshold. If you can make it lesse, I will account it for good service. And that you may see I will

not spare mine own person, I have sent with this bearer, a note of the superfluous charges concerning my mouth, having had the happy op∣portunities of this Messenger, in an errand so nearly concerning his place. In this I expect no answer in word, or writing, but only the real performance, for a beginning to relieve me out of my miseries. For now the Ball is at your feet, and the world shall bear me witness, that I have put you fairly to it; and so praying God to bless your la∣bours, I bid you heartily farewell.

Your own. James R.