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.

SIR,

BY yours of the 23. of the last moneth, for answer of mine of the 13. of the same, I finde that you have very diligently and cir∣cumspectly travailled in the great dangerous matter, to satisfie the Queens Majesty, whereof you gave before that intelligence; and though I perceive that you can come to no more understanding therein, for further satisfaction of her Majesty, yet she is very well satisfied with your diligence and care; and so hath specially willed me to give you knowledge of her allowance of your doings therein. Methinketh the parties which tell you such pieces of tales, if the whole were true, might as well tell you the whole as such obscure parts; which if they do not, you might well alleadge them to be but devices to breed unquietness and sus∣pition; and as I wrote before unto you, they might be tempted with offer of rewards, that the troth of the matter might be disclo∣sed.

The Queens Majesty, as I am informed (for presently I am not at the Court, by reason of my sickness) meaneth to have the matter between the Queen of Scots and her subjects heard in this Realm, and compoun∣ded (as I think) with a certain manner of restitution of the Queen, and that limited with certain conditions, which how they shall be after∣wards performed, wise men may doubt; the Queen of Scots her self, at length, seemeth content to commit the order of this cause to her Majesty; wherein if her Majesty's own interest should not be provided for, the world might think great want in her self, which I trust, she will regard.

I am willed by her Majesty to require you to continue your diligence in inquisition, what preparations are meant or intended in that Country to sent into Scotland; and as you shall finde any, to give speedy know∣ledge thereof, as I know you would do if you were not thus advertised.

There is coming out of Spain a new person to be Resident Ambassa∣dor here, who is a Commendatory of an Order; in whom I wish no worse conditions, then I have found in this man, for maintenance of amity.

Our whole expectation (as yours there is) resteth upon the event and success of these matters in the Low Countries, which as they shall fall out, so are like to produce consequences to the greater part of Chri∣stendom; and therefore, I beseech God, it may please him to direct them to his honor, and quietness (if it may be) of his universal Church here in earth; and so I end, being occasioned to use the hand of another my self, being very unable to write, and fully wearied with in∣diting thus much: Fare you heartily well, from my house in Cheston, the 3. of August, 1568.

Sir, This bearer, Mr. Hudleston, acknowledgeth himself so much be-holden to you, as he is desirous to return thither to spend his time, where he may shew himself thankful to you, and to that end hath re∣quested me to write to you by him; he hath required to be accepted into my service; but I think him worthy of some better Master, and my self am overburthened with numbers, or else I would gladly have ac∣cepted him.

Yours assured, W. Cecil.