The life of the Most Reverend Father in God, James Usher, late Lord Arch-Bishop of Armagh, primate and metropolitan of all Ireland with a Collection of three hundred letters between the said Lord Primate and most of the eminentest persons for piety and learning in his time ... / collected and published from original copies under their own hands, by Richard Parr ...

Reverend and Dear Dr. Usher,

I Received your Letter dated the sixth of October. I am glad you received my Book, and I thank you for yours, which I received from Mr. Harris of Hanwell. The former part of your Letter, being, in regard of the matter, a Tragi-Comedy, drave me almost into an ecstasie; and afterwards brought to my mind that of the Psalmist, Many are the troubles of the righteous: but God delivereth him out of them all. And therefore it is good to hold fast by him continually, and to desire his direction and furtherance in all our Affairs and Businesses: So although the beginning and middle thereof be ne∣ver so troublesome, we shall not need to doubt, but that the end will be hap∣py and prosperous.

The Astronomical Calculation of years in Ptolemy's Canons, if it be Ge∣nuine, is doubtless an excellent Monument of Antiquity, which I would glad∣ly see: But yet it is not likely to make me to let go mine account of Darius his years, firmly proved out of Thucydides, and Ctesias, compared with Dio∣dorus. I have endeavoured to satisfie you, touching the objections you make in your Letter: as also to satisfie your desire touching the distances of Taurus, mentioned by Albategnius; and touching the quantity of the Solar and Lunar year, and disposition of the Grecian Calendar, in Ge∣minus.

Thus with remembrance of my dutiful commendations to your self, Mr.

Provost Temple, D. Richardson, and the rest of our friends with you, I com∣mit you, your Studies, and Affairs, to the blessing of God, to the behoof of your Country, and the whole Church of Christ.

Yours to be commanded in all Christian Duties, Thomas Lydyat.

Alkerton, Monday March 18. 1616.