A Copy of a LETTER Of Mr. White to Dr. Holden.
Monsieur.
THough I had nothing from you this weeke, but a notaries Act, yet I must write vnto you. The occa∣sion is a word you writ to sir Ken. that F. Hardi∣quan thanked you and that monsr Bernardiere was the cause. The which I wonder you should write: for the effect being against the Queens intention, that is our state for the present, you cannot haue deserued thanks if you haue done according to her intention. The which neuertheles I suppose you haue done, both because you haue taken the trust vppon you, and because you are none of those, who think that priuate men vnder pretence of Religion may dis∣pose of Kingdomes, the which they doe who think that Ireland must be put in its own hands, and our King to rely upon their faiths. For the Pope, or strangers to order things so I easily conceaue it no inconuenience: But for an English man. I know not how he can do it with mantaining his duty to his country, that is, to God. God hath set diuers degrees in our country, and haueing giuen the charge of gouerning to some eo ipso hath taken it from the rest who are to pro∣mote their Religion all they can, vnder and not oppositely to the steerage of the common. This I write to be shewed to mr. Fitton whom when I was in Paris, I found vehement in that kind: and told him then as much, as I write now, Page 2 but feare I moued him not. Lett him consider that if Ireland be made a souerain, both England and Ireland will be ruined temporally, and England by all probability also in Religion: for both will be engaged in a perpetuall war, and England hardened in heresy by opposition, as we see it hath hapned in Holland. But if the King for despayr, or necessity sub∣mitt to the Parliament and all the forces of Scotland & England fal upon Ireland? If the good of Ireland be to keep England in war, are they English men, that shall second this good of theirs? If I apprehend ryghtly, it is an easier matter to sett England ryght, then to putt the Scors out of Ireland: This is to be don by sieges of as strong places as any be in Hol∣land, that by a Feild, or two. England helped brings in Ireland: Ireland set vp makes the helping of England more hard. If Religion haue any footing in England, it will be mistres in Ireland, but it may be mistres in Ireland, and haue no footing in England. For loue of God be wise, and lett all helpes march together; for if one draw one way, and others other ways, all will be too little. And if all must go one way, it must be the Queenes way: for fittinger it is we should submit, then shee. you haue my sentiment, and I shall be glad, if you do not like it at lest that you should know what constructions others make.
Annotation. What occasion Dr. Holden gaue for this Letter, I cannot tell: certainly it must be of a very odious nature, otherwise the whole discourse of this Letter is nothing to the purpose: probably Dr. Holden with his vsuall rashnesse gaue some ad•ice relating to Ireland, which displeased Mr. Blacklô, who was a Patriot euen vl∣tra aras beyond Iustice and without due regard to ryght. Which ap∣peared by his booke of obedience and Gouernment: where he pretends the King's ryght to his Crowne to cease, when it cannot bee recouered Page 3 without disturbance of the Commonalty. Preferring the Peace of a few cittisens before the iust ryght of his King, the Nobility, and a great part of Gentry who were at that time trampled vpon by the meanest of the Commons, in whose fauour he writ that book.
