Cabala, mysteries of state,: in letters of the great ministers of K. James and K. Charles. Wherein much of the publique manage of affaires is related. / Faithfully collected by a noble hand.

Doctor Field Bishop of Landaffe to the Duke.

My Gracious Good Lord,

IN the great Library of men, that I have studied these many yeares, your Grace is the best Book, and most Classick authour that I have read, in whom I find so much goodnesse, sweetnesse, and noblenesse of nature, such an Heroick spirit, for boundlesse bounty as I never did in any. I could instance in many, some of whom you have made Deanes, some Bishops, some Lords, and Privy Councellours. None that ever looked toward your Grace did ever go empty away I, need go no farther then my self (a gum of the Earth) whom some 8. years ago you raised out of the dust, for raysing but a thought so high as to serve your Highnesse. Since that, I have not played the Tru∣ant, but more diligently studied you then ever before. And yet (Dunce that I am) I stand at a stay, and am a Non-proficient, the book being the same that ever it was, as may appear by the great profici∣encie of others. This wonderfully poseth me, and sure there is some

guile, some wile in some of my fellow Students, who hide my book from me, or some part of it. All the fault is not in mine own block∣ishnesse, that I thrive no better. I once feared this before, that some did me ill offices. Your Grace was pleased to protest no man had, and to assure me no man could. My heart tels me, it hath been al∣waies upright, and is still most faithful unto you. I have examined my actions, my words, and my very thoughts, and found all of them ever since most sound unto your Grace. Give me leave after so long Patience (for which vertue you were once pleased to commend me to my old Master King James, and I have not yet lost it) now that for these 12 Months almost, I have been not onely upon the Stage, but upon the rack of expectations, even distracted between hope and fear, to comfort my self with recordation of your Loving kind∣nesses of old, when on that great feast day of your being inaugured our Chancellour, my look was your booke, wherein you read sad∣nesse, to which I was bold to answer, I trusted your Grace would give me no cause. You replyed with (losse of blood rather,) that was your noble expression. But God forbid so precious an effusi∣on. (I would emptie all my veins rather then you should bleed one drop) when as one blast of your breath is able to bring me to the ha∣ven where I would be. My Lord I am grown an old man and am like old Househouldstuffe, apt to be broke upon often removing. I de∣sire it therefore but once for all, be it Eli, or Bathe and Wells, and I will spend the remainder of my dayes in writing an History of your good deeds to me and others, whereby I may vindicate you from the envie, and obloquy of this present wicked age wherein we live, and whilest I live in praying for your Grace,

Whose I am totallie and finallie, Theophilus Landaven.