The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

LETTERS FROM BIRCH. 153
I would (as I wrote to the duke in Spain) I (as I said) from the case of other favourites, in
could do your highness's journey any honour that you have both king and prince; so in this,
with my pen. It began like a fable of the poets; that you have also now the hearts of the best
but it deserveth all in a piece a worthy narration. subjects, (for I do not love the word people,)
your case differeth from your own, as it stood
before. And because I would have your reputation in this point complete, let me advise you,
TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM, that the name of Puritans in a Papist's mouth, do
EXCELLENT LORD, not make you to withdraw your favour from such
I desire in this, which I now presume to write as are honest and religious men; so that they be
to your grace, to be understood, that my bow car- not so turbulent and factious spirits, or adverse
rieth not so high, as to aim to advise touching to the government of the church, though they be
any of the great affairs now on foot, and so to pass traduced by that name. For of this kind is the
it to his majesty through your hands; though it greatest part of the body of the subjects; and,
be true, that my good affection towards his ma- besides, (which is not to be forgotten,) it is
jesty and the prince and the public is that which safest for the king and his service, that such men
will last die in me; and though I think also his have their dependence upon your grace, who are
majesty would take it but well, if, having been entirely the king's, rather than upon any other
that man I have been, my honest and loyal mind subject.
should sometimes feed upon those thoughts. But For the Papists, it is not unknown to your
my level is no farther, but to do the part of a true grace, that you are not, at this time, much in
friend in advising yourself for your own greatness their books. But be you like yourself; and far
and safety; although, even in this also, I assure be -it from you, under a king and prince of that
myself I perform a good duty to the public ser- clemency, to be inclined to rigour or persecution.
vice, unto which I reckon your standing and power But three things must be looked unto: the first,
to be a firm and sound pillar of support. that they be suppressed in any insolency, which
First, therefore, my lord, call to mind oft, and may tend either to disquiet the civil estate, or
consider duly, how infinitely your grace is bound scandalize our church in fact, for, otherwise, all
to God in this one point, which I find to be a their doctrine doth it in opinion. The second, that
most rare piece, and wherein, either of ancient or there be an end, or limit, of those graces which
late times, there are few examples; that is, that shall be thought fit for them, and that there be
you are beloved so dearly, both by the king and not every day new demands hearkened to. The
the prince. You are not as a Lerma, or an third, that for those cases and graces, which they
Olivares, and many others the like, who have have received, or shall receive of the state, the
insinuated themselves into the favours of young thanks go the right way; that is, to the king and
princes, during the kings', their fathers, time, prince, and not to any foreigner. For this is
against the bent and inclination of the kings: but, certain, that if they acknowledge them from the
contrariwise, the king himself hath knit the knot state, they may perhaps sit down when they are
of trust and favour between the prince and your well. But if they have a dependence upon
grace, wherein you are not so much to take com- a foreigner, there will be no end of their growing
fort in that you may seem to have two lives in desires and hopes. And in this point also, your
your own greatness, as in this, that hereby you lordship's wisdom and moderation may do much
are enabled to be a noble instrument for the ser- good.
vice, contentment, and heart's ease, both of father For the match with Spain, it is too great and
and son. For where there is so loving and indul- dark a business for me to judge of. But as it hath
gent a father, and so respective and obedient a relation to concern yourself, I will, as in the rest,
son, and a faithful and worthy servant, interested deal freely with your grace.
in both their favours upon all occasions, it cannot My lord, you owe, in this matter, two debts to
be but a comfortable house. This point your the king; the one, that, if in your conscience and
grace is principally to acknowledge and cherish. judgment you be persuaded it be dangerous and
Next, that, which I should have placed first, prejudicial to him and his kingdoms, you deliver
save that the laying open of God's benefits is a your soul, and in the freedom of a faithful coungood preparation to religion and godliness, your selleor, joined with the humbleness of a'dutiful
grace is to maintain yourself firm and constant servant, you declare yourself accordingly, and
in the way you have begun; d which is, in being show your reasons. The other, that if the king
and showing yourself to be a true and sound Pro- in his high judgment, or the prince in his settled
testant. This is your soul's health. This is affection, be resolved to have it go on; that then
that you owe to God above, for his singular you move in their orb, as far as they shall lay it
favours: and this is that which hath brought upon you. But, meanwhile, let me tell your
you into the good opinion and good will of the grace, that I am not of the general opinion
realm in general. So that, as your case differeth abroad, that the match must break, or else my
VOL. III. —20