so left to be an apendix of the Crown of France som of them have had absolut and supreme Governors som subaltern and subject to a superior Power Amongst the rest the Earls of Flanders and Holland were most considerable but of them two he of Holland being homegeable to none and having Friestand and Zeland added was the more potent In processe of time all the seventeen met in one som by conquest others by donation and legacie but most by alliance In the House of Burgundy this union receivd most growth but in the House of Austria it came to its full perfection for in Charles the fifth they all met as so many lines drawn from the circumference to the centre who Lording as supreme head not only over the fifteen Temporall but the two Spirituall Liege and Vâ—…recht had a defâ—…in to reduce them to a Kingdom which his Son Philip the second attempted after him but they could not bring their intents home to their aym the cause is imputed to that multiplicitie and difference of privileges which they are so eager to maintain and wherof som cannot stand with a Monarchie without incongruity Philip the second at his inauguration was sworn to observe them at his departure he oblig'd himself by oath to send still one of his own bloud to govern them Moreover at the request of the Knights of the golden Fleece he promised that all Forren souldiers should retire and that he himself would come to visit them once every seventh year but being once gon and leaving in lieu of a Sword a Distaff an unweldy woman to govern he came not only short of his promise but procur'd a Dispensation from the Pope to be absolv'd of his Oath and all this by the counsell of the Cardinall Granvill who as the States Chronicler writes was the first firebrand that kindled that lamentable and longsome war wherein the Netherlands have traded above fifty years in bloud For intending to encrease the number of Bishops to establish the decrees of the Counsell of Trent and to clip the power of the Counsell of State compos'd of the natives of the Land by making it appealable to the Counsell of Spain and by adding to the former Oath of Allegeance all which conduc'd to settle the inquisition and to curb the conscience the broyls began to appease which Ambassadors were dispatch'd to Spain wherof the two first came to violent deaths the one being beheaded the other poysond But the two last Egmont and Horn were nourish'd still with hopes untill ' Philip the second had prepar'd an Army under the conduct of the Duke of Alva to compose the difference by arms For as soon as he came to the government he established the Bloâ—…t-rad as the complainants term'd it a Counsell of Bloud made up most of Spaniards Egmont and Horn were apprehended and afterwards beheaded Cittadells were erected and the Oath of Allegeance with the Politicall government of the Countsey in divers things alter'd This powr'd oyl on the fire formerly kindled and put all in combustion The Prince of Orenge retires therupon his eldest son was surpriz'd and sent as Hostage to Spain and above 5000. Families quit the Countrey many Towns revolted but were afterwards reduc'd to obedience which made the Duke of Alva say that the Netherlands appertain'd to the King of Spain not only by descent but conquest and for cumble of his victories when he attempted to impose the tenth peny for maintenance of the Garrisons in the Cittadels he had erected at Grave Vâ—…echt and Antwerp where he caus'd his Statue made of Canon brasse â—…o be erected trampling the Belgians under his feet all the Towns withstood this imposition so that at last matters succeeding ill with him and having had his cosen Pacecio hang'd at Flushing gates after he had trac'd out the platform of a Citâ—…dell in that Town also he receiv'd Letters of revocation from Spain Him succeeded Don Luys de Requiseus who came short of his predecessor in exploits and dying suddenly in the field the government was invested for the time in the Counsell of State The Spanish soldiers being without a head gather'd together to the number of 16â—…0 and committed such outrages up and down that they were proclamed enemies to the State Hereupon the pacification of Cant was transacted wherof amongst other Articles one was that all forren soldiers should quit the Countrey This was ratified by the King and observ'd by Don Iohn of Austria who succeeded in the government yet Don Iohn retaind the Landskneghts at his devotion still for some secret deffein and as som conjectur'd for the invasion of England he kept the Spaniards also still hovering about the Frontiers ready upon all occasion Certain Letters were intercepted that made a discovery of some projects which made the war to bleed afresh Don Iohn was proclam'd enemy to the State so the Archduke Matthias was sent for who being a man of small performance and improper for the times was dismiss'd but upon honourable terms Don Iohn a little after dies and as som gave out of the pox Then comes in the Duke of Parma a man as of a different Nation being an Italian so of a differing temper and more moderat spirit and of greater performance than all the rest for wheras all the Provinces except Luxenburg and Henault had revolted he reduc'd Gant Tourney Bruges Malins Brussells Antwerp which three last he beleagerd at one time and divers other great Towns to the Spanish obedience again He had sixty thousand men in pay and the choicest which Spain and Italy could afford The French and English Ambassadors intercâ—…ding for a peace had a short answer of Philip the second who said that he needed not the help of any to reconcile himself to his own subjects and reduce them to conformity but the difference that was he would refer to his coâ—…en the Emperor Hereupon the busines was agitated at Colen where the Spaniard stood as high a tipto as ever and notwithstanding the vast expence of treasure and bloud he had bin at for so many years and that matters began to exasperat more and more which were like to prolong the wars in infinitum he would abate nothing in point of Ecclesiastic government Hereupon the States perceiving that King Philip could not be wrought either by the sollicitation of other Princes or their own supplications so often reiâ—…erated that they might enjoy the freedom of Religion with other infranchisements and finding him inexâ—…rable being incited also by that ban which was published against the Prince of Orenge that whosoever killd him should have 5000. crowns they at last absolutely renounced and abjur'd the King of Spain for their Soverain They broâ—…k his Seals chang'd the Oath of Allegeance and fled to France for shelter they inaugurated the Duke of Aniou recommended unto them by the Queen of England to whom he was a sutâ—…r for their Prince who attempted to render himself absolute and so thought to
Sophisters were the first Lawyers that ever were I shall be upon incertain removes hence untill I come to Roüeâ—… in France and there I mean to cast Anchor a good while I shall expect your Letters there with impatience I pray present my Service to Sir Iames Altham and to my good Lady your Mother with the rest to whom it is due in Bishopsgate Street and elsewhere So I am Yours in the best degree of Friendship J. H. Hague 30. of May 1619. X. To Sir James Crofts from the Hague SIR THe same observance that a Father may challenge of his child the like you may claim of me in regard of the extraordinary care you have bin pleas'd to have alwayes since I had the happines to know you of the cours of my Fortunes I am now newly come to the Hague the Court of the six and almost seven confederated Provinces the Counsell of State with the Prince of Orange makes his firm Residence here unlesse he be upon a march and in motion for some design abroad This Prince Maurice was cast in a mould suitable to the temper of this people he is slow and full of warines and not without a mixture of fear I do not mean a pusillanimous but politic fear he is the most constant in the quotidian cours and carriage of his life of any that J have ever heard or read of for whosoever knows the customs of the Prince of Orange may tell what he is a doing here evry hour of the day though he be in Constantinople In the morning he awaketh about six in Sommer and seven in Winter the first thing he doth he sends one of his Grooms or Pages to see how the wind sits and he wears or leaves off his Wascot accordingly then he is about an hour dressing himself and about a quarter of an hour in his Closet then comes in the Secretary and if he hath any privat or public Letters to write or any other dispatches to make he doth it before he stirs from his Chamber then comes he abroad and goes to his Stables if it be no Sermon day to see some of his Gentlemen or Pages of whose breeding he is very carefull ride the great Horse He is very accessible to any that hath busines with him and sheweth a winning kind of familiarity for he will shake hands with the meanest Boor of the Countrey and he seldom hears any Commander or Gentleman with his Hat on He dines punctually about twelve and his Table is free for all comers but none under the degree of a Captain useth to sit down at it after dinner he stayes in the Room a good while and then any one may accost him and tell his tale then he reâ—…res to his Chamber where he answers all Petitions that were delivered him in the Morning and towards the Evening if he goes not to Counsell which is seldome he goes either to make some visits or to take the Air abroad and according to this constant method he passeth his life Ther are great stirs like to arise twixt the Bohemians and their elected King the Emperour and they are com already to that height that they consult of deposing him and to chuse some Protestant Prince to be their King som talk of the Duke of Saxony others of the Palsgrave J beleeve the States here would rather be for the latter in regard of conformity of Religion the other being a Lutheran I could not find in Amsterdum a large Ortelius in French to send you but from 〈◊〉 I will not fail to serve you So wishing you all happines and health and that the Sun may make many progresses more through the Zodiac before those comely Gray hairs of yours go to the Grave I rest Iune the 3. 1619. Your very humble Servant J. H. XI To Captain Francis Bacon at the Glassehouse in Broad-street SIR MY last to you was from Amsterdam since which time I have travers'd the prime parts of the united Provinces and â—… am now in Zealand being newly come to this Town of Middlâ—… borough which is much crest-faln since the Staple of English Cloâ—… was removed hence aâ—… is Flishing also her next Neighbor since thâ—… departure of the English Garrison A good intelligent Gentleman told me the manner how Flishing and the Bâ—…ill our two Cautionary Towns here were redeem'd which was thus The ninâ—… hundred and odd Souldiers at Flishing and the Rammakins haâ—… by being many weeks without their pay they borrow'd diverâ—… sums of Money of the States of this Town who finding no hopeâ—… of supply from England advice was sent to the States-Generall 〈◊〉 the Hague they consulting with Sir Ralph Winwood our Ambassador who was a favourable Instrument unto them in this busines as also in the match with the Palsgrave sent Instructions to the Lord Caroon to acquaint the Earl of Suffolk then Lord Treasurer herewith and in case they could find no satisfaction there to make his addresse to the King himself which Caroon did His Majestie being much incens'd that his Subjects and Souldiers should starve for want of their pay in a Forren Countrey sent for the Lord Treasurer who drawing his Majestie aside and telling how empty his Exchequer was His Majestie told the Ambassador that if his Masters the States would pay the money they ow'd him upon those Towns he would deliver them up The Ambassador returning the next day to know whether his Majestie persisted in the same Resolution in regard that at his former audience he perceived him to be a little transported His Majesty answered That he knew the States of Holland to be his good frends and confederats both in point of Religion and Policy therefore he apprehended not the least fear of any difference that should fall out between them in contemplation whereof if they desir'd to have their Towns again he would willingly surrender them Hereupon the States made up the sum presently which came in convenient time for it serv'd to defray the expencefull progresse he made to Scotland the Summer following When that Money was lent by Queen Elizabeth it was Articled that Interest should be payed upon Interest and besides that for evry Gentleman who should lose his life in the States Service they should make good five pounds to the Crown of England All this His Majestie remitted and onely took the principall and this was done in requitall of that Princely Entertainment and great Presents which my Lady Elizabeth had received in divers of their Towns as she pass'd to Heydelberg The Bearer hereof is Sigr Antoniâ—… Miotti who was Master of a Crystall-Glasse Furnace here a long time and as I have it by good intelligence he is one of the ablest and most knowing men for the guidance of a Glasse-Work in Christendom Therefore according to my Instructions I send him over and hope to â—…ave done Sir Robert good service thereby So with my kinde respects unto you and my most humble Service where you know â—…is due
surprize Antwerp where he receivd an illfavord repuls yet nevertheless the united Provinces for so they termd themselfs ever after fearing to distast their next great neighbor France made a second proffer of their protection and Soverainty to that King who having too many irons in the fire at his own home the Ligue growing stronger and stronger he answerd them that his shirt was nearer to him than his dublet Then had they recours to Queen Elizabeth who partly for her own securitie partly for interest in Religion reacht them a supporting hand and so sent them men money and a Governor the Earl of Leicester who not symbolizing with their humor was quickly revokd yet without any outward dislike on the Queens side for she left her Forces still with them but upon their expence She lent them afterwards some considerable sums of moneys and she receivd Flushing and the Brill for caution Ever since the English have bin the best sinews of their war and Achievers of the greatest exploits amongst them Having thus made sure work with the English they made young Count Maurice their Governor who for five and twenty years together held rack with the Spaniard and during those traverses of war was very fortunat an overture of Peace was then propounded which the States would not hearken unto singly with the King of Spain unlesse the Provinces that yet remaind under him would engage themselfs for performance of what was Articled besides they would not treat either of Peace or Truce unless they were declar'd free States all which was granted so by the intervention of the English and French Ambassadors a Truce was concluded for 12 years These wars did so drain and discommodat the King of Spain by reason of his distance every Soldier that he sent either from Spain or Italy costing him nere upon a hundred crowns before he could be rendred in Flanders that notwithstanding his mines of Mexico and Peru it plung'd him so deeply in debt that having taken up moneys in all the chief banks of Christendom he was forcd to publish a Diploâ—…a wherein he dispens'd with himself as the Holland Story hath it from payment alleging that he had employed those moneys for the public Peace of Christendom this broak many great Banquers and they say his credit was not current in Sevill or Lisbon his own Towns and which was worse while he stood wrastling thus with his own Subjects the Turke took his opportunity to get from him Tunis and the Goletta the Tropheys of Charles the fift his Father So eager he was in this quarrell that he imployd the utmost of his strength and industry to reduce this people to his will in regard he had an intent to make these Provinces his main Randevous and Magazin of men of war which his neighbors perceiving and that he had a kind of aym to be Western Monarch being led not so much for love as reasons of State they stuck close to the revolted Provinces and this was the bone that Secretary Walsingham told Queen Elizabeth he would cast the King of Spain that should last him 20 years and perhaps make his teeth shake in his head But to return to my first discours whence this digression hath snatchd me The Netherlands who had bin formerly knit and concentred under one Soverain Prince were thus dismembred And as they subsist now They are a State and a Province The Province having ten of the 17. at least is far greater more populous better soyld and more stor'd with Gentry The State is the richer and stronger the one proceeding from their vast Navigation and Commerce the other from the qualitie of their Countrey being defensible by Rivers and Sluces by meanes wherof they can suddenly overwhelm all the whole Countrey witnes that stupendious siege of Leyden and Haerlam for most of their Towns the marks being taken away are inaccessible by reason of shelfs of sands Touching the transaction of these Provinces which the King of Spaine made as a dowry to the Archduke Albertus upon marriage with the Infanta who therupon left his red Hat and Toledo Miter the chiefest spirituall Dignity in Christendom for revenue after the Papacy it was fringd with such cautelous restraints that he was sure to keep the better end of the staff still to himself for he was to have the tutele and ward of his children that they were to marry with one of the Austrian Family recommended by Spain and in default of issue and in case Albertus should survive the Infanta he should be but Governor only Add hereunto that King Philip reserv'd still to himself all the Cittadells and Castles with the order of the golden Fleece wherof he is Master as he is Duke of Burgundy The Archduke for the time hath a very princely command all Coyns bear his stâ—…mp all Placarts or Edicts are publishd in his name he hath the election of all civill Officers and Magistrats he nominats also Bishops and Abbars for the Pope hath only ' the Confirmation of them here nor can he adjourn any out of the Countrey to answer any thing neither are his Bulls of any strength without the Princes placet which makes him have alwayes som Commissioners to execute his Authority The people here grow hotter and hotter in the Roman Cause by reason of the mixture with Spaniards and Italians as also by the example of the Archduke and the Infanta who are devout in an intense degree Ther are two supreme Counsells the Privy Counsell and that of the State this treats of confederations and intelligence with forren Princes of Peace and War of entertaining or of dismissing Colonells and Captains of Fortifications and they have the surintendency of the highest affairs that concern the Prince and the policy of the Provinces The privat hath the granting of all Patents and Requests the publishing of all Edicts and Proclamations the prising of Coin the looking to the confines and extent of the Provinces and the enacting of all new Ordinances Of these two Counsells ther is never a Spaniard but in the actuall Counsell of War their voices are predominant Ther is also a Court of Finances or Exchequer whence all they that have the fingring of the Kings money must draw a discharge Touching matters of Justice their Law is mixt between Civill and common with some clauses of Canonicall The high Court of Parliament is at Maline whither all Civill Causes may be brought by appeal from other Towns except som that have municipall Privileges and are soverain in their owne jurisdictions as Mons in Henalt and a few more The prime Province for dignity is Brabant which amongst many other privileges it enjoyeth hath this for one not to appear upon any summons out of its owne precinct which is one of the reasons why the Prince makes his residence there but the prime for extent and fame is Flanders the chiefest Earldom in Christendom which is three dayes journey in length Ghent its Metropolis is reputed the
30 Ian. 1633. Your much obliged Servitor J. H. XII To the Lord Vicount Wentworth Lord Deputy of Ireland and Lord Precedent of York c. My Lord I Was glad to apprehend the opportunity of this Packet to convey my humble service to your Lordship Ther are old doings in France and t is no new thing for the French to be always a doing they have such a stirring genius The Queen Mother hath made an escape to Brussells and Monsieur to Lorain wher they say he courts very earnestly the Dukes sister a young Lady under twenty they say a Contract is pass'd already but the French Cardinall opposeth it for they say that Lorain Milk seldom breeds good bloud in France Not only the King but the whole Gallican Church hath protestâ—… against it in a solemn Synod for the Heir apparant of the Crown of France cannot marry without the Royall consent This aggravats a grudg the French King hath to the Duke for siding with the Imperialists and for things reflecting upon the Dutchy of Bar for which he is hommogeable to the Crown of France as he is to the Emperor for Lorain A hard task it is to serve two Masters and an unhappy situation it is to lie 'twixt two puissant Monarchs as the Dukes of Savoy and Lorain do So I kiss your Lordships hands and rest My Lord Your most humble and ready Servitor J. H. VVestmin 1 of April 1633. XIII To my most Noble Lady the Lady Cornwallis Madam IN conformity to your commands which sway with me as much as an Act of Parlement I have sent your Ladiship this small Hymn for Christmas day now neer approaching if your Ladiship please to put an Air to it I have my reward 1. Hail holy Tâ—…de VVherin a Bride A Virgin which is more Brought forth a Son The like was don Ne're in the world before 2. Hail spotless Maid Who thee upbraid To have been born in sin Do little waigh What in thee lay Before thou didst Lie-in 3. Three months thy Womb Was made the Dome Of Him whom Earth nor Air Nor the vast mould Of Heaven can hould 'Cause he 's Ubiquitair 4. O would â—…e daign To rest and raign I' th centre of my heart And make it still His domicill And residence in part 5. But in so foul a Cell Can he abide to dwell Yes when he please to move His Herbenger to sweep the Room And with rich Odors it perfume Of Faith of Hope of Love So I humbly kiss your hands and thank your Ladiship that you would command in any thing that may conduce to your contentment Westmin 3 Feb. 1633. Your Lapp s most humble Servitor J. H. XIV 〈◊〉 the Lord Clifford at Knasburgh My Lord I Receiv'd your Lordships of the last of Iune and I return mâ—… most humble thanks for the choice Nagg you pleas'd to send me which came in very good plight Your Lordship desires me to lay down what in my Travells abroad I observ'd of the present condition of the Iews once an Elect peeple but now grown contemptible and strangely squander'd up and down the World Though such a Discours exactly fram'd might make up a Volume yet I will twist up what I know in this point upon as narrow a Bottom as may be shut up within the compass of this Letter The first Christian Countrey that expell'd the Iews was England France followed our example next then Spain and afterwards Portugall nor were they exterminated these Countreys for their Religion but for Villanies and cheatings for clipping Coins poisning of Waters and counterfeiting of Seals Those Countreys they are permitted to live now most in amongst Christians are Germany Holland Bohemia and Italy but not in those parts where the King of Spain hath to do In the Levant and Turkey they swarm most for the gran Vizier and all other great Boshawes have commonly som Iew for their Counsellor or Spie who inform them of the state of Christian Princes possess them of a hatred of the Religion and so incense them to a war against them They are accounted the subtill'st and most subdolous peeple upon Earth the reason why they are thus degenerated from their primitive simplicity and innocence is their often â—…ptivities their desperat fortunes the necessity and hatred to which they have been habituated for nothing depraves ingenuous spirits and corrupts cleer wits more than want and indigence By their profession they are for the most part Broakers and Lombardeers yet by that base and servile way of Frippery trade they grow rich whersoever they nest themselves and this with their multiplication of Children they hold to be an argument that an extraordinary providence attends them still Me thinks that so cleer accomplishments of the Prophecies of our Saviour touching that peeple should work upon them for their conversion as the destruction of their City and Temple that they should becom despicable and the tail of all Nations that they should be Vagabonds and have no firm habitation Touching the first they know it came punctually to pass and so have the other two for they are the most hatefull race of men upon earth insomuch that in Turkie where they are most valued if a Musulman com to any of their houses leave his shoos at the door the Iew dare not com in all the while till the Turk hath don what he would with his Wife For the last 't is wonderfull to see in what considerable numbers they are dispers'd up and down the World yet they can never reduce themselves to such a coalition and unity as may make a Republic Principality or Kingdom They hold that the Iewes of Italy Germany and the Levant are of Benjamins Tribe ten of the Tribes at the destruction of Ieroboams Kingdom were led Captives beyond Euphrates whence they never return'd nor do they know what became of them ever after yet they beleeve they never became Apostats and Gentiles But the Tribe of Iuda whence they expect their Messias of whom one shall hear them discours with so much confidence and self-pleasing conceit they say is setled in Portugall wher they give out to have thousands of their race whom they dispense withall to make a semblance of Christianitie even to Church degrees This makes them breed up their children in the Lusitanian Language which makes the Spaniard have an odd saying that El Portuguez se criò del pedo de un Iudia A Portugues was engendred of a Iews Fart as the Mahuâ—…ans have a passage in their Alcaroâ—… That a Cat was made of a Lions breath As they are the most contemtiblest peeple and have a kind of fulsom sent no better then a stink that distinguisheth them from others so are they the most timorous peeple on earth and so utterly incapable of Arms for they are made neither Souldiers nor Slaves And this their Pusillanimity and cowardise as well as their cunning and craft may be imputed to their various thraldo us contempt and poverty which
a good while the interest of a Friend in me but you have me now in a streighter tie for I am your brother by your sate mariage which hath turnd friendship into an alliance you have in your arms one of my dearest sisters who I hope nay I know will make a good wife I heartily congratulate this mariage and pray that a blessing may descend upon it from that place where all mariages are made which is from Heaven the Fountain of all felicitie to this prayer I think it no prophaness to add the saying of the Lyric Poet Horace in whom I know you delight much and I send it you as a kind of Epithalamium and wish it may be verified in you both Foelices ter amplius Quos irrupta tenet copula nec malis Divulsus querimoniis Suprema citius solvet amor die Thus English'd That Couple's more than trebly blest Which nuptiall bonds do so combine That no distast can them untwine Till the last day send both to rest So dear brother I much rejoyce for this alliance and wish you may encrease and multiply to your hearts content May the 20 1622. Your affectionat brother J. H. XVII To my brother Doctor Howell from Brussels SIR I Had yours in Latin at Roterdam whence I corresponded with you in the same Language I heard though not from you since I came from Brussells that our sister Anne is lately maried to Mr Hugh Penry I am heartily glad of it and wish the rest of our fisters were so well bestowd for I know Mr Penry to be a Gentleman of a great deal of solid worth and integrity and one that will prove a great Husband and a good Oâ—…conomist Here is news that Mansfelâ—… hath receiv'd a foyl lately in Germany and that the Duke of Brunswick alias Bishop of Halverstadt hath lost one of his arms This maks them vapor here extremely and the last week I heard of a play the Jesuits of Antwerp made in derogation or rather derision of the proceedings of the Prince Palsgrave where amongst divers other passages they feignd a Post to com puffing upon the stage and being askd what news he answerd how the Palsgrave was like to have shortly a huge formidable Army for the King of Denmark was to send him a hundred thousand the Hollanders a hundred thousand and the King of great Britaine a hundred thousand but being asked thousands of what he replied the first would send 100000. red Herings the second 100000. Cheeses and the last 100000. Ambassadors alluding to Sir Richard Weston and Sir Edward Conway my Lord Carlile Sir Arthur Chichester and lastly the Lord Digby who have bin all imploy'd in quality of Ambassadors in lesse than two years since the beginning of these German broils touching the last having bin with the Emperor and the Duke of Bavaria and carried himself with such high wisdom in his negotiations with the one and stoutnes with the other and having preserv'd Count Mansfielâ—…s troups from disbanding by pawning his own argentry and Jewells he pass'd this way where they say the Archduke did esteem him more than any Ambassador that ever was in this Court and the report is yet very fresh of his high abilities Wee are to remove hence in coach towards Paris the next week where we intend to winter or hard by when you have opportunity to write to Wales I pray present my duty to my Father and my love to the rest I pray remember me also to all at the Hill and the Dale specially to that most vertuous Gentleman Sir Iohn Franklin So my dear brother I pray God continue and improve his blessings to us both and bring us again together with comfort Iune 10. 1622. Your brother J. H. XVIII To Dr. The Prichard at Worcester House SIR FRiendship is that great chain of human societie and intercours of letters is one of the chiefest links of that chain you know this as well as I therfore I pray let our friendship let our love that national ty of British love that vertuous ty of Academiâ—… love be still strengthned as heretofore and receive daily more and more vigor I am now in Paris and ther is weekly opportunity to receive and send and if you please to send you shall be sure to receive for I make it a kind of Religion to be punctuall in this kind of payment I am heartily glad to hear that you are becom a domestic member to that most noble Family of the Worcesters and I hold it to be a very good foundation for future preferment I wish you may be as happy in them as I know they will be happy in you Fâ—…ance is now barren of news only there was a shrewd brush lately twixt the young King and his Mother who having the Duke of Espernon and others for her Champions met him in open field about pont de Ce but she went away with the worst such was the rare dutifulnes of the King that he forgave her upon his knees and pardon'd all her complices And now ther is an universall Peace in this Countrey which t is thought will not last long for ther is a war intended against them of the reformd Religion for this King though he be slow in speech yet is he active in spirit and loves motion I am here camrade to a gallant young Gentleman my old acquaintance who is full of excellent parts which he hath acquir'd by a choice breeding the Baron his Father gave him both in the University and the Inns of Court so that for the time I envy no mans happines So with my hearty commends and 〈◊〉 â—…ndear'd love unto you I rest 〈◊〉 3. Aug. â—…622 Yours whiles Jam. Howell XIX To the honble Sir Tho. Savage after Lord Savage at his House upon Tower-Hill honble SIR THose many undeserved favors for which I stand oblig'd to your self and my noble Lady since the time I had the happines to com first under your roof and the command you pleas'd to lay upon me at my departure thence call upon me at this time to give you account how matters passe in France That which for the present affords most plenty of news is Rochell which the King threatneth to block up this Spring with an army by sea under the comand of the D. of Nevers and by a land army under his own conduct both sides prepare he to assault the Rochellers to defend The King declares that he proceeds not against them for their Religion which he is still contented to tolerat but for holding an Assembly against his Declarations They answer that their Assembly is grounded upon his Majesties royal Warrant given at the dissolution of the last Assembly at Lodun wher he solemnly gave his word to permit them to re-assemble when they would six months asâ—…er if the breaches of their liberty and grievances which they then propounded wer not redressed and they say this being unperform'd it stands not with the sacred Person of a
King to violat his promise being the first that ever he made them The King is so incens'd against them that their Deputies can have neither accesse to his Person nor audience of his Counsell as they stile themselves the Deputies of the Assembly at Rochell but if they say they com from the whole body of Them of the pretended reform'd Religion he will hear them The breach between them is grown so wide that the King resolves upon a fiege This resolution of the Kings is much somented by the Roman Clergy specially by the Celestines who have 200000 Crowns of gold in the Arsenal of Paris which they would sacrifice all to this service besides the Pope sent him a Bull to levy what sums he would of the Gallican Church for the advancement of this design This resolution also is much push'd on by the Gentry who besides the particular emploiments and pay they shall receive hereby are glad to have their young King train'd up in Arms to make him a Martiall man But for the Merchant and poor Peasan they tremble at the name of this War fearing their teeth should be set on edge with those soure grapes their fathers tasted in the time of the League for if the King begin with Rochell 't is fear'd all the four corners of the Kingdom will be set on â—…re Of all the Towns of surety which They of the Religion hold Rochell is the chiefest a place strong by nature but stronger by Art It is a Maritim town and landward they can by sluces drown a leagues distance 't is fortified with mighty thick walls bastions and countersâ—…arps and those according to the modern rules of Enginry This amongst other cautionary Towns was granted by Henry the fourth to them of the Religion for a certain term of years which being expir'd the King saith they are devolv'd again to the Crown and so demands them They of the Religion pretend to have divers grievances first they have not been paid these two years the 160000 Crowns which the last King gave them annually to maintain their Ministers and Garrisons They complain of the Kings carriage lately at Bearn Henry the greats Countrey which was merely Protestant where he hath introduc'd two years since the public exercise of the Masse which had not bin sung there fifty years before he alter'd also there the Government of the Countrey and in lieu of a Viceroy left a Governor only and wheras Navarrin was formerly a Court of Parlement for the whol Kingdom of Navar that 's under France he hath put it down and published an Edict that the Navarrois should com to Toloâ—…se the chief town of Languedoc and lastly he left behind him a Garrison in the said Town of Navarrin These and other grievances they of the Religion propos'd to the King lately desiring his Majesty would let them enjoy still those privileges his Predecessor Henry the third and his Father Henry the fourth afforded them by Act of Pacification But he made them a short answer that what the one did in this point he did it out of fear what the other did he did it out of love but he would have them know that he neither lov'd them nor fear'd them so the busines is like to bleed sore on both sides nor is ther yet any apearance of prevention Ther was a scuffle lately here 'twixt the Duke of Navers and the Cardinal of Guise who have had a long sute in law about an Abbey and meeting the last week about the Palace from words they fell to blows the Cardinall struck the Duke first and so were parted but in the afternoon ther appear'd on both sides no lesse than 3000 horse in a field hard by which shews the populousnes and sudden strength of this huge City but the matter was taken up by the King himself and the Cardinall clapt up in the Bastile wher the King saith he shall abide to ripen for he is but young and they spake of a Bull that is to come from Rome to decardinalize him I fear to have trespas'd too much upon your patience therfore I will conclude for the present but will never cease to profess my self Your thrice humble and ready Servitor J. H. Paris Aug. 18. 1622. XX. To D. Caldwall Esqr. from Poyssy My dear D. TO be free from English and to have the more conveniency to fall close to our busines Mr. Altham and I are lately reâ—…'d from Paris to this Town of Poyssy a pretty gentile place at the â—…oot of the great Forrest of Saint German upon the River Sequana and within a mile of one of the Kings chiefest standing Houses and about 15 miles from Paris Here is one of the prime Nunneries of all France Lewis the ninth who in the Catalog of the French Kings is call'd St. Lewis which Title was confirm'd by the Pope was baptiz'd in this little Town and after his return from Egypt and other places against the Saracens being ask'd by what Title he would be distinguish'd from the rest of his Predecessors after his death he answer'd that he desir'd to be call'd Lewis of Poyssy reply being made that ther were divers other places and cities of renown wher he had perform'd brave exploits and obtain'd famous victories therfore it was more fitting that som of those places should denominat him no said he I desire to be call'd Lewis of Poyssy because there I got the most glorious victory that ever I had for there I overcame the Devill meaning that he was Christned there I sent you from Antwerp a silver Dutch Table-book I desire to hear of the receit of it in your next I must desire you as I did once at Rouen to send me a dozen pair of the whitest kidskin glov's for women and half a dozen pair of knit's by the Merchants post and if you want any thing that France can afford I hope you know what power you have to dispose of Poyssy Septem 7. 1622. Your J. H. XXII To my Father from Paris SIR I Was afraid I should never have had ability to write to you again I had lately such a dangerous fit of sicknes but I have now pass'd the brunt of it God hath been pleas'd to reprieve me and reserve me for more days which I hope to have grace to number better Mr. Altham and I having retired to a small Town from Paris for more privacy and sole conversation with the nation I tyed my self to a task for the reading of so many books in such a compasse of time and therupon to make good my-word to my self I us'd to watch many nights together though it was in the depth of Winter but returning to this Town I took cold in the head and so that mals of rheum which had gather'd by my former watching turn'd to an impostume in my head wherof I was sick above forty days at the end they cauteâ—…is'd and made an issue in my check to make vent for the impostume and that
inserted in the answer whom he thought to be the fittest instrument for a Tyrant that ever was England should be so bold as to call the Prerogative of the Crown a great monster The Parliament after this was not long liv'd but broak up in discontent and upon the point of dissolution they made a Protest against divers particulars in the aforesaid answer of his Majesties My Lord Digby is preparing for Spain in qualitie of Ambassador Extraordinary to perfect the match twixt our Prince and the Lady Infanta in which business Gondamar hath waded already very deep and bin very active and ingratiated himself with divers persons of qualitie Ladies especially yet he could do no good upon the Lady Hatton whom he desird lately that in regard he was her next neighbor at Ely House he might have the benefit of her back gate to go abroad into the fields but she put him off with a Complement wherupon in a privat audience lately with the King amongst other passages of merriment he told him that my Lady Hatton was a strange Lady for she would not suffer her Husband Sir Edward Coke to com in at her foredore nor him to go out at her back dore and so related the whole business He was also dispatching a l'ost lately for Spain and the Post having receivd his packet and kisd his hands he calld him back and told him he had forgot one thing which was that when he came to Spain he should commend him to the Sun 〈◊〉 he had not seen him a great while and in Spain he should be sure to find him So with my most humble service to my Lord of Colchester I rest London Mar. 24. 1622. Your most humble Servitor J. H. IV To my brother Mr Hugh Penry Sir THe Welsh nag you sent me was deliverd me in a very good plight and I give you a thousand thanks for him I had occasion lately to try his mettle and his lungs and every one tells me he is right and of no mongâ—…ell race but a true Mountaneer for besides his toughness and strength of lungs up a hill he is quickly curried and content with short Commons I beleeve he hath not been long a highway traveller for wheras other horses when they pass by an Inne or Alehouse use to make towards them to give them a friendly visit this nâ—…g roundly goes on and scornes to cast as much as a glance upon any of them which I know not whether I shall impute it to his ignorance or height of spirit but conversing with the soft horses of England I beleeve he will quickly be brought to be more courteous The greatest news we have now is the return of the Lord BPP of Landass Davenant Ward and Belcanquell from the Synod of Dort where the Bishop had precedence given him according to his Epâ—…scopall dignity Arminius and Vorstius were sore baited there concerning Predestination Election and Reprobation as also touching Christs death and mans Redemption by it then concerning mans Corruption and Conversion lastly concerning the perseverance of the Saints I shall have shortly the transaction of the Synod The Jesuits have put out a geeâ—…ing libell against it and these two verses I remember in 't Dordrecti Synodus nodus chorus integer aeger Conventus ventus Sâ—…ffio stramen Amen But I will confront this Distich with another I read in France of the Iesuits in the Town of Dole towards Lorain they had a great house given them calld L'arâ—… arcum and upon the river of Lâ—… Henry the fourth gave them la fleche sagittam in â—…atin where they have two stately Convents that is Bow and Arrow wherupon one made these verses Arcum Dola dedit dedit ill is alma sagittam Francia quis chordam quam meruere dabit Faire France the Arrow Dole gave them the Bow Who shall the String which they deserve bestow No more now but that with my dear love to my Sister I rest London Aprill 16. 1622. Your most affectionate brother J. H. V. To the Lord Vicount Colchester My good Lord I receivd your Lopps of the last week and according to your command I send here inclos'd the Venetian gazet for forren aviso's they write that Mansfelt hath bin beaten out of Germany and is come to Sedan and 't is thought the Duke of Bouillon will set him up again with a new Army Marquis Spinola hath newly sat down before Berghen op zoom your Lopp knows well what consequence that Town is of therfore it is likely this will be a hot Summer in the Netherlands The French King is in open war against them of the Religion he hath already cleard the Loire by taking Ier seau and Saumur where Monâ—…r du Plessis sent him the keys which are promisd to be deliverd him again but I think ad Graecas Calendaâ—… He hath bin also before Saint Iohn d' angeli where the young Cardinall of Guyse died being struck down by the puffe of a Canon bullet which put him in a burning â—…eaver and made an end of him the last Town that 's taken was Clerac which was put to 50000. Crowns ransom many were put to the sword and divers Gentlemen drownd as they thought to scape this is the fifteenth cautionary Town the King hath taken and now they say he marcheth towards Montauban and so to Montpelliâ—…r and Nismâ—… and then have at Rochell My Lord Hayes is by this time 't is thought with the Army for Sir Edward Harbert is return'd having had som clashings and counterbuffs with the Favorite Luynes wherin he comported himself gallantly ther is a fresh report blown over that Luynes is lately dead in the Army of the Plague som say of the Purples the next cousen german to it which the Protestants give out to be the just judgement of Heaven â—…aln upon him because he incited his Master to these wars against them If he be not dead let him dy when he will he will leave a fame behind him to have bin the greatest Favorit for the time that ever was in France having from a simple Faulkner com to be high Constable and made himself and his younger brother Brand Dukes and Peers and his second brother Cadenet Marshall and all three maried to Princely Families No more now but that I most humbly kiss your Lopps hands and shall be alwaies most ready and chearfull to receive your commandments because I am London 12 Aug. 1623. Your Lordships obliged Servitor I. H. VI. To my Father from London SIR I was at a dead stand in the cours of my Fortunes when it pleas'd God to provide me lately an employment to Spain whence I hope there may arise both repute and profit Som of the Capâ—… Merchants of the Turky Company amongst whom the chiefest were Sir Robert Napper and Captain Leat propos'd unto me that they had a great business in the Court of Spain in agitation many yeers nor was it now their busines but the Kings in whose name it is followed
Father who had bin in Amsterdam to look how his bank of money did thrive and coming for more frugality in the common Boat which was oreset with Merchandize and other passengers in a thick Fog the Vessell turn'd ore and so many perish'd the Prince Palsgrave sav'd himself by swimming but the young Prince clinging to the Mast and being intangled among the Tacklings was half drown'd and half frozen to death A sad destiny Ther is an open rupture twixt us and the Spaniard though he gives out that he never broke with us to this day Count Gondamar was on his way to Flanders and thence to England as they say with a large Commission to treat for a surrender of the Palainat and so to peece matters together again but he died in the journey at a place call'd Bunnol of pure apprehensions of grief as it is given out The match twixt his Majesty and the Lady Henrietta Maria youngest Daughter to Henry the great the eldest being maried to the King of Spain and the second to the Duke of Savoy goes roundly on and is in a manner concluded wherat the Count of Soissons is much discontented who gave himself hopes to have her but the hand of Heaven hath predestin'd her for a far higher condition The French Ambassadors who were sent hither to conclude the busines having privat audience of his late Majesty a little before his death he told them pleasantly That he would make war against the Lady Henrietta because she would not receive the two Letters which were sent her one from himself and the other from his son but sent them to her Mother yet he thought he should easily make peace with her because he understood she had afterwards put the latter Letter in her bosome and the first in her Coshionet wherly he gather'd that she intended to reserve his son for her Affection and him for Counsell The Bishop of Lucon now Cardinall de Richelieu is grown to be the sole Favorit of the King of France being brought in by the Queen-Mother he hath hin very active in advancing the match but 't is thought the wars will break out afresh against them of the Religion notwithstanding the ill fortune the King had before Mountauban few yeers since wher he lost above 500 of his Nobles wherof the great Duke of Main was one and having lain in person before the Town many months and receiv'd som affronts as that inscription upon their Gates shew Roy sans foy ville sans peur a King without faith a town without fear yet he was forc'd to raze his works and raise his siege The Letter which Mr. Ellis Hicks brought them of Mountauban from Rechell through so much danger and with so much gallantry was an infinit advantage unto them for wheras ther was a politic report rais'd in the Kings Army and blown into Mountauban that Rochell was yeelded to the Count of Soissons who lay â—…hen before her this Letter did inform the contrary and that Rochell was in as good a plight as ever wherupon they made a sally the next day upon the Kings Forces and did him a great deal of spoil Ther be summous out for a Parliament I pray God it may prove more prosperous than the former I have been lately recommended to the Duke of Buckingham by som noble friends of mine that have intimacy with him about whom though he hath three Secretaries already I hope to have som employment for I am weary of walking up and down so idly upon London streets The Plague begins to rage mightily God avert his judgments that meance so great a Mortality and turn not away his face from this poor Island So I kiss your Lordships hands in quality of Lond. 25. Feb. 1625. Your Lordships most humble Servitor J. H. XI To Rich. Altham Esqr. SIR THe Eccho wants but a face and the Looking-Glass a voice to make them both living creatures and to becom the same body they represent the one by repercussion of sound the other by reflection of sight Your most ingenious Letters to me from time to time do far more lively represent you than either Eccho or Crystall can do I mean they represent the better and nobler part of you to wit the inward man they clearly set forth the notions of your mind and the motions of your soul with the strength of your imagination for as I know your exterior person by your lineaments so I know you as well inwardly by your lines and by those lively expressions you give of your self insomuch that I beleeve if the interior man within you were so visible as the outward as once Plate wish'd that vertue might be seen with the corporeal eyes you would draw all the world after you or if your well-born thoughts and the words of your Letters were eccho'd in any place wher they might rebound and be made audible they are compos'd of such sweet and charming strains of ingenuity and eloquence that all the Nymphs of the Woods and the Valleys the Dryades yea the Graces and Muses ' would pitch their Pavillions there nay Apollo himself would dwell longer in that place with his Rays and make them reverberat more strongly than either upon Pindus or Parnassus or Rhodes it self whence he never removes his Eye as long as he is above this Hemispher I confess my Letters to you which I send by way of correspondence com far short of such vertue yet are they the true Idaeas of my mind and of that reall and inbred affection I bear you one should never teach his Letter or his Laquay to lie I observe that rule but besides my Letters I could wish ther were a Crystall Casement in my Brest thorow which you might behold the motions of my heart Utinamque oculos in pectore pesses Inserere then should you clearly see without any deception of sight how truely I am and how intirely 27 of Febr. 1625. Yours J. H. And to answer you in the same strain of Vers you sent me First Shall the Heavens bright Lamp forget to shine The Stars shall from the Azurd skie decline First Shall the Orient with the West shake hand The Center of the world shall cease to stand First Wolves shall ligue with Lambs the Dolphins flie The Lawyer and Physitian Fees deny The Thames with Tagus shall exchange her Bed My Mistris locks with mine shall first turn red First Heaven shall lie below and Hell above Ere I inconstant to my Altham prove XII To the R. honble my Lord of Calingford after Earl of Carberry at Colden Grove 28 May. 1625. My Lord VVE have gallant news now abroad for we are sure to have a new Queen ere it be long both the Contract and mariage was lately solemniz'd in France the one the second of this month in the Louvre the other the eleventh day following in the great Church of Paris by the Cardinall of Rochefoucand ther was som clashing 'twixt him and the Archbishop of Paris who
alleg'd 't was his duty to officiat in that Church but the dignity of Cardinall and the quality of his Office being the Kings great Almner which makes him chief Curat of the Court gave him the prerogative I doubt not but your Lordship hath heard of the Capitulations but for better assurance I will run them over briefly The King of France oblig'd himself to procure the Dispensation the mariage should be celebrated in the same form as that of Queen Margaret and of the Dutchess of Bar her Dowrie should be 800000 Crowns six shillings a peece the one moitie to be paied the day of the Contract the other a twelvemonth after The Queen shall have a Chappell in all the Kings Roiall houses and any wher else where she shall recide within the Dominions of his Majestie of great Britain with free exercise of the Roman Religion for her self her Officers and all her Houshold for the celebration of the Mass the Predication of the Word Administration if the Sacraments and power to procure Indulgences from the Holy Father That to this end she shall be allow'd 28 Priests or Ecclesiasticks in her House and a Bishop in quality of Almoner who shall have jurisdiction over all the rest and that none of the Kings Officers shall have power over them unless in case of Treason therfore all her Ecclesiastics shall take the Oath of fidelitie to His Majestie of great Britain ther shall be a Cymitier or Church-yard clos'd about to burie those of her Family That in consideration of this mariage all English Catholics as well Ecclesiastics as Lay which shall be in any prison meerly for Religion since the last Edict shall be set at libertie This is the eighth Alliance we have had with France since the Conquest and as it is the best that could be made in Christendom so I hope it will prove the happiest So I kiss your hands being Your Lordships most humble Servitor J. H. Lond. Mar. 1 1625. XIII To the honble Sir Tho. Saâ—… SIR I Convers'd lately with a Gentleman that came from France who amongst other things discours'd much of the Favourit Richelieu who is like to be an active man and hath great designs The two first things he did was to make sure of England and the Hollander he thinks to have us safe enough by this mariage and Holland by a late League which was bought with a great sum of money for he hath furnish'd the States with a Million of Liures at two shillings a peece in present and six hundred thousand Liures every year of these two that are to com provided That the States repay these sums two years after they are in peace or truce The King press'd much for Liberty of Conscience to Roman Catholics amongst them and the Deputies promis'd to do all they could with the States Generall about it they Articled likewise for French to be associated with them in the trade to the Indies Monsieur is lately maried to Mary of Bourbon the Duke of Monpensiers Daughter he told her That he would be a better Husband than he had been a Suter to her for hee hung off a good while This mariage was made by the King and Monsieur hath for his apennage 100000 Liures annuall Rent from Chartres and Blois 100000 Liures Pension and 500000 to be charg'd yearly upon the generall receipts of Orleans in all about 70000 pounds Ther was much ado before this match could be brought about for ther were many opposers and ther be dark whispers that ther was a deep plot to confine the King to a Monastery and that Monsieur should govern and divers great ones have suffered for it and more are like to be discover'd So I take my leave for present and rest Lond. Mar. 10 1626. Your very humble and ready Servitor J. H. XIV To the Lady Jane Savage Marchioness of Winchester Excellent Lady I May say of your Grace as it was said once of a rare Italian Princess that you are the greatest Tyrant in the World because you make all those that see you your slaves much more them that know you I mean those that are acquainted with your inward disposition and with the faculties of your soul as well as the Phisnomy of your face for Vertue took as much pains to adorn the one as Nature did to perfect the other I have had the happines to know both when your Grace took pleasure to learn Spanish at which time when my betters far had offer'd their service in this kind I had the honor to be commanded by you often Hee that hath as much experience of you as I have had will confess that the handmaid of God Almighty was never so prodigall of her gifts to any or labour'd more to frame an exact modell of Femal perfection nor was dame Nature onely busied in this Work but all the Graces did consult and co-operat with her and they wasted so much of their Tresure to in rich this one peece that it may be a good reason why so many lame and defective fragments of Women-kind are daily thrust into the world I return you here inclos'd the Sonnet your Grace pleas'd to send me lately rendred into Spanish and fitted for the same Ayr it had in English both for cadence and number of feet With it I send my most humble thanks that your Grace would descend to command me in any thing that might conduce to your contentment and service for ther is nothing I desire with a greater Ambition and herein I have all the World my Rival than to be accounted Madame Your Grace's most humble and ready Servitor J. H. Lond. Mar. 15. 1626. X. To the Right honble the Lord Clifford My Lord I Pray be pleas'd to dispence with this slownes of mine in answering yours of the first of this present Touching the domestic occurrences the Gentleman who is Bearer hereof is more capable to give you account by discourse than I can in paper For forrain tidings your Lordship may understand that the Town of Breda hath bin a good while making her last will and testament but now ther is certain news com that she hath yeelded up the Ghost to Spinalo's hands after a tough siege of thirteen months and a circumvallation of neeâ—…r upon twenty miles compas My Lord of Southampton and his eldest son sickned at the siege and died at Berghen the adventrous Earl Henry of Oxford seeming to tax the Prince of Orange of slacknes to fight was set upon a desperat Work wher he melted his grease and so being carried to the Hague he died also I doubt not but you have heard of Graye Maurice's death which happen'd when the Town was pass'd cure which was his more than the States for he was Marquis of Breda and had neer upon thirty thousand dollars annual rent from her Therfore he seem'd in a kind of sympathy to sicken with his Town and died before her He had provided plentifully for all his Naturall children but
that envy her self must pronounce that return of his for the â—…quitting of his fiduciary pledges to be a most noble act and waâ—…ing that of King Alphonso's Moor I may more properly compare it to the act of that famous Roman Commander Regulus as I take 〈◊〉 who to keep his promise and faith return'd to his enemies â—…her he had been prisoner though he knew he went to an ineviâ—…able death But well did that faithles cunning Knight who betrayâ—…d Sir Walter Rawleigh in his intended escape being com ashore fall to that contemptible end as to dye a poor distracted Beggar in the 〈◊〉 of Lyndey having for a bag of money falsified his Faith confirm'd by the tye of the holy Sacrament as you write as also before the yeer came about to be found clipping the same coin in the Kings own house at White-hall which he had receiv'd as a reward for his perfidiousnes for which being condemned to be hang'd hee was driven to sell himself to his shirt to purchase his pardon of two Knights And now Sir let that glorious and gallant Cavalier Sir Walter Rawleigh who lived long enough for his own honor though not for his Countrey as it was said of a Roman Consull rest quietly in his grave and his vertues live in his posterity as I find they do strongly and very eminently in you I have heard his enemies confess that he was one of the weightiest and wisest men that this Island ever bred Mr. Nath. Carpenter a learned and judicious Author was not in the wrong when he gave this discreet Character of him who hath not known or read of that Prodigy of wit and fortune Sir Walter Rawleigh a man infortunat in nothing els but in the greaâ—… of his wit and advancement whose eminent worth was such both in domestic Policy forren Expeditions and Discoveries in Arts and Literature both practic and contemplative that it might seem at once to conqâ—… boâ—… example and imitation Now Sir hoping to be rectified in your judgment touching my opinion of that illustrious Knight your father give me leave to kiss your hands very affectionatly for the respectfull mention you please to make of my brother once your neighbor he suffers good soul as well as I though in a differing manner I also much value that favourable censure you give of those rambling Letters of mine which indeed are nought els than a Legend of the cumbersom lifâ—… and various fortunes of a Cadet but wheras you please to say that the world of learned men is much beholden to me for them and that son of them are freighted with many excellent and qaaint passages delivered in a masculine and solid stile adorn'd with much eloquence aâ—… stuck with the choicest flowers pick'd from the Muses garden wheras you also please to write that you admire my great Travells my strenâ—…ous endeavours at all times and in all places to accumulate knowledg â—…y active laying hold upon all occasions and on every handle that migâ—… with reputation advantage either my wit or fortune These high gallant strains of expressions I confess transcend my merit and are a garment too gawdy for me to put on yet I will lay it up among by best Reliques wherof I have divers sent me of thâ—… kind And wheras in publishing these Epistles at this time you please to say That I have don like Hezekiah when he shewedhis Treasures to the Babylonians that I have discovered my riches to theevâ—… who will bind me fast aud share my goods To this I answer that iâ—… those innocent Letters for I know none of them but is such fall among such theevs they will have no great prize to carry away it will be but pettylarceny I am already God wot bound fast enough having been a long time coopt up between these Walls bereâ—…t of all my means of subsistence and employment nor do I know wherfore I am heer unless it be for my sins For I bear as upright â—… heart to my King and Countrey I am as conformable and well affected to the government of this land specially to the high Court of Parliament as any one whatsoever that breaths air under this Meridian I will except none And for my Religion I defie any creature 'twixt heaven and earth that will say I am not a true English Protestant I have from time to time employ'd divers of my best frends to get my liberty at leastwise leave to go abroad upon Bail for I do not expect as you please also to beleeve in your Letter to be delivered hence as Saint Peter was by miracle but nothing will yet prevail To conclude I do acknowledg in the highest way of recognition the free and noble proffer you please to make me of your endeavors to pull me out of this dolefull Sepulcher wherin you say I am entomb'd alive I am no less oblig'd to you for the opinion I find you have of my weak abilities which you please to wish heartily may be no longer eclypsed I am not in despair but a day will shine that may afford me opportunity to improve this good opinion of yours which I value at a very high rate and let the world know how much I am Fleet 5 May 1645. Sir Your reall and ready Servitor J. H. LXIIII. To Mr. T. V. at Brussells My dear Tom VVHo would have thought poor England had been brought to this pass could it ever have entred into the imagination of man that the Scheme and whole frame of so ancient and well-molded a government should bee so suddenly struck off the hinges quite put out of joynt and tumbled into such a horrid Confusion who would have held it possible that to fly from Babylon we should fall into such a Babel that to avoid superstition some peeple should bee brought to belch out such horrid prophanenes as to call the Temples of God the Tabernacles of Sathan The Lords Supper a Two-penny Ordinary to make the Communion Table a Manger and the Font a Trough to water their Horses in to term the white decent Robe of the Presbyter the Whores Smock the Pipes through which nothing came but Anthems and holy Hymns the Devills Bag-pipes the Liturgy of the Church though extracted most of it out of the Sacred Text call'd by som another kind of Alchoran by others raw Porredge by som a peece forg'd in Hell Who would have thought to have seen in England the Churches shut and the Shops open upon Christmas day Could any soul have imagined that this Isle would have produc'd such Monsters as to rejoyce at the Turks good successes against Christians and wish hee were in the midst of Rome Who would have dream't ten yeers since when Arch-bishop Lawd did ride in state through London streets accompanying my Lord of London to bee sworn Lord high Tresurer of England that the Mitre should have now com to such a scorn to such a Nationall kind of hatred as to put the whole Island in a combustion which
mutuall repereussions I know you that breath upon the Continent have cleerer ecchoes there witnes that in the Twilleries specially that at Charenton Bridge which quavers and renders the voice ten times when 't is open weather and it were a virtuous curiosity to try it For news the world is heer turn'd upside down and it hath bin long a going so you know a good while since we have had leather Caps and Bever shoos but now the Arms are com to be leggs for Bishops Laun-sleeves are worn for Boot-hose tops the wast is com to the knee for the Points that wer used to be about the middle are now dangling there Boots and Shoos are so long snouted that one can hardly kneel in Gods House where all Genuflexion and Postures of devotion and decency are quite out of use The Devill may walk freely up and down the streets of London now for ther is not a Cross to fright him any where and it seems he was never so busie in any Countrey upon earth for ther have been more witches Arraign'd and Executed heer lately than ever were in this Island since the Creation I have no more to communicate unto you at this time and this is too much unless it were better God Almighty send us patience you in your Banishment me in my Captivity and give us Heaven for our last Countrey wher Desires turn to Fruition Doubts to Certitudes and dark Thoughts to cleer Contemplations Truly my dear Don Antonio as the times are I take little contentment to live among the Elements and wer it my Makers pleasure I could willingly had I quit scores with the World make my last account with Nature and return this small skinfull of Bones to my common Mother If I chance to do so before you I love you so entirely well that my Spirit shall visit you to bring you som tidings from the other World and if you preceed mee I shall expect the like from you which you may do without affrighting mee for I know your Spirit will be a bonus Genius So desiringo know what 's becom of my Manuscript I kiss your hands and rest most passionately Your faithfull Servitor J. H. The Fleet 20 Febr. 1646. III. To Master W. B. SIR I Had yours of the last week and by reason of som sudden encombrances I could not correspond with you by that Carrier As for your desire to know the Pedigree and first rise of those we call Presbyterians I find that your motion hath as much of Piety as Curiosity in it but I must tell you 't is a subject fitter for a Treatise than a Letter yet I will endeavor to satisfie you in som part Touching the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is as ancient as Christianity it self and every Church-man compleated in holy Orders was called Presbyter as being the chiefest name of the Function and so 't is us'd in all Churches both Eastern and Occidentall to this day Wee by contraction call him Priest so that all Bishops and Arch-Bishops are Priests though not vice versa These holy Titles of Bishop and Priest are now grown odious among such poor Sâ—…iolists who scarce know the Hoties of things because they savor of Antiquity Though their Minister that officiats in their Church be the same thing as Priest and their superintendent the same thing as Bishop but because they are lovers of novelties they change old Greek words for new Latine one 's The first broacher of the Presbyterian Religion and made it differ from that of Rome and Luther was Calvin who being once banished Geneva was revok'd at which time he no less petulantly than prophanely applyed to himself that Text of the Holy Prophet which was meant of Christ The Stone which the Builders refused is made the head stone of the corner c. Thus Geneva Lake swallowed up the Episcopall See and Church Lands wer made secular which was the white they levell'd at This Geneva Bird flew thence to France and hatch'd the Huguenoâ—…s which make about the tenth part of that peâ—…ple it took wing also to Bohemia and Germany high and low as the Palatinate the land of Hesse and the Conâ—…ederat Provinceâ—… of the States of Holland whence it took flight to Scotland and England It took first footing in Scotland when King Iames was a child in his Cradle but when he came to understand himself and was manumitted from Buchanan he grew cold in it and being com to England hee utterly disclaim'd it terming it in a public Speech of his to the Parliament a Sect rather than a Religion To this Sect may bee imputed all the scissures that have happen'd in Christianity with most of the Wars that have laceâ—…ated poor Europe ever since and it may be câ—…ll'd the source of the civill distractions that now afflict this poor Island Thus have I endeavoured to fulfâ—…l your desires in part I shall enlarge my self further when I shall be made happy with your conversation heâ—…r till when and always I rest Yours most affectionatly to love and serve you J. H. From the Fleet this 29 of Novem. 1647. IV. To Sir J. S. Knight at Rouer SIR OF all the blessings that ever dropt down from Heaven upon Man that of his Redemption may be call'd the Blessing-paramount And of all those comforts and exercises of devotion which attend that blessing the Eucharist or holy Sacrament may claim the prime place but as ther is Devotion so ther is Danger in 't and that in the highest degree 't is rank poison to som though a most soveraign cordiall to others ad modum recipientis as the Schoolmen say whether they take panem Dominum as the Roman Catholic or panem Domini as the Reformed Churches The Bee and the Spider suck honey and poison out of one Flower This Sir you have divinely express'd in the Poem you pleas'd to send me upon this subject and wheras you seem to wooe my Muse to such a task somthing you may see she hath don in pure obedience only to your commands Vpon the Holy Sacrament 1. Hail Holy Sacrament The Worlds great Wonderment Mysterious Banquet much more rare Than Manna or the Angels fare Each crumm though Sinners on Thee feed Doth Cleopatra's Perl exceed Oh how my soul doth hunger thirst and pine After these Cates so precious so divine 2. Shee need not bring her stool As sone unbidden fool The Master of this heavenly Feast Invites and woos her for his Guest Though deaf and lame forlorn and blind Yet welcom heer shee 's sure to find So that she bring a Vestment for the day And her old tatterd rags throw quite away 3. This is Bethsaida's Pool That can both clense and cool Poor leprous and dâ—…seased souls An Angel heer keeps and coâ—…trouls Descending gently from the Heavens above To stir the Waters may He also move My mind and rockie heart so strike and rend That tears may thence gush out with them to blend This Morning
motions that as it was replenish'd with such numberles sorts of severall species and that the Individualls of those species differ'd so much one from the other specially Mankind amongst whom one shall hardly find two in ten thousand that have exactly though twins the same tone of voice similitude of face or idaeas of mind Therfore the God of Nature ordain'd from the beginning that he should be worship'd in various and sundry forms of adorations which neretheles like so many lines should tend all to the same centre But Christian Religion prescribes another Rule viz. that ther is but 〈◊〉 via una veritas ther is but one tru way to Heaven and that â—…ta narrow one wheras ther be huge large roads that lead to â—…ell God Allmighty guid us in the first and guard us from the seâ—…d as also from all cross and uncouth by-paths which use to â—…ead such giddy brains that follow them to a confus'd laberinth of â—…rors where being intangled the Devill as they stand gaping 〈◊〉 new lights to lead them out takes his advantage to seize on â—…em for their spirituall pride and insâ—…briety in the search of more â—…owledge 28. Iuly 1648. Your most faithfull Servant J. H. Ut clavis portam sic pandit Epistola pectus Clauditur Haec cerâ clauditur Illa serâ As Keys do open chests So Letters open brests AN Index of the principall matters contained in this Second Tome of FAMILIAR LETTERS ENcouragements to hasten a busines 1 A strange disparity 'twixt a married couple 2 The power of the pen. 2 â—…dvice against detraction 2 â—…f the generall infirmities of men 3 â—…f naturall corruption 4 â—…f the passions of Love and the humor of Women 5 â—…f a clash that happen'd 'twixt Leo the tenth and the French King and their witty answers and replies 6 â—…he saying of Robert Grosthead Bishop of Lincoln touching the Pope 6 â—…dvice to silence 7 â—… Letter of thanks and for forgiving injuries 8 â—…f Religion in generall 9 â—…f the Religion of the Jewes and their sevâ—… all Sects 10 Of Christianity and the difficulties that attend it 1â—… England one of the first Christian Countries 1â—… The cause of the first division 'twixt the Eastern anâ—… Western Churches 1â—… Of the Eastern Church 1â—… The extent of Christianity 1â—… The lamentable decay of Christianity in Afric 1â—… Of Mahometism with the beginning and policy therof 15 The reverend opinion the Turks have of Christ and thâ—… Virgin Mary 16 The vast extent of Mahometism 17 The concurrence of the Jew with the Christian anâ—… Jew 1â—… Of the Pagans or Heathens Religion and their extent 19 The best sort of Pagans 20 The degrees how Phylosophy did propagate it selfe 2â—… A comparison in point of extent 'twixt all Religions 23 Som advices for a young traveller Of vaine gloâ—…y 2â—… Of the Arrogance of the Romanes 2â—… Advice to a young soldier 26 The fable of fire water and fame 26 A letter of advice to give over a businesse 2â—… Of Secretary Walsingham and Secretary Cecill 2â—… A rare comparison of Charles the Emperor 3â—… The Mulberry a pattern of wisdom 3â—… Of the falling off of Catalonia and Portugall from thâ—… King of Spain 3â—… Of extravagant humors 3â—… A letter of reprehension for silence 33 Of the virtu of letters 33 Advice to be carefull in epistolizing 34 An amorous Poem 35 A letter of gratitude 36 An apologie for women and of their virtues and vices 37 Of the mode of entertainment 38 An apologie for not answering a letter 39 A facetious tale of a Neapolitan 39 Of a monstrous new Island sprung up in the Atlantic sea 39 Of the fearfull earthquakes in Italy 39 Of Genâ—…a Venice c. 40 A letter of love 41 Of Grunnius Sophista's last will 42 Of melancholy 44 A facetious tale of a Porter 45 A letter of frendly respects 46 The difference twixt prosperity and adversity 47 A letter of recommendation for a servant 48 What a supernumerary servant is like to 48 Advice to forren travell 49 Of partiality of newes 50 Of the abuse of a great picture taken at Arundell 51 An Epitaph upon the Author 52 An encouragement to an Vniversity scholar 53 Of crosses and troubles 54 Of chymicall knowledg 55 Of Dunkirk and the taking of it 37 The Turks prayer 57 Of the Peace 'twixt Spain and Holland 58 A letter of condolement and mortality 58 The Authors apologie for himself 59 A letter of frendly reprehension for neglect 60 Of Qu. Elizabeths virtues and vices 61 The French Satyr of her 62 Of the exorbitant liberty of Printing 62 For the speeding of a letter 63 Of post Pidgeons 63 Privat contemplations of the Author upon divers objects 64 A remedy against melancholy 66 A letter of complement to a Lady 66 A Hymn to the Trinity 67 Saint Austins notable wish couch'd in verse 68 Of the fear and love of God 68 Of wines in generall 71 Of Ale Beer and all sorts of beverages drunk in the known world 70 Of the Wines of Spain Italy France and Germany 74 Of the Nile water 73 Of Metheglin Meath and Braggot Sider and Perry 74 How the Germans drink healths 77 The difference 'twixt the Greek and German in drinking 77 A strange tale of som Dutch drunkards 77 Of toungs in generall 78 Of the British toung and her dialects 78 The Irish a dialect of the Welsh 78 Welsh words found in America 79 The ground of the appellation of Englishmen 79 Fox his gross error at the beginning of the book of Martyrs 79 When the English toung took footing in Scotland 80 Of the German Toung and the extent of it 80 Som Persian words consignificant with the Dutch 81 Of the Slavonic Language her Dialects and vast extent of it 81 Above all other Languages the Slavonic hath two Characters 81 A Charter of Alexander the Great yet extant upon the walls of a Church in Prague 82 Of the Greek Toung her growth and Progress 82 The pittifull decay of the Greek Toung 83 How strangely the Greeks are degenerated above all other nations 84 The ancient monstrous extent of the Greek Toung 84 Of the Latine Toung and her degrees of Perfection 85 The Greek always more esteem'd than Latine in the East and West 86 How the Latine did refine her self 86 Of the sundry Barbarous peeple that invaded Italy 87 Of the Italian Spanish and French Languages 88 Of the Arcadians 89 Where to find the tru ancient Speech of any Countrey 89 Of the mother Toung of Europe 91 A Philosophicall reason of the diversity of Toungs 92 Of the vast extent of the Arabian Toung 93 Of the Hebrew 93 Languages subject to corruption and change as other things 93 Of Sir Walter Rawleigh's Voyage to Guiana and a judgment upon 't 94 Of the Excise 100 A facetious Tale of the Earl of Kildare 100 Of my Lord Carleton 100 A facetious Tale of a Spanish Soldier 101 Frendly wishes 101 A comparison 'twixt the case
knowledg it self and from the rotten kernells of that fatall Apple This besides the infirmities that attend the body hath brought in perversity of will depravation of mind and hath cast a kind of cloud upon our intellectualls that they cannot discern the true essence of things with that clearnes as the protoplast our first Parent could but we are involved in a mist and grope as it were ever since in the dark as if truth wer got into som dungeon or as the old wisard said into som deep pit which the shallow apprehension of men could not fathom Hence comes it that the earth is rent into so many religions and those religions torn into so many schismes and various forms of devotion as if the heavenly Majesty were delighted as much in diversities of worship as in diversities of works The first Religion that ever was reduced to exact rules and â—…iruall observances was that of the Hebrews the ancient peeple of God called afterwards Iudaisme the second Christianity the third Mahometisme which is the youngest of all religions Touching Paganisme and heathenish Idolatrie they scarce deserve the name of Religion but for the former three ther is this analogy between them that they all agree in the first person of the Trinity and all his attributes What kind of Religion ther was before the Floud it is in vain to make any researches ther having bin no monuments at all left besides that little we find in Moses and the Phaenician story but Seths pillars and those so defac'd that nothing was legible upon them though Iosephus saith that one was extant in his daies as also the oke under which Abraham feasted God Almighty which was 2000 yeers after The religion or Cabâ—…l of the Hebrews was transferred from the Patriarchs to Moses and from him to the Prophets It was honoured with the apearance and promulgations of God himself specially the better part 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I mean the decalogue containing the ten Commandements 〈◊〉 being most of them morall and agreeing with the common notions of man are in force all the world over The Jews at this day are divided to three Sects the first which is the greatest are call'd the Talmudists in regard that besides the Holy Scriptures they embrace the Talmud which is stuff'd with the traditions of their Rabbins and Caâ—…ams The second receive the Scripture alone The third the Pentateuch only viz. the five Books of Moses which are called Samaritanes Now touching what part of the earth is possessed by Jews I cannot find they have any at all peculiar to themselves but in regard of their murmurings their frequent Idolatries defections and that they crucified the Lord of life this once select Nation of God and the Inhabitants of the Land flowing with milk and hony is becom now a scorned squandered peeple all the earth over being ever since incapable of any coalition or reducement into one body politic There where they are most without mixture is Tiberias in Palestine which Amurath gave Mendez the Jew whither and to Ierusalem upon any conveniency they convey the bones of their dead friends from all places to be reinterred They are to be found in all Mercantile Towns and great Marts both in Africk Asia and Europe the dominions of England of the Spaniard and French excepted and as their persons so their profession is despicable being for the most part but Brokers every where Among other places they are allowed to be in Rome her self near St. Peters chair for they advance trade whersoever they com with the banks of mony and so are permitted as necessary evills but put case the whol Nation of the Jews now living were united into one collective body yet according to the best conjecture and exactest computation that I could hear made by the knowingst men they would not be able to peeple a countrey bigger then the seventeen Provinces Those that are dispersed now in Christendom and Turky are the remnants only of the Tribes of Iuda and Benjamin with som Levites which returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel The common opinion is that the other ten are utterly lost but they themselves fancy that they are in India a mighty nation environed with stony rivers which alwaies cease to run their course on their Sabbath from whence they expect their Messias who shall in the fulnes of time ore run the world with fire and sword and reestablish them in a temporall glorious state But this opinion swayes most among the Orientall Jews wheras they of the West attend the coming of their Messias from Portugall which language is more common among them then any other and thus much in brief of the Jews as much as I could digest and comprehend within the compas of this paper-sheet and let it serve for the accomplishment of the first part of your desire In my next I shall give you the best satisfaction I can concerning the extent of Christianity up and down the globe of the earth which I shall speedily send for now that I have undertaken such a task my pen shall not rest till I have finished it so I am Westmin 1 Aug. 1635. Your most affectionat ready Servant J. H. IX To Doctor B. SIR HAving in my last sent you somthing touching the state of Iudaisin up and down the world in this you shall receive what extent Christianity hath which is the second Religion in succession of time and truth A Religion that makes not sense so much subject to reason as reason succumbent to Faith Ther is no Religion so harsh and difficult to flesh and bloud in regard of divers mysterious positions it consists of as the Incarnation Resurrection the â—…nity c. which as one sayd are bones to Philosophy but milk to Faith Ther is no Religion so purely spirituall and abstracted from common naturall idea's and sensuall happines as the Christian No Religion that excites man more to the love and practise of vertue and hatred of vice or that prescribes greater rewards for the one and punishments for the other A Religion that in a most miraculous manner did expand her self and propagat by simplicity humblenes and by a meer passive way of fortitude growing up like the palm tree under the heavy weight of persecution for never any Religion had more powerfull opposition by various kinds of punishments oppressions and tortures which may be said to haue deckd her with rubies in her very cradle In so much that it is granted by her very enemies that the Christian in point of passive valour hath exceeded all other nations upon earth And t is a thing of wonderment how at her very first growth she flew over the heads of so many interjacent vast Regions into this remote Isle so soon that her rays should shine upon the Crown of a British King first of any I mean King Lucius the true Proto Christian King in the daies of Eleutherius at which time she receiv'd her propagation but for her plantation she had it long
before by som of the Apostles themselves Now as Christian Religion hath the purest and most abstracted the hardest and highest spirituall notions so it hath bin most subject to differences of opinions and distractions of conscience the purer the wheat is the more subject 't is to tares and the most precious gems to flaws The first bone that the Devill flung was into the Eastern Churches then twixt the Greek and the Roman but it was rather for jurisdiction and power then for the fundamentalls of faith and lately twixt Rome and the North-west Churches Now the extent of the Eastern Church is larger far then that of the Roman excluding America which makes som accuse her as well of uncharitablenes as of arrogance that she should positively damne so many millions of Christian souls who have the same common simboll of faith with her because they are not within the close of her fold Of those Eastern and Southeast Churches ther are no less theâ—… eleven Sects wherof the three principallest are the Grecian thâ—… Iacobite and the Nestorian with whom the rest have som dependence or conformity and they acknowledg canonicall obedience either to the Patriarch of Constantinople of Alexandria of Ierusâ—…lem or Antioch They concur with the Western Reformed Churches in divers positions against Rome as in deniall of Purgatory in rejecting extremeunction and celebrating the Sacrament under both kinds in admitting their Clergy to marry in abhorring the use of massie statues and celebrating their Liturgie in the vulgar language Among these the Russe and the Habassiâ—… Emperours are the greatest but the latter is a Iew also from the girdle downward for he is both circumcised and christened having received the one from Salomon and the other from the Apostle Saint Thomas They observe other rites of the Leviticall Law they have the cross in that esteem that they imprint the signe of it upon som part of the childs body whâ—…n he is baptized that day they take the holy Sacrament they spit not till after sunset and the Emperour in his progresses as soon as he comes to the fight of a Church lights off his camell and foots it all along till he loseth the sight of it Now touching that proportion of ground that the Christians have on the habitable earth which is the main of our task I find that all Europe with her adjacent Isles is peepled with Christians except that ruthfull Country of Lapland where Idolaters yet inhabit towards the East also that Region which lieth 'twixt Tanaâ—… and Boristhenes the ancient Countrey of the Goths is possessed by Mahumetan Tartars but in these Territories which the Turk hath 'twixt the Danube and the sea and 'twixt Ragusa and Buda Christians are intermixt with Mahometans yet in this cohabitation Christians are computed to make two third parts at least for here and elsewhere all the while they pay the Turk the quarter of their encrease and a Sultaâ—…y for every poll and speak nothing in derogation of the Alcoran they are permitted to enjoy both their religion and lives securely In Constantinople her self under the Grand signiours nose they have twenty Churches in Saloniâ—…e or Thessaâ—…onica 30. Ther are 150 Churches under the Metropolitan of Philippi as many under him of Atheus and he of Corinth hath about an hundred suffragan Bishops under him But in Africk a thing which cannot be too much lamented that huge extent of Land which Christianity possessed of old 'twixt the Mediterranean Sea and the Mountaine Atlas yea as far as Egypt with the large Region of Nubia the Turkes have overmastered We read of 200 Bishops met in Synods in those parts and in that Province where old Carthage stood ther wer 164 Bishops under one Metropolitan but Mahometisme hath now overspread all there about only the King of Spain hath a few Maritim â—…ownes under Christian subjection as Septa Tonger Oran and others But through all the huge continent of Afric which it estimated to be thrice bigger then Europe ther is not one Region entirely Christian but Habassia or Ethiopia besides ther is in Egypt a considerable number of them yet sojourning Now Habassia according to the itineraries of the observingst travellers in those parts is thought to be in respective magnitude as big as Germany Spain France and Italy conjunctly an estimate which comes nearer truth then that which som make by stretching it from one tropic to the other viz. from the Red Sea to the Western Ocean ther are also divers Isles upon the Coast of Afric that are coloniz'd with Christians as the Madera the Canariâ—… Cape Verd and Saint Thomas but on the Eastside ther 's none but Zoeotora In Asia ther 's the Empire of Russia that 's purely Christian and the Mountain Libanus in Syria in other parts they are mingled with Mahometanes who exceed them one day more then another in numbers specially in those Provinces the more 's the pitty where the Gospel was first preached as Anatolia Armenia Siris Mesopotamia Palestina Chaldea Assiria Persia the north of Arabia and south of India in som of these parts I say specially in the four first Christians are thick mixt with Mahometanes aâ—… also in East India since the Portugalls discovery of the passage by the cape of good hope christians by Gods goodnes have multiplyed in considerable numbers as likewise in Goa since it was made aâ—… Archbishoprick and the Court of a Viceroy They speak also of a Christian Church in Quinsay in China the greatest of all earthly Cities but in the Islands thereabouts called the Philippinas which they say are above 1100 in number in thirty wherof the Spaniard hath taken firm footing Christianity hath made a good progres as also in Iaponia in the North-east part of Asia som 400 yeers since Christianity had taken deep root under the King of Tenduc but he was utterly overthrown by Chingis one of his owâ—… vassalls who came therby to be the first founder of the Tartarias Empire this King of Tenduc was the true Prester Iohn not the Ethiopian King of the Habassins as Scaliger would have it whose opinion is as far distant from truth in this point as the Southernest part of Afric from the Northeast part of Asia or as a Iecobite is from a Nestorian Thus far did Christianity find entertainment in the old world touching the new I mean America which is conjectured to equall well near the other three parts iâ—… magnitude the Spanish Authors and Merchants with whom â—… have conveâ—…sed make report of a marvelous growth that Christianity hath made in the Kingdomes of Mexico Peru Brasil Castilia delore as also in the greater Islands adjoyning as Hispaniola Cuba Portoricâ—… and others insomuch that they write of one ancient Priest who had christned himself 700 Savages som yeers after the first discovery but ther are som who seeming to be no frends to Spaine report that they did not baptize half so many as they butcherd Thus have you as compendiously as