and direction from his Majesty, but of this subject more hereafter.

Matters in France, as it is by some reported, proceed not in a good train. The duke of Hamilton, and some other of the nobility being at Paris, were like to have been surprised in Paris, whither they repaired upon the confidence of all good meaning. Having discovered the plot that was against them they presently fled. It is said they are now in arms, and the prince of Condy also, who, notwithstanding all kind invitation appeared not at Paris.

The lord Hayes is not yet departed for France. The speech is, that he hath instructions to treat about the prince's alliance and marriage with a daughter of France, and that he is to go unto Heidelberge.

I am weary of writing, and therefore do cease, beseeching the Lord Jesus to multiply his excellent mercies upon you. Commend me in all kind sort to Mrs. Ussher, and to Sir William Ussher. Soper Lane, July 6. 1616.

Your true and constant Friend,

W. TEMPLE.

I pray impart with my wife what I have here written, and yield her the best comfort you can. If you hear ought of me, or of our college business, that is either of prejudice or discomfort, be not hasty to give credit thereto till you receive some advertisement from me.

Mr. Culvernell remembers himself very kindly to you.

VOL. XVI.

Z

LETTER CCCXXXIX.

MR. J. HEARTWELL TO DR. JAMES USSHER.

REV. AND MY LOVING FRIEND,

I of late did speak with Francis Burnett, by whom I understood of your just excuse from writing so long. Surely, whatsoever my desire be, I should be very unreasonable to press you in any thing beyond your good leisure; though I think it is not possible but you should at one time or other have leisure to write to your friends who so much desire it. It is not long since I heard my lady Skidmore with Mr. Moore wonder they had not heard from you an answer of somewhat they sent unto you to know of. But what shall I say ? none but yourself knoweth the multitude of your occasions. I hope I shall at length prevail, for resolution of those questions to my very good friend Mrs. John Drake; by those objections I sent you, as ex pede Herculis you may judge of the measure of her disease. For the present, though a little better, yet she continueth in her mind troubled and tossed, but chiefly how to lay hold of Christ and make him her own. Of all my cares, it is one of the principal to procure her peace; therefore it maketh me send every where for help unto her, as also unto you, to know if there be any hope shortly to see you upon any occasion in England. Now your date of three years be almost expired; unless a wife alter the state of the question. But this and all other things I leave unto God's direction to bring to pass as he will. At this time I had no news, or new matter to acquaint you with, only having this good sure occasion of a kinsman and a kinswoman of the gentle

women, I was easily induced to continue the manifestation of my love unto you by this so frequent help of writing; because I strive to observe this one rule never to strive with a friend unless it be to overcome him in love, if it be possible. Here is no certain news as yet from France. It is thought they will proceed in war, for the queen will draw to no composition. Low-country matters sleep, and the king is now upon the delivering up the cautionary towns of Brill and Flushing to the States, so receiving back the money lent. Here we have no news of Parliament, all the Boiall race are well. Next spring we look the prince shall be created. Of arraignments you hear no news; many voices run; the most affirm she shall have a pardon, as they think. The earl remaineth confident of his innocency, and to clear himself, if he could obtain a trial. Thus, whilst they thus work on both hands, the rest sleeping in security, the common enemy taketh advantage against all. But that God who in times past showed himself mighty on his Church's side, will not, I hope, thus leave us, but will show himself to be the strong God of our salvation. If you have not written as yet to me, I entreat you delay no time. All your other friends here are well in general; and Mr. Dod, Mr. and Mrs. Moore remember themselves kindly unto you, and so do I by those four little books signify unto you that there is no friend of mine that I wish better to than yourself. They are of wrath of God, but aim at peace. you think them worth the giving away you may bestow them upon whom you will. Thus beseeching God to add every day more and more unto you a plentiful measure

If

of the riches of his true saving graces to enrich your soul unto immortality, I ever and ever rest,

Your true and loving Friend,

seriously of that Gall. chap. II. ver. 20. and write out these sermons. Though you use not to write any of your notes; yet since the party my friend is very desirous to be satisfied of these two points, both of Christ's living in us, and of the life of faith, I beseech you take occasion upon mature deliberation to preach upon this wise; and in any case take such order, that both you take your own notes, and that the sermons be taken down from your mouth. I think in two sermons you may finish this verse. The occasion is earnest why I thus press so much, which I hope you will not refuse, whilst any charges of writing out shall be, Mr. Bradish will pay. No more, but give this gentlewoman bearer good counsel, I pray you, and help to win her unto Christ.

LETTER CCCXL.

MR. EDWARD WARREN TO THE BISHOP OF MEATH.

REVEREND SIR,

My duty remembered. I fell into a discourse of late with a magisterial divine, about the knowledge which Christ had as man: whether his habitual knowledge were of the same extent and degree at the first moment of his birth that it was afterward, the increase of knowledge, Luke, chap. II. being to be understood only of that which was experimental; or that even habitual knowledge grew by degrees in him as in other men. Upon occasion hereof we fell also into another difference, whether the knowledge that Adam had actually in his creation were as great as the nature of man was capable of. Your resolution of both these I desire to know, being myself so utterly destitute, that I cannot come to the sight of any book that once toucheth upon either of them: and I shall remain ever thankful, and

At your service,

EDWARD WARREN.

Kilkenny, May 5. 1617.

I have read Moulin's discourse of Purgatory, and sent it you back by this bearer. The rest of your books, and your map I will send you shortly, together with that of the library.