learning. If they chance to be questioned they think they are posed. I have therefore, by myself, in private, begun a long work, The cases of Conscience, in the three societies, of family, church, and commonwealth. I begin with that of economy, where the perplexed questions concerning marriage, contracts, divorce, &c. are to be discussed; I have almost finished these few cases, which I purpose to set out as an essay or specimen of the whole. I could wish you had the sight and censure of them before they came forth; for I stick, and am at a stand in some things, wherein I desire better resolution. I would gladly hear of your dispute, between yourself and Stonyhurst, touching Antichrist, wherein I could wish you had a view of Dr. Downam's book (now my lord of Derry) which he hath writ in Latin of the same argument, but is not yet published, though very much expected and desired; as also in what forwardness the second part of your book of the Succession of the Church from Wicliff to Luther, is. I wonder that Gretser is silent all this while, who of all men should answer it, if he had the heart. All our professors in the universities are young men, some of them after me; Dr. Prideaux, Dr. of the chair in Oxford, who is much commended; Dr. Davenant, Margaret reader in Cambridge, who is commended as much or more for his acumen and perspicuity; Dr. Collins, provost of the King's college, is lately chosen regius professor in Dr. Richardson's room; if he had as sound a judgment, as he hath a voluble tongue, he would pass through all. Mr. Eyers is preacher at Colchester, and there married; I never heard from him since my coming from Cambridge but once, but I hear he doth well. I meet sometimes with Mr. Gilbert Purdon, who hath a prebend in the church of St. Patrick, he dwelleth within six or seven miles of me, and is much troubled in mind about the point of justification, as not resolved which to hold; for he hath had some conference, and received letters and other writings from Mr. Wotton, late preacher by the Tower hill in London, who teaches strange doctrines in this kind, denying all imputation of Christ's

righteousness as resolutely as the papists. The truth is, his opinion holden in such sort, as he holds and maintains it, differs little from heresy. I have had some a do with the good old man to settle his judgment in the contrary, who seemeth now to be well satisfied.

I pray you, Sir, I may hear of the state of the Church in Ireland, and what else you think fit to write: and in particular in what credit and account Sir John Davys is with you, how employed and seated, and how long he is like there to continue. I have given this bearer charge not to return without an answer from you, which I greatly desire, if your occasion be not very extraordinary. And thus commending my love unto you, and yourself with your wife, &c. to the gracious goodness of God, I rest,

Your assured Christian Friend,

R. CUDWORTH.

Jan. 17. 1617.

LETTER CCCXLIV.

MR. FRANCIS BLEWETH TO DR. JAMES USSHER.

MR. DR. USSHER,

THE assurance of God's truth, and the comfort that it bringeth being far to be preferred before the honours of men, and those admired riches which the world can afford, it maketh me sometimes to desire your company and hear your voice, which next unto books during my abode in Ireland, was the cause of my change and turn in religion. Believe me this is one of the greatest motives, whensoever it may happen, that should cause me again to spend some time in those parts, your acquaintance and resolution of your knowledge and experience, in those principal matters, through earnest and long research of the way of true belief. God grant that in all sincerity, through the whole course of my life (far before the care of all other commodities for fear of inconveniences) this be my greatest desire, my principal endeavour, my study! for this I pray, and refer all honest practice. This being my mind, and also persuaded of sundry usurpation of that see of Rome, whereby it seemeth chiefly to exalt itself, and enthral poor souls in servile obedience to observation of sundry her decrees, the particulars not warranted in God's word; if, I say, with this willing submission to a more certain guide than this my own frail understanding I should fail, appealing to the mercy seat of our dear Saviour, the main ground work, the middle and period infallible, unto whom all aim; howsoever in many sundry circumstances poor man may fail and deceive himself and be deceived, yet his good

ness and wisdom (unto whom all things are best known) will supply all wants to the hope of those that most rely on him. I pray remember in love to my cousin Ben. Culme, unto whom I defer to write until the coming of my lord's brother, Sir Edward Chichester. I understand that there is in your college one Hurlies son of Tiverton, a neighbour town unto me; if my request could procure any increase of your favour towards him, I would desire it. I should be most glad by his means unto his father, who knows me, to receive one short letter from you,

Who do desire to continue

Your ever loving Friend,

FRANCIS BLEWETH.

From Holcome, the place of my ordinary abode, near Tiverton, in Devonshire, this 20. of March, 1617.

LETTER CCCXLV.

RIGHT REV. THOMAS MORTON, BISHOP OF CHESTER, TO DR. JAMES USSHER.

Salutem in Christo Jesu.

MR. DOCTOR USSHER,

I THANK you heartily for your care in the behalf of the lady Hambleton, and for your pains in writing large letters unto me concerning your exceeding pains in manifold employments, which I may call the labours of Hercules, amongst which you come ad Augæi stabulum expurgandum, for so I interpret your diligent search of antiquities ecclesiastical, for the trial of such points as are controverted between us and the Romanists. When you come ad emendationem emendationis I doubt not but you will be very circumspect, for you know that to correct Scaliger is tangere pupillam oculi literaturæ humanioris. Your defence of the perfection of holy Scripture cannot but bring operæ pretium with it; how much more acceptable will your labour be, concerning the point of doctrine necessary for the establishing of a true Church, in the essential points of faith, whereby the Church is not to be described but defined, wherein I suppose you must lay down for the ground of your treatise paucitatem credendorum, which in the apostles times was called αναλογία της πίστεως, and interpreted afterwards by some to be that which we call the apostles' creed. I know you cannot perform any thing in this or in any other question, which will not be exact and singular, so that you cannot need my help. Notwithstanding, if there be any thing in me that may give further