the Duke of Buckingham to peruse and give his sense upon it Master Shervil the Recorder of Salisbury was a Bencher of Lincolns-Inne and a very good friend of his he had divers Friends at Dorchester and was desirous to be sea-sick and was still enticed forward and at last resolved to wait upon the King and Duke at Plimmouth whether they were gone to see the Navy set sayl Whilest he was there the Rochel fleet was broken by those ships the King lent and Mounsieur Sabeeza came into Falmouth with the remainder and thence to Plimmouth with most lamentable out-cries against the Duke who seemed to be very much affected with it and made mighty Promises of wonderfull repairs but Doctor Preston failed not to set that businesse home he did believe the Duke was over-ruled to lend them and sorry when he saw the sad effects But whilest the Duke was thus detained in the West the Earl of Bristol and the Lord Keeper Williams combined against him and drew in many to their Party among others the Earl of Pembroke and divers great ones in the House of Commons and was so incouraged and heartned in it that the Earl of Bristol May 1. 1626. preferred in the House of Lords twelve Articles against the Duke of Buckingham tending to prove That the Duke had promised unto the Pope and Ministers of Spain to make the King a Papist and over-ruled him against the judgment of the Earl of Bristol to write unto the Pope with the title of Sanctissime Pater That his carriage in the matters of Religion was so offensive that he stuck not to kneel before the Host as often as he met it That he was so licentious and unchast in his behaviour that the Spanish Ministers resolved not to have any thing to do with him That when he could not bring about the Match to his own particular advantage he used means to obstruct it and break it off That he had informed King James of all these things who promised to hear him and leave the offender unto Justice and that not many daies before his sicknesse The Duke had now reason to look about him and was very able so to do and first he labours to divide the Party by drawing off the Earl of Pembroke by promising his Daughter to the Earl of Mountgomeries Sonne which afterward he did accomplish then he endeavoured to oblige the Puritans by gratifying Doctor Preston all the waies he could and particularly in the businesse of the Colledge-suit by depriving Bishop Williams of the Seal and giving it to Sir Thomas Coventry who was one of the Colledge-counsel yea he went so far as to nominate the Doctor to the King to be Lord Keeper and the King was so firm to him that the Earl of Bristol could do no good and so withdrew his Articles Doctor Prestons Friends were Newters all this while and looked on neither engaged for him nor against him which was sadly represented to the Duke by the Bishops and that Party who wondered he should dote upon a man that either could not or would not own him in his need bad him consider whether Puritans were like to be his Friends whose waies were toto coelo different and told him plainly he could not have them both If he adhered to those that sought their ruine they must adhere to such as would support them so that the Duke was in a great strait and knew not what to do Doctor Preston also was importuned to put it to an issue and if he would not leave the rotten and corrupted Clergy then to leave him and because there had been informations against that Book of Master Mountagues they propounded it might come to a debate and not remain as now it it did unsetled The Doctor and the Duke were both of them unwilling to an open breach loved for to temporise and wait upon events But Doctor Prestons friends would not be satisfied but urged a conference whereunto they were incouraged by some Orthodox and very learned Bishops and at last it was concluded by two religious Noble-men that a conference there should be the Bishop of Rochester and Doctor White then Dean of Carlisle on the one side and the Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield and Doctor Preston on the other A day was set a Satturday in Hillary-Tearm at four of the clock in the afternoon the place was York-house and Doctor Preston sent to in the morning for to attend it The Noble-men came unto the Bishops lodgings about two of the clock and sent for Doctor Preston to them who gave many reasons why he could not go but they were resolute and taking the Bishop with them went without him but the Doctor considering and fearing his absence might betray the cause and give encouragement unto the other side went afterward himself unto the place and sate by as an hearer silent untill all was done but talking afterwards occasionally of falling from grace the Bishop shewed that a godly man might go far and yet return by the instance of the Prodigal Luk. 15. but Doctor White exclaimed against any that should think the Prodigal in acts of drunkennesse and whoredome not to be fallen from grace and urged that of the Apostle Rom. 1.32 That those that do such things are worthy of death that is said he in a state of everlasting death and therefore fallen from grace so 1 Cor. 6.9 10. shall not inherit the Kingdome of God that is are not sons for if sons then heirs Rom. 8.17 But Doctor Preston answered that these sins made indeed a forfeiture of all their interest into the hands of God and he might make the seisure if he pleased but did not unto those which were his children and in Covenant with him as two Tennants by not paying of their Rent or keeping Covenants forfeited their Leases yet the Lord might seize the one and not the other as he pleased But the Bishop and the Dean both cried out this was the way to all licentiousness and looseness To which the Doctor answered That the seed of God as the Apostle calls it 1 Joh. 3.9 remained in the sinning Saint or Sonne and would repair him as in water there remains a principle of cold even when it boyleth over that will undoubtedly reduce it when the heat and fire is removed as in Peter David Sampson and others was apparent so that they could not run out into all licentiousnesse for the spirit lusted against the flesh that they cannot do the things they would Gal. 5.17 and though he did not disinherit them and blot their names out of the Book of life Phil. 4.3 yet he might and would withdraw his favour imbitter all their comforts Mat. 26.75 raise trouble to them from their dearest interests 2 Sam. 12.11 fill them with anguish Psal. 38.3 4. which in reason will keep them from running out seeing the evil is commensurable unto that good of pleasure or profit their sinne afforded and if need be he can
with the Sermon and did approve it The Duke of Buckingham was a wise man and apprehensive of what Sir Ralph suggested seasonably saw those they called Puritans were growing and in the Parliament were thought considerable knew that the Kings affections might cool and he might need friends and took Sir Ralphs discourse into his most serious thoughts An honest man one Master Packer was then his Secretary and he set on what Sir Ralph Freeman had suggested and so it came unto a resolution that Master Preston should be owned and the Duke commanded Sir Ralph Freeman to go to Master Preston from him and acquaint him with his good opinion of him and desire to see him and indeed there was such a concurrence and concentring of opinions and desires among the Courtiers that it was assured Master Preston he might be Chaplain unto whom he would and that was now the deliberation which of these offers he should accept and whom he would acknowledge his Patron and Protector for the time to come There was not so few Clergy men at Court at any time and so no kind of opposition yet the King himself hung back and would do nothing hastily he was not reconcileable unto the Puritans and so desired not in that respect for to ingage him but he desired to deprive them of Master Preston and to divide him from them and would do any thing that might drive that on and considering how many he had wonne that Master Preston was a young man and might be drawn on he would not hinder nor oppose so it was the joynt opinion of all his friends that the best preferment was to be the Princes Chaplain who then was grown and had an houshold This therefore was represented unto Sir Ralph Freeman and his opinion required who quickly yielded and proposed it unto the Duke both Prince and Duke had been abroad and neither of them heard the Sermon when therefore Master Preston was brought unto the Duke he very seriously received him told him it was the Prince his unhappinesse and his to be absent when he did preach and therefore desired him that he would vouchsafe a Copy of his Sermon to him and believe that he would be ready to the best and utmost of his power to serve him There were many other Courtiers that desired Copies of the Sermon and the Court not staying there Master Preston came home to furnish Copies He never penned Sermon word for word but wrote what came into his mind and as it came and that in no good hand and so it was a businesse to provide these Copies which yet he seriously attended till they were written fair and then to Court he goes where the Duke presents him to the Prince and so he was made and admitted Chaplain to the Prince in Ordinary for as then the Prince had not compleated the number he intended which was six who were accordingly to wait two moneths by the year and preach unto the houshold upon the Lords daies and perform such duties as were required of them But God was making other work for Master Preston for Doctor Tolson Bishop of Salisbury dies and leaves a Wife and many Children unprovided for for he had been Bishop but a little while This Wife of his was Doctor Davenants Sister in pity therefore and commiseration of her case it was proposed to the King by those that were his Friends that Doctor Davenant a single man and well-deserving might succeed his Brother in the Bishoprick and so make some provision for his Children The King thought very well of Doctor Davenant not only for his singular abilities and labours in the University but for his pains also and service in the Synod of Dort against Arminius and it was looked on as a deed of charity and so believed he would carry it and be the man But this created Master Prestons cares Doctor Davenant had been his constant and faithfull Friend and given countenance upon all occasions to him and all his Pupils But now who should succeed and where should Master Preston find another shelter The Fellows for the most part were not his Friends envied his numbers and great relations and there was no man like so to befriend him Besides the Margaret-Professors place would be void also by this remove and many able stirring Batchelors in Divinity proposed unto him that place and assured him the Election would be easily carried for him The truth is he had no great hope to do any great good in the Election of the Master of the Colledge and one Doctor Mansel being named a very moderate good-natured man he let that care fall and was more anxious about the Professors place for though sound doctrine in the University was of much use yet English preaching was like to work more and win more souls to God He alwaies highly valued and frequently consulted with Master Dod and he perswaded English preaching as that wherein God was more immediately served and said there were others that might supply the University in the Professors place that either could not or would not labour mens Conversion And indeed the Master of Sidney-Colledge Doctor Ward a vast Scholar was then in view and nomination for the Professors place yet Master Preston was so solicited by honest men that he knew not what to do Two things he thought he wanted to enable him The one was a Latine tongue the other a Latine style in both which by reason of desuetude he was unready For his style therefore he resolves upon an exact and logical Analysis of all the Epistles which would actuate and exercise his style and acquaint him with the Scripture-phrase and language and if he were called to be Professour might serve for Lectures in the Schooles which work he immediately applied himself unto and very happily compleated a work of great pains unto him and in it self of great worth but being Latine and written only with his own ill hand was not thought popular enough to come abroad but lieth in the dark For the exercising of his Latine tongue he resolves a journey into the Netherlands where he should have much occasion of speaking Latine and see those Colledges and Universities but there was no travelling beyond Sea without a License under the hands of Privy-Counsellors this he procures among his Friends with all the secrecy that could be and a great while before he meant to use it that he might conceale it from the Colledge and University but this his secrecy begat suspition that there was some plot Velle putant quodcunque potest It is not safe for men to have abilities It was resented so much the more because no Clergy man was made acquainted with it and the opinion was that something was brewing against Episcopacy This they were sure of that Amsterdam was in the Netherlands and ever had been fatal to the Hierarchy The Lord Keeper then was Bishop Williams he sees this plague afar off Prov. 22.3 and provides a Messenger
imperium adoptato nihil in vultu mutatum quasi magis imperare posset quam vellet His honours altered nothing in him but gave encouragement to all the godly Party and his Sermons at Lincolns-Inne much wrought upon the Parliament so that a bold Petition was contrived and presented to the King at Whitehall from both Houses of Parliament April 23. 1624. against the spreading and increase of Popery and the Indulgence given unto Priests and Jesuites King James was in the evening of his glory his Party in the Court under a cloud another Sun almost in view and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or day-star already risen and accordingly he answered warily to their Petition bewails his want of information as the reall ground of this their trouble which otherwise he had prevented acknowledged that whilest the Treaties lasted with Spain and Austria he was obliged to comply but now both being broken off he would be rigid and severe against the Priests and Jesuites bids them find out a way for to restrain the growth of Popery and he would second them but resolves to pay the Duke of Buckingham for all this and gives order to the Earl of Bristol to prepare an information for that end but the Match with France and other intervenient accidents obstruct it for the present The Duke having told tales out of School and broken off the Match with Spain was much obliged to further and promote the French which he did seriously excuse to Doctor Preston upon this ground that there was not any Protestant for to be had and for to marry with a subject had alwaies been unlucky and fatal to the Kings of England that the French would not be ridged in religious observations but the Doctor constantly opposed only acknowledged this difference that Spanish Popery was an absolute ingredient to their intended Western Monarchy but French was not so and so this was lesse evil But the French found out this obligation and were untractable unlesse the Duke would aid the King of France against the Rochellers This was a hard chapter for one so much obliged unto the Puritans and Doctor Preston and he therefore declined all he could but nothing else would serve and he knew King James lay ready to take advantages so in Conclusion eight Ships were granted to oppose the Rochel-fleet and many colours sought to cloude it and hide it from the world but from that time Doctor Preston doubted of the Saint-ship of the Duke of Buckingham whom otherwise he honoured and loved very much But it was high time for the Duke to look about him King James was not to learn now how for to play his Game he was an old but not a foolish King Eccl. 4.13 and therefore failed not to make Provision and lay rods in pisse that he might use upon occasion Kings use for to account an ague in the Spring their Physick yet Physick till March be past is not good but this ague antidates the moneths and comes in February The King was then at Theobalds and the Ague was made but small account of He feared death but was the most impatient and disordered of any living what rules soever the Physicians gave he would observe none which intemperance might very well occasion the growing strength and vigour of the disease which howsoever more and more increased and at last began to be considerable then he began to take advice and to submit to rules but now it was too late for March 27. 1625. on the Lords day in the morning about ten of the clock at Theobalds the King dies Doctor Preston then attended in his moneth and was sometimes hastened to the Prince to comfort him and sometimes to the Duke and indeed it was a very mournfull morning Death is a serious thing and knocks alike at Pallaces as at the meanest Cottage King James was very much beloved of all his servants some of the Huntsmen could not be gotten from him the Prince and Duke were both of them retired and wept exceedingly But Sir Edward Conwey and some of the Lords drew up a Wiring and proclaimed Charles Steward King with all his Titles and hast was made to pack away to London The Prince and Duke and Doctor Preston in Coaches shut down hasten to White-hall and there he is proclaimed again with more formalities and the Lord Maior and the City sent to where it was done with much solemnity and great rejoycing of the people for the Prince had that exceeding happinesse to come upon the stage unprejudiced For he had never interposed nor acted but in the Spanish businesse and that succeeded to his great advantage so that if he listed he might have been as popular as ever any were This fall occasions many alterations in the Court the Bishops generally and Doctor Prestons enemies and all that had contended with the Duke were Crest-fallen King James was like enough to have out-lived the Duke of Buckingham who had been very sick since his return from Spain but all is altered and the Duke does all But he had many things to do the affronts received in Madrid and at the Counsel-table by the Agent were to be sent back by a puissant and mighty Navy and Provisions made accordingly King James to be interr'd a Parliament to be summoned the French Lady to be sent for and brought into England which the Duke especially intended and spake to all the Gallants of his Retinue to attend him and to many other of the Gentry and Nobility throughout the Kingdome But he found it hard thus in the morning of the Kings affairs to be abroad there being then a Parliament and the sicknesse much encreasing in the City so he was constrained to employ the Earl of Holland and attend himself at home All were not gratified in this great revolution and mutation of affairs and the discontented Party murmured and let flie at the Duke and the sicknesse much encreasing began to make a mutiny and it was much desired that the Parliament might be prorogued till some other more healthfull and lesse dangerous time But the Navy against the Spaniards and the pressing wants of all sorts that depended on the Court would not permit so it was only adjourned to Oxford yet there the sicknesse was as soon as they and some of their Members smarted for it but hast was made to gratifie the new King and the Provisions for the Navy went forward many men ingaged and the King resolved to attend that businesse as admitting no delay There was one thing that invited Doctor Preston to a journey that year and that was a strong suspition that the plague was in the town in which case there is a liberty to dissolve the Colledge without any detriment unto the Officers and Members of it He was not willing to omit the opportunity because he had many invitations into the West The Bishop of Salisbury he desired to consult withall about a Book of Master Montagues that was commended to him by
his child-hood he with two or three School-fellows were so religiously disposed that on play-daies they would pray together and repeat the heads of their Catechisme with the Sermons which they heard upon the last Lords day before they went unto their Lusory exercises Thus this Timothy grew acquainted with God and his Word and the waies of Religion while he was a Child Being very well fitted for the University he was sent unto Cambridge bout the fifteenth year of his age and admitted into Sidney Colledge where he was studious and a good Proficient in Academical Learning When he was Master of Arts coming home to his Father he preached often in Coventry with very good approbation amongst those who were best affected towards the waies of Godlinesse Here he had special encouragements in the study of Divinity from Master Humphrey Fen famous for his Ministry and Non-conformity at Coventry who in the Preface to his last Will and Testament made so full and so open a Protestation against the Hierarchy and Ceremonies that the Prelatical Party would not suffer it to be put among the Records of the Court when the Will was tendred to be proved and his conscience was unsatisfied to enter into the Ministry by Episcopal subscription but through a good Providence he with Master John Ball were made Ministers by an Irish Bishop without that subscription The first place of his setled Ministry was Cawk in Derbyshire a small village whither he was called by means of his much honoured good Friend Master Arthur Hildersam and where he had good incouragements from Master Bainbridge a Gentleman there of good estate and estimation for Religion In this place which was six miles from Derby and three from Ashby de la zouch his peace and liberty was the better preserved because it was a peculiar and so not subject unto Episcopal visitation Here God was pleased to set a broad Seal to his Ministry making him an happy Instrument to build up many who were brought to Christ by Master Hildersams labours and also to turn many others from darknesse to light and from the power of Satan unto God At this time there was great scarcity of good Preachers in those parts whereupon people from twenty towns and villages flocked unto Cawk-Chappel as Doves to the windows every Sabbath day where more congregated especially in summer and in afternoons then the Chappel could contain yet standing at the windows without they might hear the Sermons preached and Scriptures read because Master Herrings voice was clear and strong Hither great companies came in the morning with joyfull expectation of wholesome soul-provisions here they continued all day with cheerfulnesse some bringing their victuals from home with them and others going to a third ordinary provided purposely for the refreshing of strangers and they went from hence in the evening in companies repeating the Sermons and singing Psalms in their return home Here amongst many others Master Simeon Ashe received some of his first impressions and bents towards Religion whom Master Herring loved from his childhood and who lived in his heart and Prayers unto his death And this is a matter considerable that few if any in those parts who were hopefully brought unto God and by the Ministry of Master Hildersam and Master Herring have been turned aside into the by-paths of errour and separation in these broken dividing times but they continue sound in their judgements and holy in their conversations well remembring the principles whereof they were well instructed and grounded by those two Worthies their Fathers in Christ. When he had continued at Cawke about the space of eight years he was forced from thence for Non-conformity by the Prelatical power being informed against by ill-affected men who maligned the great service which he did and envied the great respect which he had in those parts Before he removed from thence the Lord provided for him a most gracious yoak-fellow who was no discouragement but an encouragement rather unto him alwaies both in his services and sufferings for Christ and his cause His Wife was the third Daughter of Master Gellibrand sometimes Preacher to the English company at Flushing in Holland and Grand-child to that man of God Master John Oxenbridge Minister of Southam in Warwickshire and afterwards of Bablick in Coventry where he died and as she came out of a godly stock so she hath expressed and still doth expresse the power of godlinesse in every condition and relation of her life to Gods honour By her he had thirteen Children and as they were happily mutually helpfull in the waies of holinesse so it was their joynt care to educate their posterity in the nurture and fear of the Lord. They were taught the Principles of Religion from their childhood and their tender good Mother according to their Fathers appointment caused them to learn the Proverbs of Solomon by heart Neither was this gracious care in vain for the blossomes and fruits of grace sweetly appear in their lives to the comfort of their Parents and Christian Friends And here this one thing is notable and imitable in this worthy man in reference to his Children viz. That ever before he gave them correction he endeavoured to convince them of their sin against God and sought by tears and prayers for Gods blessing upon that means for their good When the course of his Ministry was interrupted at Cawk and there was no hope of his peaceable continuance there God by means of Master William Rowley a wise religious man and his faithfull Friend was pleased to open a door for the more publique exercise of his Ministry in Shrewsbury Here he preached at Alkmares Church every Tuesday morning and upon the Sabbath also so long as liberty was allowed which Sermon was at one a clock that neither the Ministers of the town might be offended nor other Congregations emptyed by the peoples flocking unto his Ministry The Sermon which he preached on the Lords day he repeated it the same night before Supper at the houses of Master Edward Jones Master George Wright and Master William Rowley by course and whereas some spies were usually sent thither crowding in with the company to pick quarrels he behaved himself so prudently and prayed alwaies so affectionately for the King and present Government that his adversaries gave this testimony of him viz. Though he be scrupulous in matter of Ceremony yet he is a loyal subject unto the King and a true Friend unto the State Beside the great good service which was now done in Salop by his Ministry and private conferences with Christians in reference unto him many other Ministers had the more frequent recourse unto the town Master Pierson Master Nicols c. who were put upon preaching once or oftner before they departed thence whereby knowledge was much increased and the power of Godlinesse much cherished and promoted there But Satan maligning those opportunities of service unto Christ some envious ill-affected
reverence of the affinity contracted with the King of Navarr That the King had entred into a league with the Queen of England and endeavoured to do the same with the Protestant Princes in Germany which sufficiently shews how he stands affected to the Protestants Moreover that Faith was given to the Prince of Orenge and to the E. of Nassaw his Brother to aid them against the Spaniards That the Kings Ambassadours did daily search into the Counsels of the Duke de Alva and acquainted the King therewith as the King daily informed him That the Navy under Strossius at Broag is rigged for no other end but to disturb the Spansh Fleet and to assist the Prince of Orenge That for himself they need not fear the King having made Friendship betwixt the Guises and him faith being mutually given that neither should injure other To conclude That the King doth all he can to have Peace at home and Warre abroad and to translate it into the Low Countries against the Spaniards wherefore he prayeth his Friends not to trouble his mind any more with suspitions which is now busied with weightier matters and to joyn with him in prayer to God that he would bring those things to a good issue which are well begun for his glory and the good both of Church and Kingdom A little before Count Lodwick with some others had Commissions from the King to surprize some Frontier Town in Flanders On the other side the Duke de Alva had intelligence of every step that Count Lodwick took yet such was his diligence that he surpriz'd Monts in Henault wherewith the Duke de Alva was so netled that he said The Queen-Mother had sent him the flowers of Florence but he would for them return her Spanish thistles but upon further intelligence he was soon pacified Many Lords and Gentlemen of the Religion accompanied the King of Navarr and Prince of Conde to Paris and the King drew many more of them thither who otherwise would have kept their houses under pretence of his Warres in Flanders Count Lodwick was presently besieged in Monts by de Alva whereupon the King gave Commission to Monsieur Jenlis to raise Horse and Foot for his succour but de Alva being acquainted with all his proceedings surprized him which the King seemed to be much grieved at and presently wrote to his Ambassadours in the Low Countries to procure the deliverance of the prisoners He also encouraged the Admirall to send all the help he could to the Rutters whom the Prince of Orenge had levied for the relief of his Brother causing monies to be delivered to him for their pay The Ambassadours of Spain also seemed to be very male-content because the King began Warre in Flanders and the Kings Mother played her part in this Tragedy pretending that she knew nothing of the Kings proceedings and now she did know them she would leave the Court. These juglings were carried so handsomly that the Admirall Teligni his Son-in-law and other Lords were confidently perswaded that the King was wholly guided by the Admirals advice July the last The Rochelers wrote to the Admirall that the Kings Army approached near them that from Xantone and Gascoine it daily wasted the Countrey about them using terrible threatnings against their Town and menacing to plunder it whereupon they intreated his advice especially about receiving eight hundred men which they sought to put as a Garrison into the Town The Admirall made them an honourable answer Aug. 7. assuring them of the care he had over them adding that he found the King so well disposed for Peace that all men had cause to commend him Yet the Rochelers neglected not to look to themselves and to fortifie their Town In other Towns many were the threats of the Papists against the Protestants which much terrified some others relied upon the Admirals presence and favour at Court and to such as suggested doubts to him he said that the King had reconciled the differences betwixt the Guises and him causing both Parties to swear friendship That the King gave his Sister in marriage not so much to the King of Navarr as to the whole Church of the Protestants to joyn with them thereby in an inviolable union and therefore he besought all them that either by writing or words advised him of the hatred of the King Queen-Mother the Duke of Anjou or the house of Guise no more to trouble him with those things but rather to commend all in their daily prayers to God and to give him thanks who of his infinite mercy had brought things to so good an end August 17. Henry King of Navarr and the Lady Margaret of France Sister to the King in the evening were conducted to the Louure and the next day were married by the Cardinall of Bourbon in the sight of all the people upon a great Scaffold made before the gate of the great Church in Paris which day was passed over in Banquets Dances and Masks and that very day the Admirall wrote a Letter to his Wife great with child in this tenour Most dear and desired Wife This day was celebrated the Marriage between the King of Navarr and the Kings Sister and these three or four ensuing daies will be spent in Feastings Maskings and Dancings The King hath promised me that after a few daies he will set time apart to hear the complaints which are brought from several parts of the Kingdom for violating the Edict of Peace for the prosecution whereof it 's very necessary that I should improve all my interest with the King For though I have an earnest desire to see thee yet it would be grievous to me and I suppose to thee also if I should be any waies deficient in a business of so great concernment neither will my stay here about it be such but that I hope to come to thee this next week If I should only respect my own content it would be much more pleasing to me to be with thee then to stay any longer at Court for sundry reasons which I may hereafter impart to thee but I must have more respect to the publique good then either to my own pleasure or profit I have some other things to impart to thee so soon as God shall bring us together which I much long for both day and night All that I have for the present to write to thee is only thus much at four a clock this afternoon was celebrated the Masse for the Marriage during which time the King of Navarr walked without the Church with some other Noble-men of our Religion Some other matters of smaller concernment I shall reserve till we have an opportunity to speak together in the mean time most dear and loving Wife I pray for thee that God will protect and keep thee Farewell Paris Aug. 18. 1572. Three daies since I was much tormented with the Stone and Cholick but through Gods mercy they held me not above eight