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and the case of the papists in Scotland under the King: interpreting that the condition of them in Scotland was the less grievous, and divining of the King's government here accordingly: besides the comfort they ministered to themselves from the memory of the Queen his mother. The ministers, and those which stood for the presbytery, thought their cause had more sympathy with the discipline of Scotland than the hierarchy of England, and so took themselves to be a degree nearer their desires. Thus had every condition of persons some contemplation of benefit, which they promised themselves; over-reaching perhaps, according to the nature of hope, but yet not without some probable ground of conjecture. At which time also there came forth in print the King's book, intitled, Baixò Augov: containing matter of instruction to the Prince his son touching the office of a King; which book falling into every man's hand, filled the whole realm, as with a good perfume or incense, before the King's coming in; for being excellently written, and having nothing of affectation, it did not only satisfy better than particular reports touching the King's disposition, but far exceeded any formal or curious edict or declaration, which could have been devised of that nature, wherewith Princes in the beginning of their reigns do use to grace themselves, or at least express themselves gracious in the eyes of their people. And this was for the general the state and constitution of mens minds upon this change; the actions themselves passed in this manner.

The rest is wanting.

LETTERS.

LETTERS

IN THE

REIGN OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.

I.

It may please your good Lordships,

No.2.

I AM sorry the joint masque from the four inns of court Harl.MSS.
faileth; wherein I conceive there is no other ground of Vol. 7042.
that event but impossibility. Nevertheless, because it
falleth out that at this time Gray's Inn is well furnished
of gallant young gentlemen, your lordship may be
pleased to know, that rather than this occasion shall
pass without some demonstration of affection from the
inns of court, there are a dozen gentlemen of Gray's
Inn, that out of the honour which they bear to your
lordship and my lord chamberlain, to whom at their
last masque they were so much bounden, will be ready
to furnish a masque; wishing it were in their power
to perform it according to their mind. And so for the
present I humbly take my leave, resting

Your Lordship's very humble and much bounden,
FR. BACON.

II. A LETTER of ceremony to Queen ELIZA-Rawley's BETH, upon the sending of a new-year's gift. to

It may please your sacred Majesty,

ACCORDING to the ceremony of the time, I would not forget, in all humbleness, to present your Majesty with a small new-year's gift: nothing to my mind. And therefore to supply it, I cannot but pray to God to give your Majesty his new-year's gift; that is, a new

Resuscita

:

year, that shall be as no year to your body, and as a year with two harvests to your coffers; and every other way prosperous and gladsome. And so I remain,

Your Majesty's loyal and obedient subject.

Rawley's III. A LETTER of ceremony to Queen ElizaBETH, upon the sending of a new-year's gift.

Resuscitatio.

Rawley's
Resuscita-

tio.

wrote1600.

Most excellent sovereign Mistress,

THE only new-year's gift, which I can give your Majesty, is that, which God hath given to me; which is, a mind in all humbleness to wait upon your commandments and business: wherein I would to God, that I were hooded, that I saw less; or that I could perform more for now I am like a hawk, that bates, when I see occasion of service, but cannot fly because I am tied to another's fist. But mean while, I continue my presumption of making to your Majesty my poor oblation of a garment; as unworthy the wearing, as his service, that sends it, but the approach to your excellent person may give worth to both; which is all the happiness I aspire unto.

IV. To the QUEEN.

It may please your sacred Majesty, Probably I WOULD not fail to give your Majesty my most humble and due thanks, for your royal choice of such commissioners in the great star-chamber cause; being persons, besides their honour, of such science and integrity by whose report I doubt not but your Majesty will find that, which you have been heretofore informed, both by my lord keeper, and by some much meaner person, touching the nature of that cause, to be true. This preparatory hearing doth already assail me, with new and enlarged offers of composition; which if I had born a mind to have hearkened unto, this matter had been quenched long ago, without any benefit to your Majesty. But your Majesty's benefit is to me in greater regard than mine own particular: trusting to your Ma

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