the 22d of September, with the name of Jefus iffuing out of his mouth, he left to fpeak any more, and fhortly after lifting up his hand to the name of Jefus, when he could not speak it himself; he ceafed to move any more, but fweetly and mildly his ghoft departed, by all Chriftians to be hoped into heavenly blifs. The Almighty grant that all profeffing Chrift in their life, may at their death make fuch teftimony of Chriftianity as this noble Earl did. And thus ending my tedious letter, with the doleful (and yet comfortable) end of this noble man, I wish you, from the bottom of my heart, good life and long; and the joy of Heaven at the end. From the caftle of Dublin this 20th of October 1576. Your affured loving friend. before they fupped with him. Upon fufpicion of his being poisoned, Mr. Knell (as it was told me) gave him fundry times of unicorn's horn, upon which fometimes he vomited, as at other times he did, when he took it not. Thus I have delivered unto you, as much as I can learn of the fickness and death of this noble Peer, whom I left when I left Dublin in all appearance a lufty, ftrong, and pleafant man; and before I returned his breath was out of his body, and his body out of this country, and undoubtedly his foul in heaven; for in my life I never heard of a man to die in fuch perfectnefs; he was fick twenty or twenty-one days, and mot of thofe days tormented with pangs intolerable, but in all that time, and all that torture, he was never heard fpeak an idle or angry word: after he yielded to die, he defired much to have his friends come to him, and to abide with him, which they did of fundry forts, unto whom he thewed fuch arguments of Sir Henry Sidney to Mr. Secretary Walhearty repentance of his life paffed, fo found charity with all the world, fuch af furance to be partaker of the joys of heaven through the merits of Chrift's paffion; fuch a joyful defire, fpeedily to be diffolved, and to enjoy the fame, which he would fometimes fay, That it pleafed the Almighty to reveal unto him that he thould be partaker of (as was to the exceeding admiration of all that heard it). He had continually about him folks of fundry degrees, as men of the clergy, gentlemen, gentlewomen, citizens, and fervants, unto all which he would ufe fo godly exhortations and grave admonitions, and that fo aptly for the perfons he spake unto, as in all his life he never feemed to be half fo wife, learned, nor eloquent, nor of fo good memory as at his death. He forgot not to fend weighty warnings to fome of his abfent friends by melage. Oft-times, when grievous pangs had driven him out of flumbers, he would make fuch fhew of comfort in fpirit, and exprefs it with fuch words, as many about him thought he faw and heard fome heavenly voice and vifion. Many times after bitter pangs he would with cheerful countenance cry, Courage, courage, I have fought a good fight, and thus ought every true foldier to do, that fighteth under the ftandard of his captain and patron Jefus Chrift. A bout eleven of the clock before noon, on Sir, LETTER XIX. fingham. WHEREAS the Bishopric of Ardagh is now void, and at her Majefty's difpofition, by reafon of the death of P2trick Mac Mahon, the late incumbent; and for that it is not convenient that that fee fhould be long deflitute of a fpiritual paftor to fucceed in the place, the rather for that, by good teaching and doctrine, the people might be drawn first to know their duties to God, and next their obedience to their Prince and civil order; I have thought fit (partly upon mine owa knowledge of Sir John Petit, clerk, and partly upon the good report I have heard of the man by others, that affirm unto me, that as well for his fufficiency in learning, and good example of life, and honesty of manners, he is one meet for that room) to prefer him, therefore, to your recommendation to her Majesty. And for that both the living is very mean, yet the when it is whole and entire, and fame by the late incumbent much diffi pate, leafed, and aliened to fuch perfons, as hardly it is to be recovered again to the poffeffion of the church, except fome man, who both by his policy, and fomewhat by his ftrength in friendship, and countenance in the country, be fubftitute in the place; I have the rather given my full allowance of this man, who as for that he is defcended of English race, well and and fpeaketh the language, as alfo for that he is well allied in friends, whofe lands and livings adjoin to the poffeffions of this bishopric. So that if it fo like her Highness to nominate him to the place, I know not any one man of this country birth that will accept the name of fo great a dignity, with fo fmall commodity as this biopric hath belonging anto it; fo 6t a perfon for the place as he is. And therefore, for that the üv ing is fo mean, he defreth that he may have the little he now enjoyeth and dwell eth upon, being called the parfemage of Picriton, in the bishopric of Mei, which is not extended in value above four poand: sterling by the year, byways declare to your Lorities of him, and affiftance for her Majefty's fervice, and very willing to fet forward any thing that might either concern the public benefit or quiet of the country, or her Majetty's honour or profit; befides, a man well given, and zealous in religion, diligent in preaching, and no niggard in hofpitality, but a great reliever of his poor neighbours, and by his good behaviour and dealing gained both love and credit amongâ those with whom he hath been converfant; and carried himitif in that reputation in the world, as I have not known tim at any time elsker dereived or Liputted of any wrotowns or pille And this much I wo git god of commendam, anexed to the big LETTER IL Sir Henry Sidery to be Lady Cha My very good Lei. MY humble de honourable La come hither to del feemed), I could not sms an times, when I had com acquit, when any of the Queen's Majefty her fovereign fubjects may happen to have aught in this country at your recommendation. And fo I commit your Lordhip in the protection of the Almighty Chrift. Edinburgh, the 20th day of June 1577. Your Lordship's very affured friend. LETTER XXII. Sir Henry Sidney to his fon Robert Sidney, afterwards Earl of Leicester. Robin, YOUR feveral letters of the 17th of September and 9th of November I have received; but that fent by Carolus Clufins I have not yet heard of. Your letters are most heartily welcome to me; but the univerfal teftimony that is made of you, of the virtuous courfe you hold in this your juvenile age, and how much you profit in the fame; and what excellent parts God hath already planted in you, doth fo rejoice me, that the fight of no carthly thing is more or can be more to my comfort, than hearing in this fort from, and of you. Our Lord blets you, my fweet boy. Perge, perge, my Robin, in the filial fear of God, and in the meaneft imagination of your feif, and to the loving direction of your moft loving brother. I like very well of your being at Prague, and of your intention to go to Vienna. I wish you fhould curiously look upon the fortification of that; and confidering the state of Christendom, I cannot tell how to defign your travel into Italy. I would not have you to go fpecially, for that there is perpetual war between the Pope and us. I think the Princes and Potentates of that region are confederated with him; and for fome other refpects, I would not have you go thither. Yet from Spain we are as it were under an inhibition; France in endless troubles; the Low Country in irrecoverable mifery. So I leave it to your brother and yourfelf, whether Vienna being feen, you will return into England, or fpend the next fummer in thofe parts; which if you do, I think beft (you being fatisfied with Vienna) you fee the principal cities of Moravia and Silefia, and fo to Cracow; and if you can have any commodity, to fee the court of the King of that realm; and from thence through Saxony, to Holft, and Pomerland, feeing the Princes courts by the way; and then into Denmark and Sweden, and fee thofe Kings courts. Acquaint you fomewhat with the eftate of the free States; and fo at Hamburgh to embark, and to winter with me. But what do I blunder at thefe things? follow the direction of your moft loving brother, who in loving you is comparable with me, or exceedeth me. Imitate his vir tues, exercises, ftudies, and actions; he is a rare ornament of this age, the very formular that all well-difpofed young gentlemen of our court do form alfo their manners and life by. In truth I fpeak it without flattery of him, or of myself, he hath the most rare virtues that ever I found in any man. I faw him not these fix months, little to my comfort. You may hear from him with more eafe than from me. In your travels thefe documents I will give you, not as mine but his practices. Seek the knowledge of the eftate of every Prince, court, and city, that you pafs through. Addrefs yourfelf to the company, to learn this o the elder fort, and yet neglect not the younger. By the one you fhall gathe learning, wifdom, and knowledge, by th other acquaintance, languages, and exer cife. This he effectually oblerved wit great gain of understanding. Once agai 1 fav imitate him. I hear you are falle into confort and fellowship with Sir Harr Nevell's fon and heir, and one Mr. Save I hear of fingular virtues of them bot I am glad of your familiarity with ther The 21ft of this prefent I received yo letter of the 12th of the fame, and with a letter from Mr. Languet, who feemeth yet to miflike nothing in you; for whic I like you a great deal the better; and hope I fhall hear further of your cor mendation from him, which will be my comfort. I find by Harry Wh that all your money is gone, which w fome wonder difpleafeth me; and if y cannot frame your charges according that proportion I have appointed you, must and will fend for you home. I ha fent order to Mr. Languet for one h dred pounds for you, which is twe pounds more than I promifed you; this I look and order that it fall fe you till the last of March 1580. All yourself I will not enlarge one gr therefore look well to your charges. the 22d of September, with the name of Jefus iffuing out of his mouth, he left to fpeak any more, and shortly after lifting up his hand to the name of Jefus, when he could not speak it himself; he ceafed to move any more, but fweetly and mildly his ghoft departed, by all Chriftians to be hoped into heavenly bliss. The Almighty grant that all profefling Chrift in their life, may at their death make fuch teftimony of Chriftianity as this noble Earl did. And thus ending my tedious letter, with the doleful (and yet comfortable) end of this noble man, I wish you, from the bottom of my heart, good life and long; and the joy of Heaven ar the end. From the cattle of Dublin this 20th of October 1576. Your affured loving friend. Sir, LETTER XIX. fingham. WHEREAS the Bishopric of Ardagh before they fupped with him. Upon fufpicion of his being poifoned, Mr. Knell (as it was told me) gave him fundry times of unicorn's horn, upon which fometimes he vomited, as at other times he did, when he took it not. Thus I have delivered unto you, as much as I can learn of the fickness and death of this noble Peer, whom I left when I left Dub lin in all appearance a lufty, ftrong, and pleafant man; and before I returned his breath was out of his body, and his body out of this country, and undoubtedly his foul in heaven; for in my life I never heard of a man to die in fuch perfectnefs; he was fick twenty or twenty-one days, and most of thofe days tormented with pangs intolerable, but in all that time, and all that torture, he was never heard fpeak an idle or angry word: after he yielded to die, he defired much to have his friends come to him, and to abide with him, which they did of fundry forts, unto whom he thewed fuch arguments of Sir Henry Sidney to Mr. Secretary Wal hearty repentance of his life paffed, fo found charity with all the world, fuch affurance to be partaker of the joys of heaven through the merits of Chrift's paflion; fuch a joyful defire, fpeedily to be diffolved, and to enjoy the fame, which he would fometimes fay, That it pleated the Almighty to reveal unto him that he should be partaker of (as was to the exceeding admiration of all that heard it). He had continually about him folks of fundry degrees, as men of the clergy, gentlemen, gentlewomen, citizens, and fervants, unto all which he would ufe f godly exhortations and grave admonitions, and that fo aptly for the perfons he spake unto, as in all his life he never feemed to be half fo wife, learned, nor eloquent, nor of fo good memory as at his death. He forgot not to fend weighty warnings to fome of his abfent friends by meage. Oft-times, when grievous pangs had driven him out of flumbers, he would make fuch fhew of comfort in fpirit, and exprefs it with fuch words, as many about him thought he faw and heard fome heavenly voice and vifion. Many times after bitter pangs he would with cheerful countenance cry, Courage, courage, I have fought a good fight, and thus ought every true foldier to do, that fighteth under the ftandard of his captain and patron Jefus Christ. A bout eleven of the clock before noon, on is now void, and at her Majefty's difpofition, by reafon of the death of Patrick Mac Mahon, the late incumbent; and for that it is not convenient that that fee fhould be long deflitute of a fpiritual paftor to fuccced in the place, the rather for that, by good teaching and doctrine, the people might be drawn first to know their duties to God, and next their obedience to their Prince and civil order; I have thought fit (partly upon mine owa knowledge of Sir John Petit, clerk, and partly upon the good report I have heard of the man by others, that affirm unto me, that as well for his fufficiency in learning, and good example of life, and honesty of manners, he is one meet for that room) to prefer him, therefore, to your recommendation to her Majetty. And for that both the living is very mean. when it is whole and entire, and yet the fame by the late incumbent much dit pate, leafed, and aliened to fuch perfons, as hardly it is to be recovered again to the poffeffion of the church, except icme man, who both by his policy, and fumewhat by his ftrength in friendship, and countenance in the country, be fubftitate in the place; I have the rather given my full allowance of this man, who as well for that he is defcended of English race, and |