







 
   
     
       
         An exact copy of a letter sent to William Laud, late Arch-bishop of Canterbury, now prisoner in the Tower, November the 5, 1641 at which his Lordship taking exceptions, the author visited him in his owne person, and having admittance to him, had some private discourse with him concerning the cruelty in which he formerly raigned in his power : the substance whereof is truly composed by the author himselfe, wherein doth appeare a sign of complying with the times and some hopes of his repentance.
         Denham, John, Sir, 1615-1669.
      
       
         This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A69458 of text R6766 in the  English Short Title Catalog (Wing A2). Textual changes  and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more  computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life.  The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with  MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish.  This text has not been fully proofread 
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         EarlyPrint Project
         Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO
         2017
         A69458
         Wing A2
         ESTC R6766
         11894451
         ocm 11894451
         50540
         
           
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         Early English books online.
      
       
         (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A69458)
         Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 50540)
         Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 45:1, 256:E177, no 1)
      
       
         
           
             An exact copy of a letter sent to William Laud, late Arch-bishop of Canterbury, now prisoner in the Tower, November the 5, 1641 at which his Lordship taking exceptions, the author visited him in his owne person, and having admittance to him, had some private discourse with him concerning the cruelty in which he formerly raigned in his power : the substance whereof is truly composed by the author himselfe, wherein doth appeare a sign of complying with the times and some hopes of his repentance.
             Denham, John, Sir, 1615-1669.
             Laud, William, 1573-1645.
          
           [8] p. : ill.
           
             Printed for H.W. and T.B.,
             London :
             1641.
          
           
             Title vignette (woodcut).
             The letter is signed: A.
             Attributed to Sir John Denham. Cf. Wrenn catalogue.
             Reproduction of original in Thomason Collection, British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Laud, William, 1573-1645.
           Great Britain -- Church history -- 17th century -- Sources.
        
      
    
       A69458  R6766  (Wing A2).  civilwar no An exact copy of a letter, sent to William Laud late Arch-bishop of Canterbury, now prisoner in the Tower, November the 5. 1641. At which hi Denham, John, Sir 1641    2308 4 0 0 0 0 0 17 C  The  rate of 17 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 
        2004-03 TCP
        Assigned for keying and markup
      
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        2004-05 Melanie Sanders
        Sampled and proofread
      
        2004-05 Melanie Sanders
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        2004-07 pfs
        Batch review (QC) and XML conversion
      
    
  
   
     
       
       
       
         
           An
           exact
           COPY
           OF
           A
           LETTER
           ,
           Sent
           to
           
             William
             Laud
          
           late
           Arch-bishop
           of
           
             Canterbury
             ,
          
           now
           Prisoner
           in
           the
           Tower
           ,
           
             November
          
           the
           5.
           1641.
           
           At
           which
           his
           Lordship
           taking
           exceptions
           ,
           the
           Author
           visited
           him
           in
           his
           owne
           person
           :
           and
           having
           admittance
           to
           him
           ,
           had
           some
           private
           discourse
           with
           him
           ;
           concerning
           the
           cruelty
           ,
           in
           which
           he
           formerly
           raigned
           in
           his
           power
           .
           The
           substance
           whereof
           is
           truly
           composed
           by
           the
           Author
           himselfe
           .
           Wherein
           doth
           appeare
           a
           sign
           of
           complying
           with
           the
           times
           ,
           and
           some
           hopes
           of
           his
           Repentance
           .
        
         
         
           London
           Printed
           for
           H
           ,
           W.
           and
           T.B.
           1641.
           
        
      
    
     
       
       
       
         
           An
           exact
           Copy
           of
           a
           Letter
           ,
           sent
           to
           the
           Bishop
           of
           
             Canterbury
             ,
          
           now
           prisoner
           in
           the
           Tower
           ,
           Novem.
           the
           5.
           1641.
           
        
         
           
             My
             Lord
             ,
          
        
         
           YOur
           participating
           the
           sodain
           evils
           ,
           &
           daily
           alterations
           incident
           to
           terrene
           frailty
           ,
           and
           Natures
           imbecility
           ,
           hath
           occasioned
           me
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           others
           ,
           to
           passe
           my
           judgment
           on
           your
           former
           course
           of
           life
           ;
           and
           though
           I
           doe
           with
           most
           consent
           ,
           you
           have
           done
           evill
           ,
           yet
           doe
           I
           not
           with
           many
           consent
           ,
           you
           have
           done
           it
           knowingly
           ,
           but
           rather
           ignorantly
           ,
           &c.
           by
           imprisoning
           Gods
           people
           ,
           unjust
           proceedings
           ,
           &c.
           
           The
           complainents
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           are
           the
           Delinquents
           themselves
           ,
           many
           of
           which
           will
           not
           be
           perswaded
           to
           have
           such
           a
           charitable
           thought
           ,
           as
           I
           have
           of
           you
           :
           and
           I
           verily
           beleeve
           ,
           that
           men
           do
           omit
           the
           Christian
           duty
           to
           pray
           for
           you
           ;
           wherfore
           ,
           my
           humble
           request
           unto
           your
           Lordship
           is
           ,
           that
           you
           would
           be
           pleased
           to
           condiscend
           so
           far
           below
           your self
           ,
           as
           to
           vouchsafe
           by
           way
           of
           answer
           hereunto
           ,
           to
           vindicate
           your
           owne
           innocencie
           ,
           and
           my
           charity
           .
           So
           also
           ,
           shall
           they
           I
           hope
           ,
           who
           are
           otherwiseminded
           ,
           be
           convinced
           of
           their
           harsh
           and
           uncharitable
           Censure
           ,
           and
           so
           be
           brought
           to
           be
           otherwise
           minded
           :
           that
           so
           J
           with
           them
           ,
           and
           they
           with
           me
           ,
           may
           with
           one
           accord
           say
           ,
           concerning
           you
           ,
           and
           other
           offenders
           ,
           after
           the
           examples
           of
           our
           Savior
           ,
           
             Father
             forgive
             them
             ,
             for
             they
             know
             not
             what
             they
             doe
             :
          
           and
           with
           his
           Martyr
           Stephem
           
             Lord
             lay
             not
             this
             sinne
             to
             their
             charge
             ,
          
        
         
           
             My
             Lord
             I
             am
             ,
          
           
             Your
             Lordships
             in
             all
             humblenesse
             ,
             
               A.
               
            
          
        
      
       
       
         
           
             THe
             letter
             being
             delivered
             to
             my
             Lords
             owne
             hand
             〈◊〉
             read
             it
             over
             the
             messinger
             being
             by
             ,
             to
             whom
             〈◊〉
             told
             that
             the
             Author
             had
             abused
             him
             :
             and
             done
             him
             wrong
             ;
             which
             when
             the
             author
             understood
             ,
             he
             went
             himselfe
             to
             him
             the
             next
             Lords
             day
             to
             the
             Tower
             ,
             where
             he
             had
             admittance
             to
             his
             presence
             .
          
        
         
           
             Of
             whom
             first
             he
             craved
             pardon
             for
             boldnesse
             ;
             but
             the
             Bishop
             ,
             laying
             aside
             that
             complementing
             with
             him
             ,
             rebuked
             him
             for
             his
             letter
             ,
             especially
             for
             charging
             him
             with
             imprisoning
             Gods
             people
             .
          
        
         
           He
           answered
           ,
           my
           Lord
           ,
           quoth
           he
           ,
           
             J
          
           have
           béen
           both
           an
           Eye
           and
           an
           Eare-witnesse
           at
           the
           High
           commission
           court
           ,
           when
           men
           truly
           fearing
           God
           ,
           have
           bin
           called
           to
           the
           Bar
           ,
           and
           your
           Lordship
           hath
           commanded
           to
           give
           them
           the
           oath
           which
           when
           they
           hove
           refused
           ,
           you
           have
           committed
           them
           to
           prison
           ?
           No
           ,
           quoth
           my
           Lord
           ,
           it
           is
           well
           knowne
           
             I
          
           have
           shewed
           great
           favour
           and
           clemency
           to
           those
           obstinatemen
           ,
           in
           that
           
             I
          
           have
           sometime
           forborne
           them
           a
           twelve
           moneth
           together
           ;
           and
           have
           in
           the
           meane
           time
           referred
           them
           to
           Godly
           and
           learned
           Doctors
           and
           Ministers
           ,
           for
           satisfaction
           in
           that
           point
           :
           and
           when
           they
           out
           of
           willfulnesse
           &
           obstinacy
           ,
           would
           not
           be
           satisfied
           ,
           
             I
          
           could
           doe
           no
           lesse
           by
           the
           order
           of
           the
           Court
           then
           commit
           them
           to
           prison
           ,
        
         
           Then
           he
           told
           my
           Lord
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           confident
           it
           was
           not
           out
           of
           willfulnesse
           ,
           nor
           obstinacy
           ,
           that
           they
           refused
           the
           Oath
           ,
           but
           rather
           out
           of
           tendernesse
           of
           conscience
           ,
           they
           being
           not
           satisfyed
           of
           the
           lawfullnesse
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           That
           is
           more
           then
           ytu
           know
           ,
           quoth
           my
           Lord
           ?
        
         
           It
           may
           be
           ,
           quoth
           he
           ,
           
             I
          
           know
           some
           of
           the
           men
           ,
           and
           their
           conversation
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           very
           godly
           men
           ,
           and
           you
           know
           my
           Lord
           ,
           our
           Savior
           warrants
           to
           judge
           the
           Trée
           by
           the
           fruites
           ?
        
         
         
           Stay
           ,
           quoth
           my
           Lord
           ,
           you
           and
           
             I
          
           differ
           in
           that
           point
           .
        
         
           Then
           my
           Lord
           ,
           said
           the
           man
           ,
           it
           seemes
           you
           did
           it
           ignorantly
           according
           to
           my
           thoughts
           of
           you
           not
           knowing
           them
           to
           be
           the
           servants
           of
           God
           ?
        
         
           
             I
          
           had
           nothing
           to
           doe
           to
           judge
           their
           p●s●ns
           said
           the
           Bishop
           ,
           nor
           question
           whether
           they
           were
           the
           servants
           of
           God
           or
           no
           ,
           
             I
          
           judge
           all
           to
           be
           the
           servants
           of
           God
           untill
           they
           apparently
           shew
           the
           contrary
           ,
           but
           their
           action
           
             I
          
           judge
           to
           be
           evill
           ,
           and
           what
           a
           matter
           was
           it
           to
           imprison
           3.
           or
           4.
           of
           them
           in
           a
           twelve
           months
           space
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           meane
           time
           let
           thousands
           in
           the
           City
           goe
           free
           ,
           and
           if
           we
           had
           not
           taken
           such
           a
           course
           with
           some
           of
           them
           ,
           the
           number
           would
           have
           so
           increased
           ,
           and
           men
           would
           have
           taken
           liberty
           to
           have
           done
           what
           they
           list
           .
           as
           now
           we
           see
           they
           doe
           since
           we
           see
           authority
           ,
           suppressed
           ?
        
         
           Then
           he
           told
           the
           Bishop
           that
           he
           makes
           no
           doubt
           ,
           my
           Lord
           ,
           if
           it
           please
           the
           Lord
           that
           the
           
             Parliament
          
           goe
           on
           they
           will
           take
           order
           that
           men
           shall
           not
           doe
           what
           they
           list
           ,
           and
           though
           it
           seeme
           good
           unto
           them
           to
           suppresse
           that
           government
           ,
           which
           hath
           bin
           heretofore
           ,
           yet
           
             I
          
           hope
           they
           will
           establish
           another
           .
        
         
           
             J
          
           pray
           God
           they
           may
           ,
           for
           it
           is
           a
           lamentable
           thing
           to
           consider
           what
           disorder
           there
           is
           amongst
           people
           ,
           at
           this
           time
           when
           men
           are
           suffered
           to
           frequent
           Conventicles
           ,
           without
           Restraint
           .
        
         
           Nay
           ,
           therein
           my
           Lord
           you
           much
           mistake
           ,
           for
           though
           I
           my selfe
           am
           a
           meane
           Schollar
           :
           and
           therefore
           know
           not
           so
           well
           as
           your
           Grace
           ,
           what
           a
           Conventicle
           is
           :
           yet
           have
           I
           heard
           that
           a
           conventicle
           is
           properly
           ,
           when
           a
           company
           of
           men
           méet
           together
           ,
           to
           a
           wicked
           intent
           ,
           to
           plot
           &
           devise
           mischiefe
           to
           the
           Church
           or
           State
           :
           
             which
             I
             am
             certaine
             ,
             these
             men
             you
             meane
             are
             far
             from
             ;
             for
             though
             I
             my selfe
             have
             not
             much
             frequented
             such
             Assemblies
             :
             for
             which
             I
             think
             ,
             I
             have
             rather
             cause
             to
             condemne
             ,
             then
             justifie
             my selfe
             .
          
           Yet
           am
           I
           sure
           ,
           that
           in
           their
           Assemblies
           ,
           they
           pray
           earnestly
           for
           the
           King
           ,
           and
           all
           in
           Authority
           ▪
        
         
         
           Tell
           me
           ,
           quoth
           the
           Bishop
           ,
           what
           warrant
           have
           they
           to
           méete
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           forty
           or
           thréescore
           together
           ,
           on
           such
           an
           occasion
           .
        
         
           My
           Lord
           ,
           quoth
           he
           ,
           you
           know
           the
           prophet
           
             Malachi
          
           saith
           ,
           then
           they
           that
           feared
           the
           Lord
           ,
           spake
           often
           one
           to
           another
           ,
           and
           doth
           not
           the
           Apostle
           command
           us
           ,
           not
           to
           forsake
           the
           fellowship
           of
           the
           Saints
           ,
           but
           to
           edifie
           one
           another
           .
           Then
           the
           Bishop
           told
           him
           ,
           that
           he
           said
           not
           that
           ,
           with
           out
           the
           consent
           of
           Authority
           ;
           can
           they
           not
           doe
           this
           neighbor
           ,
           with
           neighbor
           in
           publike
           Congregations
           .
        
         
           My
           Lord
           ,
           quoth
           he
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           these
           men
           are
           perswaded
           in
           their
           consciences
           ,
           that
           the
           Lord
           calls
           them
           to
           humbling
           themselves
           ,
           in
           fasting
           and
           prayer
           :
           and
           it
           may
           be
           authority
           doth
           not
           sée
           it
           méet
           to
           appoint
           a
           day
           :
           is
           it
           evill
           in
           them
           then
           ,
           some
           two
           or
           thrée
           families
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           ten
           or
           twelve
           persons
           to
           méet
           together
           to
           spend
           a
           day
           on
           that
           occasion
           .
           And
           they
           cannot
           doe
           this
           alone
           by
           themselves
           ;
           for
           men
           are
           apt
           to
           be
           dull
           and
           drousie
           when
           they
           are
           alone
           :
           and
           therefore
           they
           thinke
           it
           méet
           to
           be
           together
           ,
           to
           stir
           up
           one
           another
           ,
           as
           you
           know
           ,
           my
           Lord
           ,
           the
           more
           fewell
           is
           laid
           on
           the
           fire
           ,
           the
           hotter
           it
           burnes
           ,
           &
           the
           more
           it
           flames
           .
        
         
           When
           he
           heard
           this
           ,
           he
           smiled
           ,
           and
           almost
           laughed
           out
           :
           flames
           ;
           indéed
           ,
           
             I
          
           thinke
           so
           ,
           but
           said
           he
           in
           your
           Letter
           ,
           you
           
             quote
             Scripture
             ,
          
           that
           some
           in
           killing
           Gods
           Saidts
           ,
           shall
           thinke
           they
           doe
           him
           service
           ,
           and
           you
           say
           ,
           you
           take
           me
           to
           be
           one
           of
           them
           .
           But
           
             I
          
           thinke
           ,
           if
           you
           rightly
           understand
           your selfe
           ,
           you
           would
           take
           your selfe
           to
           be
           one
           of
           them
           :
           for
           what
           warrant
           have
           you
           to
           call
           me
           a
           sensuall
           man
           ?
           Ye
           say
           you
           judge
           the
           trée
           by
           the
           fruits
           ,
           I
           pray
           you
           ,
           what
           fruits
           have
           you
           séene
           to
           judge
           so
           of
           me
           .
        
         
           My
           Lord
           ,
           quoth
           he
           ,
           
             I
          
           have
           séene
           and
           heard
           such
           things
           at
           the
           high
           Commission
           Court
           ,
           as
           have
           caused
           me
           to
           conclude
           undoubtedly
           :
           if
           you
           had
           bin
           inlightned
           with
           the
           true
           knowledge
           of
           Iesus
           Christ
           ,
           you
           would
           not
           have
           sitten
           there
           ,
           though
           the
           place
           were
           never
           so
           honourable
           .
        
         
           Why
           quoth
           the
           Bishop
           what
           things
           have
           you
           seene
           and
           heard
           .
        
         
         
           First
           my
           Lord
           saw
           he
           ,
           
             I
          
           will
           tell
           by
           e●perience
           as
           touching
           m●
           selfe
           :
           
             I
          
           have
           beene
           seased
           on
           by
           your
           Pursevant
           ,
           and
           had
           to
           the
           registers
           Office
           ,
           and
           beene
           bound
           over
           to
           the
           Court
           ,
           and
           there
           taken
           oath
           ,
           and
           have
           come
           againe
           to
           the
           Registers
           Office
           and
           there
           waited
           many
           a
           dayes
           ,
           and
           at
           last
           have
           beene
           examined
           and
           afterwards
           waited
           againe
           at
           the
           Court
           ,
           and
           yet
           never
           heard
           more
           of
           it
           :
           but
           indéed
           it
           was
           but
           the
           pursevants
           maner
           to
           bring
           me
           in
           .
           But
           is
           not
           this
           a
           miserable
           thing
           ,
           my
           Lord
           ,
           that
           
             I
          
           and
           others
           should
           be
           thus
           served
           ,
           and
           must
           never
           know
           their
           accuser
           ,
           nor
           recover
           any
           dammage
           .
        
         
           Then
           he
           told
           him
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           not
           in
           the
           power
           of
           that
           Court
           to
           give
           dammage
           ,
           or
           else
           
             I
          
           could
           willingly
           have
           given
           it
           many
           times
           ,
           and
           as
           for
           calling
           you
           in
           with
           out
           any
           accuser
           ,
           it
           was
           in
           our
           power
           to
           do
           it
           according
           to
           the
           Law
           of
           the
           Court
           ,
           and
           the
           Kings
           advocate
           was
           to
           accuse
           you
           :
           but
           did
           ever
           any
           of
           you
           come
           to
           me
           in
           the
           week
           day
           ,
           and
           pray
           me
           to
           let
           you
           know
           your
           accuser
           ,
           or
           dismisse
           you
           and
           
             J
          
           denyed
           it
           .
        
         
           No
           my
           Lord
           ,
           quoth
           he
           ,
           
             I
          
           cannot
           say
           you
           did
           .
        
         
           Then
           my
           Lord
           asked
           him
           what
           his
           name
           was
           ,
           and
           what
           was
           the
           matter
           he
           was
           brought
           in
           for
           :
           for
           that
           you
           say
           ,
           quoth
           he
           ,
           you
           were
           so
           served
           .
        
         
           
             I
          
           pray
           my
           Lord
           ;
           quoth
           he
           ,
           spare
           me
           in
           that
           ,
           for
           
             I
          
           am
           not
           willing
           to
           tell
           you
           my
           name
           ,
           and
           indéed
           the
           knowledg
           of
           it
           would
           be
           no
           gaine
           to
           you
           .
           but
           might
           be
           hurtfull
           to
           me
           :
           for
           it
           is
           not
           vnpossible
           ,
           but
           you
           may
           come
           into
           authority
           againe
           ,
           and
           then
           you
           may
           call
           me
           before
           you
           ,
           &
           chide
           me
           for
           this
           my
           bold
           attempt
           .
        
         
           Even
           as
           pleaseth
           God
           ,
           quoth
           the
           Bishop
           :
           but
           
             I
          
           will
           here
           passe
           my
           word
           before
           your
           friend
           ,
           meaning
           the
           Messenger
           that
           carryed
           the
           Letter
           ,
           that
           you
           shall
           never
           heare
           more
           of
           it
           :
           no
           if
           you
           have
           such
           thoughts
           of
           me
           ,
           you
           are
           deceived
           in
           me
           ,
           and
           many
           of
           you
           have
           bin
           much
           mistaken
           in
           me
           .
        
         
           But
           yet
           he
           told
           my
           Lord
           ,
           he
           desired
           to
           be
           spared
           in
           
           that
           .
           Well
           if
           you
           think
           it
           méet
           to
           tell
           me
           your
           name
           quoth
           the
           Bishop
           ,
           doe
           as
           you
           please
           .
           Then
           the
           Author
           took
           occasion
           to
           envie
           against
           the
           Officers
           of
           the
           Court
           ,
           and
           especially
           the
           Purseuants
           ,
           séeing
           they
           were
           the
           natorion
           ,
           sest
           Drunkaods
           and
           Swearers
           as
           could
           be
           found
           among-men
           .
           And
           he
           said
           ,
           
             I
          
           am
           perswaded
           that
           if
           your
           Lordship
           had
           bin
           inlightned
           ,
           you
           would
           not
           haue
           suffered
           such
           about
           you
           .
           Alas
           ,
           said
           he
           ,
           it
           cannot
           be
           helped
           ,
           for
           none
           but
           such
           will
           be
           in
           those
           places
           ,
           
             I
          
           pray
           consider
           that
           me
           Lord
           Mayors
           Sergeants
           are
           not
           the
           honestest
           men
           .
        
         
           Then
           was
           there
           spéeched
           had
           about
           those
           men
           they
           call
           Puritans
           and
           precisians
           .
           And
           the
           Bishop
           affirmed
           it
           twise
           over
           ,
           that
           he
           thought
           in
           his
           conscience
           ,
           there
           were
           as
           honest
           men
           given
           them
           that
           name
           ,
           as
           any
           were
           in
           London
           ,
           we
           cannot
           ,
           said
           he
           ,
           be
           too
           pure
           ,
           if
           we
           consider
           the
           strictnesse
           of
           Gods
           Law
           :
           but
           yet
           ,
           said
           he
           ,
           
             I
          
           am
           perswaded
           ,
           that
           many
           of
           those
           simple-hearted
           men
           are
           seduced
           ,
           sometimes
           by
           others
           that
           are
           more
           cunning
           then
           they
           ,
           but
           
             I
          
           ever
           had
           a
           tender
           care
           over
           the
           conscience
           of
           men
           ,
           
             I
          
           stand
           not
           on
           the
           word
           puritan
           ,
           but
           if
           a
           man
           be
           an
           honest
           man
           ,
           what
           ever
           he
           is
           
             I
          
           doe
           approve
           of
           him
           .
           Indéed
           ,
           my
           Lord
           ,
           quoth
           he
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           ,
           there
           may
           be
           some
           Hypocrites
           that
           may
           have
           that
           name
           put
           upon
           them
           ,
           as
           you
           know
           among
           our
           Saviours
           Disciples
           there
           was
           one
           
             Iudas
             ,
          
           but
           yet
           ,
           my
           Lord
           ,
           it
           is
           pitty
           the
           true-hearted
           should
           fare
           the
           worse
           for
           their
           sake
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
    

