Salutem in Christo

My very Good Lord.

Aboute a Month since I receaved a Letter from your Deane. In which I finde he is somewhat sensible of the Losse that will come by the Prohibition sent in his Majesties Name, to Command that Not Renewing of Leases into Lives, and particularly the Not Letting of anie part of the Close at Chester to Brewer, or Malster. But yet he promises all Obedience, and I hope, will performe itt. And if your Lordship gaine anie Health and Contentment by itt, I shall be heartily Glad to have beene an Instrument in procuring itt. I hope the Deane takes noe inward pett at this, nor labors to distemper the Goverment there or Cast a Bone between the Church and the Citty, thereby to discontent you. For if I should finde this, he should heare of me in another way. Yet I must Confesse, I’am afraid there is something, that makes the man froward: And that he should doe it at this tyme; and by such meane Instruments, as Sub-Sextons: And that after a Discreete Major had brought the Citty to the Cathedrall agen after a long Discontinuance from it: And especially without so much as acquainting your Lordship with it, seemes to me full of Indiscretion.

My Lord you know I have noe Jurisdiction there. And yet rather then I would suffer anie Distemper to increase, I have made bold privatly to acquaint his Majestie with itt; Who is not well pleased with the Action, especially att this tyme. And hath therefore Commanded Me to write unto you, That you forthwith speake with the Deane, as also with the Major, and his Brethren, that this Difference be Composed; And that the Major be suffer’d to sitt quietly in the Seate, where (your Lordship sayes) he was anciently wont to sitt. Against which, if the Deane have anie Just Exception, there may be a better tyme hereafter to have it heard then now. And I doubt not, but I shall prevayle with his Majestie to give itt a Hearing hereafter, if there shall be Just Cause for itt. In the meane tyme I am to Leave this Busines upon your Care. And I hope you will be able to give His Majestie a Good Accompte of itt, when tyme shall serve.