SOS LIVES OF THE PURITANS, the provocation his works had already given, had certainly some cause to apprehend his danger frosi a ,party never famous for their moderation: Upon his return he applied himself, with his former assiduity, to his beloved studies and the duties of his charge. He also addressed a letter to his learned and pious friend Usher, now preferred to abishopric, in which he gives a very affecting description of`the state of the foreign protestants. In this letter, dated from Rotherhithe, September 29, 1621, he expresses himself as follows: " My duty toyour lordship remembered. This messenger so fitly offering himself to me ' I could not but in a line or two salute your lordship, and therefore signify my continued and deserved remembrance of you, and hearty desire of your welfare. By this time I presume your lordship is settled in your weighty charge of oversight, wherein beseech the Lord in mercy to bless your labours and endeavours ' to the glory of his own name and the good of his church, never more oppressed and opposed by mighty and malicious adver- saries, both at home and abroad ; never in foreign parts generally more distracted and distressedthan at present. Out of France there is daily news of murders and massacres, cities and town taken, and all sorts put to the sword. Nor are those few that stand out likely to hold long against the power of so great a prince, having no succours from without. In the Palatinate likewise allis reported to go to ruin. Nor do the Hollanders sit, for ought I see, any surer; for that the coals that have been heretofore kindled against them about trans- portation of coin, and the fine imposed for it, the quarrels of the East Indies, and the command of the narrow seas, the interrupting of? the trade into Flanders, &c. are daily more and more blown up, and fire beginneth to break out, which I pray God may not burn up both them and us. " I doubt not, worthy sir, but you see as well, yea much better I suppose, than myself and many others, being able further to pierce into the State of the times, and the conse- quences of these things, what need the forlorn flock of Christ hath of hearts and hands to help to repair her ruins ; and to fence that part of the fold that as yet is not so openly broken down, against the incursions of such ravenous wolves, as, having prevailed so freely against the other parts, will not in likelihood leave it also unassaulted : as also what need she hath, if ever, of prayers and tears (her ancient principal armour) unto Him who hath the hearts and hands of all men in his hand, and whose help (our only hope as things now stand) is oftentimes then most present when all human helps
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