now the beginning of the next weeke to leave this place, wch, in hope to serve his Maty to his gratious acceptance on the other side, I doe chearfully, wch I assure you noe earthly prefermentt how greate or profitable so ever could have dun; and I shall passe into this imployment wth a resolution finally (if please God spare me life) to take up my last rest in this worlde in my own cuntry, and there in my old adge (if it be his pleasure) magnifie and bless his great name for all and in all, in peace and silence, and thes are the thoughts and resolutions I shall take for my company over. My stay at London is uncertaine, and consequently my cumming to Chester, for I am to have my instructions and all other the complements soe high a chardge requires from my Maister and his ministers above, and what time that may take up you knowe I cannot judge; but my lo: I will waite upon you at Chester, and desire to strike a ferme freindshipp wth you, such as may confidently passe betwixt us hereafter, how removed soever in habitation, in the strength whereof beleeve me I shall ever give you the unfained and sure tokens of my being yor lop's faithfull freind and servantt,
The bishop seems to have given him a noble entertainment on his arrival at Chester; for there is an item in his accounts for that year of £100 for the entertainment of Lord Wentworth, the Earl of Castlehaven, and others, at Chester for four days.
About this time began what the bishop calls his "great trouble." The zeal and activity he displayed in putting down licentiousness in his diocese without respect of persons, had naturally made him many enemies. Among these one James Martin, a clever and unprincipled clergyman who had ten years previously been deprived for gross misconduct and neglect of duty, was especially bitter against him. This man, in order to avenge himself, formed a conspiracy with John Lewes (another deprived minister), and Henry Reynolds (a Wigan solicitor who had been debarred from practising in court for forgery and other crimes), to defame the bishop's character, giving out that he was not so good a man as he was generally reputed to be. They circulated
- ↑ Original letter inter Family Evidences.
