in the Church. But
my Lord I that understand my self better, though all
things els worse, then any other frend, find those
causes within me why I should not accept this offer,
that I can no way answer, but must absolutely decline
it. Your Lordshipp may remember when you were pleas'd to
propose it to me before the last Bishop had it, what I
said to you then, how unfitted I was for it in many
respects. The same reasons hold good still and the
rather, as I am now both elder and infirmer, and I am
afraid more desperately so, then I beleevd my self to be
at that time. When I come to London, as I hope to doe
with in little more then a fortnight, I shall satisfy
you more particularly, as I conceyve I have done
already my Lord of Saru[(m], whose judgement as I should
submitt to assoone as any mans, and sooner then my owne
if it were different from mine. So I am more confirm'd
in my owne opinion, when I find it conformable to his,
being satisfyed with these reasons I had to refuse it.
Seriously if I thought I could doe that service to the
Church, which many hundreds could not doe better, I
would preferre the doing it with trouble before any ease
or convenience of my owne but in the condition that I
am, and the many imperfections upon me, I do not speak
it modestly, I cannot have such a thought. I am hartily
sorry for the death of that Bishop,[EH] he was a man of
excellent parts and though there was something to be
desired in him, yett take him alltogether he was both
able and likely to good service in that place which I
pray God may loose nothing by his successor!

My Lord I beseech your Lordship to present my most
humble duty and thankes to my gracious Master, the
thinking me worthy of such a preferment, and that
frankness and kindness which you speak of in his
expressing it, was worth to me a great deale more then
any thing els he could give me. I pray for him daylie,
and most hartily, as I doe likewise for your Lordship to
whom I am a moste affectionate servant

My Lord
JO: EARLES."

[_Addressed_] "For the Right Reverend Father in God
Gilbert Lord Bishopp of London these at
Whitehall."

FOOTNOTES:

[DZ] It is curious