OF HESSE, _March
1656-7_:--After an apology to the Landgrave for not having
sooner answered a letter of his received nearly twelve months ago,
the Protector here also plunges into the subject of Union among
Protestants. He is glad that the Landgrave appreciates the
exertions in this behalf that have been made in Britain and
elsewhere. "We have particularly desired the same peace for the
Churches of all Germany, where dissension has been too sharp and of
too long continuance; and through our DURIE, labouring at the same
fruitlessly now for many years, we have heartily offered any
possible service of ours that might contribute thereto. We remain
still in the same mind; we desire to see the same brotherly love to
each other among those Churches: but how hard a business this is of
settling a peace among those sons of peace, as they pretend
themselves, we understand, to our great grief, only too abundantly.
For it is hardly to be hoped that those of the Reformed and those
of the Augustan confession will ever coalesce into the communion of
one Church; they cannot without force be prevented from severally,
by word and writings, defending their own beliefs; and force cannot
consist with ecclesiastical tranquillity. This, at least, however,
they might allow one to entreat--that, as they do differ, they
would differ more humanely and moderately, and love each other
nevertheless." It is a great pleasure to the Protector to exchange
sentiments on this subject with a Prince of such distinguished
Protestant ancestry.

(XCVIII.) TO THE DUKE OF COURLAND, _March 1657_:--After
thanking this potentate of the Baltic for his hospitality, some
time ago, to an English agent passing through to Muscovy, the
Protector brings to his notice the case of one John Jamesone, a
Scotchman, master of one of the Duke's ships. The ship had been
wrecked going into port, but not by Jamesone's fault. The pilot, to
whom he had intrusted it, according to rule and custom, had been
alone to blame. Jamesone has been a faithful servant of the Duke
for seven years; he is in great distress; and his Highness hopes
the Duke will not stop his pay.

(XCIX.) TO THE CONSULS AND SENATE OF DANTZIG, _April
1657_:--The Dantzigers, for whom the Protector has a great
respect, have unfortunately sided with the Poles against the King
of Sweden. Would that, for the sake of Religion, and in the spirit