lves. While we
advise thus fraternally and freely, we are meanwhile not idle on
our own part: what alone it is allowed to us at such a distance to
do, whether for securing the safety of those who are endangered, or
for succouring the poverty of those who are in need, we have taken
all pains in our power to do, and shall yet take all pains, God
grant to us both such tranquillity and peace at home, such a
settled condition of things and times, that we may be able to turn
all our resources and strength, all our anxiety, to the defence of
His Church against the fury and madness of His enemies!"

[Footnote 1: The day of the month not given either in the Printed
Collection or in the Skinner Transcript; but we may date by the last
letter.]

(CXXII.-CXXV.) TO LOUIS XIV. AND CARDINAL MAZARIN: end of
_May_ 1658:[1]--This is a group of four letters, two to the
King and two to the Cardinal, all appertaining to the splendid
embassy of compliment on which Cromwell despatched his son-in-law,
Viscount Falconbridge, in the end of May 1658, when he heard that
the French Court had come so near England as Calais (ante pp.
340-341):--(1.) TO LOUIS XIV. "Most serene and potent King, most
august Friend and Ally,--Thomas, Viscount Falconbridge, my
son-in-law, being on the point of setting out for France, and
desiring to come into your presence, to kiss your royal hand and
testify his veneration and the respect which he cherishes for your
Majesty, though, on account of the great pleasantness of his
society, I am unwilling to part with him, yet, as I do not doubt
but, from the Court of so great a King, in which so many most
prudent and valiant men have their resort, he will shortly return
to us much more accomplished for all honourable occupations, and in
a sense finished, I have not thought it right to oppose his mind
and wish. And, though he is one, if I mistake not, who may seem to
bring his own sufficient recommendations with him wherever he goes,
yet, if he should feel himself somewhat more acceptable to your
Majesty on my account, I shall likewise consider myself honoured
and obliged by that same kindness. May God keep your Majesty safe,
and long preserve our fast friendship for the common good of the
Christian world."--(2.) TO CARDINAL MAZARIN. As his son-in-law Lord
Falconbridge is going into France, recommended by a letter to the
French King, Cromwell cannot but in