Page:The History of the Church & Manor of Wigan part 2.djvu/201

380 and instigated me to oppose the Jurisdiction of Yorke, which he might safely swear he never did. Wherf they had done with him they did purpose to beginne with me, and with you also it seemes by your Lpp's letter, but upon my letter to my Lord's grace, and the mediation of a friend, I hear my Lord is prettie well pacified, and though your Lopp have made no such meanes yet I imagine you shall hear no more of that matter. Our comfort is, if the cause come to hearing there, we may be confident of good successe in the suite where the same persons must be both our accusers and our judges. But your Lopp I thinke doth judge aright that these are but vaine braggs whereby Rasdell hopes to prove himself a brave man. I like well your christian resolution to endure 20 injuries rather then repay one, and thereupon I. will rest, unlesse your Lopp shall see both reason and good ground to vindicate our right, wherein I shall be most willing to joyne with you.

I have sent you long since such instructions as I had, and for directions how to prosecute this busines which you desire from me I do expect from you who can farr better direct then I can. I have scribbled these few lines in answere to your Lpp's letter which I received the last night. If there be occasion I shall intreat your counsell. And so with my loving salutations and my wive's to your self and good Mrs. Bridgman, we commend you to God's gracious p'tection, and I shall ever rest
 * your Lpp'* verie loving brother

.
 * Rose Castle this Sept 8, 1635."

The following letters of archbishop Laud written to bishop Bridgeman in 1635 are highly interesting as throwing some light upon the affairs of Manchester College at that time, and as illustrating the archbishop's care for the church at Whalley as well as for the future interests of his successors with respect to the lease of the tithes of that church, which appear to have belonged to the archbishops of Canterbury: