Catalogue description TOBIE, BISHOP OF DURHAM, to LORD WILLOUGHBY, at Grimsthorp.

--"Your Lordship was not so desyrous to see me at Grimsthrop as I would have been gladd to meet you at London, where I was in hope that oportunitye would well have served, that I might have entred some such acquaintance with your Lordship as I had contynued with my verie honorable good Lord your Father, whoe thoughe deceased, yet liveth to God, and with all good men in everlasting remembraunce. I presume your Lordship hath no need to be excited to the imitation of his excellent graces of religion, magnanimitie, wisdome and the rest : But sufficeth only to recommende to your memorie this one short worde of St. Ambrose, "Ille charissimus patri est filius, qui bonorum ejus imitator est :" where is to be observed, that he referreth a sonne rather to the resemblaunce of his father's virtues, then to succession in his nobilitie and possessions, and therefore saith not "honorum," but "bonorum." The large thanckes your Lordship is pleased to bestowe on me and myne, togeather with so franck and honorable profession of your true and sincere affeccion towardes us, is a more then sufficient requittall of any care or kindnes wee have showed to Mr. Vere your brother, a fine gentleman truly, and of exceeding good disposicion, whome I earnestly recommend to your brotherly, or rather nowe fatherly, love and regarde : which I doubt not, but he will in tyme as well deserve, as your selfe will desyre. The while presenting to your Lordship myne unfegned frendly salutacions in place of my presence (for the reasons by your selfe acknowledged) I betake your good Lordship right heartilie to the grace of God."