1, 1657." The letter to Oldenburg contains matter of more interest:-- "To HENRY OLDENBURG.
"I am glad you have arrived safe at Saumur, the goal of your travel, as I believe.

You are not mistaken in thinking the news would be very agreeable to me in particular, who both love you for your own merit, and know the cause of your undertaking the journey to be so honourable and praiseworthy.
"As to the news you have heard, that so infamous a priest has been called to instruct so illustrious a church, I had rather any one else had heard it in Charon's boat than you in that of Charenton; for it is mightily to be feared that whoever thinks to get to heaven under the auspices of so foul a guide will be a whole world awry in his calculations.

Woe to that church (only God avert the omen!) where such ministers please, mainly by tickling the ears,--ministers whom the Church, if she would truly be called _Reformed_, would more fitly cast out than desire to bring in.
"In not having given copies of my writings to any one that does not ask for them, you have done well and discreetly, not in my opinion alone, but also in that of Horace:-- "Err not by zeal for us, nor on our books Draw hatred by too vehement care.
"A learned man, a friend of mine, spent last summer at Saumur.

He wrote to me that the book was in demand in those parts; I sent only one copy; he wrote back that some of the learned to whom he had lent it had been pleased with it hugely.

Had I not thought I should be doing a thing agreeable to them, I should have spared you trouble and myself expense.