liv.
[1581, Nov. 25. Extract from letter of John Field to the Earl of Leicester, printed from Cotton MS. Titus, B. vii, f. 22, in Collier, i. 245.]
The more Sathan rageth, the more valianter be you under the standert of him who will not be foyled. And I humblie beseech your honor to take heede howe you gyve your hande, either in evill causes, or in the behalfe of evill men, as of late you did for players to the great greife of all the godly; but as you have shewed your forwardnes for the Ministery of the Gospel, so followe that course still. Our Cyttie hath bene well eased of the pester of those wickednesses, and abuses, that were wonte to be nourished by those impure interludes and playes that were in use—surely the schooles of as greate wickednesses as can be. I truste your honor will herein joyne with them that have longe, owt of the word, cryed out against them; and I am persuaded that if your honor knewe what sincks of synne they are, you woulde never looke once towards them. The lord Jesus blesse you. Nov. 25, 1581.
Your good lordshippes most bounden
Jo Feilde.