_April 13th._ A heavier Charge than either of the above hath been got up, concerning the wicked Woman of _Kent_, with whom they accuse him of having tampered, that, in her pretended Revelations and Rhapsodies, she might utter Words against the _King's_ Divorce. His Name hath, indeed, been put in the Bill of Attainder; but, out of Favour, he hath been granted a private Hearing, his Judges being, the new Archbishop, the new Chancellor, his Grace of _Norfolk_, and Master _Cromwell_. He tells us that they stuck not to the Matter in Hand, but began cunningly enow to sound him on the _King's_ Matters; and finding they could not shake him, did proceed to Threats, which, he told 'em, might well enow scare Children, but not him; and as to his having provoked his Grace the _King_ to sett forth in his Book aught to dishonour and fetter a good Christian, his Grace himself well knew the Book was never shewn him save for verbal Criticism when the Subject-matter was completed _by the Makers of the same_, and that he had warned his Grace not to express soe much Submission to the Pope. Whereupon they with great Displeasure dismissed him, and he took Boat for _Chelsea_ with mine Husband in such gay Spiritts, that _Will_, not having been privy to what had passed, concluded his Name to have beene struck out of the Bill of Attainder, and congratulated him thereupon soe soone as they came aland, saying, "I guess, _Father_, all is well, seeing you thus merry." "It is, indeed, son _Roper_," returns _Father_ steadilie; repeating thereupon, once or twice, this Phrase, "All is well." _Will_, somehow mistrusting him, puts the Matter to him agayn. "You are then, _Father_, put out of the Bill?" "Out of the Bill, good Fellow?" repeats _Father_, stopping short in his Walk, and regarding him with a Smile that _Will_ sayth was like to break his Heart.... "Wouldst thou know, dear Son, why I am so joyful? In good Faith, I have given the Devil a foul Fall; for I have with those Lords gone so far, as that without great Shame I can ne'er go back. The first Step, _Will_, is the worst, and that's taken." And so, to the House, with never another Word, _Will_ being smote at the Heart. But, this Forenoon, deare _Will_ comes running in to me, with Joy all bright, and tells me he hath just heard from _Cromwell_ that _Father's_ Name is in sooth struck out. Thereupon, we go together to him with the News. He taketh it thankfully, yet composedly, saying, as he lays his Hand on my Shoulder, "In faith, _Meg_, _quod differtur non aufertur_." Seeing me somewhat stricken and overborne, he sayth, "Come, let's leave good _Will_ awhile to the Company of his own select and profitable Thoughts, and take a Turn together by the Water Side."