Being soe far remote and hauing opportunity of writinge to you I could not omitte the occasion, considering how far I am ingaged to you in all respectes, and therefore ought not to omitte the thankefull acknowledgment of your loue and bounty vpon any occasion whatsoeuer offered. My vncle and aunt Paynter remembers there salutations: they stand much vpon assuringe an estate vpon my Cosen Vrsula before they will haue any further proceedinge in that matter, wherevpon, you know what termes I offered them but because I was you know vnder age therefore they doe require more certayne assurance Tantae molis erat2 — : Wherevpon they did desire me to ride write to my father, and know his minde, which I did, and he tould me, that if they weare soe wary none but you would pleasure me better, and you he said would, by enteringe bond for me that when I doe or shall come to age I shall assure some thinge on her; I would entreat you therefore to thinke vpon it; and if you shall see fitte to engage your selfe for me, I suppose soe much confidence you impose 224vpon my fidelity as you may assure your selfe you shall not any way sustayne any damage or preiudice by or in me:

We are all in health here Praysed be God, hopinge the like of all with you: I shall be glad to here from you and as soone as possible I can expect me with you, in the meane time with my most thankfull loue to you my Cosen Martha and the rest of all our louinge freindes I rest desiringe you to deliuer or cause to be deliuered these letters enclosed: your euer louinge brother to command

On the same sheet

Louing Brother excues my neglect of writing to you and impute it not to any want either of loue or affection in me towardes: you but rather to my want of skill and art in writing and partly to my want of conuenant time by reason of my maynifould implymentes being in a strang plase and unsettled thus I remayne your euer louing sister