soe I haue now rec: 2. letters from you onelye. I perceue now that I was deceaued in thinkinge you had written me one letter more then you did: for that (the contentes werof you 197imply in this letter) I did receaue. In this and with this in the other letters I haue found soe much kinde satisfaction, and love, as will binde me and I trust holde me to the returninge of all the love and seruice I am able while I live. And blessed be the Lord that sente me where I shoulde finde soe much godly simplicity and trueth mixed with fidelitye and love in soe many worthy Christian friendes, whose heartes himselfe doubteles hath specially moved, and I hope will directe that when I come I finde noe discouragemente, nor giue any.

I know, Sir, youer many and important affares and I should not trouble you with our priuate busines: but you haue not ben vnacquaynted with the importunitye of suters (at leaste in other kindes) and I hope you will beare with mine in this, which is, that you would be pleased, to give me your good directions for my comming vnto you and the best order of accomplishing this busines there: which I cannot soe well contriue: here for want of conference with her selfe,2 which by letter cannot so well be done, and I am much of this conceite that her being soe farre out of London with her familye will occasion the spendinge of very much tyme in this iourneye, which I truste will be soone after your directions; and these I desire you hasten by the nexte, soe trusting to see you er longe I signe my selfe your worships one word illegible to be commanded.

I prayse God, we came safe to London, and continue in health and founde all well heere: thus it pleaseth the Lorde to followe vs with his blessinges, that we might loue him againe. I finde heer so much to doe, as I doubt I shall not come downe these 3: weekes, but thou maiest be sure I will staye no longer then my occasions shall enforce me.

I must now beginne to prepare thee for our longe partinge, which growes verye neer: I knowe not how to deale with thee by argumentes, for if thou wert as wise and patient as euer woman was, yet it must needs be a great triall to thee, and the greater, because I am so deare to thee: that which I must cheifly looke at in thee, for a grounde of contentment, is thy godli­198nesse: If now the Lord be thy God, thou must shewe it by trustinge in him, and resigninge thy selfe quietly to his good pleasure: if now Christ be thy husbande, thou must shewe what sure and sweet intercourse is betweene him and thy soule when it shalbe no harde thinge for thee, to parte with an earthly, mortall, infirme husbande, for his sake: the enlargment of thy Comforte in the Communion of the Loue and sweet familiarity of thy most holy, heauenly and vndefiled Lorde and husbande, will abundantly recompence whatsoeuer wante or inconuenience may come by the absence of the other: the best course is to turne all our reasons and discourse into prayers, for he onely can helpe, who is Lorde of sea and lande, and hath sole power of life and death.

It is now near XI: of the clocke, and I shall write again ere longe (if God will) the good Lord blesse thee and all thy company: my broth: and sister salute you all. Comend my hearty love to my good sister F: and all the rest. Tell her I wrote to mr. Dummer so soone as I came to towne, and if I can I will speak with him before John goe downe. so I kisse my sweet wife and rest Thy fraile yet faithfull husband