I suppose, thou didest not expecte to have any more lettres from me till the returne of our shippes, but so is the good pleasure of God, that the windes should not serue yet to carrye vs hence, he will doe all thinges in his owne tyme and that shalbe for the best in the ende. we acknowledge it a great mercye to vs, that we went not out to sea on mundaye when the winde was faire for one daye, for we had been exposed euer since to sore tempestes and contrarye windes: I prayse God, we are all in good health, and want nothinge. for my selfe, I was neuer at more liberty of bodye and minde these many yeares, the Lord make me thankfull and wise to improue his blessinges for the furtherance of his owne worke: I desire to resigne my selfe wholly to his gratious disposinge, o, that I had an heart so to doe, and to trust perfectly in him, for his assistance in all our wayes: we finde him still goeinge alonge with vs, he hath brought in the heart of the master of our shippe3 to afforde vs all good respect, and to ioyne with vs in euerye good action: yesterday he caused his seamen to keepe a fast with vs, wherein the Lorde assisted vs and our minister very comfortably, and when 5: of the clocke came, I had respitt to remember thee, (it beinge frydaye) and to parlye with thee, and to meet thee in spiritt before the Lorde: after supper we discouered some notorious lewd persons of our owne company, who in tyme of our fast, had comitted thefte, and done other vilanies, for which we haue caused them to be seuerely punished.

I am vncertaine whither I shall haue opportunitye to sende these to thee, for if the winde turne we shall soone be gone. therefore I will not write much. I knowe, it wilbe sufficient for thy present comfort to heare of our wellfare: and this is the third lettre I haue written to thee, since I came to Hampton, in requitall of those 2: I receiued from thee, which I doe often read with much delight, apprehending so much loue and sweet Affection in them, as I am neuer satisfied with readinge, nor can reade them without teares, but whither they proceed from ioy, sorrowe or desire, or from that consent of Affection which I allwayes holde with thee, I cannot conceiue: 229Ah my deare heart, I euer helde thee in high esteeme, as thy loue and goodnesse hath well deserued, but (if it be possible) I shall yet price thy vertue at a greater rate, and longe more to enioye thy sweet society then euer before. I am sure thou art not shorte of me in this desire, let vs pray harde and pray in faith, and our God, in his good tyme will accomplish our desire. O, how loth am I to bidd thee Farewell, but since it must be, Farewell, my sweet loue, farewell: Farewell my deare children and familye, the Lord blesse you all, and grant me to see your faces once againe. come (my deare) take him and let him rest in thine armes, who will euer remaine Thy faithfull husband

I received 2: letters from you since I came to Hampton and this is the seconde I have written backe to you. I doe muche reioyce and blesse God, for that goodnesse I finde in you towardes me, and mine. I doe praye and assuredly expecte that the Lorde will rewarde it plentyfully into your bosome: for it is his promise to prolonge their dayes (which in­230cludes all outward prosperity) who give due honor to their parentes:2 trust him (sonne) for he is faithfull: labour to growe into neerer communion and acquaintance with him, and you shall finde him a good God, and a master worthe the servinge, aske of any who have tryed him, and they will iustifie him in his kindnesse and bounty to his servantes. yet we must not look that he should allwayes giue vs what we think might be good for vs, but waite, and let him take his owne waye, and the ende will satisfie our expectation.

our Shippe and the Talbott are now at Yarmouthe, but the Jewell and Ambrose are putt backe vnto the Cowes, we have had verye tempestuous weather, with the winde at S: W: so as some shippes which went out at the needles before vs, are driven backe againe, and we intende not to stirre till we see the winde settled. I would wish woemen and Children not to goe to sea till Aprill, and then to take shipping at London, if we had doone so, it had eased vs of muche trouble and Charge. There lye nowe at Cowes 2: shippes of Holland bound one to the streights and the other to the East Indies, of 100: tons a peece, which putting to sea in february spent their mastes, and with muche difficulty and losse of neere 100: men, are come in hither. there came in lately by vs a shippe from Virginia laden with tobaco: the master came aborde vs, and tould vs, that they want corne there. she was 14: weeks outward, and yet lost but one man. I praye certifie me by the next occasion, what the wine cost for the Common vse, and if you have laid out any more in that kinde, that I may perfecte my Accompt.

I praye prepare mony so soone as you can, that I may be Cleere with mr. Goffe and others: and that my parte in the iointe stocke may be made vp.

Sir Nath: Barnardiston desired to putt in monye into our ioynt stock, remember my love and respecte to him, and if he will putt in 50 li. take it as parte of the 200: which I have putt in allreadye, except you have monye enoughe to supplye more: Yesterdaye we kept a fast aborde our shippe and in the Talbott, mr. Philipps exercised with vs the wholl daye, and gave verye good Content to all the Companye, as he dothe in all his exercises, so as we have muche Cause to blesse God for him.

In the Talbott a woman was lately deliuered of a sonne and bothe like to doe well.

For other things, which Concerne my Affairs at home, I referre them to your Care, and the good providence of the Allmighty.

Comend my love to all our good freindes, as you have occasion. To my daughter Winthrop, your sister and Cosin, and to mr. Leigh, mr. Mott and 231that family, and to all at Castlins, and the rest whom I cante now name and the Lorde blesse directe and prosper you in all your wayes, so farewell my good sonne. your lovinge father