If you knew how ioyful a thing it was to me to receive (the last night) though but one letter from your so renowned plantation (vizt. from Ephr: Child) I am perswaded you would have added to my ioy by a line or two. Before this his letter yours dated Octob. 21, 1632 concerning the moones ecclipse Octo. 17, was the last I received thence. A copy of that I sent to Mr. Milburne, from whom I expected to have received more in that kind about ecclipses, and directed him how to send to you. I received none since from him. Our estate here in particular in General you may better hear from the honest bearer John Firmin, then by my letter. The Lord hath been merveilous in his mercies to this our land; and we have dealt shamefully unthankfully with him: and therefore if he proceede to deal wonderfully in his judgements against us, as he threatned to do with Israel Isa. 29. 13–15, that the Wisdome of the wise shall fail them, and the seers he covered etc. It were just with him. We have not feared when he hath oft shaken the rod, nor turned to him when he hath smitten us, except fainedly, and then to our sins againe. Yea even to spiritual adultery, defiling the mariage bed, and yet say wiping our mouths, What evil have we done: who dare charge us therewith, name him that we may make him smart for it, as some have, others do, and more are likely. I read lately a large letter from Archbishop Grindal of Canterbury to Queen Elizabeth from whom commaund was 143comming to him to forbid exercises, and cause fewer preachers in regard of Contention etc. He writ, God forbid his tongue should be an instrument of publishing that was so to Gods dishonour. We have no power against the trueth, but for the trueth. How it is for the Sabbath you shal heare. What wil become of us God knowes: we had need stand as much in the gap as we can, tho we be not without some danger for it. Blessed be God, there are divers such in this cold Climate of Yorkshire, yea and in Northumberland, people, ministers, gentlemen, and here some knights also. Pray for us deare Sir and desire your ministers to do so in publick, though I conceive they oft do so. God is not yet departed, he walks sometimes in our Gardens, and makes some dead herbs to live and blossome, both elder and yonger in these cold seasons. The God Alsufficient be amongst you, and perserve you that you may be al of one mind according to trueth, that you having salt in your selves may be at peace one with another Mar. 9 end, that you may deny your selves, and your own reasonings, in humility condescending one to another so far as may stand with a good conscience, considering one anothers weakenesse to cover it in love, avoiding needles disputes, causing strife, rather then edifying Heb. 13. 9. I desire al your prayers for me to the God that heareth prayer, that he that hath called me here to the ministery, and given desires of doing his work faithfully and syncerely, εν παρρησία and humility would direct me in al things to do his wil, and keep my selfe pure, and uphold and blesse me and my endeavours, as he hath given me cause of praises to him in this behalfe. Blesse his holy name with me, who rejoice with you in his great kindnes towards you, and hope I shal no longer live, then I abide Your and New Englands faithfull friend so far as I am able

being carefull least by any miscareag of mine I should torn procure your dislike, I thought it not 144amisse to comit vnto your consideration the present ocasion, that may breed some dislike in you off me.

the last night late goodman pease sent your seruant henry Kingsbury for a payre of bullocks. I went this morning with him to looke them but could not find them, so he went without them. I perceiuing that there was a purpose not only for present to vse them but altogether to take them and the rest home, your worship, hauing in time past fatherly intimated to doe me good, which in a larg measure you haue don, but further in this particular putting me forward apon this corse of plowing, and I now hauing indeauored my selfe vnto the period of preparation of the thing intended, as in furnishing my selfe with a maire necessarie for such a corse with all other impliments necessary vnto such ocasions, as plow cart with yoakes and cheynes and Iron workes vnto the disburstment of much monie, doe conceiue that it canot but tend to much disaduantag and losse, besides taking me off cleane from my former intended corse, which I haue this 12 months been ploding apon doe therefore humbly desire your worship, that I may not at the pleasure of any belonging vnto you except your selfe, be at such comand as apon an instant to breake off my practises of this nature, which howeuer as yet you may conceiue it to be an vnprofitable corse for your worship to part with your cattle for so litell benifitt. yet I doubt not but that in a short time both your selfe and others shall comend off it not only to be good in generall, but such cattle as of yours are in mine hand shall be as benificiall as you can espect, and thus desirous to exscuse myselfe of not coming being busily imployed apon necessarie ocasions, I doe humbly craue a word or two for answer vnto my request which is, that what I shall doe in this case, and for either going to help in any imployment for carting or plowing with our draft at your apoyntment at your farme, I will be willing at all times, or otherwise to giue you a part of the thing I shall doe acording to your content. only vntil such times as I can furnish my selfe with a plow teame, let me not be weakened noe more then your loue toward me will afford, and that your cattle may not be required at the wills of such as may hapily fayle in care towards me. Yours in all humble respect