I haue deferred writing vnto you, in hope to haue ben at Boston 'ere this;

I remember when this plantation began, Mr. Isake Johnson said, more then once, that he was resolved to spend and be spent in this buisines; what he then said you haue effected. Now if the Country should fayle I am confident the Lord will in his good tyme give meanes of freedome out of all your Cares and feares; I haue a Cow Calfe at Mistick, I pray accept of yt, and were I in monie as I haue ben, I should doe that, would become a loving brother; Job was raised to a full estate in this way by his freinds, soe I conceiue tis a dutye and debt the Countrye stands in to free you, and being a way of God you may with Comfort accept yt; however the Country may deale with you, I pray doe not you nor my sister oppresse your spiritts herewith, but wayte with cheerfull patience on the lord, who alone can and ordinarily doth bring good out of evill, and confident I am, he will in his owne way and tyme performe yt to you.

I know not how the buisines stands for mr. Eatons debts, whither I must 174loose that 10li or noe. I am not willing to trouble you therein. I pray speake to my Cosen Stephen to looke after yt for me; soe craving pardon for this boldnes with my love and service to your selfe and my sister I rest Your assured loving brother whilest I am

I receiued a note from you the last sixt day wherin you moued mee to send you the notes which you heard I had gathered concerning the body of Lawes intended I confesse I had done a little as good as nothing against the last generall court in September and brought them downe with mee to a meeting of the Elders at Mr. Cottons thinking others had done the like but none were produced but mine which with much importunity (in regard of my backwardnes) they gatt out of my handes and there I left them And not thinking them worthy the looking after (beeing soe suddayne and vnpolished a transcript) I neuer enquired after them, nor know where they are Had I iudged them worth any thing I shold haue made more enquiry or If I had conceiued they wold haue beene lookt after I shold haue more minded them and taken a course in this interim to haue given myselfe a little better satisfaction in attending to what I cold haue attayned. I pray you to accept of this my Apology and iust excuse And soe praying the Lord to blesse you and all yours I humbly take my leaue, Resting Yours in all obseruance and vnfaynd loue

The Lord blesse you, and yours. And soe helpe mee to beare this and all other tryalls, as I haue intended good to your worship and been faithfull to you in respect any wilfull preiudicinge your Estate; I 175receiued a note the last night by mr. Dauis wherby I did vnderstand that your worship did propose to speak with me at the farme, but the wise god hath disposed otherwise, who is good and all his doings are good, hath brought me neare to you thoughe he hath stopped my passage to you I will quietly beare, and abide the wrath of the Lord for I haue sinned: I am afrayd of the poore wooman in your house, but your worship may perswade hir that the cage doth soome burds good, beinge therin better to haue, and by restraynt of liberty are brought and taught a better note. the good Lord I am perswaded will helpe me at last to make a right vse and for your worship my loue is noe lesse to you, but I am still perswaded, that thought you should follow me to the death I should looue you. I doe desier to know whether bayle may not giue me liberty till the daye of my apearinge, it hath doone it for theeues and murderers. it is not my mind to escape as god shall helpe me I thank your worship for the liberty I had that I am not in the common house it is a mercy the Lord blesse you for it. I pray let me vnderstand that and what bayle will be asked or what your worship thinke best, and soe the Lord Jes. euer bee with you. A poore prisoner