Had not the Almighty (who is righteous in the middest of mans unrighteousnes) stirred up certaine malicious and slanderous persons to defame me with impudent false and shameles reports to my no smale griefe and trowble I had been with you before this day, knowing right well how comfortable the face of a friend is in such sad conditions as yours at present. How I haue been and am affected with those losses and crosses are befallen you by your unfaithfull servant he that made the heart best knoweth; But when I consider how unhappy a man may be in the fullest and most plentifull enjoyment of worldly treasures then I judge you neerer happines in the losse of them; not dowbting but our gracious God will sanctefie his hand unto you, assuring my selfe it will be good for you in the end. How prone would Gods people be to haue their hearts ensnared and taken up with the world and the riches and honors thereof if he should not sometimes shew us their vanity. He that brought Job so low (after he was humbled before him) blessed his latter daies more then his former. We haue to doe with the same God: He can doe what he will, and let this be our comfort he will doe what is best for us: therefore let us shew foorth his praise by patient submitting to his hand, joyning therewith a diligent enquiry after the cawse twixt him and our selues. I haue too often used a foolish proverb, I had rather be envyed than pittyed: but I finde by lamentable experience Gods word 193true, That none can stand before envy, and therefore prefer your condicion far before mine owne, whom I conceiue to be compassed about with Friends. But alas however a Friend loues at all times, now is the time of tryall; and heerein (as many other waies) I dowbt not but you will gaine by your present condicion, which the Lord in mercy grant. What you wrote to our Governour he imparted to me. Few or none of note haue commen from your parts this way of late by reason of the season. So that we heare not what order you haue taken in your busines. If my presence may any way stand you in steed you may command it and my best service therewith. I pray you Sir take it not ill that I am thus plaine. If I faile tis occasioned by my loue knowing right well how such an unexpected streight may pinch a good estate which I should be very sorry to heare. Be you and yours saluted in the Lord, to whom my prayers are that his comforts may exceed your crosses: And so desiring your prayers take leaue remayning your assured Friend simpathizing with you

I have received your letter, with much thankfulnesse, accounting myselfe not a litle ingaged to you aboute my former bonds, that at so greate a distance I am so neere your thoughts. your good counsell was very seasonable and helpe much to stay my not altogether quieted consciense which for the spase of above 3 months laboured of much paine contracted by the remembrance of my evill life (blessed bee god for his goodnesse to mee in revealing my selfe to my selfe) that love which yow expressed to mee the evening before my voyage so much wrought with mee as that the seas and discommoditys of a suddenly-vndertaken voyage were not comparatively so troblesome to mee as my owne thoughts, which yet I could well beare till my second ship was ready for England which had not beene 2 dayes at sea before a storme broke out and it scarsely ended till wee had beene of home which presenting mee the possibility of death, and the horrours to come after as it denyed mee stomacke, sleepe, and any other rest so did not it leave mee but added to my other greifes a feaver, in which agonys the Lord helped mee very much, for though the ship had neither surgeon, nor fresh 194meate or any confection to alay the fury of my desease, before my arrivall, my health returned, and by the meanes of a gentleman of Wales, a minester who this summer intends to bee with yow, my inward man received much rest, and sense that heere in London by the constant helpe of a faithfull preacher, both in publique and private much more, which that it may continue I humbly begge your prayers: and having discovered to yow my spirituall estate, I will bee bold to disclose my temporall. Vpon my first coming to London my father was so much displeased with mee that I almost altogether dispaired of any Looane from him, but the Lord was not absent at so greate neede, and moved his heart to continue 50li a yeere to mee, which without increase lasted till now, and as I am informed the next quarter it shall bee doubled. but as yet I have not obteined leave to visit my father. I am bold to become an humble sutor to yow, that if yet yow have them, it may please yow to send mee those letters which yow received from my father while I was with yow.

by a ship that went to your parts from Barnestaple I presented yow a letter and in it signified the peace, and such other newse as I could gett. at my coming to London the downes were stuffed with a greate Armado of Spannish shipps full of souldiers some suppose, their intent was when his Majesty should be busy in the Northerne parts, to have landed in the Southerne. the Hollander met him at sea and for safeguard forsed him in to the King's chamber where by the regall command they were suplyed with what they would. amongst the rest they had much powlder and shott, not with standing which helpe a tenth part of them scarse returned home, for the flemings sett vpon them againe as soone as they had weighed anchor even in sight of the King's shipps, and forst 25 of them a shoare which never came of, 15 they burnt, and tooke 7. The generall of Naples was slaine Trampe him selfe the flemmish Admiral was hardly beset, but hee came of bravely. it is suspected that wee shall have warrs with france, for some iniurys donne to the Prince Palatine whom with his 2 bretheren they deteine prisoners. Normandy is lately in Rebellion expecting English aides, but that fier is now quenched and garrisons put into most of their townes, at the cuntrys charge. the Prince of Oringe hath some noble designe in hand, for hee hath commanded all the English Captaines, vpon forfeeture of their places to returne, by the first of Aprill the 11th daye of which month our Parliament is to beginne for which the writs are already drawne with blankes. The Lord Deputy of Ireland that is now Lord Leutenant, and hath powre to asigne a deputy; hee is also created Earle of Strafford. Sir Hen: Vane is tresurer of the houshold, and Sir Thomas Germaine Controller, both of them are to bee made Barons 195against the next year. my Lord Coventree is dead and in his place my Sir Lord Finch that was cheife iustice of the common pleas, in whose rombe there, Sir Edward Litleton that was Solicitor is put My Lord Keeper that was, left 12000li a yeere in lands, beside 8000li a yeere which hee had got with mariages for his sonnes. and in ready mony there was found 40000li the Lords amongst them have lent the King 300000li my Lord of Northumberland, 20000li my Lord of Pembrook 20000li Cant. 3000li and my Lord Keeper but 6000li at which offer the King gave him some unkind words the greefe whereof as tis reported kild him. my Lord of Dorset lends 10000li and very carefully payeth his debts. my Lady Dutchesse of Ritchmond is dead, and the Dutchesse of Lenox the Dukes mother. The Bishop of Lincolne should have had an other sensure this last terme but vpon his humble petition to the King it is deferred till the next. and as tis thought, hee shall bee no more trobled, hee is still a Lord Bishop but sine officio and beneficio. for his maintainance hee hath out of his lands (which are extended at halfe the value to pay his fine of 11000li) 800li per annum and hee either hath or faines an humility next basenesse, which maketh him now the subiect of each mans pitty. Prage is taken. there are six armys on foote in Germany lying in severall places. there were the begining of the last month 200 soldeers prest, to augment the garrisons in the castles of Garnsy, Jersy and Silly where the 3 prisoners yet continue. Dr. Mickletwaite is dead, at his new living of 300li per annum and in his rombe wee have a man, nulli impietate secundus.2 but our hopes are that hee will shortly bee a B.B. and then tis possible that honesty may creepe in to the Temple church. The greatest grand in Spaine is dayly expected heere an Ambassador, there are greate preparations of rich clothes bespoken by his agents, for forte boyes, pages, and gentlemen. my Lord of Arundel was this last winter goeing to Matagascar, with his wife and yonger childeren, there hee would have founded a common-wealth of which him selfe was to bee Prince, but at last his Lordship was content to send and stay at home. my Lord of Marle-borough hath letters of Mart and is gone to the West India. other newse then this I call not now to mind. yow writ for a booke of Mr. Dudleys which I left in my chamber with Mr. George Downings Plutarch, and a booke of Mr. Maverickes. if it may bee my good happ to do yow servise or any of gods people with yow, assure your selfe I shall bee more ioyfull of such imploiment then I can expresse. my creditors there I shall with what speede I can satisfy, (god knowes my heart) there is nothing at this time more trobles mee than 196these ingagements I have received no letter from Mr. Peter which maketh mee much marvell considering that I left with him some bills for my creditors payable some 2 yeeres after the date. some of them had bills before but I was then vnder age and therefore the bills void, which delivering the new Mr. Peter should have taken vp the old and sent to mee I humbly beseeche yow Sir to mind him of this, and to remember mee in your prayers for which for ever command Your true freind and servant