I receiued thy kinde and welcome Lettres, and doe heartyly blesse our mercifull God for his gratious prouidence ouer thee and all our familye: oh that we had heartes to loue him and trust in him as his kindnesse is towards vs: I am sory that I cannot returne to thee so soone as I made account, for comminge to Childerditch2 vpon saterday last, I found my Cosin Barfut very ill, and decayinge so fast as on mundaye morninge I could not leaue him, so stayinge with him about noone he comfortably and quietly gaue vp the Ghost: I sawe Gods proui­292dence had brought me thither to be a stay and comfort to hir in that suddaine tryall when none of hir freinds were with hir; by this occasion it was Wensdaye night before I could gett to London: where (I prayse God) I found all well except my brother Fones, who is aguishe etc: as he useth to be. the dayes are heere so shorte and the weather so could as I can dispatch no businesse, so that it wilbe the ende of the next weeke before I can gett home. heer is no certaine newes, but much expected within fewe dayes. Till I come haue care of thy selfe and little ones (as I knowe thou doest); remember my duty to mother, and my loue to mr. Sandes and all the rest. So with my kindest loue to my sweet wife, and my blessinge to our children I comende thee and all the rest to the blessinge and protection of the lord and rest Thy faithful louinge husband