most worthie to be loved and honored alwaies by mee —

I received pure honye, and not bare wordes in the letter which you sente unto mee. The sweetnes whereof dothe so delight mee, that I shall never forget the remembrance of your love therein expressed. I knowe not howe to value the price thereof beinge so effectuallie and lovinglie shewed: but to recompence it with the like (thoughe I gladely woulde) I finde my selfe not able. For you have ministered unto me a nue occasion to augment my desire to love you, and to admire those excellent giftes and graces of wisdome and learninge, which I nowe plainelie see to bee in you. Wherefore I thincke myselfe happie to inioye your love, and acknowledge it for a 266great blessinge that you vouchsafe to thincke me worthie of it. The which I doe faithfullie vowe by all meanes to preserve and maintaine so long as we live together in this transitory life.

If my meanes coulde in any measure equall the height of my desire, I shoulde be studious to expresse myselfe reallie thanckfull for the great respecte which I have alwaies founde in your selfe and familie: I praie God give mee grace to walke woorthie of your Love; which I have founde so constant, as I have greatlie marvailed why you shoulde bestowe so great Love of one of so smale merite. It is God his mercie unto me, to whom I doe desire to be thanckefull as the first, and to your selfe as the seconde. As for many, so this last token of your great love unto me, which I cannot any waie requight, neither are woordes of force to discharge so great a dett, as I doe, and ever will acknowledge deservedly due unto you. And although, good uncle, I do not saie, have patience and I will paie, yet I doe desire that in your Love you woulde be pleased to accepte of this verball acknowledgement, till a more actuall performance discharge somme parte of that which I owe. I have read with great comforte a true description of the gratious life and blessed deathe of your woorthie sister.2 I doute not but her praires have, and will be effectuall to drawe goddes blessinges uppon her posteritie: I praie God perfitt his woorke of grace, where it is begunne in any of us: that wee maye walke as shee hathe given us an example. Thus, good uncle, fearinge my scribblinge lynes wilbe troublesome in the readinge, with my best affection I committ you to God: Desiring him to continue his aboundant grace unto you; that you may bee as the light that shyneth more unto the perfitt daie: To whose protection I commit our soules: and rest ever, your lovinge thoughe unwoorthie neece,