I received thy letters of the 26 of maie this 26 of June, and the messinger beinge presently to returne, I cannot satisfie my self in writinge to the as I desire, let it suffice for the present, that I humbly prayse our heavenly father for his great mercie towardes thee in all respectes, especially for the hope which I conceive, that he hathe pleased to make thee a vessell of glorye for thy saluation in Christ Jesus: and I heartyly reioyce, that he hathe withdrawne thy minde from the love of those worldly vanityes, wherewith the moste part of youthe are poisoned, and hathe given thee to discerne of and exercise thy selfe in, thinges that are of true worthe; I see by your Epistle that you have not spent this yeare past in Idlenesse, but have profited even beyonde my expectations. the Lord grant that thy soule may still prosper in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and in the strength of the spirit, as thy minde is strengthened in wisdome and learninge, for this gives the true lustre and beautye to all giftes both of nature and industrye, and is as wisdome with an Inheritance: I am sure before this you have knowledge of that, which at the time when you wrote you were ignorant of, viz: the departure of your Grandfather (for I wrote over twice since) he hathe finished his course and is gathered to his people in peace, as the ripe corne into the barne. he thought longe for the daye of his dissolution, and wellcomed it most gladlye. thus is he gone before and we must goe after in our tyme, this advantage he hathe of vs, he shall not see the evill which wee may meet with ere we goe hence: happie those who stande in good termes with God and their owne conscience, they shall not feare evill tydinges and in all changes they shalbe the same.

The rest of vs (I prayse God) are in healthe. your grandmother and mother salute and blesse you in the Lord, we all thinke longe to see you, and it is like my selfe shall (if it please God) goe over to you, before I shalbe willinge you should take so great a iorney, and be so longe withdrawne from your happie studyes, to come to vs. It satisfieth me that I knowe you are well and can want nothinge, and that I believe God blesses you: I shall continue to pray for you, and will not be wantinge, to my 283power, to further your good in every thing, and knowe this, that no distance of place, or lengthe of absence, can abate the affection of a lovinge father towardes a dutyfull well deservinge childe: and in that I have not sent you monye all this tyme, it is vpon that assurance which I have of your vnckles and auntes care of you, and his free offer to forbeare me till he should sende, but I have written to him to receive 30 or 40 li. of some of Dublin who have occasion to vse monye in London, and they shall not fayle to receive it againe at my Brother Fones his house vpon the first demande. For Coopers dictionary I will sende it you so soon as I can but it is so difficult and hazardable2 (especially now, since mr. Goad died) as I cannot tell how to conveye that or any thinge els to thee: Remember my kinde love to your good tutor and so in haste I ende, and beseeching daylye the Lord Jesus Christ to be with thee and blesse thee, I rest your lovinge father

The Lord blesse thee, and multiplye his graces in thee, to the buildinge vp of that good worke which (I well hope) is truely begunne in thee, and wherein I reioice daylye and blesse God, who hathe pleased to call thee, and keepe thee in that good course, which yieldes hope to all thy friendes of thy future happinesse. Be watchfull (good sonne) and remember that though it be true in some Cases that principium est dimidium totius, yet in diuinitye he who hath attained beyonde the middest, must still think himselfe to have but newe begunne, for through the continuall instigation of Sathan and our owne proneness to evill, we are allways in danger of beinge turned out of our course. but God will preserve vs to the ende if we trust in him and be guided by his will.

I received no Letters from you since that in Latine wherein you wrote for Coopers dictionary, which I sent you since by London, and I have wrote twice since. I purpose to sende you by this bearer Samuell Gostlin a peece of turkye Grogerame about 10 yardes to make you a suite, and I 284shall have a peece of good clothe against winter to make you a gown all my care is how to gett it well conveyed: I would have sent you some other thinges, with some remembrances to your aunt and cosins, but that the occasion of sendinge this messinger was so suddaine as I could not provide them. If your vnckle come over to Chester you may come with him, and there I hope to see you, be directed by him and your Tutor, for though I muche desire to see you, yet I had rather heare of your wellfare than hazard it, and if your vncle meane to come further than Chester, I would wishe you not to come over nowe, for I am not willinge you should come to Groton this yeare, except your vncle shall much desire your companye. Remember my kinde Love to your good Tutor, and to Mr. Downes, and excuse me to your aunt, that I write not to hir, for I have not leisure, and, if occasion be, imparte my ioye in hir safe deliverance, which we longe muche to hear of. What remaines, this bearer can inform you of all our affaires, putt him in minde (as from me) to be sober and beware of companie. your grandmother and mother salute and blesse you, your vncle Gostlin and aunt salute you, your master at Burye (to whom I wish you to write at leysure), your good host and hostesse, salute you also. Vale.