I received your letter from Gravesende, and doe blesse God for your safe arrivall there, but I heard not from you since, which I impute to the suddaine departure of your Captaine out of the Downes vpon the Dukes comminge thither; but I hope to heare from you soone, for I longe to vnderstande how you fare, and what entertainment you finde with your Captaine, that accordingly I may be stirred vp to prayer for you and to blesse God for his mercyes towardes you. I knowe not what further advise to give you, than you have allready received, and as your owne observation, vpon occasion, shall directe you: onely be carefull to seeke the Lorde in the first place, and with all earnestnesse, as he who is onely able to keepe you in all perills and to give you favour in the sight of those, who may be instrumentes of your wellfare: and account it a great pointe of wisdome, to keepe diligent watche ouer your selfe that you may neither be infected by 353the evill conversation of any that you may be forced to converse with, neither that your owne speeche or behaviour be any iust occasion to hurte or ensnare you. be not rashe vpon ostentation of valor, to adventure your selfe to vnnecessarye dangers, but if you be lawfully called, lett it appeare that you hould your life for him, who gave it you, and will preserve it vnto the furthest period of his owne holye decree, for you may be resolved, that while you keepe in your waye, all the cannons or enemyes in the worlde shall not be able to shorten your dayes one minute: for my parte, as a father who desires your wellfare as mine owne, I cease not daylye to commende you to God, beseechinge him, to preserve prosper and blesse you, that I may receive you againe in peace, and have assurance of enioying you in a better life, when your course heer shalbe finished. Your friendes heere (I prayse God) are all in healthe, and are daylye mindfull of you. Lett me heare from you so soone and ofte as you may conveniently. Remember my Love and service to your good Captaine. the Lord blesse you ever so I rest your loving father

I receiued thy most kinde letter and thanke thee for it I wish thy imployments coulde suffer thee to come home but I must wayt the time till I may enioy thee. though it cannot be without much want of thy beloued presence which I desyre alwayes to haue with me. I see it is the will of god that it shoulde be so which makes me beare it the more paciently, and not any want of loue in my beloued Husband now my deare I haue nothinge to right of to thee but my loue which is all ready knowne to thee, and it ware needeles for me to make relation of that which thou art so wel assured. I will leaue of this discorce for this time. I shalbe glad to heare of my daughter Mary how hir mach goeth forwarde. wee are all heare in reasonable good health I prayse god, which is the best nuse I can right to thee of. I heare that mr. Apulton is dead that lived at Sir R C2 he dyed very suddaynely on saterday being well ouer night, and thus with my best lou to thy selfe brother and sister Downinge my sonne John and daughter Mary I desyre the lord to continue all your healthes and prosper 354all your affayres and send vs a happy metinge. I being sleppy as you may see by my righting bid my good Husban god night and commit him to the safe protection of almyty god and rest—thy faythfull and obedient wife