Decemb: 1628. At London in the ende of Mich. terme, I fell into a dangerous hote malignant feaver, wherein the Lord shewed me exceedinge much mercye. First he sanctified it unto me, by discoveringe many corrup­413tions which had prevayled over me, givinge me Repentance, and pardon for them, thereby subduinge the fleshe and givinge more strengthe to the spirit: It pleased him to reveale his favour and goodnesse abundantly towards me, so as I never had more sweet Communion with him, then in that affliction; and when in my selfe and the judgment of others I was under the sentence of deathe, it pleased him to restore me to life, by providinge me fitt meanes, an honest and able phisician, Doctor Wright,2 (whose care of me, and kindnesse in refusinge any rewarde etc, I may not forgett), and in blessinge the meanes to their desired ende. Among other benefits I reaped by it, this was one: deliverance from the bondage whereinto I was fallen by the immoderate use and love of Tobacco, so as I gave it cleane over. Another was the experience of the love of his people towards me in all places where I was known, testified by their muche inquiringe after me, mourninge for the feare which was conceived of my deathe, and earnest prayinge for my recoverye: But the greatest of all was, the assurance he gave me of my salvation, and grace over some corruptions which had gotten masterye of me, which increased my experience of his trueth and faithfullnesse in disposinge the worst condition of his children to their best good. I did likewise observe the experience of his good providence, that my sicknesse fastned not upon me till I had finished my lawe businesse, and he restored my healthe so as I was able by the beginninge of the next Terme to followe it againe: The Lord give me grace, never to forgett this kindnesse, but to cleave fast unto him, and to holde that resolution of obedience etc, which he wrought in me. Other favours I founde accompanyinge the former, as preservinge and prosperinge my wife and those who came up and returned with her, and especially so disposinge as our mayd servant, who came up with her, continued in healthe all the tyme of her staye, but in their returne at Chelmsford fell sicke, and gettinge home was neere unto deathe, but it pleased God to recover hir: His holy name be praysed for ever, for all his mercyes. Amen.

I can now no longer dissemble with thee, and I blesse our most gratious and heauenly father in our most holy Lo: Jesus Christ 414that I may yet rather tell thee how I haue been, than to haue feared thee, wth the relation of my condition, when it was vncertaine what the issue would be: I haue had an ague these 8: or 9: dayes. I cannot saye it is quite gone, but I prayse God, it is so well abated, as I hope to be abroad againe ouer a fewe dayes (if God will.) I am heere amonge such louinge freindes, as will suffer me to want nothinge, especially the Lo: beinge pleased to be with me allso in the favour and light of his countenance, yet were it not winter, I could want thee, but (my sweet wife) haue a little more patience and God will restore me to thee soone: I must perswade, and chardge thee not to thinke of comminge vp, for, if it should befall thee other wise then well, it would be worse to me then all this, and much more. writinge is now wearinesse, I leaue thee to supply all duty loue etc. praye for me, the Lo: blesse thee and all ours. I kisse thee farewell