A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 1

Forth Winthrop to John Winthrop1
Winthrop, Forth Winthrop, John

1628-12-15

To the right Worshipfull his very lovinge Father John Winthrop Esq. at mr. Downings dd this London.

In hoc tenebrarum ambitu, in hoc lachrimarum Labyrintho, in hoc vanissimo mundi theathro, vnusquisque viator est, nec non peregrinus. Atque inde neminem secundis genijs foelicem, neminem dijs, hominibusque plaudentibus in hoc malorum mari beatum dici posse videatur. Secundum illud, Nemo tam divos habuit faventes, crastinum vt possit sibi polliceri. Qui vero Caelum ipsum immortalitatis cedem sedem immaculata animâ, corpore obscuris vitiorum nubilis neutiquam obfuscato meditantem meditans, et tanquam filius patrem, exul patriam, miserus foelicitatem, totis conatibus Deum patrem, Caelum patriam, et Christum foelicitatis fontem exoptantem exoptans in hac peregrinatione ambulavit; ille ad foelicitatis apicem in hoc mundo non solum properitissime accessit, verum etiam illi Deus amplissimam beatitudinis ianuam aperte patefecit. Et quando ex huius mundi tempestuosissimo pelago ad portum aeternae salutis absque fidei naufragio, veritatis interitu, et religionis damno foeliciter navigavit, Deo foelicitatis fonte satis abunde perfruetur. Et post multos lachrymarum ambitus otium sine labore, salutem sine aegritudine, gaudium sine dolore adeptus, tandem aliquando regnans, triumphansque cum omnibus Christi fidelibus aeternum Deo patri canet Haleluiea. Atque haec omnia tu (Pater amantissime) tamquam vngues, digitosque cognoscens hanc inexpectatam nobis aegritudinem melius, pacato animo, arridenti vultu sufferre, et tollerare contra omnia es praemunitus. Atque etiam hac in re nos consolati sumus pro comperto scientes omnia in meliora operari, et quod deus vltra vires te tentari non patietur. Praesertim autem cum videmus Deum omnipotentem, cui in aeternum gratias, intemperiem vestram etiam iam aliquantulum mittegasse, adeo vt non prius de aegritudine, quam etiam de salute accepimus novitatem. Orandus ergo deus est, vt, quemadmodum incepit, pergat, et vt tandem te incolumem nobis perfecte redditurum audiamus. qua precatione, morigerosum mei officium tibi, obsequium avunculis, et amitis, amorem amicis omnibus impertiens, te, vestramque salutem Dei mando providentiae. Vale. Filius tuus in omni obedientiâ

Forth: Winthrop. Decem: 15 1628. 416

Sir I stand in need of a cloake my other beinge much worne and also a great deale too shorte for me, and if you shall thincke fitt, I shall beceech you to bid your man bye me one of some good coulour and send it downe, or other wise as shall seeme to you best. my Grandmother desires her commendations. Thomas remembreth his service to you.

1.

W. 1. 40.

Brampton Gurdon to John Winthrop1
Gurdon, Brampton Winthrop, John

1628-12-15

Good Sir

I reseyued your letter. I am glad to hear that you haue hope to returne home before the tyem, I was on thursday with mris. wenthrop who was much perplecced at the report of your scecke sick estate but thanckes be to god that hathe geuen yow suche strengthe as to purpos your returne. I hope god will so strengthen yow thear in as to pas it with comfort to your selfe and many of your frendes. hear was with me this day Sir Raff madeson2 with a commicyon of oyer to the 6 fornamed knightes and now Sir Ro. hecham3 is in the fore rancke with them they are to met on tewesday the 23 of this 10bur at Ipswich about that scearnes.4 I am glad you entend to see grases I pray commend me to them, I would wishe you to lye the first night at Mr. Care myeldmes and the next to grases and then hether. it is your best way to come by fordam and smalbrook and thus desyreng to be recommended to your scelf and to both your brothers and sesters I pray god to kepe vs and so I rest Your verry louing frend

B. Gurdon Assen5 this 15 of 10bur1628
1.

W. Au. 35.

2.

Sir Ralph Maddison or Maddestone (1571?–1655?), son of Edward Maddison, of Fonaby, co. Lincoln, and Katharine, daughter of Ralph Bosville, of Bradbourne, co. Kent. D. N. B. , XXXV. 297.

3.

Sir Robert Hitcham (1572?–1636) of Levington, co. Suffolk, serjeant-at-law. Ibid., XXVII. 14.

4.

The same as ‘scarnes,’ an old form of ‘scarceness.’ N. E. D.

5.

Assington.

Anne Winthrop to John Winthrop1
Winthrop, Anne Winthrop, John

1628-12

my deare and onely sonne my most louinge sonne

I am very sory for thy sicknes and pray to god night and day for thy good recouery which I desier with the most intier affection of my hart and wishe my self present 417with the I haue no balme to send the but I will offer vp to the lord the prayers of a true mornfull mothers hart till I se thy face with comfort which god in his riche mercie grant me poore soule I pray sonne remember me to yovr brother and sister your mornfull mother

A. W.
1.

W. Au. 33; L. and L. , I. 280.