I prayse God, we came safe to London, and continue in health and founde all well heere: thus it pleaseth the Lorde to followe vs with his blessinges, that we might loue him againe. I finde heer so much to doe, as I doubt I shall not come downe these 3: weekes, but thou maiest be sure I will staye no longer then my occasions shall enforce me.

I must now beginne to prepare thee for our longe partinge, which growes verye neer: I knowe not how to deale with thee by argumentes, for if thou wert as wise and patient as euer woman was, yet it must needs be a great triall to thee, and the greater, because I am so deare to thee: that which I must cheifly looke at in thee, for a grounde of contentment, is thy godli­198nesse: If now the Lord be thy God, thou must shewe it by trustinge in him, and resigninge thy selfe quietly to his good pleasure: if now Christ be thy husbande, thou must shewe what sure and sweet intercourse is betweene him and thy soule when it shalbe no harde thinge for thee, to parte with an earthly, mortall, infirme husbande, for his sake: the enlargment of thy Comforte in the Communion of the Loue and sweet familiarity of thy most holy, heauenly and vndefiled Lorde and husbande, will abundantly recompence whatsoeuer wante or inconuenience may come by the absence of the other: the best course is to turne all our reasons and discourse into prayers, for he onely can helpe, who is Lorde of sea and lande, and hath sole power of life and death.

It is now near XI: of the clocke, and I shall write again ere longe (if God will) the good Lord blesse thee and all thy company: my broth: and sister salute you all. Comend my hearty love to my good sister F: and all the rest. Tell her I wrote to mr. Dummer so soone as I came to towne, and if I can I will speak with him before John goe downe. so I kisse my sweet wife and rest Thy fraile yet faithfull husband