such is my loue to you and my respect of you as I cannot but take kindly from you this motion of which I was desierous neuer to haue heard more of and as well as I could indure to spake of such a busnes I intrated your help to that end when I parted with you but see my answear toke not that efect which I ded desier which hath bred me much grife and troubel of mind my selfe being uery fearfull to chang my condicion all my frinds perswade me it will be best for me to chang but my selfe hath no hart 170to it in the man I see that which I chefly ame at in a husban which is grace and godlynes with gifts sutabel to his calling though in outward estate he corns short of any that hath bin yet moued to me these things with his importunity and paines in coming so fare hath bred such destraction in my mind as truly I know not what to doe but mine eis are towards the lord for derection in this waity busnes good brother help with your prayers and best aduise for I haue now cast my selfe uppon you and my father and mr. Whit2 to whom I pray make knowen this busnes and craue his councel in it I haue only giuen him this answer that I will doe nothing without the aduise of my frinds good brother I know your loue to be such towards me as I shall not nede to intrat your care in this but now my request to you is that you would make all the hast home you can for we all long for you my self which could not so prise the benfit of your good compeny as I ought haue now larned to prise it by the want of it the lord giue me grace to make beter wse of it when he shall be plased to restore it to me againe and thus with remembrance of my best loue and seruis to your selfe my good brother and sister and the rest of my frinds I comit you and all your affares to the lord and so I rest your euer loueing sister and faithfull seruant

The consideration of that saying literae non erubescunt, hath moued me to cause you to vnderstand that by lettres, which bashfullnesse would not suffer me to vtter, but sealed vp my mouth in silence. The heathen could say Tu nihil Invitâ dices, faciesve Myneruâ;2 I would be loath soe far to violate the lawes of Nature or infringe the praecepts of nurture, and education, as to vndertake any enterprize of moment without your leaue, knowledg, consent, and licence: that therefore I may haue your councell, and direction I desire that from me you may vnderstand, that I doe beare affection in such sort as God may approue, and with your agreement may in time blesse with his holy ordinance of Mariage to my cosen Vrsula,3 my aunt Fones her daughter, yet haue I made noe mention of any such thing, nor till I shall knowe your will, pleasure and advice here 171in will I. to your wisdome therefore doe I most humblye submitte my selfe, and earnestly desiring your prayers, that God may direct me for the best, I shall awaite the expectation of your councell, instruction, and direction, what best you in your wisdome shall see most fittinge for me to be done or lefte vndone, and soe committing this to you and you to the protection of the allmighty with my most humble duty remembred to your selfe, my vncle and aunt Downing, with my loue to my cosens I rest and remaine