Me thinkes it is verye longe since I sawe or heard from my beloued, and I misse allreadye the sweet comfort of thy most desired presence: but the rich mercye and goodnesse of my God makes supplye of all wants: Blessed be his great and holy name. Ah my good wife, we now finde what blessinge is stored vp in the fauour of the Lorde, he onely sweetens all conditions to vs, he takes of our cares and feares from vs, he supports vs in our dangers, he disposeth all our affaires for vs, he will guide vs by his counsell in our pilgrimage, and after will bringe vs to glorye.

John is returned from S: Hampton, where he lefte our boyes well and merrye: and this morninge we are ridinge thither, and from thence I shall take my last farewell of thee till we meet in new E: or till midsomer that it please God our shipps returne. my deare wife be of good courage, it shall goe well with thee and vs, the haires of thy head are numbred, he who gaue his onely beloued to dye for thee, will giue his Angells charge ouer thee: 219therefore rayse vp thy thoughts, and be merrye in the Lorde, labour to liue by thy Faith; if thou meet with troubles or difficultyes, be not dismayed, God doth vse to bringe his children into the streights of the redd sea etc: that he may shew his power and mercye in makinge a waye for them: All his courses towardes vs, are but to make vs knowe him and loue him, the more thy heart drawes towards him in this, the freer shall thy condition be from the euill of Affliction.

Our freinds heer are all in health (blessed be God) and desire to be heartyly commended to thee. I am exceedingly beholdinge to my good brother and sister Downing, I can fasten no recompence vpon them for all the chardge my selfe and my company haue putt them to. I haue receiued much kindnesse also from my Lady Mildmay and from others, whereof some haue been meer strangers to me, the Lord reward them: It doth much incourage vs to see, how the eyes and hearts of all good people are vpon vs, breathinge many sweet prayers and blessinges after vs. Commende my hearty loue to all our freindes, I cannot now name them, but thou knowest whom I meane.

Nowe I beseech the Lord and father of mercye to blesse thee and all thy companye, my daughter W: Ma: Mat: Sam: Deane, and the litle one vnknowne, Tho: Am: and the rest: tell Am:2 I am very much beholdinge to her brother, desire her to giue him thankes for me: tell my neighbor Culpacke I am beholdinge to his sonne in lawe for oysters he sent me, but could not see him to giue him thankes. my deare wife farewell, once againe let vs kisse and imbrace, so in teares of sweet Affection I rest Thine euer

I should longe are this haue ritten to thee, and giuen thee thanke for thy kinde letters, but I must nowe veryfy that prouerbe better late then not at all. I trust heare after I shall haue more leasure to right to thee, and doe place much comfort in thee, and knowe thou wilt 220be a great helpe to me in thy fathers abcence. I am sory I cannot shew my loue to thee as I desyre or expresse my affections as thay are in these fewe lines but I shall all wayes retaine a louinge hart toward thee, and wilbe ready to doe any thinge for thee that is in my power as I know thou wilt doe for me, thearfore my good sonne let vs gine together in maniginge thy fathers affayres in his abcence, and come home to me as sone as thou canest. I cannot right much to thee the wether is so cold and thus with my best loue to thy selfe my brother and sister Downinge I leaue of for this time and commit you to god. Your louinge mother

On the same sheet, in the writing of John Winthrop, Jr.

I received your lovin letters and returne you many thankes for this and all other kindnesses and love which you have pleased to bestow vpon me.

I desire you if I be worthy to have any parte of your vndeserved love that you would add this speciall favour to so many former to assure your selfe of my dutiful and faithfull carriadge towardes you now in my fathers absence in every respect where and whensoever my best diligence care and endeavours may be any waies vsefull and comanded by you