Blessed be the Lord our good God and mercifull father, that yet hath preserued me in life and health to salute thee, and to comforte thy longe longinge heart, with the ioyfull newes of my wellfare, and the wellfare of thy beloued children.

We had a longe and troublesome passage, but the Lord made it safe and easye to vs: and though we haue mett with many and great troubles (as this bearer2 can certifie thee) yet he hath pleased to vphold vs, and to giue vs hope of a happye issue.

I am so ouerpressed with businesse, as I haue no tyme for these or other mine owne priuate occasions. I onely write now, that thou mayest knowe that yet I liue and am mindfull of thee, in all my affaires: the larger discourse of all thinges thou shalt receiue from my brother Downinge, which I must sende by some of the last shippes. We haue mett with many sadd and discomfortable thinges, as thou shalt heare after: and the Lordes hande hath been heavy vpon my selfe in some verye neere to me: my sonne Henry, my sonne Henrye, ah poore childe,3 yet it greiues me much more for my deare daughter,4 the Lord strengthen and comfort her heart, to beare this crosse patiently: I knowe thou wilt not be wantinge to her in this distresse: yet for all these thinges (I prayse my God) I am not discouraged, nor doe I see cause to repent, or dispaire of those good dayes heere, which will make amends for all.

I shall expect thee next sommer (if the Lord please) and by that tyme I hope to be prouided for thy comfortable entertainment: my most sweet wife, be not disheartened, trust in the Lord, and thou shalt see his faithfullnesse. Comende me heartyly to all our kinde friendes at Castleins, Groton hall, mr. Leigh and his wife, my neighbour Cole and all the rest of my neighbours and their wiues, both rich and poore.

Remember me to them at Assington hall, and Codenham hall,5 mr. Brande mr. Alston mr. Mott and their wiues, goodman Ponde, Charles Newton etc: The good Lord be with thee and blesse thee and all our children and seruantes commende my loue to them all, I kisse and embrace thee my deare wife and all my Children, and leaue thee in his arms who is able to preserue you all, and to fullfill our ioye in our happye meetinge in his good tyme, Amen. Thy faithfull husband