I receyved 2 letters from you since you went to Exeter the one wherof came not many daies since to my handes, we all heere reioyce to heare of your and the rest of our freindes welfare there. My vncle Downing, and all his company have beene out of towne ever since you went so as 312I have not knowne how to convey a letter to you (they are not with vs but theire children came lately from Laer marnay2 not having their health there but are now well recovered). We are all heere in good health, but it is a very sickly tyme, agues very frequent every where about vs. my aunt Gostlin was delivered of a daughter this day seven night in the morning. we have not yet heard any particular newes from New England but dayly expect, if you heare before vs let vs partake. thus with my affectionate love to your selfe and your alter idem remembred whome I should remember with a particular letter, if I were certaine of the safe conveiance, I desire you to remember my duty to my vncle, and aunt Painter, and am desired to remember my mothers love to them, and yourselfes, with my cozen Martha and my sisters love to you, and to my cozen Vrsula, and their duty to my vncle, and aunt I rest your loving brother

The blessinge of God allsufficient be vpon thee and all my deare ones with thee for euer.

I prayse the Good Lord, though we see much mortalitye sicknesse and trouble, yet (such is his mercye) my selfe and children, with most of my family are yet livinge and in health, and enioye prosperity enough, if the Afflictions of our bretheren did not hold vnder the comfort of it. The Lady Arbella is dead, and good mr. Higginson, my seruant, old Waters of Neyland and many others: thus the Lord is pleased still to humble vs, yet he mixes so many mercyes with his corrections, as we are perswaded he will not cast vs off, but in his due tyme, will doe vs good, accordinge to the measure of our Afflictions, he stayes but till he hath purged our corruptions, and healed the hardnesse and error of our heartes, and stripped vs of our vaine confidence in this arme of flesh, that he may haue vs relye wholy vpon 313himselfe. The French shippe2 so longe expected, and giuen for lost, is now come safe to vs, about a fortnight since, hauinge been 12: weekes at sea, and yet her passingers (beinge but fewe) all safe and well, but one: and her goates, but 6: liuinge of 18: so as now we are somewhat refreshed with suche goodes and provisions as she brought, though much thereof hath receiued damage by wett. I prayse God, we haue many occasions of comfort heer, and doe hope, that our dayes of Affliction will soone haue an ende, and that the Lord will doe vs more good in the ende, then we could haue expected, that will abundantly recompence for all the trouble we haue endured. yet we may not looke at great thinges heer, it is enough that we shall haue heauen, though we should passe through hell to it. we heer enioye God and Jesus Christ, is not this enough? What would we haue more? I thanke God, I like so well to be heer, as I doe not repent my comminge: and if I were to come againe, I would not haue altered my course, though I had foreseene all these Afflictions: I neuer fared better in my life, neuer slept better, neuer had more content of minde, which comes meerly of the Lordes good hande, for we haue not the like meanes of these comfortes heer which we had in England, but the Lord is allsufficient, blessed be his holy name, if he please, he can still vphold vs in this estate, but if he shall see good to make vs partakers with others in more Affliction, his will be doone, he is our God, and may dispose of vs as he sees good.

I am sorrye to parte with thee so soone, seeinge we meet so seldome, and my much businesse hath made me too ofte forgett mundayes and frydayes, I longe for the tyme, when I may see thy sweet face againe, and the faces of my deare children. but I must breake off, and desire thee to commende me kindly to all my good freindes and excuse my not writinge at this tyme, if God please once to settle me I shall make amendes. I will name nowe but such as are nearest to thee, my brother and sister Gostlin mr. Leigh etc. Castleins, my neighbor Cole and his good wife, with the rest of my goode neighbors tenantes and seruantes. the good Lord blesse thee, and all our children and famylye. So I kisse my sweet wife and my deare children and rest thy faithfull husband