Although I wrote to thee last weeke by the carrier of Hadleygh, yet hauinge so fitt opportunyty I must needes write to thee againe, for I doe esteeme one litle sweet shorte lettre of thine (such as the last was) to be well worthy 2: or 3: from me. how it is with vs, these bearers can informe thee, so as I may write the lesse: they were married on Saturday last:2 and intende to staye with thee till towardes the ende of the Terme,3 for it wilbe yet 6 weekes before they can take their voyage, labour to keepe my sonne at home as much as thou canst, especially from Hadleigh. I beganne this lettre to thee yesterdaye at 2: of the clocke, thinkinge to haue been large, but was so taken vp by companye and businesse as I could gett but hither by this morninge: It greiues me that I haue not libertye to make better expression of my loue to thee, who art more deare to me then all earthly thinges, but I will endeavour that my prayers may supply the defect of my pen, which wilbe of best vse to vs both, in as much as the fauour and blessinge of our God is better then all thinges besides: my trust is in his mercye, that vpon the faith of his gratious promise, and the experience of his fatherly goodnesse, he wilbe our God to the ende, to carrye vs alonge through this course of our pilgrimage, in the peace of a good conscience, and that in the ende of our race, we shall safely ariue at the hauen of aeternall happinesse: we see how frayle and vaine all earthly good thinges are, there is no meanes to avoide the losse of them in death, nor the bitternesse which accompanieth them in the cares and troubles of this life: onely the fruition of Jesus Christ, and the hope of heauen can giue vs true comfort and rest, the Lord teach vs wisdome, to prepare for our change, and to laye vp our treasure there, where our abidinge must be for euer. I knowe thou lookest for troubles heer, and when one Affliction is ouer, to meete with another, but remember what our Sauiour tells vs, Be of good comforte I haue ouercome the world, see his goodnesse, he hath conquered our enemies before hande, and by Faith in him, we shall assuredly preuaile ouer them all: therfore (my sweet wife) rayse vp thy heart, and be not dismayed at the crosses thou meetest with in familye affaires, or otherwise, but still flye to him, who will take vp thy burden for thee, goe thou on cheerfully in obedience to his holy will, in the course he hath sett thee, peace shall come thou 85shalt rest as in thy bedd, and in the meane tyme he will not faile nor forsake thee: but my tyme is past, I must leaue thee, so I comende thee and all thine to the gratious protection and blessinge of the Lord, all our freindes heere salute thee, salute thou ours from me. farewell my good wife, I kisse and loue thee with the kindest affection and rest Thy faithful husbande