meruell not though I write not soe often to you, as some others of my place, calling, and Relation to you would haue done. For I am yet (as always I haue bene,) conscious of mine own weaknes, being not able to write to you of anie thing, which others of farr more abilitie then my self write not of to you.

Et quid est acta agere, nisi insipientis verba sapienti proferre?

But least that proverb might seame to take place in me, out of sight out of mind, know that I make more frequent mention of you, and your whole Companie, before the Throne of grace then is to be expressed with pen and Inke; and if my heart deceiue me not, the loue and inward respect of my hart is as entire to you and yours this daye, as when you were personallie present as my patron in this Towne of Groton; and if I knew in what to express it, I must alwayes, (and will) acknowledg a dept of loue due to you.

But me thinks (worthy patron) I heare you saye, what loue can you shew to me, who shew soe little to the people of god vnder your Charge? for whom you must giue account to god; for whose good my soule melteth within me; and soe much the more, because hoping I had left them a zealous, faythfull, true hearted Minister, I heare since my departure, he is become a fearfull time seruer, and a corrupter of those whom he ought to instruct in doctrine, so that it repenteth me that I called such an one to that place, or left him in it?

Louing Sir, the complant is sore agaynst me, and the argument is strong on your side. For if I loue not gods people of whom I haue the Charge from Christ himself in my Ministerie, I cannot respect you that calld me to that charge att the first. For he that loues his freind will keep carefullie the best depositum of his freind. I must quitt my self from this Crime, or yeild the Conclusion agaynst my self. Know therfore (louing Sir) in the words of sobrietie and truth, that my carefullnes for my Charge is as much, (yea more,) then in the daye of your aboad with vs; my diligenc in preaching as frequent, and my doctrine deliuered as sound, and as pertinent to my peoples estate. For witnes to this truth, I appeale to your Brother Downing, who of his own free choyce, came and liued vnder my Ministerie some part of this summer, to whose iudgment, I referr my self, being not a competent Judg in mine own cause.

But you will saye, what euer your doctrine be, you are giuen to be too ceremonious, a great practiser of them, a great preacher for them, as if that were good food for the souls of your people?

Worthie freind, be iealous, (yet with a godlie iealousie) not with a carnall. Accept my defenc, which is in truth and playnnes of heart, as before god. Know I am not more zealous of Ceremonies this day, then when you first called me to Groton. I then wore the Surpliss, lesse frequentlie for your sake; now more frequentlie for my Ministeries sake. Consider of it well; he that iudges he may weare the Surpliss, and yet will not often, because he will not offend one, may he not weare it often, for the good of manie? I will leaue the Conclusion to your self.

Agayne, for preaching for them, (I witnes before Christ, whose Minister I am) I neuer did it, noe not in the least mention, in anie degre.

In a word, I know how to vse thes Ceremonies for the peace of my ministerie and good of my people. But to be zealous of them, to take them into my sermonds, instead of gods word to his people, I neuer did, and resolue by gods grace neuer to doe.

Bountifull patron, if the saluation of your Sisters soule, and the word of truth, be not as pretious in mine eyes, as mine own, lett Christ require it of me. I professe I neuer was a perswader in anie degree, to keep your Sister from comming ouer to you. It cutt me to the heart, when you bad her to take heed to her soule, least by me she should be ledd into by paths; the Lord of his Grace, keep me in the truth, or att least suffer me to perish alone, that I may not be a Factor for Satans kingdome.

Louing Sir, without breach of godlie loue, I must speake what I think, that you iudg of me in your thoughts as one not worthie to be saluted, naye not to be prayed for; my grounds hereof are

1. you make mention of me in your letter, as of one that is fallen from the truth and power of my Ministerie, and as one to be feared, and avoyded for feare of corruption and contagion.

2. you doe not once witnes anie sorrow for this, in respect to me, as if the losse of my soule in that way were noe care to you.

3. you doe not once send me anie salutations in your letter, much lesse anie aduice, or councell, what to doe. The Apostles sayeing to Archippus, Take heed to the Ministerie thou hast receiued in the Lord, that thou fulfill it, would not haue bene vnseasonable.

4. And, which I most meruell att, in you a godly man, that knows that vproars are in our Church, and that gods Ministers, (especiallie such poore ones as my self) are in daynger of taking hurt, by reason of oppression and trouble, yet you express not one sigh for me, nor one petition to god in my behalfe.

Reuerend Freind, what think you of me? haue I soe fallen as not to be pittied? as not to be saluted? as not to be prayed for? god forbid you should soe think of me. Iudg not according to appearanc, eurie thing reported is not true, euerie offenc committed is not vnto death. Be better informed of me for the present, and be more charitable of me, and my fellow Ministers, for time to come.

It were now a thing vnseasonable to tell you, that I was att a poynt to haue lost liuing and libertie both, for continuing to preach on the Holy dayes, a Task taken vp att your Intreatie onely, without anie worldly profitt to my­313selfe, as you can witness; yet soe it was. For noe fault being found in me, for matter of Discipline, the reading of the Kings Declaration for the Libertie of the Sabbath, was by Authoritie pressed vpon me, the daye limited in which I should read it, the witnesses appoynted, which when I fayled to doe, my Name was called in publique Court, twice, on 2 solemne dayes, and it was bruted, that I was suspended, but by gods only help I stand free this daye from anie such censure. The cause, and onlie cause hereof, my refusing to cease preaching on the Holy dayes. This is the truth; and I leaue it to your iudgment to make the Conclusion.

And now (beloued brother in Christ) I know you passe iudgment on me, by some report of men, not of your own thoughts onelie, who being godlie, may be deceiued in reports, and may slander, which is a sin, and the greater, if from a godlie person. The seruant of god must not walke about with slanders.

My Apologie is, Agaynst an Elder, receiue not an accusation, but vnder 2 or 3 witnesses; lett it be founde confirmed, before iudgment be passed, soe shall wee not easilie err in iudgment.

And I beseech you, iudg of me as of a Brother, vnited to you in the same true faith of Christ, by the bond of the Spirit, and soe iudging, I will conclude with Saint Paull: Lett brotherlie loue continue.

Lett this large letter possess the place of 2 letters, and giue the reading, and I pray you, if you receiue it, acquaint me with the cause of your soe writing, that if it be possible, our creditt in the ministerie may be recouered with your Congregations, that wee maye pray hartilie one for another, in fayth strengthned by loue. I doe truly salute you in the Lord, in the affection of sincere loue, and wish you aboundant prosperitie in spirituall blessings, without the mixture of anie burthen, soe long as may stand with the will of Christ. But expect it not for euer; false Apostls came into the Churches, when the true had finished theire work. Oportet esse haeraeses, is to you a known truth, labor to think of it, and to pray for vs now vnder it.

I hartelie salute your louing wife, whose kindness to her Godson, in the Bible she gaue him, and I with her gift haue bought for him, I hope will be a remembrance of her whils he liues. The Lord hath giuen me 3 Daughters to my son.

The Lord is good to vs this daye, in keeping the Sickness from our dwelling; now gods iudgments are abroad, the Lord by them teach vs in righteousness.

My wife saluts you, and my son craues his Godmothers blessinge. all in Groton of your acquaintance are in health; for the particulars I referr you to the letters of others.

The Lord blesse you, and vs, with all spirituall blessings in heauenlie places in Christ for euer. Your louing freind and sometimes your minister in the Lords seruice