Though about 2 or 3 months ago I writ to you, yet it seeming that that letter is not yet sent away, and now there being further opportunity of sending, I desire what in me lies, to make some satisfaction for my former neglect or at least, not so oft performing it in this kind, as love and respect I ow bind me. Now to acquaint you with our affaires: S. Mat:2 having (by the Lords good provision) obteined a most meet helper, as one of the same heart mind and spirit, remaining this 12 month within 20 miles of London, in a place 5 miles from the Parish Church, hath enjoyed great freedome: but now of late the clouds gather fast towards a storme, their ship 485is like to be filled with waves, but they seeking to awaken Christ for their help, they there desire to expect all help. As for me, the Lord having discovered the necessity and beauty of being under Christs Government and refrained some time, hoping the last spring to haue come with them to N. E. Now seing they ar yet stayed and ar like to stay I know not how long, til they be satisfied: I could not so be content, tho I enjoyd so great priviledges there, bodily and spiritual: but having been sued unto and oft provoked by that society wher Mr. Lathrop was, and long sought, and at last obteined ful satisfaction for uniting to them, the Lord removing divers lets, and providing so wel for the place I supplied, I am now come to London to them, though not undertaking any office, though now urged to it, desiring first to hear from some in N. E. to whom I writ about half a yeer ago. Letters to me may be directed as before to be left with Mr. Overton in Popes head Alley.

Touching Mr. Burton etc. He having preached Novemb. 5 on Prov. 24. 21; My son, fear God and the King and meddle not with them that ar given to Change, Then urged his people to take notice of many Changes of late in books allowed, and in Practise, as Altars etc. and being charged to answere before the High Commission, he appealed to the King. Being asked why he did so, he answered, Because I would not have mine adversaries be my judges. Hence being forced thro danger to keep his house, he writ to the King the Grounds hereof together with his 2 sermons, as also to the Judges etc. which he appointed that vpon his apprehension should be delivered to the Counsel as they sate, by his wiffe, which was performed. She ergo was imprisond for a time, then released upon petition. He remaind close prisoner in the Fleet, as Mr. Prynn in the Towr, and Dr. Bastwick at Gatehouse, divers books being by stealth printed and divulged, (as News from Ipswich, of that Bishop Wrens Acts etc.) Judgments on Sabbath breakers of late, therin a Story of Mr. Noys death; Dr. Bastwick printing II Πραζεις των ᾽ΕπΠις Πχόαων conteining ther Acts in their proceedings against him for some passages against Lord Bishops in his book of reply in justifying the Kings supremacy against the Bishop of Rome, he having had many confronts here by a papist in that point. Then (as the Star Chamber bil saith) he writ a book cald a Leitany wherin were many scandaulous passages, as, From Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, Good Lord deliver us. Also this, he therin in his wives Name entreats Father William of Canterbury his holines (so is his stile) and Father William of London, Magnificus Rector of the Treasury, to be Godfathers to her child, not doubting but that her husband should procure the Whoor of Babylon their old Mrs. with whom they had so long committed Adultery, to be Godmother. And then (says he) we shal have such a Christening as 486hath not been in Europe this many a blessed day, etc. Mr. Burtons books being spread by divers persons known. Also Mr. Wakelin Esq. when the Churchwardens of Bures enquird whether their Comunion Table should be placed Altar wise and pailed in as others are, he answered Its no matter, its but a dance before Popery: he being rebuked by others there, answered You may say what you wil. The King hath a wife, and he loves her wel, and she is a papist and we must al be of her Religion, and thats the thing the Bishops aime at, etc. as the bil hath it.

Those 3 ergo with Mr. Wakelin and about 16 more, were al joind together in a Starchamber bil, as such as ar combind together in their practises: the one doing or speaking so by the procurement abetting etc. of the rest.

These 3 came to their answer neer the end of June, whose speaches then were taken by some, showing how they were hindred from giving answers, being close prisoners, and Counsels not comming, and ther own answers not admitted, and now Mr. Pryn would give his, on oath. But now no answere to be admitted, but their guilt taken pro confesso, they were censured at 5000li a peece, and perpetual imprisonment. Mr. Burton being first degraded they al to stand on the pillory then to loose their Eares in Westminster pallace. Mr. Pryn also to be branded with S. L. for Seditious Libeller, which was performed Jun. last (and their speaches then ar recorded by some writers.) Some say S. L. is for Syons Lawyer. The morning they suffred, Mr. Burton said thus to his sad wife. Good wife, let me not see a tear in thine eyes, nor hear a Groane from thy heart. I have had 2 very joyful dayes, the first when I married my former wife, the latter when I married thee: and it was a joyful time indeed: yet nothing comparable to this day. This day the Lord puts greatest honour upon me. And he so fils me with comfort, that I am not able to keep it in, and I long to be at the work I am cald to, etc. (or to this effect). Then presently the Officers came for him. Dr. Bastwick and Mr. Pryn were set on one Pillory: who sweetly embraced one another. Mr. Burton soon after was brought to the other pillory somwhat lower. Many thousands of people were there, al generally pitying or applauding them and oft laffing and clapping and shouting for joy to see so great courage and comfort and undauntednes in each of them: they 2 spake to Mr. Burton he to them, the people to each of them; encouraging and comforting them, al this without any controll except by one or 2 officers, as one observed, that went round about to observe the peoples dispositions. One woman indeed, that was wondrous free in her speaches to them and to the people going up and down encouraging them to suffer: speaking of the Enemies Cruelty, an officer 487overheard and laid hold, and chargd a halbertman to cary her away. She passing a litle way on, said to him, Friend I have nothing to say to you; and smiled on him, and so went among the rest, and he let her go.

There without any interruption, first Dr. Bastwick then Mr. Pryn, then Mr. Burton, make large speaches to the people declaring the cause of their suffrings, and what comfort they had in it, against the Prelates. Mr. Pryn said the Statute was thus, made in Queen Elizabeths reigne. That if one usd libels against the King or Queen ther should be 2 months imprisonment and 300li fine, (which had been I take it, but 1 month, and 100li in Queen Marys reign) but for want of paying that fine, such punishment as seemed proportionable. Wheras now see the change of times (said he) when they say we ar libellers against the Prelates (yet prove it not,) we ar fined 5000li a man, and perpetual imprisonment and besides that, to have this corporal punishment, etc.

They were to stand on the pillory (I think) 3 hours: some there observd that the handle on the clock was set backward, sometimes ½ an hour at a time. So having joyfully and triumphantly suffred, despising the (intended) shame, they were had, each to the place whence they came, where they were very much visited by al sorts, except black coates (for none (or scarce any) of them, visited, or were at their pillory suffrings, or accompanied them toward the places whither they were adjudged to be caried, as thousands did) which was one part of their Censure, Dr. Bastwick to a Castle in Cornewal, Mr. Burton to Lancaster, Mr. Pryn into a Castle in Wales, which was performed about 3 weeks after; one 3 or 4 days after the other, with abundance of people and happy he or she that could get them by the hand, or but touch their Coat (as one said, Wel I toucht his coat once more). Divers had writ letters to their Christian friends that dwelt neer the way towards these 3 Castles, and many people met them in several places, and so went alongst with them, til others came in. Dr. Bastwick we hear hath a very poor hole to lodge in (and so Mr. Burton) (where the Countrey Rogues were wont to be it seemes.) We hear not yet of Mr. Pryns place, what it is. By these devices, the Prelates hoped to have more prevailed; but its feared they have lost greatly by it. The poor credit they had with the vulgar is almost quite lost. Every wrech, and swearing and drunken beast almost, is ready on the least speach, to cry out on them, which makes many consider Mal. 2. 8, 9. Because you have departed you have caused many to stumble, ergo have I made you contemptible. Good Sir sympathise with our Land, with our visible Church. I want time to write to many friends. Salute Mr. and Mrs. Saltonstall, William 488Spafford, with Robert etc. Accept hereof instead of many letters from Your faithful tho unworthy friend