I much reioyce to heare of the welfare of your selfe and the rest of our freinds vnto whom I cannot but present my hearty affections although God deny me the happines to see your persons. I conceive you doubt not of my vnfeined desire of your good which makes me the bolder to lay open vnto you the thoughts of my soule. The rumors of your affairs which are diversly represented vnto vs according to the different humors of the persons from whom they come, as they give me noe foundation to builde on, soe withal they seeme to me to serve insteed of Jonathans arrows, and to pointe at those things which either men naturally are prone vnto or at least which other men desire to have soe that wish ill vnto your estates, which I know makes you the more careful to cutt of occasion from those that seeke occasion. I presume not to give you advise but desire you to remember that as Liberty is sweet soe it is apte (as it is with sweet meats) to allure men to Excess, which made the wise 336man give that Caveat Prov. 25. 16. Hast thou found hony? eate soe much as is sufficient etc. You are wise to vnderstand my meaning which is noe more but this that if the providence and wisdome of some prevent it not you may be as much endangered by your liberty as we are by our bondage. I cannot insiste in particulars but desire you to have an eye to one thinge that you fall not into that evil abroad which you laboured to avoyd at home to binde all men to the same Tenets and practise in things which when they are well examined will be found Indifferent. I have not leisure to dispute but desire you only to take notice that some of the maine things which are insisted on with you as matters of absolute necessity are esteemed by all godly Ministers that euer I spake withall amongst vs small things as if they be alowable yet at best are and will be found only things of Conveniency. I have seene and pervsed such arguments as are produced to maintaine them which will not hold when they come to scanning. But above all things lett me request you to avoyd that rocke of separation which if you once light on you will finde will shake you in peices. I would not give this intimation but that I see already soe much that makes me exceedingly feare in some whom I forbeare to name a stronge inclination that way which if it hold on will appeare in time. To leave matters of this nature for your civil affairs. The longer you differ fishing and vse of other means that may bring you in some supplys the more you weaken your body and will ere longe make it wholy vnfitt for those remedys which may helpe it now but hereafter will come to late. Againe it is high time that a Magazine out of which needful provisions might be had at a reasonable hand were erected, and shopkeepers made vnvseful who will prove soe many moaths to their neighbours. I highly approve their way that make shopp keeping only an appendixe to some handicrafte. A thirde thinge which I heartily wish to be seriously thought on is the education of youth you have the Low-Contrys a patterne for Industry. I wish I could present you any other for family discipline. A great parte of your body hath ben vnaccustomed to laborious courses who will very hardly be brought vnto them in their age, all the hope is in training vp the youth in time. Sir I know your hearty affections to the welfare of that place and people to which you have ben more vsefull then any other person amongst you which makes me open my hearte soe boldly to you in private desiring you to burne my letter when you have pervsed it.

A worde or too of my private. I heare John Sweet hath overthrowen me in a suite in your Courte: I say me for if my words be the ground of his suite I must and will save the Company harmeles against whom he commenced it. I little thought that fellow who ows his being in that place vnto my selfe and my freinds would have lift vp his heele against me he knows and I can make 337it appeare that our kindnes to him hath cost vs a great deale more then he requires. The words that he reports me to have spoken I remember not nor believe that I ever spoke them as they were alledged But if he would needs have satisfaction is a suite in law the first intimation of ones demande of recompence for a wronge received? This vnkinde passage hath wrought more on me then perhaps it would on the hearte of a wise man, but Sir lett me desire that seing that he hath gone that way to worke he may not add a second wronge to the former to lay that on others which in conscience can be required of none but myselfe. But seing he takes pleasure in suits I believe we shall ere long paye him home in his owne Coyne. A worde more for my neighbour Mr. Wey of this place who hath ben an hearty freind to N. Engl. hath servants in the bay, who as it seems are not soe indifferently respected in their lott as they ought to be they desire to open their case to you and I know you will doe them right, which I leave to your care and wisdome. Sir I beseech you pardon my boldnes in opening my hearte vnto you. Now the Lord abondantly multiply his blessings on you and guide you in the best waye that you may be a second Mordecay to that people whose welfare with your owne I commend vnto the grace of God resting Yours in the Lord