I humbly salute you and yours in the Lord.

We eagerly covet to hear of your safe arrival, yours with your good com­58pany, for we have good hope that we shal hear wel when it shall be, (it may be before your receipt hereof,) both in regard you were garded with so many prayers, and so many Angels (as if you had heard and seen would much have rejoiced you and so may do in greatest perplexities you have been are or may be in:) and also we hear this day from Mr. Huison (at London stone) that some that came lately from your coasts saw your ship com’d within 3 days saile of your desired haven. It would be very acceptable to this house if you writ to some of them, and if you pleased to send over also some of your Indian Creatures alive when you may best, as one brought over a Squirrel to Bures another some other creature, one a Rattlesnake Skin with the rattle.

I have herwith sent to John Sanford2 a note of the winds ever since you went til after your arrival in N. E. the Patterne wherof I sent before your going to Jo. Sanford desiring his noting also. I pray you desire him to send back a copy of his, that so we may compare (for I have a copy of this) how they agree or disagree. I have not time now to write to him, no not to your worthy father the Governour, nor to Mris. Winthrop nor others to whom I would gladly. I pray you excuse me to them.

The affairs beyond sea in Germany ar almost beyond credit, how soe weak a king as Sweden should go on and prosper and subdue stil so much against the mighty Emperour and Spains forces, maugre all their mallice and their holy fathers Curses. Our affairs at home ar almost as lamentable, as I have writ (and want time to reherse) to goodman Firmin, and goodman Child. The plague having been lately at Colchester the Bishops3 visit was propria persona at Keldon,4 wher with much gravity and severity he inveighed against the pride in the Ministry, that they must have their plush and satin and their silken Cassoks, and their bandstrings with knots; if every knot had a bel at it, it would be a goodly show, saying if any would informe him of abuses in the ministry by drinking etc. he would severely censure them. Mr. Cook there* being comanded to attend him in his chamber, got a black riband to his rufe, which he so plaid upon O what a show it would make if it were of carnation or purple etc. He was very pleasant thus sometimes: by both which he drew the most people to admire him and applaud his proceedings. There he excommunicated Mr. Weld, who had been suspended above a month, and requiring Mr. Rogers of Dedham to subscribe there (no law 59nor Canon so requires I take it) he refused. He told how he had borne with him, and shewd how he must needs suspend him and so proceed if he reformd not to do all according to Canon after a month to excommunicate him, and then after a month to deprive him of the ministry, (so lying open also to a writ of excommunicato capiendo) as was read in the Canon. Mr. Rogers said if he would rather now put him by for altogether. He said no, he would proceed according to law. So suspended him. Mr. Shepherd he charged to be gon out of his Diocesse as one that kept Conventicles.5

Colchester men would have had his admission of Mr. Bridges of Emanuel for their lecturer in Mr. Maidens steed. He was angry and said When you want one you must go first to Dr. Gouge, and to Dr. Sibs and then you come to me, I scorn to be so used. Ile never have him to lecture in my Diocesse that will spew in the pulpit (it seemes he had preached on this I will spew thee out of my mouth.)

At Braintree (whither he went thence) Mr. Wharton Mr. Marshal and Mr. Bruer and others were spoke to after the Bishop had looked in his book opening it before them. He 1 commended them for parts and paines and their lives, and then charged them with Non Conformity al denied it. Mr. Marshall said he was misinformed. Ay but said he do you conforme always? He answered he did sometimes but not always he was much employed in preaching and in catechising the youth. The Bishop answered your preaching I like wel and your Catechising wondrous wel but I mislike your answers, (which he spake angerly) you wear the Surpless sometimes, and then you lay it aside from you for a long time, and what say your people then?

These good men canot abide these ceremonies, and if they might they would never use them: But to avoid the Persecution of these Bishops that would fetch them up to the High Commission therefore these good men ar fain to stoop to them sometimes. Thus they will say, etc. So enjoining them to conform and seek the peace of the Church they escaped. Mr. Car of Twinsteed being cald Mr. Allen stood up and said (trembling as he spake, as he did at Bury when he informed against his Sudbury people, sitting with heels as high as their head) that many of his people of Sudbury were enterteined by him, etc. The Bishop took him up therefore sharply if he admitted any to the Communion not of his own parish, or if any such came to hear him and he forbad them not, he would take a Course with him.

He said he hoped to join with his brother of Norwich for reformation there also. Now York being dead (on whose tombe he appointed should be indelibly ingraven, Hic jacet Samuelis Harsnet, quondam vixit indignus Episcopus Cesistrensis, indignior Norvicensis indignissimus Eboracensis, in his wil, therein protesting against the Genevensians) Winchester Dr. Neal to York, Durham to Winchester, Coventry and Litchfield Dr. Morton to Durham, Rochester Dr. Bowls to Coventry, our Norwich Dr. White to Ely who is dead, Oxford Dr. Corbet to Norwich, that Rev. Dr. Linsel to Roch ester or Oxford.

The Kings Attorney Sir Robert Heath is removed. Mr. Noys is put by the King into his place, who is very just in it. Tis said William Noy for his book laid him down about 5 or 7 or 8 peeces. He asked what he meant 20s was due and would no more. Some usd to pay 5li I think. And hearing his man scraping with his foot at the door he came and asked what he gave him. He told a peece. He answered 2s was his due, he should have no more.

But I forget myself; tis near one aclock, I must bid you a good night. Yet a word more with you before I take my leave, for I know not when I shal talk with you thus again. Wher I left before. Mr. Nat. Ward being cald whose silencing was expected and charged with rejecting the Ceremonies and Common Prayer book, he answered (as tis said) ther is one thing I confes I stick at, how I may say for any that dy in sure and certain hope, or that we with this our brother etc. Upon this the Bishop to resolve him made a large explication and so he escaped then. Mr. Wels6 after Excommunication coming into a Church where the Bishop was visiting the Bishop spied him and cald him and asked him if he were on this side N. E. and then if he were not excommunicated. He said yes. And why here then. He hopd he had not offended. But he would make him an Example to al such. Take him Pursi-vant. The Pursivant called Mr. Shepherd and said he would rather have Shepherd, but he escapd,7 and Mr. Wels by a bond of 100 marks others bound with him, and so fled to Bergen. Either he or Mr. Hooker was abated 40li in the forfeiture.

Mr. Bruer the last Terme had 22 Articles against him, and 6 or 7 Addi-tionals, these devised by Ja. Allen as Mr. Bruars late Sexton confesseth in anguish of Conscience. I would write more as I could write too much such as I joy not in writing, but you more safely heare than I write it.

I beseech you Sir consider our Condition and provoke others to it some in 61the General, for some would make the worst of things to your disparagement though tis more their own shame. accept of what I have writ in scribling after midnight hast and let me hear of your receipt hereof, and of your welfare and yours and al your liking of the Country as you may. The Lord our good God and Gracious Father be with you al as he wil be with al his in Christ in whose armes and sweet embracings though tost in afflictions I leave you, resting At your service to be used in him

My Brother Tho. desires to hear whether Mr. Winthrop the Governour have employment for him, he is yet willing to come if he may do him service. he can shoot wel and is content to endure what he can and to work etc. if it may be for his bettring in outward estate. Me thinks I repent I have writ ought about him, for I would not have him to cumber you. Jo. Sanford knows my mind about him. I pray you desire him to write to me, with the Note of Winds.

If I can I wil send you herewith a book of the Morning Star tis cald, of that great star 1572 in the north, (in 63 of latitude and I think 53 of longitude which is Finland of which Sweden is the great Prince) which Ticho Brahe in his Spiritual book on that Star, pag. 800 and so forward shews not to be an ordinary comet, but a new star, the forerunner of happy changes to the Churches especially beginning about 1632 as he calculates, from one that should come from such a place of longitude and latitude, applying it to the King of Sweden.

In this book he stands not so on the Anagram Gustavus Augustus, nor that saying that tis said appals the Emperours wisemen Te debellavit adversus Devs: Why or how Devs, tis said Sved, and relates many passages of the late victories.