We may be bould to let you knowe (vpon certaine intelligence which hathe come to vs) that we have hearde (with much ioye to our hearts) of the disposition of your thoughts towards vs, or rather towards the Lords worke begunne heere, for the spreadinge of the Gospell in these westerne parts of the world. Withall we have taken notice of that good reporte you have amonge the Saints, and of those Gifts the Lorde hathe furnished you with for this service: Wherevpon we thought good to let you vnderstand, and to give you what firme Assurance we may, of our stronge desires towards you: We meane not of our selues onely but of the Church of Boston whereof we are, and althoughe we dare not presse you with importunitye of Arguments (being conscious of our owne unworthyness of so great 89a blessing) to come into N: E: and helpe vs: yet we assure you, it would muche adde to the Comforte of our selues, and our incouragement in the hope of muche successe in this waye the Lord hath sett vs in, if it may please him to sende you vnto vs, by the returne of this bearer, with a minde so prepared, as vpon your discerninge the state of our Congregation, and the Affections of our people towards you, and our acquaintance with you, and knowledge of your abilityes, you might be ioyned to us in the Office of the Ministerye. Now (good Sir) we beseeche you, that this may suffice, to perswade your hearte this motion proceeds from the truethe of our desires towards you, and the apprehension of our owne want of suche helpe as the Lord hathe enabled you to afforde vs. And for all other matters which you shall desire to be informed of, to receive satisfaction from this bearer Mr. Peirce, our most faithfull freind and brother in Christ, till whose returne (by the good providence of the Lorde) we shall sitt downe and expecte your resolution: in the meane tyme we crave the helpe of your prayers, and so Comendinge you and all yours to the Lords most iust and holy disposinge in this and in all your occasions, with most hearty salutations we take leave and rest Yours truely in the Lorde

Plinius secundus a Gratiano cordato suo amico vehementi nee minus potenti desiderio adamatus, perditum ilium diem sensisse2 fertur, quo gratulandi, redamandique officio haud perfunctus fuerat, praeclarum sané amoris nee non adfectus ardentissimi exemplum omnium amicorum imitatione prosequendum. at vae mihi infaelici non est nostrae faelicitatis tarn quotidiani amoris, gratitudinisque (vtcunque cum Plinio tibi (amice dignissime) plus debeo) in apricum proferre. interiecta quippe loci distantia obstat, occurrit, impedit. At quid si quotidianum exhibendo amorem succumbo opportunitati? hoc mihi in solatium quotidianum referendo promptissimo non succumbo 90animo. Caput enim hoc meum tango et testor neminem esse, me vno, tui amantiorem (parcas quaeso nimia si vsus sum familiaritate) neminem deuotiorem, nihil quoque tua consuetudine mihi contigisse gratius, nihil tua (me-minisse dolet) discessione fuisse grauius. O quam libentius3 possem (lachrimosi instar turturis) fletus gemitusque effundere, sed me comprimo. Leuius fit patientia quicquid corrigere est nefas: Magni beneficii loco duxi quod ad me literas dare non dedignatus es. Deo Opt: Max: maximae habentur gratiae qui se clementem adeo et benignum vobis ostendit. Non equidem invideo sed vt tua totiusque coloniae vestrae faelicitas conduplicetur indies obnixé peto: Patri tuo dignissimo matrique amantissimae quam potes officiocissime ex me salutem dicito. Me etiam vxori sororibus caeterisque nostris amicis, nominatim Mro. Dudleio jun: commendatum diligentissimé curato: Te tandem alijs mihi negotijs incumbentibus valere jubeo. Tuae faelicitatis salutisque desideratissimus