According as I writ, yesterday in the afternoone Mrs. Ames2 Mr. Phillips3 and 2 more of the church our elder being one met here to deale with mee about Mrs. Ruth:4 where Mr. Phillips with much violence and sharpnes charged mee home with this, that of all offences, such as were agaynst the widow and fatherles were greatest, aggravated it how he could, rememberd that which I never dreamt of that I should hynder the mayd of a match at London, which was not so, could not thinke of any kindnes I euer did her, though shee haue had aboue 300li through my fingers,5 so as if God vphold mee not after an especiall manner, it will sinke mee surely. I told him, if hee had taken halfe that paynes with mee before, hee had done neighborly, and brotherly. hee told mee he would not stop my intended marriage but assured mee it would not be good: much wonder here is in the towne about it, though the elder thought my answear sufficient. Mr. Endecot haue likewise been dealt withall for the same thing, all which makes mee reflect vpon my rash proceedings with Mrs. Sheffield.6 Now (good Sir) let mee know what is best to doe, who am Your troubled and troublesome