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Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4

Edward Howes to John Winthrop, Jr.1
Howes, Edward Winthrop, John, Jr.

1640-02-25

To my verie louinge frind Mr. Jo: Winthrop at his house in Salem or elsewhere in New England these deliver
Sir,

To tell you quid scribitur, quid agitur de terra ista Adamica fere incognita what I heare, what I see, what I knowe; would be as tedious for 203you to read, as for me to write; but to tell you where I am? and what I doe; and when you shall see me, is a shorter worke. my bodie is at London, my soule in my bodie, and my mind in my soule, etc. and if you will, in mind I am and canbe euery where, while I am writing this lettre, I am with you; and what doe I? Outwardly, I am writing, inwardly I am meditatinge; and still with you and doe you aske when you shall see me, if you know not I will tell you. When you can see your selfe, or you and I all one; longe since you termed me Alter idem, and will there neuer be an vnion thinke you. because I account few words best, I haue sent you a little booke or two more by Mr. Kirbies sonne seven lines mutilated more then one, there is all goods to be found in vnitie, and all evill in duallitie and multiplicitie. Phoenix illa admiranda sola semper existit. therefore while a man and she is two, he shall neuer see her the Arabian Philosopher I writt to you of, he was styled among vs Dr. Lyon, the best of all the Rosicrucians2 that euer I mett with all, farre beyond Dr. Euer; they that are of his straine are knowing men; they pretend to Iiue in free light, they honor God and doe good to the people among whome they liue, and I conceiue you are in the right that they had theire Learninge from Arabia. But they come much shorte of the people that haue theire learninge from heauen, from God, from the Sonn of his Loue, such as I meane as are liuinge men, whose life and Conversation caracterizeth them, and not theire knowledge, for 'tis written (and we beleiue) knowledge puffeth vp, and Loue buyldeth vp. they haue knowledge as much as any, but it is not theire essence, theire life: theire All ☀. But more of this hereafter, and for other newes I referre you to your sister Fekes seven lines mutilated What can I say more ☀ Remember my humble service to your father and mother and my louinge salutations to all your brothers and sisters, and to Signior Humfries, Mr. Rich: Saltonstall, etc. Haue with this as much loue as a man can yeild to his frind, and the Lord giue you a right vnderstanding in all things; this is and shalbe the harty prayer of Your euer louinge frind

Edward Howse 25° Febr: 1639/40

Direct your lettres to me neere Lincolns Inn.

Coats lyned with fur torn among gentlemen, I pray helpe me to some Otter or torn winter, as may lyne me a Coate, and I will retorne money or Bookes. Vale in Christo.

1.

W. 2. 170; 4 Collections , VI. 507–508.

2.

This word is represented in the original manuscript by symbols.