I haue sent yow according to your desire the apprehensions of those at the riuer, together with mine own, about the questions now stirring:2 what I haue writ I am not wedded to, but if better light appeare, I fall down to it; In discussing these questions, we generally walke in vntroden paths few Casuists speake ἀκριβῶς to them; the whole Christian woorld hath hitherto not attended to Moses Judicialls as there rule, and therefore haue bin wanting to cleare vp there proportions; I haue therefore spoken many things to see of what weight they might be in other mens ballances who are best able to judge: determining nothing without concurrance of thoughts and apprehensions of brethren for whom (and not for the court) I prepared them; I could not but satisfy your own desire, intreating yow to peruse them your selfe and to communicate them to none (at least for the present) vnles it be to the Deputy who I thinke desired to see them also:

Mr. Wilson also let me see a discourse writ with your hand concerning Fornication, Rape etc: at first I desired to see it only and consider; but perceiuing that invndation of abominable filthinesses breaking in vpon vs; my spirit was pressed to returne an answer to the question about single Fornication; and the punishment of it; letting passe other things which I haue no time to peruse; I haue therefore sent yow that answer I haue drawn vp which should haue come to yow long since but I haue bin hindred; but now I knew not how safe it was any longer to keepe it by me; he that hath transcribed it hath done me much wrong by blotting of it, and I have no leysure to write a better: I hope yow will accept of my good will: only do not mistake my ayme; my scope in this answer to the discourse is not to define any thing, but to enquire and to propound to your wisdom some things considerable, and to be considered of, at your leysure, that so if yow find them weake and inconsistent with truth yow may cast them by, without any offence to me; if any thing of weight be in them, yow may be pleased to consider of making some Law for the punishing of that sin which I feare else will soone poyson these societies; you may keepe this Answer by yow; but I pray send me the other two vnto me when yow haue done with them: the god of all wisdom and 346mercy counsell guide direct yow in your more weighty affayres: Yours euer