Your kinde lines I receaued by Mascanomet and your lovinge token formerly of trees, for both which I humblie thanck you as also for your kinde intertaynement of my wiefe. The Lord requite you for all. I cannot but acquaint you with my thoughts concerning Mr. Peter, since hee receaued a letter from Mrs. Sheffield which was yesterday in the eueninge 110after the fast.2 Shee seeming in her letter to abate of her affeccions towards him, and dislikinge to come to Salem vppon such termes as hee had written. I finde that hee begins now to play her parte, and if I mistake not, you will see him as greatly in loue with her (if shee will but hold of a little,) as euer shee was with him, but hee conceales it what hee can as yett. The begininge of the next weeke you will heare further from him.

I ame sorry to heare of Mrs. Winthrops sicknes, and Mrs. Downings feare of sicknes. The Lord doe good to them both and raise vp the one and keepe vp the other, if it be his will. We had yesterday blessed be our God a comfortable day of it. Mr. Humfryes voluntarily did acknowledge with many teares his cariadges of rashnes and hastines etc. in such a manner as hee drew teares from diuers. the Lord in mercy cary him further on in euery way of his to Gods glorie and his owne peace: I shall not further trouble you at present but committ you to him who is able to doe for vs all aboue what we can ask or thinck. With him I leaue you and your deare yoakefellow and all yours beseeching him neuer to leaue you till hee hath brought you home to himselfe in Glory. In whom I ame Yours euer whilest I ame

Memorandum by Governor Winthrop: Keepe this to your selfe.

I much thanke you for yours, and together am sorry for the sicknes of our frends. I am still troublesome to you. I haue sent Mrs. Deliverance Sheffield's letter which puts mee to new troubles for though shee takes liberty vpon my Cossen Downings speeches, yet (Good Sir) let mee not bee a foole in Israel. I had many good answers to yesterday's worke2 and amongst the rest her letter; which (if her owne) doth argue more wisedome, 111then I thought shee had. You haue often sayd I could not leaue her; what to doe is very considerable. Could I with comfort and credit desist this seemes best, could I goe on, and content my selfe, that were good: my request is that this bearer my harts-halfe may well obserue what is best. For though I now seeme free agayne, yet the depth I know not. had shee come ouer with mee I thinke I had bin quieter. This shee may know that I haue sought God earnestly, that the next weeke, I shall bee riper:

I doubt shee gaynes most by such writings: and shee deserues most when shee is further of. My very hart is with you and I am Yours euer