I cann hardlye thinke of you, much lesse write to your worship, without some greife of Spirit; I am glad yet to heare, and cannot but looke vpon it as a great power of a God to carry his Creature thorough such a triall, without discontent, or frettinge against his Prouidence. I haue heard a Conclusion gathered against these Plantations, because the Lord hath so sadlye afflicted the founders of them in their estates; that therefore it was not a way of God, to forsake our Countrye, and expose ourselus to such temptations, as wee haue done, so long as wee might haue enioyed God in any comfortable measure in the place whence wee came, alledginge that it is scarcely knowne that any church in a way of Separation as wee are did euer yet thriue in grace. at first hearinge the thinge, I was a little affected, onely when I came to consider, that those who haue thus suffered in their estates, haue beene no seekers of themselus, but the commonnesse of their spiritts or vnfaithfullness of seruantes, as a means, haue beene the onely cause I haue againe gathered my thoughtes to rest, hopinge still that God will finde out a way to make your burden lighter. for the letter which your worship sent mee, and for your vndeserued loue therein manifested, I humbly thanke you. your Counsell carriinge reason and your owne experience in it I cannot sett light by, hauinge beene a means to calme my disquiett thoughtes, and to stopp them in their hurrye: my Father law still holdes his owne, and would yet haue mee rise from hence. my brother Ward wauers much, but rather declines it from your arguments, and some others which wee finde out together: howsoeuer if time will giue vs leaue (the Lord willinge) some of vs will veiw Pentuckett in the Springe, because euery one that hath seene it giue it such large commendations for a small Towne, the way also thither beeing passable for a great pinnace: onely my feare is that Passaconnaway liuinge there sometimes hee will hardly bee bought out with a little. my brother Ward hath beene offered the place at Marblehead, when the minister goeth away to Jefferies Creeke who is there. the message was first done to my Father Ward, who should haue enformed my brother of it, but hee kept it in his owne breast, and did not reueale it, till long after by accident hee heard of it: so that now hee fears the opportunitie is slipt: diuers enticements hee hath to returne to England, but his 192wife is vtterlye against it; and hee is willinge, if hee might but haue any employment to stay still. if your worship did but put in a word for him, if you thinke the place conuenient for him, your word would doe much: hee did helpe at Rowlye, but because hee was not in Couenant some tooke offence, and hee layed it downe at my vnckles desire and his church who else would gladly enioyed his helpe. this letter I would desire your worship might bee safely deliuered to your Sonne, containinge in it some money which I ought him. thus still crauinge pardon for my boldnesse, with due thankes for your loue and care of mee; my due seruice being presented to you, desiringe the Lord to support your Spirit vnder your affliction, and to giue a fauourable issue out of it I rest Your worships in any seruice

Had not the Almighty (who is righteous in the middest of mans unrighteousnes) stirred up certaine malicious and slanderous persons to defame me with impudent false and shameles reports to my no smale griefe and trowble I had been with you before this day, knowing right well how comfortable the face of a friend is in such sad conditions as yours at present. How I haue been and am affected with those losses and crosses are befallen you by your unfaithfull servant he that made the heart best knoweth; But when I consider how unhappy a man may be in the fullest and most plentifull enjoyment of worldly treasures then I judge you neerer happines in the losse of them; not dowbting but our gracious God will sanctefie his hand unto you, assuring my selfe it will be good for you in the end. How prone would Gods people be to haue their hearts ensnared and taken up with the world and the riches and honors thereof if he should not sometimes shew us their vanity. He that brought Job so low (after he was humbled before him) blessed his latter daies more then his former. We haue to doe with the same God: He can doe what he will, and let this be our comfort he will doe what is best for us: therefore let us shew foorth his praise by patient submitting to his hand, joyning therewith a diligent enquiry after the cawse twixt him and our selues. I haue too often used a foolish proverb, I had rather be envyed than pittyed: but I finde by lamentable experience Gods word 193true, That none can stand before envy, and therefore prefer your condicion far before mine owne, whom I conceiue to be compassed about with Friends. But alas however a Friend loues at all times, now is the time of tryall; and heerein (as many other waies) I dowbt not but you will gaine by your present condicion, which the Lord in mercy grant. What you wrote to our Governour he imparted to me. Few or none of note haue commen from your parts this way of late by reason of the season. So that we heare not what order you haue taken in your busines. If my presence may any way stand you in steed you may command it and my best service therewith. I pray you Sir take it not ill that I am thus plaine. If I faile tis occasioned by my loue knowing right well how such an unexpected streight may pinch a good estate which I should be very sorry to heare. Be you and yours saluted in the Lord, to whom my prayers are that his comforts may exceed your crosses: And so desiring your prayers take leaue remayning your assured Friend simpathizing with you