Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4Note: you've followed an index reference to a note that, due to changes between the print and digital editions, may no longer be on page 214. Please look at all notes at the end of the document or documents on page 214.
1640-03-04
After my due respects presented to your selfe, and vertuous wife: hauing so fitt an opertunity, and being ingaged by so many obligations therunto I cannot omitt, but do make bold to present these few rude lines vnto yow: wishing all increase of grace and peace with all the fruites of righteousnes which are by Jesus Christ to the praise and glory of god, and humbly intreating the lord to double his Spiritt vpon yow, according to the greate importance of your imployments and affaires; with muche prosperity, and long dayes; to his glory, and the Comfort and rejoicing of that greate people you are intrusted with: I am att present in health and so haue bin since my departure, through the riche mercy of our god; but haue looked many times toward that good 214land, and not altogether without some breathings and longings, after those pretious liberties once injoyed (though uery vnproffitably) truly sir my thoughts are sadned to recount them, and what little improuement I made: but I hope this long abstinence will make me sett a higher price vpon New England then euer Its deploreable to se what we are forced to behold: Concerning Newes: att present there is little but what you haue heard (I suppose) ere now: as touching the Spanish Armado, of which I made bold to aduise yow formerly from Dartmouth: Concerning the Scotts: here is great preparation for warr, and is out of doubt against them notwithstanding the parlament which is like to proceed the 13th of the next Month, which makes many wise men stand not knowing what to iudge of things: and att present I think mens hearts are shaken more then euer notwithstanding the parlament. many that haue kept themselues fast in their ingagements waiting and hooping for a good issue of this great desighne that would now willingly disingage themselues, but cannot: the times that are approaching threaten heauy and sad things: the good lord be intreated to thinke vpon his poor people that yett apprehend it not: If god giue an opertunity I shal speake more att large: in the mean time I thinke it behooues al the lords people to double their duty and improue all the interest they haue in heauen for this poore land. I haue made bold to appoint my wife to wait vpon your wor
W. 3. 79; 4
Collections
, VII. 300–301.
The following paragraph, in a different hand, is written on the verso of Bourne's letter and seems to have no connection with it: “That which I can testifie is that ther was a plaine bargan for ought I could see for Mr. Bridges bid him to fetch the money and one to cary it away; the Reason as I conceive that hee sold it to Mrs. Hudsons was because Mr. Canes man brought not the money beefore Mr. Bridges had presant ocation to goe out of the towne and told him soe.”