By the enclosed you may perceiue the ernest request of your unfaithfull servant Luxford who hath no lesse but much more importuned me since I received his lines using Pauls plea for Onesimus etc. but you know the man and his manner of importunity, pleading his paines and care so many yeares, and however his faylings were great yet I perceiue he thinks his paines to be greater and that in his extreame necessity you should take compassion on him, but I refer him to your mercy and yet would haue you consider well what you doe. The truth is I thinke he is very pore: for he worketh not, yet offered me his labor this harvest for his dyet which for some reasons I durst not accept but pitty the man. He hath taken a Farme of Mr. Hanbury which was Mr. Browns at 40li per annum, but how he will pay it or raise it I know not, especially when he hath neither stock security foode nor credit. He saith 292there are some in the bay that will affourd him some help but who they are or what it is I know not.

I suppose you haue heard what was the issue of the day of humiliacion concerning the eleccion of Mr. Chancey;2 But things are like still to goe ill for on the 2d day of this weeke a mocion was made by Mr. Paddy and some that inordinately cleaue to him for his setling at Jones river some three miles from Plimouth who purposeth there to lay the foundacion of an Academy, and reade the Arts to some that are fitt for that purpose that so they may also haue use of his gifts. I manifested my dislike to the Governour who still pressed his gifts, but I told him they must still retaine his errors etc.3 with his gifts which were like to weaken if not destroy both the Congregacions of Plymouth and Duxburrow being seated in the midst equally between both having already manifested his judgement to be more rigid then any Separatists I ever read or knew; holding it lawfull (nay a duty for ought I heare) to censure any that shall oppose the major part of the Church whether it be in eleccion of officers or receiving in or casting out of members if they will not be convicted and yield by which meanes 10 or more may be cast out to receiue in one. But what will be the issue of these things the Lord onely knoweth; I feare the Lord hath a quarrell with us, and the rather becawse Mr. Bradford and Mr. Reyner are both drawn to yield to the mocion which is so contrary in my apprehension to the peace of the Churches, especially when I consider the confidence or rather selfewillednes of the man. Truly Sir I conceiue if you conceale how you come by your informacion, and giue your christian advice to Mr. Bradford spedily about it you may be the instrument of much good. For my selfe however I am ready to demand a dismission from them, yet I simpathise with them and desire their welfare as much as ever, and for me to oppose he hath such a party as I might rather expect dismission with a Censure then otherwise: But entreating you to conceale your author, and commending you and it with all yours to the blessing of the blessed God with many thanks for your last loue take leaue remayning Yours till death