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

I perceaue the reason why I receaued not answer hitherto from mr. Shepherd was, because he was desirous the answer might be if it were the will of god according to your desire. He delayd not to mooue her in the thinge, and seriouslie to Commend it to her serious thought, and perceauing her inclined aversely from marriage, or the motion therof, he desired she would not presently answer at all. much lesse resolue. But rather take time and Consider therof as a matter of Great moment, and of such Inducements waightie, which before her were praesented. neyther did she returne him Answer till this morning. Which was to this effect: that she did account her selfe greatly bounde to yourselfe who did expresse toward her so great loue, as to make her such an offer. and was very thankfull in that behalfe, but declareth a firme resolution for sundry reasons not to entertayne any thoughts of marriage, nor doth find any inclination to this or any motion, (though Sundry besides this she hath had) as not able to Bury her husband so soone as she Cals it. and she hath written letters to her father whom she expecteth now shortly at lest to heare from him, to whom she hath engaged her selfe by promise, to reserue herselfe wholy to his Counsell and direction in her affaires. And if she had not so written, yet would she thinke her selfe Bound neuer the lesse to walk by that Rule (ther being it seemeth extraordinary dearenes and Tendernes betweene them in him as a father et Contra.) And though It be not mentioned, yet I beleeue what I hinted to you before, that their is some speciall likelihood of Some body or other to Come with or from her father, whom he may Commend to her. So that I neyther see nor gather any probability of further Successe in this Ayme. Wherin I doubt not but you are and will be ready (as in all thinges) to resigne vp your desires to the 347Good pleasure of God, whom as you serue in a good conscience so neyther will he be wanting to you nor yours in any seasonable illegible Vnto whose sweet Grace, and rich reward recommending you, and your honorable yoke-fellowe, I do rest Vnfaynedly at your Service in Christ Jesus