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LADY ELIZABETH MASHAM, N. D., JULY? 1629

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TO HER MOTHER

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5    Deare mother I humbly thank you for the token you sent me.
6The ladis at Lees were such abowt their necks with their peticotes
7and wastcotes. I went with my husband to Chelmsford and Langlyes
8and so did only supp at Lees. He went in his coatch because Jug has
9to goe gett hir a payer of bodis. I am glad my husband sent you some
10of your one cheries and that they cam at soe fitt a time to my sister
11Robert. My lady of Warwick sends all most evrye day for some, and
12this day she charged Jug Altham to goe to Hattfeeld and se a baskettfull
13well putt up for hir; and so Jug means to preserv some doble
14cheries for my sister Garard. She preserved 2 pownd of single cheries
15for my sister before, but I know not whether she will have them or no;
16if she will not, I will. I am glad you liked my litle pulletts I sent you,
17I will gett some more fatt to send you. I had hoped to have seen you
18the next week, but my husband is so importuned by Colchester men
19to be there on Monday that it hinders my joyrnye because he goeth in
20his coatch, but when he coms back I hope to have liberty after our
21haye. I am very glad you have overcom your pashon and will see Mr
22Willyams. It will be to your grete honer to pass by ofencis, and if we
23consider how much God forgivs us we canot but forgive such as ofend
24us, especialy it being the condishon God maks to forgive us if we
25forgive others. He took noe unkindnes that I colde perceave for your
26not seing him, he did not speak a word of it tell I asked him. He will

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27be very glad to atend you asoone as he can, but it willbe longe first, by
28reson of much busynes which he hath. Both he and we will not sease
29to pray daly for hapy being thare and your safe return when the lord
30shall se it fitt, to whose protectyon I comit you and ever rest
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LADY ELIZABETH MASHAM, N.D., SUMMER/AUTUMN 1629

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TO HER MOTHER

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42    Deare mother I am wonderfull gladd that it pleaseth God to
43give you your health soe well at Harrow. Mr Dike asked me when I
44woulde goe see my nue mother; I perseave Harow hath made you
45younge againe. When you dare give us leave to think we are clear we
46shall be glad to se you. I thank God we hav had no more ill, the boye
47that had them went a brode againe within 2 or 3 dayes. The measels
48have bin in most placis abowte us, but thanks be to God I here of none
49that dye of them. It is a wonderfull thing to me to think the lord
50should lay his hand soe moderatly upon us in these times wherein we
51soe much increse in disobedenc to him, and wherin all sorts of sin soe
52much abowndeth; but he is a God of longe suffering, yet he will be a
53consuming God allsoe to all such as sett lite by his smaller tryalls and
54be not broute neerer to him therby. I hope yet you will not forgett
55Hatfeeld; the lord is able longe to continue that strenhth and health
56ther which you have got at Harow and I hope he will doe soe. I
57shall-be gladd to fetch you. TEN LINES ILLEGIBLE
58    ... that all the distempers of our bodys, which must need be many
59while we live here, may be a means of the cureing the great
60distempers of our soles, and may make us longe for that home whare
61all sorows shall have an end and we shall tryumph in joye and glorye
62for ever more. I looke evry day to here from my brother Knightly. Jug
63Altham longes much for hir cosin Johane Mewexe's company, if you
64please to give hir leave to come hither I will send for hir and bringe
65hir againe to you. I have inquired abowt Mr Acher and I perseve he
66will have none of hir; I pray if you send to my brother Mewix let him
67know so much. Yet his sister is come hether who he puts much
68confidenc in; it may be if my neece ware here then she mite win hir
69love and she will work with hir brother. I like the gentleman exceeding
70well by site and discourse. I feare I may be tedius to you therefore
71with my humble duty I comend you to God and rest
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