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9.

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FROM PHILIP HENRY IN CHESTER CASTLE TO MRS. HENRY
3AT BROAD OKE.

4
7    I continue very well, at present, thankes bee to
8God! and feel nothing yet of the Inconveniences of a prison;
9we are better accommodated, as I acquainted you in my last, then
10wee could have expected, though wee must pay for it. Just now
11six Min^rs N. C. are brought in hither from lancashire, more than
12before, so far are wee from enlargm^t, but our times are in God's
13hand, who hath sent us hither, I am confident, for good, though
14how or which way or wherein I know not, but hee is faithful that
15hath promis'd. My Chamber fellows & I differ someth in our
16apprehensions of things past, which wil not bee helpt, but for the
17unseen th. that are to come that are Eternal, wee are all one.
18Our Afternoones, til late, are fild with visitants, who love us &
19wish us wel & are kind to us, but wee cannot doe with them what
20wee would. Cos. Crue hath been an hour with mee this morning
21shee brought mee a quart of Aqu. Mirab. which I would have
22had her take back again, til more need, but shee would not. I
23have not yet opened y^t little bottle I brought with mee, since I
24came, not wanting it, & being more afrayd of what might heat

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25mee, in regard wee have no drink but strong (unless very seldom)
26neither morning, noon, nor night, w^ch may turn to Feavorish distempers,
27wanting exercise - I have not trodden on the ground
28since Sat. which using mys. to in mornings I thought y^e want of
29it might bee prejudicial, but hitherto it is not; I have not tasted
30Butter yet with bread since I came from home. This dinner wee
31had Beanes and Bacon, Sammon &c. but I am careful w^t I eat,
32not Fishes & Fleshes. Mrs. Wenlock was to see mee yesterday &
33brought mee a bottle of wine. I bestow all of that kind in
34Common, my Companions strangers here. This Aftern. y^e Citizens
35meet on Rood-dee with Halberts, they think to take the Oath.
36Mrs. Clive is here, Mr. Woodh. I hope recovers, & wⁿ wel comes
37in again. I have seen Mr. H. but 'tis at distance. Let mee
38hear from you, how you doe & the children &c. as oft as you can.
39Shew not my letters. When you think fit to send for them from
40Salop, Send love to Matth. Our Gards change every howr, which
41makes it so very hard to come to us, else wee might oblige them.
42I would gladly see him, but when or how I know not, I think
43there's little danger of any harm to him here, if there bee none at
44home, at his return. Love to Sarah & El'nor, & to Ann D. & to
45all y^e rest of you, doe w^t you can to get to heaven your selves &
46to help one another thither. Prepare for further Sufferings, to
47which it may bee these th. are but the Preamble but all is well
48that ends everlastingly well. Thankes for all y^r love & faithfulnes
49to mee, & Patience with mee; the lord wil reward it. One of
50my Fellow Prisoners last night receiv'd a letter from his wife subscrib'd
51- so I rest dear Husband in all Duty & Obedience your
52Obedient wife - Such is lancashire kindness, but deeds exceed
53word - I am in short most intirely & most affectionately thine.