Worthy S^rs: Though the filth of mine owne doings may justly be cast in my face, and with blushing cause my perpetuall silence, yet that y^e truth may not herby be injuried, your selves any longer deluded, nor injurious[BU] dealing caried out still, with bould out facings, I have adventured once more to write unto you. Firest, I doe freely confess I delte very indiscreetly in some of my perticuler leters w^ch I wrote to private freinds, for y^e courses in coming hither & the like; which I doe in no sorte seeke to justifie, though stired up ther unto in the beholding y^e indirecte courses held by others, both hear, & ther with you, for effecting their designes. But am hartily sory for it, and doe to y^e glory of God & mine owne shame acknowledg it. Which leters being intercepted by the Gov^r, I have for y^e same undergone y^e censure [126] of banishmente. And had it not been for y^e respecte I have unto you, and some other matters of private regard, I had returned againe at this time by y^e pinass for England; for hear I purpose not to abide, unless I receive better incouragmente from you, then from y^e church (as they call them selves) here I doe receive. I purposed before I came, to undergoe hardnes, therfore I shall I hope cherfully bear y^e conditions of y^e place, though very mean; and they have chainged my wages ten times allready. I suppose my letters, or at least y^e coppies of them, are come to your hands, for so they hear reporte; which, if it be so, I pray you take notice of this, that I have writen nothing but what is certainly true, and I could make so apeare planly to any indifferente men, whatsoever colours be cast to darken y^e truth, and some ther are very audatious this way; besids many other matters which are farre out of order hear. My mind was not to enlarge my selfe any further, but in respecte of diverse poore souls here, y^e care of whom in parte belongs to you, being here destitute of the me[=a]s of salvation. For how so ever y^e church are provided for, to their contente, who are y^e smalest number in y^e collony, and doe so appropriate y^e ministrie to them selves, houlding this principle, that y^e Lord hath not appointed any ordinary ministrie for y^e conversion of those y^t are without, so y^t some of y^e poor souls have w^th tears complained of this to me, and I was taxed for preaching to all in generall. Though in truth they have had no ministrie here since they came, but such as may be performed by any of you, by their owne possition, what soever great pretences they make; but herin they equivocate, as in many other things they doe. But I exceede y^e bounds I set my selfe, therfore resting thus, untill I hear further from you, so it be within y^e time limited me. I rest, &c., Remaining yours ever, JOHN LYFORD, Exille. Dated Aug: 22. An^o: 1624.