They made a breefe answer to some things in this leter, but referred cheefly to their former. The effecte was to this purpose: That if God in his providence had not brought these things to their hands (both y^e former & later), they might have been thus abused, tradused, and calumniated, overthrowne, & undone; and never have knowne by whom, nor for what. They desired but this equall favoure, that they would be pleased to hear their just defence, as well as his accusations, and waigh them in y^e balance of justice & reason, and then censure as they pleased. They had write breefly to y^e heads of things before, and should be ready to give further [127] answer as any occasion should require; craving leave to adde a word or tow to this last. 1. And first, they desire to examene what filth that was y^t he acknowledgeth might justly be throwne in his face, and might cause blushing & perpetuall silence; some great mater sure! But if it be looked into, it amounts to no more then a poynte of indiscretion, and thats all; and yet he licks of y^t too with this excuse, that he was stired up therunto by beholding y^e indirecte course here. But this point never troubled him here, it was counted a light matter both by him & his freinds, and put of with this,--that any man might doe so, to advise his private freinds to come over for their best advantage. All his sorrow & tears here was for y^e wrong & hurt he had done us, and not at all for this he pretends to be done to you: it was not counted so much as indiscretion. 2. Having thus payed you full satisfaction, he thinks he may lay load of us here. And first complains that we have changed his wages ten times. We never agreed with him for any wages, nor made any bargen at all with him, neither know of any that you have made. You sent him over to teach amongst us, and desired he might be kindly used; and more then this we know not. That he hath beene kindly used, (and farr beter then he deserves from us,) he shall be judged first of his owne mouth. If you please to looke upon that writing of his, that was sent you amongst his leters, which he cals a generall relation, in which, though he doth otherwise traduse us, yet in this he him selfe clears us. In y^e latter end therof he hath these words. _I speak not this_ (saith he) _out of any ill affection to the men, for I have found them very kind & loving to me._ You may ther see these to be his owne words under his owne hand. 2^ly. It will appere by this that he hath ever had a larger alowance of food out of y^e store for him and his then any, and clothing as his neede hath required; a dwelling in one of our best houses, and a man wholy at his owne co[=m]and to tend his private affairs. What cause he hath therfore to complaine, judge ye; and what he means in his speech we know not, except he aluds to y^t of Jaacob & Laban. If you have promised him more or other wise, you may doe it when you please.