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EPISTLE. ¶ To Maister Abraham Breckman / Inhabitant of Midlebrough in Zelant / all pros∣perity in Christ Iesus.
IN my last great Sick∣nes / what tyme it pleased the hiest to heaue me from Deaths pallet / vnto my Lyfes pillowe / as I so rested on my Couch / idle fancies that hau∣zen the head of the sick / begon to breed my vnrest: which I expounded / to be a fruite good inough for him that sat idle. I therfore called for pen / ynck / and paper: and hauing invoked the hiest / I (as a soldjer cut downe to the knees in the feilde) did presently ag∣gresse our english Anabaptistes Fury: thinking it more honorable amongest the Sap••tes / to ••p with my spirituall launce in his limbs / then cowardwise to giue vp the ghost in silence. But / soone after this counterbuffe / the Captaine of the feild / set me vpon my feete / end flesht me to a bigger batt∣le. The Memoriall yet of my weake / but former cordate onset / I wold not haue to ••p as addle / though the ad∣uersary will think / I had as good haue sit idle. And because your self haue bene an old sokinge soldjer in this kynd of fight / I therfore haue bene bold to incommend this CAR∣PENTER vnto yow. In his ship yow haue had an oare / in his Ark / A seate: and (in very troth) yow and yours haue of him / your pay. Still let the plerophorie of his sprite / be the wynd in your sayles: Suffring Noah to hold the helme: and yer long (no doubt) your Hope (as it alredy ankers) it shall bringe your Ship to the shore of Abrahams kingdom / with whome yow shall sit downe merry) recountinge all former aduen∣tures. And thus (with my hearty sa∣lute to your hous hold / as also to o∣thers our freindes nere yow: (scias quos sentio.) I leaue yow to the tuition of the hiest: end the sequel / to your tutelage.
Amstel-rodam. 1597. 7. Mon. Iul.
Your brother (though vnworthy) in the testimony of Iesus: HENOCH CLAPHAM.