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XLII. To my B. the L. B. of B. in France.
My good Lord and Br.
ALthough the sense of my own hard condition be enough to make me melancholy, yet when I contemplat yours, (as I often do) and compare your kind of banishment with my im∣prisonment, I find the apprehension of the first wherin so many have a share, ads a double weight unto my sufferings, though but single; Truly these thoughts to me are as so many corro∣sives to one already in a Consumption. The World crys you up to be an excellent Divine and Philosopher, now is the time for you to make advantage of both; Of the first, by calling to mind that afflictions are the portion of the best Theophiles; Of the other, by a well weigh'd consideration that crosses and troubles are en∣taild upon man-kind, as much as any other inheritance: In this respect I am no Cadet, for you know I have had a double if not a treble share, and may bee rather call'd the elder brother, but 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, I hope I shall not sink under the burden, but that we shall be both reserved for better days, specially now that the King (with the Sun and the Spring) makes his approach more and more towards us from the North.
God Almighty (the God of our good old Father) still guard you and guide you, that after so long a separation we may meet again with comfort to confer notes and recount matters pass'd; for advers fortune, among other properties, hath this for one, that her present pressures are not so irksom, as the remembrance of them be∣ing passed are delightsom. So I remain
Your most loving brother, J. H.
Fleet, 1 Maii. 1645.