A Copy of a Letter to my Cousin M. Bullie, a grave Preacher in new England.

MY very louing Cousin, seeing we can no longer enjoy your company in old Eng∣land, we would be glad to heare of your safe arrivall in new England, and I feare in this little time you finde by experience that all things are not answerable to your expectation, and like∣wise that your friends that did so earnestly desire your stay were not altogether mistaken, when they told you that you should find many inconvenien∣ces in that place. Well, howsoever God, the God of infinite wisedome, that hath in his eternall Councell appointed us our going out and our Page  30 comming in; that hath in his providence thus di∣rected and inclined your heart unto this course, I trust also he will sanctifie both your prosperity and adversity in the same, that all shall worke to∣gether for the best, to further you to that everla∣sting rest which he hath prepared for his children in the kingdome of heaven; and therefore now let us be partakers of the truth in both, and especi∣ally in the comfort of your freedome in the ordi∣nances of God, and in your publique exercises in the holy worshipping of him, for that is the main thing that I desire to be satisfied in: and whether you have yet setled any uniforme course to be ge∣nerally practised for the sanctifying of the Sab∣bath, and when you begin and end the same, as also for prayer and reading the holy Scriptures, prea∣ching of the Word, and singing of Psalmes, with the manner of the administrations of the holy Sacraments, and how far you doe still hold the or∣der of the Church of England, and wherein you differ from the same, or if you have not yet esta∣blished such a course, but leave every Minister to order his peculiar Congregation to his own Rule, whether you doe not finde great variety and diffe∣rences in mens opinions in that way, and what in∣convenience and danger may grow thereby, through sects and schismes, that of necessity is like to fall thereon. And thus good Cousin you see how bold I am to trouble you with so many quaeries in a forraign land, when it is more need to make enquiry into my owne sinfull and deceit∣full heart, to see what is done there in matter of reformation, repentance, and amendment of life.

Page  31 And therefore now though we are far remoted in the body, yet let us be present in spirit and pray∣er, and although you are retvred to a place of more privacy, and where your eyes (I hope) doe not see such abominations to vexe your heart with as ours doe, yet pitty us and pray for us; and on the other side, be not, oh be not so secure, nor put your confidence in your select company, nor in those remoted woods and solitary mountaines; but remember what befell unto Lot, that was righteous Lot whilest he lived in Sodome; but when he would fly out of Zoar to a solitary cave in the mountaines, with his two daughters, he commit∣ted those abominable sinnes there, that his soule would have abhorred once to have thought on in Sodome, and therefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall, our help is in the name of the Lord, that hath made heaven and earth, who is able to help us in all places, and at all times, and so beseeching the God of peace that brought againe from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ the shepheard of his sheep, through the bloud of the everlasting covenant make us perfect in all good works, and to doe his will, working in us that which is pleasant in his sight through Je∣sus Christ, to whom be praise for ever and ever. Amen Even so I take my leave, and rest,