_I came this evening from M._ Jones _his house in_ Essex, _where M._ Martin _hath been, and left a relation of Captain_ Whitcocks [Whitelock's] _death, perchance it is no news to you, but it was to me; without doubt want broke him; for when M._ Hollands _company by reason of the plague broke, the Captain sought to be at M{ ris}_ Jones _house, who on her husbands absence declining it, he went in the night, his boy carrying his cloakbag, on foot to the Lord of_ Sussex, _who going next day to hunt, the Captain not then sick, told him he would see him no more. A Chaplain came up to him, to whom he delivered an account of his understanding, and I hope, of his beliefe, and soon after dyed; and my Lord hath buryed him with his own Ancestors. Perchance his life needed a longer sicknesse, but a man may go faster and safer, when he enjoys that day light of a clear and sound understanding, then in the night or twilight of an ague or other disease. And the grace of Almighty God doth every thing suddenly and hastily, but depart from us, it enlightens us, warms us, heats us, ravishes us, at once. Such a medicin, I fear, his inconsideration needed; and I hope as confidently that he had it. As our soul is infused when it is created, and created when it is infused, so at her going out Gods mercy is had by asking, and that is asked by having. Lest your_ Polesworth _carrier should cousen me, I send my man with this letter early to_ London, _whither this Tuesday all the Court come to a Christening at_ Arondell _house, and stay in town so that I will sup with the good Lady, and write again to-morrow to you, if any thing be occasioned there, which concerns you, and I will tell her so; next day they are to return to_ Hampton, _and upon friday the King to_ Royston.
If this which I send you inclosed give me right intelligence, I present you a way by which you may redeem all your former wastes, and recompense your ill fortunes, in having sometimes apprehended unsuccessfull suits, and (that which I presume you affect most) ease your self from all future inquisition of widowes or such businesses as aske so over industrious a pursuit, as devest a man from his best happinesse of enjoying himself. I give you (I think) the first knowledge, of two millions confiscated to the Crown of England: of which I dare assure myself the coffers have yet touched none; nor have the Commissioners for suits any thing to oppose against a suit founded upon this confiscation, though they hold never so strictly to their instructions. After you have served your self with a proportion, I pray make a petition in my name for as much as you think may be given me for my book out of this; for, but out of this, I have no imagination. And for a token of my desire to serve him, present M. _Fowler_ with 3 or 4000 _li._ of this since he was so resolved never to leave his place, without a suit of that value. I wish your cousen in the town, better provided; but if he be not, here is enough for him. And since I am ever an affectionate servant to that journey, acquaint M. _Martin_ from me, how easie it will be to get a good part of this for _Virginia_. Upon the least petition that M. _Brook_ can present he may make himself whole again, of all which the Kings servants M. _Lepton_ and master _Waterouse_, have endammaged him. Give him leave to offer to M. _Hakevill_ enough to please himself, for his _Aurum Reginæ_. And if M. _Gherard_ have no present hopefull designe upon a worthy Widow, let him have so much of this as will provide him that house and coach which he promised to lend me at my return. If M. _Inago Jones_ be not satisfied for his last Maske (because I hear say it cannot come to much) here is enough to be had: This is but a copy, but if Sir _Ro. Cotton_ have the originall he will not deny it you; if he hath it not, no body else hath it, nor can prevent you; husband it well, which you may easily doe, because I assure my self none of the children nor friends of the party condemned will crosse you or importune the King for any part. If I get no more by it, yet it hath made me a Letter. And Sir (to depart from this Mine) in what part of my Letters soever you find the remembrance of my humble service to my Lord of _Bedford_, I beseech you ever think them intended for the first, and in that ranke present them. I have yet received but one Letter from you which was of the 10 of _December_ by M. _Pory_, but you see that as long as there is one egge left in the nest, I never leave laying, nor should although you had sent none since; all at last will not amount to so good a testimony as I would fain give how much I am