17 - 15 Jan. To Sir John Scudamore

Summary

Worthye Sir:

I am full of AshWensdaye, and the busynes which waytes upon it, soe that your Leters could not have taken me fuller of thoughts, or less able to entend your busynes, then I am att thiss present. I would not but you should attend the service of his Maiestye in the loane, and nourishe that good opinion he hath of you. And for your chapman you have noe reason to make him jealous bye a journye (as he maye thinke) to survay the Markett. Sure I am, use, that eats all men, will not spare you if you keepe betweene the teeth of it: which have ever binne found to be grinders; and you doe well to thinke betymes howe to slipp from them. The Manner you saye must be bye sale of lande. And your desyer to part with some lande hath thrust you into a scruple of conscience. For direction in thiss you Call to me, soe far as it is Matter of Conscience. And thoughe you knowe I trust not Leters with anye thinge of Moment, yett Consideringe your occasions I will dispence with my resolution, trust your Messenger with mye Leters, and your selfe with the Contents.

If you find not all soe clearlye Expresed as you desyer, you must attribut it partlye to the knotts which ar in the busynes; and partlye to the little tyme I have to cleare them. I am sorye soe much of your estate is in Impropriations: For it seemes the sale you intend will not wholye quitt your state of them. And your Auncestors should have done well to have bought other lande, thoughe they had payed dearer for it. But thiss is nowe remediless, and ‘tis a Remedye which you seeke after; Indeed manye Remedyes in one. A Remedye against your debt. A Remedye against use. A Remedye against Impropriations themselves if they maye be solde to Remedye your state. To the busynes then.