¶
TO
MY
DEARE
FRIENDE
AND
CHRIstian
Brother
,
Richard
Atlee
,
Inhabitant
of
the
desolat
Towne
of
Eastdearham
,
and
to
his
vertuous
wife
,
Alice
Atlee
:
ARTHVR
GVRNEY
wissheth
prosperitie
,
and
all
good
thinges
,
in
CHRIST
IESV
.
ABoute
a
fortnight
since
,
it
was
my
hap
to
vnderstande
of
a
Ballet
(
as
I
take
it
)
then
newly
come
from
the
Presse
,
conteyning
a
brief
and
doleful
Discourse
of
the
late
burning
of
East
DERHAM
.
And
(
as
for
mine
owne
part
)
I
both
was
and
am
a
witnes
of
the
wonderful
euents
therof
:
and
therwithall
(
what
for
my
continuall
trauell
of
body
and
mind
,
the
ruines
of
my
friendes
&
allies
and
mine
owne
smal
losses
)
a
fellow
feeler
of
the
heauy
burthen
imposed
vpon
the
townes
estate
:
euen
so
,
with
so
much
the
more
good
will
I
enterteyned
the
newes
,
expecting
some
better
sequell
,
and
rested
not
,
til
mine
eyes
were
testimonies
of
the
trueth
.
But
when
I
perused
the
same
,
and
approued
the
penning
as
sufficient
in
that
or
such
like
cases
,
I
was
(
neuerthelesse
)
well
aduised
of
sundrie
vntruethes
,
whiche
the
Author
(
no
doubt
)
not
so
much
vppon
pretenced
deprauation
,
as
for
want
of
necessarie
instruction
had
inserted
.
And
allbeit
,
no
important
thing
hath
therin
escaped
,
which
(
for
mine
owne
part
)
I
would
not
tollerate
,
of
verie
good
wil
in
that
respect
:
yet
sithe
her
Maiestie
,
her
honorable
counsaile
,
many
noble
,
worshipful
,
&
common
personages
,
bee
otherwise
infourmed
of
the
matter
:
as
also
,
the
duetie
of
a
christian
,
requiring
by
all
meanes
to
intercept
the
course
of
an
vntrueth
:
and
last
of
all
,
in
diuersities
of
wandring
reportes
to
establish
some
certaintie
,
I
haue
vndertaken
in
the
discourse
of
the
matter
,
to
set
downe
such
an
assurance
of
his
particuler
errours
,
and
instead
therof
,
interposed
such
trueth
,
as
the
diligent
obseruation
of
mine
owne
experience
and
the
triall
of
many
sound
iudgements
can
confirme
and
testifie
.
¶
One
poinct
(
therfore
)
wherin
he
failed
,
is
touching
the
nomber
of
Tenementes
,
Messuages
,
or
mansion
houses
subuerted
and
spoyled
.
The
.2
.
concerning
the
dissolution
of
our
houses
necessarie
for
diuers
domestical
vses
.
¶
The
.3
.
his
insinuation
of
a
totall
losse
and
detriment
susteined
.
In
these
three
(
speciallie
)
hath
he
left
the
matter
destitute
of
true
report
:
for
,
as
I
haue
expressed
in
the
sequell
of
my
treatise
:
the
nomber
of
tenementes
is
.
LII
.
whiche
he
calleth
.
LX.
The
houses
of
office
,
350.
or
there
aboutes
:
which
hee
reducethe
into
the
nomber
of
.80
.
The
value
of
all
together
.8000
.
li.
or
very
litle
lesse
,
which
he
reporteth
to
be
.14000
.
The
two
first
(
without
al
controuersie
)
are
mistaken
,
and
publisshed
falselie
:
But
as
for
the
last
,
I
must
confesse
,
that
(
at
a
blush
)
it
seemeth
to
carrie
great
appearance
of
truth
:
and
I
my selfe
was
therin
greatly
ouerseene
&
deceiued
,
vntill
with
certaine
other
(
of
good
experience
)
I
had
made
an
estimate
of
euerye
particuler
losse
,
and
brought
them
to
a
generall
and
grosse
summe
.
Neuerthelesse
,
if
we
may
recken
the
charge
,
which
the
towne
(
if
euer
she
be
repayred
)
wil
exact
,
to
make
returne
of
her
former
estate
,
I
meane
in
nomber
and
quantitie
of
houses
,
and
(
therwith
)
not
pretermit
her
manifold
losses
,
namely
,
of
coyne
,
corne
,
implements
of
Houshold
stuffe
,
victuales
,
wood
,
Timber
,
chattell
,
fruict
,
wels
,
pumps
,
hay
,
straw
,
time
and
trades
,
wherby
euer
since
they
haue
declined
and
gone
backward
,
which
with
the
rest
are
and
ought
to
be
brought
into
the
rekning
:
It
is
certaine
true
,
that
of
,
14000
.li.
a
small
remnant
wyll
remaine
,
if
any
deale
be
left
at
all
.
But
this
is
an
other
case
:
for
an
accompt
is
rather
to
be
raised
accordinge
to
the
rate
of
so
much
money
as
euery
mans
house
and
stuffe
would
yeald
in
sale
,
if
now
it
weare
in
STATV
QVO
PRIVS
.
For
albeit
the
buildinges
were
such
as
might
haue
serued
many
yeares
and
ages
,
if
it
had
pleased
the
Lorde
to
permitte
them
to
posteryties
:
yet
of
a
newe
house
,
in
quantitie
of
proportionable
resemblance
with
an
old
,
and
of
an
old
,
is
not
one
and
the
selfe
same
reason
:
because
by
how
mvch
it
excedeth
in
goodnes
,
by
so
much
ought
it
to
be
preferred
in
price
and
estimation
.
So
then
the
whole
losse
which
towne
hath
susteyned
is
8000
.li.
or
there
abouts
,
&
the
reedifiyng
or
restauration
of
the
same
in
necessary
maner
with
such
other
reconings
adhearent
as
I
haue
allready
cast
ouer
,
will
amount
to
litle
lesse
then
14000.
and
so
it
seemeth
not
vainely
saide
.
He
that
buyeth
a
house
ready
wrought
,
Getteth
many
a
nayle
for
nought
.
Thus
much
Sir
,
touching
the
cause
that
moued
me
to
intermedle
&
busie
my selfe
about
the
affayres
of
this
processe
.
Now
whereas
the
Lord
of
his
owne
especiall
grace
from
amongest
the
rest
of
that
part
of
the
towne
destroyed
,
hath
gleaned
out
your
house
,
as
one
eare
out
of
a
shocke
of
corne
,
and
preserued
it
alone
amids
the
multitude
of
so
monsterous
flames
,
though
I
am
in
no
case
to
exhort
you
whome
I
prefer
before
my selfe
,
or
at
the
least
do
make
no
inferiour
,
eyther
in
the
due
acceptation
of
suche
a
benefit
at
his
Highnes
hande
,
or
in
recounting
the
causes
why
he
hath
ben
more
mercyfull
to
you
then
the
rest
of
all
that
towne
,
and
what
purposes
he
seemeth
to
haue
pointed
and
aymed
at
therein
:
yet
sith
I
dayely
heare
men
more
reddye
to
attribute
occasion
vnto
the
meanes
whiche
the
Lord
vsed
in
that
action
of
mercy
,
and
to
detract
from
him
that
honour
and
priuiledge
that
in
all
good
thinges
is
due
to
him
onely
:
then
to
waye
and
consyder
what
it
is
to
neglect
the
meryte
of
his
grace
herein
:
I
am
to
craue
your
pardon
if
this
my
Epistle
shall
seeme
any
thing
tedious
and
not
facioned
with
that
DECORVM
that
best
might
become
so
short
a
discourse
as
is
the
treatis
it selfe
.
You
knowe
I
am
sure
that
albeit
the
case
of
the
towne
in
that
dismall
daye
wherein
it
was
afflicted
,
was
no
lesse
myraculous
in
the
eyes
of
good
men
,
then
feareful
to
the
●ad
whose
tonges
at
the
same
instant
could
implore
the
ayde
of
God
and
attende
vpon
his
ordinance
,
yet
hath
it
pleased
some
since
that
time
to
make
so
diuers
constructions
thereof
as
dothe
agree
and
ioyne
with
all
vntrueth
:
and
to
take
so
slender
tast
of
true
knowledge
as
if
their
sences
had
eyther
of
late
forsaken
them
,
or
as
if
they
were
newe
drunke
and
lulled
a
sleepe
in
their
obliuion
,
as
in
truthe
they
seeme
in
all
goodnesse
.
These
be
the
men
that
turn
al
things
be
they
neuer
so
graue
&
waightie
vnto
wantonnes
,
that
are
alwaies
musling
with
beasts
in
the
myre
of
worldly
matters
,
&
neuer
vouchsafe
to
lend
so
muche
as
half
an
eye
to
looke
vpon
the
sunshine
of
Saluation
,
ne
will
be
procured
to
put
forth
one
poore
nuger
to
take
acquaintance
of
the
power
and
prouidence
of
God
:
but
readily
proffer
their
hand
&
the
seruice
of
al
the
instrumental
parts
of
their
bodye
to
welcome
&
enterteine
Mammon
that
monster
their
Maister
.
But
it
is
no
matter
,
thei
shew
euen
the
same
modestie
towards
God
when
he
sheweth
himself
vnto
them
,
that
in
the
common
course
of
their
life
thei
haue
don
towards
those
that
are
present
with
them
,
namely
the
professers
of
the
Gospel
,
&
in
the
ende
,
shal
find
their
fault
I
doubt
not
,
&
throughly
vnderstand
it
either
vnto
perpetual
pain
,
or
repentance
:
In
the
meane
season
,
sith
in
their
darkenes
we
perceiue
faire
daylight
&
the
glory
of
God
in
their
iust
condemnation
,
if
that
be
the
reward
of
their
ingratitude
let
them
accumelate
their
sinnes
,
seing
they
wil
needes
be
filthy
,
till
they
haue
ascend
,
the
throne
of
iudgement
,
and
we
shal
see
and
they
feele
the
greatnes
of
their
owne
greeuous
fall
.
Let
vs
I
say
,
be
sure
,
that
God
reuealeth
himself
to
no
infidel
,
preordeined
to
perdition
,
&
therefore
confirme
our selues
so
much
the
more
in
our
hope
,
by
how
much
the
lesse
they
make
reconing
of
the
trueth
&
their
own
headines
&
wretched
condition
.
For
in
truth
,
nothing
can
commend
the
good
estate
of
a
Christian
to
his
own
soule
&
conscience
with
more
vndoubted
arguments
,
than
when
he
seeth
himself
continent
in
the
wicked
actions
&
demeanour
of
worldlings
,
&
hath
fayth
in
all
the
changes
&
chaunces
of
this
vnconstant
lyfe
to
pul
true
obedience
vppon
him
for
his
protection
:
The
rest
rowle
euery
waye
&
tumble
vp
&
downe
like
restlesse
waues
of
water
,
allwayes
relatinge
the
mercies
and
myracles
of
the
Lord
as
accidents
to
prophane
beginninges
.
And
as
they
are
seldome
possessed
with
the
spirit
of
humilitie
,
euen
so
they
tosle
and
turmoyle
them selues
in
affliction
til
they
are
windlesse
,
and
then
breathe
and
to
it
againe
,
with
infinit
curssinges
and
quarreles
till
tract
of
time
hath
worne
awaye
the
sorowe
of
their
case
,
or
made
them
feele
the
pricke
that
posteth
their
danger
,
of
sicknesse
death
,
or
desperation
.
These
poore
soules
neuer
learned
of
Dauid
,
Iob
and
the
rest
,
howe
to
behaue
themselues
vnder
the
Crosse
and
hand
of
God
,
they
accompt
him
a
God
no
longer
then
he
pynneth
prosperitie
vppon
their
sleeues
,
or
wayghteth
vpon
them
with
aboundance
of
wealth
and
pleasures
if
they
accompt
him
a
God
at
all
.
But
if
their
eyes
were
not
seeled
that
they
might
flye
right
vpp
till
they
are
wearie
&
then
fal
straight
downe
&
breake
their
neckes
,
they
might
gather
a
heape
of
myracles
together
passed
in
the
ruines
of
this
our
towne
,
and
by
the
same
learne
to
knowe
the
prouidence
of
God
.
As
the
wall
couered
with
drye
&
parched
strawe
,
which
although
it
be
platted
where
the
fire
had
free
accesse
and
stood
like
a
stake
in
the
midest
of
ouerwhelming
floudes
,
yet
doth
it
stand
whole
and
sound
,
yea
&
,
which
is
more
,
with
one
of
the
corner
postes
burnt
a
good
depth
iust
in
the
midst
of
the
top
,
with
strawes
stroughtinge
ouer
it
vnperished
.
What
?
hath
fortune
care
of
strawes
?
or
could
these
(
little
wretches
)
laye
hold
on
her
heary
side
,
&
a
whole
streat
of
houses
so
many
furlongs
long
not
misse
the
bald
.
Oh
fine
strawes
,
if
your
dexteritie
haue
saued
you
,
thanke
your selues
.
If
Fortune
,
fie
on
her
harlot
,
that
would
be
so
freendly
vnto
you
,
who
neuer
did
her
good
,
and
so
froward
to
the
rest
,
that
neuer
wisht
her
harme
.
Lykewise
the
winde
which
allwayes
changed
in
defence
of
those
houses
that
nowe
stand
,
and
then
were
in
danger
,
may
shew
how
farr
the
Lord
did
purpose
to
reache
his
rod
,
It
cannot
be
denied
with
anye
colloure
of
trueth
,
that
when
the
fire
had
gotten
the
market
stead
,
the
wind
from
the
sowthwest
chaunced
full
west
,
whereby
that
side
was
preserued
,
and
when
it
had
gotte
,
by
your
house
and
beyond
it
,
so
that
had
the
fire
taken
the
next
rowe
,
the
remnant
,
except
God
being
able
to
do
what
he
wil
,
had
shewed
a
wonderful
myracle
:
must
of
necessitie
haue
gon
with
the
fore
end
of
the
pece
,
then
I
say
he
brought
the
winde
from
the
west
to
the
northwest
,
which
kept
off
both
the
blaze
&
sparcks
&
turned
them
almost
backe
again
,
or
at
the
least
,
that
way
wherin
lay
no
danger
.
If
any
deny
this
,
not
only
my self
who
duly
obserued
these
alterations
as
I
labored
,
but
other
credible
witnesses
also
can
testifie
with
me
,
&
in
the
end
when
the
fire
was
suppressed
&
beaten
downe
,
then
lo
,
it
returned
into
the
same
stead
wherein
it
stode
at
the
first
.
Moreouer
,
why
cannot
our
fortune
men
gather
nothing
out
of
the
preseruation
of
your
house
,
knowing
that
another
was
burnt
to
the
earth
whichin
the
on
end
,
namli
on
the
stree●
syde
was
ioyned
to
it
and
came
somwhat
within
it
,
〈◊〉
on
the
backe
syde
betwene
the
foundations
of
the
crosse
buildings
was
at
the
most
but
foure
foot
distance
,
so
that
by
al
likelihod
of
imagination
the
eues
of
ech
other
must
concur
within
lesse
then
thre
quarters
of
a
yard
?
if
thei
say
your
mansion
hous
(
wherof
the
question
is
)
is
a
tiled
house
&
that
you
had
the
assistance
of
the
pit
&
great
help
of
mans
hand
,
I
graunt
.
But
I
pray
you
who
put
that
boldnes
and
courage
in
one
only
man
,
whom
we
neuer
before
knew
desperat
in
rash
attempts
when
your
hous
was
al
redy
fired
,
for
want
of
ladders
to
break
out
betwen
two
spars
,
there
to
indure
that
great
peril
&
danger
that
not
only
his
parents
&
frends
cried
out
on
,
but
al
the
standers
by
also
for
dread
of
his
present
death
?
who
I
say
in
this
notable
distres
made
him
the
instrument
of
your
good
&
an
incorage
ment
to
the
rest
?
was
it
God
or
fortune
?
now
,
al
this
say
our
Epicures
was
fortune
forsoth
:
it
was
but
good
&
euil
luck
,
it
was
but
habardepas
,
it
was
but
this
or
that
,
&
which
for
a
penny
.
Alas
if
I
should
go
about
to
persuade
them
that
before
the
pit
was
made
,
or
er
the
hous
was
raised
,
or
er
you
were
born
,
God
held
the
purpose
of
your
defence
,
I
think
thei
would
iudge
me
mad
,
and
yet
is
it
greater
madnes
by
oddes
to
denye
it
.
Finallie
in
a
world
of
such
witnesses
&
arguments
of
the
prouidence
of
god
to
make
short
with
them
&
conclude
in
a
word
:
so
sone
as
the
fire
was
ceased
,
who
sent
that
notable
shoure
of
rain
?
was
it
fortune
to
show
her self
in
her
pontificalibus
,
or
the
lord
to
declare
to
vs
&
proue
what
he
cold
haue
don
in
time
for
our
safty
,
if
it
pleased
him
?
they
which
ascribe
these
things
to
fortune
,
let
them
set
her
on
the
top
of
the
pinacle
,
rest
in
her
contemplation
&
seruice
&
seek
non
other
gods
,
for
she
is
euen
good
ynough
to
show
them
experience
of
eternall
shame
.
It
repented
godly
Augustine
that
euer
he
dishonored
the
name
of
God
by
talking
of
fortune
with
his
tong
,
but
these
men
are
not
afraid
to
rob
God
of
his
glory
,
&
honour
her
with
their
harts
▪
But
if
thei
happen
to
be
hunted
(
like
hogs
that
are
led
by
the
eares
)
from
this
fortres
of
theirs
,
so
as
they
must
eyther
confes
God
or
els
be
pointed
out
for
blaspheming
Atheysts
,
then
straight
way
theie
say
that
indeed
he
suffered
it
,
but
neither
willed
it
,
nor
did
it
:
wherin
also
thei
shape
them
out
a
God
according
to
their
own
shadow
,
who
by
this
reson
must
suffer
that
which
he
wold
not
or
be
a
carelesse
&
idle
ouerseer
of
worldlie
maters
.
wel
I
leaue
them
to
their
grosnes
til
the
lord
shal
please
to
vouch
safe
their
better
knowledge
or
bring
vpon
them
the
iust
effects
of
wilfull
ignorance
.
Now
for
asmuch
as
amidds
so
great
desolation
he
hath
left
you
this
notable
trial
of
his
loue
,
&
tumbled
the
rest
together
before
the
owners
faces
as
thogh
he
wold
haue
you
to
know
&
confesse
,
&
the
rest
to
beare
witnes
of
his
fauour
towards
you
:
For
the
loue
of
god
(
for
your
parts
)
answere
him
again
with
your
due
obedience
in
that
caling
wherin
he
hath
placed
you
,
euen
of
a
redy
&
willing
mind
to
bring
glory
to
his
name
,
profit
to
his
church
&
confort
to
your
own
consciences
.
And
as
you
haue
hitherto
ben
countenauncers
of
the
poore
professors
of
Iesus
christ
in
this
your
town
,
&
louing
frends
to
al
other
:
so
herafter
,
be
not
wanting
(
as
I
trust
you
wil
not
)
in
reforming
&
bridling
those
,
whose
religion
&
maners
,
you
daily
see
too
too
far
out
of
square
&
order
,
haling
the
iugdements
of
god
vpon
them
&
others
,
who
but
for
them
wold
be
more
teachable
,
&
in
short
space
better
taught
.
And
the
Lord
(
who
in
althings
can
see
the
secrets
of
your
intents
)
shal
blesse
your
labours
&
reward
you
with
the
open
liberalitie
of
his
glorious
kingdome
:
which
I
beseeche
him
graunt
vnto
you
both
.
Amen
,
¶
Yours
,
in
the
Lord
,
A
R.
GVRNEY
.