Family-histories and genealogies : containing a series of ...

(though welcome) news, that you could not beare the thoughts of a fynale Separa-
tion ; and
since, when you were last att ou'' side of the River, you told mee the same
thing, besides many things which you have in discourse told diverse of youre owne
best freynds, which gave them grounds to conclude that you had special Love for my
person. If I had thought that these things had been false, I must have Judged of
. . . according to the .
. . which
would have commanded a period to all
proceedings of this nature ; but conf I believed thee, and accordingly concluded
that hee which had Incindled this Love in Thee would increase It, and in his good
Time bring us together in the Relation of man and wife, and hereupon gave my
affections their full scope, concluding not only that I mite, but that it was my duty
to, Love her intirely for whose Sake I should forsake Father and mother ; and, as I
tould you when I last spake with you, I shall nott att this time Release any promise
(and you to mee, I should nott suffer for yo'' Sake) which has past between us, though
I cannot desire you should proseed to Joyne yourself In marriage with mee on the
account of pittie. I desire to look to God who is able to give mee ... to all
his gracious promises which wo'* be matter of comfort . . . (for
so they are
. . .) I would desire you''' not forgett how willing I have been, according to my
Cappacity and opportunities ;
with some Lynes.
so then, in kindness and in way of Requital, faure mee
" I shall not enlarge att present, but, desiring that the Good Lord would gra-
ciously guide us to that which may tend to his glory and our own everlasting peace,
I take leave and Remain thine, and thine only, in the bonds of Intire Affection,
M. G."
He also wrote verses, of limping gait, indeed, but which, not the less
for that, remind one of hymns by poets popular in his time, as if he might
have been not unfamiliar with them. Two fragmentary specimens,
inspired, as the foregoing letter was, by his love, must suffice :
—
" And grant me this
Token of bliss
Some lynes for to peruse with speed,
That may to mee
A Token be
You doe mee choose in very deed."
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