The Hartlib Papers

Deare freind

by this inclosed yow see that I haue receiued Mr Gore his beneuolence which was 50 Rixd. I haue not beene able to keep a Coppie of this; if yow thinck it may bee usefull to shew it to others yow may cause it bee Coppied out before yow giue it to him. I haue receiued yowr last of the 231.. Nouemb. with the packet adioined to it, wherin was Borrans his Commentarie upon Genesis. & the other three bookes; but the letter of 10. of 9ber which came before this to my hand & mentioneth another packet, is destitute of the like successe, because the skipper hath not deliuered the packet as yet to me which yow mention was deliuered to him. but I make no doubt but it will come to my hand in due tyme. I haue answered heretofore the Chief part of my tenant his desire concerning Mr Gee & I make no doubt but yow haue receiued my letters to Sir William Pelham & him; if Sir William bee slacke to putte in another man write of it to me & yow shall haue authoritie from me to doe it; or yow may enquire for an honest man[alteration] who may bee recommended to the Cure & putte in by Sir William at yowr request. I purpose to write to Mr Godeman about the matter which yow mentioned to me, viz: to giue him occasion to lette my Lord of Canterbury see the drift of my resolutions to see if for his sake; or mine owne sake & the works sake hee will doe any thing more towards me then I doe expect. but I must tell yow a Secret I know not whether or no I should desire to haue him doe much for me: the reasons I leaue to yowr owne Coniecture. the businesse of Scotland doth reflect upon our affaires here not a little; & I am daily in my priuat way much disturbed; & forced to loose tyme Idlely by reason of attendance, of visits & other occasions which withdraw me from mine owne proper taskes which are of such importance as any can bee if rightly considered, & which I only long to meddle with all. O that God would shew me an issue out of this unsetled way of living that I might bee able once to frame an Idæa of the workes which I should go about to accomplish & bee able to allow tyme also for priuat studdie lest I loose all that facultie which I haue hadde in litterature & philosophie. well, Gods will bee done. I haue many thoughts which I would giue yow an account of, & would sette to paper, but this I must write in the night season, & in haste & can find no tyme for the other.

pray for me & lette me heare from yow for I will not faile yow in what I am able to doe or in what God shall inable me; Commend me to all freinds & Chiefly to Mr Godeman & Mr St Amands the grace of God bee with yow & giue yow rest in all straits

Hamburg this 18. of 10ber.        I rest

                                    yowrs in Christ

                                        Iohn Durye

if yow intend to shew the Coppie of Mr Gore his letter to any yow need not to tell to whom it was written, but yet I leaue yow in this to doe as yow think good.

The matters of state are all in suspense; the treaties of Peace betwixt the Swedish French & Imperialists are not very lickely to take Effect; it seemeth the Swedes take exception at some partiall proceedings of the King of Denmarck & doe not think him a fitte mediator: Bannier lyeth still, & expecteth a frost to passe the Elbe & follow Gallas: what effect the taking of Brisac will worke tyme will teach.

                   A Monsieur

                    Monsieur Samuel Hartlieb

                     Seruiteur du Prince

                      Electeur Palatin

              dwelling in Dukes      a

               place neere Algate      Londres

18. decemb. 1638./.