Ely 13th October, 1638
“Dear Cousin,
“I thankfully acknowledge your love in your kind remembrance of me upon this opportunity. Alas you do too highly prize my lines and my company. I may be ashamed to own your expressions, considering how unprofitable I am, and the mean improvement of , my talent.
“Yet to honour my God, by declaring what He hath done, for my soul, in this I am confident, and I will be so. Truly, then this, I find: that He gives springs in a dry barren wilderness where no water is. I live you know where in Meshec, which they say signifies prolonging; in Kedar which signifies blackness; yet the Lord foresaketh me not. Though He do prolong, yet I He will I trust bring me to His tabernacle, to His resting place. My soul is with the congregation of the First-born, my body rests in hop: and if here, I may honour my God, either by doing or by suffering, I shall be most glad.
“Truly no poor creature have more need to put himself forth in the cause of God than I. have had plentiful wages beforehand; and I am sure I shall never earn the least mite. The Lord accept me in His Son, and give me to walk in the light, as He is the light! He it is that enlighteneth our blackness, our darkness, I dare not say He hideth His face from me. He giveth me to see light in His light. One beam in a dark place has much refreshment in it:--blessed be His name for shining upon so dark a heart as mine! You know what manner of life mine hath been. Oh, I lived in and loved darkness and hated light; I was the chief; a chief of sinners. This is true: I hated godliness, yet God had mercy upon me. O the riches of His mercy! Praise Him for me, pray for me that He who hath begun a good work would perfect it in the day of Christ.
“Salute all my friends in that family whereof you are yet a member. I am much bound unto them for their love. I bless the Lord for them; and that my son by their procurement is so well. Let him have your prayers, your counsel; let me have them.
“Salute your sister and husband from me;- He is not a man of his word! He promised to write of Mr Wrath of Epping, but as yet I have received no letters; put him in mind to do what with the convieniency maybe done for the poor cousin I did solicit him about.
“Once more, farewell. The Lord be with you, so prayeth
Your truly loving cousin,
“Oliver Cromwell”
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