Jethros Justice of Peace, Author to brother
To my louing Brother Mr. SAMVEL WARD.
BRother, if you meet with your Iethro's counsell returned from beyond the seas, and as much beyond your expectation preserued aliue, as his sonne in law was against Pharaoh's Iniunction, meruell as much as you will, but bee no more offended then you hauehave cause. Ioab sinned wider on the other hand in destroying Dauids Absolom, contrary to his serious charge, yet Ioab was pardoned, and yet no brother. I hauehave noted you hitherto inexorable for your owne publishing of any thing of your owne; whether out of iudgement, modesty, curiosity, or melancholy, I iudge not: but when others hauehave aduentured them with fruit and acceptance, into the light, I hauehave seene you rest content with the publique good The like leaue I hauehave taken, expecting like successe, assuring you and my selfe of the generall welcomnesse and vsefulnesse heerof to all whom it concernes, which are the greatest number of the land, euen so many as hauehave any reference to Sessions and Assises, if not all sorts of Christians. OnelyOnly I feare that the corruption of our times is growne so grosse and Eglon-like, that it doth not Ebud-like enough sharpen the poynts, and send them home to the heft, that they may reach to the quicke. I had my selfe added thereto a proiect and perswasion for the redresse of many abuses crept into offices and officers, hauing spent so much time in the study of the law, and execution of some offices, as made me weary of the errours I saw, and heartily wish the reformation of them: but fearing I hauehave learned too much bluntnesse & plumpnesse of speech among the Lutherans, which is here as prime a quality, as smoothnes with you, as also loth to meddle out of mine orb, in my second thoughts I suppressed it. And so wishing vntounto this, many diligent, conscionable and ingenuous Readers and Appliers, and to them Gods blessing and the fruit intended, I take my leaue. From Elbing in Prusia.
Your brother in the flesh, in the Lord, and in the worke of the ministery. NATH. WARD.
End of the text · Samuel Ward, Jethros Justice of Peace (1618)