content but also to be glad of His visitation. He sent us all that we have lost: and since he hath by such a chance, taken it away again, His pleasure be fulfilled. Let us never grudge thereat, but take it in good worth; and heartily thank Him, as well for adversity as prosperity. And peradventure we have more cause to thank Him for our loss than for our winning. For His wisdom better seeth what is good for us than we do ourselves.
Therefore I pray you to be of good cheer, and take all the household with you to church, and there thank GOD: both for that He hath given us and for that He hath taken from us, and for that He hath left us; which if it please Him, He can increase when He will. And if it please Him to leave us yet less, at His pleasure be it.
I pray you make some good ensearch what my poor neighbours have lost, and bid them take no thought therefore: for and I should not leave myself a spoon, there shall no poor neighbour of mine, bear no loss by any chance happened in my house.
I pray you be with my children and your household merry in GOD. And devise somewhat with your friends, what way were best to take for provision to be made for corn for your household, and for seed this year coming; if you think it good that we keep the ground still in our hands. And whether ye think it good that we so shall do or not, yet I think it were not best suddenly thus to leave it all up; and to put away our folk off the farm, till we have somewhat advised us thereon. Howbeit if we have more now than ye shall need, and which can get other masters; ye may then discharge us of them. But I would not that any man were suddenly sent away, we wot [knew] nere whither.
At my coming hither, I perceived none other, but that I should tarry still with the King's Grace. But now I shall (I think) because of this chance, get leave this next week to come home and see you; and then shall we further devise together upon all things, what order shall be best to take.
And thus heartily fare you well with all our children, as ye can wish. At Woodstock the third of September [1529], by the hand of
Your loving husband
THOMAS MORE, Knight.
