That all these things may be observed the more firmly, I affix my Seal and name, and by my own hand writing, oblige my self so, that if at any time I falsify my word, my Children may be call’d to witness my perjury. Given at Kitzinga the 10th of September, in the year 1652.Christopher Farnner.
NB. I did not require this obligation of Farnner, neither wou’d I have taken it, but admonish’d him to be true to the first, with which I was content; for he gave me this for no other reason, but to get more out of me: But, because I had found out his cheats, and he wou’d not be advis’d for his own profit, he at last makes mention of this new obligation, in a certain epistle of his, thinking thereby I was oblig’d to a farther communication of my Art to him, tho I have often told him, that I valu’d not this last obligation but wou’d give it him again: But when he refus’d to take it, I cancell’d it, and kept it by me, for this reason, that it might be seen how he had bound himself by this new Obligation, which certainly he wou’d never have done, without very good cause.
Expressions gathered out of certain of Farnner’s Epistles sent to me; from which is evident how greatly he is beholden to me.
Therefore I faithfully assure you, that I will shortly leave my House, and take a Journey farther off, to provide for my Family; my Wife too is very willing to go with me, and to be interested in our agreements, but I can’t see what shou’d oblige her to it, when it can’t be effected very commodiously: Yet I resolve, if nothing extraordinary hinder me, after eight daies, that is, on the ¹⁴⁄₄th. day of April, to depart hence, and then answer your most friendly Letters, together with my beloved Wife, and all my Family, to take part with you in all your Labours, and help you with the greatest diligence. But because I intend to be so suddenly with you, I shall write no more at this time.March 26th. 1653.
Out of another Epistle, July 17th. 1653.
I hope you will excuse me, that I did not come to you, because hindered by my Wife’s faultiness, who telling me she wou’d come with me, privily laid Obstacles in my way; this offence wou’d not destroy a Knave: Wherefore I again intreat you not to cast me off, but continue your wonted favour to me; and I shall endeavour in my place to give you ample satisfaction; neither shall any thing hinder my speedy performance of what I have promised.
Out of another Epistle, July 29th. 1653.
Forasmuch therefore as I have by the wicked deceit of my Wife, broken the many Promises I made of coming to you, unless I wou’d have taken her wicked Amasius or galant, as Companion in the Journey; it has at length pleased God to take her away, and so put me in a capacity, Worthy Sir, of serving you without the least impediment, wherefore I give my self wholly to your Commands: And altho’ I have been perswaded by Persons of principal Authority to marry again, I will not, but commit my self to be manag’d by your Counsel, as you were my Father. Therefore, since we are parted, if my Fates grant me Life and Prosperity, I will come to you, and commit my self to your guidance and protection, Worthy Patron; for which reason I shall forbear to write any thing at this time of your Laboratory, more than what I see in your Letters, that all things may proceed the more regularly. Wherefore, though I have been solicited by many, yet shall reject all as much as I may commodiously, in hopes of this, that when I have first gotten your consent, I may communicate my labour to some, whereby I may get a good Sum of Money: But these things shall be deferred till our happy meeting.
In another Epistle he saith;
That he was confident he could find out all my Art by my Writings, except that the Vessels do not alwaies abide the Fire, and that the Apothecaries refused to buy his Medicines, unless he would teach them the way to prepare ’em: Again, he would give me Fifty R. Dollers for each month, for my part, as may be shewn from himself; these are his words: And if he was not oblig’d to me, why would he give me Fifty R. Dollers each Month?