September. 14: I rode to Colchester, my horse stumbled god preserved me from danger, god was pleased to give me good dispatch in my business for the town to the whole committee; Sir Tho: Honywood paid my ordinary for me. I had conference with Mr Ellis ; he told me separation from the true church was lawful in some cases; as being not rightly constituted; so did Luther from the papists and yet there was a true church among them we from the Lutherans, whom we own as churches. and so the independents from us: in their controversy there are 2 things considerable. the matter of which are church consists, visible Saints and then that the government of the church be within its own body and bulk; but grant these two and I see no reason but by mutual consent we may erect classes to assist particular congregations in poin[t] of government as I came home I heard our ship was returned safe from Sunderland, the plague is we hope almost stayed at Colchester, the Lords name be praised for ever Lord teach me to love thee.