A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 3

John Winthrop and John Wilson to John Stoughton1
Winthrop, John Wilson, John Stoughton, John

1632-10

To our Reverend and right worthy freinde Mr. Doctor Stoughton these deliver
Reverend and Worthy Sir,

We may be bould to let you knowe (vpon certaine intelligence which hathe come to vs) that we have hearde (with much ioye to our hearts) of the disposition of your thoughts towards vs, or rather towards the Lords worke begunne heere, for the spreadinge of the Gospell in these westerne parts of the world. Withall we have taken notice of that good reporte you have amonge the Saints, and of those Gifts the Lorde hathe furnished you with for this service: Wherevpon we thought good to let you vnderstand, and to give you what firme Assurance we may, of our stronge desires towards you: We meane not of our selues onely but of the Church of Boston whereof we are, and althoughe we dare not presse you with importunitye of Arguments (being conscious of our owne unworthyness of so great 89a blessing) to come into N: E: and helpe vs: yet we assure you, it would muche adde to the Comforte of our selues, and our incouragement in the hope of muche successe in this waye the Lord hath sett vs in, if it may please him to sende you vnto vs, by the returne of this bearer, with a minde so prepared, as vpon your discerninge the state of our Congregation, and the Affections of our people towards you, and our acquaintance with you, and knowledge of your abilityes, you might be ioyned to us in the Office of the Ministerye. Now (good Sir) we beseeche you, that this may suffice, to perswade your hearte this motion proceeds from the truethe of our desires towards you, and the apprehension of our owne want of suche helpe as the Lord hathe enabled you to afforde vs. And for all other matters which you shall desire to be informed of, to receive satisfaction from this bearer Mr. Peirce, our most faithfull freind and brother in Christ, till whose returne (by the good providence of the Lorde) we shall sitt downe and expecte your resolution: in the meane tyme we crave the helpe of your prayers, and so Comendinge you and all yours to the Lords most iust and holy disposinge in this and in all your occasions, with most hearty salutations we take leave and rest Yours truely in the Lorde

Jo: Winthrop John Wilson Boston in Massachusetts in N: E: October 1632
1.

Public Record Office, C. O. 1/6: 67; 1 Proceedings , V. 128. John Stoughton, brother of Israel and Thomas, was a graduate of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and received the degree of Doctor of Divinity in 1626. He was rector of Aller, Somerset, 1624–1632, and curate of the parish of St. Mary Aldermanbury, London, 1632–1639. John Venn and J. A. Venn, Alumni Cantabrigienses, Part I, IV (Cambridge, 1927), 121. For the Reverend John Wilson, see D.A.B.