Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 3
1637
I Confesse and Acknowledge that I have sinned against the Great God of heaven and Earth besides other offencis which I haue committed I acknowledge that I haue deserued shame hear and eternall destruction hear after, but hear is my comfort the Lord is mercifull and desires not the death of any that truely Repent, the god of heauen knoweth that I speake out of a Trobled minde and greaved spearett I speake it not because I am hear but I hope the Worke of god shall appear by mee for I have made a promise god helping mee to keepe it neuer to Committ the like soe longe as I haue to liue I am not Eloquent neather can I write what the lord hath putt in to my hart but thus I saie it is good for mee that I am afflicted. I desire not to troble you with many words but out of the depth of my sorrow I speake. the lord of heauen make mee an Instrument of bringing honnor vnto his name as I haue dishonnored it which I will with all my power labore for to doe the lord helpe mee to keepe my vow. Your worships poore Sarvant
W. 1. 118