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Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 3

William Hooke and Thomas Bradbury to John Winthrop1
Hooke, William Bradbury, Thomas Wintrhop, John

1637-09-13

To the Right Worshipfull John Winthop Esqr. Gouernour of the Masichewsetts these present be delivered in Baye

Wee haue found it written (Right Worshipfull) that where noe vision is the people perrish. The Consederation where of forceth vs to become humble 498sutours to your worshipp, to solicite in our behalfe some godly Minister, to pitty the miserable estate and Condicion wee are in for want of those blessed meanes which the lord hath appointed to the fortherance of our saluation: hoping he will stirre vp your hart with all conueniant speede to supply (out of your abundance) vs his poore people heere whoe are almost starued for want of the spirituall foode of our soules. Wee shall not neede to vse many arguments to moue you; whoe canne better apprehend our misery, then wee expresse itt. Maye it please you Mr. Blackstone haeth formerly promised to come and liue with vs, but wee nowe finde by his answers to some, that his hopes are fedd with the expectation of farre greater profitt by his husbandry there; then hee should haue had by his ministry here, which God only knowes. Nowe Sir for the accommodation of a Minister thus farr wee canne goe at present; hee shall haue a very good howse, with an Inclosure to it for the planting of corne, and allsoe a stipend of 20li per annum; which wee hope in a short time wilbe doubled if not trebled. Neather will wee seeke to tye him to any other manor of dissipline then what shalbe found approueable out of word of God: which must be the touchtone and triall of all our actions, good Sir lett not any former scandals which haue beene (partly iust and partly vniust raysed vppon vs) be any obstacles to hinder the good and proffitt which by this meanes may through Gods blessinge betide our poore soules heere after. What wee haue spoken vouchsafe to take into your serious Consideration: and affectually answer vs by the ferst opportunity; soe shall wee praye for a continuall increse of Gods fauour towards you, in derecting all your accions to his glory to home wee leaue you and rest Your humble Suppliants euer to command

William Hooke Thomas Bradbury Accomenticus the 13th day of September Anno 1637
1.

W. 3. 51; 4 Collections , VII. 195–196. For Hooke and Bradbury, see 4 Collections , VII. 195n.