meruell not though I write not soe often to you, as some others of my place, calling, and Relation to you would haue done. For I am yet (as always I haue bene,) conscious of mine own weaknes, being not able to write to you of anie thing, which others of farr more abilitie then my self write not of to you.

Et quid est acta agere, nisi insipientis verba sapienti proferre?

But least that proverb might seame to take place in me, out of sight out of mind, know that I make more frequent mention of you, and your whole Companie, before the Throne of grace then is to be expressed with pen and Inke; and if my heart deceiue me not, the loue and inward respect of my hart is as entire to you and yours this daye, as when you were personallie present as my patron in this Towne of Groton; and if I knew in what to express it, I must alwayes, (and will) acknowledg a dept of loue due to you.

But me thinks (worthy patron) I heare you saye, what loue can you shew to me, who shew soe little to the people of god vnder your Charge? for whom you must giue account to god; for whose good my soule melteth within me; and soe much the more, because hoping I had left them a zealous, faythfull, true hearted Minister, I heare since my departure, he is become a fearfull time seruer, and a corrupter of those whom he ought to instruct in doctrine, so that it repenteth me that I called such an one to that place, or left him in it?

Louing Sir, the complant is sore agaynst me, and the argument is strong on your side. For if I loue not gods people of whom I haue the Charge from Christ himself in my Ministerie, I cannot respect you that calld me to that charge att the first. For he that loues his freind will keep carefullie the best depositum of his freind. I must quitt my self from this Crime, or yeild the Conclusion agaynst my self. Know therfore (louing Sir) in the words of sobrietie and truth, that my carefullnes for my Charge is as much, (yea more,) then in the daye of your aboad with vs; my diligenc in preaching as frequent, and my doctrine deliuered as sound, and as pertinent to my peoples estate. For witnes to this truth, I appeale to your Brother Downing, who of his own free choyce, came and liued vnder my Ministerie some part of this summer, to whose iudgment, I referr my self, being not a competent Judg in mine own cause.

But you will saye, what euer your doctrine be, you are giuen to be too ceremonious, a great practiser of them, a great preacher for them, as if that were good food for the souls of your people?

Worthie freind, be iealous, (yet with a godlie iealousie) not with a carnall. Accept my defenc, which is in truth and playnnes of heart, as before god. Know I am not more zealous of Ceremonies this day, then when you first called me to Groton. I then wore the Surpliss, lesse frequentlie for your sake; now more frequentlie for my Ministeries sake. Consider of it well; he that iudges he may weare the Surpliss, and yet will not often, because he will not offend one, may he not weare it often, for the good of manie? I will leaue the Conclusion to your self.

Agayne, for preaching for them, (I witnes before Christ, whose Minister I am) I neuer did it, noe not in the least mention, in anie degre.

In a word, I know how to vse thes Ceremonies for the peace of my ministerie and good of my people. But to be zealous of them, to take them into my sermonds, instead of gods word to his people, I neuer did, and resolue by gods grace neuer to doe.

Bountifull patron, if the saluation of your Sisters soule, and the word of truth, be not as pretious in mine eyes, as mine own, lett Christ require it of me. I professe I neuer was a perswader in anie degree, to keep your Sister from comming ouer to you. It cutt me to the heart, when you bad her to take heed to her soule, least by me she should be ledd into by paths; the Lord of his Grace, keep me in the truth, or att least suffer me to perish alone, that I may not be a Factor for Satans kingdome.

Louing Sir, without breach of godlie loue, I must speake what I think, that you iudg of me in your thoughts as one not worthie to be saluted, naye not to be prayed for; my grounds hereof are

1. you make mention of me in your letter, as of one that is fallen from the truth and power of my Ministerie, and as one to be feared, and avoyded for feare of corruption and contagion.

2. you doe not once witnes anie sorrow for this, in respect to me, as if the losse of my soule in that way were noe care to you.

3. you doe not once send me anie salutations in your letter, much lesse anie aduice, or councell, what to doe. The Apostles sayeing to Archippus, Take heed to the Ministerie thou hast receiued in the Lord, that thou fulfill it, would not haue bene vnseasonable.

4. And, which I most meruell att, in you a godly man, that knows that vproars are in our Church, and that gods Ministers, (especiallie such poore ones as my self) are in daynger of taking hurt, by reason of oppression and trouble, yet you express not one sigh for me, nor one petition to god in my behalfe.

Reuerend Freind, what think you of me? haue I soe fallen as not to be pittied? as not to be saluted? as not to be prayed for? god forbid you should soe think of me. Iudg not according to appearanc, eurie thing reported is not true, euerie offenc committed is not vnto death. Be better informed of me for the present, and be more charitable of me, and my fellow Ministers, for time to come.

It were now a thing vnseasonable to tell you, that I was att a poynt to haue lost liuing and libertie both, for continuing to preach on the Holy dayes, a Task taken vp att your Intreatie onely, without anie worldly profitt to my­313selfe, as you can witness; yet soe it was. For noe fault being found in me, for matter of Discipline, the reading of the Kings Declaration for the Libertie of the Sabbath, was by Authoritie pressed vpon me, the daye limited in which I should read it, the witnesses appoynted, which when I fayled to doe, my Name was called in publique Court, twice, on 2 solemne dayes, and it was bruted, that I was suspended, but by gods only help I stand free this daye from anie such censure. The cause, and onlie cause hereof, my refusing to cease preaching on the Holy dayes. This is the truth; and I leaue it to your iudgment to make the Conclusion.

And now (beloued brother in Christ) I know you passe iudgment on me, by some report of men, not of your own thoughts onelie, who being godlie, may be deceiued in reports, and may slander, which is a sin, and the greater, if from a godlie person. The seruant of god must not walke about with slanders.

My Apologie is, Agaynst an Elder, receiue not an accusation, but vnder 2 or 3 witnesses; lett it be founde confirmed, before iudgment be passed, soe shall wee not easilie err in iudgment.

And I beseech you, iudg of me as of a Brother, vnited to you in the same true faith of Christ, by the bond of the Spirit, and soe iudging, I will conclude with Saint Paull: Lett brotherlie loue continue.

Lett this large letter possess the place of 2 letters, and giue the reading, and I pray you, if you receiue it, acquaint me with the cause of your soe writing, that if it be possible, our creditt in the ministerie may be recouered with your Congregations, that wee maye pray hartilie one for another, in fayth strengthned by loue. I doe truly salute you in the Lord, in the affection of sincere loue, and wish you aboundant prosperitie in spirituall blessings, without the mixture of anie burthen, soe long as may stand with the will of Christ. But expect it not for euer; false Apostls came into the Churches, when the true had finished theire work. Oportet esse haeraeses, is to you a known truth, labor to think of it, and to pray for vs now vnder it.

I hartelie salute your louing wife, whose kindness to her Godson, in the Bible she gaue him, and I with her gift haue bought for him, I hope will be a remembrance of her whils he liues. The Lord hath giuen me 3 Daughters to my son.

The Lord is good to vs this daye, in keeping the Sickness from our dwelling; now gods iudgments are abroad, the Lord by them teach vs in righteousness.

My wife saluts you, and my son craues his Godmothers blessinge. all in Groton of your acquaintance are in health; for the particulars I referr you to the letters of others.

The Lord blesse you, and vs, with all spirituall blessings in heauenlie places in Christ for euer. Your louing freind and sometimes your minister in the Lords seruice

Reckned with mr. Jo. Wintrop Junior this 23 Sept. 1636

I was abroad about the Pequt busines when your letter arived, and since Messengers haue not fitted etc.

I therefore now thanckfully acknowledge your Wisedome and Gentlenes in receaving so lovingly my late rude and foolish Lines: You beare with Fooles gladly because you are wise.

I still waite vpon your Loue and Faythfullnes for those poore papers and can not but belieue that your Heart, Tounge and pen should be one, if I were Turke or Jew etc.

Your 6 Quaeries I wellcome, my loue forbidding me to surmise that a 315Pharisee, a Sadduce, an Herodian etc. wrote them: but rather that your Loue and Pitie framed them as a phycitian to the sick etc.

He that made vs these Soules and searcheth them, that made the Eare and Eye and therefore sees and heares I lie not but in his presence haue sadly sequestred my selfe to his holy Tribunall and your Intergatories, begging from his Throne those 7 fiery Lampes and Eyes his holy Spirit to helpe the Scrutinie: desirous to suspect my selfe aboue the old Serpent himselfe and remembring that He that trusteth in his owne hearte is a Foole Prov. 28.

While I answere let me ymportune from your loving breast that good opinion that you deale with one (how euer so and so in your Judgment yet) serious, and desirous in the matters of Gods Sanctuarie to vse (as the double waights of the Sanctuarie teach vs) double Diligence.

Your first Quaerie then is this:

What haue you gayned by your new found practices etc.

I confess my Gaines cast vp in mans Exchange are Losse of Friends, Esteeme, Maintenance, etc. but what was Gaine in that respect I desire to count losse for the Excellencie of the Knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord etc. To his all glorious Name I know I haue gained the honour of one of his poore Witnesses, though in Sackcloth.

To your beloved selues and others of Gods people yet asleepe this Witnes in the Lords season at your waking shall be prosprous, and the Seede sowne shall arise to the greater puritie of the Kingdome and Ordinances of the Prince of the Kings of the Earth.

To my selfe (through his rich grace) my tribulacion hath brought some Consolacion and more Evidence of his Loue, singing Moses his Song and the Lambes in that weake victorie which (through His helpe) I haue gotten ouer the Beast, his picture, his Marke, and Number of his Name Revel. 15. 2. 3.

If you aske for numbers, the Witnesses are but 2 Revel. 11. and how many millions of Christians in name and Thoughsands of Christians in Heart doe call the Truths (wherein your selfe and I agree in witnessing) Newfound practices?

Gideons Armie was 32 Thoughsand: but Cowardize returned 22 thoughsand back and 9 thoughsand seaven hundreth Worldlings sent but 3 hundreth to the Battell.

I will not by prophecye exasperate, but wish (in the black and stormie day) your Companie be not less then Gideons, to fight (I meane with the Blood of the Lambe and Word of Witnes)2 for what you professe to see.

To your 2nd: viz: Is your Spirit as euen as it was 7 yeares since?

I will not follow the Fashion either in Commending or Condemning of my selfe. You and I stand at one dreadfull Dreadfull Tribunall: Yet what is past I desire to forget, and to press forward towards the marke for the price of the High Calling of God in Christ.

And for the euennes of my spirit.

Toward the Lord I hope I more long to know and doe his holy pleasure only: and to be ready not only to be Banished, but to Die in New England for the name of the Lord Jesus.

Towards your selues, I haue hietherto begd of the Lord an Euen Spirit, and I hope euer shall as

First Reverently to esteeme of and tenderly to respect the persons of many hundreths of you etc.

2ndly To reioice to spend and be spent in any service (According to my Conscience) for your Wellfares.

3rdly To reioice to find out the least Swarving in Judgment or practice from the helpe of any euen the least of you.

Lastly to mourne dayly, heavily vncessantly till the Lord looke down from Heaven, and bring all his precious living stones into one New Jerusalem.

To your third viz. Are you not grieved that you haue grieved so many?

I say with Paul I vehemently sorrow, for the Sorrow of any of Zions Daughters, who should euer reioice in her King etc. Yet I must (and O that I had not Cause) grieue, because so many of Zions daughters see not and grieue not for their Soules Defilements, and that so few beare John Companie in weeping after the vnfoulding of the Seales which only Weepers are acquainted with.3

You therevpon propound a 4th. Doe you thinck the Lord hath vtterly forsaken vs?

I answere Jehovah will not forsake his people for His great names Sake 1 Sam. 12. That is the fire of his loue towards those whome once he loues is aeternall like himselfe: and thus farr be it from me to question his aeternall Loue towards you etc. Yet if you graunt that euer you were as Abraham among the Chaldees, Lot among the Sodomites, the Kenites among the Amalekites, as Israell in Egipt or Babell, and that vnder paine of their plauges and Judgments yow were bound to leaue them, depart flie out, (not from the places as in the Type) but from the Filthines of their Sinns etc. and if it proue 317as I know assuredly it shall, that though you haue come farr yet you never came out of the Wildernes to this Day: then I beeseech you Remember that your selues and so allso many thoughsands of Gods people must yet mournfully reade the 74, 79, 80, and 89 Psalmes, the Lamentations, Daniells 11th and Revel, 11, 12th, 13th,4 and this Sir I beseech you doe more seriously then euer and abstract your selfe with a holy violence from the Dung heape of this Earth, the Credit and Comfort of it, and cry to Heaven, to remooue the stumbling blocks, such Idolls after which sometimes the Lord will giue His owne Israell an Answere.

Sir You request me to be free with you, and therefore blame me not if I answere your Request, desiring the like payment from your owne deare hand at any time in any thing.

And let me add, that amongst all the People of God wheresoeuer scattered about Babells Bancks either in Rome or England etc. your case is the worst by farr, because while others of Gods Israell tenderly respect such as desire to feare the Lord your very Judgment and Conscience leads you to smite and beate your fellow Servants, expell them your Coasts etc. and therefore, though I know the Elect shall never finally be forsaken yet Sodomes Egypts Amaleks Babells Judgments ought to driue vs out to make our Calling out of this World to Christ, and our Election sure in him.

Sir Your 5th is From what Spirit and to what End doe you driue?

Concerning my Spirit as I said before I could declaime against it, but whether the Spirit of Christ Jesus, for whose visible Kingdome and Ordinances I witnes etc. or the Spirit of Antichrist (1 John 4) against whome only I contest doe driue me, let the Father of Spirits be pleased to search and (worthy Sir) be you allso pleased by the Word to search: and I hope you will find that as you say you doe, I allso seeke Jesus who was nayled to the Gallowes, I aske the way to lost Zion, I witnes what I belieue I see patiently (the Lord assisting) in Sackcloth, I long for the bright Appearance of the Lord Jesus to consume the Man of Sinn: I long for the appearance of the Lambes Wife allso New Jerusalem: I wish heartily prosperitie to you all Gouernour and people in your civill way, and mourne that you see not your pouertie, Nakednes, etc. in spiritualls, and yet I reioice in the hopes that as the way of the Lord to Apollo, so within a few yeares (through I feare though many tribulacions) the way of the Lord Jesus the first and most ancient path shall be more plainely discovered to you and me.

Lastly You aske whether my former Condicion would not haue stood with a gracious Heart etc.?

At this Quaerie Sir I wonder much, because you know what Sinnes yea all manner of Sinnes (the Sinn vnto Death excepted) a Child of God may lye in, Instance I neede not.

2ndly When it comes to matter of Conscience that the stroke lyes vpon the very Judgment, that the thing practiced is Lawfull etc. as the polygamie of the Saints, the Building of the Temple (if David had gone on) the many false ministries and ministracions (like the Arke vpon the New Cart) which from Luthers times to this Day Gods Children haue conscientiously practiced: Who then can wonder (and yet indeede who can not but wonder) how a Gracious Heart before the Lords awakening and calling and drawing out may lie in many Abominations?

2 Instances I shall be bold to present you with: First, doe you not hope Bishop Vsher hath a Gracious Heart? and 2ndly Doe you not iudge that your owne Heart was gracious euen when (with the poysoned shirt on your back) you etc.?

But while another iudgeth the Condicion faire, the Soule that feares, doubts, and feeles a Guilt hath broken bones etc. Now worthy Sir I must call vp your Wisedome your Loue your patience your Promise and Faythfullnes, candid Ingenuitie etc. My Head and Actions willing to liue (as the Apostle Paul) καλκῶς ἐν πᾶσι. Where I err Christ be pleased to restore me, where I stand, to stablish. If you please I haue allso a few Quaeries to your selfe without your leaue I will not: but will euer mourne (the Lord assisting) that I am no more (though I hope euer) Yours