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Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4

Edward Howes to John Winthrop, Jr.1
Howes, Edward Winthrop, John, Jr.

1638-03-21

21° March: 1637/38 My Frind etc.,

Yours of the 1st of August last I received, and alsoe the Mapp of the Coast about Pequot for which and former kindnes I thanke you. the relation of your fight with the Indians I haue read in print, but of the fight amonge yourselues Bellum linguarum, the strife of tongues, I haue heard much, but little to the purpose. I wonder your people that pretend to 22knowe soe much, doe not knowe that Loue is the fulfilling of the Lawe, and that against Loue there is noe Lawe. but noe marvell: when many haue not the begining (the feare of the Lord) of wisdom in them; and howe can they that feare not God, keepe his Commandements or fulfill them: but I hope when I come to find more vnitie, peace, and Loue. The terra incognita cognita est paucis, arcanum Jehouae adest reuerentibus ipsum; to tell you my thoughts or knowledge of it, its neither earth, water, aire, nor fire, nor AEther, soe that its beyond sence, or my expression, but to giue you an intelligible taste, its lesser then the least, it cannot be diuided nor comunicated, its bigger then the bigest, for its perfect its beyond the highest, and below the lowest, for thought cannot reach it, if you knowe it I need not tell you it, if I speake in an vnknowne tongue, I doe but beate the Aire. Your Aunt Downing can informe you of my dwellinge where I shalbe glad to heare from you that I may continue to be as I desire Tuus vt possim

E. H.

Endorsed by John Winthrop, Jr.: Mr. Ed. Howes with a parable.

1.

W. 2. 169; 4 Collections , VI. 504–505. For Howes, see Winthrop Papers, II. 226 n .