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Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4

John Endecott to John Winthrop1
Endecott, John JW

1640-07-28

Dearest Sir,

Hearing of the remarkeable stroake of Gods hand vppon the shippe and shipps companie of Bristoll,2 as also of some Atheisticall passages and hellish profanations of the Sabbaths and deridings of the people and wayes of God, I thought good to desire a word or two of you of the trueth of what you haue heard: Such an extraordinary Iudgment would be searched into what Gods meaninge is in it, both in respect of those whom it concernes more espetiallie in England, as also in regard of ourselues: God will be honred in all dealings. We haue heard of seuerall vngodlie carriadges in that ship as, First in thee way overbound they would constantlie Jeere at the holie brethren of New England, and some of the Marriners would in a scoffe ask when they should come to the holie Land? 2. After they lay in the harbor Mr. Norrice sent to the shippe one of our brethren vppon busines and hee heard them say, This is one of the holie brethren mockinglie and disdainefullie. 3. That when some haue bene with them aboard to buy necessaries, The shippe men would vsuallie say to some of them that they could not want any thinge, They were full of the Spiritt. 4. That the last Lords Day, or the Lords Day 271before there were many drinkinge aboard with singinge and musick in tymes of publique exercise. 5. That the last Fast the Maister or captaine of the shippe with most of the companie would not goe to the meetinge, but read the booke of common prayer so often over that some of the company said hee had worne that threedbare with many such passages. Now if theise or the like be true, as I ame persuaded some of them are, I think the trueth heereof would be made knowen by some faithfull hand in Bristoll and else where. For it is a very remarkable and vnusuall stroake. Pardon I pray you my boldnes heerein. You shall command mee in any seruice I can doe. I write the rather because I haue some relation that way and shall therefore be glad to be throughlie informed of theise things. This bein all at present I leaue you with the Lord desiring myne and my wiefs heartie loue and seruice to be remembred to your selfe and your dearest yoakefellow, and rest, Yours euer assured

Jo: Endecott Salem the 28th of the 5th moneth 1640
1.

W. Au. 94; 4 Collections , VI. 141–142.

2.

The Mary Rose of Bristol blew up in Charlestown harbor on July 27, 1640. For Winthrop's account, see Journal, II. 9–10; also printed in D.J.W. .