A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 4

John Wheelwright to John Winthrop1
Wheelwright, John JW

1643-09-10

Right Worshipful,

Upon the long and mature consideration of things, I perceive that the main difference between yourselves and some of the reverend elders and me, in point of justification and the evidencing thereof, is not of that nature and consequence as was then presented to me in the false glass of satan's temptations and mine own distempered passions, which makes me unfeignedly sorry that I had such an hand in those sharp and vehement contentions raised thereabouts to the great disturbance of the churches of 415Christ.2 It is the grief of my soul that I used such vehement censorious speeches in the application of my sermon, or in any other writing, whereby I reflected any dishonour upon your worships, the reverend elders, or any of contrary judgment to myself. It repents me that I did so much adhere to persons of corrupt judgment, to the countenancing of them in any of their errours or evil practices, though I intended no such thing; and that in the synod I used such unsafe and obscure expressions falling from me as a man dazzled with the bufferings of satan, and that I did appeal from misapprehension of things. I confess that herein I have done very sinfully, and do humbly crave pardon of this honoured state. If it shall appear to me, by scripture light, that in any carriage, word, writing or action, I have walked contrary to rule, I shall be ready, by the grace of God, to give satisfaction: thus hoping that you will pardon my boldness, I humbly take leave of your worship, committing you to the good providence of the Almighty; and ever remain, your worship's in all service to be commended in the Lord

J. Wheelwright Wells, (7) 10–43
1.

Original not located; Savage (1826), 162–163; (1853), II. 196; Journal, II. 165–166; also printed in D.J.W. at 505 . For Wheelwright, see John Wheelwright, Charles H. Bell, Editor (Boston, Prince Society, 1876), 1–78; Morison, Founding of Harvard College, 405–406; D.A.B.

2.

I.e., the Antinomian controversy of 1637.

Joshua Foote to John Winthrop, Jr.1
Foote, Joshua Winthrop, John, Jr.

1643-09-20

To his louing Frind Mr. John Winttrope at his howse in New En. deliver
London this 20th September 1643 Mr. John Winttrope,

I comend me vnto you etc. I hope you are in a good Forwardnes in your Iron workes I haue inquired and sought out For to gete a blomrie man and can here of non I was with Sir John Clattworthie about blomry men I went in your name and he telles me that times are so in Irland that he thinks thay are kild or ded For he can here of non, and I haue inquird much after some and can here of non and I could never see the ould man sence you went nor here of him so that you must Joyne all your workmans hedes togather and see to breed vpe blomries a smith aftre a lettell taching will make a blomer man. Mr. Winttrope I lett me intreate you to stand my Frind in New England at your Corte when my kinsman mr. Hewse shall moue my bissnes my Raquist is and will be Eaquall and Just the bisnes is this mr. Foxcrafte and I being Formerly and are still of grat acquaintance he hath drawne me in to be bound For him, which my Kinsman will inlarge to you howe I becam bound For him. now mr. Foxcraft is 416faylled and he hath an estate in New England as he tells me that which I am bound for him is For 800li now my Requist is that 1600li of his estate maye be sequistred there in there hands that his estate is in For me to sequer me tell mr. Foxcraft hath disingaged me here of my bondes and discharg me. when you here by my letter to my kinsman how I becam bound For him you will say tise verry eaquall and Just that I should be sequried by his Estate there I spare to writ you newse For the passengrs will Ralate to you by word of mouth better then I shall write for present I rest yours to vse

Joshua Foot
1.

W. 1. 153.