Baxters Narrative of His Life and Times, Part 2 · Section 10 · Letter 8 – Letter 9
Reverend and much honoured Sir!
THat we who are personally unknown to you, do in this manner apply our selves, is rendred not only excusable, but unless we will be ingrateful, necessary, by Obligations from your self; with whom the interest of poor Strangers in a remote Wilderness hath been so regarded as to shew them kindness, and that (we believe) upon the best account, (i.e.) for the Lord's sake. We have understood from those that were employed by us, with what loving and cordial readiness, you did upon request put forth your self to further our Concernments in our late Applications to his Majesty; for which act of favour and love we cannot but return our unfeigned thankful Acknowledgments; and the rather because we know no Argument that could move your Thoughts in it, but that of the poor Prophets Widow, viz. That your Charity did look upon your Servants as Fearers of the Lord, Love unto whom, we perswade our selves was the Root that bare this Fruit of Love and Kindness to us, and that at such a time as this. We trust the faithful God will not forget your Work and Labour of Love which you have shewed towards his Name, in ministring to the help of some part of his unworthy People who are Exiles in this Wilderness we hope for his Names sake.
Sir, You shall further oblige this poor People, and do that will not be unpleasing to him who is our Lord and yours, by the continuance of your Love and Improvement of your Interests and Opportunities in our behalf. What advantage God hath put into your hands, and reserved your weak Body unto, by access unto Persons of Honour and Trust, or otherways, we hope it will be no grief of heart unto you another day, if you shall improve part thereof this way … All that we desire is Liberty to serve God according to the Scriptures: Liberty unto Errour and Sin, or to set up another Rule besides the Scriptures, we neither wish to be allowed to our selves, nor would we willingly allow it unto others. If in any thing we should mistake the meaning of the Scriptures, as we hope it is not in any Fundamental Matter that we do so; (having therein the Concurrence of all the godly Orthodox of the Reformed Protestant Religion), so on the other hand, in Matters of an inferiour and more difficult Nature (wherein godly Christians may differ, and should bear difference without disturbance) we are willing and desirous to live and learn by any orderly means that God hath appointed for our Learning and Instruction; and glad shall we be of the opportunity to learn in peace. The Liberty aforesaid, we have by the favour of God, now for many years enjoyed, and the same advantaged and encouraged by the Constitution of our Civil Government, according to Concessions and Priviledges granted and established to us by the gracious Letters Patents of King Charles the First, the continuance of which Priviledges (concerning which his Majesty's late gracious Letter to us hath given us very great encouragement) is our earnest and just desire; for nothing that is unjust, or not honest, both in the sight of the Lord, and also of Men, do we seek, or would allow our selves in. We hope we shall continue as faithful Subjects to his Majesty (according to our Duty) and be every way as beneficial to the Interest of our Nation, under an Elective Government as under an Imposed: But sundry particular Persons, for private respects, are, as we hear, earnestly soliciting to bring Changes upon us, and do put in many high Complaints against us; in special, that the Generation of the Quakers, are our bitter and restless Enemies, complaining of Persecution, but are themselves most troublesome and implacable Per sec… of us, who desire but to keep our own Vineyard in peace. Our hope is in God who hath hitherto helped us, and who is able to keep open for us a great and effectual Door of Liberty to serve him, and opportunity to advance his Name in this Wilderness; although there be many Adversaries, among which he can raise up for us some Friends; as he hath done your self: And as a Friend loveth at all times, and a Brother is born for Adversity, so may you in this time of our threatned Adversity, still perform the part of a Friend, as opportunity serves, we shall be further much ingaged to ThanKfulness unto God and you, who are,
SIR, Your Friends and Brethren in the Faith of Christ, Jo. Endecott Governour; With the Consent and by Order of the General Court. Boston in New-England, this 7th of August, 1661.
To the Reverend and much Honoured Mr. Richard Baxter one of his Majesty's Chaplains in Ordinary.
Reverend and dear Sir!
THough you are unknown to me by Face, yet not only your Labours, but also your special Assistance in a time of need unto the promoting the welfare of this poor Country, certified unto us by Captain Leveret (upon which account our General Court thought good to return unto you their Thanks in a Letter which I hope before this is received) have made your Name both known and precious to us in these Parts. The Occasion of these, is in the behalf of one Mr. William Leet Governour of New Heven Jurisdiction, whose Case is this. He being conscious of indiscretion and some neglect (not to say how it came about) in relation to the expediting the Execution of the Warrant according to his Duty, sent from his Majesty for the apprehending of the two Colonels, is not without fear of some displeasure that may follow thereupon, and indeed hath almost ever since been a Man depressed in his Spirit for the neglect wherewith he chargeth himself therein. His endeavours also since have been accordingly, and that in full degree, as besides his own Testimony, his Neighbours attest, they see not what he could have done more. Sir, If any report prejudicial to this Gentleman in this respect, come unto your Ear by your prudent Enquiry upon this Intimation, or otherwise: so far as the signification of the Premises unto his Majesty, or other eminent Person may plead for him, or avert trouble towards him, I assure my self, you may report it as a real Truth; and that according to your Wisdom, you would be helpful to him so far therein is both his and my desire. The Gentleman hath pursued both others and my self with Letters to this effect, and yet not satisfied therewith, came to Boston to disburden his heart to me formerly unacquainted with him, only some few times in Company where he was; upon issue of which Conference, no better Expedient under God, presented it self to us than this. So far as you shall see cause, as the matter requireth, to let the Premises be understood, is finally left with your self under God.
Sir, The Author of these Lines, it shall be your favour and a pledge of Love undeserved, to conceal, farther than the necessity of the End desired shall call for. And if hereby you shall take occasion (being in place of discovery) to intelligence the Writer touching your observances with relation to the concernments of this People, your Advertisements may not only be of much use unto this whole Country, but further your account, and minister unto many much cause of Thansgiving on your behalf. And I shall be bold upon such encouragement (if God permits) to give you a more distinct account how it fareth with us, I mean of the steps of Divine Providence, as to the Publick, both in our Civils and Ecclesiasticks, which at some spare time, may hap…y be looked at as a matter of contentful Meditation to your self. I crave now pardon for being thus bold with you, and will not presume any further to detain you. The Lord Jesus be with your Spirit, and let him also be remembred by you in your Prayers, who is in chief,
SIR, Yours in any Service of the Gospel, John Norton. Boston, Sept. 23. 1661.
For the Reverend and his much Honoured Friend Mr. Baxter, Chaplain in Ordinary to his Majesty.