which your Countrey has devolved upon you the Agency, wherein you are now serving them. The Trouble it gives you, will make you owe little Thanks to them that procured it.

But I will say this upon it; it would be an unreasonable Inconstancy in me, to disserve, or desert, one whom I have so openly asserted on all Occasions.

Beleeve me, my Friend: one cannot live on the Edges and in the Suburbs of the heavenly World, without a mighty Conscience of those two Rules, Do as you would be done to; and, Do good unto all men. But is it possible for me then, to do anything that shall wrong or harm, one to whom I am under so many distinguishing Obligations?

My simple Essay on, The Balances of Equity, was designed by me for the Public, with the more of Alacrity, because I proposed in it; a very public, solid, lasting Testimony of my Value for you. I cannot be of the Opinion, that the raising of Envy, was any Objection at all against my doing the Part of a Justin Martyr, for my Countrey, who have deserved it, indeed as little of me, as of any that serve it. I am very willing to encounter that Envy; and shall count it my Glory. But I entirely resign my own Opinion to yours. Do as you please, about it. Only, don't think, to proselyte me unto that Perswasion, that my writing so many Books, procures me any Damage, which is to be esteemed so much as the light Dust of the Balance, when weigh'd against the Service done by them to the Kingdome of God.

Nor is it easy to beat me out of that Perswasion, that our Biblia Americana, must be an Amassment of most valuable Treasures; and that it has not been amiss to make an offer of it, unto the Lovers of Religion and Learning. I am uncapable of determining the Price of two large Folio's with you. But, I have lett my Countreymen know, that I suppose, subscribers may have a Sett of the Work, for 5 lb of our Money. And I am some what sure of having above an hundred Setts taken off. However, I have laid aside all Expectations of the Work Meeting with any Countenance, where according to common Sense, I might most justly have expected it. I have addressed my worthy Friend Mr. Th. R[eynolds] once and again, in the most expressive and engaging Manner I could imagine, that I might know the Dispositions of my Brethren, the Dissenters concerning an Essay thus made, which, I supposed might not be disreputable or disadvantageous for them in particular, as well as the Cause of religion and Learning in general. But the best part of a Year is passed, without his taking the least Notice of me; which if you see that valuable Person, you may inform him, that I somewhat wonder at. An Eminent N. C.

Minister in the Countrey, wrote me only that silly Condemnation upon the work; If it were for Mr. Baxter, a great part of the N. C's would sett them against it; if it were against him, a greater part would do so. As if the, Biblia Americana, had anything to do with Mr. B. But, my Friend, I am very easy, if the rest of the World, be as indisposed unto a Work of this Nature, as my Brethren the Dissenters. I can easily resign the Disposal of it, unto the glorious Head of the Ch: who knowes how and when His Interests are to be served; and I would have none of my own. I only add, you will not in the least Measure disoblige me, if you never take one Thought more about this Work; while you have such a ponderous Load of other Cares upon you.

To have done. If you will bestow some Study on the Characters of true Love, in the 13 chap. of the 1 Ep. to the Cor's you will find, the Points, wherein I endeavour as a dying Man to approve myself unto God, in my Conduct unto my Neighbour. But then how much may you depend upon a true Love with such Characters, upon it, in the inviolable Frames of my Soul, toward my dear Dummer! Who shall never find me any other than [

TO DR. DANIEL WILLIAMS.

A.A.S.

10 d. 3 m. [May.] 1715.

REVEREND SIR, -Since I had the Honour of your obliging Letters and Packetts the last Summer, I have diverse times made some small American Returns which I hope, have reached you.

And I have also more lately joined with the Ministers of these Provinces, who upon my Nomination, have made choice of your venerable Hand, for the presenting to the King an Address, and a Memorial, on the behalf of near two hundred Churches, among whom your Name is precious.

To these things, all that it may be proper for me to add, at this Time, is, to pray your Acceptance of two or three of our latest Publications.

It is not very long ago, that an unknown Author published, an Instrument of this Title, Ter mille querela de corrupto Christianismo. I find my Excellent and Illustrious Friend, Dr. Franckius, lately making on that Instrument this Reflection, At verò Myriadem ea facile aliquis dederit.

Alas, that in the British Nations, yea, and among our dear Brethren the Dissenters, there is found so great a Share for the Occasions

of the Complaints, which good Men are making over the corrupt State of the Christian World.

God has made you a faithful and famous Witness against the epidemical Corruptions, may He still preserve you, and give a great success to your Holy Essayes for the abating and removing of them, I am, Sir, Your most affectionate Friend and Servt.

To DR. DANIEL WILLIAMS.

A.A.S.

1715?]

REV'D SIR, It is not long ago, that the Ministers of our two adjacent Provinces, at my Motion imposed upon you, the Trouble of presenting their Address and Memorial, unto the King; which it is hoped, have long since reached you.

Since then, there has little occurr'd in these plantations worthy of your Cognisance.

The deplorable State of wick'd and ruin'd Carolina, has doubtless reached you.

You will pardon me, if I repeat my humble Wishes, that my Brethren, the Dissenters, would please to take it into their consideration, whether it may conduce unto the best Interest, and their own, for our Biblia Americana, to meet with some countenance among them. I have diverse times addressed my excellent Friend Mr Reinolds, for his Advice on that Head; and I have waited a Year and half, without the least Word of Return; which has held me in a little suspense, as to some other Applications.

Our Friend, Mr. P.-1 who is the Bearer hereof, has behaved himself so as to preserve a Good Reputation with our Godly People. I pray your Acceptance of a few of our latest Publications.

May the Glorious Lord, multiply the Blessings of a fruitful and joyful old Age, and anon an open and abundant Entrance into His Rest.

BOSTON N. E. 20 d. 4 m. [June.] 1715.

REVEREND SIR, -My good Friend Mr. James Sherman,2 is he, who brings you my Letters. And the Design of the Letters, is, to bespeak your kindness to him.

1 Joseph Parsons.

2 See I Collections, x. 87. The letter may be addressed to some one in Elizabethtown, New Jersey, where Sherman settled.

His Desire is, to do what Good he can, the Little Time he has to continue in the world.

He is desirous to do good, both to Bodies and Souls, as he may have Opportunity.

We are so plentifully supplied for both in this Countrey, that he thinks more Opportunity may be expected abroad than at home.

And perhaps he may meet with some in your Vicinity.

Tis true, Age is coming upon Him; and as I remember, in the Levitic Law, one after sixty has not a third Part of the Value sett on him, that one had before. But the older he is, I hope, he will be the wiser, and the more serious; and more sollicitous to redeem all the little Time that remains, for the best of Purposes.

He has mett with some Troubles and Rebukes in former Years; But he stands right in the Communion of our Churches, and has been for diverse Years improved in occasional Preaching of the word.

I must confess myself to be touched with a sensible Compassion for him, and am so concerned for his being brought into some comfortable Circumstances, that I must assure you, whatever Kindness you show to him, I shall gratefully acknowledge, as done unto myself. I know you will at all times favour him with your Directions and Assistences.

May the Glorious Lord graciously continue and multiply the Tokens of His Good will unto you; especially in His employing you still to do excellent Services for His Kingdome. I am, Sir, Your True Brother and Servt.

FROM REV. THOMAS REYNOLDS.

A.A.S.

June 9th, 1715.

REV'D D'R., — A few days since I rec'd a further Testimony of your kind remembrance and Affection in a parcel of books which I esteem as a vast present. They are upon useful Subjects. Your thots are proper, and delivered in [words] that must make them profitable with Gods Blessing to such as read them with [a] serious Spirit. You have mine and my wives thanks for them, who do's particularly approve of them and hopes to receive Benefit by them. With these I have also been favoured with a Letter from you, which has given me some trouble becaus of the dissappointmts you are under with respect to your B[iblia] Americana. I have spoken about it, but am sorry I am not able as yet to give you the Encouragemt you have wished and do deserve. The design you propose is in all respects great

and worthy of yourself but Circumstances are really such with us and have been so for these twelve Months past and more, as very much dishearten persons from an undertaking that will be attended with so much Charge; besides, Mr. Lawrence the only Bookseller in whom I had Interest sufficient to entrust a Matter of such a Nature died several months ago, and we under whose direction you have left this matter [are] not yet able to get Subscriptions that might answer yours or the Booksellers Expectations. The Dissenters by the Schism Bill of which I gave you an Advice (tho' I don't hear you have received it) and by other intervening Accidents has been under great discouragements, and at present the publick Affairs are in such Distraction that we scarce know where we are, and how matters are like to issue. No longer than Saturday last was a Week, and the day [ ] the first King George's birthday, and the other that ] by some Schollars riffled and pulld ] Oxford. And this day

of the Restoration [ down three, (which were all [ which is appointed by the House of [Commons to enquire] into the late mismanagemts, the Govern[ment ] and Insurrections, so that the City and [People] are obligd to be in Arms. Were you here yourself you would not blame your Friends as guilty of culpable Neglects but would advise them to await some more fitt Opportunity for the publishing your Bible. This is the State of the Case. I shall add no more than that if hereafter [we] through the merciful Providence of God shall be in a better posture and a more favorable opportunity present, I shall be ready to contribute what I can with the Rest of my Brethren to recommend your book that the publick may be obliged with the Benefit of it.

I must now acquaint you that Mr McNish has not been forgott by me, who have upon all Occasions, endeavoured to sollicit the [Board] of the foreign plantations, and have stirred up my Brethren to [aid] the designs of the Missionaries. Endeavours have been usd [and] much Time spent for this purpose, I am sorry to say it [has not] been with that Success as has been wished. I formerly gave you [an] Acct. of this Affair. And I must now with sorrow of heart tell [how] the Society proceeds, and are not without hopes of gaining Bishops to be sent into his Majesties Plantations. We are attempting afresh to represent the Case to the Society. I am directed to write to you and acquaint [you] that we think it would be of service to have some Person or persons [sent] over on purpose with power to represent to the Governm't, the State of yr Affairs with respect to the Missionaries. I desire you will please acquaint Mr McNish, and