_To Mrs. ――――._
_Boston, Feb. 19, 1745._
_My dear Friend_,
_TEMPORA mutantur_; a confederacy, a confederacy! The clergy, amongst
whom are a few mistaken, misinformed good old men, are publishing
halfpenny testimonials against me. Even the president, professors, and
tutors of _Hertford_ college, where I was, as you know, some few years
ago received with so much uncommon respect, have joined the confederacy.
Good Mr. _C――――_, that venerable, truly primitive, good old Puritan,
as I am informed, had many of these testimonials brought him, in order
to judge of their importance. He took them, weighed them in his hands
and having read them before, returned them immediately, saying, “They
did not weigh much.” However, I thank GOD, “out of the eater hath come
forth meat.” They have done me real service. Some unguarded expressions,
in the heat of less experienced youth, I certainly did drop. I was much
too precipitate in hearkening to, and publishing private informations,
and thereby _Peter_-like cut too many ears off: but this is my comfort,
when we mean well, though no thanks to our own too forward though
well-meant zeal, JESUS, that almighty, all-compassionate physician,
will heal and restore the ears again. Some good friends on my side
the question are publishing testimonials in my favour. Thus you see
what a militant state we are in at present. _Laudatur ab eis, culpatur
ab illis._ Amidst all, the word runs and is glorified, and many are
so enraged at the treatment I meet with, that they came to me lately,
assuring me, that if I’ll consent, they will erect in a few weeks
time, the outside of the largest place of worship that was ever seen
in _America_; but you know ceiled houses were never my aim. I therefore
thanked them for, but at the same time begged leave to refuse the
accepting of their kind offer. How or when the present storm will
subside, for subside I am persuaded it will, is as yet uncertain. I
can only, at present, earnestly beg the continuance of your prayers,
that whilst tossing in this floating ark I may be purged of some of
my corruptions, and be kept in good temper towards those who I believe
really think they do GOD’s service in opposing, dear Madam,
Yours, &c.
_G. W._