Sir, I entreat, your acceptance of my most humble and hearty thanks for tiie kind and Christian advice you were pleased to tender rae in relation to Connecticut. Sucli measures as you propose, I have all along observed ; and I am sure no man in tliat Colony can justly accuse me of the contrary. I know that meekness and moderation is most agreeable to the mind of our blessed Saviour, Christ, who himself was meek and lowly, 8,nd would have all his followers to learn that lesson of hira. It was a method by which Christianity was at first propagated, and it is Still the best policy to persuade mankind to receive instruction. Gentleness and Sweetness of temper is the readiest way to engage the affections of the people ; and charity to those who differ from us in opinion, is the most likely to convince them that our labors are intended for the welfare of their Souls ; whereas passionate and raah methods of proceeding will fill their

PAPERS RELATING TO WESTCHESTER COUNTY. 939

minds v/ith prejudices against bota our persons and our principles, and utterly indispose them against all the means we can make use of to reclaim tliem from their errors. I have duly considered all these thiugs, and have carried myself civilly and kindly to the Independent party, but they have ungratefully resented my love ; yet I will further consider the obligations that my holy religion lays upon me, to forgive injuries and wrongs, and to return good for their evil. Thus I hope, by God's assistance, I shall behave myself, and avoid the doing anything that may bring blame upon that godly Society, whose missionary I am, or hinder the progress of that glorious work they have undertaken ; and ever since I have been invited into that Colony, I have been so far from endeavouring to intrench upon the toleration which Her Majesty has declared She will preserve, t]iat,on the contrary I desired only a liberty of conscience might be allowed to the members of the National Church of England ; wliich, notwithstanding they Seemed unwilling to grant, and left no means untried, both foul and fair, to prevent the Settling the Church among them.