And though every Churchman in that Colony pays his rate for tlie building and repairing their meeting houses, yet they are So maliciously Set against us, that they deny us the use of them, though; on week days; they tell our people that they will not Suffer the house of God to be defiled with idolatrous worship and Superstitious ceremonies. They are so bold that they Spare not openly to Speak reproachfully and with great contempt of our church. They say the Sign of tlie Cross is the mark of the beast, and the Sign of tlie devil; and that those who receive it are given to the devil. And when our people complain to their magistrates of the per8f)ns who thas Speak, they will not so much as Sign a

940 PAPERS RELATING TO WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

warrant to apprehend them, nor reprove them for ibair offence. This is quite a different character to what, perhaps, you have heard of that people; for I observe particularly one expression of your letter, where you Say they are an ignorant, hot heady, but a well meaning people. That they are ignorant, I can easily grant; for if they had either much knowledge or goodness, they would not act and Say as they do; but that they are hot heady, I have too just reason to believe; and as to their meaning, I leave that to be interpreted by their unchristian proceedings with us, whoever informed you so, I may freely Say, that he was not so weU acquainted with the constitution of that people, as I am who give you the contrary information. I beg that you would beheve that this account (thougli seemingly harsh and severe, yet no more than is true,) does not proceed from want of charity either toward their souls or bodies, but purely for the good of both.