By such time as this man had finished, the time was far spent, and he was the fifth in number, their speeches being slow, and they were the more slow at my request, that I might write what they said; & oft I was forced to inquire of my interpreter (who sat by me) because I did not perfectly understand some sentences, especially of some of them: these things did make the work long-some, considering the enlargement of spirit God gave some of them; and should we have proceeded further, it would have been sun-set before the Confessions in likelihood would have been finished, besides all the rest of the work that was to be done to finish so solemn a work; and the ⟨p. 25⟩place being remote in the woods, the nights long and cold and people not fitted to lie abroad, and no competent lodgings in the place for such persons, and the work of such moment as would not admit an huddling up in hast. And besides all this, though I had fully used all fit means, to have all the Interpreters present that I could, that so the interpretation might not depend upon my single testimony, yet so it was that they all failed, and I was alone (as I have been wont to be in this work) which providence of God was not to be neglected in so solemn a business. Wherefore the Magistrates, Elders, and Grave Men present, advised together what to do, and the Conclusion was, Not to proceed any further at present, yet so to carry the matter, as that the Indians might in no wise be discouraged, but encouraged; to which end, one of the Elders was requested to speak unto the English, the two above said Reasons, viz. The want of Interpreters, And want of Time, to finish at this time so solemn a Work; but to refer it to a more fitting time. And I was desired to declare it to the Indians, which I did to this purpose, That the Magistrates, Elders, and other Christian People present, did much rejoice to hear their Confessions, and advised them to go on in that good way; but as for the gathering a Church among them this day, it could not be; partly, Because neither Mr. Mayhew, nor Mr. Leveridg. nor any Interpreter was here (for whom they knew I had sent, some of themselves being the Messengers to carry Letters time enough) and it was Gods Ordinance, That when any were to judg a Case, though they could believe one Witness, yet they could not judg under two or three.
By such time as this man had finished, the time was far spent, and he was the fift in number, their speeches being slow, and they were the more slow at my request, that I might write what they said; & oft I was forced to inquire of my interpreter (who sat by me) because I did not perfectly understand some sentences, especially of some of them: these things did make the work long-som, considering the inlargement of spirit God gave some of them; and should we have proceeded further, it would have been sun-set before the Confessions in likelyhood would have been finished, besides all the rest of the work that was to be done to finish so solemn a work; and the ⟨p. 25⟩place being remote in the woods, the nights long and cold and people not fitted to lie abroad, and no competant lodgings in the place for such persons, and the work of such moment as wonld not admit an hudling up in hast. And besides all this, though I had fully used all fit means, to have all the Interpreters present that I could, that so the intetpretation might not depend upon my single testemony, yet so it was that they all failed, and I was alone (as I have been wont to be in this work) which providence of God was not to be neglected in so solemn a business. Wherfore the Magistrates, Elders, and Grave Men present, advised together what to do, and the Conclusion was, Not to proceed any further at present, yet so to carry the matter, as that the Indians might in no wise be discouraged, but encouraged; to which end, one of the Elders was requested to speak unto the English, the two above said Reasons, viz. The want of Interpreters, And want of Time, to finish at this time so solemn a Work; but to refer it to a more fitting time. And I was desired to declare it to the Indians, which I did to this purpose, That the Magistrates, Elders, and other Christian People present, did much rejoyce to hear their Confessions, and advised them to go on in that good way; but as for the gathering a Church among them this day, it could not be; partly, Because neither Mr. Mayhew, nor Mr. Leveridg. nor any Interpreter was here (for whom they knew I had sent, some of themselves being the Messengers to carry Letters time enough) and it was Gods Ordinance, That when any were to judg a Case, though they could beleeve one Witness, yet they could not judg under two or three.
