An earnest exhortation to the inhabitants of New-England, to hearken to the voice of…

Pelatiah Glover Teacher of the Church there, is a great sufferer, his House, and Goods, and Books, and Writings being all consumed in one hour. Nevertheless there was a great mixture of mercy in this dark and dismal dispensation. For God so ordered, as that an Indian who knew what was designed the next day, ran away in the night, and acquainted the English therewith, whence they had time and opportunity to escape to an house that was Fortified; other wise in probability the Inhabitants had surely had their lives as well as their dwelling places cut off.

October 13. The General Court fat in Boston, during this Session, a Committee was with the concurrence of both Houses appointed in order to a Reformation of those Evils which have provoked the Lord to bring the Sword upon us, and to withdraw from our Armies from time to time. The Assistance of the Teaching Elders in the Churches was desired, as in a case of that nature, it was proper for them to advise and help according to God.

October 13. The General Court fat in Boston, during this Session, a Committee was with the concurrance of both Houses appointed in order to a Reformation of those Evils which have provoked the Lord to bring the Sword upon us, and to withdraw from our Armies from time to time. The Assistance of the Teaching Elders in the Churches was desired, as in a case of that nature, it was proper for them to advise and help according to God.

There was a gracious presence of God with them in their consultations, all that were there with one voice agreeing in many particulars, in respect whereof Reformation should be, and must be: e.g. That some effectual course should be taken for the Suppression of those proud Excesses in Apparel ⟨image ?⟩hair, &c. which many (yea and the poorer sort as well as others) are shamefully guilty of. That a due testimony should be borne against such as are false Worshippers, especially Idolatrous […] who set up Altars against the Lords Altar, yea who set up a Christ whom the Scriptures know not. That whereas excess in drinking is become a common Sin, means should be used to prevent an unnecessary multiplication of Ordinaries, and to keep Town dwellers from frequenting Taverns: and that whereas Swearing hath been frequently heard, they that hear another Swear profanely and do not complain of it to Authority, shall be punished for that concealment. Also that some further care should be taken, that the fourth and fifth Commandments be better observed then formerly; and that there may be no more such Oppression, either by Merchants or day-Labourers as heretofore hath been; and that the Indian Trading-houses, whereby the Heathen have been debauched and scandalized against Religion, be suppressed; and that more care should be taken respecting the Rising Generation, then formerly hath been, that they might be brought under the discipline of Christ &c. These things were unanimously consented to.