Several reasons proving that inoculating or transplanting the small pox, is a lawful practice,…

III. GOD has graciously owned the Practice of Inoculation, among us in Boston, where some Scores, yea above an hundred have been Inoculated, & not one miscarried: but they Bless GOD, for His discovering this Experiment to them. It has been objected, that one that was Inoculated, died, viz. Mrs. D—ll: but she had the Small Pox, in the common way before, & her Friends and nearest Relations declare that she received no hurt by Inoculation, but was by a fright put into Fits that caused her Death. It is then a wonderful Providence of GOD, that all that were Inoculated should have their Lives preserved; so that the Safety and Usefulness of this Experiment is confirmed to us by Ocular Demonstration: I confess I am afraid, that the Discouraging of this Practice, may cause many a Life to be lost, which for my own part, I should be loth to have any hand in, because of the Sixth Commandment.

IV. IT cannot be denied but that some Wise and Judicious Persons among us, approve of Inoculation, both Magistrates and Ministers; Among Ministers I am One, who have been a poor Preacher of the Gospel in Boston above Threescore Years, and am the most Aged, Weak and unworthy Minister now in New-England. My Sentiments, and my Son's also, about this Matter are well known. Also we hear that the Reverend and Learned Mr. Solomon Stoddard of Northampton concurs with us; so doth the Reverend Mr. Wise of Ipswich, and many other younger Divines, not only in Boston, but in the Country, join with their Fathers. Furthermore, I have made some Enquiry, Whether there are many Persons of a Profane Life and Conversation, that do Approve and Defend Inoculation, and I have been answered, that they know but of very few such. This is to me a weighty Consideration. But on the other hand, tho' there are some Worthy Persons, that are not clear about it; nevertheless, it cannot be denied, but that the known Children of the Wicked one, are generally fierce Enemies to Inoculation. It is a grave saying of Old Seneca, Pessimi Argumentum Turba est. For my part I should be ashamed to join with such Persons; O my Soul come not thou into their Secret, unto their Assembly be not thou United. I am far from reflecting upon all that are against Inoculation. I know there are very worthy Persons (with whom I desire to Live and Die) that are not clear in their Judgments for it, and they are greatly to be commended and honoured in that they will not act against a doubting Conscience; yet it may be some of them might change their minds, if they would advise with those who are best able to afford them Scripture Light in this as well as in other Cases of Conscience.