N03404:151
A letter to the author of the pamphlet called An answer [sic] to the…A letter to the author of the pamphlet called An answeer [sic] to the…
A letter to the author of the pamphlet called An answer [sic] to the Hampshire narrative. : [Three lines from Proverbs]A letter to the author of the pamphlet called An answeer [sic] to the Hampshire narrative. : [Three lines from Proverbs]
Boston: : s.n., Printed in the year 1737
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
If you write again we have these Requests to make to you, with respect to the Manner of writing, First, If you suppose that Reason and found Argument will support your Cause, that you would look upon Banter and Ridicule and sarcastical Reflection to be as needless, and not so becoming a Minister, and so let it alone. Don't let us, Rev. Sir, try who can conquer at Scoff and Jeer, but let our Arguments fight it out; not that we glory in the Strength of our own Reason, but we glory in the Goodness of our Cause, which, we humbly conceive affords good Argument, and therefore such as are not liable to a just Answer. Secondly, If you think you have Arguments from the Nature of the Case, sufficient of themselves to support your Cause, we would pray you not to insist on the Vote of the House of Representatives, or the Judgment of any Persons or Number of Persons whatsoever: We hope we don't fail of any due Honour to the honourable House of Representatives; but might have many Things to say concerning that Vote, if it were to the Purpose for us to enter into Debate about it. Thirdly, If you pretend to give an Answer to the Arguments we in this Letter have insisted on, we would pray you not to slide over and pass by that which we evidently intend as the main Force and Spirit of the Argument; but meet the Argument in its proper Course, and encounter it there where we evidently lay the greatest Stress. Fourthly, That you would not publish Things to the World to do same us, and render us odious and contemptible, on no other Foundation ⟨p. 84⟩than Hearsay and flying Report. Fifthly, If you don't see Cause to answer these foregoing Requests, that you would at least show wherein they are not reasonable, or what we may justly make and expect your Compliance with.
If you write again we have these Requests to make to you, with respect to the Manner of writing, First, If you suppose that Reason and found Argument will support your Cause, that you would look upon Banter and Ridicule and sarcastical Reflection to be as needless, and not so becoming a Minister, and so let it alone. Don't let us, Rev. Sir, try who can conquer at Scoff and Jeer, but let our Arguments fight it out; not that we glory in the Strength of our own Reason, but we glory in the Goodness of our Cause, which, we humbly conceive affords good Argument, and therefore such as are not liable to a just Answer. Secondly, If you think you have Arguments from the Nature of the Case, sufficient of themselves to support your Cause, we would pray you not to insist on the Vote of the House of Representatives, or the Judgment of any Persons or Number of Persons whatsoever: We hope we don't fail of any due Honour to the honourable House of Representatives; but might have many Things to say concerning that Vote, if it were to the Purpose for us to enter into Debate about it. Thirdly, If you pretend to give an Answer to the Arguments we in this Letter have insisted on, we would pray you not to slide over and pass by that which we evidently intend as the main Force and Spirit of the Argument; but meet the Argument in its proper Course, and encounter it there where we evidently lay the greatest Stress. Fourthly, That you would not publish Things to the World to do same us, and render us odious and contemptible, on no other Foundation