AN EXTRACT of a LETTER (WRITTEN By some of the most Eminent Nonconformist Divines in London,) Concerning the NEW CHARTER Granted to the Colony of Massachusetts in NEW-ENGLAND.AN EXTRACT of a LETTER (WRITTEN By some of the most Eminent Nonconformist Divines in London,) Concerning the NEW CHARTER Granted to the Colony of Massachusets in NEW-ENGLAND.

AN EXTRACT of a LETTER (WRITTEN By some of the most Eminent Nonconformist Divines in London,) Concerning the NEW CHARTER Granted to the Colony of Massachusetts in NEW-ENGLAND.

AN EXTRACT of a LETTER (WRITTEN By some of the most Eminent Nonconformist Divines in London,) Concerning the NEW CHARTER Granted to the Colony of Massachusets in NEW-ENGLAND.

To the much Honoured General Court Assembled at Boston, in New-England.

Much Honoured Gentlemen,

WE must give this true Testimony of our much Esteemed and Beloved Brother, Mr. Increase Mather, That with inviolate Integrity, excellent Prudence, and unfainting Diligence, he has managed the great Business committed to his Trust. As he is instructed in the School of Heaven, to minister in the Affairs of the Soul; so he is furnished with a Talent, to transact Affairs of State. His Proceedings have been with that Caution and Circumspection, as is correspondent to the weight of his Commission. He with Courage and Constancy has pursued the Noble Scope of his Employment; and understanding the true Moment of things, has preferred the Public Good to the vain Conceits of some, that more might have been obtained, if peremptorily insisted on. Considering the open Opposition, and secret Arts, that have ⟨p. 24⟩been used to frustrate the best Endeavours for the Interest of New-England, the happy Issue of things is superior to our Expectations. Your present Charter secures Liberty and Property, the fairest Flowers of the Civil State: And which is incomparably more valuable, it secures the enjoyment of the blessed Gospel in its Purity and Freedom. Although there is a restraint of your Power in some things that were granted in your former Charter; yet there are some ample Privileges in other things, that may be of perpetual Advantage to the Colony.