Mather, Cotton (1663-1728) to Simon Bradstreet and Joseph Stevens
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02493 Author/Creator: Mather, Cotton (1663-1728) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: February 28, 1716 Pagination: 2 p. : address ; 20 x 17 cm + 1 engraving ; b&w ; 22.7 x 14.6 cm Order a Copy
Inquires about a man named Rudgen (or Brigden), who had moved into the neighborhood of the Boston church Mather ministered. Some people from Charlestown came to Mather with information that Rudgen had libeled his mother and signed a confession to that effect, and that because of the confession Bradstreet and Stevens had expelled him from their church in Charlestown, Massachusetts. Mather cannot permit him to worship at his church because of the expulsion, and he is distraught. Entreats them to visit Rudgen when they are in Boston. He would like to help Rudgen and requests them to advise him. 1 bust engraving of Cotton Mather included.
My Honoured Brothers Boston. 28t Feb.r
1716.
There Sojourns in my Neighbourhood a poor man, whose name is Brigden, formerly in communion with the church in Charlestown.
Some good people of Charlestown came to me, about the time of his Removal hither, with an Account; that he had written a Libel (whereof they show'd me a copy) vilifying his Godly Mother, and others. Then having been convicted of this, after strong denials of it, they obliged him to sign a proper, modest, easy confession, (which they also showed me;) that he had so Renounced this confession and Repented of his [illegible], as to offend his mother unto such a Degree, that she was prevailed with also such [strikeout] sour Humiliations for him in a course of Civil [illegible] from which he fled over the River. Finally, That while he Expressed this Impudence for the offence he had given, there was a Bar to his Communion with the church in Charlestown. I told them, that while [there] was so, there should be a Bar to his communion with the church whereof I am the Servant.
The poor man grows extremely Restless in the condition of Suspension; and his poor wife is afraid, he will be distracted; [Latin phrase] And I as well as she, [strikeout] fear what he may do [if] left so.
The importunities I suffer from them compell me to raise some with you, That something may be done one way or another, for the putting of this poor man into the condition that may as well be worse for satisfaction.
I shall be glad to receive any Direction from you about him; And much more glad, if when either are by your affairs call'd over to this Town, you would please to take so much cognisances & compassion, on him, as to visit him; Wherein, if there be occasion, you shall be readily attended by,
yrs,
To the Reverend Your Brother
Mr Bradstreet, & servant,
and Mr Stevens, Cotton Mather.
pastors of the Chuch in
Charlestown
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Sol fa me la sol D Sol C nu
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[address leaf]
To the Reverand,
the papors of the church
in
Charlestown
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