He

68           134               1674

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had stayed away soe long y^t he was ashamd to come but he would reforme

that for the time he came w^ch promise he never yett performed

___

Beside the rule speaks of y^e qualifications of minister & deacons wifes w^ch were

not to be found in her but y^e contrary Scofing at severall of y^e brethren & [--] sisters

not to say anything how she has belyed my wife & daughter calling her a lying Slutt

                                                 ^{for speaking truth}

when o^r brethren y^t were soe Earnest heard those things they say^d they were satisfied & if they

had known of these before they should not have spoaken soe for though his stay & desired

to hear noe more, if they doe more is in readiness, but it was say^d they should learn

to beleev another time that brethren had ground, why they dissented though they were

backward to mention them neither was it very meet to mention what I did (in y^t it

might tend to M^r Shepards disparagement especially if y^e church any of y^m did divulg what

we speek amongst ourselves [-] as some had always done either y^ms or by telling others)

had not they forct to it . –––

It was agreed by a [----] full vote that it should be mentioned to M^r Shepard by my

self & one or two more, that when his year was expired we [------] cal^d him

not to stay longer Except one quarter viz till may day if he saw meet to ac

cept of it: accordingly my self & B^r Trumble (M^r Shepard coming to my house on

Second day morning Jun 1^st 1674) going into a private room did informe M^r Shepard

that conserning the above mentioned vote, he soon fell into hott expressions that he

had bin informed how matters were carried on amongst us as first that I had

mentioned his carriage to M^r Benjamin Gibs I ask^t him who had informed him he

told us the captain I told him it was disorderly for any brother to tell out of y^e

church what was ther spoaken amongst us but for this particular it was fals

as Br Trumble did alsoe affirm y^r was not a word spoaken of it nor was it in my

thoughts that I remember

                                                              peac of nonsence after a

2 as touching o^r vote he say^d it was a nonsensicall vote & that several

         sayd as wel they          ^

that voted voted they knew not what!

3 speaking of goodwife Elithrop he sayd y^t if she had an opportunity he doubted not

but she would Cutt his throat yea soe farr as a man can know a womans heart

by her word she would actually doe it –

4 that amongst other reasons wherby I indeavourd to diswade him from his work

one was y^t merchant Wainwright was a covetous, oppressing, gripeing man

w^ch I deny y^t I spak any such word but rather to y^e contrary [-] In his comenda

tion that he was looking to minister & to my self in particular instancing a

runlet of good wine that he had bestowed on me

5 That I had shown him many kindnesses but not with my heart as did now ap=

=pear and y^t he had better given a thousand pound then Ever to have seen my face

6 That his house on a 2^d day when I came to intreat him to keep the lecture w^ch he

refused to doe till his wife (calling him aside & speaking to him) perswaded him at y^t

               then

time he say^d that I told him I was not for his tarrying & could not ioyne w^th him

and yet going into another Room o^r deacon Tenny upon occasion of M^r Shepards

saying he did intend for England in y^e Spring Deacon Tenny answered I hope you will

stay still with us & I seconded him y^t I did hope & desire soe too. former particular

                            to me

as that when he had mentioned his willingness to stay amongst us caused by my desire

                            ^

of it & the most of y^e church, & the Toun & ministrey of y^e church

7 he twitted me by my 70 pound  asking me why it was not required y^t addition in his

brothers day that I might come short of it Answ: y^t addition was voted by the church

& 4 brethren sent as messengers to tell me of it before M^r Shepard was thought of as to in

=viting hither

8 ffeb 1 at a town meeting M^r Shepard came in amongst them and declared that which

I had spoaken off before the church referring to his speech concerning Dr Hoar

was falls & wheras I had say^d it was draun out from me what I did speak he say^d

that was but a cloak, it was told him that it was not comely before the Toun to

disparage their minister & acuse not an Elder under 2 or 3 wittnesses, himself alsoe

being absent he answered he was an Elder, when y^t was not consented to he say^d