In regard to the literary attainments of Roger Williams it is deemed proper to say but little. The readers of this work will be principally such as chuse to form their _own_ opinions. It will be, however, generally admitted, that his Style, abounds with the Beauties and Defects, peculiar to the Literature of his own Times. It is no small praise to say of him, that, as an author, he compares well with his great opponent, COTTON. Both indulge in the same apposite, but somewhat profuse use of Scripture allusion and Phraseology; both are at home in the Classics and the Fathers, and surprise us with quaint erudition; both fight with the same weapon of controversy--the ancient scholastic Logic. Those who have a partiality for Williams will justify that partiality, by the conciliating liberality of his doctrines, and the philosophic philanthropy of his sentiments, which impart a peculiar amenity to his diction, and to his reasoning, an air of common sense deduction and equitable and rational conclusion, more satisfactory than the most refined subtilties of dialectic skill. No description of the person of Williams has reached us, but Rhode-Islanders will always remember his name and his deeds, and revere him as the father of their State, and the world will ever regard him as the earliest and boldest champion of the right of all men “fully to have and enjoy their own judgments and consciences, in matters of religious concernments.” FOOTNOTES: [1] Amended at the annual meeting A. D. 1826, and three trustees added. [2] This censure refers to those who had not separated from the Established Church, before they left England, as well as to those who on visiting England, attended the Parish Churches there. A KEY INTO THE LANGUAGE OF AMERICA, OR AN HELP TO THE LANGUAGE OF THE NATIVES IN THAT PART OF AMERICA CALLED New-England; TOGETHER WITH BRIEFE OBSERVATIONS OF THE CUSTOMES, MANNERS, AND WORSHIPS, &c. OF THE AFORESAID NATIVES, IN PEACE AND WARRE, IN LIFE AND DEATH. _On all which are added_, SPIRITUALL OBSERVATIONS GENERALL AND PARTICULAR, BY THE AUTHOUR, OF CHIEFE AND SPECIALL USE (UPON ALL OCCASIONS) TO ALL THE ENGLISH INHABITING THOSE PARTS; YET PLEASANT AND PROFITABLE TO THE VIEW OF ALL MEN. By ROGER WILLIAMS, Of Providence, in New-England. LONDON. PRINTED BY GREGORY DEXTER. 1643. _TO MY DEARE AND WELBELOVED FRIENDS AND COUNTREYMEN, IN OLD AND NEW ENGLAND._