Sir, you are sensible that there is a judgment to come, wherein the glorious Lord will demand, how far you aimed at serving him in your government; ... how far you did in your government encourage those that had most of his image upon them, or place your eyes on the wicked of the land. Your _age_ and _health_, as well as other circumstances, greatly invite you, sir, to entertain _awful thoughts_ of this matter, and solicit the divine mercy through the only sacrifice.... Yet if the troubles you brought on yourself should procure your abdication and recess unto a more private condition, and your present _parasites_ forsake you, as you _may be sure they will_, I should think it my duty to do you all the good offices imaginable. Finally, I can forgive and forget injuries; and I hope I am somewhat ready for _sunset_; the more for having discharged the duty of this letter.... Your humble and faithful servant, COTTON MATHER. [Footnote: _Mass. Hist. Coll._ first series, iii. 128.] * * * * * But these venomous priests had tried their fangs upon a resolute and an able man. Dudley shook them off like vermin. * * * * * GENTLEMEN, Yours of the 20th instant I received; and the contents, both as to the matter and manner, astonish me to the last degree. I must think you have extremely forgot your own station, as well as my character; otherwise it had been impossible to have made such an open breach upon all the laws of decency, honour, justice, and Christianity, as you have done in treating me with an air of superiority and contempt, which would have been greatly culpable towards a Christian of the lowest order, and is insufferably rude toward one whom divine Providence has honoured with the character of your governour.... Why, gentlemen, have you been so long silent? and suffered sin to lie upon me years after years? You cannot pretend any new information as to the main of your charge; for you have privately given your tongues a loose upon these heads, I am well assured, when you thought you could serve yourselves by exposing me. Surely murder, robberies, and other such flaming immoralities were as reprovable then as now.... Really, gentlemen, conscience and religion are things too solemn, venerable, or sacred, to be played with, or made a covering for actions so disagreeable to the gospel, as these your endeavours to expose me and my most faithful services to contempt; nay, to unhinge the government.... I desire you will keep your station, and let fifty or sixty good ministers, your equals in the province, have a share in the government of the college, and advise thereabouts as well as yourselves, and I hope all will be well.... I am your humble servant, J. DUDLEY. To the Reverend Doctors Mathers. [Footnote: _Mass. Hist. Coll._ first series, iii. 135.] CHAPTER X. THE LAWYERS.