5. Having observed that there is in _Salem_ Village, a Spirit full of contention and animosity, too sadly verifying the blemish which hath heretofore lain upon them: And that some complaints against Mr. _Parris_ have been either causeless, or groundless, or unduly aggravated; we do in the name and fear of the Lord solemnly warn them to consider, whether if they continue to devour one another it will not be bitterness in the latter end, and beware lest the Lord be provoked thereby utterly to deprive them of those (which they should count) their precious and pleasant things, and abandon them to all the desolations of a People that sin away the Mercies of the Gospel. _James_ iii. 16. _Gal._ v. 15. 2 _Sam._ ii. 26. _Isa._ v. 45. _Mat._ xxi. 43. 6. If the Distempers in _Salem_ Village should be (which God forbid) so incurable, that Mr. _Parris_ after all find that he cannot with any comfort and service continue in his present Station, his removal from thence will [61] not expose him to any hard Character with us; nor we hope with the rest of the People of God, among whom we live. _Matt._ x. 14. _Acts_ xxii. 18. All which advice we follow, with our Prayers that the God of Peace would bruise Satan under our Feet; now the Lord of Peace himself give you Peace always by all means. _Jos. Bridgham_,[82] _Samuel Chickley_, _William Tory_, _Jos. Boynton_, _Richard Middlecutt_, _John Walley_, _Jer. Dummer_, _Neh. Jewitt_, _Ephr. Hunt_, _Nath. Williams_, _Incr. Mather_, _Samuel Phillips_, _James Allen_, _Samuel Tory_, _Samuel Willard_, _Edward Paison_, _Cotton Mather_. To the Reverend Elders of the Three Churches of Christ, at _Boston_, with others the Elders and Brethren of other Churches, late of a Council at _Salem_ Village. WE _whose Names are hereunto Subscribed, are bold once more to trouble you with our humble Proposals. That whereas there has been long and uncomfortable differences among us, chiefly relating to Mr._ Parris; _and we having, as we apprehend, attended all probable means for a composure of our troubles; and whereas we had hopes of an happy Issue, by your endeavors among us, but now are utterly frustrated of our Expectations, and that instead of uniting, our rent is made worse, and our breach made wider._ _We humbly Query, Whether yourselves being streightned of time, might not omit such satisfactory liberty of debating the whole of our Controversie; whereby yourselves had not so large an opportunity of understanding the Case; nor the offended so much reason to be satisfied in your advice: We therefore humbly propose, and give full liberty of proving and defending of what may be charged on either hand, leaving it to yourselves to appoint both time and place._ 1. _That if yourselves please to take the trouble with patience once more to hear the whole Case._