[77] The Author undoubtedly refers to Dr. Mather the Younger, though his Meaning is left rather obscure. The _Old Meeting_ may be supposed to mean that of the oldest Church; but of that, Mr. Wadsworth himself was the Minister. [78] The Defenders of Dr. Mather's _Wonders_, &c., remark: "After that those our Honourable Judges (fearing least wrong Steps might have been taken) had thus set apart a Day for solemn Humiliation before the Lord, humbly Imploring His Pardon for what might have been done amiss; for him to repeat that Matter, and set it out with imperfect Relations and odious Aggravations, thereby intending to render the Land, and the Judges obnoxious (tho all the Learning that he and wiser Men than he, pretend unto, is insufficient to dive to the Bottom of the Matter,) and for him to speak as he does of the Honorable Persons, as _Men obstinate in an Error, and involved in the Guilt of the Blood shed by Pagans and Papists before them_: what shall we think of it, but that 'tis inhumane, and fit for none but a _Servant_ of the worst Master? One would have thought, that the _Fear of God_ (if he has any) should have darted that Scripture into his Mind, Exod. 22. 28. _Thou shalt not speak Evil of the Ruler of thy People._"--_Answer to a Scandalous Book_, &c. Paternity of Extract unmistakable. PART III. _An Account of the Differences in_ SALEM _Village_. THE Reasons why we withdraw from Communion with the Church of _Salem_ Village, both as to hearing the word Preached, and from partaking with them at the Lord's Table, are as followeth. Why we attend not on publick Prayer, and preaching the word, there are, [56] 1. _The Distracting, and Disturbing tumults, and noises made by the persons under Diabolical Power and delusions; preventing sometimes our hearing, understanding, and profiting by the word preached. We having after many Trials, and Experiences found no redress in this matter, accountea ourselves under a necessity to go where we might hear the word in quiet._ 2. _The apprehension of danger of ourselves, being accused as the Devil's Instruments, to afflict the persons complaining, we seeing those that we have reason to esteem better than ourselves thus accused, blemished, and of their lives bereaved: for seeing this, thought it our prudence to withdraw._ 3. _We found so frequent and positive preaching up some Principles and Practices by Mr._ Parris,[79] _referring to the dark and dismal mystery of Iniquity working among us, was not profitable, but offensive_. 4. _Neither could we in Conscience join with Mr._ Parris, _in many of the Requests which he made in Prayer, referring to the trouble then among us and upon us; therefore thought it our most safe and peaceable way to withdraw_. _The Reasons why we hold not Communion with them at the Lord's Table, are because we find ourselves justly aggrieved, and offended with the Officer, who does administer, for the Reasons following._