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262 the Pastors in the other part of the Town, made a speedy and hearty Appearance, and most affectionately united in a Concurrence with them. The Assembly that came together, did more than croud and fill the most capacious of our Meetinghouses; And as there was a multitude of serious Christians, who are acquainted with Real and Vital PIETY, so the whole Auditory expressed a Devotion which was truly Extraordinary.

 93. A Protest against a Wicked Newspaper (1721/2) BY REVEREND DOCTOR INCREASE MATHER

DVICE to the Publick from Dr. Increase Mather. Whereas a wicked Libel called the New England Courant, has represented me as one among the Supporters of it ; I do hereby declare, that altho I had paid for two or three of them, I then, (before the last Courant was published) sent him word I was extreamly offended with it ! In special, because in one of his Vile Courants he insinuates, that if the Ministers of God approve of a thing, it is a Sign it is of the Devil ; which is a horrid thing to be related ! And altho' in one of the Courants it is declared, that the London Mercury Sept. 16, 1721, affirms that Great Numbers of Persons in the City and Suburbs are under the Inoculation of the Small Pox ; In his next Courant he asserts, that it was some Busy Inoculator, that imposed on the Publick in saying so ; Whereas I myself saw and read those words in the London Mercury : And he doth fre quently abuse the Ministers of Religion, and many other worthy Persons in a manner, which is intolerable. For these and such like Reasons I signified to the Printer, that I would have no more of their Wicked Courants. I that have known what New-England was from the Beginning, cannot but be troubled to see the Degeneracy of this Place. I can well remember when the Civil Government would have taken an effectual Course to suppress such a Cursed Libel ! which if it be not