In coming to their conclusion, if it wear the aspect of
time-serving, let all remember, the Providence of Heaven hath so
interwoven the interests of man with its own good purposes, that to the
carnal eye they may outwardly seem to be inseparable. But that which is
here done is done in good faith to our ruling principle, which is good
faith to thee and to all others who support the altar in this wilderness.
And herein is our decision: We commit the Narragansett to thy justice,
since it is evident that while he is at large, neither thou, who art a
feeble prop to the church in these regions, nor we, who are its humble and
unworthy servitors, are safe. Take him, then, and deal with him according
to thy wisdom. We place limits to thy power, in only two things. It is not
meet that any born of humanity, and having human sensibilities, should
suffer more in the flesh than may be necessary to the ends of duty; we
therefore decree that thy captive shall not die by torture; and, for the
better security of this our charitable decision, two of our number shall
accompany thee and him to the place of execution; it being always
supposed, it is thy intention to inflict the pains of death.
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