A Dissuasive from the Errors of the time, Chapter 3

A Dissuasive from the Errors of the time · Chapter 3

p. 53CHAP. III. The Original and Progreſſe of the Independents, and of their Carriage in New-England.

THe Sect (if ſo without offence it may be called) which this day is the ſubject of the moſt diſcourſe,Independency the ſmalleſt of all the Sects of the time for number, but greateſt for worth of its followers. and the object of the greateſt paſſions; ſome pouring out upon it more of their love and hope, others of their anger and fear, then were convenient, is that of Independency.

Of all the by-paths wherein the wanderers of our time are pleaſed to walk, this is the moſt conſiderable; not for the number, but for the quality of the erring perſons therein. There be few of the noted Sects which are not a great deal more numerous; but this Way, what it wants in number, ſupplies by the weight of its followers. After five yeers endeavours and great induſtry within the Lines of the Cities Communication, they are ſaid as yet to conſiſt much within One thouſand perſons; men, women, and all who to this day have put themſelves in any known Congregation of that way, being reckoned. But ſetting aſide number, for other reſpects they are of ſo eminent a condition, that not any nor all the reſt of the Sects are comparable to them; for they have been ſo wiſe as to engage to their party ſome of chief note, in both Houſes of Parliament, in the Aſſembly of Divines, in the Army, in the City and Countrey-Committees; all whom they daily manage with ſuch dexterity and diligence, for the benefit of their Cauſe, that the eyes of the world begin to fall upon them more then upon all their fellows: It will be requiſite therefore that with the greater care we give an account of them.

Of this our Account there ſhall be three parts. The firſt,The diviſion of the following matter. An Hiſtory of their Original and Progreſſe▪ to that height wherein now they ſtand. The ſecond, A Narrative of their Tenents. The third, A Con…tion of ſome of their prime Principles.

Concerning, …eir Original; the Separatiſts were their Fathers.Independents, the Separatiſt… off-ſpring. This is demonſtrable, not onelyonly by the Conſanguinity of their Tenents, the one having borrowed all their chief Doctrines and p. 54Practices from the other, but alſo by deduction of their Pedigree in this clear line.

Maſter Robinſon did derive his way to his ſeparate Congregation at Leyden; a part of them did carry it over to Plymouth in New-England; here Maſter Cotton did take it up, and tranſmit it from thence to Maſter Goodwin, who did help to propagate it to ſundry others in Old-England firſt, and after, to more in Holland, till now by many hands it is ſown thick in divers parts of this Kingdom. But the manner how this ſeed did grow, is not unworthy conſideration.

When the fire of Browniſm was dying out in Holland, a little of its aſhes carried to New England, broke out there into a laſting flame.When the Separatiſts for whole Fifty yeers had over-toil'd themſelves for little purpoſe, their horrible Diviſions, whereſoever they ſet up, marring their encreaſe; behold▪ at the very point of time when their Spunk was dying, and their little ſmoke, both at Amſterdam and Leyden, was well-neer vaniſhed, God in his ſecret providence permitted the tyranny of Biſhops, which firſt had begotten them, to put new life in their aſhes, and bring them back from their grave, to that vigour wherein now they appear.

After the death of Ainſworth, the Brownists at Amſterdam came to a ſmall unconſiderable handful, and ſo yet they remain. No other at that time in the whole world were known of that Religion, but a ſmall company at Leyden, under Maſter Robinſons Miniſtery; which, partly by Diviſions among themſelves, and partly by their Paſtors deſerting many of their Principles, was well-neer brought to nought: OnelyOnly about the Twenty eighth, as I take it, or the Thirtieth yeer of this Age, ſome of them going over, for a more commodious habitation, to New-England, did perſwade their neighbours who ſate down with them there at New-Plymouth, to erect with them a Congregation after their ſeparate way (A).

By what means theſe aſhes were kindled.This Congregation did incontinent leaven all the vicinity. The Planters in New-England, ſo far as their own informations give notice, not minding Religion for many yeers after their firſt enterpriſe (B), were ready to receive, without great queſtion, any pious form which might be preſented by their neighbours, whoſe minde ſerved them to be active in ſuch …ers. Alſo that way of new Plymouth, beſide the more then ordinary ſhew of devotion, did hold out ſo much liberty and honour to the people, that p. 55made it very ſuitable and lovely to a multitude who had lately ſtepped out of the Epiſcopal thraldom in England, to the free air of a new world. However it was, without any noiſe in a few yeers, the moſt who ſettled their habitations in that Land, did agree to model themſelves in Churches after Robinſons patern.

This for a time, was either not known, or not regarded in England. The firſt who appeared in any diſpleaſure at it,Maſter Cotton at firſt a great oppoſite to that way. was Mr. Cotton; for this reverend man, howſoever he had faln off from the practiſe of ſom, & but of ſom of the Ceremonies, & was diſtaſted with Epiſcopal Government, yet ſo long as he abode in England, minded no more then the old non-conformity: In all his oppoſition to the Epiſcopal corruptions, he went not beyond Cartwright, and the Presbyterians. With the way of the Separatiſts he was then well acquainted, but declared himſelf againſt it in print, as in his Preface to Maſter Hilderſhams Sermons upon John, may be ſeen to this day (C). Neither thus alone, but a very little before his voyage to New-England, ſo ſoon as he underſtood of the prevailing of Robinſons way there, ſuch was his zeal againſt it, he wrote over to the Miniſters who had been the chief inſtruments of bringing theſe Churches under that yoke, admoniſhing them freely of their falling from their former judgement, and that their new Reformation was no other but the old way wherein the Separatiſts had walked, to the grief and offence of the Anti-Epiſcopal party in England, and of the whole Proteſtant Churches (D).

Notwithſtanding this admonition,Maſter Cotton with little ado, became the great patron of that Errour. the Brethren there went on in their way, yet without any hazard to others, till the 1634. as I take it, or 1635. yeer of our Lord God, when the yoke of Epiſcopal perſecution in England became ſo heavy on the necks of the moſt of the godly, that many thouſands of them did flee away, and Maſter Cotton among the reſt, to joyn themſelves to theſe American Churches. Here it was when that new way began firſt to be dangerous to the reſt of the world.

For Maſter Cotton, a man of very excellent parts, contrary much to his former judgement, having faln into a liking of it, and by his great with and learning, having refined it, without the impediment of any oppoſition, became the great inſtrument of drawing to it, not onelyonly the thouſands of thoſe who left England, but alſo by his Letters to his friends who abode in their Countrey, p. 56made it become lovely to many who never before had appeared in the leaſt degree of affection toward it.

Maſter Cotton the miſleader of Maſter Goodwin and others.Before his departure from England, by conferences in London, he had brought off Maſter Davenport and Maſter Goodwin, from ſome of the Engliſh Ceremonies (E); but neither of theſe two, nor himſelf at that time, did minde the leaſt degree of Separation (F); yet ſo ſoon as he did taſte of the New-Engliſh air, he fell into ſo paſſionate an affection with the Religion he found there, that incontinent he began to perſwade it, with a great deal more zeal and ſucceſſe then before he had oppoſed it (G): His convert Maſter Goodwin, a moſt fine and dainty Spirit, with very little ado, was brought by his Letters from New-England, to follow him unto this ſtep alſo of his progreſſe, and that with ſo high an eſtimation of his new Light, that he was bold to boaſt of it in termes a little beyond the lines of moderation (H).

Maſter Cotton often deceived, hath given his patrociny to divers groſſe Errours. Why God permits great men to fall in evident Errours.It had been happy for England, that Maſter Cotton had taken longer time for deliberation, before that change of his minde: He might have remembred his too precipitant raſhneſſe in former times, both to receive, and to ſend abroad to the world ſuch Tenents whereof after he had cauſe to repent.

God in wiſedom permits his deareſt children to ſet black marks on their own faces, not onelyonly to keep themſelves in humility and ſuſpition of their own hearts, but to divert others from idolizing their gifts, and ſetting up their perſons as a patern for their too ſudden imitation. I would not willingly detract from any mans reputation; I am oft ready enough, both to hear with contentment, and liberally to ſpeak to the praiſes of men much inferiour in my thoughts to Maſter Cotton: Yet when his gifts are turned into ſnares, when they become occaſions of ſtumbling, and, contrary to the minde of the giver, are made inducements to follow him in his wanderings; I am of opinion, that neither Piety nor Charity will hinder to remark his evident and known failings: That as his eminent endowments are ſtrong invitations to run after him; ſo the mixture of cleer weakneſſe may be a retractive to every prudent man, and a caveat from God, to beware of his wayes, as well as of any other mans.

I take it for a great mercy of God to ſimple ones, that the moſt, if not all, who have offred themſelves to be Ringleaders in any Hereſie or Schiſm, or other by-way, have ever bin permitted to fall into p. 57ſome evident folly; to the end, that they whoſe ſimplicity made them too prone to be miſled by the ſtrength of pregnant wits, and the luſter of excellent gifts, which in the moſt of Sectaries to this day, have ever been apparent, might be held in the love of the truth, and made cautious of being led aſide by them in whoſe footſteps a very blunt eye might perceive the print of an evil ſpirit.

Not to ſpeak of Maſter Cottons long continuance in the Errours of his education,His Prelatical Arminian and Montaniſtick Tenents. ſundry whereof ſtuck to him as he confeſſeth all the time of his abode in England (I): Nor of his more dangerous fall into the gulf of Pelagianiſm, ſome of the Arminian Errours, from which the writings of Dr. Twiſſe are ſaid to have reclaimed him (K); However, the Doctor doth ſay, that he hath no aſſurance of his recantation to this day, and therefore was willing that his Treatiſe againſt Maſter Cottons erroneous writings ſhould be publiſhed to the world. To paſſe by alſo that which I have heard of ſome gracious Miniſters of his old Montaniſm, wherein ſome think he remaineth to this day.

That which I point at, is, another more dangerous fall,His Antinomy and Familiſm. which as already it hath much humbled his ſpirit, and opened his ear to inſtruction, and I truſt it will not leave working till it have brought him yet neerer to his Brethren: So to the worlds end, it cannot but be a matter of fear and trembling, to all who ſhall know it, and of aboundant caution to be very wary of receiving any ſingularity from his hand without due tryal. That which I ſpeak of, is, his wandring into the horrible Errours of the Antinomians and Familists, with his dear friend Miſtreſſe Hutchinſon; ſo far, that he came to a reſolution to ſide with her, and ſeparate from all the Churches in New-England, as legal Synagogues.

The truth of this horrible fall, if ye will not take it from the parties themſelves, the followers of Miſtreſſe Hutchinſon, who ofttimes were wont to brag of Maſter Cotton for their Maſter and Patron (L); nor from the Teſtimony of Maſter Williams (M), who had as much occaſion to know it, as any man elſe; and if I miſtake not the humor of the man, is very unwilling to report a lie of his greateſt enemy. Yet we may not reject the witneſſe of Maſter Winthrop, the wiſeſt of all the New-Engliſh Governours hitherto, and of Maſter Wells, a gracious Miniſter of that Land, in their Printed Relations of the Schiſms there, both thoſe, albeit, p. 58with all care and ſtudy they endeavour to ſave Maſter Cottons credit, yet let the truth of Maſter Cottons ſeduction fall from their Pens in ſo clear termes as cannot be avoided; for however, what they ſpeak of the erring of the moſt eminent in place, might be applyed to the Governour for the time (N 1.): Yet when they tell us, that the moſt of the Seducers lived in the Church of Boſton, and that the whole Church of Boſton, except a few, were infected with that Leproſie, and that none of them were ever-called to an account by the Presbytery of that Church till after the Aſſembly, though the Paſtor of that Church, Maſter Wilſon, was alwayes exceedingly zealous againſt them; alſo that in face of the General Court, Miſtreſſe Hutchinſon did avow Maſter Cotton alone, and Maſter Wheelwright, to Preach the truth according to her minde; and that Maſter Cotton himſelf, before that ſame Court, did openly diſſent, even after the Aſſembly, from all his Brethren about Wheelwrights Doctrine. Theſe, and other the like informations, are ſo clear, that no art will get Maſter Cotton freed (N 2.)

I have been alſo informed by a gracious Preacher, who was preſent at the Synod of New-England; that all the Brethren there, being exceedingly ſcandalized with Maſter Cottons carriage, in Miſtreſſe Hutchinſons proceſſe, did ſo far diſcountenance, and ſo ſeverely admoniſh him, that he was thereby brought to the greateſt ſhame, confuſion, and grief of minde that ever in all his life he had indured. But leaving the perſon of Maſter Cotton, if not the Author, yet the greateſt promoter and patron of Independency, we will go on with the way it ſelf.

Independency large, as unhappy as Browniſm.What Maſter Cotton, and the Apologiſts, his followers, have teſtified of Gods diſpleaſure and judgements upon the way of the Browniſts (O), is as evidently true of the way of the Independents; not onelyonly becauſe, as it will appear hereafter, both wayes really are one and the ſame: But alſo, becauſe in the compariſon of the events which have befaln to both wayes, it will be ſeen that the miſcarriages and (becauſe of them) the marks of Gods anger have been more manifeſt upon this latter way then upon the former.

Independency brought to the utmoſt pitch of perfection which the wit and induſtry of its beſt patrons were able to attain, having the advantage of the Browniſts fatal miſcarriages, to be p. 59exemplary documents of wiſedom, being alſo aſſiſted and fenced with all the ſecurity that Civil Laws of its friends own framing, and gracious Magiſtrates at their abſolute devotion, could afford; notwithſtanding in a very few, leſſe then one week of yeers, hath flown out in more ſhameful abſurdities then the Browniſts to this day, in all the fifty yeers of their trial, have ſtumbled upon.

The verity of this broad aſſertion ſhall be palpable to any who will be at the pains a little to conſider their proceedings in any of the places wherever yet they had any ſetled abode:Wherefore ſo much of the Independent way lies yet in darkneſſe. for however much of their way be yet in the dark, and in this alſo their advantage above the Brownists is great; that in their Diſcords none of themſelves have proclaimed their own ſhame; none that have fallen from them, have of purpoſe put pen to paper, to inform the world of their ways; neither have any of them been willing to reply to any of the Books written againſt them, that did put a neceſſity upon them to ſpeak out the truth of many heavie imputations which with a loud voice by many a tongue are laid on them; chuſing rather to lie under the hazard of all the reproach which their unfriendly reports could bring upon them, then to make an Apologie, wherein their denial might bring upon them the infamy of lying, or their grant the faſtening, by their own teſtimony, upon the back of their party the Crimes alleadged againſt them: Notwithſtanding ſo much is broken out from under all their coverings, as will make good what hath been ſaid. Hitherto they have had but three places of abode, New-England, Holland, London. That any where elſe they have erected Congregations, I do not know. Of their adventures in theſe three places, we will ſpeak a little.

In New-England, The fruits of Independency in New England.when Maſter Cotton had gotten the aſſiſtance of Maſter Hooker, Maſter Davenport, and ſundry other very worthy Miniſters, beſide many thouſands of people whom God in his mercy did ſend over to that new world, to be freed from ſuffering and danger, in the day of their Countreys moſt grievous calamities; being there alone, without the diſturbance of any enemy either within or without, What were the fruits of their Church-way?

Firſt,1. It put thouſands of Chriſtians in the condition of Pagans. it forced them to hold out of all Churches and Chriſtian Congregations, many thouſands of people who in former times had been reputed in Old-England very good Chriſtians. I p. 60have heard ſundry eſteem the number of the Engliſh in that Plantation to exceed Fourty thouſand men and women: when Maſter Cotton is put to it, he dares hardly avow the one half of theſe to be members of any Church (P): But if we do beleeve others who were eye-witneſſes alſo, they do avow, That of all who are there, Three parts of Four will not be in any Church (Q 1.). To us it ſeemeth a grievous abſurdity, a great diſhonour to God, and cruelty againſt men, to ſpoil ſo many thouſand Chriſtians, whom they dare not deny to be truely religious, of all the priviledges of the Church, of all the benefits of Diſcipline, of all the comfort of any Sacrament, either to themſelves, or to their children; to put them in the condition of Pagans, ſuch as ſome of them profeſſe all Proteſtants to be who are not of their way (Q 2.).

2. It marrs the converſion of Pagans to the Chriſtian Religion.A ſecond evil of their Way, is, That it hath exceedingly hindred the converſion of the poor Pagans; God in great mercy having opened a door in theſe laſt times to a new world of reaſonable creatures for that end, above all, that the Goſpel might be preached to them, for the enlargement of the Kingdom of Chriſt. The principles and practice of Independents, doth croſſe this bleſſed hope. What have they to do with thoſe that are without? Their Paſtors preach not for converſion, their relation is to their Flock, who are Church-members, converted already to their hand by the labours of other men, before they can be admitted into their Church.

Of all that ever croſſed the American Seas, they are noted as moſt neglectful of the work of Converſion. I have read of none of them that ſeem to have minded this matter (Q 3.): onelyonly Maſter Williams in the time of his baniſhment from among them, did aſſay what could be done with thoſe deſolate ſouls, and by a little experience quickly did finde a wonderful great facility to gain thouſands of them to ſo much and more Chriſtianity, both in profeſſion and practice, then in the moſt of our people doth appear (R). But the unhappineſſe of theſe principles whereof we ſpeak,3. It did bring forth the fouleſt Hereſies that ever yet were heard of in any Proteſtant Church. did keep him, as he profeſſeth, from making uſe of that great opportunity and large door which the Lord there hath opened to all who will be zealous for propagating of the Goſpel (S).

Thirdly, the fruits of Independency may be ſeen in the profeſſion and practices of the moſt who have been admitted, as very p. 61fit, if not the fitteſt members of their Churches. Theſe have much exceeded any of the Brownists that yet we have heard of; firſt, in the vileneſſe of their Errours; ſecondly, in the multitude of the erring perſons; thirdly, in the hypocriſie joyned with their errours; fourthly, in malice againſt their neighbours, and contempt of their Superiours, Magiſtrates and Miniſters for their oppoſition to them in their evil ways; and laſtly, in their ſingular obſtinacie, ſtiffly ſticking unto their errours, in defiance of all that any upon earth could do for their reclaiming, or that God from heaven, almoſt miraculouſly, had declared againſt them. All this I will make good, by the unqueſtionable Teſtimonies of their loving friends.

For the vileneſſe of their Errours:A few examples of the many abominable Hereſies of the New-Engliſh Independents. They did avow openly the perſonal inhabitation of the Spirit in all the godly, his immediate revelations without the Word; and theſe as infallible as Scripture it ſelf (T): This is the vileſt Montaniſm. They avowed further, with the groſſeſt Antinomians, That no ſin muſt trouble any childe of God: That all trouble of conſcience for any ſin, demonſtrates a man ſubject to the Covenant of Works, but a ſtranger to the Covenant of Grace (Ʋ): That no Chriſtian is bound to look upon the Law as a rule of his converſation (X): That no Chriſtian ſhould be preſt to any duty of holineſſe (Y). Neither here did they ſtand, but went on to aver the death of the ſoul with the body (Z): That all the Saints upon earth have two bodies (AA): That Chriſt is not united to our fleſhly body; but they would have him to be united to our new body (BB), with the ſame union where with his humanity is united with his Godhead: That Chriſts Manhood was not now in the heavens (CC), but that his body was his Church. Theſe abominable errours, and many more of this kinde, to the number of Fourſcore and eleven (DD), the New-Engliſh Independency did produce to the world in a very ſhort time.

For the ſecond, The number of the erring perſons;The greateſt part of th…ir chief Churches were infected with theſe errours. Th… pi…ty of theſe Hereticks ſeem…d to be ſingular. this is ſaid to have been incredible; not onelyonly multitudes of men and women every where were infected (EE), but almoſt no Society, no Family of that Land was free of that Peſt (BB): Boſton, the beſt and moſt famous of their Churches, was ſo far corrupted, that few there were untainted (GG).

Concerning the Hypocriſie of theſe Hereticks, it was exceeding p. 62great: None appeared ſo humble, ſo holy, ſo ſpiritual, and full of Chriſt, as they (HH): In their ſpeech, nought but ſelf-denial (II): In their prayers, raviſhing affections, and heavenly expreſſions (KK): All their ſingular opinions, were for the advancing of Free-grace (LL); For the glorious light of the Goſpel; for the ſetting up of naked Chriſt on his Throne (MM).

Their malice againſt all who oppoſed them, was ſingular, eſpecially againſt all their Orthodox Miniſters,Their malice towards all that diſſented from them, was ſo extreme, that they made the life of many, the moſt religious of their Neighbours, to be bitter and a weariſome burden to them (NN).

For their Miniſters, ſome of them they adored: Maſter Cotton and Maſter Wheelwright, they ſet up as the onelyonly true Preachers of the Covenant of Grace; they extolled them to the skies, avowing, that ſince the Apoſtles dayes, none had received ſo much Goſpel-Light, as they (OO): But the reſt of the Preachers, not onelyonly all in Old England (PP), but alſo all in New-England, except a very few, and moſt of all the beſt, the moſt zealous and Orthodox, even the inſtruments of their own converſion, were to them Baals Prieſts, Legal Preachers, Popiſh Factors, Scribes and Phariſees, Enemies to the Goſpel, voide of the Spirit of Grace (QQ).

and Magiſtrates.Their contempt of the Magiſtrates was as great as of the Miniſters: Their late Governour they profeſſed was a true friend to Chriſt, and Free-grace (RR); but Maſter Winthrop their preſent Governour, and the moſt of the Magiſtrates, they proclaimed enemies of Grace, Perſecutors, Antichriſts, Ahabs, Herods, Pilates, whom God would deſtroy (SS). Their Preacher, Maſter Wheelwright, would exhort the people in his Sermon, to deal with the Magiſtrates as ſuch, remembring them how Moſes had killed the Egyptian (TT).

Their Errours in opinion did draw on ſuch ſeditious practiſes, as did well neer overturn both their Church and State.Their Hereſies did bring on ſo dangerous ſeditions, as in a ſhort time did put their Common-wealth in a clear hazard of utter ruine (VV); for the Heretikes had drawn to their ſide, not onelyonly multitudes of the people, but many of the ableſt men for parts, in all Trades, eſpecially the Souldiers (XX). They kept ſuch intimate familiarity, and open correſpondence with the moſt eminent men of the Land; Miſtreſſe Hutchinſon, and the late Governour, kept almoſt every day ſo private and long diſcourſe with Maſter Cotton, that made them conclude all was their own (YY), p. 63and forced the wiſe Governour, Maſter Winthrop, to prevent their deſignes, to put the former Governour, and all that followed him, from their places in the general Court, and to deſire him and them to be gone, which was counted a real, though a civil baniſhment out of their Land (ZZ): Alſo to diſarm the moſt of that faction expreſly upon fear, leaſt the Tragedy of Munſter ſhould be acted over again in New-England (AAA).

Maſter Williams told me, that he was imployed to buy from the Savages, for the late Governour, and Maſter Cotton, with their followers, a proportion of Land without the Engliſh Plantation, whither they might retire and live according to their own minde, exempt from the Juriſdiction, Civil, and Eccleſiaſtick, of all others. Maſter Williams was in ſo great friendſhip with that late Governour, when he told me ſo much, That I beleeve he would have been loth to have ſpoken any untruth of him.

Their obſtinacy in all theſe things was truely marvellous;Their proud obſtinacy againſt all admonitions was marvellous. for after all the pains which their godly Paſtors took upon them, in Preaching, in Conference, in Publike Diſputations: After the Magiſtrate had executed the Law, and inflicted civil puniſhments upon ſome of their prime Seducers; yea, when God viſibly from the Heavens had declared his anger againſt ſome of their cheif Leaders, puniſhing Miſtreſſe Hutchinſon with a monſtruous birth of more then thirty miſ-ſhapen Creatures at one time (BBB), and Miſtreſſe Dyer her principal aſſiſtant, with another monſtrous birth (CCC) of one Creature, mixed of a Beaſt, of a Fiſh, and a Foul: Notwithſtanding all theſe admonitions, their obſtinacy was ſo great, that many of them continued pertinacious without any repentance (DDD).

For ſome of them ſeparating of their own accord, others being baniſhed by the Magiſtrate, retired into thoſe Lands which Maſter Williams had bought for them; and in that their new Habitation, they continued not long; till beſide all the named Errours, they fell into many more, both Errours and Schiſms (EEE).

And Miſtreſſe Hutchinſon did make a new Separation, retiring to a new dwelling (FFF), where after her long contempt of divine and humane patience, at laſt God did let looſe his hand, and deſtroyed her, ſending in upon her a company of the Savages, who burnt her ſelf, her houſe, and all that ſhe had (GGG). Notwithſtanding p. 64all that God and man at that time and ſince hath done to diſcover the evil ſpirit that raged in that way, yet ſuch is the ſtoutneſſe of many, eſpecially of the late Governour, whoſe hand in all that buſineſſe was cheif, that to this day if you will confer with them, they will aſſure, That Miſtreſſe Hutchinſon was much miſtaken and wronged; that ſhe was a moſt pious woman, and that her Tenents if well underſtood, were all true, at leaſt very tolerable. We have oft marvelled, that the Elderſhip of Boſton did never ſo much as call her before them to be rebuked for any of her Errours; though their general Aſſembly had confuted and condemned them, yet ſtill ſhe was permitted to go on, till the zeal of the new Governour, and the general Court did condemn her to perpetual baniſhment; then, and not till then, ſo far as we can perceive by the ſtory, did the Church of Boſton begin a proceſſe againſt her; and when the proceſſe was brought to an end, Maſter Cotton by no means would put it in execution; that burden was laid on the back of Maſter Wilſon his Colleague, how ever not the fitteſt inſtrument, being the perſon to whom Miſtreſſe Hutchinſon from the beginning had profeſſed her greateſt oppoſition; and when the ſentence was pronounced againſt her, they tell us, That the great cauſe of it was none of her Hereſies or Errours, but her other practiſes eſpecially, her groſſe lying (HHH).

In the midſt of their profeſſion of eminent piety, the profanity of many of them was great.The prophaneneſſe alſo of theſe perſons is conſiderable, their profeſſion of piety being ſo fair, that they avow their ſtanding aloof from all the Reformed Churches as unclean, becauſe of their mixture with the prophane multitude. Beſide all that is ſaid of their Hereſies, Schiſms, Contentions, Contempt of Magiſtrates and Miniſters, all which are the prophane works of the fleſh: We read of further pollution, breaking out among them, as both Maſter Cotton, and Maſter Wells do teſtifie (III).

Out of the Governour, Maſter Winthrops Narration, I remark one abomination, which to me ſeems ſtrange, That the Midwives, to their moſt zealous women, ſhould not onelyonly have familiarity with the divel; but alſo in that very ſervice, ſhould commit divelliſh Malefices, which, ſo far as they tell us, were not onelyonly paſt over without puniſhment, but never ſo much as inquired after (KKK).

All this and more, we read of the Independents in New-England, in one ſhort Narration of two or three yeers accidents p. 65among them; what if we had their full Hiſtory from any faithful hand? it ſeems that many more myſteries would be brought to light, which now are hid in darkneſſe.

It is not our intention to bring any man to a prejudice,Notwithſtanding all this, we deſire from our heart, to honour and imitate all and every degree of Truth or Piety, which did ever appear in any New-Engliſh Chriſtian. or the leaſt diſtaſt of the Grace and Gifts which God hath beſtowed on Maſter Cotton or any other in New-England would to God, that all our Queſtions with them, were come to that iſſue; they ſhould finde us here as willing as their greateſt admirers, to prize, to embrace, and as our weakneſſe will permit, to imitate what ever good did ſhine in any of them: But we have made theſe Obſervations from what themſelves have written, to bring if it be poſſible, their own hearts; or if this be deſperate, yet the mindes of others, to a ſuſpition of that their new and ſingular way, which the Lord hath ſo manifeſtly curſed with bader fruits, and greater ſtore of them then ever yet did appear upon the Tree of Browniſm, which they do ſo much diſgrace as an unlucky Plant: notwithſtanding, all the Gifts and Graces wherewith Ainſworth, Robinſon, and ſome others of its Branches, have been adorned by God in as rich a meaſure as have been ſeen in any, who to this day have ingrafted themſelves into their new and bitter root of Independency.

The Teſtimonies.

(A) Maſter Cottons Letter to Skelton, p. 3. Your other Errour that our Congregations in England, are none of them particular Reformed Churches, requireth rather a Book then a Letter to anſwer it. You went hence of another judgement, and I am afraid, your change hath ſprung from New-Plymouth men, whom though I much eſteem as godly loving Chriſtians; yet their Grounds, which for this Tenent they received from Maſter Robinſon, do not ſatisfie me, though the man I reverence as godly and learned.

Rathbones Narration, p. 1. The Church at New-Plymouth was as I am informed, one of the firſt Churches that was ſettled in New-England, having been a part of Maſter Robinſons Church in Holland, that famous Browniſt, from whence they brought with their Church Opinions and Practiſes; and which they there ſtill p. 66hold without any alteration, ſo far as ever I could learn. Master W. an eminent man of the Church at Plimouth, told W. R. that the reſt of the Churches of New-England came at firſt to them at Plimouth, to crave their direction in Church courſes, and made them their patern.

(B) Vide Purchaſe Pilgrims in his diſcourſes of America, in divers Letters from New-England.

(C) Cottons Letter to the Reader before Hilderſhams Commentary upon John, 1632. That one Letter of his to a Gentlewoman againſt the Separation, which without his conſent a Separatiſt Printed, and Refuted, hath ſo ſtrongly and cleerly convinced the Iniquity of that way, that I could not but acknowledge in it, both the wiſedom of God, and the weakneſſe of the Separatiſts: His wiſedom in bringing to light ſuch a beam of his Truth by the hand of an adverſary, againſt the minde of the Author; and the weakneſſe of the other, to advance the hand of this Adverſary, to give himſelf and his cauſe ſuch a deadly wound in open view, as neither himſelf nor all his aſſociates can be able to heal; in which reſpect, I conceive it was that the induſtrious Doctor Willet ſtileth this our Author, Schiſmaticorum qui vulgo Browniſtae vocantur Malleus: The Hammer of Schiſmaticks whom they commonly call Browniſts.

(D) Vide ſupra. A.

(E) Edwards Antapology, p. 17. Knowing ſomething of the ſtory of Maſter Goodwins firſt coming to fall off from the Ceremonies, having ſeen and peruſed the Arguments that paſt betwixt him and Maſter Cotton, and ſome others: Maſter Goodwin aſſured me ſome moneths after his going off, that he had nothing to ſay, but againſt the Ceremonies the Liturgy offended him not, much leſſe dreamed he of this Church-way he ſince fell into.

(F) Cottons Letter from New-England to his friends at Boſton, October 5. 1635. Some other things there be, which were I again with you, I durſt not take that liberty which ſome times I have taken: I durſt not joyn in your Book-Prayers.

(G) Ibidem. I durſt not now partake in the Sacraments with you, though the Ceremonies were removed. I know not how you can be excuſed from Fellowſhip of their ſins, if you continue in your place. While you and ſome of my other friends continue with them, I fear the reſt will ſettle upon their Lees with more ſecurity. The wiſe-hearted p. 67that left their Stations in Iſrael, I doubt not, were ſome of them, if not all, uſeful and ſerviceable men in their places; yet they did themſelves and their Brethren more good ſervice in going before their Brethren, as the Goats before the Flocks, Jere. 50.8. then if they had tarried with them to the corrupting of their own wayes. 2 Chro. 11.14, 16.

Antap. p. 32. After his going into New-England, and falling into the Church-way there, and ſending over Letters into England about the new way, preſently after theſe Letters began the falling off and queſtioning Communion in our Churches.

(H) Antap. p. 32. One of you, to wit, Maſter Goodwin was ſo ingaged in his thoughts of one of the Miniſters of New-England, to wit, Maſter Cotton, by whom I am ſure, he was firſt taken off, that he hath ſaid, there was not ſuch another man in the world again.

Ibidem, p. 22. One of you told ſome friends, that he had found out a Form of Church-Government, as far beyond Maſter Cartwrights, as his was beyond that of the Biſhops.

Maſter Williams Examination of Maſter Cottons Letter, p. 47. Some of the moſt eminent amongſt them have affirmed, that even the Apoſtles Churches were not ſo pure, as the new Engliſh Churches.

(I) Vide ſupra. F.

(K) Antap. p. 40. He hath had his Errours, and I refer you for proof to his diſcourſe about cleering the Doctrine of Reprobation. See the Preface of Doctor Twiſſe his Anſwer.

(L) The ſhort Story in the Preface, par. 10. What men they ſaw Eminent in the Countrey, and of moſt eſteem in the hearts of the people, they would be ſure ſtill to father their opinions upon them, and ſay, I hold nothing but what I had from ſuch and ſuch a man.

Ibid. p. 65. She pretended ſhe was of Maſter Cottons judgement in all things.

(M) Williams Examination, p. 12. Some few yeers ſince he was upon the point to ſeparate from the Churches there, as legal.

Ibidem, p. 33. How could I poſſibly be ignorant as he ſeems to charge me, of their eſtate, when being from firſt to laſt in Fellowſhip with them, an Officer amongſt them, had private and publike agitations concerning their eſtate with all or moſt of their Miniſters.

(N) Short ſtory, Preface, p. 7. By this time they had to patroniſe them, ſome of the Magiſtrates, and ſome men eminent for Religion, Parts, and Wit.

p. 68Ibidem, p. 25. Maſter Wheelwright had taught them, that the former Governour and ſome of the Magiſtrates then were friends of Chriſt and Free-grace, but the preſent were enemies. The former Governour never ſtirred out but attended by the Serjeants with Halberts or Carrabines, but the preſent Governour was neglected.

Ibid. p. 35. After that ſhe had drawn ſome of eminent place, and parts, to her party, whereof ſome profited ſo well as in a few moneths they out-went their Teacher.

Ibidem, p. 33. Ʋpon the countenance which it took from ſome eminent perſons, her opinions began to hold up their heads in the Court of Juſtice.

(N 2.) Ibidem, p. 32. It was a wonder, upon what a ſudden the whole Church of Boſton, ſome few excepted were become her new converts, and infected with her opinions.

Ibid. Preface, p. 7. In the Church of Boſton moſt of theſe Seducers lived.

Ibid. p. 36. The Court laid to her charge, the reproach ſhe had caſt upon the Miniſtery in this Countrey, ſaying That none of them did preach the Covenant of Free-grace but Maſter Cotton. She told them that there was a wide difference between Maſter Cottons Miniſtery and theirs; and that they could not hold forth a Covenant of Free-grace, becauſe they had not the Seal of the Spirit.

Ibidem. p. 50. All the Miniſters conſented to this, except their Brother the Teacher of Boſton. Ibid. p. 52. Maſter Wheelwright being preſent, ſpoke nothing, though he well diſcerned that the judgement of the moſt of the Magiſtrates, and near all the Miniſters cloſed with the affirmative. Ibidem, p. 21. Albeit, the Aſſembly of the Churches had confuted and condemned moſt of theſe new opinions, and Maſter Cotton had in publike view conſented with the reſt; yet the Leaders in theſe Erroneous wayes, ſtood ſtill to maintain their new Light; Maſter Wheelwright alſo continued his preaching after his former manner; and Miſtreſſe Hutchinſon her wonted meetings and exerciſes; and much offence was ſtill given by her, and others, in going out of the ordinary Aſſemblies. When (Mr. Wilſon) the Paſtor of Boſton began any exerciſe, it was conceived by the Magiſtrate that the caſe was now deſperate, and it was determined to ſuppreſſe them by Civil Authority.

(O) Apologetical Narration, p. 5. We had likewiſe the fatal miſcarriages and ſhipwracks of the Separation, whom you call p. 69Browniſts, as Land-marks to forewarn us of theſe Rocks and Shelves they run upon.

Cottons Letter to Williams, pag. 12. I ſaid that God had not proſpered the way of Separation, becauſe he hath not bleſſed it either with peace among themſelves or with growth of grace. The Lord Jeſus never delivered that way of Separation to which they bear witneſſe, nor any of his Apoſtles after him, nor of his Prophets before him. We do not come forth to help them againſt Jehovah; this were not to help Jehovah, but Satan againſt him. We cannot pray in Faith for a bleſſing upon their Separation, which we ſee not to be of God, nor to lead to him: It is little comfort to the true Servants of Chriſt that ſuch inventions of men are multiplied.

(P) Anſwer to the thirty two Queſtions, p. 7. Whether is the greater number, theſe that are admitted to Church-Communion, or theſe that are not, we cannot certainly tell.

(Q 1.) Plain dealing, p. 73. Here ſuch confeſſions and profeſſions are required, both in private and publike, both by men and women, before they be admitted, that three parts of the people of the Countrey remain out of the Church, ſo that in ſhort time, moſt of the people will remain unbaptiſed.

(Q 2. Williams of the name Heathen, p. 6. Nations proteſting against the Beast, no Papists, but Protestants, may we ſay of them that they or any of them may be called in true Scripture ſence, Heathens, that is, the Nations or Gentiles, in oppoſition to the people of God, which is the onelyonly Holy Nation? Such a departure from the Beaſt in a falſe constitution of National Churches, if the bodies of Protestant Nations remain in an unregenerate estate, Chriſt hath ſaid they are but as Heathens and Publicans.

(Q 3.) Plain dealing, p. 21. There hath not been any ſent forth by any Church, to learn the Natives language, or to inſtruct them in our Religion firſt, becauſe they ſay they have not to do with them being without, except they come to hear, and learn Engliſh.

(R) Williams of the name Heathen, p. 10. For our New-England parts, I can ſpeak it confidently, I know it to have been eaſie for my ſelf, long ere this, to have brought many thouſands of theſe Natives, yea, the whole Countrey to a far greater Antichristian converſion, then ever was heard of in America. I could have brought the whole Countrey to have obſerved one day in ſeven: I adde, to have received Baptiſm, to have come to a ſtated Church meeting, to have p. 70maintained Priests, and Forms of Prayer, and a whole form of Antichristian worſhip in life and death.

(S) Ibid. p. 11. Wo be to me, if I call that converſion to God, which is indeed the ſubverſion of the ſouls of millons in Chriſtendom, from one falſe worſhip to another.

Williams Key unto the language of America, p. 9. To which I could eaſily have brought the Countrey, but that I was perſwaded, and am, that Gods way is firſt to turn a ſoul from its idols, both of heart, worſhip, and converſation, before it is capable of worſhip to the true God.

(T) Short ſtory, p. 32. Many good ſouls were brought to waite for this immediate revelation; then ſprung up alſo that opinion of the indwelling of the perſon of the Holy Ghoſt.

Ibidem, Preface, p. 13. That their own revelations of particular events, were as infallible as the Scripture.

(V) Short ſtory, Preface, pag. 2. Sin in a childe of God muſt never trouble him. Trouble in conſcience for ſins of Commiſſion, or for neglect of duties, ſheweth a man to be under a Covenant of Works.

(X) Short ſtory Preface, p. 2. A Chriſtian is not bound to the Law as the rule of his converſation.

(Y) Ibid. p. 3. No Chriſtian muſt be preſſed to duties of Holineſſe.

(Z) Short ſtory Preface, p. 13. Their Leaders fell into more hideous deluſions, as that the ſouls of men are mortal like the Beaſts.

(AA) Short ſtory, p. 59. Theſe who are united to Chriſt, have in this life new bodies, and two bodies.

(BB) Ibid. She knoweth not how Jeſus Chriſt ſhould be united to this our fleſhly body; theſe who have union with Chriſt, ſhall not riſe with the ſame fleſhly body; and that the Reſurrection mentioned in 1 Cor. 15.44. is not meant of the Reſurrection of the body, but of our union here in this life.

(CC) Ibid. p. 60. We are united to Chriſt with the ſame union that his humanity on earth was with his Deity. That ſhe had no Scripture to warrant that Chriſts manhood is now is Heaven; but the body of Chriſt is his Church.

(DD) Ibid. Preface, p. 1. You ſhall ſee a Litter of ninty one of their brats hung up againſt the Sun, beſides many new ones of Miſtreſſe Hutchinſons.

p. 71(EE) Ibid. Multitudes of men and women were infected before they were aware.

(FF) Ibid. Preface, p. 7. They had ſome of all ſorts and qualities in all places, to defend and patroniſe them: Almoſt in every family, ſome were ready to defend them as the Apple of their own eye.

(GG) Vide ſupra. N 2.

(HH) Short ſtory Preface, pag. 4. They would appear very humble, holy, and ſpiritual Christians, and full of Chriſt.

(II) Ibid. They would deny themſelves far, and ſpeak excellently.

(KK) Ibid. They would pray with ſuch ſoul raviſhing affections and expreſſions, that a ſtranger could not but love and admire them.

(LL) Ibid. They lifted up their opinions by guilding them over with the ſpecious termes of Free-grace, Glorious-Light, Gospel-Truths, holding out naked Chriſt.

(MM) Vide ſupra. LL.

(NN) Preface, p. 7. O their boldneſſe, pride, inſolency, the diſturbances, diviſions, contentions they raiſed among us, both in Church and State, and Families, ſetting diviſion betwixt Husband and Wife!

Ibid. p. 9. And ſeeing a ſpirit of pride, ſubtilty, malice and contempt of all men that were not of their minde breathing in them, our hearts were ſadded, and our ſpirits tyred.

(OO) Ibid. p. 4. Their followers in admiration of them, would tell others, that ſince the Apoſtles times, they were perſwaded none ever received ſo much light from God, as ſuch and ſuch had done, naming their Leaders. See alſo before H.

(PP) Short ſtory, pag. 39. She ſaid it was revealed to her long ſince in England, That all the pack of the Miniſters there were Antichriſtian, ſo that ſhe durſt hear none of them, after Master Cotton and Master Wheelwright were once gone; for they could not preach Chriſt, and the new Covenant.

(QQ) Preface, pag. 8. The faithful Ministers of Chriſt muſt have dung caſt in their faces, and be no better then legal Preachers, Baals Prieſts, Popiſh Factors, Scribes, Phariſees, and Oppoſers of Chriſt himſelf.

(RR) Vide ſupra. N 1.

(SS) Preface, p. 9. The Magiſtrates were Achabs, Amazia's, enemies to Chriſt, led by Satan.

p. 72(TT) Ibid. Theſe were enemies to Chriſt; Herods, Pilates, Scribes and Phariſees, yea, Antichriſts; and adviſed all under a Covenant of Grace, to look upon them as ſuch: And with great zeal did ſtimulate them to deal with them as ſuch, and alleadged the ſtory of Moſes that killed the Egyptian, and left it barely ſo.

(VV) Ibid. It was a wonder of mercy, that they had not ſet our Common-wealth and Churches on a fire, and conſumed us all therein.

(XX) Preface, pag. 7. They had ſome of all quality to defend them, ſome of the Magistrates, ſome Gentlemen, ſome Schollers, ſome of our Captains and Souldiers, ſome in Military Trainings.

(YY) Short ſtory, p. 33. They made full accompt the day had been theirs.

(ZZ) Master Williams in his Diſcourſe to me, aſſured me hereof.

(AAA) Short ſtory, p. 43. Ʋnder their conduct, the old Serpent had prepared ſuch an Ambuſhment, as in all reaſon would ſoon have driven Chriſt and the Gospel out of New-England, (though to the ruine of the instruments themſelves, as well as of others) and to the repoſſeſſing of Satan in his ancient Kingdom.

(BBB) Preface, p. 12. Mistreſſe Hutchinſon being big with childe, and growing towards the time of her Labour, brought out not one, but thirty monstrous births or thereabouts at once, none at all of them of humane ſhape.

(CCC) Ibid. Mistreſſe Dyer brought forth her birth of a Woman childe, a Beaſt, a Fiſh, and a Foul, all woven together in one, and without an head.

(DDD) Ibid. Though he that runs may read their ſin in theſe judgements, yet, behold the desperate hardneſſe of heart in theſe perſons, and all their followers; they turned all from themſelves upon the faithful ſervants of God that laboured to reclaim them, ſaying, This is for you ye Legaliſts, that your eyes might be further blinded by Gods hand upon us in your legal wayes, that you may ſtumble and fall, and in the end break your necks in Hell, if ye imbrace not the Truth.

(EEE) Ibid. p. 5. Theſe perſons with many others infected by them, went altogether out of our Juriſdiction into an Iland, and there they live to this day moſt of them, hatching and multiplying new opinions, and cannot agree, but are miſerably divided into ſundry Sects and Factions.

p. 73(FFF) Miſtreſſe Hutchinſon being weary of the Iland, went from thence with all her family, to live under the Dutch, neer a place in the Map called Hell-gate.

(GGG) There the Indians ſet upon them, and ſlew her and all her family; her daughter, and her daughters husband; and all their children, ſave one that eſcaped. Some write that the Indians did burn her to death, withall that belonged to her. I never heard that the Indians in theſe parts did commit the like outrage upon any other.

(HHH) Vide KKK 1.

(III) Ibid. p. 13. They grew alſo many of them very looſe in their practiſes; for theſe opinions will certainly produce a filthy life by degrees: As no Prayer in their Familes, no Sabbath, inſufferable pride, frequent and hideous lying; and ſome of them became guilty of fouler ſins then all theſe, which I here name not.

Cottons third Sermon, 6. Vial, pag. 9. The calamities of the Countrey are from God; he takes away all; whether by our pride, that we muſt have every new faſhion, and be like the men of the world, in houſes, apparel, and the like; or daintineſſe, that we muſt have our varieties, though it coſt never ſo much, and no matter what followeth, though it eat up our eſtates. The Lord hath made uſe of our folly, and pride, and daintineſſe, our idleneſſe, and covetouſneſſe.

Idem. 2. Vial, pag. 26. We know that in England there is no ſuch unfaithful dealing, and hollow heartedneſſe? no ſuch bitterneſſe between Chriſtians. What will befal your poſterity, they will degenerate out of meaſure, by the unfaithfulneſſe of your lives, and the unrighteouſneſſe of your promiſes.

(KKK 1.) Short ſtory, p. 44. The Midwife, one Hawkins, was notorious for familiarity with the divel, and now a prime Familiſt: The moſt of the Women who were preſent at Miſtreſſe Dyers travel, were ſuddenly taken with ſuch a violent vomiting, and purging, without eating or drinking of any thing, as they were forced to go home; others had their children taken with Convulſions, which they had not before, nor ſince, and ſo were ſent for home: So that none were left at the birth, but the Midwife and two other; whereof one fell aſleep at ſuch time as the childe died, which was about two hours before the birth: The Bed wherein the mother lay, ſhook ſo violently, that all who were in the Room perceived it.

(KKK 2.) Ibid. p. 63, 64. Then Maſter Cotton told the Aſſembly, That whereas ſhe had been formerly dealt with for matter of p. 74Doctrine, he had according to the duty of his place, being the Teacher of the Church, proceeded againſt her unto admonition: But now the caſe bring altered, and ſhe being queſtioned for maintaining of untruth, which is matter of Manners, he muſt leave the buſineſſe to the Paſtor Maſter Wilſon to go on with her; but withal declared his judgement in the caſe from that in the Revelation, ch. 22. That ſuch as make and maintain a lie, ought to be caſt out of the Church; and whereas two or three pleaded that ſhe might firſt have a ſecond Admonition, according to that in Titus 3.10. He anſwered, That that was onelyonly for ſuch as erred in point of Doctrine; but ſuch as ſhall notoriouſly offend in matter of converſation, ought to be preſently caſt out, as he proved by Ananias and Saphira, and the inceſtuous Corinthian.

Ibid. p. 65. It was obſerved that ſhe ſhould now come under Admonition for many foul and fundamental Errours, and after he caſt out for notorious lying.