The Rise Reign and Ruin of the Antinomians Familists and Libertines, Court proceedings

The Rise Reign and Ruin of the Antinomians Familists and Libertines · Court proceedings

p. 23The Proceedings of the General Court holden at New-Town, in the Massachusets in New-England, Octob. 2. 1637. Against Mr. Wheelwright, and other Erroneous and Seditious Persons, for their Disturbances of the Publick Peace.

ALthough the Assembly of the Churches had confuted and condemned most of those New Opinions which were sprung up amongst us, and Mr. Cotton had in publick view consented with the rest, yet the Leaders in those Erroneous ways would not give in, but stood still to maintain their New Light, which they had boasted of, and that the difference was still as wide as before, viz. as great as between Heaven and Hell: Mr. Wheelwright also continued his Preaching after his former manner, and Mistriss Hutchison her wonted Meetings and Exercises, and much offence was still given by her, and others, in going out of the Ordinary Assemblies, when Mr. Wil. began any exercise; and some of the Messengers of the Church of Boston had contemptuously withdrawn themselves from the General Assembly, with professed dislike of their proceedings, and many Evidences brake forth of their discontented and turbulent spirits; it was conceived by the Magistrates, and others of the Countrey, that the means which had been used proving uneffectual, the case was now desperate, and the last remedy was to be applied, and that without farther delay, lest it should be attempted too late, when fitter opportunity might be offered for their advantage, as they had boasted, and did certainly expect upon the return of some of their chief supporters, who by a special providence were now absent from them: And for this end the General Court being assembled in the ordinary course, it was determined to begin with these Troublers of our Peace, and to suppress them by the Civil Authority, whereunto there was a fair occasion offered upon a Seditious Writing, which had been delivered into the Court in March, when Mr. Wheel. was convict of Sedition, &c. under the hands of more than Threescore of them, and Intituled, A Remonstrance, or Petition; the Contents whereof were as followeth:

We whose Names are under-written (have diligently observed this honoured Courts proceedings against our dear and reverend Brother in Christ, Mr. Wheel. now under censure of the Court for the Truth of Christ) we do humbly beseech this Honourable Court, to accept this Remonstrance and Petition of ours, in all due submission tendred to your Worships.

For first, whereas our beloved Brother Mr. Wheel. is censured for contempt, by the greater part of this honoured Court, we desire your Worships to consider the sincere intention of our Brother to promote your end in the day of p. 24Fast, for whereas we do perceive your principal intention the day of fast looked chiefly at the publick Peace of the Churches, our Reverend Brother did to his best strength, and as the Lord assisted him, labour to promote your end, and therefore endeavoured to draw us nearer unto Christ, the head of our union, that so we might be established in Peace, which we conceive to be the true way, sanctified of God, to obtain your end, and therefore deserves no such censure as we conceive.

Secondly, Whereas our dear Brother is censured of Sedition, we beseech your Worships to consider, that either the person condemned must be culpable of some Seditious Fact, or his Doctrin must be Seditious, or must breed Sedition in the hearts of his hearers, or else we know not upon what grounds he should be Censured. Now to the first, we have not heard any that have witnessed against our Brother for any Seditious Fact. Secondly, neither was the Doctrine it self, being no other but the very expressions of the Holy Ghost himself, and therefore cannot justly be branded with Sedition. Thirdly, if you look at the effects of his Doctrine upon the hearers, it hath not stirred up Sedition in us, not so much as by accident; we have not drawn the Sword, as sometimes Peter did rashly, neither have we rescued our innocent Brother, as sometimes the Israelites did Ionathan, and yet they did not Seditiously. The Covenant of Free grace held forth by our Brother, hath taught us rather to become humble Suppliants to your Worships, and if we should not prevail, we would rather with patience give our cheeks to the smiters. Since therefore the Teacher, the Doctrine, and the Hearers be most free from Sedition (as we conceive) we humbly beseech you in the Name of the Lord Iesus Christ, your Judge and ours, and for the honour of this Court, and the proceedings thereof, that you will be pleased either to make it appear to us, and to all the World, to whom the knowledge of all these things will come, wherein the Sedition lies, or else acquit our Brother of such a Censure.

Farther, we beseech you, remember the old method of Satan, the ancient Enemy of Free grace, in all ages of the Churches, who hath raised up such Calumnies against the faithful Prophets of God, Eliah was called the troubler of Israel, 1 King. 18. 17, 18 Amos was charged for conspiracy, Amos 7. 10. Paul was counted a Pestilent Fellow, or mover of Sedition, and a Ring-leader of a Sect, Acts 24. 5. and Christ himself, as well as Paul, was charged to be a Teacher of New Doctrine, Mark 1. 27. Acts 17. 19. Now we beseech you consider, whether that old Serpent work not after his old method, even in our days.

Farther, we beseech you, consider the danger of medling against the Prophets of God, Psal. 105. 14, 15. for what ye do unto them, the Lord Jesus takes as done unto himself; if you hurt any of his Members, the head is very sensible of it: for so saith the Lord of Hosts, He that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of mine eye, Zech. 2. 8. And better a Mill-stone were hanged about our necks, and that we were cast into the Sea, than that we should offend any of these little ones which believe on him, Mat. 18. 6.

p. 25And lastly, we beseech you consider, how you should stand in relation to us, as nursing Fathers, which give us incouragement to promote our humble requests to you, or else we would say with the Prophet, Isa. 22. 4. Look from me, that I may weep bitterly; Labour not to comfort me, &c. or as Ier. 9. 2. Oh that I had in the Wilderness a lodging-place of a way-faring man. And thus have we made known our Griefs and Desires to your Worships, and leave them upon Record with the Lord and with you, knowing that if we should receive repulse from you, with the Lord we shall find Grace.

Amongst others who had subscribed to this Writing, William Aspinwall was one, and being returned for one of the Deputies of Boston, it was propounded in the Court, whether he was fit to be received a Member of the Court, having subscribed to the said Writing, which was so much to the Dishonour and Contempt thereof, &c. Whereupon he was demanded if he would justifie the matter contained in the said Writing: which when he had peremptorily affirmed by the vote of the Court he was presently dismissed: Whereupon Mr. Cogshall, another of the Deputies of Boston, who had not subscribed to the said Writing, being then a Deputy of the Court, spake very boldly to the Court, and told them, that seeing they had put out Mr. Aspinwall for that matter, they were best make one work of all, for as for himself, though his hand were not to the Petition, yet he did approve of it, and his hand was to a Protestation, which was to the same effect; Whereupon the Court dismissed him also, and sent word to Boston to chuse two new Deputies; then Mr. Coddington the third Deputy, moved the Court (by order from the Town of Boston) that the former censure against Mr. VVheelwright might be reversed, and that the Order made against receiving such as should not be allowed by the Magistrates might be repealed; whereby the Court perceived their obstinate Resolution in maintaining this Faction, and thereupon gave Order he should be sent for; and for the Law, the Answer was, that whereas a Declaration had been made of the Equity of that Law, and that specially for the satisfaction of those of Boston, and an Answer had been published by some of them, wherein much Reproach and Slander had been cast upon the Court, to which a Reply had been made above six weeks since, but was kept in upon expectation that the late Assembly would have had some good eff…ct, in clearing the points in Controversie, and reconciling the minds of the adverse party, but they continuing obstinate and irreconcileable, it was thought fit the whole Proceedings about the Law should be brought forth; and accordingly the next day, the Declaration, the Answer, and the Reply, were all brought to the Court, and there openly read; which gave such satisfaction to those which were present, as no man ought to object, and some that were of the adverse party, and had taken offence at the Law, did openly acknowledge themselves fully satisfied.

When the Warrant came to the Town of Boston, they assembled together and agreed (the greater part of them) to send the same Deputies which the p. 26Court have rejected, pretending that it was their liberty, and those were the ablest men, &c. but Mr. Cotton coming amongst them, and perceiving their rash and contemptuous Behaviour, by his Wisdom diverted them from that course; so they chose two other, but one of them they knew would be rejected, because his Hand was also to the seditious Writing, as it fell out, for he refusing to acknowledge his fault in it, was also dismissed, and a new Warrant sent for another to be chosen, which they never made any return of, but that Contempt the Court let pass.

When Mr. Wheelwright appeared, it was declared to him, that whereas he was long since convicted of sedition and contempt of Authority, and time had been given him from Court to Court, to come to the knowledge of his offence, the Court thought it now time to know how his mind stood, whether he would acknowledge his Offence, or abide the Sentence of the Court? His Answer was to this effect, That he had committed no Sedition nor Contempt, he had delivered nothing but the truth of Christ, and for the application of his Doctrine, it was by others, and not by him, &c.

To which it was answered by the Court, that they had not censured his Doctrine, but left it as it was; but his Application, by which he laid the Magistrates, and the Ministers and most of the People of God in these Churches, under a Covenant of Works, and thereupon declared them to be Enemies to Christ, and Antichrists, and such Enemies as Herod and Pilate; and the Scribes and Pharisees, &c. perswading the people to look at them, and deal with them as such, and that he described them so, as all men might know who he meant, as well as if he had named the parties; for he was present in the Court a little before, when both Magistrates and Ministers did openly profess their Judgment in that point, and that they did walk in such a way of evidencing Justification by Sanctification, &c. as he held forth to be a Covenant of Works.

Secondly, The fruits of that Sermon of Mr. Wheelwrights, together with the Declaration of his Judgment in that point both before and since, have declared it to tend to Sedition: for whereas before he broached his Opinions, there was a peaceable and comely Order in all Affairs in the Churches, and Civil State, &c. now the difference which he hath raised amongst men, by a false distinction of a Covenant of Grace and a Covenant of Works; whereby one party is looked at as friends to Christ, and the other as his Enemies, &c. all things are turned upside down amongst us. As first, in the Church, he that will not renounce his Sanctification, and wait for an immediate Revelation of the Spirit, cannot be admitted, be he never so godly; he that is already in the Church, that will not do the same, and acknowledge this new Light, and say as they say, is presently noted, and under esteemed, as favouring of a Covenant of Works; thence it spreads into the Families, and sets divisions between Husband and wife, and other Relations there, till the weaker give place to the stronger, otherwise it turns to open Contention; it is come also into Civil and p. 27publick Affairs, and hath bred great Disturbance there, as appeared in the late Expedition against the P…quids; for whereas in former Expeditions the Town of Boston was as forward as any others to send of their choice Members, and a greater number th… other Town…, in the time of the former Governour, now in this last service they sent not a Member, but one or two whom they cared not to be rid of, and but a few others, and those of the most refuse sort, and that in such a careless manner, as gave great discouragement to the Service, not one man of that side accompanying their Pastor, when he was sent by the joint consent of the Court, and all the Elders upon that Expedition, not so much as bidding him farewel; what was the reason of this difference? Why, nothing but this, Mr. 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, &c. Antichrists, Persecutors: What was the reason that the former Governour never stirred out, but attended by the Sergeants, with Halberts or Carbines; but this present Governour neglected? Why, the people were taught to look at this, at an Enemy to Christ, &c. The same difference hath been observed in Town Lots, Rates, and in neighbour Meetings, and almost in all Affairs, whereby it is apparent what disturbance the seditious Application of Mr. Wheelwright hath wrought among us; therefore as the Apostle saith, I would they were cut off that trouble you; and as Cain, Hagar and Ishmael, were expressed as troublers of the families, (which were then as common-wealths) so Justice requires, and the necessity of the Peace calls for it, that such disturbers should be put out from amongst us, seeing it is one of their Tenents, that it is not possible their Opinions, and external Peace, can stand together; and that the difference between them and us is (as they say) as wide as between Heaven and Hell.

Further the Court declared what means had been used, to convince him, and to reduce him into the right way, as first at the Court, when he was convict of his Offence, the Ministers being called together, did labour by many sound Arguments, both in publick and private, to convince him of his Error and Sin, but he contemptuously slighted whatsoever they or the Magistrates said to him in that behalf; and since that much pains had been taken with him, both by Conference and Writing, not only privately, but also by the late Assembly of the Churches, wherein his erroneous Opinions, which were the ground-work of his seditious Sermon were clearly confuted, and himself put to silence, yet he obstinately persisted in justification of his erroneous Opinions; and besides, there was an Apology written in defence of the Proceedings of the Court against him, which though it were kept in for a time, in expectation of a Remonstrance, which some of his party were in hand with, for justification of his Sermon, yet it was long since published, and without question he hath seen it: besides, the Court hath used much patience towards him from time to time, admonishing him of his danger, and waiting for his Repentance, in stead whereof he hath threatned us with an Appeal, and urged us to proceed: To this Mr. Wheelwright replyed, that p. 28he would, by the help of God, make good his doctrines, and frees them from all the Arguments which had been brought against them in the late Assembly, and denyed that he had seen the Apology, but confessed that he might have seen it if he would. This was observed as an argument of the pride of his spirit, and wilful neglect of all the means of Light in that he would not vouchsafe to read a very brief Writing, and such as so much concerned him.

Although the Cause was now ready for Sentence, yet night being come, the Court arose, and enjoyned him to appear the next morning.

The next morning he appeared, but long after the hour appointed; the Court demanded what he had to alledge, why Sentence should not proceed against him: He answered, that there was no Sedition or Contempt proved against him, and whereas he was charged to have set forth the Magistrates and Ministers, as Enemies to Christ, &c. he desir'd it might be shewed him in what page or leaf of his Sermon, he had so said of them; The Court answer'd, that he who designs a man by such Circumstances, as do note him out to common Intendments, doth as much as if he named the party: when Paul spake of those of the Circumcision, it was as certain whom he meant, as if he named the Iews; when in Bohemia they spake of differences between men, sub una & sub utraque, it was all one as to have said Papists and Protestants; so of the Monstrants and Remonstrants: for by the means of him and his followers, all the people of God in this Countrey were under the distinction of men, under the Covenant of Grace, and men under a Covenant of works. Mr. VVheelw. alledged a place in Mat. …1. where Christ speaking against the Scribes and Pharisees, no advantage could they take against him, because he did not name them: but it was answer'd, they did not spare him for that cause, for then they would have taken their advantage at other times, when he did name them. One or two of the Deputies spake in his defence, but it was to so little purpose (being only more out of affection to the party, than true judgment of the state of the cause) that the Court had little regard of it. Mr. VVheelwright being demanded if he had ought else to speak, said that there was a double Fallacy in the charge laid upon him. 1. In that the troubles of the Civil State were imputed to him, but as it was by accident, as it is usual in preaching of the Gospel. 2. That it was not his Sermon that was the cause of them, but the Lord Jesus Christ. To which the Court answer'd, that it was apparent he was the Instrument of our Troubles, he must prove them to be by such accident, and till then the Blame must rest upon himself, for we know Christ would not own them, being out of his way. After these and many other speeches had passed, the Court declaring him guilty for troubling the Civil Peace, both for his seditious Sermon, and for his corrupt and dangerous Opinions, and for his contemptuous Behaviour in divers Courts formerly, and now obstinately maintaining and justifying his said Errors and Offences, and for that he refused to depart voluntarily from us, which the Court had now offered him, and in a manner perswaded him unto; Seeing it was apparent unto him, from that of p. 29our Saviour, Matth. that we could not continue together without the ruine of the whole, he was sentenced to be disfranchised and banished our Jurisdiction, and to be put in safe custody, except he should give sufficient Security to depart before the end of March: upon this, he appealed to the King's Majesty, but the Court told him an Appeal did not lie in this case, for the King having given us an Authority by his Grant under his Great Seal of England to hear and determine all causes without any Reservation, we were not to admit of any such Appeals for any such subordinate State, either in Ireland, or Scotland, or other places; and if an Appeal should lie in one case, it might be challenged in all, and then there would be no use of Government among us, neither did an Appeal lie from any Court in any County or Corporation in England, but if a party will remove his cause to any of the King's higher Courts, he must bring the King's Writ for it; neither did he tender any Appeal, nor call any Witnesses, nor desired any Act to be entred of it: then he was demanded if he would give Security for his quiet departure; which he refusing to do, he was committed to the custody of the Marshal. The next morning he bethought himself better, and offered to give security, alledging that he did not conceive the day before, that a Sentence of Banishment was pronounced against him; he also suffered to relinquish his Appeal, and said he would accept of a simple Banishment; The Court answer'd him, that for his Appeal, he might do as he pleased, and for his departure, he should have the liberty the Court had offered him, provided he should not preach in the mean time; but that he would not yield unto; so in the end the Court gave him leave to go home, upon his promise, that if he were not departed out of this Jurisdiction within fourteen days, he would render himself at the house of Mr. Stanton one of the Magistrates, there to abide as a Prisoner, till the Court should dispose of him.

Mr. Cogshall.

THe next who was called, was Mr. Iohn Cogshall, one of the Deacons of Boston, upon his appearance the Court declared that the cause why they had sent for him, was partly by occasion of his Speeches and Behaviour in this Court the other day, and partly for some light miscarriages at other times, and that they did look at him, as one that had a principal Hand in all our late Disturbances of our publick Peace. The first things we do charge you with, is your justifying a Writing called a Remonstrance or Petition, but indeed a seditious Libel, and that when Mr. Asp. was questioned by the Court about it, you stood up uncalled, and justified the same, saying to this effect: that if the Court meant to dismiss him for that it was best to make but one work of all, for though your self had not your Hand to the Petition, yet you did approve thereof, and your Hand was to the Protestation, which was to the same effect; whereupon you being also dismissed, used clamorous and unbeseeming Speeches, to the Court at your departure, whereby we take you to be of the same mind with p. 30those who made the Petition, and therefore liable to the same punishment; upon this the Petition was openly read, and liberty was granted to him to answer for himself. His first answer was, that what he then spake, he spake as a Member of the Court: to which it was answer'd again, that 1. He was no Member of the Court standing upon Tryal whether to be allowed or rejected, at such a time as he uttered most of those speeches. 2. Admit he were, yet it is no priviledge of a Member to reproach or affront the whole Court, it is Licentiousness, and no Liberty, when a man may speak what he list; for he was reminded of some words he uttered at his going forth of the Court, to this effect, that we had censured the Truth of Christ, and that it was the greatest stroak that ever was given to Free-Grace.

To which he answer'd, That his words were mistaken; for he said that he would pray that our Eyes might be opened to see what we did, for he thought it the greatest stroak that ever was given to N. E. for he did believe that Mr. Wheelwright did hold forth the Truth. He was further charged, that at the Court, after the day of Elections, he complained of Injury, that the Petition which was tendered, was not presently read before they went to Election.

To which being answer'd, That it was not then seasonable, and against the Order of that day, but the Court were then ready to hear it, if it were tendered; whereupon he turned his back upon the Court, and used menacing speeches to this effect. That since they could not be heard then, they would take another course. To which he answer'd (confessing he spake over hastily at that time) that his words were only these, Then we must do what God shall direct us. He was further charged that he should say, that half the people that were in Church-Covenant in N. E. were under a Covenant of Works; this he did not deny, but said, he proved it by the Parable of the ten Virgins, Mat. 15. After these and many other Speeches had passed between the Court and himself; by which it plainly appeared, that he had been a very busie instrument in occasioning of our publick Disturbances, and his justifying of Mr. Wheelwrights Sermon, and the Petition or Remonstrance being seditious Writings, a Motion was made for his Banishment, but he pretended that there was nothing could be laid to his Charge, but matter of different opinion, and that he knew not one Example in Scripture, that a man was banished for his Judgment: It was answer'd, that if he had kept his Judgment to himself, so as the publick Peace had not been troubled or endangered by it, we should have left him to himself, for we do not challenge power over mens Consciences, but when seditious Speeches and Practices discover such a corrupt Conscience, it is our duty to use Authority to reform both. But though a great part of the Court did encline to a motion for his Banishment; yet because his Speech and Behaviour at present were more modest and submiss, than formerly they had been, and for that he excused his former Intemperances by his much employment and publick businesses, it was thought fit to deliver him from that Temptation, so he was only sentenced to be disfranchised, with admonition no more to occasion p. 31any disturbance of the publick Peace, either by speech, or otherwise, upon pain of Banishment and further censure.

Mr. Aspin.

THE next who was called, was Mr. William Aspin, to whom the Court said, that his case was in a manner the same with Master Cogshals, his Hand was to the Petition, he had justified Master Wheelwright's Sermon, and had condemned the Court, and therefore what could he say, why the Court should not proceed to Sentence? For he had been present and heard what was said to Master Cogshall to have convinced him of his fault, and therefore it would be needless to repeat any thing. To this he answer'd, and confessed the Petition, and that his Heart was to it, as well as his Hand; and that that for which Mr. Wheelwright was censured, was for nothing but the Truth of Christ, and desired to know what we could lay to his Charge therein. The Court told him, that he being a Member of this Civil Body, and going contrary to his Relation and Oath, to stop the course of Justice in countenancing seditious Persons and Practices against the Face of Authority, this made him to be a seditious Person. He answered, he did but prefer an Humble Petition, which he could not do, but he must intimate some cause why, and that Mephibosheth in his Petition did imply as much of Davids unjust Sentence against him as was in this Petition. The Court replyed that he was ill advised to bring that Example for his Justification which makes clearly against him, for Mephibosheth doth not charge David with any injustice, not so much as by Implication, but excuseth himself, and layeth all the blame upon his Servant. Then he alledged the Petition of Esther to Abasuerus; but neither would that serve his turn, for she petitioned for her life, &c. without charging the King with Injustice. He still fled to this Plea, that it is lawful for Subjects to petition; the Court answered that this was no Petition, but a seditious Libel, the mis-naming of a thing doth not alter the nature of it: besides, they called it in the first place a Remonstrance, which implies that they pretended Interest, and is in the nature of it a Plea, which challengeth a right of a party: besides, they give peremptory Judgment in the cause, and that directly opposite to the Judgment of the Court; the Court declared Mr. Wheelwright guilty, they proclaim him innocent, the Court judged his Speech to be false and seditious, they affirmed it to be the Truth of Christ, and the very words of the Holy Ghost, which is apparently untrue, if not blasphemous. Further in pretending their moderation, they put Arguments in the peoples minds to invite them to violence, by bringing the Example of Peter drawing his Sword, wherein they blame not his Fact, but his Rashness; And that of the People rescuing Ionathan, which to make the more effectual, they say that it was not seditious.

Lastly, It was great arrogance of any private man thus openly to advance his own Judgment of the Court, therefore it will appear to their Posterity as a Brand of Infamy, upon these erroneous Opinions, that those who maintained p. 32them were not censured for their Judgment, but for seditious Practices: He further pleaded, that no Petition can be made in such a case, but something may be mistaken through misprision as trenching upon Authority, the Court answer'd, that if they had only petitioned the Court to remit this Censure, or had desired respite for further considerations, or leave to propound their doubts, there could have been no danger of being mistaken. Besides there was no need of such haste in petitioning, seeing the Sentence was not given, but deferring to the next Court, Master VVheelwright …j…yned only to appear there. The Court then being about to give S…ntence, Mast… Aspin desired the Court to shew a Rule in Scripture for Banishment; the court answered as before, that Hagar and Ishmael were banished for disturbance: he replied that if a Father give a Ch… a Portion, and sent him forth, it was not B…nishment: but it was answered, the Scripture calls it a casting out, not a sending forth; and one said further that he was a Child worthy of such a Portion.

Then the Sentence of the Court was for his dis-franchisemnnt and banishment, and time given him to the last of March upon Security for his departure then, which he presently tendered, and so was dismissed. The Court intended only to have dis-franchised him, as they had done Mr. Cogshall, but his Behaviour was so contemptuous, and his Speeches so peremptory, that occasioned a further aggravation, and it appeared afterward to be by an over-ruling Hand of God, for the next day it was discovered, that he was the man that did frame the Petition, and drew many to subscribe to it, and some had their names put to it without their knowledge, and in his first draught there were other passages so foul, as he was forced to put them out, and yet many had not subscribed, but upon his promise that it should not be delivered without advice of Mr. Cotton, which was never done.

VVilliam Baulston, and Ed. Hutchison.

AFter these, two of the Serjeants of Boston were called, VVilliam Baulston and Ed Hutchison, these both had their Hands to the Petition, and just…fied the same; VVill. Baulston told the Court, that he knew that if such a Petition had been made in any other place in the world, there would have been no fault found with it. The other told the Court, (turning himself in a scornful manner) that if they took away his Estate, they must keep his Wi…e and Children; for which he was presently committed to the Offi…r. The Court reasoned a good while with them both, but they were peremptory, and would acknowledge no failing, and because of their contemptuous Sp…eches, and for that they w…re known to be very busie persons, and such as had offered Contempt to the Magistrates, for that they were not of their Opinion, they were dis-franchised and fined, VVill Baulston Twenty Pounds, Ed. H…tchison Fourty Pounds.

The next morning Ed. Hutchison acknowledged his fault in his misbehaviour in the face of the Court, and so was released of his Imprisonment, but both were disabled from bearing any publick Office.

p. 33Tho. Marshal, Dynely, and Dier. Rich. Gridly.

ANother day were called four more of the Principal stirring Men, who had subscribed to the Petition, Thomas Marshal the Ferry-man, who justified the Petition so far, that he would not acknowledge any fault; yet he answered more modestly th…n the former, therefore he was not sined, but dis-franchised, and put out of his place. Dynely, and Dyer had little to say for themselves, but persisting in their justification, they were also dis-franchised: likewise Rich. Gridly, an honest poor Man, but very apt to meddle in publick affairs, beyond his calling or skill, (which indeed was the fault of them all, and of many others in the Countrey) mean condition, and weak parts, having nothing to say, but that he could find no fault, &c. was dis-franchised.

Mrs. Hutchison.

ALL these (except Mr. Wheelwright) were but young branches, sprung out of an old root, the Court had now to do with the Head of all this Faction, (Dux faemina facti) a Woman had been the breeder and nourisher of all these distempers, one Mistriss Hutchison, the Wife of Mr. William Hutchison of Boston (a very honest and peaceable Man, of good estate) and the daughter of Mr. Marvary, sometimes a Preacher in Lincolnshire, after of London, a Woman of a haughty and fierce carriage, of a nimble wit and active spirit, and a very voluble tongue, more bold than a Man, though in understanding and judgment, inferiour to many Women. This Woman had learned her skill in England, and had discovered some of her Opinions in the Ship, as she came over, which had caused some jealousie of her, which gave occasion of some delay of her admission, when she first desired fellowship with the Church of Boston, but she cunningly dissembled and coloured her opinions, as she soon got over that Block, and was admitted into the Church, then she began to go to work, and being a Woman very helpful in the times of Child-birth, and other occasions of …dily infirmities, and well furnished with means for those purposes, she easily insinuated her self into the affections of many, and the rather, because she was much inquisitive of them about their Spiritual Estates, and in discovering to them the danger they were in, by trusting to common Gifts and Graces, without any such witness of the Spirit, as the Scriptures holds out for a full evidence; whereby many were convinced that they had gone on in a Covenant of Works, and were much humbled thereby, and brought to inquire more after the Lord Jesus Christ, without whom all their gifts and graces, all their contributions, &c. would prove but legal, and would vanish: all this was well, and suited with the publick Ministery, which went along in the same way, and all the faithful imbraced it, and blessed God for the good success that appeared from this discovery. But when she had thus prepared the way by such wholsome truths, then she begins to set forth her own stuff, and taught, that no Sanctification was any evidence of a good estate, except their justification were first p. 34cleared up to them by the immediate witness of the Spirit, and that to see any work of grace, (either faith or repentance, &c.) before this immediate witness, was a Covenant of works: whereupon many good souls, that had been of long approved godliness, were brought to renounce all the Work of Grace in them, and to wait for this immediate revelation: then sprung up also that Opinion of the in-dwelling of the Person of the Holy Ghost, and of Union with Christ, and Justification before Faith, and a denying of any gifts or graces, or inherent qualifications, and that Christ was all, did all, and that the Soul remained always as a dead O…gan: and other of those gross errours, which were condemned in the late Assembly, and whereof divers had been quashed by the publick Ministry; but the main and bottom of all, which tended to quench all endeavour, and to bring to a dependance upon an immediate witness of the Spirit, without sight of any gift or grace, this stuck fast, and prevailed so, as it began to be opposed, and she being questioned by some, who marvelled that such Opinions should spread so fast, she made Answer, That whereever she came, they must and they should spread. And indeed 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, and many also out of the Church, and of other Churches also, yea, many prophane persons became of her Opinion, for it was a very easie, and acceptable way to Heaven, to see nothing, to have nothing, but wait for Christ to do all; so that after she had thus prevailed, and had drawn some of eminent place and parts to her party (whereof some profited so well, as in a few Months they out-went their Teacher) then she kept Open-House for all comers, and set up Two Lecture-days in the Week, when they usually met at her house, Threescore or Fourscore persons; the Pretence was to Repeat Sermons, but when that was done, she would Comment upon the Doctrines, and Interpret all passages at her pleasure, and Expound dark places of Scripture; so as whatsoever the Letter held forth (for this was one of her Tenents, That the whole Scripture in the Letter of it held forth nothing but a Covenant of Works) she would be sure to make it serve her turn, for the confirming of her main Principles, whereof this was another, That the darker our Sanctification is, the clearer is our Iustification; And indeed most of her New Tenents tended to slothfulness, and quench all endeavour in the Creature: And now was there no speech so much in use, as of vilifying Sanc…ification, and all for advancing Christ and Free-grace; and the whole Pedegree of the Covenant of Works was set forth with all its Complements, beginning at Cain, If thou dost well, shalt thou not be accepted? Then it is explained and ratified at Mount Sinai, and delivered in the Two Tables, and after sprinkled with the Blood of Christ, Exod. 24. and so carryed on in the Letter of the Scripture, till it be compleat, as the Covenant of Grace by the Spirit, seals Forgiveness of Sins, one of the venters whereon Christ begets Children, &c. and in the end, Wherefore is all this adoe, but that p. 35having a more cleanly way, to lay all that opposed her (being near all the Elders, and most of the faithful Christians in this Countrey) under a Covenant of Works, she might with the more credit, disclose and advance her Master-piece of immediate revela…ons, under the fair pretence of the Covenant of Free-Grace? wherein she had not failed of her aim, to the utter subversion both of Churches and Civil state, if the most wise and merciful providence of the Lord had not prevented it, by keeping so many of the Magistrates, and Elders, free from the infection: for upon the countenance which it took from some eminent persons, her opinions began to hold up their heads, in Church Assemblies, and in the Court of Justice, so as it was held a matter of offence to speak any thing against them in either Assembly: thence sprang all that trouble to the Pastour of Boston, for his free and faithful Speech in the Court, though required and approved: thence took Mr. Wheelwright courage to inveigh in his Sermon against Men in a Covenant of Work (as he placed them) and to proclaim them all enemies to Christ, Scribes and Pharisees, &c. whereas before he was wont to teach in a plain and gentle stile, and though he would sometimes glaunce upon these Opinions, yet it was modestly and reservedly, not in such a peremptory and censorious manner, as he did then and after; for they made full account the day had been theirs: But blessed be the Lord, the snare is broken, and we are delivered; and this Woman, who was the Root of all these Troubles, stands now before the seat of Justice, to be rooted out of her station, by the hand of Authority guided by the Finger of Divine Providence, as the Sequel will shew.

When she appeared, the Court spake to her to this effect.

Mrs. Hutchinson, You are called hither as one of those who have had a great share in the causes of our publick disturbances, partly by those Erroneous Opinions which you have broached and divulged amongst us, and maintaining them, partly by countenancing and incouraging such as have sowed Seditions amongst us, partly by casting reproach upon the faithful Ministers of this Countrey, and upon their Ministry, and so weaken their hands in the work of the Lord, and raising prejudice against them, in the hearts of their People, and partly by maintaining Weekly and Publick Meetings in your House, to the offence of all the Countrey, and the detriment of many Families, and still upholding the same, since such Meetings were clearly Condemned in the late General Assembly.

Now the end of your sending for, is, that either upon sight of your Errours, and other Offences, you may be brought to acknowledge and reform the same, or otherwise that we may take such course with you, as you may trouble us no farther.

We do desire therefore to know of you, whether you will justifie and maintain what is laid to your charge or not?

Mistriss Hutchinson.

I am called here to answer to such things as are laid to my charge; name one of them.

p. 36Court.

Have you countenanced, or will you justifie those Seditious practises which have been censured here in this Court?

Hutch.

Do you ask me upon point of Conscience?

Court.

No, your conscience you may keep to your self, but if in this cause you shall countenance and incourage these that thus transgress the Law, you must be called in question for it, and that is not for your Conscience, but for your practice.

Hutch.

What Law have they transgressed; the Law of God?

Court.

Yes, the Fifth Commandment, which commands us to honour Father and Mother, which includes all in authority, but these seditious practices of theirs, have cast reproach and dishonour upon the Fathers of the Common-wealth.

Hutch.

Do I entertain, or maintain them in their actions, wherein they stand against any thing that God hath appointed?

Court.

Yes, you have justified Mr. Wheelwright his Sermon, for which you know he was convict of Sedition, and you have likewise countenanced and encouraged those that had their hands to the Petition.

Hutch.

I deny it, I am to obey you onelyonly in the Lord.

Court.

You cannot deny but you had your hand in the Petition.

Hutch.

Put case I do fear the Lord, and my Parent do not, May not I entertain one that fears the Lord, because my Father will not let me? I may put honour upon him as a Child of God.

Court.

That is nothing to the purpose, but we cannot stand to dispute causes with you now; What say you to your weekly publick Meetings? Can you show a warrant for them?

Hutch.

I will shew you how I took it up, there were such meetings in use before I came, and because I went to none of them, this was the special reason of my taking up this course, we began it but with five or six, and though it grew to more in future time, yet being tolerated at the first, I knew not why it might not continue.

Court.

There were private Meetings indeed, and are still in many places, of some few neighbours, but not so publick and frequent as yours, and are of use for increase of love, and mutual edification, but yours are of another nature, if they had been such as yours, they had been evil, and therefore no good warrant to justifie yours; but answer by what authority or rule you uphold them.

Hutch.

By Tit. 2. where the elder women are to teach the younger.

Court.

So we allow you to do, as the Apostle there means, privately, and upon occasion, but that gives no warrant of such set Meetings for that purpose; and besides, you take upon you to teach many that are elder than your self, neither do you teach them that which the Apostle commands, viz. to keep at home.

Hutch.

Will you please to give me a rule against it, and I will yield?

Court.

You must have a rule for it, or else you cannot do it in faith, yet you have a plain rule against it; I permit not a Woman to teach.

p. 37Hutch.

That is meant of teaching Men.

Court.

If a Man in distress of Conscience, or other temptation, &c. should come and ask your counsel in private, might you not teach him?

Hutch.

Yes.

Court.

Then it is clear, that it is not meant of teaching Men, but of teaching in publick.

Hutch.

It is said, I will pour out my spirit upon your Daughters, and they shall Prophesie, &c. If God give me a gift of Prophesie, I may use it.

Court.

First, The Apostle applies that Prophesie unto those extraordinary times, and the gifts of Miracles and Tongues, were common to many, as well as the gift of Prophesie. Secondly, In teaching your children, you exercise your gift of Prophesie, and that within your calling.

Hutch.

I teach not in a publick Congregation; the Men of Berea are commended for examining Paul's Doctrine: we do no more but Read the Notes of our Teachers Sermons, and then reason of them by searching the Scriptures.

Court.

You are gone from the nature of your Meeting, to the kind of exercise, we will follow you in this, and shew you your offence in them, for you do not as the Bereans, search the Scriptures for their confirming in the truths delivered, but you open your Teachers Points, and declare his meaning, and Correct wherein you think he hath failed, &c. and by this means you abase the Honour and Authority of the Publick Ministery, and advance your own Gifts, as if he could not deliver his Matter so clearly to the hearers capacity as your self.

Hutch.

Prove that, that any body doth that.

Court.

Yes, you are the Woman of most note, and of best abilities, and if some other take upon them the like, it is by your teaching and example, but you shew not in all this, by what authority you take upon you to be such a publick instructer: (after she had stood a short time, the Court gave her leave to sit down, for her countenance discovered some bodily infirmity,)

Hutch.

Here is my authority, Aquila and Priscilla, took upon them to instruct Apollo more perfectly, yet he was a Man of good parts, but they being better instructed, might teach him.

Court.

See how your argument stan…, Priscilla with her husband took Apollo home to instruct him privately, therefore Mistriss Hutchison, without her Husband, might teach sixty or eighty.

Hutch.

I call them not, but if they come to me, I may instruct them.

Court.

Yet you shew us not a rule.

Hutch.

I have given you two places of Scripture.

Court.

But neither of them will suit y…ur practice.

Hutch.

Must I shew my Name written therein?

Court.

You must shew that which must be equivalent, seeing your Ministery is publick, you would have them receive your instruction, as coming from such an Ordinance.

p. 38Hutch.

They must not take it as it comes from me, but as it comes from the Lord Jesus Christ; and if I took upon me a publick Ministery, I should break a rule, but not in exercising a gift of Prophesie, and I would see a rule to turn away them that come to me.

Court.

It is your exercise which draws them, and by occasion thereof, many Families are neglected, and much time lost, and a great damage comes to the Common-wealth thereby, which we that are betrusted with, as the Fathers of the Common-wealth, are not to suffer. Divers other Speeches passed to and fro about this matter, the issue was, that not being able to bring any rule to justifie this her disordered course, she said she walked by the rule of the Apostle, Gal. which she called the rule of the New Creature, but what rule that was, she would not, or she could not tell, neither would she consent to lay down her Meetings, except Authority did put them down, and then she might be subject to Authority.

Then the Court laid to her charge, the reproach she had cast upon the Ministers, and Ministry in this Country, saying, That none of them did Preach the Covenant of Free Grace, but Mr. Cotton, and that they have not the Seal of the Spirit, and so were not able Ministers of the New Testament: She denied the words, but they were affirmed by divers of the Ministers, being desired by the Court to be present for that end. The matter was thus; It being reported abroad, That Mistriss Hutchison did flight them and their Ministery in their common talk, as if they did Preach nothing but a Covenant of Works, because they pressed much for faith and love, &c. without holding forth such an immediate witness of the Spirit as she pretended, they advised with Master Cotton about it, and a Meeting was appointed at his House, and she being sent for, and demanded the reason why she had used such Speeches, at first she would not acknowledge them; but being told that they could prove them by witnesses, and perswaded to deal freely and truly therein, She said, That the fear of Man was a Snare, and therefore she was glad she had this opportunity to open her Mind, and thereupon she told them, that there was a wide difference betwixt Master Cotton's Ministery and theirs, and that they could not hold forth a Covenant of Free Grace, because they had not the Seal of the Spirit, and that they were not able Ministers of the New Testament.

It was near night, so the Court brake up, and she was injoyned to appear again the next Morning. When she appeared the next day, she objected, that the Ministers had spoken in their own cause, and that they ought not to be Informers and Witnesses both, and required that they might be Sworn to what they had spoken: To which the Court answered, That if it were needful, an Oath should be given them: but because the whole Court (in a manner Man by Man) did declare themselves to be fully satisfied of the truth of their testimonies, they being 6 or 7 Men of long approved Godliness, and Sincerity in their course, and for that it was also generally observed, that those of her party did look p. 39at their Ministery (for the most part) as a way of the Covenant of Works, and one had been punished about half a year before, for reporting the like of them. The Court did pause a while at it, whereupon she said, That she had Mr. Wilson's Notes of that Conference, which were otherwise than they had related: the Court wi…led her to shew them, but her Answer was, She had left them at home: whereupon Mr. Wilson (with the leave of the Court) said, That if she brought forth his Notes, they should find written at the foot of them, That he had not written down all that was spoken, but being ofen interrupted, he had omitted divers passages; then she appealed to Mr. Cotton, who being called, and desired to declare what he remembred of her Speeches, said, That he remembred onelyonly that which took impression on him, for he was much grieved that she should make such comparison between him and his Brethren, but yet he took her meaning to be onelyonly of a gradual difference, when she said, that they did not hold forth a Covenant of Free Grace, as he did, for she likened them to Christ's Disciples, and their Ministery, before his Ascension, and before the Holy Ghost was come down upon them; and when she was asked by some of them, Why they could not Preach a Covenant of Free-grace? She made Answer, Because they had not the Seal of the Spirit: Upon this the Court wished her to consider, that Mr. Cotton did in a manner agree with the testimony of the rest of the Elders: and as he remembred, onelyonly so much as at present took most impression on him, so the rest of the Elders had reason to remember some other passages, which he might not hear, or not so much observe as they whom it so nearly and properly concerned: All this would not satisfie Mistriss Hutchison, but she still called to have them Sworn; whereupon the Court being weary of the clamour, and that all mouths might be stopped, required three of the Ministers to take an Oath, and thereupon they confirmed their former testimony.

Upon this she began to speak her mind, and to tell of the manner of God's dealing with her, and how he revealed himself to her, and made her know what she had to do: The Governour perceiving whereabout she went, interrupted her, and would have kept her to the matter in hand, but seeing her very unwilling to be taken off, he permitted her to proceed. Her Speech was to this effect.

Mistriss Hutchison.

When I was in Old England, I was much troubled at the Constitution of the Churches there, so far, as I was ready to have joyned to the Separation, whereupon I set apart a day for humiliation by my self, to se…k direction from God, and then did God discover unto me the unfaithfulness of the Churches, and the danger of them, and that none of those Ministers could Preach the Lord Jesus aright, for he had brought to my mind, that in 1 Iohn 4. 3. Every spirit that confesseth not, that Iesus Christ is come in the flesh is the Spirit of Antichrist; I marvelled what this should mean, for I knew that neither Protestants nor Papists did deny that Christ was come in the flesh; And are the p. 40Turks then the onelyonly Antichrists? Now I had none to open the Scripture to me, but the Lord, he must be the Prophet, then he brought to my mind another Scripture, He that denies the Testament, denies the death of the Testator; from whence the Lord did let me see, that every one that did not Preach the New-Covenant, denies the death of the Testator: then it was revealed to me that the Ministers of England were these Antichrists, but I knew not how to bear this, I did in my heart rise up against it, then I begged of the Lord that this Atheism might not be in my heart: after I had begged this light, a twelve monethmonth together, at last he let me see how I did oppose Christ Jesus, and he revealed to me that place in Esa. 46. 12, 13. and from thence shewed me the Atheism of my own heart, and how I did turn in upon a Covenant of Works, and did oppose Christ Jesus; from which time the Lord did discover to me all sorts of Ministers, and how they taught, and to know what voice I heard, which was the voice of Moses, which of Iohn Baptist, and which of Christ; the voice of my beloved, from the voice of strangers; and thenceforth I was the more careful whom I heard, for after our Teacher Mr. Cotton, and my brother Wheelwright were put down, there was none in England that I durst hear. Then it pleased God to reveal himself to me in that of Esa. 30. 20. Though the Lord give thee the bread of adversity, &c. yet thine eyes shall see thy Teachers; after this the Lord carrying Mr. Cotton to New-England (at which I was much troubled) it was revealed to me, that I must go thither also, and that there I should be pers…cuted, and suffer much trouble. I will give you another Scripture, Jer. 46. Fear not Iacob my servant, for I am with thee; I will make a full end of all the Nations, &c. Then the Lord did reveal himself to me, sitting upon a Throne of Justice, and all the World appearing before him, and though I must come to New England, yet I must not fear nor be dismaied. The Lord brought another Scripture to me, Esa. 89. The Lord spake this to me with a strong hand, and instructed me, that I should not walk in the way of this People, &c. I will give you one place more, which the Lord brought to me by immediate Revelations, and that doth concern you all; it is in Dan. 6. When the Presidents and Princes could find nothing against him, because he was faithful, they sought matter against him concerning the Law of his God, to cast him into the Lions den; so it was revealed to me, that they should plot against me, but the Lord bid me not to fear, for he that delivered Daniel, and the Three Children, his hand was not shortened. And see this Scripture fulfilled this day in mine eyes, therefore take heed what ye go about to do unto me, for you have no power over my body, neither can you do me any harm, for I am in the hands of the Eternal Jehovah my Saviour, I am at his appointment, the bounds of my habitation are cast in Heaven, no farther do I esteem of any mortal Man, than creatures in his hand; I fear none but the great Jehovah, which hath foretold me of these things; and I do verily believe that he will deliver me out of your hands, therefore take heed how you proceed against me; for I know that for this you go about to do to me, God will ruin you and your Posterity, and this whole State.

p. 41When she had thus vented her Mind, the Court demanded of her, how she expected to be delivered, whether by Miracle as Daniel was? to which she Answered, Yes, by Miracle, as Dainiel was: Being farther demanded, How she did know that it was God that did reveal these things to her, and not Satan? She Answered; How did Abraham know that it was the Voice of God, when he commanded him to Sacrifice his Son?

Mr. Cotton being present, and desired by the Court to deliver his Judgment about Mistriss Hutchison her Revelations, answered; There be two sorts of Revelations, some are without and besides Scripture; those I look at as Satanical, and tending to much danger; other are such as the Apostle speaks of, Ephes. 1. where he prayeth for a spirit of Revelation to be given them, those are never dispensed but according to the word of God; though the word Revelation be uncouth, yet in Scripture-sense I think it not lawful so to express it, and whenever it comes, it comes with the Ministery of the Word. Being again desired to express himself particularly concerning her Revelations, he demanded of her (by the leave of the Court) Whether by a Miracle she doth mean a Work beyond the power of Nature, or onelyonly above common Providence? for if (as you say) you expect deliverance from this Court, beyond the power of Nature, then I should suspect such a Revelation to be false. To this she answered, You know when it comes, God doth not describe the way. Mr. Cotton asked her again, Whether (when she said she should be delivered) she meant a deliverance from the Sentence of the Court, or from the Calamity of it? She answered, yea, from the Calamity of it. Mistriss Hutchison having thus freely and fully discovered her self, the Court and all the rest of the Assembly (except those of her own Party) did observe a special Providence of God, that (while she went about to cover such offences as were laid to her Charge, by putting matters upon proof, and then quarrelling with the Evidence) her own Mouth should deliver her into the power of the Court, as Guilty of that which all suspected her for, but were not furnished with proof sufficient to proceed against her; for here she hath manifested, that her Opinions and Practice have been the cause of all our Disturbances, and that she walked by such a rule as cannot stand with the Peace of any State; for such Bottomless Revelations, as either came without any word, or without the sense of the Word, (which was framed to Humane capacity) if they be allowed in one thing, must be admitted a rule in all things; for they being above Reason and Scripture, they are not subject to control: Again, she hath given a Reason why she hath so much slighted the Faithful Ministers of Christ here, Why? It was Revealed to her long since in England, that all the Pack of them were Antichristians, so as she durst hear none of them, after Mr. Cotton and Mr. Wheelwright were once gone; for they could not Preach Christ and the New-Covenant (as she affirms,) Why, but they did Preach somewhat, and if they could not hold forth Christ in a Covenant of Free-grace, then must they needs hold him forth in a Covenant p. 42of works; then are they not able Ministers of the New Testament, nor sealed by the Spirit; for the servants of God, who are come over into New England, do not think themselves more spiritual than other of their brethren whom they have left behind, nor that they can or do hold forth the Lord Jesus Christ in their Ministry, more truly than he was held forth in England, and seeing their Ministery was a most precious sweet savour to all the Saints before she came hither, it is easie to discern from what sink that ill vapour hath risen, which hath made so many of her seduced party to loath now the smell of those flowers which they were wont to find sweetness in: yet this is not all (though it be too too vile) she can fetch a Revelation that shall reach the Magistrates and the whole Court, and the succeeding Generations, and she hath Scripture for it also; Daniel must be a Type of Mistriss Hutchison, the Lions Den of the Court of Justice, and the Presidents and Princes of the reverend Elders here, and all must sort to this conclusion, she must be delivered by Miracle, and all we must be ruined; See the Impudent boldness of a Proud Dame, that Athaliah-like makes havock of all that stand in the way of her ambitious spirit; she had boasted before that her Opinions must prevail, neither could she endure a stop in her way, as appeared once upon a slight occasion, when her reputation being a little touched upon mistake, yet so carried, as she could not get the party upon that advantage which she expected, she vented her Impatience with so fierce Speech and Countenance, as one would hardly have guessed her to have been an Antitype of Daniel, but rather of the Lions after they were let loose. The like appeared in her, when she could not have her will against her faithful Pastor for his opposing her Opinions, as she apprehended; so as neither Reason, nor Scripture, nor the Judgment and Example of such as she reverenced, could appease her displeasure. So that the Court did clearly discern, where the Fountain was of all our Distempers, and the Tragedy of Munster (to such as had read it) gave just occasion to fear the danger we were in, seeing (by the judgment of Luther writing of those troublous times) we had not to do with so simple a Devil, as managed that business, and therefore he had the less fear of him; but Satan seemed to have Commission now to use his utmost cunning to undermine the Kingdom of Christ here (as the same Luther foretold, he would do, when he should enterprize any such innovation under the clear light of the Gospel,) so as the like hath not been known in former ages, that ever so many wise, sober, and well grounded Christians, should so suddenly be seduced by the means of a Woman, to stick so fast to her, even in some things wherein the whole current of Scripture goeth against them, and that notwithstanding that her Opinions and Practice have been so gross in some Particulars, as their knowledge and sincerity would not suffer them to approve, yet such interest hath she gotten in their hearts, as they seek Cloaks to cover the nakedness of such deformities, as in the mean time they are ashamed to behold.

p. 43The Court saw now an inevitable necessity to rid her away, except we would be guilty, not onelyonly of our own ruine, but also of the Gospel: so in the end the Sentence of Banishment was pronounced against her, and she was committed to the Marshal, till the Court should dispose of her.

Another day, Captain Iohn Underhill was sent for, and being charged with joyning in the said Petition, acknowledged the same, professing that he could see no fault in it: being demanded a Rule by which he might take so much upon him, as publickly to contradict the Sentence of the Court, &c. he alledged the example of Ioab his rough Speech to David, when he retired himself for Absalom's death, and that David did not reprove him for it. To this the Court answered.

First, That Ioab was then in the matters of his own Calling, and being General of the Army, had liberty, by his Place, to give advice to the King in causes of that nature, but when he failed in the manner of his Speech, therein he is not to be excused, and therefore not to be followed.

Secondly, Ioab did not contradict or reprove any Judicial Sentence of the King, but onelyonly an inordinate Passion.

Thirdly, He was occasioned by an urgent necessity of the safety of the King and State.

Fourthly, That which he spake was in private, for the King had withdrawn himself.

Fifthly, It appears that David did take it as a great miscarriage, for he presently displaced him.

Again, in our cause, the Captain was but a private Man, and had no calling to deal in the Affairs of the Court, therefore no warrant from hence. He insisted much upon the liberty which all States do allow to Military Officers, for free Speech, &c. and that himself had spoken sometimes as freely to Count Nassaw.

But it was answered, We are not to look at what some do tolerate, but what is lawful, and there may be a reason of State, to connive at that disorder at some season, which may not with honour and safety be permitted at another.

Being farther demanded, how they came so many of them, to be so suddenly agreed in so weighty and doubtful a case? He Answered, That many of them being present when Mr. Wheelwright was convict of Sedition, they were sore grieved at it, and suddenly rushing out of the Court, a strange motion came into all their Minds, so as they said (in a manner altogether) Come let us Petition; and for his part, from that time to this, his Conscience which then led him to it, will not suffer him to retract it.

The Court pittied him much, and were grieved at his obstinacy, that when all his Arguments were taken away, he had no defence left, he would yet maintain a bad cause by the light of a deluded Conscience; and withal they took notice how these ungrounded revelations began to work, and what dangerous consequences were like to follow of them, when so many persons upon such a p. 44sudden motion had no scruple to enterprize such a Seditious action, nor can be brought by any light of Reason or Scripture, to see their errour; so the Court (when they saw no other remedy) dis-franchised him, and discharged him of his place, but allowed him his Quarters Means.

There were divers who were not present when that sudden Motion, or Revelation first set the Petition on foot, but were drawn in after, who soon found their error, and did as freely acknowledge it, and desired to have their names put out of it, which was easily granted, and their offence, with a Loving Admonition, remitted.

It had been observed a good time since, that some of the Leaders of this Faction (by occasion of new Disciples, being inquisitive about their Tenents) would let fall these Answers, I have many things to tell you, but you cannot bear them now; and there is a great light to break forth, if Men do not resist it, and you shall see the bottom hereafter; and one of them reproved the rest, telling them, that they had spoiled their cause, by being over hasty, and too open, &c. And now it began to appear, what their meaning were, for after Mistriss Hutchison had discovered the Secret, by her Speech in the Court, then others opened their Minds, and professedly maintained these Enthusiasms as the Oracles of God. And that such revelations as Abraham had to kill his Son, and as Paul had in the Ship, and when he was caught up into the third heaven, &c. were ordinary, so that Mr. Cotton took notice of the danger of them, and publickly confuted them in diverse Sermons. Among other like passages there was one that fell out at Mr. Wheelw. his farewel to those whom he used to Preach unto at the Mount.

One of his own Scholars told him openly, That he had Preached Antichristianism, and had set up a Christ against a Christ; the same party maintained immediate Revelations, without any word at all, saying, that the free Promises were onelyonly for those under the Law, but we are to look for all our assurance by immediate Revelation; and that in the New Testament there are no signs, no not our Baptism, for the Baptism of Water is of no use to us when once we are Baptized with the Holy Ghost: he said also, That a Man might be adopted and not justified, and that every New Creature is as a dead lump, not acting at all, but as Christ acts in him; and denyed all Inherent Righteousness; and that the Commandments were a dead Letter. These things were so gross, as Mr. Wheelwright could not but contradict him; yet he did it so Tenderly, as might well discover his near agreement in the Points, though his wisdom served him to be more reserved till a fitter season; for that poor Man being newly come on to the profession of Religion, must needs learn those Points of M…. Wheelw. or draw them as necessary consequents from some of his Tenents: And it is frequently found to be an effect of all unsound and unsafe doctrines, that still the Scholar goes a step farther than his Teacher. So it hath proved in former times, Luther, and no doubt many of those who did imbrace his Errors, in the first Edition of them, yet lived and died in the true Faith of p. 45Christ, but the succeeding Generations (inheriting those erroneous Tenents, which they had drawn from their Godly Forefathers, but not their godliness) proved Hereticks and Schismaticks to this day. So it hath been in the Churches of Rome, and others, and so we may justly fear in these Churches in New-England, howsoever that many that now adhere to these Familistical Opinions, are indeed truly godly, and (no doubt) shall persevere so to the end, yet the next generation, which shall be trained up under such Doctrines, will be in great danger to prove plain Familists and Schismaticks. This discovery of a new rule of practice by immediate Revelations, and the consideration of such dangerous consequences, which have and might follow thereof, occasioned the Court to disarm all such of that Party, as had their hands to the Petition, and some others, who had openly defended the same, except they should give satisfaction to the Magistrates therein; which some presently did, others made a great question about it, for bringing in their arms, but they were too weak to stand it out.

Thus it pleased the Lord to hear the Prayers of his afflicted People (whose Souls had wept in secret for the reproach that was cast upon the Churches of the Lord Jesus in this Countrey, by occasion of the Divisions which were grown amongst us, through the vanity of some weak minds, which cannot seriously affect any thing long, except it be offered them under some renewed shape) and by the care and endeavour of the wise and faithful Ministers of the Churches, assisted by the Civil Authority to discover this Master-piece of the old-Serpent, and to break the brood by scattering the Leaders, under whose conduct he had prepared such Ambushment, as in all reason would soon have driven Christ and Gospel out of New-England (though to the ruine of the instruments themselves, as well as others) and to the re-possessing of Satan in his ancient Kingdom; It is the Lord's Work, and it is marvellous in our eyes. Mr. Wheel. is now gone to Pascal, Mistriss Hutchison is confined in a private House, till the season of the year shall be fit for her departure, some of those whom God hath left to be most strongly deluded, are preparing to follow them, and we hope the Lord will open the eyes of the rest, and perswade them to joyn again with their sometime dear and most beloved brethren, that Peace and Truth may again flourish in New-England, Amen.

After the Court had thus proceeded, some of the Churches dealt with such of their Members as were found guilty of these erroneous and seditious practices, the Church at Roxbury (after much pains and patience to reduce them) Excommunicated five or six; and the Church of Boston, by the sollicitation of some of the Elders of the other Churches, proceeded against Mistriss Hutchison, the manner and issue whereof is set down in the next.

AT Boston in New-England, upon the 17th day of Octob. 1637. the wife of one William Dyer, sometimes a Citizen and Millener of London, a very proper p. 46and comely young Woman, was delivered of a large Woman Child, it was stillborn, about two Months before her time, the Child having life a few hours before the delivery, but so Monstrous and Mis-shapen, as the like hath scarce been heard of: it had no Head, but a Face, which stood so low upon the Breast, as the Ears (which were like an Apes) grew upon the Shoulders.

The Eyes stood far out, so did the Mouth; the Nose was hooking upward, the Breast and Back was full of sharp prickles, like a Thornback; the Navel and all the Belly with the distinction of the Sex, were, where the lower part of the Back and Hips should have been, and those back-parts were on the side the Face stood.

The Arms and Hands, with the Thighs and Legs, were as other Childrens, but instead of Toes, it had upon each Foot Three Claws, with Talons like a young Fowl.

Upon the Back, above the Belly, it had two great Holes, like Mouths, and in each of them stuck out a piece of Flesh.

It had no Forehead, but in the place thereof, above the Eyes, Four Horns, whereof two were above an Inch long, hard and sharp, the other two were somewhat shorter.

Many things were observable in the Birth and Discovery of this Monster.

1. The Father and Mother were of the highest form of our refined Familists, and very active in maintaining their party, and in reproaching some of the Elders, and others, who did oppose those Errors.

2. The Midwife, one Hawkins Wife of St. Ives, was notorious for familiarity with the Devil, and now a prime Familist.

3. This Monster was concealed by Three Persons above five Months.

4. The occasion of concealing it was very strange, for most of the Women who were present at the Womans Travail, 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 as none were left at the time of the Birth, but the Midwife and two other, whereof one fell asleep.

5. At such time as the Child died (which was about two hours before the Birth) the Bed wherein the Mother lay, shook so violently, as all which were in the Room perceived it.

6. The After-birth wherein the Child was, had Prickles on the inside like those on the Childs Brest.

7. The Manner of the Discovery was very strange also, for it was that very day Mistriss Hutchison was cast out of the Church for her Monstrous Errours, and Notorious Falsehood; for being Commanded to depart the Assembly, Mistriss Dyer accompanied her, which a Stranger observing, asked another, What Woman p. 47that was? the other Answered, It was the Women who had the Monster: which one of the Church of Boston hearing, enquired about it from one to another, and at length came to Mistriss Hutchison, with one of the Elders of the Church, to whom she revealed the truth of the thing in general onelyonly; this coming to the Governours ear, he called another of the Magistrates, and sent for the Midwife, and (in the presence of the Elder, to whom Mistriss Hutchison had revealed it) they examined her, who, at first, confessed, it was a Monstrous Birth, but concealed the Horns and Claws, and some other parts, till being straitly charged, and told it should be taken up, and viewed, then she confessed all: yet for farther assurance, the Child was taken up, and though it were much corrupted, yet the Horns and Claws, and holes in the Back, and some Scales, &c. were found and seen of above a Hundred Persons.

8. The Father of this Monster, having been forth of the Town about a Month, and coming home just at this time, was upon the Lord's day (by an unexpected occasion) called before the Church for some of his Monstrous Opinions; As that Christ and the Church together are the New Creature; There is no Inherent Righteousness in Christians; Adam was not made after God's Image, &c. which he openly maintained, yet with such shuffling, and equivocating, as he came under Admonition, &c.