Hypocrisy Unmasked, Account 2
At a meeting of the Commiſſioners for the United Colonies of New-England holden at Boſton the ſeventh of September 1643.
Whereas complaints have beene made againſt Samuel Gorton and his company, and ſome of them weighty and of great conſequence; And whereas the ſaid Gorton and the reſt have beene formerly ſent for, and now lately by the generall Court of the Maſſachuſets with a ſafe conduct both for their comming and returne, that they might give anſwer and ſatisfaction wherein they have done wrong. If yet they ſhall ſtubbornely refuſe, the Commiſſioners for the Ʋnited Colonies think ſit that the Magiſtrates in the Maſſachuſets proceed againſt them according to what they ſhall finde juſt; and the reſt of the Jurisdictions will approve and concurre in what ſhall bee ſo warrantably done, as if their Commiſſioners had beene preſent at the concluſions, provided that this concluſion doe not prejudice the Government of Plimouth in any right they can juſtly claime unto any Tract or Tracts, &c.
By which Order it appeares they were ſtirred up and allowed by Plimouth it ſelfe as well as the reſt, as afore, to ſend for and deale with as indeed the common diſturbers of the peace of the Country.
And whereas in pag. 76. He complaineth of the Governours laſt order for breaking the order of Court, yet take it as he relates it and any underſtanding man will eaſily ſee on the other ſide the ſame leafe that they ſtill were bound to the reſt of the Articles at their confinement, which they were now in a high way to break. And for that little Iſland called Reade Iſland they were forced to ſhelter in, take notice 'tis 30 miles about, very fruitfull, and plentifully abounding with all manner of food the Country affordeth, and hath two Townes beſides many great Farmes well ſtocked in the ſame.
In pag. 79. Hee complaines of us for calling them Gortonians, and ſo the Indians calling them Gortonoges and not Engliſhmen, with many affected ſoppiſh vanities, phraſes and termes I never heard on before, and yet have lived in New-England from the beginning, being now above 26 yeares. I wiſh hee ſtudy not, nor affect theſe things, but I much feare it.
In pag. 80. Hee tels a tale of a tub, of Myantonimo's being ſlain as hee marched, which is falſe, for hee was put to death, and in an houſe, but not upon a march. And is it to bee wondered at, that two Engliſh were preſent to ſee the manner of their proceeding in ſo weighty a cauſe as one Prince putting another his perfidious enemy and captive to death, eſpecially when they were required by the Commiſſioners to forbeare their accuſtomed torments and to give him honourable buriall, which they did and had thanks returned by the Nanhigganſets for thoſe particulars. Now if any would know how it was done? It was onelyonly at one blow with an hatchet on the ſide of the heade as hee walked eaſily in the roome (expecting no leſſe) which fully diſpatched him at once. And thus much for anſwer to this charge.
To let paſſe pag. 81. what hee ſaith about Myantonimo's death as being anſwered before, and come to pag 82. &c. where he mentioneth a conſultation held amongſt the Indians to put themſelves under the ſubjection of the State of England, &c. Anſw. Wee heard indeed of this deſperate plot by this unfaithfull people, who had beene in Covenant with the ſeverall Governments long before, but never obſerved any one Article farther then it might further their owne deſigne which was to bee abſolute Lords of the Country though with the ruine of us all. And truly had he not publiſhed this and the following diſcourſe wee could never have proved it though wee heard of it both from Engliſh and Indians. And however Myantonimo dyed, yet the plot liveth and continueth to this day. Now though I dare not ſay, nor doe I thinke they joyne with them in aiming at the ruine of all the Engliſh, yet they joyne with them in many of their Councels, contrive their ſturdy anſwers by writings, and become their Secretaries. Who knowes not that they cannot write? and who knowes not their owne anſwers from thoſe that come under your hands? And if the State of England (which God defend) ſhould eſtabliſh your and their joynt propoſitions: then were their plot accompliſhed: for they might and would worke freely our ruine when as wee might not take up armes againſt them, but by vertue of warrant or writ from hence procured upon our complaints here, which alſo would bee ſix months in ordinary courſe in procuring and returning, when as in one of theſe all our throates might bee cut, and thoſe hopefull beginnings ſo much favoured by our gracious God hitherto in a high way to bee overthrowne. Indeed wee heard further, and for my part I beleeve it, that for the better accompliſhment hereof, Samuel Gorton and ſome of his company had perſwaded the Nanohigganſets to ſend the King a very large Preſent of Beaver and otter skins which they ſhould bring in, and accordingly did: but withall the Engliſh reporter ſaith, that if he could finde favour with the Parliament, then hee would reſt there: but if they frowned on him, hee doubted not to but obtaine what was meet from the King. But the times would not ſuffer him to publiſh this alſo, elſe I ſee wee ſhould have had all: and this take notice of, That (as the ſame report teſtified) at his departure hee wiſhed them by no meanes to warre with us the Ʋnited Colonies, but compound though it coſt them never ſo deare, but aſſured them at his returne hee would come ſtrengthened with ſuch authority and ſo many of his friends as that the Nanohigganſets and themſelves ſhould not need to feare any thing the reſt of the Engliſh could doe. And that we heard theſe things from credible teſtimony and are not faigned by mee, I take the ſearcher of the heart to witneſſe, yea ſay further that I beleeve them to bee true▪
His glorious ſeeming well-deſerving acts follow in pag. 82. &c. to 89. but note that Weekes, Holden, and Warner, (though I leaſt know the laſt, but am ſure for the other two) were his ſtrong Aſſiſtants in his former ſeditious and mutinous carriages both at Roade Iſland and Providence, and therefore …it Commiſſioners as he terms them, for the accompliſhing ſuch a deſigne. And in pag. 85. note firſt, their complyance with the Nanohigganſets, and his falſe relation in ſaying Myantonimo's ranſome was taken and his life alſo, which is moſt falſe, as I made appeare in my former relation. And for the Kings being our and their Judge, as in pag. 86. Know the Indian… care no more for the King then they doe for us, whom they would deſtroy if they could.
And in pag. 88. take notice … the Gortoniſts complying and joyning with them, firſt, by calling them their fellow-ſubjects, and ſecondly, ſpeaking of the Maukquagges (whom wee ordinarily call Mo-whakes) as being the moſt fierce and warlike people in the Country, where (ſaith hee) wee are furniſhed with 3700 Guns, men expert in the uſe of them, &c. Now theſe indeed as the Switzers ſerve for hire. And the Nanohigganſets being rich have hired them to aſſiſt them in their warre. But though the Gortoniſts it ſeemes are intereſted with the Nanohigganſets in their ſtrength againſt us, yet are they neither ſo many men nor have ſo many arms, but have too many and are very expert in them; being continually ſupplyed by the French and Dutch, whoſe aime is chiefly at the trade of Furs, and hereby not onelyonly robbe us of that ſhould helpe to maintaine our plantations which are growing up into a Nation, but furniſh the Indians with all manner of armes, which I would to God, and humbly beſeech this High Court of Parliament to take into ſerious conſideration, and treate with their ſeverall Ambaſſadors about it, as a thing unreaſonable in it ſelfe, and ſuch as hath beene pernicious to French and Dutch, and may bee deſtructive to them and us, if ſome due courſe bee not taken. But to returne from my humble requeſt to the State, to my anſwer to Samuel Gorton; although this be a moſt unworthy vaunt of his, yet I truſt the State will make ſuch uſe of it as never to ſuffer this deſperate crew to live ſo neere our malicious enemies the Nanohiganſ. and that they will not only countenance the ſentence of the Maſſachuſ. Government againſt them, but hinder the ſaid Gortons returne thither, by forbidding him to ſet foot on that land of New-England he hath filled with ſo many troubles in all the parts where he hath beene.
In pag. 91. Hee taxeth Plimouth to joyne with the Maſſachuſets to fruſtrate their Government by vertue of their new Charter. 'Tis true, we would have had the Maſſachuſets to have then ſent, and rendred a reaſon to the State of their proceedings, knowing as before that Mr. Gortons journey was for evill and not for good: but they being then taken up with more weighty concernments neglected it: but Plimouth did then petition the right honourable Robert Earle of Warwicke the Governour in chiefe of the Engliſh plantations in America and the reſt of that honourable Committee joyned in Commiſſion with him, that wee might enjoy our ancient limits of Government granted in our letters Patent, and withall ſhewed that their Charter for the limits of it now granted, was contained within our line of Government: and truſt I ſhall now receive anſwer. Tis true alſo that we ſent Mr. John Brown furniſhed with theſe following inſtruction to ſignifie to all that were intereſſed in that new erected Government as followeth by Commiſſion given at New-Plimouth, Nov. 8. 1644.
1. That a great part of their ſuppoſed Government is within the line of the Government of New-Plimouth.
2. That wee aſſuredly knew that this ever to hee honoured Houſe of Parliament would not, nor will when they ſhall know of it, take from us the moſt ancient Plantation, any part of the line of our Government formerly granted; it being contrary to their Principles.
3. To forbid them and all and every of them to exerciſe any authority or power of Government within the limits of out Letters Patents.
4. To certifie them that Coweeſet is not onelyonly within the ſaid limits, but that the Sachim thereof and his ſonnes have taken protection of this our Government. And therefore to forbid them to enter upon any part of his or their lands without due order and leave from our Government.
Now theſe inſtructions were ſigned by the Governour. And Mr. Browne going to Roade Iſland for this end came very ſeaſonable when a publique meeting was appointed for your new Magiſtrates and people, (but as he reported, for a moſt vile end; viz. to take into conſideration a new diſpoſall of the lands formerly given out, as if ſome had too much and ſome too little, & for now reſpect of perſons, and their eſtates was to bee laid aſide.) And here note that Mr. Coddington, Mr. Briuton, &c. that we at Plimouth had ſpeciall eye to, when wee commended them thither, abhorred their courſe, abſtained from their meetings, looked upon themſelves as perſons in great danger, and bemoaned their condition to divers their friends, being now overwhelmed with cares and feares what would bee the iſſue of things. And note that now alſo Mr. Samuel Gorton that before had ſuffered ſo much by authority for his evill doing, and was come to deny it and preach againſt it, being now by theſe Inhabitants called to place, accepts it, and became a Magiſtrate amongſt them, &c. But whereas hee intimates, as if Mr. Browne had onelyonly done his meſſage (according to his inſtructions) in a private way from houſe to houſe, therein hee wrongs him: for hee did it publiquely in the place of their Aſſembly, who were ſo daunted at it as they brake up, and did no act intended for that day, as hee related it: but ſome would have had him impriſoned, others puniſhed, others ſent to the Dutch and ſo for England. Yea Mr. Gorton himſelfe told Mr. Brownes ſonne that his father had done that which he deſerved to die for, and were hee in any other place it would coſt him his life. So fit for Government were theſe men, as to judge a peaceable claime of right without any further diſturbance or ſtirre made ſhould thus deſerve. Neither indeed have wee further ſtirred then as before, ever reſolving to reſt in the determination of the right honourable the Governour in chiefe and the reſt of his honourable Aſſiſtants of that Committee bee truſted with the affaires of the Forraigne Engliſh Plantations, aſſuring our ſelves what ever might proceed either from miſinformation or want of due knowledge what was formerly done, would bee rectified upon the firſt information and complaint made: Such were our thoughts of them, and the juſtice wee expected, and ſtill hope to receive from them. And thus much for anſwer to that complaint.
In pag. 92. He layeth another groſſe aſperſion upon us, in ſaying, There was diſtance and alienation of affection betweene Plimouth and the Maſſachuſets at their fi…ſt comming, each thinking I am holier then thou: and as if wee were now united on purpoſe to ſcatter them. The world knowes this to bee moſt falſe. Never people agreed better, maintaining both religious and civill Communion with each other, and helping and being helpfull one to another upon all occaſions: which is ſo well knowne, as if hee had not more then ordinary boldneſſe hee durſt not affirme it. Nor came the men of Plimouth from Amſterdam as hee reporteth but Leyden, a people that many of that Church of Amſterdam would hardly allow communion withall: but his pen is no ſlaunder, at leaſt will not bee where this anſwer ſhall follow it. And for his relation of the manner of the Indians mourning for their Prince his death; Truely had hee dyed a naturall death, 'tis their manner not onelyonly ſo to mourne for their great Sachims which are Princes, but for ordinary men, women and children as hee well knoweth or might know.
In pag. 93. He further complaines of Plimouth and Maſſachuſets for offering to goe out againſt the Nanohigganſets to cut them off by the ſword. And ſo complaines alſo of Captaine Standiſh &c. Anſw. I told you before how the Commiſſioners for the United Colonies meeting at Hartford by courſe, whoſe meeting alwayes begins the firſt Thurſday in Septemb. ſent for both the Nanohigganſets and Ʋncus, who appeared, and a league agreed on: but the Nanohigganſets broke againe, and warred upon Ʋncus needleſly. The United Colonies admoniſhed them againe and againe: and after no admonition nor perſwaſions would ſerve, wee were then forced to call the Commiſſioners together at an extraordinary ſeaſon on purpoſe, who finding it meet to take up Armes in the behalfe of Vncus our Confederate, whom by the agreement of the Nanohigganſets ſundry times, at divers meetings wee were bound, and it was made lawfull to doe. Hereupon the Commiſſioners agreeing as before, ſent out their Warrants to their ſeverall and ſpeciall Governments, and accordingly Forces were raiſed at a dayes warning. But before this, in ſtead of hearkening to righteous Counſell, they threatened alſo the Engliſh, ſaying, they would make heapes of our dead bodies and cattle, as high as their houſes, burne our habitations, make ſpoile of our goods, and uſed our Meſſengers very diſcurteouſly, &c. And for Captaine Standiſh, this I heard him relate, that being at the place of Rendezvouze, before the Maſſachuſets Forces came, obſerving that ſome of the Inhabitants of Providence received the Indians into their houſes familiarly, who had put themſelves alſo into a poſture of Armes, and the place within a mile of Secunck or R…ehoboth where Captaine Standiſh lay; hee ſent to Providence, and required them to lay aſide their neutrality, and either declare themſelves on the one ſide or other: For the warre being once begun, hee would not beare with their carriage in entertaining, furniſhing, and relieving the common enemy, but would diſarm them, &c. And whether neceſſity put him not upon this courſe, or no, let the Reader judge.
And for the five hundred pound, 'tis true their hearts fayled to ſee Plymouth Forces appeare, and Maſſachuſ. both Horſe and Foot upon their march on the one ſide their Countrey, under Mr. Edw. Gibbons who was choſen Generall of the United Colonies, with the help of Wooſamequin, whoſe conſtancy to Plymouth is wel known, and Pumham and Socononoco with reference to Maſſachuſets with all their men, attending the Engliſh word of command. And on the other ſide their Countrey the forces of Con…tacut and New…aven, with all the ſtrength of Ʋncus, waiting but for the word from the Commiſſioners to fall on. Now I ſay they were daunted eſpecially becauſe it came ſo ſuddenly upon them, wanting Mr. Gorton and his friends who were not yet come; Hereupon they reſolved to go to the Commiſſioners to Maſſachuſ. and compound, and did ſigne new Articles to obſerve the peace not onelyonly with the United Colonies but with Ʋncus, Wooſamequin, Pumham, and Socononoco, and other our Confederates, including all the Engliſh in the land, to make ſatisfaction for wrongs to Vncus, and to pay five hundred pounds to the united Colonies, for the charge they put us to, which indeed would not neare make it good, if they had paid it: but as at other times, ſo now, notwithſtanding their Hoſtages, they abuſed us groſly, firſt ſending falſe perſons: ſecondly, breaking all other their Covenants, and came at laſt to a reſolution, they would rather give the money (which is a Beade, as current as coin in all that part of America, of their owne making) to the Mowhakes at once, to cut us off, then to pay it according to Covenant.
And thus contrary to my reſolution, I ſee a neceſſity of more large anſwers then I intended; and indeed otherwiſe I ſhould ſpeak riddles, and not ſatisfie the Reader. Although were it an Hiſtory, I have many remarkable paſſages which here for brevity ſake I muſt omit. And if any think wee doe needleſly ingage in the troubles betweene the Indians? 1. Let them know if wee ſhould not here and there keepe correſpondency with ſome of them, they would ſoone joyne all together againſt us. 2. The quarrall betweene Ʋncus and Nanohigganſet, aroſe upon his cleaving to us: For the great Sachim Myantonimo would have marryed Ʋncus daughter, and ſince Peſſachus that ſucceeded him would have marryed Wooſamequins daughter, and all in policy to take them off from us; ſo that indeed wee are neceſſitated to it. And 3. we are not out of hope in time to bring them to the knowledge of Jeſus Chriſt, as will appeare by a ſmall Treatiſe of that kinde. But this one thing I deſire the Reader to take notice of, that when that great Prince Myantonimo hee ſo much admires, had offered violence to Wooſamequin (who was under the protection of Plymouth) and miſſing his perſon, returned onelyonly with the plunder of his goods: Upon Wooſamequins complaint to Plymouth, that Government alone, it being before the Union, ſent Captain Standiſh with a few men, not above 20. who ſent a meſſage over the Bay of Salt water which parts Wooſamequin from them, Either to make reſtitution of his goods ſo injuriouſly taken, or elſe to expect him to fetch them with a vengeance to their coſt. Hereupon they ſent over every particular that could bee demanded, even to a woodden diſh, and ſalved up all againe; but this was before any malignant Engliſh ſate down ſo neare them, and held counſell with them, before they had violated our perſons to them, reported us to bee baſe and low, out of favour with the King and State, &c. things very unworthy, abominable to be named, but that in defending the abuſed Governments of the Country, I am forced do dang ſuch ſtrokes at theſe proud and turbulent enemies of the Countrey.
Next in pag. 94. that hee relateth of Mr. Williams; viz, the meſſengers taking him with them that were ſent to the Nanohigganſets, In that troubleſome time, viz. being one caſt out of the Church (Mr. Cotton ſhould preach) It was all one to take counſell of a witch, and that thoſe that did it were worthy to die. Upon which Mr. Wilbour one of the meſſengers was ready to die, ſaith hee, for feare hee ſhould have been hanged. This I cannot beleeve for theſe two Reaſons: 1. Becauſe all men that know Mr. Cotton, know his moderation, wiſdome and piety to bee ſuch, as ſuch an expreſſion was not like to drop from him. 2. The ſtricteſt Government in New-Engl. that I know, takes no advantage in the law at a mans perſon for being excommunicated; inſomuch as if he have an office, he holds it nevertheleſſe, and this, I know practiſed, and therefore his relation unlike. But that the Meſſengers were directed to another for their interpreter I know, and that ſome took offence at their practiſe I know alſo, but upon different grounds, which I forbeare to mention, being now to anſwer Mr. Gorton, and not Mr. Williams.
In pag. 93. which is the laſt page in his Booke that I ſhall need to make anſwer to, and the thing hee there brings againſt us is an anſwer to a doctrine one of their wives ſhould heare delivered at Maſſachuſets when ſhee came to viſit them, from Matth. 24. 29. and alluding to Hebr. 12. 26, 27. briefly this doctrine there delivered, ſhould make the doctrine of the Apoſtles and the Churches in their times to …ee but darkneſſ…. That the Miniſtery of the Apoſtles was and ſhould be removed, &c. which I deſire the Reader to turne to; but bee aſſured through Gods mercy, by meanes of the late Biſhop of Canterburies perſecutions of the godly here, wee are ſo excellently furniſhed with ſhining Lights of the Goſpel, as no ſuch blaſphemous traſh as this could bee there delivered, and ſo many able hearers, as if it ſhould have been delivered by any, the Lord with-drawing his preſence from him, it would have been forthwith excepted againſt and publiſhed to the world. But I am confident if ſuch a thing were there heard, it was either from one of their owne company, or diſciples made by them. And therefore I will paſſe by the anſwer alſo, as not concerning any difference between him and us, and ſo the reſt of his writings to that end, and could wiſh that Narciſſus-like hee were not ſo much in love with his owne ſhadow, leſt it prove his ruine; there needing no other matter againſt him then his owne words and writings to render him odious to the State here, as well as to New-England from whence he came.
AND now that I have finiſhed what I conceive neceſſary concerning Mr. Gortons ſcandalous and ſlanderous Bookes, let me briefly anſwer ſome objections that I often meet withall againſt the Country of New-England. The firſt that I meet with is, concerning the riſe and foundation of our New-England Plantations; It being alledged (though upon a great miſtake by a late Writer) that diviſion or diſagreement in the Church of Leyden, was the occaſion, nay cauſe of the firſt Plantation in New-England; for ſaith the Author, or to this effect, when they could no longer agree together, the one part went to New-England, and began the Plantation at Plymouth, which he makes the mother, as it were, of the reſt of the Churches, as if the foundation of our New-England Plantations had been laid upon diviſion or ſeparation, then which nothing is more untrue: For I perſwade my ſelfe, never people upon earth lived more lovingly together, and parted more ſweetly then wee the Church at Leyden did, not raſhly in a diſtracted humour, but upon joynt and ſerious deliberation, often ſeeking the minde of God by faſting and prayer, whoſe gracious preſence we not onelyonly found with us, but his bleſſing upon us from that time to this inſtant, to the indignation of our adverſaries, the admiration of ſtrangers, and the exceeding conſolation of our ſelves, to ſee ſuch effects of our prayers and teares before our pilgrimage here bee ended. And therefore briefly take notice of the true cauſe of it.
'Tis true, that that poor perſecuted flock of Chriſt, by the malice and power of the late Hierarchy were driven to Leyden in Holland, there to beare witneſſe in their practiſe to the Kingly Office of Chriſt Jeſus in his Church: and there lived together ten yeares under the United States, with much peace and liberty: But our Reverend Paſtor Mr. John Robinſon of late memory, and our grave Elder Mr. William Brewſter, (now both at reſt with the Lord) conſidering amongſt many other inconveniences, how hard the Country was where we lived, how many ſpent their eſtate in it, and were forced to return for England; how grievous to live from under the protection of the State of England; how like wee were to loſe our language, and our name of Engliſh; how little good wee did, or were like to do to the Dutch in reforming the Sabbath; how unable there to give ſuch education to our children, as wee our ſelves had received, &c. They, I ſay, out of their Chriſtian care of the flock of Chriſt committed to them conceived, if God would bee pleaſed to diſcover ſome place unto us (though in America) and give us ſo much favour with the King and State of England, as to have their protection there, where wee might enjoy the like liberty, and where the Lord favouring our endeavours by his bleſſing, wee might exemplarily ſhew our tender Country-men by our example (no leſſe burthened then our ſelves) where they might live, and comfortably ſubſiſt and enjoy the like liberties with us, being freed from Antichriſtian bondage, keep their names and Nation, and not onelyonly bee a meanes to enlarge the Dominions of our State, but the Church of Chriſt alſo, if the Lord have a people amongſt the Natives whither hee ſhould bring us, &c. Hereby in their grave Wiſdomes they thought wee might more glorifie God, doe more good to our Countrey, better provide for our poſterity, and live to be more refreſhed by our labours, then ever wee could doe in Holland where we were.
Now theſe their private thoughts upon mature deliberation they imparted to the Brethren of the Congregation, which after much private diſcuſſion came to publike agitation, till at the length the Lord was ſolemnly ſought in the Congregation by faſting and prayer to direct us, who moving our hearts more and more to the worke, wee ſent ſome of good abilities over into England to ſee what favour or acceptance ſuch a thing might finde with the King. Theſe alſo found God going alongwith them, and got Sir Edwin Sands a religious Gentleman then living, to ſtirre in it, who procured Sir Robert Nawnton then principall Secretary of State to King James of famous memory, to move his Majeſty by a private motion to give way to ſuch a people (who could not ſo comfortably live under the Government of another State) to enjoy their liberty of Conſcience under his gracious protection in America, where they would endeavour the advancement of his Majeſties Dominions, and the enlargement of the Goſpel by all due meanes. This his Majeſty ſaid was a good and honeſt motion, and asking what profits might ariſe in the part wee intended (for our eye was upon the moſt Northern parts of Ʋirginia) 'twas anſwered, Fiſhing. To which hee replyed with his ordinary aſſeveration, So God have my Soule 'tis an honest Trade, 'twas the Apoſtles owne calling, &c. But afterwards he told Sir Robert Nawnton, (who took all occaſions to further it) that we ſhould confer with the Biſhops of Canterbury and London, &c. Whereupon wee were adviſed to perſiſt upon his firſt approbation, and not to entangle our ſelves with them▪ which cauſed our Agents to repair to the Virginia Company, who in their Court demanded our ends of going; which being related, they ſaid the thing was of God, and granted a large Patent, and one of them lent us 300 l. gratis for three yeares, which was repaid.
Our Agents returning, wee further ſought the Lord by a publique and ſolemn Faſt, for his gracious guidance. And hereupon wee came to this reſolution, that it was beſt for one part of the Church to goe at firſt and the other to ſtay, viz. the youngeſt and ſtrongeſt part to goe. Secondly, they that went ſhould freely offer themſelves. Thirdly, if the major part went, the Paſtor to goe with them; if not, the Elder onelyonly. Fourthly, if the Lord ſhould frowne upon our proceedings, then thoſe that went to returne, and the Brethren that remained ſtill there, to aſſiſt and bee helpfull to them, but if God ſhould bee pleaſed to favour them that went, then they alſo ſhould endeavour to helpe over ſuch as were poore and ancient, and willing to come; theſe things being agreed, the major part ſtayed, and the Paſtor with them for the preſent, but all intended (except a very few, who had rather wee would have ſtayed) to follow after. The minor part, with Mr. Brewſter their Elder, reſolved to enter upon this great work (but take notice the difference of number was not great;) And when the Ship was ready to carry us away, the Brethren that ſtayed having againe ſolemnly ſought the Lord with us, and for us, and we further engaging our ſelves mutually as before; they, I ſay, that ſtayed at Leyden feaſted us that were to goe at our Paſtors houſe being large, where wee refreſhed our ſelves after our teares, with ſinging of Pſalmes, making joyfull melody in our hearts, as well as with the voice, there being many of the Congregation very expert in Muſick; and indeed it was the ſweeteſt melody that ever mine eares heard. After this they accompanyed us to Delphs Haven, where wee were to imbarque, and there feaſted us againe; and after prayer performed by our Paſtor, where a flood of teares was poured out, they accompanyed us to the Ship, but were not able to ſpeake one to another for the abundance of ſorrow to part: but wee onelyonly going aboard (the Ship lying to the Key) and ready to ſet ſayle, the winde being faire) wee gave them a volley of ſmall ſhot, and three peeces of Ordinance, and ſo lifting up our hands to each other, and our hearts for each other to the Lord our God, we departed, and found his preſence with us in the midſt of our manifold ſtraits hee carryed us thorow. And if any doubt this relation, the Dutch, as I heare, at Delphs Haven preſerve the memory of it to this day, and will inform them.
But falling with Cape …od which is in New-England, and ſtanding to the Southward for the place wee intended, wee met with many dangers, and the Mariners put back into the Harbour of the Cape, which was the 11. of November, 1620. where conſidering Winter was come, the Seas dangerous, the ſeaſon cold, the winds high, and being well furniſhed for a Plantation, we entered upon diſcovery, and ſetled at Plymouth, where God being pleaſed to preſerve and enable us, wee that went, were at a Thouſand pounds charge in ſending for our Brethren that were behinde, and in providing there for them till they could reape a crop of their owne labours. And ſo good Reader, I have given thee a true and faithfull account, though very briefe, of our proceedings, wherein thou ſeeſt how a late Writer, and thoſe that informed him, have wronged our enterpriſe. And truly what I have written, is far ſhort of what it was, omitting for brevity ſake many circumſtances, as the large offers the Dutch offered us, either to have removed into Zealand, and there lived with them: or if we would go on ſuch adventures, to goe under them to Hudſons River (where they have ſince a great plantation, &c.) and how they would freely have tranſported us, and furniſhed every family with cattle, &c. Alſo the Engliſh Merchants that joyned with us in this expedition, whom wee ſince bought out, which is fitter for an Hiſtory, then an anſwer to ſuch an Objection, (&c. I truſt will be accompliſhed in good time.) By all which the Reader may ſee there was no breach between us that went, and the brethren that ſtayed, but ſuch love as indeed is ſeldome found on earth.
And for the many plantations that come over to us upon notice of Gods bleſſing upon us, whereas 'tis falſly …aid, they tooke Plimouth for their preſident as faſt as they came. 'Tis true I confeſſe that ſome of the chiefe of them adviſed with us (comming over to be freed from the burthenſome ceremonies then impoſed in England) how they ſhould doe to fall upon a right platforme of worſhip, and deſired to that end ſince God had honoured us to lay the foundation of a Common-weale, and to ſettle a Church in it, to ſhew them whereupon our practice was grounded; and if they found upon due ſearch it was built upon the Word, they ſhould be willing to take up what was of God. We accordingly ſhewed them the Primitive practice for our warrant, taken out of the Acts of the Apoſtles, and the Epiſtles written to the ſeverall Churches by the ſaid Apoſtles together with the Commandements of Chriſt the Lord in the Goſpell, and other our warrants for every particular wee did from the booke of God. Which being by them well weighed and conſidered, they alſo entred into Covenant with God and one with another to walke in all his wayes revealed, or as they ſhould bee made knowne unto them, and to worſhip him according to his will revealed in his written word onelyonly, &c. So that here alſo thou maiſt ſee they ſet not the Church at Plimouth before them for example, but the Primitive Churches were and are their and our mutuall patternes and examples, which are onelyonly worthy to be followed, having the bleſſed Apoſtles amongſt them which were ſent immediately by Chriſt himſelfe and enabled and guided by the unerring Spirit of God. And truly this is a patterne fit to bee followed of all that feare God, and no man or men to bee followed further then they follow Chriſt and them.
Having thus briefly ſhewed that the foundation of our New-England Plantations was not laid upon Schiſme, diviſion, or Separation, but upon love, peace, and holineſſe; yea, ſuch love and mutuall care of the Church of Leyden for the ſpreading of the Goſpel, the welfare of each other, and their poſterities to ſucceeding generations, as is ſeldome found on earth: And having ſhewed alſo that the Primitive Churches are the onelyonly pattern which the Churches of Chriſt in New-England have in their eye, not following Luther, Calvin, Knoxe, Ai…ſworth, Robinſon, Amies, or any other, further then they follow Chriſt and his Apoſtles; I am earneſtly requeſted to cleare up another groſſe miſtake which cauſed many, and ſtill doth, to judge the harder of New-England, and the Churches there, becauſe (ſay they) The Church of Plymouth which went firſt from Leyden, were Schiſmaticks, Browniſts, rigid Separatiſts, &c. having Mr. Robinſon for their Paſtor, who made, and to the laſt profeſſed ſeparation from other the Churches of Chriſt, &c. And the reſt of the Churches in New-England holding communion with that Church, are to bee reputed ſuch as they are.
For anſwer to this aſperſion, Firſt, he that knew Mr. Robinſon, either by his Doctrine daily taught, or hath read his Apology publiſhed not long before his death, or knew the practiſe of that Church of Chriſt under his government, or was acquainted with the wholſome counſell he gave that part of the Church which went for New-England at their departure and afterward, might eaſily reſolve the doubt, and take off the aſperſion.
For his Doctrine, I living three yeares under his Miniſtery, before we began the worke of Plantation in New-England; It was alwayes againſt ſeparation from any the Churches of Chriſt, profeſſing and holding communion both with the French and Dutch Churches, yea, tendering it to the Scots alſo, as I ſhall make appeare more particularly anon. Ever holding forth how wary perſons ought to bee in ſeparating from a Church, and that till Chriſt the Lord departed wholly from it, man ought not to leave it, onelyonly to beare witneſſe againſt the corruption that was in it. But if any object, he ſeparated from the Church of England, and wrote largely againſt it; I acknowledge hee wrote largely againſt it, but yet let me tell you, hee allowed hearing the godly Miniſters preach and pray in the publick Aſſemblies; yea, hee allowed private communion not onelyonly with them, but all that were faithfull in Chriſt Jeſus in the Kingdome and elſewhere upon all occaſions; yea, honored them for the power of godlineſſe above all other the profeſſors of Religion in the world, nay, I may truly ſay, his ſpirit cleaved unto them, being ſo well acquainted with the integrity of their hearts, and care to walke blameleſſe in their lives, which was no ſmall motive to him to perſwade us to remove from Holland, where wee might probably not onelyonly continue Engliſh, but have and maintain ſuch ſweet communion with the godly of that Nation, as through Gods great mercy we enjoy this day.
'Tis true, I confeſſe he was more rigid in his courſe and way at firſt, then towards his latter end; for his ſtudy was peace and union ſo far as might agree with faith and a good conſcience; and for ſchiſm and diviſion, there was nothing in the world more hatefull to him: But for the government of the Church of England, as it was in the Epiſcopall way, the Liturgy and ſtinted prayers of the Church then; yea, the conſtitution of it as Nationall, and ſo conſequently the corrupt communion of the unworthy with the worthy receivers of the Lords Supper, theſe things were never approved of him, but witneſſed againſt to his death, and are by the Church over which he was to this day. And if the Lord would be pleaſed to ſtir up the hearts of thoſe, in whom (under him) the power of Reformation lies, to reform that abuſe, that a diſtinction might once be put between the precious and the vile, particular Churches might be gathered by the powerfull preaching of the Word, thoſe onelyonly admitted into communion, whoſe hearts the Lord perſwades to ſubmit unto the Iron rod of the Goſpel; O how ſweet then would the communion of the Churches be! How thorow the Reformation! How eaſie would the differences be reconciled between the Presbyterian and Independent way! How would the God of peace which commandeth love and good agreement ſmile upon this Nation! How would the ſubtle underminers of it be diſappointed, and the faithfull provoked to ſing ſongs of praiſe and thankſgiving! Nay, how would the God of order be glorified in ſuch orderly walking of the Saints! And as they have fought together for the liberties of the Kingdome, Eccleſiaſticall and Civill; ſo may they joyn together in the preſervation of them (which otherwiſe, 'tis to be feared will not long continue) and in the praiſes of our God who hath been ſo good to his poore diſtreſſed ones, whom he hath delivered, and whom he will deliver out of all their troubles. But I have made too great a digreſſion, and muſt return.
In the next place I ſhould ſpeak of Mr. Robinſons Apology, wherein the maketh a briefe defence againſt many adverſaries, &c. But becauſe it is both in Latine and Engliſh, of ſmall price, and eaſie to bee had, I ſhall forbeare to write of it, and onelyonly refer the Reader to it, for the differences between his congregation, and other the Reformed Churches.
The next thing I would have the Reader take notice of, is, that however the church of Leyden differed in ſome particulars, yet made no Schiſme or ſeparation from the Reformed Churches, but held communion with them occaſionally: For we ever placed a large difference between thoſe that grounded their practiſe upon the Word of God (tho differing from us in the expoſition or underſtanding of it) and thoſe that hated ſuch Reformers and Reformation, and went on in Antichriſtian oppoſition to it, and perſecution of it, as the late Lord Biſhops did, who would not in deed and truth (whatever their pretences were) that Chriſt ſhould rule over them. But as they often ſtretched out their hands againſt the ſaints; ſo God hath withered the Arm of their power, thrown them down from their high & lofty ſeats, and ſlain the chiefe of their perſons, as well as the Hierarchy, that he might become an example to all thoſe that riſe againſt God in his Sabbath, in the preaching of his Word, in his Saints, in the purity of his Ordinances. And I heartily deſire that others may heare and feare withall.
As for the Dutch, it was uſuall for our Members that underſtood the language, and lived in, or occaſionally came over to London, to communicate with them, as one John Jenny a Brewer long did, his wife and family, &c. and without any offence to the Church: So alſo for any that had occaſion to travell into any other part of the Netherlands they daily did the like: And our Paſtor Mr. Robinſon in the time when Arminianiſme prevailed ſo much, at the requeſt of the moſt Orthodox Divines, as Poliander, Feſtus, Homlius, &c. diſputed daily againſt Epiſcopius (in the Academy at Leyden) and others the grand champions of that error, and had as good reſpect amongſt them, as any of their own Divines; Inſomuch as when God took him away from them and us by death, the Univerſity, and Miniſters of the City accompanied him to his grave with all their accuſtomed ſolemnities; bewayling the great loſſe that not onelyonly that particular Church had, whereof he was Paſtor; but ſome of the chief of them ſadly affirmed, that all the Churches of Chriſt ſuſtained a loſſe by the death of that worthy Inſtrument of the Goſpel. I could inſtance alſo divers of their members that underſtood the Engliſh tongue, and betook themſelves to the communion of our Church, went with us to New-England, as Godbert Godbertſon, &c. Yea, at this very inſtant, another called Moſes Symonſon, becauſe a child of one that was in communion with the Dutch Church at Leyden, is admitted into Church-fellowſhip at Plymouth in New-England, and his children alſo to Baptiſm, as wel as our own, and other Dutch alſo in communion at Salem, &c.
And for the French Churches that we held, and do hold communion duplicate page duplicate page with them, take notice of our practiſe at Leyden, viz. that one Samuel Terry was received from the French Church there, into communion with us; alſo the wife of Francis Cooke being a Walloone, hold… communion with the Church at Plymouth, as ſhe came from the French, to this day, by vertue of communion of Churches; There is alſo one Philip Delanoy born of French parents, came to us from Leyden to New-Plymouth, who comming to age of diſcerning, demanded alſo communion with us, & proving himſelf to be come of ſuch parents as were in ful communion with the French Churches, was here upon admitted by the Church of Plymouth; and after upon his removal of habitation to Duxburrow where M. Ralph Partridge is Paſtor of the Church; and upon Letters of recommendation from the Church at Plymouth, hee was alſo admitted into fellowſhip with the Church at Duxburrow, being ſix miles diſtant from Plymouth; and ſo I dare ſay, if his occaſions lead him, may from Church to church throughout New-England. For the truth is, the Dutch and French Churches either of them being a people diſtinct from the world, and gathered into an holy communion, and not Nationall Churches, nay, ſo far from it, as I verily beleeve the ſixth perſon is not of the Church, the difference is ſo ſmall (if moderately pondered, between them and us) as we dare not for the world deny communion with them.
And for the Church of Scotland, however wee have had leaſt occaſion offered to hold communion with them; yet thus much I can and doe affirme, that a godly Divine comming over to Leyden in Holland, where a Booke was printed, Anno 1619. as I take it, ſhewing the nullity of Perth Aſſembled, whom we judged to bee the Author of it, and hidden in Holland for a ſeaſon to avoid the rage of thoſe evill times (whoſe name I have forgotten;) This man being very converſant with our Paſtor Mr. Robinſon, and uſing to come to hear him on the Sabbath, after Sermon ended, the Church being to partake in the Lords Supper, this Miniſter ſtood up and deſired hee might, without offence, ſtay and ſee the manner of his adminiſtration, and our participation in that Ordinance; To which our Paſtor anſwered in theſe very words, or to this effect, Reverend Sir, you may not onelyonly ſtay to behold us, but partake with us, if you pleaſe, for wee acknowledge the Churches of Scotland to be the Churches of Chriſt, &c. The Miniſter alſo replyed to this purpoſe, if not alſo in the ſame words; That for his part bee could comfortably partake with the Church, and willingly would, but that it is poſſible ſome of his brethren of Scotland might take offence at his act; which he deſired to avoid in regard of the opinion the Engliſh Churches which they held communion withall had of us: However he rendered thanks to Mr. Robinſon, and deſired in that reſpect to be onelyonly a ſpectator of us. Theſe things I was earneſtly requeſted to publiſh to the world by ſome of the godly Presbyterian party, who apprehend the world to bee ignorant of our proceedings, conceiving in charity that if they had been knowne, ſome late Writers and Preachers would never have written and ſpoke of us as they did, and ſtill doe as they have occaſion: But what they ignorantly judge, write, or ſpeak of us, I truſt the Lord in mercy wil paſſe by.
In the next place, for the wholſome counſell Mr. Robinſon gave that part of the Church whereof he was Paſtor, at their departure from him to begin the great worke of Plantation in New-England, amongſt other wholſome Inſtructions and Exhortations, hee uſed theſe expreſſions, or to the ſame purpoſe; We are now ere long to part aſunder, and the Lord knoweth whether ever he ſhould live to ſee our faces again: but whether the Lord had appointed it or not, he charged us before God and his bleſſed Angels, to follow him no further then he followed Chriſt. And if God ſhould reveal any thing to us by any other inſtrument of his, to be as ready to receive it, as ever we were to receive any truth by his Miniſtery: For he was very confident the Lord had more truth and light yet to breake forth out of his holy Word. He took occaſion alſo miſerably to bewaile the ſtate and condition of the Reformed Churches, who were come to a period in Religion, and would goe no further then the inſtruments of their Reformation: As for example, the Lutherans they could not be drawne to goe beyond what Luther ſaw, for whatever part of Gods will he had further imparted and revealed to Calvin, they will rather die then embrace it. And ſo alſo, ſaith he, you ſee the Calviniſts, they ſtick where he left them: A miſery much to bee lamented; For though they were precious ſhining lights in their times, yet God had not revealed his whole will to them: And were they now living, faith hee, they would bee as ready and willing to embrace further light, as that they had received. Here alſo he put us in mind of our Church-Covenant (at leaſt that part of it) whereby wee promiſe and covenant with God and one with another, to receive whatſoever light or truth ſhall be made known to us from his written Word: but withall exhorted us to take heed what we received for truth, and well to examine and compare, and weigh it with other Scriptures of truth, before we received it; For, ſaith he, It is not poſſible the Chriſtian world ſhould come to lately out of ſuch thick Antichriſtian darkneſſe, and that full perfection of knowledge ſhould breake forth at once.
Another thing hee commended to us, was, that wee ſhould uſe all meanes to avoid and ſhake off the name of Browniſt, being a meer nick-name and brand to make Religion odious, and the profeſſors of it to the Chriſtian world; and to that end, ſaid hee, I ſhould be glad if ſome godly Miniſter would goe over with you, or come to you, before my comming; For, ſaid hee, there will bee no difference between the unconformable Miniſters and you, when they come to the practiſe of the Ordinances out of the Kingdome: And ſo adviſed us by all meanes to endeavour to cloſe with the godly party of the Kingdome of England, and rather to ſtudy union then diviſion; viz. how neare we might poſſibly, without ſin cloſe with them, then in the leaſt meaſure to affect diviſion or ſeparation from them. And be not loath to take another Paſtor or Teacher, ſaith hee, for that flock that hath two ſhepheards is not indangered, but ſecured by it. Many other things there were of great and weighty conſequence which he commended to us, but theſe things I thought good to relate, at the requeſt of ſome well-willers to the peace and good agreement of the godly, (ſo diſtracted at preſent about the ſettling of Church-government in the Kingdom of England) that ſo both ſides may truly ſee what this poor deſpiſed Church of Chriſt now at New-Plymouth in New-England, but formerly at Leyden in Holland, was and is; how far they were and ſtill are from ſeparation from the Churches of Chriſt, eſpecially thoſe that are Reformed.
'Tis true, we profeſſe and deſire to practiſe a ſeparation from the world, & the works of the world, which are works of the fleſh, ſuch as the Apoſtle ſpeaketh of, Epheſ. 5. 19, 20, 21. 1 Cor. 6. 9, 10, 11. and Epheſ 2. 11, 12. And as the Churches of Chriſt are all Saints by calling, ſo we deſire to ſee the grace of God ſhining forth, (at leaſt ſeemingly, leaving ſecret things to God) in all we admit into church fellowſhip with us, & & to keep off ſuch as openly wallow in the mire of their ſins, that neither the holy things of God, nor the communion of the Saints may be leavened or polluted thereby. And if any joyning to us formerly, either when we lived at Leyden in Holland, or ſince we came to New-England, have with the manifeſtation of their faith and profeſſion of holineſſe held forth therewith ſeparation from the Church of England, I have divers times, both in the one place, and the other, heard either Mr. Robinſon our Paſtor, or Mr. Brewſter our Elder ſtop them forthwith, ſhewing them that wee required no ſuch things at their hands, but only to hold forth faith in Chriſt Jeſus, holineſſe in the feare of God, and ſubmiſſion to every Ordinance and appointment of God, leaving the Church of England to themſelves, and to the Lord before whom they ſhould ſtand or fall, and to whom wee ought to pray to reforme what was amiſſe amongſt them. Now this Reformation we have lived to ſee performed and brought about by the mighty power of God, this day in a good meaſure, and I hope the Lord Jeſus will perfect his work of Reformation, till all be according to the good pleaſure of his will. By all which I deſire the Reader to take notice of our former and preſent practiſe notwithſtanding all the injurious and ſcandalous taunting reports are paſſed on us. And if theſe things will not ſatisfie, but wee muſt ſtill ſuffer reproach, and others for our ſakes, becauſe they and wee thus walke, our practiſe being for ought wee know, wholly grounded on the written Word, without any addition or humane invention knowne to us, taking our patterne from the Primitive Churches, as they were regulated by the bleſſed Apoſtles in their owne dayes, who were taught and inſtructed by the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and had the unerring and all-knowing Spirit of God to bring to their remembrance the things they had heard: I ſay, if wee muſt ſtill ſuffer ſuch reproach, notwithſtanding our charity towards them who will not be in charity with us; Gods will be done.
The next aſperſion caſt upon us, is, that we will not ſuffer any that differ from us never ſo little to reſide or cohabite with us; no not the Presbyterian Government which differeth ſo little from us. To which I anſwer, our practiſe witneſſeth the contrary. For 'tis well knowne that Mr. Parker and Mr. Noy…e who are Miniſters of the Church at Newberry are in that way and ſo knowne ſo farre as a ſingle Congregation can bee exerciſed in it; yet never had the leaſt moleſtation or diſturbance, and have and finde as good reſpect from Magiſtrates and people as other Elders in the Congregationall or Primitive way. 'Tis knowne alſo that Mr. Hubbard the Miniſter at Hengam hath declared himſelfe for that way: nay which is more then ever I heard of the other two, hee refuſeth to baptzie no children that are tendred to him (although this liberty ſtands not upon a Presbyterian bottome) and yet the Civill State never moleſted him for it: onelyonly comming to a Synod held in the Country the laſt yeare, which the Magiſtrates called, requeſting the Churches to ſend their Elders and ſuch other as might bee able to hold forth the light of God from his written word in caſe of ſome doubts which did ariſe in the Country: I ſay hee comming the laſt ſitting of the Aſſembly which was adjourned to the eighth of June next, was in all meekneſſe and love requeſted to bee preſent and hold forth his light hee went by in baptizing all that were brought to him, hereby waving the practiſe of the Churches; which he promiſing to take into conſideration they reſted in his anſwer. So alſo 'tis wel known, that before theſe unhappy troubles aroſe in England and Scotland, there were divers Gentlemen of Scotland that groaned under the heavy preſſaries of thoſe times, wrote to New-England to know whether they might freely be ſuffered to exerciſe their Preſbyteriall government amongſt us. And it was anſwered affirmatively they might: and they ſending over a Gentleman to take a view of ſome fit place; A River called Meromeck neare Ipſwich and Newberry aforeſaid, was ſhewed their Agent, which he well liked, and where wee have ſince four townes ſettled, and more may bee for ought I know, ſo that there they might have had a compleate Presbytery and whither they intended to have come: but meeting with manifold croſſes being halfe Seas thorow they gave over their intendments, and as I have heard theſe were many of the Gentlemen that firſt fell upon the late Covenant in Scotland: by all which will eaſily appeare how wee are here wronged by many; and the harder meaſure as wee heare impoſed upon our brethren for our ſakes, nay pretending our example for their preſident. And laſt of all, not long before I came away certaine diſcontented perſons in open Court of the Maſſachuſets, demanding that liberty, it was freely and as openly tendred to them; ſhewing their former practices by mee mentioned: but willed not to expect that wee ſhould provide them Miniſters &c. for the ſame, but getting ſuch themſelves they might exerciſe the Presbyterian Government at their libertie, walking peaceably towards us as wee truſted we ſhould doe towards them. So that if our brethren here ſhall bee reſtrained they walking peaceably, the example muſt not be taken from us, but ariſe from ſome other principle.
But it will not bee objected though you deale thus with the Preſbyterian way, yet you have a ſevere law againſt Anabaptiſts, yea one was whipt at Maſſachuſets for his Religion? and your law baniſheth them? Anſw. 'Tis true, the Maſſachuſets Government have ſuch a law as to baniſh, but not to whip in that kinde. And certaine men deſiring ſome mitigation of it; It was anſwered in my hearing. 'Tis true, we have a ſevere law, but wee never did or will execute the rigour of it upon any, and have men living amongſt us, nay ſome in our Churches of that judgement, and as long as they carry themſelves peaceably as hitherto they doe, wee will leave them to God, our ſelves having performed the duty of brethren to them. And whereas there was one whipt amongſt us; 'tis true wee knew his judgement what it was: but had hee not carried himſelfe ſo contemptuouſly towards the Authority God hath betruſted us with in an high exemplary meaſure, wee had never ſo cenſured him: and therefore he may thank himſelf who ſuffered as an evill doer in that reſpect. But the reaſon wherefore wee are loath either to repeale or alter the law, is, Becauſe wee would have it remaine in force to beare witneſſe againſt their judgement and practice which we conceive them to bee erroneous.
And yet nevertheleſſe ſaid the Governour to thoſe preferred the requeſt, you may tel our friends in England▪ whither yee are ſome of you going, ſince the motion proceedeth from ſuch as wee know move it in love to us, wee will ſeriouſly take it into conſideration at our next Generall Court. So that thou maiſt perceive good Reader that the worſt is ſpoken of things in that kinde.
Furthermore in the Government of Plimouth, to our great griefe, not onelyonly the Paſtor of a Congregation waveth the adminiſtration of baptiſme to Infants, but divers of his Congregation are fallen with him, and yet all the meanes the civill power hath taken againſt him and them, is to ſtirre up our Elders to give meeting and ſee if by godly conference they may bee able to convince and reclaime him, as in mercy once before they had done by Gods bleſſing upon their labours. OnelyOnly at the foreſaid Synod, two were ordered to write to him in the name of the Aſſembly, and to requeſt his preſence at their next meeting aforeſaid to hold forth his light hee goeth by in waving the practiſe of the Churches; with promiſe if it be light, to walke by it: but if it appeare otherwiſe, then they truſt hee will returne againe to the unity of practice with them. And for the other the two Governments of Coneetacut and Newhaven, if either have any law in force againſt them, or ſo much as need of a law in that kinde, 'tis more then I have heard on.
For our parts (I mean the Churches of New-Engl.) we are confident through Gods mercy, the way of God in which we walke, and according to which wee perform our Worſhip and ſervice to Him, concurreth with thoſe Rules our bleſſed Saviour hath left upon record by the Evangeliſts and Apoſtles, and is agreeable with the practiſe of thoſe Primitive Churches mentioned in the Acts, and regulated by the ſame Apoſtles, as appeareth not onelyonly in that Evangelicall Hiſtory, but in their Epiſtles to the ſeverall Churches there mentioned; yet nevertheleſſe if any thorow tenderneſſe of Conſcience be otherwiſe minded, to ſuch wee never turn a deafe eare, nor become rigorous, though we have the ſtreame of Authority on our ſides. Nay, if in the uſe of all means we cannot reclaim them, knowing the wiſdome that is from above is firſt pure, then peaceable, gentle, eaſie to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocriſie, and the fruit of righteouſneſſe is ſowne in peace, of them that make peace, according to James 3. 17, 18. And if any differing from us bee anſwerable to this Rule in their lives and converſations, we do not exerciſe the Civill ſword againſt them. But for ſuch as Gorton and his company, whoſe wiſdome ſeems not to be from above, as appeareth in that it is full of envyings, ſtrife, confuſion, Jam. 3. 15, 16. being therein ſuch as the Apoſtle Jude ſpeaks on, v. 8. viz. earthly, ſenſuall; devilliſh; who v. 16. deſpiſe dominion, and ſpeak evill of dignities. Theſe v. 12, 13. are murmurers, complayners, walkers after their own lusts, and their mouth ſpeaketh great ſwelling words, being clouds without water, carried about of winds, trees whoſe fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots, raging waves of the ſea, foaming out their owne ſhame, wandring ſtarres, to whom (without repentance, which I much deſire to ſee, or hear of in him, if it may ſtand with the will of God) is reſerved the blackneſſe of darkneſſe for ever. Theſe I ſay are to be proceeded with by another rule, and not to bee borne: who ſuffer as evil doers, and area ſhame to Religion which they profeſſe in word, but deny in their lives and converſations. Theſe every tender conſcience abhors, and will juſtifie and aſſiſt the higher Powers God hath ordained, againſt ſuch carnall Goſpellers, who beare not the ſword in vaine, Rom. 13. but execute Gods vengeance on ſuch: for the Civill Magiſtrate is the Miniſter of God, a Revenger to execute wrath on him that doth evil. And therefore a broad difference is to be put between ſuch evill doers, and thoſe tender conſciences who follow the light of Gods Word in their owne perſwaſions, (though judged erroneous by the places where they live) ſo long as their walking is anſwerable to the rules of the Goſpel, by preſerving peace, and holding forth holineſſe in their converſations amongſt men.
Thus much I thought good to ſignifie, becauſe we of New-England are ſaid to be ſo often propounded for an example. And if any will take us for a preſident, I deſire they may really know what wee doe, rather then what others ignorantly or malitiouſly report of us, aſſuring my ſelf that none will ever be loſers by following us ſo far as we follow Chriſt: Which that we may doe, and our poſterities after us, the Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, & our Father, accept in Chriſt what is according to him, diſcover, pardon, and reform what is amiſſe amongſt us; and guide us and them by the aſſiſtance of the holy Ghoſt for time to come, till time ſhal be no more; that the Lord our God may ſtill delight to dwell amongſt his Plantations and Churches there by his gracious preſence, and may goe on bleſſing to bleſſe them with heavenly bleſſings in theſe earthly places, that ſo by his bleſſing they may not onelyonly grow up to a Nation, but become exemplary for good unto others. And let all that wiſh wel to Sion ſay Amen.
FINIS.
ERRATA.
In the title of p. 9, &c. to 37. in ſtead, of the Magiſtrates of Boſton in New-Engl. 1. of Maſſachuſets in New England; p. 11. l. 27. for purpoſe God, r. purpoſe of God; p. 14 for day of, r. day of the; p. 30 l. 17. for Cope, r. cup; alſo l. 18 for cope, r. cup; alſo l. 21. for Judas, r. as Judas; p. 32. l. 3. leave out to; p. 54. l. 10. for by, r. in; p. 67. l. 37. for complaining, r. complained; p. 79. l. 26. for with as indeed, r. with them as; p. 83. l. 23. for and, put (p. 85. l. 6. for whom, r. which.
End of the text · Edward Winslow, Hypocrisy Unmasked (1646)