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1634.

Mr. Cotton taught, that a magistrate ought not SECT. II. to be deprived of his official character without just cause, and that for no cause should he be arraigned, as a publick convict.

Mr. Wilson, this year, it seems, made another

visit to his native country.

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On every occasion, where a matter was disputed, Mr. Cotton settled the difference by his publick preaching. Mr. Hooker and his friends were about to remove to the Connecticut. Their design was strenuously seconded by some and opposed by others. After the matter had been for some time debated, Mr. Cotton ended the affair by preaching from Hag. ii. 4. showing the strength of the magistracy, ministry, and people. In their authority consisted the strength of the first, in their purity that of the second, and in their liberty that of the last. Each estate, he said, had a negative voice, and yet the ultimate power should reside in the whole body of the people.

The thursday lecture was now suspended, 4 October. every other week, to give place to another lecture at Cambridge, on the alternate thursday.

Mr. Eliot blamed the magistrates for overreaching the Pequods in a peace made with them. Mr. Cotton was appointed to deal with him, and desire him to make a publick recantation; which he did.

The thursday lecture reverted to its ancient 11 Dec. order. It was customary for the inhabitants occasionally to transact business relative to the po

1634.

SECT. II. lice of the town, immediately after lecture. On 11 December, this year, they chose seven new selectmen, to the exclusion of very worthy gentlemen, who had served them in preceding years. But Mr. Cotton interposed and showed from scripture, that it was an order of heaven to have all such business committed to the elders. Such was the weight of his authority, that he caused, on the succeeding thursday, a new election.

1635.

13 Jan.

19 Jan.

15 March.

The church, this day, kept a fast on account of the pastor's absence in England, and the probability there was, that he and his companions would be detained and troubled.

There was, on 19 January, a general meeting of the ministers, by the request of the governour and assistants, to deliberate on these two questions. First. What ought to be done, if a general governour should be sent out of England? Second. Is it lawful to carry the cross in our banners? In the first case they were agreed, that they ought not to accept him; but to defend their possession in the best manner they were able. On the second they divided, and came to no decision.

About this time, a disturbance happened at Lynn. The pastor had been somewhat arbitrary; and some of the members, from a spirit of resentment, questioned, if they were a true church, and commenced a separation. The pastor and his adherents requested the advice of sister churches. Meanwhile, the pastor desired the

1635.

authors of the schism to commit their grievances SECT. II. to writing. They refused. He therefore was for excommunicating them; and wrote to the churches to desist from their intended visit. The letter was read immediately after thursday lecture, when it seemed to be the general opinion, that the churches ought to hear both sides of the dispute. Accordingly they went upon the ground; heard the parties; acknowledged them a true church; and reconciled the members.

Rev. Mr. Wilson arrived here from England 6 Sept. in company with Mr. Shepard, Mr. Jones, and others. It was probably now, that his wife accompanied him. The voyage, which Mr. W. 1 Nov. now finished, was remarkable. He more than once narrowly escaped shipwreck. On his return from England, he was forced by foul weather upon the coast of Ireland, and, after many dangers, he visited the country. He met many persons interested in the settlement of Newengland. From Ireland he passed into Scotland, and into the north of England, and, through his whole tour, he met with persons of quality, who were concerned for the prosperity of Newengland, and who esteemed his visit among them a smile of Providence.

In December, 1635, Mr. Norton arrived at Plymouth.

The ministers occasionally interposed, in case of differences among magistrates; yet rarely or never, unless expressly requested by the governour and assistants.

D

1636.

Jan.

SECT. II. In the month of January, 1636, the church at Cambridge was gathered by Mr. Shepard with great solemnity. It was there questioned, how many persons might constitute a church. The number three was thought too small; but it was determined, that seven might lawfully constitute a church. Mr. Cotton was present, and gave the right hand of fellowship to the newly organized church.

25 Feb.

April.

The churches of Lynn and Salem were much divided. Corn was scarce; and removals frequent. A general fast was proclaimed. This church in particular observed it with great devotion.

The principal part of the old church at Dorchester having removed, Mr. Mather and others began a new one. Several persons attempting to join them were rejected for the present, on the idea, that they hated sin, not so much because it was in itself odious to God, as because it was hurtful to themselves.

It having been made manifest from the scriptures, that a certain number of magistrates should hold their offices during life, Mr. Winthrop and Mr. Dudley were accordingly chosen upon that principle.

The peculiarities of Mr. Williams were still a source of inquietude among the churches. The colonists were frequently returning, for the purpose of commerce or friendship, to the parent country. When there, it was natural for them to worship at the churches of their friends. Yet

1636.

such was the abhorrence, which. Mr. W. entertain- SECT. II. ed for episcopal worship, and such was the rigour of his discipline, that he would suffer none of his congregation to give a moment's countenance to the cause of conformity; and on such, as had offended, he was sure to impose some sort of penalty. It was agitated in the First Church, whether, out of tenderness to the consciences of their brethren, persons going hence to England should refrain from joining in episcopal worship. It was said, that hearing was not holding communion, and therefore determined in the negative. The next plan was to make them a church by themselves. This was opposed, both because they were too few to make a church, and because the forming of new churches, on such grounds, could not be justified by the word of God. It was, lastly, asked, if they should be excommuni. cated. This measure was unpleasant, and not to be resorted to, unless they should withdraw them, selves, and behave disorderly. A continuance with the church was to procure a degree of tolera. tion in matters of opinion. This is the first ray of liberality, that has shed itself upon the ecclesiastical institutions of our country.

Mr. Peters preached at First Church, and solicited of the congregation, among other things, these two; first, that they would relinquish the labours of Mr. Cotton, whilst he should go through the scriptures, and raise marginal notes on the difficult passages. The second was, that a

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