SECT. II. opinions agreeable to his own, the church, to which he belongs, ought not to grant his request.

1637.

The assembly dissolved itself; and the governour proposed, that, since the Lord had been graciously present with its members, and its affairs had been so regularly conducted and amicably concluded, a like meeting should be had once a year, or at least the next year, to settle what of controversy still remained doubtful, and nourish dispositions of charity. The motion, as it displayed the goodness of the governour's heart, was universally pleasing; but it was not thought prudent to adopt the measure.

The governour also moved, that, as there was a difference in different churches in the manner of supporting their ministers, it should be agreed, what mode of maintaining them is most evangelical; but the ministers feared to decide upon this question, lest it should be said, that the assembly was gathered for their own advantage.

Mr. Davenport, as he had been previously requested by the assembly, preached from Phil. iii. 16. In his sermon he enumerated the principal causes of dissensions among christians, and stated the beneficial effects of the synod. With sound argument and much eloquence he persuaded to unity his christian brethren, who now separated under auspicious appearances. The members of the assembly were boarded, and those belonging to Connecticut were brought and returned, at the publick charge.

1637.

However satisfactory might have been the re- SECT. II. sult of the synod to the churches in general, some of the members of First Church were so dissatisfied with it, that, because the success of the synod was mentioned, as one of the causes of gratitude to God, in the autumnal thanksgiving, they absented themselves from the religious exercise. This disrespect to the doings of the assembly was contagious. The hopes of peace, fondly indulged for a time, were found to be illusive. Though Mr. Wheelwright and his party had been confuted in the assembly, yet they persisted in their opinions, and were as busy as ever in nourishing the spirit of ecclesiastical contention.

On 2 November, the general court assembled at Cambridge. They found, that two so opposite parties could not continue in the same body, without putting to hazard the peace, if not the existence of the whole. Former disputes were renewed with all their former virulence; and the fires of party, which had been seemingly quenched, were found only to have been smothered. Mr. Wheelwright, by persisting in his own justification, rendered abortive all previous exertions for establishing a reconciliation. He was accordingly banished the government. He appealed to the king; but he was told and convinced, that an appeal of this sort was nugatory. He of course relinquished it; and the court permitted him to go to his own house, upon promis ing, that he would leave the jurisdiction, within

G

SECT. II. fourteen days. The breach of this promise was to be followed by a surrender of his person to the magistrate.

1637.

It was thought best to pursue a course of energetick policy towards bringing the controversy to a close; and to follow up the severity towards Mr. W. by a similar treatment of his sister. Mrs. Hutchinson was accordingly sent for by the court. She was formally accused of the er rours in sentiment and practice, which have already been described, and the charges were sustained by a host of witnesses. This trial was very extraordinary. Perhaps the ecclesiastical annals of no country can furnish a similar instance.

On her entering the court, she was addressed by governour Winthrop in a strain of uncommon solemnity. "Mrs. Hutchinson," says he, "you are called here,as one of those, who have troubled the peace of the commonwealth and of the churches. You are known to be a woman, who have had a great share in divulging and promoting those opinions, which cause our present troubles, and to be nearly joined not only in affinity and affection with some, whom the court have noticed and censured, but you have spoken divers things injurious to the honour of these churches and their ministers. You have also maintained a meeting in your house, which has been condemned by the general court, as a thing not comely in the sight of God, nor suitable to your sex; and, notwithstanding it was condemn

* P. 28.

ed in the opinion of all sober and judicious per- SECT. II. sons, you have continued the same. We have 1637. therefore thought it good to send for you, to understand how things are, that, if you are in an erroneous way, we may reduce you, that so you may become an exemplary and profitable christian among us. Otherwise, if you shall be obstinate

in

your errours, the court will take such a course, as to prevent your giving us further trouble. I therefore entreat you to say explicitly, whether you hold and assent to those opinions and factions, which have already been handled in court."

Whilst the governour was making this speech, and during some time of her first appearance before the court, she was modest and reserved; but her judges entreated her to be open, and insisted upon an honest confession of her secret sentiments, respecting the merit and manner of preaching common among the ministers. She still seemed unwilling fully to reveal her mind. They began to question her, and she to answer them. As much as two days was she before the governour and assistants, perplexed and irritated by their queries. Sometimes indeed she answered with too much pertness and pride; but, for the most part, she referred her accusers and judges to the scriptures, whose authority they all acknowledged, and whose words, it must be confessed, as urged by the woman, often caused them some little confusion. Mr. Cotton was implicated in the examination, and by the mildness of his manner, and his nice discriminations con

1637.

SECT. II. tributed to increase the embarrassment of the court. At length it was voted to banish Mrs. H. from the jurisdiction, as a woman unfit for their society, and to imprison her, until the execution of the sentence.

In reflecting upon the course of behaviour pursued in regard to this affair, we can hardly help dropping a tear of compassion over the intolerance of the age, and the hardship attending the case of this female fanatick. It is true, there was plenary evidence, that she possessed an unquiet, bold, and turbulent spirit, and was full of enthusiasm; yet it is easy to see, that the whole controversy originated in too strict an adherence to the words of the scriptures, without regarding their connexion and spirit, and in a strong attachment to an unbending discipline.

The errour was not invisible to several members of First Church. Though they too much favoured the extravagant fancies of Mrs. H. yet it was not solely on that account, that they espoused her cause. They thought, that a spirit of unjustifiable persecution had been indulged, and they were determined to resent it. Their ill-will accordingly manifested itself against the govermour. They were desirous, that the ministers should call him before them to answer for the part, he had acted in the affair. Advertised of their wishes, he exculpated himself to the congregation. He told them, that if he were arraigned, he should advise with the elders concerning the power of the church to interfere in civil concerns. He