1652. could scarcely happen, that a career of life so SECT. I. honourably begun should be otherwise, than gloriously finished. A mind bursting with generous efforts for the welfare of society soon regained its tranquillity; and his affectionate heart received the consolation, he wished, in the gratitude, the confidence, and the improvement of his friends. The clouds, which obscured his descending sun, like a storm of thunder in June, gave way to a mild and peaceful radiance; and the glories of his departing day had all the majesty of full orbed virtue. He died, 23 Dec. 1652, at the age of sixty-seven, universally and deeply lamented. Both governours and governed bewailed the loss of a man, who, if he loved the rewards of religion, had a still greater love for religion itself, and who, if he loved the possession of power, was disposed to use it for the security of just men and the triumphs of truth. He carried with him to the tomb the unutterable regrets of his friends ; and every individual of an afflicted community was ready to adopt the words of Elisha, when he beheld the ascending prophet, My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof." 66 List of Rev. John Cotton's works. 1. The way of life, in four treatises. Lond. 1641. pp. 481. 4to. 2. Christ the fountain of life. Lon. 1651. pp. 256. 4to. SECT. II. 1652. 4. Pouring out of the seven vials. Lon. 1645. 4to. 5. The church's resurrection. Lon. 1642. pp. 30. 4to. 6. The way of the churches in N. E. Lon. 1645. pp. 116. 4to. 7. Holiness of church members. Lon. 1650. pp. 95. 4to. 8. Abstract of laws and government. (posth.) Lon. 1655. pp. 35. 4to. 9. Keys of the kingdom of heaven. Lon. 1644. pp. 59. 2d ed. 4to. 10. Exposition on the xiii. chap. of Rev. Lon. 1655. 4to. 11. Milk for babes. 12. Sermon on 1 John. folio. 13. Expositions on Ecclesiastes and Cant. 165. 12mo. 15. Answer to Mr. Ball concerning forms, &c. 16. Discourse on grounds and ends of infant baptism. 17. Discourse on singing of psalms. 18. Discourse on things indifferent. 20. Answer to Mr. Bayley. SECTION III. From the death of Mr. Cotton, 1658, to the settlement of Mr. THE four years, which elapsed between the death The death of Hon. Thomas Dudley, many years lieut. governour, and afterwards for three several years, governour of Massachusetts, happened on 31 July, 1653. He was born at Northampton, England, in 1574. He had been an ardent, active, and useful member of the church, seeking its prosperity with an enlightened and steady zeal. His excessive bitterness against sectaries had been unpardonable in any other, than an age, when the principles of civil and religious liberty were imperfectly understood. He had been conversant with martial as well, as civil life, had filled a variety of offices, and all of them with dignity to himself and usefulness to the publick. The dispute, into which he was led with governour SECT. III. 1652. 1653. 1654. SECT. III. Winthrop, in 1631, strikingly displayed the piety and gentleness of both. The governour had raised in Mr. Dudley a belief, that Cambridge would be the seat of government, and, on the foot of that expectation, he there planted himself and family. Boston however became the capital; and Dudley demanded satisfaction of Winthrop for the disappointment and expense, he had sustained. The matter was referred to the ministers, who decreed that the governour should procure them a minister at Cambridge, and contribute to his subsistence; or, failing in this measure, should give the deputy 201. towards defraying the cost of his building. The alternative was chosen; but, on paying the stipulated sum, the deputy generously refused its acceptance; and the affair was terminated with mutual professions of esteem and confidence. 1655. 1656. Ecclesiastical concerns were not now the sub. ject of much conversation; for the state was busily employed in protecting herself against her enemies. In the year 1655, according to the historians of that day, Mrs. Anne Hibbins was tried and condemned for a witch, and executed in the following year. There is however no notice of this fact in First Church records. On the extinction of so splendid a luminary, as that of Cotton, it became necessary, in the estimation of the church, to kindle in its place another light. Rev. John Norton of Ipswich, then distinguished for his literary and theological at 1655. tainments, was mentioned, as a suitable candidate ; SECT. III. and, it was said, had been nominated by Mr. Cotton himself in his last hours. This gentleman soon came to Boston, and resided here awhile, executing the duties of a minister; but he occasion. ally visited Ipswich, and, on the death of Mr. Rogers, in 1655, the tradition is, that he was almost persuaded to return to the people of that place. On 29 Nov. 1655, a church meeting was holden at the house of the pastor, in which it was voted to give Mr. Norton 200l. towards the purchase of a house, on the supposition that he becomes the teacher of the church. Numerous obstacles impeded the union. After the lapse of nearly four years, the sitting of several ecclesiastical councils, and the decision of the governour and magistrates in favour of his removal, he and his wife were admitted members of First Church, 6 July, 1656; and his installation took place, on the 23d of the same month. From the commencement of the year 1653 to the end of 1656, there had been two hundred and ten children baptized, one hundred and twentythree of whom were males. Twenty-four persons, during the same period, were admitted to communion, seventeen of whom were women. Three men and as many women had been dismissed, at their own desire, to other churches; one male admonished for keeping evil company; three males excommunicated for the sins of drunkenness and adultery; and one male, acknowledging the sin M 1656. |