THE Danger of Tolerating LEVELLERS In a Civill State OR An Historicall Narration of the dangerous pernicious practices and opinions wherewith SAMVEL GORTON and his Levelling Accomplices so much disturbed and molested the severall Plantations in NEW-ENGLAND Parallel to the positions and proceedings of the present Levellers in OLD-ENGLAND Wherein their severall Errors dangerous and very destructive to the peace both of Church and State their cariage and reviling language against Magistracy and all Civill power and their blasphemous speeches against the holy things of God TOGETHER With the Course that was there taken for suppressing them are fully set forth With a Satisfactory Answer to their Complaints made to the PARLIAMENT By Edw. Winslow of Plymouth in New-England London Printed by Rich. Cotes for Iohn Bellamy at the three Golden Lions in Corn-hill neare the Royall Exchange 1649. The Contents THe Magistrates proceedings at Boston in New-England against Samuel Gorton and his Accomplices pag. 1. The first Letter of Samuel Gorton and his Accomplices to the Magistrates of Boston in New-England p. 9. The second Letter of Samuel Gorton and his Accomplices to the Magistrates of Boston in New-England p. 28. Certain observations collected out of both their Letters containing their reproachfull Speeches of the government and Magistrates of the Massachusets p. 38. Their reviling language against Magistracy it self and all Civill power p. 43. Their blasphemous speeches against the holy things of God p. 47. The sum of the presentment of Samuel Gorton at Portsmouth in Roade Island by the grand Iury. p. 54. Mr. Roger Williams his Letter unto Mr. Winthrop concerning Samuel Gorton p. 55. A Letter from the Inhabitants of Providence against Gorton and his Accomplices p. 56. The true Cause of Gortons sufferings in New-England p. 66. The ground of a War like to ensue p. 71. Gortons abuse of Mr. Cotton and Mr. Ward answered p. 76. A false Glosse of State service discovered p. 80. Gorton Preached against Magistracie and yet accepts it in his own person p. 83. The ground or Cause of our first planting in New-England p. 88. The Church at Leyden and the Churches in new-New-England hold Communion with the Reformed Churches p. 93. New-Englands practice toward them that differ from them in Religion p. 100. A TRVE RELATION OF THE Proceedings of the Governour and Company of the Massachusets in New England against Samuel Gorton and his Accomplices with the grounds and reasons thereof examined and allowed by their Generall Court holden at Boston in November 1646. SAMVEL GORTON lived sometime at Plymouth where his behaviour was so turbulent and offensive both to the Magistrates and others as they were necessitated to drive him out of their Jurisdiction From thence hee went to Roade-Island where hee began to raise sedition and to make a party against the Authority there for which hee was apprehended and whipped and so sent away From thence with some others whom hee had gathered to his part â—ee removed to Providence where Mr. Roger Williams then lived Hee with some others opposed his sitting down there as an Inhabitant onely in regard of his present distresse they gave way for his abode for a time But being once housed hee soon drew so great a party to him as it was beyond the power of Mr. Williams and his party to drive them out or to rule them there so as both parties came armed into the field each against other and had fought it out had not Mr. Williams used meanes for pacification Hereupon many of the chiefe of Providence sent messengers with a Letter to the Governour and Councell of the Massachusets desiring aide against Gorton and his company but they were answered that not being within our Jurisdiction nor consederation we had no ground to interpose in their quarrells Soone after some of those men tendred themselves and their lands to come under our Government and were received There live neere to Providence two small Indian Sachims called Pumham and Socononoco who though they are as free as the great Sachim oâ— the Nanohigganset Yet Myantonimo the then Sachim of of Nanoligganset being a very proud and sterne man kept them in great awe This poore Sachim Pumham had a large parcell of land neer Providence very convenient for plantation which Gorton and his company being now about 13 or 14. taking notice of and fearing they should not be able to keep their power long where they were dealt with Myantonimo for this parcell of land promising him a good parcell of Wampam for it And because they knew that Pamham was the true owner of it they dealt with him also but he refusing to sell it for hee dwelt upon it or very neare to it they caused Myantonimo to send for him and having drawn a Writing purporting the sale thereof for a certaine consideration to bee given to both of them Myantonimo signed it and hee for feare of Myantonimo set his mark to it also not knowing what it was But when Gorton tendred him the consideration for it hee utterly refused it it being the Indians manner not to account any thing sold till the party have received the thing it is sold for But upon this colourable title Gorton and his company enter upon the land and build some houses and withall much wrong the Indians with their cattle and having Myantonimo their friend behave themselves very insolently toward the poor Indians who having no friends or meanes to relieve themselves came and tendred themselves and their lands to the government of the Massachusets who by order of the Court gave notice thereof to Myantonimo and appointed him to come or send to the next Court at Boston to shew his title or interest if hee had any to the said Pumham and Soconoâ—oco or their lands At the time appointed hee came and pretended that they were his vassalls but it appeared clearly both by a wâ—lting from Mr. Williams and the testimony of some other English in those parts and of divers other Indians no way related to them that they were free Sachims so as Myantonimo having nothing to reply the Court received the two Indian Sachims with their subjects and lands under the government and protection of the Massachusetts and upon that writ to our neighbours of Providence intimating the same to them and advising Gorton and his company that if they had any just title to the lands they possessed they should come or send some for them to shew the same to the Court and offered them safe conduct This letter from the Court they tooke in great disdaine and returned scornfull and menacing answers by word of mouth and a good time after they wrote a letter to the Court full of reproach and blasphemies not onely against the Magistrates but against the Churches and Ordinances as by the Copy thereof hereafter following will appeare Notwithstanding these provocations and daily wrongs offered to those few English their neighbours who had formerly submitted themselves to our Government wee sate still
Secondly they that went should freely offer themselves Thirdly if the major part went the Pastor to goe with them if not the Elder onely Fourthly if the Lord should srowne 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. Brewsâ—er 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 â—â—ood 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 onely going aboard the Ship lying to the Key and ready to set sayle the winde being faire wee gave them a vâ—lley 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 Cod 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 Harbouâ— 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 himâ— 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 offerâ— 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 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 â—ver to us upon notice of Gods blessing upon us whereas 't is falsly said they tooke Plimouth for their president as fast as they came 'T is true I conâ—esse that some of the chiefe of them advised with us comming over to be freed from the burthen some 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 〈◊〉 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 onely 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 onely worthy to be â—ollowed 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 patternesit to bâ—e 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-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 onely pattern which the Churches of Christ in new-New-England have in their eye not following Luther Calvin Knoxe Aiâ—worth 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 Bromnists rigid Separatists c. having Mr. Robinson for their Pastor who-made and to the last prosessed separation from other the Churches of Christ c. And the rest of the Churches in new-New-England holding communion with that Church are to bee reputed such as they are For anâ—were to this aspersion First he that knew Mr. Robinson either by his Doctâ—ine 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-New-England at their departure and afterward might easily resolve the doubt and take off the aspersion For his Doctrine â— 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 onely 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 Assamblies yea hee allowed private communion not onely with them but all that were faithfull in Christ Jesus in the Kingdome and else where 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 onely continue English but have and maintain such sweet communion with the godly of that Nation as through Gods great mercy we enjoy this day 'T is 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 schiâ—â—â— 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 Câ—urch 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 onely 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 Eccleâ—iasticall and Civill so may they joyn together in the preservation of them which otherwise 't is to be â—eared 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 he 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 for beare to write of it and onely 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 seaâ—s 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 Iohn Ienny a Brewer long did his wife and family c. and without any offence to the Church So also for any that had occasion to travel 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 onely 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-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 Duâ—ch Church at Leyden is admitted into Church-fellowship at Plymouth in new-New-England and his children also to Baptism as wel as our own and other Dâ—etch also in communion at Salem c. And for the French Churches thâ—â— we held and do hold communion with them take notice of our
and still are from separation from the Churches of Christ especially those that are Reformed 'T is 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 wedesire 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-New-England have with the manifestation of their faith and profession of holiness 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 â—orth 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 notbe 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 nor the Presbyterian Government which differeth so little from us To which I answer our practise witnesseth the contrary For 't is well knowne that Mr. Parker and Mr. Noyce who are Ministers of the Church at Nâ—wberry 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 'T is 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 baptize 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 onely 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 Iune 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 't is 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 affimatively 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 of 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 〈◊〉 some other principle But it will not bee objected though you deale thus with the Presbyterian way yet you have a severe law against Anaâ—aptists yea one was whipt at Massachusets for his Religion and your law banisheth them Answ. 'T is true the Massachusets Governement 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 'T is 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 't is 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
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 bee 〈◊〉 darknessâ— That the Ministery of the Apostles was and should be removel 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 Nâ—rcissus-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-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-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 fastiâ—g and prayer whose gracious presence we not onely 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 'T is true that that poor persecuted flock of Christ by the malice and power of the late Hieraâ—chy were 〈◊〉 Lâ—yden in Holland there to beare witnesse in their 〈◊〉 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. Iohn Robinson of late memory and our grave Elder Mr. William Brewster now both at rest with the Lord considering sidering 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 our of their Christian care of the flock of Christ committed to them conceived if Godwould 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 subâ—â—iet and enjoy the like liberties with us being freed from Antichristian bondage keep their names and Nation and not onely 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 theâ— 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 along with 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 Iames 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 prosits might arise in the part wee intended for our eye was upon the most Northern parts of Virginia 't was answered Fishing To which hee replyed with his ordinary asseveration So God have my Soule 't is an honest Trade 't was the Aposties owne calling c. But afterwards he told Sir Robert Naâ—â—ton 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 wâ—o 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 slay viz. the youngest and strongest part to goe
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 holds communion with the Church at Plymouth as she came from the French to this day be vertue of communion of Churches There is also one Philip Delanoy born of French parents came to us from Lâ—yden 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 Dâ—xburrow 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-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 〈◊〉 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 â—and our participation in that Ordinance To which our Pastor answered in these very words or to this effect Reverend Sir you may not onely stay to behold us but parâ—k 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 hee could comfortable 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 onely a spectator of us These things I was earnestly requested to publish to the world by some of thè 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 Preacher 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 gavâ— that part of the Church whereof he was pastor at their departure from him to begin the great worke of Plantation in new-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 them 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 saith 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 so lâ—tely cut of suâ—h 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-New-England but formerly at Leyden in Holland was and is how far they were