borne of the Virgin it may be done in few words but to lay out the nature benefit and glory of it no smalspeech or time can serve to expresse and therefore desired in word as before he had manifested his mind unto them so he might give that present answer which God gave unto him in this point also but they told him it must be done in writing and so commanded the Goâ—ler to convey him to an other room to dispatch the same but as he was going out from them they called unto him and told him he should have the liberty of halfe an hours time to performe iâ— in when he was come into an other room pen inke and paper being brought unto him as he was going to write word was sent from the Court that if it was brought in on the second day in the morning it should suffice for the Court considering of it that many of them had farre home and it being the day of Preparation for the Sabbath for it was now Saturday in the afternoon and they thought not fit to sit any longer so Gorton was conveyed againe into the Prison to the rest of his friends who continued cheerfully together all the Sabbath day as they had done before in the Prison only some part of those dayes they brought us forth unto their Congregations to hear their Sermons of occido and occidio which was ment not to be digested but only by the heart or stomacke of an Ostrich But upon the Munday morning Gorton tooke pen and inke and writ in answer to every one of the four questions given unto him as here followeth This is a true Copie of answers given to the Court of the Massachusets to the four questions which they required to be answered in writing upon life and death in case of Blasphemy which we were charged with and sentence so farre passed as to take away our lives by the sword in case of not disclayming of our Religion or erroneous opinions as they were pleased to call them the answers are truly set down verbatim TO the first question we answer affirmatively only assuming the lâ—berty of our explanation namely The Fathers who dyed before Christ was borne of the Virgin Mary were justified and saved only by the blood which he shed and the death which he suffered in and after his Incarnation that is on this wise that the guilt and stain of man is not but with respect unto the holy word of God the disobedience whereof by eating the forbidden fruit breeds an infinit distance between God and his owne worke without the least defect or blame to be found or imputed unto the Word of God but the sole defect and blame is in the creature even in man himselfe yet could he in no case be so miserable but with respect unto the holy Word even so the justification and salvation of the Fathers was by the holy word of God not but with respect and relation unto the seed of Abraham and the Son of David conceived and borne of the Virgin Mary in whom they were justified and saved and yet no vertue nor power arising out of any thing that is humane mâ—n therefore is a sinner of infinit guilt with respect unto that word which was before all time and no fault to be found in the Word at all the word of God is a Saviour of infinit value with respect unto the seed of the Virgin Mary borne suffering dying and rising againe in the fulnesse of time and yet no vertue in that seed at all unto whom all the Prophets bear witnesse having an eye unto him in all their holy Writings and the faith of the Fathers comprehending Christ both in the one and in the other respect were justified and saved by him alone his death being reall and actuall unto faith God having the same coexistance with the creature in all ages though the creature cannot have the same with him but in time To the second Question depending upon or rather involved in the former we answer Mans rejection of the Word of God being his sinne and separation from God is the only forfeiture of himselfe which could not be but with respect unto the word of eternity even so Gods Righteousnesse revealed by taking man into unitie with himselfe is the only price of our Redemption with respect unto the death of Christ upon the Crosse with the rest of his sufferings and obedience from the time of his Incarnation in the womb of the Virgin Mary to his ascention into Heaven without which there is no price of our Redemption To the third Question who we thinke that God is that men serve that are not of the faith above said we answer that all mens hearts are awed by the true God to bow in worship therefore when the Apostle looking upon the inscription upon the Altar at Athens it is said he beheld their devotion or as the word is the God which they worshipped though ignorantly yet it was he only that he declared unto them So the Apostle Iames thou beleevest that there is one God thou doest well the Devils also beleeve and tremble The fourth Question therfore is the explanation of the third namely what we mean by Molech and the Star of that God Remphan to which we answer that the Scripture alluded unto * makes difference between those Gain-sayers of the Fathers which fell in the Wildernesse and those of the true seed that gave faithfull Testimony unto the Oracle of God the Rebels of the sons of Levy would not take up nor beare the Arke of God as their duty was nor give the light and lustre of a Star in the Tabernacle when it was pitched for the seven Stars are the seven Angels But as they had the power of a worldly Ruler or Governour to defend them in their worke and to subdue all that were not of their mind under them therefore they tooke up the Tabernacle of Molech or bore the Booth of the King and gave the light of Remphan alluding unto Rapha who in Davids dayes had four sonnes were mighty Gyants warring only by the strength of the Arme of flesh so that they would not give Testimony unto the holy way of God but as they had a King set over them besides Moses to defend them when as a greater then Moses was there And in this they turned backe in their hearts unto Aegypt looking unto the way of Pharaoh that would subdue all that were not of his own way and be a defence unto his wise men in what ever they wrought but the faithfull seed of Abraham had the Tabernacle of witnesse or witnessed unto the Tabernacle even in the Wildernesse where there was no worldly Governour to defend them but all came out against them Ammon and Amaleck Balack Ogg and Sihon and the rest in the which condition Stephen perceived himselfe when he witnessed unto the word of truth in alleadging that place of the Prophet * Samuel Gorton
SIMPLICITIES DEFENCE against SEVEN-HEADED POLICY OR Innocency Vindicated being unjustly Accused and sorely Censured by that Seven-headed Church-Government United in NEW-ENGLAND OR That Servant so Imperious in his Masters Absence Revived and now thus re-acting in NEVV-ENGLAND OR The combate of the United Colonies not onely against some of the Natives and Subjects but against the Authority also of the Kingdme of England with their execution of Laws in the name and Authority of the servant or of themselves and not in the Name and Authority of the Lord or fountain of the Government Wherein is declared an Act of a great people and Country of the Indians in those parts both Princes and People unanimously in their voluntary Submission and Subjection unto the Protection and Government of Old England from the Fame they hear thereof together with the true manner and forme of it as it appears under their own hands and seals being stirred up and provoked thereto by the Combate and courses above-said Throughout which Treatise is secretly intermingled that great Opposition which is in the goings forth of those two grand Spirits that are and ever have been extant in the World through the sons of men from the beginning and foundation thereof Jmprimatur Aug. 3d. 1646. Diligently perused approved and Licensed to the Presse according to Order by publike Authority LONDON Printed by John Macock and are to be sold by LUKE FAVVNE at his shop in Pauls Church-yard at the sign of the Parrot 1646. Vpon an occasionall view of this unexpected and much unwished for Story THis Story 's strange but altogether true Old Englands Saints are banisht out of New Oh Monstrous Art and cunning of the Devill What hidden paths he goes to spread his evill The Man of Sin 's the same his eldest Son Both have more shapes then be moats in the Sun Hence disappointed are the most of men When trouble 's past some thinke they rise agen Thus it befell these Pilgrims in that Land To which they fled from persecutions hand This Indians note with Papists Iews and Turks For in them all the selfe same spirit works Thus is the Name of Christ blaspem'd by these Who burthen them to whom they promise ease Oh Christ arise and spread thy glorious fame That all may know the sweetnesse of thy Name Asâ— Affric Europe and America Expect and waite the dawnings of that day That Papists Greeks and we the Protestants Of Calvins Sect those too the Lutherans And they that are a streine above them all At Iesus feet at length may humbly fall That so such Christs which most in fancy make Whence 'tis Men think that Christendome doth shake May at th' appearing of the Lord depart And all may worship him ev'n with one heart That so the Nations may this glory see And into it at length transformed be This to effect can't be by sword of man But that which to with-stand no Kingdomes can For t is the Lords owne might the sword that doth Ev'n with two edges flow out of Gods mouth By which are slaine the wicked of each Land And will sure breake each Persecutors band Then England and Yee Nations round about That are now so lofty and so stout At length downe fall to him that 's Lord of you And learne with him like meeknesse for to show If you with iron Rods Saints breake and bruise Know then your selves that Christ you so will use R. B. A Lover of peace and one of eminent respect viewing this Treatise at the Presse kindly added this verse prefixed which hath both sodainly and unexpectedly drawn from my thoughts as here followeth as a testimony of my kind respects unto the party though but a stranger unto him it may also serve as an intelligencer what was the only ground of controversie in acting according unto and publishing of this Treatise THe serpent with a voyce so slie and fine Consults with nature as though he were divine Whil'st she doth seek for glory wealth and love In things that are below and not in that above Lending an ear to listen unto him The fruit looks fair the tree seems nothing grim And thence doth he at first begin t' arise Through earthly projects for to make man wise Whereas the light of heaven GOD himself ordain'd To be that thing whereby man is maintain'd In wisdom honor happiness and peace That doth from serpent sin death hell release And not conjectural doubtful subtil notion Set forth by art with sign of great devotion Come from the Prelates your persecuting foes Our Church as Primitive Christ Jesus doth disclose Her Ordinances pure a Church erected here Where you may worship voyd of care or fear Our Land is large Our Magistracy good Come o're to save that innocent-like blood From such as are to cruelty so bent Our ways are meek and humble to give all content Thus he appears apparrelled in white To snare in that wherein he takes delight An earthly Kingdom he would fain erect Then spiritual honor he must needs reject That when that woman appeareth in her glory With him in womb of whom intreats all story Then 's he a dragon red for to devour That child to whom is given all the power In heaven and in earth to rule as King and Lord. None to the serpent no heaven cannot afford A place of residence he must thence depart Down to the earth full sore against his heart That he a place cannot devise to frame Which from the heavens may seem to take its fame Cruel Raging Carnal now he cometh forth His slie and subtil wisdom now proves nothing worth This woman now in travel finds not time To listen unto him nought but the child is mine Which child in her can nothing else confesse But Throne of glory and bare Wildernesse Which twain together give all praise to one Then fury 's in the Serpent smooth policy is gone No middle place for Sathan now is found Not one with th' manehild down he goes to ground His cunning cannot now intice so far But Michael and his Angels wil make War With Dragon and with all his Angels great Yea overcome him never sound retreat Most of his skil he useth he knows how To talk of benefits to receive although not now And so from place and person still delights to wend Where 's outward peace there 's Christ doth he pretend And if so be that troubles do arise Himself he saves the serpent is so wise No tye to fold nor flock he then wil know Christ in an earthly peace he 'l have where e're he go Whereas our Lord his voyce doth sometimes teach Go to Decapolis and there thou shalt me preach Unto ten Cities great the number bee My Word shal reach them and I am with thee For I am truth and truth thou goest to show Which makes thee free my presence thou dost know No place can scant thee off then walke at large Doubt not I 'm
compulsive contraction artificiall and self-seeking conjecturall reformation sets her self up as a Queen and thinks never to see widdow-hood or sorrow any more if she can but with all her art and learning keep the Magistrates conscience in bonds to use all his power and civil policie for her wealth to get riches and honour to Lord it over mens consciences and peace that she may sit in safety and at rest to inlarge her barns and take her pleasure in the things of this life never dreaming that even in that night of grosse darknesse her soul shall be snatched away from her and then whose shall all those things be whereof she hath framed such a service of God to her self that must all leave her at death even such as for the most part if not all by her own acknowledgement fail and never passe along with her into the Kingdom and then must she either have a new God or else find out a new way of submission unto him whom she hath seemed so zealously to serve such is that spirit of the mystery of iniquity the goings forth wherof hath forced this Treatise to come to the light and view of the world as a warning to all Christians to take heed of being beguiled by a voluntary humility in worshipping of Angels messengers or ministers who labour to make men subject to the rudiments of the world in outward observations as touch not tast not handle not rearing up a fabrick of ordinances in Divine worship of such things which all perish in the use Neglecting the body which is Christ by satisfying of the wisdom of the flesh in these things through which the Spirit of the Serpent multiplies it self into that threefold spirit which comes out of the mouth of the Dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false Prophet imitating that Kingly Priestly and Propheticall spirit that is by Iesus Christ beguiling the world with its uncleannesse in adulterating the word of God by bringing it into carnall copulation with earthly transitory momentany fading and vanishing things wo is unto them because thereof who like unto frogs will never appear hold up their heads nor utter a voyce but where the heat and lustre of the Civil Magistrate brings forth a pleasant fruitfull and prosperous estate and condition in the things that onely concern this present life Again if thou look narrowly into this Treatise there is a possibility to perceive in it some glimpse of the light of that spirit that openeth and unfoldeth the mystery of God especially when it taketh up any Scriptures look diligently upon what hinge it turneth and you shall see a doore open another way yea a nearer shorter cut to the Kingdom of God then the common ministery of this world driveth at and think it not strange if Iesus appeare in such places and at such time where and when the doores are not onely shut but fast bolted unto the world as a thing impossible that his real and substantiall though spirituall body should come in such a way and so unlooked for being that in Sodom and Egypt our Lord is crucified and put to death yet let me advise thee as once our Lord did handle them carefully and skilfully ponder poise and feel the weight of them taste try and consider whether the reality and substantiality of Christ be not there sure I am that if the ministerie or service of a Christian spirit lay hands on them and put it self into them even as a graft is put into the stock it shall find a plain proof argument and demonstration undenyable of the apparition revelation of the Son of God returned from death to life never to die any more unto whom I leave thee in the communication of whose Resurrection the second death can never exercise power with my harty wishes for al those that have learned the truth as it is in Jesus know that elsewhere no truth that is Christian can be found for that only abideth for ever and is eternized in all the lineaments and whole proportion of it and happy is be that hath so learned Christ Amen S. G. Innocencies Defence against a seven-headed CHVRCH-GOVERNMENT United in NEW-ENGLAND THe moderation of New Englands Justice desired to be known to all men and what is the principall things pretended in the Execution thereof namely To suppresse Hereticks and to confirm that to be truth which the Unity of the most Colonies hold plainly declaring and setting forth to the view of all What is the proper bent and drift of that spirit that diggs so deep to hide its sin in secret which so affecteth to assume titles unto it self also to give at their pleasure unto others to make themselves appear in the eyes of men more holy and honourable in the things of God then others of their Brethren commonly crying out against that power exercised amongst others for no other end but to assume it unto themselves to cloth the dictates of that spirit therewith whereby themselves are led and so to exercise it with all zeal and wrath in the life spirit and substance of it only with another face or countenance set upon it to deceive and beguile the simple Not being able to indure the aire where Cap Tippit or upper Shirt appeareth but can bath themselves in blood and feed themselves fat by devouring the good name estates and lives of their brethren who neither do nor think harme unto them nor reside within the compasse of any of their Jurisdictions evidently proved by a late assault given by the men of the Massachusets and other Colonies united for such a purpose upon others of their Countrymen Inhabitants of a tract of land called Shaw-omet situate in the Nanhyganset Bay in New-England The truth whereof this Treatise witnesseth and the substance of all is to be seen under their own hand writing as also in the writings of others who were eye and ear-witnesses in the Cause and have testified under their hands the truth of it Here followeth a Narration of the men of Shaw-omet concerning the ground of transplanting of themselves and families and of their first entrance into that part of America now called New-England WHereas we removed our selves and families out of our native Country about ten or twelve years ago by the leave of this State only to injoy the liberty of our consciences in respect of our faith towards God and for no other end not scrupling any Civill Ordinance for the education ordering or government of any Civil State Landing by the providence of God at Boston in the Massachusets Bay we found our Countrymen at great varianee in point of Religion prosecuting it very hotly in their publique Courts unto fines and banishments occasioning men thereby much to vent and bring forth themselves and we understanding that they had formerly banished one Master Roger Williams a man of good report both for life and doctrine even amongst
of â—attle which they took from us was foure-score head or thereabouts besides Swine and Goats which they and the Indians lived upon during the time of their siege also breaking violently into our houses taking away our corne with other provisions provided for our Families to live upon Here followeth an other Testimony of divers of the men of Providence given under their hands set downe here verbatim for the clearing of these matters which writing is extant Providence this present Ianuary the 30.th 1644. We whose names are here under written Inhabitants of the town of Providence in the Nanhyganset Bay in New-England being requested by Samuel Gorton Randal Houlden John Wickes and John Warner with divers others of our countrey men to testifie what we know concerning their late sufferings from the Bay of the Massachusets we take our selves bound in conscience to answer their request and in a word of truth impartially to witnesse FIrst that our Countrey-men aforesaid were peaceably possessed of a Plantation at Shaw-omet amongst the Natives some ten or a dozen miles beyond this Towne of Providence Secondly that the Bay of Massachusets sent up through this Towne of Providence one Captain Cooke and his company in warlike manner who actually assaulted and besieged our foresaid Countrey-men who stood upon their own defence Thirdly that the wives and children of our fore-said Countrey-men upon these hostile courses were affrighted and scattered in great extremities and divers since are dead Fourthly the said Captaine Cooke and his company carried captive our fore-said Countrey-men through this Towne of Providence to the Bay of Massachusets Fifthly Their goods cattle houses and plantations were seized upon by the fore-said Captain and his company their cattle were part killed by the souldiers and the rest by Agents from the Bay disposed of and driven away to the said Bay of Massachusets Richard Scot. William Harris William Field Stutley Wastcote Hugh Bewit Thomas Harris William Barrowes Ioshua Winssor Iohn Field Thomas Angel William Reighnalds Adam Goodwin Now as we passed along on the way to the Massachusets which was about three-score or three-score and ten miles in the common account of men from our Plantation at Shaw-omet after they were come into the Townes within their own jurisdictions in some Townes their Minister which the souldiers brought along with them against us gathered the people together in the open street went to prayers that the people might take notice what they had done was done in a holy manner and in the name of the Lord and when they came to Dorchester there being many people gathered together with divers of their Ministers as Master Cotton and Master Mather c. there they placed us at their pleasure as they thought fit to have us stand and made vollies of shot over our heads in signe of victory z and when we were come to Boston and brought before the Governours doore the souldiers placing themselves and us as they thought fit and orderly the Governour comming forth walking throughout all the company of souldiers blessed them the word which he used as he still passed along was this God blesse you and prosper you God blesse and prosper you when this was done we were brought into the Governors Hall before the Governor Mr. Iohn Winthrope unto whom we complained how the Captain had used us contrary to our Articles but he told us what ever the Captain might expresse unto us his intent was to have us as captives and their captives now we were and unto the common Goale we must goe without either Baile or Mainprize where we continued untill the Court sate and the Countrey comming in on every side to understand the cause why they had so proceeded against us and they labouring to give the countrey satisfaction rehearsed in the ears of the people divers grosse opinions which they had compiled together out of our writing which we abhorred As that we should deny the humane nature of Christ which they gathered from this that we professed his death to be effectuall to the Fathers before the time of his incarnation in the wombe of the Virgin also that we denyed all the Churches of Jesus Christ because we could not joyne with them in that way of Church order which they had established amongst them Againe that we denyed all the holy Ordinances of Christ because we could not joyn with them in their way of administration as also that we denyed all civill Magistracie because we could not yeeld to their authority to be exercised in those parts where we lived that place being above foure and twenty miles out of their bounds which we should not once have questioned if we had beene within the compasse of their jurisdictions as it well appeared by our carriage all the time we were amongst them as also by our sundry appeals unto this state which have been denyed unto us yea and since that great favour granted and given unto that people of Providence plantations in a late Charter of civill government from this State our humble respects unto al such authority hath been made manifest to all men not only in our unanimous and joyfull imbracing of it but also some of us by the generall vote of the whole Colonie have been chosen into the place of Judicature for the orderly execution of the authority of the Charter yea some of us that are now here present at the publication hereof Now when we desired liberty to speak in the Court to answer to such things as were alleaged and read in the ears of the people such as is above with divers more to the number of about six and twenty all drawn from our writing formerly mentioned in this Treatise we denyed that we either held or had writ any such thing and desired our writing might be read in open Court that it might appear what was in it which was denyed unto us only their charges must appeare by the affirmation of the Bench for no other man nor woman appeared to testifie a word against us and when wee continued to deny the constructions they had given of our writings and abstracted from them denying them to be ours we were commanded silence Master Thomas Dudley one of the Bench standing up charging us to be silent and told us if we were not they would lay irons upon our legs and upon our hands and also upon our necks whereupon the Court for that time was dissolved no man objecting against us in the least in any wrong or injury betwixt man and man neither at that time nor in any time of all our tryall amongst them After which they brought us forth divers times before their Court which then sate more privately in a Chamber the door being kept very carefully that none should enter but only whom they thought fit to permit their Court then consisting of about a dozin Magistrates and about fortie Deputies chosen out of severall Towns as were thought fit and many of their Ministers
knowledge hold themselves bound to revenge the blood of their Prince it being so unlawfully in their eyes taken away nay they are not quiet in themselves unlesse they doe revenge it or else spill their own in their endeavours thereafter in the mean time they are in a continued act of mourning as we know for the space of one whole year and an halfe they mourned continually not only by blacking their faces in token thereof but every day their mourning women morning and evening upon their knees with lamentations and many tears along time together as our selves have been eye-witnesses when we have had occasions amongst them and in houses that were more publick where the wife and children of the diseased Prince were there did a man continue a speech during the time of the womens praying sighing and lamenting with abundance of tears declaring what their losse was in being deprived of such a Sachim and how wrongfully it was done by the enemy as also how they were all of them ingaged to revenge his blood else would it so lie upon their own heads as to bring more miseries and evils upon them Now for this their proceeding against their adversary the Indian that thus deprived them of their Sachim and so wrongfully as they conceive the Massachusets and Plimouth have offered to goe out against the people of the Nanhyganset to cut them off by the sword sending word to Providence Plantations that if they should stand as Neuters and not goe out with them in thâ—â— worke they would make plunder of them So Captain Stanâ—ish sent word in the name of Plymouth now since we camâ— out of those parts unto the men of Providence as wee are credibly informed by Letters from divers hands as also by word of mouth from persons of good note who were in the countrey there present amongst them when these things were done informing us of many passages of the proceedings of the Massachusets and Plymouth both towards the people of Providence Plantations as also the Indians of that countrey of the Nanhygansets only one Letter that concernes the Iâ—dians wee desire to set down â—o give further intelligence tâ— the Reader of these mens dealings who seemed so meelt and so mild in their native countrey Old England in the time of their aboad there as though they could not heave a hâ—nd or wag a tongue against any thing but a Bishops Ceremony that being onely offensive unto them Here followeth a true copie of a letter sâ—nt unto us since our coming from those parts of America called New England WE are all in health at this present and chearfull the greatest want is your company though men generally more invective then ever the Bay had provided an Army to go against the Nanhygansets had they not been prevented in the very interim thus Captain Harding informed the Court of the difficulty of the enterprise upon which the Court employed him Mr. Wylbour to go to Nanhyganset and take Benedick to interpret when they came to Benedick he refused to go without a hundred men in arms onely to possesse them with danger to effect his bloody plot upon whiâ—h Mr. Williams being sent for to Nanhyganset and also my â—ell to inquire of us what the minds of these mad people were to kill men for nothing upon which I went to Providence a thinking to go with Master Williams but when I came there he was gon with the Captaiâ— Master Wylbour upon Benedicks refusall I stayed their return and their agreement was to have Pessecus go into the Bay and Master Williams was necessitated to put himself Hostage till his return this news coming into the Bay did so vex the Ministers that Master Cotton preached upon it that it being so wicked an act to take Master Williams with them being one cast out of the Church It was all one as to ask counsell of a witch and that those that did it were worthy to die upon which Master Wylbour was ready to die for feare he should be hanged so then the Indians went down â—nd they compelled them to cease warres with Unkas and to pay them five hundred pounds for charges of Court and provision for Souldiers and to leave foure of the chief Sachims children till the money be paid and to leave foure of his chief men till the children came and â—â— promise them not to sell any land without their consent this being done they came home again and sent a man â—o â—ell me what was done telling me that if the Lords in England help them not they are like to suffer at present ouâ— still they say they are not afraid of them but onely givâ— them their demands rather then to war before the Lords hear of iâ— that all may see they mean no hurt to English but will submit to the Lawes of England concluding it is but â—ent it will come home with advantage both to their wisdome and profit Pessecus hath been often with me to desire me to inform you of these things with great desire to see you again Thus in haste I rest Your ever loving friend J. W. This 20th of November 1645. Thus have we given a true report and made a faithfull relation as briefly as we could of what passages have fallen out betwixt the people of Providence plantations and the rest of our countreymen inhabiting about them which we have sensibly felâ— and our families are now pressed under laying it unto heart and seriously taking it into conâ—â—deration hath not onely occasioned but necessitated some of uâ— to be here at this present with the consent of many others according to our bouâ—den duty and allegeance to present the truth hereof to this State LONDON the 14th of Iaâ—â—ary 1645. Here cometh a letter to hand was wriâ—ten in thâ— time of our confinement lying in bolts irons in the Massachusets occasioned by one of our wives she hearing doctrine delivered in that part of the countrey where she was dâ—iven with her children questioning the truth of it writ to â—er husband to desire his thoughts of it iâ— was gathered from Mat. 24. 29. â—lluding also to Hob. 12. 26. 27. for the explication of it the substance of the doctrine was that such a time of reformation restauration of the church of God here on eartâ— was coming the glory vvhereof should darken the Sun and Moon cause the stars to fall from heaven that is saith he make the Apostles doctrine order of the Churches in those dayes to appeare as darknes in comparison of that light vvhich should now appeare shewing also that the ministery of the Apostles vvas that vvhich might should be removed that a more excellent glory might be brought in and remain concluding that the ministery of the Apostles was but a ministery of witnessâ— but one should hereafter appeare having the presence and â—â—ality of that which they but onely witnessed and gave testimony unto Here followeth a
immediately after these tribulations or immediately with these tribulations as the word wil also beare that is the preaching of the crosse and thse things are inseparable no marvell therefore that when ever the crosse is preached the champions of that man of sinne come out against it striving to retain their god for â—s it would be to nature in things of this life to see all chief powers and heavenly bodies so shaken as to remove them out of their place for ever the very thoughts whereof are dismal to the mind of man so infinitely more is it to the soul of a man to have the excellencies noble powers and dominions of God removed out of his heart where he placed them in the act of his first creation are so that the exellencies of Christ are ever shaking and ever removing out of their place in the wicked that the heigâ—â— of their torment may ever appear and remain for these things are shaken and removed in them through the wisdom of the Serpent that those things that cannot be shaken namely the wrath and vengeance of God may remain even so it is in the godly their sins and miseries are ever shaking and removing out of their proper place that those things that cannot be shaken namely the grace and righteousnesse of Christ may remaâ—â— for ever therefore the voice oâ— the Gospel shakes both heaveâ— and earth in that place alluded unto in your letter Hebr. 12 â—6 27. alluding both to Mount Sinai and Mount Sion so thâ—â— the word yet once more declares a double removall yea and that of things that are made for man was made in the image of God yet the wisdome of the Serpent removed this image that mans righteousnesse which is nothing but abomination in the sight of God might ever remain So also Christ was made sin but the wisdome of God removed this sin in the very act of his being made so that the righteousnesse of God might remain and abide for ever and then and then onely shall or doth appear the signe or the miracle or wonder of the sonne of man in hâ—aven in those clouds of witnesse or in that cloud of witnesses with power and great glory so as all earthly kindreds shall mourn and wail before him Even so Ameâ— Now the signe or wonder of the Son of man is this that God made him a woâ—ld of life at the fâ—â—st for he breathed into his face the breath of lifes as the word iâ— for the life of all the world was in him and yet thiâ— world of life is become nothing else but a world of death in â—â—e wicked and no life of God found in them at all so is that son of man in the second Adam made a world of sinne and death and yet this world of sinne and death is become a world of righteousnesse and life unto the godly and no sin nor unrighteousnesse of man found in them for never was guile â—ound in his â—outh Even so Amen and this is the signe or miracle of the Son of man which the world knowes not of and therefore â—â—th so many empty conjâ—ctures what it may be thought to be gâ—â—iâ—g up into Heaven after it when as it is come down unto us and they know it not Rom 10. 7. 8. Thus have I given you my thoughts as brief as I could concerning what you propounded unto me and blesse the Lord that you ministred occasion to look into the text However we are set apart as a forlorn people in the eyes of by the world yet doubt I not but our God hath singled us out for other ends and uses who hath put us into the Isle of Pâ—â—mos or among the nation of the dead or deadly as the word signifies to reveal unto us the great mysteries of his Kingdome that we may declare unto those that now be hâ—re how to have their hope in God that it may be told unto our childrens children that noble work that he hath wrought for us in our Lord Christ who is over all God blessed for ever Amen Your loving husband in bonds and yet free Samuel Gorton A Post script DIvers Letters were written to friends in answer to questions and resolution of Scriptureâ— which now are not at hand otherwiâ—e we are very free to publish them to be seen of â—â—l that the wise hearted might iudge of what our spirits and practises rellishâ—d and how they were imployed in the time of our durance amongst these men that were so eagerly minded to make us blasphemers that so they might take away our lives as a part of the glory and beautification of their Religion Only we desire the Readers pâ—ins to take a view of one other Letter in answer to a friend who seemed to be troubled about that Scripture in Iohn 6. 53. verse what the meaning of it might be desiring resolution thereit since we arived in England The words are these Then Iesus said unto them verily verily I say unto you except ye eat the flesh of the sonne of man and drinke his blood ye have no life in you IN these words consider first the occasion of them Secondly the summe of them and thirdly the parts First for the summe it is a divine sentence exclusive of all men from the life and spirit of God save only such as doe eat the flesh of the sonne of man and drinke his blood Secondly the parts of them for order sake are foure First the occasion of this sentence in these words then Jesus said unto them secondly the confirmation of this sentence laid down in these words verily verily thirdly the manner of the sentence contained in these words I say unto you fourthly the sentence it selfe excluding all from the life of God such only excepted as doe eat the flesh of the sonne of man and drinke his blood For the first which is the occasion of this divine sentence that is the reasonings within themselves which the Jewes had in the operations of their naturall hearts upon the delivering of this manner of doctrine unto them even by the sonne of God himselfe implyed in this word Then looking back upon the verse immediatly going before from which Christ takes occasion to utter this sentence whence we observe That the word of God takes occasion to utter and make it selfe manifest even from the naturall reasonings and argumentations framed in mens minds though they are not the cause yet they are the occasion of the manifestation of it even as the truth righteousnesse power and authority that is in God breedeth occasionally feare terrour jealousie and wrath in mens hearts and minds though these excellencies that are in God are no proper cause hereof but onely an occasion without which they would not be For if there were no Iudge the Malefactor would not have terrour even so the very naturall reasonings of mens hearts are the occasions of the manifestation of the word of God in us but no proper cause of
it for the cause is only in God himselfe but without such reasonings and Characteristicall impressions in mans mind the word of God could never have been implanted written or translated in us whereby we come to have the argumentations and conclusions of sonnes of God and not simply or meerly of creatures in our minds being once inlightned by him who is God and the Father of lights where ever it appeareth So that the soule of man is of farre greater sublimitie and naturall excellencie in its creation then any other creature under heaven ever had vouchsafed unto it So that there is an utter impossibility that any creature should receive the impressions of God but man alone This is a large field to walk in for according to the variety of the reasonings of the mind of man by nature which is set forth in all those wayes wherein men have walked and manifested themselves in this present world such it that wonderfull Epistle of Iesus Christ in the various writing and expression of it in the souls hearts and lives of the Saints that are in light through Iesus Christ instance in one for all the spirit of a naturall father reasons thus if my child ask bread to supply nature in the suppressing of hunger I cannot put a stone into his mouth that were cruelty but bread if so be that I have it or can procure it if the child ack fish the father cannot put a serpent into his bosome to bide and sting him but somewhat to cure and refresh him if he have it Now do but change this argument into the way of Christ and let God be the father and my self the child and then is God not man the father the bread heavenly and not from the earth the writing reasoning or argument divine and eternall not humane and temporary and so the reasnings and dictates of our spirits are translated into the arguments and dictates of the Spirit of God and the arguments and dictates of the Spirit of God are translated into a mind and spirit that speaks the very same things naturally in it self though onely in a way of death through its naturall ignorance that now it speaketh in that way of life through that light and knowledge that is in the Lord and thus Christ by sinne condemnes sin in the flesh for by those reasonings wherewith we justifie our selves naturally through that ignorance that naturally is in us by the very same arguments and reasonings we condemn our selves and justifie the Lord through that light and knowledge we have in him by Iesus Christ 2 The second thing to be observed is the certainty of this sentence laid down in the form oâ— an oath verily verily that is so it is or so it shall be as if he should say Amen Amen so it is and so it shall be without alteration or change and in that the word is doubled it is for the certainty of the thing as Ioseph said of Pharaohs dreame and of no lesse certainty is all true exposition and interpretation of holy Scripture whatever men may dream as Pharaoh did and knew not the meaning of it and speak at uncertainties not being resolved whether things may come to passe now or then or fall out to be thus or so in the things of God for the same spirit of truth and certainty that gives the Prophesie Proverbe Parable and advise that records the History or gives sentence divine must also interpret expound and declare the meaning thereof else is the Booke shut and sealed up unto us great folly therefore to conclude of certaintie of Scripture and of no infallibility in the interpretation thereof For no more then we know the truth of an interpretation no more doe we know the truth and certainty of any History Prophesie Proverbe or Parable which is propounded unto us but take things upon repoâ—t as we doe other Chronologies of this world having only the traditions of men for the ground of our worship of God The third thing is the manner of pronunciation of the sentence I say unto you or as the word is I say in you the word used here translated I say signifies such a saying as a Iudge speaks upon the Bench when he gives sentence in a cause upon due proofe and evidence which stands fast in Law being irrevocable such is the saying and speech of Christ the truth whereof can never be altered and whereas he saith I say unto you or as the word is I say in you it signifies that what ever the Saints utter in point of Religion it is and must be the voice of the Sonne of God and not of themselves so that as he suffereth in them else can hee have no death at all and then no Saviour even so he speaks in them or else hath no voice nor language at all and therefore without them no Revealer of the will of his Father for where Christ is silent there can be no Revelation therefore is he the word or expression of the Father and what he saith of him he saith it in them therefore he saith I say in you as in that very Epistle or writing wherein I expresse my selfe in the Father unto the world for my Father and I are one The fourth thing to be observed is the sentence it selfe excluding all from the life of God such only excepted at doe eat the flesh of the sonne of man and drinke his blood wherein observe five things briefly first why he is called the Sonne oâ— man secondly what is meant by his flesh and blood in this place thirdly what we are to understand by eating and drinking fourthly what is meant by life in this place and fifthly how we are to understand that exception or limitation seeing That of our selves we are nâ—â— able to thinke a good thought how can we then performe such a weighty worthy and unknown action that is no lesse then life it selfe in the doing of it For the first viz. why he is called the Sonne of man Answ Not only nor properly because he had a soule and a body as all men have which indeed was good in the creation and so man is called the sonne of God But he is called the son of man because he is so produced and brought forth as none can be but such as proceed of man alone Nor can he be a Saviour but in way of such production and son-ship for Christ in respect of his death withâ—ut which no Saviour is brought forth and produced no other way but only in and by man for there is no death to be heard of in God nor can he bring forth or produce of himselfe any thing that is deadly for he is that Fountaine of life yea life it selfe in the abstract nor can it be proper or competible â—o the Sonne of God to be brought forth in his death in any No nor in all other creatures in the world but only in man for as no other creature in the creation was
28 15. x Which signifies either opened or shut as in Numb 24. 3 4. y Isa 6. 9 10. z Revel 11. 7. a Num. 22. 25. 27. That is before Balam so that the beast and Balam have the same light look b Geâ— 19. 11. c Joh. 10. 1 2 3 d Revel 11. 6. e Being one of the two witnesses before noted or his power and kingly authority f 1 Kings 8. 27 2 Chron. 2. 6. g Psal 78 41. h which is his Priesthood wherein he deprives himselfe of all power of man or strength of the aime of flesh i Psalme 22 6 k Revel 11. 8 9 10 l That is if the power of God and the weaknesse frailty of man should not be so slaine as to be stil kept as dead in sight of all then could not the power and glory of the creature as Visegerent unto the power and glory of God in his absence be seen set up and made known m Gen 3 14 n Revel 11. 8 9 10 11. o Ephes 2 1 2 3. Rom. 3. 9. to 19. p Matt. 11. 14. q Matt. 5. 34. to 38. r Mâ—â— 5. 27 28. Å¿ Psal 103. 5 t Psal 2. 8. u Hebr. 3. 15 w Psal 2 12. x Ezekiel 34. 19 10 21. y Isaiah 32. 1. z Ephes 2. 2. a As the word signifies b Heb. 2. 10. c Revel 13. 8. d 1 Sam. 17. 10. e 1 John 3. 12. f Matt. 1. 21 g As the word signifies given in the Chaldean tongue for Devil * Understand these things according to the true intent that is any officer that layes claime to the things of the Kingdom of God by vertue of that his office in that sence the truth of these things stand firme and good and doth not deny or disallow any humane ordinance of man in this world so it be kept in its bounds and proper place for he that is a Captaine of the Temple that is exerciseth force of armes for the helpe of the house of God wil ever with the Priests and souldiers lay hands on Peter and John to put them in hold at the least if they preach Christ But Cornelius is no Captain of that kind or kindred for he is a Gentile of Caesarea and of the band called the Italian Band. h Psal 105 9. 10 i Isay 15. 18 k Acts 7. 44 45 l Acts 7. 43 m As they in the Massachusets had lately done to condemne the innocent and justifie such who otherwise had been proved guilty of felonious acts even these their new made subjects whose shame they would not permit to appeare but rather deprive sufficient witnesse of their testimony at the guilty persâ—ns request n That is to their Courts in the Massachusets to imploy them about any matters of ours living peaceably together so farre remote from them out of all their Jurisdictions o That is man of shame p Mouth of shame q Luke 13. 31 32 33 34. r That is as the word signifies Confusion Å¿ Mat. 21. 5. to 10. Matt. 23. 37. 38 39. t Isay 40. 7. 8. â— 30. Psal 90. 5 6. u Isay 2. 22. w Psal 56. 5 x Knowing our selves to be free subiects to the Laws and government of our native countrey and not unto any government extended out of its bounds and jurisdiction y Geâ—â— 10 8 9. Jer. 16. 16. z Psal 8 â—â— 7. a Psal 83. 9 10 11. b Genesis 3. 5. For he that assumeth a title unto himselfe without respect unto Christ in whom the whole glory therof consists such mind and disposition prosecuted followed to its height according to the rise thereof sets it selfe in direct terme of opposition against Christ and hath the spirit of the god of this world c Mat. 26. 4 9 d 1 Coâ— 1 25 e Marke 10. f Matt. 20. 2â— 23. Luke 12. 50. g That is his Scepter Rod Staffe or tribe h Psal 110. 2. i the word Aelein signifies dumbnesse so that the Phrase is doe ye indeed do dumb Justice o Congregation and so describes such persons what they are that speake not a word of Righteousnesse in their acts and executions which Psalme shewed unto us the spirit practise and successe of our Adversaries * These being the Purchasers of Shawo met the Sachim Myantonomy as he sold it to 12. men so his price was that every man should pay 12. Fatham of Wamppum peage that is 144. Fatham as our deed which he made unt us being extant witnesseth to be paid unto him k As Mr Cobbeâ— who cryed out against Gorton that arch heretick who saith he would have al men to be preachers But if he had turned his speech against Moses who wished that al the Lords people were prophets he had far more plainly expressed the bent of his spirit what manner of zeal he had l They having banished some of us five or six years before and threatning that if some of us were amongst them we should hardly see the place of our aboad any more m That is their united body which they so much delight and glory in consists by their owne confession of such mixture of Members as that part are Heathens by their owne report n This Letter doth plainly declare the proper intent of the Massachusets in sending out this band of souldiers against us namely in the falsifying of our faith to God to subject our selves unto them who never named the least word unto us as though they came against us in the name of the King and State of old England but in the name of the government of the Massachusets or else to pay the tribute of our Lives unto them in the utter ruine of our wives and children which these men having received in Commission together with instruction how to accomplish and effect the same from those that sent them count it their glory to reveal and make manifest the same which the Massachusets had so long gone about to hide under the colour of some civil miscarriage in our course of walking towards men in regard themselves had professed to remove into those parts meerly for the liberty of conscience which now they so zealously deny unto their neighbours o As the wife of Jo. Green as also the wife of Robert Potter other women miscarrying to the losse of their children So also Francis Weston through cold and hardship in prison fell into a consumption and in short time after dyed of it p The wife of S. Gorton and some of her children she being ready to lie downe in child bed was so dealt with by the souldiers the boat hasting off for feare if one of her sonnes could not have swimmed had been left behind her so was glad to betake himselfe to the water though young to recover the Boat q They had so animated and incouraged the souldiers yea so incensed them against us that they were loth to entertaine speech or parley though they say in their last writing they came to examine cases of right
Upon the finishing of these answers on the Munday morning the Court sent for S. Gorton to come before them and when he was come the Governor asked him whether he had brought in his ansvver to the questions propounded unto him at their last sitting in writing he answered he had brought them then the Governor asked him whether he had put his hand unto them he answered he had not not thinking it would be required else he had done it the Governour called for pen and inke and caused him to put his hand unto them and then demanded them of him Gorton desired he might have liberty to read them first in the Court that he might pronounce the Phrases and words according to the true meaning and intent having had experience of wrong done in reading in way of pronunciation of things not plainly before to the giving of true intelligence to the hearers when the answers were read in the audience of the Court the Court paused and no man said any thing unto them only bade Gorton with-draw which being done they hade some consultaâ—ion among themselvs and shortly after called for Gorton to be brought in again Master Saltingstone found fault that it was written in the answer what is the Star of that God Remphan whereas it was in the writing your God Remphan Gorton answered the Phrase was only changed for modesty for indeed saith he it is the phrase of the Apostle your God Remphan and so it rested to clear that scruple The Governour told Gorton that they were one with him in those answers for they held as he did Gorton answered he was very glad of it for he loved not differences and divisions amongst men the Governour then asked him whether he would retract the writing that was formerly written unto them Gorton answered that nothing was written before but would suit and agree with these answers so that if there was cause to retract one there was cause to retract all the Governour said no these answers they could agree with him in but not in the former writing whereupon Master Dudley stood up seeming to be much moved and said he would never consent to it whilst he lived that they were one with him in those answers the Governour then asked Gorton what Faith was to which he answered that was nothing that concerned what they had formerly written and that he and the rest had only undertaken to answer to any thing that was in their writing the Governour told him he was bound and ought to be ready to give an answer to any that should aske him a question of the hope that is in him Gorton made answer that the difinition which the Apostle gives of faith was sufficient as he thought to give any man satisfaction he asked him what that was he told him it was this that faith is the hypostasis or subsistance of things that are hoped for and the evidence or argument demonstrative of things that are not seen nor demonstrated at all the Governour told him that was true but he could say more of faith then so Gorton told him it gave him satisfaction and being an other point then they had had to deale about since their comming amongst them and being no question produced from former writings desired to be spared from any further answer then the plain words of the Apostle whereupon Master Broadstreet made answer that he thought it was not fit to put him upon any new questions unlesse he were free to speake unto them and so they dismissed him from the Court to the Prison againe Shortly after this there was a day appointed wherein wee were to receive our sentence from the Court which was to be given in the afternoon and in the forenoon Master Cotton preached having gathered up the minds of the people in what they had observed and perceiving the people took notice that in what we dissented from them was out of tendernesse of conscience and were ready to render a reason and ground for what we held and practised divers such like things to which he answered that if we had done iâ— out of ignorance then there had been hopes of regaining us but if out of tendernâ—sse of conscience and able to render reason for what wee did and other things of like nature then were we ripened for death urging them to agree together and consent in one thing that so it might be else would not the Angels carry their soules to heaven for he was then speaking of the office of the Angels in that point and when by all their examinations in Court Inturgatories put upon us in Prison and publicke preaching they could find nothing against us for the transgressing of any of their Lawes they then proceeded to cast a lot for our lives putting it to the major vote of the Court whether we should live or die which was so ordered by the providence of God that the number of two votes carried it on our side and whereas both by Law Equitie and act of Providence they ought to have set us forthwith at liberty yet notwithstanding they proceeded further to censure namely confined us to severall Towns and to wear bolts and irons and to worke for our livings though it was iâ— the extremity of winter and not to speak of any of those things which they had dealt with us about and all this during the pleasure of the Court and that upon pain of death Here followeth a true Copie of the censure and of the charg as it was given unto us in writing by the Court being extant and here set down verbatim as it was given to Samuel Gorton the rest being the same but onely the change of the names For Samuel Gorton IT is ordered that Samuel Gorton shal be confined to Charlstowne there to be set on worke and to wear such bolts or irons as may hinder his escape and so to continue during the pleasure of the Court provided that if he shall break his said confinement or shall in the meane time either by speech or writing publish declare or maintaine any of the blasphemous or abominable heresies wherewith he hath been charged by the generall Court contained in either of the two books sent unto us by him or by Randall Houlden or shall reproach or reprove the Churches of our Lord Jesus Christ in these united Colonies or the civill government or the publicke Ordinances of God therein unlesse it be by answer to some question propounded to him or conference with any Elder or with any other licensed to speak with him privately under the hand of one of the Assistants that immediatly upon accusation of any such writing or speech he shall by such Assistant to whom such accusation shall be brought be committed to prison till the next Court of Assistants then and there to be tryed by a Jury whether â—e â—â—th so spoken or written and upon his conviction thereof shall be condemned to death and executed Dated the 3o. of