A dissuasive from the errours of the time wherein the tenets of the principall sects, especially of the Independents, are drawn together in one map, for the most part in the words of their own authours, and their maine principles are examined by the touch-stone of the Holy Scriptures / by Robert Baylie ...

CHAP. III. The Original and Progresse of the Independents, and of their Carriage in New-England. (Book 3)

THe Sect (if so without offence it may be called) which this day is the subject of the most discourse,* 1.1 and the object of the greatest passions; some pouring out upon it more of their love and hope, others of their anger and fear, then were convenient, is that of Independency.

Of all the by-paths wherein the wanderers of our time are pleased to walk, this is the most considerable; not for the num∣ber, but for the quality of the erring persons therein. There be few of the noted Sects which are not a great deal more numerous; but this Way, what it wants in number, supplies by the weight of its followers. After five yeers endeavours and great industry within the Lines of the Cities Communication, they are said as yet to consist much within One thousand persons; men, women, and all who to this day have put themselves in any known Con∣gregation of that way, being reckoned. But setting aside num∣ber, for other respects they are of so eminent a condition, that not any nor all the rest of the Sects are comparable to them; for they have been so wise as to engage to their party some of chief note, in both Houses of Parliament, in the Assembly of Divines, in the Army, in the City and Countrey-Committees; all whom they daily manage with such dexterity and diligence, for the benefit of their Cause, that the eyes of the world begin to fall upon them more then upon all their fellows: It will be requisite therefore that with the greater care we give an account of them.

Of this our Account there shall be three parts. The first,* 1.2 An History of their Original and Progresse▪ to that height wherein now they stand. The second, A Narrative of their Tenents. The third, A Con••tion of some of their prime Principles.

Concerning, ••eir Original; the Separatists were their Fathers.* 1.3 This is demonstrable, not onely by the Consanguinity of their Te∣nents, the one having borrowed all their chief Doctrines and

Practices from the other, but also by deduction of their Pedigree in this clear line.

Master Robinson did derive his way to his separate Congregation at Leyden; a part of them did carry it over to Plymouth in New-England; here Master Cotton did take it up, and transmit it from thence to Master Goodwin, who did help to propagate it to sundry others in Old-England first, and after, to more in Holland, till now by many hands it is sown thick in divers parts of this Kingdom. But the manner how this seed did grow, is not unworthy consi∣deration.

* 1.4When the Separatists for whole Fifty yeers had over-toil'd themselves for little purpose, their horrible Divisions, wheresoe∣ver they set up, marring their encrease; behold▪ at the very point of time when their Spunk was dying, and their little smoke, both at Amsterdam and Leyden, was well-neer vanished, God in his se∣cret providence permitted the tyranny of Bishops, which first had begotten them, to put new life in their ashes, and bring them back from their grave, to that vigour wherein now they appear.

After the death of Ainsworth, the Brownists at Amsterdam came to a small unconsiderable handful, and so yet they remain. No other at that time in the whole world were known of that Religion, but a small company at Leyden, under Master Robinsons Ministery; which, partly by Divisions among themselves, and partly by their Pastors deserting many of their Principles, was well-neer brought to nought: Onely about the Twenty eighth, as I take it, or the Thirtieth yeer of this Age, some of them going over, for a more commodious habitation, to New-England, did perswade their neighbours who sate down with them there at New-Plymouth, to erect with them a Congregation after their separate way (A).

* 1.5This Congregation did incontinent leaven all the vicinity. The Planters in New-England, so far as their own informations give notice, not minding Religion for many yeers after their first enterprise (B), were ready to receive, without great question, any pious form which might be presented by their neighbours, whose minde served them to be active in such ••ers. Also that way of new Plymouth, beside the more then ordinary shew of de∣votion, did hold out so much liberty and honour to the people, that

made it very suitable and lovely to a multitude who had lately stepped out of the Episcopal thraldom in England, to the free air of a new world. However it was, without any noise in a few yeers, the most who settled their habitations in that Land, did agree to model themselves in Churches after Robinsons patern.

This for a time, was either not known, or not regarded in Eng∣land. The first who appeared in any displeasure at it,* 1.6 was Mr. Cot∣ton; for this reverend man, howsoever he had faln off from the pra∣ctise of som, & but of som of the Ceremonies, & was distasted with Episcopal Government, yet so long as he abode in England, minded no more then the old non-conformity: In all his opposition to the Episcopal corruptions, he went not beyond Cartwright, and the Presbyterians. With the way of the Separatists he was then well acquainted, but declared himself against it in print, as in his Preface to Master Hildershams Sermons upon John, may be seen to this day (C). Neither thus alone, but a very little before his voyage to New-England, so soon as he understood of the prevail∣ing of Robinsons way there, such was his zeal against it, he wrote over to the Ministers who had been the chief instruments of bringing these Churches under that yoke, admonishing them free∣ly of their falling from their former judgement, and that their new Reformation was no other but the old way wherein the Separatists had walked, to the grief and offence of the Anti-Epis∣copal party in England, and of the whole Protestant Churches (D).

Notwithstanding this admonition,* 1.7 the Brethren there went on in their way, yet without any hazard to others, till the 1634. as I take it, or 1635. yeer of our Lord God, when the yoke of Episcopal persecution in England became so heavy on the necks of the most of the godly, that many thousands of them did flee away, and Master Cotton among the rest, to joyn themselves to these American Churches. Here it was when that new way be∣gan first to be dangerous to the rest of the world.

For Master Cotton, a man of very excellent parts, contrary much to his former judgement, having faln into a liking of it, and by his great with and learning, having refined it, without the impediment of any opposition, became the great instrument of drawing to it, not onely the thousands of those who left England, but also by his Letters to his friends who abode in their Countrey,

made it become lovely to many who never before had appeared in the least degree of affection toward it.

* 1.8Before his departure from England, by conferences in London, he had brought off Master Davenport and Master Goodwin, from some of the English Ceremonies (E); but neither of these two, nor himself at that time, did minde the least degree of Separation (F); yet so soon as he did taste of the New-English air, he fell in∣to so passionate an affection with the Religion he found there, that incontinent he began to perswade it, with a great deal more zeal and successe then before he had opposed it (G): His convert Master Goodwin, a most fine and dainty Spirit, with very little ado, was brought by his Letters from New-England, to follow him un∣to this step also of his progresse, and that with so high an estima∣tion of his new Light, that he was bold to boast of it in termes a little beyond the lines of moderation (H).

* 1.9It had been happy for England, that Master Cotton had taken longer time for deliberation, before that change of his minde: He might have remembred his too precipitant rashnesse in former times, both to receive, and to send abroad to the world such Te∣nents whereof after he had cause to repent.

God in wisedom permits his dearest children to set black marks on their own faces, not onely to keep themselves in humi∣lity and suspition of their own hearts, but to divert others from idolizing their gifts, and setting up their persons as a patern for their too sudden imitation. I would not willingly detract from any mans reputation; I am oft ready enough, both to hear with con∣tentment, and liberally to speak to the praises of men much in∣feriour in my thoughts to Master Cotton: Yet when his gifts are turned into snares, when they become occasions of stumbling, and, contrary to the minde of the giver, are made inducements to follow him in his wanderings; I am of opinion, that neither Piety nor Charity will hinder to remark his evident and known failings: That as his eminent endowments are strong invitations to run after him; so the mixture of cleer weaknesse may be a re∣tractive to every prudent man, and a caveat from God, to beware of his wayes, as well as of any other mans.

I take it for a great mercy of God to simple ones, that the most, if not all, who have offred themselves to be Ringleaders in any Here∣sie or Schism, or other by-way, have ever bin permitted to fall into

some evident folly; to the end, that they whose simplicity made them too prone to be misled by the strength of pregnant wits, and the luster of excellent gifts, which in the most of Sectaries to this day, have ever been apparent, might be held in the love of the truth, and made cautious of being led aside by them in whose footsteps a very blunt eye might perceive the print of an evil spirit.

Not to speak of Master Cottons long continuance in the Er∣rours of his education,* 1.10 sundry whereof stuck to him as he con∣fesseth all the time of his abode in England (I): Nor of his more dangerous fall into the gulf of Pelagianism, some of the Arminian Errours, from which the writings of Dr. Twisse are said to have re∣claimed him (K); However, the Doctor doth say, that he hath no assurance of his recantation to this day, and therefore was wil∣ling that his Treatise against Master Cottons erroneous writings should be published to the world. To passe by also that which I have heard of some gracious Ministers of his old Montanism, wherein some think he remaineth to this day.

That which I point at, is, another more dangerous fall,* 1.11 which as already it hath much humbled his spirit, and opened his ear to instruction, and I trust it will not leave working till it have brought him yet neerer to his Brethren: So to the worlds end, it cannot but be a matter of fear and trembling, to all who shall know it, and of aboundant caution to be very wary of receiving any singularity from his hand without due tryal. That which I speak of, is, his wandring into the horrible Errours of the Anti∣nomians and Familists, with his dear friend Mistresse Hutchinson; so far, that he came to a resolution to side with her, and separate from all the Churches in New-England, as legal Synagogues.

The truth of this horrible fall, if ye will not take it from the parties themselves, the followers of Mistresse Hutchinson, who ofttimes were wont to brag of Master Cotton for their Master and Patron (L); nor from the Testimony of Master Williams (M), who had as much occasion to know it, as any man else; and if I mistake not the humor of the man, is very unwilling to report a lie of his greatest enemy. Yet we may not reject the witnesse of Master Winthrop, the wisest of all the New-English Governours hitherto, and of Master Wells, a gracious Minister of that Land, in their Printed Relations of the Schisms there, both those, albeit,

with all care and study they endeavour to save Master Cottons cre∣dit, yet let the truth of Master Cottons seduction fall from their Pens in so clear termes as cannot be avoided; for however, what they speak of the erring of the most eminent in place, might be applyed to the Governour for the time (N 1.): Yet when they tell us, that the most of the Seducers lived in the Church of Boston, and that the whole Church of Boston, except a few, were infected with that Leprosie, and that none of them were ever-called to an account by the Presbytery of that Church till after the Assembly, though the Pastor of that Church, Master Wilson, was alwayes exceedingly zealous against them; also that in face of the General Court, Mistresse Hutchinson did avow Master Cotton alone, and Master Wheelwright, to Preach the truth according to her minde; and that Master Cotton himself, before that same Court, did openly dissent, even after the Assembly, from all his Brethren about Wheelwrights Doctrine. These, and other the like informations, are so clear, that no art will get Master Cotton freed (N 2.)

I have been also informed by a gracious Preacher, who was present at the Synod of New-England; that all the Brethren there, being exceedingly scandalized with Master Cottons carriage, in Mistresse Hutchinsons processe, did so far discountenance, and so severely admonish him, that he was thereby brought to the great∣est shame, confusion, and grief of minde that ever in all his life he had indured. But leaving the person of Master Cotton, if not the Author, yet the greatest promoter and patron of Independency, we will go on with the way it self.

* 1.12What Master Cotton, and the Apologists, his followers, have testified of Gods displeasure and judgements upon the way of the Brownists (O), is as evidently true of the way of the Indepen∣dents; not onely because, as it will appear hereafter, both wayes really are one and the same: But also, because in the comparison of the events which have befaln to both wayes, it will be seen that the miscarriages and (because of them) the marks of Gods anger have been more manifest upon this latter way then upon the former.

Independency brought to the utmost pitch of perfection which the wit and industry of its best patrons were able to attain, having the advantage of the Brownists fatal miscarriages, to be

exemplary documents of wisedom, being also assisted and fenced with all the security that Civil Laws of its friends own framing, and gracious Magistrates at their absolute devotion, could afford; notwithstanding in a very few, lesse then one week of yeers, hath flown out in more shameful absurdities then the Brownists to this day, in all the fifty yeers of their trial, have stumbled upon.

The verity of this broad assertion shall be palpable to any who will be at the pains a little to consider their proceedings in any of the places wherever yet they had any setled abode:* 1.13 for however much of their way be yet in the dark, and in this also their advan∣tage above the Brownists is great; that in their Discords none of themselves have proclaimed their own shame; none that have fallen from them, have of purpose put pen to paper, to inform the world of their ways; neither have any of them been willing to reply to any of the Books written against them, that did put a ne∣cessity upon them to speak out the truth of many heavie imputati∣ons which with a loud voice by many a tongue are laid on them; chusing rather to lie under the hazard of all the reproach which their unfriendly reports could bring upon them, then to make an Apologie, wherein their denial might bring upon them the in∣famy of lying, or their grant the fastening, by their own testimony, upon the back of their party the Crimes alleadged against them: Notwithstanding so much is broken out from under all their co∣verings, as will make good what hath been said. Hitherto they have had but three places of abode, New-England, Holland, Lon∣don. That any where else they have erected Congregations, I do not know. Of their adventures in these three places, we will speak a little.

In New-England,* 1.14 when Master Cotton had gotten the assistance of Master Hooker, Master Davenport, and sundry other very wor∣thy Ministers, beside many thousands of people whom God in his mercy did send over to that new world, to be freed from suf∣fering and danger, in the day of their Countreys most grievous calamities; being there alone, without the disturbance of any ene∣my either within or without, What were the fruits of their Church-way?

First,* 1.15 it forced them to hold out of all Churches and Chri∣stian Congregations, many thousands of people who in former times had been reputed in Old-England very good Christians. I

have heard sundry esteem the number of the English in that Plan∣tation to exceed Fourty thousand men and women: when Master Cotton is put to it, he dares hardly avow the one half of these to be members of any Church (P): But if we do beleeve others who were eye-witnesses also, they do avow, That of all who are there, Three parts of Four will not be in any Church (Q 1.). To us it seemeth a grievous absurdity, a great dishonour to God, and cruelty against men, to spoil so many thousand Christians, whom they dare not deny to be truely religious, of all the priviledges of the Church, of all the benefits of Discipline, of all the comfort of any Sacrament, either to themselves, or to their children; to put them in the condition of Pagans, such as some of them pro∣fesse all Protestants to be who are not of their way (Q 2.).

* 1.16A second evil of their Way, is, That it hath exceedingly hin∣dred the conversion of the poor Pagans; God in great mercy ha∣ving opened a door in these last times to a new world of rea∣sonable creatures for that end, above all, that the Gospel might be preached to them, for the enlargement of the Kingdom of Christ. The principles and practice of Independents, doth crosse this blessed hope. What have they to do with those that are without? Their Pastors preach not for conversion, their relation is to their Flock, who are Church-members, converted already to their hand by the labours of other men, before they can be admitted into their Church.

Of all that ever crossed the American Seas, they are noted as most neglectful of the work of Conversion. I have read of none of them that seem to have minded this matter (Q 3.): onely Ma∣ster Williams in the time of his banishment from among them, did assay what could be done with those desolate souls, and by a little experience quickly did finde a wonderful great facility to gain thousands of them to so much and more Christianity, both in profession and practice, then in the most of our people doth appear (R). But the unhappinesse of these principles whereof we speak,* 1.17 did keep him, as he professeth, from making use of that great opportunity and large door which the Lord there hath opened to all who will be zealous for propagating of the Go∣spel (S).

Thirdly, the fruits of Independency may be seen in the profes∣sion and practices of the most who have been admitted, as very

fit, if not the fittest members of their Churches. These have much exceeded any of the Brownists that yet we have heard of; first, in the vilenesse of their Errours; secondly, in the multitude of the erring persons; thirdly, in the hypocrisie joyned with their errours; fourthly, in malice against their neighbours, and con∣tempt of their Superiours, Magistrates and Ministers for their opposition to them in their evil ways; and lastly, in their singu∣lar obstinacie, stiffly sticking unto their errours, in defiance of all that any upon earth could do for their reclaiming, or that God from heaven, almost miraculously, had declared against them. All this I will make good, by the unquestionable Testimonies of their loving friends.

For the vilenesse of their Errours:* 1.18 They did avow openly the personal inhabitation of the Spirit in all the godly, his imme∣diate revelations without the Word; and these as infallible as Scripture it self (T): This is the vilest Montanism. They avowed further, with the grossest Antinomians, That no sin must trouble any childe of God: That all trouble of conscience for any sin, demonstrates a man subject to the Covenant of Works, but a stranger to the Covenant of Grace (Ʋ): That no Chri∣stian is bound to look upon the Law as a rule of his conversati∣on (X): That no Christian should be prest to any duty of holi∣nesse (Y). Neither here did they stand, but went on to aver the death of the soul with the body (Z): That all the Saints upon earth have two bodies (AA): That Christ is not united to our fleshly body; but they would have him to be united to our new body (BB), with the same union where with his humanity is u∣nited with his Godhead: That Christs Manhood was not now in the heavens (CC), but that his body was his Church. These abominable errours, and many more of this kinde, to the number of Fourscore and eleven (DD), the New-English Independency did produce to the world in a very short time.

For the second, The number of the erring persons;* 1.19 this is said to have been incredible; not onely multitudes of men and wo∣men every where were infected (EE), but almost no Society, no Family of that Land was free of that Pest (BB): Boston, the best and most famous of their Churches, was so far corrupted, that few there were untainted (GG).

Concerning the Hypocrisie of these Hereticks, it was ex∣ceeding

great: None appeared so humble, so holy, so spiritual, and full of Christ, as they (HH): In their speech, nought but self-de∣nial (II): In their prayers, ravishing affections, and heavenly ex∣pressions (KK): All their singular opinions, were for the ad∣vancing of Free-grace (LL); For the glorious light of the Gos∣pel; for the setting up of naked Christ on his Throne (MM).

* 1.20Their malice towards all that dissented from them, was so extreme, that they made the life of many, the most religious of their Neighbours, to be bitter and a wearisome burden to them (NN).

For their Ministers, some of them they adored: Master Cotton and Master Wheelwright, they set up as the onely true Preachers of the Covenant of Grace; they extolled them to the skies, avowing, that since the Apostles dayes, none had received so much Gospel-Light, as they (OO): But the rest of the Preach∣ers, not onely all in Old England (PP), but also all in New-England, except a very few, and most of all the best, the most zealous and Orthodox, even the instruments of their own con∣version, were to them Baals Priests, Legal Preachers, Popish Factors, Scribes and Pharisees, Enemies to the Gospel, voide of the Spirit of Grace (QQ).

* 1.21Their contempt of the Magistrates was as great as of the Ministers: Their late Governour they professed was a true friend to Christ, and Free-grace (RR); but Master Winthrop their pre∣sent Governour, and the most of the Magistrates, they proclaimed enemies of Grace, Persecutors, Antichrists, Ahabs, Herods, Pilates, whom God would destroy (SS). Their Preacher, Master Wheel∣wright, would exhort the people in his Sermon, to deal with the Magistrates as such, remembring them how Moses had killed the Egyptian (TT).

* 1.22Their Heresies did bring on so dangerous seditions, as in a short time did put their Common-wealth in a clear hazard of ut∣ter ruine (VV); for the Heretikes had drawn to their side, not onely multitudes of the people, but many of the ablest men for parts, in all Trades, especially the Souldiers (XX). They kept such intimate familiarity, and open correspondence with the most eminent men of the Land; Mistresse Hutchinson, and the late Go∣vernour, kept almost every day so private and long discourse with Master Cotton, that made them conclude all was their own (YY),

and forced the wise Governour, Master Winthrop, to prevent their designes, to put the former Governour, and all that followed him, from their places in the general Court, and to desire him and them to be gone, which was counted a real, though a civil banishment out of their Land (ZZ): Also to disarm the most of that faction expresly upon fear, least the Tragedy of Munster should be acted over again in New-England (AAA).

Master Williams told me, that he was imployed to buy from the Savages, for the late Governour, and Master Cotton, with their followers, a proportion of Land without the English Plantation, whither they might retire and live according to their own minde, exempt from the Jurisdiction, Civil, and Ecclesiastick, of all others. Master Williams was in so great friendship with that late Governour, when he told me so much, That I beleeve he would have been loth to have spoken any untruth of him.

Their obstinacy in all these things was truely marvellous;* 1.23 for after all the pains which their godly Pastors took upon them, in Preaching, in Conference, in Publike Disputations: After the Ma∣gistrate had executed the Law, and inflicted civil punishments up∣on some of their prime Seducers; yea, when God visibly from the Heavens had declared his anger against some of their cheif Leaders, punishing Mistresse Hutchinson with a monstruous birth of more then thirty mis-shapen Creatures at one time (BBB), and Mistresse Dyer her principal assistant, with another monstrous birth (CCC) of one Creature, mixed of a Beast, of a Fish, and a Foul: Notwithstanding all these admonitions, their obstinacy was so great, that many of them continued pertinacious without any repentance (DDD).

For some of them separating of their own accord, others being banished by the Magistrate, retired into those Lands which Master Williams had bought for them; and in that their new Ha∣bitation, they continued not long; till beside all the named Er∣rours, they fell into many more, both Errours and Schisms (EEE).

And Mistresse Hutchinson did make a new Separation, re∣tiring to a new dwelling (FFF), where after her long contempt of divine and humane patience, at last God did let loose his hand, and destroyed her, sending in upon her a company of the Savages, who burnt her self, her house, and all that she had (GGG). Not∣withstanding

all that God and man at that time and since hath done to discover the evil spirit that raged in that way, yet such is the stoutnesse of many, especially of the late Governour, whose hand in all that businesse was cheif, that to this day if you will confer with them, they will assure, That Mistresse Hutchinson was much mistaken and wronged; that she was a most pious woman, and that her Tenents if well understood, were all true, at least very tolerable. We have oft marvelled, that the Eldership of Boston did never so much as call her before them to be rebuked for any of her Errours; though their general Assembly had confuted and con∣demned them, yet still she was permitted to go on, till the zeal of the new Governour, and the general Court did condemn her to perpetual banishment; then, and not till then, so far as we can perceive by the story, did the Church of Boston begin a processe against her; and when the processe was brought to an end, Master Cotton by no means would put it in execution; that burden was laid on the back of Master Wilson his Colleague, how ever not the fittest instrument, being the person to whom Mistresse Hutchinson from the beginning had professed her greatest opposition; and when the sentence was pronounced against her, they tell us, That the great cause of it was none of her Heresies or Errours, but her other practises especially, her grosse lying (HHH).

* 1.24The prophanenesse also of these persons is considerable, their profession of piety being so fair, that they avow their standing a∣loof from all the Reformed Churches as unclean, because of their mixture with the prophane multitude. Beside all that is said of their Heresies, Schisms, Contentions, Contempt of Magistrates and Ministers, all which are the prophane works of the flesh: We read of further pollution, breaking out among them, as both Master Cotton, and Master Wells do testifie (III).

Out of the Governour, Master Winthrops Narration, I re∣mark one abomination, which to me seems strange, That the Midwives, to their most zealous women, should not onely have familiarity with the divel; but also in that very service, should commit divellish Malefices, which, so far as they tell us, were not onely past over without punishment, but never so much as inqui∣red after (KKK).

All this and more, we read of the Independents in New-England, in one short Narration of two or three yeers accidents

among them; what if we had their full History from any faith∣ful hand? it seems that many more mysteries would be brought to light, which now are hid in darknesse.

It is not our intention to bring any man to a prejudice,* 1.25 or the least distast of the Grace and Gifts which God hath bestowed on Master Cotton or any other in New-England would to God, that all our Questions with them, were come to that issue; they should finde us here as willing as their greatest admirers, to prize, to embrace, and as our weaknesse will permit, to imitate what ever good did shine in any of them: But we have made these Ob∣servations from what themselves have written, to bring if it be possible, their own hearts; or if this be desperate, yet the mindes of others, to a suspition of that their new and singular way, which the Lord hath so manifestly cursed with bader fruits, and great∣er store of them then ever yet did appear upon the Tree of Brow∣nism, which they do so much disgrace as an unlucky Plant: notwithstanding, all the Gifts and Graces wherewith Ainsworth, Robinson, and some others of its Branches, have been adorned by God in as rich a measure as have been seen in any, who to this day have ingrafted themselves into their new and bitter root of Independency.

The Testimonies.

(A) Master Cottons Letter to Skelton, p. 3. Your other Errour that our Congregations in England, are none of them particular Re∣formed Churches, requireth rather a Book then a Letter to answer it. You went hence of another judgement, and I am afraid, your change hath sprung from New-Plymouth men, whom though I much esteem as godly loving Christians; yet their Grounds, which for this Tenent they received from Master Robinson, do not satisfie me, though the man I reverence as godly and learned.

Rathbones Narration, p. 1. The Church at New-Plymouth was as I am informed, one of the first Churches that was settled in New-England, having been a part of Master Robinsons Church in Holland, that famous Brownist, from whence they brought with their Church Opinions and Practises; and which they there still

hold without any alteration, so far as ever I could learn. Master W. an eminent man of the Church at Plimouth, told W. R. that the rest of the Churches of New-England came at first to them at Plimouth, to crave their direction in Church courses, and made them their patern.

(B) Vide Purchase Pilgrims in his discourses of America, in divers Letters from New-England.

(C) Cottons Letter to the Reader before Hildershams Com∣mentary upon John, 1632. That one Letter of his to a Gentle∣woman against the Separation, which without his consent a Separatist Printed, and Refuted, hath so strongly and cleerly con∣vinced the Iniquity of that way, that I could not but acknow∣ledge in it, both the wisedom of God, and the weaknesse of the Separatists: His wisedom in bringing to light such a beam of his Truth by the hand of an adversary, against the minde of the Au∣thor; and the weaknesse of the other, to advance the hand of this Adversary, to give himself and his cause such a deadly wound in open view, as neither himself nor all his associates can be able to heal; in which respect, I conceive it was that the industrious Doctor Willet stileth this our Author, Schismaticorum qui vulgo Brownistae vocantur Malleus: The Hammer of Schismaticks whom they commonly call Brownists.

(D) Vide supra. A.

(E) Edwards Antapology, p. 17. Knowing something of the story of Master Goodwins first coming to fall off from the Cere∣monies, having seen and perused the Arguments that past betwixt him and Master Cotton, and some others: Master Goodwin assured me some moneths after his going off, that he had nothing to say, but against the Ceremonies the Liturgy offended him not, much lesse dreamed he of this Church-way he since fell into.

(F) Cottons Letter from New-England to his friends at Bo∣ston, October 5. 1635. Some other things there be, which were I again with you, I durst not take that liberty which some times I have taken: I durst not joyn in your Book-Prayers.

(G) Ibidem. I durst not now partake in the Sacraments with you, though the Ceremonies were removed. I know not how you can be excused from Fellowship of their sins, if you continue in your place. While you and some of my other friends continue with them, I fear the rest will settle upon their Lees with more security. The wise-hearted

that left their Stations in Israel, I doubt not, were some of them, if not all, useful and serviceable men in their places; yet they did them∣selves and their Brethren more good service in going before their Brethren, as the Goats before the Flocks, Jere. 50.8. then if they had tarried with them to the corrupting of their own wayes. 2 Chro. 11.14, 16.

Antap. p. 32. After his going into New-England, and falling into the Church-way there, and sending over Letters into England about the new way, presently after these Letters began the falling off and questioning Communion in our Churches.

(H) Antap. p. 32. One of you, to wit, Master Goodwin was so ingaged in his thoughts of one of the Ministers of New-England, to wit, Master Cotton, by whom I am sure, he was first taken off, that he hath said, there was not such another man in the world again.

Ibidem, p. 22. One of you told some friends, that he had found out a Form of Church-Government, as far beyond Master Cart∣wrights, as his was beyond that of the Bishops.

Master Williams Examination of Master Cottons Letter, p. 47. Some of the most eminent amongst them have affirmed, that even the Apostles Churches were not so pure, as the new English Churches.

(I) Vide supra. F.

(K) Antap. p. 40. He hath had his Errours, and I refer you for proof to his discourse about cleering the Doctrine of Reprobation. See the Preface of Doctor Twisse his Answer.

(L) The short Story in the Preface, par. 10. What men they saw Eminent in the Countrey, and of most esteem in the hearts of the peo∣ple, they would be sure still to father their opinions upon them, and say, I hold nothing but what I had from such and such a man.

Ibid. p. 65. She pretended she was of Master Cottons judge∣ment in all things.

(M) Williams Examination, p. 12. Some few yeers since he was upon the point to separate from the Churches there, as legal.

Ibidem, p. 33. How could I possibly be ignorant as he seems to charge me, of their estate, when being from first to last in Fellow∣ship with them, an Officer amongst them, had private and publike agitations concerning their estate with all or most of their Ministers.

(N) Short story, Preface, p. 7. By this time they had to patro∣nise them, some of the Magistrates, and some men eminent for Religion, Parts, and Wit.

Ibidem, p. 25. Master Wheelwright had taught them, that the former Governour and some of the Magistrates then were friends of Christ and Free-grace, but the present were enemies. The former Governour never stirred out but attended by the Serjeants with Hal∣berts or Carrabines, but the present Governour was neglected.

Ibid. p. 35. After that she had drawn some of eminent place, and parts, to her party, whereof some profited so well as in a few moneths they out-went their Teacher.

Ibidem, p. 33. Ʋpon the countenance which it took from some eminent persons, her opinions began to hold up their heads in the Court of Justice.

(N 2.) Ibidem, p. 32. It was a wonder, upon what a sudden the whole Church of Boston, some few excepted were become her new converts, and infected with her opinions.

Ibid. Preface, p. 7. In the Church of Boston most of these Seducers lived.

Ibid. p. 36. The Court laid to her charge, the reproach she had cast upon the Ministery in this Countrey, saying That none of them did preach the Covenant of Free-grace but Master Cotton. She told them that there was a wide difference between Master Cottons Ministery and theirs; and that they could not hold forth a Covenant of Free-grace, because they had not the Seal of the Spirit.

Ibidem. p. 50. All the Ministers consented to this, except their Brother the Teacher of Boston. Ibid. p. 52. Master Wheelwright being present, spoke nothing, though he well discerned that the judge∣ment of the most of the Magistrates, and near all the Ministers closed with the affirmative. Ibidem, p. 21. Albeit, the Assembly of the Churches had confuted and condemned most of these new opinions, and Master Cotton had in publike view consented with the rest; yet the Leaders in these Erroneous wayes, stood still to maintain their new Light; Master Wheelwright also continued his preaching after his former manner; and Mistresse Hutchinson her wonted meetings and exercises; and much offence was still given by her, and others, in going out of the ordinary Assemblies. When (Mr. Wilson) the Pastor of Boston began any exercise, it was conceived by the Magistrate that the case was now desperate, and it was determined to suppresse them by Civil Authority.

(O) Apologetical Narration, p. 5. We had likewise the fatal miscarriages and shipwracks of the Separation, whom you call

Brownists, as Land-marks to forewarn us of these Rocks and Shelves they run upon.

Cottons Letter to Williams, pag. 12. I said that God had not prospered the way of Separation, because he hath not blessed it either with peace among themselves or with growth of grace. The Lord Jesus never delivered that way of Separation to which they bear wit∣nesse, nor any of his Apostles after him, nor of his Prophets before him. We do not come forth to help them against Jehovah; this were not to help Jehovah, but Satan against him. We cannot pray in Faith for a blessing upon their Separation, which we see not to be of God, nor to lead to him: It is little comfort to the true Servants of Christ that such inventions of men are multiplied.

(P) Answer to the thirty two Questions, p. 7. Whether is the greater number, these that are admitted to Church-Communion, or these that are not, we cannot certainly tell.

(Q 1.) Plain dealing, p. 73. Here such confessions and professi∣ons are required, both in private and publike, both by men and women, before they be admitted, that three parts of the people of the Countrey remain out of the Church, so that in short time, most of the people will remain unbaptised.

(Q 2. Williams of the name Heathen, p. 6. Nations protest∣ing against the Beast, no Papists, but Protestants, may we say of them that they or any of them may be called in true Scripture sence, Heathens, that is, the Nations or Gentiles, in opposition to the people of God, which is the onely Holy Nation? Such a departure from the Beast in a false constitution of National Churches, if the bodies of Protestant Nations remain in an unregenerate estate, Christ hath said they are but as Heathens and Publicans.

(Q 3.) Plain dealing, p. 21. There hath not been any sent forth by any Church, to learn the Natives language, or to instruct them in our Religion first, because they say they have not to do with them be∣ing without, except they come to hear, and learn English.

(R) Williams of the name Heathen, p. 10. For our New-England parts, I can speak it confidently, I know it to have been easie for my self, long ere this, to have brought many thousands of these Natives, yea, the whole Countrey to a far greater Antichristian conversion, then ever was heard of in America. I could have brought the whole Countrey to have observed one day in seven: I adde, to have received Baptism, to have come to a stated Church meeting, to have

maintained Priests, and Forms of Prayer, and a whole form of An∣tichristian worship in life and death.

(S) Ibid. p. 11. Wo be to me, if I call that conversion to God, which is indeed the subversion of the souls of millons in Christendom, from one false worship to another.

Williams Key unto the language of America, p. 9. To which I could easily have brought the Countrey, but that I was perswaded, and am, that Gods way is first to turn a soul from its idols, both of heart, worship, and conversation, before it is capable of worship to the true God.

(T) Short story, p. 32. Many good souls were brought to waite for this immediate revelation; then sprung up also that opinion of the indwelling of the person of the Holy Ghost.

Ibidem, Preface, p. 13. That their own revelations of parti∣cular events, were as infallible as the Scripture.

(V) Short story, Preface, pag. 2. Sin in a childe of God must never trouble him. Trouble in conscience for sins of Commission, or for neglect of duties, sheweth a man to be under a Covenant of Works.

(X) Short story Preface, p. 2. A Christian is not bound to the Law as the rule of his conversation.

(Y) Ibid. p. 3. No Christian must be pressed to duties of Holi∣nesse.

(Z) Short story Preface, p. 13. Their Leaders fell into more hideous delusions, as that the souls of men are mortal like the Beasts.

(AA) Short story, p. 59. These who are united to Christ, have in this life new bodies, and two bodies.

(BB) Ibid. She knoweth not how Jesus Christ should be united to this our fleshly body; these who have union with Christ, shall not rise with the same fleshly body; and that the Resurrection mentioned in 1 Cor. 15.44. is not meant of the Resurrection of the body, but of our union here in this life.

(CC) Ibid. p. 60. We are united to Christ with the same union that his humanity on earth was with his Deity. That she had no Scri∣pture to warrant that Christs manhood is now is Heaven; but the body of Christ is his Church.

(DD) Ibid. Preface, p. 1. You shall see a Litter of ninty one of their brats hung up against the Sun, besides many new ones of Mistresse Hutchinsons.

(EE) Ibid. Multitudes of men and women were infected be∣fore they were aware.

(FF) Ibid. Preface, p. 7. They had some of all sorts and qua∣lities in all places, to defend and patronise them: Almost in every fa∣mily, some were ready to defend them as the Apple of their own eye.

(GG) Vide supra. N 2.

(HH) Short story Preface, pag. 4. They would appear very humble, holy, and spiritual Christians, and full of Christ.

(II) Ibid. They would deny themselves far, and speak excel∣lently.

(KK) Ibid. They would pray with such soul ravishing affecti∣ons and expressions, that a stranger could not but love and admire them.

(LL) Ibid. They lifted up their opinions by guilding them over with the specious termes of Free-grace, Glorious-Light, Gospel-Truths, holding out naked Christ.

(MM) Vide supra. LL.

(NN) Preface, p. 7. O their boldnesse, pride, insolency, the disturbances, divisions, contentions they raised among us, both in Church and State, and Families, setting division betwixt Husband and Wife!

Ibid. p. 9. And seeing a spirit of pride, subtilty, malice and con∣tempt of all men that were not of their minde breathing in them, our hearts were sadded, and our spirits tyred.

(OO) Ibid. p. 4. Their followers in admiration of them, would tell others, that since the Apostles times, they were perswaded none ever received so much light from God, as such and such had done, naming their Leaders. See also before H.

(PP) Short story, pag. 39. She said it was revealed to her long since in England, That all the pack of the Ministers there were An∣tichristian, so that she durst hear none of them, after Master Cotton and Master Wheelwright were once gone; for they could not preach Christ, and the new Covenant.

(QQ) Preface, pag. 8. The faithful Ministers of Christ must have dung cast in their faces, and be no better then legal Preach∣ers, Baals Priests, Popish Factors, Scribes, Pharisees, and Opposers of Christ himself.

(RR) Vide supra. N 1.

(SS) Preface, p. 9. The Magistrates were Achabs, Amazia's, enemies to Christ, led by Satan.

(TT) Ibid. These were enemies to Christ; Herods, Pilates, Scribes and Pharisees, yea, Antichrists; and advised all under a Cove∣nant of Grace, to look upon them as such: And with great zeal did stimulate them to deal with them as such, and alleadged the story of Moses that killed the Egyptian, and left it barely so.

(VV) Ibid. It was a wonder of mercy, that they had not set our Common-wealth and Churches on a fire, and consumed us all therein.

(XX) Preface, pag. 7. They had some of all quality to defend them, some of the Magistrates, some Gentlemen, some Schollers, some of our Captains and Souldiers, some in Military Trainings.

(YY) Short story, p. 33. They made full accompt the day had been theirs.

(ZZ) Master Williams in his Discourse to me, assured me hereof.

(AAA) Short story, p. 43. Ʋnder their conduct, the old Ser∣pent had prepared such an Ambushment, as in all reason would soon have driven Christ and the Gospel out of New-England, (though to the ruine of the instruments themselves, as well as of others) and to the repossessing of Satan in his ancient Kingdom.

(BBB) Preface, p. 12. Mistresse Hutchinson being big with childe, and growing towards the time of her Labour, brought out not one, but thirty monstrous births or thereabouts at once, none at all of them of humane shape.

(CCC) Ibid. Mistresse Dyer brought forth her birth of a Woman childe, a Beast, a Fish, and a Foul, all woven together in one, and without an head.

(DDD) Ibid. Though he that runs may read their sin in these judgements, yet, behold the desperate hardnesse of heart in these per∣sons, and all their followers; they turned all from themselves upon the faithful servants of God that laboured to reclaim them, saying, This is for you ye Legalists, that your eyes might be further blinded by Gods hand upon us in your legal wayes, that you may stumble and fall, and in the end break your necks in Hell, if ye imbrace not the Truth.

(EEE) Ibid. p. 5. These persons with many others infected by them, went altogether out of our Jurisdiction into an Iland, and there they live to this day most of them, hatching and multiplying new opinions, and cannot agree, but are miserably divided into sundry Sects and Factions.

(FFF) Mistresse Hutchinson being weary of the Iland, went from thence with all her family, to live under the Dutch, neer a place in the Map called Hell-gate.

(GGG) There the Indians set upon them, and slew her and all her family; her daughter, and her daughters husband; and all their children, save one that escaped. Some write that the Indians did burn her to death, withall that belonged to her. I never heard that the Indians in these parts did commit the like outrage upon any other.

(HHH) Vide KKK 1.

(III) Ibid. p. 13. They grew also many of them very loose in their practises; for these opinions will certainly produce a filthy life by degrees: As no Prayer in their Familes, no Sabbath, insufferable pride, frequent and hideous lying; and some of them became guilty of fouler sins then all these, which I here name not.

Cottons third Sermon, 6. Vial, pag. 9. The calamities of the Countrey are from God; he takes away all; whether by our pride, that we must have every new fashion, and be like the men of the world, in houses, apparel, and the like; or daintinesse, that we must have our varieties, though it cost never so much, and no matter what followeth, though it eat up our estates. The Lord hath made use of our folly, and pride, and daintinesse, our idlenesse, and covetousnesse.

Idem. 2. Vial, pag. 26. We know that in England there is no such unfaithful dealing, and hollow heartednesse? no such bitternesse between Christians. What will befal your posterity, they will degene∣rate out of measure, by the unfaithfulnesse of your lives, and the un∣righteousnesse of your promises.

(KKK 1.) Short story, p. 44. The Midwife, one Hawkins, was notorious for familiarity with the divel, and now a prime Familist: The most of the Women who were present at Mistresse Dyers travel, were suddenly taken with such a violent vomiting, and purging, without eating or drinking of any thing, as they were forced to go home; others had their children taken with Convulsions, which they had not before, nor since, and so were sent for home: So that none were left at the birth, but the Midwife and two other; whereof one fell asleep at such time as the childe died, which was about two hours be∣fore the birth: The Bed wherein the mother lay, shook so violently, that all who were in the Room perceived it.

(KKK 2.) Ibid. p. 63, 64. Then Master Cotton told the Assem∣bly, That whereas she had been formerly dealt with for matter of

Doctrine, he had according to the duty of his place, being the Teacher of the Church, proceeded against her unto admonition: But now the case bring altered, and she being questioned for maintaining of untruth, which is matter of Manners, he must leave the businesse to the Pastor Master Wilson to go on with her; but withal declared his judgement in the case from that in the Revelation, ch. 22. That such as make and maintain a lie, ought to be cast out of the Church; and whereas two or three pleaded that she might first have a second Ad∣monition, according to that in Titus 3.10. He answered, That that was onely for such as erred in point of Doctrine; but such as shall no∣toriously offend in matter of conversation, ought to be presently cast out, as he proved by Ananias and Saphira, and the incestuous Corin∣thian.

Ibid. p. 65. It was observed that she should now come under Admonition for many foul and fundamental Errours, and after he cast out for notorious lying.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Independency the smallest of all the Sects of the time for number, but greatest for worth of its followers.
• * 1.2

  The division of the follow∣ing matter.
• * 1.3

  Independents, the Separatist•• off-spring.
• * 1.4

  When the fire of Brownism was dying out in Holland, a little of its ashes carried to New Eng∣land, broke out there into a lasting flame.
• * 1.5

  By what means these ashes were kindled.
• * 1.6

  Master Cotton at first a great opposite to that way.
• * 1.7

  Master Cotton with little ado, became the great patron of that Errour.
• * 1.8

  Master Cotton the misleader of Master Goodwin and others.
• * 1.9

  Master Cotton often decei∣ved, hath given his patrociny to divers grosse Errours.

  Why God per∣mits great men to fall in evi∣dent Errours.
• * 1.10

  His Prelatical Arminian and Montanistick Tenents.
• * 1.11

  His Antinomy and Familism.
• * 1.12

  Independency large, as un∣happy as Brownism.
• * 1.13

  Wherefore so much of the Independent way lies yet in darknesse.
• * 1.14

  The fruits of Independency in New England.
• * 1.15

  1. It put thou∣sands of Chri∣stians in the condition of Pagans.
• * 1.16

  2. It marrs the conversion of Pagans to the Christian Re∣ligion.
• * 1.17

  3. It did bring forth the foul∣est Heresies that ever yet were heard of in any Prote∣stant Church.
• * 1.18

  A few exam∣ples of the ma∣ny abominable Heresies of the New-English Independents.
• * 1.19

  The greatest part of th••ir chief Churches were infected with these errours.

  Th•• pi••••ty of these Here∣ticks seem••d to be singular.
• * 1.20

  Their malice against all who opposed them, was singular, especially a∣gainst all their Orthodox Mi∣nisters,
• * 1.21

  and Magi∣strates.
• * 1.22

  Their Errours in opinion did draw on such seditious practises, as did well neer overturn both their Church and State.
• * 1.23

  Their proud obstinacy a∣gainst all ad∣monitions was marvellous.
• * 1.24

  In the midst of their pro∣fession of emi∣nent piety, the profanity of many of them was great.
• * 1.25

  Notwith∣standing all this, we desire from our heart, to honour and imitate all and every degree of Truth or Pie∣ty, which did ever appear in any New-Eng∣lish Christian.