The history and antiquities of Boston, and the villages of Skirbeck, Fishtoft, Freiston, Butterwick, Benington, Leverton, Leake, and Wrangle; comprising the hundred of Skirbeck, in the county of Lincoln. Including also a history of the East, West, and Wildmore fens, and copious notices of the Holland or Haut-Huntre fen ... sketches of the geology, natural history, botany, and agriculture of the district; a very extensive collection of archaisms and provincial words, local dialect, phrases, proverbs, omens, superstitions, etc. By Pishey Thompson. Illustrated with one hundred engravings.

JOHN COTTON. 415
say, had leavened many of the chief men of the town with Arminianism, as being himself
learned, acute, plausible in discourse, and fit to insinuate into the hearts of his neighbours.
And though he was a physician by profession (and of good skill in that art), yet he spent
the greatest strength of his studies in clearing and promoting the Arminian tenets.
Whence it came to pass, that in all the great feasts of the town, the chiefest discourse at
table did ordinarily fall upon Arminian points, to the great offence of the godly ministers
both in Boston and in neighbouring towns. I coming among them a young man (as having
gone to Cambridge in the beginning of the thirteenth year of my age, and tarrying there
not above fourteen years in all, before I was sent for to Boston), I thought it a part both
of modesty and prudence, not to speak much to the points at the first, amongst strangers
and ancients; until afterwards, after hearing of many discourses in public meetings, and
much private conference with the doctor, I had learned at length where all the great
strength of the doctor lay. And then observing such expressions as gave him any advantage in the opinions of others, I began publickly to preach, and in private meetings to
defend, the doctrine of God's eternal Election, and the Redemption (ex gratia) only of
the Elect; and the impossibility of the fall of a sincere believer, either totally or finally
from the estate of grace.' Hereupon, when the doctor had objected many things, and heard
my answers to those scruples which he was wont most plausibly to urge; presently after,
our public feasts and neighbourly meetings were silent from all further debates about
Predestination, or any of the points which depend thereon, and all matters of religion were
carried on calmly and peaceably. Insomuch, that when God opened my eyes to see the sin
of Conformity (which was soon after), my neglect thereof was at first tolerated without disturbance, and at length embraced by the chief and greatest part of the town."
When Mr. COTTON had been about two years in Boston, he married ELIZABETH
IHORRocKs, sister of the Rev. James Horrocks, a celebrated minister of Lancashire. Shortly after his marriage, Mr. Cotton found he
"Could not digest the ceremonies that were so pressed, nor conform to them, his nonconformity gave him trouble in the Court at Lincoln; this was, however, arranged by Mr.
Leverett,2 who so far insinuated himself with one of the proctors in the Superior Court, to
which Mr. Cotton was advised to appeal, that he swore Mr. Cotton was a conformable man,
and he was restored to Boston. He then went on marvellously successfully in his ministry,
until he had been twenty years there." 3
He always preached at the election of the Mayor, and when he was installed
into office, and always, when at home, at the funerals of the principal people.
He was in great favour with Dr. Williams, Bishop of Lincoln, who admired
him for his learning; and, it is said, when he was Lord Keeper of the Great
Seal, spoke to King James of Mr. Cotton's great learning and worth. The
King, notwithstanding his own conformity, was willing to allow Mr. Cotton
liberty to go on with his ministry without interruption. This may be wondered
at when it is remembered how he acted towards others in similar circumstances;
and one of Mr. Cotton's contemporaries4 observes,"Of all men in the world, I envy Mr. Cotton of Boston most, for he doth nothing in way
of conformity, and yet hath his liberty; and I do everything that way, and cannot enjoy
mine."
Mr. Cotton, however, had many enemies in Boston, as well as friends; but
neither by open practice, nor by secret plotting, could they succeed against him.
" Concerning Mr. Cotton's hospitality," says HuTCHINSON, " wherein he did exceed all that
I ever heard of. His heart and his door were ever open to receive all that feared God;
especially godly ministers, and ministers driven into England by the persecutions then
raging in Germany, these he most courteously sustained."
"Mr. COTTON was a decided Calvinist. Of before I sleep.' "-Mr. POND'S Notes to NORTON'S
CALVIN, he used to say,' I have read the Fathers, Life of Cotton, pp. 105 and 106.
and the Schoolmen, and CALVIN too; but I find 2 " Mr. LEVERETT, a plain man, yet piously subthat he that has CALVIN has them all.' Being tle."-SAMUEL CLARKE.
asked why, in his latter years, he indulged nocturnal HUTCHIrNSON.
studies more than formerly; he replied,' Because 4 Rev. Samuel Ward of Ipswich.
I love to sweeten my mouth with a piece of Calvin