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ing in the country, notwithstanding the many active per⚫ sons concerned with them.

Some had run on headily so far in the defending of those errours, that one offered to maintain in the synod, that Christ himself was part of the new creature; which made one of his disciples (who usually are more zealous in defence of any opinions than their masters) undertake before the whole assembly in Boston church to maintain it by scripture, that Christ and the new creature were all one: not much unlike the gentleman, that to make it appear how resolute a Catholick he was, was heard to say, he not only believed Christ was really present in the sacrament, but that he was there booted and spurred, as he rode to Jerusalem: so this young familist, not content to affirm that Christ was part of the new creature, will boldly affirm he is the new creature; alleging for proof that in the 2 Cor. v. 17; for having some smattering in the French tongue, he observed that in the French bible [qu'il soit] is written in a different character, as if in the original it must therefore be, [if any man be in Christ, the new creature.] To whom Mr. Cotton, according to his wonted meekness and moderation, yet with a nimble sagacity, replied, brother, if the words [he is] are not literally expressed, they are necessarily understood and implied; for read them in your sense, [if any man be in Christ, the new creature,] what follows then? what sense will that be? at which the nonsensical familist was not a little confounded, which made him soon quit that station of defence and retire himself into a present silence as his best refuge. But this may suffice for a taste of the strange spirit of errour, that had begun to leaven several forward professors in that place with such strange notions. Such was the issue of this synod, of which it might truly be affirmed,

"Est synodus, nodus, sed quo constringuit* error."

In the last day of the assembly some other questions were debated and resolved, as about the publick exercising of women's gifts, (as was then the custom in Boston, Qu. Constringitur? ED.

though in a private house,) when fifty or sixty persons were observed to attend constantly every week upon one woman, (who in a prophetical way would take upon her to resolve questions of doctrine, and expound scripture.) This was condemned to be disorderly and without rule. And about asking of questions in publick by the brethren after sermon, not so much for information as for reproof, (then too much in use,) whereby the doctrines delivered were endeavoured to be refuted, and the ministers themselves reproached, which was also condemned.

There was likewise a motion at that time made by the governour about the way of raising maintenance for the ministers, there having been some difference amongst the churches a little before on that account. It was therefore desired that it might now be determined, by the present synod, what way was most agreeable to the gospel; but the ministers did not like to meddle with the question in that assembly, lest some that were not well minded should thereby take occasion to say, that the ministers of the country had caused an assembly to be gathered together for their own ends and advantage: and seeing it is positively declared, 1 Cor. ix. 14, in the gospel, as a thing ordained of God, that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel; it was thought best to leave it to the liberty of each church and people, to take that course for the maintenance of their ministers, which, all things considered, appears most agreeable to their state and condition.

For a conclusion, the reverend Mr. Davenport (as he had been desired by the assembly) preached out of Philip.iii. 16, "Nevertheless, whereunto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing;" out of which words he laid down the occasion of differences amongst christians, and declared the fruit and effect of the present assembly, and with much wisdom, and sound arguments, persuaded all to endeavour the keeping of the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

CHAP. XLI.

The first planting of the country about the river of Connecticut. The occasions leading thereunto, and progress thereof, in the years 1635 and 1636, with some occurrences which have since happened there, both in their civil and ecclesiastical affairs.

THE discovery of the famous river of Connecticut, known to the Dutch by the name of the Fresh river, and by them intimated to the inhabitants of New Plymouth, (possibly to make them some amends for the abuse formerly offered in supplanting them upon their first adventuring into those parts,) hath been mentioned already, where it is declared how the English about the same time happened to discover it by land, as the other had done by sea. The Dutch had only resorted thither on the account of trade with the Indians; and if those of Plymouth had entertained any thoughts of removing thither, they spent too much time in deliberation about the matter, and so were prevented by the inhabitants of the Massachusetts, who were at that time overpressed with multitudes of new families, that daily resorted thither, so as like an hive of bees overstocked, there was a necessity that some should swarm out. The places about the Bay were already in a manner all taken up, and the country about the said river, (whose fame peradventure did not a little outdo its real excellency,) though more remote, yet was thought to make compensation for that, by the abundant fertility of the soil; a great number therefore of the planters of the old towns, viz. Dorchester, Roxbury, Watertown, and Cambridge, were easily induced to attempt a removal of themselves and families upon the first opportunity afforded; which was not a little advanced by the fame and interest of Mr. Hooker, whose worth and abilities had no small influence upon the people of the towns forementioned. It was also said, that besides the causa procata ctica, there was a causa ponysuern, an impulsive cause, that did more secretly and

powerfully drive on the business. Some men do not well like, at least, cannot well bear to be opposed in their judgments and notions, and thence were they not unwilling to remove from under the power, as well as out of the bounds of the Massachusetts. Nature doth not allow two suns in one firmament, and some spirits can as ill bear an equal as others a superiour: but whether they have mended themselves by their choice, they are best able to judge, that have had longest experience of another colony. Possibly it might have been as well for the whole, if they could have been included in one jurisdiction; for by that means their union together by an incorporation had been much firmer and stronger, than by a confederation, as afterwards it came to pass.

It was generally accounted no wisdom to be straitened in a wilderness, where there was land enough; and therefore these, with Isaac, preferred a Rehoboth before a Sitnah; and it were to be wished, that men's desires being obtained as to room, there may never be contention about their bounds. But whatever were the cause, or gave the occasion of setting up these plantations, the design being resolved upon in the year 1634, some were deputed from amongst the towns in the Bay, to view the country, who returning from this Eshcol with a large commendation of the commodiousness of the place, and fruitfulness of the soil, they took up a resolution forthwith to begin several plantations there: accordingly in the year 1635, several families, with the approbation of the authority of the Massachusetts, undertook the removal of themselves to that Canaan of Connecticut; and in the way thereunto, whether they so well expected it and prepared for it or no, they met with many difficulties, and trials of a wilderness, before they were comfortably settled there. For those their hasty resolves, that had so early budded, were sorely nipped, and almost quite blasted, by the sharpness of the winter season that year, and other sad occurrences, which they were called to encounter with in the following year, by the barbarous outrage of the Pequod Indians, who, like Amalek of old,

that set upon the rear of Israel in the wilderness, did sorely annoy those plantations upon Connecticut river, at their first settling there.

The place which those that went from Cambridge had by their agents chosen to settle upon, was by the Indians called Suckiang, where some of them began the plantation in the end of the year 1635; Mr. Hooker and Mr. Stone, the ministers of the church, engaging to follow them the next year, which they did, and called it Hartford. Those of Dorchester settled upon a place called by the Indians Mattaneaug, or Cufchankamaug, after whom Mr. Wareham and the rest of the church engaged to follow, and so likewise did the next year, and called it Windsor. Those that went from Watertown (whereof not above seven were members of the church, and Mr. Smith was afterwards their minister) pitched upon a place known to the Indians by the name of Pauquiaug, which was afterwards by the English named Weathersfield.

The place which these Weathersfield men settled their plantation upon, was a very desirable tract of interval land, which those of Hartford intended for themselves, purposing to stretch one of the wings of their plantation over it; but the other were too quick for them, and seized it to settle their own plantation upon, being situ ate about three miles from Hartford. In such kind of possessions the premier seisin is the best title; they, therefore, being found the first occupants, could not be dispossessed by the pretensions of their neighbours. However it was said, that this preoccupation of theirs had no small influence (directly or indirectly) into those contentions, which for many years (soon after the first planting) disturbed that place, before they could be healed; of which there may be more occasion to speak afterwards. Much of the trouble was said to arise from Mr. Smith, aforesaid, the minister, and one Mr. Chap. lin, the ruling elder. If they did answer the apostle's qualification, 1 Tim. v. 17, of ruling well, and labouring in the word and doctrine, they were not, as the text requires, rewarded with double honour.

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