In the controversy with Mrs. Hutchinson, 1637, 8, Winthrop and Coddington took different sides, the one being inclined to support her pretensions to pi ety, and all her extravagancies of opinion, the other joined in the censure passed upon her at her trial, when the court saw fit to banish her from the colony. The politicks of our little commonwealth were not a little mingled with that spiritual quixotism which disturbed their tranquillity. Vane, Coddington, and others, were opposed to Winthrop and Dudley. The country people were the friends of Winthrop; the inhabitants of Boston were with Vane, whose interest sunk, when the familists were banished. Mr. Coddington would not even sit with gov. Winthrop, in the seat provided for the magistrates, but went and took his place with the deacons, and soon after this, he went to Aquetneck, an island in Narraganset. He had a large property in Boston, was a merchant of the first character, and had been treasurer of the colony. He built the first brick house in this metropolis. When the people had incorporated themselves as a body poli tick, they chose him governour. He continued in this office till the island was incorporated with Providence plantations, seven years after their removal from Boston. In 1647, he assisted in forming their new constitution, and was chosen governour the next year, which office he refused.

In 1651 "he had a commission from the supreme authority in England to be governour of the island, pursuant to a power reserved in the patent: but the people being jealous the commission might affect their lands and liberties as secured to them by the patent, he readily laid it down on the first notice from England that he might do so; and for their further satisfaction and contentment he, by a writ ing under his hand, obliged himself to make a formal surrender to all right and title to any of the lands more than his proportion, in common with the other inhabitants, whenever it should be demanded,"

R

This account is from Mr. Callender's historical discourse, who was prejudiced in his favour from the sacrifices he made, his zeal to promote their interests, especially the general toleration of religious opinions, which was allowed in no other part of New England, and perhaps, we may extend our observation by saying, at that time, no part of Christendom.

He retired from publick business a number of years after this patriotick exertion, but in his latter days was again a candidate for the honours of his country. In 1678, he died governour of the colony. He was then 78 years of age.*

The honourable Mr. Coddington who was a magistrate of the colony, 1738, and highly esteemed for his fidelity and other virtues, was a grandson of the first governour.

COLLINS JOHN, minister of the gospel, was graduated at Harvard College, A. D. 1649. He was elected fellow of the corporation, and continued.

He became a celebrated preacher in London, having a sweet voice and most affectionate manner in the pulpit. He was chaplain to gen. Monk, when he marched out of Scotland into England; was one of the lecturers at Pinner's hall, and died Dec. 3d, 1687, universally lamented.†

*On the 24th of March, 1637,8, the Indian sachems signed the deed or grant of Aquetneck, &c. and the English not only paid the gratuities, to the sachems, but many more to the inhabitants to remove off, as appears by receipts still extant.

The settlement began at Pocasset, the east end of the island, since called Portsmouth. In 1644, they called it, Isle of Rhodes, or Rhode Island. When the island was first incorporated, they chose a judge to do justice and judgment and preserve peace. This was Mr. Coddington. In 1740, they voted he should be called governour. W. Brenton was chosen deputy governour; N. Easton, J. Coggeshall, William Boulston and John Porter were chosen assistants.

In the Magnalia, we are told that when Mr. Collins laid sick, Mr. Mead prayed so affectionately for him that there hardly was a dry eye in the great congregation at Pinner's Hall, where he had been a lecturer. Dr. Mather, in allusion to Mr. Collins's ser

He had a son who was educated for the ministry at Utrecht, who was afterwards minister of one of the churches in the city of London.

His publications are a sermon in the morning exercises, upon this question-How are the religious of a nation the strength of it? a sermon, Jude, 3d v. a prefatory epistle before Mr. Venning's remains, also, one before the treatise of eternal glory, written by Mr. Mitchel of Cambridge.

COLLINS NATHANIEL, pastor of the church of Middleton, Connecticut, was the younger brother of John, both were the sons of deacon Collins of Cambridge. The younger brother was graduated, 1660, and he died, Dec. 28, 1684.

He united in his character all the qualities of exemplary piety, extraordinary ingenuity, obliging affability;" and was a very excellent preacher. Ille pius pastor, quo non præstantior unus Qui faciendo docet, quæ facienda docet.

COLMAN BENJAMIN, D. D. minister of the church in Brattle street, Boston, was born in Boston, 1674. His parents came from London, not many years before this excellent son of theirs was born. Young Colman received his education at Harvard College, was a studious youth, though of

mon in the M. E. says, the nation weakened by his death, would be a good running title for his funeral sermon.

Of Nathaniel Collins, that there were more wounds given to Connecticut by his death, than Cæsar received in the senate house.

He says likewise that he should have written some verses upon his death, but he recollected the clause in a certain gentleman's will, mentioned by Thuanus, that they should not burden his hearse with bad funeral verses; and because that sacred thing verse has been, by the licentious part of mankind, so prostituted, that whatever is now offered, becomes suspected. Nevertheless the merits of Mr. Collins were such, that his life must be written, or at least so much of it as this, that "he deserved highly to have his life written."

The Dr. consoles the colony of Connecticut, lest they should be too much depressed by the loss of a faithful minister, with a saying whereby the mother of Brasides was comforted. Vir bonus est Brasides, et fortis, sed habet multos Sparta similes. So were then living in Connecticut a number of very good preachers!!!

a very infirm constitution. He was graduated, 1692, and commenced preaching, but did not incline to settle in the ministry till he gained wisdom by age and experience. When he arrived at the age of 21, he had a strong inclination to visit the land of his fathers, and his friends supposed that he would fix his abode in England. He suffered during the passage, the voyage being perilous, and the vessel being attacked by an enemy, a French privateer, which captured them after a severe engagement. Mr. Colman was on the vessel's deck during the fight, and received unkind usage from the enemy on account of being a protestant priest. When he was in France, it was a satisfaction to the grinning multitude to insult a man, who was an heretick, and preached against the pope of Rome. But in every place there are humane people, who look with pity upon people in distress; and among christian nations those who visit the prisoner. They resist the spirit of bigotry, and oppose the demon of persecution, whether clothed in the garb of the saint, or raging with the sword of violence. From having a wisp of straw to lie upon, in the gloomy vaults of a prison, Mr. C. received kindness from persons he never knew, and who only considered that he was a stranger. When there was an exchange of prisoners, he went to London, where he had many friends. He preached to great acceptance in that city, became acquainted with Dr. Bates, Dr. Calamy and Mr. Howe, the most famous ministers among the dissenters, and received many marks of their esteem.* He was introduced by them to several

* Dr. Colman was present with the London ministers when they presented their address of condolence to king William upon the death of the queen. Dr. Bates presented it. The composi tion is beautiful, but when delivered, it had a surprising effect. The courtiers said they never saw the king so moved, and con. fessed that they never knew the power of eloquence equal to it upon themselves. Dr. Colman in his manner of speaking and writing endeavoured to imitate Bates's excellencies. The same observation was made of the late Dr. Samuel Cooper concerning his method of sermonizing.

churches, and having been so highly recommended, they earnestly requested his continuance. His inclination might have led him to stay in Great Britain, had he not received a more pressing solicitation to return to Boston, and take the pastoral charge of a new church, which some of the principal inhabitants of the town had then erected. The London ministers, with whom he had associated, ordained him, the latter part of the year 1699. He arrived in Boston the next season, where he met with a most cordial reception from the people of his society. There were, however, many hurt by the proceedings of the society in Brattle street. The church was built in opposition to the Cambridge platform. Ministers, venerable for their age and wisdom, such as Mr. Higginson and Mr. Hubbard, bore their testimony to the order of the churches, and one of them in a letter to Dr. Mather, calls it a "presbyterian brat;" nor would any of the churches hold communion with Mr. Colman for some years. But he continued the faithful, and beloved pastor of this flock, until the summer of 1747, and then died at the age of 73. of 73. As a preacher, he obtained great celebrity for his elocution. He had a lively animation without much fiery zeal. He allured men, instead of driving them into right paths. His manners were soft and obliging; so ready was he to overlook frailties and praise excellencies in others, that he was called a flatterer; but this was owing to his civility and good breeding. Polite men are not always guilty of simulation, nor duplicity.

Dr. Colman received a diploma of doctor in divinity from the university of Glasgow, 1731. He was elected president of Harvard College, 1724. He was fellow of the corporation during the time, that president Leverett, and his successor, were in the chair. He was at the head of the clergy after the death of Dr. Cotton Mather. One of the best discourses he ever published was, an eulogy upon that great scholar. They had been long at variance,