USA > Connecticut > The history of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, from the settlement of the colony to the death of Bishop Seabury > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33
Parishes formed in Watertown and Milford, and churches begun . 238
Signs of political trouble 239
General Congress of the Colonies to remonstrate against the Stamp- Act 239
Course of the clergy of the Church of England 240
Dr. Chandler's letter to the Society . 243 Repeal of the Stamp-Act . 246
Declaratory Act, and Webster's description of its effect 246
Trials and disasters in store for the Church in Connecticut · 247
Vigilance of the Missionaries, and their Christian character · 248
CHAPTER XIX.
APPEAL OF THE CLERGY OF CONNECTICUT FOR A BISHOP; DR. CHANDLER'S PUBLICATIONS, AND THE REPLIES OF HIS ANTAGO- NISTS.
A. D. 1766.
Convention at Stratford, and Address of the clergy :250
Want of a Bishop 250
Resolution of the Society not to establish any more Missions in New England 251
Private entreaties for an American Episcopate unavailing 252
Plans of union among Presbyterians and Congregationalists 255 Dr. Chauncey's notice of the Bishop of Landaff's sermon . 256 William Livingston's pamphlet on the same subject, and the reply to it 257
xxii
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Chandler's " Appeal to the Public," and Dr. Johnson's assistance . 257 Spirit of the attacks upon it from various quarters . . 259 " Appeal to the Public Answered," by Dr. Chauncey . . 260
" The Appeal Defended " · .
.
. 261
Action of Colonial Legislatures .
.
. 262
CHAPTER XX.
WILLIAM SAMUEL JOHNSON A SPECIAL AGENT TO ENGLAND FROM THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT; DEATH OF ARCHBISHOP SECKER; AND CLOSE OF THE PUBLIC CONTROVERSY CONCERNING AN AMER- ICAN EPISCOPATE.
A. D. 1766-1771.
Departure of Mr. Johnson for England as a special agent from the Colony .
263 His introduction to the best society, and interest in the American Episcopate
· 263
Extract from a letter to Governor Trumbull . 265
Death of Archbishop Secker · 266 His character, and zeal for the Church in this country
267
Indifference of the British ministry to her welfare, and political mis- takes 268
Dr. Johnson preparing students of Divinity for Holy Orders · 269
New names added to the list of Missionaries · 270
Andrews, Mansfield, and Peters extend their ministrations into the more northern provinces 271
Church built in that part of Pomfret now called Brooklyn · 273
Trials of Godfrey Malbone
· 274
CHAPTER XXI.
SUPPORT OF THE CLERGY; RENEWAL OF THEIR APPEAL FOR A BISHOP; AND PROCEEDINGS OF DELEGATES FROM THE SYNOD OF NEW YORK AND PHILADELPHIA, AND FROM THE ASSOCIATIONS OF CONNECTICUT.
A. D. 1771-1772.
Provision for the Missionaries
· 276
Church at Middletown . 277
Libraries of the clergy
· 277 Effort to establish the Church in Hartford unsuccessful 278 Suit at law to recover land
. 279 Signs of increased interest in the services of the Church . 280 .
CONTENTS.
xxi.i
PAGE
Renewed appeal for an American Episcopate .
282
Proceedings of Delegates in opposition to the measure 283
Letters to the Committee of Dissenters in London 283 Statistics of Episcopalians and non-Episcopalians in the Colony 286 Religious liberty, and the General Association of Congregational ministers in Connecticut 287
CHAPTER XXII.
ENUMERATION OF EPISCOPALIANS IN CONNECTICUT ; ITS INFLU- ENCE; AND THE DEATH OF REV. DR. JOHNSON.
A. D. 1772-1774.
Proportion of Episcopalians to non-Episcopalians 288
Secret opposition to the Church 289
Correspondence of Johnson with Bishop Lowth and Dr. Berkeley 290
Spirit of the Convention of Delegates
291
Testimony of the elder Adams .
291
Connecticut churchmen emigrating into new settlements · 292
Gideon Bostwick appointed a Missionary in Great Barrington, and
James Nichols, the last of those from Connecticut who went to England for Holy Orders 293
Troubles of the country thickening, and no new missions planted 293
Death of the Rev. Dr. Johnson 295
His Life compiled by Dr. Chandler 296
The Rev. Mr. Kneeland his successor at Stratford · 297
Influence and labors of Mr. Beach
.
298
Clouds in the American sky
· 299
CHAPTER XXIII.
THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION; AND THE ADHERENCE OF THE CLERGY OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND TO THE CAUSE OF THE CROWN.
A. D. 1774-1776.
Churchmen the objects of public suspicion 301 Arrest of the Rev. Samuel Seabury, and his confinement in New
302
Haven . · His memorial to the General Assembly, and release . 303 Returns to Westchester, and becomes a chaplain to a Loyal Ameri- can Regiment · 305
Independence of the Rev. Samuel Peters, and a mob in Hebron
·
306
His forced confession, and escape from the country .
.
306
xxiv
CONTENTS.
PAGE
The clergy drawn into embarrassments and perils from supporting the Crown 308
Zeal of the partisans for liberty . 309
Opposition to Mr. Mansfield, and his flight to Long Island · 310
The Laity for the most part in sympathy with the Clergy . 310
Course of Dr. William Samuel Johnson . . 311
Loyalty among the Congregational ministers
. 313
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; TRIALS OF THE MISSION- ARIES IN CONNECTICUT ; AND DEATH OF MR. BEACH.
A. D. 1776-1781.
The Thirteen Colonies declared independent 315
Oaths of allegiance, taken at the time of their ordination, involving
the clergy in new troubles . 315
Treatment of Viets, Leaming, and other Missionaries in Connecticut 316 Meeting of the clergy at New Haven, and resolution to suspend the public exercise of their ministry 318
Firmness of Mr. Beach, and his churches not closed . · 319
Action of the parish in Norwich · 320 Troubles of Mr. Graves, and his abandonment of his parish 321
Reopening of the churches, and use of prayers for Congress and the Independent States 323
Visit of the British forces under General Tryon to New Haven . 324
Fairfield and Norwalk burnt with their churches 325-327
Loss by Mr. Leaming, and his escape to New York . . 328
Abuse of sacred edifices, and treatment of Mr. Marshall . 329
Death of Mr. Beach, and the memory of his name . . 331
CHAPTER XXV.
DISCOURAGING FEATURES IN THE CAUSE OF THE COLONIES; CON- NECTICUT THE THEATRE OF FRESH HORRORS; CHANGE IN THE BRITISH MINISTRY, AND TREATY OF PEACE. 4
A. D. 1781-1783.
Leading patriots of the land despondent .
· 332
Washington mourning the lack of public virtue
· 332
Depreciation of the currency .
. 333 Jealousy among the military officers .
. 334
Blunders of the British ministry
. 336
CONTENTS.
XXV PAGE
The clergy not willing to forfeit their stipends from the Society,
while the issue of the contest was in doubt . 336
Expedition to New London under Benedict Arnold . 337
The town burnt, with the Episcopal church · 337
Garrison in Fort Griswold massacred 338
Purity and piety of the Connecticut clergy · 339
Tribute of respect to their memory .
340
Negotiations for a general peace begun in Paris
342
Treaty signed, and independence of the Thirteen Colonies acknowl- edged .
. 343
CHAPTER XXVI.
CONDITION OF THE CHURCH IN CONNECTICUT AT THE CLOSE OF THE WAR; MEETING OF THE CLERGY AT WOODBURY, AND DR. SEABURY PREVAILED UPON TO GO TO ENGLAND FOR CONSECRA- TION ; WITHDRAWAL OF MISSIONARIES AND LOYALISTS TO THE BRITISH PROVINCES.
A. D. 1783-1784.
Gloomy prospects for the Missionaries 345
Loss of their stipends from the Society · 345
Number in Connecticut at the close of the war 346
Meeting at Woodbury, to deliberate upon the affairs of the Church and organize for the future . 346
Samuel Seabury prevailed upon to go to England for consecration . 347
His departure . 348
Letter of the clergy to the Archbishop of York · 348
Pamphlet of the Rev. William White
349
Treatment of the Loyalists, and their emigration to the British provinces 351
Withdrawal of the clergy and portions of their flocks ·
353
Misfortunes of the Rev. Dr. Charles Inglis · 356 His elevation to the See of Nova Scotia .
. 357 Testimony to the character of the Refugees by the Bishop of Oxford 357
xxvi
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXVII.
ARRIVAL OF SEABURY IN LONDON, AND IMPEDIMENTS TO HIS CON- SECRATION. CONSECRATED IN SCOTLAND. RETURN TO CONNECT- ICUT; AND PRIMARY CONVENTION AT MIDDLETOWN. .
A. D. 1784-1785. PAGE Dr. Seabury presents his testimonials to the English Bishops · 358 Objections to his consecration raised · 358
Correspondence between the bishop elect and the clergy of Connect- icut 359
Reluctance of Parliament to authorize the consecration 360
Attention directed to the Scotch succession · 361 Dr. Seabury visits Scotland, and receives consecration · 363 Returns to London, and addresses a letter to the Venerable Society . 365 Stipends of the Missionaries cease . 366
Arrival of Bishop Seabury at New London 367
Convention at Middletown, and public reception by the clergy of their Bishop . . 368
Ordination of four candidates to the Diaconate .
370
Sermon of Mr. Leaming before the Convention · 370
Bishop Seabury's First Charge . . 371
CHAPTER XXVIII.
PROCEEDINGS OF CONVENTIONS OF DELEGATES FROM SEVERAL STATES, AND ATTEMPTS TO UNITE THE CHURCH IN THE INDE- PENDENT COLONIES UNDER ONE GENERAL CONSTITUTION.
A. D. 1785-1786.
Business of the Convention at Middletown · 373 Meeting of Delegates from different States at New Brunswick . · 374
Meeting in New York, and refusal of Connecticut to join in the meas- ures contemplated 374
Interchange of civilities
·
376
Correspondence between Drs. White and Smith and Bishop Seabury and Dr. Chandler 377
Clergy of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire meet at Boston 379 . First General Convention at Philadelphia ·
380 No representation from any of the New-England States ·
380 Adoption and publication of " The Proposed Book " 381 Settlement of Bishop Seabury at New London, and rebuilding of . 383
the church .
CONTENTS.
xxvii
PAGE
Churches at Fairfield and Norwalk rebuilt . 384
Erection of churches at Branford and Woodbury
. 385
Ordination at Derby, and disposal of the candidates . . 386
CHAPTER XXIX.
CHANGES IN THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER; AND THEIR RECEP- TION IN ENGLAND; CONSECRATION OF DRS. PROVOOST AND WHITE ; THE CHURCH IN CONNECTICUT, AND CORRESPONDENCE OF BISHOPS AND CLERGY.
A. D. 1786-1789.
Communion Office set forth for the use of the Church in Connecticut 388 Reception of " The Proposed Book " in England · 389 Reassembling of the General Convention at Philadelphia . . 389
Answer of English Prelates to the application for the Episcopate, and reply of the Convention . · 390
Attempts to discredit the ordinations of Dr. Seabury . 392
Convention assembles in Wilmington, Delaware, pursuant to adjourn-
ment
· 393
A second letter from the English prelates · 393
Adoption of their suggestions
. 395
Consecration of Drs. Provoost and White in the chapel of Lambeth Palace, and their return to America · 396
Progress of the Church in Connecticut
· 397
Steps of her clergy to secure a coadjutor Bishop
. 399
Correspondence between Bishops Skinner and Seabury . 400
Efforts to bring about a reconciliation
402
Influence of Leaming and Parker
. 403
CHAPTER XXX.
ELECTION OF A BISHOP FOR MASSACHUSETTS AND NEW HAMPSHIRE; SIGNS OF CHRISTIAN HARMONY; GENERAL CONVENTION AT PHIL- ADELPHIA; COMPLETION OF THE UNION OF THE CHURCH IN ALL THE STATES, AND ADOPTION OF THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER.
A. D. 1789-1790.
Election of Rev. Edward Bass to the Episcopate 405 Appeal to the three Bishops in this country to join in his consecra-
tion . . 405
General Convention at Philadelphia, July, 1789
.
406
xxviii
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Signs of Christian harmony, and recognition of the validity of Bishop Seabury's orders .
406
Death of Dr. Griffith .
406
Action of the Convention upon the case of Mr. Bass . . 407 Healing of the breach between the two great parties · 408
Three Bishops in the Anglican line desired before proceeding to con- secrate .
409
Connecticut appoints clerical delegates to the General Convention, adjourned to meet again in September . 409
A House of Bishops established
411
Seabury and White in council .
412
Completion of the general union, and revision of the Book of Com- mon Prayer .
413
Convocation of the clergy of Connecticut confirm the doings of their · 415
Proctors
Death of Marshall and Leaming
.
. 416
CHAPTER XXXI.
INTRODUCTION OF THE LAITY INTO THE COUNCILS OF THE CHURCH; COURSE OF THE REV. JAMES SAYRE; AND CONSECRATION OF THE FIRST BISHOP IN AMERICA.
A. D. 1790-1792.
Establishment of a College of Doctors ·
418 Appointment of the first Standing Committee . 419 ·
Primary Convention of the Bishop, Clergy, and Laity at New Haven 420
Adoption of an ecclesiastical constitution by the parishes . . 421
Protest of the Rev. James Sayre . 421
Sympathy of the parish at Stratford with his course . . 422
Address of the Rev. John Bowden · 424
Result of the controversy with Mr. Sayre . . 425
The Rev. Ashbel Baldwin called to Stratford, and discontent at Woodbury . 425 Peace throughout the Diocese, and prosperity of the Church · 427 Bishop Seabury preaches the sermon before the General Convention at New York 428 ·
Consecration in England of the Rev. James Madison, as Bishop of Virginia 428
· Consecration of the Rev. Dr. Claggett, Bishop elect of Maryland 429 Incomplete record of confirmations . · 430 Erection of a new church at Newtown 431
CONTENTS.
xxix
CHAPTER XXXII.
.
INFIDELITY ; THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE EPISCOPAL ACADEMY OF CONNECTICUT ; THIRD GENERAL CONVENTION ; AND DEATH OF BISHOP SEABURY. A. D. 1792-1796. PAGE
Infidel opinions and Calvinistic theology . .
·
432
The Church drawing to the old paths and the good way
Foresight of Bishop Seabury . · 433
433
Renunciation of the ministry by the Rev. David Perry 435
Establishment of the Episcopal Academy at Cheshire 436 Third General Convention, and no representative from Connecticut 436
" Strictures on the Love of Power in the Prelacy " .
437
Convocation of the clergy at East Plymouth and Harwinton 437 Consecration of churches, and ordination of Rev. Mr. Griswold 438
Forms of Prayer set forth for Courts and General Assembly 438 Sudden death of Bishop Seabury 439
439
Impress of his character upon the Church in Connecticut .
440
New church at New London . 440
Monument to his memory, and conclusion
. 441.
APPENDIX A.
Letter of Mr. Cutler resigning his charge at Stratford . 445
Extracts from the Records of Yale College
. 446
APPENDIX B.
Letter of Rev. Dr. Johnson to President Clap .
.
447
APPENDIX C.
Correspondence between the Standing Committees of Rhode Island and Connecticut
450
LIST OF SOME OF THE AUTHORS QUOTED OR CONSULTED.
.
453
0
::
Popularity as a man and a preacher . .
HISTORY
OF THE
EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN CONNECTICUT.
CHAPTER I.
THE SETTLEMENT OF NEW ENGLAND, AND THE RELIGIOUS LIB- ERTY ESTABLISHED BY THE PURITANS.
A. D. 1620-1665.
UPWARDS of a century passed away after the dis- covery of America by Christopher Columbus before our extreme eastern shores were lined with English emigrants. The Pilgrims of Leyden, with an ecclesi- astical organization formed before they sailed from Delft Haven, landed at Plymouth in December 1620, and eight years later John Endicott and his company began to plant the Colony of Massachusetts Bay. The resolute and honored Winthrop, and those who immediately followed him, took possession of Boston and the surrounding country in 1630. These were the earliest successful New-England colonies ; and through school-books, tales, poems, orations, com- memorative addresses, and elaborate histories, we have long been taught that they were the offspring of such direct religious persecution in the mother-country as really drove them from their homes. Those who read
1
2
HISTORY OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
history only as a recreation from toil, and shun the labor of collating the representations of different au- thors, are quite ready to fall into this belief, and to float along with the current of popular feelings and prejudices. To speak the truth and to contemplate with calmness the ferments of an age of revolution, ought not to detract from a proper reverence for the character of our Puritan forefathers. Though we know their imperfections and their faults, which were in a measure the faults of the times and of our com- mon ancestry, we may admire and honor none the less their zeal and bravery - their earnestness and energy - their faith and devotion.
Dr. Trumbull begins his "Complete History of Con- necticut, Civil and Ecclesiastical," with this remark- able sentence : "The settlement of New England, purely for the purposes of religion, and the propaga- tion of civil and religious liberty, is an event which has no parallel in the history of modern ages."
Let us cross the ocean and scatter ourselves for a while in the cities and among the Gothic churches of the British realm. What do we hear and what do we see ? We hear cold responses to the prayer for " our most gracious Sovereign Lord, King James." We hear the trumpet giving "an uncertain sound," and we observe signs of popular discontent and evidences of non-conformity to the established religion of the land. Whence has this state of things, this lack of reverence for the venerable usages of the Church, arisen ? If we go back a little, we shall discover that it is one of the unhappy and unintended results of the Reformation. Under the reign of Queen Elizabeth the Protestants became divided into two great parties, -
A
3
IN CONNECTICUT.
those who were in favor of adhering to the Liturgy and ritual order adopted and established in the reign of Edward the Sixth, and those who desired to carry reform still farther, and to introduce a simpler and as they conceived a purer form of church discipline and worship. The opponents of a Liturgy and of the hierarchy were comprehended under the general name of Puritans, - a name which had been applied before to the thin companies of English Protestants in exile on the Continent, while the Bloody Mary occu- pied the throne. Not separating as yet from the Church of England, they were that party within it which accepted its doctrines as set forth in the Thirty- nine Articles, because they were truly Protestant, - but accepted them with the right of private interpre- tation, taking them in the pure Calvinistic sense, and in many cases with the avowed purpose of not con- forming to the prescribed rubrical ceremonies and ob- servances. The Reformation in England, unlike that on the Continent, was conducted by the authority of government, and under the direction of several of the most learned and devoted prelates, - so that there was no good or assignable reason for any departure from the outward order of the Church. All that was intended to be done was to banish doctrines contrary to the Word of God, to make the people acquainted with the Scriptures, to give them a Liturgy free from Romish corruptions, and to remove from it all idle and unprofitable ceremonies.
The English Reformers, therefore, understanding their work well,-which was to restore, not to de- stroy,-paused precisely at that point where they be- lieved their high object would be accomplished; but
4
HISTORY OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
the Puritans were not content. The more moderate among them had scruples of conscience about wear- ing the surplice, the Episcopal habits, and the four- cornered hat, kneeling at the communion, and the sign of the cross in Baptism; while the more violent went farther, and were for imposing their own Gene- van scheme upon the whole nation. On this account, and for their continued disregard of the established form of Church government, Elizabeth treated them with great rigor during almost the whole of her reign. This only served to alienate their affections, to ani- mate their zeal, and to push them into more strenu- ous and decided opposition to the ceremonials of Di- vine worship.
Under James, of the house of Stuart, who succeeded Elizabeth in 1603, their fortunes were not improved, and they gained no advantages as a reforming party; for the king, though educated, in a measure, under Presbyterian influences, favored and maintained the English Church as he found it ordered and settled. Upon his death in 1625, his son Charles the First ascended the throne, and now his reign thickens with events which gave impulse to the colonizing of New England. Two centuries had elapsed since France had furnished a queen-consort to Britain ; but Charles was no sooner crowned than he inaugurated his reign by wedding Henrietta Maria, the beautiful daughter of Henry the Great,-an alliance which, with all its circumstances, excited rather than allayed the irrita- tion of the Puritans. With a good heart, but a weak judgment, he attempted to rule the people more by his sovereign and absolute prerogative than by law. He continued the policy of his father in Church and
5
IN CONNECTICUT.
State, and surrounded himself with advisers who watched narrowly the old controversies, and insisted upon a rigid obedience to the rubrics and canons established under the dominion of his predecessors. When Abbott, the archbishop, sufficiently mild and moderate in his defence of the Reformed Church, but exact in maintaining the prerogatives of the High Commission Court and the Star-Chamber, was laid in his grave, William Laud was elevated to the Primacy, and he, it must be confessed, full of zeal, full of energy, loved and served the Church with all his heart; but, like others of whom we read, raised to important positions in troublous and disastrous times, he had his faults, and attempted the accomplishment of his de- signs with too little wisdom, meekness, or gentleness. Austere in all his habits, repulsive in his manners, impatient under contradiction, and arrogant in his Episcopal sway, he attached to himself no company of grateful and affectionate adherents, but found his enemies multiplying on every side, and ready to thrust him into that path the end of which had always been the scaffold. As the principal and confidential ad- viser of Charles the First, he took no pains to con- ciliate the Puritans ; but, moved by his own sense of duty to the Church, reduced the services through- out the realm to a stricter order, and restored customs and ceremonies which, to say the least, savored of superstition, or which seemed to impress the "senti- ments of local holiness and sacramental efficacy." He was a better man, however, than many who have pur- sued him with malignity, and justified the crime of his execution by painting his character in the darkest and most odious colors.
6
HISTORY OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Non-conformity in the reign of Charles the First was so common that those who administered disci- pline were compelled to use some degree of severity. To uphold the order of the Church by the strength of the secular arm, was accounted the surest way to enforce religious unity ; and no one appears to have questioned the lawfulness of employing violence for the attainment of that end. The sufferings of the Puritans were the fruit of the principles of the times, and the very men who complained of hard treatment under Laud proved themselves to be greater perse- cutors than the Primate himself. The spirit and lan- guage of conciliation were alike unknown in that day. The barbarities inflicted in 1630 upon Leighton, and subsequently upon Prynne and Bastwick and Burton, for having published schismatical and seditious libels, are extraordinary, and overwhelm the mind with astonishment and sorrow. But it was a struggle for preëminence, as events afterwards showed, rather than for toleration ; and when Presbytery acquired power, its little finger would have proved thicker than the loins of the bishops, had not the reins of discipline been stoutly held by the Parliament. And so when Prynne, the persecuted, became a persecutor, "he executed that hateful office with the malignity of a fiend, entering the prison-chamber of Laud whilst he was in bed, searching the pockets of his garments, and refusing to let him have a copy of his own manu- scripts, unless it were made at his own charge." Neal, in his " History of New England," says, "it must be allowed that, when the Puritans were in power, they carried their resentments too far." Unwarrantable cruelty in one party is no justification of it in an-
7
IN CONNECTICUT.
other ; yet when men talk of the sufferings and sac- rifices and self-denial of the Puritans, they should consider the spirit and principles of the age, and remember how those who were thus persecuted turned persecutors and practised the rigors from which they sought to escape. We have the opinion of Bishop Burnet, that the Church of England was milder in her government than either Presbytery or Independency. " It were as easy as it would be invid- ious," says he, " to show that both Presbyterians and Independents have carried the principle of rigor in the point of conscience much higher, and have acted more implacably upon it than ever the Church of England has done, even in its angriest fits."
From this brief review of an eventful period in English history it can hardly be said that the early settlement of New England sprung from any necessity to avoid direct religious persecution in the mother- country, or from an unmixed motive to "propagate civil and religious liberty." "After the fashion of op- pressed sects," are the words of Macaulay, "the Puri- tans mistook their own vindictive feelings for emo- tions of piety ; encouraged in themselves in reading and meditation a disposition to brood over their wrongs, and when they had worked themselves up into hating their enemies, imagined that they were only hating the enemies of Heaven." Their griev- ances were great. Their sufferings were severe enough to irritate them, and bring lasting disgrace on the government; but they did not destroy life. Even the Pilgrims of Leyden, who, separated from the Church, and with their future pastor, John Robinson, fled from the north of England in 1608, without doubt
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.