USA > Massachusetts > The history of Massachusetts, the colonial period. 1492-1692 v. I > Part 21
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Nor was the sentence of banishment passed without reluctance. Governor Winthrop remained his friend to the day of his death, and even proposed, in view of his services in the Pequot War, that his sentence should be revoked.5 Governor Haynes, of Connecticut, who pro- nounced his sentence, afterwards regretted it. Governor Winslow, of Plymouth, who had no hand in his expulsion, " put a piece of gold in the hands of his wife," to relieve his necessities.6 And though Mr. Cotton hardly clears himself from the charge of having procured his sentence,
1 In Cotton's Reply, 31. 5 Winthrop, vol. 1 .; Williams's
' Cotton's Reply. Lett., in 1 M. II. Coll., 1. 278.
& Wm. Coddington. 6 Williams's Lett., in 1 M.H. Coll.,
4 Sir W. Martin's Lett., in Hutch. 1. 277.
, Coll., 106.
243
SETTLEMENT OF PROVIDENCE.
there was no private feud between them.1 Cotton Mather CHAP. concedes, that " many judicious persons judged him to have~ IX. had the root of the matter in him."2 Later writers declare him, " from the whole course and tenor of his life and con- duct, to have been one of the most disinterested men that ever lived, a most pious and heavenly minded soul."3 And the magnanimous exile himself says: " I did ever from my soul honor and love them, even when their judgment led them to afflict me." 4
By the private advice of Governor Winthrop, which was received as a "hint from God," the steps of the fugitive were turned to the shores of the Narraganset Bay, Jan'y., and his tent was first pitched, and he began to build and plant at Scekonk; but learning from Mr. Winslow, that that place was within the Plymouth patent, and that they were "loth to displease the Bay," he, with five others, moved "to the other side of the water," and settled at Providence.5" His intercourse with the Indians here proved of service to him. He had secured the confidence of Mas- sasoit, the amiable chieftain of the Wampanoags; and the " barbarous heart of Canonicus," the chief sachem of the Narragansets, " loved him as his son to the last gasp." By these "ravens " was the wanderer, Elijah-like, " fed in the wilderness ; " and, as a requital for their kindness, he was ever, through life, their advocate and friend. As a token of estecm, Canonicus and Miantonomo conveyed to him the land upon which he founded his colony. "Not thou- sands nor tens of thousands of money " could have bought
1 Cotton's Reply, 8, 25, 35-40 ; Way, 55.
2 Magnalia, 2. 433.
' Callender, in 4 R. I. Coll., 72 ; Hutchinson, 1. 42.
+ Savage, on Winthrop, vol. 1.
5 Williams's Lett.,in 1 M.H. Coll.,
1. 276; Bliss's Rehoboth .- An ap- proximation to the date of his re-
moval to Providence, may be gath- ered from his statement that, be- tween his friends of the Bay and Plymouth, he was " sorely tost for one fourteen weeks;" and, as he left Salem in Jan'y., 1635-6, he may have settled at Providence about the last of April, though some think not until June.
1635-6.
244
CHARACTER OF WILLIAMS.
CHAP. it. It was the gift of the chiefs for favors received. And IX. though the title of the grantee was disputed by the neigh- 1630. boring colonies, who were unwilling to permit him, even in exile, to live in peace, the land was " as truly his own as any man's coat upon his back." Yet he reserved it not for himself, but " desired it for a shelter for persons dis- tressed for conscience," and " gave away his lands and other estate, to them he thought were most in want, until he gave away all."1
His subsequent carcer belongs to the history of Rhode Island ; and in taking leave of him here, we need only say, that, however unjustifiable upon the broad grounds of Christian toleration was the conduct of our fathers in their treatment of this excellent man, the purity of his life, the fervency of his zeal, and the sincerity of his re- ligious convictions, joined to the triumph of the principles he espoused, especially his doctrine of the sanctity of conscience, have gained for him an immortality of fame as merited and as precious as the fame of his judges ; and, as the fables and visions; of one age, become the facts and the practice of that which succeeds, so the prosperity of that colony for which he labored so earnestly, and its suc- cessful vindication of his once despised but now accepted doctrine of soul-liberty, which the world is beginning to recognize as an immutable truth, render its history one of interest and attraction in the annals of New England.2
1036.
The second controversy in which the colony was involved, followed soon after the removal of Mr. Williams, and origi- nated from opinions advanced by Mrs. Anne Hutchinson, a
1 Backus, 1. 290; D. Williams's Lett., in Knowles, 111.
2 For an eloquent tribute to the memory of this noble minded man, see Bancroft's U. S., 1. 367-82 .- Backus, Benedict, Knowles, Gam- mel, Elton, Staples, and others,
have sketched his life, and all have endeavored to do him justice. It would be strange if he never erred, for to err is human : but his is prob- ably as bright a character as any in the carly history of New England.
245
THE SECOND CONTROVERSY.
member of the Boston Church, and a "woman of a ready CHAP. wit and a bold spirit,"1 who came to America in the Griffin, ~
IX. in 1634, with her husband, William Hutchinson, of Alford, 1606. in Lincolnshire, a " gentleman of good estate and good reputation." 2
For some time before her arrival, in addition to the usual Thursday Lecture, which has been held with but casual interruptions from that day to this, 3 private meet- ings of the members of cach congregation were held, to reconsider the sermons of the preceding Sunday, and dis- cuss the doctrines advanced from the pulpit. As women were debarred from joining in these debates, and if present were only silent auditors, Mrs. Hutchinson, who possessed striking controversial talents, and who was familiar with the most abstruse speculations of the theology of the day, conceiving that the passage which enjoins " the elder wo- Titus, men to teach the younger " was a sufficient warrant for her 2: 4. course, established separate female assemblies, of which she was the leader, and in which her didactic powers, and her gifts in devotional performances, were conspicuously exercised. The wives of the colonists, who had partaken the perils and struggles of their husbands, had imbibed no small share of their masculine energy ; and, as many of them had enjoyed the advantages of an excellent education, and had been accustomed to a life replete with intellectual excitement, they experienced a craving for something to animate and engage their faculties; and to satisfy this craving, and thinking their spiritual edification was as important as that of their "lords," these assemblies were instituted, which were at first regarded with much appro- bation, and " the great respect she had in the hearts of all,
1 Winthrop, 1. 239 ; Johnson, in 2 M. H. Coll., 4. 15; Hubbard, 283. 2 Cotton's Way, 51; Hutchinson, vol. 2, App. ; Savage, on Winthrop, 21*
1. 171; Ellis's Life of Mrs. H. ; Upham's Life of Vane ; Drake's Boston, 227, &c.
3 Emerson's Hist. First Church.
246
MRS. ANNE HUTCHINSON.
CHAP. and her profitable and sober carriage of matters, made IX. this her practice less suspected by the godly magistrates 1636. and elders." 1 Hence her meetings became popular ; Mrs. Hutchinson, from the zeal and ability with which she con- ducted them, acquired, by an anagrammatical transposition of the letters of her name, the title of "the Nonsuch ; " 2 and her assemblies were termed "gossippings," a term then of respectable import, though subsequently converted into one of ridicule and contempt. From sixty to eighty of the principal females of Boston attended her gather- ings ; and in them she was accustomed, in a " prophetical way," to resolve questions of doctrine, and expound passa- ges of Scripture, with as oracular authority as the wisest of the clergy. 3
Nor did she lack adherents of the other sex to aid in the propagation of her sentiments. Mr. Wheelwright, her broth- er-in-law, a clergyman of estimable character and respecta- ble talents, sympathized with her opinions and publicly advocated them.4 Mr. Cotton, whose previous acquaintance prepossessed him in her favor, was dazzled by her genius, and attracted by her zeal ; by an adroit stroke of policy, touching the weak point in his character - for we are all susceptible to flattery - she succeeded in attaching him more firmly to her cause ; and, as the minister of all others most highly esteemed, his espousal of her doctrines aug- mented her influence in the eyes of the people, and caused her to be regarded with greater admiration. Mr. Vane, the Governor of the colony, fresh from the theological schools of Geneva, and by character and temperament deeply interested in religion, believing her to be a woman of unquestionable piety, approved her sentiments and became her supporter. 5
1 Pref. Short Story; Cotton's 4 Winthrop, 1. 239; Cotton's Way, 50-1. Way, 40.
2 Grahame, 1. 177. 5 Winthrop, 1. 241, 246; Hub- 8 Winthrop, 1. 286; Cotton's bard, 289. Way, 51, 87.
247
PROGRESS OF HER VIEWS.
As her meetings progressed, her views attracted the CHAP. attention of the ministers in the Bay, who began to inquire into them ; 1 and being freely discussed in all parts of the colony, their verisimilitude made them popular, so that they were " diffused into the very veins and vitals of the people in the country," and " had some of all sorts and quality, in all places, to defend and patronize them ; some of the mag- istrates, some gentlemen, some scholars and men of learn- ing, some burgesses of the General Court, some captains and soldiers, some chief men in towns, and some men emi- nent for religion, parts and wit." 2
So deeply was the Boston church tinctured with her views, that all but four or five finally embraced them,3 and a proposition was early made, that Mr. Wheelwright should Oct. 30. be "called to be a teacher there ;" but Mr. Winthrop, 1636. esteeming him "one apt to raise doubtful disputations," opposed the proposition as endangering the peace of the church, which was already "well furnished with able ministers, whose spirits they knew, and whose labors God had blessed;" and so successfully did he argue. his case, that the proposition was rejected, and Mr. Wheelwright was " called to a new church to be gathered at Mount Wol- laston," now Braintree. 4
Emboldened by success, 5 Mrs. Hutchinson was so far seduced by the popularity she enjoyed, as to transgress the bounds of decorum and propricty; and, constiuting herself a dictator of orthodoxy, and a censor of the spir- itual condition of all the ministers and inhabitants of the colony, a scrutiny was instituted into the character and conduct of both clergy and laity ; her canons of doctrine were received as unerring truth ; her revelations of future
1 Winthrop, 1. 240. 4 Winthrop, 1. 241; Cotton's Way, 60 ; Hubbard, 286-7.
2 Pref. Short Story; Cotton's Way 51-2.
3 Winthrop, 1. 252; Cotton's
5 Cotton's Way, 52.
Way, 58, 87; Hubbard, 293.
IX. ~
248
NATURE OF HER OPINIONS.
CHAP. events were regarded as infallible ; and a defamatory per- IX. secution was waged against all who opposed them.
1636. Forgetting the advice of the poet,
" Pray thee, take pain To allay with some cold drops of modesty Thy skipping spirit,"
in her assemblies, unbridled license was given to that unruly member, the tongue ; and the minds of the people being highly excited, a feeble spark sufficed to kindle a formidable conflagration, and the flames of theological war- fare burst out in many of the churches with such fury, that they threatened to consume all charity and forbearance.1
The opinions of Mrs. Hutchinson, which produced this heat, divested of the technicalities which have involved them in so much mystery, seem to have been as follows : As great stress was laid by the clergy upon the external evidences of sanctification or piety, gravity of deportment, precision of manners, formality of speech, peculiarity of dress, and other illusive signs of holiness, were held in such high estimation, that all destitute of these signs, however irreproachable in life or amiable in conduct, were consid- ered unworthy to be called " the children of God." Mrs. Hutchinson, in opposition to these notions, maintained that outward signs of discipleship might be displayed by a hyp- ocrite, and hence that "sanctification," which embraced these signs, was not infallible evidence of "justification," or true Christian discipleship. The clergy also, who were believers in the personality of the Holy Ghost, denied for the most part His union with the regenerate in any sense ; but Mrs. Hutchinson, understanding this phrase to include an embodiment of spiritual graces or gifts, maintained that, in the true Christian, these graces and the Spirit had their
1 Pref. Short Story.
..
249
THE COMPLAINTS AGAINST HER.
abode ; or, in the language of her accusers, that there was CHIAP. an "indwelling of the person of the Holy Ghost" in the IX. heart of the true believer, " so as to amount to a personal 636. union : "-a doctrine which, in their estimation, made "the believer more than a creature," and which some censured as rank " Montanism." 1
But the spirit of contention when thoroughly aroused is not easily allayed ; and the "exquisite rancor of theolog- ical hatred " was destined to be more fully developed. The ministers, perhaps with cause, suspected that Mrs. Hutchinson's depreciations of external sanctity were insti- gated, to some extent, by a satirical design, and that she purposed to reflect upon their own austerity ;2 and when once it became a prevalent opinion that such was her design, the gall of bitterness entered their hearts ; new pungency was given to the sallies of her wit; and her discourses were the more keenly relished by the discerning, who saw at whom her piercing shafts were adroitly leveled.
"Now," say her accusers in doleful terms, "Now the faithful ministers of Christ must have dung cast on their faces, and be no better than legal preachers, Baal's priests, Popish factors, Scribes, Pharisees, and opposers of Christ himself. Now they must be pointed at, as it were with the finger, and reproached by name. Such a church officer is an ignorant man, and knows not Christ ; such an one is under a covenant of works ; such a pastor is a proud man, and would make a good persecutor. Now, after our sermons were ended at our public lectures, you might have seen half a dozen pistols discharged at the face of the preacher, (I mean) so many objections made by the opin- ionists in the open assembly against the doctrines deliv-
1 Winthrop, vol. 1. ; Hubbard, 286; R. Clap, in Chron. Mass., ter's Statesmen, &c. 360; Shepard, in ibid., 546; Short 2 Pref. Short Story.
Story ; Upham's Life of Vane; Fos-
250
INTERVENTION TO SUPPRESS HER ERRORS.
CHAP. ered, if it suited not their new fancies, to the marvellous IX. weakening of holy truths delivered."1
1636.
These personal reflections were certainly uncourteous ; and the course of Mrs. Hutchinson, in descending to such invectives, merits censure. Had the magistrates and min- isters oppugned her on this ground alone, the discreet and the prudent would doubtless have sanctioned their verdict ; but, falling into an error as great as her own, they deter- mined to silence her by prosecuting her as a heretic. The · number of her friends, however, made this a matter requir- ing delicate management ; for Governor Vane, Mr. Cotton, and Mr. Wheelwright, were not to be despised as adver- saries. Their first step, therefore, was to endeavor to counteract the influence of Governor Vane ; and at a con- vention of elders and magistrates, called to "advise about pacifying these differences," Mr. Dudley desired all to be "free and open," and an animated and somewhat exciting discussion ensued. Mr. Peter, as the organ of the clergy, expressed their regret that Mr. Vane should be jealous of their meetings, and seek to restrain their liberty; and plainly told him that, "before he came, the churches were in peace." With cqual spirit the Governor rejoined : "The light of the gospel brings a sword, and the children of the bond-woman will persecute those of the frec-woman." Mr. Wilson, the pastor of the Boston church, joined in the discussion, and made a " sad speech," bewailing the condi tion of the churches, and the danger of separation if these things continued. Mr. Cotton tartly replied, and " admon- ished " the pastor. The " common people " approved his censures. But Mr. Winthrop took up in Mr. Wilson's defense, justified his language, and reproved Mr. Cotton.2
The official opposers of Mrs. Hutchinson proved stronger than her friends. All the magistrates but three, and all
1 Short Story. See also 2 M. H. 2 Winthrop, 1. 248-52, 255 ; Cot- ton's Way, 58; Hubbard, 290-2.
Coll., 4. 10.
251
DEALINGS WITH MR. COTTON.
the ministers but two, agreed with Mr. Wilson. Their CHAP. next step, therefore, was to deal with Mr. Cotton ; and a IX. document, containing "sixteen points " conceived to be erroneous, was drawn up, to which " uncquivocal answers" were entreated. To this he replied, and " some doubts he well cleared, but in some things he gave no satisfaction." To the latter his brethren responded ; and at the next General Court, it was "agreed to put off all lectures for three weeks, that they might bring things to some issue."1 But the difficulties continued to increase, so that " all men's mouths were full of them." Mr. Cotton remained intrac- table, and his brethren still opposed him. A ship was a Boston, ready to sail for England ; and Mr. Cotton, with great naivete, requested the passengers to state to their friends, that all the strife in the churches " was about mag- nifying the grace of God ; one party seeking to advance the grace of God within us, and the other to advance the grace of God towards us ;" so that no friend of grace need be deterred from embarking for America. This message, at first glance, savors of nothing but the honey of the bee ; but there were not wanting those who felt a sting in the words ; and Mr. Wilson brusquely rejoined, that " he knew of none, elders or Irethren, who did not labor to advance the free grace of God in justification, so far as the word of God required." 2
At the next General Court, Mr. Wilson's course was Mar. ? , 1636-7. approved, and Mr. Wheelwright was subjected to public cen- sure. The latter had delivered a discourse shortly before, which "seemed to tend to sedition," and its erroneous Jan. 19. sentiments he was called upon to retract.3 The adherents of Mrs. Hutchinson were popularly termed advocates of a " covenant of faith," and her opponents had been branded
1 Winthrop, 1. 249, 253, 254. 4 Mass. Rec's., 1. 189 ; Winthrop, 2 Hubbard, 294; Emerson, Hist. vol. 1 .; Hubbard, 282, 295. First Church.
4
252
MR. WHEELWRIGHT CENSURED.
CHAP, as teaching a " covenant of works ;" and these cabalistic IX. catchwords, the Shibboleths of party theological strife, were generally adopted. Mr. Wheelwright was accused of " inveighing against all that walked in a covenant of works," and as "stirring up the people with much bitterness and vehemency." His sermon was produced in support of this charge, and he justified it; and though it still exists in manuscript,1 and few at the present day would probably regard it as a particularly exceptionable production, he was adjudged "guilty of sedition and contempt." Governor Vane and others dissented from this verdict; but their protest was rejected. The Boston church also tendered a petition in his behalf ; and the court, finding the matter a serious one, deemed it prudent to "defer sentence till the next court ; " and he was commended to the care of the Boston church, and enjoined to appear at the time appointed.2
Thus proceedings were instituted against the three prin- cipal friends of Mrs. Hutchinson. Upon a few also of inferior rank the hands of magisterial displeasure were laid ; and " one Stephen Greensmith, for affirming that all the ministers, except Mr. Cotton, Mr. Wheelwright, and he thought Mr. Hooker, did teach a covenant of works," was censured to acknowledge his fault in every church, and fined £40, with sureties for £100.3
May 17, 1637.
The transactions of the annual Court were alluded to in a former chapter ; # and we need only say that the people of Boston, indignant at the rejection of men whom they respected, that very night held a public meeting, and chose Mr. Vane, Mr. Coddington, and Mr. Hough, as their depu- ties ; but the Court, on the pretext that two freemen had
1 At the rooms of the Mass. Hist. Soc. Extracts from it are given in the " Glass for the people of N. E.," ed. 1676, pp. 5, 19, 20. Winthrop, 1. 256-8; Glass for + Chap. 8, p. 205.
the people of N. E., 6, where the discussion is recited.
3 Winthrop, 1. 256, 280; Mass. Rec's., 1. 189, 196, 200.
253
DEPARTURE OF MR VANE FOR ENGLAND.
no notice of the election, refused to receive them. The CHAP. next morning they were again returned ; and the " court, IX. not finding how they might reject them, they were ad- 1637. mitted."1 The party triumphant, who had secured the colonial government, now began in good earnest to suppress by main force the Hutchinsonian heresy ; and first of all, an order was passed prohibiting the admission of strangers into the colony without leave. The next step was to reduce Mr. Cotton, and expel Mr. Wheelwright. The latter appeared at court as he had been enjoined ; but, as a committee of the church had been chosen to " confer about all difficulties," a respite was given him, in hopes of his repentance, to the first Tuesday in August, which was subsequently renewed " until he should 'be sent for. " 2 Prudential motives may have influenced this decision. 3 Mr. Vane was yet in the colony ; his friends were numer- ous ; and, though turned out of the government, he was still powerful, and quick to detect and expose everything savoring of persecution :- but in August he left the country to return to England. 4
Immediately upon his departure, a council of ministers Aug. 5. is recorded, which had been contemplated for some time, and which "met divers days and agreed, with consent of the magistrates, upon a day of humiliation to be kept in all the churches, on the 24th, and for a conference, or Synod, to commence on the 30th." At the time fixed, Aug. 30. this Synod met at Newtown, being composed of "all the teaching elders throughout the country, and some new come out of England."5 It was the first body of the kind con- vened in Massachusetts; a grand Court of Spiritual Inquest ;
1 Winthrop, 1. 261-3; Mass.
Rec's., 1. 195. 2 Winthrop, 1. 263-5; Mass. Rec's., 1. 196, 200, 205.
* Winthrop, 1. 277, 281; Hub- bard, 262.
6 Johnson, in 2. M. H. Coll., 4. 34; 7. 1 ; Hubbard, 295-6 ; Hutch- ' Pref. Short Story; Savage on inson, 1. 68. Winthrop.
22
254
A SYNOD CONVENED.
CHAP. an Inquisitorial Tribunal ; an Ephesian, or Nicene Council;
1637.
IX. whose purpose was, to condemn heresy, confine orthodoxy within the limits of a definite creed, and settle the faith of future generations.
A quaint author observes that, at its opening, "much time was spent in ventilation, and emptying of private pas- sions," before proceeding to the main business ; and when this was reached, a formidable catalogue of eighty-two " blasphemous, erroneous, and unsafe " opinions was read ; the "unwholesome expressions," nine in number, were next taken up ; and then " the Scriptures were (dis) abused." 1 Some of Boston and elsewhere were offended at this volu- minous array of heresies, and demanded the names of the persons who held these errors ; but on this point the Synod was dumb. No parties were named, on the plea that " this assembly has not to do with persons, but doctrines only." The magistrates were present in the Council, and, as usual, took part in the debate, - Governor Winthrop exercising a controlling sway ; and, when the demand for names was renewed, they interfered, and declared that they should regard further pertinacity as a "civil disturbance," and deal with the offenders accordingly. The dissentients objected to this, " as if the magistrates had nothing to do in the assembly ; " upon which Governor Winthrop replied that, "if they wished to make trial of it, they might see his threat executed." This silenced most of them; but " some of Boston departed from the assembly and came no more." 2
The ceremony of condemning the eighty-two errors being disposed of, there yet remained " five points" in question, between Mr. Cotton and Mr. Wheelwright on the one hand, and the rest of the elders on the other, which were amply
1 Winthrop, 1. 284; Short Story, 2 Winthrop, 1. 243-5; Cotton's Pref., and pp. 1-23; Cotton's Way, Way, 48, 63. 41, 47, 60; Johnson, in 2 M. H. Coll., 4. 14, 34.
255
PROCEEDINGS OF THIS BODY.
discussed, so that, nominally, " they soon came to under- CHAP. stand each other better," though in reality, the " peace of . IX. the churches was restored by darkness;"1 for perhaps 1. some of the malecontents, as Hubbard suggests, 2 were "not much unlike the gentleman that, to make it appear how resolute a Catholic 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."
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