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there was never any general Indian war till more than forty years after the settlement of the colonies. They had then become able to resist all their force.

Being disappointed, they went on board a vessel, firmly bound in the ice. By a sudden thaw, the vessel was soon released, and with a favorable passage, sailed in five days to Boston. They could not have subsisted five days longer. In the war with the Pequods, it was scarcely less evident that God fought for his people, than in the most success

In many individual occurrences, the special interposition of Heaven, in favor of our ancestors, was eminently manifest. In several instances, they were in the utmost danger of perishing by famine; but were providen-ful wars of his ancient Israel. tially relieved. Relief frequent- The special agency of God in ly appeared, when, according to behalf of our fathers, appears in all human calculations, it could preserving them from sinking in not have been expected. The despondency. Never were such first winter after the arrival of trials,such discouragements,such the numerous company in Mas- fearful dangers appointed for any sachusetts, the weather was very other people. But they were severe, and in the depth of the never disheartened; they never winter, their provision universal- sunk under their difficulties or ly failed; the first families were prospects; they never regretted reduced to the last baking of that they had undertaken this bread. At this juncture, while great design, and they never lost all knees bended before God, the their confidence that God would ship Lion, with a large supply, do good things for his churches arrived at Boston. She had in New England. Oftentimes, had a stormy passage, and rode nothing appeared before them amid heavy drifts of ice in the but remediless ruin, yet their harbour. But its great Pilot great maxim ever was, Although brought her safe to shore. In the fig-tree shall not blossom, neithe drought at Plymouth, the ther shall fruit be in the vine; the second summer of the settle-labor of the olive shall fail, and ment, their corn, which was the fields shall yield no meat; the their whole dependence, appear-flock shall be cut off from the fold, ed irrecoverably gone, the leaves and there shall be no herd in the and stalks were generally with- stalls; yet I will rejoice in the ered. On a day of solemn fast- Lord, I will joy in the God of ing, the rains of heaven began my salvation. to descend in a gentle and copious manner, and, contrary to all expectation of English and Indians, produced a plentiful crop. The first winter of the settlement of Connecticut, on the fai-dom. The planters of the first lure of the expected supplies, about seventy persons travelled down the river, as the only means of saving their lives, in hopes to meet their provisions.

3. The primary object of the settlement of New England was the enjoyment of the privileges of the gospel, and the advancement of the Redeemer's king

colony, after their arrival at Cape Cod, formed themselves into a body politic, by a written instrument, which they signed. In the preamble, they say, "We

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according to the simplicity of the gospel, might enjoy the privilege unmolested. The latter object could be obtained without a subjection to all the perils of a trackless wilderness. Holland, Scotland, and other kingdoms, would have given them a most welcome residence, where they could enjoy the free exercise of their religion without disturbance.

But for the sake of the former-for the sake of extending Zion's borders-for the sake of rearing churches in conformity with the pure precepts of Christ-for the sake of inviting perishing pagans to become partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light, they could endure every privation...they could risk every danger. They felt something of the worth of the Mediator's earthly kingdom.....they knew that it must ever be built up by the efforts of his people, and they desired to bring their feeble services to the help of the Lord.

whose names are under-written,, -Having undertaken, for the 'glory of God, and advancement of the Christian Faith, and ho'nor of our king and country, 'a voyage to plant the first col'ony in the northern parts of Virginia; Do by these pre'sents," &c. The Plymouth company left their own country, and went to Holland, solely for the sake of the enjoyment of their religion. After a residence of several years in that country, they became convinced of the general corruption of the Dutch churches, and saw the danger that their posterity would deeline from the faithful service of Christ. Thus, though their circumstances there were prosperous, and the magistrates and people of Amsterdain were pleased with their residence in that city, they resolved to make a new attempt for the service of their Lord in the wilderness of America. The privileges of religious ordinances, they enjoyed in the fullest manner while in Holland, but they had not that opportunity of laboring for the special prosperity of Zion, which they had long desired. They therefore resolved on a removal. Many attempts had been made to establish colonies in America for the sake of commerce and gain. The most of these had been wholly abortive. At length a plan was projected in England, by certain individuals of eminent piety and zeal, for the settle-tutions. ment of a colony for the purpo-lations, whether of a private or ses of religion. The first object a more public nature-their litein this great design, was to ad-rary establishments, all bore the vance the interests of the Re- same character. Every attendeemer's cause; the second, to tive observer may discover that afford a peaceful asylum, where the advancement of the cause of all who desired to worship him Christ....the defence of the true

That the promotion of true religion, was the primary object of the settlement of these colopics, was uniformly professed by all the leading characters engaged in the work. The character of those eminent men....their sacrifices....their exertions....their perseverance---preclude every imputation of insincerity in this profession.

The cause of religion was the leading object, in all their instiTheir laws, their regu

ate. Steadiness in suffering, activity in the view of obstacles, and constancy in discouragements,are the proper characteristics of the servants of Christ. These quali

doctrines of the gospel....the salvation of immortal souls....the preservation of churches in Christiau purity, and their progress to more perfect light, was ever chiefly in view. The administies were eminent in the fathers tration of government proceeded of New England, and are a saupon the same principles, and tisfactory evidence, that their carefully kept in view the great first object was the service of design. There was a cordial co- their Lord. operation between ministers of Had they been led by those the gospel and civil magistrates, motives which ordinarily influ affording each other mutual as- ence human conduct; had they sistance in their respective de- been in the pursuit of wealth, partments, for they were labor- of distinction, of power; had ing for one common object. In they been influenced by a spirit the construction and administra- of hostility to their own country tion of the government, as well or its government; or guided by as in all their ordinary regula- the frenzy of enthusiasm; they tions, they endeavored to draw certainly took the most effectuall the light they could obtain al measures to defeat their obfrom the only perfect standard, jet. Many other parts of AmeriDivine Revelation. That in this ca afforded prospects for a rich they acted correctly, even as ci- and flourishing colony, far more vilians, is hereafter to be shown. favorable than New England. No object but the cause of re- They ever acknowledged and ligion could have carried our fa- inculcated an unshaken allegithers through such scenes of la-ance to the mother country, and bor and suffering, as they endu-made great exertions to retain red. Had not their souls been the friendship of the government animated by that love of Christ which characteristic of his people; had they not felt that they were engaged in the cause of God which must ultimately prevail; had they not leaned upon his promises, and upon the supports of the holy Comforter; had they not enjoyed the approbation of conscience and the direction of divine truth, they must often have been overwhelmed with the weight of their burdens. Interest, pride, and ambition, will induce men to submit to very severe toil and suffering. But their efforts will be unsteady, their resolution will be inconstant, their submission will be discomposed and passion

and the nation. Their ecclesiastical regulations were calcu lated to suppress enthusiasm, and prevent its admission. Their civil institutions were an effectual bar to the projects of individual ambition.

It were easy to adduce the most substantial testimonies to show, that the advancement of religion was the leading object in view in the first settlement of New England. But this is unnecessary. The fact is supported by the concurrent declaration of all the early writers.

3. The settlement of New England is a very important event in the history of mankind. It was a new experiment

society, the privileges of liberty and law; they knew the char

in civil society, and one of the noblest efforts in the history of the church. The famous Ad-acter of the religion of the Lord miral of France, Jasper Coligni, Jesus, and had some just estimamade an attempt, in the six- tion of its worth. They posses teenth century, to establish a sed a desire for the prosperity of Christian colony in the Brazils, this religion, and a confidence in for the benefit of French Pro- its promises, which temporary distestants. The design was well couragements could not abate. conceived, but not being prosecu- From the persevering constancy ted with the necessary steadi- which they exhibited, we safely ness, it soon came to an end. conclude that they duly estima The Christian world had been ted the nature of the enterprise, wishing for ages to see some ju- that they calculated its hazards dicious attempt for the regula- and were prepared to encounter tion of civil society upon the unforeseen difficulties, and to principles of the gospel. But spend their lives in the service. as this religion had ever been -Another circumstance, highly confined to countries where civil | characteristic of this great degovernment was established, and sign, is not to be omitted. As established, generally, by acci- it was undertaken, primarily, for dent or violence, such an event the glory of God, the event was was rather hoped for, than ex- always committed to his holy pected. In the settlement of Providence. Their dependence New England, the experiment was on high. They knew the was made, and made under the dangers to which they were exmost auspicious circumstances. posed; they knew their own It was at a time when the doc- weakness; they knew their own trines of Christianity were well integrity; they rested with an understood; when the principles humble confidence on the holy of civil government were tho- disposal of infinite wisdom.roughly canvassed; when Euro- They knew indeed that the peau nations, emerged from the Most High does not always darkness of papal superstition succeed, directly, the attempts and the shackles of feudal ty- of his people for the extension ranny, knew the rights of civil of the Redeemer's cause. But and religious liberty; when the they resolved to make the atnecessity of commerce and the tempt, and leave the issue. All arts for national prosperity were their undertakings were precewell ascertained. The plant-ded with fasting and prayer. ers of New England were from They did not come to any ima nation where these truths were portant decision, without earnest as well understood and as highly supplications to heaven for wisappreciated as in any other. Thedom and direction. Mr. Robinprincipal persons engaged in this son directed his people to adopt design were no less suited to the the course of Ezra, when leadwork, than the time of the un-ing a chosen company to Jerudertaking was favorable. They salem, who proclaimed a fast, understood and knew how to that we might afflict ourselves beestimate the blessings of civil fore our God, to seck of him a

right way for us, and for our | have established the fact, not onlittle ones, and for all our sub-iy that the obligations of relistance. This was the uniform gion are necessary to the welfare practice in all the steps of this of civil society; a truth which great enterprize. They implo-needed no confirmation; but that red the guidance of Heaven, they spared no efforts of their own, they left the event with God.

of every species of religion, that of the gospel is the best suited to this object. The only sure test of human institutions is their effects. By these, the establishments of the New England planters must be tried.

Few colonies of ancient or modern states have had to contend with equal difficulties with those of New England. I know not of another solitary instance of a colony proceeding from their native country to form a

expect no encouragement or support from the parent state. All ancient nations viewed their colonies, however distant, as their children; all that these ho

separated by a vast ocean, in a wilderness of savages, was to be let alone. They were at an immense distance from their necessary supplies, and from any

The experiment which was thus made in the establishment of Christian colonies, has issued in the most important results: results in favor of human society, which had never before existed. It has shown that civil society may be established upon Christian principles, to the highest benefit of the community. It has proved that such an at-new settlement, which could tempt, reasonably and justly estimated, is not a chimera. Many good men, in various ages of Christianity, have believed that a community might be collected wholly composed of true Chris-ped from the mother country, tians, needing no other government than the discipline of the church and have earnestly desired to see a community thus constituted. Such an expectation is clearly visionary; it is ev-civilized society. They were idently an object which Divine surrounded with numerous savProvidence has not designed to age enemies. They were few accomplish. Far different were in number. Their country and the expectations of the found- climate were unfavorable to any ers of New England. Their rapid advancement. A great object was to establish a civil portion of the people were descommunity, with a primary ref- titute of property, and wholly erence to the interests of reli- unacquainted with the labor of gion, and upon the general prin- a wilderness. ciples of the gospel of Christ. Under all these embarrassThey succeeded. The discov-ments, they have continued and eries of the present age have led advanced with great prosperity. to the conclusion, in opposition They were never broken up, nor to the opinion of all preceding attempted a removal. To those legislators, that civil govern-acquainted with the history of ment ought to be unconnected colonies, the notice of this fact with any religion whatever.- will not appear strange. NoThe fathers of New England thing has been more common

VOL. VI. N0. 2.

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