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1692.

the churches in general. But the period, of SECT. IX. which we treat, was in every view critical and important. The government and politicks of the country were assuming new forms; and none could foresee the consequences of the change. It was in this year, that the old charter of Massachusetts gave place to the new, whence the people of the colony were deprived of a portion of their ancient privileges; though the new did, what the old charter did not, expressly provide for liberty of conscience to all denominations of christians, excepting papists. This year also was marked by various calamities in the natural as well, as civil and ecclesiastical history of America. The floods in Delaware were destructive both of property and of life. An earthquake at Jamaica buried in the ruins of Portroyal two thousand of its citizens; and three thousand persons more of the white inhabitants of the island were swept away by the pestilence, that followed.* In Newhampshire the small pox was raging. It was now too, that prodigious stories and appearances of witchcraft were rife; and the heart of sensibility is distressed in recurring to the delusion, distraction, and bloodguiltiness, of which the country, especially Salem, was the scene.

On 17 July, 1693, Rev. John Bailey, an ejected 1693. minister from England, was invited to join his 17 July. labours with Mr. Allen's in teaching the congre

gation. This act does not seem to have passed

*Holmes' Annals ii. 14.

Voted, that our teacher do invite Mr.John Bayley to assist him in preaching constantly, while among us, three times in a month, or oftener, if he please. First Church records, p. 54.

1693.

SECT. IX. from any necessity, for Mr. Allen was not more, than sixty years of age; but from a zeal in the society to avail themselves of new light, whenever it was in their power, and also from motives of charity. Here was a good man, who had been persecuted in his native country for his attachment to congregational worship; and there was a disposition to support the reputation, which Newengland had already acquired, for being the asylum of persecuted christians.

29 Nov.

29 Nov.

1694.

2 July.

On the 29th of November, in the same year, Mr. Benjamin Wadsworth, who, three years before, had been graduated at Harvard college, was invited to the same office of assistant teacher, once a month. This vote was renewed three several times; and the candidate continued to preach, as

"Voted, at a meeting of the church at my house, unanimously, that our teacher invite Mr. Wadsworth to assist him constantly, once a month, or any other vacancy in preaching, and any other help, he shall judge needful." First Church records, p. 54.

It is agreed to and voted by this church, that Mr. Benjamin Wadsworth be desired to continue his ministry among us, once a month; and at other times, when, by the providence of God, Mr. Bailey is hindered in his work, and our teacher desires it. Hoping, that, in time, there may he such a door open for a manifestation of Our mutual closing for further work and service for Christ in this church." Ibid. p. 55.

"Voted, at a church meeting, March 19, 1694-5, that we do de. sire Mr. Benjamin Wadsworth to continue his labours in preaching, once a month, to us; and at other times, as the works be needed, and he be by our teacher desired; in order to a teaching officer among us." Ibid.

"Mr. Wadsworth his answer in writing, which was read to the church, June 23, 1695, in which he accepted their call according to this vote." Ibid.

"Voted, December 18, 1695. At a church meeting, Whereas Mr. Wadsworth, in his late answer to the church, hath expressed his willingness, (if we continued our affection to him) to the ser

1696.

an assistant, the greater part of the time, until 8 SECT. IX. September, 1696, when he was inducted by the neighbouring ministers with a formality, hitherto unpractised in the land.†

During the four last years, ending with 1696, eighty persons of the congregation became communicants, sixty-two of whom were females. One hundred and fifty-seven children were baptized, within the same period, of whom eightythree were boys.

vice of Christ in this church, we do fully and sincerely declare, we continue in the same mind and affection towards him, as formerly; and do therefore, in order to the fulfilling our desires, request him to come to the town, and live among us; purposing (God willing) to proceed to his full settlement in office among us, without loss and unreasonable delay, according to the custom of the churches among us. JAMES ALLEN." Ibid.

"1656, May the 5th, voted at a church meeting, by their own desire, that they do unitedly desire the continuance of Mr. John Bailey in his ministry among us." And also, that the teacher, in their name, advise Mr. Wadsworth to take out his dismission from the church, he belongs to, and join with this church." Ibid. p. 56.

June 21, 1696, the name of Benjamin Wadsworth appears among the additions.

"August 9. Voted anew a choice of Mr. Wadsworth to [the] teaching office; and 8th of September to be the day of ordination. Five neighbour churches to be sent to; the North and South in Boston, Charlestown, Dorchester, and Roxbury.”

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Aug 30. Voted, that, after Mr. Wadsworth's ordination, he shall be declared a pastor to this church." The following is afterwards added in Mr. Wadsworth's hand writing. "This vote was executed, 8 Sep. 1696." Ibid.

"I have seen an account," says Mr. Hutchinson, " of an ordination, about the year 1640, of Mr. Hooke, at Taunton, then Cohasset, in Plymouth colony, by the schoolmaster and one of the brethren, an husbandman, although Mr. Wilson and Mr. Mather, two ministers, were present. But the general practice was otherwise; and,at this day, an ordination by the lay brethren, although it might not be condemned, as invalid, yet would be generally disapproved and discountenanced." Hutch. i. 374.

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SECTION X.

1696.

1697.

From the ordination of Mr. Wadsworth, 8 September, 1696, to that of Mr. Bridge, 10 May, 1705.

FOR a little more than a year, the congregation was SECT. X. under the united care of Messrs. Allen, Bailey, and Wadsworth. But this union was interrupted, near the close of the following year, by the death of Mr. Bailey, who, upwards of four years, had been an assistant to Mr. Allen, and who had endeared himself to all his hearers and acquaintances by a most fervent piety and untired beneficence.† He was born, 24 Feb. 1644, near Blackburn, in Lancashire, England, of a mother, who early dedicated him to the service of God, and carefully instructed him in a knowledge of the scriptures. He was initiated in grammar under an eminent schoolmaster, by the name of Sager, and afterwards taught the higher branches of science and literature by Dr. Harrison, whose life is drawn in the Nonconformist's Memorial.‡ At the age of twenty-two, he began his ministry in Chester, where he stayed a short time only, on account of his congregational principles, and whence he was removed by government to Lancashire jail.

† Mather's Magnalia, iii. 232. ‡ Vol. i. p. 330.

1697.

Released from prison, he travelled into Ireland, SECT. X. and took the charge of a congregation in Limerick. He, here laboured for fourteen years, with indefatigable industry and brilliant success. So distinguished was he by his talents and fidelity in office, as to attract the notice of people of the first rank, and to obtain the offer of a deanery and the promise of a bishoprick, on condition of conformity. But neither flattering prospects of fame and opulence, on the one hand, nor the most cruel indignities, on the other, were sufficient to divert his purpose of fulfilling the ministry, which he had received, in the manner corresponding with his notions of evangelical simplicity. Free from factious design, he maintained a straight and fearless course. Though the tenour of his life was blameless, beneficent, and amiable, so that he could go nowhere without finding friends, yet he suffered another most grievous imprisonment for his opinions; whilst papists, in the same period and region, experienced the blessings of toleration and peace. Said he to his judges, "If I had been drinking, gaming, and carousing with company at a tavern, I presume, my lords, I should not thus have been treated, as an offender. Must praying to God and preaching Christ with a company of christians, who are peaceable, inoffensive, and serviceable to his majesty and the government, as any of his subjects; must this be considered, as a greater crime?" The recorder answered, "We will have you to know it is a greater crime."

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