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was censured to be whipped, lose his ears, and be banished the plantation,--which was presently executed.”
This sentence, so worthy of Draco, convinces us that some of the early judges in the colony were men who had baptized their passions with the name of holiness, and then felt that they had a right to murder humanity in the name of God.
June 5, 1638: “John Smyth, of Meadford, for swearing, being penitent, was set in the bilboes.”
Oct. 4, 1638: “Henry Collins is fined five shillings for not appearing when he was called to serve upon the grand jury.”
Sept. 3, 1639: “Nicholas Davison (Mr. Cradock's agent), for swearing an oath, was ordered to pay one pound; which he consented unto.”
Nov. 14, 1644: The General Court order that all Baptists shall be banished, if they defend their doctrine.
Nov. 4, 1646: The General Court decree that “the blasphemer shall be put to death.”
May 26, 1647: Roman Catholic priests and Jesuits are forbidden to enter this jurisdiction.
They shall be banished on their first visit; and, on their second, they shall be put to death.
“Edward Gould, for his miscarriage, is fined one pound.”
There was a singular persecution of the Baptists in the early times among us. They were not sufficiently numerous to be formed into an organized society; and yet they were so skilful in defending their creed, and so blameless in their daily walk, that they became very irritating to the covenant Puritans; and some wished they should be cropped!
In April, 1667, a great dispute was held at Boston between them and the Calvinists.
Who were the champions in this gladiatorial encounter we do not know, nor where victory perched; but we have proof of blind, unchristian persecution, which stands a blot on the page of history.
At the “Ten Hills,” in Mistick, lived a servant of John Winthrop, jun., who professed the Baptist faith.
Mary Gould, his wife, who was with him in his creed, writes to John Winthrop, jun., March 23, 1669, concerning her husband's imprisonment in Boston on account of his peculiar faith.
Whether what was done at “Ten Hills” was approved at Medford we do not know; but these facts tell volumes concerning the ideas, principles, and practices of some of the Puritan Pilgrims of New England.
John Wilson and son. 22 School Street. Boston. 1855.
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