Lucius R. Paige, History of Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1630-1877, with a genealogical register

Mr. Dunster spake to the congregation in the time of the public ordinance, to the interruption thereof, without leave, which was also aggravated in that he being desired by the Elder to forbear and not to interrupt an ordinance of Christ, yet notwithstanding he proceeded in way of complaint to the congregation, saying I am forbidden to speak that in Christ's name which I would have testified. And in his following speeches, he asserted as his testimony in the name of Christ these things: 1. That the subjects of baptism were visible, penitent believers, and they only, by virtue of any rule, example or any other light in the new Testament. 2. That there was an action now to be done which was not according to the institution of Christ. 3. That the exposition, as it had been held forth, was not the mind of Christ. 4. That the covenant of Abraham is not a ground for baptism; no, not after the institution thereof. 5. That there were such corruptions stealing into the church, which every faithful Christian ought to bear witness against. The Court ordered that Mr. Henry Dunster, according to Eccleast. Law, page 19, at the next Lecture at Cambridge should (by such magistrates as should then be present) be publicly admonished, and give bond for his good behaviour.

Mr. Henry Dunster acknowledged that he had spoken these particulars above named, and said that he owned them and that he would stand by them in the fear of God; and after farther debate he gave in his answer in writing as followeth: April 4th 1655. I answer to the presentment of the grand jury:—I answer, first, that I am not conscious that I did or said any thing contemptuously or in open contempt of God's word or messengers, and therefore I am not guilty of the breach of that Law, page 19, as I conceive. For the particulars that were charged against me, the terms, words, or expressions, wherein they are presented to the honored Court, I own not, being not accurately the same that were spoken, especially the 1st, 4th, and 5th; but the matter or purport of them I spake. I also acknowledged, and do, that for the manner they were not seasonably spoken; but for the matter, I conceived then, and so do still, that I spake the truth in the fear of God, and dare not deny the same or go from it, until the Lord otherwise teach me; and this I pray the honored Court to take for mine answer. As for any words or expressions that in mixed or broken conference, interrogations by sundry persons propounded and mine answers interrupted before they have been fully expressed, I heartily and humbly pray you, mine honored