The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-03-06
MEMOIR or n. ISLAND.


secu,ion in Massachusetts, which caused
some Of the minority to settle the Island
of Rhode Island, we give the following
quotation from Callender's century SER
mon, commenting at the 18th and ending
a, the 3Ath page.
at is allowed by all sides, the religious
differences among the first settlers of the
the Massachusetts colony, gave rise to
This colony, and the settling Of this Is
land.
Almost all the FIRST settlers Of New
England, were Puritans. The people at
Plymouth were generally Of that sort cal
led Separatfsts, and those of Boston gen
orally had lived in the communion ofthe
church of England, though they scrupled
conforming to some Of the ceremonies.
But these being come to so great dis
tance from the Bishops power. could
we'll enough agree in tho same forms OF
worship, and method Of discipline with
the church at Plymouth, and MKT form
Of church Government was generally set
up. Though they had seemed well e.
.nough united, by the common zeal against
the ceremonies, yet now they were re-
moved from tho ecclesiastical courts, with
n patent which gave them liberty ofcon-
science, a variety Of opinions, as to sew
sral points. before not so much regarded
md perhaps not thought Of now began
to be visible, and operate with consider
eblo effects. II is no wonder such differ
suces in opinion, arose among them' as
Ind been the case before an,ongthe Fro
testan,s in general. 1t was the avowed
opinion of some among them of chiefest
note and authority, (Mr. Hooker:)
"Tbs, there were two great reserves for
enquiry in that age Of the world, lst,
wherein the spiritual rule Of our lords
kingdom doth consist, and after what
manner it is revealed, managed, and
maintained ia the souls Of his people.
Theod, after what order the government
Of our lords Kingdom is to be external
" managed and maintained in his
church." MagnaEa B. 8. p. 66.
Notwithstanding which, tbs chicflead-
ers, and the major part Of the people,
soon discovered themselves, as fond OF
uniformity. and as lothto allow liberty of
conscience to such as differed from them
selves, az those, from whose power they
had fed. Notwithstanding all their suf-
fcrings and complaints in England, they
seemed incapable ofmutual forbearance,
perhaps they were afraid Of provoking
the higher powers at home, ifthey soun-
,enauced other sects and perhaps those
who differed from them, took the more
freedom, in venting and pressing their
peculiar opinions, from the safety, and
protection they expected, under char
tor, that had granted liberty Of con-
science.
In reality the true grounds Of liberty
Of conscience, were not then known, or
embraced by any sect or party OF chris
tians oil parties seemed to think, that
as they only were in the pofsessiOn of
the truth, so they alone had right to re-
strain, and crush all other opinions, which
they respectively called error, and here
~, where they we're the most numerous,
aud powerful and in other places they
pleaded title, to liberty and freedom Of
conscisnces. And yet at the same time,
oil would disclaim persecution for con-
science sake, which has something in it
90 unjust, and absurd, so cruel and impi-
Gus, that all men are ashamed OF the
least imputation oft. A pre.ence of tho
public peace, tho preservation Of the
church Of christ from infection, and the
obstinacy Of the heretics, are always
made use Of TO excuse, and justify that
which stript Of all DISCUSSES. and called
by It's true name, the light Of nature,
and the laws Of Christ Jesus con-
denim and forbid in the most plain and
solemn manner. Mr.. r. Williams,
and Mr.. J. Clark, two fathers Of this col
ony. appear among the first, who public