LIFE OF JOHN NORTON.

CHAPTER I.

Preliminary Remarks.

Birth of John Norton. Education. Peter

Church Reform. Mr.

Becomes a Chaplain. With T. Shepard at

House, Cambridge. Romish Priest. Teacher and curate at Storford. Conversion. Becomes a zealous Puritan. Norton declines a benefice and a fellowship. Marries. Resolves to repair to America. Yarmouth. Adventure with Pursuivant. Embarkation. Perilous Storm. Driven back to Yarmouth. Mr. Norton resumes his voyage next year. Sails for Plymouth with Gov. Winslow. Another terrible Storm. Winter at Plymouth. Removal to Boston. Debate with French Friar. Mr. Norton's scholastic learning. John Cotton on the Schoolmen. Synod of 1637. Mr. Norton ordained at Ipswich. New England Prayer-meetings. Giles Firmin's account. Morality of the Colony. N. Ward's testimony. New England's first Fruits. Sir James Mackintosh. Reply to Apollonius. Horn. beck. Fuller. Fraternal Reproof. Letter to Dury. Union of Sects. Evils of division. New England divines the true "Reformed Catholics." Election Sermons. Synod of 1646. Boston Church refuses attendance. Persuaded by Mr. Norton. Cambridge Platform. Richard Baxter. Mr. Pyncheon's heretical book. Confuted by Mr. Norton. "Orthodox Evangelist." Scheme of Doctrine. Political influence of Calvinism. Macaulay. Bancroft. The benefits conferred by Calvinism in New England.

THERE are some dark lanterns, which burn, but shine not: men of illuminated minds, who yet shed no light upon the minds of others. And

some there are, like an ice-block glistening in the moon-beams, which shines indeed, but with the cold and cheerless rays of far-fetched and oftreflected light. But he is the man of God, in whom the burning fire of love and zeal radiates the cheering light of truth and salvation. an one was that John, to whom Jesus bare witness, that he was both a burning and a shining light.

Such

Happy is the church, in which, like the tabernacle of old, the fire that comes down from heaven kindles in the golden candlestick, and burns on the glowing altar. The flame of the branching lamp, fed by the oil of grace, shines as it was wont in heaven, revealing something of heaven itself. And the same hallowed fire, as it blazes on the altar, sheds abroad the fragrance of its incense breathing sweets; and, with its genial heat, warms into life and action the sacred passions of the soul.

He, of whom we are now to speak, was a luminary of this kind, and of no inferior magnitude. He burned with heavenly love, and shone with living light. "There was light in his fire, and fire in his light." He was "a bright, particular star," in Christ's right hand and though now far down toward the horizon, yet in the time of his ascendant, there were many that rejoiced

in his light, and were guided by it, like the wise men, unto Christ. They hailed it as a star of hopeful guidance through the perilous nightvoyage of life, and over its surging seas.

John Norton was born of respectable parentage, on the sixth of May, 1606, at Storford in Hartfordshire. In the spring-time of his life, he blossomed profusely with such flowers of the mind, as gave promise of rich fruit in his riper years. He early acquired the power of writing Latin with uncommon elegance, which proved to him in after years a very useful accomplishment.

At fourteen years of age, he was entered at Peter-House in the University of Cambridge. Here he remained, noted for his scholarship, till he had taken his first degree. Soon after graduating, in consequence of the utter ruin of his father's estate, he was forced to leave the University, and betake himself to active employment for the means of subsistence. During his abode at that seat of learning, his eminent talents drew the attention of a Romish priest, who, coveting such a prize, used his best endeavors to win him over to the papal cause. But the youth, though as yet a stranger to the grace of God, resisted the temptations of this seducer of souls.

Being naturally of a gay and light-hearted temper, he indulged in dancing, card-playing,

and other youthful vanities. The admonitions of a pious servant of his father, first led him to more serious thoughts, and induced him to follow "such things as are of good report."

On leaving the University, he at once, young as he was, became usher to the school and curate to the church in Storford, his native place. In that town a weekly lecture was maintained by a company of devout aad able ministers, with several of whom he became acquainted. One of these was Rev. Jeremiah Dyke, rector of Epping; a divine of considerable note. Under the searching ministry of Mr. Dyke, the young curate was awakened to a deep sense of the sin and misery of his unregenerate state. The deep conviction of guilt he felt in his heart, till he was driven nearly to despair. Thus he mourned a while beneath the dark and boding cloud which lowered over his drooping soul. The Spirit of God, the only efficient Comforter of such mourners, disclosed to him the grace of Christ, and the consoling promises of the gospel. His rejoicing was equal to his sorrow. He now felt himself truly called of God to the work of the ministry; and felt it his duty, now that he was converted, to strengthen his brethren.

His thorough classical studies well fitted him for the study of theology, to which Lord Bacon,