and rejected. To them the senses were a totally depraved foundation, on which neither truth nor goodness could rest. They went forth in confidence that men who were kindling with the same exalted instincts, would listen to their voice, and be effectually "called into the brunt of the battle" by their side. And standing serenely amidst the crumbling fabrics of centuries of superstitions, they had faith in one another."*

We have here the testimony of two eminent scholars, richly endowed with the historical spirit, and with the rare gift of discerning the operation of moral causes. Neither of them can be charged with being biassed by an undue partiality to Calvinism. The leaning of their minds is rather in the opposite direction. It is not from experience, that they describe the workings of the ancient orthodoxy upon the souls of its adherents. But as keen-eyed investigators, they have looked upon the results it wrought out and they have traced its noble and lasting consequences in their lofty strains of eulogy. We see in what mould of doctrine those minds were cast, whose iron strength subdued kingdoms and wildernesses, triumphed

* Bancroft. II. 462,3.

over native infirmity, shattered the chains of darkness in every link, and proclaimed the jubilee of freedom to the children of God. The Pauline theology bred that courageous recklessness which broke in pieces the enslaving images of civil and ecclesiastical oppression, before which servility had crouched, and superstition had groveled, for ages. No matter for the costly carvings of the seats of irresponsible and abso

lute power: no matter how gorgeous the

stainings which glazed the oriel windows of the fanes, where priestly usurpation dwelt amid congenial gloom. All, all must be courageously demolished, as monuments and supports of tyranny and corruption. The Puritans were the men for this work. The tenets of their faith cast them upon the Lord in almost superhuman confidence: and "through God, they did valiantly."

To the labors of Mr. Norton and his brethren in the inculcation of religious truth, New England is indebted for nearly all that constitutes her happiness and renown. Her character of dauntless independence, public spirit, resolute enterprise, and invincible perseverance, was cherished by the orthodoxy which fed and exercised her infancy and youth. This was the nursing-mother of her greatness, "severely

kind," careful of her childhood, and prodigal to her maturity. Each family of the early colonists has multiplied, on the average, to more than a thousand souls. Their descendants are now numbered by millions; and, true to the colonizing spirit, have spread the puritan influence over the newer states, and the most distant settlements, of our land. Bible orthodoxy was the fountain-head of those extending influences, so salutary to our nation and the world.

ment.

CHAPTER II.

Mr. Cotton on his death-bed recommends that Mr. Norton should be his successor. Mr. Norton invited to Boston. Removes. Reclaimed by Ipswich. Contentions and Councils. Interference of GovernMr. Norton installed in Boston. His influence. His second marriage. "Heart of New England Rent." Quakers. Alledged persecutions. Bancroft's vindication of the Fathers. Mr. Norton's views. His commission to England with Governor Bradstreet. Letters of General Court to Boston Church and neighboring ministers. Audience at Whitehall. Commissioners return. Discon tents. Mr. Norton's Death. His last discourses printed. Norton's Memorial. Anagrams. Elegy. Last will and testament. Relatives. Mrs. Norton's benefactions to Old South Church. Her extravagant funeral expenses. Mr. Norton's natural disposition. His hilarity. Ann Hibbens hung for witchery. Beach's Letter. Mr. Norton's opposition to the execution. Witchcraft delusion univer. sal. Sweden. England. Scotland. France. Last executions for witchcraft. Massachusetts the first jurisdiction to abolish the practice. False impressions of Puritan character. Puritan women. Mr. Norton's scholarship. His Diary. I. Mather. Mr. Norton's extraordinary gift in prayer. Conclusion.

WHEN Mr. Cotton lay upon his death-bed, his church requested him to recommend a fit person to be his successor. The sick man, while revolving in his mind what advice to give, dreamed that he saw Mr. Norton riding into Boston on a white horse to succeed him. The dream, as it happened, afterwards came to pass in every cir VOL. II. 19

cumstance. The dying patriarch, finding his waking thoughts could not better his dreaming cogitations, nominated the teacher of Ipswich, if he could be obtained, to take the place which was about to be vacated. Mr. Cotton, however, was not directed in his advice by his night-vision; but by his knowledge of the fact, that Mr. Norton had gained the consent of his people to his leaving them, and returning to England within twelve months, unless some contingency should prevent.

When Mr. Cotton had departed to his rest, his church acted upon his advice, and sent brethren to Ipswich to obtain the consent of that people to part with him who had been their guide for fifteen years. There the matter was long debated, till an honest member of the Ipswich Church remarked;" Brethren, a case in some things like to this, was once that way determined,— 'We will call the damsel, and inquire at her mouth: ' wherefore I propose that our teacher himself be inquired of, whether he be inclined to go."

Mr. Norton, who had resolved to have no responsibility in the business, was much troubled at the question. He answered, that if it were judged that as good reasons as caused his removal to America, now called for his removal to Boston,