Church History of New England

From 1620 TO 1804. Containing a View of the Principles and Practice, Declensions and Revivals Oppression and Liberty of the Churches, and a Chronological Table. By Isaac Backus, A.M., with a Memoir of the Author, published by the American Baptist Publication Society, No. 21 South Fourth Street, 1844

The annexed Memoir has been carefully compiled for this volume, from the American Baptist Magazine—the second volume of Benedict's History—the writings of Backus, and such verbal recollections of him, as the writer has been able to secure. It is hoped that it may give increased interest to the perusal of his history; while it will by no means supersede the necessity and the desire for a more complete and elaborate "Life of Backus," which one of his distinguished friends, who can have ready access to his extensive diary, and the scenes of his protracted labours, has promised to prepare, for our " Biographical Series."

CONTENTS

MEMOIR.

PREFACE.

CHAPTER I.
Their first church formed—They divide into two—They remove to Amsterdam—One goes to Leyden—They increase to three hundred—Part of them come to America—Here many of them die. Yet the rest are prospered—Robinson dies in Holland—Yet more come over—Their charter given—Their church order.

CHAPTER II.
A church settled at Salem—Governor Winthrop comes over with their charter—Church and State united—Williams banished—His great service in the Pequot war—A synod at Cambridge—A new court called, who punished many whom the synod had condemned.

CHAPTER III.
Rhode Island planted—Their first government—Providence upon another plan—The Baptist church there—Their sentiments spread—Account of Knollys—A law against the Baptists—And writings, also—Men in England against them—The case of Gorton and his company—Indians against them—They are banished, but obtain relief from England—Williams obtains a new charter, and writes against persecution, and Cotton against him—Owen for him These colonies for severity ; but Robinson for liberty.

CHAPTER IV.
Plan of Williams' government; and of the churches in Massachusetts—Cambridge platform—Williams on national confusion—Coddington does hurt to his own colony—Winthrop dies—Clarke and Holmes suffer at Boston—Williams and Clarke go to England, and expose such doings there—Letter about it from thence—Cotton dies—Infant baptism opposed at Cambridge—Williams and Clarke opposed in England, and yet prevail—Williams returns, and is president here; and prevails in his colony—Quakers come over and behave provokingly, and four of them were hanged.

CHAPTER V.
Contention about baptism—Two Baptist churches formed—That at Boston is persecuted three years, and then three of them were banished—But many are for them here, and clear letters are written in their favour from England—After they had been confined a year they were released from prison—Injustice about Providence colony exposed—And they at last prevail—Williams disputes and writes against the Quakers—A division in Boston church—Clarke's faith, and his joyful end.