CHAPTER II.

Settlement at Boston in Old England. Obstacles to Settlement. Spiritual Conflicts. Arminian Controversy. Marriage. NonConformity.

WHEN Mr. Cotton was about twenty-eight years of age, he was invited by the people of Boston, in Lincolnshire, to settle in the ministry among them. Old Boston, whose chief honor now is, that she imparted her name to her cisatlantic daughter, was indebted for it to Botolph, an ancient Saxon saint; the name Botolph's town, having been, in time, contracted to its present form. In that place, Mr. Cotton labored many years in the pastoral office, exerting a wonderful influence upon the character of the people. We read in Burke's famous speech made long afterwards on American affairs, the odd quotation from an old song ;—

Solid men of Boston, make no long orations,

Solid men of Boston, drink no strong potations.

I am ready to believe that this character for solidity, for brevity of speech, and for observing the "holy dictate of spare temperance," may be

owing to the labors of this man of God, leaving their impress upon the descendants of his parishioners there, as I doubt not they have done here.

Mr. Cotton's settlement was not without some difficulty. The church-warden, with the better sort of people, desired that he should be their pastor. But the mayor, with the looser class, had procured from Cambridge another candidate more to their minds. When the election came to be held under the charter, the votes were found to be equally divided. The mayor, having the casting vote, by some mistake gave it in favor of Mr. Cotton. The civic dignitary, mortified at his error, requested that the vote might be taken again. His request was complied with, and resulted as before, in an equal division. And now, strange to tell, the mayor made the same mistake, and again gave his casting vote in Mr. Cotton's favor. In great vexation, the blundering magistrate insisted upon trying the vote for the third time; but the people refused their consent. Thus the choice fell upon Mr. Cotton, through the unintended act of his most strenuous opposer.

This obstruction being removed, there came another in the way. Dr. Barlow, the diocesan, understanding that the successful candidate was infected with Puritanism, tried to discourage his VOL. I. 3

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settlement. The prelate's only objection was, that Mr. Cotton was too young a man to be set over such a numerous and factious people. The young man had so modest an opinion of himself, that he was satisfied with the objection, and proposed to go back to the University. But some of his supporters, understanding, as good Mr. Norton tells us, "that one Simon Bibby was to be spoken with, who was near to the bishop, they presently charmed him; and so the business proceeded without further trouble, and Mr. Cotton was admitted into the place after their manner in those days." It looks suspicious in this case, that the charmers operated upon the said Simon Bibby, by means of unlawful spells, perchance mingling the potency of simony and bibification. But whatever the nature of their enchantments may have been, Mr. Cotton cannot be charged with any knowledge of their proceedings.

About this time he was deeply exercised with spiritual troubles, even as his Master was subjected to temptation at the beginning of his public ministry. There is much truth in Luther's saying," that three things make a divine; meditation, supplication, and temptation." It is probable that few ministers have ever been extensively useful in the Church of God, without first passing through severe conflicts of mind

against doubts, and fears, and unbelief; before coming to the settled enjoyment of the consolations and supports of the gospel. Taught both by sterner and by sweeter experience, they learn how to guide others through similar spiritual difficulties. It is thus that they become "able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith they themselves are comforted of God."

Engrossed as he was in these severe mental trials, Mr. Cotton paid no heed to the parties and factions which disturbed the town. This sort of impartiality conciliated the good will of the people, when they saw that the salvation of his own soul was far more upon his thoughts, than the contentions and disputes around him.

At that time, there was a Mr. Baron in the place, a man very skillful in his calling, as a physician, but who chiefly devoted his studies to the defence of Arminianism, which he maintained on all occasions, with much acuteness and ability. To his constant conversation, Mr. Cotton silently listened, till he "had learned, at length, where all the great strength of the doctor lay." Having mastered all Mr. Baron's scruples and objections, and, avoiding all those expressions and phrases of others, which afforded that gentleman any advantage in debate, Mr. Cotton

began publicly to preach the doctrine of God's eternal election; the effectual calling of the sinner by irresistible grace; and the certain perseverance of saints, so that they shall not fall from a state of grace, either totally or finally. The result was, that the adverse disputant desisted from all further debate; Arminianism died quite away, without struggle or convulsion, "and all matters of religion were carried on calmly and peaceably.”

When he had resided at his parish about half a year, he visited Cambridge, to take his degree of Bachelor of Divinity. On this occasion, he added largely to his reputation, by a much admired sermon to the clergy, from the text; "Ye are the salt of the earth; but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted?" He also distinguished himself by his skill in a public disputation, held in the schools for the purpose of proving himself qualified for his degree in divinity. He appeared to high advantage, though matched against a very keen debater, a Dr. Chappell; afterwards Provost of Trinity College, in Dublin, and a strenuous advocate of Pelagian sentiments. After gathering these University laurels, Mr. Cotton returned to his parochial charge, where he enjoyed the high esteem of his flock. It is a remark of one of his fellow