The History of Massachusetts Volume 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1855 edition. Excerpt: ...a respite was given him, in hopes of his repentance, to the first Tuesday in August, which was subsequently renewed "until he should be sent for."2 Prudential motives may have influenced this decision.3 Mr. Vane was yet in the colony; his friends were numerous; and, though turned out of the government, he was still powerful, and quick to detect and expose everything savoring of persecution: --but in August he left the country to return to England.4 Immediately upon his departure, a council of ministers Aug. 5. is recorded, which had been contemplated for some time, and which "met divers days and agreed, with consent of the magistrates, upon a day of humiliation to be kept in all the churches, on the 24th, and for a conference, or Synod, to commence on the 30th." At the time fixed, Aug.30. this Synod met at Newtown, being composed of "all the teaching elders throughout the country, and some new come out of England."5 It was the first body of the kind convened in Massachusetts; a grand Court of Spiritual Inquest; 'Winthrop, 1. 261-3; Mass. 4 Winthrop, 1. 277, 281; Hub Rec's., 1. 195. bard, 262. 2 Winthrop, 1. 263-5; Mass. 'Johnson, in 2. M. H. Coll., 4. Rec's., 1. 196, 200, 205. 34; 7. 1; Hubbard, 295-6; Hutch 'Pref. Short Story; Savage on inson, 1. 68. Winthrop.-254 A SYNOD CONVENED. Chap. an Inquisitorial Tribunal; an Ephesian, or Nicene Council; VFW whose purpose was, to condemn heresy, confine orthodoxy 1637-within the limits of a definite creed, and settle the faith of future generations. A quaint author observes that, at its opening, "much time was spent in ventilation, and emptying of private passions," before proceeding to the main business; and when this was reached, a formidable catalogue of...