fess, with frankness and humility, our own faults, and those of our fathers; learn wisdom from past errors; and bring ourselves and others, as speedily as possible, to the adoption of those pure principles, by which alone Christianity can be sustained and diffused. The book of God records, among its salutary lessons, the mistakes and sins of good men. I have believed, that the wrong and mischievous tendency of intolerance could not be more forcibly exhibited, than in the conduct of our fathers. All men concede to them sincere piety, pure lives and conscientious uprightness of purpose. How pernicious, then, must be a principle, which could so bias the minds of such men, as to impel them to oppress, banish or put to death their fellow Christians! How dangerous the principle, if, in such hands, its operation was so terrible! We need not wonder that, under the direction of bigotry, ambition, cupidity and despotism, it produced the horrors of St. Bartholomew's, and the atrocities of Smithfield. The experience of NewEngland has proved, that the best men cannot be trusted with power over the conscience; and that this power must be wrested from the hands of all men, and committed to Him who alone is competent to wield it. This volume is dedicated to the defence of religious liberty, both by an exposition of the principles of Roger Williams, and by a display of the evils of intolerance. If it shall thus aid in hastening the universal triumph of pure and undefiled religion, my strongest desire will be accomplished. Newton, December 12, 1833. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Page Mr. Williams refuses to unite with the Boston church-is in- vited to Salem-interference of the General Court-removes Returns to Salem-ministers' meetings-Court again interferes Baptism of Mr. Williams-establishment of the first Baptist church in Providence-Mr. Williams soon leaves the church, 162 Affairs of the Indians-birth of Mr. Williams' fourth child- Birth of Mr. Williams' second son-league of the colonies- Letters to John Winthrop-organization of the government- Warwick-Mr. Williams' compensation-imprisonment of John Mr. Williams and Mr. Clarke sail-Mr. Coddington's charter vacated-troubles in Rhode-Island-Mr. Williams returns- Sir Henry Vane-Milton-Mr. Williams endeavors to re- Troubles in Rhode-Island-William Harris-Quakers-severe laws against them in other colonies-conduct of Rhode- Death of Cromwell-his character-Richard Cromwell suc- ceeds-restoration of Charles II.-Act of Uniformity, and |