flocked from all the neighbouring towns to hear him preach. For some years he continued in his conformity to the rites and ceremonies of the episcopal church, but afterwards became a sincere convert to the doctrines and manners of the puritans. His acquaintance with the famous Hildersham, and Mr. Thomas Hooker, brought about this alteration of his opinions. They had studied the controversies, whichthen divided the churches of the reformation, and persuaded him to indulge the same spirit of free inquiry. He acknowledged, that he could find no foundation for many things, which had been introduced by the church of Rome, and still continued in the church of England; and he was a man of too much simplicity and godly sincerity to practise them after he was convinced from what source they çame. Hence he offended the ruling party, and was not allowed to exercise his ministry in his own parish church. The people, however, procured the privilege of his preaching a lecture one part of the Sabbath for them; and the other part he preached for an aged minister, who needed his assistance.

He was maintained by a voluntary contribution, which came easily from his hearers, because he was so well beloved. The ministers of the episcopal church were also so fond of him, that they opened their churches to him, as long as they could do it with any safety. Happily for them, they were in the diocese of one of the most exemplary and sweet tempered bishops that ever filled an episcopal see. This was Dr. Williams, whom bishop Laud, with the fierce spirit of bigotry, hated, because he had so much evangelical charity. The rods of his wrath were shaken against Mr. Higginson, among the other favourites of the good bishop of Lincoln. He could not, however, destroy the work which Mr. Higginson had done. It pleased God to give lustre to his character, and success to his ministry.

Before Mr. H. became a non-conformist, he ap. peared to manifest more regard to discipline in his

church than was common, though nothing more than the rubricks required. He publickly declared that ignorant and scandalous persons were not to be admitted to the Lord's supper. After preaching upon this text, "Give not that which is holy unto dogs," a man, who was a common drunkard and swearer, approached the chancel. He said to him, before the whole assembly, that he was not willing to give the Lord's supper to him, until he had professed his repentance, to the satisfaction of the congregation. The man was full of resentment, but could not resist the commanding influence the man of God had, as much by the virtue of his character, as the sacredness of his office. Another instance is mentioned in the Magnalia, which may be related in the words of the author, as it is less accompanied with marvellous circumstances, than are generally combined with his biographical sketches. "A famous doctor of divinity, prebend of a cathedral, and chaplain to his majesty, then lived at Leicester. This gentleman preached but very seldom; and when he did at all, it was after that fashion, which has sometimes been called gentleman-preaching; after a flaunting manner and with such a vain ostentation of learning, and affectation of language as ill became the oracles of God; the people generally flocking more to the edifying preaching of Mr. H. than to these vain harangues. Our doctor so extremely resented it, that both publickly and privately, on all opportunities, he expressed his indignation against Mr. H. and vowed that he would certainly drive him out of town. Now it so fell out, that the sheriff appointed this doctor to preach at the general assizes there, and gave him a quarter of a year's time to prepare a sermon upon that occasion. But in all this time he could not provide a sermon to his own satisfaction, insomuch that a fortnight before the time was expired, he expressed to some of his friends a despair of being well provided. Wherefore his friends persuaded him to try, telling

him that if it came to the worst, Mr. H. might be procured to preach in his room; he was always ready. The Dr. was wonderfully averse to this last proposal, and therefore studied with all his might for an agreeable sermon; but he had such a blast from heaven upon his poor studies, that the very night before the assizes began, he sent his wife to the devout lady Cave, who prevailed with Mr. H. to supply his place the day ensuing; which he did with a most suitable, profitable and acceptable sermon; and unto the great satisfaction of the auditory. When the lady Cave had let this matter be known, how this thing, which was much wondered at, came about, the common discourse of the town so confounded the doctor, that he vowed he would never come into it again. Thus Mr. Higginson was left in the town, but, I pray, who was driven out?"

The high reputation of Mr. Higginson procured him the offer of some of the best livings in the island, but his principles of non-conformity operating upon a mind imbued with the love of truth, he sacrificed every worldly consideration, and trusted in providence for the means of support. He educated a number of youths, who were afterwards good scholars at the universities, and shone as lights in the christian church. From the benevolence of his disposition, he forwarded every pious, useful and charitable work; but his generous sympathy was peculiarly remarkable towards the protestantexiles, who came from Bohemia and the Palatinate, when the French had burned their cities, and they had beheld their dulcia arva changed to fields of blood.

In the year 1628, the company of Massachusetts bay in New England began a plantation. It was their decree, that none but honest and godly men should go over to settle. Mr. Higginson was a man admirably calculated to manage their design of propagating what they styled reformed christianity. He complied with their request; for he thought their invitation a call from heaven to which he must listen. They set sail from the isle of Wight, May, 1629, and when they come to the land's end, Mr. Higginson calling up his children and other passengers of the ship, said, "We will not say as the separatists were wont to say at their leaving of England, Farewell Babylon! Farewell Rome! But we will say, Farewell dear England! Farewell the church of God in England, and all christian friends there! We do not go to New England as separatists from the church of England, though we cannot but separate from the corruptions in it, but we go to practise the positive part of church reformation, and propagate the gospel in America."

This company arrived at Salem harbour 29th of June. There were only six houses, beside Mr. Endicot's. The same voice was then heard in this American wilderness, which had charmed the crowded cities of Europe. Mr. Skelton being associated with Mr. Higginson, in the work of the ministry, a day of religious preparation was observed. Mr. Higginson's church considered the two articles, which had been agreed upon between Mr. Endicot and Mr. Fuller, of Plymouth, who, though laymen, were deeply interested in the ecclesiastical affairs of the plantations, viz. "That the church of Salem would not acknowledge any ecclesiastical jurisdiction in the church at Plymouth. And that the authority of ordination should not exist in the clergy, as in the protestant churches, but, as the unqualified sense of the reformed churches, should entirely depend upon the free election of the members of the church, and that there should be a representative of this power continually in the church." We are told that Mr. Endicot had explained his views to the church at Plymouth; and that Mr. Higginson consented. He drew up likewise a "confession of faith," with a scriptural representation of the "covenant of grace," applied to their purpose, whereof thirty copies were taken for the thirty persons, who gathered the church.

This ancient church was organized, August 6th, 1629. Mr. Skelton was chosen pastor, Mr. Higginson teacher, and other officers, according to the regulations they had adopted.

After this, many others joined, whose good con. versation and conduct were amply testified. The first winter our fathers were exercised with many trials, and more than one hundred of the inhabitants of Salem died. Mr. Higginson also fell into a hectic fever, but continued preaching for some time. The last sermon he preached was upon this text, "What went ye out in the wilderness to see." Matt. xi. 7. It was occasioned by the arrival of many persons from Europe to settle in different places of New England. Finding himself near his dissolution, he conversed freely upon it. He said "that although the Lord called him away, he was persuaded God would raise up others, to carry on the work that was begun, and that there would be many churches in this wilderness." He died August, 1630, leaving a widow and eight children.*

He lived long enough, however, to secure the foundation of his church, to deserve the esteem of the colony, and to provide himself a name among the worthies of New England.

"A

Mr. Higginson wrote an account of New England, which is printed in the first volume of the collections of the historical society. It is styled, short and true description of the discoveries and commodities of the country. Written in the year 1629, by Mr. Higginson, a reverend divine, now resident there. London, 1630, third edition."

HIGGINSON FRANCIS, eldest son of Mr. H. of Salem, was educated by his father in England, and was an excellent scholar. He kept a school in this country; but having a desire to visit some European univer

• This is the time mentioned in the Magnalia. Mr. Bentley in his history of Salem, says it was 15th March.