in all the branches of it; and that sometimes unto death, by
beatings, bruisings, long and crowded imprisonments, and noisome
dungeons: four of them in New England dying by the hands of the
executioner, purely for preaching amongst that people: besides
banishments, and excessive plunders and sequestrations of their goods and
estates, almost in all parts, not easily to be expressed, and less to
have been endured, but by those that have the support of a good and
glorious cause; refusing deliverance by any indirect ways or means, as
often as it was offered unto them.

X. That they did not only not show any disposition to revenge, when it
was at any time in their power, but forgave their cruel enemies; showing
mercy to those that had none for them.

XI. Their plainness with those in authority, like the ancient prophets,
not fearing to tell them to their faces, of their private and public
sins; and their prophesies to them of their afflictions and downfal, when
in the top of their glory: also of some national judgments, as of the
plague, and fire of London, in express terms; and likewise particular
ones to divers persecutors, which accordingly overtook them; and were
very remarkable in the places where they dwelt, which in time may be made
public for the glory of God.

Thus, reader, thou seest this people in their rise, principles, ministry,
and progress, both their general and particular testimony; by which thou
mayst be informed how, and upon what foot, they sprang, and became so
considerable a people. It remains next, that I show also their care,
conduct, and discipline as a Christian and reformed society, that they
might be found living up to their own principles and profession. And
this the rather, because they have hardly suffered more in their
character from the unjust charge of error, than by the false imputation
of disorder: which calumny, indeed, has not failed to follow all the true
steps that were ever made to reformation, and under which reproach none
suffered more than the primitive Christians themselves, that were the
honour of Christianity, and the great lights and examples of their own
and succeeding ages.

CHAP. IV.

_Of the discipline and practice of this people_, _as a religious
society_. _The church power they own and exercise_, _and that which they
reject and condemn_: _with the method of their proceedings against erring
and disorderly persons_.

This people increasing daily both in