.. and how wofull would the state of
things soon be among us, if men might have liberty without controll to
profess, or preach, or print, or publish what they list, tending to the
seduction of others." [Footnote: _Eye Salve_, p. 38.] Such feelings
found their fit expression in savage laws against dissenting sects; these,
however, will be dealt with hereafter; only those which illustrate the
fundamental principles of the theocracy need be mentioned here. One chief
cause of schism was the hearing of false doctrine; and in order that the
people might not be led into temptation, but might on the contrary hear
true exposition of the word, every inhabitant was obliged to attend the
services of the established church upon the Lord's day under a penalty of
fine or imprisonment; the fine not to exceed 5s. (equal to about $5 now)
for every absence. [Footnote: 1634-35, 4 March. _Mass. Rec._ i. 140.]
"If any Christian so called ... shall contemptuously behave himselfe
toward ye word preached, or ye messengers thereof called to dispence ye
same in any congregation, ... or like a sonn of Corah cast upon his true
doctrine or himselfe any reproach ... shall for ye first scandole be
convented ... and bound to their good behaviour; and if a second time they
breake forth into ye like contemptuous carriages, either to pay L5 to ye
publike treasury or to stand two houres openly upon a block 4 foote high,
on a lecture day, with a pap fixed on his breast with this, A Wanton
Gospeller, written in capitall letters ye others may fear & be ashamed of
breaking out into the like wickednes.
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