" [Footnote:
_Magnalia_, bk. 7, ch. iv. section 4.] Winthrop, the wisest and
ablest champion the clergy ever had, hung back. Like many another
political leader, he was forced by his party into measures from which his
judgment and his heart recoiled. He tells us how, on a question arising
between him and Mr. Haynes, the elders "delivered their several reasons
which all sorted to this conclusion, that strict discipline, both in
criminal offences and in martial affairs, was more needful in plantations
than in a settled state, as tending to the honor and safety of the gospel.
Whereupon Mr. Winthrop acknowledged that he was convinced that he had
failed in over much lenity and remissness, and would endeavor (by God's
assistance) to take a more strict course thereafter." [Footnote: Winthrop,
i. 178.] But his better nature revolted from the foul task and once more
regained ascendancy just as he sunk in death. For while he was lying very
sick, Dudley came to his bedside with an order to banish a heretic: "No,"
said the dying man, "I have done too much of that work already," and he
would not sign the warrant. [Footnote: _Life and Letters of Winthrop_, ii.
393.]
Nothing could avail, for the clergy held the state within their grasp, and
shrank from no deed of blood to guard the interests of their order.
The case of Gorton may serve as an example of a rigor that shocked even
the Presbyterian Baillie; it must be said in explanation of his story that
the magistrates condemned Gorton and his friends to death for the crime of
heresy in obedience to the unanimous decision of the elders, [Footnote:
Winthrop, ii.
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