Upon these points there is abundant evidence: "The
government was first by way of charter, which was chiefly managed by the
preachers, who by their power with the people made all the magistrates &
kept them so intirely under obedience, that they durst not act without
them. Soe that whensoever anything strange or unusuall was brought before
them, they would not determine the matter without consulting the
preachers, for should any bee soe sturdy as to presume to act of himself
without takeing advice & directions, he might bee sure of it, his
magistracy ended with the year. He could bee noe magistrate for them, that
was not approved and recommended from the pulpit, & he could expect little
recommendation who was not the preacher's most humble servant. Soe they
who treated, caressed & presented the preachers most, were the rulers &
magistrates among the people." [Footnote: An Account of the Colonies,
etc., Lambeth MSS. Perry's _Historical Collections_, iii. 48.]
From the decisions of such a judiciary the only appeal lay to a popular
assembly, which could always be manipulated. Obviously, ecclesiastical
supervision over the ordinary course of litigation was amply provided for.
The adjudication of the more important controversies was reserved; for it
was expressly enacted that doubtful questions and the higher crimes should
be judged according to the Word of God.
Pages:
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483