America and West Indies: October 1637 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 1, 1574-1660. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1860.

This free content was digitised by double rekeying. Public Domain.

Citation:

'America and West Indies: October 1637', in Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 1, 1574-1660, ed. W Noel Sainsbury( London, 1860), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/colonial/america-west-indies/vol1/pp258-259 [accessed 2 December 2024].

October 1637



Oct. 6. Barbadoes.	70. Thos. Lane to Archbishop Laud. The piercing sight of Lynceus and the long ears of Midas excellently moralize the King's piercing apprehensions and deep judgments in affairs of their States. As a principal of the learned Commissioners appointed by the King to examine and rectify all complaints from the plantations, Lane, himself a brother minister, sends an account of the state of the clergy in the colony of Barbadoes. Within the past five or six years the people have built six churches, besides some chapels; the care of the parishes is committed to some of the principal men in each parish, who are called the vestry, and have power to place and displace their ministers, and to allow them yearly stipends. Manner of levying the means to pay the minister in his own parish. Complains of the general grievances of the clergy. The Governor chooses the ministers, and agrees with them as he pleases, "whereby we are made and esteemed no better than mercenaries." Taxes such as he believes were never before imposed by Christians upon the clergy, they are compelled to pay, "for the very heads upon their shoulders, for the heads of their wives and children above the age of seven." The parish clerks are maintained out of their means. "What can be expected where ignorance both of the laws of God and men doth domineer." Hopes his Grace will provide a remedy for these burdens. It is time for authority to set to her helping hand. "They live in the declining age of the world, wherein there is not to be found that youthful zeal of God's house which was wont to eat up men."
[Oct. 7.]	71. Three propositions concerning justification by works, faith, active or passive, in justification, and saving preparation before union with Christ, which have divided Mr. Hooker and Mr. Cotton in New England. Endorsed by Archbishop Laud, "Rec. 7 Oct. 1637."
[Oct. 15.]	72. The state of the three controversies touching the condition wrought in the soul before faith, the first assurance of faith from sanctification, and the active power of faith, now broken out in New England between Mr. Hooker, Mr. Cotton, and their followers. Arguments and proofs for and against. Endorsed by Archbishop Loud, "Rec. 15 Oct. 1637."
Oct.?	73. A relation of the manner in which persons are received into the congregations of New England. They make confession of their faith, and they give glory to God. Their conscience and conversation must be approved. In case of notorious scandal past, confession is to be made penitently. They covenant to obey the whole truth of the Gospel of Christ.
Oct.	74. Description of a monstrous birth at Boston in New England, brought forth by Mary, wife of William Dyer, some time milliner in the New Exchange in London. Certified by John Winthrop, gent of the Massachusetts, who saw it.