Ecclesiastical History. 11 



ores. That is that great enemy of truth and peace, that wild beast, which 

 all the ordinances of God are bent against, to restrain and subdue it. 

 The other kind of liberty I call civil or federal, it may also be termed 

 moral, in reference to the covenant between God and man, in the moral 

 law, and the politic covenants and constitutions amongst men themselves. 

 This liberty is the proper end and object of authority, and cannot subsist 

 without it ; and it is a liberty to that only which is good, just, and hon- 

 est. This liberty you are to stand for, with the hazard (not only of 

 your goods, but) of your lives, if need be. Whatsoever crosseth this, is 

 not authority, but a distemper thereof. This liberty is maintained and 

 exercised in a way of subjection to authority ; it is of the same kind of 

 liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free. The woman's own choice makes 

 such a man her husband ; yet being so chosen, he is her lord, and she is 

 to be subject to him, yet in a way of liberty, not of bondage ; and a true 

 wife accounts her subjection her honour and freedom, and would not 

 think her condition safe and free, but in her subjection to her husband's 

 authority. Such is the liberty of the church under the authority of 

 Christ, her king and husband; his yoke is easy and sweet to her as a 

 bride's ornaments ; and if through frowardness or wantonness &c. she 

 shake it off, at any time, she is at no rest in her spirit, until she take 

 it up again; and whether her lord smiles upon her, and embraceth her 

 in his arms, or whether he frowns, or rebukes, or smites her, she appre- 

 hends the sweetness of his love in all, and is refreshed, supported, and 

 instructed by every such dispensation of his authority over her. On the 

 other side, ye know who they are that complain of this yoke and say, let 

 us break their bands &c. we will not have this man to rule over us. 

 Even so, brethren, it will be between you and your magistrates. If you 

 stand for your natural corrupt liberties, and will do what is good in your 

 own eves, you will not endure the least weight of authority, but will 

 murmur, and oppose, and be always striving to shake off that yoke ; but 

 if vou will be satisfied to enjoy such civil and lawful liberties, such as 

 Christ allows you, then will you -quietly and cheerfully submit unto that 

 authority which is set over you, in all the administrations of it, for your 

 good. Wherein, if we fail at any time, we hope we shall be willing (by 

 God's assistance) to hearken to good advice from any of you, or in any 

 other way of God ; so shall your liberties be preserved, in upholding the 

 honour and power of authority amongst you.' " 



The following notes of the proceedings of the deputies and 

 magistrates in relation to this affair were collected by Mr. Savage 

 and published in his edition of Winthrop : — 



" The first order of the magistrates is as follows : ' Fined the persons 

 after named in such sums as hereafter are expressed, having been as mod- 

 erate and gone as low as they any ways could with the holding up of 

 authority in any measure, and the maintenance of justice, desiring the 

 concurrence of the deputies herein, that at length an end may be put to 

 this long and tedious business. 



Joshua Hubbard is fined £20 00 00 



Edmond Hubbard 5 00 00 



Thomas Hubbard 2 00 00 



Edmond Gold 1 00 00 



John Faulshame 20 00 00 



