258 



1. The principles of the founders were purely congrega- 

 tional, and as understood by themselves required their strict 

 adherence to the Scriptures in constituting the church. This 

 too was their declared purpose. Great wrong was done them 

 in confounding their principles Avith their opinions ; things 

 essentially distinct. Opinions were variable and transient; 

 principles, fixed and eternal. Opinions belonged exclusively to 

 the individual holding them ; principles, to the whole commu- 

 nity in common. Opinions could not be a guide for any but 

 the holder of them, nor always a safe guide for him ; but fixed 

 principles safely guided all, both in forming their conduct and 

 their opinions also. This distinction was well understood by the 

 fathers of Salem, and nobly manifested by them in constituting 

 their church, according to their genuine congregational princi- 

 ples, and not in perpetuation of their peculiar opinions. 



2. This glorious fact was confirmed by authentic history. 

 The foundation of the First Church, being a memorable trans- 

 action, had been recorded with more fullness and accuracy 

 than that of any other church. Governors Endicott and Brad- 

 ford, with the ministers Higginson and Skelton and other emi- 

 nent characters, were earnestly engaged in their inquiries to 

 ascertain the true scriptural foundation of a Christian church. 

 " And accordingly it was desired of Mr. Higginson to draw up 

 a confession of faith and covenant in scripture language; which 

 being done, was agreed upon." So stated Secretary Morton, 

 in his New England's Memorial, and Cotton Mather, in the 

 Magnalia, recorded it at length, omitting the preamble of its 

 renewal in 1636, and the postscript added in 1660, giving the 

 true original " Confession and Covenant " of 1629. Though 

 variously termed, and most commonly " the covenant" simply, 

 one and the same instrument was always intended; — "the 

 instrument," as Judge Davis called it, "venerable for its 

 antiquity, and estimable for its mild and benignant spirit ;"* 

 which was published in London in 1644, and included by Han- 



* Morton's Mem. Davis's ed. p. 391 



