time to render the composition as perfect as possible; while he contented himself at other times with carefully reading the sermons of Dr. BARRow and some other celebrated preachers, minuting down only the heads of their discourses, and expressing the sense of his author in language of his own, as he was able to command it at the time of speaking. In this way, while he greatly improved his mind, he acquired a facility of expressing himself on any subject. His composing no more than one sermon a month was by no means the effect of indolence, or an aversion to business; but merely of a regular plan that he had formed for rendering himself as useful as possible. The attainments he had hitherto made in literature he now considered in the light of a foundation only, on which he conceived it was his duty to raise the highest improvements he was able to make. Accordingly he pursued his studies with intense application and ardour of mind; not neglecting the classics, mathematics, physics and metaphysics, yet devoting himself chiefly to divinity, ethics, and history both sacred and profane.

In the course of his inquiries, the doctrines and facts of the Primitive Church, among other things, came under his examination. With re

gard to this subject he consulted freely with his

friends above-mentioned, who often met together at the college, or at one another's places of abode. The result of these conversations and inquiries was, that they could see but little resemblance of the Primitive Church in the discipline and worship that were established among them; and that the Church of England appeared to them, in its general constitution, to come the nearest to the purity and perfection of the first ages of Christianity of any church upon earth.

But those conferences, which had hitherto been so agreeable, began now to be productive of uneasiness and anxiety. These gentlemen became unhappy, on finding themselves in a state so very different, in many respects, and particularly with regard to ecclesiastical government, from that of the Primitive Church. How to conduct themselves in this case they could hardly determine. They all loved their country, and were greatly respected by it; being esteemed, in point both of moral character and literary accomplishments, the most considerable persons of their years belonging to the colony. It therefore pained them to think of forming conclusions which they knew would be distressing to their friends, and offensive to the country in general.

On considering these things, they resolved to

set themselves down to re-examine the subject, being desirous of continuing in their present way, if it could be done with a quiet conscience. They formed a resolution, however, to act honestly and impartially, and to read the best books on both sides of the question. Accordingly they carefully compared together what was offered by HOADLY and CALAMY in their long controversy on the subject: they put into the opposite scales Sir PETER KING's Inquiry and SLATER'S Original Draught: they then examined POTTER on Church Government, to which no answer has been attempted; and Mr. JOHNSON read several of the earliest and best fathers, in their original languages. The effect was, that from the facts in scripture, compared with those of the Primitive Church, it appeared plain to them that the Episcopal government was universally established by the Apostles wherever they propagated Christianity; that through the first order of the ministry, called Bishops, the power of the priesthood was to be conveyed from the great Head of the Church; and, although Presbyters preached and administered the sacraments, yet that no act of ordination and government, for several ages, was ever allowed to be lawful, without a Bishop at the head of the Presbytery. All

D

this appeared as evident, from the universal testimony of the Church, as the true canon of scripture itself. It was therefore impossible for them, after this inquiry, not to suspect, not only the regularity, but even the lawfulness and validity of their own ordination.

At this period the Church of England had scarcely any existence in Connecticut. There were, indeed, about thirty families at Stratford, chiefly from England, who professed themselves members of it, and who had applied to the society for a Minister; and that venerable body, in consequence of this application, ordered Mr. PIGOT, whom they had taken into their service, to reside at Stratford for a few months. While he was there, Mr. JoHNSON waited on him, in June, 1722, and, in the course of conversation, invited him to make a visit to the college; to which he consented, and appointed the day. Mr. JOHNSON gave notice of this to his friends, and they agreed to meet him there on that occasion. On the day appointed they all met at the college; and these gentlemen, in their conversation with Mr. PIGOT, did no more than express their charity and veneration for the Church of England; but this was so unexpected, and so agreeable to Mr. PIGOT, that

he could not forbear giving some hints of it among his people at Stratford.

By this time the frequent meetings, and the great intimacy of these gentlemen, began to be noticed, and became the subject of speculation. Some suspected that they were about to apostatize into Arminianism, which was looked upon as one of the vilest heresies; and others went so far as not only to utter their own suspicions, but to raise and propagate several false reports concerning the principles of these gentlemen. In short, by the commencement following, in the inonth of September, the whole country was in an alarm, and many people came to New-Havens expecting some strange occurrences.

The Trustees of the college, who highly esteemed all the gentlemen, did not doubt but they would be able to clear themselves of every unfavourable suspicion. Accordingly, the day after the commencement, they sent for them, with no other expectation, and with a view of removing the dark apprehensions of the people. They were all requested to meet the Trustees in the college library; upon which Mr. CUTLER, Mr. HART, Mr. ELIOT, Mr. WHITTELSEY, Mr. WETMORE, Mr. JOHNSON, and Mr. BROWN, made their appearance. The examination was