The first that began in the work of the Lord above mentioned, were their honoured governor, Mr. John Winthrop, Mr. Johnson, forenamed, that much honoured gentleman, Mr. Thomas Dudley, and Mr. John Wilson, aforesaid; these four were the first that began that honourable church of Boston, unto whom there joined many other. The same year also Mr. George Phillips, who was a worthy servant of Christ and dispenser of his word, began a church fellowship at Watertown; as did also Mr. Maverick and Mr. Warham at Dorchester, the same day.

Thus, out of small beginnings, greater things have been produced by his hand that made all things of nothing; and, as one small candle may light a thousand, so the light here kindled hath shone unto many, yea, in some sort, to our whole nation. Let the glorious name of Jehovah have all the praise in all ages.¹³

The patent recites that the grantees “had lived nine years in New England, had planted a town called New Plymouth, at their own charges, and by the special providence of God, and their extraordinary care and industry, had increased their plantations to near three hundred people, and are, on all occasions, able to relieve any new planters, or others of his majesty’s subjects who may fall on that coast.” It gives them “all the right and interest which the said council had or ought to have thereto, with liberty to trade with the natives, and fish in the seas adjoining,” and “liberty to make orders, ordinances, and constitutions not contrary to the laws of England, for their better government, and to put the same in execution, by such officers as they shall authorize and depute.”—Prince, 268, 269.

The reader will be very likely to inquire what “right and interest” this council had, which they here undertook to convey? The following is taken from Prince, 180:—

“Nov. 3, about a week before of their (the Pilgrims) arriving at Cape Cod, king James signs a patent for the incorporation of the adventurers to the northern colonies of Virginia, between 40 and 48 degrees north, being the duke Lenox. The marquises of Buckingham and Hamilton, the earls of Arundel and Warwick, and Sir F. Gorges, with thirty-four others, and their successors, styling them ’The Council established at Plymouth, in the county of Devon, for the planting, ruling, ordering, and governing New England in America,’ which is the great and civil basis of all the future patents and plantations which divide this country.”

“Oct. 1630. The first execution in Plymouth colony; which is a matter of great sadness to us, is of one John Billington, for waylaying and shooting John Newcomen, a young man, in the shoulder, whereof he died. The said Billington was one of the profanest among us. He came from London, and I know not by what friends, shuffled into our company. We used all due means about his trial; he was found guilty both by grand and petty jury, and we took the advice of Mr. Winthrop and others, the ablest gentlemen in Massachusetts Bay, who all concurred with us that he ought to die, and the land be purged from blood.”—Ibid. 320.