494 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. trial by the death of his wife, who had cheerfully left her native country, to accompany him to the new plantation. Mr. Philips and his friends, upon their arrival in the American wilderness, fixed upon a spot on the banks of Charles's river, which they gave the name of Watertown. Here their first concern was to unite together in church fel- lowship, and to build a house for God, even before they built themselves habitations to dwell in. They set apart a day for extraordinary fasting and prayer, when they entered into a solemn covenant in the presence of God and one another. This covenant, dated July 30, 1630, is still preserved, and very excellent, but too long for insertion.* About forty on that day subscribed this instrument, the first of whom was Sir RichardSaltonstal ; and Mr. Philips was chosen to the office of pastor. Members were after- wards admitted to the church by subscribing the covenant a little altered, with a confession of faith annexed. In the above month, upon the first sitting of the court of govern- ment, it was determined, that Mr. Philips should have a house built at the public expense ; and Governor Winthrop and Sir Richard Saltonstal were appointed to carry the same into effect. It was -also ordered that Mr. Philips's salary should be thirty pounds a year.t This excellent servant of the Lord continued at Water- town till the end of his days. His faithful labours and holy life became a great blessing to the new colony. The Lord made him instrumental in the conversion and salvation of many souls. He died of a complaint in his bowels, July 1, 1644, and was carried to his grave with universal lamentation. " He possessed a quick invention, a solid judgment, and a strong memory ; was an excellent scholar, an able disputant, and a good theologian. He read the whole Bible through six times every year.".t. Hewas author of a work, entitled, " A Reply to a Confutation of some Grounds of Infants Baptism : as also concerning the Form of a Church, put forth against me by one Thomas Lamb," 1645. Mather's Hist. of New Eng. b. iii. p. 83. t Morse and Parish's Hist. p. 39. blather's Mist. h. iii. p. 82-84.
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