LIVES OF THE PURITANS. strictly to their present resolutions, as to leave no room for alterations upon a further acquaintance with divine truth. They steered a middle course between Presbyterianism and Brovvnism : the former they accounted too arbitrary, the latter too rigid ; deviating from the spirit and simplicity of the gospel.. These are the general principles of the inde- pendents of the present day. Mr. Burroughs, in conformity with the above principles; united with his brethren in writing and publishing then' " Reasons against certain Propositions concerning Presby- terial Government."+ In the year 1645, he was chosen one of the committee of accommodation, and was of great service in all their important deliberations.t He was a divine of great piety, candour, and moderation; and during their debates, he generously declared, in the name of the independents, " That if their congregations might not be exempted from the coercive power of the classes; and if they might not have liberty to govern themselves in their own way, so long as they behaved themselves peaceably towards the civil magistrate, they were resolved to suffer, or go to some other part of the world, where they might enjoy their liberty. But," said he, " while men think there is no way of peace but by forcing all to be of the same mind ; while they think the civil sword is an ordinance of God to determine all controversies in divinity; and that it must needs be attended with fines and imprisonment to the dis- obedient; while they apprehend there is no medium between a strict uniformity and a general confusion of all things while these sentiments prevail, there must be a base sub- jection of men's consciences to slavery, a suppression of much truth, and great disturbances in the christian world."§ After his return from exile, he never gathered a separate congregation, nor accepted of any parochial benefice, but continued to exhaust his strength by constant preaching, and other important services, for the advantage of the church of God. He was a divine of a most amiable and peaceable spirit; yet he had some bitter enemies , who, to their own disgrace, poured upon him their slander and falsehood. Mr. Edwards, whose pen was mostly dipped in gall, pours upon him many reproachful and unfounded reflections. - He charges Mr. Burroughs, and some others, with having held a Biog. Briton. vol. ii. p, 620. + Reasons of Dissenting Brethren, p. 40, 133, 192. t Papers of Accom. p. 13. Burroughs's Vindication, p. 30.-Neal's Puritans, vol. iii. p.286.
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