476. LIVES OF THE PURITANS. majority, and the chief petitioners were severely punished for it the next session.. In the above petition two things were requested : " That as free men they might be present in cases of judicature, and that the court would declare, whether they might deal in cases of conscience before the church." The members of the court considered this as a reflection upon them, and replied, that their proceedings had been always open. Mr. Wheelwright was accused of calling those by the name of antichrist, who believed sanctification to be an evidence of justification, andofstirring up the people with bitterness and vehemence. He endeavoured to justify himself; but the court adjudged him guilty of sedition and contempt. Many pamphlets were published on both sides of the question. Mr. Wheelwright published a " Treatise in Defence of his Sermon," to which the ministers answered, and Mr. Cotton replied. Mr. Wheel- wright appeared before the court to hear his sentence ; but they gave him respite till the next session, in August, that he might have time, it is said, for cool reflection. But he appeared bold and confident; and to the court he said, that, if he had been guilty of sedition, he ought to die ; that he should retract nothing, but should appeal to the king ; adding, that he had been guilty neither of sedition nor contempt ; that he had delivered nothing but the truth of Christ, and the application of his doctrine was made by others, and not by himself." At length, in October, 1637, the court sentenced him to be disfranchised, to be banished from the colony, and to be taken into immediate custody, unless he would give security for his departure. He was, therefore, banished, with several others, and he continued in a state of banishment seven years.t Mr. Wheelwright afterwards growing wiser, renounced his errors, begged pardon of God and the country, was restored to his people, and lived many year a useful minister of Christ, at Hampton, in New Hampshire. " He was literally a wandering star. At Boston, at Quincy, at Exeter, at Salisbury, and at Wells, difficulties pursued him." From this last place he wrote to the government of Massachusets, whence he had been banished, a very humble confession, whichwas accepted, and he had the liberty to return. In *3' Backus's Hist. of New Eng. Bap. vol. i. p. 81.-Neal's Hist. of New Eng. vol. i. p. 169,170. + Morse and Parish's Hist. of New Eng. p. 87,143-145.-Nears Hist. of New Eng. vol. i. p. 174, Mrs. Hutchinson, his sister, was sent into banishment about the same time, and was afterwards murdered by the Indians.--Sylvester'sLife of Banter, part i. p. '
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