267 t1'uth, they very little knew Coli. Hutchinson, that could say he was of any faction, for he had a strength of iudgment able to consider things himselfe and propound them to his conscience, which was so upright that the veneration of no man's person allive, nor the love of the dearest friend in the world, could make him doe the least thing, withont a full perswasion, that it was his duty so to act. He very well understood men's guifts and abilities, and honour'd those most, whom he believ'd to manage them with most uprightnesse of soule, for God's glory and the good of his country, and was so fan·e · from envying the iust renowne any man acquir'd, that he reioic'd in it. He never was any man's sectary, either in religious or civill matters, farther then he apprehended them to follow the rules of religion, honor, and virtue; nor any man's antagonist, but as he oppos'd that which appear'd to him iust and equal!. If the greatest enemie he had in the world, had propounded aniething profitable to the publick, he would promote it: whereas some others wet:e to blame in that particular, and chiefely those of the presbiterian faction, who would obstruct any good, rather then those they envied and hated should have the glory of procuring it; the sad effects of which pride grew at length to be the ruin of the most glorious cause that ever was contended for. At the first many gentlemen, eminent. in guifts and acquirements, were as eminent in zealous improve~ ment of them, for the advantage of God's and their countries interests, whereby they obtain'd iust glory and admiration among all good men; but while the creature was so magnif1eJ, God, that was the principall author, was not Jook'd upon, and gave them therefore up to become their owne and other's idolls, .and so to fall .. ·And now it grew to a sad wonder,. that the' most zealous promoters of the cause were more spitefully carried against their ownc faithfull armies, by whom God had perfected their victory OI'Cr their enemies, then agait1st the vanquish'd foe; whose restitution they henceforth secretly endeavoux'd, by all the arts of treacherous,.
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