tyrannical and oppressive regulations established by the rulers of the
church, doubled the distress of the people, and served to complete their
disaffection to their native country. The Puritans, so called for their
taking, or affecting to take, the pure and simple word of God for the
rule of their faith and practice, regardless of ecclesiastical authority
and institutions, were a numerous party in the nation. These people had
begun their struggles for religious liberty, and as they afterwords
occasioned such commotions in England, a general sketch of their
character, and the rise and progress of their party, may not perhaps be
unacceptable.

[Sidenote] New England peopled by Puritans.

From the great aera of the Reformation the English nation had been
distracted with religious disputes, and divided into contending parties.
One part of the people adhered to the old superstitious system of the
Romish church, and strictly observed all the absurd tenets and practices
of that establishment. Another party, of which the church of England was
composed, seceded several steps from popery, but maintained the hierarchy
in its full power and authority. The third sect were Puritans, who had
imbibed such high notions of civil and religious liberty, as struck at
the foundation of both hierarchy and monarchy. On all occasions they
discovered a strong tendency towards a republican form of government and
an irreconcileable aversion towards the whole fabric of the Episcopalian
church. This party, during the two preceding reigns being chiefly
composed of the dregs of the people, were regarded as of little
consequence, and treated with supercilious contempt by the
administration. But in the reign of King Charles the first they had
amazingly increased, and many men of opulence and distinction had joined
them, from motives of discontent or ambition, or from a passion for