Cotton Mather — Magnalia Christi Americana

There was a time when the court of election being, for fear of tumult, held at Cambridge, May 17, 1637, the sectarian part of the country, who had the year before gotten a governour more unto their mind, had a project no…

But though I know that the reverend elders of this church, and some others, do very well apprehend that the church cannot enquire into the proceedings of the court; yet, for the satisfaction of the weaker, who do not app…

This acknowledging disposition in the governor made them all acknowledge, that he was truly 'a man of an excellent spirit.' In fine, the victories of an Alexander, an Hannibal, or a Caesar over other men, were not so glo…

The wiser people being troubled at these trifles, they took the opportunity of Governour Winthrop's being there, to have the thing publickly propounded in the congregation: who in answer thereunto, distinguished between…

Nevertheless, there was one civil custom used in (and in few but) the English nation, which this gentleman did endeavour to abolish in this country: and that was, the usage of drinking to one another.

The gentleman that succeeded Mr. Endicot was Mr. Richard Bellingham, one who was bred a lawyer, and one who lived beyond eighty, well esteemed for his laudable qualities, but as the Thebans made the statues of their magi…