INTRODUCTION. THE Christian Church, of which the following pages contain the simple record, was founded early in the seventeenth century, but the exact date of its formation cannot be ascertained; it was nost probably between the years 1620 and 1640. It appears that this was the only Congregational Church then existing in the town, and that it was composed of Independents as well as Baptists. In the reign of James I, a treatise, originally written in Dutch, was translated and published by the Baptists in England, entitled, "A very plain and well grounded treatise on Baptism." This treatise, in which the Baptists avowed their friendly disposition towards the civil government, gained them many friends, though it did not abate the spirit of persecution against them. However, from this time, they began to separate themselves into distinct Churches, and hence, in common with other Nonconformists, were called "Separatists." On the 6th September, 1620, the Pilgrim Fathers, who, it must be remembered, were also Separatists, left the Port of Plymouth in the "May Flower." Whilst in the town, preparing for their departure, they were "kindly entertained and courteously used by divers friends there dwelling." It is most likely that these friends held similar views to those of the Pilgrims, and it may well be supposed that they were among the first members of this Church. The writer of the New Plymouth (America) Records, thus refers to them:-"This name of Plymouth was so called, not only for the reason here named, but also because Plymouth in Old England was the last town they left in their native country, and for that they received many kindnesses from some Christians there."* *Morton's New England Memorial, 1669. AUTHENTIC RECORDS, Relating to the Christian Church, now meeting in George Street and Mutley Chapels, Plymouth. I. FORMATION OF THE CHURCH. THE earliest known records of the present Church, date back to the year 1648. In that year Abraham Cheare was baptized, and joined the Church, and very soon afterwards received an invitation to the pastorate, which he accepted in the following year. The Church must have existed for some years, and at this time have been in a flourishing condition, as the invitation to Cheare is said to have been signed by 150 members. Plymouth at this period was, as regards its size, a very insignificant town. It appears however, that some value must have been attached to the possession of it, as a very protracted struggle took place in the attempt which the Royalist party made to subdue it in 1643. At an early period of the civil war it espoused the cause of the Parliament. On the fourth of November, 1643, a notice was issued to its inhabitants to this effect: "It is this day ordered by the council of war, that this vow and protestation be openly proclaimed in the assemblies, by the Ministers, in this town, to-morrow, being the fifth of November, 1643, and that it might be presented to all officers and soldiers, inhabitants and strangers of the townes and garrisons of Plymouth, Stonehouse, the Fort and Island, and that special notice be taken of all such as shall refuse to take the said vow and protestation." The person signing this solemn vow and covenant, bound himself faithfully to maintain and defend to the utmost of his power, the "Townes of Plymouth, Stonehouse, the Fort and Island," against all forces now raised against them, B |