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266 justify the interference of man between man and his God!

The government of Charles soon departed from its early moderation. The Puritans were obnoxious in every point of view—both as regarded the past, with which revenge, both public and private, had a long and bitter reckoning, and on account of the pure severity of their manners, in such contrast to the licence gaining ground every hour, and which, if it did not pay the homage of hypocrisy, at least yielded the acknowledgment of inveterate dislike. Moreover, their uncompromising adherence to what they believed to be matter of conscience, was a perpetual reproach on the time-serving expediency of a court, which looked not beyond immediate indulgence and present convenience.

Fine, imprisonment, and contumely, met the more rigid at every turn; and many began to loosen the ties which bound them to their native soil, and look to a dwelling beyond the ocean, where at least they might worship their God in peace. For this they met amid the forest boughs, instead of beneath the ivyed roof and within the white walls of churches, which had become places of insult to their belief; and a brief hour was