In fact, it was arbitrarily and illegally wrested from its true hearing anil made to answer the purpose of the Knglish rimrcli i>arty, whicli was a very small minority of the people affected by the operation of the law. The act itself is a conclusive argument against the alleged establishment of the Church of England in the province of New York. It was not established of any law of the province, nor by the ecclesiastical law of lOngland extending over the province, wliich was thus excluded or modified by express law made by competent authority.

2 " I'urifanism in New York," hy Kev. Charles A. Briggs, D.D. Mugazine of Americtni History^ January, 1 883.

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.

me

that time scarce six in the whole county who so luucli as inclined to the church. After Mather luid been witli them some time, Westclicster parish made choice of me for one of their church wardens in hopes of using my influence with Colonel (Governor) Fletcher to have Mather inducted to the living. I told them it was altogether impossible for me to comply with their desires, it being wholly repugnant to the laws of England to compel the subject to pay for the maintenance of any minister who was not of the National Church, and that it lay not in any Governor's power to help them, but since they were so zealous for having religion and good order settled amongst 'em, I would propose a medium in that matter, which was that there being at Boston a French Protestant Minister, Mr. Bondett, a very good man, who was in orders from my Lord (Archbishop) of London, and the people of New Rochelle being destitute of a minister, we would call Mr. Bondett to the living, and the parish being large enough to maintain two, we would likewise continue Mr.