No wonder then, especially considering the general equality prevailing among them, that the _Plymouthians_, by their contract before landing, formed themselves into a _proper democracy_, and that it was entered in the _Plymouth_ records of [Nov. 15, 1636] “_Finding, that as free born subjects of the state of_ ENGLAND, _we hither came with all and singular the privileges belonging to such; in the first place we think good, that it be established for an act, that, according to the_ [_rights_ supposed to be wanting] _and due privileges of the subjects aforesaid, no imposition, law or ordinance, be made or imposed upon them at present or to come, but such as shall be made and imposed by consent, acccording to the free liberties of free born subjects of the state and kingdom of_ ENGLAND, _and no otherwise_.” They meant to continue their allegiance to the crown; to retain their connection with the mother country; to adopt the general laws of England for the rule of government, wherein they suited; and to be governed by their own particular acts in other instances. Persons devoted to church authority and particular national establishments, may exclaim against the _Plymouthians_ for their religious sentiments; but a fair and brief statement of them, it is apprehended, will be thought the best defence that can be offered by those who candidly examine the _New-Testament_, and are properly impressed with the words of our Saviour—_My kingdom is not of this world_. When Mr. _Robinson_ and his associates separated from the church of England, they were rigid _Brownists_. After his removal to Holland, and there conversing with learned divines, he being a gentleman of a liberal mind and good disposition, became moderate, as did his people; so that they who continued rigid _Brownists_ would hardly hold communion with them. Mr. _Robinson_ and his society did not require of those who joined them, a renunciation of the church of England. They also acknowledged the other reformed churches for true and genuine; allowed their own members occasional communion with them in the word preached and in the prayers conceived by the preacher before and after sermon, but not in the sacraments and discipline; and admitted their members, known to them to be pious, to occasional communion with themselves in the sacraments. Still it is to be remarked, that they were not admitted because of their being members of such churches, but on account of their known piety; their belonging to and continuing in such churches, was not an argument for rejecting them; nor was it the argument for their reception. Mr. _Robinson_, however, by his conversation and writings, proved a principal in ruining _Brownism_; and, in the opinion of some was the father, of others the restorer, of the _independent_ or _congregational_ churches. Congregational is the term used in _New-England_, the other is discarded, as seeming to imply too great a separation from sister churches.