Abiel Holmes, Two Discourses, on the Completion of the Second Century from the Landing of the Forefathers of New England at Plymouth, 22 Dec. 1620, Delivered at Cambrdge 24Dec. 1820 (Cambridge, MA: Printed by Hilliard and Metcalf, 1821).

The psalmist was intending to repeat truths solemn, rather than profound, weighty, rather than mysterious. It was to be a recital of past, not a prophecy of future events. The intention was, briefly to relate the history of the Hebrew nation, with intermingled instructions and admonitions, to guard the existing generation against apostacy, and to preserve at once the knowledge of God and of his law, and a firm adherence to his worship and ordinances. The great and original cause of the settlement of these colonies was, the want of religious liberty in the parent country. The reformation of the church of England from popery, while it abolished the supremacy of the pope, transferred it to the king. The English church at Leyden, with the other Reformed churches, professed to believe the Scriptures to be the only rule of faith.