asking Kit if she is "a loyal subject" like her grandfather before her, and cautions her to "keep her allegiance".  Matthew Wood takes umbrage to his implication, and declares that "her allegiance is in no danger in (his) house", and that he is "no traitor".  The Reverend replies that he did not intend to imply that Matthew is a traitor, but maintains that Matthew is "mistaken...(although) not a traitor - yet".  Matthew responds angrily that "we here in Connecticut will never recognize" Andros' appointment, and asks rhetorically, "Do you think we have labored and sacrificed all these years to build up a free government only to hand it over without a murmur?"  Reverend Bulkeley reiterates that Matthew is mistaken in his beliefs, and warns that his obstinancy can only have "evil results".  The Reverend emphasizes that "this stubbornness can lead only to revolution (Chapter 6).

The Witch of Blackbird Pond is a children’s novel written by Elizabeth George Speare. It was published in 1958 but is set in late 17th-century New England.

The Reverend Gersholm Bulkeley was a real-life 17th-century figure who was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1635. He was a physician as well as a Christian minister. He was also a graduate of Harvard University, receiving his bachelor's degree in 1655 and his master's degree in 1658.

Reverend Bulkeley appears in The Witch of Blackbird Pond as the tutor of John Holbrook. He specializes in both medicine and theology. Bulkeley was a royalist, unlike most of the other major characters in the story. But, political views are put aside when his medical skills are used to help those in need. Despite being described by Matthew Wood as “a hypocrite and a whited sepulcher!”, he still helps to save the life of Matthew’s daughter, Mercy.

Dr. Gershom Bulkeley is a man with two titles.  He is a doctor of medicine and a reverend for the church as well.  He is incredibly well known across the area for his skills in the medical profession and for his sermons too.  Because of his renown, John Holdbrook chooses to become an apprentice of sorts to Bulkeley.  John wants to learn from him, because John is unable to afford the cost of college tuition.  Dr. Bulkeley is also a staunch Loyalist, which does put him at odds with other characters in the book.  He might have different political views, but Bulkeley doesn't hold back his medical skills from those in need.  Bulkeley  still uses his medical skills to save Mercy Wood.  He also makes sure that Kit receives fair treatment during the entire witchcraft proceedings.