any before thus they report some persons among them discerning a great thing to move toward them upon the Waters wondering what Creature it should be they run with their light cannowes which are a kinde of Beates made of Birch Rindes and sowed together with the rootes of white Cedar-Trees from place to place stiring up all their Countreymen to come forth and behold this monstrous thing at this sudden news the shores for many miles were filled with this naked Nation gazing at this wonder till some of the stoutest among them manned ouâ— these Cannowes being armed with Bow and Arrowes they approached within shot of the Ship being becalmed they let fly their long shâ—fâ—s at her which being headed with bone some stuck fast and others dropped into the water they wondering it did not cry but kept quietly on toward them till all of a sudden the Master caused a piece of Ordnance to be fired which stroke such feare into the poore Indians that they hasted to shore having their wonders exceedingly increased but being gotten among their great multitude they waited to see the sequell with much amazement till the Seamen fiâ—ling up their salies came to an Anchor mannedout their long bote and went on shore at whose approach the Indians sled although now they saw they were men who made signes to stay their flight that they may have Trade with them and to that end they brought certaine Copper-Kettles the Indians by degrees made their approach nearer and nearer till they came to them when beholding their Vessells which they had set forth before them the Indian knocking them were much delighted with the sound and much more astonished to see they would not breake being so thin for attaining those Vessells they brought them much Bever fraughting them richly away according to their desires this was the first working providence of Christ to stir up our English Nation to plant these parts in hope of a rich Trade for Bever-skins and this made some of our Countrymen make their abode in these parts whom this Army of Christ at their comming over found as fit helps to further their designe in planting the Churches of Christ Who by a more admirable act of his Providence not long after prepared for his peoples arrivall as followeth The Summer after the blazing Starre whose motion in the Heavens was from East to West poynting out to the sons of men the progresse of the glorious Gospell of Christ the glorious King of his Churches even about the yeare 1618. a little before the removeall of that Church of Christ from Holland to Plimoth in New England as the ancient Indians report there befell a great mortality among them the greatest that ever the memory of Father to Sonne tooke notice of chiefly desolating those places where the English afterward planted the Country of Poâ—kanoky Agâ—ssawamg it was almost wholy deserted insomuch that the Neighbour Indians did abandon those places for feare of death fleeing more West by South observing the East and by Northern parts were most smitten with this contagion the Abarginny men consisting of Mattachusets Wippanaps and Tarratines were greatly weakned and more especially the three Kingdomes or Saggamore ships of the Mattachusets who were before this mortality most populous having under them seven Dukedomes or petty Saggamores and the Nianticks and Narrowganssits who before this came were but of little note yet were they now not much increased by such as fled thither for feare of death the Pecods who retained the Name of a war-like people till afterwards conquered by the English were also smitten at this time Their Disease being a sore Consumption sweeping away whole Families but chiefly yong Men and Children the very seeds of increase their Powwowes which are their Doctors working partly by Charmes and partly by Medicine were much amazed to see their Wigwams lie full of deaâ— Corpes and that now neither Squantam nor Abbamocho could helpe which are their good and bad God and also their Powwows themselves were oft smitten with deaths stroke howling and much lamentation was heard among the living who being possest with great feare oftimes left their dead unburied their manner being such that they remove their habitations at death of any this great mortality being an un vonted thing feare them the more because naturally the Country is very healthy But by this meanes Christ whose great and glorious workes the Earth throughout are altogether for the benefit of his Churches and chosen not onely made roome for his people to plant but also tamed the hard and cruell hearts of these barbarous Indians insomuch that halfe a handfull of his people landing not long after in Plimoth-Plantation found little resistance of whom the Author purposes not to speake particularly being prevented by the honoured Mr. Winslow who was an eye-witnesse of the worke onely thus much by the way they were sent to keepe possession for their Brethren and fellow Souldiers who arrived eight yeares after them as in processe of this story will God-willing appeare and verily herein they quit themselves like men or rather Christ for and by them maintaining the place notwithstanding the multitude of difficulties they met withall at their first landing being in doubtfull suspence what intertainment these Barbarians would give them having with prayer supplicated the Lord in the Name of Christ their King and guide in this their undertaking they manned out a Boate to discover what store of the Inhabitants were there Now these men whose courage exceeded the number being guided by the provident hand of the most high landed in some severall places and by making fires gave signes of their approach now the Indians whose dwellings are most neer the water side appeared with their Bowes bent and Arrowes one the string let fly their long shifts among this little company whom they might soon have inclosed but the Lord otherwise disposed of it for one Captaine Miles Standish having his fowling-peece in a reddinesse presented full at them his shot being directed by the provident Hand of the most high God strook the stourest Sachem among them one the right Arme it being bent over his shoulder to reach an Arrow forth his Qâ—iver as their manner is to draw them forth in fight at this stroke they all fled with great swiftnesse through the Woods and Thickets then the English who more thirsted after their conversion than destruction returned to their Bote without receiving any damage and soon after arrived where they left their Brethren to whom they declared the good hand of God toward them with thankfull acknowledgement of this great worke of his in preserving them Yet did they all remaine full of incumbred thoughts the Indians of whose multitudes they had now some intelligence together with experience of spirits and also knew well without commerce with them they were not like long to subsist But hee whose worke they went about wrought so rare a Providence for them which cannot but be admired of all
divulging of this Proclamation by his Herralds at Armes Many although otherwise willing for this service began to object as followeth Can it possible be the mind of Christ who formerly inabled so many Souldiers of his to keepe their station unto the death here that now so many brave Souldiers disciplined by Christ himselfe the Captaine of our salvation should turne their backs to the disheartning of their Fellow-Souldiers and losse of further opportunity in gaining a greater number of Subjects to Christs Kingdome Notwithstanding this Objection It was further proclaimed as followeth What Creature wilt not know that Christ thy King crusheth with a rod of Iron the Pompe and Price of man and must he like man cast and contrive to take his enemies at advantage No of purpose hee causeth such instruments to retreate as he hath made strong for himselfe that so his adversaries glorying in the pride of their power insulting over the little remnanâ— remaining Christ causeth them to be cast downe suddenly forever and wee find in stories reported Earths Princes have passioâ— their Armies at need over Seas and deepe Torrents Could Caesar so suddenly fetch over fresh forces from Europe to Asia Pompy to foyle How much more shall Christ who createth all power câ—ll over this 900. league Ocean at his pleasure such instruments as he thinks meete to make use of in this place from whence you are now to depart but further that you may not delay the Voyage intended for your full satisfaction know this is the place where the Lord will create a new Heaven and a new Earth in new Churches and a new Common-wealth together Wherefore CHAP. II. The Commission of the People of Christ shipped for New England and first of their gathering into Churches ATtend to your Commission all you that are or shall hereafter be shipped for this service yee are with all possible speed to imbarque your selves and as for all such Worthies who are hunted after as David was by Saul and his Courtiers you may change your habit and ship you with what secrecy you can carrying all things most needfull for the Voyage and service you are to be imployed in after your landing But as soone as you shall be exposed to danger of tempestious Seas you shall forthwith shew whose servants you are by calling on the Name of your God sometimes by extraordinary seeking his pleasing Face in times of deepe distresse and publishing your Masters will and pleasure to all that Voyage with you and that is his minde to have purity in Religion preferred above all dignity in the world your Christ hath commanded the Seas they shall not swallow you nor Pyrates imprison your persons or possesse your goods At your landing see you observe the Rule of his Word for neither larger nor stricter Commission can hee give by any and therefore at first filling the Land whither you are sent with diligence search out the mind of God both in planting and continuing Church and civill Government but be sure they be distinct yet agreeing and helping the one to the other Let the matter and forme of your Churches be such as were in the Primitive Times before Antichrists Kingdome prevailed plainly poynted out by Christ and his Apostles in most of their Epistles to be neither Nationall nor Provinciall but gathered together in Covenant of such a number as might ordinarily meete together in one place and built of such living stones as outwardly appeare Saints by calling You are also to ordaine Elders in every Church make you use of such as Christ hath indued with the best gifts for that end their call to Office shall be mediate from you but their authority and commission shall be immediate from Christ revealed in his word which if you shall slight dâ—spise or contemne hee will soone frustrate your call by taking the most able among you to honour with an everlasting Crown whom you neglected to honour on Earth double as their due or he will carry them remote from you to more infant Churches You are not to put them upon anxious Cares for their daily Bread for assuredly although it may now seeme strange you shall be fed in this Wildernesse whither you are to goe with the flower of Wheate and Wine shall be plentifull among you but be sure you abuse it not these Doctrines delivered from the Word of God imbrace and let not Satan delude you by perswading their learned skill is unnecessary soone then will the Word of God be flâ—ghted as traâ—slated by such and you shall be left wildred with strange Revelations of every phantastick brain which to prevent here are to be shipped among you many both Godly Juditious and Learned who CHAP. III. Of the Demeanor of their Church Officers BEing called to Office are in all humility to feed the flock of Christ and not for lucre to admit mostly of such sheepe whose faire fleeces allure much nor yet for filling the flocks to crowd in infections sheepe or rather wolves in sheepes cloathing assuredly it will prove bitternesse in the end neither shall you for feare your allowance will fall short hinder the increase of Churches that so your fellow brethren indued with like gifts faâ—l short of all But above all beware of any love selfe-conceited Opinion stopping your eares from hearing the Counsell of an Orthodox Synod but by daily communication one with another impart Christs minde each to other that you may all speake one and the same things heale not lightly the wounds that Wolves make lest from their festering Teeth a Gangrin grow and further for compleating the Churches of Christ as well in matters as in Doctrine there are ancient experienced godly Christians shipped among you but be sure you make choise of such for feare they be despised and let them not be led by favor or affection as naturally men are to Administer in your Office partially for unworthy the name of a Ruling Elder is hee who loses his Lyon-like courage when the sound and wholesome Doctrines delivered by Pastor or Teacher are spoken against by any unseemly behaviour and sleepy hearing by private exhortation prevent if possible lest publick example in open professors stumbâ—e some and hinder the operation of his word especially in the hearts of those who have bin long time led away with the inventions of man in the worshâ—p of God Be sure you contradict not but confirme with trienall love the Doctrines of Christ delivered by your Teaching Elders which will be a great meanes to make it prevaile for a three-fold cord is not easily broken trust not to your own gifts for preventing error but use all helpes that Christ may blesse his own meanes cast not away as incorrigible such as at first receive not the word in all points but wait with patience if at any time the Lord will be pleased to give them a heart to turne unto him Beware of a proud censorious spirit and shouâ—d Christ be pleased to place in his
that it hath forced its passage through the mighty Rocks which causeth some sudden falls and hinders Shipping from having any accesse far into the Land her bankes are in many places stored with Oken Timber of all sorts of which that which they commonly call'd white Oke is not inferiouâ— to our English Timber in this River lie some few Islands of fertill Land this Towne is stored with Meddow and upland which hath caused some Gentlemen who brought over good Estates and finding then no better way to improve thâ—m to see upon husbandry amongst whom that Religious and sincere hearted servant of Christ Mr. Richard Dummer sometime a Magistrate in this little Common-wealth hathholpen on this Town their houses are built very scattering which hath caused some contending about removall of their place for Sabbath-Assemblies their Cattell are about foure hundred head with store of Corne-land in tillage it consists of about seventy Families the sou'es in Church fellowship are about an hundred the teaching Elders of this Congregation have carried it very lovingly toward their people permitting of them to assist in admitting of persons into Church-society and in Church censures so long as they Act regularly but in case of their male-administration they assume the power wholly to themselves their godly life and conversation hath hitherto been very amiable and their paines and care over their flock not inferiour to many others and being bound together in a more stricter band of love then ordinary with promise to spend their dayes together if the Lord please and therefore shall not be disuaited in the following Verse LOe here Loves twinnes by Christ are sent to Preach In wildernesse his little flock among Though Christs Church-way you fully cannot reach So far hold fast as you in 's word are strong Parker thy paines with Pen and Preaching hath Roomes buildings left in Prelacy cast downe Though ' gainst her thou defer Gods finall wrath Keepe warring still and sure thou shalt have crowne Thy Brother thou oh Noise hast holpe to guide Christ tender Lambs within his fold to gather From East to West thou dost Christs Warrier bide Faint not at last increase thy fighting rather CAHP. XXXII Of good supply and seasonable helpes the Lord Christ was pleased to send to further his Wildernesse worke and particular for his Churches of Charles Towne and Ipswich and Dorchester YEt farther for the incouragement of the people of Christ in these their weak beginnings he daily brings them in fresh supplies adding this yeare also the reverend and painfull Minister of his Gospell Mr. Zachary Simmes who was invited soone after his comming over to assist in planting of another Church of Christ but the place being remote from the pretious servants of Christ already setled be chose rather to joyne with some Church among them and in a short space after hee was called to the Office of a Teaching Elder in the Church of Christ at Charles Towne together with Mr. James who was then their Pastor as you have formerly heard Among all the godly Women that came through the perilous Seas to war their warfare the wife of this zealous Teacher Mrs. Sarah Simmes shall not be omitted nor any other but to avoid tediousnesse the vertuous Woman indued by Christ with graces fit for a Wildernesse condition her courage exceeding her stature with much cheerfulnesse did undergoe all the difficulties of these times of straites her God through Faith in Christ supplying all her wants with great industry nurturing up her young Children in the feare of the Lord their number being ten both Sons and Daughters a certaine signe of the Lords intent to people this vast Wildernesse God grant they may be valiant in Faith against Sin Satan and all the enemies of Christs Kingdome following the example of their Father and Grandfather who have both suffered for the same in remembrance of whom these following lines are placed COme Zachary thou must reedâ—fie Christ Churches in this Desart Land of his With Moses zeale stampt unto dust defie All crooked wayes that Christ true worship misse With spirits sword and armor girt about Thou lay'st on load proud Prelats crowne to crack And wilt not suffer Wolfes thy flock to rout Though close they creepe with sheepe skins on their back Thy Fathers spirit doubled is upon Thee Simmes then war thy Father fighting died In prayer then prove thou like Champion Hold ouâ— till death and Christ will crown provide After these poore people had welcomed with great joy their newcome Guests all of a sudden they spy two tall Ships whose colours shewed them to be some forrein Nation at which time this little handfull of people began to be much troubled deeming them to be Rovers they gathered together such forces as their present condition would afford very ill fitted as then to rescue an enemy but their Lord and Master Christ Jesus would not suffer any such to come and instead of enemies brought in friends even Dutchmen to furnish them with farther necessary Provision For the yeare 1635 the honoured Mr. Iohn Haines was chosen Governour and the honoured Mr. Richard Bellingham Deputy Governour the number of Free-men added to this little Common wealth were about one hundred forty and five The time now approaching wherein the Lord Christ would have his people come from the Flaile to the Fan threshing out much this yeare increasing the number of his Troopes and valiant Leaders the Ships came thicker and faster filled with many worthy parsonages Insomuch that the former people began to forget their Poverty and verily Cold Purity Peace and Plenty run all in one channell Gods people here should sure have met with none other but the still waters of Peace and Plenty for back and belly soone contract much mudde as you shall he are God willing in the following History this yeare came in the honoured Sir Henry Vaine who aboad not long in this worthy worke yet mind him I will in the following Lines Sir Henry Vaine once Governour of the English People in New England THy Parents Vaine of worthy fame in Christ and thou for him Through Ocean wide in new World trid a while his warrier bin With small defeat thou didst retreat to Brittaine ground againe There stand thou stout for Christ hold out Christs Champion aâ— remainâ— Also at this time Christ sent over the much honoured and upright hearted servant of his Richard Saltingstall Esquire Son to the before-named Sir Richard Saltingstall who being weary of this Wildernesse worke returned home againe not long before and now his Son being chose to the Office of a Magistrate continued for some good space of time helping on the affaires of this little Common wealth to the honour of Christ who hath called him both Father and Son are here remembred THou worthy Knight Saltingstall hight her 's gaine doth gold exceed Then trifle not it s to be got if thou can'st see thy neede Why wilt thhu back and leave as wreck this
the people in the several Colonies to make a yearly contribution toward it which by some is observed but by the most very much neglected the Government hath endeavoured to grant them all the priviledges fit for a Colledg and accordingly the Governour and Magistrates together with the President of the Colledg for the time being have a continual care of ordering all matters for the good of the whole This Colledg hath brought forth and nurst up very hopeful plants to the supplying some Churches here as the grrcious and godly Mr. Wilson son to the grave and zealous servant of Christ Mr. John Wilson this young man is Pastor to the Church of Christ at Dorchester as also Mr. Buckly son to the reverend M. Buckly of Concord 〈◊〉 also a second son of his whom our Native Country hath now at present help in the Ministery and the other is over a people of Christ in one of these Colonies and if I mistake not England hath I hope not only this young man of N. E. nurâ—â—ng up in learning but many more as M. Sam. and Nathaâ—â—â—l Mathers Mr. Wells Mr. Downing Mr. Bâ—rnard Mr. Alâ—â—â— Mr. Bruster Mr. VVilliam Ames Mr. Iones Another of the first fruits of this Colledg is imployed in these Western parts at Mâ—vis one of the summer Islands beside these named â—â—me help hath been had from hence in the study of Physick 〈◊〉 also the godly Mr. Sam. Danforth who hath not only stuâ—ed Divinity but also Astronomy he put forth many Almaâ—â—ks and is now called to the office of a teaching Elder in the Church of Christ at Roxbury who was one of the fellows of this Colledg the number of Students is much encreased of late so that the present year 1651. on the twelfth of the sixth moneth ten of them took the degree of Batchelors of Art among whom the Sea-born son of Mr. Iohn Cotton was one some Gentlemen have sent their sons hither from England who are to be commended for their care of them as the judicious and godly Doctor Ames and divers others This hath been a place certainly more free from temptations to lewdness then ordinarily England hath been yet if men shall presume upon this to send their most exorbitant children intending them more especially for Gods service the Justice of God doth sometimes meet with them and the means doth more harden them in their way for of late the godly Governors of this Colledg have been forced to expell some for fear of corrupting the Fountain wherefore the Author would ye should mind this following verse You that have seen these wondrous works by Sions Savier don Expect not miracle left means thereby you over-run The noble Acts Jehovah wrought his Israel to redeem Surely this second work of his shall far more glorious seem Not only Egypt but all Lands where Antichrist doth raign Shall from Jehovahs heavy hand ten times ten plagues sustainâ— Bright shining shall this Gospel come Oh glorious King of Saints Thy blessed breath confounds thy foes all mortal power faints The ratling bones together run with self-same breath that blows Of Israels sons long dead and dry each joynt there sinew grows Fair flesh doth cover them veins lifes feuntain takes there platâ— Smooth seamless coats doth cloath their flesh and all their structure grace The breath of Life is added they no Antinomians are But loving him who gives them life more zealous are by far To keep his Law then formerly when righteousnesse they sought In keeping that they could not keep which then their dowufâ— brought Their ceremonies vanisht are on Christ's all their desires Their zeal all Nations doth provoke inkindled are loves fires VVith hast on horseback bringing hometheir sons daughters they Rejoyce to see this glorious sight like Resurrections day Vp and be doing you young plants Christ calls his work unto Polluted lips touch'd with heav'ns fire about this work shall go Prostrate in prayer parents and you young ones on Christ call Suppose of you he will make use whereby that boast shall fall So be it Lord thy servants say who are at thy disposing VVith outward word work inward grace by heavenly truths disclosing Awake stand up from death to life in Christ your studies enter The Scriptures search bright light bring forth upon this hardship venter Sound doctrine shall your lips preach out all errors to confound And rid Christ's Temple from this smoke his glory shall abound Precipitant doth Dâ—gon fall his triple head off out The Beast that all the world admires by you to death is put Put hand to mouth with vehement blast your silver Trumpets sound Christ calls to mind his peoples wrongs their foes hee 'l now confoâ—nd Bestrong in God and his great might his wondrous works do tell You raised are unwonted ways observe his workings well As Jordans streams congeal'd in heaps and Jerico's high walls With Rams horns blast and Midians Host with pitcher breaking falls Like works your faith for to confirm in these great works to come That nothing now too hard may seem Jehovah would have don The rage of Seas and hunger sharp wants of a desart Land Your noble hearts have overcom what shall this work withstand Not persecutors pride and rage strong multitudes do fall By little handfuls of least dust your Christ confounds them all Not Sâ—tan and his subtil train with seeming shew reforming Another Gospel to bring forth brings damned errors swarming Your selves have seen his paint waesht off his hidden poysons found Christ you provides with Antidotes to keep his people sound There 's nought remains but conquist now through Christ's continued power His hardest works have honors most attend them every hour VVhat greater honor then on earth Christ's Legat for to bo Attended with his glorious Saints in Church fraternity Christ to behold adorning now his Bride in bright array And you his friends him to attend upon his Nuptial day VVith crowned heads as Conquerors triumphant by his side In 's presence is your lasting joy and pleasures ever bide Mr. Henry Dunstar is now President of this Colledg fitted from the Lord for the work and by those that have skill that way reported to be an able Proficient in both Hebrew Greek and Latine languages an Orthodox Preacher of the truths of Christ very powerful through his blessing to move the affection and besides he having a good inspection into the well-ordering of things for the Students maintenance whose commons hath been very short hitherto by his frugal providence hath continued them longer at their Studies then otherwise they could have done and verily it 's great pity such ripe heads as many of them be should want means to further them in learning But seeing the Lord hath been pleased to raise up so worthy an instrument for their good he shall not want for incouragement to go on with the work so far as a rustical rime will reach COuld man presage prodigious works at hand Provide he would for 's
cruelty toward him as their manner is and by this means the English prevented another war both with English and Indians which was very neer joyning in battel Not many years after the Indian Sachim upon this advise caused Miantonemo to be led forth as if he would remove him to a more safer place of custody and by the way caused him to be executed the Indians his kindred and subjects were much grieved at his death yet took it quietly at present but the lesser Princes his Neighbours rather rejoyced he having tyrannized over them and enforced them to subject to his will right or wrong CHAP. XXIV Of the proceeding of certain persons called Gortonists against the united Colonies and more especially against the Matrachusets and of the hlasphemous doctrines broached by Gorton deluding a company of poor ignor an t people therewith FOr not long before those persons that we spake of who incouraged Miantonemo to this war and with the help of him enforced Pomham and Socananocho to set their hands to a writing which these Gortonists had framad to take their land from them but the poor Sachems when they saw they were thus gull'd of their land would take no pay for it but complained to the Mattachusets Government to whom they had subjected themselves and their lands As also at this time certain English inhabiting those parts with the Indians good leave and liking desired to have the benefit of the Mattachusets Government as Dover formerly had done to whom this Government conâ—escended in hope they might encrease to such a competent number of godly Christians as that there might be a Church of Christ planted the place being capable to entertain them in a comfortable measure for outward accommodation but hitherto it hath been hindred by these Gortonists and one of Plimoth who forbad our people to plant there These person thus submitting came at this time also to complain of certain wrongs done them by these Gortoxists who had thus in croached and began to build on the Indians land upon these complaints the Governor and the honored Mr. Dudly issue forth their Warrant to summon them to appear they being then about five or six persons without any means for instructing them in the wayes of God and without any civil Government to keep them in civility or humanity which made them to cast off most proudly and disdainfully any giving accompt to man of their actions no not to the chiefest in authority but returned back most insolent scornful scurrilous speeches After this the Government of the Mattachusets sent two messengers on purpose to perswade them to come and have their cause heard assuring them like justice in their cause with any other but Samuel Gorton being the ring-leader of the rout was so full gorged with dreadful and damnable errors the which he had newly insnared these poor souls with that soon after the departure of the messenger he layes aside all civil justice and instead of returning answer to the matter in hand he vomits up a whole paper full of beastly stuff one while scoffing and deriding the ignorance of all beside himself that think Abraham Jsaac c. could be saved by Christ Jesus who was after born of the Virgin Mary another while mocking at the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lords Supper in an opprobrious manner deriding at the Elements Christ was pleased to institute them in and calling them Negromancers that administer them at all and in a word all the Ordinances of the Gospel abominable Idolatry he called and likened them to Molock and the Star of the Idol Rempham his paper was thrust full of such filthiness that no Christian ear could hear them without indignation against them and all was done by him in a very scornful and deriding manner upbraiding all that use them in the mean time magnifying his own glorious light that could see himself to be personally Christ God-Man and so all others that would believe as he did This paper he got to be subscribed with about twelve or thirteen hands his number of Disciples being encreased for assuredly the man had a very glosing tongue but yet very deceitful for when he had but a few with him then he cried out against all such as would rule over their own species affirming that the Scripture termeth such to be Gods of the world or divels but after his return from England having received some incouragement from such as could not look into the depth of his deceits being done at so large a distance he getting into favour again with those who had formerly whipt him out of their company turns divel himself the godly Governors of the Mattachusets seeing this blasphemous Bull of his resolved to send forty persons well-appointed with weapons of war for apprehending of him who accordingly with some waiting did apprehend him and the rest of his company except two or three which ran away without any hurt to any person although he gave out very big words threatning them with bloud and death so soon as they set foot on the ground and yet this brazenface'd deceiver published in print the great fear their women were put unto by the souldiers whereas they came among them day by day and had it not been that they intended peaceably to take them they would never have waited so long upon their worships as they did but being apprehended and standing to that they had written yet would they willingly have covered it with some shifts if they could the greatest punishment they had was to be confin'd to certain Towns for a few moneths and afterward banished but to be sure there be them in N. E. that have Christ Jesus and his blessed Ordinances in such esteem that the Lord assisting they had rather lose their lives then suffer them to be thus blasphemed if they can help it and whereas some have favoured them and endeavoured to bring under blame such as have been zealous against their abominable doctrines the good God be favourable unto them and prevent them from coming under the like blame with Ahab yet they remain in their old way and there 's somewhat to be considered in it to be sure that in these daies when all look for the fall of Antichrist such detestable doctrines should be upheld and persons suffered that exceed the Beast himself for blasphemy and this to be done by those that would be counted Reformers and such as seek the utter subversion of Antichrist To end this year or rather at the beginning of it the Lord caused another Earthquake much less then the former it was on the fifth of the first moneth called March in the morning CHAP. XXV Of the planting the twenty fourth Church of Christ at the Town of Readding and the twenty fifth Church of Christ in the Mattachusets Government called Wenham THis year was chosen to the place of Governor John Endicut Esquire and Iohn Winthrope Esquire Deputy Governor the number of freemen added about 145. this
indefatigable paines in thâ— Wilderness-work is not to be forgotten nor indeed â—â— it be his Funeral was very sadly and solemnly performeâ— by a very great concourse of the greater part of this Coloâ— whose mournful looks and watry eyes did plainly demonstrate the tender affection and great esteem he was in with the people CHAP. VIII Of the death of divers personages who were in great este em with the people of New-England famous for their godliness and ominent parts both for Magistracy and Ministery and of the correcting hand of the Lord upon his N. E. people A His year after the death of this godly Governour was chosen to succeed in the place 10. Endicut Esq and Tho. Dudly Esq to be Deputy Governor to the place of Major-General Edw. Gibbons and seeing that the Lord is pleased to call this people to mourning the Author will proceed to relate what further occasion this people have had to lament their miscarriages that have caused the rod to be stretched out toward them for of a truth they are no Antinomians The next loss was the death of that famous Preacher of the Lord M. Hooker Pastor of the Church of Christ at Hartford and M. Philips Pastor of the Church of Christ at Watertown and the holy heavenly sweet-affecting and soul-ravishing Minister M. Tho. Shepheard Pastor of the Church of Christ at Cambridg whose departure was very heavily taken by all the people of Christ round about him and now N.E. that had such heaps apon heaps of the riches of Christs tender compassionate mercies being turn'd off from his dandling knees began to read their approaching rod in the bend of hiâ— brows frowns of his former favourable countenance toward them their plenty of all things which shold have cheared their hearts quickned their spirits in elevating both soul and body to a thankful frame through the work of his blessed Spirit on the contrary it brought a fulness on many even to loath the very honey-comb insomuch that good wholesome truths would not down yet had the Lord those that were precious unto him who were not wanting to help one another out of this distemper and with more warmer affections exhort one another Come let us go up unto the house of the Lord and he will teach us his wayes Also the Lord was pleased to awaken us with an Army of caterpillers that had he not suddainly rebuked them they had surely destroyed the husband mans hope where they fell upon trees they left them like winter-wasting cold bare and naked and although they fell on fields very rarely yet in some places they made as clear a riddance as the harvest mans hand and uncovered the gay green Medow ground but indeed the Lord did by some plats shew us what he could have done with the whole and in many places cast them into the high wayes that the Cart-wheels in their passage were painted green with running over the great swarms of them in some fields they devoured the leaves of their pease and left the straw with the full crop so tender was the Lord in his correction this minded all these Jacobites of the end of their coming over but chiefly the husbandman whose over eager pursuit of the fruits of the earth made some of them many times run out so far in this Wilderness even out of the sweet sound of the silver Trumpets blown by the laborious Ministers of Christ forsaking the assembly of the Lords people to celebrate their Sabbaths in the chimney-corner horse kine sheep goats and swine being their most indeared companions to travel with them to the end of their pilgrimage or otherwise to gather together some of their neerest neighbours and make a preachment one unto another till they had learn'd so much that they could away with none other teaching As also the Lord was pleased to command the wind and Seas to give us a jog on the elbow by sinking the very chief of our shipping in the deep and splitting them in shivers against the shores a very goodly Ship called the Seaforce was east away and many N. E. people put to hard shifts for their lives and some drowned as the godly and dearly beloved servant of Christ Mr. Tho Coitmire a very able Seaman and also a good Scholar one who had spent both his labour and estate for the helping on of this Wilderness-work as also another ship set forth by the Merchants of New-haven of which the godly Mr Lamberton went Master neither ship persons nor goods ever heard of another ship also built and set forth by the inhabitants of Cambridg split and cast away neer the same place where the Seaforce was loft as also another Barque mostly set forth by Dorchester men sank in the Sea and never heard of the manner how with divers others which might be here inserted this seemed the sorer affliction to these N. E people because many godly men lost their lives and abundantly the more remarkable because the Lord was pleased to forbid any such things to befal his people in their passage hither herein these people read as in great capital letters their suddain forgetfulness of the Lords former received mercy in his wonderful preservation bringing over so many scores of ships and thousands of persons without miscarriage of any to the wonderment of the whole world that shall hear of it â—ut more especially were the Merchants and traders themselves sensible of the hand of the Lord out against them who were in some of the ships and had their lixes given them for a prey as also Vintners and other men of trade whose gain is increased by Merchants men being so taken up with the income of a large profit that they would willingly have had the Common wealth tolerate divers kinds of sinful opinions to intice men to come and sit down with us that their purses might be filled with coyn the civil Government with contention and the Churches of our Lord Christ with errors the Lord was pleased after all this to let in the King of Terror among his new-planted Churches FOr this year 1650. Tho. Dudly Esquire was chosen Governor and John Eudicut Esquire Deputy Governor Major-General Edward Gibbous continned in his office still the number of freemen added were about 55. Thir year was the first noted year wherein any store of people died the ayt and place being very healthy naturally made this correction of the Lord seem the greater for the most that died were children and that of an unwonted disease here though frequent in other places the Lord now smiting many families with death in them although there were not any families wherein more then one died or very rare if it were otherwise yet were these pilgrim people minded of the suddain forgetfulness of those worthies that died not long before but more especially the little regard had to provide means to train their children up in the knowledg of learning and improve such means as the Lord hath
appointed to leave their posterity an able Minister as also to stir them up to prepare for the great work of the Lord Jesus in the overthrow of Antichrist and calling of the Jews which in all likelyhood is very suddainly to be performed as also in stirring up all the young ones that remain to consider for what â—nd the Lord hath spared their lives when he cut off others by death namely to prosecute the work that he hath given them to do in the power of his might with the greater zeal and courage THis year the honored and much desired servant of Christ John Endicut Esquire was chosen to be Governour of the English inhabiting the Colony of the Mattachusets and the antient honored and long continued Champion for the truth as it is in Jesus Tho. Dudly Esquire was chosen Deputy Governour by the major Vote of these wandering Jacobites with heart and good will the honored Major-General Edward Gibbous continued in place this year the Government shewed their desire to be assisting to the State of England in making orders for establishing their Edict for these Western parts of the world among out N. E. people the Lord in his infinite wisdom saw meet to continue his correcting hand among his N. E. Churches somewhat more then ordinary in a sore disease of which many in comparison of what used to do and yet not so many as ordinarily use to do in other plantations of this Western world and whereas the former year young children died most this year those of grown years died also and although so small a sickness might not be taken notice of in other places yet the rareness of it in so healthy a country as is this cannot but speak loud in the ears of Gods people who desire to hear the rod and who hath appointed it and perceive plainly many of them that the Lord will have us to know that if his own people tread in the same steps of riot and excess in the plenty he hath given them with the men of this world he will lay the same sicknesses and diseases upon them and further they perceive according to the ordinary dispensation of his providences toward them he hath some further great work to do with his N. E. people that he is beginning again to a waken rouze up and quicken them with the rod of his power For thus they begin to reason with themselves when the Lord was pleased to expose them their wifes and little ones to the troubles of a tempestuous Sea in so long a voyage and the wants of a barren Wilderness in great penury of food he brought forth by his mighty power and stretched-our arm the glorious fabrick of his New-E Churches and therefore now again they look for some further extraordinary great work of his if he shall once again be pleased to refine them in this furnace of his and would the Lord Christ would confirm our brethren in England in like faith by our example yea and far beyond many degrees as the Wonder-working providence of Sions Saviour toward them hath more abundantly exceeded and that as this in three seven years is comprised though very weakly in this little book there 's in one seven year would require volumes and as this is wonderful there is almost miraculous and wonderful to the whole world as if the Lord Christ did intend to make his power known more abundantly then ever the sons of men saw Kings and Kingdoms strengthened with affinity and consanguinity the valiant of the world men skil'd in feats of war as Goliah from a child fierce and pampered horses whose necks are covered with strong neighing and cunning Engeniers men skilful to destroy with all the terrible engins of war together with swarms of souldiers flocking together to swallow up the poor remnant of Gods people all these hath the Lord caused to fall before your eyes and our ears have heard the noyse of this great fall and beloved countrymen and our dear brethren in Christ step into the closet of your own hearts with us and see if there will not be some things in this following verse that may suit your condition as well as ours that having sown in tears we may reap with joy the glorious harvest of our Lord Christ which is hard at hand for assuredly the Lord is tyed neither to us nor you but may if it please him cast off both and raise up new instruments for his following work but if he be pleased to give us melting hearts for our former miscarriages and renew us with a more zealous courage and earnest contending for the faith it is very like he hath more glorious works by far for us yet to do CHAP. IX Of the wonder-working providences of Christ wrought for his people among our English Nation both in our Native country and also in N. E. which should stir us up to mourn for all our miscarriages much the more FRom silent night true Register of moans From saddest soul consum'd in deepest sin From heart quite rent with sighs and heavy groans My wailing muse her woful work begins And to the world brings tunes of sad lament Sounding nought els but sorrows sad relent Sorry to see my sorrows cause augmented And yet less sorrowful were my sorrows more Grief that with grief is nor with grief prevented Yet grief it is must ease my grieved sore So grief and sorrow care but how to grieve For grief and sorrow must my cares relieve The wound fresh bleeding must be stauch'd with tears Tears cannot come unless some grief proceed Grief comes but slack which doth increase my fears Fear left for want of help I still shall bleed Do what I can to lengthen my lifes breath If Christ be wanting I shall bleed to death Thou deepest searcher of each secret thought Infuse in me thy all-affecting grace So shall my work to good effect be brought While I peruse my ugly sins a space Whose staining filth so spotted hath my soul That nought can wash but tears of inward dole How soon my soul hast thou the Lord forgot Who thee and thine through troublous Seas hath lead On earth thy parts should praise him suddain rot Why dost neglect his glorious Kingdom spread Thy eyes have seen the Mountains mov'd with 's hand And sunk in Seas to make his Sion stand No wonder then thy works with Eastern wind On Seas are broke and thy best Seamen slain Sith thou thy gain and not Christs work dost mind Lord stay thy hand I see my works are vain Our ships they shall thy Gospel forth convey And not bring home strange errors here to stay Instead of home-oppression they shall now Thy Saints abroad relieve by Sea them send No riot shall our Merchantmen allow Time in exchange walks not in Taverns spend Godly grief and good purpose comes from thee Lord Christ command and then to work go we Oh thou my soul how weak's thy faith
likely to live or die by N. Culpeper 13. Catastrophe Magnatum or the downfall of Monarchy by N. Culpeper 14. Ephemerides for the year 1652. being a year of wonders by N. Culpeper 15. Lux veritatis or Christian Judiciall Astrology vindicated and Daemonology confuted in answer to Nath. Holmes Dr. D. by W. Ramsey Gent. 16. The History of the Golden Ass 17. The Painting of the Antients the beginning progress and consummating of that noble Art and how those antient Artificers attained to their still so much admired excellency sraels redemption or the propheticall History of our Saviours Kingdome on earth by Robert Matton of Exon Colledgo in Olcon 8. 18. An Introduction to the Teutonick Philosophy being a determination of the Originall of the Soul at a Dispute held in the School at Cambridg at the Commencement March 3. 1646. by Charles Hotham Fellow of Peter-house 12. 19. Teratologia or a discovery of Gods wonders manifested in the former and moderne times by bloody rain and waters by I.S. 20. Foos Lachry marum or a fountain of Tears from whence doth flow Englands complaint Jeremiahs Lamentations with an Elegy upon that Son of Valour Sir Charles Lucas by John Quarles 8. 21. Oedipus or a resolver being a Clew that leads to the chiefe Secrets and true resolution of amorous naturall morall and politicall Problems by G. M. 22. The celestiall Lamp enlightning every distressed soul from the depth of everlasting Darkness to the height of eternall Light by Tho. Fettisplace 23. Nocturnall Lucubrations or Meditations divine and morall with Epigrams and Epitaphs by Robert Chamberlain 24. The unfortunate Mother a Tragedy by Tho. Nabs 25. The Rebellion a Comedy by T. R. 26. The Tragedy of Messalina by Nat. Richards 8. 27. The remedy of Discontentment or a Treatise of contentation in whatsoever condition fit for these sad and troublesome times by Joseph Hall late B. of Exon and Norwich 12. 18. The Grand Sacriledge of the Church of Rome in taking away the sacred Cup from the Laity at the Lords Table by the late reverend Daniel Featly D. D. 4. 29. The cause and cure of Ignorance Error Enmity Atheism and Prophaness or a most hopefull way to Grace and Salvation by R. Young 8. 30. A bridle for the Times tending to still the Murmuring to settle the Wavering to stay the Wandring to strengthen the Fainting by John Brinsley Minister of Gods Word at Yarmouth 31. Comforts against the fear of Death wherein are severall evidences of the work of Grace by John Collins of Norwich 32. Jacobs seed or the excellency of seeking God by prayer by Jeremiah Burroughs Minister of the Gospel to the two greatest Congregations about London Stepney and Cripplegate 33. The Zealous Magistrate a Sermon by Tho Threscot 34. Britannia Rediviva or a Soverain Remedy to cure a sick Common-wealth preached in the Minster at Yorke before the Judges August 9. 1649. by J. Shaw Minister of Hull 35. The Princess Royall preached in the Minster in Yorke before the Judges March 24. 1650. by John Shaw Minister of Hull 36. Anatomy of Mortality divided into eight Heads 1. The Certainty of Death 2. Meditations of Death 3. Preparations for Death 4. The right behaviour in Death 5. The Comfort in our own Death 6. The comfort against the Death of Friends 7. The Cases wherein it 's lawfull or unlawfull to desire Death 8. The glorious Estate of Gods Children after Death by George Stronde 37. New Jerusalem in a Sermon for the Society of Astrologers August 1651. 38. Mirrour of Complements fitted for Ladies Gentlewomen Scholars and Strangers with formes of speaking and writing of Letters most in fashion with witty Poems and a Table expounding hard English words 39. Cabinet of Jewels discovering the nature vertue value of pretious Stones with infallible Rules to escape the deceit of all such as are adulterate or counterfeit by Tho. Nicholls 40. Quakers Cause at second hearing being a full answer to their Tenets 41. Divinity no Enemy to Astrology a sermon intended for the Society of Astrologers for the year 1653. by Dr. Tho. Swadlin 42. Historicall Relation of the first planting of the English in New England in the year 1628. to the year 1653. and all the materiall passages happening there Exactly performed The Church of Christ at Plimoth was planted in New England 8. Yeares before any others Doctor Wilson gave 1000 l. to New England with which they stored them with great Guns Mr. Wareham and other of their Teaching Elders you shall reade of when the Canâ—â—kâ—â—â—o is planted 1634. Concord the 12. Church 1. Dividing betweene the Word and the Word 2. Christ and his Graces 3. The Word and the spirit 4. Christ and his Ordinances Foure score Errors derived from these four heads and spread abroad in N. England M. Allen a great help against the Errors of the time A The consideration of the wonderful providence of Christ in planting his N. E. Churches and with the right hand of his power preserving protecting favouring and feeding them upon his tender knees Together with the ill requital of his all-infinite and undeserved mercies bestowed upon us bath caused many a soul to lament for the dishonor done to his Name and sear of his casting of this little handful of his and the insulting of the enemy whose forrow is set forth in these four first staffs of verses A The consideration of the wonderful providence of Christ in planting his N. E. Churches and with the right hand of his power preserving protecting favouring and feeding them upon his tender knees Together with the ill requital of his all-infinite and undeserved mercies bestowed upon us bath caused many a soul to lament for the dishonor done to his Name and sear of his casting of this little handful of his and the insulting of the enemy whose forrow is set forth in these four first staffs of verses A The consideration of the wonderful providence of Christ in planting his N. E. Churches and with the right hand of his power preserving protecting favouring and feeding them upon his tender knees Together with the ill requital of his all-infinite and undeserved mercies bestowed upon us bath caused many a soul to lament for the dishonor done to his Name and sear of his casting of this little handful of his and the insulting of the enemy whose forrow is set forth in these four first staffs of verses A The consideration of the wonderful providence of Christ in planting his N. E. Churches and with the right hand of his power preserving protecting favouring and feeding them upon his tender knees Together with the ill requital of his all-infinite and undeserved mercies bestowed upon us bath caused many a soul to lament for the dishonor done to his Name and sear of his casting of this little handful of his and the insulting of the enemy whose forrow is set forth in these four first staffs of verses B The Rod of God toward us in our Maritine affairs
at breaking up of Winter filleth all her Bankes and with a furious Torrent ventes it selfe into the Sea This Towne is furnished with Mineralls of divers kinds especially Iron and Lead the forme of it is almost square onely it takes two large a run into the Land ward as most Townes do it is filled with about one hundred Houses for dwelling Here is also an Iron Mill in constant use but as for Lead they have tried but little yet Their meeting-house being on a levell Land undefended from the cold North west-wind And therefore made with steps descending into the Earth their streetes are straite and comly yet but thin of Houses the people mostly inclining to Husbandry have built many Farmes Remote there Cattell exceedingly multiplied Goates which were in great esteeme at their first comming are now almost quite banished and now Horse Kine and Sheep are most in request with them the first feeder of this flock of Christ was Mr. Stephen Batchelor gray and aged of whom as followeth THrough Ocean large Christ brought thee for to feede His wandering flock with 's word thou hast oft taught Then teach thy selfe with others thou hast need Thy flowing fame unto low ebbe is brought Faith and Obedience Christ full near hath joyn'd Then trust on Christ and thou againe mayst be Brought on thy race though now far cast behinde Run to the end and crowned thou shalt be CHAP. XXIII Of the seventh Church of Christ gathered at Water-Towne 1631. THe Seaventh Church of Christ gathered out of this wandering Race of Jaccobites was at Water-Towne scituate upon one of the Branches of Charles River a fruitfull plat and of large extent watered with many pleasant Springs and small Rivulets running like veines throughout her Body which hath caused her inhabitants to scatter in such manner that their Sabbath-Assemblies prove very thin if the season favour not and hath made this great Towne consisting of 160. Families to shew nothing delightfull to the eye in any place this Towne began by occasion of Sir Richard Saltingstall who at his arrivall having some store of Cattell and servants they wintered in those parts this Town aboundes in severall sorts of Fish at their seasons Basse Shad Alewifes Frost fish and Smelts their herd of Kine and Cattell of that kinde are about 450. with some store of Sheepe and Goates their Land in tillage is neere upon 1800. Acres this Church is increased to neer about 250. soules in Church-fellowship their first Pastor was Mr. Phillips a man mighty in the Scriptures and very dilligent to search out the minde of Christ therein contained of whom as followeth THe pennury of Wildernesse shall not Daunt Phillips and diswade his undertaking This Voyage long for Christ hath made him hot With zeal for 's truth thy native soile forsaken To follow Christ his bannisht flock to feede With restlesse toile thus honour'd Christ hath thee Then it maintaine though thou thy people neede Christ would thou shouldst of them aye honoured be Till death thou hast been souldier in this War Darke types the shaddowes of good things now come By thee have been unfoulded very far Cleer'd baptimes light from error broch'd by some As by thy worke in Print appeares this day Though thou thy days hast ended on this Earth Yet still thou livest in Name and Fame alway Christ thee poore dust doth crowne with lasting Mirth CHAP. XXIV Of the great cheerefulnesse of their Souldiers of Christ in and under the penuries of a Wildernesse THese were the beginnings of these resolute Souldiers of Christ Jesus in the yeare 1631. Even to lay the Foundation of their severall Churches of Christ built onely on him as their chiefe Corner Stone But as his chosen Israel met with many difficulties after their returne from Captivity in building the Temple and City which they valiantly waded through So these weake wormes Oh Christ to thy praise be it spoken were most wonderfully holpen in such distresses as to appearance of man seemed to be both hopelesse and helplesse threatning destruction to the whole building and far from accomplishing such great things as you have in part seene already and shall in the following discourse God willing see more abundantly adding a strong testimony to the work that as it was begun by Christ so hath it beene carried on by him and shall to the admiration of the whole World be perfected in his time and unlesse men will be wilfully blinde they must needs see and confesse the same and that the influence thereof hath already run from one end of the Earth unto the other This yeare 1631. John Winthrop Esq was chosen Governour pickt out for the worke by the provident hand of the most high and inabled with gifts accordingly then all the folke of Christ who have seene his face and beene partaker of the same remember him in this following Matter Iohn Winthrope Esq Eleven times Governour of the English Nation inhabiting the Mattacusets Bay in New England WHy leavest thou John thy station in Suffolk thy own soile Christ will have thee a pillar be for 's people thors must toyle He chang'd thy heart thē take his part ' gainst prelates proud invading His Kingly throne set up alone in wildernesse their shading His little flocks from Prelates knocks twice ten years rut'd thou hast With civill sword at Christs word and eleven times been trast By Name and Note with peoples vote their Governour to be Thy means hast spent 't was therefore lent to raise this work by thee Well arm'd and strong with sword among Christ armies warcheth he Doth valiant praise and weak one raise with kind benignity To lead the Van ' gainst Babylon doth worthy Winthrop call Thy Progeny shall Battell try When Prelacy shall fall With fluent Tongue thy Pen doth run in learned Latine phrase To Sweads French Dutch thy Neighbours which thy lady rhetorick praise Thy bounty feeds Christs servants needs in wilderness of wants To Indians thou Christs Gospell now 'mongst heathen people plants Yet thou poore dust now dead and must to rottennesse be brought T'ill Christ restore thee glorious more then can of dust be thought The much honoured Thomas Dudly Esquire was chosen Deputy Governour and the number of Free-men added was about 83. Those honoured persons who were now in place of Government having the propagation of the Churches of Christ in their eye laboured by all meanes to make roome for Inhabitants knowing well that where the dead carkass is thither will the Eagles resort But herein they were much opposed by certaine persons whose greedy desire for land much hindered the worke for a time as indeed all such persons do at this very day and let such take notice how these were cured of this distemper some were taken away by death and then to be sure they had Land enough others fearing poverty and famishment supposing the present scarcity would never be turned into plenty removed themselves away and so never beheld the
great good the Lord hath done for his people but the valiant of the Lord waited with pagience and in the misse of beere suppâ—led themselves with water even the most honoured as well as others contentedly rejoyeing in a Cup of cold water blessing the Lord that had given them the taste of that living water and that they had not the water that slâ—ckes the thrist of their naturall bodies given them by measure but might drinke to the full as also in the absence of Bread they feasted themselves with fish the Women once a day as the eide gave way resorted to the Mussells and Clambankes which are a Fish as big as Horse-mussells where they dai'y gathered their Families food with much heavenly discourse of the provisions Christ had formerly made for many thousands of his followers in the wildernesse Quoth one my Husband hath travailed as far as Plimoth which is neere 40 miles and hath with great toile brought a little Corne home with him and before that is spent the Lord will assuredly provide quoth the other our last peck of Meaie it now in the Oven at home a baking and many of our godly Neighbours have quite spent all and wee owe one Loafe of that little wee have Then spake a third my husband hath veatured himselfe among the Indians for Corne and can get none as also our honoured Governour hath distributed his so far that a day or two more will put an end to his store and all the rest and yet methinks our Children are as cheerefull fat and lusty with feeding upon those Mussells Clambanks and other Fish as they were in England with their fill of Bread which makes mee cheerfull in the Lords providing for us being further confirmed by the exhoreation of our Pastor to trust the Lord with providing for us whose is the Earth and the fulnesse thereof And as they were incouraging one another in Christs carefull providing for them they lift up their eyes and saw two Ships comming in and presently this newes came to their Eares that they were come from Jacland full of Victualls now their poore heares were not so much refreshed in regard of the food they saw they were like to have as their soules rejoyced in that Christ would now manifest himselfe to be the Commissary Generall of this his Army and that hee should honour them so far as to be poore Sutlers for his Camp they soone up with their Mussells and hie them home to stay their hungry stomacks After this manner did Christ many times graciously provide for this his people even at the last cast CHAP. XXV Of the Lords gracious protection of his people from the barbarous cruelties of the Heathen ABout this time the Indians that were most conversant smong them came quaking and complaining of a barbarous and cruell people called the Tarratines who they said would eat such Men as they caught alive tying them to a Tree and gnawing their flesh by peece-meales off their Bones as also that they were a strong and numerous people and now comming which made them flee to the English who were but very few in number at this time and could make but little resistance being much dispersed yet did they keepe a constant watch neglecting no meanes Christ had put into their hands for their owne safety in so much that they were exceedingly weaked with continued labour watching and hard diet but the Lord graciously upheld them in all for thus it befell neere the Towne of Linn then called Saugust in the very dead of the night being upon their watch because of the report that went of the Indians approach to those parts one Lieurenant Walker a man indued with faith and of a couragious spirit comming to relieve the Centinell being come up with him all of a sudden they heard the Sticks crack hard by them with all he felt something bâ—ush hard upon his shoulder which was an Indian arrow shot through his Coat and the wing of his buffe-Jacket Upon this hee discharged his Culliver directly toward the place where they heard the noise which being deep'y loden brake in pieces then they returned to the Court of Guard and raised such small forces as they had comming to the light they perceived he had an other Arrow shot through his Coat betwixt his Legs Seeing this great presertation they stood upon their Guard till Morning expecting the Indians to come upon them every moment but when day-light appeared they soone sent word to other parts who gathered together and tooke counsell how to quit themselves of these Indians whose approach they demed would be sudden they ugreed to discharge their great Guns the redoubling eccho rattling in the Rocks caused the Indians to betake themselves to slight being a terrible unwonted sound unto them or rather he who put such trembling feare in the Assyrians Army struck the like in these cruell Canniballs In the Autumne following the Indians who had all this time held good correspondency with the English began to quarrell with them about their bounds of Land notwithstanding they purchased all they had of them but the Lord put an end to this quarrell also by smiting the Indians with a sore Dâ—sease even the smll Pox of the which great numbers of them died yet these servants of Christ minding their Masters businesse were much moved in affection toward them to see them depart this life without the knowledge of God in Christ And therefore were very frequent among them for all the noysomenesse of their Disease entring their Wigwams and exhorting them in the Name of the Lord. Among others one of the chiefe Saggamores of the Mattachusets whom the English named Saggemore John gave some good hopes being alwayes very courteous to them whom the godly and much honour'd among the English visiting a little before his death they instructing him in the knowledge of God Qaoth hee by and by mee Mattamoy may be my two Sons live you take them to teach much to know God Accordingly the honoured Mr. John Winthrop and the Reverend Mr. John Wilson tooke them home notwithstanding the infectiousnesse of the Disease their Father died of The mortality among them was very great and increased among them daily more and more insomuch that the poore Creatures being very timorous of death would faine have fled from it but could not tell how unlesse they could have gone from themselves Relations were little regarded among them at this time so that many who were sâ—â—itâ—en with the Disease died helplesse unlesse they were neare and known to the English their Powwowes Wizards and Charmers Athamochas Factors were possest with greatest feare of any The Winters piercing cold stayed not the strength of this hot Disease yet the English endeavouring to visit their sick Wigwams helpe them all they could but as they entred one of their matted Houses they beheld a most sad spectacle death having smitten them all save one poore Infant which lay on the ground sucking the Breast
work as for Tanners and Shomakers it being naturalized into these occupations to have a higher reach in mannaging their manifactures then other men in N. E. are having not chang'd their nature in this between them both they have kept men to their stander hitherto almost doubling the price of their commodities according to the rate they were sold for in England and yet the plenty of Leather is beyond what they had their counting the number of the people but the transportation of Boots and Shoes into forraign parts hath vented all however as for Tailors they vave not come behind the former their advantage being in the nurture of new-fashions all one with England Carpenters Joyners Glaziers Painters follow their trades only Gun-smiths Lock-smiths Black-smiths Naylers Cutlers have left the husbandmen to follow the Plow and Cart and they their trades Weavers Brewers Bakers Costermongers Feltmakers Braziers Pewterers and Finkers Ropemakers Masons Lime Brick and Tilemakers Cardmakers to work and not to play Turners Pumpmakers and Wheelers Glovers Fellmungers and Furriers are orderly turn'd to their trades besides divers sorts of Shopkeepers and some who have a mystery beyond others as have the Vintners Thus hath the Lord been pleased to turn one of the most hideous boundless and unknown Wildernesses in the world in an instant as 't were in comparison of other work to a well-ordered Commonwealth and all to serve his Churches of which the Author intends to speak of three more which came to be gathered in the compass of these years CHAP. VII Of the three last Churches that were gathered in the compass of these years namely Haverhil Malâ—en and another Church gathered in the Town of Boston THis year 1648. John Winthrope Esquire was chosen Governor and Thomas Dudly Esquire Deputy Governor and John Endicut Esquire Major General all three as they were the former year the number of freemen added were about 94. about this time there was a Town founded about one or two mile distant from the place where the goodly river of Merrimeck receives her branches into her own body hard upon the river of Shawshin which is one of her three chief heads the honored Mr. Simon Broad street taking up his last setling there hath been a grrat means to further the work it being a place well fitted for the husbandmans hand were it not that the remoteness of the place from Towns of trade bringeth some inconveniencies upon the planteas who are inforced to carry their corn far to market this Town is called Andover and hath good store of land improved for the bigness of it they soon gathered into a Church having the reverend Mr. Whodbridg to instruct them in the wayes of Christ till he returned to England and since have called to office the reverend Mr. Deynes for whose further incouragement the promises of the Lord for protecting providing increaseing and continuing even the very least of his Churches going on according to his precepts are abundantly manifested in his Word THon Sister young Christ is to thee a wall Of flaming fire to hurt thee none may come In stipp'ry paths and dark wayes shall they fall His Angels might shall chase theiâ— countless sum Thy Shepheard with full cups and table spread Before thy foes in Wilderness thee feeds Increasing thy young lambs in bosom bred Of Churches by his wonder-working deeds To countless number must Christ's Churches reach The day 's at hand both Jew and Gentle shall Come crowding in his Churches Christ to preach And last for aye none can cause them to fall About this time the Town of Malden had his first foundation stones laid by certain persons who issued out of Charles-Town and indeed had her whole structure within the bounds of this more elder Town being severed by the broad ipreading river of Mistick the one from the other whose troublesome passage caused the people on the North side of the river to plead for Town-priviledges within themselves which accordingly was granted them the soyl is very firtile but they are much straitned in their bounds yet their neerness to the â—hief Market Towns makes it the more comfortable for habitation the people gathered into a Church some distance of â—ime before they could attain to any Church-Officer to admiâ—ister the Seals unto them yet in the mean time at their Sabâ—th assemblies they had a godly Christian named M. Sarjant who did preach the Word unto them and afterwards they â—ere supplied at times with some young Students from the â—olledg till the year 16â—0 one Mr. Marmaduke Mathews â—oming out of Plimouth Patten was for some space of time â—ith a people at the Town of Hull which is a small Portâ—own peopled by fishermen and lies at the entrance of the â—ays mouth where this Mr. Mathews continued preaching â—he lost the approbation of some able understanding men â—ong both Magistrates and Ministers by weak and unsafe â—pressions in his teaching yet notwithstanding he was calâ— to the office of a Pastor by the brethren of this Church of â—rist at Maldon although some Neighbour-churches were satisfied therewith for it is the manner of all the Churches Christ here hitherto to have the approbation of their Siâ—-churches and the civil Government also in the proceedings of this nature by the which means Communion of Churches is continued peace preserved and the truths of Christ sincerely acknowledged yet the Author will not miss to mind him in the following Meeter MAthews thou must build gold and silver on That precious stone Christ cannot trash indure Unstable straw and stubble must be gone When Christ by fire doth purge his building pure In seemly and in modest terms do thou Christs precious truths unto thy folk unfold And mix not error with the truth lest thou Soon leave out sense to make the truth to hold Compleating of Christs Churches is at hand Mathews stand up and blow a crrtain sound Warriours are wanting Babel to withstand Christs truths maintain 't will bring thee honors crown'd The last Church that compleated the number of 30. was gathered at Boston by reason of the popularity thereof beinâ— too many to meet in one assembly the North-east part of thâ— Town being separated from the other with a narrow streaâ— cut through a neck of land by industry whereby that part iâ— become an Island it was thought meet that the people in habiting the same should gather into a Church-body anâ— build a Meeting-house for their assembly the which they havâ— already done but not as yet called any one to office for sinâ—â— the people of Christ in some other places both in Englanâ— and elswhere have through the goodness of God obtaine like liberty with our selves the Ministers of Christ have haâ— their labours taken up in other places as well as herâ— which hath caused this Church as yet to be destituâ— the beginning of this year was sad to the people of N. â—â— by reason of the death of their honoured Governoâ—â— John Winthrope Esquire whose