Age when the Lord took him to himself He was Interred with much Honour and Lamentation In the time of his languishing Sickness he was visited by the Elders round about especially on the Sixteenth of May the day after the Court of Election when there being a general meeting of all the Elders of the Churches at his house they requested Mr. Wilson because they knew not whether ever they should have the like opportunity to hear him speak again and having been from the first a Pillar amongst them and of much Experience in his observation of the state of things That he would solemnly declare to them what he conceived to be those sins amongst us which provoked the displeasure of God against the Country He then told them That he had divers times and long feared these sins following as chief among others which God was greatly provoked with viz. 1. Separation 2. Anabaptism 3. Corahism This latter he did explain thus viz. when people rise up as Corah against their Ministers or Elders as if they took too much upon them when indeed they do but Rule for Christ and according to Christ yet saith he it is nothing for a Brother to stand up and oppose without Scripture or Reason the Doctrine and word of the Elder saying I am not satisfied c. And hence if he do not like the Administration be it Baptism or the like he will then turn his back upon God and his Ordinances and go away c. And saith he for our neglect of baptizing the Children of the Church those that some call Grandchildren I think God is provoked by it 4. Another sin I take to be The making light of and not subjecting to the Authority of Synods without which the Churches cannot long subsist And so for the Magistrates being Gallio like either not caring for these things or else not using their Power and Authority for the maintenance of the Truth and Gospel and Ordinances of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and for the bearing thorough witness against the contrary Should the Lord leave THEM hereunto how miserable a people should we be At night the Assembly being dismissed with Prayer Mr. Wilson did being desired by them so to do in a solemn manner bless the Elders making a short Prayer saying I am not like long to be with you the Lord pardon us and heal us and make us more Heavenly and take us off from the world and make us burning and shining Lights by our heavenly Doctrine and Example And I beseech the Lord with all my heart to bless you and to bless his Churches and to bless all his People and to bless all your Families and to bless your Wives and to bless all your Children and your Childrens Children and make us all more and more meet for our Inheritance and bring us all to it in his good time c. These words with some few other he spake with great affection and with tears and all the Ministers wept with him and they took their leave of him even as Children of their Father who having blessed them was about to die Upon the Death of that Reverend Aged Ever-honoured and gracious Servant of Christ Mr. John Wilson Pastor of a Church in Boston Interred August 8. 1667. AH now there 's none who does not know That this day in our Israel Is fall'n a great and good man too A Prince I might have said as well A man of Princely Power with God For Faith and Love of Princely spirit Our Israels Chariots Horsemen good By Faith and Prayer though not by Merit Renown'd for Practick Piety In Englands both from Youth to Age In Cambridge Inns-Court Sudbury And each place of his Pilgrimage As humble as a little Childe When yet in reall worth high-grown Himself a Nothing still he styl'd When God so much had for him done In Love a None-such as the Sand With largest heart God did him fill A bounteous Minde an open Hand Affection sweet all sweetning still Love was his Life he dy'd in Love Love doth embalm his Memory Love is his Bliss and Joy above With God now who is Love for ay A comprehending Charity To all where ought appear'd of good And yet in Zeal was none more high Against th'apparent Serpents Brood To Truth he ever constant was In Judgement wondrous Orthodox In Truth 's Cause never fearing face As if he were another Knox. The Prelates and their Impositions Did never him Conformist make But to avoid those Superstitions Great Worldly Hopes did he forsake When in New-England Errours winde From sundry other Quarters blew No one could him Conforming finde Nought from the Line of Truth him drew Firm stood he ' gainst the Familist And Antinomian spirit strong He never lov'd the Separ'tist Nor yet the Anabaptists throng Neither the Tolerator's strain Nor Quakers Spirit could he brook Nor bow'd to the Morellian Train Nor Childrens Right did over-look Nor did he slight Our Liberties In Civil and in Church-concerns But precious were they in his eyes Who stood among their fixed friends Grave Saint in England twice did give This farewell word to him While you Shall in that place New-England live No hurt shall happen thereunto Strange word and strangely verify'd He this day goes to 's Grave in peace What Changes sad shall us betide Now he is gone we cannot guess What Evil are we hastening to Lord spare thy People but awaken When such away do from us go That yet we may not be forsaken He a first Corner-stone was laid In poor New-England's Boston's Wall Death pulls this out the breach is wide Oh let it not now tumble all Hee 's now at Rest and reigns in Bliss In Conflicts we are left behinde In Fears and Straits How shall we miss His Faith Prayer Zeal and peaceful Minde Lord pour a double portion Of his sweet gracious pious Spirit On poor Survivers let each one Somewhat thereof at least inherit Gaius our host ah now gone Can we e're look for such another But yet there is a Mansion Where we may all turn-in together No moving Inne but Resting-place Where his blest Soul is gathered Where good men going are apace Into the Bosome of their Head Ay thither let us haste away Sure Heaven will the sweeter bee If there we ever come to stay For him and other such as hee J. M. Upon the Death of that most Reverend Man of God Mr. John Wilson Pastor of the first Church in Boston in New-England whose decease was Aug. 7. 1667. JOHN Wilson Anagr. John WILSON Oh change it not no sweeter Name or Thing Throughout the World within our ears shall ring VVHo so of Abr'am Moses Samuel reads Or of Elijah or Elisha's deeds Would surely say their Spirit and Power was his And think there were a Metempsychosis Yea like John Baptist in the Wilderness So was our John in Patmos here no less John the Divine resembling therefore rather And of New-Englands Prophets was the Father John
Trading with the Indians of Kenebek p. 61 Capt. Miles Standish goes over to England as an Agent in the behalf of the Plantation of New-Plimouth p. 62 1626. In April Capt. Standish arrives in Plimouth brings sad tidings of Mr. John Robinsons and Mr. Robert Cushmans death p. 63 They receive divers Letters from their friends in Holland p. 64 1627. Mr. Isaac Allerton goes over for England Agent for the Plantation with the Merchant-Adventurers p. 64. The first distribution of Land amongst the Inhabitants of Plimouth p. 65 A ship with many Passengers in her bound for Virginia was cast away at the middle of Mannamoiet Bay but they saved their lives and their goods and were courteously entertained at Plimouth p. 65 c. The Dutch Plantation desire Commerce with Plimouth which they grant them and so they held mutual and profitable correspondency together The Dutch acquaint the English with the trading of Wampam-peag p. 67 1628. Morton for his Atheistical and licentious Practises is apprehended by Capt. Standish sent home to England p. 68 c. Mr. John Endicot arrives bringing with him a Patent under the Broad-Seal of England for the Government of the Massachusets p. 70 1629. Three ships arrive at Salem bringing a great number of Passengers from England Infectious diseases amongst them p. 73 Mr. Higginson Mr. Skelton Mr. Bright Ministers arrive p. 74 Upon Aug. 5. was the first Church in the Massachusets Colony gathered viz. at Salem p. 75 The Book of Common-Prayer pleaded for and practised in Massachusets Colony by two of the Patentees p. 76 But was quickly prohibited by the Authority there p. 77 1630. Mr. Higginson Teacher of Salem Church died p. 78 A Fleet of ten ships arrived in the Massachusets Colony in which came over many worthy Instruments Mr. John Winthrop and Mr. Thomas Dudly Magistrates Mr. Isaac Johnson Esq and Mr. John VVilson Mr. George Philips Mr. Maverick and Mr. VVareham Ministers arrived Mr. Isaac Johnson Magistrate of the Massachusets and his Lady soon after their arrival died p. 83 Churches gathered this year at Boston by Mr. John VVilson VVatertown by Mr. Philips Dorchester by Mr. Maverick and Mr. VVareham p. 84 1631. A Church gathered at Roxbury by Mr. John Eliot and Mr. VVeld p. 85 1632. Sir Christopher Gardiner a strong Papist arrived in N.E. who for some miscarriages left the Country and returned home to England and there proved an open Adversary to the Country p. 85 86 The Lords of the Kings most honourable Privy-Council favour the Plantations of N.E. by their encouraging Order p. 87 88 1633. The number of Magistrates at Plimouth increased to seven p. 89 An infectious Feaver amongst the Inhabitants of Plimouth whereof many died p. 90 Great swarms of strange Flies up and down the Country which was a presage of the following mortality p. 91 Mr. John Cotton Mr. Hooker and Mr. Stone Ministers arrive in N. E. ibid. Mr. William Collier a liberal Benefactor to the Colony of New-Plimouth arrives in N.E. ibid. 1634. Mr. Skelton Pastor to the Church at Salem died p. 78 A great mortality amongst the Indians by the Small Pox p. 92 Capt. Stone turns Pirat at the Dutch Plantation and there seizes on a Plimouth Barque that was there trading p. 93 The cruel Massacre of Capt. Stone and Capt. Norton at Connecticot River by the Pequot Indians p. 92 93 Mr. Roger Williams lamentable Apostacy p. 78 c. He is Banished by the Massachusets Colony ibid. 1635. Mr. Edward Winslow sent over to England as a publick Agent for the Country p. 94 An Hirracane which did great damage both by sea land p. 95 1636. Conecticot Colony planted this year by many worthy Instruments Two shallops loaden with goods were cast away in the mouth of Plimouth Harbour the goods were saved ten men drowned p. 96 Mr. John Oldham murthered in his Barque by the Indians of Block-Island p. 98 1637. The Pequot Wars in which War the English slew and took Prisoners about 700 Indians and slew 13 Sachems to the great terrour of all the Natives p. 99 New-Haven Colony began this year p. 106 Antinomian and Familistical Errours are broach'd in the Country especially at Boston ibid. A Synod is called which condemned these Errours out of the Word of God p. 107 Mrs. Hutchinson and Errours are banished by the Magistrates of the Massachusets Colony ibid. A hideous Monster born at Boston of one Mrs. Mary Dyer p. 108 1638. Three English-men were put to death at Plimouth for robbing and murthering an Indian near Providence p. 111 June 2. a great and fearful Earthquake in the Country ibid. Gorton a pestilent Seducer and blasphemous Atheist is banished Plimouth Colony Whipt and banished from Road-Island banished the Massachusets Colony p. 108 c. 1639. Harvard Colledge founded at Cambridge by Mr. John Harvard of worthy memory p. 112 Articles of Peace renewed with Massasoiâ—t Sachem and his Son Mooanam by the Government of Plimouth p. 112 c. 1642. Thirteen able godly Ministers at this time in Plimouth Jurisdiction shined as bright Stars in the Churches Firmament p. 116 1643. Mr. William Brewster Ruling-Elder in the Church of Plimouth died in the 84 year of his Age p. 117 May 19. was the first Combination of the four United Colonies of N.E. p. 120 1644. Mr. John Atwood an eminent Benefactor to the Colony of Plimouth died p. 121 The Town of Eastham erected by divers considerable persons of Plimouth ibid. 1646. Three men of War arrived in Plimouth Harbour under the command of Capt. Tho Cromwel richly laden A mutiny amongst the Seamen whereby one man is killed p. 123 Mr. Edw Winslow goes over into England Agent for the Massachusets Colony to answer the complaints of sundry discontented persons but returned no more to N. E. p. 124 1647. Mr. Thomas Hooker Pastor of the Church at Hartford rested from his labours p. 125 1649. March 26. Mr. John Winthrop Governour of the Massachusets deceased p. 130 An innumerable company of Caterpillers in some parts of the Country destroyed the Fruits of the Earth p. 131 August 25. Mr. Thomas Shepard Pastor of Cambridge Church died ibid. An Act of Parliament passed in England for promoting and propagating the Gospel amongst the Indians in N.E. In reference to which an Indian Corporation was there established Able Instruments encouraged to preach the Gospel to the Indians in N.E. the Bible was translated into the Indian Language by Mr. John Eliot and in 1664. was printed at Cambridge p. 131 1650. A great mortality amongst Children this year p. 133 1651. Mr. Wil Thomas Magistrate of Plimouth Colony died p. 134 1652. Mr. John Cotton Teacher of Boston Church died A Comet was seen at the time of his sickness hanging over N. E. which went out soon after his death p. 135 c. 1653. July 31. Mr. Thomas Dudly Governour of the Massachusets died about the 77 year of his Age p. 139 1655. Plimouth hears sad news of the death of Mr. Edward Winslow who had sometimes been their Governour p. 142 1656. Capt. Miles Standish Magistrate of Plimouth died p. 143 1657. May 3. Mr. William Bradford Governor of Plimouth died p. 144 The Quakers that cursed Sect arrive at Plimouth p. 151 Mr. Theoph Eaton Governor of Newhaven Colony died p. 152 Mr. Garret cast away in his Voyage from Boston to England which was a great loss to the Country p. 152 1658. A great Earthquake was heard in N. E. p. 153 Mr. Ralph Partridge Minister at Duxbury deceased ibid. John Philips of Marshfield slain by Thunder Lightning p. 155 Mr. William Paddy Deacon of Plimouth Church died ibid. 1659. The damnable Opinions of the Quakers are vented up and down the Country p. 157 Mr. Henry Dunster first President of Harvard Colledge deceased p. 158 1660. James Pierce slain by Lightning at Plimouth p. 159 1662. In January several Earthquakes were heard in N. E. p. 161 Philip Sachem of Pokanaket renews the Articles of Peace made betwixt the Government of Plimouth and his Father Brother p. 160 Mr. John Brown Magistrate of Plimouth Colony ended this life p. 163 164 1663. Mr. Samuel Newman Teacher of Rehoboth died p. 164 Mr. John Norton Teacher of Boston died suddenly p. 165 Mr. Samuel Stone Teacher of Hartford deceased p. 168 1664. A great and dreadful Comet appeared in New-England for the space of three moneths which was accompanied with many sad Effects p. 170 Great mildew and blasting in the Country p. 172 The Kings Commissioners arrived at Boston in N. E. p. 173 Manado's surrendred up to His Majesty and called New-York p. 173 Colonel Cartwright on his Voyage to England was taken by the Dutch Sir Robert Carre died the next day after his arrival in Bristol p. 176 1665. Mr. John Endicot Governour of the Massachusets died p. 176 Capt. Davenport killed with Lightning as he lay on his Bed at the Castle p. 177 Wheat exceedingly blasted and mildewed ibid. 1666. Three killed in a moment by a blow of Thunder at Marshfield and four at Piscataqua and divers hurt A great Whirlwind at the same time p. 178 The Small Pox at Boston p. 179 The mildew and blasting of the Corn still continued ibid. A remarkable manifestation of Gods goodness to some poor Salvages in the Jurisdiction of Plimouth p. 180 The death of Mr. William Thompson Minister at Braintry 181 1667. Several Vollies of shot heard discharged in the Air at Nantasket In March there appeared a Sign in the Heavens in the form of a Spear pointing directly to the West p. 182 Mr. John Wilson who had been Pastor of Boston Church 37 years rested from his labours in the 79 year of his Age p. 183 1668. Mr. Samuel Shepard Pastor of Rowley Church died p. 190 April 27. Mr. Henry Flint Teacher at Braintry died ibid. July 9. Mr. Jonathan Mitchel Pastor of the Church at Cambridge deceased p. 190 c. October 13. Mr. John Eliot junior Pastor of a Church within the Bounds of Cambridge departed this life p. 196 197 The Conclusion of the History with Advice to the Rising generation p. 197 198 FINIS
water but most by land met here and there with some Pequots whom they slew or took Prisoners Two Sachems they took and beheaded and not hearing of Sasacus the chief Sachem they gave a Prisoner his life to go and finde him out He went and brought them word where he was but Sasacus suspecting him to be a Spy after he was gone fled away with some twenty more to the Mohawks so our men missed of him yet dividing themselves and ranging up and down as the Providence of God guided them for the Indians were all gone save three or four and they knew not whither to guide them or else would not Vpon the thirteenth of this Month they lighted upon a great Company viz. Eighty strong men and two hundred women and children in a small Indian Town fast by a hideous Swamp which they all slipped into before our men could get to them Our Captains were not then come together but there was Mr. Ludlow and Captain Mason with some ten of their men and Captain Patrick with some twenty or more of his who shooting at the Indians Captain Trask with fifty more came soon in at the noise Then they gave order to surround the Swamp it being about a Mile round but Lieutenant Davenport and some twelve more not hearing that Command fell into the Swamp amongst the Indians The Swamp was so thick with shrubs and Boggie withall that some stuck fast and received many shot Lieutenant Davenport was dangerously wounded about his Arm-hole and another shot in the Head so as fainting they were in great danger to have been taken by the Indians but Sergeant Riggs and Sergeant Jeffery and two or three more rescued them and slew divers of the Indians with their Swords After they were drawn out the Indians desired Parley and were offered by Thomas Stanton our Interpreter That if they would come out and yield themselves they should have their lives that had not their hand in the English Blood Whereupon the Sachem of the place came forth and an old man or two and their wives and children and so they spake two hours till it was night Then Thomas Stanton was sent to them again to call them forth but they said they would sell their lives there and so shot at him so thick as if he had not been presently relieved and rescued on his crying out they would have slain him Then our men cut off a place of Swamp with their swords and cooped up the Indians into a narrow compass so as they could easier kill them through the thickets so they continued all the night standing about twelve foot one from another and the Indians coming up close to our men shot their Arrows so thick as they pierced their Hat brims and their sleeves and stockens and other parts of their Clothes yet so miraculously did the Lord preserve them as not one of them was wounded save those three who rashly went into the Swamp as aforesaid When it was near day it grew very dark so as those of them that were left dropped away though they stood but twelve or fourteen foot asunder and were presently discovered and some killed in the pursuit In the searching of the Swamp the next morning they found nine slain and some they pulled up whom the Indians had buried in the Mire so as they do think that of all this Company not twenty did escape for they after found some who died in the flight of their wounds received The Prisoners were divided some to those of the River and the rest to us of these parts We send the Male-children to Bermuda's by Mr. William Pierce and the Women and Maid-children are disposed about in the Towns There have been now slain and taken in all about Seven hundred the rest are dispersed and the Indians in all quarters so terrified as all their friends are afraid to receive them Two of the Sachems of Long-Island came to Mr. Staughton and tendred themselves to be under our Protection and two of the Nepannet Sachems have been with me to seek our Friendship Among the Prisoners we have the Wife and Children of Mononotto a woman of a very modest countenance and behaviour It was by her mediation that the two English Maids were spared from death and were kindly used by her so that I have taken charge of her One of her first requests was That the English would not abuse her body and that her Children might not be taken from her Those which were wounded we fetched soon off by John Gallop who came with his Boat in an happy hour to bring them Victuals and to carry their wounded men to the Barque where our chief Chirurgion was with Mr. Wilson being about eight leagues off Our people are all in health the Lord be praised And although they had marched in their Arms all the day and had been in fight all the night yet they professed they found themselves so as they could willingly have gone to such another business the Captains report we have slain thirteen Sachems but Sasacus and Monotto are still living this is the substance of what I have received though I am forced to omit many considerable circumstances so being in much straightness of time the ships being to depart within this four dayes and in them the Lord Lee and Mr. Vane I here break off and with hearty Salutation c. I rest Your assured Friend John Winthrop July 28. 1637. To conclude the discourse of this matter This Sasacus the Pequot Sachem being fled to the Mohawks they cut off his head and some other of the chief of them whether to satisfie the English or rather the Narrhagansets who as I have heard hired them to do it or for their own advantage I know not And thus this War took end the body of this People were wholly subdued and their Country taken from them and such of its Inhabitants as had escaped the heat of our revenge by fire and sword being nevertheless at the dispose of the Conquerers were by the English appointed some to the Narrhagansets and some to the Monhegens under Vnkas their Sachem who had been faithful and serviceable to them in this War yet the Narrhagansets were not pleased that themselves had not the sole Government of the Captives and have since been continually quarrelling with the Monheags and have sometimes been plotting against the English also but to conclude the Pequots have since been taken under the immediate Government of the English Colonies and live in their own Country being Governed by such of their own as are by the English substituted and appointed for that purpose This year Mr. William Bradford was chosen Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth And Were Chosen his Assistants in Government Mr. Edward Winslow Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. William Collier Mr. Thomas Prince Capt. Myles Standish And Mr. John Jenny This Year Mr. Theophilus Eaton and Mr. John Davenport accompanied with divers other Christians of special eminency began
time of his imprisonment his wife fell sick of which sickness she died He procured liberty of the Bishop to visit his Wife before her death and commended her to God by Prayer who soon after gave up the ghost at his return to Prison his poor Children being many repaired to the Bishop to Lambeth and made known unto him their miserable condition by reason of their good Father his being continued in close durance who commiserated their condition so far as to grant him his liberty who soon after came over into New-England and setled for some time at the Town of Scituate and was chosen Pastour of their Church and faithfully dispensed the Word of God amongst them and afterwards the said Church dividing a part whereof removing to Barnstable he removed with them and there remained until his death He was a man of an humble and broken heart and spirit lively in dispensation of the Word of God studious of peace furnished with godly contentment willing to spend and to be spent for the Cause and Church of Christ He fell asleep in the Lord Nov. 8. 1653. 1654. THis Year Mr. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were Chosen Assistants to him in Government Mr. Thomas Prince Captain Miles Standish Mr. William Collier Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown Mr. John Alden and Capt. Thomas Willet 1655. THis Year Mr. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were Chosen Assistants to him in Government Mr. Thomas Prince Captain Miles Standish Mr. William Collier Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown Mr. John Alden and Captain Thomas Willet The death of Mr. Winslow This year that Worthy and Honourable Gentleman Mr. Edward Winslow deceased of whom I have had occasion to make honourable mention formerly in this Discourse He was the Son of Edward VVinslow Esq of the Town of Draughtwich in the County of Worcester He travelling into the Low-Countreys in his Journeys fell into acquaintance with the Church of Leyden in Holland unto whom he joyned and with whom he continued until they parted to come into New-England he coming with that part that came first over and became a very worthy and useful Instrument amongst them both in the place of Government and otherwise until his last Voyage for England being sent on special Imployment for the Government of the Massachusets as is forementioned in this Book and afterwards was imployed as one of the grand Commissioners in that unhappy Design against Domingo in Hispaniola who taking grief for the ill success of that Enterprize on which together with some other Infirmities that were upon him he fell sick at Sea betwixt Domingo and Jamaica and died the eighth day of May which was about the Sixty first year of his life and his Body was honourably committed to the Sea with the usual Solemnity of the Discharge of Fourty two Piece of Ordnance One of the Company who was imployed in taking notice of the Particulars of that Tragedy gave such Testimony of the said Mr. VVinslow as followeth in this Poem The Eighth of May west from ' Spaniola shore God took from us our Grand Commissioner Winslow by Name a man in Chiefest Trust VVhose Life was sweet and Conversation just VVhose Parts and wisdome most men did excell An honour to his Place as all can tell 1656. THis Year Mr. William Bradford was Chosen Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were chosen to be his Assistants in Government Mr. Thomas Prince Mr. William Collier Mr. Timothy Hatherly Captain Miles Standish Mr. John Alden Capt. Thomas Willet Capt. James Cudworth This Year Captain Miles Standish expired his mortal life He was a Gentleman born in Lancashire The death of Capt. Standish and was Heir-Apparent unto a great Estate of Lands and Livings surreptitiously detained from him his great Grandfather being a Second or Younger Brother from the House of Standish In his younger time he went over into the Low-Countreys and was a Souldier there and came acquainted with the Church of Leyden and came over into New-England with such of them as at the first set out for the Planting of the Plantation of New-Plimouth and bare a deep share of their first Difficulties and was alwayes very faithful to their Interest He growing ancient became sick of the Stone or Strangullion whereof after his suffering of much dolorous pain he fell asleep in the Lord and was honourably buried at Duxbury 1657. THis year Mr. Thomas Prince was Chosen Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth Were Chosen his Assistants in Government This Election was on the fifth of June 1657. M William Bradford died the 9th of May in this year before this Election Mr. VVilliam Collier Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Alden Captain Thomas VVillet Capt. James Cudworth Capt. Josias VVinslow Lieut. Tho Southworth This Year it pleased God to put a period to the life of his precious Servant Mr. VVilliam Bradford who was the second Governour of the Jurisdiction of Plimouth and continued in the same place for the most part of his time with little intermission Concerning whom the following Poems made the one by himself and the other by such as were well acquainted with his Worth and Excellency will give a large Testimony thereof Certain Verses left by the Honoured VVilliam Bradford Esq Governour of the Jurisdiction of Plimouth penned by his own hand declaring the gracious dispensation of Gods Providence towards him in the time of his Life and his preparation and fittedness for Death FRom my years young in dayes of Youth God did make known to me his Truth And call'd me from my Native place For to enjoy the Means of Grace In Wilderness he did me guide And in strange Lands for me provide In Fears and Wants through Weal and Woe As Pilgrim past I to and fro Oft left of them whom I did trust How vain it is to rest on Dust A man of Sorrows I have been And many Changes I have seen Wars Wants Peace Plenty have I known And some advanc'd others thrown down The humble poor cheerful and glad Rich discontent sower and sad VVhen Fears with Sorrows have been mixt Consolations came betwixt Faint not poor Soul in God still trust Fear not the things thou suffer must For whom he loves he doth chastise And then all Tears wipes from their eyes Farewell dear Children whom I love Your better Father is above VVhen I am gone he can supply To him I leave you when I dye Fear him in Truth walk in his Wayes And he will bless you all your dayes My dayes are spent Old Age is come My Strength it fails my Glass near run Now I will wait when work is done Vntill my happy Change shall come VVhen from my labours I shall rest VVith Christ above for to be blest By the honoured Major Josias Winstow on the the said Mr. William Bradford as followeth WILLIAM BRADFORD Anagr. I made Law for Bridl ' For
with you I was one of those That labour'd faithfully Gods Vineyard in Sowing his Seed and plucking up of Sin Now is the Harvest to my self indeed The Lord grant a supply of one to feed Your Souls with heavenly food and one to lead In wayes of God untill his Courts you tread Next to Gods love my Flock love one another And next to Christ preserve love to thy Brother Let ever precious be in your esteem Gods holy Word and such as slight it deem Of Serpents brood whatever they pretend By no means to such Blasphemies attend Decline all wanderings lest from all you stray If stept aside return in this your day Keep close to God so he that is Most High Shall you preserve as Apple of his Eye And give you peace on Earth Tranquillity Mansions in Heaven to Eternity VVhere we that Death doth for a time now sever Shall meet embrace and shall not part for ever R un is his Race A nd his work done L eft Earthly place P artridge is gone H e's with the Father and the Son P ure joyes and constant do attend A ll that so live such is their end R eturn he shall with Christ agen T o Judge both just and sinful men R ais'd is this Bird of Paradise I oy Heaven entred breaks the ice D eath under foot he trodden hath G race is to Glory straitest Path E ver enjoyes Love free from wrath This year on the last day of July it pleased God that by Thunder and Lightning one John Philips of Marshfield in the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth was suddenly slain Also in the moneth of August it pleased God to take away by death Mr. VVilliam Paddy who was a precious Servant of Christ endued with a meek and quiet Spirit of a courteous behaviour to all men and was very careful to nourish an intimate Communion with God He was Instrumental in his place for common good both in the Church being sometimes by Office a Deacon of the Church of Christ at Plimouth and in other respects very officious as occasion did require He having a great Temporal Estate was occasioned thereby to have abundance of business upon him but when he was to put off this his earthly Tabernacle he laid aside all his earthly Incumbrances and Occasions even as one would have taken off a garment and laid it down and without any trouble of Spirit on that behalf prepared himself for his Journey to the Everlasting Mansions prepared for him by his Lord and Master in the highest Heavens whereof he was well assured as to the like effect he spake some words to Mr. Norton near unto the period of his life and so falling asleep in the Lord he was buried at Boston with honour and great lamentation in the year and moneth above-mentioned One who was well acquainted with his Worth and gracious Endowments presented this following as a Testimoniall of his good respects of him W eep not dear Wife Childeren nor dear Friends I live a life of Joyes that never ends L ove God and fear him to end of your dayes L ive unto him but die to sin alwayes I n heavenly place of Bliss my Soul doth rest A mong the Saints and Angels I am blest M uch better here then in the world at best P raising my God is now my great imploy A bove such troubles as did me annoy D id but my friends know what I here possess D oubtless it would cause them to mourn the less Y our Souls with mine ere long shall meet in bliss 1659. THis Year Mr. Thomas Prince was Chosen Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were Chosen Assistants to him in Government Mr. William Collier Mr. John Alden Captain Thomas Willet Major Josias Winslow Lieut. Thomas Southworth Mr. VVilliam Bradford Mr. Thomas Hinkley Having noted before That in the Year 1657. there arrived in the Colony of New-Plimouth many of that pernicious Sect called Quakers the Reader may take notice That by this time and for some years after New-England in divers parts of it abounded with them and they sowed their corrupt and damnable Doctrines both by word and writings almost in every Town of each Jurisdiction some whereof were That all men ought to attend to the Light within them to be the Rule of their Lives and Actions and That the holy Scriptures were not for the inlightning of man nor a setled and permanent Rule of life They denied the Manhood of the Lord Jesus Christ and affirmed That as Man he is not in Heaven They denied the Resurrection from the dead They affirmed That an absolute Perfection in Holiness or Grace is attainable in this life They placed their Justification upon their Patience and Suffering for their Opinions and on their righteous life and retired demurity and affected singularity both in word and gesture As to Civil account they allowed not nor practised any civil respect to man though superiours either in Magistratical consideration or as Masters or Parents or the Ancient neither by word nor gesture They deny also the use of Oathes for the deciding of Civil Controversies with other abominable Opinions Dreams and Conceits which some of them have expressed tending to gross Blasphemy and Atheism This efficacy of Delusion became very prevalent with many so as the number of them increased to the great endangering of the subversion of the whole both of Church and Common-wealth notwithstanding the endeavours of those in Authority to suppress the same had not the Lord declared against them by blasting their Enterprizes Contrivements so as they have of late withered away in a great measure sundry of their Teachers and Leaders which have caused them to erre are departed the Country and we trust the Lord will make the folly of the remainder manifest to all men more and more Errour is not long-lived the day will declare it Let our deliverance from so eminent a danger be received amongst the principal of the Lords gracious Providences and merciful loving kindnesses towards New-England for the which let present and future generations celebrate his Praises This year that Learned and godly Servant of God Mr. Henry Dunster fell asleep in the Lord. He was sometimes President of Harvard Colledge at Cambridge in New-England in which he approved himself to the satisfaction of such as were in those Affairs concerned Afterwards he came into the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth and lived awhile in the Town of Scituate and was useful in helping to oppose the abominable Opinions of the Quakers fore-mentioned and in the defending of the Truth against them He deceasing in the said Town of Scituate his Body was embalmed and removed unto Cambridge aforesaid and there honourably buried 1660. THis Year Mr. Thomas Prince was Chosen Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were Chosen Assistants to him in Government Mr. William Collier Mr. John Alden Captain Thomas Willet Major Josias Winslow Capt. Tho Southworth Capt. VVilliam Bradford Mr. Thomas Hinkley This