the Divine whose Life a Revelation Of Faith and Love and Christ to admiration John the Divine whom Jesus lov'd most dear Sweetned with leaning on his Bosome here This is that John whose Death who doth not moan Hath sure no heart of flesh but one of stone He had the Countries Faith and Love and Zeal Even Grace enough for Church and Common-weal Whereby was propt up all the Fabrick still That else had tumbled down our Sion Hill Of meerly Men deserving glory more You 'll finde nor Martyr nor a Confessor Inspir'd he was with the Prophetick Spirit Of all the Prophets which he did inherit 'Twixt an Apostle and Evangelist His Order standeth in the Heavenly List If Paul himself among us dead had been More tears or sorrow could not have been seen They wept not more for this that they should see His face no more then now we Mourners bee For Heavenly Poems most Angelicall Composing Volumes with delight were all But gathered up in one we should espy Enough to fill an University And were another Psalm-book made by thee Mictam of John their Title it should bee As aged John th'Apostle us'd to bless The People which they judg'd their happiness So we did count it worth our Pilgrimage Vnto him for his Blessing in his Age Yet then no Babe more longing for the Breast Then he to take within the Church his rest To have the sincere Milk of God's good Word Which to his Soul all comfort did afford Not Heat nor Cold nor Rain nor Snow must bar But every where becomes an Auditor Who ever labour'd in the Ministry More given then he to Hospitality To Strangers Widows Fatherless and all To Friends and Foes he was most liberall Of all his Prayers Sermons Travels Pains He is ascended Heaven to reap the gains Oh for a double portion of thy Spirit No richer Treasure would we all inherit Maestus apposuit T. S. 1668. THis Year it pleased God to visit New-England with the manifestation of his displeasure by the death of three Eminent Instruments The first whereof was that worthy Servant of Christ Mr. Samuel Shepard Pastor of the Church of Christ at Rowley in New-England who deceased in the Spring of this year in the midst of his dayes and in the beginning of his Work in the Ministry The second that worthy Man of God Mr. Henry Flint Teacher of the Church of Christ at Braintry in New-England who ended his mortal life the 27 of April in this year a man of known Piety Gravity and Integrity and well accomplished with other Qualifications fit for the Work of the Ministry The third and last but not the least that Super-eminent Minister of the Gospel rightly so called Mr. Jonathan Mitchel Pastor of the Church of Christ at Cambridge in New-England who laid down his Earthly Tabernacle on the Ninth of July in this year Of whose rare Endowments and the great Loss the whole Land sustained by his death take this following brief Account Mr. Jonathan Mitchell was born at Halifax in York-shire in England of pious and wealthy Parents who coming over to New-England brought him over young his Education in Learning was perfected at Harvard Colledge in Cambridge where he attained to such a degree in knowledge that he was soon called to be a Fellow of the Colledge and within few years after his lustre did so shine that the Church at Hartford upon Conecticot River made application to him in order to supply the place of that Eminent Servant of Christ Mr. Thomas Hooker a little before deceased but the Church at Cambridge by the Advice of their Pastor Mr. Thomas Shepard then living not willing to part with so great a Treasure became Competitor with Hartford and gave him a Call to them This loving Strife between the two Churches of Hartford and Cambridge about him was in a short time decided by the awfull hand of God in the death of that Eminent and Glorious Star Mr. Thomas Shepard Pastor at Cambridge which place being wholly destitute and Hartford being supplied with a Teacher namely that Worthy of the Lord Mr. Samuel Stone the Ballance was cast for Cambridge and in the year 1650 he was Called and Ordained their Pastor It was an eminent favour of God to that Church to have their great Breach thus made up with a man so much of the Spirit and Principles of their former Pastor and so excellently qualified with respect to the Colledge for Reason and Prudence requireth that the Minister of that place be more then ordinarily endowed with Learning Gravity Wisdome Orthodoxness Ability sweet and excellent Gifts in Preaching that so the Scholars which are devoted and set apart in order to be Preachers of the Gospel might be seasoned with the Spirit of such an Elijah In which regard this holy Man of God was eminently furnished and his Labours wonderfully blessed for very many of the Scholars bred up in his time as is observed do favour of his Spirit for grace and manner of Preaching which was most attractive He lived Pastor of the Church about Eighteen years and was most intense and faithful in declaring much of the Counsel of God He went through a great part of the Body of Divinity made a very excellent Exposition of the Book of Genesis and part of Exodus and delivered many fruitful and profitable Sermons on the four first Chapters of John and in his Monethly Lectures which were abundantly frequented he Preached of Mans Misery by Sin and Recovery by Christ Jesus and died in the third part of it viz. concerning Mans Obedience in Christ besides many other excellent Truths by him taught upon divers occasions In all his Labours God was wonderfully present with him He was a person that held very near Communion with God Eminent in Wisdome Piety Humility Love Self-denial and of a compassionate and tender heart surpassing in Publick-spiritedness a mighty man in Prayer and Eminent at standing in the Gap he was zealous for Order and faithful in asserting the Truth against all Oppugners of it In a word he was a man whom God had richly furnished and eminently fitted for his Work lived desired and died lamented by all good Christians that knew him It pleased God upon the Ninth of July 1668. in a hot and burning season but much more hot in the Heat of Gods Anger to New-England to take him to Rest and Glory about the 43 year of his Age. His Race was but short but the Work he did was very much The Elegies following may give the Reader a further account of what esteem he was Upon the Death of that truely Godly Reverend and Faithful Servant of Christ Mr. Jonathan Mitchell Pastor of the Church at Cambridge who deceased July 9. 1668. VVHat shall we say Of sad Effects what fear Four Splendent Stars extinguish'd in one year Two Old one Young and this of Middle Age A brightest Light most eyes who did ingage The Lord in 's Temple is Earth silence keep
NEW-ENGLANDS MEMORIALL OR A brief Relation of the most Memorable and Remarkable Passages of the Providence of God manifested to the PLANTERS OF New-England in America With special Reference to the first Colony thereof Called NEW-PLIMOUTH As also a Nomination of divers of the most Eminent Instruments deceased both of Church and Common-wealth improved in the first beginning and after-progress of sundry of the respective Jurisdictions in those Parts in reference unto sundry Exemplary Passages of their LIVES and the time of their DEATH Published for the Use and Benefit of present and future Generations By NATHANIEL MORTON Secretary to the Court for the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth Deut. 32.10 He found him in a desert Land in the waste howling wilderness he led him about he instructed him he kept him as the Apple of his Eye Jerem. 2.2 3. I remember thee the kindness of thy youth the love of thine Espousals when thou wentest after me in the wilderness in a Land that was not sown c. Deut. 8.2 16. And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee this FORTY YEARS in the Wilderness c. CAMBRIDGE Printed by S.G. and M. J. for John Vsher of Boston 1669. To the Reader IT is much to be desired there might be extant A Compleat History of the Vnited Colonies of New-England that God may have the praise of his goodness to his People here and that the present and future Generations may have the benefit thereof This being not attainable for the present nor suddenly to be expected it is very expedient that while sundry of the Eldest Planters are yet living Records and Memorials of Remarkable Providences be preserved and published that the true Originals of these Plantations may not be lost that New-England in all time to come may remember the day of her smallest things and that there may be a furniture of Materials for a true and full History in after-times For these and such-like Reasons we are willing to Recommend unto the Reader this present Narrative as a Useful Piece The Author is an approved godly man and one of the first Planters at Plimouth The Work it self is Compiled with Modesty of Spirit Simplicity of Style and Truth of Matter containing the Annals of New-England for the space of 47 years with special reference to Plimouth Colony which was the first and where the Author hath had his constant abode And yet so farre as his Intelligence did reach relating many Remarkable Passages in the several Colonies and also making an honourable mention of divers of the most Eminent Servants of God that have been amongst us in several parts of the Country after they had finished their course We hope that the Labor of this good man will finde a general Acceptance amongst the People of God and also be a means to provoke some or other in the rest of the Colonies who have had the knowledge of things from the beginning to Contribute their Observations and Memorials also by which means what is wanting in this Narrative may be supplied by some others and so in the issue from divers Memorials there may be matter for a just History of New-England in the Lords good time In the mean time this may stand for a Monument and be deservedly acknowledged as an Eben-Ezer that Hitherto the Lord hath helped us March 26. 1669. John Higginson Thomas Thacher To the Right Worshipful THOMAS PRINCE Esq Governour of the Jurisdiction of New Plimouth With the Worshipfull the MAGISTRATES His Assistants in the said Government N. M. wisheth Peace and Prosperity in this Life and Eternall Happiness in that which is to come Right Worshipfull THe consideration of the weight of Duty that lieth upon us to Commemorize to future Generations the memorable passages of Gods Providence to us and our Predecessors in the beginning of this Plantation hath wrought in me a restlesness of spirit and earnest desire that something might be atchieved in that behalf more or at least otherwise then as yet hath been done Many discouragements I have met with both from within and without my self but reflecting upon the Ends I have proposed to my self in setting out in this Work it hath afforded me some support viz. The glory of God and the good of present and future Generations Being also induced hereunto by the consideration that your selves especially some of you are fully acquainted with many of the particulars both concerning Persons and Things inserted in the following Narrative and can on your own knowledge assert them for Truth Were it so that any other had travelled in this kinde in such a way as might have conduced to a brief and satisfactory intelligence in particulars relating to the premises I would have spared this labour and have satisfied my self in perusal of their Works rather then to have set pen to paper about the same but having neither seen nor heard of any especially respecting this our Plantation of New-Plimouth which God hath honoured to be the first in this Land I have made bold to present your Worships with and to publish to the world something of the very first Beginnings of the great Actings of God in New-England begun at New-Plimouth wherein the greatest part of my intelligence hath been borrowed from my much honoured Uncle Mr. William Bradford and such Manuscripts as he left in his Study from the year 1620 unto 1646 whom had God continued in this world some longer time and given him rest from his other more important Affairs we might probably have had these things from an abler Pen and better digested then now you may expect Certain Diurnals of the honoured Mr. Edward Winslow have also afforded me good light and help and what from them both and otherwise I have obtained that I judged suitable for the following Discourse I have with care and faithfulness related and have therein more sollicitously followed the truth of things many of which I can also assert on my own knowledge then I have studied quaintness in expressions I should gladly have spoken more particularly of the Neighbouring United Colonies whose ends and aims in their Transplanting of themselves and Families were the same with ours viz. The glory of God the propagation of the Gospel and enlargement of His Majesties Dominions but for want of intelligence and that I may not prevent a better Pen I shall onely make mention of some of their Worthies that we have been most acquainted with I shall not insist upon the Clime nor Soyle of the Country its Commodities or Discommodities nor at large on the Natives or their Customes and Manners all which have been already declared by Captain Smith Mr. Higginson Mr. Williams Mr. Wood and others What it is and what my aims at Gods glory and my good affections to the place and people of whom I treat may make it I present your Worships with Humbly craving your favourable aspect and good acceptance of my poor Endeavours and that my self and it
the name of Eastham 1645. THis year Mr. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth And Were Elected his Assistants in Government Mr. Edward Winslow Mr. Thomas Prince Mr. William Collier Capt. Myles Standish Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown Mr. Edmond Freeman The Commissioners of the United Colonies of New-England were called together this Year before their ordinary time of meeting This meeting was held the 28 of Iuly 1145. partly in regard of some differences between the French and the Government of the Massachusets about their aiding of Monseir Latore against Monseir de Aulney and partly about the Indians who had broken their former agreements about the peace concluded the year before as concerning such conclusions and determinations which passed in this meeting in reference to the premises I shall refer the Reader unto the Acts of the said Commissioners for that Year as they are recorded at large 1646. THis Year Mr. William Bradford was Chosen Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were Elected his Assistants in Government Mr. Edward Winslow Mr. Thomas Prince Mr. William Collier Captain Miles Standish Mr. Timothy Hatherly And Mr. Edmond Freeman About the middle of May this Year there came three Men of War into Plimouth Harbour under the command of Captain Thomas Cromwel who had taken several Prizes from the Spaniards by Commission from the Earl of VVarwick they were full of monies silks and other rich goods some of which they left behinde them They were a company of lusty stout men but very unruly and hard to govern notwithstanding the care and vigilance both of such as were in Authority of Plimouth and also of their own Commanders who could hardly restrain them especially from inordinate drinking and quarrelling It proved fatal to one of them who being quarrelling with one of their own company and being commanded by their Captain to forbear he giving very provoking Language and also attempting to draw upon his Captain he took his Rapier from him and struck him on the head with the Hilt of which wound three or four dayes after he died the Captain was tried by a Council of War and acquitted by the largeness of his Commission This Year Mr. Edward VVinslow went for England upon occasion that some discontented persons under the Government of the Massachusets sought to trouble their peace and disturb if not innovate their Government by laying many scandals upon them and intended to prosecute against them in England by Petitioning and Complaining to the Parliament Also Samuel Gorton and his company made complaint against them so as they made choice of Mr. VVinslow to be their Agent to make their defence and gave him Commission and Instructions for that end in which he so carried himself as did well answer their ends and cleared them from any blame and dishonour to the shame of their Adversaries After this he fell upon other imployments in England which detained him there so as he returned not again to New-England any more whose absence hath been much to the weakening of the Government of New-Plimouth who had large experience of his help and usefulness amongst them in Government c. of whom I have more to insert in honour of so worthy a Gentleman in its more proper place 1647. MR. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were Elected his Assistants in Government Mr. Edward Winslow Mr. Thomas Prince Mr. William Collier Mr. Timothy Hatherly Captain Miles Standish Mr. John Brown And Mr. William Thomas This Year the whole Land but more especially the Church and Town of Hartford on Conecticot sustained a great and more then ordinary Loss The Death of Mr. Hooker by the Death of that most eminent Servant of Jesus Christ Mr. Thomas Hooker who in the Month of July in this year changed this Life for a better Concerning whose Piety Learning and singular dexterity in Preaching the Gospel with answerable success the many Souls wrought upon by his Ministry in both Old-England and New do give forth a large Testimony and withall as an addition to the former those Learned and Profitable Works penned by him for the Refutation of Errour and guiding and confirming of the Saints in the Wayes of Christ In which respects with others his Name will live and is Embalmed and doth remain and will be as a precious Oyntment in the Churches and amongst the Saints in present and future Ages This special Servant of Christ as he served his Master with great Zeal Love Wisdome and Sincerity so he ended his Life with much Comfort and Serenity so as it is rare that was said of him That the peace which he had in believing thirty years before his death was firm and not touched by the Adversary untill the period of his life And with much joy and peace in believing he fell asleep in the Lord and was honourably buried at Hartford on Conecticot In whose Memorial I shall here insert the Funeral Elegies of two eminent Divines written upon his Death On my Reverend and dear Brother Mr. Thomas Hooker Late Pastor of the Church at Hartford on Conecticot TO see three things was holy Austins wish Rome in her Flower Christ Jesus in the Flesh And Paul i' th Pulpit Lately men might see Two first and more in Hookers Ministry Zion in Beauty is a fairer sight Then Rome in Flower with all her glory dight Yet Zions Beauty did most clearly shine In Hookers Rule and Doctrine both Divine Christ in the Spirit is more then Christ in Flesh Our Souls to quicken and our States to bless Yet Christ in Spirit brake forth mightily In faithful Hookers searching Ministry Paul in the Pulpit Hooker could not reach Yet did He Christ in Spirit so lively preach That living Hearers thought He did inherit A double Portion of Pauls lively spirit Prudent in Rule in Argument quick full Fervent in Prayer in Preaching powerfull That well did learned Ames record bear The like to Him he never wont to hear 'T was of Geneva's Worthies said with wonder Those Worthies Three Farell was went to Thunder Viret like Rain on tender grass to shower But Calvin lively Oracles to pour All these in Hookers spirit did remain A Son of Thunder and a Shower of Rain A pourer forth of Lively Oracles In saving Souls the sum of Miracles Now blessed Hooker thou art set on high Above the thankless world and cloudy skie Do thou of all thy labour reap the Crown Whilst we here reap the seed which thou hast sown J. C. A Lamentation for the Death of that Precious and Worthy Minister of Jesus Christ Mr. Thomas Hooker who died July 7. 1647. as the Sun was Setting the same hour of the day died blessed Calvin that glorious Light COme sighs come sorrows let 's lament this Rod Which hath bereav'd us of this Man of God A Man of God which came from God to men And now from them is gone to God agen Bid
Joy depart bid Merriment be gone Bid Friends stand by sit sorrowful alone But ah what sorrow can be to suffice Though Heaven and Earth were filled with our cries The Clouds were turned into drops of tears The Mourning for to last an Age of Years 'T were all too little to lament his death Whose life so precious was for Heaven and Earth Job wish'd his day might quite forgotten me Which brought him forth this world's light first to see O let not the day numbred be i' th Year That took this Light out of our Hemisphere A fatal day a day of sad presage To us survivers of this present Age The hour of thy decease when Sun went down When light turn'd dark when heavens began to frown 'T is ominous to us who saw his light That Grace provok'd should turn our day to night And Gospels light which shineth from on high Should clouded be and darkned in our skie O happy dayes when such Lights shine on Earth O bitter dayes when they are hid beneath This is our grief He which late shin'd on high Is hid in grave and now beneath doth lye Let Hartford sigh and say I 've lost a Treasure Let all New-England mourn at Gods Displeasure In taking from us one more gracious Then is the Gold of Ophir precious Sweet was the savour which his grace did give It season'd all the place where he did live His Name did as an Ointment give it's smell And all bare witness that it savour'd well Wisdome Love Meekness Friendly Courtesie Each Moral Virtue with rare Pietie Pure Zeal yet mixt with mildest Clemency Did all conspire in this one Breast to lye Deep was his Knowledge Judgement was acute His Doctrine solid which none could confute To Minde he gave light of intelligence And search'd the corners of the Conscience To Sinners stout which no Law could bring under To them he was a Son of dreadful Thunder When all strong Oaks of Bashan us'd to quake And fear did Lebanus his Cedars shake The stoutest Hearts he filled full of fears He clave the Rocks they melted into tears Yet to sad Souls with sense of Sin cast down He was a Son of Consolation Sweet peace he gave to such as were centrite Their darkness sad he turn'd to joyous light Of Preaching he had learn'd the rightest Art To every one dividing his own part Each Ear that heard him said He spake to me So piercing was his holy Ministrie His Life did shine Times Changes stain'd it not Envy it self could not there finde a spot Had he surviv'd to finish Works begun 'T had been a Blessing to all Christendome Then should the world have known what God had show'd him And what themselves for all his Works had ow'd him But this unthankfull Age is now cut short Of that rich Treasure ' cause they car'd not for 't O that his love may turn us yet to prize The blessings yet enjoy'd herein be wise Lest that which he not long ago foretold Be now in us fulfil'd as 't was of old That wantonness of Churches would bereave Them of their Ministers without their leave God plaguing this his messengers contempt With this soul-stroying Plague and Punishment But whatsoever wrath doth us abide Whatever plague for sin doth us betide Yet thou O blessed Saint art now at rest I' th bosom of thy Christ which is the best Bathing in rivers of divine pleasure Which is at Gods right hand most sweet and pure Tasting the fruit of all thy labours spent To honour God which was thy whole intent From God thou camest forth who sent thee hither And now hath call'd thee back to live together Him didst thou serve while life and breath did last With him now blest while life and breath is past Sense of our loss would call thee back again But out of love we bid thee there remain Till we yet left behinde our course fulfil To meet thee on the top of Zion hill When thou and we shall both rejoyce together So fast united as no death shall sever Both to sing praises to our heavenly King Who hath us saved from deaths poisonous sting And will restore our bodies from the grave Which them to dust of death consumed have Making them shine like brightness of the Sun With Glory ne'r to end when once begun Let Heaven and Earth Angels and Men him praise Sounding his Glory past all length of dayes P. B. 1648. THis Year Mr. William Bradford was elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth And were chosen his Assistants in Government Mr. Thomas Prince Mr. William Collier Captain Miles Standish Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown Mr. William Thomas 1649. THis Year Mr. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were Chosen his Assistants in Government Mr. Thomas Prince Mr. William Collier Captain Miles Standish Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown And Mr. William Thomas This Year Mr. John Winthrop Governour of the Jurisdiction of the Massachusets deceased the twenty sixth day of March about ten of the clock The death of Mr. Winthrop He was singular for Piety Wisdom and of a publick spirit he brought over a great estate into the Country and partly by his liberality partly by the unfaithfulness of his Baily spent the most part of it so as when he died he was but low in that respect and yet notwithstanding very much honoured and beloved of the most and continued in the place of Governour for the most part until his death which was much lamented by many He was a man of unbyassed Justice patient in respect of personal wrongs and injuries a great lover of the Saints especially able Ministers of the Gospel very sober in desiring and temperate in improving earthly contentments very humble courteous and studious of general good His body was with great solemnity and honour buried at Boston in New-England the third of April 1649. This year some parts of the Country was much troubled with numerable hosts of Caterpillers An innumerable company of catterpillers in some parts of the Country which destroyed the fruits of the earth in divers places and did eat off the leaves of the trees so as they looked as bare as if it had been winter and in some places did eat the leaves from off the Pease straw and did not eat the Pease It pleased God to give them a check and a rebuke so as they hurt but in some places and of his goodness in short time removed them This Year August 25. that faithful and eminent servant of Christ Mr. Thomas Shepard died who was a soul-searching Minister of the Gospel and Pastor of the Church of Christ at Cambridge By his death not only that Church and people but also all New-England sustained a very great loss he not only preached the Gospel profitably and very successively but also hath left behinde him divers worthy works of special use in reference unto the clearing up the state of the
soul to God-ward the benefit thereof those can best experience who are most conversant in the improving of them and have Gods blessing on them therein to their souls good His body was honourably buried at Cambridge in New-England Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord for their works follow them Rev. 13.13 This Year there passed an Act of Parliament in England for the promoting and propagating the Gospel of Jesus Christ amongst the Indians in New-England in reference unto the furtherance and advancement of so good a work a Corporation of sixteen Select men were appointed consisting of a President Treasurer and Assistants called by the name of the President and Society for the propagation of the Gospel in New-England to receive such sums of money as from time to time was or should be collected and raised by the liberal contributions of such as whose hearts God was pleased to stir up to so glorious a work and it was by the same Parliament Enacted that the Commissioners for the United Colonies of New-England for the time being by themselves or such as they shall appoint shall have Power and Authority to receive and dispose of the said monies brought in paid to the said Treasurer for the time being or any other Monies Goods or Commodities acquired and delivered by the care of the said Corporation at any time whose receipt or receipts of such Person or Persons so Authorized by them shall be a sufficient discharge to the said Corporation and Treasurer The particulars of such Orders and Instructions with which the said Act is invested the Reader may be more amply satisfied in by the perusal thereof as it is extant bearing date July 27. 1649. Moreover let the Reader take notice of the special favour of Almighty God in moving the heart of the Kings Majesty since his Restitution to his Crown and Regal Dignity particularly of his Royal Favour to countenance this work and to secure what hath been and what may be given toward this work by a legal settlement which before was wanting so as the said glorious design hath been vigorously carried on both in Old England and in New by such active and faithful Instruments as God hath raised up and improved therein with some considerable success The work coming on to such perfection as that the Holy Bible is Translated and Printed in the Indian Language whereby the glad tidings of the Gospel is and may be communicated to them with the greater facility some souls also of them being gained as may be hoped to believe on the Lord Jesus for life everlasting and daily hopes of further and greater success in that behalf for which unspeakable riches of his grace let his Holy Name have all the praise throughout all ages The Principal Instruments improved in Preaching the Gospel of Christ unto the Indians are Mr. John Eliot Senior Mr. John Eliot Junior Mr. Thomas Mayhew Mr. Pierson Mr. Brown Mr. James Mr. Cotton Besides divers of their own Nation whose Names and number I know not 1650. THis Year Mr. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth Chosen Assistants to him in Government Mr. Edward Winslow Mr. Thomas Prince Mr. William Collier Captain Miles Standish Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown and Mr. William Thomas This Year there was more then ordinary mortality in the Country especially about Boston and mostly amongst their Children since which time New diseases the fruits of new sins several diseases have been in the Country more frequently then formerly as namely gripings in the bowels with violent Vomiting and Purging which hath taken away many as also a disease in the Mouth or Throat which hath proved mortal to some in a very short time as also great distempers of Colds c. which ought to be awakening dispensations together with others to cause us to consider and examine whether we have not provoked the Lord with some general and unwonted sins inasmuch as he is pleased to exercise the Country oft-times with unwonted afflictions and punishments 1651. THis Year Mr. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were Chosen his Assistants in Government Mr. Thomas Prince Mr. William Collier Captain Miles Standish Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown Mr. John Alden Captain Thomas Willet This Year Mr. William Thomas expired his natural life in much peace and comfort he served in the place of Magistracy in the Jurisdiction of Plimouth divers Years Mr. William Thomas his death he was a well approved and a well grounded Christian well read in the Holy Scriptures and other approved Authors and a good lover and approver of Godly Ministers and good Christians and one that had a sincere desire to promote the common good both of Church and State He died of a Consumption and was honourably buried at Marshfield in the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth 1652. THis year Mr. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth And Were Chosen his Assistants in Government Mr. Thomas Prince Capt. Myles Standish Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown Mr. John Alden Captain Thomas Willet Lieut. Thomas Southworth This Year that blessed Servant of God Mr. John Cotton died Of Mr. Cottons Life Mr. Norton hath Penned a Book whereunto I refer the Reader for more full relation of the same he was sometimes Preacher of Gods Word at Boston in Lincolnshire and from thence came over into New-England in the Year 1633 and was chosen Teacher of the first Church of Christ at Boston for which Function and Office he was greatly enriched with gifts abilities being an able expounder and faithful applier of the Word of God furnished also with wisdom and prudence to go before the Church in the ordering of the affairs thereof endowed also with meekness of spirit whereby he was fitted to compose such differences as did at any time arise amongst them he was very patient also in respect unto personal wrongs or injuries done unto himself yea towards his sharpest Antagonists An influence of good not only flowed from him unto the Church over whom he was set but also into all the Churches in New-England as necessity required A Comet seen at the time of Mr. Cottons sickness and went out soon after his death About the time of his sickness there appeared in the Heavens over New-England a Comet giving a dim light and so waxed dimmer and dimmer until it became quite extinct and went out which time of its being extinct was soon after the time of the period of his life it being a very signal testimony that God had then removed a bright Star a burning and shining light out of the heaven of his Church here unto Coelestial glory above He was buried at Boston in New-England with great Honour and Lamentation in the Year above written Upon whose never enough deplored death were made these Verses following A Funeral Elegie upon the death of the truely Reverend Mr. John Cotton late
Teacher of the Church of Christ at Boston in New-England ANd after Winthrop's Hooker's Shepard's Hâ—rse Doth Cotton's death call for a mourning Verse Thy will be done yet Lord who dealest thus Make this great death expedient for us Luther pull'd down the Pope Calvin the Prelate slue Of Calvin's Lapse chief cure to Cotton's due Cotton whose Learning Temper Godliness The German Phoenix lively did express Melancthon's all may Luthers word but pass Melancthons all in our great Cotton was Then him in flesh scarce dwelt a better one So great 's our loss when such a Spirit 's gone Whil'st He was here Life was more Life to me Now He is not Death hence less Death shall be That Comets great Mens deaths do oft forego This present Comet doth too sadly show This Prophet dead yet must in 's Doctrine speak This Comet saith else must New-England break VVhat ere it be the Heavens avert it far That Meteors should succeed our greatest Star In Bostons Orb Winthrop and Cotton were These Lights extinct dark is our Hemisphere In Boston once how much shin'd of our glory We now lament Posterity will story Let Boston live who had and saw their worth And did them Honour both in life and death To him New-England trust in this distress Who will not leave his exiles comfortless J. N. Upon the TOMB of the most Reverend Mr. John Cotton late Teacher of the Church of Boston in New-England HEre lies magnanimous Humility Majesty Meckness Christian Apathy On soft Affections Liberty in thrall A Noble Spirit Servant unto all Learnings great Master-piece who yet would sit As a Disciple at his Schollars feet A simple Serpent or Serpentine Dove Made up of Wisdome Innocence and Love Neatness Embroider'd with it self alone And Civils Canonized in a Gown Embracing old and young and low and high Ethicks imbodyed in Divinity Ambitious to be lowest and to raise His Brethrens Honour on his own Decayes Thus doth the Sun retire into his bed That being gone the Stars may shew their head Could wound at Argument without Division Cut to the quick and yet make no Incision Ready to Sacrifice Domestick Notions To Churches Peace and Ministers Devotions Himself indeed and singular in that Whom all admired he admired not Liv'd like an Angel of a Mortal Birth Convers'd in Heaven while he was on Earth Though not as Moses radiant with Light Whose Glory dazell'd the beholders sight Yet so divinely beautifi'd youl 'd count He had been born and bred upon the Mount A living breathing Bible Tables where Both Covenants at large engraven were Gospel and Law in 's Heart had each its Colume His Head an Index to the Sacred Volume His very Name a Title Page and next His Life a Commentary on the Text. O what a Monument of glorious worth When in a New Edition he comes forth Without Errata's may we think hee 'll be In Leaves and Covers of Eternitie A man of Might at heavenly Eloquence To fix the Ear and charm the Conscience As if Apollos were reviv'd in him Or he had learned of a Seraphim Spake many Tongues in one one Voice and Sense Wrought Joy and Sorrow Fear and Confidence Rocks rent before him Blinde receiv d their sight Souls levell'd to the dunghil stood upright Infernal Furies burst with rage to see Their Pris'ners captiv'd into Libertie A Star that in our Eastern England rose Thence hurry'd by the Blast of stupid foes Whose foggy Darkness and benummed Senses Brook'd not his daz'ling fervent Influences Thus did he move on Earth from East to West There he went down and up to Heaven for Rest Nor from himself whilest living doth he vary His Death hath made him an Ubiquitary Where is his Sepulchre is hard to tell Who in a thousand Sepulchres doth dwell Their Hearts I mean whom he hath left behind In them his Sacred Relique's now Enshrin'd But let his Mourning Flock be comforted Though Moses be yet Joshua is not dead I mean Renowned NORTON worthy hee Successor to our MOSES is to bee O happy Israel in AMERICA In such a MOSES such a JOSHUA B. W. 1653. MR. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were Chosen his Assistants in Government Mr. Thomas Prince Captain Miles Standish Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown Mr. John Alden Captain Thomas Willet Lieut. Thomas Southworth Mr. Thomas Dudley who was a principal Founder and Pillar of the Colony of the Massachusets in New-England and sundry times Governour and Deputy Governour of that Jurisdiction died at his house in Roxbury July 31. in the seventy seventh Year of his age he was a person of quick understanding and solid Judgement in the fear of the Lord he was a lover of 1 Justice 2 Order 3 the People 4 Christian Religion the supream virtues of a good Magistrate 1. His love to Justice appeared at all times and in special upon the Judgement seat without respect of persons in Judgement and in his own particular transactions with all men he was exact and exemplary 2. His zeal to Order appeared in contriving good Laws and faithfully executing them upon criminal offenders Hereticks and Underminers of true Religion He had a piercing Judgement to discover the Wolf though cloathed with a sheep-skin 3. His love to the People was evident in serving them in a publick capacity many Years at his own cost and that as a nursing Father to the Churches of Christ 4. He loved the true Christian Religion and the pure Worship of God and cherished as in his bosom all godly Ministers and Christians he was exact in the practice of Piety in his person and family all his life in a word he lived desired and died lamented by all good men The Verses following were found in his Pocket after his death which may further illustrate his Character and give a taste of his poetical fancy wherein it is said he did excel DIm Eyes deaf Ears cold stomack shew My dissolution is in view Eleven times seven near liv'd have I And now God calls I willing die My Shuttle's shot my race is run My Sun is set my Deed is done My Span is measur'd Tale is told My Flower is faded and grown old My Dream is vanish'd Shadow 's fled My Soul with Christ my Body dead Farewel dear Wife Children and Friends Hate Heresie make blessed ends Bear Poverty live with good men So shall we meet with joy agen Let men of God in Courts and Churches watch O're such as do a Toleration hatch Lest that ill Egg bring forth a Cockatrice To poyson all with Heresie and Vice If men be left and otherwise combine My Epitaph's I dy'd no Libertine This Year Mr. John Laythrop did put off his Earthly Tabernacle He was sometimes Preacher of Gods Word in Egerton in Kent from whence he went to London and was chosen Pastor of a Church of Christ there he was greatly troubled imprisoned for witnessing against the errours of the times during the
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
the Earth as is before-noted If the Effects of them usually are such Exod. 19.18 Psal 29 6. 104.32 Matth. 28.2 Psal 18.15 Zech. 14.4 Rev. 6.12 14. Mat 27 51. Acts 16.25 as by them is sometimes a discovery of the Channels of Water and Foundations of the World the Removing of Mountains from one place to another the Cleaving of Rocks and opening of Graves and of Gates yea the throwing down of many famous Buildings and Cities and some swallowed up and many thousands of people destroyed thereby the turning of plain Land into Mountains the throwing down of Mountains and raising up of Islands in the Sea the breaking out of Rivers where there were none before the discovery of burning Mountains where there were none seen before Famine and Pestilence of which particulars divers instances might be produced out of the Sacred Scriptures and several other Authors Ought we not then to fear and tremble before so great a God who as one saith by his Handmaid Nature doth so terribly shake the Earth as no Land can be sure no place so strong that can defend us Nay the more strong the more dangerous for the higher the greater the fall Let us therefore say with the Wise-man Eccles 3 14. I know that whatsoever God doth shall stand for ever nothing can be put to it nor any thing taken from it and God doth it that men should fear before him This Year Mr. John Brown ended this life in his younger Years travelling into the low Countries he came acquainted with and took good liking to the Reverend Pastor of the Church of Christ at Leyden as also to sundry of the Brethren of that Church which ancient amity induced him upon his coming over to New England to seat himself in the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth in which he was chosen a Magistrate in which place he served God and the Country several Years he was well accomplished with abilities to both civil and religious concernments and attained through Gods grace unto a comfortable perswasion of the love and favour of God to him he falling sick of a Feaver with much serenity and spiritual comfort fell asleep in the Lord and was honourably buried at Wannamoiset near Rehoboth in the spring of the Year abovesaid 1663. THis Year Mr. Thomas Prince was Chosen Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were chosen to be his Assistants in Government Mr. William Collier Mr. John Alden Capt. Thomas Willet Major Josias Winslow Capt. Thomas Southworth Capt. VVilliam Bradford Mr. Thomas Hinckley This year Mr. Samuel Newman Teacher of the Church of Christ at Rehoboth changed this life for a better He was sometimes Preacher of Gods Word at Weymouth in the Jurisdiction of the Massachusets and from thence removed to Rehoboth where he continued in the Work of the Ministry untill the end of his dayes He was a lively dispenser of the Word of God and of a pious life very hospitable and at the close of his life very full of joy and comfort and with chearfulness of spirit resigned himself up to the Lord and his Spirit into arms of his blessed Redeemer desiring that the holy Angels might do their office in transporting his Soul into everlasting bliss and happiness He fell asleep in the Lord on the the fifth of July 1663. This year also it pleased God to put a speedy period to the life of Mr John Norton who was a burning and a shining Light and although the Church of Boston in a more special manner felt the smart of this sudden blow yet it reflected upon the whole Land He was singularly endowed with the Tongue of the Learned inabled to speak a word in due season not onely to the wearied Soul but also a word of Counsel to a people in necessity thereof being not onely a wise Steward of the things of Jesus Christ but also a wise Statesman so that the whole Land sustained a great loss of him At his first coming over into New-England he arrived at Plimouth where he abode the best part of one Winter and Preached the Gospel of the Kingdome unto them and ever after to his dying day retained a good affection unto them From thence he went to Boston and from thence to Ipswich in New-England where he was chosen the Teacher of their Church and after the death of worthy Mr. Cotton he was sollicited and at length obtained to return to Boston and there served in that Office untill his death He was chosen by the Jurisdiction of the Massachusets together with the much honoured Mr. Simon Bradstreet to go over into England as Agents in the behalf of that Jurisdiction unto His Majesty and the Privy-Council upon Business of greatest Trust and Concernment and soon after his Return it pleased God suddenly and unexpectedly to take him away by death on the fifth day of April 1663. His Body was honourably buried at Boston On whose much lamented death take this following Elegie An Elegie on the Death of that Eminent Minister of the Gospel Mr. John Norton the Reverend Teacher of the Church of Christ at Boston who exchanged this life for a better April 5. 1663. ASk not the reason why Tears are our meat And none but Mourners seen in ev'ry street Our Crown alas is faln from our head We finde it off Woe to us NORTON's dead Our breach is like the Sea no healing's known To comfort Sions daughter is there none Oh teach your daughters Wailing every one Their Neighbours deepest Lamentation Oh that mine eyes a Fountain were of Tears I 'd day and night in Mourning spend my years My Father Father Israels Chariots thou And Horsemen wer 't Sons of the Prophets now Weep since your Master from your head is taken This Father of the Muses hath forsaken His Study here not liking our dark Roome Doth chuse those Mansions in his Fathers Home The Schoolmen's Doctors whomsoe're they call Subtile Seraphick or Angelicall Dull Souls their Tapers burnt exceeding dim They might to School again to learn of him Lombard must out of date we now profess Norton the Master of the Sentences Scotus a Dunce to him Should we compare Aquinas here none to be named axe Of a more heavenly strain his Notions were More pure sublime Scholastical and cleare More like the Apostles Paul and John I wist Was this our Orthodox Evangelist And though an Exile from his Native Land As John in Patmos was yet here the hand Of Christ leads forth more clearly to espy The New-Jerusalem in her bravery Who more Acute in Judgement was then he More famous too for Heavenly Policie He was a wise and faithful Counsellor One of a thousand an Interpreter Mighty in Word and Prayer who could have Whate're almost from Heaven he did crave On him with things without which I 'le not name The care of all the Churches daily came He car'd thus naturally Oh hear that Rod Which us bereav'd of such a Man of God! Zealous for Order very Criticall For
what was truely Congregationall A Pillar of our Church and State was he But now No more no more his face we see Who thought more fit of all his Tribe to stand Before our King for favour for our Land Lately but now translated is to Rest This Agent of New-Englands Interest VVhen last he Preach'd he us the Patern gave Of all that Worship Christ in 's Church would have God then him up into the Mount did call To have the Vision Beatificall As Thomas to the Twelve said Come let 's go And die with him I 'd almost said so too I 'le yet awhile in Tears sowe that I may VVith him in joyful Reapings live for ay A Tomb now holds his Souls beloved Shrine Of th' Holy Ghost a Temple most divine And well New-Englands Heart may rent at this VVonder not Reader I so greatly miss Fit words his Worth our loss and grief to fame VVhen as no Epitaph can declare the same T.S. Not long after viz. in the moneth of July followed the death of that Eminent Servant of God Mr. Samuel Stone who was another Star of the first Magnitude in the Firmament of New-England He was a learned solid and judicious Divine equally able for the Confirmation of the Truth and Confutation of Errours His Ministry was with much Conviction and Demonstration and when he set himself to Application very Powerful He was Teacher to the Church of Hartford fourteen years together with Mr. Hooker and sixteen years after him Thirty years in all He died on the 20th of July and was honourably buried at Hartford A Threnodia upon our Churches second dark Eclipse happening July 20. 1663. by Deaths Interposition between us and that Great Light and Divine Plant Mr. Samuel Stone late of Hartford in New-England LAst Spring this Summer may be Autumn styl'd Sad withering Fall our Beauties which despoyl'd Two choicest Plants our Norton and our Stone Your Justs threw down remov'd away are gone One Year brought Stone and Norton to their Mother In one Year April July them did smother Dame Cambridge Mother to this darling Son Emmanuel Northampt ' that heard this one Essex our Bay Hartford in Sable clad Come bear your parts in this Threnodia sad In losing One Church many lost O then Many for One come be sad singing men May Nature Grace and Art be found in one So high as to be found in few or none In him these Three with full-fraught hand contested With which by each he should be most invested The Largess of the Three it was so great On him the Stone was held a Light compleat A Stone more then the Eben-ezer fam'd Stone splendent Diamond right Orient nam'd A Cordiall Stone that often cheared hearts With pleasant Wit with Gospel rich imparts Whet-Stone that Edgefi'd th' obtusest Minde Load-Stone that drew the Iron Heart unkinde A Ponderous Stone that would the Bottom sound Of Scripture-depths and bring out Arcan's found A Stone for Kingly David's use so fit As would not fail Goliah's Front to hit A Stone an Antidote that brake the course Of Gangrene Errour by Convincing force A Stone Acute fit to divide and square A Squared Stone became Christs Building rare A Peter's Living lively Stone so Reared As ' live was Hartfords life dead death is feared In Hartford old Stone first drew Infant-breath In New effus'd his last O there beneath His Corps are laid near to his darling Brother Mr. Hooker Of whom dead oft he sigh'd Not such another Heaven is the more desireable said he For Hooker Shepard and Haynes Company E. B. 1664. 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 J sias Winslow Capt. Tho. Southworth Capt. William Bradford Mr. Thomas Hinkley This year a Blazing-Star or Comet appeared in New-England in the Ninth Tenth Eleventh and the beginning of the Twelfth Moneth Concerning which it hath been observed That such was its motion that in all likelihood it was visible to all the Inhabitants of the Earth and that also in its motion the Blaze of it did turn to all the quarters of the World and that by its turning according to the several Aspects it had to the Sun it was no fiery Meteor caused by Exhalation but that it was sent immediately by God to awake the secure World I willingly close with that which Mr. Samuel Danforth hath Religiously observed as to the Theological Application of this strange and notable Appearance in the Heavens That indeed by the Testimony of the Sacred Scriptures and the common Histories of former Ages Comets do usually precede and portend great Calamities and notable Changes To adde a few more Instances to those the said Author hath well observed When the Emperour Jovian attained to the Empire succeeding the Apostata Julian under whom the Church suffered much Persecution and that under him both Church and Commonwealth were like to have had a flourishing time had he not been taken away by sudden death Socrates lib. 4. Cap. 22. Then also appeared a Comet shewing that further trouble was yet to be expected to the Church Again other Authors make mention of a strange Comet that was seen in the year of Christ 410 being like a Two-edged Sword which portended many Mischiefs and Calamities that happened both in the East and West and such great slaughters of men were about those dayes as no Age ever afforded the like All Europe was in a manner undone no small part of Asia was affrighted and Africa also was not void of those Evils as War Famine Drought and Pestilence all of them strove as it were to trouble the whole World Also in the Years 1400 1401 1402 1403 Comets appeared and great Calamities followed sundry unheard-of Diseases were felt Rivers dried up and Plagues were increased Reade Carion lib. 5. pag 854. Tamerlain King of the Scythians and Parthians with an innumerable Host invaded Asia calling himself The Wrath of God and Desolation of the Earth Also in the Year 1529 appeared four Comets and in the Years 1530 1532 and 1533 were seen in each year one Lanquet saith That there were three within the space of two years upon which these and the like Calamities followed viz. A great Sweating Sickness in England which took away great multitudes of people The Turk in the quarrel of John Vnavoyda who laid Claim to the Crown of Hungaria entred the said Kingdome with Two hundred and fifty thousand fighting Souldiers committing against the Inhabitants thereof most harsh and unspeakable Murthers Rapes Villanies and Cruelties Great Famine and Dearth in Venice and the Countries thereabouts which swept away many The Sweating Sickness in Bâ—abant and in a great part of Germany Great Wars likewise about the Dukedome of Millain between the Emperour Charles the Fifth and Francis the French King About that time also all Lusitania or Portugal was struck with an
Dispute not over-bold this Judgement deep A Mourning great each Eye distilling Streams Sad Sighs and Sobs in most men's mouthes their Theams And who can blame it for this we well may If Love if Fear if Temple-shakes bear sway The Wife hath lost her Head four hopeful Stems A Father Cambridge too their Crowning Gems Neighbours a useful Light Elders a Brother Whose Head and Mouth made him to most a Father Sad Cambridge when thou lost thy Thomas dear God pitied thee and gave a right Compeer This Jonathan thy Mitchell one in whom Was Much-of-EL a Michael judg'd by some Right strong in School in Desk of brightest shine Artist good Linguist high Orthodox Divine Of Judgement deep of Memory how large Invention quick grave pleasant who can charge Thee in thy Theory or Practick with dark fail Humble Sincere whose Love-cords did avail Much good by him you Cambridge have receiv'd He gone by you his Relicts see reliev'd A Royal Quaere 't was when Jonathan dead And Royal Act Jonathan's Stems to feed E.B. To the Memory of the Learned and Reverend Mr. Jonathan Mitchell late Minister of Cambridge in N. E. Inhumed July 10. 1668. Quicquid agimus quicquid Patimur venit ex Alto. THe Countries Tears be ye my Spring my Hill A general Grave let Groans inspire my Quill With an Heart-rending Sense drawn from the Cries Of Orphan Churches and the Destinies Of a Bereaved House Let Children weep They scarce know why and let the Mother steep Her lifeless Hopes in Brine The Private Friend O'rewhelm'd with grief falter his Comforts end By a warm Sympathie let Feaverish Heat Roam through my Verse unseen and a Cold Sweat Limning Despair attend me Sighs diffuse Convulsions through my language such as use To type a Gasping Fancy Lastly shroud Religions Splendor in a Mourning Cloud Replete with Vengeance for succeeding Times Fertile in Woes more fertile in their Crimes These are my Muses These inspire the Sails Of Fancy with their Sighs in stead of Gales Reader reade Rev'rend Mitchel's Life and then Confess the World a Gordian Knot agen Reade his Tear-delug'd Grave and then decree Our present Woe and future Miserie Stars falling speak a Storm when Samuel dies Saul may expect Philistia's Cruelties So when Jehovah's brighter Glory fled The Temple Israel was Captive led Geneva's Triple Light made one Divine But here that vast Triumvirate combine By a blest Metempsycosis to take One Person for their larger Zodiake In Sacred Censures Farrels dreadfull Scroul Of Words broke from the Pulpit to the Soul Indulgent Parents when they spare they spoyle Old Wounds need Vinegar as well as Oyle Distastful Cates with Miseries do suit The Paschal Lamb was eat with bitter fruit In Balmy Comforts Virets Genius came From th' wrinkled Alps to wooe the Western Dame And Courting Cambridge quickly took from thence Her last Degrees of Rhetorick and Sense Calvin's Laconicks through his Doctrine spred And Children's Children with their Manna fed His Exposition Genesis begun And fatall Exodus Eclips'd his Sun Some say that Souls oft sad Presages give Death-breathing Sermons taught us last to live One sowes another reaps may truely be Our Grave-Instruction and his Elegie His System of Religion half unheard Full double in his Preaching Life appear'd Happy that place where Rulers Deeds appear I' th' Front o' th' Battel and their Words i' th' Rear He 's gone to whom his Country owes a love Worthy the prudent Serpent and the Dove Religion's Panoply the Sinners Terrour Death summon'd hence sure by a Writ of Errour The Quaker trembling at his Thunder fled And with Caligula resum'd his Bed He by the Motions of a Nobler Spirit Clear'd Men and made their Notions Swine inherit The Munster Goblin by his holy flood Exorcis'd like a thin Phantasma stood Brown's Babel shatter'd by his Lightning fell And with Confused Horrour pack'd to hell The Scripture with a Commentary bound Like a lost Calice in his Heart was found When he was Sick the Air a Feaver took And thirsty Phoebus quaft the Silver Brook When Dead the Spheres in Thunder Clouds Rain Groan'd his Elegium Mourn'd and Wept our Pain Let not the Brazen Schismatick aspire Lot's leaving Sodom left them to the Fire 'T is true the Bee 's now dead but yet his Sting Death 's to their Dronish Doctrines yet may bring Epitaphium HEre lyes within this Comprehensive Span The Churches Courts and Countries Jonathan He that speaks Mitchell gives the Schools the Lie Friendship in Him gain'd an Ubiquity Vivet post Funera Virtus F. D. An Epitaph upon the deplored Death of that Supereminent Minister of the Gospel Mr. Jonathan Mitchel HEre lyes the Darling of his time Mitchell Expired in his prime Who four years short of Fourty seven Was found full Ripe and pluck'd for Heaven Was full of prudent Zeal and Love Faith Patience Wisdome from above New-England's Stay next Ages Story The Churches Gemme the Colledge Glory Angels may speak him Ah! not I Whose Worth's above Hyperbole But for our Loss wer 't in my power I 'de weep an Everlasting Shower J. S. A fourth Minister that died this year was Mr. John Eliot Junior born at Roxbury in New-England Eldest Son of the Reverend Mr. John Eliot Teacher of the Church there He was Educated at Cambridge in the Latine School and in the Colledge untill he became Master of Arts and a few years after was called to be Pastor of a Church within the Bounds of Cambridge upon the South-side of Charles River He was a person excellently endowed and accomplished with Gifts of Nature Learning and Grace of comely Proportion ruddy Complexion chearful Countenance of quick Apprehension solid Judgement excellent Prudence Learned both in Tongues and Arts for one of his time and studiously intense in acquiring more knowledge His Abilities and Acceptation in the Ministry did excell His Piety Faith Love Humility Self-deniall and Zeal did eminently shine upon all occasions He had under the conduct of his Father by his diligence industry and zeal for the good of Souls attained to such skill in the Indian Language that he Preached to the Indians sundry years Travelling many miles in a day once a Fortnight to dispense the Gospel to them The Indians have often said that his Preaching to them was precious and desireable and consequently their loss and the obstruction in that Work much to be lamented In a word there was so much of God in him that all the wise and godly who knew him loved and honoured him in the Lord and bewailed his death which sell upon the 13 day of October 1668. and of his Age about 35 years I Shall close up this small History with a word of Advice to the Rising-generation That as now their godly Predecessors have had large Experience of the goodness and faithfulness of God for the space of near Fourty six years some of them and have passed under various Dispensations sometimes under great Afflictions other-while the Sun shining upon
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