A NARRATIVE Of The Planting of the Massachusets COLONY Anno 1628. With the LORDS Signal Presence the First Thirty YEARS Also a Caution from New-Englands APOSTLE the GREAT COTTON How to Escape the Calamity which might Befall them or their POSTERITY And Confirmed by the EVANGELIST NORTON With Prognosticks from the FAMOUS Dr. OWEN Concerning the Fate of these Churches and Animadversions upon the Anger of God in sending of Evil Angels among us Published by Old Planters the Authors of the Old Mens Tears Psalm 78.2.3 4. I will utter dark sayings of Old Which we have heard and known and our Faâ—hers have told us c. Jer. 6.16 Thus saith the Lord stand ye in the ways and â—ie and ask for the old paths where is the good way walk â—herein and ye shall find rest for your souls but they said â—e will not walk therein â—oston Printed and Sold by Benjamin Harris at the sign of the BIBLE over-against the â—lem-Aâ—châ—r 160â— To the Honourable Simon Broadstreet Esq Late GOVERNOUR of the Massachusets-Colony Honoured Sir THE Long Experience of your being the onâ— Surviving Antiquary of us Nov-Angle the Prime Secretary and Register of our civil aâ— sacred Records and the Bifronted Janus who saw tâ— Closure of the Old and the Overture of this Neâ— Albion World One who in your Juveni strength ingaged your All to Raise and Buâ—â— up the Arduous Hazzardous Structure of thâ— then despised and despicable Fabrique so as its oâ— servers said of it what will these Feeble me Build if a Fox go up he shall even break dowâ— the stone-wall of which themselves and all is Spectators must now say Lo what hath Goâ— done That the Great GOD did then select and adapâ— Your Person and Enrowle your Name among thâ— Nursing Fathers of this his Out cast Sion whosâ— Names are imbalmed to Eternity that you have through nine hard Apprentiships of above sixty years durance in the service of your Generation and faithful discharge of that trust for so long a season 〈◊〉 as hath Rendred you a MOOT-MAN 〈◊〉 be dignified with the highest Honour this peoâ—â—â— were capable to confer Whither should this narrow Narrative go to â—ake its address for Patronage and Avowry of its â—erity but to Your Honours feet there to Prostrate â—nd submit it self to the touch and test of the Lyâ—â—an Stone thereof its substance being extracted out 〈◊〉 the Records and the rest founded upon the Pubshers certaine knowledge and observation As for the Censure of the whole or part to be the â—elyrious dotage of Bis Puerile and Superannuated â—rains let such please to satisfy themselves with â—â—eir own Speculations But for Your Venerable Self that the Ancient of â—ays and the God of the Spirits of all flesh would â—â—ase to renew Your Age as the Eagles so as â—â—u may be Our New-England Nestor that the â—â—cays of Your outward may be made up by recruits 〈◊〉 fresh Anointing from above upon Your Inner man â—â—at Your Dayes may be prolonged to remain in the â—â—â—st of those who actually are Our Fathers Our â—athers the Chariots of our Israel and the â—orsemen thereof and until you are become a full â—â—pe Sheaf fit to be safely laid up in Your Lord 〈◊〉 Masters Garner Is the Daily Prayer of Your Honours Humble and Obliged Servant J. S. A NARRATIVE Of the Planting of the Massachusets-Colony c THE Late Series of Divine Dispâ—sations tending not only to 〈◊〉 dissolving of the Cemerâ—â— but 〈◊〉 the Subverting of the Basis of tâ—â— Fabrick which the Wonderâ—â—â— Worker hath here so stupendiously erected nâ—â— to the Cropping off their Branches but to tâ—â— Rooting up of the tender Plant which the Heâ—venly Father here so graciously hath Planteâ— hath put some of the Old Relict Planteâ— upon smiting on our thighs and serious coâ—siderations of what provoking evils we haâ—â— committed and what special sins God noâ—â— would bring to our Remembrance wherebâ— we have so highly displeased our Benig â—â—l and Gracious Father thus tremenduously â—reat us the Aspect of Providence so terâ—y varying from what formerly it was â—â—nt to be puts us into an amusing amazeâ—nt And being in this perpleâ—ed Labyâ—th of Distracting thoughts of heart there 〈◊〉 darted into our Meditations a Caution â—ich above Eight Septenaries of Years past â—â—me from the first Seraphical Doctor of â—â—cton Church Mr John Cotton whose name in â—â—urches is as Ointment powred forth and if 〈◊〉 word of his successor may pass for Current 〈◊〉 was the greatest Luminary in our New-Engâ—â—â—d Orbs and a great Prophet and the truth is 〈◊〉 most intelligent of those times took them â—â—th for no less he in his funeral Elegy upon 〈◊〉 death gave him both these tiâ—les and Deâ—nting upon Gods Magnifying him in his sickâ—â—ss not only in the sight of this Israel but of 〈◊〉 great part of the discerning world by setâ—â—â—g up a Caelestial Flambeau in the Starry Reâ—â—on whither a Signal Minatory or Monitory â—â—t may be both the next age will better know â—â—directly followed the Reer of the Pleiades the Rising Progress and setting of the Seven â—â—â—ars as if iâ— had steer'd their Course 〈◊〉 the most strict observers took notice of he â—â—mself on his death bed being Informed of it â—plyed that it did portend to the state of these â—hurches this Comet appeared not only in the â—â—ne of his sickness but until his interment and then disappeared thereby Performing the Hâ—â—ourable Respects of those Stately Obsequiâ—â— which are only due and not done to any 〈◊〉 to Persons of greatest honour as to the Princâ—â— Notables and Scavants of the times had the but a shadow of the least Pretext to such thing befaln the Ignation Peter Cotton tâ—â— Famed Jesuite in his life or death it had beâ—â— beyond dispute that his Preference in their Râ—bricke or Saints Calender had been befoâ—â— Loyala their first Founder This Worthy man of God's successor Reveâ—end Norton thus versified of him This Prophet's dead now must in 's Doctrine speak This Comet saith Else Must New-England break How near New-England now is to its breaâ—ing the All-knowing One only knows bâ—â— the muteness of this Prophets Doctrine is wiâ—â— all solemnity and sadness of Soul to be Lamented This Venerable Seer whose method was 〈◊〉 go through the Books of Scripture he Entreâ—â— upon and had in his Ministerial Course iâ— both Bostons been lengthened our to little leâ—â— then forty years went through near the whole Bible he was then upon Acts 7. concerning Stephens Discourse before the Council about the History of Israel the Church in the Wilderness taking up the Tabernacle of Molockâ— â—â—d the Star of their God Remphan Figures â—hich they made to Worship whereupon â—ods Threatning immediately followed And 〈◊〉 will carry you away beyond Baâ—ilon Shewing â—â—at this provocation was so great as God then â—â—reatned them with the Babylorian Captivity which befel their Posterity divers hundred â—ears after he notified the time when the â—lace where and the persons
description of the Ruling Flders Office and Work then here is declared also in the Plat-form of Church Discipline It 's therefore no Humane Invention nor Apochriphal Practice of our Predecessors It 's Remembred by some of the Old Planters Children that there were such men when they were young that were called Ruling Elders but what men they were or what was their work they professed they could not tell What a shame is it to our Churches that through Disuse Misuse and Nonuse of them such a question should be put by any of above Fifty Years of Age now Living among us all which is affirmed for a certain known Truth The same Reverend man of God being imployed the last Narraganset Wars by our Worthy Elders to make Report and Return to the General Court of the provoking evils then found among us did represent to them the Churches incompleatness of Officers to be one of the great evils Provocations grouâ—â— of Displeasure unto God then among us sorâ— replied unto him That the country and Churcâ— were poor and could not maintain them he maâ—â— them a Ready Grave and Divine Answeâ— True said he were they mens Officers theâ— were argument in what they said but beiâ—â— GODS Officers there was no ground for feâ—â— of it he having Promised and said Prove aâ—â—try me if we could but trust him he wouâ—â— open the Heavens and pour down his Bleâ—sings it 's Robbing of God we are now callâ—â— to an account for we fear that Covetuouâ—ness Pride and Ambition hinders the Discâ—very of our Achan The Lord pour down uâ—on Jerusalem the Spirit of Grace and Suppliâ— cation and that he would open the Fountain yâ—â— Sin and Uncleanness that Holiness unto the Loâ—â— may be writ upon our hearts houses and emplâ—ments whether Sacred or civil and upon our Pâ—â— teritys As we have cause to weep over and 〈◊〉 wail our former tears begging that they mâ—â— be washed in the Blood of the Lamb so thâ— these our faint Sighs and Sobs may be Coâ—dial and accepted in the Blood of the eveâ—lasting Covenant that what we say may 〈◊〉 realized in our Souls The good Lord dire our Hearts into the knowledge of his love waiting for the Pouring forth of his Spirit 〈◊〉 on ourselves and the rising generation tâ—◠〈◊〉 may diâ—cern and by the Divine Aids thereâ—â— be enabled to do the respective work of â—â—â—r Generation according to the will of â—OD before these things be hid from our â—â—yes That we may have the tasts of that Mercy â—â—d Grace springing from the Love of the â—â—ther who knows the thoughts of his own â—â—art and manifests them to poor Penitents â—â—at they passing through the heart of him â—â—ho layeth in the Fathers Bosome may descend â—â—to our hearts by the Holy Spirit dwelling 〈◊〉 us which Blessed Circulation Reverting by â—â—e Operation of the same Spirit which maâ—â—th requests for us who know not to pray 〈◊〉 we ought and passing thro' the heart and â—â—nds of our great Mediator may arrive â—â—cend into the heart of the Father who is â—â—e Origine and Fountain of all Blessedness â—he Father himself loving us That this Spirit may make intercession for 〈◊〉 with Groans which can't be uttered he â—â—at searches the hearts knowing what is the â—â—nd of the Spirit because he maketh interâ—â—sion for the Saints according to the Will of â—â—d Oh that we might experience these â—â—â—ngs that this Heavenly Dove sent into our â—â—arts may make us grean and mourn like â—â—se in the Clefts of the Rocks that as the whole â—â—eation growns and travails in pain with â—â—cks stretched out waiting to be delivered â—â—m their Bondage and Corruption into the Liberty oâ— the Sons oâ— God that we receivin the first fruits thereof may with Eyes an Hands lifted up wait for the Adoption eve the Redemption of our Souls and Bodies which Great Grace the GOD OF ALâ— GRACE Grant to Us and Our Poor Chiâ—dren with all his ISRAEL For the Saâ—â— of Our Dear LORD JESUS to whoâ— with the FATHER and HOLYSPIRIâ— Be the Kingdom Power and Glory For Ever AMEN A FUNERAL ELEGY Upon the Death of the truly Reverend Mr. JOHN COTTON Late Teacher of a Church of Christ at Boston in New-England Who Died the Twenty Third was Buried the Twenty Ninth of December 1652. ANd after Winthrop Hooker Shepheards Herse Doth Cottons Death call for a Mourning Verse Thy Will be done yet Lord who dealeth thus Make this great Death expedient for us Luther pull'd down the Pope Calvin the Prelate slew Of Calvins Lapse chief Cure to Cottons due Cotton whose Learning Temper Godliness The Germane Phaenix lively did express Melancthon's all may Luther's word but pass Melancthon's all in our Great Cotton was Whilst he was here Life was more Life to me Now he is not Death hence less Death to me That Comets great mens death do oft forego This present Comet doth too sadly show This Prophet's dead yet must in 's Doctrine speak This Comet saith else must New-England break That e're it be the Heav'ns avert it far That Meteors should succeed our greatest Star In Bostons Orb Winthrop and Cotton were These Lights Extinct Dark is our Haemisphere In Boston once how much shin'd of our Glory VVe now Lament Posterity will Story Let Boston live who had and saw their VVorth And did them hot our both in Life and Death To him New-England trust in this Distress Who will not leave his Exiles Comfortless John Norton FINIS Reader Be pleased in page 18 for Christopher Gardner Read Sir Christopher Gardner ERRATA PAge 2. Lin. 11. for in Churches read in the Churches pag 6. l. 18. for graceful read grateful p. 12. l. 30. for Tarting read Parting p. â—3 l. 11. inâ—tead of Pectant r. Pecâ—ant p. 46. l. â—3 for Fathers r Father p. 48. l. 27. for Storm 〈◊〉 Scorn p. 49. l. 26. r. Internal p. 50. l. 17. â— alway p. 69. l. 29. r. Eaâ—th p. 72. l. 6. r. â—ints ibid l. 8. for twice r. once
ways of Subsistence which â—he first Planters Deserted and not a few did leave all their worldly hopes to come into this Desert unknown Land and smoaky Cottaâ—es to the Society of Cursed Cannibals as they have proved to be and at best wild Indians what less then a Divine Ardour could inflame a People thus Circumstanced to a work so contrary to Flesh and Blood Infinite Wisdom and Prudence contrived and directed this Mysterious Work of Providence Divine Courage and Resolution managed it Superhumane Sedulity and Diligence-â—tended it and Angelical Swiftness and Dispatch finished it Its Wheels stirr'd not â—it according to the HOLY SPIRITS moâ—on in them yea there was the Involution of a Wheel within a Wheel Gods Ways were 〈◊〉 Great Depth and high above the Eagle or mans Cockle-shell is infinitely unable to Emptie this Ocean Let us Commemorate their Exodus or Departure from our Nation These Prudent Undertakers sent forth their Forlorn Hope in two Ships Laden with Passengers and Servants two years before they mov'd with their main Body and Pattent Government which were fully Furnished with a Pastor and Teacher Worthy Higgison and Skelton and all Materials for Compleaâ—ing of a Church of Christ according to Divine Institution Who safely Arriving according to their predeterminate Design of Inlargement of Christ's Kingdom and His Majesty of England's Dominion Firstly they set up their Standards Dethroning Satan they cast him out of Heaven which beyond time memorial he had in the Natives Consciences and by Turf and Twig they took possession of this his large Continent and set up the first Church in these Parts in a place they then called Salem at which Convention the Testimony which the Lord of all the Earth bore unto it is wonderfully memorable by a Saving Work upon a Gentleman of Quality Major General Gibbins who afterwards was the Chieftain and Flower of New-England's Militia and an Eminent Instrument both in Church and Commonwealth he being the younger Brother of the House of an Honourable Extract his Ambition exceeding what he could expect at home Rambled bither Before one Stone was laid in thâ— Structure or our Van-Currier's Arrival he waâ— no Debauchee but of a Jocund Temper and one of the Merry Mounts Society who chosâ— rather to Dance about a May pole first Erected to the Honour of Strumpet Flora than to heaâ— a good Sermon who hearing of this Meeting though above Twenty Miles distant from it and desirous to see the Mode and Novel of a Churches Gathering with great studiousness he applyed himself to be at it where beholding their orderly procedure and their method of standing forth to declare the Work of Gâ—â— upon their Souls being pricked at the Heart he sprung forth among them desirous to be one of the Society who though otherwise welâ— acomplished yet divinely illiterate was therâ— convinc'd and judged before all the secretâ— of his heart being made manifest fell down and Worshipped God to their astonishment saying That God was in them of a Truth the Verity hereof as long since it hath been affirmed by old Planters so by his own Manuscript found after his Death it 's confirmed he about that time Lamenting his Christless Estate which evidenceth that it ought to be said of that Sion This man was Born there One winterafter these good spies had viewed this Land who sent letters of the prosperous good hand of Providence upon them the taste of the fruits of this Countrie was sweeter and more welcome to their Principalls in England then the Grapes of Eschol were to Israel of â—â—ld The Leaders of this People upon serious depate drew up a Determination to settle the Corporation and government upon the Place and Deputy to abide there which being effected and Divinely directed in such a Choice of the Governour the Famous Pattern of Wisdom Justice and Liberality and of a Deputy Governour who by his Experience at Home and Travels Abroad with his Natural and Acquired Aâ—bilities was a Gentleman qualified above others for the chief Rule and Government wherein according to his just Deserts he shared more than others the Fame whereof being come Abroad in the Nation to such whose hearts God had touched this being upon the wing there wanted not Number of Persons of all Occupations skill'd in all Faculties needful for the Planting of a Collony who filled up a Fleet of Eleven Ships of considerable Burthen besides their Attenders some of them about Four Hundred Tuns the rest noâ— much inferiour some carrying near Two Hundred Passengers the rest proportionably the Wheels of Providence were lifted up very high and also were radiantly magnificent These Tarting Travellers Removal carrying so great a Resemblance of Departure into another World they were not stupid Stoicks but abounded with that which Grace doth no destroy but direct What showers of melting Tears dropt into the Bosomes of each other whose Souls as Jonathan and David clave one to another yet alleviated with consideration though they were Absent in Body yet Present in Spirit and of their mutual access to the Throne of Grace and of Meeting at the Assembly of the First-born and Spirits of Just Men made Perfect Some of their choice Friends as the Reverend Mr. Cotton and others went along with them from Boston in Lincolnshire to South-hampton where they parted and he Preacht his Farewel Sermon That so many Eminent Persons some of Noble Extract should upon Sea-Bridges pass over the largest Ocean in the Universe by the good hand of their God upon them having sought of him a right way for themselves Little Ones and Substance yea above Three Thousand in one Year and that above Three Hundred Ships since that time all Laden with Jewels of Invaluable Value far above the Gold of Ophir that each individual one should have a Caelestial Convoy under the Flaming Swords of Flying Cherubims turning every way to keep them in their way so as they all at their Port safely Arrived Not one Foundered in the Sea Split upon Rocks were suckt in by Sands Over-set by sudden Gusts nor Taken and Plundered by Pirates on Robbers except one called the Angel Gabriel whose Tutular Guardiau Ship failed if any Aboard put trust therein she was Laden with Passengers for Boston but put in at Pemiquid where the Ship and whole Cargo perished but not one Soul of Seamen or Passengers miscarried they met with an Hurricane before or since not known in this Country Raised by the Power of him who holds the Wind in his Hand and Commissioneth the Prince of the Air by Raising Stormy Winds to fulfil his Word it 's said the Tide rose Twenty Foot perpen dicular above its ordinary height The same time another great Ship Laden with Passengers was wonderfully preserved when as ready to be Split in pieces upon Rocks at the Isle of Shoals at the Prayer of the distressed Saints Aboard God caused the Winds to Vere a Point or two about the Compass so as she cleared them they were
but Paraphrase and Comment upon the Book of Mr. Cottens Keys as he himself hath published to the World in answer to Mr. Cawdry That upon search of the Scriptures and weight of Argument thence deduced finding the Work of the Keyes exactly answering the Wards of the Lock of Christs Kingdom he was proselited from the Classical unto the Congregational Way of Churches Let it with all submissiveness be considered whether its Rumination may not be our concern who Writing of the State of these Churches saith That when a People through an apprehension of their own ignorance weakness and unmeetness well if it be not Laziness and Idleness to discern and judge matters of Religion for themselves and their own duty be kept and debar'd from it or when through their own sloth negligence and vitiousness shall be really uncapable to manage their own interest in Church Affairs as fit only to be governed if not as Bruit Creatures yet as mute persons these things shall be â—mplyed by the ambition of the Clergy ingrossing â—ll things in the Church to themselves as they did â—n former Ages That if the old Popedom do not Return a new one wiâ—l be Erected as bad as the other God forbid this prognostick should be the Fate of our Churches yet when we read the Apostle Pauls advice to Colosse Say to Archippus Take heed to thy Ministry which thou hast Received of the Lord when we consider the neglect of it we know not what to say The said Learned Man in a Book Published since his Death concerning the Rule and Order of Congregational Churches which he asserts to be the only Apostolical Churches both according to the Rules of Scripture and according to the Example of Primitive Humane Antiquitie to whom next unto the Sacred Scriptures we owe greatest Veneration and Credence which he in the said Book citeth in that Discourse treating of the Ruling Elders Office and Duty he saith I admire that any man should have so much confidence in his own Abilities so as to suppose himself Meet and Able for the Discharge of both sorts of Eâ—ders in the least Church of Christ In the same Treatise he further affirms It s evident that neither the Purity Order nor the Beauty or Glory of the Churches of Christ nor his Majesty or Authority in the Government of them can be long preserved without the multiplication Elders in them according to the proportion to 〈◊〉 Number of their respective Members for wâ— whereof the Churches of old and late have Deâ—nerated into Anarcby or Confusion or else giâ—â— themsel vss up unto the dominion of some prelatiâ—â— Teachers to rule at pleasure which was the poiâ—â— and bane of the other Primitive Churches and tâ—â— will do the same for the future in the neglect this Order God avert these sad Omens that they shouâ—â— befal our Churches and yet when wâ— read how the Mystery of Iniquity wrought apprently in some who loved the preheminence even in the Apostles time we are at a loss aâ— humbly leave it with him whose Face is nâ— to be seen but his back parts only while he passing before us in his Glory and taking way his hand Hath not New-England experienced this greaâ— truth What is become of the Majesty Authority and Glory of Christs Appearing in ouâ— Churches unto which Christs Defence is promised when we were compleated according tâ— Rule as at the first Let 's take Christs Counsel to Remember from whence we are Fallen Repent Remember our Rulers which havâ— declared unto us the Word of God whosâ— Fatth follow considering what hath beeâ— the end of their Conversation Jesus Chrisâ— the same yesterday to day and for ever Let 's noâ— be carried about with divers Doctrines and to mind what Memâ—â—◠〈…〉 â—orton hath left us to chew upon In his Treatise call'd The Heart of New-Enâ—and rent at the Blasphemies of the Times whose â—ords are It concerneth New-England always 〈◊〉 remember that originally they are a PLANTAâ—ION Religious not a PLANTATION of â—rade the Profession of the Purity of Doctrine Worship and Discipline is written upon their Foreâ—ead a spot of this vast Jeshimon converted â—nto Corn-fields Orchards Streets Inhabited â—nd a place of Merchandise cannot denomiâ—ate New-England all these notwithstanding if â—â—e fall away from her Profession call her â—habod The Glory is Departed in such a case â—hat was said of Samnium sometimes a Fa â—â—ous City in Italy viz. That they could not â—nd SAMNIUM in SAMNIUM will be veâ—fied in these Churches vix That NEW-ENGLAND is not to be found in NEW-ENGLAND nor BOSTON in BOSTON God â—orbid that after New England hath now shiâ—ed Twenty Years and more like a Light upon an Hill it should at last go out in the snuff of Morelianism thus far the words of Bostons great and second Seraphical Teacher who Forâ—y Years since declared these Fears about us as will further appear in the last page of this Scribled Narrative in his Funeral Elegy upon Mr. Cottons Death When our Stocks and Farms were not so multiplied nor our Trade â—nd Merchandise so increased nor the Number of our Members nor Mortuaries so greaâ— as now As Holy Herbert in his Pious Poem foretold of us As Gold and Grace never yet did agree Religion alway siding with Poverty That as the Church shall thither Westward flie So Sin shall Trace and Dog her instantly Yet we could maintain our Officers No question was then about the Ministers Tableâ— how they should be supplied the Silver and Gold in Darius his Exchequer was the Lords and he brought it out to advance Temple-work if the Church Stock needed Enlargement a word then from the Deacons was sufficient to bring forth more then enough yea to Moses calling for a restraint such inlargedness of heart then appeared as some old Planters may Remember It was an awful Speech of a Worthy Minister of the Gospel lately utter'd upon a Falt-Day in a Neighbour Congregation that he feared the Churches did not understand the Cause of Gods present Controversy that it was Reformation God looked for who us'd this Motive to provoke to Duty that if the present Generation did not attend and do their Duty the next should not and would not be capable of it and indeed how can it be expected That they should Reform that which they know not to be an evil nor to fall upon practice of an unknown Precept Pastors and Teachers are accounted as Supernumeraries no Rule but for one Officer in a Church and as for Ruling Elders they have been taken up by Tradition that there is but one word in the whole Bible for them yet the Faith once given to the Sains is earnestly yet Regularly to be contended for by them but they will find them more then twice mentioned in Rom. 12. among Church Officers viz. The Teacher is to attend on Teaching the Pastor or Exhorter on Exhortation the Giver to do it with simplicity He that Ruleth with diligence can there be a fuller
throwing â—heir Crowns before his Throne a Lively Emblem and Character of the first Apostolical Churches Organizâ—d and Compleated according to Christs Appointâ—ent with the Couragious Lion like Ruling Elder â—â—e Laborious Ox-like Pastor the humanely Compassiâ—nate Deacon and the Eagle Eyed Teacher Our â—his exceeding Immoralities are dipp'd in the Crimâ—â—n Tincture of Rebellion no marvel if our punishâ—ent be so great yet abundantly less then our Iniquities 〈…〉 The dread of Divine Anger and Wratâ— with the Guilt of Gâ—nscience which the Scriâ—ture of Truth declares and dictates unto 〈◊〉 as unknown in its power and that accordiâ—â— to Gods Fear such is his wrath this the wâ—â—dom of our Antients when Paynimes Râ—presented by Alecto and her two Sister-Furiâ—â— sent out of Tartaras with their Platted Châ—velures and Contorted Locks of Hissing Serpenâ— and Stinging Adders Hanging below theiâ— Necks whose Tails Tongues and Teeth weâ—â— full of Deadly Poyson enough to Fright a Sensible Man out of his Wits and our Gallanâ— out of their Head Gear It 's said to be ceâ—tainly true that no Rattle Snake ever was seeâ— beyond Merrimak River the Boundary of ouâ— First Patent nor that there hath been 〈◊〉 Convicted Witch on the other side of Piscâ—taquay River but if some Creatures may bâ— Credited how do we on this Side abound 〈◊〉 how do the Ignatian Loyalists with their Perverted Proselytes Triumph over our â—oor Captives saying We are the true Christians you the false we no Lye Swear but Pray and Praâ—se God as indeed at the Late Surprise of York before they fell to Sharing â—f their Plunder they met and Sung Te Deum Laudamus their Praises to God and at their Vespers oâ— Nocturnal Riâ—ings to Smoak it they Sing even Songs and Mattens in the Morning in their own Language with Harmonious Melody aâ— our Captives Testify how doth this Reflecâ— upon the Thousands of Non-Praying and Non-Praising Familys of the English they tell us Their Priests are good Men our Ministers are Devils and hung for Witches What will some of our own Nation reproach us with what is become of the New-Heaven and the New-Earth of your Non parralleld Reformation you boasted of whatever Piety your Fathers pretended in the Pia Mater of their Brains to be sure it is Ardled into impious matter of Devilism in their Childrens crack'd Crowns and therefore you are sent into a Region where there is Hellebore enough for all the Mazed Fanaticks in Europe thus is the Name of GOD His Tabernacle and those which dwell in Heaven Blasphemed for our sakes we not giving him the Glory and Honour due unto his Name others do say and they do very ill in their so speaking what is become of your resolved Revolution which God is now Plagueing you for and the Complication of Lies made to encourage and further it which of your Designs have prospered since Had you waited Gods time you should have had it with a Blessing but by your Lyes obtaining it you â—â—ve deeply paid for it Finally that which may call for our Higgaion Selah and deep Humiliation is the consideration of the time when as Hells Hurricano seas'd us when after weary waiting in our languishing and bleeding condition above a Time Times and half a Time at length we were brought to Gods Foot our wounds not being healed tho ouâ— Petitions were not granted yet our prayers were heard as appeareth by their Majesties grant of a Province Charter there declared and here with great acclamation Proclaimed this ve look'd at as a happy Omen of Haloyon-dayes now come to this distressed wounded people in this Junctor of time or about the laying the Foundation of this structure that the great Palmony the wonderful numberer of times who weighs the least minute of humane accidents in the exact ballance of an eternal decree even to the pacing of Ahabs Horses in his Chariot that they must not go faster oâ— flower then to reach the very spot where the Dogs had lick'd up Naboths Blood there to lick up Ahabs that then this Euroclydon should be raised to the Toral Ruine of the wholâ— Fabrick that when according to Gods graciouâ— Promise unto Israel of old the Royal Concession unto us was That our Nobles should be oâ— our selves and that our Governour should proceeâ— from the midst of us and that God would makâ— him to draw nigh unto him and that he diâ— approach unto him That then Hells rage diâ— seize us to the breaking us in peices if Sâ—tans Stratagem had taken effect according tâ— the wasting Progress made that when as wâ— hoped God should have been ours and oâ— Childrens God as aforetime and our Congrâ—gations established for ever that then 〈◊〉 should render ourselves or be rendred by otheâ— â—s the Sons of the Sorceress and Children of â—he Adulteress what high songs of praise do we owe unto Sions God for the discovering of Apollions Wiles Depths and Deceits and â—or Spiriting one of the Tribe of Zebulon rais'd â—p from among us by finding out the Treasures â—id in the Sands which hath highly tended â—o the raising of him to Honour and the enrichment of himself and Nation who beâ—ng Divinely destinated humanely Commissiâ—nated to be the Pilot and Sâ—eers man of this â—oor Bemisted and Befogg'd Vessel in the Mare Mortuum and Mortiferous Sea of Witchâ—raft and Fascination by Heavens Conduct â—ccording to the integrity of his heart not trustâ—ng the Helm in any other Hand â—e being by â—od and their Majesties bestruâ—â—ed therewith â—â—e so happily shaped and steadily steeâ—ed her â—ourse as she escaped Shipwâ—aâ—k â—ither upâ—n the Stygian Scilla or the Achâ—rontal Charibâ—is and now is safely Moaâ—ed in the Paciâ—que Sea and under the Cape of Bone Esperance â—â—e being also by the same Hand appointed to â—â—e this Peoples Chieftain by the Prudence of â—â—s hands and strengthned by the Aâ—ms of 〈◊〉 mighty God of Jacob managed the sharp â—wo Edged Sword to him committed inâ—â—mparably excelling that of the Great Alexâ—â—der to the Cutting in sunder of the Circean â—ot of Inchantment abundantly more diffiâ—â—lt to be dissolved then the Famous Gordian 〈◊〉 of Old he being also led by divine inspiration of Our Blessed Gods-Spell and thâ— mostâ— sure Word of Prophesy infinitely suâ—passing the Famous Thâ—ed and Clue of Ariadnâ— hath extricated us out of the Winding anâ— Crooked Labyâ—inth of Hells Meander Let all be improved to the high Honour of him who had he not been on our Side Now may New England say Had he not been on our side when not only men but Devils rose up against us we had been swallowed up quick the proud Waves had gone over our Souls Blessed be the Name of the Lord who gave us not up to be 〈◊〉 prey unto their Teeth let our helâ— be in the Name of the Lord who hath made Heaven Earth and Hell Oh that now this token for good may be improved to the quickening of us to breaking off the Covenant made with Death that it may be
disanulled and our Agreement with Hâ—ll that it may not stand and to make sure our Interest in the firm sure precious and tried Foundation and Corner Stone which with a Behold of Attention and Admiration God hath Laid in Sion Let this preventing Mercy Encourage poor Starv'd Prodigals to return to their Fathers House acknowledging our selves unworthy to be his Sons no not his Maenial Servants Own we our selves to be Luke-warm Laodiceans wamblâ—ng upon the Stomach or our Blessed Lord and no place fitter to ease himself of us then by spuing us into Hell as was said of Caparnaum we are as ignorant as â—â—â—ogant we are Rich want for nothing but â—â—ow not our Poverty Blindness or Nakedâ—ess we trust and boast our selves in lying â—ords of the Temple of the Lord and that we are â—hrist's Non-such Garden for him to Walk â—nd Recreate himself in But alas we are â—either hot nor cold a parcel of Mungâ—el â—nterpendants we are not of the Episcopal Form we allow no Superiority in our Churâ—hes nor Officers where there is but one Ofâ—icer there cannot be Preference nor Dispariâ—y and how many of our Churches have â—nore We are not Presbyterians for their â—eclared Discipline and their practice is accorâ—ingly they have one Pastor and two Ruling Elders in their least Congregations and as â—heir Flock increaseth so they multiply their Officers but we on the contrary when a Churches Foundation hath been laid they had not the Number of Forty Members in their Body they solemnly then engaged with hands â—ifted up to Heaven not to be without two Teaching and two Ruling Elders and for a while they publickly practised chusing two Ruling Elders Ordained a Pastor and Ruling Elder and sent the other to bring over a Teacher which was done but when they are now multiplied vastly above the Number more then at first they content themselves with one Teaching and never a Ruling Officer when as there are as it 's said above two thousand Souls under Church Watch none Officially to Rule and Watch over them 〈◊〉 not this Taking Gods Name in vain and as 〈◊〉 the Congregational Way we Nominally prâ—fess it but if we Read the Plat-â—orm of oâ—â— Church Discipline or the way of the Congrâ—gational Churches of New-England we mâ—â— see how much we are varyed from it aâ— gone back from the way our Fathers and oâ—â—selves have been instructed in and have receiâ—ed upon the Divine Authority of the Hoâ—â— Word and formerly walked accordingly Let 's not halt between two Opinions if oâ—â— Fathers Ways were Scriptural let us practicalâ—â— Justify them if they be not let us be Humblâ—â— and Reform we pray that the Lord wouâ—â— lead and keep us in his Truth and restore 〈◊〉 to Walk in Christ as we have received him 〈◊〉 though our Rust is so inveterately Cankereâ— as no scowring will fetch it out let 's Beg thâ—â— the Refiners Fire which the Lord is purgiâ—â— the Sons of Levi with may effectually melt 〈◊〉 down that we may be fitted as Vessels of Hâ—nour Sanctified and Prepared unto every goâ—â— Work and made fit for our Masters Usâ— Let this stimulate us to hearken unto what tâ—â— Spirit saith unto the Churches not advanciâ—â— mens Polliticks before Gods Institutes nor Hâ—mane Prudentials before Christ's Credentiaâ—â— take we heed of disgust against Scripture Puâ—â—ty and plainness and see that the true Faâ—â—â— and Discipline received from our Godly aâ—â— Holy Fathers may be handed down to us aâ—â— to our Children bringing forth practical Holiness whereby as they Justified their Professâ—on so we may in our Lives and Conversations make evident the Holiness aâ—â—â— Faithfulness of our and their Heavenly Father thaâ— Religion and the true Ways of God in Hiâ— Worship and Discipline may not evaporate into Form without the Power of Godliness noâ— be Buried in our Predecessors Graves but that it may in the midst of years Revive to that which was New Englands Glory In our first times no complaint of Churches being it compleat of Officers nor for want of Maiâ—tenance for them nor for want of Materials to choose Officers fit to Rule some have observed this Failure hath been upon private Brethrens Obstructions a discouragement of Discourse among themselves unless it were such as they had from the Press or Pulpit Doth it not reflect upon the Churches King and Law giver who both received and gave gifts to men that the Lord God might dwell among them yea among the Rebellious Shall our Churches lie under the Curse of Barren Wombs and Dry Breasts Is Bethel Barren and Athens Fruitful Shall Cambridge the School of our Young Prophets be pregnant and an Alma Mater a Bountiful Mother with her Breasts exuberating with Radiant Beams and Sacred Streams to the making glad the City of our God in sending forth such as are Accomplished with exquisite and requisite Talents to fit them to the Ministerial Work of Christ's Holy Temple And shall oâ— Churches which should be Sion Colledges aâ—â— the Mothers of old and young Disciples noâ—â— be sterile Neither capable to bring fortâ— Nurse or Educate any which may be fit fâ—â—â— Rule in them shall they be capable of no â—ther Name but of the Layty or this Peoplâ— which was imposed upon them by such aâ—â— Arrogated to themselves the Title of the Cleâ—gy or of being Gods Lot Our King is blameless but how much oâ—â— Churches are blame-worthy the Lord give uâ— to consider for Brethren of low degree tâ—â— say they know not the way of the Lord theâ— are of mean Estates and low Capacities theiâ— Counsel will not meet with acceptance aâ—â— some others might do go to the Brethren oâ— high degree they know the way of the Judgâ—ments of the Lord but they cast off the Yokâ— of the Lord their occasions will not bear oâ— admit of so mean an Employ as to be a Ruling Elder It 's Recorded to the high Honour of the French Reformed Churches that not many years since at a National Synod held at Charenton very nigh unto Paris the Metropolis of that Nation in the sight of all the French Nobility and Gallantry there appeared twelve or sixteen Barons Lords and Esquires who Esteemed not themselves debased to appear as Members of that Synodical Society and indeed were all of them Ruling Elders of their spective Congregations and truly the Glory Christ in his Churches This is asserted in â—e Synodicon Galliae Reformatae May we not fear that we render our selves â—â—ghly Criminal against the Prerogative of this â—ing of Kings and Lord of Lords who beâ—des what is recorded in the Scripture of â—ruth that when he took leave of his Apostles â—â—t his Ascension What he then gave in Charge â—o them he afterward doubled the same â—y the great and last Apostle of the Gentile Churches instructing Timothy in Christ's Name how he should behave himself in the Church and House of God he doth upon â—he highest adjuration which can be mentionâ—ed Enjoyn him as he will answer it