of good bigness were wound as a Wyth by it very strange and fearful to behold It began in the Southeast and veered sundry wayes but the greatest force of it at Plimouth was from the former quarter it continued not in extremity above five or six hours ere the violence of it began to abate the marks of it will remain this many years in those parts where it was sorest the Moon suffered a great Eclipse two nights after it 1636. THis Year Mr. Edward Winslow was chosen Governour of the Jurisdiction of Plimouth And were chosen to be his Assistants in Government Mr. William Bradford Mr. Thomas Prince Mr. William Collier Mr. John Alden Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown Mr. Stephen Hopkins This Year the Towns on the River of Connecticot began to be planted and in transporting of Goods thither from the Massachusets Bay two shallops were cast away loaden with Goods to go thither in an Easterly storm at the mouth of Plimouth Harbour Mr. William Cooper cast away the Boats men were all lost not so much as any of their bodies found for burial they being five in number in both the Boats the Principal of them was one Mr. William Cooper an antient Seaman of known skill having formerly been Master of a ship and had gone great Voyages to the East-Indies and to other parts but the night being dark and stormy they ran upon the skirt of a flat that lieth near the mouth of the harbour and so were over-raked the goods came on shore along the Harbour and the Governour caused a careful course to be taken for the preservation of them in the behalf of the right owners who afterwards received so many of them as were saved The Relation of the Pequot Wars Now followeth the Tragedy of the War that fell betwixt the English and the Pequots which I will relate according to my best intelligence in order whereunto I thought good to mention some particulars first that by discerning the whole matter in the several parts and circumstances the more of the mercy and goodness of God may be taken notice of to his praise for destroying so Proud and Blasphemous an Enemy In the Year 1634. the Pequots a stout and war-like People who had made War with sundry of their Neighbours and being puffed up with many Victories grew now at variance with the Narrhagansets a great People bordering upon them these Narrhagansets held correspondence and tearms of friendship with the English of the Massachusets now the Pequots being conscious of the guilt of Captain Stones death whom they knew to be an English man as also those that were with him and being fallen out with the Dutch lest they should have over many Enemies at once sought to make friendship with the English of the Massachusets and for that end sent both messengers and gifts unto them as appears by some Letters sent from the Governour of the Massachusets to the Governour of Plimouth as followeth Dear and Worthy Sir TO let you know something of our affairs you may understand that the Pequots have sent some of theirs to us to desire our friendship and offered much Wampam and Beaver c. The first messengers were dismissed without answer with the next we had divers dayes conference and taking the advice of some of our Ministers and seeking the Lord in it we concluded a peace and friendship with them upon these conditions that they should deliver up to us those men who were guilty of Stones death c. and if we desired to plant in Connecticot they should give up their right to us and we would send to trade with them as our friends which was the chief thing we aimed at they being now in War with the Dutch and the rest of their Neighbours To this they readily agreed and that we should mediate a peace between them and the Narrhagansets for which end they were content we should give the Narrhagansets part of the Present they would bestow on us for they stood so much on their honour as they would not be seen to give any thing of themselves as for Captain Stone they told us there were but two left of those who had any hand in his death and that they killed him in a just quarrel for said they he surprized two of our men and bound them to make them by force to shew him the way up the River and he with two other coming on shore nine Indians watched them and when they were asleep in the night they killed them to deliver their own men and some of them going afterwards to the Barque it was suddenly blown up We are now preparing to send a Barque unto them And in another Letter he saith our Barque is lately returned from the Pequots and our men put off but little Commodities and found them a very false people so as we mean to have no more to do with them Yours ever assured John Winthrop Boston March 12. 1634. Not long after these things Mr. John Oldham of whom much is spoken before being now an inhabitant of the Massachusets went with a small vessel and slenderly manned on trading on those south parts and upon a quarrel between him and the Indians Mr. Oldhams death was cut off by them in such manner as hath been fore-noted at an Island called by the Indians Mannisses but by the English Block-Island this with the former about the death of Stone and the baffling of the Pequots with the English of the Massachusets moved them to set out some to take revenge and require satisfaction for those wrongs but it took little effect some of the murderers of Mr. Oldham fled to the Pequots and although the English went to the Pequots and had some parly with them yet they did but delude them and the English returned without doing any thing to purpose being frustrate of their opportunity by their deceit After the English of the Massachusets were returned the Pequots took their time and opportunity to cut off some of the English at Connecticot as they passed up and down upon their occasions and tortured some of them in putting them to death in a most horrid and barbarous manner and most Blasphemously in this their cruelty The Pequots horrible Blasphemy bad them call upon their God or mocked and derided them when they so did and not long after assaulted them at their houses and habitations as will appear more fully in the ensuing Relation 1637. IN the fore-part of this Year the Pequots fell openly upon the English at Connecticot in the lower parts of the River and slew sundry of them as they were at work in the fields both men and women to the great terror of the rest and went away in great pride and triumph with many high threats they also assaulted Saybrock Fort at the mouth of the River of Connecticot although it was strong and well defended it struck them with much fear and astonishment to see their bold attempts in
these parts and never left watching and dogging them untill they got advantage and kill'd them all but three or four which they kept and sent from one Sachem to another to make sport with them and used them worse then Slaves and they conceived this Ship was now come to revenge it Two of the said French so used were redeemed by the aforesaid Mr. Dermer the other died amongst the Indians and as the Indians have reported one of them lived amongst them untill he was able to discourse with them and told them That God was angry with them for their wickedness and would destroy them and give their Country to another people that should not live like beasts as they did but should be clothed c. But they derided him and said That they were so many that God could not kill them His answer was That though they were never so many God had many wayes to destroy them that they knew not A memorable passage of Gods punishing of the Heathen for their notorious Blasphemy and other sins Shortly after his death came the Plague a Disease they never heard of before and mightily swept them away and left them as dung upon the earth as you have heard Not long after came the English to New-Plimouth and then several of the Indians began to minde the French-mans words thinking him to be more then an ordinary man And as the first part of his speech had proved true they began to be apprehensive of the latter viz. The less of their Country This Relation the first Planters at Plimouth after they came to be acquainted with them several of them heard from divers of their ancient and gravest Indians and have often seen the place where the French were surprised and taken which place beareth the Name of Frenchmans Point with many to this day This Relation for the verity thereof being also very observeable was thought meet to be here inserted And let me adde a word hereunto Several instances of the Mortality of the Indians occasionally taken notice of That it is very observable likewise That God hath very evidently made way for the English by sweeping away the Natives by some great Mortalities as first by the Plague here in Plimouth Jurisdiction secondly by the Small Pox in the Jurisdiction of the Massachusets a very considerable people a little before the English came into the Country as also at Conecticot very full of Indians a little before the English went into those parts and then the Pequots by the Sword of the English as will appear in its place and the Country now mostly possessed by the English I might also mention several places in the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth peopled with considerable companies of proper able men since the first Planters thereof came over even in our sight before they were in a capacity to improve any of their land that have by the same hand of Providence been cut off and so their Land even cleared for them and now so replenished with their Posterity Exod. 23.28 29.30 that places are too straight for them By little and little saith God of old to his people will I drive them out from before thee till thou be increased and inherit the Land But before I pass on let the Reader take notice of a very remarkable particular which was made known to the said Planters at Plimouth some short space after their arrival That the Indians before they came to the English to make Friendship with them Behold how Satan laboured to hinder the Gospel from coming into N. E. they got all the Powaws in the Country who for three dayes together in a horrid and devillish manner did Curse and Execrate them with their Conjurations which Assembly and Service they held in a dark and dismall Swamp But to return The Spring being now come it pleased God that the Mortality which had taken away so many of the first Planters at Plimouth ceased and the Sick and Lame recovered apace which was as it were a new life put into them they having born this Affliction with much patience being upheld by the Lord. And thus we are come unto the Twenty fifth of March 1621. 1621. THis Year several of the Indian Sachems besides Massasoiet before-named came unto the Government of New-Plimouth and acknowledged themselves to be the Loyal Subjects of our Soveraign Lord King James and subscribed unto a Writing to that purpose with their own hands the tenour of which said Writing followeth with their Names annexed thereunto It being conceived by some that are judicious that it may be of use in succeeding times I thought meet here to insert it September 13. Anno Dom. 1621. KNOW all men by these Presents That we whose Names are under-written do acknowledge our selves to be the Loyal Subjects of King James King of Great Britain France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. In Witness whereof and as a Testimonial of the same we have Subscribed our Names or Marks as followeth Ohquamehud Cawnacome Obbatinnua Nattawahunt Caunbatant Chikkatabak Quadaquina Huttamoiden Apannow Now followeth several Passages of the Providence of God to and the further progress of the first Planters at Plimouth appertaining to the Year 1621. THey now began to hasten the Ship away which tartied so long by reason of the necessity and danger that lay on them because so many died both of themselves and the Ships Company likewise by which they became so few as the Master durst not put out to Sea untill those that lived recovered of their Sickness and the Winter over The Spring of this year they Planted their first Corn in New-England being instructed in the manner thereof by the fore-named Squanto they likewise sowed some English Grain with little success by reason partly of the badness of the Seed and lateness of the season or some other defect not then discerned In the Month of April in this year their Governour Mr. John Carver fell sick and within a few dayes after died whose death was much lamented and caused great heaviness amongst them and there was indeed great cause He was buried in the best manner they could with as much Solemnity as they were in a capacity to perform with the Discharge of some Volleys of shot of all that bare Arms. This worthy Gentleman was one of singular Piety and rare for Humility as appeared by his great condescendency when as this poor miserable people were in great sickness and weakness he shunned not to do very mean services for them yea the meanest of them He bare a share likewise of their labour in his own person accordingly as their extreme necessity required who being one also of a considerable Estate spent the main part of it in this Enterprize and from first to last approved himself not onely as their Agent in the first transacting of things but also all along to the period of his life to be a pious faithful and very beneficial Instrument and now
is reaping the fruit of his labour with the Lord. His Wife who was also a gracious woman lived not six weeks after him shee being overcome with excessive grief for the loss of so gracious an Husband likewise died In some short distance of time after this Mr. William Bradford was chosen Governour of Plimouth in his stead being not as yet well recovered of his weakness having bin at the point of death and Mr. Isaac Allerton likewise was chosen to be his Assistant The second of July in this year they sent Mr. Edward Winslow and Mr. Steven Hopkins unto the great Sachem Massasoiet aforesaid with a gratuitie to congratulate with him and to view his Country and likewise to take notice of what strength of men he had c. having Squanto for their guide who found his place to be about forty Miles from New-Plimouth his People few in comparison of what they had been by reason of the mortality amongst the Indians forementioned These brought word upon their return of the Narrhagansets a People that lived on the otherside of that great Bay which are a People strong and many in number living compact together and had not at all been touched with the wasting Plague before specified They also brought a full intelligence in reference unto the particulars they were sent about and so returned in safety Thus their peace being well established with the Natives about them which was much furthered by an Indian named Hobamak who came to live amongst the English he being a proper lusty young man and one that was in account amongst the Indians in those parts for his valour continued faithful and constant to the English until his death He with the said Squanto being sent amongst the Indians about business for the English were surprized by an Indian Sachem named Corbitant who was no friend to the English he met with them at Namassaket and began to quarrel with them and offered to stab Hobamak who being a strong man soon cleared himself of him and with speed came and gave intelligence to the Governour of Plimouth saying he feared that Squanto was slain for they were both threatned and for no other cause but that they were friends to the English and serviceable to them On which it was thought meet to vindicate their Messengers and not to suffer them to be thus wronged and it was concluded to send some men to Namassaket well armed and to fall upon them whereupon fourteen men being well prepared were sent under the conduct of Captain Miles Standish who when they came thither beset the house and the said Captain entred into the same to look for the said Corbitant but he was fled and so they missed of him but understood that Squanto was alive so they withheld and did no hurt save three of the Natives pressing out of the house when it was beset were sorely wounded which they brought home to their Town with them and were dressed by their Chirurgion and cured After this they had many Congratulations from divers Sachems and much firmer peace yea those of the Isle of Capewak sent to make friendship with them and this Corbitant himself used the mediation of Massasoiet to make his peace but was shie to come near them a long time after After this on the eighteenth of September they sent out their Boat to the Massachusets with ten men and Squanto for their Interpreter to discover and view that Bay and to trade with the Natives and found kinde entertainment with them who expressed themselves to be much afraid of the Tarateens a people in the Eastern part of New-England which used to come in Harvest time and take away their corn and many times kill some of their people who after they had accomplished their business returned in safety and made report of the place wishing they had been there seated But the Lord who assigns to all men the bounds of their habitations had appointed it for another end and use And thus they found the Lord to be with them in all their wayes and to bless their out-goings and in-comings for which let his holy Name have the praise for ever Being now well recovered in respect of health as hath been said they began to fit up their buildings against winter and received in their first harvest and had great plenty of fowl and fish to their great refreshing About the ninth of November came in a small ship to them unexpected in which came Mr. Robert Cushman This ship was called the Fortune in which came no Provisions which was one cause of a great famine that befell the Plantation of New Plimouth soon after who was both a godly man and an active and faithful agent and useful instrument in the common interest of this first design and there came with him in that ship thirty five persons to remain and live in the Plantation which did not a little rejoyce the first planters And these when they came on shore and found all well and saw plenty of provisions beyond their expectation were also satisfied and no less glad for coming in at Cape Cod before they came to Plimouth and seeing nothing there but a barren place they then began to think what should become of them if the People were dead or cut off by the Indians and began to consult upon some passages which some of the Seamen had cast out to take the Sails from the Yard lest the ship should get away and leave them but the Master hearing thereof gave them good words and told them If any thing but well should have befallen the People at Plimouth he hoped he had provisions enough to carry them to Virginia and whiles he had any they should have their part which gave them good satisfaction This ship stayed at Plimouth not above fourteen dayes and returned and soon after her departure the People called the Narrhagansets aforesaid sent a messenger unto the Plantation with a bundle of Arrows tyed together with a Snakes skin which their Interpreter Squanto told them was a threatning and a challenge upon which the Governour of Plimouth sent them a rough answer viz. That if they loved war rather then peace they might begin when they would they had done them no wrong neither did they fear them or should they finde them unprovided and by another Messenger sent the Snakes skin back again with Bullets in it but they would not receive it but sent it back again It is probable the reason of this their Message to the English was their own ambition who since the death of so many Indians thought to domineer and lord it over the rest and conceived the English would be a barre in their way and saw that Massasoiet took shelter already under their wings but this made the English more carefully to look to themselves so as they agreed to close their Dwellings with a good strong Pale and made Flankers in convenient places with Gates to shut which were every
Squanto being their Guide and Interpreter fell sick and within a few dayes died Squanto's Death A little before his death he desired the Governour of Plimouth who then was there to pray for him that he might go to the English-mans God in Heaven and bequeathed divers of his things to sundry of his English Friends as Remembrances of his love of whom they had a great loss Here they got a considerable quantity of Corn and so returned After these things John Sanders who was left chief over Mr. Westons men at Wesagusquaset in the Month of February sent a Messenger shewing the great wants they were fallen into and would have borrowed Corn of the Indians but they would lend him none and desired advice whether he might take it from them by force to succour his men untill return from the Eastward whither he was now going But the Governour and the rest disswaded him by all means from it for it might so exasperate the Indians as might endanger their safety and all of them might smart for it for they had already heard how they had wronged the Indians by stealing their Corn c. so as the Natives were much incensed against them yea so base were some of their own Company as they went and told the Indians that their governour was purposed to come and take their Corn by force which with other things made them enter into a Conspiracy against the English And herewith I end the Relation of the most Remarkable Passages of Gods Providence towards the first Planters which fell out in this Year 1623. MR. Westons people fore-named notwithstanding all helps they could procure for supply of Provisions fell into great Extremity which was occasioned by their excessive expence while they had it or could get it and after they came into want many sold away their Clothes and Bed-coverings others were so base as they became servants to the Indians and would cut them Wood and fetch them Water for a Cap full of Corn others fell to stealing both night and day from the Indians of which they grievously complained In the end they came to that misery that some starved and died with hunger and one in gathering of Shell-fish was so weak as he stuck fast in the mud and was found dead in the place and most of them left their Dwellings and were scattered up and down in the Woods by the Water-side where they could finde Ground-nuts and Clams here six and there ten by which their carriages they became contemned and scorned of the Indians insomuch as they began greatly to insult over them in a most insolent manner so as if they had set on such Victuals as they had gotten to dress it when it was ready the Indians would come and eat it up and when Night came when as possibly some of them had a sorry Blanket or such like to lap themselves in the Indians would take it and let the other lye all night in the cold so as their condition was very lamentable and in the end they were fain to hang one of their Company whom they could not reclaim from stealing to give the Indians content Whiles things went on in this manner with them the Governour and People of Plimouth had notice that the Sachem Massasoiet their Friend was sick and near unto death and they sent to visit him and sent him some comfortable things which gave him content and was a means of his recovery Upon which occasion he discovered the Conspiracy of these Indians how they were resolved to cut off Mr. Westons Company for the continual Injuries they had done them and would now take opportunity of their weakness and do it and for that end had conspired with other Indians their Neighbours thereabouts and thinking the People here would revenge their death they therefore thought to do the like by them therefore to prevent it and that speedily by taking some of the chief of them before it was too late for he assured them of the truth thereof This did much trouble them and they took it into serious consideration and found upon Examination and other Evidences to give light thereinto That the matter was really so as the said Sachrin had told them In the mean time came an * This mans name was Phinchas Pratt who hath penned the particular of his perillous Journey and som other things relating to this Tragedy English-man from the Massachusets from the said Company in misery as hath been above-related with a small pack at his back and although he knew not a foot of the way yet he got safe hither but lost his way which was well for him for he was pursued by two Indians who by Gods Providence missed of him by that means and he related how all things stood with them there and that he durst stay no longer for he apprehended by what he observed they would be all slain ere long This made them make the more haste and they dispatched a Boat away with some men under the conduct of Captain Standish who found them in a miserable condition out of which he rescued them and helped them to some relief cut off some of the chief Conspirators against them and according to his Order offered to bring them all to Plimouth to be there untill Mr. Weston came or some other way should be presented for their help they thanked him and the rest but they rather desired that he would help them with some Corn and they would go with their small Ship to the Eastward to look out for a way for themselves either to have relief by meeting with Mr. Weston or if not to work with the Fishermen for their supply and their passage for England so they shipped what they had of any worth and he helped them with as much Corn as he could and saw them out of the Bay under sail and so came home not taking the worth of a peny of any of them This was the end of these that sometimes boasted of their strength being all able lusty men and what they would do and bring to pass in comparison of the people at Plimouth who had many Women and Children and weak ones and said at their first arrival when they saw the wants at Plimouth Here see the effect of Pride and Vain-glory. That they would take another course and not fall into such a condition as this simple people were come to but a mans way is not in his own power God can make the weak to stand Let him that thinketh he standeth in such respect as well as other take heed lest he fall Shortly after Mr. Weston came over with some of the Fishermen where he heard of the Ruine of his Plantation and got a Boat and with a man or two came to see how things were but by the way for want of skill in a Storm he cast away his Boat in the bottome of the Bay between Merrimack and Pascataqua and hardly escaped with life
in the City of London yet he accomplished his business so as he left things in a fair way for future Composition betwixt the said Merchant-Adventurers and the Plantation and he spake also with some of the Honourable Council afore-named who promised all helpfulness to the Plantation that lay in them About this time it pleased the Lord likewise to give them peace health and good success on their endeavours his holy Name be praised 1626. ABout the beginning of April they heard of Captain Standish his arrival and sent a boat to fetch him home welcome he was but the news he brought was sad in many regards not only in regard of the forementioned losses which their friends had suffered and some of them dead of the Plague but also that Mr. John Robinson their Pastor was dead Mr. John Robinson's death which struck them with much sorrow and sadness as they had great cause his and their adversaries had been long and continually plotting how they might hinder his coming into New-England but now the Lord had appointed him to go a greater journey at less charge to a better place But before I pass things concerning this Worthy Servant of Christ Mr. John Robinson I shall here insert the honourable testimony that Mr. William Bradford senior hath left behinde him concerning him being greatly acquainted with his worth and excellency Saith he such was the mutual love and reciprocal respect that this worthy man had to his flock and his flock to him that it might be said of them as it was once of that famous Emperour Marcus Aurelius and the people of Rome That it was hard to judge whether he delighted more in having such a People or they in having such a Pastor But to return Captain Standish likewise brought the sad news of the death of Mr. Robert Cushman their ancient friend The death of Mr. Robert Cushman whom the Lord took away also this year about the same time who was as their right hand with their friends the Adventurers and for divers years had done and agitated all their business with them to their great advantage of whom occasionally there hath been honourable mention formerly 〈◊〉 in this Book About this time they received divers Letters from their friends at Leyden in Holland full of sad lamentation for their heavy loss by the death of their Pastor Mr. Robinson above-named and although their wills were good to come over to their brethren in New-England yet they saw no probability of means how it might be effected but concluded as it were that all their hopes was cut off and many being aged began to drop away by death All which things before related being well weighed and laid together it could not but strike them with great perplexity and to look humanely on the state of things as they presented themselves at this time it is a marvel it did not wholly discourage and sink them but they gathered up their spirits and the Lord so helped them whose work they had in hand as now when they were very low they began to rise again and being stripped in a manner of all humane helps and hopes he brought things about otherwise in his divine Providence so as they were not only upheld and sustained but their proceedings both honoured and imitated by others as by the sequel will appear 1627. THis Year they sent Mr. Isaac Allerton for England and gave him order to make a Composition with the Adventurers in reference unto some particulars betwixt the Plantation and them which Captain Standish had begun as is before hinted and at the ordinary season of the year for the expectation of ships he returned with some success in the business he was imployed in Likewise this Year they began to make some distribution of Lands having had hitherto but to every person one Acre allowed him as to propriety besides their Home-steads or Garden-plots the reason was that they might keep together both for more safety and defence and the better Improvement of the general Imployments which condition of theirs brings to minde that which may be read in Pliny of the Romans first beginnings in Romulus time Pliny lib. 18. Chap. 2. how every man contented himself with two Acres of Land and had no more assigned them and Chap. 3. It was thought a great Reward to receive at the hands of the People of Rome a Pinte of Corn and long after the greatest Present given to a Captain that had got a Victory over their Enemies was as much ground as he could Till in one day and he was not accounted a good but a dangerous man that would not content himself with seven Acres of Land as also how they did pound their Corn in Mortars as these people were forced to do many years before they could get a Mill. Notwithstanding as abovesaid so small a portion of Land served them at the first yet afterwards for divers Reasons moving thereunto they were necessitated to lay out some larger Proportions to each person yet resolving to keep such a mean in distribution of Lands as should not hinder their growth by others coming to them and therefore accordingly allotted to every one in each Family Twenty Acres to be laid out five Acres in breadth by the Water-side and four Acres in length I may not omit the inserting of a particular that fell out this year in reference unto a Ship with many Passengers in her and some considerable goods which was bound for Virginia who had lost themselves at Sea either by the insufficiency of the Master or his illness for he was sick and lame of the Scurvy so as he could but lye in the Cabbin-door and give direction and it should seem was badly assisted either with Mate or Marriners or else the fear of and the unruliness of the Passengers was such as they made them steer a Course between the Southwest and Northwest that they might fall with some Land whatever it was they cared not for they had been six weeks at Sea and had no Beer nor Water nor Wood left but had burnt up all their empty Cask onely one of the Company had a Hogshead of Wine or two which was also almost spent so as they feared they should be starved at Sea or consumed with Diseases which made them run this desperate Course But it pleased God that although they came so near the Sholes of Cape Cod or else ran stumbling over them in the night they knew not how they came before a small Harbour that lieth about the middle of Mannamoiet Bay to the Southward of Cape Cod and with a small gale of wind and about a high water touched upon a Barre of Sand that lieth before it but had no hurt the Sea being smooth so they laid out an Anchor but towards Evening the wind sprang up at Sea and was so rough as brake their Cable and beat them over the Barre into the Harbour where they saved their Lives and Goods
to the whole Court aforesaid That he nor they shall nor will needlesly or unjustly raise any quarrels or do any wrong to other Natives to provoke them to War against him and That he nor they shall not Give Sell or Convey any of his or their Lands Territories or Possessions whatsoever to any person or persons whomsoever without the privity and consent of the Government of Plimouth aforesaid other then to such as the said Government shall send or appoint All which Conditions the said Woosamequen and Mooanam his Son for themselves and their Successors did then faithfully promise to observe and keep And the whole Court in the Name of the whole Government for each Town respectively did then likewise Ratifie and Confirm the aforesaid ancient League and Confederacy and did also further promise to the said Woosamequen and Mooanam his Son and their Successors That they shall and will from time to time defend the said Woosamequen Of this see pag. 24. and Mooanam his Son and their Successors when need and occasion shall require against all such as shall unjustly rise up against them to wrong or oppress them unjustly 1640. MR. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of Plimouth were Elected Assistants Mr. Thomas Prince Mr. William Collier Mr. John Brown Captain Miles Standish Mr. Timothy Hatherly and Mr. Edmond Freeman 1641. THis Year Mr. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were 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. Edmond Freeman 1642. THis Year Mr. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were Elected Assistants to him in Government Mr. Edward Winslow Mr. Thomas Prince Mr. William Collier Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown Mr. William Thomas and Mr. Edmond Freeman In reference unto the three years last specified although I have no special Providence to take notice of particularly to assign to each of them save the continuance of Gods mercy and goodness in the Annual Election of godly and able Magistrates in the Jurisdiction of Plimouth as is before-noted yet notwithstanding we are to take notice of the continued Peace and Plenty with which not onely these three years restrictively considered but also for many years together both before and after them New-England was so marvellously gratiated But that which is more that about these times the Lord was pleased of his great goodness richly to accomplish and adorn the Colony of Plimouth as well as other Colonies in New-England with a considerable number of godly and able Gospel-Preachers who then being dispersed and disposed of to the several Churches and Congregations thereof gave Light in a glorious and resplendent manner as burning and shining Lights Which mercy and transcendent favour had not Sin and Satans envy interposed might have rendred them greatly happy and prosperous it being observed That where Gospel-dispensation flourisheth there Prosperity in other respects may usually be expected In reference unto the honour of God and due respects unto such worthy Instruments I thought meet to nominate some of the speciallest of them viz. Mr. Charles Chauncy Mr. William Hook Mr. Nicholas Street Mr. John Laythrop Mr. John Mayo Mr. John Reyner Mr. Ralph Partridge Mr. Samuel Newman Mr. William Leverich Mr. Richard Blinman Mr. Edward Bulkly Mr. John Miller Mr. Marmaduke Matthews With some others that might be named These some of them stayed not long ere they removed some into the Neighbour-Colonies some into Old-England and others to their Eternal Rest whereby the said Jurisdiction was wanting in a great measure for some time of such a Blessing Howbeit the Lord hath since graciously raised up a supply to divers of the said Congregations and more may be expected according to his Promises 1643. THis Year Mr. William Bradford was elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth And were chosen his Assistants in Government Mr. Edward Winslow Mr. Thomas Prince Mr. William Collier Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown Mr. Edmond Freeman And Mr. William Thomas This Year about the eighteenth day of April died Mr. William Brewster the Ruling Elder of the Church of Christ at Plimouth concerning whom I could say much of mine own knowledge but I shall content my self only to insert the honourable Testimony that Mr. William Bradford deceased hath left written with his own hand concerning him Saith he My dear Friend Mr. William Brewster was a man that had done and suffered much for the Lord Jesus and the Gospels sake and hath born his part in weal and woe with this poor persecuted Church above thirty six years in England Holland and in this Wilderness and done the Lord and them faithful service in his place and calling and notwithstanding the many troubles and sorrows he passed through the Lord upheld him to a great age he was four score and four years of age when he died The dea h of Mr. William Brewster he had this blessing added by the Lord to all the rest to dye in his bed in peace amongst the midst of his friends who mourned and wept over him and ministred what help and comfort they could unto him and he again recompensed them whiles he could his sickness was not long and until the last day thereof he did not wholly keep his bed his speech continued until somewhat more then half a day before his death and then failed him and about nine or ten of the clock that evening he died without any pangs at all a few hours before he drew his breath short and some few minutes before his last he drew his breath long as a man fallen into a sound sleep without any pangs or gasping and so sweetly departed this life unto a better I would now demand of any What he was the worse for former sufferings what do I say worse no he was the better and they now added to his honor 2 Thess 1.5 6 7. It is a manifest token saith the Apostle of the righteous Judgement of God that we may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God for which we also suffer seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation to them that trouble you and to you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels 1 Pet. 4.14 and if you be reproached saith the Apostle Peter for the Name of Christ happy are ye for the Spirit of God and of Glory shall rest upon you what though he wanted the riches and pleasures of the World in this life and Pompous monuments of his Funeral yet the memorial of the Just shall be blessed Prov. 10.17 when the name of the wicked shall rot with their Marble Monuments He was well educated in learning as at inferiour Schools so also at the Vniversity and from thence went to the Court and there served Mr. Davison a
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
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
with you I was one of those That labour'd faithfully Gods Vineyard in Sowing his Seed and plucking up of Sin Now is the Harvest to my self indeed The Lord grant a supply of one to feed Your Souls with heavenly food and one to lead In wayes of God untill his Courts you tread Next to Gods love my Flock love one another And next to Christ preserve love to thy Brother Let ever precious be in your esteem Gods holy Word and such as slight it deem Of Serpents brood whatever they pretend By no means to such Blasphemies attend Decline all wanderings lest from all you stray If stept aside return in this your day Keep close to God so he that is Most High Shall you preserve as Apple of his Eye And give you peace on Earth Tranquillity Mansions in Heaven to Eternity VVhere we that Death doth for a time now sever Shall meet embrace and shall not part for ever R un is his Race A nd his work done L eft Earthly place P artridge is gone H e's with the Father and the Son P ure joyes and constant do attend A ll that so live such is their end R eturn he shall with Christ agen T o Judge both just and sinful men R ais'd is this Bird of Paradise I oy Heaven entred breaks the ice D eath under foot he trodden hath G race is to Glory straitest Path E ver enjoyes Love free from wrath This year on the last day of July it pleased God that by Thunder and Lightning one John Philips of Marshfield in the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth was suddenly slain Also in the moneth of August it pleased God to take away by death Mr. VVilliam Paddy who was a precious Servant of Christ endued with a meek and quiet Spirit of a courteous behaviour to all men and was very careful to nourish an intimate Communion with God He was Instrumental in his place for common good both in the Church being sometimes by Office a Deacon of the Church of Christ at Plimouth and in other respects very officious as occasion did require He having a great Temporal Estate was occasioned thereby to have abundance of business upon him but when he was to put off this his earthly Tabernacle he laid aside all his earthly Incumbrances and Occasions even as one would have taken off a garment and laid it down and without any trouble of Spirit on that behalf prepared himself for his Journey to the Everlasting Mansions prepared for him by his Lord and Master in the highest Heavens whereof he was well assured as to the like effect he spake some words to Mr. Norton near unto the period of his life and so falling asleep in the Lord he was buried at Boston with honour and great lamentation in the year and moneth above-mentioned One who was well acquainted with his Worth and gracious Endowments presented this following as a Testimoniall of his good respects of him W eep not dear Wife Childeren nor dear Friends I live a life of Joyes that never ends L ove God and fear him to end of your dayes L ive unto him but die to sin alwayes I n heavenly place of Bliss my Soul doth rest A mong the Saints and Angels I am blest M uch better here then in the world at best P raising my God is now my great imploy A bove such troubles as did me annoy D id but my friends know what I here possess D oubtless it would cause them to mourn the less Y our Souls with mine ere long shall meet in bliss 1659. THis Year Mr. Thomas Prince was Chosen Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were Chosen Assistants to him in Government Mr. William Collier Mr. John Alden Captain Thomas Willet Major Josias Winslow Lieut. Thomas Southworth Mr. VVilliam Bradford Mr. Thomas Hinkley Having noted before That in the Year 1657. there arrived in the Colony of New-Plimouth many of that pernicious Sect called Quakers the Reader may take notice That by this time and for some years after New-England in divers parts of it abounded with them and they sowed their corrupt and damnable Doctrines both by word and writings almost in every Town of each Jurisdiction some whereof were That all men ought to attend to the Light within them to be the Rule of their Lives and Actions and That the holy Scriptures were not for the inlightning of man nor a setled and permanent Rule of life They denied the Manhood of the Lord Jesus Christ and affirmed That as Man he is not in Heaven They denied the Resurrection from the dead They affirmed That an absolute Perfection in Holiness or Grace is attainable in this life They placed their Justification upon their Patience and Suffering for their Opinions and on their righteous life and retired demurity and affected singularity both in word and gesture As to Civil account they allowed not nor practised any civil respect to man though superiours either in Magistratical consideration or as Masters or Parents or the Ancient neither by word nor gesture They deny also the use of Oathes for the deciding of Civil Controversies with other abominable Opinions Dreams and Conceits which some of them have expressed tending to gross Blasphemy and Atheism This efficacy of Delusion became very prevalent with many so as the number of them increased to the great endangering of the subversion of the whole both of Church and Common-wealth notwithstanding the endeavours of those in Authority to suppress the same had not the Lord declared against them by blasting their Enterprizes Contrivements so as they have of late withered away in a great measure sundry of their Teachers and Leaders which have caused them to erre are departed the Country and we trust the Lord will make the folly of the remainder manifest to all men more and more Errour is not long-lived the day will declare it Let our deliverance from so eminent a danger be received amongst the principal of the Lords gracious Providences and merciful loving kindnesses towards New-England for the which let present and future generations celebrate his Praises This year that Learned and godly Servant of God Mr. Henry Dunster fell asleep in the Lord. He was sometimes President of Harvard Colledge at Cambridge in New-England in which he approved himself to the satisfaction of such as were in those Affairs concerned Afterwards he came into the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth and lived awhile in the Town of Scituate and was useful in helping to oppose the abominable Opinions of the Quakers fore-mentioned and in the defending of the Truth against them He deceasing in the said Town of Scituate his Body was embalmed and removed unto Cambridge aforesaid and there honourably buried 1660. THis Year Mr. Thomas Prince was Chosen Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were Chosen Assistants to him in Government Mr. William Collier Mr. John Alden Captain Thomas Willet Major Josias Winslow Capt. Tho Southworth Capt. VVilliam Bradford Mr. Thomas Hinkley This
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
Age when the Lord took him to himself He was Interred with much Honour and Lamentation In the time of his languishing Sickness he was visited by the Elders round about especially on the Sixteenth of May the day after the Court of Election when there being a general meeting of all the Elders of the Churches at his house they requested Mr. Wilson because they knew not whether ever they should have the like opportunity to hear him speak again and having been from the first a Pillar amongst them and of much Experience in his observation of the state of things That he would solemnly declare to them what he conceived to be those sins amongst us which provoked the displeasure of God against the Country He then told them That he had divers times and long feared these sins following as chief among others which God was greatly provoked with viz. 1. Separation 2. Anabaptism 3. Corahism This latter he did explain thus viz. when people rise up as Corah against their Ministers or Elders as if they took too much upon them when indeed they do but Rule for Christ and according to Christ yet saith he it is nothing for a Brother to stand up and oppose without Scripture or Reason the Doctrine and word of the Elder saying I am not satisfied c. And hence if he do not like the Administration be it Baptism or the like he will then turn his back upon God and his Ordinances and go away c. And saith he for our neglect of baptizing the Children of the Church those that some call Grandchildren I think God is provoked by it 4. Another sin I take to be The making light of and not subjecting to the Authority of Synods without which the Churches cannot long subsist And so for the Magistrates being Gallio like either not caring for these things or else not using their Power and Authority for the maintenance of the Truth and Gospel and Ordinances of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and for the bearing thorough witness against the contrary Should the Lord leave THEM hereunto how miserable a people should we be At night the Assembly being dismissed with Prayer Mr. Wilson did being desired by them so to do in a solemn manner bless the Elders making a short Prayer saying I am not like long to be with you the Lord pardon us and heal us and make us more Heavenly and take us off from the world and make us burning and shining Lights by our heavenly Doctrine and Example And I beseech the Lord with all my heart to bless you and to bless his Churches and to bless all his People and to bless all your Families and to bless your Wives and to bless all your Children and your Childrens Children and make us all more and more meet for our Inheritance and bring us all to it in his good time c. These words with some few other he spake with great affection and with tears and all the Ministers wept with him and they took their leave of him even as Children of their Father who having blessed them was about to die Upon the Death of that Reverend Aged Ever-honoured and gracious Servant of Christ Mr. John Wilson Pastor of a Church in Boston Interred August 8. 1667. AH now there 's none who does not know That this day in our Israel Is fall'n a great and good man too A Prince I might have said as well A man of Princely Power with God For Faith and Love of Princely spirit Our Israels Chariots Horsemen good By Faith and Prayer though not by Merit Renown'd for Practick Piety In Englands both from Youth to Age In Cambridge Inns-Court Sudbury And each place of his Pilgrimage As humble as a little Childe When yet in reall worth high-grown Himself a Nothing still he styl'd When God so much had for him done In Love a None-such as the Sand With largest heart God did him fill A bounteous Minde an open Hand Affection sweet all sweetning still Love was his Life he dy'd in Love Love doth embalm his Memory Love is his Bliss and Joy above With God now who is Love for ay A comprehending Charity To all where ought appear'd of good And yet in Zeal was none more high Against th'apparent Serpents Brood To Truth he ever constant was In Judgement wondrous Orthodox In Truth 's Cause never fearing face As if he were another Knox. The Prelates and their Impositions Did never him Conformist make But to avoid those Superstitions Great Worldly Hopes did he forsake When in New-England Errours winde From sundry other Quarters blew No one could him Conforming finde Nought from the Line of Truth him drew Firm stood he ' gainst the Familist And Antinomian spirit strong He never lov'd the Separ'tist Nor yet the Anabaptists throng Neither the Tolerator's strain Nor Quakers Spirit could he brook Nor bow'd to the Morellian Train Nor Childrens Right did over-look Nor did he slight Our Liberties In Civil and in Church-concerns But precious were they in his eyes Who stood among their fixed friends Grave Saint in England twice did give This farewell word to him While you Shall in that place New-England live No hurt shall happen thereunto Strange word and strangely verify'd He this day goes to 's Grave in peace What Changes sad shall us betide Now he is gone we cannot guess What Evil are we hastening to Lord spare thy People but awaken When such away do from us go That yet we may not be forsaken He a first Corner-stone was laid In poor New-England's Boston's Wall Death pulls this out the breach is wide Oh let it not now tumble all Hee 's now at Rest and reigns in Bliss In Conflicts we are left behinde In Fears and Straits How shall we miss His Faith Prayer Zeal and peaceful Minde Lord pour a double portion Of his sweet gracious pious Spirit On poor Survivers let each one Somewhat thereof at least inherit Gaius our host ah now gone Can we e're look for such another But yet there is a Mansion Where we may all turn-in together No moving Inne but Resting-place Where his blest Soul is gathered Where good men going are apace Into the Bosome of their Head Ay thither let us haste away Sure Heaven will the sweeter bee If there we ever come to stay For him and other such as hee J. M. Upon the Death of that most Reverend Man of God Mr. John Wilson Pastor of the first Church in Boston in New-England whose decease was Aug. 7. 1667. JOHN Wilson Anagr. John WILSON Oh change it not no sweeter Name or Thing Throughout the World within our ears shall ring VVHo so of Abr'am Moses Samuel reads Or of Elijah or Elisha's deeds Would surely say their Spirit and Power was his And think there were a Metempsychosis Yea like John Baptist in the Wilderness So was our John in Patmos here no less John the Divine resembling therefore rather And of New-Englands Prophets was the Father John
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
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