Rebuking one another and to cleave to the Lord with a full purpose of heart according to the blessed Rules of his Word made known unto them and further they seeing by light of Scripture the Lord Christ ascended up on high to give gifts unto men not onely extraordinary as Apostles c. before the Canon of the Scripture was perfected but also ordinary as Pastors and Teachers and that such are to be fitted with gifts according for so mighty a worke as is the Feeding and Ruling the Flock of Christ Wherefore they Elected and Ordained one Mr. Higgingson to be Tracher of this first Church of Christ set up in those parts a man indued with grace apt to teach and mighty in the Scriptures Learned in the Tongues able to convince gain-sayers aptly applying the word to his hearers who departed this life not long after of whom it may be said The Reverend Mr. Higgingson first Pastor of the Church of Christ at Salem in New England WHat Golden gaine made Higginson remove From fertill Soyle to Wildernesse of Rocks 'T was Christs rich Pearle stir'd up thee toile to love For him to feed in Wildernesse his flocks First Teacher he here Sheepe and Lambs together First crownd shall be hee in the Heavens of all Christs Pastors here but yet Christ folke had rather Him here retaine blest he whom Christ hath call'd They also called to the Office of an Exhorting Elder Mr. Scelton a man of a gratious Speech full of Faith and furnished by the Lord with gifts from above to begin this great worke of his that makes the whole Earth to ring againe at this present day The Reverend Mr. Scelton first Pastor of the Church of Christ at Salem in New England 1630. SCelton for Christ did leave his Native soile Christ Grace first wrought for him or he had never A Pastor been in Wildernesse to toile Where Christ his Flock doth into Churches gather For five yeares space to end thy war-faire thou Must meete with wantes what wants can be to him Whose Shepheard's Christ Earths fullnesse hath for you And Heavens rich Crowne for thee with 's conquest win This Church of Christ being thus begun the Lord with the Water spouts of his tender Mercy caused to increase and fructify And now let every Eare listen and every heart admire and inlarge it selfe to the astonishment of the whole man at this wonderous worke of the great Jehovah That in thrice seven yeares after the beginning of this Worke wrought such fearfull Desolations and wonderfull Alterations among our English Nation and also in this dismall Desart wasting the naturall Inhabitant with deaths stroke and that as is former touched the Mattachusets who were a populous Nation consisting of 30000 able men now brought to lesse then 300. and in their roome and place of abode this poore Church of Christ consisting at their beginning but of seven persons increased to forty three Churches in joyne Communion one with the other professing One God One Christ and one Gospell and in those Churches about 7750. Soules in one profession of the Rules of Christ and that which makes the worke more admirable in the Eyes of all beholders mens habitations are cut out of the Woods and Bushes neither can this place be entered by our English Nation but by passing through a dreadfull and terrible Ocean of nine hundred Leagues in length CHAP. XI Of the Glorious beginnings of a thorough Reformation in the Churclses of Clorist FUrther know these are but the beginnings of Christs glorious Reformation and Restauration of his Churches to a more glorious splendor than ever Hee hath therefore caused their dazeling brightnesse of his presence to be contracted in the burning Glasse of these his peoples zeale from whence it begins to be left upon many parts of the World with such hot reflection of that burning fight which hath fired many places already the which shall never be quenched till it hath burnt up Babilon Root and Branch and now let the Reader looke one the 102. Psalme the Prophet Isaia 66. Chapter take this sharpe Sword of Christs Word and all other Scriptures of like nature and follow on yee valiant of the Lord And behold the worthies of Christ as they are boldly leading forth his Troopes into these Westerne Fields marke them well Man by Man as they march terrible as an Army with Banners croud in all yee that long to see this glorious sight see ther 's their glorious King Christ one that white Horse whose hooses like flint cast not only sparkes but flames of fire in his patâ—es Behold his Crown beset with Carbunkles wherein the names of his whole Army are written Can there be ever night in his Presence whose eyes are ten thousand times higher than the Sun Behold his swiftnes all you that have said where is the promise of his comming Listen a while hear what his herauld proclaimes Babylon is sallen is fallen both her Doctrine Lordly rabble of Popes Cardinalls Lordly-Bâ—shops Friers Monks Nuns Seminary-Priests Jesuits Ermites Pilgrims Deans Prebends Arch-Deacons Commissaries Officialls Proctors Somners Singing-men Choristers Organist Bellows-blowers Vergers Porters Sextons Beads-men and Bel-ringers and all others who never had name in the Word of God together with all her false Doctrines although they may seeme otherwise never so contradictory as Arians who deny the God-head of Christ and Gortenists who deny the Humanity of Christ Papists who thinke to merit Heaven by the Workes of the Law Antinomians who deny the Law of God altogether as a rule to walke by in the obedience of Faith and deny good works to be the Frutit of Faith Arminians who attribute Gods Election or Reprobation to the will of Man and Familists who forsake the revealed Will of God and make men depend upon strong Revelations for the knowledge of Gods Electing Love towards them Conformitants oâ— Formalists who bring in a forme of worship of their owne and joyne it with the worship God hath appointed in his Word Seekers that deny all manner of worship or Ordinances of Christ Jesus affirming them to be quite lost and not to be attained till new Apostles come CHAP. XII Of the voluntary banishment chosen by this People of Christ and their last farewell taken of their Country and Friends ANd now behold the severall Regiments of these Souldiers of Christ as they are shipped for his service in the Western World part thereof being come to the Towne and Port of Southamptan in England where they were to be shipped that they might prosecute this designe to the full one Ship called the Eagle they wholy purchase and many more they hire filling them with the seeds of man and beast to sow this yet untilled Wildernesse withall making sale of such Land as they possesse to the great admiration of their Friends and Acquaintance who thus expostulate with them What will not the large income of your yearly revenue content you which in all reason cannot chuse but be more
worthy worke begun Art thou back-bore Christ will send more and raise instead thy son His Fathers gon young Richard on here valiantly doth War For Christ his truth to their great Ruth Heathens opposers are To study thou thy mind dost how and daily good promote Saltingstall why then dost thou fly let all Gods people note That thou wilt stand in thy own Land Christ there theÌ„ strengthen thee With grace thee heate that thy retreate may for his glory be At ending day he thee array with Glory will not faile Breaking graves bands with his strong hands and free dust from death's goale Among these Troopes of Christs Souldiers came at this time the godly servant of Christ Mr. Roger Harlackenden a young Gentleman valiant in Faith and appointed by Christ to assist his people in this Desart he was chose to the Office of a Magistrate as also to be a choise Leader of their Military Forces which as yet were but in a strange posture And therefore till the yeare 1644. at which time the Countrey wis really placed in a posture of War to be in a readinesse at all times there shall not be any thing spoken concerning their Military Discipline the continuance of this Souldier of Christ was but short the Lord taking him to rest with himselfe HArlackenden among these men of nose Christ hath thie seated In warlike way Christ thee aray with zeal and love well he ated As generall belov'd of all Christ Souldiers honour thee In thy young yeares courage appeares and kinde benignity Short are thy days speÌ„t to his praise whose Church work thou must aid His work shall bide silver tride but thine by death is staid The number of Ministers that came over this yeare was about eleaven and many other like faithfull servants of Christ among whom arrived those two Reverend and laborious servants of his Mr. Norton and Mr. Shepheard of whose narrow escape you have heard the last yeare Mr. Norton was called to the Office of a Teaching Elder at the Towne of Ipswich to the Church of Christ there where Mr. Warde as yet remained in Office Also the learned labours of this Souldier of Christ are obvious to our Countreymen hee Preaching there the blessing of God hath not onely built up many in the Knowledge of Christ but also been the meanes of converting diverse soules turning them from the power of Satan to Faith in Christ whom the Lord long continue you shall further hear of Christs gratious assisting of him in the first and last Synod holden here at Cambridge and in the meane time let no man be offended that the Author quickens up his own dull effections in telling how largely the Lord hath bestowed his Graces upon these Instruments of his although sinfull dust and ashes THou Noble Norton who art honoured by Thy Christ with learned Arguments doth fill Thy mouth with might new errors to destroy And force deceivers silently to yeild Weake dust waite on thy Christ for further strength Who doth his Davids make as Angels bright To trample down his enemies at length All breake or bow unto his Kingdomes might Illettered Men and Women that doe love Preheminence condemne thy learned skill But Christ hath given his blessing from above Vnto thy workes the World with light to fill Christs faithfull servants met in Synod take Thee for their Pen-men Scriptures light to cleere With Scripture shew what Government Christ gave To 's Churches till himselfe againe appeare Here my indeared Reader I must mind thee of the industrious servant of Christ Mr. John Wilson who this yeare landed the third time upon this American shore from his Native Country where now againe by the Divine Providence of Christ hee narrowly escaped the Hunters hands being cloathed in a Country-mans habit passing from places to place declared to the people of God what great Workes Christ had already done for his people in New England which made many Christian soules long to see these admirable Acts of Christ although it were not to be injoyed but by passing through an Ocean of troubles Voyaging night and day upon the great deep which this zealous servant of Christ had now five times passed over at this time came over the Sage grave reverend and faithfull servant of Christ M. Richard Mather indued by the Lord with many Heavenly gifts of a plaine and upright spirit apt to teach full of gratious expressions and Resolvedly bent to follow the truth as it is in Jesus hee was anon after his comming called to Office in the Church of Christ at the Towne of Dorchester to assist in the Worke of the Lord with Mr. Marareck whose worke not long after was ended by death leaving Mr. Mather alone to continue the same WIth cheerfull face Mather doth toile indure In wildernesse spending the prime of 's age To build Christs Churches and soules health procure In battell thou dost deepe thy selfe ingage Marvell not Man that Mather through an host Of enemies doth breake and fighting stands It 's Christ him keepes of him is all his boast Who power gives to do and then commands With gratious speech thy Masters Message thou Declarest to all and all wouldst have submit That to his Kingdome every knee might bow But those resisthis sword shall surely hit Till age doth crown thy head with hoary hairs Well hast thou warr'd till Mathers young againe Thy son in fight his Fathers strength repairs Father and Son beate down Christs foes amaine CHAP. XXXIII Of the beginning of the Churches of Christ to be planted at Canectico and first of the Church of Christ removall to Hartford 1635. THis yeare the servants of Christ who peopled the Towne of Cambridge were put upon thoughts of removing hearing of a very fertill place upon the River of Canectico low Land and well stored with Meddow which is greatly in esteeme with the people of New England by reason the Winters are very long This people seeing that Tillage went but little on Resolved to remove and breed up store of Cattell which were then at eight and twenty pound a Cow or neare upon but assuredly the Lord intended far greater matters than man purposes but God disposes these men having their hearts gone from the Lord on which they were seated soone tooke dislike at every little matter the Plowable plaines were too dry and sandy for them and the Rocky places although more fruitfull yet to eate their bread with toile of hand and how they deemed it unsupportable And therefore they onely waited now for a people of stronger Faith than themselves were to purchase their Houses and Land which in conceipt they could no longer live upon and accordingly they met with Chapmen a people new come who having â—â—â—ught their possessions they highed them away to their new Pâ—aâ—tâ—tion With whom went the Grave and Reverend servant of Christ Mr. Hooker and Mr. Stone for indeed the whole Church removed as also the much honoured Mr. Haynes divers other men of
their Lordly power is the onely means of suppressing Error Secondly the Godly and Reverend Presbyterian Party who had they made their eye-witnesses of this worke they had assuredly saved themselves much labour which I dare presume they would have spent worthily otherwayes then in writing so many books to prove the Congregationall or Independant Churches to be the sluce through which so many flouds of Error flow in nay my deare and reverend brethren might not so much work of yours in writing and ours in answering have been a meanes to have stopt the height of this overflowing floud and through the Lords assisting have setled Peace and Truth in a great measure throughout the three Nations Thirdly those who with their new stratagems have brought in so much old error for although they had a party here yet verily they durst not bring their New Light to the Old Word for fear it would prove but Old Darknesse as indeed they doe But here might they have seene the Ministers of Christ who were so experienced in the Scripture that some of them could tell you the place both Chapter and Verse of most sentences of Scripture could be named unto them with Scriptures light cleering up the truths of Christ clouded by any of these Errors and Heresies as had not been done for many Ages before and verily this great work of Christ must not be lightly over-past the Author of this History passeth not for the shrewd censures of men nor can it be any matter of disparagement to the reverend and highly honoured in Christ remaining in England that their fellow brethren have done so worthily here it is well knowne to all our English Nation that the most able-preaching Ministers of Christ were most pursued by the lording Clergy and those that have spent all their dayes even from a child in searching the Scriptures the Lord Christ preparing them by his blessed spirit for this very work Besides their continued practice in studying and preaching the wayes of truth and lastly their meeting with the opposition of so many crafty close couched errors whose first foundation was laid cheke by joule with the most glorious heavenly and blessed truths to dazle the eyes of the beholders and strike terrour into the hearts of those should lift up their hands against them for feare they should misse them and hit their stroke upon the blessed truth and also to bring up a slanderous and evil report on all the able Orthodox Minâ—stâ—rs of Christ that withstand them perswading men they withstand the holy heavenly and blessed truth which they have lodged there which this Synod did with strong undenyable arguments fetch from Scripture to overthrow and pluck up by the roots all those Errors which you have heard mentioned in the former Book the which they divided for the more full answering of them Among all those valiant Champions of the Truth whom you have heard named to some six some five some foure c. it had assuredly been worth the work to have related the particular manner of putting to the sword every one of them but besides the length of the discourse there must have been a more able Pen-man but however they were so put to death that they never have stood up in a living manner among us since but sometimes like Wizards to peepe and mutter out of ground fit for such people to resort unto as will goe from the living to the dead But blessed be the Lord Christ who girded his people with strength against this day of battaile and caused the Heavens to cleere up againe in New-England after these foggy dayes The fourth and last sort of persons whose presence I could most of all the other three former have desired was those whose disease lay as chiefly in despising all Physitians and that upon this ground for one because some for filthy lucre sake have nourishâ— Diseases rather then cured them Many pamphlets have come from our Countreymen of late to this purpose namely scurrillously to deride all kind of Scholarship Presbytery and Synods Experience hath taught Gods people here that such are troubled with some sinfull opinion of their owne that they would not have touched but had they been at this Synod they must per force have learned better language or their speech and their knowledge would fall foule one of the other here might they have beheld the humility of the most learned of these servants of Christ condemning the high conceitednesse of their ignorance and then also the framing of Arguments in a Schollar like way did the Lord assisting cleare up the truths of Christ more to the meâ—nest capacity in one hour then could be clouded again in sâ—aven yeare by the new notion of any such as boast so much of their unlettered knowledge diversity of languages although a correcting hand of God upon the whole world when they joyned together in that proud Edifice yet now is it blest of God to retaine the purity of the Scriptures if any man should goe about to corrupt them in one language they should remain pure in another and assuredly the Lord intending to have the wayes of the Gospel of Christ to be made more manifest at this time then formerly not by tradition of our forefathers or by mans reason but by the revealed will of God in the holy Scripture did accordingly prepare Instruments for this work earthen vessels men subject to like infirmities with our selves sorry men and carrying about with them a body of sinne and death men subject to erre yet these did the Lord Christ cause to be train'd up in Learning and tutor'd at the Universities and that very young some of them as the revererend Mr. John Cotten at 13. yeares of age The mighty power of God sanctifyed and ordained them for this work and made them a defenced city an iron pillar a wall of brass against all the opposers of his truth and now coupled them together in this Synod to draw in Christs yoke and warre with the weapons he had furnished them withall and cause the blessed truths of Christ to shine forth in their splendour and glory farre more after the dispersing of this smoak which of a long time hath filled the Temple and hindered the entring in of those great number of Converts which shall flow in at the fall of all antichristian Errors and verily as the Lord Christ had called forth this little handfuâ—l to be a model of his glorious work intended thoughout the whole world so chiefly in this suppressing of Errours Sects and Heresies by the blessed word of his truth causing his servants in this Synod muâ—â—ally to agree and by his gracious providence break in pieces a contrived plot of some who by mis-reports insinuating jealousies and crafty carriage of matters to the wrong mark with a writing of thrice twenty strong would have drawne away one of the valiant Souldiers of Christ from this worthy worke who both then and since hath been very helpfull
people after their long Voyage were many of them troubled with the Scurvy and some of them died the first station they tooke up was at Charles Towne where they pitched some Tents of Cloath other built them small Huts in which they lodged their Wifes and Children The first beginning of this worke seemed very dolorous First for the death of that worthy personage Izaac Johnson Esq whom the Lord had indued with many pretious gifts insomuch that he was had in high esteeme among all the people of God and as a chiefe Pillar to support this new erected building He very much rejoyced at his death that the Lord had been pleased to keepe his eyes open so long as to see one Church of Christ gathered before his death at whose departure there was not onely many weeping eyes but some fainting hearts fearing the fall of the present worke For future Remembrance of him mind this Meeter Izaac Johnson Esquire beloved of Christ and his people and one of the Magistrates of New England WHat mov'd thee on the Seas upon such toyle with Lady taking Christs drawing love all strength 's above when way for his hee 's making Christ will have thee example be honoured with 's graces yeilding His Churches aid foundation laid now new one Christ a building Thy Faith Hope Love Joy Meeknesse prove improved for thy Lord As he to thee to people be in Government accord Oh! people why doth Christ deny this worthies life to lengthen Christ onely trust Johnsons turnd dust and yet hee 's crownd and strengthend The griefe of this people was further increased by the sore sicknesse which befell among them so that almost in every Family Lamentation Mourning and woe was heard and no fresh food to be had to cherish them it would assuredly have moved the most lockt up affections to Teares no doubt had they past from one Hut to another and beheld the pâ—teous case these people were in and that which added to their present distresse was the want of fresh water for although the place did afford plenty yet for present they could finde but one Spring and that not to be come at but when the tide was downe which caused many to passe over to the South-side of the River where they afterward erected some other Townes yet most admirable it was to see with what Christian courage many of these Souldiers of Christ carried it amidst all these calamities and in October the Governour Deputy and Assistants held their second Court on the South-side of the River Where they then began to build holding correspondency with Charles Towne as one and the same At this Court many of the first Planters came and were made free yet afterward none were admitted to this fellowship or freedome but such as were first joyned in fellowship with some one of the Churches of Christ their chiefest aime being bent to promote his worke altogether The number of Freemen this yeare was 110. or thereabout CHAP. XVIII Of the second Church of Christ gathered at Charles Towne in the Mattacusets Bay 1631. AND now the new-come Souldiers of Christ strengthen themselves in him and gather a Church at Charles Towne whose extent at present did reach to both sides of the River and in very little time after was divided into two Churches the Reverend and judicious Mr. John Wilson was called to be Pastor thereof a Man full of Faith Courage and Zeale for the truth of Christ persecuted and hunted after by the usurping Prelates and forced for present to part from his indeared Wife yee honoured by Christ and made a powerfull instrument in his hands for the cutting downe of Error and Schisme as in the sequell of this History will appeare in whose weakenesse Christs power hath appeared The Grave and Reverend Mr. John Wilson now Pastor of the Church of Christ at Soston in New England JOhn VVilson will to Christs will submit In Wildernesse where thou hast Trialls found Christ in new making did compose thee fit And made thy Love zeale for his truth abound Then it 's not Wilson but Christ by him hath Error cut down when it o'retopping stood Thou then ' Gainst it didst shew an holy wrath Saving mens soules from this o're-flowing floud They thee deprave thy Ministrey dispise By thy thick utterance seeke to call Men back From hearing thee but Christ for thee did rise And turnd the wheel-right over them to crack Yea caused thee with length of dayes to stand Steadfast in 's house in old Age fruit to bring I and thy seed raise up by his commanâ— His Flock to feed rejoyce my Muse and sing That Christ doth dust regard so plentiously Rich gifts to give and heart to give him his Estate and person thou spends liberally Christ thee and thine will Crown with lasting Blisse This as the other Churches of Christ began with a small number in a desolate and barren Wildernesse which the Lord in his wonderfull mercy hath turned to fruitfull Fields VVherefore behold the present condition of these Churches compared with their beginnings as they sowed in teares so also have they Reaped in joy and shall still so go on if plenty and liberty marre not their prosperity This Towne of Charles is situated one the North-side of Charles River from whence it tooke its Name the River being about five or six fathom deepe Over against the Town many small Islands lieing to the Seaward of it and Hills one either side By which meanes it proves a very good harbor for Ships which hath caused many Sea-men and Merchants to sit downe there the forme of this Towne in the frontice piece thereof is like the Head Neck and Shoulders of a Men onely the pleasant and Navigable River of Mistick runs through the right shoulder thereof and by its neare approach to Charles River in one place makes a very narrow neck by which meanes the chiefe part of the Towne whereon the most building stands becomes a Peninsula it hath a large Market-place neer the water side built round with Houses comly and faire forth of which there issues two streetes orderly built with some very faire Houses beautified with pleasant Gardens and Orchards the whole Towne consists in its extent of about 150. dwelling Houses Their meeting house for Sabbath assembly stands in the Market-place very comly built and large the Officers of this Church are at this day one Pastor and one Teacher one Ruling Elder and three Deacons the number of Soules are about 160. wonderfull it is to see that in so short a time such great alterations Christ should worke for these poore people of his their Corne Land in Tillage in this Towne is about 1200. Acres their great Cattell are about 400. head Sheepe neare upon 400. as for their horse you shall hear of them God willing when we come to speak of their Military Discipline CHAP. XIX Of the Third Church of Christ gathered at Dorchester 1631. THe third Church of Christ gathered under this
at breaking up of Winter filleth all her Bankes and with a furious Torrent ventes it selfe into the Sea This Towne is furnished with Mineralls of divers kinds especially Iron and Lead the forme of it is almost square onely it takes two large a run into the Land ward as most Townes do it is filled with about one hundred Houses for dwelling Here is also an Iron Mill in constant use but as for Lead they have tried but little yet Their meeting-house being on a levell Land undefended from the cold North west-wind And therefore made with steps descending into the Earth their streetes are straite and comly yet but thin of Houses the people mostly inclining to Husbandry have built many Farmes Remote there Cattell exceedingly multiplied Goates which were in great esteeme at their first comming are now almost quite banished and now Horse Kine and Sheep are most in request with them the first feeder of this flock of Christ was Mr. Stephen Batchelor gray and aged of whom as followeth THrough Ocean large Christ brought thee for to feede His wandering flock with 's word thou hast oft taught Then teach thy selfe with others thou hast need Thy flowing fame unto low ebbe is brought Faith and Obedience Christ full near hath joyn'd Then trust on Christ and thou againe mayst be Brought on thy race though now far cast behinde Run to the end and crowned thou shalt be CHAP. XXIII Of the seventh Church of Christ gathered at Water-Towne 1631. THe Seaventh Church of Christ gathered out of this wandering Race of Jaccobites was at Water-Towne scituate upon one of the Branches of Charles River a fruitfull plat and of large extent watered with many pleasant Springs and small Rivulets running like veines throughout her Body which hath caused her inhabitants to scatter in such manner that their Sabbath-Assemblies prove very thin if the season favour not and hath made this great Towne consisting of 160. Families to shew nothing delightfull to the eye in any place this Towne began by occasion of Sir Richard Saltingstall who at his arrivall having some store of Cattell and servants they wintered in those parts this Town aboundes in severall sorts of Fish at their seasons Basse Shad Alewifes Frost fish and Smelts their herd of Kine and Cattell of that kinde are about 450. with some store of Sheepe and Goates their Land in tillage is neere upon 1800. Acres this Church is increased to neer about 250. soules in Church-fellowship their first Pastor was Mr. Phillips a man mighty in the Scriptures and very dilligent to search out the minde of Christ therein contained of whom as followeth THe pennury of Wildernesse shall not Daunt Phillips and diswade his undertaking This Voyage long for Christ hath made him hot With zeal for 's truth thy native soile forsaken To follow Christ his bannisht flock to feede With restlesse toile thus honour'd Christ hath thee Then it maintaine though thou thy people neede Christ would thou shouldst of them aye honoured be Till death thou hast been souldier in this War Darke types the shaddowes of good things now come By thee have been unfoulded very far Cleer'd baptimes light from error broch'd by some As by thy worke in Print appeares this day Though thou thy days hast ended on this Earth Yet still thou livest in Name and Fame alway Christ thee poore dust doth crowne with lasting Mirth CHAP. XXIV Of the great cheerefulnesse of their Souldiers of Christ in and under the penuries of a Wildernesse THese were the beginnings of these resolute Souldiers of Christ Jesus in the yeare 1631. Even to lay the Foundation of their severall Churches of Christ built onely on him as their chiefe Corner Stone But as his chosen Israel met with many difficulties after their returne from Captivity in building the Temple and City which they valiantly waded through So these weake wormes Oh Christ to thy praise be it spoken were most wonderfully holpen in such distresses as to appearance of man seemed to be both hopelesse and helplesse threatning destruction to the whole building and far from accomplishing such great things as you have in part seene already and shall in the following discourse God willing see more abundantly adding a strong testimony to the work that as it was begun by Christ so hath it beene carried on by him and shall to the admiration of the whole World be perfected in his time and unlesse men will be wilfully blinde they must needs see and confesse the same and that the influence thereof hath already run from one end of the Earth unto the other This yeare 1631. John Winthrop Esq was chosen Governour pickt out for the worke by the provident hand of the most high and inabled with gifts accordingly then all the folke of Christ who have seene his face and beene partaker of the same remember him in this following Matter Iohn Winthrope Esq Eleven times Governour of the English Nation inhabiting the Mattacusets Bay in New England WHy leavest thou John thy station in Suffolk thy own soile Christ will have thee a pillar be for 's people thors must toyle He chang'd thy heart thē take his part ' gainst prelates proud invading His Kingly throne set up alone in wildernesse their shading His little flocks from Prelates knocks twice ten years rut'd thou hast With civill sword at Christs word and eleven times been trast By Name and Note with peoples vote their Governour to be Thy means hast spent 't was therefore lent to raise this work by thee Well arm'd and strong with sword among Christ armies warcheth he Doth valiant praise and weak one raise with kind benignity To lead the Van ' gainst Babylon doth worthy Winthrop call Thy Progeny shall Battell try When Prelacy shall fall With fluent Tongue thy Pen doth run in learned Latine phrase To Sweads French Dutch thy Neighbours which thy lady rhetorick praise Thy bounty feeds Christs servants needs in wilderness of wants To Indians thou Christs Gospell now 'mongst heathen people plants Yet thou poore dust now dead and must to rottennesse be brought T'ill Christ restore thee glorious more then can of dust be thought The much honoured Thomas Dudly Esquire was chosen Deputy Governour and the number of Free-men added was about 83. Those honoured persons who were now in place of Government having the propagation of the Churches of Christ in their eye laboured by all meanes to make roome for Inhabitants knowing well that where the dead carkass is thither will the Eagles resort But herein they were much opposed by certaine persons whose greedy desire for land much hindered the worke for a time as indeed all such persons do at this very day and let such take notice how these were cured of this distemper some were taken away by death and then to be sure they had Land enough others fearing poverty and famishment supposing the present scarcity would never be turned into plenty removed themselves away and so never beheld the
Voyage in little time after they were tossed and sore beaten with a contrary winde to the losse of the Ships upper worke with which losse and great peâ—ill they were driven back againe the Lord Christ intending to confirme their Faith in shewing them that although they were brought back as it were into the mouth of their enemies yet hee could hide them from the hand of the Hunter for the space of six moneths longer or thereabout even till the Spring of the yeare following at which time God willing you shall hear of them againe in the meane time the Master and other Sea men made a strange construction of the sore storme they met withall saying their Ship was bewitched and therefore made use of the common Charme ignorant people use nailing two red hot horse-shoos to their maine mast But assuredly it was the Lord Christ who hath command both of Winds and Seas and now would have his people know he hath delivered and will deliver from so great a death CHAP. XXX Of the Ninth Church of Christ gathered at Ipswitch THis year came over a farther supply of Eminent instruments for furthering this admirable Worke of his amongst whom the Reverend and judicious servant of Christ Mr. Nathaniel Ward who tooke up his station at the Towne of Ipswich where the saithfull servants of Christ gathered the Ninth Church of his This Towne is scituated on a faire and delightfull River whose first rise or spring begins about five and twenty Miles farther up in the Countrey issuing forth a very pleasant pond But soone after it betakes its course through a most hideous swamp of large extent even for many Miles being a great Harbour for Beares after its comming forth this place it groweth larger by the income of many small Rivers and issues forth in the Sea due East over against the Island of Sholes a great place of fishing for out English Nation the peopling of this Towne is by men of good ranke and quality many of them having the yearly Revenue of large Lands in England before they came to this Wildernesse but their Estates being imployed for Christ and left in banke as you have formerly heard they are well content till Christ shall be pleased to-restore it againe to them or theirs which in all reason should be out of the Prelates Lands in England Let all those whom it concernes to judge consider it well and do Justice herein This Towne lies in the Saggamooreship or Earldome of Aggawam now by our English Nation called Essex It is a very good Haven Towne yet a little barr'd up at the Mouth of the River some Marchants here are but Boston being the chiefest place of resort of Shipping carries away all the Trade they have very good Land for Husbandry where Rocks hinder not the course of the Plow the Lord hath beene pleased to increase them in Corne and Cattell of late Insomuch that they have many hundred quarters to spare yearly and feed at the latter end of Summer the Towne of Boston with good Beefe a their Houses are many of them very faire built with pleasant Gardens and Orchards consisting of about one hundred and forty Families Their meeting-house is a very good prospect to a great part of the Towne and beautifully built the Church of Christ here consists of about one hundred and sixty soules being exact in their conversation and free from the Epidemicall Disease of all Reforming Churches which under Christ is procured by their pious Learned and Orthodox Ministery as in due place God willing shall be declared in the meane time look on the following Meeters concerning that Souldier of Christ Master Nathaniel Ward THou ancient Sage come Ward among Christs folfe take part in this great worke of his Why do'st thou stand and gaze about so long Do'st war in jest why Christ in earnest is And hath thee arm'd with weapons for that end To Wound and heale his enemies submitting Not carnally then to this Worke attend Thou hast prevail'd the hearts of many hitting Although the Presbytery unpleasant jar And errors daily in their braines new coyne Despayer not Christs truth they shall not mar But with his helpe such drosse from Gold refins What Man do'st meane to lay thy Trumpet downe Because thy son like Warrier is become Hold out or sure lesse bright will be thy crowne Till death Christs servants labour is not done At this time came over the much honoured Mr. Richard Bellingham whose Estate and person did much further the civill Government of this wandering people hee being learned in the Lawes of England and experimentally fitted for the worke of whom I am bold to say as followeth RIchardus now arise must thou Christ seed hath thee to plead His peoples cause with equall Laws in wildernesse them lead Though slow of speech thy counsell reach shall each occation well Sure thy sterne looke it cannot brook those wickedly rebell With labours might thy pen indite doth Lawes for peoples learning That judge with skill and not with will unarbitrate discerning Bellingham thou on valiant now stop not in discontent Eor Christ with crown will thee renown then spend for him be spent As thou hast done thy race still run till death no death shall stay Christs work of might till Scripture light bring Resurection day As also about this time for further incouragement in this work of Christ hee sent over the Reverend servant of his Mr. Lothrop to helpe on with the planting of Plimoth which increased but little all this time although shee be the elder sister of all the united Colonies Some reasons in due place may be rendered This Reverend Minister was soone called to Office by the Church of Christ at Scicuate CHAP XXXI Of the Church of Christ gathered at Newberry IN the latter end of this yeare two sincere servants of Christ inabled by him with gifts to declare his minde unto his people came over this broad Ocean and began to build the Tenth Church of Christ at a Towne called Newberry their names being Mr. James Noise and Mr. Thomas Parker somewhat differing from all the former and after mentioned Churches in the preheminence of their Presbytery and it were to be wished that all persons who have had any hand in those hot contentions which have fallen out since about Presbyterian and Independent Government in Churches would have looked on this Example comparing it with the Word of God and assuredly it would have stayed all the godly at lest of either part from such unworthy expressions as have passed to the grief of many of Gods people And I doubt not but this History will take of that unjust accusation and standerous imputation of the rise of that floud of errors and false Doctrines sprung up of late as flowing from the Independent or rather congregationall Churches But to follow on this Town is scituate about twelve miles from Ipswitch neere upon the wide venting streames of Merrimeck River whose strong current is such
came to a very sad end for thus it came to passe in the latter place The Indians in those parts forwarned them of making their abode there yet this could be no warning to them but still they continued being amongst a multitude of Indians boasted they were become all one Indian and indeed this woman who had the chiefe rule of all the roast being very bold in her strange Revelations and mis-applications tells them though all nations and people were cut off round about them yet should not they till on a day certaine Indians coming to her house discoursing with them they wished to tye up her doggs for they much bit the man not mistrusting the Indians guile did so the which no sooner done but they cruelly murthered her taking one of their daughters away with them another of them seeking to escape is caught as she was getting over a hadge and they drew her back againe by the haire of the head to the stump of a tree and there cut off her head with a hatchet the other that dwelt by them betook them to boat and fled to tell this sad newes the rest of their companions who were rather hardened in their sinfull way and blasphemous opinions than brought to any sight of their damnable Errours as you shall after hear yet was not this the first loud speaking hand of God against them but before this the Lord had poynted directly to their sinne by a very fearfull Monster that another of these women brought forth they striving to bury it in oblivion but the Lord brought it to light setting forth the view of their monstrous Errors in this prodigious birth This yeare although the estates of these pilgrim people were much wasted yet seeing the benefit that would accrew to the Churches of Christ and Civil Government by the Lords blessing upon learning they began to erect a Colledge the Lord by his provident hand giving his approbation to the work in sending over a faithfull and godly servant of his the reverend Mr John Harverd who joyning with the people of Christ at Charles Towne suddainly after departed this life and gave near a thousand pound toward this work wherefore the Government thought it meet to call it Harverd Colledge in remembrance of him Ip Harverd had with riches here been taken He need not then through troublous Seas have past But Christs bright glory hath thine eyes so waken Nought can content thy soule of him must tast Ohtast and tell how sweet his Saints among Christ ravisht hath thy heart with heavenly joyes To preach and pray with teares affection strong From hearts delight in him who thee imployes Scarce hast thou had Christs Churches here in eye But thou art call'd to eye him face to face Earths scant contents death drawes thee from for why Full joy thou wouldst that 's onely in heavens place CHAP. XIII Of the coming over of the honoured Mr. Pelham and the planting of the seaventeenth Church of Christ at the Towne of Hampton THis yeare 1639. John Winthrope Esq was chosen Governour and Thomas Dudly Esq Deputy Governour the number of freemen added were about 83. This yeare came over the much honoured Mr. Herbert Pelham a man of a courteous behaviour humble and heavenly minded HArbertus hye on valiant Why lingerst thou so long Christs work hath need of hasty speed his enemies are strong In wildernesse Christ doth thee blesse with vertues wife and seed To govern thou at length didst bow to serve Christs peoples need To thine own soyle thou back dost toyle then cease not lab ring there But still advance Christs Ordinance and shrink no where for fear Much about this time began the Town of Hampton in the Country of Northfolk to have her foundation stone laid scituate neare the Sea-coast not farre from the famous River of Merimeck the great store of salt marsh did intice this people to set downe their habitations there for as yet Cowes and Cattell of that kinde were not come to the great downfall in their price of which they have about 450. head and for the form of this Towne it is like a Flower-de-luce two streets of houses wheeling off from the maine body thereof the land is fertile but filled with swamps and some store of rocks the people are about 60. Families being gathered together into Church covenant they called to office the reverend grave and gracious Mr. Doulton having also for some little space of time the more ancient Mr. Batchelor of whom you have heard in the former Book to preach unto them also here take a short remembrance of the other DOulton doth teach perspicuously and sound With Wholsome truths of Christ thy flock dost feed Thy honour with thy labour doth abound Age crownes thy head in righteousnesse proceed To batter downe root up and quite destroy All Heresies and Errors that draw back Vnto perdition and Christs folk annoy To warre for him thou weapons dost not lack Long dayes to see that long'd for day to come Of Babels fall and Israels quiet peace Thou yet maist live of dayes so great a sum To see this work let not thy warfare cease CHAP. XIV Of the planting the eighteenth Church of Christ at the Towne of Salsbury FOr further perfecting this Wildernesse-work not far from the Towne of Hampton was erected another Towne called Salsbury being brought forth as Twins sometime contending for eldership This being seated upon the broade swift torrent of Merrimeck a very goodly River to behold were it not blockâ— up with some suddaine falls through the rocks over against this Towne lyeth the Towne of Newberry on the Southern side of the River a constant Ferry being kept between for although the River be about half a mile broad yet by reason of an Island that lies in the midst thereof it is the better passed in troublesom weather the people of this Towns have of late placed their dwellings so much distanced the one from the other that they are like to divide into two Churches the scituation of this Towne is very pleasant were the Rivers Navigable farre up the branches thereof abound in faire and goodly medowes with good store of stately Timber upon the uplands in many places this Towne is full as fruitfull in her Land Chattell and Inhabitants as her Sister Hampton the people joyned in Church relation or brotherhood nere about the time the other did and have desired and obtained the reverend and graciously godly M. Thomas Woster to be their Pastor WIth mickle labour and distressed wants Woster thou hast in desart's depth remain'd Thy chiefest dayes Christs Gospel there to plant And water well such toyle shall yeild great gaine Oh happy day may Woster say that I Was singled out for this great work in hand Christ by distresse doth Gold for 's Temple try Thrice blest are they may in his Presence stand But more thou art by him reserved yet To see on earth Christ's Kingdom 's exaltation More yet thou art
by him prepared fit To help it on among our English Nation CHAP. XV. Of further supply for the Church of Christ at Waterton And a sad acceidnt fell out in Boston Towne THe Lord intending to strengthen his poore Churches here and after the overthrow of these damnable Errors to trample Satan under their feet he manifesteth his mindefulness of them in sending over fresh suplpyes againe and againe although weak and sory men in themselves yet strong in the Lord and the power of his might the last that this yeare is to be named is the reverend judicious and godly-affected Mr John Knowles who was desired of the Church of Christ at Waterton to be a two-fold cord unto them in the office of a teaching Elder with the reverend Mr. Phillips of whom you have heard in the former Book WIth courage bold and arguments of strength Knowles doth apply Gods word his stock unto Christ furnisht hath to shew his bountyes length Thee with rich gifts that thou his work mayst do New England is too scant for thy desire Inkindled is Christs truths abroad to spread Virginia may his grace to them admire That thee through Seas for their instruction led Thy labours Knowles are great far greater hee Not onely thee but all his valiant made Forth sinfull dust his Saints and Warriers be He thee upheld thy strength shall never fade John come thou forth behold what Christ hath wrought In these thy dayes great works are yet behinde Then toyle it out till all to passe be brought Christ crowne will thee thou then his glory minde To end this yeare 1639. the Lord was pleased to a send a very sharp winter and more especially in strong storms of weekly snows with very bitter blasts And here the Reader may take notice of the sad hand of the Lord against two persons who were taken in a storme of snow as they were passing from Boston to Roxbury it being much about a mile distant and a very plaine way One of Roxbury sending to Boston his servant maid for a Barber Chirurgion to draw his tooth they lost their way in their passage between and were not found till many dayes after and then the maid was fonnd in one place and the man in another both of them frozen to death in which sad accident this was taken into consideration by divers people that this Barber was more then ordinary laborious to draw men to those sinfull Errors that were formerly so frequent and now newly overthrowne by the blessing of the Lord upon the endeavour of his faithfull servants with the word of truth he having a fit opportunity by reason of his trade so soone as any were set downe in his chaire he would commonly be cutting of their haire and the truth together notwithstanding some report better of the man the example is for the living the dead is judged of the Lord alone CHAP. XVI The great supply of godly Ministers for the good of his People in New England FOr to govern and rule this little Common wealth was this year chosen the valiant Champion for the advance of Christs truh Thomas Dudly Esq and Richard Bellingham Esq Deputy Governour the freemen added to the former were about 192. this yeare the reverend Mr. Burr a holy heavenly-minded man and able gifted to preach the Word of God was exercised therein for some space of time in the Church of Christ at Dorchester where they were about calling him to the office of a teaching Elder but in a very littie time after his coming over he departed this life yet minde him you may in the following Meetre WEll didst thou minde thy Work Which caus'd thee vonter Through Ocean large thy Christ in 's Word to preach Exhorting all their faith on him to center Soules ravisht are by him in thy sweet speech Thy speech bewrayes thy heart for heaven doth look Christ to enjoy Burr from the earth is taken Thy words remaine though thou hast us forsook In dust sleep sound till Christ thy body waken There are divers others of the faithfull Ministers of Christ that came over for to further this his work somewhat before this time as the godly and reverend Mr. Rayner who was called to office in the Church of Christ at Plimoth and there remaines preaching the Word instantly with great paines and care over that flock as also the reverend and faithfull servant of Christ Jesus Mr. William Hook who was for some space of time at the Church in Taunton but now remaines called to office in the Church of Christ at Newhaven a man who hath received of Christ many gracious gifts fit for so high a calling with very amiable and gracious speech labouring in the Lord and here also the Reader may minde how the Lord was pleased to reach out his large hand of bounty toward his N. England people in supplying them abundantly with Teachers able and powerfull to break the bread of life unto them so long as their desires continued hot and zealous but after here grew a fulnesse in some even to slight if not loath the honey comb many returned for England and the Lord was pleased to take away others by death although very few considering the number but let N. England beware of an after-clap provoke the Lord no longer But seeing this yeare proved the last of the yeares of transportation of Gods people only for enjoyment of exercising the Ordinances of Christ and enlargement of his Kingdome there being hopes of great good opportunity that way at home it will be expediene onely to name some others in the Southwest parts among the lesser Colonyes and so passe on to the story And first not to forget the reverend Mr. Eaton a man of love and peace and yet godly zealous he came over with those who planted the Colony of Newhaven spending his labours in the Lord with them in Plimoth Plantation also here is to be minded the reverend Mr. Chancie a very able Preacher both learned and judicious as also the reverend able and pious M. Huet who came over this year or rather as I suppose the yeare before who did spend his time and labour with a people that came over with him at length the greatest part of them they settled downe in the Government of Canecticoe where they planted the Towne of Windsor and Church of Christ there where this gracious servant of Christ continued in his labours till the Lord laid him in his bed of rest somewhat before this time came over the reverend Mr. Smith being another of that name beside the former he laboured in the Word and Doctrine with a people at Withersfield in those parts also Mr. Henry Whitefield another Minister of the Gospel of Christ of reverend respect who being returned for England the latter of his labours the Lord assisting will sufficiently testifie his sincerity for the truth and labours of love in the Lord here may also be named the reverend Mr. Peck Mr. Saxton
the people in the several Colonies to make a yearly contribution toward it which by some is observed but by the most very much neglected the Government hath endeavoured to grant them all the priviledges fit for a Colledg and accordingly the Governour and Magistrates together with the President of the Colledg for the time being have a continual care of ordering all matters for the good of the whole This Colledg hath brought forth and nurst up very hopeful plants to the supplying some Churches here as the grrcious and godly Mr. Wilson son to the grave and zealous servant of Christ Mr. John Wilson this young man is Pastor to the Church of Christ at Dorchester as also Mr. Buckly son to the reverend M. Buckly of Concord 〈◊〉 also a second son of his whom our Native Country hath now at present help in the Ministery and the other is over a people of Christ in one of these Colonies and if I mistake not England hath I hope not only this young man of N. E. nurâ—â—ng up in learning but many more as M. Sam. and Nathaâ—â—â—l Mathers Mr. Wells Mr. Downing Mr. Bâ—rnard Mr. Alâ—â—â— Mr. Bruster Mr. VVilliam Ames Mr. Iones Another of the first fruits of this Colledg is imployed in these Western parts at Mâ—vis one of the summer Islands beside these named â—â—me help hath been had from hence in the study of Physick 〈◊〉 also the godly Mr. Sam. Danforth who hath not only stuâ—ed Divinity but also Astronomy he put forth many Almaâ—â—ks and is now called to the office of a teaching Elder in the Church of Christ at Roxbury who was one of the fellows of this Colledg the number of Students is much encreased of late so that the present year 1651. on the twelfth of the sixth moneth ten of them took the degree of Batchelors of Art among whom the Sea-born son of Mr. Iohn Cotton was one some Gentlemen have sent their sons hither from England who are to be commended for their care of them as the judicious and godly Doctor Ames and divers others This hath been a place certainly more free from temptations to lewdness then ordinarily England hath been yet if men shall presume upon this to send their most exorbitant children intending them more especially for Gods service the Justice of God doth sometimes meet with them and the means doth more harden them in their way for of late the godly Governors of this Colledg have been forced to expell some for fear of corrupting the Fountain wherefore the Author would ye should mind this following verse You that have seen these wondrous works by Sions Savier don Expect not miracle left means thereby you over-run The noble Acts Jehovah wrought his Israel to redeem Surely this second work of his shall far more glorious seem Not only Egypt but all Lands where Antichrist doth raign Shall from Jehovahs heavy hand ten times ten plagues sustainâ— Bright shining shall this Gospel come Oh glorious King of Saints Thy blessed breath confounds thy foes all mortal power faints The ratling bones together run with self-same breath that blows Of Israels sons long dead and dry each joynt there sinew grows Fair flesh doth cover them veins lifes feuntain takes there platâ— Smooth seamless coats doth cloath their flesh and all their structure grace The breath of Life is added they no Antinomians are But loving him who gives them life more zealous are by far To keep his Law then formerly when righteousnesse they sought In keeping that they could not keep which then their dowufâ— brought Their ceremonies vanisht are on Christ's all their desires Their zeal all Nations doth provoke inkindled are loves fires VVith hast on horseback bringing hometheir sons daughters they Rejoyce to see this glorious sight like Resurrections day Vp and be doing you young plants Christ calls his work unto Polluted lips touch'd with heav'ns fire about this work shall go Prostrate in prayer parents and you young ones on Christ call Suppose of you he will make use whereby that boast shall fall So be it Lord thy servants say who are at thy disposing VVith outward word work inward grace by heavenly truths disclosing Awake stand up from death to life in Christ your studies enter The Scriptures search bright light bring forth upon this hardship venter Sound doctrine shall your lips preach out all errors to confound And rid Christ's Temple from this smoke his glory shall abound Precipitant doth Dâ—gon fall his triple head off out The Beast that all the world admires by you to death is put Put hand to mouth with vehement blast your silver Trumpets sound Christ calls to mind his peoples wrongs their foes hee 'l now confoâ—nd Bestrong in God and his great might his wondrous works do tell You raised are unwonted ways observe his workings well As Jordans streams congeal'd in heaps and Jerico's high walls With Rams horns blast and Midians Host with pitcher breaking falls Like works your faith for to confirm in these great works to come That nothing now too hard may seem Jehovah would have don The rage of Seas and hunger sharp wants of a desart Land Your noble hearts have overcom what shall this work withstand Not persecutors pride and rage strong multitudes do fall By little handfuls of least dust your Christ confounds them all Not Sâ—tan and his subtil train with seeming shew reforming Another Gospel to bring forth brings damned errors swarming Your selves have seen his paint waesht off his hidden poysons found Christ you provides with Antidotes to keep his people sound There 's nought remains but conquist now through Christ's continued power His hardest works have honors most attend them every hour VVhat greater honor then on earth Christ's Legat for to bo Attended with his glorious Saints in Church fraternity Christ to behold adorning now his Bride in bright array And you his friends him to attend upon his Nuptial day VVith crowned heads as Conquerors triumphant by his side In 's presence is your lasting joy and pleasures ever bide Mr. Henry Dunstar is now President of this Colledg fitted from the Lord for the work and by those that have skill that way reported to be an able Proficient in both Hebrew Greek and Latine languages an Orthodox Preacher of the truths of Christ very powerful through his blessing to move the affection and besides he having a good inspection into the well-ordering of things for the Students maintenance whose commons hath been very short hitherto by his frugal providence hath continued them longer at their Studies then otherwise they could have done and verily it 's great pity such ripe heads as many of them be should want means to further them in learning But seeing the Lord hath been pleased to raise up so worthy an instrument for their good he shall not want for incouragement to go on with the work so far as a rustical rime will reach COuld man presage prodigious works at hand Provide he would for 's
indefatigable paines in thâ— Wilderness-work is not to be forgotten nor indeed â—â— it be his Funeral was very sadly and solemnly performeâ— by a very great concourse of the greater part of this Coloâ— whose mournful looks and watry eyes did plainly demonstrate the tender affection and great esteem he was in with the people CHAP. VIII Of the death of divers personages who were in great este em with the people of New-England famous for their godliness and ominent parts both for Magistracy and Ministery and of the correcting hand of the Lord upon his N. E. people A His year after the death of this godly Governour was chosen to succeed in the place 10. Endicut Esq and Tho. Dudly Esq to be Deputy Governor to the place of Major-General Edw. Gibbons and seeing that the Lord is pleased to call this people to mourning the Author will proceed to relate what further occasion this people have had to lament their miscarriages that have caused the rod to be stretched out toward them for of a truth they are no Antinomians The next loss was the death of that famous Preacher of the Lord M. Hooker Pastor of the Church of Christ at Hartford and M. Philips Pastor of the Church of Christ at Watertown and the holy heavenly sweet-affecting and soul-ravishing Minister M. Tho. Shepheard Pastor of the Church of Christ at Cambridg whose departure was very heavily taken by all the people of Christ round about him and now N.E. that had such heaps apon heaps of the riches of Christs tender compassionate mercies being turn'd off from his dandling knees began to read their approaching rod in the bend of hiâ— brows frowns of his former favourable countenance toward them their plenty of all things which shold have cheared their hearts quickned their spirits in elevating both soul and body to a thankful frame through the work of his blessed Spirit on the contrary it brought a fulness on many even to loath the very honey-comb insomuch that good wholesome truths would not down yet had the Lord those that were precious unto him who were not wanting to help one another out of this distemper and with more warmer affections exhort one another Come let us go up unto the house of the Lord and he will teach us his wayes Also the Lord was pleased to awaken us with an Army of caterpillers that had he not suddainly rebuked them they had surely destroyed the husband mans hope where they fell upon trees they left them like winter-wasting cold bare and naked and although they fell on fields very rarely yet in some places they made as clear a riddance as the harvest mans hand and uncovered the gay green Medow ground but indeed the Lord did by some plats shew us what he could have done with the whole and in many places cast them into the high wayes that the Cart-wheels in their passage were painted green with running over the great swarms of them in some fields they devoured the leaves of their pease and left the straw with the full crop so tender was the Lord in his correction this minded all these Jacobites of the end of their coming over but chiefly the husbandman whose over eager pursuit of the fruits of the earth made some of them many times run out so far in this Wilderness even out of the sweet sound of the silver Trumpets blown by the laborious Ministers of Christ forsaking the assembly of the Lords people to celebrate their Sabbaths in the chimney-corner horse kine sheep goats and swine being their most indeared companions to travel with them to the end of their pilgrimage or otherwise to gather together some of their neerest neighbours and make a preachment one unto another till they had learn'd so much that they could away with none other teaching As also the Lord was pleased to command the wind and Seas to give us a jog on the elbow by sinking the very chief of our shipping in the deep and splitting them in shivers against the shores a very goodly Ship called the Seaforce was east away and many N. E. people put to hard shifts for their lives and some drowned as the godly and dearly beloved servant of Christ Mr. Tho Coitmire a very able Seaman and also a good Scholar one who had spent both his labour and estate for the helping on of this Wilderness-work as also another ship set forth by the Merchants of New-haven of which the godly Mr Lamberton went Master neither ship persons nor goods ever heard of another ship also built and set forth by the inhabitants of Cambridg split and cast away neer the same place where the Seaforce was loft as also another Barque mostly set forth by Dorchester men sank in the Sea and never heard of the manner how with divers others which might be here inserted this seemed the sorer affliction to these N. E people because many godly men lost their lives and abundantly the more remarkable because the Lord was pleased to forbid any such things to befal his people in their passage hither herein these people read as in great capital letters their suddain forgetfulness of the Lords former received mercy in his wonderful preservation bringing over so many scores of ships and thousands of persons without miscarriage of any to the wonderment of the whole world that shall hear of it â—ut more especially were the Merchants and traders themselves sensible of the hand of the Lord out against them who were in some of the ships and had their lixes given them for a prey as also Vintners and other men of trade whose gain is increased by Merchants men being so taken up with the income of a large profit that they would willingly have had the Common wealth tolerate divers kinds of sinful opinions to intice men to come and sit down with us that their purses might be filled with coyn the civil Government with contention and the Churches of our Lord Christ with errors the Lord was pleased after all this to let in the King of Terror among his new-planted Churches FOr this year 1650. Tho. Dudly Esquire was chosen Governor and John Eudicut Esquire Deputy Governor Major-General Edward Gibbous continned in his office still the number of freemen added were about 55. Thir year was the first noted year wherein any store of people died the ayt and place being very healthy naturally made this correction of the Lord seem the greater for the most that died were children and that of an unwonted disease here though frequent in other places the Lord now smiting many families with death in them although there were not any families wherein more then one died or very rare if it were otherwise yet were these pilgrim people minded of the suddain forgetfulness of those worthies that died not long before but more especially the little regard had to provide means to train their children up in the knowledg of learning and improve such means as the Lord hath
appointed to leave their posterity an able Minister as also to stir them up to prepare for the great work of the Lord Jesus in the overthrow of Antichrist and calling of the Jews which in all likelyhood is very suddainly to be performed as also in stirring up all the young ones that remain to consider for what â—nd the Lord hath spared their lives when he cut off others by death namely to prosecute the work that he hath given them to do in the power of his might with the greater zeal and courage THis year the honored and much desired servant of Christ John Endicut Esquire was chosen to be Governour of the English inhabiting the Colony of the Mattachusets and the antient honored and long continued Champion for the truth as it is in Jesus Tho. Dudly Esquire was chosen Deputy Governour by the major Vote of these wandering Jacobites with heart and good will the honored Major-General Edward Gibbous continued in place this year the Government shewed their desire to be assisting to the State of England in making orders for establishing their Edict for these Western parts of the world among out N. E. people the Lord in his infinite wisdom saw meet to continue his correcting hand among his N. E. Churches somewhat more then ordinary in a sore disease of which many in comparison of what used to do and yet not so many as ordinarily use to do in other plantations of this Western world and whereas the former year young children died most this year those of grown years died also and although so small a sickness might not be taken notice of in other places yet the rareness of it in so healthy a country as is this cannot but speak loud in the ears of Gods people who desire to hear the rod and who hath appointed it and perceive plainly many of them that the Lord will have us to know that if his own people tread in the same steps of riot and excess in the plenty he hath given them with the men of this world he will lay the same sicknesses and diseases upon them and further they perceive according to the ordinary dispensation of his providences toward them he hath some further great work to do with his N. E. people that he is beginning again to a waken rouze up and quicken them with the rod of his power For thus they begin to reason with themselves when the Lord was pleased to expose them their wifes and little ones to the troubles of a tempestuous Sea in so long a voyage and the wants of a barren Wilderness in great penury of food he brought forth by his mighty power and stretched-our arm the glorious fabrick of his New-E Churches and therefore now again they look for some further extraordinary great work of his if he shall once again be pleased to refine them in this furnace of his and would the Lord Christ would confirm our brethren in England in like faith by our example yea and far beyond many degrees as the Wonder-working providence of Sions Saviour toward them hath more abundantly exceeded and that as this in three seven years is comprised though very weakly in this little book there 's in one seven year would require volumes and as this is wonderful there is almost miraculous and wonderful to the whole world as if the Lord Christ did intend to make his power known more abundantly then ever the sons of men saw Kings and Kingdoms strengthened with affinity and consanguinity the valiant of the world men skil'd in feats of war as Goliah from a child fierce and pampered horses whose necks are covered with strong neighing and cunning Engeniers men skilful to destroy with all the terrible engins of war together with swarms of souldiers flocking together to swallow up the poor remnant of Gods people all these hath the Lord caused to fall before your eyes and our ears have heard the noyse of this great fall and beloved countrymen and our dear brethren in Christ step into the closet of your own hearts with us and see if there will not be some things in this following verse that may suit your condition as well as ours that having sown in tears we may reap with joy the glorious harvest of our Lord Christ which is hard at hand for assuredly the Lord is tyed neither to us nor you but may if it please him cast off both and raise up new instruments for his following work but if he be pleased to give us melting hearts for our former miscarriages and renew us with a more zealous courage and earnest contending for the faith it is very like he hath more glorious works by far for us yet to do CHAP. IX Of the wonder-working providences of Christ wrought for his people among our English Nation both in our Native country and also in N. E. which should stir us up to mourn for all our miscarriages much the more FRom silent night true Register of moans From saddest soul consum'd in deepest sin From heart quite rent with sighs and heavy groans My wailing muse her woful work begins And to the world brings tunes of sad lament Sounding nought els but sorrows sad relent Sorry to see my sorrows cause augmented And yet less sorrowful were my sorrows more Grief that with grief is nor with grief prevented Yet grief it is must ease my grieved sore So grief and sorrow care but how to grieve For grief and sorrow must my cares relieve The wound fresh bleeding must be stauch'd with tears Tears cannot come unless some grief proceed Grief comes but slack which doth increase my fears Fear left for want of help I still shall bleed Do what I can to lengthen my lifes breath If Christ be wanting I shall bleed to death Thou deepest searcher of each secret thought Infuse in me thy all-affecting grace So shall my work to good effect be brought While I peruse my ugly sins a space Whose staining filth so spotted hath my soul That nought can wash but tears of inward dole How soon my soul hast thou the Lord forgot Who thee and thine through troublous Seas hath lead On earth thy parts should praise him suddain rot Why dost neglect his glorious Kingdom spread Thy eyes have seen the Mountains mov'd with 's hand And sunk in Seas to make his Sion stand No wonder then thy works with Eastern wind On Seas are broke and thy best Seamen slain Sith thou thy gain and not Christs work dost mind Lord stay thy hand I see my works are vain Our ships they shall thy Gospel forth convey And not bring home strange errors here to stay Instead of home-oppression they shall now Thy Saints abroad relieve by Sea them send No riot shall our Merchantmen allow Time in exchange walks not in Taverns spend Godly grief and good purpose comes from thee Lord Christ command and then to work go we Oh thou my soul how weak's thy faith
manifested not only to our own shipping but strangers as the Mary Rose blown up in Charles River and sunk in a moment with about thirteen men slain therein As also one Capt. Chadwicks Pinnace and about four men slain therein beside what hath been formerly said touching our own shipping B The Rod of God toward us in our Maritine affairs manifested not only to our own shipping but strangers as the Mary Rose blown up in Charles River and sunk in a moment with about thirteen men slain therein As also one Capt. Chadwicks Pinnace and about four men slain therein beside what hath been formerly said touching our own shipping C Of the Lords hand against our Land affairs as is heretofore expressed and also in the suddain taking away many mens estates by fire and chiefly by a most terrible fire which happened in Charles-Town in the depth of Winter 1650. by a violent wind blown from one house to another to the consuming of the fairest houses in the Town Vnder the preâ—ance of being unequally rated many men murmure exceedingly and withdraw their shoulders from the support of Government to the great discouragement of those that govern 1651. Pride and excess in apparrel iâ— frequent in these daies when the Lord calls his people to humiliation and humble acknowledgment of his great deliverances and that which is far worse spiritual pride to shew our selves to be somebody often step â—ut of our ranks and delight in new fangled doctrines C Of the Lords hand against our Land affairs as is heretofore expressed and also in the suddain taking away many mens estates by fire and chiefly by a most terrible fire which happened in Charles-Town in the depth of Winter 1650. by a violent wind blown from one house to another to the consuming of the fairest houses in the Town Vnder the preâ—ance of being unequally rated many men murmure exceedingly and withdraw their shoulders from the support of Government to the great discouragement of those that govern 1651. Pride and excess in apparrel iâ— frequent in these daies when the Lord calls his people to humiliation and humble acknowledgment of his great deliverances and that which is far worse spiritual pride to shew our selves to be somebody often step â—ut of our ranks and delight in new fangled doctrines C Of the Lords hand against our Land affairs as is heretofore expressed and also in the suddain taking away many mens estates by fire and chiefly by a most terrible fire which happened in Charles-Town in the depth of Winter 1650. by a violent wind blown from one house to another to the consuming of the fairest houses in the Town Vnder the preâ—ance of being unequally rated many men murmure exceedingly and withdraw their shoulders from the support of Government to the great discouragement of those that govern 1651. Pride and excess in apparrel iâ— frequent in these daies when the Lord calls his people to humiliation and humble acknowledgment of his great deliverances and that which is far worse spiritual pride to shew our selves to be somebody often step â—ut of our ranks and delight in new fangled doctrines C Of the Lords hand against our Land affairs as is heretofore expressed and also in the suddain taking away many mens estates by fire and chiefly by a most terrible fire which happened in Charles-Town in the depth of Winter 1650. by a violent wind blown from one house to another to the consuming of the fairest houses in the Town Vnder the preâ—ance of being unequally rated many men murmure exceedingly and withdraw their shoulders from the support of Government to the great discouragement of those that govern 1651. Pride and excess in apparrel iâ— frequent in these daies when the Lord calls his people to humiliation and humble acknowledgment of his great deliverances and that which is far worse spiritual pride to shew our selves to be somebody often step â—ut of our ranks and delight in new fangled doctrines C Of the Lords hand against our Land affairs as is heretofore expressed and also in the suddain taking away many mens estates by fire and chiefly by a most terrible fire which happened in Charles-Town in the depth of Winter 1650. by a violent wind blown from one house to another to the consuming of the fairest houses in the Town Vnder the preâ—ance of being unequally rated many men murmure exceedingly and withdraw their shoulders from the support of Government to the great discouragement of those that govern 1651. Pride and excess in apparrel iâ— frequent in these daies when the Lord calls his people to humiliation and humble acknowledgment of his great deliverances and that which is far worse spiritual pride to shew our selves to be somebody often step â—ut of our ranks and delight in new fangled doctrines C Of the Lords hand against our Land affairs as is heretofore expressed and also in the suddain taking away many mens estates by fire and chiefly by a most terrible fire which happened in Charles-Town in the depth of Winter 1650. by a violent wind blown from one house to another to the consuming of the fairest houses in the Town Vnder the preâ—ance of being unequally rated many men murmure exceedingly and withdraw their shoulders from the support of Government to the great discouragement of those that govern 1651. Pride and excess in apparrel iâ— frequent in these daies when the Lord calls his people to humiliation and humble acknowledgment of his great deliverances and that which is far worse spiritual pride to shew our selves to be somebody often step â—ut of our ranks and delight in new fangled doctrines D An over-eager desire after the world hath so seized on the spirits of many that the chief end of our coming hither is forgotten and notwithstanding all the powerful means used we stand at a stay as if the Lord had no farther work for his people to do but every bird to feather his own nest D An over-eager desire after the world hath so seized on the spirits of many that the chief end of our coming hither is forgotten and notwithstanding all the powerful means used we stand at a stay as if the Lord had no farther work for his people to do but every bird to feather his own nest E The Lords taking away by death many of his most eminent servants from us shewes that either the Lord will raise up another people to himself to do his work or raise us up by his Rod to a more eager pursuit of his work even the planting of his Churches the world throughout The Lord converts and calls forth of their graves men to fight his battels against the enemies of his truth E The Lords taking away by death many of his most eminent servants from us shewes that either the Lord will raise up another people to himself to do his work or raise us up by his Rod to a more eager pursuit of his work even the planting of his Churches the world throughout The Lord converts and calls forth of their graves men to fight his battels against the enemies of his truth Aso Mr. William Leveriry Pastor of Sandwich Church is very serious therein and with good success Mr. Nathaneel White Mr. Patrick Copeland Mr. William Golding Rev. 17.14 * Yea every Officer hath his own proper Regiment
New-England spent Full sixteen years to water plant and prune Trees taken up and for that end here sent Thy end 's with Christ with 's Saints his praises tune This year the General Court made an order about preparing houses for Salt-peter that there might be powder made in the Country but as yet it hath not gone on CHAP. XXIII Of the uniting of the four English Colonies in N E. and the battel fought between the Narragansets and Mawhiggins THe yeare 1653. the honored John Winthrop Esquire was chosen Governor again and John Endicut Esquire Deputy Governour the free men added were about 87. this year the four Colonies the Mattachusets Plimoth Canectico and New-haven taking into consideration the many Nations of Dutch Zewes and French that were on either side of them as also how apt they were to lay claim to lands they never had any right unto but only a paper possession of their own framing and further that the inhumane and barbarous Indians would be continually quarrelling and contending could they see any hopes of prevailing together with the contestion begun in our Native country and withal that although providence had cast them into four several Colonies yet Religion had already united them coming over all for one and the same end Hereupon by Commissioners sent from the several colonies they concluded a firm confederation to assist each other in all just and lawful war bearing an equal proportion in the charge according to the number of persons inhabiting each colony but herein the Mattachuset had the worst end of the staff in bearing as much or more charge then all the other three and yet no greater number of Commissioners to negotiate and judg in transacting of affairs concerning peace and war then the least of the other and any one of the other as lâ—kely to involve them in a chargeable war with the naked Natives that have neither plunder nor cash to bear the charge of it nay hitherto the most hath risen from the lesser colonies yet are the Mattachusets far from deserting them esteeming them highly so long as their Governments maintain the same purity in Religion with themselves for indeed this is that they have spent their whole travel for and therefore if Plimoth or any of the other shall draw back herein the chiefest end of their confederacy would be lost for should it come to pass that in venturing their persons and estates so far for purity in the Ordinances and Discipline of Christ they should lose the purity in doctrine all their cost and labour were lost This confederacy being finished there came in certain Indian Sachims and submitted to the English Government as Pomham and Soecanaâ—â—â—â—h to the Mattachusets also Miantonemo and Vncas but between these two latter Princes arose a very hot quarrel the English seeking by all means to quench it but could not it being as is supposed fomented by a small company of vacabond English who were then for their crimes banished from their own complices at Rhode Island the Ringleader of them being one Samuel Gorton by whose mean they were drawn into damnable errors These Gortonists as is said lent Miantonenemo a Corslet for safeguard of his own person in the following fight and he promised each of them a Mawchiggin papoose which was the people Vneas was Prince of For although Miantonemo were the more potent Prince by far and a very anstere man yet did he chuse rather to take Vncasses life away by treachery if he could and to that end hired a young man of the Pegod Nation to murther him as is supposed for in an evening when it was very neer dark this Sachim passing without any of his Retinue from one wigwam to another was suddainly shot through the arm with an arrow seeing not whence it came but yet recovering the Palace he was passing unto without receiving any more shot he had the arrow drawn forth and the wound cured in a short time after the young man who was suspected to have done the fact having great store of Wampumpeage about this time being questioned how he came by it could give no good accompt which encreased the suspition the more that he had received it as hire from Miantonemo for this fact and hereupon the young man fled unto him which caused Vneas to complain to the English who having the hearing of the case at a General Coâ—â—â— holden at Boston at the same time Miantonemo coming thither with his attendance and sending one of his Councellors to follow the matter in hand the young man was examined in presence of Miantonemo being as is supposed tutored by him he told this tale that while he was in Vncasses Court on a day travelling alone by a thick swamp Vncas call'd him out of the swamp charging him to be true to him in declaring to the English what he required to him which was that he should say he had been hired of Miantonemo to kill him and to make his matter good quoth the young man he then cut his arm on the top and underneath with the flint of his Gun to make men think he had beene shot through with an arrow This tale made the English more to suspect Miantonemo then before and therefore desired to examine the young man alone which he was very unwilling they should do but upon further examination alone they did verily believe this young man had done the fact yet for present they let him depart with Miantonemo advising him to send him home to Vncas but by the way he instead of returning him home cut off his head and forthwith gathered an army of about a thousand men to fight with Vncas who feared not to meet him in the field with half the number the battel being come within shot one of another with a great hubbub they let their long shafts fly one at another and after came to a close with other weapons till the Narrowgansets multitude being forely distressed by the Mawhiggins valour they began to cry out Wem-meck which is to say enough Vncas like a stout commander with others of his bloud-royal that were about him sought to perfect his victory by possessing himself with the person of their Prince which he effected by putting his Life-guard to flight and taking hold on the Sachim himself carried him victoriously away to the Town of Hartford neer the which he kept his residence at this time and then made the English acquainted there with his noble design and desired to have the advise of the united colonies what to do with his prisoner the Narrowgansets sought to ransom him home being much abashed that so mean a Prince as Vncas was should scape scotfree with such a victory but the honered Commissioners have had proof of Miantonemo's treachery both toward this Prince that had him in possession and toward the English in falsisying his promise with them they advised Vncas to put him to death but withall that he should forbear to exercise my barbarous
cruelty toward him as their manner is and by this means the English prevented another war both with English and Indians which was very neer joyning in battel Not many years after the Indian Sachim upon this advise caused Miantonemo to be led forth as if he would remove him to a more safer place of custody and by the way caused him to be executed the Indians his kindred and subjects were much grieved at his death yet took it quietly at present but the lesser Princes his Neighbours rather rejoyced he having tyrannized over them and enforced them to subject to his will right or wrong CHAP. XXIV Of the proceeding of certain persons called Gortonists against the united Colonies and more especially against the Matrachusets and of the hlasphemous doctrines broached by Gorton deluding a company of poor ignor an t people therewith FOr not long before those persons that we spake of who incouraged Miantonemo to this war and with the help of him enforced Pomham and Socananocho to set their hands to a writing which these Gortonists had framad to take their land from them but the poor Sachems when they saw they were thus gull'd of their land would take no pay for it but complained to the Mattachusets Government to whom they had subjected themselves and their lands As also at this time certain English inhabiting those parts with the Indians good leave and liking desired to have the benefit of the Mattachusets Government as Dover formerly had done to whom this Government conâ—escended in hope they might encrease to such a competent number of godly Christians as that there might be a Church of Christ planted the place being capable to entertain them in a comfortable measure for outward accommodation but hitherto it hath been hindred by these Gortonists and one of Plimoth who forbad our people to plant there These person thus submitting came at this time also to complain of certain wrongs done them by these Gortoxists who had thus in croached and began to build on the Indians land upon these complaints the Governor and the honored Mr. Dudly issue forth their Warrant to summon them to appear they being then about five or six persons without any means for instructing them in the wayes of God and without any civil Government to keep them in civility or humanity which made them to cast off most proudly and disdainfully any giving accompt to man of their actions no not to the chiefest in authority but returned back most insolent scornful scurrilous speeches After this the Government of the Mattachusets sent two messengers on purpose to perswade them to come and have their cause heard assuring them like justice in their cause with any other but Samuel Gorton being the ring-leader of the rout was so full gorged with dreadful and damnable errors the which he had newly insnared these poor souls with that soon after the departure of the messenger he layes aside all civil justice and instead of returning answer to the matter in hand he vomits up a whole paper full of beastly stuff one while scoffing and deriding the ignorance of all beside himself that think Abraham Jsaac c. could be saved by Christ Jesus who was after born of the Virgin Mary another while mocking at the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lords Supper in an opprobrious manner deriding at the Elements Christ was pleased to institute them in and calling them Negromancers that administer them at all and in a word all the Ordinances of the Gospel abominable Idolatry he called and likened them to Molock and the Star of the Idol Rempham his paper was thrust full of such filthiness that no Christian ear could hear them without indignation against them and all was done by him in a very scornful and deriding manner upbraiding all that use them in the mean time magnifying his own glorious light that could see himself to be personally Christ God-Man and so all others that would believe as he did This paper he got to be subscribed with about twelve or thirteen hands his number of Disciples being encreased for assuredly the man had a very glosing tongue but yet very deceitful for when he had but a few with him then he cried out against all such as would rule over their own species affirming that the Scripture termeth such to be Gods of the world or divels but after his return from England having received some incouragement from such as could not look into the depth of his deceits being done at so large a distance he getting into favour again with those who had formerly whipt him out of their company turns divel himself the godly Governors of the Mattachusets seeing this blasphemous Bull of his resolved to send forty persons well-appointed with weapons of war for apprehending of him who accordingly with some waiting did apprehend him and the rest of his company except two or three which ran away without any hurt to any person although he gave out very big words threatning them with bloud and death so soon as they set foot on the ground and yet this brazenface'd deceiver published in print the great fear their women were put unto by the souldiers whereas they came among them day by day and had it not been that they intended peaceably to take them they would never have waited so long upon their worships as they did but being apprehended and standing to that they had written yet would they willingly have covered it with some shifts if they could the greatest punishment they had was to be confin'd to certain Towns for a few moneths and afterward banished but to be sure there be them in N. E. that have Christ Jesus and his blessed Ordinances in such esteem that the Lord assisting they had rather lose their lives then suffer them to be thus blasphemed if they can help it and whereas some have favoured them and endeavoured to bring under blame such as have been zealous against their abominable doctrines the good God be favourable unto them and prevent them from coming under the like blame with Ahab yet they remain in their old way and there 's somewhat to be considered in it to be sure that in these daies when all look for the fall of Antichrist such detestable doctrines should be upheld and persons suffered that exceed the Beast himself for blasphemy and this to be done by those that would be counted Reformers and such as seek the utter subversion of Antichrist To end this year or rather at the beginning of it the Lord caused another Earthquake much less then the former it was on the fifth of the first moneth called March in the morning CHAP. XXV Of the planting the twenty fourth Church of Christ at the Town of Readding and the twenty fifth Church of Christ in the Mattachusets Government called Wenham THis year was chosen to the place of Governor John Endicut Esquire and Iohn Winthrope Esquire Deputy Governor the number of freemen added about 145. this