praise of all his glorious Acts. About this time did the valiant in faith and Reverend Pastor Mr. John Wilson returne to England and surely the power of Christ hath notably appeared in this weake sorry man You must needs see the Author will flatter no man yet will he not be wanting to tell the noble Acts of Christ Jesus in making men strong for himselfe here is one borne up in the armes of his mercy often through the perillous Seas night and dayes yea weeks and months upon the great deepe and now having with his owne eyes beheld the manifold troubles these poore were in yet at this very time hies him back to his Native soile where his indeared Wife did yet remaine purposely to perswade her to east her cares upon the Lord as he himself had already done and then assuredly the wants of a Wildernesse would never hurt her at the departure of this holy Man of God many of his peoples hearts waxed very sad and having looked long for his returne Their eyes now began to faile in missing of their expectation they according to their common course in time of great straites set and appointed a day wholy to be spent in seeking the pleasing Face of God in Christ purposing the Lord assisting to afflict their soules and give him the honour of his All-seeingness by a downe right acknowledgement of their sinnes but the Lord whose Grace is alwayes undeserved heard them before they cried and the afternoone before the day appointed brought him whom they so much desired in safety to shore with divers other faithfull servants of Christ ready armed for the Battell the day was turned to a day of rejoycing and blessing the Lord even the mighty God of Iacob the God of Armies is for us a refuge high Shela The yeare 1633. the honoured John Winthrope Esquire was chosen Governour againe and Thomas Dudly Esq Deputy Governour the number of Freemen added or Souldiers listed was 46. the Winters Frost being extracted forth the Earth they fall to tearing up the Roots and Bushes with their Howes even such men as scarce ever set hand to labour before men of good birth and breeding but comming through the strength of Christ to war their warfare readily rush through all difficulties cutting down of the Woods they inclose Corne fields the Lord having mitigated their labours by the Indians frequent fiering of the woods that they may not be hindered in hunting Venson and Beares in the Winter season which makes them thin of Timber in many places like our Parkes in England the chiefest Corne they planted before they had Plowes was Indian Graine whose increase is very much beyond all other to the great refreshing of the poore servants of Christ in their low beginings all kinde of Gardens Fruits grew very well and let no man make a jâ—st at Pumpkins for with this fruit the Lord was pleased to feed his people to their good content till Corne and Cattell were increased And here the Lords mercy appeared much in that those who had beene formerly brought up tender could now contentedly feed on bare and meane Diet amongst whom the Honoured and upright hearted in this worke of Christ Mr. Increase Nowell shall not be forgotten having a diligent hand therein from the first beginning INcrease shalt thou with honour now in this thy undertaking Thou hast remain'd as yet unstained all errors foule forsaking To poore and rich thy Justice much hath manifested bin Like Samuel Nathanaell Christ hath thee fram'd within Thy faithfulnesse people expresse and Secretary they Chose thee each year by which appeare their love with thee doth stay Now Nowell see Christ call'd hath thee and work thou must for him In beating down the triple Crown and all that his foes ben Thus doest thou stand by Christ fraile man to tell his might can make Dust do his will with graces fill till dust to him he take CHAP. XXVII Of the gratious goodnesse of God in hearing his peoples prayers in times of need and of the Ship-loades of goods the Lord sent them in HEre againe the admirable Providence of the Lord is to be noted That whereas the Country is naturally subject to drought even to the withering of their summers Fruits the Lord was pleased during these yeares of scarcity to blesse that small quantity of Land they planted with seasonable showers and that many times to the great admiration of the Heathen for thus it befell the extreame parching heare of the Sun by reason of a more constant clearnesse of the Aire then usually is in England began to scorch the Herbs and Fruits which was the chiefest meanes of their livelyhood they beholding the Hand of the Lord stretched out against them like tender hearted Children they fell down on their knees begging mercy of the Lord for their Saviours sake urging this as a chiefe argument that the malignant adversary would rejoyce in their destruction and blaspheme the pure Ordinances of CHRIST trampling down his Kingly Commands with their owne inventions and in uttering these words their eyes dropped down many teares their affections prevailing so strong that they could not refraine in the Church-Assembly Here admire and be strong in the Grace of Christ all you that hopefully belong unto him for as they powred out water before the Lord so at that very instant the Lord showred down water on their Gardens and Fields which with great industry they had planted and now had not the Lord caused it to raine speedily their hope of food had beene lost but at this these poore wormes were so exceedingly taken that the Lord should shew himselfe so neere unto their Prayers that as the drops from Heaven fell thicker and faster so the teares from their eyes by reason of the sudden mixture of joy and sorrow and verily they were exceedingly stirred in their affections being unable to resolve themselves which mercy was greatest to have a humble begging heart given them of God or to have their request so suddenly answered The Indians hearing hereof and seeing the sweet raine that fell were much taken with Englishmens God but the Lord seeing his poore peoples hearts were to narrow to beg his bounties exceeds toward them at this time as indeed hee ever hitherto hath done for this Wildernesse-People not onely giving the full of their requests but beyond all their thoughts as witnesse his great worke in England of late in which the prayers of Gods people in New England have had a great stroke These people now rising from their knees to receive the rich mercies of Christ in the refreshed fruits of the Earth Behold the Sea also bringing in whole Ship-loades of mercies more being filled with fresh forces for furthering this wonderfull worke of Christ and indeed this yeare came in many pretious ones whom Christ in his grace hath made much use of in these his Churches and Common-wealth insomuch that these people were even almost over-ballanced with the great income of their
that heare it Thus it befell as they were discoursing in the Bote they had built for shelter all of a sudden an Indian came in among them at whose speech they were all agast he speaking in the English Language Much welcome Englishmen their wonder was the greater because upon those Costes they supposed no English had so much as set foote and verily Christ had prepared him on purpose to give his people intertainment the Indian having lived in England two year or thereabout after which he returned home and at this time had wandred into those parts in company of other Indians all this and the condition of the neere adjoyning Indians hee soon discovered unto them at which they were transported beyond themselves very much what with joy and the mixture of their former feare and affection intervening with the other surprised all their senses of a sudden that long it was ere each party could take its proper place yea and beyond all this Christ Jesus by the power of his blessed Spirit did now work upon all their faculties both of Soule and Body the great impression of his present Providence might not soon be washed off with the following incumbred cares of a Defart Wildernesse but to contract they made use of the present opprotunity and by the instrumentall meanes of this Indian became acquainted and reconciled with most of the Neighbouring Indians And afterward planted a Church of Christ there and set up civill Government calling the Name of the place Plimoth under this jurisdiction there are ten Churches at this very day this being the first place any English resorted unto for the advancement of the Kingly Government of Christ in this Westerne World CHAP. IX Of the first preparation of the Marchant Adventurers in the Mattachusets NOw it will be time to returne againe to England to speake further of the people that wee left in way of preparation who in the yeare 1628. sent forth some store of servants to provide against the wants of a Desart Wildernesse amongst whom came over a mixt multitude insomuch that very little appeared of the following worke onely the much honoured Mr. John Indicat came over with them to governe a fit instrument to begin this Wildernesse-worke of courage bold undanted yet sociable and of a chearfull spirit loving and austere applying himselfe to either as occasion served And now let no man be offended at the Authors rude Verse penned of purpose to keepe in memory the Names of such worthies as Christ made strong for himselfe in this unwonted worke of his John Endicat twice Governour of the English inhabiting the Mattachusets Bay in N. England STrong valiant John wilt thou march on and take up station first Christ cal'd hath thee his Souldier be and faile not of thy trust Wilderness-wants Christs grace supplants thē plant his Churches pure With Tongues gifted and graces led help thou to his procure Vndanted thou wilt not allow Malignant men to wast Christs Vineyard heere whose grace should cheer his well-beloved's tast Then honoured be thy Christ hath thee their Generall promoted To shew their love in place above his people have thee voted Yet must thou fall to grave with all the Nobles of the Earth Thou rotting Worme to dust must turn and worse but for new birth The place picked out by this People to settle themselves in was in the bosome of the out-stretched arme of Cape Anne now called Gloster but at the place of their abode they began to build a Town which is called Salem after some little space of time having made tryall of the Sordid spirits of the Neighbouring Indians the most bold among them began to gather to divers places which they began to take up for their owne those that were sent over servants having itching desires after novelties found a reddier way to make an end of their Masters provision then they could finde meanes to get more They that came over their own men had but little left to feed on and most began to repent when their strong Beers and full cups ran as small as water in a large Land but little Corne and the poore Indians so far from relieving them that they were forced to lengthen out their owne food with Acorns and that which added to their present distracted thoughts the Ditch betweene England and their now place of abode was so wide that they could not leap over with a lope-staffe yet some delighting their Eye with the rarity of things present and feeding their fancies with new discoveries at the Springs approach they made shift to rub out the Winters cold by the Fire-side having fuell enough growing at their very doores turning down many a drop of the Bottell and burning Tobacco with all the ease they could discoursing betweene one while and another of the great progresse they would make after the Summers-Sun had changed the Earths white furr'd Gowne into a greene Mantell Now the vernall of thirty nine being come they addrest themselves to coste it as far as they durst for feare of loosing themselves or falling into the hands of unknown Indians being kept in awe by a report of a cruell people not far of called the Tarratines All this while little like-lihood there was building the Temple for Gods worship there being only two that began to hew stones in the Mountaines the one named Mr. Bright and the other Mr. Blaxton and one of them began to build but when they saw all sorts of stones would not fit in the building as they supposed the one betooke him to the Seas againe and the other to till the Land retaining no simbole of his former profession but a Canonicall Coate CHAP. X. Of the first Church of Christ gathered at Salem in the Mattachusets Government THis yeare 1629. came over three godly Ministers of Christ Jesus intending to shew his power in his peoples lowest condition as his manner is thereby to strengthen their Faith in following difficulties and now although the number of the faithfull people of Christ were but few yet their longing desires to gather into a Church was very great And therefore addressed themselves to finde out the blessed Rules of Christ for preserving herein who through the assistance of his Blessed Spirit found that the Word of God penned by the Apostles in many Epistles written to particular Churches consisting of such as are beloved Saints by calling appearing so in the judgement of Charity being tryed by the rule of the word not scandalous in their Lives for the society of such they sought and in these beginnings found very few seven being the lest number a Church can be gathered or conceived by just consequence from the Word of God Having fasted and prayed with humble acknowledgement of their own unworthinesse to be called of Christ to so worthy a worke they joyned together in a holy Covenant with the Lord and one with another promising by the Lords Assistance to walke together in Exhorting Admonishing and
Government was at Dorchester a frontire Town scituated very pleasantly both for facing the Sea and also its large extent into the main Land well watered with two small Rivers neere about this Towne inhabited some few ancient Traders who were not of this select band but came for other ends as Morton of Merry-mount who would faine have resisted this worke but the provident hand of Christ prevented The forme of this Towne is almost like a Serpent turning her head to the North ward over against Tompsons Island and the Castle her body and wings being chiefly built on are filled somewhat thick of Houses onely that one of her Wings is clipt her Tayle being of such a large extent that shee can hardly draw it after her Her Houses for dwelling are about one hundred and forty Orchards and Gardens full of Fruit-trees plenty of Corne-Land although much of it hath been long in tillage yet hath it ordinarily good corps the number or Trees are neare upon 1500. Cowes and other Cattell of that kinde about 450. Thus hath the Lord been pleased to increase his poore dispersed people whose number in this Flock are neare about 150. their first Pastor called to feede them was the Reverend and godly Mr. Maveruck MAveruck thou must put period to thy dayes In Wildernesse thy Kindred thee provoke To come but Christ doth thee for high ends Raise Amongst his worthies to strike many a stroke Thy godly Life and Doctrine speake though thou In dust art laid yet Christ by thee did feede His scattered Lambes they gathered are by you Christ calls thee home but flock he leaves to seede CAHP. XX. Of the Fourth Church of Christ gathered at Bosten 1631. AFter some little space of time the Church of Christ at Charles Town having their Sabbath assemblies oftenest oâ— the South side of the River agreed to leave the people on that side to themselves and to provide another Pastor for Charles Towne which accordingly they did So that the fourth Church of Christ issued out of Charles Towne and was seated at Boston being the Center Towne and Metropolis of this Wildernesse worke but you must not imagine it to be a Metropolitan Church invironed it is with the Brinish flouds saving one small Istmos which gives free accesse to the Neighbour Townes by Land on the South side on the North-west and North East two constant Faires are kept for daily traffique thereunto the forme of this Towne is like a heart naturally scituated for Fortifications having two Hills on the frontice part thereof next the Sea the one well fortified on the superfices thereof with store of great Artillery well mounted the other hath a very strong battery built of whole Timber and filled with Earth at the descent of the Hill in the extreme poynt therof betwixt these two strong armes lies a large Gave or Bay on which the chiefest part of this Town is built over-topped with a third Hill all three like over-topping Towers keepe a constant watch to fore-see the approach of forrein dangers being furnished with a Beacon and lowd babling Guns to give notice by their redoubled eccho to all their Sister townes the chiefe Edifice of this City-like Towne iâ— crowded on the Sea-bâ—â—kes and wharfed out with great industry and cost the buildings beautifull and large some fairely see forth with Brick Tile Stone and Slate and orderly placed with comly streets whose continuall inlargement presages some sumpâ—uous City The wonder of this moderne Age that a few yeares should bring forth such great matters by so means a handfull and they so far from being inriched by the spoiles of other Nations that the states of many of them have beene spoiled by the Lordly Prelacy whose Lands must assuredly make Restitutions But now behold the admirable Acts of Christ at this his peoples landing the hideous Thickets in this place were such that Wolfes and Beares nurst up their young from the eyes of all beholders in those very places where the streets are full of Girles and Boys sporting up and downe with a continued concourse of people Good store of Shipping is here yearly built and some very faire ones both Taâ— and Mastes the Countrey affords from its own soile also store of Victuall both for their owne and Forreinersships who resort hither for that end this Town is the very Mart of the Land French Portugalls and Dutch come hither for Traffique CHAP. XXI Of the Fift Church of Christ gathered at Roxbury 1631. THe fift Church of Christ was gathered at Roxbury scituated between Boston and Dorchester being well watered with coole and pleasant Springs issuing forth the Rocky-hills and with small Freshets watering the Vallies of this fertill Towne whose forme is somewhat like a wedge double pointed entring betweene the two foure-named Townes filled with a very laborious people whose labours the Lord hath so blest that in the roome of dismall Swampes and tearing Bushes they have very goodly Fruit-trees fruitfull Fields and Gardens their Heard of Cowes Oxen and other young Cattell of that kind about 350. and dwelling-houses neere upon 120. Their streetes are large and some fayre Houses yet have they built their House for Church-assembly destitute and unbeautified with other buildings The Church of Christ here is increased to about 120. persons their first Teaching Elder called to Office is Mr. Eliot a yong man at his comming thither of a cheerfull spirie walking unblameable of a godly conversation apt to teach as by his indefatigable paines both with his own flock and the poore Indians doth appeare whose Language he learned purposely to helpe them to the knowledge of God in Christ frequently Preaching in their Wigwams and Catechizing their Children Mr. Eliot Pastor of the Church of Christ at Roxbury in New England much honoured for his labours in the Lord. GReat is thy worke in Wildernesse Oh man Young Eliot neere twenty yeares thou bast In Westerne world with miccle toile thy span Spent well-neere out and now thy gray hayrs gracest Are by thy Land-Lord Christ who makes use of thee To feede his flock and heathen people teach In their own Language God and Christ to see A Saviour their blind hearts could not reach Poore naked Children come to learne Gods Mind Before thy face with reverend regard Blesse God for thee may these poore heathen blind That from thy mouth Christs Gospell sweete have heard Eliot thy Name is through the wild woods spread In Indians mouths frequent's thy fame for why In sundry shapes the Devills made them dread And now the Lord makes them their Wigwams fly Rejoyce in this nay rather joy that thou Amongst Christs Souldiers bast thy name sure set Although small gaine on Earth accrew to you Yet Christ to Crowne will thee to Heaven soone fet CHAP. XXII Of the Sixth Church of Christ gathered at Linn 1631. THe Sixth Church of Christ was gathered at Linn betweene Salem and Charles Towne her scitnation is neere to a River whose strong fresheâ—
AMERICA Painted to the Life A True History of the originall undertakings of the advancement of Plantations into those parts with a perfect relation of our ENGLISH Discoveries shewing their beginning progress and continuance from the year 1628. to 1658. declaring the forms of their Government Policies Religions Manners Customes Military Discipline Warres with the INDIANS the Commodities of their Countries a Description of their Townes and Havens the increase of their trading with the names of their Governours and Magistrates More Especially an absolute Narrative of the North parts of AMERICA and of the discoveries and plantations of our English in NEW-ENGLAND Written by Sir FERDINANDO GORGES Knight and Governour of the Fort and Island of Plimouth in DEVONSHIRE one of the first and cheifest promoters of those Plantations Publisht since his decease by his Grand-child Ferdinando Gorges Esquire who hath much enlarged it and added severall accurate Descriptions of his owne A work now at last exposed for the publick good to stir up the heroick and active spirits of these times to benefit their Country and Eternize their names by such honourable attempts For the Readers clearer understanding of the Country's they are lively described in a compleat and exquisite Map Vivit post funera virtus LONDON Printed by E. Brudenell for Nathaniel Brook dwelling at the Angel in Corn-hill 1658. To the READER I Thought it a part of my duty in this my briefe Narration of our Plantations to remember the Originall Vndertaking of those designes in the parts of America by such Noble Spirits of our Nation that first attempted it as well for the justification of the right thereof properly belonging to Kings of our Nation before any other Prince or State as also the better to cleare the claime made thereunto by the Embassadour of France in the behalfe of his Master in the yeare 1624. whereto I was required to make answer as more at large it appeares in the discourse it selfe withall to leave to posterity the particular wayes by which it hath beene brought to the height it is come unte wherein the providence of our Great GOD is especially to be observed who by the least and weakest meanes oftentimes effecteth great and wonderfull things all which I have endeavoured to contract in as short a compasse as the length of the â—ime and the variety of the accidents would give leave as for the truth thereof I pâ—esume it is so publiquely known as malice iâ— selfe dares not onely question it though I know none I thank my God to whom I have given any just cause maliâ—iously to attempt it uâ—lesse it be for the desire I had to do good to all without wronging of any as by the course of my life to this present it may appear If in the conclusion of my undertaking and expence of my fortunes to advance the honour and happinesse of my Nation I have setled a portion thereof to those that in nature must succeed me you may be pleased to remember that the Labourer is worthy of his hire That I have not exceeded others not better deserving that I go hand in hand with the meanest in this great worke to whom the charge thereof was commited by royall Authority That I have opened the way to greater imployments and shal be as a hand set up in a crosse way in a desert Country to point all travellers in such like kind how they may come safe to finish their journeys â—nd leaving an example to others best affected to designes of such like nature to prosecute their intents for further in largement of those began Plantations without trenching or intruding upon the rights and labours of others already possessed of what is justly granted them Especially of such who in some sort may be termed Benefactours aâ— Secondaâ—y donors of what by Gods favour is had or to be had from those springs they first found and left to posterity to bath themselves in but if there be any otherwise affected as better delighted to reap what they have not sown or to possess the fruit another hath laboured for let such be assured so great injustice will never want a wofull attendance to follow close at the heeles if not stayed behind to bring after a more terrible revenge But my trust is such impiety will not be suddenly harboured where the whole work is I hope still continued for the enlargement of the Christian faith the supportation of justice and love of peace in assurance whereof I will conclude and tell you as I have lived long so I have done what I could let those that come after me doe for their parts what they may and I doubt not but the God that governes all will reward their labours that continue in his service to whom be Glory for ever Amen FERDINANDO GORGES VVonder-working PROVIDENCE OF SIONS SAVIOVR Being a Relation of the first planting in New England in the Yeare 1628. CHAP. I. The sad Condition of England when this People removed WHen England began to decline in Religion like luke-warme Laodicea and instead of purging out Popery a farther compliance was sought not onely in vaine Idolatrous Ceremonies but also in prophaning the Sabbath and by Proclamation throughout their Parish churches exasperating lewd and prophane persons to celebrate a Sâ—bbath like the Heathen to Venus Baccus and Ceres in so much that the multitude of irreligious lascivious and popâ—sh affected persons spred the whole land like Grashoppers in this very time Christ the glorious King of his Churches raises an Army out of our English Nation for freeing his people from their long servitude under usurpâ—ng Prelacy and bâ—cause every corner of England was filled with the fury of malignant adversaries Christ creates a New England to muster up the first of his Forces in Whose 〈◊〉 condition little number and remotenesse of place made these adversaries triumph despising this day of small things but in this hight of their pride the Lord Christ brought sudden and unexpected destruction upon them Thus have you a touch of the time when this worke began Christ Jesus intending to manifest his Kingly Office toward his Churches more fully then ever yet the Sons of men saw even to the uniting of Jew and Gentile Churches in one Faith begins with our English Nation whose former Reformation being vere imperfect doth now resolve to cast down their false foundation of Prelacy even in the hight of their domineering dignity And therefore in the yeare 1628. he stirres up his servants as the Heralds of a King to make this Proclamation for Voluntiers as followeth Oh yes oh yes oh yes All you the people of Christ that are here Oppressed Imprisoned and scurrilously derided gather your selves together your Wifes and little ones and answer to your severall Names as you shall be shipped for his service in the Westereâ— World and more especially for planting the united Collonies of new England Where you are to attend the service of the King of Kings upon the
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
People to injoy Christ in his purity of his Ordinances ANd now they enter the Ships should they have cast up what it would have cost to people New England before hand the most strongest of Faith among them would certainly have staggered much and very hardly have set saile But behold and wonder at the admirable Acts of Christ here it is cast up to thy hand the passage of the persons that peopled New England cost ninety five thousand pounds the Swine Goates Sheepe Neate and Horse cost to transport twelve thousand pound besides the price they cost getting food for all persons for the time till they could bring the Woods to tillage amounted unto forty five thousand pounds Nayles Glasse and other Iron-worke for their meeting-houses and other dwelling houses before they could raise any meanes in the Country to purchase them Eighteene thousand pounds Armes Powder Bullet and Match together with their great Artillery twenty two thousand pounds the whose sum amounts unto one hundred ninety two thousand pound beside that which the Adventurers laid out in England which was a small pittance compared with this and indeed most of those that cast into this Banke were the chiefe Adventurers Neither let any man thinke the sum above expressed did defray the whole châ—rge of this Army which amounts to above as much more onely this sum lies still in banke and the other they have had the income agains This therefore is chiefly presented to satisfie such as thinke New England men have beene bad husbands in mannaging their Estates assuredly here it lies in banke put out to the greatest advantage that ever any hath beene for many hundred of yeares before and verily although in casting it up some hundreds may be miscounted for the Author would not willingly exceede in any respect but to be sure Christ stands by and beholds every mite that in the obedience of Faith is cast into this Treasury but what doe wee answering men the money is all Christs and certainly hee will take it well that his have so disposed of it to his advantage by this meanes hee hath had a great income in England of late Prayers Teares and Praise and some Reformation Scotland and Ireland have met with much of the profit of this Banke Virginia Bermodas and Barbados have had a taste and France may suddenly meete with the like Therefore repent you not you that have cast in your Coyne but tremble all you that with a penurious haud have not onely cast in such as are taking out to hord it up in your Napkins remember Ananias and Saphirah how darest thou doe it in these dayet when the Lord hath need of it Gentle Reader make use of this memorable Providence of Christ for his New England Churches where had this poore people this great sum of money the mighty Princes of the Earth never opened their Coffers for them and the generality of these men were meane and poore in the things of this life but sure it is the work is done let God have the glory who hath now given them food to the full and some to spare for other Churches CHAP. XIV Of the wonderfull preservation of Christ in carrying his People Men Women Children through the largest Ocean in the World ANd now you have had a short survay of the charges of their New England Vayages see their progresse being safe aboard weighing Anker and hoysting saile they betooke them to the protection of the Lord on the wide Ocean no sooner were they dispersed by reason of the widenesse of the Sea but the Arrabella for so they called the Eagle which the company purchased in honour of the Lady Arrabella Wife to that godly Esquire Izack Johnson espied foure Ships as they supposed in pursuit of them their suspition being the more augmented by reason of a report when they lay in harbor of foure Dunkerk-men of war who were said to lie wating for their comming forth at this sight they make preparation according to their present condition comforting one another in the sweete mercies of Christ the weaker sex betooke them to the Ships hold but the men one Decks waite in a readinesse for the enemies approach At whose courage many of the Seamen wonder not knowing under whose command these their passengers were even he who makes all his Souldiers bold as Lions Yet was he not minded to make triall of his peoples valiantey in fight at this time for the ships comming up with them proved to be their own Countrymen and friends at which they greatly rejoyced seeing the good hand of their God was upon them and are further strengthened in Faith to rely one Christ for the future time against all Leakes Stormes Rockes Sands and all other wants a long Sea-voyage procures sustaining them with a I meeknesse and patience yet sensible of the Lords frownes humbling their soules before him and also rejoyeing in his deliverauces in taking the cup of Salvation and paying the tribute of thankfulnesse to the most high whose provident hand was diversly directed toward them purposely to point out the great hardships they must undergoe in this their Christian warfare and withall to tell them although their difficulties were many and moumfull yet their victories shou'd be much more glorious and joyfull eminently eyed of the whole World but now keeping their course so neere as the winds will suffer them the billowes begin to grow lofty and rageing and suddenly bringing them into the vale of death covering them with the formidable flouds and dashing their bodies from side to side hurling their unfixed goods from place to place at these unwonted workes Many of these people amazed finde such opposition in nature that her principles grow feeble and cannot digest her food loathing all manner of meat so that the vitall parts are hindered from cooperating with the Soule in spirituall duties insomuch that both Men Women and Children are in a helplesse condition for present and now is the time if ever of recounting this service they have and are about to undertake for Christ but he who is very sensible of his peoples infirmities rebukes the winds and Seas for their sakes and then the reverend and godly among them begin to exhort them in the name of the Lord and from the Lord being fitted with such words as much incourrages the worke they are going about many of their horses and other Cattell are cast over-board by the way to the great disheartning of some but Christ knew well how for his peoples hearts would be taken off the maine worke with these things And therefore although he be very tender in providing outward necessaries for his yet rather than this great worke he intends should be hindered their Tables shall be spred but thinly in this wildernesse for a time After the Lord had exercised them thus severall ways he sent Diseases to visit their Ships that the desart Land they were now drawing near unto might not be deserted by them at first
all the thundering Bulls excomunicating Lordly censures and shamefull penalties of all the Lording Churches in the World and such shall be and is the efficacy of this intire love one to another that the withdrawing of any one Church of Christ according to the Rule of the word from those that walke inordinatly will be more terrible to the Church or Churches so forsaken then an Army with Banners yea and it may be added because civill Government is like to turne nurse in more places then one this royall Law of love shall become the Law of Nations and none will suffer their subjects to rebell against it but to our beloved brethren in England on the other hand the Reverend Mr. Burroughs Mr. Goodwin c. This seemeth you have apprehended our Churches and civill Government to be too strict in dealing with persons for their sinfull opinions I wish the offenders be none of your intelligencers who to be sure will make the worst of things I know you are in charity with us And therefore a few words will satisfie which I hope you want not from your good friends our Reverend Elders who could wish you as much happinesse as our selves to expell error before it grew to that height to cry downe the sound and wholesome truths casting durt on our Orthodox and godly Ministery I wish you open your mouths wide enough to be filled with this blessing the Lord hath done great and unexpected things for you and why not this one and twenty yeares experience hath taught us that Errors and Heresies are not broached and held out here by tender consciences such as are weak in the Faith but by such as think them Scholers of the upper forme such as would teach the most ablest Christian among us another Gospell and further we finde our Erronist wanting a common enemy to contend withall as you have fallen foule of our godly Magistrates and Ministers and will not suffer us quietly to injoy the Ordinance of Christ for which wee hither camâ— buzzing our people in the eare with a thing they call liberty which when any have tasted a smack of they can no more indure to hear of a Synod or gathering together of able and Orthodox Christians nor yet of communion of Churches but would be independant to purpose and as for civill Government they deem Religion to be a thing beyond their Sphere CHAP. XLV Of the civill Government in N. England and their nurture of the people upon their tender knees THe vernall of the yeare 1637. being now in his prime and as the season of the yeare grew hotter so the minds of many were hot in the eager pursuite of their selfe conceited opinions and verily had not authority stept in it was much to be doubted they would have proceeded from words to blowes great hold and keepe there was about choice of Magistrates this yeare the choyce being retarded by a paper call'd a Petition but indeed a meere device to hinder the election till the erronious party were strengthened their number increasing daily but the Lord Christ gratiously providing for the peace of his people toward the end of the day the honoured John Winthrope Esquire was chosen Governour and Thomas Dudly Esq Deputy Governor the number of free-men added this year was about 1 25. Here according to promise the Reader shall have an accoumpt of the civill Government of this little Common-wealth as their whole aime in their removall from their Native Country was to injoy the liberties of the Gospell of Christ so in serving up civill Government they daily direct their choice to make use of such men as mostly indeavour to keepe the truths of Christ pure and unpsotted and assuredly they can digest any wrongs or injuries done them in their estates or trade better then the wresting of their right in the freedome of the Gospell out of their hands and this the Erronist knowing right well to save their heads whole perswade men it is not for civill Government to meddle with matters of Religion and also to helpe out with their damnable Doctrines they report it in all places where they be come that New England Government doth persecute the people and Churches of Christ which to speake truth they have hitherto beene so far from that they have indeavoured to expell all such beasts of prey who will not be reclaimed that here might be none left to hurt or destroy in all Gods holy Mountaine and therefore are ready to put the Churches of Christ in minde of their duty herein yea and sometimes going before them in their civill censures that they may not onely professe the truth but also hate every false way not that they would compell men to believe by the power of the Sword but to indeavour all may answer their profession whether in Courch Covenant or otherwise by knowing they beare not the Sword in vaine Neither doe they exercise civill power to bring all under their obedience to a uniformity in every poyne of Religion but to keepe them in the unity of the spirit and the bond of peace nor yet have they ever mixed their civill powers with the authority peculiarly given by Christ to his Churches and Officers of them but from time to time have laboured to uphold their priviledges and only communion one with another The chiefe Court or supreame power of this little Common-wealth consists of a mixt company part Aristocracy and part Democracy of Magistrates that are yearly chosen by the major Vote of the whole body of the Free-men throughout the Country and Deputies chosen by the severall Townes they have hitherto had about 12. or 13. Magistrates in the Colony of the Mattacusets the other Colonies have not above five or six they have hitherto beene Volunteers governing without pay from the people onely the Governor of the Mattacusets hath some yeares 100 l. allowed him and some years lesse many of the Magistrates are already remembred yet with some of the first came hither Mr. Simon Brodestreet in this short Meeter is he remembred NOw Simon yong step in among these worthies take thy place All day to toile in vinyard while Christ thee upholds with grace Thee wisdom grave betime he gave and tongue to utter it That thou mightst be a blessing free and for this calling fit Thy counsell well advis'd dost tell with words ordered compleat Thy memory doth amplifie meeting with matters great Broad liberty do thou deny Brodstreet Christ would thee have For 's truth contend strong reason spend it from aspersion save He furnish't thee with these gifts free to last he must them make Still adding more to thy old store till he thee to him take The Lord was pleased to furnish these his people with some able instruments in most of their Townes that were skill'd in Common-wealth work out of which they chose their Deputies whose number was ordinarily between 30. and 40. some of them there will be occasion to speake of among their Military
of Christ were much edified in their holy faith by their indefatigable pains of their Ministers in their weekly Lectures extraordinary as well as by their Sabboth-Assemblies and continuall visiting of their people from house to house endeavouring to heale the hurts these false deceivers had made with double diligence showring downe the sweet dews of the blessed Gospel of Jesus Christ to the converting of many a poor soul and indeed now were the glorious days of New England the Churches of Christ increase dayly and his eminent Embassadours resort unto them from our native Country which as then lay under the tyranny of the Monarchall Arch-prelates which caused the servants of Christ to wander from their home This yeare the reverend and judicious M. Jos Glover undertook this long voyage being able both in person and estate for the work he provided for further compleating the Colonies in Church and Common-wealth-work a Printer which hath been very usefull in many respects the Lord seeing it meet that this reverend and holy servant of his should fall short of the shores of New England but yet at this time he brought over the zealous affâ—cted and judicious servant of his Master Ezekiel Rogers who with a holy and humble people made his progress to the North-Eastward and erected a Towne about 6. miles from Ipswich called Rowly wanting room they purehased some addition of the Town of Newbery yet had they a large length of land onely for the neere conveniency to the Towne of Ipswich by the which meanes they partake of the continued Lectures of either Towne these people being very industrious every way soone built many houses to the number of about threescore families and were the first people that set upon making of Cloth in this Western World for which end they built a sulling-mill and caused their little-ones to be very diligent in spinning cotten wooll many of them having been clothiers in England till their zeale to promote the Gospel of Christ caused them to wander and therefore they were no lesse industrious in gathering into Church-society there being scrace a man among them but such as were meet to be living stones in this building according to the judgement of man they called to the office of a Pastor this holy man of God Mr. Ezekiel Rogers oâ— whom this may be said Christ for this work Rogers doth riches give Rich graces fit his people for to feed Wealth to supply his wants whilst here he live Free thou receiv'st to serve his peoples need England may mourne they thee no longer keep English rejoice Christ doth such worthyes raise His Gospel preach unfold his mysteries deep Weak dust made strong sets forth his makers praise With fervent zeale and courage thou hast fought ' Gainst that transformed Dragon and his bands Snatcht forth the burning thou poore soules hast caught And freed thy flock from wolves devouring hands Ezekiel mourn not thou art severed farre From thy deare Country to a desart land Christ call'd hath thee unto this worthy warre By him o'rcome he holds thy Crowne in 's hand For the further assisting of this tender flock of Chrst the reverend Mr. John Miller did abide among them for some space of time preaching the Word of God unto them also till it pleased the Lord to call him to be Pastor of the Church of Christ at Yarmouth in Plimoth patten where he remaineth at this very day With courage bold Miller through Seas doth venter To toyl it out in this great Western wast Thy stature low one object high doth center Higher then Heaven thy faith on Christ is plac't Allarum thou with silver trumpet sound And tâ—ll the World Christs Armyes are at hand With Scripture truths thou Errors dost confound And overthrow all Antichristian bands It matters not for th'worlds high reputation The World must fall and Christ alone must stand Thy Crown 's prepar'd in him then keep thy station Joy that Christs Kingdome is so neare at hand CHAP. XII Of the great Earthquake in New England and of the wofull end of some erronious persons with the first foundation of Harverd Colledge THis yeare the first day of the Fourth Month about two of the clock in the after-noone the Lord caus'd a great and terrible Earth quake which was generall throughout all the English Plantations the motion of the Earth was such that it caused divers men that had never knowne an Earth quake before being at worke in the Fields to cast downe their working-tooles and run with gastly terrified lookes to the next company they could meet withall it came from the Westerne and uninhabited parts of this Wildernesse and went the direct course this brood of Travellers came the Ministers of Christ many of them could say at that very time not from any other Revelation but what the word holds forth that if the Churches of New England were Gods house then suddenly there would follow great alterations in the Kingdomes of Europe This yeare the civill government proceeded to censure the residue of thofe sinfull erroneous persons who raised much commotion in this little Common-wealth who being banished resorted to a place more Southward some of them sitting down at a place called Providence others betooke them to an Island about 16. miles distant from the former called Rode Island where having Elbow roome enough none of the Ministers of Christ nor any other to interrupt their false and deceivable Doctrines they hamper'd themselves fouly with their owne line and soone shewed the depthlesse ditches that blinde guides lead into many among them being much to be pittyed who were drawne from the truth by the bewitching tongues of some of them being very ignorant and easily perverted and although the people were not many in all yet were they very diverse in their opinions and glad where they could gaine most Disciples to heare them some were for every day to be a Sabbath and therefore kept not any Sabbath-day at all others were some for one thing some for another and therefore had their severall meetings making many a goodly piece of Preachment among whom there were some of the female sexe who deeming the Apostle Paul to be too strict in not permitting a roome to preach in the publique Congregation taught notwithstanding they having their call to this office from an ardent desire of being famous especially the grand Mistresse of them all who ordinarily prated every Sabbath day till others who thirsted after honour in the same way with her selfe drew away her Auditors and then she withdrew her self her husband and her family also to a more remote place and assuredly although the Lord be secret in all the dispensation of his providences whether in judgement or mercy yet much may be learn'd from all as sometimes pointing with the finger to the lesson as here these persons withdrawing from the Churches of Christ wherein he walketh and is to be found in his blessed Ordinances to a first and second place where they
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
new-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
neighbourly together excepting Spring-field Thus are these people with great diligence provided for these daies of war hoping the day is at hand wherein the Lord will give Antichrist the don-christ the double of all her doings and therefore they have nursed up in their Artillery garden some who have since been used as instruments to begin the work but that which gives the greatest hope concerning this particular is this that these times afford more souldiers depending on the Lord Christ through faith for deliverance and true valour then any age since Antichrist began to fall without which all these preparations were but as so many traps and snares to catch a people in and to the which these Commanders and souldiers are daily exhorted and therefore let all people know that desire the downfal of New-England they are not to war against a people only exercised in feats of war but men who are experienced in the deliverances of the Lord from the mouth of the Lion and the paw of the Bear and now woe be to you when the same God that directed the stone to the forehead of the Philistine guides every bullet that is shot at you it matters not for the whole rabble of Antichrist on your side the God of Armies is for us a refuge high Shela VVonder working Providence OF Sions SAVIOUR in new-New-England BOOK III. CONTAINING The passages of Gods providence toward this wandering Race of Jaacobites in these latter seven years from the year 1645. till toward the latter end of 51. CHAP. I. Of planting the twenty sixth Church of Christ at the Town of Haverhil and of preparation for a second war with the Indians THis year that antient honored and trusty souldier of the truth Thom. Dudly Esquire was chosen Governor and the honored John Winthrop Esquire was chosen Deputy Governor John Endicut Esquire to the office of Major-General You have heard in the former book of the fortifying of the Castle and placing a Captain therein which was not finished till this year the number of freemen added was 56. The Town of Haverhil was built much about this time lying higher up then Salisbury upon the fair and large river of Merrimeck the people are wholly bent to improve their labour in tilling the earth and keeping of cattel whose yearly encrease incourages them to spend their days in those remote parts the constant penetrating farther into this Wilderness hath caused the wild and uncouth woods to be fil'd with frequented wayes and the large rivers to be over-laid with Bridges passeable both for horse and foot this Town is of a large extent supposed to be ten miles in length there being an over-weaning desire in most men after Medow land which hath caused many towns to grasp more into their â—ands then they could afterward possibly hold the people are laborious in the gaining the goods of this life yet are they not unmindful also of the chief end of their coming hither namely to be made partakers of the blessed Ordinances of Christ that their souls might be refreshed with the continual income of his rich grace to which end they gathered into a Church-body and called to office the reverend M. VVard son to the former named M. VVard of Ipswitch WIth mind resolv'd run out thy race at length Yound Ward begin whereas thy father left Left hath he not but breaths for further strength Nor thou nor he are yet of hope bereft Fruit of thy labours thou shalt see so much The righteous shall hear of it and rejoyce When Babel falls by Christ's almighty touch All'â— folk shall praise him with a cheerful voice They prosper shall that Sions building mind Then Ward cease not with toyl her stones to lay For great is he thee to this work assign'd Whose pleasure is heavens Crown shall be thy pay This year although divers Indian Sachems not long before had desired to subject themselves and lands unto this Government yet the sons of old Canonicus having not inherited their fathers prudence with his subjects and land fell to hot contention with their own neighbours and native inhabitants although they were forbidden by the united Colonies and prosecuted so that they would not stick to wage war with the English also which the Commissioners perceiving they raised an Army of horse and foot out of the Colonies and appointed as Commander in chief over them Major-General Edward Gibbons the reverend Mr. Tompsoâ— one of the Elders of the Church at Braintree was to accompany them and to preach the Word of God unto them during the time of the war but the Indians hearing of this preparation against them sent a certain number of their chief Nobility to treat with the Commissioners of the united Colonies about a peace who then sitting at Boston gave them audience the Indians coming into their presence could speak no more English but peace peace the English were very desirous of an opportunity to shew them mercy and yet would they should not despise them in gaining it upon such easie terms as might cause them to move war again and therefore allotted them to pay some part of the charge of the war intended and therefore appointed them to give four of their sons for hostages till they had wholly paid it the Indians gladly accepted of the terms and accordingly brought their children Here the Reader should be minded of the admirable acts of the Lord Christ in awing these multitudes of Heathens for they were the most populous of any that are in these parts but it is reserved for another place in this history the Indians being slow in their performance had their hostages returned home before the Wapom was paid yet their two Princes Posicus and Mexanimo did upon the sending certain armed men to demand the remainder send the sum demanded CHAP. II. Of the planting of the twenty seventh Church of Christ at the Town called Springfield and of the earnest seeking the the Lord by all the Churches of N. E. for his gracious assistance in the work of Reformation ABout this time one Mr. Pinchin sometime a Magistrate having out of desire to better his estate by trading with the Indians setled himself very remote from all the Churches of Christ in the Mattachusets Government upon the river of Canectico yet under their Government he having some godly persons resorting unto him they there erected a Town and Church of Christ calling it Springfield it lying upon this large navigable river hath the benefit of transporting their goods by water and also fitly seated for a Bever trade with the Indians till the Merchants encreased so many that it became little worth by reason of their out-buying one another which hath caused them to live upon husbandry this Town is mostly built along the river side and upon some little rivelets of the same There hath of late been more then one or two in this Town greatly suspected of witchcraft yet have they used much diligence both for the finding them
out and for the Lords assisting them against their witchery yet have they as is supposed bewitched not a few persons among whom two of the reverend Elders children These people inhabiting this Town having gathered into a Church-body called to the office of a Pastor the reverend M. Moxon who remaineth with them at this very day of whom as followeth AS thou with strong and able parts art made Thy person stout with toyl and labour shall With help of Christ through difficulties wade Then spend for him spare not thy self at all When errors crowd close to thy self and friends Take up truths sword trifle not time for why Christ call'd his people hither for these ends To tell the world that Babels fall is nigh And that his Churches through the world shall spread Maugre the might of wicked men and devils Then Moxon thou need'st not at all to dread But be aveng'd on Satan for his evils Thy Lord Christ will under thy feet him tread This year the great troubles in our native country encreaseing and that hearing prophane Esau had mustered up all the Bands he could make to come against his brother Iacob these wandering race of Jacobites deemed it now high time to implore the Lord for his especial aid in this time of their deepest distress and the rather being incouraged hereunto from former deliverances and wonderful mercies received the which they now presented before the Lord with the several branches and inlarged bounties thereof to refresh their frozen affections and move a melting heart in their barren brests that began to dry up with a lazy lethargy and therefore thrusting themselves on to the work by the loving invitation of that godly Government the Lord in his mercy had peaceably placed among them each Church in their own proper place meeting together in daies of solemn seeking of the Lords pleasing countenance in Christ the Lord in his mercy helping them after a serious acknowledgment of their own unworthiness by reason of their sinful provocations of the Lord to anger against them aggravated in that they were committed immediately upon the receipt of a multitude of marvellous mercies they acknowledg unto the Lord in the audience of the great Congregation the manner of his wonderful providence extended toward them that as Iacob professes I came over this Jordan with my staff and now have I gotten two Bands so they came over this boysterous billow-boyling Ocean a few poor scattered stones newly raked out of the heaps of rubbish and thou Lord Christ hast now so far exalted them as to lay them sure in thy Sion a building to be the wonder of the world orderly are they placed in five and forty several Churches and that in a Wilderness where civility scarce ever took place much less any Religion and now to the Lord earnestly they cry to be delivered from the cruel hands of those that would destroy both young and old the bird and her young together and as Iacobs fear was the seed of Christs Church in the posterity of Israel should be cut off and therefore pleaded the promise of the Lord in the multiplying of his seed so these people at this very time pleaded not only the Lords promise to Israel but to his only Son Christ Jesus Lord hast thou not said Ask of me and I will give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost ends of the earth for thy possession and now Lord are not these the Churches of Christ which thou hast planced for his possession and that as Rachel and Leah built the house of Israel so now shall these and the like Sister-churches spread the whole earth the Lord Christ raigning as King and Lord for ever over them Then why do the Heathen rage and the people imagin a vain thing seeing the rime of the Lords arising to have mercy upon Sion is come â—ea his appointed time is at hand and he who walks in the midst of his golden Candlesticks whose eys are as a flaming fire will not suffer his Churches to be trodden under feet of that Antichristian Lordly prelacy any longer nor yet defiled with any transformed Saint-seeming Angels of light with their painted doctrines Thus did this poor people plead with the Lord not only for themselves but for their dearly beloved brethren in England I and all that are Christs chosen people the world throughout and although they were not unmindful from day to day of them yet this year 1645. the Lord was pleased to stir up their affections in more then an ordinary manner what success their prayers have had let all that love and long to behold the beauty of Christ shining on and in his beloved Bride declare the loving kindness of the Lord toward his Churches and let all the Churches of Christ though never so â—â— more the one from the other yet joyned together in one â—hith and one Christ be frequent in prayer one for another â—ongregate together at the Throne of the Lord be present in â—pirit though absent in body these Mew-England Churches â—â—â— neer one hundred miles distant one from another and yet communicate counsel care love joy grieve with and for â—ne another dismiss some and commend others as occasiâ—n serves to the Christian care and watchfulness from one Church to another and why may not this be practised the world throughout even from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum CHAP. III. Of the opposition the Government of the Mattachusets Colony met withal by certain persons under the name of Petitioners IN place of Governor was chosen for this year Iohn Winthrop Esquire and for Deputy Governor Thomas Dudly Esquire the number of freemen were about 72. At the Court of Election there was a Petition drawn and presented to the Court by a Doctor of Physick with seven hands to it the persons were of a Linfiwolsie disposition some for Prefacy some for Presbytery and some for Plâ—bsbytery but all joyned together in the thing they would which was to stir up the people to dislike of the present Government one while envving against the constitution of the Government as not popular enough another while against the Laws or orders of this little Common-wealth as two strict and then to provoke at least the pâ—â—â—â—â—ous they tell them of great expence of the publike Treasury and intolerable taxations the matter they petitioned for was a bottom to build their quarrel upon under the name of a Presbyterian Government and this they supposed would suit well with their Bill of complaint which they intended for England not that they cared for a Presbyterian Church for had they so done they might have found out one in the country before they petitioned but because they supposed that the Parliament in England would establish that way only and therefore bore themselves bold upon it that although their seditious and scandalous words and practises should incur a penalty as none could deem any other unless it be such as are all for
liberty and nothing for Government yet they might bear men in hand it was for petitioning for a Presbyterian Church-Government according to this teâ—or thâ— Court being some what flow in censuring them they prepareâ— a plot wrapping in some few persons more with them lay ing very gross matters to the charge of this Government in their Bill of complaint but being suspected by the honoured Magistrates of this Government their plot was found out and writing publikely read unto them for all which they had a small penalty laid upon them hardly countervail the charge they put the country unto but assuredly it was the Lords gracious goodness to quell their malice against his people and indeed the proud Bishops sped no better or not so well especially some of them nor have any other hitherto prospered who have maâ—igned these poor Churches of Christ yet because the Gortonist painted over a far worser cause that those honorable personages in England who had the hearing thereof could not discern the Government thought meet to send over this year the honored M. VVinslow to manifest and declare the naked truth of things having full power and commission from this Government to deal for them in all matters wherein they may be concerned and verily the chief Gortonian might have returned from England hither to have triumphed in his blasphemies over the Churches of Christ and all the united colonies had not the divel shewed his horns in that book he printed wherein he takes upon him a monstrous interpretation of the words of our Lord Christ in John Except ye eat my flesh and drink my blond c. had the book been well perused before their coming over surely they had never return'd with so large a commission as they boast of for the Parliament have punished divers persons for their blasphemies and very like these should not have scaped scotfree CHAP. IV. Of the second Synod holden at Cambridg in N. E. and the images of the Son that appeared THis year the General Court of the Mattachusets Government taking into consideration the many 〈◊〉 in point of doctrine that were daily broached by some of our English Nation although the churches of Christ and the people under this Government were free at least in open profession yet to declare to all the world and render an accompt of their faith and profession wherein they walk it was thought meet that the churches of Christ should meet together in a Synod by their Elders and Messengers to hold forth the doctrine and discipline of Jesus Christ according to the rule of the New Testament with the grounds of Scripturâ— from which they hold the same and further to make trial of them by the said rules and none other accordingly at the time appointed they assembled together their disputation was plain and easie to be understood of the meanest capacity clearing up those points that were most dubious they having agreed on all matters with a full concurrence of the assembly did appoint them to be put in print that they might be the better scanned and tried of every particular person in the several congregations or churches many churches approving thereof for the generality others there be that have not yet fully viewed the same the books are extant and shew that the churches of Christ in N. E. are not ashamed to make confession of their faith to all the world and are yet ready to receive any further light shall be made known unto them from the Word of God and none other nor do they receive this because a Synod hath said it but because the Lord hath spoken it by his Spirit and witnessed by the same Spirit to their souls that he hath so done some sorts of persons have been much opposite to this Synod first those that are so inured with the broad beaten path of liberty that they fear to be confined in the straight and narrow path of truth the second are such as have their wills wedded to some singular rare conceited opinion for which they have been admired of many and now they fear their gain will be gone if this spirit be cast out the third and last sort are more honest then the two former and only scared with their big words who tell them of the Popish and Prelatical Synods what a deal of trash and cannon Laws they have brought in and that if they will full to receiving books once they shall have more and more thrust upon them As also if any shall say its only to declare the doctrine and discipline the churches of N. E. hold it s enough quoth they that our faith concerning these things is contained in the Bible and this is all the accompt we need to give to any but for all these scare-crows N.E. hath through the blessing of the Lord received much peace and truth from the former Synod we wish our countrymen and our selves may receive the like and much more from this which ended not with this year This year about the later end thereof appeared two Parelii or Images of the Sun and some other strange apparitions of light about her like a Rainbow with the heels upward which unwonted sights have been interpreted by the provident passages since shewed among those who have had an outside of profession and name to be singular for understanding the mind of God who would overthrow all the Ordinances of Christ under the name of New-light and that there can be no restoration of Religion till new Apostles come This desperate opinion doth so fitly resemble these wonderful apparitions that seemed to be another Sun yet indeed had no light in them but vanished away no man knew how so these opinionists would make men believe they had found out another Sea from their phantastical revelations CHAP. V. Of the great pains and care taken by those in Authority for the compiling of Lawes for this little Commonwealth THis year the General Court appointed a Committee of divers persons to draw up a Body of Laws for the well-ordering of this little Commonwealth and to the end that thâ—y might be most agreeable with the rule of Scripture in every County there was appointed two Magistrates two Ministers and two able persons from among the people who having provided such a competent number as was meet together with the former that were enacted newly amended they presented them to the General Court where they were again perused and amended and then another Committee chosen to bring them into form and present them to the Court again who the year following passed an Act of confirmation upon them and so committed them to the Press and in the year 1648. they were printed and now are to be seen of all men to the end that none may plead ignorance and that all who intend to transport themselves hither may know this is no place of licentious liberty nor will this people suffer any to trample down this Vineyard of the Lord but with diligent execution
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-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
likely to live or die by N. Culpeper 13. Catastrophe Magnatum or the downfall of Monarchy by N. Culpeper 14. Ephemerides for the year 1652. being a year of wonders by N. Culpeper 15. Lux veritatis or Christian Judiciall Astrology vindicated and Daemonology confuted in answer to Nath. Holmes Dr. D. by W. Ramsey Gent. 16. The History of the Golden Ass 17. The Painting of the Antients the beginning progress and consummating of that noble Art and how those antient Artificers attained to their still so much admired excellency sraels redemption or the propheticall History of our Saviours Kingdome on earth by Robert Matton of Exon Colledgo in Olcon 8. 18. An Introduction to the Teutonick Philosophy being a determination of the Originall of the Soul at a Dispute held in the School at Cambridg at the Commencement March 3. 1646. by Charles Hotham Fellow of Peter-house 12. 19. Teratologia or a discovery of Gods wonders manifested in the former and moderne times by bloody rain and waters by I.S. 20. Foos Lachry marum or a fountain of Tears from whence doth flow Englands complaint Jeremiahs Lamentations with an Elegy upon that Son of Valour Sir Charles Lucas by John Quarles 8. 21. Oedipus or a resolver being a Clew that leads to the chiefe Secrets and true resolution of amorous naturall morall and politicall Problems by G. M. 22. The celestiall Lamp enlightning every distressed soul from the depth of everlasting Darkness to the height of eternall Light by Tho. Fettisplace 23. Nocturnall Lucubrations or Meditations divine and morall with Epigrams and Epitaphs by Robert Chamberlain 24. The unfortunate Mother a Tragedy by Tho. Nabs 25. The Rebellion a Comedy by T. R. 26. The Tragedy of Messalina by Nat. Richards 8. 27. The remedy of Discontentment or a Treatise of contentation in whatsoever condition fit for these sad and troublesome times by Joseph Hall late B. of Exon and Norwich 12. 18. The Grand Sacriledge of the Church of Rome in taking away the sacred Cup from the Laity at the Lords Table by the late reverend Daniel Featly D. D. 4. 29. The cause and cure of Ignorance Error Enmity Atheism and Prophaness or a most hopefull way to Grace and Salvation by R. Young 8. 30. A bridle for the Times tending to still the Murmuring to settle the Wavering to stay the Wandring to strengthen the Fainting by John Brinsley Minister of Gods Word at Yarmouth 31. Comforts against the fear of Death wherein are severall evidences of the work of Grace by John Collins of Norwich 32. Jacobs seed or the excellency of seeking God by prayer by Jeremiah Burroughs Minister of the Gospel to the two greatest Congregations about London Stepney and Cripplegate 33. The Zealous Magistrate a Sermon by Tho Threscot 34. Britannia Rediviva or a Soverain Remedy to cure a sick Common-wealth preached in the Minster at Yorke before the Judges August 9. 1649. by J. Shaw Minister of Hull 35. The Princess Royall preached in the Minster in Yorke before the Judges March 24. 1650. by John Shaw Minister of Hull 36. Anatomy of Mortality divided into eight Heads 1. The Certainty of Death 2. Meditations of Death 3. Preparations for Death 4. The right behaviour in Death 5. The Comfort in our own Death 6. The comfort against the Death of Friends 7. The Cases wherein it 's lawfull or unlawfull to desire Death 8. The glorious Estate of Gods Children after Death by George Stronde 37. New Jerusalem in a Sermon for the Society of Astrologers August 1651. 38. Mirrour of Complements fitted for Ladies Gentlewomen Scholars and Strangers with formes of speaking and writing of Letters most in fashion with witty Poems and a Table expounding hard English words 39. Cabinet of Jewels discovering the nature vertue value of pretious Stones with infallible Rules to escape the deceit of all such as are adulterate or counterfeit by Tho. Nicholls 40. Quakers Cause at second hearing being a full answer to their Tenets 41. Divinity no Enemy to Astrology a sermon intended for the Society of Astrologers for the year 1653. by Dr. Tho. Swadlin 42. Historicall Relation of the first planting of the English in New England in the year 1628. to the year 1653. and all the materiall passages happening there Exactly performed The Church of Christ at Plimoth was planted in New England 8. Yeares before any others Doctor Wilson gave 1000 l. to New England with which they stored them with great Guns Mr. Wareham and other of their Teaching Elders you shall reade of when the Canâ—â—kâ—â—â—o is planted 1634. Concord the 12. Church 1. Dividing betweene the Word and the Word 2. Christ and his Graces 3. The Word and the spirit 4. Christ and his Ordinances Foure score Errors derived from these four heads and spread abroad in N. England M. Allen a great help against the Errors of the time A The consideration of the wonderful providence of Christ in planting his N. E. Churches and with the right hand of his power preserving protecting favouring and feeding them upon his tender knees Together with the ill requital of his all-infinite and undeserved mercies bestowed upon us bath caused many a soul to lament for the dishonor done to his Name and sear of his casting of this little handful of his and the insulting of the enemy whose forrow is set forth in these four first staffs of verses A The consideration of the wonderful providence of Christ in planting his N. E. Churches and with the right hand of his power preserving protecting favouring and feeding them upon his tender knees Together with the ill requital of his all-infinite and undeserved mercies bestowed upon us bath caused many a soul to lament for the dishonor done to his Name and sear of his casting of this little handful of his and the insulting of the enemy whose forrow is set forth in these four first staffs of verses A The consideration of the wonderful providence of Christ in planting his N. E. Churches and with the right hand of his power preserving protecting favouring and feeding them upon his tender knees Together with the ill requital of his all-infinite and undeserved mercies bestowed upon us bath caused many a soul to lament for the dishonor done to his Name and sear of his casting of this little handful of his and the insulting of the enemy whose forrow is set forth in these four first staffs of verses A The consideration of the wonderful providence of Christ in planting his N. E. Churches and with the right hand of his power preserving protecting favouring and feeding them upon his tender knees Together with the ill requital of his all-infinite and undeserved mercies bestowed upon us bath caused many a soul to lament for the dishonor done to his Name and sear of his casting of this little handful of his and the insulting of the enemy whose forrow is set forth in these four first staffs of verses B The Rod of God toward us in our Maritine affairs