they professed also to use Discipline in the Congregation against scandalous persons by a personal application of the Word of God as the case might require and that some that were scandalous were denied admission into the Church they began to raise some trouble of these Mr. Samuel Brown and his Brother were the chief the one being a Lawyer the other a Merchant both of them amongst the number of the first Patentees men of Estates and men of Parts and port in the place These two Brothers gathered a Company together in a place distinct from the publick Assembly and there sundry times the Book of Common-Prayer was read unto such as resorted thither The Governour Mr. Endicot taking notice of the disturbance that began to grow amongst the people by this means he convented the two Brothers before him They accused the Ministers as departing from the Orders of the Church of England that they were Separatists and would be Anabaptists c. but for themselves they would hold to the Orders of the Church of England The Ministers answered for themselves They were neither Separatists nor Anabaptists they did not separate from the Church of England nor from the Ordinances of God there but onely from the Corruptions and Disorders there and that they came away from the Common-Prayer and Ceremonies and had suffered much for their Non-Conformity in their Native Land and therefore being in a place where they might have their liberty they neither could nor would use them because they judged the imposition of these things to be sinful Corruptions in the Worship of God The Governour and Council and the generality of the people did well approve of the Ministers Answer and therefore finding those two Brothers to be of high Spirits and their speeches and practises tending to Mutiny and Faction the Governour told them That New-England was no place for such as they and therefore he sent them both back for England at the return of the Ships the same year and though they breathed out Threatnings both against the Governour and Ministers there yet the Lord so disposed of all that there was no further inconvenience followed upon it The two Ministers there being seriously studious of Reformation they considered of the state of their Children together with their Parents concerning which Letters did pass between Mr. Higginson and Mr. Brewster the reverend Elder of the Church of Plimouth and they did agree in their judgements viz. concerning the Church-Membership of the Children with their parents and that Baptism was a seal of their Membership only when they were Adult they being not scandalous they were to be examined by the Church-Officers and upon their approbation of their fitness and upon the Childrens publick and personal owning of the Covenant they were to be received unto the Lords Supper Accordingly Mr. Higginson's eldest Son being about fifteen years of age was owned to have been received a member together with his Parents and being privately examined by the Pastor Mr. Skelton about his knowledge in the principles of Religion he did present him before the Church when the Lords Supper was to be Administred and the Childe then publickly and personally owning the Covenant of the God of his Father he was admitted unto the Lords Supper it being then professedly owned according to 1 Cor. 7.14 that the Children of the Church are holy unto the Lord as well as their Parents accordingly the Parents owning and retaining the Baptism which they themselves received in their Infancy in their Native Land as they had any Children born Baptism was administred unto them viz. to the Children of such as were members of that particular Church Mr. Higginson lived but one year after the setling of the Church there departed this life about the same time the next year in the Month of August 1630. Mr. Skelton lived until the year 1634. when he also quietly slept in the Lord and were both buried at Salem As it is an honour to be in Christ before others as in Rom. 16. so also to be first in the Lords work and to be faithful in it as these two holy men were who made such a beginning in Church-reformation as was afterwards followed by many others In the year 1634. Mr. Roger Williams removed from Plimouth to Salem he had lived about three years at Plimouth where he was well accepted as an assistant in the Ministry to Mr. Ralph Smith then Pastor of the Church there but by degrees venting of divers of his own singular opinions and seeking to impose them upon others he not finding such a concurrence as he expected he desired his dismission to the Church of Salem which though some were unwilling to yet through the prudent counsel of Mr. Brewster the ruling Elder there fearing that his continuance amongst them might cause divisions and there being then many able men in the Bay they would better deal with him then themselves could and foreseeing what he professed he feared concerning Mr. Williams which afterwards came to pass that he would run the same course of rigid Separation and Anabaptistry which Mr. John Smith the Sebaptist at Amsterdam had done the Church of Plimouth consented to his dismission and such as did adhere to him were also dismissed and removed with him or not long after him to Salem He came to Salem in the time of Mr. Skeltons weakness who lived not long after Mr. Williams was come whereupon after some time the Church there called him to office but he having in one years time filled that place with principles of rigid separation and tending to Anabaptistry the prudent Magistrates of the Massachusets Jurisdiction sent to the Church of Salem desiring them to forbear calling him to office which they not hearkening to was a cause of much disturbance for Mr. Williams had begun and then being in office he proceeded more vigorously to vent many dangerous opinions as amongst many others these were some That it is not lawful for an unregenerate man to pray nor to take an Oath and in special not the Oath of Fidelity to the Civil Government nor was it lawful for a godly man to have communion either in Family Prayer or in an Oath with such as they judged unregenerate and therefore he himself refused the Oath of Fidelity and taught others so to do also That it was not lawful so much as to hear the godly Ministers of England when any occasionally went thither therefore he admonished any Church-members that had done so as for hainous sin also he spake dangerous words against the Patent which was the foundation of the Government of the Massachusets Colony also he affirmed That the Magistrates had nothing to do in matters of the first Table but only the second and that there should be a general and unlimited Toleration of all Religions and for any man to be punished for any matters of his Conscience was persecution And further he procured the Church of Salems consent unto letters of Admonition
the Divine whose Life a Revelation Of Faith and Love and Christ to admiration John the Divine whom Jesus lov'd most dear Sweetned with leaning on his Bosome here This is that John whose Death who doth not moan Hath sure no heart of flesh but one of stone He had the Countries Faith and Love and Zeal Even Grace enough for Church and Common-weal Whereby was propt up all the Fabrick still That else had tumbled down our Sion Hill Of meerly Men deserving glory more You 'll finde nor Martyr nor a Confessor Inspir'd he was with the Prophetick Spirit Of all the Prophets which he did inherit 'Twixt an Apostle and Evangelist His Order standeth in the Heavenly List If Paul himself among us dead had been More tears or sorrow could not have been seen They wept not more for this that they should see His face no more then now we Mourners bee For Heavenly Poems most Angelicall Composing Volumes with delight were all But gathered up in one we should espy Enough to fill an University And were another Psalm-book made by thee Mictam of John their Title it should bee As aged John th'Apostle us'd to bless The People which they judg'd their happiness So we did count it worth our Pilgrimage Vnto him for his Blessing in his Age Yet then no Babe more longing for the Breast Then he to take within the Church his rest To have the sincere Milk of God's good Word Which to his Soul all comfort did afford Not Heat nor Cold nor Rain nor Snow must bar But every where becomes an Auditor Who ever labour'd in the Ministry More given then he to Hospitality To Strangers Widows Fatherless and all To Friends and Foes he was most liberall Of all his Prayers Sermons Travels Pains He is ascended Heaven to reap the gains Oh for a double portion of thy Spirit No richer Treasure would we all inherit Maestus apposuit T. S. 1668. THis Year it pleased God to visit New-England with the manifestation of his displeasure by the death of three Eminent Instruments The first whereof was that worthy Servant of Christ Mr. Samuel Shepard Pastor of the Church of Christ at Rowley in New-England who deceased in the Spring of this year in the midst of his dayes and in the beginning of his Work in the Ministry The second that worthy Man of God Mr. Henry Flint Teacher of the Church of Christ at Braintry in New-England who ended his mortal life the 27 of April in this year a man of known Piety Gravity and Integrity and well accomplished with other Qualifications fit for the Work of the Ministry The third and last but not the least that Super-eminent Minister of the Gospel rightly so called Mr. Jonathan Mitchel Pastor of the Church of Christ at Cambridge in New-England who laid down his Earthly Tabernacle on the Ninth of July in this year Of whose rare Endowments and the great Loss the whole Land sustained by his death take this following brief Account Mr. Jonathan Mitchell was born at Halifax in York-shire in England of pious and wealthy Parents who coming over to New-England brought him over young his Education in Learning was perfected at Harvard Colledge in Cambridge where he attained to such a degree in knowledge that he was soon called to be a Fellow of the Colledge and within few years after his lustre did so shine that the Church at Hartford upon Conecticot River made application to him in order to supply the place of that Eminent Servant of Christ Mr. Thomas Hooker a little before deceased but the Church at Cambridge by the Advice of their Pastor Mr. Thomas Shepard then living not willing to part with so great a Treasure became Competitor with Hartford and gave him a Call to them This loving Strife between the two Churches of Hartford and Cambridge about him was in a short time decided by the awfull hand of God in the death of that Eminent and Glorious Star Mr. Thomas Shepard Pastor at Cambridge which place being wholly destitute and Hartford being supplied with a Teacher namely that Worthy of the Lord Mr. Samuel Stone the Ballance was cast for Cambridge and in the year 1650 he was Called and Ordained their Pastor It was an eminent favour of God to that Church to have their great Breach thus made up with a man so much of the Spirit and Principles of their former Pastor and so excellently qualified with respect to the Colledge for Reason and Prudence requireth that the Minister of that place be more then ordinarily endowed with Learning Gravity Wisdome Orthodoxness Ability sweet and excellent Gifts in Preaching that so the Scholars which are devoted and set apart in order to be Preachers of the Gospel might be seasoned with the Spirit of such an Elijah In which regard this holy Man of God was eminently furnished and his Labours wonderfully blessed for very many of the Scholars bred up in his time as is observed do favour of his Spirit for grace and manner of Preaching which was most attractive He lived Pastor of the Church about Eighteen years and was most intense and faithful in declaring much of the Counsel of God He went through a great part of the Body of Divinity made a very excellent Exposition of the Book of Genesis and part of Exodus and delivered many fruitful and profitable Sermons on the four first Chapters of John and in his Monethly Lectures which were abundantly frequented he Preached of Mans Misery by Sin and Recovery by Christ Jesus and died in the third part of it viz. concerning Mans Obedience in Christ besides many other excellent Truths by him taught upon divers occasions In all his Labours God was wonderfully present with him He was a person that held very near Communion with God Eminent in Wisdome Piety Humility Love Self-denial and of a compassionate and tender heart surpassing in Publick-spiritedness a mighty man in Prayer and Eminent at standing in the Gap he was zealous for Order and faithful in asserting the Truth against all Oppugners of it In a word he was a man whom God had richly furnished and eminently fitted for his Work lived desired and died lamented by all good Christians that knew him It pleased God upon the Ninth of July 1668. in a hot and burning season but much more hot in the Heat of Gods Anger to New-England to take him to Rest and Glory about the 43 year of his Age. His Race was but short but the Work he did was very much The Elegies following may give the Reader a further account of what esteem he was Upon the Death of that truely Godly Reverend and Faithful Servant of Christ Mr. Jonathan Mitchell Pastor of the Church at Cambridge who deceased July 9. 1668. VVHat shall we say Of sad Effects what fear Four Splendent Stars extinguish'd in one year Two Old one Young and this of Middle Age A brightest Light most eyes who did ingage The Lord in 's Temple is Earth silence keep
of life and fell to Prayer and to Examination of their Hearts and Consciences and confessed such sins as most burthened them and the said John Oldham did make a free and large Confession of the wrongs he had done to the Church and People at Plimouth in many particulars that as he had sought their Ruine so God had now met with him and might destroy him yea he feared that they all fared the worse for his sake He prayed God to forgive him and made Vows That if the Lord spared his life he would become otherwise This was reported by some of good Credit not long since living in the Massachusets Bay that were themselves partners in the same danger which was on the Sholes of Cape Cod. It pleased God to spare their lives but they lost their vayage and in time afterwards the said Mr. John Oldham carried himself fairly towards them He was a man of parts but high-spirited and extremely passionate which marred all in point of right improvement of them and acknowledged the hand of God to be with them and seemed to have an honourable respect of them and so far made his peace with them as he had liberty to go and come at his pleasure and in some time after went on trading in a small vessel amongst the Indians and being weakly manned upon some quarrel betwixt them they slew him with an hatchet this his death being one ground of the Pequot war of which afterwards in its proper place The time being expired that Mr. John Lyford his Censure was to take place he was so far from answering their hopes by amendment as he had doubled his evil as before-mentioned But first behold the hand of God concerning him wherein that of the Psalmist is verified Psal 7.15 he hath made a pit and digged it and is fallen into the pit that he made he thought to bring shame and disgrace upon them but instead of that opens his own to all the world for his wife who was a prudent sober woman taking notice of his false and deceitful carriage about the premises in grief of minde expressed her fears that God would bring upon himself and his family some sad judgement for these and other his wicked practises and related that he had a Bastard by another woman before marriage with her which he denied to her with an oath but it afterwards appeared to be so and another miscarriage of the like nature more odiously circumstanced was also discovered for which he was forced to leave Ireland and so came New-England to be troubled with him Being banished hence he went first to Nantasket then to Salem and after to Virginia where he shortly after died I have been too tedious in my relating the plots of these wicked Machavillians But to conclude the Reader may take notice that God observed and brought to nought their wicked devices was a defence to the innocent and caught them in the snares they privily layed for them punishing one sin by another until he had accomplished the freedom of his Israel by the overthrow of his and their enemies for which his mercy let his holy Name be praised for evermore This storm thus blown over yet sundry sad effects followed for the company of the Merchant Adventurers brake in pieces hereupon and the greatest part wholly deserted the Colony but yet God took care of it for although sundry of them fell off and adventured no more towards the support thereof but rather proved manifest adversaries thereunto then otherwise and the rest partly because they were grown some of them low in their estates and there being small hopes of returns to their expectations although courteous in words and well wishes yet afforded little or no help after this so that the Plantation was fain to stand on their own legs being indeed marvellously supported by the Lord for it pleased him so to bless their endeavours as that they raised great crops of Indian Corn about this time so as they had enough and to spare and began to have thoughts of improving part of it in a way of trading with the Indians and having only two shallops and no bigger vessels they laid a deck on the one of them in the midships to preserve the corn dry from weather so sent her laden with corn to a place call'd Kenebek about fifty leagues off to the Eastwards and notwithstanding they were strangers to the way and place of trade and to the people and having no seamen to go with them and at that season being the latter end of the year and drawing on to winter yet it pleased God to preserve them and so to bless their endeavours as that they returned in safety and with good success it being the first enterprise they atchieved in this kind at least so far and it proved an inlet to a further trade which was greatly beneficial to them afterwards And here I may not omit the observable dispensation of Gods providence respecting his dealing with the Adventurers forementioned in reference unto two ships they sent unto these parts about that time on a fishing voyage only upon their own account having left the Plantation to shift for themselves one of these ships was a small one viz. the James forenamed which was well laden with good Cor fish 800 weight of Beaver with other Furres a good quantity and in her a great quantity likewise of Beaver and other furs which was sent by the Plantation to the Adventurers and returned for England the other ship was also laden with good dry fish and she also returned with her being thus well fraighted they went together lovingly and joyfully away the greater ship towing the lesser at her stern all the way over-bound and had such fair weather as they never cast her off till they were shot deep into the English Chanel almost within sight of Plimouth and yet there she was unhappily taken by a Turks-man of war carried into Sally where the Master and Men were made Slaves and many of the Beaver-skins were sold for four pence a piece Thus were all their hopes dashed in this respect and the joyfull News they went to carry home turned into heavy Tidings Some thought this a Hand of God for some unkindness shewed to the Plantation by exaction upon them in reference to a parcel of goods they a little before had sent over to them on extreme Rates But Gods Judgements are unsearchable neither ought we to be too bold therewith But however it shews us the uncertainty of all humane things and what little cause there is in joying in them or trusting to them In the bigger of these Ships Captain Miles Standish went over as Agent in the behalf of the Plantation in reference unto some particulars yet depending betwixt them and the Adventurers as also to the Honourable Council of New-England and notwithstanding some Difficulty he met with in his occasions by reason of the Pestilence which was then so hot
which was written and sent by him in their name to the Churches at Boston Charlstown New-town now Cambridge c. accusing the Magistrates that were members of the respective Churches of sundry hainous offences which he laid unto their charge and though divers did acknowledge their error and gave satisfaction yet Mr. Williams himself notwithstanding all the pains that was taken with him by Mr. Cotton Mr. Hooker and many others to bring him to a sight of his errors and miscarriages and notwithstanding all the Courts gentle proceedings with him he not only persisted but grew more violent in his way insomuch as he staying at home in his own house sent a Letter which was delivered and read in the publick Church assembly the scope of which was to give them notice That if the Church of Salem would not separate not only from the Churches of Old-England but the Churches of New-England too he would separate from them the more prudent and sober part of the Church being amazed at his way could not yield unto him whereupon he never came to the Church Assembly more professing separation from them as Antichristian and not only so but he withdrew all private religious Communion from any that would hold Communion with the Church there insomuch as he would not pray nor give thanks at meals with his own wife nor any of his family because they went to the Church Assemblies divers of the weaker sort of the Church-members that had been throughly leavened with his Opinions of which number were divers women that were zealous in their way did by degrees fall off to him insomuch as he kept a meeting in his own house unto which a numerous company did resort both on the Sabbath day and at other times in way of separation from and opposition to the Church Assembly there which the prudent Magistrates understanding and seeing things grow more and more towards a general division and disturbance after all other means used in vain they passed a sentence of Banishment against him out of the Massachusets Colony as against a disturber of the peace both of the Church and Common-wealth After which Mr. Williams sat down in a place called Providence out of the Massachusets Jurisdiction and was followed by many of the members of the Church of Salem who did zealously adhere to him and who cried out of the Persecution that was against him some others also resorted to him from other parts They had not been long there together but from rigid separation they fell to Anabaptistry renouncing the Baptism which they had received in their Infancy and taking up another Baptism and so began a Church in that way but Mr. Williams stopped not there long for after some time he told the people that had followed him and joyned with him in a new Baptism that he was out of the way himself and had mis-led them for he did not finde that there was any upon earth that could administer Baptism and therefore their last Baptism was a nullity as well as their first and therefore they must lay down all and wait for the coming of new Apostles and so they dissolved themselves and turned Seekers keeping that one Principle That every one should have liberty to Worship God according to the Light of their own Consciences but otherwise not owning any Churches or Ordinances of God any where upon Earth Thus much was thought meet to be inserted here concerning the great and lamentable Apostacy of Mr. Williams that it may be a Warning to all others to take heed of a gradual declining from and forsaking the Churches of Christ and Ordinances of God in them lest they be left of God to run such a course as he hath done Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall 1 Cor. 10.12 As also to be a Motive to the Saints to remember him unto God in their fervent Prayers for his return he having been sometimes an able Dispenser of the Word of God and in several respects of an exemplary Conversation And yet that there may be a standing Evidence of the Care that was had in those times to prevent the growth of Errours and of the exercise of the Communion of Churches for that end it is thought meet further to insert this passage That before the putting forth of the Civil Power of the Magistrate for the removing of Mr. Williams from Salem and besides other means also used there was a publick Admonition sent in writing from the Church of Boston to the Church of Salem for the reducing of Mr. Williams and the erring part of the Church The Title of the Writing was Errours in Doctrine maintained by some of the Brethren of the Church of Salem tending to the disturbance of Religion and Peace in Family Church and Common-wealth viz. 1. THat it is not lawful to call upon an unregenerate man to pray for himself 2. It is not lawful for a regenerate man to pray with his carnal Family 3. It is not lawful for Magistrates to take an Oath of Fidelity from unregenerate men 4. It is not lawful for Magistrates to take an Oath of Fidelity from the body of their Subjects though regenerate and Members of Churches 5. It is not lawful for Magistrates to punish the breaches of the first Table unless thereby the Civil Peace of the Commonwealth be disturbed Whence also it follows and is confessed That a Church wholly declining into Arianism Papism Familism or other Heresies being admonished and convinced thereof by other Churches and not reforming may not be reformed by the Civil Magistrate in a way of Civil Justice unless it break the Civil Peace These Errours were solidly confuted and the contrary Truths asserted by the Word of God in that Writing which was Subscribed by John Cotton Teacher of the Church of Boston Thomas Oliver Elders of the same Church Thomas Leveret Elders of the same Church Mr. Wilson the Pastor of the Church being at that time absent upon a Voyage to England 1630. THis Year it pleased God of his rich grace to Transport over into the Bay of the Massachusets divers honourable Personages and many worthy Christians whereby the Lord began in a manifest manner and way to make known the great thoughts which he had of Planting the Gospel in this remote and barbarous Wilderness and honouring his own Way of Instituted Worship causing such and so many to adhere thereunto and fall upon the practice thereof Among the rest a chief one amongst them was that famous Patern of Piety and Justice Mr. John Winthrop the first Governour of that Jurisdiction accompanied with divers other precious Sons of Sion which might be compared to the most fine gold Amongst whom also I might name that Reverend and Worthy man Mr. John Wilson eminent for Love and Zeal he likewise came over this year and bare a great share of the difficulties of these new beginnings with great chearfulness and alacrity of spirit They came over with
passages are admirable and too long to write I heartily wish for an opportunity to impart them unto you being many sheets of Paper but the conclusion was against all mens expectation an order for our encouragement and much blame and disgrace upon the adversaries which calls for much thankfulness from us all which we purpose God willing to express in a day of thanksgiving to our merciful God I doubt not but you will consider if it be not fit for you to joyn in it who as he hath humbled us by his late correction so he hath lifted us up by an abundant rejoycing in our deliverance out of so desperate a danger so as that which our enemies built their hopes upon to ruine us by he hath mercifully disposed to our great advantage as I shall further acquaint you when occasion shall serve The Copy of the Order follows At the Court at Whitehall January 19. 1632. Sigillum Crescent Lord Privy-Seal Earl of Dorset Lord Vicount Falkland Lord Bishop of London Lord Cottinton Mr. Trevers Mr. Vice-Chamberlain Mr. Secretary Cook Mr. Secretary Windebank WHereas his Majesty hath lately been informed of great distraction and much disorder in the Plantations in the parts of America called New-England which if they be true and suffered to run on would tend to the dishonour of this Kingdome and utter ruine of that Plantation for prevention whereof for the orderly setling of Government according to the intention of those Patents which have been granted by his Majesty from his late Royal Father King James It hath pleased his Majesty that the Lords and others of his most honourable Privy Council should take the same into consideration Their Lordships in the first place thought fit to make a Committee of this Board to take examination of the matters informed which Committee having called divers of the principal Adventurers in that Plantation and heard those that are complainants against them most of the things informed being denied and resting to be proved by parties that must be called from that place which required a long expence of time and at present their Lordships finding they were upon dispatch of Men Victuals and Merchandise for that place all which would be at a stand if the Adventurers should have discouragement or take suspition that the State here had no good opinion of that Plantation their Lordship 's not laying the fault or fancies if any be of some particular men upon the General Government or principal Adventurers which in due time is further to be enquired into have thought fit in the mean time to declare that the appearances were so fair and hopes so great that the Country would prove both beneficial to this Kingdome and profitable to the particulars as that the Adventurers had cause to go on cheerfully with their undertakings and rest assured if things were carried as was pretended when the Patents were granted and accordingly as by the Patents it is appointed His Majesty would not only maintain the Liberties and priviledges heretofore granted but supply any thing further that might tend to the good Government prosperity and comfort of His people there of that place c. William Tromball 1633. THis Year Mr. Edward Winslow was Chosen Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth And were Chosen to be his Assistants in Government Mr. William Bradford Captain Miles Standish Mr. John Howland Mr. John Alden Mr. John Dove Mr. Stephen Hopkins Mr. William Gilson The Plantation of Plimouth having had some former converse with the Dutch as hath been hinted they seeing them seated in a barren quarter told them of a River called by them the Fresh River Which is the same called Conecticot River which they often commended unto them for a good place both for Plantation and Trade and wished them to make use of it but their hands being full otherwise they let it pass but afterwards there coming a company of Indians into these parts that were driven out of their Country by the potency of the Pequots they sollicited them to go thither These Indians not seeing them very forward to entertain the motion which they moved with great ardency they sollicited them of the Government of the Massachusets in like sort but they being then not fit to entertain the motion in respect that they were newly come into the Country did not much regard it Notwithstanding some of the chief made a motion to joyn with some here in a way of Trade at the same River on which a meeting was appointed to treat concerning the same matter and some of Plimouth appointed to give them meeting which they did but they cast in the way many fears of danger and loss and the like on which they of the Massachusets declined the thing and did not proceed therein Whereupon those of Plimouth went on alone and prepared a Frame of an House and stowed it into a Barque ready to rear at their landing and went up the said River and reared their House and fenced it about with a Pallisado which was done with great difficulty not onely of the Dutch but also of the Indians Notwithstanding the place they possessed themselves of was such as the Dutch had nothing to do with and likewise was lawfully purchased of the Indians which they carried with them And this was Plimouths entrance there who deserved to have held it and not by friends to have been thrust out as in a sort they afterwards were This year it pleased God to visit Plimouth with an infectious Feaver of which many fell very sick and upwards of twenty died men women and children and sundry of them were of their ancient Friends amongst the rest Mr. Samuel Fuller then died after he had much helped others and was a comfort to them he was their Chirurgion and Physician and did much good in his place being not onely usefull in his faculty but otherwise as he was a godly man and served Christ in the Office of a Deacon in the Church for many years and forward to do good in his place and was much missed after God removed him out of this world This sickness caused much sadness amongst them and according to their duty they besought the Lord by Fasting and Prayer and he was intreated of them and towards Winter the sickness ceased This sickness being a kinde of a pestilent Feaver swept away also many of the Indians from many places near adjoyning to Plimouth It is to be observed That the Spring before this sickness there was a numerous company of Flies Strange and unwonted Flies a presage of a sickness that followed which were like for bigness unto Wasps or Bumble Bees they came out of little holes in the ground and did eat up the green things and made such a constant yelling noise as made all the Woods ring of them and ready to deaf the hearers they were not any of them heard or seen by the English in the Country before this time but the Indians told
the Complaints of those oppressed English and Indians But notwithstanding they several times sent to them with all gentleness and courteous expressions they neither appeared nor sent satisfying Reasons for their absence but in stead thereof many insolent proud railing opprobrious Returns so that the said Government saw there was no remedy but to send force to constrain them to come which they accordingly performed and Committed the said Gorton and several of them to Ward and during the time of their Imprisonment they carried still very proudly and audaciously towards all in place of Authority sparing not to reproach abuse and traduce the most Honourable and Reverend both in Church and State and which is yet worse spared not blasphemously to fly upon the Lord Jesus himself his Word and Ordinances in such a manner as scarce in any Age any Hereticks or Apostates have done the like Not onely abandoning and rejecting all Civil Power and Authority except moulded according to their own Fancies but belching out errours in their Familisticall Allegories if I may so call them as to speak with holy reverence they rendred the Lord Christ no other then an Imagination Horrible Familism and Blasphemy as if they were spoken by and differ little from the cursed doctrine of their grand Leader Henry Nicols shunning not blasphemously to say That Christ was but a shadow and resemblance of what is done in every Christian That Christ was Incarnate in Adam and was that Image of God wherein Adam was created and That his being born afterwards of the Virgin Mary and suffering was but a manifestation of his suffering in Adam That Man 's losing Gods Image was the Death of Christ That Christ is the Covenant properly and That Faith and Christ are all one They call the holy Word and Sermons of Salvation Tales the Lords-Supper An Abomination and A Spell Baptism Vanity and Abomination the Ministers of the Word Necromancers and by other opprobrious terms villifie and traduce them Much more might be spoken and mentioned of this stuff which they have not been ashamed to divulge but a little is enough save but to give the Reader to see the Lords goodness towards his poor people in New-England that hath delivered us and saved us of his grace from their pernicious destructive wayes and hath so detected their folly as it is made manifest to all men In fine the said Gorton and his fellow-Prisoners were several of them Sentenced to remain in durance in several Towns of the Jurisdiction of the Massachusets for six Months and afterwards Banished He was a subtile Deceiver courteous in his carriage to all at some times for his own ends but soon moved with passion and so lost that which he gained upon the simple To shut up what I have to say concerning him which is sad He is since become a sordid man in his life as he hath been declared to be in his cursed Principles and Opinions and hath not shunned to say and affirm That all the felicity we are like to have we must expect in this life and no more and therefore advised one with whom he had some speech to make much of her self for she must expect no more but what she could enjoy in this life or words to the same effect Thus evil men and deceivers grow worse and worse deceiving and being deceived 2 Tim. 3.13 1638. THis Year Mr. Thomas Prince was Chosen Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were Chosen Assistants in Government Mr. William Bradford Mr. Edward Winslow Captain Miles Standish Mr. John Alden Mr. John Jenny Mr. John Atwood Mr. John Brown This year three men were Executed for Robbing and Murthering an Indian near Providence which besides the Evidence that came against them they did in substance Confess against themselves and were Condemned by Legal Tryal Some have thought it great severity to Hang three English for one Indian but the more Considerate will easily satisfie themselves for the Legality of it and indeed should we suffer their Murtherers to go unpunished we might justly fear that God would suffer them to take a more sharp Revenge By such Arguments was the Government of Plimouth moved by the Government of the Massachusets to do Justice in the case And here may be noted That the Massachusets refused this Tryal as being committed in the Jurisdiction of Plimouth and they of Road-Island having Apprehended them delivered them to the aforesaid Jurisdiction of Plimouth on the same grounds This Year about the second of June there was a great and fearful Earthquake It was heard before it came with a rumbling Noise or low murmure like unto remote Thunder It came from the Northwards and passed Southwards as the Noise approached near the Earth began to quake and it came at length with that violence as caused Platters Dishes and such like things which stood upon Shelves to clatter and fall down yea people were afraid of their Houses and it was so as that some being without doors could not stand but were fain to catch hold of Posts and Pales to prevent them from falling About half an hour after or less came another Noise and shaking but not so loud nor strong as the former It was not onely on the Land but at Sea also for some Ships that were on the Sea-coast were shaken by it so powerful is the mighty hand of the Lord as to cause both the Earth and Sea to shake Nâ—hum 1.3 4 5.6 and the Mountains to tremble before him His way is in the Whirlwind and the storm and the Clouds are the dust of his feet the Rocks are thrown down before him Who can stand before his indignation and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger 1639. THis Year Mr. William Bradford was Chosen Governour of Plimouth were Chosen Assistants Mr. Thomas Prince Captain Miles Standish Mr. John Alden Mr. John Brown Mr. William Collier Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Jenny This Year HARVARD COLLEDGE was Erected at Cambridge in New-England which was so called in Remembrance of a worthy Gentleman who liberally Contributed towards the Charge of the Erecting of it This Year the great Sachem Woosamequen sometimes called Massasoiet and Mooanam his Son came into the Court held at Plimouth in New-England on the Five and twentieth day of September in their own proper persons and desired that the ancient League and Confederacy formerly made with the Government of Plimouth aforesaid wherein he acknowledged himself Subject to the King of England and his Successors may stand and remain inviolable And the said Woosamequen and Mooanam his Son for themselves and their Successors He that here is called Mooanam is the same that afterwards was called Wamsuâ—â—a it being usuall for the Indians to change their Names did faithfully promise to keep and observe the Covenants and Conditions therein expressed and contained which on their parts are likewise to be kept and observed And the said Woosamequen and Mooanam his Son did then also promise
to the whole Court aforesaid That he nor they shall nor will needlesly or unjustly raise any quarrels or do any wrong to other Natives to provoke them to War against him and That he nor they shall not Give Sell or Convey any of his or their Lands Territories or Possessions whatsoever to any person or persons whomsoever without the privity and consent of the Government of Plimouth aforesaid other then to such as the said Government shall send or appoint All which Conditions the said Woosamequen and Mooanam his Son for themselves and their Successors did then faithfully promise to observe and keep And the whole Court in the Name of the whole Government for each Town respectively did then likewise Ratifie and Confirm the aforesaid ancient League and Confederacy and did also further promise to the said Woosamequen and Mooanam his Son and their Successors That they shall and will from time to time defend the said Woosamequen Of this see pag. 24. and Mooanam his Son and their Successors when need and occasion shall require against all such as shall unjustly rise up against them to wrong or oppress them unjustly 1640. MR. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of Plimouth were Elected Assistants Mr. Thomas Prince Mr. William Collier Mr. John Brown Captain Miles Standish Mr. Timothy Hatherly and Mr. Edmond Freeman 1641. THis Year Mr. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were Chosen Assistants to him in Government Mr. Edward Winslow Mr. Thomas Prince Mr. William Collier Captain Miles Standish Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown and Mr. Edmond Freeman 1642. THis Year Mr. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were Elected Assistants to him in Government Mr. Edward Winslow Mr. Thomas Prince Mr. William Collier Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown Mr. William Thomas and Mr. Edmond Freeman In reference unto the three years last specified although I have no special Providence to take notice of particularly to assign to each of them save the continuance of Gods mercy and goodness in the Annual Election of godly and able Magistrates in the Jurisdiction of Plimouth as is before-noted yet notwithstanding we are to take notice of the continued Peace and Plenty with which not onely these three years restrictively considered but also for many years together both before and after them New-England was so marvellously gratiated But that which is more that about these times the Lord was pleased of his great goodness richly to accomplish and adorn the Colony of Plimouth as well as other Colonies in New-England with a considerable number of godly and able Gospel-Preachers who then being dispersed and disposed of to the several Churches and Congregations thereof gave Light in a glorious and resplendent manner as burning and shining Lights Which mercy and transcendent favour had not Sin and Satans envy interposed might have rendred them greatly happy and prosperous it being observed That where Gospel-dispensation flourisheth there Prosperity in other respects may usually be expected In reference unto the honour of God and due respects unto such worthy Instruments I thought meet to nominate some of the speciallest of them viz. Mr. Charles Chauncy Mr. William Hook Mr. Nicholas Street Mr. John Laythrop Mr. John Mayo Mr. John Reyner Mr. Ralph Partridge Mr. Samuel Newman Mr. William Leverich Mr. Richard Blinman Mr. Edward Bulkly Mr. John Miller Mr. Marmaduke Matthews With some others that might be named These some of them stayed not long ere they removed some into the Neighbour-Colonies some into Old-England and others to their Eternal Rest whereby the said Jurisdiction was wanting in a great measure for some time of such a Blessing Howbeit the Lord hath since graciously raised up a supply to divers of the said Congregations and more may be expected according to his Promises 1643. THis Year Mr. William Bradford was elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth And were chosen his Assistants in Government Mr. Edward Winslow Mr. Thomas Prince Mr. William Collier Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown Mr. Edmond Freeman And Mr. William Thomas This Year about the eighteenth day of April died Mr. William Brewster the Ruling Elder of the Church of Christ at Plimouth concerning whom I could say much of mine own knowledge but I shall content my self only to insert the honourable Testimony that Mr. William Bradford deceased hath left written with his own hand concerning him Saith he My dear Friend Mr. William Brewster was a man that had done and suffered much for the Lord Jesus and the Gospels sake and hath born his part in weal and woe with this poor persecuted Church above thirty six years in England Holland and in this Wilderness and done the Lord and them faithful service in his place and calling and notwithstanding the many troubles and sorrows he passed through the Lord upheld him to a great age he was four score and four years of age when he died The dea h of Mr. William Brewster he had this blessing added by the Lord to all the rest to dye in his bed in peace amongst the midst of his friends who mourned and wept over him and ministred what help and comfort they could unto him and he again recompensed them whiles he could his sickness was not long and until the last day thereof he did not wholly keep his bed his speech continued until somewhat more then half a day before his death and then failed him and about nine or ten of the clock that evening he died without any pangs at all a few hours before he drew his breath short and some few minutes before his last he drew his breath long as a man fallen into a sound sleep without any pangs or gasping and so sweetly departed this life unto a better I would now demand of any What he was the worse for former sufferings what do I say worse no he was the better and they now added to his honor 2 Thess 1.5 6 7. It is a manifest token saith the Apostle of the righteous Judgement of God that we may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God for which we also suffer seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation to them that trouble you and to you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels 1 Pet. 4.14 and if you be reproached saith the Apostle Peter for the Name of Christ happy are ye for the Spirit of God and of Glory shall rest upon you what though he wanted the riches and pleasures of the World in this life and Pompous monuments of his Funeral yet the memorial of the Just shall be blessed Prov. 10.17 when the name of the wicked shall rot with their Marble Monuments He was well educated in learning as at inferiour Schools so also at the Vniversity and from thence went to the Court and there served Mr. Davison a
godly Gentleman and Secretary of State to Queen Elizabeth and attended him on his Embassage into Holland and was imployed by him in matters of greatest trust as in keeping of the Keys of the Cautionary Towns delivered up to him for her Majesty and things of the like nature his Master would alwayes in private confer with him as a friend or equal he afterwards lived in good esteem in his own Country and did much good until the troubles of those times enforced his remove into Holland and so into New-England and was in both places of singular use and benefit to the Church and People of Plimouth whereof he was being eminently qualified for such work as the Lord had appointed him unto of which should I speak particularly as I might I should prove tedious I shall content my self therefore only to have made honorable mention in general of so worthy a man And here I might take occasion to mention with admiration the marvellous providence of God that notwithstanding the many changes and hardships that this people viz. the first Planters at New-Plimouth went through and the many Enemies they had and difficulties they met withal that so many of them should live until very old age It was not only this Reverend mans condition but many more of them did the like some dying before and about this time and some living who attained to sixty years of age and to sixty five divers to seventy and some to more then eighty as he did It must needs be more then ordinary and above natural reason that so it should be for it is found in experience that changing of Air Famine and unwholsome Food much drinking of Water Sorrows and Troubles c. all of them are enemies to health causes of much diseases consumers of natural vigor and the bodies of men and shortners of life and yet of all these things they had a large and long part and suffered deeply in the same they went from England to Holland where they found both worse Air Diet then that they came from from thence enduring a long imprisonment in the ships at Sea into New-England how it hath been with them here hath already been shewn what crosses troubles fears wants and sorrows they have been liable unto is easily to be discerned so as in some sort they may say with the Apostle they were in Journeys often 1 Cor. 11.26.27 in perils of Waters in perils of Robbers in perils of their own Nation in perils amongst the Heathen in perils in the Wilderness in perils in the Sea in perils amongst false Brethren in weariness in painfulness in watching often in hunger thirst in fasting often in cold and nakedness What was it then that upheld them It was Gods visitation that preserved their spirits Job 10.12 he that upheld the Apostle upheld them They were persecuted but not forsaken 2 Cor. 4 9. 2 Cor. 9 6. cast down but perished not as unknown and yet known as dying and behold we live as chastened and yet not killed God it seems would have all men behold such works of his Providence as these are towards his people that they in like cases might be incouraged to depend upon him in their trials and also bless his Name when they see his goodness towards others Man lives not by bread only Deut. 8.3 It is not by dainty fare peace rest and hearts ease in enjoying contentments and good things of this World only that preserves health and prolongs life God in such examples would have the World take notice that he can do it without them and if the World will shut their eyes and take no notice thereof yet he would have his people to see and consider it Daniel could be in better liking with â—ulse then with the Kings dainties Jacob though he went from one Nation to another People and passed through Famine Fears and many afflictions yet he lived until old age and died sweetly and rested in the Lord as many others of Gods servants have done and still do through Gods goodness notwithstanding all the malice of their enemies Job 15.32 Psal 55.23 When the branch of the wicked shall be cut off before his day and the bloody and deceitful man shall not live out half his dayes By reason of the plotting of the Narrhagansets ever since the Pequot War the Indians were drawn into a general conspiracy against the English in all parts as was in part discovered the year before and now made more plain and evident by many discoveries and free confessions of sundry Indians upon several occasions from divers places concurring in one with such other concurring circumstances as gave the English sufficiently to understand the truth thereof and to think of means how to prevent the same In which respect together with divers other and more weighty reasons the four Colonies viz. the Massachusets Plimouth Conecticot and New-Haven entred into a more near Union and Confederation the nineteenth day of May 1643. and the Articles of the said confederation were signed by the Commissioners of the said Jurisdictions respectively by which were Authorized thereunto viz. John Winthrop Governour of the Massachusets Thomas Dudley Edward Winslow William Collier Edward Hopkins Thomas Grigson Theophilus Eaton George Fenwick The said Articles at large with sundry other particulars appertaining thereunto together with the particulars concerning the plotting contrivements menacings and insolencies of the Narrhagansets against the English together with the provision and preparation made by the English for an expedition against them See Acts of the Commissioners for the United Colonies of N.E. Aâ— 1644. and 1645. with the yieldings and compliance of the said Narrhagansets to the English and the Composition and Articles of agreement made with them c. these are all to be seen as they are at large extant in the Records of the Commissioners for the United Colonies of New-England whereunto I refer the Reader 1644. THis Year Mr. Edward Winslow was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were Elected his Assistants in Government Mr. William Bradford Mr. Thomas Prince Mr. William Collier Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown Mr. William Thomas Mr. Edmond Freeman This Year Mr. John Atwood died he was a godly man singularly endowed with the grace of Patience and having a large estate became a useful benefactor to the Colonie of New-Plimouth he departed this life expressing great Faith in Christ and a cheerful expectation of the restoration of his body at the general Resurrection in Glory This Year many of the Town of Plimouth by reason of some straights that were upon them took up thoughts of removing to some other place for their better accommodation and for that end made a more exact and particular discovery of a place called by the Indians Namset which place being purchased by them of the Indians divers of the considerablest of the Church and Town removed thither and erected a Town which is now called by
the name of Eastham 1645. THis year Mr. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth And Were Elected his Assistants in Government Mr. Edward Winslow Mr. Thomas Prince Mr. William Collier Capt. Myles Standish Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown Mr. Edmond Freeman The Commissioners of the United Colonies of New-England were called together this Year before their ordinary time of meeting This meeting was held the 28 of Iuly 1145. partly in regard of some differences between the French and the Government of the Massachusets about their aiding of Monseir Latore against Monseir de Aulney and partly about the Indians who had broken their former agreements about the peace concluded the year before as concerning such conclusions and determinations which passed in this meeting in reference to the premises I shall refer the Reader unto the Acts of the said Commissioners for that Year as they are recorded at large 1646. THis Year Mr. William Bradford was Chosen Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were Elected his Assistants in Government Mr. Edward Winslow Mr. Thomas Prince Mr. William Collier Captain Miles Standish Mr. Timothy Hatherly And Mr. Edmond Freeman About the middle of May this Year there came three Men of War into Plimouth Harbour under the command of Captain Thomas Cromwel who had taken several Prizes from the Spaniards by Commission from the Earl of VVarwick they were full of monies silks and other rich goods some of which they left behinde them They were a company of lusty stout men but very unruly and hard to govern notwithstanding the care and vigilance both of such as were in Authority of Plimouth and also of their own Commanders who could hardly restrain them especially from inordinate drinking and quarrelling It proved fatal to one of them who being quarrelling with one of their own company and being commanded by their Captain to forbear he giving very provoking Language and also attempting to draw upon his Captain he took his Rapier from him and struck him on the head with the Hilt of which wound three or four dayes after he died the Captain was tried by a Council of War and acquitted by the largeness of his Commission This Year Mr. Edward VVinslow went for England upon occasion that some discontented persons under the Government of the Massachusets sought to trouble their peace and disturb if not innovate their Government by laying many scandals upon them and intended to prosecute against them in England by Petitioning and Complaining to the Parliament Also Samuel Gorton and his company made complaint against them so as they made choice of Mr. VVinslow to be their Agent to make their defence and gave him Commission and Instructions for that end in which he so carried himself as did well answer their ends and cleared them from any blame and dishonour to the shame of their Adversaries After this he fell upon other imployments in England which detained him there so as he returned not again to New-England any more whose absence hath been much to the weakening of the Government of New-Plimouth who had large experience of his help and usefulness amongst them in Government c. of whom I have more to insert in honour of so worthy a Gentleman in its more proper place 1647. MR. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were Elected his Assistants in Government Mr. Edward Winslow Mr. Thomas Prince Mr. William Collier Mr. Timothy Hatherly Captain Miles Standish Mr. John Brown And Mr. William Thomas This Year the whole Land but more especially the Church and Town of Hartford on Conecticot sustained a great and more then ordinary Loss The Death of Mr. Hooker by the Death of that most eminent Servant of Jesus Christ Mr. Thomas Hooker who in the Month of July in this year changed this Life for a better Concerning whose Piety Learning and singular dexterity in Preaching the Gospel with answerable success the many Souls wrought upon by his Ministry in both Old-England and New do give forth a large Testimony and withall as an addition to the former those Learned and Profitable Works penned by him for the Refutation of Errour and guiding and confirming of the Saints in the Wayes of Christ In which respects with others his Name will live and is Embalmed and doth remain and will be as a precious Oyntment in the Churches and amongst the Saints in present and future Ages This special Servant of Christ as he served his Master with great Zeal Love Wisdome and Sincerity so he ended his Life with much Comfort and Serenity so as it is rare that was said of him That the peace which he had in believing thirty years before his death was firm and not touched by the Adversary untill the period of his life And with much joy and peace in believing he fell asleep in the Lord and was honourably buried at Hartford on Conecticot In whose Memorial I shall here insert the Funeral Elegies of two eminent Divines written upon his Death On my Reverend and dear Brother Mr. Thomas Hooker Late Pastor of the Church at Hartford on Conecticot TO see three things was holy Austins wish Rome in her Flower Christ Jesus in the Flesh And Paul i' th Pulpit Lately men might see Two first and more in Hookers Ministry Zion in Beauty is a fairer sight Then Rome in Flower with all her glory dight Yet Zions Beauty did most clearly shine In Hookers Rule and Doctrine both Divine Christ in the Spirit is more then Christ in Flesh Our Souls to quicken and our States to bless Yet Christ in Spirit brake forth mightily In faithful Hookers searching Ministry Paul in the Pulpit Hooker could not reach Yet did He Christ in Spirit so lively preach That living Hearers thought He did inherit A double Portion of Pauls lively spirit Prudent in Rule in Argument quick full Fervent in Prayer in Preaching powerfull That well did learned Ames record bear The like to Him he never wont to hear 'T was of Geneva's Worthies said with wonder Those Worthies Three Farell was went to Thunder Viret like Rain on tender grass to shower But Calvin lively Oracles to pour All these in Hookers spirit did remain A Son of Thunder and a Shower of Rain A pourer forth of Lively Oracles In saving Souls the sum of Miracles Now blessed Hooker thou art set on high Above the thankless world and cloudy skie Do thou of all thy labour reap the Crown Whilst we here reap the seed which thou hast sown J. C. A Lamentation for the Death of that Precious and Worthy Minister of Jesus Christ Mr. Thomas Hooker who died July 7. 1647. as the Sun was Setting the same hour of the day died blessed Calvin that glorious Light COme sighs come sorrows let 's lament this Rod Which hath bereav'd us of this Man of God A Man of God which came from God to men And now from them is gone to God agen Bid
Teacher of the Church of Christ at Boston in New-England ANd after Winthrop's Hooker's Shepard's Hâ—rse Doth Cotton's death call for a mourning Verse Thy will be done yet Lord who dealest thus Make this great death expedient for us Luther pull'd down the Pope Calvin the Prelate slue Of Calvin's Lapse chief cure to Cotton's due Cotton whose Learning Temper Godliness The German Phoenix lively did express Melancthon's all may Luthers word but pass Melancthons all in our great Cotton was Then him in flesh scarce dwelt a better one So great 's our loss when such a Spirit 's gone Whil'st He was here Life was more Life to me Now He is not Death hence less Death shall be That Comets great Mens deaths do oft forego This present Comet doth too sadly show This Prophet dead yet must in 's Doctrine speak This Comet saith else must New-England break VVhat ere it be the Heavens avert it far That Meteors should succeed our greatest Star In Bostons Orb Winthrop and Cotton were These Lights extinct dark is our Hemisphere In Boston once how much shin'd of our glory We now lament Posterity will story Let Boston live who had and saw their worth And did them Honour both in life and death To him New-England trust in this distress Who will not leave his exiles comfortless J. N. Upon the TOMB of the most Reverend Mr. John Cotton late Teacher of the Church of Boston in New-England HEre lies magnanimous Humility Majesty Meckness Christian Apathy On soft Affections Liberty in thrall A Noble Spirit Servant unto all Learnings great Master-piece who yet would sit As a Disciple at his Schollars feet A simple Serpent or Serpentine Dove Made up of Wisdome Innocence and Love Neatness Embroider'd with it self alone And Civils Canonized in a Gown Embracing old and young and low and high Ethicks imbodyed in Divinity Ambitious to be lowest and to raise His Brethrens Honour on his own Decayes Thus doth the Sun retire into his bed That being gone the Stars may shew their head Could wound at Argument without Division Cut to the quick and yet make no Incision Ready to Sacrifice Domestick Notions To Churches Peace and Ministers Devotions Himself indeed and singular in that Whom all admired he admired not Liv'd like an Angel of a Mortal Birth Convers'd in Heaven while he was on Earth Though not as Moses radiant with Light Whose Glory dazell'd the beholders sight Yet so divinely beautifi'd youl 'd count He had been born and bred upon the Mount A living breathing Bible Tables where Both Covenants at large engraven were Gospel and Law in 's Heart had each its Colume His Head an Index to the Sacred Volume His very Name a Title Page and next His Life a Commentary on the Text. O what a Monument of glorious worth When in a New Edition he comes forth Without Errata's may we think hee 'll be In Leaves and Covers of Eternitie A man of Might at heavenly Eloquence To fix the Ear and charm the Conscience As if Apollos were reviv'd in him Or he had learned of a Seraphim Spake many Tongues in one one Voice and Sense Wrought Joy and Sorrow Fear and Confidence Rocks rent before him Blinde receiv d their sight Souls levell'd to the dunghil stood upright Infernal Furies burst with rage to see Their Pris'ners captiv'd into Libertie A Star that in our Eastern England rose Thence hurry'd by the Blast of stupid foes Whose foggy Darkness and benummed Senses Brook'd not his daz'ling fervent Influences Thus did he move on Earth from East to West There he went down and up to Heaven for Rest Nor from himself whilest living doth he vary His Death hath made him an Ubiquitary Where is his Sepulchre is hard to tell Who in a thousand Sepulchres doth dwell Their Hearts I mean whom he hath left behind In them his Sacred Relique's now Enshrin'd But let his Mourning Flock be comforted Though Moses be yet Joshua is not dead I mean Renowned NORTON worthy hee Successor to our MOSES is to bee O happy Israel in AMERICA In such a MOSES such a JOSHUA B. W. 1653. MR. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were Chosen his Assistants in Government Mr. Thomas Prince Captain Miles Standish Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown Mr. John Alden Captain Thomas Willet Lieut. Thomas Southworth Mr. Thomas Dudley who was a principal Founder and Pillar of the Colony of the Massachusets in New-England and sundry times Governour and Deputy Governour of that Jurisdiction died at his house in Roxbury July 31. in the seventy seventh Year of his age he was a person of quick understanding and solid Judgement in the fear of the Lord he was a lover of 1 Justice 2 Order 3 the People 4 Christian Religion the supream virtues of a good Magistrate 1. His love to Justice appeared at all times and in special upon the Judgement seat without respect of persons in Judgement and in his own particular transactions with all men he was exact and exemplary 2. His zeal to Order appeared in contriving good Laws and faithfully executing them upon criminal offenders Hereticks and Underminers of true Religion He had a piercing Judgement to discover the Wolf though cloathed with a sheep-skin 3. His love to the People was evident in serving them in a publick capacity many Years at his own cost and that as a nursing Father to the Churches of Christ 4. He loved the true Christian Religion and the pure Worship of God and cherished as in his bosom all godly Ministers and Christians he was exact in the practice of Piety in his person and family all his life in a word he lived desired and died lamented by all good men The Verses following were found in his Pocket after his death which may further illustrate his Character and give a taste of his poetical fancy wherein it is said he did excel DIm Eyes deaf Ears cold stomack shew My dissolution is in view Eleven times seven near liv'd have I And now God calls I willing die My Shuttle's shot my race is run My Sun is set my Deed is done My Span is measur'd Tale is told My Flower is faded and grown old My Dream is vanish'd Shadow 's fled My Soul with Christ my Body dead Farewel dear Wife Children and Friends Hate Heresie make blessed ends Bear Poverty live with good men So shall we meet with joy agen Let men of God in Courts and Churches watch O're such as do a Toleration hatch Lest that ill Egg bring forth a Cockatrice To poyson all with Heresie and Vice If men be left and otherwise combine My Epitaph's I dy'd no Libertine This Year Mr. John Laythrop did put off his Earthly Tabernacle He was sometimes Preacher of Gods Word in Egerton in Kent from whence he went to London and was chosen Pastor of a Church of Christ there he was greatly troubled imprisoned for witnessing against the errours of the times during the
time of his imprisonment his wife fell sick of which sickness she died He procured liberty of the Bishop to visit his Wife before her death and commended her to God by Prayer who soon after gave up the ghost at his return to Prison his poor Children being many repaired to the Bishop to Lambeth and made known unto him their miserable condition by reason of their good Father his being continued in close durance who commiserated their condition so far as to grant him his liberty who soon after came over into New-England and setled for some time at the Town of Scituate and was chosen Pastour of their Church and faithfully dispensed the Word of God amongst them and afterwards the said Church dividing a part whereof removing to Barnstable he removed with them and there remained until his death He was a man of an humble and broken heart and spirit lively in dispensation of the Word of God studious of peace furnished with godly contentment willing to spend and to be spent for the Cause and Church of Christ He fell asleep in the Lord Nov. 8. 1653. 1654. THis Year Mr. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were Chosen Assistants to him in Government Mr. Thomas Prince Captain Miles Standish Mr. William Collier Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown Mr. John Alden and Capt. Thomas Willet 1655. THis Year Mr. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were Chosen Assistants to him in Government Mr. Thomas Prince Captain Miles Standish Mr. William Collier Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown Mr. John Alden and Captain Thomas Willet The death of Mr. Winslow This year that Worthy and Honourable Gentleman Mr. Edward Winslow deceased of whom I have had occasion to make honourable mention formerly in this Discourse He was the Son of Edward VVinslow Esq of the Town of Draughtwich in the County of Worcester He travelling into the Low-Countreys in his Journeys fell into acquaintance with the Church of Leyden in Holland unto whom he joyned and with whom he continued until they parted to come into New-England he coming with that part that came first over and became a very worthy and useful Instrument amongst them both in the place of Government and otherwise until his last Voyage for England being sent on special Imployment for the Government of the Massachusets as is forementioned in this Book and afterwards was imployed as one of the grand Commissioners in that unhappy Design against Domingo in Hispaniola who taking grief for the ill success of that Enterprize on which together with some other Infirmities that were upon him he fell sick at Sea betwixt Domingo and Jamaica and died the eighth day of May which was about the Sixty first year of his life and his Body was honourably committed to the Sea with the usual Solemnity of the Discharge of Fourty two Piece of Ordnance One of the Company who was imployed in taking notice of the Particulars of that Tragedy gave such Testimony of the said Mr. VVinslow as followeth in this Poem The Eighth of May west from ' Spaniola shore God took from us our Grand Commissioner Winslow by Name a man in Chiefest Trust VVhose Life was sweet and Conversation just VVhose Parts and wisdome most men did excell An honour to his Place as all can tell 1656. THis Year Mr. William Bradford was Chosen Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were chosen to be his Assistants in Government Mr. Thomas Prince Mr. William Collier Mr. Timothy Hatherly Captain Miles Standish Mr. John Alden Capt. Thomas Willet Capt. James Cudworth This Year Captain Miles Standish expired his mortal life He was a Gentleman born in Lancashire The death of Capt. Standish and was Heir-Apparent unto a great Estate of Lands and Livings surreptitiously detained from him his great Grandfather being a Second or Younger Brother from the House of Standish In his younger time he went over into the Low-Countreys and was a Souldier there and came acquainted with the Church of Leyden and came over into New-England with such of them as at the first set out for the Planting of the Plantation of New-Plimouth and bare a deep share of their first Difficulties and was alwayes very faithful to their Interest He growing ancient became sick of the Stone or Strangullion whereof after his suffering of much dolorous pain he fell asleep in the Lord and was honourably buried at Duxbury 1657. THis year Mr. Thomas Prince was Chosen Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth Were Chosen his Assistants in Government This Election was on the fifth of June 1657. M William Bradford died the 9th of May in this year before this Election Mr. VVilliam Collier Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Alden Captain Thomas VVillet Capt. James Cudworth Capt. Josias VVinslow Lieut. Tho Southworth This Year it pleased God to put a period to the life of his precious Servant Mr. VVilliam Bradford who was the second Governour of the Jurisdiction of Plimouth and continued in the same place for the most part of his time with little intermission Concerning whom the following Poems made the one by himself and the other by such as were well acquainted with his Worth and Excellency will give a large Testimony thereof Certain Verses left by the Honoured VVilliam Bradford Esq Governour of the Jurisdiction of Plimouth penned by his own hand declaring the gracious dispensation of Gods Providence towards him in the time of his Life and his preparation and fittedness for Death FRom my years young in dayes of Youth God did make known to me his Truth And call'd me from my Native place For to enjoy the Means of Grace In Wilderness he did me guide And in strange Lands for me provide In Fears and Wants through Weal and Woe As Pilgrim past I to and fro Oft left of them whom I did trust How vain it is to rest on Dust A man of Sorrows I have been And many Changes I have seen Wars Wants Peace Plenty have I known And some advanc'd others thrown down The humble poor cheerful and glad Rich discontent sower and sad VVhen Fears with Sorrows have been mixt Consolations came betwixt Faint not poor Soul in God still trust Fear not the things thou suffer must For whom he loves he doth chastise And then all Tears wipes from their eyes Farewell dear Children whom I love Your better Father is above VVhen I am gone he can supply To him I leave you when I dye Fear him in Truth walk in his Wayes And he will bless you all your dayes My dayes are spent Old Age is come My Strength it fails my Glass near run Now I will wait when work is done Vntill my happy Change shall come VVhen from my labours I shall rest VVith Christ above for to be blest By the honoured Major Josias Winstow on the the said Mr. William Bradford as followeth WILLIAM BRADFORD Anagr. I made Law for Bridl ' For
the long peace and concord that we had enjoyed and hoping to fish better in troubled waters when their bait might be taken in and the hook not easily discerned would willingly have been ringing the Changes in this Jurisdiction also pretending a great zeal for liberty of Conscience but endeavouring to introduce such a liberty of Will as would have proved prejudicial if not destructive to Civil and Church societies and at the same time there arrived in the said Colony many of that pernicious sect called Quakers whose Opinion are a composition of many errors and whose practices tend greatly to the disturbance both of Church and State many unstable people amongst us were leavened with their errors and proved very troublesome to this as well as other Colonies in New-England But the Lord many times delighteth to appear in the Mount of his Peoples miseries distresses and troubles that his power and wisdom may appear when they are weakest and that they may know that their salvation is from him At such a time when the condition of this Colony was such as hath been declared God was pleased to minde it even in its low estate and when he had taken to himself not only our Moses but many of the Elders and Worthies of our Israel he hath not hitherto left us without a Joshua to lead us in the remaining part of our pilgrimage When the usual time for the renewing of our Election of such as should govern us came Mr. Thomas Prince was by unanimous vote chosen Governour and although mens spirits were so distempered as I have related and it might have been expected that they would have been much divided in their choice yet God who disposeth the lot that is cast into the lap so disposed that all their votes centered there a good demonstration that he was chosen of God for us and by his blessing made an Instrument of much peace and settlement in this place and to this people in these times of trouble and confusion The Lord also directing the Freemen of this Jurisdiction at the same time in their Election to the choice of a discreet and able Council to be assistant unto our said honoured Governor in this so weighty Work divers of them being descended of several of the honour'd Magistrates deceased not only bearing their Names but having a large measure of their Spirit bestowed on them befitting them for such Work so as through the goodness of God those storms that seem'd to threaten the subversion of our All and did at first prevaile to the disturbing and shaking of many Towns and Churches and to the great discouragement of the Ministers in divers places do seem to be pretty well blown over such uncomfortable jarrs as have been sometimes thought uncureable seem to be throughly reconciled and healed our Towns for the most part supplied with godly and able Ministers and we sit under our Vines and Figtrees in peace enjoying both Civil and Religious Liberties For which goodness of the Lord let his holy Name be praised and may he grant us so to improve our present opportunities as he may have some suitable returns and we may have cause to hope in his grace for the continuance of such favours This Year that much honoured and worthy Gentleman Mr. Theophilus Eaton Governour of New-Haven deceased who was very Eminent both on a Religious and Civil account His death proved a great blow to that Jurisdiction and was seconded not long after with the loss of another precious man amongst them viz. Mr. Francis Newman In this year 1657 in the moneth of November Mr. Garret set sail on a Voyage for England from Boston in whose Ship amongst many considerable Passengers there went Mr. Thomas Mayhew junior The loss of Mr. Garrets Ship of Martins-Vineyard who was a very precious man he was well skill'd and had attained to a great proficiency in the Indian Language and had a great propensity upon his Spirit to promote Gods glory in their Conversion whose Labours God blessed for the doing of much good amongst them in which respect he was very much missed amongst them and bewailed by them as also in reference unto the Preaching of Gods Word amongst the English there The loss of him was very great Many other sad losses befell sundry others in the Country by the loss of that Ship both in their Estates and dear Relations to the great grief and sadning of the hearts of many 1658. THis year Mr. Thomas Prince was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth Were Elected his Assistants in Government Mr. VVilliam Collier Mr. John Alden Captain Thomas VVillet Capt. Josias VVinslow Lieut. Tho Southworth Mr. William Bradford Mr. Thomas Hinkley This Year there was a very great Earthquake in New-England Also Mr. Ralph Partridge died in a good old Age having for the space of fourty years dispensed the Word of God with very little impediment by sickness His pious and blameless life became very advantagious to his Doctrine he was much honoured and loved by all that conversed with him He was of a sound and solid judgement in the main Truths of Jesus Christ and very able in Disputation to defend them he was very singular in this That notwithstanding the pausity and poverty of his Flock he continued in his Work amongst them to the end of his life He went to his grave in peace as a shock of Corn fully ripe and was honourably buried at Duxbury In whose Remembrance one who was a true Admirer of his worth presented these at his Funerall NOt Rage but Age not Age but Gods Decree Did call me hence my Saviour Christ to see And to embrace and from his hand receive My Crown of Glory Oh who would not leave A flattering World nay Friends or what 's most dear The Saints Communion that 's enjoyed here At once to have God Christ Saints Angels all To make compleat and sum our Joyes totall Now I behold Gods Glory face to face Now I sit down with Christ who 've run my Race Now I sing praise to God and to the Lamb Now I Companion to the Angels am Now I behold with greatest joy my Sons And Daughters all I mean Converted ones Which I was instrumentall in my place To bring to God but all of his Free-grace How am I Changed that of late was weak Above the force of Satan now to break How am I Changed Son of sorrow late But now triumphing in my heavenly state How was I vex'd with pains with griefs molested How in a moment am I now Invested With Royal Robes with Crowns with Diadems With Gods Eternall Loves Such precious Gems He hath in store for them his Saints that are For such indeed he counts his Jewels rare Oh Brethren Sisters Neighbours Country Friends I 'me now above you Hark to them God sends As yet surviving in their worthy Charge Whose work it is Gods Vineyard to enlarge God and my Conscience your experience knows Whiles I was
with you I was one of those That labour'd faithfully Gods Vineyard in Sowing his Seed and plucking up of Sin Now is the Harvest to my self indeed The Lord grant a supply of one to feed Your Souls with heavenly food and one to lead In wayes of God untill his Courts you tread Next to Gods love my Flock love one another And next to Christ preserve love to thy Brother Let ever precious be in your esteem Gods holy Word and such as slight it deem Of Serpents brood whatever they pretend By no means to such Blasphemies attend Decline all wanderings lest from all you stray If stept aside return in this your day Keep close to God so he that is Most High Shall you preserve as Apple of his Eye And give you peace on Earth Tranquillity Mansions in Heaven to Eternity VVhere we that Death doth for a time now sever Shall meet embrace and shall not part for ever R un is his Race A nd his work done L eft Earthly place P artridge is gone H e's with the Father and the Son P ure joyes and constant do attend A ll that so live such is their end R eturn he shall with Christ agen T o Judge both just and sinful men R ais'd is this Bird of Paradise I oy Heaven entred breaks the ice D eath under foot he trodden hath G race is to Glory straitest Path E ver enjoyes Love free from wrath This year on the last day of July it pleased God that by Thunder and Lightning one John Philips of Marshfield in the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth was suddenly slain Also in the moneth of August it pleased God to take away by death Mr. VVilliam Paddy who was a precious Servant of Christ endued with a meek and quiet Spirit of a courteous behaviour to all men and was very careful to nourish an intimate Communion with God He was Instrumental in his place for common good both in the Church being sometimes by Office a Deacon of the Church of Christ at Plimouth and in other respects very officious as occasion did require He having a great Temporal Estate was occasioned thereby to have abundance of business upon him but when he was to put off this his earthly Tabernacle he laid aside all his earthly Incumbrances and Occasions even as one would have taken off a garment and laid it down and without any trouble of Spirit on that behalf prepared himself for his Journey to the Everlasting Mansions prepared for him by his Lord and Master in the highest Heavens whereof he was well assured as to the like effect he spake some words to Mr. Norton near unto the period of his life and so falling asleep in the Lord he was buried at Boston with honour and great lamentation in the year and moneth above-mentioned One who was well acquainted with his Worth and gracious Endowments presented this following as a Testimoniall of his good respects of him W eep not dear Wife Childeren nor dear Friends I live a life of Joyes that never ends L ove God and fear him to end of your dayes L ive unto him but die to sin alwayes I n heavenly place of Bliss my Soul doth rest A mong the Saints and Angels I am blest M uch better here then in the world at best P raising my God is now my great imploy A bove such troubles as did me annoy D id but my friends know what I here possess D oubtless it would cause them to mourn the less Y our Souls with mine ere long shall meet in bliss 1659. THis Year Mr. Thomas Prince was Chosen Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were Chosen Assistants to him in Government Mr. William Collier Mr. John Alden Captain Thomas Willet Major Josias Winslow Lieut. Thomas Southworth Mr. VVilliam Bradford Mr. Thomas Hinkley Having noted before That in the Year 1657. there arrived in the Colony of New-Plimouth many of that pernicious Sect called Quakers the Reader may take notice That by this time and for some years after New-England in divers parts of it abounded with them and they sowed their corrupt and damnable Doctrines both by word and writings almost in every Town of each Jurisdiction some whereof were That all men ought to attend to the Light within them to be the Rule of their Lives and Actions and That the holy Scriptures were not for the inlightning of man nor a setled and permanent Rule of life They denied the Manhood of the Lord Jesus Christ and affirmed That as Man he is not in Heaven They denied the Resurrection from the dead They affirmed That an absolute Perfection in Holiness or Grace is attainable in this life They placed their Justification upon their Patience and Suffering for their Opinions and on their righteous life and retired demurity and affected singularity both in word and gesture As to Civil account they allowed not nor practised any civil respect to man though superiours either in Magistratical consideration or as Masters or Parents or the Ancient neither by word nor gesture They deny also the use of Oathes for the deciding of Civil Controversies with other abominable Opinions Dreams and Conceits which some of them have expressed tending to gross Blasphemy and Atheism This efficacy of Delusion became very prevalent with many so as the number of them increased to the great endangering of the subversion of the whole both of Church and Common-wealth notwithstanding the endeavours of those in Authority to suppress the same had not the Lord declared against them by blasting their Enterprizes Contrivements so as they have of late withered away in a great measure sundry of their Teachers and Leaders which have caused them to erre are departed the Country and we trust the Lord will make the folly of the remainder manifest to all men more and more Errour is not long-lived the day will declare it Let our deliverance from so eminent a danger be received amongst the principal of the Lords gracious Providences and merciful loving kindnesses towards New-England for the which let present and future generations celebrate his Praises This year that Learned and godly Servant of God Mr. Henry Dunster fell asleep in the Lord. He was sometimes President of Harvard Colledge at Cambridge in New-England in which he approved himself to the satisfaction of such as were in those Affairs concerned Afterwards he came into the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth and lived awhile in the Town of Scituate and was useful in helping to oppose the abominable Opinions of the Quakers fore-mentioned and in the defending of the Truth against them He deceasing in the said Town of Scituate his Body was embalmed and removed unto Cambridge aforesaid and there honourably buried 1660. THis Year Mr. Thomas Prince was Chosen Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were Chosen Assistants to him in Government Mr. William Collier Mr. John Alden Captain Thomas Willet Major Josias Winslow Capt. Tho Southworth Capt. VVilliam Bradford Mr. Thomas Hinkley This
it falleth suddenly upon us This year the Lord threatned the Country with that infectious and contagious Disease of the Small Pox which began at Boston whereof some few died but through his great mercy it is stayed and none of late have died thereof This year the Lord likewise threatned and in some measure executed his displeasure upon the Country by Drought but through his mercy hath of late sent plenty of Rain for the recovering of the fruits of the earth Although it is to be observed That soon after a day of Humiliation was observed by some Congregations for the blessing of Rain in the Drought above-mentioned that sad stroke by the Thunder and Lightning at Marshfield fell out so that we may say with the Psalmist unto the Lord By terrible things in Righteousness thou hast answered us O God of our Salvation Also this year there hath been some ground of fear of Invasion by Forreign Enemies but hitherto the Lord hath kept us This year much of the Wheat is destroyed with Blasting and Mildew as also some other Grain by Worms and the Drought aforementioned but the Lord hath sent much Rain for the recovery of the remainder through his great mercy This year about the middle of July Mr. Thomas Prince Governour of the Jurisdiction of Plimouth Captain Thomas Southworth Mr. John Eliot senior Mr. John Eliot junior Mr. Samuel Arnold Mr. John Holmes Mr. William Brinsmead and Mr. Thomas Cushman gave meeting to Mr. Richard Bourn of Sandwich in reference to the taking notice of what proficiency the Indians under the Instruction of the said Mr. Bourn have attained unto A special Manifestation of Gods goodness towards some poor Salvages in the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth in the knowledge of God in Christ and their interest in him by Faith and to make such Professions or Confessions as they should openly make thereof to the glory of God and the satisfaction of the Saints in order unto their joyning into Church-fellowship And the Lord was pleased to come in unto some of them so as they gave good satisfaction unto the said honoured and judicious persons forenamed then assembled in reference to the premises So that it was concluded by them That what had passed from the Indians in that behalf should be drawn up in writing and Copies thereof exhibited to the Churches of the Jurisdiction of Plimouth such of them as are neighbouring near unto them and if nothing should be then objected that then in due and convenient time they should be permitted and encouraged to enter into Church-fellowship as aforesaid Now although I doubt not but the Passages of these things will be in due time published by a better Pen yet I have made bold here to insert so much as I have been informed of them in regard that they are the first-fruits of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth that have come on to so good perfection in this kinde This year in the moneth of December it pleased God to take unto himself by death that worthy Servant of Christ Mr. William Thompson who was a lively dispenser of the Word of God and very affectionate in the delivery thereof It pleased God to bless his Labours to the Conversion of many Souls He was sometimes together with Mr. Knowles sent unto Virginia by the Elders of the Churches of the Massachusets being requested by a Message sent by some of Virginia for some help in Preaching Gods Word amongst them The fruit and benefit of whose Labours therein still remaineth upon the Souls of some eminent in this Land He was Elected and Ordained to be Pastor of the Church of Christ at Braintry in New-England in which Office he served Christ many years untill old Age coming upon him and the prevailing of his Melancholly distemper did in a manner wholly disable him from that Service and Satan taking advantage thereby he was under sad desertions and trouble of Spirit At which time the Reverend Elders and others of the aforesaid Jurisdiction of the Massachusets were very officious for his Recovery and in sense of his sad condition offered up many Prayers to God for him and in Gods good time they received a gracious answer so as in his weakness and sickness it pleased God to come in unto his Soul and to remove the Cloud of darkness that was upon his Spirit so that with much peace and comfort he fell asleep in the Lord and his Body was honourably buried at Braintry Mark the upright man and behold the just for the end of that man is peace 1667. MR. Thomas Prince was Chosen Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth Chosen Assistants to him in Government Mr. John Alden Major Josias VVinslow Capt. Thomas Southworth Capt. VVilliam Bradford Mr. Thomas Hinkley Mr. John Freeman Mr. Nathaniel Bacon This year on the last day of November being the last day of the next week there was heard several loud Noises or Reports as if it had been Guns discharged in the Air first one distinctly and in a short time as it had been a Volley of Shot discharged It was especially heard and observed at Nantasket and related by sundry of them of good Credit In the Spring following in the beginning of March there appeared a Sign in the Heavens in the form of a Spear something thicker in the middest then at either end of a whitish bright colour it was seen several nights together in the West about an hour within the night it stood stooping and the one end pointing to the setting of the Sun and so setled downward by little and little untill it quite vanished and descended beneath our Horizon God awaken us that we be not heedless spectators of his wonderful Works This year on the seventh of August it pleased the Lord to call home to himself the Reverend Ancient and godly Pastor of the Church of Boston Mr. John Wilson He was a truely Reverend and holy Man of God he came to New-England in the year 1630. He was instrumental in the first beginnings of the Church of Boston having been the Pastor of it three years before Mr. Cotton Twenty years with him Ten years with Mr. Norton and Four years after him Thirty seven in all And in all the Changes of Times that passed over him he was full of Faith and Prayer and eminent for Sincerity and Humility being ever low in his own eyes and for the grace of Love he had largeness of heart as the sand of the Sea to do good to all He was very charitable where there was any signs and hopes of good and yet withall very zealous against known and manifest evils He was Orthodox in his Judgement and very holy in his Conversation Very few that ever went out of the world so generally beloved and reverenced as this good man He was a good man indeed and full of the holy Ghost He lived to a good old age and was full of dayes and full of honour being in the Seventy ninth year of his
Age when the Lord took him to himself He was Interred with much Honour and Lamentation In the time of his languishing Sickness he was visited by the Elders round about especially on the Sixteenth of May the day after the Court of Election when there being a general meeting of all the Elders of the Churches at his house they requested Mr. Wilson because they knew not whether ever they should have the like opportunity to hear him speak again and having been from the first a Pillar amongst them and of much Experience in his observation of the state of things That he would solemnly declare to them what he conceived to be those sins amongst us which provoked the displeasure of God against the Country He then told them That he had divers times and long feared these sins following as chief among others which God was greatly provoked with viz. 1. Separation 2. Anabaptism 3. Corahism This latter he did explain thus viz. when people rise up as Corah against their Ministers or Elders as if they took too much upon them when indeed they do but Rule for Christ and according to Christ yet saith he it is nothing for a Brother to stand up and oppose without Scripture or Reason the Doctrine and word of the Elder saying I am not satisfied c. And hence if he do not like the Administration be it Baptism or the like he will then turn his back upon God and his Ordinances and go away c. And saith he for our neglect of baptizing the Children of the Church those that some call Grandchildren I think God is provoked by it 4. Another sin I take to be The making light of and not subjecting to the Authority of Synods without which the Churches cannot long subsist And so for the Magistrates being Gallio like either not caring for these things or else not using their Power and Authority for the maintenance of the Truth and Gospel and Ordinances of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and for the bearing thorough witness against the contrary Should the Lord leave THEM hereunto how miserable a people should we be At night the Assembly being dismissed with Prayer Mr. Wilson did being desired by them so to do in a solemn manner bless the Elders making a short Prayer saying I am not like long to be with you the Lord pardon us and heal us and make us more Heavenly and take us off from the world and make us burning and shining Lights by our heavenly Doctrine and Example And I beseech the Lord with all my heart to bless you and to bless his Churches and to bless all his People and to bless all your Families and to bless your Wives and to bless all your Children and your Childrens Children and make us all more and more meet for our Inheritance and bring us all to it in his good time c. These words with some few other he spake with great affection and with tears and all the Ministers wept with him and they took their leave of him even as Children of their Father who having blessed them was about to die Upon the Death of that Reverend Aged Ever-honoured and gracious Servant of Christ Mr. John Wilson Pastor of a Church in Boston Interred August 8. 1667. AH now there 's none who does not know That this day in our Israel Is fall'n a great and good man too A Prince I might have said as well A man of Princely Power with God For Faith and Love of Princely spirit Our Israels Chariots Horsemen good By Faith and Prayer though not by Merit Renown'd for Practick Piety In Englands both from Youth to Age In Cambridge Inns-Court Sudbury And each place of his Pilgrimage As humble as a little Childe When yet in reall worth high-grown Himself a Nothing still he styl'd When God so much had for him done In Love a None-such as the Sand With largest heart God did him fill A bounteous Minde an open Hand Affection sweet all sweetning still Love was his Life he dy'd in Love Love doth embalm his Memory Love is his Bliss and Joy above With God now who is Love for ay A comprehending Charity To all where ought appear'd of good And yet in Zeal was none more high Against th'apparent Serpents Brood To Truth he ever constant was In Judgement wondrous Orthodox In Truth 's Cause never fearing face As if he were another Knox. The Prelates and their Impositions Did never him Conformist make But to avoid those Superstitions Great Worldly Hopes did he forsake When in New-England Errours winde From sundry other Quarters blew No one could him Conforming finde Nought from the Line of Truth him drew Firm stood he ' gainst the Familist And Antinomian spirit strong He never lov'd the Separ'tist Nor yet the Anabaptists throng Neither the Tolerator's strain Nor Quakers Spirit could he brook Nor bow'd to the Morellian Train Nor Childrens Right did over-look Nor did he slight Our Liberties In Civil and in Church-concerns But precious were they in his eyes Who stood among their fixed friends Grave Saint in England twice did give This farewell word to him While you Shall in that place New-England live No hurt shall happen thereunto Strange word and strangely verify'd He this day goes to 's Grave in peace What Changes sad shall us betide Now he is gone we cannot guess What Evil are we hastening to Lord spare thy People but awaken When such away do from us go That yet we may not be forsaken He a first Corner-stone was laid In poor New-England's Boston's Wall Death pulls this out the breach is wide Oh let it not now tumble all Hee 's now at Rest and reigns in Bliss In Conflicts we are left behinde In Fears and Straits How shall we miss His Faith Prayer Zeal and peaceful Minde Lord pour a double portion Of his sweet gracious pious Spirit On poor Survivers let each one Somewhat thereof at least inherit Gaius our host ah now gone Can we e're look for such another But yet there is a Mansion Where we may all turn-in together No moving Inne but Resting-place Where his blest Soul is gathered Where good men going are apace Into the Bosome of their Head Ay thither let us haste away Sure Heaven will the sweeter bee If there we ever come to stay For him and other such as hee J. M. Upon the Death of that most Reverend Man of God Mr. John Wilson Pastor of the first Church in Boston in New-England whose decease was Aug. 7. 1667. JOHN Wilson Anagr. John WILSON Oh change it not no sweeter Name or Thing Throughout the World within our ears shall ring VVHo so of Abr'am Moses Samuel reads Or of Elijah or Elisha's deeds Would surely say their Spirit and Power was his And think there were a Metempsychosis Yea like John Baptist in the Wilderness So was our John in Patmos here no less John the Divine resembling therefore rather And of New-Englands Prophets was the Father John
their Tabernacles in wayes of peace and prosperity and yet notwithstanding through the grace of Christ the most of them have held their integrity in his Wayes That so such as succeed them would follow their Examples so farre as they have followed Christ that it might not be said of them as it is to be feared it may be by what yet appears amongst many of them That indeed God did once plant a Noble vine in New-England Jerem. 2 21. but it is degenerated into the plant of a strange vine It were well that it might be said that the Rising-generation did serve the Lord all the dayes of such as in this our Israel are as Joshua's amongst us Josh 24.31 and the Elders that over lived him which have known all the works of the Lord which he hath done for their Fathers But if yet notwithstanding afterwards such shall forget and not regard those his great Works here presented before them besides many more that I hope by some others may come to their view be they assured He will destroy them and not build them up Psal 28.5 Oh therefore let the truely godly in this Land be incited by the example of Moses as the mouth of the Church to pray earnestly and incessantly unto the Lord That his work may yet appear to his servants Psal 90.16 Isai 44.3 4. and his glory unto their children and that he would pour out his Spirit upon his Church and people in New-England and his blessing upon their offspring that they may spring up as among the grass and as the willows by the water courses That so great occasion there may be thereby of taking notice thereof in succeeding generations to the praise and glory of GOD. So be it FINIS A Brief Chronological Table Of the principall PASSAGES contained in New Englands Memoriall In the Year of Christ 1610. SUndry godly Christians of the English Nation remove out of the North of England into the Netherlands and gathered a Church at Leyden where they continued untill the year 1620. Page 1 2 1620. For several Reasons the English conclude on a removal from thence into America pag. 2 3 4 Letters-Patents were obtained from King James of Famous Memory for the Northern parts of Virginia p. 5 July 2. sundry of the English set Sail from Holland for South-hampton At their departure Mr. John Robinson Pastor of the English Church at Leyden writes them a parting Letter p. 6 c. August 5. they set Sail from Southampton for America Many discouragements hapned on the Voyage p. 10 11 November 11. they Arrived at Cape Cod p. 12 And there they entred into a Body-Politick p. 14 And Chose Mr. John Carver their Governour for the present year p. 16 Discovery is made for a fit place for Habitation ibid. In the Discovery the English are assaulted by the Barbarous Natives p. 19 A place discovered and there they setled which was called New-Plimouth p. 21 22 In January and February was a Mortality amongst the English which swept away about half the Company p. 22 Several Articles of Peace were drawn up betwixt the English and the great Indian Sachem Massasoiet willingly submitting himself and his People to become the Loyal Subjects of the Kings of England p. 24 A certain Indian named Squanto who had formerly been in England became the Indian Interpreter for the English and proved an Instrument of much good to the first Planters p. 25 1621. Several Indian Sachems willingly submitted themselves to the Government of New-Plimouth and voluntarily acknowledged themselves and their People to be the Loyal Subjects of the Kings of England p. 29 Indian Grain planted and English Grain sowed by the English this year but with little success In April Mr. John Carver Governour of Plimouth died his Wife not succeeding him above six weeks p. 30 31 Mr. William Bradford was Chosen Governour in his stead Mr. Edward Winslow and Mr. Stephen Hopkins give the great Sachem Massasoiet a Visit p. 31 The English view the Massachusets Bay being courteously entertained by the Indians the Natives thereof p. 32 In November one Mr. Robert Cushman arrived at New-Plimouth who brought over 35 Passengers p. 33 The Narrhaganset Indians send the English a Challenge which the English answer with another but they would not accept of it ibid. 1622. The English hold Correspondency with the Indians of the Massachusets Bay by trading with them p. 34 By reason of daily rumours of the Indians Insurrection the English build them a strong Fort in which were several great Pieces of Ordnance mounted p. 37 A great Drought hapned this summer from May 3. until the middle of July there was no Rain so that the Corn began to wither away but the Lord remarkably answered the Prayers of his people even to admiration p. 37 38 A remarkable Providence of God tending to the relief of the first Planters being in great extremity p. 39 Here arrived three Ships from one Mr. Thomas Weston Merchant with 67 lusty men who seated themselves in in a part of the Massachusets Bay now called Weymouth p. 35 36 Westons unruly Company fall into great wants p. 40 1623. The Indians by reason of Westons disorderly Company stealing away their Corn c. carry it very insultingly over them and enter into a Conspiracy to cut off the English which Conspiracy being occasionally discover'd by the Sachem Massasoiet was prevented by the English p. 41 c. Westons Plantation wholly ruinated p. 43 Mr. John Pierce in his Voyage to New-England was by reason of leaks and great storms twice driven back to England in whose ship was 109 persons p. 45 46 In June one Capt. Francis West who had Commission to be Admiral of N.E. arrived at Plimouth but by reason of discouragements he quickly left the Country p. 47 Two ships the Anne and James arrive in Plimouth p. 47 48 Capt. Robert Gorges arrives in Plimouth begins a second Plantation of the Massachusets Bay which quickly brake in pieces Capt. Robert Gorges had Commission from the Council of N.E. to be the General Governour of the Country he brought over with him a Minister on Mr. Morrel that had a Superintendent Authority over other Churches granted him but they both being discouraged quickly returned home to England p. 49 to 52 A Fire which did considerable damage at Plimouth Several of the Inhabitants through discontent and casualties remove into Virginia p. 51 1624. The Number of Magistrates increased to 5 at Plimouth p. 53 The first Neat Cattel brought into the Country ibid. Lyford and Oldham for their treacherous undermining the Government of Plimouth and setting up a Schismatical Church are both Banished that Jurisdiction p. 53 c. 1625. Remarkable Judgements of God upon those two Machavilians Lyford and Oldham p. 59 c. Many of the Merchant-Adventurers prove open Adversaries to the Plantation of Plimouth p. 61 A remarkable Providence of God on the Merchant-Adventurers p. 62 Successful