out and for the Lords assisting them against their witchery yet have they as is supposed bewitched not a few persons among whom two of the reverend Elders children These people inhabiting this Town having gathered into a Church-body called to the office of a Pastor the reverend M. Moxon who remaineth with them at this very day of whom as followeth AS thou with strong and able parts art made Thy person stout with toyl and labour shall With help of Christ through difficulties wade Then spend for him spare not thy self at all When errors crowd close to thy self and friends Take up truths sword trifle not time for why Christ call'd his people hither for these ends To tell the world that Babels fall is nigh And that his Churches through the world shall spread Maugre the might of wicked men and devils Then Moxon thou need'st not at all to dread But be aveng'd on Satan for his evils Thy Lord Christ will under thy feet him tread This year the great troubles in our native country encreaseing and that hearing prophane Esau had mustered up all the Bands he could make to come against his brother Iacob these wandering race of Jacobites deemed it now high time to implore the Lord for his especial aid in this time of their deepest distress and the rather being incouraged hereunto from former deliverances and wonderful mercies received the which they now presented before the Lord with the several branches and inlarged bounties thereof to refresh their frozen affections and move a melting heart in their barren brests that began to dry up with a lazy lethargy and therefore thrusting themselves on to the work by the loving invitation of that godly Government the Lord in his mercy had peaceably placed among them each Church in their own proper place meeting together in daies of solemn seeking of the Lords pleasing countenance in Christ the Lord in his mercy helping them after a serious acknowledgment of their own unworthiness by reason of their sinful provocations of the Lord to anger against them aggravated in that they were committed immediately upon the receipt of a multitude of marvellous mercies they acknowledg unto the Lord in the audience of the great Congregation the manner of his wonderful providence extended toward them that as Iacob professes I came over this Jordan with my staff and now have I gotten two Bands so they came over this boysterous billow-boyling Ocean a few poor scattered stones newly raked out of the heaps of rubbish and thou Lord Christ hast now so far exalted them as to lay them sure in thy Sion a building to be the wonder of the world orderly are they placed in five and forty several Churches and that in a Wilderness where civility scarce ever took place much less any Religion and now to the Lord earnestly they cry to be delivered from the cruel hands of those that would destroy both young and old the bird and her young together and as Iacobs fear was the seed of Christs Church in the posterity of Israel should be cut off and therefore pleaded the promise of the Lord in the multiplying of his seed so these people at this very time pleaded not only the Lords promise to Israel but to his only Son Christ Jesus Lord hast thou not said Ask of me and I will give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost ends of the earth for thy possession and now Lord are not these the Churches of Christ which thou hast planced for his possession and that as Rachel and Leah built the house of Israel so now shall these and the like Sister-churches spread the whole earth the Lord Christ raigning as King and Lord for ever over them Then why do the Heathen rage and the people imagin a vain thing seeing the rime of the Lords arising to have mercy upon Sion is come â—ea his appointed time is at hand and he who walks in the midst of his golden Candlesticks whose eys are as a flaming fire will not suffer his Churches to be trodden under feet of that Antichristian Lordly prelacy any longer nor yet defiled with any transformed Saint-seeming Angels of light with their painted doctrines Thus did this poor people plead with the Lord not only for themselves but for their dearly beloved brethren in England I and all that are Christs chosen people the world throughout and although they were not unmindful from day to day of them yet this year 1645. the Lord was pleased to stir up their affections in more then an ordinary manner what success their prayers have had let all that love and long to behold the beauty of Christ shining on and in his beloved Bride declare the loving kindness of the Lord toward his Churches and let all the Churches of Christ though never so â—â— more the one from the other yet joyned together in one â—hith and one Christ be frequent in prayer one for another â—ongregate together at the Throne of the Lord be present in â—pirit though absent in body these Mew-England Churches â—â—â— neer one hundred miles distant one from another and yet communicate counsel care love joy grieve with and for â—ne another dismiss some and commend others as occasiâ—n serves to the Christian care and watchfulness from one Church to another and why may not this be practised the world throughout even from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum CHAP. III. Of the opposition the Government of the Mattachusets Colony met withal by certain persons under the name of Petitioners IN place of Governor was chosen for this year Iohn Winthrop Esquire and for Deputy Governor Thomas Dudly Esquire the number of freemen were about 72. At the Court of Election there was a Petition drawn and presented to the Court by a Doctor of Physick with seven hands to it the persons were of a Linfiwolsie disposition some for Prefacy some for Presbytery and some for Plâ—bsbytery but all joyned together in the thing they would which was to stir up the people to dislike of the present Government one while envving against the constitution of the Government as not popular enough another while against the Laws or orders of this little Common-wealth as two strict and then to provoke at least the pâ—â—â—â—â—ous they tell them of great expence of the publike Treasury and intolerable taxations the matter they petitioned for was a bottom to build their quarrel upon under the name of a Presbyterian Government and this they supposed would suit well with their Bill of complaint which they intended for England not that they cared for a Presbyterian Church for had they so done they might have found out one in the country before they petitioned but because they supposed that the Parliament in England would establish that way only and therefore bore themselves bold upon it that although their seditious and scandalous words and practises should incur a penalty as none could deem any other unless it be such as are all for
the present in the Mount and you in the Vally fighting yet surely they had neede of helpe to hold up their hands whereas the nerenesse of the danger to you in the enemies overcoming is a great motive to keepe up yours stedy yet may you say rightly to the Churches of Christ here as Mordachy to Hester the Queene if you hold your peace deliverance shall come another way and thinke not to escape because you are in New England Assuredly the Lord is doing great things and waites for the prayers of his people that he may be gratious unto them and veâ—ily the poore Churches of Christ heere cannot but take notice of the great workes the Lord hath done for you of late which are famous throughout the whole World And should they not take them as an answer of these weake prayers they feare they should neglect to magnify his mercy toward you and them the noble acts of the Lord Christ for the freedome of his people from that into lerable Prelaticall bondage are almost miraculously committed to memory by the able servants of Christ whom hee hath stirred up for that very end yet must you not shut out the valiant souldiers of Christ disciplin'd in this unwonted Wildernesse from having share with you in the worke yet no farther but that Christ may be all in all who hath caused the Midianites to fight against Midian till the true Israelites had gathered themselves together hee it is that hath brought the counsells of the wicked to naught hee it is that hath discovered the secret ploâ—tings of the King of Assyria even in his Bed-chamber Hee it is that hath declared himself to be with your mighty men of valour and assuredly all you valiant Souldiers of Christ both in one England and the other the Lord hath shewed you as great signes and wonders for the strengthening of your faith as was the wetting and drying of the flâ—ece to Gedeon onely beware of setting up an Ephod in the latter end Let the Churches of Christ be set up according to his first institution or you will make double worke for all may see by what is done already there is nothing too hard for him hee will downe with all againe and againe till his Kingdom alone be exalted for the which all the Israel of God fight wrastle pray and here you may see the servants of Christ fighting at 900 leagues distant Oh you proud Bishops that would have all the World stoope to your Lordly power the heathen Romans your predecessors after they had banished John to the Isle of Pathmos suffered him quietly to injoy the Revelation of Jesus Christ there here is a people that have betaken themselves to a newfound World distanced from you with the widest Ocean the World affords and yet you grudge them the purity of Christs Ordinances there No wonder then nay wonder all the World at the sudden and unexpected downfall of these domineering Lords who had Princes to protect them armes to defend them and almost three whole Kingdomes at their command and no enemy of theirs in sight onely there appeares a little cloud about the bignesse of a mans hand out of the Westerne Ocean I but the Lord Christ is in it out of Sion the perfection of beauty hath God shined Our God shall come and shall not keepe silence a Fire shall devour afore him mighty tempests shall be moved round about him Now gather together you King-like Bishops and make use of all the Kingly power you can for the cloud is suddenly come up he rode upon Cherub and did flie And now let the Children of Sion rejoyce in their King for the Lord hath pleasure in his people hee will make the meeke glorious by deliverance And that the whole Earth may know it is the Lords owne worke the Arch-prelate and his complices must begin to war with the Scots and that implacably the Prelates desire a Parliament thinking to establish iniquity by a Law but the iniquity of the Ammorites is already full and all your cunning counsells shall but contrive your owne destruction They remonstrant against all Acts of Parliament that passe without their Vote and by this means wind out themselves for ever voting more they devise how they may have such persons committed to prison at favour not their proceeding But the Lord turned their mischiefe they had conceived upon their own pates and they themselves were sent to prison by halfe a score at a time And such was the unsavourynesse of this seeming salt that it was good for nothing but to Lord it over others their tyranny being taken out of their hands they could not indure to be commanded by any And therefore unfit for the war which they stirred up to recover the people againe under their bondage yet such was the madnesse of some that they loved their servitude so well as to fight for it but surely such had never rightly knowne the service of the Lord Christ which is perfect freedome from all such tyrannous yoâ—ks and verily just it is with the Lord to cause such to be servants unto Shishak that they may know the service of the Lord and the service of the Kingdomes of the Country But however an Army is raised to defend their Lordly dignity Let the Saints be joyfull with glory let the high Acts of God be in their mouths and a two edged Sword in their hands to bind their Kings in chaines and their Nobles in setters of Iron the Charets of the Lord are twenty thousand thousands of Angells the Lord is among them as in Sinai Kings of Armies did flee apace and now you that have borne such a wicked spirit of malignity against the people of Christ can your hearts indure and your hands wax strong in the day that he shall have to doe with you Oh you proud Prelates that boast so much of your taking the Kings part miserable partakers are you in stead of obeying him you have caused him to obey you it s writ in such great capitall letters that a child may read it what was the cause of the first raising war against the Scots which occasioned the Parliament when you saw they would not further the war as you would have them they were soone traytors in your account and prosecuted against with Army after army and was not all this to make the Scots receive your Injunctions a very fayer bottom to build a bloudy war upon that the Prelatticall power might Lord it in Scotland as they of a long time had done in England it was your Pithagorian Phylosophy that caused the King to loose his Life by perswading him his Kingly power lived in your Lordly dignity as a thing subordinate unto it and he so deeply taken with this conceit that it cost the lives of many thousands more then ever hee or his Father would doe for saving or recovering the Paâ—latine Country Experience hath taught the savage Indians among whom we live that they may and
doe daily bring Wolves to be came but they cannot breake them of their ravening nature and I would your Royalist would learne of them to know that as your Lord Bishops Deanes Prebends c. be right whelps of the Roman litter so let them be never so well cam'd they will retaine their nature still to Lord it over all kinde of Civill Government But woe and alasse that ever any of our Countrymen should be so blind that after they are delivered from so great a bondage by such Wonder Working Providence of the Lord Christ Ever and anon to indeavour to make a Captaine over them that they may returne againe into Egypt as appeares by the plots which have beene discovered and broken in pieces by the right hand of the most high and yet for all this their's such a hankering after somewhat of the Prelaticall greatnesse by the English Clergy and the Scottish Classis that many of them could afford to raise arother war for it But brethren I beseech you be more wiser lest when you are growne hot in your quarrell the Malignant party come and set you agreed stablish peace in righteousnesse and let the word be your rule heare one another with meekenesse and the Lord will cleare up the whole truth unto you in his due time And now to declare plainly how far the Lord hath beene pleased to make use of any of his people in these Westerne pares about this Worke for to say truth they have done nothing in holes and corners but their workes are obvious to all the World if he sufferings of the Saints be pretious in the eyes of Christ so as to provoke him in displeasure to cut off the occasioners thereof then thus his poore unworthy people here have had a great stroake in the downfall of their adversaries to the present possessed truths of Christ for this wildernesse worke hath not beene carried on without sighthings that have come before him and Groanes that have entred his eares and Teares treasured up in his bottles againe if the ardent and strong affections of the people of God for his glorious comming to advance his Kingdome in the splendor and purity of his Gospell as co cry with the holy Prophet Oh that he would broake the Heavens and come down be regarded of the Lord Christ so as to remove with his mighty power the very Mountaines out of the way and hurle them into the deepe Then hath these weake wormes instrumentally had a share in the great desolation the Lord Christ hath wrought For this History will plainely declare with what zeale and deepe affection and unresistable resolutions these Pilgrim people have endeavoured the gathering together his Saints for the edifying the Body of Christ that he may raign both Lord and King for ever Yet againe if the prayers of the faithfull people of God availe any thing for the accomplishment of his promises in the destruction of Antichrist for the subduing of Armies without striking one stroake Then assuredly these Jacobites have wrestled with the Lord not onely with that good King Jeâ—oshaphat proclaiming one Fast but many Fasts they their Wives and little ones standing before the Lord Oh our God wile thou not judge them for we have no might c. Lastly if the Lord himselfe have roared from Sion as in the dayes of the Prophet Amos so from his Churches in New England by a great and terrible Earth quake which happened much about the time the Lordly Prelates were preparing their injunctions for Scotland taking rise from the West it made its progresse to the Eastward causing the Earth to rise up and downe like the waves of the Sea having the same effect on the Sea also causing the Ships that lay in the Harbor to quake the which at that very time was said to be a signe from the Lord to his Churches that he was purposed to shake the Kingdomes of Europes Earth and now by his providences brought to passe all men may reade as much and more as if he should have said to these his scattered people yet now againe united in Church Covenant the Lord is now gathering together his Armies and that your faith may be strengthened you shall feele and heare the shakings of the Earth by the might of his power yea the Sea also to shew he will ordaine Armies both by Sea and Land to make Babilon desolate Things thus concurring as an immediate answer of the Lord to his peoples prayers and endeavours caused some of this little handfull with resolute courage and boldnesse to returne againe to their native Land that they might the Lord accepting and assisting them in their endeavours be helpfull in advancing the Kingdome of Christ and casting down every strong house of sinne and Satan It matters not indeed who be the instruments if with the eye of faith these that go forth to fight the Lords Battailes can but see and heare the Lord going out before them against their enemies with a sound in the tops of the Mulbery Trees Here are assuredly evident signes that the Lord Christ is gone forth for his peoples deliverance and now Frogs Flies Lice or Dust shall serve to destroy those will yet hold his people in bondage notwithstanding the Lord will honour such as hee hath made strong for himselfe And therefore hee causeth the worthies in Davids time to be recorded and it is the duty of Gods people to incourage one another in the worke of the Lord then let all whose hearts are upright for the Lord ponder well his goings in his Sanctuary that their hands may be strengthened in the work they goe about onely be strong and of a good courage CHAP. VI. Of the gratious goodnesse of the Lord Christ in saving his New-England people from the hand of the barbarous Indians LAstly for the frontispiece of their present distresse namely the Indian war they with much meeknesse and great deliberation wisely contrived how they might best helpe their fellow brethren hereupon they resolved to send a solemne Embassage to old Cannonicus chiefe Sachem of the narrow Ganset Indians who being then well stricken in yeares had caused his Nephew Miantinemo to take the Government upon him who was a very sterne man and of a great stature of a cruell nature causing all his Nobility and such as were his attendance to tremble at his speech the people under his Government were very numerous besides the Niantick Indians whose Prince was of neare aliance unto him They were able to set forth as was then supposed 30000. fighting men the English sought by all meanes to keepe these at least from confederating with the Pequods and understanding by intelligence that the Pequots would send to them for that end endeavoured to prevent them Fit and able men being chosen by the English they hast them to Cannonicus Court which was about fourescore miles from Boston The Indian King hearing of their comming gathered together his chiefe Counsellors and a great number
year The Town of Readding had her foundation stone laid about this time this and the Town of Wooburn were like the twins in the womb of Tamar Readding thrusting forth the hand first but Wooburn came first to the birth this Town is well watered and scituate about a great pond besides it hath two mills the one a Saw-mill the other a 〈◊〉 mill which stand on two several streams it hath not been â—o fruitful for children as her Sister hath her habitation is fallen in the very center of the country they are well stocked with cattel for the number of people they have they gathered into a church and ordained a Pastor from among themselves at the same time a young man of good abilities to preach the Word and of a very humble behaviour named Mr. Green he having finished his course departed this life not long after whose labours are with the Lord after him succeeded in the place one Mr. Hoph a young man one of the first fruits of N. E. a man studious to promote the truths of Christ they are both remembred in this following verse ON earths bed thou at noon hast laid thy head You that for Christ as Green here toy I have taken When nature fails then rest it in earths dead Till Christ by 's word with glory thee awaken Young Hoph thou must be second to this man In field incounter with Christ's foes shalt thou Stand up and take his bright sword in thy hand Error cut down and make stout stomacks bow Green 's gone before thy warfare's now begun And last it may to see Romes Babel fall Byweakest means Christ mighty works hath done Keep footing fast till Christ thee hence do call The next Town and church of Christ planted in this colony was between Salem and Ipswitch Salem the eldest of all the Sisters was very helpful to this her little Sister nourishing her up in her own bosom till she came of age being beneficial to her besides in giving her a good portion of Land this Town is called Wenham and is very well watered as most in land Towns are the people live altogether upon husbandry New England having train'd up great store to this occupation they are encreased in cattel and most of them live very well yet are they no great company they were some good space of time there before they gathered into a Church-body the godly and reverend Mr. John Fisk went thither with them at first setting down as a planter among them yet withal he became helpful in preaching the Word unto them when they were but a few in number they afterward call'd him to the office of a Pastor with whom he now remains labouring in the Word and Doctrine with great industry of whom it may be thus said TO wade through toyl of Wilderness thou hast Dâ—ubled thy work thy wages troble are Christ hath thee call'd and in his vineyard plac't He 'l bear thee up above all saiâ—ting far Sions strong Mount must now again be built Thy faith oh Fisk the Lord hath holpen much With dreadful sighâ— the Pâ—â—lars power hath spilt All pride he 'l stain by his almighty touch His truths unstain'd by liberty keep thou To please the most authority must fall What Christ hath given if safely keep with you Till he to thee for thine accompt do call CHAP. XXVI Of the military affairs the forts of Bostoa and Charles the Castle erected anew by the six neerest Towns with the manner of putting the Country in a posture of war to be ready upon all occasions THese souldiers of Christ Jesus having made a fair retreat from their Native country hither and now being come to a convenient station resolved to stand it out the Lord assisting against all such as should come to rob them of their priviledges which the Lord Christ had purchased for them at a very high rate and now out of the riches of his grace was minded to give them yet would he have them follow him into this Wilderness for it although the chiefest work of these select bands of Christ was to mind their spiritual warfare yet they knew right well the Temple was surrounded with walls and bulworks and the people of God in re-edifying the same did prepare to resist their enemies with weapons of war even while they continued building This people no less diligent to make use of such means as the Lord afforded them ordered and decreed That all the souldiers belonging to the 26. bands in the Mattachusets Government should be exercised and drill'd eight daies in a yeare and whosoever should absent himself except it were upon unavoidable occasion should pay 5. s. for every daies neglect there are none exempt unless it be a few timerous persons that are apt to plead infirmity if the Church chuse them not for Deacous or they cannot get to serve some Magistrate or Minister but assuredly the generalicy of this people are very forward for feats of war and many have spent their time and estates to further this work the Town of Boston hath afforded many active Charles Town hath not been inferiour unless it be in number This year the Court appointed certain persons to spend their skill in putting the people possessing this desolate desart in a ready posture of drawing their forces together upon any suddain accident that might befall them to mannage guide order and direct all things as may be best for the good of the whole they being a poor and mean people laboured to avoid high titles yet order they knew was necessary therefore ordained they only one General Officer in time of war under the name of Major General the Governor and Magistrates for the time being are the standing Councel for peace or war and either they or the General Court may appoint any to the office of a General the first Major-General was the much honored Tho. Dudly Esquire whose faithfulness and great zeal and love to the truths of Christ caused the people to chuse him to this office although he were far stricken in years the Government is divided into four Counties which to shew they would their posterity should mind whence they came they have named Suffolk Middlesex Essex and Northfolk each containing a Regiment over whom the chief Commander is only a Serjeant-Major the first chosen to this office over the Regiment of Suffolk was Major Edw. Gibbons who hath now the office of Major-General also he is a man of a resolute spirit bord as a Lion being wholly tutor'd up in N.E. Discipline very generous and forward to promote all military matters his Forts are well contrived and batteries strong and in good repair his great Artillery well mounted and cleanly kept half Canon Culverins and Sakers as also field-pieces of brass very ready for service his own company led by Capt. Lievtenant Sarag are very compleat in their arms and many of them disciplin'd in the military garden beside their ordinary trainings the Captains under him are Caps
appointed to leave their posterity an able Minister as also to stir them up to prepare for the great work of the Lord Jesus in the overthrow of Antichrist and calling of the Jews which in all likelyhood is very suddainly to be performed as also in stirring up all the young ones that remain to consider for what â—nd the Lord hath spared their lives when he cut off others by death namely to prosecute the work that he hath given them to do in the power of his might with the greater zeal and courage THis year the honored and much desired servant of Christ John Endicut Esquire was chosen to be Governour of the English inhabiting the Colony of the Mattachusets and the antient honored and long continued Champion for the truth as it is in Jesus Tho. Dudly Esquire was chosen Deputy Governour by the major Vote of these wandering Jacobites with heart and good will the honored Major-General Edward Gibbous continued in place this year the Government shewed their desire to be assisting to the State of England in making orders for establishing their Edict for these Western parts of the world among out N. E. people the Lord in his infinite wisdom saw meet to continue his correcting hand among his N. E. Churches somewhat more then ordinary in a sore disease of which many in comparison of what used to do and yet not so many as ordinarily use to do in other plantations of this Western world and whereas the former year young children died most this year those of grown years died also and although so small a sickness might not be taken notice of in other places yet the rareness of it in so healthy a country as is this cannot but speak loud in the ears of Gods people who desire to hear the rod and who hath appointed it and perceive plainly many of them that the Lord will have us to know that if his own people tread in the same steps of riot and excess in the plenty he hath given them with the men of this world he will lay the same sicknesses and diseases upon them and further they perceive according to the ordinary dispensation of his providences toward them he hath some further great work to do with his N. E. people that he is beginning again to a waken rouze up and quicken them with the rod of his power For thus they begin to reason with themselves when the Lord was pleased to expose them their wifes and little ones to the troubles of a tempestuous Sea in so long a voyage and the wants of a barren Wilderness in great penury of food he brought forth by his mighty power and stretched-our arm the glorious fabrick of his New-E Churches and therefore now again they look for some further extraordinary great work of his if he shall once again be pleased to refine them in this furnace of his and would the Lord Christ would confirm our brethren in England in like faith by our example yea and far beyond many degrees as the Wonder-working providence of Sions Saviour toward them hath more abundantly exceeded and that as this in three seven years is comprised though very weakly in this little book there 's in one seven year would require volumes and as this is wonderful there is almost miraculous and wonderful to the whole world as if the Lord Christ did intend to make his power known more abundantly then ever the sons of men saw Kings and Kingdoms strengthened with affinity and consanguinity the valiant of the world men skil'd in feats of war as Goliah from a child fierce and pampered horses whose necks are covered with strong neighing and cunning Engeniers men skilful to destroy with all the terrible engins of war together with swarms of souldiers flocking together to swallow up the poor remnant of Gods people all these hath the Lord caused to fall before your eyes and our ears have heard the noyse of this great fall and beloved countrymen and our dear brethren in Christ step into the closet of your own hearts with us and see if there will not be some things in this following verse that may suit your condition as well as ours that having sown in tears we may reap with joy the glorious harvest of our Lord Christ which is hard at hand for assuredly the Lord is tyed neither to us nor you but may if it please him cast off both and raise up new instruments for his following work but if he be pleased to give us melting hearts for our former miscarriages and renew us with a more zealous courage and earnest contending for the faith it is very like he hath more glorious works by far for us yet to do CHAP. IX Of the wonder-working providences of Christ wrought for his people among our English Nation both in our Native country and also in N. E. which should stir us up to mourn for all our miscarriages much the more FRom silent night true Register of moans From saddest soul consum'd in deepest sin From heart quite rent with sighs and heavy groans My wailing muse her woful work begins And to the world brings tunes of sad lament Sounding nought els but sorrows sad relent Sorry to see my sorrows cause augmented And yet less sorrowful were my sorrows more Grief that with grief is nor with grief prevented Yet grief it is must ease my grieved sore So grief and sorrow care but how to grieve For grief and sorrow must my cares relieve The wound fresh bleeding must be stauch'd with tears Tears cannot come unless some grief proceed Grief comes but slack which doth increase my fears Fear left for want of help I still shall bleed Do what I can to lengthen my lifes breath If Christ be wanting I shall bleed to death Thou deepest searcher of each secret thought Infuse in me thy all-affecting grace So shall my work to good effect be brought While I peruse my ugly sins a space Whose staining filth so spotted hath my soul That nought can wash but tears of inward dole How soon my soul hast thou the Lord forgot Who thee and thine through troublous Seas hath lead On earth thy parts should praise him suddain rot Why dost neglect his glorious Kingdom spread Thy eyes have seen the Mountains mov'd with 's hand And sunk in Seas to make his Sion stand No wonder then thy works with Eastern wind On Seas are broke and thy best Seamen slain Sith thou thy gain and not Christs work dost mind Lord stay thy hand I see my works are vain Our ships they shall thy Gospel forth convey And not bring home strange errors here to stay Instead of home-oppression they shall now Thy Saints abroad relieve by Sea them send No riot shall our Merchantmen allow Time in exchange walks not in Taverns spend Godly grief and good purpose comes from thee Lord Christ command and then to work go we Oh thou my soul how weak's thy faith
allay their spirits of malignity toward his people they gathered in a Church in presence of the very governour himself and called to office one Mr. Harrison who could not long continue among them by reason of their fresh renewed malignity who had formerly an evill eye toward them and could no better refraine from oppressing them then Pharoah after he had rest from the plagues under which he was After the departure of Mr. Harrison one Mr. Duren became an help unto them but he and his people also were forced to remove many hundred miles up into the country where they now remain but assuredly the Lord hath more scourges in store for such as force the people to such sufferings and therefore let this Church of Christ continue in the way of his truth according to the rules of his Gospel and without doubt the Lord will preserve and continue them let the adversaries of his Truth be never so potent As also about this time the Lord was pleased to gather a people together in the Isle of Bermoodas whose hearts being guided by the rule of the word they gathered into a Church of Christ according to the rules of the Gospel being provided with able persons indued with gifts from the Lord to administer unto them the holy things of God and after they began to be opposed their reverend elder Mr. Goulding came into these parts and from hence he went to England but this little flock of Christ not long after being banished from thence went to one of the Southern Islands where they endured much hardship and which the Churches of Christ in these parts understanding about six or eight of them contributing toward their want gathered about 800 l. to supply their necessity the which they shipped in a small vessell hired for that end and sent by the hands of two brethren both corne and other necessaries they arriving in safety by the blessing of God upon their labours were well welcomed by their brethren who abundantly blessed the Lord for them and with godly and gratious expression returned a thankfull acknowledgement of the present good hand of the Lord Christ in providing for them so that as this book began with the wonderworking providence of Sions Saviour in providing so wonderfull gratiously for his Churches the World throughout so it here endeth with the same and it were to be desired that the Churches of Christ in Europe would gather up the wonderfull providences of the Lord toward them also and more especially those in our native Country for assuredly it would make much for the magnifying of his glorious works in this day of his power and although the malignant and antichristian party may say they can shew the like wonders as Jannes and Jambres that with-stood Moses yet were the worke of Christ for his poor Churches within these few yeers gathered together by some able instrument whom the Lord might be pleased to stir up for that end and laid open the view of all they would be forced to confess this is the very finger of God and no doubt but they would be a great strengthening to the faith of those who are appointed of the Lord for the overthrow of Antichrist the Lord helping for assuredly the time of his having mercy upon Sion is come CHAP. XII Of the time of the fall of Antichrist and the increase of the Gentile Churches even to the prevoking of the twelve Tribes to submit to the kingdom of Christ IT hath been the longing expectation of many to see that notable and wonderfull worke of the Lord Christ in casting down that man of sin who hath held the whole world of those that profess any Christ under his Lordly power while the true professors of Christ have hardly had any appearance to the eye of the world first take notice the Lord hath an assured seâ— time for the accomplishment of this work which is set down in his word although more darkly to be under stood wherefore the reverend Ministers of Christ for these many yeers have studied and laboured for the finding it out and that holy man of God Mr. John Cotton among many other hath diligently searched for the Lords mind herein and hath declared some sudden blow to be given to this blood-thirsty monster but the Lord Christ hath unseparably joyned the time meanes and manner of this work together and therefore all men that expect the day must attend the means for such hath been and is the absurdity of many that they make semblance of a very zealous affection to see the glorious work of our Lord Christ herein and yet themselves uphold or at least side with those that uphold some part of Antichrists kingdome and therefore the lordly Prelacy may pray for his fall till their lungs are spent and their throats grow dry But while they have a seeming shew and hardly that to oppose his doctrines they themselves in the mean time make use of his power to advance themselves to honour aâ— also in these dayes there are divers desperate blasphemous and erronious persons whose consciences and their own self-will are unseparable companions these are very hot in their own apprehensions to prosecute the work but in the mean time they not only batter down the truths of Christ and his own Ordinances and Institutions but also set up that part of Antichrists kingdom which hath formerly had a great blow already even his deceiveable and damnable doctrines for as one badg of the beast is to be sull of blasphemies so are they and these take unto themselves seven spirits worse then the former making the latter and worse then the beginning as this story may testifie and some stories in our native country much more But to come to the time of Antichrists fall and all that expect it may depend upon the certainty of it yea it may be boldly said that the time is come and all may see the dawning of the day you that long so much for it come forth and fight who can expect a victory without a battel the lordly Prelates that boasted so much of these great atcheivements in this work are fled into holes and corners Familists Seekers Antinomians and Anabaptists they are so ill armed that they think it best sleeping in a whole skin fearing that if the day of battell once go on they shall fall among Antichrists Armies and therefore cry out like cowards If you will let me alone and I will let you alone but assuredly the Lord Christ hath said He that is not with us is against us there is no room in his Army for toleratorists But some will say We will never believe the day iâ— come till our eyes behold Babylon begirt with Souldiers I pray be not too hasty hath not the Lord said Come out of her my people c. surely there is a little space left for this and now is the time seeing the Lord hath set up his standerd of resort now Come forth
Princes and all that are in authority to cast downe their Crownes at the Feet of Christ and take them up againe at his command to serve under his Standard as nursing Fathers and nursing Mothers to the Churches and people of Christ when your feete are once safely set on the shores of America you shall set up and establish civill Government and pray for the prosperity thereof as you love the peace of his Churches who hath called you to this service he hath for that end shipped among you some learned in the Law of God and practised in rules of good reason or common Lawes proper to our English Nation Be sure you make choyce of the right that all people Nations and Languages who are soonly to submit to Christs Kingdome may be followers of you herein as you follow the Rule of Christ your Magistrates shall not but open the Gates for all sorts But know they are Eyes of Restraint set up for Walles and Bulworks to surround the Sion of God Oh for Jerusalem her peace see that you mind it altogether you know right well that the Churches of Christ have not thrived under the tolerating Government of Holland from whence the Lord hath translated one Church already to the place whither you are now to goe and further it is well known loose liberty cannot indure to looke Majesticall authority in the face And also you shall finde erronious persons will contend with authority for upholding truth irrationally denying it any power to condemne deceiveable Doctrines and that upon this very ground because Tyranny hath inforced error heretofore be not borne downe with a multitude neither let any flatter for preferment which to prevent honour shall be very chargeable among you yet let not any deny to beare the burden and cumber of governing this people of Christ for assuredly although their recompence fall short from man it shall not be forgotten with the Lord. Lastly CHAP. VI. How the People of Christ ought to behave themselves in War-like Discipline YOu shall with all diligence provide against the Malignant adversaries of the truth for assure your selves the time is at hand wherein Antichrist will muster up all his Forces and make war with the People of God but it shall be to his utter overthrow See then you store your selves with all sorts of weapons for war furbrish up your Swords Rapiers and all other piercing weapons As for great Artillery seeing present meanes falls short waite on the Lord Christ and hee will stir up friends to provide for you and in the meane time spare not to lay out your coyne for Powder Bullets Match Armes of all sorts and all kinde of Instruments for War and although it may now seeme a thing incredible you shall see in that Wildernesse whither you are going Troopes of stout Horsemen marshalled and therefore fayle not to ship lusty Mares along with you and see that withall dilligence you incourage every Souldier-like Spirit among you for the Lord Christ intends to archieve greater matters by this little handfull then the World is aware of wherefore you shall seeke and set up men of valour to lead and direct every Soulder among you and with all diligence to instruct them from time to time Feare not the misse of men to fill your Townes and compleat your companies for although at first struglings for truths advance there may but a small number appeare of sound judgement yet shall you not prefer any to Office whose zeale is not strong for the truth for now the minde of Christ is to put out the Name of Ammaleck from under Heaven I meane such at have persecuted the Churches and People of Christ in their low condition and assuredly unsound Saules will spare such as should not be saved from destruction Then be strong and of a good courage all you that are to fight the Lords Battaile that your Faith faile not at sight of the great Armies of Gog and Magog and as for you who shall be preferred to highest places in his New England Regiments cause your Captaine and other inferior Officers to be diligent in their severall places that you may lend helpe to your Countreymen that ere long be will see a necessity of contending for the truth as well as your selves in choyce of Military Officers Let faithfulnesse to the cause in hand courage activity and skill have the prehemency of honours for although it may seeme a meane thing to be a New England Souldier yet some of you shall have the battering and bearing down sealing winning and wasting the over-topping Towers of the Hierarchy Lieutenants Ensigne and Serjeants exceed not your places till Experience Skill and true Valour promote you to higher honour to which you shall be daily aspiring As the worthy incouragement of a Souldiers labour let Militay discipline be had in high esteeme among you Gentlemen Corporalls and fellow-Souldiers keepe your weapons in a continuall readinesse seeing you are called to fight the Battails of your Lord Christ who must raigne till hee hath put all his enemies under his Feet his glorious Victories over Antichrist are at hand never yet did any Souldier rejoyce in dividing the spoyle after Victory as all the Souldiers of Christ shall to see his judgement executed upon the great Whore and withall the Lambs bride prepared for him who comes Skipping over trampling down the great Mountaines of the Earth whose universall Government will then appeare glorious when not onely the Assyrian Babilonian Persian Grecian and Roman Monarchies shall subject themselves unto him but also all other new upstart Kingdomes Dukedomes or what else can be named shall fall before him Not that he shall come personally to Reigne upon Earth as some vainly imagine but his powerfull Presence and Glorious brightnesse of his Gospell both to Jew and Gentile shall not onely spiritually cause the Churches of Christ to grow beyond number but also the whole civill Government of people upon Earth shall become his so that there shall not be any to move the hand not dog his tongue against his chosen And then shall the time be of breaking Speares into Mattocks and Swords into Sithes and this to remaine to his last comming which will be personally to overcome the last enemies of his Saints even death which hee will doe by the word of his Mouth audibly spoken the World throughout Then all you who are now or shall hereafter be shipped for this Voyage minde the worke of Christ and not some following raigne titles of honour others eying the best Grasse-platts and best Situation for Farmes and large Accommodations crouding our Gods people from sitting down among you Wherefore above all beware of covetousnesse all you that will be admitted into these selâ—ct Bands of Christ Jesus remember Achan whereas Rams Hornes could overthrow the high and strong walles of Jericho before his theft committed after it the little number of the men of Ai could put the Host of the living God
to flight see then you stand upon your watch continually in the strength of Christ for assuredly instead of casting downe the enemies of Christ thissin will cast down you utterly disinable you for striking one stroke in the cause of Christ and whereas he hath purposely pickt ouâ— this People for a patterne of purity and soundnesse of Doctrine as well as Discipline that all such may finde a refuge among you and let not any Merchants Inkeepers Taverners and men of Trade in hope of gaine fling open the gates so wide as that by letting in all sorts you mar the worke of Christ intended neither shall such labourers as hee hath pickt out to be Pyoneers in this Campe of his drinke up like Spunges such meanes as hee hath sent to maintaine both Officers and private Souldiers Lastly let not such as fight set foote on Land to compose Townes for Habitations take up large accommodations for sale to inrich themselves with others goods who are to follow them but freely as you have received so give out to others for so soone as you shall seeke to ingrosse the Lords wast into your hands he will ease you of your burden by making stay of any farther resort unto you and then be sure you shall have wast Land enough To this Commission was added a strong motive to this work as followeth Namely the great enmity betweene that onâ— truth as it is in Jesus and all other unsound and undeceiveable Doctrines together with the persons that hold them insomuch that they cannot stand in one Common-wealth long together as sixteene hundred yeares experience will testifie the which Moses layes down as one maine reason why he might not admit of a toleration to worship God in Egypt And therefore all you that believe the Scripture which so plainly prophecy the destruction of Antichrist and all Antichristian Doctrines Pray pray pray pray continually with that valiant worthy Joshua that the Sun may stand still in Gibeon and the Moone in the vally of Aijalon for assuredly although some small battailes may be fought against the enemies of Christ yet the great day of their finall overthrow shall not come till the bright Sonne of that one cleare truth of Christ stand still in the Gentile Churches that those who fight the Lords Battells may plainly discerne his enemies in all places where they finde them as also such as will continue fighting must have the World kept low in their eyes as the Moon in the valley of Aijalon CHAP. VII Of the goodnesse of God in helping his People to a large liberty in Spirituall things under the hopes of gaine in Earthly things THis Proclamation being audibly published through the I le of Great Brittaine by sundry Herraulds which Christ had prepared for that end the rumour ran through Cities Townes and Villages when those that were opposites heard it some cried one thing and some another much like the â—umult in the Town hall at Ephesus some said let them goe others cryed sweare them first others said let no Subsidy men passe others would have strict search made for non-conformants and that none of the late silenced Ministers might passe into the Ships Amidst this great hurry the sincere servants of Christ humbly seeke the Lords assistance in days of Humiliation taking up some serious cogitations how to begin this worthy worke upon which it was thought meete a patterne should be procured comprised after the manner of a Corporation-company or Brotherhood with as large liberty for government of this Association as could be got under the Broad Seale of England which accordingly was done by advise of one Mr. White an honest Counsellor at Law as also furthered by the honoured Mr. Richard Belinham and under the name of many worthy personages as Governour Dep. Gov. Assistant and Freemen c. Granted Ingrossed and Sealed as holding of the manner of East Greenwitch yeelding by way of homage the sixth part of all such Ore of Gold or Silver as might for after time be found within the Limits of the said Grant bounded on the North with the most Northerly part of the pleasant River of Merimech one mile beyond and on the South with the most Southern part of that oft frequented River commonly called Charles one mile beyond with power to rule and govern in all those parts both by Sea and Land To â—lect and set up all sorts of Officers as well Superior as Inâ—erior to point out their power and places to defend and maintaine the said Land and Inhabitants thereof with all their lawfull liberties against all such as at any time should Invade Molest or Disturbe the same as well by offensive as defensive War as also to constitute and ordaine Lawes c. Thus these Souldiers of Jesus Christ prepared to advance his Kingly Government much like Samuel when he went to annoynt David took up another errant withall that the Malignant spirit of Saul might not hinder the worke so those Worthies of Christ joyning themselves with Merchants and others who had an eye at a profitable Plantation who had not herein been deceived would they have stayed their time but surely such mist not their marke whose ayme was at the durable interest unlesse the fault were their owne neither let any man thinke Christ will not recompence those one way or other who have been any way helpfull to his people in this his work amongst whom the Author will not misse that good Gentleman Matthew Craddock by the way of thankfullnesse to him Mr. Goff and others this Verse is tendred For richest Jems and gainfull things most Merchants wisely venter Deride not then New England men this Corporation â—nter Christ calls for Trade shall never fade come Craddock factors send Let Mayâ—ew go and other more spare not thy coyne to spend Suck Trades advance did never chance in all thy Trading yet Though some deride thy losse abide her 's gaine beyond mans wit CHAP. VIII Of the wonderfull Preparation the Lord Christ by his Providence wrought for his peoples abode in this Western world NOw let all men know the admirable Acts of Christ for his Churches and chosen are universally over the whole Earth at one and the same time but sorry man cannot so discourse of them And therefore let us leave our English Nation in way of preparation for this Voyage intended and tell of the marvelous doings of Christ preparing for his peoples arrivall in the Western World whereas the Indians report they beheld to their great wonderment that perspicuous bright blâ—zing Comet which was so famously noted in Europe anon after Sun set it appeared as they say in the South-west about three houres continuing in their Horizon for the space of thirty sleepes for so they reckon their dayes after which uncouth sight they expected some strange things to follow and the rather because not long before the whole Nation of the Mattachusets were so affrighted with a Ship that arrived in their Bay having never seene
that heare it Thus it befell as they were discoursing in the Bote they had built for shelter all of a sudden an Indian came in among them at whose speech they were all agast he speaking in the English Language Much welcome Englishmen their wonder was the greater because upon those Costes they supposed no English had so much as set foote and verily Christ had prepared him on purpose to give his people intertainment the Indian having lived in England two year or thereabout after which he returned home and at this time had wandred into those parts in company of other Indians all this and the condition of the neere adjoyning Indians hee soon discovered unto them at which they were transported beyond themselves very much what with joy and the mixture of their former feare and affection intervening with the other surprised all their senses of a sudden that long it was ere each party could take its proper place yea and beyond all this Christ Jesus by the power of his blessed Spirit did now work upon all their faculties both of Soule and Body the great impression of his present Providence might not soon be washed off with the following incumbred cares of a Defart Wildernesse but to contract they made use of the present opprotunity and by the instrumentall meanes of this Indian became acquainted and reconciled with most of the Neighbouring Indians And afterward planted a Church of Christ there and set up civill Government calling the Name of the place Plimoth under this jurisdiction there are ten Churches at this very day this being the first place any English resorted unto for the advancement of the Kingly Government of Christ in this Westerne World CHAP. IX Of the first preparation of the Marchant Adventurers in the Mattachusets NOw it will be time to returne againe to England to speake further of the people that wee left in way of preparation who in the yeare 1628. sent forth some store of servants to provide against the wants of a Desart Wildernesse amongst whom came over a mixt multitude insomuch that very little appeared of the following worke onely the much honoured Mr. John Indicat came over with them to governe a fit instrument to begin this Wildernesse-worke of courage bold undanted yet sociable and of a chearfull spirit loving and austere applying himselfe to either as occasion served And now let no man be offended at the Authors rude Verse penned of purpose to keepe in memory the Names of such worthies as Christ made strong for himselfe in this unwonted worke of his John Endicat twice Governour of the English inhabiting the Mattachusets Bay in N. England STrong valiant John wilt thou march on and take up station first Christ cal'd hath thee his Souldier be and faile not of thy trust Wilderness-wants Christs grace supplants thē plant his Churches pure With Tongues gifted and graces led help thou to his procure Vndanted thou wilt not allow Malignant men to wast Christs Vineyard heere whose grace should cheer his well-beloved's tast Then honoured be thy Christ hath thee their Generall promoted To shew their love in place above his people have thee voted Yet must thou fall to grave with all the Nobles of the Earth Thou rotting Worme to dust must turn and worse but for new birth The place picked out by this People to settle themselves in was in the bosome of the out-stretched arme of Cape Anne now called Gloster but at the place of their abode they began to build a Town which is called Salem after some little space of time having made tryall of the Sordid spirits of the Neighbouring Indians the most bold among them began to gather to divers places which they began to take up for their owne those that were sent over servants having itching desires after novelties found a reddier way to make an end of their Masters provision then they could finde meanes to get more They that came over their own men had but little left to feed on and most began to repent when their strong Beers and full cups ran as small as water in a large Land but little Corne and the poore Indians so far from relieving them that they were forced to lengthen out their owne food with Acorns and that which added to their present distracted thoughts the Ditch betweene England and their now place of abode was so wide that they could not leap over with a lope-staffe yet some delighting their Eye with the rarity of things present and feeding their fancies with new discoveries at the Springs approach they made shift to rub out the Winters cold by the Fire-side having fuell enough growing at their very doores turning down many a drop of the Bottell and burning Tobacco with all the ease they could discoursing betweene one while and another of the great progresse they would make after the Summers-Sun had changed the Earths white furr'd Gowne into a greene Mantell Now the vernall of thirty nine being come they addrest themselves to coste it as far as they durst for feare of loosing themselves or falling into the hands of unknown Indians being kept in awe by a report of a cruell people not far of called the Tarratines All this while little like-lihood there was building the Temple for Gods worship there being only two that began to hew stones in the Mountaines the one named Mr. Bright and the other Mr. Blaxton and one of them began to build but when they saw all sorts of stones would not fit in the building as they supposed the one betooke him to the Seas againe and the other to till the Land retaining no simbole of his former profession but a Canonicall Coate CHAP. X. Of the first Church of Christ gathered at Salem in the Mattachusets Government THis yeare 1629. came over three godly Ministers of Christ Jesus intending to shew his power in his peoples lowest condition as his manner is thereby to strengthen their Faith in following difficulties and now although the number of the faithfull people of Christ were but few yet their longing desires to gather into a Church was very great And therefore addressed themselves to finde out the blessed Rules of Christ for preserving herein who through the assistance of his Blessed Spirit found that the Word of God penned by the Apostles in many Epistles written to particular Churches consisting of such as are beloved Saints by calling appearing so in the judgement of Charity being tryed by the rule of the word not scandalous in their Lives for the society of such they sought and in these beginnings found very few seven being the lest number a Church can be gathered or conceived by just consequence from the Word of God Having fasted and prayed with humble acknowledgement of their own unworthinesse to be called of Christ to so worthy a worke they joyned together in a holy Covenant with the Lord and one with another promising by the Lords Assistance to walke together in Exhorting Admonishing and
Rebuking one another and to cleave to the Lord with a full purpose of heart according to the blessed Rules of his Word made known unto them and further they seeing by light of Scripture the Lord Christ ascended up on high to give gifts unto men not onely extraordinary as Apostles c. before the Canon of the Scripture was perfected but also ordinary as Pastors and Teachers and that such are to be fitted with gifts according for so mighty a worke as is the Feeding and Ruling the Flock of Christ Wherefore they Elected and Ordained one Mr. Higgingson to be Tracher of this first Church of Christ set up in those parts a man indued with grace apt to teach and mighty in the Scriptures Learned in the Tongues able to convince gain-sayers aptly applying the word to his hearers who departed this life not long after of whom it may be said The Reverend Mr. Higgingson first Pastor of the Church of Christ at Salem in New England WHat Golden gaine made Higginson remove From fertill Soyle to Wildernesse of Rocks 'T was Christs rich Pearle stir'd up thee toile to love For him to feed in Wildernesse his flocks First Teacher he here Sheepe and Lambs together First crownd shall be hee in the Heavens of all Christs Pastors here but yet Christ folke had rather Him here retaine blest he whom Christ hath call'd They also called to the Office of an Exhorting Elder Mr. Scelton a man of a gratious Speech full of Faith and furnished by the Lord with gifts from above to begin this great worke of his that makes the whole Earth to ring againe at this present day The Reverend Mr. Scelton first Pastor of the Church of Christ at Salem in New England 1630. SCelton for Christ did leave his Native soile Christ Grace first wrought for him or he had never A Pastor been in Wildernesse to toile Where Christ his Flock doth into Churches gather For five yeares space to end thy war-faire thou Must meete with wantes what wants can be to him Whose Shepheard's Christ Earths fullnesse hath for you And Heavens rich Crowne for thee with 's conquest win This Church of Christ being thus begun the Lord with the Water spouts of his tender Mercy caused to increase and fructify And now let every Eare listen and every heart admire and inlarge it selfe to the astonishment of the whole man at this wonderous worke of the great Jehovah That in thrice seven yeares after the beginning of this Worke wrought such fearfull Desolations and wonderfull Alterations among our English Nation and also in this dismall Desart wasting the naturall Inhabitant with deaths stroke and that as is former touched the Mattachusets who were a populous Nation consisting of 30000 able men now brought to lesse then 300. and in their roome and place of abode this poore Church of Christ consisting at their beginning but of seven persons increased to forty three Churches in joyne Communion one with the other professing One God One Christ and one Gospell and in those Churches about 7750. Soules in one profession of the Rules of Christ and that which makes the worke more admirable in the Eyes of all beholders mens habitations are cut out of the Woods and Bushes neither can this place be entered by our English Nation but by passing through a dreadfull and terrible Ocean of nine hundred Leagues in length CHAP. XI Of the Glorious beginnings of a thorough Reformation in the Churclses of Clorist FUrther know these are but the beginnings of Christs glorious Reformation and Restauration of his Churches to a more glorious splendor than ever Hee hath therefore caused their dazeling brightnesse of his presence to be contracted in the burning Glasse of these his peoples zeale from whence it begins to be left upon many parts of the World with such hot reflection of that burning fight which hath fired many places already the which shall never be quenched till it hath burnt up Babilon Root and Branch and now let the Reader looke one the 102. Psalme the Prophet Isaia 66. Chapter take this sharpe Sword of Christs Word and all other Scriptures of like nature and follow on yee valiant of the Lord And behold the worthies of Christ as they are boldly leading forth his Troopes into these Westerne Fields marke them well Man by Man as they march terrible as an Army with Banners croud in all yee that long to see this glorious sight see ther 's their glorious King Christ one that white Horse whose hooses like flint cast not only sparkes but flames of fire in his patâ—es Behold his Crown beset with Carbunkles wherein the names of his whole Army are written Can there be ever night in his Presence whose eyes are ten thousand times higher than the Sun Behold his swiftnes all you that have said where is the promise of his comming Listen a while hear what his herauld proclaimes Babylon is sallen is fallen both her Doctrine Lordly rabble of Popes Cardinalls Lordly-Bâ—shops Friers Monks Nuns Seminary-Priests Jesuits Ermites Pilgrims Deans Prebends Arch-Deacons Commissaries Officialls Proctors Somners Singing-men Choristers Organist Bellows-blowers Vergers Porters Sextons Beads-men and Bel-ringers and all others who never had name in the Word of God together with all her false Doctrines although they may seeme otherwise never so contradictory as Arians who deny the God-head of Christ and Gortenists who deny the Humanity of Christ Papists who thinke to merit Heaven by the Workes of the Law Antinomians who deny the Law of God altogether as a rule to walke by in the obedience of Faith and deny good works to be the Frutit of Faith Arminians who attribute Gods Election or Reprobation to the will of Man and Familists who forsake the revealed Will of God and make men depend upon strong Revelations for the knowledge of Gods Electing Love towards them Conformitants oâ— Formalists who bring in a forme of worship of their owne and joyne it with the worship God hath appointed in his Word Seekers that deny all manner of worship or Ordinances of Christ Jesus affirming them to be quite lost and not to be attained till new Apostles come CHAP. XII Of the voluntary banishment chosen by this People of Christ and their last farewell taken of their Country and Friends ANd now behold the severall Regiments of these Souldiers of Christ as they are shipped for his service in the Western World part thereof being come to the Towne and Port of Southamptan in England where they were to be shipped that they might prosecute this designe to the full one Ship called the Eagle they wholy purchase and many more they hire filling them with the seeds of man and beast to sow this yet untilled Wildernesse withall making sale of such Land as they possesse to the great admiration of their Friends and Acquaintance who thus expostulate with them What will not the large income of your yearly revenue content you which in all reason cannot chuse but be more
advantagious both to you and yours then all that Rocky Wildernesse whither you are going to run the hazard of your life Have you not here your Tables filled with great variety of Foode your Coffers filled with Coyne your Houses beautifully built and filled with all rich Furniture or otherwise have you not such a gainfull Trade as none the like in the Towne where you live Are you not inriched daily Are not your Children very well provided for as they come to years nay may you not here as pithily practise the two chiefe Duties of a Christian if Christ give strength namely Mortification and Sanct fication as in any place of the World What helps can you have there that you must not carry from hence With bold resolvednesse these stout Souldiers of Christ reply as Death the King of terror with all his dreadfull attendance inhumane and barbarous tortures doubled and trebled by all the infernall furies have appeared but light and momentany to the Souldiers of Christ Iesus so also the Pleasure Profits and Honours of this World set forth in their most glorious splend or and magnitude by the alluring Lady of Delight proffering pleasant embraces cannot intice with her Syren Songs such Souldiers of Christ whose aymes are elevated by him many Millions above that brave Warrier Vlysses Now seeing all can be said will but barely set forth the immoveable Resolutions that Christ continued in these men Passe on and attend with teares if thou hast any the following discourse while these Men Women and Children are taking their last farwell of their Native Country Kindred Friends and Acquaintance while the Ships attend them Many make choise of some solitary place to eccho out their bowell-breaking affections in bidding their Friends farwell deare friends sayes one as neare as my owne soule doth thy love lodge in my brest with thought of the heart burning Ravishments that thy Heavenly speeches have wrought my melting soule is poured out at present with these words both of them had their farther speach strangled from the depth of their inward dolor with breast-breaking sobs till leaning their heads each on others shoulders they let fall the salt-dropping dews of vehement affection striving to exceede one another much like the departure of David and Jonathan having a little eased their hearts with the still streames of Teares they recovered speech againe Ah! my much honoured friend hath Christ given thee so great a charge as to be Leader of his People into that far remote and vast Wildernesse I oh and alas thou must die there and never shall I see thy Face in the flesh againe wert thou called to so great a taske as to passe the pretious Ocean and hazard thy person in Battell against thousands of Malignant Enemies there there were hopes of thy return with triumph but now after two three or foure moneths spent with daily expectation of swallowing Waves and cruell Pirates you are to be Landed among barbarous Indians famous for nothing but cruelty where you are like to spend your days in a famishing condition for a long space Scarce had he uttered this but presently hee lockes his friend fast in his armes holding each other thus for some space of time they weepe againe But as Paul to his beloved flock the other replies what doe you weeping and breaking my heart I am now prest for the service of our Lord Christ to re-build the most glorious Edifice of Mount Sion in a Wildernesse and as John Baptist I must cry prepare yee the way of the Lord make his paths strait for behold hee is comming againe hee is comming to destroy Antichrist and give the whore double to drinke the very dregs of his wrath Then my deare friend unfold thy hands for thou and I have much worke to doe I and all Christian Souldiers the World throughout then hand in hand they leade each other to the Sandy-banks of the brinish Ocean when clenching their hands fast they unloose not til inforced to wipe their watery-eyes whose constant streames forced a watery-path upon their Cheekes which to hide from the eyes of others they shun society for a time but being called by occasion whose bauld back-part none can lay hold one They thrust in among the throng now ready to take Ship where they beheld the like affections with their own among divers Relations Husbands and Wives with mutuall consent are now purposed to part for a time 900 Leagues asunder since some providence at present will not suffer them to goe together they resolve their tender affections shall not hinder this worke of Christ the new Married and betrothed man exempt by the Law of God from war now will not claime their priviledge but being constrained by the Love of Christ lock up their naturall affections for a time till the Lord shall be pleased to give them a meeting in this Westerne World sweetly mixing it with spirituall love in the meane time many Fathers now take their yong Samuells and give them to this service of Christ all their Lives Brethren Sisters Unkles Nephewes Neeces together with all Kindred of bloud that binds the bowells of affection in a true Lovers knot can now take their last farewell each of other although naturall affection will still claime her right and manifest her selfe to bee in the body by looking out at the Windowes in a mournefull manner among this company thus disposed doth many Reverend and godly Pastors of Christ present themselves some in a Seamans Habit and their scattered sheepe comming as a poore Convoy loftily take their leave of them as followeth what dolefull dayes are these when the best choise our Orthodox Ministers can make is to take up a perpetuall banishment from their native soile together with their Waves and Children wee their poore sheepe they may not feede but by stoledred should they abide here Lord Christ here they are at thy command they go this is the doore thou hast opened upon our earnest request and we hope it shall never be shut for Englands sake they are going from England to pray without ceasing for England O England thou shalt finde New England prayers prevailing with their God for thee but now woe alas what great hardship must these our indeared Pastors indure for a long season with these words they life up their voyces and wept adding many drops of sale liquor to the ebbing Ocean Then shaking hands they bid adue with much cordiall affection to all their Brethren and Sisters in Christ yet now the Scorne and Derifion of those times and for this their great enterprise counted as so many crackt braines but Christ will make all the Earth know the wisdome he hath indued them with shall over-top all the humane policy in the World as the sequell wee hope will shew Thus much shall suffice in generall to speak of their peoples farewell they tooke from time to time of their Country and Friends CHAP. XIII Of the charges expended by this poore
enterance which sure it would have been by many had not the Lord prevented by a troublesom passage At forty dayes end or thereabout they cast to sound the Seas depth and find them sixty fadom by which they deem the bankes of New sound Land are near where they being provided with Cod-line and Hooke hale up some store of fish to their no small refreshing and within some space of time after they approach the Cost of New England where they are againe provided with Mackarell and that which was their greater rejoycing they discover Land at sight thereof they blessed the Lord. But before the Author proceed any further in this Discourse take here a short survay of all the Voyages by Sea in the transportation of these Armies of the great Jehova for fifteene years space to the year 1643. about which time England began to indeavour after Reformation and the Souldiers of Christ were set at liberty to bide his battells at home for whose assistance some of the chiefe worthies of Christ returned back the number of Ships that transported passengers in this space of time as is supposed is 298. Men Women and Children passing over this wide Ocean as near as at present can be gathered is also supposed to be 21200. or thereabout CHAP. XV. An Exhortation to all People Nations and Languages to indeavour the advancing of the Kingdome of Christ in the purity of his Ordinances seeing he hath done such admirable Acts for these poore shrubs ANd now all you whose affections are taken with wonderfull matters Attend and you that thinke Christ hath forgotten his poore despised people Behold and all you that hopefully long for Christs appearing to confound Antichrist Consider and rejoyce all yee his Churches the World throughout for the Lambe is preparing his Bride and oh â— yee the antient Beloved of Christ whom he of old led by the hand from Egypt to Canaan through that great and terrible Wildernesse looke here behold him whom you have peirced preparing to peirce your hearts with his Wonder-working Providence and to provoke you by this little handfull of his people to looke on him and mourne Yet let no man think these few weake Wormes would restraine the wnoderfull Workes of Christ as onely to themselves but the quite contrary these but the Porch of his glorious building in hand and if hee have shewed such admirable acts of his providence toward these what will he doe when the whole Nation of English shall set upon like Reformation according to the direct Rule of his Word Assured confidence there is also for all Nations from the undoubted promise of Christ himselfe The Winter is past the Raine is changed and gone come out of the holes of the secret places feare not because your number is but small gather into Churches and let Christ be your King yee Presbytery Lord it not over them or any Churches but feed every one that one flock over which Christ hath made you over-seers and yee people of Christ give your Presbytery double honours that they with you may keepe the watch of the Lord over his Churches Yee Dutch come out of your hods-podge the great mingle mangle of Religion among you hath caused the Churches of Christ to increase so little with you standing at â— stay like Corne among Weeds Oh yee French feare not the great swarmes of Locusts nor the croking Frogs in your Land Christ is reaching out the hand to you look what hee hath done for these English and sure hee is no Respecter of Persons c. yee Germanes that have had such a bloudy bickering Christ is now comming to your aide then cast off your loose and carelesse kinde of Reformation gather into Churches and keepe them pure that Christ may delight to dwell among you oh Italy The Seat and Center of the Beast Christ will now pick out a People from among you for himselfe see here what wonders hee workes in little time Oh! yee Spaniards and Portugalls Christ will shew you the abominarions of that beastly Whore who hath made your Nations drunke with the Wine of her Fornication Dread not that cruell murtherous Inquisition for Christ is now making Inquisicion for them and behold here how hee hath rewarded them who deale cruelly with these his people Finally oh all yee Nations of the World behold great is the worke the glorious King of Heaven and Earth hath in hand beware of neglecting the call of Christ and you the Seed of Israel both lesse and more the ratling of your dead bones together iâ— at hand Sinewes Flesh and Life at the Word of Christ it comes Counsellers and Judges you shall have as at the begining to fight for you as Gidion Bareck Jeptha Samson c. then sure your deliverance shall be sudden and wonderfull if Christ have done such great things for these low Shrubs what will his most Admirable Excellent and wonderfull Worke for you be but as the Resurrection from the dead when all the miraculous acts of his wonderfull power shewed upon Pharoah for your fore-Fathers deliverance shall be swallowed up with those far greater workes that Christ shall shew for your deliverance upon the whole World by Fiers and Bloud destroying both Pope and Turke when you shall see great smoake and flames ascending up on high of that great Whore Revel 14 11. verse and the 17. 16. verse and the 18. the 8. and 18. vers Then oh you People of Israel gather together as one Man and grow together as one Tree Ezek. 37. 23. For Christ the great King of all the Earth is now going forth in his great Wrath and terrible Indignation to avenge the bloud of his Saints Ezek 38 19. vers and now for the great and bloudy Battell of Gog and Magog Rivers of bloud and up to the Horse-bridles even the bloud of those have drunke bloud so long oh I dreadfull day when the patience and long-suffering of Christ that hath lasted so many hundreds of yeares shall end what wonderous workes are now suddenly to be wrought for the accomplishment of these things Then judge all you whom the Lord Christ hath given a discerning spirit whether these poore New England People be not the fore runners of Christs Army and the marvelous providences which you shall now heare be not the very Finger of God and whether the Lord hath not sent this people to Preach in this Wildernesse and to proclaime to all Nations the neere approach of the most wonderfull workes that ever the Sonnes of men saw Will not you believe that a Nation can be borne in a day here is a worke come very neare it but if you will believe you shall see far greater things than these and that in very little time and in the meane time looke on the following Discourse CHAP. XVI Of the admirable Acts of Christs Providence in delivering this his people in their Voyages by Sea from many foule dangers YOu have heard of
people after their long Voyage were many of them troubled with the Scurvy and some of them died the first station they tooke up was at Charles Towne where they pitched some Tents of Cloath other built them small Huts in which they lodged their Wifes and Children The first beginning of this worke seemed very dolorous First for the death of that worthy personage Izaac Johnson Esq whom the Lord had indued with many pretious gifts insomuch that he was had in high esteeme among all the people of God and as a chiefe Pillar to support this new erected building He very much rejoyced at his death that the Lord had been pleased to keepe his eyes open so long as to see one Church of Christ gathered before his death at whose departure there was not onely many weeping eyes but some fainting hearts fearing the fall of the present worke For future Remembrance of him mind this Meeter Izaac Johnson Esquire beloved of Christ and his people and one of the Magistrates of New England WHat mov'd thee on the Seas upon such toyle with Lady taking Christs drawing love all strength 's above when way for his hee 's making Christ will have thee example be honoured with 's graces yeilding His Churches aid foundation laid now new one Christ a building Thy Faith Hope Love Joy Meeknesse prove improved for thy Lord As he to thee to people be in Government accord Oh! people why doth Christ deny this worthies life to lengthen Christ onely trust Johnsons turnd dust and yet hee 's crownd and strengthend The griefe of this people was further increased by the sore sicknesse which befell among them so that almost in every Family Lamentation Mourning and woe was heard and no fresh food to be had to cherish them it would assuredly have moved the most lockt up affections to Teares no doubt had they past from one Hut to another and beheld the pâ—teous case these people were in and that which added to their present distresse was the want of fresh water for although the place did afford plenty yet for present they could finde but one Spring and that not to be come at but when the tide was downe which caused many to passe over to the South-side of the River where they afterward erected some other Townes yet most admirable it was to see with what Christian courage many of these Souldiers of Christ carried it amidst all these calamities and in October the Governour Deputy and Assistants held their second Court on the South-side of the River Where they then began to build holding correspondency with Charles Towne as one and the same At this Court many of the first Planters came and were made free yet afterward none were admitted to this fellowship or freedome but such as were first joyned in fellowship with some one of the Churches of Christ their chiefest aime being bent to promote his worke altogether The number of Freemen this yeare was 110. or thereabout CHAP. XVIII Of the second Church of Christ gathered at Charles Towne in the Mattacusets Bay 1631. AND now the new-come Souldiers of Christ strengthen themselves in him and gather a Church at Charles Towne whose extent at present did reach to both sides of the River and in very little time after was divided into two Churches the Reverend and judicious Mr. John Wilson was called to be Pastor thereof a Man full of Faith Courage and Zeale for the truth of Christ persecuted and hunted after by the usurping Prelates and forced for present to part from his indeared Wife yee honoured by Christ and made a powerfull instrument in his hands for the cutting downe of Error and Schisme as in the sequell of this History will appeare in whose weakenesse Christs power hath appeared The Grave and Reverend Mr. John Wilson now Pastor of the Church of Christ at Soston in New England JOhn VVilson will to Christs will submit In Wildernesse where thou hast Trialls found Christ in new making did compose thee fit And made thy Love zeale for his truth abound Then it 's not Wilson but Christ by him hath Error cut down when it o'retopping stood Thou then ' Gainst it didst shew an holy wrath Saving mens soules from this o're-flowing floud They thee deprave thy Ministrey dispise By thy thick utterance seeke to call Men back From hearing thee but Christ for thee did rise And turnd the wheel-right over them to crack Yea caused thee with length of dayes to stand Steadfast in 's house in old Age fruit to bring I and thy seed raise up by his commanâ— His Flock to feed rejoyce my Muse and sing That Christ doth dust regard so plentiously Rich gifts to give and heart to give him his Estate and person thou spends liberally Christ thee and thine will Crown with lasting Blisse This as the other Churches of Christ began with a small number in a desolate and barren Wildernesse which the Lord in his wonderfull mercy hath turned to fruitfull Fields VVherefore behold the present condition of these Churches compared with their beginnings as they sowed in teares so also have they Reaped in joy and shall still so go on if plenty and liberty marre not their prosperity This Towne of Charles is situated one the North-side of Charles River from whence it tooke its Name the River being about five or six fathom deepe Over against the Town many small Islands lieing to the Seaward of it and Hills one either side By which meanes it proves a very good harbor for Ships which hath caused many Sea-men and Merchants to sit downe there the forme of this Towne in the frontice piece thereof is like the Head Neck and Shoulders of a Men onely the pleasant and Navigable River of Mistick runs through the right shoulder thereof and by its neare approach to Charles River in one place makes a very narrow neck by which meanes the chiefe part of the Towne whereon the most building stands becomes a Peninsula it hath a large Market-place neer the water side built round with Houses comly and faire forth of which there issues two streetes orderly built with some very faire Houses beautified with pleasant Gardens and Orchards the whole Towne consists in its extent of about 150. dwelling Houses Their meeting house for Sabbath assembly stands in the Market-place very comly built and large the Officers of this Church are at this day one Pastor and one Teacher one Ruling Elder and three Deacons the number of Soules are about 160. wonderfull it is to see that in so short a time such great alterations Christ should worke for these poore people of his their Corne Land in Tillage in this Towne is about 1200. Acres their great Cattell are about 400. head Sheepe neare upon 400. as for their horse you shall hear of them God willing when we come to speak of their Military Discipline CHAP. XIX Of the Third Church of Christ gathered at Dorchester 1631. THe third Church of Christ gathered under this
Government was at Dorchester a frontire Town scituated very pleasantly both for facing the Sea and also its large extent into the main Land well watered with two small Rivers neere about this Towne inhabited some few ancient Traders who were not of this select band but came for other ends as Morton of Merry-mount who would faine have resisted this worke but the provident hand of Christ prevented The forme of this Towne is almost like a Serpent turning her head to the North ward over against Tompsons Island and the Castle her body and wings being chiefly built on are filled somewhat thick of Houses onely that one of her Wings is clipt her Tayle being of such a large extent that shee can hardly draw it after her Her Houses for dwelling are about one hundred and forty Orchards and Gardens full of Fruit-trees plenty of Corne-Land although much of it hath been long in tillage yet hath it ordinarily good corps the number or Trees are neare upon 1500. Cowes and other Cattell of that kinde about 450. Thus hath the Lord been pleased to increase his poore dispersed people whose number in this Flock are neare about 150. their first Pastor called to feede them was the Reverend and godly Mr. Maveruck MAveruck thou must put period to thy dayes In Wildernesse thy Kindred thee provoke To come but Christ doth thee for high ends Raise Amongst his worthies to strike many a stroke Thy godly Life and Doctrine speake though thou In dust art laid yet Christ by thee did feede His scattered Lambes they gathered are by you Christ calls thee home but flock he leaves to seede CAHP. XX. Of the Fourth Church of Christ gathered at Bosten 1631. AFter some little space of time the Church of Christ at Charles Town having their Sabbath assemblies oftenest oâ— the South side of the River agreed to leave the people on that side to themselves and to provide another Pastor for Charles Towne which accordingly they did So that the fourth Church of Christ issued out of Charles Towne and was seated at Boston being the Center Towne and Metropolis of this Wildernesse worke but you must not imagine it to be a Metropolitan Church invironed it is with the Brinish flouds saving one small Istmos which gives free accesse to the Neighbour Townes by Land on the South side on the North-west and North East two constant Faires are kept for daily traffique thereunto the forme of this Towne is like a heart naturally scituated for Fortifications having two Hills on the frontice part thereof next the Sea the one well fortified on the superfices thereof with store of great Artillery well mounted the other hath a very strong battery built of whole Timber and filled with Earth at the descent of the Hill in the extreme poynt therof betwixt these two strong armes lies a large Gave or Bay on which the chiefest part of this Town is built over-topped with a third Hill all three like over-topping Towers keepe a constant watch to fore-see the approach of forrein dangers being furnished with a Beacon and lowd babling Guns to give notice by their redoubled eccho to all their Sister townes the chiefe Edifice of this City-like Towne iâ— crowded on the Sea-bâ—â—kes and wharfed out with great industry and cost the buildings beautifull and large some fairely see forth with Brick Tile Stone and Slate and orderly placed with comly streets whose continuall inlargement presages some sumpâ—uous City The wonder of this moderne Age that a few yeares should bring forth such great matters by so means a handfull and they so far from being inriched by the spoiles of other Nations that the states of many of them have beene spoiled by the Lordly Prelacy whose Lands must assuredly make Restitutions But now behold the admirable Acts of Christ at this his peoples landing the hideous Thickets in this place were such that Wolfes and Beares nurst up their young from the eyes of all beholders in those very places where the streets are full of Girles and Boys sporting up and downe with a continued concourse of people Good store of Shipping is here yearly built and some very faire ones both Taâ— and Mastes the Countrey affords from its own soile also store of Victuall both for their owne and Forreinersships who resort hither for that end this Town is the very Mart of the Land French Portugalls and Dutch come hither for Traffique CHAP. XXI Of the Fift Church of Christ gathered at Roxbury 1631. THe fift Church of Christ was gathered at Roxbury scituated between Boston and Dorchester being well watered with coole and pleasant Springs issuing forth the Rocky-hills and with small Freshets watering the Vallies of this fertill Towne whose forme is somewhat like a wedge double pointed entring betweene the two foure-named Townes filled with a very laborious people whose labours the Lord hath so blest that in the roome of dismall Swampes and tearing Bushes they have very goodly Fruit-trees fruitfull Fields and Gardens their Heard of Cowes Oxen and other young Cattell of that kind about 350. and dwelling-houses neere upon 120. Their streetes are large and some fayre Houses yet have they built their House for Church-assembly destitute and unbeautified with other buildings The Church of Christ here is increased to about 120. persons their first Teaching Elder called to Office is Mr. Eliot a yong man at his comming thither of a cheerfull spirie walking unblameable of a godly conversation apt to teach as by his indefatigable paines both with his own flock and the poore Indians doth appeare whose Language he learned purposely to helpe them to the knowledge of God in Christ frequently Preaching in their Wigwams and Catechizing their Children Mr. Eliot Pastor of the Church of Christ at Roxbury in New England much honoured for his labours in the Lord. GReat is thy worke in Wildernesse Oh man Young Eliot neere twenty yeares thou bast In Westerne world with miccle toile thy span Spent well-neere out and now thy gray hayrs gracest Are by thy Land-Lord Christ who makes use of thee To feede his flock and heathen people teach In their own Language God and Christ to see A Saviour their blind hearts could not reach Poore naked Children come to learne Gods Mind Before thy face with reverend regard Blesse God for thee may these poore heathen blind That from thy mouth Christs Gospell sweete have heard Eliot thy Name is through the wild woods spread In Indians mouths frequent's thy fame for why In sundry shapes the Devills made them dread And now the Lord makes them their Wigwams fly Rejoyce in this nay rather joy that thou Amongst Christs Souldiers bast thy name sure set Although small gaine on Earth accrew to you Yet Christ to Crowne will thee to Heaven soone fet CHAP. XXII Of the Sixth Church of Christ gathered at Linn 1631. THe Sixth Church of Christ was gathered at Linn betweene Salem and Charles Towne her scitnation is neere to a River whose strong fresheâ—
of its dead Mother seeking to draw living nourishment from her dead breast Their dead they left oft-times unburied wherefore the English were forced to dig holes and drag their stinking corps into them Thus did the Lord allay their quarrelsome spirits and made roome for the following part of his Army This yeare came over more supplies to forward the worke of Christ CHAP. XXVI Of the gratious provisions the Lord made for his people THe yeare 1632. John Winthrope Esquire was chosen Governour againe and the antient Thomas Dudly Esquire was Deputy Governour a man of a sound judgement in matters of Religion and well read bestowing much labour that way of whom as followeth The honoured aged stable and sincere servant of Christ zealous for his truth Thomas Dudly Esq foure times Governour of the English Nation in the Mattacusets and first Major Generall of the Millitary Forces WHat Thomas now believe dost thou that riches men may gaine In this poore Plot Christ doth allot his people to sustaine Rich Truth thou 'lt buy and sell not why no richer Jem can be Truths Champion in campion Christ's grace hath placed thee With civill Sword at Christs Word early cut off wilt thou Those Wolvish sheep amongst flocks do creep and damned doctrine low To trembling age thou valiant sage one foot wilt not give ground Christs Enemies from thy face flies his truth thou savest sound Thy lengthened dayes to Christs praise continued are by him To set by thee his people free from foes that raging bin Wearied with yeares it plaine appeares Dudly not long can last It matters not Christ Crown thee got it s now at hand hold fast This yeare was the first choise of Migistrates by free-men whose number was now increased fifty three or thereabout to declare the manner of their Government is by the Author deferred till the year 1637. where the Reader may behold Government both in Churches and Common-wealth to be an institution of the Lord and much availeable through his blessing for the accomplshment of his promises to his people This year these fore-runners of the following Army of Christ after the sight of many of the admirable Acts of his providence for them begun to take up steddy resolution through the helpe of him to wade through the Ocean they were farther like to meete withall and therefore began to plant the yet untilled Earth having as yet no other meanes to teare up the bushy lands but their hands and howe 's their bodies being in very ill temper by reason of the Scurvy a Disease in those dayes very frequent to undergoe such extremity but being prick'd on with hungers sharpe gode they keepe doing according to their weake abilities and yet produce but little food for a long season but being perswaded that Christ will rather raine bread from Heaven then his people should want being fully perswaded they were set on the worke at his command Wherefore they followed on with all hands and the Lord who hath the Cattell of thousand Hills and the Corne of ten thousand Vallies the whole Earth and fulnesse of it did now raise up fresh supplies to be added to these both of men and provision of food men no lesse valiane in Faith then them the former amongst whom was the Reverend Mr. Welds and Mr. James who was welcomed by the people of Christ at Charles Towne and by them called to the Office of a Pastor where hee continued for some yeares and from thence removed to New haven upon some seed of prejudice sowne by the enemies of this worke But good Reader doe thou behold and remember him farther in the following Liues THy Native soile Oh James did thee approve Gods people there in Lincolneshâ—â—e commend Thy courteous speech and worke of Christian love Till Christ through Seas did thee on Message send With learned skill his mind for to unsold His people in New England thou must feed But one sad breach did cut that band should hold Then part wilt thou least farther jars should breed Yet part thou wilt not with Christs Truth thy crowne But my Muse waile that any souldier should In fighting slip why James thou fallest not downe Back thou retreats their valiant fighting hold Fast on thy Christ who thine may raise with thee His bands increase when leaders he provides Thy Son young student may such blessing be Thy losse repayre and Christ thee crown besides Although the great straites this Wildernesse people were in for want of food was heard of among the godly people in England yet would they not decline the worke but men of Estates sold their possessions and bought plenty of food for the Voyage which some of them sent before hand by which meanes they were provided for as also the Lord put it into the hearts of such as were Masters and Undertakers of Ships to store their Vessells so well that they had to spare for this peoples need and further Christ caused abundance of very good Fish to come to their Nots and Hookes and as for such as were unprovided with these meanes they caught them with their hands and so with Fâ—sh wild Onions and other Herbs were sweetly satisfied till other provisions came in here must labouring men a little be minded how ill they recompenced those persons whose estates helpe them to food before they could reape any from the Earth that forgetting those courtesies they soon by excessive prises took for their worke made many File-leaders fall back to the next Ranke advancing themselves in the meane time About this time the Church of Christ at Roxbury being a diligent people early prevented their Brethren in other Churches by calling the Reverend Mr. Welds to be their Pastor of whom you may see somewhat farther in the following lines TO worke oh Welds in wildernesse betime Christ thee commands that thou his folke should's follow And feede his flock in Covenant bandcombine With them through him his glorious name to hallow Seven yeares thou stoutly didst wade through with toile These desare caros back by advice againe Thou didst returne unto thy native soile There to advance Christs Kingdome now remeine In Pulpit and with Pen thou hast the truth Maintained and clear'd from scandalous reproach Christs churches here and shew'd their lasting Ruth That dare ' gainst Christ their own inventions broach Then sage in age continue such to be Till Christ thee crowne his gifts to thee are free This yeare of sad distresses was ended with a terrible cold Winter with weekly Snowes and fierce Frosts betweene while congealing Charles River as well from the Towne to Sea ward as above insomuch that men might frequently passe from one Island to another upon the Ice Here Reader thou must be minded of an other admirable Act of Christ for this yeare in changing the very nature of the seasons moderating the Winters cold of late very much which some impute to the cutting downe the woods and breaking up the Land But Christ have the
present possessed mercies yet they addresse themselves to the Sea shore where they courteously welcom the famous servant of Christ grave godly and judicious Hooker and the honoured servant of Christ M John Haynes as also the Reverend and much desired Mr. John Cotton and the Retoricall Mr. Stone with divers others of the sincere servants of Christ comming with their young and with their old and with their whole substance to doe him service in this Desart wildernesse Thus this poore people having now tasted liberally of the salvation of the Lord every way they deeme it high time to take up the Cup of thankfulnesse and pay their vowes to the most high God by whom they were holpen to this purpose of heart and accordingly set apart the 16. day of October which they call the eighth Moneth not out of any pevish humor of singularity as some are ready to censor them with but of purpose to prevent the Heathenish and Popish observation of Dayes Moneths and Yeares that they may be forgotten among the people of the Lord this day was solemnly kept by all the seven Churches rejoycing in the Lord and rendering thanks for all their benefits Here must not be omitted the indeared affections Mr. John Wilson had to the worke in hand exceedingly setting forth in his Sermon this day the Grace of Christ in providing such meet helps for furthering thereof really esteeming them beyond so many Ship-loading of Gold manifesting the great humility Christ had wrought in him not complementing but in very deede prefering the Reverend Mr. John Cotton many hundreds before himselfe whom they within a very little time after called to the Office of a Teaching Elder of the Church of Christ at Boston where hee now remaines of whom at followeth WHen Christ intends his glorious Kingdome shall Exalted be on Earth he Earth doth take Evon sinfull Man to make his worthies all Then praise I Man no Christ this Man doth make Sage sober grave and learned Cotten thou Mighty in Scripture without Booke repeat it Annatomise the sence and shew Man how Great mysteries in sentence short are seated Gods Word with 's word comparing oft unfould The secret truths Johns Revelations hath By thee been open'd as nere was of old Showes cleere and neere ' gainst Romes whore is Gods wrath Then Churches of Christ rejoyce and sing John Cotten hath Gods minde I dare believe Since he from Gods Word doth his witnesse bring Saints cries are heard they shall no longer grieve That song of songs 'twixt Christ and 's Church thou hast Twice taught to all and sweetly shewed the way Christ would his Churches should in truth stand fast And cast off mans inventions even for aye Thy labours great have met with catching cheats Mixing their Brasse with thy bright Gold for why Thy great esteeme must cover their ill feates Some soile thou gett'st by comming them so nie But i'ts wipt off and thou Christs Champion left The Faith to fight for Christ hath arm'd thee well His worthies would not thou shoulds be bereft Of honours here thy Crown shall soon excell These people of God having received these farther helps to instruct and build them up in the holy things of Christ being now greatly incouraged seeing the Lord was pleased to set such a broad Seale to their Commission for the worke in hand not onely by his Word and Spirit moving thereunto but also by his Providence in adding such able instruments for furthering this great worke of Reformation and advancing the Kingdome of Christ for which they spent this day of rejoycing and sure the Lord would have all that hear of it know their joy lay not in the increase of Corne or Wine or Oyle for of all these they had but very little at this time yet did they not spare to lend such aâ— they had unto the poore who could not provide and verily the joy ended not with the day for these active instruments of Christ Preaching with all instancy the glad Tidings of the Gospell of Iesus Christ rejoyced the Heart of this People much CHAP. XX VIII Of the Eighth Church of Christ gathered at Cambridge 1633. AT this time those who were in place of civill Government having some addition Pillars to under-prop the building begun to thinke of a place of more safety in the eyes of Man then the two frontire Towns of Charles Towne and Boston were for the habitation of such as the Lord had prepared to Governe this Pilgrim People Wherefore they rather made choice to enter farther among the Indians then hazard the fury of malignant adversaries who in a rage might pursue them and therefore chose a place scituate on Charles River betweene Charles Towne and Water-Towne where they erected a Towne called New-Towne now named Cambridge being in forme like a list cut off from the Broad-cloath of the two fore-named Towns where this wandering Race of Jacobits gathered the eighth Church of Christ This Town is compact closely within it selfe till of late yeares some few stragling houses have been built the Liberties of this Town have been inlarged of late in length reaching from the most Northerly part of Charles River to the most Southerly part of Merrimeck River it hath well ordered streets and comly pompleated with the faire building of Harver Colledge their first Pastor was the faithfull and laborious Mr. Hooker whose Bookes are of great request among the faithfull people of Christ Yee shall not misse of a few lines in remembrance of him COme Hooker come forth of thy native soile Christ I will run sayes Hooker thou hast set My feet at large here spend thy last dayes toile Thy Rhetorick shall peoples affections whet Thy Golden Tongue and Pen Christ caus'd to be The blazing of his golden truths profound Thou sorry worme its Christ wrought this in thee What Christ hath wrought must needs be very sound Then looke one Hookers workes they follow him To Grave this worthy resteth there a while Die shall he not that hath Christs warrier bin Much lesse Christs Truth cleer'd by his peoples toile Thou Angell bright by Christ for light now made Throughout the World as seasoning salt to be Although in dust thy body mouldering fade Thy Head 's in Heaven and hath a crown for thee The people of this Church and Towne have hitherto had the chiefest share in spitituall blessings the Ministry of the Word by more then ordinary instruments as in due time and place God willing you shall farther heare yet are they at this day in â— thriving condition in outward things also both Corne and Cattell Nâ—ate and Sheepe of which they have a good flocke which the Lord hath caused to thrive much in these latter dayes then formerly This Towne was appointed to be the seate of Government but it continued not long this yeare a small gleane of Rye was brought to the Court as the first fruits of English graine at which this poore people greatly rejoyced to see the Land
would beare it but now the Lords blessing that way hath exceeded all peoples expectation cloathing the Earth with plenty of all kinde of graine Here minde I must the Reader of the admirable acts of Christs Providence toward this people that although they were in such great straites for foode that many of them eate their Bread by waight and had little hopes of the Earths fruitfullnesse yet the Lord Christ was pleased to refresh their spirits with such quickning grace and lively affections to this Temple-worke that they did not desert the place and that which was more remarkable when they had scarce houses to shelter themselves and no doores to hinder the Indians accesse to all they had in them yet did the Lord so awe their hearts that although they frequented the Englishmens places of aboade where their whole substance weake Wives and little ones lay open to their plunder during their absence being whole dayes at Sabbath Assemblies yet had they none of their food or stuffe diminished neither Children nor Wives hurt in the least measure although the Indians came commonly to them at those times much hungry belly as they use to say and were then in number and strength beyond the English by far Yet further see the great and noble Acts of Christ toward this his wandering people feeling againe the scarcity of foode and being constrained to come to a small pittance daily the Lord to provide for them causeth the Deputy of Ireland to set forth a great Ship unknowne to this people and indeed small reason in his own apprehensions why he should so do but Christ will have it so This Ship ariving being filled with food the godly Governors did so order it that each Town sent two men aboard of her who tooke up their Townes allowance it being appointed before hand what their portion should be to this end that some might not by all and others be left destitute of food In the vernall of the yeare 1634. This people being increased and having among them many pretious esteemed instruments for furthering this wonderous worke of Christ they began to thinke of fortifying a small Island about two miles distant from Boston to Sea-ward to which all the Vessells come in usually and passe To this end the honoured Mr. John Winthrope with some 8. or 10. persons of noâ—e tooke boate and arrived on the said Island in a warme Sun shineday just at the breaking up of Winter as they deemed but being they were sulden surprised with a cold North-west storme which is the sharpest winde in this Country freezing very vehemently for a day and a night that they could not get off the Island but were forced to lodge there and lie in a heape one upon another on the ground to keepe themselves from freezing This yeare 1634. the much honoured Thomas Dudly Esquire was chosen Governor and Mr. Roger Ludlow Deputy Governor the Freemen added to this little Common-wealth this year were about two hundred and foure about this time a sincere servant of Christ Mr. Stone was added to the Chureh of Christ at New-towne as a meet helpe to instruct the People of Christ there with the above named Mr. Hooker and as he hath hetherto bin through the blessing of God an able instrument in his hands to further the worke So let him be incourraged with the Word of the Lord in the spirit of his might to go on THou well smoth'd Stone Christs Work-manship to be In 's Church new laid his weake ones to support With 's word of might his foes are foild by thee Thou daily dost to godlinesse exhort The Lordly Prelates people do deny Christs Kingly power Hosanna to proclaime Mens mouths are stopt but Stone poore dust doth try Throughout his Churches none but Christ must raignt Mourne not Oh Man thy youth and learning 's spent In desart Land my Muse is bold to say For glorious workes Christ his hath hither sent Like that great worke of Resurrection day CHAP. XX IX Of the Lords remarkable providence toward his indeared servants M. Norton and Mr. Shepherd NOw my loving Reader let mee lead thee by the hand to our Native Land although it was not intended to speake in particulars of any of these peoples departure from thence purposing a generall relation should serve the turne yet come with mee and behold the wonderous worke of Christ in preserving two of his most valiant Sou'diers namely Mr. John Norton and that soule ravishing Minister Mr. Thomas Shepheard who came this yeare to Yarmouth to ship themselves for New England where the people of God resorted privately unto them to hear them Preach during the time of their aboade the Enemies of Christs Kingdome were not wanting to use all meanes possible to intrap them in which perilous condition they remained about two months waiting for the Ships readinesse in which time some persons eagerly hunting for Mr. Thomas Shepheard began to plot for apprehending of him with a Boy of sixteene or seventeene yeares of Age who lived in the House where hee Lodged to open the doore for them at a certaine houre in the night But the Lord Christ who is the Shepheard of Israel kept a most sure watch over his indeared servants for thus it befell the sweet words of grace falling from the of lips of this Reverend and godly Mr. Thomas Shepheard in the hearing of the Boy the Lords working withall hee was perswaded this was an holy man of God and therefore with many troubled thoughts began to relate his former practise although hee had a great some of money promised him onely to let them in at the houre and time appointed but the Boy the more neere the time came grew more pensive and sad insomuch that his Master taking notice thereof began to question him about the cause of his heavinesse who being unwilling to reveale the matter held of from confessing a long time till by urgent and insinuating search of his godly Master with teares hee tells that on such a night hee had agreed to let in Men to apprehend the godly Preacher The good Man of the house forthwith gave notice thereof unto them who with the helpe of some well-affected persons was convay'd away by boate through a back Lane the men at the time appointed came to the house where finding not the doore open when they lifted up the Latch as they expected they thrust their staves under it to lift it from the hookes but being followed by some persons whom the good man of the house had appointed for that end yet were they boulstred out in this their wicked act by those who set them one worke Notwithstanding they were greatly ashamed when they mist of their end But the Lord Christ intending to make his New England Souldiers the very wounder of this Age brought them into greater straites that this Wonder Working Providence might the more appeare in their deliverance for comming a shipboard and hoiseing saile to accomplish their
worthy worke begun Art thou back-bore Christ will send more and raise instead thy son His Fathers gon young Richard on here valiantly doth War For Christ his truth to their great Ruth Heathens opposers are To study thou thy mind dost how and daily good promote Saltingstall why then dost thou fly let all Gods people note That thou wilt stand in thy own Land Christ there theÌ„ strengthen thee With grace thee heate that thy retreate may for his glory be At ending day he thee array with Glory will not faile Breaking graves bands with his strong hands and free dust from death's goale Among these Troopes of Christs Souldiers came at this time the godly servant of Christ Mr. Roger Harlackenden a young Gentleman valiant in Faith and appointed by Christ to assist his people in this Desart he was chose to the Office of a Magistrate as also to be a choise Leader of their Military Forces which as yet were but in a strange posture And therefore till the yeare 1644. at which time the Countrey wis really placed in a posture of War to be in a readinesse at all times there shall not be any thing spoken concerning their Military Discipline the continuance of this Souldier of Christ was but short the Lord taking him to rest with himselfe HArlackenden among these men of nose Christ hath thie seated In warlike way Christ thee aray with zeal and love well he ated As generall belov'd of all Christ Souldiers honour thee In thy young yeares courage appeares and kinde benignity Short are thy days speÌ„t to his praise whose Church work thou must aid His work shall bide silver tride but thine by death is staid The number of Ministers that came over this yeare was about eleaven and many other like faithfull servants of Christ among whom arrived those two Reverend and laborious servants of his Mr. Norton and Mr. Shepheard of whose narrow escape you have heard the last yeare Mr. Norton was called to the Office of a Teaching Elder at the Towne of Ipswich to the Church of Christ there where Mr. Warde as yet remained in Office Also the learned labours of this Souldier of Christ are obvious to our Countreymen hee Preaching there the blessing of God hath not onely built up many in the Knowledge of Christ but also been the meanes of converting diverse soules turning them from the power of Satan to Faith in Christ whom the Lord long continue you shall further hear of Christs gratious assisting of him in the first and last Synod holden here at Cambridge and in the meane time let no man be offended that the Author quickens up his own dull effections in telling how largely the Lord hath bestowed his Graces upon these Instruments of his although sinfull dust and ashes THou Noble Norton who art honoured by Thy Christ with learned Arguments doth fill Thy mouth with might new errors to destroy And force deceivers silently to yeild Weake dust waite on thy Christ for further strength Who doth his Davids make as Angels bright To trample down his enemies at length All breake or bow unto his Kingdomes might Illettered Men and Women that doe love Preheminence condemne thy learned skill But Christ hath given his blessing from above Vnto thy workes the World with light to fill Christs faithfull servants met in Synod take Thee for their Pen-men Scriptures light to cleere With Scripture shew what Government Christ gave To 's Churches till himselfe againe appeare Here my indeared Reader I must mind thee of the industrious servant of Christ Mr. John Wilson who this yeare landed the third time upon this American shore from his Native Country where now againe by the Divine Providence of Christ hee narrowly escaped the Hunters hands being cloathed in a Country-mans habit passing from places to place declared to the people of God what great Workes Christ had already done for his people in New England which made many Christian soules long to see these admirable Acts of Christ although it were not to be injoyed but by passing through an Ocean of troubles Voyaging night and day upon the great deep which this zealous servant of Christ had now five times passed over at this time came over the Sage grave reverend and faithfull servant of Christ M. Richard Mather indued by the Lord with many Heavenly gifts of a plaine and upright spirit apt to teach full of gratious expressions and Resolvedly bent to follow the truth as it is in Jesus hee was anon after his comming called to Office in the Church of Christ at the Towne of Dorchester to assist in the Worke of the Lord with Mr. Marareck whose worke not long after was ended by death leaving Mr. Mather alone to continue the same WIth cheerfull face Mather doth toile indure In wildernesse spending the prime of 's age To build Christs Churches and soules health procure In battell thou dost deepe thy selfe ingage Marvell not Man that Mather through an host Of enemies doth breake and fighting stands It 's Christ him keepes of him is all his boast Who power gives to do and then commands With gratious speech thy Masters Message thou Declarest to all and all wouldst have submit That to his Kingdome every knee might bow But those resisthis sword shall surely hit Till age doth crown thy head with hoary hairs Well hast thou warr'd till Mathers young againe Thy son in fight his Fathers strength repairs Father and Son beate down Christs foes amaine CHAP. XXXIII Of the beginning of the Churches of Christ to be planted at Canectico and first of the Church of Christ removall to Hartford 1635. THis yeare the servants of Christ who peopled the Towne of Cambridge were put upon thoughts of removing hearing of a very fertill place upon the River of Canectico low Land and well stored with Meddow which is greatly in esteeme with the people of New England by reason the Winters are very long This people seeing that Tillage went but little on Resolved to remove and breed up store of Cattell which were then at eight and twenty pound a Cow or neare upon but assuredly the Lord intended far greater matters than man purposes but God disposes these men having their hearts gone from the Lord on which they were seated soone tooke dislike at every little matter the Plowable plaines were too dry and sandy for them and the Rocky places although more fruitfull yet to eate their bread with toile of hand and how they deemed it unsupportable And therefore they onely waited now for a people of stronger Faith than themselves were to purchase their Houses and Land which in conceipt they could no longer live upon and accordingly they met with Chapmen a people new come who having â—â—â—ught their possessions they highed them away to their new Pâ—aâ—tâ—tion With whom went the Grave and Reverend servant of Christ Mr. Hooker and Mr. Stone for indeed the whole Church removed as also the much honoured Mr. Haynes divers other men of
note for the place being out of the Mattacusets Patten they erected another Government called by the Indian name Canectico being farther incouraged by two honourable personages the Lord Say and Lord Brookes who built a Forrest at the mouth of the River and called it Say-brook Forrest passing up the River they began to build a Towne which they called Hartford where this Church of Christ sat down their station there went to these parts also the Reverend Mr. Wareham and divers from the Towne of Dorchester The place of setling themselves and erecting a Towne was far upon the River the part next the Sea being very Rocky but on the banke of this River they planted the good Towne of Hartford and established civill Government of their gathering into a Church you have formerly heard Onely here minde the gratious servant of Christ Mr. Wareham whose long labours in this worke are exprest WIth length of dayes Christ crowned hath thy head In Wildernesse to mannage his great War 'Gainst Antichrist by strength of him art lead With steady hand to sling thy stone from far That groveling in his gore may lie smit downe This mighty Monster that the Earth hath taken With 's poysons sweet in cup of Gold drunke down Dead drunke those lie whom Christ doth not awaken But Wareham thou by him art sent to save With 's word of truth Christ to their soules apply That deadly sin hath laid in rotting Grave Dead live in Christ here and Eternally CHAP. XXXIV Of Cambridge second Church being the 11. of Christ gathered in the Mattacusets and of further supply for Salem Church THese people and Church of Christ being thus departed from New-towne the godly people who came in their roomes gathered the eleaventh Church of Christ and called to the Office of a Pastor that gratious sweete Heavenly minded and soule-ravishing Minister Mr. Thomas Shepheard in whose soule the Lord shed abroad his love so abundantly that thousands of souls have cause to blesse God for him even at this very day who are the Seale of his Ministrey and hee a man of a thousand indued with abundance of true saving knowledge for himselfe and others yet his naturall Parts were weake but spent to the full as solloweth NO loungr Hawke poore Patridge to devoure More eager is then Prelates Nimrod power Thomas to hunt my Shephard sweet pursue To seas brinke but Christ saves his soule for you Sending thee Shepheard safe through Seas awaie To feede his stock unto thy ending day Where sheepe seek Wolves thy bosome lambs would catch But night and day thou ceasest not to watch And Warne with teares thy flock of cheaters vile Who in sheepes cloathing would the weak beguile With dropping dewes from thy lips Christ hath made Thy hearers eyes oft water springing blade With pierced hearts they cry aloud and say Shew us sweet Shepheard our salvations way Thy lovely speech such ravishment doth bring Christ gives thee power to heale as well as sting Thou gates sets ope for Christ thy King to enter In hearts of many spirits joy to center But mourne my Muse hang downe thy head with woe With teares sighs sobs lament thy Shepheard so Why hee 's in Heaven but I one Earth am left More Earthly ' cause of him I am bereft Oh Christ why dost thou Shepheard take away In erring times when sheepe most apt to stray The many Souldiers and Officers of Christ that came over this yeare moved some wonder in the mindes of those whom he had beene pleased to give a great measure of discerning yet here they fell abundantly short deeming almost an impossibility of improving their Talents in this Wildernesse the Indian-people being uncapable of understanding their Language the English congregations that were already set downe being fully furnished with Teaching Elders and that which was most strange they were perswaded they should meet with no enemies to oppose them as if Christ would lead them forth into the Field in vaine But Christ Iesus having the hearts of all Men opened before him soon shewed them their worke and withall made roome for them to set downe I and many more beside yea and beyond expectation made this poore barren Wildernesse become a fruitfull Land unto them that waited on him for the accomplâ—shing thereof feeding them with the flower of Wheat as in its time and place God willing shall be shewed although it pleased him this yeare to visit them and try them againe with a great scarcity of Bread by reason of the multitude that came brought somewhat shorter Provisions then ordinary which caused them to be in some straites But their Lord Christ gives cut a Word of command to those who occupy their businesse in the great deepe to furnish from Ireland some Ships laden with food for his people Also hee commands the Winds and the Seas to beare up these Ships and blow them forth on their way till they arrive among his people in New England whose appetities were now sharpe-set for Bread One poore man among others deeming hee had found out some forsaken Barnes of the Indians whose manner it to lay up their Corne in the Earth lighteh one a grave where finding bones of the dead instead of Corne hee was taken with feare of this as a sad omen that hee should then die for want of food but in this hee proved no true Prophet for the Lord was pleased to bring in seasonable supply and the man is living at this very day This yeere came over the Famous servant of Christ M. Hugh Peters whose courage was not inferiour to any of these transported servants of Christ but because his native Soile hath had the greatest share of his labours the lesse will be said of him here hee was called to Office by the Church of Christ at Salem their former Pastor the Reverend M. Higging son having cnded his labours resting with the Lord. WIth courage bold Peters a Souldier stout In Wildernesse for Christ begins to war Much worke he finds mongst people yet hold out With fluent tongue he stops phantastickjar Swife Torrent stayes of liberties large vent Through crooked wayes of error daily flowing Shiloes soft streames to bath in would all bent Should he while they in Christian freedome growing But back thou must thy Talents Christs will have Improved for him his glory is thy crowne And thou base dust till he thee honour gave It matters not though the world on thee do frown CHAP. XXXV Of the Twelfth Church of Christ gathered at Concord YEt further at this time entered the Field two more valiant Leaders of Christs Souldiers holy men of God Mr. Buckly and M. Jones penetrating further into this Wildernesse then any formerly had done with divers other servants of Christ they build an Inland Towne which they called Concord named from the occasion of the present time as you shall after heare this Towne is seated upon a faire fresh River whose Rivulets are filled with fresh Marsh and her streames
opportunity of further travell after they have thus found out a place of aboad they burrow themselves in the Earth for their first shelter under some Hill-side casting the Earth aloft upon Timber they make a smoaky fire against the Earth at the highest side and thus these poore servants of Christ provide shelter for themselves their Wives and little ones keeping off the short showers from their Lodgings but the long raines penetrate through to their great disturbance in the night season yet in these poore Wigwames they sing Psalmes pray and praise their God till they can provide them houses which ordinarily was not wont to be with many till the Earth by the Lorde blessing brought forth Bread to feed them their Wives and little ones which with sore labours they attaine every one that can lift a hawe to strike it into the Earth standing stoutly to their labours and teare up the Rootes and Bushes which the first yeare beares them a very thin crop till the soard of the Earth be rotten and therefore they have been forced to cut their bread very thin for a long season But the Lord is pleased to provide for them great store of Fish in the spring time and especially Alewives about the bignesse of a Herring many thousands of these they used to put under their Indian Corne which they plant in Hills five foote asunder and assuredly when the Lord created this Corne hee had a speciall eye to supply these his peoples wants with it for ordinarily five or six graines doth produce six hundred As for flesh they looked not for any in those times although now they have plenty unlesse they could barter with the Indians for Venison or Rockoons whose flesh is not much inferiour unto Lambe the toile of a new Plantation being like the labours of Hercules never at an end yet are none so barbarously bene under the Mattacusets especially but with a new Plantation they ordinarily gather into Church-fellowship so that Pastorâ— and people suffer the inconveniences together which is a great meanes to season the sore labours they undergoe and verily the edge of their appetite was greater to spirituall duties at their first comming in time of wants than afterward many in new Plantations have been forced to go barefoot and bareleg till these latter dayes and some in time of Frost and Snow Yet were they then very healthy more then now they are in this Wildernesse-worke men of Estates speed no better than others and some much worse for want of being inured to such hard labour having laid out their estate upon cattell at five and twenty pound a Cow when they came to winter them with in-land Hay and seed upon such wild Fother as was never cut before they could not hold out the Winter but ordinarily the first or second yeare after their comming up to a new Plantation many of their Cattell died especially if they wanted Salt-marshes and also those who supposed they should feed upon Swines flesh were cut short the Wolves commonly feasting themselves before them who never leave neither flesh nor bones if they be not seared away before they have made an end of their meale as for those who laid out their Estate upon Sheepe they speed worst of any at the beginning although some have sped the best of any now for untill the Land be often fed with other Cattell Sheepe cannot live And therefore they never thrived till these latter dayes Horse had then no better successe which made many an honest Gentleman travell a foot for a long time and some have even perished with extreame heate in their travells as also the want of English graine Wheate Barly and Rie proved a sore affliction to some stomacks who could not live upon Indian Bread and water yet were they compelled to it till Cattell increased and the Plowes could but goe instead of Apples and Peares they had Pomkins and Squashes of divers kinds their lonesome condition was very grievous to some which was much aggravated by continuall feare of the Indians approach whose cruelties were much spoken of and more especially during the time of the Peqot wars Thus this poore people populate this howling Desart marching manfully on the Lord assisting through the greatest difficulties and sorest labours that ever any with such weak means have done CHAP. XXXVII Of the Thirteenth Church of Christ gathered at Hingham 1636. AT this time also came to shore the servant of Christ Master Peter Hubbord whom the Lord was pleased to make use of for feeding his people in this Wildernesse being called to Office by the Church of Christ at the Town of Hingham which is scituate upon the Sea coasts South-east of Charles River being a place nothing inferiour to their Neighbours for scituation and the people have much profited themselves by transporting Timber Planke and Mast for Shipping to the Town of Boston as also Ceder and Pine-board to supply the wants of other Townes and also to remote parts even as far as Barbadoes They want not for Fish for themselves and others also This Towne consisted of about sixty Families the forme is somewhat intricate to describe by reason of the Seas wasting crookes where it beates upon a mouldering shore yet have they compleat streetes in some places the people joyned in Church covenant in this place were much about an hundred soules but have been lessened by a sad unbrotherly contention which fell out among them wasting them every way continued already for seven yeares space to the great griefe of all other Churches who held out the right hand of fellowship unto them in Brotherly communion which may the Lord helping demonstate to all the true Churches of Christ the World throughout although they be distanced by place or Nation yet ought they never to take up such an Independent way as to reject the advise and counsell of each other for although the Lord Christ have compleated his commission in giving full power to every particular Church to exercise all his Ordinances in and toward their owne body yet hath the Lord so dispensed his gifts that when the one want the other shall abound both in spirituall and temporall that by giving and receiving mutuall love may be maintained the intire truthes of Christ continued the Churches of Christ supported superiority of any may be avoided and all such as raise discord among Brethren may be retarded the downfall of Antichrist and restauration of that antient people of the Lord furthered through the Unity of Christs Churches the World throughout this Church I hope will give signall to others the Lord assisting that they split not upon the Rock Of their Pastors I shall say no more but this at present OH Hubbard why do'st leave thy native soile Is 't not to war ' mongst Christ's true worthies here What wilt give out thou 'lt loose thy former toile And starve Christs flock which he hath purchast deare What would's thou have speake plaine truth bides the
in the Field of the enemies of Christs people in point of-Reformation ANd now to follow our first simile of a Souldier the Lord Christ having safely landed many a valiant Souldier of his on these Westerne shores drawes hither also the common enemies to Reformation both in Doctrine and Discipline But it was for like end as the Lord sometime drew Sisera the Captaine of Jabins army to the River Kishon for their destruction onely herein was a wide difference there Sisera was delivered into the hands of a Woman and here Sisera was a woman their weapons and warre was carnall these spirituall there Jabin was but a man here Jabin was the common enemy of mans salvation In the yeare 1636. the Angels of the severall Churches of Christ in N. England sounding forth their silver Trumpets heard ever and anon the jarring sound of ratling Drums in their eares striking up an alarum to the battell it being a frequent thing publikely to oppose the pure and perfect truths of Christ delivered by the mouth of his Ministers and that by way of question as the Pharises Sadduces and Herodians did Christ But to bring this disorderly worke of theirs into some order for assuredly could the Author come up to relate the full of the matter in hand it would through the mercy of Christ make much for the good of Gods people the World throughout and helpe to discover the last I hope but most subtile practises of Satan to hinder the Restauration of the purity of Christs Ordinances in his Churches in all places As also used by him and his instruments to divert the hands of those to whom it belongs from pulling downe Antichrist to which end he stirreth up some of his instruments well educated in the Masking schoole of Hippocrisy to take upon them this long Voyage giving them in charge by all meanes to carry it more close then his Jesuites had done and for their paines they should have the honours to be counted such as were of a sharper fight and deeper discerning then any others Satan knowing right well that at the fall of Antichrist hee must be chained up for a thousand years strives with all the wicked craft his long experienced maliciousnesse could possibly invent to uphold the same having already perswaded many that his Kingdome was wholy ruinated with our English Nation and so diswaded them a long time from further prosecuting against him But Antichrists Kingdome as it plainly appeares by Scripture consists chiefly in two parts his deceaveible Doctrines and his Kingly power The first of these being in measure abolished the latter was still retained by the Prelacy and some Lording Presbytery in greater or lesser measure as they could attaine unto it Now Satan who is daily walking to and fro compassing the Earth seeing how these resolved Souldiers of Christ in New England with indefatigable paines laboured not onely the finall ruine of Antichrist in both but also the advance of Christs Kingdome in seting up daily Churches according to his first institution Wherefore he sets upon a new way to stop if it were possible this worke of Reformation and seeing no other way will serve he stirs up instruments to cry down Antichrist as much as the most I and more too but by this project they should leade people as much out of the way on the other hand and in the Doctrinall part of Antichrists Kingdome fall to more horrid Blasphemies then the Papist as God willing you shall heare some of them did namely the Gortenist who most blasphemously professe themselves to be personally the Christ and as for the other part of his Kingdome namely the power or Dominion of the beast this they should with all violence batter downe also but it must be none other then to make way for their owne exaltation and pay them their wages in the former page promised them as also withall to overthow the authority Christ hath ordained to be continued in his Churches in and under him and furthermore to lock up the Sword of Civill Government for ever especially in matters that concerne the foure first Commands of God a cunning way to save the beasts head whole You have now heard of the intention you shall now see their actions The Lord Christ in his boundlesse mercy give all his people eyes to see and hearts to believe that after they have in measure escaped the filthy pollutions of the beast they may not againe be intangled with these damnabled Doctrines stealing away their hearts by degrees under a seeming shew of pulling down Antichrist The Embassadors of Christ Jesus having full liberty to deliver their masters minde Preach unto all the Doctrine of Free grace beseeching them to be reconciled unto God in Christ and that the revealed will of God is that all should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth and that God hath given his onely begotten Son That whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting Life Yet withall minding them that Faith is the gift of God and none can come unto Christ but such as the Father drawes and withall that the whole will not see any need of the Phisicians but the sick adding also that none can come to the sight of his sicknesse or dead condition but by the Law of God unlesse they be quicker sighted then the Apostle They indevour also to build up others in their holy Faith that they might come to see the Love of God in Christ which passeth knowledge and to this end they shew them the fruits of Faith which worketh by love and that love will be obedient to all the commands of Christ who saith if you love me keepe my Commandements And further that Faith purifies the heart and that a constant supply must be had from Christ With these and the like sound and wholsome truths the Ministers of Christ feeds their severall flocks in New England drawing their Doctrines plainly from their Text and substantially backing them with store of Scripture and undeniable reason and then delivering to every Man his portion But this good old way would not serve the turne with certaine Sectaries that were hither come who like cunning Sophisters seeing the bent of the peoples hearts after so many mercies received was to magnifie the rich Grace of God in Christ they began to tell the people yet very privately that the most if not all the Ministers among them Preached a Covenant of workes either course or fine and with a what doe you say to this They begin to spread their Errors and Herefies laying the foundation of them as nere the truth as possible they can the easier to deceive but in the prosecution to be sure they ran far enough from it but to begin First they quarrell with the Doctrine of Faith in Christ and say a Soule is justified without it CHAP. XL. Of the cunning policy of Satan in that machevillian Principle divide and overcome and of the two first dividing
live and as for her part shee had attained it already a company of legall Professors quoth she lie poring on the Law which Christ hath abolished and when you breake it then you breake your joy and now no way will serve your turne but a deepe sorrow These and divers other expressions intimate unto men that here I shall finde little increase in the Graces of Christ through the hearing of his word Preached and other of his blessed Ordinances Oh cunning Devill the Lord Christ rebuke thee that under pretence of a free and ample Gospell shuts out the Soule from partaking with the Divine Nature of Christ in that mysticall Union of his Blessed Spirit creating and continuing his Graces in the Soule my deare Christ it was thy worke that moved me hither to come hoping to finde thy powerfull presence in the Preaching of the Word although administred by sorry men subject to like infirmities with others of Gods people and also by the glasse of the Law to have my sinfull corrupt nature discovered daily more and more and my utter inabillity of any thing that is good magnifying hereby the free grace of Christ who of his good will and pleasure worketh in us to will and to doe working all our works in us and for us But here they tell me of a naked Christ what is the whole life of a Christian upon this Earth But through the power of Christ to die to sinne and live to holinesse and righteousnesse and for that end to be diligent in the use of meanes at the uttering of this word he starts up from the greene bed of his complaint with resolution to hear some one of these able Ministers Preach whom report had so valued before his will should make choyce of any one principle though of crossing the broade Seas back againe then turning his face to the Sun he steered his course toward the next Town and after some small travel â—â—ee came to a large plaine no sooner was hee entred thereon but hearing the found of a Drum he was directed toward it by a broade bâ—aten way following this rode he demands of the next man he met what the signall of the Drum ment the reply was made they had as yet no Bell to call men to meeting and therefore made use of a Drum who is it quoth hee Lectures at this Towne The other replies I see you are a stranger new come over seeing you know not the man it is one Mr. Shepheard verily quoth the other you hit the right I am new come over indeed and have been told since I came most of your Ministers are legall Preachers onely if I mistake not they told me this man Preached a finer covenant of workes then the other but however I shall make what hast I can to heare him Fare you well then hasting thither hee croudeth through the thickest where having stayed while the glasse was turned up twice the man was metamorphosed and was faine to hang down the head often least his watry eyes should blab abroad the secret conjunction of his affections his heart crying loud to the Lords ecchoing answer to his blessed spirit that caused the Speech of a poore weake pale complectioned man to take such impression in his soule at present by applying the word so aptly as if hee had beene his Privy Counseller cleering Christs worke of grace in the soule from all those false Doctrines which the erronious party had afrighted him withall and now he resolves the Lord willing to live and die with the Ministers of New England whom hee now saw the Lord had not onely made zealous to stand for the truth of his Discipline but also of the Doctrine and not to give ground one inch CHAP. XLIIII The Congregationall Churches of Christ are neither favourers of sinfull opinions nor the Lords over any or many Churches or mens Consciences ANd here Christian Reader the Author according to his former practice must minde thee of the admirable providence of Christ toward his New England Churches in preserving them from these erronious spirits that have hitherto in all places dog'd the sincere servants of Christ when ever they have set upon a through Reformation as stories doe abundantly testify which thing the reverend Calvine and divers others have declared But seeing the boasting Prelates in these times are ready to say their Lordly power kept these errours under its plaine otherwise for Satan saw while people were under their yoake of humane inventions they were far enough from exalting the Kingdome of Christ And therefore he reserved these errours for his last shifts and further you shall see in the following story that the Lord Christ reserved this honour for those whose love hee had inlarged to follow him in a dezart wildernesse even with the sharpe sword of the Word timely to cut off the heads of this Hidra but yet there are two sorts of persons in our Native Country whom the Elders and Brethren here do highly honour in Christ and prefer before themselves namely the godly Prebyterian party and the Congregationall sincere servants of Christ both which the Author could wish that with bowells of compassion sweet simpathising affection of Brethren knit together in that transcendent love of Christ which couples all his distanced flockes together they would seriously ponder this History which through the Authors weakenesse wants much of measure but nothing of the truth of things so far as a shallow capacity can reach Of the first sort named I could wish the Reverend Mr. Ruterford Mr. Bayle Mr. Rathbone Mr. Paget Mr. Ball c. would but informe themselves further by the truth of this History supposing they cannot chuse but in a good measure be satisfied already with the pacificatory and meeke answers of as many Reverend and godly Elders of ours Now that I would they should take notice of is that the Churches of Christ in New England and their Officers have hitherto been so far from imbracing the erronious Doctrines of these times that through the powers of Christ they have valiantly defended the truth and cut down all deceiveable Doctrine the like hath not been done for many ages heretofore Reverend and beloved in Christ could your eyes but behold the efficacy of loving counsell in the Communion of congregationall Churches and the reverend respect honour and love given to all Teaching Elders charity commands me to thinke you would never stand for Classicall injunctions any more neither Diocesan nor Provinciall authority can possible reach so far as this royall Law of love in communion of Churches verily its more universall then the Papall power and assuredly the dayes are at hand wherein both Jew and Gentile Churches shall exercise this old Modell of Church Government and send their Church salutations and admonitions from one end of the World unto another when the Kingdomes of the Earth are become our Lord Christs Then shall the exhortation of one Church to another prevaile more to Reformation then
opinions upheld by the civill government must be sure to make choise of the most Atheisticall persons they can finde to governe such as are right Gallios for N. E. hath found by experience that every man will most favour his own way of Profession and labor tooth naile to maintaine it and if any have complied with other that have been of a contrary sinfull opinion to their own it hath been because they would have their own scape scot free but assuredly the Lord Christ will allow of no such wayes for the favouring the professors of his truths nor may any Magistrate doe evill that good may come of it in favouring dangerous and deceiveable doctrines that others may favour the true servants of Christ neither is there any such need for it is their honours if the will of God be so to suffer nor can the people of N. England I meane the better part be perswaded to set up any other to governe but such as are zealous for the maintainance of the truths of Christ yet of late there is a buzzing noise as if it were injury to the Churches for civill power to medle in matters of Religion but to be sure there are many that strive for a Toleration yet the people of Christ who are the naturall Mothers of this Government resolve never to see their living child so divided looking at such a government to be no better to them a living child divided in twaine and therefore desires their loving Countrymen to beare with them in this point and if any notwithstanding shall force it to be so we shall shew our natural affection and leave all to them chusing rather to dwell on the backside of this Desert a place as yet unaccessible knowing assuredly our God will appeare for our deliverance Yet let them also know the Souldiers of Christ in N E. are not of such a pusillanimous spirit but resolve as that valiant Jeptha did to keep in possession the Towns his God had given them so we are resolved the Lord willing to keepe the government our God hath given us and for witnesse hee hath so done let this History manifest for we chose not the place for the Land but for the government that our Lord Christ might raigne over us both in Churches and Common-wealth and although the Lord have been pleased by an extraordinary blessing upon his peoples industry to make the place fruitfull as at this day indeed it is yet all may know the land in it selfe is very sterrill but the upholding of the truths of Christ is chiefe cause why many have hitherto come and further if the servants of Christ be not much mistaken the downfall of Antichrist is at hand and then the Kingdome of the Earth shall become the Kingdome of our Lord Christ in a more peculiar manner then now they are and surely godly civill government shall have a great share in that worke for they are exhorted to fill her double of the Cup shee hath given to them and also know our Magistrates being conscious of ruling for Christ dare not admit of any bastardly brood to be nurst up upon their tender knees neither will any Christian of a sound judgement vote for any but such as earnesty contend for the Faith although the increase of Trade and traffique may be a great inducement to some VVonder-working PROVIDENCE OF SIONS SAVIOVR IN NEVV ENGLAND CHAP. I. The beginning of the relation of the Pequot war and the great straites these wandering Jacobites were in THe great Jehovah minding to manifest the multitude of his Mercies to the wendering Jacobites and make an introduction to his following wonders causeth the darke clouds of calamities to gather about them presâ—ging some terrible tempest to follow with eyes full of anguish they face to the right upon the damnable Doctrines as so many dreadfull Engines set by Satan to intrap their poore soules Then casting forth a left hand looke the labour and wants accompaning a Desert and terrible Wildernesse affright them their memories minding them of their former plenty It much aggravated the present misery when with thoughts of retreating they turne their backs about the experienced incumbrances and deepe distresses of a dangerous Ocean hinders their thoughts of flight besides the sterne looke of the Lordly Prelates which would give them a welcome home in a famishing prison Then purposing to put on more stronger resolution facing to the Front behold a Messenger with sorrowfull tidings from their fellow brethren that inhabited the bankes of the River Canectico who having audience informes them of the great insolency and cruell murthers committed by a barbarous and bloudy people called Peaquods upon the bodies of their indeared friends these savage Indians lying to the South-west of the Mattacusets were more warlike then their Neighbouring Nations the Narrowganzet or Niantick Indians although they exceeded them in number also Mawhiggins who were the best friends of the English and a chiefe instrumentall meanes of their sitting down there stood much in feare of these Peaquods which were big swollen with pride at this time facing the English Fort built on the mouth of the River in their large Cannowes with their Bowes and long Shafts the English being then but weake in number and provision were unable to manage the war against so numerous a company being above thirty to one yet their desires being beyond their meanes they made some shot at them forcing them to hast away faster then they willingly would These Indians trusting in their great Troopes having feasted their corps in a ravening manner and leaving their fragments for their Sqawes they sound an alarum with a sull mouth and lumbring voyce and soone gather together without presse or pay their quarrell being as antient as Adams time propagated from that old enmity betweene the Seede of the Woman and the Seed of the Serpent who was the grand signor of this war in hand and would very gladly have given them a large Commission had not his owne power beene limited neither could he animate them so much as to take off the gastly looke of that King of terror yet however at his command they arme themselves casting their quâ—ver at their backs with Bowes ready bent they troope up some of them being extraordinarily armed with Guns which they purchast from the Dutch who had assuredly paid deare for this their courteous humour not long since had not some English Volunteers rescued them from the Indians hands the most of them were armed also with a small Hatchet on a long handle they had a small number of Mawhawkes Hammers which are made of stone having a long pike on the one side and a hole in the handle which they tie about their wrists they neede not provisions follow their Camp because they are continually at home but for their mats to shelter them from Ruine or Snow the Woods are as wellcome to them as their Wigwams sire they can make in all places by chafing
two sticks together Their food is ready drest at all times parching Indian Come in their fire they pound it to meale and with foure or five spoonfull of it cast into their mouths and a sup or two of water which they take up with a leafe of a Tree this is their common repast and indeed their chiefe viaticum Thus furnisht for the war they troope away without any goodly equâ—page to effect as they suppose some great designe but within some few Miles of the Towne of Hartford they were discovered by one of the English who having with him a good Horse hastens away to give intelligence of their approach and by the way meeting with foure or five persons hee advises them to haste away with all speed for the Peaquods were at hand the weaker Seâ— among them being at this time not so credulous as they should have been began to dispute the case with him demanding what Peaquods they were and questioning how they should come there The horseman deeming it now no time for words when the battell followed him so hard at the heeles rod on his way and soone after the sudden approach of the Indians forced them with feare to Seale to the truth of this evill tidings and some of them with their dearest bloud three Woemen-kinde they caught and carried away but one of them being more fearfull of their cruell usage afterward then of the losse of heâ— life at present being borne away to the thickest of the company resisted so stoutly with scratching and biting that the Indian exasperated therewith cast her downe on the Earth and beate out her braines with his Hatchet the other two maids they led away and returned their Commission reaching no farther at present having taken these two prisoners they did not offer to abuse their persons as was verily deemed they would questioned them with such broken English as some of them could speak to know whether they could make Gunpowder Which when they understood they could not doe their prize proved nothing so pretious a Pearle in their eyes as before for seeing they exceeded not their own Squawes in Art their owne thoughts informed them they would fall abundantly short in industry and as for beauty they esteeme black beyond any colour Wherefore their Sqawes use that sinfull art of painting their Faces in the hollow of their Eyes and Nose with a shining black out of which their tip of their Nose appeares very deformed and their cheeke bone being of a lighter swart black on which they have a blew crosse died very deepe This is the beauty esteemed by them but yet their pride was much increased by this hostile Act of theirs and the English were more and more contemned of them notwithstanding the Dutch who traded with these Indians procured the Maides liberty againe CHAP. II. Of the couragious resolutions the Lord indued these his People withall being invironed with many deepe distresses AFter this Message delivered these brood of Travilers being almost Non-plus't in their grave and sollid Counsells deem it now high time to follow their old way of making their complaint to the supreame judge of all the World by way of Petition who they knew right well stood not as an idle spectator beholding his peoples Ruth and their Enemies rage But as an Actor in all actions to bring to naught the desires of the wicked but period to their power divert their stroaks from his to their own heads bring glory to his Name and good to his people from their most wicked malignity having also the ordering of every weapon in its first produce guiding every shaft that flies leading each bullet to his place of setling and Weapon to the wound it makes yet he most righteous and holy in all his actions to this great Lord Peramount had these poore afflicted people accesse through the intercession of their Lord Christ whose worke though very weake to performe they were now about wherefore casting themselves down at his feet in the sense of their owne unworthinesse that desire him to doe his owne worke in them and for them that the Mountaines in the way of Zerubbabil may become a plaine and then laying open the great straites they were in to him who knew them far better then themselves they had this answer returned them which if men dare deny the Lord from Heaven hath and shall further witnesse it But before it be declared let all men lay downe their interest they suppose they may have in procuring it both English and others that the glory of our Lord Christ may appeare in its splendor to the danting of every proud heare and for the perpetuall incouragement of all the Souldiers of Christ even the meanest in his Armies for the day of his high Power is come yea his appointed time to have mercy upon Sion is at hand all you whose eyes of pity so see her in the dust streame down with pear like drops of compassion a little mixture of the unconceiveâ—ble joy for the glorious worke of Christ Now now I now in hand for the exalting of his glorious Kingdome in preparing his Churches for himselfe and with his own blessed hands wiping away the teares that trickel downe her cheekes drying her dankish eyes and hushing her sorrowfull sobs in his sweete bosome This rightly believed and meeting in the soule of any poore Christian will make the narrow affâ—ctions of his body too little to containe the present apprehensions of the Soule And therefore wanting a vacuum to containe the strength of this new Wine wonder not if it vent if it selfe with swift thrilling teares from the most tender part of the vessell And here the Author must needs intreate the charitable Reader to enlarge in the Closset of his own heart for his folly hee confesses in medling so meanly with such waighty matters being blinded by eager affection hee lost the fight of his great inability to the worke When hee first set Pen to Paper as the Lord surrounded his chosen Israel with dangers deepe to make his miraculous deliverance famous throughout and to the end of the World so here behold the Lord Christ having egged a small handfull of his people forth in a forlorne Wildernesse stripping them naked from all humane helps plunging them in a gulph of miseries that they may swim for their lives through the Ocean of his Mercies and land themselves safe in the armes of his compassion CHAP. III. Of the Lords great deliverance of his New England People from the flouds of Errors that were bursting in among them AS for the great Mountaine of proud erronious judgement on your right hand the prayer of Faith shall remove them and cast them into the depth of the Sea and for the strengthning of your faith herein because the Lord will have you depend on him in the use of his meanes not miracle hee hath purposely pitcht out for this very worke some of his most orthodox servants and chiefe Champions of his
obtained one victory they were very desirous of another and further they knew right-well till this cursed crew were utterly rooted out they should never be at peace therefore they marched on toward them Now assuredly had the Indians knowne how much weakned our Souldiers were at present they might have born them downe with their multitude they being very strong and agile of body had they come to handy-gripes but the Lord who would have his people know their work was his and he onely must order their Counsels and war like work for them did bring them timely supply from the vessels and also gave them a second victory wherein they slâ—ew many more of their enemies the residue flying into a very thick swamp being unaccessible by reason of the boggy holes of water and thick bushes the English drawing up their company beleagered the swamp and the Indians in the mean time skulking up and down and as they saw opportunity they made shot with their Arrowes at the English and then suddainly they would fall flat along in the water to defend themselves from the retalliation of the Souldiers Muskets This lasted not long for our English being but a small number had parted themselves far asunder but by the providence of the most high God some of them spyed an Indian with a kettle at his back going more inwardly into the swamp by which they perceived there was some place of firm land in the midst thereof which caused them to make way for the passage of their Souldiers which brought this warre to a period For although many got away yet were they no such considerable number as ever to raise warre any more the slaine or wounded of the English were through the mercy of Christ but a few One of them being shot through the body neere about the breast regarding it not till of a long time after which caused the bloud to dry and thicken on eitheir end of the arrow so that it could not be drawne forth his body without great difficulty and much paine yet did he scape his life and the wound healed Thus the Lord was pleased to assist his people in this warre and deliver them out of the Indians hands who were very lusty proper men of their hands most of them as may appear by one passage which I shall here relate thus it came to passe As the Souldiers were uppon their march close by a great thicket where no eye could penetrate farre as it often falls out in such wearisom wayes where neither men nor beast have beaten out a path some Souldiers lingering behinde their fellowes two Indians watching their opportunity much like a hungry hauke when they supposed the last man was come up who kept a double double double distance in his march they sudden and swiftly snatched him up in their tallens hoising him upon their shoulders ran into the swamp with him the Souldier unwilling to be made a Pope by being borne on mens shoulders strove with them all he could to free himselfe from their hands but like a carefull Commander one Captaine Davenport then Lieutenant of this company being diligent in his place to bring up the reare coming up with them followed with speed into the swamp after him having a very severe cutlace tyed to his wrist and being well able to make it bite sore when he set it on resolving to make it fall foul on the Indians bones he soone overtook them but was prevented by the buckler they held up from hitting them which was the man they had taken It was matter of much wonder to see with what dexterity they hurled the poore Souldier about as if they had been handling a Lacedaemonian shield so that the nimble Captaine Davenport could not of a long time fasten one stroke upon them yet at last dying their tawny skin into a crimson colour they cast downe their prey and hasted thorow the thickets for their lives The Souldier thus redeemed had no such hard usage but that he is alive as I suppose at this very day The Lord in mercy toward his poore Churches having thus destroyed these bloudy barbarous Indians he returnes his people in safety to their vessels where they take account of their prisoners the Squawes and some young youths they brought home with them and finding the men to be deeply guilty of the crimes they undertooke the warre for they brought away onely their heads as a token of their victory By this means the Lord strook a trembling terror into all the Indians round about even to this very day CHAP. VII Of the first Syrod holden in New England whereby the Lord in his mercy did more plainly discover his ancient truths and confute those cursed errors that ordinarily dogg the reforming Churches of CHRIST THe Lord Christ deeming it most expedient for his people to adde some farther help to assist them in cutting downe those cursed errors that were the next dangerous difficulty they were to meet with sends in the Reverend and bright shining light Mr. Davenport and the cheerfull grave and gracious Soldier of his Mr. Allen as also Mr. Thompson Mr. Browne Mr. Fish with divers other of the faithfull servants of Christ the much honoured Mr. Eaton and Mr. Hopkins and now the time being come the Synod sate at Cambridge where was present about 25. Reverend and godly Ministers of Christ besides many other graciously-eminent servants of his A Catalogue of the severall Errors scattered about the Countrey was there produced to the number of 80. and liberty given to any man to dispute pro or con and none to be charged to be of that opinion he disputed for unlesse he should declare himselfe so to be The Weapons these Souldiers of Christ warred with was the Sword of the Spirit even the Word of God together with earnest prayer to the God of all Truth that he would open his truths unto them The clearing of the true sense and meaning of any place of Scripture it was done by Scripture for they so discerned by the grace of God that was given them that the whole Scripture must be attended unto Foure sorts of persons I could with a good will have paid their passage out and home againe to England that they might have been present at this Synod so that they would have reported the truth of all the passages thereof to their own Colledges at their return The first is the Prelates who both in Theorie and Practice might have made their owne Eyes Judges in the case Whether would prevaile most to the suppressing of Error and advancing of Unity in the true worship of God either their commanding power backt with the subordinate sword of Princes or the Word of God cleered up by the faithfull labour and indefatigable pains of the sincere servants of the Lord Christ and mightily declared through the demonstration of his blessed Spirit This well waighed may through the Lords blessing stop the yet running fancie in the brains of many that
their Lordly power is the onely means of suppressing Error Secondly the Godly and Reverend Presbyterian Party who had they made their eye-witnesses of this worke they had assuredly saved themselves much labour which I dare presume they would have spent worthily otherwayes then in writing so many books to prove the Congregationall or Independant Churches to be the sluce through which so many flouds of Error flow in nay my deare and reverend brethren might not so much work of yours in writing and ours in answering have been a meanes to have stopt the height of this overflowing floud and through the Lords assisting have setled Peace and Truth in a great measure throughout the three Nations Thirdly those who with their new stratagems have brought in so much old error for although they had a party here yet verily they durst not bring their New Light to the Old Word for fear it would prove but Old Darknesse as indeed they doe But here might they have seene the Ministers of Christ who were so experienced in the Scripture that some of them could tell you the place both Chapter and Verse of most sentences of Scripture could be named unto them with Scriptures light cleering up the truths of Christ clouded by any of these Errors and Heresies as had not been done for many Ages before and verily this great work of Christ must not be lightly over-past the Author of this History passeth not for the shrewd censures of men nor can it be any matter of disparagement to the reverend and highly honoured in Christ remaining in England that their fellow brethren have done so worthily here it is well knowne to all our English Nation that the most able-preaching Ministers of Christ were most pursued by the lording Clergy and those that have spent all their dayes even from a child in searching the Scriptures the Lord Christ preparing them by his blessed spirit for this very work Besides their continued practice in studying and preaching the wayes of truth and lastly their meeting with the opposition of so many crafty close couched errors whose first foundation was laid cheke by joule with the most glorious heavenly and blessed truths to dazle the eyes of the beholders and strike terrour into the hearts of those should lift up their hands against them for feare they should misse them and hit their stroke upon the blessed truth and also to bring up a slanderous and evil report on all the able Orthodox Minâ—stâ—rs of Christ that withstand them perswading men they withstand the holy heavenly and blessed truth which they have lodged there which this Synod did with strong undenyable arguments fetch from Scripture to overthrow and pluck up by the roots all those Errors which you have heard mentioned in the former Book the which they divided for the more full answering of them Among all those valiant Champions of the Truth whom you have heard named to some six some five some foure c. it had assuredly been worth the work to have related the particular manner of putting to the sword every one of them but besides the length of the discourse there must have been a more able Pen-man but however they were so put to death that they never have stood up in a living manner among us since but sometimes like Wizards to peepe and mutter out of ground fit for such people to resort unto as will goe from the living to the dead But blessed be the Lord Christ who girded his people with strength against this day of battaile and caused the Heavens to cleere up againe in New-England after these foggy dayes The fourth and last sort of persons whose presence I could most of all the other three former have desired was those whose disease lay as chiefly in despising all Physitians and that upon this ground for one because some for filthy lucre sake have nourishâ— Diseases rather then cured them Many pamphlets have come from our Countreymen of late to this purpose namely scurrillously to deride all kind of Scholarship Presbytery and Synods Experience hath taught Gods people here that such are troubled with some sinfull opinion of their owne that they would not have touched but had they been at this Synod they must per force have learned better language or their speech and their knowledge would fall foule one of the other here might they have beheld the humility of the most learned of these servants of Christ condemning the high conceitednesse of their ignorance and then also the framing of Arguments in a Schollar like way did the Lord assisting cleare up the truths of Christ more to the meâ—nest capacity in one hour then could be clouded again in sâ—aven yeare by the new notion of any such as boast so much of their unlettered knowledge diversity of languages although a correcting hand of God upon the whole world when they joyned together in that proud Edifice yet now is it blest of God to retaine the purity of the Scriptures if any man should goe about to corrupt them in one language they should remain pure in another and assuredly the Lord intending to have the wayes of the Gospel of Christ to be made more manifest at this time then formerly not by tradition of our forefathers or by mans reason but by the revealed will of God in the holy Scripture did accordingly prepare Instruments for this work earthen vessels men subject to like infirmities with our selves sorry men and carrying about with them a body of sinne and death men subject to erre yet these did the Lord Christ cause to be train'd up in Learning and tutor'd at the Universities and that very young some of them as the revererend Mr. John Cotten at 13. yeares of age The mighty power of God sanctifyed and ordained them for this work and made them a defenced city an iron pillar a wall of brass against all the opposers of his truth and now coupled them together in this Synod to draw in Christs yoke and warre with the weapons he had furnished them withall and cause the blessed truths of Christ to shine forth in their splendour and glory farre more after the dispersing of this smoak which of a long time hath filled the Temple and hindered the entring in of those great number of Converts which shall flow in at the fall of all antichristian Errors and verily as the Lord Christ had called forth this little handfuâ—l to be a model of his glorious work intended thoughout the whole world so chiefly in this suppressing of Errours Sects and Heresies by the blessed word of his truth causing his servants in this Synod muâ—â—ally to agree and by his gracious providence break in pieces a contrived plot of some who by mis-reports insinuating jealousies and crafty carriage of matters to the wrong mark with a writing of thrice twenty strong would have drawne away one of the valiant Souldiers of Christ from this worthy worke who both then and since hath been very helpfull
to cast downe many a strong fort erected by the Sectaries but the Lord Christ would not suffer this blow to be given intending all people by way of restitution for their slanderous reports cast upon his New England Churches as being the inlet to Errours shall honour them with this victorious coâ—quest given them by Christ herein yet willing they would their brethren in England might win the prize by out-stripping them more abundantly in length bredth and height which the same God is able to performe that hath been thus abundantly good to us About this time the Churches of Christ began to be diligent in their duty and the civil government in looking after such as were like to disturb the peace of this new erected government some persons being so hot headed for maintaining of these sinfull opinions that they feared breach of peace even among the Members of the superiour Court but the Lord blessing them with agreement to prevent the wofull effects of civill broyles those in place of government caused certain persons to be disarmed in the severall Townes as in the Towne of Boston to the number of 58. in the Towne of Salem 6. in the Towne of Newbery 3. in the Towne of Roxbury 5. in the Towne of Ipswitch 2. and Charles Towne 2. others there were that through the help of the faithfull servants of Christ came to see how they had beene mâ—sled and by the power of Christ in his Word returned againe with an acknowledgement of their sinne but others there were who remained obstinate to the disturbing of the civill power and were banished of whom you shall heare farther hereafter Some of the Churches of Christ being more indulgent waited long ere they fell upon the work and here you must tak notice that the Synod Civil Government and the Churches of Christ kept their proper place each moving in their own sphear and acting by their own light or rather by the revelation of Jesus Christ witnessed by his Word and Spirit yet not refusing the help of eacg other as some would willingly have it some of the Churches prosecuting the Rule of Christ against their hereticall Members were forced to proceed to excommunication of them who when they saw whereto it would come they would have prevented it with lying but the Lord discovered it and so they were justly separated from the Churches of Christ for lying which being done they fell to their old trade againe CHAP. VIII Of the planting the fourth Colonie of New Englands godly Government called New-Haven THe Lord Christ having now in his great mercy taken out of the way these mountains that seemed in the eye of Man to block up his Churches further proceedings they had now leisure to welcome the living stones that the Lord was pleased to adde unto this building and with thankfull acknowledgment to give him of his owne for his mercyes multitude whose was the work in planting not onely more Churches but another Colony also for the honoured Mr Eaton being accompanied with many worthy persons of note whom the Lord had furnished with store of substance for this wildernesse-work although they would willingly have made their abode under the government of the Mattachusets yet could they finde no place upon the Sea-coasts for their settling the Lord intending to enlarge his peoples border caused them after much search to take up a place somewhat more southwardly neare the shalles of Cape-cod where they had very flatt water yet being entred in they found commodious harbour for shipping and a fit place to erect a Towne which they built in very little time with very faire houses and compleat streets but in a little time they overstockt it with Chattell although many of them did follow merchandizing and Maritime affairs but their remotenesse from the Mattachusets Bay where the chiefe traffique lay hindred them much Here did these godly and sincere servants of Christ according to the rule of the Word gather into Church Estate and called to the office of a Pastor the reverend judicious and godly Mr John Davenport of whom the Author is bold to say as followeth WHen Men and Devils 'gainst Christs flock conspire For them prepar'd a deadly trapping net Then Christ to make all men his work admire Davenport he doth thee from thy Country fet To sit in Synod and his folk assist The filthy vomit of Hels Dragon deepe In earths womb drawn blest they this poyson mist And blest the meanes doth us from error keep Thy grave advice and arguments of strength Did much prevaile the Erronist confound Well hast thou warr'd Christ drawes thy dayes in length That thou in learn'd experience maist abound What though thou leave a city stor'd with pleasure Spend thy prime dayes in heathen desart land Thy joy 's in Christ and not in earthly treasure Davenport rejoice Christs Kngdome is at hand Didst ever deem to see such glorious dayes Though thou decrease with age and earths content Thou live'st in Christ needs then must thy joy raise His Kingdome 's thine and that can ne'r be spent This Church and Town soon procur'd some Sisters to take part with her and among them they erected a godly and peaceable Government and called their frontier towne New haven of which the Government is denominated being inhabited by many men eminent in gifts for the populating thereof and managing of affaires both by Sea and Land they have had some shipping built there but by the sad losse of Mr. Lambertons ship and goods also they were much disheartned but the much honoured Mr. Eaton remaines with them to this very day THou noble thus Theophilus before great Kings to stand More noble far for Christ his war thou leav'st thy native land With thy rich store thou cam'st on shore Christs Churches to assist What if it wast thou purchast hast that Pearl that most have mist Nay rather he hath purchast thee and whatsoever thou hast With graces store to govern o're his people he thee plac't Our State affaires thy will repaires assistant thou hast bin Firm league to make for Gospels sake four Colonyes within With Sweads French Dutch and Indians much Gods peoples peace this bred Then Eaton aye remember may the Child that 's yet unfed This government of New-haven although the younger Sister of the foure yet was she as beautifull as any of this broode of travellers most minding the end of her coming hither to keep close to the rule of Christ both in Doctrine and Discipline and it were to be wished her elder Sister would follow her example to nurture up all her children accordingly here is not to be forgotten the honoured Mr Hopkins who came over about this time a man of zeale and courage for the truths of Christ assisting this blessed work both in person and estate for the which the Author cannot forget him being oft in commission for the good of all the united Colonyes HOpkins thou must although weak dust for this great work
prepare Through Ocean large Christ gives thee charge to govern his with care What earthen man in thy short span throughout the world to run From East to West at Christs behest thy worthy work is done Vnworthy thou acknowledge now not unto thee at all But to his name be lasting fame thou to his work doth call CHAP. IX Of the planting the fourteenth Church of Christ under the governmen of the Mattachusets Bay called Dedham THe latter end of this yeare 't was the Towne of Dedham began an inland Towne scituate about ten miles from Boston in the County of Suffolk well watred with many pleasant streames abounding with Garden fruits fitly to supply the Markets of the most populous Towne whose coyne and commodities allures the Inhabitants of this Towne to make many a long walk they consist of about a hundred Families being generally given to husbandry and through the blessing of God are much encreased ready to swarme and settle on the building of another Towne more to the Inland they gather into a Church at their first settling for indeed as this was their chiefe errand so was it the first thing they ordinarily minded to pitch their Tabernacles neare the Lords Tent To this end they called to the office of a Pastor the reverend humble and heavenly-minded Mr. John Allen a man of a very courteous behaviour full of sweet Christian love towards all and with much meeknesse of spirit contending earnestly for the faith and peace of Christs Churches ALL you so slâ—te Christs sanctifying grace As legall workes what Gospel-work can be But sinne cast out and spirits work in place They justifyed that Christ thus reigning see Allen thou art by Christs free spirit led To warre for him in wildernesse awhile What doe for Christ I man thou art in 's stead Sent to beseech in 's Vineyard thou must toyle John Allen joy thou sinfull dust art taken To spend thy dayes in exile so remote Christs Church to build of him that 's ne'r forsaken Nor thou for now his truths thou must promote He guides thy tongue thy paper pen and hands Thy hearts swift motion and affections choice Needs thou thus lead must doe what he commands And cry aloud when he lifts up thy voice Seven yeares compleat twice told thy work hath bin To feed Christs flock in desart land them keep Both thou and they each day are kept by him Safe maist thou watch being watcht by him ne'r sleeps This Church of Christ hath in its bosome neere about 70. souls joyned in Covenant together and being well seasoned with this savoury salt have continued in much love and unity from their first foundation hitherto tanslating the close clouded woods into goodly corn-fields and adding much comfort to the lonesome travellers in their solitary journey to Canectico by eying the habitation of Gods people in their way ready to administer refreshing to the weary CHAP. X. Of the planting of the fifteenth Church of Christ at the Towne of Waymoth THe Twone and Church of Christ at Waymoth had come in among the other Townes before this as being an elder Sister but onely for her somewhat more then ordinary instability it is battered with the brinish billows on the East Rocks and Swamps to the Southwest makes it delightfull to the nimble tripping Deere as the plowable places of Medow land is to the Inhabitants This Towne was first founded by some persons that were not so forward to promote the Ordinances of Christ as many others have been they desired the reverend Minister of Christ Mr. Gennors to be helpfull in preaching the Word unto them who after some little space of time not liking the place repaired to the Eastern English but the people of this place after his departure being gathered into a Church they called to office the reverend and godly Mr Newman but many of them unwilling to continue in this Towne as supposing they had found a fitter place for habitation removed into the next Government carrying with them their Pastor by which means the people that were left behinde were now destitute and having some godly Christians among them who much desired the sincere milk of the Word that they might grow thereby upon diligent use of meanes they found out a young man able gifted for the work brought up with the reverend and judicious Mr. Chancie called Mr. Thomas Thatcher Yet againe after some few yeares for want of sufficient maintenance with mutuall consent they parted with him and are forced to borrow help of their Neighbours wherein all of them to the Author is bold to say as followeth OH people reason swayes mans actions here You sanctifyed o're these long seas doth look With heavenly things your earthly toyle to cheere Will lose the end for which this toyle you tooke Christ comes in 's Word let their bright feet abide Your Towne among whose grace and gifts excell In preaching Christ it 's he your hearts hath try'd They want no store that all for him doe sell Gennors dost love thy Christ I hope he 's deare Belov'd of thee he honour'd would thee have To feed his flock while thou remainest here With 's Word of truth thy soule and others save With little flock doth Newman pack away The righteous lips sure might a many feed Remov'st for gaine it's most where most men stay Men part for land why land least helps at need Thatcher what mean'st to leavs thy little flock Sure their increase might thee much profit bring What leave Christs Church it's founded on a rock If rock not left their ebb may suddain spring Pastor and People have you both forgot What parting Paul and Christs deare people had Their loves melt teares it 's ve'mently so hot His heart-strings break to see his folk so sad This yeare came over besides the former for the furthering of this blessed work of Christ Mr. William Tompson Mr. Edm Browne and Mr. David Frisk who were called to office in severall Churches as you shall after hear And now to end this yeare that abounded in the wonder-working Providence of Christ for his Churches in the exaltation of his truths that all may take notice the Lord cast in by the by as it were a very fruitfull crop insomuch that from this day forward their increase was every yeare more and more till the Country came to feed its owne Inhabitants and the people who formerly were somewhat pincht with hunger eat bread to the full having not onely for their necessity but also for their conveniency and delight CHAP. XI Of the increase of the people of Christ Printing brought over and the sixteenth Church of Christ planted at Rouly FOr the yeare 1638. John Winthrope Esq was chosen Governour and Tho Dudly Esq Deputy Governour the number of Freemen added were about 130. The peace of this little Common-wealth being now in great measure settled by the Lords mercy in overthrowing the Indians and banishing of certaine turbulent spirits The Churches
of Christ were much edified in their holy faith by their indefatigable pains of their Ministers in their weekly Lectures extraordinary as well as by their Sabboth-Assemblies and continuall visiting of their people from house to house endeavouring to heale the hurts these false deceivers had made with double diligence showring downe the sweet dews of the blessed Gospel of Jesus Christ to the converting of many a poor soul and indeed now were the glorious days of New England the Churches of Christ increase dayly and his eminent Embassadours resort unto them from our native Country which as then lay under the tyranny of the Monarchall Arch-prelates which caused the servants of Christ to wander from their home This yeare the reverend and judicious M. Jos Glover undertook this long voyage being able both in person and estate for the work he provided for further compleating the Colonies in Church and Common-wealth-work a Printer which hath been very usefull in many respects the Lord seeing it meet that this reverend and holy servant of his should fall short of the shores of New England but yet at this time he brought over the zealous affâ—cted and judicious servant of his Master Ezekiel Rogers who with a holy and humble people made his progress to the North-Eastward and erected a Towne about 6. miles from Ipswich called Rowly wanting room they purehased some addition of the Town of Newbery yet had they a large length of land onely for the neere conveniency to the Towne of Ipswich by the which meanes they partake of the continued Lectures of either Towne these people being very industrious every way soone built many houses to the number of about threescore families and were the first people that set upon making of Cloth in this Western World for which end they built a sulling-mill and caused their little-ones to be very diligent in spinning cotten wooll many of them having been clothiers in England till their zeale to promote the Gospel of Christ caused them to wander and therefore they were no lesse industrious in gathering into Church-society there being scrace a man among them but such as were meet to be living stones in this building according to the judgement of man they called to the office of a Pastor this holy man of God Mr. Ezekiel Rogers oâ— whom this may be said Christ for this work Rogers doth riches give Rich graces fit his people for to feed Wealth to supply his wants whilst here he live Free thou receiv'st to serve his peoples need England may mourne they thee no longer keep English rejoice Christ doth such worthyes raise His Gospel preach unfold his mysteries deep Weak dust made strong sets forth his makers praise With fervent zeale and courage thou hast fought ' Gainst that transformed Dragon and his bands Snatcht forth the burning thou poore soules hast caught And freed thy flock from wolves devouring hands Ezekiel mourn not thou art severed farre From thy deare Country to a desart land Christ call'd hath thee unto this worthy warre By him o'rcome he holds thy Crowne in 's hand For the further assisting of this tender flock of Chrst the reverend Mr. John Miller did abide among them for some space of time preaching the Word of God unto them also till it pleased the Lord to call him to be Pastor of the Church of Christ at Yarmouth in Plimoth patten where he remaineth at this very day With courage bold Miller through Seas doth venter To toyl it out in this great Western wast Thy stature low one object high doth center Higher then Heaven thy faith on Christ is plac't Allarum thou with silver trumpet sound And tâ—ll the World Christs Armyes are at hand With Scripture truths thou Errors dost confound And overthrow all Antichristian bands It matters not for th'worlds high reputation The World must fall and Christ alone must stand Thy Crown 's prepar'd in him then keep thy station Joy that Christs Kingdome is so neare at hand CHAP. XII Of the great Earthquake in New England and of the wofull end of some erronious persons with the first foundation of Harverd Colledge THis yeare the first day of the Fourth Month about two of the clock in the after-noone the Lord caus'd a great and terrible Earth quake which was generall throughout all the English Plantations the motion of the Earth was such that it caused divers men that had never knowne an Earth quake before being at worke in the Fields to cast downe their working-tooles and run with gastly terrified lookes to the next company they could meet withall it came from the Westerne and uninhabited parts of this Wildernesse and went the direct course this brood of Travellers came the Ministers of Christ many of them could say at that very time not from any other Revelation but what the word holds forth that if the Churches of New England were Gods house then suddenly there would follow great alterations in the Kingdomes of Europe This yeare the civill government proceeded to censure the residue of thofe sinfull erroneous persons who raised much commotion in this little Common-wealth who being banished resorted to a place more Southward some of them sitting down at a place called Providence others betooke them to an Island about 16. miles distant from the former called Rode Island where having Elbow roome enough none of the Ministers of Christ nor any other to interrupt their false and deceivable Doctrines they hamper'd themselves fouly with their owne line and soone shewed the depthlesse ditches that blinde guides lead into many among them being much to be pittyed who were drawne from the truth by the bewitching tongues of some of them being very ignorant and easily perverted and although the people were not many in all yet were they very diverse in their opinions and glad where they could gaine most Disciples to heare them some were for every day to be a Sabbath and therefore kept not any Sabbath-day at all others were some for one thing some for another and therefore had their severall meetings making many a goodly piece of Preachment among whom there were some of the female sexe who deeming the Apostle Paul to be too strict in not permitting a roome to preach in the publique Congregation taught notwithstanding they having their call to this office from an ardent desire of being famous especially the grand Mistresse of them all who ordinarily prated every Sabbath day till others who thirsted after honour in the same way with her selfe drew away her Auditors and then she withdrew her self her husband and her family also to a more remote place and assuredly although the Lord be secret in all the dispensation of his providences whether in judgement or mercy yet much may be learn'd from all as sometimes pointing with the finger to the lesson as here these persons withdrawing from the Churches of Christ wherein he walketh and is to be found in his blessed Ordinances to a first and second place where they
came to a very sad end for thus it came to passe in the latter place The Indians in those parts forwarned them of making their abode there yet this could be no warning to them but still they continued being amongst a multitude of Indians boasted they were become all one Indian and indeed this woman who had the chiefe rule of all the roast being very bold in her strange Revelations and mis-applications tells them though all nations and people were cut off round about them yet should not they till on a day certaine Indians coming to her house discoursing with them they wished to tye up her doggs for they much bit the man not mistrusting the Indians guile did so the which no sooner done but they cruelly murthered her taking one of their daughters away with them another of them seeking to escape is caught as she was getting over a hadge and they drew her back againe by the haire of the head to the stump of a tree and there cut off her head with a hatchet the other that dwelt by them betook them to boat and fled to tell this sad newes the rest of their companions who were rather hardened in their sinfull way and blasphemous opinions than brought to any sight of their damnable Errours as you shall after hear yet was not this the first loud speaking hand of God against them but before this the Lord had poynted directly to their sinne by a very fearfull Monster that another of these women brought forth they striving to bury it in oblivion but the Lord brought it to light setting forth the view of their monstrous Errors in this prodigious birth This yeare although the estates of these pilgrim people were much wasted yet seeing the benefit that would accrew to the Churches of Christ and Civil Government by the Lords blessing upon learning they began to erect a Colledge the Lord by his provident hand giving his approbation to the work in sending over a faithfull and godly servant of his the reverend Mr John Harverd who joyning with the people of Christ at Charles Towne suddainly after departed this life and gave near a thousand pound toward this work wherefore the Government thought it meet to call it Harverd Colledge in remembrance of him Ip Harverd had with riches here been taken He need not then through troublous Seas have past But Christs bright glory hath thine eyes so waken Nought can content thy soule of him must tast Ohtast and tell how sweet his Saints among Christ ravisht hath thy heart with heavenly joyes To preach and pray with teares affection strong From hearts delight in him who thee imployes Scarce hast thou had Christs Churches here in eye But thou art call'd to eye him face to face Earths scant contents death drawes thee from for why Full joy thou wouldst that 's onely in heavens place CHAP. XIII Of the coming over of the honoured Mr. Pelham and the planting of the seaventeenth Church of Christ at the Towne of Hampton THis yeare 1639. John Winthrope Esq was chosen Governour and Thomas Dudly Esq Deputy Governour the number of freemen added were about 83. This yeare came over the much honoured Mr. Herbert Pelham a man of a courteous behaviour humble and heavenly minded HArbertus hye on valiant Why lingerst thou so long Christs work hath need of hasty speed his enemies are strong In wildernesse Christ doth thee blesse with vertues wife and seed To govern thou at length didst bow to serve Christs peoples need To thine own soyle thou back dost toyle then cease not lab ring there But still advance Christs Ordinance and shrink no where for fear Much about this time began the Town of Hampton in the Country of Northfolk to have her foundation stone laid scituate neare the Sea-coast not farre from the famous River of Merimeck the great store of salt marsh did intice this people to set downe their habitations there for as yet Cowes and Cattell of that kinde were not come to the great downfall in their price of which they have about 450. head and for the form of this Towne it is like a Flower-de-luce two streets of houses wheeling off from the maine body thereof the land is fertile but filled with swamps and some store of rocks the people are about 60. Families being gathered together into Church covenant they called to office the reverend grave and gracious Mr. Doulton having also for some little space of time the more ancient Mr. Batchelor of whom you have heard in the former Book to preach unto them also here take a short remembrance of the other DOulton doth teach perspicuously and sound With Wholsome truths of Christ thy flock dost feed Thy honour with thy labour doth abound Age crownes thy head in righteousnesse proceed To batter downe root up and quite destroy All Heresies and Errors that draw back Vnto perdition and Christs folk annoy To warre for him thou weapons dost not lack Long dayes to see that long'd for day to come Of Babels fall and Israels quiet peace Thou yet maist live of dayes so great a sum To see this work let not thy warfare cease CHAP. XIV Of the planting the eighteenth Church of Christ at the Towne of Salsbury FOr further perfecting this Wildernesse-work not far from the Towne of Hampton was erected another Towne called Salsbury being brought forth as Twins sometime contending for eldership This being seated upon the broade swift torrent of Merrimeck a very goodly River to behold were it not blockâ— up with some suddaine falls through the rocks over against this Towne lyeth the Towne of Newberry on the Southern side of the River a constant Ferry being kept between for although the River be about half a mile broad yet by reason of an Island that lies in the midst thereof it is the better passed in troublesom weather the people of this Towns have of late placed their dwellings so much distanced the one from the other that they are like to divide into two Churches the scituation of this Towne is very pleasant were the Rivers Navigable farre up the branches thereof abound in faire and goodly medowes with good store of stately Timber upon the uplands in many places this Towne is full as fruitfull in her Land Chattell and Inhabitants as her Sister Hampton the people joyned in Church relation or brotherhood nere about the time the other did and have desired and obtained the reverend and graciously godly M. Thomas Woster to be their Pastor WIth mickle labour and distressed wants Woster thou hast in desart's depth remain'd Thy chiefest dayes Christs Gospel there to plant And water well such toyle shall yeild great gaine Oh happy day may Woster say that I Was singled out for this great work in hand Christ by distresse doth Gold for 's Temple try Thrice blest are they may in his Presence stand But more thou art by him reserved yet To see on earth Christ's Kingdom 's exaltation More yet thou art
by him prepared fit To help it on among our English Nation CHAP. XV. Of further supply for the Church of Christ at Waterton And a sad acceidnt fell out in Boston Towne THe Lord intending to strengthen his poore Churches here and after the overthrow of these damnable Errors to trample Satan under their feet he manifesteth his mindefulness of them in sending over fresh suplpyes againe and againe although weak and sory men in themselves yet strong in the Lord and the power of his might the last that this yeare is to be named is the reverend judicious and godly-affected Mr John Knowles who was desired of the Church of Christ at Waterton to be a two-fold cord unto them in the office of a teaching Elder with the reverend Mr. Phillips of whom you have heard in the former Book WIth courage bold and arguments of strength Knowles doth apply Gods word his stock unto Christ furnisht hath to shew his bountyes length Thee with rich gifts that thou his work mayst do New England is too scant for thy desire Inkindled is Christs truths abroad to spread Virginia may his grace to them admire That thee through Seas for their instruction led Thy labours Knowles are great far greater hee Not onely thee but all his valiant made Forth sinfull dust his Saints and Warriers be He thee upheld thy strength shall never fade John come thou forth behold what Christ hath wrought In these thy dayes great works are yet behinde Then toyle it out till all to passe be brought Christ crowne will thee thou then his glory minde To end this yeare 1639. the Lord was pleased to a send a very sharp winter and more especially in strong storms of weekly snows with very bitter blasts And here the Reader may take notice of the sad hand of the Lord against two persons who were taken in a storme of snow as they were passing from Boston to Roxbury it being much about a mile distant and a very plaine way One of Roxbury sending to Boston his servant maid for a Barber Chirurgion to draw his tooth they lost their way in their passage between and were not found till many dayes after and then the maid was fonnd in one place and the man in another both of them frozen to death in which sad accident this was taken into consideration by divers people that this Barber was more then ordinary laborious to draw men to those sinfull Errors that were formerly so frequent and now newly overthrowne by the blessing of the Lord upon the endeavour of his faithfull servants with the word of truth he having a fit opportunity by reason of his trade so soone as any were set downe in his chaire he would commonly be cutting of their haire and the truth together notwithstanding some report better of the man the example is for the living the dead is judged of the Lord alone CHAP. XVI The great supply of godly Ministers for the good of his People in New England FOr to govern and rule this little Common wealth was this year chosen the valiant Champion for the advance of Christs truh Thomas Dudly Esq and Richard Bellingham Esq Deputy Governour the freemen added to the former were about 192. this yeare the reverend Mr. Burr a holy heavenly-minded man and able gifted to preach the Word of God was exercised therein for some space of time in the Church of Christ at Dorchester where they were about calling him to the office of a teaching Elder but in a very littie time after his coming over he departed this life yet minde him you may in the following Meetre WEll didst thou minde thy Work Which caus'd thee vonter Through Ocean large thy Christ in 's Word to preach Exhorting all their faith on him to center Soules ravisht are by him in thy sweet speech Thy speech bewrayes thy heart for heaven doth look Christ to enjoy Burr from the earth is taken Thy words remaine though thou hast us forsook In dust sleep sound till Christ thy body waken There are divers others of the faithfull Ministers of Christ that came over for to further this his work somewhat before this time as the godly and reverend Mr. Rayner who was called to office in the Church of Christ at Plimoth and there remaines preaching the Word instantly with great paines and care over that flock as also the reverend and faithfull servant of Christ Jesus Mr. William Hook who was for some space of time at the Church in Taunton but now remaines called to office in the Church of Christ at Newhaven a man who hath received of Christ many gracious gifts fit for so high a calling with very amiable and gracious speech labouring in the Lord and here also the Reader may minde how the Lord was pleased to reach out his large hand of bounty toward his N. England people in supplying them abundantly with Teachers able and powerfull to break the bread of life unto them so long as their desires continued hot and zealous but after here grew a fulnesse in some even to slight if not loath the honey comb many returned for England and the Lord was pleased to take away others by death although very few considering the number but let N. England beware of an after-clap provoke the Lord no longer But seeing this yeare proved the last of the yeares of transportation of Gods people only for enjoyment of exercising the Ordinances of Christ and enlargement of his Kingdome there being hopes of great good opportunity that way at home it will be expediene onely to name some others in the Southwest parts among the lesser Colonyes and so passe on to the story And first not to forget the reverend Mr. Eaton a man of love and peace and yet godly zealous he came over with those who planted the Colony of Newhaven spending his labours in the Lord with them in Plimoth Plantation also here is to be minded the reverend Mr. Chancie a very able Preacher both learned and judicious as also the reverend able and pious M. Huet who came over this year or rather as I suppose the yeare before who did spend his time and labour with a people that came over with him at length the greatest part of them they settled downe in the Government of Canecticoe where they planted the Towne of Windsor and Church of Christ there where this gracious servant of Christ continued in his labours till the Lord laid him in his bed of rest somewhat before this time came over the reverend Mr. Smith being another of that name beside the former he laboured in the Word and Doctrine with a people at Withersfield in those parts also Mr. Henry Whitefield another Minister of the Gospel of Christ of reverend respect who being returned for England the latter of his labours the Lord assisting will sufficiently testifie his sincerity for the truth and labours of love in the Lord here may also be named the reverend Mr. Peck Mr. Saxton
is apt to forget himself in things that concern his own good both him and the like gracious M. Flint is here remembred WIth twofold cord doth Flint and Tompson draw In Christ's yoke his fallow ground to break Wounding mens hearts with his most righteous Law Cordials apply to weary souls and weak Tompson thou hast Christ's folk incouraged To war their warfare putting them in mind That Christ their King will make his sons the drond The day 's at hand when they shall mastery find Flint be a second to this Champion stout In Christ's your strength while you for him do war When first doth faint a second helps him out Till Christ renew with greater strength by far From East to West your labours lasted have The more you toil the more your strength encreaseth Your works will bide when you are laid in grave His truth advance whose Kingdom never coaseth CHAP. XIX Of the first promation of learning in New-England and the extraordinary providences that the Lord was pleased to send for furthering of the same TOward the latter end of this Summer came over the learned reverend and judicious Mr. Henry Dunster before whose coming the Lord was pleased to provide a Patron for erecting a Colledg as you have formerly heard his provident hand being now no less powerful in pointing out with his unerring finger a president abundantly fitted this his servant and sent him over for to mannage the work and as in all the other passages of this history the Wonder-working Providence of Sâ—â—ns Saviour hath appeared so more especially in this work the Fountains of learning being in a greaâ— measure stopped in our Native Country at this time so thaâ— the sweet waters of Shilo's streams must ordinarily pass into the Churches through the stinking channel of prelatical pride beside all the filth that the fountains themselves were daily incumbred withall insomuch that the Lord turned aside often from them and refused the breathings of his blessed Spirit among them which caused Satan in these latter daies of his transformation into an Angel of light to make it a means to perswade people from the use of learning altogether that so in the next generation they might be destitute of such helps as the Lord hath been pleased hitherto to make use of as chief means for the conversion of his people and building them up in the holy faith as also for breaking downe the Kingdom of Antichrist and verily had not the Lord been pleased to furnish N. E. with means for the attainment of learning the work would have been carried on very heavily and the hearts of godly parents would have vanish'd away with heaviness for their poor children whom they must have left in a desolare wilderness destitute of the meanes of grace It being a work in the apprehension of all whose capacity could reach to the great sums of money the edifice of a mean â—olledg would cost past the reach of a poor Pilgrim people who had expended the greatest part of their estates on a long voyage travelling into Forraign Countryes being unprofitable to any that have undertaken it although it were but with their necessary attendance whereas this people were forced to travel with wifes children and servants besides they considered the troble charge of building in this new populated desart in regard of al kind of workmanship knowing likewise that young Students could make but a poor progress in learning by looking on the bare walls of their chambers and that Diogenes would have the better of them by far in making use of a Tun to lodg in not being ignorant also that many people in this age are out of conceit with learning and that although they were not among a people who counted ignorance the mother of devotion yet were the greater part of the people wholly devoted to the Plow but to speak uprightly hunger is sharp and the head will retain little learning if the heart be not refreshed in some competent measure with food although the gross vapors of a glutted stomack are the bane of a bright understanding and brings barrenness to the brain but how to have both go on together as yet they know not amidst all these difficulties it was thought meet learning should plead for it self and as many other men of good rank and quality in this barren desart plod out a way to live Hereupon all those who had tasted the sweet wine of Wisdoms drawing and fed on the dainties of knowledg began to set their wits a work and verily as the whole progress of this work had a farther dependency then on the present eyed means so at this time chiefly the end being firmly fixed on a sure foundation namely the glory of God and good of all his elect people the world throughout in vindicating the truths of Christ and promoting his glorious Kingdom who is now taking the heathen for his inheritance and the utmost ends of the earth for his possession means they know there are many thousands uneyed of mortal man which every daies Providence brings forth upon these resolutions to work they go and with thankful acknowledgment readily take up all lawful means as they come to hand for place they fix their eye upon New-Town which to tell their Posterity whence they came is now named Cambridg and withal to make the whole world understand that spiritual learning was the thing they chiefly desired to sanctifie the other and make the whole lump holy and that learning being set upon its right object might not contend for error instead of truth they chose this place being then under the Orthodox and soul-flourishing Ministery of Mr. Thomas Shepheard of whom it may be said without any wrong to others the Lord by his Ministery hath saved many a hundred soul The scituation of this Colledg is very pleasant at the end of a spacious plain more like a bowling green then a Wilderness neer a fair navigable river environed with many Neighbouring Towns of note being so neer that their houses joyn with her Suburbs the building thought by some to be too gorgeous for a Wilderness and yet too mean in others apprehensions for a Colledg it is at present in larging by purchase of the neighbour houses it hath the conveniencies of a fair Hall comfortable Studies and a good Library given by the liberal hand of some Magistrates and Ministers with others The chief gift towards the founding of this Colledg was by Mr. John Harnes a reverend Minister the Country being very weak in their publike Treasury expended about 500. l. towards it and for the maintenance thereof gave the yearly revenue of a Ferry passage between Boston and Charles Town the which amounts to about 40. or 50. l. per annum The Commissioners of the four united Colonies also taking into consideration of what common concernment this work would be not only to the whole plantations in general but also to all our English Nation they endeavoured to stir up all
of the Vessel was slain the main sail shot through and the Barque also the people some of them returned back again for New-England being sore abashed at this providence that befel them that they would never seek to be governed by liberty again to this very day yet others there are were so strongly bent for the heat of liberty that they indured much pinching penury upon an uninhabited Island til at length meeting some others like-minded with themselves they made a voyage to another Island the chiefest part of their Charter of Freedom was this That no man upon pain of death should speak against anothers Religion where they continued till some of them were famished and others even forced to feed on Rats and any other thing they could find to sustain nature till the provident hand of God brought a Ship to the place which took them off the Island and saved their lives But upon this the Winters discourse ceased and projects for a warmer Country were husht and done CHAP. XXI Of the suddain and unexpected falt of Cattel and the great blessing of God in giving plenty of provision FOr this year 1642. Iohn Winthrope Esquire was chosen Governour and John Endicut Esquire Deputy Governor The number of Freemen added were about 1232. This Spring Cowes and Cattle of that kind having continued at an excessive price so long as any came over with estates to purchase them fell of a suddain in one week from 22 l. the Cow to 6.7 or 8. l. the cow at most insomuch that it made all men admire how it came to pass it being the common practise of those that had any store of Cattel to sell every year a Cow or two which cloath'd their backs fil'd their bellies with more varieties then the Country of it self afforded and put gold and silver in their purses beside Here the Reader it desired to take notice of the wonderful providence of the most high God toward these his new-planted Churches such as was never heard of since that Iacobs sons ceased to be a people that in ten or twelve years planting there should be such wonderful alteration a Nation to be born in a day a Commonwealth orderly brought forth from a few Fugitives all the Forraign plantations that are of forty fifty or a hundred years standing cannot really report the like although they have had the greatest incouragements earth could afford Kings to countenance them staple commodities to provoke all manner of Merchants to resort unto them silver gold precious stones or whatever might incice the eye or ear to incline the motion of man toward them his remove rocky barren bushy wild-woody wilderness a receptacle for Lions Wolves Bears Foxes Rockoones Bags Bevers Otters and all kind of wild creatures a place that never afforded the Natives better then the flesh of a few wild creatures and parch't Indian corn incht out with Chesnuts and bitter Acorns now through the mercy of Christ becom a second England for fertilness in so short a space that it is indeed the wonder of the world but bring already forgotten of the very persons that tast of it at present although some there be that keep in memory his mercies multitude and declare it to their childrens children First to begin with the encrease of food you have heard in what extream penury these people were in at first planting for want of food gold silver rayment or whatsoever was precious in their eyes they parted with when ships came in for this their beast that died some would stick before they were cold and sell their poor pined flesh for food at 6.d per pound Indian Beans at 16 s per bushel when Ships came in it grieved some Master to see the urging of them by people of good rank and quality to sell bread unto them But now take notice how the right hand of the most high hath altered all and men of the meaner rank are urging them to buy bread of them and now good white and wheaten bread is no dainty but even ordinary man hath his choice if gay cloathing and a liquerish tooth after sack sugar and plums lick not away his bread too fast all which are but ordinary among those that were not able to bring their owne persons ever at their first coming there are not many Towns in the Country but the poorest person in them hath a house and land of his own and bread of his own growing if not some cattel beside flesh is now no rare food beef pork and mutton being frequent in many houses so that this poor Wilderness hath not onely equalized England in food but goes beyond it in some places for the great plenty of wine and sugar which is ordinarily spent apples pears and quince tarts instead of their former Pumpkin Pies Poultry they have plenty and great rarity and in their feasts have not forgotten the English fashion of stiring up their appetites with variety of cooking their food and notwithstanding all this great and almost miraculous work of the Lord in providing for his people in this barren desart yet are there here as in other places some that use these good creatures of God to excess and others to hoard up in a wretched and miserable manner pinch themselves and their children with food and will not tast of the good creatures God hath given for that end but cut Church and Commonwealth as short also Let not such think to escape the Lords hand with as little a stroke as the like do in other places Secondly For rayment our cloth hath not been cut short as but of late years the traders that way have encreased to such a number that their shops have continued full all the year long all one England besides the Lord hath been pleased to encrease sheep extraordinarily of late hemp and flax here is great plenty hides here are more for the number of persons then in England and for cloth here is and would be materials enough to make it but the Farmers deem it better for their profit to put away their cattel and corn for cloathing then to set upon making of cloth if the Merchants trade be not kept on foot they fear greatly their corne and cattel will lye in their hands assuredly the plenty of cloathing hath caused much excess of late in those persons who have clambered with excess in wages for their work but seeing it will be the theam of our next discourse after the birds are setled it may be here omitted Further the Lord hath been pleased to turn all the wigwams huts and hovels the English dwelt in at their first coming into orderly fair and well-built houses well furnished many of them together with Orehards filled with goodly fruit trees and gardens with variety of flowers There are supposed to be in the Mattachusets Government at this day neer a thousand acres of land planted for Orchards and Gardens besides their fields are filled with garden fruit there being as is
supposed in this Colony about fifteen thousand acres in tillage and of cartel about twelve thousand neat and about three thousand sheep Thus hath the Lord in couraged his people with the encrease of the general although many particulars are outed hundreds of pounds and some thousands yet are there many hundreds of labouring men who had not enough to bring them over yet now worth scores and some hundreds of pounds to be sure the Lord takes notice of all his talents and will call to accompt in time This brief survey of things will be of good use when time serves in mean time you shall understand CHAP. XXII Of the manner of planting Towns and Churches in N. E. and in particular of the Church and Town at Wooburn being the three and twentieth Church of Christ in the Mattachusets Government THere was a Town and Church erected called Wooburn this present year but because all the action of this wandering people meet with great variety of censures the Author will in this Town and Church see down the manner how this people have populated their Towns and gathered their Churches that the reverend Mr. Rathbone may be better informed then when he wrote his book concerning the Churches of N. E. and all others that are experienced in the holy Scriptures may lay the actions of N. E. to the Rule and try them by the balance of the Sanctuary for assuredly they greatly desire they may be brought to the light for great is the truth and will prevail yet have they their errings as well as others but yet their imperfections may not blemish the truths of Christ let them be glorified and these his people will willingly take shame to themselves wherein they have miscarried But to begin this Town as all others had its bounds fixed by the General Court to the contenese of four miles squaâ— beginning at the end of Charles Town bounds the grant is to seven men or good and honest report upon condition that within two year they erect houses for habitation thereon and so go on to make a Town thereof upon the Act of Court these seven men have power to give and grant out lands unto any persons who are willing to take up their dwellings within the said precinct to be admitted to al common priviledges of the said Town giving them such an ample portion both of Medow and Upland as their present and future stock of cattel and hands were like to improve with eye had to others that might after come to populate the said Town this they did without any respect of persons yet such as were exorbitant and of a turbulent spirit unfit for a civil society they would reject till they come to mend their manners such came not to enjoy any freehold These seven men ordered and disposed of the streets of the Town as might be best for improvement of the Land and yet civil and religious society maintained to which end those that had land neerest the place for Sabbath assembly had a lesser quantity at home and more farther off to improve for corn of all kinds they refused not men for their poverty but according to their ability were helpful to the poorest sort in building their houses and distributed to them land accordingly the poorest had six or seven acres of Medow and twenty five of Upland or thereabouts Thus was this Town populated to the number of sixty families or thereabout and after this manner are the Towns of New England peopled the scituation of this Town is in the highest part of the yet peopled land neere upon the head-springs of many considerable rivers or their branches as the first rise of Ipswitch river and the rise of Shashin river one of the most considerable branches of Merrimeck as also the first rise of Mistick river and ponds it is very full of pleasant springs and great variety of very good water which the Summers heat causeth to be more cooler and the Winters cold maketh more warmer their Medows are not large but lye in divers places to particular dwellings the like doth their Springs their Land is very fruitful in many places although they have no great quantity of plain land in any one place yet doth their Rocks and Swamps yeeld very good food for cattel as also they have Mast and Tar for shipping but the distance of place by land causeth them as yet to be unprofitable they have great store of iron o're their meeting-house stands in a small Plain where four streets meet the people are very labotious if not exceeding some of them Now to declare how this people proceeded in religious matters and so consequently all the Churches of Christ planted in New-England when they came once to hopes of being such a competent number of people as might be able to maintain a Minister they then surely seated themselves and not before it being as unnatural for a right N. E. man to live without an able Ministery as for a Smith to work his iron without a fire therefore this people that went about placing down a Town began the foundation-stone with earnest seeking of the Lords assistance by humbling of their souls before him in daies of prayer and imploring his aid in so weighty a work then they address themselves to attend counsel of the most Orthodox and ablest Christians and more especially of such as the Lord had already placed in the Ministery not rashly running together themselves into a Church before they had hopes of attaining an Officer to preach the Word and administer the Seals unto them chosing rather to continue in fellowship with some other Church for their Christian watch over them till the Lord would be pleased to provide They after some search meet with a young man named Mr. Thomas Carter then belonging to the Church of Christ at VVater-Town a reverend godly man apt to teach the sound and wholesome truths of Christ having attained their desires in hopes of his coming unto them were they once joyned in Church-estate he exercising his gifts of preaching and prayer among them in the mean time and more especially in a day of fasting and prayer Thus these godly people interest their affections one with the other both Minister and people After this they make ready for the work and the 24. of the 6. moneth 1642. they assemble together in the morning about eight of the clock After the reverend Mr. Syms had continued in preaching and prayer about the space of four or five houres the persons that were to joyn in Covenant openly and professedly before the Congregation and messengers of divers Neighbour Churches among whom the reverend Elder of Boston Mr. Cotton Mr. VVilson Mr. Allen of Charles-Town Mr. Shepheard of Cambridg Mr. Dunster of VVater-Town Mr. Knowles of Deadham Mr. Allen of Roxbury Mr. Eliot of Dorchester Mr. Mather As also it is the duty of the Magistrates in regard of the good and peace of the civil Government to be present at
least some one of them not only to prevent the disturbance might follow in the Common-wealth by any who under pretence of Church-Covenant might bring in again those cursed opinions that caused such commotion in this and the other Colony to the great dammage of the people but also to countenance the people of God in so pious a work that under them they may live a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty for this cause was present the honored Mr. Increase Nowel the persons stood forth and first confessed what the Lord had done for their poor souls by the work of his Spirit in the preaching of his Word and Providences one by one and that all might know their faith in Christ was bottomed upon him as he is revealed in his Word and that from their own knowledg they also declare the same according to that measure of understanding the Lord had given them the Elders or any other messengers there present question with them for the better understanding of them in any points they doubt of which being done and all satisfied they in the name of the Churches to which they do belong hold out the right hand of fellowship unto them they declaring their Covenant in words expressed in writing to this purpose The Church-Covenant WE that do assemble our selves this day before God and and his people in an unfeigned desire to be accepted of him as a Church of the Lord Jesus Christ according to the Rule of the New-Testament do acknowledg our selves to be the most unworthy of all others that we should attain such thigh grace and the most unable of our selves to the performance of any thing that is good abhorring our selves for all our former defilements in the worship of God and other wayes and resting only upon the Lord Jesus Christ for attonement and upon the power of his grace for the guidance of our whole after course do here in the name of Christ Jesus as in the presence of the Lord from the bottom of our hearts agree together through his grace to give up our selves first unto the Lord Jesus as our only King Priest and Prophet wholly to be subject unto him in all thing and therewith one unto another as in a Church-Body to walk together in all the Ordinances of the Gospel and in all such mutual love and offices thereof as toward one another in the Lord and all this both according to the present light that the Lord hath given us as also according to all further light which he shall be pleased at any time to reach out unto us out of the Word by the goodness of his grace renouncing also in the same Covenant all errors and Schismes and whatsoever by-wayes that are contrary to the blessed rules revealed in the Gospel and in particular the inordinate love and seeking after the things of the world every Church hath not the same for words for they are not for a form of words The 22. of the 9. moneth following Mr. Thomas Carter was ordained Pastor in presence of the like Assembly Hfter he had exercised in preaching and prayer the greater part of the day two persons in the name of the Church laid their hands upon his head and said We ordain thee Thomas Carter to be Pastor unto this Church of Christ then one of the Elders Priest being desired of the Church continued in prayer unto the Lord for his more especial assistance of this his servant in his work being a charge of such weighty importance as is the glory of God and salvation of souls that the very thought would make a man to tremble in the sense of his own inability to the work The people having provided a dwelling house built at the charge of the Town in general welcomed him unto them with joy that the Lord was pleased to give them such a blessing that their eyes may see their Teachers After this there were divers added to the Church daily after this manner the person desirous to joyn with the Church cometh to the Pastor and makes him acquainted therewith declaring how the Lord hath been pleased to work his conversion who discerning hopes of the Pâ—rsons faith in Christ although weak yet if any appear he is propounded to the Church in general for their approbation touching his godly life and conversation and then by the Pastor and some brethren heard again who make report to the Church of their charitable approving of the person but before they come to joyn with the Church all persons within the Towne have publike notice of it then publikely he declares the manner of his conversion and how the Lord hath been pleased by the hearing of his Word preached and the work of his Spirit in the inward parts of his soul to bring him out of that â—â—tural darkness which all men are by nature in and under as also the measure of knowledg the Lord hath been pleased to indue him withal And because some men cannot speak publikely to edisication through bashfulness the less is required of such and women speak not publikely at all for all that is desired is to prevent the polluting the blessed Ordinances of Christ by such as walk scandalously and that men and women do not eat and drink their own condemnation in not discerning the Lords body After this manner were many added to this Church of Christ and those 7. that joyned in Church-fellowship at first are now encreased to 74. persons or therabout of which according to their own confession as is supposed the greater part having been converted by the preaching of the Word in N. E. by which may appear the powerful efficacy of the word of Christ in the mouth of his Ministers and that this way of Christ in joyning together in Church-Covenant is not only for building up of souls in Christ but also for converting of sinness bringing them out of the natural condition to be ingrafted into Christ for if this one Church have so many then assuredly there must be a great number comparatively throughout all the Churches in the Country After this manner have the Churches of Christ had their beginning and progress hitherto the Lord continue encrease them the world throughout The Pastor of this Church hath much encreased with the encreasings of Christ Jesus of whose labours in the Lord as followeth CArtor Christ hath his wayes thee taught and them Hast not with-held his Word but unto all With 's word of power dost cause stout souls to bow And meek as Lambs before thy Christ to fall The antient truths plain paths they fit thee best Thy humble heare all haughty acts puts by The lowly heart Christ learns his lovely hest Thy meekness shews thy Christ to thee is nigh Yet must thou shew Christ makes his bold to be As Lions that none may his truths tread down Pastoral power he hath invested thee With it maintain least he on thee do frown Thy youth thou hast in this
neighbourly together excepting Spring-field Thus are these people with great diligence provided for these daies of war hoping the day is at hand wherein the Lord will give Antichrist the don-christ the double of all her doings and therefore they have nursed up in their Artillery garden some who have since been used as instruments to begin the work but that which gives the greatest hope concerning this particular is this that these times afford more souldiers depending on the Lord Christ through faith for deliverance and true valour then any age since Antichrist began to fall without which all these preparations were but as so many traps and snares to catch a people in and to the which these Commanders and souldiers are daily exhorted and therefore let all people know that desire the downfal of New-England they are not to war against a people only exercised in feats of war but men who are experienced in the deliverances of the Lord from the mouth of the Lion and the paw of the Bear and now woe be to you when the same God that directed the stone to the forehead of the Philistine guides every bullet that is shot at you it matters not for the whole rabble of Antichrist on your side the God of Armies is for us a refuge high Shela VVonder working Providence OF Sions SAVIOUR in New-England BOOK III. CONTAINING The passages of Gods providence toward this wandering Race of Jaacobites in these latter seven years from the year 1645. till toward the latter end of 51. CHAP. I. Of planting the twenty sixth Church of Christ at the Town of Haverhil and of preparation for a second war with the Indians THis year that antient honored and trusty souldier of the truth Thom. Dudly Esquire was chosen Governor and the honored John Winthrop Esquire was chosen Deputy Governor John Endicut Esquire to the office of Major-General You have heard in the former book of the fortifying of the Castle and placing a Captain therein which was not finished till this year the number of freemen added was 56. The Town of Haverhil was built much about this time lying higher up then Salisbury upon the fair and large river of Merrimeck the people are wholly bent to improve their labour in tilling the earth and keeping of cattel whose yearly encrease incourages them to spend their days in those remote parts the constant penetrating farther into this Wilderness hath caused the wild and uncouth woods to be fil'd with frequented wayes and the large rivers to be over-laid with Bridges passeable both for horse and foot this Town is of a large extent supposed to be ten miles in length there being an over-weaning desire in most men after Medow land which hath caused many towns to grasp more into their â—ands then they could afterward possibly hold the people are laborious in the gaining the goods of this life yet are they not unmindful also of the chief end of their coming hither namely to be made partakers of the blessed Ordinances of Christ that their souls might be refreshed with the continual income of his rich grace to which end they gathered into a Church-body and called to office the reverend M. VVard son to the former named M. VVard of Ipswitch WIth mind resolv'd run out thy race at length Yound Ward begin whereas thy father left Left hath he not but breaths for further strength Nor thou nor he are yet of hope bereft Fruit of thy labours thou shalt see so much The righteous shall hear of it and rejoyce When Babel falls by Christ's almighty touch All'â— folk shall praise him with a cheerful voice They prosper shall that Sions building mind Then Ward cease not with toyl her stones to lay For great is he thee to this work assign'd Whose pleasure is heavens Crown shall be thy pay This year although divers Indian Sachems not long before had desired to subject themselves and lands unto this Government yet the sons of old Canonicus having not inherited their fathers prudence with his subjects and land fell to hot contention with their own neighbours and native inhabitants although they were forbidden by the united Colonies and prosecuted so that they would not stick to wage war with the English also which the Commissioners perceiving they raised an Army of horse and foot out of the Colonies and appointed as Commander in chief over them Major-General Edward Gibbons the reverend Mr. Tompsoâ— one of the Elders of the Church at Braintree was to accompany them and to preach the Word of God unto them during the time of the war but the Indians hearing of this preparation against them sent a certain number of their chief Nobility to treat with the Commissioners of the united Colonies about a peace who then sitting at Boston gave them audience the Indians coming into their presence could speak no more English but peace peace the English were very desirous of an opportunity to shew them mercy and yet would they should not despise them in gaining it upon such easie terms as might cause them to move war again and therefore allotted them to pay some part of the charge of the war intended and therefore appointed them to give four of their sons for hostages till they had wholly paid it the Indians gladly accepted of the terms and accordingly brought their children Here the Reader should be minded of the admirable acts of the Lord Christ in awing these multitudes of Heathens for they were the most populous of any that are in these parts but it is reserved for another place in this history the Indians being slow in their performance had their hostages returned home before the Wapom was paid yet their two Princes Posicus and Mexanimo did upon the sending certain armed men to demand the remainder send the sum demanded CHAP. II. Of the planting of the twenty seventh Church of Christ at the Town called Springfield and of the earnest seeking the the Lord by all the Churches of N. E. for his gracious assistance in the work of Reformation ABout this time one Mr. Pinchin sometime a Magistrate having out of desire to better his estate by trading with the Indians setled himself very remote from all the Churches of Christ in the Mattachusets Government upon the river of Canectico yet under their Government he having some godly persons resorting unto him they there erected a Town and Church of Christ calling it Springfield it lying upon this large navigable river hath the benefit of transporting their goods by water and also fitly seated for a Bever trade with the Indians till the Merchants encreased so many that it became little worth by reason of their out-buying one another which hath caused them to live upon husbandry this Town is mostly built along the river side and upon some little rivelets of the same There hath of late been more then one or two in this Town greatly suspected of witchcraft yet have they used much diligence both for the finding them
liberty and nothing for Government yet they might bear men in hand it was for petitioning for a Presbyterian Church-Government according to this teâ—or thâ— Court being some what flow in censuring them they prepareâ— a plot wrapping in some few persons more with them lay ing very gross matters to the charge of this Government in their Bill of complaint but being suspected by the honoured Magistrates of this Government their plot was found out and writing publikely read unto them for all which they had a small penalty laid upon them hardly countervail the charge they put the country unto but assuredly it was the Lords gracious goodness to quell their malice against his people and indeed the proud Bishops sped no better or not so well especially some of them nor have any other hitherto prospered who have maâ—igned these poor Churches of Christ yet because the Gortonist painted over a far worser cause that those honorable personages in England who had the hearing thereof could not discern the Government thought meet to send over this year the honored M. VVinslow to manifest and declare the naked truth of things having full power and commission from this Government to deal for them in all matters wherein they may be concerned and verily the chief Gortonian might have returned from England hither to have triumphed in his blasphemies over the Churches of Christ and all the united colonies had not the divel shewed his horns in that book he printed wherein he takes upon him a monstrous interpretation of the words of our Lord Christ in John Except ye eat my flesh and drink my blond c. had the book been well perused before their coming over surely they had never return'd with so large a commission as they boast of for the Parliament have punished divers persons for their blasphemies and very like these should not have scaped scotfree CHAP. IV. Of the second Synod holden at Cambridg in N. E. and the images of the Son that appeared THis year the General Court of the Mattachusets Government taking into consideration the many 〈◊〉 in point of doctrine that were daily broached by some of our English Nation although the churches of Christ and the people under this Government were free at least in open profession yet to declare to all the world and render an accompt of their faith and profession wherein they walk it was thought meet that the churches of Christ should meet together in a Synod by their Elders and Messengers to hold forth the doctrine and discipline of Jesus Christ according to the rule of the New Testament with the grounds of Scripturâ— from which they hold the same and further to make trial of them by the said rules and none other accordingly at the time appointed they assembled together their disputation was plain and easie to be understood of the meanest capacity clearing up those points that were most dubious they having agreed on all matters with a full concurrence of the assembly did appoint them to be put in print that they might be the better scanned and tried of every particular person in the several congregations or churches many churches approving thereof for the generality others there be that have not yet fully viewed the same the books are extant and shew that the churches of Christ in N. E. are not ashamed to make confession of their faith to all the world and are yet ready to receive any further light shall be made known unto them from the Word of God and none other nor do they receive this because a Synod hath said it but because the Lord hath spoken it by his Spirit and witnessed by the same Spirit to their souls that he hath so done some sorts of persons have been much opposite to this Synod first those that are so inured with the broad beaten path of liberty that they fear to be confined in the straight and narrow path of truth the second are such as have their wills wedded to some singular rare conceited opinion for which they have been admired of many and now they fear their gain will be gone if this spirit be cast out the third and last sort are more honest then the two former and only scared with their big words who tell them of the Popish and Prelatical Synods what a deal of trash and cannon Laws they have brought in and that if they will full to receiving books once they shall have more and more thrust upon them As also if any shall say its only to declare the doctrine and discipline the churches of N. E. hold it s enough quoth they that our faith concerning these things is contained in the Bible and this is all the accompt we need to give to any but for all these scare-crows N.E. hath through the blessing of the Lord received much peace and truth from the former Synod we wish our countrymen and our selves may receive the like and much more from this which ended not with this year This year about the later end thereof appeared two Parelii or Images of the Sun and some other strange apparitions of light about her like a Rainbow with the heels upward which unwonted sights have been interpreted by the provident passages since shewed among those who have had an outside of profession and name to be singular for understanding the mind of God who would overthrow all the Ordinances of Christ under the name of New-light and that there can be no restoration of Religion till new Apostles come This desperate opinion doth so fitly resemble these wonderful apparitions that seemed to be another Sun yet indeed had no light in them but vanished away no man knew how so these opinionists would make men believe they had found out another Sea from their phantastical revelations CHAP. V. Of the great pains and care taken by those in Authority for the compiling of Lawes for this little Commonwealth THis year the General Court appointed a Committee of divers persons to draw up a Body of Laws for the well-ordering of this little Commonwealth and to the end that thâ—y might be most agreeable with the rule of Scripture in every County there was appointed two Magistrates two Ministers and two able persons from among the people who having provided such a competent number as was meet together with the former that were enacted newly amended they presented them to the General Court where they were again perused and amended and then another Committee chosen to bring them into form and present them to the Court again who the year following passed an Act of confirmation upon them and so committed them to the Press and in the year 1648. they were printed and now are to be seen of all men to the end that none may plead ignorance and that all who intend to transport themselves hither may know this is no place of licentious liberty nor will this people suffer any to trample down this Vineyard of the Lord but with diligent execution
will cut off from the city of the Lord the wicked doers and if any man can shew wherein any of them derogate from the Word of God very willingly will they accept thereof and amend their imperfections the Lord assisting but let not any ill affected persons find fault with them because they suit not with their own humour or because they meddle with matters of Religion for it is no wrong to any man that a people who have spent their estates many of them and ventured their lives for to keep faith and a pure conscience to use all means that the Word of God allows for maintenance and continuance of the same especially they having taken up a desolate Wilderness to be their habitation and not deluded any by keeping their profession in huggermug but print and proclaim to all the way and course they intend God willing to walk in if any will yet notwithstanding seek to justle them out of their own right let them not wonder if they meet with all the opposition a people put to their greatest straits can make as in all their undertaking their chiefest aim hath been to promote the Ordinances of Christ so also in contriving their Laws Liberties and Priviledges they have not been wanting which hath caused many to maligne their civil Government and more especially for punishing any by a Law that walk conrrary to the rule of the Gospel which they profess but to them it seems unreasonable and savours too much of hypocrisie that any people should pray unto the Lord for the speedy accomplishment of his Word in the overthrow of Antichrist and in the mean time become a Patron to sinful opinions and damnable errors that oppose the truths of Christ admit it be but in the bare permission of them CHAP. VI. Of the Lords wonder-working Providence in fitting this people with all kind of Manufactures and the bringing of them into the order of a Commonwealth ON the day of Election for Governor and Magistrates which are new chosen every year the honored John Winthrope Esquire was chosen Governor and the like honored Thomas Dudly Esquire Deputy Governor John Endicut Esquire was chosen Major-General which is an Officer the Freemen make a yearly choice of all other Military Officers stand for 〈◊〉 of life unless any be put out for misdemeanour the member of freemen added this year were about 85. the Land affording very good â—â—on stone divers persons of good â—ack and quality in England were stirred up by the provident hand of the Lord to venture their estatee upon an hon work which they began at Braintree and profited the owners little but rather wasted their stock which caused some of them to tell away the Kmainder the chief reason being the high price of labour which ordinarily was as much more as in England and in many things treble the way of going on with such a work here was not suddâ—inly to be disterned although the Steward had a very able eye yet experience nath out-stript learning here and the most quick-sighted in the Theory of things have been forced to pay prety mundly to Lady Experience for filling their heads with a sittle of her active after-wit much hope there is now that the owners may pick up their crums again if they be but made partakers of the gain in putting off England commodities at N. E. price it will take off one third of the great price they gave for labour and the price of their iron it is supposed another third is taken of the abundance of wood had for little will surely take off the residue besides land at easie rates and common land free for their use it were to be desired that those Gentlemen who have undertaken the work would consider the place where their works are namely in N. E. where the Lord Christ hath chosen to plant his Churches in to hide his people under the covert of his wings till the tyranny of Antichrist be over-passed and any that have disbursed pence for the furthering of his work shall be repayed with thousands Besides the Gentlemen that govern this Colony are very desirous to be helpful in what they may and had rather take any burthens upon themselves and the Inhabitants that in justice they ought then that those Gentlemen should be any wayes damnified The Lord is pleased also to compleat this Commonwealth abundantly beyond all expectation in all sorts of needful occupations it being for a loâ—g time the great fear of many and those that were endued with grace from above also that this would be no place of continued habitation for want of a staple-commodity but the Lord whose promises are large to his Sion hath blest his peoples provision and satisfied her poor with bread in a very little space every thing in the country proved a staple-commodity wheat rye oats peas barley beef pork fish butter cheese timber mast tar sope plank-board frames of housâ—s clabboard and pipestaves iron and lead is like to be also and those who were formerly forced to fetch most of the bread they eat and beer they drink a hundred leagues by Sea are through the blessing of the Lord so encreased that they have not only fed their Elder Sisters Virginia Barbados and many of the Summer Islands that were prefer'd before her for fruitfulness but also the Grandmother of us all even the firtil Isle of Great Britain beside Portugal hath had many a mouthful of bread and fish from us in exchange of their Madeara liquor and also Spain nor could it be imagined that this Wilderness should turn a mart for Merchants in so short a space Holland France Spain and Portugal coming hither for trade shipping going on gallantly till the Seas became so troublesome and England restrain'd our trade forbidding it with Barbados c. and Portugal stopt and took our ships many a fair ship had her framing and finishing here besides lesser vessels barques and ketches many a Master beside commoa Seamen had their first learning in this Colony Boston Charles-Town Salem and Ipswitch our Maritan Towns began to encrease roundly especially Boston the which of a poor country village in twice seven years is become like unto a small City and is in election to be Mayor Town suddainly chiefly increased by trade by Sea yet of late the Lord hath given a check to our traffique but the reason may be rendred hereafter nor hath this Colony alone been actors in this trade of venturing by Sea but New-haven also who were many of them well experienced in traffique and had good estates to mannage it Canectiso did not linger behind but put forth to Sea with the other all other trades have here fallen into their ranks and places to their great advantage especially Coopers and Shomakers who had either of them a Corporation granted inriching themselves by their trades very much Coopers having their plenty of stuff at a cheap rate and by reason of trade with forraign parts abandance of
work as for Tanners and Shomakers it being naturalized into these occupations to have a higher reach in mannaging their manifactures then other men in N. E. are having not chang'd their nature in this between them both they have kept men to their stander hitherto almost doubling the price of their commodities according to the rate they were sold for in England and yet the plenty of Leather is beyond what they had their counting the number of the people but the transportation of Boots and Shoes into forraign parts hath vented all however as for Tailors they vave not come behind the former their advantage being in the nurture of new-fashions all one with England Carpenters Joyners Glaziers Painters follow their trades only Gun-smiths Lock-smiths Black-smiths Naylers Cutlers have left the husbandmen to follow the Plow and Cart and they their trades Weavers Brewers Bakers Costermongers Feltmakers Braziers Pewterers and Finkers Ropemakers Masons Lime Brick and Tilemakers Cardmakers to work and not to play Turners Pumpmakers and Wheelers Glovers Fellmungers and Furriers are orderly turn'd to their trades besides divers sorts of Shopkeepers and some who have a mystery beyond others as have the Vintners Thus hath the Lord been pleased to turn one of the most hideous boundless and unknown Wildernesses in the world in an instant as 't were in comparison of other work to a well-ordered Commonwealth and all to serve his Churches of which the Author intends to speak of three more which came to be gathered in the compass of these years CHAP. VII Of the three last Churches that were gathered in the compass of these years namely Haverhil Malâ—en and another Church gathered in the Town of Boston THis year 1648. John Winthrope Esquire was chosen Governor and Thomas Dudly Esquire Deputy Governor and John Endicut Esquire Major General all three as they were the former year the number of freemen added were about 94. about this time there was a Town founded about one or two mile distant from the place where the goodly river of Merrimeck receives her branches into her own body hard upon the river of Shawshin which is one of her three chief heads the honored Mr. Simon Broad street taking up his last setling there hath been a grrat means to further the work it being a place well fitted for the husbandmans hand were it not that the remoteness of the place from Towns of trade bringeth some inconveniencies upon the planteas who are inforced to carry their corn far to market this Town is called Andover and hath good store of land improved for the bigness of it they soon gathered into a Church having the reverend Mr. Whodbridg to instruct them in the wayes of Christ till he returned to England and since have called to office the reverend Mr. Deynes for whose further incouragement the promises of the Lord for protecting providing increaseing and continuing even the very least of his Churches going on according to his precepts are abundantly manifested in his Word THon Sister young Christ is to thee a wall Of flaming fire to hurt thee none may come In stipp'ry paths and dark wayes shall they fall His Angels might shall chase theiâ— countless sum Thy Shepheard with full cups and table spread Before thy foes in Wilderness thee feeds Increasing thy young lambs in bosom bred Of Churches by his wonder-working deeds To countless number must Christ's Churches reach The day 's at hand both Jew and Gentle shall Come crowding in his Churches Christ to preach And last for aye none can cause them to fall About this time the Town of Malden had his first foundation stones laid by certain persons who issued out of Charles-Town and indeed had her whole structure within the bounds of this more elder Town being severed by the broad ipreading river of Mistick the one from the other whose troublesome passage caused the people on the North side of the river to plead for Town-priviledges within themselves which accordingly was granted them the soyl is very firtile but they are much straitned in their bounds yet their neerness to the â—hief Market Towns makes it the more comfortable for habitation the people gathered into a Church some distance of â—ime before they could attain to any Church-Officer to admiâ—ister the Seals unto them yet in the mean time at their Sabâ—th assemblies they had a godly Christian named M. Sarjant who did preach the Word unto them and afterwards they â—ere supplied at times with some young Students from the â—olledg till the year 16â—0 one Mr. Marmaduke Mathews â—oming out of Plimouth Patten was for some space of time â—ith a people at the Town of Hull which is a small Portâ—own peopled by fishermen and lies at the entrance of the â—ays mouth where this Mr. Mathews continued preaching â—he lost the approbation of some able understanding men â—ong both Magistrates and Ministers by weak and unsafe â—pressions in his teaching yet notwithstanding he was calâ— to the office of a Pastor by the brethren of this Church of â—rist at Maldon although some Neighbour-churches were satisfied therewith for it is the manner of all the Churches Christ here hitherto to have the approbation of their Siâ—-churches and the civil Government also in the proceedings of this nature by the which means Communion of Churches is continued peace preserved and the truths of Christ sincerely acknowledged yet the Author will not miss to mind him in the following Meeter MAthews thou must build gold and silver on That precious stone Christ cannot trash indure Unstable straw and stubble must be gone When Christ by fire doth purge his building pure In seemly and in modest terms do thou Christs precious truths unto thy folk unfold And mix not error with the truth lest thou Soon leave out sense to make the truth to hold Compleating of Christs Churches is at hand Mathews stand up and blow a crrtain sound Warriours are wanting Babel to withstand Christs truths maintain 't will bring thee honors crown'd The last Church that compleated the number of 30. was gathered at Boston by reason of the popularity thereof beinâ— too many to meet in one assembly the North-east part of thâ— Town being separated from the other with a narrow streaâ— cut through a neck of land by industry whereby that part iâ— become an Island it was thought meet that the people in habiting the same should gather into a Church-body anâ— build a Meeting-house for their assembly the which they havâ— already done but not as yet called any one to office for sinâ—â— the people of Christ in some other places both in Englanâ— and elswhere have through the goodness of God obtaine like liberty with our selves the Ministers of Christ have haâ— their labours taken up in other places as well as herâ— which hath caused this Church as yet to be destituâ— the beginning of this year was sad to the people of N. â—â— by reason of the death of their honoured Governoâ—â— John Winthrope Esquire whose
indefatigable paines in thâ— Wilderness-work is not to be forgotten nor indeed â—â— it be his Funeral was very sadly and solemnly performeâ— by a very great concourse of the greater part of this Coloâ— whose mournful looks and watry eyes did plainly demonstrate the tender affection and great esteem he was in with the people CHAP. VIII Of the death of divers personages who were in great este em with the people of New-England famous for their godliness and ominent parts both for Magistracy and Ministery and of the correcting hand of the Lord upon his N. E. people A His year after the death of this godly Governour was chosen to succeed in the place 10. Endicut Esq and Tho. Dudly Esq to be Deputy Governor to the place of Major-General Edw. Gibbons and seeing that the Lord is pleased to call this people to mourning the Author will proceed to relate what further occasion this people have had to lament their miscarriages that have caused the rod to be stretched out toward them for of a truth they are no Antinomians The next loss was the death of that famous Preacher of the Lord M. Hooker Pastor of the Church of Christ at Hartford and M. Philips Pastor of the Church of Christ at Watertown and the holy heavenly sweet-affecting and soul-ravishing Minister M. Tho. Shepheard Pastor of the Church of Christ at Cambridg whose departure was very heavily taken by all the people of Christ round about him and now N.E. that had such heaps apon heaps of the riches of Christs tender compassionate mercies being turn'd off from his dandling knees began to read their approaching rod in the bend of hiâ— brows frowns of his former favourable countenance toward them their plenty of all things which shold have cheared their hearts quickned their spirits in elevating both soul and body to a thankful frame through the work of his blessed Spirit on the contrary it brought a fulness on many even to loath the very honey-comb insomuch that good wholesome truths would not down yet had the Lord those that were precious unto him who were not wanting to help one another out of this distemper and with more warmer affections exhort one another Come let us go up unto the house of the Lord and he will teach us his wayes Also the Lord was pleased to awaken us with an Army of caterpillers that had he not suddainly rebuked them they had surely destroyed the husband mans hope where they fell upon trees they left them like winter-wasting cold bare and naked and although they fell on fields very rarely yet in some places they made as clear a riddance as the harvest mans hand and uncovered the gay green Medow ground but indeed the Lord did by some plats shew us what he could have done with the whole and in many places cast them into the high wayes that the Cart-wheels in their passage were painted green with running over the great swarms of them in some fields they devoured the leaves of their pease and left the straw with the full crop so tender was the Lord in his correction this minded all these Jacobites of the end of their coming over but chiefly the husbandman whose over eager pursuit of the fruits of the earth made some of them many times run out so far in this Wilderness even out of the sweet sound of the silver Trumpets blown by the laborious Ministers of Christ forsaking the assembly of the Lords people to celebrate their Sabbaths in the chimney-corner horse kine sheep goats and swine being their most indeared companions to travel with them to the end of their pilgrimage or otherwise to gather together some of their neerest neighbours and make a preachment one unto another till they had learn'd so much that they could away with none other teaching As also the Lord was pleased to command the wind and Seas to give us a jog on the elbow by sinking the very chief of our shipping in the deep and splitting them in shivers against the shores a very goodly Ship called the Seaforce was east away and many N. E. people put to hard shifts for their lives and some drowned as the godly and dearly beloved servant of Christ Mr. Tho Coitmire a very able Seaman and also a good Scholar one who had spent both his labour and estate for the helping on of this Wilderness-work as also another ship set forth by the Merchants of New-haven of which the godly Mr Lamberton went Master neither ship persons nor goods ever heard of another ship also built and set forth by the inhabitants of Cambridg split and cast away neer the same place where the Seaforce was loft as also another Barque mostly set forth by Dorchester men sank in the Sea and never heard of the manner how with divers others which might be here inserted this seemed the sorer affliction to these N. E people because many godly men lost their lives and abundantly the more remarkable because the Lord was pleased to forbid any such things to befal his people in their passage hither herein these people read as in great capital letters their suddain forgetfulness of the Lords former received mercy in his wonderful preservation bringing over so many scores of ships and thousands of persons without miscarriage of any to the wonderment of the whole world that shall hear of it â—ut more especially were the Merchants and traders themselves sensible of the hand of the Lord out against them who were in some of the ships and had their lixes given them for a prey as also Vintners and other men of trade whose gain is increased by Merchants men being so taken up with the income of a large profit that they would willingly have had the Common wealth tolerate divers kinds of sinful opinions to intice men to come and sit down with us that their purses might be filled with coyn the civil Government with contention and the Churches of our Lord Christ with errors the Lord was pleased after all this to let in the King of Terror among his new-planted Churches FOr this year 1650. Tho. Dudly Esquire was chosen Governor and John Eudicut Esquire Deputy Governor Major-General Edward Gibbous continned in his office still the number of freemen added were about 55. Thir year was the first noted year wherein any store of people died the ayt and place being very healthy naturally made this correction of the Lord seem the greater for the most that died were children and that of an unwonted disease here though frequent in other places the Lord now smiting many families with death in them although there were not any families wherein more then one died or very rare if it were otherwise yet were these pilgrim people minded of the suddain forgetfulness of those worthies that died not long before but more especially the little regard had to provide means to train their children up in the knowledg of learning and improve such means as the Lord hath
become With scatter'd seed of man and beast thou hast Seen thy great God increase thy little sum Towns close compact in desart land hath plac't In Wilderness thy table richly spread Thy poor therein hath satisfi'd with bread While firtil lands with hunger have been pined Thy harvest hath with heaps on heaps come in Oh mourn that thou no more thy God should'st mind His gentle rod to teach thee doth begin Then wonder not that swarms of Locust fly And that earths fruits for want of moysture die A countless crew of Caterpillers craul To rob the earth of her green mantle quite Wolves only wont on lesser beasts to fall On great ones prey by day and eke by night Thy houses are consum'd with much good store By fearful fires which blustering winds blow o're Lord stay thy hand and stop my earthly mind Thy Word not world shall be our sole delight Not Medow ground but Christs rich pearl wee 'l find Thy Saints imbrace and not large lands down plight Murmure no more will we at yearly pay To help uphold our Government each way Not strive who least but who the most shall give Rejoyce will we our hearts inlarged are Those wait on th' Altar shall on Altar live Nor shall our riches their good doctrine mar Oâ—r pride of parts in thought of clear discerning No longer shall disgrace their godly learning Our meaner sort that metamorphos'd are With womens hair in gold and garments gay Whose wages large our Commonwealths work mar Their pride they shall with moderation lay Cast off their cloaths that men may know their rank Axd women that with outward deckings prank The worlds imbrace our longing lust for gain No longer shall us into corners draw Nor our large herds us from Gods house detain From fellowship of Saints who learn thy Law Thy righteous Judgments Lord do make me tremble Nor word nor rod but deep in this dissemble Two Masters Lord we will professed serve How can we Christ united be to thee When from thy Law learn'd we so greatly swarve With watry tears unclued we will be From creature-comforts Christ thou art our stay Work will and deed in us we humbly pray Oh thou my soul and every part in me Lament the Lord his worthies from the earth Takes to himself and makes our earth to be E A mourning place left destituke of mirth Are these the daies wherein that Beast shall fall Lord leave us means though thou be all in all What courage was in Winthrope it was thine Shopheards sweet Sermons from thy blessing came Our heavenly Hooker thy grace did refine And godly Burr receiv'd from thee his frame Philips didst thou indue with Scripture light And Huet had his arguings strong and right Grave Higginson his heavenly truths from thee Maveruck was made an able help to thine What Harver had thou gavest for 's people free Follow Green full of grace to work thou didst assign Godly Glover his rich gifts thou gavest Thus thou by means thy flocks from spoiling savest But Lord why dost by death withdraw thy hand From us these men and means are sever'd quite Stretch forth thy might Lord Christ do thou command Their doubled spirit on those left to light Forth of their graves call ten times ten again That thy dear flocks no damage may sustain Can I forget these means that thou hast used To quicken up my drowsie drooping soul Lord I forget and have the same abused Which makes me now with grief their deaths condole And kiss thy rod laid on with bowels tender By death of mine makes me their death remember Lord stay thy hand thy Jacobs number 's small Powre out thy wrath on Antichrists proud Thrones Here thy poor flocks that on thee daily call Bottle their tears and pity their sad groans Where shall we go Lord Christ we turn to thee Heal our back slidings forward press shall we Not we but all thy Saints the world throughout Shall on thee wait thy wonders to behold Thou King of Saints the Lord in battel stont Increase thy armies many thousand fold Oh Nations all his anger seek to stay That doth create him armies every day CHAP. X. Of the endeavours of this people of Christ to inlarge his Kingdom the world throughout and first of their preaching Christ to the Indians among whom they live THese brood of Travellers having thus through the good hand of their God upon them thus setled these Churches according to the institution of Christ and not by the will of man they now endeavour to be assisting to others The reverend Mr. Hugh Peters and his fellow-helper in Christ Mr. Wells steered their course for England so soon as they heard of the chaining up of those biting beasts who went under the name of spiritual Lords what assistance the Gospel of Christ found there by their preaching is since clearly manifested for the Lord Christ having removed that usurping power of Lordly Prelates hath now inlarged his Kingdom there and that not onely by the means of these men but by divers others both godly and eminent servants of his who never saw New-England and by divers other godly Ministers of Christ who have since gone from hence both young Students and others to the number of twenty or thereabout in the whole besides some who were eminent in the civil Government here both gracious and godly servants of Christ and some who have been Magistrates here to the number of five or six the Lord Christ grant they may all endeavour the advancement of his truths both in Churches and civil Government But before the Author cease to speak of England he is bold to say that the Lord Christ will overturn overturn overturn till he hath caused such a Government to be set up as shall become nursing fathers to his new-planted Churches The Indian people in these parts at the English first coming were very barbarous and uncivilized going for the most part naked although the country be extreme cold cold in the winter-season they are onely clothed with a Deers skin and a little bit of cloth to cover their privy part The Women for the most part are very modest although they go as naked as the Men they are generally very laborious at their planting time and the Men extraordinary idle making their squawes to carry their Children and the luggage beside so that many times they travell eight or ten mile with a burden on their backs more fitter for a horse to carry then a woman The men follow no kind of labour but hunting fishing and fowling in all which they make use of their Bowe and Arrowes to shoot the wilde creatures of the Trees as Squirrells gray and black Rockoones as for Deer they ordinarily catch them in traps with a pole bent down and a Cord at the end which flyes up and stayes their hasty course Bever Otter and Moose they catch with Traps also they are
very good marks-men with their Bowe and Arrows Their Boyes will ordinarily shoot fish with their Arrowes as they swim in the shallow Rivers they draw the Arrow halfe way putting the point of it into the water they let flye and strike the fish through the like they do to Birds lesser and great onely the Geese and Turkies being strong of wing somtimes flee away with their Arrowes sticking in them this is all the trade they use which makes them destitute of many recessaries both in meat drink apparell and houses As for any religious observation they were the most destitute of any people yet heard of the Divel having them in very great subjection not using craft to delude them as he ordinarily doth in most parts of the World but kept them in a continuall slavish fear of him onely the Powawes who are more conversant with him then any other sometimes recover their sicke folk with charmes which they use by the help of the Divell and this makes them to adore such one of them was seen as is reported to cure a Squaw that was dangerously sick by taking a snakes skin and winding it about her arm the which soon became a living snake crawling round about her armes and body another caused the sick patient for healing to pass bare footed through many burning coals those that cannot cure them they call Squantams powwons but if the patient live he is had in great admiration and then they cry Much winnit Abbamocho that is very good Divell for Squantam is a bad Divel and Abbamocho is their good Divell It hath been a thing very frequent before the English came for the Divell to appear unto them in a bodily shape sometimes very ugly and terrible and sometimes like a white boy and chiefly in the most hideous woods and swamps they report that sometimes he hath come into their wigwams and carryed away divers of them alive and since we came hither they tell us of a very terrible beast for shape and bigness that came into a wigwam toward the North-east parts remote from any English plantations and took away six men at a time who were never seen afterward The English at their first coming did assay and endeavour to bring them to the knowledge of God and in particular the reverend grave and godly Mr. John Wilson who visited their sick and instructed others as they were capable to understand him But yet very little was done that way till in process of time they by continuall coming to the English became better able to understand them and now of late yeers the reverend Mr. Eliot hath been more then ordinary laborious to study their language instructing them in their own Wigwams and Catechising their Children As also the reverend Mr. Mayhewe one who was tutored up in N. Eng. and called to office by the Church of Christ gathered at a small Island called Martins Vineyard this man hath taken good pains with them but the particulars of our godly Ministers labours together with the good hand of our God upon their indeavours being already published no further need be spoken CHAP. XI Of the gratious goodness of the Lord Christ in planting his Gospel in the purety of it in Virginia and of the first Church gathered there according to the rule of the Gospel ABout the yeer the Lord was pleased to put it into the heare of some godly people in Virginia to send to N. E. for some of the Ministers of Christ to be helpfull unto them in instructing them in the truth as it is in Jesus The godly Mr. Philip Bennit coming hither made our reverend Elders acquainted with their desires who were very studious to take all opportunities for inlarging the kingdome of Christ and upon serious consideration the reverend Mr. Knowls of Watertowne and Mr. Tompson of Braintree were sent unto them who ariving there in safety preached openly unto the people for some good space of time and also from house to house exhorted the people dayly that with full purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord the harvest they had was plentifull for the little space of time they were there till being opposed by the Governour and some other malignant spirits they were forced to returne to N. E. again It were much to be desired that all people would take notice of the hand of God against this people after the rejection of these Ministers of Christ and indeed it was none other but the thrusting Christ from them and now attend to the following story all you Cavaliers and malignant party the world throughout take notice of the wonderworking providence of Christ toward his Churches and punishing hand of his toward the contemners of his Gospel Behold yeâ— dispisers and wonder Oh poor Virginia dost thou send away the Ministers of Christ with threatning speeches No sooner is this done but the barbarous inhumane insolent and bloody Indians are let loose upon them who contrive the cutting them off by whole Families closely carying their wicked counsells till they had effected their desires their bloody designe taking place for the space of 200 miles up the River the manner of the English Plantations there being very scattering quite contrary to N. E. people who for the most part desire society The manner of the Indians proceeding was thus they divided themselves into severall companies and beset the English houses a little before break of day waiting for the first person that should open the doore and come forth whom they cruelly murdered beating out their brains and then forthwith entred the house and slew all they found within sometimes firing the houses and leaving the living children miserably to be consumed with their dead Parents in the fearfull flames some people fleeing from this barbarous massacre as they passed by a fired house heard a pitifull out-cry of a poor Child crying I burn I burn although they could willingly have made haste away yet the miserable out-cry of this poor babe caused them to haft to the house and rescue it forth the flames that was even almost ready to scorch it this cruell and bloody work of theirs put period to the lives of five or six hundred of these people who had not long before a plentifull proffer of the mercies of Christ in the glad tidings of peace published by the mouth of his Ministers who came unto them for that end but chusing rather the fellowship of their drunken companions and a Preist of their own profession who could hardly continue so long sober as till he could read them the reliques of mans invention in a common prayer book but assuredly had not the Lord pittied the little number of his people among this crooked generation they had been consumed at once for this is further remarkable in this massacre when it came toward the place where Christ had placed his little flock it was discovered prevented from further proceeding and the Lord by this means did so
of her and he not partakers of her sins now is the time when the Lord hath assembled his Saints together now the Lord will come and not tarry As it was necessary that there should be a Moses and Aaron before the Lord would deliver his people and destroy Pharaoh lest they should be wildred indeed in the Wilderness so now it was needfull that the Churches of Christ should first obtain their purity and the civill government its power to defend them before Antichrist come to his finall ruine and because you shall be sure the day is come indeed behold the Lord Christ marshalling of his invincible Army to the battell some suppose this onely to be mysticall and not literall at all assuredly the spirituall fight is chiefly to be attended and the other not neglected having a neer dependancy one upon the other especially at this time the Ministers of Christ who have cast off all lording power over one another are created field-Officers whose Office is extravagant in this Army chiefly to encourage the fighting Souldiers and to lead them on upon the enemy in the most advantagious places and bring on fresh supplies in all places of danger to put the sword of the spirit in their Souldiers hands but Christ who is their general must onely enable them to use it aright to give every Souldier in charge that they watch over one another to see that none meddle with the execrable things of Antichrist and this to be performed in every Regiment throughout the Army and not one to exercise dominion over the other by way of superiority for Christ hath appointed a parity in all his Regiments c. let them beware that none go apart with rebellious Korah And further behold Kings Rulers or Generals of Earths Armies doth Christ make use of in this day of battell the which he hath brought into the field already also who are appointed to defend uphold and maintain the whole body of his Armies against the insolent beastly and bloody cruelty of their insatiable enemies and to keep order that none do his fellow-Souldier any wrong nor that any should raise a mutiny in the hosts Notwithstanding all this if any shall say they will not believe the day is come till they see them ingage battell with Antichrist Verily if the Lord be pleased to open your eyes you may see the beginning of the fight and what success the Armies of our Lord Christ have hitherto had the Forlorne hopes of Antichrists Army were the proud Prelates of England the Forlorne of Christs Armies were these N. E. people who are the subject of this History which encountring each other for some space of time ours being overpowered with multitude were forced to retreat to a place of greater safety where they waited for a fresh opportunity to ingage with the main battell of Antichrist so soon as the Lord shall be pleased to give a word of Command Immediately upon this success the Lord Christ was pleased to command the right Wing of his Army to advance against the left Wing of Antichrist where in his former forlorn hopes of proud Prelates lay these by our right Wing had their first pay for that they had done to our forlorne before being quite overthrown and cut in peices by the valiant of the Lord in our right Wing who still remain fighting Thus far of the battell of Antichrist and the various success what the issue will be is assuredly known in the generall already Babylon is fallen the God of truth hath said it then who would not be a Souldier on Christs side where is such a certainty of victory nay I can tell you a farther word of encouragement every true-hearted Souldier that falls by the sword in this fight shall not lye dead long but stand upon his feet again and be made partaker of the triumph of this Victory and none can be overcome but by turning his back in fight And for a word of terrour to the enemy let them know Christ will never give over the raising of fresh Forces till they are overthrown root and branch And now you antient people of Israel look out of your Prison grates let these Armies of the Lord Christ Jesus provoke you to acknowledge he is certainly come I and speedily he doth come to put life into your dry bones here is a people not onely praying but fighting for you that the great block may be removed out of the way which hath hindered hitherto that they with you may enjoy that glorious resurrection-day the glorious nuptials of the Lamb when not only the Bridegroom shall appear to his Churches both of Jews and Gentiles which are his spouse in a more brighter aray then ever heretofore but also his Bride shall be clothed by him in the richest garments that ever the Sons of men put on even the glorious graces of Christ Jesus in such a glorious splendor to the eyes of man that they shall see and glorifie the Father of both Bridegroom and Bride OH King of Saints how great 's thy work say we Done and to do poor Captives to redeem Mountaines of mercy makes this work to be Glorious that grace by which thy works are seen Oh Jesu thou a Saviour unto thine Not works but grace makes us this mercy find Of sinners cheife no better men they be Thou by thy work hast made thy work to do Thy Captaines strength weak dust appears in thee While thou art brought such wondrous works unto Then Christ doth all I all is done for his Redeemed ones his onely work it is Doth Christ build Churches who can them deface He purchast them none can his right deny Not all the world ten thousand worlds his grace Caus'd him once them at greater price to buy Nor marvell then if Kings and Kingdomes he Destroy'd when they do cause his folke to flee Christ is come down possession for to take Of his deer purchase who can hinder him Not all the Armies earthly men can make Millions of spirits although Divels grim Can Pope or Turke with all their mortall power Stay Christ from his inheritance one hour All Nations band your selves together now You shall fall down as dust from bellows blown How easie can our King your power bow Though higher you in mens accompt were grown As drop in bucket shall those waters be Whereon that Whore doth sit in high degree Christs wrath is kindled who can stand before His anger that so long hath been provoked In moment perish shall all him before Who touch'd Mount Sinai and it soundly smoaked New-England Churches you are Christs you say So sure are all that walk in Christs way No such need fear fury of men or Divels Why Christ among you takes his dayly walk He made you gold you keeps from rusting evils And hid you here from strife of tongues proud talke Amongst his he for their defence doth bide They need no more that have Christ on their side Man be not
proud of this thy exaltation For thou wast dung and dogs filth when Christ wrought In thee his work and set thee in this station To stand from him thy strength is dayly brought Yet in him thou shalt go triumphant on Not thou but Christ triumphs his foes upon You people whom he by the hand did lead 〈…〉 Seas with watry wall Apply your selves his Scriptures for to read In reading do for eyes enlightned call And you shall see Christ once being come is now Again at hand your stubborn hearts to bow Though scattered you Earths Kingdoms are throughout In bondage brought cheife by those make some shew Of Jewish rights they Christ with you cast out Christ well their Cords for you in sunder hew Through unbeliefe you were to bondage brought Believe that Christ for you great work hath wrought He will your heart not member circumcise Oh search and see this is your Jesus sure Refuse him not would God you were so wise None but this King can ought your hope procure Once doting on an Earthly Kingdom you Mist of your Christ be sure be wiser now The day 's at hand he will you wiser make To know Earths Kingdoms are too scant and base For such a price as Christ paid for your sake Kings you shall be but in a higher place Yet for your freedom Nations great shall fall That without fear of foes him serve you shall You are the men that Christ will cause subdue Those Turkish Troops that joyned Jews have been His Gentile Churches cast down Babels crue Then you that brood of Mahumetts shall win Destroy his seed ' mongst Persians Turkes and Moores And for poor Christians ope the Prison doors Your Nation prov'd too scant for his possession Whose pretious blood was made a price for sin And Nations all who were in like transgression Some of the whole Christ to his Crown will win And now makes way for this his work indeed That through the world his Kingdom may proceed Now Nations all I pray you look about Christ comes you neer his power I pray embrace In 's word him seek he 's found without all doubt He doth beseech with teares Oh seek his face Yet time there is the Battel 's but begun Christ call thy folke that they to thee may run Place them in thy strong Armies newly gather'd Thy Churches Lord increase and fill withall Those blessed ones are given thee by thy Father The wickeds Rod off from their backs recall Breake off their yokes that they with freedom may Tell of thy workes and praise thee every day Lord Christ go on with thy great wonders working Down headlong cast all Antichristian power Vnmaske those men that lye in corners lurking Whose damned doctrines dayly sâ—ates advance For why thy Folke for this are dayly longing That Nations may come in thy Churches thronging What greater joy can come thy Saints among Then to behold their Christ exalted high Thy Spirits joy with ravishment stirs strong Thy Folke while they thy Kingdomes glory eye Angels rejoyce because their waiting is In Saints assembly where thy name they bliss Thy workes are not in Israels Land confined From East to West thy wondrous works are known To Nations all thou hast thy grace assigned Thy spirits breathings through the World are blown All Languages and tongues do tell thy praise Dead hear thy voyce them thou dost living raise Oh blessed dayes of Son of Man now seen You that have long'd so sore them to behold March forth in 's might and stoutly stand between The mighties sword and Christs dear flocke infold Vndanted close and clash with them for why ' Gainst Christ they are and he with thee stands by No Captive thou nor Death can on thee seize Fight stand and live in Christ thou dayly dost He long ago did lead as Captives these And ever lives to save thee where thou goest His Father still and Spirit shall with thee Abide and crowne thy Head with lasting glee For thy words sake and according to thine own heart hast thou done all these great things to make thy servant know them 2 Sam. 7. 21. FINIS Courteous Reader These Books following are Printed for Nathaniel Brooke and are to be sold at his Shop at the Angel in Cornehill 1. TImes Treasury or Academy for Gentry excellent grounds both Divine and humane for their accomplishment in arguments of discourse habit fashion with a Ladies love-Lecture and Truths triumph summing up all in a character of Honour by Ri. Braithwait Esq 2. Morton of the Sacrament in folio 3. Physiogmony and Chiromancy Metoposcopy the Symmetricall proportions and signall Moles of the body the subject of Dreames to which is added the Art of Memory by Ri. Sanders Student folio 4. Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum containing severall poeticall peeces of our famous English Philosophers which have written the Hermetique misteries in their antient Language by Elias Ashmole Esq 5. Chiromancy or the Art of Divining by the lines engraven in the hand of man by dame Nature Theologically practically in 19. Genitures with a learned discourse of the soul of the World and universall spirit thereof by Geo. Wharton Esq 6. Catholick History collected and gathered out of Scripture Councels and antient Fathers Moderne writers both ecclesiasticall and civill in answer to Dr. Vane's Lost Sheep returned home by Ed. Chiseuhall Esq 7. Planometria or the whole Art of Survey of Land shewing the use of all Instruments but especially the plain Table whereunto is added an Appendix to measure regular Solids as Timber Stone usefull for all that intend either to sell or purchase 8. An Arithmetick in number and species in two Books 1. Teaching by precept and example the operation in Numbers whole and broken by Decimals and use of the Logarithms Napyers bones 2. The great Rule of Algebra in Species resolving all Arithmeticall questions by supposition with a Canon of the powers of numbers fitted to the meanest capacity by Jonas Moore late of Durham 8. 9. Tactometrica or the Geometry of Regulars after a new exact and expeditious manner in Solids with sundry usefull experiments Practicall Geometry of Regular-like Solids and of a Cylinder body for liquid vessell measure with sundry new experiments never before extant for gauging a work very usefull for all that are imployed in the Art Metrical by John Wiberd Doctor in Physick 10. An Astrologicall discourse with Mathematicall Demonstrations proving the powerfull and harmonicall influence of the Planets and fixed Stars upon Elementary Bodies in justification of the Validity of Astroligy by Sir Christopher Heydon Knight 11. Magick and Astrology vindicated in which is contained the true definitions of the said Arts and the justification of their practise proved by the authority of Scripture and the experience of antient and modern Authors by H. Warren 12. An Astrologicall judgement of Diseases from the Decumbiture of the ficke also the way of finding out the cause change and end of a disease also whether the sick be
likely to live or die by N. Culpeper 13. Catastrophe Magnatum or the downfall of Monarchy by N. Culpeper 14. Ephemerides for the year 1652. being a year of wonders by N. Culpeper 15. Lux veritatis or Christian Judiciall Astrology vindicated and Daemonology confuted in answer to Nath. Holmes Dr. D. by W. Ramsey Gent. 16. The History of the Golden Ass 17. The Painting of the Antients the beginning progress and consummating of that noble Art and how those antient Artificers attained to their still so much admired excellency sraels redemption or the propheticall History of our Saviours Kingdome on earth by Robert Matton of Exon Colledgo in Olcon 8. 18. An Introduction to the Teutonick Philosophy being a determination of the Originall of the Soul at a Dispute held in the School at Cambridg at the Commencement March 3. 1646. by Charles Hotham Fellow of Peter-house 12. 19. Teratologia or a discovery of Gods wonders manifested in the former and moderne times by bloody rain and waters by I.S. 20. Foos Lachry marum or a fountain of Tears from whence doth flow Englands complaint Jeremiahs Lamentations with an Elegy upon that Son of Valour Sir Charles Lucas by John Quarles 8. 21. Oedipus or a resolver being a Clew that leads to the chiefe Secrets and true resolution of amorous naturall morall and politicall Problems by G. M. 22. The celestiall Lamp enlightning every distressed soul from the depth of everlasting Darkness to the height of eternall Light by Tho. Fettisplace 23. Nocturnall Lucubrations or Meditations divine and morall with Epigrams and Epitaphs by Robert Chamberlain 24. The unfortunate Mother a Tragedy by Tho. Nabs 25. The Rebellion a Comedy by T. R. 26. The Tragedy of Messalina by Nat. Richards 8. 27. The remedy of Discontentment or a Treatise of contentation in whatsoever condition fit for these sad and troublesome times by Joseph Hall late B. of Exon and Norwich 12. 18. The Grand Sacriledge of the Church of Rome in taking away the sacred Cup from the Laity at the Lords Table by the late reverend Daniel Featly D. D. 4. 29. The cause and cure of Ignorance Error Enmity Atheism and Prophaness or a most hopefull way to Grace and Salvation by R. Young 8. 30. A bridle for the Times tending to still the Murmuring to settle the Wavering to stay the Wandring to strengthen the Fainting by John Brinsley Minister of Gods Word at Yarmouth 31. Comforts against the fear of Death wherein are severall evidences of the work of Grace by John Collins of Norwich 32. Jacobs seed or the excellency of seeking God by prayer by Jeremiah Burroughs Minister of the Gospel to the two greatest Congregations about London Stepney and Cripplegate 33. The Zealous Magistrate a Sermon by Tho Threscot 34. Britannia Rediviva or a Soverain Remedy to cure a sick Common-wealth preached in the Minster at Yorke before the Judges August 9. 1649. by J. Shaw Minister of Hull 35. The Princess Royall preached in the Minster in Yorke before the Judges March 24. 1650. by John Shaw Minister of Hull 36. Anatomy of Mortality divided into eight Heads 1. The Certainty of Death 2. Meditations of Death 3. Preparations for Death 4. The right behaviour in Death 5. The Comfort in our own Death 6. The comfort against the Death of Friends 7. The Cases wherein it 's lawfull or unlawfull to desire Death 8. The glorious Estate of Gods Children after Death by George Stronde 37. New Jerusalem in a Sermon for the Society of Astrologers August 1651. 38. Mirrour of Complements fitted for Ladies Gentlewomen Scholars and Strangers with formes of speaking and writing of Letters most in fashion with witty Poems and a Table expounding hard English words 39. Cabinet of Jewels discovering the nature vertue value of pretious Stones with infallible Rules to escape the deceit of all such as are adulterate or counterfeit by Tho. Nicholls 40. Quakers Cause at second hearing being a full answer to their Tenets 41. Divinity no Enemy to Astrology a sermon intended for the Society of Astrologers for the year 1653. by Dr. Tho. Swadlin 42. Historicall Relation of the first planting of the English in New England in the year 1628. to the year 1653. and all the materiall passages happening there Exactly performed The Church of Christ at Plimoth was planted in New England 8. Yeares before any others Doctor Wilson gave 1000 l. to New England with which they stored them with great Guns Mr. Wareham and other of their Teaching Elders you shall reade of when the Canâ—â—kâ—â—â—o is planted 1634. Concord the 12. Church 1. Dividing betweene the Word and the Word 2. Christ and his Graces 3. The Word and the spirit 4. Christ and his Ordinances Foure score Errors derived from these four heads and spread abroad in N. England M. Allen a great help against the Errors of the time A The consideration of the wonderful providence of Christ in planting his N. E. Churches and with the right hand of his power preserving protecting favouring and feeding them upon his tender knees Together with the ill requital of his all-infinite and undeserved mercies bestowed upon us bath caused many a soul to lament for the dishonor done to his Name and sear of his casting of this little handful of his and the insulting of the enemy whose forrow is set forth in these four first staffs of verses A The consideration of the wonderful providence of Christ in planting his N. E. Churches and with the right hand of his power preserving protecting favouring and feeding them upon his tender knees Together with the ill requital of his all-infinite and undeserved mercies bestowed upon us bath caused many a soul to lament for the dishonor done to his Name and sear of his casting of this little handful of his and the insulting of the enemy whose forrow is set forth in these four first staffs of verses A The consideration of the wonderful providence of Christ in planting his N. E. Churches and with the right hand of his power preserving protecting favouring and feeding them upon his tender knees Together with the ill requital of his all-infinite and undeserved mercies bestowed upon us bath caused many a soul to lament for the dishonor done to his Name and sear of his casting of this little handful of his and the insulting of the enemy whose forrow is set forth in these four first staffs of verses A The consideration of the wonderful providence of Christ in planting his N. E. Churches and with the right hand of his power preserving protecting favouring and feeding them upon his tender knees Together with the ill requital of his all-infinite and undeserved mercies bestowed upon us bath caused many a soul to lament for the dishonor done to his Name and sear of his casting of this little handful of his and the insulting of the enemy whose forrow is set forth in these four first staffs of verses B The Rod of God toward us in our Maritine affairs
manifested not only to our own shipping but strangers as the Mary Rose blown up in Charles River and sunk in a moment with about thirteen men slain therein As also one Capt. Chadwicks Pinnace and about four men slain therein beside what hath been formerly said touching our own shipping B The Rod of God toward us in our Maritine affairs manifested not only to our own shipping but strangers as the Mary Rose blown up in Charles River and sunk in a moment with about thirteen men slain therein As also one Capt. Chadwicks Pinnace and about four men slain therein beside what hath been formerly said touching our own shipping C Of the Lords hand against our Land affairs as is heretofore expressed and also in the suddain taking away many mens estates by fire and chiefly by a most terrible fire which happened in Charles-Town in the depth of Winter 1650. by a violent wind blown from one house to another to the consuming of the fairest houses in the Town Vnder the preâ—ance of being unequally rated many men murmure exceedingly and withdraw their shoulders from the support of Government to the great discouragement of those that govern 1651. Pride and excess in apparrel iâ— frequent in these daies when the Lord calls his people to humiliation and humble acknowledgment of his great deliverances and that which is far worse spiritual pride to shew our selves to be somebody often step â—ut of our ranks and delight in new fangled doctrines C Of the Lords hand against our Land affairs as is heretofore expressed and also in the suddain taking away many mens estates by fire and chiefly by a most terrible fire which happened in Charles-Town in the depth of Winter 1650. by a violent wind blown from one house to another to the consuming of the fairest houses in the Town Vnder the preâ—ance of being unequally rated many men murmure exceedingly and withdraw their shoulders from the support of Government to the great discouragement of those that govern 1651. Pride and excess in apparrel iâ— frequent in these daies when the Lord calls his people to humiliation and humble acknowledgment of his great deliverances and that which is far worse spiritual pride to shew our selves to be somebody often step â—ut of our ranks and delight in new fangled doctrines C Of the Lords hand against our Land affairs as is heretofore expressed and also in the suddain taking away many mens estates by fire and chiefly by a most terrible fire which happened in Charles-Town in the depth of Winter 1650. by a violent wind blown from one house to another to the consuming of the fairest houses in the Town Vnder the preâ—ance of being unequally rated many men murmure exceedingly and withdraw their shoulders from the support of Government to the great discouragement of those that govern 1651. Pride and excess in apparrel iâ— frequent in these daies when the Lord calls his people to humiliation and humble acknowledgment of his great deliverances and that which is far worse spiritual pride to shew our selves to be somebody often step â—ut of our ranks and delight in new fangled doctrines C Of the Lords hand against our Land affairs as is heretofore expressed and also in the suddain taking away many mens estates by fire and chiefly by a most terrible fire which happened in Charles-Town in the depth of Winter 1650. by a violent wind blown from one house to another to the consuming of the fairest houses in the Town Vnder the preâ—ance of being unequally rated many men murmure exceedingly and withdraw their shoulders from the support of Government to the great discouragement of those that govern 1651. Pride and excess in apparrel iâ— frequent in these daies when the Lord calls his people to humiliation and humble acknowledgment of his great deliverances and that which is far worse spiritual pride to shew our selves to be somebody often step â—ut of our ranks and delight in new fangled doctrines C Of the Lords hand against our Land affairs as is heretofore expressed and also in the suddain taking away many mens estates by fire and chiefly by a most terrible fire which happened in Charles-Town in the depth of Winter 1650. by a violent wind blown from one house to another to the consuming of the fairest houses in the Town Vnder the preâ—ance of being unequally rated many men murmure exceedingly and withdraw their shoulders from the support of Government to the great discouragement of those that govern 1651. Pride and excess in apparrel iâ— frequent in these daies when the Lord calls his people to humiliation and humble acknowledgment of his great deliverances and that which is far worse spiritual pride to shew our selves to be somebody often step â—ut of our ranks and delight in new fangled doctrines C Of the Lords hand against our Land affairs as is heretofore expressed and also in the suddain taking away many mens estates by fire and chiefly by a most terrible fire which happened in Charles-Town in the depth of Winter 1650. by a violent wind blown from one house to another to the consuming of the fairest houses in the Town Vnder the preâ—ance of being unequally rated many men murmure exceedingly and withdraw their shoulders from the support of Government to the great discouragement of those that govern 1651. Pride and excess in apparrel iâ— frequent in these daies when the Lord calls his people to humiliation and humble acknowledgment of his great deliverances and that which is far worse spiritual pride to shew our selves to be somebody often step â—ut of our ranks and delight in new fangled doctrines D An over-eager desire after the world hath so seized on the spirits of many that the chief end of our coming hither is forgotten and notwithstanding all the powerful means used we stand at a stay as if the Lord had no farther work for his people to do but every bird to feather his own nest D An over-eager desire after the world hath so seized on the spirits of many that the chief end of our coming hither is forgotten and notwithstanding all the powerful means used we stand at a stay as if the Lord had no farther work for his people to do but every bird to feather his own nest E The Lords taking away by death many of his most eminent servants from us shewes that either the Lord will raise up another people to himself to do his work or raise us up by his Rod to a more eager pursuit of his work even the planting of his Churches the world throughout The Lord converts and calls forth of their graves men to fight his battels against the enemies of his truth E The Lords taking away by death many of his most eminent servants from us shewes that either the Lord will raise up another people to himself to do his work or raise us up by his Rod to a more eager pursuit of his work even the planting of his Churches the world throughout The Lord converts and calls forth of their graves men to fight his battels against the enemies of his truth Aso Mr. William Leveriry Pastor of Sandwich Church is very serious therein and with good success Mr. Nathaneel White Mr. Patrick Copeland Mr. William Golding Rev. 17.14 * Yea every Officer hath his own proper Regiment