men Of the first Planters their Combination by entring into a Body Politick together With their proceedings in discovery of a place for their Settlement and Habitation BEing thus fraudulently dealt with as you have heard and brought so farre to the Northward the season being sharp and no hopes of obtaining their intended Port and thereby their Patent being made void and useless as to another place Being at Cape Cod upon the Eleventh of November 1620. it was thought meet for their more orderly carrying on of their Affairs and accordingly by mutual consent they entred into a solemn Combination as a Body Politick To submit to such Goverrnment and Governours Laws and Ordinances as should by a general Consent from time to time be made choice of and assented unto The Contents whereof followeth IN the Name of God Amen This was the first Foundation of the Government of New-Plimouth We whose Names are under-written the Loyal Subjects of our dread Soveraign Lord King James by the grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defendor of the Faith c. Having undertaken for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith and the Honour of our King and Countrey a Voyage to plant the first Colony in the Northern parts of Virginia Do by these Presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and one another Covenant and Combine our selves together into a Civil Body Politick for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid and by virtue hereof do enact constitute and frame such just and equal Laws Ordinances Acts Constitutions and Officers from time to time as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony unto which we promise all due submission and obedience In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our Names at Cape Cod the eleventh of November in the Reign of our Soveraign Lord King James of England France and Ireland the eighteenth and of Scotland the fifty fourth Anno Dom. 1620. John Carver William Bradford Edward Winslow William Brewster Isaac Allerton Miles Standish John Alden Samuel Fuller Christopher Martin William Mullins William White Richard Warren John Howland Steven Hopkins Edward Tilly. John Tilly. Francis Cook Thomas Rogers Thomas Tinker John Ridgdale Edward Fuller John Turner Francis Eaton James Chilton John Craxton John Billington Joses Fletcher John Goodman Digery Priest Thomas Williams Gilbert Winslow Edmond Margeson Peter Brown Richard Bitteridge George Soule Richard Clark Richard Gardiner John Allerton Thomas English Edward Doten Edward Liester Mr. Iohn Carver the first Governour of the Jurisdiction of New Plimouth After this they chose Mr. John Carver a man godly and well-approved amongst them to be their Governour for that year Necessity now calling them to look out a place for Habitation as well as the Master and Mariners importunity urging them thereunto while their Carpenter was trimming up of their Boat sixteen of their men tendred themselves to go by land and discover those nearest places which was accepted and they being well armed were sent forth on the sixteenth of November 1620. and having marched about a mile by the Sea-side they espied five Indians who ran away from them and they followed them all that day sundry miles but could not come to speech with them so night coming on they betook themselves to their Rendezvouz and set out their Sentinels and rested in quiet that night and the next morning they followed the Indians tracts but could not finde them nor their dwellings but at length lighted on a good quantity of clear ground near to a Pond of fresh water where formerly the Indians had planted Indian Corn at which place they saw sundry of their graves and proceeding further they found new Stubble where Indian Corn had been planted the same year also they found where lately an house had been where some Planks and a great Kettle was remaining and heaps of sand newly paddled with their hands which they digged up and found in them divers fair Indian Baskets filled with Corn some whereof was in Ears fair and good of divers colours which seemed to them a very goodly sight having seen none before Of which Rarities they took some to carry to their friends on Shipboard like as the Israelites Spies brought from Eshcol some of the good fruits of the Land but finding little that might make for their encouragement as to situation they returned being gladly received by the rest of their Company After this their Shallop being ready they set out the second time for a more full Discovery of this place especially a place that seemed to be an opening as they went into the said Harbour some two or three Leagues off which the Master judged to be a River about thirty of them went out on this second Discovery the Master of the Ship going with them but upon the more exact discovery thereof they found it to be no Harbour for Ships but onely for Boats There they also found two of their Houses covered with Mats and sundry of their Implements in them but the people ran away and could not be seen Also there they found more of their Corn and Beams of various colours the Corn and Beams they brought away About 6 months after they gave them full satisfaction to their content purposing to give them full satisfaction when they should meet with any of them And here is to be noted a special and a great mercy to this people that here they got them seed to plant them Corn the next year or otherwise they might have starved for they had none nor any likelyhood to get any A special Providence of God to be noted untill the season had been past as the sequel did manifest neither is it likely that they had had this if the first Discovery had not been made for the ground was now all covered with Snow and hard frozen but the Lord is never wanting unto those that are his in their greatest needs Let his holy Name have all the praise Having thus discovered this place it was controverted amongst them what to do touching their abode and setling there Some thought it best for many Reasons to abide there 1. Because of the Convenience of the Harbour for Boats though not for Ships 2. There was good Corn-ground ready to their hands as was seen by experience in the goodly Corn it yielded which would again agree with the ground and be natural seed for the same 3. Cape Cod was like to be a place for good Fishing for they saw daily great Whales of the best kinde for Oyl 4. The place was likely to be healthful secure and defensible 5. and lastly The especial Reason was that now the heart of Winter and unseasonable weather was come upon them so as they could not go upon Coasting and Discovery without danger of losing both men and Boat upon which would follow the overthrow of all especially considering what variable
in the City of London yet he accomplished his business so as he left things in a fair way for future Composition betwixt the said Merchant-Adventurers and the Plantation and he spake also with some of the Honourable Council afore-named who promised all helpfulness to the Plantation that lay in them About this time it pleased the Lord likewise to give them peace health and good success on their endeavours his holy Name be praised 1626. ABout the beginning of April they heard of Captain Standish his arrival and sent a boat to fetch him home welcome he was but the news he brought was sad in many regards not only in regard of the forementioned losses which their friends had suffered and some of them dead of the Plague but also that Mr. John Robinson their Pastor was dead Mr. John Robinson's death which struck them with much sorrow and sadness as they had great cause his and their adversaries had been long and continually plotting how they might hinder his coming into New-England but now the Lord had appointed him to go a greater journey at less charge to a better place But before I pass things concerning this Worthy Servant of Christ Mr. John Robinson I shall here insert the honourable testimony that Mr. William Bradford senior hath left behinde him concerning him being greatly acquainted with his worth and excellency Saith he such was the mutual love and reciprocal respect that this worthy man had to his flock and his flock to him that it might be said of them as it was once of that famous Emperour Marcus Aurelius and the people of Rome That it was hard to judge whether he delighted more in having such a People or they in having such a Pastor But to return Captain Standish likewise brought the sad news of the death of Mr. Robert Cushman their ancient friend The death of Mr. Robert Cushman whom the Lord took away also this year about the same time who was as their right hand with their friends the Adventurers and for divers years had done and agitated all their business with them to their great advantage of whom occasionally there hath been honourable mention formerly 〈◊〉 in this Book About this time they received divers Letters from their friends at Leyden in Holland full of sad lamentation for their heavy loss by the death of their Pastor Mr. Robinson above-named and although their wills were good to come over to their brethren in New-England yet they saw no probability of means how it might be effected but concluded as it were that all their hopes was cut off and many being aged began to drop away by death All which things before related being well weighed and laid together it could not but strike them with great perplexity and to look humanely on the state of things as they presented themselves at this time it is a marvel it did not wholly discourage and sink them but they gathered up their spirits and the Lord so helped them whose work they had in hand as now when they were very low they began to rise again and being stripped in a manner of all humane helps and hopes he brought things about otherwise in his divine Providence so as they were not only upheld and sustained but their proceedings both honoured and imitated by others as by the sequel will appear 1627. THis Year they sent Mr. Isaac Allerton for England and gave him order to make a Composition with the Adventurers in reference unto some particulars betwixt the Plantation and them which Captain Standish had begun as is before hinted and at the ordinary season of the year for the expectation of ships he returned with some success in the business he was imployed in Likewise this Year they began to make some distribution of Lands having had hitherto but to every person one Acre allowed him as to propriety besides their Home-steads or Garden-plots the reason was that they might keep together both for more safety and defence and the better Improvement of the general Imployments which condition of theirs brings to minde that which may be read in Pliny of the Romans first beginnings in Romulus time Pliny lib. 18. Chap. 2. how every man contented himself with two Acres of Land and had no more assigned them and Chap. 3. It was thought a great Reward to receive at the hands of the People of Rome a Pinte of Corn and long after the greatest Present given to a Captain that had got a Victory over their Enemies was as much ground as he could Till in one day and he was not accounted a good but a dangerous man that would not content himself with seven Acres of Land as also how they did pound their Corn in Mortars as these people were forced to do many years before they could get a Mill. Notwithstanding as abovesaid so small a portion of Land served them at the first yet afterwards for divers Reasons moving thereunto they were necessitated to lay out some larger Proportions to each person yet resolving to keep such a mean in distribution of Lands as should not hinder their growth by others coming to them and therefore accordingly allotted to every one in each Family Twenty Acres to be laid out five Acres in breadth by the Water-side and four Acres in length I may not omit the inserting of a particular that fell out this year in reference unto a Ship with many Passengers in her and some considerable goods which was bound for Virginia who had lost themselves at Sea either by the insufficiency of the Master or his illness for he was sick and lame of the Scurvy so as he could but lye in the Cabbin-door and give direction and it should seem was badly assisted either with Mate or Marriners or else the fear of and the unruliness of the Passengers was such as they made them steer a Course between the Southwest and Northwest that they might fall with some Land whatever it was they cared not for they had been six weeks at Sea and had no Beer nor Water nor Wood left but had burnt up all their empty Cask onely one of the Company had a Hogshead of Wine or two which was also almost spent so as they feared they should be starved at Sea or consumed with Diseases which made them run this desperate Course But it pleased God that although they came so near the Sholes of Cape Cod or else ran stumbling over them in the night they knew not how they came before a small Harbour that lieth about the middle of Mannamoiet Bay to the Southward of Cape Cod and with a small gale of wind and about a high water touched upon a Barre of Sand that lieth before it but had no hurt the Sea being smooth so they laid out an Anchor but towards Evening the wind sprang up at Sea and was so rough as brake their Cable and beat them over the Barre into the Harbour where they saved their Lives and Goods
time of his imprisonment his wife fell sick of which sickness she died He procured liberty of the Bishop to visit his Wife before her death and commended her to God by Prayer who soon after gave up the ghost at his return to Prison his poor Children being many repaired to the Bishop to Lambeth and made known unto him their miserable condition by reason of their good Father his being continued in close durance who commiserated their condition so far as to grant him his liberty who soon after came over into New-England and setled for some time at the Town of Scituate and was chosen Pastour of their Church and faithfully dispensed the Word of God amongst them and afterwards the said Church dividing a part whereof removing to Barnstable he removed with them and there remained until his death He was a man of an humble and broken heart and spirit lively in dispensation of the Word of God studious of peace furnished with godly contentment willing to spend and to be spent for the Cause and Church of Christ He fell asleep in the Lord Nov. 8. 1653. 1654. THis Year Mr. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were Chosen Assistants to him in Government Mr. Thomas Prince Captain Miles Standish Mr. William Collier Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown Mr. John Alden and Capt. Thomas Willet 1655. THis Year Mr. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were Chosen Assistants to him in Government Mr. Thomas Prince Captain Miles Standish Mr. William Collier Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown Mr. John Alden and Captain Thomas Willet The death of Mr. Winslow This year that Worthy and Honourable Gentleman Mr. Edward Winslow deceased of whom I have had occasion to make honourable mention formerly in this Discourse He was the Son of Edward VVinslow Esq of the Town of Draughtwich in the County of Worcester He travelling into the Low-Countreys in his Journeys fell into acquaintance with the Church of Leyden in Holland unto whom he joyned and with whom he continued until they parted to come into New-England he coming with that part that came first over and became a very worthy and useful Instrument amongst them both in the place of Government and otherwise until his last Voyage for England being sent on special Imployment for the Government of the Massachusets as is forementioned in this Book and afterwards was imployed as one of the grand Commissioners in that unhappy Design against Domingo in Hispaniola who taking grief for the ill success of that Enterprize on which together with some other Infirmities that were upon him he fell sick at Sea betwixt Domingo and Jamaica and died the eighth day of May which was about the Sixty first year of his life and his Body was honourably committed to the Sea with the usual Solemnity of the Discharge of Fourty two Piece of Ordnance One of the Company who was imployed in taking notice of the Particulars of that Tragedy gave such Testimony of the said Mr. VVinslow as followeth in this Poem The Eighth of May west from ' Spaniola shore God took from us our Grand Commissioner Winslow by Name a man in Chiefest Trust VVhose Life was sweet and Conversation just VVhose Parts and wisdome most men did excell An honour to his Place as all can tell 1656. THis Year Mr. William Bradford was Chosen Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were chosen to be his Assistants in Government Mr. Thomas Prince Mr. William Collier Mr. Timothy Hatherly Captain Miles Standish Mr. John Alden Capt. Thomas Willet Capt. James Cudworth This Year Captain Miles Standish expired his mortal life He was a Gentleman born in Lancashire The death of Capt. Standish and was Heir-Apparent unto a great Estate of Lands and Livings surreptitiously detained from him his great Grandfather being a Second or Younger Brother from the House of Standish In his younger time he went over into the Low-Countreys and was a Souldier there and came acquainted with the Church of Leyden and came over into New-England with such of them as at the first set out for the Planting of the Plantation of New-Plimouth and bare a deep share of their first Difficulties and was alwayes very faithful to their Interest He growing ancient became sick of the Stone or Strangullion whereof after his suffering of much dolorous pain he fell asleep in the Lord and was honourably buried at Duxbury 1657. THis year Mr. Thomas Prince was Chosen Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth Were Chosen his Assistants in Government This Election was on the fifth of June 1657. M William Bradford died the 9th of May in this year before this Election Mr. VVilliam Collier Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Alden Captain Thomas VVillet Capt. James Cudworth Capt. Josias VVinslow Lieut. Tho Southworth This Year it pleased God to put a period to the life of his precious Servant Mr. VVilliam Bradford who was the second Governour of the Jurisdiction of Plimouth and continued in the same place for the most part of his time with little intermission Concerning whom the following Poems made the one by himself and the other by such as were well acquainted with his Worth and Excellency will give a large Testimony thereof Certain Verses left by the Honoured VVilliam Bradford Esq Governour of the Jurisdiction of Plimouth penned by his own hand declaring the gracious dispensation of Gods Providence towards him in the time of his Life and his preparation and fittedness for Death FRom my years young in dayes of Youth God did make known to me his Truth And call'd me from my Native place For to enjoy the Means of Grace In Wilderness he did me guide And in strange Lands for me provide In Fears and Wants through Weal and Woe As Pilgrim past I to and fro Oft left of them whom I did trust How vain it is to rest on Dust A man of Sorrows I have been And many Changes I have seen Wars Wants Peace Plenty have I known And some advanc'd others thrown down The humble poor cheerful and glad Rich discontent sower and sad VVhen Fears with Sorrows have been mixt Consolations came betwixt Faint not poor Soul in God still trust Fear not the things thou suffer must For whom he loves he doth chastise And then all Tears wipes from their eyes Farewell dear Children whom I love Your better Father is above VVhen I am gone he can supply To him I leave you when I dye Fear him in Truth walk in his Wayes And he will bless you all your dayes My dayes are spent Old Age is come My Strength it fails my Glass near run Now I will wait when work is done Vntill my happy Change shall come VVhen from my labours I shall rest VVith Christ above for to be blest By the honoured Major Josias Winstow on the the said Mr. William Bradford as followeth WILLIAM BRADFORD Anagr. I made Law for Bridl ' For
the Earth as is before-noted If the Effects of them usually are such Exod. 19.18 Psal 29 6. 104.32 Matth. 28.2 Psal 18.15 Zech. 14.4 Rev. 6.12 14. Mat 27 51. Acts 16.25 as by them is sometimes a discovery of the Channels of Water and Foundations of the World the Removing of Mountains from one place to another the Cleaving of Rocks and opening of Graves and of Gates yea the throwing down of many famous Buildings and Cities and some swallowed up and many thousands of people destroyed thereby the turning of plain Land into Mountains the throwing down of Mountains and raising up of Islands in the Sea the breaking out of Rivers where there were none before the discovery of burning Mountains where there were none seen before Famine and Pestilence of which particulars divers instances might be produced out of the Sacred Scriptures and several other Authors Ought we not then to fear and tremble before so great a God who as one saith by his Handmaid Nature doth so terribly shake the Earth as no Land can be sure no place so strong that can defend us Nay the more strong the more dangerous for the higher the greater the fall Let us therefore say with the Wise-man Eccles 3 14. I know that whatsoever God doth shall stand for ever nothing can be put to it nor any thing taken from it and God doth it that men should fear before him This Year Mr. John Brown ended this life in his younger Years travelling into the low Countries he came acquainted with and took good liking to the Reverend Pastor of the Church of Christ at Leyden as also to sundry of the Brethren of that Church which ancient amity induced him upon his coming over to New England to seat himself in the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth in which he was chosen a Magistrate in which place he served God and the Country several Years he was well accomplished with abilities to both civil and religious concernments and attained through Gods grace unto a comfortable perswasion of the love and favour of God to him he falling sick of a Feaver with much serenity and spiritual comfort fell asleep in the Lord and was honourably buried at Wannamoiset near Rehoboth in the spring of the Year abovesaid 1663. THis Year Mr. Thomas Prince was Chosen Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were chosen to be his Assistants in Government Mr. William Collier Mr. John Alden Capt. Thomas Willet Major Josias Winslow Capt. Thomas Southworth Capt. VVilliam Bradford Mr. Thomas Hinckley This year Mr. Samuel Newman Teacher of the Church of Christ at Rehoboth changed this life for a better He was sometimes Preacher of Gods Word at Weymouth in the Jurisdiction of the Massachusets and from thence removed to Rehoboth where he continued in the Work of the Ministry untill the end of his dayes He was a lively dispenser of the Word of God and of a pious life very hospitable and at the close of his life very full of joy and comfort and with chearfulness of spirit resigned himself up to the Lord and his Spirit into arms of his blessed Redeemer desiring that the holy Angels might do their office in transporting his Soul into everlasting bliss and happiness He fell asleep in the Lord on the the fifth of July 1663. This year also it pleased God to put a speedy period to the life of Mr John Norton who was a burning and a shining Light and although the Church of Boston in a more special manner felt the smart of this sudden blow yet it reflected upon the whole Land He was singularly endowed with the Tongue of the Learned inabled to speak a word in due season not onely to the wearied Soul but also a word of Counsel to a people in necessity thereof being not onely a wise Steward of the things of Jesus Christ but also a wise Statesman so that the whole Land sustained a great loss of him At his first coming over into New-England he arrived at Plimouth where he abode the best part of one Winter and Preached the Gospel of the Kingdome unto them and ever after to his dying day retained a good affection unto them From thence he went to Boston and from thence to Ipswich in New-England where he was chosen the Teacher of their Church and after the death of worthy Mr. Cotton he was sollicited and at length obtained to return to Boston and there served in that Office untill his death He was chosen by the Jurisdiction of the Massachusets together with the much honoured Mr. Simon Bradstreet to go over into England as Agents in the behalf of that Jurisdiction unto His Majesty and the Privy-Council upon Business of greatest Trust and Concernment and soon after his Return it pleased God suddenly and unexpectedly to take him away by death on the fifth day of April 1663. His Body was honourably buried at Boston On whose much lamented death take this following Elegie An Elegie on the Death of that Eminent Minister of the Gospel Mr. John Norton the Reverend Teacher of the Church of Christ at Boston who exchanged this life for a better April 5. 1663. ASk not the reason why Tears are our meat And none but Mourners seen in ev'ry street Our Crown alas is faln from our head We finde it off Woe to us NORTON's dead Our breach is like the Sea no healing's known To comfort Sions daughter is there none Oh teach your daughters Wailing every one Their Neighbours deepest Lamentation Oh that mine eyes a Fountain were of Tears I 'd day and night in Mourning spend my years My Father Father Israels Chariots thou And Horsemen wer 't Sons of the Prophets now Weep since your Master from your head is taken This Father of the Muses hath forsaken His Study here not liking our dark Roome Doth chuse those Mansions in his Fathers Home The Schoolmen's Doctors whomsoe're they call Subtile Seraphick or Angelicall Dull Souls their Tapers burnt exceeding dim They might to School again to learn of him Lombard must out of date we now profess Norton the Master of the Sentences Scotus a Dunce to him Should we compare Aquinas here none to be named axe Of a more heavenly strain his Notions were More pure sublime Scholastical and cleare More like the Apostles Paul and John I wist Was this our Orthodox Evangelist And though an Exile from his Native Land As John in Patmos was yet here the hand Of Christ leads forth more clearly to espy The New-Jerusalem in her bravery Who more Acute in Judgement was then he More famous too for Heavenly Policie He was a wise and faithful Counsellor One of a thousand an Interpreter Mighty in Word and Prayer who could have Whate're almost from Heaven he did crave On him with things without which I 'le not name The care of all the Churches daily came He car'd thus naturally Oh hear that Rod Which us bereav'd of such a Man of God! Zealous for Order very Criticall For
is reaping the fruit of his labour with the Lord. His Wife who was also a gracious woman lived not six weeks after him shee being overcome with excessive grief for the loss of so gracious an Husband likewise died In some short distance of time after this Mr. William Bradford was chosen Governour of Plimouth in his stead being not as yet well recovered of his weakness having bin at the point of death and Mr. Isaac Allerton likewise was chosen to be his Assistant The second of July in this year they sent Mr. Edward Winslow and Mr. Steven Hopkins unto the great Sachem Massasoiet aforesaid with a gratuitie to congratulate with him and to view his Country and likewise to take notice of what strength of men he had c. having Squanto for their guide who found his place to be about forty Miles from New-Plimouth his People few in comparison of what they had been by reason of the mortality amongst the Indians forementioned These brought word upon their return of the Narrhagansets a People that lived on the otherside of that great Bay which are a People strong and many in number living compact together and had not at all been touched with the wasting Plague before specified They also brought a full intelligence in reference unto the particulars they were sent about and so returned in safety Thus their peace being well established with the Natives about them which was much furthered by an Indian named Hobamak who came to live amongst the English he being a proper lusty young man and one that was in account amongst the Indians in those parts for his valour continued faithful and constant to the English until his death He with the said Squanto being sent amongst the Indians about business for the English were surprized by an Indian Sachem named Corbitant who was no friend to the English he met with them at Namassaket and began to quarrel with them and offered to stab Hobamak who being a strong man soon cleared himself of him and with speed came and gave intelligence to the Governour of Plimouth saying he feared that Squanto was slain for they were both threatned and for no other cause but that they were friends to the English and serviceable to them On which it was thought meet to vindicate their Messengers and not to suffer them to be thus wronged and it was concluded to send some men to Namassaket well armed and to fall upon them whereupon fourteen men being well prepared were sent under the conduct of Captain Miles Standish who when they came thither beset the house and the said Captain entred into the same to look for the said Corbitant but he was fled and so they missed of him but understood that Squanto was alive so they withheld and did no hurt save three of the Natives pressing out of the house when it was beset were sorely wounded which they brought home to their Town with them and were dressed by their Chirurgion and cured After this they had many Congratulations from divers Sachems and much firmer peace yea those of the Isle of Capewak sent to make friendship with them and this Corbitant himself used the mediation of Massasoiet to make his peace but was shie to come near them a long time after After this on the eighteenth of September they sent out their Boat to the Massachusets with ten men and Squanto for their Interpreter to discover and view that Bay and to trade with the Natives and found kinde entertainment with them who expressed themselves to be much afraid of the Tarateens a people in the Eastern part of New-England which used to come in Harvest time and take away their corn and many times kill some of their people who after they had accomplished their business returned in safety and made report of the place wishing they had been there seated But the Lord who assigns to all men the bounds of their habitations had appointed it for another end and use And thus they found the Lord to be with them in all their wayes and to bless their out-goings and in-comings for which let his holy Name have the praise for ever Being now well recovered in respect of health as hath been said they began to fit up their buildings against winter and received in their first harvest and had great plenty of fowl and fish to their great refreshing About the ninth of November came in a small ship to them unexpected in which came Mr. Robert Cushman This ship was called the Fortune in which came no Provisions which was one cause of a great famine that befell the Plantation of New Plimouth soon after who was both a godly man and an active and faithful agent and useful instrument in the common interest of this first design and there came with him in that ship thirty five persons to remain and live in the Plantation which did not a little rejoyce the first planters And these when they came on shore and found all well and saw plenty of provisions beyond their expectation were also satisfied and no less glad for coming in at Cape Cod before they came to Plimouth and seeing nothing there but a barren place they then began to think what should become of them if the People were dead or cut off by the Indians and began to consult upon some passages which some of the Seamen had cast out to take the Sails from the Yard lest the ship should get away and leave them but the Master hearing thereof gave them good words and told them If any thing but well should have befallen the People at Plimouth he hoped he had provisions enough to carry them to Virginia and whiles he had any they should have their part which gave them good satisfaction This ship stayed at Plimouth not above fourteen dayes and returned and soon after her departure the People called the Narrhagansets aforesaid sent a messenger unto the Plantation with a bundle of Arrows tyed together with a Snakes skin which their Interpreter Squanto told them was a threatning and a challenge upon which the Governour of Plimouth sent them a rough answer viz. That if they loved war rather then peace they might begin when they would they had done them no wrong neither did they fear them or should they finde them unprovided and by another Messenger sent the Snakes skin back again with Bullets in it but they would not receive it but sent it back again It is probable the reason of this their Message to the English was their own ambition who since the death of so many Indians thought to domineer and lord it over the rest and conceived the English would be a barre in their way and saw that Massasoiet took shelter already under their wings but this made the English more carefully to look to themselves so as they agreed to close their Dwellings with a good strong Pale and made Flankers in convenient places with Gates to shut which were every
to the whole Court aforesaid That he nor they shall nor will needlesly or unjustly raise any quarrels or do any wrong to other Natives to provoke them to War against him and That he nor they shall not Give Sell or Convey any of his or their Lands Territories or Possessions whatsoever to any person or persons whomsoever without the privity and consent of the Government of Plimouth aforesaid other then to such as the said Government shall send or appoint All which Conditions the said Woosamequen and Mooanam his Son for themselves and their Successors did then faithfully promise to observe and keep And the whole Court in the Name of the whole Government for each Town respectively did then likewise Ratifie and Confirm the aforesaid ancient League and Confederacy and did also further promise to the said Woosamequen and Mooanam his Son and their Successors That they shall and will from time to time defend the said Woosamequen Of this see pag. 24. and Mooanam his Son and their Successors when need and occasion shall require against all such as shall unjustly rise up against them to wrong or oppress them unjustly 1640. MR. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of Plimouth were Elected Assistants Mr. Thomas Prince Mr. William Collier Mr. John Brown Captain Miles Standish Mr. Timothy Hatherly and Mr. Edmond Freeman 1641. THis Year Mr. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were Chosen Assistants to him in Government Mr. Edward Winslow Mr. Thomas Prince Mr. William Collier Captain Miles Standish Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown and Mr. Edmond Freeman 1642. THis Year Mr. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were Elected Assistants to him in Government Mr. Edward Winslow Mr. Thomas Prince Mr. William Collier Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown Mr. William Thomas and Mr. Edmond Freeman In reference unto the three years last specified although I have no special Providence to take notice of particularly to assign to each of them save the continuance of Gods mercy and goodness in the Annual Election of godly and able Magistrates in the Jurisdiction of Plimouth as is before-noted yet notwithstanding we are to take notice of the continued Peace and Plenty with which not onely these three years restrictively considered but also for many years together both before and after them New-England was so marvellously gratiated But that which is more that about these times the Lord was pleased of his great goodness richly to accomplish and adorn the Colony of Plimouth as well as other Colonies in New-England with a considerable number of godly and able Gospel-Preachers who then being dispersed and disposed of to the several Churches and Congregations thereof gave Light in a glorious and resplendent manner as burning and shining Lights Which mercy and transcendent favour had not Sin and Satans envy interposed might have rendred them greatly happy and prosperous it being observed That where Gospel-dispensation flourisheth there Prosperity in other respects may usually be expected In reference unto the honour of God and due respects unto such worthy Instruments I thought meet to nominate some of the speciallest of them viz. Mr. Charles Chauncy Mr. William Hook Mr. Nicholas Street Mr. John Laythrop Mr. John Mayo Mr. John Reyner Mr. Ralph Partridge Mr. Samuel Newman Mr. William Leverich Mr. Richard Blinman Mr. Edward Bulkly Mr. John Miller Mr. Marmaduke Matthews With some others that might be named These some of them stayed not long ere they removed some into the Neighbour-Colonies some into Old-England and others to their Eternal Rest whereby the said Jurisdiction was wanting in a great measure for some time of such a Blessing Howbeit the Lord hath since graciously raised up a supply to divers of the said Congregations and more may be expected according to his Promises 1643. THis Year Mr. William Bradford was elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth And were chosen his Assistants in Government Mr. Edward Winslow Mr. Thomas Prince Mr. William Collier Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown Mr. Edmond Freeman And Mr. William Thomas This Year about the eighteenth day of April died Mr. William Brewster the Ruling Elder of the Church of Christ at Plimouth concerning whom I could say much of mine own knowledge but I shall content my self only to insert the honourable Testimony that Mr. William Bradford deceased hath left written with his own hand concerning him Saith he My dear Friend Mr. William Brewster was a man that had done and suffered much for the Lord Jesus and the Gospels sake and hath born his part in weal and woe with this poor persecuted Church above thirty six years in England Holland and in this Wilderness and done the Lord and them faithful service in his place and calling and notwithstanding the many troubles and sorrows he passed through the Lord upheld him to a great age he was four score and four years of age when he died The dea h of Mr. William Brewster he had this blessing added by the Lord to all the rest to dye in his bed in peace amongst the midst of his friends who mourned and wept over him and ministred what help and comfort they could unto him and he again recompensed them whiles he could his sickness was not long and until the last day thereof he did not wholly keep his bed his speech continued until somewhat more then half a day before his death and then failed him and about nine or ten of the clock that evening he died without any pangs at all a few hours before he drew his breath short and some few minutes before his last he drew his breath long as a man fallen into a sound sleep without any pangs or gasping and so sweetly departed this life unto a better I would now demand of any What he was the worse for former sufferings what do I say worse no he was the better and they now added to his honor 2 Thess 1.5 6 7. It is a manifest token saith the Apostle of the righteous Judgement of God that we may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God for which we also suffer seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation to them that trouble you and to you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels 1 Pet. 4.14 and if you be reproached saith the Apostle Peter for the Name of Christ happy are ye for the Spirit of God and of Glory shall rest upon you what though he wanted the riches and pleasures of the World in this life and Pompous monuments of his Funeral yet the memorial of the Just shall be blessed Prov. 10.17 when the name of the wicked shall rot with their Marble Monuments He was well educated in learning as at inferiour Schools so also at the Vniversity and from thence went to the Court and there served Mr. Davison a
soul to God-ward the benefit thereof those can best experience who are most conversant in the improving of them and have Gods blessing on them therein to their souls good His body was honourably buried at Cambridge in New-England Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord for their works follow them Rev. 13.13 This Year there passed an Act of Parliament in England for the promoting and propagating the Gospel of Jesus Christ amongst the Indians in New-England in reference unto the furtherance and advancement of so good a work a Corporation of sixteen Select men were appointed consisting of a President Treasurer and Assistants called by the name of the President and Society for the propagation of the Gospel in New-England to receive such sums of money as from time to time was or should be collected and raised by the liberal contributions of such as whose hearts God was pleased to stir up to so glorious a work and it was by the same Parliament Enacted that the Commissioners for the United Colonies of New-England for the time being by themselves or such as they shall appoint shall have Power and Authority to receive and dispose of the said monies brought in paid to the said Treasurer for the time being or any other Monies Goods or Commodities acquired and delivered by the care of the said Corporation at any time whose receipt or receipts of such Person or Persons so Authorized by them shall be a sufficient discharge to the said Corporation and Treasurer The particulars of such Orders and Instructions with which the said Act is invested the Reader may be more amply satisfied in by the perusal thereof as it is extant bearing date July 27. 1649. Moreover let the Reader take notice of the special favour of Almighty God in moving the heart of the Kings Majesty since his Restitution to his Crown and Regal Dignity particularly of his Royal Favour to countenance this work and to secure what hath been and what may be given toward this work by a legal settlement which before was wanting so as the said glorious design hath been vigorously carried on both in Old England and in New by such active and faithful Instruments as God hath raised up and improved therein with some considerable success The work coming on to such perfection as that the Holy Bible is Translated and Printed in the Indian Language whereby the glad tidings of the Gospel is and may be communicated to them with the greater facility some souls also of them being gained as may be hoped to believe on the Lord Jesus for life everlasting and daily hopes of further and greater success in that behalf for which unspeakable riches of his grace let his Holy Name have all the praise throughout all ages The Principal Instruments improved in Preaching the Gospel of Christ unto the Indians are Mr. John Eliot Senior Mr. John Eliot Junior Mr. Thomas Mayhew Mr. Pierson Mr. Brown Mr. James Mr. Cotton Besides divers of their own Nation whose Names and number I know not 1650. THis Year Mr. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth Chosen Assistants to him in Government Mr. Edward Winslow Mr. Thomas Prince Mr. William Collier Captain Miles Standish Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown and Mr. William Thomas This Year there was more then ordinary mortality in the Country especially about Boston and mostly amongst their Children since which time New diseases the fruits of new sins several diseases have been in the Country more frequently then formerly as namely gripings in the bowels with violent Vomiting and Purging which hath taken away many as also a disease in the Mouth or Throat which hath proved mortal to some in a very short time as also great distempers of Colds c. which ought to be awakening dispensations together with others to cause us to consider and examine whether we have not provoked the Lord with some general and unwonted sins inasmuch as he is pleased to exercise the Country oft-times with unwonted afflictions and punishments 1651. THis Year Mr. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth were Chosen his Assistants in Government Mr. Thomas Prince Mr. William Collier Captain Miles Standish Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown Mr. John Alden Captain Thomas Willet This Year Mr. William Thomas expired his natural life in much peace and comfort he served in the place of Magistracy in the Jurisdiction of Plimouth divers Years Mr. William Thomas his death he was a well approved and a well grounded Christian well read in the Holy Scriptures and other approved Authors and a good lover and approver of Godly Ministers and good Christians and one that had a sincere desire to promote the common good both of Church and State He died of a Consumption and was honourably buried at Marshfield in the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth 1652. THis year Mr. William Bradford was Elected Governour of the Jurisdiction of New-Plimouth And Were Chosen his Assistants in Government Mr. Thomas Prince Capt. Myles Standish Mr. Timothy Hatherly Mr. John Brown Mr. John Alden Captain Thomas Willet Lieut. Thomas Southworth This Year that blessed Servant of God Mr. John Cotton died Of Mr. Cottons Life Mr. Norton hath Penned a Book whereunto I refer the Reader for more full relation of the same he was sometimes Preacher of Gods Word at Boston in Lincolnshire and from thence came over into New-England in the Year 1633 and was chosen Teacher of the first Church of Christ at Boston for which Function and Office he was greatly enriched with gifts abilities being an able expounder and faithful applier of the Word of God furnished also with wisdom and prudence to go before the Church in the ordering of the affairs thereof endowed also with meekness of spirit whereby he was fitted to compose such differences as did at any time arise amongst them he was very patient also in respect unto personal wrongs or injuries done unto himself yea towards his sharpest Antagonists An influence of good not only flowed from him unto the Church over whom he was set but also into all the Churches in New-England as necessity required A Comet seen at the time of Mr. Cottons sickness and went out soon after his death About the time of his sickness there appeared in the Heavens over New-England a Comet giving a dim light and so waxed dimmer and dimmer until it became quite extinct and went out which time of its being extinct was soon after the time of the period of his life it being a very signal testimony that God had then removed a bright Star a burning and shining light out of the heaven of his Church here unto Coelestial glory above He was buried at Boston in New-England with great Honour and Lamentation in the Year above written Upon whose never enough deplored death were made these Verses following A Funeral Elegie upon the death of the truely Reverend Mr. John Cotton late