Men but see here the Wonder-working Providence of Sions Saviour appears much in gathering together stones to build up the walls of Jerusalem that his Sion may be surrounded with Bulworkes and Towres with a whispering word in the eares of his servants he crosses the Angles of England from Cornewall to Kent from Dover to Barwick not leaving out Scotland and Wales Wise men are perswaded to the worke without arguing like Elisba when Elias cast his mantle on him so these men make no stop but say suffer me onely to sell my inheritance and I will away for New England And now I could wish our Brethren in England would not be angry with us for making such hast Brethren you know how the case stood with our Ministers as it was with Gideon who could thresh out no Corne but hee must doe it secretly to hide it from the Midianites who spread the Land like Grashoppers no more could they thresh and cleane up any Wheate for the Lords Garner but the Prelates would presently be upon their backs and plow long furrowes there and you may believe it if you will for it is certaine many had not this little number gone forth to blow their Trumpets and breake their Pitchers making the brightnesse of their Lamps appeare surely the host of the Midianites had never been put to flight and if still any of our Brethren shall contend with us wee answer with Gideon the Lord hath delivered into your hands the chiefe Princes of Midian and what were we able to do in comparison of you yet shall we not cease to follow on the worke of Reformation although weake and faint till the Lord be pleased to free his Israel from all their enemies and verily England hath not wanted the Prayers of the poore people of Christ here And also some of our chiefe helpes both for Church-worke Military and common-wealth-worke yet through the Lords mercy we still retaine among our Democracy the godly Captaine William Hathorn whom the Lord hath indued with a quick apprehension strong memory and rhetorick volubillity of speech which hath caused the people to make use of him often in publick service especially when they have had to do with any forrein Government Mr. Nathaniel Duncan learned in the Latine and French tongue a very good accountant Wherefore he is called to the place of Auditor Generall for the County Mr. John Glovar a man strong for the truth a plaine sincere godly man and of good abilities Captaine Daniel Gogkin who was drawen hither from Virginia by having his affection strongly set on the truths of Christ and his pure Ordinances being indued by the Lord with good understanding Captaine William Tinge sometime Treasurour for the County but being absent for some space of time in England Mr. Richard Russell was chosen in his roome Mr. Edward Rawson a young man yet imployed in Common-wealth affaires a long time being well beloved of the inhabitants of Newbery having had a large hand in her Foundation but of late he being of a ripe capacity a good yeoman and eloquent inditer hath beene chosen Secretary for the Country Mr. William Hubbard of Iphshwich a learned man being well read in state matters of a very affable and humble behaviour who hath expended much of his Estate to helpe on this worke although he be slow of speech yet is hee down right for the businesse Captaine Vmphry Atherton one of a cheerfull spirit and intire for the County Mr. Edward Jackson one who cannot indure to sâ—e the truths of Christ trampled under foot by the erronious party Eleazar Lusher one of the right stamp and pure mettle a gratious humble and heavenly minded man Mr. Joseph Hill a man active for to bring the Lawes of the County in order Mr. Whipple one whose godly sincerity is much approved Mr. Francis Norton one of a cheerfull spirit and full of love to the truth Mr. Robert Paine a right godly man and one whose estate hath holpe on well with the worke of this little Common-wealth Mr. William Torry a good penman and skild in the Latine tongue usually Clarke of the Deputies the Survayor Generall of the Armies of the Country John Johnson of an undanted spirit Mr. William Parker a man of a pregnant understanding and very usefull in his place Many more would be named but for tediousnesse neither will it please the men more to be named then not for all are very willing to acknowledge their inability for the worke and the best are not without many imperfections The Authors end in naming some few is for none other end but to make good the title of this Book to incourage all the servants of Christ for time to come wholely to rely upon him when they go about any difficult work which may tend to the glory of his Name Who could have told these men being scattered abroad throughout the Island of Great Brittaine they should meete on a Wildernesse nine hundered Leagues remote and there keep Court together to study the preservation of Christs poore scattered flockes nay brethren when you first tooke book in hand to learne your Letters you would have been very dull pates but for this worke assuredly how you came by large inheritances some of you and estates of hundreds and thousands your selves best know but believe it the Lord intended it for this very work The Earth is the Lords and the fulnesse of it then let none of the people of Christ mourn that they have spent their wealth in this Wildernesse if it have holpe on the worke rather rejoyce that Christ hath betrusted thee to be Steward for the King of Kings that in so noble an achievement the worthiest worke that the memory of our selves and our fore-fathers can reach unto And brethren as for the good parts and gifts the Author hath commended you for but for the edifying of the body of Christ and assisting his people in this work you had been empty of all good And now seeing it is the opinion of many in these dayes of Reformation that all sorts of Sectaries that acknowledge a Christ should be tolerated by civill Government except Papist and this Government hath hitherto and is for future time resolved to practice otherwise the Lord assisting having met already with more blasphemous Sectaries then are Papists wherefore it will not be amisse if our Countrymen be acquainted with the one and twenty yeares experience of this Wildernesse worke in point of Government First it is their judgment and that from Scripture taught them that those who are chose to place of government must be men truly fearing God wise and learned in the truths of Christ if so as hitherto it hath been New Englands practice then surely such will be utterly unfit to tolerate all sorts of Sectaries as because they have taken up Joshuas resolution to serve the Lord a man cannot serve two Masters much lesse many Masters Then surely such as would have all sorts of sinfull
that it hath forced its passage through the mighty Rocks which causeth some sudden falls and hinders Shipping from having any accesse far into the Land her bankes are in many places stored with Oken Timber of all sorts of which that which they commonly call'd white Oke is not inferiouâ— to our English Timber in this River lie some few Islands of fertill Land this Towne is stored with Meddow and upland which hath caused some Gentlemen who brought over good Estates and finding then no better way to improve thâ—m to see upon husbandry amongst whom that Religious and sincere hearted servant of Christ Mr. Richard Dummer sometime a Magistrate in this little Common-wealth hathholpen on this Town their houses are built very scattering which hath caused some contending about removall of their place for Sabbath-Assemblies their Cattell are about foure hundred head with store of Corne-land in tillage it consists of about seventy Families the sou'es in Church fellowship are about an hundred the teaching Elders of this Congregation have carried it very lovingly toward their people permitting of them to assist in admitting of persons into Church-society and in Church censures so long as they Act regularly but in case of their male-administration they assume the power wholly to themselves their godly life and conversation hath hitherto been very amiable and their paines and care over their flock not inferiour to many others and being bound together in a more stricter band of love then ordinary with promise to spend their dayes together if the Lord please and therefore shall not be disuaited in the following Verse LOe here Loves twinnes by Christ are sent to Preach In wildernesse his little flock among Though Christs Church-way you fully cannot reach So far hold fast as you in 's word are strong Parker thy paines with Pen and Preaching hath Roomes buildings left in Prelacy cast downe Though ' gainst her thou defer Gods finall wrath Keepe warring still and sure thou shalt have crowne Thy Brother thou oh Noise hast holpe to guide Christ tender Lambs within his fold to gather From East to West thou dost Christs Warrier bide Faint not at last increase thy fighting rather CAHP. XXXII Of good supply and seasonable helpes the Lord Christ was pleased to send to further his Wildernesse worke and particular for his Churches of Charles Towne and Ipswich and Dorchester YEt farther for the incouragement of the people of Christ in these their weak beginnings he daily brings them in fresh supplies adding this yeare also the reverend and painfull Minister of his Gospell Mr. Zachary Simmes who was invited soone after his comming over to assist in planting of another Church of Christ but the place being remote from the pretious servants of Christ already setled be chose rather to joyne with some Church among them and in a short space after hee was called to the Office of a Teaching Elder in the Church of Christ at Charles Towne together with Mr. James who was then their Pastor as you have formerly heard Among all the godly Women that came through the perilous Seas to war their warfare the wife of this zealous Teacher Mrs. Sarah Simmes shall not be omitted nor any other but to avoid tediousnesse the vertuous Woman indued by Christ with graces fit for a Wildernesse condition her courage exceeding her stature with much cheerfulnesse did undergoe all the difficulties of these times of straites her God through Faith in Christ supplying all her wants with great industry nurturing up her young Children in the feare of the Lord their number being ten both Sons and Daughters a certaine signe of the Lords intent to people this vast Wildernesse God grant they may be valiant in Faith against Sin Satan and all the enemies of Christs Kingdome following the example of their Father and Grandfather who have both suffered for the same in remembrance of whom these following lines are placed COme Zachary thou must reedâ—fie Christ Churches in this Desart Land of his With Moses zeale stampt unto dust defie All crooked wayes that Christ true worship misse With spirits sword and armor girt about Thou lay'st on load proud Prelats crowne to crack And wilt not suffer Wolfes thy flock to rout Though close they creepe with sheepe skins on their back Thy Fathers spirit doubled is upon Thee Simmes then war thy Father fighting died In prayer then prove thou like Champion Hold ouâ— till death and Christ will crown provide After these poore people had welcomed with great joy their newcome Guests all of a sudden they spy two tall Ships whose colours shewed them to be some forrein Nation at which time this little handfull of people began to be much troubled deeming them to be Rovers they gathered together such forces as their present condition would afford very ill fitted as then to rescue an enemy but their Lord and Master Christ Jesus would not suffer any such to come and instead of enemies brought in friends even Dutchmen to furnish them with farther necessary Provision For the yeare 1635 the honoured Mr. Iohn Haines was chosen Governour and the honoured Mr. Richard Bellingham Deputy Governour the number of Free-men added to this little Common wealth were about one hundred forty and five The time now approaching wherein the Lord Christ would have his people come from the Flaile to the Fan threshing out much this yeare increasing the number of his Troopes and valiant Leaders the Ships came thicker and faster filled with many worthy parsonages Insomuch that the former people began to forget their Poverty and verily Cold Purity Peace and Plenty run all in one channell Gods people here should sure have met with none other but the still waters of Peace and Plenty for back and belly soone contract much mudde as you shall he are God willing in the following History this yeare came in the honoured Sir Henry Vaine who aboad not long in this worthy worke yet mind him I will in the following Lines Sir Henry Vaine once Governour of the English People in New England THy Parents Vaine of worthy fame in Christ and thou for him Through Ocean wide in new World trid a while his warrier bin With small defeat thou didst retreat to Brittaine ground againe There stand thou stout for Christ hold out Christs Champion aâ— remainâ— Also at this time Christ sent over the much honoured and upright hearted servant of his Richard Saltingstall Esquire Son to the before-named Sir Richard Saltingstall who being weary of this Wildernesse worke returned home againe not long before and now his Son being chose to the Office of a Magistrate continued for some good space of time helping on the affaires of this little Common wealth to the honour of Christ who hath called him both Father and Son are here remembred THou worthy Knight Saltingstall hight her 's gaine doth gold exceed Then trifle not it s to be got if thou can'st see thy neede Why wilt thhu back and leave as wreck this
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
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
truth able through his mercy to weld that bright Weapon of his Word prepared by the spirit for this purpose to bring to the block these Traytours to his truths one by one and behead them before your eyes and for this very end they are to gather together as one Man in a Synodicall way with a decisive power to undoe all the cunning twisted knots of Satans Malignity to the truths of Christ opening the Scriptures by the power of his spirit cleering Scripture by Scripture that nothing but the pure Word of God may take place and that you may assuredly believe the Lord hath purposely called his Servants and Souldiers to this place by his Providence to cut off this cursed spirit of Errours and Heresies which hath but at first dog'd all Reformed Churches of Christ There are for your further aid herein many more of these sincere Souldiers floating upon the great Ocean toward you who will be with you before this Synod is set that you may declare it in the Eares of all posterity to be the very Finger of God in catching the proud in their owne craftinesse who had hatch't their devices thus to cast all the Ministers of Christ except some one or two under this censure of being prejudiced against their persons and for the little remnant to labour with flattery to blinde their eyes that at least they might not be against them Seeing they could not procure them to take their part to be sure when the grossenesse of their Errors were made known they would not by this meanes having their hopes exalted in their owne apprehensions at least to gaine the most of the people on their side The Lord casts them downe from the proud Pinacle of their Machiavilian Plot by bringing in more men of courage uninterested yea unknown to most of their persons but for their errors as strong to confute them as any and more fit to wipe off the fiâ—me from the eyes of some of their brethren which these Erronists by their Syccophancy had clouded The time for the meeting of this Synod was to be in the seventh month following commonly called September the civill government well approving of their desires herein were very willing to further them all they could and in the 〈◊〉 time it was the worke of these valiant of the Lord to search out not for men and Womens persons but their errors which they gathered up from all parts willing all that would or could defend them to use their best meanes like as John when he was to execute the judgements of the Lord upon Ahabs bloudy household would have had his servants defend their Masters Children if they could onely you must understand there was but 70. Sons and here was 80. Errors of which you shall further hear when the time comes CHAP. IV. Of the abundant mercies of Christ in providing liberall supply for his New England People in regard of their outward man Food Rayment and all other necessaries and conveniencies NOw for the hardships on the left hand they had as good an answer as in the former their Christ had not saved their lives from the raging Seas to slay them in the Wildernesse with Famine your life is much more pretious in the eyes of the Lord then food and your bodies then rayment yea the Lord of Heaven who hath honoured you so far as to imploy you in this glorious worke of his knowes you must have these things and it was not you deare hearts that chose this place but the Lord as seeing it most fit to doe his worke in knowing that had you met with a Rich Land filled with all plenty your heart would have beene taken off this worke which he must have done But to strengthen your Faith in this point also you shall see hee who commanded the Fruits to spring out of the Earth when none were can much more cause this corner of the Earth to be fruitfull to you and this you shall attaine by meanes although hee have caused the Foules of the Aire and Grasse of the Field to depend upon him in a more immediate manner yet you hath he taught to Sow Reape carry into Barnes and Spin and indeed herein the Lord hath answered his people abundantly to the woâ—der of all that see or hear of it And that whereas at their 〈◊〉 comming it was a rare matter for a man to have foure or five Acres of Corne now many have four or five score to prevent men from Sacrificing to their Nets the Lord hath taught them to labour with more ease to great admiration also inlarg'd it for it was with sore labour that on man could Plane and tend foure Acres of Indians Graine and now with two Oxen hee can Plant and tend 30. B sides the Lord hath of late altered the very course of the Heavens in the season of the weather that all kinde of graine growes much better then heretofore Insomuch that Marchandizing being stopped at present they begin question what to do with their Corne. CHAP. V. Of the wonderfull deliverance wrought by the Lord Christ for his poore New England Churches in freing them from the fear of their Malignant adversaries who forc't them to this Wildernesse ANd now to the third and great distresse which lay behind them by reason of their back friends the Lording Bishops and other Malignant adversaries being daily exasperated against them and in especiall at this time by one Merton who named himselfe the Host of Merrimount who wanted not malice could he possible have attained meanes to effect it But the Lord Christ prevented both him and his Masters whom with slattery he sought to please with scurrillous deriding the servants of Christ to bring them into contempt yet the Lord prevented all and delivered this wretched fellow into his peoples hands againe after all this who dealt as favourably with him as David did with Shimmei Besides this the evill usage that many of the beloved servants of Christ had from the hands of those in office at their departure declared plainely that there were some who would willingly have pursued them to bring them under bondage againe herein their answer was that they should stand still and see the salvation of the Lord who was now resolved to fight for them against his and their implacable enemies although more mighty than they and indeed all meanes of resistance in the hand of man being so small that it could not possible bee discerned by any morcall eye yet will the Lord worke by means and not by miracle when the Lord called forth Joshua to fight with Amaleck his Moses must be in the Mount at Prayers seeing this answer deeply concernes the dearly beloved of our Lord Christ remaining in England let them listen to the answer Also how came it to passe that the Lord put it into your hearts to set upon a Reformation was it not by prayer attained You are not excluded although the Churches of Christ here are for
of his Subjects to give them entertainment resolving as then that the young King should receive their message yet in his hearing they arriving were entertain'd royally with respect to the Indian manner Boil'd Chesnuts is their White-bread which are very sweet as if they were mixt with Sugar and because they would be extraordinary in their feasting they strive for variety after the English manner boyling Puddings made of beaten corne putting therein great store of black berryes somewhat like Currants They having thus nobly feasted them afterward give them Audience in a State-house round about fifty foot wide made of long poles stuck in the ground like your Summer-houses in England and covered round about and on the top with Mats save a small place in the middle of the Roofe to give light and let out the smoke In this place sate their Sachim with very great attendance the English comming to deliver their Message to manifest the greater state the Indian Sachim lay along upon the ground on a Mat and his Nobility sate on the ground with their legs doubled up their knees touching their chin with much sober gravity they attend the Interpreters speech It was matter of much wonderment to the English to see how solidly and wisely these savage people did consider of the weighty undertaking of a War especially old Canonicus who was very discreet in his answers The young Sachem was indeed of a more lofty spirit which wrought his ruine as you may heare after the decease of the old King But at this time his answer was that he did willingly embrace peace with the English considering right well that although their number was but small in comparison of his people and that they were but strangers to the Woods Swamps and advantagious places of this Wildernesse yet withall he knew the English were advantaged by their weapons of War and especially their Guns which were of great terror to his people and also he had heard they came of a more populous Nation by far than all the Indians were could they be joyn'd together Also on the other hand with mature deliberation he was well advised of the Peaquods cruell disposition and aptnesse to make War as also their neere neighbourhood to his people who though they were more numerous yet were they withall more effeminate and lesse able to defend themselves from the sudden incursions of the Peaquods should they fall out with them Hereupon hee demes it most conducing to his owne and his peoples safety to direct his course in a middle way holding amity with both The English returne home having gained the old Kings favour so farre as rather to favour them then the Pequods who perceiving their Neighbouring English had sent forth aid to the Mattacusets government thought it high time to seeke the winning all the Indians they could on their side and among others they make their addresse to old Cannonicus who insteed of taking part with them labours all he can to hush the War in hand laying before them the sad effects of War sometimes proving sad and mournfull to the very Victors themselves but alwayes to the vanquished and withall tells them what potent enemies they had to contend with whose very weapons and Armor were matter of terror setting their persons a side as also that English man was no much hoggery yet and therefore they might soone appease them by delivering into their hands those persons that had beene the death of any of them which were much better than that the whole Nation should perish For the present the Pequods seemed to be inclinable to the old Sachims counsell but being returned home againe among their rude multitude the chief place of cowardly boasting they soon change their minde yet the old Sachim sends the English word he had wrought with them and in very deed the English had rather make choice of Peace then Warre provided it may stand with Truth and Righteousnesse and therefore send forth a band of Souldiers who arriving in the Peaquod Country address themselves to have a Treaty with them about delivering up the murtherers they making shew of willingness so to doe bade them abide awhile and they would bring them and in the mean time they were conversant among the Souldiers and viewing their Armie pointed to divers places where they could hit them with their Arrowes for all their Corslets But their greatest number lying the while at the other side of a great hill and anon appearing on the top of the hill in sight of the English those Indians that were among the English withdrawing toward them no sooner were they come to their Companions but all of a suddaine they gave a great shout and shewed the English a fair pair of heeles who seeing it would not availe any thing to follow them they being farre swifter of foot than the English made their returne home againe This bootlesse voyage incouraged the Indians very much who insulted over them at the fort boasting of this their deluding them and withall they blasphemed the Lord saying English-mans God was all one Flye and that English man was all one Sqawe and themselves all one Moor-hawks Thus by their horrible pride they fitted themselves for destruction The English hearing this report were now full assured that the Lord would deliver them into their hands to execute his righteous judgement upon these blasphemous murtherers and therefore raised fresh Souldiers for the warre to the number of fourscore or thereabout out of the severall towns in the Matachusets and although they were but in their beginnings yet the Lord who fore-intended their work provided for all their wants and indeed it was much that they had any bisket to carry with them in these times of scarcity or any vessels to transport their men and ammunition yet all was provided by the gracious hand of the most high and the Souldiers many of them not onely armed with outward weapons and armour of defence but filled with a spirit of courage and magnanimity to resist not onely men but Devils for surely he was more then ordinaryly present with this Indian army as the sequell will shew as also for their further incouragement the reverend and zealously affected servant of Christ Mr. John Wilson went with the army who had treasured up heaps of the experimentall goodnesse of God towards his people Having formerly passed through perils by Sea perils by Land perils among false brethren c. he followed the warre purposely to sound an alarum before the Lord with his silver trumpet that his people might be remembred before him the Souldiers ariving in safety at the towne of Hartford where they were encouraged by the reverend Ministers there with some such speech as followes Fellow-Souldiers Country-men and Companions in this wildernesse-worke who are gathered together this day by the inevitable providence of the great Jehovah not in a tumultuous manner hurried on by the floating fancy of every high hot headed braine whose actions
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
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
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
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
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