saved in the Mount the Lord was seen in this Ship was the Reverend Mr. Mather three or four of his Sons and whole Family with a multitude of other precious Souls among whom was the Worthy Jonathan Mitchel then being a Lad. The like Salvation about the same time was vouchsafed to a great Ship Laden with Passengers bound for New-England the Famous Norton and Great Shepheard with their Wives were Aboard of her They were forced back from the Channel into North-Yarmouth Road where though the Wind was off the Shoar the Storm was so violent as all their Anchors and Cables would not bring her up and being in great danger of Foundering in the Sands they were forced to cut both Main Mast and Fore Mast by the Board with Sailâ— and Rigging this Paul and Silas while able to stand went from Cabbin to Cabbin to Encourage and Pray with the Distressed Passengers and Seamen who by one Wave were washed Over-board and the next Wave threw them Aboard again there was great Crying out then What shall we do to be Saved At the Prayers of these Men of God this Ship and every Soul Aboard was given them the nexâ— Day they all Landed safe and as soon as Ashoar two Vipers designed not only to Leap upon the hands of them both but to seiz their Persons but how stangely preserved is not unknown to some of us though the House was beset by them when as they were at a pious Meeting then called a Conventicle Next Year they Arrived all safe at Boston the Ship for that Year was Disinable Ought we not now to cry out considering the Circumstances Oh! The Wheel the Wheel He who sits upon the Throne appeared with the Rainbow about his Head and the Spirit oâ— the Living Creatures was in the Wheels from their Original Motion The Waves obeyed the Voice and the Wind fulfilled the Pleasure of the Lord of the Universe so a the first whole Fleet Arrived safe in a smal time without Loss of any but of one person These Nobly Grateful Passengers appointed â—nd set apart a Day of Thanksgiving to the Almighty God for the great Goodness and nighty Works they had seen in their Vovage â—nd with Noahs Dove having found rest for â—he soles of their Feet maâ—ched forth from their Floating Arks and Celebrated the High Pâ—aiâ—es of him who had thus graciously and wonâ—erfully Safe guarded them and Landed them They Sang the Song of Moses and of the Lamb whom they in this Voyage had followed and â—ow paid their Vows to God to Serve him and â—o Build him an Habitation and according to he Examples of Noah and Abraham who upâ—n their safe Landing and Arrival each Built â—n Altar to Jehova so they being content â—ith Huts and smoaky Cottages first applyed â—hemselves to Build the Lord an Habitation â—efore they set up their own Houses and Joinâ—d in Church-Fellowship setting up the King â—f Sions Throne in his Order and Worship â—aving six Eminent Ministers who came along â—ith them and divers Hundreds of Choice Materials Thus far an Abbreviate of this Colonies Foundation and manner of its Layâ—ng The good News from this far Country and â—om these men of Desires being caâ—â—ied into â—ngland was as Cold Waters to a thirsty Soul â—e Stile of their Letters was so full of Divine â—ravity and of a Gracious Savour so grateful 〈◊〉 those of full Age who by reason of Use had their Senses exercised to discern both good and evil as it put them upon study to increase their Number stirring up each other to get among them to New England The Grace powred into the Hearts and Lips of these first Planters dropt down into Pens of private Christians like sweet smelling Myrrh so as they began their Letters with Apostolical benediction and concluded them with Salutations a Letter then from New-England and for a considerable time after was Venerated as a Sacred Script or as the Writing or some Holy Prophet 't was carried many Miles where divers came to hear it because the Savour of Christ's Name was as good Oyntment powred forth therefore the Virgins Lov'd Him and a multitude of pious Souls through the whole Nation were in their Spirits pressed to Joyn in this Work so as their Malignant Observers in their Words and Writings Burtons Melancholly Rendred them Furijs Religionis Acti Men acted by Religious Furies and the Festuss's of those Times declared them to be persons Distracted saying of their much Religion as he said of Pauls much Learning that it had made them mad In a short time after their Arrival a Snake crept forth which Lay Latent in the Tender Grass one who pretended himself a Religious Reformado and to withdraw from the Noise of Secular Affairs came over in the first Fleet he offered to Joyn in Church-Fellowship here but was refused upon suspicion to be what indeed he proved to be viz. a Roman Catholick and of such Note among them Christopher Gardner as he had at Jerusalem Received the Orders of the Knighthood there called the Holy Sepulchre which Order he appeared to be of by Letters intercepted sent by a man of Place in England a profest Enemy to this Colony thus Satan's Proto-Emissary against this People was discovered in his prime Plot and secret Snare who designed to smother this Embrio Colony or to Strangle this Babe not yet out of its Swadling Bands for which Deliverance high Praises were Celebrared to the Name of Sions Saviour Not long after a desperate Myne was sprung by this Peoples Grand Adversary according to Advice of a Politician elsewhere to Blow up Religion by Religion Encouraging the Liberty this People had obtained to Leave their Nation saying Let them go by their Parties and Factions as their Brethren at Leyden and Amsterdam had done so they would destroy each other but the Lord most graciously Countermined it for the Design of both the Magistrates and Ministers with the Body of this People was not with the Rigid Separatists to Cast off all Communion with the Church of England but to act the part of the good old Nonconformists who though they could not Close with the Hierarchy nor with the Corruptions in Discipline and Worship yet in her Faith and Doctrine they own'd her to be their Mother and therefore having by Pattent-Charter from His Majesty a Grant to Remove they peaceably Improved the same and left their Native Land and at their Departure they drew up and Published a Manifesto to the whole Nation of the Grounds of this their Undertaking not knowing whether ever they should see Land styling those whom they parted from in their Superscription REVEREND FATHAERS AND BRETHREN The Humble Request of His Majesties Loyal Subjects The GOVERNOUR and COMPANY of NEW-ENGLAND To the rest of their Brethren in and of the Church of England For the obtaining of their Prayers and Removal of their Suspicions and Misrepresentations of their Intentions c. LONDON Printed for John Bellamy 1630. Their
â—07 4 to 8. When as they were brought to â—mall store of provision upon the first Market Day by the General Court appointed to be â—ept they put to Sail half of it to handsel it with Thus was this contemptible place raised â—p so that in less then sixty years its Reputed â—he Mart of the North-America That little Church which after seven years growth its Number in their Mud-wall Meeing House with woodeu Châ—lices was so small as a Child might have told the whole Assembly it hath been so Amplified and Digâ—ified by the Adorable Presence of him whose Countenance as the oun shining in his full strength with Radiant Beams through the Chrystal Glass of the Tâ—iumviâ—â—te Ministry of the first â—hree Successive Johns Walson Câ—tton Norton â—each so full of the Spirit of Love Light and Learning as scarcely parallâ—ll'd in many Geneâ—ations this Church is now grown up to be a Trinity Colledge of Churches besides three other Congregations every Lords Day distinctly calling upon the Name of the Lord being â—each of them of different perswasions Oh that the Redeemed of the Lord whom he hath Sav'd from the Hand of the Enemy and gathered from the Lands might give thanks to the Lord for his Goodness and Mercy Endureth for ever Our Ancestors were men of God made partakers of the Divine Nature Christ was form'd and visibly Legible in them they Serâ—ed God in Houses of the first Edition without â—arge Chambers or Windows Cieled with Cedar or painted with Vermilion a company of plain pious humble and open heated Christians call'd Puritans when News was brought â—â—ither that the Church at Bermudas was Baâ—ish'd thence into a desolate Island and full of Stâ—aits forthwith they sent a Vessel of good Burthen to them fully Laden with provisions of all sorts each stâ—iâ—ing who should be forwardest in so good a work which supply came into them when as all the Meal in their Barâ—els and Oil in their Cruise was spent and it was brought to them upon a Lords-Day when â—s their Faithful Pastoâ— had finished his Exhorâ—ation from Psalm 23. To Trust upon Jehova â—heir Shepherd who would not suffer his Flock to â—ant thus the Lord set his Seal to their Faith â—nd Prayers The Gravity of their Habit and Calendar Reformation by Satans Pollicy hath fince been imitated by the Quakers that our Fathers might be Lysted among those Phanaâ—icks and Enthusiasts but they own'd no Spirit within them but to be tryed by the Word without them and no word without â—hem but accorded with the Spirit within them no word of promise to them without a work of Grace upon them neither without the Holy Spirits dwelling in them and testifying to them They minded the Ornament of the meek and quiet Spirit they were not acquainted with the toyes and fancies of this age they were Glorious within their clothing was of wrought gold they were brought in unto the King in rayment of needle work wrought with tender pricks of conscience the least vain fashion wanten or wicked thought toucht them to the quick sensibly feeling others adversity as being in the same body instance in our Pequod and Narraganset Wars we were not the next concerned it was Conecticut and Plimouth at first no union of the Collonies why should we concern our selves with them why did they â—amble so far a field they might have contented themselves Mr Oldham wthout such large accomodation The first English Blood-shed was of an Indian trader and one who had been highly sined for abusing this authority but it was English Blood and they made Inquisition after it So they did when a couple of English traders were at Richmond Island slain by the Indians 1631. and the next year an English Pirate seized a vessel who robbed made spoil at Pemiquod Fort and along the Coast the worthy Governour and Council then used means for their suppression and accordingly it succeded Nation and Neighbourhood was Obligation to their engaging in the quarrel they had simpathy in each joys and sorrows our senseless stupidity and our Pride devours our Charity Oh the Excess of it both of Body and mind of Hearts and Parts of Vestures and Gestures in alâ— Professors it is the Noli me tangere of the Age it s fear'd that most of our Prophets mouths are judicially shut against it and that God now saith of us as formerly of Ephraim He is joined to his Idols let him alone Dread we least our Palsey Distempers should Relax the Nerves of our Body Pollitick or our Convulsive Cramps should break them and mostly that the Pectant Humours in our Bodies may not abound to the raising up Noxious and Mortal Fumes and Vapours in our Head If the Athenian Mercury may be credited the excesses of our Nation in their Head Tire hath been testified against by Unnatural Excressences of Bruit Creatures but as it s said ours by an Humane Monstrossity as if the Holy GOD were more Jealous against us then against others The Lord seeth the Land-Defiling and Desolating sins amongst us what Witchrafts and what other abominations are in the midst of us we have just cause both to lay ourselves down in the Dust and with indignation to bear all witness justly due against them and all our Pagan walking in Lasciviousness Lusts of the Flesh Lusts of the eyes and Pride of Life our excess of Wine Revellings abominable wickedness by which Gods Name is Blasphemed among us for which as the Lord vomited out these Natives to make room for us so â—e now hath vomited us out to make room or them in this War he hath Ruined and Destroyed a whole Shire and in a manner Depopulated a whole Province in which Desolation two Churches gathred according to Gospel Order are extinguished One of them about Fifty years standing which was one of the first attacks upon us having there been made the greatest Slaughter Captivity and Plunder the Town remaineth but the Churches Candlestick was removed the other Church not of much lesser standing where it s said not above Four Males left of their Society the rest Dead Slaughtered or Captivated but the Burthen of that Lamentation is that their Faithful Pastor Eminent for Humility Piety and care of his Flock he not being willing to leave them was Barbarously Murthered in the midst of them his Tender and Godly Wife Captivated there Dyed Oh Lord will not all this awaken us to Church Reformation so as to set thine Altar upon its Basis a Sentence to be engraven upon every Church door when we are not only under Fear of the inhabitants of this Land but under the Deep Smarting and Killing Displeasure of a Righteous Holy and Angry God by these wicked Cannibals who are Gods Sword and have been so for many years together and when the end will be none of our Prophets have told us we mention not the other circumstances relating to that Province Shire it 's said there have been Killed Captivated a
threatned were Gods Covenant People whence he observed â—o this purpose That Gods Covenant People or their Children â—ight in their first beginnings be loft to do such â—bings as might bring a future grievous Calamity â—pon them He shewed as this people being Gods Israel â—id thus in their March through the Wilderâ—ess into the Land of Canaan not many years â—fter their Departure from Egypt their House 〈◊〉 Bondage So might any other Covenant â—eople be left to do In the Application of this Doctrine he was â—ssisted with that Presence of Spirit and â—ressed it upon his Auditors with its Divine Authority that as Goads and Nails it Entred â—rom that Master of the Assembly and was â—astned from the one Shepheard Such was â—â—e Attention and its Efficacy upon the Hearâ—rs words from the heart entred into their â—earts so as upon Repitition of the Sermon 〈◊〉 home they coming warmed with its heavenly heat concluded their John was in the Spirit that Lords Day This Prophet is Dead and our Fathers where are they Yet the words then spoken left such a Convincing Impress upon our hearts Souls as is not obliterated to this day and in this Hour of Distress Trouble and Consternation is now revived when as Heaven Earth and Hell seem to Conspire to Accomplish the Threatning then Denounced The Great God being now upon searching our Jerusalem with Candles should put each individual sensible Soul with the Candle of the Lord to make diligent and sincere Inquiry into the most inward and secret recesses in the Chambers of his Imagery yea into the closest Tills and Cachotes of a deceitful and desperately wicked heart and after all to Beg of him whose Eyes are as a Flame of Fire that he would Search Try and Know it and that he would shew and make us all to know every winding and wicked way and lead in the way Everlasting that he who is holy in all his Ways and righteous in all his Works the great Revealer of Secrets would take off the Veil which hides the Mystery of Iniquity in our Souls that there may be a clear discovery of the Troubler of our Israel the Inward Viceroy the Judge Jury and Witness within us their Verdict and Sentence passing against us God who is greater than our Conscience will condem us much more That we and our Fathers have Sinned is â—ut of doubt but whether we or our Fathers â—re the meritorious and procuring causes of â—hat we now are groaning under is that which remains under question we hope in â—he sequel of this Script as to vindicate the Equity of Gods Wayes towards our Fathers â—nd our selves so in our weak measure to conâ—ince us of the Iniquity of our wayes against â—he Lord that we shall see just cause to condemn our selves as the procurers of all the deep Displeasure we now bleed under In order whereunto it may be requisite to Recollect what our Fathers have told us and what we have seen and shall present a maniple of the unaccountable Sheaves of Divinely Beneficient Bounties granted unto our Fathers and their graceful Returns unto the Divine Majesty It 's great pitty before the present Generation pass off the Stage of Action that there should not be a compleat History laid up in our Archivis It was an Ordinance of old to Commemorate the Political Birth and Growth of a People it may not we hope be unbeseeming us to give a small account of the Genesis of this superhumane and really Divine Creation wrought by the admirable Architect who manifest himself most Illustriously Great in the Minimes of Created Beings This Colonies Foundation was not laid by exhausting the Exchequers of Princes Peers or â—ords of the Realm nor by Lotteries and â—â—ch like Contrivances of Advance as other English Plantations have been It was incomparable Minute to what its â—ow attain'd unto and the rather to be observed because of the great opposition from â—hose of strength it first met with its growth must be assigned to Heavens Influence and lessing It evidently proceeded from him who â—ais'd up the Righteous man from the East â—nd called him to his Foot the sudden movâ—â— and incliner of Hearts both infused and â—uided the inclinations and motions of these â—orthy Patriots with their Associates who â—ther attended or followed them in great measure parallel to that of the Father of the Faithful who upon a Divine Call left Kin â—red Country and Fathers House and went â—e knew not whether to Enjoy he knew not what both proceeding from the same Inspiraâ—ion and Instinct drawn by the Magnetick Influence of the same Holy Spirit and as it were by the impulse of a sacred Charm or â—pell as by its operation appeared as if a Royâ—â— Herald through our Nation from Barwick â—o Cornwell had made Proclamation to Summon and Muster up Volunteers to appear in New-England for His Sacred Majesties Service here to attend further Orders Such was the â—ay of Christ's Power as an incredible number of Willing People forthwith Listed themselves â—ea many of those whose Faces were unknown each other the hearts of multitudes in this Design responded as Face to Face in Water thus the Body of this People was animated aâ— with one Soul That this Design was Super-humane will be evidenced by the Primum Mobile or grand Wheel thereof Neither Spanish Gold or Silver nor French or Dutch Trade of Peltry did Oil their Wheels it was the Propagation oâ— Piety and Religion to Posterity and the secret Macedonean Call COME OVER AND HELP US afterward Instamp'd in the Seal of this Colony the Setting up of Christ's Kingdom among the Heathens in this Remoâ— End of the Earch was the main spring of motion and that which gave the Name to New-England and at such a time when as Divine Herbert in his Temple Prophetically Sang Religion Stands on Tiptoe in our Land Ready to pass to the American Strand The agency of the great God appeared who never lets any of his works fall for want of materials or instruments he raised up such as were fit to lead and feed this People in this wilderness such were our Famous Founders we had our Mose's and Aaron's our Zorobabels and Joshua's our Ezrah's and Nehemiahs so many Noble spirited persons fitted and called oâ— God raised up to this great service both 〈◊〉 the Civil and Sacred Administration to thâ— Cure and Care of this flock in this wilderness Men of narrow spirits of mean Capacities and fortunes had not been capable to officiate â—n so great a worke that such and so many Gentlemen of Ancient and Worshipful Families of Name and Number of Character and Quality should Combine and Unite in so desâ—erate and dangerous a Design attended with â—uch insuperable Difficulties and Hazards in the plucking up of their Stakes leaving so pleasant and profitable a place as their Native â—oil parting with their Patrimonies Inheritances plentiful Estates and settlement of Houses well Furnished of Land well Stock'd and with comfortable
description of the Ruling Flders Office and Work then here is declared also in the Plat-form of Church Discipline It 's therefore no Humane Invention nor Apochriphal Practice of our Predecessors It 's Remembred by some of the Old Planters Children that there were such men when they were young that were called Ruling Elders but what men they were or what was their work they professed they could not tell What a shame is it to our Churches that through Disuse Misuse and Nonuse of them such a question should be put by any of above Fifty Years of Age now Living among us all which is affirmed for a certain known Truth The same Reverend man of God being imployed the last Narraganset Wars by our Worthy Elders to make Report and Return to the General Court of the provoking evils then found among us did represent to them the Churches incompleatness of Officers to be one of the great evils Provocations grouâ—â— of Displeasure unto God then among us sorâ— replied unto him That the country and Churcâ— were poor and could not maintain them he maâ—â— them a Ready Grave and Divine Answeâ— True said he were they mens Officers theâ— were argument in what they said but beiâ—â— GODS Officers there was no ground for feâ—â— of it he having Promised and said Prove aâ—â—try me if we could but trust him he wouâ—â— open the Heavens and pour down his Bleâ—sings it 's Robbing of God we are now callâ—â— to an account for we fear that Covetuouâ—ness Pride and Ambition hinders the Discâ—very of our Achan The Lord pour down uâ—on Jerusalem the Spirit of Grace and Suppliâ— cation and that he would open the Fountain yâ—â— Sin and Uncleanness that Holiness unto the Loâ—â— may be writ upon our hearts houses and emplâ—ments whether Sacred or civil and upon our Pâ—â— teritys As we have cause to weep over and 〈◊〉 wail our former tears begging that they mâ—â— be washed in the Blood of the Lamb so thâ— these our faint Sighs and Sobs may be Coâ—dial and accepted in the Blood of the eveâ—lasting Covenant that what we say may 〈◊〉 realized in our Souls The good Lord dire our Hearts into the knowledge of his love waiting for the Pouring forth of his Spirit 〈◊〉 on ourselves and the rising generation tâ—◠〈◊〉 may diâ—cern and by the Divine Aids thereâ—â— be enabled to do the respective work of â—â—â—r Generation according to the will of â—OD before these things be hid from our â—â—yes That we may have the tasts of that Mercy â—â—d Grace springing from the Love of the â—â—ther who knows the thoughts of his own â—â—art and manifests them to poor Penitents â—â—at they passing through the heart of him â—â—ho layeth in the Fathers Bosome may descend â—â—to our hearts by the Holy Spirit dwelling 〈◊〉 us which Blessed Circulation Reverting by â—â—e Operation of the same Spirit which maâ—â—th requests for us who know not to pray 〈◊〉 we ought and passing thro' the heart and â—â—nds of our great Mediator may arrive â—â—cend into the heart of the Father who is â—â—e Origine and Fountain of all Blessedness â—he Father himself loving us That this Spirit may make intercession for 〈◊〉 with Groans which can't be uttered he â—â—at searches the hearts knowing what is the â—â—nd of the Spirit because he maketh interâ—â—sion for the Saints according to the Will of â—â—d Oh that we might experience these â—â—â—ngs that this Heavenly Dove sent into our â—â—arts may make us grean and mourn like â—â—se in the Clefts of the Rocks that as the whole â—â—eation growns and travails in pain with â—â—cks stretched out waiting to be delivered â—â—m their Bondage and Corruption into the Liberty oâ— the Sons oâ— God that we receivin the first fruits thereof may with Eyes an Hands lifted up wait for the Adoption eve the Redemption of our Souls and Bodies which Great Grace the GOD OF ALâ— GRACE Grant to Us and Our Poor Chiâ—dren with all his ISRAEL For the Saâ—â— of Our Dear LORD JESUS to whoâ— with the FATHER and HOLYSPIRIâ— Be the Kingdom Power and Glory For Ever AMEN A FUNERAL ELEGY Upon the Death of the truly Reverend Mr. JOHN COTTON Late Teacher of a Church of Christ at Boston in New-England Who Died the Twenty Third was Buried the Twenty Ninth of December 1652. ANd after Winthrop Hooker Shepheards Herse Doth Cottons Death call for a Mourning Verse Thy Will be done yet Lord who dealeth thus Make this great Death expedient for us Luther pull'd down the Pope Calvin the Prelate slew Of Calvins Lapse chief Cure to Cottons due Cotton whose Learning Temper Godliness The Germane Phaenix lively did express Melancthon's all may Luther's word but pass Melancthon's all in our Great Cotton was Whilst he was here Life was more Life to me Now he is not Death hence less Death to me That Comets great mens death do oft forego This present Comet doth too sadly show This Prophet's dead yet must in 's Doctrine speak This Comet saith else must New-England break That e're it be the Heav'ns avert it far That Meteors should succeed our greatest Star In Bostons Orb Winthrop and Cotton were These Lights Extinct Dark is our Haemisphere In Boston once how much shin'd of our Glory VVe now Lament Posterity will Story Let Boston live who had and saw their VVorth And did them hot our both in Life and Death To him New-England trust in this Distress Who will not leave his Exiles Comfortless John Norton FINIS Reader Be pleased in page 18 for Christopher Gardner Read Sir Christopher Gardner ERRATA PAge 2. Lin. 11. for in Churches read in the Churches pag 6. l. 18. for graceful read grateful p. 12. l. 30. for Tarting read Parting p. â—3 l. 11. inâ—tead of Pectant r. Pecâ—ant p. 46. l. â—3 for Fathers r Father p. 48. l. 27. for Storm 〈◊〉 Scorn p. 49. l. 26. r. Internal p. 50. l. 17. â— alway p. 69. l. 29. r. Eaâ—th p. 72. l. 6. r. â—ints ibid l. 8. for twice r. once
ways of Subsistence which â—he first Planters Deserted and not a few did leave all their worldly hopes to come into this Desert unknown Land and smoaky Cottaâ—es to the Society of Cursed Cannibals as they have proved to be and at best wild Indians what less then a Divine Ardour could inflame a People thus Circumstanced to a work so contrary to Flesh and Blood Infinite Wisdom and Prudence contrived and directed this Mysterious Work of Providence Divine Courage and Resolution managed it Superhumane Sedulity and Diligence-â—tended it and Angelical Swiftness and Dispatch finished it Its Wheels stirr'd not â—it according to the HOLY SPIRITS moâ—on in them yea there was the Involution of a Wheel within a Wheel Gods Ways were 〈◊〉 Great Depth and high above the Eagle or mans Cockle-shell is infinitely unable to Emptie this Ocean Let us Commemorate their Exodus or Departure from our Nation These Prudent Undertakers sent forth their Forlorn Hope in two Ships Laden with Passengers and Servants two years before they mov'd with their main Body and Pattent Government which were fully Furnished with a Pastor and Teacher Worthy Higgison and Skelton and all Materials for Compleaâ—ing of a Church of Christ according to Divine Institution Who safely Arriving according to their predeterminate Design of Inlargement of Christ's Kingdom and His Majesty of England's Dominion Firstly they set up their Standards Dethroning Satan they cast him out of Heaven which beyond time memorial he had in the Natives Consciences and by Turf and Twig they took possession of this his large Continent and set up the first Church in these Parts in a place they then called Salem at which Convention the Testimony which the Lord of all the Earth bore unto it is wonderfully memorable by a Saving Work upon a Gentleman of Quality Major General Gibbins who afterwards was the Chieftain and Flower of New-England's Militia and an Eminent Instrument both in Church and Commonwealth he being the younger Brother of the House of an Honourable Extract his Ambition exceeding what he could expect at home Rambled bither Before one Stone was laid in thâ— Structure or our Van-Currier's Arrival he waâ— no Debauchee but of a Jocund Temper and one of the Merry Mounts Society who chosâ— rather to Dance about a May pole first Erected to the Honour of Strumpet Flora than to heaâ— a good Sermon who hearing of this Meeting though above Twenty Miles distant from it and desirous to see the Mode and Novel of a Churches Gathering with great studiousness he applyed himself to be at it where beholding their orderly procedure and their method of standing forth to declare the Work of Gâ—â— upon their Souls being pricked at the Heart he sprung forth among them desirous to be one of the Society who though otherwise welâ— acomplished yet divinely illiterate was therâ— convinc'd and judged before all the secretâ— of his heart being made manifest fell down and Worshipped God to their astonishment saying That God was in them of a Truth the Verity hereof as long since it hath been affirmed by old Planters so by his own Manuscript found after his Death it 's confirmed he about that time Lamenting his Christless Estate which evidenceth that it ought to be said of that Sion This man was Born there One winterafter these good spies had viewed this Land who sent letters of the prosperous good hand of Providence upon them the taste of the fruits of this Countrie was sweeter and more welcome to their Principalls in England then the Grapes of Eschol were to Israel of â—â—ld The Leaders of this People upon serious depate drew up a Determination to settle the Corporation and government upon the Place and Deputy to abide there which being effected and Divinely directed in such a Choice of the Governour the Famous Pattern of Wisdom Justice and Liberality and of a Deputy Governour who by his Experience at Home and Travels Abroad with his Natural and Acquired Aâ—bilities was a Gentleman qualified above others for the chief Rule and Government wherein according to his just Deserts he shared more than others the Fame whereof being come Abroad in the Nation to such whose hearts God had touched this being upon the wing there wanted not Number of Persons of all Occupations skill'd in all Faculties needful for the Planting of a Collony who filled up a Fleet of Eleven Ships of considerable Burthen besides their Attenders some of them about Four Hundred Tuns the rest noâ— much inferiour some carrying near Two Hundred Passengers the rest proportionably the Wheels of Providence were lifted up very high and also were radiantly magnificent These Tarting Travellers Removal carrying so great a Resemblance of Departure into another World they were not stupid Stoicks but abounded with that which Grace doth no destroy but direct What showers of melting Tears dropt into the Bosomes of each other whose Souls as Jonathan and David clave one to another yet alleviated with consideration though they were Absent in Body yet Present in Spirit and of their mutual access to the Throne of Grace and of Meeting at the Assembly of the First-born and Spirits of Just Men made Perfect Some of their choice Friends as the Reverend Mr. Cotton and others went along with them from Boston in Lincolnshire to South-hampton where they parted and he Preacht his Farewel Sermon That so many Eminent Persons some of Noble Extract should upon Sea-Bridges pass over the largest Ocean in the Universe by the good hand of their God upon them having sought of him a right way for themselves Little Ones and Substance yea above Three Thousand in one Year and that above Three Hundred Ships since that time all Laden with Jewels of Invaluable Value far above the Gold of Ophir that each individual one should have a Caelestial Convoy under the Flaming Swords of Flying Cherubims turning every way to keep them in their way so as they all at their Port safely Arrived Not one Foundered in the Sea Split upon Rocks were suckt in by Sands Over-set by sudden Gusts nor Taken and Plundered by Pirates on Robbers except one called the Angel Gabriel whose Tutular Guardiau Ship failed if any Aboard put trust therein she was Laden with Passengers for Boston but put in at Pemiquid where the Ship and whole Cargo perished but not one Soul of Seamen or Passengers miscarried they met with an Hurricane before or since not known in this Country Raised by the Power of him who holds the Wind in his Hand and Commissioneth the Prince of the Air by Raising Stormy Winds to fulfil his Word it 's said the Tide rose Twenty Foot perpen dicular above its ordinary height The same time another great Ship Laden with Passengers was wonderfully preserved when as ready to be Split in pieces upon Rocks at the Isle of Shoals at the Prayer of the distressed Saints Aboard God caused the Winds to Vere a Point or two about the Compass so as she cleared them they were
Subscription Signed was Your Assured Friends and Brethren Iohn Winthrop Governour Richard Saltonstall Isaac Iohnson Tho. Dudley Deputy Governour Charles Fines George Phillips Cum multis ajiis From Yarmouth Ab ard the Arabella April 7th 1630. THese Magnanimous Heroes whose Memory is Plessed whose Names not only during New England hath a Being but shall be had in Everlasting Remembrance they then declared Though there might be some among them otherwise minded yet they were not of them and desired Remembrance in their Prayers as above in this their dangerous Design Not long after this Mr. Cottons Farewel Sermon above mentioned was Printed as London and since Re printed at Boston Entituled GODS PROMISE TO HIS PLANTATION wherein he Exhorted them to Remember England their Mother and that they should not be like those Ingrateful Birds who when they had Swum over a Stream or River forgot the Wing that had Hatcht them The Serpent soon got into this Eden and according to his Maxime acted divide and Overcome he sow'd the Seed of Discord Division among us so as this Heterodoxy was Preached publickly that there was no Communion to be held with the Church oâ— England and that if any of our Church-members had transiently heard a Minister which Conformed to the Church of England withouâ— declaring Repentance for it he was to be Excommunicated and that no Communion waâ— to be held with any Unregenerate Person that they ought not to Pray or Crave a Blessing at Meals before Wife or any Relation Unconverted of which Conversion their Opinion was the Test and not only so but thaâ— the Oath of Allegiance to His Majesty was not to be taken nor was it lawful to take any other kind of Oath because no Power to be Setled by Oath but Christs Kingly Power only and that our Pattent ought to be senâ— back to our King nor ought we to have to do therewith Thus was Now-England Attack by Satan and this from an Eminent Preacher noted for Piety in his Life and Conversation as his strictest Observers Characterisecâ— him This Child of Light walked in Darkness about Forty Years not only by Rejecting the Church of England and its Baptism buâ— his second Baptism also Taking up the Seekers perswasion looking for new Apostles Mr. Roger Williams yet diâ— not his Root turn into Rottenness the Root of the Matter abode iâ— him as by his Faithful Defence of the Fundamentals of Christian Religion in a publicâ— Dispute and about the Year 1677. puttinâ— â—ut a Book against the Quakers Thus the â—ord infinite in Wisdom and Goodness disâ—osed of Satans Malice so as he was Out shot 〈◊〉 his own Bow the Lord held the Magistraâ—y and Ministry in Unity according to the â—ntegrity of their hearts so as this small new â—igged Vessel was preserved against this vioâ—ent Storm which the Prince of Darkness Raised upon her at first setting forth with Design to have Overset and Foundred her â—hus was Munificent Mercy magnified toward â—is People when sew in Number and in â—heir low Estate such was the Conduct of â—ur Moses and Aaron that they kissed each oâ—â—er in the Mount of God The Report of this admirable Divine Preâ—ence with this People in their Civiland Sacred â—dministrations Reach'd our Nation even to â—he astonishment of those who cast no good Eye upon us but to the Encouragement of â—hose otherwise minded so as that the Well-â—ffected came over as Clouds and like Doves to â—â—eir Windows such was their Increase that in â—even years time the Massachuset Patient could â—ot contain them This Vine spread forth â—er Branches on the other side of this Bay to â—nd a Rehoboth it 's said that about this time 〈◊〉 Two Years there came over Seventy â—odd â—hips who one with another Transported an â—undred Passengers to the astonishment of â—e sober part of our Nation At which time â—â—d before as the Harvest was great white so the Lord thereof thrust forth not only Lâ—bourers but multiplied Aholiabs and Bezaliell Robbing our Nation to supply this peopâ—â— with such as were filled with the Spirit 〈◊〉 Wisdom and Understanding in all Spirituâ—â— Skill in the Structure and Furniture of thâ— great Work and about setting up the Tabeâ—nacle of the Congregation and the Ark 〈◊〉 the Testimony according to the Pattern iâ— the Mount Of whom a Quaternion viz. Mr. Cotton Eminent for Spiritual Clothing and Mather for Caelestial Dying Hookâ—â— for Soul Fishing Stone for Building up iâ— the Holy Faith three of whom came in thâ— same Ship and one of them not long aâ—teâ— with the Reverend John Davenport the famoâ—â— Rogers of Rowley besides the Worthy Finâ— Fruits of New-England the Proto-Pastors anâ— Teachers whom our Pen fails to Enumerate such was the Cloud of them who came oveâ— first and last seventy seven Ministers and fouâ—teen Young Students fit for the Ministry These voluntary Exiles for the Word 〈◊〉 God and Testimony of Jesus having beâ—â— under Exercise of Spirit and Burthened bâ—â— mens setting up their Posts and Thresholds bâ—â— Gods Posts and Thresholds and now Warâ—ed by the Lively Sense of Gods preservinâ— Goodness and safe Landing of them after â—â—tedious passage some Encountred tho' somâ— had but six Weeks others Twenty and odâ—â— Weeks durance yet without Loss or Famishinâ— of one person all this while shut up but â—afeguarded about four inches distance from Death These Votaries being under the fervour of their late Obligations they Anointed Jacobs Pillar then they had opportunity and accordingly Bewail'd and were ashamed of their Misdoings begg'd pardon and assistance from the God of the Spirits of all Flesh and direction from on High to set up the Throne and Place of the Soles of Christs Feet after solemn Imploring the Discovery of the Form and Fashion of Gods House the Comings in and Goings out of the Church of God which is the House of God the Ground and Pillar of Truth they agreed upon the practice of that which is called the Way of the Congregational Churches which for Thirteen Years together they Walkt in the practice of before â—he Synod further confirmed the same as is â—fterwards notified which Doctrine and Practice was Published to the Europaean World in the Book of the Keyes and Vindication of the Way of the Congregational Churches in New England pen'd by the Reverend Teacher of Boston Church and other worthy Scripts by divers Worthy Ministers of this Country in Answer to the Reproach put upon them by some Eminent Divines elsewhere of a Mr. Samuel â—nother perswasion yet one Rutherford of their Chieftains for Piety In his Spiriâ—â— and Learning Declared in â—â—ual Antichrist Print his full Assent to the Book of the Keyes in all its particularities eâ—cept in one puncâ—ilio about of the power of Synods which as he apprehended the book oâ— Keyes did too much streighten The Lords presence with our Fathers in theiâ— Civil and Sacred Concerns signally appeared with our Honourable Counsellers our Prudenâ— and Ancient the Mighty