worthy worke begun Art thou back-bore Christ will send more and raise instead thy son His Fathers gon young Richard on here valiantly doth War For Christ his truth to their great Ruth Heathens opposers are To study thou thy mind dost how and daily good promote Saltingstall why then dost thou fly let all Gods people note That thou wilt stand in thy own Land Christ there theÌ„ strengthen thee With grace thee heate that thy retreate may for his glory be At ending day he thee array with Glory will not faile Breaking graves bands with his strong hands and free dust from death's goale Among these Troopes of Christs Souldiers came at this time the godly servant of Christ Mr. Roger Harlackenden a young Gentleman valiant in Faith and appointed by Christ to assist his people in this Desart he was chose to the Office of a Magistrate as also to be a choise Leader of their Military Forces which as yet were but in a strange posture And therefore till the yeare 1644. at which time the Countrey wis really placed in a posture of War to be in a readinesse at all times there shall not be any thing spoken concerning their Military Discipline the continuance of this Souldier of Christ was but short the Lord taking him to rest with himselfe HArlackenden among these men of nose Christ hath thie seated In warlike way Christ thee aray with zeal and love well he ated As generall belov'd of all Christ Souldiers honour thee In thy young yeares courage appeares and kinde benignity Short are thy days speÌ„t to his praise whose Church work thou must aid His work shall bide silver tride but thine by death is staid The number of Ministers that came over this yeare was about eleaven and many other like faithfull servants of Christ among whom arrived those two Reverend and laborious servants of his Mr. Norton and Mr. Shepheard of whose narrow escape you have heard the last yeare Mr. Norton was called to the Office of a Teaching Elder at the Towne of Ipswich to the Church of Christ there where Mr. Warde as yet remained in Office Also the learned labours of this Souldier of Christ are obvious to our Countreymen hee Preaching there the blessing of God hath not onely built up many in the Knowledge of Christ but also been the meanes of converting diverse soules turning them from the power of Satan to Faith in Christ whom the Lord long continue you shall further hear of Christs gratious assisting of him in the first and last Synod holden here at Cambridge and in the meane time let no man be offended that the Author quickens up his own dull effections in telling how largely the Lord hath bestowed his Graces upon these Instruments of his although sinfull dust and ashes THou Noble Norton who art honoured by Thy Christ with learned Arguments doth fill Thy mouth with might new errors to destroy And force deceivers silently to yeild Weake dust waite on thy Christ for further strength Who doth his Davids make as Angels bright To trample down his enemies at length All breake or bow unto his Kingdomes might Illettered Men and Women that doe love Preheminence condemne thy learned skill But Christ hath given his blessing from above Vnto thy workes the World with light to fill Christs faithfull servants met in Synod take Thee for their Pen-men Scriptures light to cleere With Scripture shew what Government Christ gave To 's Churches till himselfe againe appeare Here my indeared Reader I must mind thee of the industrious servant of Christ Mr. John Wilson who this yeare landed the third time upon this American shore from his Native Country where now againe by the Divine Providence of Christ hee narrowly escaped the Hunters hands being cloathed in a Country-mans habit passing from places to place declared to the people of God what great Workes Christ had already done for his people in New England which made many Christian soules long to see these admirable Acts of Christ although it were not to be injoyed but by passing through an Ocean of troubles Voyaging night and day upon the great deep which this zealous servant of Christ had now five times passed over at this time came over the Sage grave reverend and faithfull servant of Christ M. Richard Mather indued by the Lord with many Heavenly gifts of a plaine and upright spirit apt to teach full of gratious expressions and Resolvedly bent to follow the truth as it is in Jesus hee was anon after his comming called to Office in the Church of Christ at the Towne of Dorchester to assist in the Worke of the Lord with Mr. Marareck whose worke not long after was ended by death leaving Mr. Mather alone to continue the same WIth cheerfull face Mather doth toile indure In wildernesse spending the prime of 's age To build Christs Churches and soules health procure In battell thou dost deepe thy selfe ingage Marvell not Man that Mather through an host Of enemies doth breake and fighting stands It 's Christ him keepes of him is all his boast Who power gives to do and then commands With gratious speech thy Masters Message thou Declarest to all and all wouldst have submit That to his Kingdome every knee might bow But those resisthis sword shall surely hit Till age doth crown thy head with hoary hairs Well hast thou warr'd till Mathers young againe Thy son in fight his Fathers strength repairs Father and Son beate down Christs foes amaine CHAP. XXXIII Of the beginning of the Churches of Christ to be planted at Canectico and first of the Church of Christ removall to Hartford 1635. THis yeare the servants of Christ who peopled the Towne of Cambridge were put upon thoughts of removing hearing of a very fertill place upon the River of Canectico low Land and well stored with Meddow which is greatly in esteeme with the people of New England by reason the Winters are very long This people seeing that Tillage went but little on Resolved to remove and breed up store of Cattell which were then at eight and twenty pound a Cow or neare upon but assuredly the Lord intended far greater matters than man purposes but God disposes these men having their hearts gone from the Lord on which they were seated soone tooke dislike at every little matter the Plowable plaines were too dry and sandy for them and the Rocky places although more fruitfull yet to eate their bread with toile of hand and how they deemed it unsupportable And therefore they onely waited now for a people of stronger Faith than themselves were to purchase their Houses and Land which in conceipt they could no longer live upon and accordingly they met with Chapmen a people new come who having â—â—â—ught their possessions they highed them away to their new Pâ—aâ—tâ—tion With whom went the Grave and Reverend servant of Christ Mr. Hooker and Mr. Stone for indeed the whole Church removed as also the much honoured Mr. Haynes divers other men of
opinions upheld by the civill government must be sure to make choise of the most Atheisticall persons they can finde to governe such as are right Gallios for N. E. hath found by experience that every man will most favour his own way of Profession and labor tooth naile to maintaine it and if any have complied with other that have been of a contrary sinfull opinion to their own it hath been because they would have their own scape scot free but assuredly the Lord Christ will allow of no such wayes for the favouring the professors of his truths nor may any Magistrate doe evill that good may come of it in favouring dangerous and deceiveable doctrines that others may favour the true servants of Christ neither is there any such need for it is their honours if the will of God be so to suffer nor can the people of N. England I meane the better part be perswaded to set up any other to governe but such as are zealous for the maintainance of the truths of Christ yet of late there is a buzzing noise as if it were injury to the Churches for civill power to medle in matters of Religion but to be sure there are many that strive for a Toleration yet the people of Christ who are the naturall Mothers of this Government resolve never to see their living child so divided looking at such a government to be no better to them a living child divided in twaine and therefore desires their loving Countrymen to beare with them in this point and if any notwithstanding shall force it to be so we shall shew our natural affection and leave all to them chusing rather to dwell on the backside of this Desert a place as yet unaccessible knowing assuredly our God will appeare for our deliverance Yet let them also know the Souldiers of Christ in N E. are not of such a pusillanimous spirit but resolve as that valiant Jeptha did to keep in possession the Towns his God had given them so we are resolved the Lord willing to keepe the government our God hath given us and for witnesse hee hath so done let this History manifest for we chose not the place for the Land but for the government that our Lord Christ might raigne over us both in Churches and Common-wealth and although the Lord have been pleased by an extraordinary blessing upon his peoples industry to make the place fruitfull as at this day indeed it is yet all may know the land in it selfe is very sterrill but the upholding of the truths of Christ is chiefe cause why many have hitherto come and further if the servants of Christ be not much mistaken the downfall of Antichrist is at hand and then the Kingdome of the Earth shall become the Kingdome of our Lord Christ in a more peculiar manner then now they are and surely godly civill government shall have a great share in that worke for they are exhorted to fill her double of the Cup shee hath given to them and also know our Magistrates being conscious of ruling for Christ dare not admit of any bastardly brood to be nurst up upon their tender knees neither will any Christian of a sound judgement vote for any but such as earnesty contend for the Faith although the increase of Trade and traffique may be a great inducement to some VVonder-working PROVIDENCE OF SIONS SAVIOVR IN NEVV ENGLAND CHAP. I. The beginning of the relation of the Pequot war and the great straites these wandering Jacobites were in THe great Jehovah minding to manifest the multitude of his Mercies to the wendering Jacobites and make an introduction to his following wonders causeth the darke clouds of calamities to gather about them presâ—ging some terrible tempest to follow with eyes full of anguish they face to the right upon the damnable Doctrines as so many dreadfull Engines set by Satan to intrap their poore soules Then casting forth a left hand looke the labour and wants accompaning a Desert and terrible Wildernesse affright them their memories minding them of their former plenty It much aggravated the present misery when with thoughts of retreating they turne their backs about the experienced incumbrances and deepe distresses of a dangerous Ocean hinders their thoughts of flight besides the sterne looke of the Lordly Prelates which would give them a welcome home in a famishing prison Then purposing to put on more stronger resolution facing to the Front behold a Messenger with sorrowfull tidings from their fellow brethren that inhabited the bankes of the River Canectico who having audience informes them of the great insolency and cruell murthers committed by a barbarous and bloudy people called Peaquods upon the bodies of their indeared friends these savage Indians lying to the South-west of the Mattacusets were more warlike then their Neighbouring Nations the Narrowganzet or Niantick Indians although they exceeded them in number also Mawhiggins who were the best friends of the English and a chiefe instrumentall meanes of their sitting down there stood much in feare of these Peaquods which were big swollen with pride at this time facing the English Fort built on the mouth of the River in their large Cannowes with their Bowes and long Shafts the English being then but weake in number and provision were unable to manage the war against so numerous a company being above thirty to one yet their desires being beyond their meanes they made some shot at them forcing them to hast away faster then they willingly would These Indians trusting in their great Troopes having feasted their corps in a ravening manner and leaving their fragments for their Sqawes they sound an alarum with a sull mouth and lumbring voyce and soone gather together without presse or pay their quarrell being as antient as Adams time propagated from that old enmity betweene the Seede of the Woman and the Seed of the Serpent who was the grand signor of this war in hand and would very gladly have given them a large Commission had not his owne power beene limited neither could he animate them so much as to take off the gastly looke of that King of terror yet however at his command they arme themselves casting their quâ—ver at their backs with Bowes ready bent they troope up some of them being extraordinarily armed with Guns which they purchast from the Dutch who had assuredly paid deare for this their courteous humour not long since had not some English Volunteers rescued them from the Indians hands the most of them were armed also with a small Hatchet on a long handle they had a small number of Mawhawkes Hammers which are made of stone having a long pike on the one side and a hole in the handle which they tie about their wrists they neede not provisions follow their Camp because they are continually at home but for their mats to shelter them from Ruine or Snow the Woods are as wellcome to them as their Wigwams sire they can make in all places by chafing
obtained one victory they were very desirous of another and further they knew right-well till this cursed crew were utterly rooted out they should never be at peace therefore they marched on toward them Now assuredly had the Indians knowne how much weakned our Souldiers were at present they might have born them downe with their multitude they being very strong and agile of body had they come to handy-gripes but the Lord who would have his people know their work was his and he onely must order their Counsels and war like work for them did bring them timely supply from the vessels and also gave them a second victory wherein they slâ—ew many more of their enemies the residue flying into a very thick swamp being unaccessible by reason of the boggy holes of water and thick bushes the English drawing up their company beleagered the swamp and the Indians in the mean time skulking up and down and as they saw opportunity they made shot with their Arrowes at the English and then suddainly they would fall flat along in the water to defend themselves from the retalliation of the Souldiers Muskets This lasted not long for our English being but a small number had parted themselves far asunder but by the providence of the most high God some of them spyed an Indian with a kettle at his back going more inwardly into the swamp by which they perceived there was some place of firm land in the midst thereof which caused them to make way for the passage of their Souldiers which brought this warre to a period For although many got away yet were they no such considerable number as ever to raise warre any more the slaine or wounded of the English were through the mercy of Christ but a few One of them being shot through the body neere about the breast regarding it not till of a long time after which caused the bloud to dry and thicken on eitheir end of the arrow so that it could not be drawne forth his body without great difficulty and much paine yet did he scape his life and the wound healed Thus the Lord was pleased to assist his people in this warre and deliver them out of the Indians hands who were very lusty proper men of their hands most of them as may appear by one passage which I shall here relate thus it came to passe As the Souldiers were uppon their march close by a great thicket where no eye could penetrate farre as it often falls out in such wearisom wayes where neither men nor beast have beaten out a path some Souldiers lingering behinde their fellowes two Indians watching their opportunity much like a hungry hauke when they supposed the last man was come up who kept a double double double distance in his march they sudden and swiftly snatched him up in their tallens hoising him upon their shoulders ran into the swamp with him the Souldier unwilling to be made a Pope by being borne on mens shoulders strove with them all he could to free himselfe from their hands but like a carefull Commander one Captaine Davenport then Lieutenant of this company being diligent in his place to bring up the reare coming up with them followed with speed into the swamp after him having a very severe cutlace tyed to his wrist and being well able to make it bite sore when he set it on resolving to make it fall foul on the Indians bones he soone overtook them but was prevented by the buckler they held up from hitting them which was the man they had taken It was matter of much wonder to see with what dexterity they hurled the poore Souldier about as if they had been handling a Lacedaemonian shield so that the nimble Captaine Davenport could not of a long time fasten one stroke upon them yet at last dying their tawny skin into a crimson colour they cast downe their prey and hasted thorow the thickets for their lives The Souldier thus redeemed had no such hard usage but that he is alive as I suppose at this very day The Lord in mercy toward his poore Churches having thus destroyed these bloudy barbarous Indians he returnes his people in safety to their vessels where they take account of their prisoners the Squawes and some young youths they brought home with them and finding the men to be deeply guilty of the crimes they undertooke the warre for they brought away onely their heads as a token of their victory By this means the Lord strook a trembling terror into all the Indians round about even to this very day CHAP. VII Of the first Syrod holden in New England whereby the Lord in his mercy did more plainly discover his ancient truths and confute those cursed errors that ordinarily dogg the reforming Churches of CHRIST THe Lord Christ deeming it most expedient for his people to adde some farther help to assist them in cutting downe those cursed errors that were the next dangerous difficulty they were to meet with sends in the Reverend and bright shining light Mr. Davenport and the cheerfull grave and gracious Soldier of his Mr. Allen as also Mr. Thompson Mr. Browne Mr. Fish with divers other of the faithfull servants of Christ the much honoured Mr. Eaton and Mr. Hopkins and now the time being come the Synod sate at Cambridge where was present about 25. Reverend and godly Ministers of Christ besides many other graciously-eminent servants of his A Catalogue of the severall Errors scattered about the Countrey was there produced to the number of 80. and liberty given to any man to dispute pro or con and none to be charged to be of that opinion he disputed for unlesse he should declare himselfe so to be The Weapons these Souldiers of Christ warred with was the Sword of the Spirit even the Word of God together with earnest prayer to the God of all Truth that he would open his truths unto them The clearing of the true sense and meaning of any place of Scripture it was done by Scripture for they so discerned by the grace of God that was given them that the whole Scripture must be attended unto Foure sorts of persons I could with a good will have paid their passage out and home againe to England that they might have been present at this Synod so that they would have reported the truth of all the passages thereof to their own Colledges at their return The first is the Prelates who both in Theorie and Practice might have made their owne Eyes Judges in the case Whether would prevaile most to the suppressing of Error and advancing of Unity in the true worship of God either their commanding power backt with the subordinate sword of Princes or the Word of God cleered up by the faithfull labour and indefatigable pains of the sincere servants of the Lord Christ and mightily declared through the demonstration of his blessed Spirit This well waighed may through the Lords blessing stop the yet running fancie in the brains of many that
their Lordly power is the onely means of suppressing Error Secondly the Godly and Reverend Presbyterian Party who had they made their eye-witnesses of this worke they had assuredly saved themselves much labour which I dare presume they would have spent worthily otherwayes then in writing so many books to prove the Congregationall or Independant Churches to be the sluce through which so many flouds of Error flow in nay my deare and reverend brethren might not so much work of yours in writing and ours in answering have been a meanes to have stopt the height of this overflowing floud and through the Lords assisting have setled Peace and Truth in a great measure throughout the three Nations Thirdly those who with their new stratagems have brought in so much old error for although they had a party here yet verily they durst not bring their New Light to the Old Word for fear it would prove but Old Darknesse as indeed they doe But here might they have seene the Ministers of Christ who were so experienced in the Scripture that some of them could tell you the place both Chapter and Verse of most sentences of Scripture could be named unto them with Scriptures light cleering up the truths of Christ clouded by any of these Errors and Heresies as had not been done for many Ages before and verily this great work of Christ must not be lightly over-past the Author of this History passeth not for the shrewd censures of men nor can it be any matter of disparagement to the reverend and highly honoured in Christ remaining in England that their fellow brethren have done so worthily here it is well knowne to all our English Nation that the most able-preaching Ministers of Christ were most pursued by the lording Clergy and those that have spent all their dayes even from a child in searching the Scriptures the Lord Christ preparing them by his blessed spirit for this very work Besides their continued practice in studying and preaching the wayes of truth and lastly their meeting with the opposition of so many crafty close couched errors whose first foundation was laid cheke by joule with the most glorious heavenly and blessed truths to dazle the eyes of the beholders and strike terrour into the hearts of those should lift up their hands against them for feare they should misse them and hit their stroke upon the blessed truth and also to bring up a slanderous and evil report on all the able Orthodox Minâ—stâ—rs of Christ that withstand them perswading men they withstand the holy heavenly and blessed truth which they have lodged there which this Synod did with strong undenyable arguments fetch from Scripture to overthrow and pluck up by the roots all those Errors which you have heard mentioned in the former Book the which they divided for the more full answering of them Among all those valiant Champions of the Truth whom you have heard named to some six some five some foure c. it had assuredly been worth the work to have related the particular manner of putting to the sword every one of them but besides the length of the discourse there must have been a more able Pen-man but however they were so put to death that they never have stood up in a living manner among us since but sometimes like Wizards to peepe and mutter out of ground fit for such people to resort unto as will goe from the living to the dead But blessed be the Lord Christ who girded his people with strength against this day of battaile and caused the Heavens to cleere up againe in New-England after these foggy dayes The fourth and last sort of persons whose presence I could most of all the other three former have desired was those whose disease lay as chiefly in despising all Physitians and that upon this ground for one because some for filthy lucre sake have nourishâ— Diseases rather then cured them Many pamphlets have come from our Countreymen of late to this purpose namely scurrillously to deride all kind of Scholarship Presbytery and Synods Experience hath taught Gods people here that such are troubled with some sinfull opinion of their owne that they would not have touched but had they been at this Synod they must per force have learned better language or their speech and their knowledge would fall foule one of the other here might they have beheld the humility of the most learned of these servants of Christ condemning the high conceitednesse of their ignorance and then also the framing of Arguments in a Schollar like way did the Lord assisting cleare up the truths of Christ more to the meâ—nest capacity in one hour then could be clouded again in sâ—aven yeare by the new notion of any such as boast so much of their unlettered knowledge diversity of languages although a correcting hand of God upon the whole world when they joyned together in that proud Edifice yet now is it blest of God to retaine the purity of the Scriptures if any man should goe about to corrupt them in one language they should remain pure in another and assuredly the Lord intending to have the wayes of the Gospel of Christ to be made more manifest at this time then formerly not by tradition of our forefathers or by mans reason but by the revealed will of God in the holy Scripture did accordingly prepare Instruments for this work earthen vessels men subject to like infirmities with our selves sorry men and carrying about with them a body of sinne and death men subject to erre yet these did the Lord Christ cause to be train'd up in Learning and tutor'd at the Universities and that very young some of them as the revererend Mr. John Cotten at 13. yeares of age The mighty power of God sanctifyed and ordained them for this work and made them a defenced city an iron pillar a wall of brass against all the opposers of his truth and now coupled them together in this Synod to draw in Christs yoke and warre with the weapons he had furnished them withall and cause the blessed truths of Christ to shine forth in their splendour and glory farre more after the dispersing of this smoak which of a long time hath filled the Temple and hindered the entring in of those great number of Converts which shall flow in at the fall of all antichristian Errors and verily as the Lord Christ had called forth this little handfuâ—l to be a model of his glorious work intended thoughout the whole world so chiefly in this suppressing of Errours Sects and Heresies by the blessed word of his truth causing his servants in this Synod muâ—â—ally to agree and by his gracious providence break in pieces a contrived plot of some who by mis-reports insinuating jealousies and crafty carriage of matters to the wrong mark with a writing of thrice twenty strong would have drawne away one of the valiant Souldiers of Christ from this worthy worke who both then and since hath been very helpfull
become With scatter'd seed of man and beast thou hast Seen thy great God increase thy little sum Towns close compact in desart land hath plac't In Wilderness thy table richly spread Thy poor therein hath satisfi'd with bread While firtil lands with hunger have been pined Thy harvest hath with heaps on heaps come in Oh mourn that thou no more thy God should'st mind His gentle rod to teach thee doth begin Then wonder not that swarms of Locust fly And that earths fruits for want of moysture die A countless crew of Caterpillers craul To rob the earth of her green mantle quite Wolves only wont on lesser beasts to fall On great ones prey by day and eke by night Thy houses are consum'd with much good store By fearful fires which blustering winds blow o're Lord stay thy hand and stop my earthly mind Thy Word not world shall be our sole delight Not Medow ground but Christs rich pearl wee 'l find Thy Saints imbrace and not large lands down plight Murmure no more will we at yearly pay To help uphold our Government each way Not strive who least but who the most shall give Rejoyce will we our hearts inlarged are Those wait on th' Altar shall on Altar live Nor shall our riches their good doctrine mar Oâ—r pride of parts in thought of clear discerning No longer shall disgrace their godly learning Our meaner sort that metamorphos'd are With womens hair in gold and garments gay Whose wages large our Commonwealths work mar Their pride they shall with moderation lay Cast off their cloaths that men may know their rank Axd women that with outward deckings prank The worlds imbrace our longing lust for gain No longer shall us into corners draw Nor our large herds us from Gods house detain From fellowship of Saints who learn thy Law Thy righteous Judgments Lord do make me tremble Nor word nor rod but deep in this dissemble Two Masters Lord we will professed serve How can we Christ united be to thee When from thy Law learn'd we so greatly swarve With watry tears unclued we will be From creature-comforts Christ thou art our stay Work will and deed in us we humbly pray Oh thou my soul and every part in me Lament the Lord his worthies from the earth Takes to himself and makes our earth to be E A mourning place left destituke of mirth Are these the daies wherein that Beast shall fall Lord leave us means though thou be all in all What courage was in Winthrope it was thine Shopheards sweet Sermons from thy blessing came Our heavenly Hooker thy grace did refine And godly Burr receiv'd from thee his frame Philips didst thou indue with Scripture light And Huet had his arguings strong and right Grave Higginson his heavenly truths from thee Maveruck was made an able help to thine What Harver had thou gavest for 's people free Follow Green full of grace to work thou didst assign Godly Glover his rich gifts thou gavest Thus thou by means thy flocks from spoiling savest But Lord why dost by death withdraw thy hand From us these men and means are sever'd quite Stretch forth thy might Lord Christ do thou command Their doubled spirit on those left to light Forth of their graves call ten times ten again That thy dear flocks no damage may sustain Can I forget these means that thou hast used To quicken up my drowsie drooping soul Lord I forget and have the same abused Which makes me now with grief their deaths condole And kiss thy rod laid on with bowels tender By death of mine makes me their death remember Lord stay thy hand thy Jacobs number 's small Powre out thy wrath on Antichrists proud Thrones Here thy poor flocks that on thee daily call Bottle their tears and pity their sad groans Where shall we go Lord Christ we turn to thee Heal our back slidings forward press shall we Not we but all thy Saints the world throughout Shall on thee wait thy wonders to behold Thou King of Saints the Lord in battel stont Increase thy armies many thousand fold Oh Nations all his anger seek to stay That doth create him armies every day CHAP. X. Of the endeavours of this people of Christ to inlarge his Kingdom the world throughout and first of their preaching Christ to the Indians among whom they live THese brood of Travellers having thus through the good hand of their God upon them thus setled these Churches according to the institution of Christ and not by the will of man they now endeavour to be assisting to others The reverend Mr. Hugh Peters and his fellow-helper in Christ Mr. Wells steered their course for England so soon as they heard of the chaining up of those biting beasts who went under the name of spiritual Lords what assistance the Gospel of Christ found there by their preaching is since clearly manifested for the Lord Christ having removed that usurping power of Lordly Prelates hath now inlarged his Kingdom there and that not onely by the means of these men but by divers others both godly and eminent servants of his who never saw New-England and by divers other godly Ministers of Christ who have since gone from hence both young Students and others to the number of twenty or thereabout in the whole besides some who were eminent in the civil Government here both gracious and godly servants of Christ and some who have been Magistrates here to the number of five or six the Lord Christ grant they may all endeavour the advancement of his truths both in Churches and civil Government But before the Author cease to speak of England he is bold to say that the Lord Christ will overturn overturn overturn till he hath caused such a Government to be set up as shall become nursing fathers to his new-planted Churches The Indian people in these parts at the English first coming were very barbarous and uncivilized going for the most part naked although the country be extreme cold cold in the winter-season they are onely clothed with a Deers skin and a little bit of cloth to cover their privy part The Women for the most part are very modest although they go as naked as the Men they are generally very laborious at their planting time and the Men extraordinary idle making their squawes to carry their Children and the luggage beside so that many times they travell eight or ten mile with a burden on their backs more fitter for a horse to carry then a woman The men follow no kind of labour but hunting fishing and fowling in all which they make use of their Bowe and Arrowes to shoot the wilde creatures of the Trees as Squirrells gray and black Rockoones as for Deer they ordinarily catch them in traps with a pole bent down and a Cord at the end which flyes up and stayes their hasty course Bever Otter and Moose they catch with Traps also they are
to flight see then you stand upon your watch continually in the strength of Christ for assuredly instead of casting downe the enemies of Christ thissin will cast down you utterly disinable you for striking one stroke in the cause of Christ and whereas he hath purposely pickt ouâ— this People for a patterne of purity and soundnesse of Doctrine as well as Discipline that all such may finde a refuge among you and let not any Merchants Inkeepers Taverners and men of Trade in hope of gaine fling open the gates so wide as that by letting in all sorts you mar the worke of Christ intended neither shall such labourers as hee hath pickt out to be Pyoneers in this Campe of his drinke up like Spunges such meanes as hee hath sent to maintaine both Officers and private Souldiers Lastly let not such as fight set foote on Land to compose Townes for Habitations take up large accommodations for sale to inrich themselves with others goods who are to follow them but freely as you have received so give out to others for so soone as you shall seeke to ingrosse the Lords wast into your hands he will ease you of your burden by making stay of any farther resort unto you and then be sure you shall have wast Land enough To this Commission was added a strong motive to this work as followeth Namely the great enmity betweene that onâ— truth as it is in Jesus and all other unsound and undeceiveable Doctrines together with the persons that hold them insomuch that they cannot stand in one Common-wealth long together as sixteene hundred yeares experience will testifie the which Moses layes down as one maine reason why he might not admit of a toleration to worship God in Egypt And therefore all you that believe the Scripture which so plainly prophecy the destruction of Antichrist and all Antichristian Doctrines Pray pray pray pray continually with that valiant worthy Joshua that the Sun may stand still in Gibeon and the Moone in the vally of Aijalon for assuredly although some small battailes may be fought against the enemies of Christ yet the great day of their finall overthrow shall not come till the bright Sonne of that one cleare truth of Christ stand still in the Gentile Churches that those who fight the Lords Battells may plainly discerne his enemies in all places where they finde them as also such as will continue fighting must have the World kept low in their eyes as the Moon in the valley of Aijalon CHAP. VII Of the goodnesse of God in helping his People to a large liberty in Spirituall things under the hopes of gaine in Earthly things THis Proclamation being audibly published through the I le of Great Brittaine by sundry Herraulds which Christ had prepared for that end the rumour ran through Cities Townes and Villages when those that were opposites heard it some cried one thing and some another much like the â—umult in the Town hall at Ephesus some said let them goe others cryed sweare them first others said let no Subsidy men passe others would have strict search made for non-conformants and that none of the late silenced Ministers might passe into the Ships Amidst this great hurry the sincere servants of Christ humbly seeke the Lords assistance in days of Humiliation taking up some serious cogitations how to begin this worthy worke upon which it was thought meete a patterne should be procured comprised after the manner of a Corporation-company or Brotherhood with as large liberty for government of this Association as could be got under the Broad Seale of England which accordingly was done by advise of one Mr. White an honest Counsellor at Law as also furthered by the honoured Mr. Richard Belinham and under the name of many worthy personages as Governour Dep. Gov. Assistant and Freemen c. Granted Ingrossed and Sealed as holding of the manner of East Greenwitch yeelding by way of homage the sixth part of all such Ore of Gold or Silver as might for after time be found within the Limits of the said Grant bounded on the North with the most Northerly part of the pleasant River of Merimech one mile beyond and on the South with the most Southern part of that oft frequented River commonly called Charles one mile beyond with power to rule and govern in all those parts both by Sea and Land To â—lect and set up all sorts of Officers as well Superior as Inâ—erior to point out their power and places to defend and maintaine the said Land and Inhabitants thereof with all their lawfull liberties against all such as at any time should Invade Molest or Disturbe the same as well by offensive as defensive War as also to constitute and ordaine Lawes c. Thus these Souldiers of Jesus Christ prepared to advance his Kingly Government much like Samuel when he went to annoynt David took up another errant withall that the Malignant spirit of Saul might not hinder the worke so those Worthies of Christ joyning themselves with Merchants and others who had an eye at a profitable Plantation who had not herein been deceived would they have stayed their time but surely such mist not their marke whose ayme was at the durable interest unlesse the fault were their owne neither let any man thinke Christ will not recompence those one way or other who have been any way helpfull to his people in this his work amongst whom the Author will not misse that good Gentleman Matthew Craddock by the way of thankfullnesse to him Mr. Goff and others this Verse is tendred For richest Jems and gainfull things most Merchants wisely venter Deride not then New England men this Corporation â—nter Christ calls for Trade shall never fade come Craddock factors send Let Mayâ—ew go and other more spare not thy coyne to spend Suck Trades advance did never chance in all thy Trading yet Though some deride thy losse abide her 's gaine beyond mans wit CHAP. VIII Of the wonderfull Preparation the Lord Christ by his Providence wrought for his peoples abode in this Western world NOw let all men know the admirable Acts of Christ for his Churches and chosen are universally over the whole Earth at one and the same time but sorry man cannot so discourse of them And therefore let us leave our English Nation in way of preparation for this Voyage intended and tell of the marvelous doings of Christ preparing for his peoples arrivall in the Western World whereas the Indians report they beheld to their great wonderment that perspicuous bright blâ—zing Comet which was so famously noted in Europe anon after Sun set it appeared as they say in the South-west about three houres continuing in their Horizon for the space of thirty sleepes for so they reckon their dayes after which uncouth sight they expected some strange things to follow and the rather because not long before the whole Nation of the Mattachusets were so affrighted with a Ship that arrived in their Bay having never seene
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
light To Gods word goe it 's that must triall be Hath cruell sword not het one thy side right Increase in love and thou wilt Justice see With humble holy learned men converse Thee and thy flock they would in one unite And all the fogs of selfe conceit disperse Thee and thy sons the Lord Christ guide aright Some other of the Ministers of Christ arrived this yeare 1635. As Mr. Flint Mr. Carter and Mr. Walton and some others of whom we shall speake by the Lord assistance in due time and place in the meane time here is to be remembred Mr. Thomas Flint a sincere servant of Christ who had a faire yearly Revenue in England but having improved it for Christ by casting it in the common Treasury as it appeares in the former part of this History he waites on the Lord for doubling his Talent if it shall seeme good unto him so to doe and the meane time spending his person for the good of his people in the Office of a Magistrate AT Christs commands thou leav'st thy lands and native habitation His folke to aid in Desart straid for Gospells Exaltation Flint Hardy thou wilt not allow the underminding Fox With subtill skill Christsvines to spill thy sword shall give thē knocks Yet thou base dust and all thou hast is Christ's and by him thou Art made to be such as we see hold fast for ever now CHAP. XXXVIII Of the placing down of many Souldiers of Christ and gathering the Church of Christ at Sanowitch in Plimouth patten and further supply for the Churches of Ipswich and Linne THis yeare 1636. Sir Henry Vaine was chosen Governour and John Winthrope Esquire Deputy Governour the number of Freemen added were about eighty three This yeare came over the much honoured Mr. Fenwick a godly and able instrument to assist in helping to uphold the civill Government of the second and third Colonies here planted by the Divine Providence of the most high God hee having purchased the Plantation of Saybrooke Fore became a good incourager to the Church of Christ at Hartford where the reverend Mr. Hooker and Mr. Stone were Officers In remembrance of whom a few lines take here FEnwick among this Christian throng to wildernesse doth fiee There learn'd hast thou yet further how Christ should advanced be Who for that end doth back thee send their Senator to sit In native soile for him still toile while thou hast season fit His Churches peace do thou not cease with their increase to bring That they and thee in lasting Glee may Hallelujaeh sing The beginning of this yeare was spent in accommodating these new come Guests in the former yeare whose numbers was neer about three thousand and now they began to be perswaded they should be a setled people not minding the present dangers they were in as you shall hear anon onely in the meane time take notice of further supply the Lord Christ was pleased to send before the cattell increased to its strength among whom the aged and long continned Souldiers of Christ Jesus Mr. Partrich as also Mr. Nathaniel Rogers an able disputant whose mouth the Lord was pleased to fill with many arguments for the defence of his truth Mr. Samuel Whiting who hath also with keeping to the patterne of sound and wholesome Doctrine much stopped the spreading Leaven of the Pharises Mr. Partrich was called to Office at a Towne then named Dukes Berry in Plimoth Government scituated upon the Sea-coast where the people of Christ being gathered into a Church Ordained him to be their Pastor IN thine owne soile well rooted in the truth Thou didst stand fast by Prelates power unbow'd But Laude layes load on Gods solke to his Ruth By whom thou mayst no longer be alow'd Then Partrich thou thy wings begins to spread Of Faith and Love to flie these long Seas o're To wildernesse where thou Christs Lambes hast fed With 's sincere Milke this fourteene yeare and more But now with age thy Almon Tree doth flourish Yet spreading like the Palme Tree dost thou stand I' th house of God Christ Roote thy Boughs do nourish And for thy head he hath a Crowne in 's hand Mr. Nathaniel Rogers being landed after a long and tedious Voyage at Sea was welcomed by the Church of Christ at Ipswitch where the Reverened and Judicious Mr. Nathaniel Ward although a very able Preacher and much desired yet for some naturall infirmity himselfe being best privy unto desired to be unbound of his ingagement with his people in point of Office that being left to his liberty hee might Preach more seldom in whose stead the Church called to Office this Reverend and Holy Man of God Mr. Nathaniel Rogers whose labours in this Westerne World have been very much a very sweet heavenly minded man of whom the Author is bold to say as followeth THrough boystrous Seas thy brittle frame of Man It safely is in Christ's sweet armes infold No wonder then thou weake dust stotly can Preach Christs in 's truths why he doth thee uphold Why Rogers lee thee over-Sea hath fett Against the day of Battell now at hand No sooner are thy feet one those shores set But Leaders do Christ truth withstand Vndaunted thou these Westerne Fields dost enter Filld with the spirits ready sword at hand Ingage thou wilt thy selfe ' mongst hardships venter Valiant thou foughtst under thy Christ's command And yet with all men wouldst have peace thy aime If deepe to wound and sweetly then to say Come to my Christ hee 'l heale your wounds againe Canst but submit hee 'l never say thee nay With learned Method thou Gods Word divides Long labouring that each soule may take his part Thy gratious speech with grave impression bides Thus Christ by thee is pleas'd to win the heart My Muse lament Nathaniel is decaying Why dost thou grutch him Heaven such toile hath had In Christ his Vineyard rather be thou praying That in Christs armes he resting may be glad Mr. Samuel Whiting was well welcomed by the Church of Christ at Cawgust which Towne being now of age to receive an English name was called Linne where this Reverend man now hath his aboade THy ardent Love the countlesse Oceans measure Quench cannot for thy love on him is set Who of true love hath aie the depthlesse Treasure Doth thine increase least thou should'st his forget Love Christ in 's truths my Whiting thou hast done Thou wilt not suffer with their leaven sower False Doctrines ' mongst thy tender flock to run Timely cut off wilt thou all those devour Samuel mourne not thy strength in Desart's spent Rather rejoyce thy Christ makes use of thee Soules to convert his Kingdomes large extent From East to West shall shortly setled be Thine Eyes and Eares have seen and heard great things Done by thy Christ shewes he thy toile accepts Though thy weake flesh weaker to dust hee 'l bring Thy quickned spirit increast in his joy leaps CHAP. XXXIX Of the first appearing
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
out and for the Lords assisting them against their witchery yet have they as is supposed bewitched not a few persons among whom two of the reverend Elders children These people inhabiting this Town having gathered into a Church-body called to the office of a Pastor the reverend M. Moxon who remaineth with them at this very day of whom as followeth AS thou with strong and able parts art made Thy person stout with toyl and labour shall With help of Christ through difficulties wade Then spend for him spare not thy self at all When errors crowd close to thy self and friends Take up truths sword trifle not time for why Christ call'd his people hither for these ends To tell the world that Babels fall is nigh And that his Churches through the world shall spread Maugre the might of wicked men and devils Then Moxon thou need'st not at all to dread But be aveng'd on Satan for his evils Thy Lord Christ will under thy feet him tread This year the great troubles in our native country encreaseing and that hearing prophane Esau had mustered up all the Bands he could make to come against his brother Iacob these wandering race of Jacobites deemed it now high time to implore the Lord for his especial aid in this time of their deepest distress and the rather being incouraged hereunto from former deliverances and wonderful mercies received the which they now presented before the Lord with the several branches and inlarged bounties thereof to refresh their frozen affections and move a melting heart in their barren brests that began to dry up with a lazy lethargy and therefore thrusting themselves on to the work by the loving invitation of that godly Government the Lord in his mercy had peaceably placed among them each Church in their own proper place meeting together in daies of solemn seeking of the Lords pleasing countenance in Christ the Lord in his mercy helping them after a serious acknowledgment of their own unworthiness by reason of their sinful provocations of the Lord to anger against them aggravated in that they were committed immediately upon the receipt of a multitude of marvellous mercies they acknowledg unto the Lord in the audience of the great Congregation the manner of his wonderful providence extended toward them that as Iacob professes I came over this Jordan with my staff and now have I gotten two Bands so they came over this boysterous billow-boyling Ocean a few poor scattered stones newly raked out of the heaps of rubbish and thou Lord Christ hast now so far exalted them as to lay them sure in thy Sion a building to be the wonder of the world orderly are they placed in five and forty several Churches and that in a Wilderness where civility scarce ever took place much less any Religion and now to the Lord earnestly they cry to be delivered from the cruel hands of those that would destroy both young and old the bird and her young together and as Iacobs fear was the seed of Christs Church in the posterity of Israel should be cut off and therefore pleaded the promise of the Lord in the multiplying of his seed so these people at this very time pleaded not only the Lords promise to Israel but to his only Son Christ Jesus Lord hast thou not said Ask of me and I will give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost ends of the earth for thy possession and now Lord are not these the Churches of Christ which thou hast planced for his possession and that as Rachel and Leah built the house of Israel so now shall these and the like Sister-churches spread the whole earth the Lord Christ raigning as King and Lord for ever over them Then why do the Heathen rage and the people imagin a vain thing seeing the rime of the Lords arising to have mercy upon Sion is come â—ea his appointed time is at hand and he who walks in the midst of his golden Candlesticks whose eys are as a flaming fire will not suffer his Churches to be trodden under feet of that Antichristian Lordly prelacy any longer nor yet defiled with any transformed Saint-seeming Angels of light with their painted doctrines Thus did this poor people plead with the Lord not only for themselves but for their dearly beloved brethren in England I and all that are Christs chosen people the world throughout and although they were not unmindful from day to day of them yet this year 1645. the Lord was pleased to stir up their affections in more then an ordinary manner what success their prayers have had let all that love and long to behold the beauty of Christ shining on and in his beloved Bride declare the loving kindness of the Lord toward his Churches and let all the Churches of Christ though never so â—â— more the one from the other yet joyned together in one â—hith and one Christ be frequent in prayer one for another â—ongregate together at the Throne of the Lord be present in â—pirit though absent in body these Mew-England Churches â—â—â— neer one hundred miles distant one from another and yet communicate counsel care love joy grieve with and for â—ne another dismiss some and commend others as occasiâ—n serves to the Christian care and watchfulness from one Church to another and why may not this be practised the world throughout even from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum CHAP. III. Of the opposition the Government of the Mattachusets Colony met withal by certain persons under the name of Petitioners IN place of Governor was chosen for this year Iohn Winthrop Esquire and for Deputy Governor Thomas Dudly Esquire the number of freemen were about 72. At the Court of Election there was a Petition drawn and presented to the Court by a Doctor of Physick with seven hands to it the persons were of a Linfiwolsie disposition some for Prefacy some for Presbytery and some for Plâ—bsbytery but all joyned together in the thing they would which was to stir up the people to dislike of the present Government one while envving against the constitution of the Government as not popular enough another while against the Laws or orders of this little Common-wealth as two strict and then to provoke at least the pâ—â—â—â—â—ous they tell them of great expence of the publike Treasury and intolerable taxations the matter they petitioned for was a bottom to build their quarrel upon under the name of a Presbyterian Government and this they supposed would suit well with their Bill of complaint which they intended for England not that they cared for a Presbyterian Church for had they so done they might have found out one in the country before they petitioned but because they supposed that the Parliament in England would establish that way only and therefore bore themselves bold upon it that although their seditious and scandalous words and practises should incur a penalty as none could deem any other unless it be such as are all for
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