by him prepared fit To help it on among our English Nation CHAP. XV. Of further supply for the Church of Christ at Waterton And a sad acceidnt fell out in Boston Towne THe Lord intending to strengthen his poore Churches here and after the overthrow of these damnable Errors to trample Satan under their feet he manifesteth his mindefulness of them in sending over fresh suplpyes againe and againe although weak and sory men in themselves yet strong in the Lord and the power of his might the last that this yeare is to be named is the reverend judicious and godly-affected Mr John Knowles who was desired of the Church of Christ at Waterton to be a two-fold cord unto them in the office of a teaching Elder with the reverend Mr. Phillips of whom you have heard in the former Book WIth courage bold and arguments of strength Knowles doth apply Gods word his stock unto Christ furnisht hath to shew his bountyes length Thee with rich gifts that thou his work mayst do New England is too scant for thy desire Inkindled is Christs truths abroad to spread Virginia may his grace to them admire That thee through Seas for their instruction led Thy labours Knowles are great far greater hee Not onely thee but all his valiant made Forth sinfull dust his Saints and Warriers be He thee upheld thy strength shall never fade John come thou forth behold what Christ hath wrought In these thy dayes great works are yet behinde Then toyle it out till all to passe be brought Christ crowne will thee thou then his glory minde To end this yeare 1639. the Lord was pleased to a send a very sharp winter and more especially in strong storms of weekly snows with very bitter blasts And here the Reader may take notice of the sad hand of the Lord against two persons who were taken in a storme of snow as they were passing from Boston to Roxbury it being much about a mile distant and a very plaine way One of Roxbury sending to Boston his servant maid for a Barber Chirurgion to draw his tooth they lost their way in their passage between and were not found till many dayes after and then the maid was fonnd in one place and the man in another both of them frozen to death in which sad accident this was taken into consideration by divers people that this Barber was more then ordinary laborious to draw men to those sinfull Errors that were formerly so frequent and now newly overthrowne by the blessing of the Lord upon the endeavour of his faithfull servants with the word of truth he having a fit opportunity by reason of his trade so soone as any were set downe in his chaire he would commonly be cutting of their haire and the truth together notwithstanding some report better of the man the example is for the living the dead is judged of the Lord alone CHAP. XVI The great supply of godly Ministers for the good of his People in New England FOr to govern and rule this little Common wealth was this year chosen the valiant Champion for the advance of Christs truh Thomas Dudly Esq and Richard Bellingham Esq Deputy Governour the freemen added to the former were about 192. this yeare the reverend Mr. Burr a holy heavenly-minded man and able gifted to preach the Word of God was exercised therein for some space of time in the Church of Christ at Dorchester where they were about calling him to the office of a teaching Elder but in a very littie time after his coming over he departed this life yet minde him you may in the following Meetre WEll didst thou minde thy Work Which caus'd thee vonter Through Ocean large thy Christ in 's Word to preach Exhorting all their faith on him to center Soules ravisht are by him in thy sweet speech Thy speech bewrayes thy heart for heaven doth look Christ to enjoy Burr from the earth is taken Thy words remaine though thou hast us forsook In dust sleep sound till Christ thy body waken There are divers others of the faithfull Ministers of Christ that came over for to further this his work somewhat before this time as the godly and reverend Mr. Rayner who was called to office in the Church of Christ at Plimoth and there remaines preaching the Word instantly with great paines and care over that flock as also the reverend and faithfull servant of Christ Jesus Mr. William Hook who was for some space of time at the Church in Taunton but now remaines called to office in the Church of Christ at Newhaven a man who hath received of Christ many gracious gifts fit for so high a calling with very amiable and gracious speech labouring in the Lord and here also the Reader may minde how the Lord was pleased to reach out his large hand of bounty toward his N. England people in supplying them abundantly with Teachers able and powerfull to break the bread of life unto them so long as their desires continued hot and zealous but after here grew a fulnesse in some even to slight if not loath the honey comb many returned for England and the Lord was pleased to take away others by death although very few considering the number but let N. England beware of an after-clap provoke the Lord no longer But seeing this yeare proved the last of the yeares of transportation of Gods people only for enjoyment of exercising the Ordinances of Christ and enlargement of his Kingdome there being hopes of great good opportunity that way at home it will be expediene onely to name some others in the Southwest parts among the lesser Colonyes and so passe on to the story And first not to forget the reverend Mr. Eaton a man of love and peace and yet godly zealous he came over with those who planted the Colony of Newhaven spending his labours in the Lord with them in Plimoth Plantation also here is to be minded the reverend Mr. Chancie a very able Preacher both learned and judicious as also the reverend able and pious M. Huet who came over this year or rather as I suppose the yeare before who did spend his time and labour with a people that came over with him at length the greatest part of them they settled downe in the Government of Canecticoe where they planted the Towne of Windsor and Church of Christ there where this gracious servant of Christ continued in his labours till the Lord laid him in his bed of rest somewhat before this time came over the reverend Mr. Smith being another of that name beside the former he laboured in the Word and Doctrine with a people at Withersfield in those parts also Mr. Henry Whitefield another Minister of the Gospel of Christ of reverend respect who being returned for England the latter of his labours the Lord assisting will sufficiently testifie his sincerity for the truth and labours of love in the Lord here may also be named the reverend Mr. Peck Mr. Saxton
all the thundering Bulls excomunicating Lordly censures and shamefull penalties of all the Lording Churches in the World and such shall be and is the efficacy of this intire love one to another that the withdrawing of any one Church of Christ according to the Rule of the word from those that walke inordinatly will be more terrible to the Church or Churches so forsaken then an Army with Banners yea and it may be added because civill Government is like to turne nurse in more places then one this royall Law of love shall become the Law of Nations and none will suffer their subjects to rebell against it but to our beloved brethren in England on the other hand the Reverend Mr. Burroughs Mr. Goodwin c. This seemeth you have apprehended our Churches and civill Government to be too strict in dealing with persons for their sinfull opinions I wish the offenders be none of your intelligencers who to be sure will make the worst of things I know you are in charity with us And therefore a few words will satisfie which I hope you want not from your good friends our Reverend Elders who could wish you as much happinesse as our selves to expell error before it grew to that height to cry downe the sound and wholesome truths casting durt on our Orthodox and godly Ministery I wish you open your mouths wide enough to be filled with this blessing the Lord hath done great and unexpected things for you and why not this one and twenty yeares experience hath taught us that Errors and Heresies are not broached and held out here by tender consciences such as are weak in the Faith but by such as think them Scholers of the upper forme such as would teach the most ablest Christian among us another Gospell and further we finde our Erronist wanting a common enemy to contend withall as you have fallen foule of our godly Magistrates and Ministers and will not suffer us quietly to injoy the Ordinance of Christ for which wee hither camâ— buzzing our people in the eare with a thing they call liberty which when any have tasted a smack of they can no more indure to hear of a Synod or gathering together of able and Orthodox Christians nor yet of communion of Churches but would be independant to purpose and as for civill Government they deem Religion to be a thing beyond their Sphere CHAP. XLV Of the civill Government in N. England and their nurture of the people upon their tender knees THe vernall of the yeare 1637. being now in his prime and as the season of the yeare grew hotter so the minds of many were hot in the eager pursuite of their selfe conceited opinions and verily had not authority stept in it was much to be doubted they would have proceeded from words to blowes great hold and keepe there was about choice of Magistrates this yeare the choyce being retarded by a paper call'd a Petition but indeed a meere device to hinder the election till the erronious party were strengthened their number increasing daily but the Lord Christ gratiously providing for the peace of his people toward the end of the day the honoured John Winthrope Esquire was chosen Governour and Thomas Dudly Esq Deputy Governor the number of free-men added this year was about 1 25. Here according to promise the Reader shall have an accoumpt of the civill Government of this little Common-wealth as their whole aime in their removall from their Native Country was to injoy the liberties of the Gospell of Christ so in serving up civill Government they daily direct their choice to make use of such men as mostly indeavour to keepe the truths of Christ pure and unpsotted and assuredly they can digest any wrongs or injuries done them in their estates or trade better then the wresting of their right in the freedome of the Gospell out of their hands and this the Erronist knowing right well to save their heads whole perswade men it is not for civill Government to meddle with matters of Religion and also to helpe out with their damnable Doctrines they report it in all places where they be come that New England Government doth persecute the people and Churches of Christ which to speake truth they have hitherto beene so far from that they have indeavoured to expell all such beasts of prey who will not be reclaimed that here might be none left to hurt or destroy in all Gods holy Mountaine and therefore are ready to put the Churches of Christ in minde of their duty herein yea and sometimes going before them in their civill censures that they may not onely professe the truth but also hate every false way not that they would compell men to believe by the power of the Sword but to indeavour all may answer their profession whether in Courch Covenant or otherwise by knowing they beare not the Sword in vaine Neither doe they exercise civill power to bring all under their obedience to a uniformity in every poyne of Religion but to keepe them in the unity of the spirit and the bond of peace nor yet have they ever mixed their civill powers with the authority peculiarly given by Christ to his Churches and Officers of them but from time to time have laboured to uphold their priviledges and only communion one with another The chiefe Court or supreame power of this little Common-wealth consists of a mixt company part Aristocracy and part Democracy of Magistrates that are yearly chosen by the major Vote of the whole body of the Free-men throughout the Country and Deputies chosen by the severall Townes they have hitherto had about 12. or 13. Magistrates in the Colony of the Mattacusets the other Colonies have not above five or six they have hitherto beene Volunteers governing without pay from the people onely the Governor of the Mattacusets hath some yeares 100 l. allowed him and some years lesse many of the Magistrates are already remembred yet with some of the first came hither Mr. Simon Brodestreet in this short Meeter is he remembred NOw Simon yong step in among these worthies take thy place All day to toile in vinyard while Christ thee upholds with grace Thee wisdom grave betime he gave and tongue to utter it That thou mightst be a blessing free and for this calling fit Thy counsell well advis'd dost tell with words ordered compleat Thy memory doth amplifie meeting with matters great Broad liberty do thou deny Brodstreet Christ would thee have For 's truth contend strong reason spend it from aspersion save He furnish't thee with these gifts free to last he must them make Still adding more to thy old store till he thee to him take The Lord was pleased to furnish these his people with some able instruments in most of their Townes that were skill'd in Common-wealth work out of which they chose their Deputies whose number was ordinarily between 30. and 40. some of them there will be occasion to speake of among their Military
Princes and all that are in authority to cast downe their Crownes at the Feet of Christ and take them up againe at his command to serve under his Standard as nursing Fathers and nursing Mothers to the Churches and people of Christ when your feete are once safely set on the shores of America you shall set up and establish civill Government and pray for the prosperity thereof as you love the peace of his Churches who hath called you to this service he hath for that end shipped among you some learned in the Law of God and practised in rules of good reason or common Lawes proper to our English Nation Be sure you make choyce of the right that all people Nations and Languages who are soonly to submit to Christs Kingdome may be followers of you herein as you follow the Rule of Christ your Magistrates shall not but open the Gates for all sorts But know they are Eyes of Restraint set up for Walles and Bulworks to surround the Sion of God Oh for Jerusalem her peace see that you mind it altogether you know right well that the Churches of Christ have not thrived under the tolerating Government of Holland from whence the Lord hath translated one Church already to the place whither you are now to goe and further it is well known loose liberty cannot indure to looke Majesticall authority in the face And also you shall finde erronious persons will contend with authority for upholding truth irrationally denying it any power to condemne deceiveable Doctrines and that upon this very ground because Tyranny hath inforced error heretofore be not borne downe with a multitude neither let any flatter for preferment which to prevent honour shall be very chargeable among you yet let not any deny to beare the burden and cumber of governing this people of Christ for assuredly although their recompence fall short from man it shall not be forgotten with the Lord. Lastly CHAP. VI. How the People of Christ ought to behave themselves in War-like Discipline YOu shall with all diligence provide against the Malignant adversaries of the truth for assure your selves the time is at hand wherein Antichrist will muster up all his Forces and make war with the People of God but it shall be to his utter overthrow See then you store your selves with all sorts of weapons for war furbrish up your Swords Rapiers and all other piercing weapons As for great Artillery seeing present meanes falls short waite on the Lord Christ and hee will stir up friends to provide for you and in the meane time spare not to lay out your coyne for Powder Bullets Match Armes of all sorts and all kinde of Instruments for War and although it may now seeme a thing incredible you shall see in that Wildernesse whither you are going Troopes of stout Horsemen marshalled and therefore fayle not to ship lusty Mares along with you and see that withall dilligence you incourage every Souldier-like Spirit among you for the Lord Christ intends to archieve greater matters by this little handfull then the World is aware of wherefore you shall seeke and set up men of valour to lead and direct every Soulder among you and with all diligence to instruct them from time to time Feare not the misse of men to fill your Townes and compleat your companies for although at first struglings for truths advance there may but a small number appeare of sound judgement yet shall you not prefer any to Office whose zeale is not strong for the truth for now the minde of Christ is to put out the Name of Ammaleck from under Heaven I meane such at have persecuted the Churches and People of Christ in their low condition and assuredly unsound Saules will spare such as should not be saved from destruction Then be strong and of a good courage all you that are to fight the Lords Battaile that your Faith faile not at sight of the great Armies of Gog and Magog and as for you who shall be preferred to highest places in his New England Regiments cause your Captaine and other inferior Officers to be diligent in their severall places that you may lend helpe to your Countreymen that ere long be will see a necessity of contending for the truth as well as your selves in choyce of Military Officers Let faithfulnesse to the cause in hand courage activity and skill have the prehemency of honours for although it may seeme a meane thing to be a New England Souldier yet some of you shall have the battering and bearing down sealing winning and wasting the over-topping Towers of the Hierarchy Lieutenants Ensigne and Serjeants exceed not your places till Experience Skill and true Valour promote you to higher honour to which you shall be daily aspiring As the worthy incouragement of a Souldiers labour let Militay discipline be had in high esteeme among you Gentlemen Corporalls and fellow-Souldiers keepe your weapons in a continuall readinesse seeing you are called to fight the Battails of your Lord Christ who must raigne till hee hath put all his enemies under his Feet his glorious Victories over Antichrist are at hand never yet did any Souldier rejoyce in dividing the spoyle after Victory as all the Souldiers of Christ shall to see his judgement executed upon the great Whore and withall the Lambs bride prepared for him who comes Skipping over trampling down the great Mountaines of the Earth whose universall Government will then appeare glorious when not onely the Assyrian Babilonian Persian Grecian and Roman Monarchies shall subject themselves unto him but also all other new upstart Kingdomes Dukedomes or what else can be named shall fall before him Not that he shall come personally to Reigne upon Earth as some vainly imagine but his powerfull Presence and Glorious brightnesse of his Gospell both to Jew and Gentile shall not onely spiritually cause the Churches of Christ to grow beyond number but also the whole civill Government of people upon Earth shall become his so that there shall not be any to move the hand not dog his tongue against his chosen And then shall the time be of breaking Speares into Mattocks and Swords into Sithes and this to remaine to his last comming which will be personally to overcome the last enemies of his Saints even death which hee will doe by the word of his Mouth audibly spoken the World throughout Then all you who are now or shall hereafter be shipped for this Voyage minde the worke of Christ and not some following raigne titles of honour others eying the best Grasse-platts and best Situation for Farmes and large Accommodations crouding our Gods people from sitting down among you Wherefore above all beware of covetousnesse all you that will be admitted into these selâ—ct Bands of Christ Jesus remember Achan whereas Rams Hornes could overthrow the high and strong walles of Jericho before his theft committed after it the little number of the men of Ai could put the Host of the living God
people after their long Voyage were many of them troubled with the Scurvy and some of them died the first station they tooke up was at Charles Towne where they pitched some Tents of Cloath other built them small Huts in which they lodged their Wifes and Children The first beginning of this worke seemed very dolorous First for the death of that worthy personage Izaac Johnson Esq whom the Lord had indued with many pretious gifts insomuch that he was had in high esteeme among all the people of God and as a chiefe Pillar to support this new erected building He very much rejoyced at his death that the Lord had been pleased to keepe his eyes open so long as to see one Church of Christ gathered before his death at whose departure there was not onely many weeping eyes but some fainting hearts fearing the fall of the present worke For future Remembrance of him mind this Meeter Izaac Johnson Esquire beloved of Christ and his people and one of the Magistrates of New England WHat mov'd thee on the Seas upon such toyle with Lady taking Christs drawing love all strength 's above when way for his hee 's making Christ will have thee example be honoured with 's graces yeilding His Churches aid foundation laid now new one Christ a building Thy Faith Hope Love Joy Meeknesse prove improved for thy Lord As he to thee to people be in Government accord Oh! people why doth Christ deny this worthies life to lengthen Christ onely trust Johnsons turnd dust and yet hee 's crownd and strengthend The griefe of this people was further increased by the sore sicknesse which befell among them so that almost in every Family Lamentation Mourning and woe was heard and no fresh food to be had to cherish them it would assuredly have moved the most lockt up affections to Teares no doubt had they past from one Hut to another and beheld the pâ—teous case these people were in and that which added to their present distresse was the want of fresh water for although the place did afford plenty yet for present they could finde but one Spring and that not to be come at but when the tide was downe which caused many to passe over to the South-side of the River where they afterward erected some other Townes yet most admirable it was to see with what Christian courage many of these Souldiers of Christ carried it amidst all these calamities and in October the Governour Deputy and Assistants held their second Court on the South-side of the River Where they then began to build holding correspondency with Charles Towne as one and the same At this Court many of the first Planters came and were made free yet afterward none were admitted to this fellowship or freedome but such as were first joyned in fellowship with some one of the Churches of Christ their chiefest aime being bent to promote his worke altogether The number of Freemen this yeare was 110. or thereabout CHAP. XVIII Of the second Church of Christ gathered at Charles Towne in the Mattacusets Bay 1631. AND now the new-come Souldiers of Christ strengthen themselves in him and gather a Church at Charles Towne whose extent at present did reach to both sides of the River and in very little time after was divided into two Churches the Reverend and judicious Mr. John Wilson was called to be Pastor thereof a Man full of Faith Courage and Zeale for the truth of Christ persecuted and hunted after by the usurping Prelates and forced for present to part from his indeared Wife yee honoured by Christ and made a powerfull instrument in his hands for the cutting downe of Error and Schisme as in the sequell of this History will appeare in whose weakenesse Christs power hath appeared The Grave and Reverend Mr. John Wilson now Pastor of the Church of Christ at Soston in New England JOhn VVilson will to Christs will submit In Wildernesse where thou hast Trialls found Christ in new making did compose thee fit And made thy Love zeale for his truth abound Then it 's not Wilson but Christ by him hath Error cut down when it o'retopping stood Thou then ' Gainst it didst shew an holy wrath Saving mens soules from this o're-flowing floud They thee deprave thy Ministrey dispise By thy thick utterance seeke to call Men back From hearing thee but Christ for thee did rise And turnd the wheel-right over them to crack Yea caused thee with length of dayes to stand Steadfast in 's house in old Age fruit to bring I and thy seed raise up by his commanâ— His Flock to feed rejoyce my Muse and sing That Christ doth dust regard so plentiously Rich gifts to give and heart to give him his Estate and person thou spends liberally Christ thee and thine will Crown with lasting Blisse This as the other Churches of Christ began with a small number in a desolate and barren Wildernesse which the Lord in his wonderfull mercy hath turned to fruitfull Fields VVherefore behold the present condition of these Churches compared with their beginnings as they sowed in teares so also have they Reaped in joy and shall still so go on if plenty and liberty marre not their prosperity This Towne of Charles is situated one the North-side of Charles River from whence it tooke its Name the River being about five or six fathom deepe Over against the Town many small Islands lieing to the Seaward of it and Hills one either side By which meanes it proves a very good harbor for Ships which hath caused many Sea-men and Merchants to sit downe there the forme of this Towne in the frontice piece thereof is like the Head Neck and Shoulders of a Men onely the pleasant and Navigable River of Mistick runs through the right shoulder thereof and by its neare approach to Charles River in one place makes a very narrow neck by which meanes the chiefe part of the Towne whereon the most building stands becomes a Peninsula it hath a large Market-place neer the water side built round with Houses comly and faire forth of which there issues two streetes orderly built with some very faire Houses beautified with pleasant Gardens and Orchards the whole Towne consists in its extent of about 150. dwelling Houses Their meeting house for Sabbath assembly stands in the Market-place very comly built and large the Officers of this Church are at this day one Pastor and one Teacher one Ruling Elder and three Deacons the number of Soules are about 160. wonderfull it is to see that in so short a time such great alterations Christ should worke for these poore people of his their Corne Land in Tillage in this Towne is about 1200. Acres their great Cattell are about 400. head Sheepe neare upon 400. as for their horse you shall hear of them God willing when we come to speak of their Military Discipline CHAP. XIX Of the Third Church of Christ gathered at Dorchester 1631. THe third Church of Christ gathered under this
of its dead Mother seeking to draw living nourishment from her dead breast Their dead they left oft-times unburied wherefore the English were forced to dig holes and drag their stinking corps into them Thus did the Lord allay their quarrelsome spirits and made roome for the following part of his Army This yeare came over more supplies to forward the worke of Christ CHAP. XXVI Of the gratious provisions the Lord made for his people THe yeare 1632. John Winthrope Esquire was chosen Governour againe and the antient Thomas Dudly Esquire was Deputy Governour a man of a sound judgement in matters of Religion and well read bestowing much labour that way of whom as followeth The honoured aged stable and sincere servant of Christ zealous for his truth Thomas Dudly Esq foure times Governour of the English Nation in the Mattacusets and first Major Generall of the Millitary Forces WHat Thomas now believe dost thou that riches men may gaine In this poore Plot Christ doth allot his people to sustaine Rich Truth thou 'lt buy and sell not why no richer Jem can be Truths Champion in campion Christ's grace hath placed thee With civill Sword at Christs Word early cut off wilt thou Those Wolvish sheep amongst flocks do creep and damned doctrine low To trembling age thou valiant sage one foot wilt not give ground Christs Enemies from thy face flies his truth thou savest sound Thy lengthened dayes to Christs praise continued are by him To set by thee his people free from foes that raging bin Wearied with yeares it plaine appeares Dudly not long can last It matters not Christ Crown thee got it s now at hand hold fast This yeare was the first choise of Migistrates by free-men whose number was now increased fifty three or thereabout to declare the manner of their Government is by the Author deferred till the year 1637. where the Reader may behold Government both in Churches and Common-wealth to be an institution of the Lord and much availeable through his blessing for the accomplshment of his promises to his people This year these fore-runners of the following Army of Christ after the sight of many of the admirable Acts of his providence for them begun to take up steddy resolution through the helpe of him to wade through the Ocean they were farther like to meete withall and therefore began to plant the yet untilled Earth having as yet no other meanes to teare up the bushy lands but their hands and howe 's their bodies being in very ill temper by reason of the Scurvy a Disease in those dayes very frequent to undergoe such extremity but being prick'd on with hungers sharpe gode they keepe doing according to their weake abilities and yet produce but little food for a long season but being perswaded that Christ will rather raine bread from Heaven then his people should want being fully perswaded they were set on the worke at his command Wherefore they followed on with all hands and the Lord who hath the Cattell of thousand Hills and the Corne of ten thousand Vallies the whole Earth and fulnesse of it did now raise up fresh supplies to be added to these both of men and provision of food men no lesse valiane in Faith then them the former amongst whom was the Reverend Mr. Welds and Mr. James who was welcomed by the people of Christ at Charles Towne and by them called to the Office of a Pastor where hee continued for some yeares and from thence removed to New haven upon some seed of prejudice sowne by the enemies of this worke But good Reader doe thou behold and remember him farther in the following Liues THy Native soile Oh James did thee approve Gods people there in Lincolneshâ—â—e commend Thy courteous speech and worke of Christian love Till Christ through Seas did thee on Message send With learned skill his mind for to unsold His people in New England thou must feed But one sad breach did cut that band should hold Then part wilt thou least farther jars should breed Yet part thou wilt not with Christs Truth thy crowne But my Muse waile that any souldier should In fighting slip why James thou fallest not downe Back thou retreats their valiant fighting hold Fast on thy Christ who thine may raise with thee His bands increase when leaders he provides Thy Son young student may such blessing be Thy losse repayre and Christ thee crown besides Although the great straites this Wildernesse people were in for want of food was heard of among the godly people in England yet would they not decline the worke but men of Estates sold their possessions and bought plenty of food for the Voyage which some of them sent before hand by which meanes they were provided for as also the Lord put it into the hearts of such as were Masters and Undertakers of Ships to store their Vessells so well that they had to spare for this peoples need and further Christ caused abundance of very good Fish to come to their Nots and Hookes and as for such as were unprovided with these meanes they caught them with their hands and so with Fâ—sh wild Onions and other Herbs were sweetly satisfied till other provisions came in here must labouring men a little be minded how ill they recompenced those persons whose estates helpe them to food before they could reape any from the Earth that forgetting those courtesies they soon by excessive prises took for their worke made many File-leaders fall back to the next Ranke advancing themselves in the meane time About this time the Church of Christ at Roxbury being a diligent people early prevented their Brethren in other Churches by calling the Reverend Mr. Welds to be their Pastor of whom you may see somewhat farther in the following lines TO worke oh Welds in wildernesse betime Christ thee commands that thou his folke should's follow And feede his flock in Covenant bandcombine With them through him his glorious name to hallow Seven yeares thou stoutly didst wade through with toile These desare caros back by advice againe Thou didst returne unto thy native soile There to advance Christs Kingdome now remeine In Pulpit and with Pen thou hast the truth Maintained and clear'd from scandalous reproach Christs churches here and shew'd their lasting Ruth That dare ' gainst Christ their own inventions broach Then sage in age continue such to be Till Christ thee crowne his gifts to thee are free This yeare of sad distresses was ended with a terrible cold Winter with weekly Snowes and fierce Frosts betweene while congealing Charles River as well from the Towne to Sea ward as above insomuch that men might frequently passe from one Island to another upon the Ice Here Reader thou must be minded of an other admirable Act of Christ for this yeare in changing the very nature of the seasons moderating the Winters cold of late very much which some impute to the cutting downe the woods and breaking up the Land But Christ have the
present possessed mercies yet they addresse themselves to the Sea shore where they courteously welcom the famous servant of Christ grave godly and judicious Hooker and the honoured servant of Christ M John Haynes as also the Reverend and much desired Mr. John Cotton and the Retoricall Mr. Stone with divers others of the sincere servants of Christ comming with their young and with their old and with their whole substance to doe him service in this Desart wildernesse Thus this poore people having now tasted liberally of the salvation of the Lord every way they deeme it high time to take up the Cup of thankfulnesse and pay their vowes to the most high God by whom they were holpen to this purpose of heart and accordingly set apart the 16. day of October which they call the eighth Moneth not out of any pevish humor of singularity as some are ready to censor them with but of purpose to prevent the Heathenish and Popish observation of Dayes Moneths and Yeares that they may be forgotten among the people of the Lord this day was solemnly kept by all the seven Churches rejoycing in the Lord and rendering thanks for all their benefits Here must not be omitted the indeared affections Mr. John Wilson had to the worke in hand exceedingly setting forth in his Sermon this day the Grace of Christ in providing such meet helps for furthering thereof really esteeming them beyond so many Ship-loading of Gold manifesting the great humility Christ had wrought in him not complementing but in very deede prefering the Reverend Mr. John Cotton many hundreds before himselfe whom they within a very little time after called to the Office of a Teaching Elder of the Church of Christ at Boston where hee now remaines of whom at followeth WHen Christ intends his glorious Kingdome shall Exalted be on Earth he Earth doth take Evon sinfull Man to make his worthies all Then praise I Man no Christ this Man doth make Sage sober grave and learned Cotten thou Mighty in Scripture without Booke repeat it Annatomise the sence and shew Man how Great mysteries in sentence short are seated Gods Word with 's word comparing oft unfould The secret truths Johns Revelations hath By thee been open'd as nere was of old Showes cleere and neere ' gainst Romes whore is Gods wrath Then Churches of Christ rejoyce and sing John Cotten hath Gods minde I dare believe Since he from Gods Word doth his witnesse bring Saints cries are heard they shall no longer grieve That song of songs 'twixt Christ and 's Church thou hast Twice taught to all and sweetly shewed the way Christ would his Churches should in truth stand fast And cast off mans inventions even for aye Thy labours great have met with catching cheats Mixing their Brasse with thy bright Gold for why Thy great esteeme must cover their ill feates Some soile thou gett'st by comming them so nie But i'ts wipt off and thou Christs Champion left The Faith to fight for Christ hath arm'd thee well His worthies would not thou shoulds be bereft Of honours here thy Crown shall soon excell These people of God having received these farther helps to instruct and build them up in the holy things of Christ being now greatly incouraged seeing the Lord was pleased to set such a broad Seale to their Commission for the worke in hand not onely by his Word and Spirit moving thereunto but also by his Providence in adding such able instruments for furthering this great worke of Reformation and advancing the Kingdome of Christ for which they spent this day of rejoycing and sure the Lord would have all that hear of it know their joy lay not in the increase of Corne or Wine or Oyle for of all these they had but very little at this time yet did they not spare to lend such aâ— they had unto the poore who could not provide and verily the joy ended not with the day for these active instruments of Christ Preaching with all instancy the glad Tidings of the Gospell of Iesus Christ rejoyced the Heart of this People much CHAP. XX VIII Of the Eighth Church of Christ gathered at Cambridge 1633. AT this time those who were in place of civill Government having some addition Pillars to under-prop the building begun to thinke of a place of more safety in the eyes of Man then the two frontire Towns of Charles Towne and Boston were for the habitation of such as the Lord had prepared to Governe this Pilgrim People Wherefore they rather made choice to enter farther among the Indians then hazard the fury of malignant adversaries who in a rage might pursue them and therefore chose a place scituate on Charles River betweene Charles Towne and Water-Towne where they erected a Towne called New-Towne now named Cambridge being in forme like a list cut off from the Broad-cloath of the two fore-named Towns where this wandering Race of Jacobits gathered the eighth Church of Christ This Town is compact closely within it selfe till of late yeares some few stragling houses have been built the Liberties of this Town have been inlarged of late in length reaching from the most Northerly part of Charles River to the most Southerly part of Merrimeck River it hath well ordered streets and comly pompleated with the faire building of Harver Colledge their first Pastor was the faithfull and laborious Mr. Hooker whose Bookes are of great request among the faithfull people of Christ Yee shall not misse of a few lines in remembrance of him COme Hooker come forth of thy native soile Christ I will run sayes Hooker thou hast set My feet at large here spend thy last dayes toile Thy Rhetorick shall peoples affections whet Thy Golden Tongue and Pen Christ caus'd to be The blazing of his golden truths profound Thou sorry worme its Christ wrought this in thee What Christ hath wrought must needs be very sound Then looke one Hookers workes they follow him To Grave this worthy resteth there a while Die shall he not that hath Christs warrier bin Much lesse Christs Truth cleer'd by his peoples toile Thou Angell bright by Christ for light now made Throughout the World as seasoning salt to be Although in dust thy body mouldering fade Thy Head 's in Heaven and hath a crown for thee The people of this Church and Towne have hitherto had the chiefest share in spitituall blessings the Ministry of the Word by more then ordinary instruments as in due time and place God willing you shall farther heare yet are they at this day in â— thriving condition in outward things also both Corne and Cattell Nâ—ate and Sheepe of which they have a good flocke which the Lord hath caused to thrive much in these latter dayes then formerly This Towne was appointed to be the seate of Government but it continued not long this yeare a small gleane of Rye was brought to the Court as the first fruits of English graine at which this poore people greatly rejoyced to see the Land
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
in the Field of the enemies of Christs people in point of-Reformation ANd now to follow our first simile of a Souldier the Lord Christ having safely landed many a valiant Souldier of his on these Westerne shores drawes hither also the common enemies to Reformation both in Doctrine and Discipline But it was for like end as the Lord sometime drew Sisera the Captaine of Jabins army to the River Kishon for their destruction onely herein was a wide difference there Sisera was delivered into the hands of a Woman and here Sisera was a woman their weapons and warre was carnall these spirituall there Jabin was but a man here Jabin was the common enemy of mans salvation In the yeare 1636. the Angels of the severall Churches of Christ in N. England sounding forth their silver Trumpets heard ever and anon the jarring sound of ratling Drums in their eares striking up an alarum to the battell it being a frequent thing publikely to oppose the pure and perfect truths of Christ delivered by the mouth of his Ministers and that by way of question as the Pharises Sadduces and Herodians did Christ But to bring this disorderly worke of theirs into some order for assuredly could the Author come up to relate the full of the matter in hand it would through the mercy of Christ make much for the good of Gods people the World throughout and helpe to discover the last I hope but most subtile practises of Satan to hinder the Restauration of the purity of Christs Ordinances in his Churches in all places As also used by him and his instruments to divert the hands of those to whom it belongs from pulling downe Antichrist to which end he stirreth up some of his instruments well educated in the Masking schoole of Hippocrisy to take upon them this long Voyage giving them in charge by all meanes to carry it more close then his Jesuites had done and for their paines they should have the honours to be counted such as were of a sharper fight and deeper discerning then any others Satan knowing right well that at the fall of Antichrist hee must be chained up for a thousand years strives with all the wicked craft his long experienced maliciousnesse could possibly invent to uphold the same having already perswaded many that his Kingdome was wholy ruinated with our English Nation and so diswaded them a long time from further prosecuting against him But Antichrists Kingdome as it plainly appeares by Scripture consists chiefly in two parts his deceaveible Doctrines and his Kingly power The first of these being in measure abolished the latter was still retained by the Prelacy and some Lording Presbytery in greater or lesser measure as they could attaine unto it Now Satan who is daily walking to and fro compassing the Earth seeing how these resolved Souldiers of Christ in New England with indefatigable paines laboured not onely the finall ruine of Antichrist in both but also the advance of Christs Kingdome in seting up daily Churches according to his first institution Wherefore he sets upon a new way to stop if it were possible this worke of Reformation and seeing no other way will serve he stirs up instruments to cry down Antichrist as much as the most I and more too but by this project they should leade people as much out of the way on the other hand and in the Doctrinall part of Antichrists Kingdome fall to more horrid Blasphemies then the Papist as God willing you shall heare some of them did namely the Gortenist who most blasphemously professe themselves to be personally the Christ and as for the other part of his Kingdome namely the power or Dominion of the beast this they should with all violence batter downe also but it must be none other then to make way for their owne exaltation and pay them their wages in the former page promised them as also withall to overthow the authority Christ hath ordained to be continued in his Churches in and under him and furthermore to lock up the Sword of Civill Government for ever especially in matters that concerne the foure first Commands of God a cunning way to save the beasts head whole You have now heard of the intention you shall now see their actions The Lord Christ in his boundlesse mercy give all his people eyes to see and hearts to believe that after they have in measure escaped the filthy pollutions of the beast they may not againe be intangled with these damnabled Doctrines stealing away their hearts by degrees under a seeming shew of pulling down Antichrist The Embassadors of Christ Jesus having full liberty to deliver their masters minde Preach unto all the Doctrine of Free grace beseeching them to be reconciled unto God in Christ and that the revealed will of God is that all should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth and that God hath given his onely begotten Son That whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting Life Yet withall minding them that Faith is the gift of God and none can come unto Christ but such as the Father drawes and withall that the whole will not see any need of the Phisicians but the sick adding also that none can come to the sight of his sicknesse or dead condition but by the Law of God unlesse they be quicker sighted then the Apostle They indevour also to build up others in their holy Faith that they might come to see the Love of God in Christ which passeth knowledge and to this end they shew them the fruits of Faith which worketh by love and that love will be obedient to all the commands of Christ who saith if you love me keepe my Commandements And further that Faith purifies the heart and that a constant supply must be had from Christ With these and the like sound and wholsome truths the Ministers of Christ feeds their severall flocks in New England drawing their Doctrines plainly from their Text and substantially backing them with store of Scripture and undeniable reason and then delivering to every Man his portion But this good old way would not serve the turne with certaine Sectaries that were hither come who like cunning Sophisters seeing the bent of the peoples hearts after so many mercies received was to magnifie the rich Grace of God in Christ they began to tell the people yet very privately that the most if not all the Ministers among them Preached a Covenant of workes either course or fine and with a what doe you say to this They begin to spread their Errors and Herefies laying the foundation of them as nere the truth as possible they can the easier to deceive but in the prosecution to be sure they ran far enough from it but to begin First they quarrell with the Doctrine of Faith in Christ and say a Soule is justified without it CHAP. XL. Of the cunning policy of Satan in that machevillian Principle divide and overcome and of the two first dividing
have none used as being a thing two opposite to liberty My friend cast off as much of thy owne power as thou canst and beware of Lording it over Gods Heritage but I pray thee let Christ alone with his which he hath given to his Pastors and Teachers in administring the holy things of God peculiar to their Office and tremble all you Presbyterians who to please the people prostrate the authority Christ hath put upon the Eldrs of his Churches as Officers to the resolute liberty of man the people may and ought to call them to Office to the which Christ hath united double honour and authority and appointed them to be had in high esteeme for their worke-sake being Embassadors of Christ Jesus This may no man take from them nor yet they themselves cast off and yet all this makes nothing for the Papall Prelaticall Classicall or Parishionall authority of the Presbâ—tery for it holds onely in their ruling well while they rule for Christ they must and shall have the power hee hath put upon their Office From these foure dividing Tenents by the cunning art of these deceivers were forescore grosse errours broached secretly sliding in the darke like the Plague proving very infectious to some of the Churches of CHRIST in their Members CHAP. LXII Of sad effects of the pitifull and erronious Doctrines broached by the Sectuaries THe number of these infectious persons increasing now haveing drawn a great party on their side and some considerable persons they grow bold and dare question the sound and whole some truths delivered in publick by the Ministers of Christ Their Church-meetings are full of Disputes in points of difference and their love Feasts are not free from spots in their Courts of civill Justice some men utter their Speeches in matters of Religion very ambiguously and among all sorts of persons a great talke of new light but verily it proved but old darknesse such as sometime over-shadowed the City of Munster But blessed be the Lord Christ who now declared himselfe to be a helpe at hand for his poore New England Churches being now in their infancy whose condition at present was very dolorous and full of difficulties insomuch that the better part of this new transported people stood still many of them gazing one upon another like Sheepe let loose to feed on fresh pasture being stopped and startled in their course by a Kennell of devouring Wolves The weaker sort wavered much and such as were more growne Christians hardly durst discover the truth they held one unto another the fogs of errour increasing the bright beames of the glorious Gospell of our Lord Christ in the Mouth of his Ministers could not be discerned through this thick mist by many and that sweete refreshing warmth that was formerly felt from the spirits influence was now turned in these Erronists to a hot inflamation of their owne conceited Revelations ulcerating and bringing little lesse then frenzy or madnesse to the patient the Congregation of the people of God began to be forsaken and the weaker Sex prevailed so farre that they set up a Priest of their own Profession and Sex who was much thronged after abominably wresting the Scriptures to their own destruction this Master piece of Womens wit drew many Disciples after her and to that end boldly insinuated her selfe into the favour of none of the meanest being also backed with the Sorcery of a second who had much converse with the Devill by her own confession and did to the admiration of those that heard her utter many speeches in the Latine Tongue as it were in a trance this Woman was wonted to give drinkes to other Women to cause them to conceive how they wrought I know not but sure there were Monsters borne not long after as you shall hear in the following History Oh yee New England Men and Women who hath bewitched you that you should not obey the truth And indeed Satan to make sure worke with semblance of Preaching the Doctrine of Free-grce by his instruments makes shew of our-bidding all the Orthodox and godly Ministers in the Countrey pretending their Preaching to be but a Covenant of workes supposing by this meanes to silence them without a Bâ—shop and lest the civill power should stand up for their aid they threaten them with the high displeasure of Christ for persecuting his people which as they said these erronious persons with their new light were the onely Men and Women that were pure Gospell Preachers Thus the poore people of Christ who kept close to his antient truths invironed with many straites having expended their Estates to voyage far through the perillous Seas that their eyes might behold their Teachers and that they might injoy the protection of a godly civill Government began to deeme themselves in a more dolorous condition then when they were in the Commissaries Court and Prelates Prisons the hideous waves in which their brittle Barques were sometimes covered as they passed hither were nothing so terrible in the apprehension of some as was this floud of errors violently beating against the bankes of Church and civill Government the wants of this Wildernesse and pinching penury in misse of Bread put them to no such paine by gnawing on their empty stomacks with feare of famishing as did the misse of the Administration of Christ in his Word and Ordinances leaving the soule in a languishing condition for want of a continuall supply of Christ in his Graces CHAP. LXIII Of the sorrowfull condition of the people of Christ when they were incountred with these erronists at their first landing BUt to end this dismall yeare of sixteene hundred thirty six take here the sorrowfull complaint of a poore Soule in misse of its expectation at landing who being incountered with some of these Erronists at his first landing when he saw that good old way of Christ rejected by them and hee could not skill in that new light which was the common theame of every mans Discourse hee berooke him to a narrow Indian path in which his serious Meditations soone led him where none but sencelesse Trees and eccohing Rocks make answer to his heart-easeing mone Oh quoth he where am I become is this the place where these Reverend Preachers are fled that Christ was pleased to make use of to rouse up his rich graces in many a drooping soule here have I met with some that tell mee I must take a naked Christ Oh woe is mee if Christ be naked to mee wherewith shall I be cloathed but me thinks I most wonder they tell me of casting of all godly sorrow for sin as unbeseeming a Soule that is united to Christ by Faith and there was a little nimbled tongued Woman among them who said she could bring me acquainted with one of her own Sex that would shew me a way if I could attaine it even Revelations full of such ravishing joy that I should never have cause to be sorry for sinne so long as I
live and as for her part shee had attained it already a company of legall Professors quoth she lie poring on the Law which Christ hath abolished and when you breake it then you breake your joy and now no way will serve your turne but a deepe sorrow These and divers other expressions intimate unto men that here I shall finde little increase in the Graces of Christ through the hearing of his word Preached and other of his blessed Ordinances Oh cunning Devill the Lord Christ rebuke thee that under pretence of a free and ample Gospell shuts out the Soule from partaking with the Divine Nature of Christ in that mysticall Union of his Blessed Spirit creating and continuing his Graces in the Soule my deare Christ it was thy worke that moved me hither to come hoping to finde thy powerfull presence in the Preaching of the Word although administred by sorry men subject to like infirmities with others of Gods people and also by the glasse of the Law to have my sinfull corrupt nature discovered daily more and more and my utter inabillity of any thing that is good magnifying hereby the free grace of Christ who of his good will and pleasure worketh in us to will and to doe working all our works in us and for us But here they tell me of a naked Christ what is the whole life of a Christian upon this Earth But through the power of Christ to die to sinne and live to holinesse and righteousnesse and for that end to be diligent in the use of meanes at the uttering of this word he starts up from the greene bed of his complaint with resolution to hear some one of these able Ministers Preach whom report had so valued before his will should make choyce of any one principle though of crossing the broade Seas back againe then turning his face to the Sun he steered his course toward the next Town and after some small travel â—â—ee came to a large plaine no sooner was hee entred thereon but hearing the found of a Drum he was directed toward it by a broade bâ—aten way following this rode he demands of the next man he met what the signall of the Drum ment the reply was made they had as yet no Bell to call men to meeting and therefore made use of a Drum who is it quoth hee Lectures at this Towne The other replies I see you are a stranger new come over seeing you know not the man it is one Mr. Shepheard verily quoth the other you hit the right I am new come over indeed and have been told since I came most of your Ministers are legall Preachers onely if I mistake not they told me this man Preached a finer covenant of workes then the other but however I shall make what hast I can to heare him Fare you well then hasting thither hee croudeth through the thickest where having stayed while the glasse was turned up twice the man was metamorphosed and was faine to hang down the head often least his watry eyes should blab abroad the secret conjunction of his affections his heart crying loud to the Lords ecchoing answer to his blessed spirit that caused the Speech of a poore weake pale complectioned man to take such impression in his soule at present by applying the word so aptly as if hee had beene his Privy Counseller cleering Christs worke of grace in the soule from all those false Doctrines which the erronious party had afrighted him withall and now he resolves the Lord willing to live and die with the Ministers of New England whom hee now saw the Lord had not onely made zealous to stand for the truth of his Discipline but also of the Doctrine and not to give ground one inch CHAP. XLIIII The Congregationall Churches of Christ are neither favourers of sinfull opinions nor the Lords over any or many Churches or mens Consciences ANd here Christian Reader the Author according to his former practice must minde thee of the admirable providence of Christ toward his New England Churches in preserving them from these erronious spirits that have hitherto in all places dog'd the sincere servants of Christ when ever they have set upon a through Reformation as stories doe abundantly testify which thing the reverend Calvine and divers others have declared But seeing the boasting Prelates in these times are ready to say their Lordly power kept these errours under its plaine otherwise for Satan saw while people were under their yoake of humane inventions they were far enough from exalting the Kingdome of Christ And therefore he reserved these errours for his last shifts and further you shall see in the following story that the Lord Christ reserved this honour for those whose love hee had inlarged to follow him in a dezart wildernesse even with the sharpe sword of the Word timely to cut off the heads of this Hidra but yet there are two sorts of persons in our Native Country whom the Elders and Brethren here do highly honour in Christ and prefer before themselves namely the godly Prebyterian party and the Congregationall sincere servants of Christ both which the Author could wish that with bowells of compassion sweet simpathising affection of Brethren knit together in that transcendent love of Christ which couples all his distanced flockes together they would seriously ponder this History which through the Authors weakenesse wants much of measure but nothing of the truth of things so far as a shallow capacity can reach Of the first sort named I could wish the Reverend Mr. Ruterford Mr. Bayle Mr. Rathbone Mr. Paget Mr. Ball c. would but informe themselves further by the truth of this History supposing they cannot chuse but in a good measure be satisfied already with the pacificatory and meeke answers of as many Reverend and godly Elders of ours Now that I would they should take notice of is that the Churches of Christ in New England and their Officers have hitherto been so far from imbracing the erronious Doctrines of these times that through the powers of Christ they have valiantly defended the truth and cut down all deceiveable Doctrine the like hath not been done for many ages heretofore Reverend and beloved in Christ could your eyes but behold the efficacy of loving counsell in the Communion of congregationall Churches and the reverend respect honour and love given to all Teaching Elders charity commands me to thinke you would never stand for Classicall injunctions any more neither Diocesan nor Provinciall authority can possible reach so far as this royall Law of love in communion of Churches verily its more universall then the Papall power and assuredly the dayes are at hand wherein both Jew and Gentile Churches shall exercise this old Modell of Church Government and send their Church salutations and admonitions from one end of the World unto another when the Kingdomes of the Earth are become our Lord Christs Then shall the exhortation of one Church to another prevaile more to Reformation then
opinions upheld by the civill government must be sure to make choise of the most Atheisticall persons they can finde to governe such as are right Gallios for N. E. hath found by experience that every man will most favour his own way of Profession and labor tooth naile to maintaine it and if any have complied with other that have been of a contrary sinfull opinion to their own it hath been because they would have their own scape scot free but assuredly the Lord Christ will allow of no such wayes for the favouring the professors of his truths nor may any Magistrate doe evill that good may come of it in favouring dangerous and deceiveable doctrines that others may favour the true servants of Christ neither is there any such need for it is their honours if the will of God be so to suffer nor can the people of N. England I meane the better part be perswaded to set up any other to governe but such as are zealous for the maintainance of the truths of Christ yet of late there is a buzzing noise as if it were injury to the Churches for civill power to medle in matters of Religion but to be sure there are many that strive for a Toleration yet the people of Christ who are the naturall Mothers of this Government resolve never to see their living child so divided looking at such a government to be no better to them a living child divided in twaine and therefore desires their loving Countrymen to beare with them in this point and if any notwithstanding shall force it to be so we shall shew our natural affection and leave all to them chusing rather to dwell on the backside of this Desert a place as yet unaccessible knowing assuredly our God will appeare for our deliverance Yet let them also know the Souldiers of Christ in N E. are not of such a pusillanimous spirit but resolve as that valiant Jeptha did to keep in possession the Towns his God had given them so we are resolved the Lord willing to keepe the government our God hath given us and for witnesse hee hath so done let this History manifest for we chose not the place for the Land but for the government that our Lord Christ might raigne over us both in Churches and Common-wealth and although the Lord have been pleased by an extraordinary blessing upon his peoples industry to make the place fruitfull as at this day indeed it is yet all may know the land in it selfe is very sterrill but the upholding of the truths of Christ is chiefe cause why many have hitherto come and further if the servants of Christ be not much mistaken the downfall of Antichrist is at hand and then the Kingdome of the Earth shall become the Kingdome of our Lord Christ in a more peculiar manner then now they are and surely godly civill government shall have a great share in that worke for they are exhorted to fill her double of the Cup shee hath given to them and also know our Magistrates being conscious of ruling for Christ dare not admit of any bastardly brood to be nurst up upon their tender knees neither will any Christian of a sound judgement vote for any but such as earnesty contend for the Faith although the increase of Trade and traffique may be a great inducement to some VVonder-working PROVIDENCE OF SIONS SAVIOVR IN NEVV ENGLAND CHAP. I. The beginning of the relation of the Pequot war and the great straites these wandering Jacobites were in THe great Jehovah minding to manifest the multitude of his Mercies to the wendering Jacobites and make an introduction to his following wonders causeth the darke clouds of calamities to gather about them presâ—ging some terrible tempest to follow with eyes full of anguish they face to the right upon the damnable Doctrines as so many dreadfull Engines set by Satan to intrap their poore soules Then casting forth a left hand looke the labour and wants accompaning a Desert and terrible Wildernesse affright them their memories minding them of their former plenty It much aggravated the present misery when with thoughts of retreating they turne their backs about the experienced incumbrances and deepe distresses of a dangerous Ocean hinders their thoughts of flight besides the sterne looke of the Lordly Prelates which would give them a welcome home in a famishing prison Then purposing to put on more stronger resolution facing to the Front behold a Messenger with sorrowfull tidings from their fellow brethren that inhabited the bankes of the River Canectico who having audience informes them of the great insolency and cruell murthers committed by a barbarous and bloudy people called Peaquods upon the bodies of their indeared friends these savage Indians lying to the South-west of the Mattacusets were more warlike then their Neighbouring Nations the Narrowganzet or Niantick Indians although they exceeded them in number also Mawhiggins who were the best friends of the English and a chiefe instrumentall meanes of their sitting down there stood much in feare of these Peaquods which were big swollen with pride at this time facing the English Fort built on the mouth of the River in their large Cannowes with their Bowes and long Shafts the English being then but weake in number and provision were unable to manage the war against so numerous a company being above thirty to one yet their desires being beyond their meanes they made some shot at them forcing them to hast away faster then they willingly would These Indians trusting in their great Troopes having feasted their corps in a ravening manner and leaving their fragments for their Sqawes they sound an alarum with a sull mouth and lumbring voyce and soone gather together without presse or pay their quarrell being as antient as Adams time propagated from that old enmity betweene the Seede of the Woman and the Seed of the Serpent who was the grand signor of this war in hand and would very gladly have given them a large Commission had not his owne power beene limited neither could he animate them so much as to take off the gastly looke of that King of terror yet however at his command they arme themselves casting their quâ—ver at their backs with Bowes ready bent they troope up some of them being extraordinarily armed with Guns which they purchast from the Dutch who had assuredly paid deare for this their courteous humour not long since had not some English Volunteers rescued them from the Indians hands the most of them were armed also with a small Hatchet on a long handle they had a small number of Mawhawkes Hammers which are made of stone having a long pike on the one side and a hole in the handle which they tie about their wrists they neede not provisions follow their Camp because they are continually at home but for their mats to shelter them from Ruine or Snow the Woods are as wellcome to them as their Wigwams sire they can make in all places by chafing
obtained one victory they were very desirous of another and further they knew right-well till this cursed crew were utterly rooted out they should never be at peace therefore they marched on toward them Now assuredly had the Indians knowne how much weakned our Souldiers were at present they might have born them downe with their multitude they being very strong and agile of body had they come to handy-gripes but the Lord who would have his people know their work was his and he onely must order their Counsels and war like work for them did bring them timely supply from the vessels and also gave them a second victory wherein they slâ—ew many more of their enemies the residue flying into a very thick swamp being unaccessible by reason of the boggy holes of water and thick bushes the English drawing up their company beleagered the swamp and the Indians in the mean time skulking up and down and as they saw opportunity they made shot with their Arrowes at the English and then suddainly they would fall flat along in the water to defend themselves from the retalliation of the Souldiers Muskets This lasted not long for our English being but a small number had parted themselves far asunder but by the providence of the most high God some of them spyed an Indian with a kettle at his back going more inwardly into the swamp by which they perceived there was some place of firm land in the midst thereof which caused them to make way for the passage of their Souldiers which brought this warre to a period For although many got away yet were they no such considerable number as ever to raise warre any more the slaine or wounded of the English were through the mercy of Christ but a few One of them being shot through the body neere about the breast regarding it not till of a long time after which caused the bloud to dry and thicken on eitheir end of the arrow so that it could not be drawne forth his body without great difficulty and much paine yet did he scape his life and the wound healed Thus the Lord was pleased to assist his people in this warre and deliver them out of the Indians hands who were very lusty proper men of their hands most of them as may appear by one passage which I shall here relate thus it came to passe As the Souldiers were uppon their march close by a great thicket where no eye could penetrate farre as it often falls out in such wearisom wayes where neither men nor beast have beaten out a path some Souldiers lingering behinde their fellowes two Indians watching their opportunity much like a hungry hauke when they supposed the last man was come up who kept a double double double distance in his march they sudden and swiftly snatched him up in their tallens hoising him upon their shoulders ran into the swamp with him the Souldier unwilling to be made a Pope by being borne on mens shoulders strove with them all he could to free himselfe from their hands but like a carefull Commander one Captaine Davenport then Lieutenant of this company being diligent in his place to bring up the reare coming up with them followed with speed into the swamp after him having a very severe cutlace tyed to his wrist and being well able to make it bite sore when he set it on resolving to make it fall foul on the Indians bones he soone overtook them but was prevented by the buckler they held up from hitting them which was the man they had taken It was matter of much wonder to see with what dexterity they hurled the poore Souldier about as if they had been handling a Lacedaemonian shield so that the nimble Captaine Davenport could not of a long time fasten one stroke upon them yet at last dying their tawny skin into a crimson colour they cast downe their prey and hasted thorow the thickets for their lives The Souldier thus redeemed had no such hard usage but that he is alive as I suppose at this very day The Lord in mercy toward his poore Churches having thus destroyed these bloudy barbarous Indians he returnes his people in safety to their vessels where they take account of their prisoners the Squawes and some young youths they brought home with them and finding the men to be deeply guilty of the crimes they undertooke the warre for they brought away onely their heads as a token of their victory By this means the Lord strook a trembling terror into all the Indians round about even to this very day CHAP. VII Of the first Syrod holden in New England whereby the Lord in his mercy did more plainly discover his ancient truths and confute those cursed errors that ordinarily dogg the reforming Churches of CHRIST THe Lord Christ deeming it most expedient for his people to adde some farther help to assist them in cutting downe those cursed errors that were the next dangerous difficulty they were to meet with sends in the Reverend and bright shining light Mr. Davenport and the cheerfull grave and gracious Soldier of his Mr. Allen as also Mr. Thompson Mr. Browne Mr. Fish with divers other of the faithfull servants of Christ the much honoured Mr. Eaton and Mr. Hopkins and now the time being come the Synod sate at Cambridge where was present about 25. Reverend and godly Ministers of Christ besides many other graciously-eminent servants of his A Catalogue of the severall Errors scattered about the Countrey was there produced to the number of 80. and liberty given to any man to dispute pro or con and none to be charged to be of that opinion he disputed for unlesse he should declare himselfe so to be The Weapons these Souldiers of Christ warred with was the Sword of the Spirit even the Word of God together with earnest prayer to the God of all Truth that he would open his truths unto them The clearing of the true sense and meaning of any place of Scripture it was done by Scripture for they so discerned by the grace of God that was given them that the whole Scripture must be attended unto Foure sorts of persons I could with a good will have paid their passage out and home againe to England that they might have been present at this Synod so that they would have reported the truth of all the passages thereof to their own Colledges at their return The first is the Prelates who both in Theorie and Practice might have made their owne Eyes Judges in the case Whether would prevaile most to the suppressing of Error and advancing of Unity in the true worship of God either their commanding power backt with the subordinate sword of Princes or the Word of God cleered up by the faithfull labour and indefatigable pains of the sincere servants of the Lord Christ and mightily declared through the demonstration of his blessed Spirit This well waighed may through the Lords blessing stop the yet running fancie in the brains of many that
their Lordly power is the onely means of suppressing Error Secondly the Godly and Reverend Presbyterian Party who had they made their eye-witnesses of this worke they had assuredly saved themselves much labour which I dare presume they would have spent worthily otherwayes then in writing so many books to prove the Congregationall or Independant Churches to be the sluce through which so many flouds of Error flow in nay my deare and reverend brethren might not so much work of yours in writing and ours in answering have been a meanes to have stopt the height of this overflowing floud and through the Lords assisting have setled Peace and Truth in a great measure throughout the three Nations Thirdly those who with their new stratagems have brought in so much old error for although they had a party here yet verily they durst not bring their New Light to the Old Word for fear it would prove but Old Darknesse as indeed they doe But here might they have seene the Ministers of Christ who were so experienced in the Scripture that some of them could tell you the place both Chapter and Verse of most sentences of Scripture could be named unto them with Scriptures light cleering up the truths of Christ clouded by any of these Errors and Heresies as had not been done for many Ages before and verily this great work of Christ must not be lightly over-past the Author of this History passeth not for the shrewd censures of men nor can it be any matter of disparagement to the reverend and highly honoured in Christ remaining in England that their fellow brethren have done so worthily here it is well knowne to all our English Nation that the most able-preaching Ministers of Christ were most pursued by the lording Clergy and those that have spent all their dayes even from a child in searching the Scriptures the Lord Christ preparing them by his blessed spirit for this very work Besides their continued practice in studying and preaching the wayes of truth and lastly their meeting with the opposition of so many crafty close couched errors whose first foundation was laid cheke by joule with the most glorious heavenly and blessed truths to dazle the eyes of the beholders and strike terrour into the hearts of those should lift up their hands against them for feare they should misse them and hit their stroke upon the blessed truth and also to bring up a slanderous and evil report on all the able Orthodox Minâ—stâ—rs of Christ that withstand them perswading men they withstand the holy heavenly and blessed truth which they have lodged there which this Synod did with strong undenyable arguments fetch from Scripture to overthrow and pluck up by the roots all those Errors which you have heard mentioned in the former Book the which they divided for the more full answering of them Among all those valiant Champions of the Truth whom you have heard named to some six some five some foure c. it had assuredly been worth the work to have related the particular manner of putting to the sword every one of them but besides the length of the discourse there must have been a more able Pen-man but however they were so put to death that they never have stood up in a living manner among us since but sometimes like Wizards to peepe and mutter out of ground fit for such people to resort unto as will goe from the living to the dead But blessed be the Lord Christ who girded his people with strength against this day of battaile and caused the Heavens to cleere up againe in New-England after these foggy dayes The fourth and last sort of persons whose presence I could most of all the other three former have desired was those whose disease lay as chiefly in despising all Physitians and that upon this ground for one because some for filthy lucre sake have nourishâ— Diseases rather then cured them Many pamphlets have come from our Countreymen of late to this purpose namely scurrillously to deride all kind of Scholarship Presbytery and Synods Experience hath taught Gods people here that such are troubled with some sinfull opinion of their owne that they would not have touched but had they been at this Synod they must per force have learned better language or their speech and their knowledge would fall foule one of the other here might they have beheld the humility of the most learned of these servants of Christ condemning the high conceitednesse of their ignorance and then also the framing of Arguments in a Schollar like way did the Lord assisting cleare up the truths of Christ more to the meâ—nest capacity in one hour then could be clouded again in sâ—aven yeare by the new notion of any such as boast so much of their unlettered knowledge diversity of languages although a correcting hand of God upon the whole world when they joyned together in that proud Edifice yet now is it blest of God to retaine the purity of the Scriptures if any man should goe about to corrupt them in one language they should remain pure in another and assuredly the Lord intending to have the wayes of the Gospel of Christ to be made more manifest at this time then formerly not by tradition of our forefathers or by mans reason but by the revealed will of God in the holy Scripture did accordingly prepare Instruments for this work earthen vessels men subject to like infirmities with our selves sorry men and carrying about with them a body of sinne and death men subject to erre yet these did the Lord Christ cause to be train'd up in Learning and tutor'd at the Universities and that very young some of them as the revererend Mr. John Cotten at 13. yeares of age The mighty power of God sanctifyed and ordained them for this work and made them a defenced city an iron pillar a wall of brass against all the opposers of his truth and now coupled them together in this Synod to draw in Christs yoke and warre with the weapons he had furnished them withall and cause the blessed truths of Christ to shine forth in their splendour and glory farre more after the dispersing of this smoak which of a long time hath filled the Temple and hindered the entring in of those great number of Converts which shall flow in at the fall of all antichristian Errors and verily as the Lord Christ had called forth this little handfuâ—l to be a model of his glorious work intended thoughout the whole world so chiefly in this suppressing of Errours Sects and Heresies by the blessed word of his truth causing his servants in this Synod muâ—â—ally to agree and by his gracious providence break in pieces a contrived plot of some who by mis-reports insinuating jealousies and crafty carriage of matters to the wrong mark with a writing of thrice twenty strong would have drawne away one of the valiant Souldiers of Christ from this worthy worke who both then and since hath been very helpfull
to cast downe many a strong fort erected by the Sectaries but the Lord Christ would not suffer this blow to be given intending all people by way of restitution for their slanderous reports cast upon his New England Churches as being the inlet to Errours shall honour them with this victorious coâ—quest given them by Christ herein yet willing they would their brethren in England might win the prize by out-stripping them more abundantly in length bredth and height which the same God is able to performe that hath been thus abundantly good to us About this time the Churches of Christ began to be diligent in their duty and the civil government in looking after such as were like to disturb the peace of this new erected government some persons being so hot headed for maintaining of these sinfull opinions that they feared breach of peace even among the Members of the superiour Court but the Lord blessing them with agreement to prevent the wofull effects of civill broyles those in place of government caused certain persons to be disarmed in the severall Townes as in the Towne of Boston to the number of 58. in the Towne of Salem 6. in the Towne of Newbery 3. in the Towne of Roxbury 5. in the Towne of Ipswitch 2. and Charles Towne 2. others there were that through the help of the faithfull servants of Christ came to see how they had beene mâ—sled and by the power of Christ in his Word returned againe with an acknowledgement of their sinne but others there were who remained obstinate to the disturbing of the civill power and were banished of whom you shall heare farther hereafter Some of the Churches of Christ being more indulgent waited long ere they fell upon the work and here you must tak notice that the Synod Civil Government and the Churches of Christ kept their proper place each moving in their own sphear and acting by their own light or rather by the revelation of Jesus Christ witnessed by his Word and Spirit yet not refusing the help of eacg other as some would willingly have it some of the Churches prosecuting the Rule of Christ against their hereticall Members were forced to proceed to excommunication of them who when they saw whereto it would come they would have prevented it with lying but the Lord discovered it and so they were justly separated from the Churches of Christ for lying which being done they fell to their old trade againe CHAP. VIII Of the planting the fourth Colonie of New Englands godly Government called New-Haven THe Lord Christ having now in his great mercy taken out of the way these mountains that seemed in the eye of Man to block up his Churches further proceedings they had now leisure to welcome the living stones that the Lord was pleased to adde unto this building and with thankfull acknowledgment to give him of his owne for his mercyes multitude whose was the work in planting not onely more Churches but another Colony also for the honoured Mr Eaton being accompanied with many worthy persons of note whom the Lord had furnished with store of substance for this wildernesse-work although they would willingly have made their abode under the government of the Mattachusets yet could they finde no place upon the Sea-coasts for their settling the Lord intending to enlarge his peoples border caused them after much search to take up a place somewhat more southwardly neare the shalles of Cape-cod where they had very flatt water yet being entred in they found commodious harbour for shipping and a fit place to erect a Towne which they built in very little time with very faire houses and compleat streets but in a little time they overstockt it with Chattell although many of them did follow merchandizing and Maritime affairs but their remotenesse from the Mattachusets Bay where the chiefe traffique lay hindred them much Here did these godly and sincere servants of Christ according to the rule of the Word gather into Church Estate and called to the office of a Pastor the reverend judicious and godly Mr John Davenport of whom the Author is bold to say as followeth WHen Men and Devils 'gainst Christs flock conspire For them prepar'd a deadly trapping net Then Christ to make all men his work admire Davenport he doth thee from thy Country fet To sit in Synod and his folk assist The filthy vomit of Hels Dragon deepe In earths womb drawn blest they this poyson mist And blest the meanes doth us from error keep Thy grave advice and arguments of strength Did much prevaile the Erronist confound Well hast thou warr'd Christ drawes thy dayes in length That thou in learn'd experience maist abound What though thou leave a city stor'd with pleasure Spend thy prime dayes in heathen desart land Thy joy 's in Christ and not in earthly treasure Davenport rejoice Christs Kngdome is at hand Didst ever deem to see such glorious dayes Though thou decrease with age and earths content Thou live'st in Christ needs then must thy joy raise His Kingdome 's thine and that can ne'r be spent This Church and Town soon procur'd some Sisters to take part with her and among them they erected a godly and peaceable Government and called their frontier towne New haven of which the Government is denominated being inhabited by many men eminent in gifts for the populating thereof and managing of affaires both by Sea and Land they have had some shipping built there but by the sad losse of Mr. Lambertons ship and goods also they were much disheartned but the much honoured Mr. Eaton remaines with them to this very day THou noble thus Theophilus before great Kings to stand More noble far for Christ his war thou leav'st thy native land With thy rich store thou cam'st on shore Christs Churches to assist What if it wast thou purchast hast that Pearl that most have mist Nay rather he hath purchast thee and whatsoever thou hast With graces store to govern o're his people he thee plac't Our State affaires thy will repaires assistant thou hast bin Firm league to make for Gospels sake four Colonyes within With Sweads French Dutch and Indians much Gods peoples peace this bred Then Eaton aye remember may the Child that 's yet unfed This government of New-haven although the younger Sister of the foure yet was she as beautifull as any of this broode of travellers most minding the end of her coming hither to keep close to the rule of Christ both in Doctrine and Discipline and it were to be wished her elder Sister would follow her example to nurture up all her children accordingly here is not to be forgotten the honoured Mr Hopkins who came over about this time a man of zeale and courage for the truths of Christ assisting this blessed work both in person and estate for the which the Author cannot forget him being oft in commission for the good of all the united Colonyes HOpkins thou must although weak dust for this great work
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
Humphry Atherton of the Band of Dochester a very lively couragious man with his stout and valiant Lievtenant Clapes strong for the truth of the Band of Roxbury Capt. Prichard and Ensign Iohnson of the Band of Waymoth Capt. Perkins and his proper and active Lievtenant Torry of the Band of Hingham Capt. Beâ—an Allen of the Band of Deadbam Capt. Eliazer Lusher one of a nimble and active spirit strongly affected to the ways of truth of the Band of Braintree Capt. william Tinge these belong to the Regiment of Suffolk the first Serjeant-Major chosen to order the Regiment of Essex was Major Rebert Sedgwick stout and active in all feats of war nurst up in Londons Artillery garden and furthered with fifteen years experience in N. E. exact theory besides the help oâ— a very good head-piece being a frequent instructer of the most martial troops of our Artillery men and although Charles Town which is the place of his own companies residence do not advantage such o're-topping batteries as Boston doth yet hath he erected his to very good purpose insomuch that all shipping that comes in either to Boston or Charles-Town must needs face it all the time of their coming in the cost he hath been at in helping on the Discipline of his Regiment hath profited much his own company are led by the faithful Capt. Lievtenant Francis Norton a man of a bold and cheerful spirit being well disciplin'd and an able man the companies under his service have not all Captains at present VVater-Town Band was led by Capt. Ienings who is supposed to be now in England his Lievtenant remains Hugh Mason the band of Cambridg led by Capt. George Cook now Colonel Cook in the wars of ireland but now led by Capt. Daniel Gookin a very forward man to advance Marshal discipline and withal the truths of Christ the Band of Concord led by Capt. Simon Willard being a Kentish souldier as is Capt. Goggin the Band of Sudbury lately led by Capt. Pelham who is in England at present his Lievtenant remains Edw. Goodinow the band of Wooburn led by another Kentish Captain the Band of Reading led by Lievtenant VValker the Band of Malden being as yet a young Town who have not chosen their Officers are led by Mr. Joseph Hill These belong to the Regiment of Middlesex the two Counties of Essex and Northfolk are for present joyned in one Regiment their first Major who now commandeth this Regiment is the proper and valiant Major Daniel Denison a good souldier and of a quick capacity not inferiour to any other of these chief Officers his own company are well instructed in feats of warlike activity his Capt. Lievtenane departed this life some few years since a godly and faithful man which is indeed the fountain of true validity named Mr. VVhitingam the Band of Salem led by the bold and worthy Capt. VVilliam Hautborn a man of an undaunted courage with his Lievtenant Lothrope the Band of Lyn led by the honored and much respected Capt. Robert Bridges who is also a Magistrate being endued with able parts and forward to improve them for the glory of God and his peoples good the Band of Nuberry led by Capt. Gerish with his antient and experienced Lievtenant Greendife the Band of Rowly led by Capt. Brigham the Bands of Glocester VVenham and Andover have not yet made choice of Superiour Officers being in their minority these are the Bands of the Regiment of Essex to the which are joyned the three Bands of the County of Northfolk Salsbury Hampton and Havorhil there are none chosen to office in any of these Bands but such as are freemen supposed to be men indued with faith in Christ Jesus wherefore let all that truly love the Lord Christ say with Deborah My heart is toward the Governors of Israel that offered themselves willingly among the people their Officers are chosen by the major Vote of the souldiers being installed into their place by the Major of their Regiment There are of late a very gallant horse-troop listed it being a frequent thing with the Officers of the foot companies to turn Troopers when their own Regiment is not in exercise for incouragement of others the Regiments are exercised once a year by turnes they are also very observant to keep their armes in good order each souldier is to keep constantly by him powder bullet and match besides every Town is injoyned to have a common stock in like manner as also the country have their ammunition exactly looked unto by Surveyor General Johnson one very well qualified for the work ready at all times to put the General Court in mind of keeping their store renued by fresh supply and to say right some particular persons may be penurious in laying out their estates upon ammunition but the general of Officers and souldiers are very generous that way the reverend Doctor VVilson gave bountifully for the furthering this Wilderness-work the which was expended upon great Artillery his gift being a thousand pound beside many persons that came over the Lord was pleased to indow with a large portion of the things of this life who were not backward liberally to dispose of it to procure means of defence ann to that end there was a castle built on an Island upon the passage into the Mattachu-Bay wholly built at first by the country in general but by reason the country affords no Lime but what is burnt of Oyster-she is it fell to decay in a few years after which made many of the Towns that lay out of the defence thereof to desert it although their safety under God was much involved in the constant repair and well-mannaging thereof hereupon the next six Towns take upon them to rebuild it at their proper cost and charges the rest of the country upon the finishing thereof gave them a small matter toward it upon this there was a Captain ordained and put in possession thereof by the country having a yearly Stipend allowed him for himself and his souldiers which he is to keep in a constant readiness upon the Island being about eight acres of ground the Castle is built on the North-East of the Island upon a rising hill very advantageous to make many shot at such ships as shall offer to enter the Harbor without their good leave and liking the Commander of it is one Captain Davenport a man approved for his faithfulness courage and skill the Master Canoneer is an active Ingineer also this Castle hath cost about four thousand pounds yet are not this poor pilgrim people weary of maintaining it in good repair it is of very good use to awe any insolent persons that putting confidence in their ship and sails shall offer any injury to the people or contemn the Government they have certain signals of alarums which suddainly spread through the whole country were there but one Town more erected in this Government which were one and thirty it would joyn all the Towns in the same
liberty and nothing for Government yet they might bear men in hand it was for petitioning for a Presbyterian Church-Government according to this teâ—or thâ— Court being some what flow in censuring them they prepareâ— a plot wrapping in some few persons more with them lay ing very gross matters to the charge of this Government in their Bill of complaint but being suspected by the honoured Magistrates of this Government their plot was found out and writing publikely read unto them for all which they had a small penalty laid upon them hardly countervail the charge they put the country unto but assuredly it was the Lords gracious goodness to quell their malice against his people and indeed the proud Bishops sped no better or not so well especially some of them nor have any other hitherto prospered who have maâ—igned these poor Churches of Christ yet because the Gortonist painted over a far worser cause that those honorable personages in England who had the hearing thereof could not discern the Government thought meet to send over this year the honored M. VVinslow to manifest and declare the naked truth of things having full power and commission from this Government to deal for them in all matters wherein they may be concerned and verily the chief Gortonian might have returned from England hither to have triumphed in his blasphemies over the Churches of Christ and all the united colonies had not the divel shewed his horns in that book he printed wherein he takes upon him a monstrous interpretation of the words of our Lord Christ in John Except ye eat my flesh and drink my blond c. had the book been well perused before their coming over surely they had never return'd with so large a commission as they boast of for the Parliament have punished divers persons for their blasphemies and very like these should not have scaped scotfree CHAP. IV. Of the second Synod holden at Cambridg in N. E. and the images of the Son that appeared THis year the General Court of the Mattachusets Government taking into consideration the many 〈◊〉 in point of doctrine that were daily broached by some of our English Nation although the churches of Christ and the people under this Government were free at least in open profession yet to declare to all the world and render an accompt of their faith and profession wherein they walk it was thought meet that the churches of Christ should meet together in a Synod by their Elders and Messengers to hold forth the doctrine and discipline of Jesus Christ according to the rule of the New Testament with the grounds of Scripturâ— from which they hold the same and further to make trial of them by the said rules and none other accordingly at the time appointed they assembled together their disputation was plain and easie to be understood of the meanest capacity clearing up those points that were most dubious they having agreed on all matters with a full concurrence of the assembly did appoint them to be put in print that they might be the better scanned and tried of every particular person in the several congregations or churches many churches approving thereof for the generality others there be that have not yet fully viewed the same the books are extant and shew that the churches of Christ in N. E. are not ashamed to make confession of their faith to all the world and are yet ready to receive any further light shall be made known unto them from the Word of God and none other nor do they receive this because a Synod hath said it but because the Lord hath spoken it by his Spirit and witnessed by the same Spirit to their souls that he hath so done some sorts of persons have been much opposite to this Synod first those that are so inured with the broad beaten path of liberty that they fear to be confined in the straight and narrow path of truth the second are such as have their wills wedded to some singular rare conceited opinion for which they have been admired of many and now they fear their gain will be gone if this spirit be cast out the third and last sort are more honest then the two former and only scared with their big words who tell them of the Popish and Prelatical Synods what a deal of trash and cannon Laws they have brought in and that if they will full to receiving books once they shall have more and more thrust upon them As also if any shall say its only to declare the doctrine and discipline the churches of N. E. hold it s enough quoth they that our faith concerning these things is contained in the Bible and this is all the accompt we need to give to any but for all these scare-crows N.E. hath through the blessing of the Lord received much peace and truth from the former Synod we wish our countrymen and our selves may receive the like and much more from this which ended not with this year This year about the later end thereof appeared two Parelii or Images of the Sun and some other strange apparitions of light about her like a Rainbow with the heels upward which unwonted sights have been interpreted by the provident passages since shewed among those who have had an outside of profession and name to be singular for understanding the mind of God who would overthrow all the Ordinances of Christ under the name of New-light and that there can be no restoration of Religion till new Apostles come This desperate opinion doth so fitly resemble these wonderful apparitions that seemed to be another Sun yet indeed had no light in them but vanished away no man knew how so these opinionists would make men believe they had found out another Sea from their phantastical revelations CHAP. V. Of the great pains and care taken by those in Authority for the compiling of Lawes for this little Commonwealth THis year the General Court appointed a Committee of divers persons to draw up a Body of Laws for the well-ordering of this little Commonwealth and to the end that thâ—y might be most agreeable with the rule of Scripture in every County there was appointed two Magistrates two Ministers and two able persons from among the people who having provided such a competent number as was meet together with the former that were enacted newly amended they presented them to the General Court where they were again perused and amended and then another Committee chosen to bring them into form and present them to the Court again who the year following passed an Act of confirmation upon them and so committed them to the Press and in the year 1648. they were printed and now are to be seen of all men to the end that none may plead ignorance and that all who intend to transport themselves hither may know this is no place of licentious liberty nor will this people suffer any to trample down this Vineyard of the Lord but with diligent execution
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