lawes are made for all men to obey Listen a while I must spend one word more Some rubs remaine are hardlier gotten o're Bipartior in many Court and Cause Doth dull the edge of Justice Sword and Lawes Discloseth Counsels opens Breaches wide That adverse part steps in without a guide Makes causes good or bad as men affect it Doth what 's oppos'd and what is lik't neglect it Tells liberty authority will stop And clip her wings quoth she I 'le sit on top Tells men their cause is good but wanting Lawes or Judges are in learn'd in sight seanting More yet remaines swift speakers show but backe So counsels lost words will not fill a sack And now say truth doth not great skill appear Through such tempestuous seas and stormes to steere So swiftly one grapling with Pirats oft For England fain'd bearing their flag aloft To England yet ungratefull they 'l not be That governe here yet little help they see The more 's to come experience teaches sure You 'l pitty more when you the like endure More yet you 'l find our enemies are yours You 'l hurt your selves if you encrease their powers Forgive that they so much your good forget Lighter to truth those they should harder hit If England one as truths but one embrace These tooke your name and you will take their ease If England say more wayes then one they wilt Allow no more then helps reforming still Those that are skild in structures modell make A little moddel here is for you take What may serve turne for opposites to awe For Kings may rule without a Bishops law Could Bishops keepe downe all their Lordships spoile And can't highest Court awe those Gods word defile With blasphemous horrid interpretation As only they knowing Gods explanation Ruine now men strive with words contentious strength New-Englands acts shall speak not words at length While fogs arise from errour breaching braines Their justice clouded is and what remaines But unto God that they commit their way And judgment shall burst forth as sunny day Let England wait with patience for the same Not drawing backe for cost finish for shame Iast Prelates proud tollerating deride Ye know not truth without their guide Of the planting of the Gospel of our Lord Christ in the Mattachusets and other adjacent COLLONIES WHen these persecuted servants of Christ Jesus first set foot on these American shores having their tongues untied from the Prelates Injunctions they preach with all diligence to their Auditors doubling their hours to regain their lost time being throughly warm'd with the manifestation of the love of their Lord Christ in bearing them in his arms through the boystrous waves a depthless Ocean these exil'd Ministers of Christ soon began to gather into Churches as meete stones were offered and now you shall see how they hasted after fat Benefites every one endeavouring to associate themselves with plain honest-hearted Christians rich in grace the Lord assisting with full purpose of heart to cleave unto the Lord Christ and submit to his kingdome according to the rule of his word made known unto them and also to exhort one another while it is called to day and this is the substance of that Church-covenant that so many are greived at this they doe with solemne and serious seeking of the Lord by prayer fasting And now I beseech you all that rightly love the Lord Christ forbeare taking up any prejudice against this poor people from the report of others Could your eyes and eares see heare their comely order and with what spirituall expressions the Lord assists his servants in the Ministry it would assuredly God helping cause your bowels to yern toward them the Churches to which they doe belong many of whom hereafter are expressed by name together with their annuall maintenance so neere as for the present I could gather Only take notice New Englands pounds in some things cal'd currant pay will hardly hold out with old England Angells and yet will they not be gone from their flockes for thicker fleeces unlesse example prove prejudiciall to others Salem Mr. Hugh Peters in Engl. Mr. Edw. Norris 60. pound Charles Town M. Zach. Sims 90. l. Mr. Tho. Allen 60. l. Boston Mr. John Cotton 90. l. M. John Wilson 60 l. Roxbury M Thomas Wells in England 80. l. Dorchester M. Richard Mathers 70. l. Watertown M. Fran. Knowles 80 l. Linne M. Sam. Whiting 45. l. M. Tho. Cobbit 45 l. Ipswich M. Nat. Rogers 70. l. M. John Norton 70. l. Hingham M. P. Hubbert 60. l. Waymouth Mr. Tho. Thatcher 50 l. Rowly M. Ezek. Rogers 80. l. M. Sam. Mathers 30. l. Cambridge M. Tho. Sheppard 70. l. Deddam M. John Allen 50. l. Concord M. Buckly 70. l. Salisbury M. Th. Woster 45. l. Newberry M. Tho. Parker 40. l. M. Jam. Noyse 60. l. Hampton M. Boulton 40. l. Sudbury M. Edm. Browne 40. l. Braintree M. Henry Flint 30. l. M. Wil. Tompson 30. l. Dover M. Dan. Maud 40. l. Gloster M. Richard Blindman 40. l. Wooborn M. Tho. Carter 60. l. Redding M. Green 30. l. Wenham M. David Tisk 20. l. Harerhill Mr. John Ward Andover Mr. Woodbridge These 26. Churches are in the government of the Mattachusets besides these Townes following Manchester Mr. Smith Hull Mr. Matthews Exeter Mr. Norcraft Strawbery Banks St. Batelie New Medowes Mr. Knight who is gone to England The Worthies of the other Colonies I omit all men of esteeme These are men chosen to office by the people and ordained in presence of one or two magistrates together with the Elders and messengers of as many Churches as may conveniently send who are as so many faithfull witnesses to the orthodox judgement and pious life of such as are to teach the people which Elders and messengers in the name of their Churches hold out the communion and fellowship they desire to have with them Since Englands troubles these Churches have been very frequent in extraordinary seeking of the Lord with much affection fasting and praying not without teares and strong cries for an happy Issue to the glory of God and the good of his people In admitting persons to the sacramentall union they endeavour to see the manifestation of Gods grace wrought upon their souls expressed by their godly lives and conversations either by continued observance or honest testimony they are admitted by the Elders with consent of the people and all excommunications are by the same authority of the Elders and consent of the people in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ administred to the terror of scandalous professors As for prayer singing of Psalmes and the word preached all are partakers of and all children and servants in publick catechised and verely the thirsting desires they have that all may come to the truth even as it is in Jesus appeares by the affable and courteous carriage of all that preach the word being instant in season and out of season c. who are reputed both learned and judicious
and by Gods blessing on their labours have gained many a soule to Christ The people of these Colonies are generally labor ous after knowledge in religion to which end they have societies or neighbourly invitatations each of other for edification in which the industrious paines and care of their minister to propagate the truth appeares praying and opening the Scriptures thus privatly besides all their publick administrations This truth may serve to shew the savourinesse of this salt And now to take away the wonder how these ministers and people should come by so many back friends walking in measure so inoffensively you shall understand holinesse righteousnesse humility and learning in some called of Christ to be able ministers of his word and doctrine divers who love the preheminence of both sexes having taken a trick to preach to advance themselves began to inveigh against learning Scholars and Colledges and in mean time stretching out what themselves had till they rent into non-sense and verily these soon grew to a round company praising one anothers parts when others would not and to cause others to admire them they question the ancient truths taught by their ministers and that before the whole congregation and tell you the meaning of the originall Text. These were abler to discerne as they apprehend than their Elders who were fit for the Sacrament delighting to shew their skill that way Again all know nothing is more opposite than damnable errors and saving truth Now the unanimous agreement of their teaching Elders in the truth hath caused those who are contrary minded to misreport their words and actions cunningly casting false glosses on their doctrines slighting all those godly Christians who agree in the fame truths as weak punies taking up all they have on trust Further take notice that our English nation having been accustomed after 16 yeares of age to receive the Sacrament now some here in these Colonies being upon good ground denied with bitter speeches and taunting language upbraid both magistrates ministers and people powring out their complaints into their bosoms who are their good frends in England telling they are abridged of the liberties of English subjects c. Lastly certain persons more affecting trade than truth prove discontented with such as are against the sufferiâ—g grosse errors These are the rubs have been cast in the way to hinder the through reformation yet now though with great difficulty nearer accomplished than ever if luke-warm liberty hinder not the good work of our God And as for these instruments whom the Lord hath made use of you marre the work if you attribute ought unto them and it will be very distastfull to their Christian appetites yet I will shew their prosecuting the work in the following meeter VVHat creature man that is so apt to take His praise who work and workman both did make In telling of these Worthies work then I Own none but God and yet his meanes I eye Who though nine hundred leagues at sea hath sent These twenty Worthies who their time have spent In preaching Christ his mind and will reveale From Scripture light each servants portion deale One opens Prophesies as yet to come So ready is the Scripture in his tongue That word and sense his memory retaines Cleare Scripture light all by great labour gaines One hewes the cords of wicked works with ire Full Arguments as God doth him require One pretious Balm from Christs deare sufferings faâ— Wounded to heale if heale to fast then frets Down the proud flesh from thought of knowledge rising Till Christ alone they know him onely prizing One Sheppard he takes restlesse pains that none Themselves delude with happy state as one Belov'd of God in Christ and therefore makes Cleare evidence from Gods word whom he takes And wholly bent to save his flock from rearing With watchfull eye ' way sheep slaying Wolves is scaring One labours faith may get assurance fast One he exhorts the anchor hope to cast One follows peace and bids all folk pursue it One's for fresh love and when it 's old renew it One puts in minde with patience to abide One cease from strife take meekneesse on your side One to humility exhorts with care One wills their lives may passe in godly feare One cheerfull bids in spirits joy to cheere One would men mourn with those are mourners here One bounty doth by his example teach One zeal to God and 's truth doth daily preach One heavenly mindednesse perswadeth still One Christian boldnesse seated in the will One purity and holinesse commends One's for just dealing both with foes and friend One he exhorts all Christian watch to keep One prayer would with sighes and groanes so deep One unto reading Scripture men perswades One labour bids for food that never fades One to redeem their time exhorteth all One looking round for wary walking calls One he perswades mâ—n buy the truth not sell One would men should in moderatenesse excell One for renew'd â—epentance daily strives One's for a conscience cleare in all mens lives One he exhorts all men Gods word to heare One doth beseech to lend obedient eare One he desires evils appearance shun One with diligence would all should be done One shewes their woe that will not God believe One doth beseech Gods Spirit they 'l not grieve One wishes none to deep despair do run One bids beware none to pesumption come One wils that all at murmuring take heed One shewes that strife and envie should not breed One shewes the hatred God to pride doth beare One covetousnesse cries down with bellish feare One to luke-warmnesse wishes none doe grow One none for feare forsake the truth they know One idle talk and foolish jesting shun One bids that none unto uncleannesse run One sayes none should self-seeking entertain One teaches all in anger should contain One idlenesse dehorts with meekle paine One bids beware of error-breaching brains One would all men surfets excesse take heed One worlds joy and sorrow doe not exceed One ignorance would not mens soules should stay One in known sins bids men they would not stay One wishes none of Faith doe shipwrack make One their first love in Christ that none forsake One in their breast would none two hearts should beare One woe of hypocrites doth oft declare One bids beware hardnesse of heart will breed One to adde sin to sin that none proceed One lying tongues doth tell God hateth such One bids beware for Satans wiles are much One sayes gainst all power from Christ is had One bids all be with 's armour ever clad I name but one ' cause all as one the same Exhort dehort in the Lord Christ his Name Minding all still it 's Christ his will that all Depart from ill that on Gods Name doe call And further they professe that Christ alone Works â—ll in his and for his every one So grace is free and nothing we to cause The cords of love with which Gods Spirit drawes
Which Spirit plainly doth appeare in all These preachings that from ear then lips doe fall Like dâ—aw on grasse however some deny it As legall they from Gods word doe thou try it And neighbour John yet one thing more now mind Their learned counsell helps the truth to finde Coupling these men in Synods God hath blest By his word truth is found error confest As helpfull unto godly learning they With Schooles and Colledge finde out learnings way These people though much weakned in their estates for the space of ten yeares yet have erected Schooles in divers Townes and also a Colledge in the Town of Cambridge called Harves Colledge The President being an able Proficient in the Tongues very studious to promote learning witnesse the young Audients both here and gone for England hopefull instruments in the hands of the Lord for future times the President is Mr. Dunster Yet unto God this people feeling sayes Not unto us but to thy name be praise Now must I mind what hindrances remain To blast the fruit of all these Worthies pain Some would none should endevour unity Tyrants say they do hinder liberty Why truth 's but one and Christ will make you free Come to the Word let that your touch-stome bee Some feare Presbytery hath too great power If you are Christs then all they have is yours Some odd ones say they Independents are Therefore in others counsel they 'l noe share But now I le end and tell you friend what will Perswade their way doâ—â—â—old with still Strong Arguments doe papers fill each way With words of heat buâ— honest Iohn now stay Vnto experience let thy judgement bow Let actions speake and not mens words to you For little time some subtile Foxes will Bridle their nature and yet Foxes still Lord Bishops did some errors fend from sheep So beasts of prey others from preying keep Some new raisd errors Bishops power deny To side with truth and yet their error eye Neare twenty yeares these Churches you may trace In godly steps no false way they 'l embrace Look in this glasse that thus is slubberd or'e And you may see foure things uneyd before No Prelate no King that 's not so for see Here Churches power and command agree Of civill power to which these Churches yeeld Humble obedience as their duty held Next note some say Opinions none must touch For feare they wrong the consciences of such With word of truth God helping true endeavours Christs Pastor here error and conscience severs Third Law and Gospel at such oddes have set That Rule of walking from it none may get But here experience from Gods word is found Gods folk with 's word walk wary looking round Last humane learning is no mean some say Blost by the Lord to find his word and way But as a meanes this people found it have Yet trust not means its onely God must save But England now to thee I l'e means commend Make use of these before their life they end The grave godly and judicious Mr. Hooker is laid in earth Mr. Philips Mr. Huet Mr. Harver and some others of like esteem yet remaining in the united Colonies of name and note Onely my friend John see here a short observation taken from the whole for thy own use Church-covenant Band brought in with liberty But causeth men to walk licentiously Some buy the truth for conscience liberty Error 's brought in to blind men damningly And now before I end let me tell thee who are like to reap benefite by transporting themselves to those Colonies First Merchants who are skild in commerce with forraigne nations lying near the Indies and well stored with ship provision cheaper than England Secondly Sea-men are well imploid if skild in Navigation shipping increasing every day and would be farre more had they Masters to manage the work Thirdly Has band-men are like to benefit themselves much all sorts of cattell increasing exceedingly and tillage prospering that thousands of Acres are broken up yearly Fourthly all manuall occupations are falling into their ranks and places daily onely Printers of Cards and Dice-makers I could wish to forbeare very few but have increased in the riches of this life and further how now men of estates may improve what they have to their great advantage And this I dare assure that one hundred pounds will doe that which five hundred could not doe at first planting of this little Common-wealth which was the reason so many sunk in their estates but now they see it too late and some will not wait the Lords leasure for repairing but forsake their station with others have gained much and carry it to other places to shew and so lose it again But my Iohn be thou more stable Last let all those who desire to have themselves discovered to themselves resort to this place where if they seek not themselves they may finde themselves if not already lost in selfe-conceitednesse of some strong opinion for which if they desire to be admired let them leave this long voyage and keep at home FINIS
as this people thus resolv'd the Ocean Sea to venter As was their errant so they did addresse the ships to enter Ship-owners seeing like it was their gain might holpen bee And Vndertakers with like hope to hire ships were free Close Cabbins being now prepar'd with bread biefe beere and fish The passengers prepare themselves that they may have their wish With little goods but many words aboord comes one and sayes I long to set my feet on shore where cloudy pillar stayes As high as clouds he darts his words but it is earth he wants For having past the fishing banks soon smels the gay ground plants In long boat with a scouring pace comes gentle-like attended New fashion'd by the Taylors hand one for his parts commended Master at last quoth he I 'm not with labour much inured Yet for to countenance good folk this toylâ— to be endured Hee 's loath to say that men of parts to govern towns are wanting And therefore he will through the seas 'mongst others to be planting His Cabin is too strait his fare too mean for his degree Now good Sir be content a while on shore you l ' he more free Eftsoones comes clambring up the ropes one in his mind revived That hee 's no servant quoth he this was very well contrived Now I may goe where I can close with people and with Preacher But its great wages makes him close for there he needs no teacher Brief dancing on the decks doth walk another boasting sore Of godly kindred and he longs to be with them on shore These and the like may England spare but oh it 's sad to say That privatly for publick work thy Worthies went away Sage sober grave and godly men together counsell seeking At th' hand of God they fast and pray for their approved liking And will not stirre one foot but by his word and will directing So on the seas most happily they found his hand directing Now large Revennewes hinder not hoopt up in hogsheads they Transport both lands and houses too nine hundred leagues away Oh weâ—l away now say the poore our Benefactors going That fild our childrens mouths with bread look yonder are they rowing O woe is me another cries my Minister it s hee As sure as may be yonder he from Pursevant doth flee With trickling tears scarce uttering speech another sobbing sayes If our poore preacher shipped be hee 'l nere live halfe the way But one poore friend another cries my secret heart to plain And he and his are shipped now I 'le after him amain ' Mongst these doth Satan get a fraught Angels of light they seeming Were entertain'd among the rest as holy Saints them deeming Hardly beset on every side Gods people thus attended To troublous seas betake themselves yet by their God befriended In straits to get their goods aboord their wives and obildren small Hard to attaine a cleering thought cleerely dismist of all But God and godly friends whom they find in their hard-ships free To send and lend them help in all their great calamity The boysterous waves begin to hoyse their brittle barques on hye When suddenly the billowes breake and dash their ships awry Vnwonted to such wondrous workes the little babes complaine For harbour in their Mothers armes whom sicknesse doth constraine To sit as helplesse yea for help of others they doe cry But all sea-sicke for present all do others help deny Each corner's fill'd with goods and folke the ships large womb could bear That hot diseases breed among this crowd no roome to spare For any weake ones nor for those whose fruit was ripe for light On soundlesse depths their babes are borne ' mongst waves above ships hight Both aged weake and tender ones the seas now tumbling tosse Till they I fore'd to harbour turn'd with stormy windes being crost In western Anglia and the Isle Hibernia they bide With longing for Jehova's help who only windes doth guide As loft to lose the last long sight of their deare native soile Both back and forth the winds them drive with mickle restlesse toyle But being once in Ocean large where depths the earth wide sever Returne no more though winds them crosse to end their course indere In unknown depths and pathlesse Seas there nights and days they spend ' Mongst stormy winds mountain waves long time no land they kend At ships mast doth Christs Pastors preach while waves like Prelats proud Would sling them from their pulpits place as not by them allow'd The swelling surges raging come to stop their mouths with fome For publishing of every truth that by Gods word is known But Christ as once so now sayes peace waves and be still For all their height they fall downe flat obey they must his will And now the Seas like medowes greene whose ground and grasse even are Doth gently lead their ships as sheep from place to place afar Who would not wait on such a God that heaven earth seas commands To serve his folke then serve him folke conducted by his hand For forty fifty sixty dayes and nights they safely swim Preparing oft for fight at sight of ships that pirats been Long looke'd for land at length the eye unknown yet owne they will To plant therein new Collonies wide wildernesse to fill Of the arrivall of our English Nation at the Mattachusets Bay c. WIth hearts revived in conceit new land and trees they eye Senting the Caedars and sweet ferne from heats reflection drye Much like the bird from dolsome Romes inclos'd in cage of wyre Set forth in fragrant fields doth skip in hope of her desire So leap the hearts of these mixt men by streights o're seat inured To following hard ships wildernesse doth force to be endured In clipping armes of ont-stretcht Capes there ships now gliding enter In bay where many little Isles doe stand in waters Center Where Sea-calves with their hairy heads gaze 'bove the waters brim Wondring to see such unconth sights their sporting place to swim The seas vast length makes welcome shores unto this wandring race Who now found footing freely for Christs Church his resting place This people landing soonly shewd diversity of minds As various heads so actions did declare their divers kinds Now patience John give eare a while unto a briefe digression The better shalt thou understand the following progression Diversity of censure have past on this people why Most judge the whole by lesser part and parts run much awry By parts the giver nor to part and thou a part shalt see To be partakers with the truth in hearts simplicity Yet further let me mind thee more from Satans sullin fits Great rancour doth against them rise enlarg'd by divers wits Yea male-contents none well content but discontentedly They breath out ill being crost in will to all lamentingly But now let 's on my honest John to land this people came ' Mongst trees and men that naked been whom labour did not tame Small entrance