he dreclocinatien| Wigtnrn af Moty-Gnoland:

HARTFORD: SILAS ANDRUS AND SON, 1855.

Che Geelesiastical History of Hew-England:

FROM ITS FIRST PLANTING, IN THE YEAR 1620, UNTO THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1698. IN SEVEN BOOEKES.

WITH

AND

HARTFORD: SILAS ANDRUS AND SON. 1855.

ENTERED, ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS, IN THE YEAR 1852, BY

SILAS ANDRUS & SON,

IN THE CLERK’S OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT COURT OF CONNECTICUT,

a ncrvessmnseasanms tga mcrae OCLC ATER on tte AC EON in COR teen TE iat ate moet, . ¥ oun,

AALS

ocoise

Yow) winks

ANTIQUITIES.

THE FIRST BOOK

REPORTING

THE DESIGN WHERE-ON, THE SEVERAL COLONIES } AND PEOPLE WHERE-BY, ) ( PLANTED.

WITH

RELATING TO

AND

COTTON MATHER.

(SO MIGHTY WAS THE WORK TO FOUND CHRIST’S EMPIRE HERE}

HARTFORD: SILAS ANDRUS & SON, 1855.

Tue Publisher of this second Edition of Dr. Mather’s Magnalia, has long been sensibie of the great demand for the Work, both by literary men and all others who wish to be acquainted with the early history of our country. The first Edition was published in London in the year 1702, in a Folio Volume of 788 pages. A considerable number of Copies were soon brought into New-England; yet, as many of these are lost, and the work is not to be obtained in England but with difficulty, it has become very scarce. In some instances it has been sold at a great price, but, in most cases, those who have been desirous to possess, or even to read the volume, have been unable to procure it.

The Magnalia is a standard work with American Historians, and must ever continue to be such, especially, respecting the affairs of New-England. To this portion of our country, always distinguished for emigrations, a great part cf the population of New-York, the most important state in the American confederacy, and of all the western states north of the Ohio, will always trace their origin. Nor will the lapse of ages, diminish their respect fur the land of their forefathers.

The work now presented to the American public contains the history of the Fathers of New-England, for about eighty years, in the most authentic form. No man since Dr. Mather’s time, has had so good an opportunity as he enjoyed to consult the most authentic documents. The greater part of his facts could be attested by living witnesses and the shortest tradition, or taken from written testimonies, many of which have since perished. The situation and character of the author afforded him the most favourable opportunities to obtain the documents necessary for his undertaking. And no historian would pursue a similar design with greater industry and zeal.

The author has been accused of credulity. This charge, however, will not be advanced with confidence by those well acquainted with the character of the times of which he treats. The great object of the first Planters of New-England was to form A Curistian Common. WEALTH—a design without a parallel in ancient or modern times. The judicious reader would expect to discover, in the annals of such a people, churacters.and events not to be found in the history of other communitics.—The geography and natural history of the country were

not the principal objects of the author’s attention, and, on these subjects, he has fallen into some mistukes,

The work is both a civil and an ecclesiastical history.—The large portion of it devoted to Biography, affords the reader a more distinct view of the leading characters of the times, than could have been given in any other form. ,

The author’s language is peculiarly his own. In the rapidity of his manner, he could pay but little attention to his style. Such as it is, it has been thought best to retain it, in

vi PREFACES.

this Edition, as well as his orthography, unaltered.* The Titles of D. D. and F. R. S. were given to Dr. Mather after the publication of this work, and are now annexed to his name in the title-page.

Many omissions in the original work have been recommended, but the publisher concludes to retain the whole.—He is sensible of the risk of publishing so large a work, at the present time. But relying on the utility of the object, he entertains a hope that the liberality of the public will save him from loss.

T. R. Hartford, Connecticut, June 1st, 1820.

Wuen I encouraged Mr. Anprus, some thirty years since, to républish the Venerable Maena ia, it was supposed that few copies would be sold. A small part of the community, even, knew of the existence of the work. It was first printed in England, in 1702. The most of the second edition was soon disposed of, and for some years past has been scarce. The demand for the work is now increasing. The History of New-England cannot be written without this authority. It is equally important in the department of Biography and History, Civil and Ecclesiastical. It is stated, in the Preface before us, that “The great object of the first Planters of New-England was to form A Curistian ComMONWEALTH.” That is finely suggested by ‘he Author, in the elegant quotation from the great Latin Poet, with a small variation, “ Tante Molis eral, pro Curisto condere Gentem.” And now we may say, by the favour of Heaven, THE WoRK Is DONE. The world looks with amazement on a great Country, united in one territory, more extensive than Rome, a great population in rapid increase, all looking for Salvation in the name of the Divine Nazarene.

THOMAS ROBBINS, Hartford, June 1st, 1852.

* It will be perceived that there is not by any means a uniformity in the orthography of this edition; but whether the discrepancies are aitributable to the author or to the former printers, it is impossible now to deter mine. Except where palpable errors had been overlooked, the copy of the last edition has been strictly followed in regard to orthography, although many material deviations have been made in the typography. Quotation marke have been introduced, in lieu of putting the numerous quotations in italic, to correspond with the antique style; and a difference has been made in the type for the original text and that for the documentary portion and extracts ; thereby so distinctly marking each, that they cannot be easily confounded.—TyPoGRaPner.

VOLUME I.

BOOK I. ANTIQUITIES.—IN SEVEN CHAPTERS.—WITH AN APPENDIX.

BOOK II.

CONTAINING THE LIVES OF THE GOVERNORS AND NAMES OF THE MAGISTRATES OF NEW-ENGLAND —IN THIRTEEN CHAPTERS.—WITH AN APPENDIX.

BOOK III.

THE LIVES OF SIXTY FAMOUS DIVINES, BY WHOSE MINISTRY THE CHURCHES OF NEW-ENGLAND HAVE BEEN PLANTED AND CONTINUED.

VOLUME II.

BOOK IV. AN ACCOUNT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE IN NEW-ENGLAND—IN TWO PARTS. PART i. CONTAINS THE LAWS, THE BENEFACTORS, AND VICISSITUDES OF HARVARD COLLEGE, WITH REMARKS UPON IT. PART II. THE LIVES OF SOME EMINENT PERSONS EDUCATED IN IT.

BOOK YV. ACTS AND MONUMENTS OF THE FAITH AND ORDER IN THE CHURCHES OF NEW-ENGLAND, PASSED IN THEIR SYNODS; WITH HISTORICAL REMARKS UPON THOSE VENERABLE ASSEMBLIES, #ND A GREAT VARIETY OF CHURCH-CASES OCCURRING AND RESOLVED BY THE SYNODS OF THOSE CHURCHES.—IN FOUR PARTS.

BOOK VI.

A FAITHFUL RECORD OF MANY ILLUSTRIOUS, WONDERFUL PROVIDENCES, BOTH OF MERCIES AND JUDGMENTS ON DIVERS PERSONS IN NEW-ENGLAND.—IN EIGHT CHAPTERS,

BOOK VII.

THE WARS OF THE LORD—BEING AN HISTORY OF THE MANIFOLD AFFLICTIONS AND DISe TURBANCES OF THE CHURCHES IN NEW-ENGLAND, FROM THEIR VARIOUS ADVERSARIES, AND THE WON. 8RFUL METHODS AND MERCIES OF GOD IN THEIR DELIVERANCE. IN SIX CHAP= TERS. TO WHICH IS SUBJOINED, AN APPENDIX OF REMARKABLE OCCURRENCES WHICH

Baxter, Joseph, min. of Medfield, 87; gr. #. c. ii... 32 Baxter, Richard, letter to Elivt, 583; benefactor to

Wilh rvrcrveccssoveescvoneageveevenves seveee Beers, Capt. sent to subdue the Indians, ii..... eee She Beggars, their ecarcity in New England,.......... 108

Belcher, Joseph, min, of Dedham, 87; gr. Hu. c. ii. 38

PAGE Beic her, Sam’, min. of W. Newbury, 87; gr. H.c. ii, 31 Bellingham, John, Qt. H.C. finssscscesescecceevee Ol Bellingham, Richard, an original grantee of Massachusetts, 67; governor of Mass..........eeeeee8 197 Bellingham, Samuel, gr. H.C. ti... ee eee cece eeeeee Gh Bennet, Andrew, wonderfully preserved at sea, ii.. 348 Berry, Thomas, gr. 1. C. the..sccececceecsecceeseee Oh Bethel, Slingsby, “ Interest of Europe,”.........+. 89 Bickford, Thomas, his bravery,.....sseeeceeeeeees O27 Billings, Richard, gr. 11. C.bic.seececeeeseeceecees 32 Hishop, James, mag. of Connecticut,........++++++ 163 Bishops of England, commended and reproved,... 251 Blackman, Adam, min. of Stratford, 2355 of Milford, 396 ; his plain preaching, 397 ; Melancthon’s Epitaph by Beza, applicable to,.........eeeeee0 397 Blackman, Benjamin, gr. H.C. ii.....cssecececeeee ol Blackman, Capt. seizes on the Indians at Saco, ii.. 584 Blackmore, Dr. Richard, his epic poem,.......... 65 Blackstone, William, an episcopalian,.........+.. 243 Blinman, Richard, min. of Glocester, 235; returns to England,.......ccccccccsecsccceererescceees OOO Blowers, Thomas, gr. H. 0. bis... .ceeseeeceeeeees 32 Bomaseen, sagamore, signs treaty of peace, ii...... 626 Book of Common Prayer, disputed about,......... 72 Boston, Old, (St. Botulph’s town,]....+eseseeeseee D4 Boston, metropolis of the whole English America, 15; N. E. Church gathered at, 79; chief town of N, England, 90; called “ Lost-town,” 91; ten fires in, 92; highly favoured of Heaven, 95; guarded by angels, 96; its widows helped, 97; its drinking and disreputable houses, 100; idleness in reproved, 102; fire at, 104; Dr. John Owen prevented from Visitingy...... ce ceeeceeeeeveee iscwneers oes 245 Bowers, John, gr. x. c. ii. 30; minister of Rye, i... 88 Bowles, John, gr. H.C. ibe. cc ccc eeeccceescescee Ol Bracket, Anthony, escapes from the Indians, ii. 609 ; killed at Casco, 593; services against Indians,... 637 Bradford, Maj. aids in the great battle with the Narragansetts, ii, 569; subsequent fight with Inds... 574 Bradford, William, gov. of Plymouth, his life, ii, 109 ; adventure ina Dutch ship, ¢b.; his mastership of languages, 113; his temper and government, 7d. ;

Indians at Pernaquid,............4. ooe eee seoee 639 Bradstreet, Madam Ann (Dudley),.......... seoee 135 Bradstreet, Samuel, gr. H.C. ii........ 600s eae. 30 Bradstreet, Simon, gr. H.C. di.... cece ee eer eee cee 32 Bradstreet, Simon, gr. 8. C. dic... cece eee cece eee 31 Brainfurd, Connecticut, planted,........c0.s.eeee - 83 Brasile, attempts to settle,.........sseeeeeereeeres 39 Brattle, Thomas, gr. H. Cc. ii............ soveseoees OL

Brattle, William, tutor and temporary governor of H. ¢. ii. 195 gr. H.c. 31; min, of Cambridge, i... 87 Brattlebank, Captain; his slaughter of Indians, and

death, ii.............- errr CCRC 571 Brecy, Brucy, min. of Brainford, 235; ret’ns to Eng. 588 Brewster, Nathaniel, gr. H.C. di... cece ee eee eee ee 30 ‘Brewster, William, his aid at Leyden, 47; elder of

the churchy......ccccceccesecerecees vadeeeeee. 63 Bridges, Robert, ass’t mag. of Massachusetts, Neaties 141 bridgham, John, gr. H.C. di... cece ee eee eee eee ee a1 Brigden, Zachariah, gr. H.C. di... e ee. cee eee. 30

Brinsmend, William, min. of Marlborough, 87; ii.. 28 Brock, Jobn, gr. 4. c. ii. 305 born at Stradbrook, Suff, 35; min. of Reading, 36; prayers answered, 38 Bronsdon, Robert, favonrable mention of, ii...... 429 Brown, Cupt. pursues ihe Indians at Lancaster, ii.. 639

PAGE Brown, Edmund, min. of Sudbury,...........+6++ 235 Brown, James, mag. of New Plymouth, 117; minister Of BWANSEY,......cccecccecesecceccecccecs GOT Brown, John, 67; mag. of Now Plymouth,........ 117 Brown, John, strange sight at Glucester, ii........ 621 Brown, John, his fumily captured by Indians,..... 622 Brown, Joseph, Bt. H.C. ii..seccccesecccescceeees OL Brown, Richard, gr. H.C. fi.....cccccceccssceeces 32 Brown, Samuel,.......cecescscccccsccececesceces 67 Brown, William, ass’t mng.....ceeccceceeseeccee 14 Brown, Alexander, ass’t mag. of Connecticut,..... 163 Buckingham, Stephen, minister of Norwalk, 88 ; Buckingham, Thomas, minister of Hartfurd, 88; of Saybrook, ib.3 Gr. . C. ties scceceececccceeeeee 32 Bulkley, Gershom, gr. H.C. iis... .cccceescceseces BU Bulkley, John, gr. 4. c. ii 30 Bulkley, Peter, min. of Concord, 235, 2373; his origin in Bedfordshire, family, and education, 400; nonconformity, ib.; discord with ruling elders at Concord, 402; family, 403; death and epitaph,.. 404 Bulkley, Peter, gr. H.C. ii..sccccscecesvcccccscess BL Bunker, Benjamin, gr. H.C. ii.....ececceeeeessees Bl Burden, John, gt. H.C. ii... eccecccecceccceccseces 20 Burgis, William, secretary,.......cccsseecececcces 142 Burniff, Mons. gen. of the French at Wells fight, ii, 614 Burr, Jonathan, his birth and education, 368; pious habits of life, 370; min. of Dorchester, 372; his modest vow to the service of God, 373; approved by Mr. Hooker, 374; death and epitaph, 375;

Hee eee cece rrereccecee

30 Burr, Samuel, gr. H.C. iic.ceccccccccccessessecse B2 Burroughs, George, gt. H.C. iie.scecceccceeeseces Bl Bussie family, cut off by Indians, ii............... 587 Butler, Henry, gr. 4. C. ii. eccccccccccccccceccess 30

Cabots, early discoveries of the,........escesesees 43 Canterbury, Archbishop of, favours Puritans,..... 49 Cape Ann, attempts to settle,........ceccceeeceses 66 Cape Cod, origin of the name Of,.........ee.e0005 44 Capen, Joseph, min. of Topsfield, 87; gr... c.ii.. 41 Carter, Samuel, gr. H.C. ii. cece ce ccceeceeeceeee BM Carter, Thomas, minister of Woborn,............. 237 Carver, John, chosen governor,........seeeeeeeee 52 Case, Tom, prodigies of, among the Quakers, ii.... 528 Casteen, Mons. and cause of Ind. wars in Maine, ii. 586 Catechisms, publishers of, in New England, ii..... 179 Catharine de Medicis, queen of France, 139; her magician’s prophetical exhibition,.............. 139 Catter, Mary, remarkably preserved from famine at Casco, ii....... ce ceeeccesccvccccccsccccccvesse OAS Chapman, Robert, mag. of Connecticut,........... 163 Chase, Barnabas, gr. H.C. ii... ce ese ceececeeceees SL Chase, Charles, pres. . c. ii. 145 gr. w. cc. ii....... 92

Chase, Elnathan, gr. H.C. fin... cee cece cee cocee Sl Chase, Ichabod, gr. u. c. ii. 30 Chase, Isaac, gr. H.C. ii... . eee - 32 Chase, Isaac, gr. H. Cc. ii...... ee eeecccccccess BO Chase, [srael, gr. H.C. din... ee eee eee sececcecee Ol Chase, Nathaniel, gr. H.C. ii... eee c eee e ee eee ee 31

Chauncy, Charles, min. of Fairfleld, 88 ; of Scituate, 235; birth in Hartfurdshire, 464; scholarship and preaching, 465; persecution, and his course, 466; parliamentary complaints against, 467; president of H, c. 4683 religious habits and belief from his diary, 471; his‘course as president of 1. c. 472; theological cautions, 473; epitaph,............. 476

PAGE 173; minpescccces LIT 4 | ans,....+ 632 soccccees oh sevcccces OB scccccece OF seveevece 14 icut,..... 163 walk, 88; seeceecee 38 rd, 88; of sesceceee BO 1s his orition, 400; t elders at epitaph,.. 404 eccccccee Ol sovcccces 142 Is fight, ii, 614 308 ; pious, 372; his $ approvlaph, 3755

eseeeseee SBT cececcees 30

ceoceveee 43 Ue wocsccces 44 H.C. ii... Yl coscccee OL covcccee Ode cotccese 88 rs, ii... 528 aine, ii. 586 id, ii... 179 139; her

INDEX. xiii

PAGE Chauncey, Israel, minister of Fairfleld,........ ... &8 Cheeschaumuk, Caleb, gr. H.C. fi... sesesesceeee Jl Cheever, Sam’l, min. of Marblehead, 87; gr. u.0.ii, 31 Cheever, Thomas, gr. 8. Cc il.....cececeseeeeeeeee Ol Chemical speculations,......cecccccsesccccvecess 165 Children, instances of numerous, in some families, 517 Chub, Pasco, commander at Fort Pemaquid; his

treachery and murder of Indian chiofs, ii, 632;

basely surrenders the fort to French and Indians,

633; himself and wife murdered at Andover,.... 639 Church covenant adopted, 71; church at Lyn gathcred, 79; remuants of popery in protestant ch’ch,

76; church at Roxbury gathered,........e0000+5 79 Church discipline in New England, remarks on, ii, 237 Church, Capt. his severe contest with the Indians at

Pocasset, ii. 562; further encounters and slaughtor, 574—576; ordered to Casco Bay,...........- 608 Church, John, informs of Indians at Winnopisseag

ponds, ii. 590; is slain by Indians at Quocheco,.. 633 Churches, ecclesiastical map of, 86; farewell of pilgrims to English, 74; at East-Humpshire,....... 86 Clap, John, his remarkable juvenile piety, ii...... 480 Clap, Nathan’, min, of Newport, R. I. 87; gr. Hu. c.ii, 32 Clark, John, min. of Exeter, 88; gr. u. cc. ii....... 32 Clark, Johny gr. 8. Cr di... cc cccceceecececcteecess OB Clark, Lieut. ——, his fight with Indians at Casco,

ANd death... csrcccceveeccesecccsecssecsesees GOS Clark, Nathaniol, gr. H.C. tin... cece ceceeeeecveces 32 Clark, Samuel, his account of evil spirits and their

HON, Hi. recsecccccvcccccesccccccccccccccsescs SOL Clifton, Mr. Richard,......ceccccsscscccceccessece 110 Cobbet, Samuel, gr. H.C. iin... ccc ceecceeesceeee SL Cobbet, Thomas, min. of Lyn, 235; birth in Newbury, England, 518; accompanies Mr. Davenport

to New Englund,......csscecsscsescccvecececes SIG Coddington, William, ass’t mag... Terre ere © Coit, Joseph, gr. H. Cr tb. e eee ceeeseeeccceesesces BS Coligni, Gasper, his attempt to settle America,.... 39 Collier, William, mag. of New Plymouth,......... 117 Columbina, the just name for America,........... 41 Confession of Faith by New England churches, ii.. 182 Connecticut, magistrates Of,........cececccesesese 162 Convers, Captain James, his march to Albany frustrated, ii. 603; his proceedings at Wells, 613; major, and made commissioner to the Indians,..... 642 Cole, Ann, her troubles with a witch, ii........... 448 Cole, Thomas and family, slain at Wells, ii........ 632 Collins, John, gr. #. c. ii. 30; death and epitaph,.. 140 Collins, Nathaniel, gr. H.C. fis... ccc ceeeeeseveee Ol Collins, Nathaniel, gr. #. c. ii... eveccccccsce SB Colman, Benjamin, gr. H.C. fi... .eceeeeeeceeceee 32 Commenius, J. Amos, solicited to the presidency of

Harvard college, ii......ceceecceececcccceececs 14 Cook, Elisha, ass’t mag. of Massachusetts,........ 141 Cooke, Elisha, gr. 8. C.ii...ccecccccescecscceeeee Ol

Cooke, Elisha, gr. #. c. ii.... 32 Cooke, Joseph, gr. x. c. ii.... 31 Cooke, Joseph, gr. H.C. fis... .cccecececcceeveee Sl

Cotton, John, min, of Plymouth, 87; of Hampton, 88; of Boston, 235; his eminence, 246; his connection with the prosperity of Boston, 253 ; parentage, ib. ; early education, 254; ministry at Boston, England, 257; first marriage, 258; secona marriage, 262; his persecution in England, 264; is at Bostog, New England, 265; dissensions in his

Pause church, 267; Dr, Hoornbeck’s unchuritbale charges against his theology, 263; bis readings and scriptural researches, 270 ; his last sermon, 271; death, and numerous eulogies thereon, 273; character,

277; habits of life, 278; proverbial charities, 279 ; description of his person, 260; his trentises and published discourses, 281 ; advice to the fuctitious petitioners to parliament, 283; descendants, 285 ; OPllOPrrecircdeveidrcccceederesdveecneseecvere MM

Cotton, Rowland, gr. H.C. ti........

Cowlson, Christopher, ase’t mag...........se00086 LAL Craddock, Matthew, ass’t mag. of New England,.. 141 Crane, Jasper, mag. of Connecticut,........0.0066. 16 Cretchet, Charics, his sufferings at sea, and preser- VALION, Hho eesccccccverecccrcccesessccccccccccs SOL Cromwell, Oliver, prevented from emigrating tu America,......... eoeeeeccconereeccceesecteens 90 Crosby, Thomas, gr. H.C. iin... ccc cceececneseces 30 Cudworth, Capt. his success against the Indians at Swanzey, ihe. ccrccrccccccevevevevceees coceeeee 562 Cudworth, James, mag. of New Plymouth,........ 117 Cullick, John, mag. of Conn., 162; gr. u.¢. ii..... Sl Curtis, Winlock, his troubles ‘with spirits, or unseen agencies at sea, ii. 465; death,...........eee005 405 Cushing, Caleb, min. of Salisbury, 87; gr. H.c. fi.. 32 Cushing, Jeremiah, min. of Scituate, 87; gr... ii, 32 Cutler, Nathaniel, gr. H.C. ii... .. cece e eee veceeee BL Cutler, Peter, gr. H.C. ii... cece cece cece ceeeeenes 3B Cutt, Mrs. Ursula, barbarously murdered by Indians at Piscatequa river, ii... ...cseccecceeceeeceees OMT

Dagget, Capt. Thomas, his fucts of witchcraft, ii... 426 Dalton, Timothy, minister of Hampton,........... 2% Danforth, J. his pindaric on Mather, 21; minister

Of Dorchester,........ccscccccscccecrevcece- see OF Danforth, Jonathan, gr. H. c. ii........ sevcceseoes OL Danforth, John, gr. 4. ¢. ii. 315 min. of Dorchester, 521 Danforth, Samuel, min. of Taunton, 87; gr. H. c.

ii. 30; family, 59; colleague with Mr. Eliot, 603;

Marriage, 625 epitaph,......ccccccscecececcees GA Danforth, Samuel, gr. H.C. ii...... cee eee eeceeee BL Dare, Ananias, his daughter the first white child

born in Virginia,........ eorcccccccscvccevoccce, St Darset, Joseph, gr. H. gs ii......... ae eegeeet coven. BR Davenport, Addington. gr. 1. C. fins... cece eee eee 32

Davenport, John, min. of Stamford, 88; birth and parentage, 321; goes to Holland, 324; to N. Eng.

and min. of N. Haven, 325; removes to Boston,

567; killed in the Narraganset fight,............ 568 | Davie, Edmuni, gr. 8. C. ii,.... ee see eeee cosecese Ol Davy, Humpbrey, ass’t mag. of New England,..... 131 Davies, William, his adventures at sea with unseen

BBENCHIES, Ti... ce ceceseeceeveceveccesececececs 405 Daviz, John, gr. it. CG. ti... cee cece e ewes Davis, Major, his captivity, ii.......... Dawezg, Lieut. in the Indian war of 1689, Ah ‘ Day, Ezekiel, his strange sights at Glucester, i. see 622 Dean, Francis, min. of Andover,......s.seeeeeese QT Delft-Haven, embarkation ot,......sececscesesees 49 Dellius, Godfrey, Dutch min. at Albany, fi........ 431 Denham, Mr. min. of Martha’s Vineyard,......... 87

PAGE Denison, Daniel, ase’t mag. of New England, 141; major-general of Masa., 142; gr. H.C. theeeeeees 32 Denison, George, gr. 4. c. ti. 32; with his company make grent slaughter of Indiang,.... soeeee OVD Denison, John, ar. 1. C. eee e eee eeee al Deniaon, William, gr. H. c. Wesssseeeeserersreees al Denton, Richard, min, of Stamford, Ct, 235; provie ously of Weatherstield, 308; his system of divinity, and [email protected] GOD Dermer, Mr. restores Squanto the Indian to his COURITY,..seceeeee Desborough, John, mag. of Cunnecticut,........++ Desborough, Nicholas, his connection with evil BPlrite, ih.eseccreceereeerveceveeveevsevevecees Devil, —— peopled America by sending Indians into it,.. Devil-worship, 13; ii......seeee Deviliem, among Quakers, ii.....seeeeeseeeeeeece Digby, Sir Kenelm, a benefactor of n. c, ii........ Diodorus, Siculus, his first account of America,,.. Discovery of America, speculations on the,....... Divorce, ecclesiastical rules for, ti...... Doddridge, John, a benefactor of H.C. fi...... eee Dolliver, Richard, eces strange sights at Glocester, ii. Done, John, mag. of New Plymouth,...........04. * Doney, Robin, sag. signs agreement for peace, ii... Dorchester, church “athered fAty.......eeeeeeeeeee Downing, George, gt. H. Co ihesceccceceeeeeeeee tee Downing’s daughter, wonderful escape from death at Kittery, ii....... aa! Drake, Sir Francis,.......-eeeeesseees ROR erie Driver, Robert, his crime and execution, ii... Dudley, Joseph, his government in New England, ‘$395 ase’t mag. 1415 gr. uc. ii...... Dudley, Panl, gr. H.C. dice cece eee ee veda bonnes Dudley, Tnomas, Esq, deputy gov’r, 73; his birth and parentage, 132; commissioned captain by Queen Elizabeth, 132; marriage, 133; stewardship with the earl of Lincoln, i6.; his letter to the countess, 1343 death, 7b.; his daughter, Mad. Ann Bradstreet, 135; epitaph, id.; gr. uc. ii... 30 ‘ Dudley, Thomas, gr. . c. ii.. . 3 Dummer, ass’t mag. of N. England,............ eee 141 Dummer, Shubael, gr. u. c. ii. 30; his ministry at York, 612; death by Indians, éb.; epitaph,...... 613 ‘ Dunen, Jonathan, a Quaker, his conduct at Marshfield, ii....... Dunster, Henry, min. at Cambridge, 235; president "of H.0. ii, 103 1.406; revisedhe metrical psalms, ib.3 epitaph... cee cceesBeceececcvees eeeeee 408 Dustan, Hannah, captivity an@ heroic exploit of, ii. 634 Dutch, their profaneness at Leyden,........ 47 Dutten, Wm., sufferings at sea, and deliverance, ii. 347 Dwight, Josiah, min. of Woodstock, 87; gr. 1. c. il. Dymmock, Captain, of Barnstable, slain by Indians _ at Casco Bay, ii..........

East, David, his escape from Spaniards, fi........ Eastabrook, Benjamin, gr. H.C. fi... . ccc cece eens " Eastabrook, Joseph, minister of Concord,......... Eaton, Nathaniel, his connection with H. ¢, ii..... Eaton, Samuel, min. of N. Haven, 235; parentage in Cheshire, Eng., 585; burial, 580; gr. Hu. ¢. ii.. Eaton, Theophilus, plants New Haven, 8&3; its gov. ib.3 ass’t mag. N. England, 141; comes with Mr. Hopkins to New England, 144; favoured by the king of Denmark,........ eRe Siois 998.0% CCT Ebenezer, [see Buston,]........6....6 ba cdewe seebe

ee eeeveee

Ce meee er eccreneeesece

INDEX.

PAGs Ecclesiastical Map of Churches in N. England, 86;

changes in England,........:sccsceesceceeseees 200 Edgeremett, with other sagamores, sign a treaty of

peace, ti. 610; his Aght at Wells, 614; signs an

agreement of peace, 626; treacherously killed by

Chub, .crcccrescccrevcccecccsvcvcesceevssevss O88 Edwards, Timothy, minister of Andover Farms, 88;

Ble We Co ibrrccrecvcrcccccccscccscccscrsveseeccs oD Eliot, Abigail, singular preservation of, ii......... 356 Eliot, John, minister of Roxbury, 235; his sons in

America, 241; birth, age, and family, 529; conversion and removal to New England, 530; eminence for piety, 531; care and zeal for the Lord's day, 535; temperate life, 538; charity, 540; apecial attainments, 542; ministerinl accomplishments, 545; family government, 547; attention to children, 549; church discipline, 5523; evangeliam,

556; success with the Indians, 562; his Indian

translation of the Bible, 564; latter life and death,

575; Baxter’s letter on his character, 583; gr. 1.

c. ii. 30; his preaching refused iy the pai gaie

oag Indians, to their destruction,.. seveeeee 390 Eliot, John, gr. H. Cc iisccc cece cceeececseeseeeseee Oh Eliot, Joseph, gr. 8. C. ties. ccceecseeseeeeereeees Ob Eliot, Joseph, gr. tt. Cr iis. cecceeececeeeereesecees Bl Eliot, Samuel, gr. H.C. fis. scec cece cere ee ee eeees. 3i Ellary, Benjamin, strange sights at Glocester, ii... 622 Emerson, Join, minister of Glocester and Manchestor, 875 gre He. Wie. c eee e cece ee eee Emerson, John, gr. .c. fi........

Emerson, John, gr. H.C, ii....... tee Emerson, John, death by Indians, ii....... Encounter, the first with Indians,..............006 Endicot, John, original grantee of Measuchusette,

67; governor, 137; ass’t mag. 1413; maj. gen. of

N. Englund, 142; birth-place and parentage, 1505

suffering by sickness, 152; death and epitaph,.. Endicott, Capt. sent against the snvages,......... é Epes, Daniel, gr. 11. c. ii.. Epes, Samuel, gr. H. ©. fi... . es. eee eaeeitneaes ve Epigram on the Mathers,...........

Esterbrook, Benjamin, gr. H. c. ii.... Esterbrook, Joseph, gr. u. c. ii.... Esterbrook, Samuel, gr. H. ¢. ii...

Eveleth, John, ae Oe | Re

Execution of W. C. ii. 408; of James Mor AN,..

Fairbanks, Mary, taken captive by tdians, ii Farnham, Capt. slain by Indians at Pemaquid, ii... Feavour, Nicholas, his crime and execution,...... Fen, Benjamin, mag. of Connecticut,............. Festus, a divine at Leyden,. Filer, John, gr. H.C. fie... cece eee eeee es aereiee oe Finch, Mons. his disaster with the natives, Firmin, Giles, his remarks concerning nonconformity, 427; his “ Real Christian,”............. Gisiers Fisher, Daniel, a magistrate,........sseceseeeee. Fish, John, minister of Chelmsford, 235; birth and brothers, 497; embarks for New England in disguise, 478; preaches at Salem, 1d.; his inflrmities, 479; death and epitaph,...........ee eee ee Fiske, Moses, min. of Braintree, shee gr. H.C. ii... Fitch, Jabez, gr. W. Codie... cee ee eet e eee eeceses. Fitch, James, min. of Norwich, Ct. 88, 237; m: ang. . Flag, Lieut. slain by Indians, ii. Flint, Henry, min. of ch ts 234; names of his twin, 443; epitaph,.........06- sececeee 443 Flint, Thornas, ass’t nag, of N. ‘England,.. Veoeneebd lel

PAGE “e 86; ) a treaty of 1; signs an ly killed by tadeecces + 632

boeesveees Of | er 356 his sons in 9 5203 con: 53903 emlthe Lord's y, 540; apeccomplish- Attention to vangelism, his Indian and death, 5835 gr. HL | Wampanester, li... 622 1 Manehées

suchusetts, aj. gen. of ntage, 1505 epitaph,.. 155

Ap Linc 643 uid, ii... 501 Dye veee 408 wb ewiae as 162 aaeaa 47 wives oe aPeneee 66 onform- Sere 588 KC 141 rth and in disinflrmi- Sai clase 480 c. ii 31 Are 32 mag.. 163 uikaies’s 607 of his veece 443

Sate PSRs oe

Sgt

ree

INDEX. Xv

PAGE Flynt, Honry, Qi. 1. 0. lisssoecccseevecceveeseeees OB Flynt, Josiah, Qr. He Oc thesseccseeeeecceeececeses Ol Floyd, Capt. his fight with Indians at Wheelwright’s pond, li, G07; at Wells,.....sccceseccereveceees O19 Fordham, Jonah, gt. H. C.ib...secesccceeereceeeee Ol Fordham, Robert, min, of Southampton, L, I..... 235 Fortune-tellers, at Port Royal, Jamaica,........... 99 Foster, Isaac, gr. He O. esses eceeseeeeseeees 31 Foster, John, @r. Hu. ¢. ti. 31; his we favourably

mentioned,....eeeieeee occececcccccs 408 Fox, Jabez, min. of Woburn 87; 5 ar. .0.fi...... 31 Fox, John, Martyrologist,.. coccccccececcens U6 Fox, Jobn, gr. 8. 0. theese eee ee eeeeecevere eooeee OB

Foxcroft, George, 67; ase’t mag. of N. E.....6.... 141 Freeman, Edmund, mag. of New Plymouth,...... 117 Freeman, John, mag. of New Plymouth,.......... 117 Frobisher, Martin, an early navigator to America, 44 Frost, Major, Charles, shot by Inde. at Berwick, il. 637 Fuller, Capt. his severe contest with the Indians at

Pocasset, il...... onsen eeneeeneeveecess seveeee 562 Fuller, Nicholas, his name for America, . coscceeee 41 Faller, Dr. Thomas, often mistaken,........ coeoes Ol

Gale, Theophilus, a benefactor to H. 6. fi.......... 1 Gallop, ——, killed at Narragansett fight, fi....... . 568 Gardner, Andrew, Qf. H.C. ihe. ecccceeccecececece 32 Gardner, John, his letter from Nantucket on ‘the Indiens, il...... pe reeeecesonce occerecccsceces ++ 432 Gurdner, Joseph, Cz -ptain in Philip’s war, it mer kilied in Narragansett fight,......ssee00 + . 568 Garner, Capt. bis pursuit of the Indians, ih. seceeee 599 Gendal, Capt, surprised by the Indians, ii........ . 586 Gerish, Capt, John, his garrison troubled with the Indians, ii.. ce ecereceseteceeecesescssceces OUR Gerrish, Joseph, min. of Wenham, 87; gr. H.c. ii, 31 Gerrish, Sarah, her captivity at Quocheco, fi, 592; return to her friends,........0+ee0+ seeceseeeees JOO

Gibbons, Edward, ass’t mag. of New England, 141; major-gen. 142; remarkable sea deliverance, ii.. 345 Gibbs, Henry, gr. H.C. bi... cece cece eens coccccee Ol Gidney, Bartholomew, ass’t mag. of N. Eng....... 141 Gilbert, Bartholomew, an early navigator to Am’ca, 44 Gilbert, Matthew, mag. of Connecticut,........... 162 Gilbert, Thomas, min. of Topsfield, 237; epitaph at Charlestown,.....secseecsecceeeceresscssevenes 597 Giles, Thomas, treucherously killed by Inds. fi..... 590 Gilson, William, mag. of N. Plymouth,.......... ~iHt Glover, John, ass’t mag. of N. E. 1415 gr. u.c.ii.. 30 Glover, John, gr. H. Cs ties ceccee cece eeeceeeeeees 30 Goff, Thomas, 67; ass’t mag. of N. England,...... 141 Gog and Magog, speculations On,......seeeeeeeees 46 Gold, Nathan, mag. of Connecticut,.........-e000. 162 Goodwin, John, of Boston; his trouble with invisible spirits, and his four children, fi............ 456

Goodridge, --— and wife, murdered at Rowley, ii. 611 Goodwin, Mehitabel, her captivity among Inds., ii. 598 Goodyear, Stephen, mag. of Connecticut,......... 162 Gookin, Daniel, min. of Sherborn, 87; ass’t mag. of

succeeds Mr, Eliot as minister in Natick,........ 439 Gosnold, Capt. Bartholomew, early voyage to Am’a, 44 Gorton, Samuel, his religious belief and practice, ii, 503 Gouge, James, commands a sloop at Wells fight, ii. 614

Government, remarks On,........ccecceesccceeees 107 Governors of New England, Lives of,..........+.. 105 Grafton, John, remarkably preserved at sea, ii..... 347 Graves, Thomas, gr. H.C. fi... . cc cece eee seeeee — 30 Greek Authors, allusions t0,...........++ cocccese 3B

Page Green, ——, minister of Reading,...........0eee00 25 Green, Joseph, gr. H.C. ile. .ceccccccsscsccscesves OD Green, Percival, gr. H. 0. il.......605 cove SM Greenleaf, Capt, his proceedings ‘at Wells, Mei ne 613 Greenough, William, th......ccceceecereccecceees 405

Greensmith, ——, executed for witchcraft, li...... 449 Greenwood, Isaac, gr. H. 0. ti... sceseceeseceeees. Greenwood, William, gr. H. 0. th... cece cee eeee. 8 Grigeon, Thomas, mag. of Connecticut,........... 162 Grosvénor, William, gr. 8.0. Hew. e cece ececeeeeee 32 Guiana, contemplated as a place of emigration from Leyden,..ceceserececsecccosecees aeeeeeeenese 49 Guilford, Connecticut, planted,...........e.eee0e. 88 Gunston, ——, a benefactor to m1, c. ii,......... re | | H. Hadden, George, gt. 8. Gril... cece eceeeeceeecees 32 Haines, John, shosen gov’r, 135; ase’t mag....... - 141 Hale, John, minister of Beverly, 87; gr. 1. c. ii. 30; strange things at Glocester,........sesceesevees 621 Hale, Robert, gr. #. ©. fl..... eo eeeeecerences coves Haley, —--, sergeant in the Indian wars, ji...... + 633

Hall, Capt. Nathaniel, engagement with Inds. fi... 593 Hambden, Mr. deterred from emigrating toN. E.. 79 Hamlin, Giles, ase’t mag, of Connecticut,.......... 163 Hammond, John, strange sights at Glocester, ii.... 622 Hammond, Major, William, taken captive by Inds.

at Kittery, fi. 631; redeemed,..........sesceees 632 Hampshire, East, churches at,...... ceececeeececes 86 Hancock, John, gr. H.C. ih........e0006 teeecccece 32 Hancock, Mr. minister of York and Wells,........ 88 Hanley, Joseph, gr. 8. 0. fh... .secceccecceeeeces - 3 Harriman, John, gr. H.C. fi.........000. Kedeaggaee 3l Harris, ‘Thomas, his Quakerism. ii,............. + 529

Harvard College, president of, his caution relative to cases of witchcraft, 2.1; institution founded, 237; history of, ii. 7; advance of funds by General Court, 9; vieeeehy of John Harvard, 10; laws Ofjseccccccccccccccseces CEE COd TO Ae ER EN Harvard, John, minister of ‘Charlestown, 2353 hie agency in founding Harvard college,............ 237 Harvard, John, his bequest to Harvard eol. ii. 10; Wilson’s POEM ON,.....seeceerecccesereeeccens 33 Harlakenden, Roger, ass’t mag. of New England,.. 141 Hartford, settlement of—commenced from Cambridge, Mass......seccceeeeece Kee enkeareweeees 8l Harwood, George, & granted,,........eseceeceeees 67 Hazelrig, Sir Arthur, deterred from emigrating to

Now England,.....ccssseccessccecevees soeeeee 79 Hastings, John, gt. H.C. fi... . sce cee eeeeees cooee Ol Hatherly, Timothy, mag. of New Plymouth,....... 117

Hawthorn, John, ass’t mag. of New England,...... 141 Hawthorn, Capt. William, ass’t mag, of N. E. 141;

sent to subdue the Indians at Cascy, ii.......... 578 Haynes, John, gr. . ©. ii.........008 Mo ceccsece 30 Huynes, John, gr. . c. ii......... ccc eescens eoose 38 Haynes, Joseph, gr. H. c. ii. eee oeeeceeeeccseeeens 31 Heard, Elizabeth, sur)-rising adventures, and escape

Henchman, Capt. Daniel, his march against Inds. ii, 501 Henfield, Edmund, rescues Bennet and others at BOB, Li. reccccrccccccccvccescncecs etevereccene 340 Heylin, Dr. Pcter, often mistaken,........ wee Ol Hibbons, William, ase’t mag. of New England,... . 14 Higginson, Francis, min. of Salem, 235; the Noah or Janus of New England, 355; education, 356; circumstances of his nonconformity, 3573 condemns the drinking of healths, 359; called to N.

cence a:

Higginson, Juhn, hie Attestation to the Magnalia, 13—18; recorded in ecclesiastical map,.....++++ 87

Hildercham, Arthur, his connection with Antino- MUANIBM, Hho... ceeecccecescerececceeveccceress OOD

Kili, Cupt. John, his works for defence of Buco, il., 624

Hinkley, Thomas, mag. of New Plymouth,........ 117

Hoburt, Gershom, min, of Groton, 87; gr. #. ©. il,

31; remarkuble preservation at Gruton,,........ 627 Hobart, TJaphet, Br. H.C. bheccccececcceeresevevees Oh Hobart, Jeremiah, minister of Haddam, Conn’t, 88; ;

parentage, 497 ; comes to New England, 498; his

hatred of vice and intemperance, 499; afflictions and sickness, 500; death and cpitaph,.......... SOL

Hobart, sons by the name in New England,....... 241

Hobbamok, befriends the English,........secceses 57

Holioke, John, Br. H.C. tessecececcecccecccecsees ob

Hollanders, their intrigues with the master of the

to Englund, 586; place of burial,.......++se+0++ 587 Hooker, Sam’l, min. of Farmington, 88; gr.u.c. ii. 30 Hooker, Thomas, emigrates to Hartford, 81; peaceable state of his church, 248; birth and parentage,

eacape from Englund, 340; rebuked by a lad, 345;

charities at Hartford, 348; his theology, 347; his

Closing sermon and death, 350; epitaph,........ 351 Hope-Hood, an Indian, horribly murders a boy, ii.

598; is sluin by his friend Ly mistake,.......... 605

Hopkins, Edward, gov. of Connecticut, 143; birth, ib.; devotion to religion, and happy death, 147; epitaph, 148; a benefactor of H.0. fi..... -seee0 IL Hopkins, Stephen, mag. of New Plymouth,....... 117 Hopkins, William, mag. of Connecticut,.......... 162 Hornius, his discourses on the first peopling of AMETICA,. 0... cccccccceceeccccccrcsccscccccces 44 Hornybrook, John, signs a treaty of peace, fi...... 626 Hortado, Antonio, and wife, their troubles with invinibles, fi......cesecevceecee cecccccccccvces 4003 Hough, Atterton, ass’t mag. of New England,..... 141 Hough, Samuel, minister of Reading,.......++.++. 2937 Howe, Ephraim, his disastrous voyage from New Haven to Boston, ii........ cccccccccccccccccees G40 Howe, James, befitted saying of,........sseeeeeee BO Howe, John, his testimony on the life of Phipps,.. 164 Howell, John, ass’t mag. of Connecticut,......... - 163 Howkins, Anthony, mag. of Connecticut,......... 163 Howland, John, mag. of New Plymouth,.......... 117

Hubbard, John, gr. 8. C. fi... cccccecsevecvceses BS Hubbard, Nathaniel, gr. H. ©. ii... ....ceeeceeeees - 32 Hubbard, Richard, gr. #.¢. fi...... a sdeerveces 30

Hubbard, William, min. of Ipswich, 87; ar. H.C. ii 30 Huckins, Lieut. destruction of his garrison by Indians, ii..........065 seeeeenceccecerenececnsens OOS

INDEX,

paos Hudson's Rivor, destination of the Pilgrims,....... 50 Huet, Ephraim, minister of Windaor,......+++++++ 296 Hugolinue, Bulgarus, first bestowment of Doctor's title, toy fl......- evens Cevceccneconcocceoocenes Me Hull, George, mag. of Connecticut,,........e+e+66 168 Hull, John, ase’t mag. of N. Eng. 141; master of the mint, 314; a@ benefactor to Harvard college, {l,... 11 Hull, ——, min. of fale of Shoals,........++++000++ 236 Hulton, Nathaniel, a benefuctor to 4, . fi....eeee6 AN Humpbrey, Jobn, grantee, 67; ase’t mag. of N. BE... 141 Hunford, Thomas, minister of Norwalk,..........+ 7 Hungare, Philip, wonderfully saved at sea with his COMPANY, Hh... se rsrecceeceeeceeccsvveecceeeees GAO Hunting, Nathaniel, gr. 11. ©. tie. .sescceceseceeees Ol Hutching, Jonathan, remarkably preserved from FAMINE, fhe. re secoccccccnccerevecevesccceseses O49 Hutching, Samuel, a captive with the Indians, ii... 643 Hutchings, Thomas, grantee, 67; ase’t mag. of New Ernglandy.....sc00 seccccccccvsecsccceccccevecs IA

Hutchinson, Ann, her reputation, fi..... doveosene 517 Hutchinson, Capt. Edward, slain bi the Nipmuck Indiana, fh. ..cccccccccccccccccccccccevcseceees 563

Hutchingon, Maj. Elisha, ass’t inng. ‘of N. Eng, 141; treats with the Indians at Wells, ii, 610; his proceedings there as commander-in-chief,.........+ 613

Idleness, in Boston reproved,........seecceseees 102 Idlers, ZoOd AUVICE t0,..,..ecceceserecceceecssves 102 Ince, Jonathan, gr. H.C. fhe. seeeeseeeveees eoceee OO Indian corn discovered, on landing at Plymouth, 32, 53 Indians; first encounter with the settlers at Plymouth, 53; seduced into America by the Devil,

42; treatment of some French mariners cast away

among, 51; numerous, on Hudson's river, ib.;

their corn found at Plymouth, 32, 53; Narragansetts, fears of the English, 56; treaty with, 215;

murder of one, 314; kill a young man who had

abused his father, 315 ; Jesuits’ catechism for, 572;

at Harvard col, ii. 31; destruction of the Wampanoag, 300; at Martha’s Vineyard, 443; their

religion, the most explicit sort of Devil-worship

of, 582; their grounds of quarrel with the whites,

Jackson, Benj’n, signs treaty of peace with Inds. ii. 626 James, I. King, favours the Puritans,..........665 49 James, John, minister of Derby, Conn............ 88 James, Thomas, min. of Charlestown, 236; of Easthampton,......... Cee dececccccccncccsceoseoepe BAT Japhet, Indian, pastor of Martha’s Vineyard, fi.... 442 Jenney, John, mag. of N. Plymouth,......seseeees Jesuits’ Catechism, for Indians,..... Johnson, Isaac, grantee, 67; his death, 77; ase’t mag.

of New Plymouth, 141; captain in Philip’s war—

killed in Narragansett fight, ii.......sseeccesces 567 Johnson, Lady Arabella, sufferings and death of,.. 77 Johnson, Mary, her alleged connection with a devil, confession, and exccution, ii.......seesseeees 436 Johnson, Robert, gr. H.C. fi.essccccccccccccesceee BU Johnson, Thomas, Br. UW. 0. ficcssccceccsecececesee 32

Johnson, William, mag, of New England, svivevees 141 Jones, John, min, of Fairfleld, 236 ; ae H.C. ii.. 30 Tones, John, Br. H. Os tie. .cccccccevccseccsccccecs 32 Jones, John, troubles with spirits or unseen agents

Jones, William, mag. of Connecticut,........++00. 162

paos Pilgrims,....... 50 1 neut of Dare ih; master of the ard college, tl... il ye Ce biseseeeeee Al t mag. of N. BE... 141 rWalkiyssccssseeee U3 ad at sea with his

; preserved from the Indians, ii,.. 643 ase’t mag. of New

3 treaty with, 215; ung man who had catechism for, 572; ction of the Wamneyard, 443; their

t of Devil-worship

1 with the whites,

st, ib.; treaty with, 626

ec ecencccvccereees

eace with Inds. ii. 626

England,......... 141

cscssseee 162

INDEX.

Kelth, James, minister of Bridgownter, 87,........ 237 Key, James, eon of John, his cruel treatment by

AN FULULO,. .ceeeececceeeesreeereeeeoesesereees LOO Kingsbury, Eleazer, religious impoature, ti........ 542 Kirk, Adiniral, his successful expedition a anaete

Quebeck, ii.. Kitteramogis, sagamore, signs agreem’t for peace, il, 626 Knap, Elizabeth, her alleged connection with dw-

Mons or Splrite, We.s.ceecceceeeceerernseeeenees 449 Knight, William, min, of Topsfeld,........ teneete 236 Knowles, John, min, of Watertown, 590; Voyage

to Virginia, id.; returns to England, 591; death

And epitaphy....cers weeeceeesevees eo cereeoeece 591

Labrocree, Mons, commander-in-chief of French and Indians at Wells fight, fi.........seseceeees O14 Luiton, William, remarkable deliverance at sea, il, 349 Lake, Capt, Thos, his murder at Arowsick island, ii, 577 Lathrop, Capt. Thomas, sent to subdue the Indians,

il. 564; his bloody contest at Deerfleld,......... 565 Lathrop, John, min. of Burnstable,............006 236 Law, Jonathan, gr. 1. ©, theses seeees edeeeeneceees 32 Lawson, Deodate, min, of Scituate,.........6065 .. 87 Lay, William, a Godly Indian, healed, ii.......... 442 Leaf, John, a martyr to the reformation,.......... 108 Lee, Sumuel, min. of Bristol, 237; returns to Eng.. 603 Leet, Andrew, ass’t mag, of Connecticut,.........+ 163 Leet, Mr., gov. of Connecticut, 149; circumstances

of his life, Coca eeeeeeeeventeretccceteres eeobenes 156 Leet, William, as ass’t mag, of Connecticut, vivevaves 162 Leirus, an carly Protestant,........ceseceeeseeees 39 Lenthal, Mr. min, of Weymouth, his secession and

Leverett, John, gov. 137; ass’t mag. of Mass, 141; major-general, 142; tutor and temporary gov’r of

of H.C. ii, 195 gr. H.O....06. Vevetveveeds soeees Ol Leverick, William, min. of Sandwich,........... + 236 Lewis, Ezekiel, gt. H.C. fiseceeccccceececeeenene 2 Leyden, emigrants t0.....sseceescceeeeceeeevees 47 Lilly, Samuel, honourable mention of, ii.......... 489 Lindal, Timothy, gr. 8.0. ii... ecceeeeeeseeeeeeens 32

Lion, Sterry, adventures at sea, ii. 466; death,.... 466

Little, Ephraim, gr. H.C. fi... cccceee eee ee eee eees 32 Little, Thomas, gr. H. Co fies ece cee ce eee eeeeees 32 Long, Josa, gr. He Ce fe esc eeececeecececneeevens 30 Lord, Joseph, gr. He Crib... cece eeeee eee ceeeeevees 32 Ludlow, Roger, ass’t mag. of New England, 141;

of Connecticut,...... CCKREIEEESS Hered oueenetate 162 Ludlow, William, ass’t mag. of Connecticut,...... 162 Lusher, Eleazer, ass’t mag. of N. England,........ 141 Lyn, church gathered &t,.......cccceececceceeees 79 Lynde, Benjamin, gr. H.C. ii... . cece ee ee ee seoe 32 Lynde, Nicholas, gr. H.C. ii... se cececeeeseeeeene - &

Maccarty, Thomas, gr. H.C. $i.. sec ececeee | tence 32 Madockawando, sagumore, at Wells fight, 1i. “614; ;

signs treaty of peace, 626; death,........ toseces 641 Maine, churches in,....... Cece cree eceveveroccees 84 Malbon, Richard, mag. of Connccticut,............ 162

Man, Samuel, min. of Wrentham, 87; gr. H.c. ii.. 31 Manning, Nicholas, signs treaty of peace with In- CT A | Cb OC coves eneeaces woe. 626

Vou. IL—s

xvii

paos Mansfield, Samuel, gr, M1. 0. Mle escceeeeesesseeves OB Map, Ecclesiastical, of New England,...........+. 86 March, Serg’t Hugh, killed by Indians, li.......... 632 March, Major John, his service against Inds, i. 632, 637 Marriages, wherein lawful, according to Scripture, {1, 967 Marshal, Captain Samuel, in Philip’s war, killed in the Narragunset fight, Ih... ..cccseeeeeeeree eee: SOO

Marston, Benjamin, gt. H.C. Mess eeeeeseeeeees oe ® Martin, Mary, her unchastity and vow, il......... a] Martyn, Richard, QF. H.C. We.sseccseeeeeeeveeeees al Mary, Queen, her character,.......+seeeeseees vee OO Mason, Captain John, mag, of Connecticut, 162; in

the battle with the Narragansctts, il.......... .. 7 Mason, Daniel, gt. 8.0. thh..sceceeeeceeereeeeeees Ol Mason, Samuel, mag. of Connecticut,...... coveeee 162

Massachusetts Bay, emigrants from, to Conn. river, @1 Massasoit, his first interview with settlers, 56; with his son, plot to rebel against tho English, fi..... 558 Mather, Cotton, wrote his history in the midet of many difficulties, 15; one of ten ministers of the name in N. Eng,, ib.; needed the eyes of Argue and the hands of Briareus to perform his labore, 32; ii, 682; anticipates revilers, 35; gr.a.c.ii.. 31 Mather, Eleazer, pastor of Northampton, 17; his

Journal, 457; death, t.§ gr. H.C... cece sees Ki Mather Family, God’s blessings on, 17; sons of the Mathers in New England,.........seesseceesees 241

Mather, Increase, aids Gov’r, Phips, 198; waits on King James in aid of New England, 198; preaident of Harvard col. ii. 18; gr. H.C. ii.......... Ki

Mather, Nathaniel, pastor in London and Dublin,

17; his testimony on the historian of Phips, 164; gr. m. 0. il. 30; the learning and virtue of his youth, 154, 484; his industry, 157; piety, 159; death, 175; epitaphy.....cccsccccceseeseeeeeee 176

Mather, Richard, son of Richard, min, of Dorebester, 236; birth and parentage, 444; education, 445; schoolmaster and preacher, 446 ; min. of Prescott, Eng. 447; suspended for nonconformity, restored, 448; motives for removing to New England, 449; his account of a hurricane on the coast of New England, #.; his rules for ministers, 451; publications, 453; moderator of a council of ministors, 454; sickness and death,.........seseeees 455

Mather, Samuel, son of Increase, 1°’; min of Wind- BOF, Ct. BU; Br. Ha Cr Hee cccecceceeeceeeseenees + ®

Mather, Samuel, son of Timothy, 17; gr. n.c. ii... 32

Mather, Samuel, gr. #. ¢. ii. 30; born in Lancashire, Eng. 39; returns to Engl’d, 43; to Scotland, 44; writes a defence of the Protestant against the

Catholic faith, 54; his death,...........s.0e00 . 7 Mather, Warham, son of Eleazer, 17; gr. H. 0. ii.. 31 Matthews, Mordecal, gr. H.C. fi..... cs eee eeee ee 30 Maud, Daniel, min, of Dover,........c.ceecessees 236 Maverick, John, min. of Dorchester,............0 26 May, Samuel, religious disturbances, ii. 544; character in author’s letter,....... Saaeneedeesesees 546 May-Flower, the ship hired for the Pilzrims,...... 49

Mayhew, John, his calling at Martha’s Vineyard, ii. 431 Mayhew, Thomas, his Interview with an Indian prince, ii. 424; provides for his son at Martha’s

Vineyard,......ccsccereceeseces te eeceeceeene 427 Maynard, Sir John, a benefactor of H.C. ii........ il Mayo, John, min. of Boston,....... cee enceneenes. 236 Mead, Matthew, his testimony on the life of Phips, 164 Mechanics, their devotions,....-.....++006 coeee ve MAD Mede, Joseph, his conjectures about America,..... 46 Melancthon, Norton compared with,..... eveccere 276

xviii paos Molvill, Samuel, gr. H.C. We sseeeeccceeeeeeeeeees OB Merrimack River, attempts to settle at....eeeeeee OO Mesandowit, Simon, his siameiais to Major Waldern, Bevecevcccccocccceses eeeeees MTTTTTT TTT. Mighil, Thomas, gr. a. ©. l... PreTTTTTiTiiTii it cove Ol Mildmay, William, gf. MO. Weeeeececeereeereeee. Milet, a Jesuit, his course with the Indiuns, li,.... 430 Milford, Connecticut, planted,......s.cceserseeeee BS Millar, John, min, of Yarmouth,...... eocees coves 236 Milia, Edward, gr. 1. ©. We... eee PUTTTTTT TTT ee +} | Ministers of New England, their location, 87; their

Mitark, sachem, his profession of Christianity ‘and death, ii, 436; his three daughters,,..........++ 437 Mitchell, Jonathan, Qt W. Os tlescecccceeeseeeeeee 8B Mitchell, Matthew, mag, of Connecticut,........+. 162 Mitchelson, Edward, gr. 4.0. bieesse sere TTT Th 3 Mix, Stephen, min. of Wethersfeld, 88; gr. a. c. tl. 32 Moody, Joshua, min, of Portsmouth, &8 ; gr. u. c. il,

30; character and death,......sseeees eococoeee 195 Moody, Samuel, min. of Newcastle, 88; gr. a. c. il, 32 Moodey, Samuel, gr. H.C. thee. ss eeeeeeeeeeereees Morgan, James, his crime, confession, and execution, ii.. PYTTTTTT ITT TTT TTT sevee 409 Morgan, Joseph, min, of Greenwich, cecceeee soseee 88 Mone, Johny, gr. He Co Wecceeeeseeesereeeeeees cooee FB

Mors, Joseph, min, of Pescamsik, Ct. 68; gr. 1. C. “i. 32 Morse, William, his connection with spirits, and

their movings of material things, li,,.......6. . 450 Morton, Charles, min, of Charlestown, 87,..... seve 237 Morton, Nicholas, gr. 1. Cs thes. ceeeeeeeeeeee eens 32 Moseley, Capt, Samuel, at the fight with the Narra-

GBANsetts, ess ceceeeceeveeeevevvvves sedeccoces 567 Moxon, George, min, of Springficld,......6.+.00+ . 236 Moxus, Indian sugamore, at Wells fight, il....... . 613 Mulford, Mr, ——, mag. of Connecticut,,........++ 162 Myles, Samuel, gr. H.C. ties c cere eeeeeeeeeeeens 3h

N. Nahumkcick, name of Salem,..........++ eoeceres 08 Nanton, Robert, secretary to King James,......... 49

Narragansett Indians, their fear of the English, 56; refusal of the Christian religion punished, ii..... 300

Nash, John, mag. of Connecticut,........+: eoeees 163 Neat cattle, the first in N. England,.......+eseeees 60 Neff, Mary, captivity and escape from Indians, ii... 634 Nelson, Philip, gr. H. Codie. ceecceeeeeeeeeeeeeees 30 Newbury, Benjamin, mag. of Connecticut,......... 163

New England, never without the chastisem’t of God, 14; church history of, 15; American desert, 27, 245; ministers of, their devotion, 87; [ships of transportation to, 69 ;] towns of, their originals in Engl’d, 89 ; famine, sickness and conflagrations in, 92; mags. of, 141; hus had frowns and favours of Heaven, 245; the uttermost parts of the earth, ii, 582 New Haven planted, 83; misfortunes and discontents at, 85; annexed to Conneccticut,,........66 85 Newman, Francis, mag. of Connecticut,,........++ 162 Newman, Henry, gr. H.C. tie... cece eee eeeeeeeees 32

Newman, Sam'l, min. of Rehoboth, 236; birth and parentage, 429; incident at Dorchester, 430; hospitality and general character, 432; epitaph,.... 433

Newmarch, John, gr. H.C. the sc ee eevee weee ween 32

New Plymouth, first settlement of, 56; becomes prosperous, 62; a whale and calf caught, 1.3 Quakers and Seekers in, 63; reasons for planting, 69; Magistrates Ofj... ccc ceeeeereeeeeeeceeseseens 17

Newton, Roger, minister of Milton,..&....seeceee 237

INDEX.

.

PAGE Nicholot, Charles, min, of Balem,........060se00. 297 Nitamemet, sagamore, signs treaty of peace, Il.,... 626 Norria, Edward, min, of Salemy.....6seeceeeeeees 236 Norton, Capt, [Walter?] killed by Indians, il,..... 552 Norton, John, min, of Boston, 236; his superiority

and excellence, 247; birth, life, and character,

286; disasters of his voyage to N. England, 280;

minister at Ipswich, 200; his agoncy in petition

to the king, 206; death, 207; published sermons,

QW; theological character, 300; epitaph, 302;

Glo W Ce Werrecccvcciscceccvevceccceccevesecee Of Nowel, Alexander, gr. 11. ©. li,.... ees TTT TTT vee Sl Nowel, Increase, 67; major-general of N. Englund, 143 Nowel, 8am’l, scc'y of colony, 141; gr. u.c.ii.... 30 Noyes, Jacoby Rr. Ws OC. Weerssccereseeevevveeseees Ob Noyes, James, pastor of Stonington, tl....seee006. 498 Noyes, Moses, Bt. 1.0. iessesseseeeeeeeeeeenens 31 Noyes, Nicholas, his prefatory poem on the Magnalia, 19; minister of Salem, 87; gr... ii...... 32 Noyes, Oliver, gr. 1. Ohl. .e sees poceeveronce coor OD Noyes, ——, his prophecies, il.......eeeeees seeee 653 Noyes, James, min, of Stonington, 88; Newberry,

236; birth and parentage, 484; life, by himself

and Mr, Parker, ib.; preacher at Mystic, id, ; family connectiona,......+++ eevee seceeeceererees 485 Noyse, Moses, min. of Lyme, bervcccvecveccens. 8&8 0.

Oakes, Urian, gr. #. ¢. ti, 30; presid’t pro tempore of 1. c, il, 165 birth, childhood, and emigration, 114; return to Engl’d, 115; death, 116; gr.a.c. fi, 31

Ogden, John, mag, of Connecticut,.........60008 + 162 Ogilby, Jobn, his history of America,..........+++ 46 Oliver, Jacoby Br. H.C. theese ceseeseeeeeeeeceees. 3 Oliver, Captain James, in the bloody battle with the Narragansetts, ii... ss ececccececceeecreveveeeees 567 Oliver, Johny Bt. H.C. bic ceecececeeeeeeeeeeenees 30 Oliver, Peter, gr. 11.0. he... e eee sees eerRereks 31 Osborn, Recompense, gr. H.C. fi... cece seen eeees 31 Ounsakes, Phill, squaw, interpreter, ii............ 626

Owen, Doctor John, his character, 26; intended to come to N, Eng’d, 245, 249; born in Oxfordshire, 525; short account of his life, ib.; epitaph,..... 525

Oxenbridge, John, minister of Boston, 237 ; birth in Daventry, Eng., 597; comes to New Engl’, 598;

Pamatuk, his crime, confession, and execution, ii.. 444

Paris, Samuel, min. of Andover village,.......+++. 87

Parker, Thomas, min, of Newbury, 236; severity of his brother's teachings, 480; studies at Newbury, England, 481; comes to N, England, 482; death

and epitaph, 2.5 Qt. We Codie ecccceseeeeeeeeeee 31 Parliament, the Long,.....ceceececeeeeeeseersees 238 Parsons, Josephy gr. H.C. these ec ece cece cere eeenee 32 Partrigg, William, gr. H.C. fie... cece cece ee ee eee 32 Partridge, Ralph, min, of Duxbury, 236; character,

Patrick, Capt. Duniel, his success against Inds. ii.. 556 Pawaws, or Indian sorcerers, their conjurations against the Pilgrims,.......eseseceesevevcveecs 55 Payn, William, @r. H.C. fies ceceeeeeeeeeeeeee sees 32 Payson, Edward, min. of Rowley, 87; gr. 1. c.it.. 31 Peck, Jeremiah, min, of Waterbury,......-seee0. 89

ine

eee

pias 00, il..... 626 By I... . 558 uperiority character, land, 280 5 n petition | sermons, aph, 302; oovecccee Ob eeeeseeee oll England, 143 Lol... 30 vooccoccne Ob seveeveees 408 revconsoce OS he Magna De leeeeee BM cooccsecce OM Newberry, by himself C, tb, ; famcoesevecee Ob

veccesess OO ution, li.. 444

severity of Newbury, 82; death

seccoeee 8B

INDEX, xix

PAGs

Pock, Robert, min, of Hingham, 296; comes to N, England and returnty....ccccpreseceeeeeeeeeeee GBT Pelham, Edward, gr. 1, ©, bis... seer reece cocevoee OF Pelham, Horbert, ase’t mag. of Now Kvgland,...,. 141 Pelham, Nathaniel, gt. tt. Os tliesceceeeeeceeceeere OO Pemberton, Ebonezer, gt, . ©. tlic creereeeeeeeee. 38 Pennatiow, Samuel, his account of a poisoned well by @ soldier, Ie... eeee ce eee ccccccccceesccders O08 Ponnoyer, William, a benefactor to H. ©. i........ DT Porking, Jon, Qt. t. Oe tes ceeceecsereesererevees BB Perry, Richard, grantee, 67; assistant mugistrate of Now Birngland,...ccccecseeceeeeeeeeceeseeeeene 14 Poter, a friendly Indian, aids in the destruction oi the Narragnneettsy ik.sssceccceeeeeeeeeereceeees OOF Poters, Hugh, min, of Salem, 296; some reference to his life, 5A7; Inst WOrds,....ceeceeeeeeereeee SBT Potere, Thomas, minister of Saybrook, 236; comes to New England,....cscecseeeececeveveeeseeees OOF Peyot Indian killed, 314; they kill a young man,.. 315 Phulps, William, mag. of Connecticut,,.....+++++. 162 Phillips, George, min, of Watertown, 236; birth and education, 376; accompanies Mr. Winthrop to New England, id,; death of his wife at Sulem, ib. commences a church at Watertown, 377; death and epitaph, 3705 gr. W. Oth. ee eee seen s FD Phillips, Col. John, of Charlesiown, hia aid to Gov, Phips, 216; wounded at Casco Bay, li, 638; commissioned to treat with the Indiang,........++++ 642 Phillips, John, min, of Dedhamy....secceeeseveces WG Phillips, Samuel, gr. H. ©. Uesscecseeseeeeeeeseees Gl Phips, Sir William, commissioned governor of New England, 146; life, 164; chemical apeculations on raising to life the ashes of animals, 165; comparison of great men of obscure origin, 166 ; birth and parentage, 107; learns the trade of ship-carpenter, i. ; commander of a frigate, 169; quells & mutiny, 170; gathers treasures from a Spanish wreck, 172; obtains advantages for his colony of King James, 175; his proceedings in the revolution of 1688, 178; declaration of his devotion to God and his people, 182; taking of Port Royal, 183; attack on Quebeck, 186; relief of the colony by the issue of paper money, 190 ; exertions with the king for a new charter, 199; made captaingeneral and governor of N. England, 201; stops the prosecutions for witchcraft, 212; defends the colony against the Indians, 213; who sign an agreem’t for peace, 215; description of his person, 217; his contempt of death, 220; the incidents of his life préwritten in London by an astrologer, 222; his indifference thereat, considering it the work of the devil, 223; an attempt to injure his character, 224; called to England for trial, 225 5 death and burial in London, 227; summary of his Ife and services, 229; poetical tribute to his memory, 280; his expedition against Port Royal, ti... 600 Phipps, Samuel, gr. H. Cr di. . cs seee cece cree ceeeee Ol Phipps, Thomas, gr, H. ©. fic. sssseceeeeseveceeeee SR Phanicians, their early discovery of America,..... 42 Pierce, Capt. Michael, his bloody contest with the Indians, and death, ii... ...ecceeeeeeeeeeceeeee O10 Pierce, Robert, his escape from Spaniards, ii...... 351 Pierpont, Benjamin, gr. 11. ©. ib... .cceeeeeeceeeeee 32 Pierpont, Jucob, gt. H.C. tie. eeceseeeeeeeeeeeeeee Ol Pierpont, James, his letter on the phantom of a lost ’ ship, in the air, 84; min. of New Haven,........ 8 Pierpont, Jonathan, min. of Reading,.........+... 87 Piorson, Abraham, minister of Killingworth, 88; of Southampton, 236; came to New England from

Yorkshire, 397; gathere a church at Bouthampton, L, 1, 308; epitaph, 404; gr. mc. tl.....66. Bl Pike, John, min, of Dover, 88; 1, 5415 gr. m. c, H,

31; his account of Indian tragediog,.....66666+5 58 Pike, Josoph, sheriff, killed by Indians, tl.,........ 628 Pike, Robert, asa’t mag. of New England,......... 141 Pinchon, Capt. John, asg’t mag, of N, England, 141;

aids in destroying the Indians at Springfeld, ii,. 565 Pinchon, William, original grantee, 67; nse’t mag,

Of New Englandy.....:ccecsscsseeecreeeeeveves DAL Pistorius, Siffion, his epitaph suited for Bradstreet, 140 Plaisted, Lieut, his services against the Inds, il..., 600 Plaisted, Mary, wife of James: captivity and crucl

treatment by Indians, hess. scceeeeesecseeeerene SOD Platforty of Church Discipline in N. Fngland, ii... 211 Plymouth, (or Patuxet,) first Innding at, 53; fret

house built, 4d. 5 suffering, sickness and death at, 54 Plymouth, magistrates Of,...ccccccceeeeeseeveveee MIT Pocock, John, ass’t mag, of N, England,.........+. 141 Poiret, Pierre, or Gog and Magog,.....ceceeeceees 46 Polyander, a divine at Leyden,....cceceeeeeeeseee 47 Popery, remnants of, in the Protestant Church of

England,..ccccccccssseceececceveceseeeeeeeeees U6 Port Royal, expedition toy... cccccceeeeeeeeereeers 188 Potter, ——, his enormities against the laws, fi.... 405 Prayers for rain and relief from famine, heard and

ANSWEPC,..cccceeereeeveececvenesoercecereres U8 Prentice, Capt. Thomas, sent against Inds, fi...... 561 Price, Walter, Gt. H.C. Weeseccseccereeeeeeeereees BB Prince, Isaac, ucc, of strange sights at Glocester, ti, 622 Prince, Thomas, mag, of iNew Plymouth,.......... 117

Prophecies concerning the American Church,,.... 70 Providences, remarkable, in New England, ii...... 341 Prudden, Johny Bt. H. Crihsccccsccccseeeveesevees Ol Prudden, Peter, minister of Milford, 236; his family and epitaphy..ccccccccseecvceseceecereeeeees QOD Psalms, Metrical, translation Of,,....6..seseeeeees 407 Pulcifer, Benedict, his contest with an Indian, ii... 587 Puritans, favoured by King James, 493; thair afflictions and fidelity, 50; sail from Southampton, ib,3

discover Cape Cod, id.; their sufferings by sickness and death, 54; compared with Peter Martyr,

575 precautions against surprise by Indians, id. ;

Q. Quadrigarius, an early Protestant,.........000005. 39 “Quakers, Encountered,” fi... ..cceceeeeeeeeoees GbE Quakers and Seekers, account Of;.......seceeeeeee 63 Quakerism, Foxian, ii. 523; Pennian, its difference,

id.; Tom Chusian, ite devilism,...........- coeee BOB Quanonchet, the great enchem of the Narragansetts, CAH, Herccccccccccesceveesesecsereeces coveee O72 R. Ramus, Peter the Great,........seeeeeeeeees creas, Me

Rawson, Edw’d, sec’y of colony, 142; gr. ut. c. ii.. 30 Rawson, Grindal, pastor of Mendon, 22; gr. H. ©. ii.

31; pastor of *Mendham,”..........++ Heeeeass 439 Rayner, ——, mag. of Connecticut,............ ++ 162 Rayner, John, gr. H.C. theese ee eee eeeeeee ones sees 3D Read, Jobny gr. 10. Ce ihe cse cece eceseeeeeceesceeee 32 Remington, Jonathan, gr. H.C. discs eceee eee ees - 38 Resemblance, of different persons,..... degen cee vee 443 Reyner, John, minister of Plymouth,............. 236 Richards, James, mag, of Connecticut,..... sevecee 163

xx INDEX.

PAGE Richardson, John, Qt. H.C. ti..sscccceeccecceeees Bl Richerius, an early Protestant,.........0.sseeee08 39 Robinson, John, bis church at Leyden, 47; his reformatory address,........... 64 Robinson, Johny Br. H.C. fi...sccseeeesceeveceees 3B Rogers, Daniol, gr. 8. 0. ii......ccecceceseceeeeees OB Rogers, Ezekiel, min. of Rowley, 236; his birth, 408; parentage and eurly preaching, 409; infirmities and death, 410; sore afflictions in his family, 412; letter to his brother, 413; epitaph, 7b.; gr. HL. fh... cc ccccceceres ade read evedeseereveees 31 Rogers, John, his memorials for a godly life, 423; form for a minister, 424; presid’t of H. c. ii, 165 death and epitaph, 17; gr. H.C. ii............. . 30 Rogers, John, gr. H.C. ii...... vaieed Usdiecge eereaien - di Rogers, Nathaniel, (father of President John] ii. 16; minister of Ipswich, 1.236; his birth and early education, ii. 415; his marriage, 418; imperfect health, 420; he destroys his diary, 421; epitaph,

ee eecccerececeece

422; greu.c.ii........ Veee beer VN Venesevatas - 3 Rogers, Robert, murdered by Indians, ii...... ceee 5G Rolfe, Benjamin, min. of Haveril, 87; gr. a. c.ii.. 31 Roman authors, allusiuns t0,.......cecceceeeeeeee Q Ross, Mary, her religious assumptions, ii. seeetes + 530 Rossiter, Edward, ass’t mag. of New England,..... 141 Rouse, Thomasin, escape trom Indians, ii...... vee G43 Row, John, account of strange sights at Gloucester, ii. 622 Rowden, Captain, captured by Indians, ii...... ee 580

Rowland, Peter, cecape from Spaniards, ii........ 351 Rowlandson, Joseph, his calamities by fire, deaths,

and captivity of his remaining family, ii........ 569 Roxbury, church gathered at,..... Wate sles gece cee 79 Ruck, Peter, gr. . c. ii..... ER IOR OVE OST ed arb.6 006 32 Ruggles, Benjamin, min. of Smithfield,........... 87 Ruggles, Thomas, min. of Middletown,.......... - 8&8 Russell, Daniel, gr. H.C. fi... cece cece cece eens 32 Russel, James, ass’t mag, of N. Eng............008 141 Russell, Johny gr. H.C. ti... c ce cece cece eee cece 30 Russel, Jonathan, minister of Burnstable, 87; 3 or.

H.C. ii... EWC Oe Ce ean e ede eees Aree ree reer i 31 Russell, Noadiah, gr. 8. C. ii... .. ce eee eee cena 3l Russel, Samuel, minister of Brainford, Connecticut,

1: ee | ns AYORERT Eee Are | Saltonstal, Henry, gr. H.C. di... cece eee eee eee ee 30 Sultonstal, Natianiel, ass’t mag. of N. Engl'd, 141;

BE. He 0. Hie nceccvevscoescnccses PETET EEE 32 Saltonstal, Sir Richard, original grantee, 67; mag. of New England, 141; a benefactor to H. c. ii. 115

1a Cer | Cn vase rene reeeeseececteons 32 Salvages, their murder and suppression, ii........ 552 Samotheg, a Druid, ii.............00 Sidebars neces 16 Sanchez, early discoverer of America,...........+ 43 Sargeant, Capt. his seizure of Indians, at Saco, ii.. 586 Sargeant, Thomas, gr. H.C. ii........... peeceoe . dl

Sarson, Capt. Kichard, his witness to facts of witchcraft, ii, 426; negotiates with Indians at Martha’s

Vineyardy....ccceeeeeeeres VeVEeHOO ELECTS veee 434 Sausamon, a friendly Indian, murdered, ii........ 559 Savage, Abija, gr. H.C. ii... 31 Savage, Ephraim, gr. u. ¢. ti 31 Savage, Hubijah, gr. #. c. ii..... 32 Savage, Johny gr. H.C. fies ec cece cece sence eens 32 Savage, Major Thomas, asy’t mag. of N. Eng. 1413

rags Saxton, Peter, minister of Scituate, 236; a native of Yorkshire, Eng. 587; at Boston, N. E.......... 587 Say and Brook, Lords, their claims and interests in Connecticut,........cecseccccscccceccesccceses &2 Scarlet, Capt. Samuel, preserves Laiton and others

at sea, ii..... seeeeeeeeeeces JOO Schools, their importance truly characterized, ii... 655 Scottow, Thomas, gt. H.C. ii. ss cece eeeeeeseeeees Sl Sea-deliverances, wonderful cases of, in New Eng- Vand. fheccoccccccccccccccccvessccecs eeccccces O49 Sedgwick, Robert, major-general of N. E......... 142 Seljins, Henry, his poems, commendatory of the Magnalia, 22..........06 oecceccvccesoecsecese OD Selleck, John, gr. . c. ii...... eoveeteccocccrccces OB Sequasson, an Indian prince, plots against the English, ii.... sees 558 Sewall, Samuel, ass’t mag. of New England, 141; gr. H.C. ii. 31; favourably mentioned,.......... 489 Shephard, Jeremiah, min. of Lyn, 87; gr.u.c.ii.. 31 Shepard, Samuel, gr. m1. c. fi...........- Vievesevier Cal Shepard, Samuel, gr. H.C. ti... secceseceveecsecee 3B Shepard, Thomas, min. of Cambridge, 236; birth and family, 380; experience in theology, 381; accompanies Mr, Cotton and others to N, Engl’d, 383; arrives at Boston, 385; his sons, 386; death,

b.; his doctrine of the Sabbath, 387; theology, and that of the churches, 388; his published works, 389; numerous meditations from his journal, 391; epitaph, by Peter Bulkly, 394; gr. #. c.

ii. 30; died by small-pox, ii. 119; account of a Christian Indian,.......... UbVevecreseM erect, IL: Shepard, Thomas, gr. H. c. ii. 31; born at Charlestown, N, E. 143; death and epitaph,............ 153 Sherborn, Captain Samuel, skirmishes with Hope- Hood the Indian traitor, ii........ ccc cece ee ees BOF Sherman, Bezaleel, gr. H.C. ii... ..ceeeeeeeeceeees Bl Sherman, James, min. of Sudbury,.............6. 87 Sherman, John, min. of Watertown, 237; birth in Dedham, Essex, 511; education, and removal to N. Engl’d, 512; min. of N, Haven, 513; his skill in mathematics, 514; numerous family of child’n, 516; sickness and death,j517; epitaph,......... 518 Sherman, Samuel, mag. of Connecticut,...... scooee 163 Ships, number of, employed in the settlement of New England,........cccccessccsccecccecscees GF Shipwreck and loss of the first ship fitted out from New Haveny...ecscccccecccsccecccccccesscsses OF Shove, Seth, min. of Danbury, 883 gr. a. c. ii..... 32 Siely, Capt. Robert, in Philip’s war; in the Narra-

Corr eee reece receece

guneett swamp fight, ii. 507; killed,............ 508 Skelton, Mr., min. of Salem, 68,............. . 230 Skynner, Capt. killed by Indians at Petnaquid i ih. 591 Smith, Henry, min. of Weathersfield,. sosecees S36 Smith, John, the discoverer,..... oe 45 Smith, John, ass’t mag. of New England,..... cove D4 Smith, Joseph, gr. H. C. di... e cece eee eee e ewes ose 88 Smith, Philip, his troubles with invisible spirits,

and death, fin... ccc cece cece eee eee ee eeeeeeeee 454 Smith, Ralph, pastor at Leyden, 60; at Ply mouth, 236 Smith, Sarah, crimes and execution ‘of, Uesvcesuy. 419 Southack, Capt. Cyprian, cf province Galley, ii.... 642 Southampton, Eng., emigrant ships at,........... 49 Southcott, Thomas, original grantee of Mass...... 67 Southmayd, Johny gr. H. Crib... eee cece eee eee 32

Southworth, Thomas, mag. of New Plymouth,..... 117 Sparhawk, John, min. of Bristol, 87; gr. #. c. ii... 32

Spectre, a veritable... .... ccc cece cee eens 206 Speedwell, the ship hired to transport the Pilgrims, 49 Springfield, Mass., settled from Roxbury,...... woe @l

ore

taba

race; a native of | interests in n and others seceeeecees JOO erized, ii... 655 veseeverdece: Bl n New Engeocccccccee Go E......... 142 atory of the nst the Engngland, 141; Lyeeeeeeeeee 469 gr.u.c.ii.. 31 Setieigeeeaae- toe

ology, 381; oN, Engl’d, , 386; death, 7; theology, 38 published ‘om his jour- 94; gr. H.C. account of a n at Charleswith Hopeeeecccecces GOF soccesccece al cocccccccee 87 37; birth in removal to 133; his skill y of child’n, hy. eeeeeee IS Lees vooeee 163 pttlement of eeccevccece 67 d out from nacccescces BF H.C. ii... BR a the Narrape seeceeees GUG beeercesess DOU aquid, ii.. 591 ceceeee B00

rer ot ett

INDEX. XX1

PAGE Squanto, a stolen Indian, restored,.........+.+0+. 55 Stumford, Connecticut, planted,.......+sseseeeee. 83 Standish, Miles, plotted against by the natives, 56; mug. of New Plymouth,....cccccecesceeeeseeee MT Star, Comfort, gro H.C. diss cceceeeeeeeseeeeeveee SU Starky, his treason to escape the Indians, ii....... 590 Steel, John,mag. of Connecticut,.........se+ee++ 162 Stevens, Timothy, min. of Glastenbury, Conn., 88; Stilson, Margaret, befriends Hannah Swarton, a

cuptive in Canada, ii.....seecesesecesecsceeees 360 Btirk, George, gt. H. O.iieseeeeeeccereseeecerecee BO Stoddard, Antony, Gt. H.C. ii.....eeeeeeeceeeeeee 32 Stoddard, Solomon, minister of Northampton, 87;

Qi He Or dies cee cee cere cece cceeveceees Vege eee er AE Stone, Hugh, crime and execution of, ii........... 414 Stone, John, gr. H.C. dies sseeceeseeseseescceccees BO Stone, Capt. John, killed by Indiana, ii............ 552 Stone, Nathaniel, min. of Falmouth, Harwich, &c.,

CO oe | eee eee eee. 7 Stone, Samucl, min. of Hartford, 236; his education

and companions to New England, 434; unhappy

difference with his ruling elder, 436; his body of

from death, ii....... coerce ccccescessorecccescs GOOG Storer, Samuel, commands a sloop at Wells fight, ii. 614 Stoughton, Israel, ase’t mag. of N. E. 141; captain

a benefactor of H. c. ii. 11; gr. H. c. ii. 30; favourable mention of, 489; treats with the Indians at

Falmouth,.......sccccccccccececcccccceceseees O04 Stow, Samuel, gr. H.C. bic. ssececccecceeseeceeces 30 Street, Nicholas, min, of New Haven,............. 236 Street, Samuel, minister of Wallingford, Ct. 88;

Biro He OC. Hhierccsccccvesceccccccccssccescvccvess Ob Sutton, Thomas, founder of Charter House,....... 31 Swan, Honry, gr. H.C. iss sccceeeeseeeeeeeeeceee 32 Swan, Thomas, gr. H. C. fi... cecacecseecceceesee SR Swarton, Hannah, account of her deliverance from

Indian captivity, ii........eceeeeseeeeeseeescees GOU Swayn, Dick, his religious imposture, fi........... 541 Swayn, Major, marchea to subdue Indians, ii. 593;

relieves the garrison at Blue Point,............. 504 Swayn, William, ass’t mag. of Connecticut,....... 162 Sweetman, Samuel, gr. H.C. ii... sess ceeeeeeeeee SL Swit, Johny gr. H. Celis. ceeecccessesssesececeeee 32 Syil, Capt. Joseph, captures a number of Indiana

At QUOCHECO, fi... ..sseececccecreceeeececsses OVO Symmes, Thomas, gr. H.C. fi.... eee seeeeeeeeeeees 32 Symmes, Zachariah, minister of Bradford, 87; of

Charlestown, 236 ; his ancestry, 459; family, death

and epitaph, 4605 gr. H.C. fi... eee esse eee eeee. 30 Symonds, John, his singular cure from injury,... . 356 Symonds, Samuel, ass’t mag. of “. England, 141; $

Talcot, Samuel, mag. of Conn., 163; gr. #. c. ii... 31 Tappan, Christopher, minister of Newbury, 87; gr. Taylor, Edw’d, min. of Westfield, 87; gr. H.C. fi... 31 Taylor, Joseph, gr. H.C. fi. csseeeeeeeeeeee eens.. 3l Temple, Sir Thomas, donation to H.C. ii......... - 1 Thacher, Oxenbridge, gr. H.C. ii....ssceeesesevee 32 Thacher, Peter, min. of Milton, 873 gr. H.C. ii, 315 Indian teacher at Punkapaug,.......eceeeeeeees 439 Thacher, Peter, gr. H.C. ties... cee ee ee eeeseeeeee BS

Pags Thacher, Thomas, minister of Boston, 237; birth in Salisbury, Eng., 488; arrival at Boston, 489; marriage, ib.; second marriage, 491 ; death, 494; sona, 1b.5 Epituphy....scccccorescccccveccscccecsseces 496 Thaxter, Capt. aids against the Indians at Wells, ii. 613 Thomas, William, mag. of New Plymouth,....... 117 Thompson, B., his complimentary poem on the Magnaliu, 205 gr. 10. C. fi....cccceceescceseseee Oh Thomson, Edward, minister of Marshfield, 87; gr. Thonpson, William, minister of Braintree, 236; his ecclesiustical character, 439; poeticul eulogy and Aeath,..ccccrccsccccccccrcccccccsscccccosccces 440 Thornton, Thomas, min. of Charlestown, 257; of Yarmouth, fi... ...cccccccecccccsccccecevsesees 403 Thunder, reflections and meditations on, ii........ 363 Tilton, Peter, ass’t mag. Of N. E......ccceeeeeeeee 141 Tituba, Indian woman, her witcheries, ii.......... 417 Tobias, Indian, tried und exccuted for murder, ii.. 560 Tompson, William, gr. H.C. ii.......ceeseeeeeeee DU Tonant, Mons. le, lord intendaut at Quebeck, ii.... 359 Topping, Thomas, mug. of Connecticut,........... 168 Torrey, Josiah, gr. H.C. bine... ceeeececccecsecevee BB Torrey, Samuel, min. of Weymouth, 87; ii........ 28 Treat, Sumuel, min. of Preston, Ct.....-..se00005 88 Treat, Mr., governor of Connecticut,.............. 149 Treat, Richard, ass’t may. of Connecticut,......... 162 Treat, Maj. Kobert, ass’t mnag. of Connecticut, 162; aids in the slaughter of Indians at Springfield, ii. 565; distinguished in the great battle with the Narragansetty,......00cc00 cecceee Treat, Salmon, gr. H.C. fine... cece cee eeececscees Treat, Samucl, minister of Eastham, 87; gr. 8. c. ii. BLS PUBlOF,.....cccccccccvccccscceccccsccscecs IAT Trowbridge, William, his remarkable preservation At BOB, ti... ccc cccceeccesecscccccccccccscscece OF Tupper, Thomas, min. to the Indians, ii........... 439 Turner, Cupt. Nuthaniel, sent against the savages, ii, 552 Tyng, Col., an English prisoner in Canada, ii...... 360 Tyng, Edward, ase’t mag. of N. E...............-. Ml Tyng, Johny gr. 8. C. fb... cece cece e eee eceeeecees SS Tyng, William, ass’t mag. of N. E..........00+02. MAL

U. Underhill, Capt. John, goes out against salvages at Block Island, fi........cseccesesececesceeetees S52 University, origin of the name, ii......... 8 Usher, Hezekiah, a benefactor of nH. c. ii.......... Il

Vane, Sir Henry, made governor of Massachusetts, 136; his character, eid trial and execution, 137 ; ase’t mag, Of N. Bi... . cee cece cece wees soscecoee Lal

Vassal, Samuel, asy’t mag: N. E. 1415 gr. u.c.ii.. 32

Vassul, Thomas, original grantee of Muss, Bay,.... 67

Vassal, William, original grantee of Mass. Bay,.... 67

Vaughan, George, gr. H.C. ii.........085 salen beeen 32 Veazie, William, gr. H.c. ii.......... eeoreccceces OS Ven, John, ass’t mag. of N. E. fi... eee eee eens - M1 Victory, [the name of Magelhen’s ‘ship—not of Drake’s,]........00008 eb everes eo eereeeere coos 48 Villagagnon, Admiral, of France,. ses reeerecercoes 39

Virginia, North, the first name given to New England, 45; its location considered by the fathers

Wade, Johny gr. H.C. fi... cc ececcceceveeeseenee D2 Wadsworth, Benjamin, gr. H.C. fl......ccccseeees 3% Wadsworth, John, mag, of Connecticut,.......... 163

xxii INDEX.

PAGE Wadsworth, Capt. Samuel, his fight with the Inds,

Und death, ii.....ccscccccsssecscscccecececeees OCb Wainwright, Francis, gr. H. 0. if... .cccecsceeeeeee 32 Wakefield, Samuel, pastor of Fairfleld, ii....... Wakeman, Jabez, gr. H.C. tissscccceeeseeeseeees 32 Waldern, Maj. Rich’d: Indians surprise his house

in Quocheco, ii, 578; killed by them,........... 590 Walker, Sergeant, killed by Indians, fi........... 607 Walter, Zacheriah, min, of Woodbury, Ct........ 88 Walley, Thomas, min. of Burnstable, 237; character and lite, 599; death, #.; epitaph,........... 601 Walloons, contrasted with English at Leyden,.... ° 48 Walter, Nehemiah, min. of Roxbury, 87; gr. a. 0. ii, 31 Waltham, William, min, of Marblehead,......... 236 Walton, George, his singular troubles with invisibles ut Portsmouth, ii......... eseccceee 453 Waiver, Abraham, gr. U. ©. ii... seceeeeeeeeeeeees 30 Ward, Andrew, mag. of Connecticut,.......2++++. 162 Ward, Jucob, gt. 1. GC. thes cceeeseseceeeceeeseeee 30 Ward, John, min. of Huverhill, 236; born &t Haverhill, Eng., 522; modesty and temperance, 7d. 5

settles in Haverhill, New England, i.; wife, her

character, 523; debarred of her fortune by nonconformity, ib.; death and opitaph, 524; gr. #.

32 Ward, Nathaniel, min. of Ipswich,.........+0+0+. 236 Warhan, John, min. of Windsor, 236; remarks on preaching with notes, 441; melancholy state of mind, 442; death und epitaph,.........eececees 442 Warumbo, Indian sagamore, at Wells fight, ii..... 614 Wassambomet, sugamore, signs treaty of peace, ii. 626 Watertown, church gathered at,.......seecseeeees 79 Watson, Caleb, gr. H.C. fi.... cece ecesecesececees Sl Watts, Capt. Thomas, in the great batile with the Narragansetts, ii......cececceeceecceeeececsers OOF Web, Henry, & bencfactor to H.C. ib.......seeeee. Al Webb, Joseph, gr. H. 0. fi... ..cceeeeeceeeceeseee Sl Web, Josiah, min. of Fairfleld,..........sssee0005 88 Webenes, sagumore, signs treaty of peace, ii...... 626 Webster, Mr., governor of Connecticut,........... 148 Weems, Capt. yields the fort to the Indians at Pem- AQUI, IT... cc ceee cece cece cececrececesseecscers OOb Weld, Daniel, gr. H.C. tin... cc eeeeecccecsceoveee Sl Weld, Edmund, gr. 8... ii... cc cece gece cesceeeeee BO Weld, Thomas, min. of Roxbury, 236; gr. #.c. ii, 31 Wells, Joon, ass’t mag. of Connecticut,........... 162 Wells, Mr., governor of Connecticut,...........+. 148 Wells, Thomas, mag. of Connecticut,...........+. 162 , Welsh, Nathaniel, gr. 8. C. ib... .. cece cece eeeeeee 32 Wenobson, sagamore, signs treaty of peace, ii..... 626 Wensley, Richard, gr. H.C. ii... cece sees eeceeeee Sl Wequash, a friendly Indian guide, ii,..........-.. 555 Weston, Mr. Thomas, “a merchant of goud note,” aids the settlement in New England, 58; conduct thereto,.......000 Yeeacoccese 68 Westwood, William, mag. of Connecticut, ccccces 162 Wethersfield, Ct., settled from Watertown,........ 81 Weymouth planted, 57; evil conductat,.......... 59 Wheeler, Capt. Thomas, aids Captain Hutchinson against the Nipmuck Indians, ii................ 563 Wheelwright, John, min. of Salisbury,........... 236 Wheelwright’s Pond, bloody fight near, ii......... 607 Whetcomb, Simon, original grantee of Mass. Bay, 67; ass’t mag. of New England,................ 141

White, Ebenezer, gr. t. C. ii... cece eee eee eee 32 White, Mr. ——, min, of Dorchester,............. 66 White, John, gr. H.C. ib... ccc cece cece nee n eens. 32 White, Nathaniel, gr. H. c. ii...... Wesoreevereees OO Whiteing, John, min, of Lancaster,.............6. 87

Pace Whiteing, Samuel, min. of Bilerica,..........0008 & Whitfield, Henry, min. of Guilford, 236; birth and family, 592; returns to England, 593; epitaph,.. 594 Whiting, Capt. his escape from Inds, at Casco, ii.. 638 Whiting, John, gr. H. c. ii. 30; pastor of Lancaster, Whiting, Johny gr. 8. 0. ti. ....ceceeeeccccccecees ol Whiting, Joseph, gr. H.C. ti... ceececeeeecceeeees ol Whiting, Joseph, gr. 1. C. ti... cece cece sees eceee 8S Whiting, Samuel, minister of Windham, 88; of Lyn, 236; birth at Boston in Lincolnshire, 502; ministry at Skirbick, near Bustun, 503; second marriage and family, id.; persecuted for noncunformity, and comes to N. England, 504; infirmities and death, 506; poetical eulogy on his character, by B. Thompson, 510; epitaph,........... SIL Whiting, Samuel, gr. H.C. ii... ee ecee eens Whiting, William, mag. of Cunnecticut,.... Whitingham, Richard, gr. H. c. ii........ Whitingham, William, gr. H.C. fi........ceeeeeee Sl Whitman, Samuel, gr. H. 0. fi....scceeeeeeseeees BB Whitman, Zachariah, min. of Hull, 87; gr.u.c.ii, 31 Wiggins, Thomas, ags’t mag. of N. England,....... 14 Wigglesworth, Michael, ninister of Malden, 87; gr. Wightman, ——, an antinomian or fumilist, ii..... 508 Wilkinson, Sarah, her remarkable malady, ii...... 356 Willard, Jobn, gr. 8. Cy ii......cceceeeseveeeeeees 88 Willard, Josiah, gr. H.C. ii... ccc. ceeeeeeeeecesee BR Willard, Major, relieves Quaboag, ii.............. 564 Willard, Samuel, gr. H.C. ii......ccceeeeseeeceeee Oh

Willard, Simon, ass’t mag. of New England, 141; BPC MOA cores cedersetsererecdsccevesesegece OB

Willet, Thomas, mag. of New Plymouth,.......... 17 Williams, Daniel, examples of his remarkable piety in youth, ii.... Williams, John, min. of Deerfield, 87; gr. u. c. ii.. 32 Williams, Nathaniel, gr. H.C. fi... ceeeeeseeeeees BB Williams, Roger, minister of Salem, ii. 495; of Plymouth, 496: his persecutions, 495; some time gov. of Rhode Island,........ccsecccccsscceees 499 Williams, William, gr. 8.0. fi......cecceseeseeees Sl Willis, Mr., governor of Connecticut,..........+.. 148 Willis, George, mag. of Connecticut,............+. 162 Willis, Samuel, gr. 1. C. fic... cceceeeeeeeeeeseeee BO Willoughby, Francis, ass’t mag. of New England, 141 Willoughby, Hugh, an early navigator to America, 44 Wilson, John, min, of Charlestown, 79; of Boston, 236; his excellence, 247; life and character, 302; birth and education, 303; advice of his father, 305; flees to New England, 308; shares in the Pequot war, 310; prophecies fulfilled, 315; epitaph, 321; gr. H. c. ii. 30; his poem on Harvard, 33 Wilson, Lieut., his fight with Indians at Quocheco WOO, fis... cece ecccceececsecvececsececcccees Ol Wincal, Cupt., pursues the Indians at Winnopiseag Ponds, ii..... eee eee 308 900000650605 000 Windsor, Ct., first settled from Dorchester,........ 81 Wing, Captain, assists in constructing works of defence at Pemaquid, ii............ceeeeeeeeeceee O19 Winslow, Edward, visits a sick sachem, 58; his account of the church, 62; made governor, 114; his character and government,........ bedesveccccce 293 Winslow, Josiah, mag. of New Plymouth,......... 117 Winslow, Major-General, his bravery with Alexander the Indian sachen, ii. 559; marches against the Narragansetta,.......ccccessceveereeeeeeece Winthrop, Adam, gr. 11. ¢. ii, 31; favourable men-

@

Pace > birth and epitaph,.. 594 Casco, ii.. 633

3; second pr noncun- 4; infirmin his charye scasccece OM! edeeeeees . 30 ceoees coos 162 eooeeees . 3) Sodieveeene 31 Saeed ves 32 greu.c.ii, 31 dy... ..0. - Ml en, 87; gr. tdesees wee 30 ist, ii..... 508 ly, ii...... 356 oso eeeees 32 Te - B bebaegee ee al land, 141; Siren 32 Nev keaets 117 cable piety seeeeseee 485 u.c.ii.. 32 Serato . 3 3; of Plypme time eoecccees 409 cocccsses Ol soeseee 148 hv eceeeee 162 Leeadeeee 30

larvard, 33

INDEX. xxiii

PAGE

Winthrop, Adam, gr. 8.6. li....ssceccesesessecee OS Winthrop, John, governor of Massachusetts Bay,

73; aids in founding the colony, 82; his ancestry, 118; kindness to Higginson, 121; trials as

governor, 123; spirit of forgiveness and acknowledgment of error, 124, 127; buries three wives,

hia travels in Europe, 158; governor and planter

of a colony on Connecticut river, ib.; member of

the Royal Society, 160; his charactcr and death,

504; fight at Wheelwright’s Pond,.............+ 607 Wiswall, Edward, min. of Duxbury,. ee ecceccoes 87

Witchcraft in N. "England, 207; Mather’s declarutions respecting, 211; Gov. Phips stops prosecu-

CONS fUF,....cerceceseeeceree cevcceeees cocecee VIZ Witcheries, accounts of, Hb ceccccrecesece eveecece 473 Witherell, William, min. of Scituate,..... eccccess 200 Wolcott, Henry, mag. of Connecticut,...... covccee 162

Paga Woodbridge, Dudley, minister of Simsbury, 88; gr.

Newbury, 237; burn at Stanton Wilts, 595; sickness, death, and epitaph, 597; gr. Hw. 0. fi....... 31 Woodbridge, John, gr. H. C. ii,.......005 aed ¥enee 32 Woodbridge, Timothy, minister of Hartford colony,

88; his poem on the Magnolia, 21; gr. u.c.ii.. 31 Woodman, Benjamin, his excellent character, ii... 27 Woodward, Doctor John, on the first peopling of

America,..... te eeceeees coccccccccccccccccecess 44 Woodward, John, gr. 8. c. ii......06 eeeccceeccees -Oe Worcester, William, ministor of Salisbury,........ 236 Wright, Nathaniel, original grantee, 67; use’t mag.

Y. York, John, killed in captivity, it......sseseee08. 357 Young, John, mag. of Gonnecticut,..........0065 - 162 Young, ——, minister of Southold,.........00005 - 236 Z.

PAQE

' An Attestation to this Chureh-History of New-England, by Rev. John Higginson, . e. . 13

+ Poem, Epigram, and Pindaric, with original Translations, . . . . . e F Q1

It reports the design where-on, the manner where-1n, and the people where-By, the several Colonies of New- England were planted. And so it prepares a field for considerable things to be acted thercupon, . 39

INTRODUCTION.

CHAPTER I. Venisti Tandem? or, Discoveries of America, tending to, and ending in, Discoveries of New-England, . 4l

CHAPTER II. | Primordia; or, the Voyage to New-England, which produced the first settlement of New-Plymouth; with an account of many remarkable and memorable Providences, relating to that Voyage, . . . 46 CHAPTER III. Conamur Tenues Grandia; or, & brief Account of the Difficulties, the Deliverances, and other Occurrences, through which the Plantation of New-Plymouth arrived unto the consistency of a Colony, . . 56

3 CHAPTER IV. =~ Paulo Majora! or, the Essays and Causes, which produced the second, but largest Colony of New-England ; ‘Ne and the munner wherein the first church of this New Colony was gathered, . . . . 65 CHAPTER V. + Peregrint Deo Cure; or, the Progress of the New Colony; with some account of the Persons, the Methods, ‘s and the Troubles, by which it came to something, . . ° . . . * ° 73 CHAPTER VI. Qui trans mare Currunt; or, the Addition of several other Colonies to the former; with some Considerables in the condition of these later Colonies, . . ° . ° . . . . 80 CHAPTER VII

APPENDIX.

The Bostonian Ebenezer; or, some Historical Remarks on the state of Boston, the chief town of New-England, and of the English America, . . . . . . . . . . 90

It contains the Lives of the Governours, and the Names of the Magistrates, that have been Shields unto the Churches of New-England, . . . . . . . * oe: = 105

INTRODUCTION.

PAGS CHAPTER I. 3 Galeacius Secundus. The Lifo of William Bradford, Esq., Governour of Plymouth Colony, . . 108 a s CHAPTER II. fe Successors, . . . . ene. . . . . . . . lad 4 CHAPTER III. a Fatres Conscripti; or, Assistents, . . . . e e. e e. ° 117 $ CHAPTER IV. ‘i Vihemias Americanus, The Life of John Winthrop, Esq., Governour of the Massachuset Colony, . %Us: wm CHAPTER V. q Successors. Amor? whom, larger accounts are given of Governour Dudley and Governour Bradstreet, . 131 t CHAPTER VI. P wd) yD i.e, Viri Animati; or, Assistents, With Remarks, Fy ‘ ° ‘ ‘ é lil CHAPTER VII. & p Publicola Christianus; or, the Life of Edward Hopkins, Esq., the first Governour of Connecticut Colony, 143 * CHAPTER VIII. aM. Successors, . . . ° . . . . . . . . . Pe C -| bi

CHAPTER IX. Humilitas Honorata, The Life of Theophilus Eaton, Esq., Governour of New-Haven Colony, ° 149

f CHAPTER X. | Successors, . . . ° . . . . . . ° . ° é 135 CHAPTER XI. | { Hermes Christianus. The Lifo of John Winthrop, Esq., first Governour of Connecticut and N. Haven, united, 157 f CHAPTER XII. | Assistents, . . . . . . . . . . ° . e - 102 { APPENDIX. ; Pietas in Patriam; or, the Life of His Exccllency, Sir William Phips, late Governour of New-England. An History filled with great variety of memorable m__ crs, . ° . . e. ° 164 | THE THIRD BOOK, entituren, POLYBIUS 2 } It contains the Lives of many Divines, by whose evangelical ministry the Churches of Now-England have f Er been illuminated, ‘ F; . . - < ; . ‘ ‘ . a: INTRODUCTION. A A General History, De Vires Ilustribus, dividing into three classes the Ministers who came out of Old Eng- } Jand, for the service of New, . . ° e. . . . . ° 235 . THE FIRST PART, entitled, Johannes in Eremo, . . . . . . . 245 Bi ai | CHAPTER I. Cottonus Redivivus; or, the Life of Mr. John Cotton, . ° ‘ ° . . . - 252 } D | CHAPTER IT. Nortonus Honoratus; or, the Life of Mr. John Norton, . ‘ . e. e F - 286 wy

CHAPTER III.

Memoria Wilsoniana; or, the Life of Mr. John Wilson, ‘ ‘ ° Py ‘ . - 302 2 T CHAPTER IV. Puritanismus Nov-Anglicanus; or, the Life of Mr. John Davenport, nT

APPENDIX. The Light of the Western Churches ; or, the Life of Mr. Thomas Hooker,

N. Haven, united, 157

W-England have . Ba

Praca THE SECOND PART, entituled, Sopher Jervim, i.e. Liber Deum Timentium s or, Dead Abels yet spoaking, und spoken of, . . . .

INTRODUCTION,

CHAPTER I, Janus Nov-Anglicanus ; or, the Life of Mr. Francis Higginson, . . . . ° sof

CHAPTER IV. Tho Life of Mr, George Philips, . e . .

CHAPTER Vv. Pastor Evangelicus ; or, the Life of Mr. Thomus Shepard, ‘

: CHAPTER VI. Prudentius; or, the Life of Mr. Peter Prudden, . .

CHAPTER XI. ) The Life of Mr. Ralph Partridge. é i

The Life of Mr. Peter Bulkly, ‘ .

CHAPTER XII.

Psaltes; or, the Life of Mr. Henry Dunster, ’ e 405

CHAPTER XIy. © Eulogius ; or, the Life of Mr. Nathaniel Rogers,

CHAPTER Xv, Bibliander Nov-Anglicanus ; or, the Life of Mr. Samuel Newman, ‘ ‘ . e . . 4% CHAPTER XVI. Doctor Irrefrayabilis ; or, the Life of Mr. Samuel Stone, ‘ P é ‘ . ° . 434 CHAPTER XVII,

The Life of Mr. William Thompson,

The Life of Mr, John Warham,

CHAPTER XIX.

The Life of Mr. Henry Flint,

CHAPTER XXIII.

; Cadmus Americanus; or, the Life of Mr. Charles Chancey, =. ° . ’ ° 463 a ‘ CHAPTER XXIV. 4 i\ $ Lucas; or, the Life of Mr. John Fisk, ° ° . . . ° ° ° ie Pee Yi) 4

CHAPTER XXV. 5 Scholasticus ; or, the Life of Mr. Thomas Parker—With an Appendix containing Memoirs of Mr, James Noyes, 4380

CHAPTER XXVIII.

; The Life of Mr, Peter Hobart, . a ° oh Ne > ‘ é ‘ . ° . 497 i CHAPTER XXVIII. p A Man of God, and an Honourable Man; or, the Life of Mr. Samuel Whiting, . ‘ . 601 / 8 . 4 s CHAPTER XXIX. 5 si S. Asterius; or, the Life of Mr. John Sherman, . . . . . . ° . oil 4 li % re CHAPTER XXX. ® so Eusebius; or, the Life of Mr. Thomas Cobbet, . . . _ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ . ie A le CHAPTER XXxXI. i thi Modestus; or, the Life of Mr. John Ward, : ‘ . . ‘ : ° ‘ . 521 4 su + a Mant1ssa.—The Epitaph of Dr. John Owen, ‘ ; ‘ ‘ : : ; . 5o4 a b; a 4 THE THIRD PART, entituled, ’Ov7tiSoga Omynura, sive, Utiles Narrationes, ‘ ‘ ‘ 526 q 80 It contains the Life of the renowned John Eliot; with an account, concerning the success of the gospel among x dt the India a—A very entertaining piece of Church-History, f. pr, THE FOURTH PART, entituled, Remains, = www b he, or INTRODUCTION. ¥ li My: iT | j CHAPTER I. Remains of the First Classis; or, Shorter Accounts of some Useful Divines, . . ‘ ‘ ‘ 5an th

CHAPTER II. The Life of Mr. Thomas Allen, ‘ ‘ . ° e e Fy e ° . . 58s

d CHAPTER III. n The Life of Mr. John Knowles, . . ° e. . . . A. F 580 { CHAPTER IV. A Elisha’s Bonce; or, the Life of Mr. Honry Whitfield, : , ; ‘ ; ‘ . 502 C9) CHAPTER V. ¥ Remains of the Second Classis. And more largely, the Life of Mr. John Woodbridge, . ‘ . 594 ' Nn CHAPTER VI. : > Remains of the Third Classis. With more punctual accounts of Mr. John Oxenbridge, Mr. Thomas Walley, i and Mr, Samuel Lee, , . . . . . . . . . a. 597 % t.

CHAPTER VII. A Good Man making a Good End; or, the Life and Death of Mr. John Baily,

f the gospel among

Guz

ah pea wy Saye ee ge laa al ee 05 iia wit Goapele sea sari i el cape IEE ae ot epee ES

THE succession of eminent men by the name of MATHER, through a period of above one hundred years, was enough to make that name conspicuous for several ages or generations, after those who gave the impression had passed away. The subject of this notice, (though by no means the last of the Mathers,) was the last of the three great men of the name, who so indelibly impressed his fame upon the age in which he lived, that no length of time is likely to obliterate it; and it is worthy of remark, that the three Mathers should have followed each other in importance in unbroken succession. Not that the successors were better men than their predecessor, but there seems to have been an accumulation of fame attached to each, something in proportion to the amount and number of their literary productions; for, while the first of the series, the Rev. RicHarp MATHER, published but very few works, perhaps not avove eight or nine, yet there have not, probably, lived in New England to this day, any three men, of one name and family, who have been authors of an equal number of publications. Those of our author alone number three hundred and eiyhty-two.*

It is not proposed to enter at all into an examination or exhibition of the religious views and theories of Dr. Corron MATHER: those can be best understood by a perusal of his writings; while, at the same time, it is the duty of his | iographer to rebuke those who, it is conceived, have calumniated him, ;

It may be justly said of Cotton Mather, that he was one of the most remarkable men of the age in which he lived; not only remarkable on one, but on many accounts; and for none, perhaps, more than for his wonderful precociousness, or the early intuitiveness of his mind. His memory was likewise very extraordinary. The acquirement of knowledge

* Life by his son, Rev. Samuel Mather, D. D., who, in another place, says their number is three hundred and eighty-three. Even this is not quite all, as will bo seen. Dr, Samuel Mather was an able and learned Divine, and his own published works are quite numerous. On the rébuilding of Faneuil Hall in Boston, a Charity Sermon was preached in it, March 6th, 1763, “for the relief of the poor,” and Dr. Mather was appointed to deliver it—News Letter, March 10th, 1768.

seems to have been with him accomplished almost without effort; and his writings show that they were generally drawn from the store-house of his mind, where, from reading and observation, they had been from time to time deposited. Authors who write from this source alone, are generally diffuse, and wanting in those very essential and minute particulars, which in these days constitute so important a part of every man’s writings. His style is very peculiar; and no one who is acquainted with, the writings of the “famous Thomas Fuller,” can hardly doubt that Cotton Mather attempted to make that writer’s composition a modelfor his own. Still, he falls considerably short of Fuller in his attempts at witty conceits; in them the latter is always happy, while the former is seldom so. Yet it is believed that a volume might be made up from his writings, which would be well entitled “Curiosities and Singularities of Cotton Mather,” equal, if not superior, in interest to any thing of the kind that has ever appeared.

His ability for acquiring languages has probably been surpassed by but very few, and he is said to have been master of more languages than any other person in New England in his time. Of the Latin, especially, it must be confessed, he made a most pedantic use, bringing in passages from it at all times, as though every body understood it as well as himself.

So far as it is now remembered, Dr. Douglass seems to have been the author of the fashion or practice, so much in vogue of late years, of reviling Cotton Mather. It has been carried to such an extreme in some quar: ters, that whoever presumes to mention his name, does it at the peril of coming in for a share of obloquy and abuse himself.* Some not only charge him with committing all sorts of errors and blunders, but they bring against him the more serious charge of misrepresenting matters of fact. Now, it would be well for those who bring those charges, to look carefully to their own works. It may be, if they cannot see any thing pedantic, puerile or false in them themselves, others may come in contact with errors even worse than those of stupidity.

It is not to be denied that the mind of Dr. Mather was strangely and wonderfully constituted; and whoever shall undertake an analysis of it, will find a more difficult task, perhaps, than those have found, who content themselves with nothing further than vituperative denunciations upon the fruits of it. Literature owes a vast deal to Cotton Mather; especially for his historical and biographical works. Were these alone to be struck out of existence, it would make a void in these departments of our literature, that would probably confound many who affect to look upon them with contempt. Even Dr. Douglass, although he has written it down for truth, that, to point out all the errors in the MAGNALIA, would be to copy the whole book, is nevertheless, very much indebted to it for facts in many

* The author (of the Magnalia) said, when writing his great work, that “he had no question bat there would be some with hearts full of serpent and venom,” who would “scourge him with scorpions” for the pains he had taken.

effort; and his re-house of his n from time to are generally rticulars, which writings, His th the writings Cotton Mather own. Still, he nceits; in them et it is believed would be well equal, if not Appeared, rpassed by but lages than any especially, it | passages from s himself, have been the rears, of revilin some quar. ut the peril of ome not only lers, but they ng matters of irges, to look see any thing

€ 1n contact

strangely and nalysis of it, who content ons upon the specially for e struck out r literature, them with vn for truth, to copy the ts in many

had no ques. ould * scourge

parts of the very work in which he has made that statement; henee it

would be very bad logic that would not charge Dr. Douglass with copying

errors into his work, knowing them to be errors. It would be very easy

} to point to some writers of our own time, equally obnoxious to the same

* plain kind of logic; and a late writer, of very good standing, has with

great apparent deliberation said, that “it is impossible to deny, that the

reputation of Cotton Mather has declined of late years.” This may have

~ been his belief; but it is very singular that that same author should, at

the same time, make the largest book on the life of a man, in such a state

of decline, that had hitherto appeared! But there need be no concern for

the reputation of Cotton Mather, even in the hands of his enemies; and

it is not intended to set up a special defence of him or his writings. All

his biographer need to do, is to caution those a little who want caution,

, and save them, if he may, from having the windows in their own houses

| broken, by the very missiles they themselves have thrown.

The genealogy subjoined to this notice will give the necessary statistical

i facts of births, marriages, &c., in the Mather family; it is not necessary

} therefore to repeat them here, but to proceed at once to notice some of the

} prominent events in the life proposed.

/ Corron MATHER graduated at Harvard College in, 1678, being then but

) sixteen years of age. At this early period he drew up systems of the

' sciences, and wrote remarks upon the books which he read. He made an

/ almanack for 1688, which was printed anonymously.* This was unknown

_ to his son (who wrote his life), or he omitted to include it among his works

* from some other cause. As a proof that it was unknown to his son, other

_ works, of which he is known to be the author, are omitted also. To men-

~ tion but one, “ Manuductio ad Ministerium—Directions for a Candidate of

" the Ministry,” &., 12mo. 150 pages. In 1684, at the age of twenty-two,

_ he was ordained minister of the North Church in Boston, as colleague with

his father. Two years after, he began his career as an author. Tis first

publication (according to his son’s list of his works) was “A Sermon to

) the Artillery Company in Middlesex.” From this time to his death,

namely, from 1686 to 1727, no year passed in which he did not publish

something; thus, in a period of forty-one years were produced above 288

books and tracts; giving to each year, on an average, about seven works.

He understood one or more of the Indian languages, and published some

books in one of them, if nomore. In 1706 he published one, not found in

the catalogue above mentioned. He also published some in Spanish and

some in Latin.+

. In 1692, Dr. Mather published his “Wonders of the Invisible World.”

_ This was his account of the witchcraft cases of that time. In this he laid

‘ himself especially open to the charge of credulity, which, it cannot be

*See N. Eng. H. G. Reg. vii. 345. The authority there indicated is Hon. Judge S. Sewall.

t See p. 32, vol. i, of the Magnalia, for some account, by the author, how he composed it.

-

denied, is pretty well sustained. But something more than bare credulity seems to have possessed his mind in those times; and he was probably as much under the influence of witchcraft as any to whom that “sect,” as Dr, Douglass calls it, was imputed,.*

Many have reproached Dr. Mather, as though he was the wuthor of that dismal and awful delusion, This is singularly unjust. He was himself one of the deluded; and this is the only charge that can lie against him relative to it. All the world then believed in witchcraft, and people entered into it according to their temperament and circumstances, The delusion was not a native of New England, but an exotic from the father-land; and it had been well if this had been the only one imported thence. Even when prosecutions had ceased, there was not a cessation of a belief in the reality of witchcraft; its progress way stayed from a very different cause, as is now too well known to be entered into or explained. Even to the present day there are thousands who believe in its reality; and that belief can only be extirpated by the progress of genuine knowledge. Within the remembrance of the writer, one might ride from Boston, in a single day, with a very moderate horse, into a New England town where the belief in witchcraft was very general, and where many an old horse-shoe could have been seen nailed to half the bedsteads in the town to keep away those vile miscreants who came riding through the air upon broomsticks, or across the lots upon the back of some poor old woman, who perhaps, from some malady, had not left her house for years, How much short of a day’s ride by steam or otherwise it would now be necessary to take to reach a place where the belief exists, is left for the conjecture of others.

CoTron MATHER was undoubtedly the most prominent author who wrote on witchcraft, and in the full belief of it, in his time, in this country; this circumstance accounts for his being singled out by “one Robert Calef,” who attacked him with complete success—complete, because he had reason and truth on his side—in his book, which he called “MorzE WoNDERS OF THE INVISIBLE WORLD,” &c. This he published in London, in a quarto volume, in the year 1700. In this book, Calef styles himself “Merchant, of Boston in New England.” Now, in the absence of proof to the contrary, it may not be unfair to presume that Calef issued his work quite as soon as he dared to, and quite as soon as public opinion would tolerate a work which had for its aim a deadly blow against a belief in the imaginary crime of witchcraft. For it is known that as soon as Calef’s book did appear, some of Dr. Mather’s friends came out with another work against that author, from the title of which alone its contents can pretty well be judged of. It is “SomME FEW REMARKS UPON A SCANDALOUS BooK WRITTEN BY ONE Ropert CALEF.” But this book and its authors are alike unknown, while Calef occupies a conspicuous place among the benefactors of mankind.

*TIn reckoning up the various religious sects in New England, that author puts down wiicheraft as one of them! Summary, &c.

Th that,’ beyo and Dr. I OCHA} whicl pond as we In

Bon answ¢ and r¢ by wh Frank old m he th a book father, leaves thinki always other anecdo may lo “You

ninth;

T left I ing he: last tin him af and on a narrc talking toward till I f any 0¢ young, will mi frequet mortifi heads 1 the hig

credulity obably as t,” as Dr.

or of that mself one n relative ered into asion was d; and it ven when he reality use, as is 1e present f can only e rememuy, with a in witchyuld have those vile or across rom some day’s ride h a place

ho wrote try; this ert Calef,” ad reason NDERS OF h a quarto erchant, contrary, e as soon e a work ary crime bear, some ht author, dged of. BY ONE n, while nkind,

puts down

The foreign correspondence of Dr. Mather was very extensive; “so that,” says his son, “I have known him at one time to have above /ifty beyond sea.” Among his correspondents were many of the most learned and famous men in Europe; as Sir RicHARD BLACKMORE, Mr. WHISTON, Dr. Desacuiiers, Mr, PInuionerE, Dr. FRaNcKIUS, WM. WALLER, Dr, CHAMBERLAIN, Dr. Woopwarb, Dr, Junin, Dr. Watts, &c. In a letter which he wrote in 1748, Dr. Watts says “he had enjoyed a happy correspondence with Dr. Cotton Mather, for near twenty years before his death, as well as with the Rev. Mr. Samuel Mather, his son, ever since.”

In 1710, came out a book from the pen of our author, which he entitled “Bonifacius; An Essay upon the Goon to be devised by those who would answer the great End of Life.” In this work are many excellent maxims and reflections, but its popularitv has probably been very much enhanced by what Dr. Franklin has said of it. Dr. Mather was well acquainted with Franklin when the latter was a young man; and when Franklin was an old man, in the year 1784, in writing to Samuel Mather, son of Cotton, he thus alludes to it in his happy style: —‘‘ When I was a boy, I met with a book entitled ‘Hssays to do Good,’ which I think was written by your father. It had been so little regarded by a former possessor, that several leaves of it were torn out; but the remainder gave me such a turn of thinking, as to have an influence on my conduct through life; for I have always set a greater value on the character of a doer of good than on any other kind of reputation.” In the same letter is to be found that often-told anecdote of an interview he once had with Doctor Mather. This, too, that it may lose nothing at the writer’s hands, is given in its author’s own words: “You mention being in your seventy-eighth year; I am in my seventy-.

ninth; we are grown old together. It is now more than sixty years since:

T left Boston, but I remember well both your father and grandfather; having heard them both in the pulpit, and seen them in their houses, The last time I saw your father was in the beginning of 1724, when I visited’ him after my first trip to Pennsylvania, He received me in his library, and on my taking leave showed me a shorter way out of the house through. & narrow passage, which was crossed by a beam over head. We were still talking as I withdrew, he accompanying me behind, and I turning partly towards him, when he said, hastily, ‘ Stoop, stoop/’ I did not understand him till I felt my head hit against the beam. He was a man that never missed any occasion of giving instruction, and upon this he said to me, ‘ You are young, and have the world before you; STOOP as you go through it, and you will miss many hard thumps.’ ~ This advice, thus beat into my head, has frequently been of use to me; and I often think of it, when I see pride mortified, and misfortunes brought upon people by their carrying their heads too high.” This moral, so essentially good in itself, does not need the high recommendation of a Franklin, though but for him it would not, Vout, L—c

tale atl tt rece ad a

LIST Tah ne ee orem. =

probably, have been brought to the knowledge of every youth who has

learned or may yet learn to read. It may be too much a custom to dwell on the errors and misfortunes of

people while living; and to err, on the other hand, by making their characters appear too well after they have passed away; especially if they have been sufficiently conspicuous in life to require a written memorial after their decease. Though Dr. Cotton Mather had enemies while living, his memory has been pursued with more malignity, since his death, than has happened to that of most men; and, as is conceived, without sufficient reason, and which could only be warranted by the most undoubted proofs that he has purposely led his readers into errors, and that he acted falsely on the most important occasions; and that, finally, he was too bad a man to make any acknowledgment of all this, though conscious of it, when he took his final departure with the messenger of his last summons.

The following account of Dr. Mather’s death and funeral, is taken verbatim from the New England Weekly Journal, of the 19th and 26th of February, 1728:

“Last Tuesday in the Forenoon, between 8 and 9 o'clock, died here the very Reverend COTTON MATHER, Doctor in Divinity of Glasco,and Feliow of the Royal Society in London, Senior Pastor of the Old North Church in Boston, and an Overseer of Harvard-College; by whose Death Persons of all Ranks arein Concern and Sorrow. He was perhaps the principal Ornament of this Country, the greatest Scholar that ever was bred in it. But besides his universal Learning; his exalted Piety and extensive Charity, his entertaining Wit, and singular goodness of Temper recommended him to all, that were Judges of real and distinguished merit.

“ After having spent above Forty seven years in the faithful and unwearied Discharge of a lively, zealous and awakening Ministry, and in incessant Endeavors to do good and spread abroad the Glory of CHRIST, he finished his Course with a divine Composure and Joy, the day after his Birth Day which compleated his Sixty Fifth year; being born on Feb. 12, 1662-3.”

“On Monday last the Remains of the Late very Reverend and Learned Dr. Cotton MaTHER, who deceas’d on Tuesday the 13th Instant, to the great Loss and Sorrow of this Town and Country, were very honourably interred. His Reverend Colleague in deep Mourning, with the Brethren of the Church, walking in a Body before the Corpse. The six first Ministers of the Boston Lecture supported the Pall. Several Gentlemen of the bereaved Flock took their turns to bear the Coffin. After which followed, first the bereaved Relatives in Mourning; then his Honour the Lieutenant Governour, the Honourable His Majesty’s Council, and House of Representatives; and then a large Train of Ministers, Justices, Merchants, Scholars and other principal Inhabitants, both Men and Women. The Streets were crouded with People, and the Windows fill’d with sorrowful Spectators, all the way to the Burying Place: where the Corpse was deposited in a Tomb belonging to the worthy Family.” [On Copp’s Hill, at the north end of the town.]

On the Mather Tomb are the following inscriptions: THE REVEREND DOCTORS INCREASE, COTTON, AND SAMUEL MATHER WERE INTERRED IN THIS VAULT, ‘TIS THE TOMB OF OUR FATHERS,

1 who has

fortunes of their charthey have iorial after living, his h, than has ficient reabted proofs cted falsely bad a man it, when he ns. s taken vernd 26th of

very Reverend Society in Lonurvard- College; haps the prin- But besides his it, and singular nguished merit. Discharge of a ood and spread rnd Joy, the day b. 12, 1662-3.”

TTON MATHER, this Town and rning, with the finisters of the took their turns fourning; then , and House of olars and other ith People, and lace: where the Copp’s Hill, at

XXXV

Nobody will charge the Rev. Tuomas PRINCE with insincerity in what he has said of his co-labourers, and HX says, ‘Dr. Cotton Mather, though born and constantly residing in this remote corner of America,* has yet for near these forty years made so rising and great a figure in the learned world, as has attracted to him, while alive, the eyes of many at the furthest distance; and now deceased, can’t but raise a very general wish to see the series, and more especially the domestic part of so distinguished a life exhibited. His printed writings, so full of piety and various erudition, his vast correspondence, and the continual reports of travellers who had conversed with him, had spread his reputation into other countries. And when, about fourteen years ago, I travelled abroad, I could not but admire to what extent his fame had reached, and how inquisitive were gentlemen of letters to hear and know of the most particular and lively manner, both of his private conversation and public performances among us.”

Dr. Colman speaks in the highest terms of Dr. Mather, in his Funeral Sermon. “His printed works,” he says, ‘will not convey to posterity, nor give to strangers a just idea of the real worth and great learning of the man.” To this, and a great deal more equally commendatory, Mr. Prince subscribes in these words: “Every one who intimately knew the Doctor will readily assent to this description.”

It would be difficult, perhaps, to produce an example of industry equal to that of Dr. Cotton Mather. In one year, it is said, he kept sixty fasts and twenty vigils, and published fourteen books—all this besides performing his ministerial duties; which duties in those days were something more than nominal. He kept a diary, which has been extensively used by some

* This and similar expressions are very common in the New England writers of that day. They seem peculiarly odd in our times, but by another hundred and fifty years they may be viewed as something more than odd. Having a few others at hand, I will throw them in here as curiosities of those days:

In these goings down of the sun; Dr. I. Matuer, Brief Hist., p. 1. Torrey's Election Sermon.

This remote Corner of the Earth; id. Elect. Sermon.

These dark Territories; id. Cases of Conscience concerning Witchcraft, 45.

These Ends of the Earth; id. Pref. to Loring’s Ser. at Lexington, (1718.)

These Dark Corners of the Earth; id. Prevalency of Prayer, p. 5.

In these Ends of the Earth; Prince, Pref. N. Eng. Psalm Book.

A desart Wilderness, thousands of leagues by sea; Jonnson Wond. Work Prov.

In this Howling Desart; id.

Beyond a dreadful and terrible Ocean 900 leagues in length; id.

This far remote and vast Wilderness; id.

This Western End of the World; id.

Prince, Pref. to

Here I will close the extracts—not, however, for want of others. [am also aware that inodern writers sometimes use similar expressions, when speaking of this country, Several instances occur in Trumbull’s McFingal.

of his bographers, but it was not sought after on this occasion, as it is said to be scattered in different places! How this happened the writer has not been informed. Notwithstanding he published so many works, he left nearly as much unpublished in manuscript; the principal part of which is entitled, ‘Biblia Americana,” or “The Sacred Scriptures of the Old and New Testament Illustrated.” For the publication of this work proposals were issued soon after its author died, but nothing further seems to have been done about it. Of the “Biblia Americana,” the Doctor’s son remarks, “That is a'work, the writing of which is enough constantly to employ a man, unless he be a miracle of diligence, the half of the three-score years and ten, the sum of years allowed to us.”

It remains now to mention the book by which Dr. Mather is best known, the work for which this memoir is prepared, and which will make his name prominent through all coming time—the reader’s mind is already in advance of the pen—the MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA. This was printed in London, in 1702, in a moderate sized folio volume, in double column, the aggregate of its pages being seven hundred and ninety-four. It is chiefly a collection of what the author had before printed on historical and biographical subjects. The value of its contents has been variously estimated. Some decrying it below any value, while others pronounce it “the only classic ever written in America.” At the hazard of incurring the charge of stupidity, it is the decided opinion of the writer, that it has a value between those extremes. But the writer has sufficiently expressed his mind on the value of the author’s works before. There have been two editions of the “MaGNaLiA” before the present; the last was printed at Hartford, in two volumes, octavo, 1820. Unfortunately, this edition was printed from a copy of that in folio, which had not the errata, and consequently abounds with all the errors contained in the original edition. To those who do not understand the matter, this printing an edition of the “ Magnalia” without correcting its errata, may seem to incur for the publisher severe reprehension. But the truth appears to be, that the copy used in printing the new edition had not the complete errata attached to it; and that, in fact, but very few copies of the original edition can be found to which it is attached. Now, its rarity is accounted for in this way: Dr. Mather, living in Boston while his work was printing in London, could make no corrections while it was passing through the press; but when he received his copies afterwards, he found so many errors, that he was induced to print an extra sheet of corrections, This extra sheet may not have been struck off until most of the copies of the Ma znalia which had been sent to New England were distributed; and thus the rare occurrence of copies of the Magnalia containing the errata is accounted for; and kence the publisher of the last edition should not be too severely ceisured. That this solution is correct, it might be mentioned, that out of a great many copies of the folio edition imported by the writer and others from Englan:, not one

eee

s it is said to has not been left nearly hich is entild and New yposals were o have been on remarks, to employ a s-score years

best known, il make his is already in ANA, This 1e, in double ninety-four. d on historen variously oronounce it of incurring that it has a xpressed his e been two s printed at edition was

at the copy attached to tion can be in this way: ndon, could ut when he vas induced t have been been sent

MEMOIR OF COTTON MATHER. xxx vii of them contained the errata in question. The edition now given to the pullic, has the advantage of being corrected by Dr. Mather's own errata.

On the last page of the folio edition of the Magnalia, the following are the three concluding lines: —‘“‘ ERRATA. Reader, Carthagenia was of the mind, that unto those th: ee things which the ancients held impossible, there should be added this fourth, to find a book printed without erratas. It seems the hands of Briareus, and the eyes of Argus will not prevent them.”’ And the additional errata, of which mention has just been made, the author thus prefaces: “The Holy Bible itself, in some of its editions, hath been affronted with scandalous errors of the press-work; and in one of them, they so printed those words, Psalms 119, 161, ‘Printers have persecuted me,” &c.

In the book which, before all others, should be found full and ample materials for a genealogy of Dr. Mather’s own family, a very meagre and unsatisfactory account only is to be seen; yet, as deficient and meagre as it is, it is of great importance, as containing nothing upon the subject but what the author himself knew. That work is entitled, ‘THe LIFE oF THE VERY REVEREND AND LEARNED CoTTOoN MATHER, D. D., and F. B.S.,” &c., by hisson SamuEL MarueER, M. A., published the next year after the death of the author’s father. The sum of what this book contains on our immediate subject, is here condensed into a paragraph, as follows:

After informing the reader that his father was born on “Thursday, Feb. 12, 1662-8, at Boston, in New England,” he continues, “I have no great disposition to enquire into the remote antiquities of his family; nor, indeed, is it matter of much consequence that in our Coat of Arms, we bear Ermine, Or, A Fess, wavy, Azure, three Lions rampant; or; for a Crest, on a wreath of our Colours a Lion Sedant, or on a Trunk of a Tree vert.’”* ‘‘His mother was Maria, the daughter of the renowned Mr. JoHN Corton, who was a man of very exalted piety and uncommon learning: Out of respect to this excellent man, he was called Corron. His education was at the free school in Boston, under the care, first, of Mr. BENJAMIN THOMP- SON, aman of great learning, last, under the famous Mr. EZEKIEL CHEEVER.” At the age of sixteen he graduated, and when eighteen years and one-half, received the degree of M. A., from the hands of his own father, Dr. Increase Mather, who was then President of Harvard College. At the age of twenty-four he was married, and in 1702 his wife died. In somewhat less than a year he married again, ‘one of good sense, and blessed, with a complete discretion, with a very handsome, engaging countenance; and

* This is exactly as we find it, and it is not deemed necessary to reduce it to more intelligible heraldic language. We would remark, in this connection, that the above description of the Arms of Mather has scarcely any thing in common with a coat of arms given in a “ Mather Genealogy,” published by Mr. Joun Martner, of the Connecticut branch of the family, in 1848. The author of that work has not committed himself by giving a description of the Arms he has published. To it we have been indebted, to some extent, especially in the later generations of the Connecticut Mathers.

XXXVili MEMOIR OF COTTON MATHER. one honorably descended and related, twas Mrs. EtizABeTH HubBarp, who was the daughter of Dr. JoHN CiaRK, who had been a widow four years, He rejoiced in her as having great spoil.” By his third wife he had no issue. ‘By the two former wives he had fifteen children, only two of which are living; one a daughter by the first wife; the other, a son by the second; he is the writer. By his first wife he had nine children, of which but four arrived to man’s or woman’s estate. By his second, two children only lived to grow up out of six.”

Such is the account of the children of Cotton Mather by one of those children; and although there were fifteen, from his account the names of yive only are learned; nor have we been able, fron. all other sources, to make out the names of but thirteen.

It is said in the ‘Mather Genealogy,” mentioned in the note, that a daughter of Dr. Cotton Mather, named Jerusha, married a Smith of Sufficld, Ct., and that she was the grandmother of JouNn Corron Smiru, late Governor of that State; on the authority of Governor Smith himself. This must be an error, if our account of the children be correct, because it is shown that the daughter named Jerusha, died at the age of two and a half years, in the year 1713. Mr. Smith says his grand-mother died in Sharon, Ct., in 1784, in her ninetieth year; hence she was born in 1693-4, Now, Cotton Mather’s daughter Abigail was born in 1694; therefore it is plain, we think, that Jerusha Mather, who “married a Smith of Suffield,” was not a daughter of Cotton, but perhaps a daughter of Atherton Mather, who lived in Suffield, and had a daughter Jerusha, Cotton and Atherton were own cousins, and a daughter of the latter would be very likely to name a son after so distinguished a kinsman as Dr. Mather; for Governor Smith’s father was named Cotton Mather Smith.

Few ministers preached a greater number of Funeral Sermons than Dr. Mather; and when he died, his cotemporaries seemed to have vied with each other in performing the same office for him. Several of their sermons were printed. Some of these with thei: quaint titles are now before us. Foremost among them appears that of the excellent Mr. PrINcE; he entitled his “The Departure of ELIsAH lamented.—A Sermon occasioned by the Great and Publick loss in the Decease of the very REVEREND end LEARNED COTTON MATHER, D. D., F. R. S., and Senior Pastor of the North Church in Boston. Who left this Life on Feb. 18th, 1727, 8. The morning after he finished the LXV. year of his Age.”— From 2 Kings ii. 12,138. The imprint of this Sermon is, “Boston in New England; Printed for D. Henchman, near the Brick Meeting-House in Cornhill. MDCCXXVIII.”

The running title of Dr. Colman’s Sermon on the same occasion is, ‘‘ The Holy Walk and Glorious Translation of Blessed HNOCH.” His text was Gen. v. 24. It would be difficult to find any thing of the kind, either before or since, which, in our judgment, is superior to this discourse of

BOR: Fiala Se is Seas RS

1 Hussar, widow four | wife he had only two of er, a son by children, of second, two

one of those he names of r sources, to

note, that a 1 of Suffield, H, late Govnself, This because it is 9 and a half 1 in Sharon, 3-4, Now, it is plain, iffield,” was on Mather, d Atherton y likely to r Governor

ns than Dr, P vied with nl of their Ss are now ellent Mr, d.—A Serf the very and Senior Feb, 18th,

House in

nis, “The S text was nd, either Bcourse of

7 here. His allusion, however, to the then past and present state of things 7 connected with his subject, is so happy that we cannot overlook it.

XXxix

Dr. Colman; but, valuable as it is, we cannot introduce extracts from it

“Dr. Mather’s brethren in the Ministry here,” he says, “are bereaved

4 and weak with him. God has taken their father, as well as his, from their

heads this day. He was a Pastor in the town when the eldest of the

: present Pastors were but children, and long before most of them were ' born. They are weak indeed when he that is now speaking to them is

the first in years among them, in all respects else the least,” &c.

The Rev. JosHuA GEE,* colleague with Dr. Mather, also preached a Funeral Sermon on his departed friend, entitled, “IsraEt’s Mourning for Aaron’s Death.” In this discourse there is the following important note:

_“Withia a few months past, we have been called to lament the deaths of

two such aged servants of the Lorp. The Rev. Mr. Samuel Danforth of ‘Taunton, who died Nov. 14. And my honored father-in-law, the Mr. Peter Thatcher of Milton, who died Dec. 17, 1727: while the days of mourning were scarce over in this town for my dearly beloved friend and brother, the Rev. Mr. William Waldron, who died Sept. 11, 1727.”

Dr. Mather’s son, “SaMuEL MATHER, M. A., and Chaplain at CasTLE WILLIAM,” also preached a Funeral Sermon on his father’s death. “The Departure and Character of ELIJAH considered and improved,” was its running title. Only about five years before, the deceased preached a sermon on the death of his father; in the title-page of which, instead of the author’s name, we read, “ By one who, as a SON with a father, served with him in the Gospel.”

There were other discourses on the occasion of Dr. Mather’s death, but they are not within our reach; and if they were, we have not room sven for their titles.

Dr. Mather died intestate, and the order of the Judge of Probate for

_ the distribution of his estate is as follows:—‘“One third to his widow,

eho . RSS os

Lydia Mather; two single shares or fourth parts to Samuel Mather, Clerk, only surviving son, and one share each to the rest of his children, viz: Abigail Willard, deceased, wife of Daniel Willard, also deceased, their children and legal representatives, and Hannah Mather, Spinster.” Dated, 25th May, 1780.

The following items, illustrative of the history of the Mather family, are thought to be of sufficient interest to claim an insertion here: “Peter Hix

* Who was Josnua Gee, who in 1731 published a third edition of “The Trade and Nav. igation of Great Britain Considered,” &c.? In this work there is much relative to the “ American Plantations,”

t Whoever desires to be further informed respecting the life and character of Dr. Cotton Mather, cannot do better, in our opinion, than to read Dr. Eliot’s notice of him in his New Eng. Biographical Dictionary. For neatness, truthfulness, and elegance, it is nothing short of the superlative degree. The article in Dr. Allen’s Amer. Biog. Dict. is also a good and candid one, Of the more recent and laboured lives of our subject, we have not room to spexk,

of Dorchester and Sarah his wife, appointed guardians to Katherine Mather, aged about five years, daughter of Joseph Mather, yeoman, late of Dorchester, deceased. Dated 9 May, 1695.—Suffolk Wills, vol. XIII. 299.”

“Petition of Samuel Mather of Boston, Clerk, praying the consideration of the court for the eminent and signal services of his venerable and honored granc-father, with another petition of sundry others of the descendants of the petitioner’s grand-father."—Jour. H. R. 20 Dec. 1738. On the 29th Dec. following, ‘‘The committee reported that, considering the Rev. Dr. Increase Mather not only served his particular church faithfully, and the college as their President with honor, but the province as an agent in procuring the present charter, to the good acceptance of his country; and that his son, the Rev. Dr. Cotton Mather, and grand-son, the petitioner, his successor in the same church and ministry, have not behaved themselves unworthy of such an ancestor, and have never had one foot of land granted to either of them, as'we can learn, are therefore of opinion, that, notwithstanding the gratification of £200 given him, as is alleged, it may be proper for this court to grant a farm of 500 acres, to the heirs of the said Dr. Increase Mather, and report accordingly.” —ib.

The following year there is this entry upon the Journai:—“ Petition of the Rev. Mr. Samuel Mather, praying as entered the 12th and 20th of Dec. last, and a petition of Maria Fifield, Elizabeth Byles, and others, heirs of Dr. Increase Mather, praying the consideration of the court on account of their father’s public services.”—7b, 22 June, 1739.

In 1780, a petition of Richard Mather and sundry other inhabitants

a

SORRY aman ta aac mats

.

aesaate areca

€ of Suffield and Enfield was presented to the General Court of Massachu- a setts, praying for a tract of land on “ Houssatunnic river,” for a township. i —tb, 1780. a ‘Atherton Mather of Windsor, Ct., appointed administrator on the estate yh Ed of his sister Katherine, late of Windsor, deceased, intestate, spinster, 14 a July, 1694. Inventory presented by Atherton Mather, 19 July, 1694. Real “7 estate in Dorchester to be divided between the two surviving brothers and m: the children of her deceased brethren, by her brother Atherton Mather; an his eldest brother, Samuel, having refused the trust.”—Suj Wills, vol. fat XIIL. 288. .

“We hear from Halifax, that Dr. Thomas Mather lately died there of a fever. He was a son of the Rev. Samuel Mather of this town, and surgeon of the Provincial Regiment in Nova Scotia.”—Bost. Hv. Post, 20th Dec., 1762.

The Portrait of which ours accompanying this volume was engraved is a beautiful mezzotinio, half size, with the following inscription underneath it:

“Cottonus Matherus S. Theologize Doctor Regi Societatis Londinensis Socius, et Ecelesize apud Bostonum Noy-Anglorum nuper Prepositus. Atatis Sue LXV. MDCCXXVII. P. Pelham ad vivum pinxit ab Origin Fecit.”

SEA MM Patapon A RY kee Hei 8

therine Mather,

n, late of Dor.

e consideration rable and honf the descendec, 1788. On onsidering the urch faithfully, ace aS an agent of his country; the petitioner, behaved themne foot of land ’ opinion, that, alleged, it may e heirs of the

— Petition of d 20th of Dec. thers, heirs of on account of

er inhabitants of Massachuor a township.

br on the estate e, spinster, 14 y, 1694. Real y brothers and prton Mather; Gj. Wills, vol.

lied there of own, and sur- Lv, Post, 20th

engraved is a inderneath it:

Deius, et Eeelesice

Bea

Although the name of Mather has never been so conspicuous in Old as in New England, yet there have probably always existed persons of the name in that country of good standing and respectability.* About the commencement of the present century, there were the Rev. WILLIAM MATHER, of Dover, and the Rev. Joun MaTHER of Beverley in Yorkshire. Portraits of these gentlemen have been published—of the fcrmer in 1817, and of the latter in 1823. How these persons stood related, or to what branch of the M: ther family they belonged, we are entirely uninformed, nor have we attempted any investigations for the family in England, other than we have indicated in this article.

It may not be improper to remark here, upon the Mather portraits, that that of Dr. IncrEAsE MaTvER in “Palmer's Calamy’s Nonconformist’s Memorial,” is probably a fancy sketch; as it has nc resemblance whatever to the original painting existing in Boston. ‘There is a painting of the Rev. RicHaRD MATHER, (father of INCREASE) at Worcester, of undoubted authenticity.

The name Mather is derived from the Saxon math, to mow; mather, a mower; as mill, miller, &c. The family, at the time of emigration to this country, was not entitled to bear coat-armour, being yeomen, though of good estate. A branch of the family in England has as had a coat of arms and crest granted them,t as follows:

Arms.—Quarterly Argent and Gules, four scythes counterchanged.t

Crest— A demi husbandman habited auarterly, Argent and Gules, capped the same, face and hands ppr., holding in the dexter hand a horn Or, in the sinister a, scythe ppr—WMotto (in old English)—fflowe Warilie.

*There was an Alexander Mather, Member of Parliamant from the city of Norwich, 6 Edward VI. (1547.)—George Mather, Esq., resided near New Orleans in 1784. He resided there twenty-two years.

+ The grant, according to Burke, (Heraldic Register, 32) bears date Feb. 18, 184'7, and was “To Tuomas Matuer of Glyn Abbot, Co. of Flint, and formerly of Liverpool, Esq., a magistrate for the Co. of Flint, son and heir of Thomas M. of Mount Pleasant, Liverpool; and grand-son of Daniel Mather of Toxteth Park, to be borne by the descendants of his late father, and his aunt, Sarah Mather of Toxteth Park, spinster, only surviving sister of his late father.” Ellis Mather was (says the foresaid author) the first settler in Toxteth, descended from a family long seated in the parish of Radcliffe and its neighbourhood. They held Toxteth Park from the time of Elizabeth till recently.

t Researches of H. G. Somerby, Esq., in England, communicated to the author.

BOSTON, January, 1654,

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ese.

AN ATTESTATION

To THIS

Ir hath been deservedly esteemed one of the great and wonderful works of God in this last age, that the Lord stirred up the spirits of so many thousands of his servants, to leave the pleasant land of England, the land of their nativity, and to transport themselves, and families, over the ocean sea, into a desert land in America, at the distance of a thousand leagues from their own country; and this, meerly on the account of pure and undefiled Religion, not knowing how they should have their daily bread, but trusting in God for that, in the way of seeking first the kingdom of God, and the righteousness thereof: And that the Lord was pleased to grant such a gracious presence of his with them, and such a blessing upon their undertakings, that within a few years a wilderness was subdued before them, and so many Colonies planted, Towns erected, and Churches settled, wherein the true and living God in Christ Jesus, is worshipped and served, in a place where, time out of mind, had been nothing before but Heathenism, Idolatry, and Devil-worship; and that the Lord has added so many of the blessings cf Heaven and earth for the comfortable subsistence of his people in these ends of the earth. Surely of this work, and of this time, it shall be said, what hath God wrought? And, this is the Lord’s doings, it is marvellous in our eyes! Even so (O Lord) didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name! * Now, one generation passeth away, and another cometh. The first generation of our fathers, that began this plantation of New- England, most of them in their middle age, and many of them in their declining years, who, after they had served the will of God, in laying the foundation (as we hope) of many genera. tions, and given an example of true reformed Religion in the faith and order of the gospel, according to their best light from the words of God, they are now gathered unto their fathers, There hath been another generation succeeding the first, either of such as come over with their parents very young, or were born in the country, and these have had the managing of the publick affairs for many years, but are apparently passing away, as their fathers before them. Thero is also a third generation, who are grown up, and begin to stand thick upon the stage of action, at this day, and these were all born in the country. and may call New- England their native land. Now, in respect of what the Lord hath dene for these generations, succeeding <ue another, we have aboundant cause of Thanksgiving tu the Lord our God, who hath so increased and blessed this people, that from a day of small things, he has brought us to be, what we now are. We may set up an Epenezer, and say, “ Hitherto the Lord hath helped us.” Yet in respect of our present stute, we have need earnestly to pray, as we are directed, “Let thy work farther appear unto thy servants, and let thy beauty be upon us, and thy glory upon our children; establish thou the works of these our hands; yea, the works of our hands, establish thou them.”

For, if we look on the dark side, the humane side of this work, there is much of humane weakness, and imperfection hath appeared in all that hath been done by man, as was acknowl. edged by our fathers before us. Neither was New-England ever without some fatherly chastisements from God; shewing that He is not fond of the formalities of any people upon earth, but expects the realities of practical Godliness, according to our profession and engagement unto him. Much more may we, the children of such fathers, lament our gradual degeneracy from that life and power of Godliness, that was in them, and the many provoking evils that are amongst us; which have moved our God severely to witness against us, more than in our first times, hy his lesser judgments going before, and his greater judgments following after; he shot off his warning-pieces first, but his murthering-pieces have come after them, in so much as in these calamitous times, the changes of wars of Europe have had such a malignant influence upon us in America, that we are at this day greaily diminished and brought low, through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.

And yet if we look on the light side, the divine side of this work, we may yet see, that the glory of God which was with our fathers, is not wholly departed from us their children;

_ there are as yet many signs of his gracious presence with us, both in the way of his providences, and in the use of his ordinances, as also in and with the hearts and souls of 1 considerable number of his people in New-England, that we may yet say, as they did, “Thy name is upon us, and thou art in the midst of us; therefore, Lord, leave us not!” As Solomon prayed, so may we, “The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers; let him not leave nor forsake us; but incline our hearts to keep his commandments.” And then “that he would maintain his own, and his people’s cause, at all times, as the matter may require.”

For the Lord our God hath in his infinite wisdom, grace, and holiness, contrived and established His covenant, so as he will be the God of his people and of their seed with them, and after them, in their generations; and in the ministerial dispensation of the covenant of grace, in, with, and to his visible Church, He hath promised covenant-mercies on the condition of covenant-duties: “If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear their prayers, forgive their sins, and heal their land; and mine eyes, and mine heart, shall be upon them perpetually for good!” that so the faithfulness of God may appear in all generations for ever, that if there be any breach between the Lord and his people, it shall appear plainly to lye on his people's part. And therefore he has taken care, that his own dealings with his people in the course of his providence, and their dealings with him in the ways of obedience or disobedience, should be recorded, and so transmitted for the use and benefit of after. times, from generation to generation; as, (Exodus xvii. 14,) “The Lord said unto Moses, write this for a memorial in a book;” and, (Deut. xxxi. 19,) “Write ye this song for you, that it may be a witness for me against the children of Israel;” and (Psa. cii. 18,) “ This and that shall be written for the generation to come, and the people that shall be created shall praise the Lord.” Upon this ground it was said, (in Psal. xliv. 1,) “We have heard with our ears, O God, and our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days in times of old, how thou castest out the Heathen, and plantedst them;” (so likewise in Psal. xxviii. v. 3 to the 8th). Upon the same account it may be said, (Psal, xlv. last,) “I will make thy name to be remembered to all generations:” and this is one reason why the Lord commanded so great a part of the Holy Scriptures to be written in an historical way, that the wonderful works of God towards his church and people, and their acting towards him again, might be known unto all generations: and after the scripture-time, so far as the Lord in his holy wisdom hath seen meet, he hath stirred up some or other to write the acts and monuments of the church of God in all ages; especially since the reformation of religion from antichristian darkness, was vigorously, and in a great measure successfully, endeavoured in the foregoing century, by such learned and pious persons as the Lord inclined and inabled thereunto.

And therefore surely it hath been a duty incumbent upon the people of God, in this our

-

much of humane ns was acknowl. t some fatherly any people upon profession and ament our grad.

and the many witness against is greater judgring-pieces have wars of Europe this day greatly

ay yet see, that 8 their children; pay of his proviand souls of a ny, as they did, ve us not!” As rith our fathers; idments.” And 3, a8 the matter

8, contrived and seed with them, the covenant of mercies on the ll humble themwill I hear their rt, shall be upon all generations | appear plainly ealings with his ays of obedience benefit of after. iid unto Moses, ng for you, that “This and that ited shall praise d with our ears, mes of old, how xviii, v. 3 to the thy name to be 1anded so great onderful works night be known ly wisdom hath f the church of n darkness, wis ing century, by

0d, in this our

New-England, that there should be extant, a true history of the wonderful works of God in the lute plantation of this part of America: which was indeed planted, not on tha account of any worldly interest, but on a design of enjoying and advancing the true reformed religion, in practical way; and also of the good hand of God upon it from the beginning unto this day, in granting such a mei <e of good success, 80 far as we have attained: such a work as this hath been much desin. 0... Long expected, both at home and abroad, and too long delayed by us, and cometin —t hath seemed a hopeless thing over to be attained, till God raised up the spirit 0” t's learned and pious person, one of the sons of the colledge, and one of the minister of the third generation, to undertake this work. His learning and Godliness, and miniserial abilities, were 80 conspicuous, that at the age of seventeen years, he was called to be a publick preacher in Boston, the metropolis of the whole English America; and within a while after that, he was ordained pastor of the same church, whercof his own father was the teacher, and this at the unanimous desire of the people, and with the approbation of the magistrates, ministers, and churches, in the vicinity of Boston, And after he had, for divers years, approved himself in an exemplary way, and obliged his native country, by publishing many useful treatises, suitable to the present state of Religion amongst us, he set himself to write the church-history of New-England, not at alf omitting his ministerial employments; and in the midst of many difficulties, tears, and temptations, having made a diligent search, collecting of proper materials, and selecting the choicest memorials, he hath, in the issue, within a few months, contrived, composed, and methodized the same into this form and frame which we here see: so that it deserves the name of, Tue Cuurcu-History or NEw-ENGLAND.

But as I behold this exemplary son of New-England, while thus young and tender, at such arate building the Temple of God, and in a few months dispatching such a piece of Templework as this is; a work so notably adjusted and adorned, it brings to mind the epigram upon young Borellus:

“Cum juveni tantam dedit experientia lucem, Tale ut promat opus, quam dabit illa seni?”*

As for my self, having been, by the mercy of God, now above sixty-eight years in New- England, and served the Lord and his people in my weak measure, siaty years in the ministry of the gospel, I may now say, in my old age, J have seen all that the Lord hath done for his people in New-England, and have known the beginning and progress of these churches unto this day; and having read over much of this history, I cannot but in the love and fear of God bear witness to the truth of it; viz: That this present church-history of New-England, compiled by Mr. Cotton Mather, for the substance, end, and scope of it, is, as far as I have been acquainted therewithall, according to truth,

The manifold advantage and usefulness of this present history, will appear, if we consider the great and good ends unto which it may be serviceable; as,

First, That a plain scriptural duty of recording the works of God unto after-times, may not any longer be omitted, but performed in the best manner we can.

Secondly, That by the manifestation of the éruth of things, as they have been and are amongst us, the misrepresentations of New-England may be removed and prevented; for, Rectum est sui et obliqui Index.t

Thirdly, That the true original and design of this plantation may not be lost, nor buricd in oblivion, but known and remembered for ever, [Psal. cxl. 4: “He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered.” Pesal. cv. 5: “Remember ye the marvellous works which he hath done.”]

® Ifon his youth is shed such light | How will his genius, now so bright, As kindles this immortal page, Glow in the broader beam of age! + This geometrical maxim, if we lay aside the metaphor, may be thus rendered: “Trurn serves the twofold purpose of attesting its own character and of exposing falsehood.”

iediidimeed =e ee

Fourthly. That God may have the glory of the great and good works which he hath done for his people in these ends of the earth, [As in Isaiah xiii. 7: “I will mention the loving kindness of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all the great goodness and mercy he has bestowed on us.”]

Fifthly, That the names of such eminent persons as the Lord made use of, as instruments in his hand, for the beginning and carrying on of this work, may be embalmed, and preserved, for the knowledge and imitation of posterity; for the memory of the just is blessed.

Sixthly, That the present generation may remember the way wherein the Lord hath led his people in this wilderness, for so many years past, unto this day; [according to that iv Deut. viii. 2: “Thou shalt remember all the way wherein the Lord hath led thee in the wilderness this forty years, to humble thee, and to prove thee, and to know what was in thy heart, whether thou wouldst keep his commandments or no.”] All considering persons cannot but observe, that our wilderness-condition hath been full of humbling, irying, distressing providences. We have had our Massahs and Meribahs; and few of our churches but have had some remarkable hours of temptation passing over them, and God’s end in all has beengto prove us, whether, according to our profession, and his expectation, we would keep his commandments, or not.

Seventhly, That the generations to come in New-England, may know the God of their fathers, and may serve him with a perfect heart and willing mind; as especially the first generation did before them; and that they may set their hope in God, and not forget his works, but keep his commandments. —(Psal. Ixxviij. 7.)

Eighthly, And whereas it may be truly said, (as Jer. xxiii. 21,) “That when this people began to follow the Lord into this wilderness, they were holiness to the Lord, and he planted them as a noble vine;” yet if, in process of time, when they are greatly increased and multiplied, they should so far degenerate, as to forget the religious design of their fathers, and forsake the holy ways of God, (as it was said of them in Hosea iv. 7: “As they were increased, so they sinned against the Lord;”) and so that many evils and troubles will befull them; then this Book may be for a witness against them; and yet through the mercy of God, may be also a means to reclaim them, and cause them to return again unto the Lord, and his holy ways, that he may return again in mercy unto them; even unto the many thousands of New-England.

Ninthly, That the little daughter of New-England in America, may bow down herself to her mother England, in Europe, presenting this memorial unto her; assuring her, that though by some of her angry brethren she was forced to make a local secession, yet not a separation, but hath always retained a dutiful respect to the Church of ‘God in England; and giving some account to her, how graciously the Lord has dealt with herself in a remote widlerness, and what she has been doing all this while; giving her thanks for all the supplies she has received from her; and because she is yet in her minority, she craves her farther blessing and favour as the case may require; being glad if what is now presented to her, may be of any use, to help forward the union and agreement of her brethren, which would be some satisfaction to her for her undesired local distance from her dear England; and finally promising all that reverence and obedience which is due to her good mother, by virtue of the Jifth commandment. And,

Lastly, This present history may stand as a monument, in relation to future times, of a fuller and better reformation of the Church of God, than it hath yet appeared in the world. For by this Essay it may be seen, that a farther practical reformation than that which began at the first coming out of the darkness of Popery, was aimed at, and endeavoured by a great number of voluntary exiles, that came into a wilderness for that very end, that hence they might be free from humane additions and inventions in the worship of God, and might practice the positive part of divine institutions, according to the word of God. How fur we have attained this design, may be judged by this Book. But we beseech our brethren, of our own and of other nations, to believe that we are fur from thinking that we have attained a

he hath done on the loving goodness and

as instruments med, and. preust is blessed. Lord hath led ding to that iv thee in the wilhat was in thy dering persons ing, trying, disf our churches Giod’s end in all ation, we would

he God of their lly the first genforget his works,

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future times, of a bared in the world. that which began voured by a great d, that hence they d, and might prac- How fur we have hr brethren, of our ve have attained a

a EME EE ee nee AES re i lap hag a Ri eet no eR aae om

perfect reformation, Oh, no! Our fathers did in their time acknowledge, there were many defects and imperfections in our way, and yet we believe they did as much as could be expected from learned and godly men in their circumstances; and we, their successors, are fur short of them in many respects, meeting with many difficulties which they did not; and mourning under many rebukes from our God which they had not, and with trembling heurts observing the gradual declinings that are amongst us from the holy ways of God; we are forced to ery out, and say, “Lord, what will become of these churches in time? And what wilt thou do for thy great name?”: And yet, in the multitude of our thoughts and fears, the consolations of God refresh our souls, that all those that in simplicity and godly sincerity do serve the Lord, and his people in their generation (though they should miss it in some things) they shall deliver their own souls, they are accepted of the Lord, and their reward is with him; and in the approaching days of a better reformation, the sincere, though weak endeavours of the servants of God, that went before them, will be also accepted of the saints in those times of greater light and holiness, that are to come; and when the Lord shall make Jerusalem (or, the true Church of God, and the true Christian religion) a praise in the earth, and the joy of many generations, then the mistakes of these times will be rectified; and that which is of God in any of his churches, now in any part of the world, will be owned and improved unto an higher degree of practical godliness, that shall continue for many generations succeeding one another, which hitherto hath been so rare a thing to be found in the world.

I shall now draw to a conclusion, with an observation which hath visited my thoughts: that the Lord hath blessed the family of the Maruers, amongst us, with a singular blessing, in that no less than ¢en of them, have been accepted of him, to serve the Lord and his people in the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; of whom, as the Apostle said in another vase, though some are fallen asleep, yet the greatest part remain unto this day; I do not know the like in our New-England, and perhaps it will be found rare to parallel the same in our countries, Truly I have thought, it hath been a reward of grace, with respect unto the fa‘ihfulness they have expressed, in asserting, clearing, maintaining, and putting on for the practice of that great principle, of the propagation of Religion in these Churches, viz: The Covenant-state, and Church-membership of the Children born in these Churches, together with the Scripture-duties appertaining thereunto, and that by vertue of God’s Covenant of Grace, established by God with his people, and their seed with them, and after them in their generations, And this has been done especially by Mr. Richard Mather the father, and by Mr. Increase Mather his son, and by Mr. Cotton Mather his son, the author of this present work.

I shall give the reader the satisfaction to enumerate this happy Decemvirate.

1, Rictarp Matuer, Teacher of the Church in Dorchester.

2. Samuet Maruer: He was the first Fellow of Harvard-Colledge in Cambridge in New- England, and the first Preacher at North-Boston, where his brother and his nephew are now his successors. He was afterwards one of the Chaplains in Magdalen-Colledge in Oxford; after that, a senior Fellow of Trinity-Colledge in Dublin, and Pastor of a Church in that

city, where he died.

4, Eveazar Matuer: He was Pastor of the Church at Northampton in New-England, and much esteemed in those parts of the country: he died when he was but thirty-two years old.

6. Corron Matuer, the author of this history. Arts; began to preach in private. His piety and learning was beyond his years, The His.

tory of his Life and Death was written by his brother, and there have been three editions of it Vou. 1.—2

Selita Seems erent ST SS eT a NS SRI “

18 AN ATTESTATION TO THIS CHURCH-HISTORY, ETO. printed at London. He died here at Salem, and over his Grave there is written, “Tas ASHES OF AN HARD STUDENT, A GOOD SCHOLAR, AND A GREAT CHRISTIAN.”

9. Samvet Maruer, the son of Timotxy, and grandson of Richarp MaTHER? He is the pxstor of a church in Windsor; a pious and prudent man; who has been an happy instrument of uniting the church and town, amongst whom there had been great divisions.

10. WarHam Matuer, the son of Exreazar Matuer, and by his mother grandson to the Reverend Mr. WaruaM, late pastor of the church in Windsor; he is now also a publick preacher. Behold, an happy family, the glad sight whereof may well .uspire even an old age past eighty with poetry enough to add this:

O Nimium Dilecte Deo, Venerande Matuere, Gaudens tot Natos Christi numerare Ministros! Det Deus ut tales insurgant usque Matheri, Et Nati Natorum, et qui Nascentur ad illis. Has inter stellas fulgens, Cottone Mathere, Pairdm tu sequeris vestigia semper adorans, Phosphorus ast aliia!*

Now the Lord our God, the fuithful God, that keepeth covenant and mercy to a thousand generations, with his people; let him incline the heart of his people of New-England, to keep covenant and duty towards their God, to walk in his ways, and keep his commandments, that he may bring upon them the blessing of Abraham, the mercy and truth unto Jacob, the sure mercies of David, the grace and peace that cometh from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ; and that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ may be in and with these churches, from one generation to another, until the second coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Unio him be glory and dominion, for ever and ever. AMEN.

JOHN HIGGINSON. Sarem, the 25th of the first month, 1697,

* INSCRIPTION TO MATHER.

“QO, venerable Maturr! loved of God, Rejoice to see, that where thy feet have trod, A blessed train of Christian sons are seen, Still pressing on to be what thou hast been, God grant that endlees be the holy line Of those who love and do His work divine! Thou, Coron, shining from such heavenly heights, Amid a brotherhood of kindred lights,

Follow thy sires, whom God hath guided home,

Thyself a morning-star to those who yet shall come,”

written, “Tx ntioned, are the

ER? He is the n happy instrulivisions.

er grandson to v also a publick re even an old

y to a@ thousand ew-England, to his commandand truth unto the Father, and be in and with

our Lord and MEN,

GINSON,

fates

cae

Sravucx with huge love, of what to be possest,

I much despond, good reader, in the quest ;

Yet help me, if at length it may be said,

Who firat the chambers 0) the south display’d? Inform me. whence the tavny people came?

Who was their father —Japhet, Shem, or Cham? And how they ‘uraddlod to the /4ntipodes,

To look another world beyond the seas?

And when, and why, anc. where they last broke ground, What risks they ran, where they first anchoring found? Tell me their patriarchs, prophets, priests, and kings? Religion, manners, monumental things:

What charters had they?—what immunities? What altars, temples, cities, colonies,

Did they erect? Who were their public spirits? Where may we find the records of their merits? *7hat instances, what glorious displayes

© 4eaven’s high hand commencéd in their dayes? Yhese things in black oblivion covered o’er,

(a8 they’d ne’er been) lye with a thousand more,

A vexing thought, that makes me scarce forbear To stamp, and wring my hands, and pluck my hair, To think, what blessed ignorance hath done,

What fine threads /earning’s enemies have spun, How well books, schools, and colledge may be spar’d, So mer with beasts may fitiy be compar’d!

Yes, how tradition leaves us in the lurch,

And who nor stay at home, nor go to church:

The light-within-enthusiasts, who let fly

Against our pen and ink divinity ;

Who boldly do pretend (but who'll believe it?)

If Genesis were lost, they could retrieve it;

Yea, all the sacred writ ; pray let them try

On the New World their gift of prophecy.

For all of them, the new world’s antiquities, Smother’d in everlasting silence lies;

And its first sachims mention’d are no more

Than they that Agamemnon liv’d before.

The poor Americans are under blame,

Like them of old, that from T'l-melah came, Conjectur’d once to be of Israel’s seed,

But no reciérd appear’d to prove the deed:

And like Habajah’s sons, that were put by

The priesthood, holy things to come not nigh,

For having lost their gencaloyy.

Who can past things to inemory command,

Till one with Aaron’s breastplate up shall stand? Mischiefs remediless such sloth ensue 3

God and their parents lose their honour due,

And children’s children suffer on that score,

Like bastards cast forlorn at any door;

And they and others put to seek their father,

For want of auch a scribe a3 Corron MATHER }$ Whose piety, whose pains, and peerless pen, Revives Now-England’s nigh-lost origin,

Heads of our tribes, whose corps are under ground, Their names and fames 1n chronicles renown’d, Begemin’d on golden ouches he hath set,

Past envy’s teeth and time’s corroding fret:

Of Death and malice, he has brush’d off the dust,

And made a resurrection of the just :

And clear’d the land’s religion of the gloss,

And copper-cuts of Alexander Ross,

He hath related academic things,

And paid their first fruits to the King of kings;

And done his 4/ma Mater that just favour,

To shew sal gentium® hath uot lost its savour.

He writes like an historian and divine,

Of Churches, Synods, Faith, and Discipline,

Mlustrious Providencee are display’d,

Mercies and judgments are in colours laid ;

Salvations wonderful by sea and land,

Themselves are saved by his pious hand.

The Churches’ wars, and various enenics,

Wild salvages, and wilder sectaries, : Are notify’d for them that after rise. ’

This well-instructed Scribe brings new ard of, And from his mines digs richer things than gold Yet freely gives, as fountains do their streams,

Nor more than they, himself, by giving, drains. He’s all design, and by his craftier wiles Locks fast his reader, and the time beguiles: Whilst wit and learning move themselves aright, Thro’ ev’ry line, and colour in our sight, So interweaving profit with delight; And curiously inlaying both together, 4 That he must needs find both, who looks for either, His preaching, writing, and his pastoral care, Are very much, to fall to one man’s share. This added to the rest, is admirable, And proves the author indefatigable. Play is his toyl, and work his recreation, ’ And his inventions next to inspiration. His pen was taken from some bird of light, Addicted to a swift and lofty flight. Dearly it loves art, air, and eloquence, And hates confinement, save to truth and sense,

Allow what’s known; they who write histories,

Write many things they see with others’ eyes;

‘Tis fair, where nought is feign’d, nor undigested,

Nor ought but what is credibly attested.

The risk is his; and seeing others do, . Why may not I speak mine opinion tou?

The stuff is true, the trimming neat aud spruce, The workman’s good, the work of publick use ;

Most piously design’d, a publick store, And well deserves the public thanks, and mora, NICHOLAS NOYES, Teacher of the Church at Salem,

® The salt of the world,

(Anagrams, &c., in the Original Edition.) REVERENDO DOMINO,

D. COTTONO MADERO, LIBRZ UTI_1SSIN1, CUL TITULUS, MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA, AUTHORI DOCTISSIMO, AC DILECTISSIMO,

Duo Ogdoatica, et bis duo Anagrammata, dat Idem, N. NOYES.

EST DUO SANCTORUM, ANAGR. [H47U8 ES DOCTORUM.

Nomina Sanctorum, ques Scribis, clara duorum Nomine Cerno Tuo; Virtutes Lector easdem Candidus inveniet Tecum, Charitate refertas, Doctrina Eximius Doctos, Pictate piosque

Tw bene describis, describere nescit ut alter. Doctorum es Natus, Domino Spirante Renatus; De bene quesitis gaudeto Tertius Heres; Nomen prasagit, nec non Anagrammata, vates,

Unctas demort’os, decoratur Laude Senatus Doctorum Merita ; fit presens praterita etas ; Huic exempla patent, et postera Progenitores

Non tgnorabit, patriisque superbiet Actis ;

More, Fide, cultu, quoque patrissare studebit; Gratum opus est Domino, Patria nec inutile nostra; Orbi fructificat. Fer Fertilitatis Honorem, Scribendo Vitas alienas, propria scripta est.

(Translated expressly for this Edition ]

TO THE REVEREND DOCTOR COTTON MATHER, THE VERY LEARNED AND BELOVED AUTHOR OF A MOST USEFUL WORK, BNTITLED “The Mighty Works of Christ in Americn,” THESE TWO SHORT POEMS AND FOUR ANAGRAMS ARE DEDICATED BY NICHOLAS NOYES,

COTTON MATHER.

Anagrams. {1 ,r art o Descendant af the Learned. Lo! in thy name two saints’ names I behold— Saints whose good deeds aro in this book enroll’d— Whoee virtues candid readers can but find Not only in thy book, but in thy mind, Learned and pious, with a master’s eye, Thou canst depicture learned piety.

Cuiup or THE LearnepD! noble is thy race, But nobler art thou as a child of grace; Third of thy line! thy heritage receive, And these prophetic Anagrams believe.

COTTON MATHER.

Thou embalmest the Dead. Anagrams. $7 Senate of Learned Men.

THOU HAST EM3ALMED THE DEAD} Thy truthful praise ’Round Learnine’s Senate wreathes immortal bays, Thy magic pen the Past the Present makes,

And we seem honoured for our fathers’ sakes,

Nor shall our pride end here: each future age

Shall claim the honours, sparkling on thy page— Shall still revere the founders of the State,

Their worship, faith, and virtues imitate,

Thy God shall bless the labour of thy mind—

Thy country’s boon, a treasure to mankind,

Though here thou writest others’ lives, yet thine Shall glow resplendent in each living line.

(Tue art of making anagrams, or constructing characteristic sentences by transposing the letters of a person's name, was formerly one of the most popular of learned conceits. Puerile as it now seems to us, it was cultivated by grave scholars with an enthusiasm which would have done honour to a more dignified employment. Their success was generally indifferent; and even when fortunate, they certainly plumed themselves too much upon their ingenuity—apparently forgetting that endless combinations can be made by the use of a dozen alphabetic characters, and that all the words of the English language are composed of only twenty-six letters,

The first of the foregeing specitnens, by “Nicholas Noyes, Teacher of the Church at Salem,” will compare favourably with its class, Out of a Latinistic version of our author’s name, (Corronus Mapervs,) he makes “ Est duo sanctorum,”—that is, “It (the name) consisis of two saints,” referring to Joun Corron and RicuarD Matuer, both heroes of this history. Little can be said in praise of his other anagrams. The third is very unfortunate; for the first word (as here intended to be construed) is not Latin, and the second cannot, without a most unjustifiable exercise of poetic license, be forced into a hexameter verse,—TRANSLATOR.]

CELEBERRIMI

COTTONI MATHERI, CRELEBRATIO; QUI HEROUM VITAS, IN SUI-IPSIUS ET ILLORUM MEMORIAM SEMPITERNAM, REVOCAVIT, Quod patrios Manes revocasti a Sedibus altis, Sylvestres Muse grates, MATHERE, rependunt. Hec nova Progenics, veterum sub Imagine, calo Arte Tua Terram visitans, demissa, salutat, Grata Deo Pictas; Grates persolvimus omnes; Semper Honos, Nomenque Tuum, MATHERE, manebunt.

To raise his country’s fathers’ ashes urn’d?

Elisha’s dust, life to the dead imparts ;

This prophet, by his more familiar arts,

Unseals our heroes’ tombs, and gives them sir:

They rise, they walk, they talk, look wondrous fair; Each of them in an orb of /ight doth shine,

In liveries of glory most divine.

When ancient names I in thy pages met,

Like gems on faron’s costly breast-plate set, Methinks heaven ’s open, while grent saints descend, To wreathe tho brows by which their acts were penn'd,

B. THOMPSON,

ition ]

UTHOR OF A LED

in American,” 2 ANAGRAMS NOYES.

the Learned.

I behold— ook enroll’d— t find

yey

thy race, e; 12, ve.

Dead. | Men. y truthful praise immortal bays. akes, ’ sakes, ure age thy page— ate, te, ind— kind, , yet thine ine.

rs of a person's it was cultivated loyment. Their too much upon Hozen alphabetic

ON HIS

In this hard age, when men such slackness show, To pay Love's debts, and what to Truth we owe, You to etep forth, and such example shew, In paying what’s to God and country due, Deserves our thanks: mine I do freely give; *Tis fit that with the raised ones you live.

Great your attempt, no doubt some sacred spy, That Leiger in your sacred cell did lie; Narsed your first thoughts, with gentle beams of light, And taught your hand things past to bring to sight; Thus taught by secret sweetest influence, You make return to God’s good providence: Recording how that mighty hand was nigh, T. trace out paths nut known to mortal eye, To those brave men, that to this land came o’er, Aud plac’d them safe on the Atlantick shore; And how the same hand did them after save, Aud suy, Return, oft on the brink o’ th’ gravo;

And gave them room to spread, and blesa’d their root, Whence, hung with fruit, now, many branches shuvt. Such were these heroes, and their labours such, In their just praise, sir, who can say too much? Let the remotest parts of earth behold, New-England’s crowns excelling Spanish gold, Here be rare lessons set for us to read, That offsprings are of such a goodly breed. The dead ones here, 80 much alive are made, We think them speaking from bless’d Eden’s shade; Hark! how they check the madness of this age, The growth of pride, flerce lust, and worldly rage. They tell, we shall to clum-banks come again, If Heaven still doth scourge us all in vain. But, sir, upon your merits heap’d will be, The blessings of all those that here shall see Vertue embalm’d; this hand seems to put on The lawrel on your brow, so justly won.

TIMOTHY WOODBRIDGE, Minister of Hartford.

AD POLITR LITERATURE ATQUE SACRARUM LITERARUM ANTISTITEM, ANGLIF:QUE AMERICANE ANTIQUARIUM CALLENTISSIMUM, REVERENDUM DOMINUM, D. COTTONUM MATHERUM, APUD BOSTONENSES, V. D. M.

Re [Translation of the above, made for this Edition.) .” will compare &

TO THAT ORACLE OF POLITE LEARNING AND SACRED LITERATURE, AND ACCOMPLISHED HISTORIAN OF NEW-ENGLAND,

rn’d, ANAGRAM.— Thou art alone a host.

hem sir: we

yndrous fair 5

ies A PINDARIC,

‘ ' "Art thou Heaven’s Trumpet? sure by the 4rchangel blown;

et, Tumbs crack, dead start, saints rise, are seen and known, ate set, And shine in constellation ;

aints descend, cts were penn'd,

HOMPSON,

From ancient flames hero’s a new Pheniz. flown, To shew the world, when Christ returns, he ‘ll nut return alone,

dé. DANFORTH, V. D. M., Dorcestr.

S1r:—My muse will now by chymistry draw forth The spirit of your name’s immortal worth,

Anaar.—Tuos Tecum ornasti.®

© Waits thus the dead in thy rare pages rise, Thine, with thy self, thou dost immortalize, To view the odds, thy learned dives invite, 'Twixt Eleutherian and Edomite,

But all succeeding ages shal! despair,

A fitting monument for thee to rear.

Thy own rich pen (peace, silly Momus, peace!) Hath given them a lasting writ of ease.

GRINDAL RAWSON, Pastor of Mendon.

DIGESTA IN SEPTEM LIBROS, PER MAGNUM, DOCTISSIMUMQUE VIRUM, D. COTTONUM MATHERUM,

J. CHRISTI SERVUM, ECCLESIEZQUE AMERICANA BOSTONIENSIS MINISTRUM PIUM ET DISERTISSIMUM.

Sunt Miracla Dei, sunt et Magnalia Christi,

Vivis, ubi fertur nullum vixisse. Videsque Mille homines, res multas, Incunabula mira,

Strabo sile, qui Magna refers, Vesputius autem Primis scire Nuvum potuit conatibus Orbem,

Et dum Magna docet te Grotius, unde repletos [que; Esse per 4mericam, volucresque, hominesque, Devs- Tumque libet, tibi scire licet Vova viscera rerum.

Nullus erat, nisi brutus homo: Sine lege, Deoque,

Numa dat Antiquis, Solonque et Jura Lycurgus,

Hic nihil, et null (modo sic sibi vivere) Leges.

Jam decreta vide, et Regum diplomata, curque,

Ne sibi vivat homo, nustrorum vivere Regi est.

Dic, tot habendo Deos, legisque videndo peritos, Centenosque viros, celebres virtute, Statumque

Quem Nvois Orbis hubet; Quantum mutatus ab illo est!

Res bona, Nec sat erit, et Rege et Lege beatum, Posse vehi super Astra. Deum tibi noscere, fas est, Nil Lex, nil Sodon, nil et sine Numine Numa,

Sit Deus ignotosque Deos fuge. Multa Poets De Jove finxerunt, Veptuno et Marte, Diisque Innumersbilibus. Magnique Manitto pependit Non conversa Deo Gens Americana; Manitto,

Quem velut 4Artificem colit, et cou Numen adorat.

E tenebris Lux est. In ubysso cernere Coelum est, Ignotumque Deum, notum Inpvis, Biblia Sancta Indica, Templa Preces Psalmos, multosque Ministros, Ut Christum discant, Indorum Idiomate Vumen Utitur, et sese patefecit ubique locorum.

Pluracanam. Veterem Schola sit dispersa per Orbem, Et tot Ithenais scatet Anglus, Belga, Pclonus, Germanus, Gallusque. Sut est Academia nostra. Extra Orbem Novus Orbis habet, quod habetur in Orbe,

Dat Cantabrigie Domus Harvardina Cathedram Cuilibet, et cur non daret Jndis, Proselytisque? Trans Mare non opus est ad Pallada currere. Pallas Hic habitat, confertque Gradus; modo Pallada discus, Ascendasque gradum, Quantum Sapientia confert! Forte novas, pluresque artes Novus Orbis haberet. Quotquot in America licet Admiranda supersint, Singula non narro, Nec opus tibi singula narrem. Multa fidem superant, multorum Exempla docebunt, Plura quot Ordis habet Novus Admiranda, quot artes, Et quot in America degunt ubicunque Coloni. Deque Veneficiis quid erit tibi noscere? I usus Sperne Diabolicos, Sunt hic Magnalia Christi. Ne timeas Umbram. Corpus sine corpore spectrum est. Paz rare in terris, Stas quasi ferrea, Bellum Sceptra gerens, gladiosque ferox ubicunque Noverca est, Destruit omnia, destruit opida, destruit artes, Mars nulli cedit. Nihil exitialius armis, Testis adest. Europa docet lucrymabile Bellum, HMispani, Belge, Germani, et quotquot in Orbe Sunt Veteri, Rigidisque plagis vexantur et armis. Quas Sectas vetus Orbis habet, que dogmata Carnis? Primum Homa locum tenet, Enthusiasta secundum, Arminius tandem, Menno et Spinosa sequuntur, Quisque incredibeles poterit dignoscere Scctas? Non tot cernuntur fidei discrimina, nec tot Heereticos novus Orbis habet, quod et Enthea res est. Tu dilecte Deo, cujus Bostonia gaudet Nostra Ministerio, seu cui tot scribere Libros, Non opus, aut labor est, et qui Magnalia Christs Americana refers, scriptura plurima, Nonne Dignus es, agnoscare inter Magnalia Christi? Vive Liber, totique Orbit Miracula monstres, Que sunt extra Orbem, Cottone, in swecula vives; Et dum Mundus erit, vivat tua Fama per Orbem.

HENRICUS SELIJNS, Ecclesie Neo-Eboracensis Minister Belzicus,

Dasam, Neo-Esoract AMERICANA, 16 Oct. 1697.

of Mendon.

Cathedram

rrere. Palins

| Pallada discus,

tia confert!

bis haberet.

2 supersint,

hla narrem.

pla docebunt,

da, quot artes,

‘oloni.

Christi.

e spectrum est, Bellum

te Noverca est.

5S 6 sissgs Rae EES

Bellum,

n Orbe

et armia. ginata Curnis?

h secundum,

yuuntur, Sectas ?

inthea res est,

bros,

Christe nne istt?

instres,

la vives;

Orbem.

Belgicus.

(Translation of the foregoing, made for this Edition.)

A POEM, CONCERNING THE MIGHTY WORKS OF JESUS CHRIST IN AMERICA, ARRANGED IN SEVEN BOOKS, BY THAT GREAT AND MOST LEARNED MAN, MR. COTTON MATHER,

A SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST, AND THE PIOUS AND MOST ELOQUENT MINISTER OF A CHURCH AT BOSTON IN AMERICA.

Tux wondrous works of God and Christ abound, Wherever nature reigns or man is found.

Some, known to few, have been revealed before, Beyond the Indies and the Afric shore,

But what God here hath wrought, in this our age, All shall behold, emblazoned on thy page.

Strange is thy dwelling-place. Thy home $ where 5Twas thought no creature breathed the vital air, Yet there a mighty future is begun,

And men and things a race of empire run,

Strabo! thy many marvels tell no more,

No proud discovery known in ancient lore

Can match that wondrous waif Vesputio found,

Let Grotius fancy whence, in ancient time, Came the first people of this Western clime, Whence their religion and ancestral line:— Martner! a deeper, loftier theme is thine.

The gavage race, who once were masters here, Nor law nor God inspired with wholesome fear: They no Lycurgus, Numa, Solon knew,

To frame their code, and fix its sanctions too. Self-will alone was law: but now we see

Our royal charters sent across the sea,

To teach our wills their loyal bond to own

To England’s statutes and our sovereign’s throne, Look at our courts—our rulers, small und great— Our civil order and compacted State ;

See these where once the lawless savage ranged, And then, like old Avneas, say, “ How changed!”

Tis well. But not enough are laws and kings To raise our souls to Heaven and heavenly things, We must know Gop, and in his ways be taught; Without such knowledge, meu and states are nought.

The Lor ‘s Gop! The ancient poets feign Their Pantheon of pagan gods in vain,

In vain the unconverted Indians raise

Their forest altars in Manitou’s praise ;

For light shines out of darkness: the Unknown And dreadful God the Indian calls his own.

The Indian has his Christian psalms and prayer, His Christian temple, and his pastor there;

God speaks the Indian’s language, rude and wild, To teach His mercy to the forest-child.

And more!—though Science older climes befits,

And Europe swarms with academic wits,

Yet see scholastic shades these wilds adorn,

Such as the Old World may nut wisely scorn, That world we left; but Science has made known, Out of the world, & new world of our own:

A hemisphere, imperial yet to rise—

In Arts proficient, and in Learning wise.

We have a Cambridge; where to rich and poor Young Harvarp opes a hospitable door;

Darep at New-York, 16 Octosgr, 1697,

Its liberal tests no ban of ignorance fix On Indians or converted heretics. For Wisdom’s halls we need not cross the sens; Here Wisdom dwells, and here confers degrees s Since Wisdom ever honours toil and pains, And high degrees true merit always guins, Perchance Philosophy and Science here Will find new secrets and a broader sphere. I will not, need not tell our marvels o’er 3 Many exceed belief, and many more Might teach mankind how noble is the pace. In human progress of our exile-race. I need not speak of witchcraft: go! despise The cevil’s artea—his agents and his lies. Here is the stan?’ard of the Cross unfurl’d, And Jexvus’ “ Mianty Worxs” astound the world, Scorn of the goblin horde to be afraid— Shapes without substance, shadows of a shade, How rare is peace! War thunders its alarms; The Age is Iron—with the ring of arms! War sacks great cities; mars, with sounds of strife, All social arts and every joy of life. Europe is drench’d in blood: War’s iron heel And fiery scourge her writhing millions feel. The blood of Frenchmen, Dutch and Germans slain, Imbrues the svil of Italy and Spain; While banded kings the sword of slaughter wield, And humbler thrones afford a battle-fleld. Then in the Old World see how sects uphold A war of dogmas in the Christian fold: Lo! Rome stands first; Fanaticism next, And then Arminius with polemic text; Then Anabaptist Menno, leuding on Spinoza, with his law-automaton, Who shall of sects the true meridian learn?— Their latitude and longitude discern? We of the Western World cannot succeed In conjuring up such difference of creed, Or to uncovenanted grace assign So many heretics in things divine. Beloved of God! whose ministry hath bless’d, Our Boston and the Churches of the West; Who, without seeming toil, hast nobly wrought Within thy breasi exhaustless mines of thought, And here recordest, as by God’s commands, “The Mighty Works of Christ in Western Lands;” Say, dost thou not THysELFleserve a place Among those “ Mighty Works” of Sovereign Grace? Immortal Matuxr! ’tis thy page alone To Old World minds makes New World wonders known; And while the sulid Earth shall firm remain, New World and Old World shall thy praise retain. HENRY SELJINS, Pastor of a Dutch Reformed Church at New- York.

—— se acai Het EEC R ORES Se

§ 1. I write the Wonpers of the Curist1an ReEticiox, flying from the depravations of Europe, to the American Strand; and, assisted by the Holy Author of that Religion, I do with all conscience of Truth, required therein by Him, who is the Truth itself, report the wonderful displays of His infinite Power, Wisdom, Goodness, and Faithfulness, wherewith His Divine Providence hath irradiated an Indian Wilderness.

I relate the Considerable Matters, that produced and attended the First Settlement of Cotomtss, which have been renowned for the degree of REForMAaTion, professed and attained by Evangelical Churches, erected in those ends of the earth; and a Field being thus prepared, I proceed unto a relation of the Considerable Matters which have been acted thereupon.

I first introduce the Actors, that have in a more exemplary manner served those Colonies; and give Remarkable Occurrences, in the exemplary Lives of many Magistrates, and of more Ministers, who so lived as to leave unto Posterity examples worthy of everlasting remembrance.

I add hereunto, the Notables of the only Protestant University that ever shone in that hemisphere of the New World; with particular instances of Criolians, in our Biography, provoking the whole world with vertuous objects of emulation.

I introduce then, the Actions of a more emiient importance, that have signalized those Colonies: whether the Establishments. directed by their Synods; with a rich variety of Synodical and Ecclesiastical Determinations; or, the Disturbances, with which they have been from all sorts of temptations and enemies tempestuated; and the Methods by which they have still weathered out each horrible tempest.

And into the midst of these Actions, I interpose an entire Book, wherein there is, with all possible veracity, a Collection made of Memorable Occurrences, and amazing Judgments and Mercies befalling many particular persons among the people of New-England.

Let my readers expect all that I have promised them, in this Bill of Fare; and it may be they will find themselves entertained with yet many other passages, above and beyond their expectation, deserving likewise a room in History: in all which, there will be nothing but the Author’s too mean way of preparing so great entertainments, to reproach the Invitation.

§ 2. The reader will doubtless desire to know, what it was that

tot Volvere casus Insignes Pietate Viros, tot adire Labores, Impulerit.t

And our History shall, on many fit occasions which will be therein offered, endeavour, with all historical fidelity and simplicity, and with as little offence as may be, to satisfy him. ‘The * “This I say for the benefit of those, who may happen to read the book.”

t “ Drove forth those pious heroes to withstand Tue sea’s rough rage und rougher toil on land.”—Virait’s Eneid, 1, 9, (altered.)

sum of the matter is, that from the very beginning of the Rerormation jn the English Nation, there hath always been a generation of Godly Men, desirous to pursue the Retormation of Religion, according to the Word of God, and the Example of the best Reformed Churches; and answering the character of Good Men, given by Josephus, in his Paraphrase on the words of Samuel to Saul, wndiv arr? wpaydjoscbas xartig ip’ saurdiv voysZovres, 48 oi div words Tod Oso xexéAsixorog. (They think.they do nothing right in the ser. vice of God, but what they do according to the command of God.) And there hath been another generation of men, who have still employed the power which they have generally still had in their hands, not only to stop the progress of the desired Reformation, but als, with innumerable vexations, to persecute those that most heartily wished well unto it. There were many of the Reformers, who joyned with the Reverend Jonn Fox, in the complaints which he then entred in his Martyrology, about the “baits of Popery” yet left in the Church; and in his wishes, “God take them away, or ease us from them, for God knows they be the cause of much blindness and strife amongst men!” They zealously decreed the policy of complying always with the ignorance and vanity of the People; and cried out earnestly for purer Administrations in the house of God, and more conformity to the Law of Christ and primitive Christianity: while others would not hear of going any further than the first Essay of Reformation. ’Tis very certain, that the first Reformers never intended that what they did should be the absolute boundary of Reformation, so that it should be a sin to proceed any further; as, by their own going beyond Wicklift, and changing and growing in their own Models also, and the confessions of Cranmer, with the Scripta Anglicana of Bucer, and a thousand other things, was abundantly demonstrated. But after a fruitless expectation, wherein the truest friends of the Reformation long waited for to have th:t which Heylin himself owns to have been the design of the first Reformers, followed as it should have been, a party very unjustly arrogating to themselves the venerable name of The Church of England, by numberless oppressions, grievously smote those their Fellow- Servants. Then ’twas that, as our great Owen hath expressed it, “Multitudes of pious, peacenble Protestants, were driven, by their severities, to leave their native country, and seek a refuge for their lives and liberties, with freedom for the worship of God, in a wilder. ness, in the ends of the earth.”

§ 8. It is the History of these Protestants that is here attempted: Protestants that highly honoured and affected the Church of Encuanp, and humbly petition to be a part of it: but by the mistake of a few powerful brethren, driven to seek a place for the exercise of the Protestant Religion, according to the light of their consciences, in the desarts of America, And in this attempt I have proposed, not only to preserve and secure the interest of Religion in the Churches of that little country NEw-EncLanpD, so far as the Lord Jesus Christ may please to bless it for that end, but also to offer unto the Churches of the Reformation, abroad in the world, some small Memorials, that may be serviceable unto the designs of Reformation, whereto, I believe, they are quickly to be awakened. I am far from any such boast, concerning these Churches, that they have need of nothing; I wish their works were more perfect before God, Indeed, that which Austin called “the perfection of Christians,” is like to be, until the term for the anti-christian apostasie be expired, “the perfection of Churches” too; ut agnoscant se nunquam esse perfectas.* Nevertheless, I perswade myself, that so far as they have attained, they have given great examples of the methods and measures wherein an Evangelical Reformation is to be prosecuted, and of the qualifications requisite in the instruments that are to prosecute it, and of the difficulties which may be most likely to obstruct it, and the most likely Directions and Remedies for those obstructions. It may be, ’tis not possible for me to do a greater service unto the Churches on the best Islang of the universe, than to give a distinct relation of those great examples which have been occurring among Churches of ewiles, that were driven out of that Island, into an horrible wilderness, meerly for their being well-willers unto the Reformation, When that

* To acknowledge their imperfections.

the English the Retorm. it Reformed )Paraphrase | vow ovreg, tin the sere hath been re generally n, but also, ell unto it. in the com. t left in the God knows isly decreed nd cried out to the Law further than ‘er intended should be a g and growa Anglicana ra fruitless o have th:t lowed as it ale name of heir Fellow. es of pious, ountry, and in a wilder.

STANTS that be a part of he exercise desarts of the interest Lord Jesus ches of the ble unto the I am far

I wish their erfection of i, “the per. I perswade hethods and alifications ich may be se obstruches on the pples which nd, into an When that

GENERAL INTRODUCTION. oT blessed Martyr Constantine was carried, with other Martyrs, in a dung-cart, unto the place of execution, he pleasantly said, “Well, yet we are a precious odour to God in Christ.” Though, the Reformed Churches in the American Regions have, by very injurious represent. ations of their brethren, (all which they desire to forget and forgive!) been many times thrown into a dung-cart; yet, as they have been a “precious odour to God in Christ,” so, I hope, they will be a precious odour unto His people; and not only precious, but useful also, when the History of them shall come to be considered. A Reformation of the Church is coming on, and I cannot but thereupon say, with the dying Cyrus to his children in Xenophon, "Ex civ wpoytytwnudvev povdavers, due) yap dpldrn didacxdAla, (Learn from the things that have been done already, for this is the best way of learning.) The reader hath here an account of the “things that have been done already.” Bernard, upon that clause in the Canticles, (“O thou fairest among women!”) has this ingenious gloss: Pulchram, non omnimode quidem, sed pulchram inter mulieres eam docet; videlicet cum distinc. tione, quatenus ex hoc wmplius reprimatur, et sciat quid desit sibi.* Thus, I do not say, that the Churches of New-iingland are the most regular that can be; yet I do say, and am sure, that they are very like unto those that were in the first ages of Christianity. And if I assert that, in the Reformation of the Church, the state of it in those first Ages is to be not a little considered, the great Peter Ramus, among others, has emboldened me. For wien the Cardinal of Lorrain, the Macenas of that great man, was offended at him, for turning Protestant, he replied: Inter Opes illas, quibus me ditdsti, has etiam in ceternum recordabor, quod Beneficio Poessiace Responsionis tua didici, de quindecim a Christo saculis, primum vere esse aureum; Reliqua, quo longius abscederent, esse nequiora, atque deteriora: tum igitur cum fieret optio, Aureum scculum delegi.t In short, the first Age was the golden Age: to return unto ¢hat, will make a man a Protestant, and, I may add, a Puritan. *Tis possible that our Lord Jesus Christ carried some thousands of Reformers into the retirements of an American desart,on purpose that, with an opportunity granted unto many of his faithful servants, to enjoy the precious liberty of their Ministry, though in the midst of many temptations all their days, He might there, to them first, and then by them, give a specimen of many good things, which He would have His Churches elsewhere aspire and arise unto; and this being done, he knows not whether there be not all done, that New-England was planted for; and whether the Plantation may not, soon after this, come to nothing. Upon that expression in the sacred Scripture, “Cast the unprofitable servant into outer darkness,” it hath been imagined by some, that the Regiones exterc t of America, are the Tenebrae exteriores,§ which the unprofitable are there condemned unto. No doubt, the authors of those Ecclesiastical impositions and severities, which drove the English Christians into the dark regions of America, esteemed those Christians to be a very unprofitable sort of crea. tures. But behold, ye European Churches, there ure golden Candlesticks [more than twice seven times seven!] in the midst of this “outer darkness:” unto the upright children of Abraham, here hath arisen light in darkness. And, let us humbly speak it, it shall be profit. able for you to consider the light which, from the midst of this “outer darkness,” is now to be darted over unto the other side of the Atlantick Ocean. But we must therewithal ask your Prayers, that these “golden Candlesticks” may not quickly be “removed out of their place!”

$4, But whether New-England may live any where else or no, it must Jive in our History!

History, in general, hath had so many and mighty commendations from the pens of those numberless authors, who, from Herodotus to Howel, have been the professed writers of it,

* The sacred writer calls her fair, not in an absolute sense, but fair among women ; implying a distinction, in order that his praise may have due qualification, and that she may apprehend her deficiencies.

+ Among the many favours with which your bounty has enriched me, I shall keep one in everlasting remembrance—I meun the lesson I have learned through your Reply to the Poissy Conference, that of the fifteen centuries since Christ, the first was the truly golden era of the Church, and that the rest have been successive periods of degeneracy; when therefore I had the power of choosing between them, I preferred the golden age.

¢ Remote regions, § Outer darkness,

that a tenth part of them transcribed, would be a furniture for a Polyanthea in folio.* We, that have neither liberty, nor occasion, to quote these commendations of History, will content ourselves with the opinion of one who was not much of a professed historian, expressed in that passage, whereto all mankind subscribe, Historia est T'estis temporum, Nuntia vetustalis, Lux veritatis, vila memoria, magistra vite.t But of all History it must be confessed, that the palm is to be given unto Church History; wherein the dignity, the suavity, and the utility of the subject is transcendent. I observe, that for the descriptio: of the whole world in the Book of Genesis, that first-born of all historians, the great Moses, implies but one or two chapters, whereas he implies, it may be seven times as many chapters, in describ. ing that one little Pavilion, the Tabernacle. And when I am thinking what may be the reason of this difference, methinks it intimates unto us, that the Church wherein the service of God is performed, is much more precious than the world, which was indeed created for the sake and use of the Church. "Tis very certain, that the greatest entertainments must needs occur in the History of the people whom the Son of God hath redeemed and purified unto himself, as a peculiar people, and whom the Spirit of God, by supernatural operations upon their minds, does cause to live like strangers in this world, conforming themselves unto the Truths and Rules of his Holy Word, in expectation of Kingdom, whereto they shall be in another and a better World advanced. Such a people our Lord Jesus Christ hath procured and preserved in all ages visible; and the dispensations of his wondrous Providence towards this People, (for, “O Lord, thou dost lift them up aid cast them down!”) their calamities, their deliverances, the dispositions which they have still discovered, and the considerable persons and actions found among them, cannot but afford matters of admiration and admonition, above what any other story can pretend unto: ‘tis nothing but Atheism in the hearts of men, that can perswade tiem otherwise. Let any person of good sense peruse the History of Herodotus, which, like a river taking rise where the Sacred Records of the Old Testament leave off, runs along smoothly and sweetly, with relations that sometimes perhaps want an apology, down until the Grecians drive the Per. sians before them. Let him then peruse Thucydides, who, from acting, betook himself to writing, and carries the ancient state of the Grecians down to the twenty-first year of the Peloponnesian wars, in a manner which Casaubon judges to be Mirandum potius quam imitandum.t Let him next revolve Xenophon, that “Bee of Athens,” who continues a narrative of the Greek affairs from the Peloponnesian wars to the battle of Mantinea, and gives us a Cyrus into the bargain, at such a rate, that Lipsius reckons the character of a Suavis, Fidus et Circumspectus Scriptor,} to belong unto him. Let him from hence proceed untu Diodorus Siculus, who, besides a rich treasure of Egyptian, Assyrian, Lybian and Grecian, and other Antiquities, in a phrase which, according to Photius’s' judgment, is igropin warsoro, wptason, [of all most becoming an historian,] carries on the thread begun by his predecessors, until the end of the hundred and nineteenth Olympiad; and where he is defective, let it be supplied from Arrianus, from Justin, and from Curtius, who, in the relish of Colerus, is Quovis melle dulcior.|| Let him hereupon consult Polybius, and acquaint himself with the birth and growth of the Roman Empire, as far as ’tis described in five of the forty books composed by an author who, with a learned Professor of History, is Pridens Scriptor, si quis alius. Let him now run over the table of the Roman affairs, compendiously given by Lucius Florus, and then let him consider the transactions of above three hundred years reported by Dionysius Halicarnasseus, who, if the censure of Bodin may be taken, Gracos omnes et Latinos superdsse videatur.** Let him from hence pass to Livy, of whom the

* An anthology.

+ History is Time’s witness, the messenger of Antiquity, the lamp of Truth, the embodied soul of Memory, the guide of human Life."—Ciceko, de Uratore, ii, 9, (Slightly transposed, showing that the writer quotes from recollection.)

¢ Rather to be admired than imitated. § An agreeable, faithful, and accurate writer, | Sweeter than honey. ¥ A sagacious historian, if one ever existed, ** Appears to have outdone all other Greek and the Latin authors,

deprat

folio, * We, ory, will conan, expressed Nunlia vetusbe confessed, avity, and the of the whole 8, implies but ra, in describ. t may be the ain the service ndeed created ntertainments redeemed and y supernatural d, conforming of a Kingdom, ople our Lord nsations of his nm up aiid cast they have still not but afford end unto: ’tis vise, Let any cing rise where 1 sweetly, with drive the Per. ook himself to rst year of the btius quam imiues a narrative and gives us a Suavis, Fidus seed unto Diod Grecian, and ropin pariore by his predeces= is defective, let lh of Colerus, is mself with the he forty books Scriptor, si ously given by hundred years taken, Gracos, of whom the

ul of Memory, the riter quotes from

urate writer, e ever existed.

Lee

SRS

GENERAL INTRODUCTION. 29 fumous critick says, Hoc solum ingenium (de Historicis Loquor) populus Romanus par Imperio suo habuit,* and supply those of his Decads that are lost, from the best fragments of antiquity, in others (and especially Dion and Sallust) that lead us on still further in our way, Let him then proceed unto the writers of the Cesarean times, and first revolve Suetonius, then ‘Tacitus, then Herodian, then a whole army more of historians which now crowd into our Library; and unto all the rest, let him not fail of adding the incomparable Plutarch, whose books, they say, Theodore Gaza preferred before any in the world, next unto the inspired oracles of the Bible: but if the number bo still too little to satisfie an historical appetite, let him add Polyhistor unto the number, and all the Chronicles of the following ages, After all, he must sensibly acknowledge that the two short books of Ecclesiastical History, written by the evangelist Luke, hath given us more glorious entertainments than all these voluminous historians if they were put all together. The atchievements of one Paul particularly, which that evangelist hath emblazoned, have more true glory in them, than all the acts of those execrable plunderers and murderers, and irresistible banditti of the world, which have been dignified by the name of “conquerors.” Tacitus counted Ingentia bella, expugnationes urbium, fusos captosque reges,¢ the ges of war, and the glorious vio. lences, whereof great warriors make a wretched ostentation, to be the nublest matter for an historian. But there is a nobler, I humbly conceive, in the planting and forming of Evan. gelical Churches, and the temptations, the corruptions, the fflictions, which assault them, and their salvations from those assaults, and the exemplary lives ui those thai Heaven employs to be patterns of holiness and usefulness upon earth: and unto such {i ‘s, that I now invite my readers; things, in comparison whereof, the subjects of many other Histories are of as little weight as the questions about Z, the last letter of our Alphabet, and whether H is to be pronounced with an aspiration, where about whole volu‘ne: aave been written, and of no more account than the composure of Didymus, But for ‘he manner of my treat ing this matter, 1 must now give some account unto him.

§ 5. Reader! I have done the part of an impartial historian, albeit not without all occa. sion perhaps, for the rule which a worthy writer, in his Historica, gives to every reader, Historici legantur cum moderatione et venia, et cogitetur fieri non posse ut in omnibus circum. stantiis sint lyncei.t Polybius complains of those historians, who always made either the Carthagenians brave, or the Romans base, or e contra, in all their actions, as their affection for their own party led them, I have endeavoured, with all good conscience, to decline this writing meerly for a party, or doing like the dealer in History, whom Lucian derides, for always calling the captain of his own party an Achilles, but of the adverse party a Ther. sites: nor have I added unto the just provocations for the complaint made by the Baron Maurier, that the greatest part of Histories are but so many panegyricks composed by interested hands, which elevate iniquity to the heavens, like Paterculus, and like Machiavel, who propose Tiberius Cesar, and Cesar Borgia, as o.arsples fit for imitation, whereas true History would have exhibited them as horrid monsters—as very devils, "Tis true, I am not of the opinion that one cannot merit the name of an impartial historian, except he write bare matters of fact without all reflection; for I can tell where to find this given as the definition of History, Historia est rerum gestarum, cum laude aut vituperatione, narratio:} and if I am not altogether a Tacitus, when ver/ues or vices occur to be matters of reflection, as well as of relation, I will, for my vindication, appeal to Tacitus himself, whom Lipsius calls one of the prudentest (though Tertullian, long before, counts him one of the lyingest) of them who have enriched the world with History: he says, Precipuum munus Annalium reor, ne virtutes sileantur, utque pravis Dictis, Fuctisque ex posteritate et Infamia metus sit.|| I have

© ag alone (so far as historians are concerned) the Roman people found a genius worthy of their matchess empire,

+ Great wars, sacked cities, kings in flight or chains. [every thing, ¢ Readers should exercise leniency towards historians, and bear it in mind that they cannot be infallible in § History is the narration of great transactions, with awards of praise or censure to the actors.

I Tdeom it to be the highest office of History to blazon abroad the virtues of the race, and to hold up before depravity, whether it be in word or deed, the dread of eternal obloquy.—Tacitus, Annals, ill. 65.

not commended any person, but when I have really judged, not only that he deserved it, but also that it would be a benefit unto posterity to know wherein he deserved it: and my judgment of desert, hath not been biassed by persons being of my own particular judgment, in matters of disputation, among the Churches of God. I have been as willing to wear the name of Simplicius Verinus, throughout my whole undertaking, as he that, before me, hath assumed it: nor am I like Pope Zachary, impatient so much as to hear of any Antipodes. That spirit of a Schlusselbergius, who falls foul with fury and reproach on all who differ from him; the spirit of an Heylin, who seems to count no obloquy too hard for a reformer; and the spirit of those (folio-writers there are, some of them, in the English nation!) whom a noble Historian stigmatizes, as, “Those hot-headed, passionate bigots, from whom, ’tis enough, if you be of a religion contrary unto theirs, to be defamed, condemned and pursued with thousand calumnies.” I thank Heaven I hate it with all my heart. But how can the dives of the commendable be written without commending them? or, is that law of History, given in one of the eminentest pieces of antiquity we now have in our hands, wholly antiquated, Maxime proprium est Historia, Laudem rerum egregie gestarum persequi?’* nor have I, on the other side, forbore to mention many censurable things, even in the best of my friends, when the things, in my opinion, were not good; or so bore away for Placentia, in the course of our story, as to pass by Verona; but been mindful of the direction which Polybius gives to the historian: “It becomes him that writes an History, sometimes to extol enemies in his praises, when their praise worthy actions bespeak it, and at the same time to reprove the best friends, when their deeds appear worthy of a reproof; in-as-much as History is good for nothing, if truth (which is the very eye of the animal) be not in it.” Indeed, I have thought it my duty upon all accounts, (and if it have proceeded unto the degree of a fault, there is, it may be, something in my temper and nature that has betrayed me therein,) to be more sparing and easie, in thus mentioning of censurable things, than in my other liberty: a writer of Church- History should, I know, be like the builder of the temple, one of the tribe of Naphthali; and for this I will also plead my Polybius in my excuse: “It is not the work of an historian, to commemorate the vices and villanies of men, so much as their just, their fair, thcir honest actions; and the renders of History get more good by the objects of their emulation, than of their indignation.” Nor do I deny that, though I cannot approve the conduct of Josephus; (whom Jerom not unjustly nor inaptly calls “the Greek Livy,”) when he left out of his Antiquities, the story of the golden Calf, and I don’t wonder to find Chamier, and Rivet, and others, taxing him for his partiality towards his country-men; yet I have left unmentioned some censurable occurrences in the story of our Colonies, as things no less unuseful than improper to be raised out of the grave, wherein Oblivion hath now buried them; lest I should have incurred the pasquil bestowed upon Pope Urban, who, employing a committze to rip up the old errors of his predecessors, one clapped a pair of spurs upon the heels of the statue of St. Peter; and a label from the statue of St. Paul opposite thereunto, upon the bridge, asked him, “Whither he was bound?” St. Peter answered, “I apprehend some danger in staying here; I fear they'll call me in question for denying my Master.” And St. Paul replied, “Nay, then I had best be gone too, for they'll question me also for perseeuting the Christians before my conversion.” Briefly, my pen shall reproach none that can give a good word unto any good man that is not of their own faction, and shall fall out with none but those that can agree with no body else, except those of their own schism, If I draw any sort of men with charcoal, it shall be because I remember a notable passage of the best Queen that ever was in the world, our late Queen Mary. Monsieur Juvien, that he might justifie the Reformation in Scotland, made a very black representation of their old Queen Mary; for which, a certain sycophant would have incensed our Queen Mary against that Reverend person, saying, “Is it not a shame that this man, without any consideration for your royal person, should dare to throw such infamous calumnies upon a Queen, from whom your Royal Highness is descended?” But that excellent Princess replied, “No, not

© It is History’s truest prerogative, to praise noble achievements,

a

served it, but nd my judgjudgment, in to wear the ore me, hath y Antipodes. ll who differ a reformer; tion!) whom m whom, ’tis and pursued ‘can the lives tory, given in yuated, Maxon the other ds, when the ourse of our ) gives to the n his praises, _ best friends, for nothing, ought it my ere is, it may e sparing and er of Churchaphthali; and | historian, to thcir honest ulation, than duct of Josee left out of er, and Rivet, left unmenless unuseful them; lest I ra committee the heels of preunto, upon rehend some r.”” And St. br persecuting at can give a put with none mn, If I draw re of the best hat he might ir old Queen r against. that sideration for Queen, from ed, “No, not

ty eh can Ra ERE a ibe Lash tee Se

at all; is it not enough that, by fulsome praises, great persons be lulled asleep all their lives; but must flattery accompany them to their very graves? How should they fear the judgment of posterity, if historians be not allowed to speak the truth after their death?” But whether I do myself commend, or whether I give my reader an opportunity to censure, Iam careful above all things to do it with truth; and as I have considered the words of Plato, Deum indigne et graviter ferre, cum quis ei similem, hoc est, virtute prastantem, viluperet, aut laudet contrarium:* so I have had the Ninth Commandment of a greater law-giver than Plato, to preserve my care of Truth from first to last. If any mistake have been any where committed, it will be found meerly circumstantial, and wholly involuntary; and let it be remembered, that though no historian ever merited better than the incomparable Thuanus, yet learned men have said of his work, what they never shall truly say of ours, that it contains multa falsissima et indigna.t I find Erasmus himself mistaking one man for two, when writing of the ancients. And even our own English writers too are often mistaken, and in matters of a very late importance, as Baker, and Heylin, and Fuller, (professed historians) tell us that Richard Sutton, a single man, founded the Charter-House; whereas his name was Thomas, and he was a married man. I think I can recite such mistakes, it may be sans number occurring in the most credible writers; yet I hope I shall commit none such. But although I thus challenge, as my due, the character of an impartial, I doubt I may not challenge that of an elegant historian. I cannot say whetiier the style wherein this Church- History is written, will please the modern criticks: but if I seem to have used awAscrarn Cuvra&er ypapne, t a simple, submiss, humble style, ’tis the same that Eusebius affirms to have been used by Hegesippus, who, as far as we understand, was the first author (after Luke) that ever composed an entire body of Ecclesiastical History, which he divided iyto five books, and entituled, drouwnuara cov éxxrntiacrixciv rpagewv.§ Whereas others, it may be, will reckon the style embellished with too much of ornament, by the multiplied references to other and former concerns, closely couched, for the observation of the attentive, in almost every paragraph; but I must confess, that I am of his mind who said, Sicudé sal modice cibis aspersus Condit, et gratiam saporis addit, ita si paulum antiquitutis admiscueris, Oratio fit venustior.|| And I have seldom seen that way of writing faulted, but by those who, for a certain odd reason, sometimes find fault that “the grapes are not ripe.” These embellishments (of which yet I only—Veniam pro laude peto™) are not the puerile spoils of Polyanthea’s; but I should have asserted them to be as choice flowers as most that oceur in ancient or modern writings, almost unavoidably putting themselves into the author's hand, while about his work, if those words of Ambrose had not a little frighted me, as well as they did Baronius, Unumquemque Fallunt sua scripta.** I observe that learned men have been so terrified by the reproaches of pedantry, which little smatterers at reading and learning have, by their quoting humours, brought upon themselves, that, for to avoid all approaches towards that which those feeble creatures have gone to imitate, the best way of writing has been most injuriously deserted. But what shall we say? The best way of writing under heaven shall be the worst, when Erasmus, his monosyllable tyrant, will have it so! and if I should have resigned my self wholly to the judgment of others, what way of writing to have taken, the story of the two statues made by Policletus tells me what may have been the issue: he contrived one of them according to the rules that best pleased himself, and the other according to the fancy of every one that looked upon his work: the former was afterwards applauded by all, and the latter derided by those very persons who had given their directions for it. As for such unaccuracies as the critical may

* It is offensive to Deity himself when dishonour is cast on such as resemble Him in the loftiness of thoir virtue, or when praise is bestowed on their opposites,

+ Much that is most fulse and unworthy,

¢ The sim plest style of writing, $ Memoirs of ecclesiastical transactions, | As a little salt sea;oas food, and increases its relish, 80 8 spice of antiquity heightens the charm of style, { Ask pardon for this self-praise, ** Every writer forms mistaken judgments of his own productions,

$2 GENERAL INTRODUCTION. discover, Opere in longo,* I nppeal to the courteous for a favourable construction of them; and certainly they will be favourably judged of, when there is considered the variety of my other imployments; which have kept me in continual hurries, I had almost said like those of the ninth sphere, for the few months in which this Work has been digesting. It was a thing well thought, by the wise designers of Chelsey-Colledge, wherein able historians were one sort of persons to be maintained; that the Romanists do in one point condemn, the Protestants; for among the Romanists, they don’t burden their Professor with any Parochial incumbrances; but among the Protestants, the very same individual man must preach, catechize, administer the Sacraments, visit the afflicted, and manage all the parts of Churchdiscipline; and if any books for the service of Religion be written, persons thus extreamly incumbered must be the writers. Now, of all the Churches under heaven, there are none that expects so much variety of servive from their Pastors as those of New-England; and of all the Churches in New-England, there are none that require more than those in Boston, the metropolis of the English America; whereof one is, by the Lord Jesus Christ, committed unto the care of the unworthy hand by which this History is compiled. Reader, give me leave humbly to mention, with him in Tully, Antequam de re, Pauca de me!t Constant sermons, usually more than once, and perhaps three or four times in a week, and all the other duties of a pastoral watchfulness, a very large flock has all this while demanded of me; wherein, if 1 had been furnished with as many heads as a Typheus, as many eyes as an Argos, and as many hands as a Briareus, I might have had work enough to have employed them all; nor hath my station left me free from obligations to spend very much time in the Evangelical service of others also. It would have been a great sin in me to have omitted, or abated, my just cares, to fulfil my Ministry in these things, and in a manner give my self wholly to them. All the time I have had for my Church-History, hath been perhaps only, or chiefly, that which I might have taken else for less profitable recreations; and it hath all been done by snatches. My reader will not find me the person intended in his Littany, when he says, Libera me ab homine unius negotii:{ nor have I spent thirty years in shaping this my History, as Diodorus Siculus did for his, [and yet both Bodinus and Sigonius complain of the ¢padrywara§ attending it. But I wish I could have enjoyed, entirely for this work, one quarter of the little more than two years which have rolled away since I began it; whereas I have been forced sometimes wholly to throw by the work whole months together, and then resume it, but by a stolen hour or two in the day, not without some hazard of incurring the title which Coryat put upon his History of his Travels, “ Crudities hastily gobbled up in five months.” Protogenes being seven years in drawing a picture, Apelles, upon the sight of it, said, “The grace of the work was much allayed by the length of the time.” Whatever else there may have been to take off the “grace of the work” now in the reader’s hands, (whereof the pictures of great and good men make a considerable part,) Iam sure there hath not been the “length of the time” to do it. Our English Martyrologer counted it a sufficient apology for what meanness might be found in the first edition of his “acts and monuments,” that it was “hastily rashed up in about fourteen months:” and I tnay apologize for this collection of our “acts and monuments,” that I should have been glad, in the little more than two years which have ran out sinee I entred upon it, if I could have had one half of “about fourteen months” to have entirely devoted thereunto. But besides the time, which the daily services of my own first, and then many other Churches, have necessarily called for, I have lost abundance of precious time through the feeble and broken state of my health, which hath unfitted me for hard study; I can do nothing to purpose at lucubrations, And yet, in this time also of the two or three years last past, I have not been excused from the further diversion of publishing (though not so many as they say Mercurius Trismegistus did, yet) more than a score of other books, upon a copious variety of other subjects, besides the corposing of several more, that are not yet published.

* In the course of a long work. + Before I talk of my subject, I must say a few things about myself. ¢ Deliver me from o man of one idea.

§ Mistakes,

eis, | Miied, ~ “ieee: amet caine “atin ees ee OS oe em i

1 of them; ety of my like those It was a historians t condemn, h any Parjust preach, of Church- _extreamly e are none nd; and of in Boston, ‘hrist, come 1. Reader, ne! + Coneek, and all e demanded many eyes igh to have 1 very much in in me to n a manner th been pereations; and snded in his irty years in nd Sigonius , entirely for way since I hole months ithout some 5, * Crudities hg a picture, y the length bf the work” a consider- Our English d in the first nut fourteen ants,” that I nee I entred rely devoted then many ime through dy; I can do ree years lust bt So many as on a copious st published.

§ Mistakes,

RE tpt iio blah eaiote

Nor is this neither all the task that I have in this while had lying upon me; for (though I am very sensible of what Jerom said, Non bene fit, quod occupato Animo fit;* and of Quintilian’s remark, Non simul in multa intendere Animus totum potest;+ when I applied my mind un:o this way of serving the Lord Jesus Curist in my generation, I set upon another and a greater, which has had, I suppose, more of my thought and hope than this, and wherein there hath passed me, for the most part, Nuila dies sine linea.t I considered, that all sort of learning might be made gloriously subservient unto the illustration of the sacred Scripture; and that no professed commentaries had hitherto given a thousandth part of so much illustration unto it, as might be given I considered that multitudes of particular texts had, especially of later years, been more notably illustrated in the scattered books of learned men, than in any of the ordinary commentators. And I considered that the ¢reasures of illustration for the Bible, dispersed in many hundred volumes, might be fetched all together by a labour that would resolve to conquer all things; and that all the improvements which the later ages have made in the sciences, might be also, with an inexpressible pleasure, called in, to Christ the illustration of the holy oracles, at a rate that hath not been attempted in the vulgar Annotations; and that a common degree of sense would help a person, who should converse much with these things, to attempt sometimes also an illustration of his own, which might expect some attention. Certainly, it will not be ungrateful urto good men, to have innumerable Antiquities, Jewish, Chaldee, Arabian, Grecian, and Roman, brought home unto us, with a sweet light reflected from them on the word, which is our light; or, to have all the typical men and things in our Book of Mysteries, accommodated with their Antitypes: or, to have many hundreds of references to our dearest Lord Messiah, discovered in the writings which ¢estifie of Him, oftner than the most of mankind have hitherto imagined: or, to have the histories of all ages, coming in with punctual and surprising fuljilments of the divine Prophecies, as far as tiiey have been hitherto fulfilled; and not mere conjectures, but even mathematical and incontestible demonstrations, given of expositions offered upon the Prophecies, that yet remain to be accomplished: or, to have in one heap, thousands of those “remarkable discoveries of the deep things of the Spirit of God,” whereof one or two, or a few, sometimes, have been, with good success, accounted materials enough to advance a person into Authorism; or to have the delicious curiosities of Grotius, and Bochart, and Mede, and Lightfoot, and Selden, and Spencer, (carefully selected and corrected,) and many more giants in knowledge, all set upon one Table.

Travellers tell us, that at Florence there is a rich table, worth a thousand crowns, made of precious stones neatly inlaid; a table that was fifteen years in making, with no less than thirty men daily at work upon it; even such a table could not afford so rich entertainments, as one that should have the soul-feasting thoughts of those learned men together set upon it. Only ’tis pity, that instead of one poor feeble American, overwhelmed with a thousand other cares, and capable of touching this work no otherwise than in a digression, there be not more than thirty men daily imployed about it. For, when the excellent Mr. Pool had finished his laborious and immortal task, it was noted by some considerable persons, “That wanting assistance to collect for him many miscellancou8 criticisms, occasionally seattered in other authors, he left many better things behind him than he found.” And more than all this, our Essay is levelled, if it be not anticipated with that Epitaph, Magnis tamen eacidit ausis.§ Designing accordingly, to give the Church of God such displays of his blessed word, as may be more entertaining for the rarity and novelty of them, than any that have hitherto been seen together in any exposition; and yet such as may be acceptable unto the most judicious, for the demonstrative truth of them, and unto the most orthodox, for the regard had unto the Analogy of Faith in all, T have noy, in a few months, got ready an huge

* Nothing is well done, which is undertaken with a mind préoccupied. No one can bestow his whole attention upon several things at the same time.

Every day hus added at least a line.

§ Nevertheless, he fell short of his great enterprise, Von. IL—3

AN ai Ra Ani th AAT: SO SAIN AAT.

84 GENERAL INTRODUCTION. number of golden keys to open the pandects of Heaven, and some thousands of charming and curious, and singular notes, by the new help whereof, the word of Curist may run and be glorified. If the God of my life will please to spare (my life my yet sinful, and slothful, and thereby forfeited life!) as many years longer as the barren fig-tree had in the parable, T may make unto the Church of God an humble tender of our Biblia Americana,* a volume enriched with better things than all the plate of the Indies; yer not J, BUT THE Grace or Curist witH mE, My reader sees why I commit the fault of a repiauria f which appears in the mention of these minute passages; "tis to excuse whatever other fault of inaccuracy or inadvertency may be discovered in an History, which hath been a sort of rhapsody made up (like the api: whereon ’tis written!) with many little rags, torn from an imployment multifarious cnowyia to overwhelm one of my small capacities.

Magna dabit, qui magna potest; mibi parva potenti, Parvaque poscenti, parva dedisse sai est.t

§6. But shall 1 vrognosticate thy fate, now that, Parve (sed invideo) sine me, liber, ibis in urbem.§

Luther, who was himself owner of such an heart, advised every historian to get the Heart of a lion; and the more I consider of the provocation, which this our Church-History must needs give to that roaring Lion who has, throuzh all ages hitherto, been tearing the church to pieces, the more occasion I see to wish my self a Ceur de Lion. But had not my heart been trebly oak’d and brass’d for such encounters as this our history may meet withal, I would have worn the silk-worms motto, Operitur dum operatur,|| and have chosen to have written Anonymously; or, as Claudius Salmasius calls himself Walo Messelinus, as Ludovicus Molineus calls himself Ludiomeus Colvinus, as Carolus Scribanius calls himself Clarus Bonarscius, (and no less men than Peter du Moutin and Dr. Henry More, stile themselves, the one Hippolytus Fronto, the other Franciscus Paleopolitanus.) Thus I would have tried whether I could not have Anagrammatized my name into some concealment; or I would have referred it to be found in the second chapter of the second Syntagm of Selden de Diis Syris. Whereas now I treely confess, ’tis Corron MaTuer that has written all these things;

Me, me, adsum qui scripsi; in me convertite ferrum.T

I hope ’tis a right work that I have done; but we are not yet arrived unto the day, “ wherein God will bring every work into judgment,” (the day of the kingdom that was promised unto David,) and a Son of David hath as truly as wisely told us, that until the arrival of that happy ¢-y, this is one of the vanities attending humane affairs: “For a right work, a man shall be envied of his neighbour.” It will not be so much a surprise unto me, if I should live to see our Chureh-History vexed with anie mad-versions of calumnious writers, as it would have been unto Virgii, to read his Bucolicks reproached by the Anti-bucolica of a nameless scribbler, and his neids travestied by the Aineidomastix of Carbilius: or Herennius taking pains to make a collection of the faults, and Faustinus of the thefts, in his incomparable composures: yea, Pliny and Seneca themselves, and our Jerom, reproaching him, as a man of no judgment nor skill in sciences; while Poedianus affirms of him, that he was himself, Usque adeo invidie expers, ut si quid erudite dictum inspiceret alterius, non minus

* American Scriptures, + Egotistical discussion,

¢ Great things he gives who hath them; ‘tis my lot § Thou, little Book, while I behind thee stay, To own and ask for little: but the call To the great world dost take thine envied way. Of Heaven is answered if I give my ald. Ovin, Trist. i. 1. 1,

| The more closely she toils, the more closely she hides, ¥ I wrote it!—I!—vont all your spite on me!—Virain, neil, ix, 427 (travestied),

et gx Gat tab Gs ud see eee a See ee

of charming yrun and be nd slothful, the parable, lericana,* a I, BUT THE mepiauria T r other fault sort of rhapwn from an

et the Heart listory must g the church 1ot my heart eet withal, I ysen to have 3, as Ludovinself Clarus

themselves, d have tried

or I would elden de Diis

hese things;

ay, * wherein as promised e arrival of ight work, a nto me, if I ious writers, i-bucolica of ius: or Her. thefts, in his reproaching him, that he S$) non minus

discussion,

ee stay, nvied way.

QENERAL INTRODUCTION. 85 gauderel ac si suum esset.* How should a book no better laboured than this of ours, escape Zoilian outrages when in all ages the most exquisite works have been as much vilified as Plato’s by Scaliger, and Aristotle’s by Lactantius? In the time of our K. Edward VI. there was an order to bring in all the teeth of St. Appollonia, which the people of his one kingdom carried about them for the cure of the tooth-ach; and they were so many that they almost filled a tun. Truly Envy hath as many teeth as Madam Apollonia would have had, if all those pretended reliques had been really hers. And must all these teeth be fastened on thee,O my Book? It may be so! and yet the Book, when ground between these teeth, will prove like Ignatius in the teeth of the furious tygers, “The whiter manchet for the Churches of God.” The greatest and fiercest rage of envy, is that which I expect from those Ipumzays, whose religion is all ceremony, and whose charity is more for them who deny the. most essential things in the articles and homilies of the Church of England, than for the most conscientious men in the world, who manifest their being so, by their dissent in some little ceremony; or those persons whose hearts are notably expressed in those words used by one of them [’tis Howel in his Familiar Letlers, vol. 1., sec. 6, lett. 32,] “I rather pity, than hate, Turk or Infidel, for they are of the same metal, and bear the same stamp as I do, though the inscriptions differ; if I hate any, ’tis those schismaticks that puzzle the sweet peace of our Church; so that I could be content to see wn Anabaptist go to hell on a Brownist’s back.” ‘The writer whom I last quoted, hath given us a story of a young man in High-Holbourn, who being after his death dissected, there was a serpent with divers tails found in the left ventricle of his heart. I make no question, that our Church-History will find some reader disposed like that writer, with an heart as full of serpent and venom as ever it can hold: nor indeed will they be able to hold, but the tongues and pens of those angry folks will scourge me as with scorpions, and cause me to feel (if I will feel) as many lashes as Cornelius Agrippa expected from their brethren, for the book in which he exposed their vanities. A scholar of the great Jurts made once about fourscore verses, for which the Censor of Corpus Christi Colledge, in the beginning of Qucen Maries reign, publickly and cruelly scourged him, with one lash for every verse. Now, in those verses, the young man’s prayers to the Lord Jesus Curist have this for part of the answer given to them:

IN ENGLISH.

The Lord, beholding from his throne, reply’d, “Doubt not, O Youth! firmly in me confide:

I dy’d long since, now sit at the right hand

Of my bless’d Father, und the world command. Relieve me, Scripture shall regain her sway, And wicked Mass ir due time fade away.”

Respondet Dominus, spectans de sedibus altis, Ne dubites recte credere, parve puer.

Olim sum passus mortem, nunc occupo dextram Patris, nunc summi sunt mea regna poli,

Sed tu, crede mihz, vires Scrivtura resumet, Tolleturque suv tempore mtssa nequam.

Reader, I also expect nothing but scourges from that gereration to whom the mass-book is dearer than the Bible: but I have now likewise confess< another expectation, that shall be my consolation under a... They tell us, that on the highest of the Capsian mountains, in Spain, there is a lake. whereinto if you throw a stone, there presently ascends a smoke which forms a dense cloud. from whence issues a iempest of rain, hail, and horrid thunder. claps for a good quarter of an hour. Our Church-History will be like a stone cast into that lake, for the furious tempest which it will raise among some, whose Ecclesiastical dignities have set them as cn the top of Spanish mountains. The Catholick sffrit of communion wherewith ‘tis written, and the liberty which I have taken to tax the schismatical impositions and persecutions of a party who have always been as real enemies to the English nation as to the Christian and Protestant interest, will cert:inly bring upon the whole composure the quick censures of that party at the first cast of their look upon it. In the Duke of Alva’s council of twelve judges, there was one Hessels, a Flemming, whe slept always at the trial of criminals, and when they waked him to deliver his opinion, he rubbed his

* He was so incapable of envy that, whenever he fell in with an elegant expression from the pen of another, he was as much delighted as if it had been his own,

ceca sere seein aE: sis aoe

judgment of God, breathed forth his wicked suule to the darke mansion of the black divell.”

GENERAL INTRODUCTION.

eves, and cryed, between sleeping and waking, Ad patibulum! Ad patibulum! “to the gallows with them!” [And, by the way, this blade was himself, at the last, condemned unto the gallows without an hearing!] As quick censures must this our labour expect from those who will not bestow waking thoughts upon the representations of Christianity here made unto the wor'd: but have a sentence of death always to pass, or at ieast wish, upon those yenerous principles,-without which, ’tis impossible to maintain the Reformation: and I confess IT am very well content, that this our labour takes the fate of those pric:iples: nor do I dix sent from the words of the excellent Whitaker upon Luther, “ Flix ille, guem Dominus eo Honore dignatus esi, ut Homines nequissimos suns haberet inimicos,* But if the vld epigramatist when he saw guilty folks raving mad at his lines, could say:

Hoc volo; nunc nobis carmina nostra placent :t

certainly an historian should not be displeased xt it, if the enemies of truth discover tho'r madness at the true and free communications of his history; and therefore the more stonvs they throw at this book, there will not only be the more proofs that it is a tree which hath good fruits growing upon it, but I will build my self a monument with them, ‘vhereon shall be inserited that clause in the epitaph of the martyr Stephen:

Excenit lapides, cut petra Christue erat :t

Alheit perhups the epitaph,§ which the old monks bestowed upon Wickliff, will be rather endeavoured for ie, (if Tam thought worth one!) by the men who will, with all possible monkery, strive to atave off the approaching Reformation.

But sinee an undertaking of this nature must thus encounter so much envy from those who are under the power of the spirit that works in the children of unperswadeableness, methinks I might perswade my self, that it will find another sort of entertainment from those good men who have a better spirit in them: for, as the Apostle James hath noted, (so with Monsieur Claude I read it,) “lhe spirit that is in us lusteth against envy;” and yet, even in us also, there will be the flesh, among whose works one is envy, which will be Zusting against the spirit. All good men will not be satisfied with every thing that is here set before them. In my cwn country, besides a considerable number of loose and vain inhabitants risen up, to whom the Congregational Church-discipline, which cannot live well where the power of godliness dyes, is become distasteful for the purity of it; there is also a number of eminently godly persons, who are for a larger way, and unto these my Church- History will give distaste, by the things which it may happen to utter in favour of that Church-discipline on some few occasions; and the discoveries which I may happen to make of my apprehens‘ons, that Scripture, and reason, and antiquity is for it; and that it is not far from a glorious:esurrection. But that, as the famous Mr. Baxter, after thirty or forty years hard study, about the true instituted Church-discipline, at last not only owned, but also invincibly proved, that it is the congregational; so, the further that the unprejudiced studies of learned men proceed in this matter, the more generally the Congregational Church-discipline will be pronounced for. On the other side, there are some among us who very strictly profess the Congregational Church-discipline, but at the same time they have an

* Happy Luther !\whom the Lord signalized with the honour of having the greatest reprobates for his worst enemies. + I’m pleased at last: victorious is my wit: The galled jade winces, and my mark is hit.—Wartial, Epig. vi. 614.

$¢ A specimen of the bad tuste for playing upon words, which so much disfigures ancient scholastic literature: He died by stuning, but his Rock was Christ.

§ We take the effusion alluded to by our author, with the context, from Speed’s Chronicle, [p. 760, ed. 1623.J— “This famous Doctor, dying of a palsie, hath this charitable Euloge or Epitaph bestowed on him by u Monke: The Divells Instrument, Churches Enemy, Peoples Confusion, Hereticks Idoll, Hypocrites Mirrour, Schismes Broacher, Hatreds Sower, Lyes Forger, Flatteries Sinke; who at his death despaired like Cain, and stricken by the horrible

to the gal- 1d unto the from those here made those gene d I confess or do I dia Dominus ED \d epigrasicover thelr ore stones which hath vercon shall

ll be rather all possible

from those adeableness, from those 2d, (so with yet, even in be lusting is here set ain inhabitwell where e is also a

y Churchour of that en to make it is not far forty years d, but also iced studies

hurch-diss who very

for his worst

tic literature :

b, ed. 1623.J— Monke: The es Broacher,

ly the horrible

sade nara

GENERAL INTRODUCTION. ; 87 unhappy narrowness of soul, by which they confine their value and kindness too much unto their own party: and unto those my Church-History will be offensive, because my regard unto our own declared principles does not hinder me from giving the right hand of fellowship unto the valuable servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, who find not our Church-discipline as yet agreeable unto their present understandings and illuminations. If it be thus in my own country, it cannot be otherwise in that whereto I send this account of my own. Bbrietl’, as if hath been said, that if all Episcopal men were like Archbishop Usher, and all Preshyterians like Stephen Marshal, and all Independents like Jeremiah Burroughs, the wounds of the Church would soon be healed; my essay to carry that spirit through this whole Chi re). History, will bespeak wounds for it, from those that are of another spirit. And thire will also be in every country those good men, who yet have not had the grace of Christ so far prevailing in them, as utterly to divest them of that piece of ill-nature which the Comedian resents, In homine imperito, quo nil quicquam injustius, quic nisi quod ipse facit, nil recte factum putat, *

However, all these things, and an hundred more such things which I think of, are very small discouragements for such a service as I have here endeavoured. I foresee a recompence which will abundantly swallow up all discouragements! It may be Strato the Philosopher counted himself well recompenced for his labours, when Ptolemy bestowed fourscore talents on him. It may be, Archimelus the poet counted himself well recompenced, when Hiero sent him a thousand bushels of wheat for one little epigram: and Saleius the poet might count himself well recompenced, when Vespasian sent him twelve thousand and five hundred philippicks; and Oppian the poet might count himself well recompenced, when Caracalla sent him a piece of gold for every line that he had inscribed unto him. As I live in a country where such recompences never were in fashion; it hath no preferments for me, and T shall count that I am well rewarded in it, if I can escape without being heavily reproached, censured and condemned, for what I have done: so I thank the Lord, I should exceedingly scorn all such mean considerations, I seck not out for benefactors, to whom these labours may be dedicated: there is one to whom all is due! from him I shall have a revompence: and what recompence? The recompence, whereof I do, with inexpressible joy, assure my self is this, That these my poor labours will certainly serve the Churches and interests of the Lord Jesus Christ. And I think I may say, that I ask to live no longer than I count a service unto the Lord Jesus Christ and his Churches, to be it self a glorious recompence for the doing of it. When David was contriving to build the house of God, there was that order given from Heaven concerning him, “Go tell David my servant.” Tlie adding of that more than royal title unto the name of David, was a sufficient reeompen-e for all his contrivance about the house of God. In our whole Church-History, we have been at work for the house of the Lord Jesus Christ, [even that Man, who is the Lord God, and whose form seems on that occasion represented unto His David.] And herein ’tis tecompence enough, that I have been a servant unto that heavenly Lord. The greatest honour, and the sweetest pleasure, out of heaven, is to serve our illustrious Lord Jesus Curist, who hath “loved us, and given himself for us:” and unto whom it is infinitely reasonable that we should give our selves, and all that we have and are: and it may be the Angels in Heaven, too, aspire not after an higher felicity.

Unto thee, therefore, O thou Son of God, and King of Heaven, and Lord of all things, whom all the glorious Angels of Light unspeakably love to glorifie; I humbly offer up a poor History of Churches, which own thee alone for their Head, and Prince, and Law-Giver ; Churches which thou hast purchased with thy own blood, and with wonderful dispensations of thy Providence hitherto protected and

* “No one is more illiberal than he

Whom ignorance has bloated with conceit:— Nought is well done but what he does himself."—Trrencr, delphi, Act. i. Scene 2, ver, 18,

preserved; and of a people which thou didst form for thy self, to shew forth thy praises. I bless thy great Name, for thy inclining of me to, and carrying of me through, the work of this History: I pray thee to sprinkle the book of this History with thy blood, and make it acceptable and profitable unto thy Churches, and serve thy Truths and Ways among thy people, by that which thou hast here prepared; Sor ’tis THOU that hast prepared it for them. AMEN.

Quid sum? Nil—Quis sum? Nullue—Sed gratia Curisti, Quod sum, quod vivo, quodque laboro, facit.*

* What am I? Nothing.—Sovereign Grace alone Lives in my life, and does what I have done,

o forth thy ying of me his History ,and serve prepared ;

THE FIRST BOOK.

ANTIQUITIES;

A FIELD PREPARED FOR CONSIDERABLE THINGS TO BE ACTED THEREUPON.

Ir was not long ago, as about the middle of the former century, that under the influences of that admirable hero and martyr, of the Protestant religion, Gasper Coligni, the great Admiral of France, a noble and learned knight called Villagagnon, began to attempt the Settlement of some Colonies in America, (as it was declared) for the propagation of that religion. He sailed with several ships of no small burthen, till he arrived at Brasile; where he thought there were now shown him quiet seats, for the retreat of a people harrassed already with deadly persecutions, and threatned with yet more calamities. Thence he wrote home letters unto that glorious patron of the reformed churches, to inform him, that he had now a fair prospect of seeing those churches erected, multiplied, and sheltered in the southern regions of the New World; and requested him, that Geneva might supply them with Pastors for the planting of such churches in these New Plantations, The blessed Calvin, with his colleagues, thereupon sent of their number two worthy persons, namely Richerius and Quadrigarius, to assist this undertaking; and unto these were joined several more, especially Leirus, and who became a leader to the rest, Corquillerius, an eminent man, for the cause of Christianity, then residing at Geneva. Embarked in three ships, well fitted, they came to the American country, whither they had been invited; and they soon set up an evangelical church order, in those corners of the earth where God in

* If it please God.

—

—

our Lord Jesus Christ had never before been called upon, But it was not long before some unhappy controversies arose among them, which drove their principal ministers into Europe again, besides those three that were murthered by their apostate Governour, whose martyrdom Lerius procured Crispin to commemorate in his history, but I now omit in this of ours, Ne me Crispini scrinia lecti, compildsse putes,* and as for the people that staid behind, no other can be learned, but that they are entirely lost, either in paganism or disaster: in this, more unhappy sure, than that hundred thousand of their brethren who were soon after butchered at home, in that horrible massacre, which then had not, but since hath, known a parallel, So has there been utterly Jost in a little time, a country intended for a receptacle of Protestant Churches on the American Strand. It is the most incomparable De Thou, the honourable President of the Parliament at Paris, an Historian whom Casaubon pronounces, “A singular gift of Heaven, to the last age, for an example of piety and probity,” that is our author, (besides others) for this History.

’Tis now time for me to tell my reader, that in our age there has been another essay made not by French, but by English Protestants, to fill a certain country in America with Reformed Churches; nothing in doctrine, little in discipline, different from that of Geneva. Mankind will pardon me, a native of that country, if smitten with a just fear of incroaching and ill-bodied degeneracies, I shall use my modest endeavours to prevent the loss uf a country so signalized for the profession of the purest Religion, and for the protection of God upon it, in that holy profession. I shall count my country lost, in the loss of the primitive principles, and the primitive practices, upon which it was at first established: but certainly one good way to save that loss, would be to do something that the memory of the great things done for us by our God, may not be lost, and that the story of the circumstances attending the foundation and formation of this country, and of its preservation hitherto, may be impartially handed unto posterity. THis is the undertaking whereto I now address myself; and now, Grant me thy gracious assistances, O my God! that in this my undertaking I may be kept from every false way: but that sincerely aiming at thy glory in my undertaking, I may find my labours made acceptable and profitable unto thy Churches, and serviceable unto the interests of thy gospel; so let my God think upon me for good; and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy in the blessed Jesus, AMEN.

* That you may not suspect me of having rifled the portfolios of Crispin——Horace, Sat. i. 1. ver. 120,

i was not ch drove hat were rius pron this of ie people irely lost, that hunat home, known a y intended

It is the arliament ar gift of hat is our

has been Ts, to fill 1 doctrine, ll pardon roaching prevent Religion, T shall and the certainly b memory that the bn of this ded unto self; and ny underng at thy nd profit bel ; so let eatness of

CHAPTER &. VENISTI TANDEM?* OR, DISCOVERIES OF AMERICA; TENDING 10, AND ENDING IN, DISCOVERIES OF NEW-ENGLAND.

§ 1. Ir is the opinion of some, though ’tis but an opinion, and but of some learned men, that when the sacred oracles of Heaven assure us, the things under the earth are some of those, whose knees are to bow in the name of Jesus, by those things are meant the inhabitants of America, who are Antipodes to those of the other hemisphere. I would not quote any words of Lactantius, though there are some to countenance this interpretation, because of their being so wngeographical; nor would I go to strengthen the interpretation by reciting the words of the Indians to the first white invaders of their territories, we hear you are come from under the world to take our world from us. But granting the uncertainty of such an exposition, I shall yet give the Church of God a certain account of those things, which in America have been believing and adoring the glorious name of Jesus; and of that country in America, where those things have been attended with circumstances most remarkable. I can contentedly allow that America (which, as the learned Nicholas Fuller observes, might more justly be called Columbina) was altogether unknown to the penmen of the Holy Scriptures, and in the ages when the Scriptures were penned. I can allow, that those parts of the earth, which do not include America, are, in the inspired writings of Luke and of Paul, stiled all the world. I can allow, that the opinion of Torniellus and of Pagius, about the apostles preaching the gospel in America, has been sufficiently refuted by Basnagius. But I am out of the reach of Pope Zachary’s excommunication, I can assert the existence of the American Antipodes: and I can report unto the European churches great occurrences among these Americans. Yet I will report every one of them with such a Christian and exact veracity, that no man shall have cause to use about any one of them the words which the great Austin (as great as he was) used about the existence of Antipodes; it is a fable, and nulla ratione credendum.*

§ 2. If the wicked one in whom the whole world lyeth, were he, who like a dragon, keeping a guard upon the spacious and mighty orchards of America, could have such a fascination upon the thoughts of mankind, that neither this balancing half of the globe should be considered in Kurope, till a little more than two hundred years ago, nor the clue that might lead unto it, namely, the Loadstone, should be known, till a Neapolitian*stumbled upon it, about an hundred years before; yet the overruling Providence of the great God is to be acknowledged, as well in the

* Hast thou come at last? + Utterly incredible,

concealing of America for so long a time, as in the discovering of it, when the fulness of time was come for the discovery: {:: we may count America to have been concealed, while mankind in the other hemisphere had lost all acquaintance with it, if we may conclude it had any from the words of Diodorus Siculus, that Phcenecians were, by great storms, driven on the coast of Africa, far westward, dm wodrag 'nusgas, for many duys together, and at last fell in with an Island of prodigious magnitude; or from the words of Plato, that beyond the pillars of Hercules there was an Island in the Atlantick Ocean, apa ABung xo Aciag weav, larger than Africa and Asia put together: nor should it pass without remark, that three most memorable things, which have born a very great aspect upon humane affairs, did, near the same time, namely, at the conclusion of the j/ifeenth, and the beginning of the sixteenth century, arise unto the world: the first was the resurrection of literature; the second was the opening of America; the third was the Reformation of Religion, But, as probably, the devil seducing the first inhabitants of America into it, therein aimed at the having of them and their posterity out of the sound of the silver trumpets of the Gospel, then to be heard through the Roman Empire; if the devil had any expectation, that by the peopling of America, he should utterly deprive any Europeans of the two benefits, Literature and Religion, which dawned upon the miserable world, one just before, the other just after, the first famed navigation hither, 'tis to be hoped he will be disappointed of that expectation. The Church of God must no longer be wrapped up in Strabo’s cloak; Geography must now find work for a Christiano-graphy in regions far enough beyond the bounds wherein the Church of God had, through all former ages, been circumscribed. Renowned Churches of Christ must be gathered where the Ancients once derided them that looked for any inhabitants. The mystery of our Lord’s garments, made Jour parts, by the soldiers that cast lots for them, is to be accomplished in the good sence put upon it by Austin, who, if he had known America, could not have given a better: Quadripartita vestis Domini Jesu, quadripartitam figuravit ejus Ecclesiam, toto scilicet, qui quatuor partibus constat, terrarum orbe diffusam.*

§ 8. Whatever truth may be in that assertion of one who writes: “If we may credit any records besides the Scriptures, I know it might be said and proved well, that this New World was known, and partly inhabited by Britains, or by Saxons from England, three or four hundred years before the Spaniards coming thither;’’ which assertion is demonstrated from the discourses between the Mexicans and the Spaniards at their first arrival; and the Popish reliques, as well as British terms and words, which the Spaniards then found among the Mexicans, as well as from undoubted passages, not only in other authors, but even in the British

MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA:

* The parting of the garmont of our Lord Jesus into four pieces was a type of a like division of His Church, which is distributed through the four quarters of the globe.

of it, when may count hemisphere iy from the ‘ms, driven many days nitude; or 1ere was an than Africa | three most on humane he /fifeenth, d: the first f America; , the devil ned at the er trumpets f the devil uld utterly yion, which st after, the pointed of pped up in o-graphy in f God had, hurches of them that ents, made plished in America, su, quadribus constat,

ho writes: might be nd partly r hundred onstrated their first d words, l as from he British

pf His Church,

annals also: nevertheless, mankind generally agree to give unto Christopher Columbus, a Genoese, the honour of being the first European that opened a way into these parts of the world. It was in the year 1492, that this famous man, acted by a most vehement and wonderful impulse, was carried into the northern regions of this vast hemisphere, which might more justly therefore have received its name from him, than from Americus Vesputius, a Florentine, who, in the year 1497, made a further dotection of the more southern regions in this continent. So a world, which has been one great article among the Mes deperdite* of Pancirollus, is now found out, and the affairs of the whole world have been affected by the finding of it. So the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ, well compared unto a ship, is now victoriously sailing round the globe after Sir Francis Drake’s renowned ship, called, Zhe Victory, which could boast,

Prima ego velivolis ambivi cursibue orbem.t

And yet the story about Columbus himself must be corrected from the information of De la Vega, that ‘one Sanchez, a native of Helva in Spain, did before him find out these regions.” He tells us that Sanchez using to trade ‘in a small vessel to the Canaries, was driven by a furious and tedious tempest over unto these western countries; and at his return he gave to Colon, or Columbus, an account of what he had seen, but soon after died of a disease he had got on his dangerous voyage. However, I shall expect my reader, e’er long, to grant, that some things done since by Almighty God for the English in these regions, have exceeded all that has been hitherto done for any other nation: If this New World were not found out first by the English; yet in those regards that are of all the greatest, it seems to be found out more for them than any other.

§ 4. But indeed the two Cabots, father and son, under the commission

‘of our King Henry VIL, entering upon their generous undertakings in the

year 1497, made further discoveries of America, than either Columbus or Vesputius; in regard of which notable enterprizes, the younger of them

had very great honours by the Crown put upon him, till at length he died.

in a good old age, in which old age King Edward VI. had allowed him an honourable pension. Yea, since the Cabots, employed by the King of England, made a discovery of this continent in the year 1497, and it was the year 1498 before Columbus discovered any part of the continent; and Vesputius came a considerable time after both of them; I know not why the Spaniard should go unrivalled in the claim of this New World, which from the first finding of it is pretended unto. These discoveries of the Cabots were the foundation of all the adventures, with which the English nation have since followed the sun, and served themselves into an

* “The Cataiogue of Lost Things,”—title of a book.

+ “I first, with canvas to the gale unfurl’d, Made the wide circuit of the mighty world.”

acquaintance on the hither side of the Atlantick Ocean. And now I shall drown my reader with myself in a tedious digression, if I enumerate all the attempts made by a Willoughby, a Frobisher, a Gilbert, and besides many others, an incomparable Rawleigh, to settle English colonies in the desarts of the western India. It will be enough if I entertain him with the History of that English Settlement, which may, upon a thousand accounts, pretend unto more of true English than all the rest, and which alone therefore has been called New-England.

§ 5. After a discouraging series of disasters attending the endeavours of the English to swarm into Florida, and the rest of the continent unto the northward of it, called Virginia, because the first white born in those regions was a daughter, then born to one Ananias Dare, in the year 1583, the courage of one Bartholomew Gosnold, and one captain Bartholomew Gilbert, and several other gentlemen, served them to make yet more essays upon the like designs. This captain Gosnold in a small bark, on May 11, 1602, made land on this coast in the latitude of forty-three; where, though he liked the welcome he had from the Salvages that came aboard him, yet he disliked the weather, so that he thought it necessary to stand more southward into the sea. Next morning he found himself embayed within a mighty head of land; which promontory, in remembrance of the Cod fish in great quantity by him taken there, he called Cape-Cod, 2 iiame which I suppose it will never lose, till shoals of Cod-fish be seen swimming upon the top of its highest hills. On this Cape, and on the Islands to the southward of it, he found such a comfortable entertainment from the swmmerfruits of the earth, as well as from the wild creatures then ranging the woods, and from the welder people now surprised into courtesie, that he carried back to England a report of the country, better than what the spies once gave of the land flowing with milk and honey. Not only did the merchants of Bristol now raise a considerable stock to prosecute these discoveries, but many other persons of several ranks embarked in such undertakings; and many sallies into America were made; the exacter narrative whereof I had rather my reader should purchase at the expence of consulting Purchas’s Pilgrims, than endure any stop in our hastening voyage unto the History oF A NEW-ENGLIsH ISRAEL.

§ 6. Perhaps my reader would gladly be informed how America came to be first peopled; and if Hornius’s “ Discourses,’ De origine Gentium Americanarum, do not satisfie him, I hope shortly the most ingenious Dr. Woodward, in his Natural History of the Earth, will do it. In the mean time, to stay thy stomach, reader, accept the account which a very sensible Russian, who had been an officer of prime note in Siberia, gave unto Father Avril. Said he, “There is beyond the Oki a great river called Kawoina, at the mouth whereof, discharging it self into the Frozen Sea, there stands a spacious Islana very well peopled, and no less considerable for hunting an animal, whose teeth are in great esteem. The inhabitants

yw I shall nerate all d besides es in the him with thousand nd which

ideavours nent unto 1 in those rear 1585, tholomew ore essays n May 11, re, though | him, yet and more red within 1e Cod fish me which ning upon the southsummere he woods, 1 carried spies once

erchants scoveries, ortakings;

whereof ting Purunto the

ica came Gentium ious Dr, he mean ry sensiave unto er called bzen Sea, siderable habitants

go frequently upon the side of the Frozen Sea to hunt this monster; and because it requires great labour with assiduity, they carry their families usually along with them. Now it many times happens that being surprized with a thaw, they are carried away, I know not whither, upon huge pieces of ice that break off one from another. For my part, I am perswaded that several of those hunters have been carried upon these floating pieces of ice to the most northern parts of America, which is not far from that part of Asia that jutts out into the sea of Tartary. And that which confirms me in this opinion, is this, that the Americans who inhabit that country, which advances farthest towards that sea, have the same Physiognomy as those Islanders.”—Thus the Vayocde of Smolensko. But all the concern of this our history, is to tell how English people first came into America; and what English people first came into that part of America where this History is composed. Wherefore, instead of reciting the many Adventures of the English to visit these parts of the world, I shall but repeat the words of'one Captain Weymouth, an historian, as well as an undertaker of those Adventures; who reports, “that one main end of all these undertakings, was to plant the gospel in these dark regions of America.’ How well the most of the English plantations have answered this maén end, it mainly becomes them to consider: however, I am now to tell mankind, that as for one of these English plantations, this was not only a main end, but the sole end upon which it was erected. If*they that are solicitous about the interests of the gospel, would know what and where that plantation is; be it noted, that all the vast country from Florida to Nova-lrancia, was at first called Virginia; but this Virginia was distinguished into North Virginia and South Virginia, till that famous Traveller Captain John Smith, in the year 1614, presenting unto the court of England a draught of North Virginia, got it called by the name of Nrw- ENGLAND; which name has been ever since allowed unto my country, as unto the most resembling daughter to the chief lady of the European world. Thus the discoveries of the country proceeded so far, that K. James I. did by his letlers patents under the great seal of England, in the eighteenth year of his reign, give and grant unto a certain honourable ‘council established at Plymouth, in the county of Devon, for the planting, ruling, and ordering, and governing of New-England in America, and to their successors and assigns, all that part of America, lying and being in breadth, from forty degrees of northerly latitude, from the equinoctial line, to the jortyeighth degree of the said northerly latitude inclusively; and the length of, and within all the breadth aforesaid, throughout all the firm lands from sea to sea. This at last is the spot of earth, which the God of heaven spied out for the seat of such evangelical, and ecclesiastical, and very remarkable transactions, as require to be made an history; here ’twas that our blessed JEsus intended a resting place, must I say? or only an hiding place for: those reformed CHURCHES, which have given him a little accomplishment,

of his eternal Father's promise unto him; to be, we hope, yet further accomplished, of having the utmost parts of the earth for his possession?

§ 7. The learned Joseph Mede conjectures that the American Hemisphere will escape the conflagration of the earth, which we expect at the descent of our Lord Jesus Curist from Heaven: and that the people here will not have a share in the blessedness which the renovated world shall enjoy, during the thousand years of holy rest promised unto the Church of God: and that the inhabitants of these regions, who were originally Scytheans, and therein a notable fulfilment of the prophecy, about the enlargement of Japhet, will be the Gog and Magog whom the devil will seduce to invade the New-Jerusalem, with an envious hope to gain the is angelical circumstances of the people there. All this is but conjecture; and By, it may be ’twill appear unto some as little probable, as that of the later f Pierre Poiret in his LZ’ Giconomy Divine, that by Gog and Magog are meant the devils and the damned, which he thinks will be let loose at the end of the thousand years, to make a furious, but a fruitless attempt on the glorified saints of the New-Jerusalem. However, I am going to give unto the ‘ i Christian reader an history of some feeble attempts made in the American hem’... >re to anticipate the state of the New-Jerusalem, as far as the unave uable vanity of human affairs and influence of Satan upon them would allow of it; and of many worthy persons whose posterity, if they make a squadron in the fleets of Gog and Magog, will be apostates deserving a room, and a doom with the legions of the grand apostate, that will deceive the nations to that mysterious enterprize.

mee

CHAPTER Tf.

OR, THE VOYAGE TO NEW-ENGLAND,

PRIMORDIA;*

WHICH PRODUCED THE FIRST SETTLEMENT OF NEW-PLYMOUTH; WITH AN ACCOUNT OF MANY REMARKABLE AND MEMORABLE PROVIDENCES RELATING TO THAT VOYAGE,

§ 1. A NUMBER of devout and serious Christians in the English nation, finding the Reformation of the Church in that nation, according to the Worp oF Gop, and the design of many among the first Reformers, to labour under a sort of hopeless retardation; they did, Anno 1602, in the north of England, enter into a CovENANT, wherein expressing themselves desirous, not only to attend the worship of our Lord Jesus Chirst, with a freedom from humane inventions and additions, but also to enjoy all the Evangelical Institutions of that worship, they did like those Macedonians, that are therefore by the Apostle Paul commended, “give themselves up,

* Primitive History.

further mn?

h Hemit at the pple here rid shall nurch of riginally bout the levil will gain the ure; and the later re meant ie end of the gloriunto the A merican ar as the ion them y, if they deserving ll deceive

ACCOUNT OF VOYAGE,

ish nation, ing to the ormers, to 02, in the themselves rst, with a joy all the \cedonians, nselves up,

first unto God, and then to one another.” These pious people finding that their brethren and neighbours in the Church of England, as then established by law, took offence at these their endeavours after a scriptural reformation; and being loth to live in the continual verations which they felt arising from their non-conformity to things which their consciences accounted superstitious and unwarrantable, they peaceably and willingly embraced a banishment into the Netherlands; where they settled at the city of Leyden, about seven or eight years after their first combination, And now in that city this people sojourned, an Holy Cuurcu of the blessed JEsus, for several years under the pastoral care of Mr. John Robinson, who had for his help in the government of the Church, a most wise, grave, good man, Mr. William Brewster, the ruling elder. Indeed, Mr. John Robinson had been in his younger time (as very good fruit hath sometimes been, before age hath ripened it) sowred with the principles of the most rigid separation, in the maintaining whereof he composed and published some little Treatises, and in the management of the controversie made no scruple to call the incomparable Dr. Ames himself, Dr. Amss, for opposiag such a degree of separation, But this worthy man suffered himself at length to be so far convinced by his learned antagonist, that with a most ingenious retraclation, he afterwards writ a little book to prove the /aw/ulness of one thing, which his mistaken zeal had formerly impugned several years, even till 1625, and about the fiftieth year of his own age, continued he a blessing unto the whole Church of God, and at last, when he died, he left behind him in his immortal writings, a name very much embalmed among the people that are best able to judge of merit; and even among such, as about the matters of Church-discipline, were not of his perswasion. Of such an eminent character was he, while he dived, that when Armenianism so much prevailed, as it then did in the low countries, those famous Divines, Polyander and Festus Hommius, employed this our learned Robi:.son to dispute publickly in the Yniversity of Leyden against Episcopius, and the other champions of that grand choak-weed of true Christianity: and when he died, not only the University, and Ministers of the city, accompanied him to his grave, with all their accustomed solemnities, but some ef the chief among them with sorrowful resentments and expressions affirmed, “That all the Churches of our Lord Jesus Christ had sustained a great loss by the death of this worthy man.”

§ 2. The English Church had not been very long at Leyden, before they found themselves encountred with many inconveniences, They felt that they were neither for health, nor purse, nor language well accommodated; but the concern which they most of all had, was for their posterity. They saw, that whatever banks the Dutch had against the inroads of the sea, they had not sufficient ones against a flood of manifold profuneness, They could not with ten years’ endeavour bring their neighbours particularly to any suit: able observation of the Lorp’s Day; without which they knew that all practical Religion must wither miserably. They beheld some of their children,

Pact:

by the temptations of the place, were especially given in the licentious ways of many young people, drawn into dangerous extravagancies, Moreover, they were very loth to lose their interest in the English nation; but were desirous rather to enlarge their King’s dominions. They found themselves also under a very strong disposition of zeal, to attempt the establishment of CONGREGATIONAL CHURCiIES in the remote parts of the world; where they hoped they should be reached by the Royal influence of their Prince, in whose allegiance they chose to live and cie; at the same time likewise hoping that the Kcclesiasticks, who had thus driven them out of the kingdom into a New World, for nothing in the world but their non-conformity to certain rites, by the imposers confessed indifferent, would be ashamed ever to persecute them with any further molestations, at the distance of a thousand leagues.. These reasons were deeply considered by the Church; and after many deliberations, accompanied with the most solemn humiliations and supplications before the God of Heaven, they took up a resolution, under the conduct of Heaven, to REMOVE into AMERICA; the opened regions whereof had now filled all Europe with reports. It was resolved, that part of the Church should go before their brethren, to prepare a place for the rest; and whereas the minor part of younger and stronger men were to go first, the Pastor was to stay with the major, till they should see cause to follow. Nor was there any occasion for this resolve, in any weariness which the States of Holland had of their company, as was basely whispered by their adversaries; therein like those who of old assigned the same cause for the departure of the Israelites out of Egypt: for the magistrates of Leyden in their Court, reproving the Walloons, gave this testimony for our English: “These have lived now ten years among us, and yet we never had any accusation against any one of them; whereas your quarrels are continual.”

§ 3. These good people were now satis/yed, they had as plain a command of Heaven to attempt a removal, as ever their father Abraham had for his leaving the Caldean territories; and it was nothing but such a satisfaction that could have carried them through such, otherwise insuperable difficulties, as they met withal. But in this removal the terminus ad Quem* was not yet resolved upon. The country of Guiana flattered them with the promises of a perpetual Spring, and a thousand other comfortable entertainments. But the probable disagreement of so torrid a climate unto English bodies, and the more dangerous vicinity of the Spaniards to that climate, were considerations which made them fear that country would be too hot for them, They rather propounded some country bordering upon Virginia; and unto this purpose, they sent over agents into England, who so far treated not only with the Virginia company, but with several great pevsons about the Court; unto whom they made evident their agreement wit the French Reformed Churches in all things whatsoever, except in a few small aceidental points; that at last, after many tedious delays, and after the loss of

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many friends and hopes in those delays, they obtained a Patent for a quiet settlement in those territories; and the Archbishop of Canterbury himself gave them some expectations that they should never be disturbed in that exercise of Religion, at which they aimed in their settlement; yea, when Sir Robert Nanton, then principal Secretary of State unto King James, moved his Majesty to give way “that such a people might enjoy their liberty of conscience under his gracious protection in America, where they would endeavour the advancement of fis Majesty’s dominions, and the enlargement of the interests of the Gospel;” the King said, “it was a good and honest motion.” All this notwithstanding, they never made use of that Patent: but being informed of NEw-ENGLAND, thither they diverted their design, thereto induced by sundry reasons; but particularly by tis, that the coast being extrearily well circumstanced for fishing, they might the >in have some immediate assistance against the hardships of their first encounters.—Their agents then again sent over to England, concluded articles between them and such adventurers as would be concerned with them in their present undertakings—articles, that were indeed sufficiently hard for those poor men that were now to transplant themselves into an horrid wilderness. The diversion of their enterprize from the first state and way of it, caused an unhappy division among those that should have encouraged it; and many of them hereupon fell off But the Removers having already sold their estates, to put the money into a common stock, for the welfare of the whole; and their stock as well as their t’me spending so fast as to threaten them with an army of straits, if they delayed any longer; they nimbly dispatcht the best agreements they could, and came away furnished with a Resolution for a large Tract of Land in the south-west part of New-England.

§ 4. All things now being in some readiness, and a couple of ships, one called Z'he Speedwell, the other The May-Flower, being hired for their transportation, they solemnly sei apart a day for fasting and prayer; wherein their Pastor preached unto them upon Ezra viii. 21: “I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might afflict our selves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.”

After the fervent supplications of this day, accompanied by their affeetionate friends, they took their leave of the pleasant city, where they had been pilgrims and strangers now for eleven years. Delft-Haven was the town where they went on board one of their ships, and there they had such a mournful parting from their brethren, as even drowned the Dutch spectators themselves, then standing on the shore, in tears. Their excellent pastor, on his knees, by the sea-side, poured out their mutual petitions unto God; and having wept in one another's arms, as long as the wind and the tide would permit them, they bad adieu. So sailing to Southampton in England, they there found the other of their ships come from Lon- Vou. L-4

don, with the rest of their friends that were to be the companions of the voyage. Let my reader place the chronology of this business on July 2, 1620. And know, that the fhithful pastor of this people immediately sent after them a pastoral letter; a letter filled with holy counsels unto them, to settle their peace with God in their own consciences, by an exact repent ance of all sin whatsoever, that so they might more easily bear all the difficulties that were now before them; and then to maintain a good peace with one another, and beware of giving or taking offences; and avoid all discov: eries of a touchy humour; but use much brotherly forbearance, [where by the way he had this remarkable observation: “In my own experience few or none have been found that sooner give offence, than those that easily take it; neither have they ever proved sound and profitable members of societies who have nourished this touchy humour;”] as also to take heed of a private spirit, and all retiredness of mind in each man, for his own proper advantage; and likewise to be careful, that the hovse of God, which they were, might not be shaken with unnecessary novelties or oppositions; which LETTER afterwards produced most happy fruits among them.

§ 5. On August 5, 1620, they set sail from Southampton; but if it shall as I believe it will, afflict my reader to be told what heart-breaking disasters befell them, in the very beginning of their undertaking, let him glorifie God, who carried them so well through their greater affliction.

They were by bad weather twice beaten back, before they came to the Land’s end. But it was judged, that the badness of the weather did not retard them so much as the deceit of a master, who, grown sick of the voyage, made such pretences about the leakiness of his vessel, that they were forced at last wholly to dismiss that lesser ship from the service. Being now all stowed into ”e ship, on the sixth of September they put to sea; but they met with such terrible storms, that the principal persons on board had serious deliberations upon returning home again; however, after long beating wpon the Atlantick ocean, they fell in with the land at Cape Cod, about the ninth of November following, where goimg on shore they fell upon their knees, with many and hearty praises unto God, who had been their assurance, when they were afar off upon the sea, and was to be further so, now that they were come to the ends of the earth.

But why at this Cape’ Here was not the port which they intended: this was not the land for which they had provided. There was indeed a most wonderful providence of God, over a pious and a praying people, in this disappointment! The most crooked way that ever was gone, even that of Israel’s peregrination through the wilderness, may be called a right way, such was the way of this little Israel, now going into a wilderness,

§ 6. Their design was to have sat down some where about Hudson’s River; but some of their neighbouis iz Holland having a mind themselves to settle a plantation there, secretly and sinfully contracted with the master of the ship, employed for the transportation of these our English ewiles, by

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amore northerly course, to put a trick upon them. "T'was in the pursuance of this plot that not only the goods, but also the lives of all on board were now hazarded, by the ships falling among the shoals of Cape-Cod; where they were so entangled among dangerous breakers, thus late in the year, that the company, got at last into the Cape-Harbour, broke off their intentions of going any further. And yet, behold the watchful providence of God over them that seek him! this false-dealing proved a safe-dealing for the good people against whom it was used. Had they been carried according to their desire unto Hudson’s River, the Indians in those parts were at this time so many, and so mighty, and so sturdy, that in probability all this little feeble number of Christians had been massacred by these bloody salvages, as not long after some others were: whereas the good hand of God now brought them toa country wonderfully prepared for their entertainment, by a sweeping mortality that had lately been among the natives, ‘“We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old; how thou dravest out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou did’st afflict the people, and cast them out!” The Indians in these parts had newly, even about a year or two before, been visited with such a prodigious pestilence, as carried away not a tenth, but nine parts of ten, (yea, ’tis said, nineteen of twenty) among them: so that the woods were almost cleared of those pernicious creatures, to make room for a better growth. Itis remarkable, that a Frenchman who, not long before these transactions, had by a shipwreck been made a captive amongst the Indians of this country, did, as the survivers reported, just before he dyed in their hands, tell those tawny pagans, “that God being angry with them for their wickedness, would not only destroy them all, but also people the place with another nation, which would not live after their brutish manners.” Those infidels then blasphemously replyed, “God could not kill them;” which blasphemous mistake was confuted by an horrible and unusual plague, whereby they were consumed in such vast multitudes, that our first planters found the land almost covered with their unburied carcases; and they that were left alive, were smitten into awful and humble regards of the English, by tie terrors which the remembrance of the Frenchman’s prophesie had imprinted on them.

§ 7. Inexpressible the hardships to which this chosen generation was now exposed! Our Saviour once directed his disciples to deprecate a flight in the winter; but these disciples of our Lord were now arrived at a very cold country, in the beginning of a rough and bleak winter; the swn was withdrawn into Sagittarius, whence he shot tke penetrating arrows of cold; feathered with nothing but snow, and pointed with hail; and the days left them to behold the frost-bitten and weather-beaten face of the earth, were grown shorter than the nights, wherein they had yet more trouble to get shelter from the increasing injuries of the frost and weather. It was a relief to those primitive believers, who were cast on shore at Malta, That the barre ee

barous people showed them no little kindness, because of the present rain, and because of the cold, But these believers in owr primitive times, were more afraid of the barbarous people among whom they were now cast, than they were of the rain or cold; these barbarians were at the first so far from accommodating them with bundles of sticks to warm them, that they let fly other sorts of sticks (that is to say, arrows) to wound them: and the very looks and shouts of those grim salvages, had not much less of terrour in them, than if they had been so many devils, It is not long since 1 compared this remove of our fathers to that of Abraham, whereas I must now add, that if our father Abraham, called out of Ur, had been directed unto the Desarts of Arabia, instead of the land flowing with milk and honey, the trial of his faith had been greater than it was; but such was the trial of the faith in these holy men, who followed the call of God into desarts full of dismal circumstances. All this they chearfully underwent, in hope that they should settle the worship and order of the gospel, and the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ in these regions, and that thus enlarging the dominion, they should thereby so merit the protection of the crown of England, as to be never abandoned unto any further persecutions, from any party of their fellow subjects, for their consciencious regards unto the reformation. Their proposal was,

Exiguam sedem Sacris, Litusque rogamus Innocuum, et cunctis undamq; auramq; Patentem.*

§ 8. Finding at their first arrival, that what other powers they had were made useless by the wndesigned place of their arrival; they did, as the light of nature it self directed them, immediately in the harbour, sign an instrument, as a foundation of their future and needful government; wherein declaring themselves the loyal subjects of the Crown of England, they did combine into a body politick, and solemnly engage submission and obedience to the laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and officers, that from time to time should be thought most convenient for the general good of the Colony. This was done on Nov. 11th. 1620, and they chose one Mr. John Carver, a pious and prudent man, their Governour.

Hereupon they sent ashore to look a convenient seat for their intended habitation: and while the carpenter was fitting of their shallop, sixteen men tendered themselves, to go, by land, on the discovery. Accordingly on Nov. 16th, 1620, they made a dangerous adventure; following five Indians, whom they spied flying before them, into the woods for many miles; from whence, after two or three days ramble, they returned with some ears of Indian Corn, which were an eshcol for their compan). (st with a poor and small encouragement, as unto any scituation. When the shallop was fitted, about thirty more went in it upon a further discovery; who prospered little more, than only to find a little Indian Corn, and

* We ask a shrine for faith and simple prayer— Freedom’s sweet waters and untainted air.

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bring to the company some occasions of doubtful debate, whether they should here fix their stakes. Yet these expeditions on discovery had this one remarkable smile of Heaven upon them; that being made before the snow covered the ground, they met with some Indian Corn; for which "twas their purpose honestly to pay the natives on demand; and this Corn served them for seed in the Spring following, which else they had not been seasonably furnished withal. So that it proved, in effect, their deliverance from the terrible famine,

§ 9. The month of November being spent in many supplications to Almighty God, and consultations one with another, about the direction of their course; at last, on Dec. 6, 1620, they manned the shallop with about eighteen or twenty hands, and went out upon a third discovery. So bitterly cold was the season, that the spray of the sea lighting on their cloaths, glazed them with an immediate congelation; yet they kept cruising about the bay of Cape-Cod, and that night they got safe down the bottom of the bay. There they landed, and there they tarried that night; and unsuccessfully ranging about all the next day, at night they made a little barricado of boughs and logs, wherein the most weary slept. The next morning, after prayers, they suddenly were surrounded with a crue of Indians, who let fly a shower of arrows among them; whereat our distressed handful of English happily recovering their arms, which they had laid by from the moisture of the weather, they vigorously discharged their muskets upon the Saivages, who astonished at the strange effects of such dead-doing things, as powder and shot, fled apace into the woods; but not one of ours was wounded by the Indian arrows that flew like haz about their ears, and pierced through sundry of their coats; for which they returned their solemn thanks unto God their Saviour; and they called the place by the name of, Z’he First Encounter. From hence they coasted along, till an horrible storm arose, which tore their vessel at such a rate, and threw them into the midst of such dangerous breakers, it was reckoned little short of miracle that they escaped alive. In the end they got under the lee of a small Island, where, going ashore, they kindled fires for their succour against the wet and cold; it was the morning before they found it was an Island, whereupon they rendered their praises to Him that “hitherto had helped them;” and the day following, which was the Lord’s day, the difficulties now upon them did not hinder them from spending it in the devout and pious exercises of a sacred rest. On the next day they sounded the harbour, and found it fit for shipping; they visited the main land also, and found it accommodated with pleasant fields and brooks; whereof they carried an encouraging report unto their friends on board. So they resolved that they would here pitch their tents; and sailing up to the town of Plymouth, [as with an hopeful prolepsis, my reader shall now call it; for otherwise, by the Indians 'twas called Patuxet;] on the twenty-fifth day of December they began to erect the first House that ever was in that

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memorable town; an house for the general entertainment of their persons and estates: and yet it was not long before an unhappy accident burnt unto the ground their house, wherein some of their principal persons then lay sick; who were forced nimbly to fly out of the fired house, or else they had been blown up with the powder then lodged there. After this, they soon went upon the building of more little cotiages; and upon the settling of good laws, for the better governing of such as were to inhabit those cottages. They then resolved, that until they could be further strengthened in their settlement, by the authority of England, they would be governed by rulers chosen from among themselves, who were to proceed according to the laws of England, as near as they could, in the administration of their government; and such other by-laws, as by common consent should be judged necessary for the circumstances of the Plantation.

§ 10. If the reader would know, how these good people fared the rest of the melancholy winter, Jet him know, that besides the exercises of Religion, with other work enough, there was the care of the sick to take up no little part of their time. "Twas a most heavy trial of their patience, whereto they were called the first winter of this their pilgrimage, and enough to convince them and remind them that they were but Pilgrims. The hardships which they encountered, were attended with, and productive of deadly sicknesses; which in two or three months carried off more than half their company. They were but meanly provided against these unhappy sicknesses; but there died sometimes two, sometimes three in a day, till scarce fifty of them were left alive; and of those /i/ty, sometimes there were scarce five well at a time to look after the sick. Yet their profound submission to the will of God, their Christian readiness to help one another, accompanied with a joyful assurance of another and better world, carried thera chearfully through the sorrows of this mortality: nor was there heard among them a continual murmur against those who had by unreasonable impositions driven them into all these distresses. And there was this remarkable providence further in the circumstances of this mortality, that if a disease had not more easily fetcht so many of this number away to Heaven, a famine would probably have destroyed them all, before their expected supplies from England were arrived. But what a wonder was it that all the bloody salvages far and near did not cut off this little remnant! If he that once muzzled the lions ready to devour the man of desires, had not admirably, I had almost said, miraculously restrained them, these had been all devoured! but this people of God were come into a wilderness to worship Him; and so He kept their enemies from such attempts, as would otherwise have soon annihilated this poor handful of men, thus far already diminished. They saw no Indians all the winter long, but such as at the first sight always ran away; yea, they quickly found, that God had so turned the hearts of these barbarians, as more to fear, than to hate his people thus cast among them. This blessed people was as a little flock of kids,

persons, burnt ns tren or else er this, on the inhabit further would yroceed Iminisn conation. he rest ises of 0 take itience, ye, and lgrims., roductf more t these ee in & 1etimes ‘ir prolp one world, Or was ad by there rtality, away e their er was e remesires, bse had ess to would ready at the ad so people kids,

while there were many nations of Indians left still as kennels of wolves in every corner of the country. And yet the little flock suffered no damage by those rapid wolves! We may and should say, “This is the Lord’s doing; ’tis marvellous in our eyes.”

But among the many causes to be assigned for it, one was this, It was afterwards by them confessed, that upon the arrival of the English in these parts, the Indians employed their sorcerers, whom they call powaws, like Balaam, to curse them, and let loose their demons upon them, to shipwreck them, to distract them, to poison them, or in any way to ruin them. All the noted powaws in the country spent three days together in diabolical conjurations, to obtain the assistance of the devils against the settlement of these our English; but the devils 9‘ ‘ength acknowledged unto them, that

they could not hinder those pe mm their becoming the owners and masters of the country; where’ 'ndians resolved upon a good correspondence with our new-com tod convinced them that there was no enchantment or divinatio: ust -ach a people.

§ 11. The doleful winter broke up sooner than was usual. But our crippled planters were not more comforted with the early advance of the Spring, than they were surprized with the appearance of two Indians, who in broken English bade them, welcome Englishmen/ It seems that one of these Indians had been in the eastern parts of New-England, acquainted with some of the English vessels that had been formerly fishing there; but the other of the Indians, and he from whom they had most of service, was a person provided by the very singular providence of God for that service. A most wicked ship-master being on this coast a few years before, had wickedly spirited away more than twenty Indians; whom having enticed them aboard, he presently stowed them under hatches, and carried them away to the Streights, where he sold as many of them as he could for Slaves, This avaritious and pernicious felony laid the foundation of grievous annoyances to all the English endeavours of settlements, especially in the northern parts of the land for several years ensuing. The Indians would never forget or forgive this injury; but when the English afterwards came upon this coast, in their fishing-voyages, they were still assaulted in an hostile manner, to the killing and wounding of many poor men by the angry natives, in revenge of the wrong that had been done them; and some intended Plantations here were hereby utterly nipt in the bud. But our good God so ordered it, that one of the stoln Indians, called Squanto, had escaped out of Spain into England; where he lived with one Mr, Slany, from whom he had found a way to return into his own country, being brought back by one Mr. Dermer, about half a year before our honest Plymotheans were cast upon this continent. This Indian (with the other) having received much kindness from the English, who he saw generally condemned the man that first betrayed him, now made unto the English a return of that kindness: and being by his acquaintance with

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the English language, fitted for a conversation with them, he very kindly informed them what was the present condition of the Indians; instructed them in the way of ordering their Corn; and acquainted them with many other things, which it was necessary for them to understand. But Squanto did for them a yet greater benefit than all his: for he brought Massasoit, the chief Sachim or Prince of the Indians within many miles, with some scores of his attenders, to make our people a kind visit; the issue of which visit was, that Massasoit not only entred into a firm agreement of peace with the English, but also they declared and submitted themselves to be subjects of the King of England; into which peace and subjection many other Sachims quickly after came, in the most voluntary manner that could be expressed. It seems this unlucky Squanto having told his countrymen how easie it was for so great a monarch us K. James to destroy them all, if they should hurt any of his people, he went on to terrifie them with a ridiculous rhodomantado, which they believed, that this people kept the

' plague in a cellar (where they kept their powder), and could at their pleasure let it loose to make such havock among them, as the distemper had already made among them a few years before. Thus was the tongue of a dog made useful to a feeble and sickly Lazarus! Moreover, our Engiish guns, especially the great ones, made a formidable report among these ignorant Indians; and the hopes of enjoying some defence by the English, against the potent nation of Narraganset Indians, now at war with these, made them yet more to court our friendship. This very strange disposition of things, was extreamly advantageous to our distressed planters: and who sees not herein the special providence of the God who disposeth all?

OR, A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE DIFFICULTIES, THE DELIVERANCES, AND OTHER OCCURRENCES, THROUGH WHICH THE PLANTATION OF NEW-PLYMOUTH ARRIVED UNTO THE CONSISTENCY OF A COLONY.

§ 1. SErrine aside the just and great grief of our new planters for the immature death of their excellent governour, succeeded by the worthy Mr. Bradford, early in the Spring after their first arrival, they spent their summer somewhat comfortably, trading with the Indians to the northward of their Plantation; in which trade they were not a little assisted by Squanto, who within a year or two dyed among the English; but before

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his death, desired them to pray for him, That he might go to the Englishman’s God in Heaven, And besides the assistance of Squanto, they had also the help of another Indian, called Hobbamok, who continued faithful unto the English interests as long as he lived; though he sometimes went in danger of his life among his countrymen for that fidelity. So they jogged on till the day twelvemonth after their first arrival; when there now arrived unto them a good number more of their old friends from Holland, for the strengthening of their new Plantation; but inasmuch as they brought not a sufficient stock of provisions with them, they rather weakened it, than strengthened it.

If Peter Ma:tyr could magnifie the Spaniards, of whom he reports, They led a miserable life for three days together with parched grain of maize only, and that not unto satiety; what shall I say of our Englishmen, who would have thought a little parched Indian Corn a mighty feast? But they wanted it, not only three days together; no, for two or three months together, they had no kind of Corn among them: such was the scarcity, accompanied with the disproportion of the inhabitanis to the provisions, However, Peter Martyr's conclusion may be ours: With their miseries this people opened a way to those new lands, and afterwards other men came to anhabit them with ease, in respect of the calamities which those men have suffered. They were indeed very often upon the very point of starving; but in their extremity the God of Heaven always furnished them with some sudden reliefs; either by causing some vessels of strangers occasionally to look in upon them, or by putting them into a way to catch fish in some convenient quantities, or by some other surprizing accidents; for which they rendered unto Heaven the solemn thanks of their souls. They kept in such good working case, that besides their progress in building, and planting, and fishing, they formed a sort of a fort, wherein they kept a nightly watch for their security against any treachery of the Indians, being thereunto awakened by an horrible massacre, which the Indians lately made upon several hundreds of the English in Virginia.

§ 2. In one of the first Summers after their sitting down at Plymouth, a terrible drought threatened the ruin of all their summer’s husbandry. From about the middle of May to the middle of July, an extream hot sun beat upon their fields, without any rain, so that all their corn began to wither and languish, and some of it was irrecoverably parched up. In this distress they set apart a day for fasting and prayer, to deprecate the calamity that might bring them to fasting through famine; in the morning of which day there was no sign of any rain; but before the evening the sky was overcast with clouds, which went not away without such easie, gentle, and yet plentiful showers, as revived a great part of their decayed corn, for a comfortable harvest. The Indians themselves took notice of this answer given from heaven to the supplications of this devout people; and one of them said, “Now I see that the Englishman's God is a good

God; for he hath heard you, and sent you rain, and that without such tempest and thunder as we use to have with our rain; which after our Powawing for it, breaks down the corn; whereas your corn stands whole and good still; surely, your God is a good God.” The harvest which God thus gave to this pious people, caused them to set apart another day for solemn Thanksgiving to the glorious Hearer of Prayers!

§ 8. There was another most wonderful preservation vouchsafed by God unto this little knot of Christians. One Mr. Weston, a merchant of good note, interested at first in the Plymouth design, afterwards deserted it; and in the year 1622 sent over two ships, with about sixty men, to begin a plantation in the Massachuset-Bay. These beginners being well refreshed at Plymouth, travelled more northward unto a place known since by the name of Weymouth; where these Westonians, who were Church of England-men, did not approve themselves like the Plymotheans, a pious, hones’, industrious people; but followed such bad courses, as had like to have brought a ruin upon their neighbours, as well as themselves. Having by their idleness brought themselves to penury, they stole corn from the Indians, and many other ways provoked them; although the Governour of Plymouth writ them his very sharp disapprobation of their proceedings. To satisfie the exasperated Salvages, divers of the thieves were stockt and whipt, and one of them at last put to death by this miserable company; which did no other service than to afford an occasion for a fable to the roguish Hudibras, for all accommodation was now too late, The Indians far and near entred into a conspiracy to cut off these abusive English; and lest the inhabitants of Plymouth should revenge that excision of their countrymen, they resolved upon the murther of them also. In pursuance of this plot, Captain Standish, the commander of the militia of Plymouth, lodging on a night with two or three men in an Indian house, the Indians proposed that they might begin the execution of their malice by the assassination of the Captain, as soon as he should be fallen asleep. However, the watchful Providence of God so ordered it, that the Captain could not sleep all that night; and so t}-~ durst not meddle with him. Thus was the beginning of the plot p. =v: _but the whole plot came another way to be discovered and preven.wu, Massasoit, the southern Sachim, falling sick, the Governour of Plymouth. desired a couple of gentlemen, whereof one was that gocd man, Mr. Winslow, to visit this poor Sachim: whom after their long journey they found lying at the point of death with a crue of hellish Powaws, using their ineffectual spells and howls about him to recover him. Upon the taking of some English physick, he presently revived; and thus regaining his lost health, the fees he paid his English doctor were, a confession of the plot among several nations of the Indians, to destroy the English. He said, that they had in vain solicited him to enter into that bloody combination; but his advice was, that the Governour of Plymouth should immediately take off the principal actors

dete in this business, whereupon the rest being terrifyed, would soon desist.

ahate There was a concurrence of many things to confirm the truth of this sh God information; wherefore Captain Standish took eight resolute men with him to the Westonian Plantation; where, pretending to trade with the Indians, divers of the conspirators began to treat him in a manner very insolent. fed by The Captain, and his little army of eight men, (reader, allow them for

their courage to be called so,) with a prodigious resolution, presently killed

day for

ant of

secuted some of the chief among these Indians, while the rest, after a short combate, ran before him as fast as their legs could carry them; nevertheless, in the midst of the skirmishes, an Indian youth ran to the English, desiring to be with them; and declaring that the Indians waited but for their fin- 5 wWete ishing two canoos, to have surprized the ship in the harbour, and have theans, massacred all the people; which had been finished, if the Captain had not ea had arrived among them just in the nick of time when he did: and an Indian salves: spy detained at Plymouth, when he saw the Captain return from this a enen expedition, with the head of a famous Indian in his hand, then with a fallen ch the and frighted countenance acknowledged the whole mischief intended by of their | the Indians against the English. Releasing this fellow, they sent him to the Sachim of the Massachusets, with advice of what he must look for, in te tk case he committed any hostility upon the subjects of the King of England; sendur whereof there was this effect, that not only that Sachim hereby territied, bo: take: most humbly begged for peace, and pleaded his ignorance of his men’s ‘hustve intentions; but the rest of the Indians, under the same terror, withdrew that themselves to live in the unhealthful swamps, which proved mortal to: many of them. One of the Westonians was endeavouring to carry unto militia Plymouth a report cf the straits and fears which were come upon them, Tndian and this man losing his way, saved his life; taking a wrong track, he f their escaped the hands of the two Indians, who went on hunting after him; - fallen however e’re he reached Plymouth, care had been already taken for these sak tHe j wretched Westonians by the earlier and fuller communications of Massale with soit. So was the peace of Plymouth preserved, and so the Westonian plantation broke up, went off, and came to nothing; although twas much ent: wished by the holy Robinson, that some of the poor heathen had been ple of converted before any Sf them had been slaughtered.

sit this § 4. A certain gentleman [if nothing in the following story contradict e point that name] was employed in obtaining from the Grand Council of Plyile and movth and England, a Patent in the name of these planters for a conhysick venient quantity of the country, where the providence of God had now 6 pai d disposed them. This man, speaking one word for them, spake two for him- - of the self: and surreptitiously procured the patent in his own name, reserving slicited for himself and his heirs an huge tract of the land; and intending the Plymotheans to hold the rest as tenants under him. Hereupon he took on board many passengers with their goods; but having sailed no further than the Downs, the ship sprang a leak; and besides this disaster, which

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alone was enough to have stopt the voyage, one strand of their cable was accidentally cut; by which means it broke in a stress of wind; and they were in extream danger of being wrecked upon the sands. Having with much cost recruited their logs, and encreased the number of their passengers, they put out again to sea; but after they had got half way, one of the saddest and longest storms that had been known since the days of the Apostle Paul, drove them home to England again, with a vessel well nigh torn to pieces, though the lives of the people, which were above an hundred, mercifully preserved. This man, by all his tumbling backward and forward, was by this time grown so sick of his patent, that he vomited it up; he assigned it over to the company, but they afterwards obtained another, under the umbrage whereof they could now more effectually carry on the affairs of their new colony. The passengers went over afterwards in another vessel; and quickly after that another vessel of passengers also arrived in the country: namely, in the year 1623. Among these passengers were divers worthy and useful men, who were come to seek the welfare of this little Israel; though at their coming they were as diversly affected as the rebuilders of the Temple at Jerusalem: some were grieved when they saw how bad the circumstances of their friends were, and others were glad that they were no worse,

§ 5. The immature death of Mr. Robinson in Holland, with many ensuing disasters, hindred a great part of the English congregation at Leyden from coming over to the remnant here separated from their brethren. Hence it was, that although this remnant of that church were blessed with an elder so apt to teach, that he attended all the other works of a minister; yet they had not a pastor to dispense the sacraments among them, till the year 1629, when one Mr. Ralph Smith undertook the pastoral charge of this holy flock. But long before that, namely, in the year 1624, the adventurers in England, with whom this company held a correspondence, did send over unto them a minister, who did them no manner of good; but by his treacherous and mischievous tricks, at last utterly destroyed that correspondence, The first neat cattle, namely, three heifers and a bull, that ever were brought into this land, now coming with him, did the land certainly better service than was ever done by him, who sufficiently forgot that scriptural emblem of a minister, the ox treading out the corn. This minister at his first arrival did caress them with such extream showers of affection and humility, that they were very much taken with him; nevertheless, within a little while, he used most malignant endeavours to make factions among them, and confound all their civil and sacred order, At last there fell into the hands of the governour his letters home to England, filled with wicked and lying accusations against the people; of which things being shamefully convicted, the authority sentenced him to be expelled the Plantation, only they allowed him to stay six months, with secret reservations and expectations to release him from that sentence, if

he approved himself sound in the repentance which he now expressed. Repentance, I say: for he did now publickly in the Church confess with tears, that the censure of the Church was less than he deserved; he acknowledged, “'Thet he had slanderously abused the good people, and that God might justly lay innocent blood to his charge; for he knew not what hurt might have come through his writings; for the interception whereof he now blessed God; and that it had been his manner to pick up all the evil that was ever spoken against the people; but he shut his ears and eyes against all the good; and that if God should make him a vagabond in the earth, he were just in doing so; and that those three things, pride, vain-glory, and self-love, had been the causes of his miscarriages.” —These things he uttered so pathetically, that they again permitted him to preach among them; and some were so perswaded of his repentance, that they professed they would fall down on their knees, that the censure passed on him should be remitted. But, Oh the deceitful heart of man! After two months time, he so notoriously renewed the miscarriages which he had thus bewailed, that his own wife, through her affliction of mind at his hypocrisie, could not forbear declaring her fears, that God would bring some heavy judgment upon their family, not only for these, but some former wickednesses by him committed, especially as to fearful breaches of the Seventh Commandment, which he had with an oath denied, though they were afterwards evinced. Wherefore upon the whole, being banished from hence, because his residence here was utterly inconsistent with the life of this ¢nfant-plantation; he went into Virginia, where he shortly after ended his own life. Quickly after these difficulties, the company of adventurers for the support of this Plantation, became rather adversaries to it; or at least, a Be you warmed and filled; a few good words were all the help they afforded it; they broke to pieces, but the God of Heaven still supported it.

8 6. After these many difficulties were thus a little surmounted, the tnhabitanta of this Colony prosecuted their affairs at so vigorous and successful a rate, that they not only fell into a comfortable way, both of planting and of trading; but also in a few years there was a notable number of towns to be seen settled among them, and very considerable Churches, walking, so far as they had attained, in the faith and order of the Gospel. Their Churches flourished so considerably, that in the year 1642, there were above a dozen ministers, and some of those ministers were stars of the Jirst magnitude, shining in their several orbs among them. And as they proceeded in the evangelical service and worship of our Lord Jesus Christ, so they prospered in their secular concernments. When they first began to divide their lands, they wisely contrived the division so, that they might keep close together for their mutual defence; and then their condition was very like that of the Romans in the time of Romulus, when every man contented himself with two acres of land; and, as Pliny tells us, “It was thought a great reward for one to receive a pint of corn from the people

of Rome, which corn they also pounded in mortars,” But since then their condition is marvellously altered and amended; great farms are now seen among the effects of this good people’s planting; and in their fishing, from the catching of cod, and other fish of less dimentions, they are since passed on to the catching of whales, whose oil is become a staple-commodity of the country; whales, I say, which living and moving islands, do now find a way to this coast, where, notwithstanding the desperate hazards run by the whale-catchers in their thin whale-boats, often torn to pieces by the stroaks of those enraged monsters; yet it has been rarely known that any of them have miscarried, And within a few days of my writing this paragraph, a cow and a calf were caught at Yarmouth in this Colony; the cow was fifty-five foot long, the bone was nine or ten foot wide; a cart upon wheels might have gone in at the mouth of it; the ca// was twenty foot long, for unto such vast calves the sea-monsters draw forth their breasts. But so does the good God here give his people to suck the abundance of the seas/

§ 7. If my reader would have the religion of these planters more exactly described unto him—after I have told him that many hundreds of holy souls, having been ripened for Heaven under the ordinances of God in this Colony; and having left an example of wonderful prayerfulness, watchfulness, thankfulness, usefulness, exact conscientiousness, piety, charity, weanedness from the things of this world, and affection to the things that are above, are now at rest with the blessed Jesus, whose names, though not recorded in this book, are yet entered in the Book of life; and I hope there are still many hundreds of their children, even of the third and fourth generation, resolving to “follow them as they followed Christ”—I must refer him to an account given thereof by the right worshipful Edward Winslow, Esq., who was for some time the Governour of the Colony. He gives us to understand, that they are entirely of the same faith with the reformed Churches in Europe, only in their Church-government they are endeavourers after @ reformation more thorough than what is in many of them; yet without any uncharitable separation from them. He gives instances of their admitting to communion among them the communicants of the French, the Dutch, the Scotch Churches, merely by virtue of their being so; and says, ‘ We ever placed a large difference between those that grounded their practice on the Word of God, though differing from us in the exposition and understanding of it, and those that hated such reformers and reformation, and went on in anti-christian opposition to it, and persecution of it:” after which, he adds, ‘’ Tis true, we profess and desire to practice @ separation from the world, and the works of the world; and as the Churches of Christ are all saints by calling, so we desire to see the Grace of God shining forth (at least seemingly, leaving secret things to God) in all we admit into Church-fellowship with us, and to keep off such as openly wallow in the mire of their sins, that neither the holy things of God, nor the communion of saints, may be leavened or polluted thereby. And if

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any joining to us formerly, either when we lived at Leyden in Holland, or since we came to New-England, have with the manifestation of their faith, and profession of holiness, held forth therewith separation from the Church of England; I have divers times, both in the one place, and in the other, heard either Mr. Robinson our pastor, or Mr. Brewster our elder, stop them forthwith, shewing them that we required no such thing at their hands; but only to hold forth faith in Christ Jesus, holiness in the fear of God, and submission to every ordinance and appointment of God.’—Thus he. It is true there have been some varieties among this people, but still I suppose the body of them do with integrity espouse and maintain the principles upon which they were first established; however, I must, without fear of offending, express my jar, that the /eaven of that rigid thing they call Brownism, has prevailed sometimes a little of the furthest in the administrations of this pious people. Yea, there was an hour of temptation, wherein the fondness of the people for the prophecyings of the brethren, as they called those exercises; that is to say, the preachments of those whom they called gifted brethren, produced those dicouragements unto their ministers, that almost all the ministers left the Colony; apprehending themselves driven away by the insupportable neglect and contempt with which the people on this occasion treated them. And this dark hour of eclipse, upon the light of the Gospel, in the churches of the Colony, continued until their humiliation and reformation before the great Shepherd of the sheep, who hath since then blessed them with a succession of as worthy ministers as most in the land. Moreover, there has been among them one Church that have questioned and omitted the use of infant-baptism; nevertheless, there being many good men among those that have been of this perswasion, I do not know that they have been persecuted with any harder means than those of kind conferences to reclaim them. There have been also some unhappy sectaries, viz: Quakers and Seekers, and other such Hnergumens,* [pardon me, reader, that I have thought them so] which have given uggly disturbances to these good-spirited men in their temple-work; ‘:t they have not prevailed unto the subversion of the jirst interest.

Somg little controversies likewise have now and then arisen among them in the administration of their discipline; but Synods then regularly called, have usually and presently put into joint all that was apprehended out, Their chief hazard and symptom of degeneracy, is in the verification of that old observation, Religio peperit Divitias, et filia devoravit matrem: “Religion brought forth Prosperity, and the daughter destroyed the mother.” The one would expect, that as they grew in their estates, they would grow in the payment of their quit-rents unto the God who gives them power to get wealth, by more liberally supporting his ministers and ordinances among them; the most likely way to save them from the most miserable apostacy; the neglect whereof in some former years, began for a while to be pun-

* Victims of demoniacal possession.

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ished with a sore famine of the Word; nevertheless, there is danger lest the enchantmenis of this world make them to forget their errand into the wilderness: and some woful villages in the skirts of the Colony, beginning to live without the means of grace among them, are still more ominous intimations of the danger. May the God of New-England preserve them from so great death!

§ 8. Going now to take my leave of this little Colony, that I may converse for a while with her younger sisters, which yet have outstript her in growth exceedingly, and so will now draw all the streams of her affairs into their channels, I shall repeat the counsel which their faithful Robinson gave the first planters of the Colony, at their parting from him in Holland. Said he, [to this purpose, }

“Breturen: We are now quickly to part from one another; and whether I may ever live to see your faces on earth any more, the God of Heaven only knows. But whether the Lord have appointed that or no, I charge you before God, and before his blessed angels, that you follow me no further than you have seen me follow the Lord Jesus Christ.

“If God reveal any thing to you by any other instrument of his, be as ready to receive it, as ever you were to receive any truth by my ministry; for I am verily perswaded, I am very confident the Lord hath more truth yet to break forth out of his holy Word. For my part, I cannot sufficiently bewail the condition of the reformed Churches, who are come to a period in religion; and will go at present no further than the instruments of their first Reformation. The Lutherans cannot be drawn to go beyond what Luther saw; whatever part of his will our good God has imparted and revealed unto Calvin, they will rather die than embrace it. . And the Calvinists, you see, stick fast where they wore left by that great man of God, who yet saw not all things.

“This is a misery much to be lamented; for though they were ‘burning and shining lights’ in their times, yet they penetrated not into the ‘whole counsel of God;’ but were they now living, they would be as willing to embrace further light, as that which they first received, T beseech you to remember it; it is an article of your Church-covenant, ‘That you will be ready to receive. whatever truth shall be made known unto you from the written Word of God. Remember that, and every other article of your most sacred covenant. But I must herewithal exhort you to take heed what you receive as truth; examine it, consider it, compare it with the other Scriptures of truth, before you do receive it. For it is not possible the Christian world should come so lately out of such thick anti-christian darkness, and that perfeetion of knowledge should break forth at once. I must also advise you to abandon, avoid and shake off the name of Brownist: it is a mere nick-name, and a brand for the making of Religion, and the professors of religion, odious unto the Christian world. Unto this end, I should be extreamly glad, if some godly minister would go with you, or come to you, before you can have any company. For there will be no difference between the unconformable ministers of England and you, when you come to the practice of evangelical ordinances out of the kingdom. And I would wish you by all means to close with the godly people of England; study union with them in all things, wherein you can have it without sin, rather than in the least measure to affect a division or separation from them. Neither would I have you loth to take another pastor besides my self; in as much as a flock that hath two shepherds is not thereby endangered, but secured.”

So adding some other things of great consequence, he concluded most affectionately, commending his departing flock unto the grace of God, thich now I also do the offspring of that holy flock.

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CHAPTER TY. PAULO MAJORA;* OB, TRE ESSAYS AND CAUSES

WHICH PRODUCED THE SECOND, BUT LARGEST COLONY OF NEW-ENGLAND; AND THE MANNER WHEREIN THE FIRST CHURCH OF THIS NEW COLONY WAS GATHERED.

§ 1, Worps full of emphasis, are those which my reader may find written by a learned and pious minister of the Church of England; and I hope I may without offence tender to the reader the words of such an author.

“Some among us (writes he) are angry with Calvin for calling humane rites, tolerabiles Ineptias;{ they will not at the great day be such unto the rigorous imposers, who made them the terms of communion. How will you at that day lift up your faces before your Master and your Judge, when he shall demand of you, ‘what is become of those his lambs which you drove into the wilderness by needless impositions?’”

The story of the folks thus “driven into the wilderness” has begun to be related: and we would relate it without all intemperate expressions of our anger against our drivers, before whom the people must needs go, as they did: it becomes not an historian, and it less becomes a Christian, to be passionate. Nevertheless, poetry may dare to do something at the description of that which drove those drivers; and with a few lines fetched from the most famous epic poemt of Dr. Blackmore, we will describe the fury,

° © * A Fury crawl’d from out her cell, Distended vastly by a mighty flood

The bloodiest Minister of Death and hell; Of slaughter’d saints’ and constant martyrs’ blood. A monstrous shape, a foul and hideous sight, A monster so deform’d, so flerce as this,

Which did all hell with her dire looks affright. It self a hell, ne’er saw the dark abyss!

Huge half-gorged snakes on her lean shoulders hung, Horror, till now the uggliest shape esteem’d,

And Death’s dark courts with their loud hissing rung. So much outdone, an harmless figure seem’d,

Her teeth and claws were iron, and her breath, Envy, and Hate, und Malice blush’d to see

Like subterranean damps, gave present death. Themselves eclipsed by such deformity.

Flumes, worse than hell’s, shot from her bloody eyes, Her feaverish heat drinks down a sea of blood,

And “Fire! and sword!” eternally she cries. Not of the impious, but the just and good:

No certain shape, no featuro regular, ’Gainst whom she burns with unextinguish’d rage, No limbs distinct in th’ odious flend appear. Nor can th’ exhausted world her wrath asswage.

Her squalid, bloated belly did arise, Swoll’n with black gore, to a prodigious rive:

It was PERSECUTION; a fury which we consider not as possessing the Church of England, but as inspiring a party which have unjustly challenged the name of the Church of England, and which, whenever the Church of England shall any more encourage, her fall will become like that of the house which our Saviour saw built upon the sand.

§ 2. There were more than a few attempts of the English to people and improve the parts of New-England which were to the northward of New- Plymouth; but the designs of those attempts being aimed uo higher than

* Events somewhat more imposing.—Viratt, Bucol. iv. 1, + Harmless mummeries. ¢ “ King Arthur.”

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the advancement of some worldly interests, a constant series of disasters has

confounded them, until there was a plantation erected upon the nobler

designs of Christianity; and that plantation, though it has had more

adversaries than perhaps any one upon earth; yet, “having obtained help

from God, it continues to this day.” There have been very fine settlements in the north-east regions; but what is become of them? I have

heard that one of our ministers once preaching to a congregation there,

urged them to approve themselves a religious people from this consideration, ‘that otherwise they would contradict the main end of planting this

wilderness;” whereupon a well-known person, then in the assembly, cryed out, “Sir, you are mistaken: you think you are preaching to the people at the Bay; our man end was to catch fish.” Truly 'twere to have been wished, that something more excellent had been the main end of the settlements in that brave country, which we have, even long since the arrival of that more pious colony at the Bay, now seen dreadfully wnsettled, no less than twice at least, by the sword of the heathen, after they had been replenished with many hundreds of people, who had thriven to many thousands of pounds; and had all the force of the Bay, too, to assist them in the maintaining of their settlements. But the same or the like inauspicious things attended many other endeavours to make plantations upon such a main end in several other parts of our country, before the arrival of those by whom the Massachuset colony was at last formed upon more glorious aims; all proving, like the habitations of the foolish, “cursed before they had taken root.” Of all which catastrophe’s, I suppose none was more sudden than that of Monsieur Finch, whom in a ship from France, trucking with the Massachuset-Natives;. those bloody salvages, coming on board without any other arms, but knives concealed under flaps, immediately butchered with all his men, and set the ship on fire. Yea, so many fatalities attended the adventurers in their essays, that they began to suspect that the Indian sorcerers had laid the place under some fascination; and that the English could not prosper upon such enchanted ground, so that

they were almost afraid of adventuring any more.

' § 8, Several persons in the west of England, having by fishing-voyages to Cape Ann, the northern promontory of the Massachuset-Bay, obtained some acquaintance with those parts; the news of the good progress made in the new plantation of Plymouth, inspired the renowned Mr. White, minister of Dorchester, to prosecute the settlement of such another plantation here for the propagation of religion. This good man engaged several gentlemen about the year 1624, in this noble design; and they employed & most religious, prudent, worthy gentleman, one Mr. Roger Conant, in the government of the place, and of their affairs upon the place; but through many discouragements, the design for a while almost fell unto the ground. That great man, greatly grieved hereat, wrote over to this Mr. Roger Conant, that if he and three honest men more would yet stay upon

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the spot, he would procure a patent for them, and send them over friends, goods, provisions, and what was necessary to assist their undertakin

Mr. Conant, then looking out a scituation more commodious for a town, gave his three disheartened companions to understand, that he did believe God would make this land a receptacle for his people; and that if they should leave him, yet he would not stir; for he was confident he should not long want company; which confidence of his caused them to abandon the thoughts of leaving him. Well, it was not long before the Council of Plymouth in England had, by a deed bearing date March 19, 1627, sold unto some knights and gentlemen about Dorchester, viz: Sir Henry Rowsel, Sir John Young, Thomas Southcott, John Humphrey, John Endicott, and Simon Whetcomb, and their heirs and assigns, and their associates for ever, that part of New-England which lyes between a great river called Merrimack, and a certain other river there called Charles’ River, in the bottom of the Massachuset-Bay. But shortly after this, Mr. White brought.the aforesaid honourable persons into an acquaintance with several other persons of quality about London; as, namely, Sir Richard Saltonstall, Isaac Johnson, Samuel Adderly, John Ven, Matthew Cradock, George Harwood, Increase Nowel, Richard Perry, Richard Bellingham, Nathaniel Wright, Samuel Vassal, Theophilus Eaton, Thomas Gof, 'l‘homas Adams, John Brown, Samuel Brown, Thomas Hutchings, William Vassal, William Pinchon, and George Foxcraft. These persons being associated unto the former, and having bought of them all their interest in New- England aforesaid, now consulted about settling a plantation in that country, whither such as were then called Non-conformists might, with the grace and leave of the Kirg, make a peaceable secession, and enjoy the liberty and the exercise of their own perswasions about the worship of the Lord Jesus Christ. Whereupon petitioning the King to confirm what they had thus purchased with a new patent, he granted them one, bearing date from the year 1628, which gave them a right unto the soil, holding their titles of lands, as of the mannor of East Greenwich in Kent, and in common soccage. By this Charter they were empowered yearly to elect their own governour, deputy-governour and magistrates; as also to make such laws as they should think suitable for the plantation: but as an acknowledgment of their dependance upon England, they might not make any laws repugnant unto those of the kingdom; and the fifth part of all the oar of gold or silver found in the territory, belonged unto the crown. So, soon after Mr. Cradock being by the company chosen governour, they sent over Mr. Endicott in the year 1628, to carry on the plantation, which the Dorchester-agents had lookt out for them, which was at a place called Nahumkeick. Of which place I have somewhere met with an odd observation, that the name of it was rather Hebrew than Indian; for oyn1, Nahum, signifies comfort, and pin, Kevk, signifies an haven; and our English not only found it an Haven of Comfort, but happened also to put an Hebrew name upon

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it; for they called it Salem, for the peace which they had and hoped in it; and so it ts called unto this day.

§ 4, An entrance being thus made upon the design of planting a country of English and Reformed Churches; they that were concerned for the plantation, made their application to two non-formists ministers, that they would go over to serve the Cause of God and of Religion in the beginning of those Churches. The one of these was Mr. Higginson, a minister in Leicestershire, silenced for his non-conformity; the other was Mr. Skelton, a minister of Lincolnshire, suffering also for his non-conformity; both of which were men eminent for learning and virtue, and who, thus driven out of their native country, sought their graves on the American-Strand, whereon the Epitaph might be inscribed that was on Scipio’s: Ingrata Patria, ne Mortui quidem habebis Ossa.* These ministers came over to Salem in the summer of the year 1629, and with these there came over a considerable number of excellent Christians, who no sooner arrived, but they set themselves about the Church-work, which was their errand hither.

"Tis true, there were two other Clergy-men, who came over about the same time; nevertheless, there has been very little account given of their circumstances; except what a certain little Narrative-writer has offered us, by saying, ‘there were two that began to hew stones in the mountains, for the building of the temple here; but when they saw all sorts of stones would not fit in the building, the one betook himself to the seas again and the other ‘to till the land;” for which cause, burying all further mention of them among the rubbish, in the foundation of the Colony, we will proceed with our story; which is now to tell us, that the passage of these our pilgrims was attended with many smiles of Heaven upon them. They were blessed with a company of honest seamen; with whom the ministers and passengers constantly served God, morning and evening; reading, expounding and applying the word of God, singing of his praise, and seeking of his peace; to which exercises they added on the Lord’s day two sermons, and a catechising: and sometimes they set apart an whole day for fasting and prayer, to obtain from Heaven a good success in their voyage, especially when the weather was much against them, whereto they had very remarkable answers; but the seamen said, “that they believed these were the first sea-fasts that ever were kept in the world.” At length, Per varios Casus, per Tot Discrimina Rerum,t they landed at the haven of rest provided for them.

§ 5. The persecuted servants of God, under the English Hierarchy, had been in a sea of ice mingled with fire; though the fire scalded them, yet such cakes of ice were over their heads, that there was no getting out; but the tce was now broken, by the American offers of a retreat for the pure worshippers of the Lord into a wilderness.

* “Ungrateful country of my birth! thou shalt not possess even my lifeless bones.” ¢ Through perils, toil, and rough adventure passed.

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The report of the charter granted unto the governour and company of the Massachuset-Bay, and the entertainment and encouragement which planters began to find in that Bay, came with a—Patrias age, desere Sedes,* and caused many very deserving persons to transplant themselves and their families into New-England. Gentlemen of ancient and worshipful families, and ministers of tle gospel, then of great fame at home, and merchants, husbandmen, artificers, to the number of some thousands, did for twelve years together carry on this transplantation. It was indeed a banishment rather than a removal, which was undergone by this glorious generation, and you may be sure sufficiently afflictive’to men of estate, breeding and conversation. As the hazard which they ran in this undertaking was of such extraordinariness, that nothing less than a strange and strong impression from Heaven could have thereunto moved the hearts of such as were in it: so the expense with which they carried on the undertaking was truly extraordinary. By computation, the passage of the persons that peopled New-England, cost at least ninety-five thousand pound; the transportation of their first small stock of cattle, great and small, cost no less than twelve thousand pound, besides the price of the cattle themselves; the provisions laid in for subsistence, till tillage might produce more, cost forty-five thousand pounds; ‘the materials for their first cottages cost eighteen thousand pounds; their arms, ammunition and great artillery, cost twenty-two thousand pounds; besides which hundred and ninety-two thousand pounds, the adventurers laid out in England what was not inconsiderable. About an hundred and ninety-eight ships were employed in passing the perils of the seas, in the accomplishment of this renowned settlement; whereof, by the way, but one miscarried in those perils.

Briefly, the God of Heaven served as it were a summons upon the spirits of his people in the English nation; stirring up the spirits of thousands which never saw the faces of each other, with a most unanimous inclination to leave all the pleasant accommodations of their native country, and go over a terrible ocean, into a more terrible desert, for the pure enjoyment of all his ordinances. It is now reasonable that before we pass any further, the reasons of this undertaking should be more exactly made known unto posterity, especially unto the posterity of those that were the undertakers, lest they come at length to forget and neglect the true interest of New-England. Wherefore I shall now transcribe some of them from a manuscript, wherein they were then tendred unto consideration.

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE PLANTATION OF NEW-ENGLAND.

“ First, It will be a service unto the Church, of great consequence, to carry the Gospel into those parts of the world, and raise a bulwark against the kingdom of anti-christ, which the Jesuites labour to rear up in 2!’ parts of the world.

Secondly, All other Churches of Europe have been brought under desolations; and it may

* A call to leave their country and their home.

be feared that the like judgments are coming upon us; and who knows but God hath provided this place to be a refuge for many, whom he means to save out of the General Destruction.

“Thirdly, The land grows weary of her inhabitants, insomuch that man, which is the most precious of all creatures, is here more vile and base than the earth he treads upon: children, neighbours and friends, especially the poor, are counted the greatest burdens, which if things were right would be the chiefest earthly blessings.

“ Fourthly, We are grown to that intemperance in all excess of riot, as no mean est.te almost will suffice a man to keep sail with his equals, and he that fails in it, must live in scorn and contempt: hence it comes to pass, that ull arts and trades are carried in that decvitful manner, and unrighteous course, as it is almost impossible for a good, upright man to maintain his constant charge, and live comfortably in them.

Fifthly, The schools of learning and religion are so corrupted, as (besides the unsupportable charge of education) most children, even the best, wittiest, and of the fairest hopes, are perverted, corrupted, and utterly overthrown, by the multitude of evil examples and licentious behaviours in these seminaries,

“ Sixthly, The whole earth is the Lord’s garden, and he hath given it to the sons of Adam, to be tilled and improved by them: why then should we stand starving here for places of habitation, and in the mean time suffer whole countries, as profitable for the use of man, to lye waste without any improvement?

“ Seventhly, What can be a better or nobler work, and more worthy of a Christian, than to erect and support a reformed particular Church in its infancy, and unite our forves with such a company of fuithful people, as by a timely assistance may grow stronger and prosper; but for want of it, may be put to great hazards, if not be wholly ruined?

“ Eighthly, If any such as are known to be godly, and live in wealth and prosperity here, shall forsake all this to join with this reformed church, and with it run the hazard of an hard and mean condition, it will be a:. example of great use, both fur the removing of scandal, and to give more life unto the faith of God’s people in their prayers for the plantation, and also to encourage others to join the more willingly in it.”

§ 6. Mr. Higginson, and Mr. Skelton, and other good people that arrived at Salem, in the year 1629, resolved, like their father Abraham, to begin their plantation with “calling on the name of the Lord.” The great Mr. Hildersham had advised our first planters to agree fully upon their form of church government, before their coming into New-England; but they had indeed agreed little further than in this general principle, “that the reformation of the church was to be endeavoured according to the written word of God.” Accordingly ours, now arrived at Salem, consulted with their brethren at Plymouth, what steps to take for the more exact acquainting of themselves with, and conforming themselves ¢o, that written word; and the Plymotheans, to their great satisfaction, laid before them what warrant, they judged, that they had in the Jaws of our Lord Jesus Christ, for every particular in their Church-order.

Whereupon having the concurrence and countenance of their deputygovernour, the worshipful John Endicott, Esq., and the approving presence of the messengers from the church of Plymouth, they set apart the sixth day of August, after their arrival, for fasting and prayer, for the scttling of a Church State among them, and for their making a Conjession of their Faith, and entering into an holy Covenant, whereby that Church State was formed,

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Mr. Higginson then became the teacher, and Mr. Skelton the pastor, of the churck. ! ; constituted at Salem; and they lived very peaceably in Salem togeti.. , till the death of Mr. Higginson, which was about a twelvemonth after, and then of Mr. Skelton, who did not long survive him. Now, the Covenant whereto these Christians engaged themselves, which was about seven years after solemnly renewed among them, I shall here lay before all the Churches of God, as it was then expressed and inforced:

“ We covenant with our Lord, and one with another; and we do bind our selves in the presence of God, to walk together in all his ways, according as he is pleased to reveal himself unto us in his blessed word of truth; and do explicitly, in the name and fear of God, profess and protest to walk as followeth, through the power and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“© We avouch the Lord to be our God, and our selves to be his people, in the truth and simplicity of our spirits.

“ We give our selves to the Lord Jesus Christ, and the word of his grace for the teaching, ruling and sanctifying of us in matters of worship and conversation, resolv. ing to cleave unto him alone for life and glory, and to reject all contrary ways, canons, and constitutions of men in his worship.

“We promise to walk with our brethren, with all watchfulness and tenderness, avoiding jealousies and suspicions, back-bitings, censurings, provokings, secret risings of spirit against them; but in all offences to follow the rule of our Lord Jesus, and to bear and forbear, give and forgive, as he hath taught us.

“In public or private, we will willingly do nothing to the offence of the church; but willing to take advice for our selves and ours, as occasion shall be presented.

“ We will not in the congregation be forward either to show our own gifts and parts in speaking or scrupling, or there discover the weakness or failings of our brethren; but attend an orderly call thereunto, knowing how much the Lord may be dishonoured, and his gospel, and the profession of it, slighted by our distempers and weaknesses in public.

“ We bind our selves to study the advancement of the gospel in all truth and peace; both in regard of those that are within or without; no way slighting our sister churches, but using their counsel, as need shall be; not laying a stumbung. block before any, no, not the Indians, whose good we desire to promote; and so to converse, as we may avoid the very appearance of evil.

“ We do hereby promise to carry our selves in all lawful obedience to those that are over us, in Church or Commonwealth, knowing how well pleasing it will be to the Lord, that they should have encouragement in their places, by our not grieving their spirits through our irregularities.

“We resolve to approve our selves to the Lord in our particular callings; shun. ning idleness as the bane of any state; nor will we deal hardly or oppressingly with any, whe ein we are the Lord’s stewards.

“ Promising also unto our best ability to teach our children and servants the knowledge of God, and of His Will, that they may serve Him also; and all this not by any strength of our own, but by the Lord Christ: whose blood we desire may sprinkle this our Covenant made in his name.”

By this instrument was the Covenant of Grace explained, received, and recognized, by the jirst Church in this Colony, and applied unto the evangelical designs of a Church-estate before the Lord: this instrument they afterwards often read over, and renewed the consent of their souls unto every article in it; especially when their days of humiliation invited them to lay hold on particular opportunities for doing so.—So you have seen the nativity of the first Church in the Massachuset-colony. -

§ 7. As for the circumstances of admission into this Church, they left it very much unto the discretion and faithfulness of their elders, together with the condition of the persons to be admitted. Some were admitted by expressing their consent unto their confession and covenant; some were admitted after their first answering to questions about Religion, propounded unto them; some were admitted, when they had presented in writing such things as might give satisfaction unto the people of God concerning them; and some that were admitted, orally addressed the people of God in such terms, as they thought proper to ask their communion with; which dtversity was perhaps more beautiful than would have been a more punctilious uniformity; but none were admitted without regard unto a blameless and holy conversation. They did all agree with their brethren of Plymouth in this point, “That the children of the faithful were Church-members, with their parents; and that their baptism was a seal of their being so;” only before their admission to fellowship in a particular Church, it was judged necessary that, being free from scandal, they should be examined by the elders of the Church, upon whose approbation of their fitness, they should publickly and personally own the covenant; so they were to be received unto the table of the Lord: and accordingly the eldest son of Mr. Higginson, being about fifteen years of age, and laudably answering all the characters expected in a communicant, was then so received.

§ 8. It is to be remembered, that some of the passengers, who came over with those of our first Salemites, observing that the ministers did not use the “Book of Common-Prayer” in their administrations; that they administered the baptism and the supper of the Lord, without any unscriptural ceremonies; that they resolved upon using discipline in the congregation against scandalous offenders, according to the word of God; and that some scandalous persons had been denied admission into the communion of the Church; they began (Frankford fashion) to raise a deal of trouble hereupon. Herodiana Malitia, nascentem persequi Religionem/* Of these there were especially two brothers; the one a lawyer, the other a merchant, both men of parts, estate and figure in the place. These gathered a company together, separate from the publick assembly; and there, the Common- Prayer-Worship was after a sort upheld among such as would resort unto them. The governour perceiving a disturbance to arise among the people on this occasion, sent for the brothers; who accused the ministers, as

* Herod-like malice, bent on crushing the infant Church,

N WINTHROP.

JOH

departing from the orders of the Church of Fngland; adding, “That they were Separatists, and would be shortly Anabaptists;” but for themselves, “They would hold unto the orders of the Church of England.” The answer of the ministers to these accusations, was, ‘‘ That they were neither Separatists nor Anabaptists; that they did not separate from the Church of England, nor from the ordinances of God there, but only from the corruptions and disorders of that Church: that they came away from the Common-Prayer and Ceremonies, and had suffered much for their nonconformity in their native land; and therefore being in a place where they might have their liberty, they neither could nor would use them; inasmuch as they judged the imposition of these things to be a sinful violation of the worship of God.”—-The governour, the council, the people, generally approved of the answer thus given by the ministers; but these persons returned into England with very furious threatnings against the Church thus established; however the threatned folks have lived so long, that the Church has out-lived the grand climacterical year of humane age; it is now flourishing, more than sixty-three years after its first gathering, under the pastoral care of a most reverend and ancient person, even Mr. John Higginson, the son of that excellent man who laid the foundations of that society.

CHAPTER ¥. PEREGRINI' DEO CURE;*

OR, THE PROGRESS OF THE NEW COLONY; WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF THE PERSONS, THE METHODS, AND THE TROUBLES, BY WHICH IT CAME T0 SOMETHING.

§ 1. THe Governour and Company of the Massachuset-Bay, then in London, did in the year 1629, after exact and mature debates, conclude, that it was most convenient for the government, with the charter of the plantation, to be transferred into the plantation it self; and an order of court being drawn up for that end, there was then chosen a new governour, and a new deputy-governour, that were willing to remove themselves with their families thither on the first occasion. The governour was John Winthrop, Esq., a gentleman of that wisdom and virtue, and those manifold accomplishments, that after-generations must reckon him no less a glory, than he was a patriot of the country. The deputy-governour was Thomas Dudley, Esq., a gentleman, whose natural and acquired abilities, joined with his excellent moral qualities, entitled him to all the great

© Strangers are peculiar objects of God’s care,

respects with which his country on all opportunities treated him. Several most worthy assistants were at the same time chosen to be in this transportation; moreover, several other gentlemen of prime note, and several famous ministers of the gospel, now likewise embarked themselves with these honourable adventurers; who equipped a fleet consisting of ten or eleven ships, whereof the admiral was, The Arabella (so called in honour of the right honourable the Lady Arabella Johnson, at this time on board), a ship of three hundred and fifty tuns; and in some of the said ships there were two hundred passengers; all of which arrived before the middle of July, in the year 1680, safe in the harbours of New-England. There was a time when the British sea was by Clements, and the other ancients, Called dxeavrog despaveos, the unpassable ocean, What then was to be thought of the vast Atlantick sea, on the westward of Britain? But this ocean must now be passed! An heart of stone must have dissolved into tears at the affectionate farewel which the governour and other eminent persons took of their friends, at a feast which the governour made for them, a little before their going off; however, they were acted by principles that could carry them through tears and oceans; yea, through oceans of tears: principles that enabled them to leave, Dulcia Limina, atque amabilem Larem, ‘quem et parentian memoria, aique ipsius (to use Stupius’ words) Infamice Rudimenta Confirmant.* Some very late geographers do assure us, that the breadth of the Atiantick sea is commonly over-reckoned by siz, by eight, by ten degrees, But let that sea be as narrow as they please, I can assure the reader the passing of it was no little trial unto those worthy people that were now to pass it.

§ 2. But the most notable circumstance ia their farewel, was their composing and publishing of what they called, “The humble request of his Majesties loyal subjects, the Governour and Company lately gone for New- England, to the rest of their brethren in and of the Church of England; for the obtaining of their prayers, and the removal of suspicions and mis- Cuustructions of their intentions.” In this address of theirs, notwithstanding the trouble they had undergone for desiring to see the Church of England reformed of several things, which they thought its deformities, yet they now called the Church of England their dear mother; acknowledging that such ope and part as they had obtained in the common salvation they had sucked from her breasts; therewithal entreating their many reverend fathers and brethren to recommend them unto the mercies of God, in their constant prayers, as a Church now springing out of their own bowels. “You are not ignorant (said they) that the Spirit of God stirred up the Apostle Paul, to make a continual mention of the Church at Philippi which was a colony from Rome; let the same spirit, we beseech you, put you in mind, that are the Lord’s remembrancers, to pray for us, without ceasing,

* Their eweet native shores and cherished firesides; cherished the more for the sake of their parents’ memories and the early leasona there imbibed in the very principles which now make them objects of persecution,

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who are the weak colony from your selves.” And after such prayers, they concluded, What goodness you shall extend unto us, in this or any other Christian kindness, we your brethren in Christ shall labour to repay, in what duty we are or shall be able to perform; promising so far as God shall enable us, to give him no rest on your behalfs; wishing our heads and hearts may be fountains of tears for your everlasting welfare, when we shall be in our poor cottages in the wilderness, overshadowed with the spirit of supplication, through the manifold necessities and tribulations, which may not altogether unexpectedly, nor we hope unprofitably, befall us.”

§ 8. Reader, If ever the charity of a right Christian, and enlarged soul, were examplarily seen in its proper expansions, twas in the address which thou hast now been reading; but if it now puzzle the reader to reconcile these passages with the principles declared, the pract:ces followed, and the persecutions undergone, by these American Reformers, let him know, that there was more than one distinction, whereof these excellent persons were not ignorant. First, they were able to distinguish between the Church of England, as it contained the whole body of the faithful, scattered throughout the kingdoms, though of different perswasions about some rites and modes in religion; many thousands of whom our Nor-Angels knew could comply with many things, to which ow consciences, otherwise enlightened and perswaded, could not yield such a compliance and the Church of England, as it was confined unto a certain constitution by canons, which pronounced Ipso Facto,* excommunicate all those who should affirm that the worship contained in the “Book of Common-Prayer and administrations of sacraments,” is unlawful, or that any of the thirty-nine articles are erroneous, or that any of the ceremonies commanded by the authority of the church might not be approved, used and subscribed; and which will have to be accursed, all those who maintain that there are in the realm any other meetings, assemblies or congregations of the King’s born subjects, than such as by the laws of the land are allowed, which may rightly challenge to themselves the name of true and lawful Churches; and by which all those that refuse to kneel at the reception of the sacrament, and to be present at publick prayers, according to the orders of the church, about which there are prescribed many formalities of responses, with bowing at the name of Jesus, are to be denied the communion; and all who dare not submit their children to be baptized by the undertaking of god-fathers, and receive the cross as a dedicating badge of Christianity, must not have baptism for their children: besides an et-ceetera of how many more impositions! Again, they were able to distinguish between the Church of England, as it kept the true doctrine of the Protestant religion, with a disposition to pursue the reformation begun in the former century, among whom we may reckon such men as the famous assembly of divines at Westminster, who all but eight or nine, and the Scots had before then lived in conformity; and the Church of

* By their very act.

England, as limiting that name unto a certain faction, who, together with a discipline very much unseriptural, vigorously prosecuted the tripartite plot of Arminiapism and conciliation with Rome, in the church, and unbounded prerogative in the state; who set themselves to cripple as fast as they could the more learned, godly, painful ministers of the land, and silence and ruin such as could not read a book for sports on the Lord’s days; or did but use a prayer of their own conceiving, before or after sermon; or did but preach in an afternoon, as well as in & morning, or on a lecture, or on & market, or in aniwise discountenance old superstitions, or new extravagancies; and who at last threw the nation into the lamentable confusions of a civil war. By the light of this distinction, we may easily perceive what Church of England it was, that our New-England exiles called, their Mother; though their mother had been so harsh to them, as to turn them out of doors, yet they highly honoured her; believing that it was not so much their mother, but some of their angry brethren, abusing the name of their mother, who so harshly treated them; and all the harm they wished her, was to see her put off those ¢// trimmings, which at her first coming out of the popish Babylon, she had not fully so laid aside. If any of those envious brethren do now call these dissenters, as not very long since a great prelate in a sermon did, the bastards of the Church of England, I will not make the return which was made upon it by a person of quality then present; but instead thereof humbly demand, who are the ¢ruer sons to the Church of England; they that hold all the fundamentals of Christianity embraced by that Church, only questioning and forbearing a few disciplinary points, which are confessed indifferent by the greatest zealots for them; or they that have made Britain more unhabitable that the Torrid Zone? for the poor non-conformists, by their hot pressing of those indifferencies, as if they had been the only necessaries, in the mean time utterly subverting the faith in the important points of predestination, free-will, justification, perseverance, and some other things, which that Church requires all her children to give their assent and consent unto? If the former, then, say I, the planters of New-England were truer sons to the Church of England, than that part of the church which, then by their misemploying their heavy church-heys, banished them into this plantation. And, indeed, the more genuine among the most conformable sons of the church, did then accordingly wish all prosperity to their New-English brethren; in the number of whom I would particularly reckon that faithful man, Mr. Edward Symons, minister of Rayn in Essex; who in a Discourse printed Anno 1687, does thus express himself: “Many now promise to themselves nothing but successive happiness at New-England; which for a time, through God’s mercy, they may enjoy; and I pray God, they may a long time, but in this world there is no happiness perpetual.” Nor would I on this occasion leave unquoted some notable words of the learned, witty and famous Dr. Fuller, in his comment on Ruth, page 16: “Concerning our brethren which of late left

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this kingdom to advance a plantation in New-England, I think the counsel best that King Joash prescribed unto Amaziah, ‘Zarry at home?’ yet as for those that are already gone, far be it from us to conceive them to be such to whom we may not say, God speed: but let us pity them, and pray for them. I conclude of the two Englands, what our Saviour saith of the two wines: ‘No man having tasted of the old, presently desireth the new; for he saith, the old is better.’” :

§ 4. Being happily arrived at New-England, our new planters found the difficulties of a rough and hard wilderness presently assaulting them: of which the worst was the sickliness which many of them had contracted by their other difficulties, Of those who soon dyed after their first arrival, not the least considerable was the Lady Arabella, who left an earthly paradise in the family of an Earldom, to encounter the sorrows of a wilderness, for the entertainments of a pure worship in the house of God; and then immediately left that wilderness for the Heavenly paradise, whereto the compassionate Jesus, of whom she was a follower, called her. We have read concerning a noble woman of Bohemia, who forsook her friends, her plate, her house, and all; and because the gates of the city were guarded, crept: through the common-sewer, that she might enjoy the institutions of our Lord at another place where they might be had. The spirit which acted that noble woman, we may suppose carried this blessed lady thus to and through the hardships of an American desart. But as for her virtuous husband, Isaac Johnson, Hsq.,

* * * * * He try’d To live without her, lik’d it not, and dy’d.

His mourning for the death of his honourable consort was too bitter to be extended a year; about a month after her death fis ensued, unto the extream loss of the whole plantation. But at the end of this perfect and upright man, there was not only peace but joy; and his joy particularly expressed it self ‘that God hath kept his eyes open so long as to see one church of the Lord Jesus Christ gathered in these ends of the earth, before his own going away to Heaven.” The mortality thus threatning of this new Plantation so enlivened the devotions of this good people, that they set themselves by fasting and prayer to obtain from God the removal of it; and their brethren at Plymouth also attended the like duties on their behalf: the issue whereof was, that in a little tire they not only had health restored, but they likewise enjoyed the special directions and assistance of God in the further prosecution of their undertakings,

§ 5. But there were two terrible distresses more, besidés that of sickness, whereto this people were exposed in the beginning of their settlement: though a most seasonable and almost unexpected mercy from Heaven still rescued them out of those distresses. One thing that sometimes extreamly exercised them, was a scarcity of provisions; ia which ’twas wonderfui to

see their dependance upon God, and God's mindfulness of them, When the parching droughts of the summer divers times threatned them with an utter and a total consumption to the fruits of the earth, it was their manner, with heart-melting, and I may say, Heaven-melting devotions, to fast and pray before God; and on the very days when they poured out the water of their tears before him, he would shower down the water of his rain upon their fields; while they were yet speaking, he would hear them; insomuch that the salvages themselves would on that occasion admire the Englishman’s God! But the Englishmen themselves would celebrate their days of Thanksgiving to him. When their stock was likewise wasted so far,which divers times it was, that they were come to the last meal in the barrel, just then, unlooked for, arrived several ships from other parts of the world loaden with supplies; among which, one was by the lord-deputy of Ireland sent hither, although he did not know the necessities of the country to which he sent her; and if he had known them, would have been thought as unlikely as any man living to have helpt them: in these extremities, ‘twas marvellous to see how helpful these good people were to one another, following the example of their most liberal governour Winthrop, who made an equal distribution of what he had in his own stores among the poor, taking no thought for to-morrow! And how content they were; when an honest man, as I have heard, inviting his friends to a dish of clams, at the table gave thanks to Heaven, who “had given them to suck the abundance of the seas, and of the treasures hid in the sands!’’

Another thing that gave them no little exercise, was the fear of the Indians, by whom they were sometimes alarmed. But this fear was wonderfully prevented, not only by intestine wars happening then to fall out among those barbarians, but chiefly by the small-pox, which proved a great plague unto them, and particularly to one of the Princes in the Massachuset-Bay, who yet seemed hopefully to be christianized before he dyed. This distemper getting in, I know not how, among them, swept them away with a most prodigious desolation, insomuch that although the English gave them all the assistances of humanity in their calamities, yet there was, it may be, not one in ten among them left alive; of those few that lived, many also fled from the infection, leaving the country a meer Golgotha of unburied carcases; and as for the rest, the English treated them with all the civility imaginable; among the instances of which civility, let this be reckoned for one, that notwithstanding the patent which they had for the country, they fairly purchased of the natives the several tracts of land which they afterwards possessed.

§ 6. The people in the fleet that arrived at New-England, in the year 1630, left the fleet almost, as the family of Noah did the ark, having a whole world before them to be peopled. Salem was already supplied with a competent number of inhabitants; and therefore the governour, with most of the gentlemen that accompanied him in his voyage, took their

n the h an man- . fast it the rain inso- . the their ed so 1 the is of rputy f the have these re to W intores

first opportunity to prosecute further settlements about the bottom of the Massachuaet-Bay; but where-ever they sat down, they were so mindful of their errand into the wilderness, that still one of their first works was to gather a church into the covenant atid order of the gospel. First, there was a church thus gathered at Charles-town, on the north side of Charles's river; where, keeping # solemn faust on August 27, 1680, to implore the conduct and blessing of Heaven on their ecclesiastical proceedings, they chose Mr, Wilson, a most holy and zealous man, formerly a minister of Sudbury, in the county of Suffolk, to be their teacher; and although he now submitted unto an ordination, with an imposition of such hands as were by the church invited so to pronounce the benediction of Heaven upon him; yet it was done with a protestation by all, that it should be only as a sign of his election to the charge of his new flock, without any intention that he should thereby renounce the ministry he had received in England. After the gathering of the church at Charles-town, there quickly followed another at the town of Dorchester.

And after Dorchester there followed another at the town of Boston, which issued out of Charles-town; one Mr. James took the care of the Church at Charles-town, and Mr. Wilson went over to Boston, where they that formerly belonged unto Charles-town, with universal approbation became a distinct Church of themselves. 'T'o Boston soon succeeded a church at Roxbury; to Roxbury, one at Lyn; to Lyn, one at Watertown; so that in one or two years’ time there were to be seen seven Churches in this neighbourhood, all of them attending to what the spirit in the Scripture said unto them; all of them golden candlesticks, illustrated with a very sensible presence of our Lord Jesus Christ among them.

§ 7. It was for a matter of twelve years together, that persons of all ranks, well affected unto Church-reformation, kept sometimes dropping, and sometimes flocking into New-England, though some that were coming into New-England were not suffered so to do. The persecutors of those Puritans, as they were called, who were now retiring into that cold country from the heat of their persecution, did all that was possible to hinder as many as was possible from enjoying of that retirement. There were many countermands given to the passage of people that were now steering of this western course; and there was a sort of uproar made among no small part of the nation, that this people should not be let go. Among those bound for New- England, that were so stopt, there were especially three famous persons, whom I suppose their adversaries would not have so studiously detained at home, if they had foreseen events; those were Oliver Cromwell, and Mr. Hambden, and Sir Arthur Haselrig; nevertheless, this is not the only instance of persecuting church-mens not having the spirit of prophesy. But many others were diverted from an intended voyage hither by the pure providence of God, which had provided other improvements for them; and of this take one instance instead of many. Before the woeful wars which

broke forth in the three kingdoms, there were divers gentlemen in Scotland, who, being uneasie under the ecclesiastical burdens of the times, wrote unto New-England their enquiries, Whether they might be there suffered freely to exercise their Presbyterian church-government? And it was freely answered, “That they might.” Hereupon they sent over an agent, who pitched upon a tract of land near the mouth of Merrimack river, whither they intended them to transplant themselves: but although they had so far proceeded in their voyage, as to be halfseas through; the manifold crosses they met withal, made them give over their intentions; and the providence of God so ordered it, that some of those very gentlemen were afterwards the revivers of that well-known solemn league and covenant which had so great an influénce upon the following circumstances of the nations. However, the number of those who did actually arrive at New-England before the year 1640, have been computed about four thousand; .since which time far more have gone out of the country than have come to it; and yet the God of Heaven so smiled upon the Plantation, while under an ease and equal government, the designs of Christianity in well-formed churches have been carried on, that no history can parallel it. That saying of Eutropius about Rome, which hath been sometimes applied unto the church, is capable of some application to this little part of the church: Nec Minor ab Exordio, nec major Incrementis ulla.* Never was any plantation brought unto such a considerableness, in a space of time so inconsiderable! an howling wilderness in a few years became a pleasant land, accommodated with the necessaries— yea, and the conveniences of humane life; the gospel has carried with it a fulness of all other blessings; and (albeit, that mankind generally, as far as we have any means of enquiry, have increased in one and the same given proportion, and so no more than doubled themselves in about three hundred and sixty years, in all the past ages of the world, since the fixing of the present period of humane life) the four thousand first planters, in less than fifty years, notwithstanding all transportations and mortalities, increased into, they say, more than an hundred thousand,

OR, THE ADDITION OF SEVERAL OTHER COLONIES TO THE FORMER; WITH SOME OTHER CONSIDERABLES IN THE CONDITION OF THESE LATER COLONIES.

§ 1. Ir was not long before the Massachuset Colony was become like an hive overstocked with bees; and many of the new inhabitants entertained thoughts of swarming into plantations extended further into the country,

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The colony might fetch its own description from the dispensations of the great God, unto his ancient Israel, and say, “O, God of Hosts, thou hast brought a vine out of Hngland; thou hast cast out the heathen and planted it; thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land; the hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedars; she sent out her boughs unto the sea.” But still there was one stroak wanting for the complete accommodations of the description; to wit, ‘She sent forth her branches unto the river;” and this therefore is to be next attended. The fame of Connecticut river, a long, fresh, rich river, (as indeed the name Connecticut is Indian for a long river,) had made a little Milus,* of it in the expectations of the good people about the Massachuset-bay: whereupon many of the planters belonging especially to the towns of Cambridge, Dorchester, Watertown and Roxbury, took up resolutions to travel an hundred miles westward from those towns, for a further settlement upon this famous river. When the learned Fernandius had been in the Indies, he did in his preface to his Commentaries afterwards published, give this account of it: Deo sic volente, prodit in remotissimos usque Indos, tam non avidus lucis et gloric, ut eam vere dixerim, ultro elegerim met tpsius adhue viventis verissimam Sepultuwram.t Reader, come with me now to behold some worthy, and learned, and genteel persons going to be buried alive on the banks of Connecticut, having been first slain by the ecclesiastical impositions and persecutions of Europe.

§ 2. It was in the year 1635, that this design was first formed; and the disposition of the celebrated Mr. Thomas Hooker, with his people now in Cambridge, to engage in the design, was that which gave most life unto it. They then sent their agents to view the country, who returned with so advantageous a report, that the next year there was a great remove of good people thither: on this remove, they that went from Cambridge became a church upon a spot of ground now called Hartford; they that went from Dorchester, became a church at Windsor; they that went from Watertown, sat down at Wethersfield; and they that left Roxbury were inchurched higher up the river at Springficld, a place which was afterwards found within the line of the Massachuset-charter. Indeed, the first winter after their going thither, proved an hard one; and the grievous disappointments which befel them, through the unseasonable freezing of the river, whereby their vessel of provisons was detained at the mouth of the river, threescore miles below them, caused them to encounter with very disastrous difficulties. Divers of them were hereby obliged in the depth of winter to travel back into the Bay; and some of them were frozen to death in the journey.

However, such was their courage, that they prosecuted their Plantation-

* Nile.

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work with speedy and blessed successes; and when bloody salvages in their neighbourhood, known by the name of Pequots, had like to have nipt the plantation in the bud, by a cruel war, within a year or two after their settlement, the marvellous providence of God immediately extinguished that war, by prospering the New-English arms, unto the utter subduing of the quarrelsome nation, and affrightning of all the other natives.

§ 8. It was with the countenance and assistance of their brethren in the Massachuset-bay, that the first Planters of Connecticut made their essays thus to discover and cultivate the remoter parts of this mighty wilderness; and accordingly several gentlemen went furnished with some kind of commission from the government of the Massachuset-bay, for to maintain some kind of government among the inhabitants, till there could be a more orderly settlement. But the inhabitants quickly perceiving themselves to be without the line of the Massachuset-charter, entered into & combination among themselves, whereby with mutual consent they became a body-politick, and framed a body of necessary laws and orders, to the execution whereof they chose all necessary officers, very much, though not altogether, after the form of the colony from whence they issued. So they jogged on for many years; and whereas, before the year 1644, that worthy gentleman, George Fenwick Esq., did, on the behalf of several persons of quality, begin a plantation about the mouth of the river, which was called Say-brook, in remembrance of those right honourable persons, the Lord Say and the Lord Brook, who laid a claim to the land thereabouts, by virtue of a patent granted by the Earl of Warwick; the inhabitants of Connecticut that year purchased of Mr. Fenwick this tract of land. But the confusions then embarrassing the affairs of the English nation, hindred our Connecticotians from seeking of any further settlement, until the restoration of K. Charles II., when they made their application to the King for a charter, by the agency of their honourable governour, John Winthrop, Esq., the most accomplished son of that excellent person who had been so considerable in the foundations of the Massachuset-colony. This renowned virtuoso had justly been the darling of New-England, if they had only considered his eminent qualities, as he was a Christian, a gentleman, and a philosopher, well worthy to be, as he was, a member of the Royal-Society; but it must needs further endear his memory to his country, that God made him the instrument of obtaining for them, as he did from the King of England, as amply priviledged a charter as was ever enjoyed perhaps by any people under the cope of heaven. Under the protection and encouragement of this charter they flourished many years; and many towns being successively erected among them, their churches had “rest, and walked in the fear of God, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.”

§ 4. The church-order observed in the churches of Connecticut, has been the same that is observed by their sisters in the Massachuset-bay; and in

es in have after xtinutter tives, on in their ighty some ‘or to could ‘iving l into they rders, much, . they 2 year ialf of of the t hon- 1im to Warnwick irs of any made hon- Bon of ations bn the qualihy to arther nt of rivir the harter ected God,

been Nel in

this order they lived exceeding peaceably all the eleven years that Mr. Hooker lived among them. Nevertheless there arose at length some unhappy contests in one town of the colony, which grew into an alienation that could not be cured without such a parting, and yet, indeed, hardly so kind a parting, as that whereto once Abraham and Lot were driven. However, these little, idle, angry controversies, proved occasions of enlargements to the church of God; for such of the inhabitants as chose a cottage in a wilderness, before the most beautiful and furnished edifice, overheated with the fire of contention, removed peaceably higher up the river, where a whole county of holy churches has been added unto the number of our congregations.

§ 5. But there was one thing that made this colony to become very considerable; which thing remains now to be considered. The well-known Mr. Davenport, and Mr. Eaton, and several eminent persons that came over to the Massachuset-bay among some of the first planters, were strongly urged, that they would have settled in this Bay; but hearing of another Bay to the south-west of Connecticut, which might be more capable to entertain those that were to follow them, they desired that their friends at Connecticut would purchase of the native proprietors for them, all the land that lay between themselves and Hudson’s River, which was in part effected. Accordingly removing thither in the year 16387, they seated themselves in a pleasant Bay, where they spread themselves along the scacoast, and one might have been suddenly as it were surprized with the sight of such notable towns, as first New-Haven; then Guilford; then Milford; then Stamford; and then Brainford, where our Lord Jesus Christ is worshipped in churches of an evangelical constitution; and from thence, if the enquirer make a salley over to Long-Island, he might there also have seen the churches of our Lord beginning to take root in the eastern parts of that island. All this while this fowrth colony wanted the legal basis of a charter to build upon; but they did by mutual agreement form themselves, into a body-politich as like as they judged fit unto the other colonies in their neighbourhood; and as for there church-order, it was generally secundum usum Massachusettensem.*

§ 6. Behold, a fourth colony of New-English Christians, in a manner stolen into the world, and a colony, indeed, constellated with many svars of the first magnitude. The colony was under the conduct of as holy, and as prudent, and as genteel persons as most that ever visited these nooks of America; and yet these too were tryed with very humbling circumstances,

Being Londoners, or merchants and men of traffick and business, their design was in a manner wholly to apply themselves unto trade; but the design failing, they found their great estates sink so fast, that they must quickly do something. Whereupon in the year 1646, gathering together almost all the strength which was left them, they built one ship more,

* After the Massachusetts model. e

which they fraighted for England with the best part of their tradable estates; and sundry of their eminent persons embarked themselves in her for the voyage. But, alas! the ship was never after heard of: she foundred in the sea; and in her were lost, not only the hopes of their future trade, but also the lives of several excellent persons, as well as divers manuscripts of some great men in the country, sent over for the service of the church, which were now buried in the ocean. The fuller story of that grievous matter, let the reader with a just astonishment accept from the pen of the reverend person who is now the pastor of New-Haven. I wrote unto him for it, and was thus answered:

“REVEREND AND Dear Sir: In compliance with your desires, I now give you the relation of that APPARITION of a SHIP IN THE AIR, which I have received from the most crediblo judicious, and curious surviving observers of it.

“In the year 1647, besides much other lading, a far more rich treasure of passengers, (five or six of which were persons of chief note and worth in New-Haven) put themselves on board a new ship, built at Rhode-Island, of about 150 tuns; but so walty, that the master (Lamberton) often said she would prove their grave. In the month of January, cutting their way through much ice, on which they were accompanied with the Reverend Mr. Davenport, besides many other friends, with many fears, as well as prayers and tears, they set sail, Mr. Davenport in prayer, with an observable emphasis, used these words: ‘Lord, if it be thy pleasure to bury these our friends in the bottom of the sea, they are thine: save them.’ The spring following, no tidings of these friends arrived with the ships from England: New-Haven’s heart began to fuil her: this put the godly people on much prayer, both publick and private, ‘that the Lord would (if it was his pleasure) let them hear what he had done with their dear friends, and prepare them with a suitable submission to his Holy Will” In June next ensuing, a great thunder-storm arose out of the north-west after which (the hemisphere being serene) about an hour before sun-set, a Simp of like dimensions with the aforesaid, with her canvas and colours abroad (though the wind north. ernly) appeared in the air coming up from our harbour’s mouth, which lyes southward from the town, seemingly with her sails filled under a fresh gale, holding her course north, and continuing under observation, sailing against the wind for the space of half an hour.

“Many were drawn to behold this great work of God; yea, the very children cryed out, ‘There’s a brave ship! At length, crowding up as far as there is usually water sufficient for such a vessel, and so near some of the spectators, as that they imagined a man might hurl a stone on board her, her main-fop seemed to be blown off, but left hanging in the shrouds; then her mizzen-top; then all her masting seemed blown away by the board: quickly after the hulk brought unto a careen, she overset, and so vanished into a smoaky cloud, which in some time dissipated, leaving, as everywhere else, a clear air. The admiring spectators could distinguish the several colours of each part, the principal rigging, and such proportions, as caused mot only the generality of persons to say, ‘This was the mould of their ship, and thus was her tragick end, but Mr. Davenport also in publick declared to this effect, ‘That God had condescended, for the quieting of their afflicted spirits, this extraordinary account of his sovereign disposal of those for whom so many fervent prayers were made continually” Thus I am Sir, “Your humble servant,

“James Prerront.”

Reader, there being yet living so many credible gentlemen, that were eye-witnesses of this wonderful thing, I venture to publish it for a thing as undoubted as ‘tis wonderful.

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But let us now proceed with our story. Our colony of New-Haven apprehended themselves disadvantageously seated for the affairs of husbandry; and therefore upon these disasters they made many attempts of removing into some other parts of the world. One while they were invited unto Delaware-bay, another while they were invited unto Jamaica; they had offers made them from Ireland also, after the wars there were over; and they entred into some treaties about the city of Galloway, which they were to have had as a small province to themselves. But the God of Heaven still strangely disappointed all these attempts; and whereas they were concerned how their posterity should be able to live, if they must make husbandry their main shift for their living; that posterity of theirs, by the good providence of God, instead of coming to beggary and misery, have thriven wonderfully: the colony is improved with many wealthy husbandmen, and is become no small part of the best granary for all New- England. And the same good Providence has all along so preserved them from annoyance by the Indians, that although at their first setting down there were few towns but what wisely perswaded a body of Indians to dwell near them: whereby such kindnesses passed between them that they always dwelt peaceably together; nevertheless there are few of those towns but what have seen their body of Indians utterly extirpated by nothing but mortality wasting them.

§ 7. But what is now become of New-Haven colony? I must answer, Jt ts not: and yet it has been growing ever since it first was. But when Connecticut-colony petitioned the restored King for a CHARTER, they procured New-Haven colony to be annexed unto them in the same charter; and this, not without having first the private concurrence of some leading men in the colony; though the minds of others were so uneasie about the coalition, that it cost some time after the arrival of the Charter for the colony, like Jephtha’s daughter to bewail her condition, before it could be quietly complied withal. Nevertheless they have lived ever since, one colony, very happily together, and the God of love and peace has remarkably dwelt among them: however, these children of God have not been without their chastisements, especially in the malignant fevers and agues, which have often proved very mortal in most or all of their plantations,

§ 8. While the south-west parts of New-England were thus filled with new colonies, the north-east parts of the country were not forgotten. There were ample regions beyond the line of the Massachuset-patent, where new settlements were attempted, not only by such as designed a fishing-trade at sea, or a Bever-trade on shore; not only by some that were uneasie under the Massachuset-government in a day of temptation, which came upon the first planters; but also by some very serious Christians, who propounded the enlargement and enjoyment of our Lord’s evangelical interests in those territories, The effect of these excursions were, that several well-constituted churches were gathered in the province of Eastpe it ang ASA DAS eh DEREK IRAE SNES

Hampshire, besides one or two in the province of Mam, whercto were added a large number of other congregations, wherein weekly prayers and sermons were made, although the inhabitants belonging to those congregations, proceeded not so far as to all the ordinances of a more compleat Church-State among them. That which contributed more than a little to the growth of Christianity in those parts of New-England, was the application, which the people being tired with many quarrelsome circumstances about their government, made unto the general court of the Massachusetbay, to be taken under their protection; which petition of theirs being answered by that general court, surely after a more charitable and accountable manner, than such authors as Ogilby in his America have represented it, [ Vos magis Historicis, Lectores, Credite veris /|* there followed many successful endeavours to spread the effects and orders of the gospel along that coast.

But thus was the settlement of New-England brought about; these were the beginnings, these the foundations of those colonies, which have not only enlarged the English empire in some regards more than any other outgoings of our nation, but also afforded a singular prospect of churches erected in an American corner of the world, on purpose to express and pursue the Protestant Reformation.

CHAPTER Vis.

HECATOMPOLIS;+ OR, A FIELD WHICH "IE LORD HATH BLESSED. A MAP OF THE COUNTRY.

Ir is proper that I should now give the reader an Ecclesiastical Map of the country, thus undertaken. Know, then, that although for more than twenty years, the blasting strokes of Heaven upon the secular affairs of this country have been such, as rather to abate than enlarge the growth of it; yet there are to be seen in it, at this present year 1696, these Colonies, Counties, and Congregations.

T The Numbers and Places of the Christian Congregations, now worshipping our Lord Jesus Christ, in the several Colonies of New.England, and the Names of the Ministers at this time employed in the service of those Congregations.

Notandum, Where the name of any minister hath H. C. added unto it in our catalogue, it is to be understood that Harvard-Colledge was the mother in whose arms that minister was educated.

I. In Plymouth colony there are three counties; and the several con. gregations therein are thus accomodated:

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OR, THE HISTORY OF NEW-ENGLAND.

PLYMOUTH COUNTY MINISTERS.

Bridgewater, Mr. James Keith. Middlebury, Mr. eae Duzbury, % Ichabod Wiswul, H. C, Plymouth, % John Cotton, H.C. Marshfield, “ Edward Thompson, H.C, Scituate, which hath two churches, Mr, Jeremiah Cushing, H. C. and Mr. Deodate Lawson. BARNSTABLE COUNTY MINISTERS. Barnstable, Mr. Jonathan Russel, H. C, Rochester, Mr. ——— Arnold. Eastham, % Samuel Treat, H, C, Sandwich, Rowland Cotton. H. 0,

Falmouth, Harwich) Nathaniel Stone, H. C, Yarmouth, % John Cotton, H. C.

and Manamoyet, BRISTOL COUNTY MINISTERS.

Bristol, Mr. John Sparhawk, H. C. | Litdle-Compton, Mr. Eliphelet Adams, H. C, Dartmouth, PERISHING WITHOUT VISION. Swansy, 6 —— ——— Freetown, Mr. —— Tanton, “ Samuel Danforth, H. C,

Hereto an ecclesiastical reckoning may annex the Islands of— Martha's Vineyard, Mr. Ralph Thatcher, Mr. Denham, besides Jndian churches and pastors. : Nantucket, Indian Pastors, | Newport, in Rhode-Island, Mr. Nathaniel Clap, H. C.

II. In Massachuset colony are four counties, and the several congregations in them are so supplied:

THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLK MINISTERS. Of the Old church, Mr. James Allen, Mr. Benj. Wadsworth, H. C, Boston, Of the North church, Mr. Increase Mather, President of the Coliedge, and his son Cotton Mather, H.C.

Of the South church, Mr. Samuel Wilward, H. ©,

Besides these, there is in the town a small congrogation that worship God with the ceremonies of the Church of

England; served generally by a change of persons, occasionally visiting these parts of the world. And another small congregation of Antipedo-Baptists, wherein Mr. Emblin is the settled minister, And a French congregation of Protestant Refugees, under the pastoral cares of Monsieur Daille.

Braintree, Mr. Moses Fisk, H. C. Mendon, Mr. Grindal Rawson, H. ©. De.tham, “ Joseph Belcher, H. C. Milton, “% Petér Thacher, H. C. Dorchester, % John Danforth, H.C. Rozbury, Nehemiah Walter, H.C. Hingham, & John Norton, H. C. Weymouth, % Samuel Torrey, H. C. Hull, % Zechariah Whitman, H.C. Woodstock, % Josiah wight, H.C. Medfield, % Joseph Baxter, H.C. Wrentham, “ Samuel Man, H. C.

THE COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX MINISTERS.

Billerica, Mr, Samuel Whiteing, H. C. Newtown, Mr. Nehemiah Hobart, H. C, Cambridge, “ William Brattle, H. C. Oxford, “ Charles-town, “ Charles Morton. Reading, “ Jonathan Pierpont, H. C. Chelmsford, “ Thomas Clark, H. C. Sherborn, “% Daniel Gookin, H. C. Concord, Joseph Eastabrook, H. C, Stow, “ Dunstable, % Thomas Weld, H. C. Sudbury, James Sherman. Groton, . Gershom Hobart, H. C, East, Mr. Henry Gibs, H. ©. Lancaster, John Whiteing, H. C. Watertown, ; West, Mr. Samuel Angier, H. C, Malborough, “ William Brinsmead, H. C. Woburn, Mr. Jabez Fox, H. C. Malden, “ Michael Wigglesworth, H.C. Worcester, Medford, % Simon Bradstreet, H. C. CHE COUNTY OF ESSEX MINISTERS.

Amesbury, Mr. (Barnard, H.C. | Manchester, Mr. John Emerson, H. C. Andover, “% Francis Dean, and Mr.Thomas | Marbleh-ad, “% Samuel Cheever, H. C. Beverly, & John Hale, H.C. East, Mr, Tappin, EH. C. Borford, We eruigets Newbury, ; Wesr, Mr. Samuel Belcher, H.C. Bradford, “ Zechariah Symmey, H.C, Rowly, Mr. Edward Payson, H. C. Glocester, “ John Emerson, H.C. Salem, & John Higginson, and Nicholas Haveril, ° Benjamin Rolfe, H. C. And village, Sami. Paris, H.C. [Noyes,H.C. 'pswich, “ Wm. Hubbard and John Rog- | Salsbury, “ Caleb Cushing, H. C. And village, “ John Wise,H.C. — [ers, H.C, Topsfield, “% Joseph Capen, H, C. Lyn, Jeremiah Shepard, H. C. Wenham, “ Joseph Gerish, H. C.

THE COUNTY OF HAMPSHIRE MINISTERS. Deerfield, Mr. John Williams, H, C. Northampton, Mr. Solomon Stoddard, H. C. Fndfield, os —— Springfield, s¢ Daniel Brewer, H.C. Hatfield, William Williams, H. C. Southfield, Benjamin Ruggles, H. C.

Hadley, “

— Westfield, Edward Taylor, H. C.

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&

Te which, Uf we add the Congregations in Piscataqua.

Dover, Mr, John Pike, H. ©. And in the Province of Maine, Exeter, % John Clark, H.C, Tale of Sholea, Mr. — Hampton, “% John Cotton, H. O, Kittery, s—— ———

* Newcastle, % Bamuel Moodey, H.C, Welle, York, Hancock, H, ©. Portsmouth, % Joshua Moodey, H. O,

III. In Connecticut colony there are four counties, and the several congregations therein are illuminated by these preachers of the gospel:

HARTFORD COUNTY MINISTERS.

Glastendury, “ Nmothy Stevens, H. C, Waterbury, Jeremiah Peck, H, C. Hadham, % Jeremiah Hobart, H.C. Wetherafield, Steven Mix, H. C. Hartford, old church, “ Timothy Woodbridge, H. C. Windsor, Samuel Mather, H. C, De. wew dea “% Thomas Buckingham, H. 0. And Farme, Timothy Edwards, H, C, Middletown, “ Noadiah Russel, H. C, Windham, Samuel Whiting. NEW LONRON COUNTY MINIST™ RS. Killingworth, Mr, Abraham Pierson, H. C, Pescamsik, Mr. Joseph Mors, H. 0. Ledanon, 6 Preston, “Samuel Tread, H. C. Linne, & Moeos Noyse, H.C, Saybrook, Thomas Buckingham. New London, “ Gorton Saltongtal, H. C, Stonington, “ James Noyse, H. ©. Norwicd, % Jamoa Fitch, NEW-HAVEN COUNTY MINISTERS. Brainford, Nr, Samuol Russel, H, C. Milford, Mr. Samuel Andrews, H. C. Derby, “ John Jamos, H, OC, New- Havens James Pierpont, H. C. Guilford, “ Thomas Ruggles, H, OC. Wallingford, % Samuel Street, H. 0. FAIRFIELD COUNTY MINISTERS. Danbury, Mr, Soth Shove, H. C, Rye, Mr. Bowers, H. ©. Fairfield, & Joseph Wed, H.C, Stamford, John Davenport, H. C, Fairfield village, * Charles Chaunvey, H. C, Stratford, “& Israel Chauncey, H. C, Greenwicd, & Joseph Morgan. Woodbury, % Zachariah Walker, H. C, Norwalk, @ Steves Buckingham, H. C.

REMARKS UPON THE CATALOGUE OF PLANTATIONS.

§ 1. There‘are few towns to be now seen in our list but what were existing in this land before the dreadful Indian war, which befel us twenty years ago; and there are few towns broken up within the then Massachuset-line by that war, but what have revived out of their ashes. Nevertheless, the many calamities which have ever since been wasting of the country, have so nipt the growth of it, that its later progress hath held no proportion with what was /rom the beginning; but yet with such variety, that while the trained companies of some towns are no bigger than they were thirty or forty years ago, others are as big again.

§ 2. The calamities that have carried off the inhabitants of our several towns have not been all of one sort; nor have all our towns had an equal share in any sort, Pestilential sicknesses have made fearful havock in divers places, where the sound perhaps have not been enough to tend the sick; while others have not had one touch from that angel of death. And the sword hath cut off scores in sundry places, when others, it may be, have not lost a man by that avenger.

§ 8. "Tis no unusual, though no universal experiment among us, that while an excellent, laborious, illuminating ministry has been continued in

cona town, the place has thriven to admiration; but ever since éhat man’s time, they have gone down the wind in all their intereste The gospel has evidently been the making of our towns, and the blessin,, f the upper have, been accompanied with the blessings of the nether-springs. Memorable alsv is the remark of Slingsby Bethel, Esq., in his most judicious book of The Interest of Europe: “Were not the cold climate of New-England supplied by good laws and discipline, the barrenness of that country would never have brought people to it, nor have advanced it in consideration and formidableness above the other English plantations, exceeding it much in fertility, and other inviting qualities.”

§ 4. Well may New-England lay claim to the name it wears, and to a room in the tenderest affections of its mother, the happy Island/ for as there are few of our towns but what have tneir name-sakes in England, so the reason why most of our towns are called what they are, is because the chief of the first inhabitants would thus bear up the names of the particular places there from whence they came.

§ 5. I have heard an aged saint, near his death, cheerfully thus express himself: ‘Well, I am going to heaven, and I will there tell the faithful, who are gone long since from New-England thither, that though they who gathered our churches are all dead and gone, yet the churches are still alive, with as numerous flock of Christians as ever were among them.” Concerning the most of the churches in our catalogue, the report thus carried unto heaven, I must now also send through the earth; but if with as numerous, we could in every respect say, as gracious, what joy unto all the saints, both in heaveu and on earth, might be from thence occasioned!

THE BOSTONIAN EBENEZER.

SOME HISTORICAL REMARKS ON THE STATE OF BOSTON, THE CHIEF TOWN OF NEW-ENGLAND, AND OF THE ENGLISH AMERICA,

WITH

SOME AGREEABLE METHODS

FOR PRESERVING AND PROMOTING THE GOOD STATE OF THAT, AS WELL AS ANY OTHER TOWN IN THE LIKE CIRCUMSTANCES,

Urbs Metropolis, ut sit maxima Auctoritatis, constituatur precipuum pietatie Ezemplum +t Cacrarivm.”® Acuon. Pott.

THE HISTORY OF BOSTON RELATED AND IMPROVED.

AT BOSTON LECTURE, 7 D. 9 M., 1698,

REMARKABLE and memorable was the time, when an army of terrible destroyers was coming against one of the chief towns in the land of Israel. God rescued the town from the irresistible fury xnd approach of those destroyers, by an immediate hand of heaven upon them. Upon that miraculous rescue of the town, and of the whole country, whose fate was much enwrapped in it, there followed that action of the Prophet SAMUEL which is this day to be, with some imitation, repeated in the midst of thee, O Bosron, thou helped of the Lord.

Then Samuel took a stone, and set it up, and called the name of it Engn-Ezer, saying, Hitherto the Lord hath helped us.—1 Sam. vii. 12.

The thankful servants of God have used sometimes to erect monuments of stone, as durable tokens of their thankfulness to God for mercies received in the places thus distinguished. Jacob did so; Joshua did so; and Samuel did so; but they so did it, as to keep clear of the transgression forbidden in Lev. xxvi. 1: “Ye shall not set up an image of stone in your land, for to bow down unto it.”

The Stone erected by Samuel, with the name of Ebenezer, which is as much as to say a stone of help; I know not whether any thing might be writ upon it, but I am sure there is one thing to be now read upon it, by

* A metrorulitan city, in order to command the widest influence, should become a special exemplar and depository of piety.

our selves, in the text where we find it: namely, thus much, “That people whom the God of Heaven hath remarkably helped in their dis tresses, ought greatly and gratefully to acknowledge what help of heaven they have received.” Now 'tis not my design to lay the scene of my discourse a3 far off as CON, Bethcar, the place where Samuel set up his Ebenezer. I am immediately to transfer it into the heart of Boston, a place where the remarkable help received from Heaven by the people, does loudly call for an Ebenezer. And I do not ask you to change the name of the town into that of Helpstone, as there is a town in England of that name, which may seem the English of Ebenezer; but my Sermon shall be this day, your Ebenezer, if you will with a favourable and a profitable attention entertain it. May

ee the Lord Jesus Christ accept me, and assist me now to glorifie him in the: . town where I drew my first sinful breath; a town whereto I am under great obligations for the precious opportunities to glorifie him, which I

a have quietly and publickly enjoyed therein for near eighteen years

together. ‘O, my Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen riam?® me this once, to speak from thee unto thy people!’’ And now, sirs, that I may set up an EBENEZER among you, there are these things to be inculcated. I. Let us thankfully, and agreeably, and particularly acknowledge what

HELP we have received from the God of Heaven, in the years that have rrible: rouled over us. While the blessed Apostle Paul was, as it should ‘seem, srael. yet short of being threescore years old, how affectionately did he set up those an Ebenezer, with an acknowledgment in Acts xxvi. 22: “Having

that obtained help of God, I continue to this day!” Our town is now threewas score and eight years old; and certainly ’tis time for us, with all possible MUEL affection, to set up our Ebenezer, saying, ‘Having obtained help from thee, God, the town is continued until almost the age of man is passed over it!” The town hath indeed three elder sisters in this colony, but it hath wonderfully outgrown them all; and her mother, Old Boston, in England

Pines also; yea, within a few years after the first settlement, it grew to be THE METROPOLIS OF THE WHOLE ENGLISH AMERICA, Little was this expected ments by them that first settled the town, when for a while Boston was proverb- Prcies 4 ially called Lost-town, for the mean and sad circumstances of it. But, O d so; Boston! it is because thou hast obtained help from God, even from the ssion Lord Jesus Christ, who for the sake of his gospel, preached and once prized your here, undertook thy patronage. When the world and. the church of God had seen twenty-six generations, a psalm was composed, wherein that: is as note occurs with twenty-six repetitions: ‘‘His mercy endureth for ever.” : ht be Truly there has not one year passed over this town, Ab Urbe Condita,* by. upon the story whereof we might not make that note our Ebenezer: “His mercy endureth for ever.” It has been a town of great experiences, jar and \ * Since the city was founded.

There have been several years wherein the terrible famine hath terribly stared the town in the face; we have been brought sometimes unto the last meal in the barrel; we have cried out with the disciples, ‘We have not loaves enough to feed a tenth part of us!” but the feared famine 108 always been kept off; always we have had seasonable and sufficient supplies after a surprizing manner sent in unto us: let the three last years in this thing most eminently proclaim the goodness of our heavenly Shepherd and Feeder. This has been the help of our God; because “his mercy endureth for ever!” The angels of death have often shot the arrows of death into the midst of the town; the small-pox has especially four times been a great plague upon us: how often have there been bills desiring prayers for more than an hundred sick on one day in one of our assemblies? in one twelve-month, about one ihousand of our neighbours have one way or other been carried unto their long home: and yet we are, after all, many more than seven thousand souls of us at this hour living on the spot. Why is not a “Lord, have mercy upon us,” written on the doors of our abandoned habitations? This hath been the help of our God, because “his mercy endureth for ever.” Never was any town under the cope of heaven more liable to be laid in ASHES, either through the carelessness or through the wickedness of them that sleep in it. That such a combustible heap of contiguous houses yet stands, it may be called a standing miracle; it is not because “the watchman keeps the city; perhaps there may be too much cause of reflection in that thing, and of inspection too; no, “it is from thy watchful protection, O thou keeper of Boston, who neither slumbers nor sleeps.” TEN TIMES has the fire made notable Tuins among us, and our good servant been almost our master; but the ruins have mostly and quickly been rebuilt. I suppose that many more than a thousand houses are to be seen on this little piece of ground, all filled with the undeserved favours of God. Whence this preservation? This hath been the help of our God; because “his mercy endureth for ever!” But if ever this town saw a year of salvations, transcendently such was the last year unto us. A formidable French squadron hath not shot one bomb into the midst of thee, O thou munition of rocks/ our streets have not run with blood and gore, and horrible devouring flames have not raged upon our substance: those are ignorant, and unthinking, and unthankful men, who do not own that we have narrowly ezcaped as dreadful things as Carthagena, or Newfoundland, have suffered. I am sure our more considerate friends beyond-sea were very suspicious, and well nigh despairing, that victorious enemies had swallowed up the town. But “thy soul is escaped, O Boston, as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers.” Or, if you will be insensible of this, ye vain men, yet be sensible that an English squadron hath not brought among us the tremendous pestilence, under which a neighbouring plantation hath undergone prodigious desolations. Boston, ’tis a marvellous thing a plague has not laid thee desolate!

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Our deliverance from our friends has been as full of astonishing mercy, as our deliverance from our foes, We read of a certain city in Isa, xix. 18, called, “The city of Destruction.” Why so? some say, because delivered from destruction. If that be so, then hast thou been a city of destruction: or I will rather say, a city of salvation: and this by the help of God; because “his mercy endureth for ever.” Shall I goon? I will. We have not had the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, like many other places. But yet all this while “our eyes have seen our teachers.’ Here are several “golden candlesticks” in the town. ‘Shining and burning lights” have illuminated them. There are gone to shine in an higher orb seven divines that were once the séars of this town, in the pastoral charge of it; besides many others, that for some years gave us transient influences, Churches flourishing with much love, and peace, and many “comforts of the Holy Spirit,” have hitherto been our greatest glory. I wish that some sad eclipse do not come ere long upon this glory/ The dispensations of the gospel were never enjoyed by any town with more liberty and purity for so long a while together. Our opportunities to draw near unto the Lord Jesus Christ in his ordinances, cannot be paralleled. Boston, thou hast been lifted up to heaven; there is not a town upon earth which, on some accounts, has more to answer for. Such, O such has been our help from our God, because “his mercy endureth for ever.”

II. Let us acknowledge WHOSE help it is that we have received, and not “give the glory of our God unto another.” Poorly helped had we been, I may tell you, if we had none but humane help all this while to depend upon. The favours of our superiors we deny not; we forget not the instruments of our help. Nevertheless, this little outcast Zion shall, with my consent, engyave the name of no MAN upon her Ebenezer! It was well confessed in Psal. eviii. 12, “Vain is the help of man!” It was well counselled in Psal. exlvi. 8, “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.”

Wherefore, first, let God in our Lord Jesus Curist have the glory of bestowing on us all the help that we have had. When the Spirit of God came upon a servant of his, he cried out unto David, in 1 Chron. xii. 18, “Thy God helpeth thee.’ This is the voice of God from heaven to Boston this day, “Thy God hath helped thee: thou hast by thy sin destroyed thy self, but in thy God hath been thy help.” A great man once building an edifice, caused an inscription of this importance to be written on the gates of it: “Such a place planted me, such a place watered me, and Cresar gave the increase.” One that passed by, with a witty sarcasm, wrote under it, Hic Deus nihil fecit; i. e. “God, it seems, did nothing for this man.” But the inscription upon our Ebenezer, owning what help this town hath had, shall say, “Our God hath done all that is done!” Say then, O helped Boston, say as in Psal. cxxi. 2, “My help is from the Lord which made heaven and earth.” Say as in Psal. xciv. 17, “Unless the Lord had been

my help, my soul had quickly dwelt in silence.” And boldly say, “’Tis only because the Lord has been my helper, that earth and hell have never done all that they would unto me.”’

Let our Lord Jesus Curist be praised as our blessed helper! that stone which the foolish builders have refused, Oh! set up that stone; even that high rock: set him on high in our praises, and say, that “that is our Ebenezer.” ’Tis our Lord Jesus CuRIst, who in his infinite compassions for the | town hath said, as in Isa, Ixiii. 5, “I looked, and there was none to help; therefore my own arm hath brought salvation unto it.” It is foretold concerning the idolatrous Roman Catholicks, that together with the Lord Jesus Christ, they shall worship other Mauzzim; that is to say, other protectors, Accordingly, all their towns ordinarily have singled out their protectors among the saints of heaven; such a saint is entitled unto the patronage of: such a town among them, and such a saint for another: old Boston, by name, was but Saint Botolph’s town. Whereas thou, O Boston, shalt have but one protector in heaven, and that is our Lord Jesus Curist. Oh! rejoice in him alone, and say, ‘the Lord is my fortress and my deliverer!” There was a song once made for a town, which in its distresses had been helped wonderously; and the first clause in that song, (you have it in isa. xxvi. 1,) may be so rendered: ‘We have a strong town; salvation [or JEsus the Lord, whose name hath salvation in it] will appoint walls and bulwarks.” Truly what help we have had we will sing, “’Tis our JEsus that hath ry appointed them.” ‘The old pagan towns were sometimes mighty solicitous to conceal the name of the particular god that they counted their protector, Ne ab hostibus Evocatus, alié commigraret.* But I shall be far from doing my town any damage by publishing the name of its protector; no, let all mankind know, tliat the name of our protector is Jesus Curist: for “among the gods there is none like unto thee, O, Lorp: nor is any help like unto thine: and there is no rock like to our God.”

Yea, when we ascribe the name of helper unto our Lord JEsus Curist, let us also acknowledge that the name is not sufficiently expressive, emphatical and significant. Lactantius of old blamed the heathen for giving the highest of their gods no higher a title than that of Jupiter, or Juvans pater, i, e. an helping father; and he says, Non intelligit Divina Beneficia, qui se a | Deo tantummodo Juvari putat: (the kindnesses of God are not understood: by that man who makes no more than an helper of him.) Such indeed is the penury of our language, that we cannot coin a more expressive name. . Nevertheless, when we say, the Lord JEsus Curisr hath been our helper, a; let us intend more than we express; “Lord, thou hast been ail unto us.” :

Secondly, Let the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ most explicitely have the glory of purchasing for us all our help. What was it that procured an Ebenezer for the people of God? We read in 2 Sam. vii. 9, “Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it a burnt-offering wholly unto

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the Lord; and Samuel cried unto the Lord for Israel, and the Lord heard him.” Shall I tell you? Our Lord Jesus Christ is that lamb of God; and he has been a lamb slain as a sacrifice; and he is a sacrifice pleadable not only for persons, but also for peoples that belong unto him. To teach us this evangelical and comfortable mystery, there was a sacrifice for the whole congregation prescribed in the Mosaic Predagogy. ‘Tis notorious that the sins of this town have been many sins, and mighty sins; the “cry thereof hath gone up to heaven.” If the Almighty God should from heaven rain down upon the town an horrible tempest of thuderbolts, as he did upon the cities “which he overthrew in his anger, and repented not,” it would be no more than our unrepented sins deserve. How comes it then to pass that we have had so much help from Heaven after all? Truly the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ has been pleaded for Boston, and therefore say, therefore it is that the town is not made a sacrifice to the vengeance of God. God sent help to the town that was the very heart and life of the land that he had a pity for: but why so? He said in Isa, xxxvii, 85, “I will defend this town, to save it for my servant David’s sake.” Has this town been defended? It has been for the sake of the beloved JEsus: therefore has the daughter of Boston shaken her head at you, O ye calamities that have been impending over her head. O, helped and happy town! thou hast had those believers in the midst of thee, that have pleaded this with the great God: “Ah! Lord, thou hast been more honoured by the sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ, than thou couldst be honoured by overwhelming this town with all the plagues of thy just indignation. If thou wilt spare, and feed, and keep, and help this poor town, the sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ shall be owned as the prize of all our help.” Tis this that hath procured us all our help: ’tis éaés that must have all our praise.

Thirdly, Let the Lord be in a special manner glorified for the ministry of his good angels, in that help that has been ministered unto us. A Jacob, lying on a stone, saw the angels of God helping him. We are setting up an Ebenezer; but when we lay our heads and our thoughts upon the stone, let us then see, the angels of God have helped us. When Macedonia was to have some help from God, an angel, whom the apostle in Acts xvi. 9, saw habited like a man of Macedonia, was a mean of its being brought unto them. There is abundant cause to think that every town in which the Lord Jesus Christ is worshipped, hath an angel to watch over it. The primitive Christians were perswaded from the scriptures of truth to make no doubt of this, Quod per Civitates distribute sunt Angelorum prefecture.* When the capital town of Judea was rescued from an invasion, we read in 2 Kings xix. 85, ‘The angel of the Lord WENT out, and smote the camp of the Assyrians.” It should seem there was an angel which did reside in, and preside over the town, who went out for that amazing exploit. And is it not likely, that the angel of the Lord went out for to smite

* That angel-guards were stationed along the various cities where they dwelt,

MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA;

the fleet of the Assyrians with a sickness, which the last summer hindered their invading of this town? The angel of Boston was concerned for it! Why have not the destroyers broke in upon us, to prey upon us with sore destruction? ‘Tis because we have had a wall of fire about us; that is to say, a guard of angels; those flames of fire have been as a wall unto us. It was an angel that helped a Daniel when the lions would else have swallowed him up. It was an angel that helped a Lot out of the fires that were coming to consume his habitation. It was an angel that helped an Elias to meat when he wanted it. They were angels that helped the whole people of God in the wilderness to their daily bread; their manna was angel’s food: and is it nothing that such angels have done for this town, think you? Oh! think not so. Indeed, if we should go to thank the angels for doing these things, they would zealously say, “See thou do it not!” But if we thank their Lord and ours for his employing them to do these things, it will exceedingly gratifie them. Wherefore, ‘Bless ye the Lord, ye his angels; and bless the Lord, O my town, for those his angels.”

III. Let the help which we have hitherto had from our God, encourage us to hope in him for MORE HELP hereafter as the matter may require. The help that God had given to his people of old was commemorated, as with monumental pillars, conveying down the remembrance of it unto their children. And what for? We are told in Psal. Ixxviii. 7, “That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God.” I am not willing to say how much this town may be threatned, even with an witter extirpation. But this I will say, the motto upon all our Ebenezers is, Hope 1n Gop! Horr 1n Gop! The use of the former help that we have had from God, should be an hope for future help from hin, that is “a present help in the time of trouble.” As in the three first verses of the eighty-fifth Psalm, six times over there occurs, “Thou hast,” “Thou hast,” all to usher in this, “Therefore thou wir still do so,” O let our faith proceed in that way of arguing in 2 Cor. i. 10, “The Lord hath delivered, and he doth deliver, and in him we trust that he will still deliver.” We are to-day writing, “Hitherto the Lord hath helped us;” let us write under it, ‘And we hope the Lord has more help for us in the time of need!” It may be some are purposing suddenly and hastily to leave the town through their fears of the straits that may come upon it. But I would not have you be too sudden and hasty in your purposes, as too many have been unto their after-sorrow. There was a time when people were so discouraged about a subsistence in the principal town of the Jews, that they talked of plucking up stakes, and flying away; but the minister of God came to them, (and so do I to you this day!) saying, in Isa. xxx. 7, “I cried concerning this, their strength is to sit still!’ Boston was no sooner come to some consistence threescore years ago, but the people found themselves plunged into a sad non-plus what way to take for <. subsistence, God then immediately put them into a way, and “hitherto the Lord has

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lence, has

OR, THE HISTIRY OF NEW-ENGLAND.

hglped us!” The town is at this day full of widows and orphans, and a multitude of them are very helpless creatures. I am astonished how they live! In that church whereof I am the servant, I have counted the widows make about a sixth part of our communicants, and no doubt in the whole town the rroportion differs not very much. Now stand still, my friends, and beho.d the help of God! Were any of these ever starved yet? No: these widows are every one in some sort provided for. And let me tell you, ye handmaids of the Lord, you shall be still provided for! The Lord, whose family you belong unto, will conveniently and wonderfully provide for you; if Zou say, and Oh! say of him, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear!”

What shall I say? When Moses was ready to faint in his prayers for his people, we read in Exod. xvii. 12, “They took a stone, and put it under him.” Christians, there are some of you who abound in prayers, that the help of God may be granted unto the town; the town is much upheld by those prayers of yours. Now, that you may not faint in your prayers, I bring you a stone: the stone, ’tis our Ebenezer; or, the relation of the help that hitherto the Lord hath given us.

IV. Let all that bear PUBLIC OFFICE in the town contribute all the help they can, that may continue the help of God unto us. Austin, in his Confessions, gives thanks to God, that when he was a helpless infant, he had a, nurse to help him, and one that was both able and willing to help him. Infant-Boston, thou hast those whom the Bible calls nursing-fathers. Oh, be not froward, as thou art in thy treating of thy nurses; but give thanks to God for them. I forget my self; ’tis with the fathers themselves that T am concerned.

When it was demanded of Demosthenes, what it was that so long preserved Athens in a flourishing state, he made this answer: “The orators are men of learning and wisdom, the magistrates do justice, the citizens love quiet, and the laws are kept among them all.” May Boston flourish in such happy order!

And first, you may assure yourselves that the MINISTERS of the Lord Jesus Christ among you will be joyful to approve themselves, as the Book. of God has called them, “The helpers of your joy.” , our dear flocks, we owe you our all; all our love, all our strength, all our time; we watch for you as those that must give sn account; and I am very much mistaken if we are not willing to die for you, too, if called unto it. If our Lord Jesus Christ should say to us, “My servant, if you'll die to-night, you shall have this reward: the people that you preach to shall be all converted unto me!” I think we should with triumphing souls reply, “Ah! Lord, then I’ll die with all my heart.” Sirs, we should go away “rejoycing with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” I am satisfied that the most furious and foul-mouthed reviler that God may give any of us to be buffeted withal, if he will but come to sober thoughis, he will say, That there is Von I1.—7

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not any one man in the town, but the ministers wish that man as well as they do their own souls, and would gladly serve that man by day or by night, in any thing that it were possible to do for him. ' Wherefore, O our beloved people, I beseech you leave off, leave off to throw stones at your Ebenezers. Instead of that, pray for us, and “strive together with us in your prayers to God for us.” Then with the help of Christ we'll promise you we will set our selves to observe what special truths may be most needful to be inculcated upon you, and we will inculcate them. We will set our selves to observe the temptations that beset you, the afflictions that assault you, and the duties that are incumbent on you; and we will accommodate our selves unto them. We will set offr selves to observe what souls among you do call for our more particular addreises, and we will address them faithfully, and even travel in birth for them. Nor will we give over praying, and fasting, and crying to our great Lorp for you until we die. Whatever other helpers the town enjoys, they shall have that convenience in Ezra v. 2, ‘With them were the prophets of God, helping them.” Well, then, let the rest of our worthy helpers lend an helping hand for the promoting of those things wherein the weal of the town is wrapped up! When the Jews thought that a defiling thing was breaking in among them, in Acts xxi. 28, “They cried out, Men of Israel, help!” ‘Truly there is cause to make that cry, “Men of Boston, help!” for ignorance, and prophaneness, and bad living, and the worst things in the world, are breaking in upon us.

And now will the Justices of the town set themselves to consider, How they may help to suppress all growing vices among us?

There are some who have the eye of the town so much upon them, that the very name of TOWNS-MEN is that by which they are distinguished. Sirs, will you also consider how to help the affairs of the town, so as that all things may go well among us?

Moreover, may not SCHOOL-MASTERS do much to ‘nstil principles of religion and civility, as well as other points of good education, into the children of the town? Only let the town well encourage its well-deserving school-masters.

There are sc.ae officers; but concerning all, there are these two things to be desired: First, it is to be desired that such officers as are chosen among us, may be chosen in the fear of God. May none but pious and prudent men, and such us love the town, be chosen to serve it. And, secondly, it is to be desired that officers of several sorts would often come together for consultation. Each of the sorts by themselves, may they often come together to consult, ‘ What shall we do to serve the town in those interests which are committed unto our charge?” Oh! what a deplorable thing will it be for persons to be entrusted with talents, (your opportunities to serve the

| as town are so many talents!) and they never seriously consider, ‘What good by shall I do with my talents in the place where God hath stationed me?” our And will the REPRESENTATIVES of the town be considered among the your rest, as entrusted with some singular advantages for our help? The Lord s in give you understanding in all things! mise V. God help the town to manifest all that przery, which a town so helped most of him is obliged unto! When the people of God had been carried by will his help through their difficulties, they set up s&mes to keep in mind how that he had helped them; and something was written on the stones: but what com was written? see Josh. viii. 82, “Joshua wrote upon the stones a copy of what the law.” Truly upon those Ebenezers which we set up, we should write 2 will pia the law of our God, and recognize the obligations which the help of our ill we God has laid upon us to keep it. r you We are a very unpardonable town, if, after all the help which our God have has given us, we do not ingenuously enquire, “ What shall we render to God, the Lord for all his benefits?” Render! Oh! let us our selves thus answer nd an the enquiry: “Lord, we will render all possible and filial obedience unto of the thee, because hitherto thou hast helped us: only do thou also help us to 1g Was render that obedience!”” Mark what I say: if there be so much as one Israel, prayerless house in such a town as this, ’tis inexcusable! How inexcusable help!” then will be all flagitious outrages? There was a town (’twas the town ings in a of Sodom!) that had been wonderfully saved out of the hands of their enemies. But after the help that God sent unto them, the town went on nsider, to sin against God in very prodigious instances, At last a provoked God. sent a fire upon the town that made it an eternal desolation. Ah, Boston, w they beware, beware, lest the sins of Sodom get footing in thee! And what

were the sins of Sodom? We find in Hzek. xvi. 49, “Behold, this was the iniquity of Sodom; pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and the needy;” there was much oppression there. Ifyou know of any scandalous disorders in the town, do all you can to suppress them, and redress them; and let not those that send their sons hither from other parts of the world, for to be improved in virtue, have cause to complain, “That after they came to Boston, they lost what little virtue was before budding in them; that in Boston they grew more debauched and more malignant than ever they were before!” It was noted concerning the famous town of Port-Royal in Jamaica, which you know was the other day swallowed up in a stupendous earthquake, that just before the earthquake the people were violently and scandalously set upon going to Fortune-tellers upon all occasions: much notice was taken of this impiety generally prevailing among the people: but none of those wretched Fortune-tellers could foresee or forestal the direful catastrophe. I have heard that there are Fortunetellers in this town sometimes consulted by some of the sinful inhabitants, I wish the town could be made too hot for these dangerous transgressors,

I am sure the preservation of the town from horrendous earthquakes, is one thing that bespeaks our Ebenezers; ’tis from the merciful help of our God unto us. But beware, I beseech you, of those provoking evils that may expose us to a plague, exceeding all that are in the catalogue of the twenty-eighth of Deuteronomy. Let me go on to say, What! shall there be any bawdy-houses in such a town as this! It may be the neighbours, that could smoke them, and rout them, if they would, are loth to stir, for fear of being reputed ill neighbours. But I say unto you, that you are ill neighbours because you do it not. Ail the neighbours are like to have their children and servants poisoned, and their dwellings laid in ashes, because you do it not. And, Oh! that the drinking-houses in the town might once come under a laudable regulation. The town has an enormous number of them; will the hawnters of those houses hear the counsels of Heaven? For you that are the town-dwellers, to be oft or long in your visits of the ordinary, ’twill certainly expose you to mischief’ more than ordinary. I have seen certain taverns, where the pictures of horrible devourers were hanged out for the signs; and, thought I, ’twere well if such signs were not sometimes too significant: alas, men have their estates devoured, their names devoured, their hours devoured, and their very souls devoured, when they are so besotted that they are not iu their element, except they be tipling at such houses. When once a man is bewitched with the ordinary, what usually becomes of him? He is a gone man; and when he comes to die, he will cry out, as many have done, “ Alehouses are hell-houses! ale-houses are hell-houses!” But let the owners of those houses also now hear our counsels. “Oh! hearken to me, that God may hearken to you another day!” It is an honest, and a lawful, though it may not be a very desirable employment, that you have undertaken: you may glorifie the Lord Jesus Christ in your employment if you will, and benefit the town considerably. There was a very godly man that was an innkeeper, and a great minister of God could say to that man, in 8 John 2, “Thy soul prospereth.”” O let it not be said of you, since you are fallen into this employment, “Thy soul withereth!” It is thus with too many: especially, when they that get a license perhaps to sell drink out of doors, do stretch their license to sell within doors. Those private houses, when once a professor of the gospel comes to steal living out of them, it commonly precipitates them into an abundance of wretchedness and confusion. But I pray God assist you that keep ordinaries, to keep the commandments of God in them. There was an Inn at Bethlehem where the Lord Jesus Curist was to be met withal. Can Boston boast of many such? Alas, too ordinarily it may be said, “there is no room for him in the Inn!” My friends, let me beg it of you, banish the

unfruitful works of darkness from your houses, and then the sun of right- _

éousness will shine upon them. Don’t countenance drunkenness, revelling, and mis-spending of precious time in your houses; let none have the snares

kes, is of our is that of the. there bours, tir, for ou are o have ashes, > town ormous sels of n your re than 10rrible well if * estates ry souls slement, witched 1e man; e, Aleowners me, that y lawful, b undernt if you ily man at man, bu, since is thus 5 to sell Those s living wretcharies, to Bethle- Boston e is no ish the

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of death laid for them in your houses. You'll say, “I shall starve then!” I say, “Better starve than sin:” but you shall not. It is the word of the Most High, “Trust in the Lord, and do good, and verily thou shalt be fed.” And is: not peace of conscience, with a little, better than those riches that will shortly melt away, and then run like scalding metal down the very bowels of thy soul?

What shall I say more? There is one article of piety more to be recommended unto us all; and it is an articie which all piety does exceedingly turn upon, that is, THE SANCTIFICATION OF THE LorD’s DAY. Some very judicious persons have observed, that as “they sanctify the Lord’s day, remissly or carefully, just so their affairs usually prospered all the ensuing week.” Sirs, you cannot more consult the prosperity of the town, in all its affairs, than by endeavouring that the Lord’s day may be exemplarily sanctified. When people about Jerusalem took too much liberty on the Sabbath, the ruler of the town contended with them, and said, “Ye bring wrath upon Israel, by prophaning the Sabbath.” I fear—I fear there are many among us, to whom it may be said, “Ye bring wrath upon Boston, by prophaning the Sabbath.” And what wrath? Ah, Lord, prevent it! But there is an awful sentence in Jer. xvii. 27, “If ye will not hearken unto me, to sanctifie the Sabbath day, then will I kindle a fire on the town, and it shall devour, and shall not be quenched.”

Finally, Let the piety of the town manifest it self in a due regard unto the Institutions of Him whose help has hitherto been a shield unto us, Let the ark be in the town, and God will bless the town! I believe it may be found, that in the mortal scourges of heaven, which this town has felt, there has been a discernable distinction of thuse that have come up to attend all the ordinances of the Lord Jesus Christ, in the communion of his churches, Though these have had, as ’tis fit they shouid, a share in the common deaths, yet the destroying angel has not had so great a proportion of these in his commission, as he has had of others. Whether this be so, or no, to uphold, and support, and attend the ordinances of the Lord Jesus Christ in reforming churches, this will entitle the town to the help of heaven; for, ‘Upon the glory there shall be a defence!” There were the victorious forces of Alexander, that in going backward and forward, passed by Jerusalem without hurting it. Why so? Said the Lord in Zech. ix. 8, “I will encamp about my house, because of the army.” If our God have an house here, he’ll encamp about it. Nazianzen, a famous minister of the gospel, taking his farewel of Constantinople, an old man that had sat under his ministry, cried out, “Oh! my father, don’t you dare to go away: you'll carry the whole Trinity with you!” How much more may it be cried out, “If we lose or slight the ordinances of the Lord Jesus Christ, we forego the help of all the Trinity with them!”

VI. Extraordinary EQUITY and CHARITY, as well as piety, well becomes a town that hath been by the help of God so extraordinarily signalized,

A town marvellously helped by God, has this foretold concerning it, in Isa, i, 26, “Afterward thou shalt be called, the city of righteousness, the faithful city.” May the Ebenezers of this town render it a town of equity, and a town of charity! Oh! there should be none but fair dealings in a town wherewith Heaven has dealt so favourably. Let us deal fairly in bargains; deal fairly in taxes; deal fairly in paying respects to such as have been benefactors unto the town. "Tis but equity, that they who have been old standers in the town, and both with person and estate served the town unto the utmost for many yeors together, should gn all proper occasions be considered. For charity—I may indeed speak it without flattery—this town has not many equals cn the face of the earth. Our Lord Jesus Christ from heaven wrote unto the good people of a town in the lesser Asia, [Rev. ii, 19,] “I know thy works and charity.” From that blessed Lord I may venture to bring that message unto the good people of this town; “the glorious Lord of heaven knows thy works, O Boston, and all thy charity.” This is a poor town, and yet it may be said of the Bostonians, as it was of the Macedonians, “their deep poverty hath abounded unto the riches of their liberality.” O ye bountiful people of God, all your daily bounties to the needy, all your subscriptions to send the bread of life abroad unto places that are perishing in wickedness, all your collections in your assemblies as often as they are called for; “all these alms are come up for a memorial before God!” The Lord Jesus Christ in heaven hath beheld your helpfulness, and readiness to every good work; and he hath requited it with his helpful Ebenezers. It was said, in Isa, xxxii, 8, “The liberal deviseth liberal things, and by liberal things he shall stand.” There are some in this town that are always devising liberal things, and our Lord Jesus Christ lets the town stand for the sake of those! Instead of exhorting you to augment your charity, I will rather utter an exhortation, or at least a supplication, that you may not abuse you: charity by misapplying of it. I remember I have read, that an inhabitant of the city Pisa being asked why their town so went, as it then did, unto decay?—he fetched a deep sigh, and said, “Our young men are too prodigal, our old men are too affectionate, and we have no punishment for those that spend their years in idleness.” Ah! the last stroak of that complaint I must here sigh it over again. dleness, alas! tdleness increases in the town exceedingly; idleness, of which there never came any goodness! idleness, which is a “reproach to any people.” We work hard all summer, and the drones count themselves wronged if they have it not in the winter divided among them. The poor that can’t work, are objects for your liberality. But the poor that can work and won’t, the

MAGNAUIA CHRISTI AMERICANA;

best liberality to them is to make them. I beseech you, sirs, find out a —

method quickly, that the idle persons in the town may earn their bread; it were the best piece of charity that could be shown unto them, and equity unto us all, Our beggars do shamefully grow upon us, and such beggars,

it, in s, the quity, ; ina rly in ich as ~ who served oroper ut flat- - Lord in the n that people soston, aid of y hath ple of o send ess, all r; “all 1 Jesus

every It was liberal always pnd for arity, I bu may e read, D went,

too, as our Lord Jesus Christ himself hath expressly forbidden us to countenance. I have read a printed sermon which was preached before “both Houses of Parliament, the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London, and the Assembly of Divines:” the greatest audience then in the world: and in that sermon the preauner had this. possage: “I have lived in a country where in seven years I never saw a beggar, nor heard an oath, nor looked upon a drunkard.” Shall I tell you where that Utopia was? "T'was New- ENGLAND! But they that go from hence must now tell another story.

VII. May the changes, and especially the judgments that have come upon the town, direct us what help to petition from the “God of our salvations.”

The Israelites had formerly seen dismal things, where they now set up their Ebenezer: the Philistines had no less than twice beaten them there, and there taken from them the Ark of God. Now we are setting up our Ebenezer, let us a little call to mind some dismal things that we have seen; the Ebenezer will go up the better for it.

We read in 1 Sam. vi. 18, concerning “the great stone of Abel.” Some say, that Adam erected ‘hat stone, as a grave-stone for his Abel, and wrote that epitaph upon it, ‘Here was poured out the blood of the righteous ABEL.” I know nothing of this; the names, I know, differ in the original; — but as we may erect many a stone for an Ebenezer, so we may erect many a great stone of ABEL, that is to say, we nay write MOURNING and SORROW upon the condition of the town in various examples, Now from the stones of Abel, we will a little gather what we should wish to write upon the stones of our Ebenezer.

What changes have we seen in point of religion! It was noted by Luther, he “could never see good crder in the church last more than fifteen years together in the purity of it.” Blessed be God, religion hath here flourished in the purity of it for more than fifteen years together. But certainly the power of Godliness is now grievously decayed among us. As the prophet of old exclaimed, in Joel i. 2, “Hear this, ye old men, and give ear, ye inhabitants! has this been in your days?” Thus may I say, “Hear this, ye old men, that are the inhabitants of the town: can’t you remember that in your days, a prayerful, a watchful, a fruitful Christian, and a wellgoverned family, was a more common sight, than it is now in our days? Can’t you remember that in your days those abominable things did not show their heads, that are now bare faced among us? Here then is a petition to be made unto our God: “Lord, help us to remember whence we are fallen, and to repent, and to do the first works!”

Again, What changes have we seen in pcint uf mortality? By mortality almost all the old race of our first planiers here are carried off; the old stock is ina manner expired. We see the fulfilment of that word in Eccl. i, 4, ‘One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh.” It woul be no unprofitable thing for you to pass over the several streets, and call to mind, who lived here so many years ago? Why? In that place lived

such anone. But, whereare theynow? Oh! they are gone; they are gone into that V.cum world, whither we must quickly follow them. Here is another petition to be made unto God: “Lord, help us to number our days, and apply our hearts unto wisdom, that when the places that now know us, do know us no more, we may begone into the city of God!”

Furthermore, What changes have we seen in point of possessions? If some that are now rich were once low in the world, ‘tis possible, more that were once rich are now brought very low. Ah! Boston, thou hast seen the vanity of all worldly possessions, One fatal morning, which laid fourscore of thy dwelling-houses, and seventy of thy ware-houses, in a ruinous heap, not nineteen years ago, gave thee to read it in fiery characters. And an huge fleet of thy vessels, which they would make if they were all together, that have miscarried in the late war, has given thee to read more of it. Here is one petition more to be made unto our God: “Lord, help us to ensure a better and a lasting substance in heaven, and the good part that cannot be taken away.”

In fine, how dreadfully have the young people of Boston perished under the judgments of God! A renowned writer among the Pagans could make this remark: there was a town so irreligious and atheistical, that they did not pay their first-fruits unto God; (which the light of nature taught the Pagans to do!) and, says he, they were by a sudden desolation so strangely destroyed, that there were no remainders either of the persons, or of the houses, to be seen any more. Ah, my young folks, there are few first-fruits paid unto the Lord Jesus Christ among you. From hence it comes to pass, that the consuming wrath of God is every day upon you. New-England has been like a tottering house, the very foundations of it have been shaking; but the house thus oversetting by the whirlwinds of the wrath of God, hath been like Job’s house: “It falls upon the young men, and they are dead!” The disasters on our young folks have been so multiplied, that there are few parents among us but what will go with wounded hearts down unto their graves: their daily moans are, “Ah, my son, cut off in his youth! Myson, my son!” Behold then the help that we are to ask of our God; and why do we, with no more days of prayer with fasting, ask it? “Lord, help the young people of Boston to remember thee in the days of their youth, and satisfie unto the survivers the terrible things that have come upon so many of that generation.”

And now as Joshua, having reasoned with his people a little before he died, in Josh. xxiv. 26, 27, “took a great stone, and set it up, and said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God;” thus we have been this day setting up a STONE, even an Ebenezer, among you; and I conclude, earnestly testifying unto you,

Behold this stone shall be a witness unto you, that the Lord Jesus Curist -

has been a pood Lord unto you, and if you seek him, he will be still found of you; but if you for ke him, he will cast you off for ever.

ECCLESIARUM CLYPEI—(“THE SHIELDS OF THE CHURCHES.")

THE SECOND BOOK

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[That forgetfulness of the Deity, which marks the present af 2, ore he had not yet begun to appear.)

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INTRODUCTION.

"T'were to be wished that there might never be any English translation of that wicked position in Machiavel, Non requiri in Principe veram pietatem, sed sufficere illius quandam umbram, et simultationem Externam.* It may be there never was any region under heaven happier than poor New-England hath been in Magiutrates, whose rue piety was worthy to be made the example of after-ages,

Happy hast thou been, O land! in Magistrates, whose disposition to serve the Lord Jesus Christ, unto whom they still considered themselves accountable, answered the good rule of Agapetus, “ Quo quis in Republica Majorem Dignitatis gradum adeptus est,eo Deum Colat Submissius:”+ Magistrates, whose disposition to serve the people that chose them to rule over them, argued them sensible of that great stroak in Cicero, “ Nulla re propius Homines ad Deum Accedunt, quam salute Hominibus danda:t Magistrates, acted in their administrations by the spirit of a Joshua, When the wise man observes unto us, “That oppressions make a wise man mad,” it may be worth considering, whether the oppressor is not intended rather than the oppressed in the observation. "Tis very certain that a disposition to oppress other men, does often make those that are otherwise very wise men, to forget the rules of reason, and commit most unreasonable exorbitancies. Rehoboam in some things acted wisely; but this admonition of his inspired father could not restrain him from acting madly, when the spirit of oppression was upon him. The rulers of New-England have been wise men, whom that spirit of oppression betrayed not into this madness,

The father of Themistocles disswading him from government, showed him the old oars which the mariners had now thrown away upon the sea-shores with neglect and contempt; and said, “That people would certainly treat their old rulers with the same contempt.” But, reader, let us now take up our old oars with all possible respect, and see whether we cannot still make use of them to serve our little vessel. But this the rather, because we may with an easie turn change the name into that of piloés,

The word GovERNMENT, properly signifies the guidance of a ship: Tully uses it for that purpose; and in Plutarch, the art of steering a ship, is, Texvn xvBepynrian. New-England is a little ship, which hath weathered many a terrible storm; and it is but reasonable that they who have sat at the helm of the ship, should be remembred in the history of its deliverances..

Prudentius calls Judges, “The great lights of the sphere;” Symmachus calls Judges, “The better part of mankind.” Reader, thou art now to be entertained with the Lives of Judges which have deserved that character. And the Lives of those who have been called speaking laws, will excuse our History from coming under the observation made about the work of Homer, That the word Law, is never so much as once ovcuring in them. They are not written like the Cyrus of Xenophon, like the Alexander of Curtius, like Virgil’s Eneas, and like Pliny’s Trajan: but the reader hath in every one of them a real and a fuithful History. And I please my self with hopes, that there will yet be found among the sons of New-England, those young gentlemen by whom the copies given in this History will be written after; and that saying of old Chaucer be remembred, “To do the genteel deeds, that makes the gentleman.” ‘

© True piety is superfluous in a prince: it is enough if he assume its somblance and outward show. + The loftier the station one reaches in the government, the truer should be his devotion to the service of God. $ Mon approach nearest to the character of God in doing good to mankind.

ECCLESIARUM CLYPEI.

THE SECOND BOOK

OF THE

NEW-ENGLISH HISTORY.

THE LIFE OF WILLIAM BRADFORD, ESQ, GOVERNOUR OF PLYMOUTH COLONY.

Omnium Somnos illius vigilantia defendit; omnium otium, illius Labor; omnium Delitias, illiue Industria; omnium vacationem, illius occupatio.~

§ 1. Ir has been a matter of some observation, that although Yorkshire be one of the largest shires in England; yet, for all the jires of martyrdom which were kindled in the days of Queen Mary, it afforded no more fuel than one poor Leaf; namely, John Leaf, an apprentice, who suffered for the doctrine of the Reformation at the same time and stake with the famous John Bradford. But when the reign of Queen Elizabeth would not admit the Reformation of worship to proceed unto those degrees, which were proposed and pursued by no small number of the faithful in those days, Yorkshire was not the least of the shires in-England that afforded suffering witnesses thereunto. The Churches there gathered were quickly molested with such a raging persecution, that if the spirit of separation in them did carry them unto a further extream than it should have done, one blameable cause thereof will be found in the extremity of that persecution. Their troubles made that cold country too hot for them, so that they were under a necessity to seek a retreat in the Low Countries; and yet the watchful malice and fury of their adversaries rendred it almost impossible for them to find what they sought. For them to leave their native soil, their lands and their friends, and go into a strange place, where they must hear foreign language, and live meanly and hardly, and in other imployments than that of husbandry, wherein they had been educated, these must needs have been such discouragements as could have been conquered by none, save those who “sought first the kingdom of God, and the righteousness thereof.” But that which would have made these discouragements the more

* The second shield-bearer. + His watchfulness guards others’ slumbers ; his toil secures others’ rest; his diligence protects others’ enjoyments; his constant application, others’ leisure,

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unconquerable unto an ordinary faith, was the terrible zeal of their enemies to guard all ports, and search all ships, that none of them should be carried off. I will not relate the sad things of this kind then seen and felt by this people of God; but only exemplifie those trials with one short story. Divers of this people having hired a Dutchman, then lying at Hull, to carry them over to Holland, he promised faithfully to take them in between Grimsly and Hull; but they coming to the place a day or two too soon, the appearance of such a multitude alarmed the officers of the town adjoining, who came with a great body of soldiers to seize upon them. Now it happened that one boat full of men had been carried aboard, while the women were yet in a bark that lay aground in a creek at low water. The Dutchman perceiving the storm that was thus beginning ashore, swore by the sacrament that he would stay no longer for any of them; and so taking the advantage of a fair wind then blowing, he put out to sea for Zealand. The women thus left near Grimsly-common, bereaved of their husbands, who had been hurried from them, and forsaken of their neighbours, of whom none durst in this fright stay with them, were a very rueful spectacle; some crying for fear, some shaking for cold, all dragged by troops of armed and angry men from one Justice to another, till not knowing what to do with them, they even dismissed them to shift as well as they could for themselves. But by their singular afflictions, and by their Christian behaviours, the cause for which they exposed themselves. did gain considerably. Inthe mean time, the men at sea found reason to be glad that their families were not with them, for they were surprized with an horrible tempest, which held them for fourteen days together, in seven whereof they saw not sun, moon or star, but were driven upon the coast of Norway. The mariners often despaired of life, and once with doleful shrieks gave over all, as thinking the vessel was foundred: but the vessel rose again, and when the mariners with sunk hearts often cried out, “We sink! we sink!” the passengers, without such distraction of mind, even while the water was running into their mouths and ears, would chearfully shout, “Yet, Lord, thou canst save! Yet, Lord, thou canst save!” And the Lord accordingly brought them at last safe unto their desired haven: and not long after helped their distressed relations thither after them, where indeed they found upon almost all accounts a new world, but a world in which they found that they must live like strangers and pilgrims.

§ 2, Among those devout people was our William Bradford, who was born Anno 1588, in an obscure village called Ansterfield, where the people were as unacquainted with the Bible, as the Jews do seem to have been with part of it in the days of Josiah; a most ignorant and licentious people, and like unto their priest, Here, and in some other places, he had a comfortable inheritance left him of his honest parents, who died while he was yet a child, and cast him on the education, first of his grand

parents, and then of his uncles, who devoted him, like his ancestors, unto the affairs of husbandry. Soon a long sickness kept him, as he would afterwards thankfully say, from the vanities of youth, and made him the fitter for what he was afterwards to undergo.. When he was about a dozen years old, the reading of the Scriptures began to cause great impressions upon him; and those impressions were much assisted and improved, when he came to enjoy Mr. Richard Clifton’s illuminating ministry, not far from his abode; he was then also further befriended, by being brought into the company and fellowship of such as were then called professors; though the young man that brought him into it did after become a prophane and wicked apostate. Nor could the wrath of his uncles, nor the scoff of his neighbours, now turned upon him, as one of the Puritans, divert him from his pious inclinations.

§ 8. At last, beholding how fearfully the evangelical and apostolical church-form, whereinto the churches of the primitive times were cast by the good spirit of God, had heen deformed by the apostacy of the succeeding times; and what little progress the Reformation had yet made in many parts of Christendom towards its recovery, he set himself by reading, by discourse, by prayer, to learn whether it was not his duty to withdraw from the communion of the parish-assemblies, and engage with some society of the faithful, that should keep close unto the written word of God, as the rule of their worship. And after many distresses of mind concerning it, he took up a very deliberate and understanding resolution, of doing so; which resolution he chearfully prosecuted, although the provoked rage of his friends tried all the ways imaginable to reclaim him from it, unto all whom his answer was:

“Were I like to endanger my life, or consume my estate by sny ungodly courses, your counsels to me were very seasonable; but you know that I have been diligent and provident in my calling, and not only desirous to augment what I have, but also to enjoy it in your company; to part from which will be as great a cross as can befil me. Nevertheless, to keep a good conscience, and walk in such a way as God has prescribed in his Word, is a thing which I must prefer before you all, and above life it self. Wherefore, since ’tis for a good cause that f am like to suffer the disasters which you lay before me, you have no cause to be either angry with me, or sorry for me; yea, I am not only willing to part with every thing that is dear to me in this world for this cause, but I am also thankful that God has given me an heart to do, and will accept me so to suffer for him.”

Some lamented him, some derided him, al/ disswaded him: neveytheless, the more they did it, the more fixed he was in his purpose to seek the ordinances of the gospel, where they should be dispensed with most of the commanded purity; and the sudden deaths of the chief relations which thus lay at him, quickly after convinced him what a folly it had

been to have quitted his profession, in expectation of any satisfaction.

from them. So to Holland he attempted a remoyal. § 4. Having with a great company of Christians hired a ship to transej Hse Se es

, unto would im the bout a | great sd and inating led, by e then it did rath of -as one

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port them for Holland, the master perfidiously betrayed them into the hands of those persecutors, who rifled and ransacked their goods, and clapped their persons into prison at Boston, where they lay for a month together. But Mr. Bradford being a young man of about eighteen, was dismissed sooner than the rest, so that within a while he had opportunity with some others to get over to Zealand, through perils, both by land and sea not inconsiderable; where he was not long ashore ere a viper seized on his hand—that is, an officer—who carried him unto the magistrates, unto whom an envious passenger had accused him as having fled out of England. When the magistrates understood the true cause of his coming thither, they were well satisfied with him; and so he repaired joyfully unto his brethren at Amsterdam, where the difficulties to which he afterwards stooped in learning and serving of a Frenchman at the working of silks, were abundantly compensated by the delight wherewith he sat under the shadow of our Lord, in his purely dispensed ordinances, At the end of two years, he did, being of age to do it, convert his estate in England into money; but setting up for himself, he found some of his designs by the providence of God frowned upon, which he judged a correction bestowed by God upon him for certain decays of iternal piety, whereinto he had fallen; the consumption of his estate he ‘hought came to prevent consumption in his virtue. But after he had vesided in Holland about half a score years, he was one of those who bore a part in that hazardous and generous enterprise of removing into New-England, with part of the English church at Leyden, where, at their first landing, his dearest consort accidentally falling overboard, was drowned in the harbour; and the rest of his days were spent in the services, and the temptations, of that American wilderness.

§ 5. Here was Mr. Bradford, in the year 1621, unanimously chosen the

governour of the plantation: the difficulties whereof were such, that if

he had not been a person of more than ordinary piety, wisdom and courage, he must have sunk under them. He had, with a laudable industry, been laying up a treasure of experiences, and he had now occasion to use it: indeed, nothing but an experienced man could have been suitable to the necessities of the people. The potent nations of the Indians, into whose country they were come, would have cut them off, if the blessing of God upon his conduct had not quelled them; and if his prudence, justice and moderation had not over-ruled them, they had been ruined by their own distempers. One specimen of his demeanour is to this day particularly spoken of. A company of young fellows that were newly arrived, were very unwilling to comply with the governour’s order for working abroad on the publick account; and therefore on Christmas-day, when he had called upon them, they excused themselves, with a pretence that it was against their conscience to work such aday. The governour gave them no answer, only that he would spare them till they were better

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informed; but by and by he found them all at play in the street, sporting themselves with various diversions; whereupon commanding the instruments of their games to be taken from them, he effectually gave them to understand, “That it was against his conscience that they should play whilst others were at work: and that if they had any devotion to the day, they should show it at home in the exercises of religion, and not in the streets with pastime and frolicks;” and this gentle reproof put'a final stop to all such disorders for the future.

§ 6. For two years together after the beginning of the colony, whereof he was now governour, the poor people had a great experiment of “man’s not living by bread alone;” for when they were left all together without one morsel of bread for many months one after another, still the good providence of God relieved them, and supplied them, and this for the most part out of the sca, In this low condition of affairs, there was no little exercise for the prudence and patience of the governour, who chearfully bore his part in all: and, that industry might not flag, he quickly set himself to settle propriety among the new-planters; foreseeing that while the whole country laboured upon a common stock, the husbandry and business of the plantation could not flourish, as Plato and others long since dreamed that it would, if a community were established. Certainly, if the spirit which dwelt in the old puritans, had not inspired these new-planters, they had sunk under the burden of these difficulties; but our Bradford had a double portion of that spirit.

§ 7. The plantation was quickly thrown into a storm that almost overwhelmed it, by the unhappy actions of a minister sent over from England by the adventurers concerned for the plantation; but by the blessing of Heaven on the conduct of the governour, they weathered out that storm. Only the adventurers hereupon breaking to pieces, threw up all their concernments with the infant-colony; whereof they gave this as one reason, ‘That the planters dissembled with his Majesty and their friends in their petition, wherein they declared for a church-discipline, agreeing with the French and others of the reforming churches in Europe.” Whereas ’twas now urged, that they had admitted into their communion a person who at his admission utterly renounced the Churches of England, (which person, by the way, was that very man who had made the complaints against them,) and therefore, though they denied the name of Brownists, yet they were the thing. In answer hereunto, the very words written by the governour were these:

“Whereas you tax us with dissembling about the French discipline, you do us wrong, for we both hold and practice tho discipline of the French and other Reformed Churches (as they have published the same in the Harmony of Confessions) according to our means, in effect and substance. But whereas you would tie us up to the French discipline in every circumstance, you derogate from the liberty we have in Christ Jesus. The Apostle Paul would have none to follow him in any thing, but wherein he follows Christ; much less ought

orting nstru- 1em to whilst y, they streets > to all

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any Christian or church in the world to do it. The French may err, we may err, and other churches may err, and doubtless do in many circumstances. That honour thefefore belongs only to the infallible Word of God, and pure Testament of Christ, to be propounded and followed as the only rule and pattern for direction herein to all zhurches and Christians, And it is too yreat arrogancy for any man or church to think that he or they heve so sounded the Word of God unto the bottom, as precisely to set down the church’s discipline without error in substance or circumstance, that no other without blame may digress or differ in any thing from the same. And it is not difficult to shew that the Reformed Churches differ in many circumstances among themselves.

By which words it appears how far he was free from that rigid spirit of separation, which broke to pieces the Separatists themselves in the Low Countries, unto the great scandal of the reforming churches. He was indeed a person of a well-tempered spirit, or else it had been scarce possible for him to have kept the affairs of Plymouth in so good a temper for thirty-seven years together; in every one of which he was chosen their governour, except the three years wherein Mr. Winslow, and the two years wherein Mr. Prince, at the choice of the people, took a turn with him.

§ 8. The leader of a people in a wilderness had need be a Moses; and if a Moses had not led the people of Plymouth Colony, when this worthy person was their governour, the people had never with so much unanimity and importunity still called him to lead them. Among many instances thereof, let this one piece of self-denial be told for a memorial of him, wheresoever this History shall be considered: The Patent of the Colony was taken in his name, running in these terms: “To William Bradford, his heirs, associates, and assigns.” But when the number of the freemen was much increased, and many new townships erected, the General Court there desired of Mr. Bradford, that he would make a surrender of the same into their hands, which he willingly and presently assented unto, and confirmed it according to their desire by his hand and seal, reserving no more for himself than was his proportion, with others, hy agreement. But as he found the providence of Heaven many ways recompensing his many acts of self-denial, so he gave this testimony to the faithfulness of the divine promises: ‘‘That he had forsaken friends, houses and lands for the sake of the gospel, and the Lord gave them him again.” Here he prospered in his estate; and besides a worthy son which he had by a former wife, he had also two sons and a daughter by another, whom he married in this land.

§ 9. He was a person for study as well as action; and hence, notwithstanding the difficulties through which he passed in his youth, he attained "nto a notable skill in languages: the Dutch tongue was become almost as vernacular to him as the English; the French tongue he could also manage; the Latin and the Greek he had mastered; but the Hebrew he most of all studied, “ Because,” he said, “he would see with his own eyes the ancient oracles of God in their native beauty.” He was also well

skilled in History, in Antiquity, and in Philosophy; and for Theology he Von, L—8

MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA;

became so versed in it, that he was an irrefragable disputant against the errors, especially those ot’ Anabaptism, which with trouble he saw rising in his colony; wherefore he wrote some significant things for the confutation of those errors. But the crown of all was his holy, prayerful, watchful, and fruitful walk with God, wherein he was very exemplary.

§ 10, At length he fell into an indisposition of body, which rendred him unhealthy for a whole winter; and as the spring advanced, his health yet more declined; yet he felt himself not what he counted sick, till one day; in the night after which, the God of heaven so filled his mind with ineffable consolations, that he seemed little short of Paul, rapt up unto the unutterable entertainments of Paradise. The next morning he told his friends, ‘That the good Spirit of God had given him a pledge of his happiness in another world, and the first-fruits of his eternal glory;” and on the day following he died, May 9, 1657, in the 69th year of his age— lamented by all the colonies of New-England, as a common blessing and father to them all.

O mihi si Similis Contingat Clausula Vite !*

Men are but Frocks: Braprorp beheld their need, And long did them at once both rule and feed.

CRAP PRR TT. SUCCESSORS.

Inter omnia que Rempublicam, ejusque falicitatem conservant, quid utilius, quid prestantius, quam Viros ad Magistratus gerendos Eligere, summa prudentia et Virtute preditos, quique ad Honores obtinendos, non Ambitione, non Largitionibus, sed Virtute et Modestia sibi parent adytum!t

§ 1. THE merits of Mr Edward Winslow, the son of Edward Winslow, Esq., of Draughtwich, in the county of Worcester, obliged the votes of the Plymothean colony (whereto he arrived in the year 1624, after his prudent and faithful dispatch of an agency in England, on the behalf of that infant colony) to chuse him for many years a magistrate, and for two

* O, that life’s end may be as sweet io me! + A shepherd-guardian of his human fold.

$ Amongst all such things as tend to the stability and happiness of a commonwealth, what is more salutary or more glorious than to select men for office who will acquire renown, not by an ambitious chase for honour, or by popular arts, but by vietue and self-control.

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or three their governour. Travelling into the Low-Countries, he fell into acquaintance with the English church at Leyden, and joining himself to them, he shipped himself with that part of them which first came over into America; from which time he was continually engaged in such extraordinary actions, as the assisiance of that people to encounter their more than ordinary difficulties, called for. But their publick affairs then requiring an agency of as wise a man as the country could find at Whitehall for them, he was again prevailed withal, in the year 1635, to appear for them at the Council-board; and his appearance there proved as affectual, as it was very seasonable, not only for the colony of Plymouth, but for the Massachusets also, on very important accounts. It was by the blessing of God upon his wary and proper applications, that the attempts of many adversaries to overthrow the whole settlement of New-England, were themselves wholly overthrown; and as a small acknowledgment for his great service ther2in, they did, upon his return again, chuse him their governour. But in the year 1646, the place of governour being réassumed by Mr. Bradford, the Massachuset-colony addressed themselves unto Mr. Winslow to take another voyage for England, that he might there procure their deliverance from the designs of many troublesome adversaries that were petitioning unto the Parliament against them; and this Hercules having been from his very early days accustomed unto the crushing of that sort of serpents, generously undertook another agency, wherein how many good services he did for New-England, and with what fidelity, discretion, vigour and success he pursued the interests of that happy people, it would make a large history to relate—an history that may not now be expected until the “resurrection of the just.” After this he returned no more unto New-England; but being ii great favour with the greatest persons then in the nation, he fell inte those imployments wherein the whole nation fared the better for him. At length he was imployed as one of the grand commissioners in the expedition against Hispaniola, where a disease (rendred yet more uneasie by his dissatisfaction at the strange miscarriage of that expedition) arresting him, he died between Domingo and Jamaica, on May 8, 1655, in the sixty-first year of his life, and had his body honourably committed unto the sea.

§ 2. Sometimes during the life, but always after the death of Governour Bradford, even until his own, Mr. Thomas Prince was chosen GOVERNOUR of Plymouth. He was a gentleman whose natural parts exceeded his acquired; but the want and worth of acquired parts was a thing so sensible unto him, that Plymouth never had a greater Meceenas of learning in it: it was he that, in spite of much contradiction, procured revenues for the support of grammar-schools in that colony. About the time of Governour Bradford’s death, reliqion it self had like to have died in that colony, through a libertine and Brownistick spirit then prevailing among the people, and a strange disposition to discountenance the gospel-ministry,

SSS SE LSE

by setting up the “gifts of private brethren” in opposition thereunto. The good people being in extream distress from the prospect which this matter gave to them, saw no way so likely and ready to save the churches from ruin, as by the election of Mr, Prince to the place of governour; and this point being by the gracious and marvellous providence of the Lord Jesus Christ gained at the next election, the adverse party from that very time sunk into confusion. He had sojourned for awhile at Eastham, where a church was by his means gathered; but after this time he returned unto his former scituation at Plymouth, where he resided until he died, which was March 29, 1678, when he was about seventy-three years of age. Among the many excellent qualities which adorned him as governour of the colony, there was much notice taken of that integrity, wherewith indeed he was most exemplarily qualified: whence it was that as he ever would refuse any thing that looked like a bribe; so if any person having a case to be heard at Court, had sent a present unto his family in his absence, he would presently send back the value thereof in money unto the person.

- But had he been only a private Christian, there would yet have been seen

upon him those ornaments of prayerfulness, and peaceableness, and profound resignation to the conduct of the Word of God, and a strict walk with God, which might justly have been made an example to a whole colony.

§ 8. Reader, if thou wouldest have seen the true picture of wisdom, courage, and generosity, the successor of Mr. Thomas Prince in the government of Plymouth would have represented it. It was the truly honourable Josiah Winslow, Esq,, the first governour that was born in New-England, and one well worthy to be an example to all that should come after him; a true English gentleman, and (that I may say all at once) the true son of that gentleman whom we parted withal no more than two paragraphs ago. His education and his disposition was that of a gentleman; and his many services to his country in the field, as well as on the bench, ought never to be buried in oblivion. All that Homer desired in a ruler was in the life of this gentleman expressed unto the life; to be, Portes in Hostes, and Bonus in Cives,* Though he hath left an offspring, yet I must ask for one daughter to be remembred above the rest. As of old, Epaminondas being upbraided with want of issue, boasted that he left behind him one daughter, namely, the battel of Leuctra, which would render him immortal; so our general Winslow hath left behind him his battel at the fort of the Narragansets, to immortalize him: there did he with his own sword make and shape a pen to write his history. But so large a field of merit is now before me, that I dare not give my self the liberty to range in it lest I lose my self. He'died on Dec. 18, 1680.

Jam Cinis est, et de tam magno restat -\chille Nescio quid; parvam quod non bene compleat urnam.t

* Brave against the enemy—kind to his subjects,

¢ Behold Achilles’ dust! the issue learn These mighty relics now a paltry urn Of that heroic will: Can scarcely fill,

ereunto. ich this shurches

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§ 4, And what successor had he? Methinks of the two last words in the wonderful prediction of the succession, oracled unto King Henry VIL, Leo, Nuu.uvs,* the first would have well suited the valiant Winslow of Plymouth; and the last were to have been wished for him that followed.

CRATER 328.

PATRES CONSCRIPTI;+ OR, ASSISTENTS,

THe Governours of New-England have still had “righteousness the girdle of their ioins, and faithfulness the girdle of their reins”—that is to say, righteous and faithful men about them, in the assistance of such magistrates as were called by the votes of the freemen unto the administration of the government, (according to their charters) and made the judges of the land. These persons have been such members of the churches, and such patrons to the churches, and generally been such examples of courage, wisdom, justice, goodness and religion, that it is fit our Church-History should remember them, The blessed Apollonius, who in a set oration generously and eloquently pleaded the cause of Christianity before the Roman Senate, was not only a learned person, but also (if Jerom say right) a Senator of Rome. The Senators of New-England also have pleaded the cause of Christianity, not so much by orations, as by practising of it, and by suffering for it. Nevertheless, as the Sicyonians would have no other epitaphs written on the tombs of their Kings, but only their names, that they might have no honour but what the remembrance of their actions and merits in the minds of the people should procure for them; so I shall content my self with only reciting the names of these worthy persons, and the times when I find them first chosen unto their magistracy.

MAGISTRATES IN THE COLONY OF NEW-PLYMOUTH.

The good people, soon after their first coming over, chose Mr. William Bradford for their governour, and added five assistents, whose names, I suppose, will be found in the catalogue of them whom I find sitting on the seat of judgment among them, in the year 1688.

Edward Winslow, Gov. Miles Standish. John Alden. Stephen Hopkins, William Bradford, John Howland. John Done. William Gilson. AFTERWARDS AT SEVERAL TIMES WERE ADDED, '

Thomas Prince, 1634, Edmund Freeman, 1640, William Bradford, F, 1558, William Collier, 1634, William Thomas, 1642, Thomas Hinkley, 1658, Timothy Hatherly, 1636. Thomas Willet, 1651. James Brown, 1665, John Brown, 1636. . Thomas Southworth, 1652, John Kreeman, 1666, John Jenny, 1637, James Cudworth, 1656, Nathanacl Bacon, 1667. John Atwood, 1638, Josiah Winslow, 1657.

* First a hon—then, a nobody. + Senutore,

Thus far we find in a book entituled, New-Hngland’s Memorial which was published by Mr. Nathanael Morton, the Secretary of Plymouth colony, in the year 1669. Since then there have been added at several times,

Constant Southworth, 1670, Barnabas Lothrop, 1681, John Walley, —_—, Daniel Smith, 1674, John Thatcher, _—

THE LIFE OF JOHN WINTHROP, ESQ, GOVERNOR OF THE MASSACHUSET COLONY.

+ Quicunque Venti erunt, Are nostra certe non aberit—Cicero.t

§ 1. Ler Greece boast of her patient Lycurgus, the lawgiver, by whom diligence, temperance, fortitude and wit were made the fashions of a therefore long-lasting and renowned commonwealth: let Rome tell of her devout Numa, the lawgiver, by whom the most famous commonwealth saw peace triumphing over extinguished war and cruel plunders; and murders giving place to the more mollifying exercises of his religion. Our New-England shall tell and boast of her WINTHROP, a lawgiver as patient as Lycurgus, but not admitting any of his criminal disorders; as devout as Numa, but not liable to any of Ais heathenish madnesses; a governour in whom the excellencies of Christianity made a most improving addition unto the virtues, wherein even without those he would have made a parallel for the great men of Greece, or of Rome, which the pen of a Plutarch has eternized.

§ 2. A stock of heroes by right should afford nothing but what is heroical; and nothing but an extream degeneracy would make any thing less to be expected from a stock of Winthrops. Mr. Adam Winthrop, the son of a worthy gentleman wearing the same name, was himself a worthy, a discreet, and a learned gentleman, particularly eminent for skill in the i law, nor without remark for love to the gospel, under the reign of King Henry VIII., and brother to a memorable favourer of the reformed religion in the days of Queen Mary, into whose hands the famous martyr i Philpot committed his papers, which afterwards made no inconsiderable | part of our martyr-books, This Mr, Adam Winthrop had a son of the same name also, and of the same endowments and imployments with his father; and this third Adam Winthrop was the father of that renowned John Winthrop, who was the father of New-England, and the founder of a colony, which, upon many accounts, like him that founded it, may challenge the first place among the English glories of America. Our JoHN

sexceernenea see tt te AA OA

® The American Nehemiah, + Whatever winds may blow, this art of ours can never be lost.

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OLONY.

hat is herothing less op, the son worthy, a kill in the of King rmed relius martyr nsiderable kon of the s with his renowned ounder of may chal- Our JoHN

ver be lost.

Winturop, thus born at the mansion-house of his ancestors, at Groton in Suffolk, on June 12, 1587, enjoyed afterwards an agreeable education. But though he would rather have devoted himself unto the study of Mr. John Calvin, than of Sir Edward Cook; nevertheless, the accomplishments of a lawyer were those wherewith Heaven made his chief opportunities to be serviceable.

§ 8. Being made, at the unusually early age of eighteen, a justice of peace, his virtues began to fall under a more general observation; and he not only so bound himself to the behaviour of a Christian, as to become exemplary for a conformity to the laws of Christianity in his own conversation, but also discovered a more than ordinary measure of those qualities which adorn an officer of humane society. His justice was impartial, and used the ballance to weigh not the cash, but the case of those who were before him: prosopolatria* he reckon::d as bad as rdolatria:+ his wisdom did exquisitely temper things according to the art of governing, which is a business of more contrivance than the seven arts of the schools; oyer still went before terminer in all his administrations: }\3 courage made him dare to do right, and fitted him to stand among the lions that |\ave sometimes been the supporters of the throne: all which virtues he rendred the more illustrious, by emblazoning them with the constant liber lity and hospitality of a gentleman. This made him the ierror of the wicked, and the delight of the sober, the envy of the many, but the hope of those who had any hopeful design in hand for the common good of the nation and the interests of religion.

§ 4. Accordingly when the noble design of carrying a colony of chosen people into an American wilderness, was by some erninent persons undertaken, this eminent person was, by the consent of all, chosen for the Moses, who must be the leader of so great an undertaking: and indeed nothing but a Mosaic spirit could have carried him through the temptations, to which either his farewel to his own land, or his travel in a strange land, must needs expose a gentleman of his education. Wherefore having sold a fair estate of six oi: soven hundred a year, he transported himself with the effects of it ink New-England in the year 1680, where he spent it upon the service of a famous plantation, founded and formed for the seat of the most reformed Christianity: and continued there, conflicting with temptations of all sorts, as many years as the nodes of the moon take to dispatch revolution. Those persons were never concerned in a new plantation, who know not that the unavoidable difficulties of such a thing will call for all the prudence and patience of a mortal man to encounter therewithal; and they must be very insensible of the influence, which the just wrath of Heaven has permitted the devils to have upon this world, if they do not think that the difficulties of a new plantation, devoted unto the evangelical worship of our Lord Jesus

* Face-worship, or respect of persons, ¢ Idol-worship.

Christ, must be yet more than ordinary. How prudently, how patiently, and with how much resignation to our Lord Jesus Christ, our brave Winthrop waded through these difficulties, let posterity consider with admiration. And know, that as the picture of this their governour was, after his death, hung up with honour in the state-house of his country, so the wisdom, courage, and holy zeal of his life, were an example well-worthy to be copied by all that shall succeed him in government.

§ 5. Were he now to be considered only as a Christian, we might therein propose him as greatly imitable. He was a very religious man; and as he strictly kept his heart, so he kept his house, under the laws of piety; there he was every day constant in holy duties, both morning and evening, and on the Lord’s days, and lectures; though he wrote not after the preacher, yet such was his attention, and such his retention in hearing, that he repeated unto his family the sermons which he had heard in the congregation. But it is chiefly as a governour that he is now to be considered. Being the governour over the considerablest part of New- England, he maintained the figure and honour of his place with the spirit of a true gentleman; but yet with such obliging condescention to the circumstances of the colony, that when a certain troublesome and malicious calumniator, well known in those times, printed his libellous nick-names upon the chief persons here, the worst nick-name he could find for the governour, was John Temper-well; and when the calumnies of that ill man caused the Arch-bishop to summon one Mr. Cleaves before the King, in hopes to get some accusation from him against the country, Mr. Cleaves gave such an account of the governour’s laudable carriage in all respects, and the serious devotion wherewith prayers were both publickly and privately made for his Majesty, that the King expressed himself most highly pleased therewithal, only sorry that so worthy a person should be no better accommodated than with the hardships of America. He was, indeed, a governour, who had most exactly studied that book which, pretending to teach politicks, did only contain three leaves, and but one word in each of those leaves, which word was, MODERATION. Hence, though he were a zealous enemy to all vice, yet his practice was according to his judgment thus expressed: “In the infancy of plantations, justice should be administered with more lenity than in a settled state; because people are more apt then to transgress; partly out of ignorance of new laws and orders, partly out of oppression of business, and other straits, [Lento GRADU]* was the old rule; and if the ‘strings of a new instrument be wound up unto their heighth, they will quickly crack.” But when some leading and learned men took offence at his conduct in this matter, and upon a conference gave it in as their opinion, “That a stricter discipline was to be used in the beginning of a plantation, than after its being with more age established and confirmed,” the governour being readier

* By slow degroes,

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to see his own errors than other men’s, professed his purpose to endeavour their satisfaction with less of lenity in his administrations. At that conference there were drawn up several other articles to be observed between the governour and the rest of the magistrates, which were of this import: ‘That the magistrates, as far as might be, should aforehand ripen their consultations, to produce that unanimity in their publick votes, which might make them liker to the voice of God; that if differences fell out among them in their publick meetings, they should speak only to the case, without any reflection, with all due modesty, and but by way of question; or desire the deferring of the cause to further time; and after sentence to imitate privately no dislike; that they should be more familiar, friendly and open unto each other, and more frequent in their visitations, and not any way expose each other's infirmities, but seek the honour of each other, and all the Court; that one magistrate shall not cross the proceedings of another, without first advising with him; and that they should in all their appearances abroad, be so circumstanced as to prevent all contempt of authority; and that they should support and strengthen all under officers, All of which articles were observed by no man more than by the governour himself.

§ 6. But whilst he thus did, as our New-English Nehemiah, the part of a ruler in managing the public affairs of our American Jerusalem, when there were Tobijahs and Sanballats enough to vex him, and give him the experiment of Luther’s observation, Omnis qui regit est tanquam signum, in quod omnia jacula, Satan et Mundus dirigunt;* he made himself still an

-exacter parallel unto that governour of Israel, by doing the part of a neighbour among the distressed people of the new plantation. To teach them the frugality necessary for those times, he abridged himself of a thousand comfortable things, which he had allowed himself elsewhere: his habit was not that soft raiment, which would have been disagreeable to a wilderness; his table was not covered with the superfluities that would have invited unto sensualities: water was commonly his own drink, though he gave wine to others. But at the same time his liberality unto the needy was even beyond measure generous; and therein he was continually causing

“the blessing of him that was ready to perish to come upon him, and the

heart of the widow and the orphan to sing for joy:” but none more than those of deceased Ministers, whom he always treated with a very singular compassion; among the instances whereof we still enjoy with us the worthy and now aged son of that reverend Higginson, whose death left his family in a wide world soon after his arrival here, publickly acknowledging the charitable Winthrop for his foster-father. It was oftentimes no small trial unto his faith, to think how a table for the people should be furnished when they first came into the wilderness! and for very many of the people his own good works were needful, and accordingly employed for the

* A man in authority is a target, at which Satan and the world launch all their darts,

MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA;

answering of his faith. Indeed, for a while the governour was the Joseph, unto whom the whole body of the people repaired when their corn failed them; and he continued relieving of them with his open-handed bounties, as long as he had any stock to do it with; and a lively faith to see the return of the “bread after many days,” and not starve in the days that were to pass till that return should be seen, carried him chearfully through those expences.

Once it was observable that, on February 5, 1630, when he was distributing the last handful of the meal in the barrel unto a poor man distressed by the “wolf at the door,” at that instant they spied a ship arrived at the harbour’s mouth, laden with provisions for them all. Yea, the governour sometimes made his own private purse to be the publick: not by sucking into it, but by squeezing out of it; for when the publick treasure had: nothing in it, he did himself defray the charges of the publick. And having learned that lesson of our Lord, “that it is better to give than to receive,” he did, at the general court, when he was a third time chosen governour, make a speech unto this purpose: “That he had received gratuities from divers towns, which he accepted with much comfort and content; and he had likewise received civilities from particular persons, which he could not refuse without incivility in himself: nevertheless, he took them with a trembling heart, in regard of God’s word, and the conscience of his own infirmities; and therefore he desired them that they would not hereafter take it ill if he refused such presents for the time to come.” "T'was his custom also to send some of his family upon errands unto the houses of the poor, about their meal time, on purpose to spy whether they wanted; and if it were found that they wanted, he would make that the opportunity of sending supplies unto them. And there was one passage of his charity that was perhaps a little unusual: in an hard and long winter, when wood was very scarce at Boston, a man gave him a private information that a needy person in the neighbourhood stole wood sometimes from his pile; whereupon the governour in a seeming anger did reply, “Does he so? I'll take a course with him; go, call that man to me; I'll warrant you I'll cure him of stealing.” When the man came, the governour considering that if he had stolen, it was more out of necessity than disposition, said unto him, “Friend, it is a severe winter, and I doubt you are but meanly provided for wood; wherefore I would have you supply your self at my wood-pile till this cold season be over.” And he then merrily asked his friends, ‘Whether he had not effectually cured this man of stealing his wood?”

§ 7. One would have imagined that so good a man could have had no enemies, if we had not had a daily and woful experience to convince us that goodness it self will make enemies. It is a wonderful speech of Plato, (in one of his books, De Republica,) “For the trial of true vertue, ’tis necessary that a good man pndev adixciv, dofav exer cov wey crv ddimiags Though

Joseph, n failed younties, see the lays that through

was disoor man

e publick :

e publick ‘the pubbetter to as a third nat he had much comparticular elf: never- ‘od’s word, sired them presents for his family ve, On purey wanted, em. And e unusual: ston, a man bhbourhood a seeming bli that man man came, ut of necesnter, and I ould have er.” And ually cured

nve had no onvince us ch of Plato, e, tis necess: Though

sf. rs tacy lala sige see infamy of the greatest injustice.” \ s unspotted integrity procured himself a at reputation among the people; and then the crime of populari cai unto his cuarge by such, who were willing to deli hi Sr a Hea of having all men speak well of him Yea th seahenaae a init both for figure and for number, unto whom it ou thos Pavunice nart every thing that came from /im; and yet he alw: pence i a cable correspondence with them; as believin apnea Cort g that they acted i - pai ae ait si epee or that their eyes ib held by ae of all their oppositions, Indeed, his right w bees meee sore al eae unto the envy of his outa an nvy, tha sometimes he could not stand b at; but it was by not standing that he most eff wthstood 3 eis Great attempts were sometimes made amon ths risaee aed ee out from his place in the government u on little aia be uaee frequent choice of one man, the eet ah Com eee ease ces pi ines a saree does aim at him, sermons were preached ve pa dereed ‘ec. i e nee to disswade the freemen from chusing one man aes i ave a is hi the reward of his extraordinary serviceableness! ee rea ee ue vad succeed, as they sometimes did, his profound aaa pp waite > at equality of mind, wherewith he applied himself te ee e country in whatever station their votes had alloted abe a ean ha io the votes came to be numbered, there were stood in poe rises pie ei gain a a aenace i ns regularly tendri i Lake pee bee phe was published, were, oe: Tar OE Sa: Bi age: ee of the magistrates that were afraid lest the eet ees ee ss all upon Mr. Winthrop: which, though it was Mera tA ‘ ety was the self-denial of this patriot, that he would et np y notice to be taken of the injury. But these trials wer: parison of those harsher and harder treats, which h; sale “ ze the frowardness of not a few in the days of thei ation es eae oe i faction of some against him, not much aati: ifoak ot eee him ae against the family of the Medices: all of which Ae ae y conforming to the famous Judge’s motto, Prudens Pia of God have said, “Envy is rotenness tq the cain iN nie Pi Parisiensis applies it unto rulers, who are as it Hp seni een ih moe which they belong unto: “Envy,” says he a catia ae them, and it is rottenness unto them.” Our Wi ' enc is envy from others, but conquered i i oe from it himself. i i ach “ee ak he not for the sake of introducing the exemplary skill of thi, at giving soft answers, one would not chuse to relate those

* He is prudent who is putient,

instances of wrath which he had sometimes to encounter with; but he was for his gentleness, his forbearance, and longanimity, a pattern so worthy to be written after, that something must here be written of it. He seemed indeed never to speak any other language than that of Theodosius: “Tf any man speak evil of the governour, if it be through lightness, ’tis to be contemned; if it be through madness, ’tis to be pitied; if it be through injury, ’tis to be remitted.” behold, reader, the “meekness of wisdom” notably exemplified! There was a time when he received a very sharp letter from a gentleman who was a member of the Court, but he delivered back the letter unt the messengers that brought it, with such a Christian speech as this: “1 4m not willing to keep such a matter of provocation by me! Afterwards the same gentleman was compelled by the scarcity of provisions to send unto him that he would sell him some of his cattle; whereupon the governour prayed him to accept what he had sent for as a token of his good will; but the gentleman returned him this answer: “Sir, your overcoming of yourself hath overcome me;” and afterwards gave demcnstration of it. The French have asaying, That Un honesté homme, est un homme mesle/—a good man is a mixt man; and there hardly ever was a more sensible mixture of those two things, resolution and condescention, than in this good man. There was a time when the court of election being, for fear of tumuli, held at Cambridge, May 17, 1687, the sectarian part of the country, who had the year before gotten a governour more unto their mind, had a project now to have confounded the election, by demanding that the court would consider 4 petition then tendered before their proceeding thereunto, Mr. Winthrop saw that this was only a trick to throw all into confusion, by putting off the choice of the governour and assistents until the day should be over; and therefore he did, with a strenuous resolution, procure a disappointment unto that mischievous and ruinous contrivance. Nevertheless, Mr. Winthrop himself being by the voice of the freemen in this exigence chosen the governour, and all of the other party left out, that ill-affected party discovered the dirt and mire, which remained with them, after the storm was over; particularly the serjeants, whose office *%was to attend the governour, laid down their halberts; but such was the condescention of this governour, as to take no present notice of this anger and contempt, but only order some of his own servants to take the halberts; and when the country manifested their deep resentments of the affront thus offered him, he prayed them to overlook it. But it wes not long before a compensation was made for these things by the doubled respects which were from all parts paid unto him, Again, there was a time when the suppression of an antinomian and famuilistical faction, which extreamly threatned the ruin of the country, was generally thought much owing unto this renowned man; and therefore when the friends of that faction could not wreak their displeasure on him with any politick vexations, they

: but he attern 50 fit. He eodosius: ess, ‘tis to through wisdom” ery sharp delivered, Christian ocation by scarcity of his cattle; nt for as a wer: “Sir, yards gave sté homme, iardly ever mdescention, ction being, rian part of > unto their demanding e their prok to throw d assistents bMuNOUS TCSOuinous convoice of the other party sh remained vhose office ich was the f this anger ke the halents of the vas not long bled respects time when 1 extreamly nich owing that faction ations, they

set themselves to do it by ecclesiastical ones. Accordingly when a sentence of banishment was passed on the ringleaders of those disturbances, who

—Maria et Terras, Calumque profundum, Quippe ferant Rapidi, secum vertantque per Auras ;*

many at the church of Boston, who were then that way too much inclined, most earnestly solicited the elders of that church, whereof the governour was a member, to call him forth as an offender, for passing of that sentence. The elders were unwilling to do any such thing; but the governour understanding the ferment among the people took that occasion to make a speech in the congregation to this effect:

“Breturen: Understanding that some of you have desired that I should answer for an offence lately taken among you; had I been called upon so to do, I would, first, have advised with the ministers of the country, whether the church had power to call in question the civil court; and I would, secondly, have advised with the rest of the court, whether I might discover their counsels unto the church. But though I know that the reverend elders of this church, and some others, do very well apprehend that the church cannot enquire into the proceedings of the court; yet, for the satisfuction of the weaker, who do not apprehend it, I will declare my mind concerning it. If the church have any such power, they have it from the Lord Jesus Christ; but the Lord Jesus Christ hath disclaimed it, not only by practice, but also by precept, which we have in his gospel, Matt. xx. 25, 26. It is true, indeed, that magistrates, as they are church-members, are accountable unto the church for their failings; but that is when they are out of their calling, When Uzziah would go offer incense in the temple, the officers of the church called him to an account, and withstood him; but when Asa put the prophet in prison, the officers of the church did not call him to an account for that, If the magistrate shall in a private way wrong any man, the church may call him to an account for it; but if he be in pursuance of a course of justice, though the thing that he does be wnyust, yet he is not accountable for it before the church. As for my self, I did nothing in the causes of any of the brethren but by the advice of the elders of the church. Moreover, in the oath which I have taken there is this clause: “In all cases wherein you are to give your vote, you shall do as in your judgment and conscience you shall see to be just, and for the publick good.” And I am satisfied, it is most for the glory of God, and the publick good, that there has been such a sentence passed; yea, those brethren are so divided from the rest of the country in their opinions and practices, that it cannot stand with

the publick peace for them to continue with us; Abraham saw that Hagar and Ishmael must be sent away.”

By such a speech he marvellously convinced, satisfied and mollified the uneasie brethren of the church; Sic cuncins Pelagi cecidit Fragor—.+ And after a little patient waiting, the diffrences all so wore away, that the church, meerly as token of respect anto the governour when he had newly met with some losses in his estate, sent him a present of several hundreds of pounds. Once more there was a time when some active spirits among the deputies of the colony, by ther endeavours not only to make themse!ves a Court of Judicature, but also co take away the negative by which the magistrates might check their votes, had like by over-driving to have run the whole government into something too democratical. And

® Rack sea and land and sky with mingled wrath,

+ To silence sunk the thunder of the wave. In the wild tumult of their stormy path,

MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA;

if there were a town in Spain undermined by coneys, another town in Thrace destroyed by soles, a third in Greece ranversed by frogs, a fourth in Germany subverted by rats; I must on this occasion add, that there was a country in America like to be confounded by a swine. A certain stray sow being found, was claimed by two several persons with a claim so equally maintained on both sides, that after six or seven years’ hunting the business from one court unto another, it was brought at last into the General Court, where the final determination was, “that ic was impossible to proceed unto any judgment in the case.” However, in the debate o? this matter, the negative of the upper-house upon the lower in that Court was brought upon the stage; and agitated with so hot a zeal, that a little more, and all had been in the fire. Yn these agitations, the governour was informed that an offence had been taken by some eminent persons at certain passages in a discourse by him written thereabout; whereupon, with his usual condescendency, when he next came into the General Court, he made a speech of this import:

“Tuncerstond that some have taken offence at something that I have lately written; whieh cffvave T desire to remove now, and begin this year in a reconciled state with you all. As for the mavter of my writing, I had the concurrence of my brethren; it is a point of judgment which is 10% at my own disposing. I have examined it over and over again by such light as God has given ine, from the rules of religion, reason and custom; and I see no cause to retract any thing of it: wherefore I must enjoy my liberty in that, as you do your selves. But for the manner, this, and all that was blame-worthy in it, was wholly my own; and whatsoever I might alledge for my own justification therein before men, I wave it, as now setting my self before another Judgment seat. However, what I wrote was upon great provocation, and to vindicate my self and others from great aspersion; yet that was no sufficient warrant for me to allow any distemper of spirit in my self’; and I doubt I have been too prodigal of my brethren’s reputation; I might have maintained my cause without casting any blemish upon others, when I made that my conclusion, ‘And now let religion and sound reason give judgment in the case;’ it looked as if I arrogated too much unto my self, and too little to others, And when I made that profession, ‘That I would maintain what I wrote before all the wor!) though such words might modestly be spoken, yet I perceive an unbeseeming pride of my own heart breathing in them. For these failings, I ask pardon of God and man.”

Sic ait, et dicto citius Tumida quora placat, Collectasque fugat Nubes, Solemque reducit.*

This acknowledging disposition in the governour made them all acknowledge, that he was truly “a man of an excellent spirit.” In fine, the victories of an Alexander, an Hannibal, or a Ceesar over other men, were not so glorious as the victories of this great man over himself, which also at last proved victories over other men.

§ 9. But the stormiest of all the ¢rials that ever befel this gentleman, was in the year 1645, when he way, in ttle, no more than Deputy-governour of the colony. Ifthe famous Cato were forty-four times called into

* He speaks—but ere the word is said, And brightening clouds one moment stay Each mounting billow droops its head, | To pioneer returning day,

town in

a fourth

hat there A certain h a claim 3’ hunting; into the mpossible Aebate o? Jourt wus little more, informed n passag'’s sual conde- > uw speech

tely written; with you all, oint of judgby such light > no cause to your selves. y own; and ve it, as now B upon great was no suf-

T have been hout casting religion and nto my self, naintain what et I perceive T ask pardon

them all In fine, other men,

self, which

rentleman, y-governalled into

ment stay

judgment, but as often acquitted; let it not be wondred, and if our famous Winthrop were one time so. There hapning certain seditious and mutinous practices in the town of Hingham, the Deputy-governour, as legally as prudently, interposed his authority for the checking of them: whereupon there followed such ap. enchantment upon the minds of the deputies in the General Court, that upon a scandalous petition of the delinquents unto them, wherein a pretended invasion made upon the liberties of the people was complained of, the Deputy-governour was most irregularly callsd forth unto an ignominious hearing before them in a vast assembly; wher2t with a sagacious humilitude he consented, although he shewed them how he might have refused it. The result of that hearing was, that notwithstanding the touchy jealousie of the people about their'liberties lay at the bottom of all this prosecution, yet Mr. Winthrop was publickly acquitted, and the offenders were severally fined and censured. But Mr. Winthrop then resuming the place of Deputy-governour on the bench, saw cause to speak unto the root of the matter after this manner:

“T shall not now speak any thing about the past proceedings of this Court, or the persons therein concerned. Only I bless God that I see an issue of this troublesome affair. Tam well satisfied that I was publickly accused, and that I am now publickly acquitted. But though I am justified before men, yet it may be the Lord hath seen so much amiss in my administrations, as calls me to be humbled; and indeed for nie to have been thus charged by men, is it self a matter of humiliation, whereof I desire to make a right use before the Lord. If Miriam’s father spit in her face, she is to be ashamed. But give me leave, before you go, to say somthing that may rectifie the opinions of many people, from whence the distempers have risen that have lately prevailed upon the body of this people. The questions that have troubled the country have been about the authority of the magistracy, and the liberty of the people. It is you who have called us unto this office; but being thus called, we have our authority from God; it is the ordinance of God, and it hath the image of God stamped upon it; and the contempt of it has been vindicated by God with terrible examples of his vengeance. I entreat you to consider, that when you chuse magistrates, you take them from among your selves, ‘men subject unto like passions with your selves.’ If you see our infirmities, reflect on your own, and you will not be so severe censurers of ours. We count him a good servant who breaks not his covenant: the covenant between us and you, is the oath you have taken of us, which is to this purpose, ‘that we shall govern you, and judge your causes, according to God’s laws, and our own, according to our best skill’ As for our skill, you must run the hazard of it; and if there be an error, not in the will, but only in skill, it becomes you to bear it. Nor would I have you to mistake in the point of your own liberty. ‘There is a liberty of corrupt nature, which is affected both by men and beasts, to do what they list; and this liberty is inconsistent with authority, impatient of all restraint; by this liberty, Sumus Omnes Deter’>res;* tis the grand enemy of truth and peace, and all the ordinances of God are bent against it. But there is a civil, a moral, a federal liberty, which is the proper end and object of authority; it is a liberty for that only which is just and good; for this liberty you are to stand with the hazard of your very lives; and whatsoever crosses it is not authority, but a distemper thereof. This liberty is maintained ina way of subjection to authority; and the authority set over you will in all administrations for your good be quietly submitted unto, by all but such as have a disposition to shake off the yoke, and lose their true liberty, by their murmuring at the honour and ‘power of authority.”

® We are all the worse for it,

The spell that was upon the eyes of the people heing thus dissolved, their distorted and enraged notions of things all vanished; and the people would not afterwards entrust the helm of the weather-beaten bark in any other hands but Mr. Winthrop’s until he died.

§ 10. Indeed, such was the mixture of distant qualities in him, as to make a most admirable temper; and his having a certain greatness of soul, which rendered him grave, generous, courageous, resolved, well-applied, and every way a gentleman in his demeanour, did not hinder him from taking sometimes the old Roman’s way to avoid confusions, namely, Cedendo;* or from discouraging some things which are agreeable enough to most that wear the name of gentlemen. Hereof I will give no instances, but only oppose two passages of his life. .

In the year 16382, the governour, with his pastor, Mr. Wilson, and some other gentlemen, to settle a good understanding between the two colonies, travelled as far as Plymouth, more tan forty miles, through an howling wilderness, no better accommodated in those early days than the princes that in Solomon’s time saw “servants on horseback,” or than genus and species in the old epigram, “going on foot.” The difficulty of the walk, was abundantly compensated by the honourable, first reception, and then dismission, which they found from the rulers of Plymouth; and by the good correspondence thus established between the new colonies, who were like the floating bottels wearing this motto: Si Collidimur Frangimur.t But there were at this time in Plymouth two ministers, leavened so far with the humours of the rigid separation, that they insisted vehemently upon the uulawfulness of calling any unregenerate man by the name of “‘good-man such an one,” until by their indiscreet urging of this whimsey, the place began to be disquieted. The wiser people being troubled at these trifles, they took the opportunity of Governour Winthrop’s being there, to have the thing publickly propounded in the congregation; who in answer thereunto, distinguished between a theological and a moral goodness; adding, that when Juries were first used in England, it was usual for the crier, after the names of persons fit for that service were called over, to bid them all, “Attend, good men and true;” whence it grew to be a civil custom in the English nation, for neighbours living by one another, to call one another “good man such an one;” and it was pity now to make'a stir about a civil custom, so innocently introduced. And that speech of Mr. Winthrop’s put a lasting stop to the little, idle, whimsical conceits, then beginning to grow obstreperous. Nevertheless, there was one civil custom used im (and in few bud) the English nation, which this gentleman did endeavour to abolish in this country; and that was, the usage of drinking to one another. For although by drinking to one another, no more is meant than an act of courtesie, when one going to drink, does invite another to do so too, for the same ends with himself;

® By yielding tho point. + If ve come into collisiun, we break,

dissolved, the people ark in any

him, as to ess of soul, ell-applied, + him from s, namely, ble enough o instances,

n, and some wo colonies, an howling the princes n genus and of the walk, on, and then and by the es, who were Frangimur.t avened so far vehemently the name of his whimsey, r troubled at hrop’s being pgation; who 1 moral goodit was usual b were called bnce it grew iving by one d it was pity duced. And, idle, whimtheless, there hation, which nd that was, king to one pne going to with himself;

gion, we break,

nevertheless the governour (not altogether unlike to Cleomenes, 0. whom tis reported by Plutarch, dnoves sdsig wornpiov wpocspeps, Nolenti poculum nunquam prebuit,)* considered the impertinency and insignificancy of this usage, as to any of those ends that are usually pretended for it; and that indeed it ordinarily served for no ends at all, but only to provoke persons unto unseasonable and perhaps unreasonable drinking, and at last produce that abominable health-drinking, which the fathers of old so severely rebuked in the Pagans, and which the Papists themselves do condemn, when their casuists pronounce it, Peccatum mortale, provocare ad Aiquales Calices, et Nefas Respondere.t. Wherefore in his own most hospitable house he left it off; not out of any silly or stingy fancy, but meerly that by his example a greater temperance, with liberty of drinking, might be recommended, and sundry inconveniences in drinking avoided; and his example accordingly began to be much followed by the sober people in this country, as it now also begins among persons of the highest rank in the English nation it self; until an order of court came to be made against that ceremony in drinking, and then, the old wont violently returned, with a Nitimur in Vetitum.t

§ 11. Many were the afflictions of this righteous man! He lost much of his estate in a ship, and in an house, quickly after his coming to New- Ergland, besides the prodigious expence of it in the difficulties of his first coming hither. Afterwards his assiduous application unto the publick affairs, (wherein Jpse se non habutt, postquam Respublica eum Gubernatorem habere ccepit)§ made him so much to neglect his own private interests, that an unjust steward ran him £2,500 in debt before he was aware; for the payment whereof he was forced, many years before his decease, to sell the most of what he had left unto him in the country. Albeit, by the observable blessings of God upon the posterity of this. liberal man, his children all of them came to fair estates, and lived in good fashion and credit. Moreover, he successively buried three wives; the first of which was the

_ daughter and heiress of Mr, Forth, of Much-Stambridge in Essex, by

whom he had “wisdom with an inheritance;” and an excellent son. The second was the daughter of Mr. William Clopton, of London, who died with her child, within a very little while. The third was the daughter of the truly worshipful Sir John Tyndal, who made it her whole care to please, first God, and then her husband; and by whom he had four sons, which survived and honoured their father. And unto all these, the addition of the distempers, ever now and then raised in the country, procured unto him a

_* very singular share of trouble; yea, so hard was the measure which he

found even among pious men, in the temptations of a wilderness, that when the thunder and lightning had smitten a wind-mill whereof he was owner,

© Never urged the reluctant to drink.

+ It is a deadly sin to challenge another to a drinking match, and it is impious to accept such challenges, ¢ A bias towards the forbidden indulgence.

§ He no longer belonged to himself, after the Republic had once made him her Chief Magistrate,

Vou. L—9

some had such things in their heads as publickly to reproach this charitablest of men as if the voice of the Almighty had rebuked, I know not what oppression, which they judged him guilty of; which things-I would not have mentioned, but that the instances may fortifie the expectations of my best readers for such afflictions,

§ 12. He that had been for his attainments, as they said of the blessed Macarius, a rasdapioyspuv, (an old man, while a young one,) and that had in his young days met with many of those il/ days, whereof he could say, he had “‘little pleasure in them;” now found old age in its infirmities advancing earlher upon him, than it came upon his much longer-lived progenitors. While he was yet seven years off of that which we call “the grand climacterical,” he felt the approaches of his dissolution; and finding he could say,

Non Hubitue, non ipse Culor, non Gressue Euntis, Non Species Eadem, qua fuit ante, manet ;*

He then wrote this account of himself: ‘‘Age now comes upon me, and infirmities therewithal, which makes me apprehend, that the time of my departure out of this world is not far off. Iowever, our times are all in the Lord’s hand, so as we need not trouble our thoughts how long or short they may be, but how we may be found faithful when we are called for.” But at last when ‘hat year came, he took a cold which turned into a feaver, whereof he lay sick about a month, and in that sickness, as it hath been observed, that there was allowed unto the serpent the “bruising of the heel;” and accordingly at the heel or the close of our lives the old serpent will be nibbling more than ever in our lives before; and when the devil sees that we shall shortly be, “where the wicked cease from troubling,” that wicked one will trouble us more than ever; so this eminent saint now underwent sharp conflicts with the tempter, whose wrath grew great, as the time to exert it grew short; and he was buffeted with the disconsolate thoughts of black and sore desertions, wherein he could use that sad representation of his own condition:

Nuper eram Judex; Jam Judicor; Ante Tribunal Subsistens paveo; Judicor ipse modo.t

But it was not long before those clouds were dispelled, and he enjoyed in his holy soul the great consolations of God! While he thus lay ripening for heaven, he did out of obedience unto the ordinance of our Lord, send for the elders of the church to pray with him; yea, they and the whole church /usted as well as prayed for him; and in that fast the venerable Cotton preached on Psal, xxxv. 18, 14: “When they were sick, I humbled my self with fasting: I behaved my self as though he had been my friend or brother; I bowed down heavily, as one that mourned for his mother:” from whence I find him raising that observation, “The sick-

® Tam not what I was in form or face, Th healthful colour or in vigorous pace,

T once judged others. but now trembling stand Before a dread tribunal, to sx judged.

pst Fine,

Sac

this chariknow not aT would ctations of

he blessed hat had in ald say, he advancing rogenitors. and climac- 3 could say,

on me, and time of my 3 are all in ong or short called for.” nto a feaver, : hath been ising of the > old serpent n the devil troubling,” t saint now ew great, as disconsolate hat sad rep:

he enjoyed s lay ripenbf our Lord. hey and the kt the venerwere sick, I he had been mourned for, “The sicktrembling stand judged.

ness of one that is to us as a friend, a brother, a mother, is a just occasion of deep humbling our souls with fasting and prayer;” and making this application:

“Upon this occasion we are now to attend this duty for a governour, who has been to us as a friend in his counsel for all things, and help for our bodies by physick, for our estates by law, and of whom there was no fear of his becoming an enemy, like the friends of David: @ governour who hus been unto us as a brother; not usurping authority over the church; often speaking his advice, and often contradicted, even by young men, and some of low degree; yet not replying, but offering satisfaction also when any supposed offences have arisen; a governour who has been unto us as a mother, parent-like distributing his goods to brethren and neighbours at his first coming; and gently bearing our infirmities without taking notice of them.”

Such a governour, after he had been more than ten several times by the people chosen their governour, was New-England now to lose; who having, like Jacob, first left his council and blessing with his children gathered about his bed-side; and, like David, “served his generation by the will of God,” he “gave up the ghost,” and fell asleep on March 26, 1649. Having, like the dying Emperour Valentinian, this above all his other victories for his triumphs, His overcoming of himself.

The words of Josephus about Nehemiah, the governour of Israel, we will now use upon this governour of New-England, as his

VIR FUIT INDOLE BONUS, AC JUSTUS:

ET POPULARIUM GLORIZ AMANTISSIMUS:

QUIBUS ETERNUM RELIQUIT MONUMENTUM, Novanglorum Manta.”

SUCCESSORS.

§ 1. ONE as well acquainted with the matter, as Isocrates, informs us, that among the judges of Areopagus none were admitted, wAnv 6: xaAdig YEYowores, xu WorAny apernv xo Cuppotuvyv ev eh Biw evdedeiywevos (unless they were nobly born, and eminently exemplary for a virtuous and a sober life). The report may be truly made concerning the Judges of New-

* He was by nature a man, at once benevolent and just: most zealous for the honour of his countrymen; and

to them he left an imperishable monument—the walls of Jerusalem, (The Latin paraphrase substitutes Jew. England for Jerusalem.}

England, though they were not nobly born, yet they were generally well born; and by being eminently exemplary for a virtuous it a sclor life, gave demonstration that they were new-born, Some accoun: of them is now more particularly to be endeavoured.

We read concerning Saul, (1 Sam. xv. 12,) “He set up himself a place.” The Hebrew word, ‘v, there used, signifies @ monumental pillar, It is accordingly promised unto them who please God, (Isa. lvi. 6,) “That they shall have a place and a name in the house of God; that is to say, a pillar erected for fame in the church of God. And it shall be fulfilled in what shall now be done for our governours in this our Church-History. Even while the Massachusettensians had a Winthrop for their governour, they. could not restrain the channel of their affections from running towards another gentleman in their elections for the year 1684, particularly when they chose unto the place of governour Thomas Dudley, Esq., one whom, after the death of the gentleman above mentioned, they again and again voted into the chief place of government. He was born at the town of Northampton, in the year 1574, the only son of Captain Roger Dudley, who being slain in the wars, left this our Thomas, with his only sister, for the “Father of the orphans” to “take them up.” In the family of the Earl of Northampton he had opportunity perfectly to learn the points of good behaviour; and here having fitted himself to do many other benefits unto the world, he next became a clerk unto Judge Nichols, who being his kinsman by the mother’s side, therefore took the more special notice of him. From his relation to this judge, he had and used an advantage to attain such a skill in the law, as was of great advantage to him in the future changes of his life; and the judge would have preferred him unto the higher imployments, whereto his prompt wit not a little recommended him, if he had not been by death prevented. But before he could appear to do much at the pen, for which he was very well accomplished, he was called upon,to do something at the sword; for being a young gentleman well-known for his ingenuity, courage and conduct, when there were soldiers to be raised by order from Queen Elizabeth for French service, in the time of King Henry the Fourth, the young sparks about Northampton were none of them willing to enter into the service, until a commission was given unto our young Dudley to be their captain; and then presently there were fourscore that listed under him. At the head of these he went over into the Low Countries, which was then an academy of arms, as well as arts; and thus he came to furnish himself with endowments for the jield, as well as for the bench. The post assigned unto him with his company, was after at the siege of Amiens, before which the King himself was now encamped; but the providence of God so ordered it, that when both parties were drawn forth in order to battel, a treaty of peace was vigorously set on foot, which diverted the battel that was expected. Captain Dudley hereupon returned into England, and settling

ally well life, gave 1 is now

a place.” r, It is ‘hat they y, a pillar | in what y. Hven our, they. + towards rly when ne whom, nd again town of r Dudley, nly sister, family of the points other benshols, who sre special 1 used an antage to preferred ot a little But before very well for being h conduct, vabeth for ng sparks e service, r captain; At the s then an nself with ened unto which the o ordered treaty of that was d settling

Has BN

pr way

himself about Northampton, he married a gentlewoman whose extraction and estate were considerable; and the scituation of his habitation after this helped him to enjoy the ministry of Mr. Dod, Mr, Cleaver, Mr. Winston, and Mr, Hildersham, all of them excellent and renowned men: which puritan ministry so seasoned his heart with a sense of religion, that he was a devout and serious Christian, and a follower of the ministers that most effectually preached real Christianity, all the rest of his days, The spirit of real Christianity in him now also. disposed him unto sober non-conformity; and from this time, although none more hated the fanaticisms and enthusiasms of wild opinionists, he became a judicious Dissenter from the unscriptural ceremonies retained in the Church of England. It was not long after this that the Lord Say, the Lord Compton, and other persons of quality, made such observations of him, as to commend him unto the service of the Earl of Lincoln, who was then a young man, and newly come unto the possession of his earldom, and of what belonged thereunto. The grandfather of this noble person had left his heirs under vast entanglements, out of which his father was never able to extricate himself; so that the difficulties and incumbrances were now devolved upon this Theophilus, which caused him to apply himself unto this our Dudley for his assistances, who proved so able, and careful, and faithful a steward unto him, that within a little while the debts of near twenty thousand pounds, whereinto the young Earl found himself desperately ingulphed, were happily waded through; and by his means also a match was procured between the young Ear] and the daughter of the Lord Say, who proved a most virtuous lady, and a great blessing to the whole family. But the Earl finding Mr. Dudley to be a person of more than ordinary discretion, he would rarely, if ever, do any matter of any momept without his advice; but some into whose hands there fell some of his manuscripts after his leaving of the Earl's family, found a passage to this purpose: “The estate of the Earl of Lincoln I found so, and so, much in debt, which I have discharged, and have raised the rents unto so many hundreds per annum; God will, I trust, bless me and mine in such a manner, I can, as sometimes Nehemiah did, appeal unto God, who knows the hearts of all men, that I have with integrity discharged the duty of my place before him.”

T had prepared and intended a more particular account of this gentleman; but not having any opportunity to commit it unto the perusal of any descended from him (unto whom I am told it will be unacceptable for me to publish any thing of this kind, by them not perused) I have laid it aside, and summed all up in this more general account.

It was about nine or ten years that Mr: Dudley continued a steward unto the Earl of Lincoln; but then growing desirous of a more private life, he retired unto Boston, where the acquaintance and ministry of Mr. Cotton became no little satisfaction unto him. Nevertheless, the Earl of Lincoln found that he could be no more without Mr. Dudley, than Phaoe

Re eer.

raoh without his Joseph, and prevailed with him to resume his former imployment, until the storm of persecution upon the non-conformists caused many men of great worth to transport themselves into New-England. Mr. Dudley was not the least of the worthy men that bore a part in this transportation, in hopes that in an American wilderness they might peaceably attend and enjoy the pure worship of the Lord Jesus Christ. When the first undertakers for that plantation came to ‘know him, they soon saw that in him, that caused them to chuse him their deputy-governour, in which capacity he arrived unto these coasts in the year 1680, and had no amall share in the distresses of that young plantation, whereof an account, by him written to the Countess of Lincoln, has been since published unto the world. Here his wisdom in managing the most weighty and thorny affairs was often signalized: his justice was a perpetual terror to evil-doers: his courage procured his being the first major-general of the colony, when they began to put themselves into a military figure. His orthodox piety had no little influence unto the deliverance of the country from the contagion of the fumalistical errors, which had like to have overturned all. He dwelt first at Cambridge; but upon Mr. Hooker’s removal to Hartford, he removed to Ipswich; nevertheless, upon the importunity and necessity of the government for his coming to dwell nearer the center of the whole, he fixed his habitation at Roxbury, two miles out of Boston, where he was always at hand upon the publick exigencies. Here he died, July 81, 1653, in the seventy-seventh year of his age; and there were found after his death, in his pocket, these lines of his own composing, which may serve to make up what may be wanting in the character already given him:

Dim eyes, deaf ears, cold stomach, shew Farewel, dear wife, children and friends

My dissolution is in view. Hate heresie—make blessed ends,

Eleven times seven near lived have I, Bear poverty ; live with good men;

And now God calls, I willing die. So shall we live with joy agen.

My shuttle ’s shot, my race is run, Let men of God in courts and churches watch My sun is set, my day is done. O’er such as do a toleration hatch,

My span is measured, tale is told, Lest that ill egg bring forth a cockatrice,

My flower is faded, and grown old. | To poison all with heresie and vice.

My dream is vanish’d, shadows fled, If men be left, and otherwise combine, My soul with Christ, my body dead. My Epitaph’s, 1 py’D NO LIBERTINE.

But when I mention the poetry of this gentleman as one of his accomplishments, I must not leave unmentioned the fame with which the poems of one descended from him have been celebrated in both Englands. If the rare learning of a daughter was not the least of those bright things that adorned no less a Judge of England than Sir Thomas More; it must now be said, that a Judge of New-England, namely, Thomas Dudley,

Esq., had a daughter (besides other children) to be a crown unto him... .

Reader, America justly admires the learned women of the other hemisphere. She has heard of those that were tutoresses to the old professors of all philosophy: she hath heard of Hippatia, who formerly taught the liberal

is former ynformists New-Engre a part ney might us Christ. him, they overnour, -and had hereof an ince pubt weighty ual terror ral of the ure. His > country ave over- 8 removal portunity the center f Boston, e he died, here were bmposing, character

8 watch

S$ accomlhe poems nds. If ht things it must Dudley,

isphere. rs of all e liberal

nto him. .

arts; and of Sarocchia, who more lately was very often the moderatrix in the disputations of the learned men of Rome: she has been told of the three Corinnes, which equalled, if not excelled, the most celebrated poets of their time: she has been told of the Empress Endocia, who composed poetical paraphrases on divers parts of the Bible; and of Rosuida, who wrote the lives of holy men; and of Pamphilia, who wrote other histories unto the life: the writings of the most renowned Anna Maria Schurnian have come over unto her. But she now prays, that into such catalogues of authoresses as Beverovicius, Hottinger, and Voetius have given unto the world, there may be a room now given unto Madam ANN BRADSTREET, the daughter of our Governour Dudley, and the consort of our Governour Bradstreet, whose poems, divers times printed, have afforded a grateful entertainment unto the ingenious, and a monument for her memory beyond the stateliest marbles. It was upon these poems that an ingenious person bestowed this epigram:

Now I believe tradition, which doth call

The Muses, Virtues, Graces, females all.

Only they arénot nine, eleven, or three ; Not with her sable mantle muffling him,

Our auth’ress proves them but an unity. But her bright silver makes his gold look dim:

Mankind, take up some blushes on the score; Just as his beams force our pale lamps to wink,

Monopolize perfection hence no more, And earthly fires within their ashes shrink,

What else might be said of Mr. Dudley, the reader shall construe from

the ensuing

In your own arts contess your selves outdone ; The moon hath totully eclips’d the sun:

EPITAPH.

Helluo Librorum, Lectorum Bibliotheca Morum acris Censor, validus Defensor amansque Communis, Sacre Syllabus Historia. Et San@ et Cana Catholice fidei.

id Mensam Comes, hine facundus, Rostra disertus, Angli-novi Columen Summum Decus atque Senatus; (Non Cumulus verbis, pondus, Acumen erat,) Thomas Dudleius, conditur hoc Tumulo.*—E, R.

§ 2. In the year 1635, at the anniversary election, the freemen of the colony testified their grateful esteem of Mr John Haines, a worthy gentleman, who had been very serviceable to the interests of the colony, by chusing him their governour, Of him in an ancient manuscript I find this testimony given: ‘To him is New-England many ways beholden; had he done no more but stilled a storm of dissention, which broke forth in the beginning of his government, he had done enough to endear our hearts unto him, and account that day happy when he took the reins of government into his hands.” But this pious, humble, well-bred gentleman, removing afterwards into Connecticut, he took his turn with Mr. Edward Hopkins in being every other year the governour of that colony. And as he was a great friend of peace while he lived, so at his death he entered into that

* In books a prodigal, they say; In character a critic bold;

A living cyclopeedia; And of that faith, both sound and old— Of histories of church and priest Both Carnotic and Curistian too, A full compendium, at least ; A soldier trusty, tried and true;

A table-talker, rich in sense, New-England’s Senate’s crowning grace, And witty without wit’s pretenco; In merit truly as in place,

peace which attends the end of the perfect and upright man, leaving behind him the character sometimes given of a greater, though not a better man, (Vespasian) Bonis Legibus multa correxit, sed exemplo probe vite plus effect apud populum.*

§ 8. Near twenty ships from Europe visited New-England in the year 1685, and in one of them was Mr. Henry Vane, (afterwards Sir Henry Vane,) an accomplished young gentleman, whose father was much against his coming to New-England; but the King, upon information of his disposition, commanded him to allow his son’s voyage hither, with a consent for his continuing three years in this part of the world. Although his business had some relation to the plantation of Connecticut, yet in the year 1636, the Massachuset colony chose him their governour. And now, reader, I am as much a seeker for his character as many have taken him to be a seeker in religion, while no less persons than Dr, Manton have not been to seek for the censure of a wicked book, with which they have noted the Mystical Divinity, in the book of this knight, entituled, ‘ The retired man’s Meditations." There has been a strange variety of translations bestowed upon the Hebrew names of some animals mentioned in the Bible: Avppod, for instance, which: we translate a bittern, R. Salomon will have to be an owl, :.: Luther will have it be an eagle, while Paynin will have it be an hedge. .y, but R. Kimchi will have it a snail; such a variety of opinions and resentments has the name of this gentleman fallen under; while some have counted him an eminent Christian, and others have counted him almost an heretich; some have counted him a renowned patriot, and others an infamous traitor. If Barak signifie both to bless and to curse; and Evioyewt be of the same significancy with Baacpeyew,t in such philology as that of Suidas and Hesychias; the usage which the memory of this gentleman has met withal, seems to have been accommodated unto that indifferency of signification in the terms for such an usage.

On the one side, I find an old New-English manuscript thus reflecting:

“His election will remain as a blemish to their judgments who did elect him, while New- England remains a nation; for he coming from Old-England, a young unexperienced gentleman, (and as young in judgment as he was in years,) by the industry of some that could do much, and thought by him to play their own game, was presently elected governour; and before he was scarce warm in his seat, began to broach new tenets; and these were agitated with as much violence, as if the welfare of New-England must have been sacrificed rather than these not take place. But the wisdom of the state put a period to his govern. ment; necessity caused them to undo the works of their own hands, and leave us a caveat, that all good men are not fit for government.”

But on the other side, the historian who has printed, ‘The Trial of Sir Henry Vane, Knt. at the King’s Bench, Westminster, June 2, and 6, 1662, with other Occasional Speeches; also his Speech and Prayer on the scaf-.

* Reformed many abuses by means of wise laws, but accomplished much more for his people by setting them an exumple of extraordinary virtue, + To eulogize. t To malign,

ng behind

etter man, plus effecit

1 the year Sir Henry ch against of his disa consent hough his yet in the And now, cen him to e not been noted the tired man’s ; bestowed >: Kippod, e to be an e it be an f opinions vhile some nted him nd others urse; and philology bry of this

unto that

reflecting:

while Newrienced gene that could governour; these were len sacrificed his govern- S a caveat,

ial of Sir 6, 1662,

the scaf:.

setting them

SIR HENRY VANE.

.

‘E OF MASSACHUSE7TS.

THE ORIGINAL GRAN’

OR, THE HISTORY OF NEW-ENGLAND. 187 fold,” has given us in him the picture of nothing less than an heroe. He seems indeed by that story to have suffered hardly enough, but no man can deny that he suffered bravely: the English nation has not often seen more of Roman (and indeed more than Roman) gallantry, out-facing death in the most pompous terrours of it. A great royalist, present, at his decollation, swore, ‘‘He died like a prince:” he could say, “I bless the Lord I am so far from being affrighted at death, that I find it rather shrink from me, than I from it!” He could say, “Ten thousand deaths rather than ‘ defile my conscience; the chastity and purity of which 1 value beyond all this world; I would not for ten thousand worlds part with the peace and satisfaction I have in my own heart.” When mention was made of the difficult proceeding against him, all his reply was, “ Alas, what ado do they keep to make a poor creature like his Saviour!” On the scaffold they did, by the blast of trumpets in his face, with much incivility, hinder him from speaking what he intended; which incivility he aforehand suspecting, committed a true copy of it unto a friend before his going whither; the last words whereof were these:

“As nfy last words, I leave this with you, that as the present storm we now lye under, and the dark clouds that yet hang over the reformed churches of Christ, (which are coming thicker and thicker for a season) were not unforeseen by me for many years past; (as some writings of mine declare) so the coming of Christ in these clouds, in order to a speedy and sudden revival of his cause, and spreading his kingdom over the face of the whole earth, is most clear to the eye of my faith, even that faith in which I die.”

His execution was June 14, 1662, about the fiftieth year of his age.

§ 4. After the death of Mr. Dudley, the notice and respect of the colony fell chiefly on Mr. John Endicot, who, after many services done for the colony, even before it was yet a colony, as well as when he saw it grown into a populous nation, under his prudent and equal government, expired in a good old age, and was honourably interred at Boston, March 23, 1665.

The gentleman that succeeded Mr. Endicot was Mr. Richard Bellingham, one who was bred a lawyer, and one who lived beyond eighty, well esteemed jor his laudable qualities, but as the Thebans made the statues of their magistrates without hands, importing that they must be no takers; in this fashion must be formed the statue for this gentleman; for among all his virtues, he was noted for none more than for his notable and _perpetual hatred of a bribe, which gave him, with his country, the reputation of old claimed by Pericles, to be, pidorovs rs xou xpnuarwv xpatcwv: Civitatis | Amans et ad pecunias Invictus.* And as he never took any from any one _ living; so he neither could nor would have given any to death; bui in the ___ latter end of the year 1672 he had his “soul gathered, not with sinners,

- whose right ‘hand is full of bribes,” but with such as “walk in their : uprightness,” The gentleman that succeeded Mr. Bellingham was Mr. John Leveret,

* A true patriot, superior to the temptations of gain.

one to whom the affections of the freemen were signalized, in his quick advances through the lesser stages of office and honour unto the highest in the country; and one whose courage had been as much recommended by martial actions abroad in his younger years, as his wisdom and justice were now at home in his elder. The anniversary election constantly kept him at the helm from the time of his first sitting there, until March 16, 1678, when mortality having first put him on severe trials of his passive-courage, (much more difficult than the active) in pains of the stone, released him.

—Extinctus amabitur idem.t

THE gentleman that succeeded Mr. Leveret was Mr. Simon Bradstreet, the son ofa minister in Lincolnshire, who was always a non-conformist at home, as well as when preacher at Middleburgh abroad. Him the New- Englanders, in their addresses full of profound respects unto him, have with good reason called, “The venerable JMordecai of his country.” He was born at Horbling, March, 1608. His father (who was the son of a Suffolk gentleman of a fine estate) was one of the first fellows in Immanuel Colledge, under Dr. Chaderton, and one afterwards highly esteemed by Mr. Cotton and by Dr. Preston. Our Bradstreet was brought up at the grammar-school, until he was about fourteen years old; and then the death of his father put a stop for the present unto the designs of his further education, But according to the faith of his dying father, that ‘he should be well provided for,” he was within two or three years after this taken into the religious family of the Karl of Lincoln, (the best family of any nobleman then in England,) where he spent about eight years under the direction of Mr, Thomas Dudley, sustaining successively divers offices, Dr, Preston then (who had been my lord’s tutor) moved my lord that Mr, Bradstreet might have their permission to come unto Immanuel Colledge, in the capacity of governour to the Lord Rich, the son of the Earl of Warwick; which they granting, he went with the Doctor to Cambridge, who provided a chamber for him, with advice that he should apply himself to study until my lord’s arrival. But he afterwards, in a writing of his, now in my hands, made this humble complaint: “I met with many obstacles to my study in Cambridge; the Earl of Lincoln had a | iter there, who often called me forth upon pastimes, Divers masters of art, and other scholars also, constantly met, where we spent most part of the afternoons many times in discourse to little purpose or profit; but that seemed an easie and pleasant life then, which too late I repented.”’” My

* The Father of his Country. + Though dead, he shall none the less be loved.

is quick > highest nmended nd justice ntly kept 16, 1678, >- courage, ed him.

T, ESQ.

Bradstreet, rformist at the Newhim, have ntry.” He 1e son of a Immanuel tteemed by up at the n the death his further ‘he should this taken mily of any under the ers offices. rd that Mr. pl Colledge, he Earl of Cambridge, apply himwriting of with many a ier sters of art, part of the t; but tliat nted.”’ My

less be loved.

Lord Rich not coming to the University, Mr. Bradstreet returned after a year to the Earl of Lincoln’s; and Mr. Dudley then removing to Boston, his place of steward unto the Earl was conferred on Mr. Bradstreet. Afterwards he with much ado obtained the Karl's leave to answer the desires of the aged and pious Countess of Warwick, that he would accept the stewardship of her noble family, which as the former he discharged with an exemplary discretion and fidelity. Here he married the daughter of Mr. Dudley, by whose perswasion he came in company with him to New-England, where he spent all the rest of his days, honourably serving his generation. It was counted a singular favour of Heaven unto Richard Chamond, Esq., one of England’s worthies, that he was a Justice of Peace near threescore years; but of Simon Bradstreet, Esq., one of New-England’s worthies, there can more than this be said; for he was chosen a magistrate of New-England before New-England it self came into New- England; even in their first great voyage thither, Anno 1680, and so he continued annually chosen; sometimes also their secretary, and at last their governour, until the colony had a share in the general shipwreck of charters, which the reign of King Charles II. brought upon the whole English nation. Mr. Joseph Dudley was placed, Anno 1685, as president

_ over the territory for a few months, when the judgment that was entred

against the charter gave unto the late King James II. an opportunity to make what alterations he pleased upon the order of things, under which the country had so long been flourishing. But when the short presidentship of that New-English and well accomplished gentleman, the son of Mr. Thomas Dudley above mentioned, was expired, I am not in a disposition here to relate what was the condition of the colony, until the revolution whereto their condition compelled them. Only I have sometimes, not Without amazement, thought of the representation which a celebrated magician made unto Catherine de Medicis, the French Queen, whose impious curiosity led her to desire of him a magical exhibition of al! the Kings that had hitherto reigned in France, and yet were to reign. The shapes of all the Kings, even unto the husband of that Queen, successively showed themselves, in the enchanted circle, in which that conjurer had made his invocations, and they took as many turns as there had been years in their government. ‘The Kings that were to come, did then in like manner successively come upon the stage, namely, Francis II., Charles IX., Henry IIL, Henry IV., which being done, then two cardinals, Richlieu and Mazarine, in red hats, became visible in the spectacle: but after those cardinals, there entred wolves, bears, tygrs and lions, to consummate the entertainment. If the people of New-England had not imagined that a number of as

_ rapacious animals were at last come intu their government, I suppose they

would not have made such a revolution as they did, on April 18, 1689, in conformity to the pattern which the English nation was then setting before them. Nevertheless, I have nothing in this paragraph of our History

to report of it, but that Mr. Bradstreet was at this time alive; whose paternal compassions for a country thus remarkably his own, wou!d not permit him to decline his return unto his former seat in the government, upon the unanimous invitation of the people thereunto, It was a remark then generally made upon him, “That though hv were then well towards ninety years of age, his intellectual force was hardly abated, but he retained a vigour and wisdom that would have recommended a younger man to the government of a greater colony.” And the wonderful difficulties through which the colony under his discreet conduct waded, until the arrival of his Excellency Sir William Phips, with a commission for the government, and a new charter in the year 1692, gave a remarkable demonstration of it. Yea, this honourable Nestor of New-England, in the year 1696, was yet alive; and as Georgius Leontinus, who lived until he was an hundred and eight years of age, being asked by what means he attained unto such an age, answered, “By my not living voluptuously;” thus this excellent person attained his good old age, in part, by living very temperately. And the New-Englanders would have counted it their satisfaction, if, like Arganthonius, who had been fourscore years the governour of the Tartessians, he might have lived unto the age of an hundred and twenty; or, even unto the age of Johannes de Temporibus, who was knighted by the Emperour Charlemaign, and yet was living till the Emperour Conrade, and saw, they say, no fewer years than ¢ree hundred threescore and one. Though, “to be dissolved and be with Christ,’”’ was the satisfaction which this our Macrobius himself was with a weary soul now waiting and longing for; and Christ at length granted it unto him, on March 27,1697. Then it was, that one of the oldest servants that God and the King had upon earth, drew his last, in the very place where he drew his first, American breath. He died at Salem, in a troublesome time, and entred into everlasting peace. And in imitation of what the Roman orator said upon the death of Crassus, I will venture to say, Mwit hoe, luctuoswm suis, Acerbum Patrie, Grave Bonis Omnibus: sed vi tamen Rempublicam casus Secuti suni, ut mihi non Erepta Bradstreeto Vita, sed donata mors esse videatur.*

The epitaph on that famous lawyer, Simon Pistorius, we will now imploy for this eminently prudent and upright administrator of our laws:

EPITAPH.

SIMON BRADSTREET. Quod Mortale jit, Tellus tenet; Inclyta Fama Nominis haud ullo stat violande Diet

AND ADD, Extinetum luget quem tota Nov-Anglia Patrem, O quantum Claudtt parvula Terra Virum!t¢

+

* His death was mournful to his household, a bitter loss to his country, a heavy blow to all good men: and yet such calamities have since then befullen our Republic, that it doos not seem as if [Bradstreet] was bereft of life, but as if death were conferred upon him as a boon.—CiceRo, Uration for Crassus.

+ Earth holds his mortal part: his honoured name Shall put Time’s impious hand to open shame,

¢ Here lies New-England’s father. Woe the day! How mingles mightiest dust with meanest clay!

ert

ve; whose wou'd not overnment, is a remark ell towards he retained yer man to difficulties 1, until the ion for the rkable demand, in the ed until he + means he uptuously ;” 't, by living nted it their ars the gov- ‘an hundred us, who was ‘ing till the ‘three hundred Christ,’”’ was A weary soul t unto him, nts that God ce where he lesome time, the Roman y, Fuit hoe, tamen Remn, sed donata

now imploy Haws :

mglia Patrem, a Virum !t

kood men: and yet was bereft of life,

Woe the day! meanest clay!

OR, THE HISTORY OF NEW-ENGLAND.

CHAPTER Vi.

wma ‘ya, Jd est, VIRT ANIMATI;* OR ASSISTENTS.

THE freemen of New-England had a great variety of worthy men, among whom they might pick and chuse a number of MAGIsTRATES to be the assistants of their GoveRNouRS, both in directing the general affairs of the land, and in dispensing of justice unto the people, But they wisely made few alterations in their annual elections; and they thereby shewed their satisfaction in the wise and good conduct of those whom they had elected. If they called some few of ‘| cir magistrates from the plough to the bench, so the old Romans did their dictators; yea, the greatest kings in the world once carried; son the top of their scepters, However, the inhabitants of New iever were so unhappy as the inhabitants of Norcia, a town scar: ic, cues from Rome; where they do at this day chuse their own magistrates, but use an exact care, “That no man who is able to write, or to read, shall be capable of any share in the government.” The magistrates of New-England have been of a better education, Indeed, several deserving persons, who were joined as associates and commissioners unto these, for the more effectual execution of the laws in emergencies, cannot be brought into our catalogue; but the names of all our magistrates, with the t/mes when I find their first advancement unto that character are these:

MAGISTRATES OF THE MASSACHUSET-COLONY,

John Winthrop, Governor, John Winthrop, Jun, 1632, John Pinchon, 1665. Thomas Dudley, Deputy-you, John Haines, 1634, Edward Tyng, 1668, Matthew Cradock, 1629, Richard Billingham, — 1635, William Stoughton, 1671. Thomas Goff, 1629, Atterton Hough, 1635, Thomas Clark, 1673, Sir Richard Saltonstal, 1629, Richard Dummer, 1635, Joseph Dudley, 1676, Isaac Johnson, 1629, Henry Vane, 1636, Peter Bulkley, 1677. Samuel Aidersloy, 1629, Roger Hartackenden, 1636. Nathanacl Saltonstal, 1679. John Venn, 1629, Israel Stoughton, 1637, Humphrey Davy, 1679, John Humfrey, 1629, Richard Saltonstal, 1637, James Russel, 168), Simon Whercomb, 1629, Thomas Flint, 1643. Samuel Nowel, 1620. Increase Nowel, 1629, Samuel Symons, 1643. Peter Tilton, 1630, Richard Perry, 1629, William Hibbons, 1643, John Richards, 1680. Nathanael Wright, 1629, William Tynge, 1643, John Hull, 1680. Samuel Vassal, 1629, Herbert Pelhum, 1645, Bartholomew Gidney, 1680. Theophilus Eaton, 1629, Robert Bridges, 1647, Thomas Savage, 1680. Thomas Adams, 1629, Francis Willoughby, — 1650), William Brown, 1680, Thomas Hutchins, 1629, Thomas Wiggan, 1650, Samuel Appleton, 1681. George Foxcroft, 1629, Edward Gibbons, 1650. Robert Pike, 1682, William Vassal, 1629, John Glover, 1652. Daniel Fisher, 1683, William Pinchon, 1629, Daniel Gookin, 1652, John Woodbridge, 1683, John Pocock, 1629, Daniel Denison, 1654, Elisha Cook, 1684. Christopher Cowlson, 1629, Simon Willard, 1654, William Johnson, 1684, William Coddington, 1629, Humphrey Atherton, 1654. John Hawthorn, 1684, Simon Bradstreet, 1629, Richard Russel, 1659, Elisha Hutchinson, 1684. Thomas Sharp, 1629, Thomas Danforth, 1659, Samuel Sewal, 1684, Roger Ludlow, 1630, William Hawthorn, 1662, Isaac Addington, 1686. Edward Rossiter, 1630. Eleazer Lusher, 1662, John Smith, 1686, John Endicot, 1630. John Leveret, 1665, * Living men.

MAJOR-GENERALS OF THE MILITARY FORCES IN THE COLONY, SUCCESSFULLY CHOSEN. Thomas Dudley, Edward Gibbons, Humfry Atherton. John Leveret. John Endicot. Robert Sedgwick. Daniel Denison. Daniel Gookin.

SECRETARIES OF THE COLONY, SUCCESSFULLY CHOSEN. William Burgis, Simon Bradstreet. Increase Nowel, Edward Rawson.

That these names are proper and worthy to be found in our Church- History, will be acknowledged, when it is considered, not only that they were the members of Congregational churches, and by the members of the churches chosen to be the rulers of the Commonwealth; and that their exemplary behaviour in their magistracy was generally such as to “adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour,” and, according to the old Jewish wishes, prohibitum est Homini, instar principis Dominari super populum et cum ela- ‘tione Spiritus, sed, AXP, M3y3 cum mansuetudine ac Timore;* but also that their love to, and zeal for, and care of these churches, was not the least part of their character.

The instances of their concern for the welfare of the churches were innumerable. I will single out but one from the rest, because of some singular subserviency to the designs of our Church-History, therein to be proposed. I'll do it only by transcribing an instrument, publishe. .4nno 1668, in such terms as these:

To the Elders and Ministers of every Town within the Jurisdiction of the Massachusets in New- England, the Governour and Council sendeth Greeting.

“REVEREND AND BELOVED IN THE Lorp: We find in the examples of holy Scripture, that magistrates have not only excited and commanded all the people under their government, ‘to seek the Lord God of their fathers, and do the law and commandment, (2 Chron. xiv. 2, 3, 4; Ezra vii. 25, 26, 27,) but also stirred up and sent forth the, Levites, accompanied with other principal men, to ‘teach the good knowledge of the Lord throughout all the cities, (2 Chron. xvii. 6, 7, 8, 9,) which endeavours have been crowned with the blessing of God.

“ Also we find that our brethren of the Congregational perswasion in England, have made a good profession in their book, entituled, ‘A declaration of their faith and order, (page 59, sect. 14,) where they say, ‘That although pastors and teachers stand especially related unto their particular churches, yet they ought not to neglect others living within their parochial bounds; but besides their constant public preaching to them, they ought to enquire after their profiting by the word, instructing them in, and pressing upon them, (whether young or old) the great doctrines of the gospel, even personally and particularly, so far as their strength and time will permit.’

“We hope that sundry of you need not a spur in these things, but are conscientiously careful to do your duty. Yet, forasmuch as we have cause to fear that there is too much neglect in many places, notwithstanding the Jaws long since provided therein, we do therefore think it our duty to emit this declaration unto you, earnestly desiring, and, in the bowels of our Lord Jesus, requiring you to be very diligent and careful to catechise and instruct all people (especially the youth) under your charge, in the sound principles of Christian religion; and that not only in publick, but privately ‘from house to house,’ as blessed Paul did; (Acts xx. 20,) or at least three, four, or more families meeting together, 2s time and strength may permit; taking to your assistance such godly and grave persons as to you may seem most expedient: and also that you labour to inform your selves (as much as may

* It is forbidden to man to rule like a prince over a people, and with a proud spirit: he should exercise authority in meekness and fear,

HOSEN. Leveret. 1 Gookin.

rd Ravson.

w Churchr that they embers of d that their }to “adorn rish wishes, et cum elait also that ot the least

rches were ise of some lerein to be lish. Anno

husets in New-

Scripture, that ir government, (2 Chron. xiv. 8, accompanied nt all the cities,’ ssing of God. nd, have made rder, (page 59, ly related unto their parochial D enquire after hether young so far as their

conscientiously e is too much , we do there- , in the bowels ke and instruct es of Christian s blessed Paul r, 28 time and Bons as to you bs much as may

lhe should exercise

OR, THE HISTORY OF NEW-ENGLAND. 148 be meet) how your hearers do profit by the word of God, and how their conversations do agree therewith; and whether the youth are taught to read the English tongue: taking all occasions to apply suitable exhortations particularly unto them, for the rebuke of those that do evil, and the encouragement of them that do well. é “The effectual and constant prosecution hereof, we hope will have a tendency to promote the salvation of souls; to suppress the growth of sin and profaneness; to beget more love and unity among the people, and more reverence and esteem of the ministry: and it will assuredly be to the enlargement of your crown, and recompence in eternnl glory. “Given at Boston, the 10th of March, 1668, by the governour and council, and by them

ordered to be printed, and sent accordingly. emilee itil. ‘eirelaon? 9 °

Chee eR Pe. PUBLICOLA CHRISTIANUS,

THE LIFE OF EDWARD HOPKINS, ESQ, GOVERNOR OF CONNECTICUT COLONY.

Superiorcs sint, qui superiores esse sciunt.t

§ 1. WHEN the great God of heaven had carried his “peculiar people” into a wilderness, the theocracy, wherein he became (as he was for that reason stiled) “the Lord of Hosts,” unto them and the four squadrons of their army, was most eminently displayed in Ais enacting of their laws, his directing of their wars, and Ais electing and inspiring of their judges. In some resemblance hereunto, when four colonies of Christians had marched like so many hosts under the conduct of the good spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ into an American wilderness, there were several instances wherein that army of confessors was under a theocracy; for their laws were still enacted, and their wars were still directed by the voice of God, as far as they understood it, speaking from the oracle of the Scriptures: and though their judges were still elected by themselves, and not inspired with such extraordinary influences as carried them of old, yet these also being singularly furnished and offered by the special providence of God unto the government of his New-English people, were so eminently.acted, by his graces, and his precepts, in the discharge of their government, that the blessed people were still sensibly governed by the Lord of all. Now, among the first judges of New-England, was Epwarp Hopkins, Esq., in whose time the colony of Connecticut was favoured with “judges as at first:” and put under the power of those with whom it was a maxim, (ratius est pietatis Nomen, quam potestatis.t

§ 2. The descent and breeding of Mr. Epwarp Hopxrns, (who was born I think near Shrowsbury, about the year 1600,) first fitted him for the

* The Christian Patriot. + They should be superior, who feel that they are superior. $ The reputation of piety is dearer than the fame of power.

condition of a Turkey-merchant, in London: where he lived several years in good fashion and esteem, until a powerful party in the Church of England, then resolving not only to separate from the communion of all the

faithful that were averse to certain confessedly unscriptural and uninstituted rites in the worship of God, but also to persecute with destroying

severities those that were non-conformists thereunto, compelled a considerable number of good men to seek a shelter among the salvages of America.

Among these, and with his excellent father-in-law, Mr. Theophilus Eaton,

he came to New-England; where, then removing from the Massachusetbay unto Hartford upon Connecticut River, he became a ruler and pillar

of that colony, during the time of his abode in the country.

§ 3. In his government he acquitted himself as the Solomon of his colony, to whom ‘God gave wisdom and knowledge, that. he might go out and come in before the people;” and as he was the head, so he was the heart of the people, for the resolution to do well, which he maintained among them. An unjust judge is, as one says, “a cold fire, a dark sun, a dry sea, an ungood God, a contradictio in adjecto."* Far from such was our Hopkins; no, he was, vixatov éuluxov,t a meer piece of living justice. And as he had no separate interests of his own, so he pursued their interests with such an unspotted and successful fidelity, that they might call him, as the: tribe of Benjamin did,their leader in the wilderness, Abidan; that is to say, ‘our father is judge.”’ New-England saw little dawnings, and emblems, and earnests of the day, “that the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven shall be given unto the people of the saints of the Most High,” when such a saint as our HOPKINS was one of its governours, And the felicity which a great man has prognosticated for Europe, “that God will stir up some happy governour in some country in Christendom, indued with wisdom and consideration, who shall discern the true nature of Godliness and Christianity, and the necessity and excellency of serious religion, and shall place his honour and felicity in pleasing God and doing good, and attaining everlasting happiness, and shall subject all worldly respects unto these high and glorious ends:” thiswaz §_- exemplified in America.

§ 4. Most exemplary was his piety and h: .crity; and while he governed others by the laws of God, he did himself yield a profound subjection unto those laws. He was exemplarily watchful over his own behaviour, and made a continual contemplation of and preparation for death, to be the character of his life. It was his manner to rise early, even before day, to enjoy the devotions of his closet; after which he spent a considerable time in reading, and opening, and applying the word of God unto his family, and then praying with them: and he had one particular way to cause atteation in the people of his family, which was to ask any person that seemed careless in the midst of his discourse, “What was it that I read or spoke last?” whereby he habituated them unto such an attention, that

* A paradox, + Justice incarnate,

ral years 1 of Eng: of all the 1 uninstilestroying, consider: America. us Eaton, ssachusetand pillar

ion of his ght go out 1e was the naintained lark sun, & ch was our tice. And erests with him, as the: that is to nd emblems, under the f the Most ours, And “that God om, indued re of Godbus religion, loing good, Hly respects nu America. tile he govsubjection behaviour, h, to be the ore day, to erable time his family, ay to cause person that that I read ention, that

ice incarnate,

they were still usually able to give a ready account. But as for his prayers, they were not only frequent, but so fervent also, that he frequently fell a bleeding at the nose through the agony of spirit with which he laboured in them. And especially when imploring such spiritual blessings as, “that God would grant in the end of our lives, the end of our hopes, even the salvation of our souls,” he would be so transported, that the observing and judicious hearers would say sometimes upon it, “Surely this man cannot be long out of heaven.” Moreover, in his neighbourhood he not only set himself to encourage and countenance real Godliness, but also would himself kindly visit the Meetings that the religious neighboyrs privately kept for the exercises of it; and where the least occasion for contention was ‘offered, he would, with a prudent and speedy endeavour, extinguish it. But the poor he so considered, that besides the daily reliefs which with his own hands he dispensed unto them, he would put considerable sums of money into the hands of his friends, to be by them employed as they saw “opportunity to do good unto all, especially the household of faith.” In this thing he was like that noble and worthy English General, of whom "tis noted, “he never thought he had any thing but what he gave away;” and yet, after all, with much humility he would profess, as one of the most liberal men that ever was in the world often would, “I have often turned over my books of accounts, but I could never find the great God charged a debtor there.”

§ 5. But suffering as well as doing belongs to the compleat character of a Christian; and there were several trials wherein our Lord called this eminently patient servant of his to suffer the will of God. He conflicted with bodily infirmities, but especially with a wasting and a bloody cough, which held him for thirty years together. He had been by persecutions

' driven to cross an ocean, to which he had in his nature an antipathy;

and then a wilderness full of such crosses as attend the beginning of a plantation, exercised him. Nevertheless, there was one affliction which continually dropt upon him above all the rest, and that was this, he married a daughter which the second wife of Mr. Eaton had by a former husband; one that from a child had been observable for desirable qualities, But some time afte: she was married, she fell into a distempered melancholy, which at last issued in an incurable distraction, with such ill-shaped ideas in her brain, as use to be formed when the animal spirits are fired by irregulax particles, fixed with acid, bilious, venemous ferments in the blood. Very grievous was this affliction unto this her worthy consort, who was by temper a very affectionate person; and who now left no part of a tender husband undone, to ease, and, if it were possible, to cure the lamentable desolation thus come upon “the desire of his eyes;” but when the physician gave him to understand that no means would be likely to restore her sense but such as would be also likely to hazard her Wij, he replied, with

MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA;

but upon this occasion he said unto her sister, who, with all the rest related unto her, were as dear unto him as his own, “I have often thought, what would be the meaning of the Lord, in chastising of me with so sharp a rod, and with so long a stroke,” whereto, when she replied, ‘Sir, nothing singular has, in this case, befallen you; God hath afflicted others in the like way; and we must be content with our portion;” he answered, ‘Sister, this is among the Lord’s rarities. For my part, I cannot tell what sore to lay my hand upon: however, in general, my sovereign Lord is just, and I will justifie him for ever: but in particular, I have thought the matter might lye here: I promised my self too much content in this relation and enjoyment; and the Lord will make me to know that this world shall not afford it me.” So he wisely, meekly, fruitfully bore this heavy affliction unto his dying day; having been taught by the affliction to die daily as long as he lived. ,

§ 6. About Governour Eaton, his father-in-law, he saw cause to say unto a sister-in-law, whom he much valued, “I have often wondred at my father and your father; I have heard him say, That he never had a repenting, or a repining thought, about his coming to New-England: surely, in this matter he hath a grace far out-shining mine. But he is our father! I cannot say, as he can, I have had hard work with my own heart about it.” But upon the death of his elder brother, who was warden of the fleet, it was necessary for him to return into England, that he might look after the estate which then fell unto him; and accordingly, after a tempestuous and a terrible voyage, wherein they were eminently endangered by fire, accidentally enkindled on the ship, as well as by water, which tore it so to pieces, that it was towed in by another ship, he at length,

Per Varios Casus; per tot Discrimina Rerum,*

arrived there. There a great notice was quickly taken of him: he was made warden of the fleet, commissioner of the admiralty, and the navy office, a parliament-man; and he was placed in some other considerable stations: in all which he more than answered the expectations of those who took him to be a person eminently qualified for public service. By these employments, his design of returning to New-England, with which he left it, was diverted so far, that he sent for his family; and about the time that he looked for them, he being advantaged by his great places to employ certain frigots for their safety on the coast, by that means had them safely brought unto him. When they were with him in London, one of them told him how much his friends in New-England wished and prayed for his return: and how that passage had been used in our publick supplications for that mercy, “Lord, if we may win him in heaven, we shall yet have him on earth:” but he replyed, “I have had many thoughts about my return, and my affections have been bent very strongly that

* Through peril, toil, and rough adventure passed.

st related ght, what arp a rod, thing sinn the like d, ‘Sister, hat sore to 3 just, and the matter lation and d shall not y affliction tie daily as

use to say wondred at ever had a w-England:

But he is ith my own was warden nat he might agly, after a ently endanwater, which at length,

im: he was d the navy considerable ons of those service. By, with which d about the pat places to means had in London, wished and our publick h heaven, we any thoughts strongly that

tai a

way; and though I have now, blessed be God, received my family here, yet that shall be no hindrance to my return, I will tell you, though I am little worth, yet I have that love which will dispose me to serve the ~ Lord and that peopie of his. But as to that matter, I incline to think they will not win it in heaven; and I know not whether the terrors of my dreadful voyage hither might not be ordered by the Divine Providence to stake me in this land, being in my spirit sufficiently loth to run the hazard of such another. I must also say to you, I mourn exceedingly, and J fear, J fear, the sins of New-England will ere long be read in its punishments. The Lord has planted that land with a noble vine; and blessed hast thou been, O land, in thy rulers! But, alas! for the generality they have not considered how they were to honour the rules of God, in honouring of those whom God made rulers over them; and I fear they will come to smart by having them set over them, that it will be an hard work to honour, and that will hardly be capable to manage their affairs.”

§ 7. Accordingly he continued in England the rest of his days, in several places of great honour and burden faithfully serving the nation; but in the midst of his publick employments most exactly maintaining the zeal and watch of his own private walk with God. His mind kept continually mellowing and ripening for heaven; and one expression of his heavenly mind, among many others, a little before his end, was, “‘ How often have I pleased my self with thoughts of a joyful meeting with my father Eaton! I remember with what pleasure he would come down the street, that he might meet me when I came from Hartford unto New- Haven: but with how much greater pleasure shall we shortly meet oae another in heaven!” But as an heavenly mind is oftentimes a presaging mind, so he would sometimes utter this presage unto some that were near and dear unto him: “God will shortly take the Protector away, and soon after that you will see great changes overturning the present constitution, and sore troubles come upon those that now promise better things unto themselves.” However, he did not live to see the fulfilment of this prediction.

§ 8. For the time now drew near that this Israelite was to die! He had been in his life troubled with many fears of death; and after he fell sick, even when he drew very near his death, he said, with tears, “Oh! pray for me, for I am in extream darkness!” But at length, on a Lord’s day, about the very time when Mr. Caryl was publickly praying for him, his darkness all vanished, and he broke forth into these expressions: “Oh! Lord, thou hast kept the best wine until the last! Oh! friends, could you believe this? I shall be blessed for ever; I shall quickly be in eternal glory. Now let the whole world count me vile, and call me an hypocrite, or what they will, I matter it not; I shall be blessed; there is reserved for me a crown of glory. Oh! blessed be God for Jesus Christ! I have heretofore thought it an hard thing to die, but now I find that it is not

so. If I might have my choice, I would now chuse to die, Oh! my Lord, I pray thee send me not back again into this evil world, I have enough of it; no, Lord, now take me to glory, and the kingdom that is prepared for me!” Yea, the standers by thought it not possible for them a to utter, exactly after him, the heavenly words which now proceeded from Wd him; and when one of them said, ‘Sir, the Lord hath enlarged your faith;” "4 he replied, ‘Friend, this is sense; the Lord hath even satisfied my sense; ;

I am sensibly satisfied of everlasting glory!” Two or three days he now i

spent in prayers and praises, and in inexpressible joys; in which time, when some eminent persons of a very publick station and imployment came to visit him, unto them he said, “Sirs, take heed of your hearts while you are in your work for God, that there be no root of bitterness within ye you. It may be pretended your desires are to serve God, but if there are ee in you secret aims at advancing of your selves, and your own estates and i interests, the Lord will not accept your services as pure before him.”

But at length, in the month of March, 1657, at London he expired; when being opened, it was found that his heart had been unaccountably, bs! as it were, boiled and wasted in water, until it was become a little brittle f

skin, which, being touched, presently dropped in pieces. He had often wished, upon some great accounts, that he might live till the beginning of this year; and now when he lay a dying, he said, ‘‘ Lord! thou hast fulfilled my desires according to thy word, that thou wilt fulfil the desires of them that fear thee.”

Now, from the tombstone of another eminent person, we will fetch what shall here be a proper

EPITAPH. PART OF EDWARD HOPKINS, ESQ.

But Acaven, not brooking that the eartA shoukl share Intends to sue out, by a new revise, In the least atom of 2 piece so rare, His Aabeae corpue at the grand assize.

CHAPTER Viet.

SUCCESSOBS.

§ 1. ALTERNATELY, for the most part every other year, Mr. Haines, whom we have already mentioned elsewhere, took a turn with Mr. Hopkins in the chief place of government. And besides these, (reader, the oracle that once predicted government unto a 9, would now and here predict it unto a W,) there were Mr. Willis, Mr. Wells, and Mr. Webster, all of whom also had opportunity to express their liberal and generous dispositions, and the governing virtues of wisdom, justice and courage, by the election of the freemen in the colony before its being united with New-Haven. Had the

ile: Meee thet a ctl Saab wl EY Se a: Fee

Oh! my ld, I have ym that is e for them eded from our faith;” my sense; ys he now hich time, nployment earts while.ess within if there are estates and him.”

e expired; countably, ittle brittle > had often sginning of ast fulfilled res of them

fetch what

size.

ines, whom Hopkins in oracle that. dict it unto whom also ns, and the. ion of the Had the

surviving relations of these worthy men sent in unto me a tenth part of the considerable and imitable things which occurred in their lives, they might have made more of a figure in this our history; whereas I must now sum up all, with assuring my reader, that it is the want of knowledge in me, and not of desert in them, that has confined us unto this brevity.

§ 2. After the union of Connecticut with New-Haven, there were in chief government Mr. Leet, whom we have already paid our dues unto: and Mr. Treat, who is yet living, a pious and a valiant man, and (if even Annosa Quercus* be an honourable thing!) worthy to be honoured for an hoary head found in the way of righteousness; besides, Mr. Winthrop, of. whom anon, reader, expect a compleater history.

CHAPTER TX, HUMILITAS HONORATAAS

THE LIFE OF THEOPHILUS EATON, ESQ, GOVERNOUR OF NEW-HAVEN COLONY.

Justitie Cultor, Rigidi Servator Honesti, In Commune Bonum.}

§ 1. Ir has been enquired why the Evangelist Luke, in the first sacred history which he addressed unto his fellow-citizen, gave him the title of “The most excellent Theophilus,” but in the next he used no higher a stile than plain Theophilus! And though several other answers might be given to that enquiry, ’tis enough to say, that neither the civility of Luke, nor nobility of Theophilus, were by age abated; but Luke herein considered the disposition of Theophilus, as well as his own, with whom a reduced age had rendered all titles of honour more disagreeable superfiuities. Indeed, nothing would have been more unacceptable to the gover;r of our New- Haven colony, all the time of his being so, than to have ‘ieen advanced and applauded above the rest of mankind, yet it must be now published unto the knowledge of mankind, that New-England could not of his quality show a more excellent person, and this was Theophilus Eaton, Esq., the first governour of that colony. Humility is a virtue whereof Amyraldus observes, “There is not so much as a shadow of commendation in all the pagan writers.” But the reader is now concerned with writings which will commend a person for humility; and therefore our EaTon, in whom the shine of every virtue was particularly set off with a more than ordinary degree of humility, must now be proposed as commendable,

§ 2. "Tis reported, that the earth taken from the banks of Nilus, will

* An aged oak. ¢ Humility in honour.

$ Exact in justice—honest, humble, plain— His private virtues were the public’s gain,

very strangely sympathize with the place from whence it was taken, and grow moist or dry according to the increase and the decrease of the river, And in spite of that Popish lie which pretends to observe the contrary, this thing has been signally moralized in the daily observation, that the sons of ministers, though betaking themselves to other employments, do ordinarily carry about with them an holy and happy savour of their ministerial education, "T'was remarkably exemplified in our Theophilus Eaton, who was born at Stony-Stratford in Oxfordshire, the eldest son to the faithful and famous minister of the place. But the words of old used by Philostratus concerning the son of a greateman, “ As for his son, I have nothing else to say, but that he was his son;” they could not be used concerning our Theophilus, who, having received a good education from his pious parents, did live many years to answer that education in his own piety and usefulness.

§ 8. His father being removed unto Coventry, he there at school fell into the intimate acquaintance of that worthy John Davenport, with whom the providence of God many years after united in the great undertaking of settling a colony of Christian and reformed churches on the American strand, Here his ingenuity and proficiency rendered him notable; and so vast was his memory, that although he wrote not at the church, yet when he came home, he would, at his father’s call, repeat unto those that met in his father’s house, the sermons which had been publickly preached by others, as well as his own father, with such exactness, as astonished all the neighbourhood, But in their after improvements, the hands of Divine Providence were laid across upon the heads of Theophilus Eaton and John Davenport; for Davenport, whose father was the mayor of Coventry, became a minister; and Eaton, whose father was minister of Coventry, contrary to his intentions, became a merchant. His parents were very loth to have complied with his inclinations; but their compliance therewithal did at last appear to have been directed by a special favour of Heaven unto the family, when, after the death of his father, he by this means became the Joseph, by whom his mother was maintained until she died, and his orphan brethren and sisters had no small part of their subsistence.

§ 4. During the time of his hard apprenticeship he behaved himself wisely; and his wisdom, with God’s favour, particularly appeared in his chaste escape from the snares of a young woman in the house where he lived, who would fain have taken him in the pits by the wise man cautioned against, and who was herself so taken only with his most comely person, that she dyed for the love of him, when she saw him gone too far to be obtained: whereas, by the like snares, the apprentice that next succeeded him was undone for ever. But being a person herewithal most signally

diligent in his business, it was not long before the maxim of the wise man’

was most literally accomplished in his coming to “stand before princes;” for being made a freeman of London, he applied himself unto the Eastaken, and the river, trary, this he sons of ordinarily terial edu- , who was ithful and hilostratus else to say, - Theophiis, did live ness.

school fell rith whom idertaking American lable; and hurch, yet those that r preached astonished | hands of lus Eaton or of Covbinister of rents were ompliance al favour he by this ned until t of their

d himself ed in his where he cautioned y person, far to be succeeded

signally

wise man

princes;” the East-

Country trade, and was publickly chosen the deputy-governour of the company, wherein he so acquitted himself as to become considerable, And afterwards going himself into the East-Country, he not only became so well acquainted with the affairs of the Baltick-sea, but also became so well improved in the accomplishments of a man of business, that the King of England imployed him as an agent unto the King of Denmark. The concerns of his agency he so discreetly managed, that as he much obliged and engaged the East-Land company, (who in token thereof presented his wife with a bason and ewer double gilt, and curiously wrought with gold, and weighing above sixty pound,) so he found much acceptance with the King of Denmark, and was afterwards used by that prince to do him no little services. Nevertheless, he kept his integrity amongst the temptations of that court, whereat he was now a resident; and not seldom had he most eminent cause to acknowledge the benignity and interposal of Heaven for his preservations: once particularly, when the King of Denmark was beginning the King of England’s health, while Mr. Eaton, who disliked such health-drinking, was in his presence; the King fell down in a sort of a fit, with the cup in his hand, whereat all the nobles and courtiers wholly applied themselves to convey the King into his chamber, and there was no notice taken who was to pledge his health; whereby Mr. Eaton was the more easily delivered from any share in the debauch.

§ 5. Having arrived unto a fair estate, (which he was first willing to do,) he married a most virtuous gentlewoman, to whom he had first espoused himself after he had spent three years in an absence from her in the East- Country. But this dearest and greatest of his temporal enjoyments proved but a temporal one; for living no longer with him than to render him the father of two children, she almost killed him with her own death; and yet at her death she expressed herself wondrous willing “to be dissolved, and., be with Christ, from whom” (she said) “I would not be detained one hour for all the enjoyments upon earth.” He afterwards married a prudent and pious widow, the daughter of the bishop of Chester; unto the three former children of which widow, he became a most exemplary, living and faithful father, as well as 2, most worthy husband unto herself, by whom he afterwards had five children, two sons and three daughters. But the second of his children by his latter wife dying some while before, it was not long before his two children by his former wife were smitten with the plague, whereof the elder died, and his house thereupon shut up with a “Lord, have mercy!” However, the Lord had this mercy on the family, to let the distemper spread no further; and so Mr. Eaton spent many years a merchant of great credit and fashion in the city of London.

§ 6. At length conformity to ceremonies humanely invented and imposed in the.worship of God, was urged in the Church of England with so much rigour, that Mr. Davenport was thereby driven to seek a refuge from the storm in the cold and rude corners of America. Mr. Eaton had already

assisted the new Massachuset-colony, as being one of the patentees for it; but had no purpose of removing thither himself, until Mr. Davenport, under whose excellent ministry he lived, was compelled unto a share in this removal. However, being fully satisfied in his own conscience, that unlawful things were now violently demanded of him, he was willing to accompany his persecuted pastor in the retreat from violence now endeavoured, and many eminent Londoners chearfully engaged with him in this undertaking. Unto New-England this company of good men came in the year 1687, where, chusing to be a distinct colony by themselves, more accommodated unto the designs of merchandize than of husbandry, they sought and bought a large territory in the southern parts of the country for their habitations. In the prosecution hereof, the chief care was devolved upon Mr. Eaton, who, with an unexampled patience, took many tedious and hazardous journies through a desolate wilderness full of barbarous Indians, until upon mature deliberation he pitched upon a place now called New-Haven, where they soon formed a very regular town; and a number of other towns along the sea side were quickly added thereunto. But by the difficulties attending these journies, Mr. Eaton brought himself into an extream sickness; from which he recovered not without a fistula in his breast, whereby he underwent much affliction. When the chirurgeon came to inspect the sore, he told him, “Sir, I know not how to go about what is necessary for your cure;” but Mr. Eaton answered him, “God calls you to do, and me to suffer!” And God accordingly strengthened him to bear miserable cuttings and launcings of his flesh with a most invincible patience, The chirurgeon indeed made so many wounds, that he was not able to cure what he had made; another, and a better, hand was necessarily imployed for it; but in the mean while great were the trials with which the God of heaven exercised the faith of this his holy servant.

§ 7. Mr. Eaton and Mr. Davenport were thé Moses and Aaron of the Christian colony now erected in the south-west parts of New-England; and Mr. Eaton being yearly and ever chosen their governour, it was the admiration of all spectators to behold the discretion, the gravity, the equity with which he still managed all their publick affairs, He carried in his very countenance a majesty which cannot be described; and in his dispensations of justice he was a mirrour for the most imitable impartiality, but ungainsayable authority of his proceedings, being awfully sensible of the obligations which the oath of a judge lays upon him. Js sont plus tenus de raison de garder Leur Serment, doubter mort, ou aucutie forfeiture:* and hence he, who would most patiently bear hard things offered unto his person in private cases, yet would never pass by any publick affronts or neglects offered, when he appeared under the character of a magistrate.

But he still was the guide of the blind, the staff of the lame, the helper

of the widow and the orphan, and all the distressed; none that had a good

© They are more bound in rcason to keep their oaths, than to fear death, or any forfeiture whatsoever,

SNPS SRN et eek ef I in pages PER ae =

tees for it; Davenport, a share in sience, that willing to ow endeavhim in this came in the ves, more ndry, they he country us devolved iny tedious barbarous place now wn; and a thereunto, zht himself it a fistula chirurgeon > go about him, “God rengthened ith a most ids, that he hand was b the trials ly servant. ron of the -England; it was the the equity ried in his his dispeniality, but ble of the plus tenus ture:* and 1 unto his affronts or magistrate.

the helper

had a good

vever,

¥ Pit ey PN a. 1 .: wk bes 4 tongl Se (OR barn,’ ink 4 A

cause was afraid of coming before him: on the one side, in his days did the righteous flourish; on the other side, he was the terror of evil doers, As in his government of the commonwealth, so in the government of his family, he was prudent, serious, happy to a wonder: and albeit he sometimes had a large family, consisting of no less than thirty persons, yet he managed them with such an even temper, that observers have affirmed, “They never saw an house ordered with more wisdom!” He kept an honourable and hospitable table; but one thing that still made the entertainment thereof the better, was the continual presence of his aged mother; by feeding of whom with an exemplary piety till she died, he ensured his — own prosperity as long as he lived. His children and servants he would mightily encourage unto the study of the Scriptures, and countenance their addresses unto himself with any of their enquiries; but when he discerned any of them sinfully negligent about the concerns either of their general or particu!:r callings, he would admonish them with such a penetrating efficacy, thx! they could scarce forbear falling down at his feet with tears, A word of his was enough to steer them!

§ 8. So exemplary was he for a Christian, that one who had been a servant unto him, could many years after say, ‘ Whatever difficulty in my daily walk I now meet withal, still something that I either saw or heard in my blessed master Eaton’s conversation, helps me through it all; I have reason to bless God that ever I knew him!” It was his custom when he first rose in a morning, to repair unto his study; a study well perfumed with the meditations and supplications of an holy soul. After this, calling his family together, he would then read a portion of the Scripture among them, and after some devout and useful reflections upon it, he would make a prayer, not long, but extraordinarily pertinent and reverent; and in the evening some of the same exercises were again attended. On the Saturday morning he would still take notice of the approaching Sabbath in his prayer, and ask the grace to be remembring of it, and preparing for it; and when the evening arrived, he, besides this, not only repeated a sermon, but also instructed his people, with putting of questions referring to the points of religion, which would oblige them to study for an answer; and if their answer were at any time insufficient, he would wisely and gently enlighten their understandings; all which he concluded with singing of a psalm, When the Lord’s day came, he called his family together at the time for the ringing of the first bell, and repeated a sermon, whereunto he added a fervent prayer, especially tending unto the sanctification of the day. At noon he sang a psalm, and at night he retired an hour into his closet; advising those in his house to improve the same time for the good of their own souls. He then called his family together again, and in an obliging manner conferred with them about the things with which they had been entertained in the house of God, shutting up all with a prayer for the blessing of God upon them all. For solemn days of humiliation,

or of thanksgiving, he took the same course, and endeavoured still to make those that belonged unto him understand the meaning of the services before them. He seldom used any recreations, but being a great reader, all the time he could spare from company and business, he commonly spent in his beloved study; so that he merited the name which was once given to a learned ruler of the English nation, the name of Beauclerk: in conversing with his friends, he was affable, courteous, and generally pleasant, but grave perpetually; and so cautelous and circumspect in his discourses, and so modest in his expressions, that it became a proverb for incontestable truth, ‘‘Governour Eaton said it.”

But after all, his humility appeared in having always but low expectations, looking for little regard and reward from any men, after he had merited as highly as possible by his universal serviceableness.

§ 9. His eldest son he maintained at the Colledge until he proceeded master of arts; and he was indeed the son of his vows, and a son of great hopes. But asevere catarrh diverted this young gentleman from the work of the ministry whereto his father had once devoted him; and a malignant fever then raging in those parts of the country, carried off him with his wife within two or three days of one another. This was counted the sorest of all the trials that ever befel his father in the “days of the years of his pilgrimage;” but he bore it with a patience and composure of spirit which was truly admirable. His dying son looked earnestly on him, and said, “Sir, what shall we do?” Whereto, with a well-ordered countenance, he replied, “Look up to God!” And when he passed by his daughter, drowned in tears on this occasion, to her he said, ‘‘ Remember the sixth commandment: hurt not your self with immoderate grief: remember Job, who said, ‘The Lord hath given, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord!’ You may mark what a note the spirit of God put upon it; ‘in all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly:’ God accounts it a charging of him foolishly, when we don’t submit unto his will patiently.” Accordingly he now governed him self as one that had attained unto the rule of ‘weeping as if we wept not;” for it being the Lord’s day, he repaired unto the church in the afternoon, as he had been there in the /orenoon, though he was never like to see his dearest son alive any more in this world. And though before the first prayer began, a messenger came to prevent Mr. Davenport’s praying for the sick person, who was now dead, yet his affectionate father altered not his course, but wrote after the preacher as formerly; and when he came home he held on his former methods of divine worship in his family, not for the excuse of Aaron, omitting any thing in the service of God. In like sort, when the people had been at the solemn interment of this his worthy son, he did with a very unpassionate aspect and carriage then say, “Friends, I thank you all for your love and help, and for this testimony of respect unto me and mine: the Lord hath given, and the Lord hath taken; blessed be the name of

ured still to f the services at reader, all monly spent Ss once given lerk: in conally pleasant, is discourses, incontestable

) eaxpectations, id merited as

1e proceeded son of great om the work 1 a malignant him with his ted the sorest years of his spirit which im, and said, ntenance, he ter, drowned h commandob, who said, be the name put upon it; accounts it a ll patiently.” ned unto the rd’s day, he e in the foreany more in Bsenger came ho was now rote after the n his former se of Aaron, bn the people he did with a hank you all e and mine: the name of

the Lord!” Nevertheless, retiring hereupon into the chamber where his daughter then lay sick, some tears were observed falling from him while he uttered these words, ‘There is a difference between a sullen silence or a stupid senselessness under the hand of God, and a child-like submission thereunto.”

§ 10. Thus continually he, for about a score of years, was the glory and pillar of New-Haven colony. He would often say, ‘Some count it a great matter to die well, but I am sure ’tis a great matter to live well. All our care should be while we have our Wie to use it well, and so when death puts an end unto that, it will put an end unto all our cares.” But having excellently managed his care to live well, God would have him to die well, without any room or time then given to take any care at all; for he enjoyed a death sudden to every one but himself! Having worshipped God with his family after his usual manner, and upon some occasion with much solemnity charged all the family to carry it well unto their mistress who was now confined by sickness, he supped, and then took a turn or two abroad for his meditations. After that he came in to bid his wife

_ good-night, before he left her with her watchers; which wien he did, she _~ said, “Methinks you look sad!” Whereto he replyed, “The differences

_ risen in the church of Hartford make me so;” she then added, “Let us _— even go back to our native country again;” to which he answered, “You may, (and so she did) but I shall die here.” This was the last word that

ever she heard him speak; for, now retiring unto his lodging in another chamber, he was overheard about midnight fetching a groan; and unto one sent in presently to enquire how he did, he answered the enquiry with only saying, “Very ill!” and without saying any more, he fell “asleep in Jesus,” in the year 1657, loosing anchor from New-Haven for the better;

Sedes, ubi Fata, Quietas Ostendunt.* —

Now let his gravestone wear at least the following

EPITAPH.

New-Enetanp’s glory, full of warmth and light, Stole away (and said nothing) in the night.

CHAPTER X.

SUCCESSORS.

§ 1. WHEN the day arrived in the anniversary course for the freemen

” of the colony to elect another governour in the place of the deceased

* Where Destiny points out eternal rest.

MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA;

Katon, Mr. Davenport preached on that passage of the divine oracle, in Josh. i, 1, 2: “Now after the death of Moses, the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that’the Lord spake unto Joshua, the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying, Now arise thou and all this people.” The colony was abundantly sensible that their Eaton had been a man of a Mosaic spirit; and that while they chose him, as they did every year of his life, among them to be their governour, they could not chuse a better. But they now considered that Mr. Francis Newman, who had been for many years the secretary of the colony, was there a minister to their Moses, as he had been otherwise his intimate friend, neighbour, companion and counsellor. For this cause the unanimous choice of the freemen fell upon this gentleman to succeed in the government. And TI shall here give a sufficient history of his government; which through death was not suffered to continue above three or four years, by only saying, “That he walked exactly in the steps of his predecessor.”

§ 2. Upon the setting of Mr. Francis Newman, there arose Mr. William Leet, of whom let not the reader be displeased at this brief account. This gentleman was by his education a lawyer, and by his imployment a register in the Bishop’s Court. In that station, at Cambridge, he observed that there were summoned before the court certain persons to answer for the crime of going to hear sermons abroad, when there were none to be heard in their own psrish churches at home; and that, when any were brought before them for fornication or adultery, the court only made themselves merry with their Peccadillos; and that these latter transgressions were as favourably dealt withal, as ever the wolf was when he came with an auricular confession of his murders to his brother fox for absolution: but the former found as hard measure as ever the poor ass, that had only

taken a straw by mistake out of a pilgrim’s pad, and yet upon confession, was by Chancellour Fox pronounced unpardonable. This observation extreamly scandalized Mr. Leet, who always thought that hearing a good sermon had been a lesser fault than lying with one’s neighbour’s wife: and had the same resentments that Austin sometimes had of the iniquity which made “the transgression of a ceremony more severely reprehended than a transgression of the law of God;” but it made an everlasting impression upon his heart, when the judge of the court furiously demanded of one then to be censured, ‘‘ How he durst be so bold as to break the laws of the church, in going from his own parish to hear sermons abroad?” And the honest man answered, ‘Sir, how should I get faith else? For the apostle saith, Faith comes by hearing the word preached; which faith

is necessary to salvation; and hearing the word is the means appointed by

God for the obtaining and encreasing of it: and these means I must use,

whatever I suffer for it in this world.” These words of that honest man

were blessed by God with such an effect upon the mind of Mr. Leet, that he presently left his office in the Bishop’s Court, and forsaking that “untoward

estes

ine oracle, in f the Lord, it Nun, Moses’ e colony was Mosaic spirit; s life, among sut they now ay years the s, as he had d counsellor. 1 this gentlee a sufficient fered to conalked exactly

ose Mr. Wilsrief account. mployment a, he observed to answer for e none to be 1en any were y made themransgressions he came with or absolution: hat had only on confession,

observation baring a good r’s wife: and the iniquity reprehended sting impresdemanded of eak the laws bns abroad?” h else? For + which faith appointed by s I must use, honest man Leet, that he t “untoward

generation of men,” he associated himself with such as would go “hear the word, that i: aight get faith;” and in hearing, he did happily get the like precious ith. On this, and for this, he was exposed unto the persecution, which caused him to retire into New-England with many worthy ministers and other Christians, in the year 1639. In that country he settled himself under the ministry of the excellent Mr. Whitfield at Guilford, where, being also chosen a magistrate, and then governour of the colony; and being so at the juncture of time when the Royal Charter did join Connecticut and New-Haven, he became next unto Governour Winthrop, the deputy-governour of the whole; and after the death of Mr. Winthrop, even until his own death, the annual election for about a decade of years together, still made him governour. But in his whole government he gave continual demonstrations of an excellent spirit, especially in that part of it where the reconciliation and‘ the coalition of the spirits of the people under it was to be accomplished. Mr. Robert Treat is the follower of his example, as well as the successor in his government.

CAPT ORR AY. HERMES CHRISTIANUS.*

THE LIFE OF JOHN WINTHROP, ESQ. GOVERNOUR OF CONNECTICUT AND NEW-HAVEN UNITED.

—Et Nos aliquod Nomenque Decusque Gessimus.—t

§ 1. Ir the historian could give that character of the best Roman Emperor, that he was Bonus a Bono, Pius a Pio,t the son of a father like himself, our history may affirm concerning a very good New-English governour also, that he was the father of a son like himself, The proverb of the Jews which doth observe, “That vinegar is the son of wine;” and the proverb of the Greeks, which doth observe, ‘“‘That the sons of heroes are trespassers,” has been more than once contradicted in the happy experience of the New-Englanders: but none of the least remarkable contradictions given to it has been in the honourable family of our Winthrops.

§ 2. The eldest son of John Winthrop, Esq., the governour of one colony, was John Winthrop, Esq., the governour of another, in therefore happy New-England, born February 12, 1605, at Groton in England. His glad father bestowe ' on him a liberal education at the university, first of Cambridge in England, and then of Dublin in Ireland; and because travel has been esteemed no little accomplisher of a young gentleman, he then

* The Christian Mercury (or Physician), ¢ The good and pious son of a good and pious father.

¢ Some fame and honour we have won.

accomplished himself by traveliing into France, Holland, Flanders, Italy, Germany, and as far as Turkey it self; in which places he so improved his opportunity of conversing with all sorts of learned men, that he returned home equally a subject of much experience and of great expectation.

§ 8. The son of Scipio Africanus proving a degenerate person, the people forced him to pluck off a signet-ring which he wore with his father’s face engraven on it. But the son of our celebrated Governour Winthrop, was on the other side so like unto his excellent father for early wisdom and virtue, that arriving at New-England with his father’s family, November 4, 1631, he was, though not above twenty-three years of age, by the unanimous choice of the people, chosen a magistrate of the colony, whereof his father was the governour. For this colony he afterwards did many services, yea, and he did them abroad as well as at home; very particularly in the year 1634, when returning for England, he was by bad weather forced into Ireland, where being invited unto the house of Sir John Clotworthy, he met with many considerable persons, by conferring with whom, the affairs of New-England were not a little promoted; but it was another colony for which the providence of Heaven intended him to be such another father, as his own honourable father had been to this.

§ 4. In the year 1635, Mr. Winthrop returned unto New-England, with powers from the Lord Say and the Lord Brook to settle a plantation upon the Long River of Connecticut, and a commission to be himself the governour of that plantation. But inasmuch as many good people of the Massachuset-colony had just before this taken possession of land for a new-colony thereabouts, this courteous and peaceable gentleman gave them no molestation; but having wisely accommodated the matter with them, he sent a convenient number of men, with all necessaries, to erect a fortification at the mouth of the river, where a town, with a fort, is now distinguished by the name of Say-Brook; by which happy action, the planters further up the river had no small kindness done unto them; and the Indians, which might else have been more troublesome, were kept in awe.

§ 5. The self-denying gentleman, who had imployed his commission of governour so little to the disadvantage of the infant-colony at Connecticut, wos himself, ere long, by election made governour of that colony. And upon the restoration of King Charles II. he willingly undertook another voyage to England, on the behalf of the people under his government, whose affairs he managed with such a successful prudence, that he obtained a royal charter for them, which incorporated the colony of New-Haven with them, and invested both colonies, now happily united, with a firm grant of priviledges, beyond those of the plantations which had been settled before them. I have been informed, that while he was engaged in this negotiation, being admitted unto a private conference with the King, he presented his majesty with a ring, which King Charles I. had upon some occasion given to his grandfather; and the King not only accepted his

ders, Italy, 1proved his he returned ctation. person, the re with his Governour er for early er’s family, rs of age, by the colony, erwards did; very parwas by bad iouse of Sir y conferring ymoted; but itended him en to this. ngland, with tation upon elf the govople of the land for a in gave them with them, rect a forti- 8 now distinhe planters; and the ept in awe. mmission of onnecticut, lony. And pok another povernment, he obtained New-Haven with a firm been settled nged in this he King, he upon some necepted his

present, but also declared, that he accounted it one of his richest jewels ;

which indeed was the opinion that New-England had of the hand that

carried it. But having thus laid his colony under everlasting obligations

of gratitude, they did, after his return to New-England, express of their

gratitude, by saying to him as the Israelites did unto Gideon, “Rule thou

over us, for thou hast delivered us,” chusing him for their governour twice

seven years together.

§ 6. When the governour of Athens was a philosopher—namely, Demetrius—the commonwealth so flourished, that no less than three hundred brazen statues were afterward by the thankful people erected unto his memory. And a blessed land was New-England, when there was over part of it a governour who was not only a Ohristian and a gentleman, but also an eminent philosopher: for indeed the government of the state is then most successfully managed, when the measures of it are, by a wise observer, taken from the government of the world; and very unreasonable is the Jewish proverb, Ne Habites in urbe ubi caput urbis est Medicus:* but highly reasonable the sentence of Aristotle, Ubi proses fuerit Philosophus, ibi Cwitas erit Felix;+ and this the rather for what is truly noted by Thucydides, Magistratus est Civitatis Medicus.t Such an one was our Winthrop, whose genius and faculty for experimental philosophy was advanced in his travels abroad, by his acquaintance with many learned virtuos’. One effect of this disposition in him, was his being furnished with noble medicines, which he most charitably and generously gave away upon all occasions; insomuch that where-ever he came, still the diseased flocked about him, as if the healing angel of Bethesda had appeared in the place; and so many were the cures which he wrought, and the lives that he saved, that if Scanderbeg might boast of his having slain in his time two thousand men with his own hands, this worthy person might have made a far more desirable boast of his having in his time healed more than so many thousands; in which beneficence to mankind, there are of his worthy children, who to this day do follow his direction and example. But it was not unto New-England alone that the respects of this accomplished. philosopher were confined. For whereas, in pursuance of the methods begun by that immortally famous advancer of learning, the most illustrious Lord Chancellour Bacon, a select company of eminent persons, usuing to meet in the lodgings of Dr. Wilkins of Wadham Colledge in Oxford, had laid the foundation of a celebrated society, which by the year 1663, being incorporated with a Royal Charter, hath since been among the glories of England, yea, and of mankind; and their design was to make faithful records of all the works of nature or of art, which might come under their observation, and correct

OR, THE HISTORY OF NEW-ENGLAND.

| what had been false, restore what should be true, preserve what should be

* Never dwell in a city where the chief magistrate is a Physician, + Where the king is a philosopher, the state will be prosperous, } The magistrate is the physician of the state. ,

rare, and ‘snder the knowledge of the world, as well more perfect as more useful; and by multiplied experiments both of light and fruit, advance the empire of man over the whole visible creation; it was the honour of Mr. Winthrop to be a member of this Royal Society. And accordingly among the philosophical transactions published by Mr. Oldenburgh, there are some notable communications from this inquisitive and intelligent person, whose insight into many parts of the creation, but especially of the mineral kingdom, was beyond what had been attained by the most in many parts of America.

§ 7. If one would therefore desire an exact picture of this worthy man, the description which the most sober and solid writers of the great philosophick work do give of those persons, who alone are qualified for the smiles of Heaven upon their enterprizes, would have exactly fitted him. He was a studious, humble, patient, reserved and mortified person, and one in whom the love of God was fervent, the love of man sincere: and he had herewithal a certain extension of soul, which disposed him to a generous behaviour towards those who, by learning, breeding and virtue, deserve respects, though of a perswasion and profession in religion very different from /tis own; which was that of a reformed Protestant, and a New-English Puritan. In sum, he was not more an adoptist in those noble and secret medicines, which would reach the roots of the distempers that annoy humane bodies, and procure an universal rest unto the archeus on all occasions of disturbance, than he was in those Christian qualities, which appear upon the cure of the distempers in the minds of men, by the effectual grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

§ 8. In the year 1648, after divers essays made in some former years, the several colonies of New-England became in fact, as well as name, UNITED COLONIES. And an-instrument was formed, wherein having declared, “That we all came into these parts of America with the same end and aim—namely, to advance the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, and enjoy the liberties of the gospel with purity and peace,”—it was firmly agreed between the several jurisdictions, that there should yearly be chosen two commissioners out of each, who should meet at fit places appointed for that purpose, with full powers from the General Courts in each, to concert and conclude matters of general concernment for peace or war of the several colonies thus confederated. In pursuance of this laudable confederacy, this most meritorious governour of Connecticut colony accepted the trouble of appearing as a commissioner for that colony, with the rest met at Boston, in the year 1676, when the calamities of the Indian-way were distressing the whole country: but here falling sick of a fever, he dyed on

April 5, of that year, and was honourably interred in the same tomb with —

his honourable father. § 9. His father, as long ago as the year 1643, had seen cause to write unto him an excellent letter, wherein there were these among other passages:

ect as more dvance the our of Mr. ecordingly urgh, there intelligent pecially of he most in

orthy man, great philothe smiles him. He and one in ind he had -& generous ue, deserve ry different ew-English and secret oy humane ccasions of

ppear upon al grace of

mer years, 1 as name, in having h the same Christ, and was firmly

be chosen pointed for , to concert of the sevconfederacy, d the trouest met at * were dis: e dyed on

tomb with ©

) write unto passages:

fap meee a ER ‘, eye RG EEO EEE I Rc BO eee it ie

ROA

You are the chief of two families; I had by your mo..er three sons and three ‘daughters, and I had with her a large portion of outward estate. These now are all gone; mother gone; brethren and sisters gone; you only are left to see the vanity of these ¢emporai things, and learn wisdom thereby, which may be of more use to you, through the Lord’s blessing, than all that inheritance which might have befallen you, and for which this may stay and quiet your heart, ‘That God is able to give you more than this;’ and that it being spent in the furtherance of his work, which hath here prospered so well, through his power hitherto, you and yours may certainly expect a liberal portion in the prosperity and blessing thereof hereafter; and the rather, because it was not forced from you by a father’s power, but freely resigned by your self, out of a living and filial respect unto me, and your own readiness unto the work it self. From whence as I do often take occasion to bless the Lord for you, so do I also commend you and yours to his fatherly blessing, for a plentiful reward to be rendered unto you. And doubt not, my dear son, but let your faith be built upon his premise and faithfulness, that as he hath carried you hitherto through many perils, and provided liberally for you, so he will do for the time to come, and will never fail you, nor forsake you.——My son, the Lord knows how dear thou art to me, and that my care has been more for thee than for my self. But I know thy prosperity depends not on my care, nor on thine own, but upon the blessing of our Heavenly Father; neither doth it on the things of this world, but on the light of God’s countenance, through the merit and mediation of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is that only which can give us peace of conscience with contentation; which can as well make our lives happy and comfortable in a mean estate, as in a great abundance. But if you weigh things aright, and sum up all the turnings of Divine Providence together, you shall find great advantage —The Lord hath brought us to a good land; a land where we enjoy outward peace and liberty, and, above all, the blessings of the gospel, without the burden of impositions in matters of religion. Many thousands there are who would give great estates to enjoy our condition, Le'sour therefore, my good son, to increase our thankfulness to God for all his mercies to thee, especially for that he hath revealed his everlasting good-will to thee in Jesus Christ, and joined thee to the visible body of his church, in the fellowship of his people, and hath saved thee in all thy travails abroad from being infected with the vices of these countries where thou hast been, (a mercy vouchsafed but unto few young gentlemen travellers.) Let him have the honour of it who kept thee. He it was who gave thee favour in the eyes of all with whom thou hadst to do, both by sea and land; he it was who saved thee in all perils; and he it is who hath given thee a gift in understanding and art; and he it is who hath provided thee a blessing in. marriage, a comfortable help, and many sweet children; and hath hitherto provided liberally for you all: and therefore I would have you to love him again, and serve him, and trust him for the time to come. Love and prize that word of truth, which only makes known to you the precious and eternal thoughts and councils of the light inaccessible. Deny your own wisdom, that you may find his; and esteem it the greatest honour to lye under the simplicity of the gospel of Christ crucified, without which you can never enter into the secrets of his tabernacle, nor enjoy those sweet things which ‘Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor can the heart of man conceive; but God hath granted unto some few to know them even in this life. Study well, my son, the saying of the apostle, ‘Knowledge puffeth up.’ It is a good gift of God, but when it lifts up the mind above the cross of Christ, it is the pride of life, and the high way to apostacy, wherein many men of great learning and hopes have perished.—In all the exercise of your gifts, and improvement of your talents, have an eye to your Master’s end, more than your own; and to the day of your account, that you may then have your Quietus est, even ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! But my last and chief request to you is, that you be careful to have your children brought up in the knowledge and fear of God, and in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. This will give you the best comfort of them, and keep them sure from any want or miscarriage: and when you part from them, it will be no smull joy to your soul, that you shall meet taem again in heaven!”

Vou. I.—11

Doubtless, the reader considers the Aistorical passages in this extract y.of the letter thus recited. Now, but by making this reflection upon the rest, that as the prophetical part of it was notably fulfilled in the estate whereto the good providence of God recovered this worthy gentleman and his family, so the monitory part of it was most exemplarily attended in his holy and useful conversation. I shall therein briefly sum up the ee life of a person whom we shall call a second unto none of our worthies, F but‘as we call him our second Winthrop. b

EPITAPHIUM,

Abi Viator; :

Bt Luge pluree magistratuse in Uno periisse. ; tk Redi Viator. a

Non Periit, sed.ad Calestem Societatem

Regia Magis Regiam, m Vere Adeptus, Abiit: R Winturorvs, Non minor magnis Majoribus.* est ab Pr

MAGISTRATES OF CONNECTICUT COLONY,

BEFORE NEW-HAVEN COLONY WAS ACTUALLY ANNEXED UNTO IT, WERE, BESIDES THE TWO ALTERNATELY FOR THE MOST PART ELECTED GOVERNOURS, HOPKINS AND HAINES,

Roger Ludlow, 1638, William Ludlow, 1640, Matthew Allyn, 1658, John Steel, 1696, William Hopkins, 1642, Richard Treat, 1658, William Phelps, 1696, Henry Woolcot, 1643, Thomas Baker, 1658. William Westwood, 1696, George Forwick, 1644, Mulford, 1658. Androw Ward, ° 1698, Cosmore, 1617, Alexander Knowles, 1658, Thomas Wells, 1697, John Howel, 1647, John Wells, 1658, “yam Swayn, 1637, John Cullick, 1648, Robert Band, 1659, Matthew Mitchel, 1637, Henry Clark, 1650. Rayner, 1661. George Hull, 1097, John Winthrop, 1651. John Allyn, 1662, William Whiting, 1697. Thomas Topping, 1651. Daniel Clark, 1662. John Mason, 1697. John Talcot, 1654, Samuel Sherman, 1662, George Willia, 1630, John Ogden, 1656. John Young, 1664. John Webster, 1699, Nathan Gold, 1657.

MAGISTRATES OF NAW-HAVEN COLONY, BEFORE CONNECTICUT COLONY COULD ACCOMPLISH ITS COALITION THEREWITH, WERE, BESIDES THE GOVERNOURS ELSEWHERE MENTIONED,

Stephen Goodyear, 1637, Tapp, 1637. Benjamin Fen, 1654, Thomas Grigeon, 1637, William Fowler, 1637. Matthew Gilbert, 1658. Richard Malbon, 1897, Francis Newman, 1653. Jasper Crane, 1658, William Leet, 1697, -——— Astwood, 1653, Robert Treat, 1659.

Juhn Desborough, 1637, Samuel Eaton, 1654, William Jones, 1662, * EPITAPH, Go, Traveller; And mourn the loss of many magistrates in the person of one, Return, Traveller; Ho is not dead, but has gone to join a society in Heaven, more royal than the Royal Society: Wintnropr, not inferior to his own noble ancestors,

is extract upon the the estate rentleman r attended m up the - worthies,

Y) Dwies, 1658.

SH ITS COALITION

ert,

MAGISTRATES AFTER THE TWO COLUNIES WERE CONTENT, ACCORDING TO THEIR CHARTER, TO BECOME

ONE, WERE, John Winthrop, Gov. 1665. William Jones, 1065, Thomas Topping, 1674, John Mason, 1665. Benjamin Fen, 1065, Matthew Gilbert, 1677. Matthew Allyn, 1665, Jasper Crane, 1665, Andrew Leet, 1678. Samuel Willys, 1665. Daniel Clark, 1666. John Wadsworth, 1679. Nathan Gold, 1665. Alexander Bryans, 1668, Robert Chapman, 1681, John Talcot, 1665, James Bishop, 1668, James Fitch, 1681, , Henry Woolcot, 1665, Anthuhy Howkins, 1648, Samuel Mason, 1663, 1 John Allyn, 1665, Thomas Wells, 1668, Benjamin Newbury, 1685. if Samuel Sherman, 1665, John Nash, 1672, Samuel Talcot, 1685. “a James Richards, 1065. Robert Treat, 1673. Giles Hamlin 1685. 0 William Leet, 1665,

While the colonies were clusters of rich grapes, which had a blessing in them, such leaves as these (which is, in the proverbs of the Jewish nation, a name for magistrates) happily defended them from the storms that molest the world.

Those of the.least character among them, yet cams up to what the Roman commonwealth required in their magistrates:

Populue Romanus delegit Magistratus, quasi Reipublica Villicos, in quibus, si qua preterea

est Ars, facile patitur; sin minus, virtute eorum et Innocentia Contentus est.—Cic. Orat. Pro Puian.*

* The Roman people selected ineir magisirates as if they were to be stewards of the Republic. Proficiency, in other departments, it it existed, they gladly tolerated ; but if such additional accomplishments were lacking, they were content with the virtue and honesty of their public servants,

PIETAS IN PATRIAM.*

a

LATE CAPT’N-GENERAL AND GOVERNOUR IN CHIEF OF THE PROVINCE OF THE MASSACHUSET BAY. ay CONTAINING THE MEMORABLE CHANGES UNDERGONE, AND ACTIONS PERFORMED BY HIM,

WRITTEN BY ONE INTIMATELY ACQUAINTED WITH HIM, Discite Virtutem ex Hoc, verumque Laborem.t

Tue author of the following narrative, is a person of such well-known integrity, prudence i and veracity, that there is not any cause to question the truth of what he here relates, And a moreover, this writing of his is adorned with a very grateful variety of learning, and doth a contain such surprizing workings of Providence, as do well deserve due notice and observa. a tion. On all which accounts, it is with just confidence recommended to the publick by

Natu. Matuer, ti ,

$

To hie Excellency the Earl of ‘Bellomont, Baron +‘ Coloony in Ireland, General Governour } of the Province of Massachusets in New England, and the Provinces annexed. f

May IT PLEASE youR Exce.tency: The station in which the hand of the God of heaven t hath disposed his Majesty’s heart to place your honour, doth so manifestly entitle your t

Lordship to this ensuing narrative, that its being thus presented to your Excellency’s hand, is thereby both apologized for and justified. I believe had the writer of it, when he penned it, had any knowledge of your Excellency, he would himself have done it, and withal would have amply and publickly congratulated the people of New-England on account of their having such a governour, and your Excellency on account of your being made governour over them. For though as to some other things it may possibly be a place to some persons not so desirable, yet I believe this character may be justly given of them, that they are the best people under heaven; there being among them not only less of open profaneness, and less of lewdness, but also more of the serious profession, practice, and power of Christianity, in proportion to their number, than is among any other people upon the face of the whole earth. Not but I doubt there are many bad persons among them, and too many distempered humours, perhaps even among those who are truly good. It would be a wonder if it should be otherwise; for it hath of late years, on various accounts, and some very singular and unusual ones, been a day of sore temptation with that whole people. Nevertheless, as I [ook upon it as a favour from God to those plantations, that he hath set your Excellency over them, so I do account it a favour from God to your Excellency, that he hath committed and trusted in your hand so great a part of his peculiar treasure and precious jewels, as are among that people. Besides, that on other accounts the Lord Jesus hath more of a visible interest in New-England, than in any of the outgoings of the English nation in America. They have at their own charge not only set up schools of lower learn. ing up and down the country; but have also erected an University, which hath been the happy nursery of many useful, learned, and excellently accomplished persons, And moreover, from them hath the blessed gospel been preached to the poor, barbarous, savage heathen there; and it hath taken such root among them, that there were lately four-and-

* Devoted love of country.

+ From him learn virtue and life’s truest work,

DHUSET BAY. BY HIM.

il Governour nexed,

tod of heaven entitle your sllency’s hand, en he penned withal would count of their de governour some persons ht they are the ofaneness, and bwer of Chrishe face of the too many dis- 1 be a wonder hnd some very ople. Neverhath set your Nency, that he asure and prehe Lord Jesus of the English bf lower learnhath been the s, And morebarous, savage ately four-andtruest work.

be eee

OR, THE HISTORY OF NEW-ENGLAND.

twenty assemblies in which the name of the Lord Jesus was constantly called on, and celebrated in their own language. In these things New-England outshineth all the colonies of the English in those goings down of the sun, I know your Excellency will favour and countenance their University, and alao the propagating of the gospel among the natives; for the interest of Christ in that part of the earth is much concerned in them. That the God of the spirits of all flesh would abundantly replenish your Excellency with a suitable spirit for the service to which he hath called your Lordship, that he would give your honour & prosperous voyage thither, and when there, make your Excellency a rich blessing to that people, and them a rejoicing to your Excellency, is the prayer of, My Lord, Your Excellency’s most humble servant,

—

THE LIFE OF HIS EXCELLENCY SIR WILLIAM PHIPS, KNT.

§ 1. Ir such a renowned chymist as Quercetanus, with a whole tribe of “labourers in the fire,” since that learned man, find it no easie thing to make the common part of mankind believe that they can take a plant in its more vigorous consistence, and after a due maceration, fermentation and separation, extract the salt of that plant, which, as it were, in a chaos, invisibly reserves the form of the whole, with its vital principle; and, that keeping the salt in a glass hermetically sealed, they can, by applying a soft fire to the glass, make the vegetable rise by little and little out of its ashes, to surprize the spectators with a notable illustration of that resurrection, in the faith whereof the Jews, returning from the graves of their friends, pluck up the grass from the earth, using those words of the Scripture thereupon, “Your bones shall flourish like an herb:” ’tis likely, that all the observations of such writers as the incomparable Borellus, will find it hard enough to produce our belief that the essential salts of animals may be so prepared and preserved, that an ingenious man may have the whole ark of Noah in his own study, and raise the fine shape of an animal out of its ashes at his pleasure: and that, by the like method from the essential salts of humane dust, a philosopher may, without any criminal necromancy, call up the shape of any dead ancestor from the dust whereinto his body has been incinerated. The resurrection of the dead will be as just, as great an article of our creed, although the relations of these learned men should pass for incredible romances: but yet there is an anticipation of that blessed resurrection, carrying in it some resemblance of these curiosities, which is performed, when we do in a book, as in a glass, reserve the history of our departed friends; and by bringing our warm affections unto such an history,

we revive, as it were, out of their ashes, the true shape of those friends, and bring to a fresh view what was memorable and imitable in them. Now, in as much as mortality has done its part upon a considerable person, with whom I had the honour to be well acquainted, and a person as memorable for the wonderful changes which befel him, as imitable for his virtues and actions under those changes; I shall endeavour, with the

MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA;

chymistry of an impartial historian, to raise my friend so far out of his ashes, as to shew him again unto the world; and if the character of heroick virtue be for a man to deserve well of mankind, and be great in the purpose and success of essays to do so, I may venture to promise my reader such example of heroick virtue, in the story whereto I invite him, that he shall say, it would have been little short of a vice in me to have withheld it from him. Nor is it any partiality for the memory of my deceased friend, or any other sinister design whatsoever, that has invited me to this undertaking; but I have undertaken this matter from a sincere desire that the ever-glorious Lord Jesus Curist may have the glory of his power and goodness, and of his providence, in what he did for such a person, and in what he disposed and assisted that person to do for him. Now, may he assist my writing, even he that prepared the subject whereof I am to write!

§ 2. So obscure was the original of that memorable person, whose actions I am going to relate, that I must, in a way of writing like that of Plutarch, prepare my reader for the intended relation, by first searching the archives of antiquity for a parallel. Now, because we will not parallel him with Eumenes, who, though he were the son of a poor carrier, became a governour of mighty provinces; nor with Marius, whose mean parentage did not hinder his becoming a glorious defender of his country, and seven times the chief magistrate of the,chiefest city in the universe; nor with Iphicrates, who became a successful and renowned general of a great people, though his father were a cobler; nor with Dioclesian, the son of a poor scrivener; nor with Bonosus, the son of a poor school-master, who yet came to sway the scepter of the Roman empire; nor, lastly, will I compare him to the more late example of the celebrated Mazarini, who, though no gentleman by his extraction, and one so sorrily educated that he might have wrote man before he could write at all; yet ascended unto that grandeur, in the memory of many yet living, as to umpire the most important affairs of Christendom: we will decline looking any further in that hemisphere of the world, and make the “hue and cry” througout the regions of America, the New World, which he that is becoming the subject of our history, by his nativity, belonged unto, And in America, the first that meets me is Francisco Pizarro, who, though a spurious offspring, exposed when a babe in a church-porch, at a-sorry village of Navarre, and afterwards employed while he was a boy in keeping of cattel, yet, at length, stealing into America, he so thrived upon his adventures there, that upon some discoveries, which with an handful of men he had in a desperate expedition made of Peru, he obtained the King of Spain’s commission for the conquest of it, and at last so incredibly enriched himself by the conquest, that he was made the first Vice-roy of Peru, and created Marquess of Anatilla. To the latter and highest part of that story, if any thing hindred his

ut of his of heroat in the bmise my vite him, p to have ry of my 1s invited h a sincere } glory of br such a } for him. t whereof

se actions Plutarch, e archives him with ne & goventage did and seven nor with great pco- son of a aster, who tly, will I arini, who, cated that nded unto the most further in ougout the the subject a, the first 8s offspring, f Navarre, tel, yet, at ures there, 2 had in a pain’s comed himself ind created

‘indred his

ose. @ iF

fate of a premature mortality. For my reader now being satisfied that a person’s being obscure in his original is not always a just prejudice to an expectation of considerable matters from him, I shall now inform him that this our Phips was born February 2, A. D. 1650, at a despicable plantation on the river of Kennebeck, and almost the furthest village of the eastern settlement of New-England. das the father of that man which was as great a blessing as England had in the age of that man was a smith, so a gun-smith—namely, James Phips, once of Bristol—had the honour of being the father to him whom we shall presently see made by the God of Heaven as great a blessing to New-England as that country could have had, if they themselves had pleased. Iiis fruitful mother, yet living, had no less than twenty-six children, whereof twenty-one were sons; but equivalent to them all was WILLIAM, one of the youngest, whom his father, dying, left young with his mother, and with her he lived, “keeping of sheep in the wilderness,” until he was eighteen years old; at which time he began to feel some further dispositions of mind from that providence of God which “took him from the sheepfolds, from following the ewes great with young, and brought him to feed his people.” Reader, enquire no further who was his father? Thou shalt anon see that he was, as the Italians express it, ‘a son to his own labours!”

§ 8. His friends earnestly solicited him to settle among them in a plantation of the east; but he had an unaccountable impulse upon his mind, perswading him, as he would privately hint unto some of them, “that he was born to greater matters.” To come at those “greater matters,” his first contrivance was to bind himself an apprentice unto a ship carpenter for four years; in which time he became a master of the trade that once, in a vessel of more than forty thousand tuns, repaired the ruins of the earth; Noah’s, I mean; he then betook himself an hundred and fifty miles further a field, even to Boston, the chief town of New-England; which being a place of the most business and resort in those parts of the world, he expected there more commodiously to pursue the Spes Majorum et Meliorum*—hopes which had inspired him. At Boston, where it was that he now learned first of all to read and write, he followed his trade for about a year; and, by a laudable deportment, so recommended himself, that he married a young gentlewoman of good repute, who was the widow of one Mr. John Hull, a well-bred merchant, but the daughter of one Captain Roger Spencer, a person of good fashion, who, having suffered much damage in his estate, by some unkind and unjust actions, which he bore with such patience, that for fear of thereby injuring the publick, he would not seek satisfaction, posterity might afterward see the reward of his patience, in what Providence hath now done for one of his own, posterity.

® Hopes of greater and better things.

Within a little while after his marriage, he indented with several persons in Boston to build them a ship at Sheeps-coat River, two or three leagues eastward of Kennebeck; where having launched the ship, he also provided a lading of lumber to bring with him, which would have been to the advantage of all concerned. But just as the ship was hardly finished, the barbarous Indians on that river broke forth into an open and cruel war upon the English; and the miserable people, surprized by so sudden a storm of blood, had no refuge from the infidels but the ship now finishing in the harbour. Whereupon he left his intended lading behind him, and, instead thereof, carried with him his old neighbours and their families, free of all charges to Boston; so the first action that he did, after he was his own man, was to save his father’s house, with the rest of the neighbourhood, from ruin; but the disappointment which befel him from the loss of his other lading, plunged his affairs into greater embarrassments with such as had employed him. § 4. But he was hitherto no more than beginning to make scaffolds for further and higher actions! , He would frequently tell the gentlewoman his wife that he should yet be captain of a King’s ship; that he should come to have the command of better men than he was now accounted himself; and that he should be owner of a fair brick-house in the Green-lane of North-Boston; and that, it may be, this would not be all that the providence of God would bring him to. She entertained these passages with a sufficient incredulity; but he had so serious and positive an expectation of them, that it is not easie to say what was the original thereof. He was of an enterprizing genius, and naturally disdained littleness: but his disposition for business was of the Dutch mould, where, with a little shew of wit, there is as much wisdom demonstrated, as can be shewn by any nation. His talent lay not in the airs that serve chiefly for the pleasant and sudden turns of conversation; but he might say, as Themistocles, “Though he could not play upon a fiddle, yet he knew how to make a little city become a great one.’’ He would prudently contrive a weighty undertaking, and then patiently pursue it unto the end. He was of an inclination cutting rather like a hatchet than like a razor; he would propose very considerable matters to himself, and then so cut through them, that no difficulties could put by the edge of his resolutions, Being thus of the true temper for doing of great things, he betakes himself to the sea, the right scene for such things; and upon advice of a Spanish wreck about the Bahamas, he took a voyage thither; but with little more success than what just served

him a little to furnish him for a voyage to England; whither he went in‘

a vessel, not much unlike that which the Dutchmen stamped on their first coin, with these words about it: Jncertum quo Fata ferant.* Having first informed himself that there was another Spanish wreck, wherein was lost a mighty treasure, hitherto undiscovered, he had a strong impression upon

* None can tell where Fate will bear me,

5 eS a ‘ ae oS Ris antet in Fac i Stn ape: PEST ee we neat utah

CASTS Sere

persons leagues lso probeen to finished, id cruel , sudden w finishnd him, sir famiafter’ he he neighfrom the ‘assments

uffolds for tlewoman ne should nted himtreen-lane the provsages with pectation He was his dispoew of wit, ny nation. and sud- | “Though little city dertaking, ation cutery considdifficulties rue temper ht scene for ahamas, he just served

n their first Having first bin was lost ession upon

his mind that he must be the discoverer; and he made such representations of his design at White-Hall, that by the year 1688 he became the captain ef a King’s ship, and arrived at New-England commander of the Algier- Rose, a frigot of eighteen guns and ninety-five men.

§5. To relate all the dangers through which he passed, both by sea and iand, and all the tiresome trials of his patience, as well as of his cowrage, wuile year after year the most vexing accidents imaginable delayed the success of his design, it would even tire the patience of the reader: for very great was the experiment that Captain Phips made of the Italian observation, “He that cannot suffer both good and evil, will never come to any great preferment.” Wherefore I shall supersede all journal of his voyages to and fro, with reciting one instance of his conduct, that showed him to be a person of no contemptible capacity. While he was captain of the Algier-Rose, his men growing weary of their unsuccessful enterprize, made a mutiny, wherein they approached him on the quarter-deck, with drawn swords in their hands, and required him to join with them in running away withthe ship, to drive a trade of piracy on the South Seas. Captain Phips, though he had not so much of a weapon as an ox-goad, or a jaw-bone in his hands, yet, like another Shamgar or Samson, with a mest undaunted fortitude, he rushed in upon them, and with the blows of his bare hands, felled many of them, and quelled all the rest. But this is not the instance which I intended: that which I intend is, that (as it has been related unto me) one day while his frigot lay careening, at a desolate Spanish island, by the side of a rock, from whence they had laid a bridge to the shoar, the men, whereof he had about an hundred, went all but about eight or ten to divert themselves, as they pretended, in the woods; where they all entred into an agreement, which they signed in a ring, That about seven o’clock that evening they would seize the captain, and those eight or ten which they knew to be true unto him, and leave them to perish on this island, and so be gone away unto the South Sea to seek their fortune. Will the reader now imagine that Captain Phips, having advice of this plot but about an hour and half before it was to be put in execution, yet within two howrs brought all these rogues down upon their knees to beg for their lives? But so it was! for these knaves considering that they should want a carpenter with them in their villanous expedition, sent a messenger to fetch unto them the carpenter, who was then at work upon the vessel; and unto him they shewed their articles; telling him what he must look for if he did not subscribe among them. ‘The carpenter being an honest fellow, did with much importunity prevail for one half hour’s time to consider of the matter; and returning to work upon the vessel, with a spy by them set upon him, he feigned himself taken with a fit of the cholick, for the relief whereof he suddenly run unto the captain in the great cabbin for a dram; where, when he came, his business was only, in brief, to tell the captain of the horrible distress which he was

fallen into; but the captain bid him as briefly return to the rogues in the woods, and sign their articles, and leave him to provide for the rest. The carpenter was no sooner gone but Captain Phips, calling together the few friends (it may be seven or eight) that were left him aboard, whereof the gunner was one, demanded of them, whether they would stand by him in the extremity which he informed them was now come upon him; whereto they replied, ‘They would stand by him, if he could savethem;” and he answered, “By the help of God he did not fear it.” All their provisions had been carried ashoar to a tent, made for that purpose there; about which they had placed several great guns to defend it, in case of any assault from Spaniards, that might happen to come that way. Wherefore Captain Phips immediately ordered those guns to be silently drawned and turned; and so pulling up the bridge, he charged his great guns aboard, and brought them to bear on every side of the tent. By this time the army of rebels comes out of the woods; but as they drew near to the tent of provisions, they saw such a change of circumstances, that they cried out, “We are betrayed!” And they were soon confirmed in it, when they heard the captain with a stern fury call to them, “Stand: off, ye wretches, at your peril!” He quickly saw them cast into a more than ordinary confusion, when they saw him ready to fire his great guns upon them, if they offered one step further than he permitted them: and when he had signified unto them his resolve to abandon them unto all the desolation which they had purposed for him, he caused the bridge to be again laid, and his men begun to take the provisions aboard. When the wretches beheld what was coming upon them, they fell to very humble entreaties; and at last fell down upon their knees, protesting, “That they never had any thing against him, except only his unwillingness to go away with the King’s ship upon the South-Sea design: but upon all other accounts, they would chuse rather to live and die with him than with any man in the world: however, since they saw how much he was dissatisfied at it, they would insist upon it no more, and humbly begged his pardon.” And when he judged that he had kept them on their knees long enough, he having first secured their arms, received them aboard; but he immediately weighed anchor, and arriving at Jamaica, he turned them off. Now, with a small company of other men he sailed from thence to Hispaniola, where, by the policy of his address, he fished out of a very old Spaniard (or Portuguese) a little advice about the true spot where lay the wreck which he had been hitherto seeking, as unprosperously as the chymists have their aurisick stone: that it was upon a reef of shoals, a few leagues to the northward of Port de la Plata, upon Hispaniola, a port so called, it seems, from the landing of some of the shipwrecked company, with a boat full of plate, saved out of their sinking frigot: nevertheless, when he had searched very narrowly the spot, whereof the old Spaniard had advised him, he had not hitherto exactly lit upon it. Such thorns did vex his affairs while he

Ti, Satur me nests OS, fates te ar

1es in the est. The r the fev .ereof the 1 by him pon him; vethem ;” All their ose there; n case of r, Where- 7 drawned reat guns ‘this time sar to the that they in it, when nd: off, ye more than yuns upon and when ll the deso be again e wretches entreaties; never had with the ounts, they nan in the at it, they And when he having nmediately Now, with iola, where, rd (or Pork which he have their the northseems, from il of plate, arched very he had not rs while he

was in the Rose-frigot; but none of all these things could retund the edge of his expectations to find the wreck; with such expectations he returhed then into England, that he might there better furnish himself to prosecute a new discovery; for though he judged he might, by proceeding a little further, have come at the right spot; yet he found his present company too ill a crew to be confided in.

§ 6. So proper was his behaviour, that the best noblemen in the kingdom now admitted him into their conversation; but yet he was opposed by powerful enemies, that clogged his affairs with such demurrages, and such disappointments, as would have wholly discouraged his designs, if his patience had not been ¢nvincible. ‘He who can wait, hath what he desireth.” Thus his indefatigable patience, with a proportionable diligence, at length overcame the difficulties that had been thrown in his way; and prevailing with the Duke of Albemarle, and some other persons of quality, to fit him out, he set sail for the fishing-ground, which had been so well baited half an hundred years before: and as he had already discovered his capacity for business in many considerable actions, he now added unto those discoveries, by not only providing all, but also by inventing many of the instruments necessary to the prosecution of his intended fishery. Captain Phips arriving with a ship and a tender at Port de la Plata, made a stout canoo of a stately cotton-tree, so large as to carry eight or ten oars, for the making of which perzaga (as they call it) he did, with the same industry that he did every thing else, imploy his own hand and adse, and endure no little hardship, lying abroad in the woods many nights together. This periaga, with the tender, being anchored at a place convenient, the periaga kept busking to and again, but could only discover a reef of rising shoals thereabouts, called “'The Boilers,”—which, rising to be within two or three foot of the surface of the sea, were yet so steep, that a ship striking on them, would immediately sink down, who could say how many fathom, into the ocean? Here they could get no other pay for their long peeping among the boilers, but only such as caused them to think upon returning to their captain with the bad news of their total disappointment. Nevertheless, as they were upon the return, one of the men looking over the side of the periaga, into the calm water, he spied a sea feather, growing, as he judged, out of a rock; whereupon they bad one of their Indians to dive, and fetch this feather, that they might, however, carry home something with them, and make, at least, as fair a triumph as Caligula’s, The diver bringing up the feather, brought therewithal a surprizing story, that he perceived a number of great guns in the watery world where he had found his feather; the report of which great guns exceedingly astonished the whole company; and at once turned their despondencies for their ill success into assurances that they had now lit upon the true spot of ground which they had been looking for; and they were further confirmed in these assurances, when, upon further diving, the

Indian fetcht up a sow, as they stiled it, or a lump of silver worth perhaps two or three hundred pounds. Upon this they prudently buoyed the place, that they might readily find it again; and they went back unto their captain, whom for some while they distressed with nothing but such bad news as they formerly thought they must have carried him: nevertheless, they so slipt in the sow of silver on one side under the table, where they were now sitting with the captain, and hearing him express his resolutions to wait still patiently upon the providence of God under these disappointments, that when he should look on one side, he might see that odd thing before him. At last he saw it; seeing it, he cried out with some agony, “Why! what is this? whence comes this?” And then, with changed countenances, they told him how and where they got it. “Then,” said he, ‘thanks be to God! we are made;” and so away they went, all hands to work; wherein they had this one further piece of remarkable prosperity, that whereas if they had first fallen upon that part of the Spanish wreck where the pieces of eight had been stowed in bags among the ballast, they had seen a more laborious, and less enriching time of it: now, most happily, they first fell upon that room in the wreck where the bullion had been stored up; and they so prospered in this new fishery, that in a little while they had, without the loss of any man’s life, brought up thirtytwo tuns of silver; for it was now come to measuring of silver by tuns, Besides which, one Adderly, of Providence, who had formerly been very helpful to Captain Phips in the search of this wreck, did, upon former agreement, meet him now with a little vessel here; and he, with his few hands, took up about six tuns of silver; whereof, nevertheless, he made so little use, that in a year or two he died at Bermudas, and, as I have heard, he ran distracted some while before he died. Thus did there once again come into the light of the sun a treasure which had been half an hundred years groaning under the waters: and in this time there was grown upon the plate a crust like liinestone, to the thickness of several inches; which crust being broken open by iron contrived for that purpose, they knocked out whole bushels of rusty pieces of eight which were grown thereinto. Besides that incredible treasure of plate in various forms, thus fetched up, from seven or eight fathom under water, there were vast riches of gold, and pearls and jewels, which they also lit upon; and, indeed, for 4 more comprehensive invoice, I must but summarily say, “All that a Spanish frigot uses to be enriched withal.’”’ Thus did they continue fishing till their provisions failing them, ’twas time to be gone; but before they went, Captain Phips caused Adderly and his folk to swear, that they would none of them discover the place of the wreck, or come to the place any more till the next yeor, when he expected again to be there himself. And it was also remarkable, that though the sows came up still so fast; that on the very last day of their being there they took up twenty, yet it was afterwards found, that they had in a manner wholly cleared that room of the ship where those massy things were stowed.

perhaps 1e place, eir capad news ss, they ey were itions to appointdd thing e agony, changed en,” said all hands rosperity, sh wreck e ballast, 10w, most e bullion that in a up thirtyr by tuns. been very n former h his few, he made ave heard, nee again f an hunas grown al inches; pose, they ere grown ous forms, b were vast nd, indeed, ‘All that a nue fishing before they that they o the place bre himself. Btill so fast; enty, yet it 1 that room

But there was one extraordinary distress which Captain Phips now found himself plunged into: for his men were come out with him upon seamen’s wages, at so much per month; and when they saw such vast litters of silver sows and pigs, as they called them, come on board them at the captain’s call, they knew not how to bear it, that they should not share all among themselves, and be gone to lead “a short life and a merry,” in a climate where the arrest of those that had hired them should not reach them. In this terrible distress he made his vows unto Almighty God, that if the Lord would carry him safe home to England with what he had now given him, “to suck of the abundance of the seas, and of the treasures hid in the sands,” he would for ever devote himself unto the interests of the Lord Jesus Christ and of his people, especially in the country which he did himself originally belong unto. And he then used all the obliging arts imaginable to make his men true unto him, especially by assuring them that, besides their wages, they should have ample reguitals made unto them; which if the rest of his employers would not agree unto, he would himself distribute his own share among them. Relying upon the word of one whom they had ever found worthy of their dove, and of their trust, they declared themselves content; but still keeping a most careful eye upon them, he hastened back for England with as much money as he thought he could then safely érust his vessel withal; not counting it safe to supply himself with necessary provisions at any nearer port, and so return unto the wreck, by which delays he wisely feared lest all might be lost, more ways thanone. Though he also left so much behind him, that many from divers parts made very considerable voyages of gleanings after his harvest; which came to pass by certain Bermudians compelling of Adderly’s boy, whom they spirited away with them, to tell them the exact place where the wreck was to be found. Captain Phips now coming up to London in the year 1687, with near three hundred thousand pounds sterling aboard him, did acquit himself with such an exemplary honesty, that partly by his fulfilling his assurances to the seamen, and partly by his exact and punctual care to have his employers defrauded of nothing that might conscientiously belong unto them, he had less than sixteen thousand pounds left unto himself; as an acknowledgment of which honesty in him, the Duke of Albemarle made unto his wife, whom he never saw, a present of a golden cup, near a thousand pound in value. Thecharacter of an honest man he had so merited in the whole course of his life, and especially in this last act of it, that this, in conjunction with his other serviceable qualities, procured him the favours of the greatest persons in the nation; and “he that had been so diligent in his business, must now stand before Kings, and not stand before mean men.” ‘There were indeed certain mean men—if base, little, dirty tricks, will entitle men to meanness—who urged the King to seize his whole cargo, instead of the tenths, upon his first arrival; on this pretence, that he had not been rightly informed of the true state of the case when he granted

the patent, under the protection whereof these particular men had made themselves masters of all this mighty treasure; but the King replied, that he had been rightly informed by Captain Phips of the whole matter, as it now proved; and that it was the slanders of one then present which had, unto his damage, hindred him from hearkning to the information; wherefore he would give them, he said, no disturbance; they might keep what they had had got; but Captain Phips, he saw, was a person of that honesty, fidelity and ability, that he should not want his countenance. Accordingly the King, in consideration of the service done by him, in bringing such a treasure into the nation, conferred upon him the honour of knighthood; and if we now reckon him a knight of the golden fleece, the stile might pretend unto some circumstances that would justifie it, Or call him, if you please, “the knight of honesty;” for it was honesty with industry that raised him; and he became a mighty river, without the running in of muddy water to make him so. Reader, now make a pause, and behold one raised by God!

§ 7. I am willing to employ the testimonies of others, as much as may be, to support the credit of my history: and therefore, as I have hitherto related no more than what there are others enough to avouch; thus I shall chuse the words of an ingenious person, printed at London some years ago, to express the sum of what remains, whose words are these:

“It has always been Sir William Phips’ disposition to seek the wealéh of his people with as great zeal and unweariedness, as our publicans use to seek their loss and ruin. At first it seems they were in hopes to gain this gentleman to their party, as thinking him goodnatured, and easie to be flttered out of his understanding; and the more, because they had the advantage of some no very good treatment, that Sir William had formerly met with from the people and government of New-England. But.r William soon shewed them that what they expected would be his temptation to lead them into their little tricks, he embraced as a glorious oppertunity to shew his generosity and greatness of mind; for in imitation of the;rreatest worthies that have ever been, he rather chose to join in the defence of his country, with some persons who formerly were none of his friends, than become the head of a faction, to its ruin and desolation. It seems this noble disposition of Sir William, joined with that capaclty and good success wherewith he hath been attended, in raising himself by such an occasion as it may be, all things considered, has never happened to any before him, makes these men apprehensive;—and it must needs heighten their trouble to see that he neither hath, nor doth spare himself, nor any thing that is near and dear unto him, in promoting the good of his native country.”

When Sir William Phips was, per ardua ct aspera,* thus raised into an higher orb, it might easily be thought that he could not be without charming temptations to take the way on the left hand. But as the grace of God kept him, in the midst of none of the strictest company, unto which his affairs daily led him, from abandoning himself to the lewd vices of

gaming, drinking, swearing, and whoring, which the men “that made

England to sin” debauched so many of the gentry into, and he deserved the salutations of the Roman poet: * Along steep and rugged paths,

d made ed, that atter, as it Which mation ; rht keep 1 of that

tenance, him, in p honour fleece, the > it. Or esty with the runyuse, and

h as may hitherto us I shall me years

people with n, At first

him goodse they had ly met with d them that 1e embraced imitation of of his coune head of a liam, joined r himself by y before him, see that he him, in prood into an ut charm- 2 grace of mto which rd vices of

that made’

> deserved

OR, THE HISTORY OF NEW-ENGLAND.

Cum Tu, inter scubiem tantam et Contagia Lucri, Nil parvum sapias, et adhuc Sublimia cures.*

Thus he was worthy to pass among the instances of heroick vertue for that humility that still adorned him: he was raised, and though he prudently accommodated himself to the quality whereto he was now raised, yet none could perceive him to be lifted up. Or, if this were not heroick, yet I will relate one thing more of him that must certainly be accounted so. He had, in his own country of New-England, met with provocations that were enough to have alienated any man living, that had no more than flesh and blood in him, from the service of it; and some that were enemies to that country now lay hard at him to join with them in their endeavours to ravish away their ancient liberties. But this gentleman had studied another way to revenge himself upon his country, and that was to serve it, in all dés interests, with all of his, even with his estate, his time, his care, his friends, and his very life/ The old heathen vertue of PIETAS IN PATRIAM, or, Love to one’s country, he turned into Christian; and so notably exemplified it, in all the rest of his life, that it will be an essential thread which is to be now interwoven into all that remains of his history and his character. Accordingly, though he had the ours of a very gainful place among the commissioners of the navy, with many other invitations to settle himself in England, nothing but a return to New- England would content him. And whereas the charters of New-England being taken away, there was a governour imposed upon the territories with as arbitrary and as treasonable a commission, perhaps, as ever was heard of—a commission, by which the governour, with three or four more, none of whom were chosen by the pzople, had power to make what laws they would, and levy taxes, according to their own humours, upon the people—and he himself had power to send the best men in the land more than ten thousand miles out of it, as he pleased; and in the execution of his power, the country was every day suffering intollerable inva: sions upon their proprieties, yea, and the lives of the best men in the territory began to be practised upon: Sir William Phips applied himself to consider what wes the most significant thing that could be done by him for that poor people in their present circumstances. Indeed, when King James offered, as he did, unto Sir William Phips an opportunity to ask what he pleased of him, Sir William ‘generously prayed for nothing but this, “That New-England might have its lost priviledges restored.” The King then replied, “ Any thing but that!” Whereupon he set himself to consider what was the neat thing that he might ask for the service, not of ‘.imself, but of his country. The result of his consideration was, that by petition to the King, he obtained, with expence of some hundreds of guineas, a Patent, which constituted him the high-sheriff of that country;

® That spreading leprosy, the Lust of Gain, But wiser wishes in thy heart remain, Thy nobler spirit dares not to pollute; | And dignify thy life’s sublime pursuit,—Hor.

hoping, by his deputies in that office, to supply the country still with consciencious juries, which was the only method that the New-Englanders had left them to secure any thing that was dear unto them. Furnished with this patent, after he had, in company with Sir John Narborough, made a second visit unto the wreck, (not so advantageous as the former, for a reason already mentioned,) in his way he returned unto New-England in the summer of the year 1688, able, after five years’ absence, to entertain his lady with some accomplishment of his predictions; and then built himself a “fair brick house” in the very place which we foretold, the reader can tell how many sections ago. But the infamous government then rampant there, found a way wholly to put by the execution of his patent; yen, he was like to have had his person assassinated in the face of the sun, before his own door, which, with some further designs then in his mind, caused him within a few weeks to take another voyage for England.

§ 8. It would require a long summer’s day to relate the miseries which were come, and coming in upon poor New-England, by reason of the arbitrary government then imposed on them; a government wherein, as old Wendover says of the time, when strangers were domineering over subjects in England, Judicia committebantur Injustis, Leges Exlegibus, Pax Discordantibus, Justitia Injuriosis;* and foxes were made the administrators of justice to the poultrey; yet some abridgment of them is necessary for the better understanding of the matters yet before us. Now, to make this abridgment impu*tial, I shall only have recourse unto a little book, printed at London, under the title of “ Zhe Revolution of New-England Justified” wherein we have a “narrative of the grievances” under the maleadministrations of that government, written and signed by the chief gentlemen of the governour’s council; together with the sworn testimonies of many good men, to prove the several articles of the declaration, which the New-Englanders published against their oppressors. It is in that book demonstrated:

“That the governour, neglecting the greater number of his council, did adhere principally to the advice of a few strangers, who were persons without any interest in the country, but of declared prejudice against it, and had plainly laid their designs to make an unreasonable profit of the poor people: and four or five persons had the absolute rule over a territory, the most considerable of any belonging to the crown.

That when laws were proposed in the council, though the major part at any time dissented from them, yet, if the governour were positive, there was no fair counting the number of counsellors consenting, or dissenting, but the laws were immediately engrossed, published and executed.

That this Junto made a law, which prohibited the inhabitants of any town to meet about their town affairs above once in a year; for fexr, you must note, of their having any opportunity to complain of grievances,

That they made another law, requiring all masters of vessels, even shallops and woodboats, to give security that no man should be transported in them, except his name had been

® Rights were entrusted to invaders of right—laws to the lawless— peace to peace-brenakers—and justice to the unjust.

3 which 1 of the wherein, ing over bus, Pax listrators ssary for to make le book, -England nder the the chief testimoclaration, It is in

meet about

any oppor.

ice to the unjust.

80 many days posted up: whereby the pockets of a few leeches had been filled with fees, but the whole trade of the country destroyed; and all attempts to obtain a redress of these things obstructed; and when this act had been strenuously opposed in coun + Boston, they carried it as far as New-York, where a crew of them enacted it,

That without any assembly, they levied on the people a penny in the pound of all their estates, and twenty-pence per head as poll-money, with a penny in the pound for goods imported, besides a vast excise on wine, rum, and other liquors..

That when among the inhabitants of Ipswich, some of the principal persons modestly gave reasons why they could not chuse a commissioner to tax the town, until the King should first be petitioned for the liberty of an assembly, they were committed unto gaol for it, as an “high misdemeanor,” and were denied an habeas corpus, and were dragged many miles out of their own county to answer it at a court in Boston; where jurors were pickt for the turn, that were not freeholders—nay, that were meer sojourners; and when the prisoners pleaded the priviledges of Englishmen, “That they should not be taxed without their own consent;” they were told, “That those things would not follow them to the ends of the earth;” as it had been before told them in open council, no one in the council contradicting it, “You have no more priviledges left you but this, that you are not bought and sold for slaves:” and, in fine, they were all fined severely, and laid under great bonds for their good behaviour; besides all which, the hungry officers extorted fees from them that amounted unto an hundred and threescore pounds; whereas in England, upon t':e like prosecution, the fees would not have been ten pounds in all, After which fashion the townsmen of many other places were also served.

That these men, giving out that the charters being lost, all the title that the people had unto their lands was lost with them; they began to compel the people every where to take patents for their lands: and accordingly writs of intrusion were issued out against the chief gentlemen in the territory, by the terror whereof, many were actually driven to petition for patents, that they might quietly enjoy the lands that had been fifty or sixty years in their possession; but for these patents there were such exorbitant prices demanded, that fifty pounds could not purchase for its owner an estate worth two hundred, nor could all the money and moveables in the territory have defrayed the charges of patenting the lands at the hands of these crocodiles; besides the considerable quit-rents for the King, Yea, the governour caused the lands of particular persons to be measured out, and given to his creatures: and some of his council petitioned for the commons belonging to several towns; and the agents of the towns going to get a voluntary subscription of the inhabitants to maintain their title at law, they have been dragged forty or fifty miles to answer as criminals at the next assizes; the officers in the mean time extorting three pounds per man for fetching them.

That if these harpies. | any time, were a little out of money, they found ways to imprison the best men in the c —ry; and there appeared not the least information of any crime exhibited against them, yet they were put unto intolerable expences by these greedy oppressors, and the benefit of an habeas corpus not allowed unto them.

That packt and pickt juries were commonly made use of when, under a pretended form of law, the trouble of some honest and worthy men was aimed at; and these also were hurried out of their own counties to be tried, when juries for the turn were not like to be found there. The greatest rigour being used still towards the soberest sort of people, whilst in the mean time the most horrid enormities in the world, committed by others, were overlooked.

That the publick ministry of the gospel, and all schools of learning were discountenaneed unto the utmost.”

And several more such abominable things, too notorious to be denied, even by a Randolphian impudence it self, are in that book proved against that unhappy government, Nor did that most ancient set of the Phoenii

cian shepherds, who scrued the government of Egypt into their hands, as old Manethon tells us, by their villanies, during the reigns of those tyrants, make a shepherd more of an abomination to the Egyptians in all after ages, than these wolves under the name of shepherds have made the remembrance of their French government an abomination to all posterity among the New-Englanders: a government, for which, now, reader, as fast as thou wilt, get ready this epitaph:

Nulla quesita Scelere Potentia diuturna.*

It was under the resentments of these things that Sir William Phips returned into England in the year 1688, in which twice wonderful-year such a revolution was wonderfully accomplished upon the whole government of the English nation, that New-England, which had been a specimen of what the whole nation was to look for, might justly hope for a share in the general deliverance. Upon this occasion Sir William offered his best assistances unto that eminent person who a little before this revolution betook himself unto White-Hall, that he might there lay hold on all opportunities to procure some relief unto the oppressions of that sftlicted country. But seeing the New-English affairs in so able an hand, he thought the best stage of action for him would now be New-Engiand it self; and so with certain instructions from none of the least considerable persons at White-Hall, what service to do for his country, in the spring of the year 1689 he hastened back unto it. Before he left London, a messenger from the abdicated king tendered him the government of New- England, if he would accept it; but as that excellect attorney general, Sir William Jones, when it was proposed that the piantations might he governed without assemblies, told the King ‘that he could no more grant a commission to levy money on his subjects there, without their consent by an assembly, than they could discharge themselves from their allegiance to the English crown;” so Sir William Phips thought it his duty to refuse a government without an assembly, as a thing that was treason in the very essence of it; and instead of petitioning the succeeding princes, that his patent for high sheriff might be rendered effectual, he joined in petitions, that New-England might have its own old patent so restored, as to render ineffectual that, and all other grants that might cut short any of its ancient priviledges. But when Sir William arrived at New-England, he found a new face of things; for about an hundred Indians in the eastern parts of the country, had unaccountably begun a war upon the English in July, 1688, and though the governour then in the western parts had immediate advice of it, yet he not only delayed and neglected all that was

necessary for the publick defence, but also when he at last returned, he

manifested?, most furious displeasure against those of the council, and all.

others that had forwarded any one thing for the security of the inhabit-

* Power achieved by wicked successes, can never be lasting.

s, a8 ants, after nemnong ist as

Phips y such nment men of are in is best olution on all Micted and, he ziand it iderable 2 spring ndon, & of New: general, iight be pre grant consent slegiance duty to on in the nces, that d in petired, as to any of its gland, he the eastern | nglish in had immethat was turned, he

he inhabitcil, and all:

ants; while at the same time he dispatched some of his creatures upou secret errands unto Canada, and set at liberty some of the most murderous Indians which the English had seized upon.

This conduct of the governour, which is in a printed remonstrance of some of the best gentlemen in the Council complained of, did extreamly dissatisfie the suspicious people; who were doubtless more extream in some of their suspicions, than there was any real occasion for: but the governour at length raised an army of a thousand English to conquer this hundred Indians; and this army, whereof some of the chief commanders were Papists, underwent the fatigues of a long and a cold winter, in the most Caucasian regions of the territory, till, without the killing of one Indian, there were more of the poor people killed than they had enemies there alive! This added not a little to the dissatisfaction of the people, and it would much more have done so, if they had seen what the world had not yet seen of the suggestions made by the Irish Catholicks unto the late King, published in the year 1691, in the “Account of the state of the Protestants in Ireland, licensed by the Earl of Nottingham,” whereof one article runs in these express terms, “That if any of the /rish cannot have their lands in specie, but money in lieu, some of them may transport themselves into America, possibly near New-England, to check the growing Jndependanis that country:” or if they had seen what was afterwards seen in a letter from K. James to his Holiness (as they stile his foolishness) the Pope of Rome; that it was his full purpose to have set up Roman-Catholick religion in the English plantations of America: though, after all, there is cause to think that there was more made of the suspicions then flying like wild-fire about the country, than a strong charity would have countenanced. When the people were under these rights, they had got by the edges a little intimation of the then Prince of Orange’s glorious undertaking to deliver England from the feared evils, which were already /elt by New-England; but when the person who brought over a copy of the Prince's declaration was imprisoned for bringing into the country a treasonable paper, and the governour, by his proclamation, required all persons to use their utmost endeavours to hinder the landing of any whom the Prince might send thither, this put them almost out of patience. And one thing that plunged the more considerate persons in the territory into uneasie thoughts, was the faulty action of some soldiers, who upon the common suspicions, deserted their stations in the army, and caused their friends to gather together here and there in little bodies, to protect from the demands of the governour their poor children and brethren, whom they thought bound for a bloody sacrifice; and there were also belonging to the Rose-frigot some that buzzed surprising stories about Boston, of many mischief’ to be thence expected. Wherefore, some of the principal gentlemen in Boston, consulting what was to be done in this extraordinary juncture, they all agreed they would, if it were possible, extinguish all essays in the people towards an tnsurrecsilica Renee See

Nernenrnee

ens bali airs ine Pra dca

MAGNALIA CHRISTI AM: RICANA;

tion, in daily hopes of orders from England for their safety: but that if the country people, by any violent motions, pushed the matter on so far as to make a revolution unavoidable, then, to prevent the shedding of blood by an ungoverned modile, some of the gentlemen present should appear at the head of the action with a declaration accordingly prepared, By the eighteenth of April, 1689, things were pushed on so far by the people, that certain persons first seized the captain of the frigot, and the rumor thereof running like lightning through Boston, the whole town was immediately in arms, with the most wnanimous resolution perhaps that ever was known to have inspired any people. They then seized those wretched men, who by their innumerable extortions and abuses had made themselves the objects of universal hatred; not giving over till the governour himself was become their prisoner; the whole action being managed without the least bloodshed or plunder, and with as mucii order as ever attended any tumult, it may be, in the world. Thus did the New-Englanders assert their title to the common rights of Englishmen; and except the plantations are willing to degenerate from the temper of true Englishmen, or except the revolution of the whole English nation be condemned, their action must so far be justified. On their late oppressors, now under just confinement, they took no other satisfaction, but sent them over unto White-Hall for the justice of the King and Parliament. And when the day for the anniversary election, by their vacated charter, drew near, they had many debates into what form they should cast the government, which was till then administred by a “committee for the conservation of the peace,” composed of gentlemen whose hap it was to appear in the head of the late action; but their debates issued in this conclusion: that the governour and magistrates, which were in power before the late usurpation, should resume their places, and apply themselves unto the “conservation of the peace,” and put forth what “acts of government” the emergencies might make needful for them, and thus to wait for further directions from the authority of England. So was there accomplished a revolution which delivered New-England from grievous oppressions, and which was most graciously accepted by the King and Queen, when it was reported unto their Majesties. But there were new matters for Sir William Phips, in a little while, now to think upon.

§ 9. Behold the great things which were done by the sovereign God, for a person once as little in his own eyes asin other men’s, Ail the returns which he had hitherto made unto the God of his mercies, were but preliminaries to what remain to be related. It has been the custom, in the churches of New-England, still to expect from such persons as they admitted unto constant communion with them, that they do not only publickly and

solemnly declare their consent unto the “Covenant of grace,” and particu- .

larly to those duties of it, wherein a particular church-state is more immediately concerned, but also first relate unto the pastors, and by them unto the brethren, the special impressions which the grace of God has made

grow: ashan

U greg whid have ness neve que acco Greg varie bapt no s¢ good rece thos¢ unde the his ( exe it gi it, w

God, turns limirehes unto

and

rticu- -

mmeh unto made

upon their souls in bringing them to this consent. By this custom and caution, though they cannot keep hypocrites from their sacred fellowship, yet they go as far as they can to render and preserve themselves “churches of saints,” and they do further very much edifie one another, When Sir William Phips was now returned unto his own house, he began to bethink himself, like David, concerning the house of the God who had surrounded him with so many favours in his own; and accordingly he applied himself uato the North Church in Boston, that with his open profession of his hearty subjection to thy gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, he might have the ordinances and priviledges of the gospel added unto his other enjoyments, One thing that quickned his resolution to do what might be in this matter expected from him, was a passage which he heard from a minister preaching on the title of the fifty-first Psalm:

“To make a publick and an open professic: of repentance, is a thing not misbecoming the greatest man alive, It is an honour to be found among the repenting people of God, though they be in circumstances never so full of sufforing. A famous Knight going with other Christians to be crowned with martyrdom, observed that his fellow-sufferers were in chains, from which the sacrificers had, because of his quality, excused him; whereupon he demanded, that he might wear chains as well as they. ‘For, said he, ‘I would be a Knight of that order to.’ There is among ourselves a repenting people of Gud, who by their con. fessions at their admissions to his table, do signalize their being so; and thanks be to God that we have so little of suffering in our circumstances, But if any man count himself grown too big to be a Knight of that order, the Lord Jesus Christ himself will one day be ashamed of that man!” ,

Upon this excitation, Sir William Phips made his address unto a Congregational-church, and he had therein one thing to propound unto himself, which few persons of his age, so well satisfied in infant-baptism as he was, have then to ask for. Indeed, in the primitive times, although the law/ulness of infant-baptism, or the precept and pattern of Scripture for it, was never so much as once made a question, yet we find baptism was frequently delayed by persons upon several superstitious and unreasonable accounts, against which we have such fathers as Gregory Nazianzen, Gregory Nyssen, Basyl, Chrysostum, Ambrose, and others, employing a variety of argument. But Sir William Phips had hitherto delayed his baptism, because the years of his childhood were spent where there was no settled minister, and therefore he was now not only willing to attain a good satisfaction of his own internal and practical Christianity, before his receiving that mark thereof, but he was also willing to receive it among those Christians that seemed most sensible of the bonds which it laid them under. Offering himself therefore, first unto the baptism, and then unto the supper of the Lord, he presented unto the pastor of the church, with his own hand-writing, the following instrument; which, because of the exemplary devotion therein expressed, and the remarkable history which it gives of several occurrences in his life, I will here faithfully transcribe it, without adding so much as one word unto it

“The first of God’s making me sensible of my sins, was in the year 1674, by hearing your father preach concerning, ‘The day of trouble near.” It pleased Almighty God to smite me with a deep sence of my miserable condition, who had lived until then in the world, and had done nothing for God. I did then begin to think ‘what I should do to be saved? and did bewail my youthful days, which I had spent in vain: I did think that I would begin to mind the things of God. Being then sometime under your father’s ministry, much troubled with my burden, but thinking on that scripture, ‘Come unto me, you that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest;’ I had some thoughts of drawing as near to the communion of the Lord Jesus as I could; but the ruins which the Indian wars brought on my affairs, and the entanglements which my following the sea laid upon me, hindred my pursuing the welfare of my own soul as I ought to have done. At length God was pleased to smile upon my outward concerns, The various providences, both merciful and afflictive, which attended me in my travels, were sanctified unto me, to make me acknowledge God in all my ways, I have divers times been in danger of my life, and I have been brought to see that I owe my life to him that has given a life so often to me: I thank God he hath brought me to see my self altogether unhappy without an interest in the Lord Jesus Christ, and to close heartily with him, desiring him to execute all his offices on my behalf. I have now, for some’time, been under serious resolutions that I would avoid whatever I should know to be displeasing unto God, and that I would ‘serve him all the days of my life” I believe no man will repent the service of such a master. I find my self unabie to keep such resolutions, but my serious prayers are to the Most High, that he would enable me. God hath done so much for me, that I am sensible I owe my self to him; ‘to him would I give my self, and all that he has given to me.’ I can’t express his mercies to me. But as soon as ever God had smiled upon me with a turn of my affairs, I had laid my self under the vows of the Lord, ‘That I would set my self to serve his people and churches here unto the utmost of my capacity.’ Ihave had great offers made me in England; but the churches of New-England were those which my heart was most set upon. I knew that if God had a people any where, it was here: and I resolved to rise and fall with them; neglecting very great advantiges for my worldly interest, that I might come and enjoy the ordinances of the Lord Jesus here. It has been my trouble that, since I came home, I have made no more haste to get into the house of God, where I desire to be: especially having heard so much about the evil of that omission. I ean do little for God, but I desire to wait upon him in his ordinances, and to live to his honour and glory. My being born in a part of the country where I had not in my infancy enjoyed the first sacrament of the New-Testament, has been something of a stumbling-block unto me. But though I have had profers of baptism elsewhere made unto me, I resolved rather to defer it, until I might enjoy it in the communion of these churches; and I have had awful impressions from those words of the Lord Jesus in Matth. viii. 38, ‘Whosoever shall be ashamed of me, and of my words, of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed.’ When God had blessed me with something of the world, I had no trouble so great as this, ‘lest it should not be in mercy;’ and I trembled at nothing more than being ‘put off with a portion here.’ That I may make sure of better things, I now offer my self unto the communion of this church of the Lord Jesus.”

Accordingly on March 28, 1690, after he had in the congregation of North-Boston given himself up, ‘‘first unto the Lord, and then unto his people,” he was baptized, and so received into the communion of the faithful there. ,

§ 10. Several times, about, before and after this time, did I hear him express himself unto this purpose:

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“T have no need at all to look after any further advantages for my self in this world; I may sit still at home, if I will, and enjoy my ease for the rest of my life; but I believe that

y hearing y God to en in the | do to be ink that I ministry, , you that rawing as dian wars upon me, ngth God ) merciful acknowl. ave been hank God,ord Jesus ny behalf. vhatever I rys of my unabie to ld enable 3 ‘to him ies to me. d my self _ churches d; but the ew that if ith them; enjoy the e, I have ly having re to wait in a part ew-Testaid profers njoy it in words of ny words, bomething trembled of better ”

htion of. into his of the

bar him

world; I lieve that

I should offend God in my doing so: for 1 am now in the prime of my age and strength, and, I thank God, I can undergo hardship: he only knows how long I have to live; but I think ’tis my duty to venture my life in doing of good, before an useless old age comes upon me: wherefore I will now expose my self, while Iam able, and as fur as I am able, for the service of my country: I was born for others, as well as my self.”

I say, many a time have I heard him so express himself; and agreeable to this generous disposition and resolution was all the rest of his life. About this time New-England was miserably briared in the perplexities of an Indian war; and the salvages, in the east part of the country, issuing out from their inaccessible swamps, had for many months made their cruel depredations upon the poor English planters, and surprized many of the plantations on the frontiers into ruin, The New-Englanders found that whilé they continued only on the defensive part, their people were thinned, and their treasures wasted, without any hopes of seeing a period put unto the Indian tragedies: nor could an army greater than Xerxes’ have easily come at the seemingly contemptible handful of tawnies which made all this disturbance; or Tamerlain, the greatest conqueror that ever the world saw, have made it a business of no trouble to have conquered them: they found that they were like to make no weapons reach their enswamped adversaries, except Mr. Milton could have shown them how

To have pluckt up the hills with all their load— Rocks, waters, woods—and by their shaggy tops, Up-lifting, bore them in their hands, therewith The rebel host to ’ve over-whelm’d.——

So it was thought that the English subjects, in these regions of America, might very properly take this occasion to make an attempt upon the French, and by reducing them under the English government, put an eternal period at once unto all their troubles from the Frenchified pagans, This was a motion urged by Sir William Phips unto the General Court of the Massachuset-colony; and he then made unto the court a brave offer of his own person and estate, for the service of the publick in their present extremity, as far as they should see cause to make use thereof. Whereupon they made a first essay against the French, by sending a naval force, with about seven hundred men, under the conduct of Sir William Phips, against L’Acady and Nova Scotia; of which action we shall give only this general and summary account: that Sir William Phips set sail from Nantascot, April 28, 1690, arriving at Port Royal, May 11, and had the fort quickly surrendered into his hands by the French enemy, who despaired of holding out against him. He then took possession of that province for the English Crown, and having demolished the fort, and sent away the garrison, administred unto the planters an oath of allegiance to King William and Queen Mary, he left what order he thought convenient for the government of the place, until further order should be taken by the governour and council of the Massachuset-colony, unto whom he

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returned May 80, with an acceptable account of his expedition, and accepted a place among the magistrates of that colony, to which the freemen had chosen him at their anniversary election two days before.

Thus the country, once given by King James the First unto Sir William Alexander, was now by another Sir William recovered out of the hands of the French, who had afterwards got the possession of it; and there was added unto the English empire a territory, whereof no man can read Monsieur Denys’ “ Description Geographique et Historique des Costes de ’ Amerique Septentrionale,”* but he must reckon the conquest of a region so improvable, for lumber, for fishing, for mines, and for furrs, a very considerable service. But ifa smaller service has, e’er now, evex merited a knighthood, Sir William was willing to repeat his merits by actions of the greatest service possible:

Nil Actum credens, si quid superesset agendum.t

§ 11. The addition of this French colony to the English dominion, was no more than a little step towards a ‘greater action, which was first in the design of Sir William Phips, and which was, indeed, the greatest action that ever the New-Englanders attempted. There was a time when the Philistines had made some inroads and assaults from the northward upon the skirts of Goshen, where the Israelites had a residence, before their coming out of Egypt. The Israelites, and especially that active colony of the Ephraimites, were willing to revenge these injuries upon their wicked neighbours; they presumed themselves powerful and numerous ‘enough to encounter the Canaanites, even in their own country; and they formed a brisk expedition, but came off unhappy losers in it; the Jewish Rabbins tell us, they lost no less than eight thousand men. The time was not yet come; there was more haste than good speed in the attempt; they were not enough concerned for the counsel and presence of God in the undertaking; they mainly propounded the plunder to be got among a people whose trade was that wherewith beasts enriched them; so the business miscarried. This history the Psalmist going to recite says, “I will utter dark sayings of old.” Now, that what befel Sir William Phips, with his whole country of New-England, may not be almost forgotten among “the dark sayings of old,” I will here give the true report of a very memorable matter.

It was Canada that was the chief source of New-England’s miseries, There was the main strength of the French; there the Indians were mostly supplied with ammunition; thence issued parties of men, who, uniting with the salvages, barbarously murdered many innocent New-hnglanders, without any provocation on the New-English part, except this, that New- England had proclaimed King William and Q. Mary, which they said

* “Geographical and Historical Description of the Sen-Coast of North America.” + Calling nothing done while any thing remained to be done,

epted n had

‘illiam hands re was 1 Mon- ’ Ameion so "y conrited a ons of

mn, was in the action en the 1 upon e their colony n their merous nd they Jewish me was t; they in the ong a so the ays, “T Phips, rgotten brt of a

iseries, mostly ng with 8, witht Newey said

were usurpers; and as Cato could make no speech in the senate without that conclusion, Delenda est Carthago,* so it was the general conclusion of all that argued sensibly about the safety of that country, “Canada must be reduced.” It then became the concurring resolution of all New-England, with New-York, to make a vigorous attack upon Canada at once, both by sea and land.

And a fleet was accordingly fitted out from Boston, under the command of Sir William Phips, to fall upon Quebeque, the chief city of Canada. They waited until August for some stores of war from England, whither they had sent for that purpose early in the spring; but none at last arriving, and the season of the year being so far spent, Sir William could not, without many discouragements upon his mind, proceed in a voyage, for which he found himself so poorly provided. However, the ships being taken up, and the men on board, his usual courage would not permit him to desist from the enterprize; but he set sail from Hull near Boston,

August 9, 1690, with a fleet of thirty-two ships and tenders; whereof

one, called the Six Friends, carrying forty-four great guns, and two hundred men, was admiral. Sir William, dividing the fleet into several squadrons, whereof there was the Six Friends, Captain Gregory Sugars commander, with eleven more of the admiral’s squadron, of which one was also a capital ship, namely, The John and Thomas, Captain Thomas Carter commander; of the vice-admirals, the Swan, Captain Thomas Gilbert commander, with nine more; of the rear-admir..is, the America-Merchant, Captain Joseph Eldridge commander, with nine more, and above twenty hundred men on board the whole fleet; he so happily managed his charge, that they every one of them arrived safe at anchor before Quebeck, although they had as dangerous, and almost untrodden a path, to take wn-piloted, for the whole voyage, as ever any voyage was undertaken with. Some small French prizes he took by the way, and set up English colours upon the coast, here and there, as he went along; and before the month of August was out, he had spent several days as fur onward of his voyage as between the island of Antecosta and the Main. But when they entred the mighty river of Canada, such adverse winds encountred the fleet, that they were three weeks dispatching the way, which might otherwise have been gone in three days, and it was the fifth of October, when a fresh breeze coming up at east, carried them along by the north shore, up to the isle of Orleans; and then haling southerly they passed by the east end of that island, with the whole fleet approaching the city of Quebeck. This loss of time, which made it so late before the fleet could get into the country, where a cold and fierce winter was already very far advanced, gave no very good prospect of success to the expedition; but that which gave a much worse, was a most horrid mismanagement, which had, the mean while, happened in the west. For a thousand Eng-

* Carthage must be destroyed.

lish from New-York and Albany, and Connecticut, with fifteen hundred Indians, were to have gone over-land in the west, and fallen upon Mount- 1 Royal, while the fleet was to visit Quebeck in the east; and no expedition 1 could have been better laid than this, which was thus contrived. But those ] English companies in the west, marching as far as the great Lake that was c

to be passed, found their canoos not provided, according to expectation; and the Indians also were [how? God knows, and will one day judge!]

dissuaded from joining with the English; and the army met with such t discouragements, that they returned. r te Had this western army done but so much as continued at the lake, the < diversion thereby given to the French quartered at Mount-Royal, would | n have rendred the conquest of Quebeck easie and certain; but tle govern- t] our of Canada being informed of the retreat made by the western-army, ; v had opportunity, by the cross winds that kept back the fleet, unhappily; Vv. to get the whole strength of all the country into the city before the fleet: dy could come up unto it. However, none of these difficulties hindred Sir @ j *e) William Phips from sending on shoar the following summons, on Monday i as the sixth of October: | : uw “Sir William Phips, Knight, General and Commander in Chief, in and over their Majesties’ gl Forces of New-England, by Sea and Land, to Count Frontenac, Lieutenant-General and Ca

Governour for the French King at Canada; or, in his absence, to his Deputy, or him or them in chief command at Quebeck :

“THE war between the crowns of Englavd and France doth not only sufficiently warrant, but the destruction made by the French and Indians, under your command and encouragement, upon the persons and estates of their Majesties’ subjects of New-England, without provocation on their part, hath put them under the necessily of this expedition, for their own security and satisfaction. And although the cruelties and barbarities used against them by the French and Indians might, upon the present opportunity, prompt unto a severe revenge, yet, being desirous to avoid all inhumane and unchristian-like actions, and to prevent shedding of blood as much as may be:

“J, the aforesaid William Phips, Knight, do hereby, in the name and in the behalf of their

most excellent Majesties Willaim and Mary, King and Queen of England, Scotland, France ca and Ireland, Defenders of the Faith, and by order of their said Majesties’ ~overnment of the i

Massacbaset-volony in New-England, demand a present surrender of your.orts and castles, ; Ww undemolished, and the King’s and other stores, unimbezzled, with a seasonable delivery of in all captives; together with a surrender of all your persons and estates to my dispose: upon F

the doing whereof you may expect mercy from me, as a Christian, according to what. shall; be found for their Majestics’ service and the subjects’ security. Which if you refuse forthwith s se to do, Iam come provided, and am resolved, by the help of God, in whom I trust, by force of 4 th arms to revenge all wrongs and injuries offered, and bring you under subjection to the crown the of England; and, when teo late, make you wish you had accepted of the favour tendered.

“Your answer positive in an hour, returned by your own trumpet, with the return of mine, th is required, upon the peril that will ensue.”

The summons being delivered unto Count Frontenac, his answer was: of

“That Sir William Phips and those with him were hereticks and traitors to their King, and * ac had taken up with that Usurper the Prince of Orange, and had made a revolution, which, if it th had not been made, New-England and the French had been all one: and that no other answer was to be expected from him but what should be from the mouth of his cannon,”

ndred. lountdition those

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If of their d, France lent of the d castles, elivery of se: upon yhat shall forthwith y force of the crown lendered. n of mine,

er Was: King, and

which, if it

her answer

Genera] Phips now saw that it must cost him dry blows, and that: he must roar his perswasions out of the mouths of great guns, to make himself master of a city which had certainly surrendered it self unto him, if he had arrived but a little sooner, and summoned it before the coming down of Count Frontenac with all his forces, to command the oppressed people there, who would have been, many of them, glader of coming under the English government. Wherefore on the seventh of October, the English, that were for the land service, went on board the lesser vessels, in order to land; among which there was a bark, wherein was Captain Ephraim Savage, with sixty men, that ran a-ground upon the north shoar, near two miles from Quebeck, and could not get off, but lay in the same distress that Sceeva did, when the Britains poured in their numbers upon the bark wherein he, with a few more soldiers of Czesar’s army were, by the disadvantage of the tide, left ashoar: the French, with Indians, that saw them

lye there, came near, and fired thick upon them, and were bravely answered; “and when two or three hundred of the enemy at last planted a field-piece

against the bark, while the wind blew so hard that no help could be sent unto his men, the general advanced so far as to level two or three great guns conveniently enough to make the assailants fly; and when the flood came, the bark happily got off, without the hurt of one man aboard, But so violent was the storm of wind all this day, that it was not possible for them to land until the eighth of October: when the English, counting every hour to_be a week until they were come to battel, vigorously got ashoar, designing to enter the east end of the city. The small-pox had got into the fleet, by which distemper prevailing, the number of effective men which now went ashoar, under the command of Lieutenant General Walley, did not amount unto more than fourteen hundred; but four companies of these were drawn out as forlorns, whom, on every side, the enemy fired at; nevertheless,the English rushing with a shout at once upon them, caused them to run as fast as legs could carry them: so that the whole English army, expressing as much resolution as was in Cesar’s army, when they first landed on Britain, in spight of all opposition from the inhbitants, marched on until it was dark, having first killed many of the French, with the loss of but four men of their own; and frighted about seven or eight hundred more of the French from an ambuscado, where they lay ready to fall upon them. But some thought that by staying in the valley, they took the way never to get over the hill: and yet for them to stay where they were till the smaller vessels came up the river before them, so far as by their guns to secure the passage of the army in their getting over, was what the council of war had ordered. But the violence of the weather, with the general's being sooner plunged into the heat of action than was intended, hindred the smaller vessels from attending that order. And this evening a French deserter coming to them, assured them that nine hundred men were on their march from Quebeck to meet

them, already passed a little rivulet that lay at the end of the city, but seeing them land so suddenly, and so valiantly run down those that first encountered them, they had retreated: nevertheless, that Count Frontenac was come down to Quebeck with no fewer than thirty hundred men to defend the city, having left but fifty soldiers to defend Mount-Real, because they had understood, that the English army on that side were gone back to Albany. Notwithstanding this dis-spiriting information, the common soldiers did with much vehemency beg and pray that they might be led on; professing that they had rather lose their lives on the spot, than fail of taking the city; but the more wary commanders considered how rash a thing it would be for about fourteen hundred raw men, tired with a long voyage, to assault more than twice as many expert soldiers, who were Galli in suo sterquilinio, or “cocks growing on their own dunghil.” They were, in truth, now gotten into the grievous case which Livy describes when he says, [bi grave est bellum gerere, ubi non

consistendi aut procedendi locus, quocumque aspexeris Hostilia sunt omnia ; *

look on the one side or the other, all was full of hostile difficulties. And, indeed, whatever popular clamour has been made against any of the commanders, it is apparent that they acted considerately, in making 2 nause upon what was before them; and they did a greater kindncoss to their soldiers than they. have since been thanked for. But in tiis time General Phips and his men of war, with their canvas wings, flew close up unto the west-end of the: city, and there he behaved himself with the greatest bravery imaginable; nor did the other men of war forbear to follow his brave example; who never discovered himself more in his element than when, (as the poet expresseth it,)

The slaughter-breathing brass grew hot, and spoke

In flames of lightning, and in clouds of smoke.

He lay within pistol-shot of the enemies’ cannon, and beat them from thence, and very much battered the town, having his own ship shot through in almost an hundred places with four-and-twenty pounders, and yet but one man was killed, and only two mortally wounded aboard him in this hot engagement, which continued the greatest part of that night and several hours of the day ensuing. But wondring that he saw uo signal of any effective action ashore at the east-end of the city, he sent that he might know the condition of the army there; and received answer that several of the men were so frozen in their hands and feet as to be disabled from service, and others were apace falling sick of the small-pox. Whereupon he ordered them on board immediately to refresh themselves, and he intended then to have renewed his attack upon the city, in the

method of landing his men in the face of it, under the shelter of his great.

guns; having to that purpose provided also a considerable number of well

* It becomes a grievous thing to prosecute a war, when there is no opportunity either to go forward or draw back; and when, wherever we look, we are confronted with signs of hostility.

y, but e that Count undred t-Real, e were nation, t they on the rs conad raw expert n their us case ubt non mnia; And, he coma. mause to their General unto the greatest llow his nt than

em from nip shot lers, and bara him at night saw 10 he sent answer as to be all-pox. bmselves, y, in the

his great .

vo forward or

FRR CE AIEEE

shaped wheel-barrows, each of them carrying two Petarraros apiece, to march before the men, and make the enemy fly, with as much contempt as overwhelmed the Philistines, when undone by /ozes with torches in their tails; (remembred in an anniversary diversion every April among the ancient Romans, tauglit by the Phenicians.)

While the measures to be further taken were debating, there was made an exchange of prisoners, the English having taken several of the French in divers actions, and the French having in their hands divers of the English, whom the Indians had brought captives unto them. The army now on board continued still resolute and courageous, and on fire for the conquest of Quebeck; or if they had missed of doing it by storm, they knew that they might, by possessing themselves of the isle of Orleans, in a little while have starved them out. Incredible damage they might indeed have done to the enemy before they embarked, but they were willing to preserve the more undefensible parts of the country in such a condition as might more sensibly encourage the submission of the inhabitants unto the Crown of England, whose protection was desired by so many of them. And still they were loth to play for any lesser game than the immediate surrender of Quebeck it self. But ere a full cowncil of war could conclude the next steps to be taken, a violent storm arose that separated the fleet, and the snow and the cold became so extream, that they could not continue in those quarters any longer.

Thus, by an evident hand of Heaven, sending one unavoidable disaster after another, as well-formed an enterprize as perhaps was ever made by the New-Englanders, most happily miscarried; and General Phips underwent a very mortifying disappointment of a design which his mind was, as much as ever any, set upon. He arrived November 19, at Boston, where, although he found himself, as well as the publick, thrown into very uneaste circumstances, yet he had this to comfort him, that neither his courage nor his conduct could reasonably have been taxed; nor could it be said thai any man could have done more than he did, under so many embarassments of his business, as he was to fight withal. He also relieved the uneasiness of his mind by considering that his voyage to Canada diverted from his country an horrible tempest from an army of Boss-Lopers, which had prepared themselves, as ’tis affirmed, that winter, to fall upon the New-English colonies, and, by falling on them, would probably have laid no little part of the country desolate. And he further considered that, in this matter, like Israel engaging against Benjamin, it may be, we saw yet but the beginning of the matter: and that the way to Canada now being learnt, the foundation of a victory over it might be laid in what had been already done. Unto this purpose likewise he was heard sometimes applying the remarkable story reported by Bradwardine:

“There was an hermit, who, being vexed with blasphemous injections about the justice and wisdom of Divine Providence, an angel in humane shape invited him to travel with

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him, ‘that he might see the hidden judgments of God.’ Lodging all night at the house; of a man who kindly entertained them, the angel took away a valuable cup from their host, at their going away in the morning, and bestowed this cup upon a very wicked man, with whom they lodged the night ensuing. The third night they were most lovingly treated at the house of a very godly man, from whom, when they went in tie morning, the angel, meeting a servant of his, threw him over the bridge into the water, where he was drowned. And the fourth, being in like manner most courteously treated at the house of avery godly man, the angel before morning did unaccountably kill his only child. The companion of the journey being wonderfully offended at these things, would have left his guardian: but the angel then thus addressed him: ‘Understand now the secret judgments of God! The first man that entertained us, did inordinately affect that cup which I took from him; ’twas for the advantage of his interiour that I took it away, and I gave it unto the impious man, 4 as the present reward of his good works, which is all the reward he is like to have, As for our third host, the servant which I slew haa formed a bloody design to have slain his mas- ' ter; but now, you see, I have saved the life of the master, and prevented something of

growth unto the eternal punishment of the murderer. As for our fourth host, before his

child was born unto him, he was a very liberal and bountiful person, and he did abundance a of good with his estate; but when he saw he was like to leave such an heir, he grew covet. ' si ous; wherefore the soul of the infant is translated into paradise, but the occasion of sin is, a you see, mercifully tuken away from the parent.”

Thus General Phips, though he had been used unto diving in his time, would say, “That the things which had befallen him in this expedition, were too deep to be dived into!”

§ 12. From the time that General Pen made his attempt upon Hispaniola, with an army that, like the New-English forces against Canada, miscarried after an expectation of having little to do but to possess and plunder; even to this day, the general disaster which hath attended almost every attempt of the European colonies in America tomake any considerable encroachments upon their neighbours, is a matter of some close reflection. But of the disaster which now befel poor New-England in particular, every one will easily conclude none of the least consequences to have been the extream debts which that courtry was now plunged into; there being forty thousana pounds, more or less, now to be paid, and not a penny in the treasury to pay it withal. In this extremity they presently found out an expedient,

Stuy soo

which may serve as an evample for any people in other parts of the world, Oo whose distresses may call for a sudden supply of money to carry them 7 Ww through any important expedition. The general assembly first passed an F ur act for the levying of such a sum of money as was wanted, within such a n¢

term of time as was judged convenient; and this act was a fund, on which Ww the credit of such a sum should be rendered passable among the people. tr Hereupon there was appointed an able and faithful committee of gentlemen, Ww who printed, from copper-plates, a just number of bills, and flourished, b indented, and contrived them in such a manner, as to make it impossible th B fC)

to counterfeit any of them, without a speedy discovery of the counterfeit: besides which, they were all signed by the hands of three belonging to that committee. These bills being of several sums, from two shillings to ten

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pounds, did confess the Massachuset-colony to be endebted unto the person

in whose hands they were, the sums therein expressed; and provision was made, that if any particular bills were irrecoverably lost, or torn, or worn by the owners, they might be recruited without any damage to the whole in general. The public. Jebts to the sailors and soldiers, now upon the point of mutiny, (for, Arma Tenenti, Omnia dat, qui Justa negat/)* were in these bills paid immediately: but that further credit might be given thereunto, it was ordered that they should be accepted by the treasurer, and all officers that were subordinate unto him, in all publick payments, at five per cent. more than the value expressed in them. The people knowing that the tax-act would, in the space of two years at least, fetch into the treasury as much as all the bills of credit thence emitted would amount unto, were willing to be furnished with bills, wherein it was their advantage to pay their taxes, rather than in any other specie; and so the sailors and soldiers put off their bills, instead of money, to those with whom they had any dealings, and they circulated through all the hands in the colony pretty comfortably Had the government been so settled, that there had not been any doubt of any obstruction, or diversion to be given to the prosecution of the tax-act, by a total change of their affairs, then depending at White-Hall, ’tis very certain, that the bills of credit had been better than so much ready silver; yea, the invention had been of more use to the New-Englanders, than if all their copper mines had been opened, or the mountains of Peru had been removed into these parts of America. The Massachuset bills of credit had been like the bank bills of Venice, where, though there were not, perhaps, a ducat of money in the bank, yet the bills were esteemed more than twenty per cent. better than money, among the body of the people, in all their dealings. But many people being afraid that the government would in half a year be so overturned as to convert their bills of credit altogether into waste paper, the credit of them was thereby very much impaired; and they who first received them could make them yield little more than fourteen or sixteen shillings in the pound; from whence there arose those idle suspicions in the heads of many more ignorant and unthinking folks concerning the use thereof, which, to the incredible detriment of the province, are not wholly laid aside unto this day. However, this method of paying the publick debts did no less than save the publick from a perfect ruin: and ere many months were expired, the governour and council had the pleasure of seeing the treasurer burn before their eyes many a thousand pounds worth of the bills which had passed about until they were again returned unto the treasury; but before their being returned, had happily and honestly, without a farthing of silver coin, discharged the debts for which they were intended. But that which helped these bills unto much of their credit, was the generous offer cf many worthy men in Boston to run the risque of selling their

© Those who refuse just indemnity when it is simply demanded, are ready to surrender every thing io armed force,

goods reasonably “>= +4em; and of these I think I may say that General Phips was in some sort the leader; who, at the very beginning, meerly to recommend the credit of the bills unto other persons, cheerfully laid down a considerable quantity of ready money for an equivalent parcel of them, And thus in a little time the country waded through the terrible debts which it was fallen into: in this, though unhappy enough, yet not so unhappy as in the loss of men, by which the country was at the same time consumed. "Tis true, there was very little blood spilt in the attack made upon Quebeck, and there was a great hand of Heaven seen in it, The churches, upon the call of the government, not only observed a general fast through the Colony, for the welfare of the army sent unto Quebeck, but also kept the wheel of prayer in a continual motion, by repeated and successive agreements for days of prayer with fasting in their several vicinities. On these days the ferventest prayers were sent up to the God of armies, for the safety and success of the New-English army gone to Canada: and though I never understood that any of the faithful did in their prayers arise to any assurance that the expedition should prosper in all respects, yet they sometimes, in their devotions on these occasions, uttered their perswasion that Almighty God had heard them in.this thing, “that the Hnglish army should not fall by the hands of the Wrench enemy.” Now they were marvellously delivered from doing so; though the enemy had such unexpected advantages over them; yea, and though the horrid winter was come on so far, that it is a wonder the English fleet, then riding in the river of Canada, fared any better than the army which a while since besieged Poland, wherein, of seventy thousand invaders, no less than forty thousand suddenly perished by the severity of the cold, albeit it were but the month of November with them. Nevertheless, a kind of camp-fever, as well as the small-pox, got into the fleet, whereby some hundreds came short of home. And besides this calamity, it was also to be lamented that although the most of the fleet arrived safe at New-England, whereof some vessels indeed were driven off by cross winds as far as the West-Indies before such arrival, yet there were three or four vessels which totally miscarried: one was never heard of, a second was wrecked, but most of the men were saved by another in company; a ¢hird was wrecked, so that all the men were either starved, or drowned, or slain by the Indians, except one, which a long while after was by means of the French restored; and a fourth met with accidents which, it may be, my reader will by and by pronounce not unworthy to have been related.

A brigantine, whereof Captain John Rainsford was commander, having about threescore men aboard, was in a very stormy night, October 28,

1690, stranded upon the desolate and hideous island of Antecosta, an -

island in the mouth of the mighty river of Canada; but through the singular mercy of God w to them, the vessel did not immediately stave to pieces, which, if it u.. happened, they must have one way or another

eneral rly to | down ‘them. which ppy 48 sumed. iebeck, oon the gh the ept the ements se days safety I never 1y assur1etimes, Imighty wuld not ellously 1 advann so far, Canada, Poland, suddenly onth of bl as the of home. pugh the ls indeed arrival, as never another starved, ile after accidents orthy to

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quickly perished, There they lay for divers days, under abundance of bitter weather, trying and hoping to get off their vessel; and they solemnly set apart one day for prayer with fasting, to obtain the smiles of Heaven upon them in the midst of their distresses; and this especially, that if they must go ashoar, they might not, by any stress of storm, lose the provisions which they were to carry with them. They were at last convinced that they must continue no longer on board, and therefore, by the seventh of November, they applied themselves, all hands, to get their provisions ashoar upon the dismal island, where they had nothing but a sad and cold winter before them; which being accomplished, their vessel overset so as to take away from them all expectation of getting off the island in it. Here they now built themselves nine small chimneyless things that they called houses; to this purpose employing such boards and planks as they could get from their shattered vessel, with the help of trees, whereof that squalid wilderness had enough to serve them; and they built a particular store-house, wherein they carefully lodged and locked the poor quantity of provisions, which, though scarce enough to serve a very abstemious company for one month, must now be so stinted as to hold out six or seven; and the allowance agreed among them could be no better than for one man, “two biskets, half a pound of pork, half a pound of flower, one pint and a quarter of pease, and two salt fishes per week,” This little handful of men were now a sort of commonwealth, extraordinarily aud miserably separated from all the rest of mankind; (but I believe they thought little enough of an Utopia:) wherefore they consulted, and concluded such laws among themselves as they judged necessary to their subsistence, in the doleful condition whereinto the providence of God had cast them; now —Penitus toto divisos Orbe,*

they set up good orders, as well as they could, among themselves; and besides their daily devotions, they observed the Lord's days with more solemn exercises of religion.

But it was not long before they began to feel the more mortal effects of the straits whereinto they had been reduced: their short commons, their drink of snow-water, their hard, and wet, and smoaky lodgings, and their grievous despair of mind, overwhelmed some of them at such a rate, and so ham-stringed them, that sooner than be at the pains to go abroad, and cut their own fuel, they would lye after a sottish manner ip the cold; these things quickly brought sicknesses among them. The fist of their number who died was their doctor, on the 20th of December; and then they dropt away, one after another, till between thirty and forty of the sixty were buried by their disconsolate friends, whereof every one looked still to be the next that should lay his bones in that forsaken region, These poor men did therefore, on Monday, the 27th of January, keep a

® Separated from the whole world,

MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA;

sacred fast (as they did, in some sort, a civil one, every day, all this while) to beseech of Almighty God that his anger might be turned from them, that he would not go on to cut them off in his anger, that the extremity of the season might be mitigated, and that they might be prospered in some essay to get relief as the spring should advance upon them; and they took notice that God gave them a gracious answer to every one of these petitions.

But while the hand of God was killing so many of this little nation (and yet uncapable to become a nation, for it was Res unius Aitatis, populus virorum/)* they apprehended that they must have been under a most uncomfortable necessity to kill one of their company.

Whatever penalties they enacted for other crimes, there was one for which, like that of parricide among the antients, they would have promised themselves that there should not have been occasion for any punishments; and that was the crime of stealing from the common-stock of their provisions. Nevertheless they found their store-house divers times broken open, and their provisions therefrom stolen by divers unnatural children of the Leviathan, while it was not possible for them to preserve their feeble store-house from the stone-wall-breaking madness of these unreasonable creatures. This trade of stealing, if it had not been stopped by some exemplary severity, they must in a little while, by Jot or force, have come to have cannibally devoured one another; for there was nothing to be done, either at fishing, or fowling, or hunting, upon that rueful island, in the depth of a frozen winter; and though they sent as far as they could upon discovery, they could not find on the island any living thing in the world besides themselves. Wherefore, though by an act they made stealing to be so criminal that several did run the gauntlet for it, yet they were not far from being driven, after all, to make one degree and instance of it capital, There was a wicked Irishman among them, who had such a voracious devil in him, that after divers burglaries upon the store-house, committed by him, at last he stole, and eat with such a pamphagous fury, as to cram himself with no less than eighteen biskets at one stolen meal, and he was fain to have his belly stroked and bathed before the fire, lest he should otherwise have burst. This amazing, and indeed murderous villany of the Irishman brought them all to their wit’s ends how to defend themselves from the ruin therein threatened unto them; and whatever methods were proposed, it was feared that there could be no stop given to his furacious exorbitancies any way but one; he could not be past stealing, unless he were past eating too. Some think therefore they might have sentenced the wretch to die, and after they had been at pains, upon Christian and spiritual accounts, to prepare him for it, have executed the sentence by shooting him to death: concluding matters come to that pass, that if they had not shot

him, he must have starved them unavoidably. Such an action, if it were

done, will doubtless meet with no harder a censure, than that of the seven

* A commonwealth but a single century old—yet a nation of heroes,

hile) that f the assay notice 8. ration popu- , most

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Englishmen, who, being in a boat carried off to sea from St. Christophers, with but one day's provision aboard for seventeen, singled out some of their number by lot, and slew them, and ate them; for which, when they were afterwards accused of murder, the court, in consideration of the inevitable necessity, acquitted them. Truly the inevitable necessity of starving, without such an action, sufficiently grievous to them all, will very much plead for what was done (whatever it were!) by these poor Antecostians, And starved indeed they must have been for all this, if they had not contrived and performed a very desperate adventure, which now remains to be related. There was a very diminutive kind of boat belonging to their brigantine, which they recovered out of the wreck, and cutting this boat in two, they made a shift, with certain odd materials preserved among them, to lengthen it so far, that they could form a little cuddy, where two or three men might be stowed, and they set up a little mast, whereto they fastened a litile sail, and accommodated it with some other little circumstances, according to their present poor capacity.

On the twenty-fifth of March, five of the company shipped themselves upon this doughty /ly-boat, intending, if it were possible, to carry unto Boston the tidings of their woeful plight upon Antecosta, and by help from their friends there, to return with seasonable succours for the rest. They had not sailed long before they were hemmed in by prodigious cakes of ice, whereby their boat sometimes was horribly wounded, and it was a miracle that it was not crushed into a thousand pieces, if indeed a thousand pieces could have been splintered out of so minute a cock-boat, They kept labouring, and fearfully weather-beaten, among enormous rands of ice, which would ever now and then rub formidably upon them, and were enough to have broken the ribs of the strongest frigot that ever cut the seas; and yet the signal hand of Heaven so preserved this petty boat, that by the eleventh of April they had got a quarter of their way, and came to an anchor under Cape St. Lawrence, having seen land but once before, and that about seven leagues off, ever since their first setting out; and yet having seen the open and ocean sea not so much as once in all this while, for the ice that still encompassed them. For their support in this time, the little provisions they brought with them would pot have kept them alive; only they killed seale upon the ice, and they melted the upper part of the ice for drink; but fierce, wild, ugly sea-horses would often so approach them upon the ice, that the fear of being devoured by them was not the least of their exercises. The day following, they weighed anchor betimes in the morning, but the norwest winds persecuted them, with the raised and raging waves of the sea, which almost continually poured into them; and monstrous islands of ice, that seemed almost as big as Antecosta it self, would ever now and then come athwart them. In such a sea they lived by the special assistance of God, until, by the thirteenth of April, they got into an island of land, where

they made a fire, and killed some fowl and some seale, and found some goose-eggs, and supplied themselves with what billets of wood were necessary and carriageable for them; and there they stayed until the seventeenth. Here their boat lying near a rock, a great sea hove it upon the rock, so that it was upon the very point of oversetting, which if it had, she had been utterly disabled for any further service, and they must have called that harbour by the name which, I think, one a little more northward bears, ‘the Cape without hope.” There they must have ended their weary days! But here the good hand of God again interposed for them; they got her off; and though they lost their compass in this hurry, they sufficiently repaired another defective one they had aboard. Sailing from thence, by the twenty-fourth of April, they made Cape Britioon; when a thick fog threw them into a new perplexity, until they were safely gotten into the Bay of Islands, where they again wooded, and watred, and killed a few fowl, and catched some fish, and began to reckon themselves as good as half way home. They reached Cape Sables by the third of May, but by the fifth all their provision was again spent, and they were out of sight of land; nor had they any prospect of catching any thing that lives in the Atlantick: which, while they were lamenting one unto another, a stout halibut comes up to the top of the water, by their side; whereupon they threw out the fishing-line, and the fish took the hook; but he proved so heavy, that it required the help of several hands to hale him in, anda thankful supper they made on it. By the seventh of May seeing no land, but having once more spent all their provision, they were again grown almost wholly hopeless of deliverance, but then a fishing shallop of Cape Ann came up with them, fifteen leagues to the eastward of that cape. And yet before they got in, they had so tempestuous a night, that they much feared perishing upon the rocks after all: but God carried them into Boston harbour the ninth of May, unto the great surprize of their friends that were in mourning for them: and there furnishing themselves with a vessel fit for their undertaking, they took a course in a few weeks more to fetch home their brethren that they left behind them at Antecosta,

But it is now time for us to return unto Sir William!

§ 18. All this while Canada was as much written upon Sir William’s heart as CALLICE, they said once, was upon Queen Mary’s, He needed not one to have been his daily monitor about Canada; it lay down with him, it rose up with him, it engrossed almost all his thoughts; he thought the subduing of Canada to be the greatest service that could be done for New- England, or for the crown of England, in America. In pursuance whereof, after he had been but a few weeks at home, he took another voyage for England, in the very depth of winter, when sailing was now dangerous; conflicting with all the difficulties of a tedious and terrible passage, in a very little vessel, which indeed was like enough to have perished, if it had not been for the help of his generous hand aboard, and his fortunes in the bottom,

d some 2 neces: . sevenpon the 1ad, she st have > northed their r them; ry, they ng from when a y gotten d killed yas good May, but of sight lives in r, a stout yon they roved so in, anda no land, grown of Cape e. And ey much o Boston hat were vessel fit to fetch

illiam’s eded not vith him, ught the for Newwhereof, yage for ngerous; in avery t had not he bottom.

Arriving—per tot Discrimina*—at Bristol, he hastned up to London; and made his applications to their Majesties and the principal Ministers of State for assistance to renew an expedition against Canada, concluding his representation to the King with such words as these:

“If your Majesty shall graciously please to commission and assist me, I am ready to venture my life again in your service. And I doubt not, by the blessing of God, Canada may be added unto the rest of your dominions, which will (all cireumstances considered) be of more advantage to the crown of England, than all the territories in the West Indies are. |

“ The Reasons here suljoined, are humbly offered unto your Majesty's consideration:

“ First, The success of this design will greatlv add to the glory and interest of the English crown and nation; by the addition of the Bever-trade, and securing the Hudson’s bay company, some of whose factories have lately fullen into the hands of the French; and increase of English shipping and seamen, by gaining the fishery of Newfoundland; and by consequence diminish the number of French seamen, and cut off a great revenue from the French crown.

“ Secondly, The cause of the English in New-England, their failing in the late attempt upon Canada, was their waiting for a supply of ammunition from England until August; their long passage up that river; the cold season coming on, and the small-pox and fevers being in the army and fleet, so that they could not stay fourteen days longer; in which time probably they might have taken Quebeck; yet, if a few frigots be speedily sent, they doubt not of an happy success; the strength of the French being small, and the planters desirous to be under the English government.

“ Thirdly, The Jesuites endeavour to seduce the Maquas, and other Indians (as is by them affirmed), suggesting the greatness of King Lewis, and the inability of King William to do any thing against the French in those parts, thereby to engage them in their interests: in which, if they should succeed, not only New-England, but all our American plantations, would be endangered by the great increase of shipping, for the French (built in New-England at easie rates) to the infinite dishonour and prejudice of the English nation.”

But now, for the success of these applications, I must entreat the patience of my reader to wait until we have gone thro’ a little more of our history,

§ 14. The Reverend INCREASE MATHER beholding his country of New- England in a very deplorable condition, under a governour that acted by an illegal, arbitrary, treasonable commission, and invaded liberty and property after such a manner, as that no man could say anything was his own, he did, with the encouragement of the principal gentlemen in the country, but not without much trouble and hazard unto his own person, go over to Whitehall in the summer of the year 1688, and wait upon King James, with a full representation of their miscrics, That King did give him liberty of access unto him, whenever he desired it, and with many good words promised him to relieve the oppressed people in many anstunces that were proposed: but when the revoludion had brought the Prince and Princess of Orange to the throne, Mr. Mather having the honour divers times to wait

upon the King, he still prayed for no less a favour to New-England, than |

the full restoration of their charter-priviledges: and Sir William Phips

* After su many varictics of fortune,

happening to be then in England, very generously joined with Mr. Mather in some of those addresses: whereto his Majesty’s answers were always very expressive of his gracious inclinations. Mr. Mather, herein assisted also by the Right Worshipful Sir Henry Ashurst, a most hearty friend of all such good men as those that once filled New-England, solicited the leading men of both houses in the Convention-Parliament, until a bill for the restoring of the charters belonging to New-England, was fully passed by the Commons of England: but that Parliament being prorngued, and then dissolved, all that Sisyphzean labour came to nothing. The disappointments which afterwards most wonderfully blasted all the hopes of the petitioned restoration, obliged Mr. Mather, not without the concurrence of other agents, now also come from New-England, unto that method of petitioning the King for a new charter, that should contain more than all the priviledges of the old; and Sir William Phips, now being again returned into England, lent his utmost assistance hereunto.

The King taking a voyage for Holland before this petition was answered: Mr. Mather, in the meanwhile, not only waited upon the greatest part of the Lords of his Majesty’s most honourable Privy Council, offering them a paper of “reasons for the confirmation of the charter-priviledges granted unto the Massachuset-colony;” but also having the honour to be introduced unto the Queen, he assured her Majesty that there were none in the world better affected unto their Majesties’ government than the people of New- England, who had indeed been exposed unto great hardships for their being so; and entreated that, since the King had referred the New-English affair unto the two Lord Chief Justices, with the Attorney and Solicitor General, there might be granted unto us what they thought was reasonable. Whereto the Queen replied, that the request was reasonable: and that she had spoken divers times to the King on the behalf of New-England; and that for her own part, she desired that the people there might not meerly have justice, but favour done to them. When the King was returned, Mr. Mather, being by the Duke of Devonshire brought into the King’s presence on April 28, 1691, humbly prayed his Majesty’s favour to New- England; urging, that if their old charter-priviledges might be restored unto them, his name would be great in those parts of the world as long as the world should stand; adding,

“Sir: Your subjects there have been willing to venture their lives, that they may enlarge your dominions; the expedition to Canada was a great and noble undertaking.

“May it please your Majesty, in your great wisdom also to consider the circumstances of that people, as in your wisdom you have considered the circumstances of England and of Scotland. In New-England they differ from other plantations; they are called ‘Congregational’ and ‘Presbyterian.’ So that such a governor will not suit with the people of New- England as may be very proper for other English plantations,”

Two days after this, the King, upon what was proposed by certain Lords, was very inquisitive, whether he might, without breach of law,

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set a governour over New-England; whereto the Lord Chief Justice and some others of the council, answered, that whatever might be the merit of the cause, inasmuch as the charter of New-England stood vacated by a judgment against them, it was in the King’s power to put them under what form of government he should think best for them.

The King then said, “That he believed it would be for the advantage of the people in that colony, to be under a governour appointed by himself: nevertheless, (because of what Mr. Mather had spoken to him,) he would have the agents of New-England nominate a person that should be agreeable unto the inclinations of the people there: and notwithstanding this he would have charter-priviledges restored and confirmed unto them.”

The day followiag, the King began another voyage to Holland; and when the attorney general’s draught of a charter, according to what he took to be his Majesty’s mind, as expressed in council, was presented at the council-board, on the eighth of June, some objections then made, procured an order to prepare minutes for another draught, which deprived the New-Englanders of several essential priviledges in their other charter. Mr. Mather put in his objections, and vehemently protested, that he would sooner part with his fe than consent unto those minutes, or anything else iit should infringe any liberty or privilege of right belonging unto his ¢ antsy: but he was answered, that the agents of New-England were not {Ln potentiaries from another sovereign state; and that if they would not submit unto the King’s pleasure in the settlement of the country, they must “take what would follow.”

The dissatisfactory minutes were, by Mr. Mather’s industry, sent over unto the King in Flanders; and the ministers of state then with the King were earnestly applied unto, that every mistake about the good settlement of New-England might be prevented; and the Queen her self, with her own royal hand, wrote unto the king that the charter of New-England might either pass as it was drawn by the attorney general, or be deferred until his own return.

But after all, his Majesty’s principal secretary of state received a signification of the King’s pleasure that the charter of New-England should run in the main points of it as it was now granted: only there were several important articles which Mr. Mather by his unwearied solicitation obtained afterwards to be inserted.

There were some now of the opinion, that instead of submitting to this new settlement, they should, in hopes of getting a reversion of the judgment against the old charter,.declare to the ministers of state that they had rather have no charter at ail, than such an one as was now proposed unto acceptance. But Mr. Mather advising with many unprejudiced persons, and men of the greatest abilities in the kingdom, noblemen, gentlemen, divines and lawyers, they all agreed that it was not only a lawful, but, ‘all circumstances then considered, a needful thing, and a part of duty

and wisdom to accept what was now offered, and that a peremptory refusal would not only bring an inconveniency, but a fatal and perhaps a final ruin upon the country; wkereof mankind would lay the blame upon the agents.

It was argued, that such a submission was no surrender of any thing; that the judgment, not in the court of King’s-bench, but in chancery against the old charter, standing on record, the patent was thereby annihilated; that all attempts to have the judgment against the old charter taken off, would be altogether in vain, as men and things were ther disposed.

It wes further argued, that the ancient charter of New-England was in tue opinion of the lawyers very defective, as to several powers, which yet were absolutely necessary to the subsistence of the plantations; it gave the government there no more power than the corporations have in England; power in capital cases was not therein particularly expressed.

It mentioned not an house of deputies, or an assembly of representatives; the governour and company had thereby (they said) no power to impose taxes on the inhabitants that were not freemen, or to erect courts of admiralty. Without such powers the colony could not subsist; and yet the best friends that New-England had of persons most learned in the law, proiessed, that suppose the judgment against the Massachuset-charter might be reversed, yet, if they should again exert such powers as they did before tae Quo Warrants against their charter, a new writ of Scire Facias would undoubtedly be issued out against them.

It was yet further argued, that if an act of parliament should have reversed the judgment against the Massachuset-charter, without a grant of some other advantages, the whole territory had been, on many accounts, very miserably incommoded: the Province of Main, with Hampshire, would have been taken from them; and Plymouth would have been annexed unto New-York; so that this colony would have been squeezed into an atom, and not only have been rendered insignificant in its trade, but by having its militia also, which was vested in the King, taken away, its insignificancies would have become out of measure humbling; whereas now, instead of seeing any relief by act of parliament, they would have been put under a governour, with a commission, whereby ill men, and the King’s and country’s enemies might probably have crept into opportunities to have done ten thousand ill things, and have treated the best men in the land after a very uncomfortable manner.

It was lastly argued, that by the new charter very great privileges were granted unto New-England; and in some respects greater than what they

‘formerly enjoyed. The colony is now made a province, and their general court has, with the King’s approbation, as much power in New-England, as the King and parliament have in England. They have all English liberties, and can be touched by no law, by no tax, but of their own making. All the liberties of their holy religion are for ever secured, and their titles to their lands, once for want of some forms of legal conveyom

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OR, THE HISTORY OF NEW-ENGLAND.

anc, contested, are now confirmed unto them. If an ill governour should happen to be imposed on them, what hurt could he dotothem? None, except they themselves pleased; for he cannot make one counsellor, one judge, or one justice, or one sheriff to serve his turn: disadvantages enough, one would think, to discourage any ill governour from desiring to be stationed in those uneasie regions, The people have a negative upon all the executive part of the civil government, as well as the legislative, which is a vast priviledge, enjoyed by no other plantation in America, nor by Ire- Jand—no, nor hitherto by England it self, Why should all of this good be refused or despised, because of somewhat not so good attending it? The despisers of so much good will certainly deserve a censure, not unlike that of Causabon, upon some who did not value what that learned man counted highly valuable: Vic illis optari quidquam pejus potest, quam ut fatuitate sua fruantur:*—Much good may do them with their madness! All this being well considered, Sir William Phips, who had made so many addresses for the restoration of the old charter, under which he had seen his country many years flourishing, will be excused by all the world from any thing of a fault, in a most unexpected passage of his life, which is

“now to be related.

Sir Henry Ashurst and Mr. Mather, well knowing the agreeable disposition to do good, and the King and his country service, which was in Sir William Phips, whom they now had with them, all this while prosecuting his design for Canada, they did unto the council-board nominate him for the GoVERNOUR of New-England. And Mr. Mather being by the Karl of Nottingham introduced unto his Majesty, said:

“Sm: I do, in the behalf of New-England, most humbly thank your Majesty, in that you have been pleased by a Charter to restore English Liberties unto them, to confirm them in their properties, and to grant them some peculiar priviledges, I doubt not, but that your subjects there will demean themselves with that dutiful affection and loyalty to your Majesty, as that.you will see cause to enlarge your royal favours towards them. And I do most humbly thank your Majesty in that you have been pleased to give leave unto those that are concerned for New-England to nominate their Governour.

“Sir William Phips has been accordingly nominated by us at the Council-Board. He hath done a good service for the crown, by enlarging your dominions, and reducing of Nova Scotia to your obedience. I know that he will faithfully serve your Majesty to the utmost of his capacity; and if your Majesty shall think fit to confirm him in that place, it will be a further obligation on your subjects there.”

The effects of all this was, that Sir William Phips was now invested with a commission under the King’s broad-seal to be captain-general: and governour in chief over the province of the Massachuset-bay in New-England: nor do I know a person in the world that could have been proposed more acceptable to the body of the people throughout New-England, and on that score more likely and able to serve the King’s interests among the

® One could hardly wish them any worse fortune than to enjoy the fruits of their own folly.

people there, under the changes in some things unacceptable, now brought upon them. He had been a Gideon, who had: more than once ventured his life to save his country from their enemies: and they now, with universal satisfaction said, “Thou shalt rule over us.” Accordingly, having with Mr. Mather kissed the King’s hand on January 3d, 1691, he hastned away to his government; and arriving at New-England the 14th of May following, attended with the Non-such frigot, both of them were welcomed with the loud acclamations of the long shaken and shattered country, whereto they were now returned with a settlement so full of happy priviledges.

§ 15. When Titus Flaminius had freed the poor Grecians from the bondage which had long oppressed thera, and the herald proclaimed among them the articles of their freedom, they cried out, “‘ A saviour! a saviour!” with such loud acclamations, that the very birds fell down from heaven astonished at the cry. Truly, when Mr. Mather brought with him unto the poor New-Englanders, not only a charter, which though in divers points wanting what both he and they had wished for, yet for ever delivers them from oppressions on their Christian and English liberties, or their ancient possessions, wherein ruining writs of intrusion had begun to invade

them all, but also a GOVERNOUR who might call New-England his own’

country, and who was above most men in it, full of affection to the interests of his country; the sensible part of the people then caused the sence of the salvations thus brought them to reach as far as heaven it self. The various little humours then working among the people, did not hinder the great and general court of the province to appoint a day of solemn THANKSGIVING to Almighty God, for “granting” (as the printed order expressed it) “a safe arrival to his Excellency our Governour, and the Reverend Mr. Increase Mather, who have industriously endeavoured the service of this people, and have brought over with them a settlement of government, in which their Majesties have graciously given us distinguishing marks of their royal favour and goodness.”

And as the obliged people thus gave thanks unto the God of heaven, so they sent an address of thanks unto their Majesties, with other letters of thanks unto some chief ministers of state, for the favourable aspect herein cast upon the province.

Nor were the people mistaken, when they promised themselves all the kindness imaginable from this governour, and expected, “under his shadow we shall live easie among the heathen:” why might they not look for halcyon-days, when they had such a King’s-fisher for their governour?

Governour Phips had, as every raised and useful person must have, his envious enemies ; but the palest envy of them who turned their worst enmity

upon him, could not hinder them from confessing, ‘That, according to the —

best of his apprehension, he ever sought the good of his country:” his country quickly felt this on innumerable occasions; and they had it eminently demonstrated, as well in his promoting and approving the council’s

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choice of good judges, justices and sheriffs, which, being once established, no successor could remove them, as in his urging the general assembly to make themselves happy by preparing a body of good laws as fast as they could, which being passed by him in his time, could not be nulled by any other after him.

He would often speak to the members of the General Assembly in such terms as these: “Gentlemen, you may make your selves as easie as you will for ever; consider what may have any tendency to your welfare; and you may be sure, that whatever bills you offer to me, consistent with the honour and interest of the Crown, I’ll pass them readily; I do but seek opportunities to serve you: had it not been for the sake of this thing, I had never accepted the government of this province; and whenever you have settled such a body of good laws, that no person coming after me may make you uneasie, I shall desire not one day longer to continue in the government.”—Accordingly he ever passed every act for the welfare of the province proposed unto him; and instead of ever putting them upon buying his assent unto any good act, he was much forwarder to give it, than they were to ask it; nor indeed had the hunger of a salary any such impression upon him as to make him decline doing all possible service for the publick, while he was not sure of having any proportionable or honourable acknowledgments,

But yet he minded the preservation of the King’s rights with as careful and faithful a zeal as became a good steward for the crown; and, indeed, he studied nothing more than to observe such a temper in all things as to extinguish what others have gone to distinguish—even the pernicious notion of a separate interest. There was a time when the Roman empire was infested with a vast number of governours, who were infamous for infinite avarice and villany; and, referring to this time, the apostle John had a vision of “people killed with the beasts of the earth.”

But Sir William Phips was none of those governours; wonderfully contrary to this wretchedness was the happiness of New-England, when they had Governour Phips, using the tenderness of a father towards the people; and being of the opinion, Ditare magis esse Regium quam Ditescere,* that it was a braver thing to enrich the people, than to grow rich himself. A father, I said; and what if I had said an angel too? If I should from Clemens Alexandrinus, from Theodoret, and from Jerom, and others among the ancients, as well as from Calvin, and Buzan, and Peter Martyr, and Chemnitius, and Bullinger, and a thousand more among the moderns, bring authorities for the assertion, “That each country and province is under the special care of some angel, by a singular deputation of heaven assigned thereunto;” I could back them with a far greater authority than any of them all. The Scripture it self does plainly assert it: and hence the most learned Grotius, writing of commonwealths, has a passage to this

* It is more truly princely to enrich than to be enriched.

purpose: His singulis, suos Attributos, esse Angelos, ex Danteve, magno con sensu, et Judait et Christiant veteres colligebant.*

But New-England had now, besides the guardian-angel who more invisibly intended its welfare, a governour that became wonderfully agreeable thereunto, by his whole imitation of such a guardian-angel. He employed his whole strength to guard his people from all disasters which threatned them either by sea or land; and it was remarked that nothing remarkably disastrous did befal that people from the time of his arrival to the government, until there arrived an order for his leaving it: (except one thing which was begun before he entred upon the government:) but instead thereof, the Indians were notably defeated in the assaults which they now made upon the English, and several French ships did also very advantageously fall into his hands; yea, there was by his means a peace restored unto the province, that had beeu divers years languishing under the hectic feaver of a lingring war.

And there was this one thing more that rendred his government the more desirable: that whereas ‘tis impossible for a meer man to govern without some error, whenever this governour was advised of any error in any of his administrations, he would immediately retract it, and revoke it with all possible ingenuity; so that if any occasion of just complaint arose, it was usually his endeavour that it should not long be complained of.

—O, felicee nimium, sua si Bona, norint, Nov-Angli.t—

But having, in a parenthesis, newly intimated that his Excellency, when he entered on his government, found one thing that was remarkably disastrous begun upon it; of that one thing we will now give some account,

Reader, prepare to be entertained with as prodigious matters as can be put into any history! And let him that writes the next Zhawmatographia Pneumatica,t allow to these prodigies the chief place among the wonders.

§ 16. About the time of our blessed Lord’s coming to reside on earth, we read of so many ‘possessed with devils,” that it is commonly thought the number of such miserable energumens was then encreased above what has been usual in other ages; and the reason of that increase has been made a matter of some enquiry. Now, though the devils might herein design by preternature? operations to blast the miracles of our Lord Jesus Christ, which point they gained among the blasphemous Pharisees; and the devils might nerein aiso design a villanous ¢mitation of what was com: ing to pass in the ¢ncarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, wherein God came to dwell in flesh; yet I am not without suspicion, that there may be something further in the conjecture of the learned Bartholinus hereupon, who

says, It was Quod judi preter modum, Artibus Magicis dediti Damonem

* That to each of these its own guardian-angel is assigned, is plainly to be inferred from the book of Daniel, according to the unanimous judgment of both the Jews and the Christians of the early ages,

+ O thrice-bloesed New-Englanders, if they Dut understood their own good fortune! $¢ The Wondrous Works of the Spirit.

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Advocaverint—the Jews, by the frequent use of magical tricks, called in the devils among them.

It is very certain, there were hardly any people in the world grown more fond of sorceries than that uunappy people; the Zalmuds tell us of the little parchments with words upon them, which were their common amulets, and of the charms which they muttered over wounds, and of the various enchantments which they used against all sorts of disasters whatsoever. It is affirmed in the Talmuds, that no less than twenty-four scholars in one school were killed by witchcraft; and that no less than fourscore persons were hanged for witchcraft by one judge in one day. The gloss adds upon it, “That the women of Israel had generally fallen to the practice of witchcrafts;” and therefore it was required, that there should be still chogen into the council one skilful in the arts of sorcerers, and able thereby to discover who might be guilty of those black arts among such as were accused before them.

Now, the arrival of Sir William Phips to the government of New-England, was at a time when a governour would have had occasion for all the skill in sorcery that was ever necessary to a Jewish Counsellor; a time when scores of poor people had newly fallen under a prodigious possession of devils, which it was then generally thought had been by witchcrafts introduced. It is to be confessed and bewailed, that many inhabitants of New-England, and young people especially, had been led away with little sorceries, wherein they “did secretly those things that were not right against the Lord their God;” they would often cure hurts with spells, and practice detestable conjurations with steves, and keys, and pease, and natls, and horse-shoes, and other implements, to learn the things for which they had a forbidden and impious curiosity. Wretched books had stoln into the land, wherein foois were instructed how to become able fortune-tellers: among which, I wonder that a blacker brand is not set upon that fortune-telling wheel, which that sham-scribler that goes under the letters of RB. has promised in his “Delights for the Ingenious,” as an honest and pleasant recreation: and by these books, the minds of many had been so poisoned, that they studied this finer witchcraft; until ’tis well if some of them were not betrayed into what is grosser, and more sensible and capital. Although these diabolical divinations are more ordinarily committed perhaps all over the whole world, than they are in the country of New-England, yet, that being a country devoted unto the worship and service of the Lord Jesus Curist above the rest of the world, HE signalized his vengeance against these wickednesses, with such extraordinary dispensations as have not been often seen in other places.

The devils which had been so played withal, and, it may be, by some few criminals more explicitly engaged and imployed, now broke in upon the country, after as astonishing a manner as was ever heard of. Some scores of people, first about Salem, the centre and first-born of all the

MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA;

towns in the colony, and afterwards in several other places, were arrested with many preternatural vevations upon their bodies, and a variety of cruel torments, which were evidently inflicted from the demons of the invisible world, The people that were infected and infested with such demons, in a few days’ time arrived unto such a refining alteration upon their eyes, that they could see their tormentors: they saw a devil of a little stature, and of a tawny colour, attended still with spectres that appeared in more humane circumstances,

These tormentors tendred unto the afflicted a book, requiring them to sign it, or to touch it at least, in token of their consenting to be listed in the service of the devil; which they refusing: to do, the spectres under the command of that blackman, as they called him, would apply themselves to torture them with prodigious molestations.

The afflicted wretches were horribly distorted and convulsed; they were pinched black and blue: pins would be run every where in their flesh; they would be scalded until they had blisters raised on them; and a thousand other things before hundreds of witnesses were done unto them, evidently preternatural: for if it were preternatural to keep a rigid fast for nine, yea, for fifleen days together; or if it were preternatural to have one’s hands tyed close together with a rope to be plainly seen, and then by wnseen hands presently pulled up a great way from the earth before a croud of people; such preternatural things were endured by them.

But of all the preternatural things which befel these people, there were none more unaccountable than those wherein the prestigious demons would ever now and then cover the most corporeal things in the world with a fascinating mist of invisibility, As now; a person was cruelly assaulted by a spectre, that, she said, run at her with a spindle, though no body else in the room could see either the spectre or the spindle: at last, in her agonies, giving a snatch at the spectre, she pulled the spindle away; and it was no sooner got into her hand, but the other folks then present beheld that it was indeed a real, proper, iron spindle; which, when they locked up very safe, it was nevertheless by the demons taken away to do farther mischief.

Again, a person was haunted by a most abusive spectre, which came to her, she said, with a sheet about her, though seen to none but her self. After she had undergone a deal of teaze from the annoyance of the spectre, she gave a violent snatch at the sheet that was upon it; where-from she tore a corner, which in her hand immediately was beheld by all that were present, a palpable corner of a sheet: and her father, which was now holding of her, catched, that he might keep what his daughter had so strangely seized; but the spectre had like to have wrung his hand off, by endeav- . ouring to wrest it from him; however, he still held it, and several times this odd accident was renewed in the family. There wanted not the oaths of good credible people to these particulars,

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Also, it is well known, that these wicked spectres did proceed so far as to steal several quantities of money from divers people, part of which individual money was dropt sometimes out of the air, before sufficient spectators, into the hands of the afflicted, while the spectres were urging them to subscribe their covenant with death, Moreover, poisons to the standers-by, wholly invisibly, were sometimes forced upon the afflicted; which when they have with much rejuctancy swallowed, they have swoln presently, so that the common medicines for poisons have been found necessary to relieve them: yea, sometimes the spectres, in the struggles, have so dropt the poisons, that the standers-by have smelt them, and viewed them, and beheld the pillows of the miserable stained with them.

Yet more: the miserable have complained bitterly of burning rags run into their forceably distended mouths; and though nobody could see any such clothes, or indeed any fires in the chambers, yet presently the scalds were seen plainly by every body on the mouths of the complainers, and not only the smell, but the smoke of the burning sensibly filled the chambers,

Once more: the miserable exclaimed extreamly of branding trons heating at the fire on the hearth to mark them. Now, though the standers-by could see no irons, yet they could see distinctly the print of them in the ashes, and smell them too as they were carried by the not-seen furies unto the poor creatures for whom they were intended; and those poor creatures were thereupon so stigmatized with them, that they will bear the marks of them to their dying day. Nor are these the tenth part of the prodigies that fell out among the inhabitants of New-England.

Flashy people may burlesque these things, but when hundreds of the most sober people in a country where they have as much mother-wit certainly as the rest of mankind, know them to be ¢rue, nothing but the absurd and froward spirit of Sadducism can question them. I have not yet mentioned so much as one thing that will not be justified, if it be required by the oaths of more considerate persons than any that can ridicule these odd phenomena.

But the worst part of this astonishing tragedy is yet behind; wherein Sir William Phips, at last being dropt, as it were from the machin of heaven, was an instrument of easing the distresses of the land, now “so darkened by the wrath of the Lord of Hosts.” There were very worthy men upon the spot where the assault from hell was first made, who apprehended themselves called from the God of heaven to sift the business unto the bottom of it; and, indeed, the continual impressions, which the outcries and the havocks of the afflicted people that lived nigh unto them caused on their minds, gave no little edge to this apprehension.

The persons were men eminent for wisdom and virtue, and they went about their enquiry into the matter, as driven unto it by a conscience of duty to God and the world. They did in the first place take it for granted that there are witches, or wicked children of men, who upon covenanting

with, and commissioning of evil spirits, are attended by their ministry to accomplish the things desired of them: to satisfie them in which perswasion, they had not only the assertions of the holy Scriptures—assertions which the witch-advocates cannot evade without shifts, too foolish for the prudent, or too profane for any honest man to use—and they had not only the well-attested relations of the gravest authors, from Bodin to Bovet, cud from Binsfield to Brombal and Baxter—to deny all which, would be as reasonable as to turn the chronicles of all nations into romances of “ Don Quiwote” and the “Seven Champions;” but they had also an ocular demonstration in one who, a little before, had been executed for witchcraft, when Joseph Dudley, Esq. was the chief-judge. There was one whose magical images were found, and who, confessing her deeds, (when a jury of doctors returned her compos mentis) actually shewed the whole court by what ceremonies used unto them she directed her familiar spirits how and where to cruciate the objects of her malice; and the experiment being made over and over again before the whole court, the effect followed exactly in the hurts done to the people at a distance from her, The existence of such witches was now taken for granted by those good men, wherein so far the generality of reasonable men have thought they ran well; and they soon received the confessions of some accused persons to confirm them in it: but then they took one thing more for granted, wherein ’tis now as generally thought they went out of the way. The afflicted people vehemently accused several persons in several places that the spectres which afflicted them, did exactly resemble them; until the importunity of the accusations did provoke the magistrates to examine them. When many of the accused came upon their examination, it was found that the demons then a thousand ways abusing of the poor afflicted people, had with a marvellous exactness represented. them; yea, it was found, that many of the accused, but casting their eye on the afflicted, the afflicted, though their faces were never so much another way, would fall down and lye in a sort of a swoon, wherein they would continue, whatever hands were laid upon them, until the hands of the accused came to touch them, and then they would revive immediately; and it was found, that various kinds of natural actions, done by many of the accused in or to their own bodies, as leaning, bending, turning awry, or squeezing their hands, or the like, were presently attended with the like things preternaturally done upon the bodies of the afflicted, though they were so far asunder, that the afflicted could not us all observe the accused.

It was also found, that the flesh of the afflicted was often bitten at such a rate, that not only the print of teeth would be left on their flesh, but the very slaver of spittle too; and there would appear just such a set of teeth as

was in the accused, even such as might be clearly distinguished from other ~

peoples. And usually the afflicted went through a terrible deal of seeming difficulties from the tormenting spectres, and must be long waited on

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Now, many good men took up an opinion, that the providence of God would not permit an innocent person to come under such a spectral representation; and that a concurrence of so many circumstances would prove an accused person to be in a confederacy with the demons thus afflicting of the neighbours; they judged that, except these things might amount unto a conviction, it would scarce be possible ever to convict a witch: and they had some philosophical schemes of witchcraft, and of the method and manner wherein magical poisons operate, which further supported them in their opinion.

Sundry of the accused persons were brought unto their trial, while this opinion was yet prevailing in the minds of the judges and the juries, and perhaps the most of the people in the country, ‘\ien mostly suffering; and though against some of them that were tried there came in so much other evidence of their diabolical compacts, that some of the most /udicious, and yet vehement opposers of the notions then in vogue, puliickly de'ared, “Had they themselves been on the bench, they could not have ac::itted them;” nevertheless, divers were condemned, against whom 1h chief ovidence was founded in the spectral exhibitions,

And it happening that some of the accused coming io confess themselves guilty, their shapes were no more seen by any of ths afflicted, though the confession had been kept never so secret, but instead thereof the accused themselves became in all vexations just like the afflicted; this yet more confirmed many in the opinion that had been taken up.

And another thing that quickened them yet more to act upon it, was, that the afflicted were frequently entertained with apparitions of ghosts at the same time that the spectres of the supposed witches troubled them; which ghosts always cast the beholders into far more consternation than any of the spectres; and when they exhibited themselves, they cried out of being murdered by the witcherafts, or other violences of the persons represented in the spectres, Once or twice t'se apparitions were seen by others at the very same time that they shewe:i i!:emselves to the afflicted; and seldom were they seen at all but when something unusual and suspicious had attended the death of the party thus appearing.

The afflicted people many times had uever heard any thing before of the persons appearing in ghost, or tha persons accused by the apparitions ; and yet the accused upon examination have confessed the murders of those very persons, though these accused also knew nothing of the apparitions that had come in against them; and the afflicted persons likewise, without any private agreement or collusion, when successively brought into a room,

have all asserted the same apparitions to be there before them: these murders did seem to call for an enquiry. |

On the other part, there were many persons of great judgment, piety Vou, I—14

210 MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA; and experience, who from the beginning were very much dissatisfied at these proceedings; they feared lest the devil would get so far into the faith of the people, that for the sake of many truths which they might find him telling of them, they would come at length to believe all his les; whereupon what a desolation of names—yea, and of lives also—would ensue, a man might, without much witchcraft, be able to prognosticate; and they feared, lest in such an extraordinary descent of wicked spirits from their high places upon us, there might such principles be taken up, as, when put into practice, would unavoidably cause the righteous to perish with the wicked, and procure the blood-shed of persons like the Gibeonites, whom some learned men suppose to be under a false pretence of witchcraft, by Saul exterminated.

However uncommon it might be for guiltless persons to come under such unaccountable circumstances, as were on so many of the accused, they held “some things there are, which, if suffered to be common, would subvert government, and disband and ruin humane society, yet God sometimes may suffer such things to evene, that we may know thereby how much we are beholden to him for that restraint which he lays upon the infernal spirits, who would else reduce a world into a chaos.” They had already known of one at the town of Groton hideously agitated by devils, who in her fits cried out much against a very godly woman in the town, and when that woman approached unto her, though the eyes of the creature were never so shut, she yet manifested a violent sense of her approach: but when the gracious woman thus impeached, had prayed earnestly with and for this creature, then, instead of crying out against her any more, she owned, that she had in all been deluded by the devil. They now saw, that

‘the more the afficted were hearkened unto, the more the number of the

accused encreased; until at last many scores were cried out upon, and among them, some who, by the unblameableness—yea, and serviceableness—of their whole conversation, had obtained the just reputation of good people among all that were acquainted with them. The character of the aiflicted likewise added unto the common distaste; for though some of them too were good people, yet others of them, and such of them as were most flippent at accusing, had a far other character.

In fine, the country was in a dreadful ferment, and wise men foresaw a long train of dismal and bloody consequences. Hereupon they first advised that the afflicted might be kept asunder in the closest privacy; and one particular person, (whom I have cause to know,) in pursuance of this advice, offered himself singly to provide accommodations for any six of them, that so the success of more than ordinary prayer with fasting might, with patience, be experienced, before any other courses were taken.

And Sir William Phips arriving to his government, after this ensnaring

horrible storm was begun, did consult the neighbouring ministers of the province, who made unto his Excellency and the council a return, (drawn

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up at their desire by Mr. Mather the younger, as I have been informed) wherein they declared:

“We judge, that in the prosecution of these and all such witchcrafts, there is need of a very critical and exquisite caution: lest by too much credulity for things received only upon the devil’s authority, there be a door opened for a long train of miserable consequences, and Satan get an advantage over us; for we should not be ignorant of his devices.

“ As in complaints upon wilchcrafts, there may be matters of enquiry, which do not amount unto matters of presumption; and there may be matters of presumption, which yet may not be reckoned matters of conviction; so ’tis necessary that all proceedings thereabout be maf? aged with an exceeding tenderness towards those that may be complained of: especially if they have been persons formerly of an unblemished reputation.

“When the first enquiry is made into the circumstances of such as may lye under any just suspicion of witchcrafts, we could wish that there may be admitted as little as is possible of such noise, company, and openness as may too hastily expose them that are examined: and that there may nothing be used as a éest for the trial of the suspected, the lawfulness whereof may be doubted among the people of God: but that the directions given by such judicious writers as Perkins and Bernard, be consulted in such a case.

“ Presumptions, whereupon persons may be committed, and much more convictions, whereupon persons may be condemned as guilty of witchcrafts, ought certainly to be more considerable, than barely the accused person’s being represented by a spectre to the afflicted: inasmuch as it is an undoubted and a notorious thing, that a demon may, by God’s permission, appear oven to ill purposes in the shape of an innocent, yea, and a virtuous man: nor can we esteem alterations made in the sufferers, by a look or touch of the accused, to be an infallible evidence of guilt: but frequently liable to be abused by the devil’s legerdemains,

“We know not whether some remarkable affronts given to the devils, by our dis-believing of those testimonies whose whole force and strength is from them alone, may not put a period unto the progress of a direful calamity begun upon us, in the accusation of so many persons, whereof, we hope, some are yet clear from the great transgression luid unto their charge.”

The ministers of the province also being jealous lest this counsel should not be duly followed, requested the President of Harvard-Colledge td compose and publish (which he did) some cases of conscience referring to these difficulties: in which treatise he did, with demonstrations of incomparable reason and reading, evince it, that Satan may appear in the shape of an innocent and a virtuous person, to afflict those that suffer by the diabolical molestations: and that the ordeal of the sight, and the touch, is not a conviction of a covenant with the devil, but liable to great exceptions against the lawfulness, as well as the evidence of it: and that either a free and fair confession of the criminals, or the oath of two credible persons proving such things against the person accused, as none but such as have a familiarity with the devil can know, or do, is necessary to the proof of the crime. Thus,

Cum misit Natura Feras, et Monstra per Orbem, Misit et Alciden qui fera Monstra domet.*

_ The Dutch and French ministers in the province of New-York, having likewise about the same time their judgment asked by the Chief Judge of

* ‘Twas Nature sent these monsters: Nature, too, Sent Hercules, the monsters to subdue,

that province, who was then a gentleman of New-England, tney gave it in under their hands, that if we believe no venefick witchcraft, we must renounce the Scripture of God, and the consent of almost all the world; but that yet the apparition of a person afflicting another, is a very insufficient proof of a witch; nor is it inconsistent with the holy and righteous government of God over men, to permit the affliction of the neighbours, by devils in the shape of good men; and that a good name, obtained by a good life, should not be lost by meer spectral accusations.

Now, upon a deliberate review of these things, his Excellency first reprieved, and then pardoned many of them that had been condemned; and there fell out several strange things that caused the spirit of the country to run as vehemently upon the acquitting of all the accused, as it by mistake ran at first upon the condemning of them. Some that had been zealously of the mind, that the devils could not in the shapes of good men afflict other men, were terribly confuted, by having their own shapes, and the shapes of their most intimate and valued friends, thus abused. And though more than twice twenty had made such voluntary, and harmonious, and uncontroulable confessions, that if they were all sham, there was therein the greatest violation made by the efficacy of the invisible world, upon the rules of understanding humane affairs, that was ever seen since “God made man upon the earth,” yet they did so recede from their confessions, that it was very clear, some of them had been hitherto, in a sort of a preternatural dream, wherein they had said of themselves, they knew not what themselves.

In fine, the last courts that sate upon this thorny business, finding that it was impossible to penetrate into the whole meaning of the things that had happened, and that so many unsearchable cheats were interwoven into

‘the conclusion of a mysterious business, which perhaps had not crept thereinto at the beginning of it, they cleared the accused as fast as they tried them; and within a little while the afflicted were most of them delivered out of their troubles also; and the land had peace restored unto it, by the “God of peace, treading Satan under foot.” Erasmus, among other historians, does tell us, that at a town in Germany, a daemon appeared on the top of a chimney, threatned that he would set the town on fire, and at length scattering some ashes abroad, the whole town was presently and horribly burnt unto the ground.

Sir William Phips now beheld such demons hideously scattering fire about the country, in the exasperations whicn the minds of men were on these things rising unto; and therefore when he had well canvased a cause, which perhaps might have puzzled the wisdom of the wisest men on earth to have managed, without any error in their administrations, he thought,

if it would be any error at all, it would certainly be the safest for him toput a stop unto all future prosecutions, as far as it lay in him to do it. He did so, and for it he had not only the printed acknowledgments of the New-Englanders, who publickly thanked him, “As one of the tribe of

Beemer annie ogre Te

OR, THE HISTORY OF NEW-ENGLAND.

ave it Zebulun, raised up from among themselves, and spirited as well as commismust stoned to be the steers-man of a vessel befogged in the mare mortuum of

vorld ; witchcraft, who uow so happily steered her course, that she escaped shipnsuffi- wrack, and was safely again moored under the Cape of Good Hope; and

hteous g cut asunder the Circzean knot of enchantment, more difficult to be dissolved

bours, than the famous Gordian one of oid.”

d by a Ls But the QUEEN also did him the honour to write unto him those gracious

letters, wherein her Majesty commended his conduct in these inexplicable

y first ' matters. And I did right in calling these matters inexplicable. For if, |; and; after the kingdom of Sweden (in the year 1669, and 1670,) had some hunountry i dreds of their children by night often carried away by spectres to an hellish: y mis- rendezvous, where the monsters that so spirited them, did every way tempt n zeal- them to associate with them; and the Judges of the kingdom, after extrad men ordinary supplications to Heaven, upon a strict enquiry, were so satisfied es, and with the confessions of more than twenty of the accused, agreeing exactly And unto the depositions of the afflicted, that they put several scores of witches mnious, to death, whereupon the confusions came unto a period; yet after all, the ‘herein chiefest persons in the kingdom would question whether there were any on the witchcrafts at all in the whole affair; it must not be wondered at, if the | made people of New-England are to this hour full of doubts, about the steps that it which were taken, while a war from the invisible world was terrifying of natural them; and whether they did not kill some of their own side in the smoke elves. and noise of this drgadful war. And it will be yet less wondred at, if we ate. ig that consider, that we have seen the whole English nation alarumed with a rs that plot, and both Houses of Parliament, upon good grounds, voting their bn into sense of it, and many persons most justly hanged, drawn, and quartered, for there- their share in it: when yet there are enough who to this day will pretend ithem; that they cannot comprehend how much of it is to be accounted credible. out of However, having related these wonderful passages, whereof, if the veracity b “God of the relator in any one point be contested, there are whole clouds of witorians, : nesses to vindicate it, I will take my leave of the matter with an wholesome top of 5 caution of Lactantius, which, it may be, some other parts of the world length besides New-England may have occasion to think upon: Hificiunt Damoorribly 3 nes, ut que non sunt, sic tumen, quast sint, conspicienda Hominibus exhibeant.* But the devils being thus vanquished, we shall next hear, that some of ng fire. his most devoted and resembling children are so too, ey ere on § 17. As one of the first actions done by Sir William, after he came to ty A cause, i the age of doing, was to save the lives of many poor people from the rage ) earth i of the diabolical Indians in the eastern parts of the country, so now he A ought, i was come to the government, his mind was very vehemently set upon him to- { recovering of those parts from the miseries which a new and a, long war i it, | of the Indians had brought upon them. His birth and youth in the east, : ints of had rendered him well known unto the Indians there; he had hunted

ribe of * It is one of the chief arts of evil spirits, to make things which have no reality seem real to those who witness them,

and fished many a weary day in his childhood with them; ana when tliose rude salvages had got the story by the end, that “he had found a ship full

of money, and was now become all one-a-king!” they were mightily aston- '

ished at it: but when they farther understood that he was become the governour of New-England, it added a further degree of consternation to their astonishment. He likewise was better acquainted with the scituation of those regions than most other men; and he considered what vast advantages might arise to iu less than the whole English nation, from the lumber, and fishery, anc nival-stores, which those regions might soon supply the whole nation y:‘ha!, if once they were well settled with good inhabitants.

Where‘vre Governour Phips took the first opportunity to raise an army, with which he travelled in person, under the East-Country, to find out and cut off the barbarous enemy, which had continued for near fouy years together making horrible havock on the plantations that lay all along the northern frontiers of New-England; and having pursued those worse than Scythian wolves till they could be no longer followed, he did with a very laudable skill, and unusual speed, and with less cost unto the crown than perhaps ever such a thing was done in the world, erect a strong fort at Pemmaquid.

This fort he contrived so much in the very heart of the country now possessed by the enemy, as very much to hinder the several nations of the tawnies from clanning together for the common disturbance; and his design was, that a sufficient garrison being here posted, they might from thence, upon advice, issue forth to surprize that ferocient enemy. At the same time he would fain have gone in person up the Bay of Funda, with a convenient force, to have spoiled the nest of rebellious Frenchmen, who, being rendezvouzed at St. Johns, had a yearly supply of ammunition from France, with which they still supplied the Indians, unto the extream detriment of the English; but his friends for a long time would not permit him to expose himself unto the inconveniences of that expedition.

However, he to.k such methods, thot the Indian Kings of the East, within a little while had their stomachs brought down to sue and beg for a peace: and making their appearance at the new-fort in Pemmaquid, August 1i, 1698, they did there sign an instrument, wherein, lamenting the miseries which their adherence to the French counsels had brought them into, they did for themselves, ard with the consent of all the Indians from the river of Merrimack to the most easterly bounds of all the province, acknowledge their hearty subjection and obedience unto the Crown of England, and solemnly covenant, promise and agree, to and with Sir William Phips, Captain General and Governour in Chief over the province, and his successors in that place, “That they would for ever cease all acts of hostility towards the subjects of the Crown of England, and hold a constant friendship with all the English, That they would utterly aban-

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don the French interests, and not succour or conceal any enemy Indians, from Canada or elsewhere, that should come to any of their plantations within the English territories: that all English captives, which they had among them, should be returned with all possible speed, and no ransom or payment be given for any of them: that their Majesties’ subjects the English, now should quietly enter upon, and for ever improve and enjoy all and singular their rights of lands, and former possessions, within the eastern parts of the province, without any claims from any Indians or being ever disturbed therein: that all trade and commerce, which hereafter might be allowed between the English and the Indians, should be under a regulation stated by an act of the General Assembly, or as limited by the governour of the province, with the consent and advice of his Council. And that if any controversie hereafter happen between any of the English and the Indians, no private revenge was to be taken by the Indians, but proper applications to be made unto his Majesty’s government, for the due remedy thereof: submitting themselves herewithal to be governed by his Majesty’s laws.”

And for the manifestation of their sincerity in the submission thus made, the hypocritical wretches delivered hostages for their fidelity: and then set their marks and seals, no less than thirteen Sagamores of them, (with names of more than a Persian length) unto this instrument.

The first rise of this Indian war had hitherto been almost as dark as that of the river Nilus: ’tis true, if any wild English did rashly begin to provoke and affront the Indians, yet the Indians had a fairer way to obtain justice than by bloodshed: however, upon the New-English revolution, the state of the war became wholly new: the government then employed all possible ways to procure a good understanding with the Indians; but all the English offers, kindnesses, courtesies were barbarously requited by them, with new acts of the most perfidious hostility. Notwithstanding all this, there were still some nice people that had their scruples about the ‘‘justice of the war;” but upon this new submission of the Iudians, if ever those rattle-snakes (the only rattle-snakes which, they say, ‘vere ever seen to the northward of Merimack-river) should stir again, the most scrupulous persons in the world must own, that it must be the most uneaceptionable piece of justice in the world for to extinguish them.

Thus did the God of heaven bless the unwearied applications of Sir William Phips, for the restoring of peace unto New-England, when the country was quite ut of breath in its endeavours for its own preservation from the continual outrages of an inaccessible enemy, and by the poverty coming in so like an armed man, from the unsucceszfuiness of their former arinies, that it could not imagine how to take one step further in its wars, The most happy respite of peace beyond Meririack-river being thus procured, the governour immediately set himself to use all possible methods, that it might be “peace like a river,” nothing short of everlast:1g,

He therefore prevailed with two or three gentlemen to join with him in sending a supply of necessaries for life unto the Indians; until, the General Assembly could come together to settle the Indian-trade for the advantage of the publick, that the Indians might not by necessity be driven again to become a French propriety; although by this action, as the gentlemen themselves were great losers in their estates, thus he himself declared unto the members of the Genera] Assembly, that he would upon oth giva an account unto them of all his own gains, and count himself a gainer, if in lieu of all they would give him one beaver-hat. The sare gencrosity also caused him to take many a tedious voyage, accompanied. sometimes with his Fidus Achates,* and very dear friend, kinsman and neighbour, Colonel John Philips, between Boston and Pemmaquid; and this in the bitter weeks of the New-English, which is almost a Russian winter.

He was a sort of confessor under such torments of cold, as once made the martyrdom of Muria, and others, commemorated in orations of he ancients; and the snow and ice which Pliny calls, “The punishment of mountains,” he cheerfully endured, without any other profit unto himself, but only the picuswre of thereby establishing and continuing unto the people the liberty to sleep quietly in their warm nests at home, while he was thus concerned fur them abroad. Non mihi sed populo, the motto of the Emperor adrian, was engraved on the heart of Sir William: Nor FOR MYSELF, BUT FOR MY PEOPLE; or that of Maximin, Quo major, hoc Laboriosior—the more honourable, the more laborious.

Indeed, the restlessness of his travels to the southern as well as the eastern parts of the country, when the publick safety called for his presence, would have made one to think on the translation which the King of Portugal, on a very extraordinary occasion, gave the fourth verse in the hundred and twenty-first Psalm: “He will not slumber, nor will he suffer to sleep the keeper of Israel.” Nor did he only try to cicurate the Indians of the east, by other prudent and pr per treatments; but he also furnished himself with an Indian preacher of the gospel, whom he carried unto the eastward, with an inteation to teach them the principles of the Protestant religion, and unteach them the mixt Paganry and Popery which hitherto diabolized them. To unteach them, I say; for they had been taught by the French priests this among other things, that the mother of our blessed Saviour was a French lady, and that they were Englishmen by whom our Saviour was murdered; and that it was therefore a meritorious thing to destroy the English nation. The name of the preacher whom the governour carried with him, was Nahauton, one of the natives; and because the passing of such expressions from the mouth of a poor Indian may upon some accounts be worthy of remembrance, let it be remembered, that when the governour propounded unto him such a mission to the eastern Indians,

he replied, “I know that I shall probably endanger my life by going to

* Faithful adviser.

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OR, THE HISTORY OF NEW-ENGLAND.

preach the gospel among the Frenchified Indians; but I know that it will be a service unto the Lord Jesus Christ, and therefore I will venture to go.”

God grant that his behaviour may be in all things, at all times, according to these his expressions/ While these things were doing, having intelligence of a French man of war expected at St. Johns, he dispatched away the Non-such frigot thither to intercept him; nevertheless, by the gross negligence, and perhaps cowardice of the captain, who had lately come from England with orders to take the command of her, instead of one who had been by Sir William a while before put in, and one who had signalized himself by doing of notable service for the King and country in it, the Frenchman arrived, unladed, and went away untouched. The governour was extremely offended at this notorious deficiency; it cust him into a great impatience to see the nation so wretchedly served; and he would himself have gone to Saint Johns with a resolution to spoil that harbour of spoglers, if he had not been taken off, by being sent for home to Whitehall, in the very midst of his underiakings.

But the treacherous Indians being poisoned with the French enchantments, and furnished with brave new coats, and new arms, and all new incentives to war, by the man of war newly come in; they presently and perfidiously fell upon two English towns, and butchered and captived many of the inhabitants, and made a new war, which the New-Englanders know not whether it will end until either Canada become an English Province, or that state arrive, wherein they “shall beat swords into ploughshares, and spears into pruning-hooks.” And no doubt, the taking off Sir William Phips was no small encouragement unto the Indians in this relapse into the villanies and massacres of a new invasion upon the country.

§ 18. Reader, ’tis time for us to view a little more to the life, the picture of the person, the actions of whose life we have hitherto been looking upon. Know then, that for his exterior, he was one tall, beyond the common set of men, and thick as well as tall, and strong as well as thick: he was, in all respects, exceedingly robust, and able to conquer such difficulties of diet and of travel, as would have killed most men alive: nor did the fut, whereinto he grew very much in his later years, take away the vigour of his motions.

He was well set, and he was therewithal of a very comely, though a very manly countenance: a countenance where any true skill in physiognomy would have read the characters of a generous mind. Wherefore passing to his interior, the very first thing which there offered it self unto observation, was a most incomparable generosity.

And of this, besides the innumerable instances which he gave in his usual hatred of dirty or little tricks, there was one instance for which I must freely say, “I never saw three men in this world that equalled him:” this was his wonderfully forgiving spirit. In the vast variety of business, through which he raced in his time, he met with many and mighty injunes: but although I have heard all that the most venemous malice could

MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA;

ver hiss at his memory, I never did hear unto this hour that he aid ever once deliberately revenge an injury.

Upon certain afronts he has made sudden returns that have shewed choler enough, and he has by blow, as well as by word, chastised incivilities: he was, indeed, sufficiently impatient of being put upon; and when base men, surprizing him at some disadvantages (for else few men durst have done it) have sometimes drawn upon him, he has, without the wicked madness of a formal duel, made them feel that he knew how to correct fools, Nevertheless, he ever declined a deliberate revenge of a wrong done unto him; though few men upon earth have, in their vicissitudes, been furnished with such frequent opportunities of revenge as Heaven brought into the hands of this gentleman.

Under great provocations, he would commoriy say, “’Tis no matter; let them alone; some time or other they'll see ‘heir weakness and rashness, and have occasion for me to do them a kindness; and they shall then see IT have quite forgotten all their baseness.” Accordingly, ’twas remarkable to see it, that few men ever did him a mischief, but those men afterwards had occasion for him to do them a kindness: and he did the kindness with as forgetful a bravery, as if the mischief had never been done at all. The Emperor Theodosius himself could not be readier to forgive; so worthily did he verifie that observation:

uo quisque est major, magis eat placabilis ira, St faciles motus mena generosa capit.*

In those places of power whereto the providence of God by several degrees raised him, it still fell out so, that before his rise thereunto he underwent such things as he counted very hard abuses, from those very persons over whom the Divine Providence afterwards gave him the ascendant.

By such trials, the wisdom of Heaven still prepared him, as David before him, for successive advancements; and as he behaved himself with a marvellous long-suffering, when he was tried by such mortifications, thus when he came to be advanced, he convinced all mankind that he had perfectly buried all the old offences in an eternal amnesty. I was my self an ear-witness that one who was an eye-witness of his behaviour under such probations of his patience, did, long before his arrival to that honour, say unto him, “Sir, forgive those that give you these vexations, and know that the God of heaven intends, before he has done with you, to make you the governour of New-England!” And when he did indeed become the governour of New-England, he shewed that he still continued a governour of himself, in his treating all that had formerly been in ill terms

with him, with as much favour and freedom as if there had never happened

the least exasperations: though any governour that kens Hobbianism, can easily contrive ways enough to wreak a spite, where he owes it.

* The nobleat soul is ne'er resentful long, And with an easy instinct pardons wrong.

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It was with some Christian remark that he read the Pagan story of the renowned Fabius Maximus, who, being preferred unto the highest office in the commonwealth, did, through a zeal for his country, overcome the greatest contempts that any person of quality could have received.—Minutius, the master of the horse, and the next person in dignity to himself, did first privately tra'uce him, as one that was no soldier, and less politician; and he afterwards did, both by speeches and letters, prejudice not only the army, but also the senate against him, so that Minutius was now by an unpresidented commission brought into an equality with Fabius.

All this while the great Fabius did not throw up his cares for the commonwealth, but with a wondrous equality of mind endured equally the malice of the judges and the fury of the commons; and when Minutius a while after was with all his forces upon the point of perishing by the victorious arms of Hannibal, this very Fabius, not listening to the dictates of revenge, came in and helped him, and saved him; and so, by a rare virtue, he made his worst adversaries the captives of his generosity.

One of the antients, upon such an history, cried out, ‘If heathens can do thus much for the glory of their name, what shall not Christians do for the glory of Heaven!” And Sir William Phips did so much more than thus much, that besides his meriting the glory of such a name, as PHIP- Plus Maximus, he therein had upon him the symptoms of a title to the glory of heaven, in the seal of his own pardon from God. Nor was this generosity in his EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOUR of New-England, unaccompanied. with many other excellencies; whereof the piety of his carriage towards God is worthy to be first mentioned.

It is true, he was very zealous for all men to enjoy such a liberty of conscience as he judged a native right of mankind: and he was extreamly troubled at the over-boiling zeal of some good men, who formerly took that wrong way of reclaiming hereticks by persecution. For this generosity, it may be, some would have compared him unto Gallio, the governour of Achaia, whom our preachers, perhaps with mistake enough, think to be condemned in the Scripture for his not appearing to be a judge in matters which indeed fell not under his cognizance.

And I shall be content that he be compared unto that gentleman; for that Gallio was the brother of Seneca, who gives this character of him: “That there was no man who did not love him too little, if he could love him any more;” and, “that there was no mortal so dear to any, as ke was to all;” and, “that he hated all vices, but none more than flattery.”

But while the generosity of Sir William caused him to desire a liberty of conscience, his piety would not allow a liberty of prophaneness, either to himself or others. He did not affect any mighty show of devotion; and when he saw any that were evidently careful to make a show, and especially if at the same time they were notoriously defective in the duties of

MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA;

common justice or goodness, or the duties of the relations wherein God had stationed them, he had an extream aversion for them.

Nevertheless he did show a conscientious desire to observe the laws of the Lord Jesus Christ in his conversation; and he conscientiously attended upon the exercises of devotion in the seasons thereof, on lectures, as well as on Lord’s days, and in the daily sacrifice, the morning and evening service of his own family; yea, and at the private meetings of the devout people kept every fortnight in the neighbourhood.

Besides all this, when he had great works before him, he would invite good men to come and /ast and pray with him at his house for the success thereof; and when he had succeeded in what he had undertaken, he would prevail with them to come and keep a day of solemn thanksgiving with him, His love to Almighty God, was indeed manifested by nothing more than his love to those that had the image of God upon them; he heartily, and with real honour for them, loved all godly men; and in so doing, he did not confine godliness to this or that party, but wherever he saw the fear of God, in one of a Congregational, or Presbyterian, or Antipsedobaptist, or Episcopalian perswasion, he did, without any difference, express towards them a reverent affection.

But he made no men more welcome than those good men whose office tis to promote and preserve goodness in all other men; even the ministers of the gospel: especially when they were such as faithfully discharged their office: and from these, at any time, the least admonition or intimation of any good thing to be done by him, he entertained with a most obliging alacrity. His religion, in truth, was one principle that added virtue unto that vast courage which was always in him to a degree heroical. Those terrible nations which made their descents from the northern on the southern parts of Europe, in those elder ages, when so to swarm out was more frequent with them, were inspired with a valiant contempt of life, by the opinion wherein their famous Odin instructed them: “That their death was but an entrance into another life, wherein they who died in warlike actions, were bravely feasted with the god of war for ever;” ’tis inexpressible how much the courage of those fierce mortals was fortified by’ that opinion.

But when Sir William Phips was asked by some that observed his “valiant contempt of death,” what it was that made him so little afraid of dying, he gave a better grounded account of it than those Pagans could; his answer was, “I do humbly believe, that the Lord Jesus Christ shed his precious blood for me, by his death procuring my peace with God: and what should I now be afraid of dying for?”

But this leads me to mention the humble and modest carriage in him towards other men, which accompanied this his piety. There were certain pomps belonging to the several places of honour through which he passed; pomps that are very taking to men of little souls: but although he rose from

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Hence, albeit I have read that complaint, made by a worthy man, “I have often observed, and this not without some blushing, that even good people have had a kind of shame upon them to acknowledge their low beginning, and used all arts to hide it, I could never observe the least of that fault in this worthy man; but he would speak of his own low beginning with as much freedom and frequency, as if he had been afraid of having it forgotten.

It was counted an humility in King Agathocles, the son of a potter, to be served therefore in earthen vessels, as Plutarch hath informed us: it was counted an humility in Archbishop Willigis, the son of a Wheelright, therefore to have wheels hung about his bed-chamber, with this inscription, Recole unde Veneris, i. e. “Remember thy original.” But such was the humility and lowliness of this rising man! Not only did he after his return to his country in his greatness, one day, make a splendid feast for the ship-carpenters of Boston, among whom he was willing at his table to commemorate the mercy of God unto him, who had once been a ship-carpenter himself, but he would on all occasions permit, yea, study to have his meannesses remembered.

Hence, upon frequent occasions of uneasiness in his government, he would chuse thus to express himself: “Gentlemen, were it not that I am to do service for the publick, I should be much easier in returning unto my broad-ax again!” And hence, according to the affable courtesie which he ordinarily used unto all sorts of persons, (quite contrary to the asperity which the old proverb expects in the raised,) he would particularly when sailing in sight of Kennebeck, with armies under his command, call the young soldiers and sailors upon deck, and speak to them after this fashion: “Young men, it was upon that hill that I kept sheep a few years ago; and since you see that Almighty God has brought me to something, do you learn to fear God, and be honest, and mind your business, and follow no bad courses, and you don’t know what you may come to!” A temper not altogether unlike what the advanced shepherd had, when he wrote the twenty-third Psalm; or when he imprinted on the coin of his kingdom the remembrance of his old condition; for Christianus Gerson, a Christianized Jew, has informed us that on the one side of David's coin were to be seen his old pouch and crook, the instrument of shepherdy; on the other side were enstamped the towers of Zion.

In fine, our Sir William was a person of so sweet a temper, that they who were most intimately acquainted with him, would commonly pronounce him, “The best conditioned gentleman in the world!” And by the

continual discoveries and expressions of such a temper, he s::2'ned the hearts of them who waited upon him in any of his expeditions, that they would commonly profess themselves willing still, ‘to have gone with him to the end of the world.”

But if all other people found him so kind a neighbour, we may easily infer what an husband he was unto his lady. Leaving unmentioned that virtue of his chastity, which the prodigious depravation brought by the late reigns upon the manners of the nation has made worthy to be mentioned as a virtue somewhat extraordinary, I shall rather pass on to say, that the love, even to fondness, with which he always treated her, was a matter not only of observation, but even of such admiration, that every one said, “the age afforded not a kinder husband!”

But we must now return to our story.

§ 19. When persons do by studies full of curiosity seek to inform themselves of things about which the God of Heaven hath forbidden our curious enquiries, there is a marvellous ¢mpression, which the demons do often make on the minds of those their votaries, about the future or secret matters unlawfully enquired after, and at last there is also an horrible possession, which those Fudidic demons do take of them. The snares of hell, hereby laid for miserable mortals, have been such, that when I read the laws which Angellius affirms to have been made, even in Pagan Rome, against the Vaticinatores,* I wonder that no English nobleman or gentleman signalizes his regard unto Christianity, by doing what even a Roman Tully would have done, in promoting an Act of Parliament against that Paganish practice of judicial astrology, whereof, if such men as Austin were now living, they would assert, “The devil first found it, and they that profess it ’ are enemies of truth and of God.”

In the mean time, I cannot but relate a wonderful experience of Sir William Phips, by the relation whereof something of an antidote may be given against a poison which the diabolical figure-flingers and fortune-lellers that swarm all the world over may insinuate into the minds of men. Long before Mr. Phips came to be Sir William, while he sojourned in London, there came into his lodging an old astrologer, living in the neighbourhood; who, making some observation of him, though he had small or no conversation with him, did (howbeit by him wholly undesired) one day send him a paper, wherein he had, with pretences of a rule in astrology for each article, distinctly noted the most material passages that were to befal this our Phips in the remaining part of his life; it was particularly asserted and inserted, that he should be engaged in a design, wherein, by reason of enemies at Court, he should meet with much delay; that nevertheless

in the thirty-seventh year of his life, he should find a miyhty-treasure; that —

in the forty-first year of his life, his King should employ hiin in as great a trust beyond sea as a subject could easily have; that soon after this he should

* Astrologers,

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undergo an hard storm from the endeavours of his adversaries to reproach him and ruin him; that his adversaries, though they should go very near gaining the point, should yet miss of doing so; that he should hit upon a vastly richer matter than any he had hitherto met withal; that he should continue thirteen years in his publick station, full of action and full of hurry; and the rest of his days he should spend in the satisfaction of a peaceable retirement,

Mr. Phips received this undesired paper with trouble and with contempt,: and threw it by among certain loose papers in the bottom of a trunk, where his lady some years after accidentally lit upon it. Ilis lady with admiration saw, step after step, very much of it accomplished; but when she heard from England that Sir William was coming over with a commission to be governour of New-England, in that very year of his life which the paper specified, she was afraid of letting it lye any longer in the house, but cast it into the fire.

Now, the thing which I must invite my reader to remark is this, that albeit Almighty God may permit the devils to predict, and perhaps to perjorm very many particular things to men, that shall by such a “ presumptuous and unwarrantable juggle as astrology” (so Dr. Hall well calls it!) or any other divination, consult them, yet the devils which /oretel many true things, do commonly /oretel some that are false, and, it may be, propose by the things that are true to betray men into some fatal misbelief and miscarriage about those that are fulse,

Very singular therefore was the wisdom of Sir William Phips, that as he ever treated these prophesies about him with a most pious neglect, so when he had seen all but the two last of them very punctually fulfilled, yea, and seen the beginning of a fulfilment unto the last but one also, yet when I pleasantly mentioned them unto him, on purpose to éry whether there were any occasion for me humbly to give him the serious advice necessary in such a case to anticipate the devices of Satan, he prevented my advice, by saying to me, “Sir, I do believe there might be a cursed snare of Satan in those prophesies: I believe Satan might have leave to foretel many things, all of which might come to pass in the beginning, to lay me asleep about such things as are to follow, especially about the main chance of all; I do not know but I am to die this year: for my part, by the help of the grace of God, I shall endeavour to live as if I were this year to die.” And let the reader now attend the event!

§ 20. ’Tis a similitude which I have learned from no less:a person than the great Basil: that as the eye sees not those objects which are applied close unto it, and even lye upon it; but when the objects are to some distance removed, it clearly discerns them: so we have little sense of the good which we have in our enjoyments, until God, by the removal thereof, teach us better to prize what we once enjoyed. It is true, the generality of sober and thinking people among the New-Englanders, did as highly

value the government of Sir William Phips whilst he lived, as they do his memory since his death; nevertheless, it must be confessed, that the blessing which the country had in his indefatigable zeal to serve the’publick in all its interests, was not so valued as it should have been.

It was mentioned long since as a notorious fault in Old Egypt, that it was Loquax et ingeniosa in contumeliam prefectorum provincia: si quis forte vitaverit culpam, contumeliam non effugit:* and New-England has been at the best always too faulty, in that very character, ‘a province very talkative, and ingenious for the vilifying of its publick servants.”

But Sir William Phips, who might in a calm of the commonwealth have administered all things-with as general an acceptance as any that have gone before him, had the disadvantage of being set at helm in a time as full of storm as ever that province had seen; and the people having their spirits put into a tumult by the discomposing and distempering variety of disasters, which had long been rendring the time-calamitous, it was natural for them, as ’tis for all men then, to be complaining; and you may be sure, the rulers must in such cases be always complained of, and the chief complaints must be heaped upon those that are commanders in chief. Nor has a certain proverb in Asia been improper in America, “He deserves no man’s good word, of whom every man shall speak well.”

Sir William was very hardly handled (or tongued at least) in the liberty which people took to make most unbecoming and injurious reflections upon his conduct, and clamour against him, even for those very actions which were not only necessary to be done, but highly beneficial unto themselves; and though he would ordinarily smile at their frowardness, calling it his country pay, yet he sometimes resented it with some uneasiness: he seemed unto himself sometimes almost as bad as rolled about in Regulus’ barrel; and had occasion to think on the Italian proverb, “To wait for one who does not come; to lye a bed not able to sleep; and to find it impossible to please those whom we serve; are three griefs enough to kill a man.”

But as froward as the people were, under the epidemical vexations of the age, yet there were very few that would acknowledge unto the very last, “Tt will be hardly possible for us to see another governour that shall more intirely love and serve the country:” yea, had the country had the choice of their own governour, ’tis judged their votes, more than forty to one, would have still fallen upon him to have been the man: and the General Assembly therefore on all occasions renewed their petitions unto the King for his continuance.

Nevertheless, there was a little party of men who thought they must not “sleep till they had caused him to fail:” and they so vigorously prosecuted certain articles before the Council-board at Whitehall against him,

* A province, very free-apoken and ingenious in disparaging its public officers: so that if one of them should be so fortunate us to avoid ill conduct, he would not be lucky enough to escape an ill name,

~~ A pet oe pet

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that they imagined they had gained an order of his Majesty in Council to suspend him immediately from his government, and appoint a committee of persons nominated by his enemies, to hear all depositions against him; and so a report of the whole to be made unto the King and Council.

But his Majesty was too well informed of Sir William’s integrity to permit such a sort of procedure; and therefore he signified unto his most honourable Council that nothing should be done against Sir William, until he had opportunity to clear himself; and thereupon he sent his royal commands unto Sir William to come over. To give any retorting accounts of the principal persons who thus adversaried him, would be a thing so contrary to the spirit of Sir William Phips himself, whe at his leaving of New-England bravely declared that he “freely forgave them all;” and if he had returned thither again, would never have taken the least revenge upon them, that this alone would oblige me, if I had no other obligations of Christianity upon me, to forbear it; and it may be, for some of them, it would be “to throw water upon a drowned mouse.”

Nor need I to produce any more about the articles which these men exhibited against him, than this: that it was by most men believed that, if he would have connived at some arbitrary oppressions too much used by some kind of officers on the King’s subjects, few perhaps, or none of those articles had ever been formed; and that he apprehended himself to be provided with a full defence against them all.

Nor did his Excellency seem loth to have had his case tried under the brazen tree of Gariac, if there had been such an one as that mentioned by the fabulous Murtadi, in his prodigies of Egypt, a tree which had iron branches with sharp hooks at the end of them, that when any false accuser approached, as the fabel says, immediately flew at him, and stuck in him, until he had ceased injuring his adversary.

Wherefore, in obedience unto the King’s commands, he took his leave of Boston on the seventeenth of November, 1694, attended with all proper testimonies of respect and honour from the body of the people, which he had been the head unto; and with addresses unto their Majesties, and the chief Ministers of State from the General Assembly, humbly imploring that they might not be deprived of the happiness which they had in such an head.

Arriving at Whitehall, he found in a few days that, notwithstanding all the impotent rage of his adversaries, particularly vented and printed in a villanous libel, as well ‘as almost in as many other ways as there are mouths, at which Fyal sometimes has vomited out its infernal fires, he had all humane assurance of his returning in a very few weeks again the governour of New-England.

Wherefore there were especially two designs, full of service to the whole English nation, as well as his own particular country of New-England, which he applied his thoughts unto. First, he had a new scene of action Vou, I—15

opened unto him, in an opportunity to supply the Crown with all naval stores at most easie rates, from those eastern parts of the Massachuset province, which, through the conquest that he had made thereof, came to be inserted in the Massachuset-charter. As no man was more capable than he to improve this opportunity unto a vast advantage, so his znclination to it was according to his capacity.

And he longed with some impatience to see the King furnished from his own dominions with such floating and stately castles, those ‘ woodenwalls of Great Britain,” for much of which he has hitherto traded with foreign kingdoms. Next, if I may say newt unto this, he had an eye upon Canada; all attempts for the reducing whereof had hitherto proved abortive.

It was but a few months ago that a considerable fleet, under Sir Francis Wheeler, which had been sent into the West-Indies to subdue Martenico, was ordered then to call at New-England, that being recruited there, they might make a further descent upon Canada; but Heaven frowned upon that expedition, especially by a terrible sickness, the most like the plague of any thing that has been ever seen in America, whereof there died, ere they could reach to Boston, as I was told by Sir Francis himself, no less than thirteen hundred sailors out of twenty-one, and no less than eighteen hundred < - tiers out of twenty-four.

It was.w therefore his desire to have satisfied the King that his whole interest in America lay at stake while Canada was in French hands; and therewithal to have laid before several noblemen and gentlemen how beneficial an undertaking it would have been for them to have pursued the Canadian-business, for which the New-Englanders were now grown too feeble; their country being too far now, as Bede says England once was, Omni Milite et floride Juventutis Alacritate spoliata.*

Besides these two designs in the thoughts of Sir William, there was a third, which he had hopes that the King would have given him leave to have pursued, after he had continued so long in his government, as to have obtained the more general welfare which he designed in the former instances, I do not mean the making of New-England the seat of a Spanish trade, though so vastly profitable a thing was likely to have been brought about by his being one of an honourable company engaged in such a project.

But the Spanish wreck, where Sir William had made his first good voyage, was not the only, nor the richest wreck, that he knew to be lying under the water. He knew particularly that when the ship which had Governour Boadilla aboard, was cast away, there was, as Peter Martyr says, an entire table of gold of three thousand three hundred and ten pound weight.

The Duke of Albermarle’s patent for all such wrecks now expiring, Sir William thought on the motto which is upon the gold medal, bestowed by the late King, with his Knighthood upon him, Semper Tibi pendeut

MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA;

* Drained of all its soldiery and its young and active citizens,

ll naval set provne to be ible than

nation to

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his whole nds; and how bensued the own too nce was,

re was a leave to s to have nstances, kh trade, tht about oject.

irst good be lying hich had Martyr

rn pound

ring, Sir estowed p pencdect

Hamus;* and supposing himself to have gained sufficient information of the right way to such a wreck, it was his purpose, upon his dismission from his government, once more to have gone unto his old /ishing-trade, upon a mighty shelf of rocks and banks of sands that lye where he had informed himself.

But as the prophet Haggai and Zechariah, in their psalm upon the grants made unto their people by the Emperors of Persia, have that reflection, ‘““Man’s breath goeth forth, he returns to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish,” my reader must now see what came of all these considerable thoughts. About the middle of February, 1694, Sir William found himself indisposed with a cold, which obliged him to keep his chamber; but under this indisposition he received the honour of a visit from a very eminent person at Whitehall, who upon sufficient assurance, bade him ““Get well as fast as he could, for in one month’s time he should be again dispatched away to his government of New-England.”

Nevertheless, his distemper proved a sort of malignant feaver, whereof many about this time died in the city; and it suddenly put an end at once unto his days and thoughts, on the eighteenth of February; to the extream surprize of his friends, who honourably interred him in the church of St. Mary Woolnoth, and with him, how much of New England’s happiness!

§ 21. Although he has now “no more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun,” yet justice requires that his memory be not forgotten. I have not all this while said he was faultless, nor am I unwilling to use for him the words which Mr. Calamy had in his funeral sermon for the excellent Karl of Warwick, “It must be confessed, lest I should prove a flatterer, he had his infirmities, which I trust Jesus Christ has covered with the robe of his righteousness: my prayer to God is, that all his infirmities may be buried in the grave of oblivion, and that all his virtues and graces may supervive;” although perhaps there were no infirmities in that noble person, which Mr. Calamy counted so.

Nevertheless, I must also say, that if the anguish of his publick fatigues threw Sir William into any faults of passion, they were but faults of passion soon recalled: and spots being soonest seen in ermin, there was usually the most made of them that could be, by those that were least free themselves.

After all, I do not know that I have been, by any personal obligations or circumstances, charmed into any partiality for the memory of this worthy man; but I do here, from a real satisfaction of conscience concerning him, declare to all the world, that I reckon him to have been really a very worthy man; that few men in the world, rising from so mean an original as he, would have acquitted themselves with a thousandth part of his capacity or integrity; that he left unto the world a notable example of a disposition to do good, and encountred and overcame almost invincible temptations in doing it.

* Let the barb hang from thee always,

And I do most solemnly ‘profess, that I have most conscientiously endeavoured the utmost sincerity and veracity of a Christian, as well as an historian, in the history which I have now given of him. I have not written of Sir William Phips, as they say Xenophon did of Cyrus, Non ad Historie Fidem, sed ad Effigiem veri imperii:* what should have been, rather than what really was. Ifthe envy of his few enemies be not now quiet, I must freely say it, that for many weeks before he died, there was not one man among his personal enemies whom he would not readily and chearfully have done all the kind offices of a friend unto: wherefore, though the gentleman in England that cence published a vindication of Sir William Phips against some of his enemies, chose to put the name of publicans upon them, they must in ds be counted worse than the Publicans of whom our Saviour says, “They love those that love them.”

And I will say this further, that when certain persons had found the skull of a dead man, as a Greek writer of-epigrams has told us, they all fell a weeping, but only one of the company, who laughed and flouted, and through an unheard-of cruelty, threw stones at it, which stones wonderfully rebounded back upon the face of him that threw them, and miserably wounded him: thus, if any shall be so unchristian—yea, so inhumane—as libellously to throw stones at so deserved a reputation as this gentleman has died withal, they shall see a just rebound of all their calumnies,

But the name of Sir WILLIAM Pups will be heard honourably mentioned in the trumpets of immortal fame, when the names of many that antinathied him will either be buried in eternal oblivion, without any sacer vates+ to preserve them; or be remembered, but like that of Judas in the gospel, or Pilate in the creed, with eternal infamy.

The old Persians indeed, according to the report of Agathias, exposed their dead friends to be torn in pieces by wild beasts, believing that if they lay long wnworried, they had been unworthy persons; but all attempts of surviving malice to demonstrate in that way the worth of this dead gentleman, give me leave to rate off with indignation.

And I must with a like freedom say, that great was the fault of New- England no more to value a person whose opportunities to serve all their interests, though very eminent, yet were not so eminent as his ¢nclinations, If this whole continent carry in its very name of AMERICA an unaccountable cngratitude unto that brave man who first led any numbers of Europeans thither, it must not be wondred at, if now and then a particular country in that continent afford some instances of ingratitude: but I must believe that the ingratitude of many, both to God and man, for such benefits as that country of New-England enjoyed from a governour of their own, by whom they enjoyed, greai quietness, with very worthy deeds done unto that nation by his providence, was that which hastned the removal of such a benefactor from them.

* Not with historie accuracy, but to ‘lustrate his idea of a well-governed empire. + Consecrated bard.

entiously s woll as have not rus, Non ive been, not now here was adily and therefore, cation of name of e Publicound the, they all 1 flouted, ones wonhem, and —yea, SO ion as this alumnies. ably mennany that hout any of Judas

, exposed at if they empts of dead genof Newall their clinations. naccountof Kuroparticular e: but I man, for overnour

rthy deeds.

removal

rated bard.

However, as the Cyprians buried their friends in honey, to whom they gave gall when they were born; thus whatever gall might be given to this gentleman while he lived, i hope none will be so base as to put any thing but honey into their language of him now after his decease. And, indeed, since ’tis a frequent thing among men to wish for the presence of our friends, when they are dead and gone, whom, while they were present with us, we undervalued; there is no way for us to fetch back our Sir William Phips, and make him yet living with us, but by setting up a statue for him, as tis done in these pages, that may out-last an ordinary monument.

Such was the original design of erecting statues, and if in Venice there were at once no less than an hundred and sixty-two marble, and twentythree brazen statues, erected by the order, and at the expence of the pub lick, in honour of so ma:iy valiant soldiers, who had merited well of tha. commonwealth, I am sure New-England has had those whose merits call for as good an acknowledgment; and, whatever they did before, it will be well, if after Sir William Phips, they find many as meritorious as he to be 50 acknowledged.

Now I cannot my self provide a better statue for this usmonabta person, than the words uttered on the occasion of his death in a very great assembly, by a person of so diffused and embalmed a reputation in the church of God, that such a character from him were enough to immortalize the reputation of the person upon whom he should bestow it.

The Grecians employed still the most honourable and considerable persons they had among them, to make a /uneral oration in commendation of soldiers that had lost their lives in the service of the publick: and when Sir William Phips, the Captain-G-neral of New-England, who had often ventured his life to serve the publick, did expire, that reverend person, who was the president of the only University then in the English America, preached a sermon on that passage of the sacred writ, Isa. lvii. 1: “Merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous are taken away from the evil to come;” and it gave Sir William Phips the following testimony:

“This province is beheaded, and lyes a bleeding. A Governour is taken away, who was a merciful man; some think too merciful; and if so, ‘tis best erring on that hand; and a right. eous man; who, when he had great opportunities of gaining by injustice, did refuse to do so.

“He was a known friend unto the best interests and unto the Churches of God: not ashamed of owning them. No: how often have I heard him expressing his desires to be an instrument of good unto them! He was a zealous lover of his country, if any man in the world were so; he exposed himself to serve it; he ventured his /ife to save it: in that, a true Nehemiah, a governour that “sought the welfare of his people.”

“He was one who did not seek to have the government cast upon him: no, but instead — thereof, to my knowledge, he did several times petition the King that this people might always enjoy the ‘great privilege of chusing their own governour; and I heard him express his desires that it might be so to several of the chief ministers of state in the Court of England,

“He is now dead, and not capable of being flattered: but this I must testifie concerning him, that though by the providence of God I have been with him at home and abroad, near

at home and afar off, by land and by sea, F never saw him do any evil action, or heard him speak any thing unbecoming a Christian.

“The circumstances of his death seem to intimate the anger of God, in that he was ‘in the midst of his days’ removed; and I know (though few did) that he had great purposes in his heart, which probably would have taken eifect, if he had lived a few months longer, to the great advantage of this province; but now he is gone, there is not a man living in the world capacitated for those undertakings; New-England knows not yet what they have lost!”

The recitation of a testimony so great, whether for the author or the matter of it, has now made a statue for the governour of New-England, which

Nee poterit Ferrum, nee edax abolere vetustas.*

And there now remains nothing more for me to do about it, but only to recite herewithal a well-known story related by Suidas, That an envious mari, once going to pull down a statue which had been raised unto the memory of one whom he maligned, he only got this by it, that the statue, failing, knocked out his brains.

But Poetry as well as History must pay its dues unto him. If Cicero's poem, intituled, “Quadrige,” wherein he did with a poetical chariot extol the exploits of Caesar in Britain to the very skies, were now extant in the world, T would have borrowed some flights of that at least, for the subject now to be adorned. But instead thereof, let the reader accept the ensuing Hlegy,

UPON THE DEATH OF SIR WILLIAM PHIPS, KNT.,

{ATE CAPTAIN GENERAL AND GOVERNOUR _IN CHIEF OF THE PROVINCE OF THE MASSACHUSET-BAY IN NEW-ENGLAND, WHO EXPIRED AT LONDON, FEBRUARY, 1694--5.

And to Mortality a sacrifice Falls he, whose deeds must him immortalize!

Resoice, Messieurs; Netops, rejoice; ‘tis truc, 'Twas tryed, the force of his one swordless hand— Ye Philistines, none will rejoice but you; Hand, which in one, all of Briareus had, Loving of aid he dy’d; who love Aim not And Herculus’ twelve toi/s but pleasures made, Now, have the grace of pubdlicans forgot. Too humble; in brave stature not so tall, Our Almanacks foretold a great eclipse, As low in carriage, stooping unto all. This'they foresaw not, of our greater Pups. Rais’d in estate, in figure and renown, Puts our great friend, our wonder, and our glor Not pride; higher, aud yet not prouder grown, The terror of our foes, the world’s rare story. Of pardons full; ne’er to revenge at all, England will boast him too, whose noble mind Was that which he would satisfaction call. Impell’d by Angels, did those treasures find, True to his mate; from whom though often flown, Long in the bottem-of the oceun laid, A stranger yet to every love but one, Which her three hundred thousand richer made, Write him not childless, whose whole people were By silver yet ne’er canker'd, nor defil’d Sons, orphans now, of his paternal care, By Honour, nor betrayed when Fortune smil’d. Now lest ungrateful brands we should incur, Since this bright Phaebus visite? our shoar, Your gulary we'll pay in tears, oReaT Sir! We saw no fogs but what were rais’d before: To England often blown, and by bis Prince Those vanish’d too; harass’d by bloody wars, Often sent laden with preferments whence, Our land saw peace, by his most generous cures, Proferr’d euch time he went, when:all was done The wolfish Pagans, at his dreuded name, That earth could co, heaven fetch’d him to a crown, Tam’d, shrunk before him, and his dogs became! Tis Ae; with hem interr’d how great designs! Fe)’ Moxus and flerce Dockawando full, Stand fearless now, ye eastern fire and pines, Charm’d at the feet of our brave general, With naval stores not to enrich the nation, Fly-blow the dead, pale Envy: let him not Stand, for the universal conflagration, (What hero ever did?) escape a blot. Mines, opening unto none but him, now stay All is distort with an inchanted eye, Clese under lock and key, till the last day: And heigihth will make what's right stili stand awry. In thir, like to the grand aurific’ stone, He was—Oh that he was!—his faults we'll tell, By any but great souls not to be known, Such faults as these we knew, and lik'd them well. And thou, rich table, with Bodilla lost, Just to an injury; denying none <n the fair Galeon, on our Spanish coast, Their dues; but self-denying oft his own, In weight three thousand and three hundred pound, Good to a miracle; resolv'd to do But of pure massy gold, lye thou, not found, Good unto all, whether they would or no, Safe, since Ae’s laid under the-earth asleep, To make us good, great, wise, and ull things else, Who iearned where thou dost under water keep. He wanted but the gift of miracles, But thou, chief loser, poor New-Enauann, speak On him, vain A/od, thy mischiefs cease to throw 5 Thy dues to such as did thywelfare seek, Bad, but ulone in this, the times were so. The governour that vowed torrise and fall Stout to a prodigy; living in pain With thee, thy fate shows in-Ais funeral, To send buck Quebeck-bullets once again. Write now his epitaph, "twill be thine own, Thunder, his musick, sweeter than the spheres, Let it be this, A PUBLICK SPIRIT ’S GONE, Chim’d roaring canons in his martial ears. Or, bu@aame Pups; more needs not be exprests Frigats of armed meu could not withstand, | Both Bayglands, and next ages, tell the reat.

* “Nor sword, nor rust of time shall e’or destroy,’—Ovip, Metemorph. xv.

Sait panes

POLY BIUS.

THE NEW-ENGLISH HISTORY:

ito the CONTAINING

Yicero’s THE LIVES

(ARRIVING SUCH FROM EUROPE TO AMERICA,)

BY WHOSE EVANGELICAL MINISTRY THE CHURCHES OF N. ENGLAND HAVE BEEN ILLUMINATED.

BY COTTON MATHER.

Testor, — — Christianum de Christiano vera proferre. {I bear witness that a Christian here relates the truth concerning other Christians.)

Tlavrwy xara Oeov rodtrevoapevwy ’o Bog rois ivosBeow *whedpwraros, uy’ Grodecypa povoy adda Kat rapandnors, brapyuv mpos dperny.—Simeon Metaphrast. in Vita Chrysostomi.

3 (The lives of those who rule in the fear of God are profitable to pious men, inasmuch as they are 4 not only exemplars of virtue, but incentives to it.)

Equidem efferor studio Patres vestros, quos colui, et dilexi, videndi.

(‘I um transported with a desire to see your fathers, whom I have cherished and loved.”)] Cicero, de Senectute.

Wuar was it that obliged Jerom to write his book, De Viris Iustribus?* It was the common reproach of old cast upon the Christians, “That they were all poor, weak, unlearned men.” The sort of men sometime called Puritans, in the English nation have been reproached with the same character; and as a malignant Stapleton counted the terms of an ass, and a fool, good enough to treat our incomparable Whitaker. No less basely are the best of Protestants often termed and thought, by the men who know no Christianity but ceremony. There hath been too much of that envy, that Sapientior sis Socrate, Doctior Augustino, Calvenianus si modd dicare, clam, vel propalam, mox Tartaris, Moscis, Afris, Turcisque suvientibus, jacebis execratior.t A wretchedness often seen in English; I shall not English it. This is one thing that has laid me under obligation here to write a book, De Viris Illustribus: in the whole whereof I will, with a most conscientious and religious regard of truth, save our history from any share in that old complaint.of Melchior Canus, Dolenter hoc dico, multd a Laertio severius Vitas Philosophorum scriptas esse, quam a Christianis, Vitas Christianorum.:t{ the lives of philosophers more truly written, than the lives of

Christians,

Reader, behold these examples; admire and follow what thou dost behold exemplary in them. They are offered unto the publick, with the intention sometimes mentioned by Gregory: Ut qui Praceptis non accendimur, saliem Exemplis incitemur; atque ac Appetitu Rectitudinis nil sibi mens nostra difficile estimel, quod perfecté peragi ab aliis videt:} that patterns may have upon us the force which precepts have not.

If a man were so absurd as to form his ideas of the primitive Christians from the monstrous accusations of their adversaries, he would soon perswade himself, that their God was the Deus Christianorum Anonychites,|| whose image was erected at Rome. And if a man should have no other ideas of the Puritan Christians in our days, than what the tory-pens of the sons of Bolsecus have given them, we would think that it was a just thing to banish them into the cold swamps of the North-America. But when truth shall have liberty to speak, it will be known, that Christianity never was more expressed unto the Jife, than in the lives of the persons that have been thus reproached among the legions of the accuser of the brethren. It speaks in the ensuing pages! Here, behold them, of whom the world was not worthy, wandring in desarts!

Arnobius was put upon an apology, against our particular calumny, among the rest, “That at the meetings of the Christians, a dog, tyed unto the candlestick, drew away the light, whereupon they proceeded unto the most adulterous confusions in the world.” And agreat

* Concerning Illustrious Men,

+ Though you are wiser than Socrates, more accomplished than Augustine, if you are only called a Calvinist, secretly or openly, you will soon be more execrably odious than Tartars, Muscovites, Moors, and bloody Turks,

¢ I confess with grief, that the Lives of Philosophers are wzitten by Laertius with a far more strict adherence to truth, than the Lives of Christians by Christians,

§ So that, if not influenced by precepts, we may be affected by examples, and that in our zeal for virtue we muy esteem nothing too difficult for us to achieve, which has already been exemplified by others,

| The God without claws,

INTRODUCTION,

man in his writings does affirm, “I have heard this very thing, told more than once, with no small confidence concerning the Puritans.”

Reader, thou shult now see what sort of men they were: Zion is not a city of fools, As Ignatius, in his famous epistles to the Trallians, mentioning their pastor, Polybius, reports him, “A man of so good and just a reputation, that the very Atheists ¢id stand in fear of him,” I hope our Potysrvs, will afford many deserving such a character.

It was mentioned as the business and blessedness of John Baptist,“To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children.” After a deal of more ado about the sence of the passage thus translated, I contented my self with another translation, “to turn the hearts of the futhers wiTH the children;” because I find the preposition, ’em, as well as the prefix 3, in Mal. iv. 6, whence the passage is taken, to be rendred with, rather than to. The sence therefore I took to be, that John should convert both old and young. But further thought hath offered unto me a further gloss upon it: “to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,” is to turn the children by putting the hearts of the fathers into them; to give them such hearts as were in Abraham, and others of their famous and faithful fathers,

Reader, the book now in thy hands is tu manage the design of a John Baptist, and convey the hearts of the fathers unto the children.

Archilocus being desirous to give prevailing and effectual advice unto Lycambes, by an elegant Prosopopwia, brought in his dead father, as giving the advice he was now writing, and as it were put his pen into ais father’s hands. Cicero being to rend a lecture of temperance and modesty unto Clodia, raised up her father Appius Caius from the grave, and in his name delivered his directions. And now by introducing the fathers of New-England, without the least fiction, or figure of rhetorick, I hope the plain history of their lives will be a powerful way of propounding their fatherly counsels to their posterity. A stroke with the hand of a dead man, has before now been a remedy for a malady not easily remedied,

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THE THIRD BOOK.

DE VIRIS ILLUSTRIBUS. IN FOUR PARTS,

CONTAINING THE LIVES OF NEAR FIFTY DIVINES, CONSIDERABLE IN THE CH! ‘PF NEW-ENGLAND. Credunt de nobis gue non probantur, et noluni obentur non esse, qua malunt

credidisse.*—'

HAVING entertained my readers with a more imperfect catalogue “Of many persons whose memories deserve to be embalmed in a civil history;” I must so far consider, that it is an ecclesiastical history which I have undertaken, as to hasten unto a fuller and larger account of those persons who have been the ministers of the gospel, that fed the “flocks in the wilderness;” and, indeed, New-England having been in some sort an ecclesiastical country above any in this world, those men that have here appeared most considerable in an ecclesiastical capacity, may most reasonably challenge the most consideration in our history.

Take then a catalogue of New-England’s first ministers, who, though they did not generally affect the exercise of church-government, as confined unto classes, yet shall give me leave to use the name of classes in my marshalling of them.

THE FIRST CLASSIS.

It shall be of such as were in the actual exercise of their ministry when they left England, and were the instruments of bringing the gospel into this wilderness, and of settling churches here according to the order of the gospel.

1, Mr. Thomas Allen, of Charles-town, 13, Mr. Tinvothy Dalton, of Hampton,

2 Juhn Allen, of Dedham, 14, “ John Davenport, of Vew-Haven, 3 Avory, of Marblehead, 15. “ Richard Denton, ef Stamsord,

4. “ Adam Blackman, of Stratford, 16. “ Henry Dunstar, of Cambridge.

5. “ Richard Blinman, of Glocester, 1%, “ Samuel Eaton, of Vew-Haven,

6. & Brucy, of Brainford, 18 & John Elliot, of Rorbury.

7. “ Edmund Brown, of Sudbury, 19, “% John Fisk, of Chelmsford.

8. “ Peter Bulkly, of Concord, 20. “ Henry Flint, of Braintree.

9 Jonathan Burr, of Dorchester. ql. Fordhan, of Southampton, 10. “ Charles Chauncey, of Scituate, 2 4 Green, of Reading.

11. “% Thomas Cobbet, of Lyn. 23. & John Harvard, of Craries-town, 12, “ Juhn Cotton, of Boston, 24. “ Francis Higginson, of Salem,

* They (the people of Rome} believe of us (Christians) things that are not proved, and the truth of which they are reluctant to test, lest they should find that to be false which they love to believe,

A

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MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA;

25, Mr. William Hook, of Wew-Haven. 52. Mr. ——— Philips, of Dedham.

86. “ Thomas Hooker, of Hartford. 53, “ Abraham Pierson, of Southampton.

27. % Peter Hobart, of Hingham. 34. “ Peter Prudden, of Milford

29, “ ——— Hull, of the Isle of Sholes. 3%. “% Ezekiel Rogers, of Rowly.

90, —— James, of Charles-town. 57. “ Nathaniel Rogers, of Ipswich,

32, 4 —— Knight, of Topafeld, &9. “ Thomas Shepard, of Cambridge. 3 4 —— Knowles, of Watertown. 60. “ Zachary Symms, of Charics-town. “4 Leverick, of Sandwich, 61, “ Skelton, of Salem.

35. “ John Lothrop, of Barnstable, 62, “ Ralph Smith, of Plymouth.

36. “ Richard Mather, of Dorchester. 63, 6 Smith, of Wethersfield,

3 4 Muverick, of Dorchester. 65. “ Nicholas Street, of New-Haven, 3. “ John Mayo, of Boston. 66. “ William Thompeon, of Braintree. @. “% JIvuho Millar, of Yarmouth. 67, “ William Waltham, of Marblehead. 41, Moxon, of Springfield. 68. “ Nathanael Ward, of Jpswich, and his son, 42, “ Samuel Newman, of Rehoboth. Mr. John Ward, of Haverhil.

eB Norris, of Salem. 6. “ John Worhan, of Windsor.

4. % John Norton, of Boston. 70, “ Weld, of Roxbury.

45. “ James Nuyse, of Newberry. 7, Wheelright, of Salisbury. 4%. “ Thomas Parker, of Newberry. 72 “ Henry Whitfleld, of Guilford,

47. 4 Ralph Partridge, of Duzbury. 73. “ Samuel Whiteing, of Lyn.

4, 4 Peck, of Hingham, 74. ** John Wilson, of Boston.

49. “ Hugh Peters, of Salem. 7s, “ Witherel, of Scituate.

5. “ Thomas Peters, of Saybreok 76. “ William Worcester, of Salisbury.

51. “ George Phillips, of Watertown. TI, “© ——— Young, of Southold.

Behold, one seven more than seven decads of persons, who, being devoted unto the sacred ministry of our Lord, were the first that enlightened the dark regions of America with their ministry! Know, reader, that it was by a particular diversion given by the hand of Heaven unto the inientions of that great man, Dr. William Ames, that we don’t now find his name among the first in the catalogue of our New-English worthies. One of the most eminent and judicious persons that ever lived in this world, was intentionally a New-England man, though not eventually, when that profound, that sublime, that subtil, that trrefragable,—yea, that angelical doctor, was designing to transport himself into New-England; but he was hindred by that Providence which afterwards permitted his widow, his children, and his library, to be translated hither. And now, “our fathers, where are they? These prophets, have they lived for ever?” "T'was the charge of the Almighty to other Kings, “Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm?” But the King of Terrors, pleading an exemption from that charge, has now touched every one of these holy men; however,

all the harm it has done unto them, has been to carry them from this pres-.

ent evil world unto the “spirits of just men made perfect.” I may now

write upon all these old ministers of New-England the epitaph which the

apostle hath left upon the priests of the Old Testament, ‘These were not

suffered to continue, by reason of death ;” adding the clause which he hath

left upon the patriarchs of that Testament, a im all died in faith.” Wherefore we pass on to

THE SECOND CLASSIS. It shall be of young scholars, whose education for their designed ministry

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OR, THE HISTORY OF NEW-ENGLAND.

287 not being finished, yet came over from England with their friends, and

had their education perfected in this country, before the College was come unto maturity enough to bestow its laurels,

1, Mr. Samul Arnold, of Marshfeld. 8, Mr. John Higginson, of Salem.

2, “ John Bishop, of Stamford. 9 Hough, of Reading.

3. “ Edward Bulkly, of Concord, 10, “ ———Jumes, of Easthampton. 4 4% Carter, of Woburn. 11. “ Roger Newton, of Milford.

5. “ Francis Dean, of Andover. 12, % John Sherman, of Watertown. 6, % James Fitch, of Norwich. 13. “ Thomas Thacher, of Boston.

7 4 Hunford, of Norwalk. 14, “ John Woodbridge, of Newberry.

Of these two sevens, almost all are gone, where to be is, by far, the best of all. But these were not come to an age for service to the church of God, before the wisdom, and prudence of the New-Englanders did remarkably signifie it self, in the founding of a COLLEGE, from whence the most of their congregations were afterwards supplied; ‘‘a river, the streams whereof made glad the city of God.” From that hour Old England had more ministers from New, than our New-England had since then from Old; nevertheless after a cessation of ministers coming hither from Europe, for twenty years together, we had another set of them, ‘coming over to help us;” wherefore take yet the names of two sevens more.

We will now proceed unto

THE THIRD CLASSIS,

It shall be of such ministers as came over to New-England after the re-establishment of the Hpiscopal-church-government in England, and the persecution which then hurricanoed such as were non-conformists unto that establishment.

1, Mr. James Allen, of Boston. 8, Mr. Samuel Lee, of Bristol.

2, “ John Bailey, of Watertown. 9. “ Charles Morton, of Charles-town, 3. “ Thomas Baily, of Watertown. 10, “ Charles Nicholet, of Salem.

4% Barnet, of New- London, 11, “ John Oxenbridge, of Boston,

5. “% James Brown, of Swansey. 12, “ Thomas Thornton, of Yarmouth,

6. % Thomas Gilbert, of Topsfield. 13, “ Thomas Walley, of Barnstable.

7. © James Keith, of Bridgewater. 14, “ William Woodrop, of Lancaster.

It is well known that, quickly after the revival of the English Hierarchy, those whose consciences did not allow them to worship God, in some ways and modes then by law established, were pursued with a violence which doubtless many thousands of those whom the Church of England, in its national constitution, acknowledges for her sons, were so far from approving or assisting, that they abhorred it. What spirit acted the party that raised this persecution, one may guess from a passage which I find in a book of Mr. Giles Firmius, A lady assured him that she, signifying unto a parliament-man her dislike of the “act of uniformity,” when they were about it, and saying, “I see you are laying a snare in the gate,” he replied, “Ay, if we can find any way to catch the rogues, we will have them!” It is well known that near five-and-twenty hundred faithful ministers of the Gospel were now silenced in one black day, because they could not comply with some things, by themselves counted sinful, but by the imposers confessed indifferent, And it is affirmed that, by a modest calculation, this persecution procured the untimely death of three thousand non-conformists,

and the ruine of threescore thousand families, within five-and-twenty years.

Many retired into New-England, that they might have a little rest at noon, with the flocks of our Lord in this wilderness; but setting aside some eminent persons of a New-English original, which were driven back out of Europe into their own country again, by that storm, these few were the most of the ministers, that fled: hither from it. I will not presume to give the reasons why no more; but observing a glorious providence of the Lord Jesus Christ in moving the stars to shine where they were most wanted, I will conclude, lamenting the disaster of New-England, in the interruption which a particular providence of Heaven gave unto the designs of that incomparable person Dr. John Owen, who had gone so far as to ship him self, with intents to have taken this country in his way to his eternal rest: it must have been our singular advantage and ornament,

if we had thus enjoyed among us one of the greatest men that this last.

age produced. REMARKS,

ESPECIALLY UPON THE FIRST CLASS, IN OUR CATALOGUE OF MINISTERS.

T. All, or most, of the ministers that make up our two first classes, came over from England within the two first Justres of years, after the first settlement of the country. After the year 1640, that part of the Church of England which took up arms in the old cause of the “long Parliament,” and which, among all its parliament-men—commanders, lord-lieutenants, major-generals, and sea-captains—had scarce any but conformists; I say, that part of the Church of England, knowing the Puritans to be generally inclinable unto those principles of such writers as Bilson and Hooker, whereupon the Parliament then acted; and seeing them to be generally of the truest English spirit, for the preservation of the English liberties and properties, for which the Parliament ther = *lared, (although there were some non-conformists in the King’s arriy __.:) it was found necessary to have the assistance of that considerabic people. Whereupon ensued such a change of times, that instead of Old England’s driving its best people into New, it was it self turned into New. The body of the Parliament and its friends, which were conformists in the beginning of that miserable war, before the war was ended, became such as those old non-conformists, whose union with them in political interests produced an union in religious. The Romanizing Laudians miscarried in their enterprize; the Anglicane church could not be carried over to the Gallicane. This was not the first instance of a shipwreck befalling a vessel bound for Rome; nor will it be the last: a vessel bound such a voyage must be shipwrecked, though St. Paul himself were aboard.

nposers on, this ormists, y years. at noon, le some yack out ew were sume to lence of re most |, in the into the me so far is way to rnament, this last.

ses, came. first sethurch of liament,” putenants, s; I say, generally

Hooker, generally n liberties gh there nd neces: on ensued est people hment and rable war, sts, whose ous. The ne church st instance e the last: St. Paul

II. The occasion upon which these excellent ministers retired into an horrid wilderness of America, and encountred the dismal hardships of such a wilderness, was the violent persecution wherewith a prevailing party in the Church of England harassed them. In their own land they were hereby deprived, not only of their livings, but also of their liberty to exercise their ministry, which was dearer to them than their livings—yea, than their very lives: and they were exposed unto extreme sufferings, because they conscientiously dissented from the use of some things in the worship of God, which they accounted sins. But I leave it unto the consideration of mankind, whether this forbidding of such men to do their duty, were no ingredient of that iniquity which, immediately upon the departure of these good men brought upon Great Britain, and especially upon the greatest authors of this persecution, “a wrath unto the uttermost,” in the ensuing desolations. All that I shall add upon it is, that I remember the prophet, speaking of what had been done of old by the Assyrians to the land of the Chaldseans, uses an expression which we translate, in Isa. xxiii. 12: “He brought it unto ruine:” but there is a Punic word, Mapatra, which old Festus (and Servius) affirm to signify cottages; according to Philargyrius, it signifies, Casas in Hremo habitantium.* now that is the very word here used, nba t and the condition of cottagers in a wilderness is meant by the ruine there spoken of. Truly, such was the ruine which the ceremonious persecutors then brought upon the most conscientious non-conformists unto their unscriptural ceremonies. But as the “kingdom of darkness” uses to be always at length overthrown by its own policy, so will be at last found no advantage unto that party in the Church of England, that the orders and actions of the churches by them thus produced, become an history.

III. These ministers of the gospel, which were (without any odious comparison) as faithful, painful, useful ministers as most in the nation, being thus exiled from a sinful nation, there were not known to be left so many non-conformist ministers as there were counties in England: and yet they were quickly so multiplied, tha a matter of twenty years after, there could be found far more than twenty hundred, that were so grounded in their non-conformity, as to undergo the loss of all things, rather than make shipwreck of it. When Antiochus commanded all the books of sacred Scripture to be burnt, they were not only preserved, but presently after they appeared out of their hidden places, being translated into the Greek tongue, and carried abroad unto many other patrons, It was now thought there was effectual care taken to destroy all those men that made these books the only rule of their devotions; but, behold, they presently appeared in greater numbers, and many other nations began to be illuminated by them.

IV. Afost, if not all, of the ministers who then visited these regions, were either attended or followed with a number of pious people, who had lived within the reach of their ministry in England. These, who were now also

* Cottages of dwellers in the wilderness, + Desert lodges.

become generally non-conformists, having found the powerful impressions of those good men’s ministry upon their souls, continued their sincere affections unto that ministry, and were willing to accompany it unto those atmost “ends of the earth.” Indeed, the ministers of New-England have ‘this always to recommend them unto a good regard with the Crown of England, that the most flourishing plantation in all the American dominions of that crown, is more owing to them than to any sort of men whatsoever. V. Some of the ministers, and many of the gentlemen that came over with the ministers, were persons of considerable estates; who therewith charitably brought over many poor families of godly people, that were not of themselves able to bear the charges of their transportation; and they were generally careful also to bring over none but godly servants in their own families, who afterwards, by God’s blessing on their industry, have arrived, many of them, unto such plentiful estates, that they have had occasion to think of the advice which a famous person gave in a public sermon at their first coming over: ‘You (said he) that are servants, mark what I say: I desire and exhort you to be kind a while hence unto your master’s children. It won't be long before you that came with nothing into the country, will be rich men, when your masters, having buried their rich estates in the country, will go near to leave their families in 1 mean condition; wherefore, when it shall be well with you, I charge you to remember them.” VI. The ministers and Christians by whom New-England was first planted, were a chosen company of men; picked out of, perhaps, all the counties in England, and this by no human contrivance, but by a strange work of God upon the spirits of men that were, no ways, acquainted with one another, inspiring them, as one man, to secede into a wilderness, they knew not where, and suffer in that wilderness, they knew not what. It was a reasonable expression once used by that eminent person, the present lieutenant-governour of New-England in a very great assembly, “God sifted three nations, that he might bring choice grain into this wilderness,” VII. The design of these refugees, thus carried into the wilderness, was, that they might there “sacrifice unto the Lord their God:” it was, that they might maintain the power of godliness and practise the evangelical worship of our Lord Jesus Christ, in all the parts of it, without any human innovations and impositions: defended by charters, which at once gave them so far the protection of their King, and the election of so many of their subordinate rulers under him, as might secure them the undisturbed enjoyment of the church-order established amongst them. I shall but repeat the words once used in a sermon preached unto the general court of the Massachuset-colony, at one of their anniversary elections:

“The question was often put unto our predecessors, ‘What went ye out into the wilderness to see? And the answer to it is not only too excellent, but also too notorious, to be dissembled. Let all mankind know, that we came into the wilderness, because we would worship God without that Episcopacy, that common-prayer, and those unwarrantable ceremossions incere those 1 have wn of \inions joeve;r. xr with charinot of y were ir own rrived, sion to at their say: I "s chilountry, sin the

all the strange pds with ss, they at, It he pre- ‘4 “God lerness. SS, WAS, as, that cal worhuman e gave any of sturbed hall but nl court

e wilderpus, to be

we would e ceremonies, with which the ‘land of our forefuthers’ sepulchres’ has been defiled; we came hither because we would have our posterity settled under the pure and full dispensations of the gospel; defended by rulers that should be of our selves.”

VIII. None of the least concerns that lay upon the spirits of these reformers, was the condition of their posterity: for which cause, in the first constitution of their churches, they did more generally with more or less expressiveness take in their children, as under the churchwatch with themselves. They also did betimes endeavour the erection of a College, for the training up of a successive ministry in the country; but because it was likely to be some while before a considerable supply could be expected from the college, therefore they took notice of the younger, hopeful scholars” who came over with their friends from England, and assisted their liberal education; whereby being fitted for the service of the churches, they were in an orderly manner called forth to that service. Of these we have given youa number; whereof, I think, all but one or two are now gone unto their fathers.

IX. Of these ministers, there were some few, suppose ten or a dozen, that after divers years returned into England, where they were eminently serviceable unto their generation; but by far the biggest part of them continued in this country, ‘serving their generation by the will of God.” Moreover, I find near half of them signally blessed with sons, who did work for our Lord Jesus Christ, in the ministry of the gospel; yea, some of them—as Mr. Chancy, Mr. Elliot, Mr. Hobart, Mr. Mather—had (though not like R. Jose, a wise man among the Jews, of whom they report that he had eight sons, who were also celebrated for wise men among them; yet) not less than four or five sons a piece thus employed: and though Mr. Parker, living always a single man, had no children, yet he was instrumental to bring up no less than twelve useful ministers. Among the Jews, they that have been instructed by another, are called the sons of their instructor. We read, “These are the generations of Aaron and Moses;” when we find none but the sons of Aaron in the enumerated generations, But in the Talmud, it is thus expounded, Hos Aaron genuit, Moses vero docuit, ideoque ejus nomine censentur.* (Thus the sons of Merob are called the sons of Michael, as the Talmud judges, because by her educated.) And on this account no less than twelve were the sons of Mr. Parker. I may add, that some of our ministers, having their sons comfortably settled, at or near the place of their own ministry, the people have thereby seen a comfortable succession in the affairs of Christianity; thus, the writer of this history hath, he knows not how often, seen it; that his grandfather baptized the grand-parent, his father baptized the parent, and he himself has baptized the children in the same family.

X. In the beginning of the country, the ministers had their frequent meetings, which were most usually after their publick and weekly or

* These were begotten by Aaron, but educated by Moses, and therefore bear the name of the latter.

Vou, I—16

MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA;

monthly lectures, wherein they consulted for the welfare of their churches;

nor had they ordinarily any difficulty in their churches, which were not ‘ia in these meetings offered unto consideration, for their mutual direction and assistance; and these meetings are maintained unto this day. The private Christians also had their private meetings, wherein they would seek the face, and sing the praise of God; and confer upon some questions of Anc practical religion, for their mutual edification. And the country still is ys full of those little meetings; yet they have now mostly left off one circum- of I stance, which in those our primitive times was much maintained; namely, ard their concluding of their more sacred exercises with suppers; whereof, I and sincerely think, I cannot give a better account than Zertullian gives of the mig suppers among the faithful, in his more primitive times: “Therein their wae spiritual gains countervailed their worldly costs; they remembered the id poor, they ever began with prayer [and other devotions]; in eating and oo drinking they relieved hunger, but showed no excess. In feeding at sup- Abeu per, they remembered they were to pray in the night. In their discourse, latel they considered that God heard them; and when they departed, their Ad behaviour was so religious and modest, that one would have thought we ’ oth had rather been at a sermon than at a supper.” Our private meetings of Sen: good people to pray and praise God, and hear sermons, either preached E a i perhaps by the younger candidates for the ministry, (who here use to form: an Fi themselves, at their entrance into their work,) or else repeated by exact, Fs 0 writers of short hand after their pastors; and sometimes to spend whole 3 a u days in fasting and prayer, especially when any of the neighbourhood are 4 wee in affliction, or when the communion of the Lord’s table is approaching; givin those do still abound among us; but the meals that made meatings of them, bil ue are generally laid aside. I suppose twas with some eye to what he had sie seen in this country, that Mr. Firmin has given this report,'in a book snot printed 1681: pee “Plain mechanicks have I known, well catechised, and humble Christians, excelient in penit practical piety: they kept their station, did not aspire to be preachers, but for gifts of prayer, were few clergy-men must come near them. I have known some of them, when they did keep their their fasts, (as they did often,)they divided the work of prayer; the firat begun with conjes. cause sion; the second went on with petition for themselves; the third with petition for church and of th kingdom; the fourth with thanksgiving; every one kept his own part, and did not meddle with another part. Such excellent matter, so compacted without tautologies; each of them and s for a good time, about an hour, if not more, a piece; to the wondering of those which joined last tl with them. Here was no reading of liturgies: these were old Jacob’s sons, they could becan wrestle and prevail with God.” & per XI. Besides the ministers enumerated in the three classes of our cata- 4 ae ei logue, there might a fourth class be offered, under the name of anomalies 4 ieee of New-England. There have at several times arrived in this country 4 the cl

more than a score of ministers from other parts of the world, who proved either so erroneous in their principles, or so scandalous in their practices,

ches; e not ection e pri 1 seek ons of still is ircumamely, reof, I of the 1 their ed the ng and at supcourse, |, their ght we ings of eached to form y exact | whole ood are aching ; f them, he had a book

elient in bf prayer, did keep h confesburch and t meddle of them ch joined ey could

r catapomaltes ountry proved actices,

or so disagreeable to the church order for which the country was planted, that I cannot well croud them into the company of our worthies:

Non bené conveniunt, nec in una sede morantur.*

And, indeed, I had rather my Church History should speak nothing, than speak not well of them that might else be mentioned in it: being entirely of Plutarch’s mind, that it is better it should never be said there was such aman as Plutarch at all, than to have it said, that he was not an honest and a worthy man. I confess, there were some of those persons whose names deserve to live in our book for their piety, although their particular opinions were such as to be disserviceable unto the declared and supposed interests of our churches. Of these there were some godly Anabaptists; as namely, Mr. Hanserd Knollys, (whom one of his adversaries called Absurd Knowless,) of Dover, who afterwards removing back to London, lately died there, a good man, in a good old age. And Mr. Miles, of Swansey, who afterwards came to Boston, and is now gone to his rest, Both of these have a respectful character in the churches of this wilderness, There were also some godly Episcopalians; among whom has been commonly reckoned Mr. Blackstone, who, by happening to sleep first in an hovel, upon a point of land there, laid claim to all the ground whereupon there now stands the metropolis of the whole English America, until the inhabitants gave him satisfaction. This man was, indeed, of a particular humour, and he would never join himself to any of our churches, giving this reason for it: “I came from England, because I did not like the lord-bishops; but I can’t join with you, because I would not be under the lord-brethren.” There were some likewise that fell into gross miscarriages, and the hunter of souls having stuck the darts of some extreme disorder into those poor hearts, the whole flock pushed them out of their society, Of these, though there were some so recovered that they became true penitents; yet, inasmuch as the wounds which they received ': their falls were not in all regards thoroughly cured, I will choose rather to forbear their names, than write them with any blots upon them. For the same cause, though I have his name in our catalogue, yet I will not say which of them it was that for a while became a Seeker, and almost a Quaker, and seduced a great part of his poor people into his bewtldring errors; at last the grace of God recovered this gentleman out of his errors, and he became a very good and sound man, after his recovery: but, alas! it was a@ perpetual sting unto his penitent soul, that he could not now reduce his wandring flock, which he had himself seduced into the most unhappy aberrations. They wandred on obstinately still in their errors; and being irrecoverable, he was forced thereby unto a removal from them, taking the charge of a more orthodox flock, upon Long-Island.

* They mate not well; thoy sit not on one seat.

Nor know I where better than among these anomalies, to mention one Mr. Lenthal, whom I find a minister at Weymouth, about the year 1687.

He had been one of good report and repute in England; whereas, here, he not only had imbibed some Antinomian weaknesses, from whence he was by conference with Mr. Cotton soon recovered; but also he set himself to oppose the way of gathering churches. Many of the common people eagerly fell in with him, to set up a church state, wherein all the baptized miyht be communicants, without any further érial of them; for which end many hands were procured unto an instrument, wherein they would have declared against the New-England design of church-reformation; and would have invited Mr, Lenthal to be their pastor, in opposition thereunto.

Mr. Lenthal, upon the discourses of the magistrates and ministers before the General Court, who quickly checked these disturbances by sending for him, as quickly was convinced of his error and evil, in thus disturbing the good order of the country. His conviction was followed with his con- Jession; and in open court he gave under his hand a laudable reéractation; which retractation he was ordered also to utter in the assembly at Weymouth, and so no further censure was passed upon him,

In Four Parts we will now pursue the design before us,

Tu been : the fir been : hither

JOHANNES IN EREMO.*

MEMOIRS RELATING TO THE LIVES

OF THE EVER-MEMORABLE

MB. JOHN COTTON, WHO DIED 23 D. 10 M. 1652; MR. JOHN NORTON, WHO DIED 6D. 2M. 1668; MR. JOHN WILSON, WHO DIED? D. 6M. 1667; MR. JOHN DAVENPORT, WHO DIED 16 D. 1 M. 1670;

Reverend and Renowned Ministers of the Gospel, all, in the more Immediate Service of One Church, in Bustem AND

MR. THOMAS HOOKER, WHO DIED 7 D. 6 M. 1647,

Pastor of the Church at Hartford, New-England,

PRESERVED BY COTTON MATHER. THE FIRST PART.

Forte nimis Videor Laudes Cantare Mrorum; Forte nimie cinerea Videor celebrare repostos; Non ita me Facilem Sine Vero Credite!t——

TO THE READER.

Tar little part.* the earth which this age has known by the name of New-England, has been an object of very signal both frowns and favours of Heaven. Besides those “stars of the first magnitude,” which did sometimes shine, and at last se¢ in this horizon, there have been several men of renown, who were preparing and fully resolved to transport themselves hither, had not the Lord seen us unworthy of more such mercies. It is still fresh in the memory of many yet living, that that great man, Dr. John Owen, had given order for his passage in a vessel bound for Boston; being invited to succeed the other famous Johns, who had been burning and shining lights in that which was the first candlestick set up in this populous town: but a special providence diverted him. Long before that, Dr. Ames (whose family and whose library New-England has had) was upon the wing for this American desart: but God then took him to the heavenly Canaan. Whether he left his fellow upon earth I know not: such acuteness of judgment, and affectionate zeal, as he excelled in, seldom does meet together in the same person. I have often thought of Mr. Paul Bayne, his farewel words to Dr. Ames, when going for Holland; Mr. Bayne perceiving him to be a man of extraordinary parts, “Beware (said he) of a strong head and a cold heart.” It is rare for a scholastical wit to be joined with an heart warm in religion: but in him it was so. He has sometimes said that he could be willing to walk twelve miles on his feet, on condition he might have an opportunity to preach a sermon: and he seldom did preach a sermon without tears. When he lay on his death-bed, he had such tastes of the “first-fruits of glory,” as that a learned physitian (who was a Papist) wondring, said, Num Protestantes sic solent mori:

* John Baptist in the wilderness,

¢ Perchance I now shall seem to overpraise Believe it not!—believe not that I could My kindred, and too much extol their dust. So easily forsake the paths of Truth,

(is the latter end of Protestants like this man’s?) But although some excellent persons have by a divine hand been kept from coming into these “ends of the earth,” yet there have been others who, whilst living, made this land (which before their arrival was an hell of darkness) to be a place full of light and glory; amongst whom the champions whose lives are here described are worthy to be reckoned as those that have attained to the first three.

There are many who have (and some to good purpose) endeavoured to collect the memorable passages that have occurred in the lives of eminent men, by means whereof posterity has had the knowledge of them. Hierom of old, wrote De Viris Illustribus: the like his been done by Gennadius, Epiphanius, Isidore, Prochorus, and other ancient authors, Of later times, Schopfius, his Academia Christi; Meursius, his Athena Batava; Verheiden, his Elogia Theologorum, Melchier Adams, Lives of Modern Divines, have preserved the memories of some that did worthily, and were in their day famous, There are two learned men who have very lately engaged in a service of this nature, viz; Paulus Freherus, who has published two volumes in folio, with the title of Theatrum virorum Eruditione clarorum, ad hec usque Tempora.* He proceeds as far as the year 1680. The u.ner is Henningus Witten, who has written Memoria Theologorum nostri seculi.t It is a trite (yet a (rue) assertion, that historical studies are both profitable and pleasant. And of all historical narratives, those which give a fuithful account of the lives of eminent saints, must needs be the most edifying. The greatest part of the sacred writings are historical; and a considerable part of them is taken up in relating the actions, speeches, exemplary lives, and deaths, of such as had been choice instruments in the hand of the Lord, to promote his glory in the world. No doubt but that the commemoration of the remarkable providences of God towards his servants, will be some part of their work in heaven for ever, that so he may have eternal praises for the wonders of his grace in Christ towards them. It must needs therefore be, in it self, a thing pleasing to God, and a special act of obedience to the Fifth Commandment, to endeavour the preservation of the names and honour of them who have been fathers in Israel. On which account, I cannot but rejoice in what is here done. Although New-England has been favoured with many faithful and eminent ministers of God, there are only three of them all whose lives have been as yet published, viz: Mr. Cotton, whose life was written by his immediate successor, Mr. Norton; and my father Mather, whose was done by another hand, and is républished in Mr. Sam. Clark’s last volume; and Mr. Eliot, whose was done by the same hand which did these, and has been several times réprinted in London, Here the reader has presented to him fire of them who were amongst the chief of the fathers in the churches of New-England. The same hand has done the like office of love and duty for many others who were the worthies of New-England, not only in the churches, but in the civil state, whom the Lord Christ saw meet to use as instruments, in planting the heavens, and laying the foundation of the earth, in this new world. If these find a vandid acceptance, those may possibly see the light in due time.

Whether what is herewith emitted and written by my son be, as to the manner of it, well performed, I have nothing to say, but shall leave it unto others to judge, as they shall seo cause; only as to the matter of the history, I am ascertained that things are truly related. For although I had little of personal acquaintance with Mr. Cotton, being a child not above thirteen years old when he died, I shall never forget the last sermon which he preached at Cambridge, and his particular application to the scholars there, amongst whom | was then a student newly admitted; and my relation to his family since, has given me an opportunity to know many observable things concerning him. Both Bostons have reason to honour his memory; and New-England-Boston most of all, which oweth its name and being to him, more than to any one person in the world: he might say of Boston, much what as Augustus said of Rome, Lateritiam reperi, marmoream reliqui:t he found it little better than a wood or wilderness, but left it a famous town with two churches in it. I remember, Dr. Lightfoot,

* The Theatre of Men of Learning, down to the present time. + Memoirs of Modern Theologians, $ I found it of brick, and left it of marble.

vour the In which as been them all 1 by his er hand, e by the he reader churches ny others te, whom ying the may pos.

f it, well shall seo y related. not above pached at ns then a portunity pnour his g to him,

in honour to his patron, Sir Roland Cotton, called one of his sons Cotton: it doth not repent me that I gave my eldest son that name, in honour to his grandfather: and the Lord grant that both of us may be followers of him, as he followed Christ.

As for the other three worthies who have taught the word of God in this place, they had their peculiar excellencies.

Mr. Wilson (like John the apostle) did excel in Jove; and he wes also strong in faith, In the time of the Pequod war, he did not only hope, but had assurance that God would make the English victorious, He declared that he was as certain of it, as if he had with his eyes seen the victories obtained; which came to pass according to his faith, I well remember that I heard him once say, that when one of his daughters was sick, and given up as dead, past recovery, he desired Mr. Cotton to pray with that child; “And (said he) whilest Mr, Cotton was praying, I was sure that child should not then die, but live.” That daughter did live to be the mother of many children; two of which are now useful ministers of Christ: and she js still living, a pious widow, another Anna, “serving God day and night.” When Mr. Norton was called from the church of Ipswich to Boston, Mr. Nathanael Rogers (that excellent man, who was son to the famous Mr. Rogers of Dedham, in Essex, and pastor of the church of Ipswich, in N, E.) opposed Mr, Norton's removal from Ipswich: some saying, that Mr. Wilson would by his argument, or rhetorick, or both, get Mr. Norton from them at last; Mr. Xo, ers replied, “That he was afraid of his fuith more than his arguments.” Sometimes he was transported with a prophetical afflatus, of which there were marvellous instances, His conversation was both pleasant and profitable; in that he could relate many memoruble providences, which he himself had the certain knowledge of. Whilst I am writing this, there comes to my mind one very pleasant, and yet very serious story, which he told me, and I do not remember that ever I met with it any where but from him. It was this: there was one Mr. Snape, a Puritan minister, who was by the Bishops cast into prison for his non-conform. ity; when his money was spent, the jailor was unkind to him; but one day, as Mr. Snape was on his knees at prayer, the window of his chamber being open, he perceived something was thrown into his chamber; but resolved he would finish his work with God before he would divert tu see what it was, When he arose from his knees, he saw a purse on the chamber-floor, which was full of gold, by which he could make his keeper better natured than he had been. Many such passages could that good man relate.

Mr. Norton was one whose memory, I must acknowledge,I have peculiar cause to love and honour. I was his pupil several years. He had a very scholastical genius. In the doctrine of grace he was exceeding clear; indeed, another Austin, He loved and admired Dr. Twiss more than any man that this age has produced. He has sometimes said to me, “Dr. Twiss is Omni exceptione major."* He was much in prayer: he would very often spend whole days in prayer, with fasting before the Lord alone in his study. He kept a strict daily watch over his own heart. He was an hard student. He took notice in a private diary how he spent his time every day. If he found himself not so much inclined to diligence and study as at other times, he would reflect on his heart and ways, lest haply some unobserved sin should provoke the Lord to give him up to a slothful, listless frame of spirit. In his diary, he would sometimes have these words, Leve desiderium ad studendum: Forsan ex peccato admisso.t I bless the Lord that ever I knew Mr. Norton, and that I knew so much of him as I did.

As for Mr. Davenport, I have, in a preface to his sermon on the Canticles, which are transcribed for the press, and now at London, given what account I could then obtain, concerning the remarkable passages of his life. I several times desired him to imitate Junius, and some others, who had written their own lives, He told me he did intend it: but I could not find any thing of that nature among his manuscripts, when many years ago I had an occasion to seek after it. He was a princely preacher, I have heard some say, who knew him in his

* Superior to every imperfection. + I have little inclination to study: perhaps it is due to some sin I have harboured in my bosom,

MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA;

younger years, that he was then very fervent and vehement, as to the manner of his delivery: but in his later times he did very much imitate Mr. Cotton, whom, in the gravity of his coune tenance, he did somewhat resemble. Sic ille manus, sic ora ferebat.*

The reader will find many observable things in what is here related concerning Mr. Hooker. Yet great pity it is that no more can be collected of the memorables relating to s0 good and 80 great a man as he was; than whom Connecticut never did, and perhaps never will, see a greater person. Mr. Cotton, in his preface to Mr. Norton’s answer to Apollonius, says of Mr. Hooker, Dominatur in Concionibus.t Dr. Ames used to say, “He never knew his equal:” there was a great intimacy between them two. I remember my father told me, that Mr. Hooker was the author of that large preface which is before Dr. Ames, his Fresh Suit against Ceremonies. He would sometimes say, “ That next to converting grace, he blessed God for his acquaintance with the principles and writings of that learned man, Mr. Alexander Richardson.” It was a black day to New-England, when that great light was removed.

There are some who will not be pleased that any notice is taken of the hard measure which these excellent men had from those persecuting prelates, who were willing to have the world rid of them. But it is impossible to write the history of New-England, and of the lives of them who were the chief in it, and yet be wholly silent in that matter. That eminent person, Dr. Tillotson (the late Arch-Bishop of Canterbury) did, not above four years ago, sometimes express to me his resentments of the injury which had been done to the first planters of New-England, and his great dislike of Arch-Bishop Laud’s spirit towards them. And to my knowledge there are Bishops at this day of the same Christian temper and moderation with that great and good man, lately dead. Had the Sees in England, fourscore years ago, been filled with such Arch-Bishops and Bishops as those which King William (whom God grant long to live and to reign) has preferred to Episcopal dignity, there had never been a New-England. It was therefore necessary that it should be otherwise then, than at this day, that so the gospel, in the power and purity of it, might come into these dark corners of the earth, and that here might be seen a specimen of the new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness, which shall ere long be seen all the world over, and

INTRODUCTION.

§. 1. Wen the God of Heaven had carried a nation into a wilderness, upon the designs of a glorious reformation, he there gave them a singular conduct of his presence and spirit, in a certain pillar, which by day appeared as a cloud, and by night as a fire before them; and the report of the respect paid by the Israelites unto this pillar, became so noised among the Gentiles, that the pagan poets derided them on this account:

Nil preter Nubes et celi Lumen adorant,

[Which is, I suppose, the true reading of that famous verse in Juvenal: and I thus trans. late it,]

Only the clouds and fires of Heaven they do worship at all times,

But I must now observe unto my reader, that more than a score of years after the begin. ning of the age which is now expiring, our Lord Jesus Christ, with a thousand wonders of his providence, carried into an American wilderness a people persecuted for their desire to see and seek a reformation of the church, according to the Scripture: of which matter I can-

* A counterpart in gesture and in mien. + He sways popular assemblies,

in the rates, if the

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not give a briefer, and yet fuller history, than by reciting the memorable words of that great man, Dr. John Owen, who in his golden book of Communion with God, thus expresses it:

“Thoy who hold communion with the Lord Jesus Christ, will admit nothing, practice nothing, in the worship of God, but what they have his warrant for; unless it comes in his name, with a ‘Thus saith the Lord Jesus,’ they will not hear an angel from heaven: they know the aposties themselves were to teach the saints only ‘what he commanded them :’ and you know, how many in this very nation, in the days not long since passed, yea how many thousands, left their native soy’, and went into a vast and howling wilderness, in the uttermost parts of the world, to keep their souls undefiled and chaste unto their Lord Jesus, as to this of his worship and institutions,”

Now, though the reformed church thus fled into the wildernes, enjoyed not the miraculous pillar, vouchsafed unto the erratick church of Israel, for about forty years together; yet for that number of years we enjoyed many a person, in whom the good spirit of God gave a conduct unto us, and mercifully dispensed those directing, defending, refreshing influences, which were as necessary for us, as any that the celebrated pillar of cloud, and fire, could have afforded. The great and good Shepherd of the church favoured his distressed flocks in the wilderness with many pastors that were learned, prudent, and holy, beyond the common rates, and “men after his own heart:” and it would be an ingratitude many ways pernicious, if the churches of New-England should not, like those of the primitive times, have their dip. tychs, wherein the memory of those eminent confessors may be recorded and preserved.

§ 2. Four or five of those eminent persons are now to have their lives described unto us, and offered unto the contemplation and imitation, especially of the generation which are now rising up, after the death of Cotton, and of the elders that out-lived him, and had seen all the great works of the Lord, which he did for New-England. I saw a tearful degeneracy, creeping, I cannot say, but rushing in upon these churches; I saw to multiply continually our dangers, of our losing no small points in our first faith, as well as our first love, and of our giving up the essentials of that church order, which was the very end of these colonies; I saw a visible shrink in all orders of men among us, from that greatness, and that goodness, which was in the first grain that our God brought from three sifted kingdoms, into this land, when it was a land not sown; that while the Papists in Europe have grown better of late years, by the growth of Jansenism among them, the Protestants have prodigiously waxed worse, for a revolt unto Pelagianism, and Socinianism, or what is half way to it, has not been more surprising to me, than to see that in America, while those parts which were at first peopled by the refuse of the English nation, do sensibly amend in the regards of sobriety and education, those parts which were planted with a more noble vine, do so fast give a prospect of affording only the degenerate plants of a strange vine. What should be done for the stop, the turn of this degeneracy? It is reported of the Scythians, who were, doubtless, the ancestors of the Indians first inhabiting these regions, that in battels, when they came to stand upon the graves of their dead fathers, they would there stand immovable, ’till they died upon the spot: and, thought I, why may not such a method now effectually engage the Eng. lish in these regions, to stand fast in their faich and their order, and in the power of godliness? I'll shew them the graves of their dead fathers; and if any of them do retreat unto a contempt or neglect of learning, or unto the errors of another gospel, or unto the superstitions of willworship, or unto a worldly, a selfish, a little conversation, they shall undergo the irresistible rebukes of their progenitors, here fetched from the dead, for their admonition; and I'll therewithal advertise my New-Englanders, that if a grand-child of a Moses become an Idolater, he shall (as the Jews remark upon Judg. xviii. 30) be destroyed, as if not a Moses, but a Manasseh, had been his futher. Besides, Plus Viuitur Exemplis quam preceptis!*

§ 3. Good men in the Church of England, I hope, will not be offended at it, if the unreasonable impositions, and intolerable persecutions, of certain little-souled ceremony mongers, which drove these worthy men out of their native country into the horrid thickets of Ameriva, be in their lives complained and resented. For distinguishing between a Romanizing faction in the Church of England, and the true Protestant Reforming Church of England,

* Character is formed more by example than by precept,

(things that are different as a jewel from a heylin, or a Grindal from a Laud!) the first planters of New-England, at their first coming over, did in a publick and a printed address call the Church of England their dear mother, desiring their friends therein to “recommend them unto the mercies of God, in their constant prayers, as a Church now springing out of their own bowels :” nor did they think, that it was their mother who turned them out of doors, but some of their angry brethren, abusing the name of their mother, who so harshly treated them. As for the Romanizing faction in the Church of England, or that party who resolving (alto. gether contrary to the desire of the most eminent persons, by whom the “common prayer” was made English) that the reformation should never proceed one jot further than the first essay of it in the former century, did make certain unseriptural canons, whereby all that could not approve, subscribe, and practise, a multitude of (by themselves confessed purely humane) inventions in the worship of God, were accursed, and ipso facto excommunicate; and, by the ill-obtained aid of bitter laws to back these canons, did by fines and gaols and innumerable violences, contrary to the very magna charta of the nation, ruine many thousands of the soberest people in the kiygdom: and who continually made as many Shibboleths as they could, for the discovering and the extinguishing of all real gedliness, and never gave over prosecuting their tripartite plot, of Arminianism, and a conciliation with the patriarch of the west, and arbitrary government in the state, until at last they threw all into the lamentable confusions of a civil war; the churches of New-England say, “Come not into their secret, O my soul.” We dare not be guilty of the schism, which we charge upon that party in the Church of England: and if any faction of men will require the assent and consent of other men, to a vast number of disputable and uninstituted things, and, it may be, a mathematical falsehood among the first of them, and utterly renounce all Christian communion with all that shall not give that assent and consent, we look upon those to be separatists; we dare not to be so narrow-spirited; the churches of New England profess to make only the substantiais of the Christian religion to be the ¢erms of our sacred fellowship: we dare make no difference between a Pres':yterian, a Congregational, an Episcopalian, and an Antipeedo-baptist, where their visible piety makes it probable that the Lord Jesus Christ has received them. And such reverend names as Hall and Kidder, most worthy Bishops now adorning the English Church, as well as the names of such reverend and excellent persons, among the Dissenters, as Bates, Annesly, How, Mead and Alsop, (with many others,) are, on that score, together precious unto this part of the Christian America, On the other side, the true Protestant Reforming Church of England, contains the whole “body of the faithful,” scattered through the English dominions, though of different perswasions about some rifes and modes, and lesser points of religion: and all the friends of the last reformation, who, whether they think there needs a further progress in that work or no, yet are willing to make the word of God the rule of their serving hin, do come under this denomination.

Those divines who, with Arch-Bishop Usher in the head of them, did more than fifty years ago give in a paper touching the innovations of doctrine and of discipline in the Church of England, and make near forty exceptions against things in the Liturgy, were still as good members of the church, as they that “hated to be reformed;” and the assembly of divines at Westminster, which made the catechisms now used among us, were as genuine sons of the church after they became non-conformists, as while they lived in conformity, which every one of them, except eight or nine, did when they first come together. One who is at this day a Right Reverend Bishop, has, in his renicum, well expressed the sense which I believe the biggest party of Christians in the realm, three to one, have of those matters, which have been, “the apples of strife” among us:

“That Christ, who camo to take away the insupportable yoke of the Jewish ceremonies, certainly did never intend to gall the necks of the disciples with another instead of it; and it would be strange the church would require more than Christ himself did, and make more terms of communion, than our Saviour did of discipleship. Tho grand commission the apostles were sent out with, was only to ‘ teach what Christ had commanded them;’ not the least intimation of any power given them to impose or require any thing beyond what he himself had spoken to them, or they were directed to, by the immediate guidance of the spirit of God.”

lanters all the m unto ir own it some n, As + (alto. prayer” he first all that purely inicate; d gaols e many yy Shibess, and vith the all into not into yon that ind conny be, a nmunion nratists 5 ike only we dare an Antiirist. has ops now persons, ) are, on side, the faithful,” bme rifes ion, who, to make

fty years hurch of as good f divines sons of ich every s at this I believe hich have

y did never lurch would iscipleship. them;? not had spoken

OR, THE HISTORY OF NEW-ENGLAND. 951 And (speaking of the reason why our first compilers of the common-prayer took in so much of the Popish servie -. “Certainly, those holy men id seek by any means to draw in others, at such a distance from their principles as the Papists were, did;.. ver intend, by what they did for that end, to exclude any truly tender consciences

from their communion; that which they laid as a bait for them, was never intended by them as an Aook for those of our own profession.”

And if this be the true Church of England, give me leave to say, the churches of New- England are no inconsiderable part of i¢; and that accordingly we may have a room in it, I may aafely, in the name of them all, offer (as did the renowned author of our Martyr- Books, when they demanded subscription from him) to subscribe the New Testament.

Upon the whole, then, if any be displeased at my report of the unjust impositions and persecutions, which drove into America os good Christians and Protestants as any that were left behind them, it will not be the érue Church of England; for why should that be called “the Church of England,” which has caused thous:nds of as real and thorough Chris. tians as any upon earth to say, “It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with such an contentious and angry one!” That Church of England, which alone is worthy to be called so, will bewail, as I know divers excellent persons now in the Episcopal Sees have done, the injuries offered unto our Puritan f.thers.

§ 4. Let my reader, thus prepared, now entertain himself, 2s far as he pleases, with our four Johns, to whose lives I have, upon the counsel and command of an ever-honoured parent, appendiced the life of a famous Thomas in this publication; Johns, with whom, among the five or six hundred noted persons of that name, celebrated by one historian, I find not many that were worthy to be compared; Johns, fuller of light and grace and the good spirit, than all those four or five-and-twenty of that name, who have sat in the chair that pretends to infullibility. And, if he pleases, let him see that old little observation confirmed, that as the name Henry has been happy iu kings, Elizabeth in queens, Edward in lawyers, William in physicians, Francis in scholars, Robert in soldiers and state-men, so John has been happy in divines. Even a divine Jehojadah, when he comes to be reckoned among the priests of the Lord, must have put upon him the name of John [1 Chron. vi. 9.) But let him consider these lives, as tendered unto the publick, upon an account no less than that of keeping alive, as fur as this poor essay may contribute thereunto, the interests of dying religion in our churches. I remember a learned man’s conjecture, that [in 1 Tim. iii. 15] it is Timothy, and not the church, which is called “The pillar and ground of Faith:” such able, holy, and faithful ministers as Timothy are the great proclaimers and preservers of truth, for the Church of God; such were these fumous Johns while they lived, and now they are dead, I have done my endeavour that they may still be such unto the churches, unto whom I owe my all. I'll say but this, the last words of the most renowned prebend of Canterbury, Dr. Peter du Moulin, who died a very old man, about cleven years ago, were, “Since Calvinism is cried down [Actum est de Religione Christi apud Anglos] Christianity is in danger to be lost in the English nation.” Alluding to what he said, about his John Calvin, I will take leave to say with respect unto our John Cotton, and the rest that here accompany him, “Christianity will be lost among us, if their faith and zeal must all be buried with them;” which God forbid! as there would be an hazard that the carly and better times of New-England would have the ¢rue story thereof, within a while, as irrecoverably lest as the story of the world, relating to those times, which Varo distinguished unto Incognit and fabulous, preceding the historical, and we should shortly have as wretched narratives of the first persons and actions in this land, as Justin gives of the Jews, when he makes Moses the son of *\eir Joseph, and the sixth of their kings, or when he makes them expelled from Egypt, because the gods would not otherwise allay a plague that raged there; or such as are given by Pliny, when he makes Moses a magician; or Strabo, that makes him an Egyptian priest; if no speedy care be taken to preserve the memorables of our first settlement; so I wish, the laudable principles and practices of that first settlement may be

ase verre Tale

eae v 4

age

252 MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA; kept from utterly being lost in our apostasies, by the care which is now taken thus to preserve what was memorable of the men that have delivered them down unto us,

5. Finally; when the apostles had set before Christians the saints which were a “cloud of witnesses,” by imitating of whose exemplary behaviour we might “enter into rest,” he concludes with a “looking unto Jesus,” or, according to the emphasis of the original, “a looking off [from them] unto Jesus,” as the incomparably most perfect of all. So let my reader do, when all that was imitable in the lives of these worthy men, has had his contemplation and admiration; they all yet had their defects, and therefore, “look off unto Jesus,” following them no farther than they followed him. It is a notable passage, [in Luke vii. 28,) which we mis-translate: “The least in the kingdom of God, is greater than John.” In the Greek, what we translate, “The least,” is, “he that is lesser,” that is, “he that is younger.” [Minor still has been the same with junior.] Our Lord means himself, who was lesser, that is, younger than John his fore-runner ; but, greater than he! Truly, whatever was excellent in these our Johns, I would pray that the minds of all that see it, may be raised still to think our precious Lord Jesus Christ is greater than these Johns: all their excellencies are in him transcendantly, infinitely, as they were from him derived. High thoughts of the Lord Jesus Christ, provoked by reading the descriptions of these his excellent servants, that had in them a little of him, and were no farther excellent than as they had so, will make me an abundant recompence for all the difficulties and all the temptations with which my writing is attended. And as it quickens the joys of my hastening death, when I have through grace a prospect of being then in that state whereto the spirits of these “just men made perfect” are all of them gathered, so I would have this now to out-do all those joys, “to be with Jesus Christ,” that surely is by far the best of all.

Monumenta Sepulchralia Justis non faciunt, nam Dicta eorum Sunt Memoria Eorum.* Sentent. Jupaic. 1n Bereschit. Rabba.

COTTONUS REDIVIVUS; OR, THE LIFE OF MR. JOHN COTTON.

In quo Lumen Religionis et Devotionis, Fumus generatus ex Lumine Scientia non extinguit, ille perfectus est: Sed Quis est Hic, ut adoremus eum?——Ateaze1, IN Libro Statera. Resp. Hic est! t

§ 1. WERE I master of the pen wherewith Palladius embalmed his Chrysostom, the Greek patriark, or Posidonius eternized his Austin, the Latin oracle, among the ancients; or, were I owner of the quill wherewith, among the moderns, Beza celebrated his immortal Calvin, or Fabius immortalized his venerable Beza; the merits of John Cotton would oblige me to employ it, in the preserving his famous memory. If Boston be the chief seat of New-England, it was Cotton that was the father and glory of Boston: upon which account it becomes a piece of pure justice, that the life of him, who above all men gave life to his country, should bear no little figure in is intended history; and, indeed, if any person in this town or

® They raise no sepulchral monuments to the just, for their words are their memorials,

+ He is perfect, in whom the flame of religion and devotion is not stifled by the smoke which is genorated from the lights of science, But who is he, that we may worship him? .4ns. Behold him here!

tinguit, Ntatere.

hrys- Latin ewith, abius oblige be the glory pat the o little bwn or

genorated

land had the blessedness which the Roman historian long since pronounced such even, “to do things worthy to be writ, and to write things worthy to be read,” it was he who now claims a room in our pages. If it were a comparison sometimes made of the reformers, Pomeranus was a grammarian, Justus Jonas was an orator, Melancthon was a logician, but Luther was all; even that proportion, it may without envy be acknowledged, that Cotton bore to the rest of our New-English divines; he that, whilst he was living, had this vertue extraordinarily conspicuous in him, “that it was his delight always to acknowledge the gifts of God in other men,” must, now he is dead, have other men to acknowledge of him what Erasmus does of Jerom, Jn hoc uno conjunctum furt et Hximium, quicquid in aliis partim admiramur.* ‘

§ 2. There was a good heraldry in that speech of the noble Romanus, “Tt is not the blood of my progenitors, but my Christian profession, that makes me noble.” But our John Cotton, besides the advantage of his Christian profession, had a descent from honourable progenitors, to render him doubly honourable. His immediate progenitors being, by some injustice, deprived of great revenues, his father, Mr. Roland Cotton, had the education of a lawyer bestowed by his friends upon him, in hopes of his being the better capacitated thereby to recover the estate, whereof his family had been wronged; and so the profession of a lawyer was that unto which this gentleman applied himself all his days. But our John Cotton, in this happier than Austin, whose father was carefuller to make an orator than a Christian of him, while his gracious mother was making him on greater accounts ‘‘a son of her many. tears,” had a very pious father in this worthy lawyer, as well as a pious mother, to interest him in the covenant of God. That worthy man was indeed very singular in two most imitable practices. One was, that when any of his neighbours desirous to sue one another, addressed him for cowncil, it was his manner, in the most perswasive and obliging terms that could be, to endeavour a reconciliation between both parties; preferring the consolations of a peacemaker, before all the ees that he might have got by blowing up of differences, Another was, that every night it was his custom to examine himself, with reflections on the transactions of the day past; wherein, if he found that he had not either done good unto others, or got good unto his own soul, he would be as much grieved as ever the famous Titus was, when he could complain in the evening, Amici, Diem Perdidi/+ Of such parents was Mr. John Cotton born, at the town of Derby, on the fourth of December, in the year 1585.

§ 8. The religious parents of Mr. Cotton were solicitous to have him indued with a learned as well asa pious education; and being neither so rich, that the Mater Artist could have no room to do her part, nor so poor that the Res angusta dom,§ should clog his progress, they were well fitted

* In him were combined all the excellences which we admire separately and singly in other men. + My friends, I have lust a day! + Mother of Art, i, ¢. native genius. § Straitened circumstances,

thereby to bestw such an education upon him. His first instruction was under a good school-master, one Mr. Johnson, in the town of Derby; whereon the intellectual endowments of all sorts, with which the God of our spirits adorned him, so discovered themselves, that, at the age of thirteen, his proficiency procured him admission into Trinity: College in Cambridge. Indeed, the proverb, “soon ripe, soon rotten,” has often been too hastily applied unto rathe ripe wits, in young people; not only @colampadius and Melancthon, who commenced Batchelours of Arts at fourteen years of age, and Luther, who commenced Master of Aris at twenty; but also our Dr, Juel sent unto Oxford, our Dr Usher sent unto Dublin, and our Mr. Cotton sent unto Cambridge, all at the age of thirteen, do put in a bar to the universal application of that proverb. While, Mr. Cotton was at the university, his diligent head, with God’s blessings, made him a rich scholar; and his generous mind found no little nourishment by that labour which, like the sage philosopher, he found “sweeter than idleness:” insomuch that his being elected fellow of Trinity College, as the reward of his quick proficiency, was diverted by nothing but this, that the extraordinary charges for their great hall, then in building, did put by their election. And there was this remarkable in the education of this ‘chosen vessel” at the university: that while he continued there, his father’s practice was, by the special providence of God, augmented so much beyond what it had been before, as was enough to maintain him there; upon which observation Mr. Cotton afterwards would say, “’T'was God that kept me at the University!” Indeed, some have said, that the great notice quickly taken of the eminency in the son, was one reason why his father not only came to be complimented on all sides, and Omnes Omnia Bona dicere, et laudare Fortunas ejus, qui Filium haberet Tali Ingenio preditum,* but also had his clients more than a little multiplied.

§ 4. Upon the desires of Emanuel-College, Mr. Cotton was not only removed unto that College, but also preferred unto a fellowship in it; in order whereunto, he did, according to the critical and laudable statutes of the house, go through a very severe examen of his fitness for such a station; wherein ‘twas particularly remarked, that the Poser trying his Hebrew skill by the third chapter of Isaiah, a chapter which, containing more hard words than any one paragraph of the Bible, might therefore have puzzled a very good Hebrician, yet he made nothing of it. He was afterwards the Head Lecturer, the Dean, the Catechist, in that famous College; and became a tutor to many scholars, who afterwards proved famous persons, and had cause to bless God for the faithful, and ingenious, and laborious communicativeness of this their tutor. Here, all his academical exercises, whether in disputations or in common places, or whatever else did so “smell of the lamp,” that the wit, the strength,the gravity, and the fulness, both of reason and of reading in them, caused him to be much

® Everybody said everything that was flattering, and congratulated the father on his good fortune in having @0 accomplished a son.

admired by the sparkling wits of the universi.;. But one thing among

den the rest, which caused a great notice to be taken of him throughout the oa of whole university, was his funeral oration upon Dr. Some, the Master of F thik Peter House, wherein he approved himself such a master of Pericloan Cam: or Ciceronian oratory, that the auditors were even ready to have acclaimed, wito Non vox hominem sonat/* And that which added unto the reputation thus ympa- raised for him, was an “University-sermon,” wherein, aiming more to years preach se/f than Christ, he used such florid strains, as extremely recom- § aléo mended him unto the most, who relished the wisdom of words above the a dur words of wisdom: though the pompous eloquence of that sermon aftera bar wards gave such a distaste unto his own renewed soul, that with a sacred vas at indignation he threw his notes into the fire. a rich § 5. Hitherto we have seen the life of Mr. Cotton, while he was not yet abour alive! Though the restraining and preventing grace of God had kept tigen him from such outbreakings of sin as defile the lives of most in the world, of his yet, like the old man who for such a cause ordered this epitaph to be writ- ‘inary ten on his grave, “Here lies an old man, who lived but seven years,” he otion, reckoned himself to have been but a dead man, as being “alienated from essel ” the life of God,” until he had experienced that regeneration in his own 3 was, soul, which was thus accomplished. The Holy Spirit of God had been hat it at work upon his young heart, by the ministry of that reverend and obsere renowned preacher of righteousness, Mr. J’erkins; but he resisted and at the smothered those convictions, through a vain perswasion that, if he became ren of a godly man, ’twould spoil him for being a learned one. Yea, such was the to be secret enmity and prejudice of an unregenerate soul against real holiness, Tortus and such the torment which our Lord’s witnesses give to the consciences of lients the earthly-minded, that when he heard the bell toll for the funeral of Mr. Perkins, his mind secretly rejoiced in his deliverance from that powerful only ministry, by which his conscience had been so oft beleagured: the rememit; in brance of which thing afterwards did break his heart exceedingly! But tes of he was, at length, more effectually awakened by a sermon of Dr. Sibs, ch a wherein was discoursed the misery of those who had only a negative righteousness, or a civil, sober, honest blamelessness before men. Mr. Cotton became now very sensible of his own miserable condition before God; and the arrows of these convictions did stick so fast upon him, that after ‘ao less than three year's disconsolate apprehensions under them, the grace of God made him a thoroughly renewed Christian, and filled him with a sacred joy, which accompanied him unto the fulness of joy for ever. For this cause, as persons truly converted unto God have a mighty and lasting affection for the instruments of their conversion; thus Mr. Cotton’s veneration for Dr. Sibs was after this very particular and perpetual: and it caused him to have the picture of that great man in that part of his house where he might oftenest look upon it. But so the yoke of sore tempta-

© His words are not those of a man.

g his ining efore 2 was mous oved tious, hdemtever y, and much

having

MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA;

tions and afflictions and long spiritual trials, fitted him to be an eminently useful servant of God in his generation!

§ 6. Some time after this change upon the soul of Mr. Cotton, it came unto his turn again to preach at St. Maries; and because he was to preach, an high expectation was raised, through the whole university, that they should have a sermon, flourishing indeed, with all the learning of the whole university, Many difficulties had Mr. Cotton in his own mind now what course to steer. On the one side, he considered that if he should preach with a scriptural and Christian plainness, he should not only wound his own fame exceedingly, but also tempt carnal men to revive an old cavil, ‘that religion made scholars turn dunces,” whereby the name of God might suffer not a little. On the other side, he considered that it was his duty to preach with such a plainness, as became the oracles of God, which are intended for the conduct of men in the paths of life, and not for theatrical ostentations and entertainments, and the Lord needed not any sin of ours to maintain his own glory. Hereupon Mr. Cotton resolved that he would preach a plain sermon, even such a sermon as in his own conscience he thought would be most pleasing unto the Lord Jesus Christ; and he discoursed practically and powerfully, but very solidly upon the plain doctrine of repentance. The vain wits of the university, disappointed thus, with a more excellent sermon, that shot some troublesome admonitions into their consciences, discovered their vexation at this disappointment by their not humming, as according to their sinful and absurd custom they had formerly done; and the Vice-Chancellor, for the very same reason also, graced him not, as he did others that pleased him. Nevertheless, the satisfaction which he enjoyed in his own faithful soul, abundantly compensated unto him the loss of any human favour or honour; nor did he go without many encouragements from some doctors, then having a better sence of religion upon them, who prayed him to persevere in the good way of preaching, which he ha® now taken. But perhaps t: . greatest consolation of all was a notable effect of the sermon then preached! The famous Dr. Preston, then a fellow of Queen’s College in Cambridge, and of great note in the university, came to hear Mr. Cotton with the same ‘ttching ears as others were then led withal. For some good while after the beginning of the sermon, his frustrated expectation caused him to manifest his uneasiness all the ways that were then possible; but before the sermon was ended, like one of Peter's hearers, he found himself “pierced at the heart:” his heart within him was now struck with such resentments of his own interior state before the God of heaven, that he could have no peace in his own soul, till with a wounded soul he had

repaired unto Mr. Cotton; from whom he received those further assist- ’

ances, wherein he became a spiritual father unto one of the greatest men in his age. § 7. The well-disposed people of Boston in Lincolnshire, after this,

invit of a solen plied havi woul prete ruled whon for M ing Vv saw | prove he dic but tk Cottor it, T conqu stood ately “That to be having apprel. but so1 doing @ was an unto tl § 8. throug cises, fi instead of his ¢ Armin whereo

“Whe Baron, (t anism, sir fit to insi fession, (. clearing ¢ feasts of points, to coming a speak m

ntly

ame ach, they the now ould ound. old 10 of nat it es of, and seded otton as in Lord very e unisome xation sinful or, for leased hith ful our or pctors, O pert permn then ege in otton p good aused e; but imself ’ such at he e had

assist- ’

t men

r this,

invited Mr. Cotton to become their minister; with which invitation, out of a sincere and serious desire to serve our Lord in his gospel, after the solemnest addresses to heaven for guidance in such a solemn affair, he complied. At this time the mayor of the town, with a more corrupt party, having procured another scholar from Cambridge, more agreeable to them, would needs have him to preach before Mr. Cotton: but the church-warden pretending to more of influence upon their ecclesiastical matters, over ruled it. However, when the matter came to a vote, amongst those to whom the right of election did by charter belong, there was an equi-vole for Mr, Cotton and that other person; only the mayor, who had the casting vote, by a strange mistake, pricked for Mr. Cotton. When the mayor saw his mistake, a new vote was urged and granted; wherein it again proved an equi-vote; but the mayor most unaccountably mistook again, as he did before. Extreamly displeased hereat, he pressed ior a third vote; but the rest would not consent unto it; and so the election fell upon Mr. Cotton, by the ¢nvoluntary cast of that very hand which had most opposed it. This obstruction to the settlement of Mr. Cotton in Boston being thus conquered, another followed; for the Bishop of the Diocess, having understood that Mr. Cotton was infected with Puritanism, set himself immediately to discourage his being there; only he could object nothing, but, “That Mr. Cotton being a young man, he was not so fit, upon that score, to be over such a numerous and such a factious people.’ And Mr. Cotten having learned no otherwise to value himself than to concur with. the apprehensions of the Bishop, intended therefore to return unto Cambridge: but some of his friends, against: his inclination, knowing the true way of doing it, soon charmed the Bishop into a declared opinion that Mr. Cotton was an honest and a learned man. Thus the admission of Mr. Cotton unto the exercise of his ministry in Boston was accomplished.

§ 8. Mr. Cotton found the more peaceable reception among the people, through his own want of internal peace; and because his continual excrcises, from his internal temptations and afflictions, made all people see, that instead of serving this or that party, his chief care was about the salvation of his own soul, But the stirs, which had been made in the town, by the Arminian controversies, then raging, put him upon further exercises; whereof he has himself given us a narrative in the ensuing words:

“ When I was first ealled to Boston in Lincolnshire, so it was, that Mr, Baron, son of Dr. Baron, (the divinity reader of Cambridge,) first broached that which was then called Luther. anism, since Armininnism; as being indeed himself learned, acute, plausible in discourse, and fit to insinuate into the hearts of his neighbours. And though he were a physitian by profession, (and of good skill in that art,) yet he spent the greatest strength of his studies in clearing and promoting: the Arminian tenets. Whence it came to pass, that in all the great feasts of the town, the chiefest discourse at the table, did ordinarily full upon Arminian points, to the great offence of godly ministers, both in Boston, and neighbour-towns, I coming among them, a young man, thought it a part both of modesty and prudence not to speak much to the points, at first, among strangers and ancients: until afterwards, after

Vou. L—17

MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA;

hearing of many discourses, in public meetings, and much private discourse with the doctor, T had learned at length where all the great strength of the doctur lay. And then observing (by the strength of Christ) how to avoid such expressions as gave him any advantage in the expressions of others, I began publickly to preach, and in private meetings to defend the doo. trine of God's eternal election, before all foresight of good or evil, in the cre.ture; and the redemption (ex gratia) oaly of the elect; the effectual vocation of a sinner, Per irresistibilem gratia vim*, without all respect of the preparation of free will; and finally, the impossibility of the full of a sincere believer, either totally or finally, from a state of grace. Hereupon, ‘when the doctor had objected many things, and heard my answers to those scruples which he was wont most plausibly to urge; presently after, our publick feasts and neighbourly meetings were silent from all further debates about predestination, or any of the points which depend thereupon, and all matters of religion were carried on calmly and peaceably.”

About half a year after Mr. Cotton had been at Boston, thus usefully employed, he visited Cambridge, that he might then and there proceed

Batchellor of Divinity, which he did: and his Ooncio ad Clerumt on Matt,

v. 18, Vos estis Sal Terrwt was highly esteemed by the judicious, Nor

was he less admired for his very singular acuteness in disputation, when

he answered the divinity act in the schools; wherein he had for his opponent a most acute antagonist—namely, Dr. Chappel—who was afterwards

Provost of Trinity-Colledge in Dublin; and one unhappily successful in

promoting the new Pelagianism.

§ 9. Settled now at Boston, his dear friend, holy Mr. Bayns, recommended unto him a pious gentlewoman, one Mrs. Elizabeth Horrocks, the sister of Mr. James Horrocks, a famous minister in Lancashire, to become his consort in a married estate. And it was remarkable that on the very day of his wedding to that eminently vertuous gentlewoman, he first received that assurance of God’s love unto his own soul, by the spirit of God, effectually applying his promise of eternal grace and lie unto him, which happily kept with him all the rest of his days: for which cause he would afterwards often say, ‘God made that day, a day of double marriage tome!” The wie, which by the favour of God he had now found, was a very great help unto him, in the service of God; but especially upon this, among many other accounts, that the people of her own sex, observing her more than ordinary discretion, gravity, and holiness, would still improve the freedom of their address unto her, to acquaint her with the exercises of their own spirits; who, acquainting her husband with convenient intimations thereof, occasioned him in his publick ministry more particularly and profitably to discourse those things that were of everlasting benefit.

§ 10. After he had been three years in Boston, his careful studies and prayers brought him to apprehend more of evil remaining unreformed in the Church of England than he had heretofore considered; and from this time he became a conscientious non-conformist, unto the unseriptural ceremonies and constitutions yet maintained by that church; but such was his interest in the hearts of the people, that his non-conformity, instead of

* By the irresistible power of Grace. + Address to the Clergy. ~ Ye are the salt of the earth.

act, a there storm stran, to hi

abilitic acquai tianity Lord's catechi: and ot congre advant comma erful, t years i her mu hersel days, } whole Zechay admin the fir: ond bc Bible. of Jo to the stude Holla

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being disturbed, was indeed embraced by the greatest part of the town. However, at last, complaints being made against him unto the Bishop's courts, he was for a while then put under the circumstances of a silenced minister; in all which while, he would still give his presence at the publick sermons, though never at the common prayers of the conformable, He was now offered, not only the liberty of his ministry, but very great preferment in it also, if he would but conform to the scrupled rites, though but in one act, and but for one time; nevertheless, his tender soul, afraid of being thereby polluted, could not in the least comply with such temptations, A storm of many troubles upon him was now gathering; but it was very strangely diverted! For that very man who had occasioned this affliction to him, now became heartily afflicted for his own sin in doing of it; and a stedfast, constant, prudent friend; presenting a pair of gloves to a proctor of an higher court, then appealed unto that proctor without Mr. Cotton's knowledge, swore, Jn Animam Domini,* that Mr. Cotton was a conformable man; which things issued in Mr. Cotton’s being restored unto the exercise of his ministry. —

§ 11. The storm of persecution being thus blown over, Mr. Cotton enjoyed rest for many years. In which time he faithfully employed his great abilities, not in gaining men to this or that party of Christians, but in acquainting them with the more essential and substantial points of Christianity. In the space of twenty years that he lived at Boston, on the Lord's days in the afternoons, he thrice went over the body of divinity in a catechistical way; and gave the heads of his discourse to young scholars, and others in the town, that they might answer to his questions in the congregation; and the answers he opened and applied unto the general advantage of the hearers. Whilst he was in this way handling the sixth commandment, the words of God which he uttered were so quick and powerful, that a woman among his hearers, who had béen married sixteen years to a second husband, now in horror of conscience, openly confessed her murdering her former husband, by poison, though thereby she exposed herself to the extremity of being burned. In the forenoons of the Lord’s days, he preached over the first six chapters in the Gospel of John, the whole book of Ecclesiastes; the prophecy of Zephaniah; the prophecy of Zechariah, and many other scriptures. When the Lord’s Supper was administred, which was once a month, he handled the eleventh chapter in the first epistle to the Gorinthians, and the thirteenth chapter in the second book of the Chronicles: and some other pertinent paragraphs of the Bible. In his lectures, he went through the whole first and second Epistles of John; the whole book of Solomon’s Song; the Parables of our Saviour to the seventeenth chapter of Matthew. His house also was full of young students; whereof some were sent unto him out of Germany, some out of Tolland, but most out of Cambridge; for Dr. Preston would still advise

* In the spirit of the Lord.

his near fledged pupils, to go live with Mr. Cotton, that they might be

fitted for publick service; insomuch that it was grown almost a proverb,

“That Mr. Cotton was Dr. Preston’s seasoning vessel:” and of those that issued from this learned family, famous and useful in their generation, the well-known Dr, Hill was not the least. Moreover, he kept a daily lecture in his house, which, as very reverend ear-witnesses have expressed it, “He performed with much grace, to the edification of the hearers:” and unto this lecture many pious people in the town would constantly resort, until upon a suspicion of some inconveniency, which might arise from the growing numerousness of his auditory, he left it off. However, besides his ordinary lecture every Thursday, he-preached thrice more; every week, on the week-days; namely, on Wednesdays and Thursdays, early in the morning, and on Saturdays at three in the afternoon. And besides these immense labours, he was frequently employed on extraordinary days, kept Pro Temporis et Causis,* whereon he would spend sometimes no less than six hours in the word and prayer. Furthermore, it was his custom, once a year, to visit his native-town of Derby, where he was a notable exception to the general rule of ‘A prophet without honour in his own country;” and by his vigilant cares this town was for many years kept supplied with able and faithful ministers of the gospel. Thus was this good man a most indefatigable doer of good.

§ 12. The good spirit of God, so plentifully and powerfully accompanied the ministry of this excellent man, that a great reformation was thereby wrought in the town of Boston. Profaneness was extinguished, superstition was abandoned, religion was embraced and practised among the body of the people; yea, the mayor, with most of the magistrates, were now called Puritans, and the Satanical party was become insignificant. As to the matter of non-conformity, Mr. Cotton was come to forbear the ceremonies enjoyned in the Church of England; for which he gave this account:

“The grounds were two: first, The significacy and efficacy put upon them, in the preface to the book of Common-Prayer: That ‘they werc neither dumb nor dark, but apt to stir up the dull mind of man, to the remembrance of his duty to God, by some notable and special signification, whereby he may be edified; or words to the like purpose. The second was the limitation of chu:r'1-power, even of the highest apostolical commission, to the ‘observation of the commandments of Christ, Mat. xxviii. 20. Which made it appear to me utterly unlawful for any church-power to enjoyn the observation of indifferent ceremonies, which Christ had not commanded: and all the ceremonies were alike destitute of the commandment of Christ, though they had been indifferent otherwise; which indeed others have justly pleaded they were not.”

But this was not all: for Mr. Cotton was also come to believe, that Senpture bishops were appointed to rule no larger a dicvcess than a particular congregation; and that the ministers of the Lord, with the keys of ecclesiastical government, are given by him to a congregational church, It

* According to the exigencies of the times,

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hence came to pass, that our Lord Jesus Christ was now worshipped in Boston, without the use of the liturgy, or of those vestments, which are by Zanchy called Hwecrabiles Vestes;* yea, the sign of the cross was laid aside, not only in baptism, but also in the mayor’s mace, as worthy to be made a Nehushtan, because it had been so much abused unto idolatry. And besides all this, there were some scores of pious people in the town, who more exactly formed themselves into an Evangelical Chureh-State, by entring into covenant with God, and with one another, “to follow after the Lord, in the purity of his worship.” However, the main bent and aim of Mr. Cotton’s ministry was, “to preach a crucified Christ;” and the inhabitants of Boston observed, that God blessed them in their secular concernments, remarkably the more, through his dwelling among them; for many strangers, and some, too, that were gentlemen of good quality, resorted unto Boston, and some removed their habitations thither on his account; whereby the prosperity of the place was very much promoted.

§ 18. As his desert of it was very high, so the respect which he met withal was far from low. The best of his hearers loved him greatly, and the worst of them /eared him, as “knowing that he was a righteous and an holy man.” Yea, such was the greatness of his learning, his wisdom, his holiness, that great men took no little notice of him. A very honourable person rode thirty miles to see him; and afterwards professed, “That he had as lieve hear Mr. Cotton’s ordinary exposition in his family, as any minister's publick preaching that he knew in England.” Whilst he continued in Boston, Dr. Preston would constantly come once a year to visit him, from his exceeding value for Mr. Cotton’s friendship. Arch- Bishop Williams did likewise greatly esteem him for his incomparable parts; and when he was keeper of the great seal, he recommended Mr, Cotton to the royal favour. Moreover, the Earl of Dorchester and of ‘Lindsey had much regard unto him: which happened partly on this occasion; the Karl’s coming into Lincolnshire, about the dreining of some fenny grounds, Mr. Cotton was then in his course of preaching on Gal. ii. 20. Intending to preach on the duties of “living by faith in adversity;” but considering that these noblemen were not much acquainted with afflictions, he altered his intentions, and so ordered it, that when they came to Boston, he discoursed on the duties of “living by faith in prosperity:” when the noblemen were so much taken with what they heared, that they assured him, if at any time he should want a friend at court, they would improve all their interest for him. And when Mr. Cotton did plainly, but wisely admonish them, of certain pastimes on the Lord’s day, whereby they gave some scandal, they took it most kindly from him, and promised a reformation. But none of the roses cast on this applauded actor, smothered that humble, that loving, that gracious disposition, which was his perpetual ornament.

* Execrable gowns,

§ 14. At length, doubtless to chastise the seldom unchastised evils of divisions, crept in among the Christians of Boston, it pleased the God of Heaven to deprive them of Mr. Cotton’s ministry, by laying a tertian ague upon him for a year together. But being invited unto the Ear! of Lincoln's, in pursuance to the advice of his physicians, that he should change the air, he removed thither; and thereupon he happily recovered. Nevertheless, by the same sickness he then lost his excellent wife; who having lived with him childless for eighteen years, went from him now, to be for ever with the Lord; whereupon he travelled further a field, unto London, and some other places, whereby the recovery of his lost health was further perfected. About a year after this, he practically appeared in opposition to Tertullianism, by proceeding unto a second marriage; wherein one Mrs. Sarah Story, a vertuous widow, very dear to his former wife, became his consort; and by her he had both sons and daughters.

§ 15. Although our Lord hath hitherto made the discretion and vigilancy of Mr. Thomas Leveret (afterwards a doubly honoured elder of the church, in another land) the happy occasion of diverting many designs to molest Mr. Cotton for his non-conformity, yet when the sins of the place had ripened it for so dark a vengeance of heaven as the removing of this eminent light, a storm of persecution could no longer be avoided. A debauched fellow in the town, who had been punished by the magistrates for his debaucheries, contrived and resolved a revenge upon them, for their justice: and having no move effectual way to vent the cursed malice of his heart, than by bringing them into trouble at the High Commission Court, up he goes to London, with informations to that court, that the magistrates did not kneel at the sacrament, nor observe some other ceremonies by law imposed. When some that belonged unto the court signified unto this informer that he must put in the ménister’s name: “Nay,” (said he) “the minister is an honest man, and never did me any wrong:” but it being farther pressed upon him, that all his complaints would be insignificant, if the minister’s name were not in them, he then did put it in: and letters missive were dispatched incontinently, to convent Mr. Cotton before the infamous High Commission Court. But before we relate what became of Mr. Cotton, we will enquire what became of his accuser. The renowned Mr. John Rogers of Dedham, having been on his lecture day, just before his going to preach, advised that Mr. Cotton was brought into this trouble, he took occasion to speak of it in the sermon, with just lamentations for it; and among others he used words to this purpose: ‘As for that man, who hath caused a faithful pastor to be driven from his flock, he is a wisp, used by the hand of God for the scowring of his people: but mark the words now spoken by a minister of the Lord! I am verily perswaded, the judgments of God will overtake the man that has done this thing: either he will die under an hedge, or something else, more than the ordinary death of men shall befal him.” Now, behold, how this premeni § Hea amo unta intir mig] unto brur bein frier priv be rem4 will mu inh Cyp for i from

oileiot diction was accomplished: this miserable man, quickly after this, dyed of tod of the plague, under an hedge, in Yorkshire; and it was a long time ere any dention one could’ be found that would bury him, This 'tis to turn persecutor. Rar) of § 16. Mr. Cotton, knowing that letters missive were out against him, from should. the High Commission Court, and knowing that if he appeared there, he >vered, could expect no other than to be choaked with such a perpetual impris- Ke Sho onment as had already murdered such men as Bates and Udal, he conos now, cealed himself, as well as he could, from the raging pursevants. Appli- J, unto cation was made, in the mean time, to the Earl of Dorset, for the fulfilhealth ment of his old engagement unto Mr. Cotton; and the earl did indeed ared in intercede for him, until the Arch-bishop of Canterbury, who would often herein wish, “Oh! that I could meet with Cotton!” rendred all his intercessions r wife, both ineffectual and unseasonable. Hereupon that noble person sent word unto him, that if he had been guilty of drunkenness, or uncleanness, or + vigil. , any such lesser falt, he could have obtained his pardon; but inasmuch as of the: he had been guilty of non-conformity, and puritanism, the crime was Sona: to unpardonable; and therefore, said he, “you must fly for your safety.” e pl 00 A Doubtless, it was from such unhappy experiments that Mr. Cotton afterwards Sf thia i published this complaint: ‘The ecclesiastical courts are like the courts of a. A: the high-priests and Pharisees, which Solomon by a spirit of prophecy satintas S| stileth, dens of lions, and mountains of leopards. And those who have to nthiate do with them, have found them markets of the sins of the people, the cages tiee-oF ‘ of uncleanness, the forges of extortion, the tabernacles of bribery, and they aisaton: have been contrary to the end of civil government, which is the punishhat the: ment of evil-doers, and the praise of them which do weil.” naienbs a § 17. Mr. Cotton, therefore, now, with supplications unto the God of ignified ‘ Heaven for his direction, joined consultations of good men on earth; and.” (said # among others, he did, with some of his Boston friends, visit old Mr. Dod, ” hus a unto whom he laid open the difficult case now before him, without any ls tnates ‘ intimation of his own inclination, whereby the advice of that holy man 46 te: might have been at all forestalled. Mr. Dod, upon the whole, said thus Osten Fy unto him: “I am old Peter, and therefore must stand still, and bear the oe what q brunt; but you, being young Peter, may go whether you will, and ought, The. being persecuted in one city, to flee unto another.” And when the Boston re day, ry friends urged, “that they.would support and protect Mr. Cotton, though int into Ye privately; and that if he should leave them, very many of them would th just ie be exposed unto extreme temptation:” he readily answered, ‘‘That the -tAg if removing of a minister was like the draining of a fish pond: the good fish is flocks gq will follow the water, but eels, and other baggage fish, will stick in the le: but 3 mud.” Which things, when Mr. Cotton heard, he was not a little confirmed ily per- 4 in his inclination to leave the land. Nor did he forget the concession of bne thie 1 Cyprian, that a seasonable flight is, in effect, ‘a confession of our faith:” Ke. than q for it is a profession that our faith is dearer unto us, than all the enjoyments his pre: 4 from which we fly. But that which is further memorable in this matter

is, that as the great God often makes his truth to spread by the sufferings of them that profess the truth, four hundred were converted by the death of one persecuted Cecilia: and the Scotch Bishop would leave off burning of the faithful, because the smoke of Hamilton infected as many as it blew upon. Thus the silencing and removing of Mr. Cotton, which was to him a thing little short of martyrdom, was an occasion of more thorough repentance in sundry of his bereived people, who now began to consider that God, by taking away their minister, was punishing their former unfruitfulness under the most fruitful ministry which they had thus long enjoyed. And there was yet another such effect of the matter, which is now to be related.

§ 18. To avoid them that thirsted for his ruine, Mr. Cotton travelled under a changed name and garb, with a full purpose of going over for Holland; but when he came near the place where he would have shipped himself, he met with a kinsman, who vehemently and effectually perswaded him to divert into London. Here the Lord had a work for him to do, which he little thought of. Some reverend and renowned ministers of our Lord in that great city, who yet had not seen sufficient reason to expose themselves unto persecutions for the sake of non-conformity, but looked upon the imposed ceremonies as indifferent and sufferable trifles, and weighed not the aspect of the second commandment, upon all the parts and means of instituted worship, took this opportunity for a conference with Mr. Cotton; being perswaded, that since he was ‘no passionate, but a very judicious man,” they should prevail with him rather to conform, than to leave his work and his land. Unto the motion of a conference Mr. Cotton most readily yielded; and first, all they arguments for conformity, together with Mr. Byfield’s, Mr. Whately’s and Mr. Sprint’s, were produced; all of which Mr. Cotton answered, unto their wonderful satisfaction. Then he gave his arguments for his non-conformity, and the reasons why he must rather forgo his ministry, or at least his country, than wound his conscience with unlawful compliances; the issue whereof was, that instead of bringing Mr. Cotton back to what he had now forsaken, he brought them off altogether from what they had hitherto practised: every one of those eminent persons—Dr. Goodwin, Mr. Nye, and Mr. Davenport—now became all that he was, and at last left the kingdom for their being so. But Mr. Cotton being now at London, there were three places which offered themselves to him for his retreat; Holland, Barbadoes, and New-England. As for Holland, the character and condition which famous Mr. Hooker had reported thereof, took off his intentions of removing thither. And Barbadoes had not near such encouraging circumstances, upon the best accounts, as New-England; where our Lord Jesus Christ had a more than ordinary thing to be done for his glory, in an American wilderness, and so would send over a more than ordinary man, to be employed in the doing of it. Thither, even to that religious and reformed plantation, after the solemn-

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§ 19. The God that had carried him through the fire of persecution was now graciously with him in his passage through the water of the Atlantic ocean, and he enjoyed a comfortable voyage over the “great and wide sea.” There were then three eminent ministers of God in the ship; namely, Mr. Cotton, Mr. Hooker, and Mr. Stone; which glorious triumvirate coming together, made the poor people in the wilderness, at their coming, to say, that the God of heaven had supplied them with what would in some sort answer their three great necessities; Cotton for their clothing, Hooker for their fishing, and Stone for their building: but by one or other of these three divines in the ship, there was a sermon preached every day, all the while they were aboard; yea they had three sermons, or expositions, for the most part every day: of Mr. Cotton in the morning, Mr. Hooker in the afternoon, Mr. Stone after supper in the evening. And after they had been a month upon the seas, Mr. Cotton received a mercy, which God had now for twenty years denied unto him, in the birth of his eldest son, whom he called Sea-born, in the remembrance of the never-to-

-be-forgotten blessings which he thus enjoyed upon the seas. But at the

end of seven weeks they arrived at New-England, September 8, in the year 1683; where he put a shore at New-Boston, which in a few years, by the smile of God—especially upon the holy wisdom, conduct, and credit of our Mr, Cotton—upon some accounts of growth, came to exceed Old Boston in every thing that renders a town considerable. And it is remarkable that his arrival at New-England, was just after the people there had been, by solemn fasting and prayer, seeking unto God, that inasmuch as they had been engaging to walk with him in his ordinances, according to his word, he would mercifully send over to them, such as might be “eyes unto them in the wilderness,” and strengthen them in discerning and following of that word.

§ 20. There were divers churches gathered in the country, before the arrival of Mr. Cotton; but upon his arrival, the points of church-order were with more of exactness revived, and received in them, and further observed in such as were gathered after them. He found the whole country in a perplexed and a divided estate, as to their evvil constitution, but at the publick desires, preaching a sermon on those words, (Hag. ii. 4,) “Be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the Lord; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech the high-priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the Lord, and work: for I am with you, saith the Lord of Hosts.” The good spirit of God, by that sermon, had a mighty influence upon all ranks of men, in the infant-plantation; who from this time, carried on their affairs with a new life, satisfaction, and unanimity. It was then requested of Mr. Cotton that he would, from the laws wherewith God governed his

MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA;

ancient people, form an abstract of such as were of a moral and a lasting equity; which he performed as acceptably as judiciously. But inasmuch as very much of an Athenian democracy was in the mould of the government, by the royal charter which was then acted upon, Mr. Cotton effectually recommended it unto them that none should be electors, nor elected therein, except such as were visible subjects of our Lord Jesus Christ, personally confederated in our churches, In these, and many other ways, he

propounded unto them an endeavour after a theocracy, as near as might

bé, to that which was the glory of Israel, the “peculiar people.”

But the ecclesiastical constitution of the country was that on which he employed his peculiar cares; and he was one of those olive-trees which afforded a singular measure of oy for the illumination of our sanctuary.

§ 21. “The churches now had rest, and were edified: and there were daily added unto the churches those that were to be saved.” Now, though the poor people were fed with “the bread of adversity, and the waters of affliction,” yet they counted themselves abundantly compensated by this, that “their eyes might see such teachers” as were now to be seen among them. The jaith and the order in the churches was generally glorious, whatever little popular confusions, might in some few places eclipse the glory. But the warm sunshine will produce a swarm of insects; whilst matters were going on thus prosperously, the cunning and malice of Satan, to break the prosperity of the churches, brought in a generation of hypocrites, who “crept in unawares, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness.’ A company of Antinomian and Familistical sectaries were strangely crouded in among our more orthodox planters; by the artifices of which busie opinionists there was a dangerous blow given, first unto the faith, and so unto the peace of the churches. In the storm thus raised, it is incredible what obloquy came to be cast upon Mr. Cotton, as if he had been the patron of these destroyers; merely because they, willing to have a “great person in admiration, because of advantage,” falsly used the name of this ‘great person,” by the credit thereof to disseminate and dissemble their e77ors; and because the chief of them, in their private conferences with him, would make such fallacious profession of gospel-truths, that his Christian and abused charity would not permit him to be so hasty as many others were in censuring of them. However, the report given of Mr. Cotton on this occasion, by one Baily, a Scotchman, in a most scandalous pamphlet, called, ‘A Disswasive,” written to cast an odiwm on the churches of New-England, by vilifying him, that was one of their most eminent servants, are most horrid injuries; for there being upon the encouragement of the success which the old Nicene, Constantinopolitan, Hphesine, and Chalcedonian councils had, in the extinguishing of several successive heresies, a council now called at Cambridge, Mr. Cotton, after some debates with the Reverend Assembly, upon some controverted points of justijication, most vigorously joined with the other ministers of the country in

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testifying against the hateful doctrines, whereby the churches had been troubled. Indeed, there did happen paroxisms in this hour of temptation between Mr. Cotton and some other zealous and worthy persons, which, though they did not amount unto the heat and heighth of those that happened between Chrysostom and Epiphanius, or between Hieron and Ruffinus, yet they inclined him to meditate a removal into another colony. Buta certain scandalous writer, having publickly reproached Mr. Cotton with his former inclination to remove, there was thereby provoked his publick and patient answer; which being a summary narrative of this whole business, I shall here transcribe it:

“There was a generation of Familists in our own and other towns, who, under pretence of holding forth what I had taught, touching union with Christ, and evidencing that union, did secretly vent sundry and dangerous errors and heresies, denying all inherent righteousness, and all evidencing of a good estate thereby in any sort, and some of them also denying the immortality of the soul, and the resurrection of the body. When they were questioned by some brethren about those things, they carried it as if they had held forth nothing but what they had received from me: whereof, when I was advised to clear my self, I publickly preached against those errors. Then said the brethren to the erring party, ‘See, your teacher declares himself clearly to differ from you.” ‘No matter, (say the other) ‘what he saith in publick; we understand him otherwise, and we know what he saith to us in private.” Yea, and I my self could not easily believe that those erring brethren and sisters were so corrupt in their judgments as they were reported; they seeming to me forward Christians, and utterly denying any such tenents, or any thing else, but what they received from my self. All which bred in sundry of the country a jealousie that I was in secret a fomenter of the spirit of familism, if not leavened my self that way, Which I discerning, it wrought in me thoughts (as it did in many other sincerely and godly brethren of our church) not of a separation from the churches, but of a removal to New-Haven, as being better known to the pastor, and some others there, than to such as were at that time jealous of me here. The true ground whereof was an inward loathness to be troublesome unto godly minds, and a fear of the unprofitableness of my ministry there, where my way was suspected to be doubtful and dangerous. I chose therefore rather to meditate a silent Weparture in peace, than by tarrying here, to make way for the breaking forth of temptations. But when, at the Synod, I had discovered the corruption of the judgment of the erring brethren, and saw their fraudule:t pretence of holding forth no other but what they received from me, (when as indeed they plead for gross errors contrary unto my judgment,) I thereupon did bear witness against them; and when in a private conference with some chief magistrates and elders, I perceived that my removal upon such differences was unwelcome to them, and that such points need not to occasion any dis. tance (neither in place nor in heart) amongst brethren, I then rested satisfied in my abode amongst them, and so have continued, by the grace of Christ, unto this day.”

"Tis true, such was Mr. Cotton’s holy ingenuity, that when he perceived the advantage which erroneous and heretical persons in his church had from his abused charity taken to spread their dangerous opinions, before he was aware of them, he did publickly sometimes with tears bewail it, “That the enemy had sown so many tares whilst he had been asleep.” Nevertheless, ’tis as true, that nothing ever could be daser than the disingenuity of those pamphleteers, who took advantage hence to catch these tears in their venemous ink horns, and employ them for so many blots

upon the memory of a righteous man, “worthy to be had in everlasting remembrance.”

§ 22. When the virulent and violent Edwards had been after a most unchristian manner bespattering the excellent Burroughs, that reviled saint, in his answer, had that passage: “The extreme eagerness of some to asperse our names, makes us to think that God hath made more use of our names than we were aware of.”—“ We see by their anger, even almost to madness, bent that way, that they had little hope to prevail, with all their argument against the cause we profess, till they could get down our esteem (such as it was) in the hearts of the people.” —“ But our names are not in the power of their tongues and pens; they are in the hands of God, who will preserve them so far as he hath use of them; end further, we shall have no use of them our selves.” That bitter spirit in Baily must for such causes expose the name of the incomparable Cotton unto irreparable injuries: for, from the meer hearsays of that uncharitable writer, hastily published unto the world, the learned and worthy Dr, Hoornbeck, not much less against the rules of charity, printed a short account of Mr. Cotton, whereof an ingenious author truly says, there was in it, “Quot fere Verba, tot Errores famosissimi; neque tantum quot Capita, tot Carpenda, sed quot fere Sententiarum punctula, tot Dispungenda.”* That scandalous account, it is pity it should be read in English, and greater pity that ever that reverend person should make it be read in Latin; but this it was: ““Corronus, horrore Ordinis Episcopalis, in Aliud, Ratremum prolapsus, Omnia plebi absque Vinculo Ecclesiarwm concedebat—Corronus iste, primum in Anglia, alterius Longe Sententice fuerat, unde et plurimorum Errovum Heresiumque Reus, Maximus Ordinis istius, vel potius ATAXLAS, promptor extitit; habuitque secum, quemadmodum MONTANUS olim MAXIMIL- LAM, suam HUTCHINSONAM, de qua vayia et procgiosa multa referunt.’+ From these miserable historians, who would imagine what a slur has been abroad cast upon the name of as holy, as learned, as orthodox, and eminent a servant of our Lord, in his Reformed Churches, as was known in his age! Among the rest, it is particularly observable how a laborious and ingenious foreigner, in his “ Bibliotheca Anglorum Theologica,” having in his index mentioned a book of this our Mr. Cotton, under the stile of “ Johannis Cottoni, Via Vita, Liber Utilissimus,”t presently adds, “ Alius Johannes Cottonus male Note Homo:”§ whereas ‘twas only by the misrepresentations of contentious and unadvised men, that John Cotton, the

* Almost as many notable errors as words; and not only reprehensible notions enough to match the number of chapters, but such an abundance of matters worthy of being utterly expunged, as almost to outnumber the punctuation-marks,

+ Cotton, driven by his horror of the Episcopal order into the opposite extreme, gave up every thing to those out of the pale of the Church, This Cotton, who had cherished widely different sentiments in England, becoming afterwards guilty of very many errors and heresies, was the greatest promoter of this new order, or rather disorder; and had by his side his Ann Hutchinson, as Montanus once had his Maxilla, about whom they tell many and various marvels.

¢ John Cotton’s “ Way of Life” is a most useful work, § The other John Cotton was a man of evil repute,

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experimental author of such an useful book, must be branded with a note of infamy. But if the reader will deal justly, he must join these gross calumnies upon Cotton with the fables of Luther’s devil, Zuinglius’ dreams, Calvin’s brands, and Junius’ cloven foot. If Hoornbeck ever saw Cotton’s mild, but full reply to Baily, which, as the good spirited Beverly says, would have been esteemed a sufficient refutation of all these wretched slanders, Misi Fratrum quorundam aures erunt ad veritatem, tanquam Aspidum, obdurate,* ’tis impossible to excuse his wrongful dealings with a venerable minister of our Lord! Pray, sir, charge not our Cotton with an Horror Ordinis Episcopalis; until you have chastised your friend LHonorius Reggius, that is Georgius Hornius, for telling us, as Voetius quotes it: “ Multorum Animos Subiit Recordatio illius, quod Venerabilis Beza, non sine Prophetic Spiritu, olim rescripsit Knoxo, Eeclesice Scotice Reformatori: Sicut Episcopt Papatum pepererunt, ita Oculis pene ipsis jam cernitur, Pseudo-Hpiscopos, papatus Reliquias, Hpicureismum Terris Invecturos. Atque hac premittere Visum, ut eo manifestius esset Britanniam diutius Hpiscopos non potuisse ferre, nist in Papismum et Atheismum Labi vellet."+ Charge not our Cotton with an Omnia Plebi absque Vinculo Aliarum Hcclesiarum concedebat; until, besides the whole scope and scheme of his ecclesiastics] writings, which allow no more still unto the fraternity, than Parker, Ames, Cartwright; and advance no other than that aristocrasie that Beza, Zanchy, Whitaker, Bucer, and Blondel pleaded for; you have better construed his words in his golden preface to Norton’s answer unto the Sylloge Questionum, “ Neque nos Regimen proprie dictum alibi quam penes Presbyteres stabilendum Cupimus: Convenimus ambo in Subjecto Regiminis Ecclesiastic’: Convenimus etiam in Regula Regiminis, ut Administrentur Omnia Suata Canonem Sacrarum Seripturarum: Convenimus etiam in Fine Regiininis, ut Omnia Transigantur ad Edificationem Ecclesice, non ad Pompam aut Luaum Seculurem: Synodos nos, una Vobiscum, cum opus fuerit, et Suscipimus et veneramur, Quantillum est, quod Restat, quod Distat! Actus Regiminis, quos vos a Synodis peragi Velletis, eos a Synodis porrigt Ecclesiis, et ab Eeclestis, ex Synodali DIORTHOSEL, perag? peteremus.”¢ Charge not our Cotton with an ATAXIAS Promotor Ectitit, until you, your self, Doctor, have revoked your own éwo concessions, which are all the Ataxies that ever could, with

* Unless the ears of the brethren shall be as deaf as those of adders to the truth.

+ Many were reminded of what the venerable Beza, not without the spirit of prophecy, formerly wrote to Knox, the Reformer of the Scottish church: “ As the bishops begot papacy, so now it is almost visible to the eye itself that pseudo-bishops, the retics of papacy, are about to introduce Epicureanism among mankind.” And it seemed to escape him that, for this very reason, it was more evident that Britain could not endure bishops longer, unless she was prepared to relupse into papacy and atheism,

t Nor do —; desire to establish the doctrine, that church government is not properly claimed elsewhere than among Presbycerians. We both agree in the rule of church government, that all things should be conducted according to the canon of the Holy Scriptures, We agree also concerning the proper end of church government, that all things should be done for the edification of the church, not for show or luxury. We, as well as you, both convoke and venerate Councils (Synods) when they become necessary. How narrow then is the line which separates us! Those acts of church government which you wish to see adminis'ered by Synods, we desire to see transferred from the Synods to the churches, and by the churches administered with all the precision of a Synod itself,

so much as the least pretence, be imputed unto this renowned person: “ Ecclesia particularis queelibet Subjectum est Adequatum et proprium plene potestatis Keclesiastice; nec Congrue dicitur ejus Synodo Dependentia, and, Neque enim Synodi in alias Ecclesias potestatem habent Imperantem, que Superiorum est, in Inferiores sibi Subditos; Non-Communionis Sententia Potestatem Summam denotat.”* <As for the Cottonus Plurimorum Errorum Heresiumque Reus, were old Austin alive, he would have charged no less a crime than that of sacriledge upon the man that thus, without all colour, should rob the church of a name which would justly be dear unto it; for, as the great Caryl hath expressed it, “The name of CorTon is as an ointment poured forth.” But for the top of all these calumnies, Cottont Hutchinsona, instead of a resemblance to Montanit Maaximilla, the truer comparison would have been, Aulier ista, que per Calumniam notissimam Objiciebatur Athanasio;+ all the favour which that provhetess of Thyatira had from this angelical man, was the same that the provoked Paul showed unto the Pythoniss, In fine, the histories which the world has had of the New-English churches, under the influence of Mr. Cotton, I have sometimes thought much of a piece with what we have in the old histories of Lysimachus; that when a leprous, a scabby sort of people were driven out of Egypt into the wilderness, there was a certain man called Moses, who counselled them to march on in a body, till they came to some good soy]. This Moses commanded them to be kind unto no man; to give bad advice rather than good, upon all occasions; and to destroy as many temples as they could find; so, after much travel and trouble, they came to a fruitful soyl, where they did all the mischief that Moses had recommended, and built a city, which was at tirst called Zerosyla, from the spoiling of the temples; but afterwards, to shun the disgrace of the occasion, they changed it into Merosolyme, and bore the name of Jferosolymitans. But thus must a bad report, as well as a good report, follow such a man as Mr. Cotton, whose only fault, after all, was that with which that memorable ancient Nazienzen was taxed sometimes; namely, the fault of Aansuctude,

§ 23. These clouds being thus happily blown over, the rest of his days were spent in a more settled peace; and Mr. Cotton’s growing and spreading fame, like Joseph’s bough, ‘ran over the wall” of the Atlantic ocean, unto such a degree, that in the year 1641 some great persons in England were intending to have sent over a ship on purpose to fetch him over, for the sake of the service that such a man as fe might then do to the church of God, then ¢ravelling in the nation. But although their doubt of his willingness to remove caused them to forbear that method of obtaining him, yet the principal members in both houses of parliament wrote unto him, with an opportunity for his return into England; which had

* Each particular church is a fit and proper depository of plenary ecclesiastical power, nor can it be justly styled a dependancy of the Synod. Nor have Synods any such ruling authority over the churches as a superior exercises over an inferior. The right of decreeing non-communion indicates independent sovereignty,

+ That woman whom an infamous calumny connected with the name of Athanasius,

prese! whick heard oiten upon tuum, Senec ris:)* grew butic On tl last 1 insist live word prea

son: lene and, que Potrum | no b all anto is as ttont ruer nam tira wed the ymes of out who soyl. vice 3 aS itful and the iged nust ton, rient

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the bubt fainrote

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prevailed with him, if the dismal showers of blood, quickly after breaking upon the nation, had not made such afflictive impressions upon him as to prevent his purpose, He continued therefore in Boston unto his dving day; counting it a great favour of Heaven unto him, that he was deh ed from “the unsettledness of habitation,” which was not among the least of the calamities that exercised the apostles of our Lord. Nineteen years and odd months he spent in this place, doing of good publickly and privately, unto all sorts of men, as it became “a good man full of faith, and of the Holy Ghost.” Here, in an expository way, he went over the Old Testament once, and a second time as far as the thirtieth chapter of Isaiah; and the whole New Testament once, and a second time as far as the eleventh chapter to the Hebrews. Upon the Lord’s-days and lecture-days, he preached thorow the Acts of the Apostles; the prophesies of Haggai and Zechariah, the books of Ezra, the Revelation, Hcclesiastes, Canticles, second and third Epistles of John, the Epistle to Titus, both Epistles to Timothy; the Epistle to the Romans; with innumerable other scriptures on incidental occasions, Though he had also the most remarkable faculty, perhaps of any man living, to meet every remarkable occasion with pertinent reflections, whatever text he were upon, without ever wandring out of sight from his text: and it is possible there might sometimes be a particular operation of providence, to make the works and words of God meet in the ministry of his holy servant. But thus did he “abound in the works of the Lord!”

§ 24. At length, upon desire, going to preach a sermon at Cambridge, (which he did on Isa, liv. 18: “Thy children shall be all taught of the Lord;” and from thence gave many excellent councils unto the students of the college there) he took wet in his passage over the ferry; but he presently felt the effect of it, by the failing of his voice in sermon-time; which ever until now had been a clear, neat, audible voice, and easily heard in the most capacious auditory. Being “found so doing,” as it had oiten been his declared wish, ‘That he might not outlive his work!” (saying upon higher principles than once Curius Dentatus did, Malle esse se Mortuum, quam Vivere: that he had rather be dead, than live dead; and with Seneca, Ultimum malorum est ex vivorum Numero exire, ante quam moriaris:)* his illness went on to an inflammation in his lungs; from whence he grew somewhat asthmatical; but there was a complication of other scorbutic effects, which put him under many symptoms of his approaching end. On the eighteenth of November he took in course, for his text, the four last verses of the second Kpistle of Timothy, giving this reason for his insisting on so many verses at once, ‘Because else (he said) I shall not live to make an end of this Epistle;” but he chiefly insisted on those words, “Grace be with you all.” Upon the Lord’s day following, he preached his last sermon on Joh. i. 14, about that “glory of the Lord

* It is the extreme of all evils to depart frum life, befure death.

Ra Sta eee

272 MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA; Jesus Christ,” from the faith to the sight whereof he was now hastening. After this, in that study which had been perfumed with many such days before, he now spent a day in secret humiliations and supplications before the Lord; seeking the special assistance of the Holy Spirit for the great work of dying, that was now before him. What glorious transactions might one have heard passing between the Lord Jesus Christ and an excellent servant of his, now coming unto him, if he could have had an hearing place behind the hangings of the chamber, in such aday! But having finished the duties of the day, he took his leave of his beloved study, suying to his consort, “I shall go into that room no more!” And he had all along presages in his heart that God would, by his present sickness, give him “an entrance into the everlasting kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Wherefore, ‘setting his house in order,” he was now so far from unwilling to receive the mercy stroke of death, as that he was desirous to be with Him, “with whom to be, is by fur the best of all.” And although the chief ground of his readiness to be gone, was from the unuiterably sweet and rich entertainments which he did by foretaste as well as by promise, know that the Lord had reserved in the heavenly regions for him, yet he said it contributed unto this readiness in him, when he considered the saints, whose company and communion he was going unto; particularly Perkins, Ames, Preston, Hildersham, Dod, and others, which had been peculiarly dear unto himself; besides the rest, in that general assembly,

§ 25. While he thus lay sick, the magistrates, the ministers of the country, and Christians of all sorts, resorted unto him, as unto a pudblich father, full of sad apprehensions at the withdraw of such a pudlich dlesstng; and the “gracious words that proceeded out of his ‘uouth,” while he had strength to utter the profitable conceptions of his mind, crused them to reckon these their visits the gainfulest that ever they had made. Among others, the then president of the college, with many tears, desired of Mr, Cotton, before his departure, to bestow his blessing on him: saving, “I know, in my heart, they whom you bless shall be blessed.” And not long before his death, he sent for the elders of the church, whereof he himself also was an clder; who having, according to the apostolical direction, prayed over him, he exhorted them to “feed the flock over which they were overseers,” and increase their watch against those declensions which he saw the professors of religion falling into: adding, “I have now, through grace, been more than forty years a servant unto the Lord Jesus Christ, and have ever found him a good master.” When his colleague, Mr. \Wilson, took his leave of him with a wish that God would lift up the “light of his countenance” upon him, he instantly replied, “God hath done it already, brother!” He then called for his children, with whom he left the gracious covenant of God, as their never-failing portion’ and now desired that he might be left private the rest of his minutes, for the more freedom of his applicatioas unto the Lord. So lying speechless a few hours, he

ning. days efore great ctions dan ad an hav: study, © had SNESS, Jesus from to be rough rably prom: n, yet xt the wlarly been yf. of the wbiich dlesshile he them mony ft Mr. ig, “T t long imself etion, 1 they ich he rough ‘hrist, rWil- “ight lone it eft the esired eedom rs, he

agp

OR, THE HISTORY OF NEW-ENGLAND. 278 breathed his blessed soul into the hands of his heavenly Lorn. om the twenty-third of December, 1652, entring on the sixty-eighth year of his own age: and on the day—yea, at the hour—-of his constant weekly labours in the lecture, wherein he had been so long serviceable, even to all the churches of New-England. Upon Tuesday, the twenty-eighth of December, he was most honourably interred, with a most numerous concourse of people, and the most grievous and solemn funeral that was ever known perhaps upon the American strand; and the lectures in his church, the whole winter following, performed by the neighbouring ministers, were but so many funeral sermons upon the death and worth of this extraordinary person: among which, the first, I think, was preached by Mr. Richard Mather, who gave unto the bereaved church of Boston this great character of their incomparable Cotton: “Let us pray that God would raise up some Eleazar to succeed this Aaron: but you can hardly expect that so large a portion of the spirit of God should dwell in any one, as dwelt in this blessed man!” And generally in the other churches through the country, the expiration of this general blessing to them all, did produce funeral sermons full of honour and sorrow; even as many miles above an hundred, as New-Haven was distant from Massachuset-bay, when the tidings of Mr. Cotton’s decease arrived there, Mr. Davenport with many tears bewailed it, in a publick discourse on that in 2 Sam. i, 26, “I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan, very pleasant hast thou been unto me.” Yea, they speak of Mr. Cotton in their lamentations to this day!

It isa memorable saying of Algazel, In guo Lumen Religionis et Devotionis, Fumus generatus ex Lumine Scientice non extinguit, tlle perfectus est: Sed quis est hic, ut adoremus ewm?* Reader, I will show thee such a man; one in whom the light of learning accompanied the fire of goodness, met in an high degree: but thou shalt adore none but the Lord Jesus Christ, who made him such a man.

§ 26. How vast a treasure ‘of learning was laid in the grave, which was opened on this occasion, can scarce credibly and sufficiently be related. Mr. Cotton was indeed a most universal scholur, and a living system of the liberal arts, and a walking library. It would be endless to recite all his particular accomplishments, but only three articles of observation shall be offered. First, for his grammar, he had-a very singular skill in those three languages, the knowledge whereof was the inscription on the cross of our Saviour, proposed unto the perpetual use of his church. The Iebrew he understood so exactly, and so readily, that he was able to discourse in it. In the Greek he was a critic, so accurate and so well versed, that he need not, like Austin, to have studied in his reduced age. Thus, if many of the ancients committed gross mistakes in their interpretations of the Scriptures, through their want of skill in the originals, Mr. Cotton was better qualified for an interpreter. He both wrote and spoke Latin also with

* For translation, soe page 252,

Vou. IL—18

MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA;

great facility; and with a most Ciceronian elegaucy, exemplified in one published composure. Next, for his logic he was compleatly furnished therewith to encounter the subtilest adversary of the truth. But although he had been educated in the peripatetick way, yet, like the other puritans of those times, he rather affected the Ramaen discipline; and chose to follow the methods of that excellent Ramus, who, like Justin of old, was not only a philosopher, but a Christian, and a martyr also; rather th..n the more empty, trifling, altercative notions, to which the works of the Pagan Aristotle, derived unto us through the mangling hands of the apostate Porphyrie, have disposed his disciples, Lastly, for his Z'heologie, there ‘twas that he had his greatest extraordinariness, and most of all, his Zeaxtual Divinity. His abilities to expound the Scriptures, caused him to be ‘admired by the ablest of his hearers. Although his incomparable modesty would not permit him to speak any more than the least of himself, yet

‘ unto a private friend he hath said, “That he knew not of any difficult

place in all the whole Bible, which he had not weighed, some what unto satisfaction.” And hence, though he ordinarily bestowed much pains upon his publick sermons, yet he hath sometimes preached most admirably, without any warning at all; and a new note upon a text before him, occurring to his mind, but just as he was going into the assembly, has taken up his discourse for that hour, so pertinently and judiciously, that the most critical of his auditors imagined nothing extemporaneous. Indeed, his library was vast, and vast was his acquaintance with it; but although amongst his readings he had given a special room unto the fathers, and unto the school-men, yet at last he preferred one Calvin above them all. If Erasmus, when offered a bishoprick to write against Luther, could answer, “There was more divinity in a page of Luther, than in all Thomas Aquinas,” ’tis no wonder that Salmasius could so venerate Calvin as to say, That he had rather be the author of that one book, ‘the Institutions,’ written by Calvin, than have written all that was ever done by Grotius.” Even such a Calvinist was our Cotton! Said he, “I have read the fathers and the school-men, and Calvin too; but I find that he that has Calvin, has them all.” And being asked, why in his latter days he indulged nocturnal studies more than formerly, he pleasantly replied, “ Because [ love to sweeten my mouth with a piece of Calvin before I go to sleep.”

§ 27. Indeed, in his common preaching, he did as Basil reports of Ephrem Syrus, Plurimum distare a Mundana Sapientia:* and tough he were a great scholar, yet he did conscientiously forbear making to the common people any ostentation of it. He had the art of concealing his art; and thought with Sobinus, Non munus est Virtus Populariter quam Argute Loqui,t and Mr. Dod, “That Latin for the most part was flesh in a sermon.” Accordingly, when he was handling the deepest suljects, a speech

® He abstained from displays of worldly wisdom, + Spoaking so as to reach the popular understanding, is no leys an accomplishment than eloquenco itself,

OPES

of that im stood by t reason for ally, then” to profit b: will under: tory would take an tro of art, few which he y judicious ¢ perceive th, a Dutchma land, he pr learning an The glory o his labours: clause, Zibi it were not - majesty, set. the Lord w: “Mr. Cottor methinks, w I hear that himself spe plain labour most ministé have scen sa § 28. He under the ¢ ness, but fe his hours, as the blessed Sparing of t them, having and yet he visitant, “I have been time not spe he went not obtained, ac the dead [in do common! was an ear]

a

of that import was frequent with him, “I desire to speak so as to be understood by the meanest capacity!” And he would sometimes give the same reason for it, which the great Austin gave: “If I preach more scholastically, then only the learned, and not the unlearned, can so understand as to profit by me; but if I preach plainly, then both learned and unlearned will understand me, and so I shall profit all.” When a golden key of oratory would not so well open a mystery of Christianity, he made no stick to take an tron one, that should be less rhetorical. You should hear few terms of art, few latinities, no exotic or obsolete phrases, obscuring of the truths which he was to bring unto the people of God. Nevertheless, his more judicious and observing hearers could, by his most wntrimmed sermons, perceive that he was a man of more than ordinary abilities, Hence, when a Dutchman of great learning heard Mr. Cotton preach at Boston, in Eng: land, he professed, ‘That he never in his life saw such a conjunction of learning and plainness as there was in the preaching of this worthy man.” The glory of God, and not his own glory, was that at which he aimed in his labours; for which cause, at the end of his notes, he still inserted that clause, Zibi Domine: or, “For thy glory, O God!” For this delivery, though it were not like Farel’s, noisy and thundering, yet it had in it a very awful majesty, set off with a natural and becoming motion of his right hand; and the Lord was in the stil voice at such a rate, that Mr. Wilson would say, “Mr, Cotton preaches with such authority, demonstration, and life, that methinks, when he preaches out of any prophet or apostle, I hear not him; I hear that very prophet and apostle; yea, I hear the Lord Jesus Christ himself speaking in my heart.” And the success which God gave to these plain labours of his faithful, humble, diligent servant, was beyond what most ministers in the country ever did experience: there have been few that have scen so many and mig])‘y effects given to the “travels of their souls.”

§ 28. He was even from his youth to his age an indefatigable student, under the conscience of the apostolical precept, “Be not slothful in business, but fervent in spirit serving the Lord.” He was careful to redeem his hours, as well as his days; and might lay claim to that character of the blessed martyr, “Sparing of sleep, more sparing of words, but most sparing of time.” If any came to visit him, he would be very civil to them, having learned it as his duty, ‘‘'T'o use all gentleness towards all men:” and yet he would often say with some regret, after the departure of a visitant, “I had rather have given this man an handful of money, than have been kept thus long out of my study:” reckoning, with Pliny, the time not spent in study, for the most part, sweeled away. For which cause he went not much abroad; but he judged ordinarily that more benefit was obtained, according to the advice of the wise King, by conversing with the dead [in books] than with the diving [in talks] and that needless visits do commonly unframe our spirits, and perhaps disturb our comforts. He was an early riser, taking the morning for the Muses; and in his latter

MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA;

days forbearing a supper, he turned his former supping-time into a reading, a thinking, a praying-time. Twelve hours in a day he commonly studied, and would call that a scholar’s day; resolving rather to wear out with using than with rusting. In truth, had he not been of an healthy and hearty constitution, and had he not made a careful, though not curious diet serve him, instead of an Hippocrates, his continued labour must have made his /ife, as well as his dabour, to have been but of a short continuance. And, indeed, the work which lay upon him could not have been performed without a labour more than ordinary. For besides his constant preaching, more than once every week, many cases were brought unto him far and near, in resolving whereof, as he took much time, so he did much good, being a most excellent caswist. He was likewise very deeply concerned in peaceable and effectual disquisitions of the controversies about church-government, then agitated in the Church of God. And though he chiefly gave himself to reading, and doctrine, and exhortation, depending much on the ruling elders to inform him concerning the state of his particular flock, that he might the better order himself in “the word and prayer,” yet he found his church-work, in this regard also, to call for no little painfulness, watchfulness, and faithfulness,

§ 29. He was one so “clothed with humility,” that, according to the emphasis of the apostolical direction, by this livery his relation as a disciple to the lowly Jesus was notably discovered; and hence he was patient and peaceable, even toa proverb, He hada more than common excellency in that cool spirit, which the oracles of wisdom describe as “the excellent spirit in the man of understanding;” and therefore Mr. Norton would parallel him with Moses among the patriarchs, with Melancthon among the reformers, He was rather excessive than defective in self-denial, and had the Mimia Humilitas,* which Luther sometimes blamed in Staupicius; yea, he was at last himself sensible, that some fell very deep into the sin of Corah, through his extreme forbearance, in matters relating to his own just rights in the church of God. He has, to a judicious friend, thus expressed himself: “ Angry men have an advantage above me; the people dare not set themselves against such men, because they know it wont be born; but some care not what they say or do about me, because they know I wont be angry with them again.”’ One would have thought the ingenuity of such a spirit would have broke the hearts of men, that had indeed the hearts of men in them; yea, that the hardest /lints would have been broken, as is usual, upon such a soft bag of Cotton! But, alas! he found it otherwise, even among some who pretended unto high attainments in Christianity. Once particularly, an humorous and imperious brother, following Mr. Cotton home to his house, after his publick labours, instead of the grateful respects with which those holy labours were to have been encouraged, rudely told him that his ministry was become generally either dark

* Excessive meekness,

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or flat: whereto this meek man, very mildly and gravely, made only this answer: ‘‘Both, brother, it may be, both: let me have your prayers that it may be otherwise.” But it is remarkable, that the man sick thus of wanton singularities, afterwards died of those damnable heresies, for which he was deservedly excommunicated.— Another time, when Mr. Cotton had modestly replied unto one that would much talk and crack of his insight into the revelations: “Brother, I must confess my self to want light in those mysteries.” The man went home, and sent him a pound of candles: upon which action this good man bestowed only a silent smile. He would not set the beacon of his great soul on /ire at the landing of such a little cockboat. He learned the lesson of Gregory, “It is better, many times, to fly from an injury by silence, than to overcome it by replying:” and he used that practice of Grynzus, “To revenge wrongs by Christian taciturnity.”

I think I may not omit, on this occasion, to transcribe a remarkable passage, which that good man, Mr, Flavel, reports, in a sermon on gospelunity. His words are these:

“A company of vain, wicked men, having inflamed their blood in a tavern at Boston, and seeing that reverend, meek, and holy minister of Christ, Mr. Cotton, coming along the street, one of them tells his companion, ‘I'll go, saith he, ‘and put a trick on old Cotton, Down he goes, and crossing his way, whispers these words into his ear: ‘Cotton,’ said he, ‘thou art an old fool.’ Mr. Cotton replied, ‘I confess I am so: the Lord make both me and thee wiser than we are, even wise unto salvation.” He relates this passage to his wicked companions, which cast a great damp upon their sports, in the midst of a frolick.”

And it may pass for a branch of the same temper in him, that he extremely hated all Allotrio Hpiscopucy: and though he knew, as practically as most men in the world, ‘That we have a call to do good, as often as we have power and occasion;” yet he was slow of apprehending any occasion at all, though he might have had never so much power to meddle for good, any where but within the sphere of his own proper calling. As he understood that Leontius blamed Constantine for interposing too far in ecclesiastical affairs, thus Mr. Cotton, on the other side, had a great aversion from engaging in any civil ones. He would religiously decline taking into his cognisance all civil controversies, or umpirages, and whatever looked heterogeneous to the calling of one whose whole business ’twas to feed the flock of God. Nevertheless, in the things of God, of Christ, of conscience, his condescending temper did not hinder him from the most immoveable resolution. He would not so “follow peace with all men,” as to abandon or prejudice, one jot, the interests of holiness.

§ 30. His command over his own spirit was particularly observable in his government of his family, where he would never correct any thing in a passion; but first, with much deliberation, shew what rule in the holy word of God had been violated by the fault lately committed. He was indeed one that “ruled well his own house.” He therein morning and evening read a chapter, with a little applicatory exposition, before and

after which he made a prayer; but he was very short in all, accounting

as Mr. Dod, Mr. Bains, and other great saints did before him, “That it Up was a thing inconvenient many ways to be tedious in family duties.” He oft also read constantly a portion of the Scripture alone, and he prayed over lat what he read: prayed, I say; for he was very much in prayer, a very wo man o° prayer; he would rarely sit down to study, without a prayer over bes it, referring to the presence of God accompanying what he did. It was the bli

advice of the ancient, Si vis esse Semper cum Deo, Semper Ora, Semper Lege:* and agreeably hereunto, Mr. Cotton might say with David, “Lord, I am still with thee.” But he that was with God all the week, was more intimately with him on his own day, the chief day of the week, which he observed most conscientiously. The Sabbath he began the evening before: for which keeping of the Sabbath, from evening to evening, he wrote arguments before his coming to New-England: and, I suppose, ’twas from his reason and practice that the Christians of New-England have generally done so too. When that evening arrived, he was usually larger in his exposition in his family than at other times: he then catechised his children and servants, and prayed with them, and sang a psalm; from thence he retired unto study and secret prayer, till the time of his going unto his repose. The next morning, after his usual family-worship, he betook him- . self to the devotions of his retirements, and so unto the publick. From q thence towards noon, he repaired again to the like devotions, not permit- : ting the interruption of any other dinner, than that of a small repast carried up unto him. Then to the publick once more; from whence returning, his first work was closet-prayer, then prayer with repetitions of the sermons in the family. After supper, he still sang a psalm; which he would conclude with uplifted eyes and hands, uttering this doxology— 4 “Blessed be God in Christ our Saviour!” Last of all, just before his going to sleep, he would once again go into his prayerful study, and there briefly recommended all to that God, whom he served with a pure conscience.

But there was one point of Sabbath-keeping, about which it may not be unuseful for me to transcribe a passage, which I find him writing to Mr. N. Rogers, in the year 1630:

“Studying for a sermon upon the Sabbath-day, so far as it might be any wearisome labour

to invention or memory, I covet (when I ean) willingly to prevent it; and would rather attend unto the quickning of my heart and affections, in the meditation of what I am to 3 deliver. My reason is, much reading, and invention, end repetition of things to commit j them to memory, is a weariness to the flesh and spirit too; whereas the Sabbath-day doth ’ rather invite unto an holy rest. But yet, if God’s providence have straitred my time in the week days before, by concurrence of other business, not to be avoided, I Joubt not but the Lord, who allowed the priests to employ their labour in killing the sacrifices on the Sabbath. day, will allow us also to labour in our callings on the Sabbath, to prepare our sacvifice fur the people.”

* If thou wouldst always find thyself in the aociety of God, spend all thine hours in prayer and study,

‘ing These were his ordinary Sabbaths: but he also kept extraordinary ones, eit upon the just occasions for them. He was in fasting often, and would He often keep whole days by himself, wherein he would with solemn humilcaer iations and supplications, implore the wanted mercies of Heaven; yea, he ery would likewise by himself keep whole days of thanksgiving unto the Lord: soln besides the many days of thi:: kind which he celebrated in publick assemais ] blies with the people of God. Thus did this man of God continually. “per j § 31. Without liberality and hospitality, he had been really as undeord, f - serving of the character of ‘‘a minister of the gospel,” as the sacrilegious ive: niggardliness of the people does often endeavour to make ministers uncap- 1) he } able of answering that character. But Mr. Cotton was most exemplary wane i for this virtue; wherein there are of his children that have also learned of rgu- t him. The stranger and the needy were still entertained at his table, Hpishia i copaliter et Benigne,* as was the phrase instructively used, for a charitable rally; entertainment of old. It might be said of him, as once it was of the ers: generous Corinthian, Semper aliquis in Cottoni Domo:+ he was ever shewing chil- ‘ of kindness to some-body or other. What Posidonius relates of Austin, ence; and what Peter Martyr affirms of Bucer, was very true of our Cotton: os his as “His house was like an inn, for the constant entertainment which he gave him- " upon the account of the gospel.” And he would say, “If a man want hom Be an heart for this charity, it is not fit such a man should be ordained a rin ite a minister:” consenting therein to the great canonist, Hospitalitas usque adeo epast | Kpiscopis est necessaria, ut si ab ea inveniantur alient, Jure prohibentur ordi: ‘ance * nart.t While he lived quietly in England, he was noted for his bountiful tions 7 disposition, especially to ministers driven into England by the storms of rhich 4 persecution, then raging in Germany: for which cause Libingus, Saumer, gy— 1 Tolner, and others of the German sufferers, in their accounts of him, roing i would stile him, Mautor Doctissimus, Clarissimus, Fidelissimus, plurimumque riefly q Honorandus.§ It was remarkable that he never omitted inviting unto his ae, a house any minister travelling to or through the town, but only that one ot be a man who perfidiously betrayed Mr. Hildersham, with his non-conformist > Mr. q associates, into the hands of their enemies. And after he came to New- 4 England, he changed not his mind with his air; out with a Quantum ex Quanitillo/| continued his beneficence upon all occasions, though his abilities labour | for it were much diminished; which brings to mind a most memorable rather 4 story. A little church, whereof the worthy Mr White was pastor, being am to q by the strange and strong malice of their prevailing adversaries, forced of | grees Barmudas in much misery, into a desart of America, the report of their 4 ie oh ‘ I. distresses came to their fellow-sufferers, though not alike sufferers, at New- ‘fe nt the 7 England. Mr. Cotton immediately applied himself to obtain a collection ae: * With the hospitality becoming a bishop, + Some guest was always by the hearth of Cotton,

)) $ Hospitality is so essential a qualification of a bishop, that if a candidate should be found averse to it, he would be denied ordination,

‘ § A most learned, renowned, faithful and honoured patron. dy, . j How much can be made out of very little!—#, ¢. a fuculty of accomplishing much good with small means,

for the relief of those distressed saints; and a collection of about £700 was immediately obtained, whereof two hundred was gathered in that one church of Boston, where there was no man who did exceed, and but one man who did equal, this “deviser of liberal things,” in that contribution. But behold the wonderful providence of God! This contribution arrived unto the poor people on the very day after they had been brought unto a personal division of the little mead then left in the barrel; upon the spending whereof, they couid foresee nothing but a lingering death; and on that very day when their pastor had preached unto them upon that most suitable text, Psal. xxiii. 1: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”

§ 32. The reader that is inquisitive after the prosopography of this great man, may be informed, that he was a clear, fair, sanguine complexion, and like David of a “ruddy countenance.” He was rather low than tall, and rather fat than lean, but of a becoming mediocrity. In his younger years his hair was brown, but in his latter years as white as the driven snow. In his countenance there was an inexpressible sort of majesty, which commanded reverence from all that approached him: this Cotton was indeed the Cato of his age, for his gravity; but had a glory with it which Cato had not. I cannot indeed say, what they report cf Hilary, that “serpents were not able to look upon him;” nevertheless, it was commonly observed, that the worser sort of serpents would, from the awe of his presence keep in their poisons. As the keeper of the inn where he did use to lodge, when he came to Derby, would profanely say to his companions, that he wished Mr. Cotton were gone out of his house; for “he was not able to swear while that man was under his roof;” so other wicked persons could not show their wickedness whilst this holy and righteous man was in the company. But the exacter picture of him is to be taken from his printed works, whereof there are many, that “praise him in the gates,” though few of them were printed with his own knowledge or consent.

We will mention a catalogue of his works, because (as it was said of

Calvin’s), Chara quibus fuerat Cottoni Vita, laborum Gratior ejusdem Vita perennia erit.*

The children of New-England are to this day most usually fed with his excellent catechism, which is entituled, “ Iflk for Babes.”

His well-known sermvas on the First Epistle of John, in folio, have had their acceptance with the church of God; though being preached in his youth, and not published by himself, there are some things therein which he would not have inserted.

There are also of his abroad, sermons on the thirteenth of the Revelations, and on the vials, and on Rev. xx. 5, 6, and 2 Sam. vii., last in quarto.

As also, a savory treatise, entituled, “Zhe Way of Life.” The reverend

* His life was precious, fur he did God’s will : His works live after him, more precious still,

prefacer whereto saith, “Ever since I had any knowledge of this judicious author, I have looked upon him as one intrusted with as great a part of the church’s treasure, as any other whatsoever.”

Several volumes of his expositions upon Ecclesiastes and Canticles, are also published in octavo.

As likewise, ‘A Treatise of the New Covenant:” which being only a posthumous piece, and only notes written after him, is accordingly to be judged of.

And there have seen the light, an answer to Mr. Ball, about forms of prayer. A discourse about the grounds and ends of infant-laptism. A discourse about singing of psalms, proving it a gospel-ordinance. An “ Abstract of laws” in Christ’s kingdom, for civil government. A treatise about the holiness of church-members; proving that visible saints are the matter of a church. Another discourse upon things indifferent, proving that no church-governours have power to impose indifferent things upon the consciences of men. Add hereto, the way of the churches in New- England: and that golden discourse of “The Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven:” in a written copy whereof, yet in our hands, there were some

“things which were never printed, maintaining that, in the government of the church, authority is peculiar to the elders only; and answering all the Brownistical arguments to the contrary. But whereas there may occur a passage in his book of “ The Way of the Churches,” which may have in it a little more of the Morellian tang, reader, twas none of Mr. Cotton’s; Mr. Cotton was troubled when he saw such a passage, in an imperfect copy of his writings, exposed unto the world, under his name, against his will: and he took an opportunity, in the most publick manner, to declare as much unto the world.

He was also sometimes put upon writing yet more polemically. Indeed there was one occasion of so writing, which he declined meddling withal; and that was this: Mr. Cotton having in his younger years, written to a private friend some things, tending (at his desire) to clear the doctrine of reprobates from the exceptions of the Arminians; and this manuscript falling into Dr. Twiss’ hand, that learned man published it, with his own confutation of certain passages in it, which did not agree so well with the doctor’s own Supralapsarian scheme. Now when Mr. Cotton saw himself reviled for this cause by Baily, as being Pelagian, he only made this meek reply: “I hope God will give me opportunity ere long to consider of this, the doctor’s labour of love.. I bless the Lord, who has taught me to be willing to be taught of a far meaner disciple than such a doctor, whose scholastical acuteness, pregnancy of wit, solidity of judgment, and dexterity of a:gument, all orthodox divines do highly honour, and whom all Arminians and Jesuites do fall down before, with silence. God forbid I

should shut my eyes against any light brought to me by him. Only I desire:

I may not be condemned as a Pelagian or Arminian before I be heard.”

Moreover, Mr. Cawdry fell hard upon him; to whom he prepared an good o answer, which was afterwards published and seconded by Dr. Owen. But Mr. Co besides these, he was twice compelled unto some other Hristical writings: on Car once in answer to Baily; another time in answer to Williams: in both of vines,”’ which, like Job, he “turned the books which his adversaries had written church

against him, into a crown.” I believe never any meer man, under such foxes | open and horrid injuries as these two reporters heaped upon Mr, Cotton, who gc did unswer with more Christian patience: his answers are indeed a pattern Christ, for all answerers to the world’s end. But it was particularly remarkable to his that, in this matter, certain persons, who had fallen under the censures of he afte

the civil authority in the country, singled out Mr. Cotton for the object of

an their displeasure, although he had, most of all men, declined interesting a Bee himself in the actions of the magistrate, and had also done more than all of the | men to obtain healing and favour for those ungrateful delinquents. How- not take ever, the venomous tongues all this while only licked a file, which made from the themselves to bleed; his fume, like the file, remained invuluerable; and wan. site; ° . gracious if Mr. Cotton would, from his own profitable experience, have added plots of another book unto this catalogue, it might have been on the subject han- here at} led by Plutarch, De Capienda ex Hostibus Utilitate.* This is the Hlenchus brethren of Mr. Cotton’s published writings; wheupon we might make this conelusion: en Digna Legi Scribis, Facis et Dignissima Scribi: 4 ie

¢ Scripta probant Doctum, Te, Facta, probum.t many of

§ 83. The things which have been related, cause us to account Mr. Cot- 4 Ve ee ton an extraordinary person. : you arri

Dives eras Donis, etiamque Fidelis in Usuy Multa Laboribus Scribendo, Multa Ferendo, that hav Lucratus Domino multa Talenta tuo, Que nisi Cottono, viz Subeunda forent. a distracti Multus eras Studiis, multusque Laboribus: una, Tu non unus eras, sed Multi; Multus in uno, a of the | Te, Fora, Templa, Domus, Te, cupiere frui. Multorum Donis praditus Unus eras, nd Pie Multa Luboribus Scribendo, Multa Docendo, Uno Te amisso, Mulltos Amisimus in Te, #] subtil, Invigiluns Operi, Nocte Dieque, Dei. Sed neque per Multos Restituendus eris.t the ¢ app These were some of the lines which the renowned Bulkly justly wept Se al upon his grave. Yea, we may, on as many accounts as these days will of thers allow, reckon him to have been a “prophet of the Lord:” and when we perswad have entertained ourselves with a memorable demonstration of 7, in one: counsel surprizing and stupendious article of our Church-History, we will put a; but Tec period unto this part of it. of apie. e e E U At the time when some unhappy persons were just going from hence 14 ta Lo to England, with certain petitions, which had a tendency to disturb the. further * The art of profiting by enmity. also as + Thou writest what is worthy to be read, Thy words win /.earning’s honours for thy head; : And worthy to be written are thy deeds; Thy works shall merit Virtue’s nobler meeds, 4 The ¢ His gifts were bounteous, and he used them well; In swift succession sped thy toilsome hours; 4 enthus His talent hath made many for his “ord. Thy labours could be borne by none but thee, ‘ Thd In pulpit, forum and at home the spell Thou wast not one, but many; and the powers 4 ; His genius wrought was felt in every word. Of many seemed in thee combined to be. sea, He wrote much--thought much—seecking still the way In losing thee, the loss of more we trace, ; of: tl To do his Master’s work both night and day, Yet many more cuuld not thy loss repluce. ’

But ngs: h of itten such

ptton, ttern

able es of ct of sting n all Howmade and dded hannehus Asion :

. Cotgood order of things in both church and state, then settling among us, Mr. Cotton in the ordinary course of his lectures, on the Canticles, preached on Cant. ii. 15: “Take us the foxes, the little foxes, which destroy the vines.” Having thence observed, “That when God has delivered his church from the dangers of the persecuting bear and lyon, then there were foxes that would seek by pclicy to undermine it;” and, “that all those who go by a fox-like policy to undermine the churches of the Lord Jecus Christ, shall be taken and overtaken by his judgments;” he came at length to his application, where, with a more than ordinary majesty and fervency, he after this manner expressed himself:

“First, Let such as live in this country take heed, how they go about in any indirect way or course to prejudice the churches of the Lord Jesus Christ in the land, or the government of the land. If you do, the ‘keeper of Israel, who neither slumbereth nor sleepeth,’ will not take it well at your hands. He that brought this people hither, and preserved them from the rage of persecution, and made this wilderness an hiding-place for them, whilst he was chastising our nation, with the other nations round about it, and has manifested his gracious presence in the midst of these his ‘golden candlesticks, and secured us from the plots of the late Archbishop, and his confederates abroad, and from the plots of the heathen here at home; there is no question but He will defend us from the underminings of false brethren, and such as are joined with them. Wherefore let such know, that this is, in many respects, Immanuel’s land, and they shall not prosper that rise up against it, but shall be taken every one of them in the snares they lay for it. This I speak as a poor prophet of the Lord, according to the word of his grace now before us! But in the second place, whereas many of our brethren are going to England, let me direct a word unto them also, I desire the gracious presence of our God may go with you, and his angels guard you, not only from the dangers of the seas, while you are thereupon, but also from the errors of the dimes, when you arrive. Nevertheless, if there be any among you, my brethren, as ’tis reported there are, that have a petition to prefer unto the High Court of Parliament, that may conduce to the distraction and annoyance of the peace of our churches, and the weakening the government of the land where we live, let such know, the Lord will never suffer them to prosper in their subtil, malicious, desperate undertakings against his people, who are as tender unto him as the ‘apple of his eye.’ But if there be any such among you, who are to go, I do exhort you, and I would advise you in the fear of God, that when the terrors of the Almighty shail beset the vessel wherein you are, when the heavens shall frown upon you, and the billows of the sea shall swell above you, and the dangers of death shall threaten you, as I am verily perswaded they will, I would have you then to ‘consider your ways.’ I will not give the counsel that was taken concerning Jonas, to cast such a person into the sea; God forbid! but I counsel such to come then unto a resolution in themselves to desist from their enterprizes, and cast their petitions into the sea, It may be that hardness of heart and stoutness of spirit may cause you to persist, and yet in mercy to some gracious persons among you, the Lord may detiver the ship from utter destruction for their sakes. But the Lord hath further judgments in store: he is the God of the land, as well as of the sea. I speak this also as an unworthy prophet of the Lord!”

These things were then uttered by a person that was as little of an enthusiast as most men in the world. Now attend the event!

That ship, after many stresses of weather in the harbour, puts out to sea; but at sea it had the terriblest passage, perhaps, that ever was heard of; the mariners not being able to take any observation of either sun or

SR aaa ala:

Olas

star for seven hundred leagues together, Certain well disposed persons aboard, now calling to mind the words of Mr. Cotton, thought it-necessary to admonish the persons who were carrying over the malignant papers against the country; and some of those papers were by them thereupon given to the seamen, who immediately cut them in pieces and threw them over. The storm forthwith abated; however, there afterwards came up new storms, which at last hurried the ship among the rocks of Scilly; where they yet received a deliverance, which most of them that considered it, pronounced miraculous. When the rude Cornish men saw how miraculously the vessel had escaped, they said, ‘‘God was a good man to save them so!” but the most instructed obliged passengers kept a day of solemn Thanksgiving to God; in which even the profanest persons on board, under the impression of what had happened, then bore a part. However, the corn-fields in New-England, still stood undisturbed, notwithstanding the various names affixed unto the tatles of petitions against their Liberties, For, as Mr. Cotton elegantly expressed it, “God then rocqued three nations, with shaking dispensations, that he might procure some rest unto his people in this wilderness!”

§ 84. This was Mr. Cotton! what more he was, let these lines, taking no license but from the real truth, delineate:

UPON THE TOMB OF THE MOST REVEREND MR. JOHN COTTON, LATE TEACHER OF THE CHURCH OF BOSTON IN NEW: ENGLAND.

Here lies magnanimous humility ; O, what a monument of glorious worth, Majesty, meeknees ; Christian apathy When, in a new edition, he comes forth,

On soft affections ; liberty in thrall ; Without erratas, may we think he’ll be

A noble spir:., servant unto all; In leaves and covers of eternity!

Learning’s great master-piece, who yet wouid sit A man of might, at heavenly eloquence,

As a disciple, at his scholars’ feet; To fix the ear, and charm the conscience ;

A simple serpent, or serpentine dove, As if Apollos were reviv’d in him,

Made up of wisdom, innocence and love: Or he had learned of a seraphim:

Neatness embroider’d with it self alone, Spake many tongues in one: one voice and sense And civils canonized in a gown; Wrought joy and sorrow, fear and confidence ; Embracing old and young, and low and high, Rocks rent before him, blind receiv’d their sight; Ethics imbodyed in divinity ; Souls leveli’d to the dunghill, stood upright : Ambitious to b> lowest, and to ruiso Infernal furies burst with rage to see

His brethren’s honour on his own decays; Their prisoners captiv'’d into liberty:

(Thus doth the sun retire into his bed, A star that in our eastern England rose,

That being gone the stars may shew their head;) Thence hurry’d by the blast of stupid foes, Could wound at argument without division, Whose foggy darkness, and benummed senses, Cut to the quick, and yet make no incision: Brookt not his daz’ling fervent influences: Ready to sacrifice domestick notions Thus did he move on earth, from east to west; To churhes’ peace, and ministers’ devotions: There he went down, and up to heaven for rest. Himself, indeed (and singular in that) Nor from himself, whilst living, doth he vary, Whom all admired he admired not: His death hath made him an udbtquitary: Liv’d like an anged of a mortal birth, Where ia his sepulchre is hard to say, Convers’d in heaven while he was on earth: Who, ina thousand sepulchres, doth lay Though not, as Moses, radiant with light (Their Aearts, I mean, whom he hath left behind, Whoee glory dazzell’d the beholder’s sight, In them) his sacred reliques, now, enshrin’d, Yet so divinely beautified, you'ld count Rut let his mourning flock be comforted,

He had been born and bred upon the mount; Though Moses be, yet Joshua is not dead:

A living, breathing Bible; tables where I mean renowned Norton; worthy he,

Both covenants, at lurge, engraven were; Successor to our Moses, is to be.

Gospel and Jaw, in’s heart, had each its column; O happy Israel in America,

His head an index to the sacred volume 3 In such a Moees, such a Joshua.

His very name a title-page; and next, His life a commentaiy un the text. B. WOODBRIDGE,

api Oi

§ God

Mor,

H who “ola

Of of ge Surv) year: cons¢ the I

Th callec was | 1649, Abra plaril spare

Farewe (Whi “Pray,

Our eld Within On th’ ¢ And on

§ 35. Three sons and three daughters was this renowned “ walker with

Ati God” blessed withal. an M His eldest son did spend and end his days in the ministry of the gospel, sri at Hampton: being esteemed thorough scholar, and an able preacher;

AR and though his name were Sea-born, yet none of the lately revived heresies were more abominable to him, t:.au that of his rame-sake, Pelagius [or,

oilly; Morgan] of whom the witness of the ancient poet is true:

dered Pestifero Vomuit coluber Sermone Britannus.*

nirac- His second son was a minister of the gospel, at Plymouth; and one by

| Save whom not only the English, but also the Indians of America, had the

f sol- | “glad tidings of salvation” in their own language carried unto them.

oard, Of his two younger daughters, the first was married unto a merchant

vever, : of good fushion, whose name was Mr. Egginton; but she did not long

nding survive the birth of her first child, as that child also did not survive many

berties, q years after the death of her mother. The next is at this time living the

ations, ‘ consort of one well known in both Englands, namely Increase Mather,

to his: the President of Harvard Colledge, and the teacher of a church in Boston.

The youngest of his sons, called Roland, and the eldest of his daughters,

taking called Sarah, both of them died near together, of the small-pox, which

: was raging among the inhabitants of Boston, in the winter of the year

ON, 4 1649, The death of those two lovely children, required the faith of an

: Abraham, in the heart of their gracious father; who indeed most exem-

( 4 plarily expressed what was required. On this occasion, I find, that on a

spare leaf his almanack, he wrote in ‘#reck letiers these English verses:

IN SARAM.t

Farewel, dear daughter Sara, now thou'rt gone, d Were the last words thou spak’st to me alone,

(Whither thou much desiredst) to thine home; = d_ | Go then, eweet Sara, take thy sabbath rest,

“Pray, my dear father, let me now go home!” d With thy great Lord, and all in heaven blest,

ense .

: IN ROLANDUM.t

ight; 4 Our eldest daughter, and our youngest son, Both in their dives were lovely and united,

Within nine days, both have their full race run, And in their deaths they were not much divided,

On th’ twentieth of th’ eleventh, died she, Christ gave them both, and he takes both again

And on the twenty-ninth day died he. To live with him; blest be his holy name,

IN UTRUMQUE.§

“Suffer,” saith Christ, “ your littte ones, Now, blessed Lord, let us believe,

- ; To come forth, me unto, Accepted, that they be:

ae For of such ones my kingdom is, That thou hast took them, in thine arms,

; Of grace and glory too.” And on them put thine hand,

P? We do not only suffer them, And blessed them with sight of thee,

But offer them to thee; Wherein our blessings stand,

hind, 7 But he has at this day five grandsons, all of them employed in the

. publick service of the gospel; whereof, let the reader count him the

meanest, that is the writer of this history; and accept further one little

piece of history, relating hereunto.

The gathering of the second church in Boston, was evidently very

* The British serpen: breathed his poisoned speech. + To Sarah. ¢ To Roland, § To both.

RIDGE.

much to the disadvantage of Mr. Cotton, in many of his interests, But he was a John, wiv scoxoned his joy fulfilled in this, that in his own decrease the interests of the Lord Jesus Christ would increase; and therefore, with an exemplary self-denial, divesting himself of all carnal respects, he set himself to encourage the foundation of that church, out of respect unto the service and worship of our common Lord. Now, it has pleased the Lord so to order it, that, many years after his decease, that self-denial of his holy servant, has turned unto some account, in the opportunities which that very church has given unto his children to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, in the conduct of it: his son-in-law has been for more than thrice ten years, and his grandson for more than twice seven years, the ministers of the gospel, in that very church, accommodated with happy opportunities, “to serve their generation.”

EPITAPHIUM, JOHANNES COTTONUS,

Cujus Ultima Laue eat, Quod fuerit inter Nov-Anglos Primus.®

§ 1. THERE was a famous John whose achievements are by our Lord emblazoned in those terms: ‘He was a burning and a shining light.” In the tabernacle of old, erected by the order and for the worship of God, there were those two things, a candlestick and an altar; in the one a light that might never go out, in the other a fire that might never be extinguished; and yet such an affinity between these, that there was a /ire in the light of the one, and a light in the fire of the other. Such a mixture of both faith and love should be in those that are employed about the service of the tabernacle: and though the tabernacle erected for our Lord in this wilderness, had many such “ burning and shining lights,” yet among the chief of them is to be reckoned, that John which we had in our blessed Norton,

§ 2. He was born the sixth of May, 1606, at Starford in Hartfordshire; descended of honourable ancestors. In his early childhood he discovered a ripeness of wit, which gave just hopes of his proving extraordinary; and under Mr. Strange in the school of Bunningford, he made such a proficiency, that he could betimes write good Latin, with a more than common elegancy and invention. At fourteen years of age, being sent

* John Cotton, whose highest prise it is that he was the first man in New-England, + Norton duly honoured.

PRR et Aor

unto F where notable seduce a pilla tempta § 3. cially | upon a When heaven that pl of our fully. games vehem Romar games, ous ch: of a g much § 4. versity at Stat eral gc with s¢ minist: sinfulr unto st but af Christ able cq of hea 8 5. the be addict faith, lively s minist

But

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eres ects, spect ase nial ‘ities fesus hrice sters ities,

Lord In God, light xtinn the e of rvice. this chief ton, hire; rered ary} ich a than sent

ji. CWI ants age

unto Peter-house, he staid there till after his taking of his first degree; where a Romish emissary, taking a curious and exact observation of his notable accomplishments, used all the methods he could think of to have seduced him over unto the Romish irreligion: but God intending him to be

a pillar in his own temple, mercifully prevented his hearkening unto any

temptations to become a support unto the tower of Babel.

§ 8. In his youth he was accustomed unto some youthful vanities; especially unto card-playing; an evil which he did first ponder and reform upon a serious admonition, which a servant of his father’s gave unto him. When he came to consider that a lot is a solemn appeal unto the God of heaven, and even by the rudest Gentiles counted a sacred thing, he thought that playing with it, was a breach of the Third Commandment in the laws of our God; it should be used, he thought, rather prayerfully than sportfully. He considered, that the Papists themselves do not allow these games in ecclesiastical persons, and the fathers do reprove them with a vehement zeal in all sorts of persons. He considered, that when the Roman empire became Christian, severe edicts were made against these games, and that our Protestant reformers have branded ther with an infamous character; wherefore, inclining now to follow ‘whatsoever things are of a good report,” he would no longer meddle with games that had so much of a scandal in them.

§ 4. An extreme disaster befalling his father’s estate, he left the University, and became at once usher to the school, and curate in the church at Starford: where, a lecture being maintained by a combination of seyeral godly and able ministers, he on that occasion fell into acquaintance with several of them; especially Mr Jeremiah Dyke, of Epping, by whose ministry the Holy Spirit of God gave him a discovery of his own manifold sinfulness and wretchedness in an wnregenerate state, and awakened him unto such a self-examination, as drove him to a sorrow little short of despair; but after some time, the same Holy Spirit enabled him to receive the Christ and grace, tendered in the promises of the gospel, with an unspeakable consolation. Whereupon, he thought himself concerned in that advice of heaven, “When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren!”

§ 5. Having before this been well studied in the tongues and arts, he was the better fitted for the higher studies of divinity; whereto he now wholly addicted himself: and being in his own happy experience acquainted with faith, and repentance, and holiness, he did from that experience now make lively sermons on those points unto his hearers... He soon grew eminent in his ministry; setting off the t:uths he delivered, not only with such ornaments of laconic and well-contrived expression as made him worthy to be called “the master of sentences,” but also with such experimental passages of devotion, as made him admired for “a preacher seeking out acceptable words.”

§ 6. His accomplishments rendered him as capable of preferments, as most in his age; but preferments were then so clogged with troublesome

and scruplesome impositions, that Mr. Norton, as well as other conscientious young ministers, his contemporaries, declined medling with them. His aversion, and indeed antipathy to Arminianism (after he was, as Bradwardin speaks, Gratie Radio Visitatus,)* and his dislike of the ceremonies, particularly hindered him from a considerable benefice, whereto his unkle might have helped him, Dr, Sibs also, the master of Katharine Hall, in Cambridge, taken with his abilities, did earnestly solicite him, to have accepted of a fellowship in that College; but his conscience being now satisfied in the unlawfulness of some things thea required in order therounto, would not permit him todo it. One asked once a great prelate at court, how it came to pass, that such a preacher, (an ancient chaplain there,) a wise, grave, holy man, did not rise?—meaning by way of preferment: the prelate answered him, “Truly, let me tell you, that I verily think he never will rise until the resurrection.” Truly, let me now tell the world, that such were the principles of Mr. Norton, there was no likelihood of his rising in this world, as things then went in the world. Wherefore he contented himself with a more private life, as chaplain in two Knights’ house, at High Lever in Essex, namely, Sir William Masham’s; there waiting, till God might furnish him with wneaceptable opportunities for his more publick preaching of the gospel. But, generally, all those who had any taste of his ministry, had a very high opinion of it; nor was there any man in that part of the country more esteemed than he was, for all sorts of excellencies; insomuch, that when he came away, an ancient minister said, ‘‘He believed there was not more grace and holiness left in all Essex, than what Mr. Norton had carried with him.”

§ 7. His natural temper had a tincture of choler in it; but as the sowrest and harshest fruits become the most pleasant, when tempered with a due proportion of sweetness added thereunto, so the grace of God sweetned the disposition of this good man, into a most affable, courteous, and complaisant behaviour, which rendered him-exceeding amiable. Indeed, when the apostle speaks of the spirit, and soul, and body, being sanctified, some do by spirit understand the natural temper or humour; and accordingly the spirit of this quick man being sanctified, he became a man of an excellent spirit.

§ 8. Vast was the treasure of learning in this reverend man. He was not only a most accurate grammarian, which is abundantly manifested by his printed works in divers languages; but an universal scholar: nevertheless, ’twas as a school-man that he showed himself the most of a scholar. He accounted that the excellency of a scholar, lay more in distinctness of judgment, than in elegancy of language; and therefore, though he had a neater style than most other men, yet he was desirous to furnish himself ad pugnam,t rather than ad pompam.t Hence, having intimately acquainted himself with the subtilties of scholastic divinity, he made all to illustrate the doctrine of Christ and of grace, unto which he made all the

* Visited by a beum of Divine grace. + For battle. ¢ For show.

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spoils of the schools gloriously subservient. He was a most elegant preacher, and the true follower of Dr. Sibs!

§ 9. But let his eacellencies have been what they will, there was in those days a set of men resolved that the church of God should lose the benefit of all those excellencies, except the person which had them could comply with certain uninstituted rites in the worship of God; which our Mr. Norton could not; and it was that which made him ours, This drove him to the remote regions of America, where he hoped, as well he mighi, that there would never be done so unreasonable a thing, as to obstruct that evangelical worship of our Lord Jesus Christ, for the sake whereof those regions have been added unto the English dominions, Wherefore in the year 1684, having married a gentlewoman both of good estate and of good esteem, he took shipping for New-England, acompanied in the same ship with the famous Mr. Thomas Shepard.

§ 10. In the road betwixt Harwich and Yarmouth, he very narrowly escaped a terrible shipwrack: for by the vehemency of a storm all their anchors gave way, so that they were driven within a cable’s length of the sands; but yet the anchor of their hope in God, held fast unto the last. Mr. Shepard having taken the mariners above decks, Mr. Norton took the passengers between decks, and each of them with their company, applied themselves unto fervent prayer, whereto the Almighty God gave a present answer in their wonderful deliverance. After this tempest, which disappointed their voyage to New-England for that season, Mr. Norton returned unto his friends in Essex, where Mr. Dyke welcomed him, as one come from the dead; professing to him, “That he would have given many pounds for such a tryal of his faith, as this his friend had newly met withal.”

§ 11. The next year Mr, Norton renewed his voyage to New-England; but intervening accidents made it very late in the year before he could begin the voyage: and so, coming upon the American coast in the month of October, they encountred with another very terrible storm, which lasted eightand-forty hours with great extremity, and had broken the vessel to pieces, if it had not had a strength more than ordinary. One wave remarkably washed some of the sea-men overboard on one side, and then threw them in again on the other: and so vehement was the storm, that they were forced at length to undergird the ship with the cable, that they might keep her sides together. But within ten days after this, they were brought safe into Plymouth harbour.

§ 12. There had been some overtures between him and Mr. Winslow, the agent of Plymouth, now on board with him, about his accepting of a settlement in that plantation; and the people of Plymouth now courteously and earnestly invited him, accordingly to continue with them. Nevertheless, the state of things in the Massachuset-colony, was more agreeable unto him; and the church of Ipswich made their speedy applications unto him, to take the pastoral charge of them. This occasioned his deliberation with his friends in the bay what course.to steer.

Vou, I.—19

Sep ROR Se ate

MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA;

§ 18. While he sojourned in his unsettled state at Boston, he came into acquaintance with the ministers thereabouts, who entertained him with a very high opinion of him; especially Mr. Mather of Dorchester, who, though of longer standing than he, yet consulted him as an oracle, in matters of greatest consequence unto him; and found him so accomplished and experienced a person, that he maintained a most valuable friendship with him to the last. Yea, though he were yet a young man, and short of thirty, when he first came into the country, yet the magistrates of the colony soon became so sensible of his abilities, as to make use of him in some of their most arduous affairs. And there happened several occasions to try the scholastick eminencies whereto he was arrived; one of which was, when there was in these parts a French friar, who found in Mr. Norton a Protestant equal to his own school-men, and well acquainted with them all. Indeed, there was in him the union of two excellencies, which do not always meet. It was the character of Hortensius, that he was weak in writing, and yet able to speak: it was the character of Abericus, that he was weak in speech, and yet able in writing: but our Norton was in both of these a very able person.

§ 14. It was the church of Ipswich that our Lord gave so rich a thing

as his eminent servant Norton: but’ besides the constant labours of this holy and fruitful man, in that particular church, he there did several great services of a more extensive influence to the whole Church of God; whereof one was this: Gulielmus Apollonii, at the direction of the divines in Zealand, in the year 1644, sent over to New-England a number of questions, relating to our way of church-government; whereto the ministers of New-England unanimously imposed upon Mr. Norton the task of drawing up an answer, which he finished in the year 1645, and it was, I suppose, the first Latin book that ever was written in this country. What satisfaction it gave, may be gathered, not only from the attestations of Dr, Goodwin, Mr. Nye, Mr. Sympson, thereunto; but also from the expressions of Dr. Hornbeck, who frequently magnifies the reason, and the candour of our New-English divine, even in those points wherein he does himself dissent from him. Nor is it amiss to add the words in Dr. Fuller’s Church- History, hereupon; which are: “Of all the authors I have perused concerning these opinions, none to me was more informative than Mr. John Norton, one of no less learning than modesty, in his answer to Apollonius, pastor in the church of Middleburgh.”

§ 15. It will do no hurt for me to repeat one passage on this occasion, which to me seemed worthy of some remark. While Mr. Norton was deeply engaged in writing his Latin account of our church-discipline, some of his more accurate and judicious hearers imagined that his publick sermons wanted a little of that exactness which did use to attend them;

whereof one said something to that Mr. Whiting whom I may well call the angel in the church of Lyn. Mr. Whiting hereupon, in a very respectlb ee eect aR i Sab li) 24

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casion, on was scipline, publick 1 them; ell call respectful and obliging manner, spoke to Mr. Norton, saying, “Sir, there are some of your people who think that the services wherein you are engaged for all the churches, do something take off the edge of the ministry, wherein you should serve your own particular church; I would entreat you, sir, to consider this matter; for our greatest work is to preach the gospel unto that flock whereof we are overseers.’’ Our great and good man took the excellent oyl of this intimation with the kindness which became such a man, and made it serviceable unto his holy studies.

§ 16. Another considerable service, which then called for the studies of this excellent man, was the advising, modelling, and recommending the Platform of Church-Discipline, agreed by a Synod at Cambridge, in the year 1647. Into that Platform he would fain have had inserted certain propositions concerning the watch which our churches are to have over the children born in them; which propositions were certainly the first principles of New-England; only the fierce oppositions of one eminent person caused him that was of a peaceable temper to forbear urging them any further; by which means, when those very propositions came to be advanced and embraced in another Synod, more than twice seven years after, many people did ignorantly count them novelties. Moreover, when the Synod first assembled, it was a thing of scme unhappy consequence that the church of Boston would not send any messengers unto it: but Mr. Norton preaching the next lecture there, wherein he handled the nature of counsils, and the power of civil magistrutes to call such assemblies, and the duty of the churches in regarding their advice, the church of Boston were therewithal so satisfied, as to testifie their communion with the rest of the churches, by sending three messengers to accompany their elders now in the Synod. And when the result of the Synod came to try its acceptance in the churches, he did his part, especially in his own, with a prudent and pious diligence to obtain it; which was happily accomplished.

§ 17. There was yet one comprehensive service more, which this learned man here did for the church of God; and that was this: a gentleman of New-England had written a book, entituled, “The Meritorious Price of Man’s Redemption;” wherein he pretends to prove, “That Christ suffered not for us those unutterable torments of God’s wrath, which are commonly called hell-torments, to redeem our souls from them: and that Christ bore not our sins by God’s imputation, and therefore also did not bear the curse of the law for them.” The General Court of the colony, concerned that the glorious truths of the gospel might be rescued from the confusions whereinto the essay of this gentleman had thrown them, and afraid lest the church of God abroad should suspect that New-England allowed of such exhorbitant aberrations, appointed Mr. Norton to draw up an answer to that erroneous treatise. This work he peformed with a most elaborate and judicious pen, in a book afterwards published under the title of, A Discussion of that great point in Divinity, THE SUFFERINGS OF CuRIST: and

the Questions about his Active and Passive Righteousness, and the Imputation thereof.” In that the true principles of the gospel are stated with so much demonstration, as is indeed unanswerable. The great assertion therein explained and maintained, is, (according to the express words of the reverend author,) “That the Lord Jesus Christ, as God-man, and Mediator, according to the will of the Father, and his own voluntary consent, fully obeyed the law, doing the command in a way of works, and suffering the essential punishment of the curse, in a way of obedient satisfaction unto divine justice, thereby exactly fulfilling the first covenant: which acti, and passive obedience of his, together with his original righteousness, as a surety, God, of his rich grace, actually imputeth unto believers: whom, upon the receipt thereof, by the grace of faith, he declareth and accepteth, as perfectly righteous, and acknowledgeth them to have a right unto eternal life.” And in every clause of this position, the author expressed not his own sence alone, but the sence of all the churches in the country: in testimony whereof, there published at the end of the book an instrument signed by five considerable names, Cotton, Wilson, Mather, Symmes, and Tompson, who in the name of others, declare, “‘ As they believe, they do also profess, that the obedience of Christ to the whole law, which is the law of righteousness, is the matter of our justification: and the imputation of our sins to Christ (and thereupon his suffering the sence of the wrath of God, upon him

for our sin) and the imputation of his obedience and sufferings to ‘us, are ©

the formal cause of our justification: and that they who deny this, do now take away both of these, both matter and form of our justification, which is the life of our souls and of our religion, and therefore called the justification of life.”

This being the primitive doctrine of justification, among the churches of New-England the things that were judged opposite hereunto, in the renowned Richard Baxter’s “ Aphorisms of Justification,” did then give a great and just offence unto the faithful in this country: yea, they looked upon many things in his writings, to be, as Photius has it, upon some things in Clemens Alexandrinus; that is to say, things expressed, 3x’ dyitis, not safely and soundly; albeit, the other more practical and savory books of that holy man, were highly valued in these American regions; and not a few have here blessed God for him and for his labours. And as in those elder days of New-England, the esteem which our churches had for that eminent man, did not hinder them from rejecting that new covenant of works, with which they thought he confounded that most important article, upon the notions whereof the church either stands or falls: thus it is a grief of mind unto our churches at this day, to find that great and good man, in some of his last works, under the blinding heat of his indignation against some which we also account unjustifiable, yea, dangerous opinions and expressions of Dr. Crisp, reproaching some of the most undoubted points in our common faith. We read him unaccountably enumerating

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among errors, which, he says, have “corrupted Christianity,” and “subg ’ ’ ys, Pp y

verted the gospel,” such things as these:

“They feign, that God made a covenant with Adam, that if he stood, God would continue him and his posterity; and if he fell, God would take it, as if all his posterity then personally sinned in him.——Feigning God to make Adam, not only the natural father and root of mankind, but also arbitrarily, a constituted representer of all the persons that should spring from him. Whence they infer, that Christ was by God’s imposition, and his own sponsion, made the legal representative person of every one of the elect, taken singularly: so that what he did for them, God reputeth them to have done by him. Hereby they fulsly make the person of the Mediator, to be the legal person of the sinner.

“They jorge a law, that God never made, that saith, ‘Thou or thy surety shall obey per. fectly, or die.”

“They feign God to have made on elernal covenant with his Son. “They feign Christ to have made such an exchange with the elect, as that, having taken

all their sins, he hath given them all his righteousness; not only the fruit of it, but the thing in it self.

“They say that, by the imputation of Christ’s righteousness, habitual and actual, we are judged perfectly just.

“They talk of justification in meer ignorant confusion.——They say, that to justifie is not to make righteous, but to judge righteous,

“They err grosly, saying, that by [faith imputed for righteousness] and [our being justified by faith] is not meant, the act, or habit of faith, but the object, Christ’s righteousness: not sticking i! °)" to turn such texts into worse than nonsence,

[All tuese are Mr. Baxter’s words, in his “ Defence of Christ,” chap. II.]

These things, which our churches with amazement behold Mr. Baxter thus calling fictions, falsehoods, forgeries, ignorant confusions, and gross errors, were defended by Mr. Norton, as the “faith once delivered unto the saints:” nor do our churches at this day consider them, as any other, than “glorious truths of the gospel;” which, as they were maintained by Mr. Norton. So two divines, which were the scholars of Mr. Norton, well known in both Englands, Nathanael and Increase Mather, (Fratrum dulce Par;)* and a third, a worthy minister of the gospel, Mr. Samuel Willard, now living in the same house from whence Mr. Norton went, unto “that not made with hands,” have in their printed labours most accurately expressed them and confirmed them. Hence, although as, on the one side, I have this passage of Mr. Baxter’s in a letter from him, written but a few months before he died, “I am as zealous a lover of the New-England churches as any man, according to Mr. Norton’s and the Synod’s model:” so, on the other side, the memory of Mr. Baxter is on many accounts zealously loved among the churches of New-England, yet espousing the principles for their establishment, wherein Mr. Norton had appeared: nevertheless, inasmuch as Mr. Baxter, just before his entrance into his “everlasting rest,” requested of my parent, then in London: “Sir, if you know of any errors in any of my writings, I pray you to confute them after I am dead.” I

* A charming pair of brothers,

thought it not amiss to regard so far the gospel-truths of justification at this day labouring, as to take occasion from the mention of Mr. Norton's book, to say, that in that one book of his, there is a confutation of Mr. Baxter, who seems to oppose those things, which the churches of New-England judge cannot be denied without corrupting of Christianity, and subverting of the gospel. But waving any further mention of the book, I cannot leave unmentioned a couple of passages in the preface of it, which is dedicatory to the General Court of the Massachuset colony. One is this: “I appeal to any compsiently judicious and sober-minded man, if the denial of rule in the Presbytery, of a decisive voice in the Synod, and of the power of the mzgistrate in matters of religion, do not in this point translate the Paral power unto the brotherhood of every congregation.” Another is this: “You have been among the first of magistrates, which have approved and practised the Congregational way; no small favour from God, nor honour to your selves, with the generation to come, when that shall appear to be the way of Christ.”

§ 18. But we say nothing of Norton, if we don’t speak of an orthodox evangelist. Being himself such an one, he digested the subtleties of the school-:ren into solid and wholesome Christianity, which he published in a treatise entituled, “Zhe Orthodox Evangelist;” wherein he handles the abstrvze points of the existence and subsistence, and efficience of God, and the person of Christ, and the methods of the Spirif in uniting us to him; and the doctrine of justification, with the fuiwre and happy state of the saints; all in such a manner, that Mr. Cotton saw cause to say in his preface to this treatise, ‘Clusters of ripe grapes passing under the press, are fit to be transported unto all nations; thus, such gifts and labours passing under the press, may be fitly communicated to all churches. The physicians do speak, there are Pillule sine Quibus esse nolo;* so there are Libelli sine quibus, ‘some books,’ Sine qguibus esse nolo;+ and this is one of them.” This book he dedicated unto his own church, in Ipswich; and in the close of his dedication, I cannot forget this emphatical passage: “You are our glory and joy: forget not the emphasis in the word, owr: ministers, compared with other Christians, have little to joy in in this world: it is not with the ministers of the present, as with the ministers of late times; nor with your exiles, 95 with some others. Let this owr, or if you please your condition, for therein you have been both partakers with us and supporters of us, be your provocation.” Thus, and more than thus useful, was this Bradwardin of New-England, while Ipswich had him.

§ 19. When Cotton, that “man of God,” lay sick of the sickness whereof he died, his church desired that he would nominate and recommend a fit person to succeed him; and he advised them to apply themselves unto Mr. Norton, hoping that the church of Ipswich, being accommodated with such another eminent person as Mr. Rogers, would, out of respect unto

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the general good of all the people of God throughout the land, so far deny themselves, as to dismiss him from themselves, That which gave encouragement unto this business, was not a dream of Mr. Cotton’s, though it was indeed a strange thing, that Mr. Cotton in his illness, being solicitous what counsel to give unto his church, he dreamed that he saw Mr. Norton riding unto Boston, to succeed him, upon a white horse, in circumstances that were exactly afterwards accomplished: and when Mr. Wilson, with his flock, saw the thing accomplished, it caused them to look upon Mr. Norton, almost with the same eye that old Narcissus, with the church at Jerusalem, did upon Alexander, when upon the warning of a voice from heaven, to take him, whom they should so find, they found him out of the city, provided for them. Bui it was a design which Mr. Norton had of returning for England: a design which he had so laid before his people, as to obtain their grant, that if upon staying a twelvemonth longer among them, there did occur no occasion for him to alter his purposes, they would not oppose his going. Now when the agents of the church at Boston made this motion to the church of Ipswich, there was much debate about it; wherein at length an honest brother made this proposal: “ Brethren, a case in some things like to this was once that way determined: ‘we will call the damsel, and enquire at her mouth:’ wherefore I propose, that our teacher himself be enquired of, whether he be inclined to go?” They then put that question to Mr. Norton himself, who being troubled at the offer of the question unto him, answered, “That if they judged such reasons as caused his removal from Europe into America, now called for his removal from Ipswich to Boston, he should resign himself; but he could not be active.” However, at length, they consenied that he should for the present go sojourn at Boston, to try and see how far the will of God about this matter, might be afterwards discovered; but after Mr. Norton was gone, many of the people fell into a very unreasonable indisposition towards Mr. Rogers, as if he had not been active enough, although he had, indeed, been as active as he well could be to retain his collegue ainong them. 'The melancholly temper of Mr. Rogers felt so deep an impression f* m those paroxisms, and murmurings of the people, that it is thought his end was thereby hastned; but the church, upon the death of Mr. Rogers, renewing their demands of Mr. Norton’s return, a council was upon that occasion called; which council advised Ipswich to grant Mr. Norton a fair dismission unto the service of Boston, and in Boston, of all New-England. However, divers lesser councils, that were successively called on this occasion, covld not comfortably procure this dismission, till at last the governour and magistrates of the colony called a council for this end; in their order for which, they intimate their concern lest, while the two churches were contending which of them should enjoy Mr. Norton, they should both of them, and the whole country with them, lose that reverend person, by his prosecuting his inclination to remove into England. Hereupon

such a dismission could not be denied; but now Boston joyfully receiving Mr. Norton, Ipswich applied themselves unto Mr. Cobbet, who afterwards continued a rich blessing among them. And Mr. Norton did indeed the part of a surviving brother for Mr. Cotton, in raising up, or at least keeping up the name of that great man, by publishing a most elegant account of his life, part whereof was afterwards transcribed by Sam. Clark into his collections.

§ 20. Mr. Norton being now transplanted into that garden which our Lord had in Boston, did there bring forth much of that fruit whereby the “Heavenly Father was glorified.” There he preached, he wrote, he prayed, and maintained without any prelatical Hpiscopacy, a care of all the churches. And New-England being a country whose interests were most remarkably and generally enwrapped in its ecclesiastical circumstances, there were many good offices, which Mr. Norton did for the peace of the whole country, by his wise counsels upon many occasions, given to its counsellors. In truth, if he had never done any thing, but that one thing of preventing by his wise interposition, the acts of hostility which were like to pass between our people, and the Dutch at Manhatoes, that alone were well worth his coming into the station which he now had at Boston. But the service which now most signalized him, was, his agency at White-hall; for it being found necessary to address the restored King; the worshipful Simon Bradstreet, Esq. and this reverend Mr. John Norton, were sent over as agents from the colony, with an address unto his Majesty; wherein there were, among others, the following passages:

“We supplicate your Majesty for your gracious protection of us, in the continuance both of our civil, and of our religious liberties; according to the grantees’ known end of suing for the patent, conferred upon this plantation by your royal father. ‘Our liberty to walk in the faith of the gospel, with all good conscience, according to the order of the gospel,’ was the cause of our transporting our selves, with our wives, our little ones, and our substance, from that pleasai:t land, over the Atlantick Ocean, into the vast wilderness; choosing rather the pure Scripture-worship, with a’ good conscience, in this remote wilderness, than the pleasures of England, with submissions to the impositions of the then so disposed, and so far prevailing hierarchy, which we could not do without an evil conscience.”"-——“ We are not seditious as to the interests of Cesar, nor schismatical as to the matters of religion. We distinguish between churches, and their impurities.-———* We could not live without the pub. lick worship of God, nor be permitted the public worship, without such a yoke of subscription and conformity, as we could not consent unto without sin. That we might, therefore, enjoy divine worship, free from human mixtures, without offence to God, man, and our own consciences, we, with leave, but not without dears, departed from our country, kindred, and fathers’ houses, into this Patmos.”

It was in February, 1661-2, that they began their voyage, and it was in September following that they returned: Mr. Norton’s place being the mean time supplied by the neighbouring ministers, taking of their turns, And by their hands the country received the King’s letters, wherein he signified, that the expressions of their loyalty and affection to him, were

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very acceptable, and that confirming to them their privileges, he would cherish them with all manner of encouragement and protection.

§ 21. Such has been the jealous disposition of our New-Englanders about their dearly bought privileges, and such also has been the various understanding of the people about the extent of those privileges, that of all the agents which they have sent over unto the Court of England, for now forty years together, I know not any one who did not, at his return, meet with some very froward entertainment among his country-men: and there may be the wisdom of the holy and righteous God, as well as the malice of the evil one, acknowledged, in the ordering of such temptations. Of these temptations, a considerable share fell to Mr. Norton; concerning whom there were many who would not stick to say, that “he had laid the foundation of ruine to all our liberties;” and his melancholly mind imagined that his best friends began therefore to look awry upon him.

§ 22. In the spring before his going for England, he preached an excellent sermon unto the representatives of the whole colony, assembled at the Court of Election, wherein I take particular notice of this passage: ‘‘Moses was the meekest man on earth, yet it went iil with Moses, ’tis said, for their sakes. How long did Moses live at Meribah? Sure I am, it killed him in a short time; a man of as good a temper as could be expected from a meer man; I tell you, it will not only kill the people, but it will quickly kill Moses too!” And in the spring after his return from England, he found his own observation in himself too much exemplified. It was commonly judged that the smothered griefs of his mind, upon the unkind resentments which he thought many people had of his faithful and sincere endeavours to serve them, did more than a little hasten his end; an end whereat JoHN NorToN went, according to the anagram of his name INTO HONNOR. But he had the privilege to enter into ¢mmortality, without such a formal and feeling death, as the most of mortals encounter with; for though in the forenoon of April 5, 1663, it was his design to have preached in the afternoon, he was that afternoon taken with a sudden lypothymie, which presently and easily carried him away to those glories, wherein the “weary are at rest;” but it was adark night which the inhabitants of Boston had upon the noise of his death; every corner of the town was filled with lamentations, which left a character upon. that night, unto this day not forgotten! His dearest neighbour, Mr. Richard Mather, wept over him at his funeral, which was on the next lecture day, a sermon most agreeable to the occasion; and the soa of his fellow-traveller, Mr. Thomas Shepard, was one of the many who bestowed their elegies upon him; using this, among his other strokes:

Tue echoolmen’s Doctors, whomsoe'er they call, Scotus, a dunce to him; should we compare Subtil, seraphick, or angelicaé; Aquinas here, none to be named are, Dull souls! their tapers burnt exceeding dim; oO

fa more Acaventy strain his notions were $ They might to schoo! again, to learn of him, More pure, sublime, scholastical, and clear. Lombard must out of date; we now profess More like th’ Apostles Paul and John, I wist, Norton the master of the sentences; Was this our orthodoz Evangelist.

§ 28. He that shall read the tragical romances, written by that brazenfaced lyar Bolsecus, concerning the deaths of such men as Calvin and Beza, or such monstrous writings as those of T'ympius, Cochleus, Genebard, and some others, who would bear the world in hand, tbat Luther and (Ecolampadius learned the Protestant religion of the devil, and were at last killed by him; and that Bucer had his guts pulled out and cast about by the devil; will not wonder if I tell him that, after the death of Mr, Norton, the Quakers published a libel, by them called, “A Representation to King and Parliament;” wherein, pretending to report some, “remarkable judgments upon their persecutors,” they insert this passage: “John Norton, chief priest in Boston, by the immediate power of the Lord, was smitten, and as he was sinking down by the fire-side, being under just judgment, he confessed the hand of the Lord was upoi him, and so he died.”— Which they mention as a judgment upon a persecutor, Whereas, the death of this good man was attended with no circumstances but what, unto a good man, might be eligible and comfortable, and circumstanced far otherwise than it was by those revilers represented. But it was necessary for that enchanted people thus to revenge themselves upon one who, amongst his other services to the church of God, already mentioned, had, at the desire of the General Court, written a book, entituled, “ Zhe Heart of New- England rent at the Blasphemies of the Present Generation; or, a Brief Tractate concerning the Doctrine of the Quakers:” which doctrine was in this tractate solidly confuted. And perhaps, it had been better if t’s had been all the confutation; which I add, because I will’ not, I cannot make my self a vindicator for all the severities with which the zeal of some eminent men hath sometimes enraged and increased, rather than reclaimed those miserable hereticks: but wish that the Quakers may be treated as Queen Elisabeth directed the Lord President of the North to treat the Papists; when she advised him to convince them with argument, rather than suppress them with violence; to that purpose using of the words of the prophets, Nolo Mortem Peccatoris.+

§ 24. Not long after his death, his friends published three sermons of his, which for the circumstances of them could have been entituled, “These were the last words of that servant of the Lord.” . The first of the sermons, was the /ast sernon which he preached at the Court of Election at Boston, It is on Jer, x. 17, entituled, “Sion the Out-cast healed of her Wounds:” and there are two or three passages in it, which I cannot but recommend unto the peculiar consideration of the present generation:

“To differ from our orthodox, pious, and learned brethren, is such an affliction to a Chris. tian and an ingenuous spirit, as nothing but love to the truth could arm a man of peace

* Is he not honoured? + I would not die the death of a transgrossor.

RTI ik aaah Alans em. tog ah cada ant nits aan ie Sachin aia GAIL i Leet Anm woo

sais iri eb.

agains' our wi

Aga said, * God’s; for sey

One unto t killed | the el backed long ¢

Th his &

subjec

inter | ita In,

66 A Defess Disput ulanti turnio.

Mare

“We Melanc than th uttered

hrispeace

LEONI ebad oabled) Aine on ey bs Aout arch arity Siler cba ad

a biban

leseoase

against. Our profession being in a way differing from these and those, it concerns us, that our walking be very cautelous, and that it be without giving any just offence,”

Again.-—“In matters of state and church, let it be shown that we are his disciples, who said, ‘give unto Cesar the things that are Cwsar's, and give unto God the things that are God’s;’ and in matters of religion, let it be known. ‘hat we are for reformation, and not for separation.”

Once more.—“TI may say thus much (and pardon my specch) a more yielding ministry unto the people than ours’ I believe is not in the world. I beseech you, let not Cesar be killed in the senate, after he hath conquered in the field, Let us acknowledge the order of the eldership in our churches, in their way, and the order of councils in their way, duely backed and encouraged: without which experience will witness that these churches cannot long consist.”

The second of the sermons, was the last sermon which he preached on the Lord’s day. It is on Joh. xiv. 8, entituled, “ The Believer’s Consolation in the remembrarce of his Heavenly Mansion, prepared for him by Ohrist.”

The third of the sermons was the last sermon which he preached on his lecture. It ison Heb. viii. 5, entituled, “Zhe Hvangelical Worshipper, subjecting to the prescription and sovereignty of Scripture Pattern.”

§ 25. The three sermons thus published as the last, or the dropt mantle of this Elias, are accompanied with the translation of a letter, which was composed in Latin by Mr. Norton, and subscribed by more than forty of the ministers, on this occasion. The famous John Dury having, from the year 1635, been most indefatigably labouring for a pacification between the reformed churches in Europe, communicated his design to the ministers of New-England, requesting their concurrence and countenance unto his generous undertaking. In answer to him, this letter was written; and there are one or two passages which I chuse to transcribe from it, because as well the spirit of our Norton, as the story of our country, is therein indigitated:

“ Redeunt in Memoriam, et redeunt quidem non sine Sanctiori Sympathia, Beata ille Anima, Melancthonis et Parei NYN EN ATIOIS, hic inter Reformatos, ille inter Evangelicos, Vir Consummatissimus. Quorum Alter Haganoam iter faciens, ita Ingemuit:

“ Vizimus in Synodis, et jam moriemur in illis.

“Alter Vero, Super Eristica Eucharistica Meditabundus, in hac Verba Erupit, Defessus sum Disputando. Nimirum, illis Judicibus, Orandum potius quam— Disputandum; Vivendum, non Litigandum. Forsitan et Consilia Pacis, que, Stim. ulanti recenti Ira hactenus, minus grata fuere, utriusque partis Theologi Rivis diuturnioribus aliquando fessi et Subacti, equis animis Suscipere, non moleste ferunt: Mare pacificum Aquis Meribanis, Longo Rerum usu Edocti, anteferentes.”

“We may here call to mind, and not without some sacred sympathy, those blessed souls, Melancthon and Pareus, now among the blessed—the one no less famous among the Reformed, than the other among the Evangelicks, Of these, the one going towards Haganoa, with sighs nttered these words:

“In Synods hitherto we lived have, And now in them, return unto the grave.

tin SOOKE, Tange otra aR

“The other seriously meditating on the controversy of the Eucharist, brake forth into these words: ‘I am weary with disputing.” Thus, if these might be judges, we ought rather to pray than dispute, and study to live rather than contend, And perhaps the divines of either part, after they have been wearied and broke in their spirits with daily and continual conten. tion, will more readily accept of the ‘counsels of peace,’ which hitherto have been less accept. able, while the sense of anger has been spurring of them: after they have been taught by long use, they may prefer the waters of the Pacific Sea, before those of Meribah,”

“ Gratias agimus Domino Dureo, cui Josephi Longe terra marique a fratribus Distantis, meminisse Cordi fuit: Qui nos Misellos, in Cillicio, Cillicio autem ipsi confidimus Evangelico Militantes, tam Auspicato Nuncio invisere dignatus est; Qui Novam Angliam, quasi particulam aliquam Fimbriea Vestimenti Aronici, unguento pradiviti delibutam, in Album Syueretismi Longe celeberrimi adscribere non adspernatur; Qui porro Litteris ad Syncretismum hortatoriis, subinde nobdis Ansam prabuit Testimonium hoc, quale quale, perhibendi Communionis nostra fratern, cum universa Cohorte Protestantium, fidem Jesu Christi profitentium. Ingenue enim fatemur, tranquilla tam quum erant Omnia, nec Signora Minantia signis adhuc nobis conspiciebantur; quippe quibus, Episcopis, itla Tempestate Rerum Dom. inis, publico Ministerio Defungi, necdum Sacris frui, sine Subscriptione et conform. itate, (ut Joqui solent) ulque adeo Humanarum Adinventionum in Divinis Commix. tione, non Liceret, et satius visum est, vel in Longinquas, et Incultas Terrarum Oras, Cultus purioris Ergo concessisse, quam Oneri Hierarchico, cum Rerum Omnium Affluentia, Conscientia autem Dispendio, succubuisse. At patriam fugiendo, nos Ecclesiarum Evangelicarum Communioni Nuncium misisse, hoc vero est quod fidenter et Sancte pernegamus.”

“We give thanks to Mr. Dury into whose heart it came to remember Joseph separate from his bretheren at so great a distance both by sea and land: and who hath vouchsafed with so comfortable a message to visit us poor people, cloathed in sackcloth, for our warfare; yet, as we trust, the sackcloth of the gospel: who hath not refused to put New-England as part of the skirt of ‘Aaron’s garment,’ upon which hath descended some of the ‘precious oyl,’ into the catalogue of the so much famed ‘agreement: and who hath by his letter exhorting to such agreement given us an occasion to bring in this testimony, such as it is, for our ‘broth. erly communion’ with the whole company of Protestants professing the faith of Christ Jesus, For we must ingenuously confess, that then, when all things were quiet, and no threatning signs of war appeared, seeing we could not be permitted by the Bishops at that timo prevail. ing to perform the office of the ministry in publick, nor yet to enjoy the holy ordinances, without subscription and conformity (as they were wont to speak) nor without the mixture of ‘humane inventions’ with ‘divine institutions,’ we chose rather to depart into the remote and unknown parts of the earth, for the sake of a purer worship, than to ly down under the Hierarchy in the abundance of all things, but with prejudice of conscience. But that in flying from our country, we should renounce communion with such churches as profess the gospel, is a thing which we confidently and solemnly deny.”

“ Quoscunque apud Cetus, per Universum Fvangelicorum chorum, Fundamentalia Doctrine et Essentialia Ordinis, Vigeant, quamvis in plerisque Controversie Theologice Apicibus nobiscum juxta minus Sentiant, illos tamen ad unum Omnes pro Fratibus agnoscimus, iisque cetera pacificis, et Ordinate incedentibus, ARXIAX KOINQNIAZ in Domino porrigere paratissimos nos esse hisce palam facimus,”

“In whatever assemblies amongst the whole company of those that profess the gospel, the fundamentals of doctrine, and essentials of order, are maintained, though in many nicosil its le iy * OIC c NEGA oae aalT Te

into ther either bntenppt. ht by

ribus

ipsi

est: bnici, ibere nobis p fra. renue is ad. Dom. ei mix. arum erum fugi. ro est

r from ith so et, as rt of * into ng to broth. Jesus, itning revail. ANces, ixture emote or the flying rospel,

enta. prsite mines c1AS

>

ospel, nico.

ties of controversial divinity they are at less agreement with us, we do hereby make it manifest, that we do acknowledge them all and every one for brethren, and that we shall be ready to give unto them the right hand of fellowship in the Lord, if in other things they be peaveable, and walk orderly.”

§ 26. This was our Norton! and we might have given yet a fuller account of him, if we could have seen the Diary, which he kept of his daily walk, However, he was well known to be a great example of holiness, watchfulness, and extraordinary wisdom; and though he left no children, yet he has a better name than that of sons and of daughters, Moreover, there was one considerable part of ministerial work, wherein he not only went beyond most of his age, but also proved a leader unto many followers, Though the ministers of New-England counted it unlawful for them, ordinarily, to perform their ministerial acts of solemn and publick prayer by reading or using any ‘forms of prayer” composed by other persons for them; they reckoned “‘an ability to express the case of a congregation in prayer,” to be a ministerial gift, which our Lord forbids his ministers to neglect; they supposed that a minister who should only read “forms of sermons”’ composed for him, would as truly discharge the duty of preachtng, as one that should only read such “forms of prayers,” would the duty of praying, in it: they could not find that any humane “forms of prayers” were much used in any part of the church, until about four hundred years after Christ, nor any made for more than some single province, until six hundred years; nor any imposed until eight hundred, when all manner of “‘ill-formed things” began to be found in the temple of God; nevertheless, very many of our greatest ministers, in our more early times, did not use to expatiate with such a significant and admirable variety in their prayers before their sermons, as many of our later times have attained unto; nor indeed then did they, nor still do we, count all “forms of prayer” simply unlawful. But the more general improvements and expressions of “the gift of prayer,” in our ministers have since been the matter of observation; and particularly Mr. Norton therein was truly admirable! It even transported the souls of his hearers to accompany him in his devotions, wherein his graces would make wonderful salleys into the vast field’ of entertainments, and acknowledgements, with which we are furnished in the new-covenant, for our prayers. I have heard of a godly man in Ipswich, who, after Mr. Norton’s going to Boston, would ordinarily travel on foot from Ipswich to Boston, which is about thirty miles, for nothing but the weekly lectwre there; and he would profess, “ That it was worth a great journey, to be a partaker in one of Mr. Norton’s prayers. This pattern of prayer in Mr. Norton, had some influence upon it, that since his time, our pulpits have been fuller than ever of ‘experimental demonstrations,” that the ministers of the gospel may on all occasions present their supplications before God, in the discharge of their ministry, with more pertinent, more affecting, more expanded enlargements, than any form could afford

unto them. New-England can show, even young ministers, who never did in all things repeat one prayer twice over, in that part of their ministry wherein we are “first of all, to make supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings;” and yet sometimes, for much more than an hour together, they pour out their souls unto the Almighty God in such a fervent, copious, and yet proper manner, that their most critical auditors, can complain of nothing disagreeable, but profess themselves extreamly edifyed.

But our praying Norton, who, while he was among us, “prayed with the tongue of angels;” is now gone to “praise with the angels” for ever.

EPITAPHIUM. JOHANNES NORTONUS.

Quie fuerat, Ultra si queras, Dignue es qui Nescias.*

§ 1. Such is the natural tendency in humane minds to poetry, that as "tis observed, the Roman historian, in the very first line of his history, fell

upon a verse, Urbem Romam, In Principio Reges habuere ; t

So the Roman orator, though a very mean poet, yet making an oration for a good one, could not let his first sentence pass him, without a perfect

hexameter, In Qua me non Inficior, mediocriter Esse. t

If, therefore, I were not of all men the most wnpoetical, my reader might now expect an entertainment altogether in verse; forI am going to write the life of that New-English divine, who had so nimble a faculty of putting his devout thoughts into verse, that he signalized himself by the greatest frequency, perhaps, that ever man used, of sending poems to all persons, in all places, on all occasions; and upon this, as well as upon greater accounts, was a David unto the flocks of our Lord in the wilderness:

Quicquid tentabat Dicere, Versus erat :§

Wherein, if the curious relished the piety sometimes rather than the poetry, the capacity of the most, therein to be accommodated, must be considered. But I intend no further account of this matter than what is given by his worthy son, (réprinting at Boston in the year 1680, the verses of his

* If you need to ask who he was, you ought not to know. + Rome, at the first, was ruled by kings. ¢ In which, I do not deny, that I am moderately versed. § “ He lisped in numbers,” whensve’er he spoke.

PRT Me eto

‘did stry ions, hour

fercan yed, with ver,

father upon his famous deliverances of the English nation, printed at London, as long ago as the year 1626,) whose words are, ‘‘ What volumes hath he penned, for the help of others, in their several changes of condition! How was his heart full of good matter! And his verses past, like to the handkerchiefs carried from Paul to uphold the disconsolate, and heal their wounded souls!” For indeed this is the least thing that we have to relate of that great saint; and, accordingly, it is under a more considerable character that I must now exhibit him, even as a father to the infant colonies of New-England.

§ 2. Mr. John Wilson, descending from eminent ancestors, was born at

~ Windsor in the wonderful year 1588, the third son of Dr. William Wilson,

a prebend of St. Paul’s, of Rochester and of Windsor, and rector of Cliff: having for his mother a neece of Dr. Edmund Grindale, the most worthily renowned Arch-Bishop of Canterbury. His exact education under his parents, which betimes tinged him with an aversatiou to vice, and, above all, to the very shadow of a lye, fitted him to undergo the further education which he received in Eton Colledge, under Udal (and Langley) whom now we may venture, after poor Zom Tusser, to call, “the severext of men.” Here he was most remarkably delivered twice from drowning: but at b: book he made such proficiency, that while he was the least boy in the school, he was made a propositor; and when the Duke of Bijon, embassador from the French King Henry IV. to Queen Elizabeth, visited the school, he made a Latin oration, for which the Duke bestowed three angels upon him. After four years’ continuance at Eton, he was removed unto Cambridge, between the fourteenth and fifteenth year of his age; and admitted into King’s Colledge in the year 1602. When he came to stand for a fellowship in that Colledge, his antipathy to some horrid wickedness, whereto a detestable wretch that had been acquainted with him would have betrayed him, caused that malicious wretch by devised and accursed slanders to ruin so far the reputation of this chast youth with the other fellows, that had not the Provost, who was a serious and a reverend person, interposed for him, he had utterly lost his priviledge; which now by the major vote he obtained. But this affliction put iii upon many thoughts and prayers before the Lord.

§ 3. He had hitherto been, according to his good education, very civilly and soberly disposed: but being by the good hand of God led unto the ministry of such holy men as Mr. Bains, Dr. Taylor, Dr. Chaderton, he was by their sermons enlightened, and awakened unto more solicitous enquiries after ‘the one thing yet lacking in him.” The serious dispositions of his mind were now such, that besides his pursuance after the works of repentance in him self, he took no little pains to pursue it in others; especially the malefactors in the prisons, which he visited with a devout, sedulous, and successful industry. Nevertheless, being forestalled with prejudices against the Puritans of those times, as if they had held he

MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA;

knew not well what odd things, he declined their acquaintance; although his good conversation had made him to be accounted one of them himself. Until going to a bookseller’s shop, to augment his well-furnished library, he lighted upon that famous book of Mr. Richard Rogers’, called, “‘ The Seven Treatises;” which when he had read, he so affected, not only the matter, but also the author of the book, that he took a journey unto Wethersfield, on purpose to hear a sermon from that Boanerges. When he had heard the heavenly passages that fell from the lips of that worthy man, privately as well as publickly, and compared therewithal the writings of Greenham, of Dod, and of Dent, especially, “The Pathway to Heaven,” written by the author last mentioned, he saw that they who were nicknamed Puritans, were like to be the desirablest companions for one that intended his own everlasting happiness; and pursuant unto the advice which he had from Dr. Ames, he associated himself with a pious company in the university; who kept their meetings in Mr. Wilson’s chamber, for prayer, fasting, holy conference, and the exercises of true devotion.

§ 4. But now perceiving many good men to scruple many of the rites practised and imposed in the Church of England, he furnished himself with all the books that he could find written on the case of conformity, both pro and con, and pondered with a most conscientious deliberation the arguments on both sides produced. He was hereby so convinced of the evil in conformity, that at length, for his observable omission of certain uninstituted ceremonies in the worship of God, the Bishop of Lincoln, then visiting the university, pronounced upon him the sentence of Quindenum,; that is, that besides other mortifications, he must within fifteen days have been expelled, if he continued in his offence. His father being hereof advised, with all paternal affection, wrote unto him to conform; and at the same time interceded with the Bishop, that he might have a quarter of a year allowed him; in which time, if he could not be reduced, he should then leave his fellowship in the Colledge. Hereupon he sent him unto several Doctors of great fame, to get his objections resolved; but when much discourse and much writing had passed between them, he was rather the more confirmed in his principles about church-reformation. Wherefore his father, then diverting him from the designs of the ministry, disposed him to the znns of court; where he fell into acquaintance with some young gentlemen, who associated with him in constant exercises of devotion:

to which meetings the repeated sermons of Dr. Gouge were a continual

entertainment: and here it was that he came into the advantageous knowledge of the learned Scultetus, chaplain to the Prince Palatine of the Rhine, then making some stay in England.

§ 5. When he had continued three years at the inns of court, his father discerning his disposition to be a minister of the gospel, permitted his proceeding Master of Arts, in the university of Cambridge: but advised him to address another colledge than that where he had formerly met with

pee

gh difficulties. Dr, Carey, who was then Vice-chancellor, understanding his elf, | former circumstances, would not admit him without subscription; but he he refused to subscribe. In this distress he repaired unto his father, at whose ven house there happened then to be present the Countess of Bedford’s chief ‘er, gentleman, who had business with the Earl of Northampton, the Chancellor ld, of the university, And this noble person, upon the information which ard that gentleman gave him of the matter, presently wrote a letter to the ely Vice-chancellor, on the behalf of our young Wilson; whereupon he en- received his degree, and continued a while after this in Emanuel-Colledge; ten from whence he made frequent and useful visits unto his friends in the ned counties adjoining, and became further fitted for his intended service. But ded while he was passing under these changes, he took up a resolution which he he thus expressed before the Lord: “That if the Lord would grant him a the: liberty of conscience, with purity of worship, he would be content, yea, yer, j thankfui, though it were at the furthermost end of the world.” A most 4 prophetical resolution! rites i § 6. At length, preaching his first sermon at Newport, “he set his hand self i unto that plough, from whence he never afterwards looked back:” not nity, | very long after which, his father lying on his death-bed, he kneeled, in tion his turn, before him for his d/essing, and brought with him for a share in d of i that blessing, the vertuous young gentlewoman, the daughter of the Lady cer- i Mansfield, (widow of Sir John Mansfield, master of the Minories, and the coln, j Queen’s surveyor) whom he designed afterwards to marry: whereupon Duin- ' i the old gentleman said, “Ah, John, I have taken much care about thee, fteen such time as thou wast in the university, because thou wouldest not conpeing form; I would fain have brought thee to some higher preferment than rm; thou hast yet attained unto: I see thy conscience is very scrupulous, conve a cerning some things that have been observed and imposed in the Church: heed, nevertheless, I have rejoiced to see the grace and fear of God in thy heart: him and seeing thou hast kept a good conscience hitherto, and walked according hen to thy light, so do still; and go by the rules of God’s holy word: the ther Lord bless thee, and her whom thou hast chosen to be the companion of bfore thy life!”’—Among other places where he now preached, Moreclake was osed one; where his non-conformity exposed him to the rage of persecution; bung

but by the friendship of the Justice—namely, Sir William Bird, a kins- 4 man of his wife—and by a mistake of the informers, the rage of that nual i storm was moderated. owl- : § 7. After this he lived asa chaplain successively in honourable and 1ine, religious families; and at last was invited unto the house of the most pious Lady Scudamore. Here Mr. Wilson observing the discourse of the gentry at the table, on the Lord’s day, to be too disagreeable unto the devout frame to be maintained on such a day,,at length he zealously stood up at the table, with words to this purpose: “I will make bold to speak a word

or two: this is the Lord’s holy day, and we have been hearing his word, Vou. I—20

ion:

ther his ised

ith

ae ee nner gee eer renee een arena ES

and after the word preached, every one should think, and speak about such things as have been delivered in the name of God, and not lavish out the time in discourses about hawks and hounds.” Whereupon a gentleman then present made this handsome and civil answer: “Sir, we deserve all of us to be thus reproved by you; this is indeed the Sabbath-day, and we should surely have better discourse: I hope it will be a warning to us.’ Notwithstanding this, the next Lord’s day, the gentry at the table were at their old notes; which caused Mr, Wilson again to tell them, “That the hawks which they talked of, were the birds that picked up the seed of the word, after the sowing of it;” and prayed them, “That their talk might be of such things as might sanctifie the day, and edifie their own souls;” which caused the former gentleman to renew his former thankfulness for the admonition. But Mr. Leigh, the lady’s husband, was very angry; whereof when the lady advised Mr. Wilson, wishing him to say something that might satisfie him, he replied, “Good madam, I know not wherein I have given any just offence; and therefore I know of no satisfaction that Iowe: your ladyship has invited me to preach the good word of God among you; and so I have endeavoured according to my ability: now such discourse as this, on the Lord’s day, is profane and disorderly: if your husband like me not, I will be gone.” When the lady informed her husband how peremptory Mr. Wilson was in this matter, he mended his countenance and carriage; and the effect of this reproof was, that unsuitable discourse, on the Lord’s day, was cured among them.

§ 8. Removing from this family, after he had been a while at Henly, he continued, for three years together, preaching at four places by turns, which lay near one another, on the edges of Suffolk—namely, Bumsted, Stoke, Clare, and Candish. Here some of Sudbury happening to hear him, they invited him to succeed the eminent old Mr. Jenkins, with which invitation he cheerfully complied, and the more cheerfully because of his opportunity to be near old Mr. Richard Rogers, from whom afterwards, when dying, he received a blessing among his children; yea, to encourage his acceptance of this place, the very reader of the parish did subscribe, ‘with many scores of others, their desires of it; and yet he accepted not the pastoral charge of the place, without a solemn day of prayer with fasting, (wherein the neighbouring ministers assisted) at his election: great notice was now taken of the success which God gave unto his labours in this famous town; among other instances whereof, one was this: a tradesman much given to stealing, as well as other profane and vicious practices, one day seeing people flock to Mr. Wilson’s lecture, thought with himself, “Why should I tarry at home to work, when so many go to hear a sermon?” Wherefore, for the sake of company, he went unto the lecture too; but when he came, he found a sermon, as it were, particularly directed unto himself, on Eph. iv. 28: “Let him that hath stole, steal no more;”

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and such was the impression thereof upon his heart, that from this time he became a changed and pious man.

§ 9. But if “they that will live godlily, must suffer persecution,” a peculiar share of it xaust fall upon them who are zealous and useful instruments to make others liveso. Mr. Wilson had a share of this persecution; and one A—n, was a principal author of it. This A—n had formerly been an apprentice in London, where the Bishops detained him some years, under an hard imprisonment, because he refused the oath ex officio, which was pressed upon him, to tell ‘‘Whetuer he had never heard his master pray against the Bishop?”

The charity of well-disposed people now supported him, till he got abroad, recommended by his hard sufferings, unto the good affections of the Puritans, at whose meetings he became so conversant, and thereupon such a forward and zealous professor, that at length he took upon him, under the confidence of some Latinity, whereof he was owner, to be a sort of preacher among them. This man would reverence Mr. Wilson as his father, and yet upon the provocation of seeing Mr. Wilson more highly valued and honoured than himself, he not only became a conformist himself, but also, as apostates use to be, a malignant and violent persecutor of those from whom he had apostatized. By his means Mr, Wilson was put into trouble in the Bishop's courts; from whence his deliverance was at length obtained by certain powerful mediators. And once by his tricks, the most noted pursivant of those times was employed for the seizing of Mr. Wilson; but though he seized upon many scores of the people coming from the lecture, he dismissed the rest, because he could not meet with Mr. Wilson himself, who by a special providence went out of his direct way, to visit a worthy neighbour, and so escaped this mighty hunter.

Afterwards an eminent lady, happening innocently to make some comparisons between the preaching of Mr. Wilson and one Dr. B. of B., the angry Doctor presently applied himself unto the Bishop of London, who for a while suspended him. And when that storm was over, he, with several other worthy ministers, came to be wholly silenced in another, that was raised upon complaints made by one Mr. Bird, unto the Bishop of Norwich against them. Concerning this ilJ Bird, there happened one passage hereupon, which had in it something extraordinary. Falling very sick, he had the help of a famous and skilful physician, one Dr. Duke of Colchester; who having left his patient, in his opinion, safely recovered, gave Mr. Wilson a visit, with an account of it. ‘“ Recovered!” says Mr. Wilson; “you are mistaken Mr. Doctor; he’s a dead man!”’ The Doctor answered, “If ever I recovered a sick man in my life, that man is recovered.” But Mr. Wilson replied, “No, Mr. Doctor, he’s a dead man; he shall not live: mark my words!” The doctor smiled; but for all that, before they parted, the news was brought them that the man was dead indeed, and “the Lord known by the judgment which he executed.”—

But at last Mr. Wilson obtained from the truly noble Earl of Warwick, to sign a letter, which the Earl bid himself to draw up, unto the Bishop, on his behalf; by the operation of which letter, his liberty for the exercise of his ministry was again procured. This Bishop was the well-known Dr. Harsnet, who a little while after this, travelling northward, upon designs of mischief against the reforming pastors and Christians there, certain ministers of the south set apart a day for solemn fasting and prayer, to implore the help of Heaven against those designs; and on that very day he was taken with a sore anu an odd fit, which caused him to stop at a blind house of entertainment on ‘he road, where he suddenly died.

§ 10. At last, “being perscoxtei in one country, he must flee into another.” The plantation of a New-English colony was begun; and Mr. Wilson, with some of his neighbours, embarked themselves in the fleet, which came over thither in the year 1630, where he applied himself with all the vigour imaginable, to encourage the poor people, under the difficulties of their new plantation. This good people buried near two hundred of their number, within a quarter of a year after their first landing; which caused Mr. Wilson particularly to endeavour their consolation, by preaching on Jacob’s not being disheartned by the death of his nearest friends in the way, when God had called him to remove. And how remarkably, perhaps I might say, excessively liberal he was, in employing his estate for the relief of the needy, every such one so beheld him, as to reckon him “the father of them all:” yea, the poor Indians themselves also tasted of his bounty. Ifit were celebrated, as the glory of Bellarmine, that he would sell his goods, to convert them into alms for the poor; yea, that Quadam die proprium Atramentarium Argenteolum, ut ditaret Inopes, inter pignora obligavit:* our Mr. Wilson, though a greater disclaimer of merit than Bellarmine was, not only in his writings, but on his death-bed it self, yet came not behind Bellarmine for the extension of his charity. To give instances of his, even over-doing liberality, would be to do it injuries; for indeed they were innumerable: he acted as if the primitive agreement of having ‘all things in common,”’ had been of all things the most agreeable unto him, I shall sum up 21], in the lines of an elegant elegy, which Mr. Samuel Bache, an ingenious merchant, made upon him, at his death:

When as the poor want succour, where is he God, Christ, and saints, accept, but Wilson sent it. Can say all can be said extempore? Which way so e’er the propositions move,

Vie with the lightning, and melt down to th’ quick The ergo of his syllogism ’s dove.

Their souls, and make themselves their pockets pick? So bountiful to all: but if the poor

Where ’s such a leader, thus has got the sleight Was Christian too, all’s money went, and more,

T’ teach Aoly hands to war, fingers to fight? His coat, rug, blanket, gloves; he thought their due Their arrow hit? Bowels to bowels meant it, Was all his money, garments, one of two.

But he was most set upon the main business of this new plantation: which was, “to settle and enjoy the ordinances of the gospel, and worship the Lord Jesus Christ according to his own institutions;” and accordingly,

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he, with the governour, and others that came with him on the same account combined into a church-state, with all convenient expedition.

§ 11. Mr. Wilson’s removal to New-England was rendred the more difficult, by the indisposition of his dearest consort thereunto; but he hoping, that according to a dream which he had before his coming hither, “That he saw here a little tenple rising out of the ground, which by degrees increased into a very high and large dimensions,” tiie Lord had a temple to build in these regions; resolved never to be discouraged from his undertaking. Wherefore having first sent over an encouraging account of the good order, both civil and sacred, which now began to be established in the plantation, he did himself return into England, that he might further pursue the effect thereof: and accordingly he made it his business, where-ever he came, to draw as many good men as he could into this country with him. His wife remained unperswadable, till upon prayer with fasting before the Almighty turner of hearts, he received an answer, in her becoming willing to accompany him over an ocean into a wilderness. A very sorrowful parting they now had from their old friends in Sudbury, but a safe and quick passage over the Atlantick; and whereas the church of Boston, observing that he arrived not at the time expected, had set apart a day of hunviliation on his behalf, his joyful arrival before the day caused them to turn it into a day of thanksgiving. But Mrs. Wilson being thus perswaded over into the difficulties of an American desart, I have heard that her kinsman, old Mr. Dod, for her consolation under those dif: ficulties, did send her a present with an advice, which he had in it, something of curiosity. He sent her, at the same time, a brass counter, a silver crown, and a gold jacobus,; all of them severally wrapped up; with this instruction unto the gentleman who carried it: that he should first of all deliver only the counter, and if she received it with any shew of discontent, he should then take no further notice of her; but if she gratefully resented that small thing, for the sake of the hand it came from, he should then go on to deliver the s¢lver, and so the gold: but withal assure her, ‘That such would be the dispensations of God unto her, and the other good people of New-England: if they would be content and thankfil with such little things as God at first bestowed upon them, they should, in time have silver and gold enough. Mrs, Wilson accordingly, by her caeerful entertainment of the least remembrance from good old Mr. Dod, gave the gentleman occasion to go through with his whole present, and the annexed advice; which hath in a good messure been accomplished.

§ 12. It was not long before Mr. Wilson’s return to England once more was obliged by the death of his brother, whose will, because it bequeathed a legacy of a thousaud pounds unto New-England, gave satisfaction unto our Mr. Wilson, though it was otherwise injurious unto himself. A tedious and winter-voyage he now had; being twice forced into Ireland, where first at Galloway, then at Kingsale, afterwards at Bandon-Bridge,

he occasionally, but vigorously and successfully, served the kingdom of God. At last he got safe among his old friends at Sudbury; according to the prediction which he had let fall in his former farewel unto them: “It may be John Wilson may come and see Sudbury once again.” From whence, visiting Mr. Nathanael Rogers at Assington, where he arrived before their morning prayers; Mr. Rogers asked him to say something upon the chapter that was read, which happened then to be the first chapter in the first book of Chronicles; and from a paragraph of meer proper nemes, that seemed altogether barren of auy edifying matter, he raised so many fruitful and useful notes, that a pious person then present, amazed thereat, could have no rest without going over into America after him. Having dispatched his affairs in England, he again embarked for New-Engiland, in company with four ministers and near two hundred passengers, whereof some were persons of considerable quality: but they had all been lost by a lurge leak sprang in the ship, if God had not, on a day of solemn fasting and prayer, kept on board for that purpose, mercifully discovered this dangerous leak unto them.

§ 18. That Phenix of his age, Dr. Ames, would say, “'That if he might have his option uf ihe best condition that he could propound unto himself on this side heaven, it would be, that he might be the teacher of a congregational church, wucreof Mr, Wilson should be the pastor.” This happiness, this priviledge, now had Mr. Cotton in the church of Boston. But Satan, envious at the prosperity of that flourishing church, raised a storm of Antinomian, and Familistical errors, which had like to have thrown all into an irrecoverable confusion, if the good God had not remarkably blessed the endeavours of a Synod; and Mr. Wilson, for a while, met with hard measure for his early opposition to those errors, until, by the help of that Synod, the storm was weathered out. At the beginning of that assembly, after much discourse against the unscriptural enthusiasms, and revelations, then by some contended for, Mr. Wilson proposed, ‘ You that are against these things, and that are for the spirit and the word together, hold upyour hands!’’ And the multitude of hands then held up, was a comiortable and encouraging introduction unto the other proceedings. At tae conclusion of that assembly, a catalogue of the errors to be condemned was produced; whereof when one asked, ‘“‘ What shall be done with them?” the wonted zeal of Mr. Wilson made this blunt answer, “Let them go to the devil of hell, from whence they came.”

In the midst of these temptations also, he was by a lot chosen to accompany the forces, then sent forth upon an expedition against the Pequod Indians; which he did with so much faith and joy, that he professed himself ‘as fully satisfied that God would give the English a victory over those enemies, as if he had seen the victory already obtained.” And the whole country quickly shared with him in the consolations of that remarkable victory.

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§ 14. In the wilderness he met with his difficulties; for besides the loss of houses, divers times by fire, which yet he bore with such a cheerful submission, that once one that met him on the road, informing of him, “Sir, Thave sad news for you; while you have been abroad, your house is burnt;” his first answer was, “Blessed be God: he has burnt this house, because he intends to give me a better.” (Which accordingly came to pass.)

He was also put upon complying with the inclinations of his eldest son to travel; who accordingly travelled, first into Holland, then into Italy, where he proceeded a doctor of physick, and so returned into England, excellently well adorned with all the accomplishments of a most pious and useful gentleman, But this worthy person died about the year 1658. And this hastned the death of his mother, ere the year cams about; which more than doubled the grief of his father. And these afflictions were yet further embittered by the death of his eldest daughter, Mrs. Rogers, in child-bed with her first child; at whose interment, though he could not but express a deal of sorrow, yet he did it with so much patience, that “In token,” he said, “of his grounded and joyful hopes, to meet her again in the morning of the resurrection, and of his willingness to resign her into the hands of him who would make all things work together for good,” he himself took the spade, and threw in the first shovelful of earth upon her. And not long after, he buried three or four of his grand children by another daughter, Mrs. Danforth (yet living with her worthy son-in-law, Edward Bromfield, Esq. in Boston) whereof one lying by the walls, on a day of publick thanksgiving, this holy man then preached a most savoury sermon on Job i, 21: “The Lord hath given, and the Lord hath taken away: blessed be the name of the Lord.” The nex: child, although so weakly that all despaired of its life, his prophetical grand-father said, “Call him John; I believe in God, he shall live, and be a prophet top, and do God service in his generation!” which is, at this day, fulfilled in Mr. John Danforth, the present pastor to the church of Dorchester. Encountring with such, and many other exercises, his years rolled away, till he had served New-England, three years before Mr. Cotton’s coming over, twenty years with him; ¢en years with Mr. Norton, and four years after him.

§ 15. In his younger time, he had been used unto a more methodical way of preaching, and was therefore admired above many, by no less auditors than Dr. Goodwin, Mr. Burroughs, and Mr. Bridge, when they travelled from Cambridge into Essex, on purpose to observe the ministers in that county; but after he became a pastor, joined with such illuminating teachers, he gave himself a liberty to preach more after the primitive manner; without any distinct propositions, but chiefly in exhortations and admonitions, and good wholesome councils, tending to excite good motions in the minds of his hearers; (but upon the same texts that were doctrinally handled by his colleague instantly before:) and yet sometimes his pastoral discourses had such a spirit in them, that Mr. Shephard would say, “ Me-

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thinks I hear an apostle, when I hear this man:” yea, even one of his ex-tempore sermons has been since his death counted worthy to be published unto the world. The great lecture of Boston, being disappointed of him that should have preached it, Mr. Wilson preached that lecture on a text occurring in the chapter that had been read that morning in his family, Jer. xxix. 8: ‘Neither hearken to your dreams, which you cause to be dreamed;” from whence he gave a seasonable warning unto the people against the dreams, wherewith sundry sorts of opinionists have been endeavouring to seduce them. It was the last Boston lecture that ever he preached, (November 16, 1665,) and one who writ after him, in short hand, about a dozen years after published it. But his las¢ sermon he preached at Roxbury lecture, for his most worthy son-in-law Mr. Danforth; and after he had read his text, which was in the beginnings and conclusions of sundry of the last psalms, with a seraphical voice, he added, “If I were sure this were the last sermon that ever I should preach, and these the last words that ever I should speak, yet I would still say, Hallelujah, Hallelujah! praise ye the Lord!” Thus he ended his ministry on earth, thus he began his possession of heaven with Hallelujahs.

§ 16. Indeed, if the picture of this good, and therein great man, were to be exactly given, great zeal, with great love, would be the two principal strokes that, joined with orthodoxy, should make up his pourtraiture. He had the zeal of a Phineas, I had almost said of a seraphim, in testifying against every thing that he thought offensive unto God. The opinionists, which attempted at any time to debase the Scripture, or confound the order, embraced in our churches, underwent the most pungent animadversions of this his devout zeal; whence, when a certain assembly of people, which he approved not, had set up in Boston, he charged all his family that they should never dare so much as once to enter into that assembly; “T charge you,” said he, “that you do not once go to hear them; for whatsoever they may pretend, they will rob you of ordinances, rob you of your souls, rob you of your God.” But though he were thus like John, a Son of Thunder against seducers, yet he was like that blessed and beloved apostle also, all made up of love. He was full of affection, and ready to help and relieve and comfort the distressed; his house was renowned for hospitality, and his purse was continually emptying it self into the hands of the needy: from which disposition of love in him, there once happened this passage: when he was beholding a great muster of soldiers, a gentleman then present said unto him, ‘Sir, I'll tell you a great thing; here’s a mighty body of people, and there is not seven of them all but what loves Mr. Wilson;” but that gracious man presently and pleasantly replied, “Sir, I'll tell you as good a thing as that: here’s a mighty body of people, and there is not so much as one of them all but Mr. Wilson loves him.” Thus he did, by his own example, notably preach that lesson which a gentleman found in the anagram of his name, Wish no one tll: and thus did he

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continue, to do every one good, until his death gave the same gentleman occasion thus to elegize upon him:

Now may celestial spirits sing yet higher, Since one more’s added to their sacred quire; Wilson the holy, whose good name doth still, In language sweet, bid us ( Wieh no ill.)

§ 17. He was one that, consulting not only his own edification, but the encouragement of the ministry, and of religion, with an indefatigable diligence visited the congregations of the neighbouring towns, at their weekly lectures, until the weaknesses of old age rendered him uncapable. And it was a delightful thing then to see, upon every recurring opportunity, a large company of Christians, and even magistrates and ministers among them, and Mr. Wilson in the head of them, visiting the lectures in all the vicinage, with such heavenly discourses on the road, as caused the hearts of the disciples to burn within them: and indeed it was remarked, that though the Christians then spent less time in the shop, or field, than they do now, yet they did in both prosper more. But for Mr. Wilson, I am saying, that a lecture was a treasure unto him; he prized it, he sought it, until old age at length brought with it a sickness, which a long while confined him. In this illness he took a solemn farewel of the ministers, who had their weekly meetings at his hospitable house, and were now come together from all parts, at the anniversary election for the government of the colony. They asked him to declare solemnly what he thought might be the sins which provoked the displeasure of God against the country. Whereto his answer was, ‘I have long feared several sins;” whereof, one, he said, was Corahism; “That is, when people rise up as Corah against their ministers, as if they took too much upon them, when indeed they do but rule for Christ, and according to Christ; yet it is nothing for a brother to stand up and oppose, without Scripture or reason, the word of an elder, saying [I am not satisfied!] and hence, if he do not like the administration, (be it baptism or the like,) he will turn his back upon God and his ordinances, and go away. And for our neglect of baptising the children of the church, those that some call grand-children, I think God is provoked by it. Another sin (said he) I take to be the making light of, and not subjecting to the authority of Synods, without which the churches cannot long subsist.”

§ 18. Afterwards, having solemnly with prayer, and particularly and very prophetically blessed his relations and attendants, he now thus comforted himself, “TI shall ere long be with my old friends, Dr. Preston, Dr. Sibs, Dr. Taylor, Dr. Gouge, Dr. Ames, Mr, Cotton, Mr. Norton, my Inns of Court friends, and my consort, children, grand-children in the kingdom of God.” And when some then present magnified God, for making him aman of such use, and lamented themselves in their own loss of him, he

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replied, “Alas, alas! use no such words concerning me; for I have been an unprofitable servant, not worthy to be called a servant of the Lord: but I must say, ‘The Lord be merciful to me a sinner!’ and I must say, ‘Let thy tender mercies come unto me, O Lord, even thy salvation according to thy word.’” The evening before he died, his daughter asked him, “Sir, how do you do?” Te held up his hand, and said, “ Vanishing things! vanishing things!” but he then made a most affectionate prayer, with and for his friends; and so quietly fell asleep on August 7, 1667, in the seventyninth year of his age. Thus expired that reverend old man: of whom, when he left England, an eminent personage said, “New-England shall flourish, free from all general desolations, as long as that good man liveth in it!” which was comfortably accomplished. He was interred with more than ordinary solemnity; and his neighbour Mr. Richard Mather of Dorchester, thereat lamented the publick loss in his departure, with a sermon upon Zech. i. 5: “Your fathers, where are they, and the prophets, do they live for ever?”

§ 19. Being a man of prayer, he was very much a man of God; anda certain prophetical aflatus, which often directs the speeches of such men, did sometimes remarkably appear in the speeches of this holy man. Instances thereof have been already given. A few more sha}l now be added. Beholding a young man extraordinarily dutiful, in all possible ways of being serviceable, unto his aged mother, then weal: in body, and poor in estate, he declared unto some of his family what he had beheld; adding therewithal, “I charge you to take notice of what I say; God will certainly bless that young man; John Hull (for that was his name) shall grow rich, and live to do God good service in his generation!"’ It came to pass accordingly that this exemplary person became a very rich, as well as emphatically a good man, and afterwards died a magistrate of the colony.

When one Mr. Adams, who waited on him from Hartford unto Weathersfield, was followed with the news of his daughter's being fallen suddenly and doubtfully sick, Mr. Wilson, looking up to heaven, began mightily to wrestle with God for the life of the young woman: “Lord,” said he, “wilt thou now take away thy servant’s child, when thou seest he is attending on thy poor unworthy servant in most Christian kindness? Oh! do it not!” And then, turning himself about unto Mr. Adams, “Brother,” said he, “I trust your daughter shall live; I believe in God she shall recover of this sickness!” And so it marvellously came to pass, and she is now the fruitful mother of several desirable children,

A Pequot-Indian, in a canoo, was espied by the English, within gunshot, carrying away an English maid, with a design to destroy her or abuse her. The soldiers fearing to kill the maid if they shot at the Indian, asked Mr. Wilson’s counsel, who forbad them to fear, and assured them “God will direct the bullet!” They shot accordingly; and killed the Tndian, though then moving swiftly upon the water, and saved the maid fize from all harm whatever.

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Upon the death of the first and only child (being an infan‘) of his daughter Mrs. Danforth, he made a poem, wherein there were these lines among the rest:

What if they part with their beloved one,

Their first begotten and their only son?

What's this to that which Father Abram suffer'd, When his own hands his only darling offer'd?

In whom was bound up all his joy in this

Life present, and his hope of future bliss?

And what if God their other children call—

Second, third, fourth—suppose it should be all? What's this to holy Job, his trials sad,

Who neither these nor t’other comforts had? His life was only given him for a prey,

Yet all his troubles were to heaven the way; Yea, to far greater blessings on the earth,

The Lord rewarding all hia tears with mirth,

And behold, as if that he had been a Vates, in both senses of it, a poet and a prophet, it pleased God afterwards to give his daughter a second a third, and a fourth child, and then to take them all away at once, even in one fortnight’s time; but afterwards happily to make up the loss.

Once passing over the ferry unto a lecture, on the other side of the water, he took notice of a young man in the boat, that worded it very unhandsomely unto his aged father: whereat this faithful seer, being much troubled, said unto him, “Young man, I advise you to repent of your undutiful, rebellious carriage towards your father; I expect else to hear that God has cut you off before a twelve-month come to an end!” And before this time expired, it came to pass that this unhappy youth, going to the southward, was there hacked in pieces by the Pequod Indians.

A company of people in this country, were mighty hot upon a project of removing to Providence, an island in the West-Indies; and a venerable assembly of the chief magistrates and ministers in the colony was addressed for their cowncil about this undertaking; which assembly laid before the company very weighty reasons to disswade them from it. A prime ringleader in that business was one Venner, a cooper of Salem, the mad blade that afterwards perished in a nonsensical uproar which he, with a crew of Bedlamites, possessed like himself, made in London. This Venner, with some others, now stood up and said, “That notwithstanding what had been offered, they were clear in their call to remove:” whereupon Mr, Wilson stood up, and answered, “Ay, do you come to ask council in so weighty a matter as this, and to have help from an ordinance of God in it? and are you aforehand resolved that you will goon? Well, you may go, if you will; but you shall not prosper, What! do you make a mock of God’s ordinance?” And it came to pass accordingly; the enterprize was not long after dashed in pieces; and Venner’s precipitating impulses, afterwards carried him to a miserable end.

A council sitting at a town, where some ecclesiastical differences called for the assistances of the neighbours to compose them, there was one man observed by Mr. Wilson, to be extreamly perverse, and most unreasonably troublesome and mischievous to the peace of the church there; whereupon Mr. Wilson told the council he was confident, “That the jealousy of God would set a mark upon that man, and that the ordinary death of men

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should not befal him.” It happened shortly after that the man wat }..rbarously butchered by the salvages!

While Mr. Wilson was minister of Sudbury in England, there was o noted person who had been absent for some while among the Papists. This man returning home, offered himself to the communion; whereat Mr. Wilson, in the open assembly, spoke unto him after this manner: “Brother, you here present yourself, as if you would partake in the Holy Supper of the Lord. You cannot be ignorant of what you have done in withdrawing your self from our communion, and how you have been much conversant for a considerable while with the Papists, whose religion is antichristian. Therefore, though we cannot so absolutely charge you, God knows, who is the searcher of all hearts; and if you have defiled your self with their worship and way, and not repented of it, by offering to partake at this time in the Holy Supper with us, you will eat and drink your own damnation; but if you are clear, and have nothing wherewith to charge your self, you your self know, upon this account you may receive.” The man did then partake at the Lord’s table, professing his innocency. But, as if the devil had entered into him, he soon went and hanged himself.

In the circumstances of his own children, he saw many effects of an extraordinary faith.

His eldest son, Edmund, while travelling into the countries which the bloody Popish inquisition has made a clime too torrid for a Protestant, was extreamly exposed: but the prayers of the young gentleman’s continually distressed father, for him, were answered with signal preservations. When he was under examination by the inquisitors, a friend of the chief among them suddenly arrived; and the inquisitor not having seen this friend for many years before, was hereby so diverted and mollified, that he carried the young Mr. Wilson to dinner with him; and, though he had passed hitherto wnknown by his true name, yet this inquisitor could now call him, to his great surprize, by the name of Mr. Wilson, and report unto him the character of his father, and his father’s industry in serving the hereticks of New-England. But that which I here most of all design, is an account of a thing yet more memorable and unaccountable, For, at another time, his father dream’t himself transported into Italy, where he saw a beautiful person in the son’s chamber, endeavouring with a thousand enchantments to debauch him; whereupon the old gentleman made, and was by his bed-fellow overheard making, first, prayers to God full of agony, and then warnings unto his tempted son, to beware of defiling himself with the “daughter of a strange god.’’ Now, some considerable while after this, the young gentleman writes to his father, that on such a night (which was upon enquiry found the very same night) a gentlewoman had caressed him, thus and so, (just according to the vision,) and that his chastity had been conquered, if he had not been strongly possessed with a sense of

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his father’s prayers over him, and toarnings unto him, for his escape from the pits, whereinto do fall the “abhorred of the Lord.”

His other son, John, when a child, fell upon his head from a loft four stories high, into the street; from whence he was taken up for dead, and so battered and bruised and bloody with his fall, that it struck horror into the beholders; but Mr. Wilson had a wonderful return of his prayers in the recovery of the child, both unto life and unto sense; insomuch, that he continued unto old age, a faithful, painful, useful minister of the gospel; and but lately went from the service of the church in Medfield, unto the glory of the church triumphant.

After Mr. Wilson’s arrival at New-England, his wife, who had left off bearing of children for many years, brought him another daughter; which lamb was indeed unto him as a daughter; and he would present her unto other ministers, for their blessing, with great affection, saying, “This is my New-England token!” But this child fell sick of a malignant fever, wherein she was gone so far, that every one despaired of her life; except her father, who called in several ministers, with other Christians, unto a Jast on that occasion; and hearing the prayers of Mr. Cotton for her, found his heart so raised, that he confidently declared, ‘‘ While I heard Mr. Cotton at prayer, I was confident the child should live!” And the child accordingly did live; yea, she is to this day alive, a very “holy woman, adorned like them of old time, with a spirit of great price!”

The blessings pronounced by Mr. Wilson, upon many persons and affairs, were observed so prophetical, and especially his death-bed blessings upon his children and grand-children were so, that the most considerable persons in the country thought it not much to come from far, and bring their children with them, for the enjoyment of his patriarchal benedictions, For which cause, Mr. Thomas Shepard, in an elegy upon him at his death, pathetically thus expressed it:

Whueo of Abraham, Moses, Samuel, reads, As aged John th’ apostle used to bless

Or of Elijah’s or Elisha’s deeds, The people, which they judged their happiness, Would surely say, their spirit and power was his, So did we count it worth our pilgrimage

And think there were a Metempsychosis. Unto him for his blessing, in his age.

These were extraordinary passages; many of them are things which ordinary Christians may more safely ponder and wonder, than expect in our days! though sometimes great reformers, and great sufferers, must be signalized with them. I know very well what Livy says, Datur hec Venia Antiquitatis, ut miscendo Humana Divinis, Primordia Urbium Augustiora faciat:* but I have been far from imposing the least fable upon the world in reporting such extraordinary passages of Mr. Wilson, or any other great confessor, by whom the beginnings of this country were made illustrious; there are witnesses enough yet living of them.

* It is the privilege of antiquity to throw an air of grandeur around the origin of States, by introducing mythic traditions about the gods among the real facts of history.

§ 20. There is a certain little sport of wit, in anagrammatizing the names of men; which was used as long ago at least as the days of old Lycophron: and which sometimes has afforded reflections very monitory, as Alstedius by his just admirers changed into Sedulitas;* or very characterising, as Renatus Cartesius, by his disciples turned into, Zu scis res Nature;+ or very satyrical, as when Satan ruleth me, was found in the transposed name of a certain active persecutor: and when, Lo, a damned crew, was found in the name of one that made a figure among the Popish plotters against the nation. Yea, ’tis possible that they who affect such grammatical curiosities, will be willing to plead a prescription of much higher and elder antiquity for them; even the temurah, or mutation, with which the Jews do criticise upon the oracles of the Old Testament. ‘‘There,” they say, “you'll find the anagram of our first father’s name Haadam, to express Adamah, the name of the earth, whence he had his original.” An anagram of a good signification, they’ll show you [Gen. vi. 8,] and of a bud one (Gen. xxxviii. 7,] in those glorious oracles; and they will endeavour to perswade you, that Maleachi in Exodus is anagrammatically expounded Michael, in Daniel. But of all the anagrammatizers that have been trying their fancies, for the two thousand years which have run out, since the days of Lycophron— yea, or for the more than five thousand, since the days of our first father —I believe there never was man that made so many, or so nimbly, as our Mr. Wilson; who, together with his quick turns, upon the names of his friends, would ordinarily feth, and rather than lose, would even force devout instructions out of his anagrams. As once, upon hearing my father preach a sermon about “the glories of our Lord Jesus Christ,” Mr. Wilson immediately gave him that anagram upon his name, Crescentius Matherus,t anagr. En! Christus Merces tua:§ so there could scarcely occur the name of any remarkable person, at least, on any remarkable occasion unto him, without an anagram raised thereupon; and he made this poettcal and peculiar disposition of his ingenuity a subject whereon he grafted thoughts far more solid, and solemn, and useful, than the stock it self. Wherefore methoughts, it looked like a piece of injustice that his own funeral produced (among the many poems afterwards printed) no more anagrams upon his name, who had so often thus handled the names of others; and some thought the Muses looked very much dissatisfied, when they saw these lines upon his hearse:

Oh! change it not: no sweeter name or thing, Throughout the world, within our ears shall ring.

There was a little more of humour in the fancy of Mr. Ward, the wellknown “simple cobler of Agawam,” as that witty writer stiled himself,

© Assiduity. + Thou dost understand the things of nature. {Increase Mather, § Go, Christ is thy reward.

who, observing the great hospitality of Mr. Wilson, in conjunction with his meta-grammatising temper, said, ‘That the anagram of JoHN WILSON was, I PRAY, COME IN: YOU ARE HEARTILY WELCOME.”

To make up this want, I might conclude the lj of this good man with an anagram which he left on and for himself:

Johannes Wilsonus.

An non in Jesu, Credentum, figitur, uno, Tota Salus? Hic est, hic Sita Tota Salus.*

§ 21. But it is to the last place in our history of this worthy man, that T reserve that part of his character which lay in his disposition to allot unto himself the last place among all worthy men; for his low opinion of himself, was the top of all his other excellencies. His humility not only caused him to prefer the meanest of his brethren above himself, but also to comply with the meanest opportunities of being serviceable. He might justly be reckoned the name’s sake of that John, the Bishop of Alexandria, who was called not only Johannes Hleemosynarius,t but also Humilis Johannes.t Hence ’twas, that when his voice in his age did so fail him, that his great congregation could be no longer edified by his publick labours, he cheerfully and painfully set himself to do all the good that he could by his private visits; and such also as he could not reach with sermons, he often found with verses: hence ’twas that when that plea was used with the church of Ipswich, to resign Mr. Norton unto the church of Boston, after the death of Mr. Cotton; because it was said, “Let him that hath two coats, give to him that hath none:” anda person of quality replied, “Boston hath one,” [meaning Mr. Wilson:] this good man answered, “Who? me! Iam nothing!” Yea, hence twas, that when malefactors had been openly scourged upon the just sentence of authority, he would presently send for thein to his house, and having first expressed his bounty to them, he would then bestow upon them such gracious admonitions and exhortations, as made them to become, instead of desperate, remarkably penitent. Indeed, I know not whether his humility might not have some excess, in some instances, charged upon it; at least once, when he had promised unto a neighbouring minister to preach a sermon for him, and after his promise came in season to that minister, saying, “Sir, I told you that I would preach for you, but it was rashly done of me; I have on my knees begged the pardon of it from the Lord; that I should offer thus to deprive his people of your labours, which are so much better than any of mine can be: wherefore, sir, I now come seasonably to tell you that I shall fail you!” And accordingly, there was no perswading of him to the contrary.

* John Wilson. Anagram: “In Jesus alone are we saved ;” or, “Is there not salvation in Jesus alone?”

What other name in earth or heaven is known, Whereby we may be saved, save Christ’s alone?

¢ John the Compassionate, ¢ John the Humble,

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But from the like humility it was, that a good kinsman of his, who deserves to live in the same story, as he now lives in the same heaven with him—namely, Mr. Edward Rawson, the honoured secretary of the Massachuset colony—could not by all his entreaties perswade him to let his picture be drawn; but still refusing it, he would reply, “What! such a poor vile creature as I am! shall my picture be drawn? I say, no; it never shall!” And when that gentleman introduced the limner, with all things ready, vehemently importuning him to gratifie so far the desires of his friends, as to sit a while, for the taking of his effigies, no importunity could ever obtain it from him. However, being bound in justice to employ my hand for the memory of that person by whose hand I was myself baptised, I have made an essay to draw his picture, by this account of his life; wherein if I have missed of doing to the life, it might be made up with several expressive passages, which I find in elegies written and printed upcn his death: whereof there were many composed, by those whose opinion was well signified by one of them:

Sure verselese he does mean to’s grave to go, And well deserves that now no verse can show.

But waving the rest, Jet the following poem, never before printed, offer some odours for *::. eader’s further entertainment:

SOME OFFERS TO EMBALM THE MEMORY OF THE TRULY REV’D. AND RENOWNED JOHN WILSON, THE FIRST PASTOR OF BOSTON, IN NEW-ENGLAND: Interred (and a great part of his country’s glory with him) August 11, 1667, aged 79.

Mient Aaron’s rod (such funerals mayn’t be dry) Had we the costly alabaster box, But broach the rock, *twould gush pure elegy, What's left we’d spend on this New-English Knox; To round the wilderness with purling days, True Knox, fill’d with that great reformer’s grace, And tell the world the great Saint Wilson’s praise. In truth’s just cause “ fearing no mortal’s face.” Here’s one—pear/s are not in great clusters found— Christ’s word, it was his Zife—Christ’s church, his care; Here’s one, the skill of tongues and arts had cowed; > | And 8o great with him his /east brethren were, Here’s one (by frequent martyrdom was try’d) Not heat nor cold—not rain, or frost, or snow— That could forego skill, pelf, and life beside, Could hinder, but he’d to their sermons go; For Christ: both Englands’ darling, whom in swarms | Anron’s bells chimed from fur, he’d run, and then They prese’d to see, and hear, and felt his charms. His ravish’d soul echo’d Amen, Amen! ‘Tis one (when will it rise to number two?— The world at once can but one Phoenix show:) He travers’d oft the fierce Atlantick sea, For truth a Paul, Cephas for zeal, for love But, Patmos of confessors, ’twas fur thee, A John, inspir’d by the celestial dove, This voyage lands him on the wished shore, Abram’s true son for faith; and in his tent From whence this father will return no more, Angels oft had their table and content, To sit the moderator of thy sages.

’ But tell his zea/ for thee to after ages, So Aumble, that alike on’s charity, His care to guide his flock and feed his:.mbs,

Wrought eztract gent ; with extract rudii By words, works, prayers, pealms, alms, and anagrams:

Pardon this fauét ; his great excess lay there, Those anagrams, in which he made to 8 tart He’d trade, for Aeaven, with all he came 4 near; Out of i a sins by creating art,

His meat, clothes, cash, he'd still for ventures send Whole words of counsel; did to mutes unfold Consign’d, per Brother Lazarus, his friend. Names, till they lessons gave richer than gold, Mighty in prayer, his hands uplifted reach’d And every angle so exactly fay,

Mercy’s high throne, and thence strange bounties fetch’d | It should out-shine the brightest solar ray, Once and again, and oft: so felt by all,

Who weep his death, as a departing Paul. Sacred his verse, writ with a cherud’s quill;

All—yea, baptiz’d with tears, lo! children come But those wing’d choristers of Zion-hill,

(Their baptism he maintain’d !) unto his tomb. Pleased with the notes, call’d him a part to bear : With them, where he his anagram did hear,

"Twixt an apostie and evangelist, “J pray come in; heartily welcome, sir!”

Let stand his order in the heavenly ist.

81. to two whose worth’ I find publisl Purita They | T eligion divine

the Ki REV, JOHN DAVENPORT. oi historiz Sancta and th

EPITAPHIUM.,

Thinking what epitaph J should offer unto the grave of this worthy man, I called unto mind the fittest in the world, which was directed for him, immediately upon his death by an honourable person, who still continues the same lover, as well as instance, of learning and vertue, that he was when he then advised them to give Mr. Wilson this

EPITAPH.

And now abid:'s faith, hope, and charity, But charity's the greatest of the three.

To which this might be added, from another hand:

Aurea, que (obstupeo referens!) Primeva Vetustas Condidit Arcino. Secula Apostolica,

Offciis Donisque itidem Sanctissimus Heros, Witsonus tacitis Protulit ex Tenebris.*

§ 1. A noted author of more than twice seven treatises, and chaplain to two successive Queens of England, was that Christopher Davenport, whose assumed name was, Franciscus & Sancta Clara.t And in Mr. Rushworth’s collection of speeches, made in the celebrated parliament, 1640, I find Sir Benjamin Rudyard using these words: “Sancta Clara hath published, that if a Synod were held, Non intermixtis Puritanis—‘setting Puritans aside’—our articles and their religion would soon be agreed. They have so brought it to pass, that under the name of Puritans, all our religion is branded. Whosoever squares his actions by any rule, either divine or humane, he is a Puritan;—whosoever would be governed by the King’s laws, he is a Puritan.” Whether this account of matters be allowed or no, there was, though not a brother, (as a certain woodden historian, in his Athene Oxonienses,§ has reported,) yet a kinsman of that Sancta Clara, who was among the most eminent Puritans of those days: and this was our holy and famous Mr. John Davenport: one of whom I may, on many accounts, use the eulogy, with which the learned still mention Salmasius, Vir nunquam satis Laudatus, nec Temere sine Laude nominandus,|

§ 2. Mr. John Davenport was born at Coventry, in the year 1597, of

* The ancient apostolic Age of Gold, Our Witsonf@ast in apostolic mould, Obscured so sadly in the mists of Time, | Seems to restore in all its pristine prime.

+ New-England Puritanism. + Francis of St. Clair. § Oxford Athens, { A man never yet praised enough, and never to be named without praise.

Vou, I—21

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worthy parents; a father who was mayor of the city, and a pious mother, who, having lived just long enough to devote him, as Hannah did, her Sam- : uel, unto the service of the sanctuary, left him under the more immediate

care of Heaven to fit him for that service. The grace of God sanctified

him with good principles, while he had not yet seen two sevens of years

in an evil world; and by that age he had also made such attainments in

learning, as to be admitted into Brasen-Nose Colledge, in Oxford. From

thence, when he was but nineteen years old, he was called unto publick

and constant preaching in the city of London, as an assistant unto another divine; where his notable accomplishments for a minister, and his couragious residence with, and visiting of his flock, in a dreadful plaque-time,

caused much notice to be quickly taken of him. His degree of Master

of Arts he took not, until, in course, he was to proceed Batchellor of - Divinity: and then with universal approbation, he received both of these f

laurels together.

£ 8. This pious man was both an hard student and a great preacher. in ilis custom was to sit up very late at his lucubrations; whereby, though m be found no sensible damage himself, and never felt his head ach, yet his P di counsel was, that other students would not follow his example. Lut the th eile’ of his industry were seen by all men, in his approving himself i be upo:. ail occasions, an universal scholar. As for the sermons wherewith [ de

he fed the church of God, he wrote them for the most part more largely than the most of ministers; and he spoke them with a gravity, an energy, an acceptableness, whereto few ministers ever have arrived: indeed, his E greatest enemies, when they heard him, would acknowledge him to be # among ‘the best of preachers.” The ablest men about London were his ® nearest friends; among whom he he'd a very particular correspondence with Dr. Preston: he, when he dyed, 1% his notes with Mr. Davenport, by him to be published; and accordingly, with Dr. Sibs, you'll find Mr, Davenport signing some of their dedications. s

$4, About the year 1626, there were several eminent persons, among whom were two Doctors of Divinity, with two other divines, and four lawyers, whereof one the King’s Serjeant at law, and fvur citizens, whereof one the Lord Mayor of London, engaged in a design to procure a purchase 4 of ‘mpropriations, and with ths profits thereof to maintain a constant, able, and painful ministry in those parts of the kingdom where there was most want of such a ministry. The divines concer) d in this desiga, were Dr. Gouge, Dr. Sibs, Mr. Offspring, and our Mr. Davenport; and such an incredible progress was made in it, that it is judged all the ¢mpropriations in England would have been honestly and easily recovered unto the immediate service of the reformed religion. But Bishop Laud, looking with a jealous eye on this undertaking, least it might m time give a secret growth to non-conformity, he obtained a bill to be exhibited in the Exchequer Chamber, by the King’s Attorney-General, against the Feoffees that had

the management of it. Upon this occasion, I find this great man writing in his great Bible the ensuing passages:

“Feb. 11,1632. The business of the feoffees being to be heard the third time at the Exchequer, I prayed earnestly that God would assist our counsellors in opening the case; and be pleased to grant, that they might get no advantage against us, to punish us as evil doers; promising to observe what answer he gave. Which seeing he hath graciously done, and delivered me from the thing I feared, I record to these ends:

“1, To be more industrious in my family. “2. To check my unthankfulness, “3. To quicken my self to thankfulness.

“4. To awaken my self to more watchfulness for the time to come, in ‘remembrance of his mercy.’

“Which I beseech the Lord to grant; upon whose faithfulness in his covenant I cast my self, to be made faithful in my covenant, Joun Davenror?.”

The issue of the business was this: the court condemned their proceedings as dangerous to the church and state; pronouncing the gifts, feof: ments, and contrivances, made to the uses aforesaid, to be illegal, and so dissolved the same, confiscating their money unto the King’s use. Yet the criminal part referred unto, was never prosecuted in the star-chamber; because the design was generally approved, and multitudes of discreet and devout men extreamly resented the ruine of it.

§ 5. It happened that soon after this, the famous Mr. John Cotton was fallen under such astorm of persecution for his non-conformity, as made it necessary for him to propose and purpose a removal out of the land; whereupon Mr. Davenport, with several other great and good men, considering the eminent learning, prudence, and holiness of that excellent person, could be at no rest until they had by a solemn conjerence informed themselves of what might move him to such a resolution. The issue of the conference was, that instead of their disswading him from exposing himself to such sufferings as were now before him, he convinced them of the truth in the cause for which he suffered; and they became satisfied both of the evil in sundry matters of worship and order imposed upon them, and of the duty which lay upon them, in their places to endexvour the reformation of things in the church, according to the word of God. Mr. Davenport’s inclination to non-conformity, from this time, fell under the notice and anger of his diocesan; who presently determined the marks of his vengeance for him: of which beimg seasonably and sufficiently advertised, he convened the principal persons under his pastoral charge in Coleman-street, at a general vestry, desiring them on this occasion to declare what they would advise; for acknowledging the right which they had in him as their pastor, he would not by any danger be driven from any service which they should expect or demand at his hands; but he would imitate the example of Luther, who, upon letters from the church of Wittenberg, from whence he had withdrawn for his security, upon the direction of the

Duke of Saxony, returned unto the couragious exercise of his ministry. Upon a serious deliberation, they discharged his conscientious obligation, by agreeing with him that it would be best for him to resign; but although he now hoped for something of a quiet life, his hope was disappointed; for he was continually dogged by raging busie pursuivants, from whom he had no safety but by retiring into Holland.

§ 6. Over to Holland he went, in the latter end of the year 1683, where the messengers of the church, under the charge of Mr, Paget, met him in his way to Amsterdam, inviting him to become the colleague of their aged pastor. But Mr. Davenport had not been long there, before his indisposition to the promiscuous baptising of children, concerning whom there was no charitable or tolerable testimony of their belonging to Christian parents, was by Mr. Paget so improved against him, as to procure him the displeasure of the Dutch classes in the neighbourhood. The contention on this occasion proceeded so far, that though the Dutch ministers had under their hands declared:—" We desire nothing more, than that Mr. Davenport, whose eminent learning and singular piety is much approved and commended of all the English our brethren, may be lawfully promoted unto the ministry of the English church: we do also greatly approve of his good zeal and care, of his having some precedent private examination of the parents and sureties of children to be baptised in the Christian religion.” Yet the matter could not be accommodated; Mr. Davenport could not be allowed, except he would promise to baptise the children of such whose parenis and sureties were, upon examination, found never so much unchristianized, ignorant, or scandalous. He therefore desisted from his publick ministry in Amsterdam about the beginning of the year 1635, contenting himself to set up a catechetical exercise in the family, where he sojourned on the afternoon of the Lord’s days, an hour after the publick sermons were over. But some considerable number of people, at length, resorting to this exercise, a jealousie was pretended by his adversary, that the design of it was to promote such sects as, indeed, the chief design of it was to prevent; and upon this pretence he was hindered, even from this lesser opportunity of doing service also. The fuller story of these uncom: fortable and unreasonable brangles, the reader may find in an Apologetical Discourse of Mr. Davenport’s, published for his own vindication; wherein he does with a learned pen handle several points much controverted in the reformed churches, and shew himself a divine well studied in the controversies of the present and the former ages. But the upshot of all was, that he returned back to London; where he told his friends, “That he thought God carried him over into Holland, on purpose to: bear witness against that promiscuous baptism, which at least bordered very near upon a profanation of the holy institution.”

§ 7. He observed, that when a reformation of the church has been brought about in any part of the world, it has rarely been afterwards carried on

RELA ee ete

bat on

Rentsnc prec"

any one step further than the first reformers did succeed in their jirst endeavours; he observed that as easily might the ark have been removed from the mountains of Ararat, where it first grounded, as a people get any ground in reformation, after and beyond the first remove of the reformers. And this observation quickned him to embark in a design of reformation, wherein he might have opportunity to drive things in the first essay, as near to the precept and pattern of Scripture, as they could be driven. The plantation of New-England afforded him this opportunity, with the chief undertakers whereof he had many consultations, before he had ever taken up any purpose of going himself into that part of the world; and he had, indeed, a very great stroke in the encouraging and enlivening of that noble undertaking. He was one of those by whom the patent for the Massachuset colony was procured; and though his name were not among the patentees, because he himself desired it might be omitted, lest his enemy, the Bishop of London, then of the King’s privy council, should upon his account appear the more fiercely against it; yet his purse was in it, his time was in it, and he contributed unto it all manner of assistances: this he did before his going to Holland. And while he was in Holland, he received letters of Mr. Cotton from the country whereto he had thus been a father; telling him, “That the order of the churches and the commonwealth was now so settled in New-England, by common consent, that it brought into his mind the new heaven and the new earth, wherein dwells righteousness.” Wherefore, soon after his return for London, he shipped himself, with several eminent Christians, and their families, for New-England; where, by the good hand of Gop upon them, they arrived in the summer of the year 1687.

§ 8. Mr. Cotton welcomed Mr. Davenport, as Moses did Jethro, hoping that he would be “as eyes unto them in the wilderness.” For by the cunning and malice of Satan, all things in this New-English wilderness were then surprised into a deal of confusion, on the occasion of the Antinomian opinions then spread abroad; but the learning and wisdom of this worthy man in the Synod then assembled at Cambridge, did contribute more than a little to dispel the fascinating mists which had suddenly disordered all our affairs. Having done his part in that blessed work, (as we have elsewhere more fully related) he, with his friends, who were more fit for Zebulon’s ports than for Issachar’s tents, chose to go farther westward; where they began a plantation and a colony, since distinguished by the name of New-Haven; and endeavoured, according to his understanding, a yet stricter conformity to the word of God, in settling of all matters, both civil and sacred, than he had yet seen exemplified in any other part of the world. There the famous church of New-Haven, as well as the other neighbouring towns, enjoyed his ministry, his discipline, his government, and his universal direction for many years together: even till after the restoration of King Charles II. Connecticut and New-Haven were by one

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charter incorporated. And here, with what holiness, with what watch/ulness, with what usefulness he discharged his ministry, it is worthy of a remembrance among all that would propose unto themselves a worthy example. Nevertheless, all that I shall here preserve of it, is this one article: A young minister once receiving of wise and good councils from this good and wise and great man, he received this among the rest, “That te should be much in ejaculatory prayer; for, indeed, ejaculatory prayers, as arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are they, happy is the man that has his quiver full of them!” And it was believed, by some curious observers, that Mr. Davenport himself was well used unto that sacred skill of “ walking with God,” and “having his eyes ever towards the Lord,” and “being in the fear of the Lord all the day long,” by the use of ejaculatory prayers, on the innumerable occasions which every twn of our lives does bring for those devotions. He was not only constant im more settled, whether social or secret prayers, but also in the midst of all besieging incumbrances, tying the wishes of his devout soul unto the arrows of ejaculatory prayers, he would shoot them away unto the heavens, from whence he still expected all his help. With such a glory, with such a defence, was New-Haven blessed!

§ 9. But his influences were not confined unto his own colony of New- Haven; they were extended as far as his general and generous care of all the churches could carry him. And hence, I find him in a particular manner, expressing his good affections unto the Jrenio designs and studies, which were in those days managing by some great men, for the restoring of communion among tiie divided churches of the reformation. Perhaps I cannot give an exacter character of this eminent person’s disposition, than by my transcribing and my translating of a few passages in a letter to the famous Dury, ty him composed, and by the rest of the ministers in his colony subscribed:

“ Flagrante Schismatis Incendio, Ecclesias, quas oportebat Arctissimo Pacis et Unitatis Vinculo Colligari, miseras in sectas Invisa Deo Lacerabat Erinnys; usque adeo ut qui irutuam contra communes Hostes opem conferrent, proh dolor! con. certaiiones Midixniticas invicem agunt; Sicut enim Juvenes, quos ad Dimicandum Abnerus Provocabat, se mutuis Vulneribus Confecerunt; sic, quorundam Vitio, qui partes potius agunt male Disputantium, quam hene Evangelizantium, Jurgia, Lites, Animorum Divortia, Schismata et Scandala, in Ecclesiis Evangelicis Suboriuntur, non sine gravi Infirmorum Offendiculo, nec sine summo bonorum omnium Merore, ac Inimicorum Evangelica Veritatis Oblectamento,”——

“While the fire of schism has been raging, the hateful fury has miserably torn to pieces the churches that should have been held together in the strictest bonds of love and unity; insomuch that they who should have united for mutual help against the common enemy, alas, have even fallen upon one another, as in the day of Midian, As the young men, upon the provocation.of Abner, wounded one another to death; thus, by the fault of some, who do the part rather of bad wranglers than of guod preachers, there do arise in the reformed churches those broils, and strifes, and animositics, and schisms, and scandals, which offend the weak and afflict the good, and are no little satisfaction to the enemies of gospel-truth.”

“ Nunc Vero, Postquam Custos Israelis, Deus Pacis, dedit in Corda tot Ecclesi. arum et Magistratuum, ut Vulneribus istis Medicinam faciendam esse, Necessarium Judicdrint, En! Bonorum omnium Animi, in Spem erecti, Malorum istorum Sal. ularem Clausulam Expectant, et Votis intimis, Patrem Misericordiarum Vobiscum invocant, ut Spiritus sui Gratia, Secundum Verbum Suum, Consilia et actiones Servorum Suorum dirigere, ad Sancti Nominis Sui Gloriam dignetur.”——

“But now that the ‘Keeper of Israel,’ the ‘God of peace,’ hath put it into the hearts of many churches and rulers, to apprehend it necessary that a cure should be sought for these wounds, behold! the minds of all good men do with a raised hope expect an happy close of these mischiefs; and with most hearty prayers do beseech the Father of Mercies, that ho would, by the grave of his Spirit, according to his word, please to direct the counsels and

actions of his servants, for the glory of his own )' name.” “ Recte quidem fecisti, Reverende Fra: ee, quod nos etiam in eodem Vobis. cum Corpore, Sub eodem Capite Jesu ‘ stitutos, ad Negotium hoc, in

Sanctorum Communione Promovendum, f tasti.”

“You have done right well, reverend brother, in that you have, after a brotherly manner, unto the promoting of this affair, in the communion of saints invited us, who belong to the same mystical body with your selves, under one head, our Lord Jesus Christ.”

“ Dica Vero non est Orthodoxis impingenda, quasi Optatissime ili: Paci, que inter Scissas Evangelicas Ecclesias queritur, Offendiculum posuerint et remoram, qui, Necessitate Postulante, ea utuntur Libertate Refutandi Errores, quam Pax non debet impedire: adeoque suo Exemplo futuram pacem premuniunt, a Vitiis in Excessu positis.” “ Quippe quod sincere de Erroribus Judicare, et Errores tamen in Fratribus Infirmis Tolerare, Utrumque Judicamus esse Apostolice Doc. tring Consonum. Toleratio Vero Fratrum Infirmorum, non debet esse adsque Redargutione, Sed tantum absque Rejectione.”

“Nevertheless, ’tis not to be made an article of complaint against the orthodox, as if they would hinder or delay the peace desired so much among the reformed churches, because they do, as necessity shall call for it, use that liberty of refuting errors, which peace ought to be no bar unto; and by their example, would rescue the future peace from the extremes wherewith it would he rendred faulty."——“ For we reckon that as well to judge what things are errors, as to bear with such errors in weaker brethren, are both of them agreeable to what we have been taught by the apostles. The toleration of our erroneous brethren should not be without rebuking, but it should be without rejecting of those brethren.”

§ 10. It is a notable expression, and a wonderful concession of that great Cardinal Bellermine, the last Goliah of the Romish Philistines: Ecclesia ex Intentione Fideles tantum Colligit, et si nosset Impios et incredulos, eos aut nunquam admitteret, aut casu Admissos Eaxcluderet: “The church” (he says) “intentionally gathers only true believers, and if she knew who were wicked and faithless, either she would not admit them at all, or, if they were accidentally admitted, she would exclude them.” Our Davenport, conceiving it a shame that any Protestant should protest for less church purity than what the confessions of a learned Papist allowed, ere he was aware, to be contended for, did now at New-Haven make church purity to be one of his greatest concernments and endeavours. It was his declared principle, that more is required of men, in order to their being members of an dnstituted

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church, than that they profess the Christian faith, and ask the visible seals of the covenant in the fellowship of the church; all which may be done by persons notoriously scandalous in their lives, from whom the command is, “turn away;” but only such persons may be received as members of a particular church, who (according to Matt. xvi. 18, 19,) make such a publick profession of their faith, as the church may, in charitable discretion, judge has blessedness annexed unto it, and such as flech and blood hath not revealed. In pursuance of this principle, he was, like his dear friend, that great man, Dr. Thomas Goodwin, perswaded, “that (as he speaks) there are many rules in the word, whereby it is meet for us to judge who are saints; by which rules those who are betrusted to receive men unto ordinances in churches, are to be guided, and so to separate between the precious and the unclean, os the priests of old were enabled and commanded by ceremonial differences, which God then made to typifie the like discrimination of persons.” And, therefore, making the marks of @ repenting and a believing soul, given in the word of God, the rules of his tryals, he used a more than ordinary exactness in trying those that were admitted unto the communion of the church: indeed, so ve:, thoroughly, and, I had almost said, severely strict, were the terms of his communion, and so much, I had well nigh said, overmuch, were the golden snuffers of the sanctuary employed by him in his exercise of discipline towards those that were admitted, that he did all that was possible to render the renowned church of New-Haven like the New-Jerusalem; and yet, after all, the Lord gave him to see that in this world it was impossible to see a church state, whereinto there “enters nothing which defiles.” This great man hath himself, in one of his own treatises, observed it: ‘The ‘officers and brethren of the church are but men, who judge by the outward appearance. Therefore their judgment is fallible, and hath deceived; as we see in the judgment of the apostles, and the church at Jerusalem, concerning Ananias and Sapphira; and in that of Philip and the church in Samaria, concerning Simon Magus. Their duty is to proceed as far as men may, by rule, with due moderation and gentleness, to try them who offer themselves to fellowship, whether they be believers or not; refusing known hypocrites: though when they have done all they can, close hypocrites will creep in.” And now I might entertain my reader, I hope, with a profitable, I am sure with a very prodigious history: I will on this occasion relate most “horrible things done in the land;” which this good man saw, to confirm his own observation: but I will take a fitter occasion for it,

§ 11. After this, the remaining days of this eminent person were worn away under the unhappy temptations of a wilderness, It so happened that the most part of the first church in Boston, the metropolis of the colony, out of respect unto his vast abilities, had applied themselves unto him, to succeed those famous lights, Cotton, and Norton, and Wilson, who having from that “golden candlestick” illuminated the whole country, were now gone to shine in an higher orb. His removal from New-Haven

was clogged with many temptatious difficulties: (for, Miraculi instar, vite Teer st longum, sine Ojfensione Percurrere:*) but he broke through them all, in expectation to do what he judged would be a more comprehensive service unto the churches of New-England, than could have been done by him in his now undistinguished colony. On this occasion, if I should mention that lamentable observation of old Epiphanius, who says, ‘I have known some confessors, who delivered up their body and their spirit for the Lord, and, persevering in confession and charity, obtained great proof of the sincerity of their faith, and excelled in piety, humanity, and religion, and were continual in fastings, and in a word, flourished in vertue: and these very men were blemished with some vice, as either they were prone to reproach men, or would swear profanely, or were over talkative, or were prone to anger, or got gold and silver, or were defiled with some such filth: which nevertheless detract not from the just praises of their vertue.”— I must add upon it, that Mr. Davenport was a confessor flourishing in vertue, upon whom they that, upon the score of his removal, were most of all dissatisfied at him, would not yet charge those unhappy blemishes: and if any good men, in the sifting times, did count him either too straight, or too high, in some of his apprehensions; nevertheless, these things also detract not from the just praises of his vertue.

§ 12. So rich a treasure of the best gifts as was in our Davenport, was well worth coveting by the considerablest church of the land. He was a most incomparable preacher, and a man of more than ordinary accomplishments; a prince of preachers, and worthy to have been a preacher to princes: he had been acquainted with great men, and great things, and was great himself, and had a great fame abroad in the world; yea, now he was grown old, like Moses his “force was not abated.” And the character which I remember that old pagan historian, Diodorus the Sicilian, gave of our Moses, every body was ready to give of our Davenport, ‘He was a man of a great soul, and very powerful in his life.” But his removal did seem too much to verifie an observation, by the famous Dr, Tuckney thus expressed; “It is ill transplanting a tree that thrives in the soil;” for accepting the call of Boston-Church, in the year 1667, that church, and the world, must enjoy him no longer than till the year 1670: when on March 15, aged seventy two years, he was by apoplexy fetched away to that glorious world, where the spirits of Cotton and Davenport are together in heaven, as their bodies are now in one tomb on earth,

§ 13. His constant and various employments otherwise, would not permit him to leave many printed effects of his judicious industry, besides those few already mentioned: although he were so close and bent a student, that the rude Pagans themselves took much notice of it, and the Indian salvyages in the neigbourhood would call him, “So big study man.” Only there is in the hands of the faithful a savoury treatise of his, entituled, “ The Saints’ Anchor-Hold;” in the preface whereof, a Duwmvirate of renowned

* It wou'd be a miraclo if one should make sv long 8 journey of life without encountering some stumbling-stone,

men; to wit, Mr. Hook, and Mr. Caryl, give this attestation: “ As touching the author of this Treatise, in whose heart the text was written by the finger of God, before the discourse was penned by his own hand; his piety, learning, gravity, experience, judgment, do not more commend him to all that know him, than this work of his may commend it self to them that read it.” The Christian faith has also been solidly and learnedly maintained by him, in a discourse long since published, for the “demonstration of our blessed Jesus, to be the true Messias.” Nor would I forget a sermon of his on 2 Sam. xxiii. 8, at the anniversary court of election at Boston, 1669, afterwards published. Among the many which he hath prefixed unto the books of other authors, I know not whether his excellent epistle before Mr. Scudder’s “ Daily-walk,” may not, for the worth of it, be reck- ! oned it self a book, as the book it self was the directory of his own daily } walk. Moreover, there is published a treatise of his under this title, “ The Power of vongregational Churches,” in the preface whereof Mr. Nathanael Mather, (at this time the worthy and well-known Pastor of such a church in the city of London,) has these very significant expressions concerning him: “Certain it is, tue principles held forth in this treatise cost the reverend author not only many sufferings, but also many, very many sad searchings, and much reading and study, on set purpose, accompanied with manifold prayers and cries to the Father of Lights, for light therein. After: all which, he was more confirmed in them, and attained to such comfort- if able clearness therein, as bore him up with much inward peace and satis- 4 faction, under all his afflictions, on the account of his perswasion in these points. And so perswaded, lived, and so died this grave and serious spirited man.” There is likewise published, ‘A Discourse ahout Civil Government, in a New Plantation, whose design is Religion.” in the title page whereof the name of Mr. Cotton is, by a mistake, put for that of Mr. ~ Davenport. And there was lately transcribed for the press, from his notes, a large volume of accurate and elaborate sermons, on the whole book of Canticles. But the death of the gentleman chiefly concerned in the intended impression, proved the death ‘he impression it self.

§ 14. To conclude: there will be bu' + -ajust account given of the things preached and written by this reverend man, if we do not mention one singular favour of Heaven unto him. It is well known that, in the 4 earliest of the primitive times, the faithful did, in a literal sense, believe ‘9 the “second coming” of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the rising and reigning: of the saints with him, a thousand years before the “rest of the dead live again;” a doctrine which, however, some of later years have counted it heretical; yet, in the days of Irenzeus, was questioned by none but such a3 were counted hereticks, ’Tis evident, from Justin Martyr, that this doctrine of the Chiliad was in his days embraced among all orthodox Christians; nor did this kingdom of our Lord begin to be doubted until the kingdom of antichrist began to advance into a considerable figure; and then it fell chiefly under the reproaches of such men as were fain to deny

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the divine authority of the book of Revelation, and of the second Epistle of Peter. He is a stranger to antiquity who does not find and own the ancients generally of the perswasion, which is excellently summed up in those words of Lactantius: Veniet Summi et maximi Dei Filius. Verum tlle, cum deleverit injustitiam, Judiciumque maximum fecerit, ac Justos, qui a Principio fuerunt, ad vitam Restauraverit, Mille Annos inter Homines Versabitur, eosque Justissimo Imperio reget.* Nevertheless, at last men came, not only to lay aside the modesty expressed, by one of the first considerable Anti-Millenaries—namely, Jerom—when he said, Que licet non sequamur, tamen condemnare non possumus, eo quod multi Virorum Ecclesiasticorum et Martyrum, ista dixerint;+ but also with violence to persecute the millenary truth as an heretical pravity. So the mystery of our Lord’s “appearing in his kingdom,” lay buried in Popish darkness, till the light thereof had a fresh dawn, since the antichrist entred into the last half time of the period allotted for him; and now, within the last few sevens of years, as things grow nearer to accomplishment, learned and pious men, in great numbers every where, come to receive, explain, and maintain the old jaith about it. But here was the special favour of Heaven to our Davenport, that so many years agg, when in both Englands the true notion of the Chiliad was hardly apprehended by as many divines of note as there are mouths of Nilus, yet this worthy man clearly saw into it, and both preached and wrote those very things about the future state, and coming of the Lord, the calling of the Jews, and the first and second resurrection of the dead, which do now of late years get more ground against the opposition of the otherwise minded, and find a kinder entertainment among them that “search the Scriptures:” and whereof he afterwards, when he was an old man, gave the world a little taste, in a judicious preface before a most learned and nervous treatise, composed by one that was then a young man, about “the mystery of the salvation of Israel.” Even, then, so long ago it was, that he asserted, ‘A personal, visible, powerful, and glorious coming of the Lord Jesus Christ unto judgment, long before the end of the world.”

But thus we take our leave of this renowned man, and leave him resting in hope to stand in his lot at that end.

EPITAPHIUM. JOHANNES DAVENPORTUS:

In Portum Delatus. Vivus, Nov-Anglie, ac Ecclesize Ornamentum,

ET Mortuus, Utriueque Triste Desiderium.t

* The Son of the Most High and Mighty shall come. And He, when he shall have overcome injustice, and established universal righteousness, and shali have raised up from the dead all the saints who have existed from the beginning of the world, shall dwell ir. person among men for a thousand years, and shall govern them with most righteous sway.

+ Though we may not cordially assent to all these doctrines, we cannot condemn them, for they have been affirmed by many of the heroes and martyrs of the Church.

t Erirara.—Joun Davenport: Safely in port. In life, the ornament of New-England and the Church: dead, the object of their common regret,

‘ ceptable nor unprofitable unto his people.

APPENDIX.

THE LIGHT OF THE WESTERN CHURCHES;

OR, THE LIFE OF MR. THOMAS HOOKER, THE RENOWNED PASTOR OF HARTFORD CHURCH, AND PILLAR OF CONNECTICUT COLONY, .

IN NEW-ENGLAND. ESSAYED BY COTTON MATHER.

Quod si digna Tua minus est mea Pagina Laude, At voluisse sat est.*

TO THE CHURCHES IN THE COLONY OF CONNECTICUT:

A.tnHovcH the providence of Heaven, whereby the bounds of people are set, hath carried you so far westward, that some have pleasantly said, “the last conflict with antichrist must be in your colony;” yet, I believe, you do not reckon your selves removed beyond the reach of temptation and corruption. "Tis a great work that you have done, for our Lord Jesus Christ, in forming a colony of evangelical churches for him, where Satan alone had reigned without controul in all former ages; but your incomparable Hooker, who was one of the greatest in the foundation of that work, was in his day well aware that Satan would make all the haste he could, unhappily to get all buried in the degeneracies of ignorance, worldliness, and profanity. To advise you of your dangers, and uphold the life of religion among you, I presume humbly to lay before you the life of that excellent man, who, for learning, wisdom, and religion, was a pattern well worthy of perpetual consideration. Having served my own province with the history of no less than four famous Johns, all fetched from one church, I was, for certain special causes, unwilling to have it complained, as once it was of the disciples, “Thomas was not with them:” wherefore I was willing to make this appendix unto that history, confessing that through want of information I have underdone in this, more than in any part of the composure; yet so done, that I hope the good hand of the Lord, whom I have designed therein to glorifie, will make what is done to be neither unac- Corton MaTHER.

ducrng cov "Exxdnticiv é¢engwv.f THe Lirg or Mr. Tuomas Hooker.

§ 1. When Toxaris met with his countryman Anacharsis in Athens, he gave him this invitation, “Come along with me, and I will shew thee at once all the wonders of Greece:” whereupon he shewed him Solon, as the person in whom there centered all the glories of that city or country. I shall now invite my reader to behold at once the “wonders” of New-England, and it is in one Thomas Hooker that he shall behold them: even in

* Worthy of thee my praise may never be: I would it were !—let that suffice for me,

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that Hooker, whom a worthy writer would needs call “Saint Hooker,” for the same reason, (he said) and with the same freedom that Latimer would speak of Saint Bilney, in his commemorations, ‘Tis that Hooker, of whom I may venture to say, that the famous Romanist, who wrote a book, De Tribus Thomis; or, Of Three Thomas’s—meaning Thomas the Apostle, Thomas Becket, and Sir Thomas More—did not a thousandth part so well sort his Thomas's, as a New-Englander might, if he should write a book, De Duobus Thomis: or Of Two Thomas's; and with Thomas the Apostle, joyn our celebrious Thomas Hooker: my one Thomas, even our apostolical Hooker, would in just balances weigh down two of Stapelton’s rebellious Archbishops or bigoted Lord Chancellors. ’Tis he whom I may call, as Theodoret called Irenzeus, “The light of the western churches.”

§ 2. This our Hooker was born at Marfield, in Leicestershire, about the year 1586, of parents that were neither unable nor unwilling to bestow upon him a liberal education; whereto the early and lively sparkles of wit observed in him did very much encourage them. His natural temper was cheerful and courteous; but it was accompanied with such a sensible grandeur of mind, as caused his friends, without the help of astrology, to prognosticate that he was born to be considerable. The influence which he had upon the reformation of some growing abuses, when he was one of the proctors in the university, was a thing that more eminently signalized him, when his more publick appearance in the world was coming on: which was attended with an advancement unto a fellowship in Emanuel Colledge, in Cambridge; the students whereof were originally designed for the study of divinity.

§ 8. With what ability and fidelity he acquitted himself in his fellowship, it was a thing sensible unto the whole university. And it was while he was in this employment that the more effectual grace of God gave him the experience of a true regeneration. It pleased the spirit of God very powerfully to break into the soul of this person with such a sense of his being ‘exposed unto the just wrath of Heaven, as filled him with most unusual degrees of horror and anguish, which broke not only his rest, but his heart also, and caused him to cry out, “ While I suffer thy terrors, O Lord, I am distracted!” While he long had a soul harassed with such distresses, he had a singular help in the prudent and piteous carriage of Mr. Ash, who was the Sizer that then waited upon him; and attended him with such discreet and proper compassions, as made him afterwards to respect him highly all his days. He afterwards gave this account of himself, “That in the time of his agonies, he could reason himself to the rule, and conclude that there was no way but submission to God, and lying at the foot of his mercy in Christ Jesus, and waiting humbly there, till he should please to perswade the soul of his favour: nevertheless, when he came to apply this rule unto himself in his own condition, his reasoning would fail him, he was able to do nothing.” Having been a considerable while thus

troubled with such impressions for the “spirit of bondage,” as were to fit him for the great services and enjoyments which God intended him, at length he received the “spirit of adoption,” with well-grounded perswasions of his interest in the new covenant. It became his manner, at his lying down for sleep in the evening, to single out some certain promise of God, which he would repeat and ponder, and keep his heart close unto it, until he found that gatisfaction of soul wherewith he could say, “I will lay me down in peace, and sleep; for thou, O Lord, makest me dwell in assurance.” And he would afterwards counsel others to take the same course; telling them, “That the promise was the boat which was to carry @ perishing sinner over unto the Lord Jesus Christ.

§ 4. Mr. Hooker being now well got through the storm of soul, which had helped him unto a most experimental acquaintance with the truths of the gospel, and the way of employing and applying those truths, he was willing to serve the Church of God in the ministry, whereto he was devoted. At his first leaving of the university, he sojourned in the house of Mr. Drake, a gentleman of great note, not far from London; whose worthy consort being visited with such distresses of soul as Mr. Hooker himself had passed through, it proved an unspeakable advantage unto both of them that he had that opportunity of being serviceable; for indeed he now had no superiour, and scarce any equal, for the skill of treating a troubled soul. When he left Mr. Drake’s family, he did more publickly and frequently preach about London; and in a little time he grew famous for his ministerial abilities, but especially for his notable faculty at the wise and fit management of wounded spirits. However, he was not ambitious to exercise his ministry among the great ones of the world, from whom the most of preferment might be expected; but in this, imitating the example and character of our blessed Saviour, of whom ’tis noted that, according to the prophesie of Isaiah, by him, “The poor had the gospel preached unto them;” he chose to be where great numbers ot' the poor might receive the gospel from him.

§ 5. About this time it was that Mr. Hooker grew into a most intimate acquaintance with Mr. Rogers of Dedham; who so highly valued him for his multifarious abilities, that he used and gained many endeavours to get him settled at Colchester; whereto Mr. Hooker did very much incline, because of its being so near to Dedham, where he might enjoy the labours and lectures of Mr. Rogers, whom he would sometimes call, “The prince of all the preachers in England.” But the providence of God gave an obstruction to that settlement; and, indeed, it was an observation which Mr. Hooker would sometimes afterwards use unto his friends, “That the providence of God often diverted him from employment in such places as he himself desired, and still directed him to such places as he had no thoughts of.” Accordingly, Chelmsford in Essex, a town of great concourse, wanting one to “break the bread of life” unto them, and hearing

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the fame of Mr. Hooker’s powerful ministry, addressed him to become their lecturer; and he accepted their offer about the year 1626, becoming not only their lecturer, but also on the Lord’s days an assistant unto one Mr. Mitchel, the incumbent of the place, who, though he were a smaller, yet being a godly person, gladly encouraged Mr. Hooker, and lived with him in a most comfortable amity.

§ 6. Here his lecture was exceedingly frequented, and proportionably succeeded; and the light of his ministry shone through the whole county of Essex. There was a rare mixture of pleasure and profit in his preaching; and his hearers felt those penetrating impressions of his ministry upon their souls which caused them to reverence him, as “a teacher sent from God.” He had a most excellent faculty at the applications of his doctrine; and he would therein so touch the consciences of his auditors, that a judicious person would say of him, ‘‘ He was the best at an use that ever he heard.” Hereby there was a great reformation wrought, not only in the town, but in the adjacent country, from all parts whereof they came to “hear the wisdom of the Lord Jesus Christ,” in his gospel, by this worthy man dispensed: and some of great quality among the rest, would often resort from far to his assembly; particularly the truly noble Earl of Warwick, whose countenance of good ministers procured more prayers to God for him than most noble-men in England.

When he first set up his lecture, there was more profaneness than devotion in fhe town; and the multitude of inns and shops in the town produced one particular disorder, of people’s filling the streets with unsuitable behaviour, after the publick services of the Lord’s day were over. But by the power of his ministry in publick, and by the prudence of his carriage in private, he quickly cleared the streets of this disorder, and the Sabbath came to be very visibly sanctified among the people.

§ 7. The joy of the people in this light was “tut for a season.” The conscientious non-conformity of Mr. Hooker to:me rites of the church of England, then vigorously pressed, especially upn such able and useful ministers as were most likely to be laid aside by their scrupling of those rites, made it necessary for him to lay down his ministry in Chelmsford, when he had been about four years there employed init. Hereupon, at the request of several eminent persons, he kept a school in his own hired house, having one Mr. John Eliot for his usher, at little Baddow, not far from Chelmsford; where he managed his charge with such discretion, with such authority, and such efficacy, that, able to do more with a word or a look than most other men could have done by a severer discipline, he did very great service to the church of God, in the education of such as afterwards proved themselves not a little serviceable. I have in my hands a manuscript, written by the hands of our blessed Eliot, wherein he gives a very great account of the little academy then maintained in the house of Mr. Hooker; and, among other things, he says:

“To this place I was called, through the infinite riches of God’s mercy in Christ Jesus to my poor soul: for here the Lord said unto my dead soul, live; and through the grace of Christ, I do live, and I shall live for ever! When I came to this blessed family I then saw, and never before, the power of godliness in its lively vigour and efficacy.”

§ 8. While he continued thus in the heart of Essex, and in the hearts of the people there, he signalized his usefulness in many other instances.

The godly ministers round about the country would have recourse unto him, to be directed and resolved in their difficult cases; and it was by his means that those godly ministers held their monthly meetings, for fasting and prayer, and profitable conferences. "Twas the effect of his consultations, also, that such godly ministers came to be here and there settled in several parts of the country; and many others came to be better established in some great points of Christianity, by being in his neighbourhood and acquaintance. He was indeed a general blessing to the church of God! But that which hindred his taking his degree of Batchellor in Divinity, must also, it seems, hinder his being a preacher of Divinity; namely, his being a non-conformist unto some things, whereof true divinity could not approve. And indeed that which made the silencing of Mr. Hooker more unaccountable, was, that no less than seven-and-forty conformable ministers of the neighbouring towns, understanding that the Bishop of London pretended Mr. Hooker’s ministry to be injurious or offensive to them, subscribed a petition to the Bishop for his continuance in the ministry at Chelmsford; in which petition, though he was of a perswasion so different from them, yet they testifie, in so many words, “That they esteem and know the said Mr. Thomas Hooker to be for doctrine, orthodox; for life and conversation, honest; for disposition, peaceable, and in no wise turbulent or factious.” And yet all would not avail: Bonus vir Hookerus, sed ideo malus, guia Puritanus.*

§ 9. The ground-work of his knowledge and study of the arts, was in the tables of Mr. Alexander Richardson, whom he closely followed, admiring him for a man of transcendent ability, and a most exalted piety; and would say of him, “That he was a master of so much understanding, that, like the great army of Gideon, he was too many to be employed in doing what was to be done for the church of God.” This most eminent Richardson leaving the university, lived a private life in Essex, whither many students in Cambridge resorted unto him, to be illuminated in the abstruser parts of learning; and from him it was that the incomparable Doctor Ames imbibed those principles, both in philosophy and in divinity, which afterwards not only gave clearer methods and measures to all the liberal arts, but also fed the whole church of God with the choicest marrow. Nevertheless, this excellent man, as he lived, so he died ina most retired obscurity; but so far as a metempsychosis was attainable, the

* Hooker is a good man, but, in being a Puritan, is a bad man.

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ina >, the

soul of him—I mean thu notions, the accomplishments, the dispositions of that great soul—transmigrated into our most Richardsonian Hooker,

§ 10. As his person was thus adorned with a well-grounded learning, 80 his preaching was notably set off with a liveliness extraordinary: insomuch that I cannot give a fuller, and yet briefer description of him, than that which I find given of Bucholtzer, that pattern of preachers, before him: Vivida in eo omnia fuerunt, vivida vow, vividi oculi, vivide manus, gestus omnes vividi:* he was all that he was, and he did all that he did, unto the life! He not only had that which Quintilian calls, “A natural moveableness of soul,” whereby the distinct images of things would come s0 nimbly, and yet so fitly into his mind, that he could utter them with fluent expressions, as the old orators would usually ascribe unto a special assistance of Heaven, [Deum tunc Adfuisse, veteres Oratores aiebant]}+ and counted that men did therein THEIOS LEGEIN, or speak divinely; but the rise of this fluency in hi:n, was the divine relish which he had of the things to be spoken, the sacred panting of his holy soul after the glorious objects of the invisible world, and the true zeal of religion giving fire to his discourses. Whence, though the ready and noisy performances of many preachers, when they are, as Plato speaks, THEATROU MESTOI, or full of the theatre, acting to the height in the publick for their applause, may be ascribed unto very mechanical principles; yet the vigour in the ministry of our Hooker, being raised by a “coal from the altar” of a most real devotion, touching his heart, it would be a wrong unto the good Spirit of our God, if he should not be acknowledged the author of it. That Spirit accordingly gave a wonderful and unusual success unto the ministry wherein he breathed so remarkably. Of that success there were many instances; but one particularly I find mentioned in Clark’s examples, to this purpose: A profane person, designing therein only an ungodly diversion and merriment, said unto his companions, ‘Come, let us go hear what that bawling Hooker will say to us;” and thereupon, with an intention to make sport, unto Chelmsford lecture they came. The man had not been long in the church, before the quick and powerful word of God, in the mouth of his faithful Hooker, pierced the soul of him; he came out with an awakened and a distressed soul, and by the further blessing of God upon Mr. Hooker’s ministry, he arrived unto a true conversion; for which cause he would not afterwards leave that blessed ministry, but went a thousand leagues to attend it and enjoy it. Another memorable thing of this kind, was this: it was Mr. Hooker’s manner once a year to visit his native county; and in one of those visits, he had an invitation to preach in the great church of Leicester. One of the chief burgesses in the town much opposed his preaching there; and when he could not prevail to hinder

* In him every thing was full of life: there was life in his voice, in his eye, in his hand, in his motions, + “The Deity animated him,” the ancient orators were wont to say.

Vou. I.—22

it, he set certain jfidlers at work to disturb him in the church-porch or church-yard. But such was the vivacity of Mr. Hooker, as to proceed in what he was about, without either the damping of his mind, or the drowning of his voice; whereupon the man himself went unto the church-door to over-hear what he said. It pleased God so to accompany some words uttered by Mr. Hooker, as thereby to procure, first the atention and then the conviction of that wretched man; who then came to Mr. Hooker with a penitent confession of his wickedness, and became indeed so penitent a convert, as to be at length a sincere professor and practiser of the godliness whereof he had Leen a persecutor.

§ 11. The spiritual court sitting at Chelmsford, about the year 1680, had not only silenced Mr. Hooker, but also bound him over in a bond of fifty pound to appear before the high commission, which he could not now attend, because of an ague then upon him. One of his hearers—namely, Mr. Nash, a very honest yeoman, that rented a great farm of the Earl of Warwick at Much-Waltham—was bound in that sum for his appearance; but as Paul was advised by his friends that he would not venture into the theatre at Ephesus, thus Mr. Hooker’s friends advised him to forfeit his bonds, rather than to throw him self any further into the hands of his enemies, Wherefore, when the day for his appearance came, his honest surety being reimbursed by several good people in and near Chelmsford, sent in the forfeited sum into the court; and Mr. Hooker having, by the Earl of Warwick, @ courteous and private recess provided for his family at a place called Old Park, for which I find the thanks of Dr. Hill afterwards publickly given in his dedication of Mr. Fenner’s treatise about impenitency, he went over to Holland. In his passage thither, he quickly had occasion to discover himself, when they were in eminent hazard of shipwreck upon a shelf of sand, whereon they ran in the night; but Mr. Hooker, like Paul, with a remarkable confidence, assured them that they should be preserved; and they had as remarkable a deliverance. I have also heard that when he fled from the pursevants, to take his passage for the Low-Countries, at his last parting with some of his friends, one of them said, “Sir, what if the wind should not be fair, when you come to the vessel?” Whereto he instantly replied, “Brother, let us leave that with Him who keeps the wind in the hollow of his hand:” and it was observed that, although the wind was cross until he came aboard, yet it immediately then came about fair and fresh, and he was no sooner under sail, but the officer arrived at the sea-side, happily too late now to come at him; which minds me of what befel Dr. Goodwin, not long after. That great man lay wind-bound in hourly suspicions that the pursevants would stop his voyage, and seize his person before the wind would favour his getting away for Holland. In this distress, humbly praying to the Lord Jesus Christ for a more propitious wind, he yet said, “Lord, if thou hast at this time, any poor servant of thine that wants this wind more than I do another, I do not ask for the changing of it; I subch or ed in rowndoor words l then r with nitent lliness

), had f fifty ttend, Nash, irwick s Paul atre at rather NV here- ' reimrfeited wick, ed Old given t over scover helf of with a h; and he fled is last B wind tantly in the 8 Cross fresh, p, hap- Goodbicions re the mbly

t said, s this I submit unto it.” And immediately the wind came about unto the right point, and carried him clear from his pursuers,

§ 12. Arriving in Holland, he was invited unto a settlement with old Mr. Paget; but the old man being secretly willing that Mr. Hooker should not accept of this invitation, he contrived many ways to render him suspected unto the classis on a suspicion that he favoured the Brownists; unto whom he had, indeed, an extream aversion, The misunderstandings operated so fur as to occasion Mr. Hooker's removal from Amsterdam; not: withstanding he had so fully expressed himself when, in his answer to one of Mr. Paget’s questions, he declared in these words, “To separate from the faithful assemblies and churches in England, as no churches, is an error in judgment, and sin in practice, held and maintained by the Brownists; and therefore to communicate with them in their opinion or practice is sinful and utterly unlawful; and care should be taken to prevent offence, either by encouraging them in their way, or by drawing others to a further approbation of that way than is meet.” Going from Amsterdam, he went unto Delft; where he was most kindly received by Mr. Forbs, an aged and holy Scotch minister, under whose ministry many English merchants were then settled. The text whereon he first preached at his coming thither, was Phil. i, 29, “To you it is given not only to believe, but also to suffer;” and after that sermon Mr. Forbs manifested a strong desire to enjoy the fellowship of Mr. Hooker in the work of the gospel; which he did for about the space of two years; in all which time they lived so like brethren, that an observer might say of them, as they said of Basil and Nazianzen, “They were but one soul in two bodies;” and if they had been for any little while asunder, they still met with such friendly and joyful congratulations, as testified a most affectionate satisfaction in each other’s company.

§ 18, At the end of two years, he had a call to Rotterdam; which he the more heartily and readily accepted, because it renewed his acquaintance with his invaluable Dr. Ames, who had newly left his place in the Frisian University. With him he spent the residue of his time in Holland, and assisted him in composing some of his discourses, which are, “Fis Fresh Suit against the Ceremonies:” for such was the regard which Dr. Ames had for him, that notwithstanding his vast ability and experience, yet,, when it came to the narrow of any question about the instituted worship of God, he would still profess himself conquered by Mr. Hooker’s reason; declaring that, “though he had been acquainted with many scholars of divers nations, yet he never met with Mr. Hooker's equal, either for preaching or for disputing.” And such was the regard which, on the other side, he had for Dr. Ames, that he would say, “If a scholar was but well studied in Dr. Ames his Medulla Theologic,* and Casus Oonscientio,t so as to understand them thoroughly, they would make him (supposing him versed in the Scriptures) a good divine, though he had no more books in the

® Marrow of Theology. + Cases of Conscience,

MAGNALIA CHBISTI AMERICANA;

world.” But having tarried in Holland long enough to see the state of religion in the churches there, he became satisfied that it was neither eligible for him to tarry in that country, nor convenient for his friends to be invited thither after him. I have at this time in my hands his letter from Rotterdam to Mr. Cotton, wherein are these words:

“The state of these provinces, to my weak eye, seems wonderfully ticklish and miserable. For the better part, heart religion, they content themselves with very forms, though much blemished; but the power of godliness, for ought I can see or hear, they know not; and if it were thoroughly pressed, I fear least it will be fiercely opposed. My ague yet holds me; the ways of God’s providence, wherein he has walked towards me, in this long time of my sickness, and wherein I have drawn forth many wearyish hours, under his Almighty hand (blessed be his name) together with pursuits and banishment, which have waited upon me, as one wave follows another, have driven me to an amazement: his paths being too secret and past finding out by such an ignorant, worthless worm as my self. I have looked over my heart, and life, according to my measure; aimed and guessed as well as I could: and entreated his Majesty to make known his miud, wherein I missed; and yet methinks I cannot spell out readily the purpose of his proceedings; which I confess have been wonderful in miseries, and more than wonderful in mercies to me and mine.”

Wherefore, about this time, understanding that many of his friends in Essex were upon the wing for a wilderness in America, where they hoped for an opportunity to enjoy and practise the pure worship of the Lord Jesus Christ, in churches gathered according to his direction, he readily answered their invitation to accompany them in this undertaking. Dr. Ames had a design to follow Mr. Hooker; but he died soon after Mr. Hooker's removal from Rotterdam. However, his widow and children afterwards came to New-England; where, having her house burnt, and being reduced unto much poverty and affliction, the charitable heart of Mr. Hooker (and others that joined with him) upon advice thereof, comfortably provided for them.

§ 14. Returning into England in order to a further voyage, he was quickly scented by the pursevants, who at length got so far up with him as to knock at the door of that very chamber where he was now discoursing with Mr. Stone, who was now become his designed companion and assistant for the New-English enterprize. Mr. Stone was at that instant smoking of tobacco, for which Mr. Hooker had been reproving him, as being then used by few persons of sobriety; being also of a sudden and pleasant wit, he stept unto the door, with his pipe in his mouth, and such an air of speech and look, as gave him some credit with the officer. The officer demanded, Whether Mr. Hooker were not there? Mr. Stone replied with a braving sort of confidence, “What Hooker? Do you mean Hooker that lived once at Chelmsford!” The officer answered, ‘Yes, he!” Mr, Stone immediately, with a diversion like that which once helped Athanasius, made this true answer, “If it be he you look for, I saw him about an hour ago, at such an house in the town; you had best hasten thither after him.” The officer took this for a sufficient account, and went his

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way; but Mr. Hooker, upon this intimation, concealed himself more carefully and securely, till he went on board at the Downs, in the year 1683, the ship which brought him, and Mr, Cotton, and Mr. Stone to New-England: where none but Mr. Stone’was owned for a preacher, at their first coming aboard; the other two delaying to take their turns in the publick worship of the ship, till they were got so far into the main ocean, that they might with safety discover who they were.

§ 15. Amongst Mr. Fenner’s works, I find some imperfect and shattered, and I believe, injurious notes of a farewel sermon upon Jer. xiv. 9, ““We are called by thy name, leave us not:” which /arewel sermon was indeed Mr. Hooker’s, at his leaving of England. There are in those fragments of a sermon, some very pathetical and most prophetical passages, where some are these:

“It is not gold and prosperity which makes God to be our God; there is more gold in the West-Indies than there is in ali Christendom; but it is God’s ordinances in the vertue of them, that show the presence of God.”

Again, “Is not England ripe? Is she not weary of God? Nay, she is fed fat for the slaughter.”

Once more, “ England hath seen her best days, and now evil days are befualling us.”

“And, thou, England, which hast been lifted up to heaven with means, shall be abased and brought down to hell; for if the mighty works which have been done in thee, had been done in India or Turkey, they would have repented ere this.”

These passages I quote, that I may the more effectually describe the apprehensions with which this worthy man took his farewel of his native country.

But there is one strange passage in that sermon, that I know not what well to think of; and yet it is to be thought of. I remember, ’tis a passage in the life of the reverend old Blackerby, who died in the year 1648, “That he would often say it was very probable the English nation would be sorely punished by the French: and that he believed Popery would come in, but it would not last, nor could it recover its former strength,” The notable fulfilment which that passage hath seen, would carry one to consider the unaccountable words which our Hooker uttered in his farewel sermon. ‘Tis very likely that the scribe has all along wronged the sermon; but the words now referred unto, are of this purport, “That it had been told him from God, that God will destroy England, and lay it waste; and that the people should be put unto the sword, and the temples burnt, and many houses laid in ashes.” Long after this, when he lived at Hartford in New-England, his friends that heard that sermon, having the news of the miseries upon England, by the civil wars, brought unto them, enquired of him, ‘Whether this were not te time of God’s destroying England, whereof he had spoken?” He rzpiied, ‘No; this is not the time; there will be a time of respite after these wars, and a time wherein God will further try England; and England will further sin against him, and shew an

Lota me wa Rae

$42 MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA;

antipathy against the government of the Lord Jesus Christ in his church; his royal power in the governing thereof will be denied and rejected. There will therefore a time come, when the Lord Jesus Christ will plead his own, and his own cause, and the cause of them who have suffered for their fidelity to her institutions: he will plead it in a more dreadful way, and break the nation of England in pieces, like a potter's vessel. Then a man shall be precious as the gold of Ophir; but a small remnant shall be left: and afterward God will raise up churches to himself, after his own heart, in his own time and way.” God knows what there may be in this prediction.

§ 16. Mr. Hooker and Mr. Cotton were, for their different genius, the Luther and Melancthon of New-England; at their arrival unto which country, Mr. Cotton settled with the church of Boston, but Mr. Hooker with the church of New-Town, having Mr. Stone for his assistant. Inexpressible now was the joy of Mr. Hooker, to find himself surrounded with his friends, who were come over the year before, to prepare for his reception; with open arms he embraced them, and uttered these words, “ Now I live, if you stand fast in the Lord.” But such multitudes flocked over to New- England after them, that the plantation of New-Town became too straight for them; and it was Mr. Hooker's advice that they should not incur the danger of a Sitna, or an Esek, where they might have a Rehoboth. Accordingly, in the month of June, 1686, they removed an hundred miles to the westward, with a purpose to settle upon the delightful banks of Connecticut River: and there were about an hundred persons in the first company that made this removal; who not being able to walk above ten miles a day, took up near a fortnight in the journey; having no pillows to take their nightly rest upon, but such as their father Jacob found in the way to Padan-Aram. Here Mr. Hooker was the chief instrument of beginning another colony, as Mr. Cotton, whom he left behind him, was of preserving and perfecting that colony where he left him; for, indeed, each of them were the oracle of their several colonies.

§ 17. Though Mr. Hooker had thus removed from the Massachuset-bay, yet he sometimes came down to visit the churches in that bay: but when ever he came, he was received with an affection like that which Paul found among the Galatians; yea, tis thought that once there seemed some intimation from Heaven, as if the good people had overdone in that affection: for on May 26, 1639, Mr. Hooker being here to preach that Lord’s day in the afternoon, his great fame had gathered a vast multitude of hearers from several other congregations, and, among the rest, the governour himself, to be made partaker of his ministry. But when he came to preach, he found himself so unaccountably at a loss, that after some shattered and broken attempts to proceed, he made a full stop; saying to the assembly, “That every thing which he would have spoken, was taken both out of his mouth and out of his mind also;” wherefore he desired them to sing a

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psalm, while he withdrew about half an hour from them: returning then to the ~:gregation, he preached a most admirable sermon, wherein he held ti: .. for two hours together in an extraordinary strain both of pertinency and vivacity.

After sermon, when some of his friends were speaking of the Lord’s thus withdrawing his assistance from him, he humbly replied, “We daily confess that we have nothing, and can do nothing, without Christ; and what if Christ will make this manifest in us, and on us, before our congregations? What remains, but that we be humbly contented? and what manner of discouragement is there in all of this?” Thus content Was he to be nullified, that the Lord might be magnified!

§ 18. Mr. Hooker, that had been born to serve many, and was of such a publick spirit that I find him occasionally celebrated in the life of Mr. Angier, lately published, for one who would be continually inquisitive how it fared with the church of God, both at home and abroad, on purpose that he might order his prayers and cares accordingly: [which, by the way, makes me think on Mr. Firmin’s words: “I look on it (saith he) as an act of a grown Christian, whose interest in Christ is well cleared, and his heart walking close with God, to be really taken up with the publick interest of Christ.”] He never took his opportunity to serve himself, but lived a sort of exile all his days, except the last fourteen years of his life, among his own spiritual children at Hartford; however, here also he was an exile. Accordingly, where-ever he came, he lived like a stranger in the world! When at the Land’s-end, he took his last sight of England, he said, ‘“Farewel, England! I expect now no more to see that religious zeal, and power of godliness which I have seen among professors in that land!” And he had sagacious and prophetical apprehensions of the declensions which would attend “reforming churches,” when they came to enjoy a place of liberty: he said, ‘That adversity had slain its thousands, but prosperity would slay its ten thousands!” He feared, ‘That they who had been lively Christians in the fire of persecution, would soon become cold in the midst of universal peace, except some few, whom God by sharp tryals would keep in a faithful, watchful, humble, and praying frame.” But under these pre-apprehensions, it was his own endeavour to beware of abating his own first love! and of so watchfui, so prayerful, so fruitful a spirit was Mr. Hooker, that the spirit of prophecy it self did seem to grant him some singular afflations, Indeed, every wise man is a prophet; but one so eminently acquainted with Scripture and reason, and church-history, as our Hooker, must needs be a seer, from whom singular prognost):ations were to be expected. Accordingly, there were many things prvgnosticated by him, wherein the future state of New-England, particularly of Connecticut, has been so much concerned, that it is pity they should be forgotten. But I will in this history record only two of his predictions. One was, “That God would punish the wanton spirit of

the professors in this country, with a sad want of able men in all orders.” Another was, “That in certain places of great light here sinned against, there would break forth such horrible sins, as would be the amazement of the world.

§ 19. He was a man of prayer, which was indeed a ready way to become aman of God. He would say, ‘That prayer was the principal part of a minister’s work; ‘twas by this, that he was to carry on the rest. Accordingly, he still devoted one day in a month to private prayer, with fasting, before the Lord, besides the publick fasts, which often occurred unto him. He would say, “That such extraordinary favours, as the life of religion, and the power of godliness, must be preserved by the frequent use of such extraordinary means as prayer with fasting; and that if professors grow negligent of these means, iniquity will abound, and the love of many wax cold.” Nevertheless, in the duty of prayer, he affected strength rather than length; and though he had not so much variety in his publick praying as in his publick preaching, yet he always had a seasonable respect unto present occasions. And it was observed that his prayer was usually like Jacob’s ladder, wherein the nearer he came to an end, the nearer he drew towards heaven; and he grew into such rapturous pleadings with

‘God, and praisings of God, as made some to say, “That like the master

of the feast, he reserved the best wine until the last.” Nor was the wonderful success of his prayer, upon special concerns, unobserved by the whole colony; who reckoned him the Moses, which turned away the wrath of God from them, and obtained a blast from heaven upon their Indian Amalekites, by his uplifted hands, in those remarkable deliverances which they sometimes experienced. It was very particularly observed, when

there was a battel to be fought between the Narraganset and the Monhe- °

gin Indians, in the year 1648. The Narraganset Indians had complotted the ruine of the English, but the Monhegin were confederate with us; and a war now being between those two nations, much notice was taken of the prevailing importunity, wherewith Mr. Hooker urged for the accomplishment of that great promise unto the people of God, “I will bless them that bless thee, but I will curse him that curses thee.” And the effect of it was, that the Narragansets received a wonderful overthrow from the Monhegins, though the former did three or four to one for number exceed the latter. Such an Israel at prayer was our Hooker! And this praying pastor was blessed; as, indeed, such ministers use to be, with a praying people: there fell upon his pious people a double portion of the Spirit which they beheld in him,

§ 20. That reverend and excellent man, Mr. Whitfield, having spent many years in studying of books, did at length take two or three years to study men; and in pursuance of this design, having acquainted himself with the most considerable divines in England, at last he fell into the acquaintance of Mr. Hooker; concerning whom, he afterwards gave this

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OR, THE HISTORY OF NEW-ENGLAND. $45 testimony: “That he had not thought there had been such a man on earth; a man in whom there shone so many excellencies, as were in this incomparable Hooker; a man in whom learning and wisdom were so tempered with zeal, holiness, and watchfulness.” And the same observer having exactly noted Mr. Hooker, made this remark, and gave this report more particularly of him, “That he had the best command of his own spirit which he ever saw in any man whatever.” For though he were a man of a cholerick disposition, and had a mighty vigour and fervour of spirit, which as occasion served was wondrous useful unto him, yet he had ordinarily as much government of his choler as a man has of a mastiff dog in a chain; he “could let out his dog, and pull in his dog, as he pleased.” And another that observed the heroical spirit and courage with which this great man fulfilled his ministry, gave this account of him, “He was a person who, while doing his Master’s work, would put a king in his pocket.”

Of this there was an instance, when the Judges were in their circuit present at Chelmsford, on a fast kept throughout the nation, Mr. Hooker then, in the presence of the Judges, and before a vast congregation, declared freely the sins of England, and the plagues that would come for such sins; and in his prayer he besought the God of heaven to set on the heart of the King what his own mouth had spoken, in the second chapter of Malachi, and the eleventh and twelfth verses, [in his prayer he so distinctly quoted it!] “An abomination is committed, Judah hath married the daughter of a strange God, the Lord will cut off the man that doeth this.” Though the Judges turned unto the place thus quoted, yet Mr. Hooker came into no trouble; but it was not long before the kingdom did.

§ 21. He was indeed of a very condescending spirit, not only towards his brethren in the ministry, but also towards the meanest of any Christians whatsoever. He was very willing to sacrifice his own apprehensions into the convincing reason of another man; and very ready to acknowledge any mistake, or failing, in himself. I'll give one example: there happened a damage to be done unto a neighbour, immediately whereupon, Mr. Hooker meeting with an unlucky boy, that often had his name up for the doing of such mischiefs, he fell to chiding of that boy as the doer of this. The boy denied it, and Mr. Hooker still went on in an angry manner, charging of him; whereupon said the boy, “Sir, I see you are ina passion, I'll say no more to you:” and so ran away. Mr. Hooker, upon further enquiry, not finding that the boy could be proved guilty, sent for him; and having first by a calm question, given the boy opportunity to renew his denial of the fact, he said unto him: “Since I cannot prove the contrary, Iam bound to believe; and I do believe what you say:” and then added: “Indeed, I was in a passion when I spake to you before; it was my sin, and it is my shame, and I am truly sorry for it: and I hope in God I shall be more watchful hereafter.” So, giving the boy some

gov. vounsel, the poor lad went away extreamly affected with such a carriage in so good a man; and it proved an occasion of good unto the soul of the lad all his days.

On this occasion it may be added, that Mr. Hooker did much abound in acts of charity. It was no rare thing for him to give sometimes five pound, sometimes ten pound at a time, towards the support of widows and orphans, especially those of deceased ministers,

Thus also, when the people at Southampton, twenty leagues from Hartford, wanted corn, Mr. Hooker, and some few that joined with them, sent them freely a whole bark’s load of corn of many hundred bushels, to relieve them. Thus he had those that Chrysostom calls ZvAAcyitpoug dvavesggurous, unanswerable sylogisms, to demonstrate Christianity.

§ 22. He had a singular ability at giving answers to cases of conscience; whereof happy was the experience of some thousands: and for this work he usually set apart the second day of the week; wherein he admitted all sorts of persons, in their discourses with him, to reap the benefit of the extraordinary experience which himself had found of Satan’s devices, Once, particularly, Mr. Hooker was addressed by a student in divinity, who entring upon his ministry, was, as the most useful ministers at their entrance thereupon use to be, horridly buffeted with temptations, which were become almost intolerable: repairing to Mr. Hooker in the distresses and anguishes of his mind, and bemoaning his own overwhelming fears, while the lion was thus roaring at him, Mr. Hooker answered, “I can compare with any man living for fears! My advice to you is, that you search out, and analyse the humbling causes of them, and refer them to their proper places; then go and pour them out before the Lord; and they shall prove more profitable to you than any books you can read.” But Mr. Hooker, in his dealing with troubled consciences, observed that there were a sort of crafty and guileful souls, which he would find out with an admirable dexterity; and of these he would say, as Paul of the Cretians, ‘They must be reproved sharply, that they may be found in the faith; sharp rebukes make sound Christians.” Indeed, of some he had compassion, making a difference; and others he saved with fear, pulling them out of the fire.

§ 23. Although he had a notable hand at the discussing and adjusting of controversal points, yet he would hardly ever handle any polemical divinity in the pulpit; but the very spirit of his ministry lay in the points of the most practical religion, and the grand concerns of a sinner’s preparation for, implantation in, and salvation by, the glorious Lord Jesus Christ. And in these discourses he would frequently intermix most affectionate warnings of the declensions which would quickly befal the churches of New-England.

His advice to young ministers may on this occasion be fitly mentioned. It was, that at their entrance on their ministry, they would with careful

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study preach over the whole body of divinity methodically, (even in the Amesian method,) which would acquaint them with all tue more intelligible and agreeable texts of Scripture, and prepare them for a further acquaintance with the more difficult, and furnish them with abilities to preach on whole chapters, and all occasional subjects, which by the providence of God they might be directed unto.

Many volumes of the sermons preached by him were since printed; and this account is to be given of them:

While he was fellow of Emanuel-College, he entertained a special inclination to those principles of divinity which concerned the application of redemption; and that which eminently fitted him for the handling of those principles was, that he had been from his youth trained up in the experience of those humiliations and consolations, and sacred communions, which belong to the new creature, and he had most critically compared his own experience with the accounts which the quick and powerful word of God gives of those glorious things. Accordingly, he preached first more briefly on these points, while he was a catechist in Emanuel-College, in a more scholastick way; which was most agreeable to his present station; and the notes of what he then delivered were so esteemed, that many copies thereof were transcribed and preserved. Afterwards he preached more largely on those points, ins more popular way, at Chelmsford, the product of which were those books of preparation for Christ, contrition, humiliation, vocation, union with Christ, and communion, and the rest, which go under his name; for many wrote after him in short-hand; and some were so bold as to publish many of them without his consent or knowledge; whereby his notions came to be deformedly misrepresented in multitudes of passages; among which I will suppose that crude passage which Mr. Giles Firmin, in his “ Real Christian,” so well confutes, That if the soul be rightly humbled, it is content to bear the state of damnation.” But when he came to New-England, many of his church, which had been his old Essex hearers, desired him once more to go over the points of God's regenerating works upon the soul of his elect; until, at last, their desires prevailed with him to resume that pleasant subject. The subject hereby came to have a third concoction in the head and heart of one as able to digest it as most men living in the world; and it was his design to perfect with his own hand his composures for the press, and thereby vindicate both author and matter from the wrongs done to both, by surreptitious editions heretofore. He did not live to finish what he intended; yet a worthy minister, namely, Mr. John Higginson, one richly able himself to have been an author of a not unlike matter, transcribed from his manuscripts near two hundred of these excellent sermons, which were sent over into England, that they might be published; but, by what means I know not, scarce half of them have seen the light unto this day. However, ‘tis possible the valuableness of those that are published, may at some

MAGNALIA CHRISTI ARKERICANA;

time or other awaken some enquiries after the unknown hands wherein the rest are as yet concealed. ’

§ 24, But this was not all the service which the pen of Mr. Hooker did for the church of God! It was his opinion that there were two great reserves of enquiry for this age of the world; the first, wherein the spiritual rule of our Lord’s kingdom does consist, and after what manner it is internally revealed, managed and maintained in the souls of his people? The

second, after what order the government of our Lord’s kingdom is to be cl externally managed and maintained in his churches? Accordingly, hav- nm ing done his part for delivering the former subject from pharisaical for- p mality, on the one hand, and from familistical enthusiasm on the other, he pl was, by the solicitous importunity of his friends, prevailed withal to com- de pose a treatise on the other subject also. Upon this occasion, he wrote in his excellent book, which is entituled, “A Survey of Church Discipline;’ ur wherein having, in the name of the other ministers in the country, as well he as his own, professed his concurrence with holy and learned Mr. Ruther- pr ford, as to the number and nature of church-officers; the right of people mi to call their own officers; the unfitness of scandalous persons to be mem- les bers of a visible church; the unwarrantableness of separation from churches ter for certain defective circumstances; the lawfulness, yea, needfulness of a abc consociation among churches; and calling in the help of such consociations, tio upcn emerging difficulties; and the power of such consociations to proceed wo against a particular church, pertinaciousiy offending with a sentence of As non-communion; he then proceeds to“consider, a church congregational 6x0 compleatly constituted with all its officers, having full power in its self’ to exercise ing all church discipline, in all the censures thereof; and the interest which the to: consent of the people is to have in the exercise of this discipline. The first was fair and full copy of this book was drowned in its passage to England, put with many serious and eminent Christians, which were then buried by ally shipwrack in the ocean: for which cause there was another copy sent dere afterwards, which, through the pre-mature death of the author, was not sign so perfect as the former; but it was a reflection which Dr. Goodwin made tion upon it, “The destiny which hath attended this book, hath visited my | satic thoughts with an apprehension of something like omen to the cause icself: chur that after the overwhelming of it with a flood of obloquies, and disadvan- = fal t tages and misrepresentations, and injurious oppressions cast out after it, rules it might in the time, which God alone hath put in his own power, be offen again emergent.” He adds, “I have looked for this; that this truth, and exter all that should be said of it, was ordained as Christ, of whom every truth havi is a ray, to be as a seed corn, which, unless it fall to the ground and die, edgei and this perhaps together with some of the persons that profess it, it brings fied yet forth much fruit.” However, the ingenious Mr. Stone, who was col- was | league to Mr. Hooker, accompanied this book with a little epigram, whereof from these were the concluding disticks: live a

rherein

ker did yo great piritual is inter- ? The is to be ly, havyical forther, he to come he wrote cipline;”” 7, ag well _ Rutherof people be mem: churches ness of a ‘ociations, o proceed ntence of regational to exercise hich the The first England, buried by opy sent, was not in made isited my se ic self: disadvant after it, power’, be ruth, and ery truth and die, , it brings bh was col- , whereof

If any to this platform can reply

But better arguments, if none can give, With better reason, let this volume die;

Then Tuomas Hooxsn’e policy shall live. § 25. In his administration of church discipline there were several things as imitable as observable. As he was an hearty friend unto the consociation of churches—and hence all the time that he lived, the pastors of the neighbouring churches held their frequent meetings for mutual consultation in things of common concernment—so, in his own particular church, he was very careful to have every thing done with a Christian moderation and unanimity. Wherefore he would have nothing publickly propounded unto the brethren of the church, but what had been first privately prepared by the elders; and if he feared the happening of any debate, his way aforehand was, to visit some o‘' the more noted and leading brethren, and having engaged them to sr;cond what he should move unto the church, he rarely missed of a full concurrence: to which purpose he would say, ‘The elders must have a church in a church, if they would preserve the peace of the church:” and he would say, “The debating matters of difference, first before the whole body of the church, will doubtless break any church in pieces, and deliver it up unto loathsome contempt.” Bu‘ if any difficult or divided agitation was raised in the church, about any matter offered, he would ever put a stop to that publick agitation, by delaying the vote until another meeting; before which time, he would ordinarily, by private conferences, gain over such as were unsatisfied. As for the admission of communicants unto the Lord’s table, he kept the examination of them unto the elders of the church, as properly belonging unto their work and charge; and with his elders he would order them to make before the whole church a profession of a repenting faith, as they were able or willing to do it. Some, that could unto edification do it, he put upon thus relating the manner of their conversion to God; but usually they only answered unto certain probatory questions which were tendered them; and so after their names had been for a few weeks before signified unto the congregation, to iearn whether any objection or exception could be made against them, of any thing scandalous in their conversations, now consenting unto the covenant, they were admitted into the church communion.- As for ecclesiastical censures, he was very watchful to prevent all procedures unto them, as far as was consistent with the rules of our Lord; for which cause (except in grosser abominations) when offences happened, he did his utmost that the notice thereof might be extended no further than it was when they first were laid before him; and having reconciled the offenders with sensible and convenient acknowledgements of their miscarriages, he would let the notice thereof be confined unto such as were aforehand therewith acquainted; and hence there was but one person admonished in, and but one person excommunicated from, the church. of Hartford, in all the fourteen years that Mr. Hooker lived there. He was much troubled at the too frequent censures in some

other churches; and he would say, “Church censures are things wherewith neither we nor our fathers have been acquainted in the practice of them; and therefore the utmost circumspection is needful, that we do not spoil the ordinances of God by our management thereof.” In this point he was like Jteza, who defended the ordinance of excommunication against Erastus; and yet he, with his colleagues, were so cautelous in the use of it, that in eleven years there was but one excommunication passed in all Geneva.

§ 26. He would say, “that he should esteem it a favour from God, if he might live no longer than he should be able to hold up lively in the work of his place; and that when the time of his departure should come, God would shorten the time;” and he had his desire. Some of his most observant hearers observed an astonishing sort of a cloud in his congregation, the last Lord’s day of his publick ministry, when he also administred the Lord’s supper among them; and a most unaccountable heaviness and sleepiness, even in the most watchful Christians of the place, not unlike. the drowsiness of the disciples when our Lord was going to die; for which one of the elders publickly rebuked them. When those devout people afterwards perceived that this was the last sermon and sacrament wherein they were to have the presence of the pastor with them, ’tis inexpressible how much they bewailed their unattentiveness unto his farewel dispensations; and some of them could enjoy no peace in their own souls until they had obtained leave of the elders to confess before the whole congregation with many tears, that inadvertency. But as for Mr. Hooker himself, an epidemical sickness, which had proved mortal to many, though at first small or no danger appeared in it, arrested him. In the time of his sickness he did not say much to the standers-by; but being asked that he would utter his apprehensions about some important things, especially about the state of New-England, he answered, “I have not that work now to do; I have already declared the counsel of the Lord:” and when one that stood weeping by the bed-side said unto him, “Sir, you are going to receive the reward of all your labours,” he replied, “Brother, I am going to receive mercy!” At last he closed his own eyes with his own hands, and gently stroaking his own forehead, with a smile in his countenance, he gave a little groan, and so expired his blessed soul into the arms of his fellow-servants, the holy angels, on July 7, 1647. In which last hours, the glorious peace of soul, which he had enjoyed without any interruption for near thirty years together, so gloriously accompanied him, that a worthy spectator, then writing to Mr. Cotton a relation thereof, made this reflection, “Truly, sir, the sight of his death will make me have more pleasant thoughts of death, than ever I yet had in my life!”’

§ 27. Thus lived and thus died one of the first three. He, of whom the great Mr. Cotton gave this character, that he did, Agmen ducere et dominari in Concionibus, gratia Spiritus Sancti et virtute plenis:* and that he

© Led the Christian band and ruled in the assembly, by the grace of the Holy Spirit and the abundance of his virtues,

rewith them; t spoil he was t Erasit, that feneva. d, if he e work 1e, God servant ion, the red the ess and, unlike yr which; people wherein ressible dispensails until - congreer himhough at eof his that he specially at work d when re going pr, I am his own counteinto the which out any panied thereof, ake me life!’ f whom et domithat he

his virtues,

was, Vir Solertis et Acerrimé judicit ;* and at length he uttered his lamentations in a funeral elegy, whereof some lines were these:

T'was of Genova’s heroes sald with wonder, All these in Hooxsn’s spirit did remain, (Those worthies tice) Fanst was wont to thunder, Aon of Thunder and a show’ of rain; Viaset like rain on tender grase to show’r, A pourer forth of lively oracles,

But Carvin lively oracles to pour. In saving soul, the sum of miracles.

This was he of whom his pupil, Mr. Ash, gives this testimony: “For his great abilities and glorious services, both in this and in the other Eng: land, he deserves a place in the first rank of them whose lives are of late recorded.” And this was he of whom his reverend contemporary, Mr. Ezekiel Rogers, tendered this for an epitaph; in every line whereof methinks the writer deserves a reward equal to what Virgil had, when for every line, referring to Marcellus in the end of his sixth nerd, he received & sum not much less than eighty pounds in money, or as ample a requital as Cardinal Richlieu gave to a poet, when he bestowed upon him two thousand sequins for a witty conceit in one verse of but seven words, upon his coat of arms:

America, although she do not boast In one rich pearl, which Heaven did thence afford, Of all the gold and silver from that const, As pious Herbert gave his honest word ;)

Lent to her sister Europe’s need or pride; Yet thinks, she in the catalogue may come

(For that repaid her, with much gain beside, With Europe, Africk, Asia, for one tomb.

But as Ambrose could say concerning Theodosius, Non Totus recessit; reliquit nobis Liberos, in quibus ewm debemus agnoscere, et in quibus ewm Cernimus et Tenemus;+ thus we have to this day among us, our dead Hooker yet living in his worthy son, Mr. Samuel Hooker, an able, faithful, useful minister, at Farmington, in the colony of Connecticut.

EPITAPHIUM. THOMAS HOOKER, Heu! Pietas; Heu! prisca Fides.t

Or, for a more extended epitaph, we may take the abridgement of his Life, as offered in some lines of Mr. Elijah Corlet that memorable old school-master in Cambridge, from whose education our colledge and country has received so many of its worthy men, that he is himself worthy to have his name celebrated in no less a paragraph of our church history, than that wherein I may introduce him, endeavouring to celebrate the name of our great Hooker, unto this purpose:

Si mea cum vestris valuissent vota, Nov-Angli, Dignus eras, Aquile similis, Renovdsse Juventam, Hookerus Tardo viserat Astra Gradu, Et Fato in Terris Condidiore frui.

Te, Reverende Senex, Sic to dilezimus omnes, Tu Domus Emanuel, Soror Augustissima, Mater Ipsa Invisa forent ut tibi Jura poli. Mille Prophetarum, Tu mihi Testis eis.

Morte Tua Infandum Cogor Rencvare dolorem, Te Testem appello, quondam Chelmsfordia Celie

Quippe Tua videat Terra Nov-Angla suam. Proxima; Te preco Sustulit ille Tuus,

* A man of profound and acute judgment,

+ He has not altogether departed: he has left us his children, in whom we ought to recognise him, and in whose persons we seem both to see and to possess him. } “Alas! for piety and well-tried faith Departed.”

Non tu Aune: Chaloas, freie Phobique Saserdes, Non popule Sperni sic eua sacra videt.

Vidit et ez Roatrie Genti pradicere vatem Bella, quod in Cavistum Tvte Rebellis erat.

Quem Patria exegit, ferue Hootie Eplecopus; Hestie Hune minus, 1m Butavis, vezat amare Febris,

Post varios casus, Quassata Nov-Angila, tendem Ramifer’ inde 7\bi Diva Columba venit,

Mle Tuos Cuntus Ornat, pascitque Fideles, caudibue Innumeris addit o¢ ile Tui,

MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA;

Duleie Amicus erat, Pastorque /nsignie, et A/tue Ingenio, Proh Puder! Kreptum te vivi vidinus, of ann

Excessurea Anime Struzimues Insidiue !

Insidias precibus, Leerymisque perennibus, unde Semita Caleatia sic tidi clause foret,

Sed byustra hac meditor |—

Lustra per Hoonsnve ter quingue Viator erat ; jam Caleatem patriam Possidet ile euam,

(Translation of the foregoing, made for thie Edition.)

If to one prayers the boon we ask were given, Our Hooxsr had not passed 80 soon to heaven: We loved so truly, that we fain would stay His blissful transit to the realms of day, The thought will come, when o’er him thus wo moan, Tha’ in his grave New-England finds her own. Worthy wert thou to stem the flight of Time, And, like the eagle, to renew thy prime! To apread afresh the triumphs of thy worth, And win a lofier destiny on earth, Emanuel College! who dost fitly shine, Mother of thousands of the prophet-line; And happy Chelmsford! brought most nvnr to heaven, When Hooker to thy sacred courts was given; Bear witness to that excellence, which grew In daily beauty to your raptured view, Yet did his country spurn his hallowed life; His sacred office was a theme of strife; Nor did e’en Chalcas, though a heathen seer, Find Truth inspire so little wholesome fear

As did our Hooxss, who proclaim'd that Gop Would make rebellious EnoLanp feel His rod, Eplecopacy drove him from his home, Stricken in heart, in foreign climes to roam; Lees kindly than the fever, which o’ercame, On Holland's coast, hie much-enfeebdled frame, And then, New-Enouanp! o'er the ocean's bronat He came to thee—a dove of peace and rest, To thine elect he seemed thelr joy and crown, And added honour to thy young renown: A gentle friend, a pastor true and kind, Rich in the gifts of heart and tongue and mind, We saw thee ready, waiting, to depart, Yet, save with prayers and tears that wrung the heart, Strove not to stay from ite celestial goal Thy struggling, thine emancipated soul, For seventy-five long years he lingered here, A weary piigriin on this earthly sphere: Now to his “ Father's mansions” is he come, “The better country,” his eternal home,

W accur merit which Ocear Masi a Sin denon envy a pen to their n which

Rea Histor to hay.

IN THE HISTORY OF

MR. FRANCIS HIGGINSON, MR. JOUN AY2"Y, MR. JONATHAN BURR, MR. GEORGE PHILIPS, MR. THOMAS SHEPARD, MR. PETER PRUDDEN, AND SEVERAL OTHERS OF NEW HAVEN COLONY, MR. PETER BULKLY, MR. RALPH PARTRIDGE, MR. HENRY DUNSTER, MR, EZE-

IEL ROGERS, MR. NATHANAEL ROGERS, MR. SAMUEL NEWMAN, MR. SAMUEL STONE, MR. WILLIAM THOMPSON, MR. JOHN WARHAM, MR, HENRY FLINT, MR, RICHARD MATHER, MR. ZECHARIAH 8YMMES, MR. JOHN ALLIN, MR, CHARLES CHAUNCEY, MR. JOHN FISK, MR. THOMAS PARKER, MR, JAMES NOYES, MR, THOMAS THACHER, MR, PETER HOBART, MR. SAMUEL WHITING, MR, JOHN SHERMAN, MR, THOMAS COBBET, MR, JOHN WARD,

EMINENT MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL IN THE CHURCHES OF NEW-ENGLAND.

BY COTTON MATHER.

THE SECOND PART. Solus Honor Merito qui datur, ille datur.t

Thus shine, ye glories of your age, while we Wait to fill up your martyrologie.

Bono estote Animo, (Dilecti Fratres,) appropinquat Tempus quando erit Nominum aqué ac Corporum Reeurrectio.{—Wi1xinson. Concion. ad Academic,

INTRODUCTION.

When the incomparable Hevelius was preparing for the world his new, and rare, and most accurate “ Selenography,” his design was to advance into the heavens the names of the most meritorious astronomers, by naming from them the several distinguishable parts of the planet which was to be described by him; so that in the moon there would now have been seen, an Oceanus Coperniceus, an Oceanus Tychonicus, 2 Mare Keplerianum, a Lacus Gallilai, a Palus Mastlini,an Insula Scheiveriana, a Peninsula Gassendi, 1 Mons Mersenni,a Vallis Bullialdi, a Sinus Wendelini, a Promontorium Crugerianum, a Desertum Linnemannif and other such denominations. But, upon second thoughts, he saw that this could not be done without envy and offence; for there were certain places more eminent than others, and he might happen to assign them unto such persons as were less eminent in the opinions of mankind about their merits: wherefore he chose rather geographical denomnations for the Macule Lunares,|| which were now to be distinguished.

Reader, there is a number of divines now before us, demanding their places in our Church- History; their souls are in the heavens; their names also should be there. I was thinking to have ranked them according to their merits; I would have assigned their places, according

* The History of Men who feared God. + Honour deserved is honour conferred.

$ Be of goud cheer, beloved brethren: the time draws near when your names, like your bodies, shall be raised up in glory.

§ Copernicus Ocean, Tycho Brahe Ocean, the Kepler Sea, Lake Gallileo, the Mestlins’ Marsh, the Seheiver Island, the Peninsula of Gussendi, Mount Mersenni, the Bullialdi Valley, the Gulf of Wendelinus, the Cruger Promontory, the Linnemann Desert. | Spots on the Moon.

Vou, I.—23

MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA;

854 to their eminencies in the church of God. But finding that this attempt would have been invidious, I will have them to take their places, as in the history of lives uses to be done, secundum annorum emortualim seriem—according to the years wherein they died.

What I write shall be written with all Christian veracity and fidelity. Heaven forbid that I should indulge my pen in such flourishing flatteries as fill the lives of the Lutheran divines, in the collections that Witten has made of the “ Memoriec Theologorum nostri seculi Clarissimorum renovate.”* Heaven forbid that I should in any one instance deserve to be thought a writer of such legends, as they generally (and it may be sometimes unrighteously) have reproached the lives of the ancients, written by Simeon Metaphrastes: for I will now confess to my reader one thing that has encouraged me in my endeavour to preserve the memory of these worthy men.

I read in Prov. x. 7, “ The memory of the just is blessed;” or, fora blessing: and I know the common glosses upon it. But I have met with a note of Dr. Jermyn’s thereupon, which I will now count as worthy to be transcribed, as I have heretofore counted it worthy to be pondered:

“The very remembring of them (saith he) shall bring a blessing to such as do remember them. God will bless those that honour the memory of his servants: and besides, tho memory of them will make them imitated, which is a blessing that will be rewarded with blessedness.”

I will add, that examples do strangely charm us into imitation. When holiness is pressed upon us, we are prone to think, that it is a doctrine calculated for angels and spirits, whose dwelling is not with flesh, But when we read the lives of them that excelled in holiness, though they were persons of like passions with our selves, the conviction is wonderful and powerful. Reader, behold loud calls to holiness from those who said, not, Ite illuc;t but, Venite huc,t when the calls were uttered.

CHAPTER fF.

JANUS NOV-ANGLICANUS;§ THE LIFE OF MR. FRANCIS HIGGINSON.

Semper Honor, Nomenque Tuum, Laudesque Manebunt.||

§ 1. WiTHoUT recourse to any fabulous, whether Egyptian or Grecian shams of antiquity, we have other intimations enough, that our father Noah, after a new world began to be peopled from him, did remove with his eldest son Japhet, from his own, and his old country of Ogyge, or Palestine, into the country which is now called Italy. And it is particularly remarkable that his great grandson Dodanim, removing with a colony of his increasing posterity into Epirus, he built a city, which, with the whole province, was called by the name of Dodona; where he built a temple, in which the people did assemble to worship God, and hear the precepts of the Patriarci: preached upon. But it was not long before a fearful degeneracy overtaking the posterity of these planters, they soon left and lost the religion of their progenitors; and in that very place where Dodanim had

* New Memoirs of the most distinguished Divines of our era, + Go there. $ Come hither. § The Janus of New-England, | Immortal shall thy name and praises be,

we been be done,

vid that I ivines, in Clarissithought sly) have v confess

memory

know the ‘ich I will pondered :

d will bless ated, which

s pressed iis, whose | holiness, erful and uc ;¢ but,

CIs

recian r Noah, ith his Palescularly lony of whole ple, in epts of degenlost the m had

ir. aises be,

his church, there succeeded the Dodonean oracles. Now, among the memorable names, which in other monuments of antiquity, besides those of Tuscany, exposed by Inghiramius, we find put upon our illustrious father Noah one is that of Janus, which at first they pronounced Janes, from the Hebrew word, 1, Jajin, for wine, which was the true original of it; and so his famous vineyard was therein commemorated. For which cause Cato also tells us, Janus primus invenit Far et Vinum, et ob id ductus fuit Priscus Gnotrius:* and Antiochus Syracusanus mentions the Ginotrit, which Noah carried with him. Of this Janus, the Thuscians employed a ship, a8 a memorial; they had a ship on his coins, doubtless with an eye to the ark of Noah; but there was also on the reverse, as Ovid relates, Altera Forma Biceps;+ and this double face was ascribed unto Janus, because of the view which he had of the two worlds, the old and the new. The covenant which God established with Noah, was by after-ages referred unto, when they feigned Janus to be the president of all covenant and concord; and the figure which Noah made among mankind was confessed by them, when they gave Janus the sir-name of Pater, as being so to all the heroes who obtained a place among the gods, Moreover, the mythical writers tell us, that in the reign of this Janus, all the dwellings of men were hedged in with piety and sanctity; in which tradition the exemplary righteousness of Noah seems to have been celebrated: and hence in their old rituals, he was called Cerus, Manus, which is as much as to say, Sanctus et Bonus.t But without pursuing these curiosities any further, I will now lay before my reader the story of that worthy man; who, when ’tis considered that he crossed the sea with a renowned colony, and that having seen an old world in Europe, where a flood of iniquity and calamity carried all before it, he also saw a new world in America; where he appears the first in a catalogue of heroes, and where he with his people were admitted into the covenant of God; whereupon an hedge of piety and sanctity continued about that people as long as he lived; may therefore be cailed the Noah or Janus oft New-England. This was Mr. Francis Higginson.

§ 2. If, in the history of the church for more than four thousand years, contained in the Scriptures, there is not recorded either the birth-day of any one saint whatever, or the birth-day of him that is the Lord of all saints; I hope it will be accounted no defect in our history of this worthy man, if neither the day, nor the place of his birth can be recovered. We will therefore begin the history of his life, where we find that he began to live,

Mr. Francis Higginson, after he had been educated at Emanuel Colledge, that seminary of Puritans in Cambridge until he was Master of Arts; and after that the true Emanuel, our Lord Jesus Christ, had by the work of regeneration upon his heart, instructed him in the better and nobler arts of living unto God; he was, by the special providence of Heaven, made a

* Janus first invented flour and wine, and on that account was called Priscus GEnotrius (the ancient vine-dresser), + Another figure with two heads, ¢ Holy and good

servant of our Emanuel, in the ministry of the gospel, at one of the five parish-churches in Leicester. The main scope of his ministry was now to promote, first a thorough conversion, and then a godly conversation, among his people: and besides his being, as the famous preacher in the wilderness was, @ voice, and preaching lectures of Christianity by his whole Christian and most courteous and obliging behaviour, he had also a most charming voice, which rendered him unto his hearers, in all his exercises, another Ezekiel; for ‘Lo, he was unto them, as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well upon an instrument;” and from all parts in the neighbourhood they flocked unto him. Such was the divine presence with, and blessing on the ministry of this good man, in this place, that the influence thereof, on the whole town, was quickly become a matter of observation; many were turned from “darkness to light, and from Satan to God;” and many were “built up in their most holy faith;” and there was a notable revival of religion among them. And such were his endeavours to conform unto the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, our grand Exemplar, in the whole course of his ministry, that we might easily have written a book of those conformities.

§ 8. For some years he continued in his’ conformity to the rites then required and practised in the Church of England; but upon his acquaintance with Mr. Arthur Hildersham and Mr. Thomas Hooker, he set himself to study the controversies about the evangelical church-discipline, then agitated in the church of God: and then the more he studied the Scripture, which is the sole and full rule of church-administrations, the more he became dissatisfied with the ceremonies which had crept into the worship of the Lord Jesus Christ, not only without the allowance of Scripture, but also without the countenance of the earliest antiquity. From this time he became a conscientious non-conformist; and therefore he was deprived of his opportunity to exercise his ministry, in his parish-church: nevertheless, his ministry was generally so desirable unto the people, that they procured for him the liberty to preach a constant lecture, on one part of the Lord’s day; and on the other part, as an assistant unto a very aged parson that wanted it. He was now maintained by the voluntary contribution of the inhabitants; and though the rest of the ministers there continued conformists, yet they all freely invited him unto the use of their pulpits, as long as they could avoid any trouble to themselves by their so doing: by which means he preached successively in three of the parishchurches, after that he had been by non-conformity made incapable. He preached also at Belgrave, a mile out of the town; but, under God, the chief author of these more easie circumstances unto such a non-conformist was the generous goodness and candour of Dr. Williams, the Bishop of Lincoln, to whose diocess Leicester belonged. It continued until the fray between that Bishop, and Laud, the Bishop of London, who set himself

e five ow to mong lerness istian rming other > that | from is the an, in aickly ess to r most

And Jesus nat we

s then yuaintimself , then ipture, ore he rorship e, but ime he ed of erthet they art of aged contrie conf their 1eir 80 parish- He

od, the ormist 1op of 1e fray imself

to extirpate and extinguish all the non-conformists, that were Williams’ favourites, among whom one was Mr. Higginson.

§ 4. The signal blessing of God, which accompanied the ministry of Mr. Higginson in Leicester, was followed with two very contrary consequences. On the one side, a great multitude of Christians, then called Puritans, did not only attend the worship of God more publickly in their assemblies, and more secretly in their families, but also they frequently had their private meetings, for prayer (sometimes with fasting) and repeating of sermons, and maintaining of profitable conferences, at all which Mr. Higginson himself was often present: and at these times, if any of their society were scandalous in their conversation, they were personally admonished, and means were used with them to bring them unto repentance. On the other side, there was a profane party, filled with wolvish rage against the flock of the Lord Jesus Christ, and especially against this good man, who was the pastor of the flock: whose impartial zeal in reproving the common sins of the time and place, did more than a little add unto the exasperations of that party; but also divers of them turned persecutors hereupon, yet many remarkable providences laid a restraint upon them, and the malignants were smitten with a dread upon their minds, “That the judgments of God would pursue those that should go to harm such a follower of him that is good.”

§ 5. Even the Episcopal party of the English nation, among whose thirtynine articles, one is, ‘That the visible church is a congregation of faithful men, where the word of Christ is duly preached, and the sacraments be rightly administered;” have concluded it, as a godly discipline in the primitive church, “that notorious sinners were put to open penance.” And in the rubric before the communion, have ordered ministers to advertise all notorious evil livers, and such as have wronged their neighbours by word or deed, or such as have malice and hatred reigning between them, that “they should not presume to come to the Lord’s table, till they have openly declared themselves to have truly repented.” Under the encouragement hereof, Mr. Higginson, before he became a non-conformist, professed this principle, “That ignorant and scandalous persons are not to be admitted unto the Lord’s Supper: and as far as he could, he practised what he professed. Wherefore he did catechise and examine persons about their fitness for the communion; and if any persons were notoriously scandalous, he not only told them of their sins in private, but also in publick declared. that they were not to be admitted unto the Lord’s Supper, until the congregation had some testimonies of their serious repentance.

It was a good courage of old Cyprian, to declare: “If any think to join themselves unto the church, not by their humiliation and satisfaction, when they have scandalized the brethren, but by their great words and threats, let them know, that the church of God will oppose them, and the tents of Christ will not be conquered by them.” And no less was the good metal

in our Higginson. Accordingly, after a sermon on those words of our Saviour, “Give, not that which is holy unto dogs,” unto this purpose applied, going to administer the Lord’s Supper unto the communicants, now come into the chancel, he espied one that was known unto them ail to be a common drunkard and swearer, and a very vicious person; he told that man before them all, “That he was not willing to give the Lord’s Supper unto him, until he had professed his repentance, unto the satisfiction of the congregation:” and therefore he desired the man to withdraw. The sinner withdrew, but went out full of such passion and poison against Mr. Higginson, and horror in his own conscience, that he fell sick upon it; and while he lay sick he was visited, as well by good people that endeavoured his conversion, as by bad people that had been his old companions, and now threatned what they would do against Mr. Higginson. The wretch continued in an exorbitant frame for a few days, and at last roared out, “That he was damned, and that he was a dog, and that he was going to the dogs for ever.” So he cried, and so he died: and this was known to all people.

§ 6. There were many such marvellous judgments of God, which came like fire from heaven, to restrain and revenge the wrongs which were offered unto this faithful witness of our Lord Jesus Christ. Particularly, there was a pious gentlewoman, the wife of a very profane gentleman, dwelling in another parish, who would frequently go to attend upon Mr. Higginson’s ministry, both in the publick and private exercises of our holy religion; whereat her husband, after many other expressions of his deep displeasure, vowed, that he would be revenged on Higginson; and accordingly he resolved upon a journey to London, there to exhibit a complaint against this good man, at the High-Commission Court: but when he had got all things ready for his journey, just as he was mounting his horse, he was by an immediate hand of Heaven smitten with an intolerable torment of body and horror of conscience, and was led into his house, and laid upon his bed; where within a few hours death did his office upon him.

§ 7. And unto the remarkable appearances of Heaven, on the behalf of this faithful man, may be enumerated that which befel a famous Doctor of Divinity, prebend of a cathedral, and chaplain to his majesty, who then lived in Leicester: this gentleman preached but very seldom; and when he did at all, it was after that fashion which has been sometimes called gentleman-preaching; after a flaunting manner, and with such a vain ostentation of learning, and affectation of language, as ill became the oracles of God; the people generally flocking more to the more edifying ministry of Mr. Higginson, than to these harangues. Our Doctor so extreamly resented it, that both publickly and privately, on all opportunities, he expressed his indignation against Mr. Higginson, and vowed, “That he would certainly drive him oui of the town.” Now, it so fell out,

1 came | Were ularly, leman, mn Mr. of our of his ; and . comwhen ig his tolerouse, office

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that the Sheriff appointed this Doctor to preach at the General Assizes there, and gave him a quarter of a year’s time to provide a sermon for that occasion: but in all this time he could not provide a sermon unto his own satisfaction; insomuch, that a fortnight before the time was expired, he expressed unto some of his friends a despair of being well provided; wherefore his friends perswaded him to try; telling him that if it came to the worst, Mr. Higginson might be procured to preach in his room; he was always ready. The Doctor was wonderfully averse unto this last proposal; and therefore studied with all his might, for an agreeable sermon; but he had such a blast from Heaven upon his poor studies, that the very night before the Assizes began, he sent his wife to the devout Lady Cave, who prevailed with Mr. Higginson to supply his place the day ensuing; which he did, with a most suitable, profitable, and acceptable sermon; and unto the great satisfaction of the auditory. When the Lady Cave had let it be known how this thing, which was much wondred at, came about, the common discourse of the town upon it so confounded the Doctor, that he left the town, vowing, “That he would never come into it again.” Thus Mr, Higginson was left in the town! but, I pray, who was driven out?

§ 8. We lately styled Mr. Higginson a faithful man; and innumerable were the instances, wherein he so approved himself, particularly there was a time when many courtiers, lords, and gentlemen coming in a frolick to Leicester, which was counted a puritanical town, resolved that they would put a trick upon it. Wherefore, they invited the Mayor and Aldermen, whereof divers were esteemed puritans, unto a collation; and -overcome them to drink a number of healths, with the accustomed ceremonies of drinking upon their knees, till they all became shamefully and extreamly drunk. This business becoming the common discourse of the town, Mr. Higginson, from a text chosen to the purpose, in the audience of the Mayor and Aldermen themselves, demonstrated the sinfulness of health-drinking, and of drunkenness, and the aggravation of that sinfulness, when it is found in magistrates, whose duty ’tis to punish it in other men: therewithal admonishing them to repent seriously of the scandal which they had given. This faithfulness of Mr. Higginson was variously resented; some of the people disliked it very much, and some of the Aldermen were so disturbed and enraged at it that ‘they breathed out threatnings” till they were out of breath: but the better sort of people generally approved it, as a conformity to that rule, “them that sin before all, rebuke before all, that others may fear;” and several of the Aldermen confessed their sin with a very yenitent and pertinent ingenuity. The issue was, that Mr. Higginson was brought into no trouble; and the God of heaven so disposed the hearts of the Mayor and Aldermen, that after this, upon the death of old Mr. Sacheverel, they chose Mr. Higginson to be their town-preacher, unto which place there was annexed a large maintainance, to be paid out of the town treasury. In answer hereunto, Mr. Higginson thanked them for

their good will; but he told them, that he could not accept of it, because there were some degrees of conformity therein required which he could not now comply withal; nevertheless, there being divers competitors for the place, about whom the votes of the Aldermen were much divided, he prevailed with them to give their votes for a learned and godly conformist, one Mr. Angel; who thereby came to be settled in it. There were also made unto him several offers of some of the greatest and richest livings in the country thereabouts; but the conscientious disposition to non-conformity, now growing upon him, hindred his acceptance of them.

§ 9. While Mr. Higginson continued in Leicester, he was not only a good man full of faith, but also a good man full of work. He preached constantly in the parish churches; and he was called, while a conformist, frequently to preach visitation sermons, assize sermons, and funeral sermons: and as well then, as afterwards, he was often engaged in fasts, both in publick and private, both at home and abroad; and many repaired unto him with cases of conscience, and for help about their inderiour state. Besides all this, he was very serviceable to the education of scholars, either going to, or coming from the university; and such as afterwards proved eminently serviceable to the church of God; whereof some were Dr. Seaman, Dr. Brian, Mr. Richardson, and Mr. Howe, all of them Leicestershire men, who would often say how much they owed unto Mr. Higginson. And he was very useful in forwarding and promoting of contributions for the relief of the Protestant-eriles, which came over from the ruined Bohemia and the distressed Palatinate in those times; and many other pious designs. But when (as he that writes the life of holy Mr. Bains expresses it) “the hour and power of darkness was come from Lambeth,” or when the Bishop of Le~ lon prevailed, and the Bishop of Lincoln retired, the blades of the Laudian faction about Leicester appeared, informed and articled against Mr. Higginson, so that he lived in continual expectation to be dragged away by the pursevants, unto the High Commission Court, where a sentence of perpetual imprisonment wes the best thing that could be looked for.

$10. Now, behold the interposing and seasonable providence of Heaven! A considerable number of wealthy and worthy merchants, obtaining a charter from King Charles I. whereby they were incorporated by the name of, “The Governour and Company of the Massachuset-Bay in New-England;” and intending to send over ships with passengers for the beginning of a plantation there, in the beginning of the year 1629; and resolving to send none upon their account, but godly and honest men, professing that religion which they declared was the end of this plantation; these were informed of the circumstances whereto Mr. Higginson was now reduced; and accordingly they dispatched a couple of messengers unto him, to invite him unto a voyage into New-England, with kind promises to support lim in the voyage. These two messengers were ingenious men; and underecause.

could ors for led, he nform- 2 were richest jon to them. only a eached ormist, al sers, both paired r state. holars, rwards e were m Leito Mr. ing of Tr from imany ly Mr.

from hop of heared, htinual Come best

aven! ing a name r-Engnning ing to br that were uced; inv ‘te t Lim nder-

-afterwards accomplished, is known to mankind; and it was especially

standing that pursevants were expected every hour to fetch Mr. Higginson up to London, they designed for a while to act the parts of pursevants: coming therefore to his door, they knocked roundly and loudly, like fellows equipped with some authority; and said, “ Where is Mr. Higginson? we must speak with Mr, Higginson!” insomuch that his affrighted wife ran up to him, telling him that the pursevants were come, and praying him to step aside out of their way; but Mr. Higginson said, ‘No, I will go down and speak with them; and the will of the Lord be done!” When the messengers were come into the hall, they held out their papers unto him, and with a certain roughness and boldness of address told him, ‘Sir, we come from London, and our business is to fetch you up to London, as you may see by‘these papers!” which they then put into his hands; whereat the people in the room were confirmed in their opinion that these blades were pursevants; and Mrs, Higginson her self said, ‘I thought so:” and fell a weeping. But when Mr. Higginson had lookt upon the papers, he soon perceived that they were letters from the governour and company inviting him to New-England; with a copy of the charter, and propositions for managing their design of establishing and pri -agating reformed Christianity in the new plantation: whereupon he bad them welcome! and there ensued a pleasant conversation betwixt him and his now undisguised friends, In answer to this invitation, Mr. Higginson having first consulted Heaven with humble and fervent supplications, for the divine direction about so great a turn of his life, he advised then with several ministers, especially with his dear friend Mr. Hildersham, who told him, “That were he himself a younger man, and under his case and call, he should think he had a plain invitation of Heaven unto the voyage; and so he came unto a resolution to comply therewithal.

§ 11. When Mr. Higginson’s resolution came to be known, it made so much noise among the Puritans, that many of them receiving satisfaction unto the many enquiries which they made on this occasion, resolved that they would accompany him, And now it was not long before his furewel sermon was to be preached! before he knew any thing about an offer of a voyage to New-England, In his meditations about the state of Hngland, he had strange and strong apprehensions that God would shortly punish England with the calamities of a war, and he therefore composed a sermon upon those words of our Saviour, Luke xxi. 20, 21, ‘When you see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then flee to the mountains.” Now, after he was determined for New-England, he did, in a vast assembly, preach this for his farewel sermon; and therein having mentioned unto them what he took to be the provoking sins of England in general, and of Leicester in particular, he plainly told them, that he was perswaded, God would chastise England with a war, in the sufferings whereof Leicester would have a more than ordinary share. . How this prediction was

known to Leicester, which being strongly fortified and garrisoned, and having the wealth of all the country about brought into it, was besieged, and at length carried by storm; and the town was horribly plundered, and eleven hundred people were slain in the streets,

But Mr. Higginson having ended his prophetical sermon, he gave thanks to the magistrates and the other Christians of the plece, for all the liberty, countenance, and encouragement which they had given unto his miuistry: and he told them of his intended removal to New-England, the principal end of which plantation, he then declared, was the propagation of religion; and of the hopes which he had, that New-England might be designed by Heaven as a refuge and shelter for the non-conformists against the storms that were coming upon the nation, and a region where they might practise the church-reformation, which they had been bearing witness unto, And so he concluded with a most affectionate prayer for the King, the church, the state, and peculiarly for Leicester, the seat of his former labours. And after this he took his journey, with his family, for London; the streets as he passed along being filled with people of all sorts, who bid him /arewel, with loud prayers and cries for his welfare.

§ 12. When he came to London, he found three ships ready to sail for New-England, with two more, that were in a month’s time to follow after them: filled with godly and honest passengers, among whom there were two other non-conformist ministers, They set sail from the Isle of Wight about the first of May, 1629, and when they came to the Land’s End, Mr. Higginson, calling up his children and other passengers unto the stern of the ship, to i1ke their last sight of England, he said, ‘“ We will not say, as the separatists were wont to say at their leaving of England, ‘Farewel, Babylon!’ ‘farewel, Rome!’ but we will say, ‘farewel, dear England! farewel, the Church of God in England, and all the Christian friends there! We do not go to New-England as separatists from the Church of England; though we cannot but separate from the corruptions in it: but we go to practise the positive part of church reformation, and propagate the gospel in America.” And so he concluded with a fervent prayer for the King, and church, and state, in England; and for the presence and blessing of God with themselves, in their present undertaking for New-England. At length, by the good hand of God upon them, they arrived, after a comfortable passage, unto Salem harbour on the twenty-fourth of June ensuing.

§ 13. Mr. Higginson being in this voyage associated with Mr. Skelton, a minister of the like principles with himself, they were no sooner got on shore, but they likewise associated in pursuing their principles and intentions of religion, which were the end of their coming hither. Accordingly, laying before the chief of the people their desires, and their designs of settling a reformed congregation in the place, after a frequent converse about the methods of it, they-came unto a hearty concurrence to take a day in the following August for it. In order hereunto, Mr. Higginson drew up

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a “confession of faith,” with a scriptural representation of the “covenant of grace” applied unto their present purpose; whereof ‘irty copies were taken for the thirty persons which were to begin the wo. ag of gathering the church. The day was kept as a fast; whereir, after the prayers and sermons of the two ministers, these thirty persons did solemnly and severally profess their consent unto the confession and covenant then read unto them; and they proceeded then to chuse Mr, Skelton, Mr. Higginson their teachers, and one Mr. Houghton, for a ruling elder. And after this, many others joined unto the church thus gathered; but none were admitted, of whose good conversation in Christ there was not a satisfactory testimony. By the same token, that at this first church gathering, there fell out a remarkable matter which is now to be related. Ata time when the church wes to be gathered at Salem, there was about thirty miles to the southward of that place a plantation of rude, lewd, mad, English people, who did propose to themselves a gainful trade with the Indians, but quickly came to nothing. A young gentleman belonging to that plantation being at Salem, on the day when the church was gathered, was at what he saw and heard so deeply affected, that he stood up, expressing with much affection his desire to be admitted into their number, which, when they demurred about, he desired that they would at least admit him to make his profession before them. When they allowed this, he expressed himself so agreeably, and with so much ingenwity and simplicity, that they were extreamly pleased with it; and the ministers told him, that they highly approved of his profession, but inasmuch as he was a stranger to them, they could not reccive him into their communion until they had a further acquaintance with his conversation. However, such was the hold which the grace of God now took of him, that he became an eminent Christian and a worthy and useful person, and not only afterwards joined unto the church of Boston, but also made a great figure in the commonwealth of New-England, as the major-general of all the forces in the colony; it was Major-general Gibbons.

§ 14. The church of Salem now being settled, they enjoyed many smiles of Heaven upon them; and yet there were many things that lookt like frowns; for they were exercised with many difficulties, and almost an hundred of good people died the first winter of their being here; among whom was Mr. Houghton, an elder of the church. Mr. Higginson also fell into an hectic fever, which much disabled him for the work of his ministry; and the last sermon under the incurable growth of this malady upon him, was upon the arrival of many gentlemen and some hundreds of passengers to New-England, in the beginning of the ensuing summer, He then preached on those words of our Saviour, Matth. xi. 7, “What went ye out into the wilderness to see?” From whence, he minded the people of the design whereupon this plantation was erected, namely, religion: and of the streights, wants, and various trials which in a wilderness

they must look to meet withal; and of the need which there was for them to evidence the uprightness of their hearts in the end of their coming hither. After this, he was confined unto his bed, and visited by the chief persons of the new-colony, who much bemoaned their loss of so useful a person, but comforted him with the consideration of his faithfulness to the Lord Jesus, in his former sufferings and services, and the honour which the Lord had granted him, to begin a work of church-reformation in America.

He replied, “I have been but an unprofitable servant; and all my own exce doings I count but loss and dung: all my desire is to win Christ, and be of G found in him, not having my own righteousness!’’ And he several times had declared, ‘That though the Lord called him away, he was perswaded God taue’ would raise up others, to carry on the work that was begun, and that there: leh would yet be many churches of the Lord Jesus Christ in this wilderness.”’ a sc He likewise added, “that though he should leave his desolate wife and eight at G children, whereof the eldest was but about fourteen years old, in a low condition, yet he left them with his God, and he doubted not, but the faithful God would graciously provide for them.” So, in the midst of many prayers,

long pers

} ing; he fell asleep; in the month of August, 1680, and in the forty-third year eae of his age, and his funeral was attended with all possible solemnity. com}

§ 15. Reader, prepare to behold and admire and adore the faithfulness the 7 of our God, in providing for the children of them that faithfully have to “ served him. He moved the hearts of many charitable Christians, who yet entit were spending on the stocks which they brought out of England with them, occur to provide as comfortably for the widow and off-spring of this deceased that 1 minister as if he had left them some thousauus of pounds, And his two expec sons, who had been brought up at the grammar-school in Leicester, had. Savio a particular taste of this liberality, in the provision which was thus made course for their having such a learned education as might fit them for the service added of the church in the ministry of the gospel. Ne

One of these, Francis by name, was for a time a school-master at our Israel Cambridge; but having attained as much learning as New-England could 4 the ei then afford, he was desirous to visit some European university; and being 4 publi recommended unto Rotterdam, some Dutch merchants, out of respect unto k at th an hopeful scholar of New-England, contributed fourscore pounds in money: them to assist his juvenile studies at Leyden. Afterwards having visited some decay other universities in those parts, he returned into England; where he But t declined a settlement in some other, which he thought more opinionative, some and so more contentious and undesireable places, to which he was invited, 7 and f and settled at Kerby-Steven in Westmoreland, hoping to do most good (BR habeo. among the ignorant people there. But it pleased the God of heaven to I hav permit ihe first out-breaking of that prodigious and comprehensive heresy, p —like ¢ Quakerism, in that very place; and a multitude of people being bewitched whicl

thereinto, it was a great affliction unto this worthy man; but it occasioned is writ'ug the first book that ever was written against that sink of blasyr them hither. persons person, e Lord ich the.merica, ny own and be il times led God at there erness,”’ nd eight low confaithful prayers, rd year y. hfulness lly have who yet h them, eceased his two ter, had s made b service

at our d could d being ect unto money d some 1ere he Dnative, invited, t good aven to heresy, ewrtched asioned

of blasphemies, entituled, “ Zhe Irreligion of Northern Quakers.” This learned person was the author of a Latin treatise, De quing, maximis Luminibus De Luce Increata; De Luce creata; De Lumine Nature, Gratic et Gloric, and having illuminated the house of God in that part of it where our Lord had set him to shine, he went away to the light of glory, in the fifty-fifth year of his age.

The other, named John, has been on some laudable accounts another Origen; for the father of Origen would kiss the uncovered breast of that excellent youth, whilst he lay asleep, as being the temple where the spirit of God was resident,and as Origen, after the untimely death of his father, had his poor mother with six other children to look after; whereupon he taught first a grammar-school, and then betook himself unto the study of divinity; thus this other Higginson, after a pious childhood, having been a school-master at Hartford, and a minister at Saybrook, and afterwards at Guilford, became at length, in the year 1659, a pastor, and a rich and long blessing, succeeding his father in his church at Salem. This reverend person, has been always valued for his useful preaching and his holy living; and besides his constant labours in the pulpit, whereby his own flock has been edified the whole country has, by the press, enjoyed some of his composures, and by his hand, the composures of some others also, passing the press, have been accompanied. Having formerly born his testimony to “The Cause of God, and his People in New-England,” in a sermon so entituled, which he preached on the greatest anniversary solemnity which occurred in the land, namely, the anniversary election; when he thought, that the advances of old age upon him directed him to live in the hourly expectation of death, he published a most savoury book, on “ Our dying Saviour’s Legacy of Peace to his Disciples in a troublesome world; with a Discourse on the Duty of Christians, to be Witnesses unto Christ; unto which ts added, some Help to Self: Examination.”

Nevertheless, this true Simeon is yet “waiting for the consolation of Israel.’ This good old man is yet alive; (in the year 1696) arrived unto the eightieth year of his devout age, and about the sixtieth year of his publick work, and he that “from a child knew the holy Scriptures,” does, at those years wherein men use to be twice children, continue preaching them with such a manly, pertinent, judicious vigour, and with so little decay of his intellectual abilities, as is indeed a matter of just admiration. But there was a famous divine in Germany, who on his death bed, when some of his friends took occasion to commend his past painful, fuithful, and fruitful ministry, cried out unto them [Awferte Jynem adhuc enim puleus habeo!] “Oh! bring not the sparks of your praises near me, as long as I have any chaff left in me!” And I am sensible that I shall receive the like check from this my reverend father, if I presume to do him the justice which a few months hence will be done him, in all the churches; nor

* The five Great Lights: Light Uncrented; Light Created; the Light of Nature,of Grace, and of Glory.

would I deserve at his hands the blow which Constantine gave to him, who Jmperatorem ausus est, in Os Beatum dicere.*

§ 16, At the same time that Mr. Francis Higginson was persecuted for his non-conformity in Leicestershire, there was one Mr. Samuel Skelton, who underwent the like persecution in Lincolnshire; and by mens hereof they became fellow-travellers in their voyage to New England, and /éllowlabourers in their service here. All the remembrance that I can recover of this worthy man is, that he survived his colleague, ‘‘a good and faithful servant of our Lord, well doing,” until August 2, 1684, and retired from an evil world, then to partake with him in the “joy of their Lord.”

EPITAPHIUM. Jacet sub hoe Tumulo, Mortuue, FRANCISCUS HIGGINSONUS:

Jaceret et ipsa Virtus, si mori posset. Abi Viator, Et sis hujus Ordinie Franciscanus.t

THE divine oracles have told us, “That the judgments of God are a great deep:” and indeed it is in the deep, that we have seen some of those judgments executed.

It has been remarked, that there miscarried but one vessel of all those great fleets which brought passengers unto New-England upon the pious and holy designs of the first settlement; whiclt vessel also was but a pinnace; nevertheless richly laden, as having in it Mr. Avery.

Mr. Avery, a worthy minister, coming into New-England, was invited unto Marble-head; but there being no church there, and the fishermen being there generally too remiss to form a church, he went rather to Newberry, intending there to settle.

Nevertheless, both the magistrates and the ministers of the country, urging the common good that would arise from his being at Marble-head, he embarked in a pinnace, with two families, his own and his ‘cousin Mr. Anthony Thacher’s, which, with some others then aboard, made in all twenty-three souls; designing in a few hours to have reached the port.

But on August 14, 1685, in the night, there came on as mighty a storm as perhaps was ever known in these parts of the world; a storm which

* Dared to cull him Blessed Emperor to his face,

+ Ertrarpn: Dead beneath this tombstone lies Francis Hiaainson: and Virtue, if she could die, could lie buried here with him. Away, traveller, and henceforth be a Franciscan of his order.

drove ently death Th pany Thac the v wherd delive W and M and e his ey I fear challe to del throug challey wave § well f the far cum pr The Avery’ Wh tion ur tinger, godly much i he was son of way of but sec went i gentler days b Doctor’ writer

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drove the vessel upon a rock, and so tore it, that the poor people sat presently up to the middle in water, expecting every moment the waves of death to be rolling over them,

The vessel was quickly broken all to pieces, and almost the whole company drowned, by being successively washed off the rock; only Mr. Thacher, having been a considerable while tossed hither and thither by the violent seas, was at last very strangely cast alive upon the shore; where, much wounded, he found his wie a sharer with him in the like deliverancs,

While these distressed servants of God were hanging about the rock, and Mr. Thacher had Mr. Avery by the hand, resolving to die together, and expecting by the stroke of the next wave to die, Mr. Avery lift up his eyes to heaven, saying, “We know not what the pleasure of God is; I fear we have been too unmin@fal of former deliverances: Lord, I cannot challenge a promise of the preservation of my life; but thou hast promised to deliver us from sin and condemnation, and to bring us safe to heaven, through the all-sufficient satisfaction of Jesus Christ; this therefore I do challenge of thee.” Which he had no sooner spoken, but he was, by a wave sweeping him off, immediately wafted away to heaven indeed; being well furnished with those unperishable things: whereto refers the advice of the famous Duke of Bavaria, Hujusmodi comparandc sunt opes, que nobiscum possunt simul evatare in Naufragio.*

The next island was therefore called Zhacher’s Woe, and that rock Avery's Fall,

Who can, without shedding tears almost enough to make a sensible addition unto the lake Leman, call to mind the fate of the incomparable Hottinger, upon that lake, in the year 1667? That incomparably learned and godly man, being by the States-General of the United Provinces, after much importunity, prevailed withal to come unto Leyden, the boat wherein he was, with his wife and three children, and a kinsman, and another person of quality, unhappily overset, by striking on an unseen rock, a little way off the shoar. He, with the two gentlemen, got safe out of the water; but seeing his wife and three children in extream danger of drowning, they went into the water again to save them, and there he, with one of the gentlemen, (and his three children) were drowned themselves. But eight days before this lamentable accident, he found this verse written on the Doctor's chair at his ascending it for the publick exercises; whereof the writer could never be found:

Carmina jam Moriens, Canit Exequiulia Cygnus.t

Reader, from Hottinger, now return to Avery. Compare the manner of their death; and never forget the memorable swan-song which Avery,

* We should amass those treasures which will survive our shipwreck, + The dying swan chants his own requiem,

not eight days, but scarce eight seconds of a minute, before his expiration, sang in the ears of heaven. What was applied once to Hottinger, shall now be borrowed for Avery,

as an EPITAPHIUM. AND ADD,

Virtutem quis non post Te sectetur eundo, Tutum tenet Anchora portum, Virtutem quandé gloria tanta manet.* Nunc hitaris Ventos ridet, Tumidasque procellas.+

Ezemplo monstrante Viam.§

§ 1. WHEN the interests of David were carried into a wilderness, the respects and regards by his Jonathan had thereunto were such, that he at last uttered this exclamation thereupon, “Thy love to me was wonderful!” The interests of our Jesus, the true David, being lodged very much in an American wilderness, there was a Jonathan, whose love thereunto was indeed so wonderful, that it carried him thro’ the many waters of the Atlantick ocean, to be serviceable thereunto; and this was Mr. Jonathan Burr.

§ 2. He was born at Redgrave, in Suffolk, about the year 1604; descended of godly parents, who gratified the inclinations of this their son with a learned education. But although literature did much adorn his childhood, redigion did so much more; for he had “from a child known the holy Scriptures, which made him wise unto salvation.” It is noted that the rod of Aaron was made of an almond-tree; of which ’twill be no Plinyism to observe (though Pliny observe it,) that it flowers the first of all trees, even in January, in the more southern countries, and bears in March; which’ has been sometimes employed as an intimation how quickly those that are designed for the ministry should blossom towards heaven, and be young Jeremiahs, and Johns, and Timothies. Thus did our Jonathan. Hiven in his very childhood, so studious he was, as to leave his food for his book, but withal so pious, that he could neither morning nor evening dare to go without prayers to God for his blessing. And as it was his endeayour, whilst a school-boy, to be every day in the fear of the Lord, so he would on the Lord’s duy discover a singular measure of that fear; not only by abstaining from the liberties which others of his age then use to take, to pass the time away, but also by devoting the time to the exercises of devotion. His tather, observing this disposition of the chdld, hoped, as well he might,

* He follows Virtue who goes after thee ; + His ship lies anchored in the port at last, Thy Virtue’s fame his certain guide shall be. Smiles at the billow and defles the blast, $ Born to be an example. § Example shows the way,

that

the §

deat

cou acco

yea ators war deat ferm| effec inas made g Sufft coun of the more unto Jesus himsée in wh

carrie ties h was 6 up to a ma far fre of th than} a cha comil lar m shall by su

§ 6 work ing to

twatton that whatever was expended in fitting him for service, would be well repaid ' in the service which might be done by him for the church of God; and Avery, therefore, after due preparations for it, he sent him unto the university.

§ 8. After he had spent three or four years in academical studies, the death of his father fetched him sooner than he would have gone into the country; where, though he kept a school, yet he pursued the design of accomplishing himself with every part of learning, that when those of his years were to take their degrees of Mastership, he was one of the modertors, which place he discharged with great acceptation. But he afterwards would say, that the awful and humbling providence of God, in the death of his father, which hindred him from those employments and preferments of the university for which he had a particular fondness, had an BURR effect upon him, for which he had reason to admire the wisdom of Heaven;

: inasmuch as it reduced him to that modest, gracious, careful frame, which made him the fitter for the work of “turning many to righteousness.” § 4, Having for a while attended that work at Horninger, near Bury in

rocellas.}

ess, the Suffolk, he afterwards undertook the charge of Reckingshal, in the same that he: county, wherein he did most exemplarily express the spirit of a minister wonder- : of the New Testament. He would therein be sometimes ready to envy the y much more easie condition of the husbandmen; but in submission and obedience nto was q unto the call of God, he now set his hand unto the plough of the Lord > Atlan- ; Jesus Christ: and therefore in the form of a solemn covenant, he obliged m Burr. himself unto the most conscientious discharge of his ministerial duties; O4; de- in which discharge he would always beg of God that, whatever exhortation heir son he gave unto others, might first be shaped in his own experience: and yet orn his ’ sometimes he would complain unto his friends: “Alas! I preach not what known 7 I am, but what I ought to be.” ed that; § 5. This gracious man, was indeed a very humble man, and his humility > Pliny- carried him even into a dejection of spirit; especially when by importuniof all ties he had been prevailed upon to preach abroad. Once particularly, there March; was a person of quality, for whose conversion many prayers had been put y those up to God, by those who hoped that God might have much honour from n, and a man of honour brought unto himself. Mr. Burr, preaching at a place nathan, : far from his own congregation, had a most happy success in the conversion

for his of this gentleman, who not only acknowledged this change with much

g dare thankfulness, both to God and the instrument, but also approved himself

ndeav- a changed man in the whole frame of his after-conversation. And yet,

would coming home from the preaching of that sermon, Mr. Burr had a particu- lat nly by lar measure of his lowly and modest reflections thereupon; adding, “1 ; 4 uke, to

shall conclude, it is of God, if any zood be done by any thing preached by such an unworthy instrument.”

§ 6. Hence, on the Lord’s day, after he came home from his publick work, it was his manner presently to retire, and spend some time in praying to God for the pardon of the sins which accompanied him in his work, Vou, I—24

votion. might,

and in praising of God for enabling him to go, in any measure, through it; with petitions for the good success of his labours.

He then would come down to his family-worship, wherein he spent some hours instructing of the family, and performing of other duties; and when his wife desired him to abate of his excessive pains, ‘his answer would be, ‘“Tis better to be worn out with work, than to be eaten out with rust.” It was indeed his joy to be spending his Wife unto the uttermost for God and for his people; yea, he would say, though he should have no temporal rewards. Accordingly, when any that had been benefited by his ministry sent him any tokens of their gratitude, he would (like Luther) beg of God ‘That he might not have his portion in such things:” and he desired of his grateful friends, “that if they had gotten any good of him, they would give unto God alone the glory of it.” Moreover, if he had understood that any had gained in the concern of their souls by his labours, he would mention it, in some of his private devotions, with this expression, ‘Lord, of thine own have I given, take then the glory unto thy self: as for me, let my portion be in thy self, and not in the things of this world.” But when he was debarred of his liberty to preach, he was even “like a fish out of the water;” and his very body languished through a sympathy, with the resentments of his mind; saying, “That his preaching was his life; and if he were laid aside from that, he should quickly be dead.”

§ 7. It was not on the Lord’s day only, but every day, that this good man was usually, “in the fear of the Lord all the day long.” He might say with the Psalmist, “When I awake, I am still with God:” for at his first awaking, he would bless God for the mercies of the night, and then pray, “that he might so number his days, as to apply his heart to wisdom:” and if he awaked in the night, it would commonly be with some thanksgivings unto Heaven. Rising in the morning, he would repair to his beloved study, where he began the day with secret prayer before the Lord: after this, he would read a chapter in the Old Testament, spending some time in serious, and solemn, and heart searching meditations thereupon: he would then come down into his family, where, with his prayers, he would then read and expound, and apply the same chapter unto his own folks, and such of the neighbours as would come in to enjoy his meditations at the usual season of them. Retiring then to his study again, he would continue there, till called unto his dinner; and if none came to speak with him after dinner, he would, after some diversion for a while with his children, return to his study, where he would then have a time to pray with his wife; but if at any time he were invited unto a dinner abroad, he would have a time for that service in the forenoon, before his going out.

As the evening drew on, after the like manner, he would read a chapter in the New Testament, making his family partakevs of his reflections, with his prayer upon it. And before his going to bed, he usually walked

through

nt some nd when ould be, h rust.” for God temporal ministry | beg of desired im, they 1 underlabours, - expresthy self: s of this vas even h a symhing was ye dead.” his good le might or at his and then t to wisith some air to his e Lord: ng some ereupon: ayers, he his own B meditapgain, he came to

a while ea time a dinner fore his

h a chapeflections, y walked

up and down the room, for half an hour or more, pondering upon something, which his wife, desiring to know, “what it was?” he replied, ‘Seeing thou art so near me, if it may do thee good, I'll tell thee: Mrst,” he said, he called himself unto an account, “how he had spent the day?” and what sinful commissions or omissions he had been overtaken with; for which he then begg2d pardon of God. Scondly, he reckoned up the particular mercies he had received in the day, rendring of praises to Heaven for those mercies. Lastly, he made his petitions to God, that he might be prepared for sudden death: unto which third article in his thoughts, that which gave more special occasion was the sudden death of his brother, an eminent and excellent Christian, whom, he said, he could never forget.

§ 8. When he travelled abroad, he thought long to be at home again, through his dissatisfaction at his not having elsewhere so convenient seasons for his communion with God. And when he took any journeys ewith his friends, it was his manner to enquire, “What good had been done, or gained therein?” and “what good examples had been seen?” and “what good instructions had been heard?” and that there might be no loss of é’me in the journeys, he would be full of profitable discourse, especially by way of occasional reflection upon things that then occurred unto observation. What he was in a journgy, the same he was at the table; even like the fire, (what was once writ of Athenodorus) ’EZarruv raven va wapaxemeve.* So that they who would bear no part in a gracious communication, would be dumb where-ever he came; and some of the roughest and rudest hearers would have tears fetched from their eyes at the soul-melting expressions that passed from his mouth. Moreover, at a feast he would eat more sparingly than at another time, giving us his reason for his temperance, the advice of the wise man: “Put a knife to thy throat;” and he would say, “Where there are many varieties, there are many temptations.”

§ 9. It was his wont, before the Lord’s Supper, to keep a day of solemn fasting and prayer alone, with his we, as well to prepare themselves for that sacred ordinance, as to obtain the manifold blessings of Heaven upon his family and neighbourhood. Such was his piety. And as for his charity, he seldom visited the poor, but with spirituals he communicated also temporals unto them: for which, when some of his friends intimated that he might err, in reserving no more for himself, he would answer, ‘I often think of those words, he that soweth sparingly, shall reap sparingly.” It was also remarkable to see how much his own personal joys and griefs were swallowed up in the sympathy which he had with the condition of the whole church abroad: when he heard it was well with the church, he would say, “Blessed be God, that it goes well with them, whatever becomes of me!” But if cl, none of his own private prosperity kept him from feeling it, as a true member of that mystical body. Finally, all

* Which touches every thing near it,

the graces which thus rendred him amiable to those that were about him, were attended with such Mosaic meekness as made him yet further amiable: he would be zealous when he saw dishonour cast on the name of God, but patient under injury offered unto himself. If he were informed that any thought meanly of him, he would not be moved at it, but say, “T think as meanly of my self, and therefore may well be content that others think meanly of me:” and when evil hath been charged on him, he has replied, “If men see so much, what does God see?” Disgraceful and unworthy speeches bestowed upon him, he would call his gains; but it was his trouble to find himself applauded. His friends might indeed have said of him, as Luther of Melancthon, Mhhi plane videtur saltem in hoc errare, quod Christum tpse fingat longius abesse & Corde suo, quam sit re vera: certé nimis Nullus in hoc est noster Jonathan.*

§ 10. This bright star must move westward. He, with many fellowsufferers for the “testimony of Jesus,” being silenced in England; an@ foreseeing a dismal storm a coming upon the nation, till the overpassing whereof he saw many praying saints directed unto America for chambers of safety; and willing to forego all worldly advantages for the enjoyment of gospel ordinances, administered without the mixtures of humane inventions; he removed into New-England, having his three children with him, and his wife big with a fourth, in his remove; where arriving, it refreshed him not a little to see the escaped people of God, with “harps in their hands,” there singing the “song of Moses.” He came into New-England at a time when there was not so much want of lights as of golden candlesticks wherein to place the lights; but he was not long there before he was invited by the church of Dorchester to be an assistant unto the wellknown Mr. Richard Mather.

§ 11. The evil one, disturbed at the happiness of Dorchester, very strongly endeavoured a misunderstanding between Mr. Mather and Mr. Burr; and the misunderstanding did proceed so far as to produce a paroxism.

It was judged by some of the brethren in the church that Mr. Burr had expressed himself erroneously in certain points, the. much agitated throughout the country; and Mr. Mather, upon their desire, examining the propositions which this good man had written, thought he could not altogether clear them from exceptions, Hereupon grew such alienations, that they could not be well re-united without calling in the help of neighbouring churches in a council; which council directing both Mr. Mather and Mr. Burr to acknowledge what misunderstandings were then discovered in this business, those two good men set apart a day for the reconciliation; and with such exemplary expressions of humility and affection rectified all that had been out of joint, that God was exceedingly glorified, and the peacc of the church effectually restored and maintained.

* It is evident to me that he errs in pretending that Christ is farther from his heart than is really true. Surely In this my Jonathan seems to depreciate himself to an unreasonable extent,

my { my ¢ mend afflie orde do p his g walk of b wate) out s

§

ut him, er amilame of formed ut say, nt that yn him, graceful ns; but

indeed ultem in wam sit

fellowid; an@ rpassing hambers joyment 1e INVENith him, efreshed in their Hngland candlebfore he ne wellstrongly rr; and

urr had roughle propogether t they ouring nd Mr. in this m; and all that

peace

le. Surely

§ 12. This true Barnabas was not only to give the churches of New- England a consolatory visit in his passage unto glory, that he might leave them an example of that love, patience, holiness, and fruitfulness, which would make them an happy people. Though he had not persecution to try him in this wilderness, yet he was not without his trials; for, as ’tis well observed in the discourse, De Duplici Martyrio,* which goes under the name of Cyprian, Si deest Tyrannus, si Tortor, si Spoliator, non deerit concupiscentia, Martyrii Materiam quotidianam nobis exhibens.- The next year after he came to New-England, he was taken sick. of the small-pox; out of which he nevertheless recovered, and came forth as “gold that had been tryed in the fire.” He then renewed and applied the covenant of grace, by the suitable recognitions of the following instrument:

“J, Jonathan Burr, being brought in the arms of Almighty God over the vast ocean, with my family and friends, and graciously provided for in a wilderness; and being sensible of my own unprofilableness and self-seeking; yet of infinite mercy, being called unto the tre. mendous work of feeding souls, and being of late with my family delivered out of a greut affliction of the small-pox; and having found the fruit of that affliction; God tempering, ordering, mitigating the evil thereof, so as I have been graciously and speedily delivered; I do promise and vow to Him that hath done all things for me; First, That I will aim only at his glory, and the good of souls, and not my self and vain glory: and that, Secondly, I will walk humbly, with lower thoughts of my self, considering what a poor creature Iam: a puff of breath, sustained only by the power of His grace; and therefore, Thirdly, I will be more watchful over my heart, to keep it in a due frame of holiness and obedience, without running out so far to the creature; for I have seen that he is mine only help in time of need; Fourthly, that I will put more weight upon that firm promise, and sure truth, that God is a “God hearing prayer;” Fifthly, that I will set up God, more in my family, more in my self, wife, children and servants; conversing with them in a more serious and constant manner; for this God aimed at in sending his hand into my family at this time.

“Memento Mortf “In Meipso Nihil; in Christo Omne.”§

Nor was his heavenly conversation afterwards disagreeable to these grateful resolutions of his devout soul. By the same token, that the famous Mr. Thomas Hooker, being one of his auditors when he’ preached in a great audience at Charlestown, had this expression about him: “Surely, this man wont be long out of heaven, for he preaches as if he were there already.” And the most experienced Christians in the country found still in his ministry, as well as in his whole behaviour, the breathing of such a spirit as was very greatly to their satisfaction. They could not but call him, as Dionysius was once called, Ierewov ri¢ *oupavt,—the bird of heaven. Had it not been old Adam’s world, so innocent, so excellent, so heavenly a person, could not have met with such exercises as he and others like him then sometimes did, even from their truest brethren.

§ 13. Ilaving just been preaching about the redemption of time, he fell

* Twofold martyrdom. (martyrdom,

+ If there be no tyrant, no torturer, no robber, there will siill be evil passions, furnishing daily occasions for ¢ Keop death in mind. § In myself, {am nothing; in Chriet, Iam ull things,

into a sickness of ten days’ continuance; during which time, he expressed a wonderful patience and submission upon all occasions. His wife, perceiving his willingness to die, asked him, “ whether he were desirous to leave her and his children?” Whereto his answer was, ‘Do not mistake me: I am not desirous of that; but I bless God that now my will is the Lord’s will: if he will have me to live yet with my dear wife and childrea, I am willing. I will say to you, my dear wife and children, as the apostle says, ‘It is better for you, that I abide with you; but it is better for me to be dissolved and to be with Christ.’” And perceiving his wife’s disconsolation, he asked her, “‘if she could not be willing to part with him;” whereupon, when she intimated how hard it was, he exhorted her to acquiesce in that God who would be better than ten husbands: adding, “Our parting is but for a time; I am sure we shall one day meet again.” Being discouraged by finding himself unable to put on his clothes, one of his friends told him “his work was now to lie still:” at which he complained, “I lie slugging a bed, when others are at work!” But being minded of (fod’s will that it should be so, that quieted him. Observing how diligently his wife tended him, he said unto her, “Don’t spend so much time with me, but go thy way and spend some time in prayer: thou knowest not what thou mayst obtain from God; I fear lest thou ivvk too much upon this affliction.” A day or two before his death, he blessed his children; and the night before he died, he was overheard sometimes to say, “I will wait until my change come;” and “Why art thou so loath to die?” <A few hours before his death, it was observed that he had a sore conflict with the “angel of death,” who was now shooting his last arrows at him; and when one of the standers-by said, “The sting of death is taken away; the Lord Jesus Christ has overcome death for you; this is one of Satan’s last assaults; his work is now almost at an end; though he be a subtil enemy, and would, if it were possible, deceive the very elect;” he presently laid hold on that last expression “if it were possible!” said he, ‘Blessed be God there is no possibility!” After this, he requested the company might withdraw, that so he might have an opportunity to pray for a while by himself; but seeing the company loth to leave the room, he prayed in Latin as long as he had strength to do it. When he was to appearance just expiring, he called for his wife; and stedfastly fixing his eyes upon her, he said, ‘‘Cast thy care upon God, for he careth for thee.” About half an hour after this, when death had been for some while drawing the curtains about him, his last words were those unto his wife, ‘Hold fast, hold fast!” So he finished his pilgrimage, on August 9, 1641.

§ 14. Unto that vertuous gentlewoman his wife, he expressed himself with great confidence, ‘That God would certainly provide well for her;” and that gentlewoman, shortly after being honourably and comfortably married unto another gentleman of good estate, namely, Richard Dummer, Esq., once a magistrate of the colony, lived with him near forty years;

cpressed rife, perto leave ake me: e Lord’s si, I am tle says, le to be

consola-:

’ whereequiesce parting ing diss friends l, “I lie of God’s ntly his vith me, ot what pon this en; and vill wait A few lict with m; and ay; the hn’s last enemy, tly laid ssed be

might hile by nyed in earance PS upon About ng the ld fast,

himself her;” ortably hmmer, years;

OR, THE HISTORY OF NEW-ENGLAND. * $375

and was more than forty years after alive to testify her experience of the accomplishment which God had given unto that faith of her dying husband: who at his death commended his family to God, in strains not unlike those of the dying Widerus:

Christe, tibi soli mea pignora Viva relinquo, Pavisti, Largam dane Mihi semper opem; Quorum post Mortum Tu Pater esto meam. Tu quogue Pasce meoe defende, tuere, doceque Qui cunctis Vite miserum me jugiter Annis Et tandem ad Cail gaudia tranafer. Amen.* EPITAPHIUM.

Mortuus hic Jacet, qui in Omnium Cordibue Vivit. Omnee Virtutes, que Vivunt post Funera, In Uniue Burri Funere invenerunt Sepulchrum.t To make up his epitaph, I wil] borrow a line or two from the tomb-stone of Volkmarus:

Hic Jacet Exutis nimium cito Burrivs Annis, Ac Scviptie Animum notificare Librie, Adjuga Suggeetus, Magne Matuere, Tui. Tot Verbis non esset opus hoc Sculpere Saxum; Si magis Annosam licuisset condere Vitam, Suficerent Quatuor, Burrivs hic situs est.t

THE LIFE OF MR. GEORGE PHILIPS.

Vité Ministri est Censura et Cynosura.§

§ 1. Nor only the common sign-posts of every town, but also some famous orders of knighthood in the most famou: nations of Europe, have entertained us with traditions of a certain champion, by the name of St. GEORGE dignified and distinguished. Now, whilst many do, with Calvin, reckon this notable St. George, with his brother St. Kit, among the larva and fabl-s of the romantic monks; others, from the honourable mention of him in so many liturgies, do think there might be such a man; but then he must be no other, neither better nor worse, in the most probable opinion of Rainolds, than George the Arrian bishop of Alexandria, the antagonist and adversary of Athanasius; of this memorable trooper, the Arrians feigned miracles, and with certain disguises imposed the fame of him upon the orthodox. But the churches of New-England being wholly unconcerned

* To thee, O Christ, this tender flock I leave; Hast fed me with the riches of Thy store: Be Thou their father when Iam no more, These little ones so feed, protect, and love, Thou from the morn of life until its eve And then translate them to Thy rest above,

+ Ertvarn: Here he lies dead, but he lives in the hearts of all. All those great virtues, which the tomb defy, | Now sleep within it, where our Burr doth lie,

§ The life of the minister 1s a reproach to some—a guiding-star to others,

with any such a St. George, and wishing that they had been less concerned with many Quakers, whose chief apostles have been so many of them called Georges, but in effect so many dragons, there was one George who was indeed among the first saints of New-England! and that excellent man of our land was Mr. George Philips.

§ 2. He was born at Raymund, in the county of Norfolk; descended of honest parents, who were encouraged by his great proficiency at the grammar-school to send him unto the university; where his good invention, strong memory, and solid judgment, with the blessing of God upon all, attained a degree of learning that may be called eminent. The diligent reading of the fathers, while he was yet himself among young men, was one of the things that gave a special ornament unto that skill in theology, whereto he attained; but that which yet further fitted him to become % divine, was his being “made partaker of the divine nature,” by the sanctification of all his abilities for the service of God, in a true regeneration,

§ 8. Devoting himself to the work of the ministry, his employment befel him at Boxford in Essex; whereof he found much acceptance wiih good men; as being a man “mighty in the Scriptures.” But his acquaintance with the writings and persons of some old non-conformists had instilled into him such principles about church-government, as were like to make him unacceptable unto some who then drove the world before them. Some of these principles he had intimated in his publick preaching; whereupon some of his unsatisfied hearers repaired unto old Mr. Rogers of Dedham, with some intimations of their dissatisfaction. But Mr. Rogers, although he had not much studied the controversy, yet had so high a respect for Mr. Philips, that he said, he “believed Mr. Philips would preach nothing without some good evidence for it from the word of God, and therefore they should be willing to regard whatever Mr. Philips might, from that word, make evident unto them.” And as for Mr. Philips, the more he was put upon the study and searching of the ¢ruth, in the matter controverted, the more he was confirmed in his own opinion of it.

§ 4. When the spirit of persecution did at length with the extreamest violence, urge a conformity to ways and parts of divine worship, conscientiously scrupled by such persons as our Mr. Philips. Ze, with many more of his neighbours, entertained thoughts of transporting themselves and their families into the desarts of America, to prosecute and propagate the glorious designs of the gospel, and spread the light of it in those “goings down of the sun,” and being resolved accordingly to accompany the excellent Mr. Winthrop in that undertaking, he with many other devout Christians, embarqued for New-England, where they arrived in the year 1680, through the good hand of God upon them. Here, quickly after his landing, he lost the desire of his eyes, in the death of his desirable consort, who, though an only child, had cheerfully left her parents, to serve the Lord Jesus Christ with her husband in a terrible wilderness, At Salem she

poll do care. ages of o grac orde from walk our | speci lutio writt for a at hi

‘his s

oy depa (cha day, ing befo and of € him allt men hath sens infal ness the

ncerned n called ho was man of

scended at the vention, pon all, diligent vas one theology, come % sanctition.

oyment ce with quaintnstilled ike him ome of reupon edham, though bect for othing erefore m that ore he controeamest Inscieny more es and te the goings excel- Chris- 1630, nding, who, Lord she

died, entering into the everlasting peace; and was very solemnly interred near the Right Honourable the Lady Arabella, the sister of the Marl of Lincoln, who also took New-England in her way to heaven.

§ 5. Mr. Philips, with several gentlemen and other Christians, having chosen a place upon ( -les-River for a town, which they called Water- ‘Town, they resolved that they would combine into a church-fellowship there, as their first work; and build the howe of God before they could build many houses for themselves; thus they “sought, first, the kingdom of God!” And, indeed, Mr. Philips being better acquainted with the true church-discipline than most of the ministers that came with him into the country, their proceedings about the gathering and ordering of their church, were methodical enough, though not made in all things a pattern for all the rest. Upon a day set apart for solemn fasting and prayer, the very next month after they came ashore, they entred into this holy covenant:

“WE whose names are hereto subscribed, having through God’s mercy escaped out of pollutions of the world, and been taken into the society of his people, with all thankfulness do hereby both with heart and hand acknowledge, that his gracious goodness, and fatherly care, towards us: and for further and more full declaration thereof, to the present and future ages, have undertaken (for the promoting of his glory and the church’s good, and the honour of our blessed Jesus, in our more full and free subjecting of our selves and ours, under his gracious government, in the practice of, and obedience unto all his holy ordinanees and orders, which he hath pleased to prescribe and impose upon us) a long and hazardous voyage from east /o west, from Old England in Europe, to New-England in America; that we may walk before him, and ‘serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness, all the days of our lives: and being safely arrived here, and thus far onwards peaceably preserved by his special providence, that we may bring forth our intentions into actions, and perfect our resolutions, in the beginnings of some just and meet execulions; we have separated the day above written from all other services, and dedicated it wholly to the Lord in divine é¢mployments, for a day of afflicting our souls and humbling our selves before the Lord, to seek him, and at his hands, a way to walk in, by fasting and prayer, that we might know what was good in

‘his sight: and the Lord was intreated of us.

“For in the end of that day, after the finishing of our publick duties, we do all, before we depart, solemnly and with all our hearts, personally, man by man for our selves and ours (charging them before Christ and his elect angels, even chem that are not here with us this day, or are yet unborn, that they keep the promise unblameably and faithfully unto the com. ing of our Lord Jesus) promise, and enter into a sure covenant with the Lord our God, and before him with one another, by oath and serious protestation made, to renounce all idolatry and superstition, will-worship, all humane traditions and inventions whatsoever, in the worship of God; and forsaking all evil ways, do give our selves wholly unto the Lord Jesus, to do him faithful service, observing and keeping all his statutes, commands, and ordinances, in all matters concerning our reformation; his worship, administrations, ministry, and govern. ment; and in the carriage of our selves among our s¢ives, and one towards another, as he hath prescribed in his holy word. Further swearing 40 cleave unto ¢hat alone, and the true sense and meaning thereof to the utmost of our power, as unto the most clear light and infallible rude, and all-sufficient canon, in all things that concern us in this our way. In witness of all, we do exanimo, and in the presence of God, hereto set our names or marks, in the day and year above written.”

Abc! %&.uy men, whereof the jirst was that excellent Knight Sir Richard Saltonstal, then subscribed this instrument, in order unto their coalescence into a church-estate; which I have the more particularly recited, because it was one of the first ecclesiastical transactions of this nature managed in the colony. But in after time, they that joined unto the church, subscribed a form of the covenant, somewhat altered, with a “confession of faith” annexed unto it.

§ 6. A church of believers being thus gathered at Watertown, this reverend man continued for divers years among them, faithfully discharging the duties of his ministry to the “flock, whereof he was made the overseer;” and as a “faithful steward giving to every one their meat in due season.” Herein he demonstrated himself to be a real divine; but not in any thing more, than in his most intimate acquaintance with the divine oracles of the Scripture: being fully of Jerom’s perswasion, Ama Scientiam Scripturarum, et Vitia Carnis non amabis.* He had so thoroughly perused and pondered them, that he was able on the sudden to turn unto any text, without the help of Concordances; and they were so much his delight, that as it has been by some of his family affirmed, “he read over the whole Bible six times every year:’’ nevertheless he did use to say, ‘“‘That every time he read the Bible, he observed or collected something, which he never did before.” There was a famous prince of Transylvania, who found the time to read over the Bible no less than twenty-seven times. There was a famous King of Arragon, who read over the Bible fourteen times, with Lyra’s Commentaries. A religious person, who was a close prisoner in a dark dungeon, having a candle brought him, for the few minutes in the day when his poor meals were to be eaten, chose then to read a little of his Bible, and eat his necessary food when the candle was gone. Yea, the Emperour' Theodosius wrote out the New Testament with his own hand; and Bonaventure did as much by the Old; and some have, like Zuinglius and Beza, lodged vast paragraphs of it in the memories, Among such memorable students in the Scriptures, our Philips deserves to have some remembrance: who was fully of the opinion expressed by Luther, “If the letters of Princes are to be read three times over, surely then God’s letters (as Gregory calls the Scriptures) are to be read seven times thrice, yea, seventy times seven, and, if it could be, a thousand times over;” and he might say with Ridley, giving an account of how much of the Bible he had learnt by heart, “Though in time a great part of the study departed from me, yet the sweet smell thereof, I trusi, I shall carry with me to heaven.” Indeed, being well skilled in the original tongues, he could see further into the Scriptures than most other men; and thereby being “made wise unto salvation,” he also became “a man of God, thoroughly furnished unto all good works,” .

§ 7. Hence als he became an able disputant; and ready upon all occa,

° _ => jhe study of the Scriptures, and you will not love the vices of the flosh.

ir Richr coalesrecited, + nature into the with a

his revsharging he over- ; in due t not in ie divine Ycventiam perused any text, ight, that he whole at every he never yund the here was nes, with oner in a s in the little of Yea, the yn hand; Zuinglius png such ave some r, “If the ’s letters rice, yea, ’ and he Bible he departed th me to ould see g “made furnished

all occas,

sions to maintain what he delivered from the word of God; for which cause his hearers counted him, “the irrefragable Doctor;” though he were so humble and modest, as to be very averse unto disputation, until driven thereto by extream necessity. One of his hearers, after some conference with him about infunt-baptism, and several points of church-discipline, obtained a copy of the arguments in writing for his further satisfaction. This copy the man sends over to England, which an Anabaptist there published with a pretended confutation; whereby the truth lost nothing, for Mr. Philips hereupon published a judicious treatise, entituled, “A Vindication of Infant-Baptism,” whereto there is added another, “ Of the Church.” This book was honourably received and mentioned, by the eminent assembly of London ministers; and a preface full of honour was ‘thereto prefixed by the famous Mr, Thomas Shepard; notwithstanding the difference between him and Mr. Philips, upon one or two points, whereabout those two learned neighbours managed a controversy with so much reason, and yet candor and kindness, that if all theological controversies had been so handled, we need not so much wish, Liberari ab Implacabilibus Theologorum Odiis.*

§ 8. About fourteen years continued he in his ministry at Watertown; in which time his ministry was blessed for the conversion of many unto God, and for the edification and confirmation of many that were converted. He was, indeed, “a good man, and full of faith, and of the Holy Ghost;” and for that cause he was not only in publick, but in private also, very full of holy discourse on all occasions; especially on the Lord’s day at noon, the time intervening between the two exercises, he would spend in conferring with such of his good people as resorted unto his house, at such a rate as marvellously ministered grace unto the hearers; not wanting any time then, as it seems, for any further preparations than what he had still aforehand made for the publick sermons of the afternoon.

§ 9. He laboured under many bodily infirmities: but was especially liable unto the cholick; the extremity of one fit whereof, was the wind which carried him afore it into the haven of eternal rest, on July 1, in the year 1644, much desired and lamented by his church at Watertown; who testified their affection to their deceased pastor by a special care to promote and perfect the education of his eldest son, whereof all the country, but especially the town of Rowly, have since reaped the bencfit.

EPITAPHIUM. JTic Jacet Groraivs Puiniprt. Vir Incomparabilis, nisi Samuetem genuisset.t

® To be delivered from the implacable contentions of theologians, + Eriraru: Here lics George Philips: an incomparable man, had he not been the father of Samuel.

MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA;

CHAPTER ¥.

PASTOR EVANGELICUS;* THE LIFE OF MR. THOMAS SHEPARD.

Nec Mireris, Animam tam Subito in Calum avolasse, nam vicem Alarum sibi supplérunt Preces sue et suspiria.t

§ 1. Ir was the gracious and savoury speech uttered by one of the greatest personages in England, and perhaps in all Europe, unto a grave minister: “I have (said he) passed through many places of honour and trust, both in church and state, more than any of my order in England, for seventy years before. But were I assured that by my preaching, I had converted but one soul unto God, I should herein take more comfort, than in all the honours and offices that have ever been bestowed upon me.” Let my reader now go with me, and I will show him one of the. happiest men that ever we saw; as great a converter of souls as has ordi- 5 sunt narily been known in our days. . the § 2. Amongst those famous, whereof there were diverse, ministers of hin New-England, which were born in or near the first lustre of King James’ eous reign, one of the least inconsiderable was our Mr. Thomas Shepard; whe whose father, Mr. William Shepard, called him Thomas, because his birth him was November 5, Anno 1605, as near as could be guessed, at the very now hour when the blow should have been given in the execrable gun-powder treason; a villany, concerning which he said, “This child of his would Pres hardly be able to believe that ever such a wickedness could be attempted: ener by the sons of men.” His father had six daughters and three sons, whereof ' my | this Thomas, born in Towcester, near Northampton, was the youngest; ngait and as he lived a prudent, so he died a pious man, while his youngest son ca was but a youth. Our Thomas had in his childhood laboured under the a; discouragements, first of a bitter step-mother, and then of a cruel school- grace master, till God stirred up the heart of his eldest brother to become a father nlso unto him, who, for the use of his portion, brought him up. : him, § 8. Bending his mind now to study, he became fit for the university 3 tion, at fifteen years of age; where he was placed under the tuition of Mr. a. Cockrel, a Northamptonshire man, fellow of Immanuel Colledge. pair, But when he had been upwards of two years in that colledge, this self young man, who had been heretofore under more ineffectual operations of throt the Divine Word upon him, was now more effectually called unto a saving myis acquaintance with him, that is our true Immanuel. The ministry of Mr. sat Chaderton and Mr. Dickinson struck his heart with powerful convictions § cha

* Evangelical Pastor. Hath entered glory: for he sought the skies + Nay, wonder not that he, with flight so keen, On wings of prayer and penitential sighs.

BPARD.

> of the & grave our and Ingland, ching, I comfort, ed upon e of the as ordisters of xr James’ hepard ; is birth he very -powder s would

of his miscries in his wnregeneracy; and while he shook off those convietions, it pleased God that a devout scholar, walking with him, fell into discourses about the miseries of an unregenerate man, whereby the arrows of God were struck deeper into him. At another time, falling into a pious company, where they conferred about the wrath of God, and the extremity and eternity of it, this added unto his awakenings; and though profane company afterwards caused him to lose much of the sense which he had of these things, yet when Dr. Preston came thither, his first sermon on that [Be renewed in the spirit of your mind”] so renewed the former impressions which had been upon him, that he soon approved himself a person truly renewed in his own spirit, and converted unto God. From this time, which was in the year 1624, he set himself especially on the work of daily meditation, which he attended every evening before supper; meditating on “the evil of sin, the terror of God’s wrath, the day of death and judgment, the beauty of the Lord Jesus Christ;” and “the deceitfulness of his own heart,” until he found the transforming influence of those things upon his own soul; a course which afterwards he would mightily commend unto others that consulted him; and he rested not until coming to see that in the Lord Jesus Christ alone there was laid up the full supply of all spiritual wants, he found the grace of God enabling him to accept of that precious Lord, and rejoice in that wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption which He %s made unto us: whence afterwards, drawing up a catalogue of the Divine favours unto him, he had therein these passages among the rest, which are from thence now transcribed;

“The Lord is the God that sent, I think, the best ministers in the world to call me; Dr. Preston and Mr, Goodwin. The words of the first, at the first sermon he made, when he came into the colledge, as master of it; ond divers that he preached at that time, did open my heart, and convince me of my wibelief, and my total emptiness of all, and enmity egainst all good. And the Lord made me honour him highly, and love him dearly, though

many godly men spake against him. And he is the God that in these ordinances convinced

me of my guilt and filth of sin, especially self seeking, and love of honour of men in all I did; and humbled me under both, so as to make me set an higher price upon Christ and grace, and loath my self the more, and so I was eased of a world of discouragement. He also showed me the worth of Christ, and made my soul satisfied with him, and cleave to him, because God had made him righteousness; and hence also revealed his free justifieation, snd gave me support and rest upon and in his promises made to them that receive him as Lord and King; which I found my heart long unwilling to. And this was the ground, or rather occasion of many horrid temptations of Atheism, Judaism, Familism, Popery, Despair, as having sinned the unpardonable sin; yet the Lord, at last, made me yield up my self to his condemning will, as good; which gave me great peace and quietness of heart, through the blood and pity of Christ, I have met with all kinds‘of temptations, but after my conversion, I was never tempted to Arminianism, my own experience so sensibly confuting the freedom of will.”

§ 4. One Dr. Wilson, having a purpose, with a most noble and pious charity, to maintain a lecture, the ministers of Essex, in one of their

monthly fasts, propounded unto Mr. Shepard, the service of this lecture to be attended in the great town of Coggeshal. But the people of Earl’s Coln, on that very day, when the ministers were together in Tarling at prayer, for the direction of Heaven in this matter, so affectionately addressed them, for the benefit of this lecture, that it was granted unto them, for the three years ensuing. Mr. Shepard, having proceeded Master of Arts at Cambridge, accepted now an invitation to Earl’s Coln; and at the end of three years the inhabitants were so loath to let him go, that they gathered among themselves a convenient salary to support him still amongst them: though his lecture were gone. At Earl’s Coln then he tarried, and prevailed for the lecture to be settled the next three years in Towcester, the place of his nativity; and for Mr. Stone to be employed in the labour of it; which was to him an extreame satisfaction.

§ 5. Although Mr. Shepard were but a young man, yet there was that majesty and energy in his preaching, and that holiness in his life, which was not ordinary. And God made him a rich blessing, not only to Coln, but unto all the towns round about; wherein there were many converted unto God, and sundry were so affected unto this instrument of their conversion, that they afterwards went a thousand leagues to enjoy his ministry. But when Dr. Laud becomes Bishop of London, Mr. Shepard must no longer be preacher at Coln: he was quickly silenced, for none but that fault, which was then known by the name of Puritanism: and being silenced, he withdrew to the kind family of the Harlackinden’s, where, applying himself more exactly to the study of the ceremonies in the worship of God then imposed, the more he studied them, the less he liked them. Among other things that signalized him, after his acquaintance with Mr. Harlackinden, I find one memorabl2 passage reported by Mr. Woodcock, with sufficient evidence, in Mr. Baxter’s book about, “the worlds of spirits.” In the chamber of a toumb house, where two of Mr. Harlackinden’s men did use to lie, there was always, at two a clock in the morning, the sound of a great bell tolling. Mr. Harlackinden would once lie there, between his two servants, to satisfie himself about it. At the usual time came the usual sound, which threw the gentleman into no little consternation. But Mr. Shepard, with some Christians, having spent a night in prayer at this place, the noise never gave any disturbance after.

Once and again after this, finding the resolution of the bishop to ruine him, if he did not leave the country, he seasonably received letters of Mr. Ezekiel Rogers, minister of Rowly, in Yorkshire, encouraging him to visit those parts, and accept employment in the house of Sir Richard Darly, of Buttercrambe, in that county. Driven to follow this counsel, his journey proved as troublesome in all the winter-circumstances of it, as a traveller could have wished for; and after he had swam for his life, by missing his way over some overflown bridges, he made it late on Saturday-night before he came to York; but there having refreshed him self, he went on

cture to f Earl's rling at idressed _ for the Arts at end of rathered it them: nd prester, the bour of

yas that 1ich was oln, but ed unto version, y. But. longer at fault, ilenced, pplying of God Among Larlackk, with spirits.” 3 men p sound een his e usual But Mr. s place,

O ruine of Mr. to visit Darly, is jourtravelissing -night ent on

to Buttercrambe that night, which was about seven miles further, where, wet, and cold, and late, he that night arrived.

§ 6. It added unto his discouragements when, on the first night of his arrival, he found gross profanities prevailing both in the family and in the neighbourhood; but God quickly made him instrumental to a blessed change in both. The profanest persons thereabouts were soon touched with the efficacy of his ministry and his conference; and prayer with fasting, as well as other exercises of devotion, succeeded in the room of their former wildnesses. Both Sir Richard and all his sons, as well as many others there, had cause to bless God that ever they saw the face of that holy man: and as a testimony of their affection for him, they encouraged his marriage with the knight's near kinswoman, who upon this account also enlarged her portion, about the year 1632. But Bishop Neal here would not allow him any liberty for his ministry, without a subscription, which his better informed conscience could not make; and this occasioned his removal upon a call unto a town of Northumberland, called Heddon; where his labours were prospered unto the souls of many people. One of the houses which he then hired was haunted with a devil, as was commonly conceived upon the departure of a noted witch, who had been the former inhabitant; and the house was troubled with strange noises, till the earnest prayers of this inan of God procured a deliverance from so extream a trouble. isut thither also the zeal of the bishop reached him, and forbad his preiching there any more; no, nor durst the more ingenuous Dr. Morton, the Bishop of Durham, afford him any countenance or connivance, inasmuch as the primate of England had looked with so hard an eye upon him.

§ 7. While he was thus denyed the liberty of preaching the truths of the gospel, as much as in the remotest corners of the land, the removal of Mr. Cotton, Mr. Hooker, Mr. Stone, and Mr. Weld into New-England, had awakened many pious people, all England over, to think of the like removal; and several of his friends already gat into New-England, as well as others that were now going thither, invited him to accompany them in the condition of that plantation. Wherefore he considered with himself that he could not propose to himself the peaceable exercise of his ministry in any part of England; that his most intimate friends had many ways expressed their desires of his going with them into another country; that many eminent ministers, and excellent Christians, had already transplanted themselves; that he could not with a safe conscience comply with the ceremonies and mixt communion at home; that it was his duty to seek the enjoyment of divine ordinances in a further measure than was there attainable; and that it would be a sad thing for him, in case of mortality, to leave his wife and son in the midst of the northern barbarities; which considerations now disposed him for New-England. So having preached his farewell sermon at Newcastle, he came from thence in a disguise to

884. MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA;

Ipswich, and from thence to Karl’s Coln: longing to be in a country where he might not lose any more precious time through the inconveniences of unsettlement.

§ 8. Mr. Shepard and Mr. Norton coming now together unto Yarmouth, to take shipping for New-England, they were much way-laid by pursevants, employed for the trepanning and entrapping of them; and these pursevants had proceeded so far as by a sum of money to obtain a promise from a boy, belonging to the house where they scented Mr. Shepard’s quarters, that he would open the door for them, to take him at a certain hour of the night. But, behold the watchful providence of God over his faithful servants! The gracious and serious words of Mr. Shepard, in the hearing of this unlucky boy, struck him with horror to think that he should be so wicked as.to betray such an holy man. Whereupon the convinced boy did with tears discover the whole plot unto his godly master, who forthwith conveyed Mr. Shepard out of the way, and confounded the setters that would have catched him.

§ 9. It was the latter end of the year 1634, when sailing was now dangerous, that Mr. Shepard shipped himself in a ship of about four hundred tun, commanded by a very able seaman, but under a perpetual entail and series of disasters, after some injustice had been used about her. They set sail from Harwich upon the edge of the winter; but after several deliverances from several distresses, within a few hours of their first setting out, the winds drove them again back into Yarmouth road; where there arose one of the most fearful storms that ever was known. They thought they had lost all their anchors, and with their anchors all their hopes; and though thousands from Yarmouth walls did pity them, yet none could relieve them: however, the compassions of an eminent officer, then amongst the spectators, were a little distinguished, when he scoflingly said, ‘‘ As for a poor collier there in the road, he pitied him very much; but as for the Puritans in the other ship, he was not concerned; their faith would save them.” In this extremity, Mr. Shepard, with all the mariners in one part of the ship, and Mr, Norton, with two hundred passengers in the other, poured out their most fervent prayers unto Almighty God; whereupon the wind immediately so abated, that the ship stayed; and they found, though the upper part of the vessel was all broken, yet their Jast anchor unbroken, and themselves delivered from so great a death.

§ 10. The next day, which was the Lord’s day, he went ashore to Yarmouth, where one of his first works was to bury his first-born son; though he durst not himself be present at the burial, because his danger from the horrid mancatchers ashore had less of mercy and more of horror in it, than what he escaped from the merciless and horrible waves of the sea. Mr. Bridge, of Norwich, now kindly invited him thither; whither, when he came, the worthy Madam Corbet freely offered him a great house of hers, then standing empty at Bastwick; and there he spent all the winter.

mad and - revel

sountry onveni-

‘mouth, - pursed these h promepard’s t a cerof God '. Shep- © think sreupon s godly nd connw dan- 1undred tail and ‘hey set delivering out, re arose chought es; and e could r, then offingly much; 1; their all the ed pasmighty stayed; cen, vet a denth, to Yarthough ‘om the Yr in it, he sea, When louse of Winter

aa eS eigen

in the company and with the assistance of Mr, Harlackinden, a friend that loved him ai all times. In the spring he went up to London; where by a removal from the lodgings which he took on his first arrival there, he again very narrowly escaped those “ to whom such a shepherd was an abomination.”

The perils wherein he was continually, “from his own countrymen,” compelled him once more to encounter the perils at sea; so that in July following, he sailed from Gravesend, in a bottom too decayed and feeble indeed for such a voyage; but yet well accommodated with the society of Mr. Wilson, Mr. Jones, and other Christians, which more significantly made good the name of the ship, The Defence. In their first storm, the vessel sprang a leak, which let in the water faster than both pumps were able to turn it out; a leak eighteen inches long, and an inch wide: but it was, though with much difficulty, found and stopped, just as they were upon diverting into Ireland for their safety. Being thus again delivered, they got into New-England, and on October 3, they were set ashore at Boston; from whence, within a day or two, his friends at Cambridge gladly fetched him.

§ 11. Mr. Hooker, with his congregation at Cambridge, now removing to Hartford, upon Connecticut river, many comfortable dwellings and -onsiderable demesnes were hereby somewhat prepared for sale to the good people which Mr. Shepard brought over with him, who were loth to lose any more of their short lives, by more tedious removals. Accordingly, taking up their station at Cambridge, Mr. Shepard, with several of his good people, did on the first of the ensuing February, in a vast assembly, wherein were present the magistrates ofthe colony, with the ministers and messengers of the neighbouring churches, keep a day of prayer; in the close of which day they made a confession of their faith, with a declaration of what regenerating impressions the grace of God had made upon them; and then they entred into their covenant, whereby they became a church; to which Mr. Cotton in the name of the rest, gave the “right hand of fellowship.” However, the ordination of Mr. Shepard unto the pastoral charge of this church, was deferred until another day, wherein there was more time to go through the other solemnities proper to such a great occasion.

§ 12. Within a year after the gathering of the church at Cambridge, and the ordaining of Mr. Shepard in that church, the country was miserably distracted by a storia of Antinomian and Familistical opinions then raised. The mother opinion of all the rest was, “That a Christian should not fetch any evidence of his good state before God, from the sight of any inherent qualification in him; or from any conditional promise made unto such a qualification.” From the womb of this fruzéful opinion, and from the countenance hereby given to immediate and unwarranted revelations, ’tis not easie to relate how many monsters, worse than Vou, L—25

African, arose in these regions of America: but a synod, assembled at Cambridge, whereof Mr. Shepard was no small part, most happily crushed them al!. The vigilancy of Mr. Shepard was blessed, not only for the preservation of his own congregation from the rot of these opinions, but also for the deliverance of all the flocks which our Lord had in the wilderness, And it was with a respect unto this vigilancy, and the enlightning and powerful ministry of Mr. Shepard, that when the foundation of a colledge was to be laid, Cambridge, rather than any other place, was pitched upon to be the seat of that happy seminary: out of which there proceeded many notable preachers, who were made such very much by their sitting under Mr. Shepard’s ministry.

§ 13. It has been a question of some curiosity, what might be the distemper of Hezekiah, whereof he recovered so remarkably and miraculously? Now, when I consider the chattering, whereto the sick prince was brought by his disease, and the cataplasm which he used of things discussive and emollient, I inwline, with Bartholinus, to think that his distemper might be a malignant quinsie, whereof usually the sick are either killed or (like Hezekiah) cured on the third day. Such a distemper arrested our holy Shepard, when, in the course of nature, and in the wish of good men he might have yet lived with us, for much more than fifteen years; yea, twice fifleen more, would scarce have carried him further than the common age of raan. Returning home from a council at Rowly, he fell into a quinsie, with a symptomatical fever, which suddenly stopped a sélver trumpet, from whence the people of God had often heard the joyful sound. Among other passages uttered by him, when he lay a dying, he addressed those that were about him with these words: “Oh, love the Lord Jesus very dearly! that little part that I have in him, is no small comfort to me now.” He died August 25, 1649, when he was forty-three years and nine months old; and left behind him of three wives, which he successively married, three sons, who have since been the shepherds of three several churches in this country.

§ 14. 'Tis a good saying, Non Annis sed Factis vivunt mortales.* Accordingly, we will over-again measure the short life of Mr. Shepard by the great work which he did in it: in all of which, the motto of Weber was the design of our Shepard, Autort Vite Vivendum deo.t

Now, besides the other frequent and constant labours of his ministry, which left their impressions on the souls of multitudes, where-ever he came, the press has preserved some of his labours for the surviving generation; and the published composures of this laborious person are of two sorts; namely, the more doctrinal and the more practical; though indeed he was of such a spirit as always to gain the point of mixing doth in the same discourses,

§ 15. Among his composures of the more doctrinal sort, the Lell seems

® Life is measured not by years, but by actions, + Life should be devoted to Him who gave it.

Sideline ce ee

“If let th enjoy witho

A tgnon the s and | the 1 whic theses Havi feste full | keys, trove old u him, ciall; porel was.

stituti 6

erally by ab renew Christ ity of

led at ‘ushed or the is, but wilderhtning f a colitched ceeded sitting

he disniracuce Was discustemper lled or ed our od men

8; YS, ommon a guin- Trumpet,

mong 1 those s very le now.” months arried, ches in

A ccordhe great design

inistry, bver he r generof two indeed in the

seems gave it.

to be born by his elaborate and judicious treatise, entituled, “ Theses Sabbatice;” wherein he hath handled the morality of the Sabbath with a degree of reason, reading, and religion, which is truly extraordinary. It was his observation,

“If any state would reduce the people under it unto all sort of superstition and impiety, let them erect a dancing sabbath; and if the God of this world would have all professors enjoy a total immunity from the law of God, and all manner of licentiousness allowed them without check of conscience, let him then make an every-day sabbath.”

And it was an extreme grief unto his devout soul to see the extreme ignorance and profaneness wherewith many in the English nation decried the sacred observation of the Lord’s day as a novelty no older than Perkins, and as the stratagem of a few old disciplinarian Puritans. Wherefore, as the most comprehensive service to be done for the true power of godliness, which he saw would rise and fall with the Sabbath, he did in these learned theses maintain the morality and advise the sanctification of that sacred rest, Having thus manifested his concern for the fourth commandment, he manifested a concern for the second also by a discourse, wherein, besides a more full opening of sundry particulars concerning liturgies, the power of the keys, the matter of the visible church, there is more largely handled the controversie concerning the Catholick visible church; tending to clear up the old way of Christ in the churches of New-England. That which inspired him, with Mr. John Allin of Dedham, to write this discourse, was especially a two fold consideration, expressed, among other things, in the fair porch of this book, about the temple of God. One thing that moved him was his desire of reformation; whereof he says,

“We freely confess that we think the reformation of the church doth not only consist in purging out corrupt worship, and setting up the true, but also in purging the churches from such profaneness and sinfulness as is scandalous to the gospel, and makes the Lord weary of his own ordinances.”

About the way of attaining which reformation, he adds,

“*Tis true, where there is no church-relation, but a people are ready to begin a new constituting of churches, reformation is to be sought in the first constitution: this is our case.” —*But where corrupted churches (such as we conceive the congregation of England generally to be) are to be reformed, there we conceive that such congregations should be called by able ministers unto repentance for former evils, and confessing and bewailing their sins, renew a solemn covenant with God to reform themselves, and to submit unto the discipline of Christ. By wiich means such as refuse so to do, exclude themselves, and others, by the sever. ity of discipline, should be purged out, if falling into sin they remain impenitent in the same,”

Another thing that moved him, was his regard for New-England, whereof his words there must never be forgotten; and the reason of my transcribing them is, because the Church-History of my country is briefly comprised in them. Saith he,

“The Lord knows how many longings and pantings of heart have been in many aftcr the Lord Jesus, to see his goings in the sunctuary, as the one thing their souls desired and requested of him, and that they might ‘dwell in his house for ever;’ the fruit of which prayers, and desires, this liberty of New-England, hath been tuken to be, and thankfully received of God. Yea, how many serious consultations with one another, and with the faithful ministers and other eminent servants of Christ, have been tuken about this work, is not unknown to some; and surely all the persons whose hearts the Lord stirred up in this business, were not ‘rash, weak-spirited, inconsidcrate of what they left behind, or of what it was to go into a wilderness. But if we were able to recount the singular workings of Divine Providence, for the bringing on this work to what it is come unto, it would stop the mouths of all; whatever many may say or think, we believe aftertimes will ‘admire and adore the Lord herein, when all his holy ends, and the ways he has used to bring them about, shall appear.’ Look from one end of the heaven unto another, whether the Lord hath assayed to do such a work as this in any nation; to carry out a people of his own, from so flourishing a state, to a wilder. ‘ness so far distant, for such ends, and for such a work; yea, and in few years hath done for them, as he hath here done, for his poor despised people. When we look back, and consider what a strange poise of spirit, he hath laid upon many of our hearts, we cannot but wonder at our selves that so many, and some so weak and tender, with such cheerfulness and constant resolutions, against so many perswasions of friends, and discouragements from the ill report of this country, the straits, wants, and trials of God's people in it, yet should leave our accommodations and comforts—forsake our dearest relations, parents, brethren, sisters, Christian friends and acquaintances—overlook all the dangers and difficulties of the vast seas, the thoughts whereof was a terror to many—and all this, to go into a wilderness, where we could forecast nothing but care and temptations, only in hopes of enjoying Christ in his ordinances, in the fellowship of his people. Was this from a stupid sencelesness, or desperate carelessness, what became of us or ours? or want of naturel affections to our dear country or nearest relations? No, surely: with what bowels of compassion to our dear country; with what heart-breaking affections to our dear relations and Christian friends, many of us at least came away, the Lord is witness, What shall we say of the singular providence of God, bringing so many ship-loads of his people through so many dangers, as upon eagles’ wings, with so much safety from year to year? the fatherly care of our God, in feeding and cloathing so many in a wilderness, giving such healthfulness, and great increase of posterity? What shall we say of the work it self of the kingdom of Christ? and the form of 2 commonwealth erected in a wilderness, and in so few years brought to that state, that scarce the like can be seen in any of our English colonies, in the richest places of this America, after many more years’ standing? That the Lord hath carried the spirits of so many of his people, through all their toilsome labours, wants, difficulties, losses, with such a measure of cheerfulness and contentment. But, above all, we must acknowledge the singular pity and mercies of our God, that hath done all this, and much more, for a people so wnworthy, so sinful, that by murmurings of many, unfaithfulness in promises, oppressions, and other evils, which are found among us, have so dishonoured his Majesty, exposed his work here to much scandal and obloquy, for which we have cause for ever to be ashamed, that the Lord should yet own us, and rather correct us in mercy, than cast us off in displeasure, and scatter us in this wilderness; which gives us cause to say, ‘Who is a God like our God, that pardons iniquities, and

passes by the transgressions of the remnant of his heritage; even because he delighteth in mercy!”

Having almost written the life of Mr. Shepard—yea, of many other his fellow exiles—in transcribing this passage, I may now go on to add, that there has been directed now unto the whole English world a most excellent letter of Mr. Shepard, about “the church-membership of chilafter the d and reh prayers, ceived of ministers cnown to ess, were 10 go into ovidence, whatever ein, when ook from 1 work as a wilder- ) done for d consider it wonder i constant ill report leave our n, sisters, 3 vast seas, where we n his ordidesperate ountry or ry; with us at least e of God, les’ wings, | cloathing y? What monwealth p like can nany more e, through ulness and es of our ul, that by are found andal and 2t own Us, his wilderuities, and delighteth

y other to add, a most of children, and their right to baptism.” This letter, like that of the glorious martyr Philpot, written at the like time, for the like end, recited in Foxe's “Acts and Monuments,” was written by him, not three months before. his going to that Lord whose charge had been, “For little children to be considered as belonging to the kingdom of heaven:” and it was written to one that was then wavering about the point of in/fant-baptism, but hereby recovered and established. The son of this reverend person published this letter, with hopes that it might have a better effect than the famous letter of Elijah had upon Jehoram, which many think written before his translation, and concealed until a fit season, afterwards, appeared for the presenting of it. ButI shall conclude the catalogue of his doctrinal tracts, with the mention of another letter of his, printed at London in the year 1645, under the title of “ Vew-Hngland’s Lamentations for Old England’s Errors,”

§ 16. But composures of a more practical sort were those to the writing whereof he had a more lively disposition of mind. And among these, to pass by the sermon of his, printed under the title of, “ Wine for Gospel Wantons, or Cautions against Spiritual Drunkenness,” in which sermon, about as long as fifty years ago, he uttered his complaint of this tenour: “Do not we see great unsettledness in the covenant of God, walking with God at peradventures, and hanckerings after the whoredoms of the world, at this day? and divisions and distractions? nothing done without division and contention? certainly something is amiss!” And to pass by a treatise of his, printed under the title of, “Subjection to Christ, in all his Ordinances and Appointments, the best means to preserve our liberty;” there are especially three of his books, which have been more considered. The first and least of those books is called, “ The Sincere Convert:” which the author would commonly call his ragged child; and once, even after its fourth edition, wrote unto Mr. Giles Firmin thus concerning it: “That which is called, ‘Zhe Sincere Convert.’ I have not the book: I once saw it: it was a collection of such notes in a dark town in England, which one procuring of me, published them without my will or my privity. I scarce know what it contains, nor do I like to see it; considering the many Zparpala typographica,* most absurd; and the confession of him that published it, that it comes out much altered from what was first written.” The many injudicious readers, which that useful book has found, among devout and serious people, and the woful horrors which have thereby veen raised in many godly souls, oblige me to add the censure of Mr. Giles Firmin, whose words in his “ Real Christian” are:

“In short, as to that book, for the general part of it, the book is very solid, quick, and searching; it cuts very sharply. It is not a book for an unsound heart to delight in: I mean, in those places where he agrees, both with the Seriptures and with other able divines, and of these makes use; but for the other passages, which do not agree with either (as there are

* Typographical errors.

some things in it) I will let them go, as being none of Mr, Shepard’s, and not trouble my self with them; and wish no Christian that is tender and sincere, to trouble himself with thom. This I put in, because I hear that book hath caused much trouble in gracious Christians: had it been to Christians in name only, unsound believers, hypocrites, I should not have troubled my se!f about it, for I know it is not for their tooth.”

But this book was followed with a second and larger, called, ‘ The Sound Believer;’’ which in a more distinct, correct, and most judicious treatise of evangelical conversion, discovers the work of the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ, in reconciling of a sinner unto God. And as, in the preface to that book, he gives that reason for his writing it, “I considered my weak body, and my short time of sojourning here, and that I shall not speak long to children, friends or God’s precious people; I am sure not to many in England, to whom I owe almost my whole self, and whom I shall see in this world no more; I have been therefore willing to take the season, that I might Jeave some part of God’s precious truth on record, that it might speak (Oh! that it might be to the hear’) among whom I cannot, and when I shall not. be:” so the next book of his occurring to our notice, is a posthumous one. And that is a volume in folio, opening and applying the parable of the ten virgins; and handling the dangers incident unto the most flourishing churches or Christians; which book is from the author’s notes, a transcript of sermons preached at his lecture, from June, 1626, to May, 1640. Whereof the venerable names of Greenhil, Calamy, Jackson, Ash, Taylor, have subscribed the testimony, “That though a vein of serious, solid, and hearty piety run through all this author’s works, yet he hath reserved the best wine till the last.” These were the works of that man, whose “death in the Lord” has now carried him to a “rest from his labours.’’

§ 17. As he was a very studious person, and a very lively preacher, and one who therefore took great pains in his preparations for his publick labours, which preparations he would usually finish on Saturday, by two a clock in the afternoon; with respect whereunto he once used these words, “God will curse that man’s labours, that lumbers up and down in the world all the week, and then upon Saturday in the afternoon goes to his study; when, as God knows, that time were little enough to pray in and weep in, and get his heart into a fit frame for the duties of the approaching Sabbath.” So the character of his daily conversation was a trembling walk with God. Now, to take true measures of his conversation, one of the best glasses that can be used is the diary, wherein he did himself keep the remembrances of many remarkables that passed betwixt his God and himself; who were indeed a sufficient theatre to one another. It would give some inequality to this part of our church-history, if all the holy memoirs left in the private writings of this walker with God, should here be transcribed: but I will single out from thence a few passages, which might be more agreeably and profitably exposed unto the world.

§ 18. We will begin with what his eminent successor, Mr. Mitchel, entred

ble my self with thom. Christians; 1 not have

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entred

DEE AREA EPR

OR, THE HISTORY OF NEW-ENGLAND.

in his own diary, as reported by Mr. Shepard unto himself; which runs in these Latin terms:

“Olim Cantabrigive, Ego Horrore et Tenebris oppletus, An ad Mensam Domini accederem maxime Dubitavi; TanZem autem accessi utcungue. Cum vero Panis et Vinum jam essent Communicanda, mihi Exeundum putavi; tantd confusione fui oppressus! Sed Deus me ibi retinuit, ac tandem huc me adegit, ut, Licet, ego nihil possim in accipiendo Christo, ad illum tamen respicerem, ut Ille me prehenderet et ad me veniret. Statim, tam perspicue sensi Chrisium illucescentem Animo, quam solem Orientem sentire possum. Hoc tantopere me evexit, et de vita Fidei huc usque Erudivit, ut non possum non magnipendere.”* Mr. Mitchel had this of Mr.

§ 19. How experimentally acquainted he himself was with the practice and “mport of the doctrine wherein he chiefly insisted, in his preaching unto others, will be illustrated from this most edifying record in his diary:

“Aprit 10.—I had many thoughts which came in, to press me to give up my self to Christ Jesus, which was the dearest thing I had: and I saw that if, when I gave my self to Christ, he would give himself to me again, it would be a wonderful change; to have the bottomless Fountain of all good, thus communicated unto me! Thus, two or three days, I was exercised about this; and at last (which was the day wherein I fell sick on the Sabbath) in my study I was put to a double question; First, Whether Christ would take me, if I gave my self to him? Then, Whether I might take him again upon it? And so I resolved to seek an answer

. to both, from God in meditation. So on the Saturday, April 11,1 gave myself to the Lord

Jesus, thus. First, I acknowledged all I was, or had, was his own; as David spake of their offerings, I acknowledged him the owner of all. Secondly, I resigned not only my goods and estate, but my child, wife, church, and self unto the Lord; out of love, as being the best and dearest things which I have. Thirdly, I prized it as the greatest mercy, if the Lord will take them; and so I desired the Lord to do it. Fourthly, I desired him to take all for a threefold end; to do with me what he would; éo icve me; to honour himself by me, and all mine, Fifthly, Because there is a secret reservation, that the Lord shall do all for the soul that giveth up it self to the Lord; but’tis that God may please my will and love me, and if he doth not, then the heart dieth; hence I gave up my will also into the Lord’s hands, to do with it what he please. Sixthly, My many whorish lusts I also resigned, but that he would take them all away. And Seventhly, that he would keep me also from all sin and evil. Thus,I gave my self unto the Lord; but then I questioned, ‘Will the Lord take me? In answer whereto, First, I saw that the Lord desired and commanded me to give him my heart, Secondly, I saw that this was pleasing to him and the contrary displeasing. Thirdly, I saw, that it was fit for him to take me, and to do what he will with me. But then I questioned, ‘ Will the Lord receive, and do me good everlastingly? Because I gave up my friends and the whole church to the Lord also, as I did my self; and ‘will the Lord take all them? For answer, here I saw the great privilege of it, and the wisdom of Ged in committing some men’s souls to the care of one godly man of a publick spirit, because he, like Moses, commends them, gives them, returns them all to the Lord again; and so a world of good is communicated for his

* At Cambridge I was once #0 greatly overcome by mental darkness, that { doubted whether I ought to go to the Lord’s Table. At last, however, I went. But when the bread and wine were about to be administered, I felt as if I must go out, so intense was my confusion. But God kept me there, and at Jength brought my mind to this point, that although I might be unable to receive Christ, yet I might look to him, that he might draw me and come to me. At once I perceived Christ shining into my mind, as clearly as I can perceive the rising sun. This so enraptured me, and instructed me so far in the life of faith, that I cannot help valuing it above all price.

sake, The third question was, ‘But might I take the Lord? and my answer was, ‘If the Lord did apprehend and take me to himself, then I might tuke him, for I had no other to lay hold on,’”

MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA;

§ 20. Of what thoughts and what frames he sometimes had in his preparations, for the Lord’s table, we will recite but one expressive meditation:

“Juty 10, 1641.—On the evening of this day, before the sacrament, I saw it my duty to sequester my self from all other things for the Lord the next day——And now I saw my blessedness did not lie in receiving of good and comfort from God, but in holding forth the glory of God, and his virtues, For ’tis, I saw, an amazing glorious object to see God in the creature! God speak, God act, the Deity not being the creature, and turned into it; but fill. ing of it, shining through it; to be covered with God as with a cloud, or as a glass lanthorn to have his beams penetrate through it. Nothing is good but God, and I am no further good than as I hold forth God. The devil overcame Eve to damn her self, by telling her that she should be like God. Oh! that is a glorious thing! and should not I be holy, and be like him? Moreover, I found my heart drawn more sweetly to close with God, thus as my end, and to place my happiness therein. Also, I saw it was my misery to hold forth sin, and Satan, and self, in my course, And I saw one of these two things must be done. Now because my soul wanted pleasure, I purposed then to hold forth God, and did hope it should be my plea sure so to do, as it would be my pain to do otherwise.”

§ 21. How watchful he was in the discharge of his ministry, let this his meditation intimate:

“ AucusT 15—I saw, on the Sabbath, four evils which attend me in my ministry. First, Either the devil treads me down by discouragement and shame; from the sense of the meanness of what I have provided in private meditations, and unto this I saw also an answer; to wit, that every thing sanctified to do good, its glory is not to be seen in it self, but in the Lord’s sanctifying of it: or, from an apprehension of the unsavouriness of peoples’ spirits, or their unreadiness to hear in hot or cold times. Secondly, or carelessness possesses me; arising, because J have done well, and been enlarged, and have been respected formerly, hence it is no such matter, though I be not always alike; besides, I have a natural dudness and cloudiness of spirit, which does naturally prevail. Thirdly, Infirmities and weakness, as want of light, want of life, want of a spirit of power to deliver what I am affected with fur Christ; and hence I saw many souls not set forward nor God felt in my ministry. Fourthly, Want of success, when I have done my best. I saw these, and that I was to be humbled for these. I saw also many other sins, and how the Lord might be angry. And this day, in musing thus, I saw, that when I saw God angry, I thought to pacify him by abstaining from all sin for the time tocome. But when I remembred, First, that my righteousness could not satisfie, and that this was resting on my own righteousness. Secondly, I saw I could not do it. Thirdly, I saw righteousness ready made, and already finished, fit only for that purpose. And I saw that God’s afflicting me for sin, was not that I should go and satisfie by reforming, but only be humbled for, and separated from sin, being reconciled and made righteous by faith in Christ, which I saw a little of that night. This day also I found my heart untoward, sad and heavy, by musing on the many evils to come; but I saw, if I carried four things in my mind always, I should be comforted, First, that, in my self, I am a dying, condemned wretch, but by Christ reconciled and alive. Secondly, In my self and in all creatures finding insufficiency, and no rest, but God all-sufficient, and enough to me. Thirdly, Feeble and unable to do any thing my self: but in Christ able to do all things. Fourthly, Although I enjoyed all these but in part, in this world, yet I should have them all perfect shortly in heaven; where God will show himself fully reconciled, sufficient and efficient, and abolish all sins, and live in me perfectly.”

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§ 22. How sensible he was of the least failings in himself, and how desirous to mend those failings, may be gathered from the ensuing brief meditations:

“December 1.—A small thing troubled me. Hence I saw that though the Lord had made me that night attain that part of humiliation, that I deserved nothing but misery, yet I fell short in this other part; namely, to submit unto God in any crossing providence or commandment; but I had a spirit soon touched and provoked, 1 saw, also, that the Lord let sin and Satan prevail there, that I might see my sin, and be more humbled by it, and so get atrength aguinst it.”

Again.—“Marcn 19.—I said, as pride was my sin, 80 shame should be my punishment. And many fears I had of Eli’s punishment, for not reproving sin when I saw it, and that sharply; and here I considered that the Lord may, and doth sometimes make one good man a terrour and dreadful example of outward miseries, that all others may fear that be godly, lest his commands should be slighted, as he did Eli.”

Once more.—“OcToBEeR 10.—When I saw the gifts and honour attending them in another, I began to affect such an eacellency; and I saw hereby that usually in my ministry, I did affect an excellency, and hence set upon the work: whereas the Lord hereupon humbled me for this, by letting me see this was a diabolical pride; and so the Lord made me thankful for seeing it, and put me in mind to watch against it.”

§ 23. Of how humble and of how publick a spirit he was, we will inform our selves, especially from two meditations, which he wrote on such days of prayer as he was used unto. The first was this:

“Nov. 3.—On a fast-day at night, in preparation for the duty, the Lord made me sensible of these sins in the churches, 1, Ignorance of themselves; because of secret evils. 2, Of God; because most men were full of dark and doubtful consciences, 3, Not caring for Christ, dearly, only. 4, Neglect of duties; because of our place of security. 5, Standing against all means, because we grow not better. 6, Earthliness; because we long not to be with Christ. And I saw sin, as my greatest evil, because I saw my self was not better than God. I was vile, but he was good only, whom my sin did cross; and I saw what cause I had to loath my self, and not to seek honour unto my self. Will any desire his dunghill to be commended? will he grieve, if it be not? if he judge so indeed of it. So my heart began to full off from it; and the Lord also gave me some glimpse of my self, and a good day and time it was to me.

“On the end of the fast, I first went unto God, I rested upon him as sufficient; secondly, waited on him as efficient; and said, ‘Now, Lord, do for thy churches, and help in mercy!’ In the beginning of the day, I began to consider, whether all the country did not fare the worse for my sins? I saw it was so, and this was an humbling thought to me; and I thought if every one in particular thought so and was humbled, it would do well. I consider also, that if repentance turn away judgments, then, if the question be, ‘Who they are that bring judgments? the answer would be, ‘They that think their sins so small as that God is not angry with them at all.”

The second was this:

“I, My heart has been long lying out from the Lord. The Lord first sent a terrible storm at sea, to awaken me; and the deliverance from it was so sweet, that I could not but think my lite after that should be only heavenly, as being pulled from an apparent death to live a

new life. Then, immediately upon this my child was taken away from me; my first-born, which made me remember, how bitter it was to cross the Lord’s love, Thirdly, I set my fice to New-England, where, considering the liberties of God's house, I resolved and thought it fit to be wholly for the Lord, in all manner of holiness, at bed, at board, every where. Fourthly, Then the Lord took my dear wife from me, and this made me resolve to delight no more in creatures, but in the Lord, and to seek him. Fifthly, the Lord then threatned blindness to my child; and this made God's will afflicting sweet to me, but much more com. manding and promising; and then I could do his will, and leave those thi.gs to himself. But, oh! how is my ‘gold become dim? and how little have I answered the Lord! consider. ing my ship resolutions, I have wanted remembrance, heart and strength or will to do any of these things. And therefore, I have not cause to blame the Lord; for he has perswaded my heart to this; but my own concupiscence and vile nature, which, Lord! that I might mourn for! that thou mayst restore comforts to me! Apostacy from God is grievous, though it be in a little degree; to serve Satan without promise! to forsake the Lord against promise! What evil have I found in the Lord? This brings more disgrace upon the Lord than if there had never been any coming to him.

“II. The people committed to me: they are not pitied so much nor prayed for, nor visited, as ought to have been; nor have I shewed so much love unto them.

“IIL The family, I have not edified nor instructed, nor taken all occasions of speech with them.

“IV. The gospel I have preached, has not been seen in its glory; not believed, not affecting.

“V, Not seeking to Christ for supply; so that all hath been dead works, and fruit of pride, walking daily without Christ, and without approving my self unto him. And hence, though I do his work, I don’t mind him in it; His command, His presence, nor yet endeavour to grow somewhat every day.

“My not lamenting the falls of professors, and the condition of the country, who are not indeed the glory of God in the world, nor the holy people. Is it not hence that many pillars in the church have fallen, as if the Lord would not betrust such precious vessels to my care? and hath not the sorrow lain upon me? and hence universal mortality? When Hezekiah’s heart was lifted up, then wrath came not only on him, but on all the rest:

“ And I have now had a long sickness, as if the Lord would delight no more in me to use me. Oh, my God, who shall be like to thee in pardoning and subduing mine iniquities!”

Behold, reader, the language of an holy soul!

But I will now take my leave of Mr. Shepard’s memory, with one distick in the funeral elegy which Mr. Peter Bulkly made on him: a comprehensive

EPITAPH. Nominis, Offciique fuit Concordia Dulcis; Officio Pastor Nomine Pastor erat.*

* Fitly his name and office were the same: Shepherd by office—Shepurd, too, by name.

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OR, THE HISTORY OF NEW-ENGLAND.

CHAPTER Vi.

PRUDENTIUS: THE LIFE OF MR. PETER PRUDDEN, AND SEVERAL OTHER DIVINES, FAMOUS IN THE COLONY OF NEW-HAVEN.

THAT greatest of peace-makers, the Son of God, has assured us, “ Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God.” Iam sure then, ’tis a blessed child of God whose name is now before us; (Prudden shall we call him? or, Prudent) who, besides his other excellent qualities, was noted for a singular faculty to sweeten, compose and qualify exasperated spirits, and stop or heal all contentions. Whence it was that his town of Milford enjoyed peace with truth all his days, notwithstanding some dispositions to variance, which afterwards broke forth among them.

God had marvellously blessed his ministry in England, unto many about Herefordshire and near Wales; from whence, when he came into New: England, there came therefore many considerable persons with uim.

At their arrival in this country, they were so mindful of tl.vis business here, that they gathered churches before they had erected /ouses for the churches to meet in. There were then two famous c/vrches gathere:! at New-Haven; gathered in two days, one following upci the other; Mr. Davenport’s and Mr. Prudden’s: and this with one singular circumstance, that a mighty barn was the place, wherein the duties of that solemnity were attended. Our glorious Lord Jesus Christ himself being born in a stable and laid in one of those moveable and four-squared little vessels wherein they brought meat unto the cattel, it was the more allowable that a church, which is the mystical body of that Lord, should thus be born in a barn. And in this translation, I behold our Lord, “with his fan in his hand, purging his floor, and gathering her wheat into the garner.”

That holy man, Mr. Philip Henry, being reproached by his persecutors that his meeting-place had been a barn _ pleasantly answered, “No new thing, to turn a thrashing-floor into a iemple.” So did our Christians at New-Haven.

The next year Mr. Prudden, with his church, removed unto Milford; where he lived many years, an example of piety, gravity, and bovling zeal, against the growing evils of the times.

And though he had a numerous family, yet such was his discretion, that without much distraction he provided comfortably for them, notwithstanding the difficult circumstances wherewith an infant-plantation was encumbred.

He continued an able and faithful servant of the churches, until about the fifty-sixth year of his own age, and the /ifty-sixth of the present age;

when his death was felt by the colony as the fall of a pillar which made the whole fabrick to shake. Like that of Piccart, now let our Prudden lie under this

EPITAPH.

Dogmate non tantus fuit Auditoribus Idem: Exemplo in Vita, jam quoque morte, prait.*

But our pen having flown as far off as the colony of New-Haven, it may not return without some remarks and memoirs of three other worthy divines, that were sometimes famous in that colony. The reader must excuse my ignorance of the first circumstances, if he find them to be born men in our history:

MR. BLACKMAN, MR. PIERSON, MR. DENTON,

AMONG those believers who first enjoyed the name of Christians, there were several famous teachers, whereof one (Acts xiii. 1) had the name of Niger. And in the primitive churches of New-England also, there was among our famous teachers a good man, who wore the same sir-name: this was our Mr. Blackman, concerning whom none but a Romanist would have

used that rule: Hic niger est, hune tu Romane, caveto.t

For he was highly esteemed in the Protestant country, where he spent the latter days of his life.

He was a useful preacher of the gospel, first in Leicestershire, then in Derbyshire; but coming to New-England, from the storm that began to look black upon him, he was attended with a desirable company of the faithful, who said unto him, “Entreat us not to leave you, or to return from following after you: for whither you go, we will go; and your God shall be our God.”

New-England having received this holy man, who, notwithstanding his name, was for his holiness, ‘‘A Nazarite purer than snow, whiter than milk.” It was first at Guilford, and afterwards at Stratford, that he employed his talents; and if a famous modern author be known by the name of Adamus Adamandus,t our Adam Blackman was by the affections of his people so likewise called.

® Less on opinions than example bent, + He isa Black-man: Romanist, beware! His hearers followed where their pattern went; Horace, Sat, I. iv. 85, His holy death their brightest precedent, ¢ Adam, worthy to be loved,

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It was his opinion, that as for our bodies, thus for our spirits also, Cibus simplex est Optimus;* and accordingly he studied plain preaching, which was entertained by his people with a profitable hearing. And as Luther would say, he is the ablest preacher, Qui pueriliter, Trivialiter, Populariter, simplicissime docet:+ so our Hooker, for the sake of the sacred and solid simplicity in the discourses of this worthy man, would say, “If I might have my choice, 1 would choose to live and die under Mr. Blackman’s ministry.”

There was a great person among the reformers in Germany, who had almost the same name with our Blackman; that was Melancthon,t and indeed this good person was a Melancthon among the reformers of New- Haven; in this happier than he, that his lot was cast among a pious people, who did not administer so frequent occasions as the Germans did for the complaint, ‘That old Adam was too hard for his young name-sake.”

For a close, I may apply to him the ingenious epitaph of Beza upon

Melancthon: Cui Niveus toto Regnabat pectore Candor; Unum cui Calum; cura laborque fuit Num Rogitas, qué sit dictus Ratione Melancthon? Scilicet Euxinum, qué Ratione vocant.§ |

{For this is a well known sea, called Euxine, or harborous, because there are no good harbours in it.]

THE LIFE OF MR. ABRAHAM PIERSON.

Ir is reported by Pliny, and perhaps ’tis but a Plinyism, that there is a fish called Lucerna, whose tongue doth shine like a torch; if it be a fable, yet let the tongue of a minister be the moral of that fable; now such an illuminating tongue was that of our Pierson.

He was a Yorkshire man, and coming to New-England, he became a member of the church at Boston; but afterwards thus employed, towards the year 1640. The inhabitants of Lyn, straitned at home, looked out for a new plantation; so going to Long-Island, they agreed both with the Lord Starling’s agent and with the Indian proprietors for a situation at the west-end of that Island: where the Dutch gave them such disturbance, that they deserted their place for another at the east-end of it. Proceeding in their plantation, by the accession of near an hundred families, they

* Simple food is best.

+ Who in a child-like, unconstrained, popular and simple manner imparts instruction.

¢ From pedas, “black.

§ Do you ask why one whose character is of snow-like purity, and whose aspirations tend only heavenward, should be called Melancthon’ [black.] For the same reason that a certain sea is called the Euxine (the sea of harbors).

called Mr. Pierson to go thither with them; who, with seven or eight more of their company, regularly incorporated themselves into a church state before their going; the whole company also entring at the same time, with the advice of the government of the Massachuset-Bay, into a civil combination for the maintaining government among themselves. Thus was there settled a church at Southampton, under the pastoral charge of this worthy man; where he did with a laudible diligence undergo two of the three hard labours, Docentis and Regentis,* to make it become (what Paradise was called) ‘‘an island of the innocent.”

It was afterward found necessary for this church to be divided. Upon which occasion Mr. Pierson, referring his case to council, his removal was directed unto Brainford, over upon the main, and Mr, Fordham came to serve and to feed that part of the flock which was left at Southampton; but where-ever he came, he shone.

He left behind him the character of a pious and prudent man; and a “true child of Abraham,” now safely lodged in the Sinu-Abraha.t+

EPITAPHIUM.

Terrie discessit, suspirans Gaudia cali, Piersonus Patriam scandit ad Astra suam.t

CHAPTER 2, THE LIFE OF MR. RICHARD DENTON,

THE apostle describing the false ministers of those primitive times, he calls them, “clouds without water, carried about of winds,” <As for the true ministers of our primitive times, they were indeed “carried about of winds;” though not the winds of strange doctrines; yet the winds of hard sufferings did carry them as far as from Europe into America; the hurricano’s of persecution, whereon doubtless the “prince of the power of the air” had his influence, drove the heavenly clouds from one part of that heaven, the church, unto another. But they were not clouds without water, where they came; they came with showers of blessing and rained very gracious impressions upon the vineyard of the Lord.

Among these clouds was our pious and learned Mr. Richard Denton, a Yorkshire man, who, having watered Halifax in England with his fruitful ministry, was by a tempest then hurried into New-England, where, first at Weathersfield and then at Stamford, “his doctrine dropt as the rain, his speech distilled as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass.”

© Instructing and governing. $ Pierson, while waiting till his change should come, + In Abraham's bosum. Was but a pilgrim, sighing for his home,

$1 succes unto t name chair. for m purpo succes hear | of the denor by ou fad

strain

r eight Though he were a little man, yet he had a great soul; his well-accomchurch plished mind, in his lesser Lody, was an Iliad in a nut-shell. e same I think he was blind of one eye; nevertheless, he was not the least into a among the cers of our Israel; he saw a very considerable proportion of selves, those things which “eye hath not seen.” astoral He was far from cloudy in his conceptions and principles of divinity: ligence whereof he wrote a system, entituled, “ Soliloquia Sacra;”* so accurately, nake it considering the fourfold state of man, in his—1. Created Purity; 11. Contracted Deformity; 111. Restored Beauty; Iv. Coelestial Glory—that

Upon judicious persons, who have seen it, very much lament the churches being val was so much deprived of it. ame to At length he got into heaven beyond clouds, and so beyond storms; mpton; waiting the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, in the clouds of heaven, “ when

he will have his reward among the saints.” and a EPITAPHIUM, Hie Jacet, et fruitur Tranquilla sede Richardus Dentonus, cujue Fama perennis erit. Incola jam cali velut Astra micantia fulget, Qui multis Fidei Lumina clara dedit.t CRAPTER 2. THE LIFE OF MR. PETER BULKLY. Ipse Aspectus Boni viri delectat.—Sen.t

rie ne § 1. Ir has been a matter of some reflection, that among the pretended or the:

nut of successors of Saint Peter, there never was any Pope that would pretend

f hard unto the name of Peter; but if any of them had been christened by that name at the font, they afterwards changed it, when they came unto the

hurre- chair. No doubt, as Raphael Urbine, the famous painter, being taxed,

> ae for making the face in the picture of Peter too red, replied, He did it on 4 sine purpose, that he might represent the apostle blushing in heaven to see what | 1 very successors he had on earth: so these infamous apostates might blush to hear themselves called Peter, while they are conscious unto themselves

hha of their being strangers to all the vertues of that great apostle. But the: frie. denomination of Peter might be with an everlasting agreeableness claimed

h by our eminent Bulkly, who, according to the spirit and counsel of Peter, bideachas “fed the flock of God among us, taking the oversight thereof not by conas the straint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a willing mind.” tender * Sacred Soliloquies.

+ Here Denton lies; his toils and hardships past; On earth a light of Faith, he shines at last, ween Whose name uo inemory of dishonour mars. Full-orbed and glorious with the eternal stare.

$ The very looks of a good man are a source of pleasure,

§ 2. He was descended of an honourable family, in Bedfordshire; where for many successive generations the names of Edward and Peter were alternatively worn by the heirs of the family. His father was Edwaril Bulky, D. D., a faithful minister of the gospel; the same whom we find making a supplement unto the last volume of our books of martyrs. He was born at Woodhil (or Odel) in Bedfordshire, January 31st, 1582.

His education was answerable unto his original; it was learned, it was genteel, and, which was the top of all, it was very pious: at length it made him a Batchellor of Divinity and Fellow of Saint John’s Colledge in Cambridge: the colled:se whereinto he had been admitted, about the sixteenth year of his age; anc it was while he was but a junior batchellor that he was chosen a fellow.

§ 8. When he came abread in the world, a good benefice befel him, added unio the estate of a gentleman, left him by his father; whom he succeeded in his ministry at the place of his nativity; which one would imagine temptations enough to keep him out of a wilderness.

Nevertheless, the concern which his renewed soul had for the pure worship of our Lord Jesus Christ, and for the planting of evangelical churches to exercise that worship, caused him. to leave and sell all, in hopes of gaining the “pearl of great price” among those that first peopled New-England upon those glorious ends. It was not long that he continued in conformity to the ceremonies of the church of England; but the good Bishop of Lincoln connived at his non-conformity, (as he did at his father’s,) and he lived an unmolested non-conformist until he had been three prentice-ships of years in his ministry. Towards the latter end of this time, his ministry had a notable success, in the conversion of many unto God; and this was one occasion of a latter end for this time. When Sir Nathanael Brent was Arch-Bishop Laud’s General, as Arch-Bishop Laud was another's, complaints were made against Mr, Bulkly, for his non-conformity, and he was therefore silenced.

§ 4. To New-England he therefore came, in the year 1635; and there having been for a while at Cambridge, he carried a good number of planters with him, up further into the woods, where they gathered the twel/th church then formed in the colony, and called the town by the name of Concord.

Here he Luried a great estate, while he razsed one still for almost every person whom he employed in the affairs of his husbandry. He had many and godly servants, whom, after they had lived with him a fit number of years, he still dismissed with bestowing farms upon them, and so took others after the like manner, to succeed them in their service and his kindness, Thus he cast his bread both upon the waters and into the earth, not expecting the return of this his charity to a religious plantation, until “after many days.”

§ 5. He was a most excellent scholar, a very well-read person, and one

othe: the he h; ister greai com man prin what

where or were Edward we find rs. He 2.

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and one

who, in his advice to young students, gave demonstrations that he knew what would go to make a scholar. But it being essential unto a scholar to love a scholar, so did he; and in token thereof endowed the library of Harvard-Colledge with no small part of his own.

And he was therewithal a most exalted Christian; full of those devotions which accompany a “conversation in heaven;’’ especialiy, so exact a Sabbath-keeper, that if at any time he had been asked, “whether he had strictly kept the Sabbath?” he would have replied, Christianus sum, intermittere non possum.* And conscientious, even to a degree of scrupulosity. That scrupulosity appeared particularly in his avoiding all novelties of apparel, and the cutting of hair so close, that of all the famous namesakes he had in the world, he could have least born the siz-name of that well known author, Petrus Crinitus.t

§ 6. It was observed that his neighbours hardly ever came into his company, but whatever business he had been talking of, he would let fall some holy, serious, divine, and useful sentences upon them, ere they parted: an example many ways worthy to be imitated by every one that is called a minister of the gospel.

In his ministry he was another FarEL, Quo Nemo tonuit fortius;t he was very laborious, and because he was, through some infirmities of body, not so able to visit his flock, and instruct them from house to house, he added unto his other publick labours on the Lord's days, that of constant catechising; wherein, after all the unmarried people had answered, all the people of the whole assembly were edified by his expositions and applications.

His first sermon was on Rom. i. 16: “Iam not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.” At Odel he preached on part of the prophecy of Isaiah, and part of Jonah, and a great part of the gospel of Matthew, and of Luke; the Epistles to the Philippians, and of Peter, and of Jude; besides many other scriptures. At Concord he preached over the illustrious truths about. the person, the natures, the offices of Christ; [what would he have said, if he had lived unto this evil day, when ’tis counted good advice for a minister of the gospel, ‘not to preach much on the person of Christ?”] the greatest part of the book of Psalms: the conversion of Zacheus; Paul’s commission, in Acts xxvi. 18. His death found him handling the commandments; and John xvi. 7, 8, 9. He expounded Mr, Perkins his six principles, whereto he added a seventh, aud examined the young people, what they understood and remembered of his exposition.

Moreover, by a sort of winning, and yet prudent familiarity, he drew persons of all ages in his congregation to come and sit with him, when he could not go and sit with them; whereby he had opportunity to do the part of a faithful pastor, in considering the state of his flock.

Such was his pious conduct that he was had much in reverence by his

* Tam a Chrietion: I cannot swerve from duty, + Peter the Long Haired,

$¢ Than whom no one thundered louder,

Vou. IL.—26

people; and when at any time he was either hasty in speaking to such as were about him, whereto he was disposed by his bodily pains, or severe in preaching against some things, that others thought were no way momentous, wheretw the great exactness of his piety inclined him; yet those little stinginesses took not away the interests which he had in their hearts; they “knowing him to be a just man, and an holy, observed him.”

And the observance which his own people had for him was also paid him from all sorts of people throughout the land; but especiuily from the ministers of the country, who would still address him as a father, a propis!, a counsellor, on ali occasions,

§ 8. Upon his importunate pressing a piece of charity, disagreeable to the will of the ruling elder, there was occasioned an unhappy discord in the church of Concord; which yet was ai last healed by their calling in the help of a council, and the ruling elder’s abdication. Of the temptations which occurred on these occasions, Mr. Bulkly would say, ‘‘He thereby came—1l, T'o know more of God; 2, To know more of hir:elf; 3, To know more of men.” Peace being thus restored, the small tings in the beginning of the church there, increased in the hands of their faithful Bulkly, until he was translated into the regions which afford nothing but concord anid glory; leaving his well-fed “flock in the wilderness” unto the pastoral care of his worthy son, Mr. Edward Bulkly.

§ 8. It is remarked, that a man’s whole religion is according to his acquaintance with the new covenant. If, then, any person would know what Mr. Peter Bulkly was, let him read his judicious and savoury treatise of the gospel covenant; which has passed through several editions, with much acceptance among the people of God. Quickly after his first coming into this country, he preached many sermons on Zech. ix. 11: “The blood of thy covenant.” The importunity of his congregation prevailed with him to preach tais doctrine of the covenant over again in his lectures, and fit it for the press. He did accordingly; and of that book the wellknown Mr. Shepard, f Cambridge, has given this testimony: ‘The church of God is bound to bless God, for the holy, judicious, and learned labours of this aged, xperienced, and precious servant of Jesus Christ, who hath taken much pains to discover, and that not in words and allegories, but in the demonstration and evidence of the spirit, the great mystery of godliness wrapt up in the covenant; and hath now fully opened many knotty questions concerning the same, which happily have not been brought so full to light until now; which cannot but be of singular and seasonable use to prevent apostasies from the simplicity of the covenant and gospel of Christ.”

§ 10. Having offered this particular account of a book, which is to be reckoned among the first-born of New-England, I may not forbear doing my country the service of extracting from it one paragraph, which we may reckon the dying charge of a Moses to an Israel in a wilderness:

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“ And thou, New-England, which art exalted in priviledges of the gospel above many other people, know thou the ‘time of thy visitation, and consider the great things the Lord hath done for thee. The gospel hath free passage in oll places where thou dwellest; Oh! that it might be glorified also by thee! Thou enjoyest many faithful witnesses, which have testified unto thee the gospel of the grace of God. Thou hast many bright stars shining in thy firmament, to give thee the ‘knowledge of salvation from on high, to guide thy feet in the way of peace. Be not high-minded because of thy priviledges, but fear because of thy danger. The more thou hast committed unto thee, the more thou must account for. No people's account will be heavier than thine, if thou do not walk worthy of the means of thy saivation. The Lord looks for more from thee than from other people: more zeal for God, more live to his truth, more justice and equity in thy ways: thou shouldest bo a special people, a1 nly people, none like thee in all the earth. Oh! be so, in loving the gospel, and the mini:ters of it, having them in ‘singular love for their work’s sake.’

“Glorifie thou the word of the Lord, which has glorified thee. Take heed, least for neglect of either, God ‘remove thy candlestick’ out of the midst of thee; lest being now ‘asa city upon an hill” which many seek unto, thou be left ‘like a beacon upon the top of a mountain,’ desolate and forsaken, If we walk unworthy of the gospel brought unto us, the greater our mercy hath been in the enjoying of it, the greater will our judgment be for the contempt.”

§ 11. His first wife was the daughter of Mr. Thomas Allen, of Goldington: a most vertuous gentlewoman, whose nephew was the Lord Mayor of London, Sir Thomas Allen. By her he had nine sons and two daughters, After her death, he lived eight years a widdower, and then married a vertuous daughter of Sir Richard Chitwood; by whom he had three sons and one daughter.

Age at length creeping on him, he grew much afraid of out-living his work; and his fear he thus expressed in a short Epigram, composed March 25, 1657:

Pigra senectutis jam venit inutilis etas, Finiat opto magis, mors properata Dies. Nil aliud nunc sum quam fere pondus tners, Vel doc. im in Sancto Catu tua verda salutis, Da tamen, Alme Deus, dum vivam, vivere laudi Calestive canam Cantica sacra Choro;

JEternum sancti Nominis usque Tui. Seu vivam, moriarve, tuna sim, Christe, quod uni Ne vivam (moriar potius!) nil utile Agendo: Debita mea est, debita morsque tibi.®

He was il, as well as old, when he writ these verses; but God granted him his desire. He recovered, and preached near two years after this, and then expired, March 9, 1658-9, in the seventy-seventh year of his age.

§ 12. The Epigram newly mentioned, invites me to remember that he had a competently good stroke at Latin poetry; and even in his old age affected sometimes to improve it. Many of his composures are yet in our hands. One was written on his Birth-day, June 31st, 1654:

Ultimus iste Dies Mensis, mihi primus habetur; Quo cepi lucem cernere primus erat, Septuaginta duos Annos exindé pereyi.

Atque tot Annorum est Ultimus iste Dies. Preterito Veteri jum nunc novus incipit Annus O utinam mihi sit mens nova, vita nova.t

* Pve reached the evening of my mortal day; A sluggish mass of clay is this my frame; Yet grant, O Gop, that while [ live, I may Live to the glory of Thy holy name. And if in life E may not honour Thee, From such dishonour may Death set me free,

Whether within Thy holy courts below I preach salvation unto dying men— Or in Thine Upper Temple, with the flow Of angel-quirings blend my raptured etrain— Living or dying, Thine I still would be : My life and death alike are due to Thee,

+ This dast day of the month is first to me, Of seventy-two long years this is the last; For with it dawning life began to be. A new year now begins, the old year passed; Nor have its mild returns been slow or few: Ob may my heart and life be also new!

Another of them was written on an Earthquake, October 29, 1658:

Hece Dei nutu tellus pavefacta treméscit, Ipse tremit Tellus ecelerum gravitate virorum, Terra Tremens mota est sedibus ipsa suie, Sub sceleria nostri pondere Terra tremit. Nutant Fulcra Orbis, mundi compago solute est; O nos quam duri! Sunt ferrea pectora nobis; Ez vudtu irati contremit ille Dei. Non etenim gemimus cum gemit omne solum. Contremust tellus, imis concuesa Cavernia, Quis te non metuit, metuit quem Fubrica munds Ponderibus quanguam sit g wis illa euis, Quemgue timent celt, terraque tote tremit, Evomit ore putres magno cum murmure ventes, Motibuse & Tantis nune tandem terra quicscat, Quos in visceribus clauserat ante suis. Sed cessent potius crimina nostra precor.”

The rest we will bury with him, under this

EPITAPH,

Obiit jam qui jamdudum abierat Bulkleus; Nec Patriam ille mutavit, nec pene vitam: Eo ivit, qud tre consueverat, et ubi jam erat.t

CHAPTER XT.

THE LIFE OF MR. RALPH PARTRIDGE,

WHEN David was driven from his friends into the wilderness, he made this pathetical representation of his condition, “”’T'was as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.” Among the many worthy persons who were persecuted into an American wilderness, for their fidelity to the ecclesiastical kingdom of our true David, there was one that bore the name as well as the state of an hunted partridge. What befel him, was, as Bede saith of what was done by Felix, Juata nominis sui Sacramentum.t

This was Mr. Ralph Partridge, who for no fault but the delicacy of his good spirit, being distressed by the ecclesiastical sefters, had no defence, neither of beak nor claw, but a flight over the ocean.

The place where he took covert was the colony of Plymouth, and the town of Duxbury in that colony.

This Partridge had not only the innocency of the dove, conspicuous in his blameless and pious life, which made him very acceptable in his con- No versation, but also the loftiness of an eagle, in the great soar of his intel- wenike lectual abilities. There are some interpreters who, understanding church Rama officers by the living creatures, in the fourth chapter of the Apocalypse, ude

* The solid earth, before an angry God, “he earth doth heave, with groanings of distress, passag Shakes at the terrors of His awful nod. Beneath the weight of human sinfulness, r The balance of the mighty world is lust— Shall not our eyes drop penitential rain, all thi Its vast foundations, in confusion tose’d, When all creation travaileth in pain? enoug Through all the hollows of ite deepest caves Great Gop! who shall not fear Thee in the hour eS Kock like a veesel foundering in the waves. When heaven and earth are trembling at Thy power! which Volumes of sulphurous air, with booming sound, Fatuer, to nature's tumult whisper peace, Thus Burst through the gorges of the parted ground, And bid the wicketiness of man to cease! }

+ Buigcy hath left us for a happier shore— He ne’er hath slept beneath this humble sud, hende Nay, rather lingers where ho waa before. For both in lif and death he was with Gop Vigila ¢ In conformity with his christening.

made > doth ersons ity to re the, was, tum.t of his fence,

nd the

bus in $ conintelhurch

Lypse,

will have the teacher to be intended by the eagle there, for his quick insight into remote and hidden things. The church of Duxbury had such an eagle in their Partridge, when they enjoyed such a teacher.

By the same token, when the Platform of Church Discipline was to be composed, the Synod at Cambridge appointed three persons to draw up each of them, ‘a model of church-government, according to the word of God,” unto the end that out of those the synod might form what. should be found most agreeable; which three persons were Mr. Cotton, and Mr. Mather, and Mr. Partridge. So that, in the opinion of that reverend assembly, this person did not come far behind the first two for some of his accomplishments,

After he had been forty years a faithful and painful preacher of the gospel, rarely, if ever, in all that while interrupted in his work by any bodily sickness, he died in a good old age, about the year 1658.

There was one singular instance of a weaned spirit, whereby he signalized himself unto the churches of God. That was this: there was a time when most of the ministers in the colony of Plymouth left the colony, upon the discouragement which the want of a competent maintenance among the needy and froward inhabitants gave unto them, Nevertheless Mr. Partridge was, notwithstanding the paucity and the poverty of his congregation, so afraid of being any thing that looked like a bird wandring from his nest, that he remained with his poor people till he took wing to become a bird of paradise, along with the winged seraphim of heaven.

EPITAPHIUM, Avolavit.*

CHAPTER AEE.

PSALTES.¢ THE LIFE OF MR. HENRY DUNSTEB.

NotTwitHSTANDING the veneration which we pay to the names and works of those reverend men, whom we call the fathers, yet even the Roman Catholicks themselves confess, that those fathers were not infallible. Andradius, among others, in his defence of the Council of Trent, has this passage: “There can be nothing devised more superstitious, than to count all things delivered by the fathers divine oracles.” And, indeed, it is plain enough that those excellent men were not without errors and frailties, of which, I hope, it will not be the part of a cham to take some little notice,, Thus, Jerom had his erroneous opinion of Peter’s being unjustly repre~ hended; and was fearfully asleep in the other matters, wherein he opposedi Vigilantius. Augustine was for admitting the ¢nfants of Christians unto.

* He has flown away! ¢ The Psalmodist,

the Lord’s Supper: and, alas! how much of Babylon is there in his best book, “ De Civitate Det."* Hilary denied the soul-sorrows of our Lord in his passion, if you will believe the report of Bellarmine. Clemens Alexandrinus affirmed that our Lord neither eat nor drank from the necessities of human life; and that he and his apostles, after their death, preached unto the damned in hell, of whom there were many converted. Origen taught many things contrary unto the true faith, and frequently confounded the Scriptures with false expositions, ‘Tertullian fell into Montanism, and forbad all second marriages. How little agreement was there between Epiphanius and Chrysostom, Ireneeus and Victor, Cornelius and Cyprian? And, indeed, that I may draw near to my present purpose, the erroneous opinion of rébaptism in Cyprian, is well known to the world.

Wherefore it may not be wondred at if, among the first fathers of New- England, there were some things not altogether so agreeable to the principles whereupon the country was in the main established. But among those of our fathers who differed somewhat from his brethren, was that learned and worthy man Mr. Henry Dunster.

He was the president of our Harvard College in Cambridge, and an able man: [as we may give some account, when the history of that college comes to be offered. ]

But wonderfully falling into the errors of Antipsedobaptism, the overseers of the college became solicitous that the students there might not be unawares ensnared in the errors of their president. Wherefore they laboured with an extreme agony, either to rescue the good man from his own mistakes, or to restrain him from imposing them upon the hope of the flock, of both which, finding themselves to despair, they did, as quietly as they could, procure his removal, and provide him a successor, in Mr. Charles Chauncey.

He was a very good Hebrician, and for that cause he bore a great part in the metrical version of the Psalms, now used in our churches, But after some short retirement and secession from all publick business, at Scituate, in the year 1659, he went thither, where he bears his part in everlasting and celestial hallelwjahs. It was justly counted an instance of an excellent spirit, in Margaret Meering, that though she had been excommunicated by the congregation of Protestants, whereof Mr. Rough was pastor, and she seemed to have hard measure also in her excommunication; yet when Mr. Rough was imprisoned for the truth, she was very serviceable to him, and at length suffered martyrdom for the truth with him. Something that was not altogether unlike this “excellent spirit” was instanced by our Dunster. For he died in such harmony of affection with the good men who had been the authors of his removal from Cambridge, that he, by his will, ordered his body to be carried unto Cambridge for its burial, and bequeathed Jeyacies to those very persons,

* The City of God.

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Now, I know not where, better than here, to insert that article of our church-history, which concerns our metrical translation of the PsALMs now sung in our churches,

About the year 1639, the New-English reformers, considering that their churches enjoyed the other ordinances of Heaven in their scriptural purity, were willing that the ordinance of “The singing of psalms,” should be restored among them unto a share in that purity. Though they blessed God for the religious endeavours of them who translated the Psalms into the meetre usually annexed at the end of the Bible, yet they beheld in the translation so many detractions from, additions to, and variations of, not only the text, but the very sense of the psalmist, that it was an offence unto them, Resolving then upon a new translation, the chief divines in the country took each of them a portion to be translated: among whom were Mr, Welds and Mr. Eliot of Roxbury, and Mr. Mather of Dorchester. These, like the rest, were of so different a genius for their poetry, that Mr. Shepard, of Cambridge, on the occasion addressed them to this purpose:

You Roxb’ry poets, keep clear of the crime Of missing to give us very good rhime. And you of Dorchester, your verses lengthen, But with the text’s own words, you will them strengthen.

The Psalms thus turned into meetre were printed at Cambridge, in the year 1640. But, afterwards, it was thought that a little more of art was to be employed upon them: and for that cause, they were committed unto Mr. Dunster, who revised and refined this translation; and (with some assistance from one Mr. Richard Lyon, who being sent over by Sir Henry Mildmay, as an attendant unto his son, then a student in Harvard College, now resided in Mr. Dunster’s house:) he brought it into the condition wherein our churches ever since have used it.

Now, though I heartily join with those gentlemen who wish that the poetry hereof were mended; yet I must confess, that the Psalms have never yet seen a translation, that I know of, nearer to the Hebrew original; and I am willihg to receive the excuse which our translators themselves do offer us, when they say:

“If the verses are not always so elegant as some desire or expect, let them consider that God’s altar needs not our polishings; we have respected rather a plain translation, than to smooth our verses with the sweetness of any paraphrase. We have attended conscience rather than elegance, fidelity rather than ingenuity; that so we may sing in Zion the Lord’s songs of praise, according unto his own will, until he bid us enter into our Master’s joy, to sing eternal hallelujahs,”

Reader, when the reformation in France began, Clement Marot and Theodore Beza turned the Psalms into French meetre, and Lewis Guadimel set melodious tunes unto them. The singing hereof charmed the souls of court and city, town and country. They were sung in the Lovre it self,

os well as in the Protestant churches: ladies, nobies, 'uces---yea, King Henry himself—sang them. This one thing mightily covitriuted unto the the downfal of Popery, and the progress of the gospel. All ranks of men Seven practised it; a gentleman of the reformed religion would not eat a passa meal without it, ‘The popish clergy raging hereat, the cardinal of Lorrain tion got the profane and obscene odes of the pagan poets to be turned into his ag French, and sang at the court: and the Divine Psalms were thus banished direct from that wicked court, Scrip Behold, the reformation pursued in the churches of New-England by ‘Tha the Psalms in a new meetre: God grant the reformation may never be lost It is while the Psalms are sung in our churches! early But in this matter, Mr. Dunster is to be acknowledged. And if unto no lit the Christian, while singing of Psalms on earth, Chrysostom could well years say, Mer’ ’Ayyerwv adsig, wer’ ’Ayysruv "ypvsig—T'how art in a consort with proce¢ angels /—how much more may that now be said of our Dunster? chap] From the epitaph of Henricus Rentzius, we will now furnish our Henry ily of Dunster with an had o EPITAPH, to get Praco, Pater, Servus; Sonui, Fovi, Coluique; resort Sacra, Scholum, Christum; Voce, Rigore, Fide; g 8. Famam, Animam, Corpus; Dispergit, Recreat, Ahdit;

Virtus, Christus, Humus; Laude, Salute, Sinu.* accom able. Sir Fr hopes awake

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THE LIFE OF MR. EZEKIEL ROGERS, § 4.

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§ 1. Ir is among the greater Prophets of Israel that we find an Ezekiel consid who had in his very name, T’he Fortitude of God. And it is not among greate the smaller Prophets of New-England that we have also seen an Ezekiel; parts ¢ one inspired with a divine fortitude, for the work of a witness prophesying him. in the sackcloth of a wilderness. This was our famous Ezekiel Rogers, of his cot whom we have more to say than barely that he was born in the year 1590, ney in and that he died in the year 1660. design

* A preacher, I have chanted sacred songs: a father [president of a college), I have instructed my charge with but m perseverance: a servant of Christ, I have followed my Master with fidelity, Virtue signalizes my name with true sermo praiee: Christ redeems my soul with his salvation: the earth hides my body in its bosom. 4

+ If in a Christian teacher, to faith wnfeigned should be added a disposition to help the needy, and elegant doubts

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§ 2. His father was Mr. Richard Rogers, of Weathersfield in England, the well known author of the book that is known by the name of “ 7'he Seven Treatises.” Of that Richard we will content ourselves with one pithy passage, mentioned by his grandson, Mr, William Jenkyns, in his exposition upon Jude: “That blessed saint,” saith he, “was another Enoch in his age; a man whose ‘walking with God’ appeared by that incomparable directory of a Christian life, called ‘Z'he Seven Treatises,’ woven out of Scripture, and his own experimental practice; he would sometimes say, ‘That he should be sorry, if every day were not to him as his last day.’” It is this Ezekiel Rogers whereof we are now to give an account, The early sparklings of wit, judgment, and learning, in him, gave his father no little satisfaction, and expectation of his proficiency; and at thirteen years of age made him capable of preferment in the university; where he proceeded Master of Arts at the age of twenty. Removing thence to be chaplain in a family, famous for both religion and civility—namely the family of Sir Francis Barrington, at Hatfield Broad Oak in Essex—he there had opportunity not only to do good by his profitable preaching, but also to get good by his conversation with persons of honour, who continually resorted thither, and he knew and used his opportunity to the utmost.

§ 8. Both in praying and preaching, he had a very notable faculty; ’twas accompanied with strains of oratory, which made his ministry very acceptable. Hence, after five or six years’ residence in this worshipful family, Sir Francis bestowed upon him the benefice of Rowly in Yorkshire; in hopes that his more lively ministry might be particularly successful in awakening those drowsy corners of the north: and accordingly the church there, standing in the centre of many villages, there was now a great resort unto the service therein performed.

§ 4. Nevertheless Mr. Rogers had much uneasiness in his mind about his own experience of those truths which he preached unto others; he feared that, notwithstanding his pathetical expressions, wherewith his hearers were affected, he was himself, in his own soul, a stranger to that Jaith and repentance and conversion, which he pressed upon them. This consideration very much perplexed him; and his perplexity was the greater, because he could not hear of any experienced minister in those parts of the kingdom, to whom he might utter the trouble that was upon him, At last, hoping that either from his brother of Weathersfield, or his cousin of Dedham, he might receive some satisfaction, he took a journey into Essex on purpose to be by them resolved of his doubts. His design was to have came at his famous kinsman before his lecture began; but missing of that, he gat into the assembly before the beginning of the sermon; where he found that, by the singular providence of God, his doubts were as punctually and exactly resolved, as if the excellent preacher had been acquainted with his doubts before-hand.

§ 5. Being now satisfied of his own effectual vocation, he went on in