America painted to the life. A true history of the originall undertakings of the advancement of plantations into those parts, with a perfect relation of our English discoveries ... 1628. to 1658. declaring the forms of their government, policies, religions, manners, customes, military disciplines, warres with the Indians, the commodities of their countries, a description of their townes, and havens, the increase of their trading with the names of their governours and magistrates. More especially an absolute narrative of the north parts of America, and of the discoveries and plantations of our English in New-England. Written by Sir Ferdinando Gorges .... Publisht ... by his grand-child Ferdinando Gorges Esquire, who hath much enlarged it and added severall accurate descriptions of his owne.

VVonder working Providence OF Sions SAVIOUR in New-England.

BOOK III.

CONTAINING The passages of Gods providence to∣ward this wandering Race of Jaaco∣bites in these latter seven years, from the year 1645. till toward the latter end of 51.

CHAP. I. Of planting the twenty sixth Church of Christ at the Town of Haverhil, and of preparation for a second war with the Indians.

THis year that antient, honored and trusty souldier of the truth, Thom. Dudly Esquire was chosen Gover∣nor, and the honored John Winthrop Esquire was cho∣sen Deputy Governor, John Endicut Esquire to the office of Major-General. You have heard in the former book

of the fortifying of the Castle, and placing a Captain therein, which was not finished till this year; the number of freemen added was 56. The Town of Haverhil was built much about this time, lying higher up then Salisbury, upon the fair and large river of Merrimeck: the people are wholly bent to im∣prove their labour in tilling the earth, and keeping of cattel, whose yearly encrease incourages them to spend their days in those remote parts, the constant penetrating farther into this Wilderness, hath caused the wild and uncouth woods to be fil'd with frequented wayes, and the large rivers to be o∣ver-laid with Bridges passeable, both for horse and foot; this Town is of a large extent, supposed to be ten miles in length, there being an over-weaning desire in most men after Medow land, which hath caused many towns to grasp more into their ••ands then they could afterward possibly hold; the people are laborious in the gaining the goods of this life, yet are they not unmindful also of the chief end of their coming hither, namely, to be made partakers of the blessed Ordinances of Christ, that their souls might be refreshed with the continual income of his rich grace, to which end they gathered into a Church-body, and called to office the reverend M. VVard, son to the former named M. VVard of Ipswitch,

WIth mind resolv'd run out thy race at length, Yound Ward begin whereas thy father left, Left hath he not, but breaths for further strength, Nor thou, nor he, are yet of hope bereft: Fruit of thy labours thou shalt see so much, The righteous shall hear of it, and rejoyce When Babel falls by Christ's almighty touch, All'•• folk shall praise him with a cheerful voice. They prosper shall that Sions building mind, Then Ward cease not with toyl her stones to lay, For great is he thee to this work assign'd, Whose pleasure is, heavens Crown shall be thy pay.

This year, although divers Indian Sachems not long before

had desired to subject themselves and lands unto this Go∣vernment, yet the sons of old Canonicus having not inherited their fathers prudence, with his subjects and land, fell to hot contention with their own neighbours and native inhabitants, although they were forbidden by the united Colonies, and prosecuted so, that they would not stick to wage war with the English also, which the Commissioners perceiving, they raised an Army of horse and foot out of the Colonies, and appoint∣ed as Commander in chief over them Major-General Edward Gibbons; the reverend Mr. Tompso••, one of the Elders of the Church at Braintree was to accompany them, and to preach the Word of God unto them, during the time of the war; but the Indians hearing of this preparation against them, sent a certain number of their chief Nobility to treat with the Com∣missioners of the united Colonies about a peace, who then sitting at Boston gave them audience, the Indians coming into their presence, could speak no more English, but peace, peace; the English were very desirous of an opportunity to shew them mercy, and yet would they should not despise them, in gaining it upon such easie terms, as might cause them to move war again, and therefore allotted them to pay some part of the charge of the war intended, and therefore appointed them to give four of their sons for hostages till they had wholly paid it; the Indians gladly accepted of the terms, and ac∣cordingly brought their children. Here the Reader should be minded of the admirable acts of the Lord Christ in awing these multitudes of Heathens, for they were the most popu∣lous of any that are in these parts; but it is reserved for ano∣ther place in this history, the Indians being slow in their per∣formance, had their hostages returned home before the Wa∣pom was paid, yet their two Princes Posicus and Mexanimo, did upon the sending certain armed men to demand the re∣mainder, send the sum demanded.

CHAP. II. Of the planting of the twenty seventh Church of Christ at the Town called Springfield, and of the earnest seeking the the Lord by all the Churches of N. E. for his gra∣cious assistance in the work of Reformation.

ABout this time one Mr. Pinchin, sometime a Magistrate, having out of desire to better his estate, by trading with the Indians, setled himself very remote (from all the Chur∣ches of Christ in the Mattachusets Government) upon the ri∣ver of Canectico, yet under their Government, he having some godly persons resorting unto him, they there erected a Town and Church of Christ, calling it Springfield, it lying up∣on this large navigable river, hath the benefit of transporting their goods by water, and also fitly seated for a Bever trade with the Indians, till the Merchants encreased so many, that it became little worth, by reason of their out-buying one ano∣ther, which hath caused them to live upon husbandry; this Town is mostly built along the river side, and upon some little rivelets of the same: There hath of late been more then one or two in this Town greatly suspected of witchcraft, yet have they used much diligence, both for the finding them out, and for the Lords assisting them against their witchery, yet have they, as is supposed, bewitched not a few persons, among whom two of the reverend Elders children: These people inhabiting this Town, having gathered into a Church-body, called to the office of a Pastor the reverend M. Moxon, who remaineth with them at this very day, of whom as followeth.

AS thou with strong and able parts art made, Thy person stout with toyl and labour shall, With help of Christ through difficulties wade, Then spend for him, spare not thy self at all. When errors crowd close to thy self, and friends Take up truths sword, trifle not time for why Christ call'd his people hither, for these ends, To tell the world that Babels fall is nigh;

And that his Churches through the world shall spread, Maugre the might of wicked men and devils, Then Moxon thou need'st not at all to dread, But be aveng'd on Satan for his evils, Thy Lord Christ will under thy feet him tread.

This year the great troubles in our native country encrease∣ing, and that hearing prophane Esau had mustered up all the Bands he could make to come against his brother Iacob, these wandering race of Jacobites deemed it now high time to im∣plore the Lord for his especial aid in this time of their deepest distress, and the rather being incouraged hereunto from for∣mer deliverances and wonderful mercies received, the which they now presented before the Lord with the several bran∣ches, and inlarged bounties thereof to refresh their frozen af∣fections, and move a melting heart in their barren brests, that began to dry up with a lazy lethargy, and therefore thrusting themselves on to the work by the loving invitation of that godly Government the Lord in his mercy had peaceably pla∣ced among them, each Church in their own proper place meeting together in daies of solemn seeking of the Lords pleasing countenance in Christ (the Lord in his mercy helping them) after a serious acknowledgment of their own unwor∣thiness, by reason of their sinful provocations of the Lord to anger against them aggravated, in that they were committed immediately upon the receipt of a multitude of marvellous mercies, they acknowledg unto the Lord in the audience of the great Congregation the manner of his wonderful provi∣dence extended toward them, that as Iacob professes, I came over this Jordan with my staff, and now have I gotten two Bands; so they came over this boysterous billow-boyling O∣cean, a few poor scattered stones newly raked out of the heaps of rubbish, and thou Lord Christ hast now so far exalted them, as to lay them sure in thy Sion, a building, to be the wonder of the world, orderly are they placed in five and forty several Churches, and that in a Wilderness, where civility scarce ever took place, much less any Religion, and now to the Lord ear∣nestly they cry to be delivered from the cruel hands of those

that would destroy both young and old, the bird and her young together, and as Iacobs fear was, the seed of Christs Church in the posterity of Israel should be cut off, and there∣fore pleaded the promise of the Lord in the multiplying of his seed; so these people at this very time, pleaded not only the Lords promise to Israel, but to his only Son Christ Jesus; Lord, hast thou not said, Ask of me, and I will give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost ends of the earth for thy possession; and now Lord, are not these the Churches of Christ which thou hast planced for his possession; and that as Rachel and Leah built the house of Israel, so now shall these and the like Sister-churches spread the whole earth, the Lord Christ raigning as King and Lord for ever over them; Then why do the Heathen rage, and the people imagin a vain thing, see∣ing the rime of the Lords arising to have mercy upon Sion is come, ••ea his appointed time is at hand; and he who walks in the midst of his golden Candlesticks, whose eys are as a flaming fire, will not suffer his Churches to be trodden under feet of that Anti∣christian Lordly prelacy any longer, nor yet defiled with any transformed Saint-seeming Angels of light with their painted doctrines. Thus did this poor people plead with the Lord, not only for themselves, but for their dearly beloved brethren in England, I and all that are Christs chosen people the world throughout; and although they were not unmindful from day to day of them, yet this year 1645. the Lord was pleased to stir up their affections in more then an ordinary manner, what success their prayers have had, let all (that love and long to behold the beauty of Christ shining on and in his beloved Bride) declare the loving kindness of the Lord toward his Churches, and let all the Churches of Christ, though never so •••• more the one from the other, yet joyned together in one ••hith and one Christ, be frequent in prayer one for another, ••ongregate together at the Throne of the Lord, be present in ••pirit, though absent in body; these Mew-England Churches •••••• neer one hundred miles distant one from another, and yet communicate, counsel, care, love, joy, grieve with, and for ••ne another, dismiss some, and commend others (as occasi∣••n serves) to the Christian care and watchfulness, from one

Church to another, and why may not this be practised the world throughout, even from Jerusalem, and round about to Illyricum?

CHAP. III. Of the opposition the Government of the Mattachusets Colony met withal, by certain persons, under the name of Petitioners.

IN place of Governor was chosen for this year Iohn Win∣throp Esquire, and for Deputy Governor Thomas Dudly E∣squire, the number of freemen were about 72. At the Court of Election there was a Petition drawn, and presented to the Court by a Doctor of Physick, with seven hands to it, the per∣sons were of a Linfiwolsie disposition, some for Prefacy, some for Presbytery, and some for Pl••bsbytery, but all joyned to∣gether in the thing they would, which was to stir up the people to dislike of the present Government, one while envving against the constitution of the Government as not popular enough, a∣nother while against the Laws or orders of this little Common∣wealth as two strict, and then to provoke, at least the p••••••••••∣ous, they tell them of great expence of the publike Treasury, and intolerable taxations; the matter they petitioned for, was a bottom to build their quarrel upon, under the name of a Presbyterian Government, and this they supposed would suit well with their Bill of complaint, which they intended for England, not that they cared for a Presbyterian Church, for had they so done, they might have found out one in the coun∣try before they petitioned, but because they supposed that the Parliament in England would establish that way only and therefore bore themselves bold upon it, that although their seditious and scandalous words and practises should in∣cur a penalty (as none could deem any other, unless it be such as are all for liberty, and nothing for Government) yet they might bear men in hand, it was for petitioning for a Presby∣terian Church-Government, according to this te••or; th•• Court being some what flow in censuring them, they prepare•• a plot, wrapping in some few persons more with them, lay

ing very gross matters to the charge of this Government in their Bill of complaint, but being suspected by the honoured Magistrates of this Government, their plot was found out, and writing publikely read unto them, for all which they had a small penalty laid upon them, hardly countervail the charge they put the country unto; but assuredly it was the Lords gracious goodness to quell their malice against his people, and indeed the proud Bishops sped no better, or not so well, e∣specially some of them, nor have any other hitherto prospe∣red, who have ma••igned these poor Churches of Christ, yet be∣cause the Gortonist painted over a far worser cause, that those honorable personages in England, who had the hearing there∣of could not discern the Government, thought meet to send over this year the honored M. VVinslow to manifest and declare the naked truth of things, having full power and commission from this Government to deal for them in all matters where∣in they may be concerned; and verily the chief Gortonian might have returned from England hither, to have triumphed in his blasphemies over the Churches of Christ; and all the uni∣ted colonies, had not the divel shewed his horns in that book he printed, wherein he takes upon him a monstrous interpre∣tation of the words of our Lord Christ in John, Except ye eat my flesh, and drink my blond, &c. had the book been well per∣used before their coming over, surely they had never return'd with so large a commission as they boast of, for the Parlia∣ment have punished divers persons for their blasphemies, and very like these should not have scaped scotfree.

CHAP. IV. Of the second Synod holden at Cambridg in N. E. and the images of the Son that appeared.

THis year the General Court of the Mattachusets Go∣vernment taking into consideration the many 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in point of doctrine that were daily broached by some of our English Nation, although the churches of Christ, and the peo∣ple under this Government were free, at least in open pro∣fession;

yet to declare to all the world, and render an ac∣compt of their faith and profession wherein they walk, it was thought meet, that the churches of Christ should meet toge∣ther in a Synod, by their Elders and Messengers to hold forth the doctrine and discipline of Jesus Christ, according to the rule of the New Testament, with the grounds of Scriptur•• from which they hold the same; and further to make trial of them by the said rules and none other: accordingly at the time appointed they assembled together, their disputation was plain and easie to be understood of the meanest capacity, clear∣ing up those points that were most dubious, they having a∣greed on all matters, with a full concurrence of the assembly, did appoint them to be put in print, that they might be the better scanned and tried of every particular person in the se∣veral congregations or churches, many churches approving thereof for the generality, others there be that have not yet fully viewed the same, the books are extant, and shew that the churches of Christ in N. E. are not ashamed to make con∣fession of their faith to all the world, and are yet ready to re∣ceive any further light shall be made known unto them from the Word of God, and none other, nor do they receive this because a Synod hath said it, but because the Lord hath spo∣ken it by his Spirit, and witnessed by the same Spirit to their souls that he hath so done; some sorts of persons have been much opposite to this Synod, first those that are so inured with the broad beaten path of liberty, that they fear to be confined in the straight and narrow path of truth; the second are such as have their wills wedded to some singular rare con∣ceited opinion, for which they have been admired of many, and now they fear their gain will be gone, if this spirit be cast out; the third and last sort are more honest then the two former, and only scared with their big words, who tell them of the Popish and Prelatical Synods, what a deal of trash and cannon Laws they have brought in, and that if they will full to receiving books once, they shall have more and more thrust upon them: As also if any shall say its only to declare the doctrine and discipline the churches of N. E. hold, its e∣nough, quoth they, that our faith concerning these things is

contained in the Bible, and this is all the accompt we need to give to any; but for all these scare-crows, N.E. hath through the blessing of the Lord received much peace and truth from the former Synod, we wish our countrymen and our selves may receive the like, and much more from this, which ended not with this year.

This year, about the later end thereof, appeared two Pare∣lii, or Images of the Sun, and some other strange apparitions of light about her, like a Rainbow, with the heels upward, which unwonted sights have been interpreted by the provi∣dent passages since shewed, among those who have had an outside of profession and name, to be singular for understand∣ing the mind of God, who would overthrow all the Ordi∣nances of Christ, under the name of New-light, and that there can be no restoration of Religion, till new Apostles come: This desperate opinion doth so fitly resemble these wonder∣ful apparitions, that seemed to be another Sun, yet indeed had no light in them, but vanished away no man knew how; so these opinionists would make men believe they had found out another Sea from their phantastical revelations.

CHAP. V. Of the great pains and care taken by those in Authority, for the compiling of Lawes for this little Commonwealth.

THis year the General Court appointed a Committee of divers persons to draw up a Body of Laws for the well-ordering of this little Commonwealth; and to the end that th••y might be most agreeable with the rule of Scripture, in every County there was appointed two Magistrates, two Mi∣nisters, and two able persons from among the people, who having provided such a competent number as was meet, toge∣ther with the former that were enacted newly amend∣ed, they presented them to the General Court, where they were again perused and amended; and then another Committee chosen to bring them into form, and present them to the Court again, who the year following passed an Act

of confirmation upon them, and so committed them to the Press, and in the year 1648. they were printed, and now are to be seen of all men, to the end that none may plead igno∣rance, and that all who intend to transport themselves hither, may know this is no place of licentious liberty, nor will this people suffer any to trample down this Vineyard of the Lord, but with diligent execution will cut off from the city of the Lord the wicked doers, and if any man can shew wherein any of them derogate from the Word of God, very willingly will they accept thereof, and amend their imperfections (the Lord assisting) but let not any ill affected persons find fault with them, because they suit not with their own humour, or be∣cause they meddle with matters of Religion, for it is no wrong to any man, that a people who have spent their estates, many of them, and ventured their lives for to keep faith and a pure conscience, to use all means that the Word of God al∣lows for maintenance and continuance of the same, especial∣ly they having taken up a desolate Wilderness to be their ha∣bitation, and not deluded any by keeping their profession in huggermug, but print and proclaim to all the way and course they intend, God willing, to walk in, if any will yet notwith∣standing seek to justle them out of their own right, let them not wonder if they meet with all the opposition a people put to their greatest straits can make; as in all their undertaking, their chiefest aim hath been to promote the Ordinances of Christ, so also in contriving their Laws, Liberties, and Privi∣ledges, they have not been wanting, which hath caused many to maligne their civil Government, and more especially for punishing any by a Law, that walk conrrary to the rule of the Gospel, which they profess, but to them it seems unrea∣sonable, and savours too much of hypocrisie, that any people should pray unto the Lord for the speedy accomplishment of his Word in the overthrow of Antichrist, and in the mean time become a Patron to sinful opinions and damnable errors that oppose the truths of Christ, admit it be but in the bare per∣mission of them.

CHAP. VI. Of the Lords wonder-working Providence, in fitting this people with all kind of Manufactures, and the bringing of them into the order of a Commonwealth.

ON the day of Election for Governor and Magistrates, (which are new chosen every year) the honored John Winthrope Esquire was chosen Governor, and the like honor∣ed Thomas Dudly Esquire Deputy Governor, John Endicut Esquire was chosen Major-General, which is an Officer the Freemen make a yearly choice of, all other Military Officers stand for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of life, unless any be put out for misdemean∣our; the member of freemen added this year were about 85. the Land affording very good ••••on, stone, divers persons of good ••ack and quality in England, were stirred up by the provident hand of the Lord to venture their estatee upon an hon work, which they began at Braintree, and profited the owners little, but rather wasted their stock, which caused some of them to tell away the Kmainder, the chief reason be∣ing the high price of labour, which ordinarily was as much more as in England, and in many things treble; the way of going on with such a work here, was not sudd••inly to be dis∣terned, although the Steward had a very able eye, yet experi∣ence nath out-stript learning here, and the most quick-sighted in the Theory of things, have been forced to pay prety mundly to Lady Experience for filling their heads with a sit∣tle of her active after-wit; much hope there is now, that the owners may pick up their crums again, if they be but made partakers of the gain, in putting off England commodities at N. E. price, it will take off one third of the great price they gave for labour, and the price of their iron; it is supposed a∣nother third is taken of the abundance of wood had for lit∣tle, will surely take off the residue, besides land at easie rates, and common land free for their use; it were to be desired that those Gentlemen who have undertaken the work, would consider the place where their works are, namely in N. E. where the Lord Christ hath chosen to plant his Churches in,

to hide his people under the covert of his wings, till the ty∣ranny of Antichrist be over-passed, and any that have disbur∣sed pence for the furthering of his work, shall be repayed with thousands: Besides, the Gentlemen that govern this Colony are very desirous to be helpful in what they may, and had ra∣ther take any burthens upon themselves and the Inhabitants, that in justice they ought, then that those Gentlemen should be any wayes damnified: The Lord is pleased also to com∣pleat this Commonwealth abundantly beyond all expectati∣on in all sorts of needful occupations, it being for a lo••g time the great fear of many, and those that were endued with grace from above also, that this would be no place of conti∣nued habitation, for want of a staple-commodity, but the Lord, whose promises are large to his Sion, hath blest his peo∣ples provision, and satisfied her poor with bread, in a very lit∣tle space, every thing in the country proved a staple-commo∣dity, wheat, rye, oats, peas, barley, beef, pork, fish, butter, cheese, timber, mast, tar, sope, plank-board frames of hous••s, clabboard, and pipestaves, iron and lead is like to be also; and those who were formerly forced to fetch most of the bread they eat, and beer they drink a hundred leagues by Sea, are through the blessing of the Lord so encreased, that they have not only fed their Elder Sisters, Virginia, Barbados, and many of the Summer Islands that were prefer'd before her for fruitfulness, but also the Grandmother of us all, even the fir∣til Isle of Great Britain, beside Portugal hath had many a mouthful of bread and fish from us, in exchange of their Ma∣deara liquor, and also Spain; nor could it be imagined, that this Wilderness should turn a mart for Merchants in so short a space, Holland, France, Spain, and Portugal coming hither for trade, shipping, going on gallantly, till the Seas became so troublesome, and England restrain'd our trade, forbidding it with Barbados, &c. and Portugal stopt and took our ships; many a fair ship had her framing and finishing here, besides lesser vessels, barques, and ketches, many a Master, beside com∣moa Seamen, had their first learning in this Colony, Boston, Charles-Town, Salem, and Ipswitch; our Maritan Towns be∣gan to encrease roundly, especially Boston, the which of a

poor country village, in twice seven years is become like un∣to a small City, and is in election to be Mayor Town suddain∣ly, chiefly increased by trade by Sea, yet of late the Lord hath given a check to our traffique, but the reason may be rendred hereafter; nor hath this Colony alone been actors in this trade of venturing by Sea, but New-haven also, who were many of them well experienced in traffique, and had good e∣states to mannage it, Canectiso did not linger behind, but put forth to Sea with the other; all other trades have here fallen into their ranks and places, to their great advantage; especi∣ally Coopers and Shomakers, who had either of them a Cor∣poration granted, inriching themselves by their trades very much, Coopers having their plenty of stuff at a cheap rate, and by reason of trade, with forraign parts abandance of work, as for Tanners and Shomakers, it being naturalized into these occupations, to have a higher reach in mannaging their ma∣nifactures, then other men in N. E. are, having not chang'd their nature in this, between them both they have kept men to their stander hitherto, almost doubling the price of their commodities, according to the rate they were sold for in Eng∣land, and yet the plenty of Leather is beyond what they had, their counting the number of the people, but the transporta∣tion of Boots and Shoes into forraign parts hath vented all however: as for Tailors, they vave not come behind the form∣er, their advantage being in the nurture of new-fashions, all one with England; Carpenters, Joyners, Glaziers, Painters, fol∣low their trades only; Gun-smiths, Lock-smiths, Black-smiths, Naylers, Cutlers, have left the husbandmen to follow the Plow and Cart, and they their trades, Weavers, Brewers, Ba∣kers, Costermongers, Feltmakers, Braziers, Pewterers, and Finkers, Ropemakers, Masons, Lime, Brick, and Tilemakers, Cardmakers to work, and not to play, Turners, Pumpmakers, and Wheelers, Glovers, Fellmungers, and Furriers, are or∣derly turn'd to their trades, besides divers sorts of Shopkeep∣ers, and some who have a mystery beyond others, as have the Vintners.

Thus hath the Lord been pleased to turn one of the most hideous, boundless, and unknown Wildernesses in the world

in an instant, as 'twere (in comparison of other work) to a well-ordered Commonwealth, and all to serve his Churches, of which the Author intends to speak of three more, which came to be gathered in the compass of these years.

CHAP. VII. Of the three last Churches that were gathered in the compass of these years, namely Haverhil, Mal••en, and another Church gathered in the Town of Boston.

THis year 1648. John Winthrope Esquire was chosen Go∣vernor, and Thomas Dudly Esquire Deputy Governor, and John Endicut Esquire Major General, all three as they were the former year, the number of freemen added were a∣bout 94. about this time there was a Town founded about one or two mile distant from the place where the goodly ri∣ver of Merrimeck receives her branches into her own body, hard upon the river of Shawshin, which is one of her three chief heads; the honored Mr. Simon Broad street taking up his last setling there, hath been a grrat means to further the work, it being a place well fitted for the husbandmans hand, were it not that the remoteness of the place from Towns of trade, bringeth some inconveniencies upon the planteas, who are in∣forced to carry their corn far to market; this Town is called Andover, and hath good store of land improved for the big∣ness of it, they soon gathered into a Church, having the reve∣rend Mr. Whodbridg to instruct them in the wayes of Christ, till he returned to England, and since have called to office the reverend Mr. Deynes, for whose further incouragement the promises of the Lord for protecting, providing, increaseing, and continuing, even the very least of his Churches going on, according to his precepts, are abundantly manifested in his Word.

THon Sister young, Christ is to thee a wall Of flaming fire, to hurt thee none may come In stipp'ry paths, and dark wayes shall they fall, His Angels might shall chase thei•• countless sum.

Thy Shepheard with full cups and table spread, Before thy foes in Wilderness thee feeds, Increasing thy young lambs in bosom bred, Of Churches by his wonder-working deeds: To countless number must Christ's Churches reach, The day's at hand, both Jew and Gentle shall Come crowding in his Churches, Christ to preach, And last for aye, none can cause them to fall.

About this time the Town of Malden had his first founda∣tion stones laid by certain persons, who issued out of Charles-Town, and indeed had her whole structure within the bounds of this more elder Town, being severed by the broad ipread∣ing river of Mistick the one from the other, whose trouble∣some passage caused the people on the North side of the ri∣ver to plead for Town-priviledges within themselves, which accordingly was granted them; the soyl is very firtile, but they are much straitned in their bounds, yet their neerness to the ••hief Market Towns, makes it the more comfortable for ha∣bitation, the people gathered into a Church some distance of ••ime before they could attain to any Church-Officer to admi∣••ister the Seals unto them, yet in the mean time at their Sab∣••th assemblies they had a godly Christian named M. Sarjant, who did preach the Word unto them, and afterwards they ••ere supplied at times with some young Students from the ••olledg, till the year 16••0. one Mr. Marmaduke Mathews, ••oming out of Plimouth Patten, was for some space of time ••ith a people at the Town of Hull, which is a small Port∣••own peopled by fishermen, and lies at the entrance of the ••ays mouth, where this Mr. Mathews continued preaching, ••he lost the approbation of some able understanding men, ••ong both Magistrates and Ministers, by weak and unsafe ••pressions in his teaching, yet notwithstanding he was cal∣•• to the office of a Pastor by the brethren of this Church of ••rist at Maldon, although some Neighbour-churches were satisfied therewith, for it is the manner of all the Churches Christ here hitherto, to have the approbation of their Si∣••-churches, and the civil Government also in the proceed∣ings

of this nature, by the which means Communion of Chur∣ches is continued, peace preserved; and the truths of Christ sincerely acknowledged, yet the Author will not miss to mind him in the following Meeter.

MAthews! thou must build gold and silver on That precious stone, Christ cannot trash indure, Unstable straw and stubble must be gone, When Christ by fire doth purge his building pure. In seemly and in modest terms do thou Christs precious truths unto thy folk unfold, And mix not error with the truth, lest thou Soon leave out sense to make the truth to hold: Compleating of Christs Churches is at hand, Mathews stand up, and blow a crrtain sound, Warriours are wanting Babel to withstand, Christs truths maintain, 'twill bring thee honors crown'd

The last Church that compleated the number of 30. was ga¦thered at Boston, by reason of the popularity thereof, bein•• too many to meet in one assembly; the North-east part of th•• Town being separated from the other with a narrow strea•• cut through a neck of land by industry, whereby that part i•• become an Island, it was thought meet, that the people in habiting the same should gather into a Church-body, an•• build a Meeting-house for their assembly, the which they hav•• already done, but not as yet called any one to office; for sin•••• the people of Christ in some other places, both in Englan•• and elswhere, have through the goodness of God obtaine like liberty with our selves, the Ministers of Christ have ha•• their labours taken up in other places as well as her•• which hath caused this Church as yet to be destitu•• the beginning of this year was sad to the people of N. •••• by reason of the death of their honoured Governo•••• John Winthrope Esquire, whose indefatigable paines in th•• Wilderness-work is not to be forgotten, nor indeed •••• it be, his Funeral was very sadly and solemnly performe•• by a very great concourse of the greater part of this Colo••

whose mournful looks and watry eyes did plainly demonstrate the tender affection and great esteem he was in with the people.

CHAP. VIII. Of the death of divers personages, who were in great este em with the people of New-England, famous for their godliness, and ominent parts, both for Magistracy and Ministe∣ry, and of the correcting hand of the Lord upon his N. E. people.

A His year, after the death of this godly Governour, was chosen to succeed in the place 10. Endicut Esq. and Tho. Dudly Esq. to be Deputy Governor, to the place of Major-Ge∣neral Edw. Gibbons; and seeing that the Lord is pleased to call this people to mourning, the Author will proceed to relate what further occasion this people have had to lament their miscarriages, that have caused the rod to be stretched out to∣ward them, for of a truth they are no Antinomians: The next loss was the death of that famous Preacher of the Lord M. Hook∣er, Pastor of the Church of Christ at Hartford, and M. Philips, Pastor of the Church of Christ at Watertown, and the holy heavenly, sweet-affecting and soul-ravishing Minister M. Tho. Shepheard, Pastor of the Church of Christ at Cambridg, whose departure was very heavily taken by all the people of Christ round about him, and now N.E. that had such heaps apon heaps of the riches of Christs tender compassionate mercies, being turn'd off from his dandling knees, began to read their approa∣ching rod in the bend of hi•• brows & frowns of his former fa∣vourable countenance toward them; their plenty of all things, which shold have cheared their hearts & quickned their spirits in elevating both soul and body to a thankful frame, through the work of his blessed Spirit; on the contrary, it brought a fulness on many, even to loath the very honey-comb, inso∣much that good wholesome truths would not down, yet had the Lord those that were precious unto him, who were not wanting to help one another out of this distemper,

and with more warmer affections exhort one another, Come let us go up unto the house of the Lord, and he will teach us his wayes: Also the Lord was pleased to awaken us with an Army of caterpillers, that had he not suddainly rebuked them, they had surely destroyed the husband mans hope, where they fell upon trees, they left them like winter-wasting cold, bare and naked; and although they fell on fields very rarely, yet in some places they made as clear a riddance, as the har∣vest mans hand, and uncovered the gay green Medow ground, but indeed the Lord did by some plats shew us what he could have done with the whole, and in many places cast them into the high wayes, that the Cart-wheels in their passage were painted green with running over the great swarms of them; in some fields they devoured the leaves of their pease, and left the straw with the full crop, so tender was the Lord in his cor∣rection; this minded all these Jacobites of the end of their coming over, but chiefly the husbandman, whose over eager pursuit of the fruits of the earth, made some of them many times run out so far in this Wilderness, even out of the sweet sound of the silver Trumpets blown by the laborious Mini∣sters of Christ, forsaking the assembly of the Lords people, to celebrate their Sabbaths in the chimney-corner, horse, kine, sheep, goats, and swine, being their most indeared compani∣ons to travel with them to the end of their pilgrimage, or o∣therwise to gather together some of their neerest neighbours, and make a preachment one unto another, till they had learn'd so much, that they could away with none other teach∣ing: As also the Lord was pleased to command the wind and Seas to give us a jog on the elbow, by sinking the very chief of our shipping in the deep, and splitting them in shivers a∣gainst the shores; a very goodly Ship called the Seaforce was east away, and many N. E. people put to hard shifts for their lives, and some drowned, as the godly and dearly beloved servant of Christ, Mr. Tho, Coitmire, a very able Seaman, and also a good Scholar, one who had spent both his labour and estate for the helping on of this Wilderness-work: as also another ship set forth by the Merchants of New-haven, of which the godly Mr, Lamberton went Master, neither ship,

persons, nor goods ever heard of; another ship also built and set forth by the inhabitants of Cambridg, split and cast away neer the same place where the Seaforce was loft; as also ano∣ther Barque mostly set forth by Dorchester men, sank in the Sea, and never heard of the manner how; with divers others which might be here inserted; this seemed the sorer affliction to these N. E people, because many godly men lost their lives, and abundantly the more remarkable, because the Lord was pleased to forbid any such things to befal his people in their passage hither; herein these people read, as in great capital letters, their suddain forgetfulness of the Lords former recei∣ved mercy in his wonderful preservation, bringing over so many scores of ships, and thousands of persons, without mis∣carriage of any, to the wonderment of the whole world that shall hear of it, ••ut more especially were the Merchants and traders themselves sensible of the hand of the Lord out a∣gainst them, who were in some of the ships, and had their lixes given them for a prey; as also Vintners, and other men of trade, whose gain is increased by Merchants men, being so taken up with the income of a large profit, that they would willingly have had the Common wealth tolerate divers kinds of sinful opinions to intice men to come and sit down with us, that their purses might be filled with coyn, the civil Go∣vernment with contention, and the Churches of our Lord Christ with errors, the Lord was pleased after all this, to let in the King of Terror among his new-planted Churches.

FOr this year 1650. Tho. Dudly Esquire was chosen Gover∣nor, and John Eudicut Esquire Deputy Governor, Major-General Edward Gibbous continned in his office still; the num∣ber of freemen added were about 55. Thir year was the first noted year wherein any store of people died, the ayt and place being very healthy naturally, made this correction of the Lord seem the greater, for the most that died were chil∣dren, and that of an unwonted disease here, though fre∣quent in other places, the Lord now smiting many families with death in them, although there were not any families wherein more then one died, or very rare if it were other∣wise,

yet were these pilgrim people minded of the suddain forgetfulness of those worthies that died not long before, but more especially the little regard had to provide means to train their children up in the knowledg of learning, and im∣prove such means as the Lord hath appointed to leave their posterity an able Minister; as also to stir them up to prepare for the great work of the Lord Jesus in the overthrow of An∣tichrist, and calling of the Jews, which in all likelyhood is very suddainly to be performed; as also in stirring up all the young ones that remain, to consider for what ••nd the Lord hath spared their lives, when he cut off others by death, name∣ly, to prosecute the work that he hath given them to do in the power of his might, with the greater zeal and cou∣rage.

THis year the honored and much desired servant of Christ, John Endicut Esquire was chosen to be Governour of the English, inhabiting the Colony of the Mattachusets, and the antient honored and long continued Champion for the truth, as it is in Jesus, Tho. Dudly Esquire was chosen Deputy Go∣vernour, by the major Vote of these wandering Jacobites, with heart and good will the honored Major-General Ed∣ward Gibbous continued in place this year, the Government shewed their desire to be assisting to the State of England, in making orders for establishing their Edict for these Western parts of the world among out N. E. people; the Lord in his infinite wisdom saw meet to continue his correcting hand a∣mong his N. E. Churches, somewhat more then ordinary in a sore disease, of which many (in comparison of what used to do) and yet not so many as ordinarily use to do in other plantations of this Western world; and whereas the former year young children died most, this year those of grown years died also, and although so small a sickness might not be ta∣ken notice of in other places, yet the rareness of it in so heal∣thy a country as is this, cannot but speak loud in the ears of Gods people, who desire to hear the rod, and who hath ap∣pointed it, and perceive plainly many of them, that the Lord will have us to know, that if his own people tread in the

same steps of riot and excess in the plenty he hath given them, with the men of this world, he will lay the same sicknesses and diseases upon them; and further they perceive, according to the ordinary dispensation of his providences toward them, he hath some further great work to do with his N. E. people, that he is beginning again to a waken, rouze up, and quicken them with the rod of his power: For thus they begin to rea∣son with themselves, when the Lord was pleased to expose them, their wifes, and little ones to the troubles of a tempe∣stuous Sea in so long a voyage, and the wants of a barren Wil∣derness in great penury of food, he brought forth by his mighty power, and stretched-our arm, the glorious fabrick of his New-E. Churches; and therefore now again they look for some further extraordinary great work of his, if he shall once again be pleased to refine them in this furnace of his, and would the Lord Christ would confirm our brethren in England in like faith by our example, yea, and far beyond many de∣grees, as the Wonder-working providence of Sions Saviour toward them hath more abundantly exceeded, and that as this in three seven years is comprised, though very weakly in this little book, there's in one seven year would require vo∣lumes, and as this is wonderful, there is almost miraculous, and wonderful to the whole world, as if the Lord Christ did intend to make his power known more abundantly, then ever the sons of men saw Kings and Kingdoms strengthened, with affinity and consanguinity, the valiant of the world, men skil'd in feats of war, as Goliah from a child, fierce and pampered horses, whose necks are covered with strong neighing, and cunning Engeniers, men skilful to destroy with all the terrible engins of war, together with swarms of souldiers flocking together to swallow up the poor remnant of Gods people, all these hath the Lord caused to fall before your eyes, and our ears have heard the noyse of this great fall; and beloved countrymen, and our dear brethren in Christ, step into the closet of your own hearts with us, and see if there will not be some things in this following verse that may suit your con∣dition as well as ours, that having sown in tears, we may reap with joy the glorious harvest of our Lord Christ, which is

hard at hand, for assuredly the Lord is tyed neither to us, nor you, but may, if it please him, cast off both, and raise up new instruments for his following work, but if he be pleased to give us melting hearts for our former miscarriages, and renew us with a more zealous courage and earnest contending for the faith, it is very like he hath more glorious works by far for us yet to do.

CHAP. IX. Of the wonder-working providences of Christ, wrought for his people among our English Nation, both in our Native coun∣try, and also in N. E. which should stir us up to mourn for all our miscarriages much the more.

FRom silent night true Register of moans, From saddest soul consum'd in deepest sin, A From heart quite rent with sighs and heavy groans, My wailing muse her woful work begins, And to the world brings tunes of sad lament, Sounding nought els but sorrows sad relent.

Sorry to see my sorrows cause augmented, And yet less sorrowful were my sorrows more, A Grief that with grief, is nor with grief prevented, Yet grief it is must ease my grieved sore; So grief and sorrow, care but how to grieve, For grief and sorrow must my cares relieve.

The wound fresh bleeding must be stauch'd with tears, Tears cannot come unless some grief proceed, A Grief comes but slack, which doth increase my fears, Fear, left for want of help I still shall bleed; Do what I can to lengthen my lifes breath, If Christ be wanting, I shall bleed to death.

Thou deepest searcher of each secret thought, Infuse in me thy all-affecting grace,

A So shall my work to good effect be brought, While I peruse my ugly sins a space, Whose staining filth so spotted hath my soul, That nought can wash, but tears of inward dole.

How soon my soul hast thou the Lord forgot, B Who thee and thine through troublous Seas hath lead, On earth thy parts should praise him, suddain rot, Why dost neglect his glorious Kingdom spread. Thy eyes have seen the Mountains mov'd with's hand, And sunk in Seas to make his Sion stand.

No wonder then thy works with Eastern wind B On Seas are broke, and thy best Seamen slain, Sith, thou thy gain, and not Christs work dost mind, Lord stay thy hand, I see my works are vain. Our ships they shall thy Gospel forth convey, And not bring home strange errors here to stay.

Instead of home-oppression, they shall now Thy Saints abroad relieve, by Sea them send; No riot shall our Merchantmen allow, Time in exchange walks, not in Taverns spend: Godly grief and good purpose comes from thee, Lord Christ command, and then to work go we.

Oh thou my soul how weak's thy faith become, With scatter'd seed of man and beast, thou hast Seen thy great God increase thy little sum, C Towns close compact in desart land hath plac't: In Wilderness thy table richly spread, Thy poor therein hath satisfi'd with bread.

While firtil lands with hunger have been pined, C Thy harvest hath with heaps on heaps come in; Oh mourn, that thou no more thy God should'st mind, His gentle rod to teach thee doth begin; Then wonder not that swarms of Locust fly, And that earths fruits for want of moysture die.

A countless crew of Caterpillers craul, To rob the earth of her green mantle quite; Wolves only wont on lesser beasts to fall, C On great ones prey by day, and eke by night: Thy houses are consum'd with much good store, By fearful fires, which blustering winds blow o're.

Lord stay thy hand, and stop my earthly mind, Thy Word, not world, shall be our sole delight, C Not Medow ground, but Christs rich pearl wee'l find, Thy Saints imbrace, and not large lands down plight. Murmure no more will we at yearly pay, To help uphold our Government each way;

Not strive who least, but who the most shall give, Rejoyce will we, our hearts inlarged are, C Those wait on th' Altar, shall on Altar live, Nor shall our riches their good doctrine mar; O••r pride of parts in thought of clear discerning, No longer shall disgrace their godly learning.

Our meaner sort that metamorphos'd are, With womens hair, in gold and garments gay,

C Whose wages large our Commonwealths work mar, Their pride they shall with moderation lay: Cast off their cloaths, that men may know their rank, Axd women that with outward deckings prank,

The worlds imbrace our longing lust for gain, D No longer shall us into corners draw, Nor our large herds us from Gods house detain From fellowship of Saints, who learn thy Law: Thy righteous Judgments Lord do make me tremble, Nor word, nor rod, but deep in this dissemble.

Two Masters, Lord, we will professed serve; How can we Christ united be to thee, D When from thy Law learn'd we so greatly swarve, With watry tears unclued we will be. From creature-comforts, Christ thou art our stay, Work will and deed in us we humbly pray.

Oh thou, my soul, and every part in me Lament, the Lord his worthies from the earth Takes to himself, and makes our earth to be E A mourning place left destituke of mirth;

Are these the daies wherein that Beast shall fall, Lord leave us means, though thou be all in all.

What courage was in Winthrope, it was thine; Shopheards sweet Sermons from thy blessing came, E Our heavenly Hooker thy grace did refine, And godly Burr receiv'd from thee his frame: Philips didst thou indue with Scripture light, And Huet had his arguings strong and right.

Grave Higginson his heavenly truths from thee, E Maveruck was made an able help to thine; What Harver had thou gavest, for's people free; Follow Green full of grace, to work thou didst assign: Godly Glover his rich gifts thou gavest, Thus thou by means thy flocks from spoiling savest.

But Lord, why dost by death withdraw thy hand From us, these men and means are sever'd quite; Stretch forth thy might, Lord Christ do thou command, Their doubled spirit on those left to light: Forth of their graves call ten times ten again, That thy dear flocks no damage may sustain.

Can I forget these means that thou hast used, To quicken up my drowsie drooping soul; Lord I forget, and have the same abused, Which makes me now with grief their deaths condole, And kiss thy rod, laid on with bowels tender, By death of mine, makes me their death remember.

Lord, stay thy hand, thy Jacobs number's small, Powre out thy wrath on Antichrists proud Thrones; Here thy poor flocks that on thee daily call, Bottle their tears, and pity their sad groans. Where shall we go Lord Christ? we turn to thee, Heal our back slidings, forward press shall we.

Not we, but all thy Saints the world throughout Shall on thee wait, thy wonders to behold; Thou King of Saints, the Lord in battel stont Increase thy armies many thousand fold. Oh Nations all, his anger seek to stay, That doth create him armies every day.

CHAP. X. Of the endeavours of this people of Christ, to inlarge his King∣dom the world throughout, and first of their preaching Christ to the Indians, among whom they live.

THese brood of Travellers having thus through the good hand of their God upon them, thus setled these Churches, according to the institution of Christ, and not by the will of man; they now endeavour to be assisting to others: The reverend Mr. Hugh Peters, and his fellow-helper in Christ Mr. Wells steered their course for England, so soon as they heard of the chaining up of those biting beasts, who went under the name of spiritual Lords; what assistance the Gospel of Christ found there by their preach∣ing, is since clearly manifested; for the Lord Christ ha∣ving removed that usurping power of Lordly Prelates, hath now inlarged his Kingdom there, and that not one∣ly by the means of these men, but by divers others, both godly and eminent servants of his, who never saw New-England; and by divers other godly Ministers of Christ, who have since gone from hence, both young Students and others, to the number of twenty, or thereabout, in the whole; besides some who were eminent in the civil Go∣vernment here, both gracious and godly servants of Christ, and some who have been Magistrates here, to the number of five or six, the Lord Christ grant they may all endeavour the advancement of his truths, both in Churches and ci∣vil Government: But before the Author cease to speak of England, he is bold to say, that the Lord Christ will overturn, overturn, overturn, till he hath caused such a Go∣vernment to be set up, as shall become nursing fathers to his new-planted Churches.

The Indian people in these parts at the English first com∣ing, were very barbarous and uncivilized, going for the most part naked, although the country be extreme cold

cold in the winter-season: they are onely clothed with a Deers skin, and a little bit of cloth to cover their privy part. The Wo∣men for the most part are very modest, although they go as naked as the Men: they are generally very laborious at their planting time, and the Men extraordinary idle, making their squawes to carry their Children and the luggage beside; so that many times they travell eight or ten mile with a burden on their backs, more fit∣ter for a horse to carry then a woman. The men follow no kind of labour but hunting, fishing and fowling, in all which they make use of their Bowe and Arrowes to shoot the wilde creatures of the Trees, as Squirrells, gray and black Rockoones: as for Deer, they ordinarily catch them in traps, with a pole bent down, and a Cord at the end, which flyes up and stayes their hasty course. Bever, Otter, and Moose they catch with Traps also: they are very good marks-men, with their Bowe and Arrows. Their Boyes will ordinarily shoot fish with their Arrowes as they swim in the shallow Rivers, they draw the Arrow halfe way putting the point of it into the water, they let flye and strike the fish through; the like they do to Birds lesser and great: onely the Geese and Turkies being strong of wing, somtimes flee away with their Arrowes sticking in them; this is all the trade they use, which makes them destitute of many recessaries, both in meat, drink, ap∣parell and houses.

As for any religious observation, they were the most destitute of any people yet heard of, the Divel having them in very great subjection, not using craft to delude them, as he ordinarily doth in most parts of the World: but kept them in a continuall slavish fear of him: onely the Powawes, who are more conversant with him, then any other, sometimes recover their sicke folk with charmes, which they use, by the help of the Divell; and this makes them to adore such; one of them was seen as is reported to cure a Squaw that was dangerously sick, by taking a snakes skin and winding it about her arm the which soon became a living snake crawling round about her armes and body; another caused the sick patient for healing, to pass bare footed through many burning coals; those that cannot cure them, they call Squantams powwons: but if the patient live, he is had in great admiration, and then they cry, Much winnit Abbamocho, that is, very good

Divell: for Squantam is a bad Divel, and Abbamocho is their good Divell. It hath been a thing very frequent, before the English came, for the Divell to appear unto them in a bodily shape, some∣times very ugly and terrible, and sometimes like a white boy, and chiefly in the most hideous woods and swamps: they report that sometimes he hath come into their wigwams, and carryed away divers of them alive: and since we came hither, they tell us of a very terrible beast for shape and bigness, that came into a wigwam toward the North-east parts, remote from any English plantations, and took away six men at a time, who were never seen afterward. The English at their first coming did assay and endeavour to bring them to the knowledge of God: and in par∣ticular the reverend, grave, and godly Mr. John Wilson, who visited their sick, and instructed others as they were capable to under∣stand him. But yet very little was done that way, till in process of time they by continuall coming to the English, became bet∣ter able to understand them; and now of late yeers the reverend Mr. Eliot hath been more then ordinary laborious to study their language, instructing them in their own Wigwams, and Ca∣techising their Children. As also the reverend Mr. Mayhewe, one who was tutored up in N. Eng. and called to office by the Church of Christ, gathered at a small Island called Martins Vineyard: this man hath taken good pains with them: but the particulars of our godly Ministers labours, together with the good hand of our God upon their indeavours, being already published, no further need be spoken.

CHAP. XI. Of the gratious goodness of the Lord Christ, in planting his Gospel in the purety of it, in Virginia: and of the first Church gathered there according to the rule of the Gospel.

ABout the yeer the Lord was pleased to put it into the heare of some godly people in Virginia, to send to N. E. for some of the Ministers of Christ, to be helpfull unto them in instructing them in the truth, as it is in Jesus. The godly Mr. Phi∣lip Bennit coming hither, made our reverend Elders acquainted with their desires, who were very studious to take all opportu∣nities for inlarging the kingdome of Christ: and upon serious con∣sideration, the reverend Mr. Knowls of Watertowne, and Mr. Tompson of Braintree were sent unto them, who ariving there in safety, preached openly unto the people for some good space of time, and also from house to house exhorted the people dayly, that with full purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord; the harvest they had was plentifull for the little space of time they were there, till being opposed by the Governour and some other malignant spirits, they were forced to returne to N. E. again. It were much to be desired, that all people would take notice of the hand of God against this people, after the rejection of these Ministers of Christ: and indeed it was none other but the thrusting Christ from them; and now attend to the following story, all you Cavaliers and malignant party the world through∣out, take notice of the wonderworking providence of Christ toward his Churches, and punishing hand of his toward the contemners of his Gospel. Behold ye•• dispisers, and wonder. Oh poor Virginia▪ dost thou send away the Ministers of Christ with threatning speeches? No sooner is this done, but the barba∣rous, inhumane, insolent, and bloody Indians are let loose upon them, who contrive the cutting them off by whole Families, closely carying their wicked counsells till they had effected their desires, their bloody designe taking place for the space of 200 miles

up the River: the manner of the English Plantations there being very scattering quite contrary to N. E. people, who for the most part desire society. The manner of the Indians proceeding was thus, they divided themselves into severall companies, and beset the English houses a little before break of day, waiting for the first person that should open the doore and come forth, whom they cruelly murdered, beating out their brains, and then forth∣with entred the house and slew all they found within, sometimes fi∣ring the houses, and leaving the living children miserably to be con∣sumed with their dead Parents in the fearfull flames; some peo∣ple fleeing from this barbarous massacre, as they passed by a fired house heard a pitifull out-cry of a poor Child, crying, I burn, I burn: although they could willingly have made haste a∣way, yet the miserable out-cry of this poor babe, caused them to haft to the house, and rescue it forth the flames, that was even al∣most ready to scorch it: this cruell and bloody work of theirs put period to the lives of five or six hundred of these people, who had not long before a plentifull proffer of the mercies of Christ in the glad tidings of peace published by the mouth of his Ministers, who came unto them for that end: but chusing rather the fellowship of their drunken companions, and a Preist of their own profession, who could hardly continue so long sober as till he could read them the reliques of mans invention in a com∣mon prayer book; but assuredly had not the Lord pittied the little number of his people among this crooked generation, they had been consumed at once for this is further remarkable in this massa∣cre, when it came toward the place where Christ had placed his little flock, it was discovered & prevented from further proceeding, and the Lord by this means did so allay their spirits of ma∣lignity toward his people, they gathered in a Church in presence of the very governour himself, and called to office one Mr. Har∣rison, who could not long continue among them, by reason of their fresh renewed malignity, who had formerly an evill eye to∣ward them, and could no better refraine from oppressing them, then Pharoah after he had rest from the plagues under which he was. After the departure of Mr. Harrison, one Mr. Duren became an help unto them; but he and his people also were forced to remove many hundred miles up into the country, where they

now remain; but assuredly the Lord hath more scourges in store, for such as force the people to such sufferings: and therefore let this Church of Christ continue in the way of his truth according to the rules of his Gospel, and without doubt the Lord will preserve and continue them, let the adversaries of his Truth be never so potent. As also about this time, the Lord was pleased to gather a people together in the Isle of Bermoodas, whose hearts being guided by the rule of the word, they gathered into a Church of Christ according to the rules of the Gospel, being provided with able persons, indued with gifts from the Lord to administer unto them the holy things of God; and after they be∣gan to be opposed, their reverend elder Mr. Goulding came in∣to these parts, and from hence he went to England: but this lit∣tle flock of Christ not long after being banished from thence, went to one of the Southern Islands, where they endured much hardship; and which the Churches of Christ in these parts understanding, about six or eight of them contributing toward their want, ga∣thered about 800 l. to supply their necessity: the which they shipped in a small vessell hired for that end and sent by the hands of two brethren both corne and other necessaries: they arriving in safety by the blessing of God upon their labours, were well welcomed by their brethren, who abundantly blessed the Lord for them, and with godly and gratious expression returned a thankfull acknowledgement of the present good hand of the Lord Christ, in providing for them: so that as this book began with the wonderworking providence of Sions Saviour, in pro∣viding so wonderfull gratiously for his Churches the World throughout; so it here endeth with the same; and it were to be desired, that the Churches of Christ in Europe would gather up the wonderfull providences of the Lord toward them also, and more especially those in our native Country: for assuredly it would make much for the magnifying of his glorious works in this day of his power: and although the malignant and antichristi∣an party may say, they can shew the like wonders (as Jannes and Jambres that with-stood Moses) yet were the worke of Christ for his poor Churches, within these few yeers, gathered together by some able instrument whom the Lord might be pleased to stir up for that end, and laid open the view of all, they would be

forced to confess, this is the very finger of God, and no doubt but they would be a great strengthening to the faith of those, who are appointed of the Lord for the overthrow of Antichrist (the Lord helping) for assuredly the time of his having mercy upon Sion is come.

CHAP. XII. Of the time of the fall of Antichrist, and the increase of the Gentile Churches, even to the prevoking of the twelve Tribes to submit to the kingdom of Christ.

IT hath been the longing expectation of many, to see that nota∣ble and wonderfull worke of the Lord Christ, in casting down that man of sin who hath held the whole world (of those that profess any Christ) under his Lordly power, while the true professors of Christ have hardly had any appearance to the eye of the world; first, take notice the Lord hath an assured se•• time for the accomplishment of this work, which is set down in his word, although more darkly to be under stood; wherefore the reverend Ministers of Christ, for these many yeers have studied and laboured for the finding it out, and that holy man of God Mr. John Cotton, among many other, hath diligently searched for the Lords mind herein, and hath declared some sudden blow to be given to this blood-thirsty monster: but the Lord Christ hath unseparably joyned the time, meanes, and manner of this work together, and therefore all men that expect the day, must attend the means: for such hath been and is the absurdity of many, that they make semblance of a very zealous affection to see the glorious work of our Lord Christ herein, and yet themselves uphold, or at least side with those that uphold some part of Anti∣christs kingdome: and therefore the lordly Prelacy may pray for his fall till their lungs are spent, and their throats grow dry. But while they have a seeming shew (and hardly that) to oppose his doctrines, they themselves in the mean time, make use of his power to advance themselves to honour: a•• also in these dayes there are divers desperate, blasphemous, and erronious per∣sons,

whose consciences and their own self-will are unseparable companions; these are very hot in their own apprehensions to prosecute the work; but in the mean time, they not only batter down the truths of Christ, and his own Ordinances and Instituti∣ons, but also set up that part of Antichrists kingdom, which hath formerly had a great blow already, even his deceiveable and damnable doctrines: for as one badg of the beast is to be sull of blasphemies, so are they, and these take unto themselves seven spirits worse then the former, making the latter and worse then the beginning, as this story may testifie: and some stories in our native country much more. But to come to the time of Anti∣christs fall, and all that expect it may depend upon the certainty of it: yea it may be boldly said that the time is come, and all may see the dawning of the day: you that long so much for it, come forth and fight: who can expect a victory without a battel? the lordly Prelates that boasted so much of these great atcheive∣ments in this work, are fled into holes and corners: Familists, Seekers, Antinomians and Anabaptists, they are so ill armed, that they think it best sleeping in a whole skin, fearing that if the day of battell once go on, they shall fall among Antichrists Ar∣mies: and therefore cry out like cowards, If you will let me alone, and I will let you alone: but assuredly the Lord Christ hath said, He that is not with us, is against us: there is no room in his Army for toleratorists. But some will say▪ We will never believe the day i•• come till our eyes behold Babylon be∣girt with Souldiers. I pray be not too hasty; hath not the Lord said, Come out of her my people? &c. surely there is a little space left for this, and now is the time, seeing the Lord hath set up his standerd of resort: now, Come forth of her, and he not partakers of her sins: now is the time, when the Lord hath assembled his Saints together; now the Lord will come and not tar∣ry. As it was necessary that there should be a Moses and Aaron, before the Lord would deliver his people and destroy Pharaoh lest they should be wildred indeed in the Wilderness; so now it was needfull, that the Churches of Christ should first obtain their purity, and the civill government its power to defend them, before Antichrist come to his finall ruine: and because you shall be sure the day is come indeed, behold the Lord Christ mar∣shalling

of his invincible Army to the battell: some suppose this onely to be mysticall, and not literall at all: assuredly the spiri∣tuall fight is chiefly to be attended, and the other not neglected, having a neer dependancy one upon the other, especially at this time; the Ministers of Christ who have cast off all lording power over one another, are created field-Officers, whose Office is ex∣travagant in this Army, chiefly to encourage the fighting Souldi∣ers, and to lead them on upon the enemy in the most advanta∣gious places, and bring on fresh supplies in all places of danger, to put the sword of the spirit in their Souldiers hands: but Christ (who is their general) must onely enable them to use it aright: to give every Souldier in charge that they watch over one another, to see that none meddle with the execrable things of Antichrist, and this to be performed in every Regiment throughout the Army: and not one to exercise dominion over the other by way of superiority: for Christ hath appointed a parity in all his Regiments, &c. let them beware that none go apart with rebellious Korah. And further, behold, Kings, Rulers, or Generals of Earths Armies, doth Christ make use of in this day of battell, the which he hath brought into the field already also; who are appointed to defend, uphold, and maintain the whole body of his Armies against the insolent, beastly, and bloody cruelty of their insatiable enemies, and to keep order that none do his fellow-Souldier any wrong, nor that any should raise a mutiny in the hosts. Notwithstanding all this, if any shall say, they will not believe the day is come till they see them ingage battell with Antichrist; Verily, if the Lord be pleased to open your eyes, you may see the beginning of the fight, and what success the Armies of our Lord Christ have hitherto had: the Forlorne hopes of Antichrists Army, were the proud Prelates of England: the Forlorne of Christs Armies, were these N. E. people who are the subject of this History, which encountring each other for some space of time, ours being overpowered with multitude, were forced to retreat to a place of greater safety, where they waited for a fresh opportunity to ingage with the main battell of Antichrist, so soon as the Lord shall be pleased to give a word of Command. Immediately upon this success, the Lord Christ was pleased to command the right Wing of his Army, to advance against the left Wing of Anti∣christ:

where in his former forlorn hopes of proud Prelates lay: these by our right Wing had their first pay (for that they had done to our forlorne before) being quite overthrown and cut in peices by the valiant of the Lord in our right Wing, who still remain fighting. Thus far of the battell of Antichrist, and the various success; what the issue will be, is assuredly known in the generall already. Babylon is fallen, the God of truth hath said it; then who would not be a Souldier on Christs side, where is such a certainty of victory? nay I can tell you a farther word of encou∣ragement, every true-hearted Souldier that falls by the sword in this fight, shall not lye dead long, but stand upon his feet again, and be made partaker of the triumph of this Victory: and none can be overcome, but by turning his back in fight. And for a word of terrour to the enemy, let them know, Christ will never give over the raising of fresh Forces, till they are overthrown root and branch. And now you antient people of Israel look out of your Prison grates, let these Armies of the Lord Christ Jesus provoke you to acknowledge he is certainly come, I and speedily he doth come to put life into your dry bones: here is a people not onely praying but fighting for you, that the great block may be removed out of the way, (which hath hindered hitherto) that they with you may enjoy that glorious resurrection-day, the glori∣ous nuptials of the Lamb: when not only the Bridegroom shall ap∣pear to his Churches both of Jews and Gentiles, (which are his spouse) in a more brighter aray then ever heretofore, but also his Bride shall be clothed by him in the richest garments that ever the Sons of men put on, even the glorious graces of Christ Jesus, in such a glorious splendor to the eyes of man, that they shall see and glo∣rifie the Father of both Bridegroom and Bride.

OH King of Saints, how great's thy work say we,Line 1 Done and to do, poor Captives to redeem! Mountaines of mercy makes this work to be Glorious, that grace by which thy works are seen. Oh Jesu, thou a Saviour unto thine, Not works but grace makes us this mercy find.

Of sinners cheife, no better men they be,Line 2 Thou by thy work hast made thy work to do: Thy Captaines strength weak dust appears in thee, While thou art brought such wondrous works unto.

Then Christ doth all, I all is done for his Redeemed ones his onely work it is.

Doth Christ build Churches? who can them deface?Line 3 He purchast them none can his right deny: Not all the world, ten thousand worlds, his grace Caus'd him once them at greater price to buy. Nor marvell then if Kings and Kingdomes he Destroy'd, when they do cause his folke to flee.

Christ is come down possession for to takeLine 4 Of his deer purchase; who can hinder him? Not all the Armies earthly men can make: Millions of spirits, although Divels grim: Can Pope or Turke with all their mortall power, Stay Christ from his inheritance one hour?

All Nations band your selves together now,Line 5 You shall fall down as dust from bellows blown: How easie can our King your power bow? Though higher you in mens accompt were grown. As drop in bucket shall those waters be, Whereon that Whore doth sit in high degree.

Christs wrath is kindled, who can stand beforeLine 6 His anger, that so long hath been provoked? In moment perish shall all him before, Who touch'd Mount Sinai, and it soundly smoaked. New-England Churches you are Christs you say, So sure are all that walk in Christs way.

No such need fear fury of men or Divels,Line 7 Why Christ among you takes his dayly walk: He made you gold, you keeps from rusting evils, And hid you here from strife of tongues proud talke. Amongst his he for their defence doth bide, They need no more that have Christ on their side.

Man be not proud of this thy exaltation:Line 8 For thou wast dung and dogs filth, when Christ wrought In thee his work, and set thee in this station To stand, from him thy strength is dayly brought, Yet in him thou shalt go triumphant on: Not thou but Christ triumphs his foes upon.

You people whom he by the hand did leadLine 9 〈…〉〈…〉 Seas with watry wall:

Apply your selves his Scriptures for to read: In reading do for eyes enlightned call, And you shall see Christ once being come is now Again at hand your stubborn hearts to bow.

Though scattered you, Earths Kingdoms are throughout,Line 10 In bondage brought, cheife by those make some shew Of Jewish rights, they Christ with you cast out: Christ well their Cords for you in sunder hew. Through unbeliefe you were to bondage brought: Believe that Christ for you great work hath wrought.

He will your heart not member circumcise:Line 11 Oh search and see, this is your Jesus sure, Refuse him not, would God you were so wise: None but this King can ought your hope procure. Once doting on an Earthly Kingdom you Mist of your Christ; be sure be wiser now.

The day's at hand he will you wiser makeLine 12 To know Earths Kingdoms are too scant and base For such a price, as Christ paid for your sake: Kings you shall be, but in a higher place; Yet for your freedom Nations great shall fall, That without fear of foes, him serve you shall.

You are the men that Christ will cause subdueLine 13 Those Turkish Troops, that joyned Jews have been: His Gentile Churches cast down Babels crue: Then you that brood of Mahumetts shall win, Destroy his seed 'mongst Persians, Turkes and Moores, And for poor Christians ope the Prison doors.

Your Nation prov'd too scant for his possession,Line 14 Whose pretious blood was made a price for sin: And Nations all who were in like transgression; Some of the whole Christ to his Crown will win, And now makes way for this his work indeed, That through the world his Kingdom may proceed.

Now Nations all I pray you look about,Line 15 Christ comes you neer, his power I pray embrace: In's word him seek; he's found without all doubt: He doth beseech with teares, Oh seek his face: Yet time there is, the Battel's but begun; Christ call thy folke that they to thee may run.

Place them in thy strong Armies newly gather'd,Line 16 Thy Churches Lord increase and fill withall: Those blessed ones are given thee by thy Father, The wickeds Rod off from their backs recall. Breake off their yokes, that they with freedom may Tell of thy workes, and praise thee every day.

Lord Christ go on with thy great wonders workingLine 17 Down headlong cast all Antichristian power: Ʋnmaske those men that lye in corners lurking, Whose damned doctrines dayly s••ates advance. For why, thy Folke for this are dayly longing, That Nations may come in thy Churches thronging.

What greater joy can come thy Saints among,Line 18 Then to behold their Christ exalted high? Thy Spirits joy with ravishment stirs strong Thy Folke, while they thy Kingdomes glory eye. Angels rejoyce because their waiting is In Saints assembly, where thy name they bliss.

Thy workes are not in Israels Land confined,Line 19 From East to West thy wondrous works are known: To Nations all thou hast thy grace assigned, Thy spirits breathings through the World are blown. All Languages and tongues do tell thy praise, Dead hear thy voyce, them thou dost living raise.

Oh blessed dayes of Son of Man now seen,Line 20 You that have long'd so sore them to behold, March forth in's might, and stoutly stand between The mighties sword, and Christs dear flocke infold. Ʋndanted close and clash with them; for why? 'Gainst Christ they are, and he with thee stands by.

No Captive thou, nor Death can on thee seize,Line 21 Fight, stand, and live in Christ thou dayly dost He long ago did lead as Captives these, And ever lives to save thee where thou goest His Father still, and Spirit shall with thee Abide, and crowne thy Head with lasting glee.

For thy words sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them, 2 Sam. 7. 21.

FINIS.

Notes

• A

  The consideration of the wonderful providence of Christ in plant∣ing his N. E. Churches, and with the right hand of his power preser∣ving, protecting, favouring, and feeding them upon his tender knees: Together with the ill requital of his all-infinite and undeserved mercies bestowed upon us, bath caused many a soul to lament for the dishonor done to his Name, and sear of his casting of this little handful of his, and the insulting of the enemy, whose forrow is set forth in these four first staffs of verses.
• A

  The consideration of the wonderful providence of Christ in plant∣ing his N. E. Churches, and with the right hand of his power preser∣ving, protecting, favouring, and feeding them upon his tender knees: Together with the ill requital of his all-infinite and undeserved mercies bestowed upon us, bath caused many a soul to lament for the dishonor done to his Name, and sear of his casting of this little handful of his, and the insulting of the enemy, whose forrow is set forth in these four first staffs of verses.
• A

  The consideration of the wonderful providence of Christ in plant∣ing his N. E. Churches, and with the right hand of his power preser∣ving, protecting, favouring, and feeding them upon his tender knees: Together with the ill requital of his all-infinite and undeserved mercies bestowed upon us, bath caused many a soul to lament for the dishonor done to his Name, and sear of his casting of this little handful of his, and the insulting of the enemy, whose forrow is set forth in these four first staffs of verses.
• A

  The consideration of the wonderful providence of Christ in plant∣ing his N. E. Churches, and with the right hand of his power preser∣ving, protecting, favouring, and feeding them upon his tender knees: Together with the ill requital of his all-infinite and undeserved mercies bestowed upon us, bath caused many a soul to lament for the dishonor done to his Name, and sear of his casting of this little handful of his, and the insulting of the enemy, whose forrow is set forth in these four first staffs of verses.
• B

  The Rod of God toward us in our Maritine affairs manifested, not only to our own shipping, but strangers; as the Mary Rose blown up in Charles River, and sunk in a moment, with about thirteen men slain therein: As also one Capt. Chadwicks Pinnace, and about four men slain therein, beside what hath been formerly said touching our own shipping.
• B

  The Rod of God toward us in our Maritine affairs manifested, not only to our own shipping, but strangers; as the Mary Rose blown up in Charles River, and sunk in a moment, with about thirteen men slain therein: As also one Capt. Chadwicks Pinnace, and about four men slain therein, beside what hath been formerly said touching our own shipping.
• C

  Of the Lords hand against our Land affairs, as is heretofore expres∣sed; and also in the suddain taking away many mens estates by fire, and chiefly by a most terrible fire which happened in Charles-Town, in the depth of Winter, 1650. by a violent wind blown from one house to ano∣ther, to the consuming of the fairest houses in the Town: Ʋnder the pre∣••ance of being unequally rated, many men murmure exceedingly, and withdraw their shoulders from the support of Government, to the great discouragement of those that govern, 1651. Pride and excess in apparrel i•• frequent in these daies, when the Lord calls his people to humiliation and humble acknowledgment of his great deliverances; and that which is far worse, spiritual pride, to shew our selves to be somebody, often step ••ut of our ranks, and delight in new fangled doctrines.
• C

  Of the Lords hand against our Land affairs, as is heretofore expres∣sed; and also in the suddain taking away many mens estates by fire, and chiefly by a most terrible fire which happened in Charles-Town, in the depth of Winter, 1650. by a violent wind blown from one house to ano∣ther, to the consuming of the fairest houses in the Town: Ʋnder the pre∣••ance of being unequally rated, many men murmure exceedingly, and withdraw their shoulders from the support of Government, to the great discouragement of those that govern, 1651. Pride and excess in apparrel i•• frequent in these daies, when the Lord calls his people to humiliation and humble acknowledgment of his great deliverances; and that which is far worse, spiritual pride, to shew our selves to be somebody, often step ••ut of our ranks, and delight in new fangled doctrines.
• C

  Of the Lords hand against our Land affairs, as is heretofore expres∣sed; and also in the suddain taking away many mens estates by fire, and chiefly by a most terrible fire which happened in Charles-Town, in the depth of Winter, 1650. by a violent wind blown from one house to ano∣ther, to the consuming of the fairest houses in the Town: Ʋnder the pre∣••ance of being unequally rated, many men murmure exceedingly, and withdraw their shoulders from the support of Government, to the great discouragement of those that govern, 1651. Pride and excess in apparrel i•• frequent in these daies, when the Lord calls his people to humiliation and humble acknowledgment of his great deliverances; and that which is far worse, spiritual pride, to shew our selves to be somebody, often step ••ut of our ranks, and delight in new fangled doctrines.
• C

  Of the Lords hand against our Land affairs, as is heretofore expres∣sed; and also in the suddain taking away many mens estates by fire, and chiefly by a most terrible fire which happened in Charles-Town, in the depth of Winter, 1650. by a violent wind blown from one house to ano∣ther, to the consuming of the fairest houses in the Town: Ʋnder the pre∣••ance of being unequally rated, many men murmure exceedingly, and withdraw their shoulders from the support of Government, to the great discouragement of those that govern, 1651. Pride and excess in apparrel i•• frequent in these daies, when the Lord calls his people to humiliation and humble acknowledgment of his great deliverances; and that which is far worse, spiritual pride, to shew our selves to be somebody, often step ••ut of our ranks, and delight in new fangled doctrines.
• C

  Of the Lords hand against our Land affairs, as is heretofore expres∣sed; and also in the suddain taking away many mens estates by fire, and chiefly by a most terrible fire which happened in Charles-Town, in the depth of Winter, 1650. by a violent wind blown from one house to ano∣ther, to the consuming of the fairest houses in the Town: Ʋnder the pre∣••ance of being unequally rated, many men murmure exceedingly, and withdraw their shoulders from the support of Government, to the great discouragement of those that govern, 1651. Pride and excess in apparrel i•• frequent in these daies, when the Lord calls his people to humiliation and humble acknowledgment of his great deliverances; and that which is far worse, spiritual pride, to shew our selves to be somebody, often step ••ut of our ranks, and delight in new fangled doctrines.
• C

  Of the Lords hand against our Land affairs, as is heretofore expres∣sed; and also in the suddain taking away many mens estates by fire, and chiefly by a most terrible fire which happened in Charles-Town, in the depth of Winter, 1650. by a violent wind blown from one house to ano∣ther, to the consuming of the fairest houses in the Town: Ʋnder the pre∣••ance of being unequally rated, many men murmure exceedingly, and withdraw their shoulders from the support of Government, to the great discouragement of those that govern, 1651. Pride and excess in apparrel i•• frequent in these daies, when the Lord calls his people to humiliation and humble acknowledgment of his great deliverances; and that which is far worse, spiritual pride, to shew our selves to be somebody, often step ••ut of our ranks, and delight in new fangled doctrines.
• D

  An over-eager desire after the world hath so seized on the spi∣rits of many, that the chief end of our coming hither is forgotten; and notwithstanding all the powerful means used, we stand at a stay, as if the Lord had no farther work for his people to do, but every bird to feather his own nest.
• D

  An over-eager desire after the world hath so seized on the spi∣rits of many, that the chief end of our coming hither is forgotten; and notwithstanding all the powerful means used, we stand at a stay, as if the Lord had no farther work for his people to do, but every bird to feather his own nest.
• E

  The Lords taking away by death many of his most eminent servants from us, shewes, that either the Lord will raise up another people to him∣self to do his work, or raise us up by his Rod to a more eager pursuit of his work, even the planting of his Churches the world throughout. The Lord converts and calls forth of their graves men to fight his battels a∣gainst the enemies of his truth.
• E

  The Lords taking away by death many of his most eminent servants from us, shewes, that either the Lord will raise up another people to him∣self to do his work, or raise us up by his Rod to a more eager pursuit of his work, even the planting of his Churches the world throughout. The Lord converts and calls forth of their graves men to fight his battels a∣gainst the enemies of his truth.
• Aso Mr. Wil∣liam Leveriry Pastor of Sandwich Church, is very serious therein, and with good success.
• Mr. Natha∣neel White, Mr. Patrick, Copeland, Mr. William Gol∣ding.
• Rev. 17.14.
• Yea every Officer hath his own proper Re∣giment.