The soveraignty & goodness of God, together, with the faithfulness of his promises displayed; being a narrative of the captivity and restauration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson. Commended by her, to all that desires to know the Lords doing to, and dealings with her. Especially to her dear children and relations, / written by her own hand for her private use, and now made publick at the earnest desire of some friends, and for the benefit of the afflicted.

The Preface to the READER.

IT was on Tuesday, Feb. 1. 1675. in the afternoon, when the Narrhagansets quarters (in or toward the Nipmug Country, whi∣ther they are now retyred for fear of the English Army lying in their own Country) were the second time beaten up by the Forces of the united Colonies, who thereupon soon betook themselves to flight, and were all the next day pursued by the English, some overtaken and destroyed, But on Thursday, Feb. 3. The English having now been six dayes on their march, from their he••d quarters, at Wickford, in the Narrhaganset Country, toward, and after the Enemy, and provision grown exceeding short, inso∣much that they were fain to kill some Horses for the supply, especi∣ally of their Indian friends, they were necessitated to consider what was best to be done: And about noon (having hitherto followed the chase as hard as they might) a Councill was called, and though some few were of another mind, yet it was concluded by far the greater part of the Councill of War, that the Army should desist the pursuit, and retire: the Forces of Plimouth and the Bay to the next Town of the Bay, and Connecticut Forces to their own next Towns: Which determination was immediately put in execution. The con∣sequent whereof, as it was not difficult to be foreseen by those that knew the causless enmity of these Barbarians, against the English, and the malicious and revengefull spirit of these Heathen: so it soon proved dismall.

The Narrhagansets were now driven quite from their own Coun∣trey, and all their provisions there hoarded up, to which they durst not at present return, and being so numerous as they were, soon de∣voured those to whom they went, whereby both the one and other were now reduced to extream straits, and so necessitated to take the first and best opportunity for supply, and very glad, no doubt of such an opportunity as this, to provide for themselves, and make spoil of the English at once; and seeing themselves thus discharged of their pursuers, and a little refreshed after their flight, the very next week on Thurseday, Feb. 10. they fell with mighty force and fury upon Lancaster: which small Town, remote from aid of others, and not being Gerisoned as it might, the Army being now come in, and as the time indeed required (the design of the Indians against

that place being known to the English some time before) was not able to make effectual resistance: but notwithstanding utmost endea∣vour of the Inhabitants, most of the buildings were turned into ashes; many People (Men, Women and Children) slain, and o∣thers captivated. The most solemn and remarkable part of this Trajedy, may that justly be reputed, which fell upon the Family of that reverend Servant of God, Mr. Joseph Rolandson, the faithfull Pastor of Christ in that place, who being gone down to the Councill of the M••ssachusets to seek aid for the defence of the place, at his return found the Town in flames, or smoke, his own house being ser on fire by the Enemy, through the disadvantage of a defective Forti∣fication, and all in it consumed: his precious yoke-fellow, and dear Children, wounded and captivated (as the issue evidenced, and fol∣lowing Narrative declares) by these cruel and barbarous Salvages. A sad Catestrophe! Thus all things come alike to all: None knows either love or hatred by âll that is before him. It is no new thing for Gods precions ones to drink as deep as others, of the Cup of common Calamity: Take just Lot (yet captivated) for instance beside others. But it is not my business to dilate on these things, but only in few words introductively to preface to the following script, which is a Narrative of the wonderfully awfull, wise, holy, powerfull, and gracious providence of God, towards that worthy and precious Gentle woman, the dear Consort of the said Reve∣rend Mr. Rowlandson, and her Children with her, as in casting of her into such a waterless pit, so in preserving, supporting, and car∣rying thorow so many such extream hazards, unspeakable difficul∣ties and disconsolateness, and at last delivering her out of them all, and her surviving Children also. It was a strange and amazing dis∣pensation, that the Lord should so afflict his precious Servant, and Hand maid: It was as strange, if not more, that he should so bear up the spirits of his Servant under such bereavments, and or his hand∣maid under such captivity, travels and hardships (much too hard for flesh and blood) as he did, and at length deliver and restore But he was their Saviour, who hath said, When thou passest through the Waters, I will be with thee, and thorough the Rivers, they shall not overflow thee: When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt no•• ••e burnt, nor shall the flame kindle upon thee, Isa. 93. ver. 2. and again. He woundeth and his hands make whole. He shall deliver thee in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 trou∣bles, yea in seven there shall no evil touch thee: In Famine he shall re∣deem thee from Death, and in War from the power if the sword, Job 5.18, 19, 20. Methinks this dispensation doth bear some resemblance to those of Joseph, David and Daniel; yea, and of the three Child∣ren too, the Stories whereof do represent us with the excellent tex∣tures of divine providence, curious pieces of divine work: and truly so doth this, and therefore not to be forgotten, but worthy to be exhibited to, and viewed, and pondered by all, that disdain not to consider the operation of his hands.

The works of the Lord (not only of Creation, but of Provi∣nce also, especially those that do more peculiarly concern his

dear ones, that are as the Apple of his Eye, as the Signet upon Hi Hand, the Delight of his Eyes, and the Object of his tenderest Care) and great, sought out of all those that have pleasure therein. And of these verily this is none of the least.

This Narrative was penned by the Gentlewoman her self, to be to her a memorandum of Gods dealing with her, that she might never forget, but remember the same, & the severall circumstances there∣of, all the dayes of her life. A pious scope which deserves both commendation and imitation: Some friends having obtained a sight of it, could not but be so much affected with the many passages of working providence discovered therein, as to judge it worthy of publick view, and altogether unmeet that such works of God should be hid from present and future Generations: And therefore though this Gentlewomans modesty would not thrust it into the Press, yet her gratitude unto God made her not hardly perswadable to let it pass, that God might have his due glory, and others bene∣fit by it as well as her self. I hope by this time none will cast any reflection upon this Gentlewoman, on the score of this publication of her affliction and deliverance. If any should, doubtless they may be reckoned with the nine lepers, of whom it is said, Were there not ten cleansed, where are the nine? but one returning to give God thanks. Let such further know that this was a dispensation of publick note, and of universall concernment, and so much the more, by how much the nearer this Gentlewoman stood related to that faithfull Servant of God, whose capacity and employment was publick in the house of God, and his name on that account of a very sweet savour in the Churches of Christ, who is there of a true Christian spirit, that did not look upon himself much concerned in this bereavment, this Cap∣tivity in the time thereof, and in his deliverance when it came, yea more then in many others; and how many are there, to whom so concerned, it will doubtless be a very acceptable thing to see the way of God with this Gentlewoman in the aforesaid dispensation, thus laid out and pourtrayed before their eyes.

To conclude whatever any coy phantasies may deem, yet it highly concerns those that have so deeply tasted, how good the Lord is, to enquire with David, What shall I render to the Lord for all his be∣nefits to me. Psal. 116.12. He thinks nothing too great; yea, be∣ing sensible of his own disproportion to the due praises of God he cals in help. Oh, magnifie the Lord with me, let us exalt his Name together, Psal. 34.3 And it is but reason, that out praises should hold pro∣portion with our prayers: and that as many hath helped together by prayer for the obtaining of his Mercy, so praises should be returned by many on this behalf; And forasmuch as not the generall but par∣ticular knowledge of things makes deepest impression upon the affe∣ctions, this Narrative particularizing the several passages of this pro∣vidence will nor a little conduce thereunto. And therefore holy Da∣vid in order to the attainment of that end, accounts himself concer∣ned to declare what God had done for his soul, Psal. 66.16. Come and hear, a••l ye that fear God, and I will declare what God hath done for

my soul, i. e. for his life, see v. 9, 10. He holdeth our soul in life, and suffers not our feet to be moved, for thou our God hast proved us, thou hast tryed us, as silver is tryed. Life-mercies, are heart-affecting-mercies, of great impression and force, to enlarge pious hearts in the praises of God, so that such know not how but to talk of Gods acts, and to speak of and publish his wonderfull works. Deep troubles, when the waters come in unto thy soul, are wont to produce vowes: vowes must be paid, It is better not vow, than vow and not to pay. I may say, that as none knows what it is to fight and pursue such an enemy as this, but they that have fought and pursued them: so none can ima∣gine what it is to be captivated, and enslaved to such atheisticall proud, wild, cruel, barbarous, bruitish (in one word) diabolicall creatures as these, the worst of the heathen; nor what difficulties, hardships, hazards, sorrows, anxieties and perplexities do unavoid∣ably wait upon such a condition, but those that have tryed it. No serieus spirit then (especialiy knowing any thing of this Gentlewo∣mans piety) can imagine but that the vows of God are upon her. Ex∣cuse her then if she come thus into publick, to pay those vows. Come and hear what she hath to say.

I am confident that no Friend of diviné Providence will ever repent his time and pains, spent in reading over these sheets, but will judg them worth perusing again and again.

Hear Reader, you may see an instance of the Soveraignty of God, who doth what he will with his own as well as others; and who may say to him, What dofl thou? Here you may see an instance of the faith and patience of the Saints, under the most heart-sinking tryals; here you may see, the promises are breasts full of consolation, when all the world besides is empty, and gives nothing but sorrow. That God is indeed the supream Lord of the world, ruling the most unruly, weakening the most cruel and salvage, granting hir People mercy in the sight of the unmercifull, curbing the lusts of the most filthy, holding the hands of the violent, delivering the prey from the migh∣ty, and gathering together the out casts of Israel. Once and again you have heard, but hear you may see, that power belongeth unto God; that our God is the God of Salvation, and to him belong the issues from Death. That our God is in the Heavens, and doth what ever pleases him. Here you have Sampson Riddle examplified, and that great pro∣mise, Rom. 8.28. verified, Out of the Eater comes forth meat, and sweetness out of the strong; The worst of evils working together for the best good. How evident is it that the Lord hath made this Gentle∣woman a gainer by all this affliction, that she can say, 'tis good for her, yea better that she hath been, then that she should not have been, thus afflicted.

Ob how doth God shine forth in such things as these;▪

Reader, if thou gettest no good by such a Declaration as this, the fault must needs be tbine own. Read therefore, Peruse, Ponder, and from hence lay up something from the experience of another, against thine own turn comes, that so thou also through patience and consolation of the Scripture mayest have hope.

PER AMICAM.