The Planting of the Massachusetts Colony, Narrative · Floating text

The Planting of the Massachusetts Colony · Narrative · Floating text

p. 1A NARRATIVE Of the Planting of the Maſſachuſets-Colony &c

THE Late Series of Divine Diſp… ſations tending not only to … diſſolving of the Cemer…, but … the Subverting of the Baſis of t… Fabrick which the Wonder… Worker hath here ſo ſtupendiouſly erected; n… to the Cropping off their Branches, but to t… Rooting up of the tender Plant, which the He… venly Father, here ſo graciouſly hath Plante… hath put ſome of the Old Relict Plante… upon ſmiting on our thighs, and ſerious co… ſiderations of what provoking evils we ha… committed, and what ſpecial ſins, God no… would bring to our Remembrance, whereb… we have ſo highly diſpleaſed our Benig p. 2…l, and Gracious Father, thus tremenduouſly …reat us: the Aſpect of Providence ſo ter…y varying, from what formerly it was …nt to be, puts us into an amuſing amaze…nt. And being in this perple…ed Laby…th, of Diſtracting thoughts of heart, there … darted into our Meditations, a Caution …ich above Eight Septenaries of Years paſt, …me from the firſt Seraphical Doctor of …cton Church. Mr John Cotton, whoſe name in …urches is as Ointment powred forth, and if … word of his ſucceſſor may paſs for Current, … was the greateſt Luminary in our New-Eng…d Orbs, and a great Prophet, and the truth is, … moſt intelligent of thoſe times took them …th for no leſs; he in his funeral Elegy upon … death gave him both theſe ti…les, and De…nting upon Gods Magnifying him in his ſick…ſs, not only in the ſight of this Iſrael, but of … great part of the diſcerning world, by ſet…g up a Caeleſtial Flambeau in the Starry Re…on, whither a Signal Minatory or Monitory, …t may be both) the next age will better know, …directly followed the Reer of the Pleiades, the Riſing Progreſs and ſetting of the Seven …ars, as if i… had ſteer'd their Courſe, … the moſt ſtrict obſervers took notice of: he …mſelf on his death bed, being Informed of it, …plyed, that it did portend to the ſtate of theſe …hurches: this Comet appeared not only in the …ne of his ſickneſs, but until his interment, and p. 3then diſappeared, thereby Performing the H… ourable Reſpects of thoſe Stately Obſequi… which are only due, and not done to any, … to Perſons of greateſt honour, as to the Princ… Notables, and Scavants of the times, had the but a ſhadow of the leaſt Pretext to ſuch thing, befaln the Ignation, Peter Cotton, t… Famed Jeſuite, in his life or death, it had be… beyond diſpute that his Preference in their R… bricke, or Saints Calender had been befo… Loyala their firſt Founder.

This Worthy man of God's ſucceſſor Reve… end Norton thus verſified of him.

This Prophet's dead now muſt in's Doctrine ſpeak

This Comet ſaith, Elſe Must New-England break

How near New-England now is to its brea… ing, the All-knowing One only knows; b… the muteneſs of this Prophets Doctrine, is wi… all ſolemnity and ſadneſs of Soul to be Lamented.

This Venerable Seer, whoſe method was … go through the Books of Scripture, he Entre… upon, and had in his Miniſterial Courſe i… both Boſtons been (lengthened our to little le… then forty years) went through near the whole Bible, he was then upon Acts 7. concerning Stephens Diſcourſe before the Council, about the Hiſtory of Iſrael, the Church in the Wilderneſs, taking up the Tabernacle of Molock… p. 4…d the Star of their God Remphan; Figures …hich they made to Worſhip: whereupon …ods Threatning immediately followed. And … will carry you away beyond Ba…ilon. Shewing …at this provocation was ſo great, as God then …reatned them with the Babylorian Captivity, which befel their Poſterity divers hundred …ears after; he notified the time when, the …lace where, and the perſons threatned were Gods Covenant People; whence he obſerved …o this purpoſe.

That Gods Covenant People, or their Children, …ight in their firſt beginnings be loft to do ſuch …bings, as might bring a future grievous Calamity …pon them.

He ſhewed as this people being Gods Iſrael, …id thus in their March through the Wilder…eſs into the Land of Canaan, not many years …fter their Departure from Egypt, their Houſe … Bondage; So might any other Covenant …eople be left to do.

In the Application of this Doctrine, he was …ſſiſted with that Preſence of Spirit, and …reſſed it upon his Auditors with its Divine Authority, that as Goads and Nails, it Entred …rom that Maſter of the Aſſembly, and was …aſtned from the one Shepheard. Such was …e Attention, and its Efficacy upon the Hear…rs, (words from the heart entred into their …earts) ſo as upon Repitition of the Sermon … home, they coming warmed with its heavenly p. 5heat, concluded their John was in the Spirit that Lords Day.

This Prophet is Dead, and our Fathers where are they? Yet the words then ſpoken, left ſuch a Convincing Impreſs upon our hearts & Souls as is not obliterated to this day, and in this Hour of Diſtreſs, Trouble, and Conſternation, is now revived, when as Heaven, Earth, and Hell ſeem to Conſpire to Accompliſh the Threatning then Denounced.

The Great God being now upon ſearching our Jeruſalem with Candles, ſhould put each individual ſenſible Soul, with the Candle of the Lord, to make diligent and ſincere Inquiry into the moſt inward and ſecret receſſes in the Chambers of his Imagery, yea into the cloſeſt Tills, and Cachotes of a deceitful and deſperately wicked heart; and after all to Beg of him, whoſe Eyes are as a Flame of Fire, that he would Search, Try, and Know it, and that he would ſhew, and make us all to know every winding, and wicked way, and lead in the way Everlaſting; that he who is holy in all his Ways, and righteous in all his Works, the great Revealer of Secrets, would take off the Veil, which hides the Myſtery of Iniquity in our Souls, that there may be a clear diſcovery of the Troubler of our Iſrael, the Inward Viceroy, the Judge, Jury, and Witneſs within us, their Verdict and Sentence paſſing againſt us: God who is greater than our Conſcience will condem us much more.

p. 6That we and our Fathers have Sinned, is …ut of doubt, but whether we or our Fathers …re the meritorious and procuring cauſes of …hat we now are groaning under, is that which remains under queſtion, we hope in …he ſequel of this Script, as to vindicate the Equity of Gods Wayes towards our Fathers, …nd our ſelves, ſo in our weak meaſure to con…ince us of the Iniquity of our wayes againſt …he Lord, that we ſhall ſee juſt cauſe to condemn our ſelves, as the procurers of all the deep Diſpleaſure we now bleed under.

In order whereunto, it may be requiſite to Recollect what our Fathers have told us, and what we have ſeen; and ſhall preſent a maniple of the unaccountable Sheaves of Divinely Beneficient Bounties granted unto our Fathers, and their graceful Returns unto the Divine Majeſty. It's great pitty before the preſent Generation paſs off the Stage of Action, that there ſhould not be a compleat Hiſtory laid up in our Archivis.

It was an Ordinance of old, to Commemorate the Political Birth and Growth of a People, it may not (we hope) be unbeſeeming us, to give a ſmall account of the Geneſis of this ſuperhumane and really Divine Creation, wrought by the admirable Architect, who manifeſt himſelf moſt Illuſtriouſly Great in the Minimes of Created Beings.

This Colonies Foundation was not laid, by exhauſting the Exchequers of Princes, Peers, or p. 7…ords of the Realm, nor by Lotteries, and …ch like Contrivances of Advance, as other Engliſh Plantations have been.

It was incomparable Minute, to what its …ow attain'd unto, and the rather to be obſerved, becauſe of the great oppoſition, from …hoſe of ſtrength it firſt met with, its growth muſt be aſſigned to Heavens Influence, and leſſing: It evidently proceeded from him who …ais'd up the Righteous man from the Eaſt, …nd called him to his Foot; the ſudden mov… and incliner of Hearts, both infuſed and …uided the inclinations and motions of theſe …orthy Patriots, with their Aſſociates, who …ther attended, or followed them in great meaſure, parallel to that of the Father of the Faithful, who upon a Divine Call, left Kin: …red, Country and Fathers Houſe, and went …e knew not whether, to Enjoy he knew not what, both proceeding from the ſame Inſpira…ion, and Inſtinct, drawn by the Magnetick Influence of the ſame Holy Spirit, and as it were by the impulſe of a ſacred Charm or …pell, as by its operation appeared, as if a Roy… Herald, through our Nation from Barwick, …o Cornwell had made Proclamation, to Summon and Muſter up Volunteers, to appear in New-England, for His Sacred Majeſties Service, here to attend further Orders: Such was the …ay of Christ's Power, as an incredible number of Willing People, forthwith Liſted themſelves; …ea many of thoſe whoſe Faces were unknown p. 8each other; the hearts of multitudes in this Deſign reſponded, as Face to Face in Water; thus the Body of this People was animated a… with one Soul.

That this Deſign was Super-humane, will be evidenced by the Primum Mobile, or grand Wheel thereof. Neither Spaniſh Gold or Silver, nor French or Dutch Trade of Peltry did Oil their Wheels; it was the Propagation o… Piety and Religion to Poſterity; and the ſecret Macedonean Call, COME OVER AND HELP US, afterward Inſtamp'd in the Seal of this Colony, the Setting up of Chriſt's Kingdom among the Heathens, in this Remo… End of the Earch, was the main ſpring of motion, and that which gave the Name to New-England, and at ſuch a time, when as Divine Herbert in his Temple Prophetically Sang▪

Religion Stands on Tiptoe in our Land,

Ready to paſs to the American Strand.

The agency of the great God appeared, who never lets any of his works, fall for want of materials or inſtruments, he raiſed up ſuch as were fit to lead, and feed this People in this wilderneſs, ſuch were our Famous Founders we had our Moſe's, and Aaron's, our Zorobabels and Joſhua's, our Ezrah's, and Nehemiahs, ſo many Noble ſpirited perſons, fitted and called o… God, raiſed up to this great ſervice, both … the Civil and Sacred Adminiſtration, to th… Cure and Care of this flock in this wilderneſs.

p. 9Men of narrow ſpirits, of mean Capacities, and fortunes, had not been capable to officiate …n ſo great a worke, that ſuch, and ſo many Gentlemen of Ancient and Worſhipful Families, of Name and Number, of Character and Quality, ſhould Combine and Unite in ſo deſ…erate and dangerous a Deſign, attended with …uch inſuperable Difficulties, and Hazards, in the plucking up of their Stakes, leaving ſo pleaſant and profitable a place as their Native …oil, parting with their Patrimonies, Inheritances, plentiful Eſtates, and ſettlement of Houſes well Furniſhed; of Land well Stock'd, and with comfortable ways of Subſiſtence, which …he firſt Planters Deſerted; and not a few did leave all their worldly hopes, to come into this Deſert, & unknown Land, and ſmoaky Cotta…es, to the Society of Curſed Cannibals, (as they have proved to be) and at beſt wild Indians; what leſs then a Divine Ardour could inflame a People thus Circumſtanced to a work ſo contrary to Fleſh and Blood.

Infinite Wiſdom and Prudence contrived and directed this Myſterious Work of Providence, Divine Courage and Reſolution managed it, Superhumane Sedulity and Diligence-…tended it, and Angelical Swiftneſs and Diſpatch finiſhed it; Its Wheels ſtirr'd not, …it according to the HOLY SPIRITS mo…on in them; yea there was the Involution of a Wheel within a Wheel: Gods Ways were … Great Depth, and high above the Eagle or … p. 10mans Cockle-ſhell is infinitely unable to Emptie this Ocean.

Let us Commemorate their Exodus or Departure from our Nation. Theſe Prudent Undertakers ſent forth their Forlorn Hope in two Ships, Laden with Paſſengers, and Servants: two years before they mov'd with their main Body, and Pattent Government, which were fully Furniſhed with a Paſtor and Teacher, Worthy Higgiſon and Skelton, and all Materials, for Complea…ing of a Church of Chriſt, according to Divine Inſtitution: Who ſafely Arriving according to their predeterminate Deſign of Inlargement of Chriſt's Kingdom, and His Majeſty of England's Dominion: Firſtly, they ſet up their Standards, Dethroning Satan, they caſt him out of Heaven; which beyond time memorial, he had in the Natives Conſciences, and by Turf and Twig they took poſſeſſion of this his large Continent, and ſet up the firſt Church in theſe Parts, in a place they then called Salem; at which Convention, the Teſtimony which the Lord of all the Earth bore unto it, is wonderfully memorable, by a Saving Work upon a Gentleman of Quality,Major General Gibbins. who afterwards was the Chieftain and Flower of New-England's Militia, and an Eminent Inſtrument both in Church and Commonwealth; he being the younger Brother of the Houſe of an Honourable Extract, his Ambition exceeding what he could expect at home, Rambled p. 11bither: Before one Stone was laid in th… Structure, or our Van-Currier's Arrival, he wa… no Debauchee, but of a Jocund Temper, and one of the Merry Mounts Society, who choſ… rather to Dance about a May pole, firſt Erected to the Honour of Strumpet Flora, than to hea… a good Sermon; who hearing of this Meeting, though above Twenty Miles diſtant from it, and deſirous to ſee the Mode and Novel of a Churches Gathering; with great ſtudiouſneſs he applyed himſelf to be at it; where beholding their orderly procedure, and their method of ſtanding forth, to declare the Work of G… upon their Souls, being pricked at the Heart▪ he ſprung forth among them, deſirous to be one of the Society, who though otherwiſe wel… acompliſhed, yet divinely illiterate, was ther… convinc'd and judged before all the ſecret… of his heart being made manifeſt, fell down and Worſhipped God, to their aſtoniſhment, ſaying, That God was in them of a Truth; the Verity hereof, as long ſince it hath been affirmed by old Planters, ſo by his own Manuſcript, found after his Death it's confirmed; he about that time Lamenting his Chriſtleſs Eſtate, which evidenceth that it ought to be ſaid of that Sion, This man was Born there.

One winterafter theſe good ſpies had viewed this Land, who ſent letters of the proſperous good hand of Providence upon them, the taſte of the fruits of this Countrie, was ſweeter, and more welcome to their Principalls in England, p. 12then the Grapes of Eſchol were to Iſrael of …ld.

The Leaders of this People upon ſerious depate, drew up a Determination to ſettle the Corporation, and government, upon the Place: and Deputy to abide there, which being effected, and Divinely directed in ſuch a Choice of the Governour, the Famous Pattern of Wiſdom, Juſtice and Liberality, and of a Deputy Governour, who by his Experience at Home, and Travels Abroad, with his Natural and Acquired A…bilities, was a Gentleman qualified above others, for the chief Rule and Government▪ wherein according to his juſt Deſerts, he ſhared more than others; the Fame whereof being come Abroad in the Nation to ſuch whoſe hearts God had touched; this being upon the wing, there wanted not Number of Perſons of all Occupations, skill'd in all Faculties, needful for the Planting of a Collony, who filled up a Fleet of Eleven Ships, of conſiderable Burthen, beſides their Attenders; ſome of them about Four Hundred Tuns, the reſt no… much inferiour; ſome carrying near Two Hundred Paſſengers, the reſt proportionably; the Wheels of Providence were lifted up very high, and alſo were radiantly magnificent.

Theſe Tarting Travellers Removal, carrying ſo great a Reſemblance of Departure into another World, they were not ſtupid Stoicks, p. 13but abounded with that which Grace doth no deſtroy, but direct: What ſhowers of melting Tears dropt into the Boſomes of each other whoſe Souls as Jonathan and David clave one to another, yet alleviated with conſideration▪ though they were Abſent in Body, yet Preſent in Spirit, and of their mutual acceſs to the Throne of Grace, and of Meeting at the Aſſembly of the Firſt-born, and Spirits of Juſt Men made Perfect. Some of their choice Friends, as the Reverend Mr. Cotton, and others, went along with them from Boſton in Lincolnſhire, to South-hampton, where they parted, and he Preacht his Farewel Sermon.

That ſo many Eminent Perſons, ſome of Noble Extract, ſhould upon Sea-Bridges, paſs over the largeſt Ocean in the Univerſe, by the good hand of their God upon them, having ſought of him a right way for themſelves, Little Ones, and Subſtance; yea above Three Thouſand in one Year, and that above Three Hundred Ships ſince that time; all Laden with Jewels of Invaluable Value, far above the Gold of Ophir, that each individual one ſhould have a Caeleſtial Convoy, under the Flaming Swords of Flying Cherubims, turning every way, to keep them in their way, ſo as they all at their Port ſafely Arrived: Not one Foundered in the Sea, Split upon Rocks, were ſuckt in by Sands, Over-ſet by ſudden Guſts, nor Taken and Plundered by Pirates on Robbers, except one called the Angel Gabriel, whoſe Tutular p. 14Guardiau Ship failed (if any Aboard put truſt therein) ſhe was Laden with Paſſengers for Boſton, but put in at Pemiquid, where the Ship and whole Cargo periſhed, but not one Soul of Seamen, or Paſſengers miſcarried; they met with an Hurricane, before or ſince not known in this Country, Raiſed by the Power of him, who holds the Wind in his Hand, and Commiſſioneth the Prince of the Air, by Raiſing Stormy Winds to fulfil his Word; it's ſaid, the Tide roſe Twenty Foot perpen dicular, above its ordinary height. The ſame time, another great Ship, Laden with Paſſengers was wonderfully preſerved, when as ready to be Split in pieces upon Rocks at the Iſle of Shoals; at the Prayer of the diſtreſſed Saints Aboard, God cauſed the Winds to Vere a Point or two about the Compaſs, ſo as ſhe cleared them, & they were ſaved; in the Mount the Lord was ſeen; in this Ship was the Reverend Mr. Mather, three or four of his Sons, and whole Family, with a multitude of other precious Souls, among whom was the Worthy Jonathan Mitchel, then being a Lad.

The like Salvation about the ſame time was vouchſafed to a great Ship Laden with Paſſengers, Bound for New-England, the Famous Norton, and Great Shepheard, with their Wives, were Aboard of her: They were forced back from the Channel, into North-Yarmouth Road, where, though the Wind was off the Shoar, the Storm was ſo violent, as all their p. 15Anchors and Cables would not bring her up, and being in great danger of Foundering in the Sands, they were forced to cut both Main Maſt, and Fore Maſt by the Board, with Sail… and Rigging; this Paul and Silas, while able to ſtand, went from Cabbin to Cabbin to Encourage and Pray with the Diſtreſſed Paſſengers, and Seamen, who by one Wave were waſhed Over-board, and the next Wave threw them Aboard again; there was great Crying out then, What ſhall we do to be Saved? At the Prayers of theſe Men of God, this Ship and every Soul Aboard was given them; the nex… Day they all Landed ſafe, and as ſoon as Aſhoar, two Vipers deſigned not only to Leap upon the hands of them both, but to ſeiz their Perſons; but how ſtangely preſerved is not unknown to ſome of us; though the Houſe was beſet by them, when as they were at a pious Meeting, (then called a Conventicle.) Next Year they Arrived all ſafe at Boſton; the Ship for that Year was Diſinable,

Ought we not now to cry out, conſidering the Circumſtances, Oh! The Wheel, the Wheel▪ He who ſits upon the Throne, appeared with the Rainbow about his Head, and the Spirit o… the Living Creatures was in the Wheels, from their Original Motion.

The Waves obeyed the Voice, and the Wind fulfilled the Pleaſure of the Lord of the Univerſe, ſo a the firſt whole Fleet Arrived ſafe in a ſmal time, without Loſs of any but of one perſon

p. 16Theſe Nobly Grateful Paſſengers, appointed …nd ſet apart a Day of Thanksgiving to the Almighty God, for the great Goodneſs and nighty Works they had ſeen in their Vovage, …nd with Noahs Dove, having found reſt for …he ſoles of their Feet, ma…ched forth from their Floating Arks, and Celebrated the High P…ai…es of him, who had thus graciouſly and won…erfully Safe guarded them, and Landed them; They Sang the Song of Moſes, and of the Lamb, whom they in this Voyage had followed, and …ow paid their Vows to God to Serve him, and …o Build him an Habitation, and according to he Examples of Noah and Abraham, who up…n their ſafe Landing, and Arrival, each Built …n Altar to Jehova, ſo they (being content …ith Huts and ſmoaky Cottages) firſt applyed …hemſelves to Build the Lord an Habitation, …efore they ſet up their own Houſes, and Join…d in Church-Fellowſhip, ſetting up the King …f Sions Throne, in his Order and Worſhip; …aving ſix Eminent Miniſters, who came along …ith them, and divers Hundreds of Choice Materials. Thus far an Abbreviate of this Colonies Foundation, and manner of its Lay…ng.

The good News from this far Country, and …om theſe men of Deſires, being ca…ied into …ngland, was as Cold Waters to a thirſty Soul; …e Stile of their Letters was ſo full of Divine …ravity, and of a Gracious Savour, ſo grateful … thoſe of full Age, who by reaſon of Uſe, p. 17had their Senſes exerciſed, to diſcern both good and evil, as it put them upon ſtudy, to increaſe their Number, ſtirring up each other to get among them to New England.

The Grace powred into the Hearts and Lips of theſe firſt Planters, dropt down into Pens of private Chriſtians, like ſweet ſmelling Myrrh, ſo as they began their Letters with Apoſtolical benediction, and concluded them with Salutations; a Letter then from New-England, and for a conſiderable time after, was Venerated as a Sacred Script, or as the Writing or ſome Holy Prophet, 'twas carried many Miles, where divers came to hear it, becauſe the Savour of Chriſt's Name was as good Oyntment powred forth, therefore the Virgins Lov'd Him; and a multitude of pious Souls through the whole Nation, were in their Spirits preſſed to Joyn in this Work, ſo as their Malignant Obſervers in their Words and Writings,Burtons Melancholly Rendred them: Furijs Religionis Acti. Men acted by Religious Furies, and the Feſtuſſ's of thoſe Times, declared them to be perſons Diſtracted, ſaying of their much Religion, as he ſaid of Pauls much Learning, that it had made them mad.

In a ſhort time after their Arrival, a Snake crept forth, which Lay Latent in the Tender Graſs, one who pretended himſelf a Religious Reformado, and to withdraw from the Noiſe of Secular Affairs, came over in the firſt Fleet, p. 18he offered to Joyn in Church-Fellowſhip here, but was refuſed upon ſuſpicion to be what indeed he proved to be, viz. a Roman Catholick, and of ſuch Note among them,Chriſtopher Gardner as he had at Jeruſalem Received the Orders of the Knighthood, (there called the Holy Sepulchre) which Order he appeared to be of, by Letters intercepted, ſent by a man of Place in England, a profeſt Enemy to this Colony; thus Satan's Proto-Emiſſary againſt this People, was diſcovered in his prime Plot, and ſecret Snare, who deſigned to ſmother this Embrio Colony, or to Strangle this Babe, not yet out of its Swadling Bands; for which Deliverance, high Praiſes were Celebrared to the Name of Sions Saviour.

Not long after, a deſperate Myne was ſprung by this Peoples Grand Adverſary, according to Advice of a Politician elſewhere, to Blow up Religion, by Religion, Encouraging the Liberty this People had obtained to Leave their Nation, ſaying, Let them go, by their Parties and Factions, as their Brethren at Leyden and Amſterdam had done, ſo they would deſtroy each other; but the Lord moſt graciouſly Countermined it, for the Deſign of both the Magiſtrates and Miniſters, with the Body of this People, was not with the Rigid Separatiſts to Caſt off all Communion with the Church of England, but to act the part of the good old Nonconformiſts, who though they could p. 19not Cloſe with the Hierarchy, nor with the Corruptions in Diſcipline and Worſhip, yet in her Faith and Doctrine, they own'd her to be their Mother; and therefore having by Pattent-Charter from His Majeſty, a Grant to Remove, they peaceably Improved the ſame, and left their Native Land; and at their Departure, they drew up, and Publiſhed a Manifeſto to the whole Nation, of the Grounds of this their Undertaking; not knowing, whether ever they ſhould ſee Land, ſtyling thoſe whom they parted from, in their Superſcription.

REVEREND FATHAERS AND BRETHREN.

The Humble Request of His Majesties Loyal Subjects, The GOVERNOUR and COMPANY of NEW-ENGLAND.

To the reſt of their Brethren, in and of the Church of England: For the obtaining of their Prayers, and Removal of their Suſpicions, and Miſrepreſentations of their Intentions, &c.

LONDON, Printed for John Bellamy, 1630. Their Subſcription Signed was Your Aſſured Friends and Brethren,

Iohn Winthrop Governour.

Richard Saltonſtall.

Iſaac Iohnſon.

Tho. Dudley Deputy Governour.

p. 20Charles Fines.

George Phillips.

Cum multis ajiis.

From Yarmouth, Ab ard the Arabella, April 7th. 1630.

THeſe Magnanimous Heroes, whoſe Memory is Pleſſed, whoſe Names not only during New England, hath a Being, but ſhall be had in Everlasting Remembrance, they then declared.

Though there might be ſome among them otherwiſe minded, yet they were not of them, and deſired Remembrance in their Prayers, (as above) in this their dangerous Deſign.

Not long after this, Mr. Cottons Farewel Sermon (above mentioned) was Printed as London, and ſince Re printed at Boſton, Entituled, GODS PROMISE TO HIS PLANTATION, wherein he Exhorted them to Remember England, their Mother, and that they ſhould not be like thoſe Ingrateful Birds, who when they had Swum over a Stream or River, forgot the Wing that had Hatcht them.

The Serpent ſoon got into this Eden, and according to his Maxime acted, divide, and Overcome, he ſow'd the Seed of Diſcord, & Diviſion among us, ſo as this Heterodoxy was Preached publickly, that there was no p. 21Communion to be held with the Church o… England; and that if any of our Church-members had tranſiently heard a Miniſter, which Conformed to the Church of England, withou… declaring Repentance for it, he was to be Excommunicated, and that no Communion wa… to be held, with any Unregenerate Perſon that they ought not to Pray, or Crave a Bleſſing at Meals, before Wife, or any Relation Unconverted, of which Converſion their Opinion was the Teſt; and not only ſo, but tha… the Oath of Allegiance to His Majeſty was not to be taken, nor was it lawful to take any other kind of Oath, becauſe no Power to be Setled by Oath, but Chriſts Kingly Power only, and that our Pattent ought to be ſen… back to our King; nor ought we to have to do therewith: Thus was Now-England Attack by Satan; and this from an Eminent Preacher, noted for Piety in his Life and Converſation, as his ſtricteſt Obſervers Characteriſec… him. This Child of Light walked in Darkneſs about Forty Years, not only by Rejecting the Church of England, and its Baptiſm, bu… his ſecond Baptiſm alſo.

Taking up the Seekers perſwaſion looking for new Apoſtles,Mr. Roger Williams. yet di… not his Root turn into Rottenneſs the Root of the Matter abode i… him, as by his Faithful Defence of the Fundamentals of Chriſtian Religion, in a public… Diſpute; and about the Year 1677. puttin… p. 22…ut a Book againſt the Quakers: Thus the …ord infinite in Wiſdom, and Goodneſs, diſ…oſed of Satans Malice, ſo as he was Out ſhot … his own Bow, the Lord held the Magiſtra…y and Miniſtry in Unity, according to the …ntegrity of their hearts, ſo as this ſmall new …igged Veſſel was preſerved againſt this vio…ent Storm, which the Prince of Darkneſs Raiſed upon her at firſt ſetting forth, with Deſign to have Overſet and Foundred her; …hus was Munificent Mercy magnified toward …is People, when ſew in Number, and in …heir low Eſtate; ſuch was the Conduct of …ur Moſes and Aaron, that they kiſſed each o…er in the Mount of God.

The Report of this admirable Divine Pre…ence with this People in their Civiland Sacred …dminiſtrations, Reach'd our Nation even to …he aſtoniſhment of thoſe who caſt no good Eye upon us, but to the Encouragement of …hoſe otherwiſe minded, ſo as that the Well-…ffected came over as Clouds, and like Doves to …eir Windows; ſuch was their Increaſe, that in …even years time, the Maſſachuſet Patient could …ot contain them. This Vine ſpread forth …er Branches on the other ſide of this Bay, to …nd a Rehoboth; it's ſaid that about this time, … Two Years there came over Seventy …odd …hips, who one with another Tranſported an …undred Paſſengers, to the aſtoniſhment of …e ſober part of our Nation. At which time, …d before, as the Harveſt was great & white, p. 23ſo the Lord thereof thruſt forth not only L… bourers, but multiplied Aholiabs, and Bezaliell Robbing our Nation, to ſupply this peop… with ſuch as were filled with the Spirit … Wiſdom and Underſtanding, in all Spiritu… Skill, in the Structure and Furniture of th… great Work, and about ſetting up the Tabe… nacle of the Congregation, and the Ark … the Teſtimony, according to the Pattern i… the Mount. Of whom a Quaternion, viz. Mr. Cotton, Eminent for Spiritual Clothing, and Mather for Caeleſtial Dying, Hook… for Soul Fiſhing, Stone for Building up i… the Holy Faith: three of whom came in th… ſame Ship, and one of them not long a…te… with the Reverend John Davenport, the famo… Rogers of Rowley, beſides the Worthy Fin… Fruits of New-England; the Proto-Paſtors an… Teachers, whom our Pen fails to Enumerate ſuch was the Cloud of them who came ove… firſt and laſt; ſeventy ſeven Miniſters and fou… teen Young Students fit for the Miniſtry.

Theſe voluntary Exiles for the Word … God, and Teſtimony of Jeſus, having be… under Exerciſe of Spirit, and Burthened b… mens ſetting up their Poſts and Threſholds, b… Gods Poſts and Threſholds; and now War… ed by the Lively Senſe of Gods preſervin… Goodneſs, and ſafe Landing of them, after … tedious paſſage ſome Encountred; tho' ſom… had but ſix Weeks, others Twenty and od… Weeks durance, yet without Loſs or Famiſhin… p. 24of one perſon; all this while ſhut up, but …afeguarded about four inches diſtance from Death: Theſe Votaries being under the fervour of their late Obligations, they Anointed Jacobs Pillar, then they had opportunity, and accordingly Bewail'd, and were aſhamed of their Miſdoings, begg'd pardon and aſſiſtance from the God of the Spirits of all Fleſh, and direction from on High, to ſet up the Throne, and Place of the Soles of Chriſts Feet; after ſolemn Imploring the Diſcovery of the Form, and Faſhion of Gods Houſe, the Comings in, and Goings out of the Church of God, which is the Houſe of God, the Ground and Pillar of Truth; they agreed upon the practice of that which is called the Way of the Congregational Churches, which for Thirteen Years together, they Walkt in the practice of, before …he Synod further confirmed the ſame, as is …fterwards notified; which Doctrine and Practice, was Publiſhed to the Europaean World, in the Book of the Keyes, and Vindication of the Way of the Congregational Churches in New: England, pen'd by the Reverend Teacher of Boston Church, and other worthy Scripts, by divers Worthy Miniſters of this Country, in Anſwer to the Reproach put upon them, by ſome Eminent Divines, elſewhere of a Mr. Samuel …nother perſwaſion; yet one Rutherford. of their Chieftains for Piety In his Spiri… and Learning, Declared in …ual Antichriſt. Print, his full Aſſent to the p. 25Book of the Keyes, in all its particularities, e… cept in one punc…ilio about of the power of Synods, which as he apprehended, the book o… Keyes did too much ſtreighten.

The Lords preſence with our Fathers in thei… Civil and Sacred Concerns, ſignally appeared with our Honourable Counſellers; our Pruden… and Ancient, the Mighty Man, and the Ma… of War, the Judge and the P…ophet, our Pri… ces and our Rulers; though none of them General Governour, yet as by ſome it …hat been well obſerved, ſome of them were gen… rally Governours, eſpecially the firſt Governour, who in Twenty Years was above ten time Governour, & the firſt Deputy Governour, but li… tle leſs: ſuch was the deep Humility of the… Elevated Men, that upon Election Days, the provoked the Free-men, to make uſe of the Liberty againſt their own intentions.

Never ſo ſmall a ſpot of Land, was ſo hig… ly favoured with ſuch an Aggregate of M… of ſuch Abilities in Divine and Humane Le… ning, as New-England then was; ſo as up the Emergency of the Reverend Mr. Witſ… firſt Paſtor of Boston Church, Return into … gland, he with conſent of his Church, left t… care of his Flock to Mr. Winthrop, and … Dudly, they being then the much Honour Governour, and Deputy Covernour of t… People, who both accepted, and perform'd t… Charge: Knowing well; that the Princes Juda in King Hezekiahs Reign, were appoin… to Teach the People in the Law of God: … p. 26…t's certainly Recorded, That above an Hundred Years before that time, there were five Paſtors in the Reformed Church at Orleans in France at one time, the major part of whom were Lords, and Barons of the Nation; ſo high an Eſtemate was then put upon this Sacred Function.

Beſides their Dexteriry in Handling of the Civil, and the Lords Two-Edged Sword; it's not to be forgotten, (though above ſeven times ſeven years ſince) the skill they were accompliſh'd with, & was ſhown in their being Verſed in the uſe of the Military Sword, at Fox-Hills Fort Action, where they as two Tactiques, …et their Armies in Battle Array, each appear…ng General in the Head of a Body, at Bo…ton, where all the Cavalry and Infantry of …he Country appeared; ſhewing ſuch real …iſcipline in their Field Exerciſe, by rowling …renches making their Approaches, and aſ…yling the Fort, & by orderly Sallies, defending … …e ſame together with a Naval Combate on …oth ſides, ſuch as in none of the Gallantry, … Bravery of all our General Traynings ſince …d appear; thus the Motions of the Wheels …ere very high and terrible to our Adverſa…es, and ſo were the Rings and Wheels of …rovidence full of Eyes, to ſupply all our …ants, ſo as when this People, though never …uced to Famine, yet oft to ſhort Commons; … as when Bread failed, Fiſh and Herbs was …ry good Fare.

Then not only Dutch Ships were ſent in p. 27with Sheep, Kine, and Mares, to compleat our …arms and Husbandry; but rather then Chriſts …tle Flock, who had followed him into this Wilderneſs, (upon the hearing of his voice.) …ould want, their good Shepherd Spirited the …eat Strafford, and Lord Deputy of Ireland, and Commiſſioned him to be their Purveyor, out …f his Iriſh Stalls and Stores to ſupply their Ta…es; yea, ſuch was Chriſts paſtoral reſpects …o them, leaſt they ſhould be neglected: The …id Lord Strafford muſt Buy a Ship of Burthen, …ade her, and Tranſport it to them at his own …oſt.

There wanted not Obſerved of this Peo…les Methods and Meaſures, who failed not to miſrepreſent the General Muſter before men…oned, and all other their Actions, who ren…red us, that as we had caſt off …he Yoke of …piſcopacy, ſo we deſigned to caſt off our Al…giance and Loyalty to His Majeſties Crown …nd Dignity, which never entred into the Hearts of our Grave Sages; they knew better …hen ſo, that under God it was their only ſhield …nd buckler, againſt all violent Intruders, and ſpecially the French, who at our Arrival here, …ere not Seiz'd of Accady, then called Nova…cotia; our Brethren of Scotland, were then …oſſeſſed of Port Royal, and above two years …fter, they having Built a Fort there, but the …rench purchaſing it of the Scots, poſſeſſed it, …nd would then own no N. Engl. and juſtified …heir Kings Claims to all the Continent on p. 28this ſide Virginia. The French Governour at Port Royal Addreſt his Letters to our Covernour to Monſieur Monſieur J. W. Governour of the Engliſh at Boſton in Accady; and in …his Subſcription Ryled himſelf D. C. Governour of Accady; thereby declaring unto us, That we improved his Maſters Dominions. The Dutch on the other ſide claimed Connecticut, and had there ſet up a Fort, and Trading Houſe in that River, ſo as we were ſurrounded with bad Neighbours.

This Miſpriſion ſo far prevailed, as a Formidable Machine was Formed againſt this Country, not to put a demurr or ceſſation to their proceedure, but to ſubvert and overthrow this Colonies Foundation, ſo miraculouſly Founded and Multiplied; ſo as the Pattent was call'd in, and ſent for to be delivered up; a New Commiſſion and Regulation drawn up confirmed, and ſent over; whereby this People a…ter all Difficulties, and Dangers of Tranſplanting themſelves, and Settlement here, were reduced to harder meaſure, then if they had not left their Nation, altho' upon as great ſecurity as could humanely be given.

Then all our worthy Patriots, in each pollity, Zorobbabel, and Jehoſhua, and all the People of the Land, being deeply affected, afflicted, and ſorely diſtreſſed, they firſt Addreſt the Divine Throne, where this halting Jacob, upon his Wraſting with the Angel o… the Covenant, found Grace with him, that his p. 29Name was then changed into Iſrael, and had power from him ſo that prevailing with God he alſo prevailed with man.

They Supplicated our Gracious King, and the Lords Commiſſioners of the Forreign Plantations, proſtrating themſelves at His Majeſtie… Foot-ſtool: Beſought that they might be made th… Objects of his Royal Clemency, that this poor Plantation which had found ſo much favour from God, more then others, might not find the leſs from man. The Kings heart being in the Hand of the Lord, was turned about as Rivers of Waters ſo as this Weapon Formed againſt this people proſpered not, and by Divine Hand was broken; as well as a great Ship new Built purpoſely to have brought over, the Artificers and Managers of this Engine, whoſe Back was afte… a ſtrange manner broken on the Stocks; ſo a this Tool for about Forty Years wa… laid aſide and then for our Iniquities, was new Forged Furbiſhed, and took effect; in which time, in credible was the Increaſe of His Majeſties Subjects in this his Dominion, being Sown with the Seed of Man and Beaſt, to the Honour o… our God, King, and Nation, far exceeding the Number which the Exchequer of any Potentate in Europe could have Effected: God then ſaid, this ſhall not be; for which an Alta… was Erected, Jehova Niſſi, The Hand upon the Throne.

Satan being Diſpoſeſſed of ſo great a part o… his Dominion, attempts its recovery, by ſtirring up the Pequods, who were the Terror of al… the Salvages, in theſe Parts, who to the Glory of Iſraels God, and the Natives Amazement▪ in a little above one years time were Deſtroy…ed; this Amaleck fell upon our Rere in our Feeble Eſtate, Moſes Hands being held up by Aaron and Hur, Joſhua obtained a great Victory: Our Fathers Cryed unto God, who heard them, and they were Saved; this Pequod Amalecks Name (according to Gods Oath,) hath been ever ſince blotted out from under our Heaven. Thus was the Lord his Peoples Banners.

The Dragons old indefatigable Malice appeared, in a moſt ſubtile Stratagem contrived, by letting out of his Mouth a Flood to Drown the Woman and Male Child, fled into this Wilderneſs to be fed; which made this little World groan to ſee it ſelf ſurrounded with Famileſtical & Antinomian Hereſies & Errors; this chiefly befel Boſton and its Vicinity, which Church Glorying in their Candleſtick, being furniſhed with two ſuch Burning and Shining Lights, a Paſtor and Teacher, who for Love and Light Out-ſhined all others; and in the Gifts of Knowledge and Utterance of divers of their Brethren; the Serpents ſubtilty ſhew'd it ſelf in a Multitudinariſm of Queſtions, ſtarted under pretence of ſeeking Light; Error cloath'd it ſelf under diſguiſe of Truth by pretext of Magnifying Grace, it was turned into Wantonneſs, and all this under the Umbrage of their p. 31…eacher, who tho' he had Sown only good …eed in Gods Field, yet the Enemy came and …wed Tares; as he upon a Faſt-Day in Boston Church, before the Country, vindicated him…elf; that whilſt men ſlept, this miſchief was …one, which was the Subject of that days Diſpurſe, and he diſcriminated between them, …penly declaring, what good Seed he had …own, and its diſſimilitude from the Tares which the Enemy had Sown, proving by Jerom & Authentick Authors, That the Tares in Judea, were ſo like the Wheat, that until the Harveſt, without great difficulty they could be diſtinguiſhed; thus Hells Cataracts were ſet open, …nd a multitude of Errors then were broached, …o the hazard of the ruine of the Churches, with many Hereſies deſtroying the Foundation; …ut as of old, when Arrianiſm prevailed, the Earth helpt the Woman; ſo many took opporunity to greaten their outward Eſtates, whatever befel them upon any other account; oh! That men would praiſe the Lord for his Goodneſs, and for the Work of this Sions Saviour in delivering from this Maſter-plot of Hell, who deſigned the ruine of theſe Churches and People; but by Divine Benediction upon the meaſures taken by Magiſtrates in the Court, and the Elders and Churches in the Synod, that was prevented which threatned the Deſtruction of all, but chiefly of Boſton.

The Churches and People of New-England had for a conſiderable time, Enjoyed Peace and …eſt, Trade at Home, and Traffick Abroad, they greatned their Eſtate by Building ſmall Veſſelt, and ſome conſiderable Ships, Tranſporting of Timber for the Indies and Iſlands, tho' not without Alarms from the Indians, and other Afflictive Providences, the Lord took us into his Fatherly Hand, by Droughts, Blaſts upon Engliſh Grain; yea, by Feavers, and Small pox, and with one great Fire; but in the interim, being without any Adverſary or ſuch evil Occurrent, they lookt at it as a Duty incumbent upon them, to draw up a Plat Form of Diſcipline, and Church Covernment, which might be laid as a Foundation, for the Generations to come: And the rather, becauſe the Way they practiſed, was queſtioned by ſome, whether it was agreeable to the Rule of Gods Word, whereupon a …ill was drawn up by the General Court, for Aſſembling of a Synod; after debate, it was agreed unto, and accordingly a Synod of Elders and Brethren, according to the firſt Preſident of a Synod or Council Recorded in the Sacred Leaves of the Acts and Monuments of the Apoſtles who Aſſembled at Jeruſalem; theſe did Convene, to whom we may aſſign, as hath been Obſerved by one of Note in the Churches of Chriſt: That as theſe had ſhewn more Love and Zeal to Communion with God in his Pure Worſhip, in their Hazardous Undertakings into theſe Parts, So God did more for them, in ſhewing them the Scriptural Way of Church Government, as a Divine Favour, and Boon vouchſafed unto them, then he did to any other, which Lig… hath not been hid in a Buſhel, but reſplended not on… into our Nution, but into all the Reformed Church…. Concerning theſe men, it may without arr… gancy be affirmed, tho' they were of low… ſtature then our firſt Refo…mers, who are … immortal Name, yet having the advantage … ſtanding upon their Gigantine Shoulders, the… had opportuni…y of ſeeing further, then tho… Giants did; ſome of them made diſcovery … the Papal Antichriſt, and of his Tyranny ov… Kings, Princes, and Prelates; others thre… down the Epiſcopal Uſurpation over their Fe… low Presbyters, and reduced them to their Pr… mitive Parity, and the Church Diſcipline the… Eſtabli…hed, eſpecially the Later at Geneva conſidering the vaſt Number in their Churc… Bodies, conſiſting from Eight to Twelve Tho… ſand Members in one Congregation, ſo as the… had from two to five Paſtors in one Church, … in divers, ſix Ruling Elders; the publick Management of Diſcipline, upon Offenders in … vaſt an Auditory & Aſſembly would have tende… to the Scandal of the Reformation, & have hi… dred the progreſs of Proteſtantiſm; they pr… dently concluded, to commit it into the priva… hands of the Claſſies, viz. Paſtors and Ruli… Elders of each Church, if need required f… ther conſideration, to be Tryed by the Col… quoy of the Neighbour Churches, viz. the Paſtors and Elders there to be Repreſented, … for a reſult of it to be determined by the Sy… p. 34… the Province, which if not there accompliſht, … be finally concluded by the National Synod … all the Churches; could there have been a …ore prudential way of Church Government …ched upon, then that which they practiſed; …d doubtleſs God accepted the ſincere deſires … his Servants hearts, to the Converſion and …dification of many thouſands in their moſt …oly Faith; but our Reformers circumſtances …ere vaſtly different, our number fewer, & thoſe …ninently qualified for further Reformation; …ey being a ſelect choice Company (& with…it offence it may be ſaid) of the Cream and …ower of our Nation, not only for Morality, but …e Piety; having been, both Miniſters & People, …der Sufferings for the Truc… & Worſhip of …od, both Confeſſors and P…ofeſſors, and in …rvour of Spirit brought into this ſolitary …ace, where they had opportunity of the Vi…ns of God, freed from Temptations, …hich populous places might have expoſed …em unto, and from the Baits of Honours & …rofits which other places might have preſented … They after near two years ſeeking of God, …d ſerious ſearching out his Will, with Una…mity of heart, and mind agreed, in that …hich then was, and now is called the Plat…orm of Church Diſcipline; as for their Con…ſſion of Faith, they wholly agreed with that …t forth by the Aſſembly of Divines at West…nſtee.

After full Anſwer was given to every Objection, p. 35which every individual perſon cou… make, both in Churches and Towns; both … them having had the conſideration of it put u…to them, the Plat Form above mentioned wa… accepted of, and declared by the Genera… Court, and all the Churches, as being fo… the ſubſtance of it, what they had hithert… practiſed in all the Chu…ebes, as before is o…ſerved, and being that which was agreeing … the Word of God, and the principles of th… Congregational Way, firſt practiſed in o… Churches, & for a good time ſince; this Plat fo… hath been Printed here, and in England, an… publiſhed Abroad to the World, there being n… difference between us, and the other Reformed Churches, whether the Church of England, th… French or Dutch Churches, but only in point o… Church Government, as to points of Faith an… Doctrine, we all agree in one; this we though… needful to inlarge upon, humbly fearing th… Lords preſent Controverſy with us, doth it great meaſure Center here, viz. our deviating▪ and receeding from that which gave us th… Name of New England; viz. the Plat-Form and agreed practice of our Churches, according to the Word of God.

The Ravening Wolves of Hereſy, and the wild Boars of Tyranny, being chained up from Devouring the Lords poor I lock, and from Rooting up his Heritage.

The unreconcileable Adverſary, lets looſe his Foxes with Fire brands at their Tails, te…urn p. 36up this peoples ſtanding Corn, which no …aking, he ſent forth his Foxes, the little Foxes …o ſpoil this Vine, in the time of its tender Grapes but the Keeper of this Vineyard neither ſlumbering nor ſleeping, took and deſtroy'd them …he Watch'd, Warded, and every momen Watered it, and none did hurt it, much leſs threw down the Stone-Wall thereof; tho… many an hard puſh and ſhuff was made at it … our Jeruſalem was then a Burthenſome Stone, & their Governours like a Torch of Fire in a Sheaf, many an Ebenezar, Stones of help di… our Fathers then ſet up, for which the Lords Sacro ſanct Name was Celebrated.

This preceeding Relation is but as a few Cluſters of Ephraims Grapes, compared with the redundancy of Abiezer, our Fathers Helpers Vintage; ſo many unimaginable and unutterable …acts of Favour, and preventing Mercies, were in the Revolution of twenty five, or about thirty years ſpace vouchſafed to our Fathers, as would fill a large Volume, yet not without mixture of Fatherly Corrections, to evince Paternal Reſpects unto them, as their own words writ into our Nation teſtify; that they were by the Dew from above, and Caeleſtial Influences kept alive, and cheriſhed; as to the ſequel, we ſhall leave it to ſuch Sprightly and Accurate Wits to perform, who ſhall eſpouſe it … knowing that tract of time will admit liberty of freer Diſcourſe about Matters, then this Age will bear; the Relator being in hazard of p. 37having his Teeth daſht out, by Truth liftin… up her heeles, if he come too near her, as hat been Experienced and Recorded by our Nat…ons Great Hiſtoriographer.

This was the time of our Fathers Love of thei… Eſpouſals, and Kindneſs of their Youth, they wer… …hen Holineſs unto the Lord, and the Firſt Fruits o… …is Increaſe. God Rode upon the Heavens fo… their help, they dewlt ſafely, tho' ſolitarily … our Iſſachar Rejoyced in their Tents, and ou… Lebulon in his Going forth, but have we brought Sacrifices unto the Holy Mountain; though we have ſucked of the abundance and treaſures of …he Sea, to the enriching of divers. This Tribe …ath aboundantly multiplied to the admiration of all Beholders.

So as a noted Belgian one of the Eaſt India Company, who above twenty years ſince have…ng heard of the fame of thi… place, purpoſely …ame over to take a view of it, and paſt through …ll the parts of it, and made a particular remark …pon our ſea trade, and the incredible number …f ſmall Veſſ…ls he then ſaw, beſides ſome Ships …f conſiderable Burthen belonging to us.

Nor is to be forgotten the anſwer made to a Meſſenger of the Nations, an Attendant upon …he French Court, ſent hither by Lewis le…rand, to demand the fulfilling of the Articles …ade at Breda, between the two Crowns, who …ere to his aſtoniſhment ſaw, what he could …ot have believed; to him it was told, That …od had founded this Sion, and that the poor p. 38…f his People did truſt in him; at his departure with wonderment he ſaid, Lo, what hath God …one! and if his Maſters ſervants did know how …e poor of this Country lived, he would not …ave one left.

It might be then ſaid, who ſo happy as new New England, by the Lord their ſhield and Sword of their Excellency: as our Report hath paſſed through Holland and France; ſo that Spain is no ſtranger to it,C. Allin appeareth by the Diſcourſe, which the Governour of Cuba had with a Priſoner of Note of ours falling into his hands, concerning our being a People eminent for great Mo…ality and Reformation, but mind you (ſaid he) …ow your Children will prove, and what will be…ome of them; a Speech becoming a Gentleman well Verſed in Sacred and Civil Hiſtory.

Thus far of the Light and white ſide of the Pillar, which attended us in this our Wilderneſs Pilgrimage; the black and dark ſide remains: …nd we hope thus far we have cleared our Fathers, from being the procurers and peccant cauſes of theſe diſmal days now befallen us; they according to Divine Inſtitution walked with God, they did Juſtice and Judgment, and then it was well with them.

The Lord took delight in our Fathers, and they in him; we have left the Lord, he hath forſaken us; they Walkt with him, we contrary unto him; he Subdued their Pequod and Narraganſet Enemies before them, gave their p. 39Country into our hands; but now the Sce… of Affai…s is turned, we are made a Spoil … our Haters, to our Popiſh and Pagan Neig…bours, a Deriſion, we are ſold and ſcattered … mong the Heathen; can we ſay, All this … befallen us, yet have we not forgotten thee, n… have we done falſely in thy Covenant; this w… fear is our mortal wound, viz. the forget…i… of our Fathers and of our God, we have dea… falſely in our own and their Covenant, wh… ſtipulated for us; this is the quarrel which th… Holy God is now avenging: Hath Chittim … Canada chang'd their Gods? Do we thus Requi… the Lord? Oh Fo…liſh People and Unwiſe!

O poor New-England, eſpecially Boſton, i… the Day of it, poor to a proverb, of being th… loſt Town in our firſt Founding; thoſe of … ther Towns enquired, how the Mean On… lived here, the Rich had their Farms Abroa… to Subſiſt by, but as for the poor, how coul… they ſubſiſt? The Anſwer was, their Miniſtry was ſo ſweet unto them, and the Bread of Lif… ſo ſavoury to their Souls, that they forgot thei… Bo…ily Food, ſo welcome was Chriſtian Society to them, that he who had but an Acre of Lan… for his Houſe Lot, parted with one half of i… to a deſirable Neighbour; he that had but hal… an Acre did the like: Thus were we increaſt… ſo as inſtead of a deſolate place, where ou… Fathers found no Town to dwell in, they Cri…ed unto the Lord hungry and thirſty, who le… them forth by a right way, that we are become p. 40… ſmall City of Habitation. God gave ſome …f them then a particular Faith upon Pſalm …07.4. to 8. When as they were brought to …mall ſtore of proviſion, upon the firſt Market Day by the General Court appointed to be …ept, they put to Sail half of it, to handſel it with. Thus was this contemptible place raiſed …p, ſo that in leſs then ſixty years, its Reputed …he Mart of the North-America.

That little Church which after ſeven years growth, its Number) in their Mud-wall Meeing Houſe with woodeu Ch…lices) was ſo ſmall, as a Child might have told the whole Aſſembly; it hath been ſo Amplified and Dig…ified, by the Adorable Preſence of him, whoſe Countenance as the oun ſhining in his full ſtrength, with Radiant Beams through the Chryſtal Glaſs of the T…iumvi…te Miniſtry of the firſt …hree Succeſſive Johns, Walſon, C…tton & Norton, …each ſo full of the Spirit of Love, Light, and Learning, as ſcarcely parall…ll'd in many Gene…ations; this Church is now grown up to be a Trinity Colledge of Churches, beſides three other Congregations, every Lords Day diſtinctly calling upon the Name of the Lord, being …each of them of different perſwaſions: Oh that the Redeemed of the Lord, whom he hath Sav'd from the Hand of the Enemy, and gathered from the Lands, might give thanks to the Lord, for his Goodneſs and Mercy Endureth for ever.

Our Anceſtors were men of God, made p. 41partakers of the Divine Nature, Chriſt was form'd, and viſibly Legible in them, they Ser…ed God in Houſes of the firſt Edition, without …arge Chambers, or Windows, Cieled with Cedar, or painted with Vermilion; a company of plain, pious, humble and open heated Chriſtians, call'd Puritans; when News was brought …ither, that the Church at Bermudas was Ba…iſh'd thence, into a deſolate Iſland, and full of St…aits, forthwith they ſent a Veſſel of good Burthen to them, fully Laden with proviſions of all ſorts, each ſt…i…ing who ſhould be forwardeſt in ſo good a work; which ſupply came into them, when as all the Meal in their Bar…els, and Oil in their Cruiſe was ſpent; and it was brought to them upon a Lords-Day, when …s their Faithful Paſto… had finiſhed his Exhor…ation, from Pſalm 23. To Truſt upon Jehova …heir Shepherd, who would not ſuffer his Flock to …ant; thus the Lord ſet his Seal to their Faith …nd Prayers.

The Gravity of their Habit, and Calendar Reformation, by Satans Pollicy, hath fince been imitated by the Quakers, that our Fathers might be Lyſted among thoſe Phana…icks, and Enthuſiaſts; but they own'd no Spirit within them, but to be tryed by the Word without them, and no word without …hem, but accorded with the Spirit within them; no word of promiſe to them without a work of Grace upon them, neither without the Holy Spirits dwelling in them, and teſtifying p. 42to them. They minded the Ornament of the meek and quiet Spirit, they were not acquainted with the toyes and fancies of this age, they were Glorious within, their clothing was of wrought gold, they were brought in unto the King, in rayment of needle work, wrought with tender pricks of conſcience; the leaſt vain faſhion, wanten, or wicked thought toucht them to the quick, ſenſibly feeling others adverſity, as being in the ſame body, inſtance in our Pequod and Narraganſet Wars, we were not the next concerned, it was Conecticut and Plimouth; at firſt no union of the Collonies, why ſhould we concern our ſelves with them, why did they …amble ſo far a field, they might have contented themſelves,Mr Oldham wthout ſuch large accomodation. The firſt Engliſh Blood-ſhed, was of an Indian trader, and one who had been highly ſined for abuſing this authority, but it was Engliſh Blood, and they made Inquiſition after it.

So they did, when a couple of Engliſh traders were at Richmond Iſland, ſlain by the Indians 1631. and the next year an Engliſh Pirate ſeized a veſſel, who robbed & made ſpoil at Pemiquod Fort, and along the Coaſt; the worthy Governour and Council then uſed means for their ſuppreſſion, and accordingly it ſucceded: Nation and Neighbourhood was Obligation to their engaging in the quarrel, they had ſimpathy in each joys and ſorrows, our ſenſeleſs ſtupidity, and our Pride devours our Charity, Oh the p. 43Exceſs of it both of Body and mind, of Hearts and Parts, of Veſtures, and Geſtures, in al… Profeſſors, it is the Noli me tangere of the Age; its fear'd, that moſt of our Prophets mouths are judicially ſhut againſt it, and that God now ſaith of us, as formerly of Ephraim, He is joined to his Idols let him alone.

Dread we, leaſt our Palſey Diſtempers ſhould Relax the Nerves of our Body Pollitick, or our Convulſive Cramps ſhould break them, and moſtly that the Pectant Humours in our Bodies may not abound to the raiſing up Noxious and Mortal Fumes and Vapours, in our Head.

If the Athenian Mercury may be credited, the exceſſes of our Nation in their Head Tire, hath been teſtified againſt, by Unnatural Excreſſences of Bruit Creatures, but, (as its ſaid) ours by an Humane Monſtroſſity, as if the Holy GOD were more Jealous againſt us, then againſt others.

The Lord ſeeth the Land-Defiling and Deſolating ſins amongſt us: what Witchrafts, and what other abominations are in the midſt of us, we have juſt cauſe both to lay ourſelves down in the Duſt, and with indignation to bear all witneſs juſtly due againſt them, and all our Pagan walking in Laſciviouſneſs, Lusts of the Fleſh, Luſts of the eyes, and Pride of Life, our exceſs of Wine, Revellings, & abominable wickedneſs, by which Gods. Name is Blaſphemed among us; for which as the Lord vomited p. 44out theſe Natives, to make room for us, ſo …e now hath vomited us out, to make room or them; in this War he hath Ruined and Deſtroyed a whole Shire, and in a manner Depopulated a whole Province; in which Deſolation, two Churches gathred according to Goſpel Order are extinguiſhed: One of them about Fifty years ſtanding, which was one of the firſt attacks upon us, having there been made the greateſt Slaughter, Captivity, and Plunder; the Town remaineth, but the Churches Candleſtick was removed: the other Church not of much leſſer ſtanding, where its ſaid, not above Four Males left of their Society, the reſt Dead, Slaughtered, or Captivated; but the Burthen of that Lamentation is, that their Faithful Paſtor, Eminent for Humility, Piety, and care of his Flock; he not being willing to leave them, was Barbarouſly Murthered in the midſt of them, his Tender and Godly. Wife Captivated, there Dyed. Oh Lord will not all this awaken us to Church Reformation, ſo as to ſet thine Altar upon its Baſis, a Sentence to be engraven upon every Church door, when we are not only under Fear of the inhabitants of this Land, but under the Deep Smarting and Killing Diſpleaſure of a Righteous, Holy, and Angry God, by theſe wicked Cannibals, who are Gods Sword, and have been ſo for many years together, and when the end will be none of our Prophets have told us: we mention not the other circumſtances relating to that Province p. 45& Shire; it's ſaid there have been Killed & Captivated, a 1000, beſides about 140 Slain the other day: but leave it to ſuch whoſe Lot it will be to draw it up, our Pequod and Narraganſet Wars laſted about three years, whoſe Narrative is faithfully Publiſhed by two perſons of Worth, to the Honour of God, King, and Country: L…s thought no Engliſh Pen will hardly Undertake this.

That the Great God is Departing from us, his …wful Removes demonſtrate, ſhould be quite leave us, we need none to Judge between us, but our ſelves to Juſtifie him, and Condemn us; we are the Luxuriant Branches of the Noble Vine here planted, but Degenerated into that of Sodom and Gomorrah, whom after all Culturing to bring us unto our Priſtine Fruitfulneſs, by Impoveriſhing us, by pruning o…ffour Superfluous Branches, by Loſſes at Sea, by Defeating our great Canada Deſign by Gods own Immediate Hand, Starving and Freezing to Death the Flower of our Hopeful Youth; the Lord from Heaven, and the Stars in their Courſes, Fighting againſt us; yea, Cruel Cannibals, Scalping and Fleaing of our Bodies, burning us as Sacrifices to Habamoch; but all this tends only to the killing of our Bodies; but when as the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah is Rowz'd up, and Roareth upon us, who can but fear? it exceeds bruitiſh ſtupidity, if we do not Tremble, more eſpecially, when as the Devourer out of the Bottomleſs Pit is let Looſe upon us, the Compendium of all Calamity, and the quinteſſence of Wrath, Anger, and Indignation is come upon us to the utmoſt, as if now we were to be made an Execration to God, his Holy Angels and good men, at the dreadful Claps of this tremendous Thunder, whole Fleſh is not ſhattered in pieces? How ſhould the ghaſtly ſight of the Tophet and Inviſible World within us, and of the innate Immate … …akes …elf and ſin more abominably vile, and loath …ome then Hell or Devil? Who can hide from the Wrath of the Lamb? Whoſe Grace upon the Knee, in the Miniſtry of his Ho… Word, ſo oft hath beſought us and ours to be Reconciled unto him, but we would not, we have with our contempt provoked him, to deliver us up into the hand of him, who hath the Power of Death.

Let's conſider the Inſtruments Implied in this Suparlative Plague, the Devil is come down againſt us, the Inhabitants of this Earth, having great Wrath, he is the Do-evil, he is the Recorded Liar, Tempter, Accuſer, and Murderer of Souls and Bodies, and what not? They are Spirits no more diſcerned by us, and as unſeen as our Souls, yet ſo near, piercing and contiguous as the Air, Heat, or Cold, and it's only want of Divine Permiſſion, if not Commiſſion, that every one of us hath not had the experience of all this; they are Fallen Angels, Apoſtate from their Heavenly Firſt State; ſhould not this bring to Remembrance, both our Perſonal Fall in our Firſt Fathers, and our Relative Apoſtacy from our Church-State? Firſt Love, and Firſt Works! Our Fathers were Clothed with the Sun, the Apoſtolical Diſcipline and Doctrine were their Crown, the Moon was under their Feet, but we are turned topſy turvy, Heads and Heels have changed places, a little from Heaven, was greater encouragement then a great deal from Earth, as then was the reply of a young Preacher, to one who queſtioned him, how he could be contented with ſuch poor Fare and mean Maintenance, in a …mall Village; we fear that Chriſt Jeſus Indigitates …t our Churches Apoſtacy, and at our Falling from …ur Firſt Love.

And doubtleſs God calls us, now being Alarmed p. 47by theſe Spirits, to try our particular. Eſtates, wha… Spirit we are of? Wh…t…r of new and Heaven-born State; and alſo our Worſhip, whether it be Spiritual ſuch as he who is a Spirit, the Father of Spirits ſe…k …eth; he found our Fathers ſuch of his own Making or they would not have run the risk… of Tranſplanting themſelves, or brought us their Children …hi…her Again, are we true Worſhipp…rs? Principled in th… Truth of what we believe, and practice from the Word of Truth, can we give a bett…r account of ou… Church Covenant and Fellowſhip, then a B got Papiſt can of Maſs, or his Auricular Confeſſion, thei… Fathers did ſo, and …o did ours; it was the Cuſtome of the place they lived i…, and … is ou…s; let us min… whether by theſe Helliſh Emiſſaries, God doth no… loudly call upon us to conſider of theſe things.

Let's ponder upon the Subj…cts or Perſons upo… whom this Great Wrath is fallen, they are chiefly th… Members of our Churches, or their H…arers and D… pendants, none of the Epiſcopal, Antipedobaptiſt… or Quakers perſwaſion, have been complained of, be Accuſers, or Accuſed, Afflicters, or Afflicted, th… Devil ſetting up his Chappel ſo near to Chriſt Church, declareth his Malice, and eſpecially again us, it hath been well noted by a Miniſter of Note that the Devil now contents not himſelf to imital Jewiſh or Popiſh Modes, our he will take up the R… formed and Congregational Way; a ſingle Parſe wi… not ſerve his turn, but he will have Paſtor an Teacher, if he can't find a Deacon, he will not wa… two Widows or Deaconeſſes, his old Diaboliſm w… not do now, to Baptiſe and give Names to the Wit… and her Imps, but he brings up a new Derno…iunif… every Witch ſhall have her (ſo call'd) Spectre, attend upon her, and to be her Envoye, to Torme ſuch as they never knew or ſaw; whereas it hath … p. 48… old ſaying,: Ignoti nulla Cupido: No Love to a perſon unknown, and conſequently as little hatred. Sauls Evil Spirit acting his Eyes to Malignity againſt David, …ympathiſed with his hand to murder him, but now between ſight and touch, a vaſt antipathy.

But that which we in our ſhort Reading may make our fl…ſh to tremble, the joynts of …ur Knees to be looſ…d, and our very Arfcries and Heart-ſtrings to break in lunder, at the very ſound of …t; that theſe Curſed Fiends (who in the day of our Lords Humiliation, when as he deveſted his Glory, and took upon him …he Form of a Servant, a Poor Carpenter (to make new, and mend old Houſes) did then beſeech him to give them leave to enter into … parcel of Swine, and that he would not Torment …hem before their time; That this Glorious and Glo…ified Lord, Who by Death ſlew him who had the … ower of Death, that is the Devil, and upon and in is Reſurrection, made Triumph over all Devi…s, having …ed them Captive, ſpoiling Principalities and Powers, …ade ſhew of them openly, after God hath highly Exalted …im, even to Sit at his Right hand, and given him a Name above every Name, That in the Name of Jeſus, very knee in Heaven, Earth, and Hell ſhould bow; that … open defiance of all this, now they ſhould inſult …ver Storm, and baſely affront the Lord of Heaven, …arth, and Hell; the Scriptures tell us, That the Devils Believe and Tremble; and this we do and muſt …elieve: but that a Damned Crew of Devils or …itches at the Devils Table, with Red Bread and …ine, in deriſion of our Lords Body and Blood, …ould ſport and feaſt themſelves (as ſome of the …onfeſſing Witches have ſaid, and unſaid] with that …hich is their Torment and Torture, we muſt cry …t and ſay, Credat Judeus Apella, Let an Ʋncircumciſed p. 49Jew believe it, being no Article of any Unfac… nated Chriſtians Creed: Tell not this in Gath, pubniſh… it not in Askelon, leſt Philiſtiahs Daughters Triumph and Rejoyce.

It's Hiſtoried of our Pagan Progenitors, that Gretory the Great, th… laſt of the good, and firſt of bad Popes, ſeeing ſtrange Lads of a comely Countenance produced publickly to be Sold, he inquired of what Nation they were of, being told they were Angli, Engliſh, looking upon their fair faces, he …aid they were Angeli, Angels, and pittying them …hat they were Vaſſals of Satan, he took Order for the Converſion of our Nation to the Chriſtian Faith; but as for us Nov Angli, New Engliſh, by …our ſmutty deformity, and Hells blackneſs, we have …endred our ſelves Diaboli Veteram, Old Devils: New-England will be called, new Witch-land, Ema…uels Land will be Titled the Land of Abaddon; Salem Vi…age and Andover, will be called the Swee…iſh Mohra and Brokula; the Country whoſe Native and Natural Small, was, as of a Field, which the Lord hath Bleſſ…d, a Promenado a broad after Rain, would have Revived a mans Spirits, as ſome have experienced it; yea the whole Continent which …ong after our firſt coming hither, was ſo full not only of Internals, but of External Flavour, and ſweet Odour; ſo as when Ships were divers Leagues diſtant, and had not made Land, ſo fragrant and odoriferous was the Land to the Marriners, that …hey knew they were not far from the Shoar; ſuch was the plenty of ſweet Fearn, Lawrel, and other …ragrane Simples, this Land then abounded with; ſpecially near the Sea ſide; ſuch was the ſcent of …ur A…omatick, and Balſome bearing pines, ſpruces, …nd Larch Trees with our Tall Cedars, exceeding all …n Europe: But our ſweet ſcent is gone, we ſmell p. 50…ank of Helle-bore, Henb…n, and poyſonful Hemſock, as if we were laid out to be the American Antic…ra.

We were then honoured with Yu only have I known of all the Famities of the Earth, but what follows? therefore will I puniſh you. Priviledge doth not ex…emp… from puniſhment, and now we are under the …mart of it; we hav… been laid in the green bed of Ordinances, yea in Ch iſt B ſome, under a Conjugal Cove…ant, and we muſt exp…ct to …e puniſhed for the breach of it; the Lord who w…s je…lous for our Fathers, he is jealous againſt us; the wilful neglect of Divine inſtitutions, brings under the ſame breach of the Second Command…ent, as the Superſtitions le…ing up o… Humane Inventions, we may ſet up Croſs o… Surplice as lawfully as n…glect any Goſp…l O dinance: the grand Promiſe of Chriſt being a way wi… his Churches, unto the End of Ages, is conditional, and cannot be … parated, …rom that which preceedeth, nor be claimed without that which is annexed to it, viz our Obedience to that Goſpel Command, which Chriſt reſerved to take leave of his Apoſtles, and all Believers; which laſt wor'ds are or …ught to b…affect…ng and ſoaking to parting Relations: Teaching them to obſerve a…l things whatſoever I have Commanded you to do, and LO I AM WITH YOƲ; Here is adjoyned Chriſts Note of Lo, or Behold, calling for our greateſt attention and conſideration, as well as being the remark of the higheſt truth and affirmation; and both confirmed by the Amen and laſt words of him Who is the Faithful and true Witneſs, whoſe Name is Amen.

Can it be rationally ſuppoſed? that had we not receeded from having Paſtors, Teachers, and Ruling Elders, and Churches doing their duty as formerly, with Family-Government kept up, that the Roaring Lion could have gained ſo much groud upon us (he being reſiſted would have fled) and not mu… plied ſo many Impieti s in our Towns; or ſuch a… Number of real or reputed Wi…e…es amongſt us, as it's ſaid in or about two Towns, above two hundred Accuted, one hundied Impriſoned, thirty Condemned, and twenty Executed; yea, ſome Accuſed among our Rulers in Commonwealth and Churches, as … they were …ecome places for Zim, Jm, and Ohim with the Satyrs to Dance in, On whither ſhall we go… to cover our ſhame? Shall not the ſtings of thoſe Stygian Scorpions awaken us out of our Laethal Lethergy? Are both Wiſe and Fooliſh Virgins aſleep … what need is there of Prayer? that our Eyes may be opened, and our hearts awakened, and to crie out, Awake, awake Deborah, awake, awake, is it not high time, as for every particular perſon, ſo for our Churches to ſearch, and try our ways, and re urn to our Firſt Husband. and the good Old Way we have walked in.

The place where Satan mad… his firſt aſſault, and great Ba…tery is to be minded: th…re he made his grand Attack where he firſt was Dethroned, and that is Salem; his preſent Rage is againſt it: its Original Name was called, Naumkek, the Boſome of Conſolation being its ſignification, as the Learned have obſerved. It's now thre…tned to be made a place and …oſome of Deſolation, …nd Turting Chriſt out of his Throne; that where Chriſts Banner had been diſplayed, there the Devil with found of Trumpet, ſets up his Enſigns, where Spiritual Songs, and Sacred Anthoms of, Glory to God in the Higheſt, and Peace on Earth, and good will towards men; with Amſworth, Elevated Tunes were wont to be warbled forth; that there the horrid Scriekings and Screamings of Obleſſed, Poſſ…ſſed, and Bewitched Perſons ſhould be ſounded with ſuch hideous yellings, to the amazement of the Hearers, as if Hell and his Furies had been let looſe.

p. 52That the Noiſe of Mau…es and Hammers, beating …own the Carved Works in the Synagogues of the …and, ſhould be heard where men had been Famous, whoſe Axes had been Lifted up for hewing and ſqua…ing Souls for Chriſts Spiritual Building

That where the D…vil like Lightning had fallen …own from Heaven, before the Thundering Miniſtry …f Chriſts Boanerges, there the B…ack Man or Devil …hould be pointed at, as vinbly ſitting or ſtanding on …he Beams or Seats.

Though Balac and Balam Changed Stations, and Sacrifices, they could not Curſe, but muſt bleſs this People; how goodly were the Tents and Tabernacles of …ur Iſrael, when our Tribes according to Scriptural Order, were pitch'd about our Tabernacle, and the Ark of God in the midſt of us, when our Churches …nd Conſociations were according to Divine Directo…y, and Primitive Practice; We looked forth then as …he Morning, fair as the Sun, clear as the Moon, and …errible as an Army with Banners, no Inchantment or Divination againſt us, until prevailing Iniquity and Tranſgreſſion againſt Chriſts Inſtitutions were found … mong us; our Strength then was as the ſtrength of …he Unicorn, the ſhout of our King was among us, …tting upon his Throne of Majeſty, with the Rainbow …bout his head, ſurrounded with the four living Crea…ures, and Twenty Four E…dere, proſtrating, and throwing …heir Crowns before his Throne; a Lively Emblem and Character of the firſt Apoſtolical Churches Organiz…d and Compleated according to Chriſts Appoint…ent, with the Couragious Lion like Ruling Elder, …e Laborious Ox-like Paſtor, the humanely Compaſſi…nate Deacon, and the Eagle Eyed Teacher. Our …his exceeding Immoralities, are dipp'd in the Crim…n Tincture of Rebellion; no marvel if our puniſh…ent be ſo great, yet abundantly leſs then our Iniquities …

p. 53The dread of Divine Anger and Wrat… with the Guilt of G…nſcience, which the Scri… ture of Truth declares and dictates unto … as unknown in its power, and that accordi… to Gods Fear, ſuch is his wrath; this the w… dom of our Antients (when Paynimes) R… preſented by Alecto, and her two Siſter-Furi… ſent out of Tartaras, with their Platted Ch… velures, and Contorted Locks of Hiſſing Serpen… and Stinging Adders, Hanging below thei… Necks, whoſe Tails, Tongues, and Teeth we… full of Deadly Poyſon, enough to Fright a Senſible Man out of his Wits, and our Gallan… out of their Head Gear: It's ſaid to be ce… tainly true, that no Rattle Snake ever was ſee… beyond Merrimak River, the Boundary of ou… Firſt Patent; nor that there hath been … Convicted Witch on the other ſide of Piſc… taquay River; but if ſome Creatures may b… Credited, how do we on this Side abound … how do the Ignatian Loyaliſts with their Perverted Proſelytes, Triumph over our …oor Captives, ſaying, We are the true Chriſtians, you the falſe, we no Lye, Swear, but Pray and Pra…ſe God; as indeed, at the Late Surpriſe of York before they fell to Sharing …f their Plunder they met and Sung, Te Deum Laudamus, their Praiſes to God; and at their Veſpers, o… Nocturnal Ri…ings to Smoak it, they Sing even Songs and Mattens, in the Morning in their own Language, with Harmonious Melody, a… our Captives Teſtify; how doth this Reflec… p. 54upon the Thouſands of Non-Praying, and Non-Praiſing Familys of the Engliſh; they tell us, Their Prieſts are good Men, our Ministers are Devils, and hung for Witches; What will ſome of our own Nation reproach us with? what is become of the New-Heaven, and the New-Earth, of your Non parralleld Reformation you boaſted of? whatever Piety your Fathers pretended in the Pia Mater of their Brains, to be ſure it is Ardled into impious matter of Deviliſm, in their Childrens crack'd Crowns; and therefore you are ſent into a Region, where there is Hellebore enough, for all the Mazed Fanaticks in Europe; thus is the Name of GOD, His Tabernacle, and thoſe which dwell in Heaven, Blaſphemed for our ſakes; we not giving him the Glory and Honour due unto his Name; others do ſay, and they do very ill in their ſo ſpeaking, what is become of your reſolved Revolution, which God is now Plagueing you for? and the Complication of Lies, made to encourage and further it; which of your Deſigns have proſpered ſince? Had you waited Gods time, you ſhould have had it with a Bleſſing, but by your Lyes obtaining it, you …ve deeply paid for it.

Finally, that which may call for our Higgaion Selah, and deep Humiliation, is the conſideration of the time, when as Hells Hurricano ſeas'd us, when after weary waiting, in our languiſhing, and bleeding condition above a Time, Times, and half a Time; at length we were brought to Gods Foot, our wounds not being healed, tho ou… Petitions were not granted, yet our prayers were heard, as appeareth by their Majeſties grant of a Province Charter, there declared, and here with great acclamation Proclaimed; this ve look'd at as a happy Omen of Haloyon-dayes now come to this diſtreſſed, & wounded people, in this Junctor of time, or about the laying the Foundation of this ſtructure, that the great Palmony, the wonderful numberer of times, who weighs the leaſt minute of humane accidents, in the exact ballance of an eternal decree, even to the pacing of Ahabs Horſes in his Chariot, that they muſt not go faſter o… flower, then to reach the very ſpot, where the Dogs had lick'd up Naboths Blood, there to lick up Ahabs; that then this Euroclydon ſhould be raiſed, to the Toral Ruine of the whol… Fabrick; that when according to Gods graciou… Promiſe unto Iſrael of old, the Royal Conceſſion unto us was, That our Nobles ſhould be o… our ſelves, and that our Governour ſhould procee… from the midst of us, and that God would mak… him to draw nigh unto him, and that he di… approach unto him: That then Hells rage di… ſeize us, to the breaking us in peices, if S… tans Stratagem had taken effect, according t… the waſting Progreſs made, that when as w… hoped, God ſhould have been ours, and o… Childrens God as aforetime, and our Congr… gations eſtabliſhed for ever; that then … ſhould render ourſelves, or be rendred by othe… p. 56…s the Sons of the Sorcereſs, and Children of …he Adultereſs: what high ſongs of praiſe do we owe unto Sions God, for the diſcovering of Apollions Wiles, Depths and Deceits; and …or Spiriting one of the Tribe of Zebulon, rais'd, …p from among us, by finding out the Treaſures …id in the Sands, which hath highly tended …o the raiſing of him to Honour, and the enrichment of himſelf, and Nation; who be…ng Divinely deſtinated, & humanely Commiſſi…nated to be the Pilot and S…eerſ man of this …oor Bemiſted, and Befogg'd Veſſel, in the Mare Mortuum, and Mortiferous Sea of Witch…raft, and Faſcination; by Heavens Conduct …ccording to the integrity of his heart, not truſt…ng the Helm in any other Hand, …e being by …od and their Majeſties beſtru…ed therewith, …e ſo happily ſhaped, and ſteadily ſtee…ed her …ourſe, as ſhe eſcaped Shipw…a…k, …ither up…n the Stygian Scilla, or the Ach…rontal Charib…is, and now is ſafely Moa…ed in the Paci…que Sea, and under the Cape of Bone Eſperance; …e being alſo by the ſame Hand appointed, to …e this Peoples Chieftain; by the Prudence of …s hands, and ſtrengthned by the A…ms of … mighty God of Jacob, managed the ſharp …wo Edged Sword, to him committed, in…mparably excelling that of the Great Alex…der, to the Cutting in ſunder of the Circean …ot of Inchantment, abundantly more diffi…lt to be diſſolved, then the Famous Gordian … of Old: he being alſo led by divine inſpiration, p. 57of Our Bleſſed Gods-Spell and th… moſt… ſure Word of Propheſy, infinitely ſu… paſſing the Famous Th…ed and Clue of Ariadn… hath extricated us out of the Winding an… Crooked Laby…inth of Hells Meander.

Let all be improved to the high Honour of him, who had he not been on our Side, Now may New England ſay, Had he not been on our ſide, when not only men, but Devils roſe up againſt us, we had been ſwallowed up quick, the proud Waves had gone over our Souls; Bleſſed be the Name of the Lord who gave us not up to be … prey unto their Teeth, let our hel… be in the Name of the Lord, who hath made Heaven, Earth, and Hell

Oh that now this token for good, may be improved to the quickening of us, to breaking off the Covenant made with Death, that it may be diſanulled, and our Agreement with H…ll, that it may not ſtand; and to make ſure our Intereſt in the firm, ſure, precious and tried Foundation, and Corner Stone, which with a Behold of Attention and Admiration, God hath Laid in Sion: Let this preventing Mercy Encourage poor Starv'd Prodigals, to return to their Fathers Houſe, acknowledging our ſelves unworthy to be his Sons; no, not his Maenial Servants. Own we our ſelves to be Lukewarm Laodiceans, wambl…ng upon the Stomach or our Bleſſed Lord, and no place fitter to eaſe himſelf of us, then by ſpuing us into Hell, as was ſaid of Caparnaum; we are as ignorant, as p. 58…ogant, we are Rich, want for nothing, but …ow not our Poverty, Blindneſs, or Naked…eſs; we truſt and boaſt our ſelves in lying …ords, of the Temple of the Lord, and that we are …hriſt's Non-ſuch Garden, for him to Walk …nd Recreate himſelf in: But alas! we are …either hot nor cold, a parcel of Mung…el …nterpendants; we are not of the Epiſcopal Form, we allow no Superiority in our Chur…hes, nor Officers; where there is but one Of…icer, there cannot be Preference nor Diſpari…y; and how many of our Churches have …nore? We are not Presbyterians, for their …eclared Diſcipline, and their practice is accor…ingly; they have one Paſtor, and two Ruling Elders, in their leaſt Congregations; and as …heir Flock increaſeth, ſo they multiply their Officers; but we on the contrary; when a Churches Foundation▪ hath been laid, they had not the Number of Forty Members in their Body; they ſolemnly then engaged, with hands …ifted up to Heaven, not to be without two Teaching, and two Ruling Elders, and for a while they publickly practiſed, chuſing two Ruling Elders, Ordained a Paſtor and Ruling Elder, and ſent the other to bring over a Teacher, which was done; but when they are now multiplied vaſtly above the Number, more then at firſt, they content themſelves with one Teaching, and never a Ruling Officer; when as there are, as it's ſaid, above two thouſand Souls under Church Watch, & none p. 59Officially to Rule and Watch over them; … not this Taking Gods Name in vain; and as … the Congregational Way, we Nominally pr… feſs it; but if we Read the Plat-…orm of o… Church Diſcipline, or the way of the Congr… gational Churches of New-England, we m… ſee how much we are varyed from it, a… gone back from the way, our Fathers and o… ſelves have been inſtructed in, and have recei… ed upon the Divine Authority of the Ho… Word, and formerly walked accordingly.

Let's not halt between two Opinions, if o… Fathers Ways were Scriptural, let us practical… Juſtify them, if they be not, let us be Humbl… and Reform; we pray that the Lord wou… lead and keep us in his Truth, and reſtore … to Walk in Chriſt, as we have received him … though our Ruſt is ſo inveterately Cankere… as no ſcowring will fetch it out; let's Beg th… the Refiners Fire, which the Lord is purgi… the Sons of Levi with, may effectually melt … down, that we may be fitted as Veſſels of H… nour, Sanctified and Prepared unto every go… Work, and made fit for our Masters Uſ… Let this ſtimulate us to hearken unto what t… Spirit ſaith unto the Churches, not advanci… mens Polliticks, before Gods Inſtitutes, nor H… mane Prudentials, before Chriſt's Credentia… take we heed of diſguſt againſt Scripture Pu… ty, and plainneſs; and ſee that the true Fa… and Diſcipline received from our Godly a… Holy Fathers, may be handed down to us, a… p. 60to our Children, bringing forth practical Holineſs, whereby as they Juſtified their Profeſſ… on, ſo we may in our Lives and Converſations make evident, the Holineſs a… Faithfulneſs, of our and their Heavenly Father; tha… Religion and the true Ways of God in Hi… Worſhip and Diſcipline, may not evaporate into Form, without the Power of Godlineſs, no… be Buried in our Predeceſſors Graves, but that it may in the midſt of years Revive, to that which was New Englands Glory: In our firſt times no complaint of Churches being it compleat of Officers, nor for want of Mai…tenance for them, nor for want of Materials to chooſe Officers fit to Rule: ſome have obſerved this Failure hath been upon private Brethrens Obſtructions, a diſcouragement of Diſcourſe among themſelves, unleſs it were ſuch, as they had from the Preſs or Pulpit; Doth it not reflect upon the Churches King and Law giver? who both received and gave gifts to men, that the Lord God might dwell among them, yea, among the Rebellious: Shall our Churches lie under the Curſe of Barren Wombs and Dry Breaſts? Is Bethel Barren, and Athens Fruitful? Shall Cambridge the School of our Young Prophets be pregnant, and an Alma Mater, a Bountiful Mother with her Breaſts, exuberating with Radiant Beams, and Sacred Streams, to the making glad the City of our God; in ſending forth ſuch as are Accompliſhed with exquiſite and requiſite Talents, to fit them to the Miniſterial Work p. 61of Chriſt's Holy Temple. And ſhall o… Churches, which ſhould be Sion Colledges? a… the Mothers of old and young Diſciples no… be ſterile? Neither capable to bring fort… Nurſe, or Educate any, which may be fit f… Rule in them; ſhall they be capable of no … ther Name, but of the Layty or this Peopl… which was impoſed upon them, by ſuch a… Arrogated to themſelves the Title of the Cle… gy, or of being Gods Lot.

Our King is blameleſs, but how much o… Churches are blame-worthy, the Lord give u… to conſider; for Brethren of low degree, t… ſay they know not the way of the Lord, the… are of mean Eſtates, and low Capacities, thei… Counſel will not meet with acceptance, a… ſome others might do; go to the Brethren o… high degree, they know the way of the Judg… ments of the Lord, but they caſt off the Yok… of the Lord; their occaſions will not bear o… admit of ſo mean an Employ as to be a Ruling Elder.

It's Recorded to the high Honour of the French Reformed Churches, that not many years ſince, at a National Synod held at Charenton, very nigh unto Paris, the Metropolis of that Nation; in the ſight of all the French Nobility, and Gallantry, there appeared twelve or ſixteen Barons, Lords, and Eſquires, who Eſteemed not themſelves debaſed, to appear as Members of that Synodical Society, and indeed were all of them Ruling Elders of their ſpective Congregations, and truly the Glory Chriſt in his Churches: This is aſſerted in …e Synodicon Galliae Reformatae.

May we not fear that we render our ſelves …ghly Criminal againſt the Prerogative of this …ing of Kings, and Lord of Lords; who be…des what is recorded in the Scripture of …ruth, that when he took leave of his Apoſtles …t his Aſcenſion, What he then gave in Charge …o them; he afterward doubled the ſame …y the great and laſt Apoſtle of the Gentile Churches; inſtructing Timothy in Chriſt's Name, how he ſhould behave himſelf in the Church, and Houſe of God; he doth upon …he higheſt adjuration which can be mention…ed, Enjoyn him, as he will anſwer it before God, before Jeſus Chriſt, and the Elect Angels, that he ſhould obſerve thoſe things; namely, the Canons he had before appointed about Church Order and Officers; that he ſhould mind thoſe things, without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiallity; there muſt be no partial dealing, no preferment of one Commandment of Chriſt before another, Deacons muſt not be kept in place, with rejection of the Elders that Ruled well, nor others debarr'd of their double Honour, eſpecially thoſe who laboured in the Word and Doctrine; and the Holy All-wiſe God knowing that the Churches would Apoſtatize, and that Antichriſt whoſe Myſtery of Iniquity then wrought, would in ſpecial manner run encounter to Scripture Purity, and p. 63pollute the Sanctuary Streams of Church O… dinances and Officers, eſpecially Ruling Elde… becauſe of their pragmaticalneſs with the Te… ching Elders, about Church Rule, he jumble… and made one Officer of Teaching and Rulin… Elders, prudentially to av…id Seiſm, and calle… hem both Presbyters or Prieſts; mean whil… he courted and carreſſed the Deacons who… he diſtinguiſhed; ſome he called Sub-Deacon… to attend the Veſtry, to help on the Surplic… and h…ly Garments of the Prieſts or Presbyters others he advanced to hear Auricular Confeſſ… ons, and ſay Maſs; but prudently conſiderin… that the Care and Truſt of the Church Stoc… and Treaſury was committed unto them; e… pecially when i… was augmented with that ca… led Conſtantines Gift, concerning which, Hiſtory tells us of a voice heard in the Heavens Hodie venerum effunditur, &c. This day poyſon i… powred into the Churches: That Man of Sin fore ſeeing how uſeful Deacons might be to hi… Clergy, he advanced the Graveſt of them to be Arch Deacons, and to be of the number o… Cardinals, ſo called, becauſe they are the Cardines Hooks or Hindges that the Scarlet Whore… Chair or Seat hangs on: This curſed Conclave are the only Elected and Electors of the Pope; their work on High Feſtivals is to Veſt their Pontifex Maximus in his Pontificalibus of Purple and Scarlet, decked with Jewels and Gold, vaſtly exceeding all Imperial State; and the Splendor of Jaddu… the … p. 64to Alenander, to confirm him in his Con…eſt of the World. Whilſt at the High Altar …e is Offering up the Blaſphemous Sacrifice, …eſe Arch-Deacons attend upon him, as other …eacons at the Lords Supper. Let the Candid …eader paſs by this digreſſion, deſigned to ſhew what a fine Thred this Myſtery of Iniquity at …irſt ſpun; but now the Son of Perdition Sits …s God in the Temple of God, whom Chriſt will destroy with the Brightneſs of his Coming. &c. Chriſt renews and doubleth the ſame Charge …n the ſame Epiſtle, as it were Adjuring and Conjuring Timothy, and in him all the Church…s, In the ſight of God, as they look to anſwer it, at that Great Day, and before Jeſus Chriſt, who made a good Confeſſion before Pontius Pilate, that they keep his Commandment without ſpot, and unrebukable, until the Appearing of Jeſus Chriſt: How ſhould all theſe Obteſtations and Injunctions make all New-England Church-Members and Officers dreadfully to quake and tremble, under the conſideration of what Guilt we lay under, by breach of this Command.

Moreover the King of Saints, and Lord of Heaven and Earth, having Magnified and Exalted this People above any in the lower world; with Charter Priviledge to im-body themſelves into Spiritual Corporations, founded upon Divine Inſtitutions, and directed by Scriptural Regulations; by which Charter of Right, they are Impowred to Aſſemble and Incorporate themſelves, to Chuſe and Appoint their own p. 65Officers, acting the whole in his Sacred Majeſties Name, and Solely by his Authority, tha… agreeing together, he hath paſs'd under th… great Seal of Heaven, and given his Royal Parol… Oath, and Amen, to bind or looſe in heaven whatſoever they ſhall bind or looſe on earth the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven are give… to this Church, Confeſſing and Profeſſing Chriſ… to be the Son of the living God: the gates o… hell ſhall not prevail againſt it: yea, he whoſ… Name is I AM, is in the Midſt of two or three aſſembled in his Name & Authority; but if they by their factions, or fractions, cannot agree, o… thro their ſullen wilfulneſs, do Nonuſer, Deſuſer▪ Refuſer any of theſe Sacred Statutes, which they by Scripture Charter are oblidg'd to act by, they forfeit their Franchiſe, & may expect a Divin… Quo-warrant, to be ſued out by their King againſt them, WHO REQUIRED THIS AT YOUR HANDS? THIS IS NOT THE FEAST, FAST OR DUTY THE LORD REQUIRES. By not obſerving all things he ha…h Commanded, they forfeit the challenge of his promiſed Preſence with them, if they refuſe any Officer, which he hath inſtated in the Churches, they expoſe themſelves to the Forfeiture of the ſaid Charter.

And he who knoweth not, what a Deluge of Superſtitions was by this door of neglect, let into the firſt Churches, he is not ſo vers'd in divine and humane Church Hiſtory▪ as the time of the fulfilling Propheſy we are p. 66caſt into, calls for: our crying out, The Temple of the Lord, will not free us from being Diſchurched, more then Jeruſalem was; ſhe was ſeat to Shilo. N. England needs not to Travel into Aſia to learn it; every poor French Refugee, who hath ſet his Foot in N. England, Preacheth it unto us, whoſe Churches have yielded more Faithful Martyrs, then all the other Reformed Churches in Europe; their care of Supplying the Poor Churches, out of the Large Treaſury, and by the Liberality of the Richer, was Exemplary; and the Providing Maintenance to the Widows, and Orphans of their Deceaſed Paſtors, was Preſidential; it was the ſpecial Work of their National Synods, and doth condemn us; Chriſt that knows their Charity, Service, Faith, and Patience after their Re reformation, will make this Thyatiras laſt works to be more than her first. Oh that we might apply our Hearts to theſe things, that they may ſink into our Souls! Kings out of their Natural Clemency, may abate from the Severity of Law, but if contempt be added, it aggravates the Offence; Our caſe is ſuch as only Soveraign Grace can Cure; God hath oft wrought for his Names Sake, Let us Plead it with him, Lord we are call…d by thy Name, Leave us not, Let us not be abhorr'd for thy Names Sake; Let not the Throne of Thy Glory, be further Diſgraced, before Popiſh and Pagan Adverſaries?

It's ſaid that none but Parliaments Laxneſs …o maintain their juſt and legal Proprietie… … undo the Body Polittck of a Nation; ſo no… can undo our Spiritual Corporations, but their Members; giving up their due juſt Church Power and Priviledge, into the bands of ſome Diotrephes, as befel the Primitive Churches.

As we began with a caution from our great Cotton, ſo we ſhall draw to a concluſion with the Animadverſion of the great Congregational Champion, Dr. Owen, who in the Vindication of theſe Churches from Sciſm, cha…g'd upon them by Dr: Stilling sfleet; the ſaid Reverend Man, who there, and in his other Elaborate Works upon that Subject, doth but Paraphraſe and Comment upon the Book of Mr. Cottens Keys, as he himſelf hath publiſhed to the World; in anſwer to Mr. Cawdry, That upon ſearch of the Scriptures, and weight of Argument thence deduced, finding the Work of the Keyes exactly anſwering the Wards of the Lock of Christs Kingdom; he was proſelited from the Claſſical, unto the Congregational Way of Churches. Let it with all ſubmiſſiveneſs be conſidered, whether its Rumination may not be our concern, who Writing of the State of theſe Churches ſaith: That when a People through an apprehenſion of their own ignorance, weakneſs, and unmeetneſs (well if it be not Lazineſs and Idleneſs) to diſcern and judge matters of Religion for themſelves; and their own duty be kept and debar'd from it, or when through their own ſloth, negligence and vitiouſneſs, ſhall be really uncapable to manage their own intereſt in Church Affairs, as fit only to be governed, if not as Bruit Creatures, yet as mute perſons; theſe things ſhall be …mplyed by the ambition of the Clergy, ingroſſing …ll things in the Church, to themſelves, as they did …n former Ages: That if the old Popedom do not Return, a new one wi…l be Erected as bad as the other: God forbid this prognoſtick ſhould be the Fate of our Churches; yet when we read the Apoſtle Pauls advice to Coloſſe, Say to Archippus, Take heed to thy Miniſtry, which thou haſt Received of the Lord; when we conſider the neglect of it, we know not what to ſay.

The ſaid Learned Man, in a Book Publiſhed ſince his Death, concerning the Rule and Order of Congregational Churches, which he aſſerts to be the only Apoſtolical Churches, both according to the Rules of Scripture, and according to the Example of Primitive Humane Antiquitie, to whom next unto the Sacred Scriptures, we owe greateſt Veneration and Credence, which he in the ſaid Book citeth, in that Diſcourſe, treating of the Ruling Elders Office and Duty, he ſaith, I admire that any man ſhould have ſo much confidence in his own Abilities, ſo as to ſuppoſe himſelf Meet, and Able, for the Diſcharge of both ſorts of E…ders in the least Church of Chriſt; In the ſame Treatiſe, he further affirms, Its evident, that neither the Purity, Order, nor the Beauty, or Glory of the Churches of Chriſt, nor his Majeſty, or Authority in the Government of them, can be long preſerved without the multiplication Elders in them, according to the proportion to … Number of their reſpective Members; for w… whereof, the Churches of old, and late, have De… nerated into Anarcby, or Confuſion, or elſe gi… themſel vss up, unto the dominion of ſome prelati… Teachers to rule at pleaſure, which was the poi… and bane of the other Primitive Churches; and t… will do the ſame for the future, in the neglect this Order.

God avert theſe ſad Omens, that they ſhou… befal our Churches; and yet when w… read how the Myſtery of Iniquity wrought apprently in ſome who loved the preheminence even in the Apoſtles time, we are at a loſs, a… humbly leave it with him, whoſe Face is n… to be ſeen, but his back parts only, while he paſſing before us in his Glory, and taking way his hand.

Hath not New-England experienced this grea… truth, What is become of the Majeſty, Authority, and Glory of Chriſts Appearing in ou… Churches, unto which Chriſts Defence is promiſed when we were compleated according t… Rule, as at the firſt: Let's take Chriſts Counſel, to Remember from whence we are Fallen, & Repent; Remember our Rulers which hav… declared unto us the Word of God, whoſ… Fatth follow, conſidering what hath bee… the end of their Converſation; Jeſus Chriſ… the ſame yeſterday, to day and for ever. Let's no… be carried about with divers Doctrines, and to mind what Mem… … …orton hath left us to chew upon.

In his Treatiſe call'd, The Heart of New-En…and, rent at the Blaſphemies of the Times, whoſe …ords are: It concerneth New-England always … remember, that originally they are a PLANTA…ION Religious, not a PLANTATION of …rade; the Profeſſion of the Purity of Doctrine, Worſhip and Diſcipline, is written upon their Fore…ead; a ſpot of this vaſt Jeſhimon converted …nto Corn-fields, Orchards, Streets Inhabited, …nd a place of Merchandiſe cannot denomi…ate New-England, all theſe notwithſtanding if …e fall away from her Profeſſion, call her …habod, The Glory is Departed; in ſuch a caſe, …hat was ſaid of Samnium, ſometimes a Fa-, …ous City in Italy, viz. That they could not …nd SAMNIUM in SAMNIUM, will be ve…fied in theſe Churches; vix. That NEW-ENGLAND is not to be found in NEW-ENGLAND, nor BOSTON in BOSTON. God …orbid, that after New England hath now ſhi…ed Twenty Years and more, like a Light upon an Hill, it ſhould at laſt go out in the ſnuff of Morelianiſm; thus far the words of Boſtons great and ſecond Seraphical Teacher, who For…y Years ſince, declared theſe Fears about us; as will further appear in the laſt page of this Scribled Narrative, in his Funeral Elegy upon Mr. Cottons Death. When our Stocks and Farms were not ſo multiplied, nor our Trade …nd Merchandiſe ſo increaſed, nor the Number p. 71of our Members, nor Mortuaries, ſo grea… as now. As Holy Herbert in his Pious Poem foretold of us.

As Gold and Grace never yet did agree,

Religion alway ſiding with Poverty.

That as the Church ſhall thither Weſtward flie,

So Sin ſhall Trace and Dog her inſtantly.

Yet we could maintain our Officers. No queſtion was then about the Miniſters Table… how they ſhould be ſupplied; the Silver and Gold in Darius, his Exchequer was the Lords▪ and he brought it out to advance Temple-work; if the Church Stock needed Enlargement, a word then from the Deacons was ſufficient to bring forth more then enough, yea to Moſes calling for a reſtraint; ſuch inlargedneſs of heart then appeared, as ſome old Planters may Remember.

It was an awful Speech of a Worthy Miniſter of the Goſpel lately utter'd upon a Falt-Day in a Neighbour Congregation; that he feared the Churches did not underſtand the Cauſe of Gods preſent Controverſy; that it was Reformation God looked for, who us'd this Motive to provoke to Duty; that if the preſent Generation did not attend and do their Duty, the next ſhould not, and would not be capable of it; and indeed how can it be expected, That they ſhould Reform that which they know not to be an evil, nor to fall upon practice of an unknown Precept; Paſtors and Teachers are accounted as Supernumeraries; no Rule but for one Officer in a Church; and as for Ruling Elders, they have been taken up by Tradition; that there is but one word in the whole Bible for them; yet the Faith once given to the Sains, is earneſtly (yet Regularly) to be contended for by them; but they will find them more then twice mentioned, in Rom. 12. among Church Officers, viz. The Teacher is to attend on Teaching, the Paſtor or Exhorter, on Exhortation; the Giver, to do it with ſimplicity; He that Ruleth, with diligence: can there be a fuller deſcription of the Ruling Flders Office and Work, then here is declared, & alſo in the Plat-form of Church Diſcipline. It's therefore no Humane Invention, nor Apochriphal Practice of our Predeceſſors: It's Remembred by ſome of the Old Planters Children, that there were ſuch men, when they were young, that were called Ruling Elders; but what men they were, or what was their work, they profeſſed they could not tell: What a ſhame is it to our Churches, that through Diſuſe, Miſuſe and Nonuſe of them, ſuch a queſtion ſhould be put by any of above Fifty Years of Age, now Living among us; all which is affirmed for a certain known Truth.

The ſame Reverend man of God, being imployed the laſt Narraganſet Wars, by our Worthy Elders, to make Report and Return to the General Court, of the provoking evils then found among us, did repreſent to them, the Churches incompleatneſs of Officers, to be one of the great evils, Provocations, & grou… of Diſpleaſure unto God, then among us, ſor… replied unto him, That the country and Churc… were poor, and could not maintain them; he ma… them a Ready, Grave, and Divine Anſwe… True, (ſaid he) were they mens Officers; the… were argument in what they ſaid, but bei… GODS Officers, there was no ground for fe… of it; he having Promiſed and ſaid, Prove a… try me; if we could but truſt him, he wou… open the Heavens, and pour down his Ble… ſings: it's Robbing of God we are now call… to an account for, we fear that Covetuou… neſs, Pride, and Ambition, hinders the Diſc… very of our Achan, The Lord pour down u… on Jeruſalem, the Spirit of Grace, and Suppli… cation, and that he would open the Fountain y… Sin and Uncleanneſs; that Holineſs unto the Lo… may be writ upon our hearts, houſes, and empl… ments, whether Sacred or civil and upon our P… teritys.

As we have cauſe to weep over and … wail our former tears, begging that they m… be waſhed in the Blood of the Lamb, ſo th… theſe our faint Sighs and Sobs may be Co… dial, and accepted in the Blood of the eve… laſting Covenant, that what we ſay, may … realized in our Souls. The good Lord dire our Hearts into the knowledge of his love waiting for the Pouring forth of his Spirit … on ourſelves, and the riſing generation, t… … may di…cern, and by the Divine Aids there…, be enabled, to do the reſpective work of …r Generation, according to the will of …OD, before theſe things be hid from our …yes.

That we may have the taſts of that Mercy …d Grace, ſpringing from the Love of the …ther, who knows the thoughts of his own …art, and manifeſts them to poor Penitents, …at they paſſing through the heart of him, …ho layeth in the Fathers Boſome, may deſcend …to our hearts, by the Holy Spirit dwelling … us, which Bleſſed Circulation Reverting by …e Operation of the ſame Spirit which ma…th requeſts for us, who know not to pray … we ought, and paſſing thro' the heart, and …nds of our great Mediator, may arrive, & …cend into the heart of the Father, who is …e Origine and Fountain of all Bleſſedneſs, …he Father himſelf loving us.)

That this Spirit may make interceſſion for … with Groans, which can't be uttered, he …at ſearches the hearts, knowing what is the …nd of the Spirit, becauſe he maketh inter…ſion for the Saints according to the Will of …d; Oh that we might experience theſe …ngs, that this Heavenly Dove ſent into our …arts, may make us grean, and mourn, like …ſe in the Clefts of the Rocks, that as the whole …eation growns, and travails in pain, with …cks ſtretched out, waiting to be delivered …m their Bondage and Corruption, into the Liberty o… the Sons o… God; that we receivin the firſt fruits thereof, may with Eyes an Hands lifted up, wait for the Adoption, eve the Redemption of our Souls and Bodies which Great Grace, the GOD OF AL… GRACE, Grant to Us, and Our Poor Chi… dren, with all his ISRAEL; For the Sa… of Our Dear LORD JESUS, to who… with the FATHER, and HOLYSPIRI… Be the Kingdom, Power, and Glory, For Ever AMEN.

A FUNERAL ELEGY, Upon the Death of the truly Reverend Mr. JOHN COTTON.

Late Teacher of a Church of Chriſt at Boſton in New-England: Who Died the Twenty Third, was Buried the Twenty Ninth of December. 1652.

ANd after Winthrop, Hooker, Shepheards Herſe,

Doth Cottons Death call for a Mourning Verſe.

Thy Will be done, yet Lord who dealeth thus,

Make this great Death expedient for us.

Luther pull'd down the Pope, Calvin the Prelate ſlew,

Of Calvins Lapſe, chief Cure to Cottons due.

Cotton whoſe Learning, Temper, Godlineſs,

The Germane Phaenix lively did expreſs.

Melancthon's all, may Luther's word but paſs

Melancthon's all, in our Great Cotton was.

Whilſt he was here, Life was more Life to me,

Now he is not, Death hence leſs Death to me.

That Comets great mens death do oft forego,

This preſent Comet doth too ſadly ſhow,

This Prophet's dead, yet muſt in's Doctrine ſpeak,

This Comet ſaith, elſe muſt New-England break.

That e're it be, the Heav'ns avert it far,

That Meteors ſhould ſucceed our greateſt Star.

In Bostons Orb Winthrop and Cotton were,

Theſe Lights Extinct, Dark is our Haemiſphere.

In Boſton once how much ſhin'd of our Glory,

VVe now Lament, Poſterity will Story.

Let Boston live, who had and ſaw their VVorth.

And did them hot our, both in Life and Death.

To him New-England truſt in this Diſtreſs,

Who will not leave his Exiles Comfortleſs.

John Norton.

FINIS.

Reader, Be pleaſed in page 18 for Chriſtopher Gardner Read Sir Christopher Gardner.

ERRATA.

PAge 2. Lin. 11. for in Churches, read in the Churches. pag: 6. l. 18. for graceful, read grateful. p. 12. l. 30. for Tarting read Parting. p. …3. l. 11. in…tead of Pectant, r. Pec…ant. p. 46. l. …3. for Fathers, r Father. p. 48. l. 27. for Storm … Scorn. p. 49. l. 26. r. Internal. p. 50. l. 17. …. alway. p. 69. l. 29. r. Ea…th. p. 72. l. 6. r. …ints. ibid l. 8. for twice, r. once.

End of the text · Joshua Scottow, The Planting of the Massachusetts Colony (1694)